Halloween Horror Nights adds 'This is the End' Maze

Universal Studios Hollywood Casts "This is the End" in an All-New Terrifying 3D "Halloween Horror Nights" Maze, Based on the Hit Film Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson Beginning Friday, September 18.

In a bold, new approach to bringing iconic horror films to life during "Halloween Horror Nights," Universal Studios Hollywood will break new ground with the introduction of its first ever 3D horror-comedy maze, "This is the End 3D," based on 2013's hit movie starring James Franco, Seth Rogen Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBrideand Craig Robinson. "Halloween Horror Nights" begins on Friday, September 18, 2015.

The hilarity of this genre-defying blockbuster movie, This is the End, will take a dark turn in this all-new maze experience that will come to life in hypnotic 3D. The end of the world will begin as guests head to the ultimate A-list party at James Franco's new Hollywood Hills home, before the Apocalypse strikes and they find themselves trapped in a life-and-death struggle against the demons of the underworld. With the fate of humanity at the crossroads of heaven and hell, "This is the End 3D" will offer defining moments for those guests brave enough to tempt the devil as their destiny hangs in the balance to be damned for eternity or raptured to heaven engulfed in a sea of blue light.

"This is the End brings a new dimension of fear to 'Halloween Horror Nights' by fusing the best of two extreme worlds—horror and comedy— to create a literal and figurative three-dimensional experiential version of the film," said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of "Halloween Horror Nights." "Our collaboration with James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill to transform this outrageous movie into a terrifying maze underscores the impact of 'Halloween Horror Nights' as one the most influential Halloween events around."

"Halloween Horror Nights" 2015 at Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off on Friday, September 18 and continues on select nights through November 1. The popular event brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined "Terror Tram" experience uniquely themed to today's most definitive horror properties, "Halloween Horror Nights" will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions during Southern California's most extreme Halloween experience.

Recent maze announcements include "Guillermo del Toro Presents Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness," based on Legendary and Universal Pictures' much-anticipated Crimson Peak film directed, co-written and produced by celebrated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro; "The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far," based on season 5 of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award®-winning television series, "Insidious: Return to the Further," based on the bone-chilling Insidious film trilogy, and "Halloween: Michael Myers Comes Home," based on director John Carpenter's cult-classic horror film. This year's event will also feature the global phenomenon and multi-talented dance crew, Jabbawockeez, direct from Las Vegas in an all-new original show, performing multiple times per night throughout the run of "Halloween Horror Nights."

Join the "Halloween Horror Nights" conversation using #UniversalHHN on Facebook at Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood,Instagram, Twitter and Periscope @HorrorNights. Add username HorrorNights on Snapchat, for nightly live content and watch the terror come to life on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube.

To learn more about the all new "This is the End 3D" maze at "Halloween Horror Nights," click here.

Read More »

M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Visit' Coming to Theaters Sept. 11th

Writer/director/producer M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable) and producer Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity, The Purge and Insidious series) welcome you to Universal Pictures’ The Visit. The film stars Kathryn Hahn, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie,Ed Oxenbould and Olivia DeJonge.

Shyamalan returns to his roots with the terrifying story of a brother and sister who are sent to their grandparents’ remote Pennsylvania farm for a week-long trip. Once the children discover that the elderly couple is involved in something deeply disturbing, they see their chances of getting back home are growing smaller every day. The film opens in theaters on September 11, 2015.

You can read about the Blu-ray and DVD release here.

Read More »

Tremors 5 coming to Blu-ray and DVD

Universal Studios: Home Entertainment will release Tremors 5: Bloodlines on October 6, 2015.

A deadly threat resurfaces halfway around the world when giant, man-eating worms attack a South African wildlife park in the sci-fi comedy, Tremors 5: Bloodlines, available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on October 6, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Michael Gross ("Family Ties," "Suits,") returns as Graboid hunter extraordinaire Burt Gummer, with Jamie Kennedy ("The Cleveland Show," Scream franchise) as his new tech-savvy second-in-command, in this all-new adventure. The latest chapter of the franchise known for its campy humor and voracious monsters features thrilling new special effects, 25 minutes of bonus features; extended scenes and outtakes, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

The stakes are raised for survivalist Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) in his most dangerous monster hunt yet. When Gummer's hired to capture a deadly Assblaster terrorizing South Africa, he and his new sidekick, Travis Welker (Jamie Kennedy), find themselves in a battle to the death against the fiercely aggressive Assblasters and Graboids. Discovering that the monsters have evolved into even more lethal creatures, their mission takes on a whole new level of unseen terror -- far more than they bargained for.

Special Features on Blu-ray + DVD
Deleted And Extended Scenes
Outtakes
Tremors 5: Behind The Bloodlines featurette

 

SOURCE: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Read More »

Ouija - Blu-ray Review

Released by: Universal Studios
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Production Year: 2014
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:29:30
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / Spanish DTS 5.1 / French Canadian DTS 5.1 / DVS
Video: 1080p (2.40:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French


THE FILM:

How far would you go to make contact with someone you lost? From the Producers of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Insidious comes a supernatural thriller in which a group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they unwittingly release a dark power from the other side. What started as a game will unleash an evil only they can stop. Starring Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel), Douglas Smith (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters), Bianco Santos (The Fosters), and Daren Kagasoff (The Secret Life of the American Teenager).

While not the best film based on a Ouija board, "Witchboard" arguably holds that title, "Ouija" is still an okay movie. Thin on plot? Sure. But horror films aren't typically known for being plot driven. Not that it is an excuse, but let's face it, we don't usually watch horror films for thought provoking stories. They are surely welcome, just not common. This film was bashed by many for its PG-13 rating which I don't really understand since its not a slasher film or anything remotely close to one. Haunted house, supernatural and ghost based films don't normally rely on spilling the blood of its cast to be effective. "Poltergeist (1982)", "The Legend of Hell House (1973)", "The Haunting (1963)", anyone? I'm not about to call this film a masterpiece or great. It mainly relies on jump scares to spook the audience and it is effective at that at times. 

AUDIO:

The film offers several audio options, a English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which did a great job with the dialogue, score and sound effects which the film makes good use of at certain times, especially when jump scares occur. Also included are a French Canadian DTS 5.1, Spanish DTS 5.1 and a DVS (Descriptive Video Service) track.


VIDEO:

"Ouija" comes to Blu-ray from the beyond thanks to Universal Studios. The film is presented in 1080p with a 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio. Video quality of the film is fantastic. I have no complaints. Colors look strong and have good saturation. Black levels look great throughout. Skin tones look natural. There is a great amount of fine detail present as well, with the texture of objects looking terrific. 


SPECIAL FEATURES:

The Spirit Board: An Evolution (4:07) - Producer Bennett Schneir, Director & Co-Writer Stiles White, Co-Writer Juliet Snowden and Talking Boards Collector & Historian Robert Murch, talk briefly about Ouija boards and their history.   

Adapting the Fear (3:45) - This featurette includes brief comments from Producers Jason Blum and Brad Fuller, stars Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff and Bianca Santos. They talk about the Ouija board and its use in the film. One interesting part was seeing how they filmed the planchette moving on its own. 

Icon of the Unknown (4:00) - Talking Boards Collector & Historian Robert Murch discusses how there are three main explanations that people believe in, in regards to how the boards work. Co-writer Juliet Snowden mentions how the film makers spoke to people who have had experiences using Ouija boards in preparation for the film. Director Stiles White talks about what tends to happen when people use ouija boards, like blaming one another for moving the planchette. 

IN CONCLUSION: 

While not a great film, I still find it entertaining. I've been interested in Ouija boards for over 25 years so I am always interested in watching films about them, especially if they are the main subject of the film. I would recommend renting this unless your are a big fan of Ouija boards or if this style of film appeals to you. The trailer below may help you decide.


OVERALL: 3/5



     

Read More »