The unnerving Blood Rush, starring award winning actress Stella Maeve (Transamerica) and acclaimed actor Michael Madsen, is now available on VOD from Osiris Entertainment.
Directed by Harris Demel, the film fixes on Nicole Diamond, an internationally-known model, who finds herself in an upside-down car in the middle of nowhere. In the passenger seat is her unconscious boyfriend, pop singer Scott Donnoly, a.k.a. Scotty Dee. Not a soul is around to help, and her legs are wedged under the dashboard. She's trapped.
Danger lurks everywhere, including a small fire under the car, wild animals in the vicinity, and the unknown, life-threatening physiological effects of hanging upside down indefinitely. With her damaged cell phone, she dials random numbers until she finally reaches someone willing to help – a mysterious man named Casey.
However, she soon learns that roadside assistance is the last thing on Casey's mind.
Leigh lives secluded and isolated in the mountains woods, normalcy is in sight when a stranger is unaffected by her affliction.
Not be be confused with cleavage packed Siren (2011). Jesse Peyronel's 2013 Siren is a lost gem, a finely executed indie film from Osiris Entertainment that has managed to stay hidden away like its security surveyed main character. Directed and written by Peyronel it's a slow burning contemporary dark fairytale with widow-like imagery.
Opening with a voice over that says, "Once upon a time..." a flower and candle filled large house, there's a flashback to a boys encounter with a showered with gifts (well cast) young girl called Leigh. The set up is wonderfully played out by the child actors who set the stage of what's to come. The captivating Ali Larter-like Vinessa Shaw (of the Hills Have Eyes rehash) holds attention throughout, her blood is being bottled due to its attractive pheromone powers. She is cursed, everyone can't help but fall in love with her and their life is subsequently turned upside down. However, charming Robert Kazinsky (of Pacific Rim fame) is immune to her allure having lost his sense of smell. With a dodgy perfume company over arching the proceedings it gives this Posion Ivy setup a sense of scale on what is quite a reclusive tale. At times, its forcible sexual relations are a little uncomfortable and the stalker, rapey moments are provokingly questionable.
It's more grounded and sophisticated than Milan Todorovic's horror Killer Mermaids. Siren has a fairly paint by numbers outcome but it's beautifully shot and framed, benefitting from a somewhat novel premise as men go crazy over the potent smells. There's a melodic violin and piano driven score which gives it a mysterious lazy Sunday feel.
Overall, don't expect an action horror thriller. Peyronel successful commits to screen a twisted romantic character study in the guise of a deadly modern fairy tale. Recommended for adult fairytale fans.
Cast: Thomas Daniel, Andrew Roth, Justin Tully, Liana
Werner-Gray.
A couple goes camping in the middle of nowhere. Things go
wrong, people try and kill them. This is far from an original story, and has
been the base plot to a wide variety of films, both horror and non-horror. Although
from the outset Backwater is exactly the same, it transforms itself into
something completely different and much more original as the film progresses.
Backwater starts with young and beautiful couple Cass and
Mark who are on a secluded getaway in the American countryside. Whilst they
enjoy the solitude their peace is broken by a distant scream. As they go and
investigate they encounter two strangers in the same woods as them. Whilst they
initially seem to be harmless, things soon go awry and although this may still
sound like a typical plot, things take a turn for the unexpected and the film
moves up a gear.
The first act is slow, and although it is there to build a
relationship and a bond with the two leads it doesn’t offer much in terms of
character development other than provide a glimpse into their seemingly happy
relationship. The actors themselves give fairly solid performances, though it
is difficult to believe the relationship at points.
As the film slides into the second third and we are
introduced to two new and mysterious characters the pace begins to quicken and
the film hits its stride. We begin to see much more character depth and a plot
that is much more developed than we initially give it credit for. There are
aspects of muddle within the plot, and towards the end it does lose its way
slightly, however the fact Schrack even attempts to develop the narrative to
the extent he does given the independent nature of the production is credit
worthy.
Whilst it may be said that the film utilises too many
different aspects it does make a welcome change from the usual Eden Lake style
indie backwoods slasher horrors that have become so popular since Deliverance.
It is refreshing to see a director and writer develop the plot beyond ‘couple
get split up out in the woods and are surrounded by maniacs’ as has been done
to death by the Wrong Turn ilk. Despite Backwater veering slightly of course at
points it remains an intriguing foray into the sub-genre.
Backwater has a definite indie feel to it, and there is the
atmosphere of found footage/handheld camera stylings which add an almost Blair
Witchesque feel to the film. The environment is used well to add to the tension
and the stripped back nature of the production. The practical effects provide a
satisfying level of gore that ensure the film sticks to its slasher motif
without slipping too far into the realms of psychological thriller. When you
consider the films meagre $40,000 budget what it achieves visually is
impressive, if not completely encompassing.
Backwater may present as an all too typical backwoods
slasher however some perseverance will reward viewers with something much more
thought out. Although the film has its downsides and occasionally feels like it
loses its way, this can be mostly forgiven when you consider the indie
production and the limitations that can bring with it. Backwater may not be
ground breaking, but it is an interesting indie horror in its own right, and
deserving of some of your time. Rating: 3/5
Directed by Josh Evans and starring internationally acclaimed actor Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight, Sin City).
Acquired by Osiris Entertainment for January 2016 release; screening Arizona Underground Film Festival on Friday. Death in the Desert, based on the true crime book by Cathy Scott and adapted for the screen by Scott and John Steppling, has been acquired by Osiris Entertainment. Company has set the film for a DVD and VOD release in January 2016.
An advance screening of the film will be held this Friday at the Arizona Underground Film Festival.
The film, already labelled a “classic” by The Huffington Post, who applauded the film’s “captivating” cast of characters and ‘’dark and addictive’’ story, is expected to win Michael Madsen some of the best notices of his career.
Death in the Desert tells of a trio who double down on love in Las Vegas. The life of Kim Davis, the young live-in girlfriend of legendary casino owner Ray Easler, is thrown upside down when she falls for Matt Duvall, the man Ray hires to bury his $20 million fortune of silver on the floor of the Nevada desert.
Joining Madsen are Paz Del Huerta, Roxy Saint, and Shayla Beesley. Visionary musician and producer Chris Goss did the score. For tickets to the advance screening of Death in the Desert at Arizona Underground Film Festival click here.
Neck hairs will rise when writer-director Christopher Schrack's 'Backwater' arrives on DVD and Digital this November from Osiris Entertainment.
Boasting an award-winning screenplay, the "smart, tense and cleverly executed" (All Things Horror) chiller chronicles the frightening journey of couple who can't shake the feeling that they're not alone on their camping trip. The truth, however, is far more disturbing than meets the eye.
Justin Tully (Sorority Row) and Liana Werner-Gray (The Man in the Maze) star in what critics are calling a "treat for horror fans" (Horroracle).
"Backwater" is scheduled to be released on DVD and Digital on November 10, 2015 by Osiris Entertainment.
Cass and Mark are a couple on a camping trip to the distant countryside. When their seemingly secluded getaway is interrupted by an ominous scream, they start to think someone might be stalking them, and encounter two strangers who are also in the woods near them. Despite everything appearing to be harmless, they can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. The truth, however, is far more disturbing than meets the eye
