The Forest 2016 - REVIEW

Here is something that has always caught my attention, mainly for the mysterious nature, the Japanese Suicide Forest.  Now The Forest is not a documentary by any means or is the movie a basis of a true story but this forest does really exist.  Each year people in Japan go here to commit suicide.  They have to drag people out by the tons.  Got me thinking if this movie is as creepy as the real thing then this should be a smash hit.

Sara (Natalie Dormer) receives a call that her identical twin sister Jess, who lives in Japan, has gone missing in the Aokigahara Forest.  A place where people go to commit suicide or are contemplating it.  Sara immediately flies to Japan in search for her sister.  She knows her sister is still alive but is lost in the forest.  She gets 2 men to guide her in the forest to look.  Once they find Jess's tent Sara refuses to leave without her sister.  A decision she would come to regret!

 I heard alot of bad reviews for this film going in and saw it had a 4.8 IMDB score.  I still had to see for myself.  To my surprise I really didn't think it was too bad, well most of the movie anyway.  It lays groundwork for a pretty good story but somewhere along the line it comes apart.  I just think there could have been alot more they could have done with this suicide forest story.  This is a supernatural Thriller that has moments of suspense but as a whole movie falls a little short.  Specially the ending which I thought ended a little abrubptly.  The climax of the movie was very rushed and kind of left you thinking "Is that it?"

Natalie Dormer who played both Sara and Jess I thought was pretty good.  Many of you might recognize her from Game of Thrones.  THe supporting role of the character Aiden played by Taylor Kinney was pretty solid too.  I thought they both brought alot to the roles but in the end it just wasn't enough to knock this one out of the park.  I give The Forest 5 out of 10 stars.  Definitely worth the watch to find out for yourself but I would not pay more than 10 bucks for it.  Stay twisted everyone!

Official Trailer and Poster for Patient Seven

                                      

Los Angeles, CA – In October of 2015, genre distributor Terror Films announced that principal photography had begun on an Untitled Horror Anthology, now titled PATIENT SEVEN. The structure of the anthology includes a wrap-around, written by Barry Jay Stitch (The Chosen) and directed by horror veteran Danny Draven (Ghost Month, Reel Evil), which intertwines 7 award winning, short films by filmmakers from around the globe. The filmmakers include: Nicholas Peterson, Paul Davis, Ómar Örn Hauksson, Dean Hewison, Erlingur Ottar Thoroddsen, Joel Morgan, Johannes Persson and Rasmus Wassberg. The cast includes: Amy Smart (Just Friends, The Single Mom’s Club), Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones, John Wick), Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth, Crimson Peak), among others.

The wrap around stars veteran actor and genre favorite, Michael Ironside (Scanners, Total Recall) as Dr. Marcus. Marcus, a renowned psychiatrist, has selected 6 severe mentally ill and dangerous patients from the Spring Valley Mental Hospital, to interview as part of research for his new book. As Dr. Marcus interviews each patient, one by one the horrors they have committed begin to unfold. However, Dr. Marcus soon learns that there is one patient who has been kept from him by the hospital’s administrator, Dr. Vincent - played by Jack Plotnick (Drawn Together, Reno 911!: Miami).

The film will have a wide ancillary release, currently set for this Fall. Exact dates for the release will be announced soon, followed by exclusive clips. In the meantime, check out the official trailer and poster for the film.

Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/0JQQwa7Wi1U

ABOUT TERROR FILMS:

Terror Films is a Los Angeles based distribution label with a focus on horror, Sci-Fi and thriller films targeted for limited theatrical, Television and all major ancillary markets, including DVD, EST, VOD and all major streaming outlets. Their first film THE CHOSEN, starring YouTube Sensation Kian Lawley, remained in the Top 100 of Horror Films on iTunes for 8 consecutive weeks upon its release. Their second film TRACE opened exclusively on Redbox in all 40,000 locations followed by a wide ancillary release. The label recently released the award winning film LANDMINE GOES CLICK on DVD and is gearing up to release an impressive slate over the next 5 months of 2016, including the documentary UNEARTHED & UNTOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY; GODDESS OF LOVE; THE DARK STRANGER; HELL HOUSE LLC and THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET.  The company is repped by Michael Sherman of Reed Smith LLP.

For more information on Terror Films, go to: www.terrorfilms.net

Arrow Video US - September 2016 Release Schedule

MVD Entertainment Group furthers the distribution of Arrow Video in the US with several new titles in September...

Dead-End Drive-In [Blu-ray] (September 20th)

THE PRICE OF ADMISSION IS THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

One of Quentin Tarantino's favourite directors, Brian Trenchard-Smith was a key figure in the Ozploitation movement, responsible for The Man from Hong Kong, Stunt Rock, Turkey Shoot, BMX Bandits... and dystopian cult classic Dead-End Drive-In! 

Set in a near-future where the economy has crumbled and violent gangs play havoc in the streets, the powers-that-be have decided to lure the delinquent youth into drive-in cinemas and keep them there. No longer just a place to watch trashy movies and make out, these outdoor picture shows have become concentration camps for the unruly and unwanted. 

With its day-glo colour scheme, new wave soundtrack and extraordinary stunt work, Dead-End Drive-In is in the tradition of Ozploitation milestones Mad Max and The Cars That Ate Parisonly very, very eighties.

Bonus Materials

* Brand new 2K restoration from original film materials

* High Definition (1080p) Presentation

* Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

* Audio commentary by director Brian Trenchard-Smith

* The Stuntmen, Trenchard Smith's classic television documentary on Grant Page (Mad Max, Road Games) and other Australian stunt performers

* Hospitals Don't Burn Down, Trenchard-Smith's 1978 public information film told in pure Ozploitation fashion

* Behind-the-scenes gallery by graffiti artist Vladimir Cherepanoff

* Theatrical Trailer

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Chris Malbon

Product Details

Format: BLU-RAY

SKU: AV064

UPC: 760137891192

Street Date: 09/20/16

PreBook Date: 08/16/16

Genre: Horror

Run Time: 88 mins

Number of Discs: 1

Audio: STEREO

Year of Production: 1986

Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith

Actors: Ned Manning, Natalie McCurry, Peter Whitford, Wilbur Wilde

Box Lot: 30

Territory: US

Language: English

Complete product details, hi res art, etc. can be found HERE.

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

The Hills Have Eyes [Blu-ray] (September 27th)

THE LUCKY ONES DIED FIRST

Horror master Wes Craven achieved critical and commercial success with the likes of Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street - but for many genre fans, the director's seminal 1977 effort The Hills Have Eyes remains his masterpiece.

Taking a detour whilst on route to Los Angeles, the Carter family run into trouble when their camper van breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, the family find themselves at the mercy of a group of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills. With their lives under threat, the Carters are forced to fight back by any means necessary. 

As grueling a viewing experience today as it was upon initial release, The Hills Have Eyes stands alongside the likes of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Night of the Living Dead as one of the defining moments in American horror cinema.

Limited Edition Contents

* Brand new 4K restoration of the film, supervised by producer Peter Locke and viewable with both original and alternate endings 

* High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation 

* Original Uncompressed PCM Mono Audio

* Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 

* 6 Postcards 

* Reversible Fold-out Poster 

* Limited Edition 40-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens and a consideration of the Hills franchise by disc producer Ewan Cant, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

* Brand new audio commentary with actors Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Susan Lanier and Martin Speer

* Brand new audio commentary by academic Mikel J. Koven 

* Audio commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke 

* Looking Back on The Hills Have Eyes - making-of documentary featuring interviews with Wes Craven, Peter Locke, actors Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Robert Houston, Susan Lanier, Dee Wallace and director of photography Eric Saarinen

* Brand new interview with actor Martin Speer

* The Desert Sessions - brand new interview with composer Don Peake

* Never-before-seen Outtakes 

* Alternate Ending, in HD for the first time 

* Trailers and TV Spots 

* Image Gallery

* Original Screenplay (BD-ROM Content)

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper

Product Details

Format: BLU-RAY

SKU: AV065

UPC: 760137891390

Street Date: 09/27/16

PreBook Date: 08/23/16

Genre: Horror

Run Time: 90 mins

Number of Discs: 1

Audio: MONO

Year of Production: 1977

Director: Wes Craven

Actors: John Steadman, Suze Lanier-Bramlett

Language: English

Complete product details, hi res art, etc. can be found HERE.

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

Slugs [Blu-ray] (September 27th)

                                   

THEY SLIME. THEY OOZE. THEY KILL.

From celebrated Spanish director Juan Piquer Simon, the man behind the truly demented slasher flick Pieces (1982), comes a terrifying tale of mutant slugs on the rampage in small-town America. The townsfolk of a rural community are dying in strange and gruesome circumstances. Following the trail of horrifically mutilated cadavers, resident health inspector Mike Brady is on the case to piece together the mystery. He soon comes to a terrifying conclusion - giant slugs are breeding in the sewers beneath the town, and they're making a meal of the locals! Based on the novel by acclaimed British horror author Shaun Hutson, Slugs outdoes its creature feature peers by adding an extra dose of gross-out gore into the equation, culminating in one of the most squirm-inducing animal attack movies ever to slither its way across screens.

Special Edition Contents

* Brand new restoration from original film elements 

* High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation 

* Original Uncompressed PCM Mono Audio 

* Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 

* Audio commentary with Slugs author Shaun Hutson

* Audio commentary with writer and filmmaker Chris Alexander 

* Here's Slugs in Your Eye - an interview with actor Emilio Linder 

* They Slime, They Ooze, They Kill: The Effects of Slugs - an interview with special effects artist Carlo De Marchis 

* Invasion USA - an interview with art director Gonzalo Gonzalo 

* The Lyons Den - an interview and locations tour with production manager Larry Ann Evans 

* 1988 Goya Awards promo reel 

* Trailer

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Wes Benscoter

Product Details

Format: BLU-RAY

SKU: AV066

UPC: 760137891291

Street Date: 09/27/16

PreBook Date: 08/23/16

Genre: Horror

Run Time: 89 mins

Number of Discs: 1

Audio: MONO

Year of Production: 1988

Director: Juan Piquer Simón

Actors: Michael Garfield, Kim Terry, Philip MacHale, Emilio Linder

Language: English

Complete product details, hi res art, etc. can be found HERE.

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

Most Likely To Die 2016 - REVIEW

Being the sucker I am for a good slasher flick I had to pick this one out and give it a try.  Cover art looks good and a nice catchy creepy title.  The basis of the story is a 10 year class reunion that a select group get together and have their own reunion beforehand that they were invited to.  This sounds very familiar to a movie that came out just 3 years about  a class reunion that you shouldn't go to.  Just can't quite put my finger on it

Don't we all just love high school reunions?  Get to see old friends and rub you success in the faces of others.  This one is a little different.  A group of classmates get together before their 10 year reunion for a weekend of fun.  The only problem is they start dying one by one at the hands of a killer in a mask.  Someone is out for revenge.  It seems that this group of friends played a prank on a classmate in high school and got him expelled.  Maybe he wants payback?

I sure do love a good slasher film and while this one had a few good kills, I was just incredibly bored throughout most of the movie.  Takes too much time on the story which is not that interesting and very unoriginal.  May as well just remake a movie if you are going to be that unoriginal.  There was not enough gore either.  A horror movie doesn't have to be gory to be good but it definitely doesn't hurt.  I am afraid that most of the money was used for the White Zombie song that plays during the ending credits and Jake Busey as a creeper.  I am giving this 3 out of 10 starts.  As always stay twisted everyone!

'Blackburn' Slated for North American Release

Vancouver, B.C., August 4th, 2016: 3Brane Entertainment is pleased to announce that their horror film Blackburn will see more territories. Already slated for a North American release, this terrifying title will be distributed in the United Kingdom, on September 5th, 2016; Matchbox Films will handle the release. The film stars Lochlyn Munro (Poker Night), Jen and Sylvia Soska (American Mary), Sarah Lind (Wolf Cop), Emilie Ullerup (A Little Bit Zombie), and Calum Worthy. Developed from a script by Nastasha Baron, the film has been directed by Lauro Chartrand. A preview of the film’s multi-territory launch is available here.

The UK poster and synopsis reveal more of the Blackburn Asylum. Long since closed, its former residents roam the local woods. A forest fire and rockslide have forced more of these dangerous characters into the nearby town. And, five friends must find shelter, before they become targets of these monsters. Can they just survive the night?

In the UK, the film has been rated 15+. Also, the new poster hosts a unique tagline: “some ghost stories are real.” But, these ghosts are worse than anything supernatural. These terrors will be set upon the masses on September 5th, on DVD. This dark, horror story is not to be missed!

The official Synopsis: A forest fire and rock-slide trap five bickering college friends in a small Alaskan ghost town with a horrifying history. When they seek refuge inside the torched ruins of Blackburn Asylum, they must fight to survive as the angry inhabitants slaughter the friends one-by-one.

More details at Matchbox Films.

Available for pre-orders, at Amazon.

A fan page for the film.

On Twitter.