In today's Horror Highlights, we have new clips from Bite, Scream Factory's Blu-ray / DVD release details for The Abandoned, information and a look at Jon Fields' Creep Cases, details on El Rey Network's Mother's Day Marathon, and a Q&A with The Horde producer Doreen Bennett.
Two New Clips for Archibald's Bite: Press Release: Visceral body-horror feature opens in select U.S. theaters May 6th, 2016.
When she returns from her tropical bachelorette party getaway, a young woman begins to succumb to an insect bite in the palpably disturbing film Bite. Witness the skin-crawling chronicle of one woman’s truly terrifying descent into madness when the visceral body horror feature, Bite debuts in select U.S. theaters May 6th, 2016. Directed by Chad Archibald (The Drownsman), Bite had a sensational premiere at the 2015 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, where it won an Audience Award and has recently played at numerous top international genre film festivals.
While on her bachelorette party getaway, Casey, the bride to be, gets a seemingly harmless bite from an unknown insect. After returning home with cold feet, Casey tries to call off her wedding but before she’s able to, she starts exhibiting insect-like traits. Between her physical transformation and her wedding anxiety, Casey succumbs to her new instincts and begins creating a hive that not only houses her translucent eggs but feeds on the flesh of others. As her transformation becomes complete, Casey discovers that everything can change with a single bite.
Starring Elma Begovic, Annette Wozniak, Denise Yuen, Jordan Gray, Lawrene Denkers, Barry Birnberg, Daniel Klimitz, Tianna Nori, and Caroline Palmer. Bite is directed by Chad Archibald and produced by Black Fawn Films.
Running Time: 88 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Bite opens in select theaters and VOD and On Demand May 6th, 2016. For more information, please visit www.bite-movie.com
---------
The Abandoned Blu-ray / DVD Release Details: Press Release: "Take a terrifying plunge into the warped mind of a disturbed young woman with the visually and emotionally compelling psychological thriller The Abandoned.
Making its Blu-ray and DVD debut June 7th, 2016 from Scream Factory, in conjunction with IFC Midnight, this suspenseful release also includes brand new bonus features, including an alternate ending, deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer.
Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com
Desperate to get her life back on track, the unstable Streak (Louisa Krause, Martha Marcy May Marlene) takes a job as a security guard, working the graveyard shift at a once upscale, now abandoned apartment complex. But on her first night on duty, she discovers a horrifying presence lurking deep within the bowels of the decaying building. With her nerves already on edge, Streak must confront demons both real and imagined as she struggles to keep a grip on her sanity. Jason Patric (The Lost Boys, Narc) and Mark Margolis (Breaking Bad) co-star in this harrowing thrill ride.
The Abandoned Bonus Features
---------
Artist Jon Fields' Creep Cases: "Some say that Creep Cases are created from the rejected phone cases that are shredded and flushed away with the industrial waste; gaining their powers from absorbing the sludge infested and polluted run-off waters of the generic phone case manufacturers. Others say they are the creation of a some long lost voodoo ritual. Some say that, but...
Creep Case is actually the creation of Jon Fields: freelance artist/sculptor, and daydreamer extraordinaire. It started while searching for a zombie themed phone case, and all that could be found were generic cases with stickers slapped on them. Frustrated with the lack of really unique and detailed designs, Jon decided to start making his own. Influences are drawn from his years in the custom automotive paint world, and the B horror movies of yesteryear.
Each case is hand cast, hand painted and shipped with an accompanying card signed by the artist. Although only currently available in a limited edition of 300 cases per design/model, there are plans in the future to expand into greater numbers of highly creative, horror-themed cases. Stay tuned to see what happens!"
To learn more about Fields' haunting and creeptastic items, go to: www.creepcase.com
---------
El Rey Network's Mother's Day Marathon Details: Press Release: "Tune in to El Rey Network's Mother's Day Marathon featuring ENEMY MINE, TANK GIRL, AND KILL BILL: VOL 1 AND VOL 2 on MAY 7 AT 10 AM ET/PT.
This badass movie marathon is hosted by El Rey's Switchblade Squad, a trio of genre experts who are die-hard fans of badass cinema featuring film critic Amy Nicholson (MTV), journalist Jen Yamato (The Daily Beast), and director/producer Roxanne Benjamin (V/H/S, V/H/S 2, Southbound).
Switchblade Squad on El Rey Network discusses these new modern classics as they watch three iconic films with viewers at home. "Here's to the mothers and the bad mother*ckers of genre cinema," toast the Switchblade Squad, who invite you to join their all-day Mother's Day tour through the '80s, '90s, and '00s.
To celebrate Mother's Day, these three films present unique takes on femininity and strength, explored through the lens of motherhood, womanhood, and female empowerment, a surplus of ass-kicking, and one legendary sci-fi birth.
SATURDAY, May 7, 2016
10:00 AM ET/PT "TANK GIRL"
12:30 PM ET/PT "ENEMY MINE"
2:30 PM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 1"
5:00 PM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 2"
8:00 PM ET/PT "TANK GIRL"
10:30 PM ET/PT "ENEMY MINE"
12:30 AM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 1"
3:00 AM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 2"
SUNDAY, May 8, 2016
10:00 AM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 1"
12:30 PM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 2"
3:30 PM ET/PT "TANK GIRL"
6:00 PM ET/PT "ENEMY MINE"
8:00 PM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 1"
10:30 PM ET/PT "KILL BILL VOL. 2"
1:30 AM ET/PT "TANK GIRL"
4:00 AM ET/PT "ENEMY MINE"
El Rey Network's Mother Day Marathon Film Schedule
ENEMY MINE (1985)
A soldier from Earth crash-lands on an alien world after sustaining damage in battle. Eventually, he encounters another survivor... from the very enemy species he was fighting. They band together to survive on this hostile world, each warrior caring for his enemy in completely unexpected ways.
TANK GIRL (1995)
Based on the cult British comic strip, a tank-riding anti-heroine (badass icon Lori Petty) fights a mega-corporation that controls the world's water supply in the dystopian near future.
KILL BILL: VOL 1 (2003)
The Bride (Uma Thurman) awakens from a four-year coma. The child she carried in her womb is gone. Now she must wreak vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her - a team she was once part of.
KILL BILL: VOL 2 (2003)
The Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd, and the treacherous one-eyed Elle.
To find El Rey Network in your area please check out the channel finder at http://bit.ly/ElReyChannelfinder"
---------
THE HORDE Q&A: "The Horde hits VOD today (May 6); we speak to one of the producers, Doreen Bennett, about the fun horror throwback.
For those that don’t know, what does a producer do?
Doreen Bennett: Wow, you are starting off with a good one… producers do whatever is necessary to get the project completed. Often times, we are part of the inception of a project, and our role continues throughout the process until the movie is delivered to the studio. In 313 FILMS’ case, we remained involved until the final product was given to our distributors: Gravitas Ventures and Artist View Entertainment. This included but was not limited to, casting of the film, scouting and securing locations, the hiring crew, renting film and sound equipment, finding a catering company, hiring safety consultants and stunt coordinators and much, much more. Of course, budget determines in what manner this can be accomplished, but the universal objective is to make sure that the creative vision is realized and translated onto the screen with the sole purpose to enlighten, entertain, thrill or educate audiences.
And does it differ on film to film – in terms of your responsibilities?
Doreen Bennett: I would think that the approach may differ from film to film, but the goal and responsibilities remain the same: no matter what, get it done.
In terms of The Horde, what were your main tasks?
Doreen Bennett: Since 313 FILMS was the financial and producing entity for The Horde, my main task was ensuring we stayed as close to our budget as possible. Of course, unexpected circumstances and events can derail you, but that is low-budget guerilla filmmaking at its best…or as The Horde’s John Crenshaw would say, you must “always have a contingency plan.” Our team of producers took on whatever role was required. Many of my tasks included working with and supervising our line producer, arranging RV’s for cast and crew, securing locations for the film, dealing with local city government for permits, buying snacks for craft services, shuttling some cast members to and from set and even making our lead actor/writer and co-producer Paul Logan his favorite peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches. Overall, a unique and rewarding experience for sure!
Backtracking a bit, how did you come by the script? Or was it merely a story when Paul Logan mentioned it for the first time?
Doreen Bennett: My 313 FILMS producing partner and sister, Beth Thuna, and I knew Paul Logan on a personal level, and we were aware of his initial concept for The Horde. We never imagined that we would one day be partnering with him alongside an array of talented people to finally see his idea come to fruition, but we’re grateful that we did!
Were you confident you could finance – and consequently sell – the film with Paul attached as the lead?
Doreen Bennett: We were optimistic that we could finance the project, but filmmaking is an art and a gamble no matter who is attached as the lead. However, we felt that the chips were stacked in our favor with Paul Logan as our lead guy – he is so versatile, looks great on film, is talented and is so passionate about this project that if his sheer will could sell a film, it would! Thankfully, all of that translated onscreen and 313 FILMS along with Razors Edge Productions are thrilled to be on the receiving end of great reviews for The Horde. We’re also proud to have secured distribution both domestically with Gravitas Ventures and international with Artist View Entertainment.
What are Paul’s strengths as an actor? Why does he work so well in this movie?
Doreen Bennett: That is an easy question to answer… Paul Logan is the total package…period. He is a versatile and multi-talented actor. He not only choreographs and performs his own stunts, but he can switch from tender to tough guy in seconds and he looks great on screen. Paul’s strength as an actor in The Horde works in part because the characters and story existed in his mind for so long before being realized as a film and that came through in his performance. I also think audiences can relate to taking a stand and fighting back after being pushed too far. I believe we all have experienced that feeling one way or another – hopefully, not to that extreme – but to some extent and boy, does it feel good when you come out victorious!
The film is getting VOD release first and foremost. As a producer, what are your thoughts on digital vs. DVD/BV? Do you think eventually we’ll start seeing less and less discs manufactured?
Doreen Bennett: Entertainment mediums have been evolving for decades now, and with the proliferation of broadband internet and new technologies and service providers, access to entertainment is easier than ever. That and ever-changing viewing habits has increased the popularity of streaming which makes VOD a very important revenue stream for producers. This can be seen in the disappearance of video stores and space allocated to DVDs at the retailer. Demand for physical medium entertainment like DVD’s, I think, will remain for older people and late adopters of technology, but over time, it will continue to decline and ultimately disappear."
******
""The Hunt is On” with The Horde, on Demand in the US and Canada May 6th from Gravitas Ventures.
A 313 Films and Razors Edge Productions feature,the action-horror film stars Paul Logan (Mega Piranha), Costas Mandylor (Saw IV), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior) and Matthew Willig (Concussion). Jared Cohn (Little Dead Rotting Hood) directs Logan’s script.
Pic follows ex-Navy Seal John Crenshaw (rising action star Paul Logan) as he accompanies his girlfriend and her students on a weekend nature-photography expedition deep into the woods. What should be an educational and fun-filled trip turns into horror as the group is besieged by an unspeakable evil: a horde of hideously disfigured, mutated humans with an insatiable taste for blood. As things go from bad to worse, Crenshaw becomes their only hope if they want to re-emerge from the woods alive.
Producers are Doreen Bennett, Beth A. Thuna, Joel Bennett, Paul Logan, Gabriel Campisi, Devin Reeve; Sonia J. Thuna executive produced."