Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert England Story, a horror documentary to be released by Cinedigm on Screambox and Digital on June 6, 2023. The film, with a running time of over two hours, was shot over the course of two years and highlights the career of the classically trained actor and director Robert Englund.

The documentary follows Englund’s career from his early days in Buster and Billie and Stay Hungry (starring with Arnold Schwarzenneger) to his big break in the 1980s as Freddy Krueger to his directorial debut with the 1988 horror film 976-EVIL to his iconic acting status in current roles such as the hit TV series on Netflix, Stranger Things.

Synopsis: A classically trained actor and director, Robert Englund has become one of the most revolutionary horror icons of our generation. Throughout his career, Englund starred in many well-known movies but shot to super-stardom with his portrayal of supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise. This unique and intimate portrait captures the man behind the glove and features interviews with Englund and his wife Nancy, Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, Heather Langenkamp, and more.

We scored an interview with Director Gary Smart and Christopher Griffiths, and we discussed their new documentary. During the interview, we touch upon how this idea was pitched to Englund, the challenges during production, their future projects (yes, more awesomeness is on the way), and maybe the most obvious yet perhaps not so obvious question, why a documentary on Robert Englund?

I thought I knew everything about the man behind the glove; I was DEAD wrong. This documentary is built for the SUPER Robert Englund fan and will intrigue audiences to check out the library of filmography that has made his career. This documentary opens up the window and allows fans to peer into the life of Robert Englund, and it will certainly NOT disappoint.

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITHS & GARY SMART

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER

Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert England Story is co-directed by Gary Smart (Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser) and Christopher Griffiths (Pennywise: The Story of It) and co-written by Gary Smart and Neil Morris (Dark Ditties Presents ‘Mrs. Wiltshire’). The film features interviews with Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), Nancy Englund, Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), Adam Green (Hatchet), Tony Todd (Candyman), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lin Shaye (Insidious), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser) and Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood).

First Contact, a new Sci-Fi, Horror, and Thriller, will be released on June 6, 2023, on Digital and DVD formats by Uncork’d Entertainment which acquired the North American rights. First Contact is a creature feature utilizing strong practical effects and takes a fair stab at answering a very powerful question, “Are We Alone?” First Contact first premiered at Panic Fest back in April.

I was immediately impressed with Wemple’s use of practical effects whenever possible, and that alone really set the foundation of the enjoyment I received from watching First Contact. I have to admit; I am not a hardcore Sci-Fi fan by any means. However, this film injected enough satisfying horror for me and genre fans alike.

The story is engaging and holds remnants of an old X-Files episode, you know, that show that aired back in the 90s for eleven seasons? Fox Mulder & Dana Scully? Yes, that one! As the film began to develop its own lore, I wondered if we could see a sequel someday.

I spoke to the film’s Director & Writer – Bruce Wemple, and stars Anna Shields and James Liddell, about this project. We discuss the use of practical effects, their beliefs in the extraterrestrial, problematic issues during production, their most memorable and challenging scenes, and of course, much more!

There is a unique energy and dynamic when a team is brought together and begin speaking about their experiences on a production together, and this group was no exception. It was enjoyable listening to each relive parts of the production. Even if the budget and time are not that of a major Hollywood showcased film, uncovering shared challenges and triumphs in a film is rarely smooth, but the payoff is always worth it.

Storyline

First Contact tells the story of two estranged adult siblings, Casey and Dan, who travel to their late scientist father’s farmhouse to make sense of his incomplete work. They soon learn that their father’s work was far more dangerous than they could ever imagine: An evil entity, buried in time and space for millions of years, has been released and has begun wreaking havoc on the locals. One by one, the bodies start to pile up. Now, Dan and Casey must figure out the secrets of this extra-dimensional monster before it’s too late.

An enthusiastic Keith Leopard, President of Uncork’d Entertainment says: “Bruce Wemple’s latest film has it all – a strong script, incredible effects, terrific performances, and brilliant direction. After such a strong success at Panic Fest, we expect the film to do very well when we release it in June.”

About Uncork’d Entertainment

Uncork’d Entertainment was founded in July 2012 by Keith Leopard, a Home Entertainment industry veteran. The Company focuses on distribution in six areas: Digital Media, Physical Home Entertainment, Aggregation, Theatrical and Television, and Foreign Sales, and has secured relationships across all platforms to ensure your film reaches the widest audience possible.

The Wrath of Becky will be released exclusively in theatres on May 26, 2023. We spoke to filmmakers Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote about their gory sequel to 2022’s Becky. The pair discussed their unique experience of being a couple collaborating on a film, how they initially crossed paths, and their journey of becoming part of The Wrath of Becky. We also look into what might be on the horizon for Becky… and more.

The Wrath of Becky is absolutely wild and a bloody good time! You’re not gonna wanna miss this one!

Film Synopsis:

Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman – a kindred spirit named Elena. But when a group known as the “Noble Men” break into their home, attack them, and take her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones. 

The Wrath of Becky will exclusively release in theaters on May 26th!

Matt Angel & Suzanne Coote Mini Biography:

Matt Angel & Suzanne Coote (Co-Directors)In 2017, Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote partnered and independently wrote, produced, and directed their first feature film, THE OPEN HOUSE. The film, a thriller starring Dylan Minnette (13 REASONS WHY), was acquired by Netflix as a Netflix Original Film and was given a global release across all territories. It would quickly become one of Netflix’s most-watched thrillers to date. Just three years after its release, Angel and Coote would return to Netflix to direct HYPNOTIC, a psychological thriller starring Kate Siegel (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars, TerraNova, Agents of Shield) and Dulé Hill (Psyche, The West Wing).

Angel got his start at the age of 20 when he wrote and directed a 1/2-hour single-camera pilot called HALF. Inspired by a true story, the project was crowd-funded from a Kickstarter campaign. He would become one of the youngest writers to have ever created and sold a series after it was set up at Sony Pictures TV and subsequently sold to NBC. Angel went on to develop and sell several more shows, including a large-scale event series called TEN and was commissioned to write feature scripts for a number of production companies and studios.

THE OPEN HOUSE was a directorial debut for Coote, who double-majored in Film and Music at The New School in New York City. Upon returning home to southern California, Coote began work in development at Illumination Entertainment before leaving to launch her career as a director.

Currently, Angel and Coote are in development on a number of projects in both features and TV.

*Featured Image Courtesy of Quiver Distribution*