By Michael Knox
Mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Sid Haig, known for his role as “Captain Spaulding” in Rob Zombie’s “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects,“ will join “A Clockwork Orange” star Malcolm McDowell in the zombie comedy “First Platoon,” according to a press release.

Director Chris Gabriel will be shooting his original screenplay for the project. Filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico this spring and summer, “First Platoon” is slated for release in December 2010, according to a news release.

Las Vegas, NV production companies, First Earth Films and Laughing Jack Entertainment will produce the film.

“First Platoon” is an homage to a genre virtually created by George Romero, and stays true to the classic zombie lore that diehard fans revere, according to the press release. A post apolyptic zombie comedy, “First Platoon,” will also feature Aaron Shiver (“3:10 to Yuma,” “The Book of Eli” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”

Shiver is joined by John Kassir (“Reefer Madness – The Musical” and “Race to Witch Mountain.”

Gabriel has previously teamed up with First Earth Films on “S4,” an ultra low budget 1950’s style sci-fi comedy, and will also direct “Raggedy Anne,” an action/comedy, in late 2010.

Danny Trejo (“From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and “Con Air”) is rumored to play the character of a gun shop owner in “Raggedy Anne,” according to the Internet Movie Database.

Tony Spears, 39, of Salisbury, is "hung" by his friend, Scott Cannon, 45, of Salisbury

PHOTOS BY RYAN HAGGERTY

Asheville, N.C. band, Hellblinki Sextet decked themselves out in zombie make-up on Saturday night as they rocked out during the zombie costume competition for the George A. Romero festival held in Charlotte, N.C.  The show was held as part of the American Zombie event that’s being put on by the Light Factory and Reel Soul Cinema. The event continues on Sunday.

…continue reading Hellblinki Sextet rock out during zombie costume contest

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

George A. Romero, director of "Diary of the Dead" and other films.

George A. Romero may be considered one of the kings of the zombie horror genre, but fans may be surprised that Romero isn’t really a fan of horror films.

Romero made the confession when he was discussing his involvement with the American Zombie event, which will be held Feb. 20 through 22 in Charlotte, N.C. The event, sponsored by the Light Factory and Reel Soul Cinema, will feature a collection of Romero’s films with Romero offering  Q & A sessions for fans. The event also includes a horror film competition.

…continue reading George A. Romero and American Zombie

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

To everyone who has helped support ModrenFilmZine I would like to say thank you. In our first full month online we’ve had a little more than 720 unique visitors hit the Web site, with a total of more than 1,000 visits.

Those visits have come from hits from 44 states in the U.S. and a total of 35 countries. For some reason North Carolina (local boy I’m guessing), New York and California, seem to be the states that really hit the site.

…continue reading George A. Romero and “Terminator” interviews among upcoming stories