“1408”Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Tony Shalhoub, Jasmine Jessica AnthonyDirector: Mikael HåfströmStory: Based on a short story by Stephen King, this film tells the story of Mike Enslin (Cusack), a writer who specializes in the paranormal who tries to cope with his young daughter’s (Anthony) death by throwing himself into his work, disproving the supernatural. He goes to the Dolphin Hotel in New York to investigate room 1408, which has a murderous past. The manager (Jackson) tries to warn him, but Mike won’t listen, and what he discovers is truly terrifying. Buzz: Cusack (“Must Love Dogs”) is a great choice for a horror film, simply because he has such an everyman quality. Cusack told Entertainment Weekly that the film is “a bit like the old ‘Twilight Zone.’ A mind-bender.” Håfström is best known in the U.S. for the rotten “Derailed,” but since this looks fun, why not give him another chance. Web site: http://www.1408-themovie.com/ Release date: June 22 “The Strangers”Starring: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Glenn HowertonDirector: Bryan BertinoStory: A couple (Tyler, Speedman) in a remote house are terrorized by three masked strangers. The couple finds themselves going to lengths they wouldn’t have though possible in order to survive.Buzz: First-time director Bertino told Entertainment Weekly, “I wanted to take that first second of ‘Oh, my God, somebody is there,’ and make it two hours long.” There’s something very “Straw Dogs”-esque about that notion, but that’s a lot to live up to.Web site: NARelease date: July 13 “Hostel: Part II”Starring: Lauren German, Bijou Phillips, Roger Bart, Richard Bugl, Vera Jordanova, Heather Matarazzo, Stanislav Ianevski, Milan KnazkoDirector: Eli RothStory: In this sequel three American college students (German, Phillips, Matarazzo) studying art in Rome are lured to Slovakia by a man who sells them to tortuous, twisted masters who indulge their most gory, violent fantasies. Buzz: Instead of this film, why couldn’t the delightfully sick-minded Roth made “Thanksgiving,” the fake trailer that was featured in “Grindhouse” (the oh-so graphic trailer can be found on YouTube). Still, kind of fun to see Heather “Dawn Wiener” Matarazzo (“Welcome to the Dollhouse”) in this one. Eli Roth told Entertainment Weekly that this film is even gorier than the first. Maybe so, but “Thanksgiving” had better be on it’s way…Web site: http://www.hostel2.com/ Release date: June 8 “Skinwalkers” Starring: Rhona Mitra, Jason Behr, Matthew Knight, Elias Koteas, Sarah Carter, Shawn Roberts, Kim Coates, Natassia MaltheDirector: Jim IsaacStory: A 12-year-old boy (Knight) whose 13th birthday signals an ancient prophesy is caught in the middle of two packs of warring werewolves. He and his mother (Mitra) are unaware that his uncle (Koteas), cousin (Carter) and her boyfriend (Roberts) are “good” werewolves who’ve been guarding Timothy. Another group of werewolves, led by Behr, Coates and Malthe, want to destroy him. Buzz: This plot is far too cheesy to resist, so why bother, horror fans. Werewolf films are always a kick, because the makeup, no matter how good (even if its CGI), is always awesomely B-film worthy. It’s always good news to see the sexy yet creepy Koteas (“Crash,” “The Thin Red Line”) on a cast list. Director Isaac (“Jason X”) has a 2008 horror film in the works called “Pig Hunt.” Be still my cheesy horror-loving heart.Web site: http://www.skinwalkers.com/ Release date: July 27 “The Signal” Starring: A.J. Bowen, Anessa Ramsey, Cheri Christian, Justin Welborn, Scott Poythress, Sahr NgaujahDirector: David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob GentryStory: Told in three segments (each helmed by a different director), this film focuses on a town where all the televisions and radios are transmitting a hypnotic signal that turns those who hear it into killers. As the film begins, we meet Mya (Ramsey), who is cheating on her husband Lewis (Bowen) with Ben (Welborn). The three must face their domestic chaos while dealing with the slaughter. Buzz: This is a bit like a zombie film, except the killers are alive. And it has some much needed dark humor. It was enthusiastically embraced when it played at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival. Josh Tyler from Cinema Blend wrote, “This is a seriously scary movie. It has a raw amateurish feel to it which, rather than detracting from it only heightens the terror.” Sounds like a must-see for horror fans in search of something fresh and original. Web site: http://doyouhavethecrazy.com/ Release date: August 10 “Rise: Blood Hunter”Starring: Lucy Liu, Michael Chiklis, Carla Gugino, James D'Arcy, MakoDirector: Sebastian GutierrezStory: A reporter (Liu) wakes up in a morgue to discover she’s no longer alive. She decides to get revenge on the vampires who killed her by hunting them down. Detective Clyde Rawlins (Chiklis), whose daughter was killed by the same group of vampires, helps her in her quest. Buzz: After seeing the film at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck wrote, “It's all pretty familiar stuff, but the handsome visual style and the committed performances by the uncommonly impressive cast help it rise above the usual level of schlock horror efforts.” Marilyn Manson (perfect for a vampire film) has a small supporting role. Web site: http://ghosthousepictures.comingsoon.net/films_rise.phpRelease date: June 1 “Black Sheep”Starring: Matthew Chamberlain, Tammy Davis, Oliver Driver, Peter Feeney, Glenis Levestam, Danielle Mason, Kevin McTurk, Nathan Meister, Mick Rose, Tandi WrightDirector: Jonathan KingStory: Genetic engineering turns mild sheep into blood-thirsty killers in this horror comedy. One animal-rights activist (Driver), who gets bitten by one of the fearsome sheep, finds himself undergoing a wooly transformation. Buzz: How can you go wrong with man-eating sheep? After seeing the film at Tribeca, Variety’s Jay Weissburg wrote that the film “will make perfect fodder for midnight screenings on campuses nationwide.” The effects for the film were created at Peter Jackson’s WETA workshop in New Zealand. This is music-video director King’s first feature film. Web site: http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/ Release date: June 22 “Fido”Starring: Carrie Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, Tim Blake Nelson, Henry Czerny, Dylan Baker, K'Sun RayDirector: Andrew CurrieStory: Set in a 1950s alternative universe where zombies play the role of pets and sidekicks, Helen (Moss) buys her son Timmy (Ray) a zombie companion (Connolly). He’s controlled by ZomCon collar, but something goes awry when he starts consuming the neighbors. Buzz: The Toronto Star’s Geoff Pevere called the Canadian horror comedy “the first living-dead movie for people who don't normally like living-dead movies. Like your mother.” That said, “Shaun of the Dead” is a tough zombie-comedy act to follow. Web site: http://www.fidothemovie.com/ Release date: June 15
