----- July 18, 2008 -----

** FRIDAY THE 13TH remake: Below is the first official shot of Derek Mears as the new Jason Voorhees. This image comes courtesy of this weeks edition of Entertainment Weekly. The film will be in theatres on February 13, 2009. (thanks to Bloody-Disgusting.com)

** FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES Season one: Here's the cover of the upcoming DVD release to be out September 23rd from Paramount Home video. The presentation is full frame with no bonus features. (thanks to ShockTillYouDrop.com)

** 25/8: Here's the official synopsis of the Wes Craven's 2009 horror flick 25/8. "In the sleepy town of Riverton, legend tells of a serial killer who swore he would return to murder the seven children born the night he died. Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. Has the psychopath been reincarnated as one of the seven teens, or did he survive the night he was left for dead? Only one of the kids knows the answer. Adam "Bug" Heller (Max Thierot) was supposed to die on the bloody night his father went insane. Unaware of his dad’s terrifying crimes, he has been plagued by nightmares since he was a baby. But if Bug hopes to save his friends from the monster that’s returned, he must face an evil that won’t rest…until it finishes the job it began the day he was born." (thanks to DreadCentral.com)

** COLD PREY 2: The sequel to the Norwegian slasher follows directly after the bloody events of the first movie and apparently promises to be even more action packed. The film is scheduled to open in Norway on Oct 10th. The official web site is now online! (thanks to 24framespersecond.net)

** Universal has just set the DAWN OF THE DEAD Unrated Director's Cut, the George A. Romero's LAND OF THE DEAD Unrated Director's Cut and John Carpenter's THE THING for release on Blu-ray Disc on 9/30 (SRP $29.98 each). All three will also be available in a Halloween Starter Pack for the SRP of $59.98. According to Universal's press site, each is a BD-25 with audio in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. DAWN OF THE DEAD will include a U-Control PiP track and commentary with director Zack Snyder and producer Eric Newman. THE THING will include a U-Control PiP track, BD-Live enhancement and commentary with Kurt Russell and director John Carpenter. LAND OF THE DEAD will include a U-Control PiP track, commentary with director George Romero, producer Peter Grunwald and editor Michael Doherty, and 6 featurettes (The Remaining Bits, When Shaun Met George, Scenes of Carnage, Zombie Effects: From Green Screen to Finished Scene, Bringing the Storyboards to Life and Scream Tests: Zombie Casting Call). (thanks to TheDigitalBits.com)

** MY BLOODY VALENTINE remake: The 3-D remake by Patrick Lussier was originally slated for a January 23rd release, which is also the same show date for the second UNDERWORLD sequel. Instead of moving the picture back to cash in on the holiday it shares the same name with, Lionsgate has pushed MY BLOODY VALENTINE up to January 16th, 2009.

"Ten years ago, a tragedy changed the town of Harmony forever. Tom Hanniger, an inexperienced coal miner, caused an accident in the tunnels that trapped and killed five men and sent the only survivor, Harry Warden, into a permanent coma. But Harry Warden wanted revenge. Exactly one year later, on Valentine's Day, he woke up...and brutally murdered twenty-two people with a pickaxe before being killed. Ten years later, Tom Hanniger returns to Harmony on Valentine's Day, still haunted by the deaths he caused. Struggling to make amends with his past, he grapples with unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Sarah, who is now married to his best friend, Axel, the town sheriff. But tonight, after years of peace, something from Harmony's dark past has returned. Wearing a miner's mask and armed with a pickaxe, an unstoppable killer is on the loose. And as his footsteps come ever closer, Tom, Sarah and Axel realize in terror that it just might be Harry Warden who's come back to claim them." (thanks to DreadCentral.com)

** PHOONK: The storyline of the upcoming Bollywood horror movie, which opens August 22 in its home country, centers on a happily married construction engineer who doesn’t believe in God or evil spirits - until one of the latter infests his home, forcing him to change his point of view on the spiritual world, and fast. Ram Gopal Varma, one of the leading lights of the Indian film scene (his credits include the previous hit supernatural thriller BHOOT), directed from a script by Milind Gadagkar, with Praveen Nischol and Azam Khan producing. Check out the official web site. (thanks to Fangoria.com)

----- July 17, 2008 -----

** THE MONSTER SQUAD remake: Rob Cohen will produce a remake of the 1987 cult classic for Paramount Pictures. The original, directed by Fred Dekker and co-penned by Shane Black, followed a group of kids hunting down Dracula and his minions who are attempting to take over the world. Cohen himself executive produced the project. Cohen says "I am talking with Paramount about the ownership rights, we just found out that because of all the different companies being bought and sold, (it was so hard to do) but we believe all the rights are back at Paramount. I have been waiting to finish this (third Mummy) film, to really start the talks about remaking it. Maybe I would direct, maybe someone else with me producing. I really think highly of that that film...I mean, how great is it with The Mummy, the Wolfman, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Frankenstein they all were in it! It would be a prime remake!" (thanks to Bloody-Disgusting.com)

** RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION: The official web site and teaser trailer are now online for this upcoming animated full feature film based on the famous horror video games series.

** SAW V: Here's the first behind-the-scenes images on the upcoming sequel which will be out October 24th.

** SANCTUARY: John Stockwell (TURISTA) will direct the supernatural thriller SANCTUARY for Lionsgate and Sobini Films reports the trades. The story, based on John Connolly's novel "Bad Men," revolves around a single mom and her son who take refuge from her ex-husband on a haunted island off the Maine coast. Stephen Susco (THE GRUDGE remake) adapted the script and will executive produce. Production will begin late 2008/early 2009. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)

** As mentioned yesterday, Michael Bay was interviewed about some of his projects. Here's more from the interview:

-You recently wrapped production on your update of FRIDAY THE 13TH, and horror buffs out there are dying to know: what's it going to be about?
-It’s a reconception of the original. We’re introducing a whole group of new kids. What we always try to do is add a little bit of freshness to these movies that were really scary back then and update them for a new audience.

-So are you following the same plot as the very first FRIDAY THE 13TH?
-It’s a little different. I don’t want to give it away because of the Internet crazies.

-There's been rumors that you're going to include plots from all three Friday the 13ths into your remake. Is that true?
-The first two, yeah.

-Where did you film the Crystal Lake scenes?
-In Austin, where we also shot Texas Chainsaw. Austin gives you a lot of looks.

-Is there anything else you are willing to divulge about it?
-I haven’t seen the director's cut because he’s still cutting, but I know this one will really be scary; it’s also funny, as well. It’s a fun college adventure that goes awry. It’s not a movie I would ever show my mom! (Laughs) We don’t make these for our mothers; we make these for the fans out there.

-Speaking of those fans, what do you say to people who are worried that an update of FRIDAY THE 13TH will ruin the original?
-There are always haters out there, and you can’t get rid of that. We try to be faithful, and we’re fans ourselves. It’s like when I did TRANSFORMERS, I listened to the fans, you know, but you still have to make your own movie by respecting what was done and trying to give it a whole new twist.

-How have you given it a new twist?
-You’re just not going to believe the first 12 minutes! It’s a twist in itself.

-And you’re actually working on a remake of NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, too, right?
-Don’t know yet. We haven’t made our deal, but it’s worth every penny.

-What are you working on next? OUIJA?
-It’s something we’re playing with, yes. I’m just producing it. As far as being a director, I’m not sure what I’m doing next.

-What will OUIJA even be about?
-We’re just meeting with writers now. There’s a plot that I actually wrote the outline for; we’re just trying to get the script right.
(thanks to Hollywoodinsider.ew.com)

** THE MOTHER OF TEARS: Dario Argento directed horror film will be available to own on DVD September 23rd, and should retail at around $19.97. The film will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. The only extra material will be a making of documentary, and an interview with the director. (thanks to Bloody-Disgusting.com)

** REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA: Here's more pix from the upcoming film. (thanks to dvd-forum.at)

** CHOPPER ZOMBIES: Thom Beers will produce the feature film CHOPPER ZOMBIES reports Variety. The story follows a motorcycle builder who refuses to sell his formula for a new superfuel to a dangerous corporation. When a team of thugs drowns him in his own toxic creation, he rises from the dead with a score to settle. The project will start out as a comic book series launching at next week's Comic-Con, and the film will head into production sometime next year. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)

----- July 16, 2008 -----

** NIGHTMARE CASTLE: Filmmaker/DVD producer David Gregory gave Fangoria the scoop that he and Severin Films will give the Barbara Steele-starring Italian chiller NIGHTMARE CASTLE its first official DVD release, following the discovery of the original negative in Rome, and provided the first peek at the cover art. The 1965 film, a.k.a. THE FACELESS MONSTER and LOVERS FROM BEYOND THE TOMB and directed/co-written by Mario Caiano, casts Steele as the unfaithful wife of a doctor, who tortures her and her lover to death, and the victim’s twin sister, whom the doctor later marries and subsequently suffers from frightening visions of murder.

“We will be doing a new HD transfer in its original aspect ratio, so all those super-cheap bootleg DVDs taken from 10th-generation TV prints can now be discarded forever,” Gregory says. “Caiano is still very much with us, and we recently shot a great interview with the 75-year-old master at his home just outside of Rome. NIGHTMARE CASTLE also showcases the very first horror score by the legendary Ennio Morricone, and the beautiful black-and-white cinematography comes courtesy of Enzo Barboni, who would later strike gold as the director of the TRINITY Westerns starring Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. We’re very excited to be releasing this uncut, uncensored and unsung hit of Italian horror history, which after years of bootleg abominations will now find its rightful place alongside the other Barbara Steele classics like Mario Bava’s BLACK SUNDAY and Antonio Margheriti’s CASTLE OF BLOOD. This is NIGHTMARE CASTLE as it truly has never been seen before.” In addition, Gregory and Severin will also be granting the first official U.S. disc release to DOOR INTO SILENCE, the final film by gore maestro Lucio Fulci, starring John Savage. (thanks to Fangoria.com)

** DEXTER: Two very cool DEXTER BubbleHead are now available for pre-order! (thanks to DreadCentral.com)

** Hollywood Insider chatted it up with Michael Bay recently about OUIJIA and the Platinum Dunes FRIDAY THE 13TH remake. When asked about details of Jason's return to the silver screen, Bay didn't divulge much, "I haven’t seen the director's cut because he’s still cutting, but I know this one will really be scary; it’s also funny, as well. It’s a fun college adventure that goes awry. It’s not a movie I would ever show my mom! (Laughs) We don’t make these for our mothers; we make these for the fans out there."

Not that much was going on with OUIJA either according to Mr. Bay. No director has been signed. It is in the scripting process now, but he didn't expand on the plot. He did, however, speak out about the concerned fans, "There are always haters out there, and you can’t get rid of that. We try to be faithful, and we’re fans ourselves. It’s like when I did Transformers I listened to the fans, you know, but you still have to make your own movie by respecting what was done and trying to give it a whole new twist." (thanks to DreadCentral.com)

** Mondo Macabro just announcemed two more infamous Nikkatsu films. On October 28th, the US will finally see subtitled releases of both Yasuharu Hasebe notorious ASSAULT! JACK THE RIPPER and Noboru Tanaka's adaptation of multiple Edogawa Rampo stories entitled THE WATCHED IN THE ATTIC. Mondo Macabro also plans to release a few other yet to be announced Nikkatsu Pink titles in 2009. (thanks to KFCCinema.com)

** NIGHT OF THE DEMONS remake: Writer/director Adam Gierasch talked to Fangoria about the first casting news on the NIGHT OF THE DEMONS remake he’ll helm from a script he wrote with partner Jace Anderson. Starring as Angela, the very bad girl who spells all kinds of demonic trouble for a group of her partying friends, is Shannon Elizabeth, the AMERICAN PIE girl whose genre credits include CURSED, THIR13EN GHOSTS, SCARY MOVIE and JACK FROST. Also in the ensemble are Monica Keena and one of the most delicious woman today Diora Baird, with more cast to be announced very soon. Filming on the update of Kevin S. Tenney’s 1988 cult fave (which marks Gierasch’s second turn behind the camera after the upcoming AUTOPSY) will take place in New Orleans beginning in September. (thanks to Fangoria.com)

----- July 15, 2008 -----

** HALLOWEEN: Here's the first look at the upcoming new six-disc HALLOWEEN 30th Anniversary box set is coming from Anchor Bay. As you can see it will packaged the set with a miniature Michael Myers mask. The set includes:
• HALLOWEEN Restored (original 1978 version)
• HALLOWEEN Extended Edition (out of print for years)
• HALLOWEEN 25 YEARS OF TERROR: Disc 1
• HALLOWEEN 4 DiviMax
• HALLOWEEN 5 DiviMax
• HALLOWEEN Blu-ray (bonus disc)
(thanks to ShockTillYouDrop.com)

** BEYOND THE DOOR: Code Red sent over cover art and specs for its September 16 DVD release (through BCI) of BEYOND THE DOOR, Oliver Hellman/Ovidio Assonitis’ 1974 devil-possession pic starring Juliet Mills as a woman who becomes pregnant with Satan’s spawn. The movie will be presented in a new 16x9-enhanced 1.85:1 transfer of the uncut European edition, accompanied by:
• Audio commentary by Assonitis and Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson, moderated by Lee Christian
• Audio commentary by Mills, filmmaker Scott Spiegel and film historian Darren Gross
• Englishman in Italy interview featurette with co-star Richard Johnson
• BEYOND THE DOOR, 35 Years Later featurette with Assonitis, Mills, Johnson and writer Alex Rebar
• Original trailers
• Still gallery
(thanks to Fangoria.com)

** SCREAM 4?!: The Weinstein Co. is forging an exclusive, seven-year output pay-TV deal with Showtime that begins with TWC's 2009 slate, will cover 95 films, including such upcoming titles as Quentin Tarantino's INGLORIOUS BASTARDS, the remake of David Cronenberg's SCANNERS, PIRANHA 3D and SCREAM 4. (thanks to Bloody-Disgusting.com)

** MIMIC director's cut: The Rotten Tomatoes web site got some quality time with Guillermo Del Toro to talk not just about HELLBOY II THE GOLDEN ARMY but other films in his career, too, including the director's 1997 film MIMIC. His first U.S. effort, the film starred Mira Sorvino against giant cockroaches that could take a rough human guise. The experience was troubling for Del Toro, to say the least. Dimension Films tampered with the final cut and the results were scattershot.

Del Toro tells RT that it would be "worth going back [to MIMIC] for me," to do a director's cut "and I'm trying to do it. It'll not make a massive difference, but I think tonally it will." He adds, "It's not going to be the Director's Cut to end all Director's Cuts, it's just going to make a minute difference to a movie that is not a lost classic by any stretch of the imagination but I do believe the screenplay is really good and I urge people to read it on the net." What would change, though? "I would retrieve those fake scares, I would put back some of the other content, and I would hope it makes a different. But who knows?" (thanks to ShockTillYouDrop.com)

** SEXY KILLER: The Campus of an exclusive faculty of medicine begins to sown with corpses. The police have no clue as to who is responsible for the carnage. Nobody suspected Barbara, an innocent-looking young woman whose only concern seems to be fashion. However, under this frivolous facade hides the most lethal and unforgiving of killers. Check out the official web site and trailer! (thanks to 24framespersecond.net)

** VIPERS: Coming September 23, the film stars Tara Reid and Corbin Bernsen in the saga of genetically enhanced killer snakes that escape from a medical research lab and terrorize hotel guests on an isolated island. Directed by Bill Corcoran from a script by Brian Katkin, the movie will be presented on disc in an R-rated cut not seen on TV. (thanks to Fangoria.com)

----- July 14, 2008 -----

** HALLOWEEN: A new six-disc (!) HALLOWEEN 30th Anniversary box set is coming. The latest presentation will include multiple presentations of John Carpenter's 1978 film - including a Blu-Ray edition and the rare extended edition. As an incentive, distributor Anchor Bay will package the set with a miniature Michael Myers mask. (thanks to ShockTillYouDrop.com)

** Fabrice du Welz's VINYAN: Here's the poster for the new film from the director of CALVAIRE (THE ORDEAL). (thanks to Carpenoctem.pl)

** THE BEYOND: Grindhouse Releasing is set to bring Lucio Fulci's out-of-print THE BEYOND back on DVD on October 28th. This new release will feature a hi-def transfer, 5.1 surround sound, an on-set interview with the late maestro, commentary and more! Now hopefully they will soon announce a date for their much anticipated edition of PIECES. (thanks to DreadCentral.com)

** END CALL: Check out the trailer for this upcoming Japanese horror film. (thanks to TwitchFilm.net)

** Genius Products released the cover art for Joel Soisson's PULSE 2 AFTERLIFE. A sequel to the 2006 remake of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's supernatural thriller, this entry stars Jamie Bamber (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) and heads direct-to-DVD on September 30th. (thanks to ShockTillYouDrop.com)

** Jennifer Lynch (SURVEILLANCE) has signed on to direct the Bollywood horror-thriller NAGIN: THE SNAKE WOMAN for Split Image and Venus Records & Tapes says The Hollywood Reporter. Mallika Sherawat and Irrfan Khan star in the story which tackles the ancient Eastern myth of the snake woman who can take on various forms. The film begins shooting in India in August and will be shot simultaneously in Hindi and English. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)

** THE COLONY: Stacy Title and Jonathan Penner will write the eco-horror tale THE COLONY for Participant Media. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)

** Gorezone's Giovanni Deldio recently got his hands on some short films from director Victor Bonacore and here's his reviews:

The first one was PRETTY. PRETTY tells the tale about a girl, named Delia, who ever since she was a little girl wanted to be the prettiest girl ever. She tries to be a model as a teen, but by adulthood is a whore.

The acting is pretty good in the film. Both the girl who plays the teen version of Delia and scream queen legend Linnea Quigley do in their portrayals of the character quite well. Making cameos in the film are Troma leader Lloyd Kaufman and gorgeous cult star Ruby Larocca. The movie is highly entertaining, but the fucked up ending is a nice turn. It gives it downer feel to the whole proceedings.

His other film is EAT ME. Described as a “zombie love” story, it is about a cute couple who are truly in love. When, Bub (Michael Caputo) proposes to cute babe, Trash (Michelle Cohen), two zombies attack them. They turn into zombies, themselves. But, in the end, they decide to prove their love to each other, in a pretty fucked way.

The movie is nicely shot in 16mm, black and white, silent film style. All that plays is some pretty cool country/ punk by Ethan Urban. I found the film to be cute and funny. It is a very cool little film that much like PRETTY, ends in a pretty fucked manner.

I believe that Bonacore has a lot of talent and a bright future. He shows a clear love for the genre and a heavy influence by the likes of George Romero and David Lynch. I look forward to seeing more of his work and so should you! Check out his MySpace page!