THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH
SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who made The 2007 Spooky Movie Horror Film Festival such a success! 2007 was an incredible year, as more people came out and took part in this new D.C. tradition. From the opening night, full house, madness, to the remarkable experience of one man with nine instuments tackling a silent movie, through an outstanding Sunday filled with zombies, psychos and ghosts, right until the end with the American premiere of a truly chilling film, we couldn't be happier.
A number of the filmmakers were on hand all weekend: old friends, like James Branscome ("Werewolf on PCP") and Adam Bradley ("The Blue Rhino vs. The Giant Amoeba"); "Dollhouse" director, Mark DeGaetani, who was there with his cast - Juliette Bennett, Ken Arnold and Christina Barlas; director Mason Booker ("BloodBound"); producer and writer Joshua Nelson ("Eat Your Heart Out") who came down from New York; filmmaker and actor David Smith ("Maneater") who came in from West Virginia and filmmakers Tyler Meyer and Dennis Tyler ("The Projection Booth") who came out from Ohio.
Also on hand was good friend, and Baltimore institution, Bobogolem, who was there for his event on Saturday, as well as the Opening Night fun - $100 and a bucket of chicken never looked so good! Also there, local horror host legend, Count Gore de Vol, celebrating his 35th Anniversary of freaking out Washington, as well as current hosts he helped influence: Dr. Sarcofiguy (John Dimes) and Karlos Borloff (Jerry Moore II), who came armed with cast members from "Monster Madhouse Live."
Finally, this couldn't have happened without the hard work of everyone at Cinema Arts Theatre (Mark, Chris and Derek), as well as our crew of technical volunteers - Duane Lomis, Danny Olewine, Linda Wunderlich and their fearless leader, Greg Guterriez - who made it look and sound brilliant - and who took most of these pictures. Huzzah!
And best of all - we will be doing it again in 2008!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 - 9:30 P.M.
OPENING NIGHT AT THE GRINDHOUSE
WEREWOLF ON PCP - Enjoy this trailer that will set up everything you need to know about what happens when a werewolf smokes some PCP and then "wigs out." From writer/director James Branscome (filmmaker behind a 2006 TSMFF favorite "We All Scream"), this faux-trailer is an excellent way to begin both the festival, and our Grindhouse Opening Night!
Horror * 2 minutesTHE DOLLHOUSE - The graceful old house by the creek may seem like the perfectly wholesome setting for Wendy and her daughter (pictured), but things aren't always what they seem! An excellent modern tribute to the classic Italian-slasher style of horror of the 70's and 80's, THE DOLLHOUSE is a fun romp through the genre, replete with sexy mommy, a spooky kid, creepy dolls, stilted dialogue, RGB lighting, and a gory kill
sequence. "You have been a very bad boy…!"
Horror * 26 minutes
EAT YOUR HEART OUT - Jeffery is a lonely man looking for a girlfriend - or at least one that will have something to do with him. His journey leads him to Pandora (played brilliantly by Melissa Bacelar, pictured), a mysterious "lady of the night" who he would quickly give his heart to. And he just might. Sure to be debated on exactly what Pandora is by you and all of your smarty-pants friends, come out and harrass producer and screenwriter Joshua Nelson with your questions during the intermission. More>>
Horror/Comedy * 90 minutes[there will be a short intermission]
SHEEP SKIN - A group attempts to take revenge on a man who they believed killed their friend. But…if we collectively learn anything at all by the movies this weekend, things aren't always what they seem.
Horror * 12 minutesBY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Making a new life for herself, Jane heads to the country. On her way to view a house for sale, her car breaks down. Taking refuge in a small town diner, Jane waits for a tow trick. Luckily, a fellow diner patron offers her a lift so she can make her appointment. Bringing new meaning to "dysfunctional family," BY APPOINTMENT ONLY recently screened at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con.
Thriller/Horror * 20 minutes
BLOOD BOUND - Ten years ago, his life as a respected police officer was turned upside down when he discovered vampires were real – and hungry. When his partner Jacob fell to the charms of immortal seductress Xan, Alex left behind his job, his family, and the comforts of the daylight world to hunt down the undead creatures that plague the night. Now, as Jacob and Xan return to the city to exact their horrible revenge on their human prey, Alex finds himself facing both their terrible plan and the ghosts of the past he thought he’d left behind. More>>
Horror/Action * 86 minutesSATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 - 11:50 PM
BOBO'S SILENT PICTURE SHOW
CANTINA IN C-MAJOR - 605 Horror film clips are converted into M.I.D.I.data to produce an electronic music soundtrack.
Experimental music documentary 11 minutesTHE SCAB is an experimental piece based on a poem by the same name written by award winning horror writer, Michael Arzen. It is a single from the 11 short films that comprise Exquisite Corpse project.
Experimental * 2 minutesELECTRICAL SKELETAL tells of the horrific and hilarious events that occur in a deserted graveyard. Featuring stop-motion animation, miniature sets, trick photography and music by Casket Architects, ELECTRICAL is a unique and fun return to 50s B Sci-Fi/Horror Films.
Sci-Fi/Horror/ Music Video * 6 minutes
THE BLUE RHINO VS. THE GIANT AMOEBA - When grad student, Sergio Rudolfo's Electrio-Accelerator devise is stolen by mindless minions of evil, masked wrestler, The Blue Rhino (pictured above), is once again enlisted to save Fairfax, Virginia from a giant, man-eating amoeba. The first Blue Rhino film was a surprise hit of the 2006 TSMFF, and we're lucky…no, make that blessed…to be allowed to screen its sequel.
Action spoof * 35 minutes.SCOURGE OF THE VAMPIRE - A B-Movie, silent film is being shot, but keeps running into production problems. Beautiful and inspiring animation.
Animated/Horror Spoof * 3 minutes
[there will be a short intermission]
DER GOLEM (1920)- Classic 1920 silent, horror film is one of the earliest surviving expressionist works, and it's art direction and photography is still extremely interesting with its misshapen sets and its use of light and shadow, and light within shadow. Unlike Caligari, the themes of this film were resonant long after its release, and perhaps still are today.
This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as we feature live music from Baltimore musician, "Bobogolem," who will play pretty much everything other than a pipe-organ. Think of this evening as something that would trouble David Lynch, or perhaps "Rocky Horror" for people whose "stones" have dropped. Whatever it is, it will only happen in the moment, and only happen once! More>>
Silent/Horror * 68 minutesSUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 10:00 A.M.
DUMPSTER DIVER - Murder in Hollywood! Conroy's cover up of his accidental murder of a homeless man comes back to haunt him. You only think you know where it's going!
Thriller/Horror * 11 minutesPHONE CALL - Four high school kids are consistently confronted with problems that force them to chose between acting on impulse or on logic. A curious short about personal choices and responsibilities from our friends behind THE FURY'S PREY, a selection from the 2006 Festival.
Drama * 4 minutesMANEATER - A lonely college student who has always wanted a girlfriend begins dating a cannibal who enlists his help in finding her victims. Funny and clever dialog helps MANEATER stand out in the burgeoning "My Girlfriend is a Cannibal and I Dig It" sub-genre that seems to be exploding these days ("Cannibals" are the new "Zombies," btw!). Will make you starving for lunch by the end!
Comedy * 100 minutes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 12:30 P.M.
CASTING CALL - Five actresses answer an ad for an upcoming horror film - one you may be watching right now! One of "Dr. Sarcofiguy's" favorites!
Horror * 10 minutesTHE PROJECTION BOOTH - A new projectionist attempts to learn the truth behind disturbances at a dreary cineplex. Dark and sinister from first moment until even after the last gasp.
Horror/Suspense * 22 minutesTHE CREEK - On the fifth anniversary of the death of their friend, Billy, six people are forced back together by his spirit to the spot of his last breath. When they begin dying, suspicion isn't reserved for only the living. Perfectly done - keeps you guessing until the very end.
Horror * 85 minutes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 3:00 P.M.
W.O.R.M. - WORLDWIDE ORGANIC REPLICATING MOLECULE - From the twisted mind behind last year's JITTERS, comes more sloppy fun at the expense of the living and the undead. Winner of the "Best Special Effects" award at the Dark Carnival Film Festival.
Extreme Horror/Sci-Fi * 28 minutesSHARP - A door to door salesman at his wits end takes out his frustrations on anyone who opens their doors. Funny and horrific, SHARP preys on our worst fears about the worst of humanity in ways both clever and unsettling.
Extreme Horror * 26 minutesDEADLANDS: THE RISING - The film that shut down Baltimore! - or at least part of it. Recently featured at the Fright Night Film Fest, Gary Ugarek's excellent zombie apocalypse begins with an unexplained explosion that both rocks Baltimore and brings the dead back to life. Five people must fight to survive against an unholy army of the unholy dead.
Horror * 65 minutes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 5:30 P.M.
THE LURING - For the strippers invited to a sexy night of partying, only part of them will ever leave. The Party People never had it so good.
Horror * 9 minutesCALLOUS SENTIMENT - A teenager observes random and bizarre acts of violence that take place inside an abandoned playground. An excellent example of a living nightmare turned into madness.
Horror * 13 minutes99 PIECES - The story of a man who must lock himself in his home for 40 days to solve a puzzle, and save his wife. Claustrophobic, intense with superb acting and direction. The winner for Best Horror Film at the Bare Bones International Film Festival. Not until the closing credits begin will you really feel safe.
Thriller/Horror * 99 minutes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 8:00 P.M.
CLOSING NIGHTOF DARKNESS- During a sleepover a group of teenagers inadvertently unleash a malicious entity when they open - yup - a book of the dead. Brilliant, chilling and shocking, OF DARKENSS is better than the majority of feature "horror" films released in the last five years.
Horror * 21 minutesAMERICAN THEATRICAL DEBUT
CARVED: THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN- Thirty years ago, a suburban town was terrorized by the spirit of a woman whose beautiful face had been grotesquely disfigured by a jealous husband. Roaming the streets wearing a long coat and surgical mask, the spirit would approach young victims and, while removing her mask,ask "Am I pretty?" The victim's response would almost always lead to their violent death. Now, one by one, children are disappearing again. As teachers and officials desperately begin to investigate, a panic begins to build as the woman's spirit returns for some unfinished business and the town's dark secrets are exposed.
Last year we made our mark with the East Coast premiere of Extreme Asian Horror film THE RED-SHOES, and now it's playing at more and more festivals (including the IFC Sponsored New York Korean Film Festival) - be here now for something others will be talking about later! More>>
Japanese with English Subtitles * Horror * 90 minutes
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