There's something about a movie entitled Slaughter Daughter that we just cannot seem to resist. I mean, yeah, it's ridiculously goofy; but damn it, around here we find stuff like this kind of endearing! Read on for details.

From the Press Release
Matricidal horror epic to grace DVD and VOD across North America on February 4th, 2014! Brain Damage films is set to unleash Slaughter Daughter on DVD and VOD in North America on February 4, 2014, just in time for Valentine's Day.

The heartwarming tale of a psychotic daughter who teams up with a jailed murderer to slay her mother on her wedding day, Slaughter Daughter will be coming to all major and minor cable/satellite VOD operators as well as major Internet platforms including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, Xbox Video, and more. The DVD will feature a load of bonus content fans won't want to miss.

Slaughter Daughter is the brainchild of director Travis Campbell and writer/producer Lauren Miller. Campbell and Miller also partnered up on their previous feature, Mr. Bricks: A Heavy Metal Murder Musical. After Mr. Bricks was completed, they begin brainstorming a new idea about a matricidal young woman named Farrah. They immediately thought of Nicola Fiore, one of the stars of Mr. Bricks, to play the lead. Italian Giallo films of the 1970s, soap operas, and true crime novels all became the inspirations behind Slaughter Daughter.

In January of 2011, the team began to build an online presence for the film and shot the first of what would become a weekly web series lasting 8 episodes. The series focused in on Farrah’s stint in a mental hospital and aired on YouTube. From there, the team pulled up their socks and climbed the uphill battle of making independent film. Fueled by inspiration and determination, they completed the project and gave birth to something truly inspired.

"Slaughter Daughter is an inspirational film to me," says director Travis Campbell. "I know this sounds strange since it is a horror movie; yet, making the film was an opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone. I was excited to get inside the female psyche. Independent film is a hard business, and some say it is dead. There is no money, and at the end of the night, you know you have to go back to the daily grind the next morning. My hope is my movie will stand out and rescue you from this monotony. With Slaughter Daughter I believe this is entirely possible."

Synopsis
After being left at the altar five years ago, ex-beauty queen Farrah Adjani has receded into her own world. She lives at home in an apartment shared by her mother and aunt, and she rarely comes out of her room. She spends her time flipping through the 24-hour news cycle and feeding her obsession with Jackson Miles, a recently convicted serial killer.

Everything changes when her overbearing drunk of a mother returns home from her date, flashes a ring, and announces, 'Mommy's getting married!' Thrown into a tailspin, Farrah makes a drastic move to get noticed by Jackson Miles. She wants to learn everything Jackson knows about murder. Farrah never could be the perfect daughter, but can she be the perfect killer? On her mother's wedding day, she's planning to find out!

A fresh crop of images for Anthony DiBlasi's (Dread) latest horror/thriller, Cassadaga, has fallen into our laps so we decided to hang 'em online. Just for you guys. You know... as like a pre-Thanksgiving gift! Eat 'em up!

Look for it on DVD Tuesday, December 31, 2013.

The film stars Kevin Alejandro, Kelen Coleman, Louise Fletcher, Rus Blackwell, Hank Stone, J LaRose, and Amy LoCicero.

Synopsis
Cassadaga tells the story of Lily Morel (Kelen Coleman), a post-lingually deaf artist, who participates in a séance in the spiritualist community of Cassadaga. But instead of getting closure with her recently departed sister, Lily contacts the vengeful ghost of a murdered woman. As the ghost becomes increasingly angry and violent, Lily rushes to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death – a task that will bring her face-to-face with a sadistic serial killer who turns his victims into human marionette dolls.

On November 22nd Eric England's new film Contracted (review) arrived in limited theaters and VOD outlets (including iTunes, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Instant Video, GooglePlay, SundanceNow, and more) via IFC Midnight, and we got a chance to speak with the film's star, Najarra Townsend.

Dread Central: Eric told me that you are quite a trooper considering all the makeup and everything you had to go through. Can you tell me a little bit about what that process was like for you, having to sort of do your thing without being able to see?

Najarra Townsend: We luckily had an amazing special effects artist. She just made everything comfortable. I feel like this could have been a disaster for my face, but luckily she was awesome. I just found it to be really fun. I mean, there were challenges that came with it, [but] even the not seeing kind of helped with my character... (laughter) It kind of threw off my equilibrium so everything was a little dizzy, and it all just kind of worked, thank God.

DC: Using the word "fun" in connection with a movie like this sounds really odd… but what was the most fun thing on a professional level when you did this film, in such a short amount of time?

NT: Really the whole experience was so amazing. Every day was just so fun. Samantha is going through such hell and has so many emotions that she is just shoving down, it sounds like it would be, I don’t know, a rough experience; but it was just amazing and really fun.

DC: What did you think when you first read the script?

A: When I first read the script, I was really just excited. It was a new take on something we see so much in TV shows and movies, and this just felt so exciting. When I read it, I was excited. I thought it would be challenging, fun, and I never worked with special effects like this so it was really appealing to me. And reading it I got literally nauseous towards the end. (laughter) If it read on page this well, I just felt it would be a great film. I was just really excited.

DC: Did you want any input on your character, or did you feel like it was pretty much on the page? Was it a collaborative experience with Eric? I am kind of curious because you do bring her to life. She is, if you think about it, a stock character, but there is a little bit of twist to her.

NT: What Eric put on the page was great to work from, but I definitely tried to... I mean, I gave her a back story and I definitely worked on her layers... 'cause you don’t want to watch somebody, like a girl that seems miserable, deteriorate. You want to see the struggle she is going through because it is so much on her shoulders. So it definitely was collaborative. We would sit down and talk about Sam during certain scenes to talk about why this is happening, and it was an awesome process.

DC: Can you talk a little bit about your co-stars? Because even though you do carry the whole film, there is a lot of great support there.

NT: Yeah, definitely. We had Caroline Williams as my mom, who is just such an amazing, vibrant personality; working with her was really fun and like a good learning experience. She always had something wise to say, which is awesome. My rehearsal process was pretty much with her, which was needed since she was plying my mom, that was really fun. Matt Mercer, who plays Riley, is actually how I got involved with this film. I worked with him in 2009 and stayed friends so that was awesome to work with him. Yeah, everybody like fell in love with each other, so it was the best experience.

DC: Are you a fan of horror films?

NT: Of course, I love horror films. They are like the best. Every time there is a horror movie in theaters, I have to see it just because I feel like everyone likes being scared - it's uncontrollable. (laughter)

DC: Horror has had a really great renaissance this year, in the box office especially. The Conjuring and The Purge come to mind. So is this a genre you would like to continue in and explore?

NT: Yeah, definitely. Horror is just always fun. The first feature that I ever did I was ten and a horror movie. So I feel like it has really just given me so much, I want to give back. And it's always fun to play these roles, they have so much emotions going on and I like to be emotional on screen. So yeah, I definitely want to keep doing horror.

DC: And what is your next project that we can look forward to seeing you in?

NT: It’s actually not a horror movie. I just wrapped a feature called the Toy Soldiers, and it's set in the 80’s. It’s a drama; you will probably hear about it a year from now. They are going to be doing post-production for about a year. It’s definitely much different than Contracted. But it was a good experience.

Synopsis:
Contracted tells the terrifying tale of a young girl who has a one-night stand with a stranger, contracting what she thinks is a sexually transmitted disease, but it is actually something far worse. As things begin to crumble around her, she's sent on a disturbing and bloodcurdling journey, sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

The film is directed by Eric England (MADISON COUNTY) and features a who's who of horror film and television thesps including Najarra Townsend (2005's hit indie ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW, "90210"), Caroline Williams (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, HATCHET III, "NIP/TUCK"), celebrated horror force Simon Barrett (V/H/S, ABCS OF DEATH, YOU'RE NEXT), Charley Koontz ("COMMUNITY," RUBBER), Dave Holmes ("RENO: 911"), and Ruben Pla (INSIDIOUS), amongst others.

There's a new circus rolling into town, and this one favors a big chop over the big top. As if food prices at such an event weren't horrifying enough, Jack Reher will be doing his damnedest to bring some freaky terror from author William Ollie's Sideshow to the screen.

Reher is the screenwriter behind the upcoming Red Machine, aka Endangered, starring Billy Bob Thornton, James Marsden, Piper Perabo, and Thomas Jane. His Wet House, to be produced by Zero Gravity and directed by Mukunda Michael Dewil, is in pre-production. Reher also just completed an adaptation of the 80s cult classic PIN. Most recently, Reher adapted Jon Bassoff’s highly acclaimed debut novel Corrosion for the screen, and it is currently out to directors.

Sideshow Book Synopsis
The smoke ring rose, higher and higher, changing shape as it went, until it disappeared into a cloud that moments ago had looked like the caboose of a train, a cloud that now began to change, to mold and meld, to twist and turn and take on the shape of the thing that had entered it. This thing, this dark entity, hung frozen in the sky, calling those chosen few out from their houses, their bars and their factories, calling them forth to face what waited in that dark and foreboding night.

Justin Henry didn’t believe his friend had seen a Ferris wheel rise up from the ground like a runaway vine. But he followed Mickey Reardon out to the overgrown field at the edge of their little country community anyway. Now two thirteen-year-old boys have seen something they shouldn’t have, witnessed something they couldn’t have, and neither of their lives will ever be the same again. The carnival is in town, a very different kind of carnival this year. One no one will be coming home from.

A couple more roles have been filled for Season 2 of "The Following," one of which is recurring with the other being a guest star. Read on for the details of who from Paranormal Activity 2 and "The Killing" will next be seen on the popular Fox series.

Per The Wrap, Sprague Grayden (pictured right; PA2, "Low Winter Sun") will join "The Following" in a recurring role, and Gregg Henry (pictured below; "The Killing,""Hung,"Slither) has signed on to guest star.

Grayden will play Carrie Cooke, a tabloid reporter turned best-selling author. She wrote a book on the Carroll/Havenport events and continues to investigate and write about the killings, which puts her at odds with Ryan Hardy.

Producers are keeping Grayden’s first appearance and number of episodes under wraps.

Henry will guest star as Dr. Strauss, a distinguished doctor who may have a dark secret.

Last season’s No. 1 new series, "The Following," returns for its thrilling 14-week second season with a special two-night season premiere event, beginning Sunday, January 19 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the "NFC Championship Game" (live, 6:00-10:00 PM ET).

The two-night event continues with its time period premiere on Monday, January 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following the season finale of "Sleepy Hollow," airing at a special time (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

"The Following" Season 2:
Created by Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Dawson’s Creek,” the Scream franchise) and starring Golden Globe Award-winning actor Kevin Bacon (X-Men: The Last Stand, Frost/Nixon) and James Purefoy (“Rome”), Season 2 will catch up with RYAN HARDY (Bacon) in the wake of a horrific new murder spree. The FBI calls on Ryan and MIKE WESTON (Shawn Ashmore) to speak with the lone survivor, LILY (Connie Nielsen; “Boss,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), in order to help them solve the case. Ryan is reluctant to re-engage with the FBI but finds a valuable ally in his niece, MAX (Jessica Stroup, “90210”), an NYPD cop working in the Intel Division.

As the investigation proceeds, Ryan crosses paths with several complicated individuals, including LUKE (Sam Underwood, “Dexter”) and MANDY LANG (Tiffany Boone, Beautiful Creatures), which furthers his suspicion that JOE CARROLL's (Purefoy) reign of terror is far from over.

Other new faces joining the show this year include Valerie Cruz as an NYPD cop who works closely with Mike Weston, James McDaniel as an FBI agent, Keith Carradine as a friend of Ryan, Jacinda Barrett as Julia, a disarming and alluring woman with mysterious intentions, and Lee Tergesen as Kurt Bolen, a seemingly normal family man who may harbor a dark secret.

For more info visit "The Following" website, "like""The Following" on Facebook, and follow "The Following" on Twitter.

Rumors have been stirring for some time now regarding a sequel to the remake of Friday the 13th, but Paramount has officially laid claim to a release date, taking the first Friday the 13th spot of 2015, with the film opening in theaters March 13, 2015.

The 2009 Friday the 13th remake, directed by Marcus Nispel, made $90M worldwide despite any and all shortcomings. In it, a group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.

Bloody Disgusting is reporting that Platinum Dunes is still producing for Paramount Pictures. Counting Freddy vs. Jason, this would be the 13th entry in the storied franchise, and rumors abound that Paramount is considering making it a found footage film. Let's hope those rumors don't come to pass.

At the end of the day, we here around DC (except for Buz) still don't like the last Friday the 13th. If the sequel's makers can bring back the missing elements from the last flick (likable characters, inventive kills, no captives), then they'll be on to something and we'll be happy. Oh, and bring back Derek Mears, damn it.

We're back with another look at Altered Perception, a new project from Blanc/Biehn Productions and Small Red Star Productions, including some stills and a look behind the scenes of the production, which is currently under way in Los Angeles.

Altered Perception is directed by Kate Rees Davies with musical composition by Randy Chance. It stars Jon Huertas, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Hallie Jordan, Jade Tailor, Danielle Artigo, Emrhys Cooper, Mark Burnham, Larry Wade Carrell, Nick Nicholson, Aileen Burdock, Christine Kapetan, Nichola Fynn, Matthew Ziff, and Jenise Blanc.

Photos are courtesy of Mike Skillsky.

Synopsis:
Altered Perception is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller that follows four couples as they embark on a clinical trial of a new medication that is designed to help users move past traumatic experiences by altering their perception. As the couples continue their treatment, they begin to question and doubt their memories and eventually their sanity.

Any horror fan who grew up in the Eighties who's worth his or her salt has fond memories of the 1988 series "Monsters." For many years it played opposite "Tales from the Darkside" in syndication, and now, thanks to eOne, it's finally coming home.

The 9-disc set is available now for pre-order on Amazon and will be released next year on February 25th for an MSRP of $69.99.

The show featured performances from Lili Taylor, Steve Buscemi, Pam Grier, John Saxon, Debbie Harry, Tony Shalhoub, Adrienne Barbeau, Gina Gershon, Ashley Laurence, Jerry Stiller, Mary Woronov, Darren McGavin, Laraine Newman, Frank Gorshin, and even Meat Loaf. Look for more as we get it including full specs and artwork.

Synopsis
Horror anthology series from the executive producer of Tales from the Darkside featuring, as the title suggests, monsters of all varieties and every shape and size – ranging from the gruesome and grotesque to weapon-wielding, mutated lab rats – as the antagonist of each episode..

Well now, here's something to be thankful for: Eddie Izzard has confirmed that he will be returning in Season 2 of NBC's "Hannibal"! All we need now is for the network to finally announce the show's return date, and we'll be really happy.

"I will be back,"Izzard told Digital Spy while promoting his latest comedy tour, "Force Majeure.""Everyone's given me great feedback on 'Hannibal,' and I've only done two episodes - I really let go in that one!"

"Hannibal" will return in early 2014 with a 13-episode season that begins with Episode 2.01, “Kaiseki” (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner).

“Hannibal,” starring Hugh Dancy as Will Graham and Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter, was developed for television by Bryan Fuller, who also serves as writer and executive producer. In addition to Fuller, Martha De Laurentiis, Jesse Alexander, Chris Brancato, Sara Colleton, Katie O’Connell, Elisa Roth, Sidonie Dumas, and Christophe Riandee also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Gaumont International Television, Dino De Laurentiis Company, and Living Dead Guy Productions and co-commissioned internationally by Sony Pictures Television Networks.

For more info visit "Hannibal" on NBC.com, "like""Hannibal" on Facebook, and follow "Hannibal" on Twitter

Last week we learned that Hammer Films is prepping a modern day take on their 1957 film The Abominable Snowman, which they described in a press release as a modern twist on the original film.

So is it a remake? A reimagining? A reboot?! I turn the tables over to Hammer for more of an explanation!

Hammer's CEO Simon Oakes and producer Ben Holden opened up about the film with Empire, revealing details about what we can expect from it. "We're not remaking the Val Guest film," says Holden. "We're starting again from scratch, but the conversation began because that creature or that myth is part of the Hammer library or lexicon, and we wanted to develop something around it."

"Our version of The Abominable Snowman will have something of the uncanny about it," continues Oakes, "and it'll have the mythology and all the big [original writer] Nigel Kneale ideas of man and beast and nature. It won't be heavily special effects-driven. It'll align itself with the characters and the threat."

The script is being penned by John Croker (The Woman in Black: Angel of Death) and Matthew Read (Hammer of the Gods) and will center around a scientific expedition’s illegal ascent up an unclimbed peak of one of the world’s most formidable mountains, who accidentally awaken an ancient creature that could spell a certain end for them all.

In other news, another title from the depths of Hammer that's often mentioned in terms of a revival is Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter.

"The thing about Kronos is that it's one of those things where we need to find a way in," Oakes explains. "Brian Clemens wrote the first one saying he wanted to bring a modern take to the idea of the vampire hunter, and yet Kronos still wears tights! But the ambition and imagination at work in that film were what people responded to. People at Comic-Con always ask if we're doing a new one, and I always say, 'Yeah, we're doing Kronos!' and the blogosphere goes wild. So if we can find the right writer to reimagine it, then that's what we'll do. I've offered it to Ben Wheatley!" Oakes reveals. "I've told him Kronos is his whenever he wants it. You can put that in print! That might get him off his arse! [laughs] I'm a huge fan of Ben's. I told him, 'Whenever you want Kronos, it's yours, mate. Just get back to me.' And he never got back to me! So we'll shame him in print into doing it now!"

More details as they stomp our way!

Fan-made documentaries are all the rage in the horror community at the moment, and that's a pretty damn beautiful thing. Docs like Never Sleep Again and Crystal Lake Memories have given us unprecedented access to our favorite franchises...

...and it looks like ole Pinhead and the gang are the next to get the retrospective treatment!

Read on for details about K. John McDonagh's upcoming documentary Leviathan, and learn more over on the official website and Facebook page!

From the Press Release:
Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II is a feature length documentary uncovering the history, making of, and unknown details of the making of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II films.

With interviews and testimonies from those most closely involved, we hope to bring a comprehensive insight to these classic cult films.

Following the story of the films from their inception through production to release and their subsequent lives and growing fan base, we aim to show fans and those less familiar with the films the technical skills, the creative ideas, the symbolism, and the legacy of these movies.

Delving deep into the director’s vision and ambitions for the project, we’ll be exploring where he came from, where his career had taken him, and the inspiration for the story and world he created. We’ll be telling the story of his journey of making them and how close they came to his vision at the time and how he feels about them over 25 years later.

One thing I always make sure to tell fellow horror fans is that they need to invest in a region-free Blu-ray player so they can watch releases from all over the world. Case in point: While we sit around and wait for a U.S. home video release...

Eli Roth's The Green Inferno (review) is already primed and ready for release over in Germany.

It'll hit German DVD and Blu-ray on February 13th of next year.

A date for release here in the States hasn't been set. Let's hope the cover art looks better than the German art you'll find below!

Open Road Films has acquired the horror thriller written and directed by Eli Roth. Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy, and Sky Ferreira star.

Synopsis
How far would you go for a cause you believe in? In horror master Eli Roth’s terrifying new film, a group of college students take their humanitarian protest from New York to the Amazon jungle, only to get kidnapped by the native tribe they came to save: a tribe that still practices the ancient rite of cannibalism and has a healthy appetite for intruders.

Spike Lee's remake of the Korean classic Oldboy arrives in theatres today, and right now we have the final part of the Oldboy-inspired graphic novel The Devil's Eyes for you. Dig it!

Starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley, Oldboy was directed by Spike Lee from a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell, Thor). The film was produced by Roy Lee, Doug Davison, and Nathan Kahane.

Synopsis
OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe Doucett, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free.

Click on the comic cover below to get started!

Get out your calendars and a pencil, kids! Universal has just announced release dates for three of its genre offerings, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving we're keeping you abreast of them. If you're good, maybe we'll give you a leg and a wing, too.

The Mummy reboot has been slated for release on April 22, 2016. A legend that has endured since the dawn of man is reborn in The Mummy, Universal Pictures’ all-new epic action-adventure. The Mummy is conceived with dramatic intensity by an imaginative creative team including director Andy Muschietti (Mama) and producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Transformers) and Sean Daniel (The Mummy trilogy). Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) wrote the screenplay, and Bobby Cohen and Barbara Muschietti will executive produce.

Next up is news on Sergei Bodrov’s Seventh Son starring Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Antje Traue, and Olivia Williams. The film, now opening via Universal on February 6, 2015, is an “18th century adventure story centered on young Thomas, who is apprenticed to the local Spook to learn to fight evil spirits. His first great challenge comes when the powerful Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away.”

Finally, the latest Blumhouse thriller, The Boy Next Door, starring Jennifer Lopez, will release on January 23, 2015. Lopez leads the cast in The Boy Next Door, a psychological thriller that explores a forbidden attraction that goes much too far. Directed by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious) and written by Barbara Curry, the film also stars Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Ever since HBO's gritty prison drama "Oz," we've been big fans of Kirk Acevedo; and it's good to see the actor getting some high profile roles lately, including a stint on this season of "The Walking Dead." Next up for Kirk? He's heading to Syfy!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Acevedo has boarded the NBC Universal-owned cable network's "12 Monkeys" drama pilot. Based on Terry Gilliam's feature film of the same name that starred Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, "12 Monkeys" centers on a time traveler from the post-apocalyptic future who appears in the present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will eventually decimate the human race.

Acevedo will play Ramse, Cole's ("Nikita's" Aaron Stanford) closest friend in the apocalyptic future. He's clever and fiercely loyal and helped Cole survive the destruction of civilization. While Cole travels through time, Ramse proves critical to the survival of the team that makes it possible.

Aaron Stanford (The Hills Have Eyes) and Amanda Schull ("One Tree Hill") are the project’s two leads. Željko Ivanek ("Damages,""Oz,""24") and Noah Bean also star. In key positions behind the camera are Natalie Chaidez ("In Plain Sight,""V,""Heroes") as executive producer/showrunner and Jeffrey Reiner ("Helix,""Friday Night Lights,""Caprica"), who will direct the pilot and also serve as executive producer.

Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett ("Terra Nova,""Nikita") wrote the pilot script and are co-executive producers. Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven (American Hustle, Man of Steel, The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Richard Suckle (American Hustle, The International) will executive produce. Roven produced the original film.

Time for a little controversy regarding Oldboy which has NOTHING to do with the film's much talked about ending. Designer Juan Luis Garcia was tapped to create some artwork for Spike Lee's film, but things didn't exactly work out and now...

The following is an open letter to Spike Lee on Juan Luis Garcia's blog:

Dear Mr. Lee,

It’s with sadness and hope that I write this open letter to you. I know you’ll understand my story of an artist trying to make a dignified living. It’s difficult and sometimes seems impossible because everyone wants you to work for free or for “exposure.”

Back in January I was approached by an ad agency that was hired to design posters for your new film, Oldboy. They wanted me to design some comps to present to you. They told me the budget was small and that they could only pay me peanuts for the comps but if you and the studio liked any of them I would then be compensated fairly through the licensing buyout fee.

I know, I saw all of the warning signs but the idea of working for you and having my design represent your film blinded me. So I went along with it. Dealing with the agency was one the worst experiences of my life. It affected all aspects of my life from my marriage to my work and my health. I was taken advantage of, lead on, lied to, manipulated, and harassed for over two months while I put all I had into designing the comps. I wanted to impress you and I guess I did.

The agency told me, “Congratulations, Spike loved a couple of the posters. Yours is going to be the key art.”, and I was thrilled. But when it came time to negotiate the licensing buyout fee the agency made an insultingly low offer. But they said that the important thing wasn’t the money it was the exposure and potential for more work. After thinking about it long and hard I had to decline. I tried to negotiate but they refused. I make the same amount of money in a single day as a photo assistant as what they offered and I had worked on these almost exclusively for two months. Plus there was still more work to be done so I had to refuse.

The agency was furious. They told me that I didn’t want to mess with Spike Lee, that I would never work again, that I was a despicable human, that they wish they never met me, and that they were going to sue my ass to oblivion. For what, I honestly don’t know. We never signed any contracts or work-for-hire agreements and I certainly never agreed to donating or selling any copyright of my work without a licensing fee.

The worst part of all this is that I never even got paid the peanuts they owed me. I was fine with it as long as they were out of my life. I couldn’t take another condescending phone call because I was “only a designer.” Many sleepless nights forced me to chock it up as a loss and learning experience and try to move on with my life.

Months went by and I realized that I had done all of that work for nothing. Early in the conversation the agency told me that I could publish the work as my own for the “exposure” so since I knew I was not going to getting paid I put the posters in my portfolio. Little did I know that they would catch like wildfire and spread throughout the internet overnight. I woke up to a google alert the morning after and they were on blogs everywhere. I immediately emailed the agency to notify them that the posters were taken from my portfolio and published without my permission. The agency responded by threatening me with legal action and worse. I immediately took them down from my portfolio but the agency kept calling and harassing me for several days after with the same threats. They forwarded me an email you sent them asking for an explanation but of course they lied to you and said they didn’t know who was responsible. I hadn’t done anything wrong but I was still scared. Eventually the threats stopped and I thought I could put this hell behind me.

Last night I was browsing the internet and my jaw dropped when I stumbled upon your personal and your production company’s social media pages. I couldn’t believe that you had been using and claiming copyright on three of those very same posters I designed. I just couldn’t believe it. I perceive you as an advocate of the arts and artists and have a sinking feeling that you are as much of a victim in this as I am.

I reached out to my attorney and several colleagues but after sleeping on it I decided to try and contact you. This has been such a nightmare that the last thing I want is to extend this. My wife and I are expecting our first baby early next year and the thought of bringing them into this makes my eyes water.

I need you to know the truth. Some of the posters you are using were stolen from me. I tried my hardest to resolve this amicably but the agency just blatantly refused. I am a fan of your storytelling and respect your success as a filmmaker, artist, and person. I definitely relate to your passion for the Knicks and competition, just ask my wife and family. I wish you nothing but success with Oldboy and all of your future projects. I hope we can resolve this between us because the agency refuses to work with me and they have tormented me and my family enough. Please feel free contact me at your convenience.

Peace and Love,
Juan Luis Garcia

Starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley, Oldboy was directed by Spike Lee from a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell, Thor). The film was produced by Roy Lee, Doug Davison, and Nathan Kahane. It is in theatres now.

Synopsis
OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe Doucett, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free.

For our money the best chemistry to be found on "The Originals" is between Klaus and Cami (well, Klaus and anyone really), and we get to enjoy a taste of it right here in this new clip from the upcoming Episode 1.09, "Reigning Pain in New Orleans."

"The Originals" Episode 1.09 - "Reigning Pain in New Orleans" (airs 12/3/13, 8-9pm)
NEW ALLIANCES ARE FORMED — Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), deeply conflicted by recent events, is surprised when Klaus (Joseph Morgan) opens up to him about some of his past indiscretions.

Cami (Leah Pipes) tries to make sense of cryptic messages she's come across and is disturbed when she gains some insight into Klaus' past.

Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, the human faction takes matters into their own hands, resulting in a violent confrontation.

Elsewhere, when Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) learns of a plan to harm the werewolves in the bayou, she turns to Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt) for help. After heading to the bayou, they run into a werewolf named Eve (guest star Tasha Ames), who has information that leads them to a shocking discovery.

Joshua Butler directed the episode written by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson.

For more info visit "The Originals" on CWTV.com, "like""The Originals" on Facebook, and follow "The Originals" on Twitter.

So does Spike Lee's remake of Oldboy make the cut, or is it just another completely pointless remake? We spent some time with the flick and have come back with a review for you cats. Check it out!

Read our Oldboy review.

Starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley, Oldboy was directed by Spike Lee from a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell, Thor). The film was produced by Roy Lee, Doug Davison, and Nathan Kahane. It is in theatres now.

Synopsis
OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe Doucett, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free.

The UK's Grimm Up North has partnered with the BFI to host a series of screenings in unique and atmospheric venues across Greater Manchester as part of their national Gothic season, and here are the details of what's ahead.

The two events that complete the BFI (British Film Institute)'s Gothic season will be site-specific, in which the atmospheric location will add an eerie element of supernatural ambience to the proceedings. The Innocents and The Others are screening at the supposedly haunted Tudor mansion Ordsall Hall on 13th December 2013 with Bride of Frankenstein and La Belle et La Bete following on 10th January 2014 at Victorian Gothic beauty John Rylands Library.

To learn more and for tickets, visit the official Grimm Up North website, befriend them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Ordsall Hall, 13th December 2013
The Innocents (1961) + The Others (2001)
Doors open at 18.30 with the first film beginning at 19.00.

Incongruously situated in the centre of Salford, Ordsall Hall, a Grade 1 haunted Tudor manor, is the perfect venue for a double-bill screening of ghost films. It is also home to the mysterious, ghostly White Lady, who walks the hall by night. Is she the spirit of Margaret Radclyffe, Maid of Honour to Elizabeth I, or Viviana Radclyffe, beloved of Guy Fawkes? This could be your chance to ask her in person.

The Innocents: Arguably the greatest haunted house film of them all, THE INNOCENTS is Jack Clayton’s eerie and beautiful realisation of Henry James’ “The Turn of The Screw,” itself often regarded as the finest ghost story ever written. James’ story has been adapted many times over the years for stage, screen, and television.

The Others: A more recent but equally unsettling take on the classic ghost story is Alejandro Amenabar’s smart and spooky THE OTHERS. Inspired, as the director freely admitted, by James’ story and conceived in part as an homage to Clayton’s film, with Nicole Kidman’s performance clearly and consciously modelled on Kerr’s, the film nevertheless offers some effective and affecting chills of its own.

John Rylands Library, 10th January 2014
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) + La Belle et La Bete (1946)
This event is free of charge.

For the grand finale of the season, you'll find yourself in the John Rylands Library, one of the great literary treasure houses of the world. The Library, designed by Basil Champneys, is a startling example of late Victorian neo-Gothic architecture at its most imposing and delightfully decadent... a perfect space in which to hold the final site-specific screening, featuring a brace of book-born monsters, both of whom can be traced back to the earliest literary manifestations of the Gothic imagination.

Bride of Frankenstein: James Whale’s darkly funny and mordantly mischievous take on Mary Shelley’s celebrated parable of overweening pride, scientific arrogance, and man-made monsters. With its inventive production design and expressionist visuals; archly witty and moving script; and striking, eccentric performances, this exploration of the need for love - even among monsters - offers a high-camp, Hollywood-Gothic take on the fairytale which forms the basis of the second film of the evening, Jean Cocteau’s lyrical, surreal, and startling LA BELLE ET LA BETE.

La Belle a La Bete: Jean Cocteau’s cinematic interpretation sees him utilising all of his considerable skills as poet, playwright, artist, and designer to create a truly magical film, by turns elegant and eerie, romantic and nightmarish, with a powerful performance from the great Jean Marais as the suave, sinister, and strangely seductive Beast. A fairytale for children and adults alike, and a far cry from Disney’s saccharine animated version, this is a dark and delirious movie that will haunt your dreams.

Before you sit down for an incredible meal this Thanksgiving, you're going to be spending a good portion of your morning elbow deep up the ass of a dead bird in search of The Bag™. We are right there with ya and have the number of a good therapist on hand, just in case.

As always we'd like to take this time to thank our writing staff both old and new. You guys and gals are the diesel fuel that keeps our engine running like a champ. Every day working with you cats is indeed something to be thankful for. You're all sexy bitches and superstars, and we love each of you dearly.

Then there's you... our faithful readers. It's you who allow us to be Dread Central. It's your support that keeps everything moving. We even like when you yell at us from time to time because it keeps us on our toes. We know the anger only comes from passion, and we could never fault you for that. We hope you see that very same passion in our work. We love you, and we'll never ever forget or take for granted what you guys bring to the table. You're our peers, and this site is just as much yours as it is ours.

May everyone's Thanksgiving day be filled with laughs, love, and lunacy, and may your early morning hunt sticking your hand up a dead bird's ass until you find the dreaded Bag™ housing its entrails and neck be swift, painless, and non-psyche scarring.

Thank you guys for all that you do. You've no idea how much you mean to us. Sincerely....