Digging Up The Dirt with KillDozer and Good Tidings's Stuart Jopia

Holiday horror is becoming more and more common, and filmmakers in this subgenre are quickly branching out to holidays other than Halloween. Movies like You're Next and Holidays are combining horror with the holidays that we wouldn't usually think of having a horror side. This is a pretty exciting development for those horror nerds who used to sift through all kinds of lists to find these films. KillDozer was definitely one of these holiday horror hunters. 

Christmas is easily the most opposite holiday to Halloween, but even it has collected an impressive list of horror, and is even becoming a favored subgenre to horror fans. Before Killer POV went off the air, they had several episodes entirely about holiday horror, one of them recorded with special guest AJ Bowen, whose favorite genre is Christmas horror. (You can listen to it here) A new submission to this surprisingly long list is Good Tidings, which was filmed in the UK and is about to start its film festival circulation. KillDozer got the chance to talk to producer/writer/actor of the film, Stuart Jopia.

KillDozer: What was your role in making Good Tidings a reality?

Stuart Jopia: Well my company Two-Headed Snake Entertainment produced the movie, myself and my two partners wrote, produced and starred in our movie. So we all started this from the ground upwards and made it a reality.

KillDozer: You are credited with both writing and acting in this film. Did you write a character specifically for yourself? How close are you to the character of Curly that you play?

Stuart: Not specifically but to be honest once I came up with the idea for our three Santas I knew exactly which character I'd like to play. I wrote Curly and the rest of the Santas to be nothing like me or the other actors so once I get into my character's headspace it's totally like being someone else. That's the exciting thing about acting for me. Character acting is so much fun; you get to play out your evil desires on screen. Especially when it's a twisted but sweet soul like Curly.

KillDozer: Why place your film during the Christmas season?

Stuart: I fucking love Christmas!!!! And I've always wanted to write and produce a holiday movie. So we found a location, grabbed a bunch of our friends, and headed down the path of X-mas horror film making.

KillDozer: Christmas Horror/thriller used to be a niche market that horror nerds had to really seek out to find. Now it seems as though everyone is in on the fun. Where do you think the focus on holiday horror is coming from?

Stuart: Over the last few years holiday horror has exploded in a big way and not just Halloween and Xmas. Many movies exploring the different holidays like Easter, St. Patrick's Day and New Years Day. All getting their own twisted tales. The big thing with holiday horror is that we as fans come back to those titles again and again. Ever year without fail so more people are making the movies they love and we horror fans love holiday horror.

KillDozer: Will the film be using practical effects? If so why and who was used to create them?

Stuart: We have a 80/20 mix, mostly practical with some VFX support. Our head of special fx is a good friend of mine called Andy Savage from Savage SFX. He did a great job creating all our kills. He's such a perfectionist and always brought his gory A game to the table. We had so much bloody fun. That's why we call upon him again and again.

KillDozer: What is filming like in the UK? Did the "brexit" affect you at all? What is funding like?

Stuart: Filming in the UK is awesome, we had a wonderful location in a little seaside town called Southport in North Lancashire. We shot Good Tidings last September, so Brexit wasn't an issue back then but the outrageous vote to leave the EU will leave all us indie filmmakers and any creative like-minded people shitting bricks, as funding from the EU was so damned important. It's going to be tough times for the UK over the next 5 years. So we'll have to do our best to keep bringing horror features to the hungry fans out there.

KillDozer: Have you been screening the film at festivals? What has the response been?

Stuart: We're just about to hit a load of festivals with submissions going out on August 1st, we're just in time to be honest as we've just completed post production. So hopefully we get selected to play a few and I can inform you about the response later in the year when the movie gains an audience.

KillDozer: When might we hope to see this film in the US?

Stuart: We want to get a festival buzz, so hopefully this October at a festival in the U.S. near you.

KillDozer: Is there a message in Good Tidings or is it all out slasher/thriller fun?

Stuart: We do have a serious message running through the movie, "Christmas can be killer" is the tag line and kind of the message. On holidays we take it for granted that most people have happy times but sadly that's not how it plays in our society. The less fortunate can have it worse, making it hard for them to enjoy these special times. Especially the poor and the homeless. So our slasher does have an important message that we all should remember but also it is a bit of slashery/thrillery fun too. Hahahaha. Sorry was getting deep on you then, but it strikes a cord with me and that's why I wanted to portray how the poor and less fortunate can be treated on these so called happy holidays. The Santas almost being a metaphor for the pain and sorrow they feel.

KillDozer: The poster artwork I have seen is amazing! Do you know how these images were chosen? Was any other promotional gear made for the film?

Stuart: We did a photo shoot way before principal photography to see how the Santas looked on camera and we ended up using a load of these for promotional material. We came across a really great artist who makes mock posters for films that haven't been made or haven't even had a poster created yet. His company is called Mancat Design. We left all the material in his capable hands and he came back with 3 posters for us. They all blew us away. We have made a few things that are gonna be in our DVD and Bluray limited edition packages like mini Santa figures, personalized Xmas Cards, stickers, and a set of exclusive character top trump cards. So we do have some fun stuff for people to own.

KillDozer: Okay here are a few fun quick questions: What is your favorite holiday horror film and why?

Stuart: It has to be Halloween. I grew up with John Carpenter movies and it still gives me shivers when I watch it; it's like the first time I've seen it every time I watch it. Which can only, I stress ONLY be watched on Halloween. I'm totally anal that way about holiday movies. Hahahaha. That movie is probably the biggest influence on a lot of my work and will always be.

KillDozer: Who would your dream cast be in your next film, if you could have any actor or actress you wanted?

Stuart: Can they be resurrected from the dead? If so I'd want Christopher Lee, Max Schreck, Claude Rains and Betty Davis in a movie. How insane would that be? If I have to settle for the living I'd love to work with Eva Green, she's a fabulous actress. The sheer talent oozes out of that lady in bucket loads. Her performance in Penny Dreadful just blew me away. Emily Blunt would be great too. Sicario was just fantastic and her acting was astonishing. For male actors I'd love to work with Josh Brolin. He's one hell of an actor!!!!

KillDozer: How did you find out there was no Santa Clause?

Stuart: There's no Santa Clause?????!!!!! ☹️☹️☹️

KillDozer: What is your favorite UK horror film?

Stuart: That's a tough one, it's always hard to give my favorite, damn you and your interview ways, haha. I'm a lover of old movies, so for me I'd say it was either The Wicker Man (1973) or The Haunting (1963). You can't make pick one, I won't allow it. Hahahaha. Both tremendous achievements in cinema history.

KillDozer: What is your favorite piece of movie memorabilia that you own?

Stuart: I own a set of 3D glasses from A Nightmare on Elm Street 6. They were given out in the audience to wear when the awesome end sequence goes all 3D. They're my pride and joy.

You guys can stay in the loop with Good Tidings by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

-KillDozer

The Overlook Theatre Reviews: Jim Haggerty's, Grave Danger

5 of 5 viewers "Liked" "Grave Danger" (USA, 2009)

Here's what the creatures had to say:

The Great Hornito - "This goes into the category of movies that are so bad they're good. I was entertained throughout the film but not because of good writing or acting. The anthology didn't really make any sense but it didn't need to because it was so stupidly entertaining." - 3.5 Stars

Math Mage - "Why were they frosting a cheese wheel? (With cool-whip no less!) I want to know, I don't want to know anything else." - 2 Stars

Lord Battle - "Remember when Drew Barrymore was being harassed over the phone by Ghostface in Scream? Well imagine that phone call scene being used as a warp-around story in a micro budget horror anthology, as our wannabe Ghostface forces his victim to listen as he tells a "true" story about an invisible stalker. I understand at first glance Grave Danger feels like a dad's midlife crisis, but those who wade through the chaos will see there is something unintentionally cerebral going on in Jim Haggerty's film." - 4 Stars

Huntress - "Grave Danger is definitely resourceful; it had a lot going on for a film with no budget to speak of. While some of the actors felt extremely amateur, the film was so independent and anti-commercial that I couldn't tell what was coming next, which made watching it really fun." - 3 Stars

Book Wyrm - "This is definitely up there with some of the worst films I've ever seen, but I still enjoyed it. There were some decent moments and stories, but overall this was pretty terrible. The third story was the hardest to watch, but was also my favorite." - 3 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

(Below is for after you've seen the film)

It's a well known fact that Lord Battle loves "B", low-budget, micro-budget, and SOV horror films but that doesn't mean I've seen them all. Thankfully my good buddy Toby Wayne reached out over Facebook and recommended I watch Jim Haggerty's masterpiece. Thank you for this Toby, this is an awesome addition to my collection!
Toby is a rad dude who makes awesome masks (check them out here).

And if you feel like Jim Haggerty makes your kinda horror film, check out his other works at his production site (Yellow Ape).

- Lord Battle

The Overlook Theatre materialized in a residence for a special screening on  7/7/2016

*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.

Screenings in the Bay (Friday to Sunday): Demon Wind, SciFi at the Roxie, Kubrick in Black and White

It's Friday again and it couldn't get here fast enough! Mostly because I've been looking forward to this weekend's lineup. There are some very cool limited runs going on this weekend and you're not likely to see them in theatres again soon.
This is the last weekend of July, which means it's Video Vortex at the Alamo Drafthouse SF. They're also showing Private Property, a movie that has been lost for 50 years but only for this weekend.
The Roxie is sci-fi themed this weekend and they're kicking it off with Demon Seed, the sci-fi version of Rosemary's Baby. 

Alamo Drafthouse

Private Property (1960)

Friday 29th to Sunday 31st (1hr 19min)

Crime/ Drama (IMDB)

"Two homicidal Southern California drifters (played to creepy perfection by Warren Oates and Corey Allen) wander off the beach and into the seemingly-perfect Beverly Hills home of unhappy housewife Kate Manx, in this long-lost film noir gem written & directed by The Outer Limits creator Leslie Stevens. Shot through with shimmering sexual tension and lensed in stunning B&W by master cameraman Ted McCord (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre), PRIVATE PROPERTY is both an eerie, Jim Thompson-esque thriller and a savage critique of the hollowness of the Playboy-era American Dream. When Manx, in irresistible blonde beehive and tight capri pants, purrs that she’s ready for love, her husband waves her off, muttering “Wife noises” to his buddy on the phone."

Video Vortex

Demon Wind (1990)

Sunday 31st @ 9pm (1hr 36min)

Horror (Google)

"A man's investigation into his long-dead parents' demise leads to the haunted family mansion and a date with a demon."

Roxie Theatre

Demon Seed (1977)

Friday 29th @ 9pm (1hr 35min)

Horror/ Scifi (IMDB)

"A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife."

Double Feature

Westworld (1973)

Saturday 30th @ 7pm (1hr 28min)

Action/ Scifi/ Thriller (IMDB)

"A robot malfunction creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park."

-with-

Futureworld (1976)

Saturday 30th (1hr 48min)

Scifi/ Thriller (IMDB)

"Upon uncovering the dirty secret of futuristic theme-park Futureworld, a reporter is killed after he tips-off 2 other reporters who decide to do an undercover investigation."

Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)

Sunday 31st @ 8pm (1hr 40min)

Scifi/ Thriller (IMDB)

"Thinking this will prevent war, the US government gives an impenetrable supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles. But what the computer does with the power is unimaginable to its creators."

Yerba Buena Theatre

Kubrick in Black and White

Lolita (1962)

Saturday 30th @ 7:30pm (2hrs 34min)

Sunday 31st @ 2pm

Crime/ Drama/ Romance (IMDB)

"With a screenplay penned by the author himself, Stanley Kubrick brings Vladimir Nabokov's controversial tale of forbidden love to the screen. Humbert Humbert (James Mason) is a European professor who relocates to an American suburb, renting a room from lonely widow Charlotte Haze (Shelley Winters). Humbert marries Charlotte, but only to nurture his obsession with her comely teenage daughter, Lolita (Sue Lyon). After Charlotte's sudden death, Humbert has Lolita all to himself -- or does he?"

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Sunday 31st @ 5pm (1hr 35min)

Comedy (IMDB)

"A film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and it played the situation for laughs. U.S. Air Force General Jack Ripper goes completely insane, and sends his bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. He thinks that the communists are conspiring to pollute the "precious bodily fluids" of the American people."

-Huntress

The Overlook Theatre Reviews: David Sandberg's, Lights Out

8 of 8 viewers "Liked" "Lights Out" (USA, 2016)

Here's what the creatures had to say:

Dabbles - "Lights Out definitely amplified my fear of ghosts, especially since it has something to do with light play. I like that this movie knows the audience. We've all had times where things freaked us out in the dark. Sounds, silhouettes, and imaginations can easily creep anyone out, but the "lights on, lights off", or "red light green light" fun this script had with its characters kept me in suspense. With every quiet moment I kept looking in the shadows or the dark side of the screen to make sure nothing was coming out. The only thing that knocked it down a star for me, is some of the explanations or background info that was portrayed, it felt like it was tacked together for the sole purpose of this movie. Those simple and subtle explanations could have made alot more of an impact on this simple idea of a ghost that can harm you in the dark. But I'm just being knit-picky. Other than that, it's a great movie to see and wind up sleeping the next 2 nights with the lights on." - 4 Stars

Speed Demon - "Intensely creepy! What really stood out for me with this film was how simple and to the point it was. Interesting all the way through. Great job of keeping you on edge and anticipating what was to come next. Somewhat likable characters and okay jump scares.The back story segment of entity and the mothers relationship was pretty lame. Dumb pictures and a recorded doctor interview seemed totally unnecessary. An entity with this kinda power, I'd have to say, is pretty damn frightening." - 3.5 Stars

Clark Little - "I don't want to tell any tells out of school, but in Lights Out, darkness brings shenanigans. It's premise doesn't bring home any blue ribbons, but the execution of the cast propel this through the muck of the summer cash grab movies. The movie delivers us an unruly, melanin-deficient sprite that only attacks when the lights are... Yeah you got it. I think that we can all agree that the worst kind of ghost, is a feral, unkept one that won't let you go to "beddy-bye". Maria Bello is superb. It's her performance and matronly actions in the story that keep the lights on." - 3 Stars

KillDozer - "If you are looking for something "fun" nothing more nothing less, like watching an episode of Tales from the Crypt, then Lights Out is for you. The look was polished and professional, the sound hit in all the right jump scares, and the practical effects worked great and meshed well with the digital. If you viewed the amazingly effective and creepy short film by the same name and wanted more, then your wish has been granted. I did not feel cheated out of my money because I received everything I wanted; a basic fright film with a slightly original plot, some solid acting, and a running time that proved the film makers were very self aware. I do look forward to seeing what writer/director David F. Sanberg comes up with next and I actually hope that PG-13 horror is here to stay because, like an independent film, being held back by budget or studio restrictions can really inspire some amazing things sometimes." - 3 stars (collection worthy because it is like owning an episode of your favorite anthology horror show)

The Impostor - "2013 brought us a pretty creepy short film by David F. Sandberg called Lights Out. It spread pretty quickly across the internet and social media. Now we get a full length film based on the short and produced by the great James Wan who I feel recognizes legitimate scares and creepiness. The trailers don't do the film justice and I definitely suggest checking this out because you won't be dissapointed. Lights Out brings back childhood fears of the dark and unknown. The creepiness is super effective and realistic, a lot better than many recent horror films as of late. The acting and character development are well done and progressed perfectly with the storyline. Lights Out felt shorter than the 90 minute runtime but the pacing and story keeps you intrigued beginning to end. Last but not least, the ghost is sinister, intense and creepy all at the same time. It played out great on screen, but the cons I'd say is the constant back story. I feel knowing less would make it much more scary, but for the storyline and metaphors used I completely understand why this was done. Overall, a solid, very well done film. I definitely recommend it. Day one bluray purchase for sure." - 5 Stars

The Creature of the ComiCombs - "Lights Out was a pretty good movie. It's pretty clear early on that this a story about mental illness. Nothing was over done and the pacing was right. The monster was good in this one, through most of the movie you only get a creepy looking shadowy figure which is pretty terrifying. My biggest complaint is in the way we're given the why and how of it all. It happens so quickly and feels forced. Overall it's worth checking out." - 3 Stars

Lord Battle - "Lights Out is the perfect horror movie to see with a date. The premise exploits one of everyone's base fears (the dark) and has effective imagery/jump-scares, features a loving and sympathetic boyfriend who's trying to break through to his guarded girlfriend, and no religion, so you don't need to worry about a possibly awkward conversation. And if you're worried this film maybe be a little to straight forward, for you seasoned veterans, there is a underlining theme of mental illness that's either pretty interesting or slightly offensive." - 4 Stars

Huntress - "Lights Out was full of reasons why I still get uneasy in the dark. I got really tense and during a couple of scenes couldn’t help imagining myself in those same situations, crumbling to the floor, especially with how hard of a time I was having just watching characters go through it. This film is rough - it’s a well made story centered around a very basic and universal fear. And I love that it had a tribute to the short film it started as in the very beginning if the film. Minor issues aside, this film really messed with me." - 4.5 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

(Below is for after you've seen the film)

"This guy has what it takes, and it's really hard to find filmmakers that get these things. People think it's easy to make a horror movie that works. It's not, that's why there's a lot of crap out there. To find a director that gets this stuff I go, 'All right, this is what we'll do. We'll support him, we'll give him the tools, we'll give him a bit of the money that he needs to make the movie, we'll surround him with a good crew. And hopefully that will let him be creative as he can be.'"

- James Wan, Excert from an interview with the LA Times

James Wan is credited as Executive Producer for Lights Out and normally this offers little to no insight on whether or not the person was actually on set, let alone had a hand in creating the film. And after some slight research, it seems James Wan definitely had an impact on this film, and in more ways than one.
James Wan didn't exactly discover David F. Sandberg, but he did mold the ghost-story horror sub-genre into the modernized money making machine we've come to know and love, and in turn set the scene for films like Lights Out. The ghost-story auteur James Wan has a few major hallmarks that have become commonplace in his films and Lights Out conjurers up all of them. The first being the treatment of religion. James either takes it head on like in The Conjuring or leaves it alone completely like in Insidious. This is a huge departure from the common trope of contacting a spiritual champion to fight for your family and Lights Out will be the second successful film to also ignore this trope (excluding Insidious 2 &3). Lights Out also has a definitive climax/ending. The old genre norm would have an abstract ritual that is loosely understood by the characters, feels incredibly tacked on, and only half feels like it worked. But Lights Out not only has an ending, it's got a dramatic climax that builds on the mythology and ends with a bold period. And lastly, what kinda James Wan-esque horror film would be complete without the man's signature symbol, a creepy doll.

Lights Out, the original short.

- Lord Battle

The Overlook Theatre materialized on 7/24/2016 for the 7PM show at Century Tanforan.

*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.

Treasures From the ComiCombs Issue #32: Chilling Tales of Sabrina, Predator vs Judge Dread vs Aliens, Conan

Welcome back to the ComiCombs! As we wind down July we get a pretty lackluster bunch of new releases. This month has been great for new #1’s as well as some great issues from our favorite ongoing books, and we’ve even said goodbye to some great titles that wrapped up. This week I’ve pulled out a few more ongoing books that you need to check out and a very promising new #1. If that wasn’t enough for you, I have another pick from my dark little corner of the ComiCombs to tell you about. I also have a winner of the Mike Mignola duel review. The end of this month may be a slow one for releases but The ComiCombs is overflowing so read on for your weekly dose of comic book goodness!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Volume 1 TPB (Archie Horror)

This is one of those books that I have been pushing on everyone lately and with good reason. This is one of the best horror books that I’ve read in a while and one of my personal favorites. This week we finally get the TPB for volume 1. If you have been holding out, now is the time to pull the trigger on this title - you won’t regret it.

Outcast #19 (Image)

It’s a rare thing for a monthly title to have an extended run without any issues that miss their mark. Outcast is one of those rarities with a run that has been on point for just over a year and half. The team of Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta is one of the best on a monthly title and if you haven’t jumped on board yet, I highly suggest you do so.

Predator VS Judge Dredd VS Aliens #1 (Dark Horse)

VS titles aren’t anything new and we’ve had a lot of good ones featuring Predator and Xenomorphs. This week Dark Horse gives us Predator VS Judge Dredd VS Aliens. This has win written all over it and with cover art from the Legendary Glenn Fabry you would be doing yourself a favor by picking this one up. 

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I think it’s safe to say that everyone who is reading this has heard of Conan. I’m not talking about the red headed comedian and if that was the first person that came to your mind, this is especially for you. I’m talking about the Barbarian, the Slayer, the Avenger, the Destroyer! Created by Robert E. Howard in 1932, Conan has stood the test of time. Published in comics since 1970, Conan has had the longest runs published by both Marvel and Dark Horse. The book I’m talking about today is from the first Dark Horse Run from 2003.

Conan: The Frost Giant's Daughter (Dark Horse)

The Frost Giant's Daughter is the first arc from Dark Horse and this is a great jumping on point for those of you not familiar with the Conan mythos. Written by Kurt Busiek, this is an action packed story that will draw you in immediately. The art is done by Cary Nord, an Eisner award winning artist who has most likely drawn your favorite comic character at sone point during his career. He is a personal favorite and his art is perfect for this title. The team of Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord is one that you need to see and a perfect fit for the legendary warrior. If you’re a fan of the Conan novels, this is a faithful expansion on Robert E. Howard’s original titles. 

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Last week, I continued my random duel reviews with two random picks from my backlog of Mike Mignola books. This is the second time this well known writer has entered the arena and this time it’s a guarantee he will walk out victorious but which one of the titles will win a spot on the shelves of the ComiCombs?

Sir Edward Grey Witchfinder was the first of the two books. As a fan of Detective fiction, this was right up my alley. Mignola is very careful with the pacing here and does an excellent job of revealing clues through our protagonist Edward Grey. This story expands upon the Hellboy universe and is definitely a must read for any fan. Ben Stenbeck does a great job with the art and stays faithful to the source while making it his own. The story was awesome and had some great Mignola humor mixed in with a wonderfully dark mystery.

Baltimore: The Plague Ships followed Witchfinder and turned out to be another great read. Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart are in charge of the art in this book as well and we really get to see them shine in Baltimore, which is a much more action oriented book than Witchfinder. From chase scenes to severed heads, exploding zeppelins to shipwrecks and vampire fights, Baltimore has it all. The range in Baltimore is much greater than that of Witchfinder. The story in Baltimore is great; a tale of revenge with some great adventure and lots of violence. This was the most difficult choice thus far, so which book won?

Baltimore: The Plague Ships

Both stories were awesome. The art in both books was just as good. The only reason I chose Baltimore is because there was a lot more range to showcase the talents of the artists, Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart. These are both collection worthy books and I recommend checking them both out, but as always only one book gets a spot in the ComiCombs and this week it’s Baltimore: The Plague Ships.

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What a great week! I hope everyone had a great July and I’m looking forward to some more awesome releases next month. Make sure to come back next week where I’ll have even more to fill your appetite for comic books. As much as I enjoyed the randomness, next week’s duel review books will have a theme again. As always, pick up something good from your local shop and let me know what you’re reading!

- The Creature of the ComiCombs

Bluray Tuesday: Featuring The Invitation, Hardcore Henry and Hellhole

July 26th 2016

The final Bluray Tuesday of July is here and we end this month with a few interesting titles. First up is my favorite of the week, The Invitation which really surprised me when I first watched a few months ago. It left me thinking after the credits rolled, I highly recommend It. I'm also looking forward to revisiting it on bluray this week and checking out the bonus material. Scream Factory is on a roll and release a few titles this week starting with Hellhole, which I haven't heard of before but looks promising. The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973) is also on Bluray for the first time. The bigger releases this week include the first person point on view filmed Hardcore Henry, which made a few audience members throw up and get dizzy from the fast action scenes, but I'm still looking forward to checking out. Rounding out today's releases is sci-fi action thriller Criminal starring Deadpool's Ryan Reynolds, Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, and Kevin Costner. Also out today are comedy films The Boss and Barbershop 3 if you are looking for some laughs this week. So what will you be buying, renting or just skipping this week? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to check out our Instagram page here. We love the conversation and talking all things horror. Until next week!

The Invitation: Amazon - $22.99

While attending a dinner party at his former house, a man (Logan Marshall-Green) starts to believe that his ex-wife (Tammy Blanchard) and her new husband (Michiel Huisman) have sinister plans for the guests.

 

Hellhole (1985): Amazon - $20.99

An unlucky woman's mother is murdered by a scarf-wielding killer named Silk, leaving the woman injured, traumatised and suffering from amnesia. She's committed to a mental institution, where Silk follows her, looking for the papers he was trying to get from her mother. And Silk's only the beginning of her problems, since the asylum is run by a mad doctor, performing experiments in chemical lobotomies!

 

Hardcore Henry: Amazon - $19.99

A man wakes up in a Moscow laboratory to learn that he's been brought back from the dead as a half-human, half-robotic hybrid. With no memory of his former life, a woman who claims to be his wife tells him that his name is Henry. Before she can activate his voice, armed thugs storm in and kidnap her. As Henry starts to understand his new abilities, he embarks on a bloody rampage through the city to save his spouse from a psychopath (Danila Kozlovsky) who plans to destroy the world.

 

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973): Amazon - $18.99

Richie Bridgestone (whose parents are divorced) goes to spend the weekend with his father at his secluded mountain cabin. During a moonlight hike, they are attacked in the darkness by a creature that he recognizes as a werewolf. During the struggle, the werewolf falls into a ravine and is impaled by a wooden fence, but not before biting his father. Upon investigation, they find their attacker to be human and the sheriff concludes their attacker was an insane drifter. He spends the rest of the film trying to convince his mother, and his therapist that his father is now a werewolf.

 

Criminal: Amazon - $19.99

CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) dies while traveling to a secret location to meet a hacker who can launch missiles at will. Desperate to find his whereabouts, officials turn to an experimental neurosurgeon who can transfer memories from one brain to another. The guinea pig for the procedure is Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner), a violent and dangerous death-row inmate. Now gifted with Pope's skills and knowledge, Stewart must race against time to stop a sinister international conspiracy.

 

The Boss: Amazon - $19.99

Wealthy CEO Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) always gets her way, until she's busted for insider trading and sent to federal prison. After leaving jail, Darnell finds herself broke, homeless and hated. Luckily, she tracks down former assistant Claire (Kristen Bell), the only person who's willing to help. While staying with Claire and her young daughter, the ex-con devises a new business model for a brownie empire. Unfortunately, some old enemies stand in the way of her return to the top.

 

Barbershop The Next Cut: Amazon - $19.99

To survive harsh economic times, Calvin and Angie have merged the barbershop and beauty salon into one business. The days of male bonding are gone as Eddie and the crew must now contend with sassy female co-workers and spirited clientele. As the battle of the sexes rages on, a different kind of conflict has taken over Chicago. Crime and gangs are on the rise, leaving Calvin worried about the fate of his son. Together, the friends come up with a bold plan to take back their beloved neighborhood.

 

Five Miles To Midnight (1962): Amazon - $16.99

Lisa Macklin (Sophia Loren) tells her abusive, emotionally immature husband, Robert (Anthony Perkins), that she doesn't want to see him again. He leaves on a business flight bound for Casablanca. That evening, she is shocked to learn that his plane crashed, with all aboard presumed dead. After his funeral, she finds him at home, having survived the crash. He promises to leave her life for good if she helps him commit life insurance fraud, and she agrees, in order to get rid of him for good.

 

- The Impostor 

Screenings in the Bay (Monday to Friday): Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Devil Doll, Demon Seed

We are in for a very exciting week of movies! Not only in Terror Tuesday playing a well known San Francisco based film, but the director will be at the screening in person; the Balboa Theatre's haunted ventriloquist doll double feature is happening this Wednesday; and the Roxie has been killing it with great horror movies! This is a very good week to be in horror nerd in the bay area! I was also surprised to see that AMC Van Ness make this list this week. They are screening a Korean zombie apocalypse survival movie all week. Read on to find out more.

Alamo Drafthouse

Terror Tuesday 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Tuesday 26th @ 10:15pm (1hr 55min)

Horror/ Scifi (IMDB)

"In San Francisco, a group of people discover the human race is being replaced one by one, with clones devoid of emotion."

Filmmaker Philip Kaufman will be attending this screening for the introduction! 

Weird Wednesday

O.C. and Stiggs (1985)

Wednesday 27th @ 10pm (1hr 50min)

Teen Film/ Comedy (Google)

"Two guys (Daniel Jenkins, Neill Barry) target an Arizona insurance tycoon (Paul Dooley) for canceling one's grandfather."

Private Property (1960)

Friday 29th @ 9pm (1hr 19min)

Crime/ Drama (IMDB)

"Two homicidal Southern California drifters (played to creepy perfection by Warren Oates and Corey Allen) wander off the beach and into the seemingly-perfect Beverly Hills home of unhappy housewife Kate Manx, in this long-lost film noir gem written & directed by The Outer Limits creator Leslie Stevens. Shot through with shimmering sexual tension and lensed in stunning B&W by master cameraman Ted McCord (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre), PRIVATE PROPERTY is both an eerie, Jim Thompson-esque thriller and a savage critique of the hollowness of the Playboy-era American Dream. When Manx, in irresistible blonde beehive and tight capri pants, purrs that she’s ready for love, her husband waves her off, muttering “Wife noises” to his buddy on the phone."

Balboa Theatre

Devil Doll Double Feature

The Twilight Zone: The Dummy (1962)

Wednesday 27th @ 7:30pm (25min)

Fantasy/ Horror/ Mystery (IMDB)

"Ventriloquist Jerry Etherson is convinced that his dummy, Willie, is alive and evil. He locks Willie in a trunk and makes plans for a new act with a new dummy. Too bad he didn't clear those plans with Willie first."

-with-

Devil Doll (1963)

Wednesday 27th @ 8pm (1hr 21min)

Cult/ Horror (Google)

"A ventriloquist (Bryant Haliday) hypnotizes a newsman's (William Sylvester) girlfriend (Yvonne Romain) to put her soul in his dummy, Hugo."

New Parkway Theatre

Aliens (1986)

Thursday 28th @ 9:30pm (2hrs 34min)

Action/ Adventure/ Scifi (IMDB)

"After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. Upon arriving at LV-426, the marines find only one survivor, a nine year old girl named Newt (Carrie Henn). But even these battle-hardened marines with all the latest weaponry are no match for the hundreds of aliens that have invaded the colony."

Roxie Theatre 

The Blackout Experiments (2016)

Monday 25th-Thursday 28th @ 7pm & 9pm (1hr 18min)

Documentary/ Horror (IMDB)

"This documentary follows a group of people who discover the ultra-scary, psycho-sexual horror experience Blackout, and develop an obsession that hijacks their lives and blurs the line between reality and paranoid fantasy."

Demon Seed (1977)

Friday 29th @ 9pm (1hr 35min)

Horror/ Scifi (IMDB)

"A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife."

The Witness (2015)

Starts Friday 29th (1hr 29min)

Documentary/ Biography/ Crime (IMDB)

"The name 'Kitty Genovese' became synonymous with apathy after news that she was stabbed to death while 38 witnesses did nothing. Fifty years later, her brother uncovers a lie that transformed his life, condemned a city and defined an era."

Yerba Buena Theatre

Kubrick in Black and White

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Thursday 28th @ 7:30pm (1hr 35min)

Comedy (IMDB)

"A film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and it played the situation for laughs. U.S. Air Force General Jack Ripper goes completely insane, and sends his bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. He thinks that the communists are conspiring to pollute the "precious bodily fluids" of the American people."

AMC Van Ness

Train to Busan (2016)

Starts Monday 25th (1hr 58min)

Action/ Horror/ Thriller (IMDB)

"While a zombie-virus breaks out in South Korea, a couple of passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan."

-Huntress