Bastards of Horror

Horror Realm will feature a screening of Autopsy of the Dead – a 2009 documentary of Night of the Living Dead! Packed with extensive interviews, never-before-seen color photos, surprising behind-the-scenes footage, visits to the original filming locations and a wealth of other ghoulish surprises, get ready for the most in-depth visual document on the making of the great American horror film that just won’t stay dead!

Stars of the documentary who will be appearing at Horror Realm include:

- Kyra Schon
- Gary Streiner
- Bill Cardille (Saturday noon to 4 PM only)
- Rick Catizone – animator, Night of the Living Dead, Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Evil Dead 2
- Joseph Unitas – lighting supervisor, Night of the Living Dead
- Dave James – ghoul, Night of the Living Dead
- Herbert Summer – ghoul, Night of the Living Dead
- Charles Craig – newscaster, Night of the Living Dead

Rick Catizone will have original Creepshow and Creepshow 2 animation art on display and available for sale at the show. Joe Unitas will have the original lighting kit from Night of the Living Dead on display.

Horror Realm – September 17-19 – Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South
www.horrorrealmcon.com

DENIS THEATRE CONTINUES FILM SERIES
WITH “TO SIR, WITH LOVE” ON JULY 31,
OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC FOR A
FIRST FRIDAY OPEN HOUSE ON AUGUST 6
 

July 28, 2010 –  The Denis Theatre Foundation folks know you’ve been pressing your nose up against the glass doors to peek inside the closed theater, and next week they’ll open those doors! During Mt. Lebanon’s First Friday celebration on August 6 the Foundation will be offering free tours of the Denis - with popcorn, of course – to anyone who would like to get a peek inside.

“We know there’s a lot of curiosity and interest among local residents,” said Denis Theatre board and Economic Development Council member Cheri Acrey.  Doing public tours gives us a great chance to let them know about the plans to bring the Denis back as an independent film theater, and as a community cultural center and economic catalyst for the region.”  

Tours will run from 6pm through 9pm, with scores of trained volunteers serving as docents. Those wishing to come through the theater should be aware that there are many steps involved, and thus it is not recommended for those who have difficulty with stairs.  Babes in arms are welcome, but their strollers will need to stay outside.

The Foundation is also set to screen the second movie of their Last Saturday Cinema outdoor film series.  “To Sir, With Love” will be shown this Saturday, July 31 in a covered outdoor venue behind the theater.  The film will start at 9pm, and will be followed by a film discussion at Il Pizzaiolo (703 Washington Road) led by local film writer, Elaine Wertheim.
 
“Last month we had over 200 people come out to see ‘Singin’ in the Rain’” said event co-chair, Ellen Waite. “With comfortable seating for up to 300 at each show and Pittsburgh Filmmakers handling the projection and sound, it’s a great movie experience. It also serves as a reminder of how nice it is to combine a night at the movies with shopping, dinner, coffee or a drink, all within walking distance in a friendly and safe main street area.”  
 
Last Saturday Cinema is supported by Alberta Modern Hair (733 Washington Road), the Balcony Sponsor for the series .   Bistro19 (711 Washington Road) is underwriting Saturday’s showing of “To Sir, With Love”.   These local merchants understand the positive impact that reopening the Denis will have on local businesses and have stepped up to support the project through their sponsorship of the film series.  The series will conclude in August.
 
TO SIR, WITH LOVE (July 31)
Sidney Poitier shines in this honest story about rebellious youth and racism. Focusing on life in the late 1960’s, TO SIR, WITH LOVE played at the Denis Encore Theatre as a controversial film when it was first released in 1967.
 
THE HEART OF THE GAME (August 28)
We will celebrate the Mt. Lebanon High School’s Girls’ 2010 State Championship season with THE HEART OF THE GAME. This rousing documentary chronicles the energy, tension and controversy surrounding Seattle’s Roughriders as they journey to the top of their game.
 
All movies begin at 9:00 at Parse Way, a covered venue behind the Denis Theatre which allows the show to go on rain or shine. Seating, concessions and restrooms are provided. The series is shown with the support and assistance of the Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority.
 
The theater, closed since 2004, is the focus of a community fundraising effort.  The mission of the Denis Theatre Foundation is to purchase, renovate and reopen the Denis Theatre as an independent film theater, community cultural center, and key contributor to the region’s  economic vitality.  It is working to meet its first fundraising milestone by raising $750,000 by August 31 in order to purchase the theater. It recently received a $100,000 grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation, as well as a $155,000 challenge grant from a donor that wishes to remain anonymous. Since that challenge was issued in June almost $100,000 in new gifts & pledges have come in.
 
“We are working hard to raise the additional $55,000 to meet the challenge,” said Ms. Acrey. “Last Saturday Cinema gives us a great opportunity to get the word out, as well as provide a wonderful movie experience for area film lovers. Between that and the Open House on August 6, we’re excited about bringing a lot of new people on board as supporters and ambassadors for the project”
 
For more information go to the website at www.denistheatre.org.

Midnight Syndicate Films is releasing a special edition of The Dead MatterDVD that will include two bonus CDs by gothic Halloween music artists Midnight Syndicate.  It will be available at all Hot Topic stores nationwide on July 30^th.   It will also be available online at Hot Topic, Amazon, and Midnight Syndicate’s site.  The specially-priced set will include The Dead Matter DVD, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Midnight Syndicate, and a new Midnight Syndicate 13th Anniversary greatest hits CD entitled Halloween Music Collection.

The Dead Matter DVD features the much-anticipated dark fantasy film produced and directed by Edward Douglas of Midnight Syndicate Films and Gary Jones and Robert Kurtzman of Precinct 13 Entertainment.   DVD extras include two Midnight Syndicate music videos, the music video to Eternal Legacy’s song, The Dead Matter, three of the finalists from Midnight Syndicate’s 13^th Anniversary Video Contest, audio commentary with the producers, gag reels, and a feature-length behind-the-scenes production entitled Maximum Dead Matter.  Produced by Frank Purtiman of Smudgeline Studios,Maximum Dead Matter allows viewers to watch the film in one area of the screen while behind the scenes footage, interviews, location information, and concept art comparisons related to that scene play in other areas of the screen.

The Dead Matter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD contains the score composed by the film’s director, Edward Douglas of Midnight Syndicate, as well as several limited-edition remixes of Midnight Syndicate songs performed by Jerry “Haunt Rocker” Vayne, Destini Beard, and Pat Berdysz of the industrial band Encoder.   The disc also features other music that appears in the film from bands like Lazy Lane, hipNostic, and Eternal Legacy.

Midnight Syndicate’s Halloween Music Collection is a greatest hits-type CD that features over 60 minutes of songs hand-picked by Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka to celebrate the band’s first 13 years.   Both new CDs will also be available at Halloween retailers nationwide beginning in August.