Cody Calahan's Antisocial (review) is hitting DVD next Tuesday, January 28th, and right now we have your chance to score a copy on us gratis. That means free... as in you don't have to shell out any cash, dig?

To enter for your chance to win, just send us an E-MAIL HERE including your FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS. We’ll take care of the rest.

On January 28, 2014, Breaking Glass Pictures, Monster Pictures, and Vicious Circle Films release Antisocial on DVD. The feature debut of director Cody Calahan, which has scared up impressive reviews on the festival circuit, Antisocial sees a New Year's Eve celebration between a small group of friends turn into a vicious fight for survival when a mysterious viral outbreak forces them to stay indoors.

Synopsis
Five university friends gather at a house party to ring in the New Year. Unbeknownst to them, an epidemic has erupted outside, causing outbreaks around the world. With nowhere else to turn, they barricade themselves indoors with only their phones, laptops, and other tech devices. They use their devices to research the possible cause of this outbreak.

Information and video footage overflow their computers as they descend further into the cause and the ensuing chaos. As the virus spreads, the mood in the house changes from fear to paranoia. Who is safe? Whom can they trust? Reality becomes blurred as they slowly discover the source of the virus causing the sickness... and there is no going back.

Antisocial is available now on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and all major broadcast platforms. The DVD release (SRP $24.99) will include a feature-length commentary and behind-the scenes-footage.

Ready for an in-depth look at the upcoming return of "The Walking Dead" Season 4? Then settle in because here's an almost four-minute behind-the-scenes chat with the cast and crew about what's ahead when the show returns on February 9th.

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, "The Walking Dead" stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Emily Kinney, Danai Gurira, Chad Coleman, and Sonequa Martin-Green.

The series is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Tom Luse, and Greg Nicotero.

Following the devastating events of the mid-season finale, Rick and the group are still reeling from the loss of their home, family, and friends. With the destruction of the prison, we see the group of survivors broken apart and sent on divergent paths, unsure of everyone else's fate. What was a challenging life behind fences and walls grows that much more perilous and precious as they are exposed to new dangers, new enemies, and heartbreaking choices. They will have their faith thoroughly tested -- a faith that breaks some of them and redeems others.

To stay up-to-the-minute on all things walker related, follow @WalkingDead_AMC on Twitter and visit "The Walking Dead" on Facebook. For more be sure to hit up the official "The Walking Dead" page on AMC.com.

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A new trailer is here for the upcoming cinéma vérité effort Lucky Bastard, which managed to garner itself the dreaded NC-17 rating, and it's short and to the point. Kind of like a quickie minus the clean-up and need to pee afterwards. Check it out.

From the Press Release
Gotham-based indie film distribution company CAVU Pictures will be releasing the NC-17 “found footage” feature film LUCKY BASTARD in theatres nationwide, beginning Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2014, in New York City at the Cinema Village (22 E. 2th Street, NY, NY 10003), and March 7, 2014, in Los Angeles at Laemmle’s NoHo 7 (5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601). The film will expand into additional cities throughout the spring.

LUCKY BASTARD is the story of a shy young man who wins a contest to have sex with a famous porn star on an adult website. When the young man arrives at the porno house/set location, his every move is captured on the numerous “reality television-style” wallcams that are spread out everywhere in the house. It is the found footage from these cameras that tells the story of the inevitable and horrifying reality of what actually happened.

At the center of the story are: Mike (Don McManus), who owns the “Lucky Bastard” website; his top porn star Ashley Saint (Betsy Rue); and Dave G. (Jay Paulson), the unsuspecting shy young man who wins the contest.

The “Lucky Bastard” employees treat their work matter-of-factly. Mike once clearly had more serious artistic ambitions, but now he runs the company and directs all of the “Lucky Bastard” website’s content. Ashley, the website’s most popular performer, initially refuses to participate because she knows the winner will be humiliated by the experience but ultimately gives in when offered extra money. And the contest winner, Dave, an unassuming and shy young man, finds himself driven by shame and humiliation into committing the most horrifying acts imaginable.

The cast of LUCKY BASTARD includes veteran performers known for their work in movies, TV, and theatre, including Jay Paulson (familiar to audiences as Don Draper’s brother, Adam Whitman, in "Mad Men"), Don McManus (Grand Piano, Lovelace, The Congress), and lead actress Betsy Rue (best known from the horror hit My Bloody Valentine).

LUCKY BASTARD crosses many genres—drama, comedy, suspense thriller, horror—without entirely belonging to any of them and implicitly comments on a society in which pornography is not only a common part of modern life but also a mirror reflecting the nature of intimacy in today’s world. The movie also reshapes in unpredictable ways the recent cinematic convention of “found footage.”

The director and co-writer of LUCKY BASTARD is veteran television writer-producer Robert Nathan, best known for his Emmy-nominated work on "Law & Order," and who is also an award-winning novelist and journalist. Executive producer and co-writer Lukas Kendall is the founder and publisher of Film Score Monthly, a magazine, website, and CD label devoted to movie music. Since 1996 he has produced and released more than 250 CDs of classic film & TV music.

Executive producer and co-writer Kendall said: “Director Robert Nathan and I made a movie that takes place inside the world of pornography—but is not pornographic. It is actually a very personal story about humiliation and revenge, told against the backdrop of the adult film industry and in the thriller/horror tradition. In fact we knew we were walking a very fine line with the subject and style of LUCKY BASTARD so we felt strongly that not everyone should be allowed to see the film. That’s why we actively sought out an NC-17 rating as both the best way for us to signal our artistic intentions and to demonstrate our real desire to make a specific type of film for a specific audience."

CAVU’s co-founder/president of distribution Isil Bagdadi said: “As an indie film distributor, it’s been challenging working on a film that already had an NC-17 rating attached to it when we came on board. More than once we considered dropping the rating altogether, instead of having to adhere to the continual changes that the MPAA wanted us to make to our marketing materials, which for an indie film can be quite expensive. But the filmmakers felt strongly that they wanted an NC-17 rating so that they could keep their vision as raw and cutting edge as possible, so we just made it happen.”

CAVU’s president Michael Sergio added: “We’re excited to be releasing an indie film as unique and daring as LUCKY BASTARD. The filmmakers fought to make the film they wanted; now CAVU will fight to give it the release it deserves.”

The review for this weekend's lone new horror offering, I, Frankenstein, is here; and we have the verdict if this one belongs dead or still has a little juice left in its electrodes. Read on for The Foywonder's thoughts, rants, and possible disgust.

Read our I, Frankenstein review.

For more check out the official I, Frankenstein website.

Synopsis
The action thriller I, Frankenstein is written for the screen and directed by Stuart Beattie from a screen story by Kevin Grevioux and Beattie. The film is brought to life by a cast that includes Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney, Kevin Grevioux, Mahesh Jadu, Caitlin Stasey, and Aden Young as Victor Frankenstein.

200 years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein's creature, Adam (Eckhart), still walks the earth. But when he finds himself in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind.

Lionsgate / Lakeshore Entertainment / Sidney Kimmel Entertainment present a Hopscotch Features / Lakeshore Entertainment / Lionsgate / Sidney Kimmel Entertainment production

The Hammer classic Frankenstein Created Woman is getting set to make its debut on Blu-ray high definition next week, and to celebrate its arrival, we have a set of lobby cards for you to gander at. Check 'em out!

The 1967 cult Hammer film Frankenstein Created Woman will be released by Millennium Entertainment on January 28th.

Starring Peter Cushing, Susan Denberg, and Thorley Walters, the Terence Fisher-directed film will be the first time we horror nuts in the States will be able to enjoy the film on Blu-ray. Included on the Blu-ray will be a multitude of special features, including a brand new documentary called “Hammer Glamour” and the trailer for the film, among others.

In Frankenstein Created Woman, a tormented girl (Susan Denberg) drowns herself after her lover is framed for her father’s murder and guillotined. Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing), experimenting with the transfer of souls, places her lover’s soul into her body, bringing Christina back to life. With no memories of her past life, she becomes driven by a ghostly revenge and carries out a violent retribution on those responsible for both deaths.

Special Features:

Includes Exclusive Collectable Cards!

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On tap right now are two more clips from the incredibly ghoulish little film 24 Exposures, and you can drink it all in right here, temporarily free from the sight of dead bodies twisted into interesting positions.

From writer/director Joe Swanberg (Drinking Buddies), the upcoming thriller starring Adam Wingard (You're Next), Simon Barrett (You're Next), Sophia Takal (V/H/S), and Helen Rogers (V/H/S) entitled 24 Exposures releases in select theaters and VOD on Friday, January 24, 2014, via IFC Midnight.

Synopsis
Fetish photographer Billy (Wingard) stages elaborate shoots around his fixations, photographing women in various stages of undress and death. When one of Billy's models winds up actually dead, depressed and romantically disillusioned investigator Michael (Barrett), suffering through a crumbling relationship himself, knocks on his door and discovers a world he struggles to understand - in Billy's art, as well as his apparent ease at juggling professional and intimate relationships with a committed girlfriend and various models. Jealousy runs high, and meanwhile, a killer is still on the loose.

So, was anyone surprised at the outcome of last night's 100th episode of "The Vampire Diaries"? Of course not, but it was a fun ride! And here's a taste of what's ahead in next week's Episode 5.12, "The Devil Inside."

"The Vampire Diaries" Episode 5.12 - "The Devil Inside" (airs 1/30/14, 8-9pm)
SEARCHING FOR THE HIGH ROAD — When Enzo (guest star Michael Malarkey) brings Damon (Ian Somerhalder) a gruesome present and insists that they bond by committing an act of revenge, Damon makes an effort to do the honorable thing.

After finding himself in awkward and confusing conversations with Nadia (guest star Olga Fonda), Matt impulsively decides to throw a party, where Caroline (Candice Accola) makes a stunning confession to Elena (Nina Dobrev), then has to face the consequence of her actions with Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Tyler (Michael Trevino).

Aaron (guest star Shaun Sipos) does his best to make amends for his family’s past misdeeds and start a new life for himself.

Finally, Elena suddenly finds herself in a life-threatening situation with only minutes to figure out how to save herself.

Kellie Cyrus directed the episode written by Brett Matthews and Sonny Postiglione.

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

The El Rey Network been busy getting everyone psyched for the release of "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series," and right now we have a pair of new images highlighting the Gecko brothers and more. Check 'em out!

Look for it on Tuesday, March 11th, at 9pm ET/PT. In the interim, though, El Rey has also released a brand new promo video for their upcoming Valentine's Day screening of Bram Stoker's Dracula. You can check that out below along with the "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" promo.

The 10-episode series is produced in association with FactoryMade Ventures and created and executive produced by network founder and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. It centers around bank robber Seth Gecko (D.J. Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Zane Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Don Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Jesse Garcia) after a bank heist left several people dead. While on the run to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former minister Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his family, whom they take hostage. Using the family RV to cross the Border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is populated by vampires. They are forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive.

Co-stars include Wilmer Valderrama as enigmatic crime lord Carlos; Madison Davenport as Kate Fuller; Brandon Soo Hoo as Scott Fuller; Adrianne Palicki as Vanessa Styles; Jake Busey as Professor Aiden Tanner; Lane Garrison as Pete; and Eiza González as Santánico Pandemonium.

For more info keep your eyes on the show's Facebook page, the official El Rey Network website, El Rey Network on Facebook, and El Rey Network on Twitter.

Set for release in 2015 is a live-action feature film based on Araki Tetsuro's anime series Attack on Titan, which is all about something we love here on Dread Central: man-eating giants!

Though principal photography hasn't yet begun on the film, the folks over at Anime News Network just brought a pretty awesome video to our attention, which teases the destruction that's on its way.

It seems that the film's director, Shinji Higuchi, recently made a Japanese commercial for Subaru, which features live-action versions of characters from Attack on Titan. The commercial debuted last night, and in it a Forester is attacked by the massive Titans.

Though the characters may not end up looking the way they do in the commercial, it's a fun little glimpse into the future and should hold you over until we've got more to show. Check out footage from the commercial shoot below!

Shinji Higuchi, a key member of Daicon/Gainax who made a significant contribution to Evangelion - also special effects director on the '90s Gamera trilogy, director of the 2006 version of The Sinking of Japan, and more recently, director of Studio Ghibli homage God Warrior Attacks for Hideaki Anno's tokusatsu exhibit - will be in the director's chair.

Yusuke Watanabe (live action Gantz and 20th Century Boy, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods) and critic/subculture expert Tomohiro Machiyama will be scripting the movie.

Another new promo for NBC's "Hannibal" has arrived, and along with the usual madness and mayhem, it seems to reveal a few spoilers. We couldn't be more excited! If you're in the same boat, enjoy - but proceed with caution...

“Hannibal” stars Mads Mikkelsen as brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is working with the FBI and gifted criminal profiler Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy, to look into the mind of serial killers.

The series also stars Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford, the head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Caroline Dhavernas and Hettienne Park co-star, and Season 2 guest stars include Gillian Anderson, Eddie Izzard, Raúl Esparza, Jeremy Davies, Jonathan Tucker, and Amanda Plummer.

Related Story:See the First Images from "Hannibal" Episode 2.01 - "Kaiseki"

The second season of the critically acclaimed “Hannibal” will contain 13 episodes, beginning with “Kaiseki,” premiering Friday, February 28th, following "Grimm."

"Hannibal" Episode 2.01 - "Kaiseki" (air date 2/28/14)
With Will still in custody for the murder of Abigail, Dr. Lecter steps in to help when bodies wash up on a riverbank. The big question is whether or not Dr. Bloom will be able to help Will regain his memories.

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

Nobody does aliens quite like Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, and the TV branch of the company is once again headed into extraterrestrial territory with "The Visitors." Read on, earthlings!

As per Deadline, ABC has just ordered up a pilot episode of the TV drama, which is based on a Ray Bradbury short story called "Zero Hour."

Amblin TV is co-producing with Dawn Olmstead’s Grady Girl. Olmstead found the short story and brought it to Amblin TV, which developed it with writer Soo Hugh, who has worked on Amblin’s "The River" and "Under The Dome."

"The Visitors" chronicles the race against the clock to defeat an unseen alien enemy out to destroy the world using our most precious resource against us.

ABC Studios is producing. Olmstead and Hugh are exec producing along with Amblin’s Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Steven Spielberg.

I watch Dr. Phil on my lunch break every day, and I've seen some pretty awful daughters on there. But all of them pale in comparison to the evil of Slaughter Daughter, who's on her way into your home. Yes. YOUR home. Details await!

From the Press Release
Brain Damage Films is set to unleash Slaughter Daughter on DVD and VOD in North America 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 with DVD availability info to be announced.

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 began 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 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 an 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.”

For more visit the official Slaughter Daughter website, "like"Slaughter Daughter on Facebook, and check out Slaughter Daughter on the Brain Damage Films site.

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!

Yesterday we mentioned that A&E has re-opened its "Inside Bates Motel" online experience, and today the network has released official cast photos and a few more details on Season 2.

From the Press Release:
A&E Network premieres Season 2 of the critically acclaimed original drama series “Bates Motel,” starring Vera Farmiga in her Emmy-nominated role as Norma Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman. The series premieres Monday, March 3 at 9 PM ET/PT.

In Season 2 of “Bates Motel,” executive producers Carlton Cuse (“Lost”) and Kerry Ehrin (“Friday Night Lights”) dig deeper into the twisted world of the Bates family. Picking up from last season, Norman (Freddie Highmore) is fixating on Miss Watson’s death while Norma’s mysterious past starts to haunt the family with the introduction of her brother.

Meanwhile, Norman’s brother, Dylan (Max Thieriot), gets more entrenched in the familial drug war that fuels White Pine Bay and finds himself right in the middle of the danger as Bradley (Nicola Peltz), who remains on the hunt to uncover her father’s killer, is driven to precarious extremes. Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell), is caught up on all fronts as everything in town escalates, and Emma (Olivia Cooke) complicates her relationship with Norman as the duo explore new love interests, bringing new and old characters along for the ride.

Guest stars checking into “Bates Motel” throughout the new season are Michael Vartan ("HawthoRNe,"“Alias”), Kathleen Robertson ("Boss"), Paloma Kwiatkowski (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters), Rebecca Creskoff ("The Practice,""Hung"), Kenny Johnson ("Sons of Anarchy"), Michael Eklund (88 Minutes, "Supernatural"), and Michael O’Neill (Dallas Buyers Club, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The West Wing”).

“Bates Motel” is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network. Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions and Kerry Ehrin Productions, respectively.

Below you'll find character posters for series regulars Freddie Highmore (Norman), Vera Farmiga (Norma), Max Thieriot (Dylan), Nestor Carbonell (Sheriff Romero), and Olivia Cooke (Emma). Not sure where Nicola Peltz (Bradley) is; we'll keep our eyes open in case she pops up.

For more info visit "Bates Motel" on AEtv.com and "like""Bates Motel" on Facebook. If you have a console, be sure to also check out the A&E Xbox app.

You're among friends here so go ahead and admit you missed out on "Hannibal" Season 1; we won't shun you. In fact, we have an extended first season recap video right here to help you catch up!

The second season of the critically acclaimed "Hannibal" will contain 13 episodes, beginning with "Kaiseki," premiering Friday, February 28th, following "Grimm.""Hannibal" stars Mads Mikkelsen as brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is working with the FBI and gifted criminal profiler Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy, to look into the mind of serial killers.

The series also stars Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford, the head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Caroline Dhavernas and Hettienne Park co-star, and Season 2 guest stars include a returning Gillian Anderson, Eddie Izzard, and Raúl Esparza along with newcomers Jeremy Davies, Jonathan Tucker, and Amanda Plummer.

"Hannibal" Episode 2.01 - "Kaiseki" (air date 2/28/14)
With Will still in custody for the murder of Abigail, Dr. Lecter steps in to help when bodies wash up on a riverbank. The big question is whether or not Dr. Bloom will be able to help Will regain his memories.

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

John Fallon's new film, The Shelter, starring Michael Pare, has finally wrapped; and to celebrate the film's completion, we have a couple of new stills for you. Check 'em out!

Lauren Thomas, Rachel G. Whittle, Amy Wickenheiser, and Gayle James co-star.

For more keep it locked on the official The Shelter Facebook page.

Synopsis
On a star-filled night, widower and homeless man Thomas (Michael Paré) finds shelter for the evening when he falls upon a vast two-story house with the lights on and an inviting open front door. He strolls on in, thinking he just caught a lucky break, and for a while it would appear as though he did. But soon enough, he realizes that the house won’t let him leave, as its doors are all locked while its windows cannot be opened or broken. Destiny has brought Thomas to this place. What does it want from him? Will he survive the ordeal?

Few shows do flashbacks better than "The Originals," and next we're heading to the early 1900's to learn a bit more of the Original Family's history. Check out a sneak peek and over a dozen images from Episode 1.12, "Dance Back from the Grave," for a taste of what's ahead.

"The Originals" Episode 1.12 - "Dance Back from the Grave" (airs 1/28/14, 8-9pm)
FLASHBACKS TO 1919 — Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), still angered by recent events, refuses to help Klaus (Joseph Morgan) when a gruesome discovery is made in the Cauldron.

Rebekah (Claire Holt) is on alert when she uncovers the remnants of a sacrifice down by the docks and immediately realizes that it’s the work of a dangerous warlock from their past.

Meanwhile, when Elijah (Daniel Gillies) gets some information that Rebekah may be in trouble, he and Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) set off to find her. At Rousseau’s, Cami (Leah Pipes) comforts Marcel, who opens up and shares some details of his past with her, but things quickly spiral out of control when an unexpected visitor shows up.

Finally, a violent confrontation ensues when Klaus faces off against a powerful force with an unmatched advantage over him. Daniella Pineda also stars.

Rob Hardy directed the episode written by Michael Russo and Michael Narducci.

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

Although Kris Kringle gets all the love, here at Dread Central we're big fans of the Krampus. The character just doesn't get enough love, I tell ya! In any event, Kevin Smith thinks so, too, and he's gearing up to tell the mythical beast's tale like never before.

Explains Smith via his blog: If you listen to the EDUMACATION podcast, you’ll remember that episode 20 (Part 2 of the Christmas eps) consisted of another dopey conversation that resulted in a screenplay – a’la SModcast and TUSK. I was goofing around with Mr. Edumacation himself, Professor Andy McElfresh, when we accidentally brainstormed a Christmas horror anthology that would eschew the gruesome spin on Santa Claus, and instead embrace the Scandinavian/German Kid-Eating Christmas creature known as The Krampus. That podcast was released 12/23/13.

It took us less than a month, but Andy and I have finished the screenplay for a flick we’re calling COMES THE KRAMPUS! It’s 99 pulse-pounding pages of what’s essentially SModCo’s CREEPSHOW, with four terrifying tales stitched together by a freaky framing device. It was a blast to write and totally new to me, as I never actually wrote a screenplay WITH someone else before.

And now, to extend the spirit of collaboration even further, I’M GONNA CO-DIRECT THE FLICK WITH THE SMODCO FAMILY! Andy McElfresh will direct the “The Krampus vs. The 3rd Grade” episode (SO fucked up), Jason Mewes (yes – THAT Jason Mewes) will direct the “Hitler’s Krampus” episode (twisted period piece), I will direct the “Mask Maker” episode (the Gothic horror piece), Carol Banker will direct the “The Proposal” episode (which is fucking nuts), and Jennifer Schwalbach will direct “The Bad Babysitter” – which is the framing device that holds the whole mess together. Jordan Monsanto will produce for SModcast Pictures and the twin SModCo cherries on the top of this scary sundae? I’m gonna force my Bro Scotty Mo(sier) to act in it and Babble-Meister RALPH GARMAN will feature in every episode!

The script reads like it’s maybe a $2 million movie. We’ll start doing a schedule and a budget next week, but the idea is to shoot it right on the heels of CLERKS III (which I’m hoping to start on April 7th). It’s gonna be fun and a true SModcast Picture! There’s something to be said for the power of podcasting…

Some quick news is coming out of the Sundance Film Fest as A24 is near a deal for U.S. rights to Life After Beth, a Jeff Baena-written and -directed comedy that stars Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, Dane DeHaan, Paul Reiser, and Anna Kendrick.

The film centers on a young man whose life takes a turn for the worse when he attempts to make amends after his recently deceased girlfriend returns from the dead.

Synopsis
Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down…

Following up on all the heat generated by the show's 100th episode, a new promo has arrived for "The Vampire Diaries" focusing on the doppelgangers. Double your fun every Thursday night with "TVD" on The CW!

"The Vampire Diaries" Episode 5.12 - "The Devil Inside" (airs 1/30/14, 8-9pm)
SEARCHING FOR THE HIGH ROAD — When Enzo (guest star Michael Malarkey) brings Damon (Ian Somerhalder) a gruesome present and insists that they bond by committing an act of revenge, Damon makes an effort to do the honorable thing.

After finding himself in awkward and confusing conversations with Nadia (guest star Olga Fonda), Matt impulsively decides to throw a party, where Caroline (Candice Accola) makes a stunning confession to Elena (Nina Dobrev), then has to face the consequence of her actions with Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Tyler (Michael Trevino).

Aaron (guest star Shaun Sipos) does his best to make amends for his family’s past misdeeds and start a new life for himself. Finally, Elena suddenly finds herself in a life-threatening situation with only minutes to figure out how to save herself.

Kellie Cyrus directed the episode written by Brett Matthews and Sonny Postiglione.

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

Diamond Select Toys has a lot of firsts heading our way this summer with several new licenses making their debuts, including Sin City Select Series 1 figures and inaugural Aliens and Kill Bill Minimates sets. Check out what's coming!

Sin City Select Series 1 Action Figures
Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything, but you don't need to live in Sin City to get high-quality Select action figures of the movie's main cast!

The first series of 7-inch scale, fully posable figures from DST includes Marv, Hartigan, and Nancy - all based on their appearances in the 2005 feature film. Each figure comes packaged with a deluxe display base and accessories in the famous Select display packaging, complete with spine reference artwork. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean. Marv Figure (SRP $24.99, item #FEB142055); Hartigan Figure (SRP $24.99, item #FEB142056); Nancy Figure (SRP $24.99, item #FEB142057).

Aliens Minimates - Aliens vs. Marines Army Dump
The action-packed sci-fi movie by James Cameron is now an action-packed line of Minimates! This countertop display of 12 individually boxed Minimates includes dropship pilot Spunkmeyer, Colonial Marine Wierzbowski, and civilian consultant Carter Burke plus nine Xenomorphs in three different varieties! Each Minimate mini-figure stands 2 inches tall with 14 points of articulation and features interchangeable parts and accessories. Exclusively at comic shops. Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum. (SRP: $5.99 ea., $71.88/case, item #FEB142058)

Kill Bill Minimates - House of Blue Leaves 10th Anniversary Box Set
It's been ten years since Quentin Tarantino put his own stamp on the martial arts revenge movie, and now the two-part epic is the newest line of Minimates mini-figures! The first box set, based on the fight at the House of Blue Leaves, includes The Bride, O-Ren Ishii, Gogo Yubari, and Sofie Fatale. Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features interchangeable parts and accessories, and all four come packaged on a blister card. Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum. (SRP: $19.99, item #FEB142054)

The estimated availability date for all these items is July 1, 2014. For pre-orders and more info, visit the Diamond Select Toys website, and get regular updates from Diamond Select on Facebook and Diamond Select on Twitter.