Icons of Fright News and Updates

BIG AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD GIVEAWAYS! DVD's, POSTERS AND RARE AUTOGRAPHED 8X10's!

2009-12-04T23:19:03Z

In 1968, the DEAD walked... Now the DEAD will talk! And there's a chance they'll be talking to you! Icons of Fright, in conjunction with the people behind the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD documentary AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD, are offering three (3) great prizes, exclusively to fans of Icons of Fright!

(1) Grand Prize: 1 copy of AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD; 1 AUTOPSY poster; exclusive, signed 8x10s from people involved in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

2nd and 3rd Prizes: (each) 1 copy of AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD; 1 AUTOPSY poster.

Enter the contest by sending your name, age and address in an email titled "AUTOPSY" to autopsy@iconsoffright.com. Winners will be chosen on Friday, December 4.

Want a sneak peek at what you could be winning? Check out a link to an Icons exclusive set of clips culled from interviews recorded for the documentary here! And make sure to watch the clip with Icons of Fright friend Gary Streiner, the man behind the Living Dead Festival!

Let's thank our good friend and AUTOPSY's producer Jim Cirronella for his donations of the goodies for this contest. If you don't manage to win a copy, I'd advise you pick one up on AUTOPSY's official website. And go check out Homepage of the Dead's official forum, and NOTLD68's site for even more footage shot for the documentary.

Here's the site's official press release for the doc:

In 1968, the DEAD walked...

Now the DEAD will talk.

Board up the windows and doors! More than 40 years after filming the 1968 horror masterpiece, Night of the Living Dead, the "dead" return in an all-new documentary from director Jeff Carney entitled Autopsy of the Dead.

Now you may be asking, "What, another documentary? Is there much more that can be said about this classic film?" If so, the answer to your question is a resounding yes. We've dug deep to exhume new insight from many of the contributors to the original Night of the Living Dead who have never before been interviewed in print or on camera. Despite there being an overwhelming number of remakes, reboots, theatrical adaptations, and literary works about this single film, it is simply astounding and quite possibly negligent that there has yet to be a truly thorough document of the living history behind the legendary movie that has attained the status of a cultural landmark. Autopsy of the Dead takes the first big step in correcting this oversight.

Packed with extensive interviews, never-before-seen color photos and behind-the-scenes footage, visits to the original filming locations and other surprises, get ready for the most in-depth visual document on the making of the great American horror film that just won't stay dead.

They're coming to get you...

This is a sweet contest made possible by Jim and the fine people behind AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD. Make sure to enter, because you've got to be in it to win it (if the "it" referred to is a cemetery plot in Evans City!).

--Phil Fasso

Spielberg to Join King Under the Dome

2009-11-20T17:05:53Z

According to Empire, Steven Spielberg is set to bring Stephen King's new novel Under the Dome to television. King's novels have been adapted for television for ages, but never by someone of the caliber of Spielberg, who's also produced BAND OF BROTHERS.

The article notes the uneven quality among TV adaptations of King's work, and mentions the similarity of the novel's plot to THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, which Mike C. pointed out to me weeks ago.

King and Spielberg are arguably the biggest names in print and film, respectively, over the last 30 years. I expect lots of people will watch this adaptation, just on the basis of this union.

Read the full article here.

--Phil Fasso

Icons Friend Tim Sullivan to Replace Gunn on SCREAM QUEENS 2

2009-11-19T22:39:57Z

Great news for Icons of Fright friend Tim Sullivan! According to VH1, the director of 2001 MANIACS and Icons contributor with his SHOCK AND ROLL series, is set to replace James Gunn in the channel's SCREAM QUEENS 2 reality show. Gunn directed scenes on-camera for the show, which acts as a contest for potential screamers, with the ultimate prize being a role in the next SAW film. Season One's winner Tanedra Howard appeared in SAW VI (perhaps she would've been happier with a role in PARANORMAL ACTIVITY).

Read VH1's official press release below:

Scream Queens 2 will take a new cadre of 10 aspiring actresses and give them the chance to win a breakthrough role in Saw 3D, the next film in Lionsgate’s Saw horror franchise. The reality competition series is produced by Lionsgate and Joke Productions, Inc. and is slated to premiere in 2010.

Season one winner Tanedra Howard was featured in the coveted and iconic “opening trap” scene in Saw VI, playing the character “Simone.” Due to her breakout performance and significant storyline, she is also expected to appear in future Lionsgate productions, a major coup for the previously undiscovered actress.

This season’s cast will once again be put through a horror film boot camp with intense physical challenges, learning how to work with creatures, gore, and stunts, while also building their acting chops. The winning actress will have to prove to the panel of judges that she has the talent, the looks, and especially the lungs to be a true Scream Queen.
Mentoring the hopefuls through the exacting process will be former model-turned-actress and horror film alum Jamie King (My Bloody Valentine, The Tripper). The cast will also be taught by Hollywood’s toughest acting coach, John Homa, and have their performances directed by Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Driftwood).
“Horror films continue to dominate the pop culture landscape and are some of the biggest film franchises out there,” said Jeff Olde, EVP Original Programming and Production, VH1. “Following the success of last season’s winner Tanedra Howard in Saw VI, we’re looking forward to working with Lionsgate to find the next great horror actress.”
“Real opportunities to break into feature films are rare in acting competitions and it’s great to be able to deliver on that promise,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of television programming and production. “We’ve enjoyed a terrific collaboration with VH1 on Scream Queens, and look forward to building on the success of the series with even more exciting challenges in Season 2.”
“Tanedra did an amazing job in Saw VI,” said Jason Constantine, Lionsgate’s president of acquisitions and co-productions who oversees the Saw films, “and we’re excited about giving another deserving newcomer a role in Saw 3D.”

VH1 reality junkies and horror fans and Jigsaw lovers alike should eat up Season 2. Enjoy the new gig, Tim!
--Phil Fasso

Could NEW MOON Surpass TITANIC?

2009-11-19T21:45:31Z

EW is reporting that Fandango has taken in record numbers for pre-sales of tickets to TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. The article points out that the sales have surpassed those of each of the entries in the LORD OF THE RINGS, HARRY POTTER and second STAR WARS series.

So, could NEW MOON be the film that knocks TITANIC out of the all-time #1 box office slot?

If that sounds insane, bear with me for a second. EW also mentions that NEW MOON's presales also outdid those for THE DARK KNIGHT, the #2 all-time box office winner. TWILIGHT has had a full year to grow its following, many of whom went back and read the novels after seeing the first film. If you still don't buy it, ask yourself this: did you ever think that a $14,000 indie would go on to cross the $100 M mark?

TITANIC has held the top slot through 12 years of increasing ticket prices and a dozen summers of blockbusters. Eventually something has to overcome it. Could the second combined efforts of Teams Jacob and Edward be the flick to wreck the disaster flick?

--Phil Fasso

Joe Dante and Tony Todd, Post- Splatter

2009-11-19T20:37:04Z

The third and final episode of Joe Dante's Netflix-exclusive SPLATTER premiered last week on Friday the 13th. Not ones to be slackers, apparently,Dante and SPLATTER star Tony Todd are already onto new projects. Dante is producing a movie called TRAIL OF BLOOD, which has a new website; Todd is to begin work on Kilo Entertainment's ONE BY ONE.

The plot for TRAIL OF BLOOD sounds a lot like the story of Jack Ketchum's novel COVER; both revolve around a veteran who's cut himself off from society to live in the woods, and goes on the attack once a group of campers invades his territory. The website provides a trailer, which is a bit confusing, as much of what the crazed vet says sounds... well, crazed. It seems as if the days of GREMLINS are long behind Dante, which is a shame.

ONE ON ONE sounds like familiar grounds for Tony Todd. According to THR, he'll play Railroad Jack the Reaper (and really, that should either be Railroad Jack, or Jack the Reaper; plugging them together makes the name both bulky and silly), a carnival owner who decides to kill a busload of teens when they crash on the old proverbial deserted highway. It sounds cliche, but Todd excels at these roles, and usually brings something interesting to the table. Todd mentioned ONE BY ONE in our Icons exclusive interview, which you should read if you haven't already.

It would be nice if both of these projects panned out, as SPLATTER was way too silly for me. Dante and Todd deserve better material.

Check out the TRAIL OF BLOOD website here, and the THR article here. And here's the TRAIL trailer (hehe) for you to take a look at.

--Phil Fasso

Convention Report: 2nd Annual Living Dead Festival, Evans City, PA on October 30, 2009

2009-11-18T17:42:13Z

The Third Time’s a Charm... If the Living are Dead

My very first writing for Icons of Fright was a convention report on Pittsburgh, PA’s Monster Bash in 2007. It was a decent show, a small-scale convention where I met Kyra Schon and Bill Hinzman of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and it marked my inaugural trip to the Pittsburgh area. My second visit to the area followed a year later, when I travelled to Monroeville, home of George Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD. The purpose behind that one was the HorrorHound show, another convention I chronicled for Icons. But that report ended up being more about my buddy X hitting a deer than the lackluster convention itself. This past Halloween weekend, I made my third visit to the area, and this trip was something altogether special. This time, I was headed to Gary Streiner’s 2^nd Annual Living Dead Festival in the heart of zombieland, Evans City, PA.

Gary and I first met back in April, at the Chiller show in Jersey. At the time, he told me about the first LDF, and how he intended a show much bigger in scope as a gift to the fans who still revere NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD some forty-odd years later. And boy, did Gary deliver.

The convention didn’t start until 2 p.m. on Friday, but I was jumping out of my skin to get to the main event, so I left my hotel some 30 miles away in Coraopolis, PA and arrived in Evans City at about 10 a.m. Though rain was in the forecast, I was met by a day that was warm and sunny enough for me to leave my leather jacket in the car. Gary and his small crew were still assembling tents and shuffling things around, so I threw in a hand and got down to work. Not only watching this little band of brothers putting the grounds together at EDCO Park, but participating as well, made me feel like I’d accomplished something more important than merely going to a convention.

About an hour later, the festival’s guests started to arrive. I had a nice conversation with Gary’s brother, Russ Streiner, who I’d interviewed a few weeks earlier, and then spoke at length with Charles Craig, the movie’s famous radio voice. As others from the film walked in little by little, I was amazed that I was actually on the same grounds as the very ghouls and ghoul hunters from the film. The highlight preceding the convention was definitely when I saw Judith Ridley walking aside Russ. This was the woman I’d come so far to see, and later when I met her, I could not have been more pleased to find her such a pleasant, smiling woman.

As a news crew showed up to interview many of the guests (I did everything to slide myself in and promote Icons of Fright, but failed to make it into the 1 minute 40 second slot), there was a break in the work, and I asked Gary where to find the Evans City Cemetery. As I was with the Monroeville Mall, I was shocked to discover that there weren’t signs everywhere promoting the Hell out of the graveyard, but Gary said the locals like to keep it as low key as possible. I had driven around earlier looking for it, but I am firmly convinced that the entire state of Pennsylvania is one giant farm in which all the mountain roads look exactly the same. I was surprised when Gary told me the cemetery was right around the corner, so I hopped in my rented Hyundai and off I went.

Let me be honest here: as a Catholic and a man who respects the dead, I felt rather ghoulish myself when I drove up, took out my camera, and started to shoot the heck out of the Evans City Cemetery. But, I asked myself, how could I go all the way to Evans City and deliver a report for Icons without pictures. So if I sold a little bit of my soul, I sold it for you Icons fans who will read this report. I’ve heard that the cemetery’s been reconfigured since 1967, but it looked the same to me. Although I was surprised to see just how small the place is; it looked bigger in the film.

Returning from my ghoulish tour, I made my way into the tiny tent that housed all the guests. Gary’s kindness was instantly apparent; so appreciative was he that I took the flight from Long Island to cover the LDF for Icons, he was gracious enough to get my banner signed by those whose signatures were missing, free of charge. Even had he not done this, I would have had high praise for him; here’s a guy who genuinely loves that people still revere NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and he’s taken it upon himself not only to preserve the film’s legacy, but to provide the legions of fans with the opportunity to meet people involved in the film, which they never would have had otherwise. A small but dedicated crowd of hardcore fans, one of whom travelled all the way from Corsica in Europe, met Gary’s enthusiasm in kind, and contributed to the festival’s unique feel. Everybody, from the farther-travelling fan to Ella Mae Smith of the film to Gary himself, was smiling. In six years of attending conventions, I’ve never felt such a positive vibe at a convention. And that all starts with Gary.

As for the guests themselves, there was a uniform appreciation among them that people would be interested in meeting them. Many of these people have never heard of a horror convention, so they were overjoyed to be signing eight posters and some 8x10’s for a single fan. Terry Gindele, the first ghoul that Ben kills, sat right across from Dave James, the last ghoul killed. Joining them was Regis Survinski, who not only played a ghoul, but also served as stunt and special effects coordinator. Fellow special effects guy and posse member Tony Pantanella was situated right next to Dick Heckard, another from the posse.

Lee Hartman, a suited zombie famous for the flower in his lapel, sat right next to Ella Mae, a cheery woman who told me all three times I spoke to her that her husband’s name was Phil (a great name, if I do say so myself). Judith Ridley steadily signed all day, and wrote her famous line about her jacket being stuck on my 8x10. The convention also sported some regulars from the circuit, as Charles Craig, George Kosana, Russ Streiner and John Russo graced this small-scale show with their presences. Russ was even good enough to sign a free 8x10 for me; I shared with him that he was the first signature I ever got from NIGHT. There was even a special surprise as cameraman Joe Unitas, who wasn’t scheduled, arrived.

I have to give special mention, though, to Russ and Gary’s mom, the 91-year-old Josephine Streiner, who may have played a ghoul in the film, but was spry and lively as she signed for the fans. For anybody who needs proof that the LDF was something special, her willingness to sign until 8 that night should speak for itself. Just as much as Gary wanted to give back to the fans, the friends and associates who came out for him at the festival gave back to him and us in kind.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the quality of the 8x10’s on everybody’s tables. I’ve seen more recognizable guests at conventions with photocopies that looked as if they came from a paper jam at Staples. But Gary had everybody lined up with a variety of high quality glossies. Folks, the man went all out for his festival’s attendees. I only wish every other convention had Gary running it.

Any quibbles I had with the LDF were minor, and resulted mainly because of the tiny scale. The vendor’s section amounted to a few vendors, and offered little variety (though I’m very with my long sleeved LDF shirt). The tent with the guests was tight inside, and so I had to step out every time it quickly crowded. And I actually felt bad for the panel during the Q&A, when Gary had to reach out to get fans to participate and ask questions (Sorry that I didn’t ask anything, Gary, but I had intended to do interviews the next day); I had thought with this group, questions would have been flying fast and furiously.

Oh, and Gary went out of his way to provide a pig roast for dinner; the only reason I count that as a quibble is because I’m a vegetarian; based on the success of the roast, I can guarantee this made me a minority of one. Again, these aren’t really complaints, just my musings as a guy who’s been to some very large conventions over the years. As I’m a huge fan of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, trust me that none of these things took away from what was one of the most enjoyable convention experiences I’ve ever had.

As the night wound down, I made acquaintances with Jim Cirronella, the producer of AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD, a documentary that features many of the LDF’s guests. Jim was kind enough to donate several copies of the DVD and some other assorted goodies that we’ll be running in contests the next few weeks. If you’re a fan of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, you’ll want to enter. Even if you don’t win, you should pick up the doc at AUTOPSY’s official site; I’ve seen the doc since, and it’s a nice companion piece to ONE FOR THE FIRE. Jim is just one more great guy I’ve had the opportunity to meet because I love NOTLD, and he’s contributed greatly to the LDF (including chauffeuring Gary’s mom to the show. hehe).

I fully intended to attend Day #2 of the LDF, especially because Gary would be showing NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on a big screen at EDCO Park. Unfortunately, my plans were at the whim of Icons of Fright, and I was called back to report on the Chiller show on Halloween day. I regret missing out on the rest of Gary’s show, even if I’ve been told it was rainy and cold. I’ll make it up to Gary and myself next year, when I’ve already committed myself to spending the full weekend.

The 2^nd Annual Living Dead Festival was a tiny convention out in the wilds of Western Pennsylvania, with guests from a single movie. For those who admire that movie as much as I do, there was never a question as to whether to attend, even if you live in Corsica. My third venture to Pittsburgh was by far my best, and I owe a great debt of gratitude to Gary Streiner, whose dedication to NOTLD’s legacy was clear, as was his love of the fans who carry it forward. Gary, I know we returned that love in kind.

--Phil Fasso

The Evans City Cemetery

As I noted in my convention report, I drove up to the Evans City Cemetery. As a key location in an iconic film, it was a highlight of my journalistic career to go and chronicle the place in pictures for Icons of Fright. It also creeped me out to go and steal shots at a cemetery. I did my best to tread lightly on the dead, and not to get out of my car. After all, I know it's only a movie, but...

Below is the series of photos I took at the cemetery. Enjoy.

2,150 Sell-Outs 3 Days Before NEW MOON Opens

2009-11-18T16:53:03Z

As a testament to the power of TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, WENN reports that the new Edward Cullen film has sold out 2,150 screenings a full three days before it opens. 200 of those are in New York and Los Angeles alone, WENN states, quoting Movietickets.com as its source. Personally, I have a large group of relatives-- all female-- who have pre-ordered for the midnight show on Friday. I'm not exactly upset that none of them thought to order me a ticket.

It looks as if NEW MOON will knock 2012 out of the top slot at the box office a mere one week after its release. THE TWILIGHT SAGA has become a hype machine, and I wouldn't be surprised if this entry outsells the last. Whether you're Team Edward or Team Jacob, you've likely already got a ticket for this Friday, and you can take pride in destroying the apocalypse and replacing it with a vampire plague.

--Phil Fasso

Universal Still Tinkering with WOLFMAN

2009-11-18T00:22:07Z

This cannot be a good sign. Buried in a Variety article about the editing process and the movie PRECIOUS is the tidbit that Universal's redux of THE WOLFMAN is about to go under the knife again, this time at the hands of editors Mark Goldblatt and Walter Murch. Goldblatt is a frequent collaborator with Michael Bay, and is primarily an action film editor. Murch is a frequent collaborator with Francis Ford Coppola, and primarily edits long, well-respected dramas.

Ok, so how are these two supposed to fit together, and what does this mean for THE WOLFMAN?

It means trouble. Calling anyone in to re-edit a film which has already had a change in director and rumors about struggles between practical and digital effects creators means Universal thinks the storytelling is not up to par. Calling in the guy who edited STARSHIP TROOPERS to work with the guy who edited THE ENGLISH PATIENT is a disaster waiting to happen. This project has been nothing but troubled from the start, and re-editing it now only suggests further trouble, especially when the job's to be done by two men with highly contrasting styles.

There's a reason we don't eat peanut butter on steak. The two just don't gel. I can only hope that Goldblatt and Murch will be able to make some sense out of THE WOLFMAN's narrative, because Universal seems not to know what do to at this point. Larry Talbot's story is a horror archetype, and it would be nice to see it get the remake it richly deserves.

Read the full article at Variety here. Though the majority of it has nothing to do with horror, it's an interesting read.

--Phil Fasso

Edward Woodward of WICKER MAN Dies at 79

2009-11-16T20:25:37Z

Sadly, The Guardian today reported that Edward Woodward has died at 79. Woodward is perhaps best known for his role as Robert McCall in the popular CBS series THE EQUALIZER. But horror fans will likely remember him for his role in one of horror's most offbeat films, THE WICKER MAN, in which his straitlaced police inspector Robbie travels to a small island to solve the mystery of a missing girl. He finds more than he expects in the presence of Lord Summerisle, an outlandish performance by Christopher Lee.

A victim of poor health and several heart attacks in his later years, Woodward nonetheless appeared in SHAUN OF THE DEAD director Edgar Wright's police spoof HOT FUZZ. He succumbed today to pneumonia.

Read The Guardian's full obituary here.

--Phil Fasso

Roger Corman to Receive Honorary Oscar

2009-11-13T18:58:43Z

Great news for fans of low budget auteur Roger Corman! (among which I count myself)

According to Studio Briefing, the legendary producer/director/mentor to a number of important directors will receive an honorary Oscar at next year's Academy Awards. The article suggests, interesting and accurately, that none of his 400 movies would ever be considered for an Oscar (even if you do like HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP, it's not along the lines of THE ENGLISH PATIENT or GANDHI). So this is a huge deal for genre fans. I think they're more likely honoring him for his legacy, which includes proteges such as Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, James Cameron and Jonathan Demme, all of whom have won Oscars.

I'll argue that Roger Corman has had an important influence on the film industry, even if his catalogue has not. It's nice to see a legend get honored, even if his legend is one of notoriety, based on how to make the most cheapjack films be of the best quality possible. And it's nice that this news comes on Friday the 13th, the same day where the last episode of his web exclusive SPLATTER appears on the net via Netflix.

Read the full Studio Briefing article here, and check out SPLATTER here.

--Phil Fasso

PARANORMAL Cracks $100 M

2009-11-13T18:38:07Z

With its rapid climb each week since its wide release and its beating SAW VI in that movie's opening week, it seemed inevitable to me: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has broken the $100 million mark this week. Perched at $97M last week, even if it had all but faded this week it was going to cross the golden mark. Consider the $11 thousand budget, and the fact that is has made roughly 9,090 times that since it went to wide release. Also consider that this week's biggest release, 2012, cost $250 M to make. To make the same kind of return... I would need a scientific calculator to figure that, one that had lots of placeholders.

What does this mean for the movie industry? Probably not much. Studios will surely continue to pour money into big budget flicks with lots of action and little brains. They may be a little more likely to try to sweep up no-budget horror flicks and promote them in the hopes to catch some magic and reap a great profit; but remember, the last time that worked was BLAIR WITCH, and that was a decade ago.

I didn't like PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and though it's made so much money, I know many people who felt the same way. Hype won the day with this flick, but I'm pretty sure this is a one-trick pony, and a decade from now, many will wonder just what the big deal was... just as some are doing now about BLAIR WITCH.

--Phil Fasso

HYAENA GALLERY + ICONS = Win 21 Signed/Numbered Gallery Posters

2009-11-12T05:16:50Z

Our BIGGEST Giveaway yet!

Icons of Fright and HYAENA Gallery are teaming up for HUGE October Horror/Dark Art Giveaway. I know Icons of Fright readers are the most cultured horror fans on the internet so we know you'll appreciate this one.

It's no big secret that the Hyaena Gallery is one of favorite places to visit when we're in the Los Angeles area. The gallery is a big, big supporter of horror art, dark and lowbrow artists and it's fans.

Bill, Hyaena Owner, has provided us with 3 prize packs, each consisting of 21 signed and numbered gallery posters (a $175 value).

You will win 21 of these EXCLUSIVE, extremely limited edition posters featuring artists such as:

Eric Pigor, D.W. Frydendall, Jeremy Cross, Jeff Rebner, Big Tasty, Kat Philbin, Clint Carney, Erick De La Vega, David Coot, Delphia, Mickey Me, Ted Von Heiland, Krys Sapp, Gus Fink, Christopher Perrin, Glenda Rolle, Clara Boo, Miss Withers, John Mahoney, Dan Chesser, and more!

Wanna enter? Send us your name and mailing address to: hyaena@iconsoffright.com. We're giving you until November 12th to get your entry in. (This is such a great, unique contest we wanna make sure everyone gets a chance to enter!).

And if you like odd things, or you are an odd thing, and you happen to be the Los Angeles/Burbank area be sure to stop by Hyaena Gallery:

1928 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91506
Tel: 1-818-972-2448

Take a look at this amazing prize pack:

New CLASH OF THE TITANS Trailer (or, Why I'll Always Love Harryhausen More than Computer Animators)

2009-11-12T00:15:52Z

One of my favorite flicks growing up was the 1980s extravaganza CLASH OF THE TITANS. It featured Burgess Meredith with a beard and a metallic owl; Sir Laurence Olivier slumming as Zeus; and a bunch of Ray Harryhausen creature effects that looked awesome and acted far more lively than the wooden lead actor, Harry Hamlin. A few years ago, I watched CLASH again as an adult, and although it left a lot to be desired in the acting and plotting departments, I fell in love with Harryhausen's stop-motion creatures all over again.

And then Warner Bros. went and did it.

They decided to remake CLASH OF THE TITANS.

And what did they do? Exactly what I feared they would do: make the whole thing into a CGI-fest that looks infinitely less charming than the original. The newly released trailer serves as proof that sometimes studios should leave well enough alone. I submit for your approval:

I don't know if either version of CLASH OF THE TITANS qualifies for an Icons News update, as they're really fantasy movies more than horror. But they do include lots of monsters, and I do know this: based on this trailer, I don't want to go near the new film. I'll keep my fond memories of the original and the great works of Ray Harryhausen, Harry Hamlin included.

--Phil Fasso

Abrams Pumping Up People on the FRINGE

2009-11-11T21:28:51Z

Despite poor ratings of late for his show FRINGE, J. J. Abrams says those who work on the show are keeping their spirits high. According to Michael Ausiello of EW, the show had its lowest ratings yet last week, pulling in a mere 5 million viewers. Abrams has reason to be positive, though. Fox remains committed to the show, and is not likely to axe it, as they did today to this season's DOLLHOUSE. Ausiello quotes Abrams as saying, "Luckily, Fox has been insanely supportive, for which we are deeply grateful.”

Note his use of the word "luckily." Abrams' name usually augurs success when attached to a project (CLOVERFIELD, LOST, the STAR TREK remake). For now, he can still count FRINGE among his successes, though for how long, only the amount of viewers will tell.

Read Ausiello's full article here.

DOLLHOUSE Another Early Casualty

2009-11-11T21:10:03Z

It looks as if Eliza Dushku will be looking for new work. According to Michael Ausiello at EW, Fox Networks is cancelling DOLLHOUSE, and has not ordered the back end of this year's episodes. The brainchild of Joss Whedon, who was the man behind BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL, DOLLHOUSE will complete its 13-episode run on the network starting in December.

With Whedon and Dushku, both genre favorites, it's a surprise that the show is ending so quickly. Given the similar fate of ABC's EASTWICK, perhaps prime time television is not the right place at the right time for dark fantasy.

Read Mr. Ausiello's full article here.

--Phil Fasso

UNDERWORLD Director to Go Post-Apocalyptic

2009-11-10T23:04:43Z

Len Wiseman is known to genre fans for his direction of two of the UNDERWORLD movies, and to action fans for his contribution to the DIE HARD series, LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD. According to THR, he's now in talks to direct an end of the world movie based on an untitled pitch that Fox Studios bought from Jeremy Passmore and Andre Fabrizio, the pair behind the script for the RED DAWN remake. According to the THR article, "The project is based on an original idea about a group of people who survive the end of the world and the mystery surrounding how they got to that position." This doesn't sound so original to me (THE STAND comes to mind), but they sold it, and God bless them for it.

Read the full article here.

--Phil Fasso

EASTWICK Not Bewitching Audiences or Getting Re-Ordered

2009-11-10T22:50:47Z

According to the LA Times, ABC will not be ordering more episodes of EASTWICK. Based on the same novel by John Updike that was the source for the feature film THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, the series is apparently drawing in less than 5 million viewers per episode, dismal numbers. Even the attractive Rebecca Romjin, one of the star's three witches, doesn't seem to be drawing in viewers.

Read the rest of the story here.

--Phil Fasso

Eminem to Return to Film in Horror Anthology

2009-11-07T22:40:12Z

Anybody remember TALES FROM THE HOOD, the horror anthology with the urban twist? Well, according to Screen Daily, white rapper Eminem is set to return to the big screen in SHADY TALEZ, a film in a similar vein. This will be his first film since 2002's semi-autobiographical 8 MILE, with I, ROBOT producer John Davis set to produce. According to the article:

"D.J. Classicz / Davis Entertainment are building a slate of multicultural projects with global commercial appear and have hired market veteran James MacLean to establish ties with international buyers here. Domestically, the venture benefits from Davis’ first-look deal at Fox."

The film is also being turned into a four-part comic under Marvel's Icons line.

SHADY TALEZ is obviously aimed at the urban market, the same audience that typically goes out and makes every Tyler Perry film a box office hit its first weekend. 8 MILE was a huge hit when it came out, and is a perpetual replay on VH1. The people behind the new anthology surely know their audience. The question is... Is anybody ready for Slim Shady the Cryptkeeper?

Read the full article at Screen Daily here.

--Phil Fasso

SWEATSHOP to Show as Part of NYCHFF

2009-11-07T16:17:17Z

A veritable feast for fans of horror and dark fantasy, this month's New York City Horror Film Festival will host more than 50 films and shorts at the Tribeca Cinemas. The festival boasts works from F. W. Murnau and William Lustig, as well as the new film SWEATSHOP. Our readers should take particular interest in SWEATSHOP, as two of the men behind it are Icons friends Ted Geoghegan as writer, and America's Baddest Kid John Torrani in a producer role. SWEATSHOP shows on November 20, and I'll be there to cover the event for Icons.

Come out and show your support for SWEATSHOP and other horror films at the NYCHFF, a festival dedicated exclusively to horror lovers.

Read the official press release below, which includes contact information for the Tribeca:

NEW YORK, NY – November 5, 2009 – Organizers of The 2009 New York City
Horror Film Festival (NYCHFF) today announced this year’s feature film
lineup which includes over fifty feature and short horror and Sci-fi films
from America and around the globe ranging in subject matter from terrifying
to gory to hysterically funny.

Tickets for the 8th Annual NYCHFF and complete schedule of films in
competition are now available online at the festival’s website:
http://www.nychorrorfest.com/.

The NYCHFF will take place November 18 - 22, 2009 and will be held at the
Tribeca Cinemas, located at 54 Varick Street at Canal Street. The NYCHFF’s
Kick-Off Gala will take place on November 18 at 8:00pm at BLVD (Spring &
Bowery) and will feature five bands, 20 short films, complimentary cocktails
and more.

Programming for the festival includes more than 50 horror and Sci-fi feature
and short films, parties, and panel discussions.

“We received more entries than ever before this year and are thrilled by the
high caliber of excellent films submitted for this year’s festival,” said
Michael Hein, founder of The New York City Horror Film Festival. “The 2009
NYCHFF will prove to be one of the best years of the festival for film
aficionados and general horror fans.”

The festival’s 2009 feature film presentations are:

*Cornered (Feature / Horror) *

*Directed by Daniel Maze <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2859393/>*

A serial killer is stalking the gritty streets of Los Angeles. It’s all over
the news, but that doesn’t stop the crew at a local convenience store from
their weekly poker game. Now, trapped inside the store with a deranged
killer the group must fight to make it through the night alive. Stars Steve
Guttenberg, James Duval and the hysterical Ellia English.**

*Must Love Death (Feature / Horror / Comedy) *

*Directed by Andreas Schaap*

Disappointed by love and suicidal people, Norman arranges to meet a group of
like-minded people. But when he arrives at the meeting the alleged suicides
goes very wrong and hilarity and blood start to flow freely.

* *

*Sweatshop (Feature / Horror) *

*Directed by **Stacy Davidson*

A group of rave promoters decide to throw a party in an enormous vacant
factory... But when the oversexed friends throw back a few drinks and begin
setting up, they soon realize, a beastly all-seeing presence resides in this
enormous place, and it drags a mammoth, inhuman weapon that serves only one
purpose: to end the lives of anyone who trespasses here.

*The Revenant (Feature / Horror / Comedy)*

*Directed by D. Kerry Prior*

Officer First Class Bart Gregory is killed while fighting in Middle East.
His body is shipped back to the United States and laid to rest, but before
the lid can be put on his tomb, Bart inexplicably awakens in his coffin and
climbs from his grave; A Vampire? A Zombie? No…..A Revenant! Now, this
average guy must feed on human blood or rot away.

*Nosferatu**; Orlok The Vampire in 3D!! (Feature / Retrospective)*

*Directed by F.W. Munarau*

This classic 1921 silent film Directed by F.W. Murnau and staring the
immortal Max Shriek as Count Orlok is reborn completely restored, remastered
and brought back to life in gorgeous 3D. This is a once in a lifetime
opportunity for film fans to see one of the greatest and one most
recognizable classic silent horror films in 3D on the big screen!

*Maidenhead (Feature / Horror / Art House)*

*Directed by Jim Spanos *

Poor Martin doesn’t have much of a life. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, he
hasn’t been sleeping well, and he still lives at home... with his father,
who is an obnoxious, bloodthirsty monster strapped to a bed. Did we mention
he isn’t sleeping well? Martin (AJ Bowen of *House of the Devil *and *The
Signal) *spends his days going numbly about the business of tending to his
Dad’s grisly needs. Every day is just like the last, until Martin meets an
innocent church-going girl named Meredith, who gives him hope of something
more. But what about Dad?

* *

*The Shadow Within (Feature / Horror / Ghost)*

*Directed by Silvana Zancolo <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0952846/>*

In a gloomy and sinister atmosphere, little Maurice Dumont can’t escape his
infernal reality. Dominated by an inhuman mother who rejects him, an absent
father and the ghost of his brother who refuses to die. In a claustrophobic
overwhelming environment, obsessed by dead and living presences, Maurice
seems to have no way out, as death silently creeps into his old gothic
house.

*Maniac (Feature / Retrospective & Achievement Award)*

*Directed by Willaim Listig*

This 1980 grindhouse classic is back on the big screen! Starring Joe Spinell
as the deranged Frank Zito. Frank is an embittered loser who talks to
himself and his dead mother, stalks a pretty model (legend Caroline
Munro<http://www.allmovie.com/artist/caroline-munro-51346>),
and spends his spare time brutally murdering and scalping women. A pristine
35 mm print will screen as part of this Lifetime Achievement Award program
dedicated to Director / Producer William Lustig.

*William Lustig Lifetime Achievement Award*

As a kid, auteur William Lustig avidly watched a huge volume of lowdown
trashy exploitation fare on 42nd Street’s grindhouse theaters. Working way
through the film business, Lustig found himself at the center of a storm of
controversy when he made the grim, and gory landmark horror film "Maniac"
which boasts an incredibly intense performance by legendary character actor
Joe Spinell and hideously graphic make-up f/x by horror icon Tom Savini.
Lustig followed up with the tough, gritty and exciting urban revenge thiller
"Vigilante." He delivered another winner with the terrific "Maniac Cop," and
the series follow ups 2 & 3, Hit List"and the suspenseful serial killer
thriller "Relentless" all excellent and entertaining. Lustig's last film as
a director was the nifty fright flick "Uncle Sam." William Lustig has also
produced a staggering 84 films and TV projects to date. He went on to create
the distribution company Blue Underground that lovingly restores and puts
out some of the best classic genre films of all time!

*Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet (Feature / Horror) *

*Directed by Frank Sabatella*

Long Island, 1978: A young girl named Mary Mattock gruesomely murders her
family and is locked away at the notorious Kings Park Psychiatric Center.
Ten years later Mary escapes, leaving a grizzly wake of bodies and blood.
Gunned down by the police, Mary meets her own demise outside the sanitarium
walls. This incident gave birth to the legend of Mary Hatchet’s walking
ghost and the mischievous night named in honor of her death, BLOOD NIGHT!
Starring genre favorites Bill Moseley and Danielle Harris, Blood Night puts
a neck-breaking spin on the gory and gut wrenching slasher films of the
80’s.

The 2009 New York City Horror Film Festival—is presented by Moodude Films.
For more information and tickets, visit the festival’s website:
http://www.nychorrorfest.com/.

--Phil Fasso

BEWARE THE MOON Wins Best Doc at South African Horrorfest

2009-11-06T15:15:04Z

Paul Davis' BEWARE THE MOON, his documentary on AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, has won best documentary at the South African Horrorfest, held in Cape Town. Davis' lauded documentary can add one more accolade to its list with this honor. In conjunction with Davis' film, makeup artist Rick Baker and director John Landis both were inductees into Horrorfest's Hall of Fame.

For Landis and Baker to be honored should be no surprise to anyone, as AMERICAN WEREWOLF is an iconic horror film known for its black humor and great special effects make up. For Davis to win shows just how impressive his documentary is. Congratulations Paul, you should be proud to be in such privileged company.

Check out the Horrorfest site for other winners. And take a look at the trailer below. It's nifty.

Parlay Films Buys Rights to Heckerling's VAMPS

2009-11-05T23:01:12Z

According to Screen Daily, Parlay Films has bought all international film rights to Amy Heckerling's forthcoming horror comedy VAMPS at the American Film Market. Heckerling is more known for her coming of age comedies such as FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH and CLUELESS than horror fare, so it'll be interesting to see how she does with a romantic comedy about young, attractive vampires.

Screen Daily says that actress Krysten Ritter is already attached to the project, which should start filming in March, 2010.

Read the full article here.

--Phil Fasso

EW's Top 25 Cult Movies Delivers for Horror Fans

2009-11-05T22:40:23Z

EW's recently posted Top 25 Cult Movies should have horror fans happy. From the picture of shock rocker at #25 all the way through a Stephen King adaptation at #1 (I don't understand how that entry's considered a cult flick, but I'll give you a hint: it's not CUJO), there are several entries that should get the average genre fan's juices going, covering backwoods farmhouse all the way to the streets of Tromaville. I don't want to give anything away, so I would suggest you look at the list for yourself here.

Okay, so that picture is a hint. I just couldn't resist a little decapitated loving for you Icons fans.

--Phil Fasso

CNN's Piece on The Return of Classic Horror Directors

2009-11-05T22:11:40Z

CNN recently released a nice piece on how horror's elder statesmen are making a return. The piece provides two brief pages each on Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, John Landis and George Romero, as well as a short video in which each speaks about the genre. In a day where generally poor remakes stilfe any sense of creativity and cheapie direct-to-DVD releases offer low-budget, derivative drivel, it's nice to see a news organization as large as CNN give props to the men who paved the way.

Read the full article here, and check out the video of Romero, courtesy CNN, below.

--Phil Fasso

Local News Coverage of the Living Dead Festival

2009-11-04T01:48:39Z

I've just returned from Gary Streiner's Living Dead Festival, and I'm happy to be able to share some coverage from the local news! Evans City, PA's own KDKA (unfortunately not WGON) provided some footage that includes interview with many of the LDF's guests. Check out the video and a brief article here. And look at Icons News later in the week for my exclusive convention report and some Icons of Fright contests from the LDF!

--Phil Fasso

EW Questions Need for LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Remake

2009-11-04T01:11:41Z

Not a surprise, but so do I. Apparently, the powers that be are running low on 1980s slasher films to rip off, and are stretching their reach out to Europe to steal material and outright kick originality in the crotch. In EW's Popwatchers section today, Margaret Lyons holds out little hope for the remake of the critically lauded LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, with its shift in location from the snowy desolation of Europe to the mesas of New Mexico and its change in title to LET ME IN. And her picture of the new kids playing the roles (which I'll include below) can't help the validity of the project, even if she does compliment the choice of one of them.

As for my own thoughts, I've seen the original and thought it was something daring and new. But if Matt Reeves, he of CLOVERFIELD, attempts to make this basically a dry version of the European, as QUARANTINE did with [REC], this sequel will be redundant. It's a sad statement when American horror is now thieving quality, artistic genre films from overseas instead of developing quality ideas of their own. Where our next John Carpenter or George Romero comes from may take many years to find out.

Read Lyons' original article here.

--Phil Fasso

New Stephen King Short Story Appears in the New Yorker!

2009-11-04T00:17:57Z

Is there an Icons of Fright follower out there who doesn't appreciate some of Stephen King's works? One of the true Icons, King has just published his newest short story "Premium Harmony" in the New Yorker, to whet his Constant Readers' appetite in anticipation of his new novel, Under the Dome.

Though "Premium Harmony" has echoes of his short story "Children of the Corn," marks a long-awaited return to Castle Rock (he abandoned the town in 1992's short story collection Nightmares & Dreamscapes) and makes a sly reference to Derry, ME's favorite clown Pennywise, it's not a horror story. As with many of the tales from his last two collections, it's a non-genre story that lacks any notion of the supernatural. For what it's worth, it's a good story; I just have my biases toward vampires and other preternatural creatures.

Read the full story here. You can also get King's upcoming appearance schedule at Lilja's Library, King's top fan site, and further information on Under the Dome on King's official website.

--Phil Fasso

iTunes Carrying Uncut Version of MTV Slasher Spoof

2009-11-04T00:05:57Z

iTunes is carrying the uncut version of MTV production MY SUPER PSYCHO SWEET 16. I didn't watch this when it was on, and so I have no idea what the differences between the two versions are. But if you either missed it and want to see the full-gore version, or if you viewed and want to see what the censors clipped, hit up iTunes and do a title search.

Check out the MTV trailer below.

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Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Win The New 15th Anniversary NATURAL BORN KILLERS DVD!

2009-10-31T16:03:37Z

The October Big Giveaways continue at Icons of Fright. The fine folks at Warner Bros. have supplied us with copies of the 15th Anniversary Edition of Oliver Stone's 1990's classic NATURAL BORN KILLERS.

Wow, 15 years ago? At the time I had to buy a ticket to another movie just so I could sneak in and see the highly controversial film, which of course, blew my little 15 year old mind away. And who could forget the Trent Reznor produced soundtrack featuring 90's acts like L7 and the Cowboy Junkies. It's really a time-capsule of a moment in film making and music.

If you'd like to enter the contest just shoot us an email over to: nbk@iconsoffright.com. Be sure to give us your mailing address so we can send it to you. Contest ends Oct. 31st! (Halloween).

For more Natural Born Killers action click on over to: www.naturalbornkillersdvd.com.

Here's an exclusive clip, courtesy of Warner Bros:

Win a SAW VI Prize Pack from ICONS OF FRIGHT!

2009-10-31T12:50:00Z

If it's Halloween, it's not just time for SAW (or SAW VI!) but time to roll out the annual IOF Big Giveaways! (NOT brought to you by Silver Shamrock).

This year the folks at CollectSaw.com and OfficialSawStore.com (Selling the best in SAW collectibles! And yes, they ship worldwide!) have provided ICONS OF FRIGHT with 3 SAW VI Prize Packages:

Each Valuable Giveaway includes a:

Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman") Autographed 8 x10 inch color photo. The photo shows Costas Mandylor as "Hoffman".
Special and Valuable item that was Used in SAW 6 (VI)

Each item comes with a special COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from Twisted Pictures (the producers of the SAW movies). Attached to the certificate of authenticity is a unique tamper evident security hologram. This hologrammed certificate of authenticity is your guarantee that your item is genuine.

So--you want to play a game? You have from now until October 31st (Halloween, folks) to get your entry into us at Icons of Fright. Just send us an email at: saw@iconsoffright.com. Make sure SAW is in the subject line and be sure to include your name and mailing address. It's no trap (we promise!).

And remember: SAW VI hits theaters October 23rd, 2009. Long time SAW editor Kevin Greutert directs the latest sequel SAW VI which stars Shauna MacDonald, Devon Bostick, Marty Moreau, Karen Cliche, Shawn Mathieson, Melanie Scrofano, James Gilbert, Shawn Ahmed, Janelle Hutchison, Gerry Mendicino, Caroline Cave and Ginger Busch with Tobin Bell returning as Jigsaw, Shawnee Smith as Amanda (both for flashback sequences), as well as Costas Mandylor

Owen Gleiberman, Why Must You Hate on Me?

2009-10-29T04:43:09Z

I've been a casual reader of Entertainment Weekly for long over a decade now, and in that time, I've come to have a cold disdain for Owen Gleiberman. Having read his reviews of horror movies over the years, I easily ascertained that here was a guy who not only does not like horror films, but begrudges genre fans as well, as if they're lesser than "real" movie fans. And now it's finally time to say something about it.

Let's take a look at Owen's recent slap at genre fans in his article regarding the SAW series. Here's a cuddly section:

"For decades now, gruesome new horror movies have arrived at the multiplex with big fat roman numerals stuck at the end of their titles. Only the most fanatical droolers of the “horror community” are even still counting. I mean, really, who would seriously bother to keep track of how many interchangeably cruddy Friday the 13th sequels there are? Or how many times Freddy Krueger ever came back from the dead to brutalize a new crop of Elm Street kids? Or how often the Halloween franchise has been scavenged, rebooted, Zombie-fied, and generally flogged to death? Quick, can you name all the Texas Chainsaw movies? How about Hellraiser? Who the hell cares?"

Well, Mr. Gleiberman, I care. I love the genre, despite the many sequels that become further drivel with each fat Roman numeral. I can name all the Hellraisers, all the Texas Chainsaw Massacres, and by the way, all the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, William Melville, and the complete works of William Shakespeare. What annoys me about your blanket dis at all fans of horror is that it makes us all the "fanatical droolers" of the "horror community," that you double quoted as if it's grimy place for all of us to be. You're stereotyping, Owen, giving a set of traits to a legion of fans who are just as diverse as those who love romantic comedies, or westerns, or anime. I care enough to give rebuttal to your article, and to say that people in your position should not use it to shun entire ethnographies of fans.

You take part of your article to link the reader to your dismal review of SAW VI. But what were you trying to accomplish by drawing the very readers who love these movies to your review? Was it to make them feel small? And what of your positive review of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, which you gave an A-? In that review you state:

"With its this-is-really-happening vibe, Paranormal Activity scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés. The fear is real, all right, because the fear is really in you."

So you praise a poorly acted film in which absolutely nothing happens for about 84 minutes. Were you then disappointed last weekend, when talk of applying one of those big, fat Roman numerals to it arrived?

Owen, it should be obvious to even the most casual observer that you have an attitude toward horror. This prejudices your reviews of the genre's films. Perhaps you should step into a horror fan's shoes, and see a few flicks from his point of view. It may give you the well-rounded perspective you lack.

Feel free to write back here, Mr. Gleiberman, as I'd really like to debate this with you intelligently.

--Phil Fasso