NEW CONTEST! WIN SOME SWAG!

Are you looking for some funny, 80's, or Vintage t-shirts? Are you looking for Horror themed t-shirts? Well my little reaplings, your in luck! The awesome people over at Nachomamatees.com is giving one lucky DBH winner the chance to pick ANY shirt off their site $15 or under (Most of the shirts are, the site has amazing prices)! As a sample, they sent me the shirt you see above, The Camp Crystal Lake Counselor shirt (which is under $15 by the way)! It's light weight but not cheap, the lettering is beautifully done and it's made to last! Believe me, these shirts are amazing and now you'll have the chance to own one of your own! Heres the rules and how to enter:

Leave a comment with your name, email address, and tell me what shirt you would choose from Nachomamatees.com if you won! You must Become a fan of Crazydog tees (the owners of the site) on facebook (CLICK HERE) and for extra entries you can post a comment on the Facebook page (mention the DBH contest!) and signup on their email list (CLICK HERE). Let me know in the comments that you've done these! The winner will be chosen at random on July 21! So get entering and good luck!

***If you have won a shirt from Nachomamatees.com or Crazydogtshirts.com in the last 90 day in any other contest, you are ineligible!***

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - Nemesis (Book Review)

NEMESIS is the first novel in The Immortal War trilogy, beginning with the first days after the resurrection of an insane amnesiac deity called Nemesis and the soul imprisoned within him. His encounters with a vampire named Lamia lead him on a journey to discover the truth about who and what he really is, and why he was resurrected.

Suzi M weaves a tale of passion and horror that leaves the reader craving more. In this book, the first of a trilogy, she introduces us to Nemesis and Lamia, two characters that Suzi breaths life into and makes you want to learn more about. This isn't your average Vampire fare with just biting and blood, but a supernatural look at the world of these night creatures filled with lust, action, and even talking Gargoyles (I giggled when I read this part, it reminded me of that old cartoon with the talking gargoyles)! The story does leave you with a lot of questions at the end, but remember this is the first in a trilogy so a cliffhanger is to be expected. It's a very well done first novel with only a few minor errors throughout. It's full of mystery and suspense and I would definitely recomend it. You can check it out HERE.

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - In the Dominican

Alan works at a resort. He has a nice, stable life. But one day, his brother Hector goes missing. Knowing Hector has ties to the criminal world, Alan must speak to Carl Len, an expat from the U.S. As the conversation unfolds between Alan and Carl, it becomes clear that Alan's brother Hector is in over his head. What Alan doesn't realize is soon enough, he may be too just from walking in the door.

This short film is surprisingly full of drama and suspense, yet it's only 15 minutes long. It's not really a horror short, but more of a crime drama/thriller that has an atmosphere that leaves you on the edge of your seat as you watch. It's well shot, well written, and the acting isn't too shabby either. The story itself is a straight forward thriller plot that I've seen done before, but somehow it remains fresh and interesting. The film has a great ending that leaves you wanting to see more of what these film makers can do. I would love to see this as a feature indie film one day. If you want to learn more about the film, check out it's IMDB page HERE.

I have a new blog!

Hey everyone! It's Rhonny here. I've been really getting into writing short horror stories and wanted to make a place to share news and updates about my current projects and where I can share news about my author friends, So I created http://rhonnyreaper.blogspot.com/! I hope you can all take a minute to head over and check it out (maybe give it a follow?). I've got a lot a sweet things lined up for me author wise and I can't wait to share it with all of you! If it wasn't for all you readers out there, DBH wouldn't exist so Thank you! I hope you continue all your wonderful support, I'll have some killer reviews and giveaways for you all here very soon!
Sending Deadly Kisses,
Rhonny Reaper

Predators - Splurge of the Week

By: Brandon Sites of http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/

Group of elite soliders with a wimpy doctor in tow are placed in the middle of a foreign jungle as the prey for a group of alien predators.

Reboot of the popular, though generally uneven, Predator franchise. The cast brings some much needed edge to their roles with Adrien Brody having one of his better roles since The Pianist, but lacks a presence as commanding as Arnold Scchwarzenegger in the original. Exciting, but drags at times which Alien vs. Predator- Requiem certainly didn't. Has some heart stopping suspense, but this element isn't as strong as the original. There is some humor, but that cheapens the overall effect of the movie. The score which is overbearing and over the top at times reminds one of a B movie. The predators find all kinds of carnage to get invovled in, but it doesn't have the same impact or chilling quality of the original. The predators have a new design (though the classic predator appears for the first time since the original), but they lack the innovation of the alien/predator hybrid of AVP-Requiem or the mysterious quality of the original. An entertaining ride, but serves as a reminder of how other films in the franchise were better, especially the first film.

Dollar Bin Film:Frightmare

By Eric Polk of http://anotherdescentinto.blogspot.com

This week, I go across the pond to view the 1974 Pete Walker film, Frightmare. In it, I'm promised love, honor, and cannibalism. Well...once again, my hopes have been dashed. In an isolated farmhouse, one Dorothy Yates lives with her husband Edmund following an eighteen year stint at a different sort of farm for killing and eating the flesh of her victims(off-screen).

The cycle begins anew as the Brit's answer to Paula Dean secretly secures young people to her place in Surrey with the promises of tea and tarot...hmmm sounds so utterly a British novel). Naturally, the readings end of murder and a prime time feast(off-screen). .

Meanwhile, another stepdaughter(Debbie)is hanging out with a bike gang. As she does, Debbie also begins arguing about where her sister(Jackie) goes at night. Well turns out, good ol' Jackie is hanging with the 'rents back on the farm since she has developed a taste for man tartar which leads to Debbie and her boyfriend running out the countryside to be reunited with the fam.

Of course, they soon realize something is afoot in Surrey.

The main problem with this film is while it's only 90 mins long, the first half is really nothing but turtle-slow buildup that makes one wonder if the rest of the movie is worth the effort. Well, actually it is. We see the blood and gore cranked up a notch as the old lady uses a drill and pitchfork quite well.

The acting is average, if not a bit above. The storyline of the family is a bit soapy but manageable. Quite frankly, I was surprised by the amount of violence the makers of this film were able to getaway with given the hardcore prudish standards of the British censors at the time. If you can get through the first 45 mins of this, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

7/10

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - Salvage (Screener Review)

Christmas Eve, and the residents of a quiet British cul-de-sac are suddenly plunged into a world of violence, terror and paranoia when a group of heavily armed military personnel storm their road ordering them at gunpoint to retreat inside their homes.
Unsure if this is the sign of a terrorist attack, or something much worse, one local mother finds it in herself to desperately fight to save her estranged daughter stranded across the street. However, with growing dread, the residents soon discover that the threat is more monstrous than any of them could possibly imagine, and survival is no longer a guarantee...

This was a film that pulled me into the story and kept me in it till the end (although the end left me wanting a bit more). The story is very well written, it's acted pretty good, and when there is a gore scene, it's very well done and not cheesy at all. The main character's reaction to her daughter's predicament is very strong and passionate, although I felt she should have taken less time to snoop around and more time looking for her (yet again another film that left me yelling at the screen!). The buildup of suspense is really good and it's one of the few indie films I've seen that I felt had a real horror atmosphere throughout. It has certain scenes that make the hair on the back of your hair stand on end. It really had a bit of everything I love in good horror films (suspense, emotion, action, gore, and a great story) all rolled into a single film. Sure it had it's flaws (a bit slow at times) but overall it's one of the best indie horror flicks I've seen and deserves a look. Check it out HERE!

Contest Winner!

And the Winner of an Autographed copy of Voyeur Dead is.... Matthew C. Watts with the line "She's Gumming Me to Death!!" from Flight of the Living Dead! Congrats! Look in your inbox soon for instructions on how to claim your prize!

Twitch of the Death Nerve - Splurge of the Week

My associate writer, Troy, just recently wrote a piece on Italian horror and it's impact ( http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/2010/07/italian-horror-and-its-impact.html ) and other blogs have been writing about it a lot lately, so I thought it was time that I include a review on my favorite modern Italian horror film - Twitch of the Death Nerve.

A chain reaction of murders is set off when the residents of a small island start killing one another in an effort to commerically develop the island for themselves. A group of partying teens get caught up in the ordeal unfolding.

Influential, extravagant slasher from legendary horror director Mario Bava doesn't really make a whole lot of sense and is pretty much one gory killing after another, but it really doesn't matter. On it's own terms a tremendous success and the frontrunner to the slasher movement. The killings come fast and furious making one wonder as to how the next person is going to meet their maker. The direction and editing is dazzling featuring all kinds of innovative little tricks. The use of color is absolutely striking creating images and moments that linger long after the film is over with. The lush score gives the film an unexpected bit of sophistication. And to top it all off, the film has a perfectly wicked sense of humor with the film's best gag saved for last.

Usually, I perfer my films a bit more linear, but this is definately one exception as it takes everything I love about horror films and throws it all into one package. This isn't just my favorite Italian horror film, but it also ranks in my top 25 horror films of all time. A masterpiece of contemporary horror cinema.

AKA Carnage
AKA Bay of Blood
AKA The Last House on the Left, Part II

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight: Floating Dragon

By Eric Polk of http://anotherdescentinto.blogspot.com

Initially, I had intended to do an entire spotlight on perhaps one of the most overlooked writers of the horror genre, one Peter Straub. However after reviewing my library, I realized I only have read four of the man's novels, thus I felt I wouldn't be able to do him any justice. So instead, I'll review perhaps his greatest novel, Floating Dragon.(With all due respect to the wonderful Ghost Story)

Floating Dragon takes place in the affluent suburb of Hampstead, Connecticut during the spring and summer of 1980. Two evils threaten the sleepy village, one a creation of mankind, the other a malevolent presence ready to manifest itself after a thirty-year slumber.

The book gets off to a bloody good start when a local housewife is murdered by a mysterious man whom she met at a bar that previous afternoon. Meanwhile, the desperate housewife's hubby, is involved in an accident at a chemical plant as he works on a secret project for the Department of Defense. The accident releases a sentient nerve gas(the malevolent presence) across the area.

At the same time, a former childhood actor and wife return home from a 12-year stint in London and become connected with the MALEVOLENT PRESENCE while a retired writer looks back into discover what the MALEVOLENT PRESENCE actually is and how it got here in the first place.

Slowly, surely, Hampstead falls apart as people die bloody deaths and the town itself falls into suburban decay.

So why do I feel this is so good? Simply put, all the classic elements of a good horror tale are here. Strong characters, intelligent(if not a bit long-winded at times) writing, a hide-under-the covers monster. I also love the chaos and the descent Hampstead endures as the MALEVOLENT PRESENCE rains destruction on those who oppose it.

To be honest with you, Floating Dragon is a book that out-Kings Stephen King. It is almost 600 pages, so don't expect to get through this in one sitting. Sadly, this was Peter Straub's last true foray into supernatural fiction and perhaps his last true good story(then again I've only read four of his tales so maybe I shouldn't be hasty in my assessment).

9.5/10

Cornered starring James DuVal and Steve Guttenberg - Five Dolla Mistake

By: Brandon Sites ( http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/




Steve Guttenberg? Horror? A horror film with Steve Guttenberg? I should've known better! Surprisingly though, Guttenberg isn't the weak link here.

A group of characters playing Texas Hold Em after hours in a convience store are stalked and slashed by a killer. The catch is they are done in the same way in which they said they would murder off a killer if they ever saw one.

The plotting is what does this one in. One character goes to investigate a strange noise and is killed off. Another character goes to investigate and is killed also. The process continues to repeat itself untill only two characters are left. In the process, the element of suspense is removed since the outcome of the film's proceedings is foregone. Tries to take a few chances towards the films final mins., but by then it is too little too late. Only thing saving this film from being a complete failure is James DuVal managing to bring his edgy style of acting in an otherwise bland and boring film. Even still, it's not enough to make this even ok view or time killer. A film in which they put too little effort into.