Rooney Mara Bashes “Nightmare on Elm Street” Remake

Slasher Studios*Horror

Nothing and I honestly mean nothing burns me up more than hearing actors and actresses put down the horror genre. The horror genre is a great starting ground that has breed some of Hollywood’s finest. Don’t like the script? Don’t make the movie. Certainly don’t bitch about the movie later has Rooney Mara has done with the “Nightmare on Elm Street” remake. She has come out harshly in the press saying that it is a role that she didn’t even want.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Rooney Mara spoke about her time on the Elm Street remake.

“You kind of learn to self-sabotage with things you don’t want to get,” she tells EW. “Sometimes you don’t want to get something, but you do a really good job and you get in anyway. That’s kind of [what happened] with A Nightmare on Elm Street-I didn’t even really want it. And then I went in [to audition], and I was like, “Fuck. I definitely got that.”

Mara then went on to express her feelings after the film was released.

“”I didn’t want to act anymore,” Mara continues. “I was like, this isn’t what I signed up for. If this is what my opportunities are going to be like, then I’m not that interested in acting. So I was very discouraged and disheartened. And then I got the “The Social Network” script. That kind of inspired me.“

Mara added nothing to the “Elm Street” remake and to know that right from the beginning she had no intention of of even trying is the final nail in the coffin. What an ungrateful bitch. Good luck with karma.

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Slasher Studios Webcast: Worst Horror Movies of 2011

Slasher Studios*Slasher Studios Podcast

On tonight’s show, Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz will be discussing the worst movies of 2011. They will be talking about films that had a chance to be successful, were given the resources needed to make a good film, and proceeded to mess it all up. For shame. Click on the link below to listen to the show live at 10PM central tonight. You can also click on the link to listen to an archive of the show after it has aired or to listen to a previous show. Enjoy slasher fans and Happy New Year!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/slasherstudios/2012/01/02/slasher-studios-worst-movies-of-2011

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Top 10 Highest Grossing Horror Movies of 2011

Slasher Studios*Top Ten

The following is the top 10 highest grossing horror movies of 2011. For movies like Paranormal, we have used an estimated total the film is likely to make. For most others, these films are long gone from theaters.

1 Paranormal Activity 3 $105 million Paramount
2 Insidious $54 million FilmDistrict
3 Final Destination 5 $42.6 million Warner Bros
4 Scream 4 $38.1million The Weinstein Company
5 The Roommate $37.3 million Screen Gems
6 The Rite $33 million Warner Bros
7 Priest $29 million Screen Gems
8 Don’t be Afraid of the Dark $24 million FilmDistrict
9 Dream House $21.3 million Universal
10 Shark Night 3D $18.8 million Relativity Media

What can we conclude from this list? Crap sells. We gave a negative review to seven of the ten movies listed here. “Paranormal Activity 3” was the highest grossing film of the year but it was also our pick for the very worst movie of the year. For sequels like “FD5” and “Scream 4”, their grosses seemed to be punished by the fact that many fans didn’t enjoy their previous entries. “Scream 4” made $50 million less than its immediate predecessor while “Final Destination 5” made $25 million less. This is a a damn shame because both of these films were among the best offered to horror fans this year. Is this the beginning of the end for slasher films? Unless a 2012 slasher can sneak it, it sure does look like it. As for movies like “Priest” and “Shark Night 3D”? It’s a shame that anyone paid any money whatsoever to see such monstrosities. It was a weak year for horror indeed and one can only hope that 2012 will bring something new and fresh to cinemas everywhere. Hell, it can’t be worse than most of this list…can it?

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“Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil” is a Bloody, Funny Slasher Treat

Slasher StudiosTucker & Dale Vs. Evil

A group of college students, including Allison (Katrina Bowden), Chad (Jesse Moss), Chloe (Chelan Simmons), Chuck (Travis Nelson), Jason (Brandon Jay McLaren), Naomi (Christie Liang), Todd (Alex Arsenault), Mitch (Adam Beauchesne) and Mike (Joseph Allan Sutherland), are going camping in West Virginia. While at a gas station, they meet Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) two well-meaning hillbillies who have just bought the vacation home of their dreams: a run-down lakefront cabin in the middle of the woods. Dale tries to talk to Allison but because of his inferiority complex and appearance, he only scares her and her friends.

Tucker and Dale soon continue to their run-down, derelict cabin and are delighted in their new home despite structural hazards resulting from the building’s state of disrepair. Meanwhile, in the nearby woods, the college students have set up camp. Chad tells everyone a story recounting an event known as the “The Memorial Day Massacre,” which took place twenty years previously in the same section of the woods, leaving only one survivor. Soon after, the group decide to go skinny dipping in a nearby lake. Also on the lake are Tucker and Dale who are fishing. Allison spots them, and startled, falls into the water and hits her head. Tucker and Dale save her, but the college kids think Allison is being kidnapped.

Easily the funniest horror movie of the year. Actually it is the best out and out horror comedy since 2009’s “Zombieland.” Like the best horror/comedies, “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” mines its central crazy joke (what if the serial killers in horror movies really were the victims themselves) for some incredible scares, laughs, and — believe it or not — heart. The fact that this movie was released in less than 100 theaters nationwide and “Paranormal Actvity 3” was given a 3000+ screen release isn’t as insulting as it is sad. Looking for a gory slasher with a few laughs? Pluck down a couple of bucks for a few beers and a copy of this movie, you’ll thank me later.

To order on Amazon: Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

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“Hostel: Part III”: A Losing Bet for Horror Fans

Slasher StudiosHostel: Part III

A few weeks ago in my review for “Wrong Turn 4” I mentioned how horror fans are willing to watch just about anything. They live and die in the horror genre. “Sure “Wrong Turn 3″ sucked but 4 has to be at least a little bit better…right?” It doesn’t matter how many awful sequels we get, we are more than willing to watch another one. The same is true for direct-to-dvd horror. Mostly just franchises the studios realize they can no longer make money at the cinemas with, they cut the budget, release it on dvd, and watch the profits come in.

Case in point, today’s entry in the direct-to-dvd horror sequel lottery, “Hostel: Part III.” I will confess that I was not the biggest fan of the original “Hostel.” I found the characters to be obnoxiously shallow and its 45 minutes of nudity mixed with 45 minutes of gore just didn’t sit well with me. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised by just how good “Hostel: Part II” was. It took all of the mistakes about the first one (unlikable characters, no villain backstory, too much nudity) and turned out to be a delicious black comedy with a perfect ending. Now, we have “Hostel: Part III.” Does it live up to the expectations set by the second entry or does it die trying like the original?

“Hostel: Part III” begins with a fake out that is actually pretty ingenious. A young man is brought back to a hotel room by a slutty blond stripper and her beefy, bald boyfriend. One thing leads to another and two of them end up drugged and taken away. To say which two would ruin the surprise. Next, we have a group of four friends attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas. These characters are the typical beer guzzling, horny jocks that have become standard place in most horror movies and comedies today. Seriously it is that hard to write likable characters? I guess so. Okay, not off to a good start and we are only fifteen minutes into the movie. The overgrown frat boys are enticed by two sexy escorts to join them at a private party off the Strip. Because, as we all now, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Once there, they are horrified to find themselves the subjects of a perverse game of torture, where members of the Elite Hunting Club are hosting the most sadistic show in town.

Blah, blah, blah. “Hostel: Part III” brings nothing new to the torture table besides a few half-hearted twists and some lame deaths. What is the point in watching a “Hostel” film if nearly ALL of the deaths occur off screen? Not only that, but the few deaths that we actually do get to see are ruined by awful CGI. Note to filmmakers, CGI is easier and cheaper but note that easier and cheaper doesn’t always mean better. The final twist in the last five minutes is just insulting. Think of it as a maggot on the top of a rancid ice cream sundae. Skip it.

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“Zombie Bohemia” Will Leave You Hungry For More

Slasher Studios*Horror

“Zombie Bohemia” is the story of Michael, a struggling New York City artist, who just happens to be a zombie. Played by New Yorker, Shawn James, Michael is trying to find balance between his drive to produce memorable, inspired art while also being plagued by the underlying needs and urges of a zombie. In short, he is trying to gain approval and respect from the very people he is biologically wired to consume.

“It’s not a typical ‘Zombie eat your brains out’ type of thing… Michael is a zombie with feelings and emotions. The people that surround Michael make up a real, functioning world that any artist might live in… they’re not just running for their lives from him,” said Director Vince Brando.
According to Brando, “Zombie Bohemia” crosses several genres, and would appeal to anyone attracted to zombie movies in general, horror movies, and comedy. It has a reality TV type of feeling, and featuring a cast of quirky and entertaining characters. There is plenty of humor, with more depth than slapstick.

“Zombie Bohemia” is the second short film by Two Man Island Productions. Their first short film, “Hushed” was featured at several film festivals, and screened in the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. The company hopes to take “Zombie Bohemia” to festivals in 2012. “Zombie Bohemia” was produced by Mark Bell and written by Vince Brando and Chris Magdalenski. Featured actors include James, Will Carey, Tim Urian and Havilah Imfeld.

Make sure to keep an eye out on Slasher Studios for more updates.

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80’s Horror Throwback: “Where are the Children?”

Slasher Studios*80's Slasher Throwback

On her birthday, San Francisco resident Nancy’s two kids Peter and Lisa disappear, later to be found dead. The police wrongly accuse a devastated Nancy of being the killer. Nancy is found guilty and sentenced to the gas chamber, but her attorney manages to get her conviction overturned. Much to the District Attorney’s dismay, Nancy can’t be put back on trial because key witness has left the country. And Nancy’s husband, college professor Carl, commits suicide.

Seven years later, Nancy has relocated to a town in Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Nancy has changed her identity, re-colored her hair, and has married a realtor named Ray Eldridge, with whom she has two kids named Michael and Missy, and the terrible pain from what happened to Peter and Lisa has begun to heal. But today is Nancy’s birthday. She has allowed Michael and Missy to go out to play in the back yard. Nancy opens the newspaper and is stunned to find, in the local section of the paper, her picture and all of the details of the murders of Peter and Lisa. Nancy rushes out to the back yard to get Michael and Missy and bring them back into the house, but Nancy finds only one of Missy’s red mittens…and Nancy knows that the nightmare is beginning again.

Because of the disappearance and murder of Peter and Lisa, Nancy is understandably concerned about finding Mike and Missy before they are hurt the way Peter and Lisa were. Local police chief Jed Coffin, who has read the newspaper, wrongfully sees Nancy as a suspect in the disappearance of Michael and Missy. When people in the town read about Nancy in the newspaper, virtually everyone suspects her of murdering Mike and Missy. But Mike and Missy have been kidnapped by a man named Courtney Parrish. In the desperate search for Mike and Missy, everyone will discover the devastating truth as to who Courtney Parrish really is. And there is also another question — was it Parrish who killed Peter and Lisa years ago?

Sound like a lot of plot? “Where are the Children” is overloaded with plot, characters, and red herrings. This is the type of movie in which you keep asking yourself questions like “Who is that?” and “Where did they come from?” Of course this doesn’t have to be a bad thing as movies with too much plot tend to be a bit more successful than movie with far too little plot. Nonetheless, by the end of this movie you will be wondering how all of the pieces fit together and how several characters were connected. It’s a shame really because the film features some great performances (Frederic Forrest is quite chilling as “Uncle Courtney”) and some incredible atmosphere (I know I’m not the only horror fan that likes a good “mansion by the sea” murder mystery)> When this movie reaches its laughable conclusion, I was laughing at the movie and never really all the scared. That being said, there is definitely some fun to be had here. Sadly, for whatever reason, this movie isn’t available on DVD but is available on instant through Amazon.

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Underrated Slasher of the Week: “Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever”

Slasher Studios*Underrated Slasher

“Cabin Fever 2” begins with a very disfigured Paul (Rider Strong) escaping from the creek and wanders through the woods, leaving pieces of his own flesh in the way. When he finally makes it to the highway, his body explodes when he is hit by a school bus. The creek Paul was lying in was connected to a bottled-water company and the infected water was distributed to the local high school.

John (a sweet Noah Segan), a senior at the high school, is deciding whether to go to prom with his long-time crush Cassie (Alexi Wasser) or stay home. His friend Alex (Rusty Kelley) is against going until he hooks up with a girl named Liz (Regan Deal). She then says if she can get off work that night, she’ll meet him there. John asks Cassie to go to prom but she refuses. Meanwhile, Winston (the dumbass deputy from the original) is at a restaurant where a worker from the bottled-water company dies from the infection. He then realizes the creek got heavily contaminated and goes to the water plant to tell the officials that the water is contaminated. The worker he informs is quickly killed by a group of CCD (Contamination Control Division) soldiers in NBC suits. Winston leaves before they can get to him.

At the high school the infection begins to spread slowly. Alex is disappointed that Liz didn’t come, while John gets into a fight with Cassie’s boyfriend Marc (Marc Senter). Principal Sinclair (Michael Bowen) then kicks John out. Cassie follows him and John confesses his love to her. Will the duo be able to make it out of this “sticky” situation alive?

“Cabin Fever 2” is a messy, gory, bloody cherry on top of a demented sundae. From the opening (poor Rider Strong) to the blood bath of an ending, nearly everything about this sequel works. This is one of those slasher movies where I just don’t understand the hate. Had this movie been made in the 1980’s and directed by Sam Raimi, horror fans would be praising this as the next second coming of horror. The gore is demented, the kills are extremely disgusting, and the central love story is actually quite sweet. I was actually touched at the sacrifice that one friend gave so another could live. So the epilogue doesn’t really work (poor Ti West got his movie taken away from him and had his ending completely butchered just to go in some producer cameos) but this is splatstick at its very best. If John Waters directed a horror film in the 1980’s, it would look something like this. Bloody recommended!

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Happy Holidays from Slasher Studios!

Slasher Studios*Horror

We here at Slasher Studios want to wish both our horror fans and their families a safe and Merry Christmas. Enjoy the blood red on screen with a loved one and pop in a slasher classic like Black Christmas or Silent Night, Deadly Night. You guys have made it already a very Merry Christmas for us. Happy Holidays everyone!

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Slasher Studios: Top 5 Horror Movies of 2011

Slasher Studios*Top Ten

While 2011 wasn’t a very memorable horror year, there were several horror movies that we thought stood out from the crowd by either living up to expectations or handily succeeded them. We have two sequels, a wholly original comedy-thriller, and two remakes. All in all a fairly interesting year for horror. Without further ado…here are our top five favorite horror movies of 2011.

5. Mother’s Day
One of the few remakes that actually tops their original in terms of effects, acting, plot, and story. Three brothers on the run from the law head for home, only to discover that their mother lost the house in a foreclosure. Mother ingeniously orchestrates her sons’ escape, teaching the house’s new owners and their guests a few lessons along the way. Suspenseful from the opening frame, it is a shame this movie has yet to be given a release in the United State. The performances and gore effects are top notch and De Mornay hasn’t been this good in years.

4. Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil
Easily the funniest horror movie of the year. Actually it is the best out and out horror comedy since 2009’s “Zombieland.” Like the best horror/comedies, “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” mines its central crazy joke (what if the serial killers in horror movies really were the victims themselves) for some incredible scares, laughs, and — believe it or not — heart. The fact that this movie was released in less than 100 theaters nationwide and “Paranormal Actvity 3” was given a 3000+ screen release isn’t as insulting as it is sad. Looking for a gory slasher with a few laughs? Pluck down a couple of bucks for a few beers and a copy of this movie, you’ll thank me later.

To order on Amazon: Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

3. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is over-the-top, melodramatic, and full of plot holes. But, you know what dear reader, I loved every minute of it. This is the kind of movie in which logic is thrown out the door before the opening credits even begin. It is atmospheric in a way that has been missing from most horror movies today. Those that were disappointed by the lack of Gothic overtones in “Fright Night” will be in Heaven here. The sets are gorgeous and the fluid use of cinematography is inviting in a way that makes you feel at home with these gawkily little creatures. The acting here is a bit hit or miss. Guy Pearce is terrible as the father who doesn’t seem to care whether his girlfriend or his daughter lives or dies. His performance is bland to the point of sleepwalking through his role. Katie Holmes, on the other hand, is a revelation. It’s nice to see a strong, female role in which she is neither helpless nor a shrewd bitch. She thoroughly blew me away and has a few very touching scenes with Madison. Madison makes for a convincingly scared child but her performance is a bit hit or miss. Overall, if you are in the mood for a moody, Gothic treat, you could do far, far worse than “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark”.

To order on Amazon: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

2. Final Destination 5
Original concept? No. Great acting? No. Wonderful story? No. But..let’s be honest…who cares? “Final Destination 5″ is the most fun I’ve had in the movies in months. Probably the most fun I’ve had watching a film since “Scream 4″ opened in April. This movie works from beginning to end thanks to some incredible death scenes and some solid performances. This is actually the first “FD” movie that I’ve seen since part 2 in which I actually CARED about the characters. This isn’t a perfect movie. The middle drags a bit and I did feel a bit cheated by at least one death. Nonetheless, this is by far and away my favorite of the series. Just don’t let ANYONE give away the twist ending. That’s the best part of all.

To order on Amazon: Final Destination 5 (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy)

1. Scream 4
“Scream 4″ is executed with an artistic flair of wit and style that long time fans and film buffs alike were able to love. While I sometimes wished there could have been a little more genuine tension and suspense, the final twenty minutes were just so off-the-wall that it makes up for any slow patches. All in all, this was bloody, fun, and very entertaining. The cast is clearly having a ton of fun, and most of them really put on a good show. This may be cinematic junk food but it sure is tasty. I saw this movie five times in theaters and would have easily have gone another five. Just an absolute blast from beginning to end and a satisfying new installment in the series.

To order on Amazon: Scream 4

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