The Horror-Fanatics.com Blog

The State of Horror - New Project in the Works

2011-06-22T00:07:00.000-07:00

It pains me to see how the horror genre is today. When something seems to grow in popularity, it eventually becomes "quantity over quality." Like the latest 15 minute trends and the "Wienergate" scandals we hear all over the news. Nobody likes to talk about the real issues. This is where I put my foot down. I've been in love with the horror genre ever since I was a kid, so I have to pour my thoughts and explain why I've been so absent these last few months. The truth is, I've been losing interest in the horror genre for quite sometime now; Which is why I haven't been keeping up with this blog. My passion for the genre is fading away. Remakes are continuing to earn big bucks at the box office, and it just sickens me. Almost every network has a vampire related show on TV. These cookie cutter MTV branded movies like TWILIGHT, THE ROOMMATE and RESIDENT EVIL (and its stupid fucking sequels) don't cut it for me. Jackie Earl Haley is NOT Freddy Kruger and Jason Voorhees shouldn't be treated like Leatherface's dimwitted cousin. Not only are these movies lame, but people are lame for actually being that fucking brain dead to buy tickets and see them. Nobody seems to be trying anymore.

Originality is almost non-existent. The plot for SCREAM 4 mirrors exactly the way horror is today. Hollywood is nothing more than a product. It's a business, not a passion project. It's all about the money. Reviews and general movie-goer feedback don't matter. If it makes money, the profiteers wont give a shit how you feel. It's not like they ever would anyway. Why do you think Rob Zombie made a sequel to HALLOWEEN? Why does Sony continue to not put any effort into their genre pictures? Because it's never about the fan base. There are some exceptions to this, but they're so few and far in between. I follow politics more than I do horror movies now. It's a damn shame. As much as I hate the way the genre is going, I haven't lost complete faith. I watched a trailer for John Carpenter's new flick (THE WARD) and I couldn't help but think, "my god Carpenter is returning to form?" This is amazing! There is some hope for the future, and that's what inspired me to start writing again. As much as I can't stand remakes and teen vampire romances, the classics will always be there for me. I'll always have the old films on hand, in case I need that moral support.

I'm looking into a fresh start. "Horror-Fanatics" has been great to me, and I'll always appreciate the friends I've made and the opportunities I've had thanks to the site. Including the review quotes I've managed to land on DVD covers. Landing the back quote on GUTTERBALLS was my favorite. I'll never forget that. Horror-Fanatics has opened up many doors for me. Sadly the door for HF itself is closing. I'm experimenting with some ideas which include a podcast format, because I plan to keep my work alive through blogs and online radio shows. Seeing how I've been into politics lately, I'm brainstorming on ways to combine politics with horror movies. Long time fans of the genre will get the idea, seeing how a lot of the classics reflect the times in which they were made. Any film in George Romero's catalog are a perfect example of this. Running a website is fun, but it's just too much work. I have a child to raise and a family to support, so my work won't be as timely as it was before. However I won't be digging my grave anytime soon.

Hitchcock Honorable Mentions: Suspicion

2010-09-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

We're just taking a short break from the actual top ten list to focus on the films not featured on the blog already. Coming up with a Hitchcock top ten wasn't easy. I'm still kicking myself over the films that I didn't pick. It's like picking a favorite child really. Much like our last entry, this film also stars Cary Grant. This is arguably one of his best performances. SUSPICION is a romantic psychological thriller about a shy young English woman who begins to suspect her husband of trying to kill her. It's really a simple plot that doesn't need to be explained any further. It'll have you guessing all the way to the very end. Is Cary Grant's character a murderer? Or is it all just one big misunderstanding?

With great acting from both Grant and Joan Fontaine, SUSPICION will have you on the edge of your seat. There's one scene in the film that really stands from the rest. It's the scene where Johnnie (Grant) brings his wife a glass of milk to her while she's in bed. To make the imagery stand out, they actually placed a light bulb inside the glass to make it more stunning. You begin to wonder if he did something to the milk. Poison perhaps? You'll just have to watch the film for yourself if you haven't done so already.

CAMEO NOTE: Hitchcock actually has two cameos in this movie. Four minutes in you can see him walking a horse across the screen at the hunt meet. The second is about six minutes into the movie where he's tossing a white sheet of paper while the bus pulls up for Robert Donat and Lucie Mannheim to leave the theater.

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #4

2010-09-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

Most of Hitchcock's thrillers deal with the same concept of a person who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's often a mistaken identity case. An innocent soul has to endure a series of horrifying events leading up to one giant conclusion. NORTH BY NORTHWEST is no different. Cary Grant stars as Roger Thornhill, a man who is mistaken for a Mr. George Kaplan and kidnapped by Valerian and Licht. He is taken to the house of Lester Townsend on Long Island. There he is interrogated by a man he assumes to be Townsend, but who is really Phillip Vandamm. Thornhill repeatedly denies he is Kaplan, but Vandamm does not believe him. He orders his right-hand man Leonard (played marvelously by Martin Landau) to get rid of him. It's a cat and mouse chase across the country with Mr. Thornhill running to save his own life.

Filled with murders and unbelievable chase scenes (one in particular being the most iconic involving a crop dusting plane), NORTH BY NORTHWEST is the perfect film for thrill seekers and worldly travelers. It's a nice change of pace from Hitchcock's previous film VERTIGO. The plot of this film involves what Alfred Hitchcock calls a "MacGuffin", a physical object that everyone in the film is chasing but which has no deep relationship to the plot. This plot device seems to work almost every time. Much like Hitchcock's other film SABATEUR, the ending takes place on a historical landmark. This one being on top of Mount Rushmore.

This is easily one of Hitchcock's most intense and thrilling films. It's got so many twists and turns that it makes it hard for any human being to trust anyone. Anything can happen, and it's presented well. Grant makes this picture his own. Cary Grant worked with Hitchcock on three other different films: Suspicion, Notorious and To Catch a Thief. All of which are amazing films in their own right. Grant personified the prototype of the ideal man created by Hitchcock and the type of man he would have liked to be. Every man at one point wanted to be Cary Grant. Even he himself wanted to be Cary Grant. Hitchcock also stated that Grant was "the only actor he ever loved in his whole life". Who could blame him? After seeing this movie you can't help but love Cary Grant.

I'm sure for alot of people, this movie would be number one on their list. Sadly we're not finished yet. We still have three more films to cover plus some added honorable mentions. There are just way too many Hitchcocks films that have yet to be covered. If you don't have NORTH BY NORTHWEST in your collection already, I highly recommend the blu-ray. It has that nice high def polish that's just going to make you love the film even more.

CAMEO NOTE: At the very end of the opening credits, you can see Hitchcock missing his bus right after they show his name on screen.

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #5

2010-07-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

Birds are friendly creatures, right? Remember the impact George Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD had? It used to scare me watching it at night as a child. Just the thought of strangers trying to force themselves into your home drove me crazy and kept me up through the night. Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS had the same exact impact on me. Instead of people, it's crazy birds trying to kill you. Isn't that strange? Birds trying to kill people? Hitchcock made it work; too well in fact. THE BIRDS is one of Hitchcock's most popular films (and for good reason). Unlike his previous work which consists of crime thrillers and dramas, THE BIRDS is more of a true horror movie. Based on the 1952 novella by Daphne du Maurier, THE BIRDS takes place in the town of Bodega Bay, California. Which is, suddenly and for unexplained reasons, the subject of a series of widespread and violent bird attacks. Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) travels to the coastal town to hook up with a rugged fellow (Rod Taylor) she's only just met. Before long the town is attacked with poor Melanie caught in the mix.

Having this film as #5 on our list seems a little unfair. THE BIRDS is a great movie all on its own, but Hitchcock has so many great flicks that it's hard to narrow it down. I'm sure most of you have seen this movie at least once in your life. This is one of those movies I like to push people to see. It's really scary and intense to watch. Just seeing a flock of seagulls going after a group of school children is bad enough. Picture them trying to enter a house that you've boarded yourself in with a massive army of them waiting outside near the playground. Of all the Hitchcock movies out there, this one scared me the most. You would have to be living in a rock most of your life to never hear of this movie. It's been parodied to death in cartoons, TV sitcoms and in other motion pictures. Looking back at THE BIRDS today is an enjoyable experience. You may laugh at the special effects, but for its time it was really frightening. The noise that the birds themselves make are uneasy to the ear. I don't see how anybody can bad mouth this movie. THE BIRDS sadly lacks a conventional score. Instead of music the film uses sound effects and sparse source music in counterpoint to calculated silences.

THE BIRDS even had a sequel in 1994 called "THE BIRDS II: LAND'S END." If you're smart enough, you'll stay away from that dreaded so called sequel. The original classic is all you need to satisfy your dark urges. Last we heard Platinum Dunes tried to do a remake back in 2007, but ended up just scrapping the project (thank god) in 2009. The last thing we need is for an explanation as to why the birds are killing people. We've already seen terrible remakes for THE LODGER and PSYCHO. Leave this one alone damn it!

CAMEO NOTE: Two minutes into the film Hitchcock can been seen leaving the pet shop with two white Sealyham terriers.

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #6

2010-06-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

Normally when someone peaks into the window of another persons home, that's creepy enough. Can you imagine spying through someone's window, only to discover someone being murdered? It's a peeping tom's nightmare. If anybody can take an already creepy concept and turn that volume up to 11, it's Alfred Hitchcock. This was one of those movies I used to watching as a kid. Seeing it as an adult now just makes me appreciate it more. I love REAR WINDOW, and I'm sure most of you reading this list do to. It's such a great movie. Both its story and visual perspective are dictated by its protagonist's imprisonment in his apartment, convalescing in a wheelchair, from which both he and the audience observe the lives of his neighbors in a cheerfully voyeuristic fashion.

L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is an adventure-loving professional photographer sidelined by an accident while on assignment. When the invalid wife of the salesman Lars Thorwald vanishes, Jeff believes the man might have killed his wife. He tells his concerns to Lisa and to his nurse Stella and the women agree with his observations, but his friend Detective Thomas J. Doyle finds reasonable explanation for each remark. However, Lisa decides to go further in her investigation, getting closer to the suspect. One could argue that the murder plot is the MacGuffin--a mere pretext--in a film that's more interested in the implications of Jeff's sentinel perspective. When Jeff peaks out into other peoples homes, he gives the residents weird names to remember them by.

Later we learn more about the lives of the other neighbors. Jeff's evident fear of intimacy and commitment with Lisa provides the other vital thread to the story. As with most of these mysteries I can't really explain too much without giving away the entire movie, so I'll just let it rest for now. REAR WINDOW has been called one of Alfred Hitchock's best. And as you can see we completely agree (it's on our list!). It received four Academy Award nominations and was added to the United States National Film Registry in '97. REAR WINDOW has been re-told, parodied and referenced many times. DISTURBIA (2007) was practically a modern retelling of the story. This goes to show you that an old idea never goes out of style!

As with more of Hitchcock's classics, Universal has re-released REAR WINDOW in an awesome Legacy Special Edition set. Chalk full bonus features that will make you love and appreciate the movie even more.

CAMEO NOTE: About 25 minutes into the film Hitchcock can be seen winding the clock in the songwriter's apartment.

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #7

2010-06-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

Hitchcock truly was the master of suspense. This film alone proves that as fact. VERTIGO is one of Hitchcock's most intense and thrilling pictures. Those with a fear of heights can relate to James Stewarts portrayal as a man who is deathly afraid of tall structures. Hitchcock loves to take ordinary people and put them in extraordinary situations. Based on a novel by Boileau-Narcejac, VERTIGO is about retired police detective John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart). Ferguson suffers from acrophobia (fear of heights) and has been re-hired as a private investigator to follow the wife of an acquaintance to uncover the mystery of her peculiar behavior.

When VERTIGO was first released, it seemed to be ahead of its time. Although it wasn't a box-office success when originally released in 1958, VERTIGO has since taken its deserved place as Alfred Hitchcock's greatest, most spellbinding, most deeply personal achievement. VERTIGO has been called the most personal, emotional, and complex of Hitchcock's films. I tend to agree with all these statements. VERTIGO is such an amazing picture. It's been analyzed and praised to death by fans all over the world. It's one of those Hitchcock movies that I'll never get sick of watching.

It's suspenseful and scary to watch in parts. I myself am afraid of heights. Just thinking about falling off large buildings gives me goosebumps. There are phenomenal performances by Jimmy Stewart, who plays the biggest anti-hero of his career and Kim Novak whose stunning beauty and exceptional personalities shine through this dark film. If you don't already have this film in your collection, I recommend picking up the Universal Legacy Special Edition DVD set. It's a 50th Anniversary set with restored picture, audio and some great bonus material.

CAMEO NOTE: Eleven minutes in Hitchcock can be seen in a grey suit walking in the street.

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #8

2010-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

Much like the last film in our countdown (ROPE), this movie is notorious for its setting and atmosphere. LIFEBOAT is different from Hitchock's usual crime thriller. It's a war movie that follows a group of survivors who are stranded out at sea. During World War II a group of American and British citizens are stuck in a lifeboat after their ship and a U-boat sink each other in combat Survivors from the freighter torpedoed by a U-boat huddle together including columnist Constance Porter, the ship's engineer Kovac, radio operator Stanley Garrett, nurse Alice MacKenzie, millionaire Charles 'Ritt' Rittenouse, seaman Gus Smith, steward Joe, and Mrs. Higley, a hysterical English woman holding her dead baby. Though the inhabitants of the lifeboat come from vastly different backgrounds, they quickly set aside the social and economic differences that divide them in a united effort to survive.

Explaining the plot further would just ruin the whole thing, so I'll just leave it at that. Basically you're stuck watching these people trying to survive out at sea. Just the thought of being stranded out in the ocean is scary. Trying being in the middle of war while it's happening. These elements together create paranoia, and that's just one of the reasons why we love this movie. What makes LIFEBOAT stand apart is its character development and dialog. LIFEBOAT runs at a pretty good pace and at 91 minutes total it doesn't ever seem to drag. The story comes from John Steinbeck, the author of such stories as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men."

Trying to fit a group of actors in one place can be a challange, and it's remarkable that Hitchcock was able to get it down. For such a small frame Hitchcock managed somehow to fit a good number of characters on screen at the same time. If you haven't had the oppertunity to see LIFEBOAT yet, then I suggest adding it to your Netflix cue right away. Especially if you're a fan of the movie ROPE. The film is so good that it received Academy Award nominations for Best Director, Best Original Motion Picture Story and Best Black and White Cinematography. Some critics see this as an unsubtle wartime propaganda piece; I call it a great achievement in cinema. LIFEBOAT's portrayal of a German character (was perceived as a positive fashion) caused considerable controversy at the time of its release. Looking back at it now, I don't think that's entirely true. Go see this movie!

CAMEO NOTE: How can Hitchcock make an appearance in LIFEBOAT without having to play a character on screen? That's easy, just read the newspaper. 25 minutes into the film Hitchcock's body is seen in the "before" and "after" newspaper ad for "Reduco Obesity Slayer".

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #9

2010-06-17T21:24:00.001-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

ROPE is an interesting movie to watch. Especially when you watch it with a group of friends. Right after the opening credits the audience is treated to a quick and simple murder. Needless to say, the suspense builds up from the start. You can't help but wonder: What else is going to happen? What does the rest of the movie have in store for me? It's brilliance. Pure, long brilliance. In ROPE we follow Branden and Philip. The couple have just murdered their former classmate David, and hid his body inside of an antique wooden chest. After the so called "perfect murder", Branden and Philip host a dinner in the very same room where David was killed. The guests are unaware that David has gone missing, and begin to question his disappearance. Little do they know David is close by, but he is no longer the life of the party (pardon the pun).

What makes ROPE stand out from Hitchcock's other films is that the entire thing takes place in one setting (much like the next film in our countdown). For about 80 minutes you're stuck inside of Branden and Philips apartment. The only time you get to see outside is during the opening credits. For the rest of the picture you're inside the apartment with a view of Manhattan blaring outside the windows. The premise is strange yet satisfying. Branden and Phil throw a party while theirs a dead body in their wooden chest; which is proudly displayed in the living room with the dinner guests eating off of it. The only person in the party who begins to suspect Branden and Phil is Rupert Cadell, the prep-school housemaster and publisher played brilliantly by James Stewart. Stewart's facial expressions alone are great, and for some reason he's the only one who can see throught Phil and Branden's lies. The suspense in ROPE builds you up until the very end, and that's why we love this movie with a passion. It's very subtle, but Hitchcock still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat.

ROPE is notorious for its long and extended cuts. There are literally hundreds of cuts in movies where the camera switches from time to time depending on the scene. In ROPE the camera doesn't cut out for long periods of time. In total there's only ten cuts in the film. Each extending for about 5-10 minutes. The longest segment runs about ten minutes and seven seconds. Each part is cleverly edited with blackout shots - continuously panning from actor to actor. Most segments end by panning against or tracking into an object (a man’s jacket blocking the entire screen, for example). In this way, Hitchcock effectively masked almost all the cuts in the film. It's an experimental piece of art that begs to be seen. Be sure to add ROPE to your Netflix cue if you haven't seen it already. It's such a great film.

CAMEO NOTE: Hitchcock has not one but two cameos in this picture. One is in bodily form walking along a street. The other is his trademark silhouette which can be seen on a red neon sign advertising "Reduco" in the view from the apartment window. The neon sign is the little hard to see, so look very carefully!

Our favorite Hitchcock Movies #10

2010-06-01T17:45:00.001-07:00

Written by: Nightmare Child

The best way to watch Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES is with a laptop (or mini-dvd player) on an Amtrak train. Perhaps with a cup of coffee in your hand. What is THE LADY VANISHES about anyway? Well it's about a woman named Iris who befriends an older lady on a train. Iris is on her way back to England. Sadly her train is delayed by an avalanche that has blocked the railway tracks. Once the avalanche clears, Iris begins preparing for her journey. While on her way to the train, Iris gets hit over the head by an unknown shadow. It's apparently obvious that something is not right. That's when Miss Froy comes in. Miss Froy is an elderly lady who has worked some years abroad as a governess. Both Miss Froy and Iris board the train together. Getting to know each other by making coversation.

When Iris takes a nap on the train, she awakens later and discovers that Miss Froy has gone missing. Was she kidnapped? Or is it just in Iris' head? The question of whether or not Miss Froy actually existed is just one of the many mysteries in Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES. The mysterious plot is the very thing that sucks you in from the start. THE LADY VANISHES is one of Hitchcock's best mysteries that keeps you glued to the couch until the very end. The movie was Hitchock's penultimate film made in the UK before his move to Hollywood years later. It was the great success of THE LADY VANISHES, after a slump of three films that were not hits, that made it possible for Hitchcock to negotiate a very good deal to work in the States. The film was also remade in 1979 by Hammer Studios. THE LADY VANISHES is full of suspense, mystery and humor. It's a great film to watch; especially when you're on a train yourself.

I will admit the film does get a little far fetched towards the end. There's an intense build up for the reveal, and when you do figure out what's going on, it's hard to believe. Luckily that doesn't spoil the entire experience. See THE LADY VANISHES if you haven't already.

CAMEO NOTE: Hitchcock is known to make quiet cameo appearances in most of his movies. Here Hitchcock shows up an hour and a half into the film (near the end). He can be seen in the Victoria Station, wearing a black coat and smoking a cigarette. It's a quick one, so look carefully.

Hitchcock's PSYCHO turns 50 next month!

2010-05-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

We're so excited and we just can't hide it. Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO will be turning fifty next month. There's only one way to celebrate (other then watching the movie for the millionth time); a top ten list! We'll be counting down our favorite Alfred Hitchcock films for your enjoyment. Will such favorites as THE BIRDS, VERTIGO and NORTH BY NORTHWEST make the list? In Hitchcock's signature style, we're going to leave it as a mystery for now. Be here early when the posting is announced, because you won't be let in once it's started.

Night, Dawn, Day, Land, Diary and now Survival!

2010-05-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

George Romero's new zombie flick SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD can be seen everywhere. You can watch it in select theaters, on demand and on HDNet. We've had the oppertunity to see the film for ourselves - and to be quite honest, it's not Romero's best film. SURVIVAL contains all the familiar elements that Romero is know for: Flesh eaters, social commentary and a whole lot of zombie gore. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD took place on the very first evening of the zombie apocolypse. DAWN and DAY took place sometime after that. Following different groups on their struggle to survive against the onslaught of zombies. LAND OF THE DEAD was the film that brought Romero back to doing what he did best. Of all the "Dead" films, LAND was the one with the biggest budget. DIARY was short on both the budget and scope, but that didn't stop it from becoming an ejnoyable experience. DIARY went back to the beginning (the where all hell broke loose). SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD is George Romero's newest zombie film. Unlike all the previous film in the "Dead" series, SURVIVAL feels more like a sequel to DIARY.

The film takes place in a desperate, nightmarish world where the dead walk the earth, relentlessly attacking the living. It is the story of Plum Island - a beautiful refuge whose isolation allows two powerful families to maintain a semblance of order in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. But as the inhabitants slowly die off, the two clans become sharply divided: The O'Flynns believe that the undead must be destroyed without exception, while the Muldoons insist that afflicted loved ones be kept "alive" until a cure is found. Into this situation wander a small group of National Guard soldiers who, after robbing the protagonists of the previous film (DIARY), have decided to strike out on their own in an effort to survive.

If it's a Romero zombie movie, then you'll know what to expect.

Halloween 6 Producers Cut screen shots

2010-05-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the Producer's Cut of HALLOWEEN 6 yet, then I suggest that you do so (s0mehow). I've been wanting to see this cut for years and I patiently waited for Dimension to come out with an official release. Sadly that has yet to happen, and thanks to Disney it may not happen anytime soon. Bootlegs of the Producer's Cut have been selling all over the internet for years. Both in VHS and DVD format. As you would expect, the bootleg quality isn't great - but it's more than worth the cash. After abandoning all hope, we finally gave in. Now we've got our hands on a copy of the infamous original version of HALLOWEEN 6. After giving it a shot, we realized that it was a horrible mistake to wait for Disney to release a proper version. This Producer's Cut is amazing!

It's way better than the theatrical cut. There's more scenes with extended footage and it carries a much darker tone. The music and narration is different as well. We could go on for hours about all the changes, but it's best for you to see it for yourself. I think the biggest difference overall is the actual telling of the story. All the restored footage gives the story a little more flare and maturity. It's violent, though the death scenes in the theatrical cut are slightly better. We prefer a good story over brutality, and H6 is a perfect example. Did you ever wonder what happened to Dr. Loomis at the end of H6? The Producer's Cut shows it all. If you ever get the chance, we highly recommend that you snag yourself a copy. It's definitely worth it. Who doesn't love Michael Myers? Perhaps these screen shots will persuade you:

FULCI LIVES: The Beyond

2010-04-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is one of those horror movies that I will never get sick of watching. I've watched it at home and on the big screen. I've shown it to friends and family. It always gives me such great delight to show and recommend "The Beyond" to others. It's my favorite Lucio Fulci film (believe it or not). Sure it's almost 30 years old and the special effects aren't what you call "spectacular" but it does entertain. It's filled with mild scares and lots of gore. Gruesome would be the word to use when describing "The Beyond." The film takes place on a remote and cursed hotel, built over one of the seven gateways. Becoming a malevolent abyss that begins devouring both the bodies and the souls of all who enter in a graphic frenzy of gory crucifixions, chunk-blowing chain-whippings, sulfuric acid meltdowns, flesh-eating tarantulas, throat-shredding demon dogs and ravenous bloodthirsty zombies. It's just the stuff that Fulci is known for!

If you haven't seen this movie then I suggest that you should. You can get it online at a good price. The more recent DVDs come with special features and the original unrated, uncensored director's cut. If you're new to the genre, I suggest watching "The Beyond" in small doses. It's really violent - Like seeing someone getting their eyeballs ripped off of their face. It also features one of the best head shots known to mankind. Ever see a bullet burst through the head of a possessed little girl? It's pretty fucking awesome! It you enjoy the film, I also recommend getting the soundtrack. It features all the music that's played in the movie. I happen to find the soundtrack to be pretty relaxing.

Keep coming back to the blog. Soon we'll have more miniture reviews on Fulci's films. Check back soon for posts on ZOMBI 2, HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, THE NEW YORK RIPPER and CAT IN THE BRAIN.

New Elm Street hitting theatres in 10 days!

2010-04-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, remakes are still being chugged out of the assembly line. There's no stopping it now. The damage has already been done. Some horror remakes are decent, but it's so few and far between. The reason why we bring up this dead horse again is because of the new Elm Street flick. We love the original so much - so we're hoping that it wont be that bad. Somehow I'm beginning to doubt it...

Samuel Bayer's remake of the popular 1985 film is hitting theaters in less than ten days. A re-imagining of the horror icon Freddy Krueger, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is about a serial-killer who wields a glove with four blades embedded in the fingers and kills people in their dreams, resulting in their real death in reality. Jackie Earle Haley plays the role of Freddy Krueger (originally portrayed by Robert Englund) this time time around. On April 30th, prepare to never sleep again.

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEQnoIq4UFY

Return to Rapture in 2010 - Multiplayer Included

2009-12-31T12:17:00.001-08:00

As far as games go, our biggest hope for 2010 is BioShock 2. Sequel to the amazing FPS about a man who ends up in an under water metropolis, only to discover that it has a history and has been condemned to violence. The evil that lingers beneath the ocean is too terrifying to imagine. The first BioShock was so much fun to play. The story was full of twists and turns, and depending on your actions you'll get one of three endings when finishing the game. BioShock is simply amazing, and we have high hopes for the sequel. In BioShock 2, you play as the very first Big Daddy. We don't know much about the story other than that you have search through Rapture once again, encountering the Splicers (who at every turn try desperately to harm you and steal Adam) and Big Sisters.

BioShock 2 has a new feature, which is online multiplayer. The story to the multiplayer is that it takes place before the first game, where you play as civilians testing out some rather neat products that enable you to test out weapons and powers against each other. Use the ice plasmid to slow down your enemies or light them on fire for additional damage. You have your standard deathmatch and team deathmatch modes. There's also a territory mode where you have to capture certain parts of the map. The mode that really grabs out attention is the "capture the flag" style mode called "capture the sister" where instead of going for a flag, each team has to grab a little sister. We have yet to try out this mode, but on video it looks so much fun! I still can't get "the girl is ours!" out of my head.

The multiplayer aspect of BS2 doesn't look as rewarding or expansive as Modern Warfare 2, but for fans of BioShock it's a great excuse to not buy a new games for six months (maybe even longer). We hope the return to Rapture will be as rewarding as the first trip.

Pick up The Hills Run Red this Tuesday

2009-09-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

Currently I am working on my full review for the straight-to-DVD feature The Hills Run Red. Before the review I thought it would be a great idea to recommend it. This is a great movie. I've seen it once already and I've already gone through the bonus features on the DVD. This is a really neat horror film. It's well written, well edited and a lot of fun to watch. This is different from most other slasher films. It has a great story and a fantastic new monster. The Baby Face killer is creepy very memorable. If you're dying to see something fresh and exciting, pick up The Hills Run Red on DVD. I highly recommend it!

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/articles/2009/09-24-hillsrunreddvd.html

The worst director that EVER lived.

2009-06-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking, and no this is bot a blog post about Uwe Boll. That man is Jesus Christ compared to Ulli Lomell. Lomell is the man responsible for giving us such classics as The Boogeyman, Black Dhalia (the non-theatrical version), Zodiac Killer, B.T.K. Killer and his latest infestation on DVD Baseline Killer. This guy has made more than 50 films, and he still can't get it right. Any genre picture that he does ends up going straight to DVD for a reason. They're all trash. Watching this man's stuff is worse than a cavity search. It's insulting to any viewer who was conned into renting or (god forbid) buying his movies. He's been in the industry for a long time, and even his new stuff is amateur work. It's ridiculously bad. You don't believe me? Look up this guys work and you'll see all the reviews that come out. Ulli Lomell (in my eyes) is the worst director that ever lived.

I also want to apologize for every single bad thing I've ever said about Uwe Boll. At least his films have some comic relief. Lomell's work is like getting hit by a bus. No good ever comes out of it.

A Nightmare to Remember returns!

2009-05-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Horror returns to San Francisco for the second annual A Nightmare to Remember Film Festival!

Admission to "A Nightmare To Remember Horror Film Festival" is a mere monetary sacrifice to the dark cinematic Gods of $10.00 (souls and free will are not accepted payment). So my dear inquiring prey, prepare to expose your flesh and consciousness between the hours of 7-10 PM this June 20th 2009 for an event that will unendingly disturb the most primal and darkest recesses of your psyche…You have been warned.

A Nightmare To Remember
San Francisco Horror Film Festival
June 20th 2009
Opera Plaza Cinema Theater
601 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102
$10.00 Admission
7-10 pm
www.lastdoorwayproductions.com

For more info feel free to check out coverage and the official website:
http://www.horror-fanatics.com/articles/2009/04-27-anightmaretorememberreturns.html
http://www.horror-fanatics.com/articles/2009/05-20-anightmaretoremember2poster.html
http://www.horror-fanatics.com/articles/2009/05-06-tonymorannightmaretoremember.html

http://www.anightmaretoremember.com/
http://www.lastdoorwayproductions.com/

The following purveyors of
horror cinema will be sponsoring the event:

The Joe Flynn Show
Rick Myers (Special Effects)
Lipstickteeth.com
Fear The Dead Radio
Fatally-yours.com
Ax-Wound
Forbidden Pictures
Sac Horror film Fest
JeffGaither.com
Horror-Fanatics.com
Dammitsf.com
Horror-news.net
The Chainsaw Mafia

Black Devil Doll reviewed

2009-05-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

I was going to post this blog entry up as soon as the review went up, but I forgot to do so. That's why I'm doing it right now. If have to check out our review for BLACK DEVIL DOLL. It's outrageous and entertaining. It's an exploitive horror movie that pokes fun at exploitation (I hope that makes sense). Read our review and check the release dates to see if this bastard is playing in your area!

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/reviews/blackdevildoll.html

Black Devil Doll is fucking awesome!

2009-04-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Last week we were invited to a private screening at Shawn Lewis' place. The film he showed us was Black Devil Doll which he co-wrote and produced. He had a nice home theatre setup and he showed us the movie. There were a few other website syndicates who attended the screening and we all had a blast. We sat down, drank some beers and had a great time watching the movie. Black Devil Doll is bound to be a cult classic. It's filled hilarious gags and hardcore sex. YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS FUCKING MOVIE! It's so god damn awesome. I'll be pimping this movie out until the DVD comes out. It's that fucking good.

Our review for the film will be up very soon. Once it is, we'll let you know. Meanwhile, here are some pictures from the screening:

Not looking forward to Zombie's H2

2009-04-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Why? Because I hated the first film. It's as simple as that. The Halloween remake made a lot of money at the box office, but that doesn't make it a good movie. It was horrible. The script was horrible, the acting was horrible and the natural progression was flat out horrible. And I thought The Fog remake was bad. This shit is even worse. Unlike the viewers that did enjoy it, I'm not easy to please. You can make a movie as bloody, loud and crazy as you want, but if the story makes no sense, then it fails. I don't understand all the press and hype that surrounds this film.

I have no intentions to see it whatsoever.

Rob Zombie butchered the franchise and ruined it for a lot of fans. The majority of the reviews for the movie (especially from all the horror based sites) were negative; including my own. I hated what I saw. It was a Devil's Reject sequel with Michael Myers thrown into the fire. Rob Zombie's Halloween is perfect for little kids who have little to no knowledge on the genre whatsoever. What I hate even more than the film is all the little tweens who think that it's better than the original. You must be on some strong fucking shit to think that it's better than the John Carpenter movie. I officially declare you little shits mentally retarted.

I guess if you treat as a popcorn flick, then it's not so bad (but still pretty terrible). It's like a Michael Bay film; mindless entertainment. After seeing this, I watched The Island again to see if I made bad judgement. The Unrated DVD for Zombie's Halloween is even worse than that excuse of a theatrical release. I don't see any reason to have Rob Zombie a sequel other than money. That's all it is; pure bullshit. If Zombie is at it again, the we can expect yet another shitty script and even more awful editing. I'm gonna nit pick here a little when I saw this: You know that new picture online with Michael Myers' mask from H2? It looks like dog shit. It's fucking horrible. That alone makes me not want to see this stupid fucking movie. If Resurrection killed the franchise, then Rob Zombie dug the grave.

I guess I'm not the only one who feels the same way:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934509.html?categoryid=31&cs=1
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1179254-halloween/
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/591/review
http://movies.ign.com/articles/810/810092p1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxI83FQ0gW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xgzy8oBMfo

Where the fuck are the Poughkeepsie Tapes?

2009-04-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

At least once a week I get an email from one of our readers asking if we know what's going on with the release of The Poughkeepsie Tapes. For those who aren't familiar with this project, The Poughkeepsie Tapes feature recordings of brutal slayings and murder. All filmed by the killer himself. This realistic concept amazed audiences when the trailer was released. The movie was filmed in a similar "hand held" perspective much like Cloverfield, Quarantine and The Blair Witch Project. The trailer that was shown in theatres gave me the chills because it was like watching a preview to a snuff film. Filmed in 2007, the movie was set to be released in late 2008. The release date was pushed on more than one occasion. Last we heard the film was supposed to be released in Spring of 2009.

Now the film doesn't seem to have a release date at all. It's April of 2009, and we still haven't heard anything new on the movie. Which is the result of all the emails we've been getting. The official website and myspace pages have vanished as well. My biggest fear is that the film wont even come out. I've seen a lot of promising movies get blacklisted. A straight to DVD release would be better I guess. I hope MGM gets their shit straight, because I really want to see this movie on the big screen. Our readers are dying to check it out.

Raimi returns to horror with Drag Me To Hell

2009-04-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

Originally I was going to write this up two weeks ago after I watched the trailer for Drag Me To Hell. I'm making up for it right now by typing what I thought of that same trailer. The reason why horror fans are awaiting this movie is because it's directed by Sam Raimi. The man who brought us Spider-Man, Dark Man, A Simple Plan and the classic Evil Dead trilogy. Fans have been expecting Raimi to direct an Evil Dead 4 for years. But considering that he's been very successful with the Spider-Man franchise, it's not likely to happen (at all). Apparently he's still trying to get things done with the remake for the original Evil Dead. Drag Me To Hell is Raimi's newest film, and it marks his return to the genre which he hasn't touched in 15 years.

The trailer has been out for weeks and can be seen in your local theatre. Surprisingly, the movie looks very good. The plot sort of reminds me of Thinner from Stephen King where a man gets a curse put on him. In Drag Me To Hell a loan officer is ordered to evict an old woman from her home and finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. When the curse ends, she will die and her soul for burn in hell for all eternity. The plot is interesting, but I'm anxious to see how it will turn out. The trailer is fantastic and I'm so excited to see the movie. I'll be there opening day to see Sam Raimi's historic return to the horror genre!

The Last GOOD Remake on the Left

2009-04-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

Holy shit! A horror remake that's actually really good? I'm fucking amazed. Remakes of classic horror films often leave a bad taste in my mouth. The only real good modern remakes that stood out for me were The Omen and The Hills Have Eyes. Just like Hills, The Last House on the Left is a remake of a Wes Craven movie. Wes made his mark in the genre with A Nightmare on Elm Street, but before all that he made his debut with Last House. The film was brutally savage and sick. I know a lot of people (including some of the Horror-Fanatics staff) who hate the movie because of its content. Last House is a disturbing movie, and like every horror movie made before the 90's it's time for a reboot.

After seeing it for the first time last week, I'm starting to have a little more faith in remakes. I hated Rob Zombie's abortion known as Halloween and I thought that My Bloody Valentine and Friday the 13th was awful in many areas. The remake for Last House on the Left seems to hit the right notes. Although it is a remake, it doesn't follow into the cliches of being one. It's a serious movie with no humor and no rules. It isn't trying to please the young "tween" crowd as most of the other films do. This movie is for the older crowd. It's for the folks who have grown up with the genre and have seen the original.
The Last House remake consists of death, rape and revenge. It's doesn't stray too far from the original formula and it's sickening to watch because it hits really close to home. When you see a guy running around in a hockey mask with super speed and strength, its fun. Yet it doesn't have that realistic feel. The Last House on the Left does a great job of capturing that old Grindhouse feel of a 70's exploitation movie. The only thing missing were the scratches and dirt on the film reel itself. If you've been a fan of the horror genre for years (like myself) then I really think you'll enjoy this movie. It's hard to stomach in parts and almost brought me to tears. But that's where the magic is. If a film can have an impact on you like that, then it's doing its job. The Last House on the Left is definitely one of the best horror remakes ever made. For a full written review you can visit our website.

Enjoy the new COD maps with double XP!

2009-03-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my article for the new CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR map pack, players will get to enjoy double experience points as soon as the pack comes out. The new maps will be available this on the 19th, which is this Thursday. World at War Map Pack 1 will cost about 800 microsoft points (10 bucks). This is good news for all. Online players will be able to level up much faster while playing on the new maps. Treyarch really knows how to please their fan base. The double XP dates are from March 19 - March 25. For more info on the new maps just check out the article.

Nintendo's Wii no longer kid friendly?

2009-03-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Wii now has violent video games? WOW! THAT'S A SHOCKER! The problem with that is it's OLD FUCKING NEWS.

Now I forgot where this came from, but it was on the Yahoo! front page yesterday. Some Internet news source or blog had an article up basically condemning Nintendo's "kid friendly" for having a uber-violent video game made available for the platform. It comes in the form of SEGA's MadWorld, a violent over-the-top beat 'em in which you control Jack, a contestant on a grisly TV show where you kill others in the most bizarre and twisted way. The person that wrote this article blames Nintendo for killing their family friendly image. What this person fails to realize is that Nintendo has marketed the console for "everyone" of every age group. And yes that's even for the sick and twisted fucks like us who love fantasy. Because that's all video games really are, fantasy. You can make the most fucked up gory game in the world and it'll always be considered fantasy. It's not real, and I seriously doubt that a video game will drive someone to the point of insanity. What this person also fails to realize is that this isn't the first mature game for Nintendo's "kid friendly" platform.

Remember MANHUNT 2? I'm sure you do. It was all over the news because of its level of violence. MEDAL OF HONOR: HEROES 2 had you in the front lines shooting Nazis. RESIDENT EVIL 4 is a pretty violent game which has you shooting mad villagers in the head. Same with RE: UMBRELLA CHRONICLES. In that game you shoot zombies and giant monsters in the head. More importantly, NO MORE HEROES was an exclusive game for the platform, and I didn't see that in the news. NO MORE HEROES had gore, loads of blood and even foul language. HOUSE OF THE DEAD: OVERKILL has the most foul language. OVERKILL drops thousands of f-bombs, and nobody made a big deal about that. I could list more games, but I think you get the point already. What makes MadWorld any different from all the other mature Wii games? These are third party titles meaning Nintendo themselves didn't make them, so why even put the blame on them?

I'm sure you already figured this by now, but making these kind of complaints towards Nintendo is a complete waste of time. Somebody needs to wake up and smell the fucking coffee. The reason why you're starting to see more mature games for the console is because of the backlash from Wii owners who felt that they weren't being heard. The Wii is full of party games and ports, and the hardcore fan base was growing tired of the endless line of kiddy games. For the older fans, MadWorld is a breath of fresh air. Crying and complaining about Nintendo's mature line up is pointless. Who ever wrote this article needs to grow up, and get a new fucking job.

The Beyond is so fucking awesome!

2009-03-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

Last time I saw this movie was last year when the Grindhouse Film Festival came to San Francisco. They put it in a double feature along with the film PIECES. I've seen this movie many times and continue to support it by buying the DVD. After watching it again tonight, I thought it would be nice to do a piece with our readers about Fulci's films. In the minds of horror fans all over, Lucio Fulci will always be a household name. His daring take on the genre has left us scarred with memories of grizzly blood and gore. Most of which were shown up close to give it that shock factor he is known for. I've seen most of his movies, and I always state that my favorite Fulci film is THE BEYOND. It's a grueling tale that takes place in a remote and cursed hotel, built over one of the seven gateways to hell. Buckets of blood hit the floor with a graphic frenzy of gory Crucifixions, chunk blowing chain-whippings, eyeball impalements, sulphuric acid meltdowns, flesh-eating tarantulas, throat-shredding demon dogs and ravenous bloodthirsty zombies.

YES! That right there is a delicious treat for horror fans. I LOVE this movie and I always encourage our readers to check it out if they haven't done so yet. THE BEYOND is a towering achievement in hair-raising, mind-bending cinematic terror. Sure it's gory as fuck, but that isn't where all the fun lies. It also has a great story and an even remarkable score. The music is spot on perfect and really makes you feel like you're one step away from hell. It's dark, twisted and magnificent! Once you see it, you'll never forget it. That's how awesome it is, and I'll never get tired of seeing it. We'll be doing a Lucio Fulci piece on our myspace blog where we'll be asking the rest of our readers what their favorite Fulci film is. Actually, I'll get to that once I finish this blog. Although I do recommend buying the DVD, you can still check out THE BEYOND for free online. You find them in separate parts on youtube as you can with most old horror features. If you haven't seen THE BEYOND yet, there's no time like the present! [BUY THE DVD NOW]

Tokyo Zombie finally arrives

2009-03-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Some call this the Asian "SHAUN OF THE DEAD." I call it, fun! The TOKYO ZOMBIE DVD arrives here in the states in April 7.

World at War #1 on XBL yet again!

2009-03-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I'm not surprised anymore. CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR is number one on Xbox Live again. Followed by HALO 3 and CALL OF DUTY 4 which made it to the top 3. Yesterday GametrailersTV gave you the first look at the new WORLD AT WAR DLC. They showed off three new multiplayer maps. One maps takes you to Berlin, where you fight in the middle of a burning city. Another map takes you underground in a dark subway station. Much like the campaign level "Eviction." The last map takes place out in the jungle near a base where players will compete out in the daylight. The only thing Treyarch didn't show off was the new zombie mode map. I guess we'll have to wait till the maps come out, which should be sometime this month. It kills us that they haven't released an exact date.

Keep in mind today is the last day for double XP. Celebrating the release of the FREE Makin Day map, Treyarch has given everyone double experience points for the weekend. Free map! You hear that Infinity Ward? Come Monday, it'll be over. So hit up Headquarters as much as you can! It's great to see that Treyarch is giving out double XP every month. If memory serves me correct, they've done it more times than Infinity Ward did for COD4. That's sad considering Modern Warfare has been out for much longer. If Treyarch continues their support for the consumers, it'll encourage us to keep coming back.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles

1 Call of Duty: WaW

2 Halo 3

3 Call of Duty 4

4 Gears of War 2

5 GTA IV

6 Left 4 Dead

7 STREET FIGHTER IV

8 FIFA 09

9 Halo Wars Demo

10 Guitar Hero World Tour

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)

1 Braid

2 3 on 3 NHL(TM) Arcade

3 Castle Crashers

4 Worms

5 UNO®

6 Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

7 A Kingdom for Keflings

8 Death Tank

9 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

10 The Maw

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

Original Xbox Top Live Titles

1 Halo 2

2 Star Wars: Battlefront 2

3 Counter-Strike

4 Fable

5 Splinter Cell Chaos

6 Conker: Live Reloaded

7 Doom 3

8 Star Wars: Battlefront

9 Call of Duty 3

10 Burnout 3

Top Community Games NEW! (Full Versions purchased)

1 RC-AirSim

2 Aquarium HD

3 Bowling X

4 Miner Dig Deep

5 Rumble Massage

6 Remote Masseuse

7 DrumKit

8 TV Calibration

9 bricks4ever

10 Golden Royal Blackjack

NightmareChildX

Website is undergoing maintenance

2009-02-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

Just as the title reads, the official website is temporarily down for maintenance. We're trying to add some new features to the site and ran into some problems, which should be fixed real soon. We're unsure on the exact date, but we'll have the website up and running again with some much needed improvements. We apologize for this inconvenience. Anything that's newsworthy will be mentioned here on this blog and on our myspace page, so check back for new updates.

CoD: World at War #1 on XBL again!

2009-02-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

"OUT FUCKING STANDING!"

The numbers continue to surprise us. Week after week it seems like the latest entry in the CALL OF DUTY series is topping the Xbox live charts. We didn't see this coming. In fact, we expected the opposite. From what I understand, Modern Warfare is a popular game and Infinite Ward is one of the most popular developers in the industry. Plus people are getting really tired of playing World War II shooters. Based on those facts we predicted that COD4 would beat out World At War. The sales and xbox live numbers today tell a different story. It appears that a vast majority of the Modern Warfare players have moved on to playing World at War (including myself). World at War is a great game and it just may be the best WWII shooter ever made. I remember reading an old report that talked about the sales for the Wii version and how it had greater combined US sales in its first three months of release than Call of Duty 4 did. World at War achieved this milestone despite COD4 outselling it by nearly 400,000 Xbox 360 units during the comparable months.

A rise in PS3 sales from COD4 to World at War -- just over 130,000 units -- helped to slightly offset this difference, but the introduction of a Wii version of World at War tipped the scales in favor of the latest Call of Duty entry. In December alone, the Wii World at War sold more than 366,000 units. Infinity Ward didn't make COD4 on the Wii, but I wouldn't be surprised if Modern Warfare 2 makes it on the platform. The Wii sells like hotcakes anyway, and it's nice to see that even on the Wii there's an audience for World at War players. The multiplayer pretty much plays the same minus some big features. I'm actually glad to see Treyarch's success, because most gamers were spectacle about the developer and the fact that they were going back to the most violent (and played out) war in human history. We're guessing that World at War will continue to dominate the charts until Modern Warfare 2 comes out.

Next month Treyarch will be releasing some new multiplayer maps for download on xbox live. The new content will include the 3 standard maps as well as a new zombie maps which include the use of perks via the new Perk-a-cola machine. For an undisclosed price (predicted at around 800 points), you'll be able to add "Nightfire," "Station," "Knee Deep" and "Verrückt (Zombie Asylum)" to your list of playgrounds. This is great news for WaW fans.

In "Nightfire," players take to the streets of a war-ravaged Berlin with only the flames of the burning city to expose the enemy.

"Station" offers a bombed out underground train station littered with hidden passageways and destroyed subway cars.

"Knee Deep" takes place on the island of Peleliu in a once tranquil village turned chaotic Japanese command center.

Verrückt (Zombie Asylum): The fan favorite 4-player co-op Nazi Zombies Bonus Mode returns with "Verrückt," a terrifying Zombie asylum featuring more weapons, perks via the addition of Perks-a-Cola machines, electroshock defenses and the endless zombie horde.

Jason's back. Lets celebrate with Friday mini-reviews

2009-02-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

The FRIDAY THE 13TH remake hits theatres next week, and I'm very excited. Only because it's Jason doing what he does best. I hate remakes, and I can't stand Michael (I fucked up Transformers) Bay. I think he's just as big of a douche bag as Paul (I ruined Resident Evil) WS Anderson. Almost every remake produced by Bay has been complete trash. This new FRIDAY looks interesting however, because not only is it a remake, but it's a combination of the first 3 original movies. 1. It's back in Camp Crystal Lake 2. Both Jason and his mom are in it 3. Jason starts off with the sack and later wears the hockey mask. That alone is what sold me on this movie, and I'm very excited. The only thing I'm not big on is the fact that it looks and feels alot like the TEXAS CHAINSAW remake, with its dark and gritty look. To be more positive, Jared Padalecki from SUPERNATURAL is the star.

To celebrate the release of the film, some of us are having our very own FRIDAY THE 13TH marathon where we watch every single film. Not all at once though. You can't top 10 movies in one day, that's just impossible. This marathon will run all week up until the release of the new movie. Some of our readers have asked us what we thought of the movies. Well you know us, we're fanatics and we can't call ourselves horror buffs if we don't have the original FRIDAY THE 13TH in our collection. We do; in fact we have all the movies. So for today, I'm going to post up what I think of ALL the F13 movies. This isn't the usual review, this is going to be just a summary of what I think of each movie. First, I'll start off with the original 1980 classic.

[NOTE: The reviews have been removed]

HANGER pulls you into this world to take you out!

2009-02-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

From the team that brought you GUTTERBALLS, this new film is looking pretty fucking good. In our latest update Actor Dan Ellis, star of the movie "HANGER" has informed us that the official trailer is now online. You can watch it on our coverage or directly on youtube. From the guys that brought you the gory cult slasher GUTTERBALLS (review), HANGER pulls you into this world to take you out!

HANGER is a horrifying tale of revenge...beginning with a back-alley abortion and ending with a bloodbath so vicious that it brings a new meaning to "an eye for eye". From pimps to dealers, from hookers and junkies..."Hanger" washes the filth away with their own blood, cleaning the streets and making way for the ultimate showdown of good vs. evil. Diving headfirst into the depths of human depravity, Plotdigger Films plans on turning the world of horror inside out and letting it all hang out to dry! The film is written and directed by Ryan Nicholson (GUTTERBALLS, LIVE FEED) with Dan Walton (BIND) as the producer. HANGER will show itself in 2009.

If you have yet to purchase the GUTTERBALLS DVD I suggest you do so right now. Horror-Fanatics.com even has a quote on the back cover! You gotta get this, it's an awesomely gory horror flick.

The Uninvited blows. What's next?

2009-02-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

These American remakes are really starting to piss me off. Not just because they're bad, but because they can never get it right. Even if they do try to copy the originals, they still turn out bad. MIRRORS was an exception, but then again I've never seen the original film. Plus it's rated R and actually has some decent gore. The original foreign counterparts are often better than the shit we try to clone here in the states. It's fucking ridiculous. For those of you that don't know, the new movie out now called "THE UNINVITED" is a remake of the Korean picture "A TALE OF TWO SISTERS." Both films have similar stories, different styles and the same exact ending. Really then, what's the fucking point? Changing the title to a movie isn't going to disguise it as a "new thing." THE INVASION with Nicole Kidman made that fucking clear. Call it whatever you want, it's still "A TALE OF TWO SISTERS."

Why even copy these awesome movies when they could just easily release them here in theatres? I'm sure it would cost less. Most people would tell you that subtitles are the big issue. Despite what they may think, most people don't mind reading subtitles. Nobody complained about subtitles when PAN'S LABYRINTH came out. The only ones that do complain are the young and ignorant "fresh outta high school" tweens. Unfortunately, that's who these remakes are marketed for. Here in the states we turn R-rated horror stories into lame PG-13 English speaking exploits. It's garbage. I just can't help but wonder which awesome Asian flick they're going to ruin next. I heard that the BATTLE ROYALE remake was going to feature juvenile delinquents instead of high school students. I also heard that Will Smith is interested in starring in the OLDBOY remake, which they aren't calling a remake since they're going to focus on the "comics" rather than the Chan-Wook Park film.

BULLSHIT!

If it weren't for the Chan-Wook Park film, there wouldn't be any interest in doing an American OLDBOY movie in the first place. Didn't the makers of THE AMITYVILLE HORROR remake say that they were going to focus on the book rather than the original film? I guess they were wrong, because it was even further from the book. Those douche bags were full of shit. Speaking of shit, why don't these studios just remake the bad Asian horror stuff? How awesome would it be if they remade CARVED or MEATBALL MACHINE? Now that I would love to see. Instead we get shitty adaptations of THE GRUDGE, SHUTTER, PULSE and now THE UNINVITED. Why do these studios feel the need to fix something that's not even broken? Films like BATTLE ROYALE and OLDBOY are so close to perfection, why do they feel the need to ruin it? -Nightmare Child

Bale goes "american psycho" on T4 set

2009-02-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

The new TERMINATOR movie is set to hit theatres this year, and it looks awesome. I was pretty disappointed with the scope of TERMINATOR 3, but so far from what I've seen this movie is going to change everything. The ton, the look the feel, everything. This new T-trilogy is going to be different from the others. The latest stills and trailers show off new enemies. Mainly the new cyborg models and that giant "transformer" looking thing. Yesterday I went on youtube and saw a video from The Young Turks about Christian Bale's rant on the set of SALVATION. From what we've gathered from the video, a DP on set walks right into Bale's scene, and man he flips out. Cursing and yelling at the "amateur" DP for ruining the scene. Basically threatening the man's life and career if he kept up the goofy antics. Now, I can understand Bale's rant, but c'mon man he just doesn't stop. Just when you think the scuffle is over, Bale continues to talk trash and gets even angrier. I love Christian Bale, he's one of my favorite actors (he's Patrick fuckin' Bateman for Christs sake), but he needs help controlling that anger.

Here's the Young Turks clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INeDYTdTgfU

Seriously, did he have to go off like that? From the audio, it appears that Bale has all the power on set. The director himself, McG, didn't even see anything that happened, and it feels like he could be bossed around. Is it just me, or did it seem like everybody was afraid to tell him: "dude, chill the fuck out." This happens often on set, people are afraid to open their mouths and set things straight. The bigger the budget, the less important you are, and that's the sad truth. You wouldn't want to piss off your star player, because things could get ugly and he just may walk off the set. Bale took out so much aggression on the guy and honestly, I think he took it to far. The only thing that Bale didn't do was physically hurt the man, or threaten his family. Bale needs help controlling that anger. Get him on Dr. Phil or Oprah. I hear they're great with people.

I think Bale said it best in BATMAN BEGINS: "A guy who dresses up as a bat, clearly has issues."

Seriously man, get some fucking help.

The RE5 demo is out

2009-01-27T14:00:00.001-08:00

The demo for RESIDENT EVIL 5 is available in the Xbox Live marketplace. Now fans will get the chance to shoot some infected with Chris Redfield and his new partner. We've seen trailers and clips from the game, but this was out first hands on. It's not even the full game, and it's still really fun. RE5 is fucking fantastic! The controls are familiar, the graphics are sweet and I'm willing to bet the story is going to knock our socks off. The controls are almost identical to RE4. Right away I was comfortable with the aiming and running. Using items however is a learning curve. Now you can quick grab items, heal yourself (or your partner) and pick up items to give to your partner. Single play works out very well. The AI does its job. Whenever you're low at health, your partner heals you up almost right away. The catch to this is that you have to do the same. You have to work together and save each other whenever possible.

Playing online and split screen co-op works very well too. I was wondering how they would work out the co-op for a RESIDENT EVIL game, and Capcom has nailed it. There are no interruptions and if you've played LEFT4Dead, you know how vital it is to help out your partners. RE5 works the same way. Help one another, or be killed. The first mission in the demo has you running into a village where an execution is taking place. The enemies spot you, and you have to hold them off inside of a small building. This scenario was fun when you had to control Leon Kennedy, but now, it's even more intense. More enemies come after you (even hopping over fences) along with the "executioner," who wields a giant axe. The second level in the demo has Chris and Sheva working together again. This time it's to take care of the chainsaw wielding maniac you see in the trailer. If you use the sniper rifle and explosive barrels to your advantage, you should take him out no problem.

If you haven't tried out the RE5 demo, do it now before the exclusive ends! This game is fucking awesome. -Nightmare Child

Jaws, eat your heart out!

2009-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

Director/producer Greg William Stechman sent us an update on the film adaptation of Steve Alten's MEG. The film is based on the bestselling book about the hunt for an eighty foot long, 100,000 pound Megalodon shark, the most deadly predator of all time. We got word on this film months ago, but didn't hear anything new about it until now. The report was even featured on G4tv, which also gave viewers a look at the cool concept art. Talk about cool artwork, you gotta love the book cover with the shark eating the dinosaur. It's just fantastic. We're glad to see that the MEG movie is still in production. Our readers love these series of books, and I think it would be great if we can score an interview with the author. We're crossing our fingers for that one. -Nightmare Child

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/articles/2009/01-23-meg.html

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/upcomingmovies/meg.html

Zombies ate my Marines

2009-01-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Rarely do I see video games covered on horror websites. There are a ton of survival horror games out there that deserve attention amongst horror fans. I'm sure most horror fans play games on their spare time, as do I. Since November I've been hooked on the latest Call of Duty entitled WORLD AT WAR. What was striking to me was the fact that Treyarch actually went back to World War II, which I didn't mind at all because I'm a WWII fanatic, and CoD2 was my favorite entry at the time. I played Modern Warfare way too much, so it was time for an upgrade. I picked up the game, and it's amazing. The battles are crazy, the cut-scenes are amazing, the gore is intense and it feels like a WWII version of Modern Warfare. On top of that, you got zombie mode! Which is why CoD: World at War was featured on a few horror sites (including ours). I'm hooked on that multiplayer.

So, I went to sleep early last night, and woke up around 1 am. I figured I would play online for a bit, and for some strange reason my 360 wouldn't read the disc. Apparently the console scratched up my game. Okay, I'm fucked. I've been sucked into this game for months, and now I can't play it. I'm sure there are thousands of people out there who've had this same problem with other games. I read reports all the time about 360s scratching and even cracking game to the point where they're unplayable. As if the "three red lights" weren't an issue, now I have to be cautious when putting in new games. I guess I'll have to install it onto my hard drive. I'm just curious as to how many of you out there reading this had a similar problem?

-Nightmare Child

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/

My GORY Valentine

2009-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Last week I reviewed the Special Edition DVD for the original MY BLOODY VALENTINE. I've officially named this version of the movie MY GORY VALENTINE, because this is some sick shit. Originally before this film came out, the MPAA hacked it to pieces so that way it can get to theatres with an R rating. Seeing as to how the MPAA has changed over the years, Paramount and Lionsgate have re-released MY BLOODY VALENTINE with all the cut footage put back in. Granted, it's definitely an improvement. The theatrical cut had this "Halloween" feel to it where you never really got to see any gore. It was more about suspense rather than the violence. Now, that's all gone with this version. This is what we were originally meant to see, and now it feels like Friday the 13th's evil step brother. This version (still R rated) is gory as fuck. Don't believe us? Check out these delicious screen shots:

Trust me, this is just a taste of what's in the full version. It's fucking brutal! For my full in depth review of the Special Edition DVD just head over to the site.

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/reviews/mybloodyvalentinesedvd.html

New year, new releases

2009-01-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

It's a brand new year, and that means we get to review a ton of new releases. Our year started off rocky however. Like last year and perhaps the year before, we kick off the new year with a Pg-13 horror film. Nothing special; just a crappy spiritual movie about a woman being haunted by a unborn spirit. What makes this special is the fact that it's not based off of an Asian horror movie.

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/reviews/unborn.html

Today we posted up our review for MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. This is a modern day take on the 1981 slasher. It's almost as if we haven't learned anything in the last twenty years, because it's typical and predictable. Oh did I mention that it's in 3D? That's the marketing ploy, and the only reason why we got excited for it in the first place. 3D or not, it fails in comparison to the 1981 movie, and that's sad. But hey, it's not all bad. There's an element of fun to this movie. Just watch it for the gore; that's the best advice I can give to you.

http://www.horror-fanatics.com/reviews/mybloodyvalentine3d.html