Starring Kane Hodder, Robert Englund, Bruce Campbell, Adam Green, Cassandra Peterson, Danielle Harris, Harrison Smith, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Michael Aloisi
Directed by Derek Dennis Herbert
Over the past few decades, the horror community has grown into a phenomenon. Conventions attract more and more attendees with every passing year. Fans add to their collections with each new release or a film, show, soundtrack, whatever… It’s gone from something that people enjoy to an important and passionate part of their lifestyle. There are some who live and breathe horror, letting it have an impact, however subtle or overt, on nearly everything they do in life.
Alas, even though horror has grown in so many wonderful and incredible ways throughout cinema history, detractors are ever present. Deriding us, shaming us, attacking our genre under the guise of moral and ethical superiority, there are people who can never understand the importance and meaning that horror can have when viewed from the right lens.
I bring all of this up because Kane Hodder is a perfect example of both these worlds. A horror icon known for playing Jason Voorhees, Victor Crowley, Ed Gein, and dozens of other roles, Hodder’s characters are often caught in the crosshairs of those who seek to demonize and vilify the genre. That’s why a film like To Hell and Back: the Kane Hodder Story is so vitally important as it shows not only the blood and guts that thrill audiences but the sweat and tears of the people who make the magic happen.
The documentary is essentially an abridged version of Kane’s life. We get little doses of intense stories from his formative years. Hodder discusses the role horrific bullying he received as a young boy played in shaping his view of humanity. He revisits, in an emotionally charged and heartbreaking scene, the incident that burned his body. He reminisces about the devastating feelings he went through when he was passed over for Freddy vs Jason. All of these stories play into the overarching narrative of following Kane’s career throughout the years and learning exactly who he is.
Interview clips with people such as Robert Englund, Danielle Harris, Sid Haig, Bruce Campbell, Adam Green, Cassandra Peterson, and more, all act as a way to understand how everyone else sees and appreciates Kane, a man who knows how hard he works but never lets it get to his head and never allows it to rob him of his humility, good will, and benignity. We also hear from Hodder throughout the film in various locations, such as him revisiting Hawaii, near where he grew up, or seeing him walk through the burn ward where he was sent to heal after a horrific botched recovery attempt. His candor, wit, intelligence, and dry humor make for a captivating view but he’s the most astounding when he bares himself open for the world to see.
Wonderfully filmed and constantly engaging, To Hell and Back: the Kane Hodder Story peels back the mask of one of horror’s most recognizable and beloved icons to reveal the emotional and meaningful humanity of horror. Inspiring, life-affirming, and beautifully crafted, it’s the kind of documentary that highlights the importance of horror as a genre, as a form of art, and as a means of catharsis. If Kane Hodder can endure such pain throughout life and find beauty and joy in facing death time after time, perhaps we can too.
The theaters were all on lock-down. But 1 year ago today, Witches in the Woods hit VOD by Shout! Studios. If the early days of the pandemic had you distracted. Now is a great time to revisit this underrated film. One that weaves folklore and paranoia into a unique survival horror experience.
Check out the trailer and also the synopsis for Witches in the Woods below.
Synopsis: In Witches in the Woods, Jill, a tenacious college freshman, abandons her studies one weekend for an off-the-grid snowboarding trip with six friends. Driving through the freshly-logged mountains of western Massachusetts, a road closure forces them onto an unmarked route into the dark forest. These are the very woods where centuries ago, a dozen women were convicted and hanged for witchcraft. Disoriented in the dense wilderness, the friends slam the SUV into a ditch, totaling the car. As nighttime falls and temperatures drop, the group dynamic begins to unravel. Hypothermia sets in, and violent hallucinations threaten the group’s sanity. With nowhere to go for help, the group risk freezing to death or facing the horrors that lie in the haunted wasteland beyond.
Jordan Barker (The Marsh, Torment) directed this claustrophobic psychological thriller. It stars Hannah Kasulka (FOX’s The Exorcist), Craig Arnold (CBS’s Ransom) an also Sasha Clements (Majority Rules!). Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) co-stars with Alexander De Jordy (Rookie Blue), Humberly Gonzalez (CW’s In the Dark), Kyle Mac (Titans), and also Ian Matthews (NBC’s Taken).
Are you also a fan of Witches in the Woods? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or also Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Ah, the good folks over at The Asylum. Looks like they’re at it once again. This time they’re putting out a Godzilla vs Kong rip-off called – wait for it – Ape Vs. Monster. Today we have a tease that the trailer will hit on May 3rd. There’s even a countdown video over on YouTube.
Check it out below.
At this time, this is all we have. No plot synopsis. Nothing. But really, does anyone out there really need a plot synopsis for The Asylum’s Ape vs. Monster? Yeah. I didn’t think so. All the same, here’s a (slightly) revised rundown on Godzilla vs Kong that I think will do nicely.
Legends get ripped off in Ape vs Monster as these mockbuster adversaries meet in a low-budget battle for the people at Redbox who don’t know any better. And the fate of The Asylum studio hangs in the balance. Ape undertakes a badly plotted journey to find his true home. But finds himself in the path of a cranky Monster, cutting a swath of weak CGI across the globe. The Sharknado-y clash of the two titans is only the beginning of a mystery deep within the Earth -why do people watch this shit?
I’m kidding. I’m checking this out ASAP.
Are you also going to check out The Asylum’s Ape vs Monster as soon as humanly possible? Of course, you are. But let me ask you this: Who do you think wins THIS time? Ape? Monster? Or MechaMonster! Which I’m more than 100% positive will be in there as well before the credits roll on this new classic of mockbuster. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
The Stranger: Prey at Night director Johannes Roberts’Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City will adapt the first two games. During the recent Resident Evil showcase, producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi said production has wrapped on Raccoon City and work is underway on the CGI monsters.
Read his comments below.
Kobayashi said (via Screenrant): “…related to the live-action reboot of Resident Evil, filming in Toronto has wrapped up, and we are in the middle of creating the creatures in CGI.“
Here’s the synopsis for the movie:
“Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company’s exodus left the city a wasteland…with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are forever…changed…and a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.”
Star Tom Hopper (SAS: Red Notice) recently said the movie will be “super violent” and “brilliantly nineties.”
He tells Collider: “I think from an aesthetic point of view, I think the games really influence this well. It is an aesthetic that, certainly when we were shooting it, that I was like, ‘Man, it feels like the game.’ I’m really hoping that fans of the game take something nice away from it, that it’s the game plus more.“
This level of authenticity was apparent in Roberts’ script. As for Hopper’s research process, Roberts told Hopper to play the game.
He says: “‘The one thing I want you to do is to get into the game, start playing the game.’ I was like, ‘This is the best research I’ve ever done for a movie. This is the best, I just get to go and play a game.’ I got the old PlayStation out, and got the game, and started playing it. Tell you what, I pooed my pants at least once. It’s incredibly scary […] we’ve tried to do that in the movie, I think we’ve tried to give the audience that feel, that it feels like a horror that you’re in, that you’re involved in.”
Roberts’ (47 Meters Down, Strangers: Prey at Night) reboot will be an official origin story. One with faithful ties to the games set in 1998 on a fateful night in Raccoon City.
Kaya Scodelario (Crawl) stars as Claire Redfield with Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Avan Jogia as Leon S. Kennedy, and also Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine.
Tom Hopper joins them as Albert Wesker with Neal McDonough as William Birkin, and Donal Logue as Chief Brian Irons. Chad Rook rounds out the cast as Richard Aiken with Lily Gao as Ada Wong, and Marina Mazepa as Lisa Trevor.
Robert Kulzer will once again produce this new entry in the series along with James Harris, and Hartley Gorenstein. Martin Moszkowicz and Victor Hadida are executive producers and Alex Westmore and Colin Scully will oversee the project.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City will hit theaters on November 24th, 2021. Netflix is also currently developing a live-action series and an animated series, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness will be unleashed soon. Stay tuned!
The Stranger: Prey at Night director Johannes Roberts’ Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City has wrapped filming. During the recent Resident Evil showcase, producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi said work is now underway on the CGI Creatures.
Read his comments below.
Kobayashi said (via Screenrant): “…The live-action reboot of Resident Evil, filming in Toronto has wrapped up, and we are in the middle of creating the creatures in CGI.“
Here’s the synopsis for the movie:
“Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company’s exodus left the city a wasteland…with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are forever…changed…and a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.”
Star Tom Hopper (SAS: Red Notice) recently said the movie will be “super violent” and “brilliantly nineties.”
He tells Collider: “I think from an aesthetic point of view, I think the games really influence this well. It is an aesthetic that, certainly when we were shooting it, that I was like, ‘Man, it feels like the game.’ I’m really hoping that fans of the game take something nice away from it, that it’s the game plus more.“
This level of authenticity was apparent in Roberts’ script. As for Hopper’s research process, Roberts told Hopper to play the game.
He says: “‘The one thing I want you to do is to get into the game, start playing the game.’ I was like, ‘This is the best research I’ve ever done for a movie. This is the best, I just get to go and play a game.’ I got the old PlayStation out, and got the game, and started playing it. Tell you what, I pooed my pants at least once. It’s incredibly scary […] we’ve tried to do that in the movie, I think we’ve tried to give the audience that feel, that it feels like a horror that you’re in, that you’re involved in.”
Roberts’ (47 Meters Down, Strangers: Prey at Night) reboot will be an official origin story. One with faithful ties to the games set in 1998 on a fateful night in Raccoon City.
Kaya Scodelario (Crawl) stars as Claire Redfield with Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Avan Jogia as Leon S. Kennedy, and also Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine.
Tom Hopper joins them as Albert Wesker with Neal McDonough as William Birkin, and Donal Logue as Chief Brian Irons. Chad Rook rounds out the cast as Richard Aiken with Lily Gao as Ada Wong, and Marina Mazepa as Lisa Trevor.
Robert Kulzer will once again produce this new entry in the series along with James Harris, and Hartley Gorenstein. Martin Moszkowicz and Victor Hadida are executive producers and Alex Westmore and Colin Scully will oversee the project.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City will hit theaters on November 24th, 2021. Netflix is also currently developing a live-action series and an animated series, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness will be unleashed soon. Stay tuned!
Director Amber Sealey’s Ted Bundy movie No Man of God with Elijah Wood (The Good Son, Come to Daddy) is heading our way. And today we have your first look.
Check it out below!
Luke Kirby (Lenny Bruce on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) plays Ted Bundy. Elijah Wood is FBI agent Bill Hagmaier, to whom Bundy finally confessed while on Death Row.
Wood tells EW: “The film is really comprised of a series of conversations and those conversations are lifted in part from real conversations and then recollections from Bill of these conversations.”
Sealey says “Bill Hagmaier is the man who’s credited with getting Ted Bundy to come clean about his crimes right before his execution. Even though Bill himself is a very religious, very good, very honorable person, he had to forge a friendship with Bundy, in a way, in order to get close enough to him in order for Bundy to feel safe enough to come clean. And he did.”
Sealey also reveals that Luke Kirby initially turned down the Bundy role.
Sealey says: “I’ve wanted to work with him forever. We had some really talented brilliant actors interested in the role, but I couldn’t get Luke out of my head. We just went through the normal channels, through his reps, and he turned it down. I was like no, he has to play Bundy. I knew some friends of his, and I hunted him down, and said, ‘Just meet me, just to talk, and get to know each other.’ We ended up really liking each other as friends and I said, ‘Look, all the reasons why you don’t want to play Bundy are exactly why I want you to play him.’ So then he said ‘Yes.’“
Wood’s SpectreVision, the company he founded with Daniel Noah and Josh C. Waller produces the film. Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) and Aleksa Palladino costar. Check out some first-look pics via EW below.
A terrifying murder mystery with an amazing ensemble cast and one hell of a twist. Identity was released on this day back in 2003. Directed by James Mangold from a screenplay penned by Michael Cooney. The film features John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes, Alfred Molina, Clea DuVall, John C. McGinley, William Lee Scott, Jake Busey, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Rebecca De Mornay.
Has it been a while, or if you’ve never experienced the mind-bending suspense of Identity? Then check out the trailer and synopsis below.
Synopsis: When a vicious storm breaks out in the Nevada desert, 10 people seek refuge in an isolated motel. At the same time, a serial killer (Pruitt Taylor Vince) under the care of psychiatrist Doctor Mallick (Alfred Molina) — who has just found the killer’s revealing journal — awaits execution for murdering a group of motel guests. When the storm-stranded travelers realize they are being killed off one by one, limo driver Ed Dakota (John Cusack) bids to stay alive and reveal the murderer’s identity.
Trivia: “As I was going up the stair / I met a man who wasn’t there. / He wasn’t there again today / I wish, I wish he’d go away.” One character claims to have written this poem. It is really a poem titled “Antigonish” by William Hughes Mearns. This poem was also turned into a popular song, giving it widespread attention. (Source)
According to James Mangold, when shooting the film in studio and using a heavy rain backdrop, a water system was used to simulate the cold rain. As a result of working on such a water-drenched set for long hours, it wasn’t uncommon for the cast to become afflicted with the common cold. (Source)
Are you a fan of Identity? Can you believe it’s been 18 years since the film was released? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
As of today, I’m eight years sober. And I’m so proud of myself. This is something I debated sharing with you guys. But if my story can help even ONE of you, then it’s all worth it. As you might imagine, it’s a story that’s hard for me to tell. Hell, most of my friends and close acquaintances don’t know all the gory details. But again, I think it’s important to share them with you today. Maybe we need a quick introduction.
I’m Mike Sprague. Some of you know me. You know how I make my living. I am the Assistant Managing Editor here at Dread Central. That means I’m the right-hand man to the boss-man himself, Josh. I write most of the news you read each day and I handle nerdy day-to-day matters like release dates and SEO. Anyhow, I’m kind of a big deal. Kidding. But I fucking LOVE my job. But it wasn’t always this way.
Let’s go back to early 2013. Texas Chainsaw 3D, Mama, Warm Bodies, and The Last Exorcism Part II were in theaters. Evil Dead was on the horizon. And then came March. I was 28 and pushing 300 pounds. I was working the overnight shift at a gas station. And I was depressed. Had been for a long time. About as long as I could remember. I always felt if I could stop everything and take a good nap, I’d be able to be cheery like everyone else. But naps never worked. And so after years of feeling like I was in an underwater fog, I started to plan how to end it all.
This Is The End
Yes, I was finally going to go through with it. I mean, how could I handle turning 30 and still hate myself so much. So I began planning. But how would I do it? Shoot myself? No, I didn’t own a gun. Hang myself? Nope. Slit my wrists? Too messy. All of these options made me realize something. I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone to find – or have to clean up. So I decided to throw myself in front of a random car.
But I couldn’t do that. What about the driver? Who am I to ruin someone else’s life? So then I thought, okay, I got it. I’ll buy a gun and go out to my Grandfather’s property. Go deep into the woods and dig a hole. Then I’d shoot myself and fall into the hole. Out in the middle of nowhere. No one would ever find me.
But what would that do to my family? Would they wonder about me every day for the rest of their lives? Would I call one day? Or come home? That was too much for me to put on those I knew loved me. So I figured I’d give them the chance to save me. If they wanted. So I called my little sister and told her today was the day.
She called my mom who rushed over. That was March 13, 2013. It’s crazy to think now that I’d gotten to that point but still didn’t realize I had a drinking problem. That said, I knew I wasn’t living my life right. So I let my mom take the wheel. She was the one who begged me to go to AA. And I did. Eventually. For her. But that comes later.
Sober Drunk
First, I was still a drunk. But I had an amazing mother who dropped everything in her life to help me out. For months. It was intense. But she did all she could. But I still kept drinking. I genuinely didn’t think it was my issue. I quit my job and broke off all contact with everyone I knew. Then I took a vacation to my sister’s house near the beach. I know, what a cushy life, right? I admit it was a luxury most don’t have.
But it still didn’t help me. So I started praying. Yes, praying. I figured, what did I have to lose? And then on my 29th birthday, my mother bought me a 4 pack of tallboys. I went to grab one and realized I didn’t want it. So I saved it. But then I didn’t want it later either. And somehow, I never wanted it ever again. That was 8 years ago today. So did I magically just stop drinking. No. Enter AA.
AA
Yes, I know you’re not supposed to talk about AA. But again if it helps someone, I’ll tell. Plus Stephen King talks AA – yes, Stephen King was a drunk too if you didn’t know – so if King can talk about it openly, then Mike from Dread Central can too.
90 in 90 they call it. For the uninitiated, that means 90 meetings in 90 days. One per day. No excuses. Just don’t drink and come to meetings. And I did. Because my mom asked. But I didn’t think I was an alcoholic. I thought I’d go and see what happened.
And then something did. I’ll never forget it. Someone said, “Welcome to your new life, do you want the good news or the bad news first?” The good news. “The good news is you never HAVE to drink again. The bad news. Drinking was never your problem.”
One major thing that helped was changing my thinking. As I started to get sober I had this panic. Like, wait, so I wouldn’t even be able to drink at my wedding? Or my birthdays? Or at the beach (like my pale ass ever goes to the beach)? But still.
And then it hit me, I don’t have to worry about all the beers in the world I will ever encounter. I don’t have to worry about all the occasions for the rest of my life where drinking will be an issue. All I have to worry about is not drinking ONE drink. That’s all. Simple, right? One drink. Over the years, that drink has changed forms and locations. But the rule is still simple, don’t drink THAT drink.
Harsh Sober Truths
From there I was off. I never drank again beginning on my 29th birthday. I lost 100 pounds and got properly medicated. And then I started to go after my dreams, full force. I written multiple scripts, made short films, produced animation, the works. I even made my first movie! All of this eventually leading me to Dread Central.
But back before I even decided to kill myself, one of the things that really shook me up and guided me towards change was – ironically – an article just like this one. Well, not just like this one. That one was more of a list. But still. It was over on Cracked called “6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person” by David Wong aka Jason Pargin. Read it. Ingest it. Live it. It helped me change my life.
One of the most important aspects of his particular anniversary is that I was a drunk for seven years following a break-up. So this year marks the first year where I have now been sober longer than I was a drunk. Does that mean I get a sober prize?
Yes and no.
So, here I am. 8 years sober. Is life easier for me? Yes and no. I have gained all the weight back to be honest (pushing 300 pounds again). But now I have a job I love. A family I love even more. And my daughter. She’s almost two now, And she literally wouldn’t be on this Earth if I had ended it all 8 years ago. That chills me to my bones.
One of the best things about being sober though is that even if I am having a shit day, I always take it as a win – as long as I didn’t drink. One day at a time, right? And it’s worked for me. For 8 years.
The End Is The Beginning Is The End
So if this helps you, please share. Please take the steps that YOU feel will help you stick around. Whether that means getting sober or just taking better care of yourself – and others. We need you ladies and/or gentlemen. You’ve got so much cool shit to share with the world. Thank you for listening to my rant today.
If you need to talk more, you can also hit me up over on Twitter @MikeSpregg325.
Ah, the good folks over at The Asylum. Looks like they’re at it once again. This time they’re putting out a Godzilla vs Kong rip-off called – wait for it – Ape vs Monster.
At this time, this is all we have. No plot synopsis. Nothing. But really, does anyone out there really need a plot synopsis for The Asylum’s Ape vs. Monster? Yeah. I didn’t think so. All the same, here’s a (slightly) revised rundown on Godzilla vs Kong that I think will do nicely.
Legends get ripped off in Ape vs Monster as these mockbuster adversaries meet in a low-budget battle for the people at Redbox who don’t know any better. And the fate of The Asylum studio hangs in the balance. Ape undertakes a badly plotted journey to find his true home. But finds himself in the path of a cranky Monster, cutting a swath of weak CGI across the globe. The Sharknado-y clash of the two titans is only the beginning of a mystery deep within the Earth -why do people watch this shit?
I’m kidding. I’m checking this out ASAP.
Are you also going to check out The Asylum’s Ape vs Monster as soon as humanly possible? Of course, you are. But let me ask you this: Who do you think wins THIS time? Ape? Monster? Or MechaMonster! Which I’m more than 100% positive will be in there as well before the credits roll on this new classic of mockbuster. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
In celebration of Alien Day, La Femme En Noir has unleashed its collection based on Ridley Scoot’s original film. Including T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, dresses, a bomber jacket, and sunglasses.
Check out the gallery of pics below!
La Femme en Noir co-founders Lynh Haaga and Micheline Pitt designed the apparel.
Pitt says: “Like many girls who grew up watching Alien, we idolized Ripley. She was this powerhouse female character who broke the mold of who and what woman could be in the film. I was always so enamored by the set design and creatures in Alien. There is something truly sophisticated about the world of this film. The attention to detail is something that has become iconic in all of Ridley Scott’s filmmaking. As a female fan, I rarely had any merchandise to wear to celebrate my fandom of this film. So with this collection, we wanted to honor that incredibly detailed design of the Xenomorph itself. While creating a line that catered to a multitude of fans. Not just female fans, but all gendered fans of this incredible franchise.”
Haaga adds: “We wanted to bring a femme-centric collection to the Alien brand. Especially considering that the franchise features such a cool and capable lead in Ripley. The character’s strength and fortitude throughout the series were an inspiration for us as young movie viewers. And continue to be so as the designers of this collection. The Alien franchise was a new and exciting take on sci-fi, horror, and cinema in general. We wanted to follow suit by offering the kinds of clothes and accessories that married the two genres together. The same way the film did so perfectly. We are thrilled and excited to be a part of this innovative and classic series.”
I guess it was only a matter of time. Today it looks like Humpty Dumpty is the next classic kid’s tale to turn into terror territory with director Scott Jeffrey’s new fright flick The Curse of Humpty Dumpty.
And today we have the official trailer to prove that, yes, it is a real movie. And, yes, it is coming later this year. Like it or not. Check out the new trailer for The Curse of Humpty Dumpty below. And make sure to hit us up and let us know what you think!
As you might imagine from, you know, the title of the movie, The Curse of Humpty Dumpty is based on that nursery rhyme. More specifically, it tells the tale of a woman who questions her surroundings after coming into contact with a haunted doll.
It will be released sometime this year. When?
We’re not sure at the moment. But keep checking back with us here at Dread Central and we will make surer to pass along further updates as we hear them. Stay tuned!
Nicola Wright stars in The Curse of Humpty Dumpty with Kate Sandison and Antonia Whillans. Chris Cordell co-stars with Kate Milner Evans, Danielle Scott, and Sian Altman. Jeffrey is behind films like Cam Girls, HellKat, Bats: The Awakening, Bad Nun: Deadly Vows, Don’t Speak, Cupid, ClownDoll, The Final Scream, and The Bad Nun.
Will you be sure to watch Scott Jeffrey’s The Curse of Humpty Dumpty when it’s released later this year?
In the early 2000s, a writer named Robert Kirkman decided to make a comic book series set in a zombie apocalypse. Kirkman opted to focus more on human drama than the zombies themselves and thus, The Walking Dead was born.
Since then, The Walking Dead has been adapted into novels, theme park rides, and AMC’s immensely popular TV series. There’s a lot to love about TWD, and there are quite a few ways to host your first Walking Dead Murder Mystery Party in Atlanta.
AMC’s adaptation of The Walking Dead has been filmed in Atlanta since Frank Darabont was the series Showrunner. Over the years, episodes have been filmed all over the city. Even the pilot episode features the iconic scene of Rick riding down Interstate 85 all by himself.
If you can host your party near one of TWD’s film locations, that’d really help set the mood.Even if you can’t, try to host your party in a space with lots of room and lots of foliage – somewhere that looks like a location from the show or comics.
Stock Up On Supplies
When all is said and done, you’ll have a very lengthy checklist if you want to properly host this party. You’ll need typical party supplies as well as intricate props to really set the mood.
The Walking Dead takes place in a world in disarray. Wherever you host your party, try to make the setting look disheveled and disused. Fake dust and cobwebs can help. So can cardboard signs with cryptic messages painted on them.
Write A Script for Your Mystery
You may not be a Hollywood screenwriter (yet), but you’d certainly benefit from plotting out your murder mystery. The more elaborate your party is, the more detailed your script will need to be.
Be as detail-oriented as possible, then study your script long before the party. This goes without saying, but don’t let your guests see the script – it takes the whole mystery element out of the equation.
Assign Characters To Your Guests
When people attend murder mystery parties, they don’t have to come as themselves – they can also play the role of a character that you come up with.
Create backstories for these characters and think of valid reasons why one might try to murder the other. Assigning characters also means that you’ll choose who the murderer is – and who their accomplices are if they have any.
Aim For Authenticity
The set designers, prop makers, and makeup artists on TWD are all unsung heroes. These people are responsible for making the show look and feel authentic. Authenticity is the main thing we want to recreate at your party.
Cell phones don’t work in TWD and running electricity isn’t always abundant. Implement a no-cellphone rule for the duration of the event, use candles for lighting, and serve survival food – canned goods, nonperishables, and goodies like that.
Cram All The References You Can
There are countless iconic moments in the comics and show (or shows, what with the spin-offs). A TWD themed party wouldn’t be complete without referencing those moments in creative ways.
Include a “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” sign on the entrance to your party. Use a “bloodied” teddy bear to reference the young Walker from episode one. And a replica of Michonne’s katana wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Finding the right location to host a murder mystery party can be hard. We have a few suggestions to help get the ball rolling.
The eComplex
TWD is such a harrowing series because it takes place in a ruined version of our world. The eComplex is a 4,000 square foot content creation studio that’s highly customizable.
With plenty of props and a little imagination, you can make this place look like a fallout shelter. You can also play it straight and dress up the eComplex as a destroyed studio.
The Garage
Flexibility goes a long way when choosing a party venue. The Garage (aka Tech Square ATL) has balcony seating areas, moveable furniture, and breakout rooms – making it a very flexible location indeed.
A hose can easily transform this cool garage into a paramilitary compound – the sort of place the Governor and Negan called home. This is the type of gathering space that looks welcoming at day, yet terrifying at night.
King Plow Event Gallery
The King Plow Event Gallery is a very old-school venue that can house anywhere from 400 to 800 guests. It’s a striking party space with lots of room and a brick-and-mortar aesthetic.
It also looks like the sort of place Rick and his companions have used a hideout, especially in the earlier seasons. This cozy event space can look very rugged with a little bit of effort.
“The End Is The Beginning”
A party like this can feel tough to pull off but with the right party space and props, it’s in the bag. Remember that you’re smart enough and creative enough to host a unique and successful event. Refer to this guide if you ever get stuck.
What do you think? Make sure to let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
One of our first forays into original programming,Chronic Horror was launched by Dread Central in the fall of 2019. Season 1 was in full swing when, in 2020, plans for new episodes were shelved in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Chronic Horror has incredible staying power; in fact, with cannabis use on the rise during the lockdown, the show is perhaps more relevant than ever.
Today, we’re thrilled to announce that the show is now streaming for free on Tubi! Check out Season 1 now, HERE. The uninitiated can check out the trailer and synopsis and read more about Chronic Horror below.
Synopsis: Chronic Horror is a short-form interview series that crosses the streams of the worlds of horror filmmaking, horror fandom, and cannabis culture. Join our host Josh Millican, a cannabis and horror expert, and his guests.
Guests on Season 1 of Chronic Horror include Camilla Jackson, Dylan Reynolds, Richard Elfman, Anastasia Elfman, Sadie Katz, and Kai Smythe (aka Hairy Soul Man). The season also includes “Feild Trip” episodes to SOTA Studios and Cobb Estate; Josh is often joined by the internet’s Homicidal Homemaker, Kaci Hansen, his “partner in crime” Richard Trejo, and a foul-mouth puppet named Mr. Munchies!
Tubi is an ad-supported free streaming service that offers over 20,000 TV shows and movies to watch for free. You can follow Chronic Horror on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram where news of a return will be announced.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your bong and head on over to Tubi for a smoking good time!
Are you a fan of Tubi and/or Chronic Horror? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Dark Sky Films just announced the June 25th theatrical and digital release of the new vampire movie My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To. As an official selection of the previously canceled 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, the film will also have a special screening at this year’s 2021 Tribeca Festival on June 12th. Look for the Tribeca selection MY HEART CAN’T BEAT UNLESS YOU TELL IT TO in theaters and on VOD this summer!
Synopsis: Dwight prowls the streets after dark. He searches each night for the lonely and forlorn, looking for people who won’t be missed. Dwight takes no joy in this, but he needs their blood. Without fresh human blood, his fragile young brother Thomas cannot survive. Each death takes a larger toll, the burden of his crimes weighing heavier each time, threatening to crack his spirit. But Thomas and his sister Jessie are all the family Dwight has left, and as a fiercely private and close-knit family unit, they depend on him and the rituals they’ve learned in order to keep their secret. But while Dwight yearns for another life, Jessie needs them to stay together. And always the boy must feed.
With this austere feature debut writer/director Jonathan Cuartas has made himself a filmmaker to watch. His restrained approach, sparse frame, and sharply wound focus weave the mythological elements of his story into a neo-realist family drama that elevates the traditional micro-budget American indie into something altogether unique.
My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To stars Patrick Fugit, Owen Campbell, and Ingrid Sophie Schram.
What do you think of the trailer and synopsis for the new vampire movie My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To? Do you dig vampires? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Fans of violent anime will want to check out Yasuke when it arrives on Netflix beginning April 29th. The show tells the story of a black samurai on a dangerous mission. Check out the trailer and read more about the upcoming series below.
Synopsis: The tale is set in a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, the greatest ronin never known, Yasuke, struggles to maintain a peaceful existence after a past life of violence. But when a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport a mysterious child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords.
LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters) created Yasuke. He also serves as executive producer and director. Revered Japanese animation studio MAPPA (Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen), with director and animator Takeshi Koike (Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine) responsible for character designs. Grammy Award-nominated artist Flying Lotus provides the music. Award-winning actor LaKeith Stanfield serving as executive producer and the voice of Yasuke.
Additionally, vocal talents for Yasuke are provided by Takehiro Hira. Plus, Maya Tanida, Ming-Na Wen, Paul Nakauchi, Darren Criss, Julie Marcus, and also William Christopher Stephens. Also Dia Frampton, Don Donahue, Amy Hill, and also Noshi Dalal.
Are you a fan of this violent Netflix anime? Are you excited to check out Yasuke on Netflix? What did you think of the all-new trailer (and poster) while we’re at it? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.