6th Annual Horror-Fest To Feature Thrilla's Guerillas and Blood-O-Ween Spilla's

Get your mind our the gutter it says F.L.I.C.K

God bless Halloween. While Christmas remains the most popular of the major holidays, there's just something a little extra fun about Halloween. For children, it's easy to see where the love comes from. GOBS OF FREE CANDY! But there's something there for the older crowd as well. Is it the freedom of being able to dress up like someone (or something) else and act like a complete idiot for the entire course of an evening? Is it in knowing that you'll get the chance to scare the hell out of little kids and not get in trouble for it? Actually, the answer is yes to both of those questions. But Halloween is also the perfect time to watch horror flicks, which was, of course, the inspiration behind Horror-Fest.

Horror-Fest turns six this October (coincidentally, Zboneman.com turns seven during the same weekend), and while the ghoulish event doesn't actually take place on Halloween (we've opted to throw the annual get together on Oct. 19th and 20th instead), and will incorporate everything we love about the holiday. And this year, we've expanded our horizons by joining forces with The Red Rock Film Festival (watch for a full RRFF line-up in the next couple of weeks).

Through the years, Horror-Fest has presented a wide range of memorable horror flicks and Halloween inspired cinema including; Aliens, Creepshow, The Exorcist, Psycho, The Shining, Evil Dead 2, The Thing (1982), Dead Alive, Ghostbusters, The Howling, The Omen, Fright Night, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Re-Animator, Dawn of the Dead (1978), Halloween, Nightmare Before Christmas, Arachnophobia, Beetlejuice, Jaws, Frankenstein (original), They Live, An American Werewolf in London, Return of the Living Dead, and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Not too shabby.

So what does Horror-Fest 2007 have in store for you all you horror enthusiasts out there? Well, we'll unveil a few of the titles here in this article, but as for the rest of them? We'll throw you a few clues, and it'll be up to you to figure it out.

As usual, Horror-Fest 2007 will take place in lovely St. George, UT. A location chosen by virtue of the fact that it's average annual temperature is actually 3 degrees above the average annual temperature in hell. Still, it's a great little town and we love doing it there. Horror-Fest will deliver its spine tingling chills at three separate venues; Sand Hollow Aquatic Center (1144 Lava Flow Dr., 84770), Westates' Stadium 8 (1091 N. Bluff St., 84770), and The Electric Theater (58 E. Tabernacle, 84770).

OCTOBER 19TH

Horror-Fest 2007 we'll kick off with a special dive-in theater screening of Poltergeist at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center. This spectacular ghost story from the 80's celebrates it's 25th anniversary this year. It is rated PG, but might be a little too scary for small children. From executive producer Steven Spielberg and director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Poltergeist features amazing special effects, wicked scares, and brilliant performances (including Craig T. Nelson, and JoBeth Williams). This terrifying flick also features the swimming pool scene to end all swimming pool scenes. Sand Hollow (or as we like to call it, Sleepy Hollow) is the perfect venue for this screening. For those who aren't interested in swimming, there is good close-to-the screen seating available poolside. The screening is on October 19th at 7:30 P.M. The cost is $1.

If you survive the terror that is Poltergeist, head on over to Westates' Stadium 8 for a midnight screening of the horrifying new vampire thriller 30 Days of Night. Based on the graphic novel, 30 Days of Night tells the spine tingling tale of a pack of murderous bloodsuckers who stalk the folks of Barrow, an Alaskan town where darkness falls for 30 straight days. This film promises to be a winner for fans of the genre, and to add to the excitement, be sure to take part in our costume competition. The first ten attendees who arrive to the midnight screening of 30 Days of Night in costume will be granted free admittance. There will be a prize for best costume. Again, the screening is at Midnight at Westates Stadium 8 on Oct. 19th.

OCTOBER 20TH

A DAY OF HORROR TREASURES AT THE ELECTRIC THEATER (FREE ADMISSION)

For the fourth year in a row, The Electric Theater will host a Day of Horror Treasures. It's become a tradition of sorts, and this year, the venue is new and improved. That's right, The Electric Theater has been renovated. It looks like a million bucks. On a final note, the first film of the day will be geared towards families. The rest of the day however, will be brimming with far more edgier fair. This is to say that if you're under seventeen, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A Day of Horror Treasures will be absolutely free. For those who have a sweet tooth, there is a fully operational snack bar (drinks and other goodies) located in the lobby. As for what will be screened? We'll give you little clues, but you'll have to figure it out for yourself.

10:00 A.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (NOT RATED-FAMILY APPROVED) (85 MIN.)
We decided to start the day off with a family approved classic. This movie certainly fits the bill. While this flick features some of the most famed monsters of all time, it is, above all, a classic comedy. A great time for the whole family.

11:30 A.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (R) (95 MIN.)
What can I say about this one? It's a remake (a good remake) and features truly spectacular make-up effects, but what really makes this movie soar are it's lead performances and it's strangely romantic plot. A gory but tragic masterpiece.

1:15 P.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (R) (90 MIN.)
A 70's cult classic featuring a truly creepy boogeyman that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees, and Freddy Krueger. A bizarre exercise in tone that scared the hell out of me as a kid. On a final note, this movie has balls.

3:30 P.M. - THE GUERILLA FILM COMPETITION SHORTS
See what miniature masterpieces our fledgling film makers came up with, as The Guerilla Film Competition unveils several shorts shot by local movie makers. There will be an audience choice award so be sure to come in and lend your support. There will be a few other goodies as well including screenings of Super Nerse 2 and Iron...ic Horror 3.

5:00 P.M. - BLOOD-O-WEEN (Plus a Q & A with members of the cast and crew)
Back in 2000, longtime pals and film fans Josh Everett and Matt Mangus, thought it would be fun to make a short film about a pair of hapless but committed friends who spend their time gathering scary sounds for a Halloween mix tape. After finishing the short, the twosome shared their miniature opus with friend and aspiring film maker Nate Fackrell. Nate suggested they re-shoot the project (the original short had become a bit worn due to being the only copy in existence) and elaborate on it's already hilarious premise. So in 2005, armed with brand spanking new video equipment, Josh, Matt, and Nate set out to expand on the short, and ultimately, they would fashion a 35 minute laugh-fest called "Blood-O-Ween." This endearing mockumentary, shot on location in St. George and Salt Lake City, could be best described as Christopher Guest (Waiting For Guffman) meets Chris Smith (American Movie) with a bit of Ed Wood thrown in for good measure. As the clueless protagonists of this goofy journey go about compiling a variety of sounds for the world's greatest Halloween mix tape, they must avoid one crazed obstacle after another on their arduous road to success. "Blood-O-Ween" won the Audience Choice Award at the 2006 LDS film festival and also received a nice reception at the 2006 Comic-Con Independent Film Festival. Now, nearly two years after completion, "Blood-O-Ween" will finally get its St. George premiere.

6:00 P.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (R) (100 MIN.)
2007 represents the 20th anniversary of a popular 80's film that mass audiences have embraced through the years. It was a fairly big hit when it was released, and in addition to featuring a couple of pop culture icons in lead roles, this hip flick also benefited from a great soundtrack. On a final note, the director of this movie is often ridiculed, but this is considered one of his best efforts.

7:45 P.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (R) (105 MIN.)
As programmer of Horror-Fest, I like to throw in an occasional title that I feel doesn't really get the credit it deserves. This particular selection (which also happens to be celebrating it's 20th anniversary) certainly falls into that category. It was not a hit when released, but many fans of the genre applaud it's style and ominous sense of dread. This is a mid-career effort from one of the greatest genre directors of all time.

9:30 P.M. - MYSTERY FLICK (R) (90 MIN.)
What better way to close Horror-Fest 2007 then with a sequel? A sequel to one of the most beloved horror films of all time. While it isn't in the same league as the movie that spawned it, it still delivers enough chills to keep horror fans happy. Furthermore, it beats the hell out of a recent "re-imagining" of it's predecessor.

Well there you have it. Horror-Fest 2007! If you're local or from out of town, come join us for one of the best times you'll ever have being scared. We hope to see you there.