You can firmly place this update into the "hell fucking yes!!!" category. Whether you love or hate remakes of already decent-to-amazing films, the upcoming Evil Dead remake from producer Sam Raimi and director Fede Alvarez looks to be shaping up as the perfect formula for gore and terror fans out there. 

Recently the film's Facebook page dropped a wonderfully twisted first look at the reimagined deadites from this film. The image alone is proof enough that the "splatstick" humor we all know and love from the Evil Dead franchise has been set aside for a more viscious and vile tone. I for one am all for that. Don't get me wrong, I adore both Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness, but I really miss the severely disturbing tone that was originally attempted in the first film. The originally series is a classic, but sometimes there truly is room for a reinterpretation, and I think this franchise is certainly open to one after 20 years of nothing going on. Alvarez seems to have the right idea with his approach to this one.

But wait...there's more.

Soon after the image was released officially on Facebook, a teaser trailer was shown at the NY Comic Con. Horror websites all over the net were reporting on what was seen there. Sadly we had no one available for the con, but fret not. The footage was kindly "stolen" by a bootlegger and uploaded for all to see in its fuzzy and amazingly gory glory. After seeing the footage a few times I can hardly contain my excitement. I can't wait to see this same footage released in HD and even more so I can not wait for the April 12, 2013 release (April 25, 2013 here in the Netherlands). Check out the image and footage*** below!

In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.

 

***UPDATE: The full red band trailer has been released by Sony Pictures on the web!!! You can check it out in all its HD glory below. (Yes it's the same footage that was leaked from NYCC, but in wonderful HD awesomeness)

 

 

 

 

Tags: Blood , gore , Horror , R , Chandler Bullock, Evil Dead, Fede Alvarez, Gore, horror remakes, Sam Raimi, Torture

Sometimes the things you come across when working for a company like Horror-fix are so cool that they warrant you dropping everything you were planning and getting more direct info immediately. This was exactly the case when I discovered the wonderfully sick and twisted internet horror sensation: Traycee King. We at Horror-fix had covered the Ghoul Girls booth at Comikaze not too long ago. Upon checking out their site and making my way through their models list (and checking out their official websites as one like myself does), one in particular caught my eye. This was, of course, Traycee.

With a resume that features the hilarious Machnima series How to Survive a Horror Film and the critically claimed internet zombie series 8:13, I knew that I had to get an interview with Traycee. Well, as they say, all good things come to those who wait. I managed to not only get my interview, but also earn a new found respect for the power of self determination and how we horror-addicts really have to stick together. You can listen in on the super chilled and insightful conversation I had with Traycee in the link below:

Horror-fix Interview - Traycee King

Also, be sure to check out the first segment of How to Survive a Horror Film here:

And the first episode of 8:13, here:

For more on Traycee and her projects head to: 

• Traycee King - http://trayceeking.com/
• 8:13 - http://813series.com/
• Ghoul Girls - http://www.ghoul-girls.com/

Tags: girls of horror, Horror , horror fans, independent films, micro budget films, zombie films, 8:13, Chandler Bullock, Ghoul Girls, Gore, Horror shorts, How to Survive a Horror Film, Traycee King, Zombies

Recently I had the pleasure to check out this little beauty from 2009. I’ve sadly been lagging behind in catching most of the brutal and masterfully crafted horror flicks that have graced the silver screen in the last few years. This is one of the largest disadvantages of no longer living in the US. I’m no longer in touch (or range for that matter) with the happening film festivals that seem to hit regularly state-side, and the annual festival we have here in the Netherlands always seem to come up at a time when money is short but films are in bloom. Thus, I find myself reviewing films from 2009 during late 2012. Shame on me, right? Well they say longing makes the heart grow fonder, and this is exactly the situation I found myself in with The Loved Ones.

Where to begin with The Loved Ones? Well, let’s begin with the beginning, I guess. Here’s a quick plot synopsis to keep you up to speed on what you can expect: Brent Mitchell (Xavier Samuel) is a deeply troubled teenager after having to cope with being responsible for his father’s death in a car accident. With the help of his goofy friend Jamie (Richard Wilson) and stunning girlfriend Holly (Victoria Thaine), Brent is able to live his life in relative happiness. He’s young, attractive, and darkly mysterious. In a sense, he’s everything Lola (Robin McLeavy) wants. And what Lola wants…Lola gets. Things heat up as Lola asks Brent to the prom, but he unfortunately has to gently let her down by reminding her of his girlfriend. The rest of the film splits into a vile tale of torture as Lola does everything in her power to get her dance with Brent, and an endearing teenage dramady as Jamie lands a date with the hot goth chick at school, Mia (Jessica McNamee).

Sounds like fun, right? Well it is! It’s a heaping of fun, but with just enough unbearable cruelty to keep you glued to your seat. Perhaps what makes The Loved Ones so effective is the film’s emotional drive. This isn’t just another torture porn flick. This one has heart. From Brent’s inner and outer torture, to Lola’s initial dejection, there is at least one moment where every character in the film comes across as sympathetic and human. However, this is very short lived for some characters, which establishes their position in the film’s narrative really well. You really root for Brent to get the hell out of his unfortunate situation, and for Jamie to get to third base with Mia at the prom. This effect can be attributed to great acting across the board. Samuel’s depiction of Brent’s deep-seeded troubles is well versed and just emo enough to empathize with the character rather than chastise him. Similarly, you really feel Holly’s desperation to find her boyfriend due to Thaine’s riveting and realistic performance. She’s both sweet and smart. What isn’t there to love about that in a girl? But, as seems to be a trend as of late, the real powerhouse performance here comes from McLeavy’s portrayal of the sugary sweet and vile Lola. This is Lola’s show, and she eats up the screen much like she eats up her chicken…without mercy. As I said before, there are moments where you truly feel sympathy for young Lola. These moments, though, are only very early into the picture. After Lola gets Brent into her grasp there isn’t an iota of empathy left for her. By the film’s amazing finale, you’ll only want one thing: to see Lola’s head on a pike. This is a testament to McLeavy’s wide ranging performance. She can make you feel for her in one second and feel nothing but disgust in the next. I’d say McLeavy is definitely a young actress to keep an eye on. If she keeps it up like this, we may have a newly unexpected cinematic flower blossoming from Down Under. Now let’s just hope she keeps her sights on films in the horror genre (we could use some legit scream queens).

Now that I’ve got the story and performances out of the way, let’s dive into how the film looks. The short answer is: it looks good. I mean, it looks REALLY good. The Loved Ones has some of the best clarity I’ve seen in a while. Where there be shadows, there truly be creeping and sprawling blacks. Where there be color, there truly be a vibrant color pallet for the eye to feast upon. Every detail is left for you to inspect and cringe from. Not only does the camera quality impress, so does the choice in cinematography and special effects. There are some truly unsettling moments in this film which owe their impact strictly to the great special effects. When the blood comes gushing out, it pours. When flesh is sliced, it’s torn. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t anything like Saw films of yore. This, I dare say, is even more graphic in some ways, and yet more subtle in others. Just know that the gore doesn’t disappoint, but neither does it distract. It does exactly what it was intended to do, it elicits a direct response from the audience. Whether the intended response is repulsion, empathy, or plain out pain, you feel it. Likewise, the camera angles and shots are superb. Director/writer, Sean Byrne has done a marvelous job bringing his screenplay to life. All of the characters really feel real and complex, as does the world in which the film is set. There are beautiful shots of Australia’s open landscape coupled with claustrophobic scenes in complete darkness. You also feel Brent’s torture (both physical and mental) through the crafty camerawork. For being Byrne’s first feature film, The Loved Ones sets a pretty high bar to be met later in his career. Let’s hope that he, like Ti West, is up to the challenge and helps shape our beloved genre further.

Now we find ourselves at an important, but often overlooked aspect of filmmaking…sound. I’m a pretty big sound enthusiast where film is concerned. Sure, I don’t really know the difference between one technical tweak than the other, but I know what I like to hear in a film. The Loved Ones is one of those films that has exactly the type of sound I want pumping out of my surround sound system. Just as deep blacks are preferred in image clarity, so too is a deep bass in a film’s soundscape (in my opinion). Part of the atmosphere of a film is it’s sweeping sound design, and with horror I like to hear a nice rumble when the bass kicks in. Well, luckily for me, this film does just that. The music played by Brent when feeling particularly rebellious screeches at you in a swirl of teenage angst, while the film’s score plays with your senses and gets you on edge. One particular moment, when Brent finds himself in a very unexpected location, possesses such great rumbling bass that it makes you wish the scene would end…and soon. This isn’t to say that it’s overwhelming or a bad seen. On the contrary, the sound is so well placed and so menacing that it enhances an already foreboding scene. So make no mistake, The Loved Ones packs a punch in literally all departments.

So, final thoughts? Overall opinion? The Loved Ones> is great! I know that the whole torture angle has been played out to death (pun intended) in the horror genre, but this one’s different than your standard affair. Yes there’s torture, and yes there’s an excessive amount of cringe-worthy moments, but the film maintains a sense of heart that keeps it going like an energizer battery. Also, the film’s pace is pretty perfect. This is far from a slow burn, but also nowhere near fast paced. It’s like a good bath: just right. Now, if you’re really not into the whole torture thing, this may not be the ideal film for you. Just know that there is actually a method to this madness, and by the end of the film you’ll be treated with a very satisfying result. And for you lovers of twists and turns, there are still some of those slipped into this otherwise straightforward tale. Yet, the twists are so subtle that they aren’t overplayed or irritating for those who like their horror as is. In any case The Loved Ones feels like a true win-win for horror fans of all types…well except the types who only like bad films because of how “ironic” it is. Sorry, there is nothing here for you folks to enjoy, because this a genuinely good film. My only complaint is that I hadn’t seen it sooner. And for you naysayers who may disagree with me, in the disturbing words of Lola herself, “We can’t hear you!”

Tags: independent films, indie horror, 2009, Australian Horror, Chandler Bullock, Gore, R, Robin McLeavy, Sean Byrne, Survival horror, The Loved Ones, Thriller, Torture, Xavier Samuel

Gore #2 by GG Studios. Written by Alex Crippa. Drawn by Emilio Laiso. $2.99. First off, the girl on the cover of issue two is the "evil" version of Cinderella. Like I said in issue one, the art is worth getting this title alone. With that being said, I am glad I was right. In this issue the story seems to come together better. Less "setting the stage" and more telling a story, and it is getting better. Cinderella is one brutal bitch in this comic, and that is being nice. She calls rats to eat a girl alive after she had cut off the head of her boyfriend and cut off her feet. Definitely not the Cinderella I remember. The author is getting in his stride and doing a good job at developing the characters in this second installment. If he keeps this up, but the time the series is over he will have a pretty unique story. The artist once again shines in the title, bringing the "evil" storybook characters to life. The action and panel structure is really thought out and makes the story flow much better than in the first issue. Seeing as how I really liked the art style of this book, I'm glad that the story has caught up to the art. That is not to say it is still the best thing I have read, but it is getting better. Follow @Anoriginaldick originally posted by contributor AnOriginalDick

Tags: Gore

Gore By GG Studios. Written by Alex Crippa, Drawn By Emilio Laiso. $2.99 Just a little background to the company and title, this is a Italian Comics company and the title that has been released in the United States. The whole selection of the comics they offer are really unique. The concept is on the thought that everyone has a bad duplicate somewhere even the sweet and innocent fairy-tales we all know and love. In this comic, a portal has been open in Italy during Carnival and the evil sides to all the fairy-tale characters have come to play. The art is almost in a animation style, which makes this horror comic somewhat unique, if not a guilty pleasure. Emilio Laiso does a good job in making characters unique and the villains evil. The sketches that are in the back of the book show how much time he spent on getting the Fairy-tale characters just right. The story is...ok. I know this is the first issue and it is always the hardest to do, because of setting up characters and the story, but I find myself more drawn to the artwork than the story itself. Hopefully this will not be the case in issue two, but even if it is, the art is worth it enough to continue the limited series to its end.

Tags: Gore