Entertainment Earth

10/16/2019

In Search of Darkness (Review)


Title: In Search of Darkness
Writer/ Director: David A. Weiner
Cast: Cassandra Peterson, Bill Moseley, John Carpenter, Keith David, Caroline Williams
Min: 260
Year: 2019

In Search of Darkness is a documentary about 80's horror, one of the most beloved eras in genre history. It is broken up by year in the decade and a couple of movies from each year. For example for 1980 we get: The Fog, The Changeling, Friday the 13th, etc. There are cool clips from these and many more movies. We also get segments on make-up FX, the VHS era, holiday slashers, and more. These parts come up between some of the years. The interviews are made up of those who worked on the movies and other horror celebrities, as well as genre writers and experts.

The documentary aims to be the definitive 80's docu. But, is it? No, but while it misses that mark, it comes close. Thankfully it is fun and made with much love and reverence that most of what it does, it does with great success.
The docu is off to a great start as the intro is cool as fuck! All of interviews are excellent. They come off as fun, informative, and revealing. It is also great that aside from the expected folk (John Carpenter, Tom Atkins, Barbara Crampton, etc), we get some cool surprise guests like James (The Angry Video Game Nerd) Rolfe, Corey Taylor of motherfucking Slipknot(!), and the gorgeous Katie Featherston of the Paranormal Activity movies. On a side note, why is this beautiful and talented woman not in more genre fare? That was one of my first thoughts watching this.

Anyway, some of the highlights include: James Rolfe saying that it takes several viewings to appreciate The Shining (so true!). Michael Gingold explaining why The Howling transformation is indeed better than the one in An American Werewolf in London. Joe Bob Briggs clearing up and saying that Tobe Hooper did indeed direct Poltergeist and to stop with the fucking rumor that Spielberg did! Yes, Joe Bob! You truly are one of my heroes! Elvira herself Cassandra Peterson and Darcy (The Last Drive-In) The Mail Girl are also awesome in the section on sex and nudity in 80's horror. These are just some of many awesome parts. I also like that aside from the classics they cover unexpected movies like Ghost Story, The Hunger, The Company of Wolves, and even freaking The Burbs from Joe Dante!

Unfortunately, there are some weird omissions, which bring the docu down from being definitive. The biggest one being Aliens. This becomes terribly clear whenever a movie featuring cast members is discussed like Near Dark and Pumpkinhead. And, even more so when the talk is about horror heroes and final girls. How in the fucking hell do you have this discussion and not mention Aliens and Ellen Ripley? I was honestly flabbergasted! And, don't tell me it is not a horror film, cause that is ignorant. It is certainly more so than The Burb. Which I want to point to out, I am happy to see mentioned but...

And, then there is the omission of foreign movies. How in the fuck does it not talk about Argento and Fulci movies like Phenomena or City of the Living Dead (AKA The Gates of Hell) or stuff from other directors like Stagefright, Demons, Anthropopgaus (Grim Reaper), and Cannibal Ferox (Make Them DIe Slowly). This becomes most apparent when discussing Brain De Palma's Dressed to Kill which is, rightfully, called an American giallo. Yet we don't get talks on Tenebrae or Opera. No documentary can cover every movie but at least some of these should have been here.
In Search of Darkness isn't perfect, but it is damn fucking good. The film is made with such love and affection for the genre, that it made me smile so many times that I lost count. The interviews and those chosen to take part in them are great. Throw in some gory clips and monstrous creatures and you have a winner. Despite, it's lengthy duration at 4 hours and 20 minutes, it is always a blast for horror fans to watch. Even though there are some head scratchily odd omissions, I enjoyed the bloody hell out of this!


3.5 out of 4

10/15/2019

Gwen (Review)

Title: Gwen
Writer/ Director: William McGregor
Cast: Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Mark Lewis Jones, Richard Harrington, Maxine Peake
Min: 84
Year: 2018

Gwen (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) is a worry filled teenager who inhabits a farm in 19th century Snowdonia at the height of the industrial revolution. She lives with her little sis Mari (Jodie Innes) and their hardened and cold mother Elen (Maxine Peake). The young girls are awaiting the return of their dad, who has gone away a long time ago to fight in a war. To say shit ain't going well for the family is an understatement. Their hardships include an ever increasingly serious problems like spoiled potatoes, mutilated sheep, her mom's illness which soon develops into epileptic seizures, and more. On top of this, the local slate mine barons want to buy their land, as their ever expanding business sees the family's land as prime territory. They, though, don't want to give up their farm and land.
Gwen is a historical, Welsh horror film. This quiet bit of genre film-making from writer/ director William McGregor is a good looking and a slow burn. Quiet, in both a literal and figurative manner, but scary in a real life way, this one will please those who enjoy their scares in a more refined and arthouse like manner. It is far more interested in real life horrors than the supernatural, which is, at most, only hinted at. This serves as one of the reasons its scares work so well.

McGregor keeps the movie beautiful looking throughout, as well as having somber feeling of melancholy. The film keeps an air of mystery throughout, sometimes not giving a complete answer if  one, at all. One of the aspects most worthy of admiration for Gwen, is its use of sound. Instead of using a score, it relies on its excellent sound design. This adds tension and unease in some of the movie's most chilling moments.
The movie achieves at least one truly frightening moment with a genuinely well achieved jump scare. This has the rare pay off that actually made this jaded horror viewer jump right the fuck up. The climax zaps full blown intensity and excitement into the proceedings. Meanwhile, the ending is extremely dark and depressing.

The pacing is very slow and some might find themselves bored. But, have patients and the payoff will be well worth. The moment that Elen has her first epileptic seizure was so jarring and shocking that it made me stand right up in attention to what was happening,
The acting is the other key point here. The whole cast is excellent with extra praise going to both Maxine Peake as the domineering mother and  Eleanor Worthington-Cox as the title character. Peake is intimidating in her role. There are hints of her love for her daughters, but many times it is buried under her callousness. Worthington-Cox gives us powerful acting as Gwen. We truly feel for her, as she sometimes tells of the hard life she is dealing with only but a heartbreaking look in her eyes and face. And, speaking of heartbreaking there is one moment that tore mine to shreds. You will know when you see it, as this scene is followed by a moment of violence, that while little is shown, truly got under and inside of me.

Gwen is a slow burn of a quiet horror movie. More interested in historical and real world terror than some crappy CGI ghost, it really does achieve a nice level of creepiness. The movie always looks good and has some of the finest sound design I've seen this year, on top of excellent acting. To me, this flick is superior to the overrated and pretentious The Witch, a movie with which it shares obvious similarities. It might be very slow, but if you give in you'll find much to admire in this deeply somber chiller. It begins streaming this Thursday, October 17, 2019 on Shudder.


3 out of 4

10/09/2019

Lindsay Schoolcraft- Martyr (Album Review)


Musician: Lindsey Schoolcraft
Album Title: Martyr
Genre/ Subgenre: Gothic Hard Rock/ Metal
Label: Self Released
Release Date: October 7, 2019

Martyr is the solo debut album by Cradle of Filth keyboardist and vocalist Lindsey Schoolcraft. It is co-written by former Evanescence drummer Rocky Gray, and is. in fact, heavily influenced by bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil. The result is the goth hard rock album fellow fans of those bands have been missing in our lives.

The production by Tyler Williams is crisp and clear with a sound that engulfs the listener in the album's haunting beauty. Schoolcraft's signing is beautiful throughout the album. She has an ethereal and haunting quality that makes the music stunning throughout. She puts so much of her heart and soul that one cannot help but be fully captivated listening to her.

The album starts off awesomely with one its strongest tracks, and first single, in "Saviour". The piano intro recalls the aforementioned Evanescence as do the guitars which very much recall bands like that and Lacuna Coil. You will also find yourself signing along with it, especially the catchy chorus, one of my favorites of the year. The gorgeous and evocative "Stranger" will fill your soul with its enthralling power. Also, the production really shines, with the laying down of her beautiful vocals. "Blood from a Stone" recalls the most powerful and stunning ballads from Evanescence. But, never does this album feel like a rip-off, instead, she clearly lets us know who her heroes are. And, yet, at the same time, clearly makes the music all her own. Her signing here feels so pained and will touch the deepest part of you. "See the Light" has a great riff that really drives the song, and I simply love the way her vocals bring in a more melodic feeling mixing in with the rocking sound. The growling guest vocals by Xenoyr gives the song an extra aggressive feel, and is sort of a more straight forward Epica.
I am a long time of both this style of rock and metal and of Schoolcraft herself. She more than delivers the good in the beautiful and powerful Martyr. Just writing this review excites me, as I listen and think of all the great music contained within it. If you are a fan of hard rock like this, it is a simple must have, as well as being one of the most exciting self released albums of the year. Do yourself a favor and order it here.


4 out of 5

10/08/2019

NYCC 2019- Thursday, Part 1: Toys and Collectibles

This past weekend of October 3-6, 2019 marked another awesome edition of New York Comic Con! The first day of it, on Thursday the 3rd, was a fun time. I opted out of doing cosplay on this day (this would be the first time I do a total of 3 days!) and stuck more towards check out the dealers floor, other cosplayers, and buying swag. By the next day, it was clear that I had picked the right day to just do that. Anywho, let's take a look at some of what I thought were the coolest toys and collectibles.
X-Plus had a lot of cool and beautiful high-end statues. Of course, it is the horror and monster stuff, especially the Godzilla ones, caught my attention the most!

 





As always, Mezco has some great figures coming out. Here are some of my favorites:



 

Here are some other collectibles that I loved:





As, I said this was my shopping day, so I got most of my swag. They are as follows:

- A Diamond Select Godzilla 1989 bank. this was the deal of the day, as I got it for only $20! it usually goes for about $35! The guy from one of the comic booths, said it's just a bank, albeit a great looking one. I agree, but too many charge like it was something more...

- FYE booth:
  • FYE exclsuive bloody Halloween Michael Myers Funko Pop
  • Garbage Pail Kids Adam Bomb (the only one I was missing and a slightly better price than most places)
  • a NYCC/ FYE exclusive Astronaut Snoopy long-sleeve
- TeeTurtle- a con exclusive "I tried" Panda tee

- Entertainment Earth- a NYCC debut WWE Smackdown The Rock Gold Funko Pop


NEXT Part: Cosplay!!

10/01/2019

Toxic Holocaust- Primal Future: 2019 (Album Review)

Musician: Toxic Holocaust
Album Title: Primal Holocaust: 2019
Genre/ Subgenre: Thrash metal/ Crossover Thrash
Label: Entertainment One (eOne)
Release Date: October 4, 2019

After a six year hiatus, with the last release being 2013's Chemistry of Conscious, Joel Grind's one-man crossover thrash machine of Toxic Holocaust is back with Primal Future: 2019. And, with it, he has crafted his best work yet! The fact that he sang, played all the instruments, mixed, and mastered it, makes this all the more impressive.

The crossover sound is at full blast in this kick your fucking teeth in release. Fast and furious, as the album title and cool as fuck album artwork, by Steve Crisp, hint at, the thematic element here is a dystopian technological conquest. And, like an attack from Skynet, this fucker will blow away!

The second track, "Black Out the Code", has a badass riff that truly drives this fucking killer banger, Lightning fast and shredding to the ninth degree, it recalls early Megadeth and Venom in its unrelenting fury. The mysterious and haunting intro to the title track feels like it would be right at home in a dystopian science fiction thriller like The Road Warrior or The Terminator. Then, the chugging music comes and you will not be able to resist to bang your head right along to it. The menacing and apocalyptic lyrics add a dark and terrifying feel in keeping with the technological terror theme. The full blown speed and metal fury of "Iron Cage" recalls a very technically sound version of Discharge. It's punk like heart will really please those lovers of crossover. The rollicking groove and vinegar and piss of "Controlled by Fear" makes for what is probably my favorite track on this one. It's sure to get that motherfucking pit going!
It has been way too long since we have had a Toxic Holocaust release, but with Primal Holocaust: 2019, they have surpassed all my expectations. Not only is the best album ever put out by TH, but one of the very best thrash releases of 2019. And, considering the releases we have had in this style of metal this year, this is no small feet. Recalling early Metallica and Megadeth, Venom, Nuclear Assault, Discharge, and others in various parts and tracks, this one is sure to please those who miss the glory days of metal's greatest subgenre. So throw on your denim battle jacket. get ready to jump in the pit, and listen to the fuck out of this absolute scorcher of a release!


4.5 out of 5

9/30/2019

Shudder October 2019 Highlights

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OCTOBER 2019 U.S. HIGHLIGHTS 

NEW SERIES

CREEPSHOW: A SHUDDER ORIGINAL SERIES (Thursdays through 10/31) 
The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have Being Scared! From showrunner Greg Nicotero (​The Walking Dead​) comes a new Shudder Original anthology horror series based on the iconic 1982 film written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero. 

  • Oct. 3    Ep. 2: “Bad Wolf Down” / “The Finger”
  • Oct. 10  Ep. 3: “All Hallows’ Eve” / “The Man in the Suitcase”
  • Oct. 17  Ep. 4: “The Companion” / “Lydia Layne’s Better Half”
  • Oct. 24  Ep. 5: “Night of the Paw” / “Times is Tough in Musky Holler”
  • Oct. 31 Ep. 6: “Skincrawlers” /  “By the Silver Waters of Lake Champlain” 


Featuring episodes directed by Nicotero, Roxanne Benjamin (Body at Brighton Rock), David Bruckner (The Ritual), John Harrison (Book of Blood), Tom Savini (1990‘s Night of the Living Dead) and Rob Schrab (Community), and starring David Arquette (Scream franchise), Big Boi (a.k.a. Antwan Patton), Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), Kid Cudi (a.k.a. Scott Mescudi), Bruce Davison (X-Men), Dana Gould (Stan Against Evil), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) and DJ Qualls (The Man in the High Castle).

CHANNEL ZERO: THE DREAM DOOR (premieres Thursday, 10/10)
Based on the “creepypasta” short story “Hidden Door” by Charlotte Bywater, Channel Zero: The Dream Door follows newlyweds Jillian (Maria Sten) and Tom (Brandon Scott), who have each brought secrets into their marriage. When they discover a strange door in their basement, those secrets start to threaten their relationship — and their lives. With Steven Weber, Steven Robertson and Barbara Crampton, directed by E.L. Katz (Cheap Thrills). 

With the premiere of The Dream Door, Shudder will be the exclusive streaming home for all four seasons of the groundbreaking Channel Zero series. 

In addition, the final episodes of NOS4A2’s first season will be released on Shudder on 10/3 & 10/10.

SHUDDER ORIGINAL & EXCLUSIVE TITLES

THE FURIES (premieres Thursday, 10/3)
Rebellious high school students Kayla and her best friend Maddie find themselves abducted by a sinister presence and stalked, along with six other women, by men in terrifying masks. Starring Airlie Dodds, Linda Ngo and Taylor Ferguson, directed by Tony D'Aquino. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE (Also available on Shudder Canada)


Please note that in addition to its Shudder premiere, the film will have its Australian premiere later this month at MonsterFest, http://www.monsterfest.com.au/australia/program/the-furies/, ahead of its theatrical release there.   

GWEN (premieres Thursday, 10/17)
In this stark and atmospheric tale, Gwen is a young girl struggling with her mother’s mysterious illness, her father's absence and the suspicious local community that has turned on them. Somehow Gwen must find the strength to guide her family through the darkness and overcome the evil that is taking grip of her home. Starring Maxine Peake, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, and Richard Harrington, directed by William McGregor. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada)


HAUNT (premieres Thursday, 10/24)
From producer Eli Roth and written and directed by the writers of ​A Quiet Place​. On Halloween, a group of friends encounter an "extreme" haunted house that promises to feed on their darkest fears. The night turns deadly as they come to the horrifying realization that some nightmares are real. Starring  Katie Stevens, Will Brittain and Lauryn Alisa McClain, directed by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods.
A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE (Also available on Shudder Canada)

NIGHTMARE CINEMA (premieres Tuesday, 10/29)
In this twisted horror anthology directed by a killer lineup of genre legends, five strangers are drawn to an abandoned theater and forced to watch their deepest and darkest fears play out before them. Lurking in the shadows is the Projectionist, who preys upon their souls with his collection of disturbing films. As each reel spins its sinister tale, the characters find frightening parallels to their own lives.​ Starring Mickey Rourke, Richard Chamberlain and Adam Godley, directed by Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead), Joe Dante (​Gremlins), Mick Garris (The Stand​ miniseries), Ryûhei Kitamura (The Midnight Meat Train) and David Slade (B​lack Mirror: Bandersnatch). A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)


SHUDDER SPECIALS

“THE GHOUL LOG” and “SON OF GHOUL LOG” (coming soon)
Set the mood for your Halloween festivities with Shudder’s 24/7 feed of a candlelit Jack-o’-Lantern accompanied by spooky night noises that does for Halloween what the famed Yule Log does for Christmas. Fan favorite The Ghoul Log is back, accompanied by an all-new, creepier sequel handmade by genre icon Larry Fessenden (DepravedHabitUntil Dawn).


TBA Special — Friday, 10/25
Shudder is whipping up a very special Halloween treat that will keep you up into the wee hours. Details coming soon.

NEW MOVIES FOR OCTOBER

September 30
The Taking of Deborah Logan (Director: Adam Robitel)
After months of searching, Mia has found the perfect subject for her PhD thesis film on Alzheimer’s Disease.  For the next several months, cameras will record the everyday life of Deborah Logan and her daughter, Sarah. Mia and her crew will document the physical effects the disease on Deborah, and the emotional and mental toll it takes on Sarah, her primary caregiver. As they begin the filming, the cameras record Deborah and Sarah’s day-to-day activities, with Mia noting the telltale signs of the progressive disease.  As the days progress, strange things begin to happen around Deborah that are not consistent with any findings about Alzheimer’s. Something else has taken control of Deborah’s life, an evil threatens to consume anyone and everyone who try to stop it. Starring: Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay, Michelle Ang  

October 1
Body Bags (Director: John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Larry Sulkis)
A woman works the late shift at “The Gas Station” while a killer is on the loose. A man can’t stand the thought of losing his “Hair” and he’ll do anything to keep it. And finally, a baseball player submits to an “Eye” transplant after he loses an eye in a car accident. Starring: John Carpenter, Stacy Keach, Mark Hamill, Tom Arnold, Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, Roger Corman (Also available on Shudder Canada)

October 7
Ever After (Director: Carolina HellsgÃ¥rd)
Post apocalypse Europe, two years after zombies have overrun Earth, only two citadels of civilization remain in the East German towns of Weimar and Jena. In Weimar, newly infected zombies are shot on site without mercy. The Jena authorities take a more humane approach by trying to find a cure for plague victims. Vivi and Eva, in search of a more humane world, are stranded in the no-mans land of the Black Forest where they have to rely on each other and nature in order to survive. But their survival has also unleashed demons from their past that they must confront. Starring: 
Marco Albrecht, Trine Dyrholm, Gro Swantje Kohlhof

October 14
Wax Mask (Director: Sergio Stivaletti)
In the mid-‘90s, Dario Argento approached a physically and professionally ailing Lucio Fulci to direct one final production, an over-the-top shocker about grisly murders at a Paris wax museum. But when Fulci passed away only weeks before filming was to set to start, Argento turned to Sergio Stivaletti – the FX genius on PHENOMENA, OPERA, DEMONS and CEMETERY MAN – to make his feature-directing debut. Starring: Robert Hossein, Romina Mondello, Riccardo Serventi Longhi, Gabriella Giorgelli, Umberto Balli (Also available on Shudder Canada)

October 16
The Devil’s Rejects (Director: Rob Zombie)
A family of murderous maniacs are pursued by a violent sheriff in Rob Zombie’s brutal sequel to HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES. When the Firefly’s home is raided, three members escape. Enraged over the murder of his brother, Sheriff Wydell hires bounty hunters to track the clan down, leading to mayhem and murder across state lines. Essential Zombie. Starring: Sig Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Ken Foree, Matthew McGrory, William Forsythe, E.G. Daily

October 21
Without Name (Director: Lorcan Finnegan)
Land surveyor Eric travels to a remote, unnamed Irish woodland to assess its suitability for a new development project. However, not all is as simple as it seems on this assignment. Intrigued by the woods’ foreboding mysticism, Eric finds himself drawn into a dangerous game that could lead to him becoming a prisoner of this place without name. Starring: Alan McKenna, Niahm Algar,James Browne, Brendan Conroy (Also available on Shudder Canada)

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9/25/2019

Creeping Death- Wretched Illusions (Album Review)

Musician- Creeping Death
Album Title- Wretched Illusions
Genre/ Subgenre- Death Metal
Label- Entertainment One (eOne)
Release Date- September 27, 2019

Texas death metal band Creeping Death make their much anticipated and truly spectacular full length debut with the unrelenting Wretched Illusions. They have been the talk of the underground in the weeks leading up to this release, and let me say that they are worth all the hype they have been getting and more!

The band's sound has a definitely old school death metal sound with some thrash metal riffs, perfectly fitting their moniker. Just about every song on here is filled with energy and adrenalinized ass kicking.

The flesh shredding "Captivity" has chugging and soaring guitars coupled with the barking, aggressive, and pissed off vocals of Reese. A slower, more doomy part of the song adds an extra kick in the fucking ass. The thrash influence can be heard very clearly in the early part of "Bloodlust Contamination". It reminds me of Possessed with with a galloping groove thrown if for good measure and one hell of a mosh fueling breakdown. Speaking of doom, "Corroded from Within" really slows things down with a dark and menacing feel that will crush you face first on to the concrete. Then, it ratchets up the speed, all while still keeping the slower groove. It's Sepultura meets Obituary in the fucking awesome and unstoppable "World Decay", a thunder-storm like masterpiece that is my favorite track on the album.

I also love the production by Daniel (Power Trip, End Times) Schmuck and mix and mastering by Arthur (Cavalera Conspiracy, Outer Heaven) Rizk. The album has a thick and heavy sound, punctuated by thundering bass and vocals that bark at you with seething rage and menace.
If I could pick one, new band that old school death metal fans should divert all their attention to, then that would be Creeping Death. On what is their debut album, Wretched Illusions, they have given what maybe the best death metal of the year, so far. That dear readers, is one hell of an achievement! Thrashy and fast, yet groove laden and driven, fans of bands like early Sepultura, Obituary, and Bolt Thrower definitely need to buy this album! And, don't be surprised if this massive monster of an album becomes a classic of the genre.


4.5 out of 5