In short film news…

0

 

Wes Benscoter Presents:

THE TWITCH FILM PREMIERE OF

HOLD YOUR FIRE

Winner of the Fantasia Film Festival’s Award for
Best Live-Action Short Film!

 

fncp_HOLDwebpostersm
TWITCH FILM proudly presents the
online premiere of artist-turned-filmmaker Wes Benscoter’s debut short film,
HOLD YOUR FIRE, exclusively at Twitch Film and online now!

A ghostly soldier comes face to face with this grim reality of his war-torn existence on the battlefield… and beyond!

Assaulting international audiences at festivals from Montreal’s Fantasia to Sitges, Fantasporto, A Night of Horror, and Dead by Dawn, to sending domestic shivers up spines at Screamfest, Boston Underground, and the New York City Horror Film Festival, Twitch Film now takes the mantle in offering Wes Benscoter’s mini-masterpiece to its largest audience ever.

A twenty-year veteran of horrific illustration, Benscoter established his reputation with artwork for Slayer and Black Sabbath, and more extreme acts like Cattle Decapitation. He’s also well-known for the DVD and Blu-ray cover art he’s created for Synapse Films, Dark Sky Films, and more, including such classic treatments as THRILLER: A CRUEL STORY,  THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, and the upcoming steelbooks for Lamberto Bava’s DEMONS and DEMONS 2.

On the film’s creation, Benscoter explains: “Shot in HD over many long, fog-shrouded weekends,
I became an expert in predicting the dew-points needed for a foggy morning. I think the film is definitely of its era, and also timeless. I now think of HOLD YOUR FIRE as my ERASERHEAD. If I’m lucky the next film will be my BLUE VELVET.”

Dread Central’s praise during their time at the Fantasia elicits even more stark comparisons: “The most impressive thing we’ve seen is actually and eight-minute short by artist Wes Benscoter. Titled HOLD YOUR FIRE, the grim anti-war film depicting the isolation and horror of a four-limb amputee is genuinely disconcerting and oddly beautiful. Here’s hoping some of the upcoming features are at least this good.”

 

fncp_HOLDYOURFIRE4sm_5

 

For more of Wes Benscoter’s chilling artwork: WES BENSCOTER

To view the film, click here: HOLD YOUR FIRE

Directed, Produced, and Written by:  Wes Benscoter

Run Time:  8 minutes
Aspect Ratio:  Widescreen 1.78:1

Wes Benscoter

 

Midnight Releasing Joins Forces with Fear Fete as Exclusive Horror Feature Distribution Partner

0

Fear Fete, the country’s premiere film festival for showcasing indie horror flicks, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with film distributor Midnight Releasing (http://midnightreleasing.com). The deal makes the company Fear Fete’s exclusive Distribution Partner for feature film submissions.

With expansive work in North America, Midnight Releasing has promoted and released dozens of independent horror and thriller films into the DVD and VOD markets.

“We’re very pleased to announce this partnership. The involvement of Midnight Releasing with Fear Fete gives our indie filmmakers the opportunity to have their films acquired and distributed by an outstanding company that specializes in the horror genre,” stated Fear Fete Executive Director Derek Morris.

The company’s involvement with the festival means all feature length submissions will be reviewed for possible acquisition/distribution deals in at least the VOD format (Cable and Internet VOD). In addition to that, the winner of Fear Fete’s Best Feature Film award will be entitled to a full-service distribution offer that includes a North American DVD and VOD release, along with International Sales.

“Midnight Releasing is excited to team up with Fear Fete and offer distribution consideration to the festival’s top films. As a distributor we’re always seeking quality films to release, and with this arrangement we get to see the best of the best from indie filmmakers who might not otherwise know about us or how to get their film distributed,” stated Reese Lester, Media & Technology Director at Midnight Releasing. “We’re also excited to help promote and grow Fear Fete to become a staple festival for horror filmmakers.”

Just some of the films Midnight Releasing has worked with include The Afflicted (psychological thriller that won Best Feature Film at the 2012 Fear Fete Horror Film Festival), Alabama-based slasher Hayride, comedy/horror mashup All American Zombie Drugs and many more.

Now in its third year, the 2013 Fear Fete Horror Film Festival will be held October 18th through 20th in D’Iberville, Mississippi at The Grand 18 theatre. For more information, please visit: http://www.fearfete.com/

 

###

 

Press Contact:

Reese Lester

reesel@midnightreleasing.com

(480) 966-4070 x16

 

Fear

 

Midnight Releasing

Gross Movie Reviews #293

0

Gross Movie Reviews #293

 

Colin (DVD) – A zombie film that dares to be different out of the UK but instead bores the living shit out of trying to stay awake for the entirety of the film. The story follows a dude who gets bitten during a zombie outbreak and wonders London. Biggest problem is nothing fucking happens! And if wasn’t enough to annoy me I know this will annoy some horror fans as the filmmaker seem to enjoy the shaky cam. So put drugs that help you sleep away as this movie will literally put you in a coma. I could not drink enough beer to make this film worth wasting my time on again. I give this useless zombie film 0 stars.

 

The Fearmaker (VHS) – The film is mostly widely known for its other title ‘The Mutations’ from 1972 that stars the legendary great one, Donald Pleasance who plays a scientist who believes he knows how to speed up evolution. What makes the film a lot of fun besides it looking a lot like the historical film ‘Freaks’ or at least heavily influenced? And Dr. Loomis is half-in-the-bag the whole film! Anyway, Pleasance plays a professor who believes mutations are what help evolution along and he also believes the next step is plant and human together. The professor uses a disfigured aka elephant man look-a-like from the freak circus show to capture live patients for his experiments and in return he will cure the elephant dude. But the local freak circus is pissed that too much bad attention is coming their way and they no longer feel safe and must do something about it. A great mess of a 70s horror film must watch with one of the greatest actors ever in Donald Pleasance. I do not believe this film has much of a release in any format but can be found on YouTube and other movie websites for free. I give the freakish film 2 ½ stars.

 

Stitches (DVD) – Let me just tell you now this as made it onto the best horror film list of 2013 behind ‘John Dies at the End’. We meet Stitches the clown in an Irish town where he is banging a random hottie doggie style until he remembers he is late for a party where he has to entertain 10 year olds. When Stitches arrives he meets Tommy and friends who are not kind to Stitches the clown. A lot of Stitches tricks are boring to the kids so Tommy hits Stitches in the face with a soccer ball causing him to fall and take a knife to the skull in the dishwasher. Thus sending ten year olds scrambling and Tommy scarred for life or until 16 when he is still having nightmares of Stitches at a clown funeral where they some special ceremony. But not to give too much fun away Tommy’s friends have decided it’s time for him to have a birthday party for the first time since the incident and everyone is invited, including an undead clown. Stitches the clown was able to combine gore and bad jokes that make you remember the good old days of Freddy Kruger of the 80s. The slasher film is gory as hell, funny, well written, and make you stand up and scream for sequels! I give it 4 stars.

ff_dvd_case

Freaky Farley (DVD) – A 2007 independent film from the same people that gave us the odd but fun independent feature ‘Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You!’ has an earlier independent film that involves a man named “Freaky Farley” where he is a small town Peeping Tom and his father is a famous radio host. Of course Farley’s father is hard on Farley and Farley develops huge father issues which are a major plot point of the film. But when Farley meets a girl a lot like him named Scarlett his world is complete or so he thinks until he finally goes to the cabin his father has not allowed him to go to since his mom’s death. A well-produced film, but very rough around the edges. But after seeing this film and the progress in the Riverbeast film you can see the filmmaker started early on creating his own little alternate world that continues through the films but enjoys using the same cast of actors in different roles which can help create exciting and good films in the long run. So independent movie fans start visiting their website at www.shockmarathons.com and start supporting as I give this flick 2 out of 4 stars. For the love of god people they have fucking Trogs in this flick! And that is awesome in my opinion!

Leaf Blower

Leaf Blower Massacre (DVD) – A film after my heart and it has a tagline: “When autumn arrives no one survives!” I am all in then. With the cool vintage horror box art, the killer looking a lot alike the ‘Nailgun Massacre’ killer, and the killer takes time to plug in the leaf blower to kill one of his victims its cinema gold. The only thing that upset me about the film is it being a short film. Now there is no way I believe it could go 80 or 90 minutes but I was hoping a little more than 14 minutes. But it’s well worth the effort because the filmmaker Anthony Cooney is also a ‘Nailgun Massacre’ fan and leaves it with the potential of a sequel. And folks that is all I can ask for in a film like this. Terry Lofton would be proud as I give the short film 3 ½ out of 4 stars. For more info on the film go to https://www.facebook.com/anthonycooney187?fref=ts .

 

Long Weekend (DVD) – A lost and forgotten couple vacation film that goes bad. Like ‘Day of the Animals’ of bad. An Aussie couple who apparently are a half step from divorce have ventured out to a beach near some woods for a camping getaway to maybe try and patch things up? As fixing the relationship goes downhill quickly strange occurrences and odd behavior from the animals cause tensions to be worse. The film has radio reports and a TV report that might lend a little bit of a clue on what might be the problem but the film never directly points out this is the reason for the weirdness of the animals or strange occurrences. The 1978 film can drag a little at certain points but has a great ending that makes up for it. The DVD is available here in the US and you can find the film on YouTube as I give the movie 2 stars.

 

Any comments or questions please send to: GrossMovieReview@verizon.net, GrossMovieReview@aol.com or www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

You can always visit and see some past reviews at: www.grossmoviereviews.com !!!

You can purchase my book from Library of the Living Dead Press called, “The Big Ass Book of Gross Movie Reviews” at www.amazon.com .

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle and I talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at http://bloodbathsandboomsticks.blogspot.com/

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place that you can purchase a Gross Movie Reviews t-shirt but also Cannibal Campout and Woodchipper Massacre T-shirt also!!!! Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

 

Episode 68 is up horror fans! And Sharknado would be proud.

0

On this episode Tim and JSB decide to go it alone but none the less bring you reviews of three awesome almost forgotten flicks. And this week it’s all about Satan, Mutants, And bad ass Monster Trucks.  We also talk about what movies scared us as children,  Tara Reid’s weird boob… and Tim’s fascination with it,  Why Tim would love to see a Conan the Destroyer remake,  And why JSB’s dad perved out while watching The Unholy.  All this and other random topics come up and we talk about them at length…. specifically SHARKNADO and why it just might kill Tim.  So join us two weirdos and have your ear holes stimulated for well over 2 hours.  And yes, that’s a good thing.

 

http://bloodbathsandboomsticks.blogspot.com/

 

EPISODE 68

Go check out this screening!

0

Thanks to Jared Bajoras

churchillpictures

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/240210452790520/

We are doing a special screening of “Deference” which will be followed by a Q & A with director and writer Damiano Fusca and actor and writer Jared Bajoras along with other members of the cast. This is great timing that will coincide with the official release of the film. We understand that many of our friends and family have experienced this film. Please just help spread the word to the public and to anyone who hasn’t seen the movie yet. Thanks and we look forward to this special night! www.churchillpictures.com

http://churchillpictures.com/churchill-pictures-presents-deference-movie-trailer-2/

June 12, 2013 at 7:30pm

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont

1449 Potomac Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15216

https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodTheaterDormont

Gross Movie Reviews says:

Deference (Theater/DVD) – An independent film company called Churchill Pictures first feature release isn’t exactly the film you find me reviewing on a regular basis but because it is independent and a very interesting picture I wanted to do it anyway. Jared Bajoras acts, writes, produces, stuntman, and assistant director on the film “Deference” about a young and energetic man named Bruno who all his life has been a part of let’s say the mob based in Pittsburgh, Pa. But Bruno after picking up his friend Paulie after doing a stint in jail is feeling like he can do more for the business? He wants to put his own crew together and start running his own operation. Bruno is thinking big but Gigi, his boss, doesn’t believe he is ready and doesn’t think that it’s in Bruno’s best interest as Gigi runs everything in town. But when a crazy Irish bookie starts moving on Bruno’s turf, Paulie doesn’t listen to Bruno’s advice to stay out of the gambling business, and Bruno possibly threatened by Frankie the hitman Bruno’s world soon goes downhill! A very well shot, casted, and written movie for a shoestring budget! Jared and his crew should be proud of what they were able to make and any film fan out there that really enjoys “Goodfellas, The Godfather, etc.” will want to get their hands on this brilliant independent film that I give it 3 out of 4 stars and is available at www.churchillpictures.com .

The Ultimate Puppet Master 48 hour SALE starts NOW!

0

Thanks to http://www.fullmoonhorror.com

 

The 8 Disc Full Size Puppet Master Box Set is being discontinued.

Puppet-Master-Series-Box-set1

 

This is your last chance and it’s a super blow out price!
Sales starts NOW and ends June 7th at Noon PST

Order immediately and you’ll be just in time for Father’s Day (Sunday June 16th)

PM8discSet1

 

The Puppet Master DVD Box Set is on sale! Hurry and order it today! This exclusive, one of a kind Puppet Master Set includes the first 7 Puppet Master movies as well as a special bonus disc that has 45 Full Moon trailers! There is only a limited amount available. This special set won’t be around much longer. Buy it today for only $20!

 

PM-1-thru-8-covers

Episode 67 is finally up folks!

0

EPISODE 66

 

 

This week Tim and JSB welcome a new voice to the show.  John Portanova writer and producer of Sader Ridge join us to talk about things.  We cover all the bases such as Jeffrey Combs as talking mold, Alien abductions, the Back to the Future movies, Bike injuries sustained as a kid, rogue falling bathtubs, music soundtracks, Richard Lynch, and a ton of other good stuff too.  So lend us your ear holes and let us entertain you.

 

http://bloodbathsandboomsticks.blogspot.com/

0

Thanks to http://www.fullmoonhorror.com !

 

Puppet Master Plush Buddy Blade Hits Shelves
HORROR’S NEW FAVORITE CUDDLY TOY

Get him Today!

“His knives may be soft, but he’ll carve his way into your heart!”

Personality: Sharp-witted
Hobbies: Stabbing hings
Favorite Food: MinceMeat Pie

Born from the brain matter of the brilliant Dr. Hess, Blade is one of the Puppet Master’s most trusted creations. With a meat hook for one hand and a razor-sharp knife for the other, Blade get’s straight to the point!

PlushBuddyBlade550

Full Moon’s first-ever plush toy! Standing at twelve inches tall and huggably soft, the “Plush Buddy” series begins with a horrifically cute re-imagining of Blade, the iconic puppet from Band’s tent-pole franchise Puppet Master. Previously teased to fans with an appearance in the GrindhouseFlix original film, Blood of 1000 Virgins starring Playboy Playmate Nikki Leigh, Plush Buddy Blade will appeal to toy collectors of every age and gender, portraying a softer side of the classic character while tapping into the aesthetic sense of kawaii Japanese pop culture and the animated creations of Tim Burton. Plush Buddy Blade comes with a collectible hang tag featuring character art and personality stats, and is available NOW for $24.95 from Full Moon’s store www.fullmoondirect.com and soon from Amazon.com.

Gross Movie Reviews #292

0

Gross Movie Reviews #292

 

By Tim Gross

 

Demons 5: The Devil’s Veil (DVD) – A group of young skiers go skiing down a mountain only to fall in a hole that they cannot get out of. Soon they find a mysterious mask and begin to play with it not knowing what they have just done. They eventually find a cave that leads to ancient catacombs of a church guarded by a vicious dog and a lonely blind priest that just happens to look like the bootleg version of Julian Sands and Christopher Walken if they had a kid? The priest takes in the disoriented group of friends only to sense something is not right in the world any longer. When the priest learns the young friends removed the mask and played with it he knows they are possessed by a witch that cursed the church and is now trying to return to the world of the living. It’s a fun devil/witch/possession flick but wears thin at the end with the young people just trying to get their friends to bump uglies. If there is anything I learned from this movie is never remove a mask from a corpse in an ice cave its better if you just let the CGI Yeti come and get you as you know SyFy Channel will find a way. But off the beaten path I go this sequel is a little better than 3 and 4 but the best has yet to come as I give it 1 ½ stars.

The Black Cat

Demons 6: De Profundis (DVD) –  This or I should say believed last sequel of the ‘Demons’ series is also known as ‘The Black Cat’ and also at one time a part of “The Three Mothers” film series. There are a lot of things going on in this film that makes Italian film fans seek this flick out besides one of my favorite actors or actresses in Caroline Munro. A writer and a filmmaker who are best friends have come up with their latest and best film idea yet! They decide they want to do a film on “the third mother” aka Levana. There are references to Argento and Suspiria in the film when the two are discussing the film. But things get weird when the filmmaker wants his wife to play the part of Levana as he dives deeper into the history of the witch and is warned to not make the film. I was very impressed with the finished product and consider this a much underrated horror film as it’s the best of the sequels since part 2. I’m glad I was able to get a hold of a copy of this flick as it redeems the somewhat crappy sequels that come before it. What makes the sequel even weirder was Lamberto Bava was not involved. I give this great Italian horror film 3 stars.

 

Texas Chainsaw Massacre [3D] (DVD) Wow, first off the film surprised the shit outta me… The thing I got to address before we get into the review is what would you consider this: TCM 1 ½? Remake? Remake of a remake? A sequel…? If I got to say what it is to me I would like to say this part 5 of the original series or the closest we may ever get? Are you with me so far? Reason I bring this up is the film tries to connect with the original film’s ending and tries to bring you the viewer up to speed about Leatherface. Once that is established and we are to believe Leatherface and family have been destroyed by ugly ass rednecks in a fire and a baby who was a part of the Leatherface family is taken we go forty years into the future which is weird because the young woman they show us is in her early 20s. Pretty much as I explain to all movie fans that if you are looking for logic, something original, etc., in a horror sequel, prequel, and seven films into the fucking series THEN YOU ARE WATCHING THE WRONG FUCKING MOVIE. YES I AM TALKING TO THE DUMB ASSES WHO STILL QUESTION THE LOGIC OF ‘FREDDY VS JASON’. Moving on, anyway the young girl gets a piece of mail that has informed her that she has inherited a house in Texas from a relative she never knew about let alone never knowing she was adopted. Her parents well the people who claimed her let’s say warn her about going to the evil place. This is what I enjoyed about the film more than anything was in short order kids party, Leatherface massacres everybody, and the girl understands at the end she actually inherited one the most notorious killers in filmland! AWESOME! The horror film defies logic, and spits in the face of what your usual cookie cut out mainstream horror is these days. The film is completely absurd and I love every god damn gory moment of it. And I got to see Gunnar Hansen, Bill Moseley, Marilyn Burns, and John Dugan in the same chainsaw movie. It’s not going to win best horror movie of the year but it entertained my ass and that is what I want. I give it 3 stars.

Don't

Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You! (DVD) – I enjoy getting films people think I make up the titles and show them the film actually exists and it blows their minds. And this independent film doesn’t disappoint. Film focuses on a man named Neil Stewart who has come back to his very white bread/vanilla community Rivertown, USA. He was left at the altar three years ago by his cute fiancée because she didn’t believe him and his story of the Riverbeast he refused to let go of. Neil is back and just wants to reconnect with friends, work his job as a tutor, and live in his godmother’s basement without the hassle of a creepy reporter and assholes calling him “RB”. And if all possible win his fiancée back. Neil goes as far as hiring a ladies man/monster hunter to prove there is a Riverbeast but all the old dude keeps finding is the picnic girls. Whether the dialogue and the very WHITE community is intentional or not it adds a fun aspect to the independent film that relies more on characters than the Riverbeast just having a bloodbath which eventually comes. Pay attention to what kills the Riverbeast because you may piss yourself laughing because it actually makes sense in some odd way. But the music and acting of the film really bring visions of the good old days of independent films when they were shot on VHS. I highly recommend this flick if you are looking for something offbeat and different in your horror movie watching… I give the flick 3 out of 4 stars as it can be found at www.braindamagefilms.com .

incest-death-squad-poster

Incest Death Squad (DVD) – I was happy when I finally sat down to watch this Cory J. Udler independent film just for the mere reason of its title and it was worth checking out. The independent film is about a reporter who travels from outside of Milwaukee to a very small and hidden town deep in Wisconsin to investigate why hookers are disappearing. What little he knows he would meet the love of his life at a small motel and just happen to stumble upon a brother and sister combo who enjoy killing and fucking all because the Lord is telling them to do it. But Jeb and Amber Wayne are not just killing anyone they are killing tourists or out of state tourists to be exact. To explain completely what exactly goes on would give away the whole film without witnessing the fun carnage but I can tell you this it has me interested in what Cory and crew have in store in the sequels to ‘Incest Death Squad’. I believe this was a good set up for a brutally fun independent trilogy. So prepare yourself for Cory to take your mind into a disgusting, sick, and actually interesting roller coaster ride into perverted fun horror. I give the film 2 ½ out of 4 stars and can be purchased at www.incestdeathsquad.com . Also lots of information on the sequels and other projects Mr. Udler has going on.

 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (DVD) – Honestly folks, what was so fucking unexpected? The Peter Jackson trilogy of ‘Lord of the Rings’ pretty much printed money, so forgive me for being a little pissed dude went and made three more fucking films that involved hobbits. The film is good but is it great, like the others, not really… It’s pretty much more of a kid’s version of ‘Lord of the Rings’ but just the shit that happen before that. Really people, Peter Jackson did a wonderful job but I believe as a movie fan I and many others are allowed to be pissed if another filmmaker thinks it’s a good idea to make a trilogy of prequels just to cash in. Is this really what Peter Jackson is doing? Maybe not, we all know he is a huge Hobbit and Lords of the Rings fan himself but it comes off as he is just cashing in. Sorry the Lucas thing has me bitter along with many others but bottom-line if you want more Hobbit adventures, you got it! Peter Jackson did a great job. I just prefer the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies and this film seemed more of a film aimed at a much younger crowd. I give the film 2 ½ stars just because Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films are awesome and prove why they are one of the few that know what they are doing with CGI.

 

Any comments or questions please send to: GrossMovieReview@verizon.net, GrossMovieReview@aol.com or www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

You can always visit and see some past reviews at: www.grossmoviereviews.com !!!

You can purchase my book from Library of the Living Dead Press called, “The Big Ass Book of Gross Movie Reviews” at www.amazon.com .

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle and I talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at http://bloodbathsandboomsticks.blogspot.com/

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place that you can purchase a Gross Movie Reviews t-shirt but also Cannibal Campout and Woodchipper Massacre T-shirt also!!!! Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

Episode 66 is up!

0

EPISODE 66

 

 

In honor of its 30th anniversary JSB and Josh from down the road got together to record commentaries track for Return of the Jedi.  So listen and learn as we explain some of your most burning Star Wars questions… Such as What the hell weird bootleg copy of Jedi is JSB watching, Andre the Giant and his giant poops, Why the Ewoks are secretly kick ass, Jabba the Hutt’s severe lack of palace security, Droid torture, Imperial floor and helmet wax,   Slave Leia’s bikini and the thousands upon thousands of nerd boners it caused, Lando’s secure place in the galaxy as Pimp Soul Brother #1.  All this and a dude with a face on his face.

http://bloodbathsandboomsticks.blogspot.com/