Ride the "Black Chariot" - A Hitchcockian Horror of Vengeance and Retribution: "Hex Studios is excited to announce Black Chariot, an intense and deeply disturbing supernatural horror directed by Lawrie Brewster (Lord of Tears, The Unkindness of Ravens), inspired by the macabre genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Drawing from Hitchcock's dark thrillers like Rebecca (1942) and Psycho (1960), Brewster seeks to invoke Hitchcock's spirit, combined with his love of classic film noir and Val Lewton’s atmospheric slow-burn horrors.
Director Lawrie Brewster shared, “My childhood was spent haunted and mesmerized by the romantic and seductive veil Hitchcock cast over me. It shaped my vision of horror, sensuality, and my understanding of fear and obsession. I am thrilled to finally produce a horror film that combines my love for the genre with inspirations drawn from his incomparable genius. Creating a period film and a love letter to that era, in a portrayal of horror that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is terrifying, is a dream come true.”
Starring in Black Chariot is none other than Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede series, in an intense dramatic role that may evoke comparisons with Peter Lorre’s notorious child-killer in Fritz Lang’s M (1931).
In Black Chariot, Harvey plays a ruthless manipulator who coerces three young men—Hex Studio newcomers Novarro Ramon, Dorian Todd, and Sam Barclay—into carrying out the perfect crime: stealing a valuable red briefcase whose mysterious contents drive our characters to a dark meeting place. Here, they encounter a spine-tingling figure known as ‘The Devil,’ played by Richard Pate, along with two vicious private detectives played by Nick Ford and Marco Rinaldi.
Megan Tremethick, the rising horror star and key player in this film, commented, “I felt irresistibly drawn to Black Chariot... by its ethereal and uncanny storyline, which felt so, so reminiscent of the heart and spirit of Carnival of Souls, one of the most haunting films I've ever seen.” Tremethick's images from Black Chariot on Instagram caught the attention of renowned horror filmmaker James Wan, who sent a personal message wishing the team good luck.
Producer Sarah Daly added, “With Black Chariot, we're pushing the boundaries of indie horror and the genre. Our films and storytelling defy trends and pop culture norms. We are unapologetic in our love for past cinema, and we aim to champion and resurrect a style of genre filmmaking that is timeless and will be enjoyed for years to come.”
The enigmatic Novarro Ramon, who intriguingly lives his life as the imagined reincarnation of silent era star Ramon Novarro, stated, “Black Chariot is more than a film for me; it’s a spiritual journey through time, merging the silent era’s mystique with modern-day horror.”
In Black Chariot, the gang’s crime and ensuing tragedy culminate in the release of supernatural forces, forcing the criminals and a beautiful hostage in their charge, played by Megan Tremethick (aka Miss Amicus), into a battle for survival against an unlikely foe. As night falls, they must evade the red headlights of a black Wolseley 15/50 that moves silently through the dark. But that is the least of their problems, for this black chariot does not drive itself alone—within travels a figure of nightmares, dressed in white and moving silently through the shadows.
Shot in beautiful black and white, Black Chariot ushers in a new era in Hex Studios' lineup of retro-inspired horror films. This follows the wake of sister company Amicus Productions’ record-breaking crowdfunding campaign and Megan Tremethick’s groundbreaking campaign for Spoiling You, which raised the most funds for a horror film directed by a woman.
The success behind these films is firmly rooted in the companies' unabashed rejection of mainstream film and their embrace of boutique filmmaking and niche audiences within the horror sphere. Black Chariot is currently recruiting followers for its pre-launch page on Kickstarter. Early supporters can sign up to purchase Blu-Rays and merchandise once the campaign launches."
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/
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Actor Thomas Jane's Renegade Brings The Lycan to Comixology Originals: "Actor Thomas Jane, who starred as Frank Castle in Marvel's The Punisher, is bringing his horror comic book series The Lycan to Comixology Originals. Jane is the co-founder, along with Courtney Lauren Penn, of Renegade Entertainment whose Season 2 of the hit show Troppo, in which Jane plays disgraced ex-cop Ted Conkaffey, premieres July 25 on Prime Video.
With The Lycan, Thomas Jane takes on the new role of editor. He’s assembled an incredible group of talent. The Lycan is based on a story by screenwriter David James Kelly (Logan) and Thomas Jane, with a script by acclaimed writer Mike Carey (Lucifer, The Unwritten), art by talented newcomer artist Diego Yapur, coloring by D.C. Alonso, and lettering by AndWorld Design. The 6-issue series is the first from Renegade Entertainment and will be released monthly from Amazon’s Comixology Originals exclusive digital content line with covers by acclaimed artist Tim Bradstreet (Hellblazer)."
"This comic has been years in the making," says Jane. "There were several times we thought we weren't going to get it released, but sometimes when one door closes another door opens. We've found a great home at Comixology Originals and are so excited for people to read it digitally when it launches later this year. We hope it makes readers all shivery inside."
"It wasn’t until Mike Carey turned in his blood curdling, masterfully executed script that we knew we had something different. Something special," said Jane. He continued, "I first met Tim Bradstreet at SDCC over 10 years ago and we are thrilled to be heading back to San Diego Comic-Con this year to promote the new spine-tingling series, The Lycan."
Jane will be on the Hollywood and Comics Collide panel Friday, July 26 at 11:15am in Room 6DE where all attendees will receive a ticket to pick up a free double-sided poster featuring art by Sean O'Conner on one side and Tim Bradstreet on the other.
The story takes place in 1777. After a successful expedition in Africa, a hardened band of international big game hunters set out to return home with their bounty when their voyage takes a turn and the men are shipwrecked off a small British island.
Under the tutelage of Absalom Coffin, the men make a deal with Lord Ludgate, ruler of the island. In exchange for fresh supplies and the repair of their good ship The Calydonian, the men are assigned a task they are particularly well suited for: find the Berserking Beasts that have been eating his subjects, including a group of young Benedictine Nuns, and destroy them. But the men encounter more sinister and dangerous beasts than anyone expected.
"We are so pleased to welcome Thomas and The Lycan team to our Comixology Originals family," says Jeff DiBartolomeo, Comixology's GM and CTO. "This is a terrifying horror story that readers are going to devour."
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A Quiet Place: Day One arrives on Digital July 30th and on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/DVD/4K Ultra HD SteelBook on October 8: "Experience the day the world went quiet in the thrilling and action-packed blockbuster hit A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE, arriving to buy or rent on Digital July 30, 2024 from Paramount Home Entertainment.
A three-movie collection including A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place: Part II and A Quiet Place: Day One will also be available to purchase on Digital platforms July 30. A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE will debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD, and in a collectible 4K Ultra HD SteelBook™ on October 8.
Certified Fresh™ with an 87% Critics Score* on Rotten Tomatoes®, A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE expands the franchise’s groundbreaking universe, taking fans back to the first day of the invasion by deadly creatures who hunt by sound in one of the loudest places on Earth: New York City. Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn give emotional and riveting performances as strangers who embark on a harrowing journey through the eerily quiet streets of Manhattan.
Fans who purchase the film on Digital**, 4K Ultra HD, or Blu-ray will have access to over 50 minutes of thrilling bonus content. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the attack on New York was filmed and how the crew built and destroyed a massive Manhattan set. Hear from cast and filmmakers as they discuss the characters' dangerous journey of survival, plus see deleted and extended scenes not shown in theatres."
Bonus content is detailed below:
Synopsis
Experience the day the world went quiet in this terrifying continuation of the A Quiet Place universe. When Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) returns home to New York City, her simple trip turns into a harrowing nightmare when mysterious creatures that hunt by sound attack. Accompanied by her cat Frodo and an unexpected ally (Joseph Quinn), Samira must embark on a perilous journey through the city that has suddenly gone silent, where the only rule is to stay quiet to stay alive. Djimon Hounsou and Alex Wolff also star in this intensely suspenseful thriller.
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Severin Announces Pact with Encyclopocalypse Publications for Film Novelizations with CRUEL JAWS Launching on 7/30: "Severin Films today announced a partnership with genre publisher Encyclopocalypse Publications to co-produce original novels, movie novelizations and resurrected horror paperbacks tied to and inspired by Severin’s expansive catalog of genre classics. Their first joint release will be CRUEL JAWS: THE NOVELIZATION by Brad Carter, based on the notorious film by Bruno Mattei called “THE AVENGERS of JAWS knockoffs” (Oh The Horror!), available July 30, 2024.
In 1995, Italian director Mattei stunned the civilized world with CRUEL JAWS, the ultimate sharksploitation saga that liberally borrowed characters, plot and footage from Joe D’Amato’s DEEP BLOOD and Enzo G. Castellari’s THE LAST SHARK. In Brad Carter’s novelization, something sinister has come to the coastal town of Hampton Bay. Something horrifying and colossal that refuses to stop killing until the white sand beaches are blood red. Now, a renegade shark expert and a down on his luck lawman are all that stand between a genetically engineered killing machine and thousands of blissfully unaware tourists, and it's a race against time, bureaucratic red tape and the mafia to stop a homicidal shark from turning a holiday weekend into a nightmare of carnage.
CRUEL JAWS: THE NOVELIZATION will be available in mass market and trade editions, both priced at $16.99, from all major online book retailers as well as encyclopocalypse.com. Each edition features new cover art and photos from the film, along with an all-new foreword by SHARKSPLOITATION: THE DOCUMENTARY director Stephen Scarlata. In addition, every paperback order sold through encyclopocalypse.com comes with a free digital copy. An audiobook is expected for Spring of 2025."
“We're beyond thrilled to partner with Severin. Their passion for creating, rescuing and releasing cinematic treasures is evident in every frame of their work,” says Encyclopocalypse Publications President Mark Alan Miller. “We look forward to contributing to that ethos by releasing perfect companion pieces to some of your favorite releases, beginning with CRUEL JAWS. Brad Carter's adaptation of Bruno Mattei's sharksploitation classic is a brilliant, fully realized love letter and we’re excited to bring these books to both Severin’s die-hard fan base and genre lovers everywhere.”
“We are entering a new golden age of movie novelizations, with Encyclopocalypse Publications leading the charge,” says Severin Films Co-Founder/President David Gregory. “and Brad Carter, whose outstanding Severin novelizations also include MARDI GRAS MASSACRE and NIGHT OF THE DEMON, as one of the genre’s very best scribes. We look forward to what this new partnership brings to the world of literature.”
CRUEL JAWS: THE NOVELIZATION
After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.
As the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan is responsible for bringing the latest horror news to millions of readers from around the world. He is also consulted with as an expert on zombies in entertainment and pop culture, providing analyses of the zombie sub-genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention attendees.
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