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Mike Flanagan's decades-spanning Letterboxd list "Favorite Horror Movies" would make a great primer for new genre fans, but it also holds some hidden gems that may surprise seasoned viewers. 2013's Banshee Chapter is a startlingly effective sci-fi thriller that pushed the boundaries of found footage verite as the first movie released for the Oculus Rift. However, even fans without the groundbreaking VR rig are in for some major 2D scares in this clever, reality-warping fright fest.

Virtual reality seems like a natural next step for the found footage genre, which relies on a sense of documentary-like immersion. In addition to being shot with VR in mind, Banshee Chapter integrates historical realities like the notorious Project MKUltra, and a certain counterculture icon, to create an oddly convincing sci-fi fantasy that is every bit as frightening on the small screen as it is in the Oculus Rift.

Related 20 Years Before Ready Player One,...

The Hills Have Eyes 2. No, not that one. That’s The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 and has one of the greatest things ever filmed where a dog, an actual dog, has a flashback and its just, muah, chef’s kiss. While I actually think that original 1985 sequel is way too much fun for its own good – it was written and directed by Craven, brings back Michael Berryman, has Harry Manfredini give us the score, and oh yeah, has a dog flashback. A Dog, Flashback – I’m not here to talk about that one that is probably so bad it’s good. I’m here to discuss the true black sheep of this inbred mountain family and give you all a look at the movie that is not a remake of the sequel but rather a sequel to the remake. The Hills Have Eyes 2 (watch it Here) is a...

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about lotsa shows including The Golden Bachelor, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Frasier and Dancing With the Stars!

What made you more nostalgic: reviewing TVLine’s ranking of Nickelodeon shows, or remembering everything that the late Marty Krofft created with his brother Sid?

More from TVLineRatings: Golden Bachelor Finale Delivers 33-Month Audience High for FranchiseGolden Bachelor Finale Recap: Did the Right Woman Get Gerry's Final Rose? Plus, We've Got a Wedding Date!Squid Game: The Challenge Recap:...

Whether you are heading out on a road trip, flying to your destinations, or just taking some time off, the holiday lull is a great opportunity to nerd out with podcasts.

And for spooky nerds — those who prefer to tune in to topics of the strange and unusual, and get weird with lore and scary stories — there is an abundance of paranormal-themed shows out there. The entire Aaron Mahnke universe, including the hit Lore, routinely delivers. Other well-known shows that consistently chart strong, such as Jim Harold’s The Paranormal Podcast, The Last Podcast on the Left, Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Radio Rental, and Monsters Among Us, are all worth listening to.

But might we suggest a few more that should be on your radar? Below is a list of some of our favorite paranormal podcasts to listen to this winter. These are shows we love...

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was a ground-breaking show that showcased a protagonist's struggle with mental health, relationships, and friendships. On top of this, there were amazing songs and great dance numbers in this musical-drama-comedy. It was an all-together stellar cast, one that worked so well.

Related: 10 Best Lyrics in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 

Some of the actors were already fairly well-known like Santino Fontana (the voice of Hans in Frozen) and Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) who both played Greg. Others were part of once-popular series like Michael McMillian (True Blood), who played Tim. Yet, other actors were relatively unknown before Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, at least through popular and mainstream media. Here are the top ten, but every actor deserves a nod to their talented work.

1982: General Hospital's Bryan visited his father.

1988: Guiding Light's Rick had an epiphany on his wedding day.

1997: Another World's Felicia removed her bandages.

2004: Guiding Light's Reva told Cassie that Jb was Jonathan."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1953: On Hawkins Falls, May Shipley (Vivian Lasswell) came to Dr. Floyd Corey (Maurice Copeland) for help with a problem. Meanwhile, Sue Riga (Toni Gilman) tore into Mitch Fredericks (Jim Bannon). Hugh Downs was the announcer for the show at this time.

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Delia Ryan (Ilene Kristen) accused Jillian Coleridge (Nancy Addison) of...

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-creators Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna made a stop at Comic-Con today to talk about their CW comedy’s “self-imposed” upcoming final season.

In a discussion led by series co-star Michael McMillian, McKenna reaffirmed that the four seasons had been mapped out from the onset. “The very end, the last scene has always been the same,” she said. “Generally directionally we knew what every chapter of the four was going to be.”

Added star Bloom: “That’s why it’s four very specific seasons because each season has a different angle of looking at the title of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” She said later that the series was “a finite story” about a “very specific period in a young woman’s life. … We’re telling a 62-hour movie ”

On the topic of Season 4, Bloom shared that the “season is all about putting together the pieces. It’s about taking...

CBS Television Studios presents the exclusive world premiere screenings of its new series Charmed and Magnum P.I. at San Diego Comic-Con. As previously announced, cast and producers of Star Trek: Discovery will beam into Hall H for a look back on season one and tease what’s ahead for season two.

The Studio will also present Crazy Ex-girlfriend in its first-ever Comic-Con appearance featuring a tell-all panel discussion with series co-creators to celebrate the final season. Also, CBS All Access will host a special marathon screening event of fan-favorite original episodes from the iconic cult classic The Twilight Zone. Additionally, don’t miss a special sneak peek and panel discussion featuring Kevin Williamson alongside cast members of CBS All Access’ new psychological thriller, Tell Me A Story, from Kapital Entertainment.

Thursday, July 19

“Charmed” Exclusive Screening And Panel, 11:15 Am–12:15 Pm, Ballroom 20 – The iconic Charmed is back just in...

It’s almost that time of year when hordes of TV fans storm San Diego to get a sneak peek at their favorite returning shows and a glimpse of the upcoming season’s best new offerings at Comic-Con 2018. Below, we’ve compiled the dates, times and locations of all the major TV-related events.*

We’ll be updating this page as more panels are announced, so make sure to bookmark it and check back often!

More from TVLineThe Wheel of Time Season 3: Here's Everything That Was Revealed at NYCCScott Pilgrim Takes Off: Live-Action Movie Cast Returns in Anime-Style Netflix Series - Watch TrailerArcher Lives On!

[Editor’s Note: The following interview contains spoilers for this week’s episode of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Getting Over Jeff.”]

First, let’s quickly talk about the gourd.

“Manuel [Baca], our props guy, was so proud. He had actually found that gourd at some festival the weekend before and he had bought it and picked it up because he thought it was so fantastic and phallic-looking,” Donna Lynne Champlin told IndieWire, explaining one of the inanimate stars of this week’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”

The squash in question is one of the centerpiece flourishes in “The Very First Penis I Saw,” the impossibly fun sequence from a pivotal episode for Paula, Champlin’s character. But aside from the grocery-store frolicking and innuendo, the song actually helped focus a lot of the emotion that made this another vital step in Paula’s journey on the show.

A trip back home in to Buffalo in “Getting Over Jeff” brings her face to face with her personal one-that-got-away version of Rebecca’s Josh Chan (appropriately...

Fans and celebrities alike were devastated to learn of Nelsan Ellis' untimely death. The True Blood star died at the age of 39 after complications with heart failure, Et confirmed.

Related: 'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39

Octavia Spencer, who starred in 2011's The Help alongside Ellis, is one of many who posted her condolences to social media.

"Just got word that we lost @nelsanellisofficial," Spencer, 47, wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the actor and several hashtags including "#RIPNelsanEllis" and "brilliantactor." "My heart breaks for his kids and family."

"It will forever be a point of sadness for me that I never had the chance to work with Nelsan during my time on True Blood," Carolyn Hennesy said in a statement to Et. "He was one of the finest talents I have personally seen on that or any show."

Actress Gabrielle Union shared that she was "blown away" by the tragic news.

"My...

True Blood‘s Nelsan Ellis, who died at the age of 39, is being remembered by friends and former co-stars.

RelatedTrue Blood‘s Nelsan Ellis Dead at 39

Ellis, who played Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO vampire drama and Shinwell Johnson on CBS’ Elementary, died due to complications from heart failure. Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Joe Manganiello, who respectively played Sookie Stackhouse, Bill Compton and Alcide Herveaux on True Blood, took to social media to express their grief over the loss of “a phenomenally talented,” “wonderful person.”

It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply...

Red Sea Media handles international sales.

Shout! Factory has acquired North American rights from Red Sea Media to writer-director Lena Khan’s comedy The Tiger Hunter.

The film centres on Sami Malik, a young Indian who travels to America in the 1970s to become an engineer.

When Sami’s plans fall through, he takes a low-end job and joins a gang of oddball friends in the hopes of convincing his childhood sweetheart that he is more successful than he truly is, or perhaps ever could be.

Danny Pudi, Jon Heder, Rizwan Manji, Karen David, Sam Page, Iqbal Theba, and Parvesh Cheena star with Michael McMillan and Kevin Pollak.

Khan and Sameer Gardezi wrote the screenplay and the The Red Sea Media production premiered at last year’s 32nd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Red Sea Media handles international sales.

Megha Kadakia, Khan and Nazia Khan produced, while Alan Pao, Pudi and [link...

By now, you’re well aware that a comic book’s original solicitation may not always reflect the final product you’ll eventually find at your local comic shop. In fact, just yesterday, we brought word that such a thing will happen with Batman #23. But whereas that seems to be a case of a new story overwriting what was initially announced, the developing situation with Nightwing is a bit of a different beast.

You see, an arc featuring Blockbuster set to be titled, well, “Blockbuster,” was originally penciled in to make up the content for issue #21, but now what looks to be a standalone tale exploring the fallout of “Nightwing Must Die” will appear in its place. But don’t fret, because “Blockbuster” is simply being pushed a bit while this interim yarn will do its best to enthrall readers.

Written by Michael McMillian, an alumnus of DC’s Writer’s Workshop,...

Deborah Ann Woll doesn't just play the most down-to-earth character on "Daredevil" -- she's a bona fide genre-loving fangirl in real life too.

As sweet-natured Karen Page, the office assistant at the rising law firm of Nelson & Murdock, Woll gets to act out a different breed of heroics. Rather than swinging down to rain punches onto back-alley bad guys, Karen is a normal, grounded woman who knows injustice when she sees it. She's frequently fighting through her biggest fears to see that the right thing gets done, and things are finally heating up romantically between her and her not-exactly-blind colleague Matt Murdock, who's secretly cleaning up the streets as Daredevil.

Off-screen, Woll -- previously best known for her breakout stint as the "baby vamp" Jessica Hamby on HBO's "True Blood" -– connects with the Marvel/Netflix series' passionate fanbase on a personal level. She's a gamer, cosplayer, and deeply devoted...

Firefly, Season 1, Episode 4, “Shindig”

Written by Joss Whedon and Jane Espenson

Directed by Vern Gillum

Aired November 1st, 2002 on Fox

Welcome to Sound on Sight’s summer look back at Firefly, the beloved yet short-lived series that aired on Fox during the 2002-2003 TV season. Every Thursday, we will revisit an episode at a time of the show’s one and only season, in the order that they were meant to be seen. The correct sequence is accurately reflected on most, if not all, streaming services that currently have the show, but for those watching via other methods, the accurate order can be found here. Now, without further ado, time to spend some time with the most entertaining group of grifters in The ‘Verse.

Another episode that aired out of order during the original run (it aired sixth, when it is fourth in the natural order), “Shindig” is an episode...

I remarked last week in my recap of “Server Space,” one of the best episodes of television to air so far this year, that Silicon Valley has been making a sincere and distinct effort to explore the sensitive side of T.J. Miller’s deeply obnoxious Erlich. The show’s creator, Mike Judge, took this concept a step further in “Homicide,” wherein we get another taste of Erlich’s life before incubating Richard and Pied Piper. As the episode begins, Hooli is launching Nucleus with a major Ufc bout and it goes, to paraphrase one of the episode’s funniest lines, Apple Maps bad. This is all gravy for the gang at Pied Piper, and the failure gives Monica (Amanda Crew) the idea to capitalize on Hooli’s failure by finding a similar event to launch Pied Piper as the new data-crunch software for streaming video. Of the show’s litany of poignant symbols,...

Reviewed by Kevin Scott

MoreHorror.com

Banshee Chapter (2013)

Written by: Blair Erickson, Daniel J. Healy

Directed by: Bair Erickson

Cast: Katia Winter (Ann Roland), Ted Levine (Thomas Blackburn), Michael McMillian (James Hirsch), Jenny Gabrielle (Callie), Vivian Nesbitt (Olivia Kmiec)

“Banshee Chapter” exemplifies the phrase “Still Waters Run Deep”. The poster art lends to either some “Hellraiser” action with some skinned twisted Epicureans or it’s some sort of anatomical horror indie flick. I dunno. After writing a good many reviews by now, I always notice patterns about the things that I mention repeatedly. I realized that I’m a sucker for good poster art. That all too critical first impression that hooks you. “Banshee Chapter” ended up being nothing of what I thought it would be.

The opener shows a montage of legit footage about government mind control experiments. One in particular has been dubbed “Project MKUltra”. What singles this...

The Banshee Chapter, which was released on VOD in December of 2013, has become the first 3D virtual reality movie made available for Facebook's Oculus Rift. The sci-fi horror thriller executive produced by Zachary Quinto is available on the platform starting today for free.

The film centers on a young, female journalist following the mysterious trail of a missing friend who had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests. A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the film is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony, and uncovered secrets about programs run by the CIA. It is also loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond.

The film is distributed by XLrator Media and the Chimera Vr software used to power the experience was created by Jamwix. The Oculus Rift is currently only available to developers, but a consumer release is expected to be announced for...

Facebook’s Oculus Rift is getting its first 3D virtual reality feature film in Banshee Chapter, an indie sci-fi horror executive produced by Star Trek‘s Zachary Quinto that’s hitting the next-gen virtual reality platform today – for free.

The low budget frightener, loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond, tracks a journalist investigating the disappearance of her old college friend and his ties to a secret experimental drug. Silence of the Lambs‘ Ted Levine, Sleepy Hollow‘s Katia Winter and True Blood‘s Michael McMillian star for first time director Blair Erickson in the film produced by Sunchaser Entertainment’s Stephanie Riggs and Before the Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers, and Christian Arnold-Beutel.

Banshee Chapter debuted last December on VOD to modest fanfare. But that was before Facebook bought Oculus Rift in a $2 billion deal, heralding it as the next big thing in social communications and entertainment.

Network: HBO

Episodes: 80 (hour)

Seasons: Seven

TV show dates: September 7, 2008 -- August 24, 2014

Series status: Ended

Performers include: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Chris Bauer, Nelsan Ellis, Jim Parrack, Carrie Preston, William Sanderson, Alexander Skarsgard, Todd Lowe, Michelle Forbes, Adina Porter, Deborah Ann Woll, Mehcad Brooks, John Billingsley, Michael Raymond-James, Michael McMillian, Kristin Bauer, Patricia Bethune, and Dale Raoul.

TV show description:

This drama is based on Charlaine Harris' The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels. The storyline focuses on vampires and humans existing together in the fictional Louisiana town of Bon Temp.

Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is twice-orphaned, and had her life turned around by the supernatural. She's a waitress at a bar named Merlotte's and is also telepathic. Because of her special ability, she has a...

In its final episodes, “True Blood” pulled off a real bait-and-switch. The wild, freeform gory action of the first half of the season had led many observers, myself included, to predict an apocalyptic finale with dead bodies draped all over the set. Instead, the last couple of hours were a ‘shipper’s paradise, with the longest, most drawn-out sequence devoted to the surprise marriage of Hoyt and Jessica. Andy presides at the service, which is held at Bill’s house, and the out-of-the-blue nature of the ceremony has Arlene and Holly wondering if vampires can get pregnant. The real explanation is much simpler, and sadder: after Jessica and Hoyt visit the fast-fading Bill and tell him of their feelings for each other, the wedding is put on the front burner so that Bill can be there to witness it. He had another daughter once, when he was a human being,...

Tonight, HBO gives True Blood its True Death, but before we have to deal with the show saying goodbye, we thought we’d consult a few actors from seasons past who’d know all too well what it’s like to go out in a blaze of glory goo. So we spoke with Denis O’Hare, who played Russell Edgington, one of the series’ oldest, most powerful villains, a vamp strong enough to have survived being buried alive and being burnt to a crisp, but not being staked by Eric; Michael McMillian, who played the Reverend Steve Newlin, a conservative human later turned into a vampire and, ultimately, a victim of overexposure to the sun (again, thanks to Eric); and James Frain, who played Franklin Mott, a vampire initially on the hunt for information on Sookie but later consumed with turning Tara into his vampire bride, only to have it...

Hoyt returned to Bon Temps and Sookie slept with Bill in True Blood’s “May Be the Last Time.”

Eric, Pam And Gus Find Sarah Newlin

In Dallas, Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) and Gus (Will Yun Lee) interrogated Sarah Newlin’s sister, Amber, but she refused to talk. She did, however, reveal that her sister was the Hep-v cure, but before they could get anything else out of her, a feverish Eric staked her. Eric still wants to kill Sarah (Anna Camp), but Pam tells him the plan has changed: they will find Sarah, but they will not kill her. They will use her.

Gus is more than on board with the plan. In fact, he wants to enter into a business partnership with Eric. Together, they will hunt and capture Sarah Newlin, then the Tru Blood corporation will synthesize her blood and sell it as ‘New Blood,...

This episode feels about three hours long. Technically speaking, a great many things happen in it, but most of them don’t feel significant, partly because none of the plotlines that were going somewhere last week achieve any forward momentum. As the clock is ticking down towards the closing credits, there’s a brief, wordless scene of Lafayette and Lettie Mae digging up the yard they saw Tara clawing up in their shared vision, just to let us know that that particular plot thread is still in play and hasn’t been forgotten. But there are also long, meandering scenes in which Sam (drowning his sorrows at Arlene’s bar, where he now seems to be the only remaining customer) and Andy (taking a break from searching for his daughter to stand by the side of a lake and have a good cry) whine about how fed up and frustrated...

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HBO hosted an epic Game of Thrones season four premiere bash in Lincoln Center last night. There was a star-studded red carpet, a giant dragon and the world premiere screening of season four, episode one–and we were there on the red carpet and in the HBO Game of Thrones “Fan Zone.” We’ve got all the red carpet gossip and insider scoop on season four.

So, what is a “Fan Zone?” What does that even mean?

I’m still not entirely sure. HBO prescreened and invited a small number of “Super Fans” to come to the season four premiere and to cheer cast members on as they arrived on the red carpet. I got the invite because I’ve been running a fan tumblr since the show premiered called “My Mom Watches Game of Thrones.” (Before you ask, Yes, my mother really watches the show and Yes,...

From levelFILM and executive producer Zachary Quinto, Sneak Peek director Blair Erickson's award winning horror thriller "Banshee Chapter", aailable on DVD and VOD, February 18, 2014:

"...a young journalist (Katia Winter) with an appetite for controversy follows the trail of a strange government research chemical that might have caused the disappearance of her close friend (Michael McMillian).

"After tracing the substance to the desert ranch of an infamous retired novelist (Ted Levine), she’s drawn into an experience of terror and frightening entities that she cannot escape.

"The labyrinth trail of evidence leads her into the disturbing world of 'black ops' chemical projects, unexplained radio transmissions, and shadowy disfigured entities in the blackness of night. Anne will do anything to uncover what lies behind her friend’s disappearance. But to her horror, she discovers that it wants to find her too..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Banshee Chapter...

The highly acclaimed new film Banshee Chapter (review here) is out on DVD, and right now we have your chance to score yourself a one-sheet autographed by Katia Winter, Michael McMillan, Corey Moosa, and director/writer Blair Erickson.

To enter for your chance to win, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.

The contest will end at 12:01 Am, Monday, February 24, 2014.

Synopsis

XLrator Media has acquired all U.S. rights to writer/director Blair Erickson’s 3D horror-thriller Banshee Chapter starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (“Dexter”), and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”). The film was produced by Sunchaser Entertainment’s Stephanie Riggs, Before the Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers, and Christian Arnold-Beutel. Zachary Quinto and Neal Dodson of Before the Door executive produced with Ben Samuels, Marcus Schoefer, and Gudrun Giddings.

Review Owen Williams 6 Feb 2014 - 06:20

Lovecraft, government experiments and Hunter S. Thompson collide in this lo-fi low-budget horror movie

Over the last couple of decades, much of the information pertaining to the Us Government’s infamous MKUltra human research experiments has been declassified. In many ways the truth is stranger than fiction: Us and Canadian citizens were used as guinea-pigs in human behavioral tests often involving mind-altering psychotropic drugs that had lasting and damaging effects on the people they were administered to. The officially sanctioned programs began in the 1950s and were only ultimately curtailed in 1973, and while Freedom of Information requests have helped illuminate the formerly shadowy undertaking, much remains secret, and conspiracy theorists continue to link the dubious and sinister tests to events from the Jonestown mass suicide to the JFK assassination.

It’s amazing there aren’t more films riffing on the subject: something that clearly...

Stars: Katia Winder, Michael McMillian, Ted Levine | Written and Directed by Blair Erickson

The Banshee Chapter follows journalist, Anna (Winter) who is investigating the disappearance of her friend James (McMillan). James has been experimenting with strange drugs that the Us military used in real life experiments in the 1960s. These experiments had very weird and sinister results, of course, so as Anna goes about her investigation, weird and sinister things begin to happen to her too. I really liked this. It’s got quite a bit going on, including but not limited to archival footage both fictional and real, strange referencing of real life cultural figures and Lovecraftian horrors from beyond the veil. As such, it was a little unpredictable, which I liked.

Whilst we know what beats and tropes to expect from a film involving zombies or creepy children or vampires, there isn’t really an established dialogue for...

The highly acclaimed new film Banshee Chapter (review here) is coming to DVD and VOD today in the UK, and right now we have an exclusive look at the artwork that was created just for the bounty of Tesco supermarket chain stores which are in abundance across the pond.

Synopsis:

From Executive Producer Zachary Quinto’s (Star Trek) Before the Door Pictures comes this jump-out-of-your-seat horror that will terrify with its unique blend of fact, conspiracy, and the paranormal.

A young journalist (Katia Winter) with an appetite for controversy follows the trail of a strange government research chemical that might have caused the disappearance of her close friend (Michael McMillian). After tracing the substance to the desert ranch of an infamous retired novelist (Ted Levine), she's drawn into an experience of terror and frightening entities that she cannot escape.

The labyrinthine trail of evidence leads her into the disturbing world of black ops chemical projects,...

To celebrate the release of the "jump-out-of-your-seat scary” (Little White Lies) horror Banshee Chapter (review here) - out on UK DVD and VOD 27th January - we have a DVD to give away to one lucky winner!

From executive producer Zachary Quinto’s (Star Trek) Before the Door Pictures comes this highly entertaining film that will terrify with its unique blend of fact, conspiracy, and the paranormal. Banshee Chapter, the deserved winner of Total Film’s ‘Scariest Movie Award’ at Film4 FrightFest, is “guaranteed to make you squeal like a newborn!” (Time Out).

Writer/director Blair Erickson’s film stars Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (“Dexter”), and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply send us an E-mail Here including Your Full Name And Postal Address. We'll take care of the rest!

Synopsis:

Banshee Chapter centers on a female journalist...

The highly acclaimed new film, Banshee Chapter (review here) is coming to DVD home video on February 4, 2014, and right now we have a quick look at the artwork for you. Check it out.

Synopsis

XLrator Media has acquired all U.S. rights to writer/director Blair Erickson’s 3D horror-thriller Banshee Chapter starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (“Dexter”), and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”). The film was produced by Sunchaser Entertainment’s Stephanie Riggs, Before the Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers, and Christian Arnold-Beutel. Zachary Quinto and Neal Dodson of Before the Door executive produced with Ben Samuels, Marcus Schoefer, and Gudrun Giddings.

Banshee Chapter centers on a female journalist (Winter) who follows the mysterious trail of a missing friend (McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests. A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the story is based on real documents,...

Following its recent limited theatrical roll-out, XLrator Media will give Banshee Chapter a DVD release on February 4th:

“On the trail of a missing friend (Michael McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering drugs, a young journalist (Katia Winter) – aided by a rogue counter-culture writer (Ted Levine, The Silence of The Lambs) — finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of top-secret government chemical research and the mystery of a disturbing radio signal of unknown origin. A fast-paced thriller blending fact and fiction, Banshee Chapter is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony, and uncovered secrets about covert programs run by the CIA.”

Banshee Chapter was written and directed by Blair Erickson, and stars Katia Winter, and Ted Levine, Michael McMillian. We’ve been told that the DVD will also include an in-depth look at the making of Banshee Chapter. We’ve included a look at the trailer and photos below,...

Just as non-existent video store shelves are overflowing with found-footage horror films, the internet is bursting at the seams with people bitching about them. It’s well deserved as the vast majority of movies utilizing that format are criminally terrible, but they’re cheap to produce, capable of turning our the occasional winner, and aren’t going away anytime soon. Faux-documentary horror movies aren’t nearly as ubiquitous, but the best ones manage to cherry pick elements from the format above while avoiding many of the pitfalls. Banshee Chapter is both found-footage and faux-documentary, and yet it’s also neither. The U.S. government has admitted to various highly unethical tests and experiments performed on unwitting civilians in the early ’60s, and while official apologies have come and gone the details of the incidents have never been fully known. Until now, apparently. Anne Roland (Katia Winter) is a working journalist who begins an investigation when an old...

I'm instantly wary of any movie that proclaims its truthfulness right at the top. Why can't I watch it and then decide for myself? Yet Banshee Chapter cleverly steps around the traps it sets for itself with an opening montage of news footage, both subverting and endorsing its premise. In 1963, the film explains, the U.S. government began using experimental drugs on unwitting citizens with the goal of inducing mind control. The archival footage integrates easily into newly-shot footage with a similar aesthetic, as James Hirsch (Michael McMillian) documents his experiment with, supposedly, the same chemicals. Very shortly, strange, static-filled sounds are heard in another room, and then more strange things happen. And James is never seen again. Anne Roland (Katia Winter) then steps into...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

From writer/director Blair Erickson, the indie horror thriller Banshee Chapter follows journalist Anne Roland (Sleepy Hollow’s Katia Winter), on the trail of her missing friend (True Blood’s Michael McMillian), who disappears after experimenting with mind-altering drugs. Aided by a rogue counter-culture writer (Ted Levine), Anne finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of top-secret government chemical research and the mystery of a disturbing radio signal of unknown origin. The film is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony and uncovered covert programs run by the CIA. During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Katia Winter talked about how she came to this project at the very last minute, what attracted her to this story and character, the experience of working with actor Ted Levine, how much she enjoyed playing an investigative reporter, and how getting to do a proper stunt for the film made her feel like an action hero.

Title: The Banshee Chapter Director: Blair Erickson Starring: Ted Levine (‘The Silence of the Lambs’), Katia Winter (‘Sleepy Hollow’) and Michael McMillian (‘True Blood’) The most daring, curious people often set out to expose the truth in long-standing mysteries, as they yearn to solve conflicts and bring closure to long debated ambiguities. This is certainly the case for the main character, Anne Roland, in the new independent horror thriller, ‘The Banshee Chapter,’ which is now available on VOD and opens in select theaters on January 10. First-time feature filmmaker Blair Erickson, who both wrote and directed the movie, created a determined protagonist, played by Katia Winter, who will stop at [ Read More ]

The post The Banshee Chapter Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

From writer/director Blair Erickson, the indie horror thriller Banshee Chapter follows journalist Anne Roland (Sleepy Hollow’s Katia Winter), on the trail of her missing friend (True Blood’s Michael McMillian), who disappears after experimenting with mind-altering drugs. Aided by a rogue counter-culture writer (Ted Levine), Anne finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of top-secret government chemical research and the mystery of a disturbing radio signal of unknown origin. The film is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony and uncovered covert programs run by the CIA. During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, executive producer Zachary Quinto talked about how his production company, Before the Door, became involved with this film, what it was about this particular story that made him want to get involved, including the found footage aspect in an effective way, finding the right cast, and the hope that word-of-mouth will give this film momentum.

For me personally, it just hasn’t been a great year for independent American horror. That’s why it’s refreshing to end 2013 on a fairly high note with a film like Banshee Chapter. Based on actual testimony and uncovered documents, the story is based on the Mk-ultra experiments conducted in the Sixties on people like Ken Kesey.

So, in theory, we can all probably blame the CIA for the invention of tie-dye.

It’s always encouraging to see a first-time director deliver, and Blair Erickson has done exactly that. Hear what he has to say about the film below.

Dread Central: I enjoyed the film and it’s nice when I don’t have to go back to old classics all the time to get my horror fix.

Blair Erickson: I know what you mean. A lot of times you feel like everything is just stale and repetitive...

The new horror movie Banshee Chapter is full of familiar faces, including Katia Winter (Sleepy Hollow), Michael McMillian (True Blood), and the great Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs, Monk). But the biggest name attached to this tale of psychedelic drug use and threatening, extra-dimensional presences is its executive producer Zachary Quinto, whose production company Before the Door — which he cofounded with Corey Moosa and Neal Dodson — was responsible for overseeing the film.

Below, Quinto talks about his involvement with Banshee Chapter which is now available on VOD and will start a theatrical run in select cities on Jan. 10. And,...

This week in VOD is marked by two notable indie horror films. First up is The Banshee Chapter, which takes a conspiracy theorist's paranoia and blows it up into a very scary movie. Banshee is based on real documents, actual test-subject testimony and uncovered secrets about covert programs run by the CIA to create mind-altering drugs. The fictional story is about a journalist searching for a friend who goes missing after taking these top secret government chemicals. The film stars Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (TV's Sleepy Hollow) and Michael McMillian (True Blood). This is

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Available today via various Video On Demand platforms, Banshee Chapter is a thriller that looks to be rich in atmosphere, as suggested by an exclusive clip that we are happy to premiere. In the clip, Ted Levine gives a little speech to Katia Winter, the camera hovering around as he holds court. For more context, here's the official synopsis: On the trail of a missing friend (Michael McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering drugs, a young journalist (Katia Winter) - aided by a rogue counter-culture writer (Ted Levine, The Silence of The Lambs) -- finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of top-secret government chemical research and the mystery of a disturbing radio signal of unknown origin. A fast-paced thriller blending fact and fiction,...

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There’s nothing like a good scare to get the blood flowing, am I right horror fans? While a film’s story keeps us engaged, its ability to scare us silly is what keeps us on our toes, covered in a blanket, and clinging to the closest arm. Now, there are a few ways to go about spooking viewers – and not all work. Anybody can orchestrate a jump scare, which makes them sometimes more frustrating than enjoyable, but to string together a chain of pure, atmospherically beneficial jump scares, that’s where excitement comes into play. As a horror fan who hates cheap scares and lame tactics that undoubtedly jolt viewers anyway, I’ve got to hand it to first time writer/director Blair Erickson on his first feature The Banshee Chapter, a supernatural thriller that almost gave me a damn heart attack.

After the disappearance of fellow journalist/close...

Steve Newlin, True Blood’s most loathsome Fellowship of the Sun leader-turned-traitorous vampire, may have met the true death at the end of last season, but it turns out that wasn’t actually the last we’d hear from him. Actor Michael McMillian and True Blood associate producer Gianna Sobol have written the hilarious Steve Newlin’s Field Guide to Vampires (And Other Creatures of Satan), which hits shelves on November 26. But before you get your hands on this definitive tome, you can ask Michael everything you ever wanted to know about “fangers” during our live Very VH1 Spreecast on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Et.

What’s next for Michael? What does Jason Stackhouse smell like? What’s Anna Camp up to these days? Do vampires have an after-after life? (And can we visit Eric Northman there?) Those are some of the questions we might have for him, but we...

Time for an exclusive little look inside the upcoming flick Banshee Chapter (review)! Look for the flick on VOD on December 12, 2013, and in theaters on January 10, 2014.

Synopsis

XLrator Media has acquired all U.S. rights to writer/director Blair Erickson’s 3D horror-thriller Banshee Chapter starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (“Dexter”), and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”). The film was produced by Sunchaser Entertainment’s Stephanie Riggs, Before the Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers, and Christian Arnold-Beutel. Zachary Quinto and Neal Dodson of Before the Door executive produced with Ben Samuels, Marcus Schoefer, and Gudrun Giddings.

Banshee Chapter centers on a female journalist (Winter) who follows the mysterious trail of a missing friend (McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests. A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the story is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony,...

We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a teaser trailer for The House of Forbidden Secrets, UK distribution details for Banshee Chapter, information on a line of handcrafted zombie dolls, a trailer for In Fear, first details on Dead Bounty, and much more:

The House of Forbidden Secrets Teaser: “The House of Forbidden Secrets had it’s national premiere in Las Vegas, Nv at the PollyGrind Film Festival on October 11th, 2013, where it won 6 awards, and has also been chosen for the South African Horror Festival this Spring, the Italian Fantafest in 2014, the British Raindance Film Fest for 2014 as well as the X-Fest with many more festivals to follow. It was shot last Winter and Spring in Kansas City. The film stars many local actors and actresses to Kansas City, but also includes genre icons such as Lew Temple (Walking Dead,...

Exclusive: Richard Guardian’s international sales company Guardian Entertainment has announced at Afm a slew of further sales on Before The Door’s horror-thriller The Banshee Chapter.

Deals have closed in Germany (Marlo Media), Japan (New Select), Australia/New Zealand (Monster Film), Taiwan (Double Edge) and Canada (LevelFilm).

As previously announced, Barry Gordon’s XLrator will distribute in the Us and 101Films/Intense in the UK.

Blair Erickson’s 3D film premiered at Film4 FrightFest and tells of a journalist who researches a government-manufactured chemical.

Ted Levine, Katia Winter and Michael McMillian star.

Stephanie Riggs, Christian Arnold-Beutel and Before The Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers produced. Zachary Quinto, Neal Dodson, Marcus Schoefer and Gudrun Giddings are the executive producers.

Arnold-Beutel and Giddings negotiated the deals.

Wondering when you'll be able to see Banshee Chapter (review here)? Well, wonder no more! Look for the flick on VOD on December 12, 2013, and in theaters on January 10, 2014.

Synopsis

XLrator Media has acquired all U.S. rights to writer/director Blair Erickson’s 3D horror-thriller Banshee Chapter starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (“Dexter”), and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”). The film was produced by Sunchaser Entertainment’s Stephanie Riggs, Before the Door’s Corey Moosa and Sean Akers, and Christian Arnold-Beutel. Zachary Quinto and Neal Dodson of Before the Door executive produced with Ben Samuels, Marcus Schoefer, and Gudrun Giddings.

Banshee Chapter centers on a female journalist (Winter) who follows the mysterious trail of a missing friend (McMillian) who had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests. A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the story is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony,...

Word has rolled into our offices that The Banshee Chapter (review) has scored itself some distro across the pond, and with it have come some new images.

From the Press Release

Newly formed Intense Distribution and 101 Films are pleased to announce they have acquired the UK rights to the acclaimed horror/thriller Banshee Chapter, written and directed by Blair Erickson and starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (‘Dexter’, ‘Sleepy Hollow’) and Michael McMillian (‘True Blood’).

The film focuses on Anne Roland (Katia Winter), a young journalist with an appetite for controversy, as she follows the trail of a strange government research chemical that might have caused the death of her close friend (Michael McMillian). After tracing the substance to the desert ranch of an infamous retired novelist (Ted Levine), she’s drawn into an experience of terror and frightening entities that she cannot escape. The events...