Dave and Al Get Coffee short film review.

Here is something a little different. A break from horror as I dip into Derek Huey and Rakesh Jacob's new comedy film titled 'Dave and Al Get Coffee'. Yes. You read that right. Comedy. There have always been elements of comedy in Derek's previous shorts, but this film, while having the biggest budget for one of Derek's films yet, dives headfirst into the funny, and it works incredibly well. It has been quite a while since a film had me laughing out loud, but 'Dave and Al Get Coffee' managed it numerous times throughout its duration. 
  
Before Dave and Al meet to get coffee, as the title suggests, they are harrassed by a couple of smart-mouthed cops. The dialogue is smooth here, as it is throughout the whole short, and the humour plays out akin to a 'View Askewniverse' Kevin Smith comedy, but not only with dialogue. There are some brilliant visual gags too.

Yes. Dave and Al Get Coffee is that good. Dave and Al then indavertanly stumble into a cafe that gets held up. There are some hilarious reactions from Al (played by Derek Huey) when the robber is attempting to sweet-talk a scared barristar in the coffee shop, and the chemistry between Dave (Blake Suarez) and Al throughout the short is both believable and hilarious. The robber manages to expertly exude both menace and sarcasm, and is all the funnier because of it. There is also a scene with a fire extinguisher which came out of nowhere, and took me by surprise, having me both snort and spit out my drink over my computer. And it isn't often anything will make me part with my drink.

The photography is wonderful and looks incredible, with still shots framing the actors perfectly. The hilarious, understated and off-the-wall humour and impassioned performances are all present and correct, and make this near 22 minute short a joy to behold.

Hilarious, honest and incredibly watchable, Dave and Al Get Coffee is another win for Derek Huey. If he carries on this way, he will be a household name before long. And that is no much more than he deserves in my opinion.

Darkest regards......Dani.

William Pattison/Eric Morse: The Final Chapter (and it isn't like the Friday the 13th movies. This really is the last time he will be written about here).

Horror is entertaining, disturbing and repulsive. It should offend, nauseate and create feelings of unease and anger. It is something entirely different when someone who claims to exist in something he likes to call 'The Horror Community' garners the same reactions from fans of the genre.

I would not be writing this post if this person had read my reply to a certain Youtube video and taken it in the manner intended, instead of labelling me a 'Troll, Retard, Drunkard and Drug user'. So in fairness, and given that I was blocked so was unable to address the imbalance of information directly, I will take to my mouth-piece to do so. Obviously the comments section here is moderated by myself, but anyone is free to give their two-cents, be it positive or negative. I am not about to block someone for typing something I don't agree with. Where is the balance? Where is the honesty?

William Pattison/Eric Morse (or Morris, as he pronounces it) gets enough publicity for his inane (that's inane, not insane) rants and grudges, so I am not happy with giving him more space here, but the balance needs to be addressed. This person uploaded a video on his birthday, where he explained how he was going to rid himself of negative karma. Then, for the next seventeen minutes or so, he talked down everything the people who he was 'unblocking on Facebook' have done and are going to do. This didn't make a blind bit of sense to me. (Mind you, neither did the act of 'freeing up negative karma', as karma is circular, and (if you believe in karma) if you have negative karma, it is because you committed negative acts in the past and it has come back around to bite you on the ass. 

So I commented, without insult or insinuation, asking why there was such negativity towards the people in question when the person was alledgedly 'freeing up negative karma'. I also asked for proof of the claims he continuously makes, such as working on Star Trek II and III (arguably the best entries in the entire franchise, and you would imagine if you were seventeen years old and working on such a popular franchise, your name would certainly get around). But this person refuses to prove anything.

Obviously to me, this seems like a pure and simple attempt to continue the lies and make himself seem defiant, when the simple fact is that he cannot prove anything because it isn't true. Now I am sure in journalism, it is required that if you do purport something to be true, you have to provide sources/evidence, the same as you would if you were writing a university science paper. Why is this such a negative thing to this person? He said 'I am not on trial, and you can't put me on trial'. That was not the case. He calls himself a journalist, writer, teacher, filmmaker etc, so the basic traits of journalism should be perfectly visable to him.

This person even attempted to accuse a person laying into him that they had bought me into the fray. This wasn't the case. I don't nor will I ever follow any trend or hop on any bandwagon.

Now, to answer this persons three claims they made about me.

Retarded - If I found things offensive, this might have made my blood boil. As it is, it was a poor attempt at goading me into some kind of heated exchange so I would look like the 'Troll' I was being accused of being. I am not retarded though, but again, using this as a slur to try and pull someone down is quite frankly disgusting, and shows a complete lack of respect for anyone who suffers from any kind of learning difficulty. Yet again, this person shows themselves to be as ignorant as the people he alledges bully him.

Drunkard - I do not drink. I haven't drunk since my twenty-sixth birthday. It isn't something I enjoy, and I don't see the point. Again though, if I did enjoy getting drunk, what does it have to do with anyone else? My life is my own, and I am free to do as I choose without anyone discrediting or attempting to pull me down. If my behaviour is legal and isn't hurting anyone, then what is the issue?

Drug User - I have never, nor will I ever use drugs. I haven't even tried a cigarette. I see no need to 'get high' or experiment with illicit substances. So you fail on every accusation you make, and show yourself to be the kind of person you speak so negatively of on every little bit of media you put out. You hate the people you unblocked so much that you use their picture to advertise your new book? Makes sense.

This person also asks what qualifies us to call him crazy (something which I under no circumstances did). If he doesn't feel the need to show proof as to the claims he makes, what gives him the thought that anyone he asks to do the same is going to comply. Pot and kettle come to mind there.

For me, this is the final time I will give this person any space on my blog. His negativity, pathological lying and ability to constantly change stories to involve more and more people is frankly tiresome now. Even the comedy value of his blog posts, videos and podcasts has worn. I mean, there is only so many times you can listen to the same thing over and over again (ask any AC/DC or Status Quo fan).

Oh and one last thing. Fuck me Mr Pattison? Fuck me? You'd have to catch me first. And although I have quite serious illnesses, I am still betting I could escape without losing my breath. If you want to talk as an adult, this is an open forum. You would find out I am not a troll. Just because someone disagrees with you does not instantly make them wrong. Namecalling should have been left behind in Primary school. And you should show more respect to people with learning difficulties. Calling someone a 'retard' is not a slur I like to type, nevermind be called.

If Karma is real, this person is building up one hell of a negative comeback. I wish him all the best, and I hope that one day, his mind will allow him to be at peace, and promote the things he loves instead of rallying against the things he hates.

As for me, I will now resume normal service. I apologise for the break in normality here, but I dislike not being given a chance to put my side across. There is no balance when that happens. Now, all is right with the world. I'm going to watch a film. Or listen to Ghost's 'Meliora' again.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Eat (2014).

It seems as of late the independent horror scene is awash with slow-burn films. This is not a bad thing under any circumstances, as things must constantly change in order to survive. If I had watched films like 'The House of the Devil', 'The Innkeepers', 'Thanatomorphose' and Starry Eyes' when I was younger, I can guarantee that I would have lost all interest within ten minutes. Now though, these films are unsettling reminders of what can be achieved with an atomsphere of dread, raw emotion and incredibly honest performances. 'Eat' is one such film that manages to horrify without the need for excessive gore, profanity-laced language and mis-timed comedy. This is a film that is difficult to enjoy because it is so real and honest, not only being a horror film, but also a commentary on showbusiness in general, and how it can consume individuals with all of the self-destructive and soul-destroying rejection one has to suffer for their art.

This are not going well for Novella McClure, a stuggling actress and our protagonist in 'Eat'. She is a 30-something actress who hasn't managed to get a role in ten years. She has also developed a strange habit of eating her own flesh when her anxiety and fears catch up with her. Novella tries her best to hide her habit from her motherly landlord Eesha and her incredibly over-protective friend Candice, but things continue to get increasingly worse for Novella. Will a meeting with a handsome psychiatrist change her ways, or is she destined to be consumed by her fear, anxiety and herself?

'Eat' is an incredibly powerful and pessimistic tour-de-force that has no light at the end of the tunnel. Please, don't expect anything in the form of happiness or good-feelings to come from viewing this film. It is stomach turning and spirit-breaking in equal measure. The performances are hypnotic and believable, especially that of Meggie Maddock (who plays Novella McClure), who brings so much vulnerability and heart to the film, as well as bringing an almost scarily realistic emotional instability and all-consuming hunger of wanting to achieve her dream. It could be considered feminist propoganda, as every man is a vile predator only after one thing, and some of these men will not take no as an answer to anything.

The special FX are sickening to say the least. Flesh tears, oozes and wounds are lingered upon, allowing the viewer to bask (or vomit) in their crimson glory. Not since 'Thanatomorphose' has gore been such a sharp kick in the guts and truly wanted to make me regurgitate my lunch, something which the sound design only helped to accentuate.

'Eat' is a beautiful yet disturbing film, and Meggie Maddock is hypnotic in her moments of beauty as well as the more depraved moments of cannibalism. Gore-lovers will love the film for its scenes of self-consumption, whereas fans of mote art-house horror will love the film for its honesty, beautiful shot-composition and its commentary of showbusiness as a whole. A film worth checking out, as it provoked genuine emotion as well as stomach churning gore.

Darkest regards......Dani.

It Follows (2015).

Have you seen the hype for this film? I have noticed it has been making quite the buzz in horror circles and with film fans alike. After looking a little deeper into it, 'It Follows' seems to split genre fans right down the middle. Many complain about the lack of anything happening, the slow pace the film moves at, or the ambiguity of the ending. They seem to ignore the retro-sensibilities, the creepy and absorbing atmosphere and the amazing soundtrack that accompanies the film.

After a sexual encounter, Jay finds herself haunted by, well, it is never explained what 'it' is, and this is another way the film gets under your skin. Not knowing who the creature will appear as (it can take the form of anyone it chooses) means paranoia runs deep throughout the movie. People in the background soon grab your attention, and you are always aware of the characters placement, worrying about if they could escape from the supernatural entity that has latched onto them and is chasing them down to murder them in a disturbing manner that bought to mind Chad Ferrin's 'Someone's Knocking on the Door' at one point in the film.

I found that 'It Follows' mirrors a lot of John Carpenter's work from the 70s. There are even subtle nods to Halloween, most noticeably when Jay is sitting at her desk in high school and peers out of the window, and sees something incredibly strange. Both the music (a beautiful and eerie synth score by Disasterpeace) and the lack of gore, and reliance on tension and suspense also take the viewer back to a time when horror was atmospheric, steeped in dread and making the viewer incredibly uncomfortable.

I have deliberately not described any plot-points of the film, or given a detailed synopsis as I feel that going in to this movie knowing as little as possible will make the viewing that much more enjoyable. A horror film that truly manages to chill to the bone, and also make literal the old horror movie rule that sex equals death, 'It Follows' is a film that more than lives up to the hype, and as long as you aren't expecting some choppily-edited gorefest, then 'It Follows' will leave you watching your back, terrified of what might be following you.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Subspecies (1991).

Full Moon Entertainment hasn't always been synonymous with great or even good films. They were a staple of my childhood (as were Empire Pictures before them), and my love for Puppet Master, Robot Jox and Demonic Toys is never ending. 'Subspecies' is another series of films which for some reason I never managed to see until my mid teens, and they really surprised me.

Gone was the overt campness rife in most Full Moon films, only to be replaced with Gothic sensibilities (it being one of the first American films to be filmed in Romania goes a long way to achieve this) and what is possibly the scariest and most enigmatic Vampire to ever grace the silver screen. Oh, and did I mention the opening scene features 'The Tall Man' Angus Scrimm in a very memorable cameo?

In Subspecies, we follow three students who travel to Romania to study folklore. Unfortunately, they find themselves at the center of a blood-feud between Radu and his brother Stefan. As Stefan befriends the girls, Radu targets them while Stefan attempts to protect them from his murderous brother. Some may die, and some may become undead!

Subspecies manages to work on every level. It has a Villain who is played fantastically by Anders Hove, that will chill even the most hardened horror fan. Radu should be up there with the likes of Freddy, Jason, Michael etc. He is pure evil, with a smile that is so sinister it chills the spine. There is also an air of tradgedy around him, which is explored, along with his wanting for love in the sequels. But it is in the first film where his demoniacal behaviour is at its cruelest, with our introduction to Radu being one of sadistic glee.

Along with the incredible Anders Hove, the setting goes such a long way to creating the perfect atmosphere for the film. Everything just seems to have fallen into place, and in my humble opinion, everything about Subspecies is incredible. This is even more surprising as Vampire films aren't usually my thing (I can count on one foot the number of Vampire films I enjoy).

If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing any of these films, seek them out and you too can see Radu's blood-soaked smile and the murder and mayhem that ensues between two undead brothers.

Darkest regards......Dani.

I have risen from the dead!! (Well.....sort of...)

Doctor Carnage's World of Horror is coming back. Yes, I finally feel the need to begin writing here again. I hadn't given this blog a thought since beginning University in October 2014, and with other things in my private life taking their toll on me (such as being diagnosed with yet another lifelong illness and continuing to fight for my children, who I love and miss dearly) my world of horror has taken a bit of a backseat.

I will now make an active effort to update this regularly once more, hopefully bringing you more reviews, features and interviews than ever before. At least until my second year at University begins in October. So lets raise a glass of grue to horror and gore, and let us delve once more into the world of horror.

Don't worry. I have your hand. I promise I won't let go......

Darkest regards......Dani.

Derek Huey's 'I'm Sorry' (2015).

Crazy. Hilarious. Shocking. How many adjectives can one use to describe a short film? When Derek Huey is the filmmaker, as many as he can possibly think of! I'm not one for hyperbole, but seriously, this short is pure excellence. 'I'm Sorry' is a near eight minute short film, and easily takes the title of 'the funniest short I have seen so far this year'. Not only that, but it provokes a number of other emotions from the viewer.

I won't give anything away, for fear of spoiling the short film, but things move along briskly as the viewer is drawn in right away as we see someone get murdered. The music added to the tense death scene, and it was incredibly well-realised and almost operatic in its execution. Rarely does such a simple execution work so well.

The movie then gives a nod to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, which had me chuckling out loud. Then we are drawn right back in, as the killer bursts into another home. What happens next surprised me yet again, and bought to mind a scene out of 'The Omen', only with even more shock value.

Put simply, it seems as though Derek Huey is going from strength to strength with each subsequent film he makes. I cannot wait to see a full length feature from this guy. I am continually impressed by his work. In 'I'm Sorry', you can tell Derek has put his heart and soul into this film, and it shows in every single frame. Horror and offfbeat humour (which comes across as very British, in a Monty Python's Flying Circus kind of way) is the order of the day in this short, and it works that well, I think I am going to watch it again!

The film was made for The Zone Sci Fan Film Race Festival, which is Houston's first Sci-Fi/Fantasy film race and festival, and has been submitted for the Audience Award, so is not available to the public yet. As soon as it is, a post will be made right here, letting you all know how you can see this awesome piece of cinema.

You can check out more about The Zone Sci Fan Film Race Festival by clicking HERE.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Dustin Wade Mills' Applecart.

 

This is my first foray into the films of Dustin Wade Mills. His work is spoken about with great enthusiasm between fans of horror, and as I am always interested in viewing new and interesting horror films, I requested to view a screener of 'Applecart', as I have read many raving over his films.

Watching this film, you truly feel you are experiencing the mind of both a genius and a madman. The film, a four part anthology connected by ideas of forbidden fruit and love, works on many levels. Not only is it incredibly artistic, it draws you into its warped nightmarish landscape like nothing else out there. A feat many films fail at the first hurdle. Not 'Applecart'. It continues to draw you in, almost hypnotising the viewer and twisting their stomachs into knots throughout the entire film.

I watched this film with mouth agape, eyes locked on the screen, nails digging deep into the palm of my hand. Shot in black and white and featuring no dialogue, 'Applecart' transcends both the exploitation film tropes it displays, and to a greater degree the artistic performances and storytelling on offer, to become something much greater than the sum of its parts. It is purely and simply breathtaking, and pushes boundaries in every respect. The fact the cast all wear near white emotionless masks helps the viewer proect their own fears upon the individuals who perform in this cinematic triumph, making it that much more disturbing. You can literally feel everything being played out in your gut. This film, despite not showing it, really succeeds in portraying raw emotion and disturbing images to turn even the most jaded horror fans stomachs. As honest as it is transgressive, 'Applecart' is a thing of nightmarish beauty.

The fact that the actors and actresses cannot convey emotion through their faces means they take a much more theatrical approach to their performances, using elements of performance art, and it works to the advantage of the film, keeping the audience on edge and not letting them have any idea where the film is going to go next. How many films do that? I presonally can't think of any that have come out in the last ten years that have such impassioned and artistic merit as 'Applecart' does.

Even after watching horror and exploitation films for nearly 28 years, it is such a great feeling to see something wholly original. Something that manages to shock and surprise in equal measure. 'Applecart' is that very film. If this is any indication of just what Dustin Wade Mills can do, then this man should have his films in every horror and exploitation fans collection. That's a fact.

You can purchase 'Applecart' from Crumpleshack by clicking HERE.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Facebook is an asshole.

Further to my previous post about this blog moving over to WordPress, that is now not going to happen. While in conversation with a director whose work I am incredibly looking forward to checking out and writing about, I noticed Facebook once more allowed me to post links to Blogger on my timeline.

As before, when they stopped this, there was no mention this was the case. So I am as surprised and slightly annoyed as everyone else who uses this blogging platform who had the same problem.

As I am now back on track with University work (and have onlyeight weeks left) there will be an increase in output here once more. Coming over the next week will be a review of Alexis Gonzalez's 'Spookfield' anthology, and Dustin Wade Mills' new flick 'Applecart'.

Thank you all who continue to read my ramblings. This World of Horror will carry on here!

Darkest regards......Dani.

My move over to Wordpress.

Doctor Carnage's World of Horror is moving to Wordpress. Facebook has blocked all links to Blogger, making this move necessary as without Facebook, I have very little to promote my articles with. I will be moving all of the articles/promos and reviews over to doctorcarnage.wordpress.com so I hope you will join me there for more reviews, promos and editorials.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Extended synopsis and awesome page shots from Kill-Crazy Nymphos Attack!

Well look here! The Soska sisters have today released page shots and an extended synopsis for their upcoming collaboration with writer Daniel Way and artist Rob Dumo. I for one am really looking forward to this. Here is the extended synopsis!

Kill-Crazy Nymphos Attack! is an original graphic novel presented in a grindhouse/exploitation film style. It’s irreverent and raw but, at the same time, it’s a story–an actual story with a beginning, middle and end–that’s infused with relevant social commentary.

The story centers upon Purvis Gunt, a malcontent and pervert who works at a pharmaceutical lab. Purvis is obsessed with having rampant, porno-style sex with nearly every woman he sees but it’s never gonna happen for him because, in addition to the fact that he’s married, he’s revolting in every possible way. So he turns to science for a way to cheat the situation, using the resources of the pharmaceutical lab to create something that will cause women to lose any and all inhibition or restraint and fill them with uncontrollable lust. Purvis, however, is a terrible scientist. What he cooks up is a virus that fills women with not only a lust for sex…but for blood!

When the virus gets out and infects the female population of the small town where Purvis lives, carnage ensues and it’s up to Purvis, disgraced priest Father Osorio and super macho but sexually ambiguous SWAT officer Mack Diesel to contain the situation before woman-hating US President Pole drops a nuke on the whole goddamn mess!

Tell me that doesn't get you excited! This graphic novel is going to revel in 42nd Street madness, bringing the exploitation style of the films shown there to great effect in the style of artistic storytelling.

Look! Page shots too!! I have to say, it really does look incredible!



 

Don't forget to visit the Kickstarter for this amazing project, as there are fantastic perks on offer, so donate and/or share as much as you can!!

You can visit the Kickstarter for Kill-Crazy Nymphos Attack! by clicking HERE.

Darkest regards......Dani.

Is it fair that illegal downloading is wholly to blame for filmmakers not making a return?

Piracy. The bane of many an indie horror company. It never ceases to amaze me how fast something will end up on torrent sites, or even on Youtube. One could argue that this sort of exposure brings these underground films into the homes of many more fans than a normal DVD/Blu-Ray release would. But at what price? If the filmmakers aren't making a return, how are they going to continue making films?

In this piece, I will be looking in detail at both sides of the argument, from the filmmakers and from someone who knows an awful lot more about the subject than I.

When I suggested this post on Facebook and asked filmmakers to get in touch with me to share their experiences (for a second time, as Facebook decided to do away with my original post) it became obvious just how passionate filmmakers are about this subject.

Jessica Cameron wrote "When the OTHER side is illegal and immoral how much focus does it need?
I think "giving the other side focus" is part of the problem and in no way a solution. If I get mugged, the mugger gets caught, they get their chance to say their side in front of a judge. Here's the thing - if you are a film maker who believes having your film avail for free is helpful, great - post your movie for the world to see on a public site. THAT is another point entirely. Stealing is wrong. Period". 

From this post alone, I could see where the lines were drawn, and both sides were as far away from each other as they could possibly be. On the one hand, many filmmakers detest torrents and piracy (and with great reason). Not only are people stealing work these filmmakers have put their heart and soul into, they are exploiting everybody who worked on that movie as well as taking any money the filmmaker might have made and practically throwing it into the wind. There is no doubt that piracy hurts filmmakers in every respect. There is no doubt that it is wrong. But I could not talk about one side without looking at things beyond piracy that might be to blame for the loss of money these filmmakers are experiencing.

An open letter written by filmmaker Lee Vervoort (Horror Movies Ca, 2014) which you can see by clicking here, makes a very interesting argument and touches on some home truths also. While Lee is angry that his film 'Gun Town' is being shared on websites that let people view movies for free, he understands why it is done. He even outlines an idea to work around piracy and use the internet to share his movie whilst also giving fans a chance to donate for watching. Just think, with the reach of the internet, and people being charged $2 per viewing of a movie, what the return could be.

While filmmakers seem content to bemoan piracy, I do not see many trying to act in ways which would combat it. Understandably, it would take time and energy, and more importantly money, but it would put money back into the filmmakers product, and fans would be able to support the filmmakers work. It works in respect for campaigns on Indiegogo and such, whereby fans donate to filmmakers for perks and rewards. I have no doubt that if someone is a fan of a filmmaker, they would donate a little money to see a filmmakers piece of work.  

In talking to David Austin (former writer for Deep Red magazine, Cult Cuts, Ultra violent and The Wall Street Journal) he bought up some very good points, of which I will  share later on. His statement he sent to me outlines what he feels is the reason why physical media is failing.

He wrote "Independent filmmakers and distribution companies are going to point the finger at torrents and bootlegging as the death of their industry because they make an easy target. It's far more palatable to take aim upon anonymous movie fans running uTorrent than it is large corporate entities refusing to carry their films. Cinemageddon makes a far easier target than Rkyo Distribution".

He makes a very good point. Of course taking on anonymous individuals who share things online is going to be much easier than taking on a large company, but is it really these individuals who illegally share the work of these filmmakers that are responsible for the apparent downfall of physical media?  

David Austin goes on to say "The internet and trading is definitely hurting all facets of the entertainment marketplace, but it's a bit more than that. Tower Records shutting down was the true beginning of the end. When Tower was the industry leader, every store followed suit. Best Buy, Media Play, Hastings, Borders Books and Music, Barnes and Nobel etc.Tower shut down, and everyone expected Best Buy to pick up the slack. They didn't. All of a sudden, Synapse and Media Blasters and Shock O Rama discs were nowhere to be found at Best Buy. When the brick and mortars shut down, those casual shoppers who picked something up on a whim were pretty much eliminated from the prospective customer base. The people who download are those who never would have bought the movie anyway. So in a real sense, the good that downloading has is increasing market awareness. If titles were actually available in stores, people would buy them".

Again, David brings up some very good points. Does the lack of stores to sell the physical media in affect the availability of a persons movie? Does the waiting time between ordering from a seller/filmmaker themselves or from an online store mean people are more concerned with having the product here and now?

David also mentioned how "the distribution opportunities for independent features are rapidly dwindling, and that major damage was done by the New York Post when they published a hit piece on the fact that Johnny Legend's XXX film 'Teenage Cruisers' was being distributed through WMG/Ryko Distribution. As a result of this, every niche distributor wound up having their contracts with companies like Ryko and Sony/RED anulled. Companies such as Synapse and Blue Underground no longer had access to the storefront marketplace that those companies facilitated.

It was a real house of cards effect for the smaller companies. It pretty much put labels like NoShame and Casa Negra and even Media Blasters out of commission permanently. Everyone was forced to scale back considerably". (You can read more on the situation above by clicking HERE.)

On the other side of the coin, filmmakers feel very passionate about their films being stolen, and it is understandable why, and it is understandable why they feel torrents and bootlegging is such an important issue. How anyone can take something that someone has put so much time and effort into beggars belief, and I cannot imagine how much it destroys ones spirit to have this happen to them. It again becomes apparent that bootleggers and torrents are not only to blame for this. 

Joe Castro and Steven Escobar wrote and told me that they have had many issues with Youtube and have to manually remove videos every time it happens. They say that even though Youtube has a programme that can block people from uploading their content, they have been denied this because they are independent filmmakers and not studios who have hundreds of movies. They have nine movies, and Youtube thinks that they do not have the rights to their own movies and to protect them online.

They go on to explain that "Another issue we had in the past was from distributors, one of them being Breaking Glass Pictures, aka Vicious Circle Films.  They distributed THE SUMMER OF MASSACRE until I found out they had sold to Australia without our consent as per our contract with them. We pulled the film from them and made them pay us for that and took them to court".

As we can see from this, not only are the illegal uploaders to blame, but distribution companies which manage to deny the filmmakers money from their overseas sales. Again though, if it wasn't for these distribution companies, would these filmmakers work see the light of day? Do they have to take the chance of losing money just to have a chance to have their movies circulated? Is this not as bad, if not worse than torrenting and bootlegging films?

Brad Sykes, filmmaker for fifteen plus years sent me his comments on torrents and piracy, which I shall share in full.

"In the fifteen plus years I've been making movies, I've watched internet piracy become more and more of a threat to indie filmmakers and distributors making their money back, let alone profiting from their work. Of course illegal dowloads and torrent sites have always been around as long as the internet itself, but back when I started directing, the market was supported by video stores and sell-through, and foreign sales were still strong as well. A small title like 'Camp Blood' not only did well on VHS and DVD in the US, it had multiple DVD releases in the UK, France, Germany etc. The sequel, 'Camp Blood 2' was greenlit literally on the basis of strong foreign presales, before we even had a script.

Nowadays, filmmakers have to rely on online sales, where it's hard to stand out without marketing/advertising dollars and online/VOD rentals , which everyone - including the studios, are still trying figure out how to properly monetise. The foreign market has dried up, partially because of increased piracy overseas. There just isn't enough money to be made for some territories to justify making a DVD/BluRay, when the film is already available on dozens or hundreds of torrent sites. There's a whole new generation of viewers who grew up believing that everything - movies, music etc - should be free for the taking. It's just about impossible to combat these sites, most of whom are overseas and exempt from copyright laws. 

Our new movie, 'Hi-8' was released last December on DVD in the US, and almost immediately afterward started appearing not only on the usual torrent sites, but on Youtube aswell. The same thing happened with our last movie 'Plaguers' which hit the net soon after its legitimate Russian DVD  release. 'Hi-8' pops up from a different uploader just about every day, so we are constantly contacting Youtube, asking them to remove our film from their site. We have been successful at this, but it is time consuming and irritating to say the least, with lots of hoops to jump through to prove you are the rights holder. We find it ironic that they put so many challenges to the filmmakers, yet do nothing to stand in the way of their users uploading illegal content. 

If filmmakers want increased exposure for their work, I think a happy medium would be offering their film for a specific time period on a controlled channel, such as Vimeo, and spreading the word about it. But none of us are ever going to recoup our investment or turn a profit which we could then turn into a future film, if these torrent sites remain unregulated and the viewers continue to use them".  

In conclusion, we can see that filmmakers feel strongly about their works being 'stolen' by people who upload their films to torrents and who bootleg their work, and with great reason. This could scupper a filmmakers chances of making another feature, desroying all future chances of them ever doing something they love again. We can also see, from both Lee Vervoort's open letter and from the statement made by Brad Sykes, that if these channels were controlled, and filmmakers had the choice to upload their work, that they would be great tools to spread the word about the filmmakers work. David Austin makes it clear that torrent users and bootleggers should not be blamed entirely for the money lost, and that some responsibility has to be aimed at the decline of stores and the fact that large distribution companies no longer had access to storefront displays because of the furore uncovered by the New York Times.

These statements and pieces of evidence show that while the internet is a fantastic tool for filmmakers, there are always people out there who are willing to take things for free. I want to finish off this article by stating my views once more so there is no argument on which side of the fence I sit on (even though this article was written in a strictly objective viewpoint). I am against all piracy. No ones work, no ones art should be taken without the artists permission, or without paying for it when it is for sale. I personally cannot condone something which hurts filmmakers, and may very well take away some very strong new hopes in the movie industry simply because there are people out there who feel entitled to see things for free.

Darkest regards......Dani.

 

Anthropophagous forthcoming worldwide HD debut from 88 Films.

 

Yes! That is all I could say when I read this piece of news. Finally, the United Kingdom (and the rest of the world) is finally going to get a HD version of this Joe D'Amato classic!

Joe D’Amato cemented himself into genre film history with this slickly directed, and sinisterly suspenseful creature feature which has some unprepared tourists arriving on a desolate Mediterranean island – only to find themselves stalked by a silent cannibalistic Neanderthal! Featuring gory special effects, that convinced some British moral guardians that ANTHROPOPHAGOUS was a legitimate ‘snuff movie’, there is little doubting that this timeless terror totem still holds up today. Also boasting a cast of genre legends, such as Tisa Farrow (ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS), Zora Kerova (CANNIBAL FEROX) and George Eastman (RABID DOGS), 88 Films is proud to present ANTHROPOPHAGOUS fully uncut and uncensored and re-mastered for its worldwide HD debut!

Not only will you get a HD transfer of the aforementioned Italian classic, it also includes the feature length documentary 42nd STREET MEMORIES: THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICA’S MOST NOTORIOUS BLOCK!

What better accompaniment to a certified classic like ANTHROPOPHAGUS than this long-awaited expose of New York’s notorious den of sex, sin and cinema? Many a movie made its mark in one of Manhattan’s long-demolished exploitation establishments – and 42nd STREET MEMORIES tells the story of the good old days of big city slime, sweat and sleaze. Directed by Calum Waddell and featuring an esteemed list of interviewees, including Joe Dante (GREMLINS), Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE), Larry Cohen (Q, THE WINGED SERPENT), William Lustig (MANIAC), adult performer Veronica Hart, author John Skipp and many more – this is the last word on the golden era of the world’s most celebrated sprawl of film theatres.

This film will ONLY be available for a six month period, and will only be available from the 88 Films Website. All pre-orders will receive a gloss finish O-card with the original banned artwork plus four collectible postcards.

A list of the special features featured on this release are as follows: - 

• Available to watch in either English Language or Italian Language with English Subtitles
• 42nd Street Memories - Feature Length Documentary
• Trailer
• Reversible Sleeve with original UK Video Nasty Art
• More features to be announced…...

You can pre-order Anthropophagous from the 88 Films website by clicking  HERE. 

 

Darkest regards......Dani. 

The Soska Sisters + Daniel Way = Kill-Crazy Nymphos Attack!

Today (or last night for us in the UK, and believe me, having to sit on this news until now wasn't easy) Jen and Sylvia Soska announced their first original graphic novel, where they are going to collaborate with famed Wolverine: Origins and Deadpool (amongst others) scribe Daniel Way.

According to the Soska sisters, "Kill-Crazy Nyphos Attack! is is an original graphic novel presented in a grindhouse/exploitation film style. It's irreverent and raw but, at the same time, it's a story--an actual story with a beginning, middle and end--that's infused with relevant social commentary.

The story centers upon Purvis Gunt, a malcontent and pervert who works at a pharmaceutical lab. Purvis is obsessed with having rampant, porno-style sex with nearly every woman he sees but it's never gonna happen for him because, in addition to the fact that he's married, he's revolting in every possible way. So he turns to science for a way to cheat the situation, using the resources of the pharmaceutical lab to create something that will cause women to lose any and all inhibition or restraint and fill them with uncontrollable lust. Purvis, however, is a terrible scientist. What he cooks up is a virus that fills women with not only a lust for sex...but for blood.

When the virus gets out and infects the female population of the small town where Purvis lives, carnage ensues and it's up to Purvis, disgraced priest Father Osorio and super macho but sexually ambiguous SWAT officer Mack Diesel to contain the situation before woman-hating US President Pole drops a nuke on the whole goddamn mess.

The Soska sisters promise that, as with their films, you will see them tackle some serious social and gender issues in a loud, take no prisoners, whimsical, and altogether maniacal manner. The graphic novel will be filled with iconic, complex, cosplayable characters, including ourselves, for the first time, appearing in graphic novel form as the "Sister Sisters".

 

Both the Soska sisters and Daniel Way have full creative control over this project, and they are launching it via Kickstarter. 

Kickstarter is acting as more of an online store where fans are being offered exclusive experiences and items that are only available to those who donate. The incentives are a way for The Soska Sisters to give something back to the fans who support them and their work. 

The final word has to go to The Soska Sisters. "KILL-CRAZY NYMPHOS ATTACKS! is exactly the unadulterated insanity free from any restrictions, creatively or budget wise, that our audiences have been waiting for".

To check out and/or donate to the Kickstarter campaign, click HERE. 

Darkest regards......Dani.

'Frankenstein Created Bikers' Kickstarter campaign.

You all remember the classic Biker/Monster movie that was shot on 16mm film 'Dear God No!' right? Well director James Bickert has started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the movie that was teased at the end of 'Dear God No!', entitled 'Frankenstein Created Bikers', and this time he is shooting the movie on 35mm film!

The rewards for supporting the making of this film are incredible to say the least. But first, a little about the plot. The film centers around the re-animation of the souths most notorious biker gang, The Impalers. The gang is re-animated to capture a Bigfoot containing a pathogen that will allow Dr. Marco and his assistant to transplant a human head. When fellow gangs, law enforcement and bounty hunters hear of the gangs re-animation, all hell breaks loose. Things get even worse when failed experiments escape from the basement and the lab is attacked by a bomb-happy femme fatale named Val.

The rewards begin at $3, for which you get an 'I support Independent films Frankenstein Created Bikers' sticker, and go all the way up to $10,000 for which you will get, amongst other things, an Executive Producer credit, Exclusive rights to Japan and an Impalers biker jacket!

Go and CLICK HERE  to check out the full list of perks you can get for donating to this amazing project.

Further to this, special awards will be unlocked for every investor over $20, and these will become available as the Kickstarter reaches certain goals.

The new Big World Pictures website is also up and running, and you should go and check it out by CLICKING HERE  to see all the latest news and history behind the team that bought you 'Dear God No!' and the forthcoming 'Frankenstein Created Bikers'.

Go and donate and/or share the Kickstarter campaign. Support this project, and tell every single person you know just how great 'Dear God No!' is, and how great 'Frankenstein Created Bikers' is going to be! It's the safest way to invite The Impalers into your home!!

Darkest regards......Dani.

Sodomaniac (2015).

Imagine my surprise when I found an invitation in my 'messages' on Facebook, to watch Sodomaniac, a long awaited slasher movie that I have been eagerly awaiting , and I can tell you right away that it did not disappoint in any way, shape or form. This is a rape/revenge movie with a difference.

The film tells the story of a group of ill-mannered slimeball men, who refer to themselves as 'The Wolfpack'. Their modus-operandi is to drug women, and then to have their wicked way with them. After attending a party, one of the group is murdered by a masked killer who sodomises the man to death. (Yes, sodomises him. To death). We then find out that each member of the womanizing wolfpack are in danger from The Sodomaniac.

The very idea of this film may sound crude, (A rape/revenge movie where male victims are practically sodomized to death) and it is. Brilliantly so in fact. The effects are well handled, and the killers mask (which is basically a bottom/bum/arse/ass) adds underlying humour to his appearences, as well as the obligatory chills he brings. His penchant for sodomising drunken men also adds a darker side for male viewers, which is something different in rape/revenge movies, as the majority of these films seem to focus more on females being raped and getting their revenge rather than men.

Sleaze and depravity seep from every second of film, and the balance of horror and humour is handled incredibly well. The effects do not come across as over the top or silly, which is something that might have pushed Sodomaniac too far into the realm of parody. They remain rooted in reality, and are all the more shocking for it. The kills happen onscreen, and are pretty damn inventive and fantastic!

Sodomaniac has all of the right ingredients to be an underground classic. My advice is to check it out as soon as you possibly can. Prepare to be offended, horrified and tickled. It's all part of Sodomaniac's charm. If you want something as dark as it is crude, as offensive as it is fun, you will find all that and more in Sodomaniac. Go check it out, and watch your back(side)!


Darkest regards......Dani.

Spookfield 'Tears of Trauma' vignette review.

Filmmaker Alexis Gonzalez was kind enough to send me the first vignette from his anthology horror film 'Spookfield' for review. After seeing the trailer for this anthology, I was incredibly excited to check out the mans work.

Unfortunately, studying has taken a somewhat drastic turn on my reviewing, and only now have I finally got around to viewing Alexis' first vignette for Spookfield. If this vignette is anything to go by, Spookfield is going to be one hell of a nihilistic ride into hell, complete with madness, revenge and a healthy dose of gore that manages to shock and stun the viewer.

The vignettes premise is a simple one. A man named Brandon hears his neighbour abuse his son because he isn't growing up to be a 'man'. It becomes obvious that this man has suffered abuse himself, and having to constantly listen to the systematic humiliation and violence towards his neighbours son brings these memories flooding back, and he decides to take action against his neighbours abuser.

The first noticable about this film is the honesty with which events play out. There is no pretentiousness here at all. It is a stark 'Matter-of-fact' story that has no time for subtlety. Sound is used to great effect, and manages to deeply effect the viewer without the need to show the violence that is being perpertrated to the son of Brandon's neighbour, and Brandon himself during his memories of his own abuse and humiliation.

When Brandon takes out his form of justice on the abuser (who we find out is much more than what we are first allowed to witness), there is a nod to Gialli films, as he wears black gloves, black coat and wears a black mask complete with black fedora. It was a nice touch, as was Brandon philosophising his thoughts on raising a family and on humanity in general.

Although Brandon's victim is given a chance to survive, he doesn't seem to be able to stop himself from being the smear on humanity he has shown himself to be since the start of the film, and things c take a turn for the worse at the end of the segment, which was a very fitting and memorable end to an incredibly psychological and deeply unnerving horror vignette. I cannot wait to see the finished film, as 'Tears of Trauma' is an incredibly promising short, and if the other vignettes of 'Spookfield' follow suit, we are going to have a very effective and deeply disturbing film to keep us horror fans eyes fixed to the screen, and keep on following the films of Alexis Gonzalz.

Darkest regards......Dani.