Bluray Tuesday!

February 23rd 2016

The last Bluray Tuesday of February has arrived. This week is filled with some really nice releases, I'm excited to add a lot of these to my collection. Scream/Shout Factory never fails and today is no exception with 3 new releases from them this week. First up is Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow Collectors Edition. I'm embarrassed to say I actually haven't seen this but that will change really soon. Scream Factory's other releases today are two double features, The Curse/The Curse 2 and Millennium/R.O.T.O.R. Other highlights this week are The Sinful Dwarf and Frankenstein. The Sinful Dwarf is being released by Severin Films with both the rated and unrated versions included for the first time on bluray, and loaded with bonus materials. Frankenstein is written and directed by the great Bernard Rose and also co-stars Candyman's Tony Todd. This one I will definitely pick up and check out this week. Rounding out this week is, Julia Roberts thriller, Secret in their Eyes, as well as Spotlight, Disney and Pixar's The Good Dinosaur and 1978's The Bee's. Overall a great week for horror releases to end February. So what will you be buying, renting or just skipping this week? Let us know in the comments. Also check out out Instagram page Here. We love conversation and talking all things horror. 

The Serpent and the Rainbow: Amazon - $29.99

In a time of social and political unrest in Haiti, anthropologist Dennis Alan (Bill Pullman) travels to the torn country to study a Voodoo drug used in religious practices to turn victims into living zombies. With the help of a witch doctor (Brent Jennings) and a fellow researcher (Cathy Tyson), Dennis pieces together the deadly mystery. But as Dennis uncovers the secrets behind the mysterious powder, he must evade the Haitian authorities who view his research as a potential threat.

 

The Curse/The Curse 2: Amazon - $19.99

The Curse: A boy (Wil Wheaton) and his sister wisely avoid food and drink after a meteorite lands on their Tennessee farm.

The Curse 2: Young lovers (Jill Schoelen, J. Eddie Peck) go through an old desert test-site full of nuclear-mutated snakes.

  

Millennium/R.O.T.O.R: Amazon - $19.99

Millennium: Two jetliners collide, and Bill Smith (Kris Kristofferson) is put in charge of investigating the accident. But something isn't adding up about the crash -- from the strange comments on the flight recorder to the unidentifiable object found in the wreckage. What Smith doesn't know is that time travelers have taken the ill-fated passengers to repopulate the future. To ensure their mission's success, they send a gorgeous operative, Louise (Cheryl Ladd), to the past to hamper Smith's work.

R.O.T.O.R: Dr. Coldyron (Richard Gesswein), a pioneer of tactical robotics, is ordered by Cmdr. Buglar (Michael Hunter) to create a robot that can fight crime. Unbeknownst to Coldyron, Buglar is working with a greedy senator who plans to use the robot to secure his reelection. Coldyron and Dr. Steele (Jayne Smith) deliver the prototype on time. But, when it malfunctions and terrorizes an innocent motorist (James Cole) and his fiancée (Margaret Trigg), it's up to the scientists to stop it once and for all.   

 

The Sinful Dwarf: Amazon - $22.99

Olaf and his mother run a boarding house and a white slavery ring. They also smuggle heroin to keep the addict girls happy so they do not try and escape. A young couple move into the house and the evil landlords take a liking to the female. 

 

The Bees: Amazon - $17.99

Swarms of highly intelligent killer bees, intent on halting man's destruction of the environment, attack helpless people.

 

Secret in Their Eyes: Amazon - $22.99

Rising FBI investigators Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts), along with Claire (Nicole Kidman), their district-attorney supervisor, are suddenly torn apart following the brutal murder of Jess' teenage daughter. Thirteen years later, after obsessively searching for the elusive killer, Ray uncovers a new lead that he is certain can permanently resolve the case and bring long-desired closure to the team. But no one is prepared for the shocking and unspeakable secret that follows.

   

Frankenstein: Amazon - $12.99 

Frankenstein is a 2015 updated adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus directed by British director Bernard Rose.The film is told from the monster's point of view as he is created, escapes into the modern world and learns about the dark side of human

 

Spotlight: Amazon - $19.99

In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

 

The Good Dinosaur 3D: Amazon - $27.99   

2D: Amazon - $22.99

Luckily for young Arlo, his parents (Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand) and his two siblings, the mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 million years ago. When a rainstorm washes poor Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) downriver, he ends up bruised, battered and miles away from home. Good fortune shines on the frightened dino when he meets Spot (Jack Bright), a Neanderthal boy who offers his help and friendship. Together, the unlikely duo embark on an epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his beloved family.

 

 

  - The Impostor 

Screenings in the Bay (Monday to Friday)

Well we've come to the last week of SF Indie Fest and it's bittersweet. I hope you guys made it out to a couple of these screenings, especially since many of them had guests from the movie there to answer questions and talk about the film afterwards. All the screenings we made it out to were awesome and I hope these movies get wider releases now that the fest is coming to a close. There are still a lot that I want to see! And there are still a couple of chances to check some of these movies out, but this is the last week until next year.

Alamo Drafthouse

Terror Tuesday

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

Tuesday @ 10:45pm (1hr 38min)

Fantasy/ Horror (IMDB)

"In a time of social and political unrest in Haiti, anthropologist Dennis Alan (Bill Pullman) travels to the torn country to study a Voodoo drug used in religious practices to turn victims into living zombies. With the help of a witch doctor (Brent Jennings) and a fellow researcher (Cathy Tyson), Dennis pieces together the deadly mystery. But as Dennis uncovers the secrets behind the mysterious powder, he must evade the Haitian authorities who view his research as a potential threat."

Weird Wednesday!

Kill Squad (1982)

Wednesday @ 10pm (1hr 25min)

Action/ Drama (IMDB)

"Veterans (Jean Glaude, Jeff Risk) regroup to hunt a villain (Cameron Mitchell) moving in on their former commander's business."

Midnites for Maniacs 

Triple Feature

Summer School (1987)

Friday 26th @ 7pm (1hr 27min)

Cult film/ Teen (Google)

"Apathetic gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) is ready to take the summer off in Hawaii, but he's forced to either teach summer-school English or risk losing his tenure. Now he's stuck teaching a group of unmotivated students as disappointed to be stuck in school over the summer as he is. But with the help of a friendly history teacher (Kirstie Alley), Shoop is at least learning how to act the part of supportive mentor and perhaps even learning something about himself as well."

Ski School (1990)

Friday 26th @ 9:30 (1hr 35min)

Comedy (IMDB)

"Dave Marshak (Dean Cameron) and his friends are a pack of highly skilled skiers and devoted party animals. On the slopes, they are known as "Section 8." But their reputation is at risk when a ski school of snobs -- headed by pompous and preppy Reid Janssens (Mark Thomas Miller) -- shows up looking to win the end-of-season downhill competition. Now, the stakes have never been higher because, if Section 8 is beaten, they'll lose more than bragging rights. They'll also lose their jobs."

Rockula

Friday 26th @ 11:30pm 

Comedy/ Horror/ Musical

"Ralph (Dean Cameron) is a sexually frustrated vampire who suffers from a peculiar curse. He's condemned for eternity to watch his one true love, Mona (Tawny Fere), be murdered by a ham bone. Now it's 1990, and Ralph is determined to break the cycle of reincarnation and death. But, before he can think about saving Mona's life, his first order of business is winning her affections. He does that by starting Rockula -- a rock band that's sure to stake a claim on her heart." 

Balboa Theatre

The Super Shangri La Show Presents:

The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)

Wednesday 24th @ 7pm (1hr 25min)

Drama/ Horror/ Mystery (IMDB)

"A documentary-style drama about the "Fouke Monster", a Bigfoot-type creature that has been sighted in and around Fouke, Arkansas since the 1950's."

Playing with

Bigfoot (1970)

Wednesday 24th @ 8:40pm (1hr 24min)

Horror/ Scifi/ Thriller (IMDB)

"Bigfoot kidnaps some women and some bikers decide to go on a rescue mission to save them."

The Third Man (1949)

Thursday 25th @ 7:30pm (1hr 44min)

Film Noir/ Mystery/ Thriller (IMDB)

"Set in postwar Vienna, Austria, "The Third Man" stars Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, who arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Maj. Calloway (Trevor Howard) and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna (Alida Valli)."

Castro Theatre

Hollywood Before the Code Double Feature

Scarface (1932)

Wednesday 24th @ 7:45pm (1hr 33min)

Action/ Crime/ Drama (IMDB)

"An ambitious and near insanely violent gangster climbs the ladder of success in the mob, but his weaknesses prove to be his downfall."

Playing with

Two Seconds (1932)

Wednesday 24th @ 6:15pm & 9:35pm (1hr 8min)

Drama/ Thriller (IMDB)

"In the two seconds after convicted murderer Jim Allen (Edward G. Robinson) is electrocuted, his life flashes before him. During Prohibition, Jim was a construction worker living with his best friend, Bud Clark (Preston Foster). Jim met Shirley Day (Vivienne Osborne) at a dance club, where she feigned interest in him and tricked him into marriage. Unaware of her duplicity, Jim was angered by Bud's attempt to tell him the truth, and a series of violent confrontations led Jim to his dark fate."

Roxie Theatre

Indie Fest!

Revenge of the Shorts

Monday 22nd @ 7pm (1hr 38min)

This showcase features some of the best indie horror, sci-fi and “genre” work normally dismissed by more traditional film festivals."

Director's Commentary: The Terror of Frankenstein (2015)

Wednesday 24th @ 9:15pm (1hr 32min)

Drama/ Horror/ Mystery (IMDB)

"A long-forgotten horror film somehow makes it into your DVD player. For some reason, you click on the commentary track. As the director and writer discuss the images on the screen, it becomes apparent that the horror behind the camera was far more disturbing than what they filmed. An exercise in brilliant meta-commentary, this is like Mystery Science Theater done by Hannibal Lecter. Featuring Barry Lyndon star Leon Vitali as himself, and Frankenstein in the actual Terror of Frankenstein. -Bears Fonte"

-Huntress

San Francisco Indie Fest at the Alamo Drafthouse

Last night, Lord Battle, the Berkeley Blazer, and I (Huntress) finally got our first taste of the 18th San Francisco Independent Film Festival at, none other than, the Alamo Drafthouse. The two movies we saw went together very well, despite being very different. 

The first film we watched was Lady Psycho Killer, which is the story of a young, sheltered girl who realizes that her murderous daydreams are much more satisfying when acted out in the flesh. She hides her new found outlet behind the good-girl facade she spent her whole life begrudgingly upholding. 

Having gone into this movie knowing the bare minimum, I was very surprised to find out that there was a lot of humor in the script. First time actress, Kate Daly, perfectly embodied the academically centered, sexually naive main character, but easily transitioned into the her psychotic alter ego, bringing both sides of the role to life. Judging by this poster, I was expecting something similar to It Follows in tone, but this movie could not be any more different. 

-Huntress

Looking at a poster that greatly resembles the TV show ad for Holliston as well as an iconic Frazetta painting will cause a savvy horror fan will make several judgments about Late Night Double Feature without ever watching a second. Not all of these prejudgments are wrong either. Late Night Double Feature is an anthology film, which features a wrap around story set on a local access channel set during a late night horror host double feature. Dr Nasty’s Cavalcade of Horror is very similar in tone to the Movie Crypt on Holliston but that’s about it. Dr. Nasty is a costumed host who enjoys the benefits of being a self proclaimed, washed up horror host, which instantly puts him at odds with the audience that I’m assuming loves horror (or at least currently is in the mood for some), since a typical horror host isn't necessarily a fan of the genre. This is as cut and paste as our movie narrative gets, for Late Night Double Feature actually creates a very authentic block of TV. I say authentic because we often romanticize our memories of horror hosts but anyone who has ever enjoyed the late night company of any knows what it’s like to excitedly await films that are close to unbearable to watch and littered with local advertisements. These moments are left in by Late Night Double Feature, and unlike the real-life experience, these true-to-form blemishes shine throughout the film. The thing is Late Night Double Feature is not about celebrating these horror icons, but rather the experience.

The shorts featured in the film are above average in execution and heavy in concept, yet deliver on some very interesting context. My favorite being Slit, a convincing arthouse horror, that takes the danger prostitutes face and applies a gender reversal through a Street Trash-esque mythology. Tonally, this short is very serious and feels removed from the film except for a brilliantly placed moment of unexpected humor. These tonal changes throughout the movie are accented by the efforts put into distancing each segment from the next by using different cameras and lighting to give each sub-story its own feel. This is perhaps the best way to contrast television to film. Where in TV land the writers are king and the camera is a tool, not a character.

-Lord Battle

Creepy PastaMania!

Hello, Ice Giant back this week. I apologize for falling asleep on my throne for the second time since I started writing this. I'll try my best to not make it a habit.
 The stories this week are going to be from the Wiki site. I read most of my stories off of Creepypasta.com but the wiki has a much much better search option and it also has pasta of the month and contest winner pasta tags that you can click and automatically be brought to a list of some of the best stories on the site. This week I'm going to show you a few stories that have been Pasta of the month before on the wiki. I've found some of my very favorite stories on the wiki page and for people new to Creepypasta, it is a very good way to find great stories without having to wade through crap.

The Disappearance of Ashley, Kansas

(Pasta Served Here)

Author: Unknown

Genre: Kinda hard for me to place the genre. It's listed as Lovecraftian so we'll go with that.

Reading Time: 5-10 min

Synopsis: The town of Ashley, Kansas and its population completely vanished after an earthquake in 1952

Creepiness

(How Scary)

Pasta Quality

(How well Written)

I honestly can't figure out why this story unnerves me so much, but it really really does. Especially the little burned boy coming into the house to find his mom... Usually stuff like that doesn't move me, but just the idea of a small town vanishing. Then communicating for a little while, just to describe all the horrible things that are happening before being sucked into hell... This story just freaks me out. "The Disappearance of Ashley, Kansas" was the very first Pasta of the Month I read on the wiki and I was hooked after that. The PotM list was pretty small back then and I still ended up stuck on the site for the rest of the night.

------------------------------

Abandoned By Disney

(Pasta Served Here)

Author: SlimeBeast

Genre: Abandoned/Haunted place

Reading Time: 10 -15 min

Synopsis: An Urban explorer searches a closed down Disney amusement park and stumbles upon more then he bargained for.

Creepiness

(How Scary)

Pasta Quality

(How Well Written)

I like this story but it doesn't creep me out that much. The author does a great job of describing the place and making it feel like we are actually exploring right there with him. "Abandoned by Disney" was for sure added with KillDozer in mind, as he is a big time Disney enthusiast (so I guess showing him a story where bizzaro Mickey rips his own head off might not be such a good idea, but to late now!). 

------------------------------

PenPal

(Pasta Served Here)

Author: 1000Vultures

Genre: Horror

Reading time: 45 - 60 minutes+

Synopsis: A kid is tormented for years by a mysterious stranger

Creepiness

(How Scary)

Pasta Quality

(How Well Written)

Penpal is one of the success stories from Creepypasta. It was originally posted on Reddits /nosleep and has actually been turned into a real book. I hear that it doesn't translate well into novel form and I have no idea how much money the guy has made off of it but I still consider being published a success. As for the actual story, it's very creepy... Kinda makes you think about how vulnerable you were as a kid and how fucked up some people can be.

- Ice Giant

Sneak Peek

Next week I'm planning to write about all the famous Creepypasta characters. I'll be explaining the origins of characters like Slenderman and Jeffthekiller and sharing my favorite stories that have been written about them.

Screenings in the Bay (Friday to Sunday)

This weekend is packed, absolutely PACKED with movies! The biggest one has got to be the newest addition to the horror family, which is officially released today, The Witch. But this is also a huge weekend for the horror side of the San Francisco Indie Fest. Tonight is the opening party at the Alamo Drafthouse, starting at 9pm. Afterwards the flood of independent horror commences. 

Opening Today

The Witch (2016)

Opens Friday 19th

Horror (IMDB)

"A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession."

Alamo Drafthouse 

IndieFest!

The Incident (2014)

Friday 19th @ 7:15pm (1hr 40min)

Scifi/ Thriller (IMDB)

"Two parallel stories about characters trapped in illogical endless spaces: two brothers and a detective locked on an infinite staircase, and a family locked on an infinite road - for a very long time."

Meathead Goes Hogwild (2015)

Friday 19th @ 9:30pm (1hr 43min)

Adventure/ Comedy/ Thriller (IMDB)

"A young man tries to self-justify that he's a good person, only to spiral into primitive urges, leaving his mark all over Chicago."

Lady Psycho Killer (2015)

Saturday 20th @ 9:30pm (1hr 22 min)

Horror (IMDB)

"When her psychology professor challenges the class to break a "sexual norm," doe-eyed Ella is desperate to not disappoint in her first college assignment. A trip to a strip club ends with Ella stabbing the owner to death, something she surprisingly enjoys. Diving down a spiral of bloodlust, the young co-ed changes the focus of her paper, and approaches her research with Patrick Bateman-reminiscent cold analysis."

Late Night Double Feature (2014)

Saturday 20th @ 11:30pm (1hr 30min)

Horror/ Scifi (IMDB)

"For those who grew up on late night hosts like Vampira and Svengoolie, it’s time to take a backstage glance into the workings of a low-grade local horror-schlock broadcast. Around screenings of cannibal pic Dinner For Monsters and S&M arthouse Slit, the cast and crew of Dr. Nasty’s Cavalcade of Horror discover the true terror may be inside their own studio. Late Night Double Feature is a rare anthology film that brings together different styles and directors and works as a whole as well. -Bears Fonte"

Bunny the Killer Thing (2015)

Sunday 9:30pm (1hr 28min)

Action/ Horror/ Comedy (IMDB)

"A fun weekend at a snowbound cabin turns to terror when a group of vacationers find themselves under attack by a creature that is half man, half rabbit, and 100% horny. A Finnish homage to the 80’s ‘man in a monster suit’ splatter horror films, this film is made in English, but with a sensibility that can only be from the darkest, coldest region of Scandinavia. Breasts, Bunnies, and Bestiality create a late-night cult-classic in the making. -Bears Fonte"

Roxie Theatre

IndieFest!

Revenge of the Shorts

Sunday 21st @ 4:30pm (1hr 38min)

"This showcase features some of the best indie horror, sci-fi and “genre” work normally dismissed by more traditional film festivals."

Director's Commentary: The Terror of Frankenstein (2015)

Sunday 21st @ 4:30pm (1hr 32min)

Drama/ Horror/ Mystery (IMDB)

"A long-forgotten horror film somehow makes it into your DVD player. For some reason, you click on the commentary track. As the director and writer discuss the images on the screen, it becomes apparent that the horror behind the camera was far more disturbing than what they filmed. An exercise in brilliant meta-commentary, this is like Mystery Science Theater done by Hannibal Lecter. Featuring Barry Lyndon star Leon Vitali as himself, and Frankenstein in the actualTerror of Frankenstein. -Bears Fonte"

Dead Hands Dig Deep (2016)

Sunday 21st @ 7pm (1hr 15min)

Documentary/ Music Stoplight (Indiefest)

"From the isolation of his secluded desert compound in Southern California, Edwin Borsheim, eccentric founder of the long forgotten shock metal band Kettle Cadaver, ruminates on a life of violence, mayhem and personal destruction lived on the absolute edge of the known musical universe. This is anything but your typical music doc of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. -Chris Metzler"

-Huntress

The Overlook Theatre Reviews: He Never Died

6 of 7 viewers "Liked" "He Never Died" (USA, 2016)

Here's what the creatures had to say:

Lord Battle - “Henry Rollins gives an outstanding performance that first comes off as dull and confusing but once you get the into the flow of the character you’ll start to realize how disciplined and dedicated the performance actually is. It’s too bad I can't say the same for any other aspect of this film. The opening sequence features some very confronting stock sound bites that would normally shut half an audience out instantly, then adds in a couple very awkward camera movements, a soundtrack selection that feels like a wannabe Tarantino picked it, and an eye-rolling biblical narrative on vampires. But my main problem: poorly shot action scenes. I can’t express how disappointed I was when Rollins finally got to throw his first punch and the guy receiving it looked like he didn’t feel it. Another way to describe it would be when the punch is off and you get that loud sound effect anyway… To be fair some hits are definitely better than others, but a majority will leaving you wishing this had been a more experienced production. I’d only recommend this film to hardcore action fans or Hardcore punk fans” - 2.5 Stars

The Impostor - "Henry Rollins is perfect in the role of immortal anti hero Jack, who is unpredictable and insanely brutal. He Never Died is a unique story loaded with action, blood, and in your face, cringe worthy violence. Despite the film's dark tone, it's actually quite funny too. This film definitely deserves a cult following. I wish it was being released on bluray but the DVD is still collection worthy." - 4 stars

Speed Demon - "This film absolutely ruled. If you're into revenge/payback films then this is an absolute must own or watch. The main character Jack (Henry Rollins) will have you thinking to yourself, what is up with this guy? He does such an awesome job playing the role. Story-wise it could not have been put together any cooler than it was. Get ready for a film that will stick in your mind for a while and you will highly recommend to your friends. Hell yeah!" - 5 Stars

KillDozer - "Writer/Director Jason Krawczyk is one to watch! Brilliant casting, perfect pacing and a story that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel but instead treats the viewer to a fun new take on an old classic. Watching this, you get the idea that the people responsible know their Horror/Action in such a way that they pay tribute to the greats with every scene. The best part is this film is fun! It is serious without taking itself too seriously if that makes sense. Amazing blasts of action in between witty dialog and character development. Henry Rollins is so solid in this role that you can't imagine anyone else playing the main character. Like I said, keep an eye on Jason Krawczyk as he is destined for greatness." - 5 Stars (Collection Worthy)

Dabbles - "This movie is brilliant. Henry Rollins's role is so entertaining and lovable in a sleazy kind of way. Only nit-picky thing was the sound bed." - 4 Stars

Huntress - Fell Asleep - Default 2 Stars

Math Mage - "It's "Shoot 'em Up" but instead of Bugs Bunny, it's a vampire." - 4 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

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

Henry Rollins kills it as Jack in He Never Died (pun not intended) but what exactly is Jack? As the Math Mage would love to point out, he's a biblical vampire and if this film were going by True Blood rules, there'd be no stopping Jack. Honestly I don't think they were going for a modern vampire story, although any character that's immortal and depicted feeding on humans will fairly conjurer up the consideration.
Jack is reveled to be Kain and yes, the Kain from the bible. I think they've chosen this back story to juxtapose a brutal monster that's lived among humanity for so long that killing carries no emotions for him but not just because he's so old, because he invented murder.

Here's an interview with both Rollins and Jason Krawczyk. You really get to see how excited and dialed in Rollins is to his character.

For those of you who want more from Jack and his indifferent destruction, keep your fingers crossed because the idea is to use the movie as a pilot for a TV show Jason Krawczyk has already written the first season too!


-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.