by Shannon Hilson, MoreHorror.com

If you were one of the people who really dug writer/director Scott Derrickson’s feature debut The Exorcism of Emily Rose, then you should really think about checking out his latest offering as well – Sinister. As with Emily Rose, Derrickson has done another terrific job at creating a convincingly scary world and a menacing state of affairs by combining classic horror elements and great writing with the casting of a talented and convincing lead actor.

Sinister stars Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, a detail-oriented true crime author who has once again immersed himself in the research for his next sure-to-be bestseller. You see, Oswalt has a habit of wanting to get close to the settings of the crimes he writes about, so he actually moves his family from location to location in order to be close to the actual crime scenes themselves. The movie opens to Oswalt moving his unwitting family into just such a home where an entire family was hung to death in the back yard.

Not long after, Oswalt discovers a mysterious box of Super 8 home movies in the attic. After watching the movies out of curiosity, he discovers that they are all snuff films depicting the graphic murders of various families at a number of locations. One of movies even appears to have recorded the hanging of the family that died there previously. At first, Oswalt thinks he’s merely dealing with the trophy collection of a human serial killer… but he eventually finds out that there is a supernatural, potentially demonic element behind the killings as well. Sinister is the story of what happens to Ellison and his family next.

Reviewed By Rick O’Shea, MoreHorror.com

THE BURNING TIME:
Author: J.G. FAHERTY
274 Pages
JournalStone Publishing

Three strangers have arrived to the sleepy hollow of Hasting Mills and nothing’s been quite the same ever since. While the police are baffled by a series of suicides off the local bridge, the only link seems to be they’re all teenaged girls suffering from heart break. Reverend Cyrus Christian has arrived for the position of town preacher, while the second stranger Billy Ray Capshaw takes on a job as the church’s handyman. The third drifter is John Root who has caused the gossip mill to run into overdrive taking residence with young Danni Anderson and her adolescent brother Mitch. Mr. Root’s services have been tendered to fix up the old Anderson place. Is there a diabolical lineage between the strangers’ arrival and the epidemic of teen suicides? Will Hasting Mills survive the apocalyptic dread that has descended among its population causing one to turn on one another; or will each ultimately fall to their demise and the very real evil that lurks just around the bend in The Burning Time?

JournalStone publishing is a company I’ve been following very closely for the past year, year and a half. While seemingly cut from an independent cloth and markets for the most part relative unknown authors, the press boasts some most formidable talent. I’ve become a bona fide Faherty fan prior to delving into this assignment, so it was with much enthusiasm and vigor that I tore into this epic tale of good versus evil.

One can usually tell if you’re about to enjoy an imaginative read within the first fifty pages or so. The author utilizes subtleties with the subconscious, beckoning the audience deep within his tale, in all likelihood long before the reader even realizes it. His talent for character development, protagonists we can invest in from an empathetic stand point and lead antagonists we love to hate truly sets the precedence for aspiring authors everywhere. His delicate balance of dialogue, action and refusal to harp upon needless exposition is well honed and translates well unto both new readers and avid fans such as myself.

by Michael Juvinall, MoreHorror.com

We ran an exclusive story back in December on the indie film Krampus: The Christmas Devil, starring Bill Oberst Jr. which started pre-production. Now we have another exclusive for you, we have the first on set pics from the film which has been shooting in Pennsylvania for the last two weeks, and an exclusive interview with the director, Jason Hull.

From writer/director Jason Hull (Chasing Darkness, The Four) and Snowdog Studio comes this yuletide tale of terror featuring an ancient creature whose purpose is to punish the naughty children from Santa’s list. Along with Bill Oberst Jr.(Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies, Children of Sorrow) the cast features Rich Goteri (Machine Gun Preacher, Circus of Dread, Goodfellas), AJ Leslie (The Four), Mike Mili (Demon Equation), Jay Dobyns, and Brad Weaver (Chasing Darkness) as the Krampus.

Based on German folklore that dates back hundreds of years, the Krampus legend tells of a devil-like creature that is the evil counterpart of Saint Nicholas. Whereas Saint Nicholas rewards good children with presents, the Krampus punishes the naughty ones by swatting them with switches and sometimes dragging them back with him to Hell.

According to legend, the Krampus resembles the mythological Satyr with a goat-like appearance including long horns, cloven hooves, and a devilishly long tongue.

by Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

The Jefferey Dahmer Files, a new chilling and experimental documentary from IFC Midnight is now playing in select theaters and available to watch on Cable VOD, SundanceNow, iTunes and other digital outlets.

THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES, directed by Chris James Thompson, explores this question through archival footage and interviews with the people who knew the infamous serial killer during that horrific summer.

Take a look at the trailer and larger one sheet below the official synopsis.

Synopsis:
What drives a seemingly mundane man to commit a series of acts so heinous that it captured the attention of a horrified nation? In the summer of 1991 Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested in Milwaukee and sentenced to 957 years in prison for killing 17 people and dismembering their bodies.

THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES explores this Midwestern city by meeting those surrounding Dahmer during and after his hidden spree.

Recollections from Milwaukee Medical Examiner Jeffrey Jentzen, Police Detective Patrick Kennedy, and neighbor Pamela Bass are interwoven with archival footage and everyday scenes from Dahmer's life, working collectively to disassemble the facade of an ordinary man leading an ordinary existence.

Review By Chris Wright, MoreHorror.com

Directed by: Michele Soavi
Written by: George Eastman & Sheila Goldberg

Starring: Barbara Cupisti (Alicia), David Brandon (Peter), Mary Sellers (Laurel), Robert Gligorov (Danny), Jo Ann Smith (Sybil), Giovanni Lombardo Radice (Brett), Martin Philips (Mark), Piero Vida (Ferrari), Loredana Parrella (Corinne), Ulrike Schwerk (Betty), Domenico (Police Chief), Clain Parker (Irving Wallace)

The slasher genre had long come to a close by the time “Stage Fright” came about, but it did its part in giving a tired genre a refreshing spark of life. Its original title is “Deliria” and also known as “StageFright: Aquarius.” Italian director Michele Soavi delivered a gory forgotten slasher gem in his directorial debut. In the tradition of Dario Argento, whom he had worked with in production of several films with, he uses his surreal style to deliver a near hypnotic feel to the movie at times. This Italian flick was first released in by Imperial Entertainment in the late 80s and has been given subsequent DVD releases in years past.

The plot revolves around a group of young actors rehearsing for a play in a small town. All seems well until the cast members start dying off one by one. When the majority find out they are being killed, the killer has locked them inside the stage theater intending to murder them all! The plot may sound a bit mundane and typical of a slasher but surprisingly kept me interested the whole duration.

The characters are the standard fare of slashers and not the real highlight of the film. The acting is pretty good for what it is worth. I have certainly seen slashers with acting that was truly cringe worthy. Soavi made this bunch at least entertaining and less irritating. Barbara Cupisti is a real stand out as the leading lady Alicia. The killer dressed in an owl costume is a nice touch and does a provocative job of being scary throughout the film.

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

The upcoming horror comedy A Grim Becoming starring Bill Oberst Jr., Britt Griffith, Devanny Pinn, Jessica Cameron and Lynn Lowry is set to release in 2014 from DefTone Pictures Studios’. Read the full details below.

From The Press Release
DefTone Pictures Studios Inc continues to put Buffalo New York on the map with their film productions. Currently in preproduction is their next feature film: a horror comedy entitled A Grim Becoming. Directed by Adam R Steigert (Ombis 2013) and written by Janeen Avery, Christopher Brechtel, Mark Mendola and Adam R Steigert.

Newcomer Christopher Marriott (B.Y.O.D.) is in talks with DefTone to play lead role of Raphael. Raphael is a young, bitter executive who is on the verge of losing a multimillion dollar architectural deal with a large distribution company lead by the awkward Stanford brothers. Raphael suffers a sudden death in his family and has to immediately leave to go to the funeral in his home town of Metzburgh. Seeing this as his big chance to get ahead is Wayne, a jealous co-worker who is in competition with Raphael. Wayne is being played by Syfy's Ghost Hunters and The Black Dahlia Haunting’s (2012) Britt Griffith. As Raphael returns to Metzburgh, he experiences a life changing event: witnessing a Grim Reaper taking a soul. This sighting results in Raphael becoming a Reaper and having to explore his own conscience and the lengths he will go to get his own life back. But Death, played by Michael Sciabarrasi (Ombis, Black Guy on a Rampage: Homicidal Vengeance), has other plans for the naive young executive. In addition, A Grim Becoming also reunites scream queens Devanny Pinn (Jamie) and Jessica Cameron (Life).

DefTone Pictures Studios Inc is excited to be teaming up with Melantha Blackthorne for the first time. Melantha will play Meryl, sister to lead character Raphael. Film icons Lynn Lowry (Mother), Valerie Lynn Hanna (Charlie Stanford), and Bill Oberst Jr.(Phill) will have supporting roles in the film.

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

Today we have a horrifically special Valentine's Day announcement for you. Horror writer/director Drew Daywalt (Bedfellows, Death Valley, Camera Obscura) will be directing the horror feature film THE HURTING MAN which is based on his own script. The movie will unveil a story which was ripped from one of Daywalt's most terrifying childhood fears.

The Hurting Man begins production this fall and Larry Fessenden is attached as Executive Producer.

Daywalt, Fleischman & Fessenden are not commenting on cast members yet, but promise that something amazing (including some big genre names) is in store for horror fans as well as everyone else interested in the art of storytelling.

While little else is known about the project at this point, we have been informed from sources close to the project that the terrifying boogeyman in this film will inspire iconic Halloween costumes for years to come.

Check out the full details from the official announcement below.

Update: The Drew Daywalt camp has kindly released the official THE HURTING MAN poster to replace the teaser poster we posted earlier. So, for your enjoyment, take a look at a larger version below the details.

From The Press Release:
Horror writer/director Drew Daywalt (CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, DEATH VALLEY, BEDFELLOWS) has just inked a deal with producer Eric B. Fleischman of EBF Productions (RITUAL, TWO-BIT WALTZ) to direct the horror feature

THE HURTING MAN, based on Daywalt’s script. Indie horror luminary Larry Fessenden (Habit, The Last Winter) is attached as Executive Producer.

THE HURTING MAN follows the story of a police officer who tragically finds his family murdered after a failed 911 call and now must work to save their souls from a demonic boogieman haunting his childhood home.

By Michael Juvinall, More Horror.com

From the look of things, this isn’t your childhood fairytale witch story. The Wicked is set for release from Image Entertainment on DVD, April 30th.

From The Press Release
Image Entertainment suggests you sleep with one eye open as your worst nightmares come to life in The Wicked. A group of curious teenagers decide to seek out their town’s local legend and go on the hunt for a child-eating witch, not realizing they could be her next meal! Directed by Peter Winther, the film stars Devon Werkheiser (Beneath the Darkness), Justin Deeley ("90210"), Nicole Forester (The Double), and Cassie Keller (A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas). The DVD release is set for April 30th with an SRP of $27.97.

Local stories warn that deep in the woods a witch with a ravenous hunger feeds on the flesh of the young. In an abandoned house in the woods, she hunts her victims…and if you try to enter, you'll never see daylight again. When another child goes missing, a group of local teenagers decide to find out if the urban legend is true. What starts out as a meaningless dare turns into a blood-spattered fight for survival against a mistress of darkness in this unrelenting nightmare from which you may never wake up!

By David Harkness, MoreHorror.com

The upcoming film CURANDERO: Dawn of the Demon from acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will be releasing on DVD with ULTRAVIOLET™ Digital Copy© and Video On Demand March 12 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax.

Check out the full details below.

From The Press Release:

From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Planet Terror) comes Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, a supernatural thriller with an action twist.

Written and co-produced by Rodriguez and executive produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Inglourious Basterds, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon is an action-packed horror flick that takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld.

Also starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), the Curandero: Dawn of the Demon DVD will include audio commentary with the directors.

By Jesse Miller, MoreHorror.com

Warning – This review contains spoilers!

The Walking Dead continued it’s second half of season 3 with The Suicide King and things came to a jarring halt as events moved in a painstakingly slow set up.

Scenes dragged their heels, from Woodbury to the prison – and while there were a few interesting developments, I couldn’t help but feel the pacing was off as it flicked back and forth and that the episode suffered because of this.

So Daryl opted for Meryl – that came as no surprise given that they’re blood, but what of the group – and more importantly, what of Carol?

In this regard, it was surprising to see Carol come to an understanding so quickly about it all, even though she was absolutely gutted at the same time – but don’t worry Carol, I’m sure he’ll be back.

Meanwhile, Tyreese stops two of his group members from taking over the prison, and as the episode goes on, I’m starting to think Tyreese’s introduction to the show serves only as a mirror to be held up against Rick in his current state.

Poor Rick, he just can’t catch a break, can he? First the phone bit, then the Shane hallucination and now this? He’s suffering a mental breakdown and I’m worried that disaster is coming and that the Gov. is surely going to use this – once he learns about Rick, anyway – to his advantage.