Coming to DVD & Blu-ray in May: Mama and ABCs of Death!

Next month, you can snap up either of these two major horror releases wherever movies are sold: The Guillermo del Toro produced MAMA comes to DVD and Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Home Video. I haven't seen it myself but it seems that most people liked it... until they saw the disappointing ending. Here's more info on the film and the specs on the DVD and Blu-ray:

From Academy Award® nominated actress Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, The Help) comes the pulse-pounding tale of one mother’s twisted love in MAMA. Brought to life by Academy Award® nominee Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) and also starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (“Game of Thrones”), MAMA will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on May 7, 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Also available on Digital Download on April 23, 2013.

MAMA is the haunting tale of two little girls who vanish without a trace from their suburban neighborhood the day that their parents were killed. But when the young sisters are found alive years later in a decrepit cabin, their uncle (Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Chastain), take them in. As they try to introduce the children to a normal life, Annabel begins to wonder if the traumatized girls are the only guests they have welcomed into their home or if someone or something still wants to come tuck them in at night.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack allows fans to watch MAMA anytime, anywhere on the device of their choice. It includes a Blu-ray™ disc, a DVD, a Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ for the ultimate, complete viewing experience.

· Blu-ray™ disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound.

· Digital Copy provides fans with a choice of digital options to watch on devices such as iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, computers and more.

· DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing the movie in more places, both at home and while away.

· UltraViolet™ is a revolutionary new way for fans to collect their moves and TV shows in the cloud. UltraViolet™ lets consumers instantly stream and download to tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs. Now available in both the United States and Canada.

BONUS FEATURES (BLU-RAY™ and DVD):
* MATRIARCAL SECRETS BD EXCLUSIVE: An in-depth exploration of the digital and practical effects employed to shape the film’s phantom presence.

* DELETED SCENES with Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Andy Muschietti and Producer/Co-Writer Barbara Muschietti.

* ORIGINAL SHORT WITH INTRODUCTION BY GUILLERMO DEL TORO with Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Andy Muschietti and Producer/Co-Writer Barbara Muschietti.

* THE BIRTH OF MAMA: MAMA began as a chilling short that announced a new voice in the horror genre. Exclusive interviews with Executive Producer Guillermo del Toro and the filmmakers track the bloodline of the feature and explore changes needed to make the transition to a film.

* FEATURE COMMENTARY with Director/Co-Writer Andy Muschietti and Producer/Co-Writer Barbara Muschietti.

PRE-ORDER ON DVD AT AMAZON.COM FOR $19.86!
PRE-ORDER ON BLU-RAY AT AMAZON.COM FOR $23.86!

What?! They removed the baby from the cover art?!

Also coming out in May is "The ABCs of Death" (read my review HERE) which has built itself a sturdy cult May 21st, and features 26 short films from 26 different directors from around the world.
following. This (in my opinion) failed cinematic experiment is coming to DVD and Blu-ray through Magnet Releasing on

Here are the special features that both the DVD and Blu-ray releases will contain:

* 11(DVD)/14 (BR) Behind the Scenes, Making-ofs and Deleted Scenes.

* Filmmaker Commentary (Over 30 Filmmakers).

* BD-Live Feature Exclusive to Blu-ray – Additional Short Film Contest Submissions.

I'd probably pick it up for the making-ofs and commentaries alone, just to get some insight into why all of these filmmakers chose the topics and made the artistic decisions that were displayed in their final products. While I admittedly only enjoyed a handful of the short films (about six out of the twenty-six), I'd love to have some of my curiosity sated.

Also, not to be a stickler, but why was the baby photoshopped out of the cover art? That sort of propelled me to actively seek the movie out and watch it... now the artwork just looks... generic.

Once again, THE ABCS OF DEATH hits DVD and Blu-ray on May 21st. You can pre-order yourself a copy by clicking on the links below.

PRE-ORDER THE DVD AT AMAZON.COM FOR $24.28!
PRE-ORDER THE BLU-RAY AT AMAZON.COM FOR $19.99!

NOW PLAYING: OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, ABCS OF DEATH, and THE SILENCE

Along with the release of JACK THE GIANT SLAYER last week, it seems like we are now at the start of Hollywood's blockbuster season which seems to start earlier and earlier every year. (Remember when all the mega budget blockbuster films came out exclusively in the Summer?) This week, Sam Raimi looks to put a hurting on the box office receipts for Bryan Singer's latest fantasy epic, a foreign murder mystery/thriller gets a limited release, and a new-ish Horror anthology will be popping up at a select theater (probably not) near you. Leading the charge this weekend is OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL:


Admittedly I didn't have high hopes for this one (sorry Sam!) but after seeing this latest trailer, I'm inclined to grab a ticket to scope it out. It is certainly visually appealing to say the least, and from the handful of reviews I've read, it pretty much is style over substance. Plus there's a helluva good chance of seeing Bruce Campbell in a cameo appearance here, so I may just head out to see it next week!

Up next is a film I'm more than familiar with, namely THE ABCS OF DEATH (read my review for it HERE):


It kills me that this movie wasn't as good as it should have been. The concept is still pretty cool, and I truthfully want another one, but there's gotta be more quality control the next time around. Also, it seems to me that this would play better as an actual competition between filmmakers (weekly TV format?), with the winners walking away with prize money and a distribution contract. If anything though, I have to admit the advertising campaign for this is really damned good. I just watched the trailer again and was like "Man I want to see this.... oh wait.... I did. Nevermind." Hahaha.

Finally, here's the trailer for a film I've been talking about on this here blog for the past few weeks. THE SILENCE opens in select theaters and will treat you to a moody, murder mystery/thriller that'll keep you guessing until the end(?).


It seems interesting but I don't know if I'd go out of my way to see it on the big screen. This one screams "NetFlix streaming" to me, so I'll just hold off on seeing this for a while.

Are you seeing/have you seen any of these on the big screen this weekend? Drop me a comment below and tell me what you watched and how it was, or share your opinions with me on Facebook or Twitter!

6 SOULS now available On Demand + ABCS OF DEATH & THE SILENCE coming to theaters March 8th!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I needed to take a short break to accomplish some things that didn't involve movies, or a computer. Plus, admittedly, I've been goofing around and playing classic RTS games (e.g. Age of Mythology) and a game called Retro City Rampage the past few nights. Sometimes you just need to call a time-out and turn your brain off for a couple of days. In any case, here's some news about three new(ish) flicks that are coming to a theater (or Video on Demand service) near you!

6 SOULS, which I discussed in this post, is now available on various On Demand services including iTUNES and AMAZON.COM! This movie features Julianne Moore as a doctor that's lost her faith in God, but not in SCIENCE! That all begins to change when her latest patient Adam, who is afflicted with multiple personality disorder, begin behaving in ways that science can't explain. Is he possessed? Is he crazy? Or is he just really clever and kind of f*cked up? Guess you'll have to watch the flick to find out!

Next week, on Friday, March 8th, Magnet Releasing will be giving ABCs of Death a limited theatrical release. The film features 26 distinctly unique Horror shorts from 26 different directors from around the world. As you may have ascertained from my review (read it HERE), I was pretty disappointed with the film. If you want to sate your own curiosity about this movie, you can check out ABCS OF DEATH on the big screen next Friday at any of the locations listed HERE.

Also new in select theaters this coming Friday is THE SILENCE, a foreign murder mystery/thriller, in which a teenage girl is abducted in a field of wheat, where another young girl was murdered 23 years prior. Is there a connection between the two crimes? Well.... yeah more than likely. Otherwise, what the hell would be the point of the movie, right? This one is getting a limited release through Music Box Films, and you can find the list of theaters it will be playing at HERE.

ZOM-BEE FREAK-END HORROR FEST in Winchester, VA this weekend!

Starting TONIGHT at the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE in WINCHESTER, VA, you can experience the fun and thrills of the ZOM-BEE FREAK-END HORROR FESTIVAL! This event, which is celebrating the launch of ZOM-BEE TV, is going on all weekend and kicks off at 6PM tonight! It's $40.00 for a weekend pass into ALL events (or you can swing in for a night and buy a movie ticket if any are available), which includes movie screenings, Q&A sessions, live music, video game challenges, and more!

For more info, you can visit the official Freak-End website HERE. For the full festival lineup, scroll down a tad.

Schedule of Events  (Subject to change)

Friday. February 8
6 pm – 7:30 pm – ZOM-BEE CARNIVAL. Meet the hosts from Zom-Bee TV  play games for prizes.

7:30 pm - Monster Energy Drink Presents PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE in HECKLEVISION!  Watch the classic film and text your taunts for all to see on the big screen!

9 pm – WORLD PREMIERE of MIDGET ZOMBIE TAKEOVER Followed by Q&A with director Glenn Bergoettz.

11:30 pm – KUNG FU DYKES Live!  Live music from costumed techno-thrash band Kung Fu Dykes. Watch a World Premiere of a new White Label Lounge episode featuring Kung Fu Dykes and Skeletonwitch before the band takes the stage.

12 Midnight – LOVE BITES MONSTER BALLAD SING-ALONG: Sing-along to videos from bands like Cinderella, Poison, Bon Jovi, and more!  Complete with live mics and lighters so you can be a part of the teased-hair action.

Saturday Feb 9
FESTIVAL PASS EXCLUSIVE:  10 am – NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD:  An early morning screening of the classic film with Bloody Mary specials.

11:30 am - Press Start Video Games presents DEAD SPACE 3: Big screen demo

12:30 pm - BRAIN BRUNCH with DAWN OF THE DEAD:  The original Romero classic with nasty food specials, introduced by Jim Krut, the legendary "helicopter zombie" from the film!

FESTIVAL PASS EXCLUSIVE:  2:30 pm – Zombie Apocalypse Vodka presents HORROR SHORTS:  Featuring a new short called THE DUMP from writers at Fangoria, OTHER, the world premiere of a trailer for an upcoming film from Zom-Bee co-founder and director Dale Jackson, and more surprises.

3:45 pm – Mr. Lobo Presents RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD:  The ‘80s zombie favorite back on the big screen with live appearance from Mr. Lobo.

6:15 pm – Drafthouse Films THE ABC’S OF DEATH: An ambitious 26-part anthology that showcases death in all its vicious wonder and brutal beauty.  Watch the movie at the Freakend a full month before its wide theatrical release.

8:45 pm  - Prosthetic Records Presents HORROR REMIX: LOVE World Premiere with live set from STELLA ON FIRE!  Edited versions of VHS-era horror movies, hosted by sock puppets.

11:30 pm - Fangoria Entertainment Presents ZOM-PROM  with DIXIEFILTH Live!  Live music followed by a screening of Lucio Fulci’s CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Includes costume contest for prizes.

Sunday Feb 10
11:30 am - Press Start Video Games presents: CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ZOMBIE CHALLENGE FINALS.

1:30 pm - TROLL 2.  We finish the weekend with a classic that is a special kind of awful which has nothing at all to do with the first TROLL!  With a live farewell from the Zom-Bee hosts.

I should note that this is the world-premiere of director Glenn Bergoettz' MIDGET ZOMBIE TAKEOVER, which will feature a bit more footage than the official DVD release. I just received my screener for this movie, and Glenn's two other feature films, TO DIE IS HARD and THE WORST MOVIE EVER!, so expect some new reviews to be popping up on the site in the very near future! As stated above in the festival schedule, Glenn will be there to do some Q&A about his latest film, so be sure to stick around after the screening!

If you get to attend this film fest, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below! I'd love to know what I'm missing out on this weekend!

Quickie Review: "The ABCs of Death"

As you may recall, I wrote about "The ABCs of Death" a while back in my last INDIE FILMS YOU SHOULD BE STOKED FOR article. When I first heard of the project, I was quite excited for it. The poster was extremely cool, and the concept was something that hasn't really been done before (at least not on such a large scale). Twenty-six Horror directors signed on, got a letter of the alphabet, and had to come up with a short based off the letter. (For example: A is for Apocalypse.)

Well it came out on Video on Demand this past week, and I couldn't help myself. I just had to give this a look! Plus, I'd rather spend ten bucks now instead of twenty-five later when it came out on Blu-ray, especially if it sucked. Last night, I took the plunge, paid my "pre-theatrical rental" fee, and sat through two hours of total "what the f*ck" cinema.

So how was it you may be wondering? Well... pretty disappointing actually. I'd say that out of the twenty-six shorts, I only really liked about five or six of them. I'm not saying the rest were all horrible, but some were just too weird (all of the Asian ones) or too artsy ("O is for Orgasm") for their own good. Here are some of the better shorts:

C is for CYCLE
This one was kind of cool; I was honestly expecting this one to be C for Clone. Multiple realities merge when a guy witnesses his own murder.... by himself. Is he having a glimpse of the future? Is he about to be replaced by an evil doppelganger or twisted twin brother? It is never really revealed, but hey I'm cool with that because this was a cool idea.

D is for Dogfight
This one was pretty weird. A guy prepares for an underground dogfight against an actual dog. As he and the hound trade blows and bites, they eventually stop and turn on their abusive masters. This was gritty and cool. Still wondering if the guy that was fighting the dog, was actually a dog the entire time?

H is for Hydro-Electric Diffusion
This one was INSANE and I loved it! It's World War II and a fighter pilot walks into a bar to catch a stripshow. The twist? The pilot is an anthropomorphic dog, and the stripper is a fox... literally! It's a twisted cartoon brought to life, with the brave pilot being captured and nearly tortured to death by the Nazi fox-woman in disguise. Is is weird for me to find a weird human/fox hybrid sexy? Hahaha.

This ain't Disney's "Fox and the Hound!"

Q is for Quack
Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett think outside the box on this one. Filmed as a "behind-the-scenes" video of their creation of their "Q short," the two brainstorm but can't come up with anything. Eventually they decide to snuff a duck on camera with some funny results.

T is for Toilet
After sitting through a lot of toilet and sh*t-themed shorts (seriously, a lot of these directors have a toilet/bodily fluids fetish), here was one that I could get behind. Lee Hardcastle, the genius behind "The Thing" and "The Raid" with claymation cats,  tells us the story of a child that's afraid to use the toilet. This short was picked in a contest hosted by Drafthouse Films; you can check it out for yourself below.


V is for Vagitus
This one really took the ball and ran with it. Set in a dystopian future where childbirth is controlled by the people in power, we watch as a police officer and her GIANT ROBOTIC PARTNER WITH A FORE-ARM MOUNTED MINI-GUN break into a warehouse and start gunning people down. The crime? Having a child without government consent. There's a lot more to this short film that I won't spoil, but after all the other toilet humor and weirdness, this one was a breath of fresh air.

So what about the rest? Well some are mediocre, some are OK, and many are just plain... f*cked.... up. Noboru Iguchi's "F is for Fart" is insanely bizarre and had me staring slack-jawed at the screen. Timo Tjahjanto's "L is for Libido" is perhaps the most f*cked up short in the entire anthology. A guy is stuck in a life-or-death game where he has to masturbate and reach climax before his competitor. The thing is, they have to whack-off to some truly disturbing stuff, like masturbating amputees and child rape. It's really disturbing and shocking and kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

"X is for XXL" features an overweight woman being brutally picked on by everyone that sees her. When she arrives home, she stuffs her face with food, then goes into the bathroom with a knife and begins hacking off her fatty flesh. Then there's "W is for WTF!" which totally lives up to its name, and "Z is for Zetsumetsu" which is full of mutants, penises, and capped off with a parody of "Dr. Strangelove."

Now I'm all for filmmakers taking a chance on making something different, and like I said earlier, the concept is really cool, but in the end "The ABCs of Death" just didn't do it for me. The good shorts are too few, and the majority of them are obsessed with bodily-fluids other than blood. It's a movie that'll have you laughing one minute, staring in shock another, and will ultimately have you asking "What the f*ck is wrong with Asians?!"

Do I recommend "The ABCs of Death?" No, not really, but there are a few diamonds in the rough so it isn't a total waste of two hours. In the end, it was all one gloriously failed experiment. There is definite room for improvement in the future though, and I am totally ready to embrace a followup film. But next time guys and gals, could you please toss more blood and less poop at the screen?