Cheap Thrills
Tells the story of a new father facing eviction who is reunited with a high school friend when a wealthy couple challenges them to the ultimate game of dare, testing the limits of physical pain and morality in exchange for cash.
Raving Maniacs
There’s a rave going on. It’s gonna be great. Tuesday and her boyfriend J.T., and their friend Katie, and Katie’s brother, are going out partying to the biggest rave in Providence, Rhode Island. Of course, the reckless kids become part of an alien plot to distribute some strange drugs (they’re so strange, that they glow in the dark) among the ravers at the party. The socially smart storyline tells a tale of reckless youth with no control over the substances they ingest in heir endless quest for stimulation, feeling, and euphoria. The risks of doing some drugs may never be discovered until it’s too late, when the party’s over.
[BD Review] ‘Cheap Thrills’ Is A Masterful And Nuanced Bit Of Horror Satire
One of the great benefits of a film festival like SXSW is being able to see movies before you have a chance to pre-visualize them. With Cheap Thrills, I think I popped up a few casting announcements last year but, as far as exposure goes, I hadn’t seen a trailer or any kind of imagery. And that’s exactly how I recommend you go into the movie.
Director E.L. Katz (making one hell of a feature debut), along with writers Trent Haaga (Deadgirl) and David Chirchirillo (the upcoming Dances With Werwolves), has fashioned a film with such a nuanced and inevitable sense of escalation that going in blind is probably the best way to approximate the nightmare that protagonist Pat Healy (The Innkeepers) finds himself stepping into after a long lost best friend (Can’t Hardly Wait‘s Ethan Embry in a heretofore unseen macho mode) and two strangers (Anchorman‘s David Koechner and The Innkeepers‘s Sara Paxton) decide they want to party with him one night.
With all of the action taking place in two primary locations, Katz and company have fashioned an insular and intimate saga of an epically bad night of one-upmanship that perfectly mirrors the stranglehold the 1% of this country have over the 99%. But it’s more than political parable, it’s entertaining, funny, disgusting and ultimately devastating. It never stops to lecture you on any kind of political or sociological talking point, instead it cleverly keeps racking up the stakes with an impressive bit of economy. This is not a film that wastes time condescending to its audience and it wisely sidesteps any heavy-handedness that might have resulted from over explanation. It’s a rarity to see such assuredness and restraint in a film, and the fact that you’re seeing it in the work of a first time director is something of a miracle.
All of the performances are great but I was surprised by Koechner and Paxton in particular. Paxton has traded in the pixie-ish innocence of her past roles to embody the dead-eyed boredom of a trophy wife who is aware that her sense of humanity is flickering out. And Koechner turns in a masterful performance simply by re-calibrating his jovial brand of humor to fit the material. It’s as if Katz saw all of the masculine, slippery chumminess of his earlier work and knew that, dropped into a different context, it could mean something else entirely. Sort of like when Paul Thomas Anderson was able to channel Adam Sandler’s inherent rage into the wounded and disturbed Barry Egan of Punchdrunk Love.
Cheap Thrills is a hugely pleasant, almost out of nowhere surprise (I wasn’t even aware that the film had been finished when it showed up on the SXSW schedule). It’s the rare slow burn that maintains interest by gradually increasing speed rather than simply leaping from 0 to 60 in the final 10 minutes. A great horror satire that would incidentally make a great stage play, this is a 100% can’t miss film for any viewer that wants to be sickened, surprised and impressed.
Falling Still Release “Stupid Girl” Video: Directed By Troma’s Trent Haaga
LA-based rock band Falling Still has released an official video for their track “Stupid Girl”, which comes off their upcoming self-titled EP (out Feb. 26th). The video was directed by Trent Haaga (Chop, Deadgirl) and tells the tale of twisted love and insanity (along with a dash of crazy fangirl).
Singer/guitarist Eric Podnar, who starred in (Deadgirl), comments, “‘Stupid Girl’ is a song about a misbegotten soul cracking under the pressure of a scrutinizing world. The video depicts the protagonist as a seemingly sweet girl that eventually seduces and murders our whole band for her enjoyment,” he said. “The clip was inspired by a very specific kind of girl that often emerges in LA. In most cases, they’re aspiring actresses or models or musicians who become dangerously intent on self-preservation through any means necessary. They’re typically fucking crazy and never short on vices or dependencies. Our video is a public service announcement about the dangers of getting involved with these types of individuals. It’s not pretty.”
You can watch the video below. READ MORE
Falling Still Announce Release Date Of Self-Titled EP Debut
Los Angeles rock band Falling Still will be releasing their self-titled EP debut on Feb. 26th. Fronted by Eric Podnar (who starred in the 2008 Deadgirl), the Michael Parnin (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Rage Against The Machine) produced and engineered EP will feature six tracks
Podnar states, “With the EP, we feel like we’ve finally created the music we always wanted to make. The record really paints a clear picture of what we can do with our sound. It’s loud and exhilarating and it immediately grabs your attention and refuses to let it go.”
Below you can watch the video for “I Am The Dr.”, which was directed by Troma’s Trent Haaga (who also starred in and directed the BD Selects film Chop) as well as their current single “If U Stay” (also directed by Haaga). READ MORE
[Halloween Treat] Learn A Lesson In ‘Smashing Pumpkins’!
A quick Halloween Treat for you guys in the form of this 91 second short from One Minute Horror, Smashing Pumpkins! If the homage to the one-armed man from “Arrested Development” is intentional, then slow clap! The short start Trent Haaga (Terror Firmer, CHOP), Thatcher Svekis, Chris Jones, & Kyle Laffey. It was written & directed by Shane Leary.
Head inside to check it out! Enjoy!!! READ MORE
‘Chop’ Director Shares Script For Unproduced ‘Deadgirl’ Sequel!
Those of you who are fans of the indie quasi-zombie flick Deadgirl, and recently checked out the Bloody Disgusting Selects title Chop, are going to love the latest blog post by screenwriter-turned-director Trent Hagga.
By clicking here you’ll be able to download and read the official screenplay for the unproduced sequel to Deadgirl, Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel’s festival favorite about two teenagers who make a shocking discovery (a woman tied to a bed that’s anything but dead) that not only threatens their friendship but also their lives.
“What I ended up writing could maybe be described as ‘ ‘Precious’ meets ‘The Pit’ with a zombie attack dog,’ ” teases Haaga. “My idea for the sequel was to try and tell a story from the point of view of a female outcast and what would happen if she found the DEADGIRL this time … instead of using the DEADGIRL for the impetus of her sexual fantasies, what if she used the DEADGIRL for her revenge fantasies instead?”
Enough from Mr. Haaga, click the link and read it for yourself! Would you have enjoyed this sequel? READ MORE
[BD Selects] A Violent Game of Cat and Mouse As ‘Chop’ Arrives on VOD/DVD!
![[BD Selects] A Violent Game of Cat and Mouse As Chop Arrives on VOD/DVD!](/photosizer/upload/1chop102111.jpg "[BD Selects] A Violent Game of Cat and Mouse As Chop Arrives on VOD/DVD!")
From Bloody Disgusting Selects and writer/director Trent Haaga (writer of Deadgirl) comes the hilarious horror comedy Chop (review), which is now available on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation)!
In addition, if you click on over to GetGlue you can enter to win a Bloody Disgusting Holiday DVD pack with stickers available here.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
Chop (V/VOD)
Chop centers on a seemingly innocent young couple, forced by a psychotic stranger to confront their duplicitous past. It’s a revenge thriller with a comedic edge in the tradition of Fargo and Oldboy.
[BD Selects] Watch a Quartet of Clips From Horror Comedy ‘Chop’!
From Bloody Disgusting Selects and writer/director Trent Haaga (writer of Deadgirl) comes the hilarious horror comedy Chop (review), which arrives on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27.
In addition to the previously released exclusives, we’ve now added two more clips from this horror comedy I thought was hysterical (hope you do too).
Also don’t forget to check out a series of “Tales from the Crypt”-ish Chop holiday E-cards on Facebook. “Happy Holidays, Ho!”
Inside you’ll find the official trailer and cover art, with a Amazon pre-order now available. Netfix and iTunes links forthcoming.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
[BD Selects] Second Clip From ‘Chop’ Loses a Few Fingers
From Bloody Disgusting Selects and writer/director Trent Haaga (writer of Deadgirl) comes the hilarious horror comedy Chop (review), which arrives on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27.
In addition to the opening scene, below you’ll find a second clip that kicks off the game of cat and mouse. Who’s the killer and why does he want revenge?
Also don’t forget to check out a series of “Tales from the Crypt”-ish Chop holiday E-cards on Facebook. “Happy Holidays, Ho!”
Inside you’ll find the official trailer and cover art, with a Amazon pre-order now available. Netfix and iTunes links forthcoming.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
‘Chop’ Clip Has Got a Question For Ya’
From Bloody Disgusting Selects and writer/director Trent Haaga (writer of Deadgirl) comes the hilarious horror comedy Chop (review), which arrives on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27.
To set things up, inside you’ll find an exclusive clip from one of the opening scenes in the film that catapult our protagonist into a world of terror.
Also don’t forget to check out a series of “Tales from the Crypt”-ish Chop holiday E-cards on Facebook. “Happy Holidays, Ho!”
Inside you’ll find the official trailer and cover art, with a Amazon pre-order now available. Netfix and iTunes links forthcoming.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
[BD Selects] ‘Chop’ GetGlue Promotion, Funny Holiday E-cards!
From Bloody Disgusting Selects and writer/director Trent Haaga (writer of Deadgirl) comes the hilarious horror comedy Chop (review), which arrives on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27.
If you click on over to GetGlue you can enter to win a Bloody Disgusting Holiday DVD pack with stickers available here.
And in additional bit of fun, you’ll find a series of “Tales from the Crypt”-ish Chop holiday E-cards on Facebook. “Happy Holidays, Ho!”
Inside you’ll find the official trailer and cover art, with a Amazon pre-order now available. Netfix and iTunes links forthcoming.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
[Bloody Disgusting Selects] Trailer, Art and Release Date for Horror Comedy ‘Chop’!
I’m out of my mind excited to announced that Bloody Disgusting Selects is finally gearing up to release Trent Haaga’s (writer of Deadgirl) hilarious horror comedy Chop (review) on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27! This is still one of my favorite indie films of the year…
Inside you’ll find the official trailer and cover art, with a Amazon pre-order now available. Netfix and iTunes links forthcoming.
“Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance’s limb count dwindles, he must recall what he’s done to the stranger before he doesn’t have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, ‘Chop’ is the directorial debut of ‘Deadgirl’ screenwriter Trent Haaga.” READ MORE
‘Deadgirl’ Writer Trent Haaga Responds to Sequel Rumors
Back in 2009 the Trent Haaga penned Deadgirl shocked Toronto International Film Festival audiences with a dark coming-of-age horror story in the vein of River’s Edge. Directed by Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Hare, the plot followed two teenage boys who make a shocking discovery – in a forgotten room of an abandoned asylum, they find a beautiful woman tied to a bed, and soon come to realize she is anything but dead. The film was called misogynistic, although that’s completely ridiculous.
Haaga responded to the accusations by penning a sequel, which made its way back into the news when the Hollywood Reporter wrote an article detailing the plot. The problem is that what they reported is false. Haaga took to his official blog clarifying what we already told you: the plot crunch is 100% incorrect. While Haaga doesn’t go into detail, we can tell you that the plot is said to follow a group of females who find the same “zombie” girl from the first film, not a boy as other sites were reporting.
Anyways, Haaga goes onto explain that if a sequel were to go into production he would not be involved and that he “suspect that some elements that [were] introduced may end up getting stolen…”
We’ll update you with any fresh “official” updates.
READ MORE
BD Review: Trent Haaga’s Whacked Out ‘Chop’ Delivers on Laughs & Gore!
A new indie I’ve been quite excited to see was Trent Haaga’s Chop, a revenge thriller with a comedic edge that centers on a seemingly innocent young couple, forced by a psychotic stranger to confront their duplicitous past. Haaga, as you may know, is the writer of the popular Deadgirl, and former Troma icon. Now he’ll be known as a legitimate director. What a f*cking great movie!
“‘Chop’ delivers on all sides by jam-packing the movie with laughs, gore and some insane twists that are guaranteed to get the room in a buzz…you owe it to yourself to watch this with a group of friends so you can all chatter about how f*cked it truly is.”
You can click the title above for the full review, along with the poster, trailer and stills.
READ MORE
Deadgirl (V)
A horror/thriller about two teenagers who make a shocking discovery that not only threatens their friendship but also their lives. In a forgotten room of an abandoned asylum, they find a beautiful woman tied to a bed, and soon come to realize she is anything but dead.
Gimme Skelter (V)
What if Charles Manson’s illegitimate son decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and start his own “family?” They’ve come to town on a mission… they are going to kill as many people as they can in one night
Feeding the Masses (V)
A darkly satiric horror film that takes an acid look at the current state of the news media while a mysterious plague is bringing the dead back to life. A small group of news reporters and their military escort set out to tell the truth about what’s happening in the world, despite the government’s efforts to take control of the media.
The Ghouls (V)
The film is about a freelance videographer (Timothy Muskatell) who specializes in capturing the seamier side of Los Angeles, and uncovers a gang of flesheaters who dwell in the city’s darkest corners.
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[BD Caption Contest] Win “Texas Chainsaw 3D” On Blu-ray!!!