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Der Nachtmahr Conjures a Haunting New Trailer

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I love coming-of-age stories, especially when they incorporate elements of horror. Because what’s more terrifying than transitioning from a child to an adult? Writer/director Akiz’s horror flick Der Nachtmahr tackles those troubling teenage years with a “psy­cho­phan­tas­magoric” slant. The icing on the cake: a creepy little creature that may be a figment of a young girl’s imagination.

The official synopsis puts a finer point on the plot.

Jarring, disturbing, and thoroughly disorienting, Der Nachtmahr is a psy­cho­phan­tas­magoric coming-of-age story about a teenage girl thrust into an unnaturally symbiotic relationship. Secret raves, drugs, and late nights are par for the course for sixteen-year-old Tina (Carolyn Genzkow) and her friends on the decadent Berlin party scene. When Tina passes out at a party one night, she assumes it was just a side effect of her wild lifestyle — that is, until a mysterious creature begins haunting both her dreams and her waking hours. Tina struggles to make those around her see the thing, but to no avail, and as she becomes ever more unsettled and manic, her parents are forced to get her psychiatric help. But as the little beastie seems to lurk around every corner, she is forced to overcome her fears and forge a bond with the monster.

The official press release also describes the aforementioned monster as a cross between E.T. and Belial from Franken Henenlotter’s classic Basket Case. Sold! If you’re attending this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, then be sure to catch the flick’s North American premiere.

P&I Screening: Friday, September 11, 9:30AM (Scotiabank)
Public Screening #1: Thursday, September 17, 9:00PM (Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
Public Screening #2: Friday, September 18, 12:00PM (Scotiabank)
Public Screening #3: Sunday, September 20, 6:00PM (Scotiabank)

On your way out, check out the creepy Der Nachtmahr trailer.

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Nick Carter’s Dead 7 Digs Up New Images

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What do boy band members do when they’re not touring the planet and performing for legions of screaming fans? Making horror movies, it seems. Nick Carter, otherwise known as one-fifth of the Backstreet Boys, is making his directorial debut with the zombie western Dead 7, a film that boldly combines the walking dead with a cast of real-life pop singers. Seriously!

To bring this project to life, Carter has enlisted the help of fellow boy band vets A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough (Backstreet Boys); Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick (‘N Sync); Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees), Jacob Underwood, Erik-Michael Estrada, Dan Miller, and Trevor Penick (O-Town); and Delious Kennedy (All-4-One). Also lending a hand are Jon Secada, Frenchie Davis, and Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi. Actress Carrie Keagan is on board as well.

A plot summary? Yes, we happen to have one of those lying around.

Dead 7 revolves around a ragtag group of gunslingers as they try to make their way in a postapocalyptic world. The twist to this world is that it’s just not barren and dangerous, it’s also filled with flesh-eating zombies. The gunslingers will find themselves stranded in a town and forced to make a choice on either to save the citizens of the town or save themselves.

The Asylum will unleash Nick Carter’s zombie western Dead 7 on SyFy (where else?) next summer. If you’re curious to see how things are coming together on set, take a look at the pics below.

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Jason Kartalian’s Datura Still Needs Some Kickstarter Love

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As of this writing, director Jason Kartalian’s self-proclaimed “mind-bending” thriller Datura still has seven days to go on Kickstarter. And while the project is pretty far from its goal, that doesn’t mean a very generous donor couldn’t swoop in and drop a large satchel full of cash into the guy’s lap. We’re hoping that’s the case because his latest project certainly sounds intriguing.

Kartalian provides some details about his story.

A desperate and wanted man drives on a lonely desert highway. He is transporting a mysterious female passenger in his back seat. Will his passenger be the key to his survival or lead to their destruction? DATURA is a dramatic, surreal supernatural thriller, a meditation of belief and superstition, and a journey into the darkness of the human mind.

If you’d like to help the cast and crew bring Datura to life, swing by the official Kickstarter campaign page and seriously consider giving them cash. Also, read about Kartalian’s award-winning feature, Seahorses, which is currently doing the international film festival circuit.

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Vampirella Celebrates Four Decades of Badassery

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Prepare to feel old, Vampirella fans: Your favorite ass-kicking heroine has been doing her thing for a total of four decades. Now that you’ve had your illusion of youth shattered beyond all recognition, it’s time to celebrate. This November, the folks at Dynamite Entertainment are honoring Vampirella’s existence with Vampirella #1969, which is described as a “48-page one-shot special that celebrates over 45 years of the vampire heroine’s adventures in horror and fantasy.”

Here’s more from the official press release:

The over-sized issue celebrates the heady days of the character’s earliest appearances with contributions from a roster of all-star writers and artists, including: Nancy Collins and Fritz Casas, Eric Trautmann and Brett Weldele, Phil Hester and Jethro Morales, Mark Rahner and Colton Worley, and David Walker and Aneke. Vampirella #1969 will debut in November and feature three covers: one by Robert Hack in retro-style dress, a cover by Jack Jadson, and a rare edition featuring Hack’s artwork in black-and-white, much like the artwork of the original Vampirella magazine.

Several of the Vampirella #1969 contributors have shared their thoughts on the upcoming celebratory event:

Nancy A. Collins: “When I was asked to contribute a story to Vampirella #1969, I went back to see exactly what was going on the month the first issue of Vampirella hit the stands. As it turns out, the police were searching for the killers responsible for the Tate-LaBianca murders while America was dealing with the aftershocks, both physical and cultural, of Hurricane Camille, Woodstock, and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. My story has classic-era Vampirella landing in a Hollywood that bears a closer resemblance to the reality of the time than what existed in her goofy/campy early adventures.”

Phil Hester: “I was three years old when Vampirella debuted. It wasn’t until I was thirteen that I became very, very interested in the character, especially that life-sized poster I had saved my paper route money to buy. But beyond the undeniable visual impact of Vampirella, there was always a core decency to her character that burned brightly even amid the dark, horror-oriented themes of her stories. She was always, well – good. Even though she was a vampire, and was always mixed up with creepy characters and monstrous villains, she somehow maintained this kind of purity that I found really refreshing in a culture awash with anti-heroes. I hope my story harkens back to that classic Vampirella heroism.”

Eric Trautmann: “One of the things that made me most eager about contributing to Vampirella #1969 was the opportunity to work more in the (pardon the pun) same vein as the Warren-era material – short, punchy, atmospheric, without the need to build a longer continuity. Adding to that the opportunity to see the script realized by an artist like Brett Weldele made this one the best Vampirella experiences I’ve had to date.”

David F. Walker: “I first discovered Vampirella back in the 1970s, when it was a magazine that I wasn’t allowed to look at – too much sex and violence for a little kid. And so for me, Vampirella has always represented something a bit dangerous, or at least the possibility of something dangerous. Those old stories were daring and outrageous, and that’s what I tried to capture when I wrote my contribution to this book.”

A raven-haired heroine, Varmpiella remains – even after four-and-a-half decades of publication – one of the comic industry’s leading ladies, due in no small part to Dynamite Entertainment’s stewardship of the character. Since Vampirella’s very healthy resurgence in 2010, Dynamite has published two volumes of a monthly series, several miniseries and one-shot specials, and crossovers with multimedia brands and comic book peers. The Vampirella franchise is a haven for writers and artists with a penchant for the macabre.

“Vampirella seems to have found a niche in the pop culture consciousness,” says Collins. “People recognize her name, even now – which is interesting, when you realize she never had a cartoon show or TV series to introduce her to a mass audience (as I don’t count the direct-to-video movie that came out 20 years ago). Some of it obviously has to do with her being a sex symbol, but there seems to be a genuine fondness for the character from her long-time fans that transcends that.”

Vampirella #1969 will hit physical and digital newsstands this November. To stay up to date on the heroine and Dynamite Entertainment, swing by the company’s official Facebook page.

Vampirella Cover

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Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights’ 25th Anniversary Takes a Trip to the Past

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There are a lot of places to celebrate Halloween around the country every year, but Universal Orlando is certainly hoping you’ll swing by their neck of the woods to help them celebrate 25 years of Halloween Horror Nights. To entice people back to the wilds of Florida, the attraction is bringing back some fan-favorite haunts from the past. In short: They’re banking hard on nostalgia.

From the Press Release:
This year, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights will celebrate 25 years of scares, screams and terror by bringing back some of the most iconic and blood-curdling stories from event history. This year’s event will feature nine disturbingly-real haunted houses, including one of the highest-rated houses ever, An American Werewolf In London. Guests will also relive their favorite sinister stories from Universal’s Entertainment Team in horrific new ways. Here’s what to expect at this year’s event:

· The return of the fan-favorite house, based on John Landis’s critically-acclaimed horror film, “An American Werewolf in London” – a fiercely-immersive experience that pays homage to one of the greatest lycanthropic stories ever told. This year, the wolves are more ferocious and hungry for human flesh…and their pack has expanded.

· All-new, original houses based on the best and most iconic stories from years past, including ghastly scenes from RUN: Blood, Sweat, and Fears, Asylum in Wonderland 3D, Body Collectors: Recollections and Jack Presents: 25 Years of Monsters and Mayhem.

· More “scareactors” than ever before in five spine-chilling, new scare zones, including the escaped inmates from Psychoscareapy– Unleashed, appearances from past event icons including The Caretaker, The Storyteller, The Director, and The Usher in ICONS – HHN and more.

· Two outrageous live shows, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and The Carnage Returns­—featuring the favorite and feared icon Jack the Clown.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights’ runs from September 18 through November 1. For more information about this year’s attractions, you’ll need to hit up the official website.

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Texas Homeowners Spice Up Their Lawn with Dinosaur Sculptures

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In the age of power-hungry Homeowner’s Associations telling folks what they can and cannot do with their yards, it’s always refreshing when someone decides to say “screw your fascist rules” and incorporate some unexpected creativity in their yards. Take, for instance, Nancy Hentschel and her husband, who decided to bring a little Jurassic flavor to their upscale neighborhood.

Here’s the story: According to Houston’s KTRK, the Hentschels stumbled across some dinosaur sculptures crafted by a local artist while vacationing in Arizona. Instead of taking photos of the dinos and sharing them with friends and family on social media, they decided to purchase these imposing creatures and sprinkle them throughout their front yard. It’s actually kind of cool.

New Territory residents have definitely taken notice, and the response has been a mixed affair. While some don’t have a problem with the dinosaur sculptures, others think they shouldn’t take up space in the front yard. The Homeowner’s Association, meanwhile, has yet to issue a public statement about the matter. Nancy isn’t letting the threat of a sternly-worded letter and a potential fine rain on her parade; she’s already planning “special effects” for Halloween. Fight the good fight, Nancy!

For more on this tale, check out KTRK reporter Deborah Wrigley’s full story.

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Mortal Kombat X Officially Canceled for Last-Gen Consoles

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If you were hoping Mortal Kombat X, the tenth installment of the long-running fight franchise, would eventually appear on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, then feel free to curse the heavens starting right now. According to Gamespot, the folks at Warner Bros. put the nail in that coffin with a recent post to the game’s community website. In plain English: It’s not going to happen. Ever.

Here’s what the distributor said via an official statement:

After months of development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has come to the regrettable conclusion that we cannot release Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Please know our teams worked diligently to meet the quality standards set by the current-gen versions of the game. We were not able to get the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the quality expected of a Mortal Kombat game and are very sorry for not being able to deliver the products as originally planned.

Those who want to help Jason Voorhees destroy dozens of Mortal Kombat characters will need to splurge on a next-gen system or a capable PC to indulge in these fantasies. If none of these options are on the table, then drown your sorrows in this real-life Mortal Kombat fatalities video.

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Rest in Peace: Wes Craven

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There are few filmmakers on this planet who have truly earned the moniker ‘master of horror,’ and Wes Craven is without a doubt one of those talents. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we’re here tonight to break the extremely upsetting news that Craven has passed away.

It was way back in 1972 that Wes Craven instantly became a force to be reckoned with in the horror genre thanks to the exploitation film The Last House on the Left, which proved to be just one of many horror classics that Craven would bring into our lives in the decades to come.

Craven most famously revitalized the slasher sub-genre with 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, giving rise to perhaps the most iconic villain in horror history. I’m of course referring to Freddy Krueger, who he revisited in 1994 with the grounded in reality sequel New Nightmare.

Outside the world of Elm Street, Craven’s contributions to the horror genre are vast, including films like The Hills Have Eyes, Deadly Blessing, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Shocker, and The People Under the Stairs. With Scream, released in 1996, he kick-started the slasher movement once more.

THR reports that Craven died at his home in Los Angeles today, after a battle with brain cancer. He turned 76 earlier this month.

Wes Craven’s impact on the horror genre simply cannot be overstated, and the heartbreak felt throughout the community right now is a reflection of that. All of us here on Dread Central extend our sincerest of condolences to Craven’s friends, family members, and constituents.

We promise we will do all we can in the coming days to honor one of the most influential and important figures in this wonderful genre’s history. The world of horror truly would not be what it is today without you, Mr. Craven. You will never be forgotten, and we are 100% sure of that.

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Cannibals Come To September 2015 Box Of Dread

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Sharpen your incisors and break out your favorite seasonings because the September 2015 Box of Dread is gearing up to serve up a cannibalistic feast for the senses like no other!

Grab your knife, fork, and a plastic tarp (these things happen to get really messy) and sign up for Box of Dread NOW!

September 2015 Box Of Dread

If you’ve been following the Box of Dread Facebook Page or the Box of Dread Instagram account, you would have already seen this by now. So go check out what people are saying on Facebook and on Instagram.

So, don’t succumb to FOMO and miss out on the next Box of Dread. Signups for the cannibalistic September 2015 Box of Dread ends on September 9, 2015, at 11:59pm ET / 8:59pm PT. You have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

If you’re still wondering what was in the August Box of Dread, you can read the description of each items at http://www.boxofdread.com/august-2015-a-nightmare-on-elm-st-and-sinister-ii/. So, in general, you can always find out what’s in your monthly Box of Dread by going to http://www.boxofdread.com/this-month/ and look for the month you want to learn about. Warning, consider this a spoiler alert if you haven’t opened your box yet when you’re on that page! We’ll also post a new update around when your boxes are scheduled to arrive!

Related StorySinister 2 Prize for Box Of Dread August Selfie Contest

Every month, we have also been running a “Selfie” contest that is exclusive only to Box of Dread acolytes. Here’s your chance to subscribe so that you can get in on next month’s “Selfie” contest. In addition to getting your monthly fix of horror items mailed to your doorsteps, one active Box of Dread subscriber each month will win the Seventh Box!

Check out the latest unboxing videos from Box of Dread acolytes. Have you made your own unboxing video? Make sure to tag “Box of Dread” so that we can feature your unboxing video!

For even more pictures and videos, check out Box of Dread on Social Media!

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Is Warren Fahy’s Fragment Headed to the Big Screen?

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Back in 2010, Green Zone producer Lloyd Levin optioned author Warren Fahy’s best-selling novel Fragment, which explores what happens when a reality television show is filmed on a remote island inhabited by a previously undiscovered species. However, we haven’t heard much about the project in about five years, but there’s a strong possibility that’s about to change.

One of our eagle-eyed tipsters suggested that the worldwide box-office smash Jurassic World may have lit a fire beneath this adaptation in recent months. In fact, Fahy himself has hinted about an upcoming cinematic project that may or not happen in the near future. These clues are currently housed over at the writer’s official Facebook page, so feel free to poke around.

For example, on July 1, Fahy wrote, “Fascinating things happening in Hollywood re: Fragment. Stay tuned, folks.” To say that message is cryptic would be a serious understatement.

Then, on August 5, he added, “Big people in the movie biz are toying with the idea of a Fragment movie, so if you want to see it, now’s the time to drop in a good word at Amazon, if you haven’t already. But don’t say ‘Hey Hollywood make this movie!’ Just talk about the book.

It’s currently unknown if Fragment will ever find its way into a darkened theater near you, but given that Jurassic World is wildly popular, Hollywood will likely try its best to cash in on the popularity of islands, creatures, and big-budget thrills. We’ll definitely keep you posted.

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New Cooties Poster Proves That School Lunches Really Can Be Murder

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You know that you always hear people complaining that kids today aren’t eating healthily enough? Too much junk food, not enough protein blah, blah, blah. Well now all those worries can finally be put to rest because a detailed new food pyramid shows kids exactly what they should be eating. Expect school dinners to now consist of brains with an extra helping of guts. And some blood to wash it down, of course.

Actually it’s a new poster for Cooties, courtesy of Screen Crush. The zombie kid flick’s been getting loads of love here at Dread Central, and as far as effective posters go, this one sure as hell hits all the right marks.

Cooties stars Elijah Wood and Alison Pill and will be released on VOD on September 18.

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Under the Dome Season 3 Finale to Serve as Series Ending

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Whew! That was a close one!  After hearing in early August that CBS was about to give “Under the Dome” a renewal for a fourth season, we told you we’d be back with an update… and today that update has come.

If you’re a fan of the show, it isn’t good news, but if, like us, you believe it has seen better days, then it shouldn’t be a surprise.

The network announced today that the Dome in Chester’s Mill will come down and its mysteries revealed during the SERIES finale of “Under the Dome” on Thursday, September 10th. Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, “Under the Dome” debuted Monday, June 24, 2013, and has been one of the most-watched shows on television for the past three summers.

In the series finale, when the Dome comes down, many questions about its origin and power will be answered, as two groups of residents engage in one final conflict that some won’t survive.

“Two years ago, ‘Under the Dome’ broke new ground in the summer and became an instant hit on CBS, as well as with viewers around the world,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “’Dome’s’ event storytelling and multi-platform business model paved the way for more original summer programming with the successful roll-outs of ‘Extant’ and ‘Zoo.’ We’re excited to present the final chapter in Chester’s Mill as the story comes full circle, with the Dome coming down as dramatically as it went up.”

All three seasons of “Under the Dome” will continue to be available for unlimited streaming to fans and members of Amazon’s Prime Video, which has been the exclusive subscription video on demand (SVOD) home for “Dome” since the show premiered.

Below you’ll find the synopses for this week’s Episode 3.12, “Incandescence,” and the finale Episode 3.13, “The Enemy Within.”

“Under the Dome” Episode 3.12 – “Incandescence” (airs 9/3/15)
When the Dome’s calcification process accelerates, Chester’s Mill has 24 hours before the barrier’s breakdown will suffocate everyone inside. While the new deadline puts added pressure on Joe to bring the Dome down, Barbie and Julia race to save his child from The Kinship. Also, Big Jim tries to manage the increasingly volatile Hektor (Eriq La Salle), who is adamant that infected townspeople never escape the Dome.

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“Under the Dome” Episode 3.13 – “The Enemy Within” (airs 9/10/15)
As the Dome in Chester’s Mill comes down, the Resistance makes a final attempt to protect the outside world from the infected townspeople in the Kinship and their new queen.

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PAX 2015 Roundup

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While it will never be as big or iconic as other gaming conventions like Gamescom and E3, PAX is still filled with incredible games that will no doubt go onto become instant classics. And while this year’s event was somewhat light on horror and dark fantasy games, we’ve rounded up some of the best on display for you viewing pleasure.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

A couple of days ago we bought you news that Divinity: Original Sin 2 was smashing records on Kickstarter, and thankfully it looks like we’ll be getting another solid RPG from Larian Studios.

Salt & Sanctuary

Described as a “2D Dark Souls” and in development from a team of just two people, the side-scroller sees you playing as a sailor shipwrecked on an island plagued by war. Gameplay will be in the traditional ‘Metroidvania’ style, and as you can see below, they’ll be gore. Loads of it. And it works particularly well with the black and white art style for the outdoor scenes. I particularly dig the decapitation at 1:50.

Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide

Sega continue their great run of the Games Workshop license with this awesome new first person co-op game.

Dragon Age: Inquisition: Trespasser

An expansion set two years after the main game, Dragon Age: Inquisition: Trespasser continues the story of the Inquisitor.

Bombshell

Duke Nukem veterans Interceptor Entertainment showed of this Devil May Cry style action game.

Dark Souls 3

This is the big one. Hidetaka Miyazaki returns to his classic series, for what will hopefully be his magnus opus. As you can see they’ll be plenty of big-ass monsters to fight, accompanied by insane levels of difficulty. And if this footage is representative of the final product, then the blood splatter will thankfully mean that the series will be returning to M rated territory after the crushing disappointment of the second game being rated T.

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Old 37 Finally Rolls Out Its First Official Trailer

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Old 37 will hit home video in just a little over a month, but trying to locate a trailer for the flick has proven impossible. Thankfully, the boys and girls at Epic Pictures have finally rolled out an official trailer for the slasher starring Kane Hodder and Bill Moseley. Now you can get an idea of what the film is about without, you know, reading all those bothersome words.

The official synopsis explains, “Two brothers use their father’s old ambulance to intercept emergency roadside 911 calls and take their victims on a ride they will never forget.” There isn’t much of a story to speak of, but according to Matt Boiselle’s review of the film, it’s doubtful most fans will care too much about the threadbare plot. Fortunately, there are plenty of blood and guts to fill in the gaps.

But enough reading, already! Check out the first official trailer for director Alan Smithee’s (aka Christian Winters) Old 37. The movie arrives on home video on October 6.

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Top 11 Horrors of the Woods

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There’s quite a buzz around the new film Dark Was the Night, starring Kevin Durand of FX’s hit series “The Strain.” As the film revolves around a malicious entity in the forest, in honor of its release, we’ve come up with our Top 11 Horrors of the Woods.

Durand plays a great part in Dark Was the Night (review here), available now, and the setting of the woods always makes for a creepy backdrop. We’ve got some honorable mentions here that prove that point.

Lucky McKee’s The Woods is a perfect example to start off with, as are Wrong Turn and Misery. Classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes are kinda woodsy, but not enough to officially make the list. Also Pumpkinhead and Frontier(s) were very close, but the scenes in the forest for those films weren’t really as prominent as some of the Top 11. We nearly included The Burning, but we had the summer camp sub-genre covered, and The Woman was suggested, but after her initial discovery, the film becomes more based in the home. But regardless, all of these movies have some great, nightmarish scenes in the woods.

And now, on to the Top 11 Horrors of the Woods!

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The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The combination of a genius marketing campaign with a damn impressive micro-budget indie film made The Blair Witch Project a runaway hit. Single-handedly jumpstarting the found footage sub-genre of horror (which had been tried successfully previously, most notably by Ruggero Deodato in Cannibal Holocaust, but never took hold mainstream), The Blair Witch Project would go on to be memorable for more than just being a really goddamn creepy walk through the woods. The advertising campaign was like nothing anyone had seen before and utilized the internet to the fullest. And The Blair Witch Project inspired filmmakers to go out and shoot found-footage movies, which were much more affordable to produce, thus allowing more movie-makers to get their ideas out there. When Blair Witch hit, the entire game changed.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Sometimes referred to as the second coming of Scream by those who truly understand the ebbs and flows of the genre, The Cabin in the Woods was much more than a romp in the forest, but, on the surface, that’s exactly what it appeared to be. The Cabin in the Woods was not only a gory horror-comedy that managed to deliver the laughs and the blood-letting in equal helpings, but it was an intelligent message to horror filmmakers and fans. It was set in a cabin in the woods because that was becoming the go-to location for horror. And, as we realized this wasn’t just simply a horror movie, but so much more than that, the point became obvious. The Cabin in the Woods shouted to horror movie-makers and said, ‘Hey! We’re doing the same goddamn thing over and over again in every movie! Let’s try to mix things up a bit.’ It gave the genre a kick in the ass, and, in that way, it was the second coming of Scream.

Cabin Fever (2002)
Along came Eli Roth. Aside from a few very small acting roles, which included parts for Troma and, believe it or not, in The Horse Whisperer, Cabin Fever was Roth’s first venture into filmmaking. He co-wrote the script (with Randy Pearlstein) mostly in 1995 when he was working as a production assistant on Howard Stern’s movie, Private Parts. Every once in a while, Stern still discusses remembering a young filmmaker sitting outside his dressing room door for hours, hoping Stern would read his script. The movie-maker was Eli Roth and the script was Cabin Fever, mostly passed over because producers felt the horror genre was no longer profitable (yeah right, show us another movie that can be made for $2 million and gross $40 million at the box office… horror does it all the time). However, the film eventually got made for the modest sum of $1.5 million and would go on to gross over $33 million and become Lionsgate’s biggest in 2003. Not bad for the new guy.

Evil Dead 2 (1987)
I’m sure you Evil Dead purists would appreciate us using the whole title, so let’s move on with Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn. It’s one of the stranger follow-up movies you’ll ever see as it’s not a sequel or a prequel at all. It’s more of a retelling of the original movie, with a much catchier script and vastly slicker special F/X. But the true strength of Evil Dead 2, one of the greatest “trapped in the woods” movies ever, was the performance of Bruce Campbell. If the original film hadn’t vaulted him to the stratosphere of horror actors, this one certainly did. Campbell’s physical humor was insanely entertaining. He managed to maintain the horror of the story while performing some Three Stooges-esque physical comedy on-screen… and much of it was with himself. Campbell didn’t have many partners to rely on to help him sell the comedy. He brought his possessed hand to life and battled the evil in the woods so entertainingly and so deftly that Evil Dead 2 remains one of horror’s most beloved films to this day. Take a look at one of the best scenes below. If you do get trapped out in the woods, we hope you’ve got Ash with you. Groovy!

Hatchet (2006)
In 2006 the state of horror was okay. Not great, but okay. What we were missing was the old school slasher. The Final Destination series was cruising along, as was Saw. But by this point, all the major slasher series were pretty much over and done with, signing off with Freddy vs. Jason three years earlier. Sure, there were some stragglers in there, but we needed a new anti-hero to get behind, and filmmaker Adam Green introduced us to Victor Crowley at just the perfect time. With Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Voorhees past their prime, we needed a new slasher; and Victor Crowley was fantastic. Does the bayou technically qualify as the woods? Ah, six of one, half dozen of the other. Whether you’re in the jungle, the forest, or the swamp, Victor Crowley is not someone you want to run into; and the creepy settings we always seem to find him in make him that much more frightening! Remember this classic Crowley scene below?

The Cottage (2008)
Perhaps one of the more unfortunately overlooked films of recent memory, The Cottage is certainly one to go back and check out if you are yet to experience it. Featuring a rare appearance by a non-CGI’d Andy Serkis and a fantastically humorous performance by Reece Shearsmith, The Cottage is the definition of black comedy. Although we always expect him to be shrouded in some type of computer animation, Serkis proves that he can handle a non-CGI badass role in this one as he leads his brother (played by Shearsmith) on a raucous kidnapping that literally could not go further off the rails. The Cottage seems like a simple bumbling mishandled kidnapping film at first, but at about the halfway mark, this thing takes a wicked turn and goes from light-hearted action-adventure-comedy to brutal slasher (with the comedy still hanging in there). The cottage in this woods is certainly the setting for all types of bad, bad things.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Speaking of spot-on horror comedies shot in the woods, The Cottage provides the perfect lead in to another brilliant film, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. Tucker and Dale is the ultimate role reversal showcase as those creepy, unsettling hillbillies who usually have a boatload of bad intentions appear in this film, but there are no bad intentions. In fact, Tucker and Dale could not be nicer guys if they tried. This is a great movie that turns the expectations of the characters on its ear and gives you nothing you expect. As the story rolls on, one hilarious scene after another unfolds; and amongst the laughs, we also see a real antagonist develop. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is so goddamn entertaining we can’t say enough about it, and it also uses the woods to the fullest advantage whenever it can, even working in a tree impalement and a wicked woodchipper accident!

The Last House on the Left (1972)
Wes Craven’s first film. Banned in England. The Last House on the Left has several different backdrops, but all the most heinous activity in the movie takes place in the woods right outside young, unfortunate Mari Collingwood’s house. The unspeakable atrocities that occur are sometimes hard to watch, but it was this intensity that helped to set the foundation to make Wes Craven the horror icon and household name that he is today. And just think, if there hadn’t have been a woodsy setting for Krug and his gang to play in, to torture the girls in, how much of a movie would we really have gotten here? It would have been a quick bang, bang murder and then on to the next victim for Krug and Co. The Last House on the Left is indeed, at least partially, beholden to its great setting for helping to create the unsettling feeling of isolation for the two unfortunate victims… and audiences!

I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
We always like to include those original/alternate titles because we know some of you demand to hear them (and some of you love to bang on those who demand to hear them). Anyway, I Spit on Your Grave (a.k.a. Day of the Woman) is the perfect film to follow The Last House on the Left on this list as the two are so often grouped together as some of the most extreme examples of ’70s horror… and both of them just happen to be set in the woods. I Spit on Your Grave revolves around the story of a female writer who has retreated to a rural setting to pen her first novel. As the infamous story goes, a bunch of off-kilter locals invade her home and brutally abuse her… and then get her again as she tries to escape into the woods. As disturbing as Last House is, I Spit on Your Grave is equally as off-putting, if not more so… and it all happens in the woods. Nasty place to be!

Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Writer/director Robert Hiltzik brought this “campy” horror film to life in 1983, and it’s still celebrated as a cult favorite to this day. Felissa Rose is a beloved horror star and the Sleepaway Camp series exists as a fan favorite. Also once marketed as Nightmare Vacation on VHS (for all you purists), Sleepaway Camp fires on all cylinders as a true ’80s classic and certainly had a hand in making the woods a seriously uncomfortable place to be. Of course everyone remembers the awesome Sleepaway Camp twist ending, one of the best since Psycho. With all the madness going on at Sleepaway Camp, all we can say for sure is that it’s pretty easy to get murdered at camp! Not a great slogan for the wilderness, but oh, so true.

Friday the 13th (1980)
While we’re on the subject of sleepaway camps, Friday the 13th is one of the ultimate horror experiences ever to take place in the woods. Does anything say forest background more than summer camp? Crystal Lake is indeed one of the most iconic locations for a horror film, ever! And honestly, you can plug Friday the 13th Part Anything (except Takes Manhattan or Jason X) into this equation and have a true contender for best woodsy horror. We’ll go as far as to say that no character has ever dominated the woods and made it a more frightening place than Jason Voorhees (or, of course, Mrs. Voorhees as we’re highlighting the original Friday the 13th in this example). The woods have created some seriously scary entities, but we’ve got to say, so far, none has been more intimidating than those monsters found in the Friday the 13th series. The woods are Jason’s playground.

Bonus Entry! Antichrist (2009)
Oh, Lars von Trier’s film Antichrist was destined for the honorable mention section of this list when it was originally outlined, but after rethinking things, it became nearly impossible to relegate this nightmare to the “also ran” section. The two main characters in Antichrist try to escape to the woods to help ease the pain of the death of their child, but things become a true nightmare out there. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg are outstanding as basically the only two characters in the movie, and the violence and intensity depicted in Antichrist are toe-curlingly legendary. It’s not every day you get to see a rusty axle driven through someone’s calf AND a clitoris cut off by rusty scissors in the same move. This is one enchanted forest you want no part of.

Okay, so it turned out we needed 12 entries to finish out the list. There are some seriously scary films sent in forbidden forests out there, and we wanted to be sure to mention all of them.

This list has been brought to you by Dark Was the Night, available NOW on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD. Check it out!

Dark was the Night Synopsis:
Maiden Woods is a remote and quiet town of decent hard-working people, but something stirs in the dark woods surrounding this isolated community. After a logging company decimates an area of the forest, a rash of increasingly violent and unexplainable events transpires. Sheriff Paul Shields (Kevin Durand) and his deputy (Lukas Haas) struggle to confront their own personal demons while facing down a new breed of raw terror that is possibly older than humanity itself… and much, much hungrier.

Dark Was the Night

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Goddess Of Love (2015)

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Goddess-of-Love-Concept-Poster-Jon-KnautzStarring Alexis Kendra, Woody Naismith, Elizabeth Sandy

Directed by Jon Knautz


See her as a damaged individual, or see her as a gal that’s very unlucky in love, but seeing the two elements slammed together at a high rate of speed, with just the right amounts of booze and drugs added as a supplemental medication, and we’ve got a sure-fire recipe for a woman who would probably make Glenn Close’s character pee just a little bit in Jon Knautz’s Goddess Of Love. Poised to make its debut at FrightFest UK, this one is sure to turn some heads.

Alexis Kendra stars (and equally shines) as Venus, an absolute knockout of a woman who spends her days cooped up in her apartment, playing piano, drinking copious amounts of wine, and hitting the peace pipe when distractions enter her mind, and it’s a mind that isn’t quite on the fast track to sanity. Her nights are spent peeling off her pasties, and teetering in heels while grinding on some horny fellas for cash at the local strip club. One night, while completely ignoring rule #1 for an exotic dancer (NO outside interaction with customers), she meets a suave Aussie named Brian (Naismith) who sweeps her off of her stilettos, all the while still hung up on the death of his wife after she killed herself in the bathtub. Her better judgement gets overthrown by her skewered thought patterns, and the two are soon doing the horizontal mambo back at her apartment and BOOM! Venus is in love…Houston, we’ve got a problem. After a short while, Brian decides his mind still isn’t in the right place following his wife’s suicide and he calls the relationship off – even bigger problem.

This sets off a volatile chain-reaction of events that must be seen, and I’d seriously be doing this excellently-crafted thriller a disservice if I spilled any more details, but rest assured, Venus goes above and beyond the levels of rational action here. With a dizzying array of nightmarish visions and actions, Knautz puts insanity on a silver platter, and leaves it in the hands of the audience as how to correctly view Venus and her delicate psyche. Mental disorders are certainly nothing to sneeze at, and the severity of Kendra’s character is definitely on a sliding scale – at times she’s docile and reclusive, and there are instances of blind rage and complete disassociation from her own mind. I can look at one specific point in the film when Venus looks at Brian after he’s delivered the crushing message of a break-up – the woman’s eyes alone convey a complete severance of sanity, and I honestly got the chills as if she was looking right through me – CHILLING STUFF. As the movie rolls along, the line between reality and fantasy is severely distorted, and you the viewer, is left to sift through the rubble that is Venus’s shattered perception.

Overall, I could absolutely recommend this one to viewers – but don’t look at it as a horror film, or even a thriller for that matter – this is a study in how far the mind can be frayed, and the frightening after effects of an otherwise depressing situation overcoming someone. The only caveat I could offer would be to NOT have this playing while you’re on a first or second date…or if you’re planning on a break-up.

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Universal Cable Productions to Move Forward with Wes Craven Projects

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Wes Craven may have passed on earlier this week, but his projects at Universal Cable Productions will reportedly live on. According to Deadline, UCP plans to sally forth with the first-look deal they struck with the legendary filmmaker four months prior to his death.

It is our intention to bring to life all the projects Wes developed at Universal Cable Productions. Thankfully these projects have benefitted greatly from his development and guidance since their inception. They will continue in his honor and spirit,” UCP said in a statement.

The folks at Deadline describe the Wes Craven projects as follows.

We Are All Completely Fine tells the story of Dr. Jan Sayer, an enigmatic psychologist who gathers survivors of five horror-movie scenarios in a support group – and unwittingly unlocks the evils of her patients’ pasts. As their traumas are brought back to the surface, they uncover which monsters they face are within — and which are lurking in plain sight. Craven is attached to write the script, and has signed on to direct the potential pilot.

The People Under The Stairs is described as a contemporary Downton Abbey meets The Amityville Horror. When a young woman goes missing at the grand Robeson Family Manor, her search unveils the centuries-old horrors that lie deep within the estate. Michael Reisz (Shadowhunters) is writing the adaptation.

Disciples is a sci-fi horror story set in the near future where the ultra-wealthy have become true masters of the universe, colonizing moons throughout the solar system.

Although the Nightmare on Elm Street director is no longer with us, at least his legion of faithful fans still have a few interesting projects from the master of horror looming on the horizon. This broken-hearted fan can rest a little easier knowing that his genius and creativity will live on.

Wes Craven

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Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Giant Monsters Attack Japan Still Alive at Paramount Animation

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Way back in 2006, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone started kicking around an idea called Giant Monsters Attack Japan. According to Variety, the flick was pitched as a comedic live-action take on the “giant rubber monsters” genre made popular by the likes of Godzilla. Nickelodeon were reportedly on deck to produce the movie, but like a lot of projects, it never came to fruition.

Although it’s been roughly nine years since we’ve heard anything regarding Giant Monsters Attack Japan, a sidenote in an Animation World Network article gives Parker and Stone fans hope that the flick is still alive. While discussing the upcoming animated Jetsons movie at Warner Bros, AWN mentioned that screenwriter Matt Lieberman had previously worked on Giant Monsters Attack Japan for Paramount Animation. This would suggest the project is no longer live action, but it could also mean we’ll get to see the story on the big screen at some point in the near future.

According to Split Sider, here’s the logline for Giant Monsters:

Prompted by a corporate transfer, a father and son move to Japan and find that all the fantastic elements of the son’s favorite Japanese movies – Godzilla, giant robots, secret ninja cults, etc. – are a real and borderline mundane aspect of everyday Japanese life.

It’s currently unknown if Trey Parker is still on board as director (Matt Stone was slated to produce the flick), but the fact that someone recently contributed a new script for the film is certainly good news. It’s not a definite yet, but it certainly bodes well for Parker and Stone’s cinematic trip to Japan.

Trey Parker Matt Stone Giant Monsters

The post Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Giant Monsters Attack Japan Still Alive at Paramount Animation appeared first on Dread Central.

Farewell to Wes – Guest Blog: Ben Rock

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I cannot express how truly saddened I am to learn of the passing of Wes Craven. For several of my formative years, he might as well have been my babysitter. A Freddy poster hung over my bed and inspired me to learn about monster makeup.

The Serpent and the Rainbow increased my interest in science, voodoo, surrealism, and lots of other subjects which remain a passion for me today. And to this day, his A Nightmare on Elm Steet remains my favorite representation of dream logic on film. May his work haunt many more generations.

— Ben Rock

Wes Craven

With the tragic passing of Wes Craven, literally everyone in the industry has been reeling and expressing love for the man and his work. Several people have been writing in to Dread Central to ask if it would be cool to post their thoughts. So this Farewell to Wes feature will be their opportunity to share their feelings and their thoughts with you, the horror community.

Some will be long, some will be short, but all are important and will be featured with love and caring. It’s our honor to be able to do this for the man who gave us so very much.

The post Farewell to Wes – Guest Blog: Ben Rock appeared first on Dread Central.

Exclusive Aliens/Vampirella Cover Joins Cannibals in September 2015 Box of Dread

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It was just yesterday that we told you cannibals are coming to the September 2015 Box of Dread. Today, we can also tell you that the Aliens/Vampirella Issue #1 crossover comic book from the combined forces of Dynamite and Dark Horse will be a part of the September 2015 Box of Dread too. On top of that, the comic book comes with a cover that is exclusive to Box of Dread!

So, don’t miss out on the September 2015 Box of Dread. Signups for this cannibalistic box end on September 9, 2015, at 11:59pm ET / 8:59pm PT. You have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

This is what the exclusive Aliens/Vampirella Issue #1 cover looks like, and only Box of Dread acolytes will receive the comic book in September:

Exclusive Aliens/Vampirella Cover Joins Cannibals In September 2015 Box Of Dread

This exclusive cover is drawn by artist and illustrator Dennis Calero, who is known for his work on titles such as X Factor, Legion of Superheroes, and Kolchak. Learn more about his work at http://denniscalero.com. Aliens/Vampirella is written by Corinna Bechko (Star Wars: Legacy) while the book is drawn by artist Javier García-Miranda.

Synopsis:
As established in Aliens/Vampirella #1, humans have begun to colonize Mars, but something ancient and sinister got there first. Vampirella, a supernatural exterminator, is faced with a mystery only she can solve… and the bloody realization that some monsters should never be awakened.

Related StoryDynamite Reveals Aliens/Vampirella Crossover Creative Team; See a Preview of Issue #1

VampiAliens01-01_flat VampiAliens01-02-copy VampiAliens01-03-copy AliensVampi01-04 VampiAliens01-06-copy AliensVampi01-12

Hurry! The sign-up period ends on September 9, 2015, at 11:59pm ET / 8:59pm PT. Again, you have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

Check out the latest unboxing videos from Box of Dread acolytes. Have you made your own unboxing video? Make sure to tag “Box of Dread” so that we can feature your unboxing video!

For even more pictures and videos, check out Box of Dread on Social Media!

The post Exclusive Aliens/Vampirella Cover Joins Cannibals in September 2015 Box of Dread appeared first on Dread Central.

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