Indie Spotlight

2013/08/18 21:30:07 +00:00 | Tamika Jones

We're back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes release information for The Frozen Ground, details on the film version of Hello Herman, starring Norman Reedus, multiple trailers, impressions of Zombie Massacre, and much more:

The Frozen Ground Theatrical Release Details: "The Frozen Ground is inspired by the incredible true story that follows Alaskan State Trooper Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage) as he sets out to end the murderous rampage of Robert Hansen (John Cusack), a serial killer who has gone unnoticed for 13 years. As the bodies of street girls start to pile up in Anchorage, fear strikes a chord with the public. Risking his life, Halcombe goes on a personal manhunt to find the killer before the next body surfaces. When a seventeen year old escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) reveals key information about the case, Halcombe is finally on the trail of the killer. But will he catch him in time to save the next victim?

The Frozen Ground will be at Village East Cinema (New York) and AMC Burbank (Los Angeles). Opens in Theaters and On Demand August 23, 2013."

Distributed by Lionsgate and directed by Scott Walker, The Frozen Ground stars Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, and John Cusack.

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Mischief Night Official Trailer: "Mischief Night tells the story of a terrifying home invasion on the evening before Halloween. Emily Walton, a young woman suffering from psychosomatic blindness ever since the car accident that took her mother’s life, must summon every instinct at her disposal to protect herself and her loved ones from a mysterious intruder.

SpectiCast, has acquired theatrical rights for Richard Schenkman’s Mischief Night. The recently completed home-invasion thriller will premiere on screens everywhere on October 30, 2013 for a one-time theatrical event on the very same night the film takes place.

The film’s talented ensemble cast is led by experienced young actress Noell Coet (Cowgirls n’ Angels), and also includes veteran actor Daniel Hugh Kelly (Cujo, Someone To Watch Over Me, The Good Son), Charlie O’Connell (Dude, Where’s My Car, Cruel Intentions, “Sliders”), Erica Leerhsen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Ally Walker (“Sons of Anarchy,” While You Were Sleeping), Stephanie Erb (The Ring, Starship Troopers), Richard Riehle (Bridesmaids, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas), Adam C. Edwards (Flight), and Ian Bamberg (Second Time Around, Warrior Road)."

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Exclusive H.R. Giger Creatures for Dark Summoner Game: "ATEAM, creators of the hit battle RPG Dark Summoner, has partnered with legendary artist H.R. Giger, best known for his work on the Academy Award winning Visual Effects team from the classic film Alien. Beginning Saturday, August 17, and continuing each weekend after that, players will encounter three in-game creatures, exclusively made available for the game by H.R. Giger. Known as The Divinities, these bosses will appear one at a time during weekend events, so players must come prepared for battle in order to win rewards. Some very lucky players will even be able to summon the special bosses and acquire them to use in their formations.

In the game, players assemble and command a custom army of monsters to take on challenging missions and defeat powerful bosses. When assembling their armies, players must summon monsters, raise them into more powerful creatures, and find the strongest monster combinations to dominate their enemies. Player-versus-player battles and epic Raid challenges are both featured in the game, allowing players to choose how they interact with fellow Summoners. The game features more than 1,500 monsters featuring original artwork created specifically for Dark Summoner by many internationally renowned artists."

For more information, or to purchase Dark Summoner, visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dark-summoner/id480950048?mt=8

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The Wicked Within Trailer: "After a year passes since the sudden the death of a couple's child (Enzo Cilenti, Michelle Hicks), a family gathering takes place whilst peculiar unexplainable events occur. Tension over horrific circumstances cracks the veneer of cordiality and dark secrets emerge. Bethany (Sienna Guillory) becomes increasingly unhinged and seems hell bent on tearing her family apart. Her husband Luke (Gianni Capaldi) questions if she is possessed or simply playing devils advocate? With the help of a priest and a psychic the family attempts to restore peace and sanity. But events which occur that night could never have been foreseen. Police psychologist Dr. Woods (Eric Roberts) tries to exact fact from fiction of what really took place in the house in this gothic horror morality tale."

To learn more about this film, go to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wicked-Within/266290676718514

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Sledge Screening Details: "The Sledge screening will be taking place on Wednesday, August 21st as a part of the 10:15 p.m. block. Pre-order tickets from the site are $8 and tickets at the door are $10."

To learn more about this event, and to find the screening, go to: http://www.aoffest.com/stores.asp

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Blackout Trailer: "The lives of young attorney, Harley Roberts (Woodward) and his darkly mysterious apartment supervisor Rommel Stanton (Oberst) are turned upside down when the bodies of several young women appear in Robert's apartment. Roberts seeks the council of friend and colleague Alfred Lewis (Robert Covington) in an attempt to regain his sanity and prove his innocence."

Blackout, directed by Mathew K. Hacker and written by Pia Cook, stars Timothy Woodward Jr., Bill Obserst Jr., Robert Covington, Chelsea Reeves, and Matt Cinquanta.

For more information on this film, go to: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2251227/?ref_=rvi_tt

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Axe Giant the Wrath of Paul Bunyan Soundtrack Details: "Symphonic gothic horror musicians Midnight Syndicate have just released the Axe Giant the Wrath of Paul Bunyan: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The album, produced by Midnight Syndicate, features highlights from the movie score composed by Edward Douglas along with The Ballad of Paul Bunyan performed by Hick'ry Hawkins.

“Gary wanted the film to have a feel similar to classic monster movies like King Kong. I found myself trying to channel my inner (Max) Steiner and (Bernard) Herrmann, in an effort to achieve that big, dramatic, classical sound,” said composer Edward Douglas. “The monster in the film is American folklore legend, Paul Bunyan, so it gave me the opportunity to work with some 19th century American instrumentation as well. I think the result is a soundtrack that will sound both familiar and at times very different from what Midnight Syndicate has done to this point.”

The CD is available now through the band’s website, as well as iTunes and Amazon."

For more information on Midnight Syndicate, go to: www.facebook.com/MidnightSyndicate and Axe Giant the Wrath of Paul Bunyan, go to: www.AxeGiantMovie.com

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Beast: A Monster Among Men VOD and DVD Release Announced: "Five friends head out on a getaway to a secluded cabin just outside of the Six Rivers National Forest. An argument forces the group apart and things begin to deteriorate quickly. As the night progresses, tensions build, and things are clearly not what they seem.

Fans of independent horror thrillers have a chance to check out Brain Damage Films’ next great DVD release now before it hits DVD on October 1st!

Beast: A Monster Among Men is now available for On Demand viewing on cable through Cox, AT&T, Verizon, Charter, SuddenLink and more. The film is also available On Demand via the internet on platforms such as Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Google Play, Xbox and more!

The film stars TJ Lavin (BMX superstar and host of MTV’s “The Challenge” series)."

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Zombie-Themed Shirt Line Details: "Tee No Evil is a zombie-themed shirt line with a splatter of humor.

Due to our love for the undead, my brother and I have designed 5 zombie shirts. We're fascinated with zombies because of the gore, vulnerability and the scares!

We took the initial sketch to comic conventions to get feedback from artists. We kept the positive momentum going and decided to create more designs. My brother and I brainstormed several days a week and chose the best ideas. With our designs, we wanted to showcase my brother's artwork and add humor. Our goal is to get a compliment and a smile from your family and friends when your wear our shirts!"

To learn more, or to support this project, visit: www.TeeNoEvil.com or www.Instagram.com/TeeNoEvil

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Production Details for The 6th Friend: "On the night of a booze-and-pot-drenched college graduation party, the stoner of the pack of six best friends orders in something special from her dealer, who sticks around, joins the party, and zeroes in for a score. Before the night is over, a bloody vengeance will be wreaked upon him, and, five years later, the girls gather once again and endure a night of far more horror and bloodshed that is inflicted upon them this time.

Executive producer Lyle Albers and director Letia Clouston released the names today of the main cast who will play the six friends in slasher film "The 6th Friend": Dominique Swain (Alpha Dog, Lolita), Jessica Morris (Reel Evil, One Life to Live), Jamie Bernadette (The Bunnyman Massacre, Milf), Chantelle Albers (Axeman at Cutter’s Creek), Sadie Katz (Chavez Cage of Glory, House of Bad), and Theresa June-Tao (Battle of Los Angeles).

A cast of all female leads is not usually done in horror, which is one of the aspects that make this film unique. The film begins shooting this Fall and is expected to be released in 2014."

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Young, High, and Dead Trailer: "As Young, High and Dead gears up for it’s UK release, the Rum Punch team release their first [NSFW] trailer known only as YHAD MK1 starring Hannah Tointon (the Inbetweeners & The Children). The film gets it’s UK release on Friday the 13th, with a USA release following on October 31st."

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Hidden in the Woods First Details: "Artsploitation Films, continues to deliver edgy international movies to North American audiences with its second-ever horror release: Hidden in the Woods. Based on a bizarre true story and not for the faint of heart - and also currently being remade in the U.S. Deep in the Chilean countryside, Ana and Anny live with their deformed brother and are subject to their father’s perverse and sadistic whims. After a dispute with the police leaves a wake of death and mutilation, they flee and find refuge in a remote cabin hidden from society. Meanwhile, a crime lord, convinced they have stolen the massive stash of drugs their father was hiding, sends a violent pack of thugs to find them.

Artsploitation’s release of Hidden in the Woods will arrive on DVD for the first time ever on September 17. The DVD extras include an eight page booklet, a reversible cover a special look at director Patricio Valladares at Fantasia 2012 and a behind-the-scenes featurette."

For more information on this film, and to watch the trailer, go to: http://www.artsploitationfilms.com/hidden-in-the-woods/

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Shortcuts To Hell Anthology Release Date Announced: "Movie Mogul, in association with FrightFest and Horror Channel, is to release an anthology of the 26 best short films from the 666 Short Cuts To Hell national talent search competition.

An essential collection of shorts for anyone serious about horror and the directors of tomorrow, Shortcuts To Hell: Volume 1 is available on iTunes and BlinkBox from August 23, 2013 – to coincide with the announcement of the winner of the competition at Film4 FrightFest 2013. The winner will receive a cheque from the judging panel, which includes Tom Six, Paul Hyett, and Emily Booth.
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All of the films were made under the same six, grueling restrictions. Filmmakers had to choose from one of six existing titles, make their film no more than three minutes long, spend no more than £666, harnessing no more than six cast, six crew, six lines of dialogue and just six hours of shooting time.

Shortcuts To Hell: Volume 1 is an exciting new platform, which clearly demonstrates the wealth of filmmaking talent there is on offer within UK shores."

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First Details for The Killing Time: "John York is a skilled bounty hunter - he's considered the best there is. When mob boss, Tony Burnett, hires him to kill his ex-girlfriend, turned informant, Jessica Walters, and her teenage daughter, John discovers he may become a target himself, once he finishes the job. Now on the run from the mob, they flee into the woods where a deadly game of cat and mouse begins.

“The Killing Time” will be Steven James Creazzo’s, next project, after “My Little Demon” and “The Ascent.”

“The Killing Time” stars Michael Pare’, Diana Cherkas, Tina Siciliano and Martin Kove."

To learn more about this film, go to: https://www.facebook.com/DreamalityEntertainment.Inc

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Amnesiac VOD and DVD Release Details: "In the wake of losing her baby, lonely Kate Faulkner has become dangerously obsessed with the occult, much to the horror of her only sister, Bec. One night, Bec and her boyfriend, Thom, visit Kate in order to try and make her see the danger of her obsession. Through the use of a Ouija board, they make contact with a mysterious spirit who offers to help Kate in her mission to find her dead son. But events soon take a menacing turn when the séance participants discover the true motives of the mystery stranger at their door and the dark, eerie place of child sacrifice known as Wyke Wreake.

Amnesiac will be available via Video On Demand September 1st and DVD November 5th!

A blend of supernatural horror and psychological drama, Amnesiac counts the cost of loss, guilt and reckless desperation as we delve into the life of one deeply disturbed young woman and the afterlife of one equally disturbed dead man.

Amnesiac is a psychological horror at its purest, chronicling the creation of a malevolent haunting born from the depths of a tortured mind at the heart of the film’s narrative. In true literary fashion, this narrative gradually subverts the viewer’s assumptions, eventually revealing the horrific truth hidden beneath layers of calculated deceit."

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First Demon Trailer: "After being cleared in an internal investigation, FBI Special Agent Nicole Diaz is reinstated and sent back home to the town of Oro Negro to help solve the bizarre murders of two agents. She's met with disdain by the local Sheriff, a good ol' boy who doesn't believe they are being taken seriously and is insulted they sent a woman.

At first, it's thought the killings are random acts committed by smugglers or drug dealers, that is until the resident Tribal Ranger realizes the bodies have been drained of blood and suspects it is something more, but his beliefs are dismissed.

Soon after, a mysterious woman and her aide appear during an autopsy and claim responsibility for creating the perfect killing machine. A creature designed specifically for desert warfare to be used by the military. It has escaped and they need help reacquiring it. Unsure who to believe or trust, Nicole assembles a team and they set out to capture the creature."

For more information, and to watch the film's trailer, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=betml1KdW-k

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The Devil's Music Now on Distrify: "[We've just made] The Devil’s Music available worldwide on Distrify after a couple of years as a bit of a ‘lost’ film.

Due to the nature of the flick (which is a horror mockumentary about a shock-rock singer) it works rather better when people come to it knowing very little...

The flick won Best Independent Feature at the UK’s Festival of Fantastic Film back in 2008. It was described as ‘Magnificent’ in the book Urban Terrors: New British Horror Cinema 1997-2008 and described as ‘Well worth seeking out’ by Kim Newman in Empire magazine."

To learn more about The Devil's Music, or to purchase the film, go to: http://jinxmedia.co.uk/VOD.html

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Anna: Scream Queen Killer Details: "Anna auditions for a role in a horror film with a series of bizarre and highly erotic screen tests. The director is totally silent and shoots alone as he slowly makes Anna do more and more sick and twisted roles. From being kidnapped by aliens to bursting out of a strange man sized balloon naked, Anna takes it all in her stride until one thing pushes her beyond her limits.

Some say that the film is a jibe at the real world of indie horror film making, some say it’s a warning, but whatever the case, Melanie Denholme pulls off the entire film in her own unique and enticing fashion.

Anna: Scream Queen Killer is from the infamous indie film label, Chemical Burn Entertainment, who are rapidly building a name for gruesome and far-out indie films. They recently finished another production called Ancient Demon Succubi, which the director claims is the most shocking film to come out of the UK in decades and was shot with that intention."

For more information, or to purchase this film, visit: http://www.chemicalburn.org/sexploitation.html

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Indie Spotlight Impressions: Zombie Massacre

by Kristian Hanson

"A bacteriological weapon developed by the US Government to create a super soldier - spreads an epidemic in a quiet little town in the middle of Eastern Europe. All citizens have been turned into infected zombies. The plan is to bring an atomic bomb into the city's nuclear plant to pretend a terrible accident occurred. No one has to know the truth. A team of mercenaries is hired to complete the mission. The battle is on. Hordes of monsters against the team. WHO WILL SURVIVE?"

Zombie Massacre is a film that has a lot of heart and some great special effects. This movie isn't anything new when it comes to the zombie genre, but the two directors set out to make a fun and entertaining zombie film and they definitely delivered. Many of you will notice that Uwe Boll (BloodRayne) is listed on the film, but he is only producing the film. Luca Boni and Marco Ristori co-wrote and directed the film, and did a phenomenal job on their first venture.

The actors within the film did a great overall job with the roles they were given. When shooting and swordplay is shown on screen, the actors are believable in the roles they are portraying. The only real story depth is with one of the soldiers doing this entire mission to get out of prison so he can be with his daughter, but other than that, there isn't a whole lot of character development. However, when it comes to a splatter fest zombie film, that doesn't really knock the overall film. From the blood splattered headshots, to an Uber-Zombie character with some awesome practical effects makeup and a body suit, Zombie Massacre delivers an all around fun film.

  • Tamika Jones
    About the Author - Tamika Jones

    Tamika hails from North Beach, Maryland, a tiny town inches from the Chesapeake Bay.She knew she wanted to be an actor after reciting a soliloquy by Sojourner Truth in front of her entire fifth grade class. Since then, she's appeared in over 20 film and television projects. In addition to acting, Tamika is the Indie Spotlight manager for Daily Dead, where she brings readers news on independent horror projects every weekend.

    The first horror film Tamika watched was Child's Play. Being eight years old at the time, she remembers being so scared when Chucky came to life that she projectile vomited. It's tough for her to choose only one movie as her favorite horror film, so she picked two: Nosferatu and The Stepford Wives (1975).