Wake Up! Charles Band's EVIL BONG gets a release date!

Right from The Man's desk:

We're excited!
I'm happy to announce that October 24th is EVIL BONG DAY!!!!
It'll come out (Day & Date) BOTH on DVD and on all the digital/VOD channels across the planet!!!
Mark this day in your calendars!!! October 24th = EVIL BONG!!!
And just in time for Halloween!!!!

CB

ABBATOIR productions wraps.

Happy Cloud Pictures is pleased to announce that principal photography has been completed on their latest production, Abattoir.

"We have two days of pickups," says producer/"Directrix" Amy Lynn Best. "We shot in a beautiful Victorian house owned by our star, Stacy Bartlebaugh-Gmys, and her husband [and actor] Ron. We didn't want to spray blood all over the place, so we have a 'blood day' coming up next month. Don Bumgarner and Carlos Savant, our f/x guys, have free reign to go nuts."

Written and directed by Mike Watt (Dead Men Walking, The Resurrection Game), Abattoir tells the story about the end of a long-held truce between a brothel run by vampires and a group of Irish mercenaries. "Blood is spilled," Watt says.

"We tried to play around with vampire mythology a little bit," he continues. "We didn't diverge too much. We kept the teeth, of course. And the blood drinking. Our vampires are pretty cannibalistic-they gnaw down to the bone. And they play with their food! But they also cast shadows and reflections-this is more for practical filmic reasons than anything else."

"And we also got rid of the whole crucifix dilemma. We live in a global society. Christianity isn't the prevailing religion any more. So we had to figure out other things that connect humans and vampires, and what we can use to ward the creatures off. We had some fun with that concept."

"There's a sexiness that's new to Happy Cloud Pictures with Abattoir as well," says Best. "And I'm not just talking about nudity. We have beautiful women of all types playing our vampires."

Abattoir stars Best, Bartlebaugh-Gmys, Aaron Bernard, Steve Foland (Project: Valkyrie), Alyssa Herron (Severe Injuries), Sofiya Smirnova, Bill Homan (The Resurrection Game), Zoe Hunter (Witchcraft XIII), Megan Ruggiero and Rachelle Williams (The Take-Away Spirit). The original soundtrack will be composed by Scooter McCrae (16 Tongues) and boasts an opening song performed by Lorraine 'a Malena written by Neil Gaiman (Mirrormask). Executive Producers, Fred Obermiller and Tim Buchholtz.

Happy Cloud Pictures hopes to have Abattoir completed in order to premiere at Genghis Con II: The Wrath of Con (www.genghisconpa.com), September 15-17.

For more information, be sure to check out the newly-revamped www.happycloudpictures.net.
For you Myspace fiends out there, go to www.myspace.com/happycloudpictures.
To contact the producers, email info@happycloudpictures.net

CasaNegra Entertainment to release classics of Mexican horror

CasaNegra Entertainment provides fans of world cinema with premium-quality, passionately produced DVDs featuring films that range from renowned masterworks to unheralded gems to wildly exciting genre movies. Each title that we release ranks among our personal favorites. Therefore, CasaNegra is wholly devoted to the finest possible presentation in every aspect of your viewing experience. Our attention to technical details is matched only by our enthusiasm for the simple joy of watching a great motion picture presented as its makers intended. CasaNegra's films are your films. And our door is always open.

The Witch's Mirror
(El Espejo De La Bruja, 1960, Mexico - June 27, 2006)
A poetic tale of madness and horror from director Chano Urueta. The Witch's Mirror is one of the landmark films of the Mexi-horror genre. A benevolent witch (Isabela Corona) enchants a magic mirror to protect her adopted daughter Elena (Dina de Marco) from her cruel husband (Armando Calvo). When the incantation fails and the girl is murdered, the witch vows revenge using every unholy principle of the supernatural that she can conjure.

Special Features:
• Original Uncut Version
• Completely Re-Mastered Picture & Sound from Newly Restored Vault Elements
• Bilingual Menus in English & Spanish
• Audio Commentary by Founder of IVTV, Frank Coleman
• Exclusive CasaNegra Loteria Game Card
• Essay: Chanovision: The Films of Mexican Cult Moviemaker, Chano Urueta
• Cast Biographies
• Poster and Stills Gallery

The Curse of the Crying Woman
(La Maldición de La Llorona, 1961, Mexico- Jun 27, 2006)
A visually lush, gothic story based loosely on the real legend of La Llorona, the Crying Spirit. Beautifully filmed and dripping with atmosphere, Baledon's Curse of the Crying Woman is considered a true horror classic. A phantom figure attacks a horse-drawn carriage in the woods. As the police investigate the grisly murders, young Amelia (Rosa Arenas) travels to the old mansion of her Aunt Selma (Rita Macedo) close to where the murders took place. Shortly after her arrival Amelia uncovers dark family secrets, including rumors of torture, murder and witchcraft! Each sinister revelation exposes a more diabolical mystery. Whose charred corpse lay buried in the family crypt? Why does Aunt Selma cast no reflection? And finally: What terrors will be unleashed by The Curse of the Crying Woman?

• Original Uncut Version
• Completely Re-Mastered Picture & Sound from Newly Restored Vault Elements
• Bilingual Menus in English & Spanish
• Audio Commentary by Mexican Cinema Expert Michael Liuzza
• Full Color Booklet: The Legend of Llorona by Entertainment Weekly’s Peter Landau
• Exclusive CasaNegra Loteria Game Card
• Essay on Legendary Actor, Filmmaker Rafael Baledon by noted film historian David Wilt
• Cast Biographies
• Poster and Stills Gallery

...and Coming Next:

Brainiac
(El Barón Del Terror, 1962, Mexico - Aug 29, 2006)
The year is 1661. Baron Vitelius (Abel Salazar) stands accused of consorting with the devil. The penalty: death. Cursing his inquisitors as they burn him at the stake, the Baron’s revenge comes 300 years later, in the form of a horrifying fork-tongued incarnation of the Baron, hellbent on devouring the brains of the descendents of those who killed him. As bodies pile up, the police become mystified. Who is draining the skulls of local call-girls and well-to-do banquet-goers alike? And, more importantly, how many flamethrowers will it take to stop him?

More info at their website, CasaNegra Entertainment.

The Horror Channel is DEAD. Viva la Dread Central!

As many of you know, myself and countless others have dedicated themselves to The Horror Channel - as journalists, as filmmakers, as creators. We've worked hard for over two years and this venture has been a labor of love.

Sadly, this venture has been destroyed by your classic arch-villains: Corporate baffoons with no love or respect for the genre or its fans.

So on July 4th, the real minds behind The Horror Channel will celebrate their independence...

www.dreadcentral.com

...a horror site with all the same news and information that you've come to love, by the fans for the fans.

The Horror Channel is dead. Viva la Dread Central!

- Andrew Kasch


As many of you know by now, I'm no longer associated with The Horror Channel. Along with me they've locked out the entire web team. And why?

Well, there's a lot behind that story. Apparently they've decided to abandon all hope of getting a terrestrial channel on the air in favor of a web channel. That's what some of us have been told, but they haven't gone public with that statement yet. Sorry to spoil your "big announcement," guys. That is not what we all signed on for. That is not what the fans have been promised. I see now they're trying to back peddle on that. We shall see. They have to try to save face, ya know?

Secondly, the guy in command, Nick Psaltos, has made it a habit of berating the team with comments like "your opinions are meaningless" and "your tenure in the company affords you no clout." He's even gone so far as to hand down mantras that we are to recite each day to help "improve our reading comprehension skills" as a means to become better writers. We were even asked not to link to other sites such as Fango and Bloody-Disgusting even if we were reporting on their headlines. There's no integrity in doing that. We said no.

On their forums they've offered up the explanation that we've been misrepresenting the company. How? By sticking to our guns about it being for the fans?

As a result, the next step has been taken by the new regime. We are now locked out of the website. The website we built. The website you loved.

So what's next? We WILL NOT be stopped. We WILL NOT go quietly. We made horror history by becoming one of the biggest and most well respected horror sites out there in just a few short months. That is because of you, the fans. You guys are The Horror Channel. Now the entire team is walking from top to bottom. We will not sell out. We never would. What you're seeing now is not history, it's evolution.

Coming very soon you will see the Dawn of the Dread, the rebirth of DreadCentral.com. Keep your eyes peeled for more.

On a personal note: I just wanted to thank you all for the support you've given us over the last few years. You mean the world to us, and as a result we're gonna keep at it with every fiber of our being.

As for The Horror Channel... We wish them well.

But as far as we know....

The revolution will NOT be televised.

See you all on DC!

- Uncle Creepy

Claudio Simonetti and Coralina Cataldi Tassoni Live on Full Moon Mayhem Radio!

Radio Mayhem with Cinema Nocturna proudly presents their live interviews on Thursday June 15th.

The show will start at 10pm EST, Claudio will be on in the second hour (11pm EST). The show will be carried live by the Omnisound Radio One Network or you can podcast via the Radio Mayhem website.

Simonetti spend most of the 70's up on into the 80's as one of the main members of the Italian group Goblin, known for their scoring of many classic Italian genre films, especially Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA. Recently, he has formed the group Daemonia, who are on the verge of their first major US tour coming up this fall.

Claudio is currently gearing up to put together the score for Dario Argento's second MASTERS OF HORROR (Season 2) episode, PELTS. Of course this is only touching the surface in explaining Claudio's very storied career!

UPDATE: Joining the show there's also Coralina Cataldi Tassoni (DEMONS 2, OPERA, GHOST SON). She will be discussing her acting career, music and art. It looks like she'll be sticking around for the full two hours!

So, stop by and listen in on June 15th. There is also a chatroom located there as well, where you can interact with the show's hosts and ask both Coralina and Claudio questions.

UNEARTHED unearths a whole lot of great movies!

Greetings Gore Hounds and Dead Girls,

It's time again for another installment of the Unearthed Films Newsletter! We have good news! After a year of screwing around with our old distributor, we have found a new home. The company is called Anthem Pictures and we are working closely with them for the release of the whole Unearthed Catalog. This will include the re-release of all our older titles and yes, at long last, our new films will finally start coming your way. Anthem DVD is a great company and u can find them at www.anthemdvd.com

Here is the low down on our new releases. CITY OF ROTT, the extended version, made exclusively for Unearthed Films will be coming out on August 8th. Filled with tons of extras and one of the most beautiful conversions I have ever seen. This animated gore-fest will blow you away. Made by Frank Sudol who worked on the South Park films, you can guess what you're in store for.

Next up is Andrey Iskanov's Russian horror film NAILS. This is Andrey's first film, a kaleidoscope of gore, surrealism and whacked-out philosophy that literally hits the nail on the head. This is the first film in our upcoming Russian Horror Collection. Release date for NAILS is August 15th.

Next up is Brian Paulin's BONE SICKNESS. This is another in an exclusive line of films that have additional gore-filled scenes made exclusively for us. This over the top, zombie gut-muncher is loaded with gore, boobs, decaying zombies and just plain old sticky sickness. Filled with tons of extras. Release date for this monstrosity is Aug 28th. And yes, if you have seen the original, the Sickness just got sicker!

So, that's three new DVDs for the month of August. Next up for September is VISIONS OF SUFFERING, Andrey Iskanov's second feature film containing an extra 40 minutes worth of added gore and computer effects made exclusively for Unearthed Films. Talk about Directors Cuts! This surrealistic splatter film would have Cronenberg and Lynch jealously wishing they had made it! Seriously, Andrey is such a fantastic director that we are in the middle of producing more films with him. More later about this! Release date for VISIONS OF SUFFERING is not yet set in stone BUT it will be in September and we will let you know in a week or two.

FRANKENHOOKER is set for… you guessed it, October, just in time for Halloween. This is the uncut director's version. Tons of extras, like u have come to know and love from us including a commentary by Frank Hennenlotter and Gabe Bartalos, a 19 minute featurette called A Stitch In Time with behind the scenes footage and starring Gabe and the rest of the crew of Frankenhooker. A crazed Jennifer Delora Interview and a sneak peek in her scrap book and last but not least, an interview with Penthouse Playmate of the Year and Frankenhooker star, Patty Mullen!

Then for November, it's LETHAL FORCE! An outrageous mix of kung fu, comedy and gore with a 70's atmosphere and a John Woo directorial feel about it. Sort of hard to explain but it's got the goods and I'm sticking to my story. LOL Loaded with extras including a commentary, short films, extensive photo gallery and more

For December, we are hoping to have ready the first in our series of German Gore Films. First up will be the new and outrageous CANNIBAL (based on the true story of the crazed guy in Germany who advertised on the internet for a victim to eat, an ad that was answered and a victim duly eaten). This film has been banned in Germany. We will follow up with the infamous DAS KOMABRUTTELLE and HUNTING CREATURES, to be quickly followed by a slate of new and known German-made splatter and gore. We are looking at releasing at least one DVD a month from now on. I know a lot of you have complained about not getting a steady flow of sickness from us and it's been mostly due to troubles with our old distributor but, with Anthem, we are hoping to get into a nice groove and never looking back.

Now onto some of the other new films we have picked up for you. In the spirit of the RED ROOM films, we have also acquired MU ZAN E, GIRLSCHOOL HELL and KYOKO VS YUKI from Japan. These vile films from the Tokyo underground should give you a good kick in the teeth. You can find the trailer for MU ZAN E and RED ROOM on our DVD of FLOWER OF FLESH AND BLOOD. It's in the “making of chapters” on the Making of The Guinea Pig Films disc. If u find em, check em out!

We have been busy little cadavers over here and have almost finished producing our new film in Russia with Director Andrey Iskanov, PHILOSOPHY OF A KNIFE. Yes, Unearthed Films has now moved into production mode and, if you think we have dished up the gore to date, wait until you see what we have in store for you here. In fact, we have a trailer cut for PHILOSOPHY and it's now on Unearthed's MySpace site. Go to www.myspace.com/unearthedfilms and check it out.

PHILOSOPHY OF A KNIFE is based on the Japanese chemical and biological experiments of the infamous Unit 731. We tracked down an actual survivor of the atrocities for added realism. This film is balls-to-the-wall and is destined to become one of the all time great cult-gore films; a film that will be heralded as a masterpiece of atrocity. I'm serious, two people ended up badly hurt in the hospital while making this film. The gore sets and scenes or so over the top that I even had to yell at Andrey for going overboard. And that's a first for me!

Next up from Andrey Iskanov and Unearthed Films is ANGEL DUST. The story is in development and we will be working closely with Andrey to make yet another Siberian gem, an atrocity with teeth that will take a bloody chunk out of the soul of the viewer. Will tell you more on this as development proceeds.

Brian Paulin is now in the editing stages of FETUS. This is another film we have helped produce with Brian and it looks like it's going to be very rough. The story of a man whose wife dies during childbirth and who slowly begins to lose his mind as he tries to find a way to contact his dead spouse. He murders the doctors that were involved in his wife's death and tries to resurrect her using the dead body parts of all who were involved. The demonic forces released by his insanity proceed to rip and tear everyone apart Brian Paulin-style. This film crosses way over the line and if u think BONESICKNESS had a lot going for it, wait until you see this film!

We will also be producing Brian Paulin's BONE SICKNESS 2. We are working on the script as we speak and finalizing special effects and zombie prosthetics to make it even more disgusting then the original Bone Sickness.

I am so thrilled about all of these releases. Most of them are brand new or exclusive directors cuts that have never been seen before. If you own any of the Unearthed Films Library, you know what your in store for. So be prepared… be forewarned… Unearthed is coming back with a vengeance!

Stephen Biro
Unearthed Films

www.unearthedfilms.com
www.myspace.com/unearthedfilms
www.guineapigfilms.com
www.menbehindthesun.com
www.cyberpunkfilms.com

From Bubba-Ho-Tep and Texas Chainsaw Massacre to real-life war horror

Written and directed by Jeff Burr (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3) and produced by Chuck Williams (Bubba Ho-Tep), Straight Into Darkness will take you on a journey into a cold nightmare with two American soldiers (played by Scott MacDonald and Ryan Francis) that are on an emotional path of combat, destruction and realization.

On the surface, its a character-led story that is set in the last winter of the Second World War, just after the Battle of the Bulge. On a deeper level, a whirlwind of feelings will overcome you while you witness the struggle of war and survival as it propels the psychological make-up of the soldiers characters and forces them on.

David Warner (The Titanic), Linda Thorson (The Avengers), James LeGros (Drugstore Cowboy) and Daniel Roebuck (The Fugitive) are amongst the international cast.

Click here to order from Amazon!

www.myspace.com/straightintodarknessdvd
www.straightintodarkness.com
www.chuckwilliamsfanclub.com

FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE

Plausible Denial Productions has secured an agreement with the makers of the award winning horror film FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE to be the exclusive eBay seller of the DVD.

FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE has received raves from reviewers and has just been awarded the title of BEST FEATURE FILM in the independent catagory at this year's WORLD HORROR CONVENTION. This is a huge honor for the film's makers, as past winners included giants in the field like Stephen King, Clive Barker and John Carpenter.

Near an isolated beach on the California coast, in a laboratory of horror three renegade scientists have resurrected Frankenstein's long-dead monster. . . the legendary, indestructible corpse has come back to life yet again! At the same time, they've biogenetically engineered a half-man, half-fish abomination, intending to use both brutes as weapons in the worldwide fight against terrorism.

However, disaster strikes when the chemical brainwashing used to control the terrifying beasts fails - instead of stopping terror, these invincible fiends spread terror! The horror begins when the amphibious beast claims its first victims - gorgeous models and their crew shooting a glamorous photo spread on the beach! Rescued and held hostage by the scientists, the survivors of the grisly rampage must find a way to escape both their mad captors and the rampaging monsters, and warn the world of the horrific danger!

Shot entirely in black and white, William Winckler's FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE, is a loving homage to the classic horror films of the 1940s and the Atomic Age "creature features" of the 1950's. Starring Larry Butler, Bill Winckler, Dezzi Rae Ascalon, Corey J. Marshall, Gary Canavello, Alison Lees-Taylor, Lawrence Furbish.

Special Appearances by Butch Patrick (The Munsters), David Gerrold (Star Trek), Raven De La Croix (Russ Meyer film star), Lloyd Kaufman (Troma film star), the infamous Ron Jeremy, Carla Harvey (Playboy TV) and more!

Written, produced and directed by William Winckler. Feature running time approx. 90-minutes / 2005 / Not Rated - Suggested for Audiences 18 and over - contains breif nudity, language and violence/ OPEN REGION DVD - PLAYS WORLDWIDE. Aspect Ratio Widescreen 16:9.
DVD EXTRAS - Making of Documentaries, Trailer, Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentaries, Bloopers, and more!