Category Archives: Horror

August 23, 2013 · 8:25 pm

DVD Blu-ray Review: FRIGHT NIGHT 2: NEW BLOOD

“Be careful, Charley. Romania can be a very dangerous place.” That’s the bit of advice Charley (Will Payne) gets from his prof, Gerri Dandridge (Jaime Murray) right after she threatened to kill him. All must go hush-hush for the time being since another student, and Charley’s love interest, Amy (Sacha Parkinson) somehow wandered onto the scene. It’s a game of cat and mouse for a good while as Charley and his prof must make time to go over whether or not he should die. Maybe he could stop by after lunch?

This is a stylish sort of scary. It’s actually not that easy to get it right and “Fright Night 2: New Blood” gets it right. It comes out on DVD and Blu-ray on October 1. It’s light horror with high production value. Like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” it has its own sense of humor but it knows to respect the scary stuff.

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August 6, 2013 · 3:21 am

Graphic Novel Review: ‘Sandcastle’ by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederick Peeters, published by SelfMadeHero

“Sandcastle” is a refreshingly creepy sci-fi mystery set to words and pictures. This graphic novel, published by SelfMadeHero, an imprint of Abrams ComicArts, lures you into quite a gripping tale. It fits right in with my current favorite summer movie , “The Conjuring.” It’s not set in a haunted house but it comes close. How about a haunted beach?

I’d love to see a graphic novel version of “The Conjuring,” by the way. It would slice and dice the story into something just as spooky if not more so. Your eyes rest on one panel, are pulled by one thing and then another. If the pacing is done right, you can easily slip into more than you bargained for. With drawings, you get an added sense of ambiguity. How, for instance, are you expected to know for sure that the kids back in the first set of panels have somehow changed? You can create this uncertainty with other mediums for sure but drawings carry their own special energy.

The story itself is right in tune with what we all seem to want to read these days while also having a timeless quality. There’s a certain hint of the Apocalypse mixed in here. There is also a “Twilight Zone” or “Lost” vibe. It’s a story involving a bunch of people that fate has thrown in together for a most extraordinary event, one they may not survive, one they are most likely not going to survive. And there’s a nice dash of the fantastical to make it all the more eerie.

It is a very understated story filled with very understated characters which can make for the best fiction. No one in this story is a hero or even all that likable. Even the most innocent or noble among them is less a shining example and more an average person pushed to the limits. That is a big theme here, being pushed to the limits. Just how much can one human being take? If a person is stretched far enough from what they know, have they lost their purpose, their will to live?

Without spoiling much of anything, the action is set into motion when a pretty young girl decides to disrobe and take a dip in the lake. As so often happens in life, her actions coincide with a most random person who is wandering about right at that moment. He’s a miserable looking man. He can’t help but find himself staring at the beautiful naked woman in the water. He didn’t plan to look in that direction but he couldn’t help himself. She, in turn, suddenly dies. And he is suddenly in a most dangerous position for an odd man out. He will quickly become a murder suspect. But that is only the beginning of the devilishly complicated horror that lies ahead.

This all told in a vividly cinematic way. That is much to the credit of writer Pierre Oscar Levy, a documentarian by trade. The translation by Nora Mahony is pitch perfect too. The art by Frederick Peeters is quite striking throughout, a blend of realism and cartoony embellishments. Many of the characters have severe features, coupled with severe temperaments, which Peeters takes delight in expressing in all its ghoulish beauty. These are mostly people who have already been beaten down by life and now they must deal with the worst beating they will ever get. It’s a wonderfully strange story.

“Sandcastle” is a 112-page hardcover available now. Visit our friends at SelfMadeHero and Abrams ComicArts.

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Tagged as Books, comics, Entertainment, graphic novels, Horror, Science Fiction

June 20, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: DEMETER by Becky Cloonan

Becky Cloonan is a masterful cartoonist. She has a very loose and confident line that comes from years of love and practice of the comics medium. Ink gets in the blood and, like a painter, you’re always ready for your next chance to put brush to ink and paper. Becky Cloonan adds another short story to her Ink and Thunder presence at ComiXology Submit with, “The Demeter,” which runs 31 pages, and you can purchase for only 99 cents here. It is supposed to be the third and final book of a trilogy. While all three books under the Ink and Thunder umbrella are not related, they all share a similar spooky vibe.

Cloonan’s love of ink is infectious. She keeps creating opportunities to dive into that ink. Her artwork is gorgeous and her stories are platforms that allow that artwork to flourish.

That’s not to say that the stories aren’t compelling in themselves. Having read the three books she has with ComiXology, “Wolves,” “The Mire,” and now, “Demeter,” all three are very impressive, and even poetic, horror stories. Cloonan is a pro and she’s managed, over the years, to tap into some quality storytelling chops. She’s as good with words and she’s with artwork. “Demeter” runs very smoothly and naturally. At its heart, it’s a simple little story told with elegance and nicely paced. It’s a cautionary tale warning you to be careful about what you wish for.

Like Paul Pope, you get that unique view from one person as artist and writer. The words, the story itself, comes that much closer to the art compared to a team of artist and writer. That’s just how it is, no matter how closely a team works together. Only you know exactly how to scratch that itch. You can see it on the page.

“Demeter” is far and beyond well worth the price of admission. So, if you haven’t already, you definitely want to go ahead and get the other two books, similar in size and same price point. Just visit ComiXology here.

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June 14, 2013 · 10:40 pm

Dark Horse Deluxe Gets Grimm!

The hit NBC series, “Grimm,” and Dark Horse Comics are a natural to join forces and so it goes with an unabashed lineup of products. Here’s the news for you from Dark Horse Comics:

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Tagged as Dark Horse Comics, Entertainment, Grimm, Pop Culture, Television, Toys

June 6, 2013 · 1:48 am

Movie Review: ‘Maniac’

It’s not like Elijah Wood woke up one morning eager to play the role of a psychopath. Or maybe it was. Hell, it worked for Anthony Hopkins in “Silence of the Lambs.” And it sure works for Elijah Wood in “Maniac.” Now, is this an essential horror movie? I would say yes, it is.

Nora Arnezeder and Elijah Wood in MANIAC

There’s a style to this one that is undeniable and it has as much to do with a willingness to go to extremes as it does with artistic vision. The deal that is struck between the film’s creative team and the audience is that of willing to see something get really bloody disgusting for the sake of saying something new. The actors are good for it as we have a solid cast led by a dynamic, and demonic, Elijah Wood, as Frank. This is followed by Nora Arnezeder as the love interest, Anna.

Nora Arnezeder in MANIAC

“Manaic,” originally a 1980 grindhouse movie by director William Lusting, has been transformed into a very cool and detached thriller by director Franck Khalfoun. There is no getting around the fact that the killer scalps his victims so that’s the bargain you have to enter into.

Sharing less with grindhouse and more with arthouse, “Maniac” falls in with such classics as “Peeping Tom” and “Psycho.” The main character of Frank in “Maniac” shares an eerie quality with Norman Bates and Mark Lewis. We all know that Norman Bates was a serial killer who could easily keep to himself having inherited his mother’s motel. And so is the case for the lesser known, Mark Lewis, in “Peeping Tom.” He’s a serial killer who inherited his father’s home that he sublets. Both men seem to have control over their destinies but clearly don’t. Both have major mother issues. In the case of Frank, he too is a serial killer and he has inherited the family business, a creepy one, the restoration of mannequins. And you better believe he has mother issues.

Keeping with tradition, Frank becomes attracted with one particular woman that he places in much higher esteem than his usual victims. We can see this coming from a mile away but it is exactly what we hope for. Both Elijah Wood and Nora Arnezeder are great as the doomed couple. While we never really want to sympathize with the Frank character, we are given reasons to consider it. Of course, poor Frank is too far gone for us to ever think Anna can save him. Before we can even see a glimmer of hope, we’re right back into the classic horror movie concern: Will the girl be alright?

Like “Psycho” and particularly “Peeping Tom,” we see a lot of the action through the killer’s eyes, so much so that our first glimpse of Frank is from a mirror. “Maniac” gives us a troubled loner with a sharp contemporary edge. Elijah Wood’s Frank shares something with his audience: disconnected, struggling to connect. Without reading too much into it, Frank serves as an apt symbol for society’s dysfunction. His outlet: scalping women to death. Pretty gruesome stuff and, getting back to the bloody disgusting, classic horror entertainment.

MANICA OPENING THEATRICALLY @ THE IFC CENTER AND ON VOD JUNE 21, 2013

View the MANIAC trailer and get more details here.

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May 24, 2013 · 10:09 pm

Interview: Director Roger Sewhcomar and ‘Do You Like My Basement?’

Director Roger Sewhcomar, with Devon Talbott and Charlie Floyd, in DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT?

Director Roger Sewhcomar, with Devon Talbott and Charlie Floyd, on set of DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT?

Roger Sewhcomar has crafted a devilishly good horror movie, both chilling and satirical. If you’re in New York City, be sure to catch it at the NewFilmmakers Short Film program on May 29. You can find details here. And, of course, there’s more to come as the film moves on to other venues and branches out into new web content.

Karlheinz Böhm, as Mark Lewis, in PEEPING TOM

If you’re a film buff, you may find yourself comparing “Do You Like My Basement?” to classic horror, especially, “Peeping Tom,” considering both main characters, Stanley Farmer, and Mark Lewis, respectively, are deranged filmmakers. They are up to their gills in toxic psychosis. “Peeping Tom,” although now considered a masterpiece, did not go over so well in 1960 and its director, Michael Powell, paid a heavy price as he was thoroughly drummed out of the business by harsh critics. “Do You Like My Basement?” has a much brighter future ahead of it, not only by comparison, but for being quite a gem. Director Roger Sewhcomar provides just the sort of horror that goes beyond expectations, and meets the contemporary taste for suspense.

Charlie Floyd on set of DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT?

A production such as this has its share of unsung heroes, those that go the extra mile but may go unseen. Ironically, the main character to this film, Stanley Farmer, is never quite seen. However, there is no mistaking the presence of actor Charlie Floyd. In fact, he’s always there. Once you hear his voice, you won’t mistake it. Mr. Floyd leads a strong cast in this remarkable mix of horror, satire, and dark comedy.

It was a pleasure to get to chat with director Roger Sewhcomar. We go over his influences, what it takes to make a movie, and what lies ahead for “Do You like My Basement?” Click below. Enjoy.

Visit the “Do You Like My Basement?” website here.

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Tagged as Entertainment, Filmmaking, Films, Horror, Independent Cinema, Interviews, Kickstarter, Meta Horror, Movies, New York City, Pop Culture

May 21, 2013 · 3:34 am

Movie Review: DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT?

Jessica Green in DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT?

Meet Stanley Farmer (played by Charlie Floyd). He’s an aspiring filmmaker. Only problem is he has a psychotic way of expressing himself. But, as this dark and witty horror film makes clear, a lot of people are willing to overlook such a thing. Putting one’s life in danger, even pretty much guaranteeing your life is in danger, won’t stop some from seeking a touch of glamour and fame, even if it’s of the most dubious sort. We live in such a disposal and alienated society. Some would call it, hyperreal. Times like these demand a good shock to the system that a good meta horror movie can deliver.

One moment, you could be passively lurking on your laptop and, the next, you could be inside some stranger’s home on the verge of engaging in something. Something? That’s what each person who answers Stanley’s ad is wondering about. What is the “something” that will happen if they choose to spend the night in his basement? Stanley won’t tell. It would ruin the surprise. He explains to each of his potential victims, or…actors, that he is after authentic responses to fear. And like perfect lemmings, each one readily accepts the reality television model.

One participant, a pert and lovely young woman named Sylvia (played by Jessica Green) only asks for some nominal reassurance, “You’re not going to kill me at all?” Stanley lays on what still sounds like a suspicious charm and that is enough for Sylvia to follow him into the basement. What makes such a scene work so well is that it rings so true.

We don’t know what is real anymore, do we? Well, sure, we do but–do we, really? The clever self-aware quality of “Do You Like My Basement?” provides the right amount of satirical bite that pulls you into the humor as well as the horror. Writer/director/producer Roger Sewhcomar set out to create something special, an intelligent horror film, and he truly succeeds. This is a thoughtful thriller with references to the Michael Powell 1960 classic, “Peeping Tom,” but with an utterly contemporary sensibility. Camera work is both slick and jittery when needed. A strong cast will keep you glued to your seat. The contrast between pleasant big city apartment and dank and creepy basement is truly jarring and, even if the characters are easily lured in, it will prove an effective reality check for you, the viewer.

Early on, we witness a tragic murder caught on tape, a little “something” that occurred at some point. By the time we view the first audition to Stanley’s experimental film, we’re so invested in the safety of the poor young man, Chad (played by Devon Talbott) that even the slightest sign of danger leaves us queasy. Adding to the suspense and disturbance, again, is how easily Chad is willing to put up with insults, innuendo, and unveiled threats of danger. The screws keep being turned, people keep entering Stanley’s apartment and not leaving. Stanley even gets a bit sloppy, seeming not to care if he gets caught. But he’s also a resilient chap as you’ll come to see for yourself.

On Wednesday, May 29th, NewFilmmakers presents its Experimental Documentary Series, a Short Film Program, and the new horror feature, DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT? View details here.

And be sure to check out the DO YOU LIKE MY BASEMENT? website here.

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Tagged as Entertainment, Horror, Hyperreal, Media, Meta Horror, Movie Reviews, Movies, Pop Culture, Reality Television, Thrillers

May 19, 2013 · 12:03 am

Cannes Film Festival: May 21 Premiere of WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

Julia Garner and Ambyr Childers in WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

Fresh off a premiere at Sundance, director Jim Mickle brings his horror thriller, WE ARE WHAT WE ARE, to the Cannes Film Festival on May 21.

Press release follows:

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Tagged as ambyr childers, Cannes Film Festival, Entertainment, Film, Horror, horror thriller, Movies, Pop Culture, Sundance Film Festival, Supernatural

May 11, 2013 · 4:04 am

Dan Dougherty Announces New Beardo Comics Series: ‘Touching Evil’

Dan Dougherty is an accomplished cartoonist and illustrator who can handle anything from humor to horror and, believe it or not, a mashup of the two. His latest project takes a decidedly dramatic and intriguing tone, a tale about a woman with a most disturbing version of the Midas Touch, now available at Beardocomics.com.

In his own words, Dan provides the details:

I’m proud to announce an exciting new project: Touching Evil. It’s the first comic book I’ve fully written since Cyclone Bill and the Tall Tales. It’s also the first time that I’ve had my illustrations colored by a professional. Wesley Wong has done color work for years, most notably on the Marvel Masterworks series. He inked and colored Touching Evil, and has really taken my work to a new level that I couldn’t reach on my own.

So what is Touching Evil? The quick pitch is this: “An unsuspecting single mother stumbles upon an ancient curse. As the bearer of the curse, she can kill anyone simply with the touch of her hand – provided that the person is evil.”

If that piques your interest, that’s only the beginning! For not only does she have the dilemma of being a defense attorney, she is also completely unprepared to carry something so powerful. And power has a funny way of attracting those who want it. And those who want it tend to do whatever it takes to get it.

The first story arc of Touching Evil will be five to six issues in length, and – if it is successful – will be the basis for an ongoing series. As you can imagine, this idea is ripe with possibilities.

But before I get too carried away with it, I need to begin at the beginning. And I’m hoping you’ll join me for the ride. Issue one of Touching Evil is now available on my website, http://www.beardocomics.com/store . It’s only $5 plus shipping, and if you order it, I’ll throw in a copy of issue one of Cyclone Bill and the Tall Tales, which is long since out of print.

If you DO order it, follow the prompts on the order form. Once you see the screen that gives you your order number and says, “Your order has been correctly sent and will be processed as soon as possible,” then just scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the “Buy Now” button that will take you to Paypal. You don’t need a Paypal account to pay, it will take a credit card.

I’ve attached the cover image (done by Stephen Bryant) for issue one to show you the kind of quality that went into this book.

Visit our friends at Beardocomics.com.

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May 4, 2013 · 11:10 pm

What It Feels Like To Ride The Kickstarter Beast

I love Kickstarter. The ride has been exhilarating. You learn so much when you do a Kickstarter campaign. It really does come down to basics. You learn about yourself, what you’re trying to communicate, how you communicate. This video is interesting to me. I like it. And I know it could be improved upon, believe me. But, overall, I like it. I even love it. And I love my campaign that you can view HERE.

I like myself. Wait, check that, I lOVE myself. That’s important because you have to have a thick skin and accept whatever happens during a campaign. You need to keep perspective. You need to be able to step back and ask yourself if you’ve reached as many people as you’re going to reach during a campaign. I’m still gauging that. Maybe there are some people that I reached but wasn’t able to get them to that last step, the actual pledge. Maybe I missed a whole lot of people somehow. Well, so it goes. That’s the healthy approach. But, yes, there’s plenty of people still to reach. Big hint here to WordPress to make this a Freshly Pressed post! I will state here, without a doubt, I also love WordPress!

And I love all my readers: Hey, go for it! Support this campaign as best you can! Repost this. Give it an official LIKE. Spread the word in any which way you can. Maybe I just had to ask.

You learn, in a pretty significant way, what really matters in goal setting. You set out to achieve a compelling goal that is within your grasp and is in need of funds. Sounds pretty simple. And it can be. For me, my project came naturally to me. And, with only hours left in this campaign, I am so glad I did it, even if I don’t reach my goal. However, who wouldn’t like to reach their goal, especially one that has been carefully thought out and nurtured as mine has? Well, you’re right, I do dearly want to see my comics project make it.

This is a work years in the making and something that will attract readers from many directions: horror, sci-fi, humor, even romance. It will attract readers who love good quirky and offbeat stories. You know who you are! It will attract readers of good solid alternative comics with attention to slice-of-life details. If you love the more artful and literary comics, then this is for you. Each of the short works is an unusual story of self-discovery. One involves a man who must come to grips with killing a bear. Another, the title work, is about a luxury hotel with charming ghosts who are disturbed my a couple of guests with way too much emotional baggage. This story, set in the Sorrento Hotel, refers back to a lot of Seattle history and has a steampunk quality to it. There are a total of four short works that originated from 24-Hour Comics Day experiments. The long story is a coming-of-age piece about a young man’s first adventure in New York City. You can interpret that story in more than one way. So, I’ll keep fighting the good fight. I will. Because it’s so worth it.

You need to carry yourself like you’ve already won, even if it seems like there’s a certain level of indifference. You do this because you trust in yourself the most.

And I’ll definitely keep you posted after this campaign comes to a close on May 6. I’d love to read your feedback and share more of what I’ve learned. But, for now, there’s a campaign still under way! How bad do I want this thing? Pretty bad! You’ve got all the rest of this weekend and all the way through Monday. After that, we’ll talk and see how it goes. Just go to Kickstarter, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES on Kickstarter thru May 6, and head over HERE.