Okay, the new “Evil Dead” movie has been out for like, four days and I still haven’t seen it. Yes, this is a serious problem and at the moment I’m ashamed to be alive…or dead…or whatever you want to call it. But that being said, our buddy over at Horror Films 101 created a nifty little video showing not only the stylistic connections between the original trilogy of Evil, but broader connections as well. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re a fan of the series! And if you don’t watch it?? I’ll swallow your soul…I’ll swallow your soul!
LA Horror Review: “Horror Haiku” (A web series by Seraph Films)
I’ll be honest – this is probably one of the more original ideas for a horror project I’ve ever seen. I mean, how often do we get a combination of unique poetry AND grisly horror? It’s a devilish delight and something that the team at Seraph Films has mastered in their weekly web series entitled “Horror Haiku.” In these beautiful and often gory segments, Seraph Films invites their audience to participate in the carnage by submitting original and horrific haiku’s, which they in turn translate into a brief but chilling episode. And chilling is putting it lightly…this series is seriously freaky.
Much of the success of “Horror Haiku” can be attributed to director Gene Blalock’s keen attention to detail and some seriously clever filmmaking. It’s pretty impressive the punch that each episode of “Horror Haiku” can dish out in the amount of time it has. I mean, I’m talking murder, monsters, ghosts and tons of blood, each episode begins with an introduction from your horror hosts (a beautiful and sinful seductress and a God fearing priest) and leads to the meat of each episode which basically consists of one long, well staged and menacing shot. It’s really quite enjoyable and provides you with that quick jolt of horror that every fan needs!
I’ve hand selected my two favorites to share, but in all honesty they’re all consistently good, much like the rest of the work from Seraph Films. Check this out!
You see what I’m saying?? It’s a two minute in your face horror show that does not disappoint!
So……
Watch “Horror Haiku!”
And if you don’t, Satan comes.
Goodbye to your soul…
Be sure to check out Seraph Films on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and of course subscribe to their Youtube Channel. For more information about Seraph Films as well as more original horror, visit their official website.
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“The Devil’s Tree” – A Brand New Horror Film That Needs Your Help!
Nobody wants to leave a house party, right? If it’s a really good one, odds are you won’t leave until the next morning, until the police bust it or until you’re brutally murdered by the Devil himself! Well, at least that’s the type of fate that Josh Petrino’s characters in his film “The Devil’s Tree” may have to face.
“After visiting a landmark tree rumored to be a gateway to hell, a group of friends hold a small house party where, without explanation, they realize they mentally can’t bring themselves to leave. Shortly after this revelation, torment and slaughter begins at the hands of a supernatural killer with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.”
Sounds promising, eh? Well this film needs your help and there’s only a few days left to jump on board. We got the low down from director Josh Petrino about his new film and invite you to read some of his insight for yourself. If it sounds like something you’d dig (and if you’re here already then you know you already will), then do the right thing for Satan’s sake and SUPPORT INDIE HORROR!
LAHORROR: You guys have a lot of movie influences listed for this film, from “The Devil’s Rejects” all the way to “Clerks.” What kind of film are people going to see when they watch “The Devil’s Tree”?
Josh Petrino: I’m a movie nerd through and through so I think everything I love and have watched over and over again will have an influence on this but fans of those films are sure to enjoy it. That is the crowd we are going for. We want to establish our characters as quickly as possible so we can get right to their downfall. Why should we bore you with a long set up, long dialogue and semantics? Let’s try to make you like these poeple ASAP and then take them away from you.
LAHORROR: Good man Josh, get to the good stuff. What kind of characters are we going to meet in “The Devil’s Tree?”
JP: All the characters are based on people I know with the exception of the killer. We’ve written them in a way where they could each have their own movie. I think it’s important that our characters are interesting enough to deserve their time on screen. They’re not really kids to be honest. They’re old friends that are kinda forced into hanging out again despite all of them growing up and going their separate ways…They aren’t idiots, in fact most of them are above average intelligence and most of them would react how any person would.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnwWy-rQY8U
LAHORROR: And why do they go messing around with things that they probably shouldn’t be…?
JP: They go to the Devil’s Tree, which is a landmark with some mythology behind it, just to check it out. A lot of people visit abandoned places or creepy landmarks, but nobody REALLY expects anything to happen. These people live within our own universe, they’re aware of horror movies, they live life how we do. If someone were to tell you, going to a tree could open a gate to hell, would you actually believe them? No. Some people might get spooked but none of us have seen a demon or real evidence of anything of the sort. It’s a place to go to get a fun scare and have a good time. I’m a very skeptical person and most of this group is too, I think if a demon or something supernatural ripped my heart out, I’d spend my last waking seconds confused and trying to figure out a reasonable explanation for it. This group doesn’t instigate anything at all. They’re just an unlucky few out of many. Extremely unlucky…
LAHORROR: Supernatural killers are always exciting because the deaths can be as crazy as your imagination lets you be. Without giving too much away, what kind of carnage are we going to see in “The Devil’s Tree”?
JP: All kinds. Some of the deaths are going to be pretty damn unique. I’m a fan of the unorthodox and bizarre…
And with the previous talk of hearts being ripped out, we’ll leave that at that…….
Please visit “The Devil’s Tree” on Kickstarter and show your support for indie horror! Please follow “The Devil’s Tree” on Facebook for all the latest news and info!
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NEW TRAILER FOR “LESSER MIRACLES”
Hey horror lovers! Just wanted to drop a line and show some love to the cast and crew of “Lesser Miracles,” a disturbing and original horror film that we totally dug. They just got a distribution deal and released a brand new trailer!!! CHECK IT OUT AND KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THIS MOVIE!!
Tons more stuff coming up, including but not limited to monsters, ghosts, violence and murder…
xoxo,
LAHorror.com
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“Don’t Go To The Reunion” (but go check out this film!)
We’re baaaack!!
It’s been a while since our last post, horror lovers, and for that we apologize! With all of the holiday travels, crazy life and pre-production of our upcoming horror film series, it’s glad to finally be back from the dead to share with you some excellent horror projects coming your way from some seriously talented artists. And what better way to ring in the New Year than with a good old fashioned 80’s throwback slasher flick, from Slasher Studios:
LAHorror.com got some insider information on this film from the filmmakers themselves Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz, who are currently raising money for this gory feature film, and trust me, these guys know how to make a slasher flick. So do yourself a favor and check out this project, because, let’s be real, there hasn’t been a great slasher flick in far too long…
LAHorror: I know you guys are the slasher experts, so tell me: What’s going to make Don’t Go to the Reunion stand out from the crowd?
Kevin Sommerfield: Don’t Go to the Reunion is really our ultimate 80’s slasher homage to everything that we love and cherish about the slasher genre. We are going back to the basics: a likable final girl, characters you actually care about, a ruthless, nonstop killer. We also plan to use all practical effects on this slasher. CGI has it’s place in film but I don’t think it really belongs in the slasher genre. The blood, the gore, the carnage…everything is going to be done on set with some great deaths planned out.
Steve Goltz: This upcoming film will give our fellow slasher fans what they have been craving. With a slasher drought among us, horror fans are in need of a fun story with likable characters and creative deaths. This is exactly what we will give them. The story itself will give the movie goers something to talk about after the film and the fact that this will be made by slasher fans, for slasher fans, will make this all the better.
LAHorror: Tell us a little bit about the set-up and the characters. And what’s the deal with this killer??
KS: Don’t go to the Reunion centers around a horror loving geek named Scott. He cherishes horror movies more than life itself. When the popular kids at his high school decide to play a prank on him, Scott thinks his life is over. Skip ten years to present day and the popular kids from high school are getting together for a little class reunion. Little do they know, someone may have followed them there and they mysteriously disappear one-by-one. Throughout this all, the audience is left to wonder if Scott has come back for revenge or is it someone else all together. Possibly even one of the original popular gang…
SG: The true horror fans will love the characters. I am so excited to see the characters take life and watch the performances on screen. We definitely have the go-to slasher characters, but some with a modern twist. They are fun and clever and all bring something to the table that helps out the story.
LAHorror: Without spoilers, what kind of gore can we expect from Don’t Go to the Reunion? Can you give us a peak into your favorite kill from the script?
KS: Without a doubt my favorite death from the script involves a split open torso and a fire poker. I’ll leave the rest up to the audience’s imagination…
SG: Well, we don’t want to give too much away, but the fire poker death will be a great visual experience and the final death of the film will definitely leave the audience in awe. All in all, lots of blood and gore and as with every Slasher Studios film, all practical effects!
LAHorror: All the slasher greats have a memorable final girl. In Don’t Go to the Reunion, what’s your final girl’s motto: Fight? Or flight?
KS: Definitely fight. Our final girl Erica is no shrieking violet. I wrote her as a testament to my favorite final girls in slasher history. Much like Ginny in Friday the 13th Part 2 or Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Erica isn’t about to go down without a fight and, in the end, she realizes it is up to herself to survive the night.
SG: This final girl encapsulates all the great, strong, independent final girls who came before her. We were not looking for a weak final girl or performance. This girl is rough and tough.
LAHorror: Your short films pack a lot of punch in a little time. How are you guys approaching this project differently than something shorter? Are you ready for the challenge?
KS: It was definitely a change of pace. Between Teddy, Blood Brothers, and Popularity Killer, we killed a series of a dozen characters in a total running time of about 40 minutes. Here we had a chance to give the characters a little more depth and flesh out the back story of each. I want the audience to get to know these characters so they actually feel something when they die.
SG: What I love about shorts is that a lot can happen in a little amount of time. This really helps keep the audience glued to the screen and their interest level high. Teddy moved at a break-neck speed and really sold a lot of people on the film. No downtime to bore the viewers. So, we know going to the feature, we had to keep up a steady pace. With the serious parts, the outrageous deaths and the comedy squeezed in as well, this script really has a great mix of emotions and will for sure keep the audience on their toes.
LAHorror: Anything else you’d like to share about Don’t Go to the Reunion?
SG: Don’t Go to the Reunion has been on our minds nearly every minute of every day for longer than I can even remember. Film is our passion and this feature is something we have worked so hard on and will continue to do so. We are both overly excited to begin filming and can’t wait for that first screening with an audience full of horror fans like ourselves!
KS: All I can say is that this script and this movie has been my baby for the past year. I can promise that fans of the 80’s slasher will find a lot to enjoy here from the creative death scenes to the shocking ending. To quote Cotton’s character at the end of Scream 2, “It’ll make a hell of a movie.”
Intrigued?? Please visit the “Don’t Go to the Reunion” kickstarter page! There you can not only help this film get made, but you can view all of their short films mentioned in this interview. So do yourself a favor…and Don’t Go to the Reunion…
You can read LAHorror.com’s review of Slasher Studio’s film Teddy here. For more non-stop slasher goodness, visit their official website, follow them on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook!
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LA Horror Review: “Dead Inside”
“Dead Inside” is an interesting little horror film with a fresh perspective and a brooding sense of atmosphere. This happens to be the film’s strong suit as it more than compliments the film’s jump scares. Often, it overshadows them. The film centers on a group of party-goers haunted by their impending doom and provides a healthy dose of supernatural goings-on while maintaining an overall ambiguity.
The film introduces Sarah (Hannah Ward AKA Lala Hensely), a quiet girl raging war with her inner demons. When those demons come to light, bad things happen. There are a few good ideas here and a few questionable ones, but all in all, the film just does things differently. Popular high school students crash Sarah’s house expecting a party and she timidly agrees to play host. The setup is seemingly “outcast versus the world,” but much of the scorn and bullying associated with this dynamic is substituted for indifference and, occasionally, sympathy. It’s a pleasant turn from the norm.
While the characters are treated to a decent amount of development, the soap opera dramatics to which the film often deviates take “Dead Inside” down a notch. The actors handle the material well, though, and Lala Hensely is superb as Sarah. It may not be a showcase of her range, but what she does deliver is genuine. There is a standout moment on a staircase where she turns to her friends and shares an ominous message. It is terrifically creepy and a highlight of the film.
Another interesting layer to this film is its refusal to designate a threat. There is most certainly a threat present, but it is tantalizingly mysterious. Any sense of villainy is juggled between all characters and the supernatural aspects of the story are kept in the dark. I mean that literally and metaphorically, but it is the former that may actually work against the film.
Sarah has some serious issues in “Dead Inside…”
“Dead Inside” is shot well throughout and makes expert use of shadows and silhouettes. It is a dark vision and a justified representation of Sarah’s dismal outlook. However, it is at times too dark. On a practical level, a few key shots are so underexposed that they obscure all information. However, it is not without its qualities. Director Pearry Teo carefully treads a line that aims to only hint at things unseen. It may not always be the perfect execution but it is always scary. After all, that is the wonderful, alluring thing about the dark.
Teo has a good eye for creepiness and an acute handle on suspense. The soundtrack is minimal but effective, especially the soft lullaby that opens the film and revisits us throughout. With elements of “Carrie” and “Identity,” this film is a slow burner worth seeking out. If you’re looking for an eerie supernatural drama or if you have any appreciation for dark irony, “Dead Inside” is for you.
For more information about “Dead Inside,” please visit the films official website. Also, be sure to check out “Dead Inside” on Facebook. This review was written by Levi Caleb Smith.
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LA Horror Review: “The Employer”
Finding a job these days is tough, especially one that actually pays the bills. The search could even be described as a “true horror story” for some; even if you do land an interview, often you can get beat out by a more qualified candidate. Frank Merle, the writer and director of the new horror thriller, “The Employer,” takes this idea to a whole new level: in this interview, you either get the job or die…
It’s a now classic set-up. Five strangers wake up in a locked room. Before long, they realize they have something in common: they have all recently interviewed for a position at the mysterious Carcharias Corporation, and today is supposed to be their final interview. Unbeknownst to them, The Employer (Malcolm McDowell) has a very sinister way of choosing the perfect candidate for the job. You see, at Carcharias Corporation, having a well-rounded resume is only half the battle. What’s the other half? It’s killing the competition before they kill you first. Last one standing gets the job of their dreams…
The great part about a film like “The Employer” is that it takes a familiar premise and gives it its own unique and rather intelligent spin. Yes, pitting people against each other in a locked room has created some pretty grisly horror films, but “The Employer” isn’t about the gore; it’s about the characters. Merle creates a group of very fleshed out young professionals who have every reason in the world to try to get ahead. It’s more fun to get to know the characters first before they’re brutally murdered as opposed to watching strangers get hacked up; it makes for a much more satisfying viewing experience.
But while Merle crafts characters who are undoubtedly justified in their reasons to despise each other, he also brings out strong performances by five very talented actors. The scenarios he sets up for these interviewees are amplified by their terrific performances. Everyone brings something to the table, and everyone has a secret.
James, played by David Dastmalchian, is our Everyman and is wonderfully naïve and hopeful that in this terrifying scenario maybe, just maybe, nobody has to die. It really feels like at any moment Dastmalchian could break out and become a recognizable face for frequent moviegoers, and a film like “The Employer” certainly allows him to show some great range. Opposite him is the beautiful Paige Howard who plays the kind and caring Sandra. It’s hard not to root for these two; their chemistry is strong, especially when the going gets tough.
Mike (Matthew Willig) tries to silence the trash talking Keith (Michael DeLorenzo) much to the horror of the level headed Sandra (Paige Howard)
Juxtaposed against this optimistic, seemingly level-headed pair are our other three captives: the sexy and ass-kicking Billie (Katerina Mikailenko), the bruising and massive Mike (Matthew Willig) and the loudmouth Kieth (Michael DeLorenzo). Five very different people in one nightmarish interview, “The Employer” creates a tense and unnerving experience that gets to be a real free for all with plenty of twists to keep you guessing who’s going to get the job.
Which brings us to our last and most important piece of this puzzle: The Employer himself, Malcolm McDowell. As the puppet master of this whole scheme, it’s extremely fun to see The Employer get inside of the heads of these characters and find out exactly what makes them tick. It’s always fun to see McDowell play a bad guy, but in “The Employer” he’s even more dementedly charming than usual. Every time McDowell is on the screen he steals the show, which is understandable given his ultra-talent. He embodies the mission of the Carcharias Corporation and adds a level of mystery and intrigue that we can only hope for a sequel (or two) to expand upon.
Only The Employer knows the secrets of the Carcharias Corporation…
And maybe that’s the real reason this movie was so enjoyable: the fact that it asks more questions than it answers. While Merle’s intentions for making this film are unknown, “The Employer” raises a lot of questions not only about its own reality but also our own, and frequently plays with moral questions that we deal with on a daily basis. How often do we see people doing anything to get ahead of the competition, or a massive corporation treating its employees like pawns in its own sinister game? Merle has created a film that is modern, violent and full of nasty twists, “The Employer” grabs you and won’t let you go.
Lastly I’ll leave you with this, the same thing that Merle told me before I watched the movie and the thing that probably intrigued me the most: at the end, only one person walks out of that room alive…
Be sure to watch our exclusive interview with filmmaker Frank Merle. For more about Frank Merle and “The Employer,” visit the film’s official website. Be sure to check out “The Employer” on Facebook.
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LA Horror Review: “The Cohasset Snuff Film”
Does life imitate art or does art imitate life? It’s a tricky question, especially when you apply it to the world of horror, given all of the atrocities that happen on a daily basis all over the world. Director Edward Payson‘s “The Cohasset Snuff Film” blends the fictional world and the real world together, giving us an up close and personal look into the mind of a serial killer in a chilling way. At times, it’s hard to determine if what you are watching is real or merely the fantasy of a couple of disturbed but talented filmmakers.
“The Cohasset Snuff Film” is real, or so they say. The film begins with a pair of documentarians as they uncover the secret tapes of Cohasset, Massachusettes best kept secret: serial killer Colin Mason. You see, Mason killed three girls in 2009 and had the good sense to get it all on camera. In a quest for infamy, Mason compiles a series of video diaries plotting, and executing, his plans for inflicting pain and torture. Now you can see the footage for yourself in every horrifying detail.
This film is a tender reminder of just how fucked up this world really is. With murder sprees and serial killers seemingly popping up all the time these days, this film feels relevant. And this is certainly one that will attract the morbid curiosity of both experienced and novice horror viewers. And when I say novice, I mean the kinda of kids that sneak horror movies into their slumber parties, that watch them when their parents aren’t watching or don’t know. I say that because the killer in this film is in high school, and what sort of normal adolescent hasn’t fantasized about murder at one time or another? This film will no doubt be a dirty little secret for many viewers.
But while the idea of this movie hits close to home, our lead character is a little harder to sympathize with. I always like rooting for a killer. It’s fun and makes you feel a little guilty. Yet, the one thing I felt was missing from this film was a strong motive for this killing spree, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Colin Mason is obviously resentful of his fellow humans for the typical reasons – being ignored, abused and picked on, however we never really see any of that on film. While we do learn about the human side of our killer through classmate interviews, psychology studies and the police reports, the face to face time with Mason is long past his days of being “normal.” It’s less of a descent into madness as it is being just thrown into the mix right before shit goes down—and shit does go down.
The great thing about “The Cohasset Snuff Film” is its raw intensity. There are no jump scares or cheesy twists. This film is grounded in reality and the murders are real. Some mad props go to these actors who certainly had trust in director Edward Payson and believed in this project. Their trust will no doubt be rewarded as this film will certainly be getting some pretty big attention in the near future. I say that with no hesitation, because this film has all of the right pieces to be an underground hit.
On a hilarious side note, supposedly some people in Cohasset, Massachusettes are pretty upset that this film has been made. Now, why they are upset is up for debate. Maybe they don’t want their town to have a bad reputation, or maybe they just don’t want to be associated with something as nasty as “The Cohasset Snuff Film.” Or maybe, just maybe, there’s a little more truth to this film than originally thought. That’s why I recommend you check it out and decide for yourself.
If you are living in the Los Angeles area, the world premier of “The Cohasset Snuff Film” is fittingly this Halloween in North Hollywood. You can purchase your ticket here. If you’re not in the Los Angeles area, the film is beginning a self distributed theatrical run in limited cities. If you want to see this film in your area, then visit this page and demand to see “The Cohasset Snuff Film!”
LAHorror.com has previously interviewed director Edward Payson about this film and other horror projects. You can read that here. Be sure to check out “The Cohasset Snuff Film” on Facebook and Twitter.
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The Rhythm is Gonna Get You………
We had to share this – this is a pretty good spoof on the classic song “The Rhythm is Gonna Get You” by Gloria Estefan. Don’t know it?? Check it here. But for all of you gore hounds that love and adore and cherish and appreciate the amazing music by Gloria Estefan as much as we do here at LAHorror.com, you’ll certainly enjoy this:
That rhythm got you didn’t it??
Check out more from Grumpy Panda at their official website.
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LA Horror Review: “An American Ghost Story”
Curiosity can be a dangerous thing. It’s the cause of many problems for people in horror films and something that can ultimately become deadly. How often do we see someone investigate a strange noise, pursue a forbidden curse or, in the case of “An American Ghost Story,” the new film from 2 Man Production, knowingly invite themselves into the home of a malevolent spirit?
Paul Anderson (Stephen Twardokus) is an aspiring writer who’s trying to get it together. You see, Paul has never finished anything he’s set out to do, and with his new idea he’s more determined than ever. Unfortunately for him and his girlfriend, Stella (Liesel Kopp), his new idea involves moving into the home of a recently murdered family and trying to communicate with its restless spirits. Before long, both Paul and Stella realize that they are not alone and certainly not welcome…
The set up for “Revenant” is simple, but the execution is fantastic. What filmmakers Derek Cole (director, producer), Stephen Twardokus (producer, writer, actor) and Jon Gale (producer, actor) have done is create a bare bones story that still manages to scare the piss out of you with a “less is more” mentality. Wait, I take that back— “less is more” may not be an accurate way to describe this movie, because it is FULL of legitimate scares. From your classic jumps to your slow, sinister sequences, “An American Ghost Story” keeps you on edge from the very first scene until the last. It’s tense as hell and doesn’t let up.
What works about this film is its overall creativity in the things seen on screen. As a filmmaker myself, I was perplexed as to how these guys pulled off some of these sequences. There are no CGI ghosts in this movie, and the practical effects are ridiculous and always frightening. From the spirit rising out of the bed sheets to an entire kitchen erupting in rage, the ingenuity behind the camera is this film’s most impressive feat.
Paul Anderson (Twardokus) has a naïve curiosity with the spirits in his house…
Yet, all of the horror elements in “Revenant” are amplified by Cole’s stellar direction. His choices to make slow zooms, subtle camera movements and some clever editing always keep you in anticipation. Every scene has the ability to give you frights and, trust me, most of them do. Cole is clearly well-versed in the art of suspense, and fans of classic ghost stories such as “The Haunting” or “Poltergeist” would certainly enjoy “An American Ghost Story.”
While this film is exceptional in terms of the talent behind the camera, without good performances all may be for not. Luckily for “An American Ghost Story,” it’s cast, though small, all pull their weight and add to the overall success of the film. In particular, our leading man Twardokus plays the over-curious writer believably, and you can clearly see the shift in him when he realizes that he’s in far over his head in this house. Liesel Kopp as Stella is the most relatable of the characters, given the fact that she is the rational of the two and is far more afraid of these spirits than her boyfriend. Kopp really shines when things get rough. Her panic and fear are felt through the screen.
“An American Ghost Story” is damn scary, and that’s no joke. My advice to you if you get the opportunity to watch it: give this movie the respect it deserves. That means phone off, lights off, popcorn and a beer.
For more information about “An American Ghost Story,” please visit the films official website. You can also check out “An American Ghost Story” on Facebook and Twitter. Actress Liesel Kopp was LAHorror.com‘s first featured artist. You can view her story here.
LAHorror.com 