Horror Yearbook is very excited to announce The 4th Annual “Another Hole in the Head” Horror/Sci-Fi film festival in San Francisco on June 1st to 14th. The people behind Hole in the Head have worked very hard to put together a great festival this year and Horror Yearbook is very happy to be part of it. Here are our picks and entire horror film schedule. For more info check out www.sfindie.com.
Horror Yearbook Staff Picks:
WIL Keiper: AUTOMATON TRANSFUSION
Molly Celaschi: DRILLER
Douggary Grant from Silicon: SPECIAL
STAGKNIGHT
US Premiere, Opening Night Film: June 1, 7:15p and June 12, 9:30
Combine Tom Hanks’ BACHELOR PARTY with a horror film, throw in a UK accent and you get StagKnight. This horror/comedy from across the pond doesn’t lack in the laughs or horror department mixing the right blend of both to bring you one crazy night full of sex, drugs and guns.
In honor of a friend’s upcoming nuptials, the ‘Weekend Warriors,’ a paint ball team, go out the UK backwoods, to celebrate with, of course, a stag party. The party is wild but things don’t really get out of hand until the friends start getting picked off one by one by a medieval knight bent on vengeance. Armed with paintball guns, stupid outfits and a lot of booze, the friends are no match for this ancient killing machine and are swiftly dispatched as they’re stabbed, crushed and chopped to pieces.
One part comedy mixed with one part horror, STAGKNIGHT will have you laughing one minute and cringing the next. Full of lots of British humor, and gut-wrenching scenes, this is the perfect party movie for anyone looking for a fun night out. This party is a real killer.
MURDER PARTY
June 1, 9:30p and June 11, 7:15p
Winner of the 2007 Audience Award for “Best Narrative Feature” at the Slamdance film festival and “Best Feature Film” at the Vail film festival, “Murder Party” is the strange story about an unsuspecting man who is randomly invited to a Halloween party so he can be killed for the sake of art!
On his way home from work Chris accidentally stumbles upon an invitation to what seems to be a harmless Halloween party. Quickly fashioning together a make shift Knight costume out of some boxes and duct tape, Chris attends the “Murder Party!” Not knowing that when he shows up that he is actually the intended murder victim for a bunch of drugged up wannabe artist and not the guest of honor. Chris is quickly abducted and tied to a chair as his bumbling “host” try and throw the party of the year.
This mostly comedic film is filled with a cast of off the wall characters which will have you cheering as they bumble their way through one of the most harebrained plans ever concocted. Full of great performances, enough strange drug induced scenes and shocking confessions “Murder Party” may be the best party you attend all year!
With NIGHT OF THE HELL HAMSTERS, Paul Campion, 2006, UK
A cautionary and extremely bloody little tale of the dangers of the occult, thunderstorms, and a cage full of small furry animals with sharp pointy teeth.
SIMON SAYS
Directed by: William Dear
June 1, 11:45p and June 11, 9:30p
Crispin Glover finally plays the role he was born for! In a great over-the-top tour de force, he stars as both of the maniacal twins Simon and Stanley. Written and directed by William Dear, this fun yet grotesque film breathes new life into the slasher genre. The fun begins when five college friends take a vacation in the woods only to have their plans spoiled, of course, by an obsessed killer.
SIMON SAYS adds a few new surprises, including one of the most disturbing scenes featuring a dog that you’ve seen this year! Glover manages to find a new, interesting way to use a pick axe and set ingenious traps all over the woods. Though others have made the claim, SIMON SAYS delivers on the promise that “you’ll never feel the same about camping again.” Fans of the 1980’s glory days of horror will love this movie.
SMALL TOWN FOLK
Directed by: Peter Stanley-Ward
June 2, 7:15p and Jun 6, 7:15p
In the town of Grockleton, the Landlord and his minions Pooch, Pike, and Dobbin preside over Beesley Manor. The Landlord is desperate for a child to carry on the Beesley name and is searching for a bride, watching carefully for anyone daring to enter Grockleton.
When a young couple, a youth, and a lost married pair enter the town, the hunt is on. After discarding an unworthy lady, the Landlord soon fixes on one woman as his future bride and realizes that she is carrying something of even greater value to him. But someone else is fighting for her as well. After much bloodshed, an unlikely trio form and fight back against their attackers soon the hunters become the hunted.
Partially shot on green screen with CGI backgrounds similar to the recent film, 300, the story plays like a warped Terry Gilliam fairytale touched with the survival horror stylings of Alexandre Aja. First-time feature director Peter Stanley-Ward succeeds with this giant effort on a midget budget this might be the only movie that you’ll see this year that includes a scene lit entirely by cell phone!
Original music is by David James Nielsen (TALES FROM BEYOND). The film stars Warwick Davis (LEPRECHAUN 1-6), Dan Palmer (EVIL ALIENS), Chris Wright (FREAK OUT), and Howard Lewis (BRAZIL).
BLOOD CAR
Directed by: Alex Orr
June 5, 5:15p and June 2, 930p and June 7, 9:30p
Imagine a future where gas prices are $40 per gallon. Imagine a future where nobody drives. In this future the person finding an alternative, cheaper fuel source would be considered a god. Vegan Archie Andrews stumbles upon the cure for America’s oil woes when he accidentally mixes his own blood with his failed wheat grass fuel experiment.
With the only working car, one-time, do-gooder environmentalist Archie is soon the most popular kid on the block. When the sexpot carnivore Denise starts paying attention to him, Archie cannot give up his new deadly pastime and searches out sources for blood in order to fuel both his passionate desires and, most importantly, his car.
Blood Car pulls out all the stops and offers plenty of shocks, blood, guts and some shocking twists. With an apocalyptic ending, the film teaches us that man can be man’s worst enemy. Winner of the New Vision Award for Best Director at Cinequest film festival.
Featuring a diverse cast such as Anna Chlumsky (MY GIRL 1 & 2), Marla Malcolm (2001 MANIACS), Vince Canlas (BLOOD BATH), and Steve Warren (ONE MISSED CALL). Special Effects and make up provided by Toby Sells (PHANTASM II) and Samantha Cobb (MOTOR HOME MASSACRE).
With: SPLITTING HAIRS, Michael Boretz, 2007, US
Edgar is unhappy with the way he looks. He’s a love-starved guy too insecure to look a woman in the eye. Edgar learns of an unorthodox cure for baldness that can give him everything he’s ever wanted. However, vanity will lead Edgar down a dark path.
EL MUERTO
Directed by: Brian Cox
June 3, 7:15p and June 5, 7:15
The character El Muerto debuted right here in the Bay Area as a comic book by Javier Hernadez in 1998. It’s been almost ten years sine El Muerto first rose from the grave. Our undead hero makes his feature film debut played by Wilmer Valderama of THAT 70’S SHOW fame. It premiered at the San Diego Latino Film Festival last March 2007 to a completely sold out audience.
The story begins with Diego preparing for Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday honoring the lives of the deceased and celebrating the continuation of life. Tragically his life is cut short. As his friends mourn him he is resurrected to bare the legacy of his Aztec ancestors as El Muerto; the living dead. El Muerto isn’t a tale of vengeance; it’s a story about love, and the strength we draw from those we love. The creator Javier Hernadez has set out on his own romantic tale of bringing a vision to the big screen in typical Hollywood fashion, yet retaining the Aztec mythology and Mexican culture he holds so dear. Shot just like it jumped straight from the panel onto the frame, with impressive effects, great costuming and beautiful scenery, this film is a living four-color comic.
THE THIRST
Directed by: Tom Shell
World Premiere June 3, 9:30p, June 4, 7:15p
Will Hawkins is a quiet university student. Though he practices martial arts, Will has renounced all violence due to child abuse in his past. Unfortunately for Will, a vampire clan lives near the university campus and is searching for fresh blood. Coven leader Julian, played by Tony Todd (CANDYMAN), wishes to pass on his title to a worthy successor – which means one of his coven must find and kill a member of an elite order of vampire hunters. Will unwittingly walks into the center of this eternal war.
Brought to you by executive producer Mark Burman (SATANIC) and directed by Tom Shell (SABRETOOTH, CONTAGION) and starring C. Thomas Howell (THE HITCHER), Allison Lange (THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER, LEGACY), Jason Connery (BROTHERHOOD OF BLOOD) and a special appearance by Mary Votava (Monkey Woman WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?)
Cinematography provided by Howard Wexler (selected EMMANUELLE and PUPPET MASTER films) with special effects by Jeffrey Farley (THE BLOB, PET SEMATARY) and visual effects from Carol Van Hook (NUMBER 23).
HAZARD
Directed by: Sion Sono
June 4, 9:30p,
While Japan can be a wonderful place for those who fit in, those on the fringes of society are often ostracized to the point of exclusion.
Famed director of the cult hit SUICIDE CLUB and its sequel STRANGE CIRCUS newest film is about three Japanese outcasts that journey to NYC to escape Japan’s homogenous society. Rather then face a life being shunned they choose to risk the stereotyped dangers of New York in an effort to seek their individuality. Taking Americas cowboy life style too seriously they embark on a series of crimes and outlandish acts in an effort to assert themselves. Speedball ice cream, armed robberies, gang wars and car jacking are all the American traits they quickly learn. Shot almost in completely hand held with such realism you feel you are right there as the action unfolds.
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
June 5, 9:30p and June 8, 9:30p
When ex-Lord Donald Brocklebank needs money to pay for his ill wife Nancy’s medical treatments, he must settle the matter on his own. He leaves for London to find way a to pay for the expenses. Unfortunately, this means he must momentarily leave Nancy alone with his retarded adult son James, while Nurse Mary is on the way.
James is mentally sick himself and takes several anti-psychotic pills and shots daily. After James is left “in charge”, he becomes delusional and starts taking higher and higher doses of his meds. Soon, he is on a quest to prove to his father that he is a big boy and begins his descent into madness by unwittingly terrorizing his own sick mother in a variation of an oedipal-complex repressed by English manners. James barricades the two of them inside alone, providing her with his home treatments, and keeping Nurse Mary locked out. It is a harrowing tale on the effects of illness, physical or mental, on a family slowly breaking.
Excellent camera work by cinematographer Milton Kam makes the viewer feel trapped inside the house with the characters with wide shots, aggressive editing, and close ups that make us feel as sick as the characters. Starring Roger Lloyd-Pack (VANITY FAIR), Leo Bill (28 DAYS LATER), and Neil Conrich (DERAILED) and boasts great production design. The real Longleigh House location is even rumored to be home to several ghosts.
With IN THE WALL, Mike Williamson, 2007, US
On the eve of the hottest New Year on record, a young pregnant wife happily prepares for the birth of her child, but her secretive husband may have darker plans for the family.
SPECIAL
Directed by: Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore
Average Joe metermaid played by Michael Rapaport is an eager medical trial participant for a drug that removes self doubt. The effects on this one special patient are far beyond the expectations of both the manufacturer and the test subject. Gifted with powers he felt he was always destined to have, our hero sets out to correct many of the injustices in the world and his own life. You are drawn in by this sometimes humorous and often sad story about the battle between good vs. evil and extraordinary vs. mundane. Excellent cameos by Josh Peck (Mean Creek) and veteran character actor Jack Kehler punctuate the movie. “Special” is a movie about everyone who wishes they were something more than they are, bringing you a story about the horror of disappointment in your own mind.
A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.
ZOMBIE FARM
Directed by: B. Luciano Barsuglia
June 2, 7:15p and June 4 9:30p
The small California town of Muerto Verde discovers that Hell has been unleashed when inbred cannibal farmers are turned into zombies during a biochemical attack by Taliban warriors who poison the local water supply. The fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of two FBI agents and four party-crazed college students.
Meet Bill Meadows. He just wants three things … to serve an eviction notice, a ménage a trois, and the stink of zombie flesh scraped from his shoes.
Bill’s buddy, Rob, is dead set on doing whatever he has to in order to get to a party in Pismo Beach, where their girlfriends have a special surprise in store … that is, if they can survive the zombie horde.
FBI Agents Spaulding and Maxson specialize in homeland security, little did they expect to be zombie killin’ and ghoul hackin’ super agents.
The harvest has begun.
With ZOMBIE ISLAND, Bill Whirity, 2006, US
The moral of this story? Be sure to bring enough ammo when you go zombie hunting. Three young men take a boat ride to Zombie Island and discover that it ain’t no day at the beach. Featuring a special appearance by American Movie’s Mark Borchardt!
AUTOMATON TRANSFUSION
Directed by: Steven Miller
June 9, 9:30p and June 14, 7:15
In the early 1970’s when everyone in America was worrying about what was going on in Vietnam, the Unites States Army was secretly developing a way to reanimate the dead. The hope was to have the dead fight instead of the living, but the experiments were shut down when the reanimated corpses were unable to control their hunger for human flesh.
Reopened thirty years later in a small, remote town called Grover City the experiments go horribly wrong once again, this time unleashing a zombie outbreak on the unsuspecting citizens. A group of high school students take it upon themselves to fight the hordes of dead and find a cure.
Shot almost entirely in the gritty and realistic style of “Blair Witch” Automaton Transfusion is set to be a true independent classic. Even with a small budget the SFX are amazing as the undead army rips through limbs, heads and innards leaving a trail of carnage worthy of some of the best zombie films to date. The first film in a planned trilogy it has been compared to “28 Days Later” and creating quite a buzz in the horror community as one of the best low-budget zombie films in a long time. Defiantly not a movie to miss because if this is just the beginning from new director Steven C. Miller then you’re not going to be able to wait to see what he does next.
With OF DARKNESS, Gary Irwin, 2007, US
While cleaning out their recently deceased grandfathers belongings, Brian & Jeff Chaisson inadvertently stumble upon an ancient book; one of mysterious and malevolent origin.
Later that same evening, while entertaining friends during a sleepover, Jeff unveils the recent discovery in an effort to impress the group. Seizing the opportunity, the gang uses the book as a scare tactic against their favorite target and youngest member, Charlie.
Succumbing to peer pressure, and the trusted reassurance of his older brother Tank, Charlie opens the book and unwittingly unleashes a malicious entity. An unseen force that has chosen to target the boys…an evil that has chosen the form ‘of Darkness’.
DRILLER
World Premiere June 9, 11:45p and June 11, 5:15p
When an ordinary man is abducted by aliens and turned into a power tool-wielding killing machine, crazy and sleazy antics ensue. The over the top kills feature the brainwashed slave drilling his way through oversexed teens, rock bands, and anyone else in his way. Brains sprayed out of heads, eye sockets resized, and an obligatory shower scene are just a few of the great images featured in DRILLER. This film is clearly inspired by the outrageous genre classics, LAZER BLAST and BAD TASTE. Based on a graphic novel written by director Kartalian and featuring art by Brad Arnold, DRILLER was filmed entirely on location in Los Angeles in HD and features cutting edge makeup effects from Matt Jorgensen, who did creature effects on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL.
DRILLER will make you squirm and laugh all at the same time, while offering a deep meaningful social commentary on the plight of the urban male…nah, just kidding but it does offer gratuitous nudity.
THE LAST HOUSE IN THE WOODS (Il Bosco Fuori)
Directed by: Gabrielle Albanesi
June 10, 9:30p and June 12, 7:15p
A new genre offering out of Italy that is destined to spark interest in foreign horror. IL BOSCO FUORI aka THE LAST HOUSE IN THE WOODS, is a throw back to the classic Italian hardcore horror films like HITCH HIKE. First time feature director Gabriele Albanesi is destined to create among the other horror greats.
When young couple Aurora and Rino head out into the woods for a make out session they are interrupted by a vicious gang of thugs. Before all hope runs out, they are seemingly rescued by an older couple, Antonio and Clara. They soon discover they have stepped out of the woods and into the wolves’ den. Finding themselves trapped in the house, they must fight for their lives and escape the sadistic couple.
With references to THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and an even more obvious box to Wes Craven’s THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, IL BOSCO FUORI is sure to satisfy horror fans. Known horror actress Elisabetta Rocchetti (Argento’s DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK?) tears across the screen. With the SFX prepared by maestro Sergio Stivaletti (DEMONS 1 & 2, THE THIRD MOTHER), gorehounds will not be disappointed. Featuring some his most explicit work to date, the blood shed and splatter effects are guaranteed to excite. Exclaims Stivaletti, “I have not never used much blood in a film!”
UNEARTHED
Directed by: Matthew Leutwyler
Closing Night Film June 14, 9:30p
The director who brought HoleHead 2004 Audience Award winner, DEAD & BREAKFAST, takes a turn for the serious with his latest film about a New Mexican town terrorized by an unseen threat that once caused the disappearance of ancient tribe. Town residents have only one hope for survival: a lone female sheriff with a drinking problem and a dark secret in her past. Can she pull it together in time to save everyone from what has been UNEARTHED?
This film delivers on pace, atmosphere, body count and gore and has all of the elements critical to a classic monster flick. With beautiful cinematography by first-time feature film lensman and former film gaffer Ross Richardson, this film reaches a higher level of artistry than is normally expected from a movie of its kind. This great new feature from director Matthew Leutwyler leaves you on the edge of your seat instead of rolling in the aisles.
Starring Emmanuelle Vaugier (SAW 2, CSI-NY), Luke Goss (BLADE 2), Beau Garrett (TURISTAS, FANTASTIC FOUR 2), M.C. Gainey (LOST), Russell Means (PATHFINDER),and Miranda Bailey (DEAD AND BREAKFAST). Official Selection, 2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL.
