The Exorcism of Molly Hartley is a 2015 American supernatural horror film written by Matt Venne (Fright Night 2; Mirrors 2; White Noise 2: The Light) and directed by Steven R. Monroe (I Spit on Your Grave and 2; Grave Halloween; Mongolian Death Worm). The film is a sequel to the The Haunting of Molly Hartley (2008).

The film was released on Digital HD on October 9, 2015 and on an unrated extras-packed Blu-ray on October 20, 2015.

Buy: Amazon.com

Main cast:

Sarah Lind (WolfCop; Blackburn; Severed), Devon Sawa (A Resurrection; Creature of Darkness; Final Destination), Gina Holden (Avalanche Sharks; Sand Sharks; Saw 3D: The Final Chapter) Peter MacNeill (Bag of Bones), Daina Leitold, Julia Arkos, Tom McLaren.

Plot:

Six years after graduating high school and discovering that a secret pact assigned her soul to the devil, Molly is suspected of a double murder and confined to a mental hospital, where she wreaks supernatural havoc on the staff and patients.

Molly’s only hope is an exorcism by a defrocked priest (Devon Sawa) looking to redeem himself and save her life before her hideous transformation is complete…

Reviews:

” …for a movie that shouldn’t exist, it’s pretty enjoyable. The actors are good, the music is really good (quick: name all the good scores in DTV movies. Yeah.), and the mix of Rosemary’s Baby-esque “she’s the chosen one” stuff and good ol’ fashioned exorcism motifs works well more often than not.” Brian W. Collins, Horror Movie a Day

“What is most depressing about the existence of The Exorcism of Molly Hartley is that people are going to confuse this with the infinitely better The Exorcism of Emily Rose. We must all stop this from happening, and now your curiosity has been indulged you can move on with your lives. Please don’t watch this festering turd of a film and certainly don’t give it any money.” Trace Thurman, Bloody Disgusting

“Devon Sawa and Gina Holden played believable roles and their attempt at making a lackluster script worth watching was commendable … Linds’ performance felt forced and empty, even when she wasn’t actually speaking but only mouthing the words of Satan, which felt closer to the Linda Blair comedy Repossessed.” Adam Lee Price, Fangoria

“This hollow, straight-to-DVD effort doesn’t bother to make the characters relatable or interesting like The Exorcist. It doesn’t even try to address the conflicts of faith and law like the heartbreaking Exorcism of Emily Rose. Frankly, this movie doesn’t care about being any good, and you shouldn’t care enough to see it.” Karin Crighton, HorrorTalk

Cast and characters:

• Sarah Lind as Molly Hartley
• Devon Sawa as Father John Barrow
• Gina Holden as Dr. Laurie Hawthorn
• Peter MacNeill as Chaplain Henry Davies

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘Some doors should never be opened’

The Possession Experiment is a 2016 supernatural horror film photographed, co-edited and directed by Scott B. Hansen (short: The Feast) from a screenplay co-written with Mary J. Dixon.

The film is released on Digital HD and On Demand on Tuesday December 6, 2016.

Main cast:

Chris Minor, Jake Brinn, Nicky Jasper, Kt Fanelli, Bill Moseley (Death House; The Devil’s Rejects; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Mark Joy, Rachel Faulkner, Greg Travis, Dallas T. Taylor, Scott Mielock, Ricky D’Alonzo, Terry Jernigan, Sheri Gill Dixon, Ryan Ware, Angelo Reyes.

Plot:

Brandon has always been drawn to the supernatural, so when asked to pick a topic to base his final world theology class project on, he decides to explore the dark world of exorcisms.

Teamed up with three classmates, the group is lead to investigate a multiple homicide that they eventually discover was an exorcism gone horribly wrong. Brandon becomes obsessed with the event, and in a strange turn of events, decides the only way to research this topic is to undergo an exorcism himself. He starts a fundraising online campaign that goes viral overnight…

Buy: Amazon.com

Review:

“It’s a triumph for horror films everywhere made on a marginally smaller budget, truly aw inspiring. It’s scary and unpredictable. It’s clever, frightening and enthralling. And, more than anything else, it’s the best, most perfect representation of demonic possession that I’ve seen in all my years of reviewing.” Horror Society

“Though the thin mystery about the hero’s connection with the opening sequence (in which guest star Bill Moseley shows up briefly as an exorcist) never really amount to much, there is an interesting, up-to-the-minute angle in the crowdfunded parapsychology.” The Kim Newman Web Site

Filming Locations:

Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

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‘Don’t trust what they say’

Demon Tongue is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by Gavin Rapp (The Misgiving) from a screenplay by Vicky L. Neal (shorts: The Vampire Within; Money, Vampires & Weed; Blood Money).

Four paranormal research students are sent to an abandoned complex to conduct an investigation into strange occurrences that the locals feel are the results of demonic possessions.

The amateur ghost hunters get much more than they bargained for when the power goes out, they hear unearthly noises and discover demons lurking in a hidden basement deep beneath the cold, stone structure that now becomes their prison…

The film stars Jack Davis (Slaughter Drive; The Other Side; Bray Road), Debbie College, Seth Gontkovic (Slaughter Drive; Meltdown; Red Christmas), Jessica Long, Carrie Shoberg,  Jeff Monahan and John W. Iwanonkiw.

IMDb

‘Evil has descended…’

The Covenant is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by Robert Conway (Krampus: Unleashed); Krampus: The Reckoning; Exit to Hell) from a screenplay co-written with Owen Conway and Christopher R. Smith.

After the tragic deaths of her husband and daughter, Sarah Doyle moves back to her childhood home with her estranged brother, Richard. It’s not long before Sarah begins to experience supernatural phenomena of a violent and hostile nature.

Bewildered and desperate, Richard enlists the aid of a paranormal investigator who confirms that Sarah has become possessed by a powerful demon. Together, the three men will go to battle to save Sarah’s soul…

The film will be available On Demand from February 7, 2017, via  Uncork’d Entertainment. It should not be confused with 2006 film The Covenant, directed by Renny Harlin.

Main cast:

Monica Engesser (Krampus: The Reckoning), Clint James (The Encounter), Owen Conway (Exit to Hell), Sanford Gibbons (Tombstone), and Maria Olson (I Spit On Your Grave: Deja-Vu).

Filming locations:

Globe, Arizona, USA

IMDb

Our Evil – original title: Mal Nosso – is a Brazilian supernatural horror film written and directed by Samuel Cunha Galli. It stars Walderrama Dos Santos, Luara Pepita, Gabriela Grecco and Ademir Esteves.

Sao Paulo, Brazil: An exorcist (Ademir Esteves) uses the dark web to employ a serial killer (Ricardo Casella) to protect his daughter (Laura Pepita) from demonic possession…

During February 2017, the film is being promoted at the European Film Market in Berlin by British-based Jinga Films, the company that picked up A Serbian Film, Rabies and The House at the End of Time.

Jing Films representative Julian Richards has said Our Evil: “combines the brutal realism of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer with the supernatural shock-tactics of The Exorcist“, adding that, “the film uses Brazilian religious sentiments to elicit a style that Richards compares to the Coen Brothers 1984 classic Blood Simple.”

Meanwhile, Alan Jones, film critic and director of the Horror Channel FrightFest has commented: “Shocking, surprising, gripping and always keeps you guessing. Our Evil will change the game for future Latin American genre cinema”.

Watch red band trailer

IMDb | Sources: Bloody Disgusting | Variety

‘Deliver her from evil.’

The Antichrist – original title: ”L’anticristo – is a 1974 Italian supernatural horror film directed by Alberto De Martino (Formula for a Murder; Holocaust 2000; The Blancheville Monster) from a screenplay co-written with Gianfranco Clerici (The New York Ripper; Cannibal Holocaust) and Vincenzo Mannino (Phantom of Death; House on the Edge of the Park).

It was produced by Edmondo Amanti (Cannibal Apocalypse; Let Sleeping Corpses Lie; A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin). Aristide Massacessi (aka Joe D’Amato) was the cinematographer.

The score was provided by Ennio Morricone and Bruno Nicolai.

In the United States, Avco Embassy released the film in an edited ‘R’-rated version as The Tempter.

Main cast:

Carla Gravina, Mel Ferrer (Nightmare City; Blood and Roses), Arthur Kennedy (The Humanoid; Let Sleeping Corpses Lie), George Coulouris (Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb; Womaneater) and Alida Valli (The Killer Nun; Suspiria).

Buy: Amazon.com

Plot:

Rome: Having been wheelchair-bound since she was involved in a car crash as a child, Ippolita Oderisi, is deeply traumatised. Very fond of her father Massimo, she becomes jealous when she finds he has taken up with another woman, Greta.

A psychologist, Dr. Sinibaldi, places Ippolita under hypnosis and deduces that has become possessed by her ancestor who was burned as a witch.

Ippolita spouts obscenities, and regaining the use of her legs, begins attacking people. Massimo’s brother, a Catholic bishop named Ascanio, concludes that an exorcism is the only way to cure her…

Reviews:

“While some elements are stolen wholesale (like the exorcism sequence, which involves a priest who arrives covered in shadow, a door that’s about to be pounded off its hinges, and pea soup), it’s different enough to warrant a look. Instead of a young girl, the Devil takes over a 20ish woman, and since this is an Italian movie, you know what that means – gratuitous (and blasphemous!) nudity.” Brian W. Collins, Horror Movie a Day

” …The Antichrist comes out of Italy, bares the breasts, eats the goat ass, and does everything that The Exorcist does but in European form, just not quite to the extent of being a better film or causing chills to the level that its American counterpart accomplished. Its visually rich, well acted, and different, plot-wise, for the most part from scene to scene.” John Marrone, Bloody Disgusting

“Most cheap Italian rip-offs of expensive American blockbusters have the good sense to scale down the aspects of the production that cost money— the name actors, the sets, the special effects. Not this one. The Tempter has two Hollywood has-beens, rather than the standard one, and both of them went all-out to provide the kind of crazed performance that one expects from a washed-up star in a European exploitation flick.” Scott Ashlin, 1000 Misspent Hours and Counting

“The cross-cutting, seventies styles and dated special effects will amuse as much as they convince. Sometimes it all evokes surreal dreams, other times just presents awful effects. The fake toad and snake anticipate similarly unsuccessful moments in Lucio Fulci horrors. The variable optical compositing often fails to convince, but a bold use of back (front?) projection is still effective, especially when all the colours are distorted.” Black Hole Reviews

Buy Blu-ray (English audio option): Amazon.co.uk

Cast and characters:

• Carla Gravina: Ippolita Oderisi
• Mel Ferrer: Massimo Oderisi
• Arthur Kennedy: Ascanio Oderisi
• George Coulouris: Father Mittner
• Alida Valli: Irene
• Mario Scaccia: the charlatan
• Umberto Orsini: dr. Sinibaldi
• Anita Strindberg: Greta
• Remo Girone: Filippo Oderisi
• Lea Lander: Mariangela

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image thanks: Black Hole Reviews |

‘She’s here’

Dead Bride is a 2017 Italian supernatural horror film written and directed by Francesco Picone (Age of the Dead aka Anger of the Dead; shorts: Martyn; Io sono morta).

We currently have no other credits or plot details but will update as soon as known. In the meantime, the trailer below is self-explanatory.

IMDb

Demon Witch Child is a 1975 Spanish horror film directed by Amando de Ossorio, best known for his Blind Dead series of films.

Starring Marián Salgado, Julián Mateos, Fernando Sancho and Kali Hansa, the film is generally judged by one of two camps – those who see it simply as one of the slew of post-Exorcist cash-ins and those who see it something of a minor classic from one of the more overlooked of Europe’s genre directors.

Titled La Endemoniada (which translates as ‘the cursed’, or ‘the damned’), the film has been released on DVD by Code Red as part of a double-bill with Help Me… I’m Possessed!

Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Review:

In remotest Spain, a witch is ransacking a church in order to obtain relics for her coven’s Black Mass. The local police close in on the old crone and add child snatching to her list of crimes, prompting much cackling until the police threaten her with a truth serum injection, at which point, rather unexpectedly, she throws herself out of the police station window, killing herself.

Decidedly more attractive witch (Hansa, also seen in de Ossorio’s own Night of the Sorcerers and Jess Franco’s Perverse Countess), vows to avenge her partner in crime by cursing the police inspector (Italian Western regular, Sancho) and giving his young daughter, Susan (Salgado, who also pops up in Who Can Kill a Child?), a cursed talisman, which she hides inside her teddy bear – just their little secret, you understand.

Though initially coming across as a rather innocuous bunch of loons in the woods, the witches soon reveal themselves as extremely evil-hearted and Susan’s curse soon takes effect, changing her from a sweet little girl (actually, the least convincing sweet little child since Peter Bark in Burial Ground) to a levitating, (mildly) swearing, baby-killing, castrating maniac, though in her defense, she does gift-wrap the severed penis to give to her mum as a present!

A doubting priest (Mateos, also in The Cold Eyes of Fear) enters the fray but will he have the faith and strength to lift the curse and stop the witches’ mayhem?

In fairness, Demon Witch Child would have sufficed as a three-word synopsis. However, what de Ossorio regularly lacks in narrative and the ability to harness acting talent, he again makes up for in genuine creepiness and an often startling gloom, right up until the final frame. The slender budget inevitably makes the effects look shaky, especially the levitation scene but also adds a strange otherworldliness to Salgado’s make-up and the scene in which the old hag’s soul inhabits Susan’s body.

Though centered on witchcraft rather than the demonic possession of The Exorcist, there is a connection between the two films, with Salgado dubbing Linda Blair’s voice in the Spanish language edition of the more famous film. The film is, by turn, ridiculous and intriguing, some scenes seemingly having no bearing on plot and the priest’s moral and religious dilemmas being more Jeremy Kyle than a search for divine truth.

Daz Lawrence, Horrorpedia

Other reviews:

” …de Ossorio does a good job of getting what he needs from the cast and does an even better job of putting it all together to make a pretty compelling and entertaining movie. Again, there was a lot of dialogue problems though, and that could be chalked up to the poor dubbing and the budget was obviously minimal, but Demon Witch Child stands as a good example of making the best out of what you have.” The Telltale Mind

“Despite a truly awful English dub track, Demon Witch Child boasts a handful of memorably grotesque horror sequences that truly come out of left field. No age group is safe at any time, and adult males get some of the nastiest treatment here including a castration gag that probably cleared out more than a few viewers at the time. ” Nathaniel Thompson, Mondo Digital

” …Demon Witch Child makes the possessed person a child. She’s a girl with stuffed animals. The movie gets a lot of mileage from the fact that she swears and says stuff about sex. Imagine how hilarious it is watching really old people say naughty or filthy things. This is sort of like that. But, different. It’s funny. It’s also a little creepy. Funny + creepy = awesome.” Dan Budnik, Bleeding Skull!

IMDb | Thanks to Serious Jacksonville Horror for the drive-in ad mat

‘It can happen anywhere’

Amityville Exorcism – aka The Amityville Exorcism – is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by Mark Polonia (Land Shark; Sharkenstein; Bigfoot vs Zombies) from a screenplay by Billy D’Amato (Dinosaur Chronicles; Gorilla Warfare: Battle of the Apes; NightThirst). It stars Marie DeLorenzo, Jeff Kirkendall and James Carolus.

A family must put faith in a mysterious priest when a demonic force, connected to a decades-old murders in their home, possesses their daughter…

The film is being distributed by Wild Eye Releasing.

Main cast:

Marie DeLorenzo (Empire of the Apes; Project D: Classified), Jeff Kirkendall (Dr Acid Face; Jurassic Prey; Camp Blood First Slaughter), James Carolus (Land Shark; Sharkenstein; Bigfoot vs Zombies), Austin Dragovich, Steve Diasparra, Kathryn Sue Young, Titus Himmelberger

IMDb

‘Monsters don’t hide under the bed… they live inside you.’

Ravenswood is a 2017 Australian supernatural horror film edited and directed by Jon Cohen from a screenplay co-written with Darren K. Hawkins (Occultum Mala; The Lonely Road; Outside Your Window). It stars Madeline Marie Dona, Adam Horner and Shane Savage.

When four American tourists – Sofia, Carl, Belle and Michael – go on a ghost tour of a Ravenswood, an old abandoned psychiatric ward deep in the Australian outback, they get much more than they bargained for.

When the guys get trapped in the haunted building by the evil ghost of the former doctor in charge, they conduct a séance to talk to the spirits to let them free. Unfortunately, they inadvertently release the ghost of the doctor’s last victim, and she possesses Sofia. She begs the others to protect her from the doctor.

As the doctor begins killing them to get to Sofia, they must fight for their lives against a brutal enemy hell bent on their destruction. They never knew who the real enemy was until it was too late…

Distribution has been picked up by Uncork’d Entertainment.

Reviews:

“Ravenswood gets points for delivering some decent atmosphere and chills on a non-existent budget, but it’s crippled by a bad script and a clear lack of care in scenes not directly designed to spook the audience. The bones of a good movie are present; perhaps some more time on the writing would have put enough meat on them to make a solid thriller.” Travis Johnson, Film Ink

Main cast:

Madeline Marie Dona, Adam Horner (Kill Cam), Shane Savage (Evil Fred), Isabel Dickson, Jock Campbell, Ashley Fitzgerald, Jonathan Lane, Josie Waller, Kristy Wright, Celyren Phipps, Kathy Luu.

Filming locations:

Gledswood Homestead, Catherine Fields, New South Wales, Australia
(Ravenswood Psych Hospital)
Rosebery, New South Wales, Australia

IMDb | Facebook | Official site

Semum is a 2008 Turkish supernatural horror film written and directed by Hasan Karacadağ (Vampiria; D@bbe and its sequels; Magi). It stars Ayça Inci, Burak Hakki and Cem Kurtoglu.

Twenty-seven-year-old Canan (Ayça İnci) and her husband Volkan (Burak Hakkı) have just moved into a large, new house. Life seems to continue on its routine track in the young couple’s new house until one day, when Canan starts feeling that strange things are happening to her although she cannot understand what or why.

Canan gradually starts turning into an evil creature as a mysterious and malicious being takes control of her body and actions day after day. Semum, the most loyal servant of the devil, has taken control of Canan, leading her toward Hell…

Reviews:

“Karacadag had a better budget to work with this time and the cinematography is a good bit better while also indulging Turkey’s traditional campy edge. Cinematography and design work is dead solid and I do believe I detect notes of both Death Note and Constantine in the demon and hell effects” Todd Brown, Screen Anarchy

“Hasan has improved as a director from D@bbe. Some of the angles are just mind-blowing and I was overall really impressed with his work here. It looks spectacular – and not because of its higher budget. I also appreciated the fact that he took his time to build up the characters so that we would get a chance to root for them.” AnthroFred, Slasherpool

“The main character reminds me Eddie of Iron Maiden, if not worst. At it’s best, it looks like Spawn (do you remember how bad it was?), but that’s it! I am sure the makers of this “movie” imagined that they could scare people, but come on! With this character? It is plain stupid. Secondly, this film is lumbered with a pretty awful cast.” Kroshe, IMDb.com

Cast and characters:

• Ayça İnci as Canan Karaca
• Burak Hakkı as Volkan Karaca
• Cem Kurtoğlu as Mikail Hoca
• Sefa Zengin as Raci
• Bahtiyar Engin as Macit
• Nazlı Ceren Argon as Banu
• Yıldırım Öcek as Emlakçı
• Hakan Meriçliler as Profesör Oğuz
• Levent Sülün as Ali
• Süha Tok

Filming locations:

Istanbul, Turkey

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘Just your average, all-American, small town girl… possessed.’

American Exorcism is a 2017 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Tripp Weathers, making his feature debut. It stars Braxton Davis, Michael Filipowich and Sicily Fontaine.

The film should not be confused with An American Exorcism or American Exorcist (both 2017 productions).

Damon Richter thought he left the world of possessions, exorcisms, and evil behind until an old friend arrives with frightening information about his estranged daughter knowing that only his otherworldly skills can save her…

In the US, the film is unleashed on VOD by Uncork’d Entertainment on May 2, 2017 with a DVD release on August 1.

Main cast:

Braxton Davis (The Butchers), Michael Filipowich, Sicily Fontaine, Arun Kapoor, William McKinney, Jessica Morris (Sorority Slaughterhouse; Lucifer), Jhana Parits, John Paul Sales, Brad Stocker, Kate Tumanova, Jennifer Lee Wiggins (I Am Omega), Luke Wright.

IMDb | Images courtesy: Bloody Disgusting | HorrorNews.net

Deliver Us aka Libera Nos is a 2016 Italian documentary by Federica Di Giacomo.

Claims of Satanic possession are increasing around the world. In meeting the demands of those desperately seeking help, the Catholic Church responds with the solution they’ve employed for centuries: exorcisms.

A new wave of exorcist priests is being trained, while veteran Sicilian priest Father Cataldo maintains his stern, diligent practice of the controversial method. His weekly mass is filled with those seeking a cure for the demons they feel they have within them. They cling to the power of their faith as the ultimate source of inner peace but whatever the root of their anguish, it’s evident many are suffering.

It’s here that you start to see the true cost of deliverance. As priests attempt to cast Satan back down, the business of exorcism continues to rise…

Reviews:

“The camerawork by Greta De Lazzaris and Carlo Sisalli is incredibly unobtrusive, but Liberami is not content to only observe the people around: Di Giacomo succeeds in showing not only the priests’ actions, but also the deepest concerns of those treated by them. Intimate conversations bring context and feeling to an already touching situation.” Stefan Dobroiu Cineuropa

“Visually, the style is flexible, well-composed when possible but often most preoccupied with getting close enough to the action, and if that means bringing the camera down to the floor as a woman writhes about, so be it. There is a repetitiveness to certain scenes, and some audiences will likely find elements exploitative, though the real exploitation comes from the priests, with their mumbo-jumbo about possession when what their duped parishioners really need is therapy and meds.” Jay Weissberg, Variety

“As deftly and elegantly spliced together by editors Aline Hervè and Edoardo Morabito, Liberami moves between moments which are equally revelatory, absurd, thought-provoking and moving. When it’s not sharing private chats between priests, including at a conference for exorcists in Rome, it’s capturing the unguarded emotions of those requesting their help.” Sarah Ward, Screen Daily

Filming locations:

Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Trivia:

The film was originally titled Liberaci dal male and then Liberami.

IMDb

The Secrets of Emily Blair – aka The Exorcism of Emily Blair – is a 2016 American horror film directed by Joseph P. Genier from a screenplay by Patricia Harrington. It stars Ellen Hollman, Colm Meaney and Francia Raisa.

Desperate to save his fiancee from a demon that has possessed her soul, a man turns to his longtime priest for help…

The film is currently available to view on Netflix.

Review:

Hilariously overwrought yet amusingly entertaining, The Secrets of Emily Blair is a film that moves apace and doesn’t pause for any considered character development. It’s a case of let-the-possession-commence right from the start. After years of many similar possession movies in an already overcrowded sub-genre, maybe that’s a blessing?

Suggestions of alcohol addiction, predatory sexual activity (advancing on her female flatmate Emily coos: “Can I sleep with you tonight?”) and bipolar behaviour are ticked but the demonic doldrums are clearly unavoidable and essential for the film to fit into its obvious thematic religious dumb-for-the-masses mode (“You’re a priest, you’re supposed to believe in this shit!”). Meanwhile, a sub-plot about a wayward violent priest goes nowhere.

Silly, yet never dull (“We’re gonna make it through this, I promise you.”), this is a formulaic film that’s difficult to recommend other than as an online timewaster that unashamedly flaunts its many faults.

Adrian J Smith, Horrorpedia

Main cast:

Ellen Hollman, Colm Meany (The Devil’s Hand), Francia Raisa, Adrian Paul, Jonathan LaPaglia, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles; Darkman; Dark Night of the Scarecrow), Valarie Pettiford, Peter Macon, John Duff, Gideon Emery, Sherilyn Fenn, Will Kemp.

Choice dialogue:

Emilie: “You shouldn’t be scared, you should be horrified!”

Filming locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

IMDb

‘The Devil is real.’

Holy Terror is a 2017 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Rich Mallery (Sociopathia). The CineRidge Entertainment production stars Kelly Lynn Reiter, Jesse Hlubik and Kristine DeBell.

Believing their deceased son isn’t at peace, Molly and Tom ask a medium to make contact. But after they invite a vengeful demon to cross over, the couple must enlist the help of a disgraced priest to attempt a dangerous exorcism…

During production, writer/director Rich Mallery commented: “There has been a resurgence of exorcism/possession-type movies, so it’s a little challenging to give audiences something they haven’t seen before. But we have a few tricks up our sleeve that are going to make Holy Terror stand apart from the crowd. Plus, we’re going for a real late-’70s/early-’80s feel. Films like The Changeling, The Amityville Horror and of course the original Exorcist are huge influences on this project…”

The film is currently available on VOD and Amazon Prime.

Reviews:

“The film is a derivative mix of plot threads and themes found in William Friedkin’s film and as such, at least for this reviewer, is just as dull. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate Holy Terror on a purely filmmaking level, the production values, acting, etc. but as a slice of terrifying horror? Not so much.” Phil Wheat, Nerdly

“This film has one single decent character, that of the priest, and the rest of the cast is pretty much useless. It’s a dullish story in which very little happens of note and it does feel padded out to endless lengths. A little make up is the limit of the FX you’ll see here. There’s a semi-decent twist ending that’s delivered too late, but no real power or atmosphere at any point.” Leofwine_draca, IMDb.com

Main cast:

Kristine DeBell, Lisa London, Mel Novak, Vida Ghaffari, Kelly Reiter, Bogdan Szumilas, Jesse Hlubik, Scott Butler, Joseph Kelbie Williamson.

Running time: 77 minutes

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‘Stalked by fear and terror… day and night!’

The Man Who Haunted Himself is a 1970 British horror thriller film written and directed by Basil Dearden (Dead of Night; The Halfway House) from a screenplay co-written with producer Michael Relph and [uncredited] Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives).

The film was based on the 1957 novel The Strange Case of Mr. Pelham by Anthony Armstrong, initially written as a 1955 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. It stars Roger Moore (who cited as his favourite of his own films), Hildegarde Neil and Alastair Mackenzie.

Whilst driving his Rover P5B, uptight City of London worker Harold Pelham appears to become possessed and has a serious high-speed accident.

On the operating table, he briefly suffers clinical death, after which there appear to be two heartbeats on the monitor. When he awakes, Pelham finds his life has been turned upside-down; in his job as a director of a marine technology company he learns that he now supports a merger that he once opposed, and that he apparently is having an affair.

Friends, colleagues and acquaintances claim to have seen him in places where he has never been, and Pelham starts being followed by a mysterious silver car: a Lamborghini Islero. Does Pelham have a doppelgänger or is he actually going insane?

Buy Blu-ray + DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

” …though perhaps somewhat middle-of-the-road compared to other British horrors of the time such as The Wicker Man or Don’t Look Now, it had an unforgettable power. It is very skillfully directed by Basil Dearden […] The cinematography is mostly workmanlike, but occasional inspired. The editing, in key sequences, is outstanding. Michael J. Lewis’ score is compelling, the jaunty main theme becoming a haunting element in the narrative itself.” Gary Dalkin, To the Last Word

“It’s an “A” certificate film, though, so don’t be expecting Hammer or Amicus style horror. This is more akin to a big budget version of an episode of Brian Clemen’s Thriller or Tales of the Unexpected, which in no way is meant as a negative. As a macabre and ironic footnote, director Dearden died in a car accident not too long after the film’s release.” The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth

” …somewhat tediously plotted, but it still manages to remain an interesting and well-made swan song from Dearden. For Roger Moore (who was Ian Fleming’s ideal James Bond), it’s a very atypical role, but he does an excellent job and it’s one of his finest hours in terms of acting. Hammer fans will recognize a lot of familiar character actors in smaller roles…” George R. Reis, DVD Drive-In

“The manner of his realization depends largely upon the hero’s personality, and since he is a man of regular, dull habits, the realization follows a regular, dull process—which is finally the shape of the movie. Any number of directors might have found in this a logical development of terror, but Dearden has merely found in it a poorly developed logic, and nothing even partly interesting happens to enliven its progress.” Roger Greenspun, The New York Times, September 4, 1971

Disc releases:

The film was released on DVD format in 2005 with a PG rating. The DVD includes special features including a commentary by Roger Moore and Bryan Forbes.

A new HD restoration from the original film elements was released in a dual-format package on 24 June 2013 by Network Distributing. The Blu-Ray disc is in 16:9 aspect ratio. Special features include – 34 minute music suite of Michael J. Lewis’s original score; a commentary track recorded in 2005, featuring Roger Moore and Bryan Forbes; the original theatrical trailer; four image galleries, including storyboards; and promotional material in PDF format.

Cast and characters:

• Roger Moore as Harold Pelham
• Hildegarde Neil as Eve Pelham
• Alastair Mackenzie as Michael Pelham
• Hugh Mackenzie as James Pelham
• Kevork Malikyan as Luigi
• Thorley Walters as Frank Bellamy
• Anton Rodgers as Tony Alexander
• Olga Georges-Picot as Julie Anderson
• Freddie Jones as Dr. Harris, a psychiatrist
• John Welsh as Sir Charles Freeman
• Edward Chapman as Barton
• Laurence Hardy as Mason
• Charles Lloyd-Pack as Jameson
• Gerald Sim as Morrison
• Ruth Trouncer as Miss Bird, Pelham’s secretary
• Aubrey Richards as Research Scientist
• Anthony Nicholls as Sir Arthur Richardson
• John Carson as Ashton

Wikipedia | IMDb | Image credits: The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth

Posted in tribute to the late Roger Moore.

‘Some dreams should never be remembered’

Don’t Sleep is a 2017 supernatural horror film written, co-produced and directed by Rick Bieber (producer of Flatliners [1990]). It stars Dominic Sherwood, Drea de Matteo and Jill Hennessy. The film was formerly known as The Other.

Young lovers Shawn (Charlbi Dean Kriek) and Zach (Dominic Sherwood) find the perfect home to rent, with friendly couple Mr. and Mrs. Marino as their landlords. Their future seems bright until Zach begins to experience nightmares of his hellish past. These memories, once erased by electroshock therapy, slowly return, causing Zach to question his sanity.

As he struggles with his psychosis, strange things start happening at the house. The threats become increasingly deadly and Zach must face the reality that the problem is no longer in his psychology. Once the threat of psychotic behavior turns into the possibility of demonic possession, Zach is confronted with a horrific reality he never could before have imagined…

Main cast:

Cary Elwes, Dominic Sherwood, Drea de Matteo, Jill Hennessy, Alex Rocco (Lady in White; Return to Horror High; The Entity), Andrew Caldwell, Alex Carter, Marem Hassler, Charlbi Dean Kriek, Dash Williams, Chloe Noelle, Jason Alan Smith, Riley Lio, Muriel Minot, Sinclaire Schaefer.

IMDb

Lillith’s Hell is a 2015 Italian supernatural horror film directed by Vincenzo Petrarolo (TheFollower) from a screenplay by Davide Chiara (Almost Dead; Phantasmagoria; Endless Dark). The film stars Ruggero Deodato (director of Ballad in Blood; The Washing Machine; Cannibal Holocaust), Marcus J. Cotterell and Vincenzo Petrarolo.

A pair of young filmmakers try to work with director Ruggero Deodato to pull off a horror film based on realism. The producer’s family house, where the film is to be shot turns out to have it’s own secrets, hidden behind the walls.

There are secret chambers and ritualistic ceremonies invoking the spirit of Lilith. She was cursed by God for not obeying Adam in the Garden of Eden. The women in the crew are possessed one, by one and their only salvation is via violent death…

The film is released on DVD in North America on October 17, 2017 by Unearthed Films.

Main cast:

Ruggero Deodato, Marcus J. Cotterell, Vincenzo Petrarolo, Sebastiano Lo Monaco, Federico Palmieri, Danilo Maria Valli, Manuela Stanciu, Elena Croce, Joelle Rigollet, Mattia Rinaldi, Dani Samvis.

Filming locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Trailer (English and Italian audio):

Behind-the-Scenes (Italian audio):

Backstage (Italian audio):

IMDb

Ouija Board – original titles: Bunshinsaba aka 분신사바 – is a 2004 South Korean supernatural horror film written and directed by Ahn Byeong-ki (Bunshinsaba [2012] and sequels; Apt.; Phone; Nightmare). Kim Gyu-ri, Lee Yoo-ri and Lee Se-eun star. In 2006, Tokyo Shock released the film on DVD in North America as Witch Board.

Lee Yoo-jin is a transfer student from Seoul, and along with two of her friends, she is constantly bullied by a group of classmates.

One night, Yoo-jin and her friends decide to place a curse on their enemies by creating a Ouija board on which they write the names of the female bullies.

Using the Bunshinsaba curse, her friend warns the others not to open their eyes until the spell is finished. The calling takes effect, and Yoo-jin, somewhat curious, opens her eyes. To her shock and horror, she sees an image of a pale-like dead girl with long hair beside her.

The next morning when Yoo-jin enters the classroom, she discovers the corpse of one of the bullies on top of the desk, with a burned face.

Meanwhile, the school hires a volunteer teacher, Lee Eun-ju, as the new art instructor. She starts to call the roll in her class and stumbles on seat number 29 as she mentions the name of a deceased girl, Kim In-sook. The students are terrified when they hear the name, and rush out of the classroom when they see her talking to thin air…

Reviews:

“Bunshinsaba is another disappointment for those looking for clever original entries in the Asian horror genre, but one that is relatively entertaining on an ‘assaulting the senses’ level. Fans of Phone will also get a kick out of the final reveal which is a welcome nod to the audience from the director.” Dave Foster, The Digital Fix 

” …the Asian horror film ceased to be “new” when it refused to innovate, and simply repeated the tropes of its genre ad nauseam. The result is a movie like Bunshinsaba, which has the budget to make something good, but instead seems unconcern, or unwilling, to even make an attempt. As such, you won’t find an Asian film more generic, derivative, and uninspired as Bunshinsaba”. Beyond Hollywood

“It’s a spooky and entertaining film with an engaging mystery. It has some flaws in its storytelling, which can be confusing, but the horror makes up for its shortcomings. By no means is it perfect, but it is definitely an entertaining treat for fans of ghost stories. And if you’re a fan of ghost stories, you should be watching Bunshinsaba.” Korean Movie Reviews

“Witch Board: Bunshinsaba is so derivative that it feels like the work of a hack, shamelessly ripping off other movies. Of course, Byeong-ki Ahn has never been noted for his originality, and his previous screenplays feel as if he cherry-picked favorite elements from other horror films. At least in Phone, he managed to synthesize these fragments into a coherent murder-mystery-drama in which the horror scenes acted as visceral punctuation marks.” Steve Biodrowski , Cinefantastique

“Honestly, I was surprised. Yes, this film borrowed from/was inspired by a number of films. Some of it could be purely inference from me, while other parts are hard to ignore. With that out of the way, I actually kind of liked it. Now bear in mind that I’m not a huge fan of K-Horror. So, if you happen to be one, you may like it even more!” Mondo Bizarro

Cast and characters:

• Kim Gyu-ri as Lee Eun-ju (Nightmare; Whispering Corridors)
• Lee Yoo-ri as Kim In-sook (TV series: The Haunted School 4)
• Lee Se-eun as Lee Yoo-jin (Bloody Beach)
• Choi Seong-min as Han Jae-hoon/Mr. Han
• Choi Jung-yoon as Ho-kyung

International release titles:

Germany: Possessed – Besessen
France: Incantations
Philippines (English title): Ouija Board: Bunshinsaba
Russia: Заклятие смерти
USA (DVD title): Witch Board

Wikipedia | IMDb

‘First you die, then the screaming starts…’

Exorcism of the Dead is a 2017 Canadian horror film written, produced and directed by John Migliore (Frankenpimp’s Revenge; Poltergeist Encounters; The Friday Night Death Slot). The Survival Zombie Films production stars Carrie Beale, Brett Kelly and Deborah Jayne Reilly Smith.

Candace (Sarah Swerid) is a deeply troubled young woman who is possessed by an ambitious demon. Her family has tried every conventional method to heal her, but both medicine and psychology have failed.

As a last resort, they reach out for aid from the church. They are unaware that the priest who arrives to deal with the situation has his own dark secrets…

Main cast:

Carrie Beale (Blood Child), Brett Kelly (Blood Red Moon; Kingdom of the Vampire; Goregoyles 2), Deborah Jayne Reilly Smith (The Hider; Bed of the Dead; The Drownsman), Nick Biskupek, Sarah Swerid, Michelle Connor, Brent Baird, Sean C. Dwyer, John Migliore, Andre Guantanamo, Rich Piatkowski, Kyle Hytonen, Magalie R Bazinet, Mike Trebilcock, Lena Montecalvo.

Filming locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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