Novel Review by Rick O’Shea, MoreHorror.com

FOREVER MAN
Written By: Brian W. Matthews
Journal Stone Publishing

The epitome of every parent’s nightmare arises for one Elizabeth ‘Izzy’ Morris. After a high school dance her daughter Natalie’s date has been found mutilated in a nearby forest. With barely a trace to Natalie’s whereabouts, Morris the town’s police chief grapples with conflict of interest and a dire race against time. Her only leads in the investigation are two suspects, a drifter Bart Owens and another mysterious stranger arrived on the scene. A link between the two’s elusive presence and local banker Jack Sallinen’s autistic son makes this case even more complex and bizarre. Will they be the very key to unlocking the answers to the infinite questions surrounding the mayhem fallen on the town of Kinsey, Michigan-find out in the Forever Man.

Brian W. Matthews tale of the supernatural is immensely imaginative, original and compelling. The central theme of the paranormal versus ESP is most intriguing. As the proverbial plot layers and peeled back unto the audience, we’re treated to a spell binding tale that translates into a timeless classic.

Perhaps most notably is how well the character development is achieved in a wide myriad of individuals. This is no easy feat in a two hundred ninety paged novel. The lead characters are interesting and thought provoking. We immediately side with the protagonists and thrive with a desire to get to know them even further.

A number of dysfunctional relationships arise between the lead and secondary characters. We readily identify with their inability to communicate effectively and can empathize with their inner turmoil. We sympathize with Morris’s crumbling marriage. Gene the local bartender and his struggle with reclusive tendencies evokes subtle, but certainly not withstanding a sense of unanimous pity. Jack’s sons vie for their father’s seemingly nonexistent approval. We’ve all been to the same destinations emotionally that are characters have ventured making this story easily digestible. We recognize their faults and accept them just as easily as their attributes. Their flaws make each individual more human somehow. It strengthens our sense of reinforcing a desire for good to prevail over adversity and evil.

Reviewed by Marcy Papandrea, MoreHorror.com

I really wanted to like The Frankenstein Theory, the synopsis was fantastic and I was very intrigued by this premise. However this film just does not deliver in the end, and I really wanted to it. There is a lot of build up in the beginning and then it seems to stall and I was let down.

This film takes the idea that the novel of Frankenstein was actually based on fact. We find this out as a documentary crew are interviewing Professor John Venkenheim (Kris Lemche), who reveals to them a strange family history. His ancestors were members of the Illuminati and they conducted experiments, and a creature was created. The group embark on a journey to find 'Frankenstein' and it all gets filmed …

See that sounds awesome right? The first 15 minutes or so are really well done, and then it kind of lost me. The group heads out and some weird thing happen and they add absolutely nothing to the story. Once out in the snow, the film turns into a Blair Witch Project type. It actually felt like it was trying to be the new version of that film and it wasn't scary or suspenseful and I didn't feel tense. In fact I felt nothing for these characters when I probably should have.

The Frankenstein Theory suffers from what a lot of found footage type of films suffer, I could not believe these people were still filming instead of getting out of there. I did not buy it what so ever, and in turn the characters just came off as a bit stupid. While the motivation of Venkenheim was actually well handled, every one else however just had no excuse for acting the way they did. I get that if they ran we wouldn't have much of a film, but there was nothing keeping them there.

On the plus side at least it starts off interesting and Kris Lemche does a pretty great job. The filming locations are really great, and it did add a layer of fear. There are some really cool moments, such as a story being told about a bear, so this isn't a total loss.

by David Harkness, MoreHorror.com

In celebration of today's BLU-RAY & DVD release of Hitchcock, we have a nice giveaway and fun feature for you called How to 'Hitchcock' Your Evening.

As before, entering to win on MoreHorror is simple. To qualify for one of two Blu-ray copies of the film, simply email hitchcockgiveaway[at]morehorror.com with the subject line Hitchcock Giveaway. In the email let us know how you would 'Hitchcock' your evening while including your full name and physical address (sorry no PO Boxes and US residents only). That's it!

About Hitchcock
Oscar® winners Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren are captivating in the classic true life tale about the creation of one of movie’s most praised films. Plagued by both a reckless ego and nagging self-doubt, Hollywood legend Alfred Hitchcock (Hopkins) finds himself captivated by a horrific murder story that the Hollywood simply won't support.

Driven by obsession, Hitch puts his reputation on the line, risks losing his home and even his lovely supportive wife Alma (Mirren), as he pushes forward to make the movie himself. In the end, him and his unite to develop what will become the cinematic masterpiece known as Psycho. The film also stars Scarlett Johansson, Toni Collette and Jessica Biel.

How to 'Hitchcock' Your Evening

Who doesn’t love The Master of Suspense? Here are a few tips on how you can make your days more Hitchcock-inspired!

Go Blonde

Hitchcock is renowned for his obsession with blondes – from Tippi Hedren to Grace Kelly, Janet Leigh to Eva Marie Saint, the director put his flaxen-haired, fiery or frosty beauties at the left of his films. Most would agree it was a predilection of attraction, but he’s also quoted as saying that blondes were "a symbol of the heroine" and that he thought the blonde hair photographed better in black-and-white.

Identify Your MacGuffin

Although Hitchcock didn’t invent the term, it was certainly popularized by him. The MacGuffin is the plot device that kick starts and drives the narrative – it can be an object, a person, or a goal, but must motivate the protagonist to start on their course of action. Like the avian attacks in The Birds or the identity of “George Caplan” in North by Northwest, the reasons behind or the exact details of the MacGuffin are often unexplained – it’s function is merely to motivate.

by Jesse Miller, MoreHorror.com

Warning – this review contains spoilers!

“Arrow On The Doorpost” was an electrifying episode that saw the meeting of two minds – The Governor and Rick – as they attempted to negotiate a truce to the conflict that has been raging the past few episodes.

It was an incredibly tense moment and it was one superbly performed by the two actors here, each playing off of each other brilliantly and holding their own when it comes to barking out some fantastic one liners, like Rick’s “You’re just the town drunk that ran over my white fence and tore up my yard” – or words to that effect.

The Governor was smug as always and enjoyed his little efforts to manipulate Rick, from sharing a drink, to talking of Merle, to trying to rouse sympathy by speaking of his wife.

But does he have a wife? Who knows? By this point in the game, it’s starting to feel like The Governor is just The Joker from The Dark Knight, just telling origin stories that aren’t true.

So as The Governor and Rick had their chat, we had a look outside as the “soldiers” stood by and waited for the summit to end, where Milton connected with Hershel and even shared an uneasy laugh, while Martinez and Daryl had a pissing contest over killing zombies and swapped manly stories over menthol cigarettes Daryl found off a corpse.

Back at the prison, Merle is getting all fidgety about having his brother out there with the Governor and tries several times to go off and start something, but Glenn refuses and in an excellent scene, knocks him back and stands up to him, further demonstrating how far Glenn has grown since the early days of season 1.

By Michael Juvinall, MoreHorror.com

Zombies, zombies, and more zombies, they're everywhere now, and we have a trailer for Image Entertainment's upcoming zombie film, State of Emergency for you to check out down below.

From The Press Release
A bio-plant explosion will forever change the dynamic of a small country town. A man will be forced to kill those very people he once held dear. On April 16th, Image Entertainment challenges you to escape zombie-ridden Montgomery County with the release of State of Emergency. This harrowing tale of survival amongst the undead is directed by Turner Clay (Interception) and stars Jay Hayden (A Warrior’s Heart), Tori White (Silent Night) and Andy Stahl (The Blind Side). Also available via digital download, the DVD release.

After an explosion unleashes the contents of a military bio-weapons plant, the unsuspecting populace is transformed into a roaming army of flesh-eating zombies. Trapped in the quarantine zone, Jim finds himself cut off, confused and fighting for his own survival. Contacted by a small band of others unaffected by the toxins, Jim sets out to reach their besieged warehouse. Becoming the survival group’s de-facto leader, he struggles to keep order as they hunker down, fortify their stronghold and arm themselves against the attacking mutants. Fragmentary radio reports from outside hint at a last-ditch government rescue plan.

By Marcey Papandrea, MoreHorror.com

I was really interested in checking out The Wicked, I thought it had a rather cool sounding synopsis and I do like films that deal with legends. It isn't an easy type of film to pull off and I have seen my share of lemons there. I went into this without expecting anything either way, having no notion of whether I would like it or not is how I like to go into a film.

I would say that the film is a fair effort, it took a cool concept and those involved certainly tried their best to deliver. I give them kudos, the film winds up being a fun ride and I did like the town mythos with the creature here. Believe me this could have been much worse, so while it isn't the best film out there I'd say on the horror market now, it is a pretty decent one.

The story here is about a small town, who has a legend about a witch that they call 'The Wicked'. If you go to her house and throw a rock at her window and it breaks the window, she's going to come and get you. This is revealed to us through an affective and engaging opening sequence, and basically all bets are off. We then meet our usual bunch of teens, mostly not likeable at first but I did warm to them after a while. They get involved with the legend and strive to escape it.

What the film has going for it is the really cool story, and I would say it is developed in an interesting way by writer Michael Vickerman and director Peter Winther. The second half has a really good pace and it remains rather engaging. Some of the performances are pretty decent, and they kept things going well. I liked the look of the film, it had just the right tone visually to really fit with the story.

Reviewed by Marcy Papandrea, MoreHorror.com

Author: Paul Bedford
Pencils: Henry Pop
Inks: Tom Bonin

The List in my opinion isn't your typical piece of literature, nor is it typical with its artwork. This is an engaging and disturbing piece of work, something that does not come around often and very surprising that it comes from Australia. The industry in my country of origin is a good one, but sadly it is almost unknown and with works like The List it really needs to be. I am thankful there are many creative minds working in Australia, and even more thankful that I have had the opportunity to discover a lot of it and it is my hope that others will discover these things as well – The List is actually a pretty good place to start.

“heaven bequeathed but one list”

I actually find it rather difficult in trying to describe what this graphic novel is about, it is an experience and there is no justice to be done in writing a simple synopsis. However I am sure you the reader are a little curious as to what this book holds inside so I will give you a small glimpse – 'The List is about a man who gets given a list of commandments, a quest to be completed. He is visited by an angel with an offer, should he complete the quest.' And that folks is your small glimpse.

What you read and what you see within the pages can be taken in many ways, this is a very layered journey and not all is what it may seem. As you read the words and look at the pictures, can you take it all at face value? There are some scenes in The List that are rather shocking, and upon several reads I have gotten something different out of it each time. There is a lot of symbolic elements amongst those layers and it really is up to how you the reader interprets it and whether you want to look deeper into it or as mentioned take it as face value.

By Chris Risdal, MoreHorror.com

Some good news has sprung up for those who missed out on the critic darling slasher film 'All The Boys Love Mandy Lane'.

The film, which was in limbo for many years (since 2006 in fact) and now the Weinstein Company has bought the film back after selling it off to Senator Entertainment (who went bankrupt soon after acquiring the film).

Now the film is back in the Weinstein's possession and will finally see a release theatrically in the top 50 film markets, while also being simultaneously released on VOD (or Video on Demand for those who don't know).

For many people (including myself) this will be the first time we'll be able to see the film after years of reading how excellent, how clever, and just how plain good the film was. I guess now we'll be able to determine for ourselves when the film is released this summer.

The film, for those who forgot or didn't know about it concerns a popular high school girl named, oddly enough Mandy Lane who is adored by her fellow peers. When she and her friends head to a secluded ranch to party, dead bodies begin to pile up around Mandy, changing this 'good girl' forever.

Reviewed By Rick O’Shea

Authors: Benjamin Kane Ethridge, Brett J. Talley, Joseph Nassise, Anne C. Petty, Jonathan Maberry
270 Pages
JournalStone Publishing

Matthew Sellers, a bookstore owner receives an ominous gift from an eccentric stranger, Ichabod Templeton. Within the present is a compilation of reports centering around a most unorthodox, elusive employment agency known simply as Limbus Inc. The personnel agency is the main focus or theme of each tale. Templeton upon parting company with Sellers declares the bookstore owner is the chosen one. Is the baffled shop owner in for far more than what he’d bargained for?

The Slaughter Man: Written by Benjamin Kane Ethridge, The Sticker copes with work conditions at the local slaughterhouse. After his marriage falls apart he takes drastic measures to fulfill his potential.

The Sacrifice: Written by Brett J. Talley, is a story about Ryan who struggles from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from time served in the military. Reluctantly he inquires with Limbus after watching a late night television advertisement. Mr. Dixson has been hired to find a kidnapped fourteen year old, Angela Edicott. As the layers are peeled back regarding the bizarre position, Ryan finds he may be suddenly terminated without notice.

One Job Too Many: Written by Joseph Nassise, is about Nate Benson, the product of inter-office racism. His manager, Southwick detests soldiers of the war and all they stand for. He fires him with severance pay at first available opportunity. Nate hears about Limbus Inc. from an old drinking buddy at the local watering hole. Once recruited, Nate is assigned one dangerous assignment after another. At last he’s commissioned to perform the ultimate inconceivable task. Will he see the project to the end or will his wits be enough to promote survival?

We Employ: Written by Anne C. Petty: Dallas is a down and out college drop out. A business card shows up in the unlikeliest of circumstances from Limbus Inc and after inquiring they hire him under the vocation of dog walker. Upon meeting his immediate superior Charlotte he soon learns his new job is out of this world.

By Matthew "Match" Ray, MoreHorror.com

Matthew "Match" Ray - My first question is now that the full length series movie is out, are you getting the reaction you expected?

Marcel Sarmiento - You never know what to expect, but i'm pleasantly surprised people dig it.

MR - Tell us what you thought about this project when you were first approached.

MS - I wondered how in the hell can i shoot something that stands up with all these other filmmakers for five grand?

MR - So now that the movie is out what is been the most fun that you heard in people's reactions to your short or to some of your other friends or directors for this project?

MS - Well I thought I'd hear more concern over the dog, but frankly there hasn't been any of that. Aren't people concerned what we did to that poor white lab to get it so angry?

MR - Do you think that because technology has become so home based/ DIY that there will be more projects like this in the future where directors get together to build within one motion picture?

MS - Well, none of us really talked during the process or knew what the other was doing. It would be a lot better if we did next time.

MR - It was rumored that you used one of the make-up artists who was a winner on "Face-Off"- you must have some real talent available to you: old friend or new friend?

MS - She was amazing, yes Megan Areford. She was a new friend and I was incredibly lucky she liked my last feature, "Deadgirl". She is just so cool too.