Ten of the Horribly Awesome New Faces of Horror

"There’s no shortage of pissing and moaning online regarding horror remakes and sequel trash. Those bemoaning the lack of original horror films just need to scratch the surface. Never mind the mainstream, there’s a litany of young and hungry film makers willing to scare the hell out of you. In no particular order, here are ten you need to keep an eye out on."
- Mike Snoonian, All Things Horror

Bis repetita placent (A little originality please)

My grade eight science teacher, Mr. Dy; not d-y-e or d-i-e as he liked to say, liked to throw latin into his lesson plan. It was unique and always had these twins hooked. The above latin being my personal favorite. It could be said that the fabulous Mike Snoonian, supporter and true lover of horror, also of All Things Horror, feels the same way about creativity in the horror genre. If you don't know Mike, get caught up, my dears, and see why we adore the gentleman so.


With originality and perhaps even the thought of a new wave of horror filmmakers in mind, we have this list from All Things Horror: Ten To Watch Out For-The New Faces Of Horror. Jen and I are honored to be included in this list, which includes fellow filmmakers that I am just loving the work of and some new faces that have me adding new flicks to my 'must see' list.

Gregg Holtgrewe - DAWNING
Bill Palmer - THE LIVING WANT ME DEAD
Devi Snively - TRIPPIN'
Maude Michaud - RED
Patrick Rea - NAILBITER
David Matthews - MURDERABILLIA
Elisabeth Fies - THE COMMUNE
Matt Saliba - DARK LOTUS
Matthew Garrett - BEATING HEARTS

Tired of the same films getting shoved down your throat by the big studios that have seemed to have lost their grasp on what audiences want? Want something original please? Look no farther than this list and thank Mr. Snoonian for putting us and these fine indie filmmakers in a neat line to get us and our work out there!

Sylv

Only One Week Until DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is Released

Holy shit.

Yes, the above statement is true. The world will no longer be a cold, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK-less place where your only chance of sneaking a peek at this epic nugget of independent, horror gold. If you are fortunate enough to live in the gore~geous UK or be part of the "thunder down under" in sunny Australia, you can get your DEAD HOOKER before the rest of the planet.

Because you live in a place THAT riddled with awesome.

Can you buy it now? Kinda sorta. You can (and you damn well OUGHT to) pre-order that little sucker and guarantee yourself a copy on the release date, Monday May 23rd.

And what shall you get?

The never-before-seen edition of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK with remastered sound and picture.

DELETED scenes.



A Director Commentary.



A Technical Commentary.



A Behind The Scenes Making Of Featurette.



Bloopers and outtakes.



A interview with independent film legend, Carlos Gallardo, mister EL MARIACHI himself.

And the best thing about picking up DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK this Monday? Aside from picking up one of the most fucked up, but strangely feel good films to ever crawl the Earth?

Supporting independent film.

Say no to remakes. Say no to craptastic, quick buck flicks. This film is made by people who love horror for people who love horror. We cannot even begin to thank the horror community for embracing and supporting this film. It is a great honor to be able to bring our film to your homes at loooong last.

Thank you so bloody much and go yourself a DEAD HOOKER ;)

XO,
Jen

Keep Your Peepers On These Five - Horror Directors On The Rise

From blood-soaked slasher flicks to spine tingling paranormal feats, scary movies rip at our souls. It's the thrill, the unanswered questions, the taboo, the unknown angst that makes us shudder, yet yearn for more. And that's what makes the genre special- what breathes new life into it. Horror hits a lot closer to home than most would care to admit- and that's what makes it appealing. And frightening.

Dozens of names have become synonymous with the genre: Wes Craven. John Carpenter. George Romero. Eli Roth. We've seen it all- from teenagers going on killing sprees, to tourists being forced into human torture chambers. And there's a lot of exploration left, but where else can it go? And who is going to take it there? We've taken the time to compile a list of the top five up and comers in the horror game. Some of them have already established their credentials, while others are just stepping into the limelight. - Andrea Albin, Miami New Times

I have to share, Eli Roth introduces us to some of the best people on the planet - I can't even begin to express how much his friendship and support have changed our lives. First, he introduced us to Hannah Neurotica who - if you're new to the class, is our separated at birth sister, we are just that perfect for each other - and over last the last week we met the sensational Andrea Albin, keeper of all horror knowledge who is brimming with so much talent and eloquence that it is impossible not to love who she is and what she does.

Andrea Albin is a professional writer - you can see her work on Bloody-Disgusting.com and Stiff Magazine, as well as her personal fierce blog, The Albin Way - with a knack for cutting through the bullshit and going for the proverbial kill. Which helps a lot if horror is your game and she is a master at it. In a culture where the safer road is often the one most traveled, it's a breath of fresh air to have someone like Andrea who prides herself on having one of the edgiest Hollywood blogs around. No bullshit, indeed.

It was a supreme pleasure talking to her about the industry, our work, and everything in between. The article is on its way, but she has bestowed another great honor on us by including us on her list of Five Up-and-Coming Horror Directors About to Hit It Big.

2. The Soska Sisters
Beautiful identical twins that thrive off of intensity and violence? Sign us up! These girls were busy brainstorming nightmares while others were planning fairytales -- and that we can appreciate. These sisters are right at the top of the watch list for the simple fact that their film, Dead Hooker in a Trunk, is one of the best low budget, independent horrors circulating around to date. It's a bloody romp that's sure to impress even horror purists and captivate skeptical watch hounds. American Mary, their latest project, has eyes set on Cannes, and who knows where their groundbreaking films will lead them- hopefully into a cemented spot in terror history.

I am so honored to have myself and my twinnie included on this list that Andrea has really hit the proverbial nail on the head with this article. Daniel Stamm (THE LAST EXORCISM), Oren Peli (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY), Darren Lynn Bousman (REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA), and James Wan(SAW) are innovative, creative artists that films that are unique and are breathing a life into horror that big studio films often lack.

It is a true privilege to be included. For those of you that are unfamiliar with these names - I implore you to hit up the full list and get your knowledge on. These gentlemen are going to be creating the films that you will be talking about tomorrow.

~Sylv

Abstrakt Me

We are getting to the point where we are going to putting all of our focus where it rightly belongs, on our upcoming film, AMERICAN MARY.

From the beginning, we've hinted and we've teased. We have also rewarded. How will you keep on top of all things AMERICAN MARY? We'd never leave you completely in the dark. Though we are going to be keeping many of our cards to ourselves, we will be releasing exclusives through a NEW SITE that will exist purely to give you all a deeper glimpse into the world of AMERICAN MARY.

Introducing...


Yes. ABSTRAKT ME is now live. Right HERE.

What will we be putting up there? You never know. Exclusive videos, first looks, hints, never before seen photos, sketches, inspirations, you name it. We will be releasing NEW content often without warning, so be sure to keep an eye out on ABSTRAKT ME. This is one for the bookmarks, boys and grrls.

"Now, pay attention cuz this part concerns you."-Elle Driver

And as if that's not enough to get you excited, we've got even more in store for you. We have one exclusive and huge release coming your way freight train style. On May Friday the 13th we will be making an update. An epic one. What the h - e - double hockey sticks will it be? That's our little secret.

Let's just say it's a reveal of gargantuan proportions.


Bloody Best!
Jen

Behind the Couch steals a peek at Dead Hooker In A Trunk

"Energetic, oddball and effortlessly cool, the tantalizingly titled Dead Hooker In A Trunk is one of a few current films boasting impossibly exploitative titles that hark back to sleazy grindhouse flicks of the past. But can it live up to the promise of that title?"


"Unfolding as a love letter to exploitation movies, the feature debut from Canadian twin sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska is an anarchic and eccentric road movie that subverts expectations and doesn’t stop for breath until its surprisingly poignant ending." ~James, Behind the Couch

What's with "Behind the Couch"? Well, in writer, blogger, and reviewer, James, of Behind the Couch's own words...

"Behind the Couch is a term used as a humourous metaphor to describe the actions that a state of fear may drive someone to: for example, a young child hiding 'behind the couch' when watching a scary film or TV show. Its use generally evokes a feeling of nostalgia: safe fear in a domestic setting.

In the case of this blog, it also denotes the reviewer hiding behind the couch in shame, due to the huge amount of trash he watches..."

Uh, oh.

How did our DEAD HOOKER measure up? Here's a tidbit.

"That is has an unexpectedly big heart, and is a statement about the dynamics and importance of friendship and sisterhood; is just an added bonus. A real live wire buzz elevates it above and beyond your usual low budget indie fare. There is a sense when watching it that it’s somehow part of a bigger picture. I think in hindsight that picture will reveal itself to be the career of the Soska Sisters. If this debut is anything to go on, they will be big." ~James, Behind the Couch

Check out the full DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK review here!

And treat yourself to a little poke about Behind the Couch. You never know what wonders you'll find...

Case in point. As I was hunting for an image of "behind the couch", I came across this.

Enjoy and I apologize.

Sort of.



XO,
Jen

13 - Unlucky for Some, A Huge Honor for Us

Throughout the past few years, there have been some really lousy genre movies released, and sadly, it's the bad ones that seem to be more easily remembered than the good films.

Therefor, I decided to put together a list of 13 recent horror films that you really MUST see. Most of these are low budget indie films, but there are a few others thrown in, for good measure. I'm listing them in no particular order, so please don't take this as an ordered list. - Scott Ruth

Let me be the first one to tell you this, if you haven't already heard, Scott Ruth is one hell of a guy. He's made us cry - happy tears - for his empathetic look at our project and all the incredible independent talents that came together to make the film exist. Today, I came upon this new huge honor and privilege. Scott's 13 list included DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK and quite radly coming in at the thirteenth spot. Uber rad.

"There is one grind house type film that I feel is better than Hobo With A Shotgun and that film is Dead Hooker In A Trunk! Do you remember the always fun classic movies, movies back when movies were cool, that involved a group of people, often friends, who are suddenly, and unwillingly, thrust into a dangerous situation, forced to either deal with what's landed on their proverbial laps, or face the consequences of their failure to act swiftly? These sort of films have always been a favorite of mine and Dead Hooker In A Trunk has brought back those kind of movies that have meant so much to me throughout my life as a fan of the cinema."

Dammit, Scott Ruth, I promised myself I wouldn't cry. That is hugely generous and kind of you to say, sir. Thank you for really enjoying the film - our biggest ambition was to create a film that was really fun to watch like the ones we grew up watching. It's good to know we got there.

Please read the entire list. I've seen almost all of the other films - I will get my hands on the others now - and they are fucking brilliant. MARTYRS may be the best horror film ever - it's just that powerful. No matter what your feelings, that film will haunt you.



Thank you for checking in, boys and girls. Thank you to all of you that have stood by us and our work. I promise this new film we are currently working on will be a suiting thank you for making this all possible.

Sylv

Twisted Twins Nominated for the 2011 Golden Cob Awards

Majestic, isn't it?

Corn, always proudly looked on as a staple of good taste (and quite literally), it finds greater and even deeper meaning with the Golden Cob Awards. Awards by the people for the people recognizing horror in all its forms.

We are quite honored to have been nominated for "Best Emerging Film Makers". It's been said many a time, on many an occasion, but it's DAMN true. It IS an honor to be nominated. It would only have sweetened the sentiment to have our first born baby, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, receive a nomination as well, but we know we have made the list because of our DEAD HOOKER. And this bad boy is decided on by votes from the people.

So, people? Let's claim this bad boy in the name of DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK!!

Get your vote on here!! Right bloody now.

You'll be sure to recognize several indie darlings here, be sure to show 'em some love.

Thank you kindly to the powers that be for sending us this distinct privilege. We are quiet touched.

Bloody Best!
Jen