Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Bluray Tuesday!



September 30th 2014

It's that time of week again and back with a new banner for our weekly Bluray Tuesday updates!


Leprechaun The Complete Movie Collection: Besy Buy - $29.99

An evil, sadistic Leprechaun goes on a killing rampage in search of his beloved pot of gold. Includes all 6 original films plus the reboot Leprechaun Origins.

Leprechaun: The Complete Movie Collection (Blu-ray)


 Leprechaun Origins: Best Buy - $17.99

Witness a horror icon reborn! Backpacking through Ireland, two unsuspecting young couples discover a town's chilling secret when the town's residents offer them an old cabin at the edge of the woods. Soon, they discover that one of Ireland's most famous legends is a terrifying reality.

Leprechaun: Origins (Blu-ray)


The Paranormal Diaries: Amazon - $13.99/ DVD ONLY

Based on true events, six investigators head to one of the world’s most haunted places to uncover the source of supernatural sightings and phenomena. Known for centuries as a notorious magnet for grave robbers, body snatchers, Satanists and cultists since the time of The Black Death, the ruined St. Mary’s Church at Clophill plays host to filmmaker Kevin Gates and his team of researchers. Obsessed with unraveling the secrets of this “unholy ground,” they venture into the murky darkness armed with cameras, curiosity and a need to expose the truth. However, some secrets were meant to stay buried – permanently. Over the course of three chilling nights, it becomes clear that they have unleashed something ancient and evil that has long been hungry to escape into this world.

Paranormal Diaries: The Clophill (DVD)


Delivery: The Beast Within: Best Buy - $12.99/ DVD ONLY

A young couple agrees to document their first pregnancy for a reality show, but when unexplained events start to plague the production, they suspect something might be wrong with their unborn bundle of joy.

Delivery: The Beast Within (DVD)


Monday, September 29, 2014

The Devil's Carnival A.K.A The Devil's Carnaweful A.K.A The Longest Hour of Your Life A.K.A Ripoff the Genetic Opera... Okay You Get it

0 of 6 Viewers "Liked" "The Devil's Carnival" (2012, USA)
Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

KillDozer - "The Devil's CarnAweful" - 0 Stars (Default to 1)

Ice Giant - "I must of died and watching this was my hell." - 1 Star

Lord Battle - "I personally felt like "Repo The Genetic Opera" was cringe worthy and a hard to watch film. "The Devil's Carnival" had people verbally moaning and groaning about how terrible each song was and how this movie lacked any depth whatsoever. Not to mention how sitting through it will feel like the longest hour of your life. This film is so superficial it should only be sold at Hot Topic. I rarely give them but this will recieve a 1 star rating from me." - 1 Star

Book Wyrm - "I didn't get it, I felt like there were too many plot directions. I don't like clowns, and the songs were mediocre. I couldn't like any of the characters." - 2 Stars

Huntress - "This movie's awkward and rocky opening almost made it too much of a joke to watch. Then the weird sporadic songs started sounding better for just enough time to get my hopes up. The rest just fell apart." - 2 Stars

The Great Hornito - "Everyone involved in the movie deserves to go to hell and see the devils carnival for real." - 1 Star




The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

From the minds that brought you the incredibly predictable "SAW" sequels, the beautifully crafted Mothers Day remake, and the visually stunning "Repo the genetic opera".  What should have been a fun and creepy collaboration between talented actors and musicians is nothing short of just being a big mess.  Several times throughout the film I was wondering "what the hell is going on here" (no pun intended) . What ever happened to plot and character development ? What made this boring and weak display even worse is the fact that all those involved have shown that they are capable of great things. From what I understand this musical was made to give the film going audience a vision of hell from the sinners point of view but instead just gave us set pieces without purpose . Points awarded to both the writer and director touring with this film and all over the country to promote it with a traveling freak/side show . Unfortunately this just falls short . (insert sad devil clown face here) 
- KillDozer

If you found yourself wondering about the Discord's Carnival poster we used for the review, please check out JNRedmon's deviant art page located here. I swear one of the most fun parts of each review is picking the poster art and when I don't particularly like a film and am able to find a My Little Pony variant, oh it's perfect!
- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Son of Monsterpalooza

We have finally wound down from the horror adventure that Son of Monsterpalooza turned out to be! The whole weekend was non-stop exploring, excitement, anecdotes, and pictures; and thanks to Justin KillDozer, we had a day full of tourism to keep us busy before check in at 6 PM.

Our field trip began in the middle of the night on Thursday. We set out for Los Angeles a little after 2 AM, arrived a little after 8, and went directly to the first stop in our sightseeing tour. This stop was Pat & Lorraines Coffee Shop, which was featured in Reservoir Dogs. In actuality, it was a sweet little diner that served huge portions of amazing food, and perfectly hit the spot for all four of us in attendance. I got shy and only snapped one shot of the building ...



Now that we were full and satisfied, we got back in the car to climb up a windy road into the richest hills to get to the next stop on our itinerary: the House on Haunted Hill house. Unfortunately, there was some kind of construction or renovation happening, so we didn't get any pictures of the front of the building (no one wanted to remember a bunch of strangers sitting around the courtyard) but Lord Battle managed to get a very opportunely timed shot of this towering fortress.




The last Hollywood location on our list was the blood soaked murder house from the first season of American Horror Story. This was the shortest stay we had, and the least inviting. The front yard was scattered with a selection of warnings not to trespass... or else. Seeing the two versions of this house side by side is the best way to do it.

The person shaped sign next to the walk way is captioned "Beware of Owner" 


By the end of all this sight seeing, it was probably not even one in the afternoon and the heat was noticeably sweltering. So we decided to hit up some thrift stores to look for any cool Halloween stuff (at least I planned to). We went to a couple of cool places but the one that had the coolest back story was called It's a Wrap. This is a second hand store that only carries clothes, shoes, and accessories that have been featured in movies and TV shows. There were teasers with a code throughout the store that gave customers something to look for.


Corresponding items had these codes on their tags, which took us a minute to piece together.


Unfortunately, the one thing Lord Battle purchased from this store was from an unidentified show, suspected to be a home improvement type. By this time, it was well into the high 90's and we bay area kids were dying to sprawl out in an air conditioned room. We headed to the hotel.

Unloading the car in nearly 100 degree weather was god awful; walking felt like you were constantly pressing through a very hot wall of gel that was determined to just slow you down. Gross. Luckily Los Angeles is all air conditioned on the inside. We got our wrist bands and headed inside.

This first day was the lightest attended day of the convention, and I probably should have taken advantage and met all of the icons that I wanted to, but the hot weather and long day left me somewhat unprepared to do much talking. I did happen to meet the star of Naked Zombie Girl on the way in to see the preview for her film.


This is a short movie about a girl tearing through walking corpses with a giant chainsaw, all while wearing nothing but their splattered blood. Hopefully we'll post the review shortly after its release.
After this teaser, there was an all star cast movies screening that I'll let Lord Battle explain, followed by the first screening of Vampira and Me, a documentary and extensive interview with the original scream queen, Maila Nurmi. The writer/director R. H. Greene gave a brief introduction to the film and talked about how important it (and its star) were to him. Sadly, just about all of the footage of this iconic host was lost to the time; her broadcasts were done live and lost immediately after airing. But this loving film maker managed to find previously lost footage of the horror hostess and put it all in this documentary.

Day two of Monsterpalooza featured two of the main panels of the weekend; Day of the Dead and Phantasm. My only complaint about either was that they were only given an hour each.



These four told stories about filming in a cave, working with George Romero, fan favorite lines, the social issues and commentary they saw in the film, and also attempted to take questions from the audience with the little time they had left.



Attempting to squeeze the Phantasm franchise into one hour was even more impossible! Especially with the format the moderator started using; showing a lengthy clip of the movie and having the panel members comment on it. It worked out better when the guests just stated talking over the clips. This panel revealed some of the secrets surrounding Phantasm, and subsequently ended year long debates for more than a couple of people. The most devastating secret seemed to be that the Roman gods above the doorway in the mausoleum did not hide a deeper meaning.

Sunday held another huge panel: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!




This was another video clip commentary panel and they screened most talked about moments from the film, including all the deaths. Stories ranged from funny recollections of things that looked too real actually being so - like the sledgehammer to the head that Kirk really took - to the drama Toby Hooper intentionally planted to ensure cinematic authenticity. Hearing all of these familiar stories proved Gunnar Hansen's journalistic abilities to me for sure; the book he wrote about the making of this huge film, Chain Saw Confidential (which I am currently enjoying), was so thoroughly prepared for, that many of these stories were included. Then the air of the room turned bittersweet and a little heartbreaking when the moderator asked about Marilyn Burns, who passed just a little over a month ago. The reactions of everyone in the panel, lowered heads, unsteady voices, and the beginnings of tears, were all testaments to how close this group was with each other.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This trip was a huge adventure, too huge for this one summary. I can say, without a second thought, that the best part was getting to meet and talk to the people who participated in the creation of the horror stepping stones that were celebrated at Son of Monsterpalooza. Everyone at the con seemed to genuinely enjoy talking to each fan that came their way, answering questions, and just sharing a moment with someone who is like-minded in at least one aspect. It was a complete community experience I'm very glad I was a part of.

-Huntress

Monday, September 22, 2014

Bluray Tuesday!


September 23, 2014

Big Horror releases this week in time for October and Halloween one of my personal favorite holidays.

Halloween Complete Collection (1978-2009)  Boxset: Amazon - $109.99

Fifteen years ago, Michael Myers brutally murdered his sister. Now, after escaping from a mental hospital, he’s back to relive his grisly crime again, and again...and again.


Halloween: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray)

 The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology: Amazon - $28.79

Controversial and popular from the moment it opened, The Exorcist endures as a defining classic that influenced movies afterward and still shocks and haunts today. The frightening and realistic tale of an innocent girl inhabited...

The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (Blu-ray)


Saw The Complete Film Set: Amazon - $24.99

Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win...

Saw: The Complete Movie Collection (Blu-ray) 


Stage Fright 1987: Best Buy - $24.99

 A group of young dancers rehearsing in an old theatre is accidentally locked-in for the night - but they are not alone. In the shadows, someone is watching, waiting and selecting victims at his demented leisure… tonight, serial killer Irving Wallace has escaped and is about to put on his own real-life horror show!


StageFright (Blu-ray)


The Innocents: Amazon - $33.96

Miss Giddens, a sensitive and sheltered vicar's daughter, is put in charge of educating and supervising two presumably angelic orphans, Flora and Miles, at the secluded country estate of Bly. When the ghosts of their former caregiver and her sadistic lover Peter Quint manifest themselves to the new governess, she determines to save her charges from their supernatural evil, but just who is corrupting whom? Adapted from the novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

The Innocents (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art



Thursday, September 18, 2014

Box of Dread 9/15/2014
































After the awesome Box last month I find myself pretty let down this time around. The picture above shows everything that was included in Septembers package and don't get me wrong I'm not complaining about a lack of items, I'm bummed that the large item is a lunch box. I do admit I really like the water bottle (the door under the text is repeated all the way around) and the trapped souls Freddy sticker is pretty cool too. The horror buddies cut out is something I know I'll never use and will just end up cluttering my desk... 
So September turns out to be a lame month for the Box of Dread, nowhere near lame enough to get me to stop receiving them though.
- Lord Battle

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

"Strays" the 1991 Forgotten Kitty Cat Slasher that's really a Disguised Haunted House Film

6 of 6 viewers "Liked" "Strays" (1991, USA)
Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

Math Mage - "Quality acting and excellent animal work cancel out the "made for TV movie" feel."   - 4 Stars

Huntress - "This movie surprised the hell out of me! I was expecting cheap puppets and bad acting but instead watched some of the best trained cats terrorize people in a well thought out hopeless situation and they stayed cute even while they got murderous! - 4 Stars

Book Wyrm - "Although I came in late, I enjoyed the film. I'ma bit touchy about animals & horror but this film was funny and mild enough to watch & enjoy." - 3 Stars

Lord Battle - "1 Year after "Maniac Cop 2" Claudia Christian took on this made for TV movie and played the "Slutty Sister", this should be enough motivation for any horror nerd to dig up this not quit cult kitty classic. I would have given it a higher star rating but the TV budget makes for a lot of  dull moments." - 3 1/2 Stars

Ice Giant - "Best depiction of cats being thrown at cars since "Sleep Walkers". - 3 Stars

Impostor - "You'll laugh when you're not supposed to but there was still suspense as it went on. Kathleen Quinlan's acting was pretty good as the mother/survivor girl which really helped a lot." - 1/2 Stars





The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

We went into this film expecting a Slasher film where the slasher is replaced with one or more cats.  It quickly became clear that this would not be the case.  Our potential victims were revealed to be a family of professionals with a toddler, who were about to move into a secluded recently vacated home.  All this indicated that the film would actually be a haunted house story. 

True to form the narrative focused primarily on the relationship between the husband, wife, and sister-in-law, while supernatural mischief provided a background.  In this case the mischief was provided by feral cats instead of ghosts, and other haunted house tropes were modified to fit this theme.  A veterinarian serves the role of exorcist, allergic reactions take the place of psychic phenomena, the cats even display an exaggerated weakness. 

Quality acting and excellent animal work cancel out the “made for TV movie” vibe the film gives off (it’s reminiscent of “Friday the 13th: the Series”); while careful editing maximizes the house’s presence (there are only four scenes not in the house, three of which are filmed in the same room). 
The more thought I put into this film the more I find to like about it, heartily recommend. 
- Math Mage

I just wanted to add, the poster above is the first to sport the new logo designed by The Gross Uncle. I just love how it looks like it belongs on the old VHS cover!
- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating. 

Bluray Tuesday!


September 15, 2014


Its Tuesday so you know what that means, new release blurays & dvds. Its a pretty big week this week for horror and sci-fi fans.


Godzilla: Amazon - $27.99 3D - Amazon - $19.99 Standard

Reimagining of the 1954 Japanese Science fiction film about the destruction caused by a giant monster. When a devastating event is covered up as a natural disaster, nuclear physicist Joe Brody realises something much more sinister is to blame. Scientists Dr. Ichiro Serizawa and Dr. Vivienne Graham reveal that in 1954 a powerful monster was awakened, and though 'nuclear tests' were carried out in the Pacific Ocean to destroy it, the creature has now returned. With the US Armed Forces -- including Joe's son Navy Lieutenant Ford Brody -- called into action, humanity fights for its survival.

Godzilla 3D (Blu-ray)


Ghostbusters 1&2 Digipak: Best Buy - $17.99 

GI:Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service. / GII: The discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.


Ghostbusters 1 & 2 (Blu-ray)


The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 40th Anniversary Digipak: Amazon - $19.99

A tale of five 20-somethings whose free-spirited road trip becomes a terrifying descent into madness. When they find themselves isolated in a rural Texas community, they fall into the clutches of a monstrous clan of Texas cannibals and find themselves being whittled away by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Blu-ray)


The BatteryAmazon - $14.99

Two former baseball players, Ben (Jeremy Gardner) and Mickey (Adam Cronheim), cut an aimless path across a desolate New England. They stick to the back roads and forests to steer clear of the shambling corpses that patrol the once bustling cities and towns. In order to survive, they must overcome the stark differences in each other's personalities. Ben embraces an increasingly feral, lawless, and nomadic lifestyle while Mickey is unable to accept the harsh realities of the new world and longs for the creature comforts he once took for granted. A bed, a girl, and a safe place to live. When the men intercept a radio transmission from a seemingly thriving, protected community, Mickey will stop at nothing to find it, even though it is made perfectly clear that he is not welcome.

The Battery (Blu-ray)


Silent Night, Deadly NightAmazon - $14.99

After his parents are murdered, a young tormented teenager goes on a murderous rampage dressed as Santa, due to his stay at an orphanage where he was abused by the Mother Superior.


Silent Night, Deadly Night (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art 

Hallows EveBest Buy - $12.99

Years after a tragic accident leaves a young child scarred for life, the people responsible pay - with their lives.

 Hallows Eve (Blu-ray)

The Dead 2Amazon - $14.96

One infected worker who feverishly picks up his meager pay then setting off an unstoppable chain of events. American turbine engineer Nicholas Burton has fallen in love with local girl Ishani Sharma. Nicholas has to battle his way across three hundred miles of ferociously infected Indian landscapes to reach Ishani and his unborn child. With the help of a young street kid Javed, he has to rely on his wits and sheer brute force using any means possible to try and save them.

The Dead 2 (Blu-ray)


From Dusk Till Dawn The Complete 1st Season: Amazon - $37.99

A Texas Ranger is in hot pursuit of the infamous Gecko brothers.

From Dusk Till Dawn: Season One (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art

 Sleepy Hollow The Complete 1st Season: Amazon - $24.99

Ichabod Crane is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers.

Sleepy Hollow: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)

Hannibal The Complete 2nd Season: Best Buy - $22.99

Explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.

 Hannibal: Season Two (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art

- The Impostor

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Bluray Tuesday!

September 9th, 2014

Its almost that time of the week Bluray Tuesday! a bigger week this week for horror fans and a big budget Marvel film as well with various retail exclusives the main one that catches my eye is the Best Buy exclusive steelbook case i for one am a sucker for a nice steelboook.


Captain America: The Winter Solider : Best Buy - $24.99

Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier 3D (Blu-ray)



Pumpkinhead: Amazon - $24.99

A storekeeper leverages a local witch's ability to call upon the mythical beast Pumpkinhead to exact revenge upon the death of his son.


Pumpkinhead (Blu-ray)   


Prom Night 1980: Amazon - $19.99

Four Hamilton High School seniors have been hiding the truth of what happened to ten-year-old Robin Hammond for six long years. But someone saw what they did and is preparing for revenge—a prom night killing spree. Hooded, masked, and wielding an axe, he'll stalk his prey in the dark, empty halls, striking when his victims are alone. And just as the spotlight falls upon the newly crowned king and queen, the killer will show everyone what his favorite game to play is...


Prom Night (Blu-ray)


Graduation Day: Amazon - $19.99

 After a high school track runner, named Laura, suddenly dies from a heart attack after finishing a 30-second 200-meter race, a killer wearing a sweat suit and a fencing mask begins killing off her friends on the school track team one by one. The suspects include the track coach Michaels, Laura's sister Anne who arrives in town for the funeral, the creepy school principal Mr. Guglione, and Laura's strange boyfriend Kevin.


Graduation Day (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art


Flowers In The Attic 1987: Amazon - $7.64

After the death of her husband, a mother takes her kids to live with their grandparents in a decrepit old mansion. However, the kids are kept hidden in a room just below the attic, visited only by their mother who becomes less and less concerned about them and their failing health, and more concerned about herself and the inheritance she plans to win back from her dying father.

 Flowers in the Attic (Blu-ray)


Willow Creek: Amazon - $15.98

Jim and his girlfriend, Kelly, are visiting the infamous region near Willow Creek, home of the original Bigfoot legend, which Jim is keen to explore and capture on camera. Isolated among the dark and silent woods, neither Kelly or Jim is prepared for what they encounter.

 Willow Creek (Blu-ray)



Double Feature: All Hallows Eve & Mischief Night: Amazon - $8.49

All Hallows Eve: While watching two children on Halloween night, a babysitter finds an old VHS tape in the kids' trick or treat bag. The tape features three tales of terror, all linked together by a murderous clown. As the night goes on strange...

Mischief Night:  Young Emily Walton, who has suffered from psychosomatic blindness ever since the car accident that took her mother's life, must summon every instinct at her disposal to protect herself and her loved ones from a mysterious...

 Halloween Double Feature (Blu-ray)


The Vampire Diaries Season 5: Amazon - $44.99 

After a sizzling summer with Damon, Elena leaves Mystic Falls and moves into a dorm with her roomie Caroline, ready for new adventures and new friends. But dark thoughts gnaw at Elena, and soon familiar faces are back in the girls' lives. There's Stefan with his shadow self Silas, plus Katherine, with a diabolical agenda and a jaw-dropping transformation. As the Doppelgangers test destiny, tearing lovers apart and pitting the Salvatore brothers against each other, the student body count rises, evidence of powerful forces on campus. Anchors, Rippers, Passengers and Travelers struggle to survive alongside witches and werewolves, teaching our favorite vampires painful lessons along the way. Sink your teeth into all 22 bloodthirsty episodes on 5 Discs of this passionate, heart-ripping, supernatural series.

 The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray)


Supernatural Season 9: Amazon - $44.99

Sam Winchester grew up hunting unearthly horrors. But now law school and a normal life beckon. That is, until Sam’s estranged brother Dean appears with troubling news: their father has disappeared, a man who’s hunted evil for 22 years. So to find their father, the brothers must hunt what he hunts... and Sam must return to the life he’d rather leave behind.

 Supernatural: The Complete Ninth Season (Blu-ray)
Temporary cover art



Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Bluray Tuesday!

September 02, 2014

It's that time of week again! here is this weeks horror themed Bluray releases. Its a light week for horror but we have 3 blurays and 1 tv show.



Cabin Fever Patient Zero: Best Price Amazon/Best Buy $14.99

The 3rd installment in the gruesome Cabin Fever series. A bachelor party on a remote island encounters a deadly flesh-eating virus. Meanwhile, a medical research team races to isolate a cure from the first person known to carry the virus, dubbed "Patient Zero".




The People Under The Stairs: Best Price Best Buy/Amazon $14.99

Two adults and a juvenile burglar break into a house occupied by a brother and sister and their stolen children and can't escape.
 


The Originals Season One: Best Price AmazonBest Buy $39.99

This sexy and thrilling new series from The Vampire Diaries’ executive producer centers on the Original vampire family and the dangerous vampire/werewolf hybrid, Klaus (Joseph Morgan), who returns to the magical melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago. Acting on a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him, Klaus’ questions lead him to his diabolical former protégé, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), a charismatic vampire with total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of the city. Determined to help his brother Klaus find redemption, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) follows Klaus and is soon forced to side with Marcel’s enemies. Meanwhile, Klaus and Elijah’s sister, Rebekah (Claire Holt), must decide if she’ll join her brothers in New Orleans and help them to reclaim their hometown and all its extraordinary offerings. Phoebe Tonkin also stars, among others.

 


Baby Blues: Best Price Amazon $15.97

Famed music producer Ip Ho (Raymond Lam) and his wife Tin Ching (Sheng Jun) move into their suburban dream home where Tin Ching finds a lovely vintage wind-up doll. Misfortune knocks on everyone's door once they're exposed to Ip Ho's new music project revolving death, including Tin Ching who is pregnant with twins. Suffering from postpartum depression after giving birth prematurely, Tin Ching mistakes the doll as one of her children who died at birth.


 
-The Impostor