Artsploitation Films Picks Up American Indie Horror The Anatomy of Monsters

Cannes, May 12, 2016 – Artsploitation Films has announced that is has acquired the North American rights to the edgy and dark American independent film The Anatomy of Monsters directed by Seattle-based filmmaker Byron C. Miller.

The film revolves around a seemingly normal yet homicidal young man who ventures out one night in search for his first kill. At a lonely bar he meets a young woman, takes her to a hotel room and prepares to slash her throat…until he discovers she harbors secrets far worse than even he could imagine.

Ray Murray, President of Artsploitation, called the film, “Refreshingly gritty, the kind of film John Cassavetes would have done if he ventured into genre filmmaking. The storyline is original, the tension palpable and it features a star-making performance by Tabitha Bastien as the far from innocent victim.” He says of the director and co-writer Miller, “Byron ignored the constraints of his limited budget to make a creepy, dark, disturbing and immensely creative thriller.”

Miller, who previously directed the feature Night and is currently attached to direct the genre film, Unwelcome, called his film, “midnight poetry in that attempts to create “the feeling of late night hours and sinister urges,” and commented, "It truly is an honor to work with Artsploitation Films, and be included among their stunning library of titles. Paul Morgan (screenplay, cinematographer), and I put our souls into this film and brought it to life with a beyond dedicated cast and crew. I can't wait to share this monster with the world!"

The Anatomy of Monsters trailer: https://youtu.be/t9jHaKSaSrU

The Anatomy of Monsters is scheduled to be released on DVD and VOD early fall, 2016.

Blood Punch - Review

I must admit I was weary going into "Blood Punch". Here was an independent film without a clearly defined genre and featuring a cast and crew made up of Power Rangers alum. My expectations were a bit low. Luckily, by the time the film entered its second act I was completely hooked. What I thought was sure to be another run of the mill independently produced genre outing turned out to be something that I couldn't wait to watch again. Not only was the acting stronger than I ever would have expected the story itself is filled with plenty of twists and turns and is dripping in pitch black humor.

The film itself concerns a young man named Milton living in court ordered rehabilitation for cooking crystal meth. While in rehab he meets Skyler, an outgoing and overly forward young woman who approaches him with an offer to cook a large amount of meth in only a few days with the intent to sell it for millions of dollars. Though he is weary about taking part in her plan he ends up with no choice when her bat shit crazy boyfriend Russell breaks into the rehab center and takes both of them to a cabin in the woods where he can cook the meth in solitude. Since I prefer to stay spoiler free in my reviews I won't reveal what happens next but it was truly unexpected.

It's also at this point in the film where the acting becomes most important. The remainder of the film takes place primarily in this one location so the dynamic between the three main characters is key. As the sexual tension between Milton and Skyler becomes more obvious and Russell becomes unhinged, all of the actors have to walk a fine line between seriousness and dead pan humor and for the most part they succeed. Milo Cawthorne and Olivia Tennet are particularly strong with Tennet showing a perfect blend of sincerity and pure evil leaving me constantly unsure of what her intentions were.

On top of great writing and performances, the film is also filled with tons of excessive death and violence as almost every method of murder you could imagine is attempted on screen adding another layer of fun and absurdity that blends well with all of the other elements and helps set a definitive tone for the film. That's about as close to spoiler territory I am willing to get.

Overall if there is one thing I want to reiterate about "Blood Punch" is that its well worth your time and I hope that you seek it out. It's a truly original, entertaining and darkly comic film. This one is a strong recommend and one I will gladly revisit again.

Score: 4/5

As of September 1st Blood Punch is available on DVD, Digital HD, and Cable VOD. Seek it out!

The Redwood Massacre Release Announcement

The Redwood Massacre is coming to DVD and VOD on July 7th. Check out the trailer and release details below!

From the Press Release, May 31st, 2015

One of the most anticipated fright flicks of 2015 comes to DVD and VOD July 7 from Uncork’d Entertainment. David Ryan Keith’s REDWOOD MASSACRE “epitomizes the 80’s slasher and just adds a dollop more of the red stuff into the mix making it better than the 80’s!*".

Starring Mark Wood (TVs Trinity), Lisa Cameron (My Brother’s Keeper), Lisa Livingstone (TVs Holby City), Rebecca Wilkie (Legion of Evil), and Alec Westwood (TVs Roughnecks), the “chilling” film chronicles the horrific outcome of a group of friends who visit a legendary murder site, Redwood House. What happens next will chill you to the bone.

Official Synopsis : For five adventurous friends, visiting the legendary murder site of the Redwood House has all the hallmarks of being an exciting and thrilling camping weekend away.

A popular site for revellers and party goers, each year on the exact date of the famous local family massacre, people from around the country head out to the site to have fun and scare each other.

Events take a bloody turn for the worse when the innocent campers discover the Redwood legend is in fact a horrible bloody reality, which turns the unsuspecting victims into prey for a mysterious axe wielding maniac that has remained dormant for 20 years.