Holiday Horrors: 28.06.42.12

 

Happy Easter.

Press Release: Indie Horror Short “Microcinema” Named Best Short Film at Jersey Gore Film Festival

MASSACHUSETTS (March 24, 2013) - The independent short film horror “Microcinema” was selected as Best Short Film at the 2013 Jersey Gore Film Festival (http://jerseygorefilmfestival.com) this weekend at the historic Darress Theatre in Boonton, NJ. Written and directed by Harvest Tide Productions co-founder Skip Shea, “Microcinema” has received wide acclaim including the fan-based 2012 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award Honorable Mention for Best Short Film. (http://www.rondoaward.com) 

“Harvest Tide and the cast and crew of “Microcinema” are very honored and grateful to be recognized by Geraldine Winters and the Jersey Gore Film Festival,” said Shea. “This might be a spoiler but with this film, I wanted to change the formula of the revenge film after countless movies where we see a woman become a victim before she fights back and either gets away or gets her revenge. It’s a good formula, but I wanted to turn those tables. As a survivor of clergy sexual abuse I wanted to see the predator pay his karmic debt for even thinking about and planning to commit such a crime.”

Shea, whose abuse occurred in the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts, is an activist and his films often serve to raise awareness through horror and satire of the ongoing issues around clergy sexual abuse.

Starring Alex Lewis and Aurora Grabill, “Microcinema” (www.watchmicrocinema.com) is the story of Peter Martell, a highly educated, well-to-do young man with too much free time on his hands. He spends it watching snuff films. One day he makes the bold decision to cross the line from observer to participant, aspiring to bring a philosophical element to his own kind of snuff films. Ready to go to work, he tracks his first victim into a haunted New England wood, where the boundary between participant and observer takes a different turn.

“Microcinema” is Harvest Tide’s first online and internationally self-distributed short horror film which scored on several best-of lists and gained momentum as a cult favorite and a hit with horror reviewers. Danielle Holman writing for Truly Disturbing Horror, www.trulydisturbing.com listed “Microcinema” as one of the five best horror films saying, “Skip Shea’s seven-minute short film is deserving in the ranks of the big films as it’s able to accomplish more in less than ten minutes than an hour and a half feature length film.” In her Bleeding Dead, http://bleedingdeadfilmreviews.blogspot.com/ she has called “Microcinema” "…one of the most important horror films of our time."

Chris Conduit of The Conduit Speaks, www.theconduitspeaks.com put “Microcinema” as the best horror short of the year giving it his Conduit Award.

“Microcinema” wowed critics and audiences last year at several horror film festivals and screenings within the few short months of its release. Screenings in 2011 included the 1st Annual Danish Horror Film Festival: THE TURBINE at Spinderihallerne, Vejle, Denmark; All Things Horror Shudder Fest at the Somerville Theater in Somerville, MA; Short Horror Films at AS220 in Providence, RI; the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival; and before Canadian horror film fans at Fright Night Theater presents: ABSENTIA & Microcinema at the Staircase Cafe Theater in Hamilton, Ontario.

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What the critics are saying about “Microcinema” 

"This is a 6 minute experience genre fans owe themselves. It’s rare these days to find full length Hollywood feature films that feel fresh, let alone 6 minute shorts made on tiny budgets." - Life After Undeath Blog.

"The film is brave and unrelenting. It is a breath of fresh air to a lot of the common horror tricks that are being trotted out time and again." -Alexandra West, Scare Tactics Blog.

"Skip Shea is an adept director with equal ability to write, his short film gets more across than most full length films.  4 out of 5 Stars" - The Bleeding Dead Film Reviews. 

"You will not be expecting to see the events that unfold in this shocking short film." - The Horror Spot

"The script itself deserves kudos for completely drawing your attention to the one aspect we would expect every horror film to contain and then suddenly shocks you with an element you rarely see in this genre."  The Scariest Movies Online 

"I figured I was in for one of three things:  a really solid work, a bite size film that left me feeling nothing, or one of those that makes me want to substitute rat poison for the salt on my dinner table.  Those are the three categories all art falls into for me, always. Yet, when it was all said and done, Shea's vignette carved a whole new icky slot out just for itself. 9 out of 10 Stars" - The Conduit Speaks

"Brilliant. 8.5 out of 10 Stars" - The Gruesome Hurtzogg Horror Movie Review Podcast.

"4 out of 5 Stars" - Char Hardin 

"What I find particularly interesting about Microcinema is its plot and how it seems to blend together torture, voyeurism, and a lot of other really weird horrific topics like snuff films." - Horror Society 

"Microcinema Doesn't Disappoint" - Victor Infante, Worcester Telergram & Gazette

"The new indie horror romp Microcinema and it is a doozy." - Truly Disturbing Horror

"Interesting short that starts as your usual slasher/serial killer fare before taking a wicked little turn."  -Shaun Sjolin Cenobiteme Blog

"Unicornsblud Horror Review Stamp of Majestic Approval"  - Unicronsblud's Horror Reviews

“Twisted and sick but with a new vision.” - The Dr. Chris Radio of Horror

Horror Short: The Prospectors Curse (2012)

Written and directed by Josh Heisie
Staring Dave Roberts, Johnny Quinn, and Robert Nolan
Director of Photography Michael Jari Davidson

When a dim-witted local and a money hungry salesman come across a dying prospector in the woods, his last wish is for a proper Christian burial. Despite the local's intention the salesman convinces him to leave the dead man in the woods and pursue his land for gold, causing a hellacious hillbilly revenge. The Prospectors Curse is the hillbilly sanction of hell where humor, horror, and the goldrush are the layers of the inferno. Josh Heisie's film has an easy flow with a natural amusement, not contrived as is often the freight with horror comedies. The production is sound with noteworthy mention to the makeup, The Prospector was both dire and delightful which tied the horror into the plot. The classic revenge of the ghost is compassed with an almost zombie like approach, as he looks more to the undead than as a spirit.

Dave Roberts and Johnny Quinn fit to their caricatures well and don't overplay the exaggeration. Robert Nolan plays The Prospector with a menacing glee, the character actor is again great in his small part and on his way to becoming the next Brad Dourif of the horror genre. Michael Jari Davidson is a talented DP, having done previous work on another film I enjoyed, Familiar, and continues the same dark but slick style in this. The Prospector's Curse is actually the first film in an anthology of films that take focus to different era's of B-horror. For a sub-genre that I'm familiar with only in part, I really quite liked Heisie's sophomore film, leaving me excited for the next installments that are genres I comfortably know. If you get a chance to see The Prospector's Curse don't hesitate as it's a fun fifteen minute watch for any horror fan.

The trailer may be seen below. You can watch for updates on the film's facebook page or at its website.

Press Release: New Independent Horror Feature From the Makers of Skew

March 11^th, 2013 - Independent Horror Feature PEELERS starts off with a social media BANG on KICKSTARTER!

The makers of the Independent Cult Horror Feature SKEW step it up a sinister notch as they get ready for production this summer on their new film PEELERS.

PEELERS takes place on the closing night of a small town strip club when a group of unwanted guests arrive and all hell breaks loose.  Club owner and ex-ball player Blue Jean Douglas, is our sexy, confident, ass-kicking heroine who rises to the task of protecting both her girls and her bar from psychopathic infected killers who will stop at nothing to slaughter everyone.  PEELERS destroys the cliché stripper horror sub-genre by giving us a story packed with strong characters, exciting twists and lots of blood.  Oh, and did we mention strippers?

“Much like how SKEW brought an original and unique twist on the found footage sub-genre, PEELERS will be a stripper horror feature film that actually delivers on tension, terror, and trepidation.” – Sevé Schelenz (Producer/Director)

But the makers of PEELERS need your help.  Check out their kick-ass Kickstarter Campaign at http://kck.st/YVgAgf.  They need a hand in raising funds to make this bloody film happen.  Set to shoot in June of 2013, pledges are vital to see this feature claw its way into theatres the following summer of 2014.  Get involved right now as you only have a limited time to receive some amazing rewards.

Want more horror?  Contact Sevé Schelenz at sleepapneaprods@hotmail.com for all PEELERS questions/requests/bloodlettings.

Press Release: Holy S*%T! It’s a DOUBLE Dose of Horror in One Press Release!

Holy S*%T!  It’s a DOUBLE dose of horror in one press release!

#1: Independent Horror Feature Film SKEW will be released on DVD on Redbox in the U.S.A. on March 12^th, 2013 and iTunes April 2^nd, 2013.

The psychological horror feature SKEW has been described as “Truly unnerving” (Rogue Cinema), “A terrifying movie” (Arrow In The Head) and “Paranormal Activity on steroids” (Australia’s A Night of Horror International Film Festival).

SKEW follows three close friends who head out on an eagerly anticipated road trip with video camera in hand to record their journey.  What starts out as a carefree adventure slowly becomes a descent into the ominous as unexplained events threaten to disrupt the balance between them.  One by one they must struggle with personal demons and paranoia as friendships are tested and gruesome realities are revealed…and recorded.

#2: And the Cult Hit SKEW will be released on DVD in Japan on April 5^th, 2013.

Before such box office hits as Paranormal Activity (2007), Cloverfield (2008), and Quarantine (2008), writer/director Sevé Schelenz brought SKEW, his first feature film, to camera in 2005.  Within the same vein as The Blair Witch Project, Schelenz creates a first-person account in psychological horror that will keep audiences on edge until its revealing conclusion.

SKEW has been accepted in over 50 festivals, won several awards including “Best Feature” (Nevada Film Festival), “Best Director” (Late Night Horror Film Festival) and “Indy Spirit Award” (Horrorfest).  The film has received great reviews and found distribution in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Russia and Japan.

For more info on SKEW contact Sevé Schelenz at sleepapneaprods@hotmail.com.

SKEW trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjwBwuKD8mI

Note from Editor: My review of Skew may be read here, if interested. There will also be more exciting news from Sleep Apnea Production coming soon.

TDHorror Retro Review

"Tod Browning’s notorious film to this day still considers as an outre and lurid masterpiece. The over the counter film is a breath of its own kind, as nothing will come quiet like it. The use of real sideshow performers as well as Willis Goldbeck’s script not only shocked audience but caused utter disgust for the film, essentially ending Browning’s career. The film’s ban was incentive by the outcry of unruly exploitation of the sideshow’s actors"

As usual you may read the rest here. Not just speaking for me or my reviews but for all the writers at TD we really appreciate comments, follows, retweets, whatever you can do to help the site. There's lots of great articles, daily horror news, and now a podcast which you may get for free on iTunes. A few updates for this blog as you may be wondering will I ever post a review on here again? Of course I will. This month I will attempt to write one by the end of the month but I have a special set of reviews for you that I'll be posting over the course of April and May and right now I'm contributing a lot of my writing time towards that. The horror shorts are returning this Sunday and the Italian film reviews will also be returning but I'm not quite sure when. And again I just want to thank everyone who's been supportive towards this blog, the retweets, simple glances, or those who despise it enough to tell me all of it is appreciated.

Masters of Horror: Women in Horror Edition

It's the final Monday of February which means it's the last day (for my blog) of WiHM. Unfortunately I didn't get any women themed horror film reviews out to you but I did accomplish all four lists and my Scream Queens Part III. I hope it makes up for the lack of effort this past October as I did have full intent, lists in mind and all, but never was able to deliver. But I did enjoy doing it this month as I liked being a part of WiHM. As a result I likely wont do it again next year but I hopefully will in some way or another celebrate the cause, maybe I'll focus on actual film reviews (believe it or not this is a film review blog, even if I've only posted one in the course of two months). But that's a year away and who knows what will happen between here and there. Regardless I'm thankful for getting the chance to be an ambassador and will gladly do so again.

As with the October lists I decided to end the Women in Horror Month series with a Masters of Horror list. Maybe they aren't Masters of Horror per say, at least not in the sense as my other MOH lists. But they've executed their films to a mastered level of horror. These aren't just random films from five random women, these are some of the most prominent, influential and scary films in the genre. And they don't need a bulky horror resume to accomplish such, as in most of their cases their single one time attempt stands for itself. For this last Monday of the month here are my Top Five Female Horror Directors:

#5 Amy Holden Jones, The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

Amy Jones may not be a household name per-say, nor may her one time directed horror title, Slumber Party Massacre (unless it is a horror fanatics household, respectively) but she's almost the first woman to direct a horror film, being pre-dated thirty years by Ida Lupino who directed a film noir called The Hitch Hiker. Maybe an ironic surprise to most as Slumber Party Massacre doesn't really appear as the type to have a feminine touch to it, but doesn't that accredit to Jones more? Its a textbook, A to Z, slasher that is generally reserved as a fun watch. Jones was able to execute a simplistic gruesome slasher film without anyone questioning a difference due to her gender. Few individuals hold the opinion that women directed horror films are not as scary as male directed. I disagree, its a matter of the director's talent, not their sex, with Slumber Party Massacre being proof.

#4 Mary Harron, American Psycho (2000)

Here's what I like about Mary Harron, she was hired to direct American Psycho because the producers thought her gender would soften controversy about the explicit torture of women that is a common theme about the novel. Of course if anything is indifferent to gender it is the media as the film still caused out cry for its bizarre, bloody and highly graphic murders. Having read Bret Easton Ellis novel Harron was accurate in capturing the eighties yuppie and incessant madness that encases Patrick Bateman's life. The novel and film are both of satirical horror but I felt it was emphatic in the film as the novel's often dark material dampened some of the lighter moments. American Psycho became a cult film, it's humor and horror ever present to this day. The reasons for her hiring aside Harron was an ideal choice for the director, Easton's social critique and the lucid violence translated excellently to the film.

#3 Kathryn Bigelow, Near Dark (1987)

As of current Kathryn Bigelow is known for being the first woman director to win an Academy Award but before that us horror lovers knew her for directing one of the best vampire films ever, the late eighties midnight classic Near Dark. The film's release offered positive reviews but a poor box office reception which is often the secret ingredient to a cult horror film. The stylized western horror has one of my favorite killing scenes, when a sadistic Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen (perfectly cast) mass drain a quiet bar. The film is known for uncommonly blending the genre's of western and vampire horror, the latter which was popular during the time. The film still makes several 'best' lists and is well received by genre fans. Aspects of Bigelow's current directing are distinct in her only horror film, not basing quality off of genre. Near Dark is essential, its lasting cult status marking it as one of the best horror films ever.

#2 Mary Lambert, Pet Sematary (1989)

I've made it pretty eminent that I find Pet Sematary to be Stephen King's best adapted novel (and best novel, mind you). What I love is the black veiled subject matter, as I've attested that losing a child is likely the worst horror a person can experience. In that it's a more difficult novel to adapt, as the gruesome and heartrending events even made King hesitant in publishing. The dark story is of the few film adaptions that accounts for the bulk of the novel, as well as efficaciously capturing the unnerving halo that hangs over the Creed family. Mary Lambert's visual perspective is accurate, portraying the small Maine home to eerie perfection, and the changed temperament of Church gives us a more suspenseful build that was missing in the novel. Lambert has a few other horror films in her proficient directing career, including one of the Urban Legends films but Pet Sematary is her first, and still her most adequate in my opinion. Without her directing and vision I don't believe that Pet Sematary would be as good as it is.

#1 Jen & Sylvia Soska, Dead Hooker in a Trunk (2009) & American Mary (2012)

The film is a little ill applied to my intro paragraph as Dead Hooker In A Trunk is likely not the scariest film you've ever seen. It rather applies more to the film I haven't seen, American Mary, and won't be able to do so for another eight months. So I'm only going off speculation here but from almost every review I've read American Mary is a genre defining film. I won't say for sure as I haven't seen it so its Dead Hooker as a rep for these ladies. But even for not seeing their sophomore film how could I not include the Twisted Twins? These two came into the genre recently but their impact has been so loud and influential that there's not too many horror fans that don't know who they are. And let's not ignore their fantastic romp of a debut film that got them heard. Dead Hooker was an modern exploitation flick that was not only impressive in budget and style but also provided a heavy dosage of humor and gore. It takes years to gain the accreditation these beautiful women receive and they've done it in four. They are exactly what Women in Horror Month is, a celebration of the beautiful, dark, and brilliant contributions to horror.

Honorable Mentions: Shannon Lark, Lip Stick (2010) a woman's obsession with self gratification is taken to horrifying extremes. Ida Lupino, The Hitch Hiker (1953) two young men lives are at the short extent of a car trip when they pick up a psychotic hitch hiker. Angela Bettis, Roman (2006) a lonely unstable man yearns for love but expresses it in all the wrong ways .

If you're reading post your own.