‘A macabre masterpiece of terror!’

The Raven is a 1963 American comedy horror film produced and directed by Roger Corman. The film stars Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff as a trio of rival sorcerers. The playful, lively score is by Les Baxter.

The film was the fifth in the so-called Corman-Poe cycle of eight films largely featuring adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories produced by Roger Corman and released by American International Pictures (AIP). It was written by Richard Matheson, based on references to Poe’s poem “The Raven“. The supporting cast includes Hazel Court and a young Jack Nicholson.

Roger Corman and Richard Matheson had both enjoyed making The Black Cat comic episode of Tales of Terror and wanted to try an entirely comic Poe feature. “After I heard they wanted to make a movie out of a poem, I felt that was an utter joke, so comedy was really the only way to go with it,” said Matheson.

A novelisation of the film was written by Eunice Sudak (who also wrote the Tales of Terror and X novelisations) adapted from Matheson’s screenplay and published by Lancer Books in paperback. This novel was republished by Bear Manor Media in 2012.

On March 9, 2015, Arrow Video is releasing The Raven on Blu-ray in the UK. Special features include:

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the feature, transferred from original film elements by MGM
• Original uncompressed Mono PCM Audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Peter Lorre: The Double Face, Harun Farocki’s 1984 documentary
• Richard Matheson: Storyteller, an interview with the legendary novelist and screenwriter
• Corman’s Comedy of Poe, an interview with Roger Corman about making The Raven
• The Trick, a short film about rival magicians by Rob Green (The Bunker)
• Promotional Record
• Stills and Poster Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Vladimir Zimakov
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Vic Pratt and Rob Green, illustrated with original stills and artwork

Buy The Raven on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk

Plot teaser:

In the 15th century, the sorcerer Dr. Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) has been mourning the death of his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) for over two years, much to the chagrin of his daughter Estelle (Olive Sturgess). One night he is visited by a raven, who happens to be a transformed wizard, Dr. Bedlo (Peter Lorre). Together they brew a strange potion that restores Bedlo to his old self.

Bedlo explains he had been transformed by the evil Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff) in an unfair duel, and both decide to see Scarabus, Bedlo to exact revenge and Craven to look for his wife’s ghost, which Bedlo reportedly saw at Scarabus’ castle. After fighting off the attack of Craven’s coachman, who apparently acted under the influence of Scarabus, they set out to the castle, joined by Craven’s daughter Estelle and Bedlo’s son Rexford (Jack Nicholson).

At the castle, Scarabus greets his guests with false friendship, and Bedlo is apparently killed as he conjures a storm in a last act of defiance against his nemesis. At night, Rexford finds him alive and well, hiding in the castle. Craven, meanwhile, is visited and tormented by Lenore, who is revealed to be alive and well too, having faked her death two years before to move away with Scarabus. As Craven, Estelle, Rexford and Bedlo try to escape the castle, Scarabus stops them, and they are tied and locked up. Bedlo panics and flees away in raven form, having convinced Scarabus to turn him back into bird form rather than face torture…

Reviews:

“The whole thing is played very tongue in cheek and is mostly about having fun not being terrified. The final battle between Karloff and Price is really entertaining and fun to watch; it is very reminiscent of the wizard’s duel in The Sword in the Stone released the same year. The special effects are dated but actually, considering the year and the budget, very effective and fun.” 31 Days of Terror

“It’s really a shame, given the high caliber of what has preceded it, that the climactic duel of magic is both so incredibly long and so incredibly lame. Ending a movie with a huge special effects set-piece is always a risky proposition, but it becomes a sure-fire formula for outright disaster when there’s no money in a movie’s budget for special effects! Up to this point, The Raven has been a comfortably low-key movie, driven by acerbic wit, careful characterization, and brilliant casting.” 1000 Misspent Hours and Counting

“It’s miles from Poe, but it’s one of the funniest and most enjoyable horror spoofs ever made, with a witty script and smart direction; the three principals’ enjoyment of the whole affair communicates itself to the audience. A delight, with a wooden performance by Nicholson for connoisseurs of the bizarre to savour.” Alan Frank, The Horror Film Handbook

“A snappy little parody of a horror picture cutely calculated to make the children scream with terror while their parents scream with glee.” Time (1963)

Choice dialogue:

The Raven (Peter Lorre): “Will you give me some wine!”

Cast:

• Vincent Price as Dr. Erasmus Craven
• Peter Lorre as Dr. Adolphus Bedlo
• Boris Karloff as Dr. Scarabus
• Hazel Court as Lenore Craven
• Olive Sturgess as Estelle Craven
• Jack Nicholson as Rexford Bedlo
• Connie Wallace as Maid
• William Baskin as Grimes
• Aaron Saxon as Gort
• Dick Johnstone as Roderick Craven (uncredited)
• Mark Sheeler

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘They’ll get you in the end!’

Ghoulies is a 1984 US comedy horror movie. It was to be directed by Charles Band, with special effects by Stan Winston (the two had previously collaborated on Parasite) but ended up being directed by Luca Bercovici with special effects by John Carl Buechler and his company Mechanical and Makeup Imageries Inc. It was released theatrically by Empire Pictures in March 1985 and was a surprise success on home video thus spawning three sequels. The film’s original title was Beasties.

The film stars Peter Liapis (The Stepdaughter), Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Jack Nance, Scott Thomson, RalphSeymour, Mariska Hargitay. Bobbie Bresee (Mausoleum; Evil Spawn) has a minor role as a temptress.

Buy Ghoulies + Ghoulies II on Blu-ray from Amazon.com

Reviews:

You’d think that by saving their appearance for the 3rd act that they’d go all out, but instead we get one attack by a clown doll of some sort (with a Ghoulie inside it), a couple of dwarfs, and even a full grown woman with a giant tongue, who turns out to be the real (hey wait a minute, did Dream Warriors actually rip this movie off?). Said villain is actually our hero’s father, who tries to kiss his son for some reason I wasn’t interested in exploring. Even when it seems like they’re about to do something cool, they don’t – there’s a scene where everyone has gathered for a dinner party, and the Ghoulies are actually SITTING ON THE TABLE, but no-one notices them, because they all have sunglasses on.” Horror Movie a Day

“The script for Ghoulies, written by Luca Bercovici and Jefery Levy, does contain a few instances of cleverness (it’s brimming with movie references, from Rosemary’s Baby to The Ten Commandments), but there’s just not enough here to warrant a recommendation. How this managed to spawn three sequels is beyond me, though the ghoulies themselves are enjoyably campy.” Reel Film Reviews

“The set design is wonderful, with the Graves Estate looking suitably overgrown and creepy, but with a refreshing Beverly Hills feel that sets it apart from your average Scooby Doo haunted house. There aren’t a lot of stand-out kills to comment on, but the bit with the clown doll is definitely one of the coolest sequences in the film.” Adventures in Poor Taste

IMDb

iZombie is an upcoming American comedy horror detective TV series scheduled to premiere on March 17, 2015, on The CW. It is a loose adaptation of the comic book series created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, and published by DC Comics‘ Vertigo imprint.

The series is a Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Spondoolie Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Rob Thomas, Diane Ruggiero-Wright (Veronica Mars), Danielle Stokdyk and Dan Etheridge. The pilot was directed by Rob Thomas.

Plot teaser:

Olivia “Liv” Moore was a rosy-cheeked, disciplined, over-achieving medical resident who had her life path completely mapped out, until the night she attended a party that unexpectedly turned into a zombie feeding frenzy. Afterward, she became part zombie.

To give her access to the brains she must eat to survive, Olivia currently works at a coroner’s office. A side effect of her new diet is the ability to absorb the memories of the deceased, which helps her solve homicides…

Cast:

• Rose McIver as Olivia “Liv” Moore
• Robert Buckley as Major Lilywhite: Liv’s former fiancee
• Malcolm Goodwin as Clive Babinaux: A local police detective who knows Liv’s secret and often asks for her help to solve crimes
• David Anders as Blaine DeBeers.
• Rahul Kohli as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti: A medical examiner and Liv’s boss. He also knows about Liv’s secret and assists her whenever he can to protect as well as study her.

Wikipedia | IMDb | Official website

Crazy Bitches is an American 2014 comedy horror film written and directed by Jane Clark.

The film stars Samantha Colburn, Cathy DeBuono, Andy Gala, Liz McGeever, Victoria Profeta, Guinevere Turner, Nayo Wallace, Mary Jane Wells, Blake Berris, Candis Cayne, David Fumero, Riley Berris, Eddie Daniels.

Plot teaser:

Seven girls and one gay guy plan a getaway to a remote ranch for a week of gossip and grub. They start off where they always do, old rivalries in place, extreme vanity covering great insecurities, but with a true love for each other underneath the bickering, sniping and sassing.

A number of drinks into night one and a dark secret is revealed. The house they rented is the site of a mass murder of teenage girls fifteen years earlier. Blood still stains the floors under replacement carpets. The killer still runs free.

The girls take it for what it seems – a fun story for a rainy night by a roaring fire. But after one of them disappears and is discovered dead, the story doesn’t seem so fun anymore. One by one, they die, killed by their own vanity…

Filming locations:

Great Spirits Ranch, Malibu, California

IMDb | Official site | Facebook

Posted by WH

‘Piece by bloody piece… he built a nightmare!’

Dr. Frankenstein’s Wax Museum of the Hungry Dead is a 2013 US comedy horror movie produced and directed by Richard Griffin (Creature from the Hillbilly Lagoon; Atomic Brain Invasion; The Disco Exorcist) from a screenplay he co-wrote with Seth Chitwood.

The film stars Michael Thurber, Jamie Lyn Bagley, Samantha Acampora, Andre Boudreau, Sean Carufel, Alex DiVincenzo, Jesse Dufault, Christopher L. Ferreira, Aurora Grabill, Ryan Hanley, Shannon Hartman, Patrick Keeffe, David Langill,Beatriz Lopez, Jamie Lyn Bagley.

The film is unleashed on DVD in the US courtesy of Wild Eye Releasing DVD on March 24, 2015 as Frankenstein’s Hungry Dead.

Plot teaser:

A group of high-schoolers on a class trip to a wax museum become the latest victims of the evil doctor Charles Frank, who is attempting to create the perfect human being from the reanimated parts of previous unlucky patrons – reanimating an army of undead mistakes and experiments as the teens try to survive the night.

Buy on DVD from Amazon.com

IMDb | Facebook

‘Some things are better left unused’

Alien Tampon is a 2015 German science fiction comedy horror film written and directed by Jan Zenker from a screenplay co-written with Hanno von Contzen.

Plot teaser:

When an unsuspecting student unwiitingly inserts a tampon soaked in bright green alien goo and mutates into a murdering monster, a group of students unite their forces in order to confront her with weapons and courage…

IMDb | Official site | Facebook

Related: Killer Condom

‘A fucked up fairy tale’

Nina Forever is a 2015 dark comedy romantic British horror film written and directed by Ben and Chris Blaine. It stars Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Abigail Hardingham, Cian Barry, David Troughton, Elizabeth Elvin, Bill Holland, Lee Nicholas Harris, Sean Verey, Phelim Kelly, Richard Sandling, Javan Hirst.

The Jeva Film production will have its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2015 with a limited US release to follow.

Plot teaser:

Holly wants to save Rob and has fallen in love with him. She is training to be a paramedic and works a dead end job in a supermarket, where Rob is the only remarkable thing although he’s lost and angry since the death of his girlfriend, Nina.

Drawn into a relationship, the first time they’re in bed together, so is Nina. A tangled and bloody mess of broken limbs, she is very much dead but still here, still talking, still angry…

However, Holly doesn’t freak out and run. She is determined to be the one who heals Rob’s wounds. She can deal with the dead girl sharing their bed, their lives, their minds. If it’s what Rob needs, it’s what Holly will do, whatever the consequences…

IMDb

WH

‘Hungry, hairy, and ready to hunt you down’

Crying Wolf is a 2015 3D comedy horror film directed by Tony Jopia (Zombie Harvest; DeadTime) from a screenplay co-written with Andy Davie and Michael Dale. It stars Caroline Munro (Dracula A.D. 1972; Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter; Howl of the Devil), Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Chloe Farnworth, Gabriela Hersham, Gary Martin, Rosie Pearson, Ian Donnelly.

Plot teaser:

There are weird goings on in the little English village of Deddington. The gruesome death of local girl Charlotte by a rabid monster causes alarm and revulsion – before desperate reporters, crazy detectives and revenge seeking hunters descend on the scene…

Reviews:

‘Made over three years on a nano budget of £12,000, Crying Wolf won’t win any prizes for makeup or special effects and in places the acting is a bit creaky, but it’s a refreshingly funny movie with plenty of slapstick gore and some nice genre in-jokes.’ Simon Ball, The Spooky Isles

‘You name the scenario, cliché or effect, and it probably made an appearance in a scene from Crying Wolf. The only bit of back-story that made any sense was the Little Red Riding Hood themed analogy that is used to tell the story of the top werewolf Milly (played by the beautiful actress Gabriela Hersham). Sadly, this only manages to further derail the film.’ Cherry Bombed, Destroy the Brain

‘From the title sequence it’s already crystal clear that this b-movie was made with passion and an eye for film making, as we’re filled with some really great gory aesthetics. Crying Wolf is extremely high-paced as there’s an abundance of intertwining stories that you’ll completely miss if you aren’t giving your undivided attention. Some might find it too much hard work to watch, but I felt it brought a fresh, exciting and unique twist to the story whilst making sure the audience is fully engaged and entertained.’ London Horror Society

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Lady Dracula is a 1977 West German comedy horror film directed by Franz Josef Gottlieb. It stars Evelyne Kraft (The French Sex Murders; The Mighty Peking Man), Brad Harris (who devised the story), Theo Lingen, Eddi Arent, Christine Buchegger, Walter Giller, Klaus Höhne, Roberto Blanco, Stephen Boyd (as Count Dracula).

The film premiered on 16 March 1977 at the Paris Festival of Fantastic Films but wasn’t released until February 1978.

Plot teaser:

1876: Count Dracula kidnaps Barbara, a teenage girl, from a boarding school and is pursued by an angry mob who stake him. The girl is left buried in a sealed coffin…

1976: The coffin is uncovered during construction and stolen by small crooks and sold to an antique dealer. At night, Barbara rises from her coffin and bites the antique dealer. Rejuvenated by his fresh blood, she becomes a beautiful adult woman. Quickly finding her way in the modern world, she finds a job as a beautician’s body in a Viennese funeral home, where she secretly feeds on blood transfusions.

During a costume party Barbara lays hands on the mistress of the funeral director and is thereby discovered. Unfortunately, the company’s building also accidentally burns down. Now without a regular source of blood, Barbara prowls the city at night and soon arouses the interest of the police…

Reviews:

‘The script is repetitive and the jokes often crude (the coffin bounces around when the hero and heroine mate, for instance), but some crazy-comedy situations involving a pair of undertakers and a recalcitrant cadaver work quite well. Kraft and Lingen acquit themselves honourably and the direction is routinely professional’ Phil Hardy (editor), The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror

Whole film online (German language):

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is a 2014 animated comedy horror film produced and directed by Paul McEvoy from a screenplay by Jim Krieg.

It is the twenty-second film in the direct-to-video series of Scooby-Doo films. The film premiered on July 27, 2014, at San Diego Comic-Con International, and was released on Digital HD on August 5, 2014. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 19, 2014.

Plot teaser:

Velma gets a call from Cuthbert Crawley, a lawyer for Velma’s family who tells her that she’s inherited her great uncle’s property and castle in Transylvania, part of Pennsylvania. Velma turns the offer down, replying she wants nothing to do with her uncle. Mr. Crawley understands, revealing the curse over the estate. He says that if anyone gets too close to the Baron legacy, then what they love the most will be destroyed. As they head outside, the Mystery Machine explodes and a mysterious character with a mask appears. It’s the ghost of the Baron, Velma’s old ancestor. The remains of the machine explode again, with words warning stay away from Transylvania…

Undaunted, the gang travel on Transylvania express. Velma reveals the truth that her real last name is Von Dinkenstein, from which her great grandparents shortened to Dinkley when they moved in from the old country. Her ancestor is Baron Von Dinkenstein, who was said to have created a monster (which inspired famous novelist Mary Shelley to write her novel Frankenstein). Velma explains that this was the reason that she started solving mysteries. All of a sudden, the train starts to pick up speed. After getting everyone to the last car, Shaggy goes to the front of the train, but finds not the conductor but the Masked Baron’s ghost. The gang just manage to save the last car, the people, and themselves as the train derails and explodes.

Arriving in town, they are greeted by Iago, a hunchbacked servant from Castle Von Dinkenstein. He takes them there, where they meet Mrs. Vanders, the housekeeper. In the Baron’s laboratory they find the monster in solid ice. As the rest of the gang leave, Mrs. Vanders shows Velma a machine that hypnotises her…

Buy on Instant Video | Blu-ray | DVD from Amazon.com

Buy on Instant Video | DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

‘This is a movie for Scooby-Doo fans both new and established.  The opening credits list a number of catchphrases which Scooby-Doo die hards may enjoy identifying, including the old favourite, ‘I would have got away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids’.  It is not afraid to mine the rich seams of humour which have seen it triumph in the ratings over the years, from Fred’s love of the Mystery Machine to Daphne’s love of her appearance, whilst sending up gothic films down the ages…’ What to Do with the Kids

‘ …everything you love about the franchise is tossed to the curb, reworked or tinkered with for the sake of making fun of its characters. Why? Why must everything be flipped on its head? Fred can’t just be a leader, he’s a bossy jerk. Dapne can’t just be the cute chick, she has to be shallow and obsessed with her image. Velma can’t just be the bookworm, she has to erupt, go evil and turn on her friends. It’s all explained, of course. All part of the mystery. Was there ever any doubt? But it doesn’t make for a very enjoyable ride along the way.’ Kenneth Brown, Blu-ray.com

‘In the midst of Fred losing his Mystery Machine, the girl’s new outfits, and the boy’s new appetite’s, we have a psycho monster to worry about. When the hypnotic wheel is reversed, the gang is back up on their high horses/carriage (watch the film and you’ll get the reference) and ready to un-mask the evildoers. This is a classic Scooby-Doo cartoon that manages to bring all things full circle, beginning to end. Plenty of suspense, diversity, old characters, and crazy old towns. Scooby-Doo manages to make fun of itself and will leave you giggling like a child.’ Animation Insider

‘The humor itself was pretty good. I do reckon that if you are or a younger age you will find the movie is a lot funnier than it was for me. Still, it got some chuckles out of me, which was pleasant. One major downside, that or a major sign that I’m becoming old, was the fast editing. I’m all for a movie with a high tempo, but there were quite a few scenes were short images flashing on the screen, which was fun the first two times that it happened, but started to really drag after the 5^th time.’ 3rd Strike

Voice cast:

• Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo, Fred Jones
• Mindy Cohn as Velma Dinkley
• Grey DeLisle as Daphne Blake, Mama Mione
• Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers
• Diedrich Bader as Mrs. Vanders
• Dee Bradley Baker as C.L Magnus, Mr. Burger
• Eric Bauza as Daphomatic, Rock Dude
• Jeff Glen Bennett as Iago, Schmidlap
• Susanne Blakeslee as Townswoman
• Corey Burton as Baron Basil, Ghost of the Baron
• Candi Milo as Gypsy, Lila
• Kevin Michael Richardson as Cuthbert Crawley, Inspector Krunch
• Fred Tatasciore as Frankencreep

Scooby-Doo! on Horrorpedia:

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo – animated TV series

Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!

Chill Out, Scooby-Doo!

Scooby-Doo

Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo

Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King

Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster

Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost

Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare

Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster

Scooby-Doo! Glow in the Dark Puzzles - toys and games

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated - animated TV series

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island

What’s New, Scooby-Doo?

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘Their favorite haunt is a haunted castle!’

Francis in the Haunted House is a 1956 American comedy horror film from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur and directed by Charles Lamont (Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man; Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy) from a screenplay by Herbert H. Margolis and William Raynor. This was the seventh and final film in Universal-International’s Francis the Talking Mule series.

The film stars Mickey Rooney (Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker; Phantom of the Megaplex; The Thirsting; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), Paul Frees (as The Voice of Francis), Virginia Welles, Paul Cavanagh and David Janssen (Cult of the Cobra; Moon of the Wolf).

Plot teaser:

Francis witnesses a murder and then befriends bumbling reporter David Prescott (Mickey Rooney), who may be next in line. With Francis’ help and guidance, Prescott uncovers a mystery involving murder, an inheritance, and a spooky old mansion on the edge of town…

Reviews:

The film is only available on out-of-print VHS and we can currently find no reviews online.

Cast:

• Mickey Rooney as David Prescott
• Paul Frees as The Voice of Francis
• Virginia Welles as Lorna MacLeod
• James Flavin as Police Chief Martin
• Paul Cavanagh as Neil Frazer
• Mary Ellen Kay as Lorna Ann
• David Janssen as Police Lieutenant Hopkins
• Ralph Dumke as Mayor Hargrove
• Richard Gaines as D.A. Reynolds
• Richard Deacon as Jason
• Dick Winslow as Sergeant Arnold
• Timothy Carey as Hugo

Wikipedia | IMDb

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland also known as Nightmare Vacation III is a 1989 US slasher horror film and the second sequel to Sleepaway Camp written by Fritz Gordon and directed by Michael A. Simpson.

The film stars Pamela Springsteen (Sleepaway Camp II), Tracy Griffith, Michael J. Pollard (American Gothic; Night Visitor; 1989: Heartstopper), Mark Oliver (Dance of the Dead; The Crazies), Haynes Brooke and Sandra Dorsey (1976: Grizzly; 2004 TV: Frankenstein).

Sleepaway Camp III was released on VHS in the United States by Nelson Entertainment on December 15, 1989. The film has been released twice on DVD in the United States by Anchor Bay Entertainment; first in 2002 as a single DVD, as well as in the Sleepaway Camp Survival Kit. Scream Factory are releasing the film and Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers on Blu-ray disc on June 9th, 2015.

Buy on Shout Factory Blu-ray from Amazon.com

Plot teaser:

Maria (Kashina Kessler) is heading to camp. However, she is chased into an alleyway by a large truck, driven by serial killer Angela Baker (Pamela Springsteen), before being run over. Angela disposes of the body in a trash compactor, before posing as Maria and boarding the bus to Camp New Horizon, which was once Camp Rolling Hills where Angela massacred campers the year before…

Reviews:

‘A returning Pamela Springsteen tries her darndest despite a limiting script, but the majority of the acting is sadly woeful. Much like its predecessor, Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is notable for featuring a female killer who we follow from the very beginning, which results in a lack of suspense but a fairly enjoyable time. The sense of fun that Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers possesses is absent…’ Flickering Myth

‘Watch Sleepaway Camp II first. If you enjoyed it and you want more of the same, then you know what to do. If it wasn’t your mug of joe, stay away from the third film because there’s nothing new here (other than the odd racist jibe) that will change your mind.’ That Was a Bit Mental

‘The plot was actually quite clever, bringing rich and poor together to try and create a harmonious atmosphere between them. Ultimately it doesn’t work and the owners aren’t the nice people they portray themselves to be. But as we all know ‘Angela’ will sort everything out. The death scenes are highly original and it features a high body count to keep you entertained…’ SomewhatNerdy.com

‘If you’re looking for a plot or even coherent ideas then you’re going to be disappointed, but anyone who enjoys comic films about mass murder should have fun. There are also topless scenes and several references to other films. It’s not as deliberately weird as the first Sleepaway Camp, but it could have been a lot worse.’ Jim Harper, Legacy of Blood: A Comprehensive Guide to Slasher Movies

Buy Legacy of Blood from Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image thanks: The Unofficial Sleepaway Camp Site

The Walking Deceased is a 2015 American comedy horror spoof of zombie films directed by Scott Dow from a screenplay by Tim Ogletree. It stars Ogletree, Joey Oglesby, Dave Sheridan, Troy Ogletree, Sophie Taylor Ali, Danielle Garcia, Andrew Pozza, and Mason Dakota Galyon.

Plot teaser:

After waking from a coma, Sheriff Lincoln realizes that he is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. He reunites with his son Chris and joins several other survivors, including four friends who use city names as aliases and a zombie named Romeo who is looking for love, to find the Safe Haven Ranch, where they expect to be safe from the zombies.

Reviews:

‘Dow and Ogletree simply recycle the same zombie shtick from one unfunny scene to another as if they were going down a zombie movie checklist.’ Kiko Martinez, San Antonio Current

‘ …lame satire of zombie movies, whose shelf life expired even before it was made.’ Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

‘Believe it or not, this witless spoof has even less brainpower than the gray-matter-starved creatures it’s ridiculing.’ Ethan Alter, Film Journal International

‘There’s no more disposable type of comedy than the genre spoof, and no greater example of its general creative worthlessness than The Walking Deceased’ Nick Schager, The Village Voice

‘Less a send-up of The Walking Dead than a misfired potshot at various zombie productions from Dawn of the Dead to Warm Bodies, it’s a slop bucket of lazy writing and uninspired jokes.’ Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cast:

• Dave Sheridan as Sheriff Lincoln, a parody of Rick Grimes
• Tim Ogletree as Green Bay, a reference to Zombieland
• Joey Oglesby as Chicago, another reference to Zombieland
• Sophie Taylor Ali as Brooklyn
• Danielle Garcia as Harlem
• Troy Ogletree as Romeo, a reference to Warm Bodies and George A. Romero
• Andrew Pozza as Darnell
• Mason Dakota Galyon as Chris

Wikipedia | IMDb

The Final Girls is a 2015 American horror comedy film, directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and written by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller. It stars Taissa Farmiga, Malin Åkerman, Alexander Ludwig, Thomas Middleditch, Alia Shawkat, Nina Dobrev, Chloe Bridges and Adam DeVine.

Plot teaser:

Max (Farmiga), a high school senior, is mysteriously transported with her friends into a 1980s horror film that starred Max’s mother (Åkerman), a celebrated scream queen. Trapped inside the movie, Max finds herself reunited with her mom, who she lost in real life. Together with Max’s friends, they must fend off the camp counsellors’ raging hormones, battle a deranged machete-wielding killer, and find a way to escape the movie and make it back home…

Reviews:

‘An amusingly meta horror-thriller, The Final Girls finds a group of modern youths trapped in a cheesy ’80s slasher movie — one whose conventions they’re well aware of, but whose body count they’re also susceptible to joining. Though not quite as inspired or consistent as the similarly self-mocking likes of The Cabin in the Woods, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, or the first two Scream pics, this is good fun that should delight genre fans.’ Dennis Harvey, Variety

‘The Final Girls boils down to being a strange cross between The Cabin in the Woods, Friday the 13th and Last Action Hero, and it’s an equation that adds up to a ridiculous and fun flick that’s a blast to watch with an enthusiastic audience … An R-rating would have been nice to make the homage more complete, there are certain moments that drag, but ultimately its great execution of a high-concept script that should appeal to all genre fans.’ Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend

‘Even though The Final Girls never pushes for scares, it’s still a dream movie for horror fans because of the ripe exploitation, brilliant riffage off of everyone’s favorite slasher flicks, and the clever remastering of so many old-school production values. Think of it like VH1’s “I Love The 80s” for horror fans.’ Matt Donato, We Got This Covered

Cast:

• Taissa Farmiga as Max Cartwright
• Malin Åkerman as Amanda Cartwright / Nancy
• Alexander Ludwig as Chris
• Nina Dobrev as Vicki
• Adam DeVine as Kurt
• Thomas Middleditch as Duncan
• Chloe Bridges as Paula
• Alia Shawkat as Gertie
• Angela Trimbur as Tina
• Tory N. Thompson as Blake
• Dan B. Norris as Billy Murphy

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘Prepare for the ultimate trip!’

Evil Bong 420 is a 2015 comedy horror movie directed by Charles Band. It features franchise regulars Sarah Leigh (Robin Sydney), Larnell (John Patrick Jordan), Rabbit (Sonny Carl Davis), Velicity (Amy Paffrath), Hambo, Gingerdead Man and Ooga Booga.

The film will receive a worldwide streaming premiere on April 20^th (4.20, get it?) via Hulu, VUTOPIA, iTunes, FullMoonStreaming.com, Amazon, Google, ConTV and other streaming platforms.

Official plot teaser:

Rabbit has escaped the Evil Bong’s World of Weed, and has opened a topless bowling alley. It’s the Grand Opening and the balls are rolling, the boobs are bouncing and the weed is plentiful. When his old friends, Larnell and Sarah Leigh stop by to help him celebrate his wacky new business venture, things are finally looking up for Rabbit, right? Wrong! Evil Bong is hot on Rabbit’s trail. With the help of the murderous Gingerdead Man, they crash the most balls out party of the century. But Gingerdead Man has plans of his own when he learns that the secret to becoming a real man is getting his cookies off…

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‘Beyond Django… He’s sixteen inches with an attitude!’

Ooga Booga is a 2013 US comedy horror film directed by Charles Band from a screenplay by Kent Roudebush (Killer Eye: Halloween Haunt; Zombies vs. Strippers; Unlucky Charms). It stars Karen Black (Trilogy of Terror; Burnt Offerings; House of 1000 Corpses), Gregory Blair, Ciarra Carter, Patrick Holder, Charles Hutchins, Dallas James, Stacy Keach (The Mountain of the Cannibal God; Roadgames; The Cell), Corey MacIntosh, Maddox, Tom Massmann, Gregory Niebel, Kyle Quesnoy.

Plot teaser:

An innocent African American law student who is brutally murdered by dirty cops, but his soul is magically transferred into an action figure named Ooga Booga. With on his tribal spear and old girlfriend to help he takes to the streets and trailer parks to find the men that ended his once bright future…

Reviews:

‘All these stereotypes are more overbearing than effective (even Donna wonders why Ooga Booga constantly smokes marijuana when Devin never did). Band is no Jonathan Swift and he’s no Tarantino. The film feels a lot like a long, feeble racist joke with an animated puppet at the center of it.’ J.C. Macek III, Pop Matters

‘There’s a voice in my head that keeps telling me I should be tearing Ooga Booga to shreds. There’s also that voice in my head that once told me to write a four-star review of The Gingerdead Man. They could be the same voice. For all its faults this one succeeds in its own loopy, sometimes sleazy, rough around the edges, b-movie sort of way. Had Ooga Booga come up out during the 1970’s heyday of blacksploitation it would probably have a minor cult following today.’ Dread Central

‘For a movie that seems intent on offending and being as exploitative a film as possible, it really doesn’t take advantage of its screen time. The title character barely has anything to do, the revenge story is tame and lacking in tongue in cheek humor, and I’d like to know who thinks the character Hambo is even remotely interesting. It had potential to be so much better.’ Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed

IMDb

Gremlins is a forthcoming American comedy horror Warner Bros remake of the original 1984 hit that is currently back in development after a long period of gestation. No director has been assigned to the project – although fans will probably still hope that Joe Dante will make a return.

The writer of the original, Christopher Columbus, is producing and Carl Ellsworth (Disturbia, The Last House on the Left remake, Goosebumps) has recently been announced as handling the screenplay. Steven Spielberg is executive producing.

Updates to follow…

Buy The Goonies + Gremlins + Gremlins 2 on Blu-ray from Amazon.com 

Goosebumps is a 2015 American comedy horror film directed by Rob Letterman (Lake Placid; Shark Tale; Monsters vs. Aliens) from a screenplay by Mike White and Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Slayer), based on the children’s book series of the same name by R. L. Stine. It stars Jack Black (King Kong), Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan, Jillian Bell and Ryan Lee. R. L. Stine has a cameo role.

On July 25, 2014, at Comic-Con it was confirmed that Slappy the Dummy, The Executioner from A Night in Terror Tower, the giant praying mantises from A Shocker on Shock Street, Murder the Clown from When Ghost Dogs Howl and The Horror at Chiller House, The Mummy from Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb and Return of the Mummy, and The Scarecrow from The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight would all appear in the movie.

The filmmakers had to cut some of the books monsters for budget reasons, but director Rob Letterman stated that the crew tried to choose the monsters most appropriate to the story.

Goosebumps is scheduled to be released on October 16, 2015, by Columbia Pictures.

Plot teaser:

After moving into a small town, a teenage boy named Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) meets Hannah (Odeya Rush), his new neighbour. Hannah’s father, R. L. Stine (Jack Black), who writes the Goosebumps stories, keeps all the ghosts and monsters in the series locked up in his books. When Zach unintentionally releases the ghouls and the monsters from the storybooks, Zach, Hannah, and Stine team up in order to put the monsters back where they came from, before it’s too late…

Wikipedia | IMDb

Mars Attacks! is a 1996 American comedy science fiction horror film directed by Tim Burton (Corpse Bride; Sleepy Hollow; Dark Shadows) and written by Jonathan Gems, based on the cult trading card series of the same name. The film is a parody of science fiction B movies with elements of black comedy and political satire.

It stars Jack Nicholson (in a dual role), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie Smith, and Sylvia Sidney.

Alex Cox (Repo Man) had tried to make a Mars Attacks! film in the 1980s before Burton and Gems began development in 1993. When Gems turned in his first draft in 1994, Warner Bros. commissioned rewrites in an attempt to lower the budget to $60 million. The final production budget came to $80 million, while Warner Bros. spent another $20 million on the marketing campaign. The film grossed approximately $101 million in box office totals making it a blockbuster flop.

The filmmakers hired Industrial Light & Magic to create the Martians using computer animation after their previous plan to use stop motion, supervised by Barry Purves, fell through because of budget limitations.

Plot teaser:

When Martians surround Earth with a fleet of flying saucers, President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) along with his aides Professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan), Press Secretary Jerry Ross (Martin Short), and Army Generals Decker (Rod Steiger) and Casey (Paul Winfield) address America concerning the historic event.

People around the country follow the story, including news anchors in New York, developer Art Land (Jack Nicholson) and his wife Barbara (Annette Benning) alongside employees and guests at the Luxor Las Vegas hotel in Nevada, and the family of US Army private Billy-Glenn Norris (Jack Black) and his brother Richie (Lukas Haas) in Kansas. The President’s science aides set up a first contact meeting with the Martians in Nevada as President Dale watches the development on TV with his wife Marsha (Glenn Close) and his daughter Taffy (Natalie Portman).

Using a universal translator, the Ambassador of the Martians announces that they intend to colonize the Earth. To prevent this intention from causing panic, the translator is reprogrammed to say that the Martians “come in peace”. When a hippie (Josh Philip Weinstein) releases a dove as a symbol of peace, the Ambassador shoots it, then he and the other Martians slaughter a large number of people at the event including General Casey, news reporter Jason Stone (Michael J. Fox), and Billy-Glenn Norris before capturing chat show host Nathalie Lake (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her pet Chihuahua Poppy whose heads they transpose…

Reviews:

‘ …lacking in the uproarious humor that might well have ensued from the material, which instead inspires occasional laughs but, much more often, bemused fascination and wonderment at the bizarre imaginations and impressive skill of the filmmakers. Pic is loaded with wit, nifty little ideas and an extraordinary sense of design, but its allure is of quite a particular nature, much closer to that of “Ed Wood” than of Burton’s earlier, and far more commercially successful, works.’ Todd McCarthy, Variety

‘Mr. Burton now shows why money isn’t everything. Here at his disposal are clever special effects, darling Martians, loads of talent and a genre (fleabag sci-fi) that is tailor-made for his satirical talents. Yet here, too, is a screenplay (by Jonathan Gems) based on old Topps bubble gum cards, which makes for a definite lack of connective tissue. ”Mars Attacks!” is just a parade of scattershot gags, more often weird than funny and most often just flat.’ Janet Maslin, New York Times

‘The anarchy is sometimes inspired (Burton incinerates Congress, movie stars and doves with equal abandon – he loves playing Godzilla), but much of the film is flat and cripplingly indulgent. It feels nearly half an hour too long, and Nicholson, in a double role, is just too much. It’s a personal work, but not a mature one. It didn’t hit home at the US box-office, but the reviews have been surprisingly accommodating. In that sense, this sour, prefabricated cult movie has the last laugh – and I’m afraid the joke’s on us.’ Time Out

Cast:

• Jack Nicholson as President James Dale, the President of the United States.
  • Jack Nicholson also portrays Art Land, a developer in Las Vegas.
• Glenn Close as First Lady Marsha Dale, the wife of James Dale.
• Annette Bening as Barbara Land, the wife of Art Land.
• Pierce Brosnan as Professor Donald Kessler, a science expert that works for President Dale who is later captured by the Martians.
• Danny DeVito as Rude Gambler
• Martin Short as Press Secretary Jerry Ross
• Sarah Jessica Parker as Nathalie Lake, a talk show host who is later captured by the Martians.
• Michael J. Fox as Jason Stone, a news reporter who is killed during the Martians’ first invasion.
• Rod Steiger as General Decker
• Lukas Haas as Richie Norris, the brother of Billy-Glenn Norris
• Natalie Portman as Taffy Dale, the daughter of James Dale
• Jim Brown as Byron Williams, a Las Vegas casino employee and former boxer
• Sylvia Sidney as Florence Norris, the grandmother of Richie Norris and Billy-Glenn Norris
• Tom Jones as Himself
• Christina Applegate as Sharona
• Pam Grier as Louise Williams, the wife of Byron Williams.
• Jack Black as Billy-Glenn Norris, a US Army private who is Richie’s older brother
• Lisa Marie Smith as Martian Girl, a Martian posing as a human female.
• Paul Winfield as General Casey
• Janice Rivera as Cindy, a co-worker of Byron
• Brian Haley as Mitch, a Secret Service agent
• Joe Don Baker as Mr. Norris, the father of Billy-Glenn Norris and Richie Norris
• O-Lan Jones as Sue-Ann Norris, the mother of Billy-Glenn Norris and Richie Norris
• Ray J as Cedric Williams, the son of Byron Williams and Louise Williams
• Brandon Hammond as Neville Williams, the son of Byron Williams and Louise Williams
• Jerzy Skolimowski as Dr. Zeigler, a scientist who created a device that translated the Martian language
• Barbet Schroeder as Maurice, the French President.
• Joseph Maher as White House Decorator
• Steve Valentine as TV Director
• Josh Philip Wenstein as Hippie
• Frank Welker as Martian Vocal Effects
• Roger L. Jackson as Dr. Zeigler’s translator (voice uncredited)

Wikipedia | IMDb

Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla is a 2014 Australian comedy horror film directed by Stuart Simpson and starring Glenn Maynard, Kyrie Capri and Aston Eliot.

Plot teaser:

Warren (Glenn Maynard) is a lonely ice cream man. Following on from the accidental death of his pet cat, Warren, who keeps a daily video diary to record his thoughts on his favourite TV show ‘Round the Block’, becomes more and more isolated and angry at the world around him. Through these video diaries, it becomes apparent that Warren’s sanity is beginning to deteriorate and his obsession with ‘Round the Block’ star Katey George (Kyrie Capri) threatens to cloud his judgement even further…

Buy Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

‘The film is not perfect. A lot of the editing choices, especially the use of flash-forwards in the opening scenes, I did not enjoy. And some of the video diary scenes seemed unnecessary. But my complaints are insignificant. Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla had a far stronger emotional resonance than I expected, and it features one of the most impressive lead performances seen in Aussie cinema for some time.’ Mondo Exploito

‘… it’s a rather plodding affair – less slow burn and more just slow – that has an uneasy mix of comedy and pathos, and Maynard’s performance, far from a moving portrayal of a vulnerable man on the edge of sanity, all too often seems overly exaggerated in its pathos for comic effect.’ David Flint, Strange Things Are Happening

‘Ultimately Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla is an interesting film rather than a compelling one. A victim sometimes of its own influences, its overly predictable second half is a disappointment after the careful emotional beats of the first. Glenn Maynard gives an excellent performance as Warren Thompson and saves the film from completely folding in on itself.’ UK Horror Scene

IMDb | Website | Related: Ice Cream Man

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