If you haven’t yet experienced Evolve since it dropped most of its stealth elements and re-branded itself as a more action-oriented free-to-play game under the new title Evolve Stage 2 earlier this year, then now’s the perfect time to jump in, because Deepest Dark, its first co-op story mission, has just been released.

Venture into Evolve’s deepest dark on Steam.

Now in Beta, the newest Evolve Stage 2 map variant! A Co-op queue exclusive.
This is the Deepest Dark. The Gorgon Queen rules this nightmare world. The hunters fight rabid wildlife while the Queen’s eggs hatch ravenous Gorgon children. Only by hunting and killing the Queen can our heroes hope to stop the coming Armageddon.

The post Launch Trailer Ventures into Evolve’s Deepest Dark appeared first on Dread Central.

The Curse of Frankenstein is a landmark film for horror. Hammer and its legacy of “Hammer Horror” might not have existed if it wasn’t for the success of this movie. Before 1957, Hammer didn’t really make horror films. It could be argued that only two of their films prior to The Curse of Frankenstein would be classed as horror: the 1935 release The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (Phantom Ship in the U.S.) and 1955’s The Quatermass Xperiment.

Starting your horror legacy with a film about Victor Frankenstein has its positives and negatives. Before 1957, at least 11 films had already featured the monster. So, how do you make something with the same familiar story that people will want to watch? You can either make it original or you can just make a really good film. The Curse of Frankenstein manages to do a bit of both.

The opening credits, with a blood red background and dramatic music, now feel very typical “Hammer Horror,” especially from this period of the mid to late 1950’s. You already feel like you are watching a classic horror film before any characters have been on screen. It manages to keep that classic and Gothic feel to it pretty much from start to finish. In charge was experienced director Terence Fisher, but this was his first film that gained any kind of popularity. He since went on to work in the genre many more times, including taking on another big remake with Dracula.

Interestingly. Fisher apparently did not watch the 1931 Frankenstein film, which may have been a very good decision. In Curse, it’s easy to see that this is a person who knows exactly what they are doing and where they want their film to go. Every camera movement means something and every piece of dialogue is necessary. There are even several scenes with little to no dialogue as if to emphasize this point. A love story is used to add to the story rather than just to give characters something to do. The relationships here never feel forced like they are so often in other films. The whole film is so superbly built as well. The pace is perfect, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat for the climax of the film.

There are, of course, two names featured that horror fans will know very well. Peter Cushing became synonymous with Hammer and featured in their films for the next twenty years, but The Curse of Frankenstein was the first one. He was relatively well known on British TV before it (and might be known best outside of horror for his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars – A New Hope), but here is where he found his niche. He feels very natural in the role of Victor Frankenstein, bringing an arrogance to the character but also touching on his viciousness, determination, and understanding of the immorality of what he is doing. Like the film itself, Victor is both familiar but a little bit different, and Cushing is near perfect in the role.

Not featuring as much but still an important part is Christopher Lee as The Creature. This role is never an easy one on Frankenstein films, but Lee, at 6’5″ tall and with good make-up, fit the part well. I can imagine mainstream movie fans laughing at the make-up/mask used for The Creature’s face, but I personally love the look of it. The actual reveal is a fantastic and creepy moment because of it, and that’s not even taking into account that this film is very nearly 60 years old. And Lee’s performance makes you believe that The Creature is almost unstoppable and very dangerous.

The other standout performance comes from Robert Uquhart as Paul Krempe, Victor’s partner who tries to stop him going ahead with things (there’s no actual Igor here). He plays an important part, and the chemistry between him and Cushing is key to the film.

It seems a bit crazy watching it now, but cinema-goers were outraged with The Curse of Frankenstein when it was first released (although obviously not too much as millions went to see it). It’s use of blood, in color (this was Hammer’s first color film), was the first to do things in a kind of gruesome way. Blood is shown when people are injured and also to disgust the audience. But in a good way. There’s also one quite brutal-looking death scene that I’m sure got people complaining.

The Curse of Frankenstein looks so much better than the low budget, even for its time, that it had. Costing an apparent $65,000 when films like The Ten Commandments the year before cost an estimated $13 million shows how low a budget it was. But you really wouldn’t know; the set in particular looks great.

Despite everything I’ve said, The Curse of Frankenstein isn’t quite perfect. My major complaint is the role the “blind man” plays. It becomes a bit of a nothing scene that feels tacked on when it could and should have been an important part of the film. Also, like many films from this time period, I have found that the actors with one lines, or very small roles, aren’t quite up to the same standards as the people in the main roles. Of course, this is true for most films, but it always seems a bit more obvious here. But these are minor complaints. The Curse of Frankenstein deserves to be regarded as not only one of the best Frankenstein films but also one of Hammer’s best and most important films.

The post Retrospective: A Look Back at The Curse of Frankenstein appeared first on Dread Central.

Are you a Florence + The Machine fan?  If so, then you’ll want to check out this new TV spot for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, in which their new song “Wish That You Were Here,” a collaboration between band leader Florence Welch and director Tim Burton, is previewed.

Based upon the best-selling novel by Ransom Riggs, this unforgettable motion picture experience will arrive in theaters on September 30th, and “Wish That You Were Here” will be featured in it. The cast includes Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, and Rupert Everett with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

Florence explained her band’s involvement with the film in this statement:  I’ve always been a huge fan of Tim Burton’s. We have a very similar sensibility. It’s the kind of dark, dark romance of his work—so beautiful and whimsical, but with an element of darkness to it. That’s something that I always try and achieve in my work, too. I knew we would get along really well working together and we did. I feel like we’re coming from a similar place of quite frantic imaginations trying to get the words out before the pictures in our heads disappear. He feels like a kindred spirit. I actually sent him a note about six years ago. I was in Australia on tour there for the first time and visited an exhibition of all his work. I wanted to leave him a message and all I had on me was an x-ray of my hand, as I had just broken my finger. So I wrote on the x-ray and gave it to the gallery to pass on and never knew if he got it. When we met for the first time, he told me it’s been hanging up in his office ever since.

“Wish That You Were Here” will be available through digital retailers beginning tomorrow (August 26th).

For more info connect with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children online, “like” Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on Facebook, and follow Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on Twitter.

Synopsis:
When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

The post New TV Spot for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Wishes You Were Here appeared first on Dread Central.

Halloween home decorating has been taken to the next level by the company AtmosFX, who have gone digital with their decorations to make things super easy – and super awesome – for you. What do they have in store for the 2016 haunting season? How about some official Trick ‘r Treat digital decorations?!

Read on for details!

From the Press Release:
Digital decorating innovators AtmosFX, Inc., today announced a licensing partnership with Legendary Pictures and filmmaker Michael Dougherty. This new product will allow fans to digitally decorate their homes and yards this Halloween season with unique animations that capture the spirit of Dougherty’s horror classic “Trick ’r Treat”.

These “Digital Decorations®,” are animated displays that enables anyone to easily project dynamic moving images onto walls, windows, props and more. Since 2007, AtmosFX has been the market leader in this new type of holiday decorating, creating more than 18 original titles, with sales in more than 100 countries.

The “Trick ‘r Treat” digital decoration focuses on the mythology of the original movie, written and directed by Dougherty, and the character of Sam, the mysterious child in the burlap-sack mask who ties together the film’s intertwined Halloween-themed stories.

Dougherty says the new title is the combination of his love for Halloween and a friendship with the two AtmosFX founders that began in the 1990s working together as MTV animators. “I’m always upping the ante to decorate my own house and wanted holographic ghosts like those in Disney’s haunted mansion. After making my own for a while, I discovered AtmosFX professional quality digital decorations, immediately bought one and was overjoyed.”

It was then he realized the connection to his former colleagues. One thing led to another, and the three met in Los Angeles. They quickly started talking about a collaboration to create “Trick ‘r Treat” branded Halloween digital decorations and bringing Sam into people’s homes, haunting their yards, windows and doorways. “It’s a dream come true for the three of us,” Dougherty said.

The “Trick ’r Treat” digital decoration features all-new vignettes featuring Sam who, just as he does in the film, seeks vengeance on those who do not adhere to the traditions of Halloween.

Each vignette features Sam as he dispenses his own unique brand of grisly justice. Home decorators can make it appear as though Sam is in their home or yard:

Responding to the neighborhood bully who attempts to trick-or-treat without an adequate costume

Exacting revenge at a residence where healthy snacks are given away for Halloween

Turning the tables on an old curmudgeon who steals candy from neighborhood kids

Re-decorating the home of a homeowner who removes his Halloween decorations before the night is complete

Conducting a mesmerizing symphony of fire from a cauldron of unwanted sweets.

In addition, the “Trick ’r Treat” digital decoration will highlight Sam in several shorter “startle scares,” designed to surprise unsuspecting viewers.

AtmosFX’s “Trick ’r Treat” digital decoration will feature scenes in window mode, for both horizontal and vertical aspects. Scenes will also be available in AtmosFX’s Hollusion™ mode which, when used with AtmosGEAR™ Hollusion Projection Material, creates an illusion where characters like Sam and his minions can appear and disappear in thin air.

This special AtmosFX Digital Decoration will be available as a high-definition digital download at the end of September 2016, exclusively at AtmosFX.com. Like its R-rated film counterpart, the AtmosFX Digital Decoration features horror-themed content and is not suitable for small children.

Dougherty also directed, co-wrote and co-produced the 2015 horror/comedy “Krampus.” AtmosFX Co-Founder Pete Williams says both he and his partner Pete Reichert are huge fans of the movie and would like to explore bringing the character to life in a digital decoration for the Christmas holidays.

The post Trick ‘r Treat Digital Decorations Bring Sam to Your Home This Halloween! appeared first on Dread Central.

The Universal Halloween Horror Nights news keeps rolling in, this time via Eli Roth and his Hollywood Terror Tram! Read on for all the news you need to prep you to get your shriek on!

From the Press Release:
Horror auteur Eli Roth (Hostel) and his digital network Crypt TV take the helm of the infamous “Terror Tram,” marking the first time ever that the signature attraction comes to life through the twisted mind of the filmmaker, as part of this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, which kicks off Friday, September 16, 2016.

“Eli Roth Presents Terror Tram” will expose guests to the fabled legacy of serial killer clown “Hollywood Harry,” the story of a former jovial celebrity clown turn depraved murderer, and the minefield of carnage he left behind.

“I’m thrilled to be part of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ again,” said Eli Roth. “We wanted to completely fabricate an original story that brings together our absolute freakiest, scariest most disturbing ideas. The ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ team is the best in the business. Their production and execution is unmatched, and I know this ‘Terror Tram’ experience will blow away all expectations and haunt guests for the rest of their lives. ‘Halloween Horror Nights is the must-see event for any horror movie fan—it’s like the Super Bowl for scary movies and is my favorite event of the year.”

The all-new “Terror Tram” experience will tell the sordid tale of former Angeleno resident Harold Kappowitz, whose alter ego “Koodles the Clown” went from cheerful circus performer to the lovable star of his own children’s network television show… before he was overcome by his genuine “killer instincts.”

By the 1990s, hard knocks took a deadly toll on Kappowitz, and the onetime endearing clown found himself exiled by the very Hollywood entertainment community that once adored him. With an all-consuming anger and hatred, Kappowitz—a now crazed and disheveled recluse—took refuge from society by hiding out at Universal Studios, emerging as notorious serial killer clown “Hollywood Harry.” Recurring murders began to dominate the studio, as “Hollywood Harry” drew strength from recruiting other outcast former clowns who, together, took revenge on Studio Tour guides and visitors alike, ceremoniously killing them, and leaving behind a deadly trail of terror.

“The goal of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is to create the most intense, most memorable, and ultimately, the most terrifying experiences for our guests,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “And there is no better partner than Eli Roth to deliver unabashed horror that’s so real you can feel it. We were fortunate to work with Eli years ago on his original ‘Hostel’ themed maze, so we can only imagine the terror that he’s envisioning.”

A series of short form content, produced by Crypt TV in conjunction Universal Studios Hollywood, aired on the digital horror network to tease the story of “Hollywood Harry” and create momentum for the announcement reveal of “Eli Roth Presents Terror Tram.”

Unique to Universal Studios Hollywood, the “Terror Tram” invites “Halloween Horror Nights” guests to walk along a portion of the movie and television studio where such sets as the Psycho House and the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, and Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, are located.

Crypt TV is a digital studio that creates original genre content guided by its motto #WEIRDISGOOD aimed at uniting fans and creating a movement that redefines what the future of horror content means to millennials. Since their 2015 launch, Crypt TV has become the fastest growing leader in digital scares with 20 million video views per month. Crypt TV was co-founded by Jack Davis and Eli Roth and has a strategic partnership with Blumhouse Productions.

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.

“Halloween Horror Nights” mazes to date include “American Horror Story,” inspired by Ryan Murphy’s critically-acclaimed, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television anthology series on the FX network; “The Exorcist: The Possession of Regan MacNeil,” based on the iconic supernatural horror film; “Freddy vs. Jason: Dream Battle,” inspired by New Line Cinema’s 2003 film that brought together the biggest horror icons in history: demented killer Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and notorious hockey mask killer Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th); “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blood Brothers,” which pits guests against the unsavory wrath of manic killer Leatherface and his mentally unhinged brother, Chop Top; “Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield,” an all-new maze inspired by the second film in the classic “Halloween” horror franchise; and “Krampus: The Christmas Devil,” based on Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures’ Christmas-themed horror film that brings to life the fabled anthropomorphic “half-goat, half-demon” horned creature who terrorizes those devoid of holiday spirit; and “The Walking Dead,” an authentic living representation of AMC’s hit television series that takes the realism of the show to an entirely new level with the permanent attraction.

For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios, visit HalloweenHorrorNights.com. Join the “Halloween Horror Nights” conversation using #UniversalHHN on Facebook at Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood and Instagram; Halloween Horror Nights on Twitter and Periscope @HorrorNights. Add username “HorrorNights” on Snapchat for nightly live content, and watch the terror come to life on the Halloween Horror Nights YouTube Page.

The post Eli Roth’s Terror Tram Pulls into Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood appeared first on Dread Central.

Earlier today a batch of stills from The Disappointments Room hit the Net, and now we have a new TV spot for the film to share.  We’ll all be able to unlock the secret in just a few more days!

The D.J. Caruso-directed psychological thriller, which stars Underworld‘s Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till, Mel Raido, and Gerald McRaney, is headed our way on September 9th. Wentworth Miller wrote the script.

Inspired by a true event, The Disappointments Room tells the story of one family’s terror-filled encounter within their own home. Looking for a fresh start, Dana (Beckinsale) and David (Raido), together with their 5-year-old son, move into their dream house, a beautiful old rural home. Hidden within the attic is a secret room.

When frightening and unexplainable events lead Dana to discover the long lost key to this room, she accidentally unlocks a host of unimaginable horrors that reveal the house’s past is terrifyingly tied with her own.

The post Enter The Disappointments Room for Another Promo Video appeared first on Dread Central.

Friday the 13th. What is it about this franchise that always leads to some type of turmoil? According to THR the latest kerfuffle involves a lawsuit that was filed on Wednesday that will determine who holds rights and may license new film versions of the horror film classic Friday the 13th.

On one side of the battle is Victor Miller, who wrote the story for the original 1980 film and is credited with coming up with the characters for the many sequels and reboots. According to a complaint, he is looking to take advantage of a provision in copyright law that allows authors to terminate a grant of rights and reclaim ownership.

However, as many authors have learned (particularly those who once freelanced for Marvel Comics), those termination rights aren’t foolproof. If someone contributes material as a work-made-for-hire, then it’s the employer who is seen as the true statutory author with no possibility of rights termination.

Here, Horror, Inc., and the Manny Company are the plaintiffs, claiming in their lawsuit that Miller wrote Friday the 13th as a work-made-for-hire. Specifically, they say that in 1979, Sean Cunningham had the idea to capitalize on the success of the then-recently released horror film Halloween and went to Miller, with whom he had previously worked on a film titled Here Come the Tigers, to develop this idea.

“Miller had never written a horror screenplay prior to his being hired by Cunningham and was guided in the process, and directly supervised, by Cunningham,” asserts the complaint. “Accordingly, Miller entered into an employment agreement with the Manny Company pursuant to which Miller wrote a screenplay for the Film as a work for hire (the ‘Screenplay’).”

Georgetown Productions, a predecessor company of the plaintiff, is said to have taken the “bold risk” to finance the production in exchange for Manny Company’s assignment of rights. This happened, according to the complaint, after Cunningham had come up with the idea for a Friday the 13th film and took an ad out in Daily Variety to see if anyone was interested in funding the proposed film. As distributors called, Cunningham and Miller “began furiously working on the development of the Screenplay,” says the lawsuit.

Thirty-six years later, Miller is said to be trying to grab hold of rights with notices sent in June seeking termination effective on July 2018. The copyright registration is said to have listed Georgetown as the author.

“As a result of Miller’s improper actions, a cloud has been placed on Horror’s rights in and to the popular and lucrative Friday the 13th movie franchise and has caused, and will continue to cause, both Horror and the Manny Company significant damages,” states the complaint. “In addition to seeking a declaration of the parties’ respective rights, the Manny Company seeks a determination that Miller has materially breached the Employment Agreement, has slandered Horror’s title in Friday the 13th, and has engaged in unfair trade practices.”

The plaintiffs are represented by Bonnie Eskenazi and Julia Haye at Greenberg Glusker plus local counsel. Here’s the full complaint.

The post Friday the 13th Lawsuit Looms; Trouble in Crystal Lake appeared first on Dread Central.

A headshot is an important thing when coming up against certain creatures of horror such as zombies, serial killers, etc. I was having lunch the other day with some local gun enthusiasts and found myself thinking about some of my favorite headshots in horror movie history.  I mean, how can you not think about a headshot or two when your lunchtime talk is about guns and hunting?

So here are five of some of the best headshots in horror movie history.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Not only was this movie great, but this was an impressive headshot from one of the scariest serial killers that ever existed. That thing exploded like a watermelon.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

The zombie apocalypse and you are a sniper.  How much better could it get?  I will admit this is one of my favorite headshot scenes in any movie. Though a special nod (get it, nod?) needs to go to the original 1978 Dawn. Who could ever forget Wooley’s gore-soaked rampage?

Maniac (1980)

I love the intensity of this scene.  You know the guy’s there, but you don’t know when he’s going to strike… and then BOOM!

The Beyond (1981)

This scene was one of those where you’re like: Dude, the zombie’s not dying; you might want to aim for the head.  Then a little girl zombie shows up, and he has no problem blowing her head off.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

This scene really gets to ya every time you see it.  This chick is so traumatized that she just can’t live anymore, but it is still one of the best headshot scenes in horror movie history.

So there are five fantastically horrific headshots.  What are your favorite ones?  Let us know down in the comments below.

The post 5 Great Horror Movie Headshots appeared first on Dread Central.

The nature and unpredictability of man is scary enough in its own right, especially when it comes to horror movies. Adding some psychotic animal to the mix that doesn’t have the capacity to reason, bargain, or feel any mercy for its potential victims is quite terrifying when you look at the realistic scenario as animal attacks are obviously a very real thing.

Could you imagine actually coming face to slimy face with a snake such as the one from Anaconda?

Yeah, you can fuck right off with that scenario.

Movies that focus on killer animals in the horror genre are split down the middle between super cheesy or really horrifying. There doesn’t really seem to be an in-between in so-called “creature features” as you’re either watching a shark movie on a ridiculous level such as Sharknado or a flick such as JAWS that actually made you afraid of the ocean. So, let’s talk about six of the scariest animals in horror films that actually scared the crap out of us.

6. Church the Cat
Pet Sematary

Lucifer, erm… excuse me, Church the cat wasn’t always a demonic fuzzball from Hell. The pet owned by Ellie Creed in King’s Pet Sematary was ultimately killed by that damn road and one of the deadly trucks that plows through every so often. Her father, Louis, and neighbor Judd, who don’t want the little girl to face any grief, bury the feline up in Pet Sematary, a place where the dead seemingly come back once more; however, they aren’t the same as they once were as the burial grounds had rotted.

Church comes back from the dead a nasty little shit indeed. The once docile British Shorthair stunk of death, which forced the family to throw him out quite often. However, the feline would always find a way back in. He became quite aggressive towards Louis in particular and loved to leave little “presents” for him around the house. Sometimes, cats do this to show affection, but we all know there’s nothing quite normal about Mr. Churchill over here.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of video clips of the little bugger out there, so here’s The Ramones’ video featuring the devil cat, Zelda, and King himself. I think we can deal with that.

5. Cujo

Another one of King’s insane creations from the animal kingdom makes number five. Old Yellar gone batshit crazy, Cujo. Much like Church, Cujo was initially a mild-mannered St. Bernard. That is, until a wild rabbit chase sealed the poor pup’s fate with a rabid bunny biting the canine, infecting him with the maddening disease. Cujo eventually found his way home and violently kills a few of his neighbors. Awesome, now we have a gargantuan rabid dog that has a taste for blood and the owners are nowhere around. Gorgeous.

Donna and her son, Tad, who live next to the canine’s owners, are caught off guard by Cujo who stumbled upon them in the most inconvenient time of her vehicle taking a mighty dump on her – damn good for nothing Pintos. Cujo corners Donna and her young son while they barricade themselves in her broken car, all the while the dog is going nuts trying to break in. Cujo is absolutely terrifying in the aspect of news reports we hear every so often of man’s best friend turning on their owners or severely injuring neighbors. Of course, circumstances vary and it’s usually a humanoid who provokes said attacks. However, if you ever come across a rabid animal such as this, I pray you don’t own a Ford Pinto and Dee Wallace is hanging around nearby. Otherwise, you’re probably screwed.

The post Top 6 of the Scariest Animals in Horror Movies appeared first on Dread Central.

We’re just one week away from the wide release of Kevin Smith’s new film Yoga Hosers, which opens theatrically on September 2nd. If you don’t want to wait, you can also catch a limited sneak peek, via Fathom Events, on August 30th. In the meantime, prep for the release with three new clips!

The cast for Yoga Hosers (review) includes Harley Quinn Smith, Lily-Rose Depp, Michael Parks, Justin Long, Genesis Rodriguez, Ralph Garman, Jennifer Schwalbach, Harley Morenstein, Stan Lee, Tony Hale, Natasha Lyonne, Austin Butler, Adam Brody, Tyler Posey, Jason Mewes, and Johnny Depp.

Synopsis:
Colleen Collette and Colleen McKenzie are teenage besties from Winnipeg who love yoga and live on their smartphones. But when these sophomores get invited to a senior party by the school hottie, the Colleens accidentally uncover an ancient evil buried beneath their Canadian convenience store. They join forces with legendary man-hunter Guy Lapointe to fight for their lives.

The post Three New Yoga Hosers Clips Do Yoga and Kill Little Monsters appeared first on Dread Central.

A new promo/featurette was released by 20th Century Fox today that introduces us to some of the “fierce females” who inhabit Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Based upon the best-selling novel by Ransom Riggs, this unforgettable motion picture experience will arrive in theaters on September 30th. The cast includes Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, and Rupert Everett with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

For more info connect with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children online, “like” Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on Facebook, and follow Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on Twitter.

Synopsis:
When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

The post Get to Know the Fierce Females in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children appeared first on Dread Central.

One of the most disturbing horror films ever made, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and Dark Sky Films is going all out for the occasion. The film will receive a red-carpet premiere followed by a theatrical re-release in 20 cities beginning October 21st, and we’ve got all the details!

From the Press Release:
It was a true game-changer, a film so upsetting in its blunt depiction of an amoral murderer that it made the slasher films of its time look like cartoons by comparison. HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER became a lightning rod in heated debates about cinema and censorship but has only grown in stature since its first showing in 1986. Now, on the 30th anniversary of its momentous debut, it returns in a 4K restoration re-release nationwide via Dark Sky Films, with major theatrical engagements to begin on October 21, 2016.

The film will come “home” on October 14, 2016, as Dark Sky partners with the Chicago International Film Festival for a large-scale event including a festival red-carpet premiere and a Q&A with star Michael Rooker and director John McNaughton in attendance.

HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER is a chilling profile of a cold-blooded killer that, 30 years after its historic festival premiere, has lost none of its power to shock. The film, loosely based on a true story, has been hailed as one of the most disturbing and terrifying examinations of mass murderers ever filmed. Henry (Michael Rooker, “The Walking Dead”) is a psychopathic drifter who has coldly murdered a number of people for no particular reason and without any remorse. Leaving bodies in his wake, Henry makes his way to Chicago, where his he settles into the run-down apartment of his drug-dealing former prison friend and occasional roommate Otis (Tom Towles).

Also moving into the space is Otis’s younger sister, Becky (Tracy Arnold), who is fleeing her abusive husband. As she fends off her brother’s incestuous advances, Becky finds herself attracted to Henry – unaware that he, along with Otis, is  continuing their murderous rampage.

Director John McNaughton completed the film in 1986, and it was shown at that year’s Chicago International Film Festival. But it wasn’t until 1990 that a U.S. distributor was brave enough to give it a wide release. Henry predates the NC-17 rating and received its predecessor, the X rating, on three separate occasions. As a result of it and related issues with Pedro Almodovar’s Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, Phillip Kaufman’s Henry & June, and Peter Greenaway’s The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, the MPAA created the NC-17 as its replacement on 9/26/1990. Henry’s current rating is “X (Surrendered)” though a renewed rating is pending. The film’s violence, and the clinical, detached portrayal of Henry by the unforgettable Michael Rooker, originally earned it the MPAA’s highly restrictive NC-17 rating.

The response from both critics and the public was as visceral as the film itself, and it went on to gain praise as one of the most compelling and disturbing films of modern cinema.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER returns with a thrilling, cinematic presentation that cements its reputation as one of the most harrowing and original American films of all time. Dark Sky Films, a division of MPI Media Group, proudly presents it in a brand-new 4K scan and restoration from the 16mm original camera negatives and featuring a new 5.1 audio mix from the stereo 35mm mag reels, all approved by director John McNaughton.

HENRY opens in New York on October 21; McNaughton will attend the film’s New York premiere at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema, and on October 28 McNaughton will present it at the Laemmle NoHo in Los Angeles.

A whole new generation of filmgoers will be introduced to HENRY with an amazing new transfer that puts the film firmly back into the vanguard of contemporary cinematic horror. Daniel M. Kimmel of Variety wrote, “[T]his is a movie that will anger and frighten audiences … Many will also find this one of the most impressive film debuts of the ’80s.”

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Just in case two stories about Blair Witch weren’t enough for you today, we have one more!  Up now are a pair new TV spots for the film, entitled “Remember” and “Curse.”

Blair Witch (review) arrives in theaters on September 16th.

Written by Simon Barrett and directed by Adam Wingard, Blair Witch stars James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott, Valorie Curry, Corbin Reid, and Wes Robinson.

Related Story:  10 Found Footage Movies You Should Watch Before the New Blair Witch

Roy Lee (The Ring, The Grudge, The Strangers, It), Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious), Keith Calder, and Jessica Wu (You’re Next, The Guest) produce.

Synopsis:
A group of college students venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of James’ sister, who many believe is connected to the legend of the Blair Witch. At first the group is hopeful, especially when a pair of locals offer to act as guides through the dark and winding woods, but as the endless night wears on, the group is visited by a menacing presence. Slowly, they begin to realize the legend is all too real and more sinister than they could have imagined.

The post Two New Blair Witch TV Spots Remember the Curse appeared first on Dread Central.

The Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories team has just unveiled their final, chilling teaser poster for the upcoming anthology sequel. Feast your eyes on the franchise’s newest serial killer known as The Harvester!

Produced by P.J. Starks and Eric Huskisson (The Confession of Fred Krueger) and Christopher Bower (The Dooms Chapel Horror), Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories is the sequel to the indie horror anthology Volumes of Blood, now available on DVD and Blu-ray through LC Films.

The sequel is set to feature Moses Moseley (“The Walking Dead”) and WWE legend Sir Mo from Men on a Mission and also boasts original music by Rocky Gray (drummer for We Are The Fallen, Living Sacrifice, and formerly of Evanescence). Most recently, the project also picked up Shane Prather, who composed music for Sinister Squad, Lavalantula, and Sharknado: The 4th Awakens. Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories will also feature a new single from death metal band Soul Embraced.

Check out the chilling final teaser poster and more information on the upcoming indie horror sequel below, slated for release this Halloween.

Synopsis:
A couple plans to purchase an old home but would like one last tour before the closing. They’re guided around the estate by a creepy realtor that may have more in store than they bargained for. Searching floor by floor, they begin to discover the remnants of its sordid and terrifying past…

A popular 80’s franchise gets a modern upgrade, but at what price? On Halloween night a teen left home alone meets a trick or treater that wants more than just candy. A door-to-door insurance salesman makes a Thanksgiving house call with monstrous consequences. Andrew and Sara are happily married and plan on spending some quality time together, but something sinister has other plans for their evening. Carol’s Christmas Eve turns into a fight for survival when a vengeful stranger isn’t feeling the holiday spirit. Lastly, a birthday party turns bloody when some unexpected guests drop by at the wrong time. Seven interwoven tales of terror… how many stories does your house have?

Murder Death Killer – Directed by Jakob Bilinski (Emergence)
Trick or Treat – Directed by Sean Blevins (A Brush with Death)
A Killer House – Directed by Jim O’Rear (The Hospital)
Feeding Time – Directed by John William Holt (The Dooms Chapel Horror)
Blood Bath – Directed by Jon Maynard (Nearly Dead)
Fear, For Sinners Here – Directed by Nathan Thomas Milliner (Encyclopedia Satanica)
The Deathday Party – Directed by Justin Seaman (The Barn)

To keep up with the project, you can also become a fan of the franchise on Facebook and give them a follow on Twitter!

The post Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories Reveals Final Terrifying Teaser Poster appeared first on Dread Central.

We’ve lost several legends this year–one of them was actor Dan Haggerty. On January 15, 2016 Haggerty succumbed to his battle with spinal cancer. He was 73 years old.

And while Haggerty was best known for playing the title role in “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” he also starred in some pretty oddball horror films over his storied career. Some of these films are remembered by committed fans of the cult/horror scene, while others have faded with time. Nevertheless one thing is for sure: Haggerty dabbled in many genres including: romantic thriller, horror, low-budget action, TV adventure, sleazy drama, and made-for-families.

For now, though, we’re only concerned with his spooky stuff. So, here’s our list..along with some accompanying VHS artwork! Which ones have you seen?

RIP, Grizzly!

Terror Out of the Sky (1978, a made-for-TV sequel to the 1976 film, The Savage Bees)

Haggerty played: Nick Willis

This TV sequel to “The Savage Bees” features more rampaging insects. This time a marching band and a school bus get in the path of the bees.

Terror Night (1987)

Haggerty played: Ted Michaels

Lance Hayward, a silent movie star, appears as various characters, killing quite a handful of unfortunates, using various weapons.

Night Wars (1988)

Haggerty played: Dr. Mike Campbell

Two Vietnam Veterans have realistic nightmares about the war. So real are these nightmares that they start getting injured in them, and bringing things back that they had in the dream. They then buy weapons and go in to try and get one of their friends out that originally died in a POW camp during the Vietnam war. This is made harder by a traitor from the US Military Corps.

Elves (1989)

Haggerty played: Chain-smoker Mike McGavin

A young woman discovers that she is the focus of an evil nazi experiment involving selective breeding and summoned elves, an attempt to create a race of supermen. She and two of her friends are trapped in a department store with an elf, and only Dan Haggerty, as the renegade loose-cannon Santa Claus, can save them.

The Chilling (1989)

Haggerty played: Sergeant Vince Marlow (co-starring Linda Blair!)

Universal Cryogenics is doing a booming business in freezing the bodies of the recently dead in the hopes of defrosting them later when science has discovered a way to cure what ails them. Things are going well until the storage facility loses its power during a storm, threatening their frozen clients. To make matters worse, a lightning strike causes the bodies to revive as homicidal zombies. What has the cryogenic lab been doing to its customers to cause this kind of change, and can they stop the zombies before their rampage goes out of control?

The Channeler (1990)

Haggerty played: Arnie

Pam gathers a group of college students to join her in a trek to an abandoned mine on a remote, forested mountain. Though her companions believe they are going to help reclaim and restore the area’s environment, Pam knows of strange events in both the distant and recent past. Her interest appears to be more in the line of folklore and parapsychology than the environment. The group experiences a number of misfortunes and mysteries before arriving in the area of the mine. They soon encounter a hermit (Haggerty) living alone in a cabin and he seems to know quite a bit about the sinister nature of the region. All must confront and escape the evil that has lurked at the mine since a tragedy there in 1845.

The post Remembering 6 of Dan Haggerty’s Horror Films appeared first on Dread Central.

With the Halloween season right around the corner, we figured now would be a great time to spend a quality evening with the last man to play The Shape for Rob Zombie in his Halloween films.

Former wrestler and star in everything from X-Men to Troy to Halloween and beyond, Tyler Mane will be joining us for a night of typical lunacy as only we can do it!

Tune in Wednesday, August 31st, for all the shenanigans.

Brainwaves: Horror and Paranormal Talk Radio is available to subscribe to on iTunes. Not an iTunes user?  You can also listen right here on the site.

Spooky, funny, touching, honest, offensive, and at times completely random, Brainwaves airs live every Wednesday evening beginning at 9:00 PM Pacific Time (12:00 midnight Eastern Time) and runs about 3 hours per episode.

Knetter and Creepy will be taking your calls LIVE and unscreened via Skype, so let your freak flags fly! Feel free to add BrainWavesTalk to your Skype account so you can reach us, or call in from a landline or cellphone – 858 480 7789. The duo also take questions via Twitter; you can reach us at @UncleCreepy and @JoeKnetter using the hashtag #BrainWaves.

Have a ghost story or a paranormal story but can’t call in? Feel free to email it to me directly at UncleCreepy@dreadcentral.com with “Brainwaves Story” in your subject line. You can now become a fan of the show via the official… BRAINWAVES FACEBOOK PAGE!

Brainwaves: Horror and Paranormal Talk Radio is hosted live (with shows to be archived as they progress) right here on Dread Central. You can tune in and listen via the FREE TuneIn Radio app or listen to TuneIn right through the website!

For more information and to listen live independent of TuneIn, visit the Deep Talk Radio Network website, “like” Deep Talk Radio on Facebook, and follow Deep Talk Radio on Twitter. And don’t forget to subscribe to Brainwaves on iTunes.

The post Brainwaves Episode 12 Guest Announcement – Tyler Mane appeared first on Dread Central.

With a combination of natural and supernatural threats emerging at the end of the world as we know it, Syfy’s upcoming new series “Aftermath” could be loads of fun.  Volcanoes, demons, earthquakes, mythological creatures… you name it, and you’ll probably find it here.

Curious?  Then check out this five-plus-minute preview video in which real-life couple Anne Heche and James Tupper, a few of their co-stars, and the producers of “Aftermath” preview what’s in store for this post-apocalyptic epic.

“Aftermath” Episode 1.01 debuts on Tuesday, September 27, at 10/9c.  The series was co-created by Glenn Davis and William Laurin (collaborators on “Once a Thief,” “1-800-Missing,” and more), who are also exec producers and share writing duties with Denis McGrath. Jason Stone serves as consulting producer with McGrath and Adriana Maggs.

Related Story:  The Horror TV Outlook for Fall 2016: 12 Returning Champs, 8 New Contenders, and 2 Swan Songs

Two episodes were directed by Kaare Andrews (Altitude, Cabin Fever 3: Patient Zero); Stone (The Calling), James Marshall (“Smallville”), April Mullen (“Killjoys”), and Stefan Pleszczynski (“Supernatural,” “Being Human”) also spent time behind the camera for a couple of episodes each.

About “Aftermath” Season 1:
A new 13-episode original co-production produced by Halfire Entertainment in association with Syfy and Space, “AFTERMATH” centers on one family – Karen (Anne Heche; “Hung,” “Men in Trees”) and Joshua Copeland (James Tupper; “Revenge,” Grey’s Anatomy”) and their children (Dana, Brianna, and Matt). The Copelands battle for survival after civilization comes to an apocalyptic end triggered by massive storms, meteor strikes, and earthquakes—and they are faced not only with plague, but the rise of supernatural creatures.

Universal Cable Productions is handling international distribution.

The post Aftermath Preview Video Prepares You for the End of the World appeared first on Dread Central.

Renamed A.O.T.: Wings of Freedom for its Western release, Koei Temco’s long awaited Attack on Titan game will finally be hitting the US this coming Tuesday, so prepare to get squished. And eaten. A lot. And maybe even kill some giants if you’re lucky.

It launches on Steam and PS4 on August 30th.

About the Attack on Titan Launch Trailer:
Showcasing the Scout Regiment as they repel the fearsome Titans threatening humanity, the launch trailer for Attack on Titan officially reveals that players will be able to play beyond the end of the show’s first season via extra game-exclusive missions!

Capturing intense, action-packed combat and impressive attack moves, the launch trailer reveals two sinister new types of Titans for players to take down. The Armored Titan, a 50-foot tall behemoth with immense strength and speed can destroy anything in its path, and the monstrous Beast Titan is a gigantic ape-like creature that uses immeasurable amounts of force to crush its foes. These extra missions offer additional high-octane battles and exhilarating action within the Attack on Titan universe.

Those who pre-order Attack on Titan from Amazon, GameStop, or Best Buy will receive two different downloadable bonus costumes: The Clean-Up Eren & Levi Costumes, as well as Mikasa’s Costume ‘Summer Festival’. Alternatively, those who purchase on PlayStation®4 digitally through the PlayStation®Store will receive a selection of Character Avatars featuring fan-favorite characters Eren, Levi, and Mikasa!

The post Prepare to Get Squished in Attack on Titan Game’s Launch Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.

Developed by Bloober Team

Available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One

Rated M for Mature

When I first reviewed Layers of Fear back in February, I concluded that it was a beautifully realized vision of tragedy brought down only by a few adherence to convention. It relied a bit too much on things popping out and going “boo!” The monster also felt a bit pointless, adding some tension and scares at the cost of the overall tone and logic. It didn’t ruin Layers of Fear by any stretch. It’s still a gorgeous game that maturely and intensely deals with loss, loneliness, and insanity. It blurred the lines between motivation and consequence, making “good” or “bad” a matter of our own opinion. In terms of quality narrative games, Layers of Fear was art.

I’m surprised to see a DLC pack hit the store almost half a year after the initial release. The indie game market, especially for horror, is as fickle as it is oversaturated. It’s hard to imagine anyone that picked Layers of Fear up at release still playing it, no matter how great the storytelling was. Maybe my opinion is too heavily influenced by multiplayer lifespans, where games can sometimes still have active communities a decade after release. For a strictly single player title, it takes some massive endeavor like The Witcher 3 to make me take notice of a new paid chunk of content.

But hey, I liked the original a whole lot, and it’s only 5 dollars, so what the heck! I expected more of the same, but that’s not always a bad thing. More walking through spooky surreal hallways, more fantastic visual effects, and most importantly more exceptional storytelling. It’s rare that DLC stories are as compelling as the base game, but if Inheritance is even half as good as Layers of Fear, it’s a cut above most.

Hurrah! More creepy art worlds!

What I found in the Inheritance DLC was an experience that—while short—was significantly better than the original in several ways. It fixed almost every problem that I had with the first. There’s no random murder monster to chase you around, far fewer jump scares, and more of the surreal madness that made the most memorable parts of Layers of Fear. It’s focused, with not a dull moment in its entire runtime.

The story of Inheritance is told from the perspective of Layers of Fear’s nameless painter’s daughter. Troubled by the memories of her upbringing, she returns to her childhood home to seek closure. You’ll explore the same estate as Layers of Fear, now long abandoned and in an advanced state of disrepair. In the various rooms, you’ll confront memories of your past, and find crayon drawings from your childhood. Some of these encounters are simple cutscenes, while others are much longer sequences of puzzles similar to the base game.

When I say crayon drawings, I mean the “call CPS” kind, not the “hang on the fridge” kind.

The narrative dilemma is focused on the daughter’s memories of her father’s madness, and questioning if she can ever forgive him and move on. It’s very clear he won’t win any father of the year awards, but solving puzzles will result in subtle changes that color him as either caring or cruel. There’s also a worry that the madness that plagued him might also affect you. This is always subtly looming in the background, but doesn’t take center stage. While there are a good deal of surreal dream sequences, they’re always presented as stylized flashbacks. There’s no indication that she herself believes this to all be real.

To achieve this flashback effect, many of the puzzles and challenges are played through the eyes of a child. During these sequences, you’ll only come up to eye level of a chair. This shifted dimension is effective, but I expect will lead to some division in opinion. Since there isn’t a monster chasing you around and everything is told in retrospect, there isn’t as pressing a sense of dread. You already know that you survive all of these ordeals, so being locked in a closet while your parents fight lacks the punch of being chased by your charred wife through a melting canvas world.

Still hella scary though.

On the flip side, I found the story to be much more relatable than the first. As I said in my previous review, I don’t really know what it’s like to be a tortured painter haunted by the memories of his disfigured suicidal wife. What I can understand is what it’s like to be a child and not knowing why mommy and daddy are fighting. We all live with familial expectations, and when the father yells at you during a flashback to stop using crayons because they are childish, it makes me remember the expectations put on me in my youth. News flash: you don’t become a Dread Central video game reviewer because you lived up to your parents’ expectations.

Seeing the story from another perspective was very effective. Inheritance tackles the same questions of loneliness, loss, and tragedy, and explores how that affects the child. I tend not to like alternate perspective narratives, as they usually just present the same story from a less interesting perspective. I don’t want to hear about Stalin’s life story from the perspective of his next door neighbor. Inheritance gets it right. The daughter’s troubles are unique, and just as crucial as her father’s. Most importantly, it actually adds a layer of depth to the story of the original.

Pound for pound, I found the sequences in Inheritance to be better versions of those in Layers of Fear. Every one of the main segments is wildly different. During a flashback of your father painting your portrait, you’ll be challenged to stare straight ahead while crazy shit happens just outside of your peripheral. During the painting segment in the studio, you’ll put together a painting piece by piece in a style of your choosing. There are a number of samey cutscenes, but each tells a piece of the story that ties together the whole picture.

Never before has staring straight ahead been so compelling.

I attribute a lot of the success to the brisk runtime. Overall, it should only take you an hour or two to beat Inheritance, and maybe another to find all the secrets. It’s short, but it’s also very tight. They didn’t have to pad the runtime with dull filler segments, letting them pack it with their best ideas. Some might feel like it cuts the tension and build, but I like how it gets to the point. It relies on the strength of its set piece moments, and doesn’t dilute them with fluff.

At $5, Inheritance is a no brainer for fans of Layers of Fear. It’s funny, because often the litmus test for good DLC is that it would function on its own. For Inheritance, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The relationship to the original is integral to the DLC. It’s the perfect additional story, adding something to the original without feeling necessary. You don’t need to play Inheritance to appreciate Layers of Fear, but it certainly helps you like it even more. It’s the perfect added bonus, appending the original without eclipsing it. Definitely a must buy.

The post Layers of Fear: Inheritance (Video Game DLC) appeared first on Dread Central.

Hamid Torabpour makes his feature directorial debut with Zombies, and with talent like Tony Todd in front of the camera and George Cameron Romero behind it as a producer, we have high hopes for the film.

A new poster just hit the Net today via the movie’s Facebook page, and you can get a look at it right here.

Torabpour also wrote the script and exec produces; Romero’s co-producer Steven Luke co-stars with Todd, Raina Hein, and Aaron Courteau.

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for additional information; in the meantime check out zombiesthemovie.com.

Synopsis:
When the world is in shambles, plagued by a zombie outbreak, only the strong will survive; but just how much determination will it take? Will Luke and his crew have enough ambition and ammunition to stay alive long enough to save the human race?

The post New Poster Unveiled for Hamid Torabpour’s Debut Feature Zombies appeared first on Dread Central.