CHECK OUT SAM RAIMI'S SHORT FILM THAT INSPIRED THE EVIL DEAD

In 1978 the now legendary horror maestro Sam Raimi directed a 30 minute horror film titled WITHIN THE WOODS. Now you may not have seen it, or even heard of it, as it has long been thought of as forever lost. Though copies are out there, they have been extremely rare... that is, until now. 

Below you can find the short film in its entirety, available to watch online for free. The quality is pretty weak, barely VHS quality if that, but it is definitely still an interesting watch for any horror fan seeing as this is the film that inspired THE EVIL DEAD, and actually worked as a sort of pitch reel that eventually lead to the beloved Evil Dead film series. In essence, without this film, we would not have any of the Evil Dead movies to enjoy! Not only does the movie share a bunch of common elements (though in an obviously earlier form) with the Evil Dead series, but I think you'll recognize a certain someone in the lead role who also appeared in The Evil Dead series, as well as many of Raimi's other feature films.

So without further ado, check it out below and let us know what you think.

 

Source: YouTube

CANNIBAL FLICK WE ARE WHAT WE ARE DISHES OUT A POSTER

There's a new cannibal themed horror movie on the horizon from Stake Land director Jim Mickle. The film is called WE ARE WHAT WE ARE and is technically a remake of director Jorge Michel Grau's 2010 film of the same name. Yes sir, this is another one of those ultra fast English-language remakes that we've been seeing a lot of lately. But, the poster does look intriguing. Bloody Disgusting managed to get a photo of the poster from Sundance. Check it out below:

A brief plot synopsis is as follows: "A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family.” 

The cast includes Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers and Julia Garner who can all be seen in the above poster. TOP GUN actress Kelly McGillis is also slated for a role.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

HANSEL & GRETEL: GET BAKED LIGHTS UP A TRAILER

It seems movie trends always come in pairs of two (at the very least that is). The upcoming Jeremy Renner starring Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is set to arrive in theatres pretty soon, but just in case you couldn't get enough Tribeca Film has their own Hansel & Gretel film up their sleeve... this one however, comes with a stoner twist.

Check out the new trailer below:





The movie is set to be released on demand on February 19th and will play in select theatres starting February 22nd.

Source: Trailer Addict

GUILLERMO DEL TORO TO REUNITE WITH SONS OF ANARCHY AND PACIFIC RIM STAR CHARLIE HUNNAM

Although their first big screen collaboration has yet to be released (this summer's hotly anticipated blockbuster Pacific Rim) it is being reported that Charlie Hunnam is already in negotiations to star in director Guillermo Del Toro's next feature, a project titled CRIMSON PEAK.

Details on the film are slim at this point, but it seems it will be a major step back from the size and scope of Pacific Rim, as Crimson Peak appears to be a haunted house tale from the sounds of things. Actress Emma Stone is also currently in negotiations to co-star along with Hunnam in the horror feature, but it seems they'll have some time to get things in order as the film is currently being rewritten by Del Toro and Lucinda Coxon with a tentative shooting start date of February 2014, more than a year from now.

Hunnam in the upcoming Del Toro directed PACIFIC RIM

Source: Variety

STRIKING NEW POSTER FOR THE FRANKENSTEIN THEORY

Check out the cool new one sheet for the upcoming horror flick The Frankenstein Theory below:

Here's the plot synopsis:

"What if the most chilling novel of all time was actually based on a true account of a horrific experiment gone awry? When he is suspended from his university job for his outlandish ideas, Professor John Venkenheim leads a documentary film crew to the rim of the Arctic Circle in a desperate effort to vindicate his academic reputation. His theory: Mary Shelley’s ghastly story, “Frankenstein,” is, in fact, a work of non-fiction disguised as fantasy. In the vast, frozen wilderness, Venkenheim and his team search for the legendary monster, a creature mired in mystery and drenched in blood. What they find is an unspeakable truth more terrifying than any fiction…a nightmare from which there is no waking.”

The film is set to hit Video On Demand services on March 1st. A theatrical release is still possible but remains unannounced as of this writing. More as it becomes available.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION COULD BE THE CRAZIEST ONE YET JUDGING FROM THIS NEW TRAILER

The God of War videogame series burst onto the scene way back in 2005. Its furious, dark and extremely violent gameplay and visuals made it an instant classic for many gamers across the world and turned this new game into a bonafide franchise. The franchise has been on the PS2, PS3 and has even had two stints on the PlayStation Portable as well, all of which have been critically acclaimed across the board. With the success of movies like 300, Clash of the Titans, Immortals and Wrath of the Titans, talks have started to heat up again about a possible film adaptation of the God of War series. While there is no news on that front, they have just released a new stylish trailer for the upcoming PS3 videogame God of War: Ascension. 

Judging from this quick glimpse, this could very well be the most insane game of the series yet. It is certainly already the best looking. Check it out below:

God of War: Ascension will serve as a prequel to the original God of War, showing us just how Kratos became so haunted and yes, so damn pissed off. The game will feature a full single player mode as well as competitive multiplayer for the first time in franchise history. The game will be released March 12th, 2013.

Source: IGN

RIVER PHOENIX'S FINAL FILM TO MAKE ITS LONG AWAITED DEBUT

As I'm sure we all know actor River Phoenix, brother of Joaquin, tragically died back in 1993. Although the 1993 film The Thing Called Love was known as his final completed film, it looks like there'll be a new film taking the title soon. DARK BLOOD is a project that River had filmed scenes for but, due to his passing, was thought to stay forever incomplete. Director George Sluizer  however had other plans. 

20 years later he has finally revived, finished and polished the film and has readied it for a North American premiere at this year's Miami International Film Festival in March. The film had a showing at last year's Dutch Film Festival and received a standing ovation. If you aren't already interested I'm sure you will be after checking out Sluizer's plot synopsis:

"Dealing with nuclear testing and its long-lasting deadly effects, the story portrays Boy (Phoenix), a young widower living in the desert on a nuclear testing site. Living as a hermit, he waits for the end of the world carving Katchina dolls that he believes have magical powers. While traveling on a "second" honeymoon across the Arizona desert, the car of a Hollywood jet-set couple breaks down. They are rescued by Boy, who holds them prisoners because he desires the woman and wants to create a better world with her."

If the reaction is as strong as it was at the Dutch Film Festival perhaps Dark Blood will be picked up for a theatrical release in North America. Otherwise we may have to wait until a blu-ray/DVD release date is announced to get our eyes and ears on this one.

Phoenix from Stand By Me

Source: EW

LIONSGATE ADDS A NEW LOW BUDGET FEATURE FILM DIVISION

In recent years micro budgeted horror movies have ended up being some of the most successful of the genre (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, etc.) so Lionsgate has just announced that they will be creating their own low budget feature film division. Paramount created their own similar division recently, labelled Paramount Insurge and found much immediate success with The Devil Inside. Although an absolute dud with critics and most viewers, the film was produced for 1 million and grossed over 100 million.

The yet to be titled division will be lead by producer John Sacchi (My Bloody Valentine, The Possession) and will produce horror and comedy movies with budgets under the 2.5 million mark.

Source: Variety

MYSTERIOUS NEW DUPLASS BROS HORROR MOVIE FINDS DISTRIBUTION

The Duplass Brothers are mainly known for directing indie comedies (Cyrus, Jeff Who Lives At Home) but their next project couldn't be more different. The brothers are producing a found footage horror movie that is currently titled 'PEACHFUZZ'. Lips are remaining tightly sealed as far as details on the project but we do know that it involves a man who gets 'more than he bargained for when he responds to a craigslist ad'. Lets just hope this isn't another CATFISH.

The film has just picked up some pretty credible steam as Blumhouse Productions (Paranormal Activity, Sinister) has picked up distribution rights for it. The project will be directed by newcomer Patrick Brice who has previously served in the crew of other Duplass Brothers projects.

No release window is currently projected for the film, but it is currently in post-production.

Source: CinemaBlend

THE HOST RECEIVES TWO NEW POSTERS

The upcoming sci-fi thriller The Host, an adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) novel, is set to be released in just a couple months time. With that the marketing campaign is just starting to kick into gear and we now have two new character posters from the movie. The first features Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) and the second showcases Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) who will play one of the love interests in the film.

 Ronan stars as Melanie Stryder, a human who becomes infected by a parasitic alien soul. Instead of taking over Melanie and proceeding with the mission to take over Earth, the alien soul forms a bond with Melanie and they work together to aid the other remaining free humans.

Perhaps the one thing preventing this one from turning into a slightly altered Twlight is the director. The very talented writer/director Andrew Niccol (Lord of War, Gattaca, The Truman Show, In Time) is directing and has helped to write the adapted screenplay.

Will you be seeing The Host come March 29th?

Source: CinemaBlend

MACHETE KILLS SLICES UP A RELEASE DATE

Machete Kills, the sequel to the 2010 exploitation film Machete, has finally received a release date. September 13th will be the drop date for the over the top grindhouse sequel, which Robert Rodriguez will return to direct. 

Danny Trejo returns in the title role alongside fellow returnees Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez. Many new recognizable faces and names have been added, including the one and only Mel Gibson in the role of the main villain. The talent keeps rolling in with appearances from Amber Heard, Sofia Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Alexa Vega, Vanessa Hudgens, Demian Bichir and Lady Gaga already announced. 

The plot deals with Machete teaming up with the US government to stop a psychotic arms dealer (Gibson) intent on sending a weapon... wait for it... into outer space. Well, I'm sold. 

Alexa Vega reunites with her Spy Kids director Robert Rodriguez in Machete Kills

Source: CinemaBlend

LANCE HENRIKSEN TO GUEST STAR IN NBC'S HANNIBAL

The controversial (being that it is on the PG-13 network NBC)  new TV adaptation of Hannibal has just added a new cast member, and a genre favourite at that: the one and only Lance Henriksen. According to reports the appearance will only be a guest spot in one episode at the moment, but perhaps we could see more of him in the future... that is, if he survives. Details on who Henriksen will play are currently unknown, as is the premiere date for the series though it is likely to debut sometime this year.

The show will be based around author Thomas Harris' Red Dragon and will focus on the relationship between Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Will Graham. Lecter will be played by Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, King Arthur) and  Graham will be played by Hugh Dancy (Black Hawk Down, King Arthur). The show also has Laurence Fishburne cast as FBI agent Jack Crawford.

Source: TV Line

TEXAS CHAINSAW AND TWILIGHT STARS JOIN NEW HBO DETECTIVE SERIES

Alexandra Daddario (Texas Chainsaw) and Elizabeth Reaser (The Twilight Saga) have joined the cast of True Detective, an upcoming eight episode series from HBO that has Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey and Michelle Monaghan in the lead roles.

"The project is described as an elevated serial narrative with multiple perspectives and time frames. It centers on two detectives, Rust Cohle (McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Harrelson), whose lives collide and entwine during a 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana. The investigation of a bizarre murder in 1995 is framed and interlaced with testimony from the detectives in 2012, when the case was reopened."

Daddario will play Lisa Tragnetti, a reporter who gets involved with Hart's character, despite him being married (to Maggie, played by the lovely Michelle Monaghan). Reaser will play the girlfriend of McConaughey's character who works at the same hospital as Maggie.

If the show is successful it is said that it will continue on with a second season, but with an entirely different cast and storyline (and will proceed in that fashion as long as it is successful). 

Source: Deadline

STEPHEN KING'S UNDER THE DOME SERIES PREMIERE ANNOUNCED

Legendary author Stephen King has yet another adaptation of one of his novels in the works, this time of his rather recent 2009 science fiction novel Under The Dome. The novel's story is centered around a small American town that suddenly has a giant invisible force field surround it, sealing it off from the rest of the world. The mysterious force is studied and questioned, but a lot of the action takes place within the town as violence and attempts to control the newly enclosed town erupt. Alright, I'll just say it... The Simpons already did it. But, technically, this is a work that King has had in the works for decades now, with two rough versions dealing with the same subject matter that finally came together in his 2009 novel.

 The adaptation will come in television form courtesy of CBS, who have just announced a premiere date for the new series of Monday, June 24th at 10 PM. Also expect some Super Bowl ads for this one come game day.

Source: Fangoria

THE LAST EXORCISM PART 2 GETS A SECOND TRAILER

The first trailer for the sequel to the surprisingly good 2010 flick The Last Exorcism was released not even a week ago. Yet here we are, mere days later and what do you know, a second trailer has arrived! This new trailer is more than a minute and a half shorter than the original trailer, which is a good thing as the original trailer felt bloated and went on far too long, revealing far too much. This new trailer is actually pretty well done, but I fear that the damage has already been done. But who knows, does this trailer make you forget about how weak and unnecessary the movie looked in the first trailer? Check it out below and let us know in the comments.

returning star Ashley Bell

Source: MovieClipsTrailers