Indie Spotlight: Ghost Trek, Kane Hodder, The Kiss, State of Desolation

We're back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes a full episode of Ghost Trek, first details on a Kane Hodder figurine by DeConte Figures & Collectibles, a new State of Desolation poster, a casting update from Welcome to Purgatory, distribution details from Dark Was the Night, a trailer for What's Kind About the Dark, and much more:

Watch Ghost Trek: Goomba Body Snatchers Mortuary Lockdown: "Ghost Trek is an episodic supernatural-comedy series that follows the Paranormal Underworld Detective Society (PUDS) as they investigate haunts across the U.S. and abroad between tanning beds, babes, body-building, and bong hits - all the while risking life and limb capturing the undead and unexplained on video. The series is not a "parody" of paranormal reality shows, Admittedly, Ghost Trek pokes fun at all the ghost hunting programs but it's much more than that. Ghost Trek is a high-brow meets low-brow satirical indictment of reality TV, generally speaking.

In the all-new Goomba Body Snatchers episode, the Ghost Trek fans are lined up around the block to attend a panel show and live broadcast hosted by Rick Weiner (Tim Ross) of the Real Divorcees of Los Angeles County and he really has Zeke, Jules, and Scary Carrie under the microscope. Harvey nixes Shawna's attempts to get Zeke fired and sends her to Cabo to stay at his condo. Clairvoyant Guy Swisher visits via satellite from the set of Psychic Brats. Scary Carrie continues her unrelenting haze of the newbie, Jules Partridge. Zeke is called out about his tryst with Svetlana on live TV. The Bomb is in the hospital due to a hand bite from Tila Tequila at the "Gathering of the Juggalos" and Joey Mayhem is accidentally dosed with a heaping helping of mushroom-laced omelets right before lockdown. The Gambini & Sons Mortuary is haunted by a high profile bondage photographer and notorious mob enforcer - both dismembered and sold to bio-med companies by a mad junkie doctor. Weasel and Ray-Ray bang their heads in a musical number. This episode lampoons everything from Goodfellas to Ghost Adventures - from Mapplethorpe to mad doctors - from Real Housewives to George Romero - from Talking Dead to teen icons."

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Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage Release Details: "When the Sultan's first born daughter, Princess Parisa, is abducted by an evil sorcerer, Sinbad is tasked with traveling through a desert of magic and mythical creatures to save her. He must defeat the Cyclops, the Goliath Crab, and the legendary Rok Bird to escape with their lives. Starring Shahin Sean Solimon, Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Lorna Raver (Drag Me to Hell), Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl), Sadie Alexandru (TVs Mad Men), and Said Faraj (TV's 24).

Set sail for the adventure of the year when Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage washes up on shore December 2. Written, directed, executive produced, and starring Shahin Sean Solimon, Sinbad - narrated by the inimitable Patrick Stewart (X-Men : Days of Future Past) - is a crowd-pleasing throwback to the classic adventure yarns of yesteryear!

Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage will be available on VOD on December 2, with the DVD to follow on February 3, 2015."

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State of Desolation Poster and First Details: "When a viral outbreak turns into a full-scale zombie pandemic, two mismatched survivors — a war-weary retired Special Forces operative and a young privileged suburbanite — begin a long trek to reach the perimeter of the hundred mile Quarantine Zone that used to be Los Angeles. Along the way the two very different people form a powerful bond, which will be put to the test as they try to survive marauding cannibals, doomsday cults, and hordes of the undead.

Written and directed by Jim Towns, State of Desolation stars Jamie Bernadette (The 6th Friend, Milf), Craig Stark (D'Jango Unchained), Dominique Swain (Lolita), Sadie Katz (Wrong Turn 6), Jessica Morris (One Life to Live), Daniel Buran (True Blood), Maria Olsen (Paranormal Activity 3), Kaiwi Lyman (Ninja Apocalypse), Stefanie Estes (Disaster L.A.), and Victoria De Mare (Stripped)."

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New Casting for Welcome to Purgatory: "‘Welcome to Purgatory’ follows three new arrivals – Willis, Taylor and Danni - as they navigate this fresh vision of the Afterlife, helped along the way by trusty Guardian Paul. They find the afterlife in ruins amidst a growing war between Good and Evil. The new arrivals must find a way to put things right to prevent an eternal battle between good and evil.

Gene Fallaize, director of upcoming action/fantasy epic ‘Welcome To Purgatory’ announced that actor Brian Blessed has joined the cast during a live panel presentation at London’s MCM Comic Con on Saturday October 25th at Excel London, where Blessed, along with other members of the cast and crew joined Fallaize to present new production materials to the eager crowd.

Blessed, who is perhaps most known for his roles as Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon and Boss Nass in Star Wars, joined the panel alongside director Gene Fallaize, executive producer/co-writer Scott Spiegel (Evil Dead II), Jack O’Halloran (Superman II), actor/writer Tony Cook (Superman: Requiem), actresses, Georgina Sherrington (The Worst Witch) & Serena Lorien (Dreamz: The Movie), and composer Joseph Bennie, to reveal a teaser trailer, exclusive storyboarded opening sequence, and video messages from co-stars of the project Bruce Campbell (Army Of Darkness), James Buckley (The Inbetweeners) and Jillian Murray (Wild Things).

Scott Spiegel, Tony Cook and Victoria Fallaize will be producing the picture for Cupsogue Pictures, which was written by Tony Cook, Gene Fallaize & Marcus Ako, and Gene Fallaize will be directing."

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The Kiss First Details: "The Kiss movie is a psychological/horror thriller written/directed by Remi Vaughn, starring Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints, Dexter, The Chronicles of Young Indiana Jones, Powder) and Caterina Murino (Casino Royale, The Odysseus, Zen, Taxi Brooklyn).

In The Kiss, the two main characters (played by Sean and Caterina) are artists who have created an eerie and surreal world.

The Kiss script has been called a gritty, unique, provocative, and highly visual screenplay. A story that’s never been done before, not your run-of-the-mill horror thriller. Industry professionals have compared The Kiss to Black Swan for its artistic sensibility blended with the thriller components of the Silence of the Lambs and Perfume.

These emerging artists will work with master artists such as Zach Guerrero, a multi-award winning mask maker; Kelly Mann, an Emmy award winning special makeup artist; and Rob Cobasky, a highly recognized horror scultptor. Our commitment to all of the artists on the project is to provide them with the opportunity to display their artwork at premiere and private screening events, so they can build their fan base for their current and future artwork."

To learn more about this film, visit: www.facebook.com/thekissbyremivaughn or www.thekiss-movie.com

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Soul Axiom Release Details: "From the indie games studio that brought you Master Reboot comes a new first-person sci-fi adventure game that will take you on a journey through the deepest, darkest recesses of your soul.

Take your first steps to paradise by uploading your soul to Elysia. As the latest state of the art Digital Soul Provider, Elysia is a sprawling server where your memories and dreams become reality. Our patented SoulSync system allows you to choose the memories you want to enjoy for eternity; whether you are a living user or you simply wish to leave a lasting testament of your life that the whole family can relive at their leisure.

In Elysia, death has no dominion. In Elysia, life has no boundaries. Cast off your mortal shackles and discover the secret to immortality in your digital afterlife.

You will be taken on an intriguing voyage of discovery, through beautiful, haunting locations, facing challenges that will lead you into danger on your mission to unlock your identity, your story, your mystery. But beware: some mysteries are better left unsolved.

Soul Axiom will be released on Steam in just a couple of weeks! The game was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show and EGX London this year and now we are ready to share the news in preparation for the Steam Early Access release on November 3rd."

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Dark Was the Night Distribution Details: "The plot of the film begins when a long slumbering evil is awoken in the trees outside the remote town of Maiden Woods. Isolated and threatened, it sets its sights on the townspeople, as Sheriff Paul Shields (Kevin Durand) attempts to overcome the demons of his past, so that he may protect those that he loves.

Premiere Entertainment Group has acquired the foreign sales rights for Caliber Media’s Dark Was the Night directed by Jack Heller. The film premiered last week at ScreamFest in Los Angeles, winning Best Visual Effects and Best Special Effects, and will have its East Coast premiere on November 1st at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Scary Movies, New York’s top genre film festival.

Kevin Durand (The Strain) and Lukas Haas (Inception) star and battle with an ancient evil. The script, from Tyler Hisel, appeared on the 2009 Black List of best un-produced scripts, a rarity for the monster genre, under the title The Trees. Rounding out the cast are Bianca Kajlich (Rules of Engagement), Sabina Gadecki (the Entourage movie), Heath Freeman (Skateland), Steve Agee (@midnight) and Nick Damici (Late Phases).

Sales will begin at this year’s American Film Market; the deal was announced today by Premiere Entertainment SVP Sales & Acquisitions Jack Campbell.

Director Heller produced the feature with his Caliber partner Dallas Sonnier, Sundial's Stefan Nowicki and Joey Carey, and P Street’s Dylan Narang. Preferred Content's Kevin Iwashina and Ross Dinerstein executive produced the film alongside screenwriter Hisel and his manager Alexander Robb.

Elias Axume negotiated the deal for Premiere Entertainment and will be handling foreign sales at this year’s American Film Market."

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Anger of the Dead Trailer Released: "In a world ravaged by a rabies virus that turns people into hungry cannibals, Alice a pregnant survivor, along with two other men, struggles to reach an island unaffected by the plague. Meanwhile a dangerous man is on the trail of a mysterious girl, and Alice soon discovers that zombies are not the only threat.”

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Scared Stiff Collection Release Details: "Horror fans have been demanding quality scares and Cinema Epoch has answered the call with the “Scared Stiff Collection,” a series of award-winning feature films being launched with 11 titles unleashed on the public. The launch titles for this series include all of things that you would expect, including zombies, hauntings, slashers, monsters, serial killers and even some crazy and sexy women ready to kill for the viewing pleasure. Edgy, gory, scary, and pushing the boundaries, this collection is a must have for any horror fan.

Launching on Halloween, Cinema Epoch brings this collection in horror sets, each with four terrifying features. In Volume One, the monster-filled, found footage shocker Shallow Creek Cult, along with the whodunit, killer granny slasher Family Secret, the paranormal nightmare that is Evil Legacy and the cornfield monster mash Rise of the Scarecrows.

In Volume 2, blood will flow as the sexy women of horror come into play with the non-stop suspenseful thrill ride of Loverboy as well as the evil entities that consume The 28th Day: The Wrath of Steph. If that wasn’t horrifying enough, the volume also includes the zombie-filled horror anthology, Scary Tales and the monster movie bloodbath, Phantom of the Woods.

In Volume Three, the DV Trilogy is unleashed, bringing one of the most intense found footage series of all time in one collection."

For more information on any of these titles, or how to pre-order them, Vol. 1 is here, Vol. 2 is here, and Vol. 3 is here

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Dead Static Released: "Dead Static, a horror anthology of found footage from Vermont's most haunted places, including Emily's Bridge, Green Mount Cemetery, and The Pittsford Haunted House.

Written & directed by Owen Mulligan. Made in collaboration with Haunted Vermont & Obscure Vermont."

To learn more about this film, and its creator, visit: www.facebook.com/deadfi or on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/deadfi

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I Am Dracula First Details: "Like Van Helsing in the famous novel, UK film production company Seraphim Pictures is on the hunt for Dracula. As Halloween approaches, the company is raising funds for I Am Dracula – a feature-length documentary about the present-day descendants of the historical Dracula.

The film will see a team travel to Romania to interview people claiming to be descendants of Vlad Dracula, a Fifteenth Century Romanian prince. Whether direct or indirect, substantiated or otherwise, the film will assess each individual's claim to the name and present them as a possible scion of the Draculesti – the bloodline of Dracula.

I Am Dracula will also feature interviews with genealogists and historians who will debate whether it is possible that the bloodline still exists, and what it would mean for an individual to be a member of the Draculesti.

The campaign ends at 23:59 [11:59] GMT on Halloween."

To find out more about this project, or how to support its progress, visit the film's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/IAmDraculaMovie or on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/IAmDraculaMovie

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Vampyres Trailer and Production Details: "Vampyres tells the arriving of a lonely man and some backpackers to a wood where there is a mysterious mansion, where sadist women with bloody habits live. Flesh and blood won’t be long!

Artistic Films presents Vampyres first trailer and poster. A new approach to José Ramón Larraz’s classic universe, directed by Víctor Matellano, from a story by Larraz himself, and produced by Ángel Mora.

Vampyres project was introduced at Sitges Film Festival one year ago. Being born as José Ramón Larraz’s desire is now finished and ready for worldwide sales processes. It is a new view of Larraz’s world of sex and blood reflected in the original Vampyres (Las hijas de Drácula), an English cult movie. In fact, the thing he was working on before passing away was the co-writing of this remake.

Leading the cast we find Caroline Munro, cult figure from classics such as Maniac or Captain Kronos, together with Christian Stamm, Verónica P. Bacorn, Anthony Rotsa and Luis Hacha, being Marta Flich and Almudena León the two terrifying female vampires. There are also some Eurohorror celebrities such as May Heatherly (Pieces), Antonio Mayans (Oasis of the Zombies), Lone Fleming (Tombs of the Blind Dead), Conrado San Martín (The Awful Dr. Orloff) and Fele Martínez (Tesis). Colin Arthur is in charge of the FX (The Never Ending Story, Conan) as he did in the original movie. Plus an overdose of flesh and blood!"

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What's Kind About the Dark First Details and Trailer: "Miriam lives alone in the woods working as a homicide investigator. One night a stranger invades her home offering to help her on an important cold case. As the investigation unfolds, Miriam realizes that darkness is his true motive. Can she solve the murder before the dawn, and at what cost? What's Kind About the Dark is an independent horror film shot in Austin, Texas.

This film focuses on the concepts of light and dark and how sometimes the darkness reveals more than the light and embracing the shadows have terrible and frightening consequences.

Colin Bryan is the writer/director. He started working on the script for, "What's Kind About the Dark," in 2012, and is now seeing all of his work come to fruition, completing the trailer for crowd-funding."

For more information on this film, and to support its progress, visit: www.facebook.com/pages/Whats-Kind-About-the-Dark

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Kane Hodder Figurine Details: "We have just started our pre-order/campaign for the first figurine in our "Cinematic Heroes" line!

This figurine is of actor/stuntman extraordinaire Kane Hodder which is a 10" figure, 8" sitting in a directors chair with his name stenciled on the back of it.

We want to make sure we have the production numbers going forward so we're asking fans to pre-order it here. Everyone who pre-orders gets their name printed on the actual packaging as a thank you.

The pre-ordering ends November 21st and we'll have these in the States and ready for pick-up/delivery for April 2015."

To find out more about DeConte Figures & Collectibles, and the Kane Hodder figurine, go to:
www.decontefiguresandcollectibles.com

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Invasion of the Undead Trailer and Release Date Announced: "Independent production company MonsterBuster Entertainment proudly presents the official trailer for its first feature film Invasion of the Undead, an 80's-style horror comedy in the vein of The Evil Dead and Big Trouble in Little China. Originally slated to release this month, the ambitious $17,000 indie film will now premiere February 10th at Atlanta's historic Plaza Theatre, with a digital release to follow on March 3rd.

The trailer showcases the movie's practical and stop motion creature effects, video game-inspired fights, and colorful cinematography similar to that seen in Creepshow and Italian horror films. It also gives a sneak peek at the upcoming Invasion of the Undead video game, a retro 16-bit-style platformer that will be available for free alongside the movie's digital release in March.

Invasion follows Allison, a young woman who gets more than she bargained for when she enlists the aid of two freelance paranormal exterminators to combat an undead infestation in her new home. It is the first film in a planned four-part series and the cornerstone of a MonsterBuster Cinematic Universe in which characters from past and present MonsterBuster productions will cross paths as the series progresses- think a horror version of Marvel or Star Wars."