Such an amazing concept, filming a movie on an iPhone. You saw it firsthand, how successful was it doing it that way?
The iPhone was a really unique tool to tell a story. Pablo was able to use the premise of the footage being shot by two characters on their cell phones, and run with that to make the camera an interactive part of the viewing experience. He was able to do really unique things that couldn’t be done with a normal camera.

Did you notice any bumps in the road in terms of filming it on an iPhone?
There were definitely some disadvantages, like workflow and battery power. Dumping footage was always much slower and space on the phones themselves was limited. But three phones were used and cycled (one was my own), so that helped.

Was your audition taped on an iPhone too?
I shot my first audition on a DSLR, but the auditions that me and Jonah did together were shot on an iPhone.

Based on what happens in the movie, is it safe to say that you and your co-star didn’t go partying in Spain every night? Or did you? And did the night end demonically?
Haha, well we did some partying, but fortunately we didn’t meet too many evil girls… But mostly we were shooting every night as the shoot was mainly all night shoots.

There’s some rather unsettling moments in the film, do you think it’s that “sense of dread” throughout the movie that makes it scary as opposed to any gore in it?
Yeah, although some people complain about the first 20 minutes of the film, I think Pablo does a great job setting up our characters and our relationship, which makes the horror and suspense all the much more thrilling when we get into it. And the film has a thrill ride feeling to it. The tension and sense of impending doom is a big part of the scare in the film.

Speaking of, what are they using for blood in movies these days?
The usual fake blood mixtures along with some real blood sprinkled in there for good measure, which mixed well with the sweat and tears.

I have a bear trap on my foot. Any idea how to get it off?
Scream like an animal and muscle that shit open with your bloody hands!

Hooked Up is on VOD April 7th!

Millennium Entertainment will make The Taking of Deborah Logan available on Early EST (electronic sell-through) October 21, 2014, before heading to VOD and DVD on November 4, 2014.

The Taking of Deborah Logan Synopsis:

The found-footage style possession horror is told through the camera of Mia Medina (Michelle Ang) as she works on her PhD thesis film about Alzheimer’s Disease, focussing on the everyday lives of mother Deborah Logan (Jill Larson) and her daughter Sarah (Anne Ramsay). Strange things begin to happen around Deborah that are not consistent with any findings about Alzheimer’s. It becomes apparent that there’s something besides Alzheimer’s that has taken control of Deborah’s life. It’s an evil that is far worse than the debilitating disease with which she was first diagnosed.

Directed by Adam Robitel, the movie stars Jill Larson (All My Children, Shutter Island), Anne Ramsay (Planet of the Apes, A League of Their Own, Mad About You, The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Michelle Ang (My Wedding and Other Secrets, Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son), and Ryan Cutrona (24, Mad Men).

The Taking of Deborah Logan has a running time of 90 minutes and is rated R for disturbing violent content, language, and brief nudity.

Rock Hard \m/

The film was written by Robitel and Gavin Heffernan, produced by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men 2, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Trick ‘r Treat), and stars Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay (Dexter, Planet of the Apes), Michelle Ang, Ryan Cutrona (The Collection, Psycho - 1998, In the Line of Fire), and Anne Bedian.

The found-footage style possession horror is told through the camera of Mia Medina (Michelle Ang) as she works on her PhD thesis film about Alzheimer’s Disease, focussing on the everyday lives of mother Deborah Logan (Jill Larson) and her daughter Sarah (Anne Ramsay). Strange things begin to happen around Deborah that are not consistent with any findings about Alzheimer’s. It becomes apparent that there’s something besides Alzheimer’s that has taken control of Deborah’s life. It’s an evil that is far worse than the debilitating disease with which she was first diagnosed.

We’ll keep you posted as the The Taking of Deborah Logan’s release date approaches.

Rock Hard \m/

Cybernatural (directed by Leo Gabriadze, written by Nelson Greaves, and produced by Timur Bekmambetov) made its world premiere at Fantasia 2014, and we were there to screen it. And are we ever glad we did! This is a film that defies conventions and, in the process, redefines a genre. Telling the story of a cyber haunting via one character’s perspective, Blaire (Shelley Hennig), the genre this film redefines is, first and foremost, that of “found-footage.” However, part of that redefinition means that there’s no, or at least very little, shaky-cam footage, and there’s no lost tapes that we’ve suddenly become privy to.

What we are privy to is interactive communication between friends, almost like we’re the spirit doing the haunting in Cybernatural, or as if we’re eavesdropping on the conversation.

What we see via Blaire’s perspective is limited to what she sees on her computer screen… and that’s it. If you were to watch Cybernatural on your computer, you might actually feel like you’re part of the film as you appear to lose control of your computer. But the interactive experience isn’t lost in the theater either, as Gabriadze did a fantastic job of making everything feel familiar to anyone who uses social media. It’s also especially poignant for teenagers, who live in this cyber world. Additionally, the humor used aids in immersing the audience in the experience.

I don’t want to give away too much of the film, so I’ll divert to the synopsis given on IMDB:

While video chatting one night, six high school friends receive a Skype message from a classmate who killed herself exactly one year ago. At first they think it’s a prank, but when the girl starts revealing the friends’ darkest secrets, they realize they are dealing with something out of this world, something that wants them dead.

In addition to making a social commentary on our use of social media, Cybernatural also addresses the epidemic of bullying, and more specifically how bullying is conducted in today’s world. The days of the school-yard bully almost feel like a distant memory, though I’m sure they still exist. As Cybernatural makes clear, anyone can be a bully or a victim with the Internet to hide behind.

The cast (which includes Shelley Hennig, Renee Olstead, Jacob Wysocki, Courtney Halverson, and Moses Jacob Storm) has incredible chemistry, and given the fact that they basically improvised the script, much of this film’s flawlessness is owed to them. But more than being witness to their chemistry, you will sympathize their plight and feel as though you are one of them.

The Verdict: 4/5 Skulls

Cybernatural is a truly unique film, one that redefines so much of our horror experience. And that’s what this film really is, an experience rather than a third-person observation. If Paranormal Activity was the successor to The Blair Witch Project, then Cybernatural succeeds Paranormal Activity. Cybernatural is a must-see for any genre fan who’s growing tired of the same old tricks, and it’s for anyone looking for something totally awesome.

Directed by Brian Netto and produced by Adam Schindler, and based on their screenplay, Delivery also promises to bring a new and original angle to the found-footage genre… but I don’t really see a way for found-footage to be new and original — it is or it isn’t.

Watch the trailer to the paranormal thriller above, and decide for yourself whether or not Delivery: The Beast Within… umm… delivers new and original. It does look entertaining, whatever your take on the trailer is.

Coming to us from The Collective, Delivery stars Laurel Vail, Danny Barclay, and Rob Cobuzio.

Delivery: The Beast Within Synopsis:

Delivery: The Beast Within tells the story of Kyle and Rachel Massy, a young couple who agree to document their first pregnancy for a family-oriented reality show. As the camera continues to capture strange events, Rachel begins to believe that a malevolent spirit has possessed their unborn child. Told through the show’s un-aired footage and interviews with friends, family and production members, this savvy debut feature leverages the voyeuristic properties of reality television to present a fresh perspective on classic horror themes of possession and the paranormal– and delivers enough eeriness to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Delivery: The Beast Within – “Devil” Clip:

Rock Hard \m/

The basic premise of the movie is about a shy guy named Dave (Jay Paulson). He wins a contest to have sex with his favorite porn star, Ashley Saint (Betsy Rue), in a Big Brother-style reality show. Everything is captured on film and everything turns to shit once Dave’s wires get crossed.

Lucky Bastard Synopsis:

Lucky Bastard is a “found footage” thriller about a porn website, run by Mike (Don McManus), that invites fans to have sex with porn stars. Jay Paulson plays Dave, an eager young fan given a chance to have sex with the fabulous Ashley Saint (Betsy Rue). But everyone gets more than they bargained for in the seemingly mild-mannered Dave… with gruesome results. The film is captured by the “Lucky Bastard” porn cameras for a fresh take on the “found footage” genre.

Lucky Bastard was directed and co-written by Robert Nathan (Law & Order). The film has been awarded an NC-17 rating by the MPAA for explicit sexual content and will be released on February 14, 2014. That’s a perfect date movie right there.

Let us know if this movie piques your interest in the comments section below.

Rock Hard \m/

Grave Encounters 2 focuses on Alex’ (Richard Harmon – Trick ‘r Treat, Dear Mr. Gacy) obsession with the story of the missing TV crew seen in the first film. Naturally, Alex is a film student, which helps feed his obsession and gives him access to thousands of dollars’ worth of film equipment. His obsession kicks into overdrive when he starts receiving anonymous tips from a vlogger who goes by the handle “Death Awaits 666.” Yeah, if this film existed in any other era than ours, that name would be a pretty strong indicator to stay away.

Obviously, with film equipment and a group of friends who are both reluctant adventurers and pranksters (Trevor, played by Dylan Playfair; Tessa, played by Stephanie Bennett; Jared played by Howie Lai; and Jennifer played by Leanne Lapp), Grave Encounters 2 is a bit of a first-person, found-footage film. However, it’s not as annoying as most – either that, or I’m becoming numb to the genre.

While Alex’ increasing obsession at school is captivating, and the film could have gone in an entirely different direction, the time came for the story to move on. I love films that spend time setting “it” up, and Grave Encounters 2 does that, so much so that a part of me wishes the whole film took place on the school’s campus. I have no idea, but I’d venture to say that the Vicious Brothers (Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz) are as influenced by Steven Spielberg as they are by Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project).

So, our cast moves onto the abandoned mental institute where the first film took place. I can’t say if from here on out it’s basically a regurgitation of the first film, or if the institute itself is even more of a character in Grave Encounters 2, but it is a house of horrors that kept my knuckles white.

I won’t spoil the end for you, but the film has a twist ending. So if you don’t like it, at least know that there’s a payoff at the end.

The Verdict: [rating:4]

Grave Encounters 2 is a totally fun ride and totally worth viewing. Filled with neat camera tricks, creepy scenery (dolls in rocking chairs), jump scares, kill scenes, and low-brow humor (infrared farts, anyone?), the film never takes itself too seriously and has the potential to become a cult favorite.

Rock Hard \m/

Yell! Rating (x/5 Skulls):

[rating:4]

Year Released:

12 October 2012; 12 March 2013 (DVD/Blu-ray)

Director:

John Poliquin

Cast/Crew

Richard Harmon, Dylan Playfair, Stephanie Bennett, Howie Lai, Leanne Lapp

Genre

Horror, Found-Footage

Official URL:

Grave Encounters 2