My favorite month of the entire year! Halloween is my Christmas! I absolutely love Halloween. I love getting dressed up and gacked up in my gory best. I will be hosting a Halloween Horror Night at my abode the weekend before Halloween and of course will be attending a Halloween Event on the 31st, yet to be determind. There is a shitload of horror films coming out this month on DVD but just a spattering of flicks showing up at theatres. There are a few titles on October’s list I’ve already seen, and every single one is highly recommended! Also, this month is The Vancouver International Film Festival, October 1st to 16th. I will be attending only two films, ‘ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction’ and ‘Antichrist’. The Dungeon will be featuring it’s usual array of reviews, trailers and musings on the genre and lot’s of nifty Halloween themed crap. In fact, I’ve got so much stuff for you that I will be posting something EVERY SINGLE DAY for the entire month of October! Yep, you read that right folks! Every Single Day!
Cheers,
Goregirl
PS: I wanted to make a quick mention of a DVD release I failed to note in my September Horror Happenings.
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto
Based upon the comic from Rob Zombie, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto is Rob’s new film in animation, following the adventures of El Superbeasto and his sexy, sultry sidekick and sister Suzi X. This one came out on September 22nd.
Directed By: Rob Zombie
Starring: Rosario Dawson, Danny Trejo, Sheri Moon Zombie, Paul Giamatti, Clint Howard, Cassandra Peterson, Dee Wallace, Tura Satana, Geoffrey Lewis
Goregirl’s Consensus: It’s animated, it’s horror and its Rob Zombie. This one is a definite must see!
Please note, the below dates are for Canadian releases only.
OCTOBER 2
Zombieland (in theatres)
The horror comedy Zombieland, focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss — but when you’re afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying’ bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.
Directed By: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, Bill Murray, Derek Graf
Goregirl’s Consensus: It’s a comedy horror with zombies, Woody Harrelson and some pretty cool looking makeup. A must see…even at theatre price!
OCTOBER 6
Trick ‘R Treat
The doorbell rings, the cry goes out: Trick ’R Treat! But, wait. What’s actually going on during this ghostly All Hallows Eve? Something eerie and unexpected. Something splattered and spooky. Something that brings ghouls, vampires and werewolves into the night. Answer the door – a shocking surprise awaits.
Directed By: Michael Dougherty
Starring: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, Quinn Lord, Rochelle Aytes, Tahmoh Penikett, Moneca Delain, Lauren Lee Smith, Britt McKillip
Goregirl’s Consensus: I seen a trailer for this one well over a year ago and have been looking forward to seeing it. Looks like fun and its getting some good reviews. Count me in. A must see.
How to Be a Serial Killer
HOW TO BE A SERIAL KILLER pokes fun at the self-help literature industry and motivational speakers in general. There are so many ways to get off track while pursuing the perfect life, and an even greater number of pop-psychologists and gurus out there to lead the masses astray. Mike Wilson has found the perfect method of getting your life back on track and achieving a meaningful existence. Mike teaches his method in an exciting seminar series: How To Be A Serial Killer. Mike tells all of his students: “You have what it takes, you just have to pull the trigger on the life you deserve.” Students rave about Mike’s depth of knowledge on the subject of serial killing and his endless enthusiasm and zest for life. One student described Mike as “a tasty smoothy made from a little bit of Charles Manson, some Tony Robbins, and a sprinkle of the messianic charisma of Jesus.” Mike administers his first one-on-one tutorial when he recruits a lost soul named Bart to be his pupil in the art of serial killing. Mike’s 10-lesson program includes weaponry, corpse disposal, keeping things from loved ones, and many other pearls. As Mike begins to teach Bart more and more about the ways of successful serial killing, it becomes more and more difficult to hide the truth from his girlfriend Abigail. And when she does inevitably find out, Mike’s life as serial killer gets thrown for a serious loop. Now, devastated by the loss of the love of his life, and with the cops on his tail for the first time in his life, Mike and Bart retreat to Mike’s desert hideout to make preparations for their escape to Mexico. But when a local sheriff’s department interrupts their preparations, all hell breaks loose, and Mike must learn a lesson of his own: how to deal with police standoffs and full-scale gunfights.
Directed By: Luke Ricci
Starring: Matthew Gray Gubler, Laura Regan, George Wyner, Mary Jo Catlett, Gonzalo Menendez, Dameon Clarke
Goregirl’s Consensus: I noticed my video store was going to be bringing in this title, and IMDB didn’t have a plot summary so I went straight to the source and checked out their official website. I am officially intrigued. A must see.
Carnivorous
An ancient serpent rises to terrorize a town.
Directed By: Amir Valinia
Starring: DMX, Wes Brown, Louis Herthum, Lauren Fain, Lisa Arnold, Debra Arnott, Derrick Denicola, Caleb Michaelson, David Pullman, Sheldon Robins, Tony Senzamici
Goregirl’s Consensus: Oh no, a giant snake film! Haven’t enjoyed many of those over the years. This straight to DVD flick stars DMX, also know as ‘Lockjaw: Rise of the Kulev Serpent’. Nothing drawing me in here. Pass.
Not Quite Hollywood
NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD is the wild, untold story of “OZPLOITATION” movies – a time when Australian cinema got its gear off and showed the world a full-frontal explosion of sex, violence, horror and foot-to-the-floor, full bore action! Jam packed full of outrageous anecdotes, lessons in maverick filmmaking and a genuine, infectious love of Australian movies, NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD is a fast moving journey through Aussie genre cinema of the 70s and early 80s – an unjustly forgotten cinematic era unashamedly packed full of boobs, pubes, tubes… and even a little kung fu.
Directed By: Mark Hartley
Starring: see review
Goregirl’s Consensus: Highly Recommended! Read my review here.
Seventh Moon
According to an ancient Chinese myth on the full moon of the seventh lunar month the gates of hell open and the dead are freed to roam among the living. While honeymooning in China, a young couple takes part in a sacred event that honors these spirits. As night falls, their tour guide abandons them in a desolate field. Now what they thought was a joke is becoming far too real as they fight to survive the night of the SEVENTH MOON.
Directed By: Eduardo Sanchez
Starring: Amy Smart, Dennis Chan, Tim Chiou
Goregirl’s Consensus: I like the premise and I loved Sanchez’s films Blair Witch Project and Altered. A must see!
Children of the Corn (remake)
Burton and Vicki are an unhappily married couple that are making their way across the country when a freak accident leaves them stranded in the middle of a corn field. They soon learn that this is no typical cornfield and there is something different about the children of Gatlin. Now Burton and Vicki must make their escape before they become sacrifices to He Who Walks Behind the Rows.
Directed By: Daniel Newman
Starring: David Anders, Kandyse McClure, Preston Bailey, Ryan Bertroche, Jake White, Austin Dreher, Alexa Nikolas, Paul Butler, Isabelle Fuhrman
Goregirl’s Consensus: Another remake. Ugh. Won’t pay new release price and I am unlikely to bother with this one even as a seven day rental. Pass.
Dark Country
Two honeymooners rescue a mysterious car crash survivor in the Las Vegas desert. But their decision to save the man becomes increasingly regrettable when he turns on them, forcing the newlyweds to do the unthinkable. In a blur of paranormal chaos, the couple must take drastic measures to cover up their actions from the local police, ultimately leading each character to an inescapable fate.
Directed By: Thomas Jane
Starring: Ron Perlman, Thomas Jane, Lauren German, Chris Browning, Rene Mousseux, Con Schell, Nikki Kelly, Aynn Kirby, Jonathan Lund
Goregirl’s Consensus: Interesting…maybe. It’s listed as a mystery/thriller but with the paranormal angle in there I’m going to squeeze it in. I like Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman. A definite maybe.
The Seamstress
While searching for her missing father, Allie and her friends are dragged into a living nightmare courtesy of the Seamstress, a local legend who terrorizes the community after her brutal death at the hands of bloodthirsty locals. Now armed with her sewing needles and a diabolical imagination, she won’t stop until the last drop of blood is sewn.
Directed By: Jesse James Miller
Starring: Lance Henriksen, Kailin See, David Kopp, James Kirk, Lara Gilchrist, Sarah Mutch, Richard Stroh, Kevin McNulty, David Nykl, Andee Frizzell
Goregirl’s Consensus: How do you sew a drop of blood? The premise is somewhat interesting though and it’s filmed right here in beautiful British Columbia. It’s Canadian, so what the hell, we’ll make it a must see.
The Thaw
When a renowned environmental advocate, Dr. David Kruipen, discovers the carcass of a woolly mammoth in a polar ice cap, he leads a team of four bright ecology students in a research mission at a remote Arctic station. The group uncovers information beyond their wildest dreams…and nightmares when a prehistoric parasite revives and searches for a new warm-blooded host. Now infected, the unsuspecting students are forced to choose between a quarantine that will result in their death or a global epidemic.
Directed By: Mark A. Lewis
Starring: Val Kilmer, Aaron Ashmore, Martha MacIsaac, Kyle Schmid, Steph Song, Viv Leacock, Anne Marie DeLuise, Alejandro Rae, Brad Dryborough, Sebastian Gacki
Goregirl’s Consensus: I don’t know. The plot doesn’t really move me but it doesn’t put me off either. A definite maybe.
Staunton Hill
When a group of hikers take off for a weekend of fun in a remote mountatin region they stumble upon the Staunton family, a diabolical group that will stop at nothing to get rid of the new “trespassers”.
Directed By: G. Cameron Romero
Starring: Kathy Lamkin, Cristen Coppen, David Rountree, Kiko Ellsworth, Christine Carlo, Paula Rhodes, Charlie Bodin, B.J. Hendricks, Cooper Huckabee, Sherry Weston
Goregirl’s Consensus: Not a terribly original sounding plot, but the fact that he is the son of George Romero definitely intrigues me. I’ll try not to judge too harshly, but I have to admit I’m hoping the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. A must see.
Offspring
Survivors of a feral flesh-eating clan are chowing their way through the locals. Amy Halbard and Claire Carey strive to survive their abduction by the cannibals and save their children. A subplot involving Claire’s despicable husband, Steven, gives an opportunity to cleverly compare predatory civilized folk to the appetite-driven primitives.
Directed By: Andrew van den Houten
Starring: Amy Hargreaves, Art Hindle, Erick Kastel, Andrew Elvis Miller, Taylor John Piedmonte, Ahna Tessler and Rachel White
Goregirl’s Consensus: I like the premise and I am digging the trailer. A must see.
OCTOBER 13
Happy Birthday To Me (reissue)
After losing her memory in a freak accident, Anderson returns to her school and an exclusive club. Days before her birthday the club members are gruesomely murdered. Anchor Bay’s release will have the corrected music score and the cover art we know and love is back in tact.
Directed By: J. Lee Thompson
Starring: Melissa Sue Anderson, Glenn Ford, Matt Craven
Goregirl’s Consensus: A classic! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this one. I can still recall some of the awesome original kills though. A must see!
iMurders
A mysterious love triangle leads to a tragic shooting. Months later, eight members of a myspace chat room are being gruesomely murdered in the privacy of their own homes. What is the connection?
Directed By: Robbie Bryan
Starring: Gabrielle Anwar, William Forsythe, Tony Todd, Frank Grillo, Terri Colombino, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Charles Durning, Billy Dee Williams, Margaret Colin
Goregirl’s Consensus: I have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth about feardotcom and a couple other “internet related” horror flicks and I am a little worried about this “where are they now” cast. Hmmmm. Innocent until proven guilty. A definite maybe.
Drag Me to Hell
Christine Brown is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton. Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks, and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home. In
retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas to save her soul from eternal damnation.
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza, Chelcie Ross
Goregirl’s Consensus: Highly Recommended! Read my review here.
Nightmare
The morning after a wild party, a young film student awakens in the arms of a mysterious actress. Unsure where they are, the two are startled to find a video camera at the foot of the bed aimed at them. Their apprehension turns to terror as they see themselves on screen gleefully committing a savage murder in the room they’ve just slept in.
Directed By: Dylan Bank
Starring: J. Bloomrosen, Jolan Boockvor, Jason Scott Campbell, Jennifer Carta, Richard Cohen, Raymond Russell Hamlin
Goregirl’s Consensus: Note to the director, not a good film title! When I put this into IMDB a billion things came up! An interesting premise. I could be interested. A definite maybe.
Baseline Killer
Inspired by the streak of murders committed along Baseline Ave in Arizona during 2006 and 2007.
Directed By: Ulli Lommel
Starring: Victoria Ullmann, Pia Pownall, Jaquelyn Aurora, Lauren Carter, Jana L. Laurin, Jon E. Nimetz, Devex Oozer, Jason Hurrell, Nola Roeper, Caitie Uhlmann, Bud Watson
Goregirl’s Consensus: Lommel has directed a whole lot of shitty straight to DVD horror releases and I will no longer give even one penny of my hard earned dollars to this man. Pass.
OCTOBER 16
The Stepfather (in theatres)
Michael returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend. As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand.
Directed By: Nelson McCormick
Starring: Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley, Amber Heard, Sherry Stringfield, Paige Turco, Jon Tenney, Nancy Linehan Charles, Marcuis Harris
Goregirl’s Consensus: I won’t pay theatre price to see a remake. A possible new release rental, but will probably wait for it to go to the seven day wall. Pass.
OCTOBER 20
Dead Snow
A ski vacation turns horrific for a group of medical students, as they find themselves confronted by an unimaginable menace: Nazi zombies.
Directed By: Tommy Wirkola
Starring: Vegar Hoel, Stig Frode Henriksen, Charlotte Frogner, Lasse Valdal, Evy Elise Kasseth Røsten, Jeppe Laursen, Jenny Skavlan, Ane Dahl Torp, Bjorn Sundquist, Orjan Gamst
Goregirl’s Consensus: Highly Recommended! Read my review here.
Last of the Living
A highly contagious virus is spreading throughout the land. With one bite, it’s only hours before victims will turn into zombies and hunt for human flesh. Morgan, Ash, and Johnny might just be the only humans left, but they don’t seem to mind and find enjoyment lounging around in their underwear living in vacant homes. When they stumble upon a hot girl who just may have a cure, the three decide it’s finally time to step up to the plate and save the world – and the girl. Now the only hope for survival lies in their hands.
Directed By: Logan McMillan
Starring: Morgan Williams, Robert Faith, Mark Hadlow, Emily Paddon-Brown, Ashleigh Southam
Goregirl’s Consensus: The director shot 90% of the film for $5,000, and after posting a trailer on Youtube got a further $40k USD as a pre-sales deal. It’s a horror comedy with zombies and hails from New Zealand. Interesting. So many zombie films and this one is not getting a lot of rave reviews. A definite maybe.
Left Bank
Marie’s world falls apart when she collapses during the qualifying heat for the European track championships. Marie decides to move in with her boyfriend Bobby, but soon uncovers the secrets of the building, centering around the disappearance of the last inhabitant.
Directed By: Pieter Van Hees
Starring: Eline Kuppens, Matthias Schoenaerts, Sien Eggers, Marilou Mermans, Frank Vercruyssen, Robbie Cleiren, Ruth Becquart, Tinneke Boonen, Sara De Bosschere
Goregirl’s Consensus: Can’t really get a vibe from that plot summary. I did read a couple reviews of this film that definitely upped my curiosity. It’s Belgium origins seal the deal. I’m in. A must see.
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead
It’s hunting season in the deep back woods for Three Finger and his family of hideously deformed inbred cannibal hillbillies! The fight for survival is futile and each successive killing is more gruesome than the last as the cannibals relentlessly stalk a group of attractive young hikers and a group of escaped convicts after their bus crashes on a remote country road.
Directed By: Declan O’Brien
Starring: Tom Frederic, Janet Montgomery, Tamer Hassan, Gil Kolirin, Tom McKay, Christian Contreras, Jack Curran, Chucky Venice, Emma Cliffford, Mike Straub, Bill Moody
Goregirl’s Consensus: Didn’t think much of the original, never felt compelled to see part two and sure as hell won’t be renting part 3. Pass.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Demons have infested Earth. And only one warrior stands between the dark and the light: Saya, a half-human, half-vampire samurai who preys on those who feast on human blood. Joining forces with the shadowy society known as the Council, Saya is dispatched to an American military base, where an intense series of swordfights leads her to the deadliest vampire of all. And now after 400 years, Saya’s greatest hunt is about to begin.
Directed By: Chris Nahon
Starring: Gianna Jun, Alison Miller, Liam Cunningham, JJ Feild, Koyuki, Larry Lamb, Andrew Pleavin, Michael Byrne, Colin Salmon, Masiela Lusha, Ailish O’Connor
Goregirl’s Consensus: Not hearing a lot of positive reviews about this one and it sounds like there is a lack of action and violence. I find Asian horror irresistable though and will probably see this one anyway. A definite maybe.
Children, The
A family anticipates a Christmas filled with sledding, laughter and hot cocoa as they head to their vacation home in the secluded backcountry. The holiday cheer takes a turn for the worse after a mysterious flu-like virus sweeps through the kids, and one by one the children become deadly. Now, amidst suspicion, mayhem and murder, the parents must fight for survival against their own twisted offspring.
Directed By: Tom Shankland
Starring: Eva Birthistle, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jeremy Sheffield, Rachel Shelley, Hannah Tointon, Raffiella Brooks, Jake Hathaway, William Howes, Eva Sayer
Goregirl’s Consensus: Highly Recommended! Read my review here.
OCTOBER 23
Saw VI (in theatres)
Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw’s grand scheme is finally understood.
Directed By: Kevin Greutert
Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Shawnee Smith, Betsy Russell, Peter Outerbridge, Larissa Gomes, Mark Rolston, Tanedra Howard
Goregirl’s Consensus: I would not pay to see this in theatres, and after the last sequel I won’t even pay new release rental price. I am officially tired of this series. Pass.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (in theatres)
A young boy named Darren Shan meets a mysterious man at a freak show who turns out to be a Vampire. After a series of events Darren must leave his normal life and go on the road with the Cirque Du Freak and become a Vampire.
Directed By: Paul Weitz
Starring: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Jessica Carlson, Michael Cerveris, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, Daniel Newman, Morgan Saylor, Don McManus, Colleen Camp, Ken Watanabe, Salma Hayek, Orlando Jones, Willem Dafoe, Jane Krakowski
Goregirl’s Consensus: Damn Right! Great cast and intriguing story! Will definitely make a trip to the theatre for this one! A Must see!
GOREGIRL'S DUNGEON 