We're back with the latest edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes release details for Zombie Squash with George Romero, the announcement of a Reaper cast reunion special, release details for Bad Kids Go to Hell, and much more:
Zombie Squash Release Details: "ACW Games released their new game Zombie Squash (Free) today at Amazon as well as on GooglePlay this weekend. The free game stars George A. Romero, the godfather of all zombies and the iconic director of 'Night of the Living Dead' who provides the voice of Dr. B.E. Vil. The free game is compatible with over 2,400 Android devices. An HD version for the iPad was recently released on iTunes. The iPhone version is expected to be available on iTunes May 1st, 2013.
Zombie Squash is a world where plants and vegetables like turban squash and fairy tail pumpkins turn into zombies spawned from the evil experiments of Dr. B. E. Vil, owner of the controversial bio-chemical, genetics company Monsterno Corporation.
Zombie Squash is a tower defense style game where you play as Jack Stompingtail, a fearless rabbit who fires carrots, zucchini and other garden ammo at Dr. B. E. Vil’s horde of gourde onslaught. The player has to try and stop the Zombie Squash from taking over the world.
After competing the first 5 levels, you unlock the addictive, survival mode mini-game."
We have provided the game's trailer below featuring an intro by George Romero. For more information on Zombie Squash, go to: www.zombiesquash.com
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Reaper Cast Reunion Special Announced: "FEARnet is producing a half-hour special reuniting some of the original cast and crew [of Reaper] in which they will discuss the series’ popularity, its finale and their rabid community of fans in a round-table format. Set to appear in the special are series stars Bret Harrison (Sam Oliver), Tyler Labine (Sock) and Ray Wise, among others.
The quirky series focuses on the life of Sam Oliver (Harrison), a college drop-out who, on his 21st birthday, learns that he now must work as a bounty hunter for the Devil (Wise), as part of a deal made many years ago when Sam’s parents offered up their firstborn son in exchange for good health for the ailing father. Tyler Labine (TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL) and Rick Gonzalez (COACH CARTER) play Sam’s slacker friends who help him in his new secret double-life of ‘reaping’ souls, using a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner as well as other modern household items.
Often noted by TV fan websites as a series that was cancelled too soon, REAPER continues to enjoy a thriving community of devoted viewers who have rallied for the series to come back in syndication since its last network broadcast."
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Bad Kids Go to Hell Now on DVD: "Today, Phase 4 Films unleashes BAD KIDS GO TO HELL, the best-selling comic book adaptation from filmmakers Matthew Spradlin and Barry Wernick, on DVD. The thrilling dark heir to THE BREAKFAST CLUB is packed with behind the scenes coverage, original comic book sketch/concept art, visual FX breakdowns, Feature Commentary by Co-Creators/Director and Producer Matthew Spradlin and Barry Wernick, as well as plenty of other previously unreleased extras. Starring Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), Ben Browder (Farscape, Stargate SG-1, Doctor Who), Ali Faulkner (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1) and Cameron Deane Stewart (Pitch Perfect). BAD KIDS GO TO HELL is now available On Demand and Digital Download as well.
Six private school high school kids find themselves stuck in detention on a frightfully dark and stormy Saturday afternoon. During their 8 hour incarceration, each of the six kids fall victim to a horrible "accident" until only one of them remains. As each of these spoiled rich kids bites the dust, the story takes on a series of humorous and frantic twists and turns. Is one of the kids secretly evening the school's social playing field? Or have the ghosts of prestigious Crestview Academy finally come to punish the school's worst (and seemingly untouchable) brats? One thing is for sure...Daddy's money can't save them now."
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Loren Kantor's Edgar Allan Poe Woodcut: "When carving the woodcuts, the process begins when I find an old photo or image that I like. From this image I make an initial pencil sketch which I then transfer to a wood or linoleum block. I use standard woodcutting blades and gouges and other odd tools (awls, dental implements, sewing needles.) Once the image is carved I clean the block, apply a thin layer of ink and hand press the image on archival paper using a Japanese Baren (a bamboo tool that look kind of like an air-hockey paddle). The entire process takes 40-50 hours depending on the size and complexity of the image.
The idea to carve images from Film Noir Movies came about because we needed art for our walls at home. The roots of film noir cinematography came from German Expressionist movies so this provided a nice link to the woodcuts. I was first exposed to film noir as a child. My father was a film editor at Columbia Pictures and in the early 70's he borrowed 16mm film prints and screened them in our living room for the neighborhood. This is how I saw my first true film noir, DOA.
My interest in Poe has less to do with his writing than the fact that he was the first renowned American writer to make a living through writing alone. This is fascinating to me. In Poe's time periodicals and journals rarely lasted more than a few issues before calling it quits, and publishers often refused to pay writers for their work. For Poe to embark on a writing career in this environment was courageous and visionary."
To learn more about Loren Kantor and to have a look at his Poe woodcut or some of his other creations, visit: www.woodcuttingfool.blogspot.com
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Official Poster for IT CAME!: "Promotional material for IT CAME! has been unearthed from the vaults of Pinetree Studios! An IT CAME! 1950s Cinema Poster and a radio broadcast transcript from the set of IT CAME! taken from Reginald Vermouth's un-aired interview with actor Dick Claymore and Fanny Flaunders for the popular wireless broadcast 'Cinemadrone'.
Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will love this hilarious romp, a knowing throwback to the heyday of low-budget Sci-Fi cinema! Trundling through the 1950s British countryside, unthinkingly misogynistic space scientist, Dr. Boy Brett and the suitably chaperoned Doris Night pop into a quaint village pub for a cheese ploughman’s... But waiting for them outside is a most unwelcome visitor: Grurk, an indestructible, rampaging robot from outer space, on a mission to harvest the British Blitz spirit for energy!
Pursuing Grurk in their Morris Minor, will Boy and Doris be able to save the British from a life without stiff upper lippedness, or will Her Majesty's Kingdom be forever resigned to an eternity down in the mouth?"
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Deep Dark Production Details: "It is Polluted Pictures profound pleasure to announce they will co-produce the feature film “Deep Dark” together with Vitamin M in the Summer of 2013.
Hermann is thirtyish, struggling, and living with his mother. When he’s not thinking about making mobiles, he’s thinking of Devora: a beautiful, successful gallerist known for discovering new talent. After Devora thoroughly rejects Hermann, he spirals downward. He offers an ultimatum in an attempt to woo her back–either he’ll produce a masterpiece in two weeks or cut off his thumbs and end his art career forever.
Two weeks later and no art to show, Hermann has a knife poised to his knuckles. Just before he cuts, he discovers something extraordinary in the wall: a small hole. The Hole expels an exquisite pod-like object. Hermann attaches it to one of his mobiles, creating something amazing. Astonished by his new work, Devora signs him on as her hottest new artist. He forms a pact with The Hole: she will be his muse and help him make great art, but he must promise never to abandon her.
‘Deep Dark’ is Michael Medaglia’s first feature film production and this will be Lara Cuddy’s third production with Polluted Pictures as producer. This will also be Polluted Pictures first co-production of a script that was not written by either Todd or Jason Freeman."
To stay up-to-date with the film's progress, go to: www.deepdarkmovie.com
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Vampire Novel, Blood Street Available Now: "Alexei chose the wrong neighborhood to claim his latest victim. Now Philadelphia mob boss Enzo Salerno is determined to hunt down the man who killed his associate in such gruesome fashion in his South Philly row home. Perplexed by this unnatural murder, Salerno uncovers clues that lead him to believe that this was not a mob hit, and that a vampire was responsible for this death. Magnus, the leader of Alexei’s brood, must now use all of his resources to save them from both the mafia and the FBI."
Written by Carl Alves, "Blood Street”, which came out in paperback late last year, is releasing as an e-book in May 2013. It’s “Goodfellas” meets “True Blood,” a vampire novel with mafia characters."
For more information on the author or to purchase Blood Street, visit: http://truegritpublishing.com/3.html
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New Poster for Big Bad Wolves: "A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course: The father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings - a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder.
A cool poster is now available for BIG BAD WOLVES, the new thriller from the directors of the acclaimed Israeli horror RABIES, Aharon Keshales & Navot Papsuahdo. The film from Israel, will have its world premiere on April 21st at the Tribeca Film Festival."
Big Bad Wolves stars Lior Ashkenazi, Rotem Kienan, Tzahi Grad, and Dov Glickman. To stay up-to-date on news regarding the film, visit its Facebook page.
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Haunted in Poland Sequel Production Details: "Haunted Poland: The Origins is the sequel to Maso & Co Productions’ Haunted Poland (2012). This supernatural tale will begin production in June.
The original film involved a cross country trip and possession. Ewelin (Ewelina Lukaszewska) and Pau (Pau Masó) traveled from the United States to Chodecz, Poland, to visit Ewelin’s parent’s grave site. There, they met a friend, Irene (Irene Gonzalez), who visited them from Spain. Something was waiting for them in the graveyard. Now, in Haunted Poland: The Origins, Ewelin has disappeared and Irene is searching for her friend. But, a supernatural phenomenon tracks Irene’s every move. Horror fans should prepare for one of the scariest films to come out of Europe, later this year.”
Directed and written by Pau Masó and Ewelina Lukaszewska, Haunted Poland: The Origins stars Ewelina Lukaszewska, Kate Korbel, and Irene Gonzalez. For more information on this film, go to: http://www.hauntedpolandmovie.com/
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Murder Eleven Release Details: "The film involves two detectives in search of a vicious serial killer. The murderer targets prostitutes and ten women have already fallen to his attacks. Det. Mayfield (Michael Mack) and Jesse (Richard Reid) must intervene before he kills his latest victim – Katey (Autumn Federici), who has just been kidnapped. Both men must race against time to prevent Murder Eleven!
Murder Eleven is an exciting thriller from Code 3 Films. This title recently had a world premiere at the Down Beach Film Festival in late 2012. Now, Murder Eleven will be available for film fans October 1st, 2013, on home video formats. This thriller will excite viewers with this engaging tale of kidnap and murder."
For more information on Murder Eleven, visit the film's Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Code-3-Films/189914581046389?fref=ts
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Possessed Soul Begins Filming: "Experience Media Studios presents its upcoming feature length horror “experience” shot entirely using 3DPOV technology. This horror experience is unlike any other movie horror fans will have seen, telling the story through the eyes of the main character – in 3D. Possessed Soul begins filming in August 2013.
Two teenage girls are terrorized and slaughtered in the dark woods by a knife-wielding murderer. Russ Anderson, a disturbed and menacing teenage boy, awakes in a rage from his dream. Through his eyes, the audience experiences the horror of Possessed Soul. As they torment and abuse other students and teachers at their school, Russ leads his group of sinister and unstable friends into the perverse underworld of the occult. The group focuses their threats and intimidation on another outcast, Jake, stalking him mercilessly after school.
In their relentless pursuit to have their desires fulfilled through Satanic worship, Russ and his friends engage in a series of increasingly maniacal rituals through a haze of drugs and alcohol. The further they delve into the occult, the more their grip on reality is distorted, revealing the true horror among them and the manipulative demonic terror they have unleashed."
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Axe Giant Trailer and Distribution Details: "Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan, the new horror/creature feature from director Gary Jones (Boogeyman 3) and producer Jeff Miller, has been picked up for distribution by Virgil Films. Virgil will handle domestic DVD and VOD distribution, while Archstone Distribution will handle foreign sales and Cinema Purgatorio will handle domestic theatrical. Theatrical bookings are underway and Virgil plans a June street date for DVD and VOD.
The movie, which has recently undergone a title change from Bunyan to Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan, won the Audience Award at the Shockfest Film Festival in November.
Axe Giant is a contemporary take on the tall tale of lumberjack Paul Bunyan. Kids at a first-offenders' boot camp discover that the legend of Paul Bunyan is real and must team up with the local sheriff to stop the 15-foot giant's new rampage of terror.
The movie stars genre vet Joe Estevez, Dan Haggerty (TV's "Grizzly Adams"), Tom Downey (SyFy's War Of The Worlds), and Tim Lovelace (Mosquito). Amber Connor, Jesse Kove, Kristina Kopf, Clifton Williams, Victoria Ramos, Jill Evyn, and former WWF wrestler Chris Hahn round out the cast. This is the first major role for Kove, son of veteran actor Martin Kove (The Karate Kid 1-3, RAMBO)."
To learn more about Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan, go to: www.axegiantmovie.com and www.facebook.com/bunyanmovie
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Room 8 Details: "A newly pregnant Summer and her best friend Hollie, are both wanna-be TV presenters in search of the paranormal. As a child in Kansas, Summer was traumatized by a supernatural entity, but her mother refused to believe her ghost stories. Now, she is compelled to prove to the world that spirits exist by obtaining photographic evidence. With the help of Summer's boyfriend, the girls stake out an abandoned hotel to film a TV pilot on the supernatural. The hotel, like its unsettling owner, has been plagued by years of heartbreaking misfortune. The initially uneventful evening ends in a series of violent apparitions. However, the infrared cameras inexplicably fail to record anything. The girls leave the hotel doubting their own memories of the night’s terrifying ordeal. But something has followed them home.
Film maker Richard Craske's foray into the paranormal began well before the current hysteria. As a young cameraman, he joined his fellow crew members in irreverently jumping into the Pharaoh's sarcophagus while on film location. He left Egypt with more than just a movie credit. Constant nightmares featuring a crocodile headed beast convinced Richard to seek outside help to rid himself of what he was told was a possession by the guardian of the tomb. Although a spirit clearing cured his symptoms, Richard remained obsessed by this experience. Another close call with an entity during filming of a television pilot inspired Richard to devise Room 8, a film based on the "truth about ghosts"."
To stay up-to-date with Room 8's progress, visit:
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Evil Dead Mash-Up Shirt: "This one has been in the works for a while. I knew I wanted to do something with the Ash from Evil Dead and the Ash from Pokemon, but couldn't get the composition to come together quite right. I think with this design the composition came together well with the limited use of colors. I hope people like it."
For more information on Dansmash and his Evil Dead t-shirt, visit:
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Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale Release Announced: "During the cold war era a young boy named Toby finds a comic book clipping for a pet sea creature called a Sea Critter, but little does he know that terror has been delivered to his door step in the form of a Russian prototype for a new form of warfare. When the pet egg fails to hatch it is washed down the sink by the young boy's mother. Weeks pass an the creature begins to grow and mutate in the families sewage system. One night the creature reprises to reek havoc on the family which already has dysfunctional problems. Now it is up to Toby and his senile grandmother to stop the carnage. Will they make it through the night of the sea monkey?"
Set to release on June 1, 2013, Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale was directed by Michael S. Rodriguez and stars Sean Laguna, Joe Mannetti, Stacie Stocker, Caitlin Herst, Tyler Gallant, RJ Markham, Rob Edwards, Patrick Giglio with Gora Chand Saha as Henny Ben and Lynn Lowry as Grandma O'Conner.
For more information on this film, visit:
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).
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