Review: Ian Messenger’s ‘Wendigo Falls’

The horror genre is possibly the most diverse film genre with many types of sub-genres. One of those sub-genres has become the most difficult type to create, the found footage horror film; these types of films are either fantastic or a complete nightmare. Writer/director/actor Ian Messenger has become a master of found footage. Messenger’s first film of this style that I had the pleasure of viewing was his 2017 film Monkey Farm, but he has again made gold with Wendigo Falls.

Wendigo Falls was written and directed by Ian Messenger (who also stars as Blaine) and stars Amy Beckwith as Charlotte, Robert Irwin as Adam and Cameron Wagoner as The Wendigo.

Plot:

A group of up-and-coming social media influencers attempt to locate the largest geocache of all time but are instead met with the horrific mysteries of Wentiko Falls. Will they come face to face with the legendary Wendigo of Algonquin lore? Or is this just a case of psychosis?

What makes this film even more impressive is the short runtime, Wendigo Falls is just over 20 minutes long. In such a short span of time, Messenger and the cast were able to create a very believable, organic found footage film. There was no over the top acting attempting to sell a gimmick; from the beginning it is easy to forget that the three people on screen are actors in a short and not three friends stumbling into a terrible situation.

If a film of this style is to be believed, super steady camera work should probably not be used. The camera work with this film was a tad shaky, as it should have been and the occasional glitches add to the paranormal aspects.

If you have 20 minutes and want to see an indie horror project that is startling and well done, Wendigo Falls is the film for you. I will stop blabbing and simply send you over to watch this found footage masterpiece. Catch Wendigo Falls on the A Ruined Heart Pictures YouTube channel (yes…it’s free).

CONDWG Films & RAD Entertainment Set to Launch Indiegogo Campaign for ‘Parallels’

CONDWG Films (Daniel Goad and Constance Medrano) and RAD Entertainment (Tony Walters and Rebekah Erb) have teamed up to create a new addition to independent horror with Parallels.

What is Parallels?

Parallels follows two Monster-Hunters, Patrick and Albert, trying to save a woman who is possessed with a wicked entity. These money-for-hire Monster-Hunters are part of a larger collection of people tasked with keeping the world safe from things that go “bump in the night.” This next job is personal as the woman possessed his Patrick’s niece, Amelia, and they have to save her before it’s too late for everyone.

Parallels will star Ember Burns (Kill Dolly Kill), Jason Crowe (Don’t Fuck in the Woods 2), Christian Mahon (Black Bear) and will introduce James Bailey– a 20 year US Army Veteran, Tank Commander with 3 tours in Iraq (Documentary Fallout: Coming Home from the Iraq War).

The film is planned to start filming in July and August of 2020.

The Indiegogo Campaign will launch on January 31, 2020.

For more information and up-to-date news on Parallels, be sure to like the CONDWG Films Facebook page and follow @condwgfilms on Instagram and twitter.

Fan-Made ‘Voorhees’ Coming Soon (Chance to Win Screen Used Hockey Mask)

Fans of the Friday the 13th franchise is fully aware that Jason Voorhees doesn’t stay dead for long, but sadly he has been dead and buried since 2009 (unless you count the video game) due to lawsuits and other conflicts. Cody Faulk (Three Bodies One Grave), Chris Plaushin (Three Bodies One Grave) and Wet Paint Pictures have decided to resurrect one of the most notorious cinematic serial killers with their fan film Voorhees.

Voorhees stars Danielle Sandler (Zeke), Jeremy “Ogre” Amos (Bigfoot!), Eileen Sugameli (A Witch in Salem) and more. Unlike every other film to include Mr. Voorhees, the identity of the actor portraying him is being kept a secret this time.

Synopsis:

A crime has been committed…

Criminals have stolen a small fortune from a bank.  Instead of trying to outrun the police they plan to lay low in a remote location with a notorious past until the heat is off.   Their efforts to find sanctuary become complicated when they cross paths with a sinister force that has long been forgotten.

“Voorhees” is an independent horror fan film that brings a dark and sadistic vision to the iconic Friday the 13th franchise.  This film stays true to the horror that has thrilled fans for many decades while bringing our own unique story line.  

Our talented cast and crew have worked tirelessly to bring this story to life.  “Voorhees” promises old school horror, bloody practical effects, and a Grindhouse cinematic look and feel.

From the ‘Voorhees’ Indiegogo

Trailer:

Anybody catch the nod to Freddy vs Jason?

The folks behind Voorhees have launched an Indiegogo campaign to help finish funding the film (like other fan films, all money raised will be going to covering the costs of the film). This is where you will get a chance to win a screen used hockey mask signed by Voorhees and Cody Faulk. All you have to do is pledge $10 to be entered into the raffle.

No official release date has been set, but the Indiegogo Blu-ray perk says they are expected to ship in March of this year, but only time will tell.

For more information on the film, live videos from cast and crew, join the VOORHEES A F13 Fan Film Facebook group.

‘Charles’: A Fan Made Chucky Film Promises to be Scarier Than the Original

New year, new horror, but this time (thankfully) it’s not coming from a big Hollywood studio who is just in it for the money, it is coming from true genre fans that know and care about what other fans want. Tony Bizz Productionz has teamed with CINEMAGIC PICTURES to bring the genre a new, fan made Chucky film it deserves with Charles.

What is Charles about?

“Charles” is a whole new re-imagining of Chucky. The feature length movie follows Michael and Samantha who just moved into a new house. Little do they know, the Lakeshore Strangler Charles Lee Ray lived in the house before his death six months earlier. 

The couple finds a nostalgic Good Guy doll in their basement that wants something from them and will stop at nothing to get it. 

“Charles” looks to put Chucky on the map as one of the scariest horror icons again. The movie will be a horrific rollercoaster, with similar styles to “The Conjuring”, “Annabelle”, and “The Haunting of Hill House”.  

With an intense, suspenseful story, cinematic visuals,  authentic hand-made dolls, and a beautifully frightening music score, “Charles” will make Chucky scary again.

Synopsis quoted from film Indiegogo Campaign page

Funding for the film was more than met, and it appears as though horror fans may finally have a genuine reason to be excited for a new movie. If the production quality of the two available teaser trailers is any indication of how the entire film was shot, fans are in for a treat. The angles, lighting and general tone of the film exhibited in the trailers is fantastic, scary and horrifyingly artistic without being over-the-top. See for yourself.

You can find teaser trailer number two as well as other great videos on the Tony BizZ YouTube Channel.

As of right now, the estimated release date for Charles in February 2020.

“How is this legal and the studios aren’t beating down their doors with lawsuits”, you might be wondering. Charles is a non-profit film meaning that all of the money raised for the film goes directly back into it, nobody pockets money for it.

To stay up-to-date on Charles, be sure to like the CHARLES-Fan Film Facebook page and follow the film on Instagram via @charlesmovie.

Casting Call: Devil’s Knight: Volumes of Blood 3

Following the success of indie horror anthologies Volumes of Blood and Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories, Blood Moon Pictures has announced that they are looking to fill both lead and supporting roles for their upcoming film ‘Devil’s Knight: Volumes of Blood 3‘.

Available roles are for adults ages 17 to 60 (looking for females with interesting eyes) and children ages 7 to 11. This is a non union project.

The following roles are available:

MALES:

• Officer Storm: early 30’s
• Det. Stuart Palmer: late 30’s-early 40’s
• Harvey: mid-late 30’s
• Captain Barker: mid-late 30’s
• Charles: early-mid 40’s
• Kyle: early-mid 30’s
• Ben: early-mid 30’s
• Scott: early-mid 30’s
• Vin: early-mid 30’s
• Kane: 17
• Mr. Durning: early-mid 40’s
• Uncle Eli: late 40’s
• David: late 20’s
• Holter: 40’s
• Peter: 40’s

FEMALES:

• Officer Holland: early 30’s
• Betsey Palmer: late 30’s-early 40’s
• Linda: 40’s
• Carol: 17
• Camilla: 17
• Thea: late 20’s
• Mara Bates: 50-60
• Linnea: mid 40’s
• Alyssa: early-mid 40’s

If you are interested in auditioning, casting call will be held Friday the 13th weekend in July. Saturday, July 14th 12pm-5pm and Sunday, July 15th 12pm-3pm.

The casting event will be held at

1115 Tamarack Road

Owensboro, KY 42301

If you cannot make the event, video auditions are accepted.

For more information, email bloodmoonpic@gmail.com

Indie Horror Film ‘Monkey Farm’ Is an Intense Slow Burn

Indie horror films come in all forms, many of which are in the tradition of the classic slasher film; a body is found and a bloodbath ensues until one final girl is sitting in the back of an ambulance as her friends and possibly the killer make their way to the morgue. Monkey Farm does not follow the traditional horror film algorithm, instead it starts off slow and ends with a bang.

Monkey Farm begins in a documentary format moving slowly into a found footage, creature feature. The beginning, I will give them credit for, was well researched, believable and semi eyeopening to the world of animal testing; not the typical beginning to a horror movie.

If I were to compare it to any other films, I would say that it is a better version of The Blair Witch Project. Bonus points given to Ian Messenger for including a lot of references to House of 1000 Corpses (I will not spoil it for anyone, you’ll just have to watch it and find them for yourself) and even more props for centering the basis of the film around such a controversial topic in the age of being easily offended and the keyboard warrior.

If you’re looking for a film that is completely original and outside of the Hollywood remake spectrum, Monkey Farm is one worth checking out. It is gritty and super suspenseful, combining a lot documentary, found footage, creature feature and a touch of comedy is a lot to manage in one film, but this time it was done beautifully.

 

Synopsis:

An exploration of what happens when human curiosity and animal rage collide. This low-budget, high-concept thriller presents a different kind of antagonist, and the same well-meaning-but-doomed kids you love to cheer for as they meet their grisly ends.

Indie Horror Film ‘Red Eye’ Gets Release Date + New Stills & Clip

Red Eye received a warm welcome by the horror community when it premiered over the summer of 2017 at select theaters and conventions; the film is brutal and what makes it even more of a must see is that it was made by horror fans for horror fans with raw passion and a true understanding of the genre.

Red Eye was written By Destinie Orndoff and Tristan Clay (who also directed) and stars Heather Dorff, Destinie Orndoff, Jessica Cameron, Hayden Wilberger, Clayton Abbott and Scott King.

Synopsis:

“Red Eye” is a legend Gage Barker use to be told as a kid. When he found out there was some truth behind this legend he gathered a group of friends to hike in the backwoods of Black Creek, WV to help him use this as the basis for his first film project. To what extent will they go to make this project a reality? Will their passion bleed through? Or cross the line?

The brilliant minds behind Red Eye (Deranged Minds Entertainment) have teamed with Terror Films for a multi-platform VOD release. The film will be available via iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Xbox and Google Play on February 9th.

A few new stills from he film as well as a new clip has been made available for your viewing pleasure. An official poster and trailer release will be coming soon via Terror Films.

Still Gallery

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New Clip

Red Eye will be available on DVD summer 2018.