The first week of January boasts the best title of the month, EDEN LAKE.  Finally had a chance to see it thanks to this DVD and I loved it.  Expect a review in a bit.  Not for the faint of heart.

Don’t know much about the other three, except that Eliza Dushku drops her top in THE ALPHABET KILLER for WRONG TURN director Rob Schmidt.

January 13th

The Man Eater series breaks into 2009 with YETI.  I’ve seen almost all of this series and none are good, but a few watchable in the best drunken way.  Cough, CROC, cough.  I love me some cryptozoology, though, so I’m bound to be an eventual victim of YETI.

In anticipation of the remake, which I think looks like a blast and I’m bummed I’ll likely miss in theaters, the original MY BLOODY VALENTINE gets a special edition DVD that seems not to skimp on the materials.  Haven’t heard of HIT AND RUN.

MIRRORS (review) may prove to be the make or break point of Alexandre Aja’s career.  I’m a fan of HIGH TENSION and in love with THE HILLS HAVE EYES, but his remake of INTO THE MIRRORS is as much a mess as the Korean original.  Not worth picking up.

January 20th

No one asked for BOOGEYMAN 2, so the Universe delivers a BOOGEYMAN 3.  SAW V (review) is the new low-point for the once pioneering franchise.  I haven’t seen REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA, Darren Lynn Bousman’s ‘rock opera’ musical, nor have I heard too high praise for it, but I will eventually get to it.  I’m a big fan of Anthony Stewart Head, so I’ll stomach Bousman’s grungy style to see Giles once again.

Perhaps, though likely not, better known by its native Norwegian title FRITT VILT, COLD PREY is a slasher title I’ve heard good things about for a while now.

I liked the first VACANCY.  Don’t think its great by any account, but I like it just fine.  VACANCY 2, of course, was not necessary, but I’ll give it a shot because I have a crush on THE WOODS’ Agnes Bruckner.

January 27th

If I recall correctly, reader Sean almost a year ago mentioned how awful GUTTERBALLS was and I’ve yet to see or hear anything that contradicts his assessment.

SHARKS IN VENICE (review) is one of the most disappointing, misleading Sci-Fi channel movies ever made.

Die hards can grab their collector’s edition of REDNECK ZOMBIES.

Closing out the month is the oh-so-cleverly titled SINGLE BLACK FEMALE.

Netflix’ing the Month:

1. EDEN LAKE
2. COLD PREY
3. MY BLOODY VALENTINE
4. REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA
5. VACANCY 2
6. THE ALPHABET KILLER

Part 1: January to March.
Part 2: April to June.
Part 3: July to September.
Part 4: October to December.
Part 5: Events.
Part 6: Awards. (coming)

April:

DANCE OF THE DEAD

Who Made it: Dir. Gregg Bishop, Scr. Joe Ballarini, Starring: Jared Kusnitz, Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby, Carissa Capobianco, Randy McDowell

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

Hopefully as Gregg Bishop’s big break whether he continues with the genre or not.  We’ve all seen more than our share of horror-comedy hybrids, but few strike the delicate balance DANCE OF THE DEAD does.  While the budget may show in the casting department, it never limits Bishop’s winning ambitious style.  It’s not silly, but it’s not super serious.  It’s just right all around.

“DEAD SET”

Who Made it: Created by Charlie Brooker, Starring: Andy Nyman, Jaime Winstone,

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

I gather the impression “DEAD SET” was a success in the UK in so much as it wasn’t a failure, likely condemning it to no loud trumpeting whenever it crosses the pond, leaving behind its cultural relevance.  Very few horror sites buzzed about it, but for my gambling money this is the one project most over looked by the AICN/TWITCH/BD/AITH/CHUD consortium.

Oh well, all that means is “DEAD SET” will remain a gory, brutal oddity that could never and will never exist outside of British Television.  It tales the birth of a zombie apocalypse as it orbits the cast and crew of Brit hit show “BIG BROTHER”.  The usage of the set and stars gives the whole production an otherwise unachievable sense of tangibility.  Plus the whole thing is brain craving coolness.

As far as zombies go, “DEAD SET” is 2008′s best.

DEAD SPACE

Who Made it: Electronic Arts

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers,

How it will be remembered:

As the reboot of a gaming niche grown lethargic.  DEAD SPACE, released on PC, 360 and Ps3, was a swift kick of innovation to the action/survival horror arena.  More important than how clever and fun the game is, is the fact that Electronic Arts, factory of sequels, went out on a limb and created DEAD SPACE as an all new property.

In addition to the game, Anchor Bay released an animated DEAD SPACE movie in addition to a comic series.  That’s a lot of content for a hopeful tent pole.

EDEN LAKE

Who Made it: Dir. James Watkins, Scr. James Watkins, Starring: Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender, Tara Ellis

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

Due to its very limited release I haven’t seen EDEN LAKE despite it being recommened on multiple fronts.  All the same, I’ve heard good things, which I cannot say for the unrelated WICKED LAKE.  Also not to be confused with EDEN LOG.

MY NAME IS BRUCE

Who Made it: Dir. Bruce Campbell, Scr. Mark Verheiden, Starring: Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

Overdue and underwhelming.  Then again, does Bruce Campbell dissapoint even when he is dissapointing?  The Chin is kind of like a wizard, arriving how and when he intends to, not how other people expect him to.  He has slid into this crack where he is shielded from greatness, but immune from failure.

QUARANTINE

Who Made it: Dir. John Erick Dowdle, Scr. John Erick Dowdle & Drew Dowdle, Starring: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

With wrath by anyone who has seen [REC].  History will remember QUARANTINE as one of the most unnecessary remakes ever.  Not because [REC] didn’t need a remake (though, for the record, it didn’t), but because the American stab at Spain’s huge hit is a pathetic, creatively bankrupt, decision free frivolity.  The thing is a shot-for-shot remake.

I refuse to say that it is a bad movie as I can admit there is no way in which I can be objective regarding it, but it is a fruitless one.  There is no reason to recommend it over [REC].

SAW V

Who Made it: Dir. David Hackl, Scr. Patrick Melton &  Marcus Dunstan, Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz, Meagan Good

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

As a number in a growing series of number.  Fans may remember it as, chronologically, the first in the series in which Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw was dead throughout (though, of course, not absent), but those who have gotten over clamoring for SAW sequels will find no motive to think any different of the once potent franchise.  SAW V is a mess.  The messiest of all the SAW messes, by all eyes.

SPLINTER

Who Made it: Dir. Toby Wilkins, Scr. Kai Barry, Ian Shorr, Starring: Shea Whigham, Paulo Costanzo, Jill Wagner

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

Don’t know, haven’t seen it.  Buzz was mixed, so at most SPLINTER will be a footnote.  Given that it is the end of ’08 and Top 10 lists are blossoming, its truancy from almost all lists I’ve seen is a good indicator of what that footnote will indicate.

THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY

Who Made it: Dir. Mickey Liddell, Scr. John Travis, Rebecca Sonnenshine, Starring: Haley Bennett, Jake Weber, Chace Crawford, Shannon Marie Woodward

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

As a PG-13 MTV horror movie whether MTV films had anything to do with the movie or not.  I made a promise that, barring obstacles, I would see every horror movie that came my way from now on.  There was no obstacle holding me back from THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY, I just refused to see it.

FEAST II: SLOPPY SECONDS

Who Made it: Dir. John Gulager, Scr.  Patrick Melton &  Marcus Dunstan, Starring: Jenny Wade, Clu Gulager, Diane Goldner, Martin Klebba

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

FEAST II is a piece of shit as sloppy as the name implies.

NO MAN’S LAND: RISE OF THE REEKER

Who Made it: Dir. Dave Payne, Scr. Dave Payne, Starring: Michael Muhney, Desmond Askew, Stephen Martines, Mircea Monroe

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

Dave Payne’s REEKER series is an unsung hero in the Straight to DVD world.  It is an original property with an interesting after-life antagonist.  The premise is predictable (after nearly avoiding an accident a crowd are stalked in the desert by an unknown force), but the casting department keeps things fresh and Payne throws in plenty of pleasing moments.  I liked the first REEKER well enough and NO MAN’S LAND is just as good if not better.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

Who Made it: Dir. Tomas Alfredson, Scr. John Ajvide Lindqvist, Starring: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

With ease LET THE RIGHT ONE IN will be remembered as the best horror film of 2008.  I’ve gushed about the film in the above linked review and I’m sure everyone has read equal praise around the tubes, so I don’t need to sing it here as well.

LEFT 4 DEAD

Who Made It: Valve Corporation

Links: HND Review, Trailers,

How it will be remembered:

The most fun anyone can have playing a horror themed game in 2008.  If Valve maintains their proven track record of releasing new content, LEFT 4 DEAD may will carry on as the most fun anyone can have playing a horror themed game in 2009.  I’ve poured several hours a week into this game since its release, even if that slows down slightly, it’ll perk right back up when Valve opens up new levels.

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA

Who Made it: Dir. Darren Lynn Bousman, Scr. Darren Smith & Terrance Zdunich, Starring: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Sarah Brightman, Bill Moseley, Paris Hilton

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

As a reminder why pet projects are called pet projects.  No one loves a pet the same way their owner does.

TWILIGHT

Who Made It: Dir. Catherine Hardwicke, Scr. Melissa Rosenberg, Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli

Links: No HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

TWILIGHT is not a horror movie, but because of the vampires it was intrinsically intertwined with our neighborhood and thus would have looked strange were it not remembered in a year long look back.  I suppose that isn’t a bad thing, considering Catherine Hardwicke set a world record for highest box office take by a female director.  If at this point you don’t know what TWILIGHT is, who it and the young-adult book series it was based on are intended for, well, you need to crawl forth from your pop culture cave.

THE GIRLS REBEL FORCE OF COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS

Who Made It: Dir. Kôji Kawano, Scr. Satoshi Ôwada, Starring: Mizuka Arai, Sasa Handa

Links: HND Review, Rotten Tomatoes, Trailers, Netflix

How it will be remembered:

I cannot remember a more missed opportunity with an amazing title than THE GIRLS REBEL FORCE OF COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS.

Due to an obscene obligation to see every horror movie that comes out theatrically within the first week of release, SAW V has the honor of being the first of the SAW films I’ve seen in theater.

Due to the obscene awfulness of SAW V, it now also has the honor of being the last of the SAW films I see in theater.

End of review.

• SAW V – Clip
• LET THE RIGHT ONE IN – Red Band trailer
• HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT – Trailer
• THE UNBORN – Trailer

Studio News and Attachments

• Paul W. S. Anderson is writing a RESIDENT EVIL 4 as well as a present-day remake of THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.  Everyone wonders why to both.
• John Hillcoat’s adaptation of THE ROAD bumped from this November to an indeterminate point in ’09.  Insert Sad face here.
• For those few still possibly interested despite the non-hype, the official site for REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA has a full list of theaters that’ll be exhibitting the rock opera.
• Milla Jovovich joins the cast of long ago video game adaptation CLOCK TOWER.

Remakes

• HELLRAISER gets another French director attached to it, this time MARTYRS director Pascal Laugier.
• Certainly not horror, but geek enough to mention the fresh depressing news: Brett Ratner is directing CONAN.
• I know she has her devotees, but I’ll confess to only having seen one movie with Tiffany Shepis in it.  Either way, she has kicked up a blog about her experience on the remake of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS.
• Johnny Depp reboot of DARK SHADOWS on the fritz.

Indie, Foreign and Random News

• Larry Cohen to direct PETER, a movie about a weight loss addict, a weight loss drink and some insanity.
• Rob Zombie is hosting AMCs Fearfest once again.
• Winners from the official competition at Sitges announced, Jennifer Lynch’s SURVEILLANCE beats out LET THE RIGHT ONE IN for Best Motion Picture.

Non-Theatrical Trailers and Clips

• VACANCY 2: THE FIRST CUT – Trailer
• COMING SOON – English sub trailer

Anyways, on to the tidbits.

Theatrical Trailers and Clips

Not a one.

Studio News and Attachments

• Jackson Rathbone to star in an adaptation of Clive Barker’s DREAD, to be directed by Anthony DiBlasi.  Since it’s Barker, don’t expect to ever actually see the thing.
• DreamWorks buys Sci-Fi novel CHOCKY about a boy whose imaginary friend is really an alien living in his brain.
• That untitled Twisted Pictures family revenge flick is now officially (and ingeniously) called THE TORTURED.
• Surprise, Del Toro adds another flick to his busy slate.
• I AM LEGEND prequel official.
• AMERICAN PSYCHO, stage musical.

Remakes

• The FRIDAY THE 13TH trailer will be attached to all prints of SAW V.
• Matt Reeves picks up the inevitable gig of remaking festival hit LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.
• While not naming names, Argento is fine with an apparent attempt to remake THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE.

Indie, Foreign and Random News

• Bruce Campbell announces the 20 cities he’ll be bringing MY NAME IS BRUCE to in November.  Fortunately the E Street in DC is one of them.  Unfortunately, I’ll probably still be in Africa when he comes.  Love the timing.
• Romero illuminates a bit more on his proposed DIARY OF THE DEAD 2, which would follow only a few of the original’s characters (none from the mansion).
• MEGA SHARK VS GIANT SQUID.  I hope this is not a joke.

Indie/Foreign Trailers and Clips

• VINYAN – Complete opening sequence
• FRITT VILT 2 – Trailer
• SPLINTER – Trailer
• SLEEPER – Trailer
• SCAR CROW – Trailer
• SODIUM BABIES – Trailer
• DEAD SNOW – Norweigan zombies!

A few pieces of remake news, though nothing mind blowing.  And then we get to one of the juiciest nuggets of the week that I think may be a beacon of great things to come.  Two outfits have teamed up to finance four films from a quartet of rising independent filmmakers.  I’ve only seen a few of their earlier films, but all four are names I’ve only ever seen associated with positive buzz, so to know they have a new house over their heads is very cool.

Oh, and does anyone else find this innocent picture of Earth during a solar eclipse as ominous as I do?

Theatrical Trailers and Clips

• SAW V – Clip

Studio News and Attachments

• David Goyer and Brannon Braga set up “FLASH FORWARD” for ABC, about a global epidemic during which every person on the planet blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds.  When they wake, each person has a vision of the future.
• Shia LeBeouf to star in DARK FIELDS, about a futuristic drug that exponentially enhances brain power, but with undisclosed side-effects.
• Sci-Fi channel orders the unaired “WAREHOUSE 13″ to full series length.
• HBO green lights a second season of “TRUE BLOOD” after only two episodes.
• Owen Wilson to play either the man or the vampire in a buddy comedy called…wait for it… BLOOD BROTHERS.  Get it?

Remakes

• Filmax, the great Spanish studio, to remake WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? titled IN THE PLAYGROUND.
• Carrie Fischer joins THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW?
• CHILDREN OF THE CORN set pictures show up.
• Ghost House Pictures is going to remake the Danish film THE SUBSTITUTE.

Foreign, Indie and Random News

• MGM is seeking out writers to do a series of AMITYVILLE HORROR straight-to-DVD movies.
• Kevin Costner’s ‘family moves to a farm, weird shit happens’ movie THE NEW DAUGHTER is actually a monster movie?
• Dark Sky Films and Glass Eye Pix shore up some money for four separate films to be directed by the likes of J.T. Petty (S&MAN, THE BURROWERS), James Felix McKenny (AUTOMATONS), Ti West (THE ROOST, TRIGGER MAN), and Larry Fessenden (WENDIGO, THE LAST WINTER).

Foreign/Indie Trailers and Clips

• DOGHOUSE – Behind the Scenes
• iMURDERS – Trailer
• DEADGIRL – Trailer.  Buzz I’ve heard from FantasticFest is not great.
• DEMON DIVAS AND THE LANES OF DAMNATION – Teaser
• THE DEAD MATTER – Trailer

Oh PULSE, how shitty you are.

Theatrical Trailers and Clips

ROGUE – I’m throwing this trailer under the Theatrical banner, even though it barely qualifies

PATHOLOGY – Even more clips

Studio News and Attachments

• Meagan Good joins the cast of SAW V, which includes Julie Benz and, uh, Tobin Bell.
• August 1st is the new day carved out for MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN.
• Tom Cruise/Paula Wagner have hired Sci-Fi demigod Ronald D. Moore to bring an unnamed genre trilogy to the big screen.
• Fox Atomic has picked up the rights to an uninspiring novel called THE SURROGATE.

Remakes

• Want to see some context-less stills from Aja’s remake of INTO THE MIRROR titled just MIRRORS? Too bad, because I love Aja so they’s getting linked.
• Apparently not only did people somehow hear the rumor (I didn’t), but enough people believed in it that Bloody-Disgusting had to dispel it: FRIDAY THE 13TH will not be PG-13.
• John Carl Buechler has put out an open casting call for the children in his TROLL reboot.
• THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW. Yeppers.

Random, Indie and Foreign News

• Don Mancini and Howie Mandel (wtf?) will produce a Sci-Fi hour long drama about a woman who can ‘jump’ into the bodies of people about to be murdered in the cleverly titled “KILL-SWITCH”.
• If you rent INSIDE from Blockbuster you’re getting an R-rated version trimmed to 75 minutes from the original 85.

Indie/Foreign Trailers and Clips

• THE OBJECTIVE – Directed by BLAIR WITCH’S Daniel Myrick
• ENLIGHTENED BLOOD – Trailer

FRONTIERE(S) is out May 9th in these select theaters:

LA – Mann – Chinese 6
LA – Nat’l Amusement – The Bridge
NY – IFC – Village East Cinema
Boston – Nat’l Amusement – The Circle
Philly – Landmark – Ritz at The Bourse
Denver – Harkins – Northfield 18
Austin – Galaxy – Highland
Detroit – MJR – Southgate 20
Seattle – Landmark – Varsity Theatre
Phoenix – Harkins – Arizona Mills 24 (Tempe)