Ready to kick off the weekend? Yep, so are we, but first here’s yet another “American Horror Story: Freak Show” teaser.  You didn’t think we were going to close out the week without one, did you?

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike.

This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

“AHS” Season 4 debuts October 8th at 10:00 PM on FX.

Related Story: Enter the “American Horror Story: Freak Show” Costume Contest

Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Denis O’Hare, Jamie Brewer, and Evan Peters return from previous seasons. New cast members includes Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch, Finn Wittrock, Matt Bomer, Patti LaBelle and the world’s smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” – Episode 4.01 – “Monsters Among Us” (airs 10/8/14)
One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television. When police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse, the eccentric purveyor of the freak show (Lange) sees an opportunity that will lead her troupe either to their salvation or ruin. Written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk; directed by Ryan Murphy.

For more info visit the “AHS: Freak Show” Facebook page, check out “AHS: Freak Show” on Tumblr, and follow @AHSFreakShow_ on Twitter along with “American Horror Story” on FX.

The post Do the Time Warp with this Latest Teaser for American Horror Story: Freak Show appeared first on Dread Central.

Back in 2012 the Judge Dredd reboot entitled Dredd (review) wormed its way into the hearts of several sci-fi/horror fans, and we’ve been hoping for a sequel ever since. In fact, a campaign kicked off last year on Facebook that many thought might lead to such an outcome; however, sadly, that hasn’t been the case.

But the fans haven’t given up, and October 1st has been designated as the “Day of Dredd 2014.” Below is the official word from Frank and Brian, who run the Make a Dredd Sequel Campaign:

It’s been an incredible year. Earlier this year, we’re sure you saw Karl Urban himself praise the campaign, thank every single one of you for signing the petition, and tell us to keep going!

The big ‘Day of Dredd’ push last September was massively successful – Dredd went straight to the top of the DVD and Blu-ray charts in multiple countries and sparked acres of press coverage, giving a huge boost to the petition (another 30,000 of you joined up!). But that doesn’t mean we’re going to sit on our laurels.

We’re really happy to announce that we’re designating Wednesday 1st October as the Day of Dredd 2014!

This is a fan-created, fan-run, fan-made campaign, and that’s who makes it so special – the fans. Let’s show Hollywood that we’ve not gone away and we’re not going to take no for an answer. We want more of our favourite movie!

So, next Wednesday we’re calling on everyone to shout about DREDD – buy it again on DVD or Blu-ray, get it back up those charts, or, even better, get it sold out! Watch it with friends, talk about it online, share it on your Facebook and Twitter accounts with the hashtag #DayofDredd, encourage your favourite news outlets to cover the big push, even wear your DREDD suit when you go shopping! It all helps keep DREDD in the public eye.

You ready, rookies? We can do this together – October 1st will be THE DAY OF DREDD!

Click here to sign the petition, visit the Facebook page, and follow @DreddSequel on Twitter to help spread the word!

Synopsis
The future America is an irradiated wasteland. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington, DC, lies Mega City One – a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury, and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge – a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of “Slo-Mo” experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.

During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture: a 200-story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan’s inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound’s control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival.

The endlessly inventive mind of writer Alex Garland and director Pete Travis bring Dredd to life as a futuristic neo-noir action film. Filmed in 3D with stunning slow-motion photography sequences, the film returns the celebrated character to the dark, visceral incarnation from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s revered comic strip.

The post Campaign for a Dredd Sequel Still Alive; October 1st Is the Day of Dredd 2014 appeared first on Dread Central.

FX’s “The Strain” is a show that generated a whole lot of controversy before it even aired. As we reported here on Dread, a billboard advertisement for the series was pulled by the network in the wake of several complaints from disgusted passersby who were quite horrified about the fact that the image of a woman with a worm coming out of her eyeball had become a part of their daily commute.

It certainly wasn’t the first time a piece of poster art for the kind of entertainment we horror fans love was targeted by angry citizens, resulting in it being banned and pulled from public display. In fact, it’s happened a whole lot more than you might think.

Today we shine the spotlight on 13 other horror posters that were victimized in much the same way over the years, which we’ll present in chronological order. Read on for the full gallery along with specific details about each incident!

Years later, the film saw re-release from an independent company with a much less controversial piece of art used to promote it – though it smartly played up the previous controversy.

One of my personal favorite posters of all time is this one for Jason Takes Manhattan, a fun play on the iconic “I Love NY” art that it’s hard to escape from when visiting the city. Unfortunately, the New York State Department of Economic Development wasn’t as into the art as most horror fans were, deeming it an infringement on the copyright of that original art and forcing Paramount to completely replace it with a much less enticing – but similar – poster.

I suppose the art was a bit of false advertising anyway, considering the fact that Jason spends such little time in New York City. Yeah, still mad about that.

The post 13 Controversial Horror Movie Posters That Were Banned from Public Display appeared first on Dread Central.

On tap right now is an update on the status of John Fallon’s The Shelter along with a batch of fresh stills. Check ‘em out and look for more really soon!

“The Shelter post production is advancing,” says Fallon on his blog. “Colorist Bobby Holbrook is finding the right tones, VFX house Null Effects are completing the varied VFX shots (and doing some great work at that), composer Shawn Knippelberg is discovering the proper vibe for the film (he’s getting there) while sound editor Colby Huval is giving the film an added potent layer via his sound work. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!”

The film stars Michael Paré, Gayle James, Rachel Whittle, Lauren Thomas, Anastasia Brooke, Thomas Johnston, and Amy Wickenheiser.

Synopsis
On a star-filled night, widower and homeless man Thomas Jacobs (Michael Paré) finds shelter for the night 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?

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

The post Update and Stills: The Shelter appeared first on Dread Central.

The mainstream media may prefer to use the term “supernatural,” but we know horror when we see it, and “Maidenhead,” a new TV project from writer Ben Ripley and director James Wan, definitely fits the bill! And it’s heading to NBC, which lately has become the genre’s new best friend.

Per Deadline, producer John Davis (“The Blacklist”) and his Sony TV-based Davis Entertainment are bringing together Source Code scribe Ben Ripley and Saw/Insidious helmer James Wan for the project, which has been sold to NBC with significant penalty.

“Maidenhead” is described as a medical procedural wrapped in a realistic, frightening supernatural drama. The synopsis follows:

A scientist is called into a tony Connecticut suburb to investigate an ailing teen girl to discover her affliction presents itself as a demonic contagion slowly spreading through the town. Our team peels back the secrets and lies buried within the fabric of the community while medically deconstructing the tropes of demon mythology.

Wan and Ripley will executive produce with Davis and John Fox.

We’ll be following this show closely so look for more as it comes!

The post James Wan-Helmed Maidenhead Being Developed for NBC appeared first on Dread Central.

On tap right now are the first stills, artwork, and trailer for director and writer Gavin Michael Booth’s new film The Scarehouse. Dare you enter?

On October 5th, The Scarehouse will host its World Premiere in Windsor, Ontario, the city in which the film was shot. The premiere takes place inside an existing Halloween haunted house attraction. Fans across North America can see the film in select theatres on October 5th and through Video-on-Demand platforms beginning October 21st.

Synopsis
Two friends take revenge on their former sorority sisters. Rejected, Corey (Sarah Booth) and Elaina (Kimberly-Sue Murray) have set up an elaborate haunted house attraction – The Scarehouse. Inside they will stalk their prey, awaiting the opportunity to confront the six sisters while revealing a troublesome past. Do Corey and Elaina have what it takes to mastermind their assault? Do they have the guts and endurance to go through with their plan? Only those who survive will be able to tell their tale. A brutal tale of revenge takes place this Devil’s Night… inside The Scarehouse!

The post Enter The Scarehouse; New Stills and Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.

It’s not all that uncommon for toy companies to re-release or make new versions of popular toys from the past to satiate the desires of nostalgic nerds like ourselves. In fact, it’s something that’s been happening more and more often in recent years.

Just to give a couple examples of what I mean, Hasbro recently released a line of Jurassic Park toys, done up in the vintage style of their original line, and 90s gross-out icon Doctor Dreadful even made a triumphant return not too long ago, unleashing a whole new batch of gooey and disgusting drinks and experiments. Yum. Snots.

But though it’s not uncommon for toy companies to dip into the vault and exhume the rotten corpses of vintage treasures, it’s still not nearly common enough. Here are 10 horror-themed toys from the past that I’d love to see Herbert West inject with his special green serum and bring back to toy shelves!

BOGLINS

The mid-late 80s saw a surge in horror movies starring cute but vicious little monsters; Gremlins in 1984, Ghoulies in 1985 and Critters in 1986. Mattel capitalized on the craze in 1986 with Boglins, hand puppets that seemed more like props taken from the set of the next rubber monster movie than mere toys. Made of thick quality rubber and featuring a mechanism inside their anal cavity that allowed you to move around a set of eyeballs, Boglins brought the loveable monsters from the movies home, and young boys delighted in using them to scare the daylights out of their sisters and grandparents. Further elevating the must-have factor, each Boglin came in a box that was fit with plastic cage bars, just daring you to let the rubber monsters loose.

After a partnership with Kellogg’s in 1989, Boglins reached the pinnacle of their success, and a whole slew of off-shoot products were spawned from the line, including Aquatic Boglins and even miniature Boglins that came packaged in slime-filled toilets!

A company called Action GT did dig up the Boglins back in 2000 for a short return to the spotlight, but they haven’t been seen or heard from since. Quite frankly, I consider that a crime against humanity. We need our Boglins, and we need them NOW.

MY PET MONSTER

Released in 1986, the same year that my mom released me into the world, My Pet Monster was the be-all end-all doll for boys – a colorful and whacky monster friend that was far cooler than any of the kids at school. A fairly large doll with bright orange breakaway shackles, which could be worn by monster or child, My Pet Monster is hands down one of the coolest toys ever made, a doll that still to this day puts a huge nostalgic smile on the faces of adults the world over.

Shortly after the release of the doll, My Pet Monster was given his own oddball feature film, as well as a short-lived cartoon, which ran for only one season. In 2001, the furry blue monster with no name was re-released in a deluxe 22″ talking version. And then, as quickly as he returned, back to Monster Land he went.

Kids these days seem to be getting back into monsters, and with Mattel’s popular Monster High dolls filling that desire for girls, I think the boys need a little monster friend of their own. My Pet Monster, the world is a better place with you in it, and I think it’s time you make your long awaited return to our lives and our hearts. Break those shackles, big guy, and come back to us.

The post 10 Monster Toys That Need to Make a Return! appeared first on Dread Central.

Looking for something new to read during the upcoming Halloween season? Acclaimed author Kim Newman (Anno Dracula) has a stand-alone novel entitled An English Ghost Story heading our way in early October, and we have all the details right here.

Newman has won the Bram Stoker, International Horror Guild, British Fantasy, and British Science Fiction Awards and been nominated for the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards. Look for his latest, An English Ghost Story, on October 7th from Titan Books.

We’ll be back with an excerpt soon!

Synopsis
A dysfunctional British nuclear family seek a new life away from the big city in the sleepy Somerset countryside. At first their new home, The Hollow, seems to embrace them, creating a rare peace and harmony within the family. But when the house turns on them, it seems to know just how to hurt them the most—threatening to destroy them from the inside out.

The post Titan Books Releasing Kim Newman’s An English Ghost Story in October appeared first on Dread Central.

“Sleepy Hollow” Episode 2.02, entitled “The Kindred” promises a monstrous battle against Headless and War. In addition, a plan is set in motion, and someone receives a gross invitation to indulgence. This trio of sneak peeks from Monday night’s episode teases all of that and more!

“Sleepy Hollow” Episode 2.02 – “The Kindred” (airs 9/29/14)
Ichabod and Abbie hatch a desperate plan to rescue Katrina from the Headless Horseman that involves a Frankenstein-type monster created by Benjamin Franklin.

Meanwhile, Frank’s revelation about his encounter with a demon gets him in more trouble, and Jenny clashes with the new sheriff.

“Sleepy Hollow” stars Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane, Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills, Orlando Jones as Capt. Frank Irvine, Lyndie Greenwood as Jenny Mills, Katia Winter as Katrina Crane, and John Noble as Henry Parish/Jeremy Crane/War. Joining the show in Season 2 are Timothy Busfield as Benjamin Franklin; Sakina Jaffrey as Sheriff Reyes; Heather Lind as Mary Wells, Crane’s 18th century ex; Matt Barr as Nick Hawley, an arms dealer; and Aunjanue Ellis as Abbie and Jenny’s mother, Lori Mills.

For more info visit “Sleepy Hollow” on Fox.com, “like” “Sleepy Hollow” on Facebook, and follow “Sleepy Hollow” on Twitter.

The post Three Gross and Monstrous Clips from Sleepy Hollow Episode 2.02 – The Kindred appeared first on Dread Central.

The freaks at FX aren’t even taking the weekend off when it comes to releasing new promo teasers for “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” and today we have “Let It Out,” which reminds us there’s a little “Freak” in all of us.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike.

This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

“AHS” Season 4 kicks off October 8th at 10:00 PM on FX.

Related Story: Enter the “American Horror Story: Freak Show” Costume Contest

Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Denis O’Hare, Jamie Brewer, and Evan Peters return from previous seasons. New cast members includes Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch, Finn Wittrock, Matt Bomer, Patti LaBelle and the world’s smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” – Episode 4.01 – “Monsters Among Us” (airs 10/8/14)
One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television. When police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse, the eccentric purveyor of the freak show (Lange) sees an opportunity that will lead her troupe either to their salvation or ruin. Written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk; directed by Ryan Murphy.

For more info visit the “AHS: Freak Show” Facebook page, check out “AHS: Freak Show” on Tumblr, and follow @AHSFreakShow_ on Twitter along with “American Horror Story” on FX.

The post Let Your Freak Out with this New Promo for American Horror Story: Freak Show appeared first on Dread Central.

Tomorrow night “The Strain” administers “Last Rites” in Episode 1.12, and while we wait to see what transpires as the show races toward next week’s season finale, FX has released a new behind-the-scenes video that gives us a peek into Setrakian’s basement and weapons cache.

An unconventional war requires an unconventional arsenal!

“The Strain” Episode 1.12 – “Last Rites” (airs 9/28/14, 10PM)
Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas) returns with a plan to broadcast Eph’s (Corey Stoll) warning about the vampiric plague.

However, they face a new threat when Eichhorst (Richard Sammel) launches his own attack against the pawn shop. Meanwhile, Palmer (Jonathan Hyde) receives a special visitor, and Gus (Miguel Gómez) gears up for the oncoming fight but discovers there’s another mysterious factor involved.

For more info “like” “The Strain” on Facebook, hang out with “The Strain” on Google +, and follow “The Strain” on Twitter.

The post Prep for The Strain Episode 1.12 with a Tour of Setrakian’s Armory appeared first on Dread Central.

The best horror movie I’ve seen all year, The Babadook (review) delivers on all counts and serves as a breath of fresh air that is much needed right now. Check out this latest clip, and count the days until it’s finally released.

Look for the critically acclaimed spookshow on November 28th.

Written and directed by Jennifer Kent, the film stars Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Barbara West, and Ben Winspear.

Synopsis
Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her ‘out of control’ 6-year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel’s dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called ‘The Babadook’ turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control; he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son’s behavior, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.

The post The Babadook Phones Home in Scary New Clip appeared first on Dread Central.

Two new clips are here from Seth Grossman’s horror flick Inner Demons (review), and we have them for you along with a side of Eucharist wafers!

Look for the film in theatres and on VOD on October 3rd. Lara Vosburgh, Morgan McClellan, Kate Whitney, and Brian Flaherty star.

Synopsis:
INNER DEMONS follows an ‘Intervention’-style reality show crew that films an episode about a sixteen-year old girl, a former A-student, who is fighting addiction but may in fact be suffering from something even more destructive: demonic possession. The movie is an inquiry into the truth about her – with symptoms that straddle the disturbing and scary intersection between insanity, addiction and true possession.

The post New Clips Exorcise Your Inner Demons appeared first on Dread Central.

We’ve been talking about A Monster Calls, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible), for a while now; and since production has officially begun on the film, we have an update and lots more info.

A Monster Calls is slated for a fall 2016 release.

Participant Media and River Road Entertainment are financing the Apaches Entertainment production in association with Telecinco Cinema and La Trini Films.

The film, adapted by Patrick Ness from his award-winning children’s fantasy novel, will be released by Focus Features domestically, Universal Pictures International for its theatrical and home entertainment release in Spain, and Lionsgate International is handling foreign sales throughout the rest of the world.

A Monster Calls is a visually spectacular drama about 12-year-old Conor (newcomer Lewis MacDougall), who attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones; pictured) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith. The cast also includes Academy Award nominees Liam Neeson, who will star in performance-capture and voiceover as the nocturnally visiting monster of the title, and Sigourney Weaver, who will portray Conor’s maternal grandmother; Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), as Conor’s father; and Geraldine Chaplin, who is making her third movie with Mr. Bayona.

The new film is being produced by Belén Atienza, who was a producer on Mr. Bayona’s The Impossible and The Orphanage and an executive producer on Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.

Mr. Ness wrote the novel based on an original idea by the late Siobhan Dowd. Published in almost 30 languages, the novel has won many prestigious prizes worldwide, including the distinguished Carnegie Medal and, for illustrator Jim Kay, the Kate Greenaway Medal.

A Monster Calls is being executive produced by Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, River Road’s Bill Pohlad and Mitch Horwits, Mr. Ness, and Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairman Patrick Wachsberger. Principal photography will take place in both Spain and England.

“A Monster Calls is a beloved and iconic book, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to create a world of monsters and fantasy that does it justice,” Mr. Bayona remarked. “I’m also delighted to rejoin much of my creative team from The Impossible, and I couldn’t ask for a more talented and prestigious cast, and a more supportive group of studio partners, to help bring this incredible project to the screen.”

The creative team on A Monster Calls also includes production designer Eugenio Caballero, an Academy Award winner for Pan’s Labyrinth who previously collaborated with the director on The Impossible; costume designer Steven Noble (The Theory of Everything); and cinematographer Óscar Faura, who shot both The Impossible and The Orphanage for Mr. Bayona.

Ms. Atienza added, “Juan Antonio’s interpretation will bring this story into his own territory. Once again, we are making a movie with both huge technical challenges and a very intimate story that requires great sensitivity.”

The post Production Kicks Off for A Monster Calls appeared first on Dread Central.

Titan Comics has a “shocking and controversial” new take on the zombie genre heading our way next week, The Rage Vol. 1: Zombie Generation, and you can check out its new trailer right here!

Written by Pierre Boisserie with art by Malo Kerfriden, The Rage Vol. 1: Zombie Generation arrives on October 7th. Look for Vol. 2: Kill or Cure on January 6th of next year.

Synopsis
A new pandemic virus, a mutated form of rabies, spreads throughout the world. It affects only children, turning them into mindless, violent killers, hungry for blood.

Now humanity faces an impossible choice: kill every child or face extinction… The government tries to save those infected by keeping them locked away until a treatment becomes possible.

The government men find protecting the children more and more difficult, however, for large militia groups now roam the land with a single-minded purpose: to kill all the infected and cleanse the world of the virus. Meet Amina, a young mother battling to save her son. She finds not only their lives hanging in the balance, but her humanity – and that of everyone around her, too.

The post Titan Comics Releasing The Rage Vol. 1: Zombie Generation on October 7th; See the New Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.

Remember the days before the Internet, when finding information about “dark” music, art, and literature was next to impossible? In 1994, like a lifeline, Catia and Thom Carnell’s Carpe Noctem magazine appeared on the newsstands and brought it all into your hands.

Carpe Noctem gave readers and artists alike a break from their dreary day jobs to express their darker leanings.

Today publisher ZED Presents announces a KickStarter campaign to fund the Carpe Noctem 20th Anniversary Edition, and we have all the information you need to help this endeavor below.

When Catia and Thom Carnell originally launched their unique vision of a literate and informed “dark art” journal, Carpe Noctem magazine was unlike any other publication available at the time. With each subsequent release, people were more amazed by the beauty and unique vision held within. Nowhere in print was there a more perfect union of dark beauty and intelligent writing.

Across ages, cultures, and continents, Carpe Noctem magazine spoke to those who walked a slightly darker path. Whether featuring GWAR or Gino Vannelli, Jon J. Muth or Jhonen Vasquez, no publication could match the in-depth interviews, breathtaking artwork, or diverse coverage of music, film, and comics.

The KickStarter campaign will fund the printing of the Carpe Noctem 20th Anniversary Edition, already in production, which will not only catch up with artists covered in the ’90s but also add entertainers who had not been featured in the pages of Carpe Noctem before. Additionally, everyone is invited to submit their own memories about that time for possible inclusion in the print issue or on the website.

Come… find what the Night brings… once more.

For additional info visit the Carpe Noctem 20 website, “like” Carpe Noctem 20 on Facebook, and if you’re so inclined, contribute to the Carpe Noctem 20 KickStarter campaign.

The post Help Make Carpe Noctem’s 20th Anniversary Edition a Reality appeared first on Dread Central.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a miserable film. Just don’t tell your friends about it, or they’ll clown your ass until you lock yourself in your bedroom with a bottle of Jack, wiping away a fusion of sweat and tears, writing suicide notes.

Ready to be done with all the shame and your embarrassing habits once and for all? Despite the fact that you know, deep down, those buddies of yours have a handful of crap flicks that they themselves tune in to on a regular basis, they just happen to be smart enough to avoid airing that info out to their friends and associates. Clever bastards.

The truth is, sometimes we need brainless fodder. Intense films can weigh heavy on the mind, there’s no doubt about that. Ever watched Cannibal Holocaust? It’s an atrocious film that leaves the abdominal regions writhing in disgust. Ever seen Martyrs? While a genuinely ingraining piece of cinema, it’s so vivid and impacting that it summons legitimate feelings of poignancy. I love the film, but it’s an acquired piece, and it sure as shit doesn’t fiddle with the funny bone in the manner that a guilty pleasure pic does.

There’s room in the horror landscape for all assortments of films: serious, humorous, gory, desolate, and yes, the almighty guilty pleasure. It’s time to take a brief hiatus from the more penetrating offerings and focus on the movies that probably shouldn’t entertain but do so regardless. Here are 10 awesome guilty pleasure flicks perfectly suited to carry a beer-craving genre fanatic through a slow weekend.

Season of the Witch: There’s something strange going on with Nicolas Cage, and I believe it to be Jedi Mind Tricks. Really, he has this mystifying way of capturing the attention even when the last face you hope to look at is that of Nicolas Cage. Cage is one of the hokiest guys in the business, flat out. I’m not sure if he even takes any of his own onscreen insanity seriously anymore because his performances reflect a guy who is out to have nothing but a silly, good time rather than turn in an edgy, memorable showing. And still, a couple of his features remain magnetic. Take for example Season of the Witch (Drive Angry gets a nod as well), an abomination of a feature that captivates me at every turn. It looks miserably awesome, Cage is miserably awesome, and I just feel flat out miserable having to admit that I love it. All of it. Every last second of this stinker.

Constantine: Talk about defecating on an iconic comic book character. Nothing about Warner Brothers’ Constantine felt faithful to DC’s own Constantine. It felt as though the entire character had undergone a personality transplant. John’s smoking habit is even altered as a result. Anyone who thought they’d watch this movie and see Constantine smoke less than 7,000 cigarettes is out of their mind. And yet, that’s what happened, a bad habit victim of the Hollywood makeover. The CG looks awfully damn abysmal as well. To be entirely honest, I can’t remember how I felt about the visuals the first time I checked this one out back in ’05, but it hasn’t looked good to these peepers in years. But you know what? There’s something about Keanu Reeves’ one-note delivery that gets me, the insane, almost Matrix influenced action scenes are hypnotic, and both Shia LaBeouf and Peter Stormare deliver just the right supportive flare to win me over. The real John Constantine wouldn’t be too pleased with this one, but it’s got a place on my shelf.

The post Guilty Pleasures: 10 Terrible Movies That Kind of Rock appeared first on Dread Central.

The official Season 2 artwork has been revealed for The CW’s “The Originals,” and along with a peek at that we have the first clip from the show’s S2 premiere episode, which is entitled “Rebirth.” In the clip we get to see what kind of chessmaster Klaus is.

As for the artwork, per usual for the network, it debuted on THR.

“The Originals” Episode 2.01 – “Rebirth” (airs 10/6/14)
After months of being holed up inside his compound, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) enlists the help of Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) in plotting his revenge against the Guerrera werewolves and vows to take down anyone who poses a threat to baby Hope’s existence. Elijah watches helplessly as Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) spirals downward while mourning the loss of her daughter and struggling to adapt to her new hybrid status.

Exiled by the Guerrera werewolves, who now control the French Quarter, Marcel is still reeling over the destruction of his vampire family and attempts to rebuild his home with the help of Josh (guest star Steven Krueger). Elsewhere, Cami (Leah Pipes), who is attempting to regain some normalcy in her life, seeks comfort in a surprising place.

Lastly, Davina (Danielle Campbell) continues her plan to use Mikael (guest star Sebastian Roche) against Klaus but gets sidetracked when she meets the mysterious, yet charming Kaleb (guest star Daniel Sharman), who holds a few secrets of his own. Lance Anderson directed the episode written by Marguerite MacIntyre and Julie Plec.

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

The post See the First Clip from The Originals Episode 2.01 – Rebirth; New Artwork Unveiled appeared first on Dread Central.

As promised this morning, a new trailer has arrived for “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” and it just ramped up our excitement tenfold!  Check it out, and join us in wondering how the heck they made Sarah Paulson’s two heads look so damn real!

The trailer, which premiered on Buzzfeed, also gives us our first good look at this season’s villainous Twisty the Clown so dive in and let us know what you think!

“AHS” Season 4 kicks off October 8th at 10:00 PM on FX. The premiere will be an expanded 90-minute episode.

Related Story: Enter the “American Horror Story: Freak Show” Costume Contest

Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Denis O’Hare, Jamie Brewer, and Evan Peters return from previous seasons. New cast members includes Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch, Finn Wittrock, Matt Bomer, Patti LaBelle and the world’s smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952, and a troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town. Their arrival coincides with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

“American Horror Story: Freak Show” – Episode 4.01 – “Monsters Among Us” (airs 10/8/14)
One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television. When police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse, the eccentric purveyor of the freak show (Lange) sees an opportunity that will lead her troupe either to their salvation or ruin. Written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk; directed by Ryan Murphy.

For more info visit the “AHS: Freak Show” Facebook page, check out “AHS: Freak Show” on Tumblr, and follow @AHSFX on Twitter along with “American Horror Story” on FX.

The post New American Horror Story: Freak Show Trailer Focuses on the Freaks appeared first on Dread Central.

What is it with Sony Pictures and its complete and total indecisiveness? Lord knows it’s had its ups and downs with the Ghostbusters franchise, but let’s not forget Zombieland has been forever getting the “Yo-Yo treatment” as well. After an abysmal attempt at a TV series on Amazon, interest in an official sequel has once again piqued.

Deadline is reporting that Sony Pictures is getting more serious about mounting another installment of Zombieland. The studio just hired Dave Callaham to write the sequel under the supervision of Ruben Fleischer, who’ll return to direct.

No word yet on if the original participants will be back; the original film features Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Abigail Breslin.

Stay tuned.

The post Zombieland Sequel Won’t Stay Dead appeared first on Dread Central.