New Asylum Titles Announced!

Up on The Asylum page today there's a new title in the "Coming Soon" section, Jack the Giant Killer. Dig the synopsis:

"A giant beanstalk brings Jack to a land in the clouds filled with snarling, evil beasts. When the creatures make their way to the ground, Jack must figure out how to get back down before they destroy earth and everyone in it."

Well that just sounds fucking spectacular. It gets even better when you realize that the film is written and directed by one of The Asylum's most prolific talents, Mark Atkins. This will mark Atkins' (pun definitely intended) 11th turn as director for the studio - 11th - behind such classics as Halloween Night, Haunting of Winchester House, Princess of Mars, Battle of Los Angeles, Dragon Crusaders and Alien Origin. This guy is, as the kids say, the bee's knees. 

The film is set to star Jane March, who earlier this year played the Wicked Queen in Grimm's Snow White, and Ben Cross, best known for playing Barnabus Collins in the 90's "Dark Shadows" relaunch, and Spock's dad in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie. 

The film drops March 12, 2013, 10 days after Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant SLAYER hits theaters. And in case you're thinking "lawsuit," nope, there was another film called Jack the Giant Killer made back in 1962, and there are similarly-themed fairy tales in Cornish, Welsh, and Norse cultures, among others. Boo-ya!

But wait, there's more - 500 MPH Storm: "When an energy experiment goes haywire, a rash of massive hurricanes rips across North America. A high school science teacher must get his family to safety before the hurricanes merge, creating a "hypercane" with the power to wipe the US off the map."

This one's from director Daniel Lusko and writer Hank Woon Jr., and stars...wait for it...CASPER VAN DIEN! That's right, Johnny Rico himself has FINALLY graced an Asylum flick! Also starring is Michael Beach, best known for "Third Watch." The film streets February 26th.

Also announced, a DVD date for Abducted (aka Layover), the studio's latest Lifetime Movie: January 8th. The film stars Lauren Holly (Dumb and Dumber, Picket Fences), Kaylee DeFer (Gossip Girl) and Joe Lando (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Meteor Apocalypse); it was written by the always-excellent Naomi Selfman (Mega Python vs Gatoroid, Grimm's Snow White) and directed by R.D. Braunstein.

Whew! Happy Early New Year, Asylum-style.

40 Days and Nights out today!

Even though we're on the cusp of December, there are still three Asylum releases slated for 2012, which means that beginning today, we get three straight weeks of brand spankin' new movies from our favorite independent studio.

The streak starts today with global-flood pic 40 Days and Nights, starring Monica Keena and Alex Carter, written by H. Perry Horton (that's me) and directed by Peter Geiger.

The next week we get 12/12/12, an apocalyptic horror/thriller from writer/directer Jared Cohn, the mastermind behind Born Bad and Bikini Spring Break, and also the director of The Asylum's first theatrical release, #HoldYourBreath.

And then the Tuesday after that, December 11th, there's the highly-anticipated Age of The Hobbits, from director Joseph Lawson (Nazis at the Center of the Earth) and writer Eric Forsberg (Mega Piranha, Almighty Thor), and starring Christopher Judge and Bai Ling.

So, as you can see, there's still a lot of awesome stuff to come this year from The Asylum. Start things off right with 40 Days and Nights, available now on DVD, Blu-Ray and VOD.

T-Minus One Week Until 40 DAYS AND NIGHTS

That's right, only seven days stand between us and the release of the next film from The Asylum, the epic flood disaster flick 40 Days and Nights.

The film, directed by Peter Geiger and written by yours truly, H. Perry Horton, concerns an extinction level event and the steps humanity has to take in order to survive a seemingly unsurvivable scenario. The official synopsis: "When a colossal tectonic shift causes the sea level to start rising, a microbiologist gathers the DNA of as many species as she can, while the military creates an 'ark' in a desperate attempt to preserve life on Earth."

Pretty heavy stuff, trust me.

The film stars Monica Keena (Freddy vs Jason, Night of the Demons, Crime & Punishment in Suburbia) as "Tessa," the microbiologist in question, and Alex Carter (CSI) as "Lt. John Travis," the ark-itect (I had to). Other actors in significant roles include Christianna Carmine as Navy SEAL "Lynn," Emily Sandifer as ace engineer "Maddie," and Scott Hoxby as project director "Admiral Harrison Wallace."

Check out the trailer below, and then next Tuesday, November 27th, check out the film itself on DVD, Blu-Ray, and VOD. Once you've seen it, come on back here and let me know what you thought of it in the comments section. Constructive criticism is occasionally appreciated.

 

Time Again for the Asylum's Toys For Tots Toy Drive!

If it's the holiday season, that means it's time to roll up our sleeves, give thanks for what we have, and reach out to those who have less, starting with the most important people out there, the children.

Each year The Asylum holds a massive toy drive in support of the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys For Tots program, and this time, the studio's looking to rake in the biggest haul ever, with our help, of course. Here's the info straight from the man himself, producer David Michael Latt:

"Hello!

The holidays are right around the corner -- and you know what that means -- 

Our Annual Toys For Tots Toy Drive!!!!

What is T4T?: A charity founded by the US Marines that gives toys to less fortunate kids under 12 during the holidays.  And this year that's going to include victims of Hurricane Sandy.  

...and all we need is 1 (or more) Unwrapped New Toy.  So easy -- and tax deducible! 

Mail it, or drop it off by December 5.  (And if you drop it off, I'd love to say Thank You in person!)

And even though I know you don't need the incentive...the person(s) who brings in the most toys will get their choice of an Asylum DVD and a 15 Year Anniversary Shirt (while supplies last).  

Here's what you need to do:

-Find a toy.

-Don't wrap it!

-Mail it, or drop it off to:

Santa Elf

c/o The Asylum

72 East Palm Ave.

Burbank, CA. 91502

All toys must be received at the office by December 5, 2012.

Good Toys:

-Books  

-Anything that doesn't require batteries

-Nothing wrapped

-Lots of little toys are better than 1 big toy

Bad Toys:

-Missiles

-Lint balls

-Romney/Ryan for 2012 Signs"

Last year saw an amazing amount of contributions, which means that the pressure's on this year to provide even more kids with an even merrier Christmas. The way I figure it, since The Asylum keeps putting out bigger and better films each year, we can match their output with a greater showing of support. 

So like the man says, let's round up some toys, get them to The Asylum by December 5th, and spread the word on all our social media outlets, tell passers-by on the street, post flyer, skywrite - whatever it takes to get the word out. 

 

No Words Necessary...Coming December 2013...

Prepare yourselves. Written by Thunder Levin (200MPH, American Warships).