Incredibly Strange Video's Incredibly Strange Transformation

Pittsburgh, PA – February 3, 2007 – Incredibly Strange Video, offering Pittsburgh’s best selection of horror, science fiction and cult films for more than 10 years, has undergone a transformation of sorts. Not as frightening as some of the werewolf, zombie and vampire transformations in the films on the store’s shelves – but in response to a different kind of monster.
At of the beginning of 2007, owner Bruce Lentz decided to eliminate video rentals and concentrate on a sales only format. Feeling the impact of national mail order video rental services, as well as cable on-demand movies, both of which cater to the convenience factor of consumers not having to leave their homes to watch a movie, Lentz chose to regroup and come out swinging rather than roll over and die quietly.
“As one of the last of the local mom and pop rental shops, I have been hurt by new, more convenient ways to watch movies”, says Lentz. In response, Lentz has created a new direction for ISV which includes “TONS of cool used DVDs and VHS tapes…along with a new ever expanding selection of new DVDs, books, magazines and t-shirts!” The new ISV features:
A great selection of new and used DVDs for sale.
• Used video buyback program.
• More obscure and hard to find titles.
• A fast and efficient special order program.
• Rare out of print DVDs at competitive prices.
• More competitive pricing on new DVDs.
• More t-shirts in all sizes.
• Posters and prints.
• More reference books and magazines devoted to the horror and sci-fi genres.
In addition to in-store sales, Lentz offers a mail order sales service through ISV’s web site to cater to fans outside the Pittsburgh area.
Another new feature of ISV is Sunday hours, from noon to 5 PM. Lentz is kicking off the new schedule on Sunday, February 11 with a grand re-opening event featuring an appearance by Professor Emcee Square, host of WBGN-TV’s “The It’s Alive Show”, a local television show produced in the same format as the highly successful Pittsburgh favorite Chiller Theater. Lentz is credited as “horror historian” for the show, recommending the vast majority of films shown.
For more information, contact Bruce Lentz at (412) 531-6430 or via email at LAN_EMAIL_SUBS. Incredibly Strange Video is located at 3049 West Liberty Avenue in Dormont, approximately 2 miles south of the Liberty Tunnels. Store hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 9 PM, Saturdays from 11 AM to 9 PM and Sundays from noon to 5 PM (beginning 2/11/07). Visit the store’s web site at www.incrediblystrangevideo.com.

Gross Movie Reviews #79

Gross Movie Reviews #79
By Tim Gross

Book number two is well on its way to being finished soon as the hard part is done, now just the waiting and finding a cover for it…

The Brain Machine (DVD) – A film from 1972 that stars “Dukes of Hazzard’s” James Best as a priest who takes part in a government experiment that eventually goes wrong! Another half decent sci-fi film of the 1970s worth seeking out, I give the film 2 ½ stars.

The Brain that Wouldn’t Die (DVD) – A B-movie classic from the 50s that has a doctor wanting to bring life to the dead. Well the good doctor gets his chance after a bad car accident involving his wife and brings her head back to life! I give the DVD 3 stars.

Pan’s Labyrinth (Theater) – A movie from the man that gave you “The Devil’s Backbone”, “Blade 2”, “Hellboy” gives you a dark fairy tale about a girl in Spain at the end of WWII faced with a harsh reality she does not want. It’s like if ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was even darker… But the film, the monsters, the war scenes, everything about the film is beautiful and should be seen by anyone and everyone. I give the film 4 stars.

Mercenary for Justice (USA Network/DVD) – Steven Seagal is back as a man who is fucked over by the CIA and wants revenge, of course. Not as good as some of his recent films but still worth watching. I give the movie 2 ½ stars.

Shadowhunters (DVD) – A film from Darkstone Entertainment that was picked up by Brain Damage not too long ago has John Johnson; directing, writing, and acting in a tale of four demon hunters who are trying to rid the world of a demon that they failed to get rid of five years ago. A fun film to watch as it seems to have some “Witchhouse” overtones but on a micro budget and done very well. Plus any film you can get ten or so women in their bikinis running around for most of the movie and look happy about it you know you are doing something right. When it comes down to it, this film is brilliant and witty and a well done horror film you would love to own! I give the DVD 3 ½ stars.

The Elephant Man (VHS) – A film that stars John Hurt as a man who has a debilitating disease and belongs to a circus under the ‘freak’ name: “The Elephant Man”. He is rescued by a concerned doctor Anthony Hopkins who shows him there is so much more to life than people staring at you at a freak show! An excellent film that was filmed in black and white in 1980! I give the film 4 stars.

The Hollow (DVD) – Another horror film that tries to take a new stab at the “Headless Horseman” legend. Stacey Keach stars as a drunken cemetery caretaker who believes that ‘Crane’s’ relative or savior has come back to Sleepy Hollow to put the legend to rest! The film also stars Judge Reinhold as a father! Has its moments with the gore and a nice topless scene and well worth the rent, I give the movie 3 stars.

Donnie Darko (DVD) – A film about a disturbed teenager who believes he has visions of the future or an alien or both because he keeps dreaming about weird stuff like a large ugly rabbit that tells him to do things. In the end no matter what he does eventually he dies. Quite a few films recently made have been very influenced by “Donnie Darko” whether they admit or not. But this is an excellent film that takes you two times at least to watch to totally get what is going on! I have watched it three or four times now and still don’t understand it fully! But rent it, buy it, and get lost in the story then watch the shitload of deleted scenes that do and don’t explain more? I give the DVD 4 stars.

Dust Devil (DVD) – Finally, Richard Stanley was able to get his final cut of the film released that is about a woman who is running away from her husband and picks up a stranger. The stranger happens to be Robert Burke or a ‘dust devil’ who roams the earth to have sex with women and kill them, who do not want to live or care anymore. It is a bloody tale that was not seen by many but always talked about among the hardcore horror fans as a great foreign horror film over the years. The special edition is 5 DVDS, yes you heard me right! The special edition has everything from the final cut, work print, commentaries, and all other kinds of shit from Richard Stanley! What it comes down too: you have twelve hours to kill and like Richard Stanley this is for you? Also listen close to the soundtrack as for me it just sends chills down the spine but also I could swear it has been copied a few times over the years by other bigger budgeted horror films! I give the DVDs 3 stars.

Series 7: The Contenders (VHS) – An excellent movie made on a small budget and the filmmakers used it to their advantage to make a film about a reality show that pits people against people to hunt and kill each other on TV to win money. Here’s the catch the title explains how they are actually in their seventh season and a woman who was a past champion is back and she is pregnant this time around! Sounds like ‘Battle Royale’ in some ways but I actually think this film was made before or around the same time? Look for this pretty cool small budget movie that I give 3 stars.

Any comments please send to: LAN_EMAIL_SUBS or www.myspace.com/slasherfilmfan and you can also find more reviews in a book I wrote called, “Gross Movie Reviews Volume One” that is available at: www.lulu.com/grossmoviereviews, if that doesn’t work just go to www.lulu.com and search in books, “Gross Movie Reviews”! And now don’t forget to check out my website www.bastardsofhorror.com for horror news and other related items plus check out www.bloodtypeonline.com for articles I write exclusively for that website! Remember folks if you are renting from Blockbuster you are not renting from the best! Support your local independent video store! It will keep horror alive………

Tiffany Apan's latest project!

Hey everyone!

After hard work, my first music project is now released:) It is a project I did in conjunction with the Morbid Curiosity Shop entitled “Porcelain Doll.” Go to the Morbid Curiosity Shop website to check it out. The link is http://www.morbidcuriosityshop.com/Tiffany%20Apan%20-%20Porcelain%20Doll.html or just go to http://www.morbidcuriosityshop.com and click on the Music and CDs section once you have entered the site. The songs are written by me as far as the lyrics and melody go. Addtional music and mixing is done by Jason English and additional mixing was done by Mark Kapsha. The cover art was done by John Maher of the Morbid Curiosity Shop. Everyone check it out and be sure to pick up a copy! Also, stay tuned for more on my upcoming album, “Everlasting Element” which takes a slightly different turn from “Porcelain Doll” as well as my new and improved website next month and upcoming film releases.

Have a good night!
Tiffany Apan

The Tiffany Apan photoshoot is now up!

The pictures we did with the official Bastards of Horror model, Tiffany Apan at Incredibly Strange Video are finally up in the Picture Gallery. Thanks again to ISV owner, Bruce Lentz for lending us his store and for the finger sandwiches and ginger ale!

Here’s the main gallery of Tiffany glamorously sporting a Bastards of Horror T-shirt.

Here’s a gallery of pictures from the shoot that I messed around with in Photoshop.

Here’s a gallery of Tiffany in 3D! You need 3D glasses to view them. Let me know if they actually work.

Midnight Syndicate Films teams up with Robert Kurtzman's Precinct 13 Entertainment on The Dead Matter

Midnight Syndicate Films is teaming up with FX legend Robert Kurtzman (Dusk till Dawn producer, co-founder of the KNB EFX Group) and his production company, Precinct 13 Entertainment to produce the horror-suspense thriller, The Dead Matter. Development has been underway for several months and pre-production will officially begin March 1st. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in Northeastern Ohio this August with a projected release date sometime in 2008. Midnight Syndicate founder, Edward Douglas, will be directing the film and producing it through the newly-formed Midnight Syndicate Films division of Entity Productions, Inc. The company is in talks with Doug Bradley (Hellraiser) and Andrew Divoff (Wishmaster) to star.

The Dead Matter tells the story of a vampire relic with occult powers that falls into the hands of a grief-stricken young woman who will do anything to contact her dead brother.

“One of our main goals over the past ten years has been to get into a position to remake The Dead Matter with an actual budget,” said Edward Douglas, who produced and directed an earlier version of the film for $2000 in 1996 before forming Midnight Syndicate. “Those familiar with Midnight Syndicate know that horror movies are at the core of everything we do - which is basically soundtrack CDs to imaginary horror films. Horror movies are my passion and that’s why I believe so much in remaking The Dead Matter. Co-writer Tony Demci and I have had a lot of time to take what we felt was already a good story and develop it into something that we know is really going to deliver for fans of the genre.”

Entity Productions plans to release multiple discs of new Midnight Syndicate material in coordination with the film. “As far as the next Midnight Syndicate CD goes, fans are really going to like what we have planned for the soundtrack,” said Gavin Goszka, who will serve as Music Supervisor for the film. “The Dead Matter soundtrack CD will be in the style of our other Midnight Syndicate releases. Our plan is to integrate music from the movie with new material and atmospherics which will allow listeners to further explore the dark and supernatural world created in the The Dead Matter film.”

More information will be available soon at both www.MidnightSyndicate.com and www.TheDeadMatter.com.