With Dario Argento's MOTHER OF TEARS coming out on June 6th, the story of "The Three Mothers" will finally come to a close. It's been 28 years since the last film in the series, INFERNO, was released, so now might be a good time to catch up on what information Argento has given us so far about these malevolent beings.

When Dario Argento's film INFERNO opens, we come upon Rose Elliott (Irene Miracle, also in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS) as she's reading the book THE THREE MOTHERS by E. Verelli. This is the first time that we are explicitly told in an Argento movie about the existence of the Mothers, who are also sisters. The book is Argento's equivalent of H.P. Lovecraft's NECRONOMICON, and, as a source ... (more…)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I know--reviewing a superhero movie like IRON MAN on a horror site like Fear Zone is a stretch; at least THE INCREDIBLE HULK and BATMAN embrace iconic horror imagery. But, just as we review video games that aren't necessarily horror, we will occasionally embrace films, novels and comics that many would categorize as belonging to other genres. THE TWILIGHT ZONE, after all, dramatized SF, fantasy and horror, and I think most of us are geeks at heart.

Well, this year's "summer blockbuster" season has begun with the release of Jon Favreau's superhero flick IRON MAN, and I've got to admit, things are off to a good start. I'm glad because, as a lifelong Marvel Comics fan who ... (more…)

Same as the old Sleestak!

First pic from the big budget, big screen remake of the old Sid & Marty Krofft live action kids' show, LAND OF THE LOST. The new film, a comedy, stars Will Ferrell and a bunch of unknowns. OK, maybe it doesn't have suck a big budget.

But these Sleestak look DAMNED COOL!

The first season of the show was surprisingly intelligent because story editor David Gerrold lassoed a bunch of former STAR TREK writers to pen scripts. The show was also remade by the Chiodo Brothers in 1991, and while it featured some cool effects, they clearly did not grasp what made the original so charming.

All together now:

Marshall, Will, and Holly
On a routine expedition
Met the greatest ... (more…)

Hot on the heels of the news that the critically lambasted PROM NIGHT redux had a $20+ million opening weekend at the box office, word came that another beloved B-flick from the glorious golden age of slashers was getting an update. Yep, HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW is next up on the seemingly never-ending list of films to be revisited by Hollywood. Cue the groans.

Alright, so what's the deal with all the remakes, revisits, and reimaginings? Is Hollywood out of new ideas - or just too cheap to pay for them? Is this late-in-the-coming validation that these cheesy B-movies of our youth actually have some cinematic potential?

Look a little closer. It's called good business.


Consider the opening ... (more…)

Molly Celaschi interviews actor Lou Perryman, aka "Tex" in Tobe Hooper's underrated TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, in this Fear Zone Exclusive produced by Jesus Cruz.

I personally feel that the scene in which Stretch (Caroline Williams) is forces to wear Tex's face is classic. Perryman gave a great, sympathetic performance in that film and he reminded me of Slim Pickens.

THE SAW IS FAMILY! (more…)

Soul Fire Rising
"Cheat Hell; Storm Heaven; Rock On!"

Kurt Patino and Dale Fabrigar ( 5 Minute Horror) have teamed up to produce a new web series, SOUL FIRE RISING, about Lilith, a sexy demon/succubus who gets enlisted by the Archangel Gabriel to save an angel from the clutches of hell, with nothing less than the throne of heaven at stake. The first episode is up and running at www.soulfirerising.com. In addition to the web series, Patino and Fabrigar are developing a feature script for the character, and have tapped Craig Sabin (5 Minute Horror, SLIME CITY) to write it.

"Kurt's concept is fantastic," explains Sabin, "a cross between CONSTANTINE and RESIDENT EVIL. Not only is Lilith a kick-... (more…)

Check out this still from Universal's upcoming remake of THE WOLF MAN!

I like it: it's a Wolf Man, after all, not a Werewolf, and it pays tribute to the classic make-up the great Jack Pierce created for Lon Chaney, Jr., but is more ferocious.

Howl, baby! (more…)

"The horror. . . the horror. . ."
--Marlon Brando as Colonel Kurtz in APOCALYPSE NOW


Let's discuss horror, you and I. Specifically, horror in film and television. Not message board-fanboy-chat room talk; that would be too safe. Let's delve into the nitty gritty, down and dirty, "Oh, shit!" aspects of horror entertainment. You know--the good stuff.

But first, an introduction. You want to know who's trying to rile you up, don't you?

I'm a horror guy, just like you. I wrote and directed three micro-budget horror films---SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE (released on VHS as NEW YORK VAMPIRE, and NAKED FEAR---and worked on others in various capacities: I WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE, PLUTONIUM BABY, and ... (more…)

EDITOR'S NOTE: As tempted as I was to counter my friend L.L. Soares's positive comments about LAND OF THE DEAD in his DIARY OF THE DEAD review yesterday, I decided to be positive instead, and revise this previously published review of my favorite George Romero film.

40 years ago, the success of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD allowed George Romero to experiment with the less marketable THERE'S ALWAYS VANILLA (1971) before returning to form with THE CRAZIES (1973), and approaching a realm somewhere in between with HUNGRY WIVES (also 1973), aka JACK'S WIFE and SEASON OF THE WITCH. The greater commercial success of DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) gave him the freedom to make his dream project, KNIGHTRIDERS ... (more…)

This was originally meant to be a Cinema Knife Fight column, but unfortunately, GEORGE A. ROMERO'S DIARY OF THE DEAD was only shown in limited release in a few major cities. This meant that my cohort Michael Arruda wasn't able to see it. So I guess I'll have to do this one solo.

DIARY OF THE DEAD is a throwback to George Romero's earlier films. It has a totally unknown cast, a low budget, and a deep river of social commentary running through it. All of these things are pluses in a Romero movie. When he has a small budget, he tends to transcend that pretty easily, and when he casts just unknowns, his movies tend to have a more "real" feel to them.

While I don't think that DIARY is anywhere ... (more…)