28 Minute Epic

  My friend, Rocco Petrullo, messaged me on Facebook a while back asking me to help him promote an Indiegogo campaign for a "real life superhero action comedy" movie that he co-wrote and was going to co-star in. I posted the link to the Indiegogo page on my wall. Well, today, he got back to me with the website that contains the movie, as well as a behind-the-scenes documentary. Here it is:
28 Minute Epic

  When I watched it, I had no idea what to expect. First off, it's not 28 minutes long. It's a feature length movie. Let me tell you, it is awesome! At times it reminded me of Clerks and the two main characters reminded me a bit of the two leading roles in Shaun of the Dead. Two men get fired from their job, then proceed to have the best worst day of their lives. I actually laughed out loud at several moments during the film. At the end of the film, there's even a Marvel-style hidden teaser scene hinting at a possible sequel.

  When Rocco first told me about the Indiegogo campaign to raise money to make this movie, I literally had 35 dollars to my name. If he needs funds to make the sequel, you can bet I'm going to do everything in my power to help him get it made. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

Campfire Fridays

Arena Cinema, one of Los Angeles’ premiere art house haunts, is proud to announce the launch of “Campfire Fridays,” a brand new monthly event hosted and curated by indie horror filmmaker James Cullen Bressack. The series will kick off on Friday, October 9th, with a midnight screening Bressack is currently keeping under wraps.

On the last Friday of every month, “Campfire Fridays” will host exclusive late-night screenings of horror cinema’s most influential and memorable classics, programmed by one of indie horror’s hottest up-and-coming directors, James Cullen Bressack. Bressack promises a no-holds barred curation to the lineup he'll present with Arena.The intimate Arena Cinema is a perfect Hollywood venue for dedicated horror fans to experience their favorite titles on the big screen once again, and the quiet courtyard (which runs between Arena and the back of The Egyptian Theatre, is an excellent spot for post-film discussions and networking.

“I grew up watching horror movies like a mad man. The films I watched inspired me to want to make movies and greatly influenced me as a filmmaker. It's always been a dream of mine to be able show some of my favorite horror movies to people the way they were meant to be seen, on the big screen. I encourage people to come to these midnight horror movies in their pajamas. It's a midnight horror pajama party!” said James Cullen Bressack. Bressack is one of indie horror’s most prolific young talents, and his most recent release, PERNICIOUS, stunned sold-out crowds earlier this year Arena Cinema. Bressack was recently on the cover of SCREAM horror magazine, and also wrote and directed a number of films, including the acclaimed HATE CRIME, which was banned in the UK, and Blood Lake, which was a top ratings getter for animal planet.

“We're building our reputation at Arena on our relationships with distributors and filmmakers and ultra-indie enthusiasts plus in the programming of the great new genre films we present weekly. The idea to connect with filmmakers and invite curating of retro classics has been a desire for sometime. You can bet they'll be a slew of amazing films Bressack curates for Campfire Fridays in the Fall/Winter and audiences are going to dig it.  We've been waiting for a filmmaker like Bressack to step up and want to do this with us.” said Christian Meoli, Head Programmer and Managing Director of Arena Cinema Hollywood.

In 2014, Arena Cinema Hollywood was named Best Hidden Indie Movie Theater by LA Weekly. The 92 seat single-screen art house oasis is dedicated to showcasing the best in independent film, and recently celebrated its third anniversary at its prestigious Hollywood location. Upcoming titles playing at Arena Cinema Hollywood include the L.A. Premieres of THE CREEPING GARDEN, CONTRACTED: PHASE TWO, DEEB WEB, LISTENING, THE DIABOLICAL, WRECKER, CLINGER, HELLIONS, TOKYO TRIBE, and West Coast Premiere of Michael Madsen's THE VISIT.
Hollywood continues to be an apex of the low budget horror genre business.

Possessions 2

My new anthology, Possessions 2 is now available! I had a lot of really great authors submit some stories that run the gamut of horror, thriller, drama and other genres. My own story is called 'Shooters' and is a continuation of my story from the first Possessions book. This is the first book to be put out by my production company, Third From The Right Productions.

Here is a link so that you can buy it: Possessions 2

Theatre of the Deranged II

THEATRE OF THE DERANGED II  was recently acquired by TROMA for distribution. The film will be released on BLUE - RAY and VOD on October 13, 2015. As of yet, no DVD release is planned.

The is the second installment from Executive Producers James Cullen Bressack (Pernicious, Hate Crime) and Jarret Cohen at Psykik Junky Pictures not only feature's Bressack's film "UNMIMELY DEMISE", and Dustin Mills (Puppet Monster Massacre, Zombie A-hole) Segment entitled "PLATE FACE" but also Shane Ryan (Amateur Porn Star Killer) segment entitled "TAG" Shawn Burkett (The Sleeping Soul) with his segment entitled "PANTY RAID" and Lastly Christopher Leto (The House Wife Slasher) with his segment called "MY AUNT IS COMING TO TOWN"   The entire anthology is hosted by Eric Hollerbach as his character Damien Shadows PI.

Check out the trailer to keep you excited for the release:Trailer

Here is an official Synopsis: "Damien Shadows introduces you to 5 blood curdling horror films, all of which are actually enchanted and or cursed. Damien shows you how to ward off the spirits after each terrifying tale in this anthology. From demented sisters, to panty raids gone wrong, to killer mimes and bad periods, this film will take you on one wild ride!"

Here is the link to the IMDB: IMDb page

Here is a link to preorder the film: Preorder link

Entering HELL by Milo Spires

Entering Hell [Part One] by milo spires Set in 1983, the priest is deeply troubled by a vision that he had at the end of the last book, The Dark Messenger. It told the story of the Earth dying and his unborn child Jenny being murdered. As he riffles through the Ponerology sections of age old evil books in his basement, the idea of the two vampires called Kaine and Regina existing appears in his mind. Racing out the door of his office, he leaps into his old Datsun Cherry and pulls out of the car park intent on finding them. Meanwhile in Paris at a convention in the Palace de Versailles, Kaine and Regina who have been invited to discuss the recent kidnappings of Vampires from Romania, find their lives soon to be turned upside down. Outside genetically modified WW2 criminals, armed with MX1 tranquiliser darts are waiting for them to leave. Fast paced and full of demonic action.

You can get a copy for yourself right here! Entering HELL by Milo Spires

New Retribution Trailer

Here is the brand new trailer for Retribution!

Retribution Trailer

Abed on Vimeo

Abed on IMDb

Since its first posting last Friday evening, we've totaled almost 600 plays. Thank you all for watching it, sharing it, and commenting on it.

Haven't seen it yet? Well, there's no time like the present.

WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC CONTENT. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.
The dead have risen ... and in one small, Midwestern town, the residents have learned to cope as best they can.

Meggie lost her husband, Quint, during the early days of the undead uprising. She now lives a life of quiet horror and desperation, for her mother-in-law will do anything to help the family adjust to this new world. Even the unspeakable ..
runtime: 50 min

"Abed," by two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author Elizabeth Massie, was first published in 1992, within the pages of STILL DEAD: BOOK OF THE DEAD 2. Edited by John Skipp & Craig Spector, STILL DEAD was the sequel to their worldwide bestselling BOOK OF THE DEAD anthology. The BOOK OF THE DEAD series were collections of short stories set in the universe of George A. Romero's original zombie trilogy ("Night of the Living Dead," "Dawn of the Dead" & "Day of the Dead.")

"Abed" has been adapted for the screen by award-winning writer/director Ryan Lieske (CLEAN BREAK, DOWN TO SLEEP, REMOTION). "Abed" was produced by the late Bram Stoker Award-nominee Phillip Nutman, author of WET WORK and CITIES OF NIGHT. Nutman also co-wrote and co-produced the acclaimed film version of JACK KETCHUM'S THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and was a longtime contributor to FANGORIA magazine. Jenny Lasko, who worked with Lieske on the short film DOWN TO SLEEP, also produced.

The film stars Rachel Finan and Daniel E. Falicki. Finan is an actress, dancer and performer who regularly tours the country as part of the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. Falicki is the director of the award-winning cult classic G.R.30k, along with AWAKEN THE DEVIL, AEON: THE LAST VAMPYRE, and many other films. And, making her film debut, is Vicki Deshaw-Fairman, in the role of Mama Randolph.

The film won Best Feature at the 2012 Buried Alive Horror Film Festival, the Gold Award for Best Picture at the 2013 Blue Water Film Festival, and the Radical Film Award at the 2012 Thriller! Chiller! Festival. It has played at several other festivals around the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ELIZABETH MASSIE AND HER WORK, PLEASE VISIT elizabethmassie.com

Ryan Lieske and Familiar Productions can be reached at
ryan@familiarproductions.com

Abed on Vimeo