‘Rock Paper Dead’ – A New Horror Icon Is Born (Review)

We here at Horror Fuel have been tracking Rock Paper Dead since back in 2015. The film was written by Kerry Fleming and Victor Miller (Friday the 13th), directed by Tom Holland (Child’s Play), and produced by Fleming and Amy Williams. After interviewing both Fleming and  Miller, we could not wait to see the final film. That day has finally come. Earlier today, I sat back and pushed play with my fingers crossed that the film would be everything I had hoped for. Luckily, it was.

In the beginning of the film, we witness Peter Harris (Luke Macfarlane) execute a woman he has kidnapped just as the police bust down his door. The girl’s identity will play a major part in the film later on. After serving time at a psychiatric hospital he is deemed cured by Dr. Evelyn Bauer (Tatum O’Neal) and released. However, the arresting officer Doyle Dechert, played by Micahel Madsen, is not convinced Peter is actually cured and sets out to keep an eye on him.

When Ashley (Jennifer Titus) moves next door (on purpose) Dechert explains to her that Peter is dangerous. While she claims to be a reporter seeking to write a book about Peter, that’s far from who she truly is. In reality, she is the sister of Peter’s last victim before being put away and she’s hell-bent on revenge. Ashley has spent her life training to go toe-to-toe with the killer and avenge her sister’s death.

After Peter agrees to let her write the book the two begin to spend a lot of time together much to the chagrin of detective Dechert. The more time they spend together the more a strange attraction/hatred develops between the two. Peter’s urges grow to slip on that doll mask and sharpen his blade.

During his last writing sessions with Ashley, the truth of Peter’s tormented past comes out. It is revealed that he began life as a normal child before being sent to live with his uncle Charles (John Dugan). We witness the pain and damage inflicted by Charles in flashbacks. When it comes to the question of nature vs. nurture, the film implies that Peter’s sickness is mostly due to the way he was raised and his experiences, though nature does play an important part as well.

Peter could no longer fight the urge and attacked Ashley. This is where I swear not spoil the ending and trust me, you don’t want me too.

I will say this, don’t piss off actress Jennifer Titus (Zoombies) (interview). She’s a badass. In all seriousness though, she was great as Ashley. She captured the anger her character felt for Peter perfectly. The fact that her role was so physical and knowing the fact that she was acting and fighting just weeks after major shoulder surgery left me with a new respect for her as an actress.

Mcfarlane truly shines. He plays crazy so very well. You could tell the character was “off” but Mcfarlane never goes overboard like so many actors do. His character Peter came across both sick and sympathetic which was a strange feeling. He is a killer after all. Luke was fantastic. A new horror icon is born.

The scenes with Uncle Charles (John Dugan) left me feeling gross, but that’s not a bad thing. The definition of horror is: “an intense feeling of fear, shock or disgust” and they hit it right on the head. Even though Dugan does not appear often or at length in the film he left a lasting impression.

Anna Margaret (Scream Queens), Maureen McCormick (The Brady Bunch, Passions), and Gabrielle Stone (Death House), Ari Lehman (Friday the 13th), Stephanie Shamie (The Redeemer), Courtlyn Cannan (Till Human Voices Wake Us), Ryan Sadowsky (She’s Gotta Have It), and newcomer Kane Rocca co-star.

The twist at the end as fantastic and unexpected, a brilliant choice. It leaves the film open for a sequel, which I’m happy about. The good news is that Rock Paper Dead is only the first film of a trilogy, so we will get to see the story continue for several years to come. Fleming recently told me that the next film will be more deranged, brutal, and I can’t wait to see more!

My final verdict? Rock Paper Dead is a unique, interesting film filled with suspense and horror. After first hearing about the film two years ago, following its development, and finally getting to see the complete film I can tell you that it was worth the wait. I strongly recommend that you see Rock Paper Dead the moment the film is released. Luckily, you won’t have to wait very long. Rock Paper Dead will hold its world premiere this weekend at the Nightmares Film Festival in Ohio. As soon as a general release date is announced we will let you know. In the meantime follow the film on Facebook for regular updates, screening information and more.

Source: Horror Fuel

“Rock Paper Dead” @ Nightmares Film Festival 2017

rpd_promopic_nightmaresfilmfestival2017

button_en“Rock Paper Dead” will be presented at the Nightmares Film Festival 2017 that will be held in Columbus (Ohio, U.S.A.) from 19th to 22nd October. You can buy tickets here. More details soon.

button_sp“Rock Paper Dead” será presentado en el Nightmares Film Festival 2017 que se llevará a cabo en Columbus (Ohio, Estados Unidos) del 19 al 22 de octubre. Puedes comprar entradas aquí. Más detalles muy pronto.

button_it“Rock Paper Dead” sarà presentato al Nightmares Film Festival 2017 che si terrà a Columbus (Ohio, Stati Uniti) dal 19 al 22 Ottobre. Potete acquistare i biglietti qui. Presto ulteriori dettagli.

button_fr“Rock Paper Dead” sera présenté au Nightmares Film Festival 2017 qui se tiendra à Columbus (Ohio, États-Unis) du 19 au 22 octobre. Vous pouvez acheter des billets ici. Plus de détails bientôt.

[PHOTO GALLERY] Another new photo from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”

button_enHi. I’ve just added a new photo from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”. You can find it in the Photo Gallery.
button_spHola. Acabo de añadir una nueva foto desde los bastidores de “Rock Paper Dead”. Puedes encontrarla en la Galería de Fotos (Photo Gallery).
button_itCiao. Ho appena inserito una nuova foto dal backstage di “Rock Paper Dead”. Potete trovarla nella Galleria Fotografica (Photo Gallery).
button_frSalut. Je viens d’ajouter une nouvelle photo derrière la scène de “Rock Paper Dead”. Vous pouvez la trouver dans la Galerie de photos (Photo Gallery).

Photo Gallery > Movies > Rock Paper Dead > Backstage

[PHOTO GALLERY] Other new photos from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”

button_enHi. I’ve just added a new photos from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”. You can find them in the Photo Gallery.
button_spHola. Acabo de añadir nuevas fotos desde los bastidores de “Rock Paper Dead”. Puedes encontrarlas en la Galería de Fotos (Photo Gallery).
button_itCiao. Ho appena inserito nuove foto dal backstage di “Rock Paper Dead”. Potete trovarle nella Galleria Fotografica (Photo Gallery).
button_frSalut. Je viens d’ajouter unes nouvelles photos derrière la scène de “Rock Paper Dead”. Vous pouvez les trouver dans la Galerie de photos (Photo Gallery).

Photo Gallery > Movies > Rock Paper Dead > Backstage

First Trailer for Tom Holland’s Rock, Paper, Dead

04/03/2017

The new film from beloved horror director Tom Holland (Fright Night, Child’s Play) will be with us later this year, and we’ve got the first teaser for it right here!

Rock, Paper, Dead stars feature newcomer Luke Macfarlane as serial killer Peter “The Doll Maker” Harris, who returns to his family estate after being held in a hospital for the criminally insane for twenty years. Once inside the old house, disturbing memories return from his tortured childhood, while visions of past victims threaten his fragile sanity. Then neighbour Ashley (Supergator’s Jennifer Titus) enters Peter’s life, leading him to make a fateful decision that rekindles old desires that always end in murder.

Rock, Paper, Dead also stars Tatum O’Neal, Anna Margaret, Gabrielle Stone, ‘original Jason’ Ari Lehman and Mr. Blonde himself, Michael Madsen. Holland directed from a script by Kerry Fleming (who also produces) and none other than Victor Miller, who wrote the original Friday the 13th.

 

In other Tom Holland news, the filmmaker recently announced his intentions to direct a Fright Night 3, when the rights come back to him in 2019.

Source: Scream Horror Mag

[PHOTO GALLERY] An official photo from “Rock Paper Dead”

button_enHi. I’ve just added a new official photo from “Rock Paper Dead”. You can find it in the Photo Gallery.
button_spHola. Acabo de añadir una nueva foto oficial de “Rock Paper Dead”. Puedes encontrarla en la Galería de Fotos (Photo Gallery).
button_itCiao. Ho appena inserito una nuova foto ufficiale di “Rock Paper Dead”. Potete trovarla nella Galleria Fotografica (Photo Gallery).
button_frSalut. Je viens d’ajouter une nouvelle photo officielle de “Rock Paper Dead”. Vous pouvez la trouver dans la Galerie de photos (Photo Gallery).

Photo Gallery > Movies > Rock Paper Dead > Official Photoshoot

Most Anticipated Horror Movies Coming Our Way In 2017

10/01/2017

2016 was a great year for horror, even in the mainstream, proving that the genre hasn’t gone anywhere. For every 31, OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL, and THE SHALLOWS, we got HUSH, DON’T BREATHE, CONJURING 2, and TRAIN TO BUSAN. As we’re closing out a rather turbulent year, we’re taking a look at a sampling of our most anticipated horror films coming up in 2017, no official order.

SPLIT: (January 20, 2017)

While nearly become a cliche of himself, M. Night Shyamalan scored well with audiences in his last film, THE VISIT, going back to storytelling and leaving himself out of the movie. SPLIT looks to do the same, as the always amazing James McAvoy, a man with 24 different personalities, kidnaps three girls, including Anya Taylor-Joy. They must learn to manipulate several of the personalities to help them escape before the dreaded “Beast” arrives.

RINGS: (February 3, 2017)

Even though it’s been delayed on four separate occasions, it’s been confirmed that the third film in THE RING series is locked down for a February release. This entry follows Faith (Laura Wiggins) who discovers her boyfriend Holt (Alex Roe) has been meddling with the Samara death tape. In an effort to save him she also watches and she has seven days to find a way to escape the evil force before she is the latest victim.

A CURE FOR WELLNESS (February 17, 2017)

This Gore Verbinski film looks nothing short of both creepy and mesmerizing. According to the film’s website: “An ambitious young executive is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from an idyllic but mysterious “wellness center” at a remote location in the Swiss Alps. He soon suspects that the spa’s miraculous treatments are not what they seem. When he begins to unravel its terrifying secrets, his sanity is tested, as he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests here longing for the cure.” Verbinski has previously shown that he can do the job previously with THE RING and this looks to leave audiences wondering what planet they’re on.

GET OUT (February 24, 2017)

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, there has been some confusion as to what genre or tone this film is. Starring Keith Stanfield, Allison Williams, and Catherine Keener, the film follows a young African-American man who visits his caucasian girlfriend’s family and discovers that along with the disturbing family and neighbors, there may be more insidious reasons he’s there. It looks like this will be a dark but intelligent film that layers on social commentary into the story.

THE BELKO EXPERIMENT (March 17, 2016)

80 office workers in Columbia suddenly find themselves locked in their office building and become part of a twisted social experiment where co-workers are forced to turn on each other in order to survive. Written and produced by James Gunn between his time on GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 1 and 2, it stars Josh Brener, Adria Arjona, and Michael Rooker.

AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING (June 30, 2017)

Single mother Joan (Jennifer Jason Leigh) moves into a large but cheap house (wonder why?) with Belle (Bella Thorne) and her sister Juliet (Mckenna Grace) along with their comatose brother James (Cameron Monaghan.) As strange things become to happen in the house and Bella starts to envision things, she begins investigating exactly where they have moved into. And things are only getting started when her brother suddenly wakes up.

ANNABELLE 2 (August 11, 2017)

After the first film didn’t sit well with many audiences, David F. Sandberg is taking the story of the haunted doll back. Way back. After their little girl dies, a doll maker and his wife take in a nun and several orphaned girls to help after their orphanage is closed. When the doll seems to take on characteristics of being possessed, the entire family may be in her sights. Stars Miranda Otto, Stephanie Sigman, and Alicia Vela-Bailey.

IT (September 8, 2017)

A new take on both Stephen King’s classic novel and the 1990 mini-series, IT follows a small group of kids who are haunted by a terrorizing monster who can take shapes to prey on the fears of its victims. Bill Skarsgård takes on the role of Pennywise the Clown and is directed by Andres Muschietti. While no one can ever replace Tim Curry as one of the most infamous clowns in history, photos of Skarsgard reinforce that Pennywise will lose none of his scariness.

BILL SKARSGÅRD as Pennywise

BYE BYE MAN (January 13, 2017)

Taking on flavors of IT FOLLOWS, three college students discover a murderous entity that passes through hosts to commit its killing sprees. The students race to find the creature’s origins and the secret to destroying it or avoid becoming infected. If hearing the phrase “don’t think it, don’t say it” keeps echoing through your mind, head out to the theater and check it out.

FRIDAY THE 13TH (October 13, 2017)

After being in development hell for years, pieces are starting to come together for the upcoming reboot(?) with director Breck Eisner. There have been multiple plots and formats (don’t worry, it’s NOT going to be found-footage) but one thing is certain, our favorite killer is going to be walking briskly through the woods again soon, with October 13th being the absolute perfect release date.

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 4 (September 28, 2017)

The further adventures of Elise, Specs, and Tucker, this Leigh Whannell written and Adam Robitel directed 4th entry has the return of franchise stars Lin Shaye, AngusSampson, and Whannell himself. Those some images have come forth, there hasn’t been a lot of information on plot or details of the story, but you can bet that we’ll be exploring deeper into The Further to save more haunted souls.

SAW: LEGACY (October 27, 2018)

The owner of the Halloween box office returns to its throne as we head back into the world of torture and traps. Details are sparse or nonexistent and we have no idea if John/Jigsaw will return and if it’s even a continuation of the original storyline, or if it involves a copy cat who wants to carry on Jigsaw’s legacy.

CULT OF CHUCKY (October 2017)

One of the few franchises that spans nearly 30 years without being rebooted, (the original Child’s Play was written directed by our own Tom Holland,) the seventh film follows CURSE OF CHUCKY’s Nica as she spends time in an asylum for the events in the last film, as a smiling, innocent Good Guy Doll starts picking off patients left and right. CULT OF CHUCKY sees the return of one-of- a-kind voice Brad Dourif and his daughter Fiona Dourif, along with the return of franchise favorites Jennifer Tilly and original CHILD’S PLAY 1 and 2 hero Alex Vincent, all grown up.

SUSPIRIA (2017, no firm release date yet)

A remake of Dario Argento’s classic 1977 film that has been met with some hesitation and hostility, the Luca Guadagnino directed film involves a ballet dancer who attends a prestigious dance school, who after a series of murders discovers that sinister and supernatural forces may be behind them. Chloe Grace Moretz, Dakota Johnson, and Tilda Swinton are set to star in the film.

XX (February 17, 2017)

From the film’s website: “XX is a new horror anthology with a gender twist – all segments will be helmed by female directors and will star female leads. The directors have been given free creative rein within budget and time constraints, but all of the segments themselves will involve the horror genre.” The film will debut on multiple on-demand services on release.

Rock Paper Dead (2017)

Michael Madsen, Tatum O’Neal, Jennifer Titus and Luke Macfarlane have joined the cast of Tom Holland’s horror film Rock Paper Dead, which follows a serial killer’s return to his family estate after being released from a mental hospital supposedly a “cured” man. The film will be released this year year.

The film brings together a crew who are legendary in the genre including Vincent Guastini (Requiem for a Dream), Victor Miller (Friday the 13th) and composer Harry Manfredini — also stars Anna Margaret (Scream Queens), Maureen McCormick (The Brady Bunch) and Gabriel Stone (Death House).

There are probably dozens of more horror films coming to us over the next 12 months that we could spend hours talking about. You can be certain that we will be filling your eye holes with trailers, images, news, and reviews for all of these films and more throughout what’s sure to be another amazing year of horror. Which are you excited about watching this year? Are there any missing here that’s on the top of your own list?

Let us know in the comments!

Jason Stollery has horror films encoded into his DNA, going so far as to name his sons Michael and Fred. He can be found talking film on Twitter @smegghed.

Source: Tom Holland’s Terror Time

[PHOTO GALLERY] Another new photo from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”

button_enHi. I’ve just added a new photo from the backstage of “Rock Paper Dead”. Luke with co-star Jennifer Titus. You can find it in the Photo Gallery.
button_spHola. Acabo de añadir una nueva foto desde los bastidores de “Rock Paper Dead”. Luke con la coestrella Jennifer Titus. Puedes encontrarla en la Galería de Fotos (Photo Gallery).
button_itCiao. Ho appena inserito una nuova foto dal backstage di “Rock Paper Dead”. Luke con la co-star Jennifer Titus.  Potete trovarla nella Galleria Fotografica (Photo Gallery).
button_frSalut. Je viens d’ajouter une nouvelle photo derrière la scène de “Rock Paper Dead”. Luke avec co-star Jennifer Titus. Vous pouvez la trouver dans la Galerie de photos (Photo Gallery).

Photo Gallery > Movies > Rock Paper Dead > Backstage

Luke Macfarlane Talks The Mistletoe Promise, Killjoys, Mercy Street and More [Exclusive]

04/11/2016

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

[Warning: General spoilers ahead.]

Saturday night, Luke Macfarlane returns to Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie lineup for the second year in a row with The Mistletoe Promise, based on the book by Richard Paul Evans and co-starring Hart of Dixie‘s Jaime King in her first film for the network. This morning, I jumped on the phone with Macfarlane for a quick chat about the film and his packed project roster.

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

In The Mistletoe Promise, Macfarlane plays Nick, a Christmas-phobic family law attorney who strikes a pact with fellow phobe Elise (King), who’s trapped in a combative business partnership with her ex-husband that always escalates at the holidays. What begins as a congenial idea to help each other grows into something more as each rediscovers something they’d thought they lost, because, well, Hallmark Channel.

Cedar Cove‘s Sarah Smyth co-stars as Nick’s indispensable paralegal, Ashley. Christie Laing (UnREAL, OUaT, Arrow) plays Elise’s BFF Holly and Lochlyn Munro is Elise’s ex, Dan. Hallmark staple David Winning (several Christmas films and Tulips in Spring) directs.

Macfarlane is happy to be in the rotation of talent the network calls on for their movies. “I’ve become a bit of a go-to guy for Hallmark. They’re always very lovely to me, and [the movies are] always fun to make,” he says. “I read the script and said, ‘This one’s funny. Sign me up!’ I had a very busy year, and my mom is more excited about my Hallmark movies than everything I do.”

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Fore fans of the novel, he says it’s a bit lighter in tone. “I only heard about the book afterward,” he explains. “We depart from the book in a lot of ways. The book is darker, I’ve been told.”

Unlike last year’s Christmas Land, which found the cast shooting in an early winter in Utah, this film shot in the summer in Vancouver, so the cast was sweltering in their coats and hats. “It was hot, and we’re wearing jackets and trying not to sweat,” says Macfarlane. “I tend to sweat a lot anyway. When we did the ice skating scene, it was in a cold building, so it was like, ‘Oh, thank God.”

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Photo Credit: Ryan Plummer/Crown Media United States LLC

Most viewers recognize Macfarlane from his day job on Killjoys, one of our favorites here at TV Goodness. The second season, which concluded in August, expanded D’avin’s role into the larger Level Six mythology. “I didn’t know where he was going. Aaron Ashmore had specifically asked to get information [on Season 2] and I had specifically asked not to,” he recalls.

“Michelle [Lovretta] asked this year [what we wanted to know]. I didn’t know anything about [last year] and I think I will continue not to know. That’s the way I work. I like to be a little bit blind. That could change.”

Photo Credit: Ian Watson/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited

Photo Credit: Ian Watson/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited

“I think [in Season 2, D’avin] kind of figured out for himself and the team, ‘This is where I’m needed and this is where I’m useful.’ I think that’s a universal journey. That was exciting. And I loved doing all the fight scenes and I hope to keep doing that.”

He also enjoyed the arc with Sabine (No Tomorrow‘s Tori Anderson) that started casual and light and went somewhere unexpected. “In this amazing sleight of hand, she takes control and is the person in control,” he points out. “I loved working with Tori. It’s actually a testament to our casting that they get these wonderful actors.”

This past summer, The Night Shift fans were treated to Macfarlane’s return in a storyline that had Drew and Rick expanding their family. “They had wanted [me to do] more episodes, and I said, ‘I can’t because of Mercy Street,’ so I flew down on one weekend and we did two episodes,” he recalls.

“That’s the only way we could make it work. It was a bit of a bummer. I’d like to do more. I definitely expressed interest in going back if they get picked up. We’ll wait and see. I love working on that show.”

Photo Credit: PBS

Photo Credit: PBS

In January, PBS will roll out the second season of Mercy Street, and The Chaplain will get a mystery of his own. “They gave me some really good stuff this year,” he shares. “The Chaplain has some demons. I got to do a little bit of the stunt choreography I like so much, as The Chaplain. I’ll also tease that there’s water involved.”

Uh oh, he’s out! Quinton Aaron and Luke Macfarlane on

This fall, Macfarlane worked alongside a who’s who of Hollywood history to shoot Rock, Paper, Dead for Fright Night master Tom Holland. “In an effort to keep my year as confusing as possible. I had to round it off by playing a killer,” he laughs.

“It’s an amazing project. It has Victor Miller, who wrote the original Friday the 13th, and the hair and makeup people are legends in the business. It’s almost more a psychological thriller, so it’s this really interesting psychological thing. I had a blast. I adore Tom. We got along really well. It was truly a positive experience.”

View image on Twitter View image on Twitter

Macfarlane goes back in front of the camera for Season 3 of Killjoys in January, which will return on Syfy next summer. Mercy Street begins Season 2 on January 22nd on PBS.

In case you missed it, Christmas Land airs overnight tonight at 2 am/1c on Hallmark Channel. The Mistletoe Promise airs Saturday at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and repeats through the end of the year. Here is a sneak peek.

Source: Tv Goodness