Creator/director @mhhorrordoc | EP of Skinamarink | 💍 @afis8 | Vallhund owner | The 13th Warrior stan | He/Him
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Articles by Jonathan Barkan
'Adult Wednesday Addams' Is Simply Incredible
When I was a kid, I loved the Addams Family movies. They were that perfect mix of playful and creepy that convinced parents to let their children watch it. It was also where I got one of my first big crushes: Wednesday Addams. Before you think I’m some sick freak, please remember that Christina Ricci is four years older than myself, so it’s kosher.
'It': Here's "Pennywise" in Full Clown Costume and He's Definitely Freaky!
The reveal of Bill Skarsgard as “Pennywise the Clown” in Stephen King’s book-to-film adaptation of It was one of the biggest posts of the year. Clearly, there is something about this vicious clown that draws attention and curiosity.
New ‘The Walking Dead: Season 5’ Trailer Gets Violent
A new trailer for the second half of The Walking Dead‘s fifth season was just released and it shows Rick Grimes and the band of survivors fighting some unknown terror in a misty forest. The entire sequence is done in slow motion, almost like some hazy dream where the the ferocity and fear on every face is readily apparent. Grimes states at the beginning, “Surviving.
New Red-Band 'Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse' Clip is AMAZING!
A new red-band clip from the upcoming horror comedy Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse has been released and it’s absolutely hilarious! The clip shows main characters Ben and Carter going to a strip club that is strangely empty. Turns out, the stripper there is a zombie who is feeling dangerously frisky.
Amon Amarth "Deceiver Of The Gods" Music Video Premiere (Exclusive)
Bloody-Disgusting has teamed up with Swedish metal band Amon Amarth to bring you the exclusive N. American premiere of the “Deceiver Of The Gods” video! The video features clips from the upcoming film, Northmen – A Viking Saga, which stars Tom Hopper, Ryan Kwanten, Ken Duken, and features Johan Hegg as Valli. The film is set to be released this Autumn. More information can be found here.
Ever Wondered Why ‘…And Justice For All’ Had No Bass? The Riddle Has Now Been Solved
One of the big questions that has loomed over the storied career of legendary metal band Metallica was, “Why does …And Justice For All have no bass to it?” It’s a question that has been brought up many times over the years and has puzzled countless fans, especially after the fantastic Master Of Puppets. But that question can now be laid to rest as Steve Thompson, who mixed the album, has opened up and explained everything that happened to lead to the absence of bass on that album.
There’s Something About The Warrens, Horror Ultimate Edition Trivial Pursuit, And More!
In this Issue: Horror History: There’s Something About The Warrens Image of the Week: Where The Scary Things Are Tiny Bites – This Week’s Best Horror Headlines Things We Love: Horror Trivia Fans Rejoice Hey, That’s Us! – Shudder in the News HORROR HISTORY There’s Something About The Warrens By Ariel Fisher and Jonathan Barkan Over the past seven years, Ed and Lorraine Warren have become the most popular couple in Horror.
'It' Director Pulls Out Amidst Studio Clashes
The Wrap is reporting that “True Detective” director Cary Fukunaga is no longer attached to New Line’s film adaptation of the Stephen King’s It. Filming, which was to take place this summer, has been postponed. The reason for Fukunaga’s departure is that he apparently was clashing with the studio regarding his vision and the budget that they were willing to offer. An example is that he wanted to film in New York, which has higher rates than other locations.
[UPDATE] ‘Silent Hills’ To Be Purchased By Microsoft As Xbox One Exclusive
Update: Microsoft has officially denied the rumor. Rumors are spreading around that Microsoft is in talks with Konami to purchase the rights for Silent Hills, a deal that is said to cost billions! The deal is being rushed now in the hopes that if it goes through, Microsoft can announce the title as an Xbox One exclusive at this year’s E3, a move that would potentially skyrocket sales for the console.
Get Well Soon: DRY BLOOD Director/Co-Star Kelton Jones
Get Well Soon: DRY BLOOD Director/Co-Star Kelton Jones Kelton Jones, a member of Dread Central’s extended family is recovering this morning from surgery and could use your support. In addition to good wishes, a Go Fund Me page can be found, HERE. “Our dear friend Kelton Jones had a severe gall bladder attack yesterday and was rushed to Tarzana Hospital. The surgeons will remove his gall bladder tomorrow and then he’ll begin the long process of rehabilitation.
IFC Gives Indie Theaters 13 Killer Horror Movies to Screen For Free Following Shutdowns
IFC Gives Indie Theaters 13 Killer Horror Movies to Screen For Free Following Shutdowns In an awesome move, IFC will offer indie theaters hundreds of films to screen when they reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns. They are dubbing the initiative: The Indie Theater Revival Project and the movies will be made available to cinemas without any rental fees. The retrospective program boasts around 200 films which will be made available on May 29th.
Lively Ghosts Offering Dread Readers 31% Off All Merch!
Lively Ghosts Offering Dread Readers 31% Off All Merch! Fans of enamel pins, stickers, and horror apparel will want to visit Lively Ghosts for some incredible merch. Best of all, they’re offering Dread Central readers 31% off their orders from now through Friday! Just use the code “DREAD” at check Shop now, HERE. Check out a few of the items available below. What do you think of the merch for sale at Lively Ghosts?
THE PERISHED Review - A Bold And Unflinching Look At The Topic Of Abortion From A Supernatural Perspective - Dread Central
THE PERISHED Review – A Bold And Unflinching Look At The Topic Of Abortion From A Supernatural Perspective Starring Courtney McKeon, Paul Fitzgerald, Lisa Tyrrell, Fiach Kunz, Conor Lambert Directed by Paddy Murphy Abortion is still a relatively taboo topic in the Republic of Ireland, so we have to commend writer and director Paddy Murphy for tackling the subject head on with his new film The Perished, which can now be viewed on multiple VOD platforms.
Exclusive: Teaser Poster for PITCH BLACK HEIST + Filmmaker Updates TOUCH OF EVIL
Exclusive: Teaser Poster for PITCH BLACK HEIST + Filmmaker Updates TOUCH OF EVIL A crime thriller set on Halloween night where calamity ensures? Sign me up! Today, Dread Central is thrilled to share the teaser poster for Pitch Black Heist from writer/director Mark Schoonmaker. A trailer should be released soon. Synopsis: On a grim Halloween night in October 1997, Joel Strang a seasoned thief takes his younger siblings – Ellar and Quay under his wing.
Shut In? Shudder Members Make Claustrophobic Horror THE ROOM a Breakout Hit
Shut In? Shudder Members Make Claustrophobic Horror THE ROOM a Breakout Hit The Shudder original movie The Room has become a runaway hit since it debuted on March 12th, easily claiming the top spot as the service’s most-watched Shudder Original film of the year and one of the most-watched Original premieres in the history of the service.
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of TMNT Movie With Co-Creator Kevin Eastman Watch Party Today!
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of TMNT Movie With Co-Creator Kevin Eastman Watch Party Today! It has been 30 years since the first live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie hit theaters. And today, co-creator Kevin Eastman wants to watch the first movie with you.
Overlook Film Festival POSTPONED; Dread Central Offers Platform to Affected Filmmakers
Overlook Film Festival POSTPONED; Dread Central Offers Platform to Affected Filmmakers As the world continues to hunker down during the Coronavirus crisis, we’re receiving word this afternoon that the 2020 Overlook Film Festival has been postponed indefinitely. You can read the organizers’ full statement below.
Housebound Horror Fans Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Paris Catacombs
Housebound Horror Fans Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Paris Catacombs You guys loved our article about The Winchester Mystery House offering virtual tours to housebound aficionados of the paranormal during the Coronavirus crisis. We figured we’d share other virtual tours in an effort to ease the stress of being stuck at home.
Chilling Trailer for Supernature Irish Horror Movie THE PERISHED
Chilling Trailer for Supernature Irish Horror Movie THE PERISHED We’re getting our first look at the supernatural Irish horror movie, The Perished, courtesy of a chilling trailer released by our friends at Arrow in the Head. Give it a spin embedded at the top of the article! The Perished hits VOD platforms beginning April 7th. Synopsis: Sarah Dekker is dealing with the trauma of an abortion. Shunned by her mother and dumped by her boyfriend, she recovers at an old parochial house.
This Day in Horror History: Happy Birthday David Cronenberg
This Day in Horror History: Happy Birthday David Cronenberg Today, we celebrate the birth of a living legend, the Godfather of Body Horror, David Cronenberg, born on this date in 1943. With a career spanning over five decades, his achievements and career highlights can’t be easily summarized. So rather than our usual batch of facts and trivia, enjoy the David Cronenberg retrospective below (produced by Art Regard). Join us in wishing David Cronenberg a very Happy Birthday!
Exclusive Track Premiere: "Vanishing Point" Taken from UP AND VANISHED-Podcast Soundtrack by MAKEUP AND VANITY SET
Exclusive Track Premiere: “Vanishing Point” Taken from UP AND VANISHED–Podcast Soundtrack by MAKEUP AND VANITY SET Grammy-nominated record label Lakeshore Records, the soundtrack partner to Tenderfoot TV, the podcasting powerhouse that’s garnered nearly half a billion downloads, continue to release new soundtracks digitally for their hit podcasts. Recently released digitally are To Live and Die in LA (2/7), Monster: The Zodiac Killer (2/14) and Atlanta Monster (2/21).
Courteney Cox Joins Starz’s Horror Comedy SHINING VALE
Courteney Cox Joins Starz’s Horror Comedy SHINING VALE Starz’s horror-comedy pilot Shining Vale has tapped Scream quadrilogy star, Courteney Cox. It comes to us from Divorce creator Sharon Horgan and Trial & Error co-creator Jeff Astrof who also wrote the pilot which Dearbhla Walsh (The Handmaid’s Tale, Traitors) will direct. It’s about a dysfunctional family that moves from the city to a small town into a house in which terrible atrocities have taken place.
Los Angeles: Join a Live Recording of Horror-Comedy podcast KIM AND KET STAY ALIVE... MAYBE
Los Angeles: Join a Live Recording of Horror-Comedy podcast KIM AND KET STAY ALIVE… MAYBE Kim & Ket Stay Alive… Maybe is a hilarious horror movie podcast that asks, “How would you stay alive?” Each week, best friends and horror movie fans Kim Burns and Ketryn Porter take turns describing a horror movie the other one hasn’t seen, walking them through the plot, and stopping at key points to ask how they would survive – with lots of irrelevant tangents about their personal lives, childhood...
Trailer: THE POSTCARD KILLINGS With Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Trailer: THE POSTCARD KILLINGS With Jeffrey Dean Morgan Danis Tanovic’s adaptation of James Patterson and Liza Marklund’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Postcard Killers hits theaters, on-demand and digital next month. And today we have the trailer and poster for The Postcard Killings with Jeffrey Dean Morgan to share with you.
ANNABELLE Director Conjures Lilith in LULLABY With Oona Chaplin
ANNABELLE Director Conjures Lilith in LULLABY With Oona Chaplin Annabelle and Wish Upon director John R. Leonetti’s new horror movie Lullaby has just snagged it’s lead actress in the form of Game Of Thrones star Oona Chaplin. Deadline reports that the film is based on the mythological figure Lilith, and is rooted in folklore and follows a new mother who discovers a lullaby in an ancient book and soon regards the song as a blessing.
Bath Time Becomes Nightmare Time in Our Exclusive Clip from EVE
Bath Time Becomes Nightmare Time in Our Exclusive Clip from EVE A psychological thriller set in London’s iconic Notting Hill, Eve centers on an actress who fails to land the role of her dreams and becomes obsessed with the woman who gets the part. In our exclusive clip, embedded at the top of the article, a bath becomes a prelude to a nightmare! Give it a spin. Synopsis: Eve follows two actresses fighting for the coveted role of ‘Eve’ in a screen adaptation of ‘Paradise Lost’.
UNDER THE SKIN TV Series In the Works
UNDER THE SKIN TV Series In the Works Sexy Beast and Birth director Jonathan Glazer’s cult sci-fi feature Under The Skin with Scarlett Johansson may be headed our way as a TV series. Evidently, there is a whole back-and-forth going on regarding the rights (read about all that mumbo jumbo HERE) but once it’s all settled, a TV series we shall have.
Exclusive Poster Reveal for EVE, A Horror Movie Set in Knotting Hill
Exclusive Poster Reveal for EVE, A Horror Movie Set in Knotting Hill A psychological thriller set in London’s iconic Notting Hill, Eve centers on an actress who fails to land the role of her dreams and becomes obsessed with the woman who gets the part. Today, Dread Central is thrilled to exclusively debut the film’s poster. Feast your eyes on the chromatic nightmare below. Synopsis: Eve follows two actresses fighting for the coveted role of ‘Eve’ in a screen adaptation of ‘Paradise Lost’.
THE ISLAND OF GIANT INSECTS Anime Film Gets A Live-Action Trailer
THE ISLAND OF GIANT INSECTS Anime Film Gets A Live-Action Trailer A new anime film called The Island of Giant Insects opened in Japan a few days ago, and a very creepy live-action trailer was released on its Japanese website. Using a live-action trailer to promote an animated film is certainly a strange move, although you won’t be forgetting this trailer in a rush, so it seems like the marketing team accomplished their goal.
Trailer: Thomas Jane & Jay Mohr Star in HUNTER'S MOON
Trailer: Thomas Jane & Jay Mohr Star in HUNTER’S MOON A home invasion thriller with unexpected horror twists and turns, Hunter’s Moon arrives on DVD, Digital, and On Demand March 24th from Lionsgate. From director Michael Caissie and an executive producer of Live Free or Die Hard, 16 Blocks, and Hostage and starring Thomas Jane, Jay Mohr, and Sean Patrick Flanery, the Hunter’s Moon DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.
Trailer: "Soul Eaters" Raise Hell in COVENANT
Trailer: “Soul Eaters” Raise Hell in COVENANT This February, they will hide in plain sight. From director Manuel H. Da Silva comes an atmospheric and chilling supernatural horror film to get the New Year started with a scare: Covenant! Give the trailer a spin embedded at the top of the article and peep the synopsis below.
On the Set of BRAHMS: THE BOY 2
On the Set of BRAHMS: THE BOY 2 A few days ago, we posted the first piece of information from our visit to the set of Brahms: The Boy II. In it, I wrote how I, along with the other journalists on set, learned that Brahms’ porcelain mask at the end of the first The Boy was completely done using CGI in post-production. An interesting PR tactic, asking journalists to whet the appetite of readers interested in a sequel by revisiting the first film.
Jonathan Barkan
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Co-Writer Teases Edgar Wright's LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
Co-Writer Teases Edgar Wright’s LAST NIGHT IN SOHO Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho is one of the top genre films we’re looking forward to in 2020. And today, co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns (1917) talked a bit about working with Wright on the film, teasing that it’s “very much a psychological thriller” in the vein of Don’t Look Now, but still feels like an Edgar Wright movie. Specifically, Wilson-Cairns tells Collider: “It’s very much a kind of thriller. It’s very much a psychological thriller.
Learn About the Mask in THE BOY and Check Out an Exclusive Photo From BRAHMS: THE BOY 2
Learn About the Mask in THE BOY and Check Out an Exclusive Photo From BRAHMS: THE BOY 2 We’re in Victoria, BC. It’s a beautiful city, the smell of water and nature hovering in the chilly, early March air. The day before we head to what we’ll learn is an abandoned Canadian Tire acting as the soundstage for Brahms: The Boy II, we few, we happy few, we band of journalists* find ourselves in a restaurant that’s spitting distance from our hotel.
MON MON MON MONSTERS Available on DVD/Blu-Ray 2/4
MON MON MON MONSTERS Available on DVD/Blu-Ray 2/4 RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has picked up select rights to Mon Mon Mon Monsters from Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural. Mon Mon Mon Monsters will be released DVD and Blu-ray on February 4th, 2020.
Kristen Stewart Talks Hardest Part of Filming UNDERWATER
Kristen Stewart Talks Hardest Part of Filming UNDERWATER Director William Eubank’s aquatic horror flick Underwater starring Kristen Stewart hits later this month. And today we have word from Stewart that filming was so hard because they did so much practically so the scares were genuine. She tells EW: “A lot of stuff that we did was super practical. It was fun, it was not hard to do the movie in terms of trying to fantasize and play pretend.
New Trailer: Oz Perkins’ GRETEL & HANSEL Starring Sophia Lillis
New Trailer: Oz Perkins’ GRETEL & HANSEL Starring Sophia Lillis The Blackcoat’s Daughter and I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives in the House director Oz Perkins’ dark new take on the classic Hansel and Gretel fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm will be unleashed into theaters later this month by Orion Pictures. And today we have Gretel & Hansel‘s new trailer starring Sophia Lillis to share with you guys.
ANNIHILATION Author's BORNE Universe Series Coming to AMC
ANNIHILATION Author’s BORNE Universe Series Coming to AMC One of the best horror flicks of the past few years has been director Alex Garland’s adaptation of author Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation. And today Deadline reports that AMC Studios has snatched up the rights to VanderMeer’s Borne universe novels to develop as a potential series. The books all take place within the same mysterious, mind-bending universe. Borne was followed by The Strange Bird and Dead Astronauts which was published today.
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD Adds SCARY STORIES' Zoe Colletti
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD Adds SCARY STORIES’ Zoe Colletti Well, it looks like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark actress Zoe Colletti is joining The Walking Dead spin-off Fear The Walking Dead as a new series regular for the upcoming sixth season. Deadline reports that while no details have been revealed about Colletti’s character, her role will be “pivotal” and “will unfurl as the season progresses.” Are you excited to hear that Fear the Walking Dead has added Zoe Colletti?
CHASING NIGHTMARES Snags Anne Heche & Graham McTavish
CHASING NIGHTMARES Snags Anne Heche & Graham McTavish Producer David Brown’s Clear Horizon recently launched a new genre label called Specter Pictures. And today we’ve learned that the new label’s first film will be writer-director Christopher McGowan’s horror thriller Chasing Nightmares.
Check Out the New Poster for Oz Perkins' GRETEL & HANSEL Starring Sophia Lillis
Check Out the New Poster for Oz Perkins’ GRETEL & HANSEL Starring Sophia Lillis Check out the new poster for Oz Perkins’ Gretel & Hansel starring Sophia Lillis (IT: Chapter Two), Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact) and introducing Sammy Leakey. The terrifying new twist on a classic tale hits theaters everywhere on January 31, 2020. You can also give the teaser a spin embedded at the top of the article.
Ghosts on a Train in Creepy AF Trailer for INFERNUM
Ghosts on a Train in Creepy AF Trailer for INFERNUM Infernum is a ghost story from director Dutch Marich. To be distributed by Indican Pictures, Infernum tells the tale of a mysterious phenomenon, in which sounds portend the appearance of apparitions.Infernum, the Latin word for Hell, stars Suziey Block (Wonder Valley), Clinton Roper Elledge (The Ride), Sarah Schoofs, and Michael Barbuto. And, this horror feature will release this month, on both DVD and Digital platforms.
MORTAL KOMBAT Reboot Star Teases Bloody Battles
MORTAL KOMBAT Reboot Star Teases Bloody Battles Producer James Wan and director Simon McQuoid’s live-action Mortal Kombat is currently shooting. Earlier today, The Raid: Redemption and The Night Comes for Us star Joe Taslim took to Twitter to praise the new film’s “beautifully written” Sub-Zero. And today fellow Mortal Kombat star Lewis Tan also took to Twitter – this time to tease the film’s bloody final battle.
Gunpowder & Sky’s DUST Announces New Sci-Fi Series ALT
Gunpowder & Sky’s DUST Announces New Sci-Fi Series ALT Gunpowder & Sky’s sci-fi label DUST announced today that it has begun production in Albuquerque and Edgewood, New Mexico on a new sci-fi series, Alt, directed by Trevor Stevens (Rock Steady Row) and starring Catherine Parker (The Haunting of Hill House, Lapham Rising), Sam Anderson (Forrest Gump, Water For Elephants), Joseph Lee Anderson (Harriet, American Soul), Travis Hammer (Godless, Ray Donovan), Shiva Negar (American Assassin) and...
CHEAP THRILLS' David Koechner Filming Some VICIOUS FUN
CHEAP THRILLS’ David Koechner Filming Some VICIOUS FUN Well, it looks like Cheap Thrills and Krampus star David Koechner is headed back to our beloved genre with an all-new horror-thriller called Vicious Fun from director Cody Calahan. This news comes to us from The Hollywood Reporter who says the film is currently shooting. Koechner ‘s costars include Julian Richings (Urban Legend), Evan Marsh (Shazam!), Amber Goldfarb (Helix), Robert Maillet (Sherlock Holmes), and Ari Millen (Orphan Black).
ALIEN 3 Retro Pepsi Ad
ALIEN 3 Retro Pepsi Ad Alien 3, director David Fincher’s 1992 sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens, is the definition of a divisive sequel. But today we have a SUPER corny old school Pepsi ad from back when the movie first hit theaters that I’m sure everyone will enjoy.
On Final Chapters And New Beginnings
February 22, 2017, was my first official day at Dread Central. I started with a piece about my love of the French horror thriller The Crimson Rivers. My return to horror writing came after a near-two month absence after my departure from Bloody Disgusting. For two-and-a-half years, I’ve been representing Dread Central first as its Managing Editor and then, as ofAugust 2018, as its Editor-in-Chief.
HARD:LINE 2019: Audience Choice And Melies D'Argent Award Winners Announced
At this year’s HARD:LINE Film Festival in Regensburg, Germany, audiences spent the past several days watching films, both feature-length and short-form, from around the world. From crocodiles in pools to Russian gangsters, monsters in the attic to time-traveling foxes, the wide variety of films gave genre fans something new and exciting with each screening. As is common with film festivals, audience awards were selected for both a feature-length and a short film.
The Horror Movie That Impacted Me The Most: Over 40 Horror Voices Tell Their Story
I think we can all put our finger on the horror moment that sparked the passion we have for this genre. At some point in our past, we saw a movie, read a book, played a game – whatever it might have been – and that was the start of a journey that has yet to cease. For some, that journey began at a very young age. For others, it took a little while longer but is no less impactful. No matter when it happened, that moment lit a fire that cannot be put out.
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