|
- |
By AMBREE PAPA
YOUTH CORRESPONDENT
"Each year, there are movies produced that are never seen by the public. Their content is considered too graphic, too disturbing or too shocking for general audiences "
With these words, After Dark Films sets up visitors to its Web site for one of the most terrifying events of the season.
Friday through Sunday, the studio purports to bring to you 10 films "you were never meant to see" at 500 participating theaters in 35 cities across the nation. Horror fans are sure to shake with excitement at the prospect of what After Dark has dubbed "Horrorfest."
The movies are being released for one weekend only, with encore showings of audience favorites on Monday and Tuesday.
Can't you just see Freddy and Jason sharpening their blades at the prospect of films scarier than theirs out there?
While horror fans would be hard-pressed to find a better way to satisfy their cravings for good, gut-slashing thrillers, these flicks aren't for the faint of heart.
Stafford High School freshman Nicole Clyde went wide-eyed at the mention of Horrorfest. "No way I'm going," she insisted over and over. "I would cry!"
The subjects of these films range from reincarnation to a family of sadistic serial killers. There's something for every horror fan out there, whether you yearn for blood and gut-wrenching, or crave the hostile undead and vicious ghosts.
These 10 movies are so terrifying that their rating extends way beyond R--they are simply not rated because of the extreme severity of their content.
Wow, movies so heart-stopping that they don't even have a rating?
Even the trailers are heart-pounding, and some of them gory enough to make your stomach churn.
After Dark began as a grassroots operation between Canadian filmmaker Courtney Solomon and Hong Kong financier Allan Zeman. Following the success of their release, "An American Haunting," which starred Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland, the company began a partnership this September with indie distributor Lions Gate Films.
"The horror genre has achieved mass appeal, and to satiate the audience's increasing thirst for new content, we are focused on releasing fresh, groundbreaking films," said Solomon in a press release.
The company still maintains its independent spirit, however. Much of the promotion for Horrorfest has been done online, with additional advertising dollars spent on limited television plugs and billboards, Solomon added.
Anyone who buys tickets to all of the Horrorfest films will receive a free T-shirt designed by graffiti artist Crash. And for those who happen to be in New York City or Los Angeles on Saturday, After Dark is hosting Horrorfest parties open to anyone wearing the T-shirts.
The company also held four live casting calls and received hundreds of online video submissions in search of Miss Horror Fest 2006. According to the festival's YouTube site, the winner will be chosen from four finalists and crowned by actor David Arquette tonight on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
"We want this to be like the old 'Rocky Horror' weekends, where people have fun horror parties with their friends, and see films that they otherwise never get to see in the theaters," said Solomon.
If you have parents on the cautious side when it comes to what type of movies you see, or if you're sensitive to extreme violence, think before buying a ticket.
But if you prefer to snuggle next to your better half while watching a mushy-gushy romance movie with a sappy ending, then think about this: What's a better excuse to get close than to clutch each other when the serial killer pops out of the shadows?
Personally, I'm always on the lookout for a classic horror film that makes me wring my hands in fear and anticipation. To amplify your excitement, go with friends! Get together a group of people and carpool. You'll be grateful to have someone to scream with.
Whomever you go with, prepare to be scared this weekend--and don't forget to breathe.
AMBREE PAPA is a freshman
