Entertainment Earth

9/28/2020

New Season of "Eli Roth's History of Horror Uncut" kicks off with Megan Fox and Bill Hader


‘ELI ROTH’S HISTORY OF HORROR UNCUT’ PODCAST RETURNS FOR NEW SEASON WITH EPISODES FEATURING MEGAN FOX AND BILL HADER

 

LISTEN TO NEW EPISODES ON APPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY AND OTHER PODCAST PLATFORMS NOW

 

September 28, 2020  New York, NY — Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced a second season of Eli Roth’s History of Horror: Uncut, premiering September 28. An extended audio companion to the television series AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth’s History of Horror whose new season premieres on AMC on October 10, the Uncut podcast offers listeners hours of never-before-heard, candid conversations with horror luminaries featured in the show.  The first two episodes showcase in-depth discussions with Megan Fox, whose 2009 film Jennifer’s Body was met with hostility upon release but has since been lauded as modern classic, and Bill Hader, who offers new perspective on his role as the adult Richie Tozier in It Chapter Two. Both episodes are available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms. New episodes will be released every Monday, and the full Uncut season will be available on Shudder later this year. 

 

“The reaction to Season One was beyond my wildest expectations,” said Eli Roth. “We became a top 5 podcast as soon as we debuted, and it shows the overwhelming excitement from the fans to hear these incredible stories directly from the artists. On the TV show, we have to condense everyone into one hour but on the podcast, we can really take our time, hear the full conversation and learn so much more. The stories they tell are fascinating and insightful and really make you see their work through a different lens. I’m so thankful to AMC and Shudder for letting us go much bigger with Season 2. These stories are for all time, and will be enjoyed by generations of fans for years to come”

 

Future episodes will feature actors Nancy Allen (Dressed to Kill) and Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead), filmmakers Ari Aster (Hereditary), Roger Corman (The Masque of the Red Death), Mary Harron (American Psycho), Don Mancini (creator of the Child’s Play franchise), Barbara Muschietti (producer of the It films), Greg Nicotero (showrunner of Creepshow), André Øvredal (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), Eli Roth (Hostel), actor/director/FX master Tom Savini (Friday the 13th), Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys) and Rob Zombie (3 from Hell).

 

Eli Roth's History of Horror Uncut is hosted by Eli Roth featuring interviews conducted by Kurt Sayenga. The podcast is executive produced by Roth, Sayenga, Steven Michaels, Jodi Flynn, Joseph Freed and Allison Berkley. Eli Roth’s History of Horror is produced by The Content Group and Marwar Junction Productions. 

 

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

9/27/2020

The White Swan- Nocturnal Transmission (EP Review)

Musician: The White Swan
Album Title: Nocturnal Transmission
Genre/ Subgenre: Sludge Metal
Label: War Crime Recordings
Release Date: September 18, 2020

The White Swan is a sludge metal group led by Kittie's Mercedes Lander. With Nocturnal Transmission the London, Ontario trio have provided us with an atmospheric take on relationships and love. 

This EP consists of three original tracks and one cover song. The songs mix sludgy music with fuzzed out guitar riffs and Lander's powerful and, sometimes, almost pained vocals. The opening track is "In Love and Ritual". It has a droning, drag through the mud sound with almost ethereal vocals on Lander's part. The title song is next and is my favorite. It has a heavy and truly crunching Black Sabbath influence with flourishes of alt and grunge thrown in, particularly in Lander's haunting and tragic sounding voice. It has an amazing and soaring lead break at the end, that raises the track's technical bar. Next is "Purple", which has a beautiful and psychedelics intro that heads into slow and doomy riffing. It's a wonderful song that mixes the trippy with the heavy. The album closes off with an awesome cover of Tracy Bonham's "Tell It To The Sky". The song is beautiful, haunting, and soaring, all while adding in their sludgy, slow, and buzzing riffs and style. It makes for a song that one can just zone out to. And, honestly, it's my second favorite on the EP.

As soon, as I heard of Mercedes Lander's involvement with this band and album, I was really excited for it. While, sludge metal isn't one of my go to sub-genres, I really enjoyed the hell out of Nocturnal Transmission. It's a doomy, slow, and, at times, psychedelic zone out. I look forward to hearing more from them, but for now, these four songs more than satisfies that need.

 

3.5 out of 5

9/24/2020

Shudder Highlights: October 2020



2020’s ALL-NEW GHOUL LOG — October 1

Halloween’s answer to the Christmas Yule Log, the Ghoul Log is: a 24/7 streaming jack-o’-lantern (available on demand as a Shudder TV feed ‘round the clock) that offers the perfect ambience for all your Halloween festivities. This year’s edition has been lovingly crafted by a fan-favorite filmmaker who knows a thing or two about the holidayVisit Shudder October 1 for the big reveal… (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ

 

JOE BOB’S HALLOWEEN HIDEAWAY — October 23 at 9pm ET

Horror host and drive-in movie expert Joe Bob has left the trailer park behind in favor of a more remote retreat, but he’s still ready to serve up a double feature of films hand-picked for your Halloween enjoyment. Premieres live on the ShudderTV feed Friday, October 23, and will be made available on demand on Monday, October 26. (Also in Shudder Canada)

 

THE CREEPSHOW HALLOWEEN SPECIAL — October 26

Though Greg Nicotero and his team are hard at work shooting season 2 (coming in 2021), they’ve crafted a fully animated Creepshow special for us just in time for Halloween, featuring two tales to die for: “Survivor Type,” based on the short story by Stephen King and adapted by Nicotero, stars Kiefer Sutherland (24Designated Survivor) as a man determined to stay alive alone on a deserted island no matter what the cost. “Twittering from the Circus of the Dead,” based on the short story by Joe Hill and adapted by Melanie Dale, stars Joey King (The Kissing BoothThe Act) as a teen whose family road trip includes a visit to the gravest show on earth. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ

 

SHUDDER ORIGINAL/EXCLUSIVE MOVIES

 

SCARE ME — October 1

Sundance 2020 Official Selection. During a power outage, two strangers tell scary stories. The more Fred and Fanny commit to their tales, the more the stories come to life in the dark of a Catskills cabin. The horrors of reality manifest when Fred confronts his ultimate fear: Fanny may be the better storyteller. Starring Aya Cash, Josh Ruben and Chris Redd. Directed by Josh Ruben. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ) Trailer: https://youtu.be/NeYWT7CnFK0 

 

THE CLEANSING HOUR — October 8

Max and Drew are millennial entrepreneurs who’ve made themselves famous with a webcast they created called “The Cleansing Hour,” which streams live exorcisms. The catch? Each ceremony is elaborately staged to look real in order to dupe their global audience—until today, when today’s subject, Drew’s fiancé, actually turns out to be possessed. Starring Ryan Guzman, Kyle Gallner, Alix Angelis. Directed by Damien LeVeck. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ) Trailer:  https://youtu.be/mUGfkayica4 

 

THE MORTUARY COLLECTION — October 15

A young drifter applies for a job at the local mortuary and meets an eccentric mortician who chronicles the strange history of the town through a series of twisted tales, each more terrifying than the last. Starring Clancy Brown, Caitlin Custer, Barak Hardley, Christine Kilmer and Jacob Elordi. Directed by Ryan Spindell. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ)

 

32 MALASANA STREET — October 22

It’s 1976. The Olmedo family has left the countryside for a new life in Madrid. But their new home becomes a house of horrors in this hit supernatural thriller based on actual paranormal events. Starring Begoña Vargas, Iván Marcos, Bea Segura, Sergio Castellanos, José Luis de Madariaga, Iván Renedo, Javier Botet. Directed by Alberto Pintó. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ)

 

MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU TOO — October 29

Timo Tjahjanto has made a name for himself as one of the world’s most exciting horror directors, with standout segments in anthology films The ABCs of Death and V/H/S/ 2, and features like supernatural thrill ride May the Devil Take You and action extravaganza The Night Comes for Us. Now Tjahjanto returns with a sequel to his unforgettable 2018 hit. Two years after escaping from demonic terror, a young woman is still haunted by unnatural visions. The dangers that await her and her friends grow as a figure of darkness rises, threatening to take their lives. Starring Chelsea Islan, Widika Sidmore, Baskara Mahendra and Hadijah Shahab. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)

 

SHUDDER’S HALLOWEEN HOTLINE

 

EVERY FRIDAY IN OCTOBER FROM 3-4PM ET

For the second year, Shudder’s head curator, Samuel Zimmerman, will be offering callers live, personalized picks for what to watch every Friday in October. Movie lovers from around the world are invited to call Sam (via a new number to be announced) Fridays from 3-4pm ET, share their mood or taste, and from that information, Sam will use his horror knowledge to select films from Shudder’s vast library for them. (Read a recap of last year’s hotline recommendations.)

 

We can’t promise every call will be answered, but Sam will get to as many as he can during each hour. While the recommendations are provided for free, please note that normal phone and long-distance charges may apply.

 

NEW COLLECTIONS FOR OCTOBER

 

“THE PRICE OF FRIGHT”  — OCTOBER 1

Terror, thy name is Price! In film history, few actors have been as closely associated with horror as Vincent Price, and for good reason. Price presented a unique brand of intelligence and refinement underscored with a delight in the macabre and a touch of madness. This Halloween, we are thrilled (and chilled) to present five classic films starring “the Merchant of Menace.”

 

Featuring three of Price’s acclaimed Edgar Allan Poe films directed by Roger Corman—The Fall of the House of UsherThe Masque of the Red Death and The Tomb of Ligeia—along with Theater of Blood (co-starring Diana Rigg) and The Monster Club (premiering Oct. 5) with John Carradine and Donald Pleasence. (Oct. 1 titles also available on Shudder Canada)

 

ALL NEW TITLES FOR OCTOBER

 

October 1

“THE PRICE OF FRIGHT” (see above for details)

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Director: Roger Corman)

THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (Director: Roger Corman)

THE TOMB OF LIGEIA (Director: Roger Corman)

THEATER OF BLOOD (Director: Douglas Hickox)

(Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

FROM BEYOND (Director: Stuart Gordon)

The Resonator, a powerful machine that can control the sixth sense, has killed its creator and sent his associate into an insane asylum. But when a psychiatrist becomes determined to continue the experiment, she unwittingly opens the door to a hostile parallel universe. Starring Barbara Crampton, Carolyn Purdee-Gordon, Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree, Ted Sorel (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

THE GHOUL LOG (see above for details) 

 

HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES (Director: Rob Zombie)

This gore fest follows two young couples on their quest to find the truth about a mythical character known only as "Dr. Satan." Set in rural Texas in the 1970s, the group gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves stranded in an all-too-realistic house of horrors. The introduction to Zombie's now-cult Firefly clan, the director's debut remains a vicious funhouse imbued with the savage quality of 70s terror. Starring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, Karen Black, Rainn Wilson (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

SCARE ME (see above for details) 

 

October 5

THE DEEPER YOU DIG (Directors: Toby Poser, John Adams)

14-year old Echo and her mother Ivy, a tarot card reader, live a quiet life in a rural area. When reclusive Kurt moves down the road to restore an abandoned farmhouse, an accident leads to Echo’s murder, and suddenly three lives collide in mysterious and wicked ways.  Starring John Adams, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams 

 

THE MONSTER CLUB (Director: Roy Ward Baker) — Part of “The Price of Fright” Collection

A vampire invites a horror writer to a very exclusive gathering to share tales of the macabre, each adapted from stories by R. Chetwynd-Hayes. Starring Vincent Price, John Carradine, Donald Pleasence, Barbara Kellerman

 

WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (Director: Chris LaMartina)

In 1987, a TV news team tried to contact spirits in a haunted house. But something went wrong. Three decades later, the recording of this spooky special has finally surfaced and viewers can now see what really went on that fateful night - complete with commercials! Think Grindhouse meets Paranormal Activity and you’ll know what to expect from this hilarious parody of found footage horror. Starring Paul Fahrenkopf, Aaron Henkin, Nicolette le Faye (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)

 

October 8

THE CLEANSING HOUR (see above for details) 

 

October 12

MOHAWK (Director: Ted Geoghegan)

After a member of her tribe sets an American soldiers’ camp ablaze, a young female Mohawk finds herself pursued by a ruthless band of renegades bent on revenge. Fleeing deep into the woods, Mohawk youths Oak and Calvin confront the bloodthirsty Colonel Holt and his soldiers. As the Americans seem to close in from all sides, the trio must summon every resource, both real and supernatural, as the brutal attack escalates. Starring Kaniehtiio Horn, Ezra Buzzington, Eamon Farren  (Also available on Shudder ANZ)

 

October 15

THE MORTUARY COLLECTION (see above for details) 

 

October 19

SLEEP TIGHT (Director: Jaume Balagueró)

A deranged doorman becomes obsessed with making a woman's life pure and utter hell. Acclaimed director Jaume Balagueró (the REC series) serves up an unnerving tale of obsession and torment that delivers nonstop thrills right up to its shocking conclusion. Starring Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan (Also available on Shudder Canada)

 

THEM (ILS) (Director: David Moreau)

A group of hooded strangers stalk a couple in this French horror film par excellance. Critically acclaimed upon its release, Them—along with films like High TensionInside, and Martyrs—hooked the rest of the world on gruesome Gallic gore-fests. Starring Olivia Bonamy, Michael Cohen, Adriana Mocca

 

October 22

32 MALASANA STREET (see above for details) 

 

October 23

JOE BOB’S HALLOWEEN HIDEAWAY (see above for details) 

 

October 26

THE CREEPSHOW HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (see above for details) 

 

October 29

MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU TOO (see above for details) 

 

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ABOUT SHUDDER:

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. To experience Shudder commitment-free for 7 days, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

9/22/2020

Shudder Has Surpassed 1 Million Subscribers!



DRIVEN BY ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING, AMC NETWORKS’ SHUDDER SURPASSES ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS

September 22, 2020 — New York, NY — AMC Networks’ SHUDDER, the premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today it has surpassed a major milestone and is now streaming to more than one million members. The streaming service saw a surge in usage and new memberships that began with the debut of its original series Creepshow last September, and has continued throughout 2020 with its second hit original series, Cursed Films, and a lineup of acclaimed original films that includes The RoomZThe Beach House and Host, among others.

 

“The addition of original series and movies turbocharged our growth and turned Shudder into a must-have service for anyone interested in great horror, thriller or supernatural entertainment,” said Miguel Penella, AMC Networks SVOD President. “Our relentless focus on quality programming, innovative content and finding the best up-and-coming creators has enabled Shudder to break out in the crowded world of subscription services. Shudder’s success comes as our other targeted SVOD services—Acorn TV, Sundance Now and UMC—continue their strong subscriber growth momentum by super-serving passionate fans with the content they love the most.”

 

Shudder has frequently been recognized as one of the best targeted streaming services due to its quality collection of exclusives, originals and genre classics, and its unparalleled selection of independent horror films from around the world. According to Rotten Tomatoes, 3 of the top 4 horror films released in 2020 are Shudder films, including the #1 movie of the year, the Zoom-based quarantine horror film Host, which was written and shot in just 12 weeks during quarantine. 

 

Shudder’s first original scripted series, Creepshow, broke all of the streamer’s viewership records when it debuted in 2019, and finished as the top-reviewed new horror series across all networks and streamers that year. Creepshow is currently in production on season 2. Meanwhile, Shudder’s hosted movie show The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs continued to be a social media phenomenon, with new episodes typically trending #1 on Twitter on the night they debut.

 

Shudder’s growth has also been fueled by a string of successful launches on new platforms and in new territories. In August, Shudder debuted in Australia and New Zealand, further expanding its international reach which includes the U.S., Canada, Germany, the UK, and Ireland. In the U.S., Shudder has recently launched on Roku Channels, Charter/Spectrum, DISH and Sling.

 

Shudder is widely available through its own apps on web, mobile, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Xbox, as well as through Apple TV Channels in the US and Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada and UK.

 

Shudder is the second of AMC Networks’ suite of SVOD services to surpass the one million subscriber milestone, following Acorn TV which reached that mark last September. Together, AMC Networks’ SVOD services are expected to reach between 3.5-4 million subscribers by year-end 2020.

 

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ABOUT SHUDDER

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit www.shudder.com.

 

ABOUT AMC NETWORKS

Known for its groundbreaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on ad-supported cable television for ten consecutive years, as well as Portlandia, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now, Acorn TV and UMC; and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.

9/21/2020

Jillian Janson Receives NightMoves Nomination For Best Female Performer

The hardcore hottie is in the running for her 5th trophy from the annual awards show.

(HOLLYWOOD, CA) Popular adult actress Jillian Janson (https://twitter.com/XOJillianJanson) lands a 2020 NightMoves Award nomination for Best Female Performer. The celebrated seductress is a definite contender to take home an award at the 28th annual NightMoves event. Jillian's already impressive filmography has seen fiery new entries over the past year, as she's shown her sex skills in recent releases from Evil Angel, Tushy, and Brazzers. NightMoves have recognized the brunette beauty as a nominee in the Best Female Performer category of the fan-voted event.
 
"I am honored to be nominated for a NightMoves award," said Jillian"The show and experience hold a special place in my heart! I encourage my fans and friends to vote!"
 
Online voting for the 28th Annual NightMoves has begun and continues through Thursday, October 15th. Fans can show their support for Jillian and cast their vote on the official NightMoves website: https://nightmovesonline.com/vote-now/. The winners will be announced on Sunday, November 8th, 2020.
 
Should Jillian win the Best Female Performer award, this would be the second time she won the title and her fifth overall trophy. In 2015 Jillian won her first NightMoves Award, which was the Best Female Performer category. In 2017 she took home the Best Body title and in 2019, Best Feature Dancer. Also, in 2019, Jillian was honored with the NightMoves Hall of Fame trophy.
 
Everyone looking to show Jillian their appreciation for her performances can do so by heading to the NightMoves website and vote for her as Best Female Performer!
 
 
Jillian Janson is represented by Matrix Models
www.matrixmodels.com
john@matrixmodels.com
310-795-5006
 
To book Jillian Janson for a feature dance appearance, please visit:
www.TheLeeNetwork.com
 
To interview Jillian Janson for your website and/or publication;
Please contact Star Factory PR:
(818) 732-0191
Info@StarFactoryPR.com
 
A Press Release by
Star Factory PR
StarFactoryPR.com
@StarFactoryPR
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9/18/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1986

I thought that 1985 was an amazing year for the genre, but 1986 might actually beat it. The amount of legit classic movies contained in '86 is fucking staggering. While it is an absolutely and possibly definitive year for sci-fi/ horror (half the movies here fall under some type of film in this sub-genre), in particular, other styles and sub-genres of horror were also well represented. Plus, practical FX reach an all time high with much of the work I picked here, especially in terms of the top two movies.

Honorable Mentions:
Chopping Mall
Combat Shock 
Critters
Witchboard
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 

10. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives- Fast paced and with a sense of humor, this is easily the best of the Friday sequels. The character of Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews), the hotness of Jennifer Cooke and other babes, and great music by Alice Cooper add to the fun. Plus, the beginning is one of the best starts to any slasher flick. 


9. Psycho III- While, most tend to prefer the second film, when it comes to the sequels, I prefer this one. It's a fun little flick, with some good kills, and great acting, especially from Anthony Perkins (who also does a fine job directing this flick) and Jeff Fahey. 
8. The Hitcher- A violent, exciting, and intense mix of action, horror, and thriller, this flick is an intense, good time. It also features an excellently chilling performance by the late, great Rutger Hauer as the psychotic killer. It earns itself extra points by having one of the most brutal and memorable kills of the 80's without showing anything.  
7. Blue Velvet- David Lynch's haunting and disturbing genre bender, mixing elements of drama, neo-noir, and psychological horror, is one of the most unforgettable movies of the 80s. Its tale of evil and corruption lurking within small-town America became one of Lynch's favorite subjects, in particular with Twin Peaks. The acting is phenomenal, especially from a chilling and menacing Dennis Hopper as psychopath Frank Booth. This is one that will stay with you with well after the movie is done. 
6. From Beyond- Stuart Gordon's gruesome and excellently made sci-fi/ horror movies is his second best film. It has great acting from its cast and the amazing FX are jaw-dropping in quality (especially when you realize that is a low budget flick). Said FX help to deliver some excellent and gruesome gore. While, the beautiful Barbara Crampton provides some amazing eye candy, especially in a S&M outfit, that she famously wears.
5. Night of the Creeps- Fred (The Monster Squad) Dekker's cult classic has everything you could ever want from a genre flick. These being: horror homages (including naming characters after horror and sci-fi directors), aliens, killer slugs, quotable quotes, zombies, action, Tom Atkins (in what might be his best and most badass role), and nudity, including that of gorgeous, lead actress (a true horror rarity!) Jill Whitlow . It is a movie close to my heart, and one I can heavily relate to. And, it only gets better with age!
4. Class of Nuke 'Em High- To me, this sci-fi/ horror/ comedy splatterfest is Troma's best flick. Lloyd Kaufman's funny, wild, and fast paced classic is filled with all the things that make this kind of movie great: gore, slime, monsters, punks, nudity, and babes (my personal favorite being Theo Cohen playing bad punk hottie Muffey) galore. It's also uproariously funny with the kind of wonderfully unPC humor that only Troma can provide us with.
3. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer- John McNaughton's masterpiece is one of the most chilling, disturbing, and horrifically realistic serial killer movies ever made, as well as one of the finest movies in the entire genre. It's elevated to the stratosphere, thanks to the great acting from the three leads, especially Michael Rooker as the title character (inspired by real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, of course). The hard to watch home invasion scene will haunt you forever. 
2. The Fly- To me, this is David Cronenberg's best film, which is honestly saying a lot, as well as being my favorite remake. This near perfect masterpiece has flawless acting (especially from Jeff Goldblum), a great script, expert directing (I mean it is fucking Cronenberg, after all!), and some of the greatest practical FX you will ever see. Said FX are stomach churning, yet the movie is also profound, moving, intelligent, fully enthralling, and, at times, nightmarish. Beyond its graphic gore, the movie achieves many other great moments, like Seth Brundle's (Goldblum) talk about "insect politics". Scenes like this rank among the finest of any horror or sci-fi movie. As a matter of fact, as great as the original is, this film is even better!


1. Aliens- This master classic from James Cameron is the rarest of the rare. For not only is it a superior sequel, but it is also a perfect movie. No movie in the history of cinema does a better job of mixing action, sci-fi, and horror. It's practical FX are some of the greatest ever, including what might be the greatest monster in all of horror (and beyond!): the Alien Queen. The score by James Horner is one of my all time favorites. Then, there is the excellent acting from the awesome cast, and the great character that they bring to life. Most especially amazing is Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the greatest heroine/ final girl in ALL of horror cinema. The film is exciting, adrenaline pumping, scary, yet filled with heart and soul, it is fucking everything, and then some. I could go on and on, but you can read a further dive into my love for it here


Is 1986 the best year in the 80's (and beyond possibly) for horror? I think it is. Let me know if you agree or disagree in the comments section below. Also, let me know your picks for the best of this year. And, check out my picks for the preceding years in the links below:

9/13/2020

Incantation- Sect of Vile Divinities (Album Review)

Musicians: Incantation
Album Title: Sect of Vile Divinities 
Genre/ Subgenre: Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: August 21, 2020

Incantation are a classic death metal band that have been around for over thirty years. While, they haven't ever reached the popularity of bands like Cannibal Corpse or Morbid Angel, they remain a consistent and highly respected death metal machine. Specializing, usually, in a slower doom influenced style sound, Incantation continue to deliver the goods on their latest release, Sect of Vile Divinities.

The second track off of the album is the slow, heavy, and driving "Propitiation". It takes a little over two minutes for the vocals to kick. But, it's at this point that the song also really kicks in, with a wicked and very cool little riff that is dispersed in the track. I also really like the soaring lead, which plays awesomely against the slower more stomach crunching sounds. The blazing "Chant of Formless Dead" shows the band are just as brutal, if not more so, when they kick speed into full gear. It is an all out attack of blast beats and ripping guitars. The leads here are some of the coolest that I have heard this year. The song, itself, mixes exciting and vicious tempos shifts. My favorite track is probably the aptly named "Fury's Manifesto", as it is an unrelenting and pissed off, brutal attack. The utter and brain beating heaviness displayed here will make your ears fucking bleed. 

Incantation have delivered a brutal, old school death metal release in Sect of Divinities. Going between slower and crushing to fast and unrelenting (many times with a single song), the album is evil and unrepentant in its power to blast you with its brutal sounds. Ranking among the heaviest old death metal albums released this year, it just goes to show that Incantation remain one of the fucking best acts in extreme metal to this very day.


4 out of 5 

9/12/2020

The 10 Best Horror Movies of 1985

Right off the bat, I have to say that 1985 is one of the best years for horror releases ever. Pound for pound it is the best year I have done so far, and honestly it'll be hard to beat (though 1986, I know to be a great year as well). The quality of the movies listed here is incredibly high with everything from the seventh ranked movie and beyond being of excellent quality or greater! And, as you will see from the top three movies, 1985 is also THE definitive year for zombie movies.

Honorable Mention:
Night Train to Terror

10. Cats Eye-
This is an entertaining anthology based on Stephen King (who also wrote the screenplay) short stories and directed by Lewis (Cujo) Teague, that is extremely fun and easy to like. The second story, "The Ledge", is the best one, at least in my humble opinion.

9. The Stuff- Who would've ever thought that a movie about living, killer yogurt could be so good? Then again, it is from Larry Cohen! This flick of his maybe cheesy and fun flick, but it's also a smart commentary on consumerism. One that also happens to be funny, slimy, messy, and well acted.
8. Naked Vengeance- There is no doubt in my mind that this movie borrows elements from I Spit on Your Grave, but it, nonetheless, manages to add its own twist one the rape/ revenge sub-genre. The film is fast paced, engaging, bloody, and will have you cheering for the heroine. A highly underrated and under-seen movie, it is highly worthy of rediscovery on the now sadly out of print Scream Factory Blu-ray.

7. Lifeforce- Tobe Hooper's exciting, imaginative, erotic, sexy, and wild sci-fi/ horror epic has garnered a well deserved cult following in the years since its release. The FX, the score, the absolutely kick ass climax, crazy ass plot, great cast, and Matilda May's glorious and amazing full frontal nudity makes this a classic that only gets better with age. The amazing director's cut is an even better viewing experience.

6. Phenomena (AKA Creepers)- This is the first Dario Argento movie, I ever saw with knowledge of who he was (albeit in its butchered American version of Creepers). As such, it holds a very special place in my heart. It is a film that has aged wonderfully, on top of being a wild and incredibly original mix of supernatural horror and giallo. The film is stunning looking film and complemented by the natural beauty of Jennifer Connelly. In it she play Jennifer Corvino, a girl that can talk to and control insects. I had a childhood crush on her because of this flick, which also drips with style and gore. The amazing soundtrack features Claudio Simonetti and metal gods Motorhead and Iron Maiden. Beyond all of this, it also has a heroic chimp with a razor, Donald Pleasance, Dario Nicoldi, and more awesome shit that I don't spoil for those who never saw it. 

5. Demons- This motherfucker is one rollicking cinematic experience. It has every single thing I could ask for in a movie: graphic gore, unrelenting action, kick ass heavy metal and hard rock music, demonic monsters, and gorgeous Italian women. Directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento (they both also co-wrote the movie along with Franco Ferrini and Dardano Sacchetti), this is one of the true classics among Italian horror. 
4. Fright Night- This Tom Holland masterpiece is impossibly fun, wild, and highly imaginative, making it one of the greatest vampire movies ever made. The excellent cast all play lively characters, in particular Chris Sarandon as one of cinema's greatest vampire villains. I also love how it pays loving tribute to Hammer horror movies, especially with its Peter Cushing/ Vincent Price inspired character of Peter Vincent played wonderfully by Roddy McDowall. And, it modernizes it, at least, in part, with excellent 80s splatter FX. This is particularly true in the amazing climax, one of the best anywhere. To top it all of, it has a great score by Brad (Terminator) Fidel.


 3. The Return of the Living Dead- This is unquestionably one of the greatest  zombie movies, as well as one of the best horror/ comedies ever made. The film is fast paced, fun, funny, and gory. One of the aspects that really helps the film work so well is that it takes the horror seriously and as a legitimate threat. Yet, it still manages to be funny. Adding to the fun are the cool punk characters and the ass kicking punk rock soundtrack. Plus, it has hot babes, including a naked Linnea Quigley, great acting, and quotable quotes. All of this helps make RotLD a movie that only gets better with age!
2. Day of the Dead- Though it wasn't appreciated at its time of release, George Romero's third entry into what was then his Living Dead Trilogy has deservedly become a classic in its own right. This flick is intelligent and has some of the best characterization, dialogue, and acting of any Romero film. Yet, the movie is also righteously gory, with its chunk-blowing splatter FX ranking among Tom Savini's greatest work. The results make this masterpiece one of the finest genre works of the 80's.
1. Re-Animator- Full disclosure, Stuart Gordon take on HP Lovecraft's Re-Animator is my favorite movie of all time (of any genre). This tale of zombies and mad scientists changed my life forever, made me want to get into film, and is the type of movie that I live for. After all, it is a perfect film, a blood drenched and splatter-filled cinematic gift. Every single thing works to perfection, even the score that rips-off of Psycho works. The acting from the great cast is excellent. They all play memorable characters and many get to deliver quotable quotes. The flick is also funny, fun, and drips with gore that rates on easy 10 on the splatter-meter. The FX done by the late, great John Carl Beuchler are incredible, especially when you take into account that it is quite a low budget flick. I also love that it dares to go where other horror movies would never, in particular in the classic and infamous head scene involving Dr. Hill, his decapitated cranium, and one of the most beautiful women in the world Barbara Crampton  (fully nude, might I add). In all, Re-Animator is an absolute fucking masterpiece.   

What are your favorite horror movies of 1985? Let me know in the comments section below. Also be sure to catch up on the rest of the best horror movies of the 80's by clicking on the links below:

9/10/2020

Shudder Announces the Start of Production on Season Two of "Creepshow"!


Anna Camp, Keith David, Ashley Laurence, Josh McDermitt & Adam Pally Set to Star in Episodes Directed by Series Showrunner Greg Nicotero

NEW YORK, NY – September 10, 2020 – Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced the start of production on the highly-anticipated second season of its hit series Creepshow in Atlanta, Georgia. The anthology series, which shattered all Shudder records when it debuted last October, is executive produced by showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) and based on George A. Romero’s iconic 1982 movie. The six-episode second season will premiere exclusively on Shudder in 2021. The show is following all safety guidelines and protocols in accordance with SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, TEAMSTERS, CDC and state and local guidance. 

“I’ve never been happier to get behind the camera as I am today.  After missing our shoot date in March by just over 48 hours, season 2 of Creepshow hits the ground running as cameras begin to roll. The cast and crew have a level of excitement and enthusiasm I’ve never seen before and it’s inspiring. So many of us in the entertainment industry have been waiting for the day we can begin to do what we do best—to have some fun together creating new worlds, new adventures and new thrills,” said Nicotero.  
   
“Season one was a monster hit for us, setting viewership records across the board while becoming the best-reviewed new horror series of 2019. For season 2, Greg Nicotero and his team have outdone themselves with bigger and bolder stories, new incredible creature designs, and clever twists that truly live up to the show's tagline, 'The Most Fun You'll Have Being Scared’,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager.

Shudder also revealed initial details about four of this season’s segments, which will be directed by Greg Nicotero. Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect) and Adam Pally (The Mindy Project) will star in “Shapeshifters Anonymous” Parts 1 and 2, written by Greg Nicotero, based on a short story by J.A. Konrath (Last Call) about an unlucky soul who finds himself in need of a werewolf support group; Keith David (The Thing), Ashley Laurence (Hellraiserand Josh McDermitt (The Walking Dead) will star in “Pesticide,” written by Frank Dietz (I Hate Kids), in which an exterminator makes an infernal bargain; and “Model Kid,” written by returning Creepshow writer John Esposito (season one’s “Night of the Paw”), is about a 12-year-old monster fan who turns to hand-built model kits to escape his unhappy reality. Additional titles, casting and directors will be announced soon.

In its first season, Creepshow smashed records for Shudder in number of viewers, new subscriber sign-ups and total minutes streamed to become the most watched program in Shudder history, followed by a successful run on AMC. The show was a hit with critics as well as fans as one of 2019’s best-reviewed new genre series, with a 97% Fresh rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes®.  The inaugural season starred David Arquette, Adrienne Barbeau, Tobin Bell, Big Boi, Jeffrey Combs, Kid Cudi, Bruce Davison, Giancarlo Esposito, Dana Gould, Tricia Helfer and DJ Qualls and featured adaptations of stories by Stephen King, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Josh Malerman and others. 

Shudder’s Creepshow is produced by the Cartel with Monster Agency Productions, Taurus Entertainment, and Striker Entertainment: Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, and Eric Woods are executive producers and Geoff Silverman and Anthony Fankhauser are co-executive producers for the Cartel; Greg Nicotero and Brian Witten are executive producers and Julia Hobgood is a co-executive producer for Monster Agency Productions; Robert Dudelson, James Dudelson and Jordan Kizwani are executive producers for Taurus Entertainment; Russell Binder is executive producer and Marc Mostman co-executive producer for Striker Entertainment. 

ABOUT SHUDDER
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

ABOUT THE CARTEL
Founded in 2011 and run by partners Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, Evan Corday, Geoff Silverman, Bradford Bricken and Eric Woods, The Cartel is a feature film and television production, management, and financing company representing top-tier showrunners, show creators, writers, directors, producers and production companies in film, TV and new media. The Cartel has also been involved in more than 90 movie and television productions since inception, including the hit series Creepshow for Shudderthe animated series Twelve Forever for Netflix, and the upcoming Day of the Dead for Syfy. The Cartel previously produced the series Ties That Bind for Up TV, and A Place in the Sun for Discovery as well as several recent feature films, including Switched for Christmas, Jeepers Creepers 3, Christmas Connection, Love at the Shore, Sun Sand and Romance, Love at First Glance, and Wrong Nanny, to name a few. In 2013 The Cartel purchased and renovated Tamarind Lithography Studios, which is their Los Angeles headquarters, as well as a full-service production and post-production complex. The Cartel also has offices in London, England, New York, NY and Winnipeg, Manitoba.      

ABOUT MONSTER AGENCY PRODUCTIONS
Monster Agency Productions is Greg Nicotero’s production company with Head of Television & Film Brian Witten and producer Julia Hobgood.