‘Poltergeist’ Zelda Rubinstein Passes On

Zelda Rubinstein, best known for her role as Tangina in the Poltergeist Films has passed away at the enduring age of 76.

The 4 foot, 3 inch tall actress made her fame when she appeared in the highly popular films. She played the Psychic Tangina who helped the family get their daughter back. she appeared in both Poltergeist and its sequel Poltergeist II.

Her representative, Eric Stevens has told the LA Times that she passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at an LA Hospital. She was being treated for a recent Heart Attack. I for one will miss the little woman who had a wonderful outgoing nature to her. Let’s hope she will live on and get a dedication tribute in the reboot of Poltergeist coming soon. She deserves that.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Zelda Rubinstein, the 4-foot-3-inch character actor best known as Tangina, the psychic who tries to calm a family inhabiting a haunted house in the 1982 horror film “Poltergeist,” has died. She was 76.

Her agent, Eric Stevens, tells the Los Angeles Times that Rubinstein died Wednesday at a Los Angeles hospital. Stevens says she recently suffered a heart attack.

Rubinstein made her film debut in the 1981 comedy “Under the Rainbow” and went on to roles in “Sixteen Candles,” “Southland Tales” and the TV show “Picket Fences.” She returned for both “Poltergeist” sequels.

The Pittsburgh native also appeared as the mother figure in a high-profile mid-1980s AIDS public awareness campaign and was an outspoken activist for the rights of little people.

Zelda Rubinstein: 1933 – 2010

Fighting Owl Films’ “The Night Shift”

Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to produce an independent feature in the city utilizing local talent. The feature, titled “The Night Shift”, is based on Fighting Owl Films’ shoestring budget short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in Fangoria Magazine’s Online Edition earlier in 2009 and has screened in several festivals across the United States.

A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leave Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!

The short film’s positive reception coupled with the disillusionment with Hollywood’s current output of remakes and reboots encouraged the filmmakers to pursue their dream of turning the original “The Night Shift” into a feature length horror-adventure film. Thomas Smith, the film’s writer/director and co-producer, is hoping to recapture some of the cinematic magic of the 80s Amblin films he grew up with that had a lasting influence.

“Growing up as a child of the 80s, the world depicted on film had a completely different atmosphere,” Smith says. “The films possessed a graininess and lived-in look that added an extra dimension of realism. There also seemed to be a greater emphasis on character and storytelling and less of the headache-inducing flash and sensory overload that’s become so commonplace today. It was the era of ‘Gremlins’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, films everyone could enjoy, not just children or adult audiences. That’s what we’re hoping to recapture with ‘The Night Shift’.”

The independent feature has secured its cast. Returning from the short to reprise their roles of Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield and Herbie West are Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley and Soren Odom, respectively. New additions to the cast include Andrew Crider as Adramalech, the villainous vengeance demon with an affinity for western wear, Jordan Woodall as Curly and Jonathan Pruitt as the mysterious Captain Roderick Blake. The film, currently in pre-production, is expected to begin shooting in May 2010.

For more information on Fighting Owl Films, “The Night Shift” and to view the original short film, visit them online at: www.FightingOwlFilms.com and www.thenightshiftmovie.com

Rotting Flesh Radio’s Morbidly Merry Christmas Winter Watchings

by: RFR Casket Crew Jigsaw Jim

Greetings Film Fiends,
In honor of Rotting Flesh Radio’s 5th Annual Morbidly Merry Christmas, I will review some Christmas/Winter themed horror movies and shows just for you to bring some Holiday Jeer to your Movie Viewing.

First up is a little known story called Seasons of Belief from the 1980′s series Tales from the Darkside. This 3rd season episode from the Horror Master George A. Romero series, stared EG Marshall and tells the tale of 2 misbehaving kids who demand a different kind of cool yule tale (not involving Santa) on Christmas eve. The parents sadistically oblige by telling them the story of the Grither, a monster who inhabits the wastes of the far north and punishes those who say his name. This is a fun little short with a surprise ending.

Next up is the 1977 made for TV movie Snowbeast starring Bo Svenson, Yvette Mimieux and Clint Walker. This movie tells the story of skiers being terrorized by a man eating bigfoot at a ski resort in the Rockies. Besides the obviously dated ski equipment, 70s style romance between Svenson and Mimieux and its relatively formulaic plot, it is a must see before heading out this season to go skiing and/or snowboarding. The film was directed by Herb Wallerstein, who many from television past will know, was part of such legacies as I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek, The Brady Bunch, and The Six Million Dollar Man. The film currently is in the Public Domain.

Finally, to stay with this weeks TV theme, I give you How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This Dr. Seuss classic from 1966 stars non other then Boris Karloff as the narrator and the Grinch. If anyone out there hasn’t seen this you’ve either been living in a cave (like the Grinch) or been in front of the computer for far too long! This doesn’t qualify as true horror although the psychedelic and alien nature of the Who’s and the voice over by Karloff requires that this be included in my morbid list.

Next week I’ll shift to movies and I’ll do these reviews until Saturnalia….ah….the Winter Solstice..ah Mithras…I mean Christmas.

Until then, Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away to Rotting Flesh Radio and this is Jim signing off and I am outta here…

Creature Skins Creators Spookywoods FX, NOW Creature Skinz

In the Haunt Industry there are many Haunt Vendors that break the limits with new items, technologies and more. One of those that was most talked about in 2008 was the Creature Skins from Spookywoods FX. These Full-body skins turn your Haunt Actor into a Film Quality Monster — NO MAKEUP — instantly!

The Full Body Creature Skins are constructed of the highest quality materials that will cover an actor with extreme level of detail. Custom made out of spandex with a 30″ metal zipper down the back to get in the suit and a zipper in front for the guys for bathroom breaks. A black out hood included and is removable as are the gloves and mask. Spandex material allows the actor to be more comfortable and fits most size actors.

Now they also have a variety of other products as well including a variety of skins from Corpses, to Skeletons and more! Now here comes the BIG news…

Coming Soon is an All-New website for Spookywoods FX and an All-New name. Debuting in the near future is: CreatureSkinz.com. Creature Skinz seems more fitting for the high end suits and products they have put out since they debuted. With Creature Skinz they promise to have the “Best Film Quality Costumes for Today’s Modern Haunts”. The new website will be live soon but you can still currently visit them at: SpookywoodsFX.com or by calling 336-517-2442. So stay tuned for the next step, and new developments from this Haunt Industry Company breaking the mold.

Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne’s Damnation’s Embrace in the Feature Film FEAST!

The world premier of Scared-E-Cat Pictures’ first feature film release FEAST! The big event will take place in the Brenden Theatre inside the Palms Hotel Resort at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 2nd – The Day of the Dead!

The movie includes the song “Feast” from “Damnations Embrace” by Haunt Rocker Jerry Vayne.Nathan Haswell is a young field anthropologist studying a very rare group of people in a remote part of the amazon – the cannibalistic offshoot of the Cobeus tribe. However, these fierce and superstitious warriors do not accept outsiders. So in order to advance his studies, Nathan must break all the rules and join the tribe… partaking in all their practices. Upon being brought into the tribe, however, Nathan makes a shocking discovery: the Cobeus hunters aren’t just killing for sport or for food… the kill and eat their victims in order to extend their own lives!

Nathan’s studies are cut short, however, when he receives word that his mother is dying of cancer back in America; and despite his best efforts, he makes it home too late to spend her final hours at his mother’s side. Now, left alone in a society totally foreign to what he had grown accustomed to, Nathan must try to make a life for himself. The dark arts he learned in the heart of the jungle, however, won’t be so easily forgotten, and it isn’t long before Nathan is introducing a modern world to the harsh rituals of the Cobeus tribe.

Enter into this tale, the young beauty Aimee, and her new found best friend and college room mater Terra. These two young, normal college girls are suddenly trapped in a web of suffering, chaos, and the macabre when they catch the eye of the twisted genius, Nathan. The girls quickly transform from normal, all-American twenty-somethings to deprived, desperate victims as they are held captive and subjected to terrible starvation and neglect. But how far will they go? How strong is the will to survive in the face of friendship and desperation?

All this, and more, is yet to be determined by police officers Ryan and Carver, two local cops responding to a complaint of gunfire, and stumbling upon the most gruesome tale either of them have ever heard. Now, sitting in a room with a madman, they listen as Nathan tells his tale; the story of how he came to understand the dark magic, and the trail of bodies he has left along the way.

Unravel the mystery with officers Carver and Ryan, as Nathan’s ultimate purpose is revealed. What is his connection to Aimee? What has he done with his victims? And what dark powers has he yet to reveal to his would-be captors? This twisted tale of psychological horror is the brain-child of writer-director Erick Adam, and is the first feature film released by Las Vegas based Scared-E-Cat Pictures.

Featuring the talent of actor Josef Niznik as the brooding Nathan Haswell, and actress Ronni Lea as the sweet, mischievous, and ultimately conflicted Aimee, “FEAST” is set to take the independent film scene in Las Vegas to a new level.

For more information about the premiere, the film and the studios visit: www.LetTheFeastBegin.com

All-New Trailer for The Wolfman Released

As we discussed the upcoming Universal Reboot of the Wolfman, (which you can read here), there has been an all-new trailer released now. This one seems a bit more heavy in terms of marketing to a mass audience.

We still think this will be an awesome film!!! So Sit Back and Enjoy!

You can find out more about the film at: www.TheWolfmanMovie.com

Fighting Those Inner Demons with “The Intervention”

“Eight people have gathered in an isolated house just North of Los Angeles, to intervene in the destructive path of alcoholic husband, friend, and brother, Matthew Garret. The horrific, paranormal events that transpired on that autumn night, could only lead to one implausible conclusion – demonic possession.”

Now that we caught your attention, have you even been held captive by somebody’s demons? That is the premise for the upcoming film The Intervention. The film has already been gaining great acclaim from film festivals and Fangoria Magazine. The film is written and produced by Richard Eden and Shannon Hile. Richard is an Emmy nominated actor for his work on the daytime series Santa Barbara and is the recipient of France’s Cine Revue Award for popularity. While Santa Barbara put him on the map, his role as Robocop in RoboCop the Series made him an international star. Richard was invited to be a guest of honor at the Monte Carlo Television Festival and receives fan mail from all over the world.

Shannon Hile makes an auspicious debut as director of THE INTERVENTION. Shannon has worked for over two decades as a producer, writer, director and an actor. Her background as an actor, has given her the opportunity to work with several prominent directors such as Leon Ichasco (El Cantante, Pinero) Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned, Angel Baby), Anand Tucker (Shopgirl) and David Duchovney (X-Files).

The film THE INTERVENTION takes horror back to its roots where it’s all about great story telling, and it is enhanced by combing that thriller, psychological aspect to the film where the viewer feels the terror within. It crosses that line of horror and human terror.

The film came about in a way most great films do, from real life experiences. Shannon describes how The Intervention came into her creative mind. “It was a sunny, Southern California, day. But instead of being at the beach or strolling along trendy Melrose Avenue, there I was in the middle of a family member’s intervention. An intervention is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It is a violating few hours, running the emotional gamut of guilt and blame, to compassion and helplessness. And I was the “healthy” one. Sitting there watching my “addicted” family member, I couldn’t even begin to imagine the inner demons reeking havoc in her mind and heart. And so, began my quest to put the “horrors of addiction” on film.

Most people think of the horror film, as being trashy, mindless entertainment, popular with hormonal teens. But the genre has a rich film history. It allows the audience to brave, in a safe setting, the things they are afraid of – be it psychological, supernatural, or societal. The journey can therefore become a very personal one, as the viewers’ own fears are explored. It was why this genre, was the perfect setting for this story.

My hope is that the audience can experience an addict’s demons. And that because of this, they will not view the addict as weak or deficient, but can have empathy. That in some small way, they will feel what I felt, on that sunny, Southern California day.”

With a cast and crew that is talented and creative, this film has come together to really mark Shannon’s directorial debut.

The film was shot entirely on location and as the film preps up for distribution, if you are at a film festival, convention, or screener playing it, Rotting Flesh Radio would encourage you to check it out. There will be screening of The Intervention at the Fangoria Trinity of terrors festival in Las Vegas at the Palms Casino and Resort in the Brenden theatres on October 31st, 2:30pm. What a way ti kick off Halloween!

So to leave our last words from RFR, “The Intervention, brings horror back to it’s roots. Great Storytelling, Cinematography, and the Everlasting Impression it makes after you leave the theater.”

For more information about the film and it’s upcoming releases visit their official site at: www.ThinkPicturesProds.com

‘Predators’ Reboot Adds Derek Mears (Jason Voorhees) to Cast

So with all films, part of what makes the hype stick is who is attached to a film. And the upcoming re-launch of the Predator franchise has been getting much talk lately with some major names announced. Bloody Disgusting has given full details on the new cast.

So far we know that Adrien Brody is going to play the heroic lead man on the film that is being shot by Robert Rodriguez and his Troublemaker Studios.

But now we have some sweet updates on additions. Bloody Disgusting also exclusively confirmed that Derek Mears who played Jason Voorhees in the ‘Friday the 13th’ reboot – will also be taking on a role. And also Topher Grace – who played Venom in ‘Spider-Man 3′ – is also in talks, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

For more information on all the “Predators” updates follow this link to Bloody Disgusting’s full release: Bloody-Disgusting Predators Reboot

To Hear Derek Mears on Rotting Flesh Radio Check it out in the player below or Download it as an mp3.

Rotting Flesh Radio Show #179 – August 7, 2009 with Derek Mears