Saw is back, and better than ever… well maybe not. In reality, Saw 4 is a huge disappointment, but that’s later, now for the upsides.

The movie just has that Saw 3 look and feel, I really enjoyed the feel of Saw 2 and 3, more particularly Saw 2 but it’s a toss up. The story takes place during Saw 3, but reverts back to flash backs with Jigsaw turning and becoming… well Jigsaw. It’s a long over exaggerated story but it is interesting to a point, but as they become more and more prevalent it just seems to be side tracking you from the true story. There is a twist, as with all Saw movies but this Saw seems to be relying on the old "If you build it they will come" mind set, this is their downfall. Though I would only, and I truly mean only, go see this movie again or any of the next ones because of those flashbacks. They really give life to Jigsaw, a man we never really get to see outside of his homicidal spree.

The characters are about as deep as a California snow storms, the characters are there, and it could show something but it’s not likely… at all. All you find yourself when they do give up a little information on the character is confused and a little cold, much like that California snow storm. They take minor characters, (Briggs, the SWAT member) and say "Hey, let’s make him the main character!" The fact that Briggs is the main character and the storyline is taking place at the same time as Saw 3 leads to confusion and you find yourself watching the third one thinking "This doesn’t make any sense". I’m one of the few that enjoys a great twist at the end of a movie, that’s why my love for the Saw movies will continue on, but this just seemed out of place.
(more…)

It seems like everyone has there own top list of movies that you must see for the Halloween season. Maybe I’m just a little weird since most of the movies that I watch all year long are for Halloween so I don’t really seem to get into the top lists that much.

So you wont be getting a top list from me, but here are a bunch of links to all sorts of top lists from all sorts of places on the net, paper, etc.

BTW, I would have to put The Exorcist up at the top…along with return of the Living Dead!!

http://www.ew.com/
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/
http://www.argusleader.com/
http://www.nbc5.com/
http://www.ctv.ca/
http://www.time.com/
http://www.mercurynews.com/
http://www.kansas.com/

Powered by ScribeFire.

Looks like the complete lineup for the AfterDark HorrorFest is now complete and online. You can grab the all access tickets for your arear at the website. Remember the passes include this:

"One admission to each of the 8 Films to Die For® during your specified weekend. You can choose either November 9-11 or November 16-18 to experience the chilling world of terror that is Horrorfest 2007.

–One Goodie Bag per pass that features terrifying giveaways from top Horror Partners. Items include:
–Limited Edition Horrorfest Collectible Sculpture that features the iconic Horrorfest Girl (quantities limited and will be awarded on a first come first serve basis)
–Many valuable coupons from the deadliest Horror giants in the nation including Scars Magazine, Kitbuilders and the world famous Suicide Girls
–A discount from horror legend Lionsgate on the purchase of Horrorfest 2006 DVD’s.
–Additional giveaways from Horrorfest Partners including GSN, FUSE, E! and AMC.
–Admission to one deadly Horrorfest parties in selected cities nationwide - cities TBD"

Check out the lineup below….

(more…)

Check this out. Here is a Photoshop contest from Worth1000. What if zombies ruled the earth?

“What would happen if the dead walked the earth? Oh sure, at first there’s be the stalking and the screaming, but after they managed to kill off all the living, what would they do with the rest of their un-life?

Your job is to show a typical day in a world where the dead rule. Don’t simply create a zombie or vampire - show them doing something, like reclining in their coffin waterbed, enjoying a family picnic in the cemetery, or shopping for brains at the local supermarket. You can also show products that would be popular with the life-challenged, like vulture repellant or sun block SPF 5000.”

Check it out here

Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ SAW IV Slices Through the North American Box Office With $32.1 Million Estimated Three-Day Opening Weekend

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, and Twisted Pictures proved that there are many buckets of blood remaining in the SAW juggernaut this weekend as the fourth installment in the most popular horror franchise in history scared up an estimated $32.1 million at the North American box office at 3,183 theatres, a $10,089 average per location.

SAW IV not only ruled the domestic box office as an iconic Halloween institution but slashed its way to powerful openings in the English-speaking territories of Canada, the U.K. and Australia, all countries where Lionsgate has established its own operations. SAW IV grossed an estimated $5.2 million from 395 screens in the U.K to record the best opening in Lionsgate U.K.’s history. In Australia, Lionsgate kicked off its self-distribution partnership with an estimated opening weekend of $1.8 million on 238 screens, the second highest-grossing weekend ever achieved by distribution partner Hoyts.

(more…)

The concept of Paddy Breathnach’s 2006 film, Shrooms, is almost too good to be true: Six friends isolated in the Irish countryside decide to brew up some good old fashioned magic mushroom tea. But this is no hippie-dippy trip. No way. Terrible things start to happen; black-cloaked demons start to appear, cows start giving foreboding warnings, and dead bodies start popping up left and right. How much of this is real? How much is caused by the drugs? Are people actually dying or did these kids accidentally eat the dreaded Death’s Head Mushrooms? (identifiable by the small black nipple on the cap of the fungus).

Like I said, the concept of Shrooms is almost too good to be true. Horror films with brilliant concepts have a lot to live up to. Shrooms, despite all its efforts, simply can’t live up to its own promise. However, that being said, I really, really enjoyed this movie.

(more…)

Review by BigBadWolfBoy

I admit I do have a soft spot for horror comedies. As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, I grew up watching everything from good ol’ American slashers to bizarre Italian gore flicks. Back then horror comedies were rare- I can remember Student Bodies from early in the slasher cycle, and April Fool’s Day from the end- but not much else.

These days most low-budget horror films contain at least a sprinkling of comedy, and I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. Most independant horror is made by guys and gals with a camera, some willing friends, precious little money, and no formal training. They’ve got the spirit, but are still learning the techniques. Creating genuine tension takes skill. It’s a talent that is not innate to most aspiring filmmakers; it must be acquired through practice. Also, let’s face it, writing funny lines is cheaper than producing convincing special effects. All you really need is an ability to poke fun at what are inherently ridiculous situations anyway.

Still, things can go very, very wrong. Take Song of the Dead, for example. This 2005 zombie horror/comedy/musical from writer-director Chip Gubera just isn’t very funny.

(more…)

On July 24, 2007, a dream of twenty years finally came through with THE MONSTER SQUAD’s arrival on DVD. THE MONSTER SQUAD is a landmark film for me, as it was just as big of an influence on my filmmaking ambitions as HALLOWEEN and MAD MAX. I rented these three films more than any others, constantly returning to Blockbuster, looking for something new, and yet always settling for THE MONSTER SQUAD, with just as much excitement to watch it as the previous. THE MONSTER SQUAD was one of those films that was impossible to get. The VHS was no where to be found for sale, and its airing on cable was few and far between, which added to the pleasure upon each viewing. Every time you watched it, you felt like you had accomplished a hard earned goal, and were revisiting with good long-time friends.

Over the years I had bought bootlegs of the film twice at conventions. Once on VHS, when none of the dealer tables had a DVD burn of it, and then eventually a DVD copy. It wasn’t until I got the Internet that I discovered I wasn’t the only person so in love with the film. There was an enormous demand for the film’s DVD release. This morning, I picked up the last copy of the film at Best Buy, and it was only noon!

(more…)

Acid Farm Productions is proudly hosting the 1st ever Region From Hell Film Festival. This is an opportunity for you to direct a 5-15minute short horror film and have it be seen by an audience and your peers.

This is also an opportunity for filmmakers, actors, models, and others a like to network with each other.

Must be 21 to enter!!

Cash Prize, Food, Booze, Girls, and a raffle to have a speaking role in the next Acid Farm Film.

When: Saturday Jan. 20 2008
Where: Mighty Micks Bar in Crown Point, IN.

(more…)

Film Adaptation Is #1 at Box Office And Graphic Novel Wins “Comic of the Year” at 2007 Scream Awards

IDW Publishing, a division of IDT Internet Mobile Group’s Zedge Studios, scored two big wins with its 30 Days of Night title this past week. The film adaptation of the graphic novel, produced by Columbia Pictures and Ghost House Pictures and starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George and Danny Huston, placed #1 at the weekend box office this past weekend. In addition, the original graphic novel, created by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith for IDW Publishing, was named “Comic of the Year” at this week’s 2007 Scream Awards.

IDW’s success with the 30 Days of Night title confirms its status as a major resource for fresh entertainment fare
“This has been a tremendous week for our company,” says Ted Adams, IDW’s CEO. “

(more…)

Howard & Sandy Baxter think they found the perfect apartment, but strange nightmares, ghostly voices, and the building’s eerie elevator soon have Howard scrambling for his life to uncover the truth about the unimaginable terror that lurks on The 3rd Floor.

How’s that for a coincidence?? I happen to live on the 3rd floor right now! Shit!!

Anyway, this is the new movie from Steve, Tom and Adam…also know as “A Corn “O” Copis Productions“. This has a little bit of it all, spooky shit, gore, ghosts and what not, so this one should be good. Stay tuned for a full review of this soon, but for now check them out on the web. And if the trailer page is working you can see what The 3rd Floor is all about!!

3rdFloor Movie

Amhusrt is now officially on MySpace, so go and check them out. You can find a new trailer and behind the scenes video as well. In the mean time feast your eyes on their new promo poster.

This one looks to be a spooky one. Great for fans of the supernatural and creepy types of flicks.

This one will be in the theaters mid-2008 so stay tuned for it.

Meanwhile check out their MySpace and Official website below…

MySpace
Amhurst Website

Anyone want some tickets for the Halloween Double Feature???

We just got this in our inbox and wanted to pass it along with everyone…(and its for real!!)

We would love to give away 8 passes to anyone who wants to see the Halloween 4 & 5 Double-Feature on the big screen for one night only! Plus, a special never-before-seen bonus “Halloween: Faces of Fear” an in-depth documentary directed by Mark Cerulli featuring interviews and rare behind-the-scenes footage including “Meet the Michaels” conversations with six of the men behind the mask.

In select movie theaters nationwide on October 30th at 7:30PM (local).

To enter the contest please email: halloween4and5tickets@gmail.com with your full name and best phone number and which theater you want free tickets to.

We will contact you on October 30th by Noon to let you know if you won!

Once again Fango is unleashing a great convention and this time its in Austin! Check out the guest list and all of the information you need below. This has to be one of the best conventions out there. Whether you are a fan of horror or not, this one has it all.

Check out some of the pictures from conventions they held in Chicago with yours truly in some of them!

Chicago Fango 2006
Chciago Fango 2007

Click on the picture for a larger image.

(more…)

Halloween night gets freaky at both the beautifully restored Aztec on the River Theater and Santikos Bijou at Crossroads.

The doors creak open at the Aztec at 6 on Wednesday. A full evening of thrills and spills, especially if someone gets clumsy with the complimentary beer or wine, begins at 7. Admission costs $10 cash at the door.

Spooky movies will be cranking up all over town, beginning with the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes’ special screening of “Dr. S. Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies” Friday night at 10:30.

(more…)