It has been a decade since Sam first showed up in Michael Dougherty’s 1996 short film Season’s Greetings and then became our guide in Trick ‘r Treat. So now, a Trick ‘r Treat Sam September Box of Dread is the perfect way to celebrate 10 years of enforcing the rules and traditions of Halloween.

Make sure you listen to Sam and become a Box of Dread acolyte!

You have two ways to subscribe to Box of Dread:

The Sam September Box of Dread will feature items from Trick ‘r Treat along with a couple other surprises. On top of that, as usual, one acolyte will also receive the fable Box of Dread Seventh Box in addition to the regular monthly box.

We’ll be announcing the Seventh Box soon. So watch this space. You’ll just have to be an active Box of Dread acolyte to be automatically entered into the drawing. Hurry… the deadline to sign up for the Sam September Box of Dread is 11:59 pm ET on August 9, 2016.

Sign up to be a Box of Dread acolyte now! Then you would also be eligible to win the elusive Box of Dread Seventh Box.

The deadline to sign up for the Sam September Box of Dread is 11:59 pm ET on September 9, 2016.

If you don’t already know, you can soon get some official Trick ‘r Treat digital decorations thanks to AtmosFX. You can digitally decorate your homes and yards this Halloween season with unique Trick ‘r Treat animated displays that are projected onto walls, windows, props, and more.

Related Story: Michael Dougherty Talks Trick ‘r Treat Sequel; Trilogy Planned

The post It’s a Trick ‘r Treat Sam September Box of Dread appeared first on Dread Central.

Guy Pearce and Dakota Fanning lead the cast of Martin Koolhoven’s upcoming western-thriller Brimstone, and while we wait for a trailer, we’ve been enjoying the various images that have been made available. We’ve got a brand spankin’ new one for you today, and it’s rocking some pretty badass face armor!

Check it out below, along with the previously released images.

Brimstone will premiere this September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Kit Harington, Carice van Houten, Paul Anderson, Jack Roth, and Carla Juri also star.

Synopsis:
From the moment the new reverend climbs the pulpit, Liz knows she and her family are in great danger. Kit Harington appears as an outlaw who has a crucial role in the tale of retribution, and Dakota Fanning portrays Liz, a heroine on the run from her past and chased by an evil preacher (Guy Pearce).

The post New Brimstone Image Wears a Hannibal-Like Mask appeared first on Dread Central.

Fresh off its premiere earlier this summer at the Fantasia Film Festival, Corey Asraf and John Swab’s Let Me Make You a Martyr stars shock-rocker Marilyn Manson as a hitman, which should be more than enough to sell you on the flick. In this new image, a bloodied Manson wields a big-ass gun. Dig it!

Manson is a producer on the film and co-stars alongside Mark Boone Junior, Niko Nicotera, Sam Quartin, and Michael Potts.

Synopsis:
Let Me Make You a Martyr follows Drew Glass (Niko Nicotera), a young man recently returned to his hometown after years away, who crosses paths with his adoptive father, local crime boss Larry Glass (Mark Boone Junior), and reconnects with his adopted sister and love interest, June Glass (Sam Quartin). Determined to run away together and escape their complicated past, June and Drew concoct a plan to kill Larry. Unfortunately, Larry finds out about the scheme and hires a hit man of his own (Manson) to resolve the problem.

The post New Let Me Make You a Martyr Image Bloodies Marilyn Manson appeared first on Dread Central.

Spiked with blasts of hallucinatory color, surreal shocks, and subversive comedy, the feature debut from Danny Perez is being described as no-holds-barred descent into delirium, and the trailers indicate that to be quite true. It’s titled Antibirth, and you can stream it on the VOD outlet of your choice this weekend!

Read on for all the info.

The film stars Natasha Lyonne, Chloë Sevigny, Meg Tilly, Emmanuel Kabongo, and Mark Webber. It was produced by Cole Payne, Roger M. Mayer, David Anselmo, Justin Kelly, and Lyonne.

Synopsis:
Hard-drinking, pill-popping, bong-ripping Lou (Lyonne) and her best friend, Sadie (Sevigny), spend their days adrift in a druggy haze. But one wild night out becomes a bad trip that never ends when Lou wakes up with symptoms of an unexplained, highly abnormal pregnancy. Who—or what—is growing inside her? As her due date approaches with alarming swiftness, the fear, paranoia, and conspiracy theories begin to pile up.

The post Today on VOD: Things Get Strange in Antibirth appeared first on Dread Central.

Every year we look forward to sharing information about the UK’s Grimmfest, Manchester’s annual festival of horror, cult, and fantastic films; and this year they’re bigger, bolder, and bloodier than ever before! The 2016 lineup has been revealed, and we have all the details right here.

From the Press Release:
ODEON Printworks will once again be under siege by blood-soaked hordes of horror enthusiasts and film freaks, as the Grimm Team unleash their latest and greatest lineup of dark, dangerous, wild, weird, witty, thrilling, chilling, blood-spilling movies, every one of them a premiere of one kind or another.

Grimmfest 2016 runs 6th-9th October. CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE and CLICK HERE FOR FULL FESTIVAL AND DAY PASSES.

Highlights include:

Pre-Festival Preview Night (September 23rd)

As a suitably bloody taster for this year’s festival, we present a special preview of one of the most hotly-anticipated horror films of the moment, a remastered classic, and a new UK short film. The sure-to-prove controversial new film from Rob Zombie, the neo-grindhouse gorefest 31 – a cornucopia of carnage, chainsaw-wielding clowns, cult movie stars, and Nazi dwarves – is our spotlight feature. Then we have THE HILLS HAVE EYES, often considered Wes Craven’s classic above his later, more commercial efforts. We will be hosting a pre-release screening of the 4K remastered version from Arrow. We will also be premiering the new uproarious splatter-farce half-hour short THE CORPSE SERIES.

Very Special Guest Ken Foree

We’ll be announcing all our guests as we move closer to the festival; however, we do have one very special guest already in place this year. Ken Foree, of DAWN OF THE DEAD fame and many, many other classic horror movies, will be with us on Sunday 9th October for a UK Premiere screening of his new sci-fi/horror movie, THE RIFT. We can’t wait to welcome him to Grimmfest!

Programming Strands
As ever, Grimmfest promises you premieres, guests galore, and all manner of movie mayhem. And, also as ever, there is method in our madness. This year we have a number of themes and strands for you to explore:

Southern Gothic

Enter a world of God, grits, and moonshine, of twisted family secrets and bloody revenge. We’ve the Regional Premiere of Sean Brosnan’s brutal and oddly lyrical tale MY FATHER, DIE; Marilyn Manson appears as an implacable killer in the UK Premiere of the metaphysical country noir LET ME MAKE YOU A MARTYR; and “ENTOURAGE’s” Adrien Grenier faces down a whole bunch of guilty family secrets in the UK Premiere of TRASH FIRE, the outrageous new film from Richard Bates, Jr., director of previous Grimmfest favourites EXCISION and SUBURBAN GOTHIC.

Nordic Horror

We’ve teamed up with the Nordic genre invasion team to bring you new Nordic delights! From Denmark we have the zombie apocalypse from a domestic suburban perspective in the Regional Premiere of WHAT WE BECOME and the disturbing and strange SUNKEN CONVENT. From Norway comes a waste-clearing mission gone toxic in the UK Premiere of the claustrophobic VILLMARK ASYLUM.

Asia Extreme

This year the TRAIN TO BUSAN comes roaring out of the East, all pistons pumping. We offer the Regional Premiere of this visceral, no-holds-barred zombies-on-a-train actioner We also have the UK Premiere of Taiwan-set THE TAG-ALONG, an old-school flesh-creeper about a young couple plagued by a “hungry ghost.”

Bad Relationships

The sex war is very often precisely that: a pitched battle. This year we take a look at some of the casualties. Care worker Morjana Alaoui (MARTYRS) finds herself increasingly overwhelmed by her embittered new patient in the grueling psychological thriller BROKEN, and local boy Dominic Monaghan (LORD OF THE RINGS, “LOST”) bites off rather more than he can chew in the twisted morality tale PET.

Paranoia Can Annoy Ya…

But where would cinema be without it as a theme? We have a brace of troubling psychological thrillers guaranteed to get right under your skin. Ashley Lauren Carter struggles to come to terms with her own dark past in a building with an even darker one in DARLING, and a grief-stricken private investigator finds himself increasingly losing control of his latest case in the voyeuristic OBSERVANCE.

British Horror

The UK has a long and proud tradition of genre cinema, dating right the way back to the silent era. Grimmfest actually began in part out of a desire to showcase new British independent genre work, and this year is no exception. We’ve white-knuckle tension galore in the claustrophobic THE CHAMBER and a deft socio-political spin on the zombie sub-genre with THE REZORT.

Independent and Offbeat

Grimmfest has always prided itself on seeking films that push at the edges of the genre, that offer something a little more… left-field. This year we’ve home invasion as comedy of manners in ANOTHER EVIL, video games gone bad in retro-80s shocker BEYOND THE GATES, and motormouth master-magician Penn Jillette’s savage satire on directorial hubris in DIRECTOR’S CUT. There’s body horror and social alienation in THE UNSEEN (a UK Premiere) and the World Premiere of the suggestively-titled TONIGHT SHE COMES, which spins such classic genre tropes as a summer camping trip, a cabin in the woods, creepy inbred hillbillies, and rural magic.

Classic Horror

This year’s Grimmfest classic is a genuine (and very gory) slice of cinema history – THE BURNING! This infamous summer camp slasher marked the cinematic debut of Holly Hunter, Fisher Stevens, and Jason Alexander. Oft-banned, much-reviled, and almost invariably cut to ribbons, this lurid little shocker has stood the test of time to become a cult classic, now reissued in a beautifully-restored, remastered edition from those fine folk at Arrow.

Short Sharp Shocks

As ever, the shorts programme has something for everyone. We’ve ugly urban legends, grim(m) fairytales galore, and the World Premiere of the disturbing morality tale NSFW from locally-based filmmaker C.A. Wallace.

The post Grimmfest 2016 Lineup Announced; New Images, Ticket Info, and More! appeared first on Dread Central.

We let the cat out of the bag days ago regarding when you can see Shin Godzilla (Godzilla Resurgence) here in the U.S., and now we have all the details you need!

From the Press Release:
The iconic science-fiction monster Godzilla makes landfall in the U.S. and Canada this October with the North American theatrical release of Shin Godzilla from Toho Company, Ltd. Fans have been clamoring for news of the film’s theatrical dates ever since Funimation Films made its surprise acquisition announcement in July at San Diego Comic-Con 2016. And today the company officially announced that Shin Godzilla will roar into theaters for a limited engagement from October 11-18. The movie will screen in more than 440 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. Tickets for Shin Godzilla will be available for pre-purchase on the official film website beginning on September 9.

Co-directed by Hideaki Anno (creator of Evangelion) and Shinji Higuchi (director of Toho’s 2015 Attack on Titan live action movies), Shin Godzilla is the 29th Godzilla film produced by Toho and represents a brand new chapter in the 62-year history of this celebrated movie monster. The film stars Hiroki Hasegawa and Satomi Ishihara – both also from the Attack on Titan live action movies – as well as Yutaka Takenouchi.

In Shin Godzilla (Godzilla Resurgence), an unknown accident occurs in Tokyo Bay’s Aqua Line, which causes an emergency cabinet to assemble. All of a sudden, a giant creature immediately appears, destroying town after town, with its landing reaching the capital. This mysterious giant monster is named “Godzilla.”

Shin Godzilla has been a big hit in Japan since its opening on July 29, 2016, which garnered a box office of ¥ 845,675,500 and total audience of 564,332 during its first three days. To date in Japan, the movie has grossed ¥ 5,302,014,700 at the box office and 3,637,748 in total attendance.

In advance of the movie’s opening, Funimation will be hosting two premieres of Shin Godzilla – on October 3 in Los Angeles and on October 5 in New York – before opening day of New York Comic Con 2016. Additional details on these two events will be announced.

For more info and to get your tickets, head over to the official Shin Godzilla website.

The post OFFICIAL – Shin Godzilla Stomping U.S. Theatres in October; New Stills! appeared first on Dread Central.

A fresh crop of new images from Officer Downe have arrived, and we have them in custody so you can check them out. Based on the badass and brutal comic book by Chris Burnham and Joe Casey, the R-rated adaptation is headed our way later this year.

Written by Joe Casey, directed by Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan, and produced by Mark Neveldine (Crank), the Maniac Cop-esque Officer Downe stars Kim Coates (“Sons of Anarchy”) as a deceased Los Angeles police officer who is resurrected from the dead to continue his war on crime.

The film also stars Sam Witwer, Lauren Luna Vélez, and Lindsay Pulsipher.

Synopsis:
He walks the eternal beat… and delivers the eternal beat-down! Much more than man… he is policeman! It’s hyper-violence on the mean city streets… Not even death itself can stop this powerhouse of justice! You’ve never experienced “command presence” like this! This is one cop that’ll keep coming back for more… even from beyond the grave!

The post New Officer Downe Images Served Up! appeared first on Dread Central.

PAX West 2016 kicked off in Seattle today, and the best news we heard involves the official title and release month for Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead Season 3.  Read on for the sure-to-be gory details!

From the Press Release:
Fellow Survivors,

During our panel at PAX West today, Telltale took the stage to deliver some additional details surrounding the highly-anticipated third season of The Walking Dead.

Since its unveiling at E3 in June, the title and release window for the next season of the series have been tightly under wraps. Today, we can announce that The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series – A New Frontier will be premiering this November on consoles, PC/Mac, and mobile platforms. The series will also be available for purchase on a special ‘Season Pass Disc’ for consoles, which will include the premiere episode for the third season as well as access to all subsequent episodes in the five-episode season for download as they become available.

“This third new season will serve as both a continuation of what’s come before in our story, as well as an all-new beginning set nearly four years after the outbreak events of Season 1,” said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. “As a harrowing and horrific drama, ‘A New Frontier’ will explore beyond what it means to survive in a world ravaged by the undead and will see our characters confronting the new rules of order and justice in a land being brutally reclaimed and rediscovered by what’s left of humanity itself.”

Related Story:  Telltale Games Shows Off New The Walking Dead Season 3 Eye Candy!

Players will take control of series newcomer Javier, a man struggling to keep his family together in the new world, while also playing as Clementine, now a teenage survivor holding secrets of her past while fighting to protect family of her own.

“When we began this series, we explored what it meant to protect a character like Clementine at all costs,” said Kevin Boyle, Executive Producer on the series. “Years later, meeting her for the first time, Javier will begin to unravel the mystery of who Clementine has become, as her story intersects with his – both of them still driven by the things they value most long after society’s collapse.”

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series – A New Frontier will be premiering this November. For more news and information on the third season, stay tuned to telltale.com and Facebook.com/TheWalkingDeadGame, and follow @telltalegames on Twitter.

The post Telltale’s The Walking Dead Season 3 Title and Premiere Month Revealed appeared first on Dread Central.

Alexandre Aja (Piranha 3D, The Hills Have Eyes, Mirrors, Haute Tension) recently stated that at one time he wanted to get into the director’s chair for the next chapter in the Friday the 13th series, and we can only imagine the insanity that would have ensued.

“It’s very different; I mean, the Friday the 13th script was… very, very smart and a great opportunity to do something that was [at] the same time eerie, [at] the same time reinventing and renouncing the wall,” Aja told Bloody-Disgusting. “I think Friday the 13th was such a cool world because Jason became an icon and became such a cultural legend that it took like almost four movies to create the character the way people see him, and it would be really interesting to go back and say, you know, ‘What would be a movie that people can bring back all together?’ Friday the 13th has an amazing character, and I think there is room – and they have a script now that’s really, really amazing – to do something that’s absolutely scary and [at] the same time a way to re-establish the character for a new generation. I’m not the one doing it, but I will definitely go see it.”

Aja continues, “It’s hard because I’m not, you know… I can’t talk about this project because I’m not the one directing it, but I think… I would have tried to do something that would please me as an audience member, and I think we all as a fan of… Jason and as a fan of the genre, I think there is some respect to show to the energy, to the spirit, and you need to do something that’s absolutely stunning, shocking, and absolutely never goofy to make the right Friday the 13th.”

Breck Eisner (The Crazies) will be the man sitting in the director’s chair working from a script by Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners).

We expect the new film to be released on October 13, 2017 – but that’s just a hunch at this point.

The post Alexandre Aja Talks What Would Have Been His Friday the 13th appeared first on Dread Central.

One of our absolute favorite films of 2015 was easily Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s Spring! As per Variety, the duo are at it again with a new film entitled The Endless.

Even more interesting… they are set to star in and co-direct the film. Tate Ellington, Callie Hernandez, Lew Temple, James Jordan, Kira Powell, Emily Montague, Peter Cilella, Vinny Curran, and Shane Brady also star.

The film, which begins principal photography in San Diego this week, is a co-production between Moorhead and Benson’s longtime producing partner David Lawson, Jr., as well as Love & Death Productions and Pfaff & Pfaff Productions.

Plot details are being kept under wraps.

The post Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to Explore The Endless appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Jackie Vernon, Claire Ginsberg, Loren Schein

Directed by Wayne Berwick

Distributed by Arrow Video

The comedic stylings of Jackie Vernon might not be as popular as they once were – I doubt anyone under the age of 60 even remembers his shtick – but his voice will live on forever because he provided the pipes for the eponymous Frosty the Snowman (1969), that old Rankin/Bass childhood favorite. The man had a face made for radio, and the lack of acting credits to his name proves he wasn’t exactly cut out for the land of leading men. Still, that didn’t stop him from starring in the terrible and tasteless Microwave Massacre (1983), a movie that switches between awful and entertaining so frequently you won’t be able to look away. It’s like watching a 76-minute car accident you are absolutely powerless to halt. The acting – across the board – is among the worst I have ever seen. The gore effects look like someone poured food dye on discarded mannequin parts. The editing will make you wonder if someone didn’t just cobble the footage together using a pocket knife and some old chewing gum. The story is incredibly stupid, stretching the very limits of its own ludicrous plot.

But I’ll be damned if it isn’t some of the most fun I’ve had watching a bad movie. This thing would slay with the right crowd.

Vernon stars as Donald, a construction worker who shuffles through his day afraid of what horrors lurk within his lunchbox. His wife, May (Claire Ginsberg), is a nagging wannabe gourmand who cooks up revolting dishes in her brand-new Major Electric microwave oven, all of which are easy fodder for Donald’s constant barbs. So endless is May’s needling that Donald has fantasies of killing her with a sword. Late one night, after tying one on at the local watering hole, Donald comes home and snaps, beating May to death with a comically oversized salt shaker (making sure to toss a little over his left shoulder mid-attack… you know, for good luck). When he wakes up in the morning Donald doesn’t remember a thing… until he finds May’s hacked-up corpse in the microwave. Then, for reasons only clear to Donald, he decides to set the microwave for “slow broil” before heading off to work for the day.

After putting in a long day of sitting around and chasing tail with his pals Roosevelt (Loren Schein) and Phillip (Al Troupe), Donald comes home and wraps up the parts of May’s body in foil, storing them in the garage freezer. Late at night, delirious from sleep, Donald grabs a foil-wrapped food item and begins to nosh before realizing it’s actually May’s hand. Intrigued by this new flavor, Donald begins to experiment with different ways to prepare his wife, sharing his results with the unwitting Roosevelt and Phillip at work. When his appetite increases, even though supply isn’t running low, Donald decides to go out and kill more women to satisfy his hunger.

Where to begin? I would accept any argument from even the most seasoned horror fan that this is the worst film they have ever seen. It’s that bad. But there are chunks of pyrite in this earthen turd. Some of Vernon’s one-liners are actually funny; the problem is his deadpan, monotonous delivery robs the punchline. Director Wayne Berwick basically confesses in the bonus features that each scene was a “one and done” take, due to the time constraints for each shooting location, and it seems obvious Vernon did whatever he wanted to once “action” was called. He’s like that loveable old uncle you have who constantly cracks bad jokes but every now and then one actually works.

If Vernon’s performance seems odd – and it is – his character’s journey is even weirder. Donald kills his wife in a drunken stupor; a crime of passion. May had been nagging him for presumably decades, as he recalls the last time they had sex was “April, 1962”. In his blind rage he inexplicably carved her up as well before placing the pieces of her corpse in the microwave, possibly to spite her since he hated that machine. Then he cooks her. And inadvertently eats her. He now has a taste for human flesh. Where this goes off the rails is when he decides to kill other women, this despite having a fridge absolutely filled with May’s succulent, slow-broiled body. An argument could be made this motivation was purely sexual, since Donald has no problem getting down with women so far out of his league they may as well exist in another galaxy, as long as he imagines them as food. Then again, logic doesn’t have much of a place in a film called Microwave Massacre, so…

There is a surprising amount of comedy here, too. You could say the entire film is an unintentional comedy, but there are many gags that are clearly meant to be funny. Donald’s lunch at the construction site is an entire (clearly plastic) crab, served on a bun the size of a tire. There’s a running joke about macho, muscular guys being gay. When a hobo finds an arm in Donald’s trash, rather than report it or freak out he uses the detached appendage as a scratcher for his back and balls. Women are either old nags or topless sluts. Donald makes a dish he calls “Peking chick”. At some point you have to accept this is an awful movie and try to get on Vernon’s level to ease the pain of watching him act.

This is a… special film; a mentally handicapped approximation of a slasher. It’s the kind of movie you would see during weekend runs to the local mom & pop video store and think, “Damn, that big box art looks sweet and with a title like that it has to be gold!” And, really, if you watched this at any age under 17 it probably was. I will say there are bad movies that are just horrid through and through; Microwave Massacre at the very least has the luxury of being awfully entertaining in an oddly endearing sort of way.

It’s one thing for a specialty video label, in this case Arrow, to release something so awful, but it’s another thing entirely when that awful film is given such lavish treatment. The 1.85:1 1080p transfer for Microwave Massacre is – in a word – beautiful. The restoration work done for such a sleazy slice of cinema rivals what major studios do with their catalog titles – in fact, the big guys could learn a thing or two from Arrow’s results. The picture is vibrant and incredibly clear, like you’re watching a Discovery Channel special called “Construction Worker Cannibals”. Given the film’s vintage and exceedingly low budget, the fact it can be made to look this good is shocking.

Audio-wise, it’s a bit less exciting. The English LPCM uncompressed 1.0 mono track is sufficient, although the sound mix is dreadful. Like the film, it comes across as choppy and amateur, lacking the polish of most feature films. Pops can be heard on occasion, and there is a slight hiss when vocals or effects register high. On the plus side, composer Leif Horvath’s synth score stands out as something done well. Subtitles are available in English SDH.

On to the bonus features, where viewers will find an audio commentary with director Wayne Berwick, “My Microwave Massacre Memoirs” featuring new interviews from the cast & crew – along with some great, hilarious anecdotes, an image gallery with behind-the-scenes and promotional photos, and the film’s trailer. Additionally, there is a booklet with an essay by Stephen Thrower and lots of color photos. The cover art is reversible, both options are

Special Features:

• Brand new 2K restoration of the original camera negative
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
• Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with writer-producer Craig Muckler moderated by Mike Tristano
• Brand new making-of featurette including interviews with Muckler, director Wayne Berwick and actor Loren Schein
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
• First pressing only: fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower

The post Microwave Massacre (Blu-ray/DVD) appeared first on Dread Central.

Over the past several months we’ve been covering Rock Paper Dead, a new film with quite a “dream team” behind the scenes; and now, with shooting set to begin in Los Angeles next week, word has come as to who will be in front of the cameras… and it’s quite an eclectic bunch!  Read on for the details.

From the Press Release:
Actors Jennifer Titus (pictured below left; Supergator), Luke Macfarlane (pictured below right; “Killjoys, “Mercy Street”), Tatum O’Neal (Paper Moon, “Rescue Me”), and Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight) have joined the cast of Tom Holland’s (Fright Night, Child’s Play) latest feature, ROCK PAPER DEAD. Also co-starring are Anna Margaret (“Scream Queens”), Maureen McCormick (“The Brady Bunch”), and Gabrielle Stone (Death House).

Rounding out the cast will be some of horror’s most memorable character actors, including Ari Lehman, who played the original Jason in Friday the 13th. Lehman will play an orderly named Jason in the film. John Dugan, who played Grandfather in Tobe Hooper’s original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, will also make a cameo in ROCK PAPER DEAD.

ROCK PAPER DEAD is the story of serial killer Peter “The Doll Maker” Harris, who returns to his ancestral family estate after being released from the state’s hospital for the criminally insane after twenty years – a “cured” man. Once inside the old house, anguished memories from a tortured childhood and visitations from past victims shake Peter’s resolve, but it isn’t until the lovely young Ashley enters his life that Peter makes a fateful decision… one that rekindles old desires that have always ended in murder.

Macfarlane will play Peter “The Doll Maker” Harris, and Titus will play Ashley Grant with Madsen as Detective Doyle Deckert and O’Neal as Dr. Evelyn Bauer.

Produced by Amy Williams, ROCK PAPER DEAD is co-written by Victor Miller (Friday the 13th) and Kerry Fleming and directed by Tom Holland (Child’s Play). The film is executive produced by Fuel 1 and co-produced by Miller and Kerry. Vincent Guastini will provide the special makeup effects; Yash Bhatt is the director of photography. Ed Marx will serve as editor with original music by Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th).

“Most who know me understand this genre is my medicine, which seems insane, but it’s true,” says producer Williams. “I was 9 years old with my baby brother, Joey, and saw Night of the Living Dead; and that was it for me. Words cannot convey how grateful and humbled I am to be working with such genius and legends for the team I was able to put together.”

Jennifer Titus was previously cast as Zoe in Roger Corman’s Supergator and as the lead in another Corman film, Cheerleader Massacre 2. A veteran of the thriller genre, she most recently appeared as Robyn in the sci-fi thriller Zoombies. Luke Macfarlane is best known for his starring role as Scotty on ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters.” He is currently featured in the Syfy series “Killjoys” as well as the PBS/Scott Free historical Civil War medical drama “Mercy Street.” He also recurs on the NBC series “The Night Shift.”

Tatum O’Neal (pictured below left) is the youngest person ever to win a competitive Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress), which she won in 1974 at age 10 for her performance as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon opposite her father, Ryan O’Neal. She also starred in The Bad News Bears, International Velvet, Nickelodeon, and Little Darlings. Recently she had a recurring role on FX’s “Rescue Me.” Michael Madsen (pictured below right) has had a long career spanning 25 years and more than 170 films, during which he has played memorable characters in a long list of box office hits, including The Hateful Eight, Kill Bill, Sin City, Reservoir Dogs, Hell Ride, Die Another Day, Donnie Brasco, Species, The Getaway, The Doors, Thelma & Louise, and Free Willy.

“I am extremely excited to be part of this film,” said O’Neal about her role. “I am a huge fan of the genre, and to know I’m working with the best of the best is the icing on the cake.”

The post Rock Paper Dead Cast to Include Michael Madsen, Tatum O’Neal, Maureen McCormick, and Several Up-and-Comers appeared first on Dread Central.

In the world of author Ransom Riggs’ Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, every day is the same, frozen in time on September 3, 1943, and when it coincides with the real, not so peculiar, calendar we all follow, that occasion is referred to as “Loop Day.”

As you’ve probably guessed, today being September 3rd means that 20th Century Fox is celebrating, and on tap are a pair of new videos for the upcoming film adaptation.

But that’s not all…

Riggs’ Tales of the Peculiar companion book is now available in hardcover, Kindle, Audible, and even audio CD formats (you can order it on Amazon).  It’s an illustrated collection of fairy tales that hide information about the “peculiar” world, including clues to the locations of time loops – so it’s only fitting that the book release on Loop Day!

Check out a few pages below.

Based upon the best-selling novel by Ransom Riggs and directed by Tim Burton, this unforgettable motion picture experience stars Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, and Rupert Everett with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children opens in theaters everywhere on September 30th.

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 (Butterfield) 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 Celebrate Loop Day with a Pair of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Videos appeared first on Dread Central.

In just 5 DAYS, you’ll be able to order the innovative collector’s edition of the horror comic book everyone’s been raving about!  It’s LUCIO FULCI’S ZOMBIE #1, the first of an ongoing series based on the classic film.

The first pressing of this instant classic issue sold out in a matter of mere hours, so be sure to get there early when this bad boy goes on sale!

The book is only available at eibonpress.com!  There’s more information in the video below.  Be there!

The post 5 DAYS ‘TILL LUCIO FULCI’S ZOMBIE #1 SPECIAL EDITION REPRINT! appeared first on Dread Central.

If you enjoy Dread Central, you clearly enjoy horror. Studies show people who enjoy horror ALSO enjoy comedy, love animals, like to get high, and are incredibly good-looking and super-fun to hang out with. We formed “DreadCentral Presents” to make great films JUST FOR YOU – animal-loving, stoned-ass, hot, handsome/beautiful people who like to laugh.

We told you about our latest film, Stoner Cats in Space, a few weeks ago. Like the title implies, it’s galactic! We may be biased (or baked), but we think: Oscar-level stuff.

How can you help?  You can visit our Stoner Cats in Space Kickstarter campaign and contribute.  But even more important than that…

PLEASE go to the Stoner Cats in Space Facebook page and share and “like” it. It only takes a second — plus, we can guarantee you WILL like it — so do it NOW!

About Stoner Cats in Space:
DreadCentral Presents (the brainchild of Dread Central co-founder Steve Barton and Ruthless Studios CEO Jesse Baget) brings you the twisted stoner feline comedy Stoner Cats in Space, which explores the life of two stoned cats from outer space who watch the most mind-bending selection of Earth TV programming ever imagined (think “Beavis and Butthead” meets Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party).

Animation is being handled by Zebediah De Soto and his team (Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn).

Synopsis:
Stoner Cats in Space explores the deep relationship between two totally baked cats (voiced by Steve Barton and Joe Knetter) living aboard an evil kitty’s spaceship in the middle of a galactic battle with Earth. Our kitty heroes get absolutely tanked and watch a compilation of the most delirious stoner films out there.

These films are directed by some incredibly talented, up-and-coming filmmakers that propel the stoner film sub-genre to a whole other dimension. Among the juicy picks are a monster couch with a fierce case of the munchies, a killer toothbrush, and two potheads crashing an exorcism.

In addition to following along with the project on Kickstarter, stay up-to-date on all the latest via the Stoner Cats in Space Facebook page.

The post This Labor Day Weekend the Stoner Cats in Space Have a Job for You! appeared first on Dread Central.

In just 4 DAYS, you’ll be able to order the innovative collector’s edition of the horror comic book everyone’s been raving about! It’s LUCIO FULCI’S ZOMBIE #1, the first of an ongoing series based on the classic film. The first pressing of this instant classic issue sold out in a matter of mere hours, so be sure to get there early when this bad boy goes on sale!

The book is only available at eibonpress.com! More information in the video below. Be there!

The post 4 DAYS ’till LUCIO FULCI’S ZOMBIE #1 SPECIAL EDITION REPRINT! appeared first on Dread Central.

The third chapter in the Blair Witch franchise is getting set to spook you, and we have your chance right here to see it FIRST and FREE!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR BOSTON AND HARTFORD BY FOLLOWING THE LINKS BELOW!

BOSTON:
9/13/2016
07:30 PM

AMC Loews Boston Common 19
175 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02111
617-423-3499

GET YOUR PASSES HERE!

HARTFORD:

9/13/2016
07:00 PM

Buckland Hills 18 + IMAX
99 Red Stone Rd.
Manchester, CT 06032
8606464555

GET YOUR PASSES HERE!

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. 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.

It arrives in theaters on September 16th.

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 Attention Boston and Hartford: See Blair Witch Early appeared first on Dread Central.

That’s right, kids! DreadCentral is partnering with Lionsgate to offer lucky fans a chance to dig on Blair Witch (review) early and FREE! Interested? You know you are!

Location:
AMC Mission Valley 20
1640 Camino Del Rio North
San Diego, CA 92108
888-262-4386

Date and Time:
9/13/2016 – 7:30 PM

Click HERE to print your passes! But hurry because they won’t last long!

Blair Witch 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 Attention San Diego: See Blair Witch EARLY! appeared first on Dread Central.

“Open 24 hours, except for those 8 hours at night where the ghosts come out and someone has to clean the tables”

Developed by Visual Imagination Software

Available on PC through Steam

Suitable for any age capable of figuring out how a keyboard works

Before I even start my first shift at Joe’s Diner, I struggle to find a reason why I took this job. Between the warring spirits of Native American chieftains, the awful close to 6 AM schedule, or the diner’s description as out of the way and of little consequence, it doesn’t seem like an ideal employment situation. This isn’t a Five Nights at Freddy’s deal, where I didn’t know there would be murder involved until I got there. Cleaning tables and quelling vengeful spirits was the job description.

A janitorial simulator? Be still my beating heart!

But hey, they needed a “vacation replacement” (I have no idea what that is, or what employment agency would send me to the ass end of Route 7 for a month of bussing tables/ghost coddling), and the work is straightforward enough. After the diner closes, all you have to do is clean the tables. Just be sure to keep the noise down, or else the slumbering spirits will awaken and… I think kill you? It’s kind of vague, but nebulously bad is still bad, so avoid it.

I can’t tell if this is a jump scare or a 90’s PSA about saving the environment.

Even with the bare bones plot, it can be confusing to understand why random televisions and coffee makers are turning on, so here’s the plot as best I can understand it. Grim Feather and Laughing Bird were both proud chieftains at war with one another in life, but Laughing bird was more of a dick about it. So while Grim Feather just wants to be dead, Laughing Bird wants to torment his nemesis from beyond the grave. His grand master plan? Make a bunch of noise and wake Grim Feather up like a grumpy alcoholic father. And just like a grumpy alcoholic father, Grim Feather will beat on the first thing in his line of sight, which is unfortunately you. Thanks Laughing Bird for putting me in the middle of your centuries old vendetta. That’s so mature.

So your job is dual janitorial and nanny. You’ll go from table to table, making sure each is clean, and one at a time collect trash to haul back to the bin in the kitchen. Over. And over. And over. Again. Sound boring? Don’t worry! It’s made exciting by the ghost shenanigans messing with random electronics around the diner. So not only do you have to escort quest a bunch of shit from table to trash can, but you also have to run around pressing E to not die. Oh yay!

I’d make a joke about how this is where the game belongs, but that would require the trash to be on fire.

There are other games with similarly silly premises that do fine. Like Five Nights at Freddy’s. And Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. And Five Nights at Freddy’s 3. Not Five Night at Freddy’s 4 though. But what makes those games is a sense of tension and genuinely great visuals. Joe’s Diner has neither of those and a stupider plot.

I’ve played a lot of shitty games in my day, but mostly because they are offensively bad. This is one of the few games I’ve played that are just so dull that it hurts. It takes no risks and reaps no rewards. When a game just utterly fails, at least it was trying to do something. Joe’s Diner never even tries to jog out of the gate. It was doomed to be dull before the first line of code was programmed.

There is absolutely no enjoyment to be had playing this game. It can’t even be enjoyed ironically as schlock. It’s a functional flash game, that by the grace of hardly passable screenshot visuals manages to masquerade as a $7 game. Please do not buy it, even to see how bad it is. There is not an ounce of fun to be had here.

The post Bottom of the Bargain Bin: Joe’s Diner (Video Game) appeared first on Dread Central.

Guy Pearce and Dakota Fanning lead the cast of Martin Koolhoven’s upcoming western-thriller Brimstone, and although we’re still waiting for a trailer, we do have several new clips for you to chew on!

Check them out below courtesy of The Playlist on Facebook.

Brimstone will premiere this September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Kit Harington, Carice van Houten, Paul Anderson, Jack Roth, and Carla Juri also star.

Synopsis:
From the moment the new reverend climbs the pulpit, Liz knows she and her family are in great danger. Kit Harington appears as an outlaw who has a crucial role in the tale of retribution, and Dakota Fanning portrays Liz, a heroine on the run from her past and chased by an evil preacher (Guy Pearce).

The post New Videos Brimming With Brimstone appeared first on Dread Central.