SquidFlicks

Category: First Look

  • Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is getting the film treatment!

    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. ill. by Stephen Gammell
    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. ill. by Stephen Gammell

    CBS films will be turning one of the creepiest sets of folk lore and spooky story anthologies (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) into a motion picture. I grew up reading these awesomely eerie tales compiled by Alvin Schwartz, and there are many stories that would really be neat to see done in a film setting.

    The best part is that the pitch was made by Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan, who wrote the last four Saw films. If you are familiar with the series, it specialized in being compartmentalized horror with twists, shocks, and stunning reveals. The only way I think it could be handled better is if Guillermo del Toro was to head up the project as director. (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, MAMA)

    No timelines set yet for production, much less any idea on how the movie(s) will be made. (If they go for a classic anthology style ala Creepshow, Bodybags, or Cat’s Eye, this will be a juggernaut film).

    I’m really excited, what about you? What was your favorite story from the books?

    Source: http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/cbs-films-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-saw-patrick-melton-marcus-dunstan/

  • 2028: The Marvel Movie Machine

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    I certainly hope quality doesn’t falter over the next 14 years, because Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced that the production timeline for the franchise movies has been planned out all the way to 2028.

    While that is some incredible pre-production work, let’s see how it all pans out. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is out starting tonight and Avengers 2 is on the horizon. I am not a huge comic movie fan, but I did enjoy the first Captain America and would like to see an Incredible Hulk movie that isn’t a trainwreck like the past two attempts. Honestly, this sounds like a horror movie franchise gone way out of control (Halloween 27, anyone?)

    Tell you what, we’ll revisit this topic in a few years, ok? Make sure you hold me to that folks, because I will probably forget.

    And I know this site is not terribly popular, but please don’t let my ignorant ramblings hurt your feelings, Marvel fans. I am sure this will work out. I am just in awe of their work since I cannot get anything out of pre-production myself, much less set up 14 years of star-studded, feature-length, universe-expanding content – Unless you are a fan of Starie, my one universe creation, but that’s a talk for another day.

  • Discover overlooked fright flicks in new book HIDDEN HORROR

     
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    “A Long Overdue Addition to the Horror Pantheon!”
    – Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

    Having covered the onscreen terror essentials with Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies, Aaron “Dr. AC” Christensen is back with a brand new compendium of essays from the brightest and bloodiest genre aficionados around the globe.

    Published by Kitley’s Krypt, HIDDEN HORROR: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks features insights from 101 informed enthusiasts the world over, each paying tribute to their favorite overlooked creature feature, moldy oldie or trashy treat. Physical copies are now available from Amazon and other retailers, with a Kindle release scheduled for late January.

     

    Contributors include Fangoria’s Tony Timpone and Chris Alexander, Rue Morgue’s Dave Alexander, Monica S. Kuebler and John W. Bowen, HorrorHound’s Kristy Jett, Kenneth Nelson and Nathan Hanneman, Videohound’s Mike Mayo, Twitch’s Dave Canfield, FEARnet’s Lawrence P. Raffel and many more. Cult filmmaker and Blue Underground founder William Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop) provides the foreword.

    The result is a roster of films as impressive as the bylines, highlighting silent classics such as The Man Who Laughs and The Hands of Orlac alongside foreign horrors like Tombs of the Blind Dead and Tenebrae. Schlocky shockers The Horror of Party Beach and Humanoids from the Deep share space with mind-benders like Possession and The Tenant. With 101 literary love letters to 101 underrated titles, you’ll soon be combing your queues and video shelves to see every last one!

    Several of the tome’s contributors will be on hand for a book launch party at Spyners Pub in Chicago, IL on January 19 from 3pm – 7pm. In addition to food, drinks, trivia and prizes, physical copies of the book will be available at a discounted price.

    For more on HIDDEN HORROR: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks, visit the book on Facebook. Pick up a copy of this essential movie guide on Amazon (US) or Amazon (UK), or request it from your favorite bookseller.

  • Poster Reveal for Horror Convention Documentary FANTASM

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    Director Kyle Kuchta is excited to reveal the official theatrical poster for his forthcoming horror convention documentary, Fantasm. The film explores the bonds formed by the close-knit community of fans who attend horror conventions. A high-resolution version of the poster is attached for your use.

    In addition to a variety of devoted genre fans, Fantasm features insight from several popular horror actors and filmmakers, including Tom Atkins (Escape from New York), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger), Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2) and more.

    After being shot at six different conventions throughout the country, Fantasm is currently in post-production. “The film is being submitted to festivals and conventions,” Kuchta elaborates. “We’re really excited to be releasing it in the fall when the convention season and the horror community are thriving full-force.”

    For more information on Fantasm, visit the documentary on Facebook and Twitter.

  • A new Terminator trilogy? Commentary

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    Patrick beat me to it, but I just wanted to elaborate on some things:

    The News:

    Rumor has it that Paramount is rebooting the franchise with a new trilogy of movies. It is not know whether franchise star Arnold Schwarzenegger will be a part of the films, and other details at this moment are scarce.

    My Thoughts/Concerns:

    As a huge franchise fan, I have to say this is a victory even without a tremendous amount of detail. There is a lot of story left to tell after the conclusion of Salvation. That’s the only problem I can potentially see here – will the saga continue based on the events of the previous four films, or is there going to be a reconstruction of the entire franchise? I feel that would be a huge mistake if that’s the route Paramount wants to take.

    Will things work out, Or will Skynet dismantle this project before it can even get off the ground? Let’s hope that the resistance is strong enough to give us a few more hours of post-apocalyptic entertainment!

  • Paramount to reboot “Terminator” franchise; Standalone trilogy planned

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    June 26, 2015. That’s when we will see more Arnie, more T-800s, more Skynet, but will we see more of the future that was portrayed in “Terminator Salvation?”

    Per press release:

    Skydance Productions, Annapurna Pictures and Paramount Pictures have jointly announced they will partner on a rebooted “TERMINATOR” movie, to be released by Paramount Pictures on June 26, 2015.

    The first in a stand-alone trilogy, “TERMINATOR” will be produced by Megan Ellison of Annapurna and David Ellison of Skydance. Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake of Skydance will serve as executive producers. Laeta Kalorgridis (“Avatar,” “Shutter Island”) and Patrick Lussier (“Drive Angry”) are attached to write the screenplay.

    Launched in 1984 with star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character, “TERMINATOR” spanned 3 subsequent films, which have earned over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

    David Ellison most recently executive produced, along with his partners at Paramount, “World War Z,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. A 5th installment of in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is in active development, along with a 3rd film in the “G.I. Joe” franchise, among other films.

    Megan Ellison most recently produced the Academy Award®-nominated “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Master” and executive produced “Spring Breakers” via her Annapurna Pictures banner and has David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” Spike Jonze’s “Her,” and Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher” set for release later this year.

     I’m a little iffy on what the plot would be for this new trilogy that is being proposed. I was a HUGE fan of McG’s “Terminator Salvation,” and the planned sequels that continued the future we had heard about for three films. Rumors are circulating that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is being considered for the film. Further, a possible plot synopsis was released for the film: “The next chunk they have on the film is on the setting for the story. According to Examiner sources, the setting for Terminator 5 will be set before the birth of Sarah Connor and focus on her parents in the 1940s and 50s.The Examiner also reports that Schwarzenegger might not play a Terminator however could play the human hero of the film who has close connections to the Connor family however he is well antiquated with weaponry by today’s standards ultimately inspired the machines to develop a terminator in his likeness that was eventually sent to 1984 when Sarah Connor was first targeted for termination.

  • Iconic actor Robert Z’Dar set to appear in slasher throwback Easter Sunday

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    Iconic actor Robert Z’Dar set to appear in slasher throwback Easter Sunday
    Currently in production in Virginia, raising funds on Kickstarter

    It seems every holiday was used as the backdrop for an ’80s slasher movie – with the exception of Easter… until now!

    Northgate Pictures is currently in production in Virginia on Easter Sunday. The gritty throwback to the golden era of slasher films is based on an urban legend about an axe-wielding killer who wears a rabbit costume.

    A Kickstarter campaign has been launched in order to raise the funds necessary to complete the film. Although the $2,000 goal has already been exceeded, the filmmakers are still accepting support in order to create the best movie possible. Supporters can donate anywhere from $1 to $275, with rewards including producer credits, roles in the film, screen-used props, artwork, memorabilia, autographs and more.

    Easter Sunday is written and directed by Jeremy Morehead, an exciting new filmmaker with a lifelong passion for horror. Genre fans will recognize iconic actor Robert Z’Dar (Maniac Cop, Tango & Cash) as the film’s Sheriff Arkin and indie regular Edward X. Young (Mr. Hush, Sea of Dust) as demonologist Angus Bradley. The cast also includes Jeremy Morehead, Valerie Foos, Jon McCoy, Anne Morehead, Travis Morton and Jason Delgado.

    Easter Sunday aims to return to the slasher genre’s roots by relying on tension, suspense, camerawork, character development and black humor, rather than quick editing and jump scares. “I feel like a lot of horror films being released these days don’t have the heart and soul that the genre films from the ’80s had,” explains Morehead. “Our goal is to create a film that pays homage to all the films that made us horror fanatics.”

    Synopsis: 
    It’s been 24 years since the deranged serial killer Douglas Fisher was executed by police on Easter night. This year, a group of hard partying teenagers not only raise some hell, but literally raise the dead! The teens accidentally conjure the spirit of Douglas Fisher… aka the bunny masked killer. These teens have until midnight on Easter to stop the evil bunny slasher, or he will tear their town and everyone in it into pieces. There will be no candy in your Easter basket, just the limbs and body parts of your family and friends.

    Watch the Easter Sunday teaser trailer at http://youtu.be/WUYdIkQx98w

    For more information on Easter Sunday, visit its Facebook page. Donate to the crowdfunding campaign at http://kck.st/ZUXPyb

  • Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector

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    Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector is a feature-length documentary directed by Dan Kinem and Levi Peretic that sheds light on the growing VHS culture and the community of collectors that still cherish what many refer to as a “dead format.” It is a passion project made by true lovers of the format for not only people who love VHS, but also for people who can remember having to rewind a movie before they could watch it and for people who remember the glorious days of going to the video store each weekend to rent a movie. It was culled from over 1,000 hours of footage and over 100 interviews with collectors, distributors, and video store owners like Lloyd Kaufman (head of Troma Entertainment), Tony Timpone (former editor of Fangoria), Fred Vogel (director, August Underground), Sam Sherman (horror producer extraordinaire), Zack Carlson (producer American Scream), Mike McPadden (head writer, Mr. Skin), and many, many more. The film was completely funded through Kickstarter and has been a huge community effort. Directors Levi and Dan run the popular VHS-review site, VHShitfest and the film was produced by Matt Desiderio of Horror Boobs Video and Josh Schafer of Lunchmeat Magazine. Adjust Your Tracking premiered in Los Angeles on April 5th and has been screening around the world since then. It is currently booking more screenings around the world including an Adjust Your Tracking VHS Tour in August. With articles recently posted on USA Today, Slash Film, Fangoria, Time Out New York, and more, the film has been gaining a lot of buzz.

    For more information on Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector, visit their Official Facebook Page below:

    Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector Facebook Page

  • Herscell Gordon Lewis “The Godfather Of Gore” set To Direct ZOMBIFICADOR

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    Click here read the official Press Release with all the details. It includes Mr Lewis’ movie posters, youtube interview and other important details!
    Iconic filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis has agreed to return to the director’s chair for Zombificador. Lewis is affectionately known as the “Godfather of Gore” after making such classic splatter fests as Two Thousand Maniacs, Blood Feast, Color Me Blood Red and The Wizard of Gore. Now he’s ready to create what promises to be his bloodiest movie ever!

    Lewis will direct from a script written by Marc Fernandez. Zombificador is an old-fashioned anthology movie with five interconnecting stories. From big, fat monsters with the ability of transforming people into savage creatures, to human-sized mutant bugs, along with talking puppets and silent psycho killers, Zombificador has it all. The movie will utilize traditional, practical special effects.Genre favorites Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects, Repo! The Genetic Opera), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and Todd Farmer (My Bloody Valentine, Jason X) are attached to star in the film. Other recognizable faces are in talks to be involved.

  • Elm Street’s Last Brat Returns to Horror

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    OPENING NIGHT
    “When the curtain rises, they die!”
    A Mindwarp Entertainment Production

    Tuesday Knight, star of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master“, is returning to her horror roots twenty-five years later in a new short film entitled “Opening Night“.

    Knight rose to fame playing Kristen Parker in the fourth installment of the famed Nightmare on Elm Street series in 1988. She has since gone on to have a successful career in television, movies, music and designing her own jewelry line.

    “Seems just like yesterday when I got the role as Kristen in “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master,” Knight said. “I was running out of the New Line building so excited that I feel down their main staircase. But it didn’t matter, I was so excited to be starring in my first feature film.

    I had work on television (Fame, General Hospital) but getting a feature is a big step in an actor’s life. Working on the set in some ways was a “Nightmare” in itself…getting pushed down into a pool of sand is not my idea of a dream job but it’s what we do for the love of the craft.

    When we were filming this, I had seen the other films from the franchise but never thought that the fourth installment would have such a huge following. I guess it made me have a certain appreciation for horror, it’s what I have to thank for having a career in film.

    A lot of people think that I have something against horror because most of my career has been in drama or comedy, but I actually love horror. So, when I got the call to do a cameo in Wes Craven’s “New Nightmare” I was so thrilled to go back and work with the people who made the original and the franchise what it is today.”

    The new film, “Opening Night” is about a theatre company led by Victoria Lawson (played by Knight) who are prepping to perform a cursed play on the anniversary of a local massacre.

    The project is slated to begin production in Texas late July and will be released in time for the Halloween season via producer Carlos Corral at Mindwarp Entertainment.

    “Almost everyone has a love for horror films,” Corral said. “It’s the one genre that keeps both fans and filmmakers coming back for more. I’m excited that we get to work with cult-icon Tuesday Knight for our next horror project here in Texas.”

    Dakota A. Thomas, whose previous short films include “Repent” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed“, is helming this project as writer/director.

    “It is impossible for me to express the emotions that I am feeling going into this new project,” Thomas said. “I am a lifelong horror fan. I’ve always been a big fan of Tuesday’s work. I remember buying my VHS copy of “The Dream Master” and falling in love with Tuesday’s character and that soulful voice.

    I’ve followed her career since then and thanks to the internet we’ve become virtual friends. It’s a very surreal experience that I now all these years later have the honor of working with her. She is a remarkable person. It’s very humbling for me that she has even considered this role and I can’t wait to share this with all the fans who have been demanding for her to return to horror.”

    Note worthy: Dakota designed the cover for Tuesday Knight’s 2012 C.D. “FAITH”. The plan for the short film is to use it as a springboard to make a feature version.

    “I guess coming back into horror and doing a part in “Opening Night” has me a little excited to come to something familiar and to the genre I personally love,” Tuesday Knight continued. “The script is so well written and character driven and is not a “typical horror” film. You actually get to love the characters. Dakota is a brilliant writer and a very talented director. I know everyone will love this as much as I do.”

    For more information and updates on this project LIKE the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/openingnightfilm

    Tuesday Knight can be contacted for interviews through her publicist Michael Perez at tuesdaysman@gmail.com.