International Poster For THE COLLECTION

I'll admit I wasn't a fan of THE COLLECTOR, but if this badass international poster for its sequel (courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting) is anything to go by, I will definitely be checking out THE COLLECTION. Look forward to seeing it hit theatres on November 30th, 2012.

Synopsis “When Elena’s (Emma Fitzpatrick) friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer. The Collector kidnaps and transports her to an abandoned hotel he’s transformed into his own private maze of torture and death. Upon learning of his daughter’s disappearance, Elena’s wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a group of mercenaries to retrieve her from the vicious grips of The Collector. These mercenaries coerce Arkin (Josh Stewart), the only man to have escaped the wrath of this heinous monster, to lead them through thegruesome labyrinth. Now, Arkin finds himself fighting for his own life in order to save Elena”

THE COLLECTION stars Josh Stewart, Emma Fitzpatrick, and Christopher McDonald.

New TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D Teaser Poster

John Luessenhops's TEXAS CHAINSAW sequel (not a remake - a sequel to the original film) is due to hit theatres January 4, 2013. In the lead-up to the release a new teaser poster has emerged which you can find below. This new poster shows a simplified title (rather than THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D as on the previous adverts) but I'm not sure if a title change has been confirmed or not.

Synopsis: ”Twenty years ago, the town of Newt, Texas exacted vengeance on the Sawyer family for their role in assisting and concealing murders committed by the chainsaw-wielding maniac Jeb Sawyer, aka “Leatherface.” The entire family was presume killed when Burt Hartman led the townspeople to burn down their farm house, but the Sawyer infant survived and was secretly taken away by two of the vigilante townies, Gavin and Arlene, and raised their daughter Heather. It’s not until she’s in her twenties that Heather learns that she’s adopted.

A lawyer for her grandmother tracks her down with word she’s been left an inheritance. Angry at her parents for lying to her, she sets out for Texas on a road trip with her boyfriend Ryan, friends Nikki and Kenny, and Darryl, a hitchhiker they pick up on the way”

Official Poster For WWE's BARRICADE

Andrew Currie's supernatural isolation flick BARRICADE is set for a September 25, 2012 release date. Check out the brand new poster below. BARRICADE marks the first time that a WWE film will not feature any of their own members. Starring in the film are Jody Thompson, Eric McCormack, Ryan Grantham and Conner Dwelly.

Synopsis: “A psychiatrist, seeking to find normalcy after the sudden passing of his wife, takes his two kids to a remote cabin for healing and bonding. Their joy soon turns to despair when the family is terrorized by unknown forces and the father will stop at nothing to save them from peril”

Horror Feast: Sushi Typhoon

For those who don't know, Sushi Typhoon is a Japanese production company specializing in low budget horror, sci-fi & fantasy films. A collective consisting of directors Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER), Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE), Sion Sono (SUICIDE CLUB), Noboru Iguchi (THE MACHINE GIRL), Tak Sakaguchi (YOROI: SAMURAI ZOMBIE), Yudai Yamaguchi (BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL) and Seiji Chiba (EVIL NINJA).
If you've seen any of the movies I've just mentioned then you should have a pretty good idea of what you're in for when it comes to a Sushi Typhoon release. For those who haven't, well buckets of blood, absurd amounts of violence and cheap digital effects are the order of the day.
So without further ado, let's get into this shit.

DEADBALL (2011)

As a young child, Jubei discovers the insanely powerful force of his pitching arm when he unwittingly destroys his father's head with a baseball. Needless to say he vows never to play ball again. Cut to a few years later and Jubei is a vigilante, visiting violence upon evil-doers. He is caught and sent to a prison for juveniles which is run by a Nazi headmistress who encourages him to join the prison ball team. But their first match against the ridiculously hot and brutal Saint Black Dahlia girls reveals that this is no ordinary baseball game. Blood is what the spectators have come to see.
Exploding heads, elbow-deep cavity searches, vomit eating, Nazis and robots, this movie has it all. And the lead character Jubei (played to perfection by Tak Sakaguchi) is so awesomely cool that he can pluck lit cigarettes out of thin air any time he wants.
Sure the acting isn't great, the story either, and the special effects are cheesy as fuck, but all in all DEADBALL is a explosively fun movie with plenty of gore and humor and is very entertaining.

YAKUZA WEAPON (2011)

Tak Sakaguchi once more takes centre stage but rather than being a juvenile delinquent with a killer pitching arm, here he plays Shozo the unstoppable Yakuza killing machine. Just like Jubei in DEADBALL, Shozo is almost impossibly cool. Like so cool that he can scare landmines just by glaring at them, or catch RPGs with his bare hands, or stand in the middle of a jungle firefight smoking a cigarette while bullets go whizzing past his head. That cool.
Shozo returns to Japan after 4 years abroad to avenge the death of his father who was a big time Yakuza boss. Upon returning to his family's former headquarters he learns that his father was betrayed. Violence and action ensue. But it's not until he gets a cyborg makeover that things get really exciting. A mixture of ROBOCOP & MACHINE GIRL & that special something that only the Japanese seem to possess, YAKUZA WEAPON is over the top, non-stop action with a huge body count.

HELLDRIVER (2011)

DEADBALL and YAKUZA WEAPON may have been totally bizarre but Yoshihiro Nishimura's HELLDRIVER is on a whole other level. A meteorite has crashed in Japan, releasing a cloud of toxic ash which turns people into bloodthirsty zombies (not technically zombies but whatever). Young girl Kika leads a group charged with tracking down and killing the zombie queen - who just so happens to be her crazy, homicidal mother.
Kika carries with her a chainsaw/katana hybrid; a chainsword (not sure if that's what it's called but it's definitely what it should be called). Needless to say chainsword + zombies = lots of blood and limbs flying all over the place. Other things you will see in this strange fucking movie include a car made out of zombies (seriously), lots of exploding heads, flesh eating, and of course gallons and gallons of the red stuff. What more could you ask for?

MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD (2010)

Tak Sakaguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura and Noboru Iguchi work together to bring forth the ridiculous insanity that is MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD. It follows young schoolgirl Rin, who on her 16th birthday discovers that she is the descendant of an ancient race of mutants known as Hilko. She sees her parents killed in front of her and is rescued and recruited by a group of Hilko who train her so that she can understand her full powers. After being sent on her first mission, Rin finds herself unable to kill innocent humans and so confronts the other Hilko. Basically this is a bloody, gory riff on the X-Men, full of lowbrow humor, cheap effects and sexy mutant schoolgirls. Their 'super powers' range from claws and tentacle arms right through to titty-swords and ass-chainsaws. And the blood, oh the blood. There is tons of the stuff. It's everywhere, raining down, splattering the camera, shooting out of limbless stumps. So much blood.

CHERNOBYL DIARIES (2012) Review

Directed by: Bradley Parker

Starring: Jonathan Sadowski, Devin Kelley, Dimitri Diatchenko

The Ukrainian ghost town of Pripyat would seem (to me at least) to be a perfect place to set a horror movie. If you've seen photos of its crumbling buildings, overgrown vegetation and forgotten belongings littering the place, you'll know just how eerie a place it looks. So CHERNOBYL DIARIES already has a guaranteed awesome location (Well technically the movie wasn't filmed on location in Pripyat, however if you compare photos to the scenery in the movie you can see that they have done a great job in trying to recreate the look), but what about the rest of the movie?

We start off with a video montage showing a group of American tourists goofing their way around Europe. This is the only real representation of the video diary aspect hinted at in the title. Cut to the same tourists talking about 'extreme tourism' which consists of being taken to Pripyat by a dodgy ex-special forces tour guide. After being turned away from a checkpoint they find a back way in and start to make their way through the abandoned city while their guide Uri (Diatchenko) talks them through the history of the place.
After spending a short time there the group are ready to leave, but surprise, surprise, the van they travelled there in has been sabotaged. Soon they realize that they are not alone in Pripyat. Something is stalking them in the shadow of Chernobyl.

The biggest selling point of this movie seems to be that it was penned by Oren Peli, the creator of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise. Obviously for PA fans this will be a major draw and even people who hated the PA franchise (like me) will be interested to see how Peli does outside of that tired spookfest.
Although the movies differ vastly in both location, format (no found footage here - save for the short intro sequence) and atmosphere, they are both similar when you get down to the bare bones. Both PA and CHERNOBYL DIARIES show a small group of people running around in the dark, screaming and crying and acting stupid while being pursued by an unknown enemy. So in essence Peli hasn't really strayed far from his comfort zone at all.

The scenes after the group arrive at Pripyat are probably the most interesting in the whole film. Uri goes through some short snatches of history and they make their way through eerily empty buildings. Once they get back to the van and find it sabotaged though, things get very predictable, cliché and stupid. And dark too. This movie is very dark. Sometimes this is a good way to ratchet up the tension but unfortunately for CHERNOBYL DIARIES it seems that the intense darkness is there to hide the film's shortcomings rather than to enhance the atmosphere.

The writing is lousy, the acting is average at best, the 'scares' are cheap and everything (apart from the setting) just feels like it has been recycled from other horror films. Films like WRONG TURN, THE HILLS HAVE EYES and THE DESCENT come to mind but CHERNOBYL DIARIES doesn't even come close to any of them.

CELL COUNT (2012) Review

Directed by: Todd E. Freeman

Starring: Robert McKeehen, Haley Talbot, Christopher Toyne

There were two reasons I decided to check out CELL COUNT. The first is that I thought the poster looked pretty badass and the second is that I heard it being compared to films like CUBE and Cronenberg's RABID. I still like the poster, but while I can see certain similarities between this and Cronenberg's work, this movie just doesn't come close. It has a very promising premise but before long it falls apart thanks to some lousy writing and incoherent plot.

Russell Carpenter (McKeehen) has to make an important decision. His wife Sadie (Talbot) is dying in a hospital bed from an undisclosed disease and her only chance of getting better is for her to be shipped off to an experimental facility where Doctor Victor Brandt (Toyne)  promises that she will be completely cured. However if Russell wants to be with his wife, he will also need to travel to the facility and partake in the experimental cure. When the couple awaken in the prison-like clinic and find themselves with a handful of strangers, bizarre things begin to happen. Could this cure be worse than the disease?

First I'll get to the good stuff. CELL COUNT was made on a relatively low budget, however great care has obviously been taken to make it look as good as possible. The lighting is good, the scenes are crisp and clear, the location is suitably cold and sterile, and the practical effects and make-up look great.

As I mentioned earlier, the premise for the film is an intriguing one. When Russell makes the decision for himself and his wife to take part in this experiment they are unaware of the risks and even seem to have no idea what the experiment will entail. Obviously the only thing Russell cares about is the fact that Dr. Brandt has promised she will be cured. But at what price? At no point does he say that she will be 'healthy' or 'back to normal', just that she will be completely free of the disease. What exactly is he hiding?

And what's up with this medical facility? It's vast, open and seemingly empty apart from the half dozen or so patients. The doctor communicates to them via a P.A system and rarely visits the patients personally.

Something is obviously not right here. This sense of mystery and foreboding has been handled really well and is enough to hold your attention - for a while at least.

CELL COUNT ambles along at a reasonably slow pace which at first is ok. But before too long I found myself hoping that it would pick up the pace or at least break it up with some action sequences. Unfortunately the slow pace continues throughout the film, peppered with little action, but on the plus side it does throw a few unexpected surprises at you.
The writing here isn't exactly what I would call great, and it has characters making stupid decisions and uttering unimportant and useless dialogue at times.
While the practical effects were done really well, there was is scene which incorporates some terrible looking CGI, and while it may have been the only way to achieve such a scene, it was still off-putting.

And finally we come to the end of the film which was a sudden and inconclusive stop. I can appreciate movies which leave you with unanswered questions while the credits roll, but I think CELL COUNT could have benefited from a more conclusive ending. I have heard possible talk of a sequel so maybe this is why the film ended as it did.

First Screenshots For WALKING DEAD FPS

Not too long ago Activision revealed that Terminal Reality were working on a new WALKING DEAD videogame. In contrast to Telltale's game, this will be a first person shooter and will have the player taking on the role of crossbow-wielding Daryl Dixon. The game's events take place before the events of the television series. Take a look at the brand new screenshots, box art and details below.

THE WALKING DEAD is set to be released sometime in 2013 and will appear on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

“Terminal Reality’s The Walking Dead video game takes the undead and brings them out of the TV show and into console gaming systems in a new, terrifying way. The iconic walkers will relentlessly hunt down players like their television counterparts, using a combination of sight, sound and smell. As Daryl, players will need to tread carefully throughout each new area they explore. Once discovered, it doesn’t take much to attract an unstoppable horde of undead walkers, so every threat needs to be assessed, and every situation analyzed. Players will have to choose between whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. No place is truly safe for Daryl as he makes his way through the Georgia countryside in this new, post-apocalyptic world.

Resources are scarce and scattered in The Walking Dead video game, and gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill. In order to endure this constant state of danger, players will have to do all they can to silence the noises they make and avoid detection. Throughout his journey, Daryl will encounter a slew of other characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways, and whether or not they accompany him is completely up to player choice and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made while fighting to survive.”

The Walking Dead brings the authentic, heart-stopping horrors of The Walking Dead to life in a way that’s unlike anything the series has ever seen. Terminal Reality’s upcoming video game is an all-new, first-person, do-whatever-you-need-to-survive game based on AMC’s Emmy award-winning series. Inthe game, players assume the role of the mysterious, crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, alongside his overbearing brother Merle, on a haunting, unforgiving quest to make their way to the supposed safety of Atlanta.

Features

• An engrossing single player campaign that lets players experience the world of The Walking Dead through the eyes of fan-favorite, Daryl Dixon.

• A unique style of gameplay that blends first-person action with resource management for a focus on surviving the undead nightmare.

• Authentic character design and frighteningly realistic animations. Walkers look, move and react to sights, sounds and smells just the way that they do in the hit television show.

• An emphasis on survival – every threat needs to be assessed and every situation analyzed. Players will choose whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. Resources are scarce and scattered; gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill.

• Decisions matter as Daryl will encounter a slew of characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways; whether or not they accompany him is completely up to the player and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made.

• Terminal Reality’s using their proprietary Infernal Engine and wealth of experience to create an amazing experience for both fans and newcomers alike.

Plot Details For MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

I fucking love the MAD MAX movies, well the first two at least (BEYOND THUNDERDOME turned out to be a huge turd). But I have high hopes for this next instalment.
FURY ROAD has had it's ups and downs lately but finally it's in full swing and we have some clear plot details along with cast info and more thanks to the press release you will find below.

Press Release:

“Principal photography began 9 July on the dystopian action adventure “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production written and directed by “Mad Max” creator and Academy Award(R) winner George Miller (“Happy Feet”). The film will be presented by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Village Roadshow Pictures. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

“Mad Max: Fury Road”–the fourth in the franchise’s history–stars Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) in the title role of Max Rockatansky, alongside Oscar(R) winner Charlize Theron (“Monster”, “Prometheus”) as Imperator Furiosa.

According to Miller, “Mad Max is caught up with a group of people fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by the Imperator Furiosa. This movie is an account of the Road War which follows. It is based on the Word Burgers of the History Men and eyewitness accounts of those who survived.”

“Mad Max: Fury Road” also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: First Class”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; and Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus. Collectively known as The Wives, Zoe Kravitz (“X-Men: First Class”) plays Toast, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is Splendid. They are joined by supermodel Abbey Lee Kershaw as The Dag and Courtney Eaton as Fragile, both of whom are making their big screen debuts. Also featured in the movie are Josh Helman as Slit, Jennifer Hagan as Miss Giddy, and singer/songwriter/performer iOTA as Coma-Doof Warrior”
“ The cast is rounded out by well-known Australian actors John Howard, Richard Carter, supermodel Megan Gale, Angus Sampson, Joy Smithers, Gillian Jones, Melissa Jaffer and Melita Jurisic.

Miller is directing the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller also produces the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar(R) nominee Doug Mitchell ("Babe," "Happy Feet"), and P.J. Voeten. Iain Smith, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Academy Award(R)-winning director of photography John Seale ("The English Patient"); action unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris ("Australia"); editor Margaret Sixel ("Happy Feet"); production designer Colin Gibson ("Babe"); Oscar(R)-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan ("A Room with a View"); and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt ("Knowing").

Shooting on "Mad Max: Fury Road" is taking place in Africa with the support of the Australian government. Originally slated to be shot in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, the production was forced to relocate due to severe flooding, rendering the Australian landscape unsuitable for the film. The rain turned the area into an oasis instead of the post-apocalyptic terrain that is the setting for Max's world”

Huge Image Gallery For THE EXORCIST CHRONICLES (NSFW)

I don't know how the hell this went under my radar, but I've just been notified of an upcoming movie from director Philip Gardiner titled THE EXORCIST CHRONICLES, and it looks very promising indeed. After the extremely disappointing exorcism films of late (THE DEVIL INSIDE, DEVIL SEED etc.) I'm really hoping that this one can breathe some new life into the subgenre. From what I've seen so far it is looking very likely.
Head on down below to see the incredible but definitely NSFW gallery.

“Across the world, demonic possessions are on the increase. Two specialists are brought in and uncover a dark and terrifying worldwide plot”

THE EXORCIST CHRONICLES stars Rudy Barrow, Liz Mente-Bishop, Nathan Head, Emma K Robins, Dave Samuels, Alex Reed, Rachel Malone, Jack Burrows, Jane Haslehurst, Bob Lee, Philip Berzamanis & Kay Vardy

Check out the Facebook page and official site for more details.