Vampires
03
Apr
2018
Gruesome Twosome: An Exclusive on Chris Alexander’s Two Upcoming Features
Chris Alexander is no stranger to the horror genre and this year he has not one but two projects in the works. The massively talented former editor-in-chief of Fangoria Magazine stopped by to give me the skinny on his two latest projects and what fans can expect.
Space Vampire (2018)
Director: Chris Alexander; Writer: Ali Chappell; Star: Ali Chappel; Rating: UNK; Run Time: UNK; Genre: Horror; Country: USA; Language: English; Year: 2018
Plot: An alluring space alien falls to earth with the mission to drain women of their life energy making her unstoppable. This film wonderfully harkens back to surreal dreamscapes of Rollins with a dash of Hopper’s Lifeforce for good measure.
Chris has this to say about the project:
Space Vampire is my fifth feature and once more functions as a vessel for both my music and my obsessions with more dreamlike, psychological and experimental strains of horror cinema, specifically the personal, meandering works of Rollin, Franco, and Herzog. Rollin especially, with his fixation on tragic female vampires. This picture takes its title nod from Colin Wilson’s novel The Space Vampires, which was, of course, adapted for the screen as Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce but the movie itself is more informed by films like Under the Skin and the opening stretches of The Man Who Fell from Earth. I love the idea of following unnatural characters lost in familiar landscapes, almost child-like and driven by whatever addiction they are chained to. I make these movies for me and all my movies are – for better or worse – interconnected by theme, mood, style, sound.
And when asked what stage it’s in, he added:
I’m still editing. Its very abstract. But I am getting the “feel” of it….finding the rhythm.
Underneath: An Anthology of Terror (2018)
Directors: Chris Alexander, Andre Becker, Cory Ivanchuk, John Nicol; Writers: Chris Alexander, Andre Becker, Cory Ivanchuk, John Nicol; Stars: Brent Baird, Nicholas Koy Santillo, Nichole Kawalez, Ali Chappell, Colin Bailey, Rebecca Kilburn, Tammy Stewart, Mike McMurran, Joshua Kuchma; Rating: UNK; Run Time: 95 min; Genre: Horror; Country: USA; Language: English; Year: 2018
Plot: In the vein of Creepshow and the more recent VHS series comes Underneath an anthology featuring five exciting voices in the horror genre.
I always love a good horror anthology and Chris, along with other talents – including Andre Becker, Cory Ivanchuk, and John Nicol, are sure to conjure up some fun and scares. Chris had this to say:
Underneath is the new anthology feature from my good friend and colleague John Nicol. Similar tastes in more abstract cinema. So when he asked me to contribute a segment I agreed. My short is really about how we have perverted our connection to the natural world with endless distraction and illusion. It’s about a woman becoming undone by the fixation on finding “nature”. She eventually regresses fully to an animal state. So, in the context of the short, it is a happy ending! Unsure what John will be doing release wise with Underneath but Space Vampire is the second film from my Castle Films imprint that I operate with filmmaker David DeCoteau, creating more artful and expressive micro-budget genre films.
I for one am very excited for both of these films and will be eagerly awaiting them later this year. Of course, I like to give a huge thank you to Chris Alexander for taking the time to talk to chat about his amazing new projects.
11
Feb
2018
MOVIE REVIEW: What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi; Writers: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi; Stars: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Ben Fransham; Rating: R; Run Time: 86 min; Genre: Comedy, Horror; Country: New Zealand; Language: English; Year: 2014
Viago talks victim fashion
What We Do in the Shadows is probably the most original horror-comedy released in the last decade and is definitely my favorite. Presented as a documentary, What We Do in the Shadows follows the lives of four vampires who share a flat in Wellington, New Zealand, in the months leading up to the yearly celebration of undead known as The Unholy Masquerade. If you haven’t seen it, you should do so as soon as you finish reading. You won’t regret it.
Deacon tells of his night out
In perfect mockumentary form, the film begins with a title card from the “New Zealand Documentary Board” and an explanation of the nature of the “documentary” before moving into the action. Viago (Taika Waititi), the 379-year-old defacto leader of the group, is the first vampire introduced as he wakes to his dusk alarm. As Viago wakes his flatmates, we are introduced to Deacon (Jonny Brugh) – the 183-year-old bad boy of the group, Vladislav (Jemaine Clement) – an 862-year-old former tyrant known as “Vladislav the Poker, and Petyr (Ben Fransham) – an 8,000-year-old Nosferatuesque vampire who spends most of his time alone or in his stone crypt in the basement. We are then treated to a vampire flat meeting to discuss chores, a scene that both establishes the personalities of the vampires and dynamics of the group, as well as the type of humor that viewers can expect throughout the rest of the film.
Vladislav explains his youthful look
What We Do in the Shadows plays on traditional vampire tropes – the fear and danger of sunlight, shapeshifting, hypnosis, the lack of reflection in mirrors, and the need for human blood – but combines them with traditional roommate issues in a wholly unique and hilarious manner. We follow them as they go out on the town, acquire another flatmate (thanks to Petyr), make friends with a human, interact with werewolves, learn of technological advances that can benefit them, deal with vampire hunters, and, finally, attend The Unholy Masquerade.
Viago wakes Petyr
With What We Do in the Shadows, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi have created a unique horror comedy that becomes funnier with each viewing. The attention to detail, direction, music, cinematography, and acting are all top notch. Following its success, Clement and Waititi have announced a sequel that will focus on werewolves living in Wellington, New Zealand, and will be called We’re Wolves (formerly titled What We Do in the Moonlight). IMDb lists this project as in development, and I can’t wait to see what they produce. In addition, late 2016 brought news of a New Zealand TV spin-off project called Paranormal Event Response Unit (or Paranormal Unit) and late 2017 brought news of an American TV spin-off called Wellington Paranormal. Both will be X-Files type comedies following Officers Minogue (Mike Minogue) and O’Leary (Karen O’Leary) as they investigate supernatural happenings in the town of Wellington, New Zealand. Fans of What We Do in the Shadows will recognize Minogue and O’Leary as the officers who investigate a disturbance at the vampires’ flat. Not too shabby for a horror comedy mockumentary.
What We Do in the Shadows is available now on Amazon Prime, so catch it now if you get the chance. Check back with House of Tortured Souls for more information on We’re Wolves as we get it.
Vladislav’s succubus orgy
07
Apr
2017
History of Horror in April
April 1 – 7
04/01/1883 – Lon Chaney, Sr. born (d. 1930)
04/01/2001 – Faust: Love of the Damned released theatrically
04/01/2004 – Resident Evil Outbreak released on the PlayStation 2 in North America
04/02/1971 – Dark Shadows ends its run on television
04/03/1961 – Eddie Murphy (actor in Vampire in Brooklyn) born
004/03/1962 – Jennifer Rubin (actress in numerous horror films) born
04/04/1932 – Anthony Perkins (actor who portrayed Norman Bates in the Psycho films) born (d. 1992)
04/04/1993 – When a Stranger Calls Back premieres on television
04/04/2003 – Beyond Re-Animator released theatrically
04/05/1926 – Roger Corman (director of numerous horror films) born
April 8 - 14
04/08/1955 – Kane Hodder (actor who portrayed Jason Voorhees in several of the Friday the 13th films) born
04/08/1977 – Demon Seed released theatrically
04/09/1996 – Tremors 2: Aftershocks released theatrically
04/09/2004 – Shaun of the Dead released theatrically in the UK
04/10/1992 – Sleepwalkers released theatrically
04/11/2003 – House of 1000 Corpses released theatrically
04/12/1962 – Cape Fear (1962) released theatrically
04/12/1985 – Cat’s Eye released theatrically
04/13/1984 – Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter released theatrically
04/14/2006 – Scary Movie 4 released theatrically
April 15 - 21
04/15/1998 – Vampires released theatrically
04/15/2005 – The Amityville Horror (2005) released theatrically
04/19/1985 – The Company of Wolves released theatrically in the United States
04/21/2006 – Silent Hill released theatrically
April 22 - 28
04/22/1935 – Bride of Frankenstein released theatrically
04/24/1914 – William Castle (director of numerous horror films) born (d. 1977)
04/24/2001 – Bio Zombie released on DVD
04/25/1953 – House of Wax (1953) released theatrically
04/25/2002 – Resident Evil released theatrically in Australia
04/26/1956 – The Creature Walks Among Us released theatrically
04/26/1991 – Monsters ends its run on television
04/26/2002 – Jason X released theatrically
04/26/2005 – Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 released for the PlayStation 2 in North America
04/27/1980 – Mario Bava (director of horror films) dies (b. 1914)
04/27/1990 – Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe
April 29 - 30
04/29/1980 – Alfred Hitchcock dies (b. 1899)
04/29/1981 – The Beyond released theatrically
04/30/2004 – Godsend released theatrically
23
Nov
2016
MOVIE REVIEW: The Night Watchman (2016)
By John Roisland
The Night Watchmen, starring Ken Arnold, Dan DeLuca, and Kevin Jiggetts and directed by Mitchell Altieri is a 2016 laugh out loud comedic horror tale of a late night delivery gone horribly wrong.
When two stoner delivery guys drop off a coffin late at night to the wrong address, The Night Watchmen agree to hang onto it overnight after the deliverymen promise they will return promptly first thing in the morning to pick up and re-deliver the package. Now the problem's not so much that they accepted the wrong package from a courier the problem is what's in the package.
The package is a large, shiny, brand new coffin. Yes. A coffin. As the package is being ever so carefully watched over by our fearless men, one office manager, played by the incomparable James Remar, feels the need to investigate the package while he and a handfull of other employees are pulling an all nighter. To his surprise, inside lies the body of world a famous circus clown who had recently passed away on a European tour - along with the rest of his clown staff - and all had been flown back to America for burial. Upon opening the casket, however, they discover that the recently departed has returned to life plans to terrorize the city streets with his gang of clown vampires. It's now up to our fearless Night Watchmen to save the world - or at least their asses - until the sun comes up.
As I mentioned in my opening, The Night Watchmen is a horror comedy full of one-liners that will have you laughing out loud in your seats. From the music, jokes, and the sometimes quirkiness, the film has a slight John Carpenteresque feel to it, and, in this writer's opinion, that's a very high compliment!
The story, originally penned by stars Ken Arnold and Dan DeLuca, brings to life a fast-paced, laugh out loud, and extremely bloody good vampire hunting time. I also want to give credit where its due - the stunt team. During tue heavy action scenes, the stunt team was pretty damn spot on!
On a personal note, I was extremely fortunate enough to have been invited onto the set on the second to last day of filming The Night Watchmen. You see, before House of Tortured Souls.com was officially launched, I was just a horror fan, and when I read in the paper of a horror film being made in my town, I had to reach out to them. I did just that thru The Night Watchmen Facebook page and was in contact with Dan Deluca. I explained to him the future plans of House of Tortured Souls.com and asked if, by any chance, I could possibly stop by the set and maybe grab a picture or two. DeLuca saw no problems with it and set up a date for me.
When I first pulled up to the set on a cold, snowy day in February and parked next to a long, shiny, silver, somewhat customized hearse, I knew was going to be a good day. The hearse belonged to special effects makeup artist R. J. Haddy who was in charge of special effects for the movie. Turns out my quick visit and a few pictures was a planned full day on set - while they were filming! I was first introduced to the staff, actors, director Mitchell Altieri and all the behind-the-scenes people.
This one of the top thrills of my life. Not only was I on the set of a movie while it was actually being filmed, it was also two days before my birthday, so it was quite a birthday gift! I kept in touch with the guys via Facebook through post-production and became friends with them. It was because of this that I was personally invited by one of the producers to a showing of the movie in Annapolis, Maryland, for staff and family. I was extremely honored and touched by the invite, and my wife Stephanie and I had one of the best evenings that we have had in a long time.
I'm not one to laugh out loud in movies, I'm really not, but I've got to tell you - I can't even keep count of how many times I laughed throughout this film. The on-screen chemistry between Arnold, DeLuca, and Jiggetts is perfect!
The cast and staff are amazing, and I wish them all the best with this film. The movie officially premiered in Atlanta on November 17th.
Do yourself a favor and keep an eye on the listings, watch out for vampire clowns, and, most importantly, keep an eye out for The Night Watchmen!
John Roisland with Ken Arnold, Dan Deluca, and Kevin Jiggetts
Keep It Evil...
20
May
2016
COMING SOON: The Night Watchmen
By John Roisland
Winter of 2015, actually for my birthday, I was fortunate enough to spend the day on the set of the highly awaited film The Night Watchmen.
The story follows the eponymous night watchmen who, during their shift one night, receive a package that was delivered to the wrong location. This wasn’t just your usual parcel – no gift to little Bobby from Grandma, no special free shipping on a DVD copy of The Hamiltons from amazon.com… This was a coffin holding a supreme vampire brought back take over the world! And who’s there to defend us all from this demonic take over from the undead? The Night Watchmen.
(Warning: Video contains nudity.)
The film is a horror comedy that even while on the set had the crew cracking up during many lines. The film is totally unique but has the feel of The Evil Dead meets John Carpenter. It has dark, gory horror with just the right amount of tongue in cheek comedy to make this a perfect fit. The film is packed with action, blood, vampires, dead people … and clowns? Yes, even clowns.
As I mentioned, I was fortunate enough to spend the day with the cast and crew and was taken in by our three fearless watchmen themselves and stars of the film – Ken Arnold, Dan Deluca, and Kevin Jiggetts. Everyone was awesome, and I was in awe of everything I was being allowed to observe. The film was partially filmed in Annapolis, Maryland, at an old newspaper press factory, and it was the perfect setting! Guys, thank you for taking the time. That was a birthday that could never be outdone!
The Night Watchmen and yours truly.
Hanging around with Arnold, Deluca, and Jiggetts is an ear to ear grin experience. The three of them are much like brothers…in a Three Stooges way. Fun loving, but always professional.
The film was written by Ken Arnold and Dan Deluca and has been directed by Mitchell Altieri, who brought us The Hamiltons and The Violent Kind.
The film also costars James Remar (Dexter), Rain Pryor (Rude Awakening), and Tiffany Shepis (Exit to Hell), and features the special f/x make-up artistry of RJ Haddy. There sadly is no release date for the film as of yet, but soon as House of Tortured Souls knows, you’ll know! Until then, support The Night Watchmen by liking their Facebook page, and prepare to hear those magical words: “Let’s go kill some dead people!”
Keep It Evil…
12
Dec
2015
LARRY FESSENDEN COLLECTION REVIEW PART 2: Habit (1995)
By Nick Durham
The second film in Scream Factory's Larry Fessenden Collection is the Independent Spirit Award winning Habit, which was filmed in 1995 and released in 1997. This was the film that really started getting the ball rolling on Fessenden making a name for himself within the realm of independent horror. While No Telling and his short films were interesting and original to say the least, it was this film that really announced his presence to the genre. It should also be noted that this is a remake of Fessenden's own 1982 short film of the same name, which expands on everything presented there in terms of character and atmosphere.
Habit is a vampire film in which our lead character Sam (Fessenden) finds himself at a crossroads in his life. His father has just passed away, and he's broken up with his long-time girlfriend as well. Finding solace in booze and his bohemian lifestyle in 90s New York City, Sam meets the sexy Anna (Meredith Snaider) at a Halloween party. They eventually engage in a kinky sex-charged relationship and soon things begin to turn a little strange. Sam finds himself getting sicker and weaker, while Anna continuously enjoys sinking her teeth into him. Eventually he realizes what she is, and then things start to get nasty.
As I said above, Habit received a shitload of acclaim upon its original release from the indie circuit, and it's easy to see why. This is a decently original take on vampirism, and it manages to overcome any of the clichés that come with it too. For being super low budget, the film is well-shot and features some great shots of New York City as well. The acting is great all around, particularly from Fessenden as our lead who finds himself deteriorating more and more with each passing day.
Special features wise, Scream Factory's Blu-ray contains a commentary from Fessenden as well as a making of documentary. The Habit short film is included as well, and so is Fessenden's N is for Nexus short from ABCs of Death 2 and a making of for that to boot. There's a weird music video thrown on here as well that Larry was behind too. So yeah, there's some good stuff here for sure.
So yeah, Habit is definitely one of Fessenden's best films to be sure. If you've never seen it before, I strongly recommend giving it a look. It's not likely you'll find a more unique vampire film from the mid-90s era.
Rating: 4/5
28
Oct
2015
SERIES REVIEW: American Horror Story: Hotel (2015)
Room service has a whole different meaning at the Hotel Cortez.
By Amy Lynes
American Horror Story: Hotel
Starring: Lady Gaga, Wes Bentley, Chloe Sevginy, Kathy Bates, Angela Basset, Sarah Paulson, Matt Bomer, Finn Wittrock, and Evan Peters
I have been watching American Horror Story since the first season and even though we are only three episodes into this seasons American Horror Story: Hotel, I think I can already safely declare this season to be my favorite of all of them thus far.
Many viewers, myself included, were stunned by the season opener. Talk about pushing the envelope. It was some of the most brutally graphic stuff I have ever witnessed on primetime network television. I mean, "The Addiction Demon" and his unholy strap-on in the first episode?! Holy fucking shit!! And the mirror shot of the poor junkie being done by "The Addiction Demon" with said strap-on? Unbelievably graphic. It was unexpected, even for AHS and it caused plenty of controversy all on its own. Now factor in the brutality with which "The Countess" and her boy toy, Donovan dispose of their victims, who they brought back to their suite at the Hotel Cortez under the pretense of a very sexy evening, and all the crimson arterial spray as they cut and slash, ("We don't bite, we cut") preparing to drain their victims and you have the stuff nightmares are made of.
Many are arguing that the writers are strictly out for some hardcore shock value to gain viewers because of all carnage, gore and sexual deviancy, but with all that's going on beneath the surface of this seasons storyline, I am not agreement with that at all. Don't get me wrong, it's AHS and there will always be some amount of shock value (and pussies that can't handle it) but that's not the sole purpose of the show by any means. There is so much more to it than shocks and gore for gore's sake. There are several stories unfolding and they are all highly entertaining. Some of them just happen to have a lot of bloody murders.
Were only three episodes in so far and there are already some groups out there waging a war against AHS and who are all up in arms about the show's content. Others are saying that shows like AHS are "the Devil's work" and are the type of thing that give people twisted ideas. Obviously these nutjobs have never read the bible. Now THAT, my friends is some of the most twisted shit, brutal shit there is.
When it was first announced that Lady Gaga had been added to the cast of AHS: Hotel I was among those who were critical, thinking that she would be unable to pull it off. It seemed like maybe the producers just wanted a big name to replace the series matriarch, Jessica Lange. I am happy to say that I have to eat a little crow on this one. So far, I have been very pleasantly surprised. I may be a metalhead but goddamn I love me some Lady Gaga! She is dirty, alluring and fun and she brings every bit of that into her portrayal as "The Countess" while exuding an unrivaled smoldering sexiness that I adore and I am loving every bit of her performance. I cannot wait to see more from her in this role. It's almost as if she was born to play this character. And I must say it's high time we some vamp action on AHS.
But there is SO much to love beyond the presence of Gaga.
The integration of the story of H.H. Holmes (different name but inspired by that sick fuck all the same) is pure fucking brilliance on the writers parts and Evan Peters is giving a stellar performance in the role. He is delightful to watch. He's just so happy about murdering people, it's almost comical. His beaming, cheerful smile and the cadence of his voice as he talks to his victims before slaughtering them...it's damn near infectious and I feel wrong for saying this, but I love this character! And his faithful servant Miss Evers, the laundress obsessed with stains, played by Mare Winningham makes me giggle every time she is on screen.
I am also really digging Sarah Paulson's portrayal of "Hypodermic Sally" as well as the role of Tristan Duffy, played by Finn Wittrock. That one comes as a surprise because I couldn't stand him in last year's season, AHS: Freakshow in the role of Dandy. He was SUCH a spoiled, privileged little cunt and every time he spoke it made me cringe. I thought for sure I'd hate his character this season too, and nothing could be further from the truth, which is really just a testament to his acting ability and talent.
And let's take a moment to talk about all of the returning cast for a minute, shall we? I am seriously over the moon with all that have returned. Among the returnees for American Horror Story: Hotel, we have Wes Bentley (Detective John Lowe), Chloe Sevigny (Dr. Alex Lowe), Sarah Paulson (Sally), Dennis O'Hare (Liz Taylor), Kathy Bates (Iris), Evan Peters (James Patrick March), Finn Wittrock (Tristan Duffy), Emma Roberts, Angela Bassett (Ramona Royale), Mare Winningham (Miss Evers), Matt Bomer (Donovan) and rumor has it that there may even be an appearance by the lovely Jessica Lange as well.
There will also be some new faces this season with various guest stars such as Naomi Campbell and David Naughton (An American Werewolf in London) being among them and that excites a horror fan such as myself. (I used to crush on him pretty hard back in the day. Leave me alone, I was in the fifth grade).
Last week's episode brought Angela Bassett back to the cast with her vampire hunter role of Ramona Royale, who also used to be The Countess' lover and was cast away when she grew bored and replaced her, much like she has replaced Donovan with Tristan. As revenge for The Countess killing the man she fell in love with and then turned, she is out to hit The Countess where she thinks it will hurt her the most. So far her only known weakness is her group of blonde haired children that are somewhat reminiscent of the creepy ass kids from Village of the Damned. So far they appear to be kept around strictly for The Countess to indulge in some snacking on their young, sweet blood but knowing AHS, I'd almost put money on the fact that there is something a little more sinister with these freaky ass kids. There is a tie in with one of the hotel residents, Detective Lowe and I am eager to see where that takes the storyline and what it means for the children (and their parents) who were all stolen from their families and kept to satisfy The Countess' blood lust.
I would be remiss if I didn't take a minute to acknowledge just how badass the music for the show has been. Whoever is making the musical selections deserves a freaking medal. So far we've had the likes of Bauhaus, The Cure, The Jesus and mary Chain, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Love & Rockets, Eagles and many more.
If you haven't watched this season as of yet, I cannot recommend you get started enough! I firmly believe that this season is the goriest of them all so far and I can't get enough of it. Waiting a week in between episodes is totally agonizing. If you were a fan of any of the other seasons I can almost guarantee you'll love AHS: Hotel.
American Horror Story: Hotel airs on Wednesday nights on FX at 10 pm
