The Hearse is a 1980 American supernatural horror movie directed by George Bowers (editor of From Hell) from a screenplay by Bill Bleich (Poltergeist: The Legacy; From the Dead of Night; The Midnight Hour), based on Mark Tenser’s idea. It stars Trish Van Devere (The Changeling) and Joseph Cotten (Delusion; Baron Blood; Lady Frankenstein).

In the US, the film was distributed by Crown International Pictures.

On May 30, 2017, the film is released as a Blu-ray + DVD combo by Vinegar Syndrome. Special features are:

• Newly scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm original camera negative
• “Satan Get Behind Thee” – video interview with lead actor, David Gautreaux
• Original theatrical trailer
• TV spot
• Promotional still gallery
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH Subtitles

Plot:

Jane Hardy (Trish Van Devere) arrives in the town of Blackford to stay in an old house left to her by a late aunt. As time passes, Jane learns secrets her aunt kept from her in life, but that were well-known by the townspeople.

In life, Jane’s aunt had been a devil worshiper, and upon her death, the hearse carrying her body crashed, but no sign of the driver or of the coffin were ever found. Since then, the house inherited by Jane has been haunted by evil spirits and the rural road out of Blackford has been haunted by the hearse that crashed.

As these stories come to light, Jane attempts to leave Blackford to avoid being drawn in by her aunt’s spirit, but finds herself pursued by the ghostly hearse and held prisoner inside Blackford by spirits.

Reviews:

“The Hearse qualifies as this summer’s garage sale of horror movies. It contains all the best clichés from recent, more successful horror movies (especially [The] Amityville [Horror] and even The Changeling, which came out last April and starred Van Devere, her husband George C. Scott and, of course, the obligatory self-banging doors and self-playing musical instruments).” RogerEbert.com

“The Hearse was directed by George Bowers, and shot either in a very stylized fashion or without benefit of a light meter – many of the film’s outdoor scenes feature brilliant blue skies and actors with dim, shadowy faces. As far as the horror goes, Mr. Bowers makes his film moderately scary and pretty unpleasant, too.” Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“The Hearse has a bad rep for being confusing, unsatisfying and boring. Not true at all. It’s just a slow and steadily building shocker with an ending that lets you decide what the hell you just watched. Nothing on the screen could ever match the horrors the human mind can conjure with a little suggestion.” Deep Red Rum

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“The haunted house schtick is the film’s main focus (the hearse is just a roadside annoyance), as it attempts to create an unsettling atmosphere via a sinister piano-laden music score, point-of-view angles, lot’s of scenes that involve investigating weird noises, and plenty of cheap jump scares.” House of Self Indulgence

“The nightmare sequence is genuinely effective and the film itself features a few creepy visuals but, then again, there’s no way the sight of a hearse pulling up in front of a house in the middle of the night couldn’t be creepy. Trish Van Devere does okay as Jane, though it’s somewhat odd that all the teenage boys in the town keeps talking about how hot and sexy she apparently is when she looks like she’s about 50 in this film.”
HorrorCritic.com

Buy with Blood of Dracula’s Castle: Amazon.com

“It’s not the most cohesive plot, in fact, it doesn’t really make sense but it’s solidly sinister and ghost-y-licious. I was interested the entire time and eager to see what would happen next despite the idiocy of certain aspects. (she has a pentagram locket and has no god damn idea what it is, she just thinks it’s pretty).” The Church of Splatter-Day Saints

Cast and characters:

• Trish Van Devere – Jane Hardy
• Joseph Cotten – Walter Pritchard
• David Gautreaux – Tom Sullivan
• Donald Hotton – Reverend Winston
• Med Flory – Sheriff Denton
• Donald Petrie – Luke
• Christopher McDonald – Pete
• Perry Lang – Paul Gordon
• Fred Franklyn – Mr. Gordon
• Al Hansen – Bo Rehnquist
• Dominic Barto – The Driver
• Nicholas Shields – Dr. Greenwalt
• Chuck Mitchell – Counterman
• Allison Balson – Alice
• Jim Gatherum – Boy #1
• Victoria Eubank – Lois
• Tanya Bowers – Schoolgirl

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image credits: Pre-cert.co.uk

Related entries: The Changeling | Crown International Pictures

‘You can’t escape…’

The Haunt is a 2016 Canadian supernatural horror film written and directed by David Paul Scott. It stars Katherine Stefanski, Astrida Auza and Carrie Evaristo.

A young woman suffering a psychotic relapse is receiving messages from a ghost-hunting TV show when she starts to believe that her apartment is being haunted by a dark figure with a plastic-bag-covered head…

The film is currently on the festival circuit ahead of an official release. Meanwhile, Katherine Stefanski has won Best Performance at the 2017 Toronto International Spring of Horror and Fantasy Film Festival.

IMDb | Facebook

‘Monsters don’t hide under the bed… they live inside you.’

Ravenswood is a 2017 Australian supernatural horror film edited and directed by Jon Cohen from a screenplay co-written with Darren K. Hawkins (Occultum Mala; The Lonely Road; Outside Your Window). It stars Madeline Marie Dona, Adam Horner and Shane Savage.

When four American tourists – Sofia, Carl, Belle and Michael – go on a ghost tour of a Ravenswood, an old abandoned psychiatric ward deep in the Australian outback, they get much more than they bargained for.

When the guys get trapped in the haunted building by the evil ghost of the former doctor in charge, they conduct a séance to talk to the spirits to let them free. Unfortunately, they inadvertently release the ghost of the doctor’s last victim, and she possesses Sofia. She begs the others to protect her from the doctor.

As the doctor begins killing them to get to Sofia, they must fight for their lives against a brutal enemy hell bent on their destruction. They never knew who the real enemy was until it was too late…

Reviews:

“Ravenswood gets points for delivering some decent atmosphere and chills on a non-existent budget, but it’s crippled by a bad script and a clear lack of care in scenes not directly designed to spook the audience. The bones of a good movie are present; perhaps some more time on the writing would have put enough meat on them to make a solid thriller.” Travis Johnson, Film Ink

Main cast:

Madeline Marie Dona, Adam Horner (Kill Cam), Shane Savage (Evil Fred), Isabel Dickson, Jock Campbell, Ashley Fitzgerald, Jonathan Lane, Josie Waller, Kristy Wright, Celyren Phipps, Kathy Luu.

Filming locations:

Gledswood Homestead, Catherine Fields, New South Wales, Australia
(Ravenswood Psych Hospital)
Rosebery, New South Wales, Australia

IMDb | Facebook | Official site

The Haunting of Hill House is a 2018 ten-episode television series being developed by writer-director Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin of Evil; Hush; Oculus) from Shirley Jackson’s 1959 horror novel for Netflix.

Flanagan will executive produce along with Trevor Macy, Justin Falvey, and Darryl Frank. Amblin TV and Paramount TV will produce.

Jackson’s classic novel follows four people as they spend a summer in a rented mansion. They soon begin to experience a wide range of supernatural phenomena.

The book was previously adapted into a feature film in both 1963 and 1999.

Source: Variety

The Honor Farm is a 2017 horror-themed thriller directed by Karen Skloss from a screenplay by Jasmine Skloss Harrison and Jay Tonne Jr.

When Lucy’s prom night falls apart, she finds herself jumping into a hearse headed for a psychedelic party in the woods. Looking for a thrill, the party wanders deeper into the forest, to a haunted prison work farm….

Reviews:

“The Honor Farm is one of the rare movies that finds teenaged high school students being kind to each other, and its inherently good-natured tone is infectious. Yet in spite of this warm feeling, there’s still a serious sense of danger present throughout the film.” Blair Hoyle, Cinema Slasher

“While it may not be wholly cohesive, I will give Skloss a lot of credit for constantly defying conventions and taking some risks in The Honor Farm. They may not always pay off, but I’d rather watch a movie that tries to subvert my expectations than sit through something that just plays it safe because it’s “easier.” Heather Wixson, Daily Dead

” …don’t expect a horror movie, don’t expect tangible formula, maybe don’t have any expectations at all.  Whatever your expectations are, The Honor Farm is highly likely to invert, subvert, and convert them all at the same time.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“The Honor Farm dazzles and shimmers under Karen Skloss’s guidance, but only visually. Characters are far more hollow than their mouthy rants might suggest, and story struggles to deliver promised goods – whether genre teases were intended or not. You will not jump as a flashlight focuses on some graffiti monster outline, nor do psychedelic confessions bring forth revelations.” Matt Donato, We Got This Covered

“The titular Honor Farm is mythologized as some crossroads of the dark arts and one of the character’s whole reasoning for the visit is to indulge in a séance. Yet, despite the setup of a potential dark ritual nothing comes about. Instead it just kind of sits there, unlit candles, a bloodless blade, and a goat that remains entirely too alive.” Derek Deskins, Next Projection

“Perhaps if Skloss and team had settled on one or even two methods of disorienting the audience instead of throwing the kitchen sink at us, The Honor Farm might have had a chance. However, every potentially fruitful opening the film gets is tossed aside in favor of self-indulgent tangents designed to illuminate the lead character’s inner conflicts.” J Hurtado, Screen Anarchy

Main cast:

Olivia Applegate, Louis Hunter, Dora Madison, Liam Aiken, Katie Folger, Michael Eric Reid, Will Brittain, Mackenzie Astin, Josephine McAdam, Christina Parrish.

IMDb

‘Come take your place in the circle… if you dare!’

Full Circle is a 1977 British-Canadian horror film directed by Richard Loncraine (Brimstone & Treacle) from a screenplay by Dave Humphries, based on a storyline by Harry Bromley Davenport (Xtro and sequel; Whispers of Fear), adapted from the novel Julia by Peter Straub (Ghost Story). It stars Mia Farrow, Keir Dullea and Tom Conti.

The film was belatedly released in the US by Discovery Films in May 1981 as The Haunting of Julia.

Julia Lofting (Mia Farrow), her husband Magnus (Keir Dullea), and daughter Kate (Sophie Ward) sit down to breakfast and Kate starts to choke on an apple. When the apple refuses to dislodge, Julia frantically reaches for a knife and tries to perform a tracheotomy. Kate bleeds to death.

Julia subsequently leaves her husband and moves to an old house in Holland Park. A room upstairs has a child’s possessions in it. As she unpacks, she finds her dead daughter’s clown doll with sharp, clanking cymbals and accidentally cuts her finger on them.

In a nearby park, Julia thinks she sees Kate, but the girl disappears. She hears strange noises in her house, blaming them on Magnus, who she believes is spying on her. The child’s possessions in the room cannot be photographed. A radiator in the house mysteriously turns on by itself. Later, Julia sees the girl in the park again, but finds a mutilated turtle and a knife where she stood.

Her sister-in-law Lily asks if her friends can use her house to conduct a seance. The medium, Mrs. Fludd, explains that spirits need to control someone to carry out physical acts. During the seance, she tells Julia to leave the house immediately. Moments later, one of Lily’s friends, Miss Pinner, falls down the stairs…

Reviews:

“The Haunting of Julia, though frequently creepy, is a slow burn for sure. It provides no easy answers to the question of whether supernatural events are actually occurring. The ending is one of the most achingly beautiful and depressing of all-time.” Ryan Clark, Thrill Me!

” …after a rather lugubrious first half loaded with very loud echoes of Don’t Look Now, the picture accelerates into some highly involved plotting and has its fair share of nasty moments […] But the elegiac atmosphere Loncraine conjures up elsewhere is almost tangible.” Jonathan Rigby, English Gothic

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“…a powerful and moving performance by Mia Farrow, the growing sense of unease that envelops the characters, a stunning score and a final scene that can raise where you were unaware you had hairs.” John Hamilton, X-Cert 2

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“This film is one of the creepiest haunted house films of all time, despite a major flaw that shorts it out of perfection.” Charles Tatum’s Review Archive

“Mia Farrow is faultless in the part of Julia, and she is supported by some solid performances, including a couple of marvelous cameos by incidental characters. The score is notably evocative and the final moments of the film are devastatingly effective.” Harvey Fenton, Ten Years of Terror

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

“Glossy camerawork and mannered direction are unable to lend much tension or credibility to the tale…” Phil Hardy (editor), The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror

Cast and characters:

• Mia Farrow as Julia Lofting + See No Evil; Rosemary’s Baby
• Keir Dullea as Magnus Lofting + Blind Date; BrainWaves; Black Christmas
• Tom Conti as Mark Berkeley
• Jill Bennett as Lily Lofting
• Robin Gammell as David Swift
• Cathleen Nesbitt as Heather Rudge
• Anna Wing as Rosa Flood
• Edward Hardwicke as Captain Paul Winter
• Mary Morris as Greta Braden
• Pauline Jameson as Claudia Branscombe
• Arthur Howard as Piggott
• Peter Sallis as Jeffrey Branscombe + The Night Digger; Taste the Blood of Dracula; Scream and Scream Again
• Damaris Hayman as Miss Pinner
• Sophie Ward as Kate Lofting
• Hilda Fenemore as Katherine
• Nigel Havers as Estate Agent
• Samantha Gates as Olivia Rudge
• Denis Lill as Doctor
• Julian Fellowes as Library Assistant
• Michael Bilton as Salesman
• Yvonne Edgell as Mrs. Flood’s Niece
• Robert Farrant as Receptionist
• Oliver Maguire as Nurse
• Susan Porrett as Mrs. Ward
• John A. Tinn as Customer
• Elizabeth Weaver as Mother in Showroom

Filming locations:

British Museum, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK
3 Holland Park, Kensington, London, England, UK – Julia’s house
Holland House, Holland Park, Kensington, London, England UK
Lord Holland’s Statue, Holland Park, Kensington, London, England, UK
Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK – Julia exits Landrover
Cruciform Building, University College Hospital, Gower Street, London, England, UK

Running time and aspect ratio:

98 minutes | 2.35:1

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘If you hear it you’re already dead’

The Sound is a 2017 Canadian horror film written, co-produced and directed by Jenna Mattison, making her directorial debut. It stars Rose McGowan, Christopher Lloyd and Michael Eklund.

Kelly (Rose McGowan) is a writer and a skeptic of the supernatural. As a specialist in acoustic physics she uses low frequency tactile sound-waves to debunk reported paranormal activities for her online blog.

When presented a new case of a supposedly haunted subway station Kelly sets off to uncover the truth behind the hoax that involves a forty year-old unexplained suicide. Her investigation takes her deep into the abandoned station where her skepticism is tested.

As Kelly ascends into the depths of the metro’s darkness she is confronted by an unforeseen evil. In the vastness, she must face her own haunted memories to find the truth and surface back into the light…

Main cast:

Rose McGowan (Planet Terror; Scream [1996]), Christopher Lloyd (I Am Not a Serial Killer; Piranha 3D and 3DD; The Addams Family; et al), Michael Eklund (West of Hell; See No Evil 2; Nurse 3D), Richard Gunn, Jane Moffat, Alex Braunstein, Michael Giel.

Filming locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Trivia:

The film’s working title was Lower Bay.

IMDb

Peter Sallis (1 February 1921 – 2 June 2017) was an English character actor, mainly known for his work on British television. He gained worldwide fame as the voice of inventor Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit films.

Although born and brought up in Twickenham, Middlesex, his two best remembered roles required him to adopt the accent and mannerisms of a Northerner. In addition to voicing the aforementioned Wallace, he famously played “Cleggy” in TV comedy series Last of the Summer Wine from its 1973 inception until its final episode in 2010, making him the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes!

Most people are unaware that Peter Sallis also played a number of roles in the science fiction and horror genres that began with a Werewolf and ended with a Were-rabbit. Fittingly, Hammer Films set the ball rolling by casting him in a minor role as Don Enrique in their censor-baiting The Curse of the Werewolf (1961).

However, he later had a pivotal role as Samuel Paxton, one of the English ‘gentlemen’ seeking forbidden pleasures in Taste the Blood of Dracula (1969). His character ends up gorily staked through the heart, although the only image of his demise available seems to be in Alan Frank’s Horror Films book (Octopus, 1976), so perhaps it was censored from the film itself? The same year, Sallis also appeared as Schweitz in the bizarre sci-fi/horror conspiracy thriller hybrid Scream and Scream Again.

In Roald Dahl’s darkly comedic psychological thriller The Night Digger (1971) Sallis essayed the role of an eccentric vicar, whilst Full Circle aka The Haunting of Julia (1977) offered him the chance to be a chivalrous neighbour trying to take Keir Dullea’s oafish character to task (only to be rudely pushed aside).

Meanwhile, his TV appearances included a 1959 adaptation of H.G.Wells’ Invisible Man; BBC Doctor Who story “The Ice Warriors” (1967), in which he playing renegade scientist Elric Penley; Jack Smight’s stately Frankenstein: The True Story (1973); children’s series The Ghosts of Motley Hall (1976–78), in which he played Arnold Gudgin, an estate agent who did not want to see the place fall into the wrong hands; and ghost-hunter Milton Guest in the children’s paranormal series The Clifton House Mystery (1978).

Yet, perhaps Peter Sallis’ most memorable and well-known horror-related role was in the twilight of his lengthy career, when he worked on Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in 2005.

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image credits: Aveleyman

‘Evil has an hour to kill.’

6:66 P.M. is a 2017 American comedy horror film directed by Jim Klock (actor in Massacre on Aisle 12; Scream Queens) from a screenplay by Tommy McLaughlin and Chad Ridgely. The Full Auto Films/Code 3 Films production stars Jim Klock, Chad Ridgely and Alexis Kelley.

A team of television ghost hunters gets more than they bargained for when the house that they are pretending is haunted, turns out to be occupied by the evil spirit of an insane serial killer. Their scripted reality show goes haywire as the demon fights to take possession of their bodies…

6:66 P.M. has been acquired by distribution house Indican Pictures, for home entertainment release. Meanwhile, the film will continue a festival run into 2018.

Main cast:

Jim Klock, Chad Ridgely, Alexis Kelley, Autumn Federici, Michael Buonomo, Robin F. Baker, Scott Burkhardt, Michael D. Moore, Bobby Liga, Mike Capozzi.

Filming locations:

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, USA

IMDb | Facebook

The Houses October Built 2 is a 2017 horror film directed by Bobby Roe from a screenplay co-written with Zack Andrews. The sequel to The Houses October Built (2014) stars Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Mikey Roe and Jeff Larson. It is produced by Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious).

Five haunted-house enthusiast friends are still trying to recover from the trauma of being kidnapped the previous Halloween by the Blue Skeleton — a group who takes “extreme haunt” to another level. They decide to face their fears in order to move on and go back out on the road to find more haunted houses. However, ominous signs of the Blue Skeleton start appearing again…

The film will be released theatrically and on VOD in September 2017.

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‘Leave it alone’

Ghost House is a 2017 American/Thai horror film directed by Rich Ragsdale (The Curse of El Charro) based on a screenplay by Kevin O’Sullivan and Jason Chase Tyrrell. It stars Scout Taylor-Compton, James Landry Hébert and Mark Boone Junior.

A young couple, Jim and Julie, are vacationing in Thailand where Julie falls in love with photographing small shrines called ghost houses that are believed to give spirits shelter and comfort.

A couple of British travelers take them into the countryside with the promise of showing Jim and Julie a ghost house graveyard where many of the shrines are discarded.

After leaving the graveyard with a souvenir, Julie is increasingly plagued by visits from a malevolent spirit that threatens both her sanity and her life. After Julie is literally frozen in a state of terror, Jim must find a way to lift the curse before he loses Julie to the ghost world forever…

Main cast:

Scout Taylor-Compton (Edge of Insanity; Halloween (2007); Halloween II; et al), James Landry Hébert (Psychopaths; Carnage Park; Dylan Dog: Dead of Night), Mark Boone Junior (30 Days of Night; Dead Birds; Se7en), Michael S. New, Elana Krausz, Katrina Grey, Russell Geoffrey Banks, Rich Lee Gray.

Filming locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

IMDb

‘Peek-a-boo.’

Boo 2! A Medea Halloween is a 2017 American comedy horror film written and directed by Tyler Perry (Boo! A Medea Halloween). It also stars Brock O’Hurn and Lexy Panterra.

Madea, Aunt Bam, Vivian and Hattie Mae venture to a haunted campground and the group must literally run for their lives when monsters, goblins, and the boogeyman are unleashed.

Meanwhile, Joe and a new character (also played by Tyler Perry) are getting high while experiencing some turbulence in the campground’s abandon building…

The film will be released by Lionsgate on October 20, 2017.

Main cast:

Tyler Perry, Brock O’Hurn, Lexy Panterra, Patrice Lovely, Diamond White, Jc Caylen, Yousef Erakat, Cassi Davis, Inanna Sarkis, Elizabeth Hinkler, Tito Ortiz, Taja V. Simpson, Chandra Currelley-Young, Wil Gonzalez, Emily Hinkler.

Filming locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Wikipedia | IMDb

Temple is a 2017 Japanese/American supernatural horror film directed by Michael Barrett – making his feature debut – from a screenplay by Simon Barrett (Blair Witch; The Guest; You’re Next; A Horrible Way to Die; et al). Logan Huffman, Brandon Sklenar and Natalia Warner star.

Three Americans on a trip to Japan are fascinated by a haunted temple, and, despite warnings from the local villagers, decide to spend a night there…

Filming is apparently completed and so we assume the movie is in post-production.

Main cast:

Logan Huffman (Monster Party; Final Girl; V), Brandon Sklenar (The Last Room), Natalia Warner.

Filming locations:

Tokyo, Japan

IMDb | Image credits: Bloody Disgusting

‘Tortured souls never leave’

Ghost Witch – aka The Legend of Seven Toe Maggie – is a 2015 [released 2017] American supernatural horror film directed by Joseph Lavender (writer of Exit 101) from a screenplay co-written with Jarrod Musselwhite. It stars Mandi Christine Kerr, Gregory French and Josh Sinyard.

Amateur paranormal investigators “G.H.O.S.T.” arrive in a small town in Georgia when one of its members, Zeke, meets up with a local girl, Mattie, who had a disturbing paranormal experience as a young girl in an old house her father purchased.

The land the house sits on is said to be haunted by a Native American girl who was supposedly tortured and murdered inside a church that was once there. Its up to Mattie’s new found friends to discover the mystery behind the legend of seven toe Maggie…

Once there, they are stalked and possessed as the truth about what happened there is revealed, as they all become unwilling participants in the ghost witch’s plan for vengeance…

Ghost Witch is available widely this week via On Demand platforms from Wild Eye Releasing.

Review:

Ghost Witch is an agreeable supernatural sojourn, with a game, generally amiable cast, led by Chase Steven Anderson as geeky Zeke. Joseph Lavender’s direction is workmanlike and the technical credits, minus a couple of sound gaffes, are fine – a rarity in these days of micro-budget and often mind-numbing ‘found footage’ snore-inducers. 

Unfortunately, for all its plus points in terms of the story set up and onscreen delivery of characters (that aren’t just the usual teen fodder), Ghost Witch lacks a certain punchiness and tension. Sure, there are agreeable signposted signals of what’s to come, and they are not without their knowing humour. Thus, we have those well-worn standbys, the old-timer who carps: “This land’s cursed! You need to leave!”, and the interloping arrogant cops (one of whom even idly sniffs an aghast paranormal investigator’s discarded knickers!).

There is even a (surely unintended) reminder of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when Zeke barks: “Look, just stay here and make sure she doesn’t leave the room, ok?” For two-thirds of its running time, the film offers a cinematic ride we’ve been on before and it feels natural and is refreshingly without narrative baggage or show-off directorial distractions.

Towards the climax, there is the expected build up of minor mayhem, even if prior to this the requisite scares are fairly scarce. On the way, an apparently unsettling “demon face” is glimpsed so briefly that it barely registers. And that happens twice. Nothing is made of the “seven toe” potential for torment and although ghostly possession is depicted, as expected, it somehow lacks the visceral impact delivered in similar movies of this ilk. 

Ultimately, Ghost Witch slightly outstays is welcome by spending too long on its denouement. The film’s message – that racial hatred is sheer ignorance and a bad thing – is obviously welcome. Like the slightly dysfunctional paranormal team of friends depicted, the film itself just ambles its way along rather than ripping its way into our psyche. It’s worth a visit but don’t expect too much of the Ghost Witch.

Adrian J Smith, Horrorpedia

Other reviews:

“Seven-Toes Maggie is never really fleshed out enough, beyond some possession and a plenty of thumping, and while there are moments that hold potential, this is just not a scary movie and feels mostly untapped, relying on the well-tread clichés we seen before. Still, given what Lavander is trying to do and with what, some concessions might be warranted. He doesn’t take many risks but does show some promise in a few moments that build tension.” David Duprey, That Moment In

Main cast:

Mandi Christine Kerr (The Walking Dead; Cell; The Vampire Diaries), Gregory French (The Walking Dead; Sleepy Hollow TV series; The Vampire Diaries), Josh Sinyard (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies), Chase Steven Anderson (The Zombie Hero), Christina Pykles, Jessie Bockenek, Joseph Lavender, Elizabeth Barrett, Mandee Bloodworth, Travis Breedlove, Chuck Clark, Slade Curtis, Morgan Dasher, Stephen Dixon, Walter Robert Duckworth.

Filming locations:

Byron and Warner Robins, Georgia, USA

IMDb

‘It’s all fun and games until things get real.’

Poltergeist Encounters is a 2016 Canadian supernatural found footage horror film written and directed by John Migliore (Exorcism of the Dead; Frankenpimp’s Revenge; The Friday Night Death Slot), who also stars. The Survival Zombie Films production stars Andre Guantanamo, Rachél Hopkins, Matt Bandura.

A questionable group of paranormal investigators with their own web series receive the offer of a lifetime: stay one night in a potentially haunted house for a large sum of money. What could possibly go wrong?

It seems like easy money to Anton (John Migliore), team leader of the group, and privately, an unbeliever in the supernatural. Mick (Andre Guantanamo), Roach (Rachél Hopkins) and Terrance (Matt Bandura) are all investigators that take the entire situation far too lightly at first, before everything they believe changes.

On that fateful night, they learn that it’s all fun and games until things get real…

Poltergeist Encounters is released on DVD by Wild Eye Releasing on December 12, 2017.

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

Cast and characters:

• Andre Guantanamo as Mick (Exorcism of the Dead; Blood Theatre; Red Spring; et al)
• Rachél Hopkins as Roach (Exorcism of the Dead; The Friday Night Death Slot; The Johnny Ghoulash Halloween Special)
• Matt Bandura as Terrence (The Friday Night Death Slot; Kount Kracula’s Review Showcase)
• John Migliore as Anton (Exorcism of the Dead; Night of the Living Dead: Genesis; Frankenpimp’s Revenge: The Romeo and Juliet Massacre; The Heretics; Skeleton Key 3 Part 2; et al)
• Deborah Jayne Reilly Smith as Heather
• Lena Montecalvo as Sandra
• Mike Trebilcock as Thomas
• Simon Wheeldon as Ghost
• Sabrina Migliore as Student
• Nicholas Migliore as Bill

IMDb

The Child Remains is a 2017 Canadian supernatural horror film written and directed by Michael Melski and inspired by the true story of the infamous Butterbox Babies. It stars Suzanne Clément, Allan Hawco, Shelley Thompson

An expectant couple’s intimate weekend turns to terror when they discover their secluded country inn is a haunted maternity home where unwanted infants and mothers were murdered…

A release date has yet to be announced.

Main cast:

Suzanne Clément, Allan Hawco (The Third Eye), Shelley Thompson (Halloween Party; Labyrinth; Morons from Outer Space), Géza Kovács (The Hitchhiker; The Dead Zone; Scanners), Lee J. Campbell, Glenn Lefchak, Martha Irving, Lesley Smith, Rena Kossatz.

IMDb

‘Shhh… can you feel it?’

The Attic is a 2017 Thai supernatural horror film directed by Kaprice Kea from a screenplay co-written with Chanaphon Rinla. The River Kwai Bridge Films production stars Pla Komaratat, Lawrence de Stefano and Gun Osathanugrah.

In the suburbs of Bangkok, a modern town-house, left vacant, becomes home to a single-mother with a young girl. But, a relationship between the mother and the house’s ex-pat owner, incites a troubled spirit residing upstairs. A young girl, Lily, becomes tormented by a dark, evil force…

In the US, the The Attic will be available through Green Apple Entertainment via Redbox.

Main cast:

Pla Komaratat, Lorenzo de Stefano, Gun Osathanugrah, Nutchanun Mahingsa and Ice Natcha

IMDb

‘Not all graves are quiet’

The Bone Box is a 2017 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Luke Genton. It stars Aaron Schwartz, Michelle Krusiec and David Chokachi.

A graverobber comes to believe he’s being haunted by those he stole from…

Main cast:

• Aaron Schwartz
• Michelle Krusiec – Don’t Look There; The Unbidden; The Invitation
• David Chokachi – The Jersey Devil; Army of the Damned; Rage of the Yeti; Bats: Human Harvest; Psycho Beach Party
• Jamie Bernadette – Grizzled!; Hacked Off!; 13 Girls; 4/20 Massacre; I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu; Let’s Be Evil; Elder Island; All Girls Weekend; Nightstalker
• Maria Olsen – Impuratus; Ravenwolf Towers; 60 Seconds to Die; The Remains; Southbound; Consumption; Mark of the Witch; The Levenger Tapes; et al
• Art Roberts – Garden Party Massacre; The Dark Side of the Womb; Shadow of a Stranger; Nazi Dawn; After School Massacre
• Cynthia Bravo – Hide in the Light 
• Gareth Koorzen – State of Desolation

IMDb

‘If you can hear it, then you are already dead.’

Sacrilege is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by Paul Catalanotto (Proof of the Devil) from a screenplay co-written with Mary Nguyen Catalanotto and Mark Twain Williams. It stars Kim Baptiste, Megan Few and Jenn Foreman.

Carefree and desperate to avoid any responsibility, Jessica, a college student, visits a yard sale to buy a gift for her best friend.

However, the music box she brings home is haunted by a vicious demonic entity eager to feed off the lives of all who hear the box’s melody.

After her best friend takes her own life, Jessica seeks the aid of two ghost hunters, but they too find themselves out of their depth. Desperate to free herself of the cursed box, she searches for the box’s origin only to find that true evil begins with best of intentions…

Reviews:

“Sacrilege’s greatest challenge is its pacing; it started off very strong, grabbing viewers’ attention and making them want to watch more, but then it inconsistently slowed down and sped up in a way that could potentially cause viewers to lose focus.” Misty Wallace, Cryptic Rock

“The ghost girl has her scary moments, which is few and far between. But she doesn’t do enough to make you want to cower in fright. As far as horror films go, Sacrilege ranks low and isn’t really worth your time, even late at night with nothing else to watch…” Valkor, The Other View

“The film looks good enough and the ghost girl can be quite menacing. Judging from some of the later scenes where they transition from tepid annoyance to manic resignation, Foreman seems like she could have easily been able to turn in a memorable performance if the writing gave her anything to do. Baptiste also comes off as very confident and natural but is also hindered by the indifference that plagues the rest of the film.” Brian Tull, Horror Buzz

“Despite some stumbling blocks in character development, the script’s dialogue has good bits that build to the ultimate reveal of the box’s sad origins. Chad Graham (Ragaru, June 2015) plays a vital role as the original box owner Carl, and his menacing countenance does the role justice as he delivers the climactic twist, which—while not earth-shattering—is worthy of a “well done” nod.” Nathan Wyckoff, HorrorNews.net

“Overall, Sacrilege is pretty decent. It feels like it’s ripping off a lot of other horror movies that executed things better. Still, it manages to do a surprisingly good job in its own right. It’s filled with horror tropes but I cannot deny that I was entertained.” Games, Brrraaains, and a Head-Banging Life

” …there’s some seriously shoddy acting (I’ll withhold names to protect the innocent) and some plot holes that a cruise ship could sail right through, but with some intricately placed jump scares and some mind-warping twists in the film’s latter-half, Sacrilege isn’t a complete abomination…” Matt Boisette, Dread Central

Main cast:

• Kim Baptiste as Dr. Harris – The Devil’s Dolls aka Worry Dolls; Bayou Tales; Shark Lake
• Megan Few as Samantha – Kudzu Zombies; Demons; Making of a Serial Killer; The Legend of Industrial Ghost-Wolf
• Jenn Foreman as Jessica – 13 Sins; Dark Circles; Dead of Night (TV series)
• Jordan Salloum as Cole
• Greg Pearson as Ted
• Chad Graham as Carl
• Daniel Levy as Tall dark and all over you
• Carmen Tonry as Little Demon
• Christine Tonry as Nancy

IMDb

‘They’ll scare your pants off… and give you a chill for life!’

Hillbillys in a Haunted House is a 1967 American comedy horror musical film directed by Jean Yarbrough (The Brute Man; King of the Zombies; The Devil Bat; et al) from a screenplay by Duke Yelton. It was produced by Bernard Woolner (Attack of the 50 Foot Woman).

The film is a sequel to The Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966), with Joi Lansing replacing Mamie Van Doren in the role of “Boots Malone”.

Country singers are headed to Nashville. Their car breaks down and they stop overnight at an abandoned house. A ring of international spies (Lon Chaney, Jr., Basil Rathbone and John Carradine) who live in the house are seeking a top-secret formula for rocket fuel.

While it is never revealed for whom they are spying, they carry out their activities under the cover of a supposed haunted house, which comes complete with a gorilla in the basement…

Reviews:

“So there are a few reasons to watch this turkey: (1) if you’re a classic horror buff and want to see these icons one more time (2) if you’re a Country & Western fan and are willing to sit through the bulk of this nonsense to get to the music (3) if you’re into the pneumatic Monroe/Mansfield/Van Doren wannabe Joi Lansing . If you’re not in any one of those three categories, steer clear.” Gary Loggins, Cracked Rear Viewer

“The good news is that the three horror icons, Carradine, Rathbone and Chaney Jr., have a few decent scenes (Carradine, at his absolute hammiest, is especially entertaining), as does George Barrows in his monkey suit […] To be fair, Hillbillys in a Haunted House isn’t nearly as bad as its reputation would lead you to believe…” 2,500 Movies Challenge

“The film rarely concerns itself with the haunted house aspect – certainly, Jean Yarbrough, a director famous for his poverty row career, fails to establish any atmosphere. There is the minor appearance of a ghost and a lurking ape, one of the staples of the Old Dark House genre, but mostly the film seems to centre more around spy capers, which were then in fad thanks to the success of the James Bond films.” Richard Scheib, Moria

“Sure it ain’t Citizen Kane by a longshot, but the combination of Ferlin Husky’s cockeyed charisma, Joi Lansing’s blouse-busting pulchritude, cobwebbed skeletons and rubber bats, sub-vaudeville skits and a pretty decent gorilla suit is oddly appealing. And dang it all if the toe-tappin’ country tunes ain’t too shabby.” Andrew Pragasam, The Spinning Image

With the exception of the performances of Basil Rathbone and John Carradine, Hillbillys in a Haunted House appears to have been cast with amateurs. Ferlin Husky sings well, but can’t act. Unless you love country music, you’ll probably hear way too much of it in this film. Just about everyone except Basil sings a pitiful song.” Marcia Jessen, BasilRathbone.net

“It’s pretty awful, but just how excruciating it is may well depend on two factors: 1) your tolerance for country music, and 2) the degree of your affection for the familiar faces of John Carradine, Lon Chaney Jr., and Basil Rathbone.” Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings

The rest of the pressbook is on Zombo’s Closet

Cast and characters:

• Ferlin Husky as Woody Wetherby
• Joi Lansing as Boots Malone
• Don Bowman as Jeepers
• John Carradine as Dr. Himmil
• Lon Chaney Jr. as Maximillian
• Linda Ho as Madame Wong
• Basil Rathbone as Gregor
• Molly Bee as herself
• Merle Haggard as himself
• Sonny James as himself
• Jim Kent as himself
• Marcella Wright as herself
• Richard Webb as Agent Jim Meadows
• Larry Barton as Hillbilly
• George Barrows as Anatole the gorilla
• Pat Patterson as Hillbilly
• Allen Jung as Janitor
• Jay Jasin as Television Announcer
• Marshall Wright as Hillbilly
• Virginia Ann Lee as Agent Ming Toy

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image credits: The Dwrayger Dungeon