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(Book Review) Russel James–Dreamwalker

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What if you could make shit happen in your dreams? I mean, some of us get that sometimes, right? You make some sort of slumber-minded decision to hang out just a little bit longer with that girl in your dreams. Maybe you even hold her hand. Maybe you almost kiss. Whatever the case, you wake up before it goes any further. Years ago, I dreamed of the perfect girl. We hung out all night, talked, stared into one another’s eyes, and yes, we even held hands. It felt so real. I remember us sitting on the floor, her head on my shoulder. And then…I woke up. I can’t even express to you how bad I wanted to climb back into that dream. I wanted her to be real.

What the hell am I rambling on about?

I’ll tell you– Russell James’s brand spankin’ new novel from Samhain Horror, Dreamwalker.

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In Dreamwalker, Russell James gives this amazing dream power to a young college fella named, Pete. In the real world, Pete has trouble with direction. He gets mixed up by signs, and he’s not really into what his life has to offer. In his dreams though, Pete has it goin’ on. Okay, it’s not like he’s a Don Juan there or anything, but he’s entrusted with the lead role in each and every adventure. And he has a leading lady who he refers to as Dream Girl. There’s a really fun little dream sequence near the beginning of the novel featuring these two. I won’t get into it, but it is definitely more Indiana Jones than the horrors that await Pete and Dream Girl in Twin Moon City. In his dreams, Pete has a mansion on a hill, designed and built from scratch with his unique powers. The thing is Pete isn’t even aware of the full scope of the gift he possesses.

Pete wakes up one day and feels something pulling him–a calling, if you will. Despite his lack of direction, Pete leaves school and catches a bus headed east. Armed with just a few hundred dollars, Pete lands in New Jersey and quickly finds a cheap apartment and a job. It isn’t very long before he realizes that there’s more to his dreams than he originally thought.

 

 

 

 

Over the years, New Jersey has been home to some pretty nasty things: those Jersey Shore scumbags, Chris Christie, the Menendez Brothers, and maybe the worst….the Jonas Brothers!  But James introduces us to another real bad motherfucker by the name of Jean St. Croix.

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We’re brought into St. Croix’s ruthless drug lord way of life with a great, cringe-worthy scene featuring a man by the name of Manuel. St. Croix runs drug business under the guise of a taxi company. As wicked as he is the real world, St. Croix, who is possessed by the evil spirit of the petro loa, is even worse in the dream world. He has even created his own nightmare-developing community called, Twin Moon City.

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Here, St. Croix has trapped the countless souls his nightmares have  destroyed, including a Dreamwalker. I also have to give Russell James props for a great job of giving us the background on how and why  St. Croix, back in his home country (Haiti) comes to be possessed by the petro loa that goes by the name, Cauquemere.

The only threat to St.Croix?  The Dreamwalker.

St. Croix, and his wicked dream persona, Caunquemere, set out to seek and destroy this Dreamwalker before he realizes the full extent of his powers.

Can Pete uncover who and what is after him before it’s too late? Will he reach his full potential as a Dreamwalkerin time to stand against the rising force of darkness that seeps its sinister trade in both the dream world and in ours?

Russell James takes our hand and brings us along for a terrific adventure filled with plenty of suspense, chills, blossoming love, and a surprising bit of tragedy…..oh, and did I mention St. Croix’s army of zombies?

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Seriously, read this novel. I’ve read a few of James’s works. He’s a great writer, and this is definitely his best so far. I can’t see it not making my top ten of the year (a bold statement considering it’s only the third week of 2015!).

 

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 Russell James Website

Russell James, Author Page @ Samhain Horror

Russell James Amazon Page

 

 

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“Mickey Vs. Winnie”: A Horrific Clash of Icons from Director Glenn Douglas Packard and iHorror

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iHorror is diving deep into film production with a chilling new project that’s sure to redefine your childhood memories. We’re thrilled to introduce ‘Mickey vs. Winnie,’ a groundbreaking horror slasher directed by Glenn Douglas Packard. This isn’t just any horror slasher; it’s a visceral showdown between twisted versions of childhood favorites Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Pooh. ‘Mickey vs. Winnie’ brings together the now-public-domain characters from A. A. Milne’s ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ books and Mickey Mouse from the 1920s ‘Steamboat Willie’ cartoon in a VS battle like never before seen.

Mickey VS Winnie
Mickey VS Winnie Poster

Set in the 1920s, the plot kicks off with a disturbing narrative about two convicts who escape into a cursed forest, only to be swallowed by its dark essence. Fast forward a hundred years, and the story picks up with a group of thrill-seeking friends whose nature getaway goes horribly wrong. They accidentally venture into the same cursed woods, finding themselves face-to-face with the now monstrous versions of Mickey and Winnie. What follows is a night filled with terror, as these beloved characters mutate into horrifying adversaries, unleashing a frenzy of violence and bloodshed.

Glenn Douglas Packard, an Emmy-nominated choreographer turned filmmaker known for his work on “Pitchfork,” brings a unique creative vision to this film. Packard describes “Mickey vs. Winnie” as a tribute to horror fans’ love for iconic crossovers, which often remain just a fantasy due to licensing restrictions. “Our film celebrates the thrill of combining legendary characters in unexpected ways, serving up a nightmarish yet exhilarating cinematic experience,” says Packard.

Produced by Packard and his creative partner Rachel Carter under the Untouchables Entertainment banner, and our very own Anthony Pernicka, founder of iHorror, “Mickey vs. Winnie” promises to deliver an entirely new take on these iconic figures. “Forget what you know about Mickey and Winnie,” Pernicka enthuses. “Our film portrays these characters not as mere masked figures but as transformed, live-action horrors that merge innocence with malevolence. The intense scenes crafted for this movie will change how you see these characters forever.”

Currently underway in Michigan, the production of “Mickey vs. Winnie” is a testament to pushing the boundaries of the horror genre. As iHorror ventures into producing our own films, we’re excited to share this thrilling, terrifying journey with you, our loyal audience. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to transform the familiar into the frightful in ways you’ve never imagined.

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Mike Flanagan Comes Aboard To Assist in Completion of ‘Shelby Oaks’

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shelby oaks

If you have been following Chris Stuckmann on YouTube you are aware of the struggles he has had getting his horror movie Shelby Oaks finished. But there’s good news about the project today. Director Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin Of Evil, Doctor Sleep and The Haunting) is backing the film as a co-executive producer which might bring it much closer to being released. Flanagan is a part of the collective Intrepid Pictures which also includes Trevor Macy and Melinda Nishioka.

Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks

Stuckmann is a YouTube movie critic who’s been on the platform for over a decade. He came under some scrutiny for announcing on his channel two years ago that he would no longer be reviewing films negatively. However contrary to that statement, he did a non-review essay of the panned Madame Web recently saying, that studios strong-arm directors to make films just for the sake of keeping failing franchises alive. It seemed like a critique disguised as a discussion video.

But Stuckmann has his own movie to worry about. In one of Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns, he managed to raise over $1 million for his debut feature film Shelby Oaks which now sits in post-production. 

Hopefully, with Flanagan and Intrepid’s help, the road to Shelby Oak’s completion is reaching its end. 

“It’s been inspiring to watch Chris working toward his dreams over the past few years, and the tenacity and DIY spirit he displayed while bringing Shelby Oaks to life reminded me so much of my own journey over a decade ago,” Flanagan told Deadline. “It’s been an honor to walk a few steps with him on his path, and to offer support for Chris’ vision for his ambitious, unique movie. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”

Stuckmann says Intrepid Pictures has inspired him for years and, “it’s a dream come true to work with Mike and Trevor on my first feature.”

Producer Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures has been working with Stuckmann since the beginning is also excited about the collaboration.

“For a film that had such a hard time getting going, it’s remarkable the doors that then opened to us,” said Koontz. “The success of our Kickstarter followed by the on-going leadership and guidance from Mike, Trevor, and Melinda is beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

Deadline describes the plot of Shelby Oaks as follows:

“A combination of documentary, found footage, and traditional film footage styles, Shelby Oaks centers on Mia’s (Camille Sullivan) frantic search for her sister, Riley, (Sarah Durn) who ominously disappeared in the last tape of her “Paranormal Paranoids” investigative series. As Mia’s obsession grows, she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from Riley’s childhood may have been real.”

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New ‘MaXXXine’ Image is Pure 80s Costume Core

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A24 has unveiled a captivating new image of Mia Goth in her role as the titular character in “MaXXXine”. This release comes approximately a year and a half after the previous installment in Ti West’s expansive horror saga, which covers more than seven decades.

MaXXXine Official Trailer

His latest continues the story arc of freckle-faced aspiring starlet Maxine Minx from the first film X which took place in Texas in 1979. With stars in her eyes and blood on her hands, Maxine moves into a new decade and a new city, Hollywood, in pursuit of an acting career, “But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

The photo below is the latest snapshot released from the film and shows Maxine in full Thunderdome drag amid a crowd of teased hair and rebellious 80s fashion.

MaXXXine is set to open in theaters on July 5.

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