I have been following the progress of the indie horror film 'You're Next' for quite sometime. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival two years ago, and I was instantly drawn to it due to the cooky animal masks that the murders in the film wear. It bounced around looking for distribution, and seems to have finally gained some traction with a recent SXSW screening and official release date of August 23rd. In the past week we got some great character posters, and now we are finally treated to a trailer. I for one can't fucking wait for this film, as it seems to be in the vein of The Strangers (one of my favorite recent horror films). So without any further wait, enjoy the full on trailer after the jump...
Last night, me and my boy wonder Jeff Bond wandered over to Downtown Brooklyn to the ReRun theater. If you haven't been to ReRun theater, you are missing out. Fellow film fanatic and curator of ReRun Aaron Hillis does a great job choosing some well balanced choices of films that he screens there. He mixes obscure indie releases with cult classics and film gems that make for an awesome overall experience. Plus there is gourmet food and liquor.... yup, ReRun rocks!
Anyway, last night ReRun hosted the 1st EVER public screening of the Troma classic 'Mother's Day' on Blu Ray. If you have never seen this kooky 80's horror flick, get to it immediately (its on Netflix Instant Streaming!!!). It is one of the best films to come out of the Troma stable... but that isn't saying much since Troma has built a reputation for being the #1 creator of "Schlock Cinema". I love all of their films, no matter how weird they are. My favorite horror film of all time is a Troma flick, the masterpiece that is 'Bloodsucking Freaks'. I heard the man behind the Troma empire, Lloyd Kaufman, was going to be at ReRun last night. I have admired this man for over 20 years, so I had to go meet the man behind 'The Toxic Avenger' and 'Sgt. Kabukiman'. I was not disappointed.
Kaufman held court before the movie started, taking pictures and signing autographs in his own kooky way. You gotta love a legend of indie cinema who takes the time to line people up in the right order to make the pictures balanced and looking better. He also makes an hysterical face in every photo, which is awesome. He took the time to chat with anyone who wanted to talk, and if you purchased any of the Troma merchandise he would personalize it ..no prob. I brought my coveted 'Bloodsucking Freaks' DVD with me in the hope he would sign it. He did... with MY SHARPIE! Apparently Kaufman was Sharpie-less, and used my Sharpie to sign his autograph to mine....everyone else's merchandise. he kept thanking me for bailing him out and lending him the marker, and he assured me he would return it later. He lied... he kept it!!! No prob, because the guy was just so friendly and cool.
Kaufman signing my Bloodsucking Freaks DVD
Before the film started he stepped in to help out Aaron, who was fixing the projector, by chatting up the crowd in an impromptu Q&A. His self deprecating humor and constant insults of his own movies made the conversation humorous and I feel lucky to have been privy to it. He narrated a commercial for his book 'Make Your Own Damn Movie' starring the very sexy Goddess Shea (who was in attendance and HOT!!!) and the preview of 'Father's Day' (which we just covered on CCD a few days back) The screening of 'Mothers Day' was great, and we stayed after for a screening of the Spanish indie thriller 'Kidnapped' (which was intense and I highly recommend!!!). All-in-all a great night. I met one of my idols last night. I got my favorite horror DVD signed. I am a happy horror film geek today. Thank you Aaron for an awesome evening and Thanks Lloyd... your the best!
Left to Right: Kaufman, Goddess Shea, Mike D and Toxie in the front!!!
Check out these two wonderful short films from friend of CCD's Joe Panther. This guy knows how to put some horrifying shit onto celluloid. This is why we love em!!!! Go to his Facebook page by clicking here to see some of Joe's great artwork and other stuff. Enjoy!!!
Demented Disneys - The title says it all! Demented Joe turning childhood icons into drugged out, psychotic, and destructive degenerates. That's what I do! I got a kick out of animating this. Now everyone wants a movie. Yeah right.. You want to pay me, bitch?! Nah.. I'd do it if I had any solid ideas behind it. I don't, unfortunately. Not one! Pisses me off..
Michael Myers: The Devil's Eyes - Speed drawings can be annoying. I wanted to get it done in under an hour, but it took nearly three hours to finish. Then all that compression to speed it up is ridiculous when you're using imovie. Final Cut all the way!
I'm still considering selling this, but it won't be cheap. It's all ready framed and on my wall. So for that reason, it's worth more 'cause I'll have to part with it… And because it's from me, you should be honored and willing to pay more. :D
Greetings from the Independent Underground! Since its All Horror Week here at CCD I thought I’d make a contribution to something I always had a great love affair with: Independent Horror! Specifically speaking I’d like to bring your attention to a fantastic little film called Vindication. But first a little back story…..
Back in 1999 just fresh out of high school, I was slave-working myself through three jobs, one of them being a CSR at Blockbuster Video in Howard Beach, Queens. It was there that I met my dear friend Bart Mastronardi. Since we both had a huge love for film (especially horror) we hit it off immediately. I knew at the time that I wanted to pursue film in college and lucky for me, Bart was around to give me some great advice and direction. Even though I was just a teenager and Bart was in his twenties, he always showed a great deal of respect & interest in my thoughts. He lent me books on filmmaking, showed me some of the short films he created and even took me to my first Chiller Theater Expo in NJ. Bart is truly one of a kind and I’m not sure if he’ll ever know how much his guidance was appreciated at the time.
After my little run at the local video store ended, we did lose touch for a while. But thanks to a social website called Myspace, I looked him up one day and we’ve been back in touch ever since. In fact, when I reached out to Bart at the time, he was in the middle of filming his very own first feature length horror film (which he wrote as well as directed) and invited me down to his set. So one hot & humid August morning, I went down to CW Post in Long Island and there was Bart hard at work with the rest of his extremely warm welcoming cast and crew. They were filming an important scene where the main character, Nicolas Bertram (played evocatively by Keith Fraser) slaughters a bunch of rave dancers at a masquerade party. Bart, in his wonderful mischievous sort of fashion, successfully convinced me to be one of the deaths in the scene. Minutes later I was in hair and make up (because yes, even the unfortunate dead girl needs her hair to look supafly n’ fine) getting my prosthetic smashed-in nose piece placed on by the wonderfully talented Henry Borriello and spewing out fountains of blood as assistant DP Dominick Sivilli caught it all on film. It was an experience I’ll never forget. And neither will my nose….
Vindication finally premiered in Forest Hills, Queens on December 13th, 2008. Since its release, the film has been featured several times in Fangoria, received personal praise from Hellraiser creator, Clive Barker and has racked up countless awards & nominations in festivals across the country, most recently this past weekend at the Terror Film Festival in Philadelphia.
(Starting Left, Top To Bottom Is: Stolis Hadjicharalambous, Kristen Grillo, Bart Mastronardi, Dominick Sivilli, Jerry Murdock, Alan Rowe Kelly, and Maryum Murdock)
From its original story, to the blood sweat, heart and soul poured into it by every single person involved, Vindication is the epitome of Independent Filmmaking. In a time where we are force fed terrible remakes and lazy globs of horror shit at the theaters, films like Vindication offer you relief from all that. I suggest that any fan of horror should make it a point to see this ingenious piece of work and the best reward you can give to this awesomely talented bunch is to make sure you spread the word. Check out the film’s trailer below and for more information about Vindication, please visit http://www.vindicationmovie.com/ and click here to watch the full Vindication trailer in HD.
***Editor's Note from Mike D.***
I found this cool little "making of..." featurette over on Youtube that gives you a one way ticket into the mind of director Bart Mastronardi and shows some great behind the scenes footage from Vindication. I have included it here. Great Job KMG!!!
