The acclaimed sci-fi horror film Nightmare Code, starring Andrew J. West (“The Walking Dead”) and directed by Mark Netter, is headed to VOD September 29 and then DVD October 27; and recently Netter dropped us a line to talk about the flick.

Nightmare Code is a psychological sci-fi thriller about computerized behavior recognition, behavior modification, and 24/7 surveillance.

“Nightmare Code came out of something I learned working in video game development,” says Netter. “Prior to that experience I thought that any two programmers of comparable skill would write the same program with code that would be 95% similar. I learned instead that different programmers come up with vastly different coding solutions, meaning that somewhere deep inside every computer, every mobile phone, is the individual personality of a programmer – expressed as logic.

“But what if this personality, this logic, was sentient? And what if it was extremely pissed off?” Netter continues, “Based on that premise my co-writer, M.J. Rotondi, and I created R.O.P.E.R., a high-tech software and surveillance system that has the ability to accurately recognize human behavior in real time. R.O.P.E.R. (named so for “roping in” all the video in the wi-fi or cellular area) doesn’t just interpret what you say — it displays what you’re truly feeling. Although we wrote and shot this film several years prior to release, before behavior recognition companies existed, we appear to have predicted that very thing.”

“With a production budget of just $80,000, we chose a rigorous schema of surveillance camera, PC cam, and eyeglass cam shots that would be justified by the nature of OptDex, our beleaguered software start-up. We wanted to provide to the audience the geography of OptDex, so that the comfort of these recurring angles could be shattered when the events within them go haywire.”

Netter adds, “In post-production we settled on the quad screens that checkerboard the movie. The rule was to always think like R.O.P.E.R., whether editing over the intricate visual mosaic or creating the 600+ individual visual effects. The viewer feels that R.O.P.E.R. is telling them this story – and we believe ours is the first feature film ever told from the point of view of Artificial Intelligence. Imagine The Shining in a start-up as told by H.A.L. from 2001.”

“As the remaining employees at OptDex find themselves increasingly affected by R.O.P.E.R., the audience is also scanning the screen wondering who’s going to appear where next, creating a highly active visual experience. As for the uneasiness, R.O.P.E.R. does not disappoint.  Central to this story of technology outgrowing our grasp are the very human leads, Andrew J. West (‘The Walking Dead’), Mei Melançon (‘The L Word’), and Googy Gress (Apollo 13), who bring the uniquely modern characters of Brett, Nora, and Cotton to life, making palpable their drives, doubts, and passions.”

“Above all, we made Nightmare Code to open up a highly relevant conversation,” concludes Netter, “asking how our mastery of computer code is changing our basic human codes of behavior. Do we still control our tools, or are we (willingly) allowing our tools to take control of us?”

The post Mark Netter Keys in His Nightmare Code appeared first on Dread Central.

A new trailer for the puzzle horror game Gray Dawn has been released. The official synopsis on the game’s Steam page goes as follows…

It is 1910, Christmas Eve, and you’re a Swedish priest suspected of murdering one of his altar boys who just vanished into thin air a few days ago. Guilty or not, you find yourself trapped in the middle of strange events involving demonic possession and divine apparition. Your main goal is to find the boy and be sure that you won’t hear the “swoosh” of the blade of the guillotine.

Demonic manifestations will occur all the time, trying to lure you into delusion (reminding you of your past sins). Everything you’ll see in game will be of an extreme importance in order to escape this hell.

Gray Dawn is a first-person horror game that involves puzzle-solving.

This seems like it will be another game in the genre dubbed “walking simulators” like Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture and Gone Home. Although that may be seen as a derogatory term to some as it implies that the game features nothing other than walking around, I actually see it as more of a compliment as it means that these games, if done right, can be truly innovative and offer different types of gameplay than what we are accustomed to.

The post New Trailer for Steam Game Gray Dawn appeared first on Dread Central.

Killer Rack, a screwball horror comedy produced in Buffalo, New York, will have its world premiere at the Scare-a-Con Film Festival, held in conjunction with the Scare-a-Con horror convention at the Turning Stone casino resort in Verona, New York. The film screens Friday, September 11th, at 5 pm ET and Saturday, September 12th, at 3 pm ET.

An awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, and the film has been nominated for Best Feature, Best Actress (Jessica Zwolak), and Best Director (Gregory Lamberson). Zwolak and Lamberson are residents of Buffalo, as is screenwriter and co-producer Paul McGinnis.

In addition, Killer Rack is an Official Selection at the Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival in Northern Ireland (October 22nd), Fright Night Theatre Film Festival in Hamilton, Ontario (November 14th), and several others which have yet to publicly announce their lineups.

“We submitted to over 60 festivals around the world which run through the summer,” Lamberson says. “Because our film is a comedy, we want it to be seen by as many people as possible in an audience and on a big screen. Film festivals have become the closest alternative to a theatrical release for indie filmmakers, but submitting to them is an expensive process and a competitive one, entailing a lot of waiting.”

Killer Rack tells the story of Betty Downer (Zwolak), an insecure woman who obtains breast enhancement surgery, only to discover her new assets are Lovecraftian monsters hell-bent on world domination. The cast includes genre favorites Debbie Rochon, Lloyd Kaufman, and Brooke Lewis and many Buffalo-Niagara actors including McGinnis, Robert Bozek, and Sam Qualiana.

Tickets for Scare-a-Con can be purchased in advance through the event’s website or at the door.

For more info visit the official Gregory Lamberson website and “like” Killer Rack on Facebook.

The post Killer Rack Announces World Premiere and First Film Festival Dates appeared first on Dread Central.

Now is the best time to be a horror gamer, as Steam allows imaginative independent creators who major publishers would usually take no notice of to get their work out there.

The new first-person horror game Inner Chains (announcement trailer below) is one such example.

Here’s some more info from the game’s official website:

Inner Chains is an FPS (18+) horror embedded in an unprecedented surreal world. The objective of the player is to understand and unravel the mysteries of the mystical world while overcoming many dangers created by the biomechanical environment.

The world in which we find ourselves in Inner Chains no longer resembles the one we know. It is the world that is hunting us – we are a small part of it trying to unravel its mysteries.

Throwing you into the dark and mysterious world, we want to make you feel lost, discover it piece by piece and learn to use it against enemies. In designing the levels, we want them always to have more than just one way to the goal. We will not walk you through it. We will only give you clues. How you handle this alien and hostile place depends entirely on you.

From forgotten, mountain ruins through a dangerous forest where flora and fauna are our mortal enemies to the great temples built by a mysterious castle, whose existence and objectives hide many secrets – wandering through this world you will be able to learn about the story carved in these places and use it to fight the enemy.

If that got you hooked, then here’s some more insight from Tomasz Strzalkowski, CEO of the developer, Telepaths’ Tree:

“By throwing gamers into this dark and mysterious universe, we wanted to make them feel a bit lost at the beginning. But in the same time to encourage them to discover its secrets, so soon enough they learn how to use the environment against their enemies. Our approach when designing the levels was to always give players more than just one way to achieve their goal. We didn’t want to lead them by the hand, as the freedom of how you handle the situation was one of our top priorities. So instead we’ve implemented a system of clues and hints that will help gamers find the right solution. But how they’ll face this or other opponents or the hostile place depends entirely on them.”

I don’t know about you, but my attention is sure as hell chained to this game (sorry).

The post New Game Inner Chains Announced for Steam appeared first on Dread Central.

Earth Defense Force is known for its cheap low-budget charm.  AAA it ain’t, but fun in its own guilty pleasure style way it is. Nothing is more testament to that than the title of the next game in the series, Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space. I mean, it’s called Planet Space! Come on!

The games in the series are throwbacks to classic giant monster movies, and as you can see in the trailer below, they’ve parodied the typical conventions of a ’50s sci-fi flick.

The trailer also features a very familiar looking giant lizard. They seem to have added a horn to his head to avoid copyright claims, clearly taking note of how Toho took action against Anne Hathaway’s Colossal. Watch the trailer yourself and tell me that creature isn’t obviously meant to be Godzilla.

In addition to “Not Godzilla,” the giant bugs, flying saucers and giant robots look cool. Blowing them to pieces will be a blast.

Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space will be released in the US for the PS Vita on October 20, 2015.

The post New Trailer for Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space Shows a Very Familiar Looking Creature appeared first on Dread Central.

As part of his fan appreciation tour, Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno will be playing in Los Angeles on September 15, and we’re giving away ten pairs of tickets to the event!

To enter for your chance to win, just send an email to contests@dreadcentral.com including your FULL NAME and preferred EMAIL ADDRESS. ENTRANTS MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE AND IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA (transportation is NOT included)!

This contest will end at 12:01 AM PT on September 14th.

The Green Inferno will open in theaters September 25, 2015. Directed by Roth, the film stars Lorenza Izzo, Ariel Levy, Kirby Bliss Blanton, Sky Ferreira, Daryl Sabara, and Aaron Burns.

Synopsis:
How far would you go for a cause you believe in? In Eli Roth’s terrifying new film, The Green Inferno, a group of college students take their humanitarian protest from New York to the Amazon jungle only to be taken prisoner by the indigenous tribe they came to save. The Green Inferno marks Eli Roth’s return to directing for the big screen for the first time since his Hostel franchise and tells the story of what happens when “slacktavism,” the well-meaning social media response to global catastrophes, turns into terror in the depths of the Amazon rainforest.

Dark and primitive customs still rule the Amazon jungle: cannibalism and other mind, body, and soul-destroying rituals. Trapped in the village, these high-tech modern-world students experience the ultimate in primal barbaric terror, suffering unspeakable acts of violence in intense and chilling rituals reserved only for the most threatening intruders.

The post Win Tickets to the L.A. Screening of The Green Inferno appeared first on Dread Central.

Are you one of the many people who played the Resident Evil games and thought the only thing the series was missing was a stylish designer handbag? The thing that Resident Evil fans should never be caught without? No. Well, I don’t think that anyone else thought that either, but whether fans wanted it or not, they’re gonna get it.

The fashion brand Sixh has created the following Resident Evil accessories that can be yours from September 11. If you’re gonna slaughter zombies, you better do it in style.

The post Resident Evil Fashion Accessories Going on Sale Soon appeared first on Dread Central.

Hello, Dread Central readers! As a haunt reviewer located in the tri-state area, this year we will be bringing our reviews to the Dread Central universe. We have compiled a preview of some of favorite haunted attractions for the 2015 Haunt Season and look forward to providing up-to-date information and news throughout the year.

We are proud to be a part of Dread Central and look forward to hearing from you. Please follow us at The Haunt Spot on 570.com and Scranton Haunted Reviews as well!

As we approach the Haunt Season, haunt owners, staff members and creative consultants are hard at work putting on the final touches of enhancing their attractions for 2015. Last year we covered twenty-two haunted attractions and hope to visit more locations this year. Several haunted attractions have added new scenes, sets, themes, additional attractions and content this year.

This article will serve as a brief snapshot and preview of what to expect for the 2015 Haunt Season from some of our favorite haunted attractions.

Reapers Revenge – Web Page here.
Location: 460 Green Grove Rd, Olyphant, PA 18447

Preview:
Reaper’s Revenge has consistently evolved and improved its haunted attraction over the past few years in an effort to make it one of the best overall attractions in the tri-state area. Last year Reaper’s Revenge added a massive post-apocalyptic themed walk-through attraction “Sector 13” which was extremely popular among guests. This year Reaper’s Revenge continues to build off the success of previous years, expanding and improving on all aspects of the attraction. The haunted hayride, which we felt needed an update is set to feature some major changes, and the attraction has added some new key staff members whom have veteran experience in the industry.  Reaper’s Revenge has been our favorite overall attraction each year as it combines a multitude of different horror genres to generate fear from all guests. From zombies, to clowns, to pitch darkness, Reaper’s Revenge promises to continue to be one of the best haunted attractions in the tri-state area.

Reaper’s Revenge is composed of four attractions; “Haunted Hayride,” “Sector 13,” “Pitch Black,” “Lost Carnival.”

What to look for in 2015:
Look for an expanded and improved Haunted Hayride. Reaper’s Revenge has added several new veteran staff members to its staff which will help enhance the attractions creativity and quality. Owner Paul Kotran has informed us that the attraction has hired Nic Wessely as a set designer, co-director of operations. Nic has vast experience in the haunted attraction industry, has worked at major haunted attractions such as Nightmare New England, Terror on the Fox and was a part of Bad Boys Scenic Design. Nic is joined by Emmy award winning FX artist Eric Lusk (http://www.creaturecabin.com), who will be working with the creative staff at Reaper’s Revenge.  Eric has worked on major motion pictures such as; Spiderman 3, The Omen, X-Men 3, Rocky Balboa, Monster House along with extensive television experience.

Brighton Asylum – Web Page here.

Location: 2 Brighton Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055

Preview:
The Brighton Asylum has continued to improve over the past two years we have visited this attraction. This year, the Brighton Asylum has been entirely revamped to include two haunted attractions; The Brighton Asylum and The Tunnel, along with two escape rooms. The Brighton Asylum includes some of the most unique, detailed set pieces coupled with actors who have continuously improved their level of interaction with guests each year.  This is an extremely popular attraction, and utilizes timed ticketing which helps keep the attraction a unique experience for each group. The ownership and staff of the Brighton Asylum are committed to improving and changing the attraction each year incorporating new interactive elements such as escape rooms.  Furthermore, the Brighton Asylum hosts several off-season attractions which are equally entertaining and disturbing, ranging from a Christmas themed haunt to a Valentine’s Day attraction.

What to look for in 2015:
The Brighton Asylum has been completely revamped and changed for the 2015 haunt season. If you have visited this attraction before, it is a must return as they have added three new attractions in addition to their Brighton Asylum walkthrough.

The Legend of the Brighton Asylum:
Brighton Asylum was used for housing psychologically damaged individuals back in the 1940’s but was closed permanently in 1952 due to a multitude of reasons, many not even fully uncovered to this day. The state came in to inspect the facility but to date, no such report can be found.  In 2011, Brighton Asylum was re-opened to the public, but as a haunted attraction.  So only those who have actually visited Brighton Asylum have any semblance of an idea of went on in there.  The Tunnel system was presumably used for medical deliveries and bypassing certain parts of the asylum.

The Brighton Asylum is composed of two core attractions and two escape rooms;

“Brighton Asylum” – Brighton Asylum is an interactive haunted attraction that incorporates detailed set pieces, animatronics, CGI effects, and intense actors. This attraction has continuously improved over the past two years, utilizing misdirection, set designs, and sound effects to create a terrifying experience.

“The Tunnel” – The Tunnel is a new walk-through attraction below the grounds of the Brighton Asylum. This attraction will feature patient experiments, hidden living quarters and actors hidden beneath the grounds. The Tunnel will only be open for the Halloween season and not during the off-season attractions.

“Dead Escape” (Escape Games Room) – Guests will be trapped in a room by a “maniac” who has released a virus that turns victims into zombies. Guests will have to work together to use clues left behind to escape the room within four minutes.

“Lab Lockdown” (Escape Games Room) – Guests will play the role of DEA agents investigating “Dr. Van Houten” and his lab. Guests will be poisoned upon entering this escape room and have four minutes to find the antidote to this poison.

Bonus Interview with Brighton Asylum Owner Rich Gonci

How did you get started in the haunt industry?

Rich:  I got started in the haunt industry back in 2004, co-operating an outdoor haunted attraction at a local farm.  It was always tough fighting the weather and having to constantly take the haunt up and down in such a short period of time.  But even so, it was always a passion, and we thoroughly enjoyed the planning and building that went into it every year.   After 6 years, I think we all knew that going indoors was the ultimate goal, and given our current situation of having to constantly put things up and take things down, we knew we could create something really unique and special given the right circumstances.  Brighton Asylum was definitely it!

How would you describe Brighton Asylum’s growth and evolution? What is the general history of your haunt?

Rich: Fast! Word got out about Brighton Asylum like wild fire.  People would come asking all sorts of questions about the backstory of the asylum.  “Was this really an asylum” they would ask?  There was never a shortage of speculation about what might have happened here, who might have been housed here, etc. The word of mouth was staggering and continues to do this day.  Just this past season, The Today Show visited us, and one of the lead anchors, Tamron Hall, tore a muscle in her throat from screaming so much and so often.  It is things like this that have peaked the interest of people.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a haunt owner?

Rich: There is so much that goes into the creation and operation of a successful haunted attraction, I think many people see the lines and say “I can do that”.  Maybe they can.  But it’s massive work 365 days a year for perhaps just 15-20 days of operation depending on your calendar.  Brighton Asylum has an operational Calendar of almost 30 days because we operate off season as well, but even 30 days is a small window to earn for 365 days.  I would say that the biggest challenge is organizing all of the pieces that must be put in place to ensure the totality of the operation.  There is so much that must be done to open, from hiring, training, managing, designing sets, costuming, safety inspecting, advertising, marketing, etc., and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.  I could go on for a paragraph on all that must be done.  But that’s where it is important to have good people, delegate responsibility and be a good leader.

How do you prepare your staff and management for the upcoming haunt season?

Rich: This is one area I think we excel in because of the calendar we take on each year.  We operate not only for the full Halloween season, but for Christmas, Valentines weekend, and then once per month through May or June depending on the year.  It keeps all of us in top shape, and more effective at spotting areas that need to be changed, updated, or perhaps even built upon if we already have a solid foundation that is working well.

What is your opinion on “extreme” or physical haunted attractions?

Rich: Some of these events I wouldn’t categorize as haunted attractions at all.  Some of these more extreme events I would categorize as more “abduction” scenarios.  Customers enter usually 1 at a time and have to complete a wide variety of tasks while being impeded in a multitude of ways.  Throughput is very slow, but entertainment value can be very high for those who enjoy this sort of experience.  On the flip side, haunted attractions adding a physical element to their haunt are going to want to keep their throughput high so there will be less opportunity for that type of show, and more of a touch, grab, separate, etc. type of thing going on, which is not nearly as extreme, but adds a lot to the scare itself because that place of safety for the customer is now broken down.  No longer can a customer go through a haunted attraction declaring “haha, I am safe, you can’t touch me”.  Now it’s “oh crap, these things can grab me!  Now what??”  And we have found at Brighton Asylum, that people really like it.  We don’t go super extreme, I mean, we aren’t picking people up and throwing them down an elevator shaft, but it’s interaction where the actor is not only depicting a character with words and movements, but now with that added element of physical contact where the actor can bring all those elements together to create a more interactive experience for the guest.  We don’t do “contact” versions throughout the season due to throughput concerns, but we have contact nights Thursdays later in the month, and then very often during the off season.  So we have plenty of opportunities for those who wish to experience it. At Brighton Asylum, the contact is optional during our contact nights, so even those who do not wish to be touched can still attend.

Are there any misconceptions that you feel customers or the public have about the industry?

Rich: Sure.  I think that one very important misconception customers have about our industry, is that somehow, we can control the pace at which people walk through our attractions.  I am referring to groups catching up to each other inside the haunt. It can’t be helped unless a haunt is using guides at the front and back of every group.  Otherwise, people walk at different paces and as a result, groups WILL catch up to each other at some point inside an attraction.  Putting more space between groups is of course one option, but even that is not fool proof if the group your timer just waited 2 minutes to put through (instead of 30 seconds for example) is now running through the attraction at top speed while the group in front of them is shuffling along at a snail’s pace.  At Brighton Asylum, we have moved to reservation based ticketing in order to help alleviate this problem.

Any advice for someone who would like to enter into this industry?

Rich: Sure! Do NOT open a haunted attraction unless you have consulted with a professional haunted attraction consultant first or owner with at least 10 years’ experience at the very least.  Learn the business.  Don’t look at the long lines, count customers, and say “I can make money with this”, because you won’t.  You will lose your shirt.  Most haunts fail in the first 2-3 years.   So if you are really serious about opening a haunted attraction, learn the business, have a plan, and make sure the numbers add up FIRST.  That is your best chance for success in the industry.  Happy haunting!

Haunted Scarehouse – Web Page here.

Location: 105 W Dewey Avenue, Wharton, New Jersey

Preview:
The Haunted Scarehouse consists of two terrifying attractions; “The House of Nightmares” and “The Attic,” spread over two floors. Two years ago we first visited the Haunted Scarehouse and while entertained found the attraction to be lacking in several areas such as actor interaction, and set design. Last year, we visited the Haunted Scarehouse as a last minute attraction and were blown away. This attraction has totally upped its game to become one of the best attractions in the tri-state area. The Haunted Scarehouse incorporates impressive, expensive set designs, technology and intense, interactive actors to generate scares in both of its two haunted attractions. The actor quality coupled with some of the most interactive set pieces make this a must visit haunted attraction experience that utilizes modern technology. “Key cards” trigger unique set experiences for guests and allow patrons to become direct participants in the haunted attraction. This year the Haunted Scarehouse has also added a third additional attraction, the Trapped Escape room.

What to Look for in 2015:
The Haunted Scarehouse is a must visit haunted attraction. This year look for the new Trapped escape room, which guests will be trapped inside one of four rooms; the den, bathroom, playroom and kitchen.  Guests will have five minutes to escape the room to avoid the psychotic “Hayden” family.

Halls of Horror – Web Page here.

Location: 320 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, Pa 18071

Preview:
The Halls of Horror is one of the most terrifying, extreme and mature haunted attractions in the tri-state area. The set designs, themes and insane actors found within the confines of the Halls of Horror take aspects of extreme haunted attractions and incorporate old-school creativity to create a horror movie come-to-life that goes beyond one’s expectations. The Halls of Horror offers a special unique experience known as the “Blood Experience” that is a must visit for any fan of horror and Halloween. The attraction is physical, mentally exhausting and entertaining at the same time. Twisted actors will make you feel fear, some will make you laugh and you will feel as accomplished as you complete this haunted attraction. This is not your typical haunted house experience, you and your party will be the only guests in a disturbing nightmare that is of the highest quality. Disturbing, gritty set designs and larger than life monster actors make this attraction stand out amongst the pack. Again this attraction is intense, and is for mature audiences.

What to look for in 2015:
Each year the Halls of Horror adds sets, and new scares to its intense haunted attraction experience. If you are able to, chose the Blood Experience option for a unique, intense and personal experience that will not be forgotten.

Fear Hollow and Deadwoods Haunted Trail – Web Page here.

Location: 1600 Church Road Mountain Top, PA 18707

Preview:
Fear Hollow features two haunted attractions; an indoor walk-through Haunted House known as “Mayhem on the Mountain”, and an outdoor walking trail, the “Deadwoods Haunted Trail”. This attraction has continuously improved over the past three years, and last year featured one of the best outdoor walking haunted attractions that we have ever visited. Fear Hollow’s “Deadwoods Haunted Trail” incorporates several indoor walk-through set pieces including an abandoned mine, and insane asylum along a dark, dimly lit path. The indoor haunted house incorporates aspects of traditional haunted attractions along with quality actors and set designs which improve each year.

What to look for in 2015:
Fear Hollow continues to add set pieces, and designs to its already excellent haunted attractions. This year the attraction has renamed its haunted house to “Mayhem on the Mountain” and we expect to see several changes and new additions to the “Deadwoods Haunted Trail.”

Dracula’s Forest – Web Page here.

Location: 2828 Rock Rd, Clarks Summit, PA 18411

Preview:
Dracula’s Forest is a traditional haunted hayride that has been a staple in Northeast Pennsylvania for the past 32 years. The haunted hayride incorporates incredible atmosphere and disturbing classic scenes to provide an entertaining haunted attraction experience. The design of the hayride and atmosphere of Dracula’s Forest is the perfect setting for this attraction and we hope Dracula’s Forest increases its intensity for the 2015 season. What is exciting for this year is the addition of a new attraction “The Walk of Doom”. This outdoor walk-through attraction is the first new attraction at Dracula’s Forest in several years.

What to look for in 2015:
“The Walk of Doom” attraction is an exciting addition to Dracula’s Forest. “The Walk of Doom” will place guests on a journey through an outdoor path which promises to cater to mature haunted attraction fans. Guests can be dragged off the path, and will travel in small groups throughout the dense forest. This is the first new attraction at Dracula’s Forest since the Shockwalk and we are excited to see what they have planned.

Hotel of Horror – Web Page here.

Location: Cherry Valley Rd, Saylorsburg, PA 18353

Preview:
The Hotel of Horror consists of two highly detailed and mature haunted attractions; “Zombie’s Revenge” and “Altered Nightmare’s Voodoo.” Historically, the Hotel of Horror has been one of the most detailed and psychologically terrifying haunted attractions in the Poconos/Northeast PA.  The makeup designs and set themes found in this attraction are of the highest quality and the location of the attraction; the Lake House Hotel contributes to the atmosphere of both unique attractions.

What to look for in 2015:
The Hotel of Horror has added a new attraction for the 2015 season. “Coffin Coach” – a dark ride that takes guests on a trip through the afterlife, and iPas which allows guests to monitor visitors of the Hotel of Horror, and trigger selected animatronics to terrify  guests.

Brokenhearts Asylum – Web Page here.

Location: PA-118, Dallas, PA 18612

Preview:
The Brokenhearts Asylum returns for the 2015 haunt season. Little is known yet about this attraction but it was previously one of the most intense, interactive and extreme haunts in Northeast Pennsylvania.

What to look for in 2015:
Stay tuned for more information about the return of the Brokenhearts Asylum!

Field of Screams – Web Page here.

Location: 191 College Ave, Mountville, PA 17554

Preview:
Field of Screams is one of the best mainstream haunted attractions you can visit for the 2015 season. Field of Screams is composed of four unique haunted attractions, each which are extremely detailed, have some of the best actors and effects found in any haunted attractions.  Every year Field of Screams continues to expand and improve each of its four attractions and has added a new building to its haunted hayride. Field of Screams is another extremely popular attraction and we suggest you visit them early in the season or purchase a VIP pass. Last year we found the “Nocturnal Wasteland” walk-through attraction to be one of the most impressive outdoor attractions that we have ever visited which incorporates impressive special effects and actors who work tirelessly to scare.

Field of Screams is composed of four core attractions and hosts various special events throughout the season; “Haunted Hayride,” “Den of Darkness,” “Frightmare Asylum,” and “Nocturnal Wasteland.”

What to look for in 2015:
Expanded haunted hayride and improvements to all attractions. Field of Screams continues to expand and improve in all areas of its operation as a major mainstream haunted attraction.

Bates Motel Haunted Hayride – Web Page here.

Location: 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills, PA, 19342

Preview:
The Bates Motel Haunted Hayride is celebrating its 25^th season and is doing so by bringing back famous sets/scenes from its history. The Bates Motel boasts one of the most technologically impressive haunted hayrides that has massive animatronics, and sets which incorporate Hollywood quality effects such as large scale explosions and impressive sound effects. The Bates Motel Haunted Hayride is one of the most popular haunted attractions in the country, and while not the most intense haunted attraction is a must visit for the impressive set designs, and characters found throughout each attraction.

The Bates Motel Haunted Hayride is composed of three unique attractions; “Haunted Hayride,” “Haunted Corn Maze,” and “Bates Motel” walk-through attraction.

What to look for in 2015:
The Bates Motel is celebrating its 25^th anniversary by adding in several scenes/sets from years past. This year the attraction has also updated its theme for the “Haunted Corn Maze.” The “Haunted Corn Maze”’s theme “Revenge of the Scarecrow”, incorporates new sets, scenes, and monsters for the 25^th anniversary. Also look for the return of a flying Dracula and the Headless Horseman.

Pennhurst Asylum – Web Page here.

Location: Church St & Bridge St. Spring City, PA 19475

Preview:
The Pennhurst Asylum haunted attraction was one of the most improved, and scariest haunted attractions visited in 2014. The attraction boasts high-tech, movie quality scenes and intense actors that make this a must visit. While the attraction’s price may be steep, the quality of each set is second to none. The atmosphere of the Pennhurst Asylum alone sets the perfect tone for an experience that is interactive, mature, and well above most mainstream haunted attractions. We recommend that you attend this attraction early in the season, or purchase a VIP pass due to the extensive lines which do hinder the experience. This year Pennhurst promises to add to each of its four attractions, and while it does not appear that any new buildings are open this year, hopefully more corridors of the asylum and its tunnel system will be made available to explore.

What to look for in 2015:
Improvements made to all four attractions. Pennhurst Asylum is composed of four core attractions;

“Pennhurst Asylum” – A hospital themed walk thru attraction featuring many items and artifacts that were part of the original State School. Located on the upper floors of the old Administration building, which dates to 1908, this attraction features a combination of high tech animatronics, digital sound and motivated actors, as well as fine detail and realism. The attraction has advertised new props, and made many changes for the upcoming season. This was the first attraction opened at the Pennhurst haunted attraction and last year incorporated several interactive scenes including actors who separated guests from their parties for unique experiences. A mature themed haunt, with actors who have some of the most impressive make-up designs you will see in any haunted attraction.

“The Dungeon of Lost Souls” – Features a labyrinth of old cells, drafty halls and a series of human experiments that have gone horribly wrong. This show includes CGI special effects, illusions, great detail and aggressive actors.

“The Tunnel Terror” – “The Tunnel Terror” attraction takes you through a 900 foot long gauntlet underneath the grounds of the old Pennhurst State School.  “The Tunnel of Terror” incorporates strobe lights, fog and darkness to misdirect guests as they travel through catacombs, and disturbing set pieces. The Tunnel of Terror is one of the scariest attractions at Pennhurst and promises to continue to add new scares this year.

“Ghost Hunt” – “Ghost Hunt” is a self-guided tour of the Mayflower Building, which is considered to be the most active paranormal site at the Pennhurst campus. This attraction allows guests to explore the dormitory and has added a new walking tour of an abandoned section of the property.

Fright Factory – Web Page here.

Location: 38 Jackson St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Preview:
Fright Factory is a gritty, intense haunted attraction located in an industrial district of Philadelphia. The set designs, use of darkness, and mature themes found throughout the Fright Factory make for a disturbing haunted attraction experience. This year the Fright Factory is continuing to renovate and expand. The industrial atmosphere of the attraction coupled with the disturbing set designs, and use of tight corridors make this a must visit experience. Last year the attraction maintained its intensity right until its finale, and we hope to see what changes they have made for this year.

What to look for in 2015:
Fright Factory has been renovated and expanded for the 2015 haunt season.

We will continue to report information on other tri-state based haunted attractions on a regular basis. We are excited to see what all attractions have in store for the 2015 season and look forward to seeing how each attraction improves throughout the season. Several haunts have several new themes this year including “escape rooms” which should add a whole new element of suspense and interactivity to the haunted attraction experience. Thank you for your continued support as we continue to expand this year!

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Starring Jonathan Howard, Fanny Valette, Jess Liaudin, Jonathan Demurger

Directed by Julien Seri

It’s been two years since Manchester native Chris (Howard) suddenly upped and left his life in Paris behind, skipping shores back to the UK. Now he’s returning to, apprehensively, re-initiate contact with his old friend Luc (Demurger) and ex-girlfriend Ludivine (Valette).

To his visible upset, it seems that in Chris’ absence, Ludivine has moved on romantically to an awkward relationship with hopped-up party boy Luc, and the wedge between the group is immediately apparent.

When he’s taken for a night out on the town by Luc, Chris decides – against his better judgement – to tag along on a cross-town trip to Luc’s friend’s apartment. On the way, the pair flag down a taxi manned by a disconcertingly silent and stony-faced driver (Liaudin) – and on reaching their destination, Luc decides to pull a runner instead of paying the man. Penniless Chris is therefore forced to do the same… and so begins a frantic night of terror for the pair as the wronged driver relentlessly hunts them down – his meter running the entire time.

Ultra-stylish and pulsing with a fantastic synth score, Julien Seri’s Night Fare is a tense and, at times, brutal chase flick that keeps the adrenaline pumping throughout. Jess Liaudin’s lethal taxi driver is a soon-to-be-legendary new entry into the stalker stables – sporting impeccable costume design that renders his muscular bulk all the more intimidating and a silent-but-violent modus operandi that comes across like a mixture of Matt Cordell, Jason Voorhees and The Terminator‘s T-800.

As Chris and Luc cross paths with vicious drug dealers and dirty cops, their ruthless pursuer is always just a few steps behind, ready to lay waste to anyone standing between him and his targets – yet, adding an extra layer of depth to the story, he does appear to have something of a moral code behind the threatening veneer; he isn’t just an indiscriminate killer.

As the night wears on, Night Fare‘s visuals continue to impress, with some aesthetically impressive presentations of the Driver’s vehicle stalking the neon-lit Paris streets like a shark following the scent of blood. Alongside the meter visibly ticking up as scenes change – you get the impression that there’s truly going to be hell to pay for this particular ride – the human drama also unfolds between Chris, Luc and Ludivine, leading to the revelation of just what happened to cause Chris to skip country without so much as a nod in his girlfriend’s direction.

And a revelation it most certainly is, painting a much deeper picture of the characters and creating a visible arc to Chris that works even as it allows the main focus to remain on the chase – something which he comes to believe may be some form of cosmic penance for past transgressions.

It all leads to a swift change of tactic for the finale, which delivers a surprisingly well presented animated sequence and uncovers a completely unexpected mythology behind the role of the uncompromising taxi driver. Perspectives shift, a box of surprises is opened and Night Fare elevates its villain from silent killer to something different altogether. Yes – it does, regrettably, slow the pacing abruptly but it’s a turn so compelling that this minor wrongdoing can be immediately forgiven in favour of one word… “Wow.”

Flawlessly presented, delivering excellent performances and one of the best on-screen antagonists in a hell of a long time, Night Fare is a tension-filled sleeper hit that has much more going on under the hood than you’d expect. Vicious violence underpins a tale of sin, repentance and redemption in the most unlikely of places. Enjoy the ride – it’s one of the best you’ll take all year.

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Last Halloween season marked the launch of Fun Size Horror, a week-long showcase of short horror films that were spread across the online horror community. Those shorts have since been compiled into an anthology feature, available on VOD, and now the fun returns this year. Read on!

Fun Size Horror: Volume 2 aims to terrify and delight viewers with short films that explore horror from every angle, from elevated suspense-thrillers and creature features, to hauntings and twisted animations; all made into bite size pieces. Like a bag of Halloween candy, Fun Size Horror is exciting, unexpected…and of course, a little dangerous.

Zeke Pinheiro, Mali Elfman, and Michael May are the forces behind Fun Size Horror, and this year an entire online platform has been launched to showcase all the original shorts that will be part of the festivities. For those who want to show their work off to the world, submissions are currently being accepted.

Starting October 15th, you’ll find your Fun Size Horror hosts providing original programming featuring new horror films with Karen Gillan, Tracie Thoms, Adi Shankar, James Ransone and more.

Head over to FunSizeHorror.com to start digging in. For now, select shorts from Volume One can be viewed.

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You know how students are often told about how important their school assignments are, how they will determine their future, etc.? Well, for Class 3-E, failing their assignment will mean the destruction of the world. How’s that for student motivation?

That’s the basis of Yūsei Matsui’s Assassination Classroom manga, in which a mysterious, seemingly omnipotent and indestructible octopus-like creature dubbed Koro-Sensei (unkillable teacher) decides to teach a class of hopeless students. He also vows to destroy the Earth within a year, so the students are promised a huge cash reward if they can kill him. But not only does he evade all their assassination attempts, but he also proves to be such a great teacher that they start to have second thoughts. The series has sold over four million copies in Japan.

With the first film having its US premiere at the Austin Fantastic Fest, a poster for the sequel, titled Assassination Classroom: Graduation, has made its way online. It shows everyone’s favourite teacher looking proud on the day of his students’ graduation, accompanied by a tagline which translates as “Please don’t forget me.” Because having an invincible octopus as a teacher is really something that would slip your mind.

The sequel will feature an assassin from the manga known as “The God of Death,” who is hired to kill Koro-Sensei.

Assassination Classroom: Graduation will be released in Japan next year.

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Starring Fabrizio Pugliese, Ketty Volpe, Alessia DeBlasi

Directed by Enrico Conte

While this was certainly one of the shortest shorts I’ve ever reviewed, that certainly didn’t mean that director Enrico Conte’s wonderful quickie called Leaning was devoid of creepiness or gore.

The short begins with a woman (Volpe) listening on a small transistor radio about the local horror that has befallen several innocent people around the small town she resides in, all at the expense of a mysterious serial killer. Enter one scraggly, worn-down priest with an attitude (Pugliese) and a crucifix-stake to do his dirty work.

Due to the fact that this was such a rapid-fire time killer, the ability to spill any further details would certainly ruin any amount of fun you’d have by checking this one out.

With a few nice splashings of gore (and a small bit of lame CGI), the bloodhounds should be appeased, and the visual styling of a grayed-out village serves as an eye-pleaser and sets the stage for a sweet payoff. Plainly put, absolute minimal dialogue (other than a radio transmission) and some moderate violence all add up to a fun watch that shouldn’t be passed up when it’s released upon the populous.

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At this time we here at Dread Central would like to take a moment to reflect on and honor the memories of our friends and family who were lost to us over a decade ago on September 11th. The passage of time has done nothing to ease the pain. You’ll always be loved and remembered.

And here’s to our troops. Thank you so much for continuing to fight for us every day. Get home safe.

“The ocean is full ’cause everyone’s crying
The full moon is looking for friends at high tide
The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow’s denied
I only know my mind
I am mine
And the feeling it gets left behind
All the innocence lost at one time
Significance behind the eyes
There’s no need to hide
We’re safe tonight” – Pearl Jam, “I Am Mine”

God bless.

– The Dread Central Family

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Chaos breaks out when a block of flats finds itself under biological attack in Neil McEnery-West’s horror/thriller Containment. In celebration of the film now being available on VOD and DVD in the US, and the upcoming September 11 UK theatrical release, we have an exclusive making-of clip for you guys to sink your teeth into!

For more information head on over to the We Are Colony website.

Synopsis:
Mark, a failed artist estranged from his wife and son, wakes one morning to discover that the doors and windows of his flat have been sealed shut. He assumes it’s a sick joke until he sees an army of “Hazmats” – mysterious figures in protective suits – patrolling the grounds and snatching his fellow residents. When a neighbor smashes through their adjoining wall, Mark joins forces with his newfound ally and others from within the block. Together, they must work to defend themselves from the sinister Hazmats, but when they discover that the real danger is trapped inside the building, tempers fray and fear takes over. Loyalties are tested to their limits as friends and families turn against each other in an adrenaline-fueled fight for survival.

The post Exclusive Video – The Making of Containment appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Emma Dark, Carey Thring, Anthony Ilott

Directed by Emma Dark

With all of the grandeur and promise of an Underworld clone, director/actress Emma Dark’s vampirific Seize the Night actually manages to inject a little badassery into its jugular and really needs to see the light of day as a full-length feature to aid in its growth.

Dark plays Eva, a bloodsucker who looks pretty darn fetching in her black leather combat duds – she’s a former assassin who now kills for the love of it, rather than for a financial boost as a bonus. Her latest escape from a research facility has a pack of hired guns hunting her down, and the wolves she’d previously sworn to war against now may prove to be her only ally. While it may sound vaguely familiar, it really does manage to entertain on a few levels, outside of its doppelganger-like appearance.

With bluish-tones washing over all characters and some detailed fight scenes, the short (12 minutes) is competent at hooking you in and delivering a nice dose of nightcrawling action and suspense, all the while looking impressive visually for something that, while contained, should flourish nicely if there ever produces an opportunity to let this thing fully extend its bat wings, full-feature-wise. Definitely worth a peek once it becomes readily available to the masses.

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Terror Behind the Walls, America’s largest haunted house, is located inside the massive, castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This extraordinary theatrical production, consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the nation, runs select evenings from September 18 through November 7, 2015.

Terror Behind the Walls begins with a critical decision for visitors: Should they explore the prison and watch the action, or should they mark themselves to truly interact with the denizens of the cellblocks? Those who opt in for true interactivity may be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden passageways, removed from their group, and even incorporated into the show. They will deal with the consequences of their decision through six long attractions.

To celebrate its 25th season of scares, Terror Behind the Walls unveils the most ambitious redesign in the history of the event – two groundbreaking new attractions:

Inside Quarantine: 4D, visitors learn of an infectious outbreak, whose symptoms include hallucinations, blurry vision, distorted depth perception, and other mind-altering effects. Flat walls appear to have depth, creatures emerge from (seemingly) nowhere, and some brave visitors will be challenged to face their worst fears.

Also new for 2015 is Break Out, the final Terror Behind the Walls attraction. Just when visitors think they have found freedom, they find themselves in the middle of a prison break! Inmates surround them using every way imaginable to escape, including barrels, ropes, tunnels, ladders, and crates. Visitors must keep an eye out at every corner, as inmates may even be using them to aid in their attempt to gain freedom.

A Massive Haunted House in a Real Prison:
The setting for Terror Behind the Walls is perfect for a haunted attraction. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but it stands today in ruin, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This Gothic structure, with soaring 30-foot high fortress walls, is intimidating enough during the day. At night the cellblocks fall into darkness, and the building becomes truly terrifying.

Terror Behind the Walls features Hollywood-quality sets, animatronics, and custom-designed soundtracks, all taking place within the walls of the prison. It takes an elite team of 14 makeup artists almost three hours to prepare the cast of more than 200 performers each evening. The event consists of six haunted attractions that create a seamless experience for visitors.

No. 1 Haunted House in America:
Terror Behind the Walls is consistently ranked among the nation’s top haunted attractions. Travel Channel calls it “One of America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions,” The New York Times calls it “perfect for Halloween,” and Forbes names it #1 in the nation.

The industry commends the event as well. It was named “one of the top three must-see haunts in America” by Haunted Attraction Magazine. John Eslich, president of the Haunted Attraction Association, says, “Terror Behind the Walls is one of the best. A world-class haunted attraction.”

Terror Behind the Walls has grown from a single-night event in 1991 to a 30-night event with shows selling out far in advance. More than half of the visitors who attended in 2014 traveled to Philadelphia for the event, with tickets sold to visitors in 49 states and 21 foreign countries, making Terror Behind the Walls a national and international destination for thrill-seekers and Halloween lovers.

Is it Really Haunted?
Many people believe that Eastern State Penitentiary is haunted. As early as the 1940s, officers and inmates reported mysterious visions and eerie experiences in the ancient prison.

With the growing interest in paranormal investigations, Eastern State Penitentiary may now be the most carefully studied building in the United States. Approximately 60 paranormal teams visit to explore the site in a typical year. The historic site’s website, easternstate.org/ghosts, features extensive television and audio clips that document real paranormal investigations inside the 186-year-old prison.

The penitentiary has been featured on Travel Channel’s “Most Haunted Live,” “Ghost Adventures,” and “Paranormal Challenge”; Fox Television’s “World’s Scariest Places”; TLC’s “America’s Ghost Hunters”; and MTV’s “FEAR.” Footage captured on the second tier of Cellblock 12 by paranormal investigators during filming of Syfy’s “Ghost Hunters” may be the most controversial ghost sighting of the past 10 years. During the filming of “Paranormal Challenge,” host Zak Bagans called Eastern State Penitentiary “one of the most haunted places in the world.”

General Information:
Terror Behind the Walls is located inside Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site at 22^nd Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Terror Behind the Walls does not affect operation of the historic site, which remains open for daytime tours seven days a week, year round. All proceeds from Terror Behind the Walls benefit the preservation of Eastern State Penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark.

Terror Behind the Walls runs on select evenings from September 18 through November 7, 2015. Tickets for Terror Behind the Walls are on sale now at easternstate.org/buynow. Buying online is always the cheapest and most convenient way to purchase Terror Behind the Walls tickets. Visitors save time and money, and purchasing in advance is the only way to guarantee entry to the event. For more information about Terror Behind the Walls, the public can visit Terror Behind The Walls online.

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Monster movies, man! More and more of them are headed our way, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Next up, the exclusive artwork premiere for latest werewolf flick to get you howling, Uncaged.

Directed by Daniel Robbins, Uncaged stars Zack Weiner and Ben Getz.

Look for it on DVD and Digital February 2, 2016, via RLJ Entertainment.

Synopsis:
Orphaned as a child in the wake of a grisly tragedy, Jack was raised alongside his cousin and best friend, Brandon. At age 18, however, Jack’s otherwise uneventful life takes a sinister turn when he’s suddenly plagued by a series of bizarre sleepwalking episodes. After repeatedly waking up in the woods naked with no memory of the night before, Jack straps a camera to himself to document his behavior—and discovers a shocking truth: He is the unwitting heir to a monstrous family legacy of savagery, slaughter, and unrelenting horror from which death may be the only escape!

The post Exclusive Uncaged Artwork Warns Beware the Beast appeared first on Dread Central.

Dolph Lundgren vs. sharks? Sign us up! Will the film Shark Lake live up to its premise? We’ll find out on October 2nd when the film hits iTunes.

Jerry Dugan directs. Lundgren stars along with Sara Malakul Lane, Michael Aaron Milligan, and James Chalke.

Synopsis:
Fiercely protective single mom Meredith Hendricks happens to also be the best cop in her quiet town on Lake Tahoe. When a black market exotic species dealer named Clint is paroled from prison, something he let loose begins to make its presence known. Swimmers and land-lovers alike begin to become part of the food chain at an unbelievable rate. Meredith begins to investigate these brutal attacks and discovers that they’re not just hunting one eating machine, but a whole family of them.

After a documentary crew is devoured when they don’t take the threat seriously, it’s up to Meredith and the unlikely hero, Clint, to stop the most dangerous thing on the planet: a mother protecting its young. Not everyone will make it out alive, but those who do will never forget this summer at Shark Lake.

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Exclusive time, kids! On tap right now we have an exclusive clip from the new short film from Mary Russell, entitled Carved. Check it out!

Paris Dylan (Dead End) plays Russell, an inmate with the power to posses innocent people. Russell is being transferred by Officer Jenner (Christopher Karbo, Side Effects). Four beautiful girls on a road trip to Las Vegas cross paths with this malevolent spirit, culminating in a bloodbath at an abandoned gas station in the desert.

Other cast members include Angelica Chitwood (The Chosen), Marisa Crisafulli (Changed), Kate Nichols, and Chia Yu Chen.

The post Exclusive Clip Carved Out appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Jennifer Niles, Joshua Berman, Sharon Smyth

Directed by Andrew Sawyer

Lord, please forgive me for the atrocity that I’ve allowed to infiltrate my eye sockets… it’s name is Stay Hidden, and I honestly couldn’t think of a more appropriate title for a short film, for it also acts as a warning for those ready to press the play button.

Directed by Andrew Sawyer, the short focuses on a brother and sister (Berman and Niles), who are left at home by their needling mother to wait on the exterminator to show up for a routine sweep of the house, and their eventual game of survival against a duo of eyeball-stealing demons (I wish one had stolen mine before this got past the opening credits). As the two Party City-costumed incubuses commence their piracy of pupils, the siblings must find a way to save not only their behinds, but that of the collective town; and with the help of a local medium (Smyth), they might possibly manage to keep themselves out of needing eyepatches for the rest of their days.

Okay, I’m all in favor of low-budget short films and the potential creepiness they MAY possess, or the abeyant way they could reel me in with visual wonderment… not happening in this case, however. Acting? Non-existent. Fright factor? On a sliding scale, this one measures somewhere between the gauges reading “Golden Girls Reunion Special” and R.L. Stine on an anti-depressant, and if it weren’t for the slight smattering (notice I said SLIGHT) of plasmic gore, there really wouldn’t be much to celebrate here. As I alluded to earlier, it takes some serious guts to produce ANYTHING in this day and age and be willing to toss it in the feeding den for the pit bulls to attack, but Stay Hidden should have heeded its own title and done the same.

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