Horror Films
One of my favorite new blogs is Dead Harvey, not just because of the name (conjuring both rabbits and Weinsteins) but because of their intent to serve as "a resource for both independent horror filmmakers and fans. We hope to keep people informed of new developments in the industry, as well as bringing attention to new and worthy independent horror films and film festivals."
That's our kind of people! And here comes the bias... they recently had this to say about the festival:
"I could write pages upon pages about the Slamdance Film Festival... and probably should in my film festivals section, but... uh, well... you know.
Slamdance is a true representation of what independent filmmaking is all about and it has the balls to take place in Utah at the same time as Sundance. It's a festival "by filmmakers for filmmakers" and showcases undistributed films by emerging filmmakers. Of course, with being a "true" independent film festivals, you're going to get a slew of horror. So, there's always going to be a bunch of artsy crap, then there's these films that look awesome - I've also linked to their own sites:
"Paranormal Activity", written and directed by Oren Peli. On the Slamdance site, it just says, "A supernatural thriller featuring shocking footage of a demonic haunting", but there's a bit more to it than that. It's about a young couple that suspects that their house is haunted, so they set up video surveillance... their surveillance and home videos have been edited into this 99 minute feature film. Brilliant! Keeps the budget low, the low-budget feel is justified and it all makes sense. I can't wait to see it... the buzz is really big.
"Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer", written and directed by Jon Knautz is "about an angry young plumber who witnessed his family's brutal murder when he was a child. Unknowingly, he awakens an ancient evil which forces him to confront his past and deal with the monstrous reality of the present." Once again, that blurb does NOT do the film justice. First off, you've got a great Robert Englund cameo AND it looks like it's filled with beasts, ghoulies and monsters. Think "Reanimator" meets "Evil Dead" meets "Slither". The better blurb is: Jack Brooks is a plumber who fights hellspawns, cameo by Robert Englund. I can't get enough of movies like this, they remind my of early Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson.
Finally, the last one that interests me is "Trailer Park of Terror", directed by Steven Goldmann. "Six troubled teens become stranded in a ramshackle trailer park where they meet Norma, an undead, trailer-trash babe with a killer body and cursed brood of Redneck Zombies." "Trailer Park of Terror" is based on the popular Imperium Comic series and, yeah... that blurb kinda sums it up.
Check 'em out, if you get the chance...
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Thanks, Dead Harvey! Couldn't have said it better myself (although we seem to have differing opinions in regards to "artsy crap"), but please do check us out, people!
