Reviews From Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors

The horror community is truly dedicated. Not only dedicated, it’s a truly friendly and open crowd. That, coupled with a well organized and well executed convention, made Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors this past weekend, an event well worth attending…Not to mention I got to meet John Saxon, who worked with Bruce Lee on arguably his best film, Enter the Dragon.

The convention was also an idie horror fanboy’s dream come true, showcasing upcoming product from Robert Stock (Angel’s Blade), Adam Green and Will Barratt (Hatchett), Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter), Troma films (those poor chickens of Poultrygeist), Robert Kurtzman (The Rage), John Shiban (Rest Stop), Tim Sullivan (Driftwood) and many many more.

It was nice to see previews of many smaller films, right alongside the major studio offerings, which included panel discussions featuring Darren Lynn Bousman, director of Saw II and the upcoming Saw III, the cast of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (R. Lee Ermey laid it down), The Grudge 2’s Amber Tamblyn, and trailers and previews for other upcoming projects, including Grind House, Jet Li’s (he only retired from period kung fu films) Rogue and many more.

Darren Lynn Bousman talked about Saw III possibly being his last time at bat for the franchise, but left the door open for the possibility of a sequel. From his statements, he led me to believe that sequel could very well be a prequel, although he would not confirm that. In fact, joked his way out of an audience question regarding any plot elements of a possibly sequel. But he said that actor Tobin Bell (who plays Jigsaw) has a detailed written account of Jigsaw’s early life, even his childhood years. So I wonder if the studio will try to get some use out of that in a future film, especially with Jigsaw being so frail and weak because of his cancer.

I also got a look at this slick teaser for Fox’s The Hills Have Eyes 2, which is due in 2007. See a larger version of the poster in the Poster Library RIGHT HERE. The film is about a team of National Guard cadets stops over at a desert outpost to deliver equipment to some military scientists. They arrive at the research camp to find it mysteriously deserted. Hearing a distress call on their walkies, they set off on what they think is a simple rescue mission into the hills – only to find a tribe of mutants, damaged by nuclear testing, who lie in wait for them. Alexandre Aja is not behind the lens this time around though. That job is going to German-born video and commercial director Martin Weisz.

Ron Perlman talked about some of his upcoming projects, including Hellboy 2, which is slated to go into production in April of 2007, according to the actor. The complete title is Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. The film will include much of the crew from Hellboy, including director Guillermo del Toro. I read a brief synopsis that says the mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity so it can rule the Earth. Hellboy and his team must save the world from the rebellious creatures. 

Perlman also mentioned his other sci-fi project Mutant Chronicles, which he is starring in with Thomas Jane, Devon Aoki and John Malkovich. Chronicles takes place 400 years in the future. Perlman plays a character named Brother Samuel. The film’s website has a synopsis that says ‘It is a time when the earth perilously balances on the brink of devastation as war, famine, and plague grip the age of man. A time when a menacing threat is uncovered that could destroy our world forever. The grit of World War One and modern day desperation combine to reveal a vision that is dark and moody, yet alluring. It is a militaristic nightmare…and a labyrinth of death.’