text:
It's here in the Archives section that you will find the news of the last three months.
----- April 30, 2021 -----
** David Cronenberg's CRIMES OF THE FUTURE: It has now been confirmed that Viggo Mortensen, Kristen Stewart and Lea Seydoux are to play the leads in David Cronenberg's next directorial effort CRIMES OF THE FUTURE. The project boasts the same name as one of his first features and marks not only his first directing project in seven years but also his first original screenplay since 1999's eXistenZ.
While the title may be the same, the official synopsis sounds quite different to that early film although is very much in line with the sci-fi body horror stylings the Canadian filmmaker made his name on from.
The story is set in the not-so-distant future where humankind is learning to adapt to its synthetic surroundings, causing human evolution to metamorphose with 'Accelerated Evolution Syndrome' (AES) spreading fast. While some embrace the limitless potential of transhumanism, others attempt to police it. Saul Tenser is a performance artist who has embraced AES, sprouting new and unexpected organs in his body. Tenser has turned the removal of these organs into a real-time theatre spectacle. But with both the government and a strange subculture watching him, Tenser is forced to consider what would be his most shocking performance of all.
Scott Speedman, Welket Bungue, Don McKellar and Lihi Kornowski will also star while Robert Lantos will produce. Filming is slated to begin in Greece in August and NEON will distribute the film in the United States. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE FEAST: The Welsh-language revenge horror film THE FEAST has been picked up by IFC Midnight for North American distribution. The company plans a Thanksgiving 2021 release. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** Zack Snyder's ARMY OF THE DEAD: Filmmaker Zack Snyder has released ten colorful character posters for his upcoming Netflix zombie heist feature. Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Tig Notaro, Garret Dillahunt, Raul Castillo, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ana de la Reguera, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Samantha Win and Rich Cetrone star in the project which will stream globally May 21st on Netflix.
----- April 29, 2021 -----
** Neill Blomkamp's DEMONIC: From the director Neill Blomkamp of DISTRICT 9 and ELYSIUM, a young woman unleashes terrifying demons when supernatural forces at the root of a decades old rift between mother and daughter are revealed.
** ESCAPE ROOM 2: Sony and Adam Robitel's horror flick ESCAPE ROOM 2 has been moved up six months to a July 16th 2021 release. The move back comes not long after the already-completed film was delayed nearly a year. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE MEG sequel: Doing early press for Guy Ritchie's armored truck crime thriller WRATH OF MAN, actor Jason Statham has confirmed he will be back for the sequel to the giant shark feature THE MEG. Speaking with the Collider web site, Statham says that the studio is planning to start filming the project early next year and can't wait to finally get to work with the film's director Ben Wheatley:
"We're gonna start shooting in January if I get my dates right. Ben Wheatley is the director. I'm very excited to work with him. I'm thrilled to get going. Its been a while. We've been waiting around for the right scripts to come in and the right director to turn up, and we've got all those things, and they're all stacked up now.
[Wheatley's] great. We have a great shorthand already. We've got similar taste. I like his movies. I think he's a brilliant director. I think we've got a good shot at making something good."
2018's THE MEG, which sees a pre-historic 75-foot-long shark that was previously thought to be extinct re-emerge, hauled in a worldwide gross of over $530 million. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- April 28, 2021 -----
** THE BLACK PHONE: Universal and Blumhouse Productions announced that the upcoming horror thriller THE BLACK PHONE officially has a release date, with the company targeting January 28, 2022, as its release date. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** SOUND OF VIOLENCE: Coming to VOD May 21st. Alexis recovered her hearing after witnessing the brutal murder of her family when she was ten. The visceral experience awakened synesthetic abilities in her and started her on an orphaned path of self-discovery through the healing tones of brutal violence. She goes on to pursue a career teaching and experimenting to find new sounds. She is supported and loved by her roommate Marie who is unaware of the dark secrets behind Alexis' unique music and the part she unknowingly plays. Faced with the likelihood of losing her hearing again, Alexis escalates her pursuit of her masterpiece through gruesome sound experiments and devastating designs. She won't let anything stop her, not even love.
** BAPHOMET: Cleopatra Entertainment will release the Satanic horror film BAPHOMET starring Dani Filth, the lead singer of Cradle of Filth, on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital June 8th.
The film tells the tale of an American family (the Richardsons) celebrating their daughter's pregnancy, but things begin to go awry when Satanic cult leader, Henrik Brandr unexpectedly visits their ranch. Henrik offers to pay the family a large sum for ownership of their land, claiming it is sacred to his congregation. Jacob Richardson, the father, rejects the offer due to the sentimental value of his ranch. Henrik, displeased, begins to put curses on the Richardsons, trying to force them off of their own land - even if it means murdering them. After suffering unexplainable tragedies created by the curses, the Richardsons seek help from Marybeth, a white witch high priestess. They soon discover a terrible secret about their house, revealing why their land is so scared to the cult. They realize that they must protect their house from the cult at all costs, and a violent battle between good and evil ensues.
----- April 27, 2021 -----
** THE BABADOOK: Coming from Second Sight Films on June 21st as a 4K UHD/Blu-ray dual format box set including 150 page hardback book with new essays, archive interview with Jennifer Kent, behind-the-scenes-stills and original book illustration concepts, plus 6 art cards.
** DEMENTIA PART II: Suzanne wasn't always this confused. She wasn't always dead either - When an ex-con takes a job as a handyman for an unstable elderly woman to avoid a parole violation, it becomes a choice he may regret.
** THE CONJURING THE LOVER: The new comics imprint DC Horror is set to launch with THE CONJURING THE LOVER, a five-issue limited series is described as a prelude to the upcoming film THE CONJURING THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT.
It expands the tragic story of Jessica, a college freshman returning to campus after winter break with a lot on her mind – including the undeniably unnerving feeling of being watched. She soon comes to realize that something evil has made her its target, and it will not rest until it has her in its unholy grip. But why did this sinister presence set its sights on a seemingly normal college freshman?
The comic series will also "feature backup stories that further explore the mysteries of the artifact room of Lorraine and Ed Warren from THE CONJURING universe."
The new film sees Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) investigate the case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, a young man on trial for murder who claims demonic possession forced him to kill. The comic is penned by the film's screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick along with Rex Ogle and features art by Garry Brown. Both the comic and new film launch on June 4th. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- April 26, 2021 -----
** AMERICAN PSYCHO and SAW TV series: It has been 21 years since the theatrical release of Mary Harron's cult classic AMERICAN PSYCHO, and now Lionsgate Television chairman Kevin Beggs has confirmed that the studio is currently in the process of developing a TV series adaptation of the Christian Bale-led black comedy slasher movie.
Speaking with the Deadline web site, Beggs also went on to tease the potential TV spinoff of James Wan and Leigh Whannell's SAW franchise, revealing that it's one of the many titles they're planning to explore for television. Understandably, Beggs wasn't able to give away further details about the potential project, but the outlet brings word that Lionsgate TV is reportedly still in early talks for the long-rumored SAW TV series and that Mark Burg and Oren Koules' Twisted Television would be involved.
"We've just wrapped up DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, which was a really good experience. BLINDSPOTTING is coming up. AMERICAN PSYCHO is in development. We're always exploring what we can do in television with something like the SAW franchise, so that's a conversation," Beggs said. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** George A. Romero's MARTIN 4K UHD: From Second Sight Films. Following a lot of discussions and some logistical delays over the past year we finally have more news on MARTIN. Originally intended as a Blu-ray only release we are now going ahead with a 4K UHD as well. This means going back to the original scan and a new restoration in 4K which will take some time. We hope for a late summer release and will keep you posted. Thanks for everyone's patience on this one.
** THE CONJURING THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the film and their fight for the soul of a young boy takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before.
The case marked the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense. Ruairi O'Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Julian Hilliard co-star in the film which has been dubbed the biggest and darkest entry in the franchise to date.
** WEREWOLVES WITHIN: Here's the poster for the upcoming film.
----- April 23, 2021 -----
** SPIRAL FROM THE BOOK OF SAW: Here's the poster for the upcoming horror film.
** FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS: Here's the poster for the upcoming horror film. Romina, an overworked nurse and single mother, returns home from her late shift on Halloween night to find Chris, a forlorn maniac, hiding out with Alan, a bruised and beaten hostage. As an unexpected wave of violent intruders descend upon the neighbourhood and lay siege to her home, the trio soon realize the only way out of the situation is to become as violent as everyone else.
** THE CONJURING THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT: According to Film Ratings, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema's long-awaited third installment of THE CONJURING films titled THE CONJURING THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT has officially been given an R-rating from the MPAA for "terror, violence and some disturbing images." This comes ahead of the Michael Chaves-directed horror feature's upcoming simultaneous theatrical release and HBO Max debut on Friday, June 4. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** DETENTION: Gotham-based distributor Dekanalog has added the acclaimed Taiwanese festival favorite DETENTION to their bustling 2021 slate, with plans to release the award-winning film in theatres and virtual cinemas nationwide on October 8th. The film, from director John Hsu, marks the distributor's second genre release following the Tunisian horror favorite DACHRA, which Dekanalog will bow on July 9th. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
----- April 22, 2021 -----
** TWO EVIL EYES 4K UHD: Coming on August 24th from Blue Underground!
- Critically acclaimed restoration now in true 4K ultra high definition with Dolby Vision HDR and a new Dolby Atmos audio mix
- Limited Edition embossed slipcover featuring original artwork by the late, great Enzo Sciotti (First Pressing Only!)
- Audio: English (Dolby Atmos, 2.1 DTS-HD); French (1.0 DTS-HD)
- Subtitles: English SDH, Français, Español
- Region Free
- Packed with hours of Extras
Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras
- Audio Commentary with Troy Howarth, Author of "Murder By Design: The Unsane Cinema of Dario Argento"
- Theatrical Trailer
- Poster & Still Gallery
Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Extras:
- Two Masters' Eyes – Interviews with Directors Dario Argento & George Romero, Special Make-Up Effects Supervisor Tom Savini, Executive Producer Claudio Argento, and Asia Argento
- Savini's EFX – A Behind-the-Scenes look at the film's Special Make-Up Effects
- At Home With Tom Savini – A personal tour of Tom Savini's home
- Adrienne Barbeau on George Romero
- Before I Wake – Interview with Star Ramy Zada
- Behind The Wall – Interview with Star Madeleine Potter
- One Maestro And Two Masters – Interview with Composer Pino Donaggio
- Rewriting Poe – Interview with Co-Writer Franco Ferrini
- The Cat Who Wouldn't Die – Interview with Assistant Director Luigi Cozzi
- Two Evil Brothers – Interview with Special Make-Up Assistant Everett Burrell
- Working With George – Interview with Costume Designer Barbara Anderson
** TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD: Don May from Synapse Films offers new details on the upcoming TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD Blu-ray to Rue Morgue.
"TOMBS was one of those situations where we inherited a previous scan and restoration that I was not able to supervise myself," May says. "I had to do some fixes, some color corrections and other things to bring the movie up to our usual standards of quality, and finally it's done."
Both the longer Spanish and shorter English cuts will be included, and a third that May describes as "the nightmare I caused for myself. I got the bright idea to do a hybrid version; I said, 'Why don't we put the English track over the longer Spanish edition, and where the Spanish one has extra footage and dialogue, we just cut to the Spanish and put subtitles on it.' So we have the long version mostly in English with 15 or 20 minutes in Spanish, with optional subtitles. I didn't realize till after I started it that it would be a massive pain in the ass, but we're doing it. It'll be interesting for the fans to have the opportunity to see it that way, and it's weird, because there are scenes in English with just one or two lines of dialogue in Spanish, and you get to see what the people who first put the movie out in the U.S. decided to cut."
"We've got three commentaries," May says, "including one by [historian/author] Troy Howarth and one by Lone Fleming, the star of the film, which is awesome. We also have a commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn, who do the NaschyCast podcast, which is a lot of fun."
And there's more: "We've got the infamous REVENGE FROM PLANET APE opening [slapped on the film in the '70s by a duplicitous distributor attempting to tie it in with the PLANET OF THE APES franchise], and an amazing documentary on the Spanish zombie genre that's a follow-up to the one on the LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE Blu-ray, by the same people [director Naomi Holwill et al.].
Also, we always try to do a CD for our special editions, and there has never been an official soundtrack CD of TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD, probably because the original elements are not separated and they can't be found or whatever. But we're doing a heavy-metal tribute CD for TOMBS. There's a band called Hooded Menace whose first few albums were basically love letters to the BLIND DEAD films, so we've got a couple of tracks from them. Lee Dorrian from Napalm Death had another band called Cathedral, who did a song called 'Tombs of the Blind Dead,' and he's letting us have that for the CD. And collectors who are into horror soundtracks and limited-edition vinyl will know the band Zoltan, who have done John Carpenter and PHANTASM tribute albums, and they did a record with their own takes on the themes for the four main BLIND DEAD films, so we're going to have those. The CD is going to be awesome. We've got a few other surprises in store as well." We'll keep you posted on further details and the release date!
** WEREWOLF WITHIN: When a killer terrorizes the snowed-in residents of a small town, it falls to the new forest ranger to find out who - or what - lurks among them in this hilarious horror whodunnit.
** Alexandre Aja's OXYGEN: Liz is running out of oxygen and time, in order to survive she must find a way to remember who she is. May 12th on Netflix.
----- April 21, 2021 -----
** SEANCE: Camille Meadows is the new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls. Soon after her arrival, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.
** THE OAK ROOM: During a raging snowstorm, a drifter returns home to the blue-collar bar located in the remote Canadian town where he was born. When he offers to settle an old debt with a grizzled bartender by telling him a story, the night's events quickly spin into a dark tale of mistaken identities, double-crosses and shocking violence.
** VIRTUAL REALITY: FilmSharks in Argentina have picked up the worldwide rights for the sci-fi horror flick VIRTUAL REALITY (REALIDAD VIRTUAL) from director Hernan Filndling and his co-writer Laura Prado Mendez. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** FRIED BARRY: Fried Barry, a Ryan Kruger thing, follows the story of a drug-addled degenerate who, after yet another bender, gets abducted by aliens. Barry takes a backseat as his alien visitor assumes control of his body and takes it for a joyride through Cape Town. What follows is an onslaught of drugs, sex and violence as Barry's alien tourist enters the weird and wonderful world of humankind. Premieres May 7th on Shudder.
** THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN: Another lovely day begins in Castle Frightenstein! Unearthed Films announced, in collaboration with Frightenstein Enterprises International, Trimuse Entertainment, and The Big Pieces Company, it will release all 130 digitally re-mastered episodes of the iconic Canadian cult series THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN. The announcement kicks-off a celebration of the series' 50th anniversary, all leading up to a digital release on major U.S. platforms and the release of special collector's edition Blu-rays of all 130 episodes later this year.
THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN was also a groundbreaking format at the time. The comedic-horror format represented a different concept in children's programs. As producer Riff Markowitz described it, it's a modular concept with each segment roughly 5 minutes long and an entity in itself. Vincent Price linked the segments together.
----- April 20, 2021 -----
** THE MEG sequel: After more than two decades in development, THE MEG finally came to the screen in the form of a Jason Statham-led PG-13 rated vehicle in 2018. Expectations were not high and reviews were so-so, but the Statham vs. 75-foot prehistoric shark film was a big hit – grossing over half a billion dollars at the global box office which made a sequel likely.
Cut to British director Ben Wheatley (KILL LIST) being hired a while back to direct the film, taking over from NATIONAL TREASURE helmer Jon Turteltaub. Wheatley is a more eccentric and darker choice so, naturally, there's been an expectation he may be taking the franchise into more serious and potentially more R-rated territory.
However, Wheatley tells the ComicBook.com web site that he intends to honor what has come before and cites his work on the first two episodes of Peter Capaldi's run on DOCTOR WHO as an example of him working within the set parameters of a franchise:
"A lot of it is respecting THE MEG, and trying to make sure it's a great Meg film. And as you can see from the movies I've made, they're not necessarily, it's not … when you go and do DOCTOR WHO, I don't completely change it because I wanted to do it. I didn't want to necessarily make it something completely different that nobody recognized, you know? So there's that element of back and forth."
Wheatley also promises some epic action sequences for the film, saying the large budget gives him the chance to go a bit wild:
"It's an opportunity to do action on such an insanely large scale, that it's just unbelievable. From doing FREE FIRE, which was, I thought, was all my Christmases came at once in terms of action, this is just unbelievable. And just doing the storyboards for it, just thinking and going, 'Oh,' it's just … I feel a heavy responsibility for it, to make sure that it kind of delivers on all the, to all the big shark fans out there." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** LET THE RIGHT ONE IN TV series: Anika Noni Rose (DREAMGIRLS) has scored a leading role opposite Demian Bichir in Showtime's vampire drama pilot LET THE RIGHT ONE IN based on John Ajvide Lindqvist's 2004 novel and its subsequent 2008 film.
Bichir plays a man who, along with his 12-year-old daughter, finds their lives changed forever when she was turned into a vampire. Rose pays a single mother and homicide detective whose son befriends the girl. Andrew Hinderaker serves as showrunner. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** DAY SHIFT: Snoop Dogg and Jamie Foxx are teaming for the vampire-hunter film DAY SHIFT at Netflix. Foxx plays a San Fernando Valley blue collar dad whose pool cleaning job is a front for his real income – working for an international union of vampire hunters.
Meagan Good, Karla Souza, Dave Franco, Steve Howey, Scott Adkins and C.S. Lee star. J.J. Perry directs from a script by Tyler Tice and Shay Hatten while Chad Stahelski produces. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** FOR THE SAKE OF VICIOUS: Romina, an overworked nurse and single mother returns home from her late shift on Halloween night to find a maniac hiding out with a bruised and beaten hostage. When an unexpected wave of violent intruders descends upon her home, the trio realize the only way out of the situation is to work together and fight for their survival.
** GOODBYE HONEY: Dawn, a truck driver, pulls into a state park to get some sleep when she is ambushed by Phoebe, a young woman who claims she is fleeing from an abductor. Dawn is wary of Phoebe's story, leading to a struggle that leaves her phone broken, the keys missing, and nothing but darkness between them and help. As the night progresses, it becomes clear they are not alone. Bonding over a shared history of trauma, Dawn and Phoebe realize they must learn to trust each other if they want to survive a night full of unexpected twists and violent turns.
----- April 19, 2021 -----
** SCREAM: Radio Silence, the directors of the upcoming SCREAM franchise installment, confirmed that in addition to having multiple scenes prepped in scripts given to actors they actually shot multiple versions as well. (thanks to ComingSoon.net & Bloody-Disgusting.com)
** TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: An official R rating has been handed out to the upcoming TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE reboot, the rating cited for "strong bloody horror violence and gore, and language." The new film serves as a direct sequel to the 1974 original, ignoring all the others since.
David Blue Garcia directs using a screenplay penned by Chris Thomas Devlin, while Fede Alvarez produces. Mark Burnham, Olwen Fouere, Elsie Fisher, Sarah Yarkin, Moe Dunford, Alice Krige and Jacob Latimore co-star. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** RENFIELD: Filmmaker Chris McKay is in negotiations to direct and produce the monster movie RENFIELD at Universal Pictures at Skybound Entertainment. The story will center around the character R.M. Renfield, an inmate at a lunatic asylum who was thought to be suffering from delusions but is actually a servant of the Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula.
A figure in Bram Stoker's original novel, the role has been played by the likes of Dwight Frye, Tom Waits, Peter MacNicol, Mark Gatiss, Klaus Kinski, Nonso Anozie and Samuel Barnett on screen. This take is based on an original pitch from THE WALKING DEAD author Robert Kirkman with Ryan Ridley penning the script. Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE SEASON OF PASSAGE: Universal Pictures has snapped up a feature film adaptation of Christopher Pike's 1993 sci-fi horror novel THE SEASON OF PASSAGE. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE creator and DOCTOR SLEEP director Mike Flanagan will direct, produce and co-write the screenplay with James Flanagan.
The original book centers around a U.S. manned expedition to Mars which follows in the wake of a Russian one that went missing before them. Were they simply dead, or did something else happen to them? The terror starts long before any of them ever leave the ground as vivid nightmares and unexplainable dread of the 'dead' planet rise up. Dr. Lauren Wagner, an admired and respected member of the crew, hears voices inside entreating her to love them. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** GREAT WHITE: A blissful tourist trip quickly turns into a nightmare when five passengers on a seaplane become stranded miles from shore. In a desperate bid for survival the group try to make it to land before they either run out of supplies or are taken by a menacing terror lurking just beneath the surface.
----- April 16, 2021 -----
** THE TOXIC AVENGER remake: Jacob Tremblay (DOCTOR SLEEP) is set to co-star with Peter Dinklage in Macon Blair's new reimagining of Troma's iconic low-budget THE TOXIC AVENGER franchise at Legendary.
When a struggling everyman is pushed into a vat of toxic waste, he is transformed into a mutant freak who must go from shunned outcast to underdog hero as he races to save his son, his friends and his community from the forces of corruption and greed.
Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will serve as producers on the new take which follows in the wake of multiple films, a stage musical production, a children's cartoon TV series and a Marvel comic. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE remake: Three decades after the theatrical release of Amy Holden Jones' groundbreaking THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE, the Deadline web site brings word that SYFY has successfully acquired that distribution rights to Shout! Studios' modern remake of the 1982 classic slasher film. Production on the upcoming film recently wrapped in South Africa and is currently expected to make its debut later this year.
"We're thrilled to partner with Syfy on THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE. Ever since we acquired the New Horizon Picture library, encompassing 270 Roger Corman films, we've been looking for opportunities to co-develop new content and remakes. We look forward to combining our efforts and hope this is just the start of a long and rewarding relationship," Shout!'s founders and CEOs Bob Emmer and Garson Foos said in a statement. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE DEAD ZONE: Coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory. We see in the future that we're going to present you with an upgraded version of Stephen King's and David Cronenberg's THE DEAD ZONE on Blu-ray this Summer! Here are the early details we have at current time to share:
- National street date for North America (Region A) is July 27th.
- This will be presented as a Collector's Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
- The newly commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Hugh Fleming. This art will be front-facing, and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork.
- Extras will be announced on a later date but we can confirm today that there will be a new HD transfer of the film!
** HOUSE OF WAX: Coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory. Get ready to prey, slay and display this Summer with an all-new definitive Blu-ray edition of the appreciated 2005 remake of HOUSE OF WAX! Here are the early details we have at current time to share:
- National street date for North America (Region A) is July 13th!
- This will be presented as a Collector's Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
- The newly commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Joel Robinson. This art will be front-facing, and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork.
- Extras will be announced on a later date. However, we can confirm already that there is a new HD transfer created specifically for this release and a new interview with actress Paris Hilton.
** A STRANGER IS WATCHING: Coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory. Back in 1982 Director Sean S. Cunningham followed up his original FRIDAY THE 13TH classic with the underrated thriller A STRANGER IS WATCHING. And it's now coming to Blu-ray for the first time in North America on July 20th!
This terrifying film follows a psychopath as he imprisons a little girl and a famous reporter in the dank maze of tunnels beneath New York City's Grand Central Station. He first wants to collect a ransom … and then murder his captives. His victims' only hope is their own wits – and the aid of homeless people who roam this urban netherworld.
** CHAMBER OF HORRORS: Coming to Blu-ray from Shout! Factory. Do you dare to enter the CHAMBER OF HORRORS? The 1966 gimmicky guilty pleasure arrives on Blu-ray for the first time in North America on July 27th. Extras to be announced on a later date but we can confirm at this time that we will have an all-new HD transfer of the film!
----- April 15, 2021 -----
** ARMY OF THE DEAD: From filmmaker Zack Snyder, ARMY OF THE DEAD takes place following a zombie outbreak that has left Las Vegas in ruins and walled off from the rest of the world. When Scott Ward (Dave Bautista), a former zombie war hero who's now flipping burgers on the outskirts of the town he now calls home, is approached by casino boss Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada), it's with the ultimate proposition: break into the zombie-infested quarantine zone to retrieve $200 million sitting in a vault beneath the strip before the city is nuked by the government in 32 hours. With little left to lose, Ward takes on the challenge, assembling a ragtag team of experts for the heist. With a ticking clock, a notoriously impenetrable vault, and a smarter, faster horde of Alpha zombies closing in, only one thing's for certain in the greatest heist ever attempted: survivors take all.
** SKULL THE MASK: In this splatter-filled supernatural slasher, a Pre-Columbian artifact contains the spirit of Anhangá, the executioner of the god Tahawantinsupay. Whoever wears the masked is possessed by Anhangá and compelled to commit sacrifices to resurrect his god. It's up to a museum assistant and a policewoman to stop the slaughter before the ritual is completed. A throwback treat for fans of '80s slashers and gory practical effects.
** EVIL DEAD TRAP: The wild and crazy Japanese horror film is coming to Blu-ray on 8/24 from Unearthed Films!
** BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF: Coming to Blu-ray from Shout! Factory. We're bring out the beast this Summer with Christophe Gans' BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF on Blu-ray! Here are the early details we have at current time to share:
- National street date for North America (Region A) is July 27th.
- This is a 2-Disc set, will be presented as a Collector's Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
- The newly commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Adam Stothard. This art will be front-facing, and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork.
- Extras will be announced on a later date.
** Jess Franco/Andrea Bianchi's ANGEL OF DEATH: Coming to Blu-ray on 8/10 from Full Moon Features from an uncut master culled from the original 35mm camera negative.
** EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS: Look what's crawling onto Blu-ray this Summer: Giant spiders go on a rampage in EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS arriving on Blu-ray for the first time in North America on July 20th!
----- April 14, 2021 -----
** SAW: Here's the trailer for the upcoming 4K UHD release of SAW.
** Francis Lee's horror film: After breaking through with the critically acclaimed GOD,s OWN COUNTRY, actor Josh O'Connor and filmmaker Francis Lee (AMMONITE) will reunite for a new horror feature. In a profile for Esquire, Lee revealed that O'Connor will lead the project described as "a 20th century-set horror movie with strong elements of 'class and queerness', about a sad young man alone in an epic wilderness."
The project is reportedly an adaptation of a novel, but Lee won't say what novel it is for the moment. In an interview with The Film Stage last year, Lee says his aim was to "make a really, really f–king scary horror film." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WHISTLER CAMP: Multiple Oscar-nominated screenwriter and PENNY DREADFUL creator John Logan will make his feature directorial debut on the horror feature WHISTLER CAMP for Blumhouse Productions.
The project, which is currently casting, is described as a queer empowerment story set at a conversion therapy camp. No doubt the kids will fight back against camp counselors engaging in this discredited and abusive practice which in the past used methods ranging from ice pick lobotomies to electric shock.
Jason Blum and Michael Aguilar will produce with Ryan Turek is the creatively overseeing the film for Blumhouse. Logan is also penning the script. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM: The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that the long-in-the-works adaptation of Grady Hendrix's horror novel MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM is in full swing at Endeavor Content, with Elsie Fisher headlining an ensemble cast that includes Amiah Miller, Cathy Ang and Rachel Ogechi Kanu, the latter making her feature debut. Fisher will portray Abby, a high school sophomore who suspects her best friend Gretchen (Miller) may be demonically possessed. The movie is now in production, and is expected to land at Amazon Studios. (thanks to ComingSoon.net
** HONEYDEW: Strange cravings and hallucinations befall a young couple after seeking shelter in the home of an aging farmer and her peculiar son.
----- April 12, 2021 -----
** R.I.P. Giannetto De Rossi: One of the legends of horror makeup and special effects, has passed away at the age of 79. De Rossi had worked as a makeup artist on films since the 1960s, but interestingly, his early work was as a "traditional" makeup artist on "normal" films directed by some of the greatest movie legends in Italian history. Everything changed when he was approached by director Joe D'Amato for the film EMANUELLE IN AMERICA.
He was the master FX artist on LIVING DEAD AT THE MANCHESTER MORGUE, RAIDERS OF ATLANTIS, KILLER CROCODILE 1 and 2 (the latter he directed), CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE, THE BEYOND, HIGH TENSION and the one which cemented his seat of honor in horror movie history - ZOMBIE.
** R.I.P. Enzo Sciotti: One of the most beloved and prolific Italian horror movie poster artists, has passed away at the age of 76. Sciotti was born in Rome to a family of painters, including his father, Emanuele Sciotti. Sciotti began to draw and paint at a young age.
His key arts for the likes of TENEBRAE, DEMONS, TWO EVIL EYES, ANTHROPOPHOGOUS, PHENOMENA, CAT IN THE BRAIN, THE BEYOND, HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, THE DEVIL'S HONEY, MANHATTAN BABY, PAGANINI HORROR, BEYOND DARKNESS and more!
** THE FOREVER PURGE: The film has change date and is now schedule for a July 2nd, 2021 release. Franchise creator James DeMonaco did not return to the to the director's chair for the film, which he confirmed to Entertainment Weekly in 2018 and that it would be the finale, but he still act as screenwriter for it while Everardo Gout, award-winning director of DAYS OF GRACE, helmed.
"I think it's a great way to end it all," DeMonaco previously told EW. "We want to end it all, I think, in this one, and I'm very excited. When I came up with the idea and pitched it to everybody, they seemed psyched, and I think it will be a really cool ending, how we take this one home." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE DJINN: The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Grieving the loss of his mother, and feeling isolated from everyone except for his father, Dylan performs a ritual that promises to deliver his heart's desire: to have a voice. But he soon discovers that every gift has a toll when a sinister djinn arrives to collect his soul. Now trapped in his new home with nowhere to hide, Dylan must find a way to survive until the stroke of midnight or pay the ultimate price.
** THE RECKONING: After losing her husband during the Great Plague, Grace Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk) is unjustly accused of being a witch and placed in the custody of England's most ruthless witch hunter, Judge Moorcroft (Sean Pertwee). Forced to endure physical and emotional torture while steadfastly maintaining her innocence, Grace must face her own inner demons as the Devil himself starts to work his way into her mind.
----- April 9, 2021 -----
** SAW X: Twisted Pictures, the production company behind the SAW film franchise, are reportedly in active development on a tenth movie in the horror franchise. The latest issue of Production Weekly shows that a new film named SAW X is in active development at the studio with Oren Koules and Mark Burg once again producing.
Though considered to be in active development, the studio could well postpone or cancel it should the Chris Rock-led SPIRAL FROM THE BOOK OF SAW underperform. That film is currently slated to hit cinemas on May 14th. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Fantasia International Film Festival: Here's the 25th anniversary edition poster. The opening film will be BRAIN FREEZE from Julien Knafo. Click here for more details.
** ON THE 3RD DAY: Cecilia and her son embark on a journey. On the third day, she is found wandering alone, not remembering what happened during this time. She is desperately looking for her son and finds herself wrapped in a brutal hunt, carried out by a religious fanatic, whom she faces off against. To her, he's a lunatic. To him, Cecilia is the enemy. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
----- April 8, 2021 -----
** GOODNIGHT MOMMY remake: Having led the English-language remakes of Japanese horror hit THE RING and FUNNY GAMES, Naomi Watts is adding another foreign horror film redux to her belt. Watts is set to star in and executive produce the English-language remake of Austrian 2014 film GOODNIGHT MOMMY at Amazon Studios, Animal Kingdom and Playtime.
The Austrian entry for the best foreign-language film at the Academy Awards that year, the original follows twin brothers who, when sent to stay with their mother, are surprised to find her swathed in bandages from a recent procedure.
As her behaviour grows increasingly erratic and unusual, they become convinced she is an imposter and suspicion sets off a roller-coaster of emotional mind games and misunderstandings – ending with irreparable and heartbreaking consequences.
Matt Sobel is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, Valery Guibal and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert are producing.
"My favorite films are those that invite the audience to step inside their protagonist's journey," Sobel said in a statement. "In our re-imagining of GOODNIGHT MOMMY, fear of abandonment — and the dreadful realization that those close to us may not be who they seem — create an immersive nightmare, with visceral sensations front and center. I can't wait to create this heart-stopping story with Amazon and the peerless Naomi Watts." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com & ComingSoon.net)
** MOTHER LAND: Over a decade since his last film with NEVER LET ME GO, acclaimed filmmaker Mark Romanek will make a long-awaited return with the horror feature MOTHER LAND at Lionsgate and 21 Laps. The film follows a family that has been haunted by an evil spirit for years. Their safety and their surroundings come into question when one of the children questions if the evil is real.
Kevin Coughlin & Ryan Grassby penned the script while Shawn Levy & Dan Cohen are producing. Romanek rose to fame as a legendary music video director and then broke out into film with 2002's ONE HOUR PHOTO. He was signed on to direct both THE WOLFMAN and THE STRANGERS but ultimately dropped out of both. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** BODIES, BODIES, BODIES: On the heels of landing both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her breakout role in BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM, Maria Bakalova has already lined up another big project by joining Amandla Stenberg in A24's BODIES, BODIES, BODIES.
Though plot details are being kept close to the chest by the studio, sources bring word that the film is being described as "a secret slasher film" that has Halina Reijn currently set in the director's chair at the studio, who has quietly been developing the package over the past several months and waiting for schedules to come together with a cast list that has become incredibly busy in recent months. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CHUCKY TV series: SYFY and USA Network have released a brand new teaser for Don Mancini's upcoming CHUCKY series, warning viewers the iconic slasher toy is coming back for more terror. The video, which you can check out below, features a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making the titular killer doll as the series is set to use robotics to bring the iconic villain to life.
----- April 7, 2021 -----
** THE LAST OF US TV series: According to CBC Canada, HBO is planning to start production on their highly-anticipated live-action series adaptation of THE LAST OF US this coming summer on July 5 in Calgary, Alberta. Filming is expected to be wrapped next year on June 8, 2022. This comes after GAME OF THRONES alums Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey were officially enlisted to portray the leading roles of Joel and Ellie, respectively. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** EVERY HOUSE IS HAUNTED: Corin Hardy (THE NUN) will direct the Sam Raimi-produced film EVERY HOUSE IS HAUNTED. Jason Pagan & Andrew Deutschman penned the script. The story follows an insurance investigator tries to debunk claims that a couple's death was caused by a haunted house, but his doubts are challenged by a psychic and the mysterious occurrences he witnesses with his own eyes.
The project is primarily an adaptation of the Ian Rogers short story THE HOUSE ON ASHLEY AVENUE and was shopped around this week with Netflix coming out top over a number of bids. Zainab Azizi and Roy Lee will also produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** DAY SHIFT: Dave Franco, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Oliver Masucci, Steve Howey and C.S. Lee will join Jamie Foxx in J.J. Perry's DAY SHIFT at Netflix. Tyler Tice penned the script with Shay Hatten doing re-writes, while Chad Stahelski and Jason Spitz will produce.
The story follows a hard-working blue-collar dad (Foxx) who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted daughter, but his mundane San Fernando Valley pool-cleaning job is a front for his real source of income: hunting and killing vampires. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SAM & MATTIE MAKE A ZOMBIE MOVIE: What happens when two best friends with Down syndrome rally their hometown of Providence to help realize their dream of making a horror film? The documentary SAM & MATTIE MAKE A ZOMBIE MOVIE captures this inspiring story of unfiltered optimism and barrier breaking, overflowing with gallons of fake blood and DIY spirit. Gravitas Ventures will release SAM & MATTIE MAKE A ZOMBIE MOVIE April 6th on a number of digital and cable platforms, including iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, Spectrum and Cox.
----- April 6, 2021 -----
** ARMY OF THE DEAD: Here's the new poster for the upcoming Zack Snyder zombie heist film. In select theaters May and on Netflix May 21.
** Alex Garland's MEN: ANNIHILATION and EX MACHINA writer/director Alex Garland's new horror feature MEN has begun filming this week. A24 is distributing the film starring Jessie Buckley and involves her character solo vacationing in a large house in the English countryside following her ex-husband's death. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE WALKING DEAD: THE WALKING DEAD has unveiled the date that Season 11 will begin on August 22nd. This will mark the final season for the main series, though of course there's a Carol and Daryl series coming after that. And the long-discussed Rick Grimes movie. And undoubtedly more. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** BLOODTHIRSTY: Grey is an indie singer who is having visions that she is a wolf. When she gets an invitation to work with notorious music producer Vaughn Daniels at his remote studio in the woods she begins to find out who she really is.
** IN A FOREIGN TOWN: Based on the stories of acclaimed author Thomas Ligotti, a troubled man recalls a strange childhood journey to a town with no name and the horrifying apparition that has followed him ever since.
----- April 2nd, 2021 -----
** RESIDENT EVIL WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY: The film reboot has been pushed back nearly three months – moving from September 3rd to November 24th. The delay comes as one of the film's stars, actor Tom Hopper has talked up the project's faithfulness to the original two games. This is much more of a horror tale than the loosely based six-film action film franchise that came before this and is set in Raccoon City in 1998.
This will show both the Spencer Mansion and the city itself, the settings of the first and second games respectively, with Hopper telling the Collider web site that the Spencer Mansion recreation is so detailed that "it was a bit like going into one of those VR things… that's what it was like; it was like playing the game."
Hopper S.T.A.R.S. police force leader Albert Wesker and says his character for example is more grounded and real than the version from the games, as is the setting.
"I feel like the Wesker in the game obviously has that [Agent] Smith from THE MATRIX type idea. I wanted him to be a bit more three-dimensional than that and have a moral high ground. It's not just as cut and dry as it is in the game.
When I started reading it, it really felt more like a script from a game, from one of the games. It felt immersive, and it felt dirtier. It felt like Raccoon City was a grim place to be, and I immediately felt like it was a world that I related to more than anything. I've seen towns like this in America. That's what excited me about it that it felt relatable, I think." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Neill Blomkamp's DEMONIC: On the heels of the South African filmmaker revealing that he had begun development on a follow-up to his 2009 hit sci-fi pic DISTRICT 9, IFC Midnight has announced that it has acquired the rights to Neill Blomkamp's forthcoming supernatural horror film.
The film, written and directed by Blomkamp, centers on a young woman who unleashes terrifying demons when the supernatural forces at the root of a decades-old rift between mother and daughter are ruthlessly revealed. The project marks Blomkamp's first foray into the horror genre, with his long-in-development fifth mainline installment of the ALIEN franchise languishing in development limbo as 20th Century and Disney continue to determine a path forward for the sci-fi series. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CHUCKY TV series: Creator Don Mancini took to Twitter to share a new teaser confirming that production on SYFY and USA Network's long-in development CHUCKY series has finally begun after getting delayed last year due to the ongoing pandemic. In his post, Mancini also revealed that the project is targeting to make its debut this fall. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** Jordan Peele's next horror film: Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (THE WALKING DEAD) is in negotiations to join Oscar winner Jordan Peele's new project at Universal Pictures. Yeun would join recently announced Keke Palmer who is set and Daniel Kaluuya who is also in negotiations to star. Peele will pen, direct and produce the film through his Monkeypaw Productions banner.
Ian Cooper also produces the feature with plot details being kept under tight wraps. All that's known is that Universal will release the film on July 22nd 2022 – their third collaboration with Peele following GET OUT and US. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THINGS HEARD & SEEN: A Manhattan couple moves to a historic hamlet in the Hudson Valley and come to discover that their marriage has a sinister darkness, one that rivals their new home's history. Based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Brundage.
----- April 1st, 2021 -----
** Severin Films: Here's their highly anticipated upcoming releases:
- DEEP BLOOD [Blu-ray] and [DVD] (4/27)
- SANTA SANGRE [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + CD] and [Blu-ray] (5/18)
- DAY OF THE ANIMALS [Blu-ray] and [DVD] (5/18)
- GRIZZLY [Blu-ray] and [DVD] (5/18)
** THE HANDS OF ORLAC: Eureka Entertainment is set to release THE HANDS OF ORLAC, Robert Wiene's triumphant work of sinister German Expressionism starring Conrad Veidt, on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK as part of The Masters of Cinema Series on June 14th, 2021. The first print run of 2000 copies will feature a Limited-Edition O-card Slipcase.
Reuniting the star and director of DAS CABINET DES DR. CALIGARI, THE HANDS OF ORLAC is a deliciously twisted tale that blends grand guignol thrills with the visual and performance styles of German Expressionism. Based on a novel by medical-horror novelist Maurice Renard, it charts the mental disintegration of a concert pianist (Conrad Veidt) whose hands are amputated after a train crash, and replaced with the hands of an executed murderer. When Orlac's father is murdered by the dead man's hands, Orlac begins a steady descent towards madness.
** ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND: Eureka Entertainment to release ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND, the unique ground-breaking action-horror comedy from legendary director Sammo Hung, presented on Blu-ray (a worldwide debut of this brand-new 2K restoration on home video) for the first time in the UK as part of the Eureka Classics range from June 21st, 2021. The First Print Run of 2000 copies will feature a Limited-Edition O-card Slipcase, Collector's Booklet and Reversible Poster.
Sammo Hung plays Courageous Cheung, a man well known in his local village for his lack of fear. His reputation is soon put to the test after he is tricked into spending the night in a temple full of spirits, zombies, and vampires!
** THE SPINE OF NIGHT: The film has been bought for North America shortly after its world premiere at SXSW this month. Even less surprising is that it was RLJE Films and Shudder who have acquired it. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** SPIRAL FROM THE BOOK OF SAW: Here's some promo images from the upcoming SAW sequel reboot.
----- March 31, 2021 -----
** SAW: The upcoming Lionsgate edition of SAW (2004) in 4K UHD is coming out on May 4th, 2021.
** SPIRAL FROM THE BOOK OF SAW: Brash Detective Ezekiel 'Zeke' Banks (Chris Rock) and his rookie partner (Max Minghella) take charge of a grisly investigation into murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city's gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer's morbid game. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as their police chief.
Darren Lynn Bousman helms the film from a script by Josh Stolberg & Pete Goldfinger based on a story by Rock who executive produces. Mark Burg and Oren Koules produce the film which opens May 14th.
** Troma Entertainment update: We at Troma Entertainment are proud to now be distributing the North American Pictures Library including MANIAC COP, FRANKENHOOKER, BASKET CASE 2 & 3, THE EXTERMINATOR, SHAKEDOWN, RED SCORPION and more of some of the most unique, iconic and entertaining, independent films of all time.
** ANYTHING FOR JACKSON: Coming to Blu-ray on June 15th from Shudder and RLJE Films. A bereaved Satanist couple kidnap a pregnant woman so they can use an ancient spellbook to put their dead grandson's spirit into her unborn child but end up summoning more than they bargained for.
----- March 30, 2021 -----
** THE NIGHT HOUSE: A year after it debuted at Sundance to strong reviews, Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for the Rebecca Hall-led horror taleTHE NIGHT HOUSE opening in theaters on July 16th.
Reeling from the unexpected death of her husband, Beth (Hall) is left alone in the lakeside home he built for her, trying her best to keep herself together – but then the dreams come. Disturbing visions of a presence in the house call to her, beckoning with a ghostly allure, but the harsh light of day washes away any proof of a haunting. Against the advice of her friends, she begins digging into his belongings, yearning for answers, only to find a mystery she's determined to resolve.
Sarah Goldberg, Stacy Martin, Evan Jonigkeit and Vondie Curtis-Hall co-star. David Bruckner (THE RITUAL) helms from a script by writers Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SPUTNIK remake: Village Roadshow Pictures will team with Matt Reeves' 6th & Idaho production company and XYZ Films on an English-language remake of Russian sci-fi horror film SPUTNIK.
Set in the Soviet Union in the 1980s during the Cold War, the story follows a young female doctor who is recruited by the military to assess a cosmonaut who survived a mysterious space accident and returned to Earth with a dangerous organism living inside him.
Matt Reeves, Adam Kassan, Rafi Crohn, Mikhail Vrubel, Alexander Andryushenko, Fedor Bondarchuk and Ilya Stewart will produce. Egor Abramenko helmed the film which was released in Russia in April 2020 and in North America by IFC. It was the first big Russian release to go straight to digital platforms during the lockdown and now marks the rare Russian film to get an English language remake. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** FOREST - I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE: Seven hypnotic and erratic fugue-like miniatures culminate in a psychological kaleidoscope of couples, families and friends, all connected by feverish dialogue and the ghosts of the absent. Magical realism that is both claustrophobic and wide open.
** AQUARIUM OF THE DEAD: Yes... you've read that right!
----- March 29, 2021 -----
** THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE 4K UHD: Dario Argento's giallo masterpiece is coming to 4K UHD on June 28th from Arrow Video.
- New 4K restoration from the original negative by Arrow Films
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Restored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks
- English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
- Audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films
- Black Gloves and Screaming Mimis, an interview with author and critic Kat Ellinger exploring the films themes and its relationship to both the giallo and Fredric Browns novel The Screaming Mimi
- The Power of Perception, a visual essay on the cinema of Dario Argento by Alexanda Heller-Nicholas, author of Devils Advocates: Suspiria and The Giallo Canvas: Art, Excess and Horror Cinema, reflecting on the recurring theme of perception and the role of art in Argentos filmography
- Crystal Nightmare, an interview with writer/director Dario Argento
- An Argento Icon, an interview with actor Gildo Di Marco
- Evas Talking, an archival interview with actor Eva Renzi
- Original Italian and international theatrical trailers
- 2017 Texas Frightmare trailer
- Image galleries
- Illustrated collectors booklet featuring writing on the film by Howard Hughes and Jack Seabrook, and a new essay by Rachael Nisbet
- Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative
- Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproduction artcards
- Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring originally and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative
** A SERBIAN DOCUMENTARY: Coming from Unearthed Films. This is unlike any movie documentary before it. Curated from over 150 hours of behind the scenes footage with brand new, never-before-seen interviews with the cast and crew, this documentary is a must-have for any collector. A SERBIAN DOCUMENTARY will answer most, if not all of the questions out there.
Stephen Biro takes a deep dive into, A SERBIAN FILM, and shows what it was like, to make one of the most controversial films of the last decade. Sexy, comedic... and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, A SERBIAN DOCUMENTARY is one-of-a-kind and has to be seen, to be believed. Look for it at the end of the festival run in 2022.
** PARANORMAL ACTIVITY reboot: Emily Bader, Roland Buck III, Dan Lippert and Henry Ayres-Brown have joined the cast of the upcoming revival of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise at Paramount Players.
Set to debut on the Paramount+ service, the storyline is being kept under wraps and will serve as the seventh film in the franchise. It's the first since 2015's PARANORMAL ACTIVITY THE GHOST DIMENSION. Will Eubank (UNDERWATER) is directing from a script by Christopher Landon (HAPPY DEATH DAY). Jason Blum and Oren Peli will produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SPIRAL FROM THE BOOK OF SAW: The Chris Rock-led relaunch of the SAW franchise which has been moved up a week and will now start hacking its way into limbs on May 14th. Samuel L. Jackson and Max Minghella co-star in the new entry. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** IN THE EARTH: As the world searches for a cure to a disastrous virus, a scientist and park scout venture deep in the forest for a routine equipment run. Through the night, their journey becomes a terrifying voyage through the heart of darkness, the forest coming to life around them.
----- March 25, 2021 -----
** CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON remake: In an interview with Comic Book, THE WALKING DEAD producer Greg Nicotero claims that he and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez have been toying with remaking Universal Pictures' classic monster film.
"I think for any creature/monster kid, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the quintessential monster movie," Nicotero said. "I think Robert Rodriguez and I always talk about like, 'Hey, man. Maybe we should co-direct a CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON movie,' because he and I have identical tastes. We love JAWS. We love THE THING. We love ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK and BLADE RUNNER. We toy with the idea of like, 'Wouldn't it be cool if we remade CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON?' And I know they've been trying to do it forever, but, for me, that's the quintessential Universal Monster movie." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** IN THE EARTH: NEON has released the first set of posters for director Ben Wheatley's upcoming pandemic horror film.
** WITNESS INFECTION: Life is always been pretty protected for Carlo Serrelli. His father has kept him out of the deadly Mob business by giving him a job at the family dog groomers, while his younger brother Dominic has always done the dirty work.
All that is coming to an end as Carlo's father has to force him into an arranged marriage with the daughter of the rival, Miola family boss. Carlo's two best friends, Gina and Vince, vow to help him get out of this predicament, but they all get in way over their heads when a serious infection starts eating the town. The good news is that Carlo may not have to get married after all but the bad news is everyone might die.
----- March 24, 2021 -----
** THE INNKEEPER: Thai filmmaker Nattawut 'Baz' Poonpiriya will direct the English-language horror-thriller THE INNKEEPER for Starlight. Eakasit Thairath penned the script with filming to take place in the U.S and Thailand in 2022.
In THE INNKEEPER, the finding of Noah's disappeared twin brother in a desolate Thai hotel turns out to be the discovery of his own fear. Set against the backdrop of the Southeast Asian financial crisis in 1997, the film will evoke Poonpiriya's unique and exceptional visual storytelling.
** RESIDENT EVIL WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY: Here's the official teaser image for the upcoming reboot/remake.
** THEM: THEM is a limited anthology series that explores terror in America. The first season, 1950s-set Covenant centers around a Black family who move from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood during the period known as The Great Migration. The family's idyllic home becomes ground zero where malevolent forces, next door and otherworldly, threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
** HALL: Black Fawn Distribution have just acquired Canadian rights to the viral zombie movie HALL and have the film slated for a Canadian VOD release on April 6, 2021. A physical release of the film will follow.
When a hotel hallway is ravaged by a mysterious virus, pregnant tourist Naomi is tragically thrust into the fight of her life. Forced to crawl her way past other helpless victims, Naomi crosses paths with Val - a young mother separated from her daughter. While keeping out of sight, Naomi and Val must navigate their way down the stretch of isolated carnage, before they become infected themselves.
----- March 23, 2021 -----
** RESIDENT EVIL: Filmmaker Johannes Roberts (47 METERS DOWN) has reportedly revealed that RESIDENT EVIL WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY will be the title of the upcoming reboot of the film series based on the popular video game franchise.
Revealing the information in an interview with IGN during this year's virtual edition of SXSW, this new feature adaptation of the popular Capcom video game series will be set in 1998 and is in no way connected to the previous films starring Milla Jovovich. The project is adapting the first two games in the series, so both the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City itself will be seen:
"Obviously, there is the RESIDENT EVIL [film] franchise and this movie doesn't have anything to do with that. It's a whole separate origin story based in the roots of the and the world of horror… We're not [making a remake]. We're going in a completely different [direction]… It was a real pleasure to be given the reins of a new franchise, hopefully, that really is its own thing.
The thing I loved about the games is they were just scary as hell and that is very much what I wanted. That atmosphere, it's rain, it's constantly dark, it's creepy. Raccoon City is kind of this rotten character in the movie and that sort of atmosphere in the games I wanted to put in [the film]."
The cast includes Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, Tom Hopper as Albert Wesker, Avan Jogia as Leon S. Kennedy and Neal McDonough as William Birkin with Donal Logue playing Chief Irons.
Roberts also says he's a huge John Carpenter fan and he's going for that aesthetic with the "claustrophobic siege movies" of his like ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 and THE FOG being his direct inspiration. RESIDENT EVIL WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY is currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 9th. The project is separate from Netflix's live-action series and the animated series "Infinite Darkness" which are both on the way. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET: Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to Catriona Ward's third novel THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET. The story follows Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. An unspeakable secret binds them together, and when a new neighbor moves in, what is buried out there will come back to haunt them all. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** DON'T PEAK: WANTED director and SEARCHING producer Timur Bekmambetov has come onboard to adapt a feature version of Julian Terry's horror short DON'T PEAK. Majd Nassif will produce. That short follows a young woman discovering a frightening monster within the Nintendo Switch video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a character intent on crossing into the real world. The project had its world premiere at SXSW Online. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- March 22, 2021 -----
** TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: MANDY actress Olwen Fouere will play the role of Sally Hardesty in the new feature being produced by Fede Alvarez. The project is a direct sequel to Tobe Hooper's 1970s original feature, ignoring all the other iterations of the franchise. Sally Hardesty was the 'final girl' – the sole survivor of the original movie last seen escaping on the back of a pickup truck covered in blood and hysterically laughing.
Actress Marilyn Burns played the role in the original, but she passed away in 2014 so the role had to be recast. Alvarez says the approach is similar to what they did in the EVIL DEAD remake – very old school effects, doing everything in-camera where possible, and the use of vintage lenses. David Blue Garcia helms the movie which stars Elsie Fisher, Sarah Yarkin, Jacob Latimore, and Moe Dunford. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE BLACK PHONE: James Ransone will reunite with his SINISTER co-star Ethan Hawke and director Scott Derrickson on the new horror film THE BLACK PHONE for Blumhouse and Universal.
Based on a Joe Hill short story, the story concerns a kidnapped girl (Madeleine McGraw) who finds herself in a soundproof basement surrounded by the remains of other victims. When night falls, the antique – and disconnected – telephone in the room begins to ring with the calls from the dead. Hawke will play the kidnapper, Jeremy Davis and Mason Thames play the girl's parents. Ransone's role is under wraps beyond playing a character named 'Max'. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** JAKOB'S WIFE: Here's the poster for the upcoming film.
** EYE OF THE CAT: Coming to Blu-ray in June from Indicator. Here's the Blu-ray special features;
- High Definition remaster
- Two presentations of the film: the theatrical version (102 mins), presented in High Definition; the TV version (102 mins), presented in Standard Definition
- Original mono audio
- Audio commentary with The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television editor Kevin Lyons (2021)
- Pussies Galore (2021): writer and critic Kim Newman on Eye of the Cat and the feline horror subgenre
- Original theatrical trailer
- Radio spot
- Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
- New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Kasandra O'Connell, archival articles and interviews, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.
- UK premiere on Blu-ray
- Limited edition of 3,000 copies
** Hammer Volume Six Night Shadows: Coming to Blu-ray in June from Indicator. This box set revives four consummate Hammer classics from the early sixties, exemplifying some of Hammer Films' best work in the horror and thriller genres. THE SHADOW OF THE CAT, CAPTAIN CLEGG, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and NIGHTMARE.
----- March 18, 2021 -----
** THE HEAD HUNTER: Coming to Blu-ray on April 12th from 101 Films! On the outskirts of a kingdom, in the shadows of a looming castle, a quiet but fierce medieval warrior protects the realm from monsters. The gruesome collection of trophy heads on the wall of his cabin is missing only one - the monster that killed his daughter. He travels wild expanses on horseback, driven by a thirst for revenge. When his chance for vengeance arrives, it's in a way far more horrifying than he ever imagined.
- How We Made Head Hunter - Commentary with director Jordan Downey and producers Kevin Stewart and Ricky Fosheim
- Why We Made Head Hunter - Commentary with writer-director Jordan Downey and writer Kevin Stewart
- Making of featurette
** Blumhouse and Epix: Both have set a new partnership that will see Blumhouse Television develop and produce eight horror/genre-thriller movies exclusively for the network.
The first in this venture will be writer-director Alex McAulay's A HOUSE ON THE BAYOU with casting now underway. That film follows a troubled couple and their preteen daughter who go on vacation to an isolated house in the Louisiana bayou to reconnect. When unexpected visitors arrive, their facade of family unity starts to unravel.
Shooting aims to begin in late Spring ahead of a December debut. Jason Blum will serve as executive producer on all the films with the remaining seven to debut in 2022. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Massacre Video: Massacre Video just licensed 10 films for a complete box set of a infamour horror splatter director.
** THE MIDNIGHT CLUB: DOCTOR SLEEP director Mike Flanagan took to Twitter to reveal that production on Netflix's upcoming series adaptation of Christopher Pike's horror novel THE MIDNIGHT CLUB has officially begun. The production start comes over a month since the series' casting announcement which includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET star Heather Langenkamp, who is set to portray the role of an enigmatic doctor that runs a hospice for young adults.
The series is one of the two upcoming horror projects that Flanagan has currently set up with the streamer, following the popular limited dramas THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR. The second one is the Midnight Mass series which wrapped its production last year and is set to debut sometime this year. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** PHOBIAS: Five dangerous patients, suffering from extreme phobias at a government testing facility, are put to the ultimate test under the supervision of a crazed doctor and his quest to weaponize fear.
----- March 17, 2021 -----
** LET THE RIGHT ONE IN TV series: After already being adapted for American audiences with Matt Reeves' 2010 pic LET ME IN, Swedish horror drama LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is finding new life once again as Showtime has ordered a pilot for a potential series with Oscar nominee Demián Bichir set to star.
The project is hailing from Andrew Hinderaker (PENNY DREADFUL), who will serve as showrunner should it go to series, and will executive produce alongside pilot director Seith Mann (HOMELAND), Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements. Bichir will serve as producer on the pilot, with Showtime producing alongside Tomorrow Studios. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake reboot sequel: Over a year ago came word that EVIL DEAD remake and DON'T BREATHE director Fede Alvarez is set to produce a new TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE feature.
Tobe Hooper helmed the original 1974 feature which followed two siblings and three of their friends en route to visit their grandfather's grave in Texas. They end up falling victim to a family of cannibalistic psychopaths and must survive the terrors of Leatherface and his family.
The original spawned three sequels, then a 2003 reboot starring Jessica Biel that had major success. That reboot scored a 2006 prequel, then came a 2013 sequel and a 2017 prequel to the original film.
When this was announced, it appeared to be a direct sequel to the original 1974 film – ignoring all the others. Then in August, just one week into filming, directors Andy & Ryan Tohill abruptly exited the movie with David Blue Garcia taking over.
The filming was completed and is now in post. Now Alvarez confirmed the film's status and talked about the old school approach they used:
"It is a direct sequel, and it is the same character. It is old man Leatherface. Everything is classic, old school gags. A lot of the approach that we had with 'Evil Dead' – never VFX, to do everything on camera. It's a very old school approach to filmmaking. Vintage lenses… it's very similar to the original film."
Elsie Fisher, Sarah Yarkin, Mark Burnham, Moe Dunford, Olwen Fouéré, Alice Krige, Jacob Latimore, Nell Hudson, Jessica Allain, Sam Douglas, William Hope, and Jolyon Coy star in the film which hasn't set a release date as yet. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com & Bloody-Disgusting.com)
** WATCHER: Maika Monroe (IT FOLLOWS), Karl Glusman and Burn Gorman have signed on to star in Chloe Okuno's psychological thriller WATCHER for Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures. Shooting begins this month.
Monroe and Glusman play a young married couple who move into a new apartment in Bucharest just as a citywide panic is brewing over a possible serial killer on the loose. The wife becomes increasingly tormented by the belief she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in the adjacent building. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** JAKOB'S WIFE: Anne is married to a small-town minister and feels like her life and marriage have been shrinking over the past 30 years. After a chance encounter with "The Master," she discovers bite marks on her neck, a new sense of power and an appetite to live bigger and bolder than ever. As Anne is increasingly torn between her enticing new existence and her life before, the body count grows and Jakob realizes he will have to fight for the wife he took for granted.
----- March 15, 2021 -----
** IN THE EARTH: Ben Wheatley's new horror film IN THE EARTH has been set for an April 30th theatrical only release by NEON. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SUICIDE FOREST VILLAGE: The film is the second entry in Toei's "Fear Village" series, which kicked off with the hit HOWLING VILLAGE in February 2020. The setting is the famous "Sea of Trees" on the flank of Mount Fuji, Japan's most widely known 'suicide spot'. Here Japan's horror maestro, director Takashi Shimizu, (THE GRUDGE series) spins a tale of madness and confusion featuring a deadly 'Catch the Child' Box, for which the internet warns not to search. (thanks to SciFiJapan.com)
** MVD Rewind Collection: MVD Entertainment Group is proud to announce the addition of five classic films to the MVD Rewind Collection with two of them being horror films; MORTUARY (1983) and THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW (1982).
MORTUARY (1983) - Synopsis: Convinced that her father's death was not accidental, Christie Parson decides to investigate to find out the truth. Her sleuthing draws her to a local mortuary, where deadly secrets will be revealed.
The Special Edition Blu-ray features bonus material courtesy of Scorpion Releasing and includes:
- Interview with Composer John Cacavas
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Collectible Mini-Poster
- Limited Edition Retro Slip Cover – First pressing only
- Street Date: July 6, 2021
THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW - Synopsis: After a seemingly innocent prank goes horribly wrong, a group of sorority sisters are stalked and murdered one by one in their sorority house while throwing a party to celebrate their graduation.
The Special Edition Blu-ray features bonus material courtesy of Scorpion Releasing and includes:
- High Definition (1080p) presentation of the main feature in 1.78:1 aspect ratio with LPCM 2.0 Stereo and alternate version of the film with director approved pre-credit sequence with mono audio
- Audio Commentary with director Mark Rosman
- Audio commentary with director Mark Rosman and stars Eileen Davidson and Kathryn McNeil
- Interviews with cast and crew including: Director Mark Rosman, stars Harley Jane Kozak, Eileen Davidson and Kathryn McNeil, Composer Richard Band and Producer Igo Kantor
- Original Pre-Credit Sequence
- Alternate ending storyboards
- TV Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
- Reversible Artwork
- Collectible Mini-Poster
- Limited Edition Retro Slip Cover – First pressing only
- Street Date: July 6, 2021
----- March 12, 2021 -----
** MEANDER: Gaia Weiss stars is in the film playing a woman who gets locked in series of strange tubes full of deadly traps.
** THE UNHOLY: The film follows Alice, a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister.
** EMBRYO: The film will be released on Digital this April from Uncork'd Entertainment. Kevin and his girlfriend Evelyn are camping in the woods when she is abducted and impregnated by otherworldly beings. As the entity inside her begins to grow at a rapid rate, Evelyn's cravings can only be satiated by the taste of human flesh. When she brutally attacks a doctor, they go on the run to the big city where they can find help to remove the embryo that is slowly taking over Evelyn's body.
** COME PLAY WITH ME (JUEGA CONMIGO): The plot follows Sofía, an insecure young nanny who starts her new job taking care of two problematic kids. When their parents leave her alone with the children, they become victims of a demonic entity obsessed with playing children's games. Now Sofia will have to play the games and overcome her childhood fears in order to try to save them.
** THE SPINE OF NIGHT: This epic begins many years ago when an ambitious young man steals forbidden knowledge from a sacred plant and, as he falls to its darker temptations, unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. As his power grows over the years, there are many who stand against him. Among them are a daring tomb-robber, star-crossed lovers, a maniacal necromancer, winged assassins, and an undying guardian.
----- March 11, 2021 -----
** R.I.P. Norman J. Warren: English filmmaker Norman J. Warren (PREY, TERROR, INSEMINOID, BLOODY NEW YEAR and SATAN'S SLAVE) has passed away at 78 years of age.
** OXYGEN: A woman wakes up in a cryogenic unit with no memory. Quickly running out of oxygen, she must find a way to remember who she is in order to survive. From Alexandre Aja, director of HIGH TENSION and CRAWL.
** LEAP OF FAITH: RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has picked up select rights to the documentary LEAP OF FAITH WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST from Shudder, AMC Networks' premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural. LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST will be released on VOD, Digital HD and Blu-ray on April 13, 2021.
----- March 10, 2021 -----
** RESIDENT EVIL: Here's the teaser poster for the upcoming film.
** THE PALE BLUE EYE: In a record-shattering deal at the European Film Market, Netflix has forked out a reported $55 million to pre-buy worldwide rights to the Christian Bale-led gothic horror-thriller THE PALE BLUE EYE. The project marks a re-teaming of Bale and his OUT OF THE FURNACE director Scott Cooper and is an adaptation of the Louis Bayard novel of the same name.
The "large-canvas whodunit" thriller revolves around the attempt to solve a series of murders that took place in 1830 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Bale plays the investigating veteran detective and is aided by a detail-oriented young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe (who went in to basically invent the detective fiction genre and was a major influence on sci-fi and horror). (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THIS BEAST: SONS OF ANARCHY creator and THE SHIELD writer Kurt Sutter has been set to write, direct and produce THIS BEAST for Blumhouse Productions and Netflix. Sutter will make his feature directorial debut on the project which Jason Blum and Carla Hacken will produce.
The story unfolds in an 18th century English village besieged by a mysterious and elusive beast that has slaughtered dozens of innocents and whipped up the villager's anxiety into a puritanical fanaticism. The impossible task of killing the beast falls to a lowly trapper who promises he can stop the carnage – a man with a deeply personal reason to wipe out the monster.
The story is reportedly inspired by the true story of The Beast of Gevaudan, a man-eating animal or animals (thought to be a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid) who terrorized a French village in the 1760s and killed up to several hundred people. This story was already made into a film, BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE UNHOLY: Screen Gems has set an April 2nd release date for the PG-13 rated supernatural horror feature THE UNHOLY directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos and based on the James Herbert novel SHRINE.
The story follows a young hearing-impaired girl inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick after a vision of the Virgin Mary. A disgraced journalist (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) investigates and soon terrifying events begin to happen all around.
Katie Aselton, William Sadler, Cricket Brown, with Diogo Morgado and Cary Elwes also star while Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Spiliotopoulos produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** MAKING MONSTERS: Christian Brand has a successful YouTube channel with over 10 million subscribers. His wife, Alison, is the unwilling star of their prank videos. The stars run into an old friend (Jesse) who invites them up to his place for a weekend. When they arrive, they discover Jesse is not there but his partner David is. The YouTube stars have a quiet dinner with David that turns into a night of partying and strange occurrences. The couple awakens to find that their phones are gone and their host is nowhere to be found.
----- March 8, 2021 -----
** CHUCKY TV series: As USA Network and SYFY continue to prepare for the start of the CHUCKY production, the Collider web site brings word that the long-in-development project has finally found the first actors to fill up the main cast. IDLE HAND and FINAL DESTINATION alum Devon Sawa has officially been tapped for a key role in Don Mancini's upcoming CHUCKY series. Joining him are Zackary Arthur, Teo Briones, Bjorgvin Arnarson, and Alyvia Alyn Lind, who are set to play the series' four young unnamed leads. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE TALISMAN: Stephen King and Peter Straub's fantasy horror novel THE TALISMAN is being adapted into a series with Oscar winner Steven Spielberg teaming up with the Emmy-nominated Duffer Brothers (STRANGER THINGS) to finally make the project a reality, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mark and Ross Duffer will executive produce the series adaptation that is being produced by Netflix in association with Spielberg's Amblin Television and Paramount Television. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** MONSTROUS: Christina Ricci has scored the lead role in the supernatural thriller MONSTROUS by director Chris Sivertson and screenwriter Carol Chrest. Colleen Camp also stars. The story centers on a traumatized woman fleeing from her abusive ex-husband with her 7-year-old son. In their new, remote sanctuary they find they have a bigger, more terrifying monster to deal with. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE REQUIN: Film Bridge International has sold Le-Van Kiet's shark survival feature THE REQUIN to various global distributors with the Alicia Silverstone and James Tupper-led film slated for delivery in June. The story follows a couple on a romantic getaway in Vietnam, who find themselves stranded at sea after a massive tropical storm sweeps away their seaside villa. With the husband maimed and dying, the wife must fight the elements alone, while sharks circle below. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** GAIA: DECAL, the newly formed home entertainment distributor from NEON and Bleecker Street, has secured the North American rights to GAIA, a South African horror thriller directed by Jaco Bouwer. The pic, which is set to debut in the Midnight section of the upcoming virtual SXSW this month, is slated for a theatrical release this Summer.
Starring Monique Rockman, Carel Nel, Anthony Oseyemi, and Alex Van Dyk, the plot follows a park ranger on a surveillance mission in a primordial forest who encounters two survivalists living a post-apocalyptic lifestyle. The boy and his philosophical father seem to have their own religion and a mysterious relationship to nature.
----- March 5, 2021 -----
** IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS PART II: Building on the hit 2019 superdoc that Forbes called "a scary good magnum opus," IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS PART II dives deeper into the fabled practical-effects decade of iconic and eclectic '80s horror movies that changed the course of film history. Packed with over four hours of brand-new interviews.
** THE BANISHING: From acclaimed genre director Chris Smith (SEVERANCE) comes the true story of the most haunted house in England. A young reverend and his wife and daughter move into a manor with a horrifying secret. When a vengeful spirit haunts the little girl and threatens to tear the family apart, the reverend and his wife are forced to confront their beliefs. They must turn to black magic by seeking the help of a famous Occultist...or risk losing their daughter.
** THE YELLOW WALLPAPER: The film is a dark and disturbing contemporary adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's well-known and controversial gothic feminist horror story about patriarchy and mental health. The film is a collaboration between partners Alexandra Loreth and Kevin Pontuti and stars Alexandra Loreth, Joe Mullins, Clara Hart, and Jeanne O'Connor. The film was written by Alexandra Loreth and Kevin Pontuti and directed by Pontuti. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** A QUIET PLACE PART II: Paramount Pictures has delayed its sequel yet again, this time moving it up from September 17th to May 28th. This marks the fifth change for the John Krasinski-directed feature which was originally slated to open almost one year ago today on March 20th 2020. It then shifted to September 4th, then April 2021, then September 2021 and now May 2021. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- March 3rd, 2021 -----
** SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT remake: Orwo Studios and Black Hanger Studios (JEEPERS CREEPERS REBORN) announced that they have acquired the remake rights to the seminal slasher film SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT. The original film's producers Scott Schneid and Dennis Whitehead of Wonderwheel Entertainment will join Orwo in bringing an exciting new vision of this cult classic to modern movie audiences in 2022.
Wonderwheel says, "The continued desire for horror content and the ongoing success of the genre meant it was the perfect time to be able to offer up this chilling revival of the iconic title." Masi adds, "We are thrilled to be working with the original producers as well as Orwo and Black Hangar and are committed to honoring nostalgia for the original while offering surprises for new audiences to discover and embrace."
** ANATOMIA EXTINCTION: Making its worldwide Blu-ray debut this year from Error 4444. The story of a man who becomes infected by the Engineer and slowly mutates. Once infected, the Engineer's victims go on relentless murder sprees and it is made quite clear that this is seen as the only way to get the exploding population back under control.
** HYPNOTIC: Kate Siege, Jason O'Mara and Dule Hill have been set to star in Netflix's horror/thriller HYPNOTIC. Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote directs from a script co-written with Richard D'Ovidio. The story follows a young woman seeking self-improvement, who enlists the help of a renowned hypnotist. But after a handful of intense sessions, she soon discovers unexpected and deadly consequences. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE OTHER SIDE: Variety is reporting that Magnolia has acquired U.S. rights to the Swedish horror film THE OTHER SIDE (ANDRA SIDAN). The horror flick is the debut feature film from Oskar Mellander and Tord Danielsson, two filmmakers who have worked solely in television before this film.
The film follows a family of three — Shirin, her partner Fredrik and his 5-year old son — who move into a small-town duplex and begin to hear mysterious noises from a supposedly uninhabited part of the house. Shirin comes to realize that they are haunted by an evil that only she can stop. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** WITNESS INFECTION: Freestyle Digital Media has announced the cable, satellite and Digital HD release of WITNESS INFECTIO, from filmmaking team Carlos Alazraqui and Jill-Michele Melean and director Andy Palmer. The festival favorite living dead comedy will be available March 30th on a number of digital and cable platforms.
----- March 2nd, 2021 -----
** URBAN LEGEND The Complete Collection: The 4 disc set is coming soon from 88 Films. Featuring an 8-part documentary, behind-the-scenes footage, extended interviews from the eight-part documentary, archival making of featurette, gag reel, deleted scene, TV spots and more!
** HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP: Coming to Blu-ray 3/15 from 88 Films featuring a new 4K Scan from the original 35mm camera negative.
** THE QUEEN MARY: The beautiful Alice Eve has signed to star in the haunted ocean liner horror taleTHE QUEEN MARY, a movie that intends to be the first in a planned trilogy by Imagination Design Works.
The story is inspired by tales of hauntings aboard the famed multi-storied ocean liner which is now permanently docked in Long Beach, California where it receives two million visitors each year. How this will work as a multi-film project is unclear.
Gary Shore (DRACULA UNTOLD) will direct off of a screenplay written by Stephen Oliver, Tom Vaughan, and Shore. Mali Elfman, Brett Tomberlin, Nigel Sinclair, Nicholas Ferrall, Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Jason Newmark and Laurie Cook will produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE SEVENTH DAY: A renowned exorcist who teams up with a rookie priest for his first day of training. As they plunge deeper into hell on earth, the lines between good and evil blur, and their own demons emerge.
----- March 1st, 2021 -----
** THANATOMORPHOSE: TetroVideo has officially announced the release of Éric Falardeau's THANATOMORPHOSE (2012), for the first time on Blu-ray. The Canadian body horror film is scheduled to be released worldwide in March 2021 with English language and French, Italian, German and Spanish subtitles.
Discovering several bruises on her body after a night of rough sex, a young woman is shocked as, rather than heal itself, her body begins rotting from the inside out. She faces a terrifying and gory descent into a living death, as her putrefying body begins to fall off the bone.
** THE AMUSEMENT PARK: Shudder has acquired rights to George A. Romero's previously lost film which resurfaced in 2018. Restored in 4K, the 52-minute film will be made available in North America, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this summer. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WEREWOLVES WITHIN: Coming on the heels of his acclaimed directorial debut SCARE ME, Josh Ruben is returning to the horror-comedy world as IFC Films has acquired the rights to his star-studded adaptation of the Ubisoft VR game WEREWOLVES WITHIN and set it for a June theatrical release.
Written by Mishna Wolff and helmed by Ruben, the film centers on the small town of Beaverfield as a proposed gas pipeline creates divisions within the town and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, with newly arrived forest ranger Finn and postal worker Cecily teaming up to try and keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** BLOODTHIRSTY: The werewolf thriller about a rising singer who finds herself in a compromising position, has sold U.S. distribution rights to Brainstorm Media. It will release in theaters and on demand on April 23. The film, which premiered at the virtual Fantastic Fest Celebration, was directed by Amelia Moses. Wendy Hill-Tout wrote the script with her daughter, songwriter Lowell.
The story centers on Grey (portrayed by Lauren Beatty), a singer who relocates to a remote cabin to work on her second album with noted music producer Vaughn Daniels (Greg Bryk). But as her songwriting progresses, she starts to transform into a powerful, bloodthirsty beast. (thanks to Variety.com)
** GORDON HEMINGWAY & THE REALM OF CTHULHU: LOVECRAFT COUNTRY star Jonathan Majors is in talks to play the title role in GORDON HEMINGWAY & THE REALM OF CTHULHU at Netflix. Hank Woon penned the script which is set in East Africa in 1928 and centers on Hemingway (Majors), a roguish Black American gunslinger, who teams up with the elite warrior Princess Zenebe of Ethiopia to rescue the country's kidnapped regent from an ancient evil. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- February 25, 2021 -----
** ARMY OF THE DEAD: Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted. Starring Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Raúl Castillo, Michael Cassidy, and Garret Dillahunt.
** PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and PET SEMATARY sequels: ViacomCBS has announced major plans for their Paramount+ service which kicks off next week with the CBS All Access app being rebranded. The biggest announcement is that unlike WarnerMedia with their day-and-date plan for HBO Max, ViacomCBS will not be breaking the theatrical window. Previously reported on new installments in the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and PET SEMATARY franchises will head directly for the Paramount+ service as opposed to going theatrical. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** GORDON HEMINGWAY & THE REALM OF CTHULHU: Spike Lee has been set to produce the period feature GORDON HEMINGWAY & THE REALM OF CTHULHU for Netflix. Stefon Bristol will direct the project based on an original screenplay by Hank Woon and Fredrica Bailey.
Set in East Africa in 1928 the story follows roguish Black American gunslinger Gordon Hemingway who teams up with the elite warrior Princess Zenebe of Ethiopia to rescue the country's kidnapped regent from an ancient evil. Cthulhu of course is the famed cosmic entity creation of author H.P. Lovecraft.
Lee's DA 5 BLOODS producers Lloyd Levin and Beatriz Levin are also onboard while award-winning visual effects company Goodbye Kansas will lead visual effects. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** CENSOR: Magnolia Pictures acquired the North American rights for Prano Bailey-Bond's video nasty horror flick CENSOR. Baily-Bond's debut film had its world premiere in the Midnight Section of the Sundance Film Festival and generated immediate buzz afterwards.
When film censor Enid (Niamh Algar) discovers an eerie horror that speaks directly to her sister's mysterious disappearance, she resolves to unravel the puzzle behind the film and its enigmatic director – a quest that will blur the lines between fiction and reality in terrifying ways. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
----- February 24, 2021 -----
** Ti West's horror film X: Just a few months after the project was first announced to be in development at indie powerhouse studio A24, Ti West's horror film X has continued to expand its ensemble roster with the addition of Brittany Snow, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Plot details are currently unknown at this time, but the film is said to be akin in tone and story to West's past horror films and the 40-year-old filmmaker is set to write and direct the project, which will include Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi, Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth in its cast. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** MR. THISFORTHAT: Thomas Mendolia will direct a feature film adaptation of his own horror short film MR. THISFORTHAT for Stars Collective. Michael Karr will pen the script while Peter Luo, Craig Flores and Alexandre Aja produce.
In the short, a girl from a broken home is visited in her closet by a mysterious creature who promises her anything she wants – at an irreversible price. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** CREEPSHOW Season 3: Shudder has announced that they have officially given creator Greg Nicotero's hit anthology series CREEPSHOW an early third season renewal. The AMC-owned streamer also revealed that production on CREEPSHOW Season 3 has already started with Andrew Bachelor and Ethan Embry joining as the first confirmed guest-stars. This renewal comes ahead of the series' upcoming second season which is scheduled to make its debut on Thursday, April 1, 2021, on Shudder and on AMC+. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** JAKOB'S WIFE: Ahead of its world premiere at this year's South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), RLJE Films and Shudder have acquired the North American rights to the Barbara Crampton-starring horror-thriller JAKOB'S WIFE, with the former setting it for an April theatrical and VOD release date.
Directed by Travis Stevens (GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR) and co-written with Mark Steensland (THE SPECIAL) and Kathy Charles (CASTLE FREAK), the film centers on Anne, who is married to a small-town minister and feels like her life and marriage have been shrinking over the past 30 years. After a chance encounter with "The Master," she discovers a new sense of power and an appetite to live bigger and bolder than before. As Anne is increasingly torn between her enticing new existence and her life before, the body count grows and Jakob realizes he will have to fight for the wife he took for granted. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
----- February 23, 2021 -----
** TRAIN TO BUSAIN remake: It has been more than two years since New Line Cinema successfully won the rights to the American remake of 2016's hit South Korean zombie film TRAIN TO BUSAIN in a competitive bidding war against major studios, and now it looks like the project is finally making some progress. According to the Deadline web site, acclaimed Indonesian filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto (MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU) is currently in negotiations to direct producer James Wan's long-in-development TRAIN TO BUSAIN remake. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CREEPSHOW Season 2: CREEPSHOW, the new anthology series based on the 1982 horror comedy classic, is still the most fun you'll ever have being scared! A comic book comes to life in a series of vignettes, exploring terrors ranging from murder, creatures, monsters, and delusions to the supernatural and unexplainable. You never know what will be on the next page...
** THE TOLL: When Cami orders a taxi service to take her to her father's country home, she's hoping for a quiet and uneventful ride. But a wrong turn by Spencer, her chatty driver, results in the car stalling on a dark and remote road. After several threatening and inexplicable occurrences, Cami and Spencer realize they are being watched—by an unseen presence that sees them as trespassers, and is ready to exact a deadly toll.
** LIKE DOGS: Genre specialist sales outfit Black Mandala has acquired the survival horror movie LIKE DOGS. Science can reach unimaginable limits when emotions come into play. LIKE DOGS, directed by Randy Van Dyke, follows a group of young scientists who lose their sanity in the quest to experiment with human behavior. Mengele's spirit haunts this story where there is also place for a furious rape revenge. A behavioral experiment treating humans like animals goes awry when a university student manipulates the research with deadly results. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** Marian Dora's CANNIBAL: TetroVideo has officially announced the limited collector's editions of Marian Dora's CANNIBAL(2006). The German extreme horror movie is scheduled to be released on DVD in March 2021 with 3 different limited collector's editions: the "Golden Edition", the "Ultralimited Edition" and the "Standard Edition".
Written, directed and produced by Marian Dora, Cannibal is the story of a mentally disturbed man with cannibalistic fantasies. He makes a deal with a suicidal man who agrees to let the cannibal eat him. Carsten Frank and Victor Brandl star. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
----- February 22, 2021 -----
** ARMY OF THE DEAD: Netflix has announced a May 21st premiere date for Snyder's $80 million or so budgeted ARMY OF THE DEAD which begins in the wake of a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas. A group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana De La Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, Huma Qureshi, Samantha Win, Richard Cetrone and Michael Cassidy all star in the project which Snyder dubs a "balls-to-the-wall zombie heist movie".
In addition, the streamer has released the film's official poster and announced that the first trailer will arrive this coming Thursday. Netflix is betting big on the property with both a prequel film and an anime series spin-off already in the works. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SLAXX: A possessed pair of jeans is brought to life to punish the unscrupulous practices of a trendy clothing company. Shipped to the company's flagship store, Slaxx proceeds to wreak carnage on staff locked in overnight to set up the new collection. Starring Romane Denis, Brett Donahue, Sehar Bhojani and Stephen Bogaert. Directed by Elza Kephart.
** KOKO-DI KOKO-DA: As an unhappy couple embark on a camping trip to find their way back to each other, a sideshow artist and his shady entourage emerge from the woods, terrorizing them, luring them deeper into a maelstrom of psychological terror and humiliating slapstick. Directed by Johannes Nyholm.
** BEAST WITHIN: Actor and producer Steven Morana makes his directorial debut with BEAST WITHIN, a lycanthropic whodunit centered around a gaming app launch party that takes a sudden turn when a murder is discovered. Morana stars in the lead role as August, the tech wonder turned action hero who must protect his guests when a mysterious predator crashes his big night. BEAST WITHIN will be available February 23 on DVD from Stonecutter Media, following a smash success as a cable and digital release in the fall.
** THE STYLIST: Arrow Video is excited to announce the March 1 release of Jill Gevargizian's The Stylist, the headliner of the March 2021 lineup of their subscription-based Arrow platform.
Based on Gevargizian's award-winning short of the same name, THE STYLIST reunites Gevargizian with the short's lead actor Najarra Townsend. Townsend stars as Claire, a lonely hairstylist who becomes obsessed with her clients... to their peril. Genre star Brea Grant joins the feature as Olivia, an unsuspecting bride who makes the deadly mistake of hiring Claire for her big day.
----- February 19, 2021 -----
** Jordan Peele's next horror film: While we may still be in the dark on what to expect from the Oscar winner's next genre project, the Collider web site has brought word that Jordan Peele has begun building the cast for his next horror film as Keke Palmer has signed on to star. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE BEING: Coming June 15th from Code Red DVD and distributed by Kino Lorber! A strange creature roams and kills people in the small town of Pottsville. Local cop, Detective Mortimer Lutz (Bill Osco) is on the case as the fiendish beast kills losers one by one in this classic 80s monster film!
- 2017 2K Scan of the Original Vault Elements
- Audio Commentary with Director Jackie Kong
- Audio Commentary with Star Johnny Dark
- Theatrical Trailer
- Region A/B/C
** THE STRANGENESS: Coming June 22nd from Code Red DVD and distributed by Kino Lorber. A group of young miners venture into the Gold Spike Mine in search of gold, even after being warned by old-time prospectors to stay away. The miners proceed into the caverns anyway and soon realize that there's no gold in these mines, but also that they're not alone. What they find is a horrific man-eating monster sliding through the caverns looking to fill its carnivorous appetite… it's feeding time and the miners are on the menu.
** COME TRUE: Looking for an escape from her recurring nightmares, 18-year-old Sarah (Julia Sarah Stone) submits to a university sleep study, but soon realizes she's become the conduit to a frightening new discovery. Dreams twist and nightmares come true in this mind-altering new work of science-fiction from Anthony Scott Burns (OUR HOUSE) that haunts the space between wakefulness and sleep. COME TRUE is an unforgettable cinematic dream well worth the submersion.
** LUCKY: Life takes a sudden turn for May (Brea Grant), a popular self-help book author, when she finds herself the target of a mysterious man with murderous intentions. Every night, without fail he comes after her, and every day the people around her barely seem to notice. With no one to turn to, May is pushed to her limits and must take matters into her own hands to survive and to regain control of her life. Premieres March 4th on Shudder.
----- February 18, 2021 -----
** VIOLATION: With her marriage about to implode, Miriam returns to her hometown to seek solace in the comfort of her younger sister and brother-in-law. But one evening a tiny slip in judgement leads to a catastrophic betrayal, leaving Miriam shocked, reeling, and furious. Believing her only recourse is to exact revenge Miriam takes extreme action, but the price of retribution is high, and she is not prepared for the toll it takes as she begins to emotionally and psychologically unravel. Directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli. Premieres March 25th on Shudder.
** PSYCHO GOREMAN: The film is coming to Blu-ray and DVD in the U.S. on March 16th. RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, and Shudder, AMC Networks' streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural will release the horror/comedy, PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN, on DVD and Blu-ray on March 16, 2021.
** MAHAKAAL: Coming to Blu-ray from Massacre Video featuring a new 2K scan from the original camera negatives, with the coloring process already underway! A demon torments the family and friends of Anita in order to take revenge on his death, which was caused by her police-officer father. The rest of the movie is how Anita tackles the demon with the help of her boyfriend.
** PUZZLE: Coming to Blu-ray 6/8 from VCI Horror Movies. Duccio Tessari's PUZZLE (1974) featuring a new 4k Restoration from a 35mm Archival Print.
** Scream Factory update: We're going back again into our deep Roger Corman-produced vaults for more of his wild (and obscure) films on Blu-ray! Today we present three cult favorites that will only be available on our site at Shoutfactory.com and only 1,000 each will be manufactured. They're in stock and ready to ship now! TWICE DEAD (1988) and THE TERROR WITHIN (1989) and THE TERROR WITHIN II (1991).
----- February 17, 2021 -----
** SOUND OF VIOLENCE: Alex Noyer' slasher hroror film has been picked up by Gravitas Ventures for North America. A young girl recovers her hearing and gains synesthetic abilities after witnessing the brutal murder of her family. Finding solace in the sounds of bodily harm, as an adult, she pursues a career in music composing her masterpiece through gruesome murders. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** HALLOWEEN KILLS: Filmmaker John Carpenter has always fairly bluntly spoken his mind about not just his legendary work but the film industry in general. In an interview with the NME last week, Carpenter touched upon the upcoming HALLOWEEN KILLS which was originally scheduled to arrive in theaters last October but got delayed a year.
Intriguing while he talked up how "balls-out" the film is and how it's "the ultimate slasher movie" as he has before, he also says he isn't shocked by the idea that it may be sent directly to streaming either day-and-date or exclusively given the current state of filmgoing right now:
"These guys are making decisions that they consider in their best interests. This is what they see the future is going to be like and so to get these things out they think this is the best way to do it.
HALLOWEEN may be shared that way [streaming] because theatres are dead. It's just the reality right now. And it's a tragedy, but it's true. We just have to face it. The studio did contact David [Gordon Green, director] and I, and they had us put off the new one by a year in the hope that things got better. So we're still hoping it will get better."
Producer Jason Blum has remained adamant that HALLOWEEN KILLS will arrive on October 15th this year no matter what: "come hell or high water, vaccine or no vaccine. It is coming out" he says. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** DEAD & BURIED: The lenticular covers features THAT infamous scene! Deluxe 3-Disc Limited Edition coming this Summer from Blue Underground.
** SCREAM: Coming on June 8th from Code Red DVD and distributed by Kino Lorber. In SCREAM, a group of people on a rafting excursion happen upon a deserted town and decide to set up camp. Out of the blue, a murder occurs. It appears that the town is not as deserted as they originally thought, someone out there does not want them around and when they desperately try to escape, their rafts are destroyed. What possible hope of survival can they have now…
** THE LOVE BUTCHER: Coming on June 1st from Code Red DVD and distributed by Kino Lorber. A string of murders in a posh neighborhood has the police department stumped and the local press is breathing down their necks. Strangely, nobody notices that several victims share the same gardener, a bent, elderly man with a crippled arm named Caleb (Erik Stern).
----- February 16, 2021 -----
** PARANORMAL ACTIVITY reboot: UNDERWATER director Will Eubank is teaming with HAPPY DEATH DAY and FREAKY writer/director Christopher Landon on a reinvention of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY supernatural horror franchise. Eubank will direct while Landon, who wrote the second through fifth PARANORMAL ACTIVITY films, will executive produce and pen the script for Paramount Players. Jason Blum of Blumhouse and Oren Peli are back as producers and Steven Schneider is back as executive producer.
The new film is said to be an "unexpected retooling" of the franchise. The previous films were all famously shot for cheap, using the once popular found footage technique with security cameras, phone cameras, nanny cams, etc. used. That technique is expected to remain in place. The six films came in at a cost of $28 million combined, but they were massive box-office generators and have made a total of nearly $900 million at the box-office. The new film has set a March 4th 2022 release. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** 29 NEEDLES: Unearthed Films announced the latest in its Too Extreme for Mainstream Line (TEFM), 29 NEEDLES is now available on Blu-ray and DVD for a limited 30 pre-order period, exclusively at www.UnearthedFilms.com. Each disc also comes with a bonus 11x17 poster of the cover of this brutal film. Pre-order is available until February 25, 2021, and then sales for the film will close. Due to the nature of Too Extreme for Mainstream films, these are not available through the usual commercial outlets.
** SON: Ivan Kavanagh's horror flick is coming to U.S. cinemas (wherever allowed), On Demand and Digital on March 5th. The release is being managed by RLJE Films and Shudder.
After a mysterious group of individuals breaks into Laura's home and attempts to steal her eight-year-old son, David, the two of them flee town in search of safety. Breaut soon after the failed kidnapping, David becomes extremely ill, suffering from increasingly sporadic psychosis and convulsions. Following her maternal instincts to save him, Laura commits unspeakable acts to keep him alive but soon, she must decide how far she is willing to go to save her son. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** ANIMALES HUMANOS: A married couple and their young daughter are terrified of the neighbors' dog, which ends up biting the girl. The dog is sacrificed to the desolation of its owners who saw it as their son. They enter the married couple's house at night to take revenge. What they want is justice: sacrifice the girl.
----- February 11, 2021 -----
** THE LAST OF US series: GAME OF THRONES alum Bella Ramsey has been cast in the coveted role of Ellie while THE MANDALORIAN star Pedro Pascal has signed on to star as Joel in the adaptation of the hit video game franchise. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** PSYCHO GOREMAN: Here's a look at the upcoming Ultimate Edition from Raven Banner Entertainment. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** SCARE ME: The film is coming to Blu-ray and DVD from RLJE Films who has unveiled the full details and a March 2nd release date for the Shudder original horror-comedy.
- Director & Cinematographer Commentary
- Interviews with the Cast
- Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery
- Make Cool Sh!t Podcast Episode 1: Scare Me
- Feel the Music, Feel the Light" Music Video
(thanks to ComingSoon.net)
----- February 10, 2021 -----
** THE WALKING DEAD: Ahead of the premiere for the extended tenth season of THE WALKING DEAD, writer and producer Kevin Deiboldt took to Twitter to reveal that filming on the upcoming eleventh and final season of AMC's hit post-apocalyptic horror series has finally begun. The series will conclude its eleven season-run in 2022 with a two-year broadcast consists of 24 episodes. THE WALKING DEAD will then be followed by a new spinoff series centering around Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride's fan-favorite characters Daryl and Carol which is expected to air in 2023. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** LA LLORONA: Accused of the genocide of Mayan people, retired general Enrique is trapped in his home by massive protests. Abandoned by his staff, the indignant old man and his family must face the devastating truth of his actions and the growing sense that a wrathful supernatural force is targeting them for his crimes. Coming to Digital on March 2, 2021.
** DEMENTER: The film follows Katie, a young woman who flees a backwoods cult and takes a job at a care center for special needs adults in her determination to do some good with her life. But despite her best intentions, Katie can't escape the signs that "the devils" are coming for Stephanie, a woman with Down syndrome she cares for, who keeps getting sicker despite Katie's rituals to ward off evil spirits.
** THE PARISH: A widow haunted by the gruesome death of her husband uproots her daughter and moves them to a peaceful rural town. Then the real nightmares begin when she and her daughter stumble upon a long-buried scandal. They team up with the town's priest after encountering a creepy young boy, a hostile janitor and a blood thirsty nun who will stop at nothing to protect the deadly secrets of The Parish.
** DEATH TRIP: Four friends take a cottage vacation in the dead of winter, seeking refuge from their busy urban lives, if only for one weekend. However, the few residents who remain in the secluded cottage town of Rideau Ferry don't seem to take kindly to strangers.
----- February 9, 2021 -----
** Scream Factory update: Coming in May to Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
** MEATBALL MACHINE: Coming to Blu-ray 4/12 from Terracotta Distribution in the UK!
** FREAKY and HAPPY DEATH DAY crossover: In an interview with writer and director Christopher Landon, here's what he had to say about the potential project;
"Well, look it's funny, like the crossover thing is certainly a fun idea and I think that people are very into this sort of shared universe concept. But, I really, first and foremost, had wanted and continue to want to make a third movie in the HAPPY DEATH DAY franchise just because I've wrote an idea. I didn't write the whole script, I'm not that crazy. But I had outlined a third movie because I really knew what I wanted it to be and it was sort of the conclusion to it. It was a trilogy for me, so it's a bummer that I haven't had the opportunity yet to make that movie and I know that Jessica Rothe really wants to do it.
In terms of a sequel to FREAKY, you know, I don't think it's ever gonna happen, because I honestly don't know if the studio has an appetite for a sequel. I think they're quite comfortable with it being a standalone movie, and to be honest, I am too, because we didn't really have an idea for a sequel. It wasn't like, "Oh, this has to be the continuation of this story," whereas with the HAPPY DEATH DAY movies they kind of had a whole life after after that, but you never know. You never know what can happen. I would love to see, you know, Millie and Tree in a movie together. But I just don't know what that movie is." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** NECROPATH: Encompassing many elements relating to issues happening in today's world, the Grindhouse-style piece tells of a mysterious virus, plague, and pharmaceutical drug conspiracy that erupts over a city causing a pandemic. In the midst of the chaos, a mentally deranged maniac seeks to fulfill continuous addiction and vengeful murder, despite the imminent demise of society happening around him. The story leads to a family being destroyed leaving an abandoned little girl to save her baby sister.
----- February 8, 2021 -----
** SAINT MAUD: A24's critically acclaimed horror film SAINT MAUD will be available exclusively on EPIX linear channels and streaming through the EPIX NOW app on February 12th.
The debut film from writer-director Rose Glass, SAINT MAUD is a chilling and boldly original vision of faith, madness, and salvation in a fallen world. Maud, a newly devout hospice nurse, becomes obsessed with saving her dying patient's soul — but sinister forces, and her own sinful past, threaten to put an end to her holy calling. Starring Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lilly Frazer, Lily Knight, Marcus Hutton, Turlough Convery, and Rosie Sansom.
** CUBE remake: A mysterious cube. 6 men and women are suddenly trapped in Cube. It's unclear where this is, why they are trapped, whether there is an exit, whether they can survive, or what the room even is.
** M. Night Shyamalan's OLD: This summer, visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan unveils a chilling, mysterious new thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly … reducing their entire lives into a single day.
** RESIDENT EVIL: With filming progressing smoothly and a star-studded cast attached to the project, Constantin Films and Sony Pictures' upcoming reboot of the RESIDENT EVIL film franchise has landed a release date of September 3rd.
The film is set to be an official origin story to Capcom's long-running survival horror video game franchise and will be set on an infamous night in Raccoon City in 1998 when the Umbrella Corporation unleashed hell upon the world and it was up to a select group of people to stop them. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** DRACULA: Hot off her Golden Globe nomination for NOMADLAND, filmmaker Chloe Zhao has set her next project – tackling a very different film re-imagining of DRACULA for Universal Pictures.
Bram Stoker's original story and Universal's most famous 'classic monster'. Zhao will write, direct and produce the film through her production company Highwayman. The movie is said to explore themes she's regularly tackled in her work films – namely the overlooked or misunderstood living on society's fringes. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- February 5, 2021 -----
** HALLOWEEN KILLS: He's a legend, but one thing filmmaker John Carpenter is also famous for is his bluntness. Even when out promoting some other's remakes of his past works, such as 2005's terrible THE FOG, Carpenter made it very clear he was only involved for the money and famously said "no comment" when asked about the film's quality.
With HALLOWEEN he admits he's not seen a bunch of the sequels, and famously slammed Rob Zombie's reboot. Even 2018's well-regarded semi-reboot of the series his highest praise was along the lines of "this was as good as I've seen since we did the first movie."
Recently he sat down for an interview with EW to promote his latest album – "Lost Themes III: Life After Deat" – and spoke about the upcoming HALLOWEEN KILLS. The film serves as a direct sequel to the 2018 film. In both cases, Carpenter served as an executive producer and handled the score.
Yet while the 2018 film he was upbeat about, with HALLOWEEN KILLS he sounds downright enthusiastic saying: "It's brilliant. It's the ultimate slasher. I mean, there's nothing more than this one. Wow! Man."
This is similar to comments he made last year when discussing the film which he'd just seen saying: "It's the quintessential slasher film. It is so intense… oh my god…it even stuns me how incredible it is. [Director] David [Gordon Green] just did a great job. Can't wait to have you see it." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Error 4444: The first title coming from new Asian-centric genre label Error 4444 is ANATOMIA EXTINCTION (1995) the first film written/directed by Japan's splatter-king-in-chief Yoshihiro Nishimura, director of 2000s era classics such as TOKYO GORE POLICE and VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL. Details on release date and more to come in the following weeks!
The story is about a man who becomes infected by the Engineer and slowly mutates. Once infected, the Engineer's victims go on relentless murder sprees and it is made quite clear that this is seen as the only way to get the exploding population back under control.
** DEAD & BURIED: From Blue Underground; "We've got your first look at one of the covers for the upcoming DEAD & BURIED Limited Edition, due this Summer. If you liked our ZOMBIE lenticulars, you'll really dig these!"
** MAGDALENA POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL: Coming to Blu-ray from Dark Force Entertainment. You are looking at the awesome collector's slipcover that glows in the dark. We can't show you the uncensored slip on here but when you order you'll not only get the uncensored slip but you'll also get the uncensored US version which actually has more than the supposedly uncensored German version. This movie is a genuine winner and is Exorcist-like scary.
** SHOCK: Here's the two trailers for the upcoming film from Jennifer Harrington.
----- February 2nd, 2021 -----
** TetroVideo: TetroVideo are releasing two more horror flicks on DVD; Scott Schirmer's 2016 flick PLANK FACE and Salvador Haidar's 2007 flick SNUFF 102. Both releases are limited to 150 copies and are all region even though TetroVideo is based out of Italy. You can order them here! (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** ALL THE MOONS: Filmax just completed work on the fantasy/vampire film ALL THE MOONS by director & co-screenwriter Igor Legarreta. The film stars Haizea Carneros, Josean Bengoetxea, & Itziar Ituño.
** NO REASON: Unearthed Films announced that it is releasing a new version of German Director Olaf Ittenbach's gorefest NO REASON on Blu-ray May 11, uncut and off a new scan from the master. This is the first Ittenbach title Unearthed is releasing in 2021, next will be PREMUTOS: THE FALLEN ANGEL.
----- February 1st, 2021 -----
** CLOVERFIELD sequel: British scribe Joe Barton has been hired to pen the script for another entry on the monster-fuelled CLOVERFIELD film franchise for Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot.
While it's the fourth film overall set in this universe, this will serve as much more of a direct follow-up to the original J.J. Abrams-produced and Matt Reeves-directed 2008 feature than either 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE or THE CLOVERFIELD PARADOX were.
Unlike the 2008 film though, this will not be in the found footage format, but further details on this take are under wraps. Abrams and Hannah Minghella will produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** MALIGANT: James Wan's new horror movie has finally settled on a launch date with a September 10th release.
** LAST VOYAGE OF DEMETER: Corey Hawkins is set to star in the very long-gestating seafaring horror thriller LAST VOYAGE OF DEMETER for Amblin Partners. The story is inspired by a section of Bram Stoker's novel DRACULA in which a Russian schooner vessel named after the Greek goddess transports Dracula's coffin from Carpathia to London. The vampire picks off the crew one-by-one along the way until the ship washes up ashore in England with one raving-mad survivor. This will center its story around that journey.
Zak Olkewicz penned the most recent draft of the script. Andre Ovredal (SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK) directs the project which Bradley Fischer, Mike Medavoy and Arnold Messer will produce the film which has been in development for nearly two decades. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THREE MIRRORS CREATURE'S FLASHES OF FLESH: And here it comes the raising collapse. And the unearthly awakening. A repossession. The voyage to light and spirit starts over. Ecstatic, sensorial, absolute. Flashing. Straight to an extreme and piercing choice of eternity.

domain: artistic