Descendents (2008)

Descendents (2008)

Coming November 13th in Chile is a twist on the zombie genre called Solos or Descendents.

From the official site: "In an undefined future, the earth has been destroyed by man, and the air is polluted with a mysterious virus that turns humans into zombies. Only a few children are immune to the disease and have adapted to these extreme conditions and survived. Camille, a nine year old girl, wanders through these desolate wastelands, protecting herself from zombies and the armed military forces that roam the land killing anyone who might be infected. However, the little girl will find other kids like her that share a recurring dream: thay all have vision of the ocean as their destiny. Together they will try to survive the journey to the ocean in search of an escape."

The film is directed by Jorge Olguin and stars Camille Lynch, Carolina Andrade and Cristobal Barra.

So here it is ... Descendents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOBbYD0Md8A
http://www.descendentsmovie.com/

Splintered (2009)

Splintered (2009)

Friday's @ the Rant are for new, upcoming horror films. Short on time today, so here is Splintered which is receiving limited release this fall.

IMDB Synopsis: "Somewhere prowling in the darkest corner of a desolate, abandoned building on the edge of a wilderness is a dangerous animal. It's a human animal that lives by the rules of the wild, where survival is the only concern.

This creature of the night uses cunning and instinct to hunt and kill for pleasure. He has no qualms about his actions; he lives by his desires and he'll take what he wants.

SOPHIE, a teenager with a troubled past, strays into the abandoned building on a dare. She discovers what it's like to become the object of this animal's obsessive desire when she's locked in an isolated room, where no one can hear her screams.

In the night, sitting in the pitch black, waiting for the inevitable, Sophie is terrified by the the obsessive stare through the skylight of the impromptu jail.

Daylight brings GAVIN. He keeps the animal at bay as best he can. A protector of sorts, but a protector who also keeps her locked away. What bizarre relationship does this self appointed jailer have with the elusive prowling creature beyond the door?

Sophie's attempts at escape repeatedly end in failure, but she clings to the hope that she will be rescued by her friends, despite her fears of what might happen to them, if they come too close to the vicious animal? " more...

So here it is ... Splintered
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiCnAmMnpE4

The Devil's Rain (1975)

The Devil's Rain (1975)

Today we return to revisit The Devil's Rain, a spectacular mess of a 70's movie - and one I enjoy seeing over and over. Ernest Borgnine chews the scenery like nobody's business and we also have William Shatner (Star Trek, Kingdom of the Spiders) and Tom Skerrit (Alien). If you look close you can see a cameo, early appearence by John Travolta (Carrie) before he was even a sweathog or disco king. The first three fourths of the film are all about build up and contains some interesting bits; however, the conclusion's melting rain is what you're waiting for. A fun movie.

So, thanks to My Flash Fetish and YouTube, here is the full movie ... The Devil's Rain

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

Demons (1985)

Demons (1985)

Directed by Lamberto Bava and written by Dario Argento (along with Bava), Demons is a facinating and confusing (and delightfully gory) Italian horror flick.

IMDB: "A group of people are trapped in a large West Berlin movie theater infected by ravenous demons whom proceed to kill and posses the humans one-by-one thereby multiplying their numbers." Click here for more.

Below, thanks to My Flash Fetish and YouTube, is the full movie for you to enjoy!

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

Hammer followed up their wildly successful Horror of Dracula with The Brides of Dracula in 1960. Peter Cushing is back as Van Helsing, but Christopher Lee did not return as Dracula. Instead, we follow up with the adventures of Cushing's Van Helsing as he chases down Baron Meinster. The result is a satifying vampire romp mostly due to Terence Fisher's confident direction and Peter Cushing's engaging performance.

So here it is ... The Brides of Dracula

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

Horror of Dracula (1958)

Horror of Dracula (1958)

Today we present the entire feature length film Horror of Dracula thanks to My Flash Fetish and YouTube. Filmed in 1958 by Hammer Films after the successful remake of Frankenstein with The Curse of Frankenstein, this film resurrected the horror genre presenting the thrills and scares in technicolor. Curse and Horror also launched the horror careers of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee and forever stamped Hammer Films as the House of Horror on genre film fans.

In a day where remakes are rampant, some successful and some failures, it is interesting to note how successful and important Horror of Dracula and Curse of Frankenstein are to the history of the horror film. Each film is a remake (reinvisioning) of Universals Frankenstein and Dracula classics. Sure they had the novels to draw their inspiration from, still they made an agreement with Universal to make and distribute these films (and The Mummy as well) -- even though they could not use the famous Boris Karloff monster make up.

The Dracula franchise would be a successful one for Hammer Films throughout the 60's and into the 70's, finally killing of the Count with a Kung-fu mix called The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires (The Seven Brothers meet Dracula in the States).

So here it is...enjoy!

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

Yesterday we spotlighted The Uninvited, which is remake of today's trailer spotlight - A Tale of Two Sisters. This Korean horror flick from 2003 is a successful suspenseful yarn about two sisters returning home to find a terrifying secret.

So here it is ... A Tale of Two Sisters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDyWVOIY8Mg

The Uninvited (2009)

The Uninvited (2009)

"Fear Moves In"

It's Halloween all week @the Rant and we celebrate by spotlighting new, upcoming horror trailers each day. Today is the flick The Univited, a remake of the scary Asian classic "A Tale of Two Sisters".

IMDB synopsis: "Anna Rydell returns home to her sister (and best friend) Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father, and the presence of a ghost in their home."
more

The movie is directed by Charles and Thomas Guard and written by Craig Rosenberg and Doug Miro. The Univited stars Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel and Emily Browning.

So here it is ... The Uninvited
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxuMLaKS4w8

Coming Soon (2008)

Coming Soon (2008)

It's Halloween week @ the Rant and it's all about new, upcoming horror movies. Today is a Thai horror flick titled Coming Soon, which looks to be an interesting turn in the slasher genre.

Coming Soon official site

Synopsis from Enjoy Thai Movies : "What kind of scenes in a horror film scares you the most? When a ghost appears totally unexpectedly? When the main character does not see the ghost sneaking up behind him? When at the very end you find out that the main character was actually a ghost all along? But none of this compares to the feeling of arriving home alone and suddenly being stuck by a feeling of dj vu that you are reenacting the very same scenes in the horror movie you just saw! This movie will scare you from the second you step inside the movie theatre. It will get you wondering if Something or Someone might be waiting for you to let your guard down. The horror movie that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life! Coming Soon." read more

So here it is ... Coming Soon

Midnight Movie (2008)

Midnight Movie (2008)

It's Halloween week and it's new, upcoming horror flicks every day @ the Rant. Today, is the trailer for a low budget slasher flick called Midnight Movie getting small release this fall and DVD in January.

Synopsis from IMDB: "A midnight showing of an early 1970's horror movie turns to chaos when the Killer from the movie comes out of the film to attack those in the theater."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0981224/

So here it is ... Midnight Movie
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1875312865

Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans (2009)

It's Halloween week! This week is full of preview trailers for upcoming horror films - it's Friday @ the Rant every day. Today we're looking at the second sequel to Underworld, The Rise of the Lycans.

I've enjoyed the previous two Underworld movies for their style and direction, but mostly for the star Kate Beckinsale. Vampires versus werewolves is an exciting concept and this series plays it well, even if it skews more toward the vampires.

Rhona Mitra replaces Beckinsale (Selene) as a character named Sonja for The Rise of the Lycans, playing it close to what is expected - at least visually. Bill Nighy returns as Viktor.

The movie is directed by Patrick Tatopoulos and written by Danny McBride and Dirk Black Man.

So here it is ... Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K9Qm6SSRJM

House (2008)

House (2008)

It's Halloween week and we're celebrating by covering new, upcoming trailers all week! It's Fridays @ the Rant all week. Today is House, a small independent feature getting limited release this season.

"The Only Way Out ... Is In!"

Synopsis from IMDB: "In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac (The Tin Man) bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney. Scrawled on its side is a message from the killer, establishing his House Rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four. They have less than 12 hours to find a way to survive. At sunrise the game is over and everyone dies if the killer's demands aren't met. What they quickly learn is that the only way out... is in. But going further into this house--where unknown challenges await them--is equally deadly. "
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837796/

House is directed by Robby Henson and written by Ted Dekker and Rob Green. The movie starts Allana Bale, J.P.Davis, Jeffrey de Graft-Johnson and Pawel Delag.

So here it is ... House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25e0xgdGZ3k

My Bloody Valentine (2009)

My Bloody Valentine (2009)

It's Halloween week! This week is full of preview trailers for upcoming horror films - it's Friday @ the Rant every day. Today we're looking at the remake of My Bloody Valentine.

The remake is in 3-D and the trailer and poster celebrate that fact with amazing fervor. It's fantastic ... if you go for such things. We love 3-D @ the Rant, so this scores marks a-plenty for us. This looks like so much stupid fun it's rediculous. Yeah, this movie can't be good, but it does look fun - and the producers and/or marketing team seem to know that. Pushing the 'date movie' aspect looks to be a smart, smart move on getting more movies goers in the theater seats.

My Bloody Valentine is directed by Patrick Lussier and written by Todd Farmer and Zane Smith. The movies stars Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Edi Gathegi and Andrew Larson.

Nothing says Date Movie like a 3-D ride to Hell...heh.

So here it is ... My Bloody Valentine (2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcTeZQwedBg

Friday the 13th (2009)

Friday the 13th (2009)

Fridays @ The Rant are for new, upcoming horror films. This week we spotlight one of the most anticipated films in the next 6 months - the remake of Friday the 13th. Wahoo!

If any film is in need of a remake and rejuvination, it may be the Friday the 13th series -- why not? Stepping up to the challenge is the same production team and director behind the wildly successful Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake a few years back. Who better? Ah, this looks to be a fantastic and frightening time at the theater come next spring. Let's not waste any more time...

So here it is ... Friday the 13th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp276DOPQw0

Prince of Darkness (1987)

Prince of Darkness (1987)

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1964)

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1964)

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

Vampire Circus (1971)

Vampire Circus (1971)

I made this video playlist at myflashfetish.com

The Unborn (2009)

The Unborn (2009)

Fridays at the Rant are for new, upcoming horror films. Coming January 9th, 2009 from David S. Goyer (Blade Trinity) is The Unborn, a supernatural tale of a girl haunted/possessed by an Unborn soul and the exorcism that follows. The trailer promises scary good times.

This is a surprisingly effective trailer. It starts out slow, but builds into an engrossing and scary few minutes. Its a great tease on what this movie could be. Let's hope the movie can live up.

Written and Directed by David S. Goyer and starring Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba, Rhys Coiro and Carla Gugino.

So here it is ... The Unborn
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=287594

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Okay, how can you talk about 1981 and NOT discuss An American Werewolf in London - what is (arguably) the most successful and enjoyable werewolf film ever created this side of The Wolfman (1941). John Landis expertly combines scares, mode, comedy, music and practical effects for an amazing film. This film stands along side John Carpenter's The Thing as a pinacle of achievement for eighties horror. A must see.

Directed by John Landis. Starring David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne and John Woodvine.

Below is more of a Cable TV promotion than a theatrical trailer, but it successfully demonstrates what is great about this film.

So here it is ... An American Werewolf in London
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARK8eei1gOY

The Howling (1981)

The Howling (1981)

1981 was a great year for horror. One of the reasons is The Howling.

So here it is ... The Howling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU_rnrt4I8E

Dead Snow (2009)

Dead Snow (2009)

Fridays at the Rant are for new, upcoming horror fims. This week is a European Zombie entry, complete with Nazis. Hah, can't beat that.

"A group of eight friends drives to a cabin in northern Norway where German troops where slaughtered by angry locals living there in 1945. Now the undead zombie Nazi soldiers feast on whoever comes there way."

Directed by Tommy Wirkola and written by Frode Henriksen and Tommy Wirkola. Starring Jenny Skavlan, Ane Dahl, Stig Frode Henriksen, Bjørn Sundquist, Charlotte Frogner, Jeppe Beck Laursen, Vegar Hoel, Evy Kasseth Røsten and Lasse Valdal.

So here it is ... Dead Snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb3t1rvibas

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Another 80's flick on the remake trail is My Bloody Valentine, an entertaining (if flawed) early entry into the slasher genre. The remake, coming next year, promises to be a fun exercise being filmed in 3-D - ironically another odd trend in the early 80's. What comes around, goes around. Heh.

Directed by George Mihalka and written by Stephen A. Miller and John Beaird. Starring Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck, Keith Knight, Alf Humphreys, Cynthia Dale, Helene Udy and Rob Stein.

So here it is ... My Bloody Valentine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR9__vPCy3Y

Hell Night (1981)

Hell Night (1981)

Ah, Linda Blair -- too bad she didn't make more serious horror films.

Directed by Tom DeSimone and written by Randy Feldman. Starring Linda Blair, Vincent Van Patten, Peter Barton, Kevin Brophy, Jenny Neumann, Suki Goodwin and Jimmy Sturtevant.

So here it is ... Hell Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKX_-u_dI04

Dead And Buried (1981)

Dead And Buried (1981)

From the creators of Alien - hah - the tag lines for this trailer try very hard to convince you it is much better than it actually is.

Directed by Gary Sherman and written by Jeff Millar and Dan O'Bannon. Starring James Farentino, Melody Anderson, Jack Albertson, Dennis Redfield, Nancy Locke, Lisa Blount and Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street).

So here it is ... Dead & Buried

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZmlEh34unM

Friday the 13th Part II (1981)

Friday the 13th Part II (1981)

1981 Continues with the second in the Friday the 13th franchise. This is still pre-hockey-mask-Jason. While Jason does return in this release, he's wearing a potato-sack hoodie - heh. It struggles conjure up some fear, but it nowhere near as iconic as the forthcoming hockey mask will become.

The poster and the trailer both indicate the marketing on the sequel was perhaps a bit rushed and/or perhaps they didn't know what to do with it ... just yet. The poster is simply the logo and a tag line: "The body count continues..." and the trailer is mostly about the previous film.

The film itself lives up to expectation and continues the mythology (or even establishes it -- a bit) successfully. Still more about the killings than the killer. Jason Voorhees in the first film is suspected as the killer (as we know he wasn't); while, here, he is established definitively as the killer.

So here it is ... Friday the 13th Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjZDgcfDgLE

Saw V (2008)

Saw V (2008)

Fridays at the Rant are for new, upcoming horror films. This Friday spotlights the annual Halloween tradition of Saw. This years brings us the 5th installment. Just like Friday the 13th twenty years ago, the Saw franchise revisits its themes and terrifies the audience.

Saw V is written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the writing team behind Feast, and directed by David Hackl, the production designer and assistant director of Saw III and IV. The movie stars Julie Benz ,Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Mark Rolston, Betsy Russell, Samantha Lemole, Meagan Good, Laura Gordon, Greg Bryk and Carlo Rota.

So here it is ... Saw V
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v92xHYIFHy4

Evil Dead (1981)

Evil Dead (1981)

This week has been B U S Y, so I missed many an entry to the Rant. Since we were covering the movies of 1981, let's take a look at the entire Evil Dead feature.

View below...
http://www.myflashfetish.com/video-playlist/129800

Invitation Only (2008)

Invitation Only (2008)

Fridays at the Rant are for new, upcoming horror flicks: this weeks is a November Taiwan release. Invitation Only is Taiwan's first slasher horror film. Check out the trailer to see if the rest of the world gets how to make an American standard.

So here it is ... Invitation Only
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wYpGIjbWPw

Evil Dead (1981)

Evil Dead (1981)

Written and Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Evil Dead is a highly successful and influencial low-budget horror film described by IMDB as "Five friends are spending the weekend in a remote cabin in the woods. Whilst investigating the cellar they discover a tape and a decaying old book full of strange incantations. The tape is played and it unleashes powerful evil force from the forrest, determined to destory every last one of them."

Evil Dead is a different kind of horror film, completely a genre in and of itself. Really, there is nothing like Evil Dead (and its sequels: Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness) and it is due to the combination of Sam Raimi's kinetic direction and Bruce Campbell's unique comic flair. And then there's the effects.

In the age where special effect were gain glory for how impressive, imaginative and realistic they could be, Evil Dead's effects are cheesy, amatuerish and low-grade ... and delightfully so. It's part of it's charm and appeal really. The whole thing is so over the top, the state of the effects only enhance the overall effect. It's remarkable and pure spectacle.

Luckily the trailer is allowed to show off what makes this movie so special without giving it all away ... which may be hard to believe. The sequel, Evil Dead 2, would allow Bruce Campbell to shine and steal the spotlight from the effects; and, Army of the Dead would balance the effects and the star to perfection.

So here it is ... Evil Dead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1Cd3SNRgg

The Beyond (1981)

The Beyond (1981)

Italian horror is known for its gore and by 1981 had cemented that reputation. Not many directors can best the over-the-top graphics that director Lucio Fulci spewed out onto the screen. For the most part, his films spotlight the gore with the script servicing that intention.

The Beyond, A.K.A The Seven Doors of Death, is prime example of Lucio Fulci talents and is a fan favorite, along with films like Zombie and The Gates of Hell. Prepare yourself for some of the most gruesome visuals ever presented ... and some of the most confusing, convoluted plotting you'll ever follow.

Directed by Lucio Fulci and written by Dardano Sacchetti. The Beyond stars Catriona MacColl, David Warbeck, Cinzia Monreale, Antoine Saint-John, Veronica Lazar, Anthony Flees.

So here it is ... The Beyond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwVz2lD00xY