Enemy Mind, a science fiction-style film written, produced and directed by an upstart cast and crew, is now available on DVD. The film was shot on location in the Salton Sea area of Southern California’s Imperial Valley in early 2010, and completed on a shoestring budget.

“I still can’t believe we did this with only $9,000,” marvels Xu Razer, who plays an accused futuristic terrorist in the film. “More than two-thirds of that money was spent to hire Academy Award Winning Actor Ernest Borgnine, who provides the voice for a key character in the film. I don’t know of anyone who has ever pulled off something like this on such a small budget, and we are extremely proud of the accomplishment.”

Borgnine will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th annual SAG Awards Jan 30 2011 to be broadcast on TNT and TBS.

The action takes place in the year 3074 A.D. when a prison transport ship carrying some of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals has crash-landed on a remote planet. Only two people survive the wreck: a terrorist accused of a bombing a spacecraft and a soldier ordered to ensure the accused prisoner stands trial for his crime. Each becomes determined to control the other in the name of conviction and faith.

“We wanted so badly to make a movie that would test the boundaries of perception, reality, and ideology,” explains Razer. “The fantastic public reception of the movie has been invigorating considering all the hurdles we had to clear to finish Enemy Mind.” The 2011 Athens Sci Fi & Fantasy Film Fest held annually in Greece was very excited about making the film an official selection and LIVE magazine called it “one of the best indie sci fi movies of the year.”

Written and directed by Brennan Reed, Enemy Mind is now available for VOD and indieflix.com and on DVD at Amazon.com and at select Video Depot locations in Southern California.

For more information visit: Enemy Mind

Categories : Horror Movies
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Aug
30

Transubstantiate Debuts

By Dave · Comments (0)

The neo-noir thriller, Transubstantiate, by Richard Thomas is out from Other World Publications. They’ve done 100 signed/limited hardcovers, as well as a much larger print run of paperbacks.

Transubstantiate was inspired by a couple of things,” says Thomas. “One would be the television show, Lost. I’ve been a fan for years, and have always enjoyed the way they held back information, made you think about what was going on, and then slowly revealed the story, the truth, bit by bit. I’ve never had so many revelations, insights into the human condition.

“Another would be the idea of change, for that’s really what the word transubstantiate means, to change. For some, it may be in the biblical sense, to change water into wine, wine into blood, the wafer into the body of Christ. But I’ve always been intrigued by the defects in people, the mistakes we make, and what happens when we fail, when we fall down. Are we inherently bad, us human beings, or can we redeem ourselves, can we still have value, hope and a future, even if we do bad things, if we kill people, if we betray, and lie and steal, and hurt others? At what point are we worthless? And CAN we change?”

Description: “They say Jimmy made it out. But the postcards we get, well, they don’t seem … real.”

When an experiment with population control works too well, and the planet is decimated, seven broken people are united by a supernatural bond in a modern day Eden. Most on the island are fully aware of this prison disguised as an oasis. Unfortunately, Jimmy is on the mainland, desperate to get back, in a post-apocalyptic stand-off, fighting for his survival and that of his unborn child. Back on the island, Jacob stares at the ocean through his telescope and plots his escape, reluctant to aid the cause. Marcy tries to hide from her past, sexual escapades that may be her saving grace. X sits in his compound, a quiet, massive presence, trapped in his body by ancient utterings and yet free in spirit to visit other places and times. Roland, the angry, bitter son of Marcy is determined to leave, and sets out on his own. Watching over it all is Assigned, the ghost in the machine. And coming for them, to exact revenge, and finish the job that the virus started, is Gordon. He just landed on the island and he has help.

Transubstantiate (to change from one substance into another) is a neo-noir thriller, filled with uncertainty at every portal, and jungles overflowing with The Darkness. Vivid settings, lyrical language, and a slow reveal of plot, motivation, past crimes and future hope collide in a final showdown that keeps you guessing until the final haunting words.

“The process of this novel was very complicated as well,” adds Thomas. “It’s actually seven first-person perspectives. We rotate within each chapter between all seven of them, starting off with Jacob, a reluctant hero, through Marcy a promiscuous femme fatale, to Assigned, the ghost in the machine. We spend time with Jimmy, the average guy, X an immortal creature, Gordon a stone-cold killer, and Roland, a young, bitter boy. It was a new process with me, having to remember where everyone was, how to hand off the story, the baton, from one person to another, how to deal with time and geography and who knows what facts and at what time. I ended up writing each sub-chapter on a different day, about 700 words a day on my lunch hour at work, closing my office door (I’m an art director in the world of advertising) and banging away. Each day, I knew who I was writing. Monday was Jacob. Tuesday was Marcy. And so on. So I’d have time to think, between each character. And by the time I got to lunch, I was eager to get going.

“I don’t know if I’d do that again! HA. In fact, my next book, the one I’m writing now, Disintegration, it’s one guy, one perspective, and it’s a whole different beast.

Transubstantiate combines all of the authors and books that I enjoyed growing up. There is the epic tale that Stephen King did in stories like The Stand, although on an abbreviated scale, and the fantasy and violence of Clive Barker, like in Weaveworld. I also have a bit of science fiction in here too, growing up wtih Bradbury and Heinlein. And, it has the most recent influences of neo-noir writers, edgy prose and darkness by relative unknowns like Will Christopher Baer.

“Life doesn’t stop at one genre, so I don’t mind blending the horrific with the fantastic, the technology with the mood and tone of contemporary noir. It’s a fast read, and one that I hope will keep your attention, and not let up until the final scene.

“Speaking of that final scene, I have one last thought. I’ve read On Writing, Stephen King’s book, and he talks about getting into a zone, and letting the characters tell him the story. That when he’s really succeeding, he isn’t writing so much as channeling, simply putting these characters in a setting, a scene, and letting them do what they would naturally do. And I had that experience with Transubstantiate, for the first time, on such a massive level. I had no idea how it was going to end, the headlights of the car only going so far ahead of me. I didn’t know who would live and who would die. I only knew how they would react – the pacifist behaving differently then the assassin. But I knew when the story was done, that’s for sure. Everything fell into place, and I took a deep breath. It felt right.”

You can purchase the book directly from the publisher here: Transubstantiate

Categories : Horror Authors
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Dexter: The Fourth Season
Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, John Lithgow
Review by Brian M. Sammons

Dexter, come on, if you haven’t seen this amazing show by now then shame, shame, shame and a healthy dose of “where the hell have you been?” tossed on top for good measure. But just in case you’re waking up from a four-year-long comma today, here’s the nickel tour. Dexter is a serial killer, but one who stalks and kills other murderers. In addition to that twist, he works for the Miami Police Department as a blood splatter analyst and in between killing and forensics he has to balance friends, family, and a new baby. All the seasons of Dexter have had great stories and excellent acting, but this season took the series to a whole new level, and that’s not just the usual hyper critic hyperbole.

Season four begins with newlywed Dex trying his best to play the caring family man, not an easy task for a sociopath with almost zero human feelings and interpersonal skills, when all too soon he’s plunged into the warped world of the Trinity Killer. This new psychotic adversary is the most successful serial killer of all time and is played to creepy, truly frightening perfection by John Lithgow. The usual cat and mouse game is ratcheted up further when Dexter finds his quarry, but instead of ending things right away, tries to befriend Trinity to learn his secrets on how he’s been so successful for so long. So begins a taut deadly dance that lasts for 12 episodes and culminates with one of the best season endings in TV history.

However as great as this show, and specifically this season is, the DVD and BD package that houses it is sorely lacking. I mean everything looks and sounds great, and that’s the most important thing, but there are no special features to be found here that’s worth mentioning. Sure there are a few brief interviews with the cast, and then there are some … oh wait, that’s it. That’s all the extra goodies on Dexter you will find on these discs but hey, there are a few episodes of SHOWTIMES’ other less popular shows on here. Yay for them pimping their other TV shows and trying to pass the hour long commercials off as “bonus features”.

Dexter is so amazingly good, but these DVDs and BDs are so Plain Jane bad, so can I recommend them? Yeah, I kind of have to as the show is just too awesome to miss and these bare bones discs are the only game in town. I’m guessing SHOWTIME knows this too and therefore they don’t see the need to jazz up their flagship show, but hey, a little something extra for the fans would be a nice treat. Oh well, maybe next time. Regardless of these no thrills discs, this set is a must have for Dexter fans. As for those looking to jump into the show, this would be a great place to start.

Categories : Horror Movies
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Aug
30

Best New Horror 21 Signing

By Dave · Comments (0)

Saturday, September 18th between 3:00pm – 4:00pm at FantasyCon 2010, Constable & Robinson will be hosting a signing for their upcoming anthologies, Zombie Apocalypse! and The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 21. FantasyCon 2010 takes place at the Britannia Hotel in Nottingham.

Participating authors will include Ramsey Campbell, Peter Crowther, Paul Finch, Jo Fletcher, Tim Lebbon, Reggie Oliver, Rosalie Parker, John L. Probert, Sarah Pinborough, Nicholas Royle, Robert Shearman, Mandy Slater, Lisa Tuttle, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Mark Valentine and Stephen Volk, along with cover artist Vincent Chong and editor Stephen Jones.

Categories : Author Signings
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Aug
29

Unpleasant Tales – Book Review

By Dave · Comments (2)

Unpleasant Tales
Brendan Connell

Eibonvale Press, UK
Trade Paperback, 324 pages, £ 8.99
Review by Mario Guslandi

Brendan Connell is an eclectic, talented writer whose stories range from sheer horror to soft SF, from historical pastiches to fairy tales for grown-ups. The common ground for Connell’s stories is the dark, unsettling nature of his excellent narrative craftsmanship.

Unpleasant Tales collects twenty-two tales which confirm both quality and variety of the author’s fiction.

Some stories are extremely nasty and overtly horrific such as the gruesome “The Maker of Fine Instruments” where a musical nut ends up making a musical instrument of his own mutilated body, the extreme, grandguignolesque “The Cruelties of Him” featuring a crazy doctor who endeavors to modify the very anatomy of the human body and the decadent “The Putrimanic” in which a man gets fond of anything repulsive.

The irresistible “The Nanny Goat” portrays an old, virgin spinster who, having acquired a desirable young body by means of witchcraft, devotes herself to the pleasures of sex until the final disaster, and the very dark “The Skin Collector,” although a bit predictable, manages to give the shivers to the engrossed reader.

Connell’s “fairy tales” are equally enjoyable, such as the strange, compelling “The Last of the Burrowars,” told in a very captivating narrative style, and the colorful “The Girl of Wax” where the waxen statue of a beautiful plebeian girl becomes the closest companion of a posh prince.

If you like historical pieces here we have the delightful “The Last Mermaid” revolving around the life of Carlo II, King of Spain and “The Flatterer” a vivid tableau describing a nosh-up in antique Rome.

If you prefer black comedy you will certainly enjoy the semi-serious “The Nasty Truth About Dentists,” the excellent “Sirens,” depicting the revenge of a woman on the plants which make her beloved neglect her advances, and the outstanding, offbeat “Virgin Hearts” featuring a rejuvenated, naughty, wealthy old man, his nephew and his greedy daughter-in-law, and a cruel Russian beauty.

Not satisfied yet? Then read on and you’ll find a fascinating tale of sea adventures “We Sleep on a Thousand Waves Beneath the Stars.”

You can hardly ask more from a single book by a single author.

Categories : Book Reviews
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Aug
28

Horror Realm Almost Here

By Dave · Comments (0)

Horror Realm, coming September 17th through the 19th, is Pittsburgh’s modern horror convention. Entering its second year in 2010, the convention celebrates the films, art, writing and culture of the modern era of the genre, which began with the release of George Romero’s iconic zombie film, Night of the Living Dead, in 1968.

The Pittsburgh area has a rich horror history. Numerous horror movies have been filmed in the region including Night of the Living Dead, the original Dawn of the Dead, Martin, The Silence of the Lambs, The Mothman Prophecies and My Bloody Valentine 3D, to name but a few. The region has also spawned a number of popular television horror hosts from “Chilly Billy” Cardille to the fictional Count Floyd (from SCTV).

Horror Realm is proudly produced by native Pittsburghers as a hometown convention celebrating the local horror influences as well as to serve as an attraction for horror aficionados everywhere. The convention hopes to spur tourism interest in the area as well as economic development for the venue and surrounding areas.

Horror Realm features:

· A dealer room with local, regional and national vendors offering various horror-themed items for sale such as movies/DVD’s, apparel, jewelry, collectible figures, comics, make up and decorations, artwork, etc. The show also includes a tattoo room and gaming room.

· Well-known celebrity guests from horror and zombie films including Ken Foree, John Amplas, Bill Cardille, Debbie Rochon and Tiffany Shepis, among others. The 2010 show features reunions of the cast and crew of the films Basket Case, Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. The Basket Case reunion is the centerpiece of the convention, featuring rare appearances by director Frank Henenlotter and stars Kevin Van Hentenryck, Terri Susan Smith and Beverly Bonner.

· Author panels featuring award winning, best selling and emerging horror writers such as Jonathan Maberry, Kim Paffenroth, Rhiannon Frater and many more appearing courtesy of Library of the Living Dead Press, Permuted Press and Joseph Beth Booksellers.

· A film festival celebrating the spirit of independent films and highlighting local filmmakers through the Pittsburgh Film Workers Association annual awards program as well as a short film contest sponsored by Bastards of Horror.

· Special sneak preview of the feature film Chain Letter, due in theaters on October 1

· Best Horror Tattoo and horror trivia contests

This year’s convention includes new entertainment events:

· Friday night Horror Cabaret featuring music by Kevin Van Hentenryck, stand-up comedy by Beverly Bonner and performances by Pittsburgh’s own Evenings in Quarantine: The Zombie Opera and ElectroBelly and Friends belly dance group. The show starts at 10:30 PM and admission is free.

· Night of the Living Dead costume ball sponsored by Magic Hat Brewing on Saturday night beginning at 9 PM. The ball features a DJ, dancing, cash bar, costume contest and silent auction to benefit United Cerebral Palsy and The Epilepsy Foundation. Admission is free with a weekend pass or Saturday ticket; otherwise $5 at the door. Open to 18 and older with a valid ID.

· Little Monsters intro to horror program on Sunday morning at 10:00 for kids age 12 and under. Featuring a costume parade, goody bags, a reading from Grunge Bob Camo Pants by author Robert Cordray, and a screening of Mad Monster Party.

For more information: Horror Realm

Categories : Horror Conventions
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Apex Publications has announced the signing of Brian Keene, who will be penning a novella exclusively for Apex with an expected publication date of the summer of 2011.

Keene is the author of over twenty books, including Darkness on the Edge of Town, Urban Gothic, Castaways, Kill Whitey, Ghost Walk, Dark Hollow, Dead Sea, Ghoul and many more. He also writes comic books such as The Last Zombie and Dead of Night: Devil Slayer. His work has been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, French and Taiwanese. Several of his novels and stories have been optioned for film, one of which, The Ties That Bind, premiered on DVD in 2009 as a critically-acclaimed independent short. Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. Apex readers will remember his work in the final issue of Apex Science Fiction and Horror Digest and the recently released anthology Dark Faith.

Categories : Publisher News
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