Mansion of Blood (2015) - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group

Welcome to Mayhem.. errr Mayhew mansion

Released by: MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Production Year: 2015
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 1:38:53
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: NTSC Anamorphic Widescreen
Subtitles: None

THE FILM - [ 2 / 5 ]:

Millionaire Mason Murphy (Ray Quiroga) renovates the haunted Mayhew mansion. He moves his family to the estate with his creepy servant Zacharia (Gary Busey). 

He plans a tremendous lunar eclipse viewing party to celebrate his return to his hometown of River Ridge Iowa. At the party, a witch casts a spell to summon the spirit of her dead boyfriend. The magic runs out of control under the eclipse and a series of deadly accidents lead to revenge killings and then all the monsters come out as the party guests are murdered one by one. 

Each murder and death is unique, macabre, and horrifying at the Mansion of Blood. Who, if any, will survive?

That pretty well sums up the plot. Unfortunately I did not find the film to be as good as the plot sounded. It started off with a flashback scene that most will either laugh at or shake their head. For a low budget indie horror film, it has some decent production values. Despite the quality of some of the special effects not quite matching the filmmakers enthusiasm, the effort is there. 

Gary Busey and Robert Picardo fans may be let down by the limited amount of screen time the two have in the film which is a shame because a number of the other actors don't have the same ability. Yes Gary Busey may be a bit "off" but he can still command some presence in a scene and I don't find his acting as terrible as some. 

I think if you go in to this film fully expecting the cheese factor to be high and perhaps have a couple drinks in you if that typically helps, the film would be more enjoyable. I was fully expecting the movie to be more straight-up and serious and I suspect that played a large part in my disappointment. Course, if you happen to be a fan of Syfy channel movies, this should be right up your alley. Just don't expect giant snakes, crocodiles, sharks, etc.

AUDIO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

The DVD features an English Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. The audio quality is quite good with a nicely balanced track. Dialogue was clear and crisp. The sound effects and score were finely reproduced as well. While a 5.1 track could have been an improvement, the film sounds fine with what is available. Along with being a catchy tune, the end credits song "Mansion of Blood" by Sam Stone sounds good. There no subtitles included with this release.

VIDEO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

"Mansion of Blood" comes to DVD thanks to TomCat Films and MVD Entertainment Group. The film is presented in NTSC Anamorphic Widescreen. Indie films often have a very cheap look to them but that is not the case for "Mansion of Blood." A welcomed surprise, the film looks fairly good. While it may not look like a top of the line Hollywood production, the picture quality should not disappoint. The colors in the film stand out nicely whether it's a hot pink dress worn by a character or the various colors used in swimming pool scenes. Skin tones and black levels both appeared fine. As for sharpness, it was more middle of the road. All in all, it is a nice looking film on the DVD.

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 1 / 5 ]:

Trailer (1:02)



IN CONCLUSION:

While I did not overly enjoy the film, I would give it another chance along with a different mindset and expectations. Gary Busey and Robert Picardo appear in small roles which should still please some of their fans. The DVD itself features good audio and video quality which is a big plus. The only extra is a trailer. A Gary Busey interview could have been an entertaining addition.


OVERALL RATING: [ 2.5 / 5 ]



 

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Horror-Comedy 'You're Killing Me' Coming to DVD & VOD March 8th

"You're Killing Me," an intriguing and unusual mix of horror and romantic comedy, will be released through Wolfe Video on DVD and VOD on March 8, 2016.

George (Jeffery Self), a narcissistic wannabe internet star, starts dating Joe (Matthew McKelligon), a monotone serial killer. While all of George's friends agree that Joe seems a bit strange, George claims his new beau "isn't scary, he's gorgeous." But as George's friends start to disappear, the remaining group decides to take matters into their own hands.

Directed by Jim Hansen, creator of the viral video smash series "The Chloe Videos", this gay mixture of "Dexter" and "Gilmore Girls" blends witty banter, pop culture references and good old-fashioned murder. YOU'RE KILLING ME employs humor, camp, and razor sharp wit to tell a morality tale about self-obsession and our growing disconnection with the world around us. After sold out festival screenings and critical acclaim last year, the film is now available to nationwide audiences.

Starring popular gay actor Matthew McKelligon (Interior. Leather. Bar., Eastsiders, and My Sweet Suicide), Jeffery Self (Logo's "Jeffery & Cole Casserole"), Drew Droege (The Chloe Videos), Mindy Cohn ("The Secret Life of the American Teenager"), and Edi Patterson ("Blackish," "Partners").

WINNER 

NOLA HORROR FILM FEST, Best Script

HORRIBLE IMAGININGS FILM FEST, Audience Favorite

"A wickedly funny camp horror-romance."- Toronto Star

"A litany of hilarious gay talent."- Frontiers Media

"The gay slasher film you've always wanted."- The Backlot

"It's infectious and just bloody uproarious!" - Edge Media

"A morality tale about self-obsession and our growing disconnection with the world around us" - Smells Like Teen Spirit

YOU'RE KILLING ME debuts Mar 8, 2016 across all digital platforms including iTunes, Vimeo On Demand, and WolfeOnDemand.com, and will also be available same date on DVD via Wolfe Video and many major retailers.

BONUS FEATURES:
Trailer, Bloopers, and Improv: Drew & Edie included on DVD.

FILMMAKER INFO:
Director Jim Hansen has created several web series including the viral video smash "The Chloe Videos," "Paragon School for Girls" and "My Drunk Aunts". He has also had several shorts in film festivals including: "Video Night," "Pretty Parts" and "Radiance." YOU'RE KILLING ME is his feature directorial debut.

Jeffery Self is a writer and performer. He created and produced two seasons of his own show for LogoTV, Jeffery & Cole Casserole. He has also appeared in "Desperate Housewives," "90210," "Hot In Cleveland," "Shameless," "Torchwood," "Difficult People," and as Liz Lemon's cousin Randy on "30 Rock." He has served as a writer and producer on multiple seasons of Funny Or Die's "Billy On The Street," as well as their "Gay Of Thrones" web series. His YouTube channel has over 9 million views. He is the author of Straight People: A Spotter's Guide to the Fascinating World of Heterosexuals, 50 Shades of Gay, and the upcoming Drag Teen, A young adult novel published by Scholastic. He also hosts a weekly podcast on iTunes, "This is Really Important with Jeffery Self."

ABOUT WOLFE VIDEO:
Founded in 1985 and now celebrating 30 years as the largest exclusive distributor of lesbian, gay, bi and transgender (LGBT) films, Wolfe's release slate includes some of the most popular LGBT films of 2015, including the Swiss Oscar and Golden Globes submission The Circle; the gorgeous lesbian drama by renowned Venezuelan director Fina Torres, Liz in September; and the epic international production by Finland's Mika Kaurasmäki, The Girl King. In 2016, Wolfe's releases will include the Thai Oscar submission How To Win at Checkers (Every Time); Henry Gamble's Birthday Party; Portrait of a Serial Monogamist, and Naz & Maalik. Wolfe's library of beloved modern classics includes such acclaimed hits as Cloudburst, Undertow, Desert Hearts and Big Eden. Wolfe's complete motion picture library can be found at WolfeVideo.com as well as at national retailers such as Netflix, Amazon and VOD destinations such as Comcast, Time Warner, Hulu, iTunes and WolfeOnDemand.com. Find more info online at http://www.wolfevideo.com.

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'Hotel Inferno' the First POV Action Horror Film, Puts You Right in the Middle of the Carnage

Could this be the next trend in horror? Who knows. For now, read on to learn more about "Hotel Inferno."

Wild Eye Releasing immerses fans into a first-person apocalypse when Giulio De Santi's Hotel Inferno makes its North American debut this June. Follow a contract killer on the job as the hunter becomes the hunted of demonic monsters in new key art and stills.

Synopsis:

Hitman Frank Zimosa is hired for a lucrative mission by a rich client. The objective: kill two people in a hotel. But this simple job soon becomes a nightmare as an army of insane henchmen and monsters are waiting for him, all under the control of an ancient and unstoppable demon - now Frank must fight his way out with any weapon he can get his hands on.


Hotel Inferno will be available stateside Summer 2016.

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Interview with Filmmaker and Author, Richard W. Haines

“Class of Nuke 'Em High”, “Splatter University”, “Alien Space Avenger”… you know the titles, and chances are they bring nostalgic thoughts and a smile to your face. Richard W. Haines is more than just an iconic filmmaker. He’s an avid film preservationist, an authority on the technical aspects of film and a lauded novelist. To put it simply, Richard knows horror.

Body Count Rising: You’ve pretty much been active in every aspect of filming and writing. What is your favorite role (writer, editor, director, actor, etc…) and which do you think is your greatest talent?

Richard W. Haines: Well since I’m an auteur, all of these activities are linked. I guess I’d have to add projection to the process too since I had to set up many theaters to show “Run for Cover” in 3D from 1995-1997. In terms of what I enjoy the most, it would have to be writing the screenplay and editing the feature. Production is the most nerve wracking and difficult since I always worked on low budgets along with all of the things that go wrong during all movie shoots like raining on the day you want to do exteriors etc. I do enjoy the actual production process but much of it involves trouble shooting which is very difficult.

Body Count Rising: It is clear you have a laser-focused passion for the technical aspect of film. I see characters in your films that have almost an obsessive quality for their work. Do you identify closely with any of the characters in your films, or are any of the characters based on you?

Richard W. Haines: Most of the lead male characters in my movies and books are a reflection of various aspects of my personality. In fact my feature film trilogy, “Space Avenger”, “Unsavory Characters” and “What Really Frightens You” were all writers who interacted with their fictional characters which is part of the writing process. You have to believe the people you create are real to chronicle their adventures. That’s why I borrow characters from my movies and include them in my novels. Nick Slade was introduced in my film, “Unsavory Characters”, and was used as the lead in my three novels, “Production Value”, “Reel Danger” and “The Anastasia Killer”. The crooked politician, John Prescott, was featured in “Reel Danger” too.

Body Count Rising: Which of your works are you most proud of and why?

Richard W. Haines: In terms of my features, I like my ‘Life imitates Art’ trilogy as previously mentioned, “Space Avenger”, “Unsavory Characters” and “What Really Frightens You”. I think my film history book, “Technicolor Movies”, is useful for film students who want to study the process. My three novels are linked to the three features I mentioned which explore similar themes and utilize the same characters.

Body Count Rising: I understand you chose to fund your own films at 51% for the purpose of autonomy…

Richard W. Haines: Although it’s fallen out of favor in the industry, I still subscribe to the auteur theory of filmmaking where the movie reflects the personality of the director. Unless you control the financing, you won’t be able to control the content.

Body Count Rising: “Alien Space Avenger” is a beautiful, fun, engaging film. Even on an old VHS tape, the Technicolor hues still pop just like a blu-ray. Is there a chance you would release this film on blu-ray?

Richard W. Haines: “Space Avenger” will be released on blu-ray and 4K in the future.

Body Count Rising: Will you film in the future using this Technicolor process?

Richard W. Haines: The dye transfer Technicolor process is gone for good. It won’t be revived and the Beijing Film Lab which offered it in the eighties and early nineties folded too. Technicolor in the US briefly revived the process from 1997-2001 but shut it down again.

Body Count Rising: Each one of your feature films seems markedly different although you shoot on 35 mm. You’ve done true Technicolor, 3D, a gothic Hammer look and feel... What’s the next challenge you plan to conquer with regard to filming?

Richard W. Haines: I’m no longer making feature films because of the difficulty in shooting in 35 mm. The East Coast is pretty much dead in terms of actual shooting on film. So I write movie themed novels now. Perhaps some producer or studio will purchase the rights from me to turn them into feature films.

Body Count Rising: You’ve moved from writing more technical books with a nostalgic personal feel to writing novels. Was this a natural transition for you from writing screenplays?

Richard W. Haines: My three movie-themed novels, “Production Value”, “Reel Danger” and “The Anastasia Killers” would’ve been my next three features had film as a medium survived on the East Coast. It didn’t so I wrote them as novels. My upcoming book, “What Really Frightens You Too” started as a screenplay sequel to my last movie but I adapted and expanded it into novel form. Curiously, the theme of many of my features is “Life Imitates Art”. This turned out to be the case with “Production Value” which is about a sinister film production that isn’t actually producing a movie and smuggling drugs in film cans. Recently, that’s exactly what happened in a New Jersey airport. Authorities discovered cocaine being smuggled in film cans.

Body Count Rising: You’re a staunch advocate of 35 mm filming for the reason of film preservation and richness of color. If given the opportunity to film digitally and be funded for a film, do you still recommend that the filmmaker hold out for appropriate funds to film on 35 mm even if it means the film may potentially not be made?

Richard W. Haines: In the case of independent filmmaking, it would be difficult to impossible to shoot on film because you need the technical support system of labs, transfer facilities, 35 mm equipment rental houses and negative matchers which are not generally available today. Most facilities have folded. So that means the director will be forced to shoot digitally. Digital has a different image structure than film which is based on how light is reflected on the emulsion. The art of film is the art of lighting and how it’s reflected as film grain. I’m not referring to graininess but the nuance of grain on the emulsion which is what creates the dimensional appearance on film. Cinematography Freddie Young (“Lawrence of Arabia”) used to call it ‘painting on film’. That will be compromised if not lost entirely when shooting digitally.

Body Count Rising: If he or she chose to transfer the digital film to 35 mm later, what effect would this have on the look or quality of the film, if any?

Richard W. Haines: It’s vitally important to output a digital movie to 35 mm negative for long term preservation. Modern estar base low fade film should last between 75-100 years if stored correctly. No digital format is archival or permanent.

Body Count Rising: Besides practicality (Haines has indicated practicality in determination of location as key in a previous interview.) and shooting on 35 mm, what other advice would you give to an aspiring author or filmmaker?

Richard W. Haines: When negotiating with distributors, remember to secure ‘gross points’, not ‘net points’. "Gross points" is a percentage of all collected revenue derived from the distribution of the product. "Net points" is a percentage of collected revenue after the distributor has deducted their marketing expenses. In most cases, the distributors will claim that their marketing expenses exceed income and you’ll never see any money.

Keep up with Richard on IMDb, check out his Wikipedia or follow him on Facebook.

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Trailer, Poster and News for 'OMG... We're in a Horror Movie!!!'

In the tradition of Scream andTucker and Dale vs Evil comesOMG... We're in a Horror Movie!!!, available this month on VOD from LeoMark Studios.

Seven friends find themselves trapped in a horror movie in Ajala Bandele's very funny and somewhat frightening love letter to the genre.

A movie about "What if's" What if your life suddenly became a horror movie. Who would you play? What if your role was taken?What would you do. This is a horror comedy that answer those questions for seven "lucky" people who get to see what they would do.

The film stars Brendan Mcgowan, Sharon Mae, Shanna Malcolm, Nils Janson, Chris Hampton, and Ajala Bandele.

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The Sh!t Has Hit the Fan as 'Septic Man' Hits UK DVD

Sh!t is about to go down...

SEPTIC MAN hit UK DVD on January 11

From the writer of acclaimed indie zombie hit "Pontypool" comes a gross-out horror satire in the same vein as "The Toxic Avenger" and "Wolf Cop." Sharp Teeth Films released the film on to DVD in the UK on January 11th.

Directed by "Monster Brawl" director Jesse T. Cook and produced by John Geddes (Exit Humanity), "Septic Man" is the latest disgusting offering from the team behind the cream of the current wave of Canadian indie horror.

Genre: Horror | Year: 2013 | Cert: 15 | Country: Canada

Language: English | Running Time: 83 minutes

Synopsis
When a small town’s water supply becomes contaminated, causing violent, projectile eruptions from the townsfolk, it’s up to trusty plumber Jack to resolve the situation. But in the deep, dank sewers, Jack is not alone… after discovering the terrible secret behind the contamination - a mass of rotting corpses - he is pursued by the monstrous killers that created this mess. All the while the fetid, toxic contents of the sewer are morphing him into a hideous monster...

Written by: Tony Burgess
Directed by: Jesse T. Cook
Cast: Jason David Brown, Molly Dunsworth, Julian Richings

WINNER TORONTO AFTER DARK Film Festival

WINNER FANTASTIC FEST Best Horror Actor

OFFICIAL SELECTION MORBIDO FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTION TELLURIDE HORROR SHOW

OFFICIAL SELECTION MILE HIGH HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTION DEDFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

 

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Indie Slasher 'You Are Not Alone' Coming to DVD February 22

A terrifying Fourth of July slasher movie in

nerve-shredding ‘first-person perspective’ …

YOU ARE NOT ALONE on DVD February 22, 2016

Shot in gripping first-person perspective, (also seen in MANIAC starring Elijah Wood), YOU ARE NOT ALONE is a nightmarish 'stalk and slash' horror seen entirely from the point of view of the 'final girl'. The film will be released on DVD in the UK on February 22, 2016 by Sharp Teeth Films.

A masked killer terrorises a small American town over the Fourth of July weekend in a heart-pounding narrative that echoes the classic slasher movies of the 1970s and ‘80s, such as HALLOWEEN and THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, but adds an immersive, modern twist.


Synopsis:
An idyllic summer day turns into a living nightmare ...

With school finally over, college graduate Natalie Wilner returns to her hometown to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. But beneath the flags and fireworks lurks a dark, malevolent figure. After a night of drunken parties, she stumbles home and drifts off to sleep, only to be woken moments later by a loud knock on the door.

Experience one night of terror, through Natalie’s eyes as she fights to escape a relentless, knife-wielding maniac ...

Genre: Horror | Year: 2014 | Cert: TBC | Country: USA | Language: English | Running Time: 97 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 | Audio: 5.1 stereo | Color

Directed by: Derek Mungor
Written by: Derek Mungor, Chris O’Brien
Cast: Krista Dzialoszynski, David O’Brien, Mary Mikva, Keenan Camp, Nikki Pierce, Eric Wood

DVD special features TBC

Be sure to check out the "You Are Not Alone" official website, Twitter and Facebook page.

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From the Director of 'Pernicious' Comes 'White Crack Bastard' Which Hits DVD on Feb. 20th

White Crack Bastard can’t be stopped; three years on, wide release set via Brinkvision

Three years after completion, director James Cullen Bressack’s controversial ode to excess, "White Crack Bastard" is acquired by BrinkVision and is scheduled for a DVD release on February 20, 2016.
"Wolf of Wall Street" meets "Bad Lieutenant" in the confronting true story of a privileged white man that uses the ghetto, sex addiction, and crack cocaine to live up to his full potential and have the life he’s always dreamed of.

From acclaimed filmmaker James Cullen Bressack, director of Pernicious and Bethany, and writer Lisa Vachon comes a sweltering hot button release starring Rhett Benz, Taja V.Simpson (The Young & The Restless), Edmond Chapple and Walter Mendoza.

White Crack Bastard is a confronting, drug-fueled rollercoaster ride of bite and buzz that doesn’t shy away from truths – explaining its delay to the screen.

Luke Anderson, Early 40s, the picture of success, white, privileged, and handsome, uses crack and sex as a means to punish himself to overcome the problem he’s had his whole life; not feeling worthy enough to know he deserves to live a happy life and to be comfortable in his own skin. 

Most people use drugs to ease pain. Luke uses drugs to create pain by using it as his therapy; a therapy long overdue from years of struggling with abandonment issues. Issues that were created by the death of Luke’s father when he was a young boy. 

With each binge, Luke’s therapy effectively erases old pain and provides a missing link to the puzzle. With each sexual encounter, a new reality of dealing with intimacy enlightens him. Through this unorthodox therapy, he struggles to become the man he’s always wanted to be and to lead the life he’s always dreamed of. He just has to go through hell to get there. Being an attractive, educated, and privileged white man in the hood doing crack, isn’t exactly society’s picture of drug addiction. Try being in Luke’s shoes, he’s known as WHITE CRACK BASTARD…

Follow director James Cullen Bressack on Facebook and Twitter.

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