Bleeding Through (2012)

(Online Screener Copy)

by Henrique Couto

Written by Henrique Couto

Stars: Sandy Behre, Ruby LaRocca, Josh Lively, Zane Crosby, Henrique Couto, Justin Channell, Jason Pollock, George Hrab, Andrew N. Shearer, Countess Samela, Adam Dunhoff.

Bleeding Through is the latest feature film from indie filmmaker, actor and musician Henrique Couto and I would like to extend my thanks to the man himself for allowing me to review it for Hacked in the Head.

The film serves as Henrique’s first real foray into serious horror and I am pleased to say it’s a damn fine foray indeed. Imagine if you will a sad but engrossing and emotional drama which morphs effectively into a blood splattered horror movie in its final act a la Carrie (1976).

The overall plot involves young college student Lindsey (Sandy Behre) a girl shattered by the deaths of her parents in a car accident and further tormented by life in the form of some local bullies, a condescending boss and her slightly unsympathetic brother (Henrique Couto). Lindsay’s luck changes for the better when she meets the free spirited and fun Katie (Ruby LaRocca) and their budding friendship acts as a pleasantly emotional turn around to a rather bleak existence. Still I did compare this movie to Carrie so therefore you may not be surprised to know that this friendship isn't made to last and a final betrayal acts as the final straw and prompts Lindsay to end the life she has grown to find so insufferable.

If those people partly responsible for the deep depression wrought upon Lindsay think they are out of the woods with her passing they are horribly mistaken as the final act makes way for Lindsay’s brutal search for revenge – beyond the grave.

I really loved the supernatural angle of the plot. Henrique could have gone down the route of young Lindsay simply snapping beyond all salvation and embarking on a bloody killing spree but instead, Lindsay’s suicide added a nice curveball to proceedings and I felt this added far more meat to the plot. 

For gore fans there is quite a bit to enjoy in the final part of the film. Dead Lindsay is not the meek couch potato that alive Lindsay was and when it comes to inflicting pain on those that hurt her..well…she isn't backwards in coming forwards let’s just put that out there.

The acting was a huge plus point in Bleeding Through. I would say all characters do a good job but both girls, Sandy Behre and particularly Ruby LaRocca absolutely nail their roles. Sandy goes from a shy, withdrawn, sad young woman to a vengeful angel of death with professional ease. In fact Sandy's acting is so good, particularly in the first hour or so of the film that you actually share the pain she appears to experience in communicating and interacting with others. Ruby LaRoccas Katie on the other hand is a perfectly acted, vivacious and fun wildchild who may not be all that a good friend after all.

The film is also really well written; the dialogue is bleak at the best of times, but absolutely engaging, drawing you deeper into the plot as it motors towards its grim climax. Its also really well shot and I felt incorporating elements of home videos featuring Sandy's parents when they were alive was an excellent way to make audiences more involved in the plot and Sandy's sad plight.

I really enjoyed Bleeding Through and it I think it puts Henrique Couto out there as someone to really keep your eye on in independent cinema. You can preorder your very own copy of the film, released early next year right HERE and I strongly recommend you doing so.

The Dummy (1995)

Directed by Dante Falconi

Written by Dante Falconi

Stars: Todd Jason Cook, Lisa Cook, Sabrina Cook, Bill DeWild, Harley Graves, Anthony Jones, Katrina Judkins, Cindy Larsen, Jim Larsen, Jerry McGhee, Brian Truitt, Angela Watkins.








The Dummy is a 1995 SOV effort from Todd Jason Cook, director and writer of previous cheapo horror efforts Evil Night and Demon Dolls. I LOVE me a killer doll horror flick so of course the thought of a crazed ventriloquist dummy had me excited!

The plot involves a pair of newlyweds, Chris and Laura, who make the grave error of insulting a fortune teller. Said fortunate teller exacts her revenge using the titular dummy, instructing it to kill anyone who has the misfortune of coming into contact with Chris and Laura and eventually taking them out themselves! One pissed off lady then!

The film turns into a total bloodbath as our friendly resident dummy starts hacking his way through all manner of luckless victims in his mission to eliminate the newlyweds. There is lots of fun grue and gore as people are stabbed, slashed and a whole lot worse (look out for the knife to mouth scene...)

Bottom line is that The Dummy is an ultra cheap movie so you can't go in expecting stellar acting, amazing sets and top notch special effects. What you will get however is a fun and bloody low budget horror flick with a brilliant little antagonist and, I have to say, an awesome little final scene. Safe to say this Dummy will NOT be beaten easily..... On top of that the film has a nifty giallo-esque score! Check over HERE and HERE to find a copy for yourself! A new late night low budget favourite of mine to have fun with, with a few beers!!

You may also be interested to know that Todd Jason Cook has recently released his zombie slasher hybrid Zombiefied which is a must see and reflects the direction that Todd is now taking with his mobvies now the good ole SOV days are behind him. I strongly recommend giving Zombiefied your time and you can grab a copy HERE.

Laughter (2012)

Screener Copy







Directed by Adam Dunning

Written by Adam Dunning

Stars: Rocky Petroziello, Kris Marconi, Sam Rovin, Erin Rovin, Shauna Farhad, Rebecca Henning, Tim Merli, Jessica Lindgren, Ian Anderson, Madison Caudullo, Melissa Simoson, Marc Colby Sr, Robert Storm, Christopher Weite, John Murray and Gruesome Hertzogg.





Big thanks to film maker Adam Dunning for sending me a screener copy of his second horror feature Laughter. Laughter is a fun, low budget slasher movie with a great benefit in having a vindictive clown as its killer.

The story involves a deeply unhappy young man named Joey who suffers both at the hands of his abusive father and the mean kids at school. Joey also has a, lets say obsession, with clowns as they are something he associates with his deceased mother. Concocting a silly prank with his two friends to scare some of the other kids at a party is the start of a far bigger nightmare and as is always the case in these types of films - the past always comes back to haunt you.

So the prank clearly doesn't go off as planned and results in a death which the other kids foolishly cover up. Fast forward six months and the guilty teens are now living an existence far removed from those they had planned for themselves. I guess that kind of guilt and remorse will do that to you! But that's only the beginning of their troubles as a grotesque clown soon makes his appearance and starts taking them out one by one, by one... Ok so you may have heard this all before. Personally I can take a slasher movie with the standard cover up/revenge scenario any old day so I'm happy. One thing, to its credit, that Laughter tries to do a bit differently is to include a few original death scenes which I really appreciate. Further good points are the films score which is really effective and I would even say haunting and some of the characters were really interesting. On top of all of that the clown costume is SCARY!

There are some not so good points about Laughter and I feel these are important to highlight as viewers who are not so well versed in the more lower budgeted movie may struggle. Firstly, there is a running sound issue meaning you have to adjust your volume quite a bit. This can prove a bit distracting although its not something that bothered me too much and did seem to improve toward the end. There are also some weaker performances and some very repetitive and unnatural dialogue in various parts of the movie.

That said, on the performances, there are some impressive ones also. I thought Rocky Petroziello as Joey did a superb job and wish there could have been more him as he played the tormented soul very well. Both Kris Marconi and Sam Rovin did a good job also as Joeys mischievous friends, Chris and Brian; brought back to earth with a bang after the events of the party. I also really enjoyed Erin Rovins performance as Kate, a sweet but slightly edgy girl and thought she came across as the most natural actress in the film.

All in all Laughter is a good time, with admittedly its flaws, that I would recommend checking out. It has a good story, some good performances and interesting characters and a few cool death scenes. I really look forward to seeing what Adam Dunning comes up with next as he clearly has a sound working knowledge of the knows the horror genre. If you want to find out even more about the film please check out my interview with Adam HERE!

Die Laughing - an interview with Adam Dunning

Independent film maker Adam Dunning was kind enough, not only to send me a copy of his new film horror flick Laughter for review but also to take the time to talk to me extensively about the film. Please read on for our a great interview with Adam who shares his insights on the film and lots of other stuff.  With Adams permission I have also included production stills, the official movie poster and some pics from the recent Laughter premiere, held on the 28 October!




Hacked in the Head: Hi Adam! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I have just had the chance to watch and review your feature length horror film Laughter which is the second independent horror film you have written and directed. Firstly can you tell us a little bit about both films and any influences behind them? I haven't yet gotten to see The Infected, but thanks to your kindness, I have now had the chance to enjoy Laughter.

Adam: Mark, I want to thank you for taking your time and reviewing LAUGHTER! I will also get a copy of the inFected to you, so you can see the difference between both films. Well both films are two different horror genres. Laughter is about a killer clown, where the inFected is about a zombie infected town. Influences on the films is just the love of the horror genre. When we watch horror films today its remakes after remakes, and I know we are all getting tired of classics being ruined. The independent world of film maker is a huge influence on any film. The best part about it is your getting actors, producers, writers, directors, editors and so to work on something because they love the genre, or love the field of film making. If I was to choose influences on the films itself I would have to say this about the inFected. Since the film is based on zombies and its a huge subject today, Romero is a reason I got into Zombie flicks and why a lot of people are making them is because of that guy. Romero would definitely be the biggest influence in while i chose a zombie flick. Then LAUGHTER i was influenced by my father when I wanted to write another film I was trying to thing of something that people are scared of. My father looked over and said do a clown movie! So I then looked into my DVD collection and saw "IT" and "Killer Clowns from outer Space" and those are my two favorite clown flicks and gave me some inspiration on how to write LAUGHTER.

HitH: Awesome I look forward to checking out inFected! Now Laughter is a fun slasher film with the distinct selling point of a very creepy looking killer clown. Where on earth did that costume come from?? The mask makes for one of the most volatile looking clowns I have ever seen. It's lucky I'm not as scared of clowns as I was as a child (I ruined a kids birthday party with my hysterical screaming when I was very young....)

Adam: The clown was a challenge to come up with a look to make the clown scary. I went to our local costume shop "Taney's Costume Shop" I was looking at mask and could not find anything I liked that made the clown. So the owner said hold on and let me show you this foam latex mask that I just got in. So we talked about it and once he held it up to his face and showed me how it moves with you face structure, I said that is it. So that is where the mask came from and then I went home and painted up the face and then had to order a few more incase one tore in areas. The costume that he wears was another challenge! I had a blue and yellow costume that did not fit the part once we shot the teaser trailer. So My fiance and her Aunt Jan and myself took a drive to a local fabric shop and looked for an hour or two for something. I went down one way and they went another and I came across this fabric buried under others that was just black and red and torn and bloody looking. I was thinking to myself "This is it". So we went looking for more of it and then found the other half and bought it real cheap I think fifteen dollars for the entire costume to make. So that is how the look of the clown begin which was made by my Fiance Aunt Jan that did an awesome job on it.



HitH: Well it was a job well done, I love the costume! I don't want to spoil anything for readers but there were a few interesting death scenes in Laughter. Did you set out making the movie with the intention on 'raising the bar' with the kills? I'm sure you are aware of how much slasher fans love their creative kills!.

Adam: I tried to set a bar limit on this for the death scenes. Its hard when there are so many out there and trying to come up with something new. There are a lot of cool deaths, and some deaths that are just quick and easy like a neck snapping "Spoiler right there but not a huge one!" Some deaths were tough to do, because when I wrote them it was easy to turn around and come up with something. When you are creating them it is way different because now you have to figure how the hell do i make this. The ones who enjoy Independent horror films I do think that they will love the death scenes in this movie.




HitH: Are you also able to talk about the budget for the film and any particular challenges you may have faced while making it?

Adam: The budget I will come right out and say was very low! We did indie gogo to raise money, a pasta dinner, and then money right out of pocket and the total budget was $3,500.00 to make the film. That was used for the make-up, the build of the shack, food, the costume and props, and anything else needed. Equipment I already had so nothing had to go into that. Challenges we had a few, like i said time was taken with the death scenes, the crime scene outside we has no lights so we were going to call it for the day, but we all turned our cars on and put the heads on to give us the lighting we needed. Which the scene still came out dark, but hey we did it! There were never really any hard challenges in this film, Everyone was great and came and did what they had to do! So for that to happen everything went a lot smoother during production.

HitH: How about the casting process for the film? Are there any memorable performances you want to share? I particularly enjoyed Erin Rovin's performance as Kate, I thought she came off extremely well.

Adam: The casting process for the film was different because I have never held a casting call before. The inFected was just all family and friends that made that film. Since the inFected was all a project to complete so i could Graduate from College. The process for the casting was fun, we got to meet a lot of new people and see all the talent that was in the area. A lot ask that question about memorable performances and its hard to answer. During the casting call, the actors got a few minutes to look over everything so didn't know what was going to happen. Everyone did a great job when reading and going over everything. During the casting there were a lot of funny moments that went on. The production side of performances everyone was good and did a great job pulling their character together. Also everyone talked with each other and said why don't you try this to make it better, or look that way when you say your line. So you can't pick one, because everyone did great and also helped one another make their performances better.






HitH: Thats great, you certainly can tell that the cast were working hard to bring their characters to the fore. Now you recently had your premiere of the film on the 28 October - great stuff. How did it all go? Were you pleased with the turn out and reception of the movie?

Adam: The premiere went well and was shocked with the turn out for the film. We had over two theaters sold out, plus some that couldn't make it because of the storm that came up that weekend. We had our backdrop with the sponsors, and the clown standing there to take pictures with, DVDS and poster to be sold. Then the film began and now I was like well in the next few hours we will find out what everyone thought of the film. Well we found out and they enjoyed the film, they were pleased to see someone from the area doing something like this, the storyline went quick and didn't drag much. So we were all pleased on the turn out and how the entire event went that night.




HitH: What's the overall plan for general release? Can horror fans expect to see laughter officially out on DVD by the end of the year or the start of next year? Also for anyone reading interested in buying a copy, do you have any copies from the first run left and if so how do people go about grabbing one?

Adam: We are not sure about being released yet to other theaters and stuff. We are working on trying to get it picked up right now! If anyone was to buy a copy we have them and they are ready to be shipped out. They are $15.00 a copy and have the film, features with over 2 hours of stuff and the soundtrack. They can contact me at dunnlacka@yahoo.com and then we will give them the information on how to get their copy.



HitH: Hear that folks? Get in touch with Adam now and grab a copy!

So I already know from a recent online interview that you are a horror fan Adam. Tell me a bit about your favourite horror films and also anything you don't particularly enjoy within the genre?

Adam: I don't like remakes in the horror genre because they away from the story and add in areas that ruin it more. Although there are areas of the remakes that I do like. My favorite horror film is the Halloween series, then texas chainsaw, freddy, jason and so on with the classics. I just like the story lines and the gore and acting that goes into making a horror film. To make a horror film is just fun and thats what all productions are for horror film makers. I just like all horror films and will keep on going to see them even if they are remakes.

HitH: Whats next for Adam Dunning? Could we see a Laughter sequel in the future or are you planning a different film for your next venture?

Adam: I am writing a sequel right now for LAUGHTER, I also wrote a sequel to the inFeceted, but not pleased with it so that got tossed aside. I am also talking with some one about a script, which I am not going to give a title away or who that person is, but it's a great story and if you were to read the script it puts you right into the story of it. So there are some areas of a sequel in the future and even other projects. Not sure on days or years that it will start production, but for now I am going to give LAUGHTER it's time to travel to the viewers who want to see it.

HitH: Sounds exciting and I cant wait to hear more in the future! Finally Adam - is there anything else you would like to tell readers or share with them?

Adam: Thank you to everyone that loves horror films! If not for you then we would not have a job or passion to make these films for you. Also any other film makers out there keep pushing to get yourself out there. I made a film with no big budget, and not big time equipment and made a successful film. So when anyone says you cant make it and can't do anything, thats not true you can do what you want and you can make that choice to succed. Hope you enjoy Laughter and hear back from you and your thoughts on it.

HitH: Adam thank you so much for talking to me and all the best with Laughter and your future work - stay in touch!

THE FACTORY DOORS ARE OPEN FOR BLOODY BUSINESS: AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN WOLFE AND DOLL FACTORY PRESS RELEASE!

Doll Factory, an upcoming killer toy flick written and directed by Stephen Wolfe, commenced principal Photography back in February 2012 and is now knee deep in Post Production. Great news for us horror fans who I am sure will be chomping at the bit for some new murderous doll action! Please read on for some more info on the film, some stills AND an exclusive interview with the man behind the mayhem himself, Stephen Wolfe!

“Doll Factory” is the story of a small town besieged by possessed killer baby dolls and the group of teenagers fighting for the souls of the townspeople.
“We’re excited to see it come to life,” said Wolfe, going on to say, “this story is a twisted, over the top horror comedy about a group of teenagers that inadvertently brings killer baby dolls to life.” “After reading the script for Doll Factory, I knew it had to be our next film,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Producer/’Melvin’, “and it made the perfect follow-up after Midnight Abyss.”

“Doll Factory” is a co-production between Fan Fiction Cinema, LLC and Barton Ct. Productions. The movie stars Justin Herman (Barton Police), Nicole Elliott (Abel’s Field), Andy Palmer (Midnight Abyss), Patrick Sane (Czech Beautiful) and Deke Anderson (Green Lantern). Practical Special FX, Visual FX and the Yegor character design are all being created by DWN Productions. JBD Designs is responsible for creating the titular dolls.

Hacked in the Head: Hi Stephen! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I have been excited about your upcoming horror film 'Doll Factory' since I first learnt of it. I love me a killer toy horror film so I wondered firstly what can fans expect from it?

Stephen Wolfe: Doll Factory is definitely a throwback to the heyday of 1970's/80's horror but played more as a campy horror/comedy. It's a fun little ride packed with plenty of blood, gore and doll mayhem!

HitH: What do you think you might bring to the table that differs from other movies in the animated doll sub genre?

SW: Well I think what makes Doll Factory stand out amongst other killer doll movies is that it doesn't restrict itself to just one thing. It really does branch off into many different directions which I think helps set it apart. From the over-the-top death scenes to the crazy characters in it, I feel there are elements that makes Doll Factory a truly unique and entertaining experience! 

HitH; That's awesome, over the top death scenes and crazy characters are the making of many a decent horror movie. I would also love to hear how the idea for Doll Factory came about and your main influences for the film?

SW: The idea behind Doll Factory was actually conjured up playing a horror themed video game with some friends of mine. The game featured a level called the Doll Factory where these creepy dolls would walk around like zombies and explode if you touched them. Well that's where the initial idea came from. It really was nothing more than a inside joke for awhile until I started playing with idea of making a fake trailer for it. I wanted to do it very 1970's grind house style and make it over the top and campy. Eventually I got to do it for a film class in college and it actually turned out to be a hit! So after awhile, the decision was made to turn the concept into a feature film. Doll Factory is heavily influenced from popular franchises like Evil Dead, Gremlins, Puppet Master and Child's Play.

HitH: Fantastic...and I will be looking into that game, I have never heard of it!!! Could you tell us a bit about the Doll Factory cast and what kind if characters we can expect to see?

SW: As mentioned earlier, Doll Factory is filled with crazy and over the cop characters ranging from a really funny cop duo to a grumpy old man that has a Santa Claus beard glued to his face because of a Halloween costume malfunction! This film was a great experience because I got to work with such a talented cast that really brought these characters to life in ways I never could of imagined!

HitH: Finally: how's post production coming along? Although its early days what kind of release plans do you have in mind?

SW: Post-Production is coming along great! We have a locked cut of the film and are now in the early stages of visual effects. In about a week or so we should be locking down a music composer and a post sound mixer for the project. We are currently looking to finish the film sometime towards the end of January!

HitH: That sounds great, what a rewarding way to kick off 2013! I see you also have several other projects under your belt. Would you like to tell fans a bit about your Psychological horror film Midnight Abyss? Also how about the segment you directed in Evil Deeds 2 'The Hermit'?

SW: Midnight Abyss was a micro budget feature film I did back in 2010. It started out as a short film but ended up being turned into a feature later on. It's a psychological horror about a kid that watches a scary vampire movie and begins thinking that the vampire is real and out to get him. It plays on that primal fear of imagining there's something after you, when in reality it's just your mind making up things. However, in Midnight Abyss, we kind of blurs the lines of what's real and what's make believe!

Evil Deeds 2 was a anthology horror film I collaborated on with filmmaker Matt Spease back in 2009. I shot the wraparound segment which involves a creepy old hermit who finds this young couple camping out in the middle of the woods and begins telling them the different short stories. We shot it over one night with nothing more than a man made fire and a MiniDV camera. It was interesting to do because Matt lives in a different state so I only shot the inserts for the young couple and he shot the inserts with Hermit and then spliced them all together.

HitH: What do you love most about working working in the film industry Stephen and similarly what are some if the downfalls?

SW: The core of my passion in filmmaking is and will always be telling stories. Ever since I was kid, drawing in my notebooks or playing with my action figures, I was always making up really elaborate stories. The other aspect I really enjoy is the collaboration with a team of people that specialize in all different fields behind and in front of the camera. To watch all these different elements come together to bring a vision to life is just indescribable! Of course there are tons of hazards with filmmaking, I mean it's a big gamble to begin with and nothing ever goes exactly how you plan it.

HitH: Is there any advice you give anyone out there interested in getting into filmmaking? Particularly within the independent horror genre?

SW: I would say just don't give up on it, it takes a lot of dedication and time but if you stick with it and are really passionate about it, you will see results...eventually! Just be sure to involve yourself with as many projects as you can and always make sure to learn from your mistakes. Also, connections are essential so make sure to network your ass off!

HitH: I would also love to know about your all time favourite horror movies? Also any you particularly don't enjoy?

SW: My favourite horror movies have and will always be the classic Universal monster films. Those were the films that made me fall in love with the genre. The first horror film I ever watched was the classic Frankenstein and I remember just being mesmerized by it! I love all sorts of horror films though, from the popular slasher franchises like Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street to really campy ones like Leprechaun. If I had to single out something that I don't really care for, it would be that wave of PG13 remakes that were really popular for awhile.

HitH: Ahem...'Prom Night' remake..ahem....Finally Stephen, is there anything further you want to share with fans about your work? And the very best of luck with Doll Factory!

SW: For anyone interested in keeping up to date with the progress of Doll Factory, be sure to add us on Facebook at facebook.com/dollfactorymovie. I'm also currently involved with a new creative blog called FanboyFilmmaker that is producing original genre-based content imbedded in pop culture. You can find more about that at FanboyFilmmaker.com or our Facebook page! 

Thank you Stephen for a great interview! Keep an eye out for more news on Doll Factory as I get it!

Evil Night (1992)

Directed by Todd Jason Cook

Written by Todd Jason Cook

Stars: Todd Jason Cook, Holly Aeck, Joseph Fautinos, Spencer Trask, Penny Spellman, Scott Spellman, Lisa Cook, Cynthia Wilson, Mark Chavez, Rik Deskin, Alan Finney










Many thanks to filmmaker Todd Jason Cook (Zombiefied) for sending me copies of three of his older SOV horror flicks from the 90s for my watching and reviewing pleasure! I have always been interested in Todd's older films after hearing stuff about them in the past, old trailers and obviously from really enjoying Zombiefied!

Evil Night marks the earliest of the three efforts that Todd has shared with me and I had a heap of fun with it. It's extremely cheaply made (a main clue is SOV!) with some ropey acting and sometimes dodgy effects BUT its also a fun slasher movie with a sense of humour and an inventively cruel streak by way of some crazy kill scenes.

So the plot: Jimmy Fisher is the college nerd who is constantly subjected to the rich kids harassment. After a nasty prank results in Jimmy being injured he decides enough is enough and uses his expertise in science to create a telekinetic ability just perfect for killing his enemies in some of the more nasty but fun ways you can think of! (sounds far fetched? Yes? GOOD) Kills scenes wise we are talking exploding cigarettes and spiked hazing paddles here people! So it's kind of like Carrie on benefits but that's not a criticism - I love ultra cheap and ultra fun, it's precisely the reason I started this blog in the first place!

If you are looking for a trashy, gory and hilarious good time, you can't go far wrong with Evil Night. Check out the following link to see how you can grab your very own copy from Screamtime films and look out for my reviews of The Dummy and Demon Dolls coming very soon! If you know you dont have the patience for the lowest of low budget horror films then I advise staying away but...well its kinda your loss.
A true guilty pleasure.

Dead Mans Party (2011)

(Screener Copy)
Directed by Markus Baldwin

Written by Markus Baldwin and Julie Mitchell

Stars: Markus Baldwin, Richard Beatty, Adam Grimes, Jeremy Guskin, Carissa Costa, Carl Lundstrom, Julie Mitchell, Shon Little, Tatum Adair








Dead Mans Party marks a first for Hacked in the Head, in that its not really a horror film. It has the set up of one and is structured throughout as one but it never actually (purposefully mind you) delivers the serious chills and spills. Instead, Dead Mans Party is a painfully funny satire, poking fun at all of your standard horror flick cliches and scenarios and it works exceptionally well for it. That said the opening is fairly horrorific (keep that window closed!)...just dont expect that particular tone to remain.

The plot involves four friends and one newbie who return to a beach house they used to visit together when a now deceased friend was still with them. Unfortunately for our motley group of  pals, said dead dude is now living in the beach house and he intends to scare them off. A series of strange occurrences begins to alert the friends that they are 'not alone' and they must work together to figure out who or what is trying to mess with them - with hilarious results. Plus all is not what it seems.....

Firstly I want to say that the characters in this film are excellent. The five youngsters who all come together are varying in personality; from the side splittingly ditzy Sara (a fun performance by Carissa Costa) to the acerbic Jill (one liners delivered with skill and ease by Julie Mitchell) and the self concious/neurotic Zach (possibly my favourite performance by Adam Grimes). Watching these five interact and start to try to deal with the haunting at the beach house provides constant entertainment throughout and I dare anyone not to be amused in the slightest. (If you arent I would check for a pulse!)

However great actors playing funny characters need good material so I also want to commend the writing. The funny one liners just keep coming; Sara: 'I'm Sara'....Jill:  'Good for you' or 'Goodnight Johnny!'.....'Asshole!'....and lets not forgot 'Are.....you...bleeding...from...your...vagina?'.  Markus Baldwin obviously knows his comedy and I cannot wait to see more his work both as a director and a writer.

The film is really well made also, you can tell its an indie BUT its really well shot, the sound is perfect and the casting was absoutely spot on. I recommend Dead Mans Party for those of you who want to get a break from some of the more serious horror films and even the over the top gory yet fun ones. You can find more out about the film right HERE and I urge you to check it out when you can!

Horror House (2012)

(Online Screener Copy)

Directed by Evan Marlowe

Written and produced by Kerry Marlowe







Horror House marks indie film-makers Sweet Home Films second foray into the genre. What we get is a fun, well paced, well acted horror anthology with each tale taking place at some point in the past at the titular home. The film, following the excellent zombie horror flick Blood Rush is a far more professional film, extremely well shot and incorporates some excellent directing techniques. I will give my thoughts on each segment in turn but would also like to mention that Troma's very own Lloyd Kaufman makes a fantastic appearance as the real estate agent 'Joe' who introduces each tale of terror...

Never Let Go 

Stars: Catherine Widell, Katelyn Hunter, Alyssa Hunter, John Wuchte.


The first tale acts as a creepy ghost story with a nice little murderous edge. Sarah is a suburban housewife and mother, apparently to a pair of twins, Leah and Abigail. She is also pregnant and recently kicked her husband out of the family home, so it's safe to say these are not quite happy times. Unfortunately for her also, one of her daughters has secretly come to hate her, only sharing her malicious feelings with her far nicer twin. After a couple of disturbing scenes involving Abigail's attempts to hurt her mother it becomes clear to audiences that all is not what it seems and there are far eerier things going on in this house than we thought. As Abigail's murderous feelings intensify the film reaches a decent climax with a chilling final scene. I really loved some of the directing techniques used in this short. The way certain scenes are shot to reflect Leah's   light to Abigail's dark are extremely impressive. Both  Katelyn and Alyssa Hunter do an excellent job in their roles with them both performing their contrasting personalities superbly. Catherine Widell also does a great job as the haunted mother who soon finds out that a decision made years ago, with all good intentions, is back to get her...with a vengeance. A great little ghost story with a wicked streak.

Be Careful What you wish for 

Stars: Kerry Marlowe, David Alan Graf, Lisa Goodman,


The second segment is a stylish, film noir, featuring a great performance by Kerry Marlowe as a wronged housewife out for revenge. The film begins with Marlowe’s character being informed by a detective that her husband has been killed and to say her reaction is less than sympathetic is an understatement. We are then treated via flashbacks to the events leading to the recent death and it becomes clear that there is far more going on than meets the eye. I wouldn't want to spoil anything so will say no more about the plot, but I will say that the ending provides a nice bit of moral justice just like you might find at the end of a Tales from the Crypt episode or something. Not in a gratuitous way though mind, but it was a satisfying end to the story. This tale is by far the most stylish of the bunch and you can see a lot of thought and hard work went into making the story, dialogue and costumes fit the period it is set in.


Hot Stuff 

Stars: Kaden Graves, Alex Sanborn, Helen Soraya


Hot Stuff is definitely my favourite of the stories thus far. The plot concerns an extremely unlike able bachelor (Kaden Graves) who treats woman like absolute dirt. Meeting (Helen Soraya) in a local bar,  proves to be his undoing when he sleeps with her and promptly humiliates her. Soon after this, he begins to experience a very uncomfortable body change which just gets worse and worse throughout the remainder of the tale. The ending serves as the films best scene so far and although its rather grim I dare you not to smile…just a little….. A FANTASTIC morality tale with some nice special effects and a gruesome end.   Kaden Graves does a great job of making you hate him and his fate is both funny, fitting and horrifying all at the same time. A great little horror short which I think fans will love.


Lifelike 

Stars: Lauren Lakis, Elain Rineheart.

Lifelike is certainly the creepiest and most haunting tale in this collection. It shows just how damaging the effects of child abuse can be and although the ending seems to be macabre in a slightly tongue in cheek fashion, for me, it was ultimately disturbing. Lifelike tells the tale of Helen (Lauren Lakis) a young girl who has a most miserable childhood thanks to her mean spirited mother, a lady who would far rather spit venom at her daughter and bring home different men every night than embrace the one person who should mean everything to her. An eerie geisha doll which is given to Helen as a gift, gives the child the one thing she needs in her life which she is sorely missing - a friend to talk to. Unfortunately beyond the age of 8 this ‘friendship’ does not subside, and by the time Helen turns sixteen, the doll remains her only ally in a cruel existence. It is Helens transformation into an exact replica of her doll which highlights to audiences just how disturbed the child really is, and as her mother gets more and more fed up with her daughter’s withdrawal into herself, she takes a final chilling action to be rid of her once and for all. A very good story with a truly excellent performance from Lauren Lakis as Helen, almost matched by Elain Rineheart as the cruel and cold-hearted mother . The ending is, as mentioned, disturbing, dark and all round sad but the story comes highly recommended for its originality!

The Leapling

Stars: Zachary Haven, Abbey Anderson and Alex Sanborn

The film concludes with a classic monster in the closet tale which is fun but perhaps a little too short for my liking. Ella (Abbey Anderson) likes to torment her kid brother Ben (Zachary Haven) with tales of the Leapling, a monster who rears his ugly head every leap year, looking for children to eat. As Ben becomes ever more afraid of the monster, his family try to convince him that monsters are just not real. By the time Ben  comes to accept this to be true, he soon finds out that the Leapling may not be just another fairy tale. I loved the creatures make up effects in this short, it looks great and very creepy! I think if I saw a picture of this as a child I would have been terrified to go to sleep at night myself!!! I would love to see what these guys could do with a feature length creature movie, whether it be about the Leapling or something completely different.

A highly recommended horror anthology which I hope readers will get a chance to see very very soon. You can find out more about the movie right HERE! 

Symphony in Blood Red (2010)

(Online screener copy) 

Directed by Luigi Pastore

Written by Luigi Pastore and Antonio Tentori

Stars:  Sharon Alessandri, Nikol Brown, Federica Carpico, Tony Cimarosa, Fabio Giovannini, Simona Oliverio






Symphony in Blood Red plays homage to the master of Giallo, Dario Argento, and in doing so creates a fairly gory, sometimes creepy film which comes recommended. Many thanks to Marco from EuroObscura for allowing me to screen this film!

The plot features a lunatic who has an obsession with death and after a messy altercation with the psychologist wishing to place him under observation, he begins a dark journey of murder and madness from which a number of luckless individuals will not survive. Oh and did I mention he likes to keep his comings and goings recorded via video diary??

The corpses soon build up with some kills being more horrific than others but they are all done in a manner which stays true to the dark roots of the Giallo sub genre. I also found the killers voice to be quite unnerving and felt an uncomfortable amount of dread when he was homing in on a new victim so massive points for that!

The film itself is fantastically shot, its nice and clean and crisp and there is a clear directing talent present which makes me excited for future films from Luigi Pastore. The acting is also effective and I was pleased to note that the dialogue was not as campy and shrill as it can be known to be in the (don't get me wrong, great) giallo films of past.

I recommend Symphony in Blood Red, particularly to fans of Giallo movies, slasher films and Italian cinema in general. I am hoping to hear news of a wide DVD release soon and will keep you posted!

Check out EuroObscuras official website, they have a whole slate of genre films coming our way and I am sure you will want to know when you can get your hands on them all!

Blood Rush (2012)

Online Screener Copy

Directed by Evan Marlow

Written by Kerry Finlayson

Stars: Kerry Finlayson, Don Donnelley, Christy Lee Hughes, Helen Soraya, Samantha Michelle, Emrhys Cooper, John Wuchte, Myles Cranford.


Husband and wife team Evan Marlowe and Kerry Finlayson (Sweet Home Films) make a definite mark in the horror genre with Blood Rush.

Marking the feature film directorial début for Evan Marlowe, Blood Rush takes its low budget, sticks two fingers up at the constraints, and delivers something funny, suspenseful, gory and really quite captivating. Captivating can be hard to nail on an indie feature as sometimes the lack of funds leaves a lot of scenes rife with meandering conversation, in order to get to another scene of action. Here though the story is told in such a clever way, jumping back from the present time to the past which is important to the current unfolding horror. Using this plot device audiences are slowly let in on the events leading to situation experienced by a small town, with many residents fighting to survive.

So what's the actual plot you ask? Well it's a zombie film in essence. But it puts a new spin on the sub genre and I loved that about Blood Rush. We start with the introduction of Kara (a natural and tough as nails performance by producer Kerry Finlayson) who falls afoul of her bloodthirsty sister Emma (also played by Finlayson) and seeks sanctuary in her home where she comes across two shared friends in hiding. We are treated to a flashback of the friends before whatever time the recent horror took hold and learn some interesting facts about their lives and relationships. Back to present time our three main girls, Cara, Lucy (Christy Lee Hughes) and Kate (Helen Soraya) along with Danny (Don Donnelley), the cheating husband of Emma band together to get out of their town alive, before their afflicted friends, loved ones and neighbours find them and...well...eat them. There are suspicions as to what has caused the Zombie outbreak but you never actually find out the true cause. That actually gives the movie a more interesting edge and is actually quite scary when you weigh it up. Imagine if people close to you suddenly turn savage, desperate for human blood? With no explanation? Quite chilling I think. The movie propels toward a bloody climax as more locals either die or succumb to the blood lust and turn on the survivors and what transpires from this is a number of excellently staged gore effects such as a flying eyeball, womb munching foetus and much more! There is also a great two tiered ending, with each of these parts ending with a chilling final scene, particularly the latter.

The acting is pretty impressive across the film save one or two slightly weaker ones. UK born actress Kerry Finlayson does a great job of playing both the kind hearted, tough fighting Kara as well as the angry, betrayed housewife Emma and I can't wait to see more of her work. Remember she also produced this film with Evan and wrote it so she had her work more than cut out for her! I loved the character of Danny, he has some fantastic one liners ''How are we going to get anywhere with stumpy and preggo over there!?'' and this character brings a lot of the comedy to life in Blood Rush. Also special mention to Samantha Michelle as the spunky Jessica, and I loved all the acidic conversations between the church going locals.

Sweet Home Films marks a new name to watch in independent horror. They bring something old something new and a lot of the gory/fun to the arena and that should be recognised. Check out their official website and Facebook and keep a close, popped out, eye on when you can check out their movies. I highly recommend Blood Rush.

Slasher House- Press Release

UK produced indie horror film Slasher House is soon to recieve its UK premiere before heading out for the festival circuit. Its great to see more homegrown horror coming our way so keep your eyes peeled for this one! The film looks set to be a dark and creepy good time and you can view the brand NEW trailer for it right here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lzEPsFv2fA ..... ENJOY!


From the Press Release:

From Mycho Pictures comes a new slasher movie that will change the game forever.When Red, a young girl, awakens in a house, she has no idea how she has come to be there. Exploring her surroundings she soon realizes that she is not alone, in fact she is trapped inside with some of the most notorious serial killers in the world. Now it is a race against time as one by one the cells open and each killer is unleashed to stalk her through the inescapable corridors of the SLASHER HOUSE.

SLASHER HOUSE is the second feature film production by Prize Winning Independent Studio Mycho Pictures and is our biggest and best to date. The film stars rising horror talent Eleanor James (Forest Of The Damned, Hellbride) and was produced on a shoestring budget in 2010/2011.The Film is currently seeking Distribution.


USEFUL LINKS:


MYCHO.CO.UK

FACEBOOK.COM/SLASHERHOUSE

MYCHO@LIVE.CO.UK

 

 

 

 

Night of the Tentacles (2012)

(Online Screener Copy)

Directed by Dustin Wayde Mills

Written by Dustin Wayde Mills

Stars: Brandon Salkil, Nicole Gerity, Jackie McKown Melissa Blair, Mike Blair, Dustin Mills, Eugene Flynn

Release: US DVD, January 22 2013



Dustin Wayde Mills brings the 80s horror home with his hillarious, splattery horror comedy Night of the Tentacles.

Now, if you were lucky enough to grow up with the great Frank Hennenlotter horror movies of the 80s, then I think you will find that Dustin has done you a brilliant service here. You have your tormented main character, ominous and manipulative monster and exceptional gore effects. There is also a superb and ever present comedic streak running the length of the film ensuring the viewer is never bored between scenes of tentacle perpetrated homicide!

The plot concerns poor young,luckless Dave (a hilarious and really quite impressive performance from Brandon Salkil) a 24 year old graphic designer of alien erotica (!) who has to put up with a disgusting lech of a landlord and the constant sex antics of his very loud neighbours on a regular basis. Dave's crush on another neighbour, Esther (Nicole Gerity) leads him to some serious heart trouble which in turn ends him up in surgery! Following this Dave receives a visit from good old Lucifer himself and makes a deal that gives him a new heart. The only catch is that Dave's new 'heart' resides in a locked box and Dave is tasked in taking care of it to ensure its survival (and subsequently his own). However there are many catches to this deal and soon Dave will learn that the only way to appease the sweet talking but very deadly creature in the box is to feed it - humans. This is cue for all manner of fun and grisly gore effects as the creature uses its many tentacles to dispatch various people in Dave's life, starting with the über bitch neighbour from hell Delilah (Jackie McKown). This particular death scene has to be seen to be believed, it's crazy and most fitting considering Delilah is a totally abhorrent human being! There is plenty more where that came from though as tentacles rip through chests, out of eyeballs and enter places not intended for sharp things....

The acting in the film is great across the board. Brandon Salkil really steals the show as Dave, his performance is by turns funny, sweet, pitiful and tragic. A bright future for this guy if there is any justice! Nicole Gerity is very natural as the sweet and coy Esther while Dustin Mills ( Mr Freck the landlord) and Jackie McKown play their hateful characters to the hilt.

The comedy as mentioned is exceptional. The scene where Dave is visited by the demon Belial (Eugene Flynn) just had me in stitches. Toilet humour (literally) is not particularly my thing but this scene was laugh out loud funny - helped greatly by Eugene Flynn's cheerful delivery and Brandon's mortified/deadpan responses!

I highly recommend this movie, it's funny, it's gory, well acted and really well made. I cannot honestly wait to check out Dustins other films, Puppet Monster Massacre and Zombie A*Hole and I'm excited to see what he comes up with next. Make sure you grab your copy of the DVD when it releases January 22 (a great late Christmas present to yourself!) and support indie film!

Don't Go on the Trail (2012)

Directed by Jody S. Dean

Written by Jody S. Dean

Stars: Jody Dean, Allie Madison and Morgan Middlebrooke.

Don’t go on the Trail is Jody Deans new horror film, recently self-distributed via Sickafyed Films official website  and I am pleased to report it is an intense, bloody and sometimes disturbing slasher flick, worthy of your attention.

The plot involves a bloodied young woman, viciously attacking and killing scores of strangers as they go about their day on the titular trail all the while interspersed with footage of locals and park rangers recounting their experiences of a similar tragedy one year before.  It seems that a young lady, Hellady Marie James (Allie Madison) went missing on said trail a couple of years back and was never seen again. In 2011 however, 29 people mysteriously vanished and chilling reports from those working the trail suggest that a young, savage looking young lady, stalked the trail, killing anyone in sight. This horrible event left many people scared of the area and even more scared of a possible vengeful ghost or even living person, out for a sadistic revenge. It is now 2012 and history is very rapidly repeating itself……

The way the movie was structured worked wonders for the plot. It could have just been a run of the mill slasher with a crazed young girl knocking people off left right and centre, but giving the film a timeline of events leading up to the core of the film really fleshes it out.  The interview footage also helps to add a really creepy layer to proceedings, creating a fictional myth to be very afraid of.

The film features some really good acting, particularly from its three main stars. Allie Madison does an amazing job as the ‘is she dead or alive’ killer Hellady, who shows zero mercy in her brutal killing spree. She also shows great range thanks to a disturbing flashback scene which depicts her character prior to the horrible events that caused her disappearance. In this scene, she appears like a kind and pure version of herself before becoming the hideous killer we see for most of the film. Although Helladys monologue in the film’s opening suggests that maybe she was never a good person…. But that could easily be the voice of her now fractured mind speaking….  Morgan Middlebrook and Jody Dean play two pals who end up on Helladys very wrong side and both give very good performances. I felt deeply for Morgan’s character towards the end and was really hoping he would escape Helladys wrath.

There are several unanswered questions coming out of this film. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing as I see scope for a continuation. One scene in particular almost suggests the possibility in going down a Friday the 13 franchise style route (I cannot comment further due to spoilers but you will know what I mean here when you see the film) and we also never find out exactly what Hellady is as there are events suggesting she is very much alive but then again other things occur which definitely appear to be supernatural in nature.  Also I was expecting to have some clarity as to the identity of the person responsible for Helladys original disappearance but this didn’t happen and I had already made up my mind as to who this was haha. Maybe there is a reason this was left unanswered or maybe Jody didn’t wish this to be a revelation full stop. That’s not a criticism at all but I felt it fair to point out these points to readers.

Please support indie film and go and grab a copy of the film, not only is it very reasonably priced, but you get a bonus movie (review HERE) along with the feature and Jody is a lovely guy who will ship out nice and fast. Don’t go on the Trail is a very well made, fantastically scored, creepy, not to mention mysterious good time. In this instance DO go on the trail. 

Scream If You Wanna Go Faster - An Interview with Cary Hill

I was very excited to get the chance to do a Q&A with indie film maker Cary Hill. I have been looking forward to his upcoming indie slasher, Scream Park, for some time now, and it looks set to go hell for leather with the frights and laughs. I thik fans will love this one!

Check out the films official website www.screamparkmovie.com for more information on the film and how you can get to see it, and read on for Carys great answers!





Hacked in the Head: Hi Cary ! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Now your upcoming slasher flick, Scream Park, looks set to take audiences back to the gory, fun 80s horror films that we all love.Could you tell us a bit more about the movie and its conception?

Cary Hill: When I decided to do a feature, I had to chose something that could be feasible on a small budget. I decided, in a very cliche way, to go with a horror film; audiences are very accepting for low budget production quality and, well, a lot of other things when watching a low-budget horror film. But it worked out for me because of my love of the genre as well. I've always been a horror fan nd grew up on a diet of 80s horror and science fiction. It felt like a good fit to do something in that vein.

I chose the sub-genre of slasher film because horror has become glutted with either haunted house ghost stories or 'torture-porn' stuff like Saw or Hostel. I missed the old style set up of teens doing things they shouldn't be and a man in a mask 'correcting' the situation. I hit upon the root of Scream Park at a Great America Amusement Park in October, while it was done up for Halloween. A friend of mine who was with me remarked that a real killer could totally slip in with a mask and be running around with these actors. And it stuck! I realized I couldn't think of a movie like that from everything I had every seen -- and it sounded like an 80s premise! A little more research yielded that there had never been a slasher film in an amusement park and I knew I had to do it.

HitH: I have to comment on the killers mask from the official Scream Park trailer. Its really creepy and reminds me, if you don't mind me saying, of the expression pulled by Alec Baldwin when he morphs his
face in attempt to scare his unwanted 'house guests' Beetle Juice. I love it. How did the idea for the mask come about?

CH: Ha! It does! It's actually a medieval plague doctor mask. From the script, I knew both killers would be (initially) masked. The tricky part was what kind of mask. Some types of masks have become iconic and I wanted to stay away from them. There was a long process with Liz Rishel, our wardrobe person to find something. I hit upon the idea for the cloth mask for one killer after looking through Ossian Brown's "Haunted Air." It's a book that collects photos from the 1920s and 30s of people's home-made Halloween
costumes. And there is one photo of a man with a simple cloth mask with two eye holes and crooked mouth cut out of it. It was so simple but terrifying!

We were two weeks from filming and I still hadn't decided on a mask for the other killer. I was in the work shop of Spectre Studios, a Pittsburgh-based prop and mask company that does their own custom designs. I was picking up a pile of prop axes they had made for the film and mentioned I was still looking for a mask. As we walked through their workshop I found a yellowed plague mask in their refuse bin. They were tossing it out. It was one of their own models, but it had yellowed from sunlight and turned this eerie bone color. I quickly made an offer for it and that was that!

HitH: Excellent, it looks so very creepy, I totally agree! What are the release plans for the film and are there any upcoming screenings you would like to make readers aware of? Any chance of say a UK screening in the future? We LOVE horror over here :)

CH: We've got our world premiere in a small theater in Meadville, PA on Halloween night. The theater is right down the road from Conneaut Lake Park, where we filmed the movie. I promised the park the premiere and we decided Halloween was the perfect night for it. The home-town Pittsburgh premiere will be in November.

I would love to bring it to the UK. We've had a pretty strong following from across the pond since the project began. And you're right, you guys certainly do! I think at least half of our Twitter (@screamparkmovie) following is from the UK. In the least, we'll get some Region 2 disks available on our web store.

HitH: Sounds good, I know a lot of UK readers will flock to grab their own copy! I understand that you have Doug Bradley in the film - that's great. How did that all work out? Are there any other notable performances you would like to mention? I recently reviewed Steve Rudzinski's movie 'Everyone Must Die' and I found him to be a fantastic comedic actor in his role!

CH: Having Doug was huge for us. It gave us clout and everyone's ears sort of perked up when they found out Pinhead had joined up with a band of filmmakers out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I met Doug at the Texas Frightmare convention in Dallas, Texas in 2011. I shook his hand, got his autograph, and offered him a paid role on a quick shoot for the film. We exchanged info, I sent him the script, and he said 'yes.'He was so great to work with. There was an initial moment of anxiety about having Doug Bradley on set and directing him. He quickly smashed that all down and shooting with him was probably the most relaxed atmosphere we had the whole production.

Steve has a very special set of skills, mostly around nuances. In putting the film together, I continue to find tiny things in his performance that make me laugh or yell at the editor "that's perfect!" He ended up being the perfect choice for the part, even if we had to age him slightly. I think a lot of that had to do with letting him live in the role of Marty, the park's manager, and free his performance up. Once we found his stride in the role and the level we wanted to play it, I pretty much let him be with it. I'm curious to see what you think after seeing the film!

HitH: I cant wait to see it either and feedback to you! I am also so glad Doug was great to work with but I can understand the slight anxiety beforehand!

How lengthy was the filming process for the film? The location also looks fantastic, could you tell us a bit more about that?

CH: This month marks my 18th month with the project. The very first day of filming was last November with Doug at the University of Pittsburgh. I had looked up an old professor of mine at the university and got clearance to film there for one night. I used to have class in that room we used, so I feel like I've got full circle.We then had a block of three weeks at Conneaut Lake Park where we filmed dusk to dawn every single night to get the bulk of the footage. We've followed that up with about a week and half worth of pickups and additional scenes. Plus one day in a green screen studio for some compositing work. The original schedule was 22 days, and I think we've extended that to near 30 at this point. I've discovered the bane of directing in that you continually find ways to improve or re-do things and there's an urge to go grab the camera and 'fix' it. 

Without Conneaut Lake Park, I don't think this film would be where it currently is. I'd probably still be driving around New England looking for small amusement parks. They very graciously allowed us to use their property, pretty much without limit, to shoot the project. The park has had its share of rough times -- they recently had a large fire that burned a gorgeous ballroom from the early 20th century down. The park has changed hands and eventually ended up in the hands of a board of trustees who are doing everything they can to keep it open for the people in northeast Pennsylvania. Over the past couple of years it's fallen into disrepair and weather-worn. We were able to slip in just before renovations in spring 2012 and utilize that worn look. On top of all that, the maintenance crews in the park were always happy or willing to lend a hand or run a ride or help rig up power so we could film. The situation couldn't have been better.

HitH: Did you encounter any particular challenges whilst filming Scream Park that you are able to share?

CH: The biggest challenge that we've eventually come to joke about (months later) was shooting on location. We'd be deep in a scene, focused, and suddenly the sound man would call out "Birds!" because their chirping was coming in over the microphones. Every time the sun started coming up there would be a scramble to shoot a few last frames of footage before the light changed. There was some discussion among the crew and I to get T-shirts made that just said "Fuck Nature" on them. 

HitH: Haha...so kind of like Hitchcock but less terrifying and more out and out annoying! 

I also wondered if you are a fan of the horror genre Cary? What are some of your favourites and why? Anything you really love or likewise, dislike within the genre?

CH: Definitely. I take in all movies, any genre but I always seem to gravitate back to horror and science fiction. I think it really hits upon my desire to think in terms of "what if." As in, what if this happened, or
what if someone really did this. Horror is built upon that foundation, while tapping in to primal emotions like fear. I think everyone loves going on roller coasters because deep down there's a realization that
it could fly off the tracks or something bad happen and that by safely pulling back into the station, you've beat death. I think that's why I love Carpenter's Halloween. It just feels believable and real. I know these girls. I go to this school. This street looks just like my neighborhood. But I also love the schlock factor of going really far out there -- and by the late 1980s, I feel like horror movies were being made with such ridiculous premises that it seemed like they just wanted to see what they could get away with. Movies like Night of the Creeps or Chopping Mall where the plot is so far stretched, but it's great! At least they're taking chances. 

I feel like the genre has become diluted or less fearsome with remakes and rehashes. There's no chance-taking anymore. Horror still remains the bastard child of cinema and the industry kind of looks down on it and exploits it. Films like Paranormal Activity work as a great gimmick that's profitable but you don't see much in the way of studios taking chances in the genre. It's up to grassroots filmmakers to really drive the genre in a new direction or continue to bring something to the table. Doug Bradley sells a great T-shirt on his table at conventions that has a picture of Pinhead and says "No Remakes Please, It's A Waste of Good Celluloid."

HitH: What's next for Cary Hill...a Scream Park sequel? A brand new horror flick? A romantic comedy??

CH: I've been asked to take part in a film anthology shooting next year. It's a compilation of short stories built around cryptids -- like Bigfoot, Lockness Monster, etc. We're in the very early stages and I've got a rough online for my bit. I've always liked the idea of doing a creature feature, and it should be really fun.

HitH: Will look forward to hearing more about that when the time is right! Finally Cary is there anything else you wish to tell readers about yourself or your work? Thank you SO much for your time and best of luck with the films release.

CH: Keep checking the film's website www.screamparkmovie.com for updates and new merchandise coming out. We've got some signed stuff coming up as well as other things.I've talked with a few distributors about theatrical and DVD releases, so once we're all done with the film it's time to get it out there. I'd be more than happy to bring it overseas or play any venue that will have us!

Thanks so much for having me! Always a pleasure.

HitH: No thank you Cary!!

An Interview With Jessica Velle

The lovely Jessica Velle spared some time to chat to me about her budding career as an actress and a most enjoyable chat  it is too! Jessica stars in the upcoming indie horror mystery  Heavy Makeup, written and ditrected by Mr Chris Morrisey (interview HERE) and will soon also be filming a part in Joe Wheelers horror flick Jengo, OVER HERE IN THE UK  NO LESS! Please read on to see what Jessica had to tell me about her movies and lots of other stuff.........





Hacked in the Head: Hi Jessica! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. film-maker Chris Morrissey was kind enough to put me in touch with you and I understand you are currently acting in an important role in Chris' new movie Heavy Makeup. My understanding from Chris is that your role elaborated into something far bigger than originally intended which must be amazing for you as an actress?

Jessica Velle: Thank you! Yes, my character was supposed be a couple of scenes and Chris called me back to extend my role,I was surprised and excited when I found out. It was unexpected but I'm glad I got to play such a big part in this film.

HitH: Thats awesome! If you are able to, could you share with readers a little bit about your character in Heavy Makeup and how she is entwined in what sounds like a purposely complex and mysterious plot?

JV: Well, my characters name is Jenny shes the best friend of Nikki and she suspects that something isn't quite right after Nikki's neighbors are found murdered and jenny gets caught up in chaos by being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

HitH: Are you still in the middle of filming Heavy Makeup or are your scenes now complete? If you are still filming hows it all going? I imagine its busy and hectic but a lot of fun!

JV: yes, I'm still filming the movie we are planned to wrap the movie in the next few weeks. I'm working with a great cast and we all work together really well so we always have a good time,and the great thing about filming a horror film is that its always exciting and it keeps you on edge wanting more..

HitH: Sounds fantastic and exciting! How have your experiences been working with Mr Morrissey himself I am constantly amazed and pleased at the positive feedback other actors have given Chris, so it must be fantastic to get to work with him?

JV: working with Chris has been such an amazing experience and oppurtunity hes such a talented writer and director,he keeps the filming process mysterious for everyone so it creates a thrilling energy on set..he knows how to keep you involved and really feel what your character is feeling.

HitH: Can you get him to cast me? I can pretend to be an actor...LOL. I also understand you have been cast in Joe Wheelers upcoming horror film 'Jengo'...congratulations!!! I have heard a lot about Joe and the film sounds like it will be great fun, I will also be interviewing Joe for the site soon so that will be awesome. What do you know about your role thus far? Will you be excited to be working with Share Cherrie again directly following Heavy Makeup? I always enjoy talking with Share so I imagine she is a blast to work with!

JV: Thank you! yes, I'm beyond excited for this new film, I will be getting the script soon but its sure to be action packed and full of scary stuff, I'm very excited to be working with Share its always a pleasure working together,She's very dedicated to her work and very talented,its really great to be able to work with her again.

HitH: Further to your role in Jengo, does this mean you will be heading to the UK to shoot your scenes? Exciting stuff, I hope you like it here if you haven't been before!

JV:Yes, I'm planned to film in london, I've never been there before so I'm definatley looking foward to going..I've always wanted to go to the UK its great to be going for buisness and pleasure.

HitH: Wonderful, I hope you enjoy your time here 'across the pond' Jessica. Let me know if you need any suggestions for stuff to do!

I also wondered if you are a fan of the horror genre? What are some of your favourites and why? Feel free to not just limit this question to the horror genre! :)

JV: I am a huge fan of horror films!!! it actually takes alot to scare me but I'm always interested in watching them..anything that has to do with ghosts will usually keep me on edge..
but some of my favorite horror films are halloween, chucky, the exorcist,the shining, and newer films like the ring, silent hill, the sixth sense..
I love comedies also!!! so anything with Will Farrell I'm a fan of as well..

HitH: Have you always wanted to be an actress Jessica? What would your absolute dream role be?

JV: When I was a child, I got alot of attention I was very friendly and I was very witty so my mom had me in acting classes and I modeled a little bit, But I was always very shy it took me a long time to get used to being on camera..but a part of me always knew I'd be an actress..I'd take breaks here and there but fate always had me back in front of a camera.
My dream role would probably be to work on one of Quentin Tarentino films, I'm absolutely obsessed with his work and his films always have a little bit of everything comedy,action,suspense.

HitH: Wow, would be awesome to see you in a Tarintino movie! Finally Jessica is there anything else you wish to tell readers about yourself? Also thank you so much for your time and best of luck with the new films!

JV: Im dedicated and a hard worker, this didnt happen over night, I put my heart into everything i do, im here to inspire and i hope that i can connect with the audience and they enjoy watching me and my performances.

What a great interview! Be sure to follow Jessica's comings and goings on Twitter: @JESSICAVELLE and look our for more news on her films SOON!

Psycho Street (2011) (Screener Copy)

Psycho Street is a gory, fun horror anthology brought to you by Muscle Wolf Productions (who I would like to thank very much for providing me with a screener DVD). The film is, like I said, an anthology, but it is tied together by one place: the creepy, terror ridden town of 'Kronanburg' (No not the beer). I thought I would break my review down by segment, including the superb wrap around tale starring the always awesome Ms Tiffany Shepis so...here goes......


Come on Down (Wraparound)

Directed by Arthur Cullipher and Patrick Desmond

Written by Marv Blauvelt & Trevor Wright

Stars: Tiffany Shepis, Jared Degado, Austin Dossey and Raine Brown

So the films wraparound, Come on Down, features the one and only Tiffany Shepis, camping it up as resident psychopath Leyla Barker.  Murdering various visitors to her home, in order to appease something nasty hiding in her basement, Tiffany does a superb job as the sweet smiling but VERY ill meaning Leyla. It isn't until Aubrey Harris (Raine Brown) shows up looking for her MIA husband (Austin Dossey, recently bludgeoned half to death and worse by the loveable Leyla) that the movie begins its trio of horror shorts, as Leyla begins to recount various tales of terror to Aubrey. The short has a FANTASTIC middle and end with Tiffany and Raine going head to head and due to a sudden turn of events it is actually Raine's character who tells us the third and final tale in this trilogy of terror.....

A fantastic 80s inspired slasher wrapround with Tiffany Shepis stealing the show and proving she has the acting chops to play a villain with ease. The opening scene with the, lets face it, very buff, Jared Degado is so much fun and Raine Brown also gives a superb, kick arse performance as Aubrey.

Oh..... I almost forgot to mention...this also features the nastiest of knives to face scenes ever! "You're disqualified!"...NICE!

Hyperchondriac

Directed by Pete Jacelone

Written By Trevor Wright

Stars: Marv Blauvelt, Raine Brown, Alan Rowe Kelly, Carl Burrows, Susan Adriensen, and Edward X. Young, Zoe Daelman Chlanda 

First story, Hyperchondriac is a fun, campy oddball horror short which features Marv Blauvelt as a big city doctor who makes the horrible error of escaping the woes of city life to work at the small medical center in the heart of Kronanburg. It is here, that Dr Oliver Combs  meets all manner of oddities ranging from busty Nurse Amber Lovejoy, questionable Dr Anthony Fixx  and a wide variety of locals with the most lovingly bizarre problems....such as toy soldier stuck....very far....up a mans arse. Nice! So the core of this twisted tale involves repeat patient Charity Betencourt (Alan Rowe Kelly) continuously convinced there is something wrong with her, slowly but surely driving Dr Combs to distraction. This short has a deliciously messed up ending as Charity's obsessiveness goes one step too far, culminating in a death or two. All of this is in conjuction with another local who you are led throughout to believe is totally off of her rocker but it turns out her fears WERE real. This side plot helps to ensure the ending of Hyperchondriac is even more fun and I was laughing out loud by this point - didn't see it coming and I loved it.  Performances were campy and fun throughout, Marv played the constantly befuddled Oliver Combs brilliantly and Alan Rowe Kelly was hilarious as the nightmarish patient which every doctors surgery probably has to deal with....just maybe not the extreme that this film goes.....  I also really enjoyed Raine Browns precocious Amber Lovejoy and it was nice to see Zoe Daelman Chlanda (I'll Bury you tomorrow) pop up as demanding patient Priscilla Grace. A great little short with its tongue firmly in cheek and enough bad taste to keep you going until the next segment.....

Antibodies

Directed by Patrick Desmond

Written By Trevor Wright

Stars: Kaylee Williams, Jared Degado, Brigid MacAulay Paul and Jameson Barbosa, and Susan M. Martin

Antibodies is by far the grossest and sick of the three stories and works very well as a kind of Cronenberg style, body horror movie. I really do not, and would not, give too much away about this one so I will be spare on detail. The plot concerns poor Aimee (Kaylee Williams) bound to a bed by her deranged mother (Brigid MacAulay) who has no issues whatsoever in allowing truckers to visit their home to sleep with her daughter. This is obviously against Aimee's wishes but there is FAR more going on in this home than meets the eye and with every sickening outcome of each truckers doomed visit, you get closer to the truth of what is going on. Its TOTALLY bizarre, very very gross, but a hell of a lot of fun. There are at least three fantastic body horror moments which will have you recoiling in horror, and that has to be a good thing right? The performances are good, with Kaylee Williams the definite stand out. Her role requires several switches of personality so I think they picked the right indie scream queen to play Aimee here.  Brigid MacAuley disturbingly camps it up as the sex crazed, immoral (not to mention criminal) mother and Susan M. Martin's character just gives you the creeps throughout. You kind of have to go into Antibodies fairly blind to get the most out of it...just expect sex, an abundance of male and female nudity and gore galore!

The end of this short takes us back to Tiffany and Raine and as mentioned this is where things get REALLY good in Come on Down.....

Lewis

Directed by Anthony G. Sumner

Written By Marv Blauvelt, Anthony G. Sumner, Trevor Wright
 
Stars: Deneen Melody, Jerry Murdock and Susan Adriensen

I got a chance to check out and review Anthony G. Sumners Lewis not so long ago and it was a complete pleasure to check out this brilliant little horror film once more. Just as it did the first time round, the authentic looking 70s setting really impressed me. There is such a wonderful, dreamy atmosphere about the whole short that it sucks you in easily...then spits you right back out with the sudden shocking end. Plot wise you have Amanda Reece (played in fine form by Deneen Melody) who returns to her childhood home town with her young daughter, Aubrey (!) in tow, after discovering her husbands affair. However there is a bigger reason that informs Amanda's decision to head back to Kronanberg - she is being plagued by flashbacks to a very ominous childhood...and she wants answers. Things are not at all right in this little town though (as if the rest of Psycho Street hadn't warned you of this!) and the residents are waiting for Amanda and Aubrey... to say much more would spoil a number of shocking scenes and an excellent horror climax. You NEED to grab a copy of Psycho Street and see this for yourself as the ending of Lewis just floors me, and the final scenes after the mayhem dies down are downright chilling. Lewis is beautifully shot, cleverly written and feature some fantastic performances. Jerry Murdock and Susan Adriensen give Deneen's perfect performance a run for its money in their incredibly jaw dropping roles, and you have to see these in action to believe it! A fine, fine closing segment for Psycho Street.

A recommended purchase which, as it goes, you can do right NOW. Head on over to Amazon people and grab a copy of Psycho Street on DVD! Support indie horror and have a damn good time doing so!