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Hello there film fiends! Apologies for being off the reservation for the last couple of months, I’ve been busy with lots of life admin and other assorted ephemera. However, normal service is now resumed!
A lot of movie goodness to catch up on, not least of which have been the double whammy of announcements by director Duncan Jones (MOON, SOURCE CODE) that his next project will be a live action adaptation of the classic 2000AD character Rogue Trooper, and also that production on the MEGA CITY ONE tv series continues apace with long time 2000AD and Judge Dredd scribe Rob Williams is now attached as creative lead and has revealed that the plot for the first two seasons has already been worked out.
In other news giant prehistoric shark thriller THE MEG looks to be cleaning up at the late summer box office. As a confirmed fan of killer shark flicks, I’m nearly bursting with fanboy excitement to get down the local picture house and see The Stath in action against his toothy nemesis!
Time to dive in and see what goodies are on the slate this week –

BAFTA-award winning supernatural thriller THE LIGHTHOUSE, starring Michael Jibson (HUNTER KILLER, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) and Mark Lewis Jones (STAR WARS : THE LAST JEDI, GAME OF THRONES), is now available on VOD.


“A dark and disquieting journey into the heart of madness” (Starburst), the film, inspired by a terrifying true story, tells of two men trapped in an isolated lighthouse, surrounded by the deadly Irish sea, with both their minds ultimately pushed to the limits.Directed by Chris Crow, and nominated for five BAFTA awards including Best Director and Best Actor, winning Best Visual Effects, THE LIGHTHOUSE is available on VOD.

 

A film crew is ravaged by a demon in the unique new horror film DARKNESS REIGNS, premiering from Wild Eye Releasing on VOD 7/10/18.
Genre icon Casper Van Dien (STARSHIP TROOPERS, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL) plays himself in a clever spookfest from Emmy nominee Andrew P.Jones about a group of filmmakers shooting a movie in a reportedly haunted hotel that are faced with an unfathomable demonic force that possesses and attacks both the crew and the film’s star, Casper Van Dien. Will the film’s director be able to escape with the paranormal proof he has captured, or will he succumb to the hellish plans of the demon who has surfaced?


From the director of HAUNTING ON CELLBLOCK 11, and starring Casper Van Dien, Zachary Mooren (AQUARIUS), Linara Washington (GREY’S ANATOMY) and Jennifer Wenger (TALES OF HALLOWEEN), DARKNESS REIGNS out now on from Wild Eye Releasing.

 

From visionary new director Royce Gorsuch, a film that captures the voice of the ultra-connected generation, MAD GENIUS, available on VOD now from Film Mode Entertainment.
Mad genius and hacker, Mason Wells (Chris Mason, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS : THE PERFECTIONISTS) has a mission to “hack the human mind” in order to save humanity, but first must reconcile his multiple alter egos. His most threatening alter ego, Finn (Scott Mechlowicz, EURO TRIP) pushes Mason to do whatever is necessary to accomplish their mission including theft, bribery and intimidation.
As their mission reaches the brink of danger, they become hunted by a nihilistic madman named Eden after they steal his technology and discover that he is working on the exact same project that they are. Ultimately, Mason discovers the only way to defeat Eden may be the ultimate hack, one he never thought imaginable.


Featuring a superlative cast, including Spencer Locke (INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY) and Farin Tahir (IRON MAN, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR), MAD GENIUS is a visually-arresting and exhilarating depiction of the modern-day geniuses who risk everything to change the way society lives through science and technology.
Available now on VOD and on Demand from Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment.

 

Rogue Trooper

Horror icon Jamie Bernadette stars in FACE OF EVIL, now available on VOD and DVD from Gravitas Ventures.Infect yourself with a plague of horrific entertainment from award-winning filmmaker Vito Dinatolo.


On July 4th, private Jay Williams returns home from the Middle East, but a mysterious epidemic breaks out and infects his friends at his party. On the road to salvation, Jay is joined by his ex-sergeant, who reveals chilling secrets leading to a conspiracy. The night has just begun, as they embark on a survival quest for the ultimate truth.
Scott Baxter, Chad Bishop, Jamie Bernadette and Janet Roth star in FACE OF EVIL, now out from Gravitas Ventures.

Don’t be ‘Split’ on your decision to see THE BASEMENT this September!
Mischa Barton (THE OC, THE SIXTH SENSE) stars in a unique new horror film from Brian M.Conley and Nathan Ives, premiering on digital from 9/15 from Uncork’d Entertainment.


Craig is abducted and wakes up in a basement. His captor, Bill, is a twisted serial killer who wishes to reenact his own capture, with Craig playing the part of Bill and Bill playing everyone else. As Bill tortures Craig, he cycles through a number of personas, all while Craig tries desperately to find a way into Bill’s pathology in order to save himself.
Featuring “stellar lead performances” (Dread Central) from the cast – which also includes Jackson Davis, Cayleb Long, Tracie Thoms, Bailey Anne Borders and Sarah Nicklin – THE BASEMENT is ripe for exploring this fall.
THE BASEMENT gets a 10-market theatrical and digital release on September 15 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!

Ian

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Good morning film fiends! Buckle up for KING COHEN, the true story of writer, producer, director, creator and all-around maverick, Larry Cohen. Told through compelling live interviews, stills and film/TV clips, the people who helped fulfill his vision, including Larry himself, bring one-of-a-kind insight into the work, process and legacy of a true American film auteur. Few can boast of a career as remarkable or prolific, spanning more than 50 years of entertaining audiences worldwide.

The highly anticipated KING COHEN, the true story of writer, producer, director, creator and all-around maverick, Larry Cohen,  will receive a full theatrical run across the U.S – including Los Angeles and New York – beginning July 27 courtesy Dark Star Pictures.

Cohen, best known for resourceful low-budget horror and thriller films that combine social commentary with prerequisite scares and welcome humor, is responsible for celluloid classics including BLACK CAESAR, IT’S ALIVE, Q: THE WINGED SERPENT, and THE STUFF. He was also a major player in the Blaxploitation films of the 1970s, as well as a prominent Hollywood screenwriter (PHONE BOOTH).

The acclaimed film features interviews with such industry luminaries as Martin Scorsese, J.J Abrams, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, John Landis, Fred Williamson as well as Cohen himself. Cohen’s remarkable one-of-a-kind career, from 60’s TV series creator (Branded, The Invaders), to 70’s and 80’s independent film icon and beyond, is chronicled with freewheeling and insightful verve.

Winner of the 2017 Fantasia Fest Best Documentary Feature Audience Award, KING COHEN hails from Rondo Award-winning writer/director Steve Mitchell, whose film and television credits include co-writing the beloved cult horror/comedy CHOPPING MALL. KING COHEN is a La-La Land Entertainment production, in association with Big And Tall Pictures and Off The Cliff Productions. It is directed and produced by Steve Mitchell and produced by Matt Verboys and Dan McKeon.

KING COHEN begins its theatrical run July 27 in markets including Los Angeles and New York. Special event screenings of the film will also be held throughout July and August in cities including Asheville, VA and Yonkers, NY. UK and European release dates to follow.

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

 

Spread the Word!

Ian

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Good morning film fiends! Now that the Royal Wedding shenanigans are over and done with and we’re all recovering from the weekend barbecue hangovers, The Stricken Land’s weekly missive is here to cheer you all up on the morning commute with some upcoming celluloid goodness –


There’s nothing we love more than a bit of Euro-action, and the independent action thriller production THE HITMAN AGENCY, about competing hitmen in a web of conspiracies by writer/director Dominik Starck, just hit VOD with a release on Amazon Instant Video.

Shot with an international cast – including 11 time kickboxing champion Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson – and just a fistful of euros, this underdog-production with compelling storytelling also makes its film market debut in Cannes looking for further worldwide distribution. Starck, a writer and producer on the “Krautsploitation” action film ATOMIC EDEN, starring Fred ‘The Hammer’ Williamson and Lorenzo Lamas, delivers his action thriller for fans of martial arts, multi-layered stories, and self-financed independent genre films to audiences worldwide and even before the movie’s premier in his home country Germany.

“Making an indie film is close to being a hitman; choose your goal, aim and go after it no matter the obstacles. And like assassinations, it’s a hit and miss with movies. I consider our movie the latter but it’s up to the target audience to decide if that’s the truth or not,” says Starck, the writer/director. While the German independent production by Starck Entertainment and R.J. Nier Films is represented by distributor Generation X Group GmbH at the film market in Cannes (May 8th to 17th) for international sales, the US audience is the first to be able to watch THE HITMAN AGENCY on Amazon.com where it’s available for rent and buy.

The movie is the directorial debut of writer/producer Dominik Starck who previously worked on the award winning mercenary action film ATOMIC EDEN, starring Blaxploitation legend Fred ‘The Hammer’ Williamson and Lorenzo Lamas (RENEGADE). While being a deliberately different type of movie, THE HITMAN AGENCY features a special appearance by 11 time kickboxing champion Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson from BLOODFIST-fame. Starring American-born Erik Hansen (THE COUNTESS) and LA-based Everett Ray Aponte (ATOMIC EDEN) as competing hitmen from different ends of their assassin-careers, THE HITMAN AGENCY is a character-driven conspiracy-thriller with twists and turns, spiced with some martial arts outbreaks and assassinations. Shot on locations in Germany in English with more blood, sweat, and tears than a real budget, this underdog movie is proof to the phrase that nothing can stop you from making a movie when you really want it. Not even in Germany where there’s no platform for genre films at all.

THE HITMAN’S AGENCY is now available to rent and buy at Amazon.com.

 


The highly acclaimed sci-fi noir thriller 2047 : Virtual Revolution, starring sci-fi icon Jane Badler (“V”) and Mike Dupod (“Arrow”), premieres on VOD June 12 from Lidderdalei Productions.

The year is 2047. Most of the world’s population live inside corporate-controlled virtual worlds and drift further out of touch with reality. Nash, a private investigator/ mercenary is hired to track down a group of hackers who are disrupting and terrorizing the virtual space in a bid to free human beings from their online prisons.

Guy-Roger Duvert’s stunning sci-fi thriller, the recipient of over 40 awards, including Best Film at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards and Best Feature at Dragon Con, makes its long-awaited premiere on VOD June 12.

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

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Good morning film fiends!
Only four more days to back Ash Mountain  Films’ home invasion horror NEFARIOUS on Kickstarter! The Ash Mountain crew have put up some amazing rewards for backers (TSL is backing the production of £200). Pop over to their Kickstarter page to check out what all the fuss is about – 

Remember any amount will help get the film into production, and the more you pledge, the more goodies you can get as reward. If you can’t afford to pledge you can also help by sharing the link on your social media channels. Spread the word!

In other news, a triple whammy of goodness for you to check out this fine morning –

A babysitter is stalked by a frightening ominous presence in THE NURSERY, creaking its doors open this June from Uncork’d Entertainment.

From filmmakers Christopher A. Micklos and Jay Sapiro comes the story of a young woman whose run-of-the-mill Saturday night quickly turns into a confrontation with unspeakable horror!

When Ranae, a college student babysits for a family with a tragic history, she finds herself stalked by a sinister presence and haunted by ghosts from her own past. Soon, she and her friends must confront the angry, evil spirit hunting them down one-by-one on a deliberate march towards its ultimate prey.

Emmaline Friederichs, Madeline Conway, and Carly Rae James Sauer star in the spookfest of the Summer THE NURSERY, available on VOD June 5 and on DVD August 7 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

 

Stunt coordinator Clayton J. Barber (fight and stunt coordinator for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER and IRON FIST) directs leading man Eric Jacobus (PS4’s exclusive GOD OF WAR) in their latest martial arts action short feature BLINDSIDED: THE GAME!

After blind man Walter Cooke (Jacobus) prevents a local gang from shaking down his local grocer Gordon (Roger Yuan – JASON BOURNE), Walter must reckon with the gang’s ruthless boss Sal (Joe Bucaro, Marvel’s ANT-MAN). The stakes are high, but Walter’s got an ace up his sleeve.

BLINDSIDED: THE GAME pays homage to classic action films like ZATOICHI and BLIND FURY not only in its protagonist Walter, a blind swordsman, but also in that the film places heavy emphasis on storytelling combined with great action. This is no surprise with Clayton J. Barber in the director’s seat, who comes with over 20 years of experience as a stunt coordinator in Hollywood. Leading man Eric Jacobus plays Walter, a lovable cook who’s an expert gambler and swordsman. The character is the amalgamation of Jacobus’s 18-year career as a comedic action performer in the indie film arena. Director Clayton J. Barber is pushing the boundaries of modern action entertainment by bridging Hollywood with the indie action film world.

Barber notes that, “Eric Jacobus came from the indie action film realm. He was like a punk rocker of the action genre using raw filmmaking. We’re bridging these worlds together to create a totally new kind of action experience.” Jacobus echoes Barber’s sentiments: “Indie action guys have all the tools they need to showcase their skills, but the element of storytelling still has to be there. Clayton’s that storyteller who knows action. This is our LE SAMOURAI.”

Barber and Jacobus aren’t the only stuntmen involved in BLINDSIDED: THE GAME. The film features an ensemble of action stars and stunt performers both behind and in front of the camera. Roger Yuan, a veteran action star featured in action films such as SHANGHAI NOON and this year’s ACCIDENT MAN, who plays the shopkeeper Gordon, also choreographed one of the film’s major fight scenes. Producer David William No (ALTERED CARBON from Netflix, and THE MATRIX RELOADED) acts as a knife-wielding card shark and goes toe to toe with Jacobus in the climax. Veteran stunt performer Joe Bucaro (XXX, IRON MAN) plays the ruthless gang leader Sal, Nicholas Verdi (CLOSE RANGE, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.) plays Nico and acted as director of photography, and Sal’s enforcer is played by Luke LaFontaine (SAVAGE DOG, MASTER AND COMMANDER) who also served as the sword fight coordinator.

Production company JB Productions is dedicated to delivering strong storytelling and first-rate action, created by people who truly understand action. Barber says, “This is a new approach to action filmmaking. BLINDSIDED: THE GAME is the perfect collaboration for us, and we hired great stunt performers to play the lead roles and even work behind the camera with us because we wanted to work with folks who knew action. That’s the brand people are buying into, and we’re always looking to build that brand by collaborating with talent both in America and overseas.”

Jacobus and Barber previously collaborated on the hit short films ROPE A DOPE and ROPE A DOPE 2: REVENGE OF THE MARTIAL ARTS MAFIA. BLINDSIDED: THE GAME is an expansion of the 2017 short film BLINDSIDED, which was the first title under the Jacobus / Barber (JB) Productions banner. BLINDSIDED was released to much acclaim, with fans craving a conclusion to the story. BLINDSIDED: THE GAME replays the entirety of the original BLINDSIDED and carries the story to completion, capping the film off at the length of a TV pilot.

Jacobus and Barber are confident that BLINDSIDED: THE GAME will fulfill fans’ desires for a complete film. Blindsided: The Game will be free to stream on YouTube on May 17th.    

 

Thomas Lawes’ MONOCHROME premieres on VOD and DVD this June from Gravitas Ventures.

Featuring BAFTA winner James Cosmo (TV’s GAME OF THRONES, BRAVEHEART), the killer-thriller focuses on a disillusioned young woman who becomes a serial killer targeting wealthy land-owners, forcing a brilliant detective to use his unusual neurological condition to track her down.

Jo Woodcock (DORIAN GRAY), Singer songwriter Cosmo Jarvis, Patrice Naiambana (HIGHLANDER: THE SOURCE), Lee Boardman (JACK & THE GIANT SLAYER), Steve Jackson (TV’s CORONATION STREET) and Liz May Brice (ALIEN VS. PREDATOR) make up the ensemble cast.

 

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

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Good morning film fiends! I hope all my fellow UK readers are enjoying the glorious bank holiday sunshine. The last week has been a rather light on the news front,I only have the one upcoming release to report this week,the sci fi thriller ASTRO, more details of which you can read below.

For readers outside the US, I’m currently trying to pry worldwide release dates for many of the films featured in this weekly missive, rest assured I’ll feature updates as and when I get them.

Sci-fi thriller ASTRO, featuring Gary Daniels (THE EXPENDABLES), Dominique Swain (BOONE: THE BOUNTY HUNTER) and Marshal Hilton (PRIMAL RAGE), bows at Cannes in May before hitting home entertainment platforms this July.

Directed by Asif Akbar and written by Akbar and Bernard Selling, ASTRO tells of a billionaire’s private space exploration program returning to Earth with an abducted extraterrestrial from a newly discovered alien planet.

Louis Mandylor, Max Wasa, Omi Vaidya, Luke G. Crosby, Orson Chaplin, Gianni Capaldi, Spice Williams-Crosby, Courtney Akbar, Christopher Showerman and Michael Pare also star.

ASTRO receives a DVD release domestically in the U.S. and North America through eOne and ITN Distribution this July.

ASTRO is a Film Life Factory, LLC and XVIII Entertainment, LLC production. ITN Distribution is handling sales in all domestic and certain parts of the European territories with Avail Films and XVIII Entertainment handling the rest of the world-wide sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.

Brian Steele Medina of  alternative metal band Gemini Syndrome, composed the music and sound fx for Astro’s trailer, which also features an unreleased track “We Are the Fallen” written by the band. The film’s original score is composed by Erick Schroeder.

Asif Akbar and Bernard Selling are currently finishing the ASTRO book series based on the movie,which is due to be released on Amazon in July. “We are excited to create and introduce a new modern day science-fiction franchise to the world”, says Akbar.

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

 

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Good morning film fiends!
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? If you’re feeling in need of some tasty hors d’oeuvres before the main course of this summer’s JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, look no further than  Uncork’d Entertainment’s THE JURASSIC GAMES clawing its way on to VOD this June –

Win the games. Win Your freedom. Every year, 10 of the world’s most lethal death row criminals are chosen to compete for their freedom in The Jurassic Games, a television show where contestants must survive against a variety of ferocious dinosaurs.  The players all die gruesomely in the game zone except for one, the last one standing, the winner, who is granted not only his freedom, but fame and fortune. Survive the dinosaurs. Survive each other. Survive…The Jurassic Games.

Starring Ryan Merriman (FINAL DESTINATION 3) and Perrey Reeves (ENTOURAGE), the film imagines a world set in the near future wherein ten Death Row convicts are chosen to compete in The Jurassic Games, the ultimate virtual reality game show that pits its players against dinosaurs and each other. However, there is a catch… If you die in the virtual game, you also die in reality; and for Anthony Tucker (Adam Hampton), survival is his one chance to be reunited with his children after having been wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his wife. As the devious The Host continues adding improbable challenges, the characters will find the odds stacked against them as only one victor can emerge as winner and reclaim their freedom.

THE JURASSIC GAMES is the third film from Emmy Award-winning director Ryan Bellgardt (GREMLIN, ARMY OF FRANKENSTEINS). 

THE JURASSIC GAMES will be available on Digital 6/12 and DVD 7/3 (US release dates)

Fan favourite Lance Henriksen stars alongside THE SHAPE OF WATER’s Doug Jones in GEHENNA: WHERE DEATH LIVES, the feature directorial debut of celebrated effects master Hiroshi Katagiri (JURASSIC PARK III, PACIFIC RIM), who also provides the film’s impressive effects, GEHENNA co-stars Eva Swan, Simon Phillips, and Justin Gordon.

Encompassing horror, suspense and a twist that will blow your mind, GEHENNA fixes on five people who enter a hidden bunker from World War 2, only to realise it’s way more than a bunker. Some fates are much worse than death.

Spectral Motion, known for award-winning work on such films as HELLBOY and LOOPER, did the makeup effects on the creature played by Jones.

For any readers stateside GEHENNA is playing in the following cities from 4th May –

Los Angeles – Laemmle Monica

Philadelphia – PFX Roxy Theater

Atlanta – Plaza Theater

Cleveland – Tower City Cinemas

San Francisco – The Roxy

Dallas – AMC Grapevine Mills 30

Detroit – AMC Fairlane 21

Houston – AMC Gulf Pointe 30

Phoenix – AMC Arizona Center 24

Washington D.C. – AMC Hoffman 22

GEHENNA : WHERE DEATH LIVES is released on digital Friday 4th May distributed by Uncork’d Entertainment.

World renown cult filmmaker and former Gloan Globus alumni Albert Pyun (THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER, RADIOACTIVE DREAMS, CYBORG) is back and seeking funding for his 47th feature film BAD ASS ANGELS AND DEMONS! Pyun, whose diverse and innovative career as a filmmaker goes back before the days of Cannon Pictures, where he directed the fondly remembered Van Damme classic CYBORG, as well as DOWN TWISTED, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, and ALIEN FROM L.A. With a highly prolific career as a genre specialist, Pyun has been stricken with dementia, and has made several films with this debilitating disease. His fight to overcome his disability goes on, as he seeks funding for his latest effort, set in a post-apocalyptic era where angels and demons duke it out for what’s left of earth. His latest films INTERSTELLAR CIVIL WAR, THE INTERROGATION OF CHERYL COOPER, and ROAD TO HELL were completed while he’s been battling his condition.

Visit Albert’s Go Fund Me page and hear him talk about his new project and how his disease is shaping his creative process.

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

 

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Good morning film fiends!

First up is the great news that TSL has backed the splendid looking IT’S WATCHING film on indiegogo.com –

IT’S WATCHING is an original horror film from writer/director Anthony Cole. Based off his original feature film script of the same name which is currently doing the rounds with producer’s in L.A and London,  that aims to do bring something truly original to the horror genre, to create a horror film where the demon itself knows that it’s in a film, and is the creative force behind the film itself.

Says Anthony; “With this project our team is pooling over ten years of experience to conjure up a terrifying film that will combine a unique story-line reminiscent of films like Memento and The Shining with the 4th wall breaking, meta techniques of films like Deadpool. Think a man with no memory, possessed by a demon that is the creative force behind the film itself, subtly targeting the audience itself. We are committed to bringing revolution to the way audiences see “demons” in popular horror film culture.”

Currently Anthony and his team are on 9% of their goal with 23 days left. Take a look at the project here, and see if you can throw a few quid at it. Failing that, please spread the word on social media, and let’s see if we can help Anthony and his team get over the finishing line!

THE SHAPE OF WATER meets GET OUT in the unique Sci-fi Horror SOFT MATTER, premiering on VOD 5/22 from Wild Eye Releasing.

Jim Hickcox’s feature debut tells of two graffiti artists that break into an abandoned, reportedly haunted research facility in hopes of creating an art installation, but stumble upon a team of demented researchers who are in the process of resurrecting an ancient sea creature – who they now must fight in order to not become their next experiment.

Ruby Lee Dove II, Hal Schneider, and Mary Anzalone star in a “fiercely original and incredibly entertaining masterpiece” (A Word of Dreams) out May 22.

The popular superhero comic book series OMEGA 1 is eyeing a relaunch in print– and with it, a new-live action series!

OMEGA 1 is an action/adventure comic book series featuring female superhero “Meg Vasalie” aka “Omega 1”, a genetically modified she-weapon that protects and delivers information in these new times.

Launched on Kickstarter (at www.fundomega1.com), a crowdfunding campaign that will ideally result in the long-awaited fifth and sixth issues of OMEGA 1 and an overdue catch-up with the hero we need right now, Meg Vasalie. If that comics crowdfunder is successful, it’ll help pave the way for a new live-action series!

WATCH THE NEW OMEGA 1 TRAILER HERE!

https://youtu.be/6Q1FzAXiGms

The OMEGA 1 franchise, which was developed in 2007 by Mark Edward Lewis and Alina Andrei, was a bonafide sensation – with those early comics selling out at various conventions around the globe.

Says co-creator Lewis, “We were at a Denny’s restaurant bemoaning the state of affairs we found ourselves in back in 2006. We knew the hacking of our private and banking information was only going to get worse – and at the same time – we hated how female superheroes and role model television shows were being scoffed at and cancelled after a few episodes. The two issues didn’t really have anything to do with the other until we decided to make a series that addressed both. And so Omega 1 was born. We created a world which exists post World War III – a war of information theft and manipulation instead of bombs and bullets. In this world, women have to fight like men to live and work, and femininity is something which has been lost. Our lead characters discover both the secrets of the hackers and of how to be powerfully female in a world that demands male results. We’re very proud of how this story brings awareness of the hacker situation which is now, here in 2018, far worse than we ever imagined back in 2006, and how the time for female empowerment in media has finally arrived. The time for Omega 1 is now.”

OMEGA 1 brings together the talents of Hollywood veteran Mark Edward Lewis, with DC, Boom, and Dark Horse artist Emmanuel Xerx Javier, and dynamite Hollywood actress Alina Andrei. Together, they span franchises like Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N., STAR TREK: NEW VOYAGES, KNIGHT RIDER, THE ORVILLE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and comics such as DOPPLEGANGER, EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES, THE REST OF HEAVEN WAS BLUE and NIGHTBREED.

Synopsis :  2023 saw the advent of World War III, but it was a war of information: the Hacker War. Now, the only way to securely transmit data is hand-delivery via highly skilled couriers. Working for the premiere courier company is OMEGA 1, a genetically enhanced she-weapon who is deadly with a sword, fist fights with firearms and can draw metal to herself. She searches for her lost identity while trying to keep herself and her clients’ data in tact. Along with her extraordinarily gifted friends in the company, she must piece together her past to uncover a conspiracy for global control and Aryan genocide. But when she discovers the people responsible for the Hacker War are family, Omega quickly finds herself in ongoing dilemma that juxtaposes her incredible ability to kill and destroy against her heart for love and care.
Like the look of this?you can donate to the kickstarter here –  www.fundomega1.com

UK based independent Lumino Films has an intense looking psychological thriller in production called Swiperight. You can see the teaser trailer here –

https://vimeo.com/257579041

You can follow the film’s progress on Twitter @luminofilms

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

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Good morning film fiends!

Last week saw the the release of the the long awaited trailer for THE MEG, the long in gestation adaptation of Steve Alten’s pulptastic potboiler about a prehistoric Megalodon shark. Needless to say this has me agog with excitement, especially as it stars Brit action god The Stath headlining the proceedings. For those who somehow missed the trailer, here it is. Don’t say I never think of you…

While we’re on the subject of finned monstrosities, my old pal at The Painted Dragon found this little z-movie bottom shelfer that looks like it has potential to be great fun. A diseased shark that spits acid at it victims as well as chomping down on them? I’m in.

 

 

The latest screener to drop in to my inbox from High Octane Pictures is DEAD LIST –

A struggling actor conjures a dark force in order to win a movie role in a terrifying new movie experience from filmmakers Holden Andrews, Ivan Asen and Victor Mathieu.
High Octane Pictures unveils the DEAD LIST on VOD this May.

Calvin is competing with five other actors — Zander, Scott, Kush, Jason and Bob — for a major movie role. Stopping at nothing to win the role of a lifetime, he uses a demonic book to curse his fellow actors, with each actor being killed off in their own separate unique and terrifying chapter.

DEAD LIST available 1/5/18 on VOD, DVD 3/7/18 on DVD, and SVOD 4/9/18 (US release dates, I’ll try and find out if there are UK and RoW dates and include them when I post a review.)

Finally, TSL is proud to announce that I’m backing two great looking new horror flicks on Kickstarter. The first is Brit production NEFARIOUS, billed as ‘a home invasion horror/thriller, from the Ash Mountain Films, the studio that brought us DOGGED. Check the details out here

Second we have REVIVING CAMP BLOOD, a Friday the 13th fan film (and oh, how I am a fan of Mr Voorhees.) This project is being put together by Nic Christian and Riley Lorden of the Slash ‘n’ Cast horror podcast. Check their Kickstarter page here.

Both these projects have lots of talent behind them along with a treasure trove of goodies for backers, so take a look if you’re so minded, and show these indie producers some love (and money!)

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

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Good morning fellow horror hombres and hombrettes! I have a triple whammy of upcoming movie goodness to impart to you on this fine spring dawn –

 

First up is sci-fi actioner Cartel 2045 starring cult movie legend Danny Trejo –

 

One last mission. Retrieve the asset. Go Back to Your Family.

The year is 2045, the continuing drug war has caused havoc between The United States and Mexico. Gear Side International, a robotics engineering company on the brink of bankruptcy, sells off their technology to the Cartel on the black market. With the advanced military robotics technology in the wrong hands the cartel uses it to their advantage; replacing their enforcers, hit men, and soldiers.

From director Chris Le, and starring screen sensation Danny Trejo (Machete, The Devil’s Rejects) with Alexander P. Heartman (Power Rangers Samurai), Brad Schmidt (House of Lies), and Blake Webb (Colony), Cartel 2045 premieres on VOD May 1 from Uncork’d Entertainment.

If that isn’t enough to get you buzzing, check out The House on Elm Lake –

In the tradition of The Conjuring comes a critically acclaimed and genuinely frightening feature “chock-full of superbly scary imagery” and “oozing with atmosphere” (The Schlock Pit).

A young couple moves into a lake house that was the site of a ritual murder, and soon realize an ancient, dormant evil has awakened to prey upon them. You’d think people would have learnt to stay away from properties with the word ‘Elm’ in the title.         

Directed by James Klass (Mother Krampus), and starring Becca Hirani (Unhinged, Mother Krampus), Oliver Ebsworth (Curse of the Witching Tree, Mother Krampus), and Tony Manders (Darker Shade of Elise, Fox Trap), House on Elm Lake opens for inspection on VOD April 10.

 

Last but not least, we have independent British chiller The Ferryman from writer/director Elliott Maguire. UK Horror Scene has the lowdown –

After a failed suicide attempt, troubled and lonely teen Mara finds herself stalked by a malevolent entity.

From Director Elliott Maguire:
“As much a psychological drama as a horror film, The Ferryman explores important themes such as depression and alienation in the modern world, while also delivering a truly terrifying cinematic experience. In the writing process I took inspiration from classics such as Let The Right One In and Candyman, to create that deep sense of evil, while creating characters that the audience actually care about”.

The Ferryman will be released to VOD on Friday 13th April and is available to pre-order here – 

Needless to say, reviews of all three of these great looking flicks will be featured on The Stricken Land in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled on those inboxes and social media feeds!

On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian

 

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Good morning film fiends! I hope you are all enjoying the Easter break and finding time to indulge in a bit of film watching amidst all the chocolate munching.

And what delights, pray tell, have emerged from the celluloid wastes of The Stricken Land this week?

Worth checking out are Dark Temple Motion Pictures (darktemple.co.uk), a new independent outfit dedicated to making retro science fiction and horror flicks, headed up by director Charlie Steeds. And their output looks right up our street. The studio’s big horror opus Escape from Cannibal Farm is due for DVD release on 16th July 2018. You can check the trailer out here –

But it’s the feature planned for late 2018 -early 2019 that really caught my attention. Check out the poster and trailer for The Barge People, this looks completely incredible!

 

Both films star Kate Davies Speak, a British actress is who is busy carving out a career for herself as a bona fide Brit horror icon. Check out the interview with her on Dark Temple’s website. Both Kate and Dark Temple can be followed on Twitter at respectively; @KateDaviesSpeak and @DarkTempleFilms. I really am liking the cut of this company’s jib, even their logo reminds me of 80’s exploitation film labels! Onwards and upwards as they say, and be sure to lend these good people your support by buying their movies! Escape from Cannibal Farm is already on my pre-orders!

Next up we have the dark fantasy Knights of the Damned (also starring Ms Davies-Speak and martial artist/action star Silvio Simac.) Look out for my review coming soon!

Back to the horror genre we’ve got two upcoming features fo review. Firstly we have Hell’s Kitty. Here’s the press release to give us the lowdown –

Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Dale Midkiff (Pet Sematary), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Courtney Gains (The Children of The Corn), Lynn Lowry (Cat People), Kelli Maroni (Night of The Comet), Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede), Barbara Nedeljakova (Hostel), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), John Franklin (The Addams Family) and a ‘Killer Klown’ team up for some Pawplay this March!

Based on the web series and comic book of the same name, and inspired by writer-director Nicholas Tana’s experiences living with a professedly possessed cat, Hell’s Kitty tells of a covetous feline that acts possessed and possessive of his owner around women. The results are as funny as they are frightening!

Nick (Tana), a Hollywood screenwriter, discovers his cat has become murderously possessed, and will stop at nothing to rid him of any women in his life. As his life unravels out of control, Nick must find a way to have his kitty exorcised of the demonic spirit haunting her and creating a body count.

With characters named after classic horror movie characters (Jones plays Father Damien, Berryman is Detective Pluto, Nina Kate is Dr. Laurie Strodes, Barbeau is Mrs Carrie), and a tone reminiscent of some of the ‘80s greatest horror-comedies, Hell’s Kitty is undoubtedly the horror hiss of March!
Hell’s Kitty is written and directed by Nicholas Tana and produced by Denise Acosta.

Need more? How about At Granny’s House –

Bill Oberst Jr and Rachel Alig are At Granny’s House in writer-director Les Mahoney’s award-winning indie horror, now available worldwide on VOD.

A Hitchcockian thriller with twists and turns, made for the YouTube generation with it’s depictions of the ubiquity and downside of cellphone usage and connectivity thru social media, At Granny’s House is the story of a young caregiver with a dark agenda moves into an elderly woman’s house. Soon, Granny’s house becomes a macabre place of death – and love.

That’s all for this week folks. Look out for my review of the soon to be release ‘stoner slasher’ horror 4/20 Massacre posting later this morning. On a final note –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Spread the Word!
Ian