The Houses October Built 2 is a 2017 horror film directed by Bobby Roe from a screenplay co-written with Zack Andrews. The sequel to The Houses October Built (2014) stars Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Mikey Roe and Jeff Larson. It is produced by Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious).

Five haunted-house enthusiast friends are still trying to recover from the trauma of being kidnapped the previous Halloween by the Blue Skeleton — a group who takes “extreme haunt” to another level. They decide to face their fears in order to move on and go back out on the road to find more haunted houses. However, ominous signs of the Blue Skeleton start appearing again…

The film will be released theatrically and on VOD in September 2017.

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‘What’s your greatest fear?’

The Documentary is a 2014 American horror thriller written and directed by Walter Moise. It stars Tristin Rupp, Jake B. Miller and Aaron Bowden.

Through a found footage aesthetic, the story follows Sandra Novak (Tristin Rupp) who has agreed to be the subject of a documentary film. The documentary deals with “conquering fear.” Unbeknownst to her, the filmmaker that has chosen her may have ulterior motives as he infiltrates her home and begins to gather information to sabotage her relationship and her life…

Writer/director Walter Moise has commented: “I was trying to capture the closest thing to actual reality. I shot the whole film in chronological order and chose not to write a script but a treatment that the actors would improvise.”

Terror Films is releasing The Documentary via digital VOD platforms such as iTunes, Amazon Instant/Prime, Vudu, Google Play/You Tube, and X-Box Live on August 22, 2017.

Trivia:

The film’s original title was D.

IMDb

Creep 2 is a 2017 American horror thriller directed by Patrick Brice from a screenplay co-written with Mark Duplass, who also stars, alongside Desiree Akhavan. The film is a sequel to Brice’s well-received 2014 film Creep.

Distribution company The Orchard is releasing Creep 2 on all digital platforms on October 24, 2017 before a Netflix release later in the year.

Sara (Desiree Akhavan) is a video artist whose primary focus is creating intimacy with lonely men. After finding an ad online for “video work” she thinks she may have found the subject of her dreams. She drives to a remote house in the forest and meets a man claiming to be a serial killer (Mark Duplass).

Unable to resist the chance to create a truly shocking piece of art, she agrees to spend the day with him. However, as the day goes on she discovers she may have dug herself into a hole she can’t escape…

Brice has commented: “We are overjoyed to bring the next chapter of Creep into the world! The fact that audiences have embraced the first film in such an unexpected way has been so heartening. We hope Creep 2 with bring a new level of fear, discomfort and joy to loyal fans and newcomers alike.”

Main cast:

Mark Duplass, Desiree Akhavan, Karan Soni, Patrick Brice, Caveh Zahedi, Kyle Field, Jeff Man.

IMDb

Against the Night is a 2017 American horror thriller film co-produced, written and directed by Brian Cavallaro. Mike Mendez (director of Don’t Kill It; Lavalantula; Big Ass Spider!) co-produced. It stars Hannah Kleeman, Tim Torre and Frank Whaley.

Following a party, nine emboldened friends sneak into an abandoned prison to film a ghost hunting video.

When their friend, Hank (Luke Persiani), disappears, everyone is pointing fingers and placing blame until they realise they may not be alone…

Release:

Released theatrically in the US by Gravitas Ventures in Los Angeles, New York and additional select markets on September 15, 2017.

Reviews:

“Cavallaro has moments of brilliance in the film that are undercut by strange choices. I’m not sure if these choices were made as critical notes or what was seen as a necessity. Either way, there are a few jarring moments that viewers should stick out because the overall experience of watching the film is a positive one.” Chris Maynard, Following Films

“Against the Night is part “found footage” and part traditionally filmed, yet erratically chaotic no matter the format. Despite having a suitable set for a cinematic spookshow, the filmmakers are stubbornly determined to show nearly none of it. When the screen isn’t completely dark or blurred in a flurry of whip pans and quick cuts, the camera is focused on bare concrete floors or green-tinted night vision nothingness.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“Cavallaro, who wrote and directed Against the Night does a fine job of stirring up the fear through the characters’ interactions. With the occasional jarring jolts and random scares amidst all the darkness, the filmmaker creates quite the frightful environment; one in which the greatest terror-seeking viewer amongst us could appreciate.” Ernesto Diaz, New Yorkled

Interviews:

Writer-director Brian Cavallaro talks to Ty Andreaco for Cult Classic Horror

Main cast:

Frank Whaley (Monster Trucks; The Cell 2; Vacancy), Tim Torre, Hannah Kleeman, Luke Persiani, Nicole Souza, Erik Kochenberger, Josh Cahn, Amy Zenone, Yesenia Linares, Leah Holleran.

Filming locations:

Holmesburg Prison – 8215 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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‘It’s all fun and games until things get real.’

Poltergeist Encounters is a 2016 Canadian supernatural found footage horror film written and directed by John Migliore (Exorcism of the Dead; Frankenpimp’s Revenge; The Friday Night Death Slot), who also stars. The Survival Zombie Films production stars Andre Guantanamo, Rachél Hopkins, Matt Bandura.

A questionable group of paranormal investigators with their own web series receive the offer of a lifetime: stay one night in a potentially haunted house for a large sum of money. What could possibly go wrong?

It seems like easy money to Anton (John Migliore), team leader of the group, and privately, an unbeliever in the supernatural. Mick (Andre Guantanamo), Roach (Rachél Hopkins) and Terrance (Matt Bandura) are all investigators that take the entire situation far too lightly at first, before everything they believe changes.

On that fateful night, they learn that it’s all fun and games until things get real…

Poltergeist Encounters is released on DVD by Wild Eye Releasing on December 12, 2017.

Buy DVD: Amazon.com

Cast and characters:

• Andre Guantanamo as Mick (Exorcism of the Dead; Blood Theatre; Red Spring; et al)
• Rachél Hopkins as Roach (Exorcism of the Dead; The Friday Night Death Slot; The Johnny Ghoulash Halloween Special)
• Matt Bandura as Terrence (The Friday Night Death Slot; Kount Kracula’s Review Showcase)
• John Migliore as Anton (Exorcism of the Dead; Night of the Living Dead: Genesis; Frankenpimp’s Revenge: The Romeo and Juliet Massacre; The Heretics; Skeleton Key 3 Part 2; et al)
• Deborah Jayne Reilly Smith as Heather
• Lena Montecalvo as Sandra
• Mike Trebilcock as Thomas
• Simon Wheeldon as Ghost
• Sabrina Migliore as Student
• Nicholas Migliore as Bill

IMDb

The Frankenstein Theory is a 2013 American found footage science fiction horror film directed by Andrew Weiner from a screenplay co-written with Vlady Pildysh (Heartstopper). It stars Kris Lemche, Joe Egender, Timothy V. Murphy, and Eric Zuckerman.

Professor Jonathan Venkenheim (Kris Lemche) reveals that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a fictionalized account of his ancestor Johann’s scientific and medical accomplishments.

Venkenheim’s girlfriend Anne (Christine Lakin) reveals that he’s been suspended and scoffs at his theory. Venkenheim next discusses how the Illuminati were trying to discover the secret of life when Johann secretly founded genetics. However, because Johann destroyed his notes, Venkenheim has no proof.

Venkenheim and the film crew leave for Canada, stopping along the way to meet Clarence (Joe Egender), who survived an encounter with the monster. Along the way, Venkenheim reveals the monster is an experiment in longevity and argues that the monster can unlock many scientific mysteries. Eric (Eric Zuckerman), the producer, shoots footage of a mysterious figure, while Venkenheim claims to feel the monster’s presence…

Buy on Instant Video | Blu-ray | DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

‘ …it’s a joyride that exceeds its expectations. It’s easily in the forefront of straight-to-dvd found footage films, maybe even topping it. With a solid cast, exceptionally talented script, and an exciting background, The Frankenstein Theory is a well needed surprise in a genre full of one note scares.’ Ryan Larson, Shock Till You Drop

“Ten years ago it would have been awesome, but today it’s just lame unfortunately. Oh, and the formulaic pinnacle shot/reveal of the “monster” attacking/sieging/snatching or what ever climax, is certainly an anticlimax. Which ironically is the only time the movie ventures off formula conventions…” Jason Meredith, Cinezilla

‘Uneventful discussions. Tension-less moments of panic and searching for missing people. No appearance by the monster until the waning moments. The final shot all but given away in the film’s trailer. A movie so devoid of horror that the only real scare attempt for the first 45-minutes…’ Scott Foy, Dread Central

“Fourteen years after Blair Witch, has the whole found-footage-horror genre jumped the shark? Maybe. Weiner, however, manipulates its well-worn tropes deftly. The fumbling for the light in the dark; the eerie, green, night-vision glow; the shaky camera; the hyperventilating victim as something sniffs around outside; Frankenstein gets as much mileage out this shtick as it possibly can.” Michael O’Sullivan

“The Frankenstein Theory doesn’t do enough to separate itself from the pack of found footage movies cluttering up local Best Buy shelves. While it’s hardly a resounding failure, it features too little horror and too much dialogue.” Patrick Nagle, DVD Verdict

Wikipedia | IMDb

WH

‘The end is here’

Apocalypse Cult aka Apocalyptic is a 2014 Australian found footage horror film written and directed by Glenn Triggs. It stars Jane Elizabeth Barry (A Night of Horror: Volume I), David Macrae (The Last Supper of the Damned), Tom McCathie and Geoff Pinfield.

While investigating the legend of a mysterious group of people living in the forest, a local news crew comes across an all-too-real doomsday cult.  Trapped in their grasp, the news crew must find a way to escape before they execute their final act of devotion…

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

The film will be available in North America on DVD, Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Amazon Instant and Google Play via Wild Eye Releasing on October 31, 2017.

Reviews [may contain spoilers]:

“Apocalyptic is a slow-builder, but rewards the viewer’s patience with a pay-off that is pretty distressing and, sadly, rather believable […] The film often looks quite rustic and is often shrouded in fog, which adds an air of menace to the proceedings, in a Wicker Man kind of way.” Justin Richards, Blueprint: Review

“Banshee-shrieking climax excluded, Apocalyptic is a quiet dread affair.  Making great use of its natural woodland setting, overcast skies and fog milling amongst trees enhance the walled-in feeling of being somehow trapped in a wide-open

space.  The film doesn’t contain much by way of jump from the dark boos, but the haunting creepiness of impending disaster drapes even the most innocuous actions.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“It goes from being a decent drama to the usual clichéd found-footage running around screaming accompanied by shots of the ground. Like The Sacrament it’s not particularly scary but there is a nice foreboding atmosphere to it. There are some lovely images of the rural landscape enveloped in mist giving the camp a very bleak feeling.” Richard Mansfield, The Horror Asylum

“Well, the film work is pretty much what you expect from such a movie and you get the jerky camera, folks running and the like. But the story, as I already mentioned, lacks freshness. It’s just a case of ‘been there/done that’ and the ending is clearly what most folks watching the film are expecting.” Martin Hafer, Influx magazine

“Director/writer Glenn Triggs has captured the essence of the film style, wrapped in some traditional movie approaches, while avoiding the mistakes that are common in found footage. You will not be wondering why people are filming when things descend into chaos, where the other cameraman is that clearly shots some of the footage, or indeed why there is a score on a found footage feature.” Jeff Ritchie, Scary Minds

“It does have some gore towards the end, although that may give away too much. There is one scene very violent scene that might shock some who aren’t expecting it. Apocalyptic is a slow, brooding and at times creepy Australian flick that will be loved by those that want more psychological scares from a movie.” James Simpson, UK Horror Scene

IMDb

‘You are not alone.’

Aliens: Zone of Silence is a 2017 science fiction horror found footage film directed by Andy Fowler from a screenplay co-written with Fidel Arizmendi. Sarah Hester, Peter Gesswein and Jed Maheu star.

Four months ago, Morgan Taylor’s brother, Hal, and his best friend went missing in a mysterious area of the Mexican desert known as Zona del Silencio.

After receiving no help from authorities on either side of the border, Morgan heads south to uncover the truth about their disappearance, strapped with action cameras streaming footage to Hal’s Marine Corps squadmate back in the United States.

When her vehicle suddenly breaks down just outside the zone, Morgan must traverse the desert alone, enduring intense heat in the daytime and menacing coyotes at night. She eventually locates Hal’s campsite and finds a kit filled with memory cards from his camera.

The recordings reveal a series of strange noises, eerie lights in the sky, gravitational anomalies, and an extraterrestrial presence in a nearby mountain range. Convinced aliens were responsible for her brother’s disappearance, Morgan must decide whether to flee with her life or attempt to expose the otherworldly beings once and for all…

Distributor Gravitas Ventures is releasing Aliens: Zone of Silence on over 100 cable and digital platforms, including Comcast, Cox, Dish Network, and Verizon Fios, in addition to Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, Vimeo on Demand, and Vudu

Reviews:

“Director Andy Fowler’s subtle and restrained use of VFX for video glitching and other reveals is commendable. When it comes to VFX in found footage films, less is more. The exceptional cinematography, perfect use of VFX, and adherence to the rules of found footage makes Aliens: Zone of Silence a revolutionary UFO/Alien film that elevates the found footage genre.” Michael Steinberg, Found Footage Critic

IMDb | Official website

‘No-one escapes the witching hour.’

3:15 am is a 2017 French found footage anthology horror film consisting of segments directed by David Tillault, Nicolas Delage, Frédéric Gros, Sabrina Kerrar and Evelyne Phan. Producer Fabien Delage (Cold Ground; Fury of the Demon; Dead Crossroads) also directed one segment entitled “The Grove”.

“The hour between 3am and 4am is referred to as “the witching hour” because it’s thought that paranormal forces are at their strongest during that time.

The history behind this comes from the fact that the Catholic church’s prayers and services are marked by the Canonical hours, which are three hours in length. Between 3am and 4am there were no prayers, making it prime time for evil forces…”

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Source: Kelly McClure and Horror Screams Video Vault

‘America’s most famous haunting has returned’

The Bell Witch Haunting is a 2013 American found footage supernatural horror film directed [uncredited] by Glenn Miller (Zoombies; Santa Claws; The Coed and the Zombie Stoner). It stars Marissa Lynne Johnson, Laura Alexandra Ramos, and Cat Alter.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Department has released footage found on the bodies of the Sawyer family’s cell phones and video cameras.

What was first thought to be a murder-suicide is now believed to be the return of a centuries-old demon responsible for America’s most famous paranormal event…

Reviews:

“It stays mostly true to the particulars of the legend, but disregards respect for the audience with an over-reliance on convention and a lackadaisical approach to detail. Formulaic in every way…” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

” …a pretty good found footage flick and I definitely liked it better than most of the other average genre attempts but all throughout and toward the end in particular, the movie starts making some bad choices with its story and storytelling, which turns this movie into an ultimately just OK one.” Frank Veenstra, Boba Fett1138

“One of the more interesting images is an infrared shot where a sheet is levitated from two sleeping girls and then brought down, pinning them to the bed and suffocating them. The film also gets one mild jolt off where James Simenc goes into the woods to pay tribute to his killed friend…” Richard Scheib, Moria

” …The Bell Witch Haunting is a mess of a movie, ripping off, unsuccessfully, scenes from Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch. If anything, it does prove that you still need talent behind and in front of the camera to make a satisfying found footage movie experience.” Eric S., Daily Dose of Horror

” …the chicks will get naked, there will be some squiggly lines on the cell phone and video camera footage, some cheap “apparitions” will appear, and everybody will die.” Ryan C., Trash Film Guru

Trivia:

Not to be confused with the 2004 film of the same name.

IMDb

100 Ghost Street: The Return of Richard Speck – aka Paranormal Entity 4: The Awakening – is a 2012 American supernatural found footage horror film directed by Martin Wichmann. The Asylum production stars Jackie Moore, Adam LaFramboise and Hayley Derryberry.

Paranormal investigators try to film real-life multiple murderer Richard Speck‘s ghost at the site of his heinous killing spree…

Reviews:

“This is the debut film of director Martin Andersen and it seems to me that he was aware of what he was making and tried to avoid delivering a painful movie. He is able to avoid making it boring by having a good pace and does try to entertain by adding some sleaziness to the film.” Torstein Karlsen, Cinema Terror

“Scares are of the crash, boom, bang variety […] 100 Ghost Street is a further step backward with no historical accuracy, no fun factor, and nothing original to set it apart from the rest of the flotsam clogging the sub-genre.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt

“It might not be as creepy as Paranormal Entity, but director Martin Andersen have so much fun with the idea and delivers a visually creative production, very far from the typical found footage knock-offs. What’s interesting is that the characters gets a chance to come alive before they’re killed, with some good acting. It’s a movie that feels alive.” Fred Anderson, Schmollywood Babylon

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

“…there are two scenes of heavily implied sexual assault, handled without any kind of subtlety and that will certainly be off-putting to many viewers. Given a mostly talented cast, a very creepy setting, and the director’s clear proficiency with the found footage format, a far superior film could have been made.” Hannah Norby, Found Footage Critic

” If you’re concerned about whether or not there are highly improbable scenarios devised to get the female cast members’ shirts off, rest assured that base is covered. If you’re wondering whether or not anyone gets out alive, fear not — you know the answer to that one going in, too.” Ryan C., Trash Film Guru

“This didn’t need to be about Richard Speck, and obviously the location and history this movie purports to be true are fabricated to work within the confines of a low budget indie flick. Not to mention to graphic reenactments of Speck’s actions. Once past that issue though, 100 Ghost Street is an effective “Ghost Hunters” gone wrong movie.” Trevor Anderson, Movie Mavericks

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

Cast and characters:

• Jackie Moore as Jackie
• Adam LaFramboise as Adam
• Hayley Derryberry as Sarah
• Mike Holley as Mike
• Tony Besson as Dave
• Jim Shipley as Jim
• Jennifer Robyn Jacobs as Jen
• Chance Harlem, Jr. as Earl
• Nancy Leopardi as Ghost (Voice)
• Steve Bencich as Ghost (Voice)

Wikipedia | IMDb

The Devil’s Toy Box – aka Out of the Shadows – is a 2016 paranormal found footage horror film directed by Allen Kellogg who also stars alongside Meredith Kochan and Spencer Jay Kim. The movie is a sequel to Kellog’s 7 Nights of Terror (2011).

In 2010, six reality TV contestants entered an abandoned and haunted asylum known as the Madison seminary. All but one of the contestants, Carter Osborne, went missing.

In present day, a daughter of one of the contestants, Cynthia O’Neil, has enlisted the help of a television producer to go into the asylum to find out what happened to her father. The producer agrees under the condition that Carter goes back in alongside Cynthia.

Full of guilt for leaving the others behind, Carter reluctantly agrees as nothing in his life has been the same ever since. Carter, Cynthia and a small television crew once again enter the dark halls of the asylum. While they are looking for their loved ones, they find something much more sinister…

Reviews:

” …it’s an impressive sequel with a whole bag of demented treats and some great writing. The Devil’s Toy Box takes the groundwork in Kellogg’s 7 Nights of Terror and pushes everything further, proving he can make a surprising entry to the overcrowded documentary horror genre.” Scott Clark, Starburst

“Granted, as the final reel edges to a conclusion that’s shrouded in darkness and lit by the green tint of night vision, it does at least attempt to satisfy a fun-sized portion of our horror urges, even if it means blocking out the cacophony of wails and screams to make it to the end credits.” Dave Wain, The Schlock Pit

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

“Good pace, some good actors/some not so good, intelligent enough directing and well thought out cinematography. The paranormal found footage niche is certainly overcrowded, but Kellogg has twice proven that he can hold his own with this type of picture.” Chris Evans, Top Found Footage Films

Main cast:

• Allen Kellogg
• Meredith Kochan
• Spencer Jay Kim
• Ashley Bossard
• Sean Manos
• Larry Nehring
• Greg Del Torto
• Kylie Edison
• Kristi Michelle Fox
• Jason Klingensmith
• Derek Koger
• Brooke Morrison

IMDb

‘It’s real’

Devil’s Trail is a 2017 American found footage horror film directed by Henrique Couto (Amityville: No Escape; Scarewaves; Babysitter Massacre; et al) from a screenplay by Jeremy Biltz. The New Dynamic production stars Henrique Couto, Joni Durian and John Bradley Hambrick.

Two reality TV stars, Dallas and Hank, claim to be experts at survival, but when they decide to embark upon a trip to the legendary home of the Jersey Devil can they survive?

Having initially encountered three young naked Wiccan worshippers, the duo venture further into the wilderness and become increasingly lost, hungry, irritable and desperate. Furthermore, during the cold nights, their camp becomes the focus of nocturnal visitors…

The film has been released on VOD platforms such as Amazon Prime

Main cast:

• John Hambrick … Dallas – Attack of the Masturbating Zombies!; Haunting Inside; Scarewaves
• Henrique Couto … Hank – Alone in the Ghost House; Bleeding Through; Faces of Schlock; Basic Slaughter
• Marylee Osborne …Lucy
• Joni Durian … Witch 1 – Halloween Spookies; Amityville: No Escape; Alone in the Ghost House; Applecart
• Erin R. Ryan … Witch 2
• Rachael Redolfi … Witch 3
• Chris Neal … Jersey Devil

IMDb

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Strawberry Flavored Plastic is a 2018 American horror thriller film written, produced and directed by Colin Bemis; it stars Aidan Bristow, Nicholas Urda and Andres Montejo.

When Errol (Nicholas Urda) and Ellis (Andres Montejo), two aspiring documentarians embarking on their first feature, put out a feeler to their local community for individuals with interesting stories, they hear back from and settle on the tale of Noel (Aidan Bristow), a man who has just been released from prison after a nine-year incarceration for a crime of passion.

After several weeks of shooting have passed, they inadvertently discover through late due diligence that Noel’s story is fabricated: He has never been to prison. They soon find out that he is an at-large and very active serial killer who has never been apprehended by authorities…

Reviews:

“With a shorter runtime and brisker pace, this could have been a great example of found-footage being used to provide commentary and an introspective view on the darker side of human nature. Nevertheless, as it stands, the movie is entertaining enough but falls just sort of becoming a genre classic.” Luiz H.C., Bloody Disgusting

“There are certain scenes that take the film out of the documentary style, but for the most part this is a rare “mockumentary” that feels like an authentic documentary. Bemis’ story and direction coupled with Bristow’s fantastic performance makes for a film with a surprising amount of heart that will keep audiences contemplating what they watched long after the film has ended.” Molly Henery, The Blogging Banshee!

“Some of the scenes were a little on the talky side, particularly when delivering exposition. That needed to be edited too. This is a very strong effort and despite its flaws a worthwhile one. Bemis has a good deal of potential as does Urda and particularly Bristow. I thought the movie stands very well on its own merits…” Cinema 365

“Beimis keeps most of the violence off screen, although one later scene with him letting loose at an old school chum in a restaurant is quite frightening. It’s the intensity the film achieves on occasions that keeps it interesting. I’m not sure if the movie was that successful in ‘debating’ the issues about media violence and the cult of celebrity…” David Dent, Bloody Flicks

” …Bristow carries the film, the burden all his in convincing us that Noel is who he is. From a jarring opening sequence to his steady escalation after, this is a distressing character teetering on the lip of madness, keeping us on edge before leading to a violent and troubling end.” David Duprey, That Moment In

” …the movie is too loosely structured for its intended effect. There’s not enough tension for the movie to be a thriller, and not enough scares to be a horror film. This isn’t because the tension and violence don’t work, they definitely do, but there’s so much between the scenes that feel like filler…” Patrick King, Cultured Vultures

” …Strawberry Flavored Plastic is an intelligent and understated piece of work. This is, after all, director Colin Bemis’ first full-length feature; it’s clearly a film which is reaching beyond the most obvious, usual ways of exploring tricky themes, and for that it deserves credit. (Oh, and the title? Yes, it’s explained, but I’m not giving the game away here.)”Keri O’Shea, Warped Perspective

“What hurts the film though is the dialogue. A lot of it is way overblown and almost sounds like something from a speech, or lecture. Add this to the fact Strawberry Flavored Plastic contains several monologues and you can see the problem […] When all is said and done, however, Strawberry Flavored Plastic is certainly worth seeing and it’s an auspicious start for its maker.” Voices from the Balcony

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Related: found footage | Man Bites Dog | psychopath | serial killer

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‘Your 15 minutes of fame is over’

Murder Death Kill – aka Watch Me Die – is a 2014 American found footage horror film written, directed by and starring Thomas Banuelos. It also stars Jon-Paul Vertuccio, Tracy Ashbourne and Arielle Brachfeld.

“A nameless serial killer prowls the sets of sleazy exploitation movies in search of his latest female victim. Each gruesome act of torture and murder that follows is captured up-close, on the killer’s video camera — the blood-soaked footage of a psychopath’s snuff film.

As the killer finds himself tormented by increasingly complex feelings towards the women he murders, the lines begin to blur between killer and victim, viewer and viewed, reality and illusion. What is real and what is fake? Nothing is certain until the blood starts to flow.”

Reviews:

“It feels like it is missing something to make it a better film. A script is not the answer. I feel experience would have been the answer, or to have someone involved that has the experience behind films like this, like a Fred Vogel or Eric Stanze.” James D., Wicked Channel

“Mainly, this is an excuse for sleaze, featuring a parade of young women stripping off for some POV sex scenes before they’re messily dispatched in some unpleasant death footage. I suppose you could say that it’s a bit like Peeping Tom but not disturbing at all due to the poor staging, just dumb and unpleasant.” Leofwine draca

Release:

In the US, the film was released on DVD by Tomcat Releasing on December 13, 2016.

IMDb

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‘The talent has arrived’

Frazier Park Recut is a 2017 American comedy horror film written and directed by Sam Hanover and Tyler Schnabel, who star alongside David Lee Hess.

Friends and filmmakers Tyler (Tyler Schnabel) and Sam (Sam Hanover) are working to create their first feature before Sam moves across the country to be with his beautiful girlfriend, Jen (Monica Marin-Diaz).

They meet and cast Tom Morris (David Lee Hess) as the creepy Groundskeeper. The trio head from Los Angeles to Frazier Park, California, where they rent a cabin in the woods via Airbnb…

Reviews:

“It’s the kind of fiendish film that shocks and surprises you, making you want to seek out whatever the hell its creators are up to next.” Jacob Knight, Birth. Death. Movies.

“The jokes were oriented toward people who have worked on – or suffered through – making a movie. But don’t worry, the humor gives way to dark drama that anyone can understand. You’ll also learn a new use for horseshoes.” Leo Sopicki, Blog Critics

“Beyond the delightfully meta aspects of Frazier Park Recut, the movie offers plenty of twists and turns, as well as an interesting look at the actual process of filmmaking. It’s thrilling without being too scary, features a fun Teen Wolf cameo, and is definitely worth a watch.” Chloe Palka, Fangirlish

“Frazier Park Recut is a refreshing addition to the ever longer-in-the-tooth found-footage genre. The choice to wrap a found-footage horror film around a found-footage horror film is a great one. Skillful blending of the behind-the-scenes footage with scenes from the “actual” film leads to both humorous and creepy moments.” Michael Bird, Red River Horror

IMDb

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Paranormal Demons is a 2018 German supernatural found footage horror film written, produced, directed by and starring David Brückner (shorts: Miami Horror Nights; Slender Man; Slashing Love). The Ghost Pictures production also stars Kristina Kostiv, Sebastian Gutsche and Sascha von Hinrichs.

An international group of film students finds a disturbing video clip on the dark web which seems to contain poltergeist phenomena. Agreed that it’s just what they need for their latest documentary project the group travels to the sanatorium shown in the video clip.

Once there, they rig up their camera equipment and start to explore the possible ghost activities – until the true horror begins…

Main cast:

• David Brückner … Dave
• Kristina Kostiv … Mrs. White
• Sebastian Gutsche … TBC
• Sascha von Hinrichs … TBC
• Moloch … Golem
• Michael Krug … Stranger
• Josh Madry … Josh
• Kris Santa … TBC
• Olivia Dean … Mary Sheffield
• Ildiko Preszly … Julia
• Ingolf Funke … TBC
• Sebastian Matthias Weißbach … Michael

IMDb

‘No one here gets out alive‘

Making Off – aka The Devil’s Weekend – is a 2012 French found footage horror film written and directed by Cédric Dupuis. It stars Céline Berti, Olivier Bureau, Mickaël Collart, Jérôme Thevenet, Nathalie Van Tongelen and Sébastien Ventura.

Cédric Dupuis, a fledgling independent filmmaker, has set out to make the most terrifying horror film of all time. But shooting without any budget to speak of and a cast of his friends, Cédric soon realizes the frustration of indie film-making.

The only way for Cédric to get the realism he wants is to actually murder his cast on camera. This is his documentary of the events that unfolded during the making of his opus…

Wild Eye Releasing is issuing the film on DVD in the United States as The Devil’s Weekend on May 22 2018. Pre-order from Amazon.com

Reviews:

“Making Off is a French found-footage horror flick that aims to take the sub-genre into new and repulsive levels of extreme horror. Does it achieve that? Well yes, and no. The extreme aspects of it are certainly that. It’s disgusting and nasty with a decidedly vile feel. It’s rarely ever fun, and for the most part, it’s deadly serious. Though, there are moments of very dark, jet-black humor, some of which are perversely funny.” Giovanni Deldio, Horrorfreak News

“The level of gore is medium, the special effects range from adequate to disturbingly good, and the brutality and sadistic torture level is pretty high. But it’s all just pointless sickness.” The Worldwide Celluloid Massacre

IMDb

‘After 100 years, they have risen.’

Clash of the Dead – aka World War Dead: Rise of the Fallen – is a 2015 British zombie horror film written and directed by Freddie Hutton-Mills and Bart Ruspoli (Cryptic; Devil’s Playground). The Atomic Level Films production stars Ray Panthaki, Wendy Glenn and Kacey Barnfield.

To celebrate the centenary of WW1, a television documentary team travels to the Somme in France to put together a ratings smash about new mysteries relating to the famous battle.

However, what they unearth is far from a new story of those that died 100 years ago – but an army of the undead and a brand new war…

Reviews:

“The first third is where it finds most success, establishing some great characters […] The film’s descent into a rather generic stalk n’ slash orientated final third is one area that disappoints, but in general this is one zombie flick that converts your initial groan of reluctance into a harrumph of re-evaluation.” Dave Wain, The Schlock Pit

“Visiting the site of the Battle of the Somme, the filmmakers at least seem like they had a good holiday whilst filming. There’s no real build-up of tension here and very few set-ups for later on. Once the crew discover the zombie army, it’s purely by-the-book found footage numbers for the remainder of the running time.” Popcorn Pictures

” …poorly lit scenes where the camera flickers and shakes without focusing on anything isn’t terrifying, scary or moody – it’s irritating and lazy, offering nothing and hammering home the fact that the film is totally devoid of anything actually worth looking at as there are no decent kills to speak of.” Gary Collinson, Flickering Myth

” …it’s difficult to feel empathy with the characters by the end of the film. You don’t feel their trauma or even their grief-stricken panic because of the irritating camera movements. And this is topped by a mediocre explanation of the curse and what they should do to end it.” Simret Cheema-Innis, Horror Talk

“Even if we are too set aside the found footage inconsistencies, the film does not fair well. What starts as a good story quickly unravels due to a myriad of factors spanning from cinematographic direction and nonsensical plot elements, to poor pacing and unbalanced acting.” Michael Steinberg, Found Footage Critic

” When you think “found footage” horror flicks you expect some unsteady camera angles and framing, but here things become so unstable it is barely watchable. Camera glitches flash in and out far too often that at times a single image cannot even be decoded.” Michelle Moore, Close-Up Film

Main cast and characters:

• Ray Panthaki … Marcus – Cryptic; 28 Days Later
• Robert Bladen … Brian
• Kacey Clarke … Amanda [as Kacey Barnfield]
• Ben Shafik … Daz
• Eva Solveig … Joanna
• Philip Barantini … Liam
• Marco Gambino … Strange Man

IMDb

‘Based on true events’

The Devil Complex – aka The Devil Within – is a 2016 British found footage horror film produced and directed by Mark Evans (writer and producer of Forest of the Damned 2 and assistant producer of Gangsters, Guns and Zombies) from a screenplay co-written with Caroline Riley (The Ganzfeld Haunting). It stars Maria Simona Arsu, Patrick Sebastian Negrean and Marius Dean Munteanu.

In November 2012, Rachel Kusza (Maria Simona Arsu) and her team of filmmakers travelled to Transylvania to document the Hoia Forest (known as the Bermuda Triangle of Romania) which has an alleged dark history of strange occurrences, ghost sightings and countless cases of missing people…

The Devil Complex is currently available to watch free online via tubi

Reviews:

“The main problem is the massive letdown of when we actually get into the forest. Thereafter the film becomes about the three trudging around the woods in the snow. That is about it. Towards the end, we get a couple of deaths and lots of shaky cam and yelling that is supposed to indicate panic, before the camera abruptly goes dead…” Richard Scheib, Moria

“It’s nearly an hour long wait before the start of any discernible tension, and when it does come into play, there’s a nagging lack of any tangible evil. The manifestation in the film is such a vague entity that it’s so hard to become absorbed by it, and that ultimately leads to Evans’ film failing, irrespective of its notable beginnings.” Dave Wain, The Schlock Pit

“The film is interview filler for about the first 30 minutes. They walk through snow into the forest and get lost because they don’t have a map. Seriously? Someone smarter than a fifth grader (or not) could have stepped up and said, “Hey! We made those tracks. Let’s follow them back.” Nope. The film offers no closure, or much of anything.” Michael Ledo

Buy DVD: Amazon.co.uk

Main cast:

• Maria Simona Arsu … Rachel Kasza
• Patrick Sebastian Negrean … Tom Steiner
• Marius Dean Munteanu … Joe Gruber
• Bill Hutchens … Mr Dogaru
• Tom Bonington … Professor Howard Redman
• Adrian Carlugeo … Professor Popescu

Trivia:

The film is also known as The Devil’s Forest

IMDb | tubi