Bob and his Monster Need You!

Remember Bob Nelson and his crew, who appeared in the Backbrain a while back in relation to a giant monster film they’ve got on the boil? Well, it seems the film is now officially called Sacrifice and, as reported by RoboJapan, Bob is trying to find ways of getting some funding to push the project to a higher level.

On 22 September, they will be releasing the opening chapters of the film’s story. The first chapter will be a free download (from the blog), and the second chapter a $1.25 PDF download from the Brick Cave Media online store.

Says Bob:

“Starting on the 22nd, each week, people will be able to purchase a new chapter online for the $1.25 … or, as an option, they can just pay $20 upfront and they will receive all of the chapters electronically (as PDFs) as they come out (20 Chapters total) — one per week.

These sales will be how we raise money for the movie production, so the more people that purchase the chapters, the more rescources we will have to make a better movie.”

Can’t be fairer than that. Check out the first one and if you see potential, you can help to make it happen by doing your own little bit to drive the production along.

Brick Cave Media will also be hosting a chatroom discussion where visitors can ask the questions that are festering in their minds or more passively “listen” to a small indie movie production discussion. This will take place on Tuesday 30 September at 7:30 pm Pacific Time. Bob and crew will be using AIM for the chatroom and will post the name of the “room” on the blog that day.

Creating the Monster

In the meantime, Kaiju Search-Robot Avery talked to Mike Robinson, the FX and Art Director for the project, and asked him some questions about how the monster would be created. Here’s what Robinson said in reply:

“At the start I wanted to mention that things are still very fluid and therefore subject to change. Having said that, here are some answers to at least a few of your questions.

Although admittedly time consuming, to make the most realistic picture the effects that will be used are going to be almost, if not completely, all CGI. We presently have our own dedicated systems of suitable capacity. The software that we now possess will be of some use to the production of the effects and the creation of the creature. However, more capable software will be procured in the near future. We are anticipating that the proceeds from the sale of the chapters will be sufficient to acquire additional computers and software to augment what we have. We are looking at commercial items that have been used to make larger-budget films, but at a bargain price, as they have technically been superceded by more recent software advances.

Use of green-screen will play a fairly prominent role in the creation of some of the scenes and their surroundings. Again, a believable creature and realistic visual effects is the goal.

There will only be the one creature, which, for the sake of prudence, will not be “unveiled” for a couple of reasons. For a start, we still have yet to digitally render it. We have our 2D image of what it will look like, but it has not been made into a 3D digital image yet and might still undergo some minor modifications before this all rolls out. We also want to maintain a sense of suspense and anticipation, although (if we release a trailer), it’s possible that some quick glimpses of its body in shadow or through NVDs could be seen.

Hope this has been informative. Certain additional details will, of course, be revealed with each new chapter released.

Excited yet? Well, now’s your chance to check it all out, get excited and then contribute to the making of a giant monster epic!

Posted in Film, Giant Monsters, News, Update | 6 Comments

New: The Halfway House

The Halfway House (US-2004; dir. Kenneth J. Hall) looks like a Lovecraftian-inspired schlock horror flick, described by its director thus:

Young girls are disappearing in and around the Mary Magdalen Halfway House for Troubled Girls. Desperate to find out what became of her sister, Larissa Morgan (Janet Tracy Keijser from HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL) goes undercover to infiltrate the Catholic-run institution. Once inside, she encounters Father Fogerty, a priest with a passion for punishment; Sister Cecelia, a nun with a dark past plotting an even blacker future; Edwina and her love-toy Cherry Pie; tough Latino Angelina and her home girls and a sinister handyman named Lutkus. It’s not long before she’s caught up in a twisted web of sadism, violence, and wanton lust before finally learning the ultimate secret of the Halfway House. (IMDB)

Here’s the trailer:

from BV Entertainment website

The evil Sister Cecelia is portrayed by cult queen Mary Woronov:

Halfway House pic 1

and here is a friend of Lovecraft’s — Yog-Sothoth — who obviously used his industry connections to get a role in the film:

Halfway House Yog-Sothoth

Director Kenneth Hall commented that the film’s mix of horror and comedy that runs through the film shifted its focus as the project developed. “Originally, I envisioned the humor being much broader, along the lines of Russ Meyer and John Waters, whose work I admire,” he said. “As I got into it more, I didn’t want the comedy to overwhelm the horror elements so I took a more subtle satirical approach, like Joe Dante and John Sayles did with The Howling, Dan O’Bannon with Return of the Living Dead, and Stuart Gordon with Re-Animator – – some of my all-time favorite genre movies.” Dropping those names as influences clearly tells us the nature of Hall’s aspirations.

On the Lovecraft connection Hall remarked:

I actually resisted that for a while, at least doing it as literally as I did. After all, this isn’t supposed to be an adaptation of one of his stories. Then I realized the fact that the Necronomican has turned up in so many movies was funny in itself. What better way to make fun of religious extremism than to use the Hollywood-style Lovecraft mythos from pictures like The Dunwich Horror and The Haunted Palace? You’ve got fanatics trying to bring into our world a race of beings that will wipe out all of humanity, including those who brought them in. How much more extreme can you get?

Along with the exploitation elements, though, Hall clearly has a more conceptual agenda running:

Well, it’s a humorous commentary about the dangers of allowing certain things to get out of hand under the guise of religious freedom, which is very timely, I think. Also, while this film revels in its exploitative roots, it has a strong pro-women theme. Female sexuality is probably the strongest force on earth. It’s what drives most men to succeed in society. It’s the basis of the whole economy. Our hero is female and so is our villain. Most of the male characters are controlled and manipulated by them, which ultimately leads to their demise. Before it starts sounding too pretentious, let me assure you The Halfway House is, first and foremost, a no-holds-barred horror film with enough monsters, gore, and gratuitous nudity to satisfy the most hardcore fan. At least, I sure hope it does since I happen to be one of those fans!

Read the full interview here.

Halfway House 2

Halfway House 3

The Halfway House has been described by cult horror director Joe Landis as “Good old drive-in exploitation fun!”, which is exactly what it looks like. It has now been released on DVD.

Check out production and cast details, news, and lots of pics on the official website.

Posted in Film, Horror, Trailers | 2 Comments

Review: Monster From Bikini Beach

To fully appreciate Monster From Bikini Beach (US-2008; dir. Darin Wood) you have to take the “Truth in Advertising” approach to criticism. Look at the title. Right? Now what do you expect to find in this movie? Cheesy monsters? Bikini-clad beach bunnies? Trash cinema aesthetics? Okay, keep that in mind.

Monster From Bikini Beach is a pastiche of cheapie 1950s/60s B-grade exploitation flicks that fully knows that it has a minuscule budget, no subtext to speak of, actors of varying ability and a low-brow generic attitude toward narrative, artistic design and tonal ambiance. It has, in fact, embraced these things with enthusiasm, not simply of necessity but with deliberate intent. Therefore, what it offers is:

  • Bikini-clad women dancing on a beach

Monster From Bikini Beach 1

  •  A “man-in-a-suit” monster — with an outrageously non-naturalistic design:

 Monster From Bikini Beach 2

  • Lots of spilt blood:

Monster From Bikini Beach 3

  • And spaghetti guts:

Monster from Bikini Beach 6

  • Plus bikini tops being removed, accompanied by lots of screaming:

Monster From Bikini Beach 4

  • And gratuitous nudity (bare breasts mostly, of course):

Monster From Bikini Beach 5

And all of this in the pre-credit sequence!

Now if the above causes you to mutter tsshhh… rubbish and wonder where you left your copy of  À la recherche du temps perdu, it’s probably fair to say that you  shouldn’t watch this film or, if you do, you shouldn’t expect to get much enjoyment out of it. On the other hand, if you like cheap, energetic exploitation films from the ’50s and ’60s, you just might be on a winner.

In the township of Camaroville, which boasts the groovy Bikini Beach as its main attraction, a bunch of eager bikini-clad and body-painted beauties and their lusty partners have gathered to take part in a dance contest. With immaculate timing a terrible monster arises from the stereotypically murky depths — a primordial fiend whose over-sized claws and enormous mouth just can’t get enough of the local beach-blanket bingo. The story follows a crooked cop (Sammy Payday) and his naive squeeze as they try to score bigtime:

Monster From Bikini beach Sammy and Squeeze

— and an eccentric, rather nerdy guy (Archie Barclay) and his attractive “I-wish-she-was-my-girlfriend” buddy, who realise the Truth early on and must work to Save the Party.

Monster From Bikini Beach Archie and Chick

Will they be too late to stop the monster’s bloody rampage before the town is denuded of its bikini-wearing wildlife? Will they keep the monster away from the big televised final of the Dance Contest?

(If you answered that last question in the positive, just wait on a sec ’cause I’ve got Marcel Proust’s phone number here somewhere and I know he’d love to talk to you.)

Monster From Bikini Beach poster

It should be said that though the low-end nature of the project is sometimes apparent in various technical aspects of production — lighting, sound recording, SFX (though the gore and dismemberment is more than adequate for the genre), variable acting ability, occasional flat sections of narrative and some overkill in the dialogue (see Sammy Payday’s final soliloquy) — the cast, crew and director Wood do a smashing job with what they’ve got, and the result is an enjoyable way to pass the time — but only, as I’ve said, if you like this sort of thing.

In fact, Stephen Vargo as Sammy Payday and Galen Howard as Archie Barclay bring an eccentric and sometimes [endearingly] awkward energy to their roles that makes the whole thing less stereotypical than it might have been.

Other positives are lots of groovy beach music and the groovy retro design:

Monster from Bikini Beach groove

Oh, did I mention the cool monster?

Monster From Bikini Beach nicking girl

and the gore?

Monster from Bikini Beach gore

It’s lots of trashy fun. If you get the chance, see it at a fleapit cinema near you!

Posted in Film, Giant Monsters, Horror, Review | 6 Comments

New Publication: Black Issue 2

The latest — and second — issue of the magazine BLACK: Australian Dark Culture is about to be released, and it’s a superb one.

Black magazine No. 2 cover

Apart from the regular columnists, the issue includes a chthonian cornucopia of articles on new dark films and books, dark culture events, Fiona Horne and Wendy Rule (“the musician witches of Oz”), Guillermo del Toro and Hellboy 2, horror writer Paul Haines, the Supernatural “brothers”, and much else besides.

Fans of the walking dead will definitely want to get their hands on a copy as it includes a wealth of zombie-related material. Upfront is an article that came out of my recent interview with the Master of the Living Dead himself, George Romero. Black flew me down to Melbourne in late July specifically to interview The Man, who was in Australia promoting his latest Living Dead film, Diary of the Dead. I had a great time.

Rob and George Romero In Melbourne

You can find out all the dirt I dug up by getting hold of the magazine when it appears in a newsagency, Borders store or other quality magazine outlet near you (in Australia). Either that or subscribe through the website (the best option, especially for those overseas). For your money, you get my short article on “The Evolution of the Zombie” as well. You know you want a copy — just take a look at the fantastic opening double-page spread for my chat with the great horror filmmaker.

Black article on Romero

While in Melbourne I also talked to new Aussie filmmaker Steven Kastrissios about his superb revenge thriller, The Horseman, and veteran exploitation director Jon Hewitt on his hard-hitting teen thriller Acolytes. Want to know how Hewitt’s first film, the vampire/crime flick  Bloodlust (which “offended everyone”), was made with the help of the criminal underground? Then check out Black No. 2 at once!

Posted in Film, Horror, Interviews, My Writing, News, Zombies | 5 Comments

Killmeleon

I keep seeing this title as “Killmelon” — a giant monster with a loathing for rockmelons, perhaps?

Killmeleon conceptual poster

“A giant 30-foot chameleon discovered by a rogue scientist in the jungles of Madagascar, escapes from a plane crash while being smuggled into the United States. Hungry, the giant creature goes on a rampage through the countryside, devouring everyone in its path and laying waste to small towns. The military, along with the scientist’s daughter, must destroy the giant lizard before it reaches Los Angeles. In pre-production.” (Foywonder)

Apparently the above poster isn’t the “real” one, just a doodle by the filmmakers. The tagline — and the fact that the monster is a chameleon — suggests that budgetary limitations might be dealt with, at least in the SFX area, through invisibility.

Man: I was attacked by a huge monster. It ate my car.

Policeman: What did it look like?

Man: Um, well, a bit like Claude Rains actually…

The technique was previously used on the cheapie El Sonido prehistório [aka The Sound of Horror] (Spain-1964; dir. José Antonio Nieves Conde):

When a group of isolated people in the Greek mountains set off a cave explosion, they are menaced by an invisible shrieking dinosaur that had been buried for eons. (IMDB)

The Sound of Horror pic

You won’t see it when it comes to a theatre near you!

Posted in Film, Giant Monsters | 1 Comment

$quid Romstercom

What is $quid? Well, there are a couple of answers to that question — and here’s the first:

$quid, then, is an short film directed by Daley Pearson and Luke Tierney, and starring Josh Lawson and Ed Kavalee. It was released in 2007, runs for 7 minutes and is about a giant squid in the Brisbane River — a squid seeking revenge and money. Hey, who isn’t?

But that’s not the end of it. Pearson and Tierney have now expanded the award-winning short into a feature length film of the same name.

What’s it about? Well, it features “a giant squid that terrorises a New Year’s Eve cruise on the Brisbane River.” We’re urged to think Anaconda directed by the Coen Brothers.

Commented the filmmakers, “We’re calling it a Romster Comedy. That’s a genre we invented which is a romantic, monster, comedy.”

Kaiju Search-Robot Avery asked Daley Pearson a few questions about the project:

Avery: When do you plan on releasing this film?

Pearson: $quid is set for release late this year, early next year.

Avery: Is there a distributor?

Pearson: A few international distributors are currently looking at the film for cinema release. And we are hosting test screenings in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne City in Australia in the coming months. This is to gauge an audience reaction to the film.

Avery: Do we get to see a Squid?

Pearson: Yes. You get to see a giant squid in the film.

Here is a still from the film, showing the Brisbane River in all its creepy glory:

$quid pic 1

We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

Posted in Film, Giant Monsters, Giant Squids, Kaiju Search-Robot Avery | 4 Comments

Robot Women From Venus

Attack of the Giant Radioactive Robot Women from Venus

Rumour has it the Too Many Monkeys Production Company made this fake trailer for the Sci-Fi London 2003 film festival fake trailer competition.

It’s for a [non-existent] film called Attack of the Giant Radioactive Robot Women from Venus (2003), which is “a grim film noir homage that brilliantly questions accepted gender roles and male superiority in a pre-feminist age”.

Another rumour has it that a remake of this trailer has gone into production for release in 2010, directed by Michael Bay [no relation].

  • Source: Too Many Monkeys website via Avery
Posted in Animation, Fan films, Film, Fraudulent information, Giant Monsters, Trailers | 3 Comments

A Short Film With Teeth

The film: Gator (US-2008; short; 25 minutes; dir. Robert Howell)

The Poster:

Gator poster

The Technique: Stop-motion animation, dedicated to Ray Harryhausen

The Film: Part One

The Film: Part Two

The Film: Part Three

  • Source: via Kaiju Search-Robot Avery
Posted in Fan films, Film, Giant Monsters | 3 Comments

New: Voices

Hotel rooms can be very creepy places and have occasionally been the setting for horror stories and films. The Stephen King-based ghost flick 1408 (US-2007; dir. Mikael Håfström) springs to mind.

Now Morrigan Books is about to release Voices, an anthology of horror tales edited by Mark S. Deniz and Amanda Pillar, where each of the stories is set in a hotel room.

Every room has a story to tell – the question is: can you bear to listen? Can you bring yourself to hear the voices?

Voices cover

A while back, the editors asked me if I’d be interested in writing a series of short pieces to fit into the book at intervals: a prologue, an epilogue, and four others to end each segment. I was, and, as usual, got carried away; each “flash” piece grew longer than was reasonable and, when read in sequence, formed an overarching story. This is a structure that I took a liking to while writing “Moments of Dying”, as published in Black magazine No. 1 (2008) — five shorts that are thematically connected and reach a sort of climax in the final piece.

In the case of “Remainders” (as the story sequence I wrote for Voices is called), the stories are not only thematically connected, but form a single narrative as well — even though they are spread throughout the book and each one works as a separate story in itself. In fact, they are interwoven in several ways — narratively, with several recurrent characters; imagery that is repeated and developed further in each piece; thematic and content resonances taken from the anthology’s section headings; and chronologically, taking place at twenty-year intervals beginning in 1928.

Oh, I should add that there is an excellent line-up of creepy stories that aren’t by me!

Contents

Prologue — Robert Hood
Illusions
Sanctuary — Carole Johnstone
The Mirror — KV Taylor
His Only Company, The Walls — Brad C. Hodson
Remainders: 1948 — Robert Hood
By the Hand
Paris — Todd Edwards
Just Us — Pete Kempshall
A Picture of Death — Shane Jiraiya Cummings
Remainders: 1968 — Robert Hood
Possessions
Constance Craving — Gary McMahon
Bedbugs — Martin Livings
Faking It — Siobhan Byford
Remainders: 1988 — Robert Hood
Epiphanies
The Suicide Room — Paul Kane
Sentinel — Sonia Marcon
The Man Who Wasn’t There — Rodney J. Smith
Remainders: 2008 — Robert Hood
Epilogue — Robert Hood

Voices will be released at Conflux SF Convention in Canberra, 3–6 October 2008.

  • More information on the book and how to order a copy.

As a tease, here is an extract from “Remainders: Prologue”:

“I don’t like this,” he whispered.

The elevator doors clanged open; the carriage shuddered uncertainly. “Wait!” he said, not looking at what was inside. “I want to go up the stairs. Ros, I think we should go up the stairs.”

“Brighton!” she growled.

At first it was the vast splashes of blood – blood that dripped from the lift car roof, runnelled down the polished walls, gathered in puddles on the floor – that drew his attention. When neither Rosalyn nor the porter reacted, however, he assumed they couldn’t see it – that it wasn’t really there – and closed his eyes. He waited in the dark for a moment, feeling the ominous trembling in his muscles grow, then let the world in again, hoping the blood would have disappeared.

But this time he registered the elevator attendant. The figure standing at the control panel was dressed in the same uniform as the porter, but his clothes hung loosely on his skeletal form. The bones of his face were barely hidden under a veneer of pale skin, and his eyes were dark, almost absent. He stared directly at Brighton as though he could see into his thoughts.

“We should go up the stairs,” Brighton insisted.

Buy the book to find out What Happens…

Posted in Books, Horror, My Writing, News | Leave a comment

Another Lost Bird?

At the instigation of Mysterious Pants, the Backbrain scouted out Attack of the Giant Gull (US/Canada-2002; dir. Jonathan M. Parisen), which does appear on the Internet Movie Database as a video release, though no release date is actually given.

After a bit of a search, I found a conceptual poster mock-up that was done for the film by Shawn L. Fratis:

Attack of the Giant Gull poster

Fratis is a digital artist who “created many models and test shots” for the film, “including fire/explosion effects”. He also did “effects and animations of the giant seagull attacking New York”. [ref] In his resume, he lists the film as an “uncompleted project”.

Here are some test SFX shots [ref]:

Attack of the Giant Gull test shots

This independent film is listed as being produced by Parivision Entertainment. I think it fair to say that it was a low-budget project that may or may not have been completed.

Posted in Film, Giant Monsters, Where's the Film? | 5 Comments