Danger After Dark has send us news that they've recently acquired four genre films from Japan at this year's American Film Market. The titles include "X-Game," "DeathPenalty.com," its sequel "DeathPenalty.com: The New Beginning" and "Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale". No release timetable was giving to when to expect these films in stores.

Press Release:

Danger After Dark has acquired all-rights for North American and United Kingdom to "X-Game," DeathPenatly.com," its sequel "DeathPenalty.com: the New Beginning" and all North American rights to "Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale." The deal was finalized today at the 2011 American Film Market.

"We are excited to bring these films and their talented filmmakers into the Danger After Dark family," says Derek Curl, President/CEO of Danger After Dark. "Each film's unique vision of film-making presents a variety of styles and demonstrates that Japanese filmmakers are also developing creative, twisted and imaginative "indie" genre films to entertain, shock and satisfy the hunger of film fans."

The deal was negotiated between Derek Curl, President/CEO of Danger After Dark and Naoko Sakakibara, Head of International Sales at Jolly Roger, Inc.

Danger After Dark has send us over information that they will be the exclusive North American distributor of Mondo Macabro, a UK Based Company. Also they've announced that the first title under that agreement is the holiday slasher "Don't Open Until Christmas". The film will be arriving on shelves on December 6th. Extras on the DVD include a 52-minute "Making of… Don't Open Till Christmas" documentary, Documentary about producer Dick Randall, Extensive Production Notes, and previews for upcoming Mondo Macabro releases.


Press Release:

DANGER AFTER DARK is proud to announce that it will be the exclusive North American distributor for UK-based MONDO MACABRO, the film label dedicated to “the wild side of world cinema.” To celebrate this momentous partnership, MONDO MACABRO presents the holiday release of "DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS," the classic British slasher that was heavily cut at the time of its release - now re-mastered in HD and uncut for the first time ever with over 70 minutes of extras! The “ho-ho-ho horror” slays your DVD collection when it streets December 6, 2011 with a S.R.P. of $24.99. Check out the trailer here: http://vimeo.com/31094985

“DANGER AFTER DARK is excited to bring one of the premiere, specialty film labels into our distribution family, “ says Derek Curk, President of Danger After Dark . “MONDO MACABRO’s fearless dedication to finding, preserving and unleashing unconventional, provocative movies fits DANGER AFTER DARK’s drive to provide an outlet for MONDO, to get their films to their very loyal fan-base."

"MONDO MACABRO and DANGER AFTER DARK have had a relationship for years and it’s a great pleasure for us to cement that with a distribution deal, “ says Andy Starke, President of UK-based MONDO MACABRO. “ It's fantastic to have found a home at a company that is not only knowledgeable about cult, underground and alternative cinema - but are fans too"

"DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS," directed by and starring Edmund Purdom, celebrates Christmas time in London - a season of good will to all men and full of joyous celebrations, quality family time and luxurious presents. This year, it's also time for a masked maniac to be let loose on the streets. His intended victims are chosen at random but they all have one thing in common: they are dressed in the flowing white beard and bright red robes of Santa Claus! With fourteen Santa Clauses already dead and only three killing days left until Christmas, the police are baffled as the horrific death toll continues to rise. From the producers of "Pieces" and "Slaughter High," this rarely-seen flick features very graphic and disturbing violence - including castration, mutilation - and some phenomenal nudity, courtesy of Pat Astley (Mr. Grace’s nurse from “Are You Being Served?”). Suffice it to say, your holidays will never be the same again!

This is the first of a three-part look at the short films that are playing in Danger After Dark's short film program, Straight for the Kill, a collection of some of the horrific shorts from around the world.


Treevenge
Year: 2008
Director: Jason Eisener
Studio: YerDead Productions
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 15 Mins
Official Website: http://www.treevenge.com/





(Please note, this review is a repost from 12/16/2008)

If you thought “Splatter Disco” was the only Christmas themed horror film that I could come with, this year, I was sadly mistaken. There is another film that has the holiday theme and fits into the Christmas season, very well. The film that I’m talking about is Treevenge. This film could also be called, “Attack of the Killer Christmas Trees”, as that’s what I thought at the end of this short. The film has won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival, New York City Horror Film Fest and Toronto After Dark Film Festival and will be playing at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in January.

“Treevenge” is the latest creation from the guys who came out last year during around the time that “Grindhouse” came out with the notorious grindhouse faux trailer “Hobo With a Shotgun”, which won the SXSW Grindhouse Trailer Cut contest, last year, in conjunction with Quentin Taratino and Robert Rodriquez’s “Grindhouse”. The film is about, the experiences and lives of the Christmas trees. After being chopped down to be sold and shipped from their homes, they aren’t happy being used for display purposes. This Christmas will be definitely be different, as the trees will fight back and try to end civilization and the Chirstmas hoiliday, as we know it.

‘Treevenge” is a holiday filled gorefest that’s so demented you’ll be shocked. The direction of this film has the same grindhouse type feel that made “Hobo with a Shotgun"faux trailer very entertaining and earned cult like status on myspace. I liked how, director Jason Eisener goes for that vibe again, with this project. It help makes this film very odd, from most films that I usually see, especially when you have trees talking with subtitles. I’m not kidding. The pace of the action was good, as Eisener (who’s also the editor) does a good job editing; as the action doesn’t take away the film’s story. He also makes the violence very gory. The gory effects were very good, as there were a couple of very graphic images that were gruesome to watch, as he replicates the violence that was seen in his previous project.

Eisener and Rob Cotterill’s screenplay was good and original. The writers did a great job making the action very shocking. They did that, by making the death horrifying, as it added to the film’s shock level. There were moments that were very gruesome. Their development of the characters was solid. They do a good job developing the time between when the trees get cut in the beginning of the film to Christmas day, where this is not a Christmas to remember. They also did a good job getting the tree’s perspective oddly enough. They did that, by making their dialogue subtitled, which made more than just the typical boring B-movie monster. In that same time, the writers did a good job developing the soon to be victims. They did that to make sure that you are shocked, when the trees attack.

Treevenge will definitely make you think twice, before deciding to put up a tree, this Christmas.

Review Rating: 4 Stars



Side Effect
Year: 2009
Director: Liz Adams
Studio: AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women
Stars: Virginia Newcomb, Suzy Cote, Jonathan Nail
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 13 Mins
Official Website: http://www.sideeffectthemovie.net/






"Side Effect is about an attractive, over achieving student, who takes a job as a babysitter, for a wealthy couple. The couple trusts her with their kids, as they head out for a social gathering. While watching the kids, she begins to work on her schoolwork. Being frustrated with it, she takes a couple of pills to help focus on her schoolwork. Soon the pills take its effect and helps her balance everything that she needs to do, but these pills have a side effect that might end up with deadly consequences.

“Side Effect” is a very effective and shocking short film. Liz Adams’ direction was very good. She does great job looking at the dangers of abusing drugs while creating images that were shocking and downright horrifying. What made this effective was Adams’ ability to create an atmosphere that is very dark and creepy, by setting up the tension in the film’s beginning, so that you’re led in a different direction. She also directs some of the film’s action very well, as it really helped show off the character’s state of mind from the beginning of the film until it’s end, as some of this film reminded me of Darren Aronofsky’s second film “Requiem of a Dream”, which also tackles the same subject. But what makes this character study work was the way that Adams directs her leading lady, Virginia Newcomb, as her performance helps carry this film. She pulls off her role very well, as she shows different sides of her character. This helps her performance become believable and helps the film be a very shocking film.

Adams’ screenplay was also very good. One of the things that make this screenplay good, the fact the film has a constant message about the dangers of pill addiction. This message is present in the film’s story and action, which I hope some of you, who watches this get it, because it’s something that’s not explored enough in cinema. Another thing that makes the screenplay and story very good, the way Adams makes this film a character study instead of a film that focuses on shock value. There is shock value here, but that’s not the main focus of the story. She focuses on the story and the effects that the main character is having with these pills and the dangers that such an addiction poses. It makes the film very dark and makes you interested in the dangers, when you misuse pills just to keep yourself up all night.

Side Effect is a shocking and horrifying short that carries a powerful message regarding the dangers of misusing pills.

Review Rating: Five Stars

Upcoming Screenings for the Straight for the Kill Short Film Program presented by Danger After Dark.

Sunday March 29th, 9:15 PM International House Philadelphia, PA
Sunday April 5th, 4:30 PM International House Philadelphia, PA

I Sell the Dead
Year: 2009
Director: Glenn McQuaid
Studio: Glass Eye Pix
Stars: Dominic Monaghan, Larry Fessenden, Ron Perlman
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 85 Mins
Official Website: http://www.isellthedead.com/






With the Philadelphia Film Festival set to kick it into high gear tomorrow, Film Arcade.net and me is very happy to bring you readers a little sneak preview to a couple of high profile horror films along with some horrifying shorts that are playing in the Danger After Dark portion of the film festival. What better to start my coverage off, with possibly one of the most anticipated and award winning horror films that is generating alot of buzz.

“I Sell the Dead” high already won some high profile award, like Best Independent Feature at the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival and it was also one of the big hits at this year Slamdance Film Festival, winning Best Cinematography (Richard Lopez) and Special Jury Mention for Best Performance, Larry Fessenden. Now it’s playing at the Philadelphia Film Festival, as part of Danger After Dark portion.

The film takes place in the 18th century where the law has finally caught up to two grave robbers, Arthur Blake (Dominic Monaghan) and Willie Grimes (Larry Fessenden). While waiting to be executed, Blake is visited by a visiting clergyman Father Duffy (Ron Perlman). The two spark a conversation that recounting the fifteen years that Blake has been the grave robbing trade from stealing trinkets, as a little boy to the formation of a the partnership that Blake and Grimes have. It’s filled with adventure, horror and rivalries that threaten to put everyone involved right into their graves. The film also stars horror legend, Angus Scrimm from “Phantasm” fame.

I know that it's early in the year, but "I Sell the Dead" is truly one of the best films to come out. A lot of this film's success comes from first time feature film Writer/Director, Glenn McQuaid. This direction job has to be considered phenomenal. The reason I use this word, first, the film is an independent production. Second, it was shot in New York City. Third, it’s very visual. Finally, how he was able to make the film fit the 18th century look, with the budget at his disposable, which it's just amazing. He manages to convey it all on the screen. He also had some very good help from his cinematographer, Richard Lopez, whose cinematography work is one of the keys to why this film achieves the 18th century look. The camerawork was just great from the filming of the action to the look; it's no wonder why this film was great to watch from a visionary sense.

This is also one of those horror films, where the acting and screenplay make the horror fun to watch, instead of the blood and gore, which makes most of these films fun.

McQuaid does a great job with making the acting component of the film work. There are some very good performances here, especially from Larry Fessenden, who does a great job holding his own with Dominic Monaghan, as the two developed great chemistry with each other, which helped with some of the film's most humorous and scary moments. The film also has a very good supporting performance from Ron Perlman, who doesn't give the typical Ron Perlman performance, as he was great with those scenes, in which the main character is telling the whole story about the deeds that he had done and Perlman just plays the character straight. It makes the film very entertaining and not boring and dull.

McQuaid's screenplay was also as good, as his direction. This could have been easily a boring film to watch, with the time setting and the material. But what makes this fun, the fact that he makes the story come off like a "Tales from the Crypt" story. The detailing of the action and characters makes this story and screenplay work. The reason for doing this, it makes the movie not come off as a series of conversations, especially towards the second half of the film, where in any other film, the film would have slowed down. Not here. It helps move the story along without getting bored and waiting for something to happen. McQuaid does a great job with the dark humor that this film has, as it’s witty and provided the necessary laughs that gets you into the film. But the sole reason this film's works; the two main characters were very likable. The screenplay also does a good job developing the two main characters during of all those adventures that the two have through the scares and the twists that this story has. Provided with the comic book style approach, it made the film very fun and dementedly entertaining.

“I Sell the Dead” is a film that you will truly hear about in the coming months, as it finds distribution. This is one of those buddy horror films that put the fun back into horror.

Review Rating: Five Stars

Upcoming Screening

Ritz East 1, Philadelphia, PA, Friday March 27, 9:45 PM
Ritz East 1, Philadelphia, PA, Wednesday April 1, 4:45 PM
International House, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday April 5, 9:30 PM

New Poster for The Haunting In Connecticut.

Check out this cool looking poster that the folks at Lionsgate came up with for their upcoming release “The Haunting In Connecticut, which hits theaters March 27th.




Based on a chilling true story, Lionsgate's THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT charts one family's terrifying, real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house a transformed funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner's clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover.

Now unspeakable terror awaits, when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the dead, returns to unleash a new kind of horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family.

The Haunting In Connecticut hits theaters on March 27th

“Brothers At War” Trailer, Poster, Film Cilps

BROTHERS AT WAR is a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the frontlines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.

The documentary film follows Jake Rademacher in his directorial debut as he sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. Unprecedented access to US and Iraqi combat units take Jake behind the camouflage curtain with secret reconnaissance troops on the Syrian border, into sniper "hide sites" in the Sunni Triangle, through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army.



Click on each of links to view a clip from “Brothers At War”.

Clips Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Brothers At War: Clip #1 American Soldier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4rFPeNdU-U

Brothers at War: Clip #2 - Joe and Danelle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF9DuLC2rak

Brothers at War: Clip #3 – Locals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prFSZ_ALNaI

Brothers At War: Clip #4 - Reasons Why
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGMCLDqvEJY

Brothers At War: Clip #5 - The OC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3a124s05FU

Danger After Dark announces their slate of films for the Philadelphia Film Festival, which takes place on March 20th through April 6th

I SELL THE DEAD (USA, 2008) Directed by Glenn McQuaid.
Starring Dominic Monahan, Larry Fessenden, Ron Perlman, Angus Scrimm. Vampires, ghouls and vicious rivalries are just part of the fantastical adventures this devilishly mischievous horror film that slayed audiences at Slamdance 09 and Toronto After Dark Film Festival. East Coast Premiere

Trailer: http://www.isellthedead.com/

ABLE (USA/Germany, 2008) Directed by Marc Robert.
As an aggressive virus ravages the city, a group of Berliners resort to their basic animal instinct for survival, resulting in disturbing and murderous consequences. North American Premiere

Trailer: http://www.stotlerrobertfilm.com/able_trailers.html

ART OF THE DEVIL 3 (Thailand, 2008) Directed by the Ronin Team.
Revenge is served hot, quick and drenched in more bloody ooze imaginable in this scream-inducing, spectacularly creative, and violent prequel that makes the popular Saw franchise seem like child’s play. Philadelphia Premiere

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXCnOckMS0o

4BIA (Thailand, 2008) Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, Paween Purikitpanya, Youngyooth Thongkonthun, Parkpoom Wongpoom.
In this aggressively scary terror ride, Thailand’s best directors take no prisoners, delivering four tales of horror guaranteed to shake, rattle and roll your nerves. Philadelphia Premiere

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy5YsWGYRoA

HANGER (Canada, 2009) Directed by Ryan Nicholson.
Full frontal nudity, female masturbation and vaginal mutilation are just the tip of the iceberg in the latest, gross-out and repulsively satisfying revenge shocker from the director of Gutterballs and Live Feed. Ryan Nicholson and actors in attendance!! World Premiere

Trailer: http://plotdigger.com/

LEFT BANK (Belgium, 2008) Directed by Pieter Van Hees.
Surmounting doubt, dread and helplessness fuels an attractive woman’s state of mind as she begins to unlock a mystery, that will put her face to face with an ancient, unknowable evil. Philadelphia Premiere

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfRDYSDwkCs

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD (Australia, 2008) Directed by Mark Hartley.
Forget about Peter Weir art films or Nicole Kidman musicals. “Ozploitation” was the gleefully dirty sibling of the Australian film industry by celebrating full frontal nudity (we’ve got bush), unrelenting gore and over-the-top explosive mayhem in the 70s and 80s. East Coast Premiere

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHCWe4EzU94

PLAGUE TOWN (USA, 2008) Directed by David Gregory.
Brutally sadistic, mutant children begin a cat and mouse game with an American family on a stomach churning quest to add more victims to their world. Philadelphia Premiere

Trailer: http://www.plaguetown.com/

STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL: Shorts Program
Enter a dark lair of twisted films as you take small bites of terror, horror and animated fantasy, served quick and fast. From killer trees to serial killers to children in jeopardy, it’s a smorgasbord of gruesomeness, fun and dark humor featuring some of the best in genre short films including popular selections from multiple Fantastic Festivals around the world. Films featured: The Fairy Princess, A Little Mouth to Feed, Rite, Side Effect, White Radishes, I Don’t Sleep I Dream, The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon, The Painter of the Skies and Treevenge.

20th CENTURY BOYS Philadelphia Premiere
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7MLVyKGngw

20th CENTURY BOYS 2 World Premiere
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_NIUuSN0M

Both films directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi of 2LDK fame.
Stephen King influences, T. Rex rock n’ roll and comic book mythology fuse together as Naoki Urasawa epic manga gets a big screen treatment as a group of childhood friends race against time to untap a conspiracy to end the world.

Tickets go sale Monday Morning. Visit http://www.phillycinefest.com/ for more information.


Jim Jarmusch is back with his latest film “The Limits of Control”

The Limits of Control is the new movie from filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Down by Law). The film is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain (both urban and otherwise). The location shoot there united the writer/director with acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love, Paranoid Park).

Isaach De Bankolé stars in the lead role for Mr. Jarmusch; this marks the duo’s fourth collaboration over nearly two decades, following Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Coffee and Cigarettes. The Limits of Control also features several other actors with whom Mr. Jarmusch has previously worked, including Alex Descas, John Hurt, Youki Kudoh, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton; and actors new to his films, including Hiam Abbass, Gael García Bernal, Paz De La Huerta, Jean-François Stévenin, and Luis Tosar.

The Limits of Control is the story of a mysterious loner (played by Mr. De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged.

His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through his own consciousness.

The film comes out in limited release on May 22nd.

To view the film’s trailer, you can goto: http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/thelimitsofcontrol/