Sundance 2020 Official Selection.
During a power outage, two strangers tell scary stories. The more Fred and Fanny commit to their tales, the more the stories come to life in the dark of a Catskills cabin. The horrors of reality manifest when Fred confronts his ultimate fear: Fanny may be the better storyteller.
Scare Me stars Aya Cash and Josh Ruben. It’s also written and directed by Ruben.
Fred (Ruben) is a writer who travels to a remote cabin, looking for inspiration for his next story. While out for a walk, he meets a fellow horror writer who has come to the area for the same reason. That night, the power goes out and Franny invites herself over to Fred’s because she’d just been in the middle of a hot streak of writing. Fred feels inferior to the best selling author Franny. Franny challenges Fred to a storytelling contest. As the evening unfolds, we learn more about these two strangers.
I would classify this as a comedy first, with horror elements. I’m fine with that, I don’t think horror has to be completely one thing or the other and frankly, I get sick of blood and guts. I enjoyed the acting a lot in this, Aya Cash especially. This is an anthology of sorts, but not the sort of anthology you might be used to. The characters act out the stories, there are no cutaways to the scenes playing out. All of this happening during a blackout in front of a fireplace really sets the scene.
Scare Me is airing now on Shudder. For a free 30 day trial, use code ROCKSTARS.
The first half of the film is moody and it’s a slow build, but it’s well worth your time to stay with it.
Emily and Randall are college sweethearts who are having relationship troubles so they decide to spend a weekend alone together at Randall’s family beach house. (It was filmed on location at Cape Cod.) Emily is a brilliant student who wants to continue her education, Randall wants her to drop out and settle down with him. When they arrive they are surprised to find out they aren’t alone. Some old family friends are staying there. Deciding to make the best of the situation, they all stay together in the house. That night, after they run out of booze, Randall suggests they all try an edible. Despite not knowing how much to take, there don’t seem to be any ill effects. (The first time I took an edible I almost went to the ER, I took WAY too much for a first timer!)
There are many hints in the first half of the horror to come.
The next day, no one is feeling great. That becomes an understatement when they realize the pretty lights they saw in the ocean the night before are actually deadly parasites and they are all infected, some more than others. Will Emily’s knowledge be enough to save them, or is it too late?
Writer/Director Jeffrey A. Brown was a former location scout and used his talents to find the perfect setting for the film. Despite being alongside the vast ocean, it feels claustrophobic at times. The cast was kept small, just four people, with the dread being a character in itself. It reminded me of such films as The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers or an HO Lovecraft tale.
The Beach House will premiere on Shudder on July 9th. Get a free 30 day trial with the code “ROCKSTARS”
THE BURNING (Director: Tony Maylam)
When an ill-advised prank misfires, summer camp caretaker Cropsy is committed to hospital with hideous burns. Released after five years, hospital officials warn him not to blame the young campers who caused his disfigurement. But no sooner is Cropsy back on the streets than he’s headed back to camp with a rusty pair of shears in hand, determined to exact his bloody revenge. Starring Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Jason Alexander.
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (Director: Dan O’Bannon)
Two employees of a medical supply company accidentally release a toxic gas that raises up the dead. Soon the area is overrun with flesh-eating residents of the local cemetery who are hungry… for human brains. Starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, Miguel Nunez, Brian Peck and Linnea Quigley.
SLEEPAWAY CAMP (Director: Robert Hiltzik)
SLEEPAWAY CAMP II: UNHAPPY CAMPERS (Director: Michael A. Simpson)
SLEEPAWAY CAMP III: TEENAGE WASTELAND (Director: Michael A. Simpson)
Bad campers meet brutal ends in this cult favorite ‘80s slasher series. In the first film, slightly traumatized and painfully shy Angela Baker is sent away to summer camp with her cousin. Not long after Angela’s arrival, things start to go horribly wrong for anyone with ill intentions. Who’s the secret killer? And what’s behind their murderous motivation? Things start out campy but get nastier and nastier until the shocking (and problematic) ending. In the sequel, the grisly murders that terrorized Camp Arawak six years earlier have become beloved ghost stories around Camp Rolling Hills. But as the campers uncover the truth behind the murders, their carefree days at summer camp come to a violent end. And in the series’ third chapter set at a camp for troubled youths, the psychotic killer that has roamed the woods and been the topic of many ghost stories is still lurking about.
July 6
JERUZALEM (Directors: The PAZ Brothers)
In this award-winning supernatural horror, two American girls on vacation follow a mysterious and handsome anthropology student on a trip to Jerusalem. The party is cut short when the trio are caught in the middle of a biblical apocalypse. Trapped between the ancient walls of the holy city, the three travelers must survive long enough to find a way out as the fury of hell is unleashed upon them. Starring Yael Grobglas, Yon Tumarkin, Danielle Jadelyn.
July 13
MANIAC COP (Director: William Lustig)
MANIAC COP 2 (Director: William Lustig)
MANIAC COP III: BADGE OF SILENCE (Director: William Lustig)
Two New York policemen (Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell) and a policewoman (Laurene Landon) search for a killer in uniform who should be dead. In the sequel, the “Maniac Cop” is back from the dead and stalking the streets of New York once more. And in part three, when footage is doctored to place blame for a hostage’s death on a comatose officer, the “Maniac Cop” takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon those responsible for smearing her name.
July 20
NINA FOREVER (Directors: Ben & Chris Blaine)
Holly wants to prove she’s not some prude, but when she starts dating the brooding Rob, she’s not expecting a three-way relationship with a rotting corpse. Though the dead-ish Nina’s blood can be washed out of the sheets, the couple have to go to greater lengths to give her soul peace—if that’s even possible. Starring Cian Barry, Abigail Hardingham, Fiona O’Shaughnessy.
THE POOL (Director: Ping Lumpraploeng)
In this simple yet surprising film, a young couple find themselves trapped in a 20’-deep swimming pool with no way out—and that’s only the beginning of their problems. Starring Theeradej Wongpuapan, Ratnamon Ratchiratham.
July 27
PATRICK (Director: Richard Franklin)
A comatose patient uses telekinesis to kill in this terrifying Australian horror classic. Lying quietly in his hospital bed, one might mistake Patrick for a hopeless case. But Patrick’s more than meets the eye, and when he becomes fixated on his nurse, he starts using his powers to stop anyone who tries to come between them. Starring Susan Penhaligon, Robert Helpmann, Rod Mullinar.
TURKEY SHOOT (Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith)
In a dystopian future, a group of prisoners become targets in a state-sponsored hunting game called a “turkey shoot,” where they’ll be preyed upon by evil gun-toting government officials. If the prisoners survive, they’ll be set free. But the prisoners don’t want to take that chance, and soon the totalitarian rulers find themselves with targets on their backs. One of Ozploitation horror king Brian Trenchard-Smith’s greatest films. Starring Steve Railsback, Olivia Hussey, Michael Craig.
In this fresh spin on a demonic possession story, Joong-Su, an exorcist, must face a demon he tragically failed to defeat in the past when it targets his brother’s family next. The demon assumes the form of different family members to sow confusion and distrust, destroying the unit from within. With his loved ones in peril, Joong-Su must face the demon again, at the risk of his own life. Starring Bae Sung-Woo, Sung Dong-Il and Jang Young-Nam. Directed by Hong-Seon Kim. (Available on Shudder US, Canada and UK)
Trailer:
THE BEACH HOUSE
premieres Thursday, July 9
Escaping to a family’s beach house to reconnect, Emily and Randall find their off-season trip interrupted by Mitch and Jane, an older couple acquainted with Randall’s estranged father. Unexpected bonds form as the couples let loose and enjoy the isolation, but it all takes an ominous turn as increasingly strange environmental phenomena begin to warp their peaceful evening. As the effects of an infection become evident, Emily struggles to make sense of the contagion before it’s too late. Starring Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Jake Weber and Maryanne Nagel, directed by Jeffrey A. Brown. (Available on Shudder US, Canada and UK)
LAKE OF DEATH
premieres Thursday, July 16
A year after her twin brother died a mysterious death, Lillian and her friends head to the old family cabin to say their goodbyes. But soon after they arrive, eerie and gruesome events begin to occur. As the lines between reality and Lillian’s nightmares blur, she must fight both an external and internal struggle to stay alive. Is a horrific local legend becoming reality, or is the real enemy among them?
Director Nini Bull Robsahm (Amnesia) took inspiration from Norway’s popular 1942 novel (and later film adaptation) of the same name (De dødes tjern), credited with sparking the country’s interest in horror. Robsahm shot Lake of Death on stunning 35mm and brought on Academy Award-winner Bob Murawski (Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell, The Hurt Locker) to edit. Starring Iben Akerlie, Jacob Andersen Schøyen, Jonathan Harboe, Sophia Lie and Elias Mun. (Available on Shudder US, Canada and UK)
IMPETIGORE
premieres Thursday, July 23
(Sundance 2020 Official Selection) After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village. With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community there has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life. Starring Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, directed by Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, another Shudder Original). (Available on Shudder US, Canada and UK)
International Trailer:
IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS
premieres Thursday, July 30
Tracking major theatrical releases, obscure titles and straight-to-video gems, this four-plus-hour documentary explores ‘80s horror films year-by-year. Topics include groundbreaking practical effects; the home-video revolution; poster art and project marketing; creative and budgetary challenges; sound design and musical scores; the 3-D resurgence; heroes and villains; sex, nudity and “the final girl” controversy; and the pop culture context that fueled the genre. Filled with countless clips and entertaining moments, In Search of Darkness is a nostalgia trip through a game-changing decade, as told by both experts and the icons who influenced the modern landscape of genre cinema.
Featuring Tom Atkins, Doug Bradley, Joe Bob Briggs, Darcy the Mail Girl, Lori Cardille, John Carpenter, Nick Castle, Larry Cohen, Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Sean S. Cunningham, Joe Dante, Keith David, Katie Featherston, Mick Garris, Michael Gingold, Stuart Gordon, Andre Gower, Spencer Hickman, Kane Hodder, Tom Holland, Graham Humphreys, James A. Janisse, Lloyd Kaufman, Eric Kurland , Heather Langenkamp, Don Mancini, Harry Manfredini, Kelli Maroney, Robbi Morgan, Bill Moseley, Greg Nicotero, Phil Nobile Jr., Cassandra Peterson, Mike Redman, James Rolfe, Ken Sagoes, Ben Scrivens, Mark Shostrom, Corey Taylor, Cecil Trachenburg, Ryan Turek, Caroline Williams, Alex Winter, Heather Wixson, Tom Woodruff Jr., and Brian Yuzna,. Directed by David A. Weiner. (Available on Shudder US, Canada and UK)
