Stephen King fan’s rejoice, as 1408 is finally hitting theaters this Friday! While I’m disappointed that it’s PG-13, it doesn’t necessarily mean this ghost story won’t deliver! On the DVD front, a bunch of straight to video features that may just pass the time if you’re bored enough. THE TOMB, BACHELOR PARTY MASSACRE (great storyline), Leelee Sobieski’s IN A DARK PLACE, and BLOODHOUND THE VAMPIRE GIGOLO VOL. 2 for good measure. Best to stay at the theater this week folks – happy summer!
1408
Rated PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.
Directed by Mikael Hafstrom
Starring John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Run Time: 1hr. 34 min.
Renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin believes only in what he can see with his own two eyes. But after a string of best-sellers discrediting paranormal events in the most infamous haunted houses and graveyards around the world, he has no real proof of life–afterlife. But Enslin’s phantom-free run of long and lonely nights is about to change forever when he checks into suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel for his latest project, “Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms.” Defying the warnings of the hotel manager, the author is the first person in years to stay in the reputedly haunted room. Another best-seller may be imminent, but first he must go from skeptic to true believer–and ultimately survive the night.
THE TOMB
Rated: R
Directed by Ulli Lommel
Starring Christian Behm, Victoria Ullmann
Run Time: 81 Min.
Based on a story by the master of outrageous horror, H.P. Lovecraft, this bloodcurdling film introduces the “Puppetmaster.” Imprisoning a group of people in a living hell of darkness and death the Puppetmaster controls the fate of each one. One by one, the captives awake in agonizing pain – some are slightly injured, others are fatally wounded. The survivors are also mentally tortured by the unseen villain, who demands that there can be only one winner at this game…
BACHELOR PARTY MASSACRE
Rated: R
Directed by Schumacker Halpern Overdrive
Starring Kate Huffman, Michael Capes, Joshua Breeding
Run Time: 85 minutes
Days before the wedding, a very special and very private bachelor party is arranged. The club, located in a summer retreat, is closed due to the off-season. But that doesnt stop the groomsmen from hiring entertainment. As the party gets underway, the sexy strippers take each of the men into separate rooms throughout the two-story bar for private lap dances. A blond bombshell, convicted of multiple homicides, is mistaken by the men to be one of the strippers hired. As she gets alone with each one, she starts to play her own twisted game killing each one. Will the groom live for his wedding day?
IN A DARK PLACE
Rated: R
Directed by Donato Rotunno
Starring Leelee Sobieski, Tara Fitzgerald, Christian Olson
Run Time: 95 Minutes
She thought she was their Guardian Angel, but was she really their Nanny from Hell? A chilling modern ghost story, inspired by a classic of the genre, In A Dark Place is the suspenseful, erotic story of a young woman fighting to redeem the souls of two children seduced by dark influences beyond the grave. Anna Veigh, a recently qualified art therapist and teacher, is finding work at her inner city special school a tougher psychological challenge than she can cope with. The offer of a new post minding two wealthy young orphans whilst their wealthy uncle is away on business seems a perfect escape for her. It is a welcome escape. Her new workplace is Bly House, a remote country estate with beautiful grounds and a small resident staff. Miles and Flora, the children, seem sweet and charming, if a little strange, and Anna thinks that she has really “landed on her feet” after the rigors of her previous job. The only fly in the ointment is the frosty estate manager, Miss Grose, who seems remote and unfriendly to the new arrival. Very soon, moreover, Anna makes disquieting discoveries. Miles, the boy, has been expelled from his school, for a sin so dreadful the headmaster will not even discuss it. Anna then learns that her predecessor in the job, one Miss Jessel, died in suspicious circumstances. To add to her unease, she begins to catch glimpses of unknown sinister figures lurking in the grounds, but nobody else admits to seeing them. Anna confronts the Miss Grose with her suspicions about these intruders, but is surprised by the force of Miss Grose’s reaction. The figures Anna describes are unmistakably those of two ex-employees at the house. The only problem is that these employees are dead. Anna senses that the ghostly manifestations are malevolent in their intent. Not only is the psychological welfare of the children in very real jeopardy, but their lives and their souls are also at risk. But Anna is forced to confront dark secrets buried deep in her own psyche as she fights to cleanse the children’s souls of darkness, with terrifying consequences for all concerned.
BLOODHOUND: THE VAMPIRE GIGOLO, VOL. 2
Rated: UR
Run Time: 100 Minutes
It comes under the light of the full moon, stalking the clients of the Kranke Haus Host Club. And as young women begin to turn up dead in the streets, the businesses of the area begin to see a sharp drop in business, and unwanted eyes begin to shine upon the club and it’s employees. As the death toll continues to climb, Rion and Suou head out to investigate the truth behind the “Wolfman”. Yet as they near the truth, Rion will be shocked to dscouver the identity of the person behind these animalistic attacks. To make matters worse, a man known as the ‘Grim Reaper host’ has arrived in town, one man who reportedly takes lives in exchange for love.