The Haunted Report

Transworld 2009 Rumors

2008-05-15T14:43:24Z

A anonymous little bat tipped us off to this : Talk on the HauntWorld.com forum has it that Transworld will indeed be showing up in Vegas again in March of 2009 despite the prior announcement of a January 2009 show in Chicago. There isn't anything to substantiate the rumor except hearsay, but it sounds pretty realistic.

Here's the link to the forum thread:

http://www.hauntworld.com/haunted_house_forums/showthread.php?t=4701

What do ya'll think? Chicago or Vegas?

Vampires - They come in all shapes. Or do they?

2008-05-14T21:21:55Z

Mental_Floss blog has an interesting discussion on vampires. They ask the question, which is your favorite - Lugosi or Lecter? In other words, do you prefer the "traditional" vampire or one who could exist in real life?

So I thought I'd add this. why does it have to be the cape wearing, shape-shifting-into-a-bat vampire or a homicidal maniac? What about a person who helps people who is also coincidentally a vampire?

For those who don't know, the guy to the left is the lead character from the show Moonlight. It's about a vampire who is also a private investigator.

Not only that, but he isn't really the type of vampire you typically see. You know the type - the ones who come out at night and hunt unsuspecting prostitutes, transients or those who happen to be wandering through the unlit part of the city park at night.

Nope this one can tolerate some sun, drinks blood from plastic baggies and even lusts after a certain women.

So which do you prefer? Lugosi? Lecter? St. John?

Which is Your favorite Zombie?

2008-05-07T19:27:35Z

Because we seem to be on a Zombie kick right now we thought we'd ask the question, which is your favorite zombie?

We came across this interesting article which is why we are asking you the question. First, do you agree with the authors top zombies? If not why? And which would you say is yours? It doesn't have to be on his list. Use comments to discuss!

How to Survive a Zombie Uprising

2008-05-05T20:26:16Z

As suggested by magician Teller of Penn and Teller fame. Not much more to say. just watch...

Lark Slaughters Spooksmodel Competition

2008-05-01T17:31:55Z

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2008

CONTACT: Necromagickal

necromagickal@thechainsawmafia.com

www.thechainsawmafia.com

Lark Slaughters Spooksmodel Competition

Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors 2008

As twilight slowly withered away the light of a Los Angeles Sunday, life still whispered within the body of the 2008 Fangoria Weekend of Horrors. Fans daydreaming eager visions of macabre beauty, harvested into the main ballroom of the Los Angeles Convention Center to witness the first ever Fangoria Spooksmodel contest.

Upon the stage, beauty embodied within an octonary of female flesh to stand before judge and jury. Each of the eight contestants endeavored to prove worthiness of wearing the crown of Fangoria Spooksmodel. One by one each answered questions, modeled a pose or two, and performed a one minute routine before a jury consisting of Ken Foree, John Gulagar, and Tony Timpone. Lest we forget an eager audience of horror fanatics surrounded by female flesh on its best, and sometimes erotic, behavior!

The eight contestants performed to the best of their abilities, demonstrating that each were well deserved to grace the Fangoria stage. Yet with all challenges, only one may walk away victorious. That one winner, clothed in scarlet dress and wielding a chainsaw, was Shannon Lark.

]]>

As winner of the 2008 Fangoria Spooksmodel competition, Shannon will appear within all of the 2008-2009 Fangoria Weekend of Horror conventions, grace the pages of Fangoria magazine, and perform a Coffin Case photo shoot. It is quite a sweet prize. This success in reality is not just for Shannon Lark., it is a victory for all women hoping to bleed their name within the genre of horror.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0drPmBiIHdk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFdbUZskjQ0

www.thechainsawmafia.com

-Written by Necromagickal

The Pirates Are Back

2008-04-23T22:34:18Z

One of the oldest haunted attractions is around with a new look. Pirates of Emerson, a haunted attraction located in Fremont, California, have just launched their new website and schedule for 2008. The site is really well done, and is definitely worth a look. Although that Flash intro is so 1999 guys!

DVD Review - Cloverfield

2008-04-22T22:33:44Z

I remember when I first heard about this movie - there was this cryptic trailer that was associated with producer J. J. Abrams. So of course that got people talking.

So when I managed to get the DVD to review I was both aprehensive and excited to see what the hype was all about.

The movie is about a group of friends in New York getting together to have a going away party for one of their own when strange things begin happening in the city.

The movie is told from the point of view of one of the characters holding a video camera. Much like the Blair Witch Project, we see the story unfold as if we are part of the group, via the camera.

The movie revolves around the "attack" of the city by a large monster that we never really get a clear view up until nearer the end of the movie, and the friend's attempts at getting out of Manhattan using any means possible.
]]> What I liked most about this movie was how they made it so you believe you are really watching a movie that some guy taped using nothing more than a simple hand held DVR. (We now know that this wasn't the case, based on interviews the the films cast and crew).

This unique film style really helsp you believe that what you are seeing has in fact happened. Not only that but the special effects tie into the movie quite nicely and aren't obviously faked. In other words you do believe that the creature you see on the screen was in fact in NYC at some point.

My only problem with the movie was that it was too authentic. There were situations when the characters were running and you couldn't see a damn thing. I could only imagine how muny turned stomachs there were in the movie theater watching this.

The other problem I had was that the first 15 or 20 minutes kind of dragged. Of course it's the typical footage you'd see at a party - a bunch of people standing around and talking, and the videographer goes around asking people to give their thoughts on the guest of honor. I felt that whole part could have been shorter.

But when things really start happening, after the mini earthquake, the pace really doesn't slow down which is good.

There are parts of this movie where you wonder "WTF - what are you doing?" but then again you have to wonder what you'd do if you found yourself in such an unbelievable and stressful situation.

The end of the movie is sad because just when you think they are going to make it - that they are going to get out of the city, you realize they don't. I'll just leave it at that.

If you liked Blair Witch, you'll love Cloverfield. If you like Godzilla/King Kong/Jurassic Park you'll probably like this movie too. If you aren't into seeing large otherworldy creatures beating up on America then you probably don't want to watch this move.

Overall I give this move an A.

PS, if you do rent or buy the DVD - check out the bonus features. It's only then do you realize that this creature is only a baby.

A baby? Are you kidding me? How big are the parents???

Sublimely Stupid Monster Films...

2008-04-22T15:35:48Z

One of my favorite writers Dennis Dermody came up with this awesome monster list that I had to share with you all:

Enjoy!

1) The Giant Claw (1957)
2) The Creeping Terror (1964)
3) From Hell it Came (1957)
4) It Conquered the World (1956)
5) The Alligator People (1959)
6) Robot Monster (1953)
7) The Mighty Gorga (1969)
8) Frankenstein's Daughter (1958)
9) The Horror of Party Beach (1972)
10) The Killer Shrews (1959)

Ahhh they don't make em like that anymore! So what did we miss? Leave your thoughts in our comments
section.

Dead Space Videogame Website Launched

2008-04-21T21:41:09Z

Dead Space, the upcoming Sci-fi Horror gaming experience from Electronic Arts is on its way, and the game recently found its home online at www.deadspacegame.com. Visit the site to view, rate, share and comment on the largest collection of Dead Space media available online.

The site features in-depth exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage with daily blogs from the Dead Space dev team and video diaries chronicling the trials and triumphs of the game's development. Check out the video below:

]]> The Dead Space web site will also feature various media surrounding the world of Dead Space including the Dead Space comic published by Image with art by Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night, Silent Hill) and written by Antony Johnston (Wasteland, The Long Haul). Exclusive videos and frames will be available for download.

The site also features a ton of concept art, screenshots, international press coverage, comic book frames and of course trailers. New and exclusive content will be surfacing on the site almost every day so stay tuned for the latest assets and information, as well as some surprises down the road.

DVD Review :: 30 Days of Night

2008-04-19T22:53:32Z

Have you ever taken a shower in the complete dark? I know it's weird. But try it...no really do it. I can almost gaurentee it's one of the creepiest things you can do. Maybe it's all the Physco refrences as we grew up but I couldn't do it. Trust me I tried. It's something about the darkness. I mean the shower curtain blocks your view of what's going on anyway but in the darkness it's double creepy. The reason I mention this is that I watched 30 Days of Night the other day. Trust me this film is way more than another crappy vampire film. Although the acting was just okay the film has two main things going for it. The darkness and the cinematography. Both were amazing. The film has a look that's almost all it's own, some may argue that the vampires are very zombie in their looks but I disagree. The way they walk, the way they communicate is all very vampire. As I mentioned the film doesn't have the best acting from Josh Hartnett and company, but it's not too bad. However what makes the film stand out is the way it looks. You see the last bit of daylight in the first in 15 minutes and from their on in you really do believe you are up in Alaska experiencing 30 days of night. Oh you want some plot do you? Fine...small Alaska town...vampires attack and kill people since the sun does not come out at all for 30 days...nuff said.

The film does have some low points, the whole evil child vampire has been done to death in a 100 films before this and although Josh does a good job I thought the ending was very cheesy Hollywood. Also what's up with the final fight seen? Someone leave me a comment about that below and please explain it. Even if your not a fan of horror or a film geek like myself this movie is worth a rent for the feeling of darkness and the cinematography. If you ARE a film geek this DVD has got to be nominated for one of the best "Film Schools in a Box" for 2008. It's has over 5 features and they are amazing. Everything from how they filmed all the night scenes over the course of 33 nights, to how they shot in the cold, to how they trained the actors to act like vampires. All amazing stuff. It also features some great candid interviews from the Director and all the actors. If you want to see some samples of them watch below and then rent or buy the DVD to watch them all. So go rent or buy this one and then try taking that shower in the Dark....I dare you.

I give the DVD a B-

EFX-TEK at Transworld 2008

2008-04-15T17:22:36Z

The guys from EFX-TEK filmed a "commercial" at Transworld 2008 talking about their products. Both Jon and John are great guys, and anyone who build props should really look into their products.

http://www.moviefxmag.com/efxtest.mov

- Liam

Transworld Photos 2008

2008-04-08T16:03:27Z

Come check out some cool photos from Transworld 2008. Some are from us and some are from other great Flickr users. Be sure to add ALL your Haunted Attraction Photos to our Flickr Photo pool to get them some great exposure!

Liam's Photos

Hassrw2002 Photos

Transworld Madness Part Two

2008-04-07T20:09:31Z

3. ScareFactory took over a majority of the Dark Zone with their enormous props. They had plenty of great stuff including an enormous flying grim reaper and a couple of over sized animatronic monsters. Although their props aren't cheap, they will definitely elicit some great scares from your patrons.

4. Oak Island Productions was there with a full walk-through displaying their modular haunted attraction. The best effect by far was their "Claustrophobia" section, in which you walk through inflated rubber walls in pitch black. As a friend of mine and I emerged, he looked at me and said "I didn't like that at all! That means it was great!!" And indeed, it was probably the most terrifying effect I experienced at the show.

- Liam

Transworld Madness Part One

2008-04-04T20:02:33Z

We know Transworld was back a few days but what can we say. Our correspondent got caught up in the "real world". Never fear as here is some goodness from Transworld.

'm sorry for the delay, after being away from work in the "real world" I was swamped with crap to catch up on at work! Stupid real world. Anyway, here are some of my favorites from the show:

1. Gore Galore had some great products, and the guys are really friendly and cool to talk to. My favorite prop that they had at the booth was the "Neck Biter" puppet, as seen in this YouTube video:

2. EFX-TEK was there, and Jon and John were friendly and helpful as always. They had a demo of their new FC-4 board, which is a really great way to use a Prop-1, Prop-2, or Prop-SX to fade AC lights. They also have some new projects they mentioned, so keep your eyes on their website (http://www.efx-tek.com) later this year for more info!

- Liam

Zombies Alive and Well in Kelowna BC

2008-04-03T18:28:05Z

Just wanted to say great job to all those who participated in the zombie march in Kelowna, BC (Canada) recently. Looks like there was a great turnout, and a few video takers, like these: