An Asylum Autumn

As Summer starts turning towards Fall, we find ourselves currently in a relative desert of Asylum releases - Barely Legal came out almost a month ago, and there's still a little more than a month before Dragon Crusaders drops on DVD. It's an admitted first-world concern, but when you're used to get a movie a month from your favorite studio, any longer variation leaves you fiending for a fix. Right? Please? 

Anywho, we're about to exit this desert for a vast oasis in which a flurry of Asylum films can be found. Behold, the rest of The Asylum's jam-packed 2011 schedule:

Dragon Crusaders

DVD September 27, 2011

written and directed by Mark Atkins

starring Dylan Jones, Cecily Fay, Simon Lloyd-Roberts, Karl Greenwood, Shinead Byrne and Tony Sams

A Haunting in Salem

DVD October 4, 2011

directed by Shane Van Dyke

written by H. Perry Horton (that's me)


starring Bill Oberst Jr, Courtney Abbiati, Nicholas Harsin, Jenna Stone, Carey Van Dyke, Gerald Webb

3 Musketeers

DVD October 27, 2011

directed by Cole McKay


written by Edward DeRuiter


starring Heather Hemmens, Xin, Alan Rachins, Keith Allan, Michelle Boyd, David Chokachi

11/11/11

DVD November 1, 2011

directed by Keith Allan


written by Kiff Scholl and Keith Allan


starring Jon Briddell, Hayden Byerly, Erin Coker

Born Bad

DVD November 8, 2011

written and directed by Jared Cohn


starring Michael Welch, Bonnie Dennison, Meredith Monroe, David Chokachi

Zombie Apocalypse

DVD December 27, 2011

directed by Nick Lyon

written by Craig Engler and Brooks Peck

starring Ving Rhames, Taryn Manning, Lesley Ann-Brandt,

Johnny Pacar, Eddie Steeples, Gary Weeks, Anya Monzikova,

Gerald Webb, Lilian Bowden, Robert Blanche

And as though all this wasn't enough, there's still the recently-revealed Amityville Haunting from director Geoff Meed in the works, possibly for a 2011 release but most likely 2012, and 2 Headed Shark Attack from director Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray, from a script by me, H. Perry Horton, from a story by Edward DeRuiter, which will be out on DVD January 17, 2012, starring Charlie O'Connell, Carmen Electra and Brooke Hogan.

So by my math, that's at least 6 Asylum films in the next four months, plus one ready to go when the new year rolls over. Get ready to be busy. 

A Comprehensive List of Shark Movies ... Just Cuz

There's nothing I like more than a good (or bad) shark movie. They scare the crap out of me, always have, ever since the questionable parenting of my father plopped me down in front of Jaws when I was about seven. Thus was born a primal fear/obsession that has only grown as the decades have passed. I've since seen Jaws more than 100 times, and every other shark movie I could get my hands on at least twice. Awesome, okay, terrible, shitty - it doesn't matter, they had me at "shark." And so when I started thinking about The Asylum's 2 Headed Shark Attack - out 1/17/12 from director Christopher Ray, based on a story by Ed DeRuiter and a script by me and starring Carmen Electra, Charlie O'Connell and Brooke Hogan, whew! - being the latest entrant of this distinguished canon, I decided I wanted to see a comprehensive list of shark films. But there wasn't one. So I made one, chronological to boot. I should clarify: these are movies with sharks as the primary antagonist, not just any old movie in which a shark swims by. That said, if I've left anything out, let me know on the comments board and I'll rectify the error. Enjoy!

Shark! (1969)

directed by Sam Fuller
written by Sam Fuller and John Kingsbridge
starring Burt Reynolds

Jaws (1975)

directed by Steven Spielberg
written by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb
starring Roy Scheider

 Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976)

directed by William Grefe
written by William Grefe and Robert W. Morgan
starring Richard Jaeckel

Shark Kill (1976)

directed by William A. Graham
written by Sandor Stern
starring Jennifer Warren 

Tintorera (1977)

directed by Rene Cardona Jr.
written by Rene Cardona Jr
starring Susan George

Cyclone (1978)

directed by Rene Cardona Jr
written by Rene Cardona Jr
starring Arthur Kennedy

Jaws 2 (1978)

directed by Jeannot Szwarc
written by Carl Gottlieb and Howard Sackler
starring Roy Scheider

The Last Shark (1980)

directed by Enzo G. Castellari
written by Vincenzo Monnino
starring Vic Morrow and James Francisco

Jaws 3D (1983)

directed by Joe Alves
written by Richard Matheson and Carl Gottlieb
starring Dennis Quaid, Louis Gosset Jr, Lea Thompson 

Jaws The Revenge (1987)

directed by Joseph Sargent
written by Michael De Guzman
starring Lorraine Grey, Michael Caine, Mario Van Peebles

Night of the Sharks (1988)

directed by Tonnino Ricci
written by Tito Carpi
starring Treat Williams

Mission of the Shark (1991)

directed by Robert Iscove
written by Alan Sharp
starring Stacy Keach

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

directed by Renny Harlin
written by Duncan Kennedy and Donna Powers
starring Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Sam L. Jackson

Shark Attack (1999)

directed by Bob Misiorowski
written by Scott Devine, William Hooke
starring Casper Van Dien, Ernie Hudson

Shark Hunter (2001)

directed by Matt Codd
written by Sam Wells
starring Antonio Sabato Jr.

Shark Attack 2  (2001)

directed by David Worth
written by Scott Devine, William Hooke
starring Thorsten Kaye

Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (2002)

directed by David Worth
written by Scott Devine, William Hooke
starring John Barrowman

Red Water (2003)

directed by Charles Robert Carner
written by J.D. Fiegelson, Chris Mack
starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Kristy Swanson

Dark Waters (2003)

directed by Philip J. Roth
written by Philip J. Roth, Brett Orr
starring Lorenzo Lamas

Shark Zone (2003)

directed by Danny Lerner
written by Sam Parish
starring Dean Cochran

12 Days of Terror (2004)

directed by Jack Sholder
written by Jeffrey Reiner
starring Colin Egglesfield, Johnathan Rhys-Davies

Open Water (2004)

directed by Chris Kentis
written by Chris Kentis
starring Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis

Megalodon (2004)

directed by Pat Corbitt
written by Gary J. Tunnicliffe, Stanley Issacs
starring Leighanne Littrel

Shark Attack in the Mediterranean (2004)

directed by Jorgo Papavassiliou
written by Roland Heep
starring Ralf Moeller

Blue Demon (2005)


directed by Daniel Grodnik
written by Brett Thompson
starring DeeDee Pfieffer

Hammerhead (2005)


directed by Michael Oblowitz
written by Kenneth M Badish
starring William Forsythe

Raging Sharks (2005)

directed by Danny Lerner
written by Les Weldon
starring Corin Nemic

Spring Break Shark Attack (2005)

directed by Paul Shapiro
written by James LaRose
starring Shannon Lucio

Shark Swarm (2007)

directed by James Contner
written by David Rosiak, Matthew Chernov
starring Darryl Hannah, John Schneider

Sharks in Venice (2007)

directed by Danny Lerner
written by Les Weldon
starring Stephen Baldwin

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus (2009)

directed by Ace Hannah
written by Ace Hannah
starring Lorenzo Lamas, Debbie Gibson

Malibu Shark Attack (2009)


directed by David Lister
written by Keith Shaw
starring Peta Wilson

Dinoshark (2010)


directed by Kevin O'Neill
written by Frances Doel
starring Eric Balfour

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus (2010)

directed by Christopher Ray
written by Naomi Selfman
starring Jaleel White, Robert Picardo, Gary Stretch

Sharktopus (2010)


directed by Declan O'Brien
written by Mike MacLean
starring Eric Roberts

The Reef (2011)

directed by Andrew Traucki
written by Andrew Traucki
starring Adrienne Pickering

Shark Night 3D (2011)

directed by David R. Ellis
written by Will Hayes
starring Sara Paxton

2 Headed Shark Attack (2012)

directed by Christopher Ray
story by Ed DeRuiter, screenplay by H. Perry Horton
starring Carmen Electra, Charlie O'Connell, Brooke Hogan

Another Cast Member of 2 HEADED SHARK ATTACK Revealed!

As production on 2 Headed Shark Attack continues in sunny Florida, we're learning in bits and pieces just who is comprising the cast of this certain-to-be creature classic from The Asylum.

Already we've learned the principal cast consists of notables Carmen Electra ("Baywatch," Scary Movie, Starsky & Hutch), Charlie O'Connell ("Sliders," Cruel Intentions, Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep) and Brooke Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best," upcoming Devour with David Chokachi and Sand Sharks with Corin Nemic), as well as newcomers Christina Bach Norman and David Gallegos; now we're getting word on some of the other cast members, including a familiar face to Asylum fans - the powerfully talented Gerald Webb. 


8-time Asylum vet (Titanic II, Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus, Battle of Los Angeles, Almighty Thor, 2012: Ice Age, Born Bad, upcoming A Haunting in Salem and Zombie Apocalypse) adds a 9th feather to his straitjacket by assuming the role of "Han," one of the Filipino crewmen. That pic below showcases the actor in character, and comes courtesy of the man himself. Webb is an awesome actor, extremely versatile, and is a welcome addition to any Asylum film. I'm not the only one who thinks so. Just this year, Webb received the Golden Cob Rising B Actor Award for his work in Battle Los Angeles. 

In addition to acting in 2 Headed Shark Attack, Webb also served as the film's casting director, which means he's the guy responsible for culling this increasingly-incredible ensemble. 2 Headed Shark Attack will also serve as the fourth time Webb has worked with director Christoper Douglas-Olen Ray, who also helmed Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus and Almighty Thor, as well as the non-Asylum feature Reptisaurus. He's also worked twice with Ray's father, famed B-movie icon Fred Olen Ray, in Silent Venom and the recently-released Turbulent Skies.

Committed regular readers will no doubt remember my exclusive interview with Webb, posted prior to the release of Battle of Los Angeles. For the rest of you, that was a shameless plug to get you to check it out. Obviously.

Anyway, there you have it, another strong addition to a cast that is quickly tying for greatest-ever with the A Haunting in Salem gang: Gerald Webb as "Han," Filipino crewman. I have it on good authority that his Tagalog is coming along quite nicely; that's dedication, people.

2 Headed Shark Attack Casting News - And It's TOO COOL!!!

So, the fine, fine folks over at The Asylum have posted the first cast names for their upcoming creature classic 2 Headed Shark Attack - which I wrote based on a story by Ed DeRuiter for director Christopher Ray - and brace yourself, people, because these are some SPECTACULAR names, the kind of stuff B-movie gold is made of.

First up, in the role of "Babish," the Captain/Professor of the semester-at-sea, we got the great Charlie O'Connell, best known for his work on the TV show "Sliders," "The Bachelor" - on which he was the title fella in question - and films like Dude Where's My Car, The New Guy, and a very cool creature flick I happen to enjoy quite a bit, Kraken, Tentacles of the Deep. Rad flick, and O'Connell gives a great performance in it. Dude's also the brother of Jerry O'Connell, the fat kid from Stand By Me. 

Next up, in the role of "Anne," Babish's wife and ship's medic, is the sultry and stunning Carmen Electra. I'm gonna say that again, because I like it: Carmen Electra is in a movie I wrote. Adolescent Perry is pretty pleased right now. If you don't know who Carmen Electra is, welcome to Earth or happy 0th birthday. Ms. Electra has been in a few horror films, but up to now they've typically had a comedic slant. I for one am super excited to see her take on a straight-up, thrilling, chilling, blood-letting creature feature. 

And then there's "Kate," a prominent student, who shall be portrayed by one Brooke Hogan, best known for being the fruit of Hulk's loins. Believe it or not, Ms. Hogan already has an Asylum connection: her last film, Sand Sharks, was directed by the one and only Mark Atkins, director of Battle of Los Angeles and the upcoming Dragon Crusaders, along with scores of other films.











Beyond these three, the only other cast members mentioned are Christina Bach Norman and David Gallegos, who will be playing other prominent students.

This one's a big cast, though, so this is are only the first wave of names to break, but the principles roles have been filled and then some by those above. 2 Headed Shark Attack hits DVD on January 17th, 2012. Tell everyone you know, and keep popping by here or my Twitter account for up-to-the-second updates...

MSvC on SyFy !!!

Just a reminder, my fellow faithfully-committed, that this Saturday night, August 20th, Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus will be getting its World Television Premiere on SyFy at 9pm. That gives The Asylum yet another shot at claiming the SyFy Original Movie ratings record of 3.12 million viewers set by Lake Placid 2 a few years back. In recent years films have come close - Lake Placid 3 (directed by Asylum-alum Griff Furst) garnered 3 million viewers, Sharktopus brought in 2.5 last year, and Swamp Shark (also directed by Furst) was watched by 2.2 million viewers. 

So as you can see, creature features bring them in. Three of the four highest-rated SyFy original movies of the last year involve either sharks, or crocodiles. That fourth movie? Mega Python vs Gatoroid, which drew 2.35 million viewers. Add all this up and the only answer is that come Sunday morning, the ratings crown could very well be sitting on The Asylum's handsome head.

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus was directed by Christopher Ray (Almighty Thor, currently shooting 2 Headed Shark Attack, off a script I wrote based on a story by Ed DeRuiter) and written by Naomi Selfman (Barely Legal, Mega Python vs Gatoroid), two of the best in The Asylum's stable, and stars the incomparable Jaleel White alongside Asylum-mainstay Sarah Lieving and the formidable Gary Stretch. And oh yeah, there's a Star Trek dude in it too, Robert Picardo.

So let's see...we got a shark, a crocodile - both massive - Jaleel White and a Trekkie? What more could SyFy fans possibly want? Tell everyone you know this is going down, Tweet this post, blog it, Facebook it, do whatever non-word verb goes with Google+ it - anything you can to get the word out and the people tuned in. This Saturday night, 9pm, SyFy, a great, fun, highly explosive flick, the stuff of B-movie gold, is gonna be all up on your television; don't miss it!

Asylum Should-Stars #11

Here at Committed, I'm always looking for ways to prolong my love affair with Asylum blogging. I've done inmate profiles and I've done pitches, but now, I'm melding the best of these features into one, amalgamated column: the awkwardly-named Asylum Should-Stars, in which I present actors/actresses/other cultural figures I think would make lovely additions to the Asylum's stable of performers. More mindless fun to wile away your workday! Let's dive right in, shall we?

Name: Danielle Harris


Best Known For: Halloween 4, 5 (original series), Halloween 1, 2 (new series), plus a slew of horror titles like Hatchet 1 & 2, Stake Land, Blood Night, Cyrus and Godkiller. Take note, gentlemen, this is our modern-era's indie scream-queen.


Plays: Literally everything - good girls, bad girls, powerful women, hapless victims, ass-kickers and cowering puddles of emotion. Girls' got crazy skills, all over the board.


Could Be Cast As: You got a female lead in pretty much any horror film that needs filling, Ms. Harris is your women. Added bonus: she's adept behind the lens as well. Her second directorial effort, Among Friends, is in production now.

Name: Alan Ruck


Best Known For: "Cameron" in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "Stuart" in Spin City.


Plays: quirky intellectuals, smarmy authority figures, the frazzled.


Could Be Cast As: For Mr. Ruck, I'm picturing a kind of Nic Cage-Rock role, that is, a highly specialized scientist for a top-secret government organization who is forced to enter the field for the first time ever in order to prevent a cataclysm of one sort or another.

Name: Heather Langenkamp


Best Known For: I shouldn't have to write this, because you all know who she is, but just in case, she played "Nancy" in A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare.


Plays: "Nancy" is pretty much it, of note, unless you count Growing Pains spinoff Just the Ten of Us, which no one does. No one.


Could Be Cast As: I'm seeing a switch-up for Ms. Langenkamp, one of horror's most reviled victims; let's make her that ever-elusive female serial killer, somewhere pastoral, somewhere quaint where nothing is as it seems. After 30 years of being chased, I think she's earned a chance to turn the tables.

Zombie Apocalypse Coming!

The Asylum's really been dropping the surprise flicks on us this year: first there was Anneliese: The Exorcist Tapes, announced only a week or so before release, then there was last month's sudden announcement about upcoming thriller 11/11/11, and now, out of (kinda) nowhere, behold the production stills for Zombie Apocalypse!

Would that be a pipe Mr. Rhames is hitting with?

Yep. That's Ving Rhames. VING RHAMES. In an Asylum movie. TOO AWESOME! And as if Ving wasn't enough, this one also boasts the acting talents of Taryn Manning (Hustle & Flow, Crossroads), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Spartacus), Johnny Pacar (Make It or Break It), Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl, Office Depot commercials) and Asylum-staple Gerald Webb (Battle of Los Angeles, Titanic II, upcoming A Haunting in Salem.)

But wait, there's even more awesomeness here!

Zombie Apocalypse is being directed by one Nick Lyon, best known for helming the most-recent Species film, The Awakening. And the script - oh man - the script is being written by two newcomers, Craig Engler and Brooks Peck. The neat thing here, is that Engler is a Senior Executive at the SyFy network. That's right, The Asylum and SyFy working together on what has to be one of the biggest productions in the studio's history. 

So go, check out the pictures, pass them on to friends and family because this one's gonna be EPIC. Zombie Apocalypse  hots DVD December 27th of this year, but something tells me there might be a television premiere looming for this one...