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If you've ever wanted to shamble onto the set of The Walking Dead, then your living dead dream could come true thanks to AMC. To celebrate The Walking Dead Mid-Season 7 premiere this Sunday, the network will launch a "Play Dead" sweepstakes where four lucky winners will get to play a walker in the series' upcoming 100th episode (which will be the season 8 premiere).

The "Play Dead" sweepstakes runs from Sunday, February 12th to Monday, April 3rd. To enter for a chance to win, fans simply need to keep an eye out for two code words during the commercial breaks of each week's episode, and then enter the words at www.amc.com/PlayDeadSweepstakes. For more details, check out the official press release below and get ready to catch those code words starting this Sunday.

Press Release: New York, NY – February 10, 2017 – AMC announced today “The Walking Dead” Play Dead Sweepstakes, which...

If you’re a fan of “The Walking Dead” and have always wanted to play a zombie, then we have some pretty cool news for you today. AMC has announced “The Walking Dead” Play Dead Sweepstakes, which will give four lucky… Continue Reading →

The post Enter the Play Dead Sweepstakes to Appear as a Walker in The Walking Dead’s 100th Episode appeared first on Dread Central.

'Foal' from Aftrs grad Vanessa Gazy.. . ABC Arts has put together Grad Season, a showcase of original short film projects from recently graduated Aussie film school students. . Featuring 28 films from nine film schools across Australia, the showcase will stream on iview from February 20. Selected works will also be broadcast on ABC2. . .Many of these young filmmakers are the future lifeblood of our industry and we are keen to encourage an ongoing connection between emerging filmmakers and the ABC,. said head of ABC Arts Mandy Chang. . The season includes a variety of documentary, drama, comedy and animation films. . Participating schools, and shorts, include: . Aftrs: A Boy Called Su, Foal, The Kangaroo Guy . Griffith University: Alienation, Gokanosho, Pond Scum . Swinburne University: The Man Who Caught a Mermaid, The Promise, The Summer of ABC Burns . La Trobe University: Samara — Lady Trample, Naz. . Qut: Oddbots, Same as it Ever Was. . Bond University: Ultramarine,...

Theater Resources Unlimited Tru will celebrate its 24th year as a not-for-profit service organization with its annual gala, the Tru Love Benefit. This year's theme is Making Our Gardens Grow, recognizing three people who are each helping to change the landscape of theater in highly individual ways. The 2015 Tru Spirit of Theater Award, given to a member of the producingcommunity who has demonstrated exceptional generosity, support and kindness toothers in the business, will be awarded to producer Patrick Blake The 39 Steps, Bedlam Theatre's HamletSt. Joan, Play Dead, My Life Is a Musical, The Exonerated, In the Continuum, also the founder of Rhymes Over Beats, a game-changing new hip hop theater company the Tru Humanitarian Award will be presented to Teresa Eyring on behalf of one of American theater's pre-eminent service organizations, Theatre Communications Group Tcg and the Tru Entrepreneur Award, given for consistency, unique thinking and innovation, will be presented...

Given the core premise of the The Bachelorette, the amount of suitors who have felt plainly entitled to Kaitlyn Bristowe's affections is pretty shocking.

Last week, Ian tore into Kaitlyn for being a "shallow," "surface-level" person while practically waving his Princeton degree above his head like a flag as a replacement for any real character traits other than "deep." It was obvious that he just felt stung over the fact that Kaitlyn didn't feel as strongly for him as the rest of her suitors, and he reacted by puffing out his chest, insulting her under the guise of "honesty...

Ever since I was teen, I’ve always had a Dead Poets Wall. A bit strange, maybe, but I knew a number of people in high school who had their own little version of the Dead Rock Star Wall; my taste was always just a little more literary. Shelley (both P and M), Kerouac, Thoreau, Alcott, […]

Read 7 Living Actors Who Really Should Play Dead Authors on Filmonic.

All right, on the creepy meter, this one is an 11. Families in the San Clemente area of Orange County have reported finding mysterious dolls left outside their homes which happen to resemble the young girls living inside. W.T.F.?

In all, 11 porcelain dolls were retrieved by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. As it turns out, the dolls were left by an elderly woman whose children had long since outgrown the dolls and she wanted to share them with families that could use them.

This brilliant "leave-the-dolls-that-resembled-the-children-living-in-the-homes" idea not only put an entire neighborhood in an uproar but launched a full-scale police investigation and wide ranging news coverage.

So, as it turns out, a gesture of kindness is greeted with police involvement and a full-scale media blitz. But can you blame the families involved? Porcelain dolls just scream psycho stalker, don't they?

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Indie horror filmmakers, listen up! One of the best genre festivals out there, the New York City Horror Film Festival (Nychff), is now accepting entries for its 2014 event, which will be held this upcoming November.

From the Press Release

Now in its 12th year the spectacular New York City Horror Film Festival, giving a platform to new and independent international horror film, returns for another grand weekend, November 13–16, 2014, on the twin screens of the Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, just south of Canal.

The festival opens Thursday, November 13, at 7 pm with a gala opening night premiere film announced in October. The 2014 Michael J. Hein Award for Personal Achievement in Acting will be given to a very special guest on Saturday, November 15, and we'll be announcing our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in October as well.

Michael J. Hein created the New York City Horror Film Festival in 2002 to offer a needed platform...

The writer of the scores for Quantum of Solace, Hot Fuzz and more how he tackles his work – and what John Barry told him

David Arnold, the James Bond composer and musical director of the London Olympics closing ceremony, is talking ghosts. The north London studios where we meet, he tells me, are haunted. Doors slam shut and footsteps are heard in studios that he knows to be empty.

In one part of the building – a former school and church – electrical equipment never works and people report sightings of two spectral schoolchildren dressed in Victorian clothing. "I'm halfway between being a real cynic and totally convinced by it," says Arnold. Our conversation is made more disconcerting by the lights switching off every 15 minutes (an eco-friendly device, not an otherwordly one).

If it sounds like a case for BBC1's Sherlock then that would be entirely appropriate – Arnold is currently working,...

How many times have you walked out of a film and thought, “Man, that film was awesome…but there’s just one thing that bugs me”? Sometimes it might be a glaring continuity error or a boom mic that somehow snuck in the shot, but what about when it’s a gigantic plot hole, something absurdly, blindingly obvious that the filmmakers must have been conscious of, and simply wanted you to forget.

There’s nothing more agonising than being told that your favourite film has a silly plot hole that pretty much collapses the film, but eh, that’s what suspension of disbelief is for, right? Though in these 10 instances, you’ll need a triple-reinforced suspension bridge to hold all your disbelief.

Here are 10 gaping plot-holes Hollywood thought you’d miss…

10. Why Does Buzz Play Dead? (Toy Story)

The entirety of Toy Story’s premise is that no humans (except for Sid,...

2012 was a banner year for horror-themed music, and a hell-ton of amazing visuals to accompany it. So much of it, in fact, that I decided to devote an entire article to my favorite creepy music videos of the year. This list (which is alphabetical and not necessarily in order of preference) runs the spectrum from dark comedy and satire to loving twists on classic horror flicks... along with a few entries that defy all description, a couple that might give you nightmares, and one in particular that will shock all but the most jaded gore fiends and send just about everyone else screaming into the night. So, with out further ado... fire up those vids, kids! Amanda Palmer: “Killing Type” Known to gothic rock fans as the singer for the Dresden Dolls (and to everyone else as Mrs. Neil Gaiman), Palmer holds nothing back when it comes to expressing herself.

Bjork, Iceland's most powerful export since the Vikings, turns 47 today, which warrants a comprehensive celebration of her work... and a naughty sugarcube binge. I'm coasting on the sugar high of Bjork's ebullience as we speak. Here are my picks for her five greatest moments ever.

5. Dancer in the Dark

Most remember Bjork's Oscar nomination in songwriting not for its merit, but for the dress she chose to wear at the ceremony. (See #4.) But Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark is a one-of-a-kind viewing whether you loved or hated it, and most of the film's perks relate directly to Bjork: her tender performance, her musicality, her bleak descent, and the phenomenal song "I've Seen It All," the cornerstone of the album's soundtrack, Selmasongs. She may have only starred in one movie, but it garnered her Cannes' Best Actress award, so the experiment paid off.

4. The swan dress

The world wants to misunderstand Bjork,...

Happy Halloween everyone! This week we were treated to a glimpse of the holiday in Vegas, as "Play Dead" opened with costumed strangers stumbling upon a crime scene.

And that was the end of it.

Perfect! Just the right amount to remind me what I stayed indoors and off the streets to avoid, but not enough to taint the story or make the entire case feel like it’s revolving around Halloween. CSI, there are several other programs that could benefit the wisdom you've learned in 13 seasons.

Sam and Nick absolutely stole the show tonight. I figured it was too obvious that Sam killed his partner. Besides, it’s never the first suspect, right? So I wasn’t surprised when Nick cleared his name. But the two of them totally had me in tears as they sat on the floor in the cadaver room where Nick found Sam waiting for his partner.

On October 26-28 Celluloid Screams, the Sheffield Horror Film Festival, will be delivering its fourth year of thrills, spills and chills at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema. The folks behind Celluloid Screams have lifted the curtain on just which twisted delights are in store for the weekend. Dig in!

Friday, October 26

7:00pm – Opening Gala:

Sightseers

with Certified (Short – UK Premiere)

Chris (Steve Oram) wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world and he wants to do it his way – on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina’s led a sheltered life and there are things that Chris needs her to see – the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that accompanies these wonders in his life. But it doesn’t take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina’s meddling mother,...

The organisers of the Sheffield horror festival Celluloid Screams, which this year takes place at the Showroom Cinema on October 26th – 28th, have announced the line-up of this years festival, including a gala screening of Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers, the UK premiere’s of Cell Count, Memory of the Dead, Resolution and The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh, and the annual “Secret Screening”.

The line-up in full:

Friday 26th October

7.00pm – Opening Gala: Sightseers + Certified (Short – UK Premiere)

9.30pm – Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut + Odokuro (Short)

[Followed by Q&A with Nick Vince, Simon Bamford, Hugh Ross and Russell Cherrington)

Saturday 27th October

10.30am - Manborg + Zombie Chic 3D (Short) + Metal Creepers (Short)

12.05pm – Opera + Yellow (Short)

2.40pm - Into The Abyss: The Savage Cinema Of Dennison Ramalho [Short Film Retrospective followed by Q&A]

4.20pm – V/H/S

7.20pm – Cell Count (UK Premiere – followed by Q&A with Director Todd E. Freeman) + The Captured Bird (Short)

9.45pm – Secret Film + 3.00Am (Short)

00.00am – Hidden In The Woods + The Other...

    "A zombie apocalypse unites a ragtag pack of dogs in the ruined streets of Miami. Immune to the epidemic, they must stick together to survive in the midst of ferocious undead and human survivors in this unauthorized sequel to Homeward Bound," reads the synopsis for Play Dead.   We can always get behind a twisted Homeward Bound-related love letter (Mjf bulldog fo' life!), and this one was funded via Kickstarter last year. It's interesting to finally see some of these crowd-funded projects start to roll in, as Kickstarter was only two years old when the Play Dead crew sought help. Directors Andres and Diego Meza Valdes raised a whopping $6,000 for their pet project and wound up with this 18-minute movie that we spotted on website io9...

Read More...

As a kid, the adventures of housepets Shadow, Chance and Sassy across the country to find their estranged owners in Disney's Homeward Bound was a staple. Complete with the voices of Michael J. Fox, Charleton Heston and Sally Field to provide the Look Who's Talking-esque voices of the two dogs and feisty cat, it's a charming family romp. Now filmmaking duo Andres and Diego Meza Valdes have used the wonderful resource that is Kickstarter to make Play Dead, a short film that they describe as the unauthorized sequel to Homeward Bound, with pack of dogs trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in the streets of Miami. Here's the entire Nsfw 18-minute short film Play Dead, first found by io9: Here's the official synopsis for Play Dead: "A zombie apocalypse unites a ragtag pack of dogs in the ruined streets of Miami. Immune to the epidemic, they must...

This weekend those in Montreal are experiencing the Fantasia International Film Festival. The annual B-Movie Celebration held in Franklin, Indiana, is rapidly turning into the Fantasia of b-filmdom. The 6th annual event is next month, and we’ve got the loaded line-up.

The 6th annual B-Movie Celebration will be take place September 14-16th in Franklin, Indiana. Originally a showcase for classic b-movies of the past with a few premieres tossed into the mix, it has now morphed into a showcase for recent and forthcoming b-movies and short films from all across the globe. This year’s titles are listed below.

For more information on the fest and how you can attend, head over to the official B-Movie Celebration website.

Features Selection:

1.] “Gila!” [United States. 96 min.]

2.] “Bio-Slime.” [United States. 90 min.]

3.] “Primitive.” [United States. 86 min.]

4.] “Virgin Beach Creature.” [Indonesia. 80 min.]

5.] “Synevir.” [Ukraine. 89 min.]

6.] “The Tentacle’s Claw.” [Canada. 68 min.]

7.] “Metamorphosis.” [United Kingdom. 102 min.]

8.] “Empress Vampire.” [China/United States. 90 min. ]

9.] “Lisl And The Lorlock.” [United States. 90 min.]

10.] “Spores.” [Russia. 80 min.]

11.] “Jonah Lives.” [United States. 94 min.]

12.] “Zombies From Outer Space.” [Germany 90 min.]

13.] “Monkey Boy.” [Italy 79 min.]

14.] “The Caretaker.

It's become pretty common these days to turn scary movies into theatrical shows. It's been done several times over the years with varying degrees of success.

Now, in the shocking tradition of Evil Dead: The Musical, Re-Animator: The Musical and Legally Blonde, the film often regarded as the greatest horror movie ever made — that's right, The Exorcist — is making the jump to the stage. But you can relax; it's not a musical.

Actually, the stage production is taking its cues more from William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel than from the infamous 1973 film adaptation. John Pielmeier, who penned the popular 1979 play Agnes of God, is writing the show. Rather than focus strictly on the demonic angle, Pielmeier's look at possession will also explore the psychological aspects and questions of faith. If that sounds a bit dry, don't worry. There should be plenty of terror for everyone.

To that end, the show's director,...

Teller of Penn & Teller is helping design some special effects to bring one of the scariest movies to the stage. Bleeding Cool reports that Teller, who co-wrote and directed productions Ghost Stories and Play Dead, will be creating special effects for the stage version of The Exorcist.

The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is producing the show, John Doyle is directing and John Pielmeier (Agnes of God) is writing the show. The stage version is based on William Peter Blatty's book, and will “focus on the psychological aspects and questions of faith.” The show will premiere in July 2012.

I am interested in seeing the special effects that Teller brings to the table for this play. It is hard for me to imagine that the play will be anywhere as scary as the film. I have never been to a play that is based on a horror movie though. Teller...

The Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival is, once again, set to push the boundaries of modern horror with their sixth annual edition that will run for four terrifying nights on Oct. 13-16 at the Artisphere theater in Washington, D.C.

For the opening night event on Oct. 13, Spooky Movie proves its international flair with the over-the-top Japanese zombie gorefest and action flick Helldriver, directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura, which will have two screenings, one for the early birds at 7:00 p.m. and one for the late-night crowd at 10:00 p.m.

The closing night film on the 16th is also an international affair: Joe Bauer’s The Killage, an Australian horror comedy that sends up the teen camp counselors slasher genre. Plus, there will be several Aussie short films accompanying this final feature.

Smooshed in between these two events are some of the most original and provocative terror flicks around,...

We’re in awe of any good movie. Even more so when it’s a stunning debut, which leads us to this list. The rules are simple: Killer Film picks ten filmmakers whose stunning feature film/short film debuts have us clamoring for their follow-ups. So in order for them to have been qualified and listed, only one feature length film or short films had to be in their filmographies.

With the rules in place, Killer Film hopes that you’ll be just as excited for their future films, so let’s see who we are behind 100% in Killer Film’s Directing Newcomers to Watch!

Donny Broussard’s Picks:

- Andres and Diego Meza-Valdes (Play Dead)

This Miami filmmaking team first impressed me with their short film The Room and now they are back with a new film and a successful Kickstarter campaign. These guys understand how to make a...

Bits 'n Bloody Pieces is a quick look at stuff we might have missed, viral-related promotions or light newsy bites that are easy to digest. Got something weird, or a news nugget, to share that fits in with B'nBP? Send it on over to To Me Right Here . . Insidious opened at #3 at the box office. Not bad, considering it was up against an Easter Bunny film. . What will happen to our pets when the zombie apocalypse occurs? That's a question the Meza Brothers will explore in Play Dead , an indie horror film that's told from the point of view of several dogs. Here's a trailer that was released to stir up interest and funding. . The latest trailer for The Night Shift , an indie horror-comedy wrapping soon, has hit the web. . Chris Gorak's The Darkest...

If you enjoy the charms of canines and reanimated corpses, then the short film Play Dead may be right up your alley. From budding Miami filmmakers Andres and Diego Meza-Valdes, Play Dead is their new short that will be premiering this month at the Borscht Film Festival, a gathering for "emerging artists that tell Miami stories going beyond the typical portrayal of a beautiful but vapid party town." Throwing Miami into a 28 Days Later-like apocalyptic setting is certainly a step...

Yup, it’s a zombie movie where the main “characters” are dogs. Hey, it’s actually not as silly as it sounds. Okay, it’s a bit silly, but the trailer for the Meza Brothers’ “Play Dead” looks pretty righteous. Oh come on, you know you’ve been dying to see a movie that pits cute little domesticated dogs against flesh-devouring zombies. Admit it, it’s one of your sick, depraved fantasies that you indulge in when you don’t think anyone’s watching. But we know, oh yes, we know. Anyhoo. Check out some images, poster, and the trailer for “Play Dead” below. You’ll never pet your little doggie the same way again. A zombie apocalypse unites a ragtag pack of dogs in the ruined streets of Miami. Immune to the epidemic, they must stick together to survive in the midst of ferocious undead and human survivors. Sit.

No, this is not an April fools joke, this is an actual film which needs your help in fundage via kickstarter. Cutesy factor aside, this is clearly not a family film as the zombies actually look pretty ill and it's an exploration of one of our favorite genres from a different set of eyes.. bring it on! Will PETA link us on this one?

A zombie apocalypse unites a ragtag pack of dogs in the ruined streets of Miami. Immune to the epidemic, they must stick together to survive in the midst of ferocious undead and human survivors. Sit. Stay. Play dead...

Trailer after the break. Via the infamous Avery Mining Corp.

Start: 03/18/2011 End: 03/18/2011 Start: 03/18/2011 End: 03/18/2011

Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, is showing some brand new thrillers directed by women that you will Not have seen playing anywhere else.

High on my list of stuff to see at Female Eye is Stacie Ponder's Ludlow, which stars Viscera founder Shannon Lark, and which I watched being edited. It's screening on March 18th and is guaranteed to scare the shit out of you.

Check out the other movies, some of which are making their world premieres. I'm suprised that they shied away from using the word "horror" to describe some of these movies; drama and thriller and suspense seem to be far less offensive terms to the mainstream movie-going public. Thank God we're not the mainstream movie-going public, eh?

Schedule you need to know!!!!:

Friday March 18th

9:00Pm – 10:30Pm

Location: Rainbow Cinemas Market Square, 80 Front Street East, Toronto,...

Live in or around New York City and looking for something new and different to do on date night? How about taking your significant other to see Play Dead, an Off-Broadway production co-written by Teller (of Penn and Teller) and featuring Todd Robbins, a preeminent sideshow performer?

Synopsis:

Teller and Todd Robbins invite Death out to play in Play Dead, a new spirit-shaking Off-Broadway show inspired by "Midnight Spook Shows," an American institution from the 1930s to the 1970s. As the guide for the evening, Robbins draws audiences into an unknown haunted world full of frightful surprises and diabolical laughter. Although very much a theatrical work, it is hardly a typical "play," but rather a dramatic, unnerving thriller -- here and now in an "abandoned" theater, illuminated by a single ghostlight -- in which audiences test their nerves and face their fears as they are surrounded by ethereal sights, sounds,...

In this week’s Music in the movies column, Glen looks at the compositions of David Arnold, famous for his contemporary Bond themes...

Following on from the recent piece looking at John Barry's musical contribution to the Bond franchise, I thought it would be suitable to look at the man who has taken charge of scoring duties for the modern Bond movies, David Arnold.

Arnold worked extensively for TV, prior to working on movies, and composed a fine score for one of 2010's finest new series in BBC's Sherlock. His first exposure on the big screen came through his work on Young Americans, for which he provided the score as well as co-writing the rather wonderful Play Dead with Bjork, and it was the success of his work here that would bring him to the attention of Roland Emmerich, whom he would go on to work with...

Stargate

One...

Play Dead

The Players Theatre, NYC

The two word review: Fuck yeah! The longer review is that Play Dead, currently enjoying an open-ended run at The Players Theatre on McDougal Street, is a bloody joyride of an evening, calling forth the dead from the afterlife while drawing screams and dark laughter from its audiences.

The show cleverly begins with one freakish, yet real, act and then proceeds with a series of ghoulish illusions which, as our host aptly points out, audience members are more likely to believe to be real.

read more...

In Play Dead, magician Todd Robbins kills - not just with stage magic and clever punchlines but much more bluntly, with a crowbar and a drum of sufuric acid. Of course, the young man did volunteer, and then there's the matter of resurrection... But we're getting ahead of ourselves. The "Midnight Spookhouse" is one of the lost guilty pleasures of the 20th Century, an art form built out of Grand Guignol gimmickry, classic stage magic, side show bravado and copious amounts of fake blood. From the great depression until the early '70s, travelling acts with names like "Dr. Evil & His Terrors of the Unknown" would rent out small town moviehouses after hours to perform gory, titilating shows...

If you live in or will be visiting the New York area during the holidays and are looking for some off-the-beaten path type entertainment, you might want to check out Play Dead, a new Off-Broadway production co-written by Teller (of Penn and Teller) and featuring Todd Robbins, a preeminent sideshow performer.

Synopsis:

You're probably well past getting scared by haunted houses, but you haven't been entertained in an abandoned-looking theater, lit by a single ghost light leading you on a darkly comedic journey, encouraging the dead to speak to you.

Play Dead takes a more supernatural road than what's generally seen on, off or anywhere near the Great White Way. Co-writer Todd Robbins ("Dark Deceptions") stars as the audience's storytelling guide on an evening exploring death, darkness and deception. Magician, comedian and dark arts expert Teller is the director and other co-writer. Their collaboration and combined knowledge and expertise in...

Producer Mark Canton ("300") has optioned the film rights to soap actor-turned-novelist Ryan Brown's recently published zombie tale "Play Dead" says Variety.

The horror/comedy follows a group of football players who drown after their bus is sent into a river by a rival team.

A witch and local football fanfare resurrect them in order to make sure they're ready in time for the game, that is if they can stop them from eating the other citizens of the small Texas town obsessed with the team's success.

Novelist/scribe Joe Schreiber will adapt the novel and shooting will take place during the third quarter of 2011.

Vampires are out. Zombies are in. In movie-land, at least. With Pride And Prejudice And Zombies still wobbling about attempting to get made, another zombie novel is heading to the big screen in the form of an adap of Ryan Brown’s debut novel Play Dead. Set in Texas, the story follows a football team who are killed on their way to a big game, but are resurrected as zombies to keep on competing. If they can play in-between snacking on human flesh, that is. It’s been described as a “darkly humorous, rich and pungent zombie...

.

Score!!!

A trailer for Ryan Brown's zombie and football hybrid novel Play Dead was released in May, and now that the book has been officially released, it has been optioned for a feature film adaptation.

Variety reports that producer Mark Canton (Land of the Dead) will produce and has hired novelist-screenwriter Joe Schreiber to adapt the book into a screenplay. Production is set to begin sometime in July-September of 2011.

Here's a brief synopsis of Play Dead.

Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced, thrilling, and terribly funny debut by former actor Ryan Brown. In the sleepy town of Killington, Tex., the local high school’s football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach.

Hearing the words "zombie" and "football" in the same sentence would normally make me think of some kind of weird game kids are forced to play in gym class. However, in this case, it's simply the subject of yet another walking dead fueled film. Variety reports Ryan Brown's football centric supernatural novel Play Dead is headed to the big screen. Novelist and screenwriter Joe Schreiber, the man behind the zombie infested Star Wars book Death Troopers will adapt the novel about football player zombies bent on revenge in a gridiron-obsessed Texas town. It's a campy mix of Friday Night Lights and your zombie flick of choice. Since the logline doesn't exactly delve into too many details, here's the official synopsis: In the sleepy town of Killington, Tex., the local high school's football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid...

The concept of zombie movies is certainly nothing new, but the undead are biting, clawing and charming their way into Hollywood in a variety of innovative new ways nowadays. These aren't your parents zombies, be they slow or fast moving, or created by virus or curse. Nope, now they're falling in love, giving Jane Austen novels new meaning and even... playing football?

That's right. The latest of these modern zombie tales to get brought to the big screen is an adaptation of Ryan Brown's supernatural thriller "Play Dead," which follows vengeful zombie football players in a football-obsessed Texas town. Variety reports that Mark Canton, producer for George Romero's "Land of the Dead," is producing the flick and "300" screenwriter Joe Schreiber will be adapting it.

Never did we think we'd see a zombie football flick, but now that the idea is out there, we have to admit it sounds like a touchdown.

While the zombie subgenre will always be predominately classified as part of horror, the zom-com has made great strides in recent years. Starting with Shaun of the Dead back in 2004, we have since seen terrific, funny undead movies like Fido and Zombieland that have turned the entire concept on its ear. We all may still be scared about the forthcoming zombie apocalypse, but now there are a few chuckles behind the tears. And it's not a new-born tradition that's going away any time soon either. Already on the way are zom-coms titles like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Breathers: A Zombie's Lament and now there's another one coming down the pipe. Variety reports that an adaptation of the Ryan Brown novel Play Dead has been commissioned by producer Mark Canton and Lucky VIII Films. In the book, a Texas high school football team is killed when their bus is...

After a plethora of vampire-related productions over the past few years (thanks, Twilight!) it looks like Hollywood has found its next big trend: zombies. With Pride and Prejudice and Zombies currently in development as a feature film and the new AMC show The Walking Dead launching this weekend, the undead are clearly a hot commodity.

Read more on Film adaptation of zombie football novel Play Dead in development…...

Word came yesterday that Vincenzo Natali (Splice) is attached to direct Play Dead, the eleventy-billionth permutation of the zombie subgenre. Here, the zombies will be football players who hope to win the high-school district championship, if only they can stop eating people long enough to play the game (it's based on a novel by Ryan Brown). It actually sounds decent.

Most zombie movies, however, are not. There have literally been hundreds of zombie movies made over the years, but most of them are ultra-low budget flicks that try to sneak themselves into your Netflix queue, or are seen by a handful of zombie enthusiasts fascinated with the combination. You can combine a zombie with almost anything (and I was surprised to find there isn't a Republican Zombie movie yet) and sometimes, you can make a compelling social commentary via these zombie films, but most of the time, they're unwatchable pieces of rotten cinematic flesh.

In a premise that is either awesome or awful, 300 producer Mark Canton is making a movie about zombie football players. It's an adaptation of the book "Play Dead," about undead Texas high school football players who are bent on revenge...you know how Texas is about it's high school football. Canton has worked with zombie material before; he was also the producer on George Romero's Land of the Dead. Filming is scheduled for fall of next year.

Source: Variety...

Alright, I'm just about to file zombies right next to vampires in my "things pop culture is overdosing on list" and here's one more project to heap onto the fire. It's called Play Dead, and based on a novel focusing on zombie football players. I'm tempted to write it off as pure idiocy, but there's something about that image above that reminds me of Mutant League Football for the Sega Genesis, and that gets me thinking what that might look like in film form. Here's a recap of the...

Because zombie movies are not quite out of style yet, we now get Play Dead.

Recently published Play Dead by Ryan Brown has just been aquired by Producer Mark Canton ( 300, Land of the Dead, Piranha 3D) and Lucky VII Films. The novel, which was release into the wild last week, will be adapted by Joe Schreiber.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis: Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced, thrilling, and terribly funny debut by former actor Brown. In the sleepy town of Killington, Texas, the local high school’s football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach. Only local witch and football fan Black Mona can raise the players from the dead in time for the game,...

The producer of Land of the Dead is readying a new zombie flick along with Lucky VIII Films that will bring shambling creatures to the football field for some Friday Night Frights!

According to Variety newly minted Lucky VIII has acquired Ryan Brown's debut novel Play Dead and has tapped novelist-screenwriter Joe Schreiber to adapt it for the big screen. Canton (300) is producing via his Atmosphere Entertainment shingle.

Play Dead centers on zombies bent on revenge in a football-obsessed town. When a high school football team is murdered by a rival team, a local witch brings the dead players back to life as zombies so they can trounce their rivals in one last game and save their own souls ...

- Uncle Creepy

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Zombies aren't the smartest creatures around.  First of all, they are dead.  Second, their brains are rotting out of their ears. Because of this, zombies are not known for being hobbyists.  Well, change your thinking on this.  Ryan Brown's new novel about zombie footballers, Play Dead - which just landed in stores last week - has been optioned for a film.  More after the jump. Producer Mark Canton (Piranha 3D, 300, Land of the Dead) will be making the film along with Lucky VIII productions.  Novelist Joe Schreiber (Eat the Dark, Supernatural: The Unholy Cause) will adapt the novel for the screen. Publisher's synopsis: Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced,...

Hollywood has not had its fill of zombies just yet. The rights to Ryan Brown's recently published "Play Dead" novel have been acquired by Mark Canton ( 300 , Land of the Dead , Piranha 3D ) and Lucky VIII Films. Screenwriter Joe Schreiber will adapt. Here's the publisher's synopsis: Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced, thrilling, and terribly funny debut by former actor Brown. In the sleepy town of Killington, Texas, the local high school's football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach. Only local witch and football fan Black Mona...

Hollywood has not had its fill of zombies just yet. The rights to Ryan Brown's recently published "Play Dead" novel have been acquired by Mark Canton ( 300 , Land of the Dead , Piranha 3D ) and Lucky VIII Films. Screenwriter Joe Schreiber will adapt. Here's the publisher's synopsis: Two cultural obsessions collide head-on in this fast-paced, thrilling, and terribly funny debut by former actor Brown. In the sleepy town of Killington, Texas, the local high school's football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan. Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach. Only local witch and football fan Black Mona...

It's hard to believe that Canada's Rue Morgue Magazine has been around as long as it has! Their next issue marks their lucky thirteenth year of kicking ass and taking names and we have a look at what's in store for readers both old and new!

Congrats, guys! Here's to another 13!

From the Press Release

Rue Morgue Special Edition 13th Anniversary Halloween Issue

On Stands October 1st!

We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes

Fifty years ago Marion met Norman at the Bates Motel and the modern horror film was born. Rue Morgue’s panel of experts celebrates the lunatic legacy of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece. Featuring Wes Craven, assistant director Hilton Green, and authors Stephen Rebello and David Thomson.

Plus: A look at Bernard Herrmann’s score, a new documentary on the film, sequel spotlights, and more!

by Aaron Von Lupton, Mark R. Hasan, James Burrell, Stuart F. Andrews,...

A quick update just in for Patrick Lussier's upcoming zombie project Condition Dead. Looks like the director may be reuniting with one of his go-to actors to bring the dead back to life!

In an interview with MovieHole Lussier revealed to the site that Nathan Fillion, who worked with Lussier on Dracula 2000 and White Noise 2, is in talks to assume one of the roles in the movie.

Look for more on Condition Dead, which was written by ex-chud/now Joblo writer Dave Davis and is being produced by Clint Morris (from Moviehole) and Joel Soission (Pulse), soon.

Synopsis

Luther Judge and his team of specialists are the government's response whenever the dead rise from the grave. But a new assignment finds them contending with a mysterious and lethal zombie menace ... and Judge's ex-wife.

- Uncle Creepy

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Play dead...

Wonder what those limousines were doing in front of the Tivoli last week? It was the10th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase and congratulations to everyone who had a hand in the 65 films that were shown. The Cinema St. Louis event was held July 17-22 and focused exclusively on the works, both shorts and features, of St. Louis-based filmmakers, as well as expatriates with strong local connections who have gone on to work in other cities. Attendance was high, the audiences enthusiastic, and it was great to see so much local talent on display. A packed post-fest party was held at the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill Thursday night and awards were presented in various categories. It takes hard work and dedication to complete a film and every one of these St. Louis filmmakers involved is a winner. Here’s a list of what the judges at this year’s St.