Shelf sitters aren’t always bad news in my eyes; take for instance Superstition (1982). This Canadian curiosity was filmed in ’81, released abroad in ’82, and finally washed ashore in North America in early ’85; it is by turns goofy, gory, dumb, and creative in its kills, and is a great addition to a sub-genre I’m just going to call Italiadjacent, where films from this side of the pond look to that side for aesthetical inspiration and end up with nonsensical storylines. And while Superstition tries to keep it together, it can’t help but let loose and summon up its inner Argento from time to time.
Also known as The Witch, Superstition was part of the U.K.’s notorious early ‘80s Video Nasties scene, but landed on the non-prosecutable Section 3 list, which I guess were films still really bad for you, but not “go to jail” bad for renting or selling them.
Also known as The Witch, Superstition was part of the U.K.’s notorious early ‘80s Video Nasties scene, but landed on the non-prosecutable Section 3 list, which I guess were films still really bad for you, but not “go to jail” bad for renting or selling them.
- 4/14/2018
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Prepare to be corrupted and depraved once more as Nucleus Films releases the sequel to the definitive guide to the Video Nasties phenomenon – the most extraordinary and scandalous era in the history of British film. Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide Part 2, a three-disc collector’s edition box set, is being released on DVD on July 14th 2014, to tie in with the 30th Anniversary of the Video Recordings Act 1984.
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
- 5/21/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
We’re back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a new clip from Preservation, release details for Lfo, App, the first photo from Altergeist, an interview with Felissa Rose, and much more:
First Clip from Preservation: “Actor Christopher Denham takes his second turn in the director’s chair with this finely crafted horror-thriller starring Pablo Schreiber (The Wire, Orange is the New Black), Aaron Staton (Mad Men), and Wrenn Schmidt (Boardwalk Empire). Brothers Sean and Mike Neary, along with Mike’s wife Wit, head out on a hunting trip that doubles as a distraction from their troubles at home. But ignoring the “closed” sign and heading deep into an overgrown nature preserve, they soon find their troubles are only beginning. When all of their gear is stolen, they immediately turn on each other. But the hunted...
First Clip from Preservation: “Actor Christopher Denham takes his second turn in the director’s chair with this finely crafted horror-thriller starring Pablo Schreiber (The Wire, Orange is the New Black), Aaron Staton (Mad Men), and Wrenn Schmidt (Boardwalk Empire). Brothers Sean and Mike Neary, along with Mike’s wife Wit, head out on a hunting trip that doubles as a distraction from their troubles at home. But ignoring the “closed” sign and heading deep into an overgrown nature preserve, they soon find their troubles are only beginning. When all of their gear is stolen, they immediately turn on each other. But the hunted...
- 4/20/2014
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
On New Year's Day, Richard Shahan, a children's pastor at First Baptist Church of Birmingham, checked his baggage at Nashville International Airport and prepared to board a flight to Germany to do missionary work abroad. But his travel plans were abruptly cut short. Red-flagged by security as a flight risk, Shahan, 53, was arrested on the spot. Police claim Shahan was responsible for the brutal July 2013 killing of his wife, Karen, 52, who was reportedly found stabbed on a couch in their suburban Birmingham home, and that he was attempting to flee to Russia. "He is our only suspect at this time,...
- 1/9/2014
- by Ken Lee
- PEOPLE.com
Have you ever wanted to see Mary Ann from ‘Gilligans Island’ covered in blood and chased through a corn field by a serial killer who wears a potato-sack as a hood and commits murders with a knife strapped to the end of a trombone? If so track The Town That Dreaded Sundown, a fact-based blend of police procedural, slasher flick, and redneck comedy from 1977. In addition to having one of the great movie titles of the ‘70s, The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a realistic, chilling, and effective thriller that Shout Factory has released on Blu-ray just ahead of its 2014 remake.
‘The Phantom Killer’(aka ‘The Moonlight Murderer’) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the ‘Zodiac’ killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers...
‘The Phantom Killer’(aka ‘The Moonlight Murderer’) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the ‘Zodiac’ killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers...
- 10/25/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
There are some films I haven't seen in my 40 years of life that it seems inexcusable to have missed. Many of those have crossed my path recently thanks to Scream Factory. They've made it a habit to dig up the cult classic gems of the past and give them a much-deserved upgrade to high-definition. Two such movies I failed to see over the years are The Town That Dreaded Sundown and The Evictors.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown is based on a true story that occurred in 1946. Famed Texas Ranger J.D. Morales is called into Texarkana by Deputy Norman Ramsey after one young couple are beaten and tortured and another murdered on back county roads. Ramsey and Morales both suspect the incidents are tied together. They combine the forces of the local police and the Texas Rangers to catch the "Phantom Killer" before he can strike again.
The Evictors...
The Town That Dreaded Sundown is based on a true story that occurred in 1946. Famed Texas Ranger J.D. Morales is called into Texarkana by Deputy Norman Ramsey after one young couple are beaten and tortured and another murdered on back county roads. Ramsey and Morales both suspect the incidents are tied together. They combine the forces of the local police and the Texas Rangers to catch the "Phantom Killer" before he can strike again.
The Evictors...
- 6/13/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Eric Shirey)
- Cinelinx
Fans of horror will recognize the getup immediately: a man wearing overalls and a sack cloth on his head tied at the neck. Most would conjure Jason from Friday the 13th Part 2, but Charles Pierce did it first with his police procedural The Town that Dreaded Sundown. A true rarity on the home video market over the years, Scream Factory reaches even farther into the cult drawer to dig up this bizarre little film released from 1976.
The small town of Texarkana, which straddles Texas and Arkansas was haunted by a vicious serial killer who claimed the lives of five people in 1946. Dubbed “The Phantom Killer” by the media, this once peaceful town was transformed into a fearful community, full of paranoid residents who were armed to the teeth by the second set of murders. Texas Ranger J.D.Morales (Ben Johnson) is called upon to help solve the series of killings,...
The small town of Texarkana, which straddles Texas and Arkansas was haunted by a vicious serial killer who claimed the lives of five people in 1946. Dubbed “The Phantom Killer” by the media, this once peaceful town was transformed into a fearful community, full of paranoid residents who were armed to the teeth by the second set of murders. Texas Ranger J.D.Morales (Ben Johnson) is called upon to help solve the series of killings,...
- 6/8/2013
- by Derek Botelho
- DailyDead
Scream Factory will be releasing Blu-ray versions of The Burning and The Town That Dreaded Sundown next week, and have provided us with four clips from each film.
The Burning Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: “Gather around the campfire to die! A group of summer camp pranksters get the scare of their lives when they target the camp’s creepy caretaker…and he takes bloody revenge! “Gruesome” (The Hollywood Reporter) and “stomach-churning” (Boxoffice), this terrifying tale is “a brilliant slasher flick [and] gory as hell” (slasherpool.com)!
After a cruel joke goes awry, severely burning him and subjecting him to five years of intensive, unsuccessful skin graft treatments, Cropsy (Lou David) is back at camp…and ready to wreak havoc on those who scarred him! With his hedge clippers in hand, he terrorizes the camp and systematically mutilates each victim. Can a few courageous campers save themselves and destroy...
The Burning Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: “Gather around the campfire to die! A group of summer camp pranksters get the scare of their lives when they target the camp’s creepy caretaker…and he takes bloody revenge! “Gruesome” (The Hollywood Reporter) and “stomach-churning” (Boxoffice), this terrifying tale is “a brilliant slasher flick [and] gory as hell” (slasherpool.com)!
After a cruel joke goes awry, severely burning him and subjecting him to five years of intensive, unsuccessful skin graft treatments, Cropsy (Lou David) is back at camp…and ready to wreak havoc on those who scarred him! With his hedge clippers in hand, he terrorizes the camp and systematically mutilates each victim. Can a few courageous campers save themselves and destroy...
- 5/16/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
"Based on actual events" is a phrase you'll hear in a lot of movie trailers and see emblazoned across endless horror movie posters, but the truth about the "truth" is this: it's bullshit. For example, both Psycho's Norman Bates and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's Leatherface claim to be "loosely based" on the notorious monster known as Ed Gein. So while it's probably true that the writers of both stories used their knowledge of Ed Gein to create a creepy villain, it's not like either film is a re-telling of the actual Ed Gein story. (For that you'll want to check out 1974's Deranged.)
And most "based on actual events" horror movies lack even the tangential connection that Psycho and Chainsaw do: someone once heard about a terrible exorcism gone wrong in South America, and voila: instant "fact-based" horror movie. That's not to say the statement is outright marketing b.
- 5/15/2013
- by Scott Weinberg
- FEARnet
Last month we shared some exciting news about new Collectors' Edition DVD/Blu-ray combos of 1981 slasher fave The Burning and the true-crime cult hit The Town That Dreaded Sundown (check out that article here). Today the company has unveiled the finalized list of extra features for both discs, and it's quite an impressive lineup. The Burning Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will now feature the following extras: Audio Commentary with Director Tony Maylam and International Film Journalist Alan Jones Audio Commentary with stars Shelley Bruce and Bonnie Deroski Blood ‘n’ Fire Memories – A detailed look at the creation of the film’s make-up effects with Special Effects Artist Tom Savini Slash & Cut – An interview with editor Jack Sholder Cropsy Speaks – An interview with actor Lou David Summer Camp Nightmare – An interview with actress Leah Ayres Behind-the-Scenes Footage Theatrical Trailer Make-Up Effects Still Gallery Poster & Still Gallery The Town That Dreaded Sundown,...
- 3/14/2013
- by Gregory Burkart
- FEARnet
The headline pretty much says it all. Wanna know what's in store for you when you pick up the long awaited releases of The Town That Dreaded Sundown and The Burning? Then read on!
From the Press Release
Disfigured and hooded mad killers are on the loose this spring as Scream Factory™ invites loyal fans and collectors to embark on a nostalgic trip filled with edge-of-your-seat suspense and terror! On May 21, 2013, the gory summer camp slasher The Burning created and produced by Harvey Weinstein and featuring Fisher Stevens (The Cove), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Holly Hunter (The Piano) in their early film roles and Charles B. Pierce’s long sought-after The Town That Dreaded Sundown starring Oscar®-winner Ben Johnson and Dawn Wells ("Gilligan's Island") arrive on home entertainment shelves everywhere from Shout! Factory.
Both movies debut for the first time on Blu-ray™. The Burning will be presented as a...
From the Press Release
Disfigured and hooded mad killers are on the loose this spring as Scream Factory™ invites loyal fans and collectors to embark on a nostalgic trip filled with edge-of-your-seat suspense and terror! On May 21, 2013, the gory summer camp slasher The Burning created and produced by Harvey Weinstein and featuring Fisher Stevens (The Cove), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Holly Hunter (The Piano) in their early film roles and Charles B. Pierce’s long sought-after The Town That Dreaded Sundown starring Oscar®-winner Ben Johnson and Dawn Wells ("Gilligan's Island") arrive on home entertainment shelves everywhere from Shout! Factory.
Both movies debut for the first time on Blu-ray™. The Burning will be presented as a...
- 3/14/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Scream Factory will release a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of The Town That Dreaded Sundown on May 21st. The official list of bonus features have just been released and it has been confirmed that a copy of Charles B. Pierce’s The Evictors will be included.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: “Don’t get caught in this town after sundown! When two young lovers are savagely beaten and tortured on a back country road in Texarkana, local police are baffled. Three weeks later, two more people are slain in a similar setting and Deputy Norman Ramsey fears a pattern might be developing. Texas Ranger J.D. Morales (Ben Johnson, The Wild Bunch) is brought in to help. The two officers must find “the Phantom Killer” before he can kill again. Also starring Andrew Prine (Grizzly) and Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island), directed by Charles B. Pierce...
The Town That Dreaded Sundown Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: “Don’t get caught in this town after sundown! When two young lovers are savagely beaten and tortured on a back country road in Texarkana, local police are baffled. Three weeks later, two more people are slain in a similar setting and Deputy Norman Ramsey fears a pattern might be developing. Texas Ranger J.D. Morales (Ben Johnson, The Wild Bunch) is brought in to help. The two officers must find “the Phantom Killer” before he can kill again. Also starring Andrew Prine (Grizzly) and Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island), directed by Charles B. Pierce...
- 3/13/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
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