Anxiety Films, LLC

News From the Dark Side

Amanda By Night

June 2005

News from the Other Side:

Again, I am sad to report the loss of these following artists:

Ed Kelleher – The name may not ring a bell, but Ed’s been involved in some of the more interesting grindhouse features of the 60’s and 70s. A well regarded playwright, Ed began his B-movie travels by co-penning such deliciously titled drive-in favorites Invasion of the Blood Farmers, Shriek of The Mutilated and Prime Evil (the last two were made with B-movie icon Roberta Findlay. Ed died May 14 of natural causes at his home in Fairfax, VA. He was 61.

Lane Smith – Best known, and loved, as Perry White, editor of the Daily Planet on Lois and Clark, Lane was no stranger to genre fare, and was a welcome face in various Movie of the Week thrillers such as A Death in Caanan, City in Fear and the incredible Dark Night of the Scarecrow, which also starred Charles Durning. Lane died after a valiant battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease on June 13th. We love you Lane. Rest in Peace.

Dana Elcar – Another staple of the TVM thriller genre, Dana Elcar is best remembered as MacGyver’s boss, Peter Thornton. He actually went blind during the show’s run and the writers added his disability to the storyline, allowing him to continue working. This robust actor was a welcome face in various TV Movies such as The Death of Me Yet, Dying Room Only and Panic on the 5:22. Dana died on June 6th from complications from pneumonia. He will certainly be missed.

Daniel Sales – Film producer responsible for such questionable mainstream fare as the recent Alone in the Dark and the other Uwe Boll theatrical opus House of the Dead. A Brown University Graduate, Daniel made some interesting films in his day, including the odd but entertaining Skinner starring Ted Raimi, as well as I Woke Up Early the Day I Died starring Billy Zane. Daniel died May 27th at 46 years old.

Mainstream Films that want to Be Indie News:

Hold up! It’s official, they are remaking everything. Keep your eyes peeled for a re-imagining of Piranha! Funny, since it was already been given the remake treatment in 1995 for cable television, but since Hollywood is that unimaginative, it’s no real surprise. No word on casting yet, but I can’t wait to see who they’ll get to play Bradford Dillman’s character (he cannot be replaced!).

Look for Project Greenlight’s Feast to finally see the light of day in January. I for one can’t wait!

New Line Cinema is prepping Darksiders, a vampire thriller and Jonathan Hensleigh (The Punisher) has just been signed on to direct. Darksiders is a tale of vampires who are also special operative for the FBI?!?

The REAL Indie News:

Wow! This looks great: Scarred is a dark tale of abuse and violent revenge – just check out the awesome gallery of photos! I will keep you up to date on this one!

Here’s another indie that looks pretty cool: Stump The Band

Looks like our favorite little exploitation DVD distributor is releasing the following:

A great Women in Prison spoof Prison-A-Go-Go is set for release on July 26th from Shock-O-Rama label. I saw this goofy little slapstick comedy, ironically enough at Eric’s Shock-a-Go-Go fest, and I can honestly say it’s one of the funniest indie movies I’ve seen this year (and I’ve seen plenty!).

Also, look for the Criminally Insane/Satan’s Black Wedding double disc to be unleashed on an unsuspecting audience on September 13th.

Get more info on both titles and more at Shock-O-Rama

If you see any Giant-Monster-Nuns-From-Hell-Lesbian-Tryst-Comedy-Thriller this year, let it be Halfway House, directed by the infinitely talented Kenneth Hall (Nightmare Sisters, Evil Spawn). Set to be released on August 23rd on the Ventura label, this is coming out in both an R rated and unrated cut. Trust me, get the unrated. Featuring commentary with Kenneth Hall and producer Ed Polgardy as well as a music video from Insecto Circus and some other goodies, it’s a DVD worth owning. Check out the kickass website here: Halfway House Official Site. You can access my interview with Kenneth through the site or you can just click here: Kenneth Hall Interview

More Shameless Self Promotion Plug: Ted Newsom sent me this little bit of info on a movie I’m making a cameo in:

“While shooting at California's 2005 Fangoria Con with scream queen Debbie Rochon for their indie comedy Icon, producers Brinke Stevens and Ted Newsom needed cooperative "atmosphere talent" to do a cutaway shot. Not just any clutch of fans in black T-shirts would do, so they corralled a dozen friends and co-workers.

The group included Bryan Moore, (star & director of the award- winning Lovecraft adaptation Cool Air), Tempe Video bombshell Lilith Stabs (Malefic, Zombiegeddon), genre scribe, actress and force of nature (and Anxiety Films contributor) Heidi Martinuzzi (Cerebral Print, Slaughter Party), flame-haired actress/producer Ariauna (Witchhouse, Horrorvision) Albright, producer Dave Sterling (Witchcraft series, Demonicus), plus directors Dan Golden (Naked Obsession, Burial of the Rats) and Ken Hall (Clown at Midnight, Nightmare Sisters). This holds the record for the most notable group of genre "extras" ever assembled for a one-shot gag in a low-budget romantic screwball comedy -- an admittedly small niche category. (Note: this is the scene I appear in as well. Though not as iconic as though mentioned, I’m working on it!)

Brinke Stevens stars in a dual role as a sultry art thief and a nerdy innocent. Troma veteran Debbie Rochon plays a scatterbrained transsexual dressed like Carmen Miranda on acid, complete with fruit hat. The supporting cast includes Gerald Brodin (America 101, Single White Female 2) and Rachelle Williams (Sin by Murder, Expendable). Other locations for the film included Sedona, Arizona, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Valarta, at sea aboard a cruise ship, and in the sky in a biplane. The film is currently in post- production.”

Looking Good Ted! We’ll keep our eyes peeled!

I recently spoke to Jay Ingram, producer of the indie horror film, Rave On. His film has kind of a casting coup; David Naughton and Wyatt Knight (Tommy Turner from Porky’s!) are starring in this movie about Native Americans, Raves and a spiritual fight to the death. Here’s what Jay told me about it:

“The movie Rave On is about an American Guru who is involved in the Rave culture. Wyatt comes looking for his daughter while David Naughton is the Zen Detective, a man who has awakened and now helps others. The movie is the battle of drugs, sex and rock and roll and the "new" spirituality. It's dark and sensual but highly entertaining and
a "mind" eroticator. Wyatt and David are fantastic. We will keep you posted. Editing is now in progress.”

Jay promises to keep us up to date on this very interesting project.

The Retro Minute

Phantom of Mall: Eric’s Revenge

“Look what you did to me!”

OK, that quote comes late into the film, but it’s a doozy. Phantom of the Mall should have been one of those movies that isn’t as entertaining as it ends up being. But this tale of love and revenge is pretty fun, not to mention it captures that little part of the late 80s when the newly hyphenated words stone-washed meant something good!

Basically a modern exploitation re-imagining of Phantom of the Opera (duh!), this time the protagonist is a teenage girl with no creative talent; instead she has a knack for holding down two jobs at the newly built mall. The mall, by the way, now stands where Eric’s home once was. Seems some unscrupulous types wanted the property so they could put up said mall and torched Eric’s house, leaving him for dead. Unbeknownst to everyone in town, Eric has been hiding out in the mall’s ventilation system, scarred and very angry. Where he lived before the mall was constructed is beyond me, but should I really be asking such thought provoking questions when watching something titled Phantom of the Mall? Uh, I think not…

A pretty silly idea executed with only mediocre results, this movie still manages to maintain an enjoyable vibe thanks to the fine cast, many of whom went on to work in far more fabulous projects. Just look at the roster of famous (and infamous) actors including Ken Foree, Morgan Fairchild, Rob Estes and Pauley Shore. Fans of late 80s horror will also recognize Derek Rydall as Eric himself. Derek was the hot hunk of such low budget fare as Popcorn and the underrated Night Visitor before fading into obscurity. He’s not given much to do here except simulate sex with Playboy Playmate Kari Whitman and scream the above referenced quote. And Unfortunately, he plays a scarred mutant here so the ladies don’t get much of a chance to ogle his lovely face. Mores the pity for that…

Not currently available on DVD in the United States, Phantom of Mall can probably be found on vhs lurking around your local mom and pop video store… Ah, weren’t those the days?

ARCHIVES

May 2005

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