In 1976, Daniel Lutz was only 10 when he and his family moved into the real-life Amityville Horror house — just one short year after Robert DeFeo Jr., killed his mother, father, and four siblings in their beds.
After a series of strange occurrences, Lutz and his relatives vacated the home after only 28 days. Soon, horror fans from around the world were captivated by a biographical film about the Lutz family and their horrific tale.
Lutz, now 47, is dishing about his frightening life in the house with an upcoming documentary.
“He’s been carrying around this weight for nearly 40 years,” filmmaker Eric Walter tells the Wall Street Journal “It’s not easy to talk about.”
Walter has dedicated three years to making the documentary while conducting a decade of research into the Amityville Horror.
Lutz is not planning to make any public appearances or do any interviews to promote the film. According to Walter, Lutz’s brother Christopher and sister Melissa did not participate in the documentary because “they either don’t want to talk about the experience or they want to do it in their own fashion.”
Recalling his final night at the home, Lutz tells the New York Post, “My brother and myself shared a levitation experience in our beds. We both woke up, and our headboards and footboards were smashing each other and banging off the ceiling. Mom said, ‘Go pack a bag. We’re going to Grandma’s. We’re getting out of here.'”
The untitled film does not yet have a release date.
Would you watch this documentary? Do you believe the Amityville Horror is true?
Indie horror fans, here’s an up-and-comer for you to drool over.
On-Ride Entertainment, LLC. has announced that pre-production has commenced on it’s first feature film, Îngloda. Îngloda is billed a dark psychological thriller and will be shot in Winter 2012 & 2013 in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Îngloda will be Written and Directed by Brian Targett and Produced by Everett Burgan. Director of Photography will be Robert Bittle and the Original Score written and composed by Libby Targett. Lauren Danese has been cast to play the role of lead actress Kelly, Rachel Worrell will play best friend Kacy, and Amber Figueroa will play Nikki.
The film be released at Film Festivals and screened privately to distributors in late 2013 and early 2014. Movie progress can be tracked on On-Ride Entetertainment’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as their main website.
On-Ride Entertainment, LLC. is a film production company based in Sicklerville, NJ. On-Ride Entertainment produces short and feature-length films written both in-house and by other parties.
On-Ride Entertainment was founded in September 2012 by President & CEO Everett Burgan, Vice President & COO Brian Targett, and Vice President and CBO Robert Bittle.
If you’re a horror fan and a red-blooded dude then you’re probably aware that the new movie Hitchcock stars bombshell Scarlett Johansson.
Hitchcock, which tells the story of the making of the classic horror movie Psycho in 1959, features Scarlett Johansson as the original Psycho scream queen Janet Leigh.
Hitchcock also stars Anthony Hopkins as director Alfred Hitchcock, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, James D’Arcy, Ralph Macchio and Helen Mirren as Hitchock’s wife, Alma Reville.
Johansson recently sat down with V magazine to talk about what it’s like to strip down and take a shower on camera.
“You have got to be brave, get into the shower, and face Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock jabbing you in the face with a 12-inch kitchen knife,” Johansson tells V magazine, “As much as Anthony Hopkins is a pussycat, he’s terrifying. Maybe I watched Silence of the Lambs too many times when I was a kid. Maybe I was having some flashbacks. So I didn’t need too much preparation for the scene.”
Hitchcock will arrive in theaters on November 23.
Check out the trailer below. Are you excited for Hitchcock?
As Halloween nears, NBC turns Friday, October 26 into Fright Night when it premieres the pilot of the much-anticipated “Mockingbird Lane” (8-9 p.m. ET) — based on executive producer Bryan Fuller’s script and directed by executive producer Bryan Singer. The special program leads into a haunting “La Llorona” Halloween episode of “Grimm” (9-10 p.m. ET).
“Mockingbird Lane” is a newly reimagined version of the classic 1960s comedy “The Munsters,” now as a visually spectacular one-hour drama with a darker edge and tone. The Mockingbird Lane cast includes Jerry O’Connell as Herman Munster, Portia de Rossi as his wife Lily, Eddie Izzard as Grandpa, Mason Cook as Eddie and Charity Wakefield as Marilyn.
Following “Mockingbird Lane,” NBC’s acclaimed drama series “Grimm” debuts a special Halloween episode, “La Llorona.” In this episode, detectives Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) and Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby) take on the other worldly predator, believed to be “La Llorona,” which has abducted some of Portland’s children on Halloween. Kate del Castillo — star of Telemundo’s hit miniseries “La Reina del Sur” guest-stars as Valentina Espinosa, a mysterious detective from New Mexico on an obsessive mission to uncover the truth behind the bizarre disappearances and joins forces with Burkhardt and Griffin to intervene before it’s too late.
Reports are that the fate of Mockingbird Lane lies in the success of this pilot episode, so if this is a show you’d like to see stick around, you better get your ass in front of the boob-tube this Friday!
James and I attended a viewing party for the premier of AMC’s The Walking Dead season 3 at a local brewery with about 100 or so other zombie lovers and the atmosphere was energetic to say the least. There’s nothing better than participating in something you’re passionate about with other people that just get it.
The adrenaline started pumping during the countdown and it didn’t stop till I went to bed. If this first episode is telling of the season to come, we’re all in for one awesome ride. Just the opening scene alone let us know that we were in for a thrill ride. Rick’s a badass, Carl’s becoming a badass, Daryl has always been a badass, and even T-dog is being groomed for badassdom. It’s no secret how much James and I love The Walking Dead, but I think we all can agree that season 2 was lacking something. Whether it was due to all the drama behind the scenes surrounding Frank Darabont’s departure or if it was just an attempt to build character development, our thirst for zombie carnage was never quite quenched. Although, I feel readers of the comic dealt with season 2 a little better only due to the fact that we seemed to understand what they were trying to do. Herschel’s farm was a major plot point in the comic, I just don’t think it translated to screen very well….
“…even T-dog is being groomed for badassdom.”
Season 3 Episode 1, titled “Seed,” changed everything… I haven’t had that much fun watching a television show since I watched a 24 hour marathon of ’24.’ (oh man, my brain just went to an awesomely dark place where Jack Bauer is breaking zombie necks and saving the world from apocalypse.) I can’t think of anything that would have made “Seed” better. Maybe a little more Michonne and Andrea, but their time will come. Whether you are familiar with Robert Kirkman’s phenomenal comic or not, they set it up to be one helluva season. The great thing about The Walking Dead is you don’t need to know anything about the comic to enjoy it, but there are still plenty of plot points to satisfy the comic geeks. It’s very hard for episodic television to keep up this kind of pace, but if they even come close to it… oh man, I don’t even know what to say. While season 1 was fantastic and Season 2 had its moments, I’d have to say “Seed” is definitely my favorite episode so far. Damn, it was awesome… I don’t even know what else to say. Let the Ricktatorship begin!
What did you think of the The Walking Dead season 3 premier?
October. A time when the dead leaves fall, the cold air haunts outside your door and freshly carved pumpkins begin to appear all over the neighborhood. Add in the grey skies, the smell of bonfires and the taste of warm cider, and to this horror fan, you have a slice of heaven. That’s right people, for horror fans around the globe it’s the countdown to our most cherished and celebrated time of year: Halloween.
And what better way to ring in Samhain than a steady diet of late night horror flicks that include monsters, masked killers and all the creepy, crawling, unspeakable horrors that await under your bed. The horror movies I’m about to mention are MY personal favorites I watch religiously every October. In no way are these in any type of order. Also take note, I left out genre staples like Trick R Treat, NOTLD and other classics as I’m sure everyone of you, myself included, will at some point watch this month. This villainous list of 13 films I’ve chosen mainly because they still fly under the radar when it comes to movie watching in October. Of course, I need not say that John Carpenter’s Halloween is REQUIRED viewing on October 31st. With that said, let’s get to which flicks made the coveted thirteen….
Session 9 (2001)
This indie flick kicked my ass the first time I saw it. To this day it still haunts me with each viewing. What really does it for me is the fact that your mind runs wild while watching this movie. Spooky, haunting and genuinely eerie. Remember, “Open your eyes Gordon…”
Night of the Demons (1988)
Every time I think of Halloween parties, this movie always pops into my head. This gem has everything you could want in a movie to watch around Halloween: a great story, great practical effects, booze, boobs and chicks turning into demons trying to kill you. What more could you ask for?
Deathdream (1974)
Yes, the infamous Deathdream I have mentioned as one of my favorite 80s flicks — the one I got called out on by everyone on the internets — was not made in the 80s. Thank you guys. Regardless of the year, Romero’s Deathdream remains a dark gem in the zombie sub-genre. Deathdream is the haunting tale of a soldier coming back home from the Vietnam war only to inflict all kinds of horror and harm to his family. Be careful what you wish for I guess. Not to mention Savini’s kick ass effects. This is a genuine classic.
I’m a sucker for anthologies as much as the next cinephile, but Black Sabbath STILL doesn’t get the credit it deserves. If you can, find the AIP (American International Press) version on Amazon video. It’s the only version that’s not dubbed. You’ll thank me later.
The Beast Within (1982)
Take a kid who is getting kicked in the ass by puberty who turns into a monster as his sexual urges grow — only to find out it’s because his mother was raped by a huge giant schlock-esque monster years ago. A very fun, gory, creature feature! Seriously.
The Exorcist III (1990)
Taken from the amazing book Legion by William Peter Blatty, this follow up flick has THE scariest moment in movie history. Sit back, relax and wait for it to happen. Those with heart conditions you have been warned.
Amityville II: The Possesssion (1982)
This nasty, incest-laced sequel is day and night from the rest of the pack. It’s atmospheric, dark-as-fuck and, in all aspects, feels like a Fulci flick. I really do enjoy it better than the original. No shit.
Near Dark (1987)
Set in the Midwest, this tale about a band of southern vampires, who are leather clad and fight, fuck and drink their way into all kinds of trouble, come across a young southern boy who they try to turn to the dark side. Take note of kick ass performances by Bill Paxton and 40oz own favorite man about town Mr. Lance Henriksen
For me, this is the movie that put Guillermo del Toro on the map. This haunting and beautiful ghost story gets me every time. Well done Guillermo, well done.
Dead & Buried (1981)
Lovecraft done right! Thought you’d never hear that huh? Well take note people, in Gary Sherman’s original zombie-esque story, it is done right. It’s a fantastic spine-tingler of a movie with twist ending that had me applauding. M. Night whatever-the-fuck-his-last-name needs to watch this movie and see how the fuck you do a proper reveal.
Day of the Dead (1985)
I’m totally one of the nasty trolls who gets off on this movie. It very much plays out like an old EC style comic. With a crazy cast of characters, an even more crazy setting and a story that adds a great background, this is hands down Savini and Nicotero at their best effects wise. Keep an eye out for the whole chicken they pull out of Rhodes stomach at the end. CHOOOOKE OOOON’EM!
The Masque of Red Death (1964)
Being a HUGE fan of Price, this one always makes my list. Hell, any list. Roger Corman knocked this Edgar Allan Poe tale out of the park with its gorgeous colors and beautiful story. This is truly Price at his most sinister — aside from The Conqueror Worm, of course.
Frailty (2001)
I actually got a chance to see this gem in theaters before it went away. Not only is Bill Paxton amazing as a religious fanatic who brings along his two young sons on a killing spree ordered by God, or so he says, but he also directed this southern gothic tale. And he did it quite well actually. Annnnnd it’s the only good movie Matthew McConaughey has ever been in. Seriously. Write me at james@40ozofhorror.com if you think different. Do it.
For all you monster-makers out there, the hit SyFy series Face Off is set to stick around for at least another season.
For better or for worse, you tell us…
from SyFy
NEW YORK – October 8, 2012 – Syfy has renewed its critically acclaimed hit competition series Face Off for a fourth season, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President, Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. Slated for a 2013 premiere, notable guest appearances on tap for season four include Bryan Singer and Lightstorm’s Jon Landau. Dwight D. Smith, Michael Agbabian and Derek Atherton of Mission Control Media will return as executive producers.
“Face Off has proven itself as a quality, signature series for Syfy,” said Stern. “The success the series has achieved in its three seasons – from both a critical and ratings standpoint — establishes a strong foundation as we continue to build the momentum for season four. It’s a pleasure to continue to showcase talented special effects artists with this addictive program.”
If you’re not familiar with the program, Face Off is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special-effects make-up artists. McKenzie Westmore hosts. Judging the Face Off competition are some of the most renowned names in the SFX world — three-time Academy Award winner Ve Neill, famed special make-up effects artist Glenn Hetrick and feature film creature designer Neville Page.
Do you like Face Off? Will you be watching next season?
