WTF - Rob Zombie Wishes (And Gets Denied) to Return to The Firefly Clan

In a bit of shocking horror non-news, Fangoria has reported a very interesting tidbit from a recent interview with Rob Zombie. 

The famous shock rocker-turned-horror director has created a very defined rift in the horror community. Some hate him, some love him, I happen to be a part of the former camp, but very few can deny the impact that his first foray into the world of directing made on the horror world. House of 1000 Corpses and more importantly The Devil's Rejects, has become one of the biggest cult hits in the horror world in recent years. The Firefly Clan, one of the very few original and truly terrifying creations in recent horror, have become fan favorites, and we all believed that we had seen the last of them in what I believe to be one of the most beautiful horror film endings of all time. 

Apparently not, atleast not due to the reasons that we believed. Zombie loves them as much as we do, and he not only wants to return to their story but he has a story idea already outlined. The only problem? Lionsgate won't let him. Check this out: 

“I’ve always thought I’d like to make another movie, because I love the characters, and I have an idea I think is solid for a third one – an idea that would make sense. The problem is, I don’t own the characters now. They’re owned by Lionsgate, and they just don’t have any desire to do anything. So it isn’t me not doing it because I don’t want to; I don’t have the ability to get it done.”

It's not only shocking to me that Zombie wants to return to the characters, but that he doesn't own them. This isn't exactly an exception, but they are one of Zombie's best creations and the fact that he doesn't own the rights to the characters took me by complete surprise. What's even more suprising to me is that Lionsgate doesn't want to do anything more with the characters! In my opinion, another chapter in the Firefly saga would sell like hotcakes, if only they put one out. 

What do you think? Am I crazy, and blinded by my love for the characters, or are you on my side? Sound off below!

LOVECRAFT REVIEWS: Re-Animated

Hello everyone,

I assure you, I'm not dead. After an extremely difficult two months, I have finally found the time and energy to dive back into the blogosphere. I apologize for the 2 month gap in posts, however, this has not been a break from horror (oh, no). I have had a lot of time to sit and contemplate my love for the genre, the state of the genre itself and taking a break from reviewing was good for me in that instance. This will be more of an introspective post, while I have taken a break from posting, my head has still been in the loop and several articles that I have seen (from large and reputable publications) about the state of horror following the release of Devil's Due and Oculus has prompted me to share my thoughts regarding the current state of horror. 

One of my main loves of this genre is the community that embodies it. This is a genre made of die hard fans who live and breathe the mayhem and bloodshed. They love the good, they hate the bad, and no matter what, they will be fans from now until the day they die. These fans know, much like I do, that horror is a living breathing entity, and much like anything else, it has its ups and its downs. I believe right now that horror is in a state of hibernation, which happens every 5 years or so. There are fads that come along, and after a few years everything becomes stale or old; every idea is recycled and every story is told in a thousand different ways. Then we reach a point where the genre seems to be lying in wait for the next big movement to come along, we head underground and lie in wait. 

This year we are coming into the 10 year anniversary of the birth of one of those fads, a new sub-genre that changed everything. When Saw was released in October of 2004, it took not only the horror world by storm, but the entire film world as well. The ensuing blood bath was entitled gore porn, or torture porn, a sub-genre that was strengthened by the release of Hostel a few months later. Practical effects were back in full effect, the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, Wolf Creek and more all showcased bloody and violent deaths before people grew weary of the on-screen savagery. Saw began to suffer from franchise fatigue by entry number 4, Eli Roth went on a self imposed sabbatical after the way Hostel II was treated by the MPAA, and horror fell into a state of wait. At that point, something had to change and the horror world was shaken apart again in 2009 by the release of Paranormal Activity, a massively over-hyped film in my opinion. The slew of found footage films that were ushered in by the dam breaking success of PA was overwhelming, and one of the biggest cash grabs by major studios in horror history. 

In my humble opinion, the past 5 years have been a sad time for major horror releases, and while there are exceptions to every rule, I stand by that statement. We see the cycle yet again. The PA films, while a couple of the sequels were solid films, has given into franchise fatigue, and the studios continue to pump out formulaic found footage films that audiences have grown weary of. The cow has been milked dry, and we wait for the next movement to come along. While there have always been formulaic horror films being churned out on low budgets to make a quick buck, I am very excited to see the next wave of horror and what it holds for the fans. While I thank god for horror's illustrious past, I have become exhausted by the seemingly horrible and tired films that continue to come out on a predictable schedule and it poor fashion. I view this time as the "great depression" of horror the world.

While there have been some great horror films to receive major distribution in the past few years (i.e. The Conjuring, Evil Dead and You're Next) I am glad that James Wan has retired, it is time for someone else to come along, and I have my hopes placed in the hands of Ti West and the mumblegore crew. While the past few years have seemed a little meek, there has been so many wonderful films to never see the silver light and that is where the true hope of horror lies these days. It is a bit saddening though, that the true fans know the genre is alive and well, while the mainstream audience thinks that it's a dying genre. I do believe that the genre's next big star will rise from this independent movement, however, as I mentioned I believe Ti West and the Mumblegore guys could be the ones to do it. 

Horror is my great and long love, and honey, I'm ready for you to make your grand re-debut. Until then, I'm sticking to your classics, to your underground stories of despair and death, and I only hope that you make that re-entrance very soon. It's time for you to show the world that you still got it, because we all know you do. I know that you have great things on the horizon, and I'll be here waiting to see what you've got.

- Rg Lovecraft

Allie MacDonald and Meatloaf Break More Than A Leg in New Horror Musical STAGE FRIGHT

If there's one thing that Rocky Horror Picture Show proved it's that horror, comedy and musical numbers are all rad on their own but can pack one hell of a punch if you slap them all together.I had never heard of this one, but after seeing it posted over on Reddit and B-D, I figured I'd do a little more digging and I must say, this looks like it could be pretty damn sweet.

Stage Fright, tells the story of “Starry-eyed teenager Camilla Swanson, who wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Broadway diva, but she’s stuck working in the kitchen of a snobby performing arts camp. Determined to change her destiny, she sneaks in to audition for the summer showcase and lands a lead role in the play, but just as rehearsals begin, blood starts to spill, and Camilla soon finds herself terrified by the horror of musical theatre.”

 The flick is being described as Scream meets Glee, and is supposedly hilarious. I could take or leave the Glee aspect, but I'm all about a good old fashioned slasher. Especially a humorous one. Stage Fright will be the feature film debut of Jerome Sable and stars Allie MacDonald, Douglas Smith, Minnie Drive and (hot patootie bless his soul) Meatloaf. 

Somos lo que hay (2010) - A Review

  

Young. Wild. Hungry.

Last year, Jim Mickle’s story of a family of cannibals swept the festival circuit and horror world alike. Unbeknownst to most, his was but a reinterpretation of Jorge Michel Grau’s Somos lo que hay. Translated to We Are What We Are, the film is the story of a group of kids who are forced to pick up where their father left off when he unexpectedly dies and leaves them with the responsibility of providing for the family.

Knowing little about the film pre-viewing, I was excited to see it on OnDemand the other night. While both the original and remake have been on my radar for some time now, I was excited to get a chance to dig my toes into the source material before seeing Mickle’s vision of the story. 

Texas Chainsaw (2013) - A Review

Evil wears many faces…

In 1974, a film was released that was so disturbingly grotesque and horrifying that it was subsequently banned in over 10 countries, some for as long as 23 years before the film saw the light of day. It’s opening crawl, voiced by John Larroquette, has gone on to become one of the most recognizable and chill inducing moments in the history of horror. 

It is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

This film serves as the backdrop of my horror history. It is one of the few films that will continually send shivers down my spine, even just thinking about it. Unfortunately this review is not focusing on the 1974 classic, however on the direct sequel that was released in January of 2013. I held off on watching it, not based on any reviews, but because it didn’t look very good to me (based on trailers and promotional materials). However, due to its recent release on Netflix I decided to give it a go and see if it really is as bad as everyone seems to think it is. Let’s take a look at Texas Chainsaw (3D).

Se7en (1995) - A Review

Long is the way, and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.

 

Seven deadly sins. Seven deadly crimes, each more ghastly than the last. David Fincher’s 1995 film Se7en  is an exercise in the macabre that carries an impact (like a sledgehammer, haha) that can last many years. In my case, it’s been over 10 and the film still rattles me to my core.

Se7en holds a very special place in my heart. It helped to ignite the spark of horror love in my dark little heart, and it was also the first review that I ever wrote which went on to be submitted (and posted) on Bloody-Disgusting, over 8 years ago. On a recent trip to Fry’s, to purchase my copy of You’re Next, I decided to scoop up a copy of the film on blu-ray and on Friday night I treated myself to another viewing of the amazing film.

While I half expected a rather mild viewing of the film I was treated to a wonderful joy ride, yet again, and it was cemented in my mind that this will always be one of my favorite horror films. It’s a work of art that often goes overlooked, so I decided that I would re-review it without having read my old review for BD and take a gander at how they match up. It’s always fun revisiting horror films after a good few years and seeing how your opinions change.

Fun, no?

Merry Christmas from Rg Lovecraft

I have been out of town visiting family for the holidays and sure to a laptop on the fritz, i have been unable to update, but I wanted to wish everyone a Scary Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hope everyone is enjoying this time with the ones that matter most, and that you all will enjoy a freaky flick or two before 2014.

Cheers!

Rg Lovecraft

DEVIL'S DUE Will Possess You With New Trailer and Motion Poster

Fear is something that has been utilized, not always as form of entertainment value either, for centuries, upon centuries, upon centuries. One of the oldest fears in human civilization has manfiested itself, and long withstood as a Godfather-status subgenre, within the horror genre since it's inception, and it's none other than good old fashioned devil-worship. It's something that, with the religious upbringing that my parents decided to raise me with, I will always be fascinated in, although I may not necessarily tremble in fear. The Devil just so happens to be an interesting dude.

From The Exorcist to The Omen to The Last Exorcism, he's all the rage, and he probably always will be. A new horror film has been making the rounds, and is on it's way to it's release date, that I think looks pretty interesting. While it looks to be far from an original film, Radio Silence's new Rosemary's Baby inspired Satanic flick entitled Devil's Due looks to be a promising occult based film that has the potential to be a great addition to horror's long line of Antichrist based films. The film made the rounds last week when it's controversial poster (used in the motion poster below) was banned in South America. 

Radio Silence, the team behind the final segment of V/H/S, are behind the Lindsay Devlin-penned flick with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett directing for the team. 

Starring Allison Miller (Terra Nova) and Zack Gilford (Friday Night Lights), Devil's Due plot follows: "After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin.”

Check out a creepy motion poster from Bloody Disgusting and the trailer below.  

An Evening With Pazuzu - A Love Letter to Horror

Last night I had the wonderful oppurtunity to watch The Exorcist on a projector screen for the first time in my life, in all of it's nasty glory. I've been looking forward to it for weeks, and it did far from disappoint, not to mention the fact that it was "The Version You've Never Seen" made it that much more fun. Horror movies are meant to be seen in a theater; on a big screen with a good sound system, comfy chair and plenty of attentive faces pointed at the screen, yours only a dot in the sea of them. Last night was an amazing experience for me for a variety of reasons, getting the to see the film in a theater was only one, but it showed me a lot about the horror genre and how it still stands up in today's society.

Walking into that theater, I had a lot of thoughts going through my head mainly focused on what the audience reaction was going to be. Would the scariest film of all time still hold up? Would there be laughs and guffaws at the intended terror? Or was everyone there to watch an old classic they've seen a dozen times, only in a better setting and in it's proper format? The answers to those questions left me pleasantly surprised.

I am sure that if you are reading this right now that you consider yourself a fan of the horror genre, so I don't think I have to get into the semantics of what this particular film means to the horror community. There will never be another like it. While, yes, there have been films like A Serbian Film (which are pure schlock), they simply cannot be compared to a film with this kind of magnitude and wide spread mass appeal. This one holds a very special place in my heart, because it was one of the first horror films that swept the world and became a test of endurance. Could you make it through The Exorcist? Men crying like women, women fainting like children and children having nightmares from the schoolyard whispers that passed in it's wake, The Exorcist from then on cemented itself as a fixture of modern popular culture.


I arrived to the theater last night (thanks to traffic) 15 minutes before showtime. In Los Angeles there are a chain of upscale movie theaters called ArcLight Cinemas. With assigned seating, a bar in the lobby and no previews, it's the place to see a movie (for an inflated cost, of course). After grabbing a water, and settling into seat K16, the show started almost as if on cue and we were rolling. What I was greeted to in the first five minutes was exactly what I had been hoping for. You could have heard a pin drop in that theater. There was no crunching of popcorn, no throats that needed clearing, no laughter or jeering. Dead silence, and that is the way it remained for a majority of the film. To hear that during a film like this, it's just wonderful. There was no divided attention, everyone's eyes were fixed on that screen as if their lives depended on it.

One thing that I did not anticipate was how many people in that theater had clearly not seen the film, which I found fantastic. I love watching this one with people for the first time and if I could show it to them in a theater every time, I would. The poor woman sitting next to me, I feared, was on the verge of a heart attack through out the duration of the film. While yes, there were one or two women who resumed the role of cynic, making it a point to laugh at certain parts of the film that were intended to scare (and I believe that these people are the bain of the earth, I get angry thinking about them now), I believe they got a stare down from a couple sitting next to me (and I'd be lying if I said I didn't turn around and glare a bit) which got the point across just fine.

You've heard me say it once, and I have no intention on stopping, but sound design can make or break a horror film. The sound design in The Exorcist is perfection. You can barely even say that it has a soundtrack (aside from Tubular Bells) considering it consists of a conglomeration of unidentifiable slaps, percussive hits, string plucks and screeches, and wailing voices. To be in a theater that is equipped with a state of the art surround sound system was an absolute treat. I've seen this film dozens of times, yet, I found myself with my hand over my chest at certain parts.

I have to say my favorite part of the whole experience though was observing the way the audience was adjusting and reacting to the film. I was beginning to get a little disheartened after the first 15 minutes or so of the film. There were too many jeers for my taste, it was beginning to impede on my experience of the film, and I'm talking laughter at parts that left me wondering what was funny to be laughed at in the first place. However, when we reached the infamous scene in Act II where Regan asks her sweet mother to let the Lord Jesus go to town on her, there was in instantaneous mood shift in the theater. You could feel fear enter the theater and it was an incredible experience. I don't think I'll ever forget the collective sigh that emanated following the administration of sedatives, along with groans and shivers that mixed with Regan's dying scream. That was when I knew that this audience was along for the ride, and from there on out there was no more jeering; it was us, Pazuzu and Father Merrin.

To know that this film still has that impact is such an incredible thing to me; it's something that I've debated with friends over. To be able to witness this film scare a generation of 30+ year olds who have never seen it before, was a beautiful experience. This film is, and will always be, one that I wish I could experience in 1974 when it was literally causing people to pass out and vomit in the aisles.

Last night, I went to church, and it was a beautiful reminder of why I love this genre and why I've devoted 13+ years of my life to learning as much as I can about it.

Next up: The Shining at the Cinerama Dome on All Hallow's Eve, and I can't wait. 

- Rg Lovecraft

Black Sabbath Release Music Video for LONER

If you've been living under a rock and haven't yet heard Black Sabbath's seminal thirteenth album offering, aptly titled 13, then I feel bad for you. If there is one band that really embodies what horror is all about, it is Black Sabbath, and it's hard to describe what it feels like to not only hear them come back together but to come back with an album that is so undeniably Sabbath.

Over the past several months, Ozzy and the boys have been out touring supporting the album and today we see the release of a new official music video for third track on the album Loner, which is comprised of various live clips, backstage footage and, yes, Ozzy gettin' his cardio on. Dig on it below! 

October Plans - Lovecraft Gets Festive

 
As mentioned in my previous post, I am just so excited that October is here. I have been trying to think of a right-proper way to celebrate here on this blog, and I quite enjoyed writing an open letter to you guys so I think a series is in order! Oh yes, the first ever post-series from Rg Lovecraft, aren't you just so excited you could pee!?

"Now whatever could this series be centered around?" you might be wondering. Well, I'm going to be ultimately self-glorifying and write about my all-time favorite horror films. Not reviews, so much, but a mixture of analyses, why they are my favorites and perhaps even an argument or two as to why I believe that they could be some of the greatest horror films of all time. ALSO, there may be a giveaway in the near future of some very awesome stuff, SO leave a comment below and let me know if that's something you guys would be interested in.

In between be expecting all kinds of other fun stuff, as I will be attending a variety of screenings this Halloween season, as well as Rob Zombie's Great American Nightmare. The first of which will be tomorrow night, I will be attending a screening of The Omen, Richard Donner's 1976 masterpiece, which will be followed by an intimate Q&A with the director himself. Now I'm so excited that I could pee. 

What do you guys have planned for this, the most wonderful of seasons? Haunted houses, screenings, concerts, parties? Get it all out there! And I'd love to know what your halloween costumes might be this year! 

- Rg Lovecraft

An Open Letter to the Readers of Lovecraft Reviews

Hello all,

I have not gone away, I am still here and in all honesty, I've been trying to think of something to write. I post tons of news, I post reviews but I want to begin to post something of greater substance on here. I know that there are only a few of you that read this blog, and your readership means the world to me, so I will get better about posting beyond the array of news about American Horror Story, or the latest tidbit about this or that. 

Horror is a wonderful world, one that I have occupied for many, many years. A big reason as to why I started doing this was to have a way to put some of the great love that I have for the genre back into it. This is a magical month, a month where fans like us can revel in our love for all things dark, spooky, grim and gory. Where we can go to the movie theater and watch The Exorcist on the big screen and imagine what it must have been like to be sitting in a theater on a warm June night in 1973 when the film debuted across the nation. We have a bond through that, do we not? 

Every October I feel a certain energy, I am more excited and alert. I find myself more prone to smiling when I see posts on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit about friends and family watching Halloween, or Hellraiser. This is the world that I occupy all year round, it's exciting to see others join me for a bit.

This has led to me the thought that I want to encourage more intellectual discussion on this site, I want to provide a place where we can share our thoughts beyond speculation of what new film is coming out in a week or two, or who is cast in this or that. I want to use this as a site to share my thoughts, to dissect films, books and music, and hopefully show people that there is more to this world than blood and guts. If you have an article idea, a review idea, some point of discussion that would be fun to delve into, please feel free to either comment or send me an e-mail. I want to get to know each of you, after all, it's hard enough to find horror fans out in the real world, let's stick together in what ways we can!

With that, I say thank you for reading. Thank you for being the first readers on this site, and I hope that the numbers grow. It's OUR month, guys. It's OUR time to shine, in all of our foul, grim glory. Let's have fun, let's talk, let's share our love for the taboo and let's show everyone that this genre, this world and this fanbase is only getting stronger!

- Rg Lovecraft

How You Know When Your Horror Obsession Has Reached New Heights

My extremely religious mother is a sweet heart. She thinks of nobody but herself, is widely considered a saint by my friends and has nightmares when she watches an episode of Law and Order. But she still knows to send her beloved son a picture of The Stanley Hotel when she's visiting Estes Park with my father (if you don't know what this is, you best be leavin' these parts). 
 

And that's when you know that horror culture has become one of the defining aspects of your life. Love you mom!

- Rg

Event Horizon (1997) - A Review

Infinite Space – Infinite Terror 

There are a few flicks that I remember vividly from childhood. Not because I watched them every day or because they made up that prized stack of VHS tapes that received the honor of repeat viewings, but because they absolutely horrified me. I’m talking, being dragged out of the theater/room while screaming and bawling my eyes out horrified. I love, love, love revisiting those old horror flicks. They make up a huge part of the reason why I love the genre today, and continue to be fascinated by it. 

While I may not necessarily love the films themselves, I love the feelings that they imparted and I enjoy having another watch after all these years to see if those fears might be reignited and terrify me yet again. While most of them, Child’s Play, Tremors and End of Days, cause me to laugh at my ability to be so terrified at them, Event Horizon is a film that has been on my list for a while. I have extremely vivid memories of this one; having to sit outside of the theater for the duration of the film, because I simply and absolutely could not handle the film. Even covering my eyes didn’t seem to help, the sounds alone terrified me and made me cry. 

While re-watching this film (unfortunately) didn’t send me back into a state of comatose fear, I did enjoy it thoroughly. I believe that this film is a good example of Rotten Tomatoes not always being right, as it boasts a rather sad rating of 22% on the site.

Cool Find - THE EXORCIST Make Up/Camera Tests

My general love for horror extends beyond the on screen brutality and definitely ventures into the creative aspect of horror films as well. When I was younger, I loved watching every special feature, every documentary or short that I could find about what went on behind the camera. Some would say it's the equivalent of learning how the magician does his tricks, but it's endlessly fascinating to me and it really boosted my respect for the genre to see how they captured Jenning's death in The Omen or how they filmed the hitchhiker blowing her brains out in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake.

Thanks to Reddit, I found a make up and camera test for The Exorcist that I haven't seen it years. Even this short video alone is scary and unsettling, which goes to show how far the terror of this film has extended. Dig it below!

 

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! YOU'RE NEXT Tears It's Way Into Select Theaters at 10PM, Nationwide Release Tomorrow!

I certainly hope that you're as excited as I am, it feels like I've been waiting FOREVER for this movie to come out! I have my ticket for tonight's 10PM showing, make sure you get yours so you can be the first on the block to see Adam Wingard's You're Next. This should be exciting for all you Re-Animator fans as well, seeing as Barbara Crampton makes another big screen appearance in this one.

The review will be coming tomorrow, and stay tuned for the final review of Home Invasion Celebration Week, The Last House on the Left!

Alamo Drafthouse Issues A Warning to All Theater Talkers, Featuring AJ Bowen and Barbara Crampton!

You're Next is hot on our tails, and Alamo Drafthouse has released a new "Don't Talk" ad (to add to their already hilarious line-up) warning you that if you're a talker then you could be NEXT. Check it out below to see Barbara Crampton and AJ Bowen issue AD's ominous warning:

 

HOME INVASION CELEBRATION WEEK - WHEN A STRANGER CALLS Review Coming This Afternoon

We're moving right along with Home Invasion Celebration Week, today's entry will be that of When A Stranger Calls, the 1979 feature directed by Fred Walston and starring Carol Kane and Charles Durning.

HORROR FIND - "Attack of the Knope": NBC Creates Horror Themed Trailer for Parks and Recreation Season Premiere

Believe it or not, I do watch and enjoy some things that don't revolve around the horror world, but when those things take on a horror twist it definitely makes me love them even more! 

One of those things happens to be one of my favorite TV shows at the moment, Parks and Recreation. To promote the premiere of the new season in late September, NBC slapped together a horror themed trailer that features a certifiably insane (but still incredibly loveable) Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, going, well, insane.

Here's the tag line: "Leslie Knope may seem like an honorable, upstanding city councilwoman, but isn't that what they say about all homicidal maniacs?"

Dig in!