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

First Look at NECA 2010 Freddy Figure

With the reboot of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, many are for it, many against. But the biggest question is “What Does Freddy Look Like?” It seems that Randy Falk of NECA has now released the first look at the 2010 Freddy Krueger figure.

This figure is for the upcoming 2010 Redux of the New Line Film “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Many still have not seen an actual photo of Jackie Earle Haley wearing the makeup, but maybe this will at least give us a hint as to what to expect in his new look.

Now I am not for this new look, or the reboot at that. but look at the positive side of it all. NECA has affirmed that work has started on creating a New Figure with the CLASSIC ROBERT ENGLUND FREDDY KRUEGER to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise. So there is hope.

Be sure to hear Robert Englund’s thoughts on the New Nightmare Redux on the RFR Show from October 23, 2009. (Click Here to Download that Show with Robert)

Check out the Trailer for the Nightmare Reboot hitting theaters in April of 2010

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…

Silent Hill Haunted Attraction Video Review

As many of you RFR Deadites may remember we discussed the highly anticipated Silent Hill Haunted Attraction presented by Sinister Pointe. (click Here to View the Full Write up).

Well the Haunt Season has wrapped and now the reviews are coming in from Deadites and in posts all around. Below is a Video Review that captures much of the Haunt, Thoughts and more.

Silent Hill Haunted Attraction Review. from Silent Hill Experienced on Vimeo.

For more on the full Silent Hill Haunted Attraction and Sinister Pointe visit: www.SinisterPointe.com
(note: video review is presented on Vimeo and is not part of the RFR Casket Crew)

Let’s Play a Game…Saw VI Contest Caption Giveaway from Full Metal Rock

Are you a serious SAW fan? Want some SAW Swag just for being as creative as Jigsaw? Well Full Metal Rock is holding a SAW VI Caption Contest.

Now the contest takes only a few moments to enter and you are added in to WIN some SAW Swag. All you need to do is to come up with your own caption for the image below and Enter it following this link: SAW VI CAPTION CONTEST

There is no purchase needed to enter or to Win. The caption submissions must all be in by November 15, 2009 at Noon. The winners will be notified via email and will be unleashed with some sweet SAW VI Sawg! For all the rules regulations, details and to enter visit: www.FullMetalRock.com/Contests

Good Luck…Now Let’s Play a Game…..

Want a Wish or Fortune this Halloween? Get it from Zoltar!

Growing up we remember many things, from pop culture to films that influenced us. I clearly remember a film with Tom Hanks called BIG. In this film, Hanks makes a wish to be a grown up at an old Coney Island Fortune Teller stand. I often wanted something like that to happen to me.

Well, since that was never bound to happen, how about the next closet thing? Zoltar! Zoltar is a fortune teller inspired from the movie BIG. Zoltar was a staple at many piers across the nation from Coney Island to Florida’s Daytona Beach and more. And this interactive actor portraying the role makes it even more creepy by having the Fortune Telling Box mounted on a segway! So now he can torment, read the future and entertain people as they try to run in fear, or follow along in curiosity. Zoltar took FIRST PLACE in the 2009 Coney Island Mermaid Parade, and is gaining his own following of admirers.

Now you can also have Zoltar at your event as well anytrime of the year! You can hire Zoltar to tell fortunes, creep people out, and entertain those guests at events. Zoltar’s master, Jonathan Gleich, has a real job and management frowns on side work, so Zoltar is only available for Friday-Saturday-Sunday appearances. If you need Zoltar for an extended period in strange and wondrous lands, Jonathan has three weeks vacation sometime in the year.

So for some Halloween fun and fortune, ASK ZOLTAR and maybe, just maybe in true Tom Hank style, it may come true!

For more besure to visit his Official Site at: www.SegNYC.com

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy Production

As we reported a while back, the Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is currently in production. And while we have gotten updates from the crew, we have gotten excited for this film to be made.

Currently they are in production working on testimonials, interviews and more. So why this post, well, we never posted the Trailer for the film.

So to read our in depth detailed write up about it: FOLLOW THIS LINK->”NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY”. In addition enjoy the Teaser Trailer Below.

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