Horror Movies

A new clip has surfaced online for V/H/S/2 (review), and this one lays the grue on thick and tasty! Just the way that you like it! Check out the goods right here and look for the flick on VOD now. For more information visit the official V/H/S/2 Facebook page! V/H/S/2 is produced by The Collective, Salient Media, and Brad Miska and Tom Owen’s Bloody Disgusting. Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, and Jason Eisener all directed entries in this latest anthology. The cast includes Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, and Hannah Hughes. Synopsis: Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Relive the glory days of VHS in the comments section below!

Summer is a time for living dangerously and nowhere is life more dangerous than in the movies about gambling, which is almost meta to begin with, since moviemaking is an intensely expensive venture (CASINO cost $50 million, enough to build a casino or two all its own) and no one knows for sure when they lay down big cash like that the film won't bomb and they'll lose it all, baby. It's a roll of the dice. And the mob's been associated one way or another with Hollywood since the beginning, from "this is the girl" in MULHOLLAND DR. to Al Capone's boys acting as technical advisors on the 1932 original SCARFACE. Whever there's big money and trade unions, the mob is there. So in films about gambling and the mob, Hollywood is in its element, rolling the dice on a film about rolling dice, and hoping that the lucky number rings out the profits. And thanks to the internet, gambling isn't just limited to Vegas, as casino sites like Jackpot City let you live the giddy rush of Vegas from your own home. Things are changing, and the criminal element can't keep up, which is why Scorsese's film looks back to the mobster version of Vegas' heyday, a tangent moment to the Rat Pack's OCEAN'S ELEVEN, which played up the glamour, drunkenness and class, but kept it much lighter. Scorsese knows that to be a big winner in gambling, to know how to keep your tells in check and your sense of the odds present without resorting to card counting or cheating, and most of all, you must be unlucky at love. Gamblers and dealers know you must be something pretty special to be drawing such good cards, and that your love must suck. Is this too great a sacrifice? And what in the end, is a priority? The smart gambler may in fact deliberately sabotage his chances at a happy love life, a bit like Robert De Niro's character does in CASINO, in order to preserve his luck at cards.I've already covered the delights of the here-and-gone beauty that is Robert Altman's 1974 underseen CALIFORNIA SPLIT (here). But what about 1995's overseen CASINO? A fine metaphor for the allure of gambling, and the danger and exaltation of living in a 'paradise' designed by shady guys in suits smoking big cigars, who think comped cocktails, air conditioning, prostitutes in tail feathers, and glitzy lights are the height of elegance. Vegas becomes their playground where anyone who dresses nice can play, can live the gangster arc of winning the world only to lose one's soul, climbing to the penthouse or being shot down to the gutter "right where the horses have been standin'" in the same game of the dice or couple of spins of the wheel, or hands at blackjack. Who wouldn't want that kind of rush? Why else do we watch films about gangsters, if not for the vicarious thrills, the vicarious paranoia, then the final dislodging from vicariousness--when the gangster dies the credits roll and we wake up scot free over credits, scurrying out into the light and back to our daily grinds.CASINO is fraught with problems, none more glaring than its compulsive need to ape the tropes of its predecessor, GOODFELLAS, from the punchy narration to the long tracking shots packed with period rock music and old Italians in gaudy suits. All of which is fine, but what about Joe Pesci caught in a no-win situation to do Joey again? (see one of my very first-ever posts on Acidemic, 'That Joey, he's a wild one). As Nicky Santoro, he drops a the ball by holding it so tight it deflates. It's not his fault of course. He's in a no-win situation of having to repeat his iconic performance from GOODFELLAS, and somehow top it for bloody madness. He looks older and stockier then he did in that film, from just four years earlier --the fame Joey brought him has left its visible scars, and when he throws massive tantrums he's not scary like he was in GOODFELLAS. He's still scary, but not 'I love this guy!' scary, just alarming, ineffectual, trying too hard.Sharon Stone, critics dutifully adoring her all the while, falls into the same ho

Reader and commenter Matt Wilkins now contributes his top ten list of Greatest Science Fiction Film Characters. Matt writes: “All explorers in one way or another, learning truths of humanity and the universe on their journey...” 1. Spock (Star Trek: The Motion Picture) 2. Roy Batty (Blade Runner) 3. Klaatu (The Day The Earth Stood Still) 4. Stalker (Stalker) 5. Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under The Sea) 6. Starman (Starman) 7, Dave Bowman (2010, not 2001) 8. Roy Neary (Close Encounters of The Third Kind) 9. John Hammond (Jurassic Park) 10. Major Kusanagi (Ghost In The Shell) I think it’s incredibly cool how Matt contextualized his list of favorite characters in terms of the unifying principle of “exploration.” And indeed, all his characters fit the definition of explorer. I especially like the idea of exploring the human condition as it relates to Mr. Spock, Starman, and even Roy Batty, so all these choices really resonate with me. I will always love Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) because of the closure it brings to Spock’s crisis of logic vs. emotion. He learns in this film that he needs both logic and emotion to be truly “complete,” and so I can never write off the film, despite an occasional slow moment, or scenes which may be deemed reminiscent of classic series episodes.

Ever be sitting alone in your room when all of a sudden you hear a voice emanating from a dark hole beside you? If you were in the 1977 soft-porn classic Chatterbox, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but in Deep Dark? Yeah, not good. In the film directed by Michael Medaglia, Sean McGrath (Cell Count) stars as Herman, a failed sculptor who finds his muse in the most unexpected of places, and their relationship leads to some pretty strange and violent stuff. The flick is described as a modern cocktail of several genres and serves up equal parts psychological horror and romance because, after all, love can be a little scary. Check out the first still below. Synopsis: A failed sculptor finds a strange, talking hole in the wall. The hole has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams, or it just might become his worst nightmare. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Hear voices in the comments section below!

Another incredible one-sheet has arrived for the stellar upcoming remake of the 1981 Bill Lustig classic Maniac, and just like each and every one that has come before it, it's pretty friggin' badass! Check it out! Look for Maniac to open in select theaters, on iTunes, and on VOD platforms June 21st. Synopsis: Just when the streets seemed safe, a serial killer with a fetish for scalps is back and on the hunt. Frank (Elijah Wood) is the withdrawn owner of a mannequin store, but his life changes when young artist Anna (Nora Arnezeder) appears asking for his help with her new exhibition. As their friendship develops and Frank's obsession escalates, it becomes clear that she has unleashed a long-repressed compulsion to stalk and kill. A 21st century Jack the Ripper set in present day L.A., Franck Khalfoun's Maniac, produced by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Haute Tension) and composed by Rob of the band Phoenix, is a re-boot of the William Lustig cult film considered by many to be the most suspenseful slasher movie ever made - an intimate, visually daring, psychologically complex and profoundly horrific trip into the downward spiraling nightmare of a killer and his victims. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Release your compulsions in the comments section below.

Churches have long been considered places of refuge for the troubled masses looking for a safe haven on the long road of life. Sacred ground that can repel dark forces. However, some places, no matter how holy, do nothing but breed evil after evil. Case in point... The Dom Frank written, directed and produced supernatural thriller The Church. Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, The Devil’s Rejects), Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 and 5), Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede), Keith Stallworth (Step Up 3D), Clint Howard (Halloween, Cinderella Man) and former WWE superstar "Big" Vito Lograsso star. Synopsis: The plot of The Church revolves around a church that is being targeted as the location for a new high-rise complex by a local developer played by rising star Matthew Nadu (Nobody Gets Out Alive). The pastor rebuffs the developer initially but finally gives in thanks to some clever and conniving tactics by his money-hungry wife. Their expected windfall from the sale of the church is brought to a halt after supernatural members of the church object to the sale and ALL. HELL. BREAKS. LOOSE... INSIDE THE CHURCH! VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Say your prayers in the comments section below!

Last week we caught up with Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One to chat about his latest film project, the horror-comedy web series "My Wife Is a Demon," as well as the next Powerman 5000 album and more! Brother to musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie, Spider One burst onto the industrial heavy metal music scene in 1999 with the successful release of the Powerman 5000 album Tonight the Stars Revolt! (the album contained the memorable single "When Worlds Collide" and would go on to sell more than a million copies). He then flexed his film muscles in 2011 with "Death Valley", the horror-comedy mockumentary broadcast by MTV (and now available on Netflix), which he conceived and co-executive produced. With Powerman 5000 prepping to release a new album and embark on a subsequent world tour in the coming months, the vocalist riffed on that with us as well as his web series "My Wife Is a Demon" (check out the first three episodes below). "We are hard at work on the next record," stated Spider One of the next (and currently untitled ) Powerman 5000 album. "I'm not certain of a release date yet, but one thing's for sure: The record's going to crush!" (Writer's note: I've had the chance to listen to the tracks in progress and would have to agree with his glowing assessment. It sounds absolutely huge). As for his inspiration for "My Wife Is a Demon," Spider One said, "The idea first came about on a phone call with Adam Carr, who plays Alan in the shorts. Adam called me and asked what I thought about the concept of a guy being married to an actual demon and the relationship is slowly killing him. I loved it because it is ridiculous and funny but also because the heart of the idea is pretty grounded. Taking real life marital problems and warping them through a demonic prism was compelling to me." Directed by Spider One, "My Wife Is a Demon" was co-written and produced by him and Carr and additionally stars Karen Soni as the therapist and Lyndsi LaRose as Debbie, the series' demon wife (she also produced). "The plan for this project was to have no plan! Ha!" answered Spider One when queried of the possible continuation of the series or expansion thereof. "Usually I shoot or write stuff with the sole purpose of pitching to a network," he continued. "'My Wife Is a Demon' was made for fun with no grand goal. Which is probably why it will be a million dollar idea! Ha. That said, we are talking about shooting more, possibly taking Alan and Debbie out of the therapist's office and into the real world." As for what other genre projects he's got up his "action-rock" sleeve, " I have a few things in the works," he told us. "A couple of feature scripts and a couple of TV concepts, the coolest being something called 'Apt. 13' (more about that here). Lets just say it's 'The Young Ones meets The Munsters'! Total rock 'n roll monster madness!" Speaking of rock 'n roll madness, watch Dread Central in the coming weeks for the chance to score some VIP tickets to a special, "invite only" Powerman 5000 show in Hollywood, CA, and stay up-to-date with all things Spider One via his Twitter feed @therealSpider1 and those hi-fi sci-fi electro metal robot rockers Powerman 5000 on their official site and on Twitter as well @therealPM5K. If you're not familiar with the band, check out the video for "When Worlds Collide" below. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Warp your marital problems through a demonic prism in the comments section below.

Here at Dread Central we have an insane amount of love for "Supernatural" star Jim Beaver. Having said that it's with great pleasure that we report that Beaver has signed on for active duty in Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak. Read on for details. The news comes from Beaver himself via his Facebook page. "Okay, I’m back again with that big deal that I couldn’t talk about but couldn’t shut up about either. Well, now I can talk about it, because today it came true. Guillermo del Toro, director of PAN’S LABYRINTH, HELLBOY, and the upcoming PACIFIC RIM, has cast me in one of five leading roles in his new film CRIMSON PEAK, a Gothic ghost story also starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessica Chastain, and Charlie Hunnam. We start shooting in Toronto in January.” He joins the previously announced Mia Wasikowska who will play a young author named Edith Cushing, who discovers that her charming new husband is not who he appears to be. Jessica Chastain also stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Charlie Hunnam. Plot details are unknown as del Toro and Lucinda Coxon work through a rewrite on a script del Toro and Matthew Robins originally penned. Del Toro previously described the film as “a very set-oriented, classical but at the same time modern take on the ghost story. It will allow me to play with the conventions of the genre I know and love and at the same time subvert the old rules.” Legendary will produce and be a participating financing partner on the movie, with Universal Pictures retaining an option to finance at a later date. Look for more hopefully soon! VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Get spooked in the comments section below!

Monsters have invaded your city! People are dying left and right! A state of emergency has been declared! What do you do? What... do... you... do? According to this latest one-sheet for the phenomenal horror comedy Grabbers you break this glass! Look for the film July 19th on the IFC Midnight banner in select theaters and on cable VOD, iTunes, Amazon, Xbox Zune, PlayStation, SundanceNow.com and other digital VOD outlets. Helmed by Jon Wright and penned by Kevin Lehane, the creature feature stars Richard Coyle (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), Ruth Bradley (Flyboys), and Russell Tovey ("Being Human" UK). Synopsis: Ciarán O’Shea, the handsome though washed up policeman of sleepy Erin Island, has a daily routine consisting mainly of hanging out at the pub with the local drunks and various other charmingly eccentric characters. But his day is about to go horribly wrong. Teamed up with the unwanted help of Lisa – an uptight workaholic policewoman from the Irish mainland – they suddenly find themselves dealing with dead whales, decapitated fishermen and weird alien creatures or “grabbers”. Like a giant squid with tentacles, fanged jaws and a three-foot barbed tongue, they’re making mincemeat of the locals. Faced with another imminent attack, O’Shea and Lisa figure out that the only person to survive the last onslaught only did so because he was so drunk his blood was literally toxic to the monsters. So there is only one thing for it: They have to get the entire village as drunk as possible in order to survive the night ... a task that the villagers apply themselves to with gusto. But one person must remain sober so for the first time in years O’Shea has to face up to things without a drink. When things don’t go to plan, an extremely drunk Lisa and a very sober O’Shea have to reconcile their differences and somehow save the day. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! Grab alcohol in the comments section below!

A new trailer has arrived for the upcoming apocalyptic horror comedy The World's End, which ends the trilogy of parody films that started with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and it takes a both a look back and a look ahead. Check it out! The World's End is directed by Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg along with long time buddy Nick Frost, Rosamund Pike, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, and Eddie Marsan. Synopsis 20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hell bent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their home town and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub, The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries. VISIT THE EVILSHOP @ AMAZON! Got news? Click here to submit it! End it all in the comments section below!