Horror Highlights: WEREWOLVES, HOUSE OF HAUNTS, ELDRITCH USA, ARROW VOD

Watch the Trailer for Steven C. Miller’s WEREWOLVES: “In WEREWOLVES, a supermoon event has triggered a latent gene in every human on the planet, turning anyone who entered the moonlight into a werewolf for that one night. Chaos ensued and close to a billion people died. Now, a year later, the Supermoon is back…. “

Directed by

Starring

• Frank Grillo
• Katrina Law
• Ilfenesh Hadera
• James Michael Cummings
• Lou Diamond Phillips

#WerewolvesMovie is unleashed only in theaters December 6th.

—

HOUSE OF HAUNTS SCREAMS ONTO KICKSTARTER: “House of Haunts #1, the newest tale from Adam Barnhardt’s Meltdown Press, will launch pre-orders on October 22^nd exclusively on Kickstarter. Barnhardt, writer behind superhero titles SH*TSHOW and Keepers of the Cosmos, serves as editor on House of Haunts, in addition to penning four of the issue’s nine short stories.

“I’ve been a lifelong things of all things monsters, and horror is the single largest genre of my comic collection,” Barnhardt says. “It was only a matter of time before Team Meltdown dove in headfirst into the genre with the ultimate homage to all things EC Comics, CREEPY Magazine, and the pre-code horror comics of yesteryear.”

The official synopsis of House of Haunts reads, “The monsters of the RiotVerse are in dire shape. Needing magic to continue the lineage of each House of Monster, beasts hold a fight-to-the-death tournament once every 37 years. The winner receives the Brutumoire, an ancient tome with the necessary magics to continue their House’s rule—and a whole lot more.”

In total, House of Haunts #1 features nine stories from 14 different creators. Those stories include:

• The Crooked Coop: a framing story featuring The Crooked Man, who serves as the de facto horror host of House of Haunts. (W) Barnhardt, (A) Giraaz Studio
• I Am Not Afraid: There was once a time the Bullborn numbered in the thousands and were one of the Allfather Typhon’s most popular Houses. That’s since changed as just one remains, one who’s Frankensteined himself into a shell of his former being. (W) Barnhardt, (A) Nicolas Santos
• Old Man of the Sea: The sea is unforgiving enough, let alone those who lurk in its shadows far from the surface. When the waves come crashing in, will the captain be able to keep his sanity? (W) Caleb Borchers, (A) Cristian Navarro
• Oberon’s End: Faeries have long kept their peace, living in the peaceful woods near the Isle of Rinroe. Will Ishirin b able to stop a potential invasion or will the woods be burn to a crisp? (W) Michael Florio, (A) Giorgia De Salvo
• Shrill: The Siren sings a song few can resist. Still, she finds herself captive to one of the worst to ever tread the waters of her domain. (W) Jon Clark, (A) Rolands Kalnins
• She Who Awaits: The expedition has lasted so long, those braving the weather aren’t quite sure they’re even looking for. As the wind whips their faces, she lurks in the shadows…awaiting her next taste of flesh… (W) Charles Henry, (A) Santos
• Son of the Black Sun: The crypt in the Andean Highlands Remained Undisturbed for centuries. In the digital age, however, those who sleep will eventually be caused to break their slumber. (W) Christoff RDGZ, (A) Ivan Rehzi
• Blight Strikes Back: A sickness is spreading across the flyover states as the villainous Bligh has risen from the dead. Snakeroot, Scarecrow, and the rest of The Thicket hatch a plan to stop the virus once and for all. (W) Barnhardt, (A) Rolly Marchadesch
• Blood Moon Rising: Graham has been traveling all over the Northwoods in search of the last of the silver bullets. He only has a few to go when a…sickness…takes over his body. (W) Barnhardt, (A) Arturo Palacios.

Barnhardt is also lettering all 72 pages of this black-and-white horror magazine tribute. House of Haunts #1 is set to be the first of a four-issue mini-series.”

To learn more and support the project, visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adambarnhardt/house-of-haunts-1

—

ELDRITCH USA: “An original Horror/Comedy/Musical, “Eldritch  USA” arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film is written by award winning filmmaker Ryan Smith and co-directed by Tyler Foreman, featuring 13 original songs written and produced by Nathan Hurley, Davis Drake, and  Ryan Smith. 

Graham Weldin (“Happy Halloween”) and Andy Phinney (“Table Tales”) star in  “Eldritch USA,” as Geoff and Rich Brewer- two brothers who have competed  with one another through their entire lives for the affection of their  community and parents. Rich always comes out on top and Geoff constantly  lives in the shadow of his older brother- until an unfortunate accident puts  Geoff in the spotlight and he has to trust a local cult to set things right.

The main cast also includes Cameron Perry (“Aging Predators”) as Colin,  Geoff’s pop culture-savvy best friend that warns him against the horror  implications of bringing the dead back to life. Aline O’Neill (“Will Trent,”  

“Hysteria!,” and “Happy Halloween”) as Jill, who has started a new position at  the station with Geoff and Rich and has a keen interest in what the cult is up  to. Westan McNew (“Happy Halloween”) as Clyde, the cult leader who  hilariously bungles his way through other-worldly rituals and Rebecca  Claborn as Tina, whose ambition puts her in a position to cause mayhem for  Clyde’s cult. 

The film was produced by Brittney Greer, Christian Carroll, and Sierra D.  Payne. Ryan Smith, Eric and Brandi Skasik, and Lloyd and Krista Smith served  as executive producers. 

Smith’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography  David M. Watson (“Vincent’s Vow,” “Happy Halloween,” and “Aging  Predators”), editor and VFX artist Ryan Smith (“Happy Halloween” and “Aging  “Predators”), Costume Designer Mary Jo Greer, (“Vincent’s Vow,” “Above  Ground”) Practical Effects artist Brittney Greer (“Happy Halloween”), composer Yurii Radko (“Spy Capital,” “Roadkill”), and choreographer Madison  Foreman. 

One Tree Entertainment presents, in association with Passive Aggressive  Films, Waypoint Productions, and Valley High Pictures, “Eldritch USA.” 

The film will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on October 22. The Blu-ray  features a Blu-ray disc with the film and special features in hi-definition. The  disks will be available from select retailers, including Amazon, FYE, and  Barnes & Noble. 

Fans can purchase “Eldritch USA” from digital retailers beginning November  5.”

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS 

“Eldritch USA” Blu-ray and DVD contains the following special features: 

• Gag Reel 
• Deleted Scenes 
• Extended Scenes 

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS 

On November 5, “Eldritch USA” will be available to own in high definition and  standard definition from select digital retailers including InDemand, DirectTV,  Dish, Amazon, Vudu/Fandango, Hoopla, iTunes, Google Play, Microsoft,  Comcast, Cox, and Charter. 

—

Streaming November 2024: ARROW Announces Streamer Lineup with Shawscope, Shorts & Killer Cuts: “Arrow Video is excited to announce the November 2024 lineup of their subscription-based ARROW platform, available to subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. Enjoy a selection of new titles, from carefully cultivated curations to shorts by new talent. For serious enthusiasts, ARROW offers deep dives into the tastes of filmmakers that changed the way we see the genre.

The November 2024 lineup leads with Shawscope Vol. 3, ARROW’s third curation of films from the Shaw Brothers. Before Hong Kong’s mightiest film studio mastered the art of the kung fu film, Shaw Brothers hit box office gold with a very different kind of martial arts cinema, one that channelled the blood-soaked widescreen violence of Japanese samurai epics and Italian spaghetti westerns into a uniquely Chinese form: the wuxia pain. With all-new exclusive restorations and hours of insightful bonus material, if subscribers thought the previous two Shawscope collections showed the Shaw Brothers at its strongest, you ain’t seen nothing yet when Shawscope Vol. 3 debuts November 25!

November 1 kicks off with the perfect post-Halloween cinematic lesson: Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (US/CAN). Six friends in a theatrical troupe dig up a corpse on an abandoned island to use in a mock Satanic rite. It backfires with deadly consequences.

November 1 kicks ARROW’s Seasons with Banged Up (UK/IRE/US/CA).

Have a stint in the slammer with Banged Up, a collection of Cult prison films sent to the big house for all manner of crimes that they may or may not have committed.

Titles Include: Hired To Kill, Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion, The Four of the Apocalypse.

On November 4, ARROW unsheaths Chang Cheh’s iconic One-Armed Swordsman trilogy for all subscribers. One-Armed Swordsman, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, and The New One-Armed Swordsman, directed between 1967 and 1971, made household names of stars Wang Yu and David Chiang and set the gory template for many of the films to come.

Also on November 4, ARROW offers up Jemma Moore Selects (UK/IRE/US/CA). The star of the found footage sensation Host and ITV’s Red Eye shares her ARROW streaming favorites.

“When ARROW asked me to pick my Selects, my mind went into overdrive! How could I possibly choose from all the amazing movies on their kick-ass streaming service? But after a huge movie marathon, a few trips down memory lane and a lot of snack breaks, I’ve finally conjured (get it?) up my current top picks. I hope my Selects will bring as much joy and entertainment to fellow film lovers as ARROW has brought to me. Happy streaming!”

Titles Include: Heathers, Eject, A Bit of Fun.

On November 8, enter The Church (US/CAN). Writer/director Michele Soavi marks his first full collaboration with co-writer/producer/mentor Dario Argento. In a Gothic cathedral built on the mass grave of a Teutonic purge, an ancient discovery by the new librarian will release an unholy maelstrom of madness, violence and demonic vengeance.

Subscribers can also enjoy a trio of new shorts for subscribers across all territories.

Guts: A guy with his guts on the outside of his body really wants a promotion.

Memento Mori: This film is one woman’s catalogue of the things people said to her during her cancer journey. Family gets closer, friends get weirder, strangers get too personal, and the loudest voice belongs to Cancer itself.

Crazy For You: It’s difficult to find love when you’re a serial killer, so when Charlie meets the girl of his dreams he has to keep that flaw a secret. Will true love win the day? Or will she become one of his victims?

Also on November 8, ARROW takes subscribers on a trip through time with Future Shockers (UK/IRE/US/CA).

How are things going to turn out? Are we going to end up in a utopia or a dystopia? Take a look ahead and see in Future Shockers, a collection of Cult films set in forthcoming futures featuring zombies, groovy tech, Afrofuturism, unbreathable atmospheres and more!

Titles Include: Crumbs, Terrible Things, Jesus Shows you the Way to the Highway.

On November 11, The Shaw Brothers shine the light on sisters with a trio of sword swinging female-centered epics, (all UK/IRE/US/CA): Cheng Kang’s all-star epic The 14 Amazons, Ho Meng-hua’s The Lady Hermit, with the great Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink with Me) as a virtuous swordswoman called upon to stop a vicious warlord, and Chor Yuen’s scandalous Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan, hailed as “the most famous erotic film in the history of Hong Kong cinema”.

On November 15, slice into Killer Cuts (UK/IRE/US/CA), featuring a treasure trove of Directors Cuts, Extended Cuts, Theatrical Cuts, and International Versions of some of ARROW’s most popular classics.

Titles Include: Phantom of the Mall (Eric’s Revenge Phan Cut), Shock (Italian Version), Season of the Witch (Extended Cut).

Also on November 15, North American subscribers can be pulled into The Sect (US/ CAN).

The third feature by director Michele Soavi – his second collaboration with producer/co-writer Dario Argento – can now be experienced like never before: As a global satanic cabal grows in ferocity, an unwitting young school teacher (Kelly Curtis, sister of Jamie Lee, in her sole genre role) is chosen to deliver the ultimate evil.

On November 18, ARROW debuts a J-Horror classic and a foursome of 70s Japanese thrills and chills. Based on the smash-hit series of the same name by cult manga artist Junji Itō (Uzumaki), Tomie (UK/IRE/US/CAN) tells the tale of an evil high-school seductress identifiable by a beauty mark beneath her left eye, whose bewitching kiss drives men to madness.

The Magic Blade (UK/IRE/US/CAN): Gu Long, the most famous marital arts novelist, provides The Magic Blade with just the right plot to give the brilliant swordplay an interesting context, and director Chor Yuen, an acknowledged master of the genre, provides the style to make this one shine above its kung-fu competitors.

Jade Tiger (UK/IRE/US/CAN): The headless corpse of the Chao Clan patriarch and the theft of a jade tiger set in motion another noteworthy collaboration between three of the biggest names in swordplay action dramas: director Chor Yuen, martial arts novelist Gu Long, and kung-fu superstar Ti Lung.

Clans of Intrigue (UK/IRE/US/CAN): With a story by celebrated martial arts novelist Gu Long, direction by movie master Chor Yuen, and a first-rate action cast that includes Nora Miao, fresh from the Bruce Lee blockbusters Fists Of Fury and Way Of The Dragon? Towering above them all is kung-fu king Ti Lung as the amorous knight. A top-five box office hit in 1977, Clans Of Intrigue still packs quite a punch today.

The Sentimental Swordsman (UK/IRE/US/CAN): One of director Chor Yuen’s crowning achievements, The Sentimental Swordsman epitomizes the lone, virtuous, heroic swordsman with a twist. Swordsman Li Xunhuan, magnificently played by the highly respected and popular Ti Lung, is also a hero with weaknesses; he drinks too much and believes in love and emotion.

On November 22, subscribers can dig into Burial Ground (US/CAN). Mariangela Giordano (of THE SECT and PATRICK STILL LIVES fame) stars in this ’80s splatter classic about a cursed country estate besieged by horny houseguests, undead Etruscans and the unusual relationship between a mother (Giordano) and her mega-creepy young son (disturbingly portrayed by adult actor Peter Bark) that will trigger some of the most jaw-dropping scenes in grindhouse history.

On November 22, take a dive into the women of genre with Heidi Honeycutt Selects (UK/IRE/US/CAN). Heidi Honeycutt is a journalist, author, actress, filmmaker, film programmer, and co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Etheria Film Night, a film festival that showcases short films by women directors. Her latest book, I Spit On Your Celluloid – The History of Women Directing Horror Movies, is available now.

Honeycutt shared, “Because women directors are so important to the horror genre, here is a selection sampling of some very fun, funny, scary, sad, and insane films from women directors for your horror enjoyment! Preserve the legacy of all filmmakers, even women!”

Titles Include: The Stylist, The Deeper You Dig, A Lucida Production – Reel Women.

Starting November 25, unlock Shawscope Vol. 3 (UK/IRE/US/CAN).

Before Hong Kong’s mightiest film studio mastered the art of the kung fu film, Shaw Brothers hit box office gold with a very different kind of martial arts cinema, one that channelled the blood-soaked widescreen violence of Japanese samurai epics and Italian spaghetti westerns into a uniquely Chinese form: the wuxia pain.

With their enthralling tales drawn from historical myth and legend of sword-wielding (and often gravity-defying) noble heroes, the wuxia films housed in this Shawscope season demonstrate the sweeping stylistic evolution of the genre, from the righteous stoicism of the late-60s Mandarin period, right through to the wild-and-weird anarchism of the early-80s Cantonese explosion.

Titles Include: One-Armed Swordsman, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, The New One-Armed Swordsman, Buddha’s Palm, Lu Chun-ku’s Bastard Swordsman.

Descend into Dr. Tarr’s Torture Dungeon (US/CAN) on November 29.

A mysterious man is sent into the forest to investigate the bizarre behavior of the notorious Dr. Tarr. What he stumbles upon is the doctor’s torture dungeon, a hellish asylum completely cut off from civilization and presided over by the ultimate madman. Innocent people have been savagely chained, tortured and stuck in glass cages, then forced to take part in gruesome games of ritual slaughter.

The lineup closes November 29, appropriately, On A Mission (UK/IRE/US/CAN). They have a task and will do anything, and risk everything, to see it through. Welcome to On A Mission, a collection of Cult films full of dangerous adventures and deadly journeys.

Titles Include: Terra Formars, The Navigator, Doberman Cop.

ARROW is available in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland on the following Apps/devices: Roku (all Roku sticks, boxes, devices, etc), Apple TV & iOS devices, Samsung TVs, Android TV and mobile devices, Fire TV (all Amazon Fire TV Sticks, boxes, etc), and on all web browsers at https://www.arrow-player.com.”