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).

AGE OF THE HOBBITS Gets a Poster!

With only a little over a month before its December 11th street date, Age of the Hobbits has gotten itself a swanky poster. Dig it:

Pretty f'n epic, if you ask me. This film - one of the most original in the studio's catalog, in terms of mockbuster spin - comes courtesy of an Asylum dream team: director Joseph Lawson (the incredible Nazis at the Center of the Earth) and inventive screenwriter Eric Forsberg (Alien Abduction, Mega Piranha, Almighty Thor), and stars Christopher Judge (the Stargate TV show) and Bai Ling (one of the newer Star Wars, Crank Deuce).

December 11th is the day. Mark your calendars.

RISE OF THE ZOMBIES on Syfy Tonight!!

The Asylum's latest teaming with the Syfy has produced the network's newest Original Movie, Rise of the Zombies, which makes its World Premiere tonight at 9 p.m.

The film - the trailer for which you can catch here - comes from director Nick Lyon (Zombie Apocalypse) and starts Mariel Hemingway, Levar Burton, and Danny Trejo, as well as a spattering of Asylum vets. It's a film about which the New York Times says - yes, that New York Times - "Some of the zombie-killing and people-munching scenes make the AMC series “The Walking Dead” look genteel by comparison." Ummm....yeah, totally watching this one.

If you're the tweetin' type, follow @theasylumcc and @Syfy for live commentary by cast an crew during the EST premiere, 6 pm on the West Coast. Just use #Riseofthezombies to join the fun.

BRAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

HANSEL & GRETEL Gets a Poster

The Asylum's latest spin on the Brothers Grimm, Hansel & Gretel, isn't out until January 8th of next year, but this week we got our first look at the film's poster:

 Nice and creepy. The film was written by Jose Prendes (Haunting of Whaley House) and directed by Anthony Ferrante (BOO), and stars Whaley's Stephanie Greco and Brent Lydic (Flu Birds) as the titular twosome, and Dee Wallace (E.T.) as the witch at the center of it all. 

Film streets January 8th, 2013.

RISE OF THE ZOMBIES Stills and Trailer!

The next flick bowing from the fine folks at The Asylum is Rise of the Zombies, set to premiere on the SyFy network Saturday, October 27th at 9 p.m., just in time for the holiest of holidays, Halloween.

And to whet our appetite, the studio has released these photo stills, and this trailer for the flick. Looks to be a gory good time.

The film was written by Keith Allan (writer/director on 11/11/11) and first-time scribe Delondra Williams, and directed by Nick Lyons, who helmed last year's super-spectacular Zombie Apocalypse. Stars include LeVar Burton (Roots, Star Trek The Next Generation), Mariel Hemingway (Manhattan, Star 80), Heather Hemmens (3 Musketeers), Jon Kondelik (Amityville Haunting, Haunting of Whaley House,Super Cyclone, Golden Winter, upcoming 12/12/12), Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl, Butterfly Effect) and, oh yeah, Danny Fucking Trejo.

This one's sure to be one of the best Asylum flicks to date, so be sure to shackle yourself to a couch on Saturday, October 27th at 9 p.m., when Rise of the Zombies debuts on - where else? - SyFy.

 

4 New Asylum Trailers on YouTube!

Head over to The Asylum's YouTube channel now for a peek at FOUR upcoming Asylum projects,including Jared Cohn's hella-creepy-looking 12/12/12, Director Joseph Lawson and writer Eric Forsberg's beautiful and epic Age of the Hobbits, writer Jose Prendes' Hansel and Gretel, and the trailer for my - H. Perry Horton - next Asylum script 40 Days and Nights. 

All four of the films will be out by the end of the year, and from the looks of them, it's going to be an awesome end to 2012. Viva Asylum!!!

LAYOVER Premiere on Lifetime in Two Days!

There's no mention of this one on The Asylum page other than the TV listing, so it remains shrouded in a bit of secrecy, but the next production from our favorite studio available for mass consumption will be the thriller Layover, starring Lauren Holly (Picket Fences, Dumb & Dumber), Kaylee DeFer (Gossip Girl, Red State), Joe Lando (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Meteor Apocalypse) and Gerald Webb (pick an Asylum film of the last few years, he's probably in it). The film drops Friday night, October 12th, at 8 p.m. 

From the Lifetime page, an official, lengthy synopsis: "Suzanne Hollingsworth is the world's most influential hotel exec and meanest boss, forever berating, firing and re-hiring her much put upon assistant Rebecca. While flying from New York to LA, bad weather diverts Suzanne to Detroit. Rejected by the city’s better hotels, she books herself into a rundown airport motel, where disturbing noises from the room next door turn out to be Russian mobsters engaged in sex trafficking. They knock her out and take her captive. Rebecca grows concerned when she doesn’t hear from Suzanne and reports her as missing. But she remains the only person worried until the Russians, realizing the value of their asset, demand ransom. The FBI is called in, but they botch the rescue, so now it’s up to Rebecca and Suzanne’s security chief, Elliott, to figure out where the Russians are hiding their kidnap victims. Will Rebecca be willing to put her life on the line to save the Boss From Hell before the Russians collect their money, kill Suzanne, and flee the country with the captive girls?"

No word on a DVD release as of yet, but check out this link for a thirty-second preview. If you can't make it Friday night at 8, it's on again at Midnight and then again on Sunday at 4 p.m. 

Happy watching!

Exclusive Interview with #HoldYourBreath Director Jared Cohn!

Tomorrow, October 5th, The Asylum ventures into brand new territory: the land of theatrical distribution. And leading the charge is the horror film #HoldYourBreath, starring 30 Rock's Katrina Bowden and The Lying Game's Randy Wayne. The story comes from uber-talented Asylum regular Geoff Meed (6 Guns, I Am Omega, Amittyville Haunting) and is directed by none other than Jared Cohn, a man who needs no introduction to Committed readers or Asylum fans at large, as Mr. Cohn has directed not one, not two, not even three but four films for The Asylum in the last 18 months - thriller Born Bad, comedy Bikini Spring Break, upcoming apocalyptic thriller 12/12/12 and now #HoldYourBreath. Cohn wrote the script for the first three projects, and rounds out his impressive resume by being a certifiably stellar actor, not to mention a stand-up dude and, in my meager experience, one of the most enthusiastic and devoted filmmakers at The Asylum right now. Mr. Cohn was kind enough to sit down for his second interview with Committed to give us all the 411 on #HoldYourBreath.

COMMITTED: What can you tell us about #holdyourbreath?

JARED COHN: Breath is cool, serial killer, evil spirit, body jumping movie! Lots of suspense, excitement, and you never know who is the killer. In a similar vein as Fallen, starring Denzel W. It's the first movie with a # in the title, and I thought that was very innovative and zeitgeist. I am happy because the feedback from the trailer and from some of those who have actually seen the entire, completed movie has been very positive!  I can say it is a badass movie that people should definitely check out. http://holdyourbreathmovie.com Also, enter the Midnight Madness contest where the winner gets killed in a movie!

Katrina Bowden stars

C: When did you realize it was going to get a theatrical debut, and how was that decided? Did that effect the filmmaking process at all?

JC: I made sure to get some big theatrical, epic shots in the movie. There are certainly some wide, beautiful shots we had. It has a nice look to it, the lighting looks very cool for some of the shots. My Director of Photography, Stuart Breton did a good job. Plus, they got 2 big stars in the show, Katrina Bowden and Randy Wayne. We also had some awesome sets and production design.

C: What kind of theatrical distribution is the film getting? How many theaters, where, et cetera?

JC: Nationwide, major cities! The list and all the information and the contest is on the site: http://holdyourbreathmovie.com EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE IT!!!! or I will come and kill you ;)

C: This is your third directoral effort for The Asylum. How was directing horror different from a thriller, or comedy?

JC: I like making horror movies, killing people on screen is great for me because I am sick in the head. I would either be a filmmaker or a serial killer, or perhaps an assassin or ninja.. or a Marine. I have a lot of respect for the Marines and those who serve. Doing Bikini Spring Break was cool though, it was very successful. Born Bad was cool too, that was my spec, so that was my break!  I love movie making and acting and writing, so as long as I am working I am a happy camper. It's my passion my hobby my career... just fortunate. Hard work helps too! So does a good night of sleep. 

C: This was also your first direction for The Asylum not based on a script you wrote. Any challenges there?

JC: First of all, props to The Asylum, those guys are awesome. Latt, Rimawi and Bales. Mad genius, cool dudes. Yes, there are challenges when you direct a movie that was not written by the director. You must familiarize yourself with the story like crazy. On set there is no script supervisor, so my challenge was reading the script over and over and over and over. I knew that story inside and out. If you attempt to direct without knowing the story, then you will probably be in some trouble! 

C: What was it like working with Katrina Bowden and Randy Wayne? Any other standouts in the cast we should be looking for?

JC: Katrina was great, very cool, very professional, smoking hot, she had a lil cute dog with her. Was extremely talented and she is a fellow east coaster. Randy Wayne is a really cool guy, turns out we had some mutual friends... He is a talented guy, has a bright future. Be on the lookout for Stevie Hanks. He plays in #HOLDYOURBREATH, a large role and he kicks some serious ass. So interesting to watch. Erin Marie Hogan and Brad Slaughter and Jordan Pratt and Seth Cassell, those guys all got chops. We had a solid cast with us. It's a good movie.

C: What can you tell us about your upcoming projects, including, of course, 12/12/12, out from The Asylum in December?

Director/Dodger fan on set of 12/12/12

JC: 12/12/12 is a masterpiece. I love that movie. So cool, original, disturbing, killer baby, psychological... it's fucked up. But great. I really think and hope the fans will like it. The movie stars the beautiful and talented Sara Malakul Lane and Steve Hanks and they are both great in it. Sara is a big star in Thailand and it will be soon when she is big star here! The Asylum has been putting out some really cool flicks lately, including some written by Mr. Perry Horton himself, so with the talent pool filled with high quality creative juices, the caliber of cinema creation has been incredible as of lately. 

It's good to be apart of an industry filled with talented  folks!  The Asylum rocks! www.JaredCohn.com www.TrapLightMedia.com

Tons of Info on Upcoming Asylum Films!

It's going to be a busy end of the year for The Asylum, and things kick into high gear in only ten days, with the release of the studio's first ever theatrical effort, #HoldYourBreath, written by Geoff Meed (I Am Omega, 6 Guns), directed by Jared Cohn (Born Bad, Bikini Spring Break) and starring Katrina Bowden (30 Rock, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil). In another studio first, the movie has its very own website, complete with pretty much everything you'd want to know about the film.

After #HoldYourBreath, the next studio picture seems to be something called Layover, premiering on the Lifetime Network October 11th at 8 p.m. Though The Asylum doesn't have a page up on their site, according to IMDB, the film stars Lauren Holly (Picket Fences, Dumb & Dumber), Joe Lando (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Meteor Apocalypse), Kaylee DeFer (Gossip Girl) and Gerald Webb (pretty much every Asylum movie of the last two years). No plot details available at present.

After that, there's another TV premiere, on SyFy this time, where the studio's latest undead drama, Rise of the Zombies, bows October 27th at 9 p.m. This one comes courtesy of Zombie Apocalypse director Nick Lyon and 11/11/11 writer Keith Allan. Levar Burton (Star Trek Next Generation, Reading Rainbow) and Mariel Hemingway (Manhattan, Star 81) star.

Then, there's The Asylum's next DVD release, 40 Days and Nights, which is going to be AWESOME, not just because I wrote the screenplay, but because really, how can a global flood movie not be awesome? Anyway, we're finally seeing a poster for this one, and it's pretty badass. Check it:

The film stars Monica Keena (Freddy vs Jason) and Alex Carter (CSI), is directed by Peter Geiger, and streets on November 27th, just in time for the holiday season.

And we're still not done. Next on DVD there's Jared Cohn's hellspawn drama 12/12/12, which itself got a pretty awesome poster:

 

That shit right there is just wicked. That baby looks like it wants to eat my soul, slowly, with its eyes. Get ready for this one to make you abstinent starting December 4th.

Two more to go, hang on...one week after 12/12/12, we get Age of the Hobbits, for my buck the studio's most ambitious and ingenious mockbuster yet, written by the great Eric Forsberg (Mega Piranha, Almighty Thor) and directed by Joseph Lawson, who after Nazis at the Center of the Earth is The Asylum's director to watch. No poster on this one, but we did get the first stills from production today. Check them out right here. Bai Ling (Crank 2) and Christopher Judge (Stargate) star.

And last but not least, we finally have some news on Hansel and Gretel. Dig the plot: "In this modern retelling of the classic horror tale, teen siblings are enslaved by a psychotic recluse within her gruesome house of horrors in the woods."

Sounds good to me. The film comes from writer Jose Prendes, who wrote and directed the excellently creepy Haunting of Whaley House, and director Anthony Ferrante (Boo, Headless Horseman). This will be The Asylum's first film of 2013 - assuming we get to 2013 - and is slated to come out January 8th. Dee Wallace (Eliott's mom in E.T.) and Stephanie Greco (Whaley House) star.

And that's it. For now.   

 

ADOPTING TERROR on DVD at last!!!

Though it has aired on Lifetime several times over the last few months, yesterday marked the official DVD release of the Sean-Astin-Samaire-Armstrong thriller Adopting Terror, directed by Micho Rutare, and written by Rutare and Nik Frank-Lehrer. 

I gave high marks to the film upon seeing it's premiere, and can guarantee if you like taut, intelligent thrillers that keep you on the edge of your couch cushion, this one is definitely up your alley. Most made-for-Lifetime movies have a touch of camp to them, but not this one; this one's a pure-T tale of everyday terror, a family's worst nightmare. Brendan Fehr steals the show, and Michael Gross and Monet Mazur make memorable appearances.

So there you have it. Now get thee to a DVD dispensary and put you mitts on Adopting Terror, the latest release from the fine, fine folks at The Asylum.

REMINDER: 2-Headed Shark Attack on SyFy Saturday Night!!!

Just a friendly reminder that this Saturday night at 9 p.m. marks the U.S. Television Premiere of 2-Headed Shark Attack on SyFy.

The film - starring Brooke Hogan, Charlie O'Connell, Carmen Electra, directed by Christoper Ray from a script by yours truly, H. Perry Horton, based on a story by Ed DeRuiter - has been hailed and reviled by critics worldwide, so jump on the bandwagon and see what the hype is all about.

Saturday. 9 p.m. Syfy. A shark with two heads and more bikini screen-time than most sex comedies. What more could you ask for?

SHARK WEEK on DVD Today

If it's Tuesday, this must be where I tell you about the latest Asylum release streeting today on DVD, Blu-Ray and VOD: this time it's Shark Week, respectfully described as Saw meets Jaws, which is hook enough for me.

The film, which had its World Premiere earlier this month on the prestigious SyFy Channel, stars Patrick Bergin as a maniacal shark aficionado who kidnaps seven unwitting strangers and forces them through a gauntlet of increasingly more dangerous shark species. Yancy Butler is his femme fatale. Christopher Ray directed it, based on a script I, H. Perry Horton, had a hand in. Guaranteed you won't soon forget this film, so get out there, get your hands on it, and start making memories.

#HoldYourBreath Gets a Trailer!!!

#HoldYourBreath, the first theatrical release by the fine folks at The Asylum, finally showed us the goods today via this trailer:

In case you couldn't tell, the basic plot is as follows: "A group of friends on a roadtrip explore a cemetery where the ghost of a notorious serial killer jumps from body to body, killing his victims one by one."

The film, written by Geoff Meed (I Am Omega, 6 Guns) and directed by Jared Cohn (Born Bad, Bikini Spring Break, upcoming 12/12/12) stars 30 Rock's Katrina Bowden and Grizzly Park's Randy Wayne, and is set to premiere October 5th.

2 HEADED SHARK ATTACK Gets a US SyFy Premiere!!!

Get ready for another Saturday-shark-movie-marathon on SyFy next month, because 2 Headed Shark Attack is at long last making its U.S. television debut on September 8th!

The film - directed by Christopher Olen Ray (Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus, Shark Week) and written by me, H. Perry Horton (A Haunting in Salem, Shark Week) from a story by Edward Deruiter (3 Musketeers) and starring Brooke Hogan, Carmen Electra and Charlie O'Connell - has been out on DVD since January of this year and in that time has received rave reviews from shark film aficionados worldwide.

If you're a fan of Brooke Hogan. September 8th is an especially special evening, because immediately preceding 2HSA is her other film to date, Sand Sharks, a truly delightful, fun and thrilling film directed by Asylum-regular Mark Atkins (Dragon Crusaders, Battle of Los Angeles). September 8th also happens to be my birthday. Pretty, pretty sweet present.

The time: September 8th, 2012, 9 p.m. wherever you live.
The place: SyFy
The event: 2 Headed Shark Attack World Television Premiere.

Your presence is kindly requested.

An Interview with 2-HEADED SHARK ATTACK/SHARK WEEK Scribe H. Perry Horton

Who is, of course, me, but here's the interview anyway, with Mike Gencarelli of Media Mikes. Enjoy!

Watch SHARK WEEK on SyFy Tomorrow Night!

Just a reminder - as though you needed another one - that tomorrow night, the next movie from The Asylum, and my third script for the studio, Shark Week, makes its World Premiere on SyFy at 9 p.m. If you like sharks all sizes, devious madmen with a penchant for sick games, femme fatales, true-hearted protagonists or even just lots of blood, this one if definitely up your alley. If you're on the Twitter, there's a live tweet-a-thon going on during the East Coast premiere that will include director Christopher Olen Ray and several members of the cast and crew. Hash tag Shark Week and all that. I myself will be watching the West Coast premiere later that night, the same way I watch all my scripts for the first time: under a blanket in a dark, locked room, covered in flop sweats, before the scattered empties of cheap wine coolers. 

Shark Week. Saturday night, 9 o'clock. SyFy. Tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know. Please and thank you.