I’m a firm believer that you can’t throw anyone into the deep end of a passion. For example, if I want to get people to appreciate and even enjoy metal, I’m not going to make them listen to Cannibal Corpse or Cattle Decapitation as their introduction. Rather, I’m going to start with more radio friendly hard rock/metal and then ease them into the harder and more exciting stuff while also taking the time to explain precisely what I love every step of the way. Making people feel like they’re being invited into your passion should be a treat for them, something that they feel honored by.

When it comes to horror, many people don’t know where to start, which is fully understandable. By this point, there are probably tens of thousands of horror films and countless lists of “The Best Horror Films Ever”. Where is one to start???

In my opinion, sometimes the best path is the safest one. Rather than put on Night of the Living Dead, why not put on a couple episodes of “Scooby Doo, Where Are You!”? Having always loved the show, I find a certain sense of comfort as well as nostalgia when I think about the Mystery Gang and their spooky adventures. Plus, the added benefit here is that while the overall experience of the show isn’t a scary one, there are TONS of aspects about it that can build a love of horror. For this particular piece, I want to focus on the stunning backgrounds that may go overlooked but should receive appreciation of their own.

For a while, the backgrounds were done by Walt Peregoy, who was an ex-Disney color stylist and background artist. His work was recognized for being a bit more radical and innovative, something that helped with his offerings at Hanna Barbara during his Scooby Doo years. And while he was only at that studio from 1968-71, with another stint in 1973, his work on “Scooby Doo, Where Are You!” set a foundation for the show that is still oh so vital. While it’s obvious that the gang needs to enter into eldritch realms to solve their mysteries, Peregoy’s backgrounds are what provided that wonderful miasma.

Below are several examples of the backgrounds from “Scooby Doo, Where Are You!”, which I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did while putting this together!

[Imgur]

The post The Background Paintings of Scooby Doo Are Delightfully Creepy and Rather Beautiful appeared first on Dread Central.

One of our favorite horror icons will be making a comeback in Butcher the Bakers from director Tyler Amm and producer P.J. Starks, which finds the Grim Reaper terrorizing a small town. It stars Ryan Matthew Ziegler, Sean Walsh, Mike Behrens and Lisa Wojcik.

The official trailer for Butcher the Bakers, a new slacker horror/comedy from Hometown Hero Production.

Synopsis:
A grim reaper terrorizes a small town, killing and collecting souls for a purpose only he knows. Sam and Martin, slackers who work at the local bakery, are hired by a mysterious stranger to stop him from killing again. This leads them on a ridiculous journey full of blood, guts, monsters, and cookies!

ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Hometown Hero Productions is an independent film studio hell-bent on making delightfully weird films your mother will hate to love. Founded in 2015 by a naive group of small town fools, it has turned into a productive team of passionate and creative people. Butcher is third film from writer/director Tyler Amm (River City Panic, Grace’s Room) and executive produced by P.J. Starks, creator of the critically acclaimed Volumes of Blood franchise.

The post The Grim Reaper Terrorizes a Small Town in Butcher the Bakers appeared first on Dread Central.

After dozens, nay, hundreds of stories we’re almost at the finish line, folks. Alien: Covenant is finally making its way to theaters on May 19th but if you’re in the Boston area we have a chance for you to see the flick early! We’re good like that!

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

DATE AND TIME:
May 10, 2017
Wednesday 7:00pm
(Have your pass ready to show at the door)

Click HERE to get your passes! Use the code ALIENCOVENANTDreadCentral when prompted.

Look for Alien: Covenant everywhere on May 19th.

Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, and Benjamin Rigby star in Alien: Covenant. Ridley Scott directed the film, which was written by John Logan and Dante Harper based on a story by Jack Paglen and Michael Green.

Synopsis:
Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

The post Attention Boston: See Alien: Covenant Early and on Us! appeared first on Dread Central.

It feels as though we see more genre films hit the market with each year that sprints by. The genre isn’t just growing, it’s thriving: Get Out just made nearly $200 million at the box office; Kong: Skull Island raked in nearly $560 million worldwide; Split did about $275 million worldwide. All three of those pictures, for the record, are top 10 earners (thus far) in 2017.

It isn’t likely that we’ll forget any one of those films (all of which, for the record are exceptional), but there are an awful lot of lower budget indie films and foreign pieces that go unnoticed entirely, or slip from our memories with alarming frequently, lost in a structure loaded with too many movie memories to count.

Well, we’re looking to dig up bones for our wonderful readers. If you spot even one single film on this list that you enjoyed, but had forgotten about, then we’ve succeeded in doing our job. So, sit back and dive in – you’re more than encouraged to take notes. We don’t want these beauties dropping from your radar again!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Abraham Lincoln: Vampite Hunter wasn’t a stellar picture, technically speaking, but it was one hell of an entertaining adventure loaded with cool action sequences, surprisingly impressive character exploration and a general concept that is absolutely mind boggling. Throw in the fact that it’s a period piece and you’ve only got more greatness to anticipate. All that said, the film simply shouldn’t work, given how far-out it is, but it does work. It’s swift, slick and savage in the right moments, and it deserves a place on your frequent watch list.

After Midnight
One of the more uncommon anthologies out there, Jim and Ken Wheat’s 1989 offering After Midnight has a couple of downright awesome segments. But the movie’s greatest success lies within the picture’s wraparound, which is – quite simply put – amazing. There’s no need to spoil this one, but know that you’ll get a good mix of content, and though a lot of it feels familiar, a lot of it also feels like a perfect example of the 1980s, captured seamlessly and immortalized for all to revisit.

Asylum Blackout
2011 gave us some stellar pictures. Among those top-notch efforts was Asylum Blackout, a criminally underrated piece about a cooking crew trapped in an insane asylum when the residents break free of their confines and take to slaughtering the staff. It’s dark, it’s eerie, it relies on brewing dread as opposed to cheap jump scares, and it also boasts riveting performances from Rupert Evans and the perfectly sinister Richard Brake. If you’re after an indie flick with an enormous heart, you should look into Asylum Blackout.

Attack the Block
Another one of the treasures that landed in our laps in 2011 was Joe Cornish’s frenetic invasion flick, Attack the Block. It’s a blast of a film, stuffed full of witty humor, killer special effects and characters we can really care about (seriously, if Moses didn’t you over, you probably flatlined long ago). The aliens themselves look terrific and the mountain of conflicts introduced in the movie are all resolved in satisfying fashion. Those who are after a somewhat atypical invasion film will find that Attack the Block is a surprise hit of the sub-genre.

Black Sheep
No one should need to sell you on the idea of a movie about killer sheep. That’s an idea that does a pretty good job of marketing itself. But the beauty behind Jonathan King’s outlandish comedy is the fact that it truly is hilarious. There’s some potentially offensive material in the film, which won’t work for the thin-skinned, but if you’re not overly sensitive and you get a kick out of bold horror comedies, Black Sheep is a real must-see.

The City of Lost Children
Back in 1995 Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet joined forces to treat us to one of the most aesthetically pleasing genre films in existence. The City of Lost Children. The story itself is wildly dark, focusing on a mad man who kidnaps children in order to steal their dreams, but the picture as a whole, never feels overtly taboo or too risqué. Rather, this one is strangely innocent in vibe (a perfectly played counter to the bleakness of the plot), very engaging with some superb performances from Ron Perlman and Dominique Pinon, and heavy on atmosphere that’s certain to unsettle.

Dead Heat
How in the world can anyone forget a supernatural action piece with Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo in the lead roles? Okay, don’t answer that. This totally forgotten ‘80s beast is fun from the get go and features some slick practical effects work, and that’s what matters. It isn’t the easiest film to track down anymore, but the small cult following the flick has is more than deserved. If you get the chance, refresh your memory with a return visit to Dead Heat.

Grabbers
Any movie that offers us the idea that intoxication is the key to survival is a movie that’s A-okay in my book. Jon Wright’s gorgeous monster movie has flown under the radar for years, but it’s a terrific little picture with some hilarious laughs and kick ass characters waiting to win you over. The visual effects are heavy, but they’re surprisingly well-assembled for a film that doesn’t look as though it enjoyed the benefits of an enormous budget. Grabbers is a piece you need to see, it’s also most definitely one of the finest Irish horror pics out there, no debate.

Severance
Christopher Smith has put together some downright bad ass movies (see Creep, Triangle, Detour and Black Death), but the very best of his ledger is right here for the taking. Severance is a mindbender of a film that drops a group of traveling employees in the middle of nowhere, where strange happenings abound, and something lurks just beyond eyesight. This is a slick picture that toys with every trope you know, right before yanking the rug from under our feet and spinning a web we never see coming. It’s intelligent, the cast is grade-A in regards to pure talent and the final act is one of the best we’ve seen in the last few decades.

The Windmill
Believe it or not, The Windmill is probably the best slasher to see release since the first two Cold Prey movies shocked audiences 11 and nine years ago, respectively. The film is typically well-written and the cinematography is just gorgeous. The idea behind the film, the special effects – both practical and digital – and the menacing antagonist introduced to audiences are all top-notch. It won’t be easy for any of the younger screen villains to develop enormous followings and longevity, a la the big three (Myers, Voorhees and Krueger), but if there’s one out there that stands a chance, it’s the crazy miller who likes to mow down the unsuspecting with an enormous scythe. And yes, the movie is every bit as cool as it sounds.

The post 10 Awesome Movies You Might Have Forgotten About appeared first on Dread Central.

Starring Peggy Schott, Elise Gardner

Directed by Aaron B. Koontz

I think that we all can agree that in certain points in our life, we simply go through the motions, aimlessly ambling past each passing day as if time stood still, and whether or not you’ve got a lot going on, it’s always best to look around you when you’re in the middle of your existence – you simply never know what’s in your rear-view mirror.

Honor Student, the short film from director Aaron B. Koontz (producer of Starry Eyes and the director of the upcoming Camera Obscura), gives us a look at the hum-drum goings on of a woman (Schott) as she trudges her way through her span on this planet. Her demeanor is funereal, her motivation is indolent, and the gloom and doom that follows her is disheartening – the lady’s a freakin’ mess, basically. Lumbering through a thankless job, what more possibly could be in store for this malcontent soul?

Koontz piles listlessness upon contrition in this quickie that certainly isn’t the remedy to brighten a dismal day, nor is it technically “horror” – it’s a dour delve into the life (if you can call it that) of a woman who’s direction is undetermined, but something tells me that her fate has already been planned out. A decent watch for those who revel in the misery of others, so revel on, ya lunatics!

The post Honor Student (Short, 2017) appeared first on Dread Central.

There’s lots to get to this week going bump in the night on VOD for your hard earned dollars so let’s get to it, shall we?

Click on the titles below for our full coverage on each. Check back every Thursday at 10:00AM PT/1:00PM ET. Opening this week in theaters and on VOD/MOD are…

Darkest Day
A young man wakes up on a beach with no memory of how he got there. He discovers an empty city ravaged by a deadly virus and those infected attacking all in their path. After befriending a small group of survivors, it soon becomes clear that the army is hunting them for the secret to a cure, and the group is forced into a dangerous fight for freedom against both the military and the monsters.

Alienate
At the end of his marriage, David leaves on a business trip to give his wife much-needed space. When airplanes start mysteriously falling out of the sky and cell towers fail across the nation, he finds himself trapped. The Earth falling to an alien invasion, David fights to return to whatever is left of home.

American Exorcism
Damon Richter thought he left the world of possessions, exorcisms, and evil behind until an old friend arrives with frightening information about his estranged daughter, knowing that only his otherworldly skills can save her.

Another Evil
After encountering terrifying ghosts in their vacation home, modern artist Dan Pappadakis and his wife, Mary, consult a mellow ghost whisperer. Unsatisfied with his groovy verdict–that they should simply co-exist with the “pretty cool” ghosts–Dan goes behind Mary’s back to seek a second opinion and secretly hires the eccentric Os Bijourn, who quickly surmises that Dan’s home is full of “demons” and promises to get rid of the beings for a reasonable fee.

As the two spend several evenings trapping ghosts in Os’ increasingly bizarre “ghost traps,” Dan learns that Os is emotionally fragile due to his recent divorce and ongoing attempt to quit smoking. He is so in need of support that he tries to befriend Dan almost as relentlessly as he tries to destroy demons. Due to the increasing awkwardness of the situation, Dan attempts calling the whole thing off, but it quickly becomes apparent that a great evil has embedded itself in his home and the fate of his entire family is at stake.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe
It’s just another night at the morgue for a father (Brian Cox, Trick ’r Treat, Zodiac) and son (Emile Hirsch, Lone Survivor, Killer Joe) team of coroners, until an unidentified, highly unusual corpse arrives. Discovered buried in the basement of the home of a brutally murdered family, the young Jane Doe — eerily well-preserved and with no visible signs of trauma — is shrouded in mystery. As they work into the night to piece together the cause of her death, the two men begin to uncover the disturbing secrets of her life. Soon, a series of terrifying events make it clear: this Jane Doe may not be dead. The latest from Troll Hunter director André Øvredal is a scarily unpredictable, supernatural shocker that never lets up. This chiller also stars Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones).

Even Lambs Have Teeth
Damon Richter thought he left the world of possessions, exorcisms, and evil behind until an old friend arrives with frightening information about his estranged daughter, knowing that only his otherworldly skills can save her.

The Hexecutioners
Three years ago Proposition 117 was passed, allowing private medical films to conduct assisted suicide procedures. Two disparate young women working for a Rite-to-Die company are dispatched to a remote estate to perform a custom euthanasia ritual, but they unwittingly summon the spirits of a death cult that once inhabited the property.

Given the talent behind and in front of the camera, The Hexecutioners shouldn’t have any problems finding international distribution at the American Film Market. Although we still have a while before the flick is released on one format or another, it’s never too early to take a peek at the trailer.

The Lure
In this bold, genre-defying horror-musical mashup – the playful and confident debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska – a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters are drawn ashore in an alternate ’80s Poland to explore the wonders and temptations of life on land. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly aura make them overnight sensations as nightclub singers in the half-glam, half-decrepit fantasy world of Smoczynska’s imagining.

In a visceral twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s original Little Mermaid tale, one sister falls for a human; and as the bonds of sisterhood are tested, the lines between love and survival get blurred. A savage coming-of-age fairytale with a catchy new-wave soundtrack, lavishly grimy sets, and outrageous musical numbers, THE LURE explores its themes of sexuality, exploitation, and the compromises of adulthood with energy and originality.

Metalface (aka Playing With Dolls)
A wealthy voyeur uses his vast wealth to watch women die. He arranges to have a serial killer released from a prison for the criminally insane. The voyeur brings victims to a secret cabin in the middle of a dense forest and allows the killer to have his way with them. The voyeur watches through hundreds of hidden cameras as the killer slashes his way through unsuspecting victims in his private playground of horror.

Mindgamers
Students at a quantum academy attempt to create a collective consciousness, only to discover that they themselves are part of a greater experiment.

Occupants
A documentarian named Annie has roped her husband into a project that involves setting up cameras throughout their house. Complications arise when the cameras start showing that same couple in an alternate universe.

The post Horror Box Office – OPENING THIS WEEK: May 05, 2017 appeared first on Dread Central.

To say we’re excited about the “Twin Peaks” revival on Showtime would be an understatement… we’re positively giddy! Especially after watching this new promo for the show that reunites us with some very familiar faces 25 years later.

Check it out below for a look at who’s coming back, including Big Ed Hurley (Everett McGill), Carl Rodd (Harry Dean Stanton), Sarah Palmer (Grace Zabriskie), Deputy Andy Brennan (Harry Goaz), Deputy Tommy “Hawk” Hill (Michael Horse), and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan).

The 18-part limited event series “Twin Peaks” will debut with a two-part premiere on Sunday, May 21st, at 9PM ET/PT. Immediately following the premiere, Showtime subscribers will have access to the third and fourth parts, exclusively across the network’s streaming service, SHOWTIME ANYTIME, and SHOWTIME ON DEMAND. In its second week, “Twin Peaks” will air the third and fourth parts back-to-back on the linear network, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by one-hour parts in subsequent weeks.

About “Twin Peaks”:
The critically-acclaimed television phenomenon “TWIN PEAKS” returns as a limited series to Showtime on May 21, 2017. “TWIN PEAKS” is written and produced by series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost and is directed entirely by David Lynch.

While the full mystery awaits, fans can expect many familiar faces, including Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award nominee Kyle MacLachlan, who reprises his role as FBI Agent Dale Cooper, plus Lynch as FBI Regional Bureau Chief Gordon Cole.

Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential broadcast series of all time, “TWIN PEAKS” followed the inhabitants of a quaint Northwestern town who were stunned after their homecoming queen, Laura Palmer, was shockingly murdered. The town’s sheriff welcomed the help of FBI agent Dale Cooper, who came to town to investigate the case. As Cooper conducted his search for Laura’s killer, the town’s secrets were gradually exposed. The mystery that ensued set off an eerie chain of events that plunged the inhabitants of Twin Peaks into a darker examination of their very existence. Twenty-five years later, the story continues…

The post New Twin Peaks Promo Reunites Us with Some Familiar Faces appeared first on Dread Central.

We told you a few weeks ago that Robert Hall (Lightning Bug, Fear Clinic, Laid to Rest, Almost Human FX) is taking the director’s chair once again for a remake of Nail Gun Massacre, and right now we have your exclusive look at the first bit of artwork. Check it out!

About the Film:
Director Robert Hall (Laid to Rest, Fear Clinic, MTV’s “Teen Wolf”) has joined forces with Texas Frightmare Weekend founder and producer Loyd Cryer to remake the 1985 cult favorite Nail Gun Massacre.

Cryer had a relationship with the film’s original director, (the late) Terry Lofton, and re-released the original film in 2014 with Code Red Entertainment. When asked about the new version, Cryer said: “Robert Hall and I have been talking about this for a couple of years, and finally we are making it happen. Hall’s film Lightning Bug is a personal favorite, and obviously with the unmatched death scenes in his Laid to Rest series, I found the right guy to bring it to life.”

Hall will direct and produce with Cryer while the script comes courtesy of screenwriter Darren Bevill (Appetites). When asked about the film and any casting choices, Hall said: “I’ve been really fortunate to have amazing casts in all my films despite the budget, and although I can’t reveal anything just yet, Nail Gun will be no different and feature a familiar and stellar cast.”

Hall then commented on whether they would retain the comedic camp tone of the original: “It’s going to be a FUN MOVIE for sure; however, the new screenplay is really smart, and we are pulling back on the camp for sure. It’s an update for today’s demanding audience bringing you WTF superb nail gun kills of course.”

The post Exclusive Artwork Premiere: Nail Gun Massacre appeared first on Dread Central.

A bit more casting news has come regarding the upcoming second season of fan favorite “Stranger Things” as “Nashville” and “American Crime Story” alum Will Chase has signed on to the show.  Details are scarce, but TVLine revealed that Chase will play Neil Mayfield, the father of a family of recent transplants to Hawkins, Indiana, from California.

The site further speculates that Mayfield’s offspring are the previously announced two new kids in town, played by Sadie Sink and Dacre Montgomery. We’ll find out on October 31st if they’re correct.

In addition to Sink and Montgomery, Chase joins other new cast members Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Brett Gelman, Linnea Berthelsen, and Rob Morgan for Season 2 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” The returning regulars are Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Charlie Heaton.

About “Stranger Things” Season 2: A year after Will’s return, everything seems back to normal… but a darkness lurks just beneath the surface, threatening all of Hawkins.

The post Will Chase Joins Stranger Things Season 2 appeared first on Dread Central.

It’s been announced that Epic Pictures Group has acquired the North American rights to Last Rampage, a true crime thriller that follows convicted murderer Gary Tison after his escape from prison.

Last Rampage was directed by Dwight H. Little and is based on James W. Clarke’s book Last Rampage: The Escape of Gary Tison. The script was written by Álvaro Rodríguez, and the film stars Robert Patrick, Heather Graham, and Bruce Davison.

Per Deadline, Epic will be releasing the film in theaters on September 22nd.

According to the site, Epic also is organizing special event screenings across the nation in association with the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club (Patrick is the president of Chapter 101). The Boozefighters MC is a nonprofit organization that helps raise money for veterans, children, and the disadvantaged.

Synopsis:
The true crime thriller of Gary Tison and Randy Greenawalt’s escape from the Arizona State Prison in the summer of 1978.

Disclaimer: Epic Pictures Group and Dread Central are affiliated. As a result, this post does not feature any opinions or personal commentary. We’re sticking to the facts here, folks!

The post Epic Pictures to Embark on a Last Rampage appeared first on Dread Central.

Earlier this year, horror icon Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects) and Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down) released a collaborative album called Songs of Darkness and Despair. Today the folk over at Revolver have premiered a video for the track “Dirty Eye,” which was directed by Ryan Oliver.

To say that the video is crazy is an understatement! It’s got puppets, surreal and horrific visuals, and loads of blood. This is something no horror fan should sleep on!

Oliver states: “As a three-year [alumnus] of Housecore Horror Fest, it was a special honor to make a video for Bill & Phil. My crew and I had a lot of fun making this bizarre puppet show over the past winter/spring. This opportunity came right on the heels of our last Housecore video for [Housecore labelmates] Child Bite’s ‘Vermin Mentality.’ Though different, I think they complement each other quite well. Once again, we were trusted to do what we wanted creatively, and in the end, it seemed best to follow Bill Moseley’s lyrical cues and try to interpret them in an entertaining fashion. We’re pretty pleased with the turnout and hope it lives up to the uniquely wild music on this record.”

Moseley joking adds, “This video is down ‘n’ dirty and comes with no strings attached. Well, except for the puppets. I can’t speak for Phil, but frankly I’ve never looked better!”

The post Bill Moseley and Phil Anselmo Release Bizarrely Awesome Video for Dirty Eye appeared first on Dread Central.

The case of the Zodiac Killer is one that still baffles and fascinates people. It’s believed that he has killed five people, although he claims to have slaughtered nearly 40. However, nothing can be confirmed because the Zodiac Killer, who operated in the San Francisco area in the late 60’s, was never caught.

Vertical Entertainment is continuing the search for the killer with the upcoming thriller Awakening the Zodiac, a film that follows a couple who seek to reveal his identity to claim a $100,000 reward. However, what they didn’t count on was the killer coming out of hiding to protect himself…

Directed by Jonathan Wright, Awakening the Zodiac stars Shane West, Leslie Bibb, Matt Craven, Stephan McHattie, Nicholas Campbell, and Kenneth Welsh.

Awakening the Zodiac opens in theaters June 9th.

Synopsis:
In 1968, one of the deadliest serial killers in U.S. history disappeared without a trace. His identity and cryptic messages remained unsolved for decades…until now. After a fortune seeking couple uncover a forty-year-old film reel depicting two gruesome murders taken by the killer himself, they set out to solve the mystery and claim the $100,000 reward. But the situation quickly changes, as the hunters become the hunted.

The post Awakening the Zodiac Chases After the Elusive Serial Killer appeared first on Dread Central.

With Brainwaves: Horror and Paranormal Talk Radio kicking a copious amount of ass, things have really been rocking and rolling our headlines have recently been a reflection of that. Last night we had on Vincent J. Guastini who regaled us with plenty of tales including one of a Thing prequel that to our knowledge never made the headlines before.

“Out of anyone in the FX industry I was one of the first to be involved with The Thing prequel,” Guastini told us during the show. “This was way back when it was at the [then] Sci-Fi Channel. I’m talking the first incarnation before even Frank Darabont was involved. We were originally there with Tom Holland doing a presentation for a remake of Day of the Triffids. I did a maquette and an old friend of mine, Ron, did a bunch of concept designs for it. Sci-Fi LOVED what we did for Triffids and that’s when they told us that they were possibly going to be doing either a prequel or a remake to The Thing. I had heard about this project already and was already trying to get in touch with another person, a writer by the name of Tim Talbot. He had an in at a company called Mansville Incorporated which was run by George Clooney, and Clooney was going to do [the new Thing project].”

“[The Triffids project] went dead, but then I met with Frank Darabont regarding The Thing. He said, ‘Vin, this stuff is all beautiful but I’m going to hire KNB [Effects].’

Darabont eventually dropped out of the production, but Guastini wasn’t ready to give it up just yet. “I went to talk to the original producer who told me that the project was going to be going to a company called Strike [Entertainment] who eventually ended up doing the prequel.”

Studio ADI eventually went on to handle the effects work which were mostly ruined via CG augmentation.

The post A Very Different Thing Prequel Was Originally On From Frank Darabont, Syfy, and George Clooney – Horror History appeared first on Dread Central.

The first image and synopsis are here for the new film from Gareth Evans, Apostle, starring Dan Stevens (The Guest, Beauty and the Beast, “Legion”). Read on for the eye candy and the skinny!

Netflix has acquired the global distribution rights to the period revenge thriller, written and directed Evans, with Michael Sheen, Lucy Boynton, Bill Millner, and Kristine Froseth joining the cast along with previously announced Stevens, who was attached to the project early on.

XYZ Films, Severn Screen, and Evans’ One More One Production are producing.

Synopsis:
The year is 1905. Thomas Richardson travels to a remote island to rescue his sister after she’s kidnapped by a mysterious religious cult demanding a ransom for her safe return. It soon becomes clear that the cult will regret the day it baited this man, as he digs deeper and deeper into the secrets and lies upon which the commune is built.

The post First Look at the Plot Details of Netflix’s Apostle appeared first on Dread Central.

On this day last year, we posted a piece about artist Christopher Shy and his absolutely astonishing artwork. Seriously, if you don’t believe me, just click on that link and bask in the glory of his work. It’s the kind of art that one would hang proudly on the wall in a place where people have to look at it.

Now Shy is back with a poster that was inspired by the Andy Muschietti-directed Stephen King adaptation of IT. The image is breathtaking, with a level of color and design that would make both King and Pennywise proud! The main poster design shows Pennywise emerging from a sewer pipe with blood trickling out to spell “IT”. Above Pennywise is the hint of a screaming face in the cold concrete while steam wafts upwards. The variant is the same poster but without Pennywise and, for some reason, I kinda like it more. In my mind, it’s more sinister to not see the villain than to have him front and center.

If you want to order one of these limited edition posters, you can do so via Art of Ronin.

pennywip

The post Christopher Shy Creates Stunning IT Fan Posters appeared first on Dread Central.

And so will I! Word has hit our desks that Legendary’s highly anticipated monster-mash Godzilla vs. Kong will be arriving a few days earlier than anticipated. Originally set for release on May 29, 2020, the filck will now hit theaters on May 22, 2020, for Memorial Day Weekend.

Last we reported, the studio was putting together a writers room to break the story, with Terry Rossio, the veteran scribe best known for co-writing the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, tapped to head the creature feature league. Once he and his cohorts work out the best ideas and beats for the story, a writer will be chosen to write the script.

Joining Rossio in the room will be: Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, who co-wrote Star Trek Beyond and are working on Star Trek 4; Lindsey Beer, who is currently adapting The Kingkiller Chronicles for Lionsgate; Cat Vasko, currently penning Warner Bros.’ adaptation of period circus love story Queen of the Air; T.S. Nowlin, writer of the Maze Runner movies who already worked for Legendary on its Pacific Rim sequel; and J. Michael Straczynski, the comic book writer and creator of 1990s sci-fi show “Babylon 5” whose recent credits include World War Z and co-creating Netflix show “Sense8” with the Wachowskis.

Legendary, with Warner Bros., is in the middle of the monster universe which is centered around classic silver screen creatures Godzilla and King Kong. They are now in the casting stages of a sequel to Godzilla, titled Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, and Millie Bobby Brown so far on the roll call. That movie has a March 22, 2019, release date.

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Twenty-five years ago last month—on April 10, 1992, to be precise—the Stephen King-based film Sleepwalkers was released. It came out after the King-related The Lawnmower Man (March) and before Pet Sematary 2 (August), and the Newt thought all three of them sucked.

Was 1992 the worst year for Stephen King movies ever? Let us know in the comments section below.

There are some people out there who refuse to believe that this year’s big Oscar winner, The Silence of the Lambs, is a horror movie—even though it concerns a face-ripping cannibal with a taste for human liver who helps capture a sicko who skins women to make dresses. Well, I’ll tell ya one thing—it’s sure more of a horror movie than Sleepwalkers is. The latest Stephen King work to hit the screen is actually a comedy.

A bloody one, mind you, but still a comedy.

Written for the screen by King and directed by sequelizer Mick (Critters 2, Psycho IV) Garris, Sleepwalkers involves the supposed mother and son team of Mary and Charles Brady (Alice Krige and Brian Krause, who look more like brother and sister), the last of a dying breed of Sleepwalkers, a shape-shifting cross between a werewolf and a vampire. These creatures—which are supposedly equal parts feline, reptilian, and human—live off the life force of virtuous young women, which means they suck a colourful ray of light out of their victims’ mouths to stay alive.

Always on the run for past indiscretions, the Bradys set up house in the idealized small town of Travis, Indiana—in the same cosy pad that TV’s Waltons occupied—and immediately set their ravenous sights on “nice girl” Tanya Robertson (Twin Peaks’ Mädchen Amick), who’s more than happy to visit the town’s graveyard-cum-make-out spot on her first date with the new kid/creature in town.

Amick manages to avoid becoming the Bradys’ brunch, though, thanks to a brave and vengeful cat called Clovis, which performs serious kitty-fu on Charles’s face, but not before he can push a pencil deep into the ear of Clovis’s policeman owner. You see, cats are the only beings that can see the Sleepwalkers for what they really are, and they don’t like what they see.

The feeling is mutual, so a whole army of cats—along with a good number of humans—get offed during Sleepwalkers. If this movie weren’t so gleefully over-the-top—not to mention dumb as a box of rocks—the SPCA would have good reason to put a contract out on old Steve-O.

Cameo appearances by horror icons Clive Barker, Tobe Hooper, and the King himself add little to this slapstick gorefest, which focuses on goofy bloodletting—including death by corn-on-the-cob—and tosses in a modicum of thrills and chuckles. The film-makers deserve credit for keeping the zipper of the rubber reptile suit hidden during the climactic Sleepie barbecue scene, though.

For more from Steve Newton, visit his website about rock ‘n’ roll and horror movies, Ear of Newt!

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For several years, Microsoft Studios have been aiming to make a live-action adaptation of their sci-fi/horror action series Gears of War. Hell, the start of this journey began back in 2007 when New Line Cinemas bought the rights, which led to multiple different directors and writers being attached to the project. And while it seems like the adaptation has been stuck, Universal Pictures, who optioned rights seven months ago, still wants to make it a reality, which is why they brought Avatar sequel scribe Shane Salerno onboard to create a film set on the world of Sera. Whether that story will be an adaptation of the series so far or a brand new story is yet to be seen. Hopefully they go for the latter.

During a livestream reveal of Gears of War 4 back in October, co-creator Rob Ferguson explained, “I think you have to let the movies be the movies. They’re two different mediums, and two different audiences in some cases, and I think some video game movies in the past have failed because they tried to make a movie for gamers. If you have this great IP with a deep backstory and lots of lore that you can make interesting stories out of it’s great, but if you just go after the gaming audience then it isn’t going to be a successful movie.”

Confirmed to act as a producer is Dylan Clark (Planet of the Apes).

For now, let’s just bide our time and hope that the Locust don’t take over before we see a movie!

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This weekend, the Quad Theater in New York City will be hosting a two-day event dedicated to the films of B-horror legend Larry Cohen! In anticipation of this event, the folks over at Indiewire sat down with Cohen to discuss his thoughts on horror, filmmakers he enjoys, and a lot more!

Perhaps one of the most interesting moments comes when Cohen explains that James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, wanted to direct a remake of the 1974 killer baby film It’s Alive! “James Gunn is a fan and a friend. He wanted to make a remake of It’s Alive actually, but he couldn’t raise enough money to buy the rights. I’m sorry today I didn’t give them to him. But he’s beyond that now,” Cohen explains.

He was also asked about his thoughts on remakes, since Nicolas Winding Refn is planning on doing one of 1988’s Maniac Cop, which Cohen wrote. “ I don’t like remakes. It tires me out to see that they keep announcing this and that picture is being remade,” Cohen states. “I say, ‘Why? It was a good movie. Why can’t you come up with some original idea? Why can’t you come up with something clever and new and different? Why does everything have to be a sequel or a remake or a comic book?’”

For more information about the Quad’s screenings, head on over here. For more of the interview, simply click on the link above!

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A new teaser trailer hit the Net today for a film we haven’t heard much about, but that changes now as we bring you a look at Applecart, from first-time filmmaker Brad Baruh, whose previous credits include producing Don Coscarelli’s John Dies at the End. Baruh also produces alongside Andy Meyers, with Coscarelli serving as executive producer.

Applecart, which was written by Irving Walker based on a story by Walker and Baruh, stars Brea Grant (Beyond the Gates, Rob Zombie’s Halloween II), Sophie Dalah (Satanic), Elise Luthman (“Henry Danger”), Joshua Hoffman (“Shameless”), and Daniel Roebuck (“The Man in the High Castle”). Genre stalwarts Barbara Crampton and AJ Bowen, who appeared together in You’re Next, also co-star in the film.

The teaser comes courtesy of EW, who also provided a brief synopsis of the film, which you’ll find below the video.

Synopsis:
A caring mother loses her sanity, setting off a chain of events resulting in tragedy and murder. The story of Casey Pollack unfolds from two very different perspectives when one night in the woods culminates in absolute terror.

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