Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - Our Days Are Numbered (Screener Review)

A short film surrounding "found footage" taking place during a zombie outbreak.

This short was an entertaining film to watch, though not without it's flaws. It has a nice fast actioned pace and an opening scene that grabs your attention before the actual film even starts. Actually, the opening sequence in which what appears to be a US solider is in front of the camera is probably my favorite part. The special effects are very well done and the camera work is pretty good; not too shaky but not overly still. The downfall of the film for me though was the acting. I felt the characters should have been more frightened than they appeared (especially the woman). It almost felt as if they were trying to remember their lines (The main male character in particular). It wasn't the worst I've seen, but If it would have been just a bit stronger, I would have really loved this film. But even with it's flaws, it's definitely worth taking a look and I would recommend you give it a try!

The Director and star, Coven Delacruz , was nice enough to answer a few questions.

Q: What inspired you to make "Our Days are Numbered"?

A: I was inspired to make our days are numbered for several reasons. These reasons tie together. One is George romero and his film night of the living dead. George is the godfather of zombie films. Second reason why is as a zombie fan, I wanted to try and add a twist to change up zombie films.

Q: Could you tell us a bit about the filming process?

A: Well the film process is a really long process, but worth it in the end. You start with pre-production: you have to start with a script, then figure out your budget, storyboards, cast for roles, get your crew. Second part is filming. Third is post production which is editing your film. Color treatment, visual efx ect.

Q: What else are you working on?

A: I'm working on alot right now. I'm working on the days before which is the prequel feature to our days are numbered. Seal 13 which is a supernatural film about angels and demons.in production a serial killer film, trick or eat anthology (the dare, the perfect drug, it sucks.the pledge, several others I can't announce yet). Also several music videos and conventions.

Q: Where can we learn more about this film and your other projects?

A: You can checkout my work at www.condemnedproduction.com, http://www.myspace.com/condemnedproduction, and http://hauntspace.com/condemnedproductions

Inception - Splurge of the Week

By: Brandon Sites - Make sure to sign up for my giveaway of the film Sutures
 http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/2010/07/who-wants-to-win-free-copy-of-sutures.html

I know. I know. It isn't horror, but I figured most people would appreciate a review of this film. Leo and company are a group of thieves who invade the dreams of high profile figures in order to steal info. from them. However, their latest client wants them to implant a memory into the son of a energy heavyweight so that he will dissolve the company. Did the film make complete and utter sense throughout? No, not really, but who cares? When you have as much striking imagery or breath taking visuals as this film had it really doesn't matter. Then you have that giant cast including the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Lukas Haas, and many more familiar faces to keep you entertained. Even at a 150+ minutes, there is always something happening to keep you on the edge of your seat. That could be buildings falling apart at a whim, guns ablazing, plot twists galore, award worthy special effects that will probably be immated for a long time to come, emotional resonance with the film's characters- the list just goes on and on. The only complaint I had about this film is the film's few final seconds that felt like a bit of a cheat, though it certainly got the auidence talking. That is only a minor complaint in a film that runs 2.5 hours+ and manages to provide one the best adrenaline rushes, film wise, that has been seen in awhile though. Highly recommanded.

Dollar Bin Film:Invasion of the Body Snatchers(1978)

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

I debated reviewing this movie on dbh. Technically, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is neatly catergorized as sci-fi. Yet, this 1978 Philip Kaufman-directed remake of the 1956 film has plenty of horrific elements in it to be, in my opinion, a cross-genre film. A well-made, cross-genre film which is a remake!(gasp!)

The film begins when an ameoba-looking species travel millions of miles(somehow surviving the freezing, airless black void of space) to our rock in the solar system. Though a rainstorm, these creatures land on trees and plants, forming tiny little pods(not iPods, kids). And then it begins. The next day, people start acting very strange, souless, distant.

This piques the interest of a San Francisco health inspector(played by Jack Bauer's real-life father Donald Sutherland) and his friend/colleague/would be romantic interest Elizabeth. The assimilated aliens start taking over the city by the bay, causing fear and mistrust in the health inspector's group which includes a writer(Jeff Goldblum), his wife,and a shrink(played by SPOCK!!!!!!!!) in addition to folks who believe their loved ones have been possessed by these extra-terrestrials.

Needless to say, cries of help to federal and state agencies go unanswered as it becomes obvivious the vistors are winning so it's up to the inspector and his gal pal to destroy the lab in which the pods are being grown. A betrayal takes places amongest the group thanks to SPOCK!!!! Luckily, the gang escapes but unfortnately, it's too late for writer guy who valiently gives health inspector and friend time to escape.

Another piece of bad news happens to poor Elizabeth so it's up to the Inspector Man to finish the task. The ending is a memoriable piece of film-making(at least for 1978).

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a great example of a remake done right. It's not wash, rinse, and repeat. Instead, it leaves it's own stamp. It's very gory, well-acted, and will hold your interest if you prefer substance over style in your cross-genre film. Do yourself a favor however reader. Watch the original and read the novel by Jack Finney before viewing this. 8.5/10

Edge of the Axe -Dollar Bin Film

In honer of the "Obscure Horror Month" that I am running on my own site, I wanted to do a post about an obscure horror film that costs a $1 or less! Also, make sure to check out Eric's guest post on The Children ( http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/2010/07/children-obscure-horror-month.html ) or Rhonny's on Cathy's Curse ( http://www.bigdaddyhorrorreviews.com/2010/07/cathys-curse-obscure-horror-month.html ) while you are at it. Cathy's Curse can found in dollar bins nationwide and The Children can be viewed for free through Troma's offical site.

Anyway, for my pick, I choose Edge of the Axe. The plot concerns the women of a small town meeting gruesome ends by a killer wearing a white mask who has a fetish for axes. While not the most outright original slasher to have ever come out, it does feature strong sequences in which we see the killer selecting his next victim and then stalking them in shadowy hallways or in hidden spots out of view to the victim. The film expertly enagages the viewer in horror foreplay building plenty of suspense throughout. You know sometimes it isn't all about the climax, but what leads up to it and the film nails it in that regard. The climax isn't weak at all by any means though. The film's final plot twist is geniunely surprising and works well within the context of the story. Underrated and underseen with two appealing young leads.

This entire movie is available for FREE via http://www.youtube.com/ where it is put into either 9 or 10 seperate videos. So I hope you enjoy! (Part 1 is enclosed)

Dollar Bin Film:Zombie

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

Ok, my turn to share my favorite Italian horror film. By a razor-thin margin over Suspiria, it's Lucio Fulci's 1979 classic Zombi 2 a.k.a Zombie.

Why is it named Zombi 2 over in Italy? Over in said country, Zombi (the first one) was, in fact, George Romero's originial Dawn of the Dead. To capitalize on the success, Mr. Fulci commissioned himself to create a Zombie Apocalypse-style film and what a film it is.

The theme, the gore, the Caribbean island in which a portion of this was filmed, the cinematography. Basically, it begins with a dead man wrapped in a bedsheet and rope rising from his death and getting shot in the head. An apparently abandoned yacht drifts out to New York Harbor, host to a huge ghoul who proceeds to snack on some patrolman neck(by that, I mean he shreds not bites...this isn't a vampire film!)

The daughter of the man who owns the boat is called on the scene and of course, knows zip. Along the way, a reporter is sent to investigate the tragedy of the Love Yacht. A note is found aboard which sparks the idea of daughter and would-be Bernstein to head to the cursed island of Martool where her father wrote of contracting a strange disease.

They hitch a ride with a couple and one of the most well-known scenes in the film involving a zombie and Jaws(let's say for the sake of film continuity, 2.5?) takes place. After surviving the experience, the four wind up on the island where the zombie attacks have gone on for sometime.

In the end, the island's inhabitants succumb(one very famously) to the monsters and the survivors beat retreat back home where another invasion is about to take place.

All I can say is WATCH THIS!!!! It is in my opinion, the greatest zombie movie ever(with apologies to original Night of the Living Dead). This is a horror film done right.

10/10