In keeping with Box of Dread‘s February 2016 celebration of Dracula’s 85 years on film, we can now tell you folks what fabulous Dracula and vampire prizes we have stuffed in the Box of Dread February 2016 Seventh Box.

Read on for the details and more!

You have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

So, hurry and sign up to be a Box of Dread acolyte now so that you would be eligible to win the Dracula and vampire Box of Dread February 2016 Seventh Box. You have until 11:59pm ET on February 9, 2016, to sign up!

Related Story: February 2016 Box of Dread Celebrates Dracula, Vampires, and 85 Years

The items in this bumper crop of Dracula and vampire prize pack include:

• Living Dead Dolls Dracula
• Dracula Figure from Universal Monsters
• 9 Dracula/Vampire Comics including:
  • Bram Stoker’s Dracula #1
  • Interview with the Vampire #1
  • Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs #1
  • Marvel Vampires #1
  • The Savage Return of Dracula #1
  • V Wars #1
  • Dracula: Vlad the Impaler #1-3

Remember, only ONE current Box of Dread acolyte will receive this Dracula and vampires prize package in the Box of Dread February 2016 Seventh Box. So hurry up and sign up before the February 9th deadline and ensure that your credit card information is up-to-date. We will be choosing the Seventh Box winner right when the February 2016 Box of Dread signup deadline ends on February 9, 2016!

You have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

The post Dracula and Vampires in Box of Dread’s February 2016 Seventh Box appeared first on Dread Central.

Things have been quiet pertaining to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s starring role in the upcoming adaptation of the 1986 arcade game Rampage, but the silence has been broken. Variety is now reporting that Carlton Cuse and Ryan Condal have been tapped to rewrite New Line’s tentpole flick.

San Andreas helmer Brad Peyton is directing with Beau Flynn producing. This marks a San Andreas reteaming between the three and Cuse, who wrote the big-budget disaster pic that went on to make $474 million worldwide.

Ryan Engle penned a previous draft. Plot details are being kept under wraps. In the video game, players were tasked with stopping a giant gorilla, a lizard, and a wolf as they wreak havoc across America.

The post Dwayne Johnson Goes on a Rampage; Finds New Writers appeared first on Dread Central.

IFC Midnight just released a fresh crop of images from the latest man’s best friend becomes man’s hungriest enemy flick, The Pack, and we have ’em right here for ya!

Look for the flick, directed by Nick Robertson and starring Anna Lise Phillips, Jack Campbell, and Kieran Thomas, in limited theaters and on VOD platforms February 5th via IFC Midnight.

Also dig on the alternate poster below courtesy of Bloody Disgusting.

Synopsis:
A farmer and his family must fight for their lives after a ferocious pack of feral wild dogs lays siege to their isolated farm.. Through a series of frightening and bloody encounters, they are forced into survival mode to defend themselves from the ravenous beasts and make it through the night.

The post A Pack of New Images from The Pack appeared first on Dread Central.

Alone on Halloween, a young woman finds a mysterious VHS tape on her doorstep. It’s a tape that shows a series of gruesome and ghastly tales that appear to be all too real. But these terrifying glimpses of damned souls are not the only horrors that stalk her: A sinister, pumpkin-faced killer is using the videotape as a portal into our reality; and if he makes it through, this twisted trickster seeks only one “treat” – and that is blood.

Dread Central: Halloween anthologies seem to be all the rage right now… were you aware of that when you took on this role, and have you seen some of the others (namely, Tales of Halloween and of course the original All Hallows’ Eve?

Andrea Monier: I was aware of the anthology format and think they are a fantastic way to keep up with our shrinking attention spans! I have seen the first All Hallows’ Eve and am still terrified by thoughts of Art the Clown… what a spectacular villain in horror. One of my favorite films of 2015 was an anthology called Wild Tales, an amazing Argentine-Spanish film. Along with All Hallows’ Eve 2, everyone should check that out as well.

DC: The wraparound is essential to this genre… so it must be quite an honor to be the “face” of this 10-tale terror-fest. I mean, you’re joining the ranks of The Crypt-keeper from “Tales from the Crypt” and Udo Kier from The Theater Bizarre – but your character is totally different. She’s actually a part of the horror. Can you tell us a bit about who you play and how you were cast?

AM: I’m’ always honored to be included in a film! I play a young woman who has been stood up by her boyfriend on Halloween. Feeling a little spooked by the spirit of Halloween, she finds a mysterious VHS tape left by a masked “Trick-or-Treater,” or so she thinks. With curiosity getting the best of her, she decides to watch the tape and finds that these aren’t just silly Halloween stories; there is something else lurking within. I was cast by my friends at Ruthless Pictures, whom I have worked with on several projects.

DC: When it comes to anthologies like this, it’s always interesting to know what came first – the filmed segments as a whole, or the wraparounds?

AM: I did see the segments before our shoot, which made me even more excited to shoot the wraparound since I loved the shorts so much. What a fun project to be a part of!

DC: Jesse Baget is such a name in parody and horror… can you give us some insight as to what it was like working with him as a director?

AM: I have worked with Jesse as both an actor and a producer for years. I cannot say enough good things about the guy. Seriously, not only is he the nicest person ever, but he’s super talented and hilarious. A funny fact about Jesse is he can do tons of celebrity voice impressions and has a fantastic voice to do all sorts of characters. He’s a multi-talented dude for sure! I’m looking forward to doing more films with him.

DC: For fans of horror and gore, please help whet our appetites for the movie by telling us some of the more horrifying scenes that have stuck with you personally.

AM: Well, we have a new villain in this one, Trixter, the pumpkin-masked killer. Be sure to see him pop up throughout the film, gearing up to make his kill… who will it be? The shorts will give you all sorts of thrills, but be sure to watch the last one, “Alexia,” for a terrifying reveal!

All Hallows’ Eve 2 (review) is available on DVD and VOD NOW!

The post Exclusive: Andrea Monier Talks All Hallows’ Eve 2 appeared first on Dread Central.

More casting news is here for the two-hour television event that will serve to reboot 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Deadline is reporting that Christina Milian is set to play Magenta, a maid at Frank-N-Furter’s castle. Patricia Quinn played the character in the original.

She joins previously announced cast members Laverne Cox (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Victoria Justice (Janet), Ryan McCartan (Brad), Adam Lambert (Eddie), Reeve Carney (Riff Raff), Staz Nair (Rocky), Annaleigh Ashford (Columbia) and Tim Curry, the original Frank-N-Furter, who is returning as the show’s Criminologist Narrator.

In the small screen reimagining for Fox, sweethearts Janet Weiss (Justice) and Brad Majors (McCartan) stumble upon the bizarre abode of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Cox), a sexually ambiguous, flirtatious mad scientist. The doctor is holding an annual Transylvanian science convention to showcase the birth of “Rocky Horror” – a fit, attractive man (Nair) created solely to fulfill Frank’s desires.

Lou Adler, Gail Berman, and Kenny Ortega are executive producing. Ortega will direct and choreograph.

The post Christina Milian Is The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s New Magenta appeared first on Dread Central.

Well… not too scary. That headline was for all my favorite Twilight Zone: The Movie fans out there. On tap right now we have a new clip from Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special, which is having its North American premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Fest.

Described as an homage to the John Carpenter films of the 80s, the film boasts an impressive cast including Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, Sam Shepherd, and Adam Driver.

If you’re not heading to SXSW, look for Midnight Special on March 18th.

Synopsis:
In the sci-fi thriller Midnight Special, writer/director Jeff Nichols proves again that he is one of the most compelling storytellers of our time, as a father (Michael Shannon) goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers.

What starts as a race from religious extremists and local law enforcement quickly escalates to a nationwide manhunt involving the highest levels of the Federal Government. Ultimately, his father risks everything to protect Alton and help fulfill a destiny that could change the world forever, in this genre-defying film as supernatural as it is intimately human.

The post Midnight Special Wants to Show You Something Really Scary appeared first on Dread Central.

The bulk of the 2016 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival lineup has been announced, and we have the highlights for you here, which include the world premiere of Cinemax’s upcoming “Outcast” (joining the previously announced “Preacher” in the fest’s “Episodic” category) plus Another Evil, I Am Not a Serial Killer, The Alchemist Cookbook, American Fable, and a few others that seem to fall on the horror side of the fence (or at least are horror-ish enough to grab our attention).

During the nine days of SXSW Film (running March 11-19, 2016, in Austin, Texas), 139 features will be shown, with additional titles forthcoming. The complete lineup will consist of 89 World Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and 8 U.S. Premieres, selected from over 2,450 feature-length submissions. First-time filmmakers account for 52 films, continuing the SXSW tradition of showcasing independent discoveries from up-and-coming directors.

Among the films set to premiere during the festival, you’ll discover an eclectic mix of emerging and established talent in a range of genres from comedy, thrillers, docs, and international gems.

To see the full lineup, visit SXSW.com.

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

collective:unconscious (World Premiere)
Directors: collective:unconscious (Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker, Lauren Wolkstein), Screenwriters: Jamal Batts, Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Mariama Diallo, Lauren Wolkstein, Concept by: Dan Schoenbrun
A man and his grandmother hide out from an ominous broadcast. The Grim Reaper hosts a TV show. The formerly incarcerated recount and reinterpret their first days of freedom. A suburban mom’s life is upturned by the beast growing inside of her. And a high school gym teacher runs drills from inside a volcano. What happens when five of independent film’s most adventurous filmmakers join together to literally adapt each other’s dreams for the screen? Featuring new works by Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker, and Lauren Wolkstein, COLLECTIVE: UNCONSCIOUS will transport you to a place in-between sleep and consciousness. Welcome to our dream state.

HEADLINERS

Midnight Special (North American Premiere)
Director/Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols
In the sci-fi thriller MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, writer/director Jeff Nichols proves again that he is one of the most compelling storytellers of our time, as a father (Michael Shannon) goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers. What starts as a race from religious extremists and local law enforcement quickly escalates to a nationwide manhunt involving the highest levels of the Federal Government. Ultimately, his father risks everything to protect Alton and help fulfill a destiny that could change the world forever, in this genre–defying film as supernatural as it is intimately human.

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Another Evil (World Premiere)
Director/Screenwriter: Carson D. Mell
After encountering a ghost in their vacation home, Dan (Steve Zissis) and his wife Mary (Jennifer Irwin) consult an exorcist. Unsatisfied with the verdict, Dan goes behind his wife’s back to seek a second opinion and secretly hires Os (Mark Proksch), who promises to get rid of the beings. Os and Dan spend a week together in the vacation home exorcising the “EFD” (Evil Fully Determined) beings, but Dan soon realizes that ridding the home of evil won’t be as simple as it seems.

I Am Not a Serial Killer (Ireland/UK) (World Premiere)
Director: Billy O’Brien, Screenwriters: Billy O’Brien, Chris Hyde
Fifteen-year old John Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it. He’s obsessed with serial killers but really doesn’t want to become one. Terrible impulses constantly tempt him, so for his own sake, and the safety of those around, he lives by rigid rules to keep himself “good” and “normal.” However, when a real monster shows up in his town, he has to let his dark side out in order to stop it – but without his rules to keep him in check, he might be more dangerous than the monster he’s trying to kill.

The Master Cleanse (World Premiere)
Director/Screenwriter: Bobby Miller
Down, out, and heartbroken, Paul attends a spiritual retreat to cleanse himself and fix his broken life but soon discovers that the cleanse releases more than everyday toxins… a lot more. The feature debut from Bobby Miller (TUB), THE MASTER CLEANSE is a trippy and fantastic journey that examines how we deal with the things that weigh us down in life, ultimately asking the all-important question: Given the opportunity to literally face your demons, what would you do?

The Waiting (World Premiere)
Director: Kasra Farahani, Screenwriters: Mark Bianculi, Jeff Richard
Ethan Fleming and Sean Turner have concocted an intriguing “psychological experiment” — to use modern technology to convince their neighbor Harold Grainey that his house is haunted. Blind to the fact that they’re violating the laws of ethics and of the United States, Ethan and Sean delight in manipulating the old man’s emotions and don’t see that they’re edging their way towards provoking a tragedy…

VISIONS

The Alchemist Cookbook (World Premiere)
Director: Joel Potrykus
Young outcast Sean has isolated himself in a trailer in the woods, setting out on alchemic pursuits with his cat, Kaspar, as his sole companion. Filled with disdain for authority, he’s fled the daily grind and holed up in the wilderness, escaping a society that has no place for him. But when he turns from chemistry to black magic to crack nature’s secret, things go awry; and he awakens something far more sinister and dangerous.

American Fable (World Premiere)
Director/Screenwriter: Anne Hamilton
Set against the 1980s Midwestern rural crisis that killed the tradition of the family farm, AMERICAN FABLE tells the dark and magical tale of 11-year-old Gitty, who is thrown into a dilemma of epic proportions. When Gitty discovers that her father, Abe, a good and beloved farmer, is holding a wealthy man hostage in their abandoned silo in order to save their suffering farm, she befriends the captive in secret. As the truth unfolds about who he is and what will happen if he escapes, Gitty chooses to confront the thin line between reality and fiction in this fairy tale thriller, all in a mad race to save the disappearing land that she calls home.

EPISODIC

“Outcast” (World Premiere)
Director: Adam Wingard, Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman, Showrunner: Chris Black
“OUTCAST,” based on the Skybound/Image comic title by creator Robert Kirkman and artist Paul Azaceta, follows Kyle Barnes, a young man who has been plagued by demonic possession all his life. Now, with the help of the Reverend Anderson, a preacher with personal demons of his own, Kyle embarks on a journey to find answers and regain the normal life he lost. But what Kyle discovers could change his fate — and the fate of the world — forever.

The post SXSW 2016: Outcast Set to Premiere; More Highlights from the Full Fest Lineup! appeared first on Dread Central.

2012. Yep, that was the first time we told you about the P.O.V. horror film You Are Not Alone. Years have passed, and now the flick is coming out in the UK on February 22nd. Check out this new trailer.

Developed by Chris O’Brien, Jonald Reyes, Mike Maggio, and Derek Mungor, You Are Not Alone is a point-of-view horror film that puts the audience into the perspective of the victim, a very interesting concept to personalize the terror of the movie. Written by Mungor (who also directed) and O’Brien, You Are Not Alone stars Krista Dzialosynski, David O’Brien, Mary Mikva, Keenan Camp, Nikki Pierce, Eric Wood, Tony Rossi, Katie Johnston-Smith, and Dan Abbate.

Below we’ve attached the provocative North American one-sheet for the movie as well as the newest trailer. As you can see, the filmmakers use the backdrop of an Independence Day celebration to set the scene for You Are Not Alone. DC Medias, a French worldwide distribution and sales company, has secured worldwide sales on You Are Not Alone.

For more info visit the official You Are Not Alone website, “like” You Are Not Alone on Facebook, and follow You Are Not Alone on Twitter (@URNotAloneFilm).

Synopsis:
As seen from the first-person POV, Natalie, a recent college graduate, reconnects with friends and family as she visits her hometown over the Fourth of July. The town is inundated with news of a dangerous sociopath who is in the midst of a spree killing and reportedly within the area. Experience what happens when Natalie crosses paths with said killer.

The post You Are Not Alone With This Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.

We’re a week and a half away from the return of “The Walking Dead,” and today we not only finally have the official synopsis of Episode 6.09, “No Way Out,” but also on tap is a new video in which the cast and crew talk about what fans can look forward to in the second half of Season 6.

The show returns from its winter hiatus on Sunday, February 14th.

“The Walking Dead” is executive produced by Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero, and Tom Luse.

“The Walking Dead” Episode 6.09 – “No Way Out” (2/14/16)
While trying to escape Alexandria, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his group meet trouble when sudden noise draws walkers towards them with what could be fatal consequences. Written by Seth Hoffman; directed by Greg Nicotero.

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

The post Cast & Crew Tease What’s Ahead in The Walking Dead Season 6B appeared first on Dread Central.

More distro news has arrived as Screen Daily is reporting that IFC has acquired director Abner Pastoll’s Road Games for release on VOD later this year. Read on for the trailer and more.

Andrew Simpson, Joséphine de La Baume (Kiss of the Damned), Frederic Pierrot (“The Returned”), Feodor Atkine, and Barbara Crampton (You’re Next, Re-Animator, We Are Still Here) star.

Synopsis:
The sun-drenched days of summer turn dark and ominous for hitchhiking duo Jack and Véronique when they become inexplicably entangled with a mysterious married couple and a local roadkill collector in rural France.

The post IFC Plays Road Games appeared first on Dread Central.

The stage play Ghost Stories will be heading to the big screen with a well-known cast in tow. It follows Professor Goodman, a psychology specialist and firm unbeliever in the paranormal, who has his disbelief put to the test when he is sent a letter from beyond the grave from his former mentor, instructing him to put his skill to use on three unsolved mysteries.

Screen Daily reports that Andy Nyman will reprise his role from the play as professor Goodman, alongside Bilbo Baggins himself, Martin Freeman, and George MacKay. Nyman will also direct alongside the play’s co-creator, Jeremy Dyson. Filming begins in September.

The post Martin Freeman Will Tell Ghost Stories appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Jason Patric, Natasha Henstridge, Scott Adkins

Directed by David Tennant

Shielded for some unknown reason by a cloak of invisibility, David Tennant’s latest thriller, Home Invasion, literally flew under the radar for quite some time, and with all the best intentions, in the end of all things written…there really wasn’t a reason to keep this film under wraps – let’s dissect, shall we?

Starring Natasha Hentstridge as a lonely housewife named Chloe who’s taking on the responsibility of now caring for her stepson after her husband goes AWOL, and if I may be so frank, I’d like to offer up kudos to Liam Dickinson in his role of the snotty son, Jacob. In basest terms, this kid needed a class A ass-kicking, and I can only applaud his talents for emitting such rottenness out of a teen character. Anyhow, Chloe’s over-the-top high cost security system quickly becomes put to the ultimate test one night when a trio of ultra-violent home invaders decide to come collecting for a safe that was supposedly ripped off from the goons’ boss by her misplaced hubby. Enter Jason Patric as the operator working at the home security company – now I’ve loved Patric’s work for many a moon, but this performance was as generic, uninspired, and zombie-like as I’ve seen in a long time. The only memorable acting here was acting as if he cared about the role, and WOW, did it show. He slumbers through this display providing up-to-the-second details to Chloe and Jacob while they hide during the assailants’ calculated rummage through the home.

As the movie slogs along, the hint of white-knuckled tension slowly disintegrates into loosely-crafted, mundane actions and reactions – we’ve all seen this stuff before, and this invasion simply doesn’t offer anything memorable to mention. Terrified woman, bratty kid, headstrong intruders…all adding up to a movie that could POSSIBLY be passable on an evening when your copy of Panic Room might be skipping in your player, but I’ll honestly toss the caveat curveball out there to all prospective viewers on this one – bypass it.

The post Home Invasion (DVD) appeared first on Dread Central.

The wonderfully mad men over at Kino Lorber have just announced that they’re prepping another bounty of horror goodies for Blu-ray! Read on for all the details right here.

March 1st:

Gog 3D (1954)
Directed by Herbert L. Strock
Starring Richard Egan, Constance Dowling, Herbert Marshall, William Schallert

Synopsis:
Newly restored in HD and 3D! In a remote, underground research laboratory, two scientists engaged in space travel research are frozen to death in a cold chamber when their instruments comes under the control of an unknown power. A security agent, Dr. David Sheppard (Richard Egan, The 300 Spartans), arrives at the secret space research base, home of two experimental robots, to investigate the possible sabotage. Early in his investigation, Sheppard finds that the underground laboratory is under the control of supercomputer NOVAC and experimental robots GOG and MAGOG. Herbert L. Strock (The Crawling Hand) directed this sci-fi/horror classic with a stellar cast that includes Constance Dowling (Black Angel), Herbert Marshall (The Letter), and William Schallert (TV’s “The Patty Duke Show”).

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver, Bob Furmanek, and David Schecter
• A Restoration Demo
• 2003 Interview with Director Herbert L. Strock
• Archival Interview with Cinematographer Lothrop B. Worth
• 3D Trailer Gallery

Transformations (1988)
Directed by Jay Kamen
Starring Rex Smith, Lisa Langlois, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Neame

Synopsis:
An act of passion unleashes a deadly force! In the furthest reaches of the galaxy, a lone transport pilot, Wolfgang “Wolf” Shadduck (Rex Smith, The Pirates of Penzance) locks in his destination, switches onto automatic pilot, and retires for the night. Little does he know that events will soon steer him onto a collision course with the gruesome horrors of Transformations – where a horrifying evil lurks behind seductive facades. When Wolf awakens from a nightmarish slumber, he finds himself in the hospital ward of a prison colony; his ship has crashed with its cargo intact. Soon he finds himself gripped with a grotesque and mysterious disease that transforms him into a horrendous beast, and only the purity of the beautiful Miranda (Lisa Langlois, Class of 1984) stands between the deadly disease and the rest of mankind. Also starring Patrick Macnee (John Steed of TV’s “The Avengers”) as Father Christopher.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by Director Jay Kamen
• Interview with Star Lisa Langlois
• Interview with Director Jay Kamen

March 15th:

Monster Dog (1984)
Directed by Claudio Fragasso
Starring Alice Cooper, Victoria Vera, Carlos Santurio

Synopsis:
Rock legend Alice Cooper stars in one of the wildest horror films of the 1980s! When singer Vince Raven returns to his hometown to shoot a music video, he and his crew are confronted by a terrifying local legend. Packs of wild, bloodthirsty dogs seem to be on the loose attacking the population, but in fact, there’s something even more monstrous and supernatural at work: a clawed, demonic beast straight from the depths of hell. Featuring two Alice Cooper songs, “Identity Crisis” and “See Me in the Mirror,” this outrageous slice of Euro horror from Claudio Fragasso, director of the beloved Troll 2, will make you think twice the next time you take your dog out for a walk.

Special Features:

• Lord of the Dogs: Making-of Featurette

March 22nd:

Donovan’s Brain (1953)
Directed by Felix E. Feist
Starring Lew Ayres, Gene Evans, Nancy Reagan, Steve Brodie

Synopsis:
Newly Remastered in HD! This Brain Has Some Ideas of Its Own! Prepare to be scared senseless with this shocking horror-fest that’s bursting with startling special effects. Lew Ayers (All Quiet on the Western Front) stars with Gene Evans (The Steel Helmet), Steve Brodie (Out of the Past), and future first lady Nancy Davis (Reagan) (Hellcats of the Navy) in this terrifying film experience that’ll blow your brain and fry your mind. Dr. Patrick Corey (Ayres) has a hideous hobby – he keeps brains alive! So when the brain of dead murderer W.H. Donovan falls into his possession, bringing him back to life becomes his obsession. But the cunning cranium has its own agenda – to control the doctor’s mind through telepathic messages! Now, Cory’s wife (Davis) must put a stop to the devious brain before it destroys the man she loves – and her in the process! Directed by Felix E. Feist (The Big Trees) and beautifully shot in glorious black-and-white by the great Joseph F. Biroc (It’s a Wonderful Life).

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith
• “Trailers From Hell” with Joe Dante

The Black Sleep (1956)
Directed by Reginald Le Borg
Starring Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Akim Tamiroff, John Carradine, Tor Johnson

Synopsis:
Newly Remastered in HD! Four masters of classic horror, Basil Rathbone (Tales of Terror), Bela Lugosi (Dracula, White Zombie), Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man), and John Carradine (House of the Long Shadows), co-star in this terrifying horror classic about a crazed brain surgeon and his unorthodox experiments at a spooky old dark house. When the wife of a lunatic surgeon (Rathbone) slips into a coma, the doctor sets out to find a donor for a highly unorthodox brain transplant. The subsequent experiments result in the creation of a number of dangerous zombies, mutants, and freaks that are soon unleashed on an unsuspecting populace. The stellar cast also includes Akim Tamiroff (After the Fox) and Tor Johnson (Plan 9 From Outer Space). From Reginald Le Borg, the director of horror classics Diary of a Madman and The Mummy’s Ghost.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver & David Schecter
• “Trailers From Hell” with Joe Dante

The post More Horror Classics Hit Blu-ray from Kino Lorber appeared first on Dread Central.

In October of last year it looked like USA Network was moving forward with Universal Cable Productions on a two-hour pilot for “The Wilding,” directed by Ciarán Foy (Citadel, Sinister 2), but now, per Deadline, the show is a no-go.

The “supernatural drama,” from executive producers Tim Kring (“Heroes”) and writer/creator Silka Luisa (To the Bone), was slated to star “The Good Wife’s” Jordana Spiro.  The show was centered around the Hayes family — a typical loving, blended family seeking a fresh start after their 17-year-old daughter, Kayla, is released from a mental health institution following ten years of treatment. Their ideals are quickly threatened, however, when Kayla’s apparitions of the dead begin to haunt them once again.

No reason was given for the cancellation, but at least we now have one less thing to worry about programming on our DVR’s!

The post USA Network Opts Out of Ciaran Foy’s The Wilding Pilot appeared first on Dread Central.

Tobe Hooper took the most terrifying horror movie of the ’70s in a totally different direction with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, released in 1986. The wacky sequel celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and NECA kicks off the party with a brand new Leatherface figure.

Done up in the company’s retro style, heavily inspired by the classic MEGO toys of the 1970s, the masked Leatherface stands 8″ tall and is dressed in intricately detailed and tailored fabric clothing. He’s fully poseable and comes complete with chainsaw and carving knife accessories.

Its blister packaging with a resealable protective clamshell features new custom artwork created by fan-favorite illustrator Jason Edmiston.

Check out the toy below, along with Edmiston’s awesome package art!

Leatherface will be joined by Chop-Top. Look for both in June.

The post NECA Unveils Retro-Style Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Leatherface Toy appeared first on Dread Central.

One of the films that made a huge impression at last month’s Sundance Film Festival was Mickey Keating’s Carnage Park, which generated all sorts of positive buzz. We knew it’d be a matter of time before it was scooped up, and today brings news regarding the sales rights. Read on!

From the Press Release:
Following an electrifying world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last week, Mickey Keating’s Carnage Park, which won over audiences and genre critics in the Sundance Midnight section, has been acquired by Content Media, who will handle international sales on the film starting in Berlin next week.

Written and directed by Mickey Keating (Pod, Ritual, Darling), Carnage Park is a terrifying new film inspired by a true story. The 1970s set thriller depicts a harrowing fight for survival after a pair of wannabe crooks botch a bank heist and flee into the desert, where they inexplicably stumble upon Carnage Park, a remote stretch of wilderness occupied by a psychotic ex-military sniper.

Carnage Park stars Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism, The Last Exorcism 2, The Day), Pat Healy (Cheap Thrills, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Magnolia, Rescue Dawn), Alan Ruck (Ferris Buehler’s Day Off, Speed), Darby Stanchfield (“Scandal,” Waitress, The Sacrifice), James Landry Hébert (Gangster Squad, Looper, Seven Psychopaths), and Larry Fessenden (Habit, The Last Winter).

Eric B. Fleischman and Sean Tabibian produced the film through their Diablo Entertainment banner.

Content’s team, led by President of Film Jamie Carmichael and Head of Sales Harry White, will introduce Carnage Park to international distributors for the first time at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin. CAA handles North American sales rights for the film.

The acquisition of sales rights to Carnage Park builds on Content’s successes with genre films emanating from Sundance Midnight over the last few years including such commercial hits as The Pact, The Nightmare, and Bound to Vengeance – all of which performed strongly worldwide.

Content’s Carmichael and White in a joint statement said: “Carnage Park is everything you could hope for in an ultra-cool elevated genre film – full of tension, stylish as hell, and tough as nails. We love it.”

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“And other surprises.” So reads the bottom of the press release for Grindhouse Releasing’s upcoming Blu-ray edition of Pieces, aka our most highly anticipated Blu-ray release of the year. Finally we’ve uncovered just what one of those surprises will be!

According to Grindhouse’s David Szulkin, the Pieces Blu-ray will feature a brand new alternate score from Umberto. Matt Hill of Umberto said the following regarding his alternate Pieces score:

“I was originally commissioned to write and perform it for the Glasgow Film Festival in 2012.  Stuart  Braithwaite from Mogwai was at the performance and asked to put a record of it out on their Rock Action label.  The record was called Night Has a Thousand Screams.  It’s just selections from the entire score though. The next year I did a performance of it at the Egyptian Theatre for Beyond Fest, and last year I performed it at MondoCon in Austin, Texas.  So this will be the first time it’s available to listen to in its entirety with the film for people who couldn’t attend any of the three performances.”

Check out a sampling below.

In other Pieces news… the film is coming to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Boston on February 26th and 27th. From there it will play at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on March 4th. Pieces also screens Saturday night, February 6th, in Seattle at the Grand Illusion Cinema in 35mm with an encore presentation February 10th. Grindhouse is also bringing the flick to Starlite Cinemas in Rochester, New Hampshire, February 20th to kick off a new Grindhouse Releasing series (Evil Dead will follow on February 27th; all films will be shown in glorious 35mm). For those in Los Angeles, Grindhouse will be hosting a having a free Pieces release party at the Hyperion Tavern on March 11th.

Regarding being one of the lucky 3,000 to score a copy with the replica jigsaw puzzle, you had better get your orders in via Diabolik DVD ASAP! We have it, and it is GLORIOUS! Expect a review soon!

Pieces Release Details:
Hitting stores March 1st, this jam-packed, definitive hi-def set (specs below) comes complete with an eye-popping PIECES jigsaw puzzle (limited to the first 3,000 copies, available now for pre-order at Diabolik DVD and Amazon.com). Through an exclusive deal with Grindhouse Releasing, Diabolik DVD customers will receive PIECES a week early on February 23rd – and get first crack at the limited edition, which is projected to sell out fast.

Directed by Juan Piquer Simón and starring Christopher George (Lucio Fulci’s CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, GRIZZLY, TV’s “RAT PATROL”), Edmund Purdom (DON’T OPEN TIL CHRISTMAS), Paul L. Smith (MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, David Lynch’s DUNE, and Robert Altman’s POPEYE), and Lynda Day George (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE), PIECES tells the story of a psychopathic killer stalking a Boston campus, brutally slaughtering nubile young college co-eds, collecting body parts from each victim to create the likeness of his mother, whom he savagely murdered with an axe when he was ten years old.

PIECES was a Variety Top 10 box office smash in its original release, debuting at #5 in its first week (ahead of RETURN OF THE JEDI at #6!). It has remained a favorite among connoisseurs of gore, including director Eli Roth, who ranks PIECES as one of his top horror films of all time.

For more information visit the Grindhouse Releasing website and “like” Grindhouse Releasing on Facebook.

Special Features:

• TWO complete versions of this shocking gore classic:
  – PIECES (83 min.) – the original, unrated U.S. theatrical version, presented in English
  – MIL GRITOS TIENE LA NOCHE (86 min.) – the original uncensored director’s cut, presented in Spanish with original score by Librado Pastor (with English subtitles translated directly from the spoken language)
• Spectacular new 4K transfers – scanned from the original camera negative
• Brand new audio commentary by star Jack Taylor
• Special 5.1 audio option – the Vine Theater Experience!
• In-depth interviews with director Juan Piquer Simón and genre superstar Paul L. Smith
• 42nd STREET MEMORIES – all-new feature-length documentary containing interviews with Bill Lustig, Larry Cohen, Frank Henenlotter, Buddy Giovinazzo, Jeff Lieberman, John Skipp, Lynn Lowry, Terry Levene, and many other exploitation icons
• Extensive gallery of stills and poster art
• Exhaustive filmographies
• Liner notes by legendary horrors journalists Chas. Balun and Rick Sullivan
• BONUS CD – original soundtrack – newly remastered from the original studio tapes
• Beautiful embossed slipcover
• First 3000 units include an actual jigsaw puzzle! Strictly limited to 3000 units!
• AND OTHER SURPRISES!

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Funko is going full-on patriotic today with its latest announcement of two “American” projects that are getting the Pop! Vinyl and Vinyl Idolz treatment.

First up is “American Horror Story: Hotel.”  Look for the three new figures in March.

Product Description:
Return to the Hotel Cortez with our “American Horror Story: Hotel” Pop! figures.  Hotel founder Mr. March and Sally the junkie are waiting with open arms.  Watch out for our Holden, though! He gets thirsty sometimes…

Next is American Psycho, coming in April.

Product Description:
Patrick Bateman has all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear identifiable emotion, except for greed and lust. Though he can hide his cold gaze and you can shake his hand and feel flesh gripping yours, he’s simply not there. Say, do you like Phil Collins?

The post Funko Announces New American Horror Story: Hotel and American Psycho Figures appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Michael Boston, Paul L. Smith, David Carradine, Brad Dourif

Directed by Robert Martin Carroll

Distributed by Scream Factory

There have been hundreds of directors throughout the course of cinema who only helmed one feature film, but it is a disappointment when someone who shows some genuine promise has a career snuffed out before it has a chance to bloom. Now, I’m not exactly saying director Robert Martin Carroll was a wellspring of untapped talent, but if his only real picture – Sonny Boy (1989) – is any indication then at the very least he could have produced interesting movies. This notorious, rarely seen cult classic has long been the subject of rumor and speculation, with few having seen what it is truly all about. The movie never got much of a chance at life upon release, being pulled from theaters after a couple of days due to the controversial subject matter. While it probably won’t live up to whatever insanity first-time viewers have in their heads, this is still a strange, shocking, difficult picture, full of scoundrels and insufferably bad behavior all around.

A couple is held up at gunpoint by small-time criminal Weasel (Brad Dourif, who changes hairstyles more frequently the cast changes clothing), who shoots them both before driving off in their car so it can be sold to local thug overlord Slue (Paul L. Smith). When Weasel arrives at Slue’s, though, he discovers a baby hidden away in the backseat. Slue would just as soon feed the kid to his hogs than keep it, but his transvestite girlfriend, Pearl (a surprisingly subdued David Carradine) insists on keeping the child as her own. Any relief the audience might feel for the infant’s life being spared will quickly turn to horror as the film shows the progression of the life “Sonny Boy” lives.

At a young age his “father”, Slue, having clearly mutilated the child at a young age, gives him a “present” for his sixth birthday: cutting out his tongue. Sonny (Michael Boston) is constantly abused, both verbally and physically, as well as being kept in a locked cage with little light and less visitation from his unintended family. Pearl is the only person in his life who shows any compassion, limited and dysfunctional as it may be. Slue has been grooming Sonny to be a one-man wrecking crew, capable of theft and murder without hesitation. He knows no better. When the town’s mayor threatens to mess with Slue’s operations, Sonny Boy is sent to pay a visit – the end result of which is the mayor ripped apart, lying in a pool of blood. The townsfolk live in fear of Slue, especially now that he has his trained “creature” to eliminate any opposition. When Sonny Boy escapes, however, he finds that even though he means well the fear he’s instilled in others is enough to provoke an all-out war between the town and his “parents” – with him caught in the middle.

This is a hard film to describe in addition to sometimes being a hard film to watch. Strong arguments are presented in the classic case of nature vs. nurture. Sonny, presumably born into a normal family, is taken away at a young age and brutalized so that all he knows is violence and pain. These extremes are just part and parcel of what he sees as a normal life. Sonny narrates passages of the film, providing a commentary for his own thoughts as these two wayward poisons raise him. Isolated and kept from any sense of normalcy, this is what Sonny accepts as life. His actions are often brutal, primal even, and can be seen as overly hostile, but how is he to know what is wrong? During a bout of play fighting, Sonny bites off Weasel’s thumb without a second thought, grinning as though it’s all part of the fun. Yet try as Slue might to beat every ounce of goodness and virtue out of Sonny, the picture posits that good and bad are inherent to the person; ascribed at birth. These traits can be suppressed and ignored, but eventually they will come to the surface when given an opportunity.

Rather than present Sonny as a disfigured monster (which was the original intention), the movie shows him as a rather handsome young man. His body is a ravaged map of scars and abuse, yet his face holds a boyish charm filled with equal parts wonder and confusion. He understands what is expected of him but he still searches for his true place in this world. It could be easy to dismiss this picture as exploitative and glib; it isn’t. Sonny Boy is surprisingly deep, tackling the horrid subject of child abuse and hypothesizing what could happen if a child were raised as a monster – a tool for evil and nothing more. It’s “Frankenstein” without the grave robbing.

What holds this material together is a killer B-movie roster of characters, led by Smith as the patriarch of this criminal family. You’d be hard pressed to find a sleazier, sadistic piece of shit than Slue. I had expected a campier performance out of Carradine, playing a delusional transvestite and all, but instead the actor delivers a warm, nurturing performance. Pearl tells Sonny she loves him, yet this is also the same woman who has no qualms about keeping a stolen infant as her own. Dourif always rules and he’s great here as Slue’s little lackey who likes to pretend he’s tougher and slyer than he is. It’s also great seeing Sydney Lassick pop up as another one of Slue’s cohorts who is just as deranged as the rest. Finally, Boston does well enough embodying the fractured Sonny, displaying a sense of sadness beneath his bloodied, scarred exterior. He’s fresh-faced and normal – at least in terms of looks – making the actions that he carries out seem even more shocking.

If you can’t tell, I dug this movie quite a bit. The subject matter at the heart of Sonny Boy is unquestionably horror, and what makes the picture seem more unsettling is that it was based on a story relayed to writer Graeme Whifler. Obviously aspects of the tale have been exaggerated for the sake of making a motion picture, but the types of people presented here aren’t too far off from reality. The atypical story, solid casting and moments of sheer barbarism all aid in making Sonny Boy a curiosity worth watching.

After bypassing DVD (and VHS, unless you live in the U.K.), Sonny Boy makes its hi-def debut, featuring a 2.35:1 1080p picture. For the most part this is a solid, stable image, featuring above average definition and great clarity in close-ups. Colors are well reproduced, if not a tad faded at times. The film has a gritty, dusty aesthetic that comes across nicely thanks to a clean print with few deficiencies.

The English DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track is sparse and simple, yet still effective for what it needs to do. David Carradine shows off his folk music chops by proving the film’s main theme, setting a somber mood that permeates the entire film. The main score is reminiscent of Midnight Cowboy (1969) – fitting given the lives being led here. Dialogue levels could have been brought up a tad, though everything still comes through cleanly. The few moments of action display an average sense of directionality. Subtitles are available in English.

The first audio commentary features director Robert Martin Carroll, along with his wife who had a small role in the film. Carroll is never at a loss for words, delivering a very informative track that outlines all of the struggles this film endured.

Next up is another warts-and-all audio commentary, this one featuring writer Graeme Whifler, moderated by Matthew Chernoff. Whifler, who started his career directing music videos, has strong recollections of writing the film and its production, despite not having seen it in nearly two decades.

A theatrical trailer is included in HD.

Here’s something you don’t see much anymore: a BD-ROM bonus feature. Insert the disc into your Blu-ray drive to read Whifler’s original script.

Special Features:

• NEW audio commentary with director Robert Martin Carroll
• NEW audio commentary with writer Graeme Whifler
• Script – 1st draft (BD-Rom)
• Theatrical Trailer

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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Friday the 13th, Freddy vs. Jason) allegedly pitched for Warner Bros.’ long-gestating reboot/sequel of Joe Dante’s Gremlins. The duo took to Twitter to unveil the first two pages of their rejected pitch. Check ’em out.

Their film was to open on a plane, and the duo took some liberty with the established “Rules” of Gremlins…

In terms of an actual reboot of the film itself… we’ll turn it over to franchise star Zach Galligan, who announced some news he had regarding its direction.

“It’s not going to be a reboot,” Galligan told the crowd at a recent holiday showing of the film. “It will not be a remake in any way, shape, or form. Chris Columbus has come out and said that the first film is very near and dear to his heart, and as long as he is alive, it will never be remade. So the only thing they… apparently are going to be doing is something along the lines of like Jurassic World, where it will be 30 years later.”

“All of the elements from the first, at least the first Gremlins movie — Chris Columbus didn’t really have much to do with the second Gremlins movie so I don’t know how he feels about that — but all of the things and events that happened in the first one will be referred to,” the actor continued. “And apparently some of the characters from the first one will reappear in the new one they are planning right now. I swear on my life I don’t know if I’m in it or not, but I think there is probably a decent chance since I’m one of the few people left standing from the first movie.”

The new Gremlins film is being written by Carl Ellsworth. Columbus will co-produce with Steven Spielberg.

Check out Galligan’s comments below.

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