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When Wendy Williams speaks, people listen—or at least they should. She has made a career out of telling it like it is, whether it’s offering blunt advice to celebrities or throwing a verbal jab at the drama du jour. Take, for example, her tough love for Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. The former couple has a history that’s as complicated as a season of The Bachelor, but Williams’ got her own take.

Wendy Williams | Credit: The Wendy Williams Show

She warned the Baby singer about staying clear of Gomez when her emotional state was already hanging by a thread. And speaking of emotional threads, Williams wasn’t shy about her opinions on Hailey Baldwin and Bieber’s quickie marriage either. Is it love, or a ticking time bomb? Williams got an answer, and let’s just say—she didn’t sugarcoat it.

And as if that wasn’t enough,...

Quick ViewA comment linking P Diddy to 2Pac’s murderAlleged cover-up by Maui Police Chief John PelletierDenials of the accusations and legal proceedings

In a complex legal battle, music mogul P Diddy and Maui Police Chief John Pelletier faced allegations of s*xual assault, impersonation, and cover-up. NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. and comedian Druski are also among those accused of the crimes. The lawsuit, filed by Ashley Parham, alleges a series of events dating back to 2018, bringing severe accusations against prominent figures to light.

P Diddy in his music video Closer to God | Credit: Yt@diddy

Parham has claimed that Pelletier was working as security for P Diddy at the time when P Diddy and his associates gangr*ped her. Parham also claims that she was set up by Sean Pearce, a mutual associate of P Diddy, after making a comment insinuating his involvement in 2Pac’s m*rder.

Let’s be real—celebrity gossip has a magnetic pull. It’s the addictive, guilty pleasure that keeps us scrolling through our feeds, wondering who’s been canceled, who’s getting roasted, and who’s fallen from grace faster than a rock thrown off a cliff. In 2024, the list of the most hated celebrities includes a few heavyweights we can’t seem to avoid.

Diddy in a still from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Credits: FX

Now, you might think Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be the king and queen of controversy, but they’ve got some stiff competition. The man with the most heat on him right now isn’t even close to them. Yes, we are talking about P Diddy. The music mogul, is no longer just dealing with dropped albums and fashion statements but has now found himself battling some seriously ugly accusations that have left him on the outs.

We all know Druski as the funny guy who can make you laugh with just a few seconds of a clip. But behind the laughs, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Recently, his name has been tangled in some serious allegations connected to P Diddy’s infamous “freak-off parties”.

While the accusations might stir the pot, Druski isn’t backing down from his stance of innocence. He’s been open about his past encounters with Diddy’s glamorous world, but as he claims, he’s never been involved in anything shady.

P Diddy’s and Druski | Credit: YouTube

At the heart of the recent drama is an 87-page court document filed by Ashley Parham, which names Druski among several others in a s*xual assault case. While this has raised many eyebrows, Druski has fiercely denied the accusations, calling them out as “fabricated lie”. His words ring with confidence,...

For someone like P Diddy, life’s battle was never just about chasing gold records or red carpets. Beneath the bling, the private jets, and the custom suits, Sean Combs was wrestling with a far darker reality—his own fears. The music mogul now finds himself confined within the cold, unforgiving walls of the Metropolitan Detention Center, facing a slew of grave criminal accusations.

With his trial looming in May 2025, his once opulent life has swiftly transformed into a relentless battle for survival.

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

Okay, picture living a life where every twinge of pain, every cough, feels like the ticking of a time bomb. A ‘hypochondriac’ isn’t just someone who fears being sick—they see the illness in every little symptom. Now, imagine being in an environment like a prison. For someone like Diddy, who’s used...

Sean P Diddy is now under tighter security measures as a new commotion unfolded in the prison. The Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn has been placed on lockdown following a violent race riot involving more than 40 inmates.

Sean P. Diddy Combs | Image: Shamsuddin Muhammad, licensed under Cc By 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The incident, which took place in late February, led to heightened security measures across the entire facility. It is affecting all incarcerated individuals, including high-profile detainees such as hip-hop mogul P. Diddy and Luigi Mangione. The lockdown also barred the prison inmates from receiving visitors.

The Metropolitan Detention Centre was in lockdown where Diddy Combs is incarcerated P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

The Metropolitan Detention Centre (Mdc) went into lockdown after the violent race riot took place in late February. As reported by The Mirror US, the Federal Bureau of Prison confirmed that on Saturday,...

In a recent development, tech magnet Elon Musk publicly addressed the escalating allegations against music mogul P Diddy and his ‘Freak Off’ parties. Musk’s comments have ignited discussions on accountability within the entertainment industry. Earlier, President Donald Trump declared the disclosure of the Harvey Epstein files, which have been released in two phases. Musk has extended his full support to the growing demand of pursuing both cases concerning s*xual misconduct.

Elon Musk | Credit: By Steve Jurvetson, Cc By 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

There are many high-profile names linked to the parties of P Diddy. P Diddy was arrested in New York City on November 2024 on several cases of racketeering conspiracy, s*x trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Elon Musk questions industry awareness and allegations against P Diddy P Diddy in his music video Closer to God | Credit: Yt@diddy

Elon Musk took to his platform X (formerly Twitter...

Disgraced rapper P Diddy who’s currently neck deep in controversies has been shockingly making headlines for his family planning. Being a father of 7 children, while the music mogul was expected to be contented, reports suggest how he actually wanted his eighth kid with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

P Diddy in Closer to God music video | image: YouTube/Diddy

Before his abusive behavior ended his relationship with Cassie Ventura, P Diddy had apparently hoped to have one more child with the singer. Speaking with The Breakfast Club in 2018, the rapper addressed his fatherhood aspirations and his plans to start a family with Ventura. But unfortunately, his plans never worked out.

P Diddy wanted to have his eighth child with Cassie Ventura Cassie Ventura | image: David Shankbone, licensed under Cc By Sa 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Although the rapper and music mogul P Diddy has never truly been interested in tying the knot...

Writing a profile story on P Diddy was possibly the hardest thing that writer Tressie McMillan Cottom had to do for Vanity Fair. Back in 2021, prior to the rapper’s scandal, when Cottom went to interview Diddy at his house, she learned a lot about the music mogul—but none of which came in handy for her article.

P Diddy on Watch What Happens Live | image: YouTube

Opening up about her experience to The Independent, Tressie McMillan Cottom revealed how P Diddy came across as a little boy, boasting about himself to hide his insecurities. Further, addressing his comments on the #MeToo movement, Cottom revealed the rapper’s discomfort and vague responses upon being asked follow-up questions.

Tressie McMillan Cottom exposed P Diddy’s hollow brags P Diddy in Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

Before his recent explosive scandal involving allegations of s*xual assault and trafficking, P...

Jeffrey Epstein’s case was one of the most sensational scandals in modern history, and its shadow still looms large. So when allegations against P. Diddy surfaced, the internet wasted no time making eerie comparisons between the two. Ever since his September 2024 arrest on s-x trafficking and racketeering charges, shocking allegations have been piling up, ranging from s-xual assault to wild stories about his notorious white parties and “freak offs.”

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

Then, in early 2025, Peacock dropped a bombshell documentary digging into his rise, party lifestyle, and the scandal surrounding him. But Diddy isn’t backing down, he’s hitting back with a $100 million lawsuit against the network for defamation.

Diddy is suing NBCUniversal for $100 million for defaming him

For months, the internet has been burning with shocking accusations against P. Diddy, with many drawing unsettling comparisons between him and Jeffrey Epstein.

Ever since P Diddy went to prison under charges of s*xual assault and transportation for pr*stitution, the rap mogul’s private life has been shredded to pieces. Netizens are regularly coming up with bizarre videos and photos that were meant to be personal, just to diss the rapper. Recently, one such video of Diddy and DJ Khaled started gaining unwanted attention.

P Diddy in Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

In the video, P Diddy and DJ Khaled appeared speaking in code language about “getting dirty” and “giving flowers”, while being inside the bathroom. This led netizens to make wild assumptions about carnal relations between the duo. Well, that’s not all, several such videos and images of Diddy started resurfacing on the internet leading people to scrutinize his life, while the rapper suffers in prison.

Netizens scrutinize yet another viral video of Diddy with DJ Khaled...

It’s not every day you hear about a mogul, someone who’s shaped entire industries, suddenly entangled in a scandal that could put him behind bars for decades. It’s like watching a great showrunner fall from grace, but this isn’t some script—this is the real deal.

Diddy, a name synonymous with hip-hop royalty, luxury, and the Bad Boy Records empire, now finds himself in a web of charges so severe they could land him in prison for the rest of his life. As much as we love a good redemption arc, this one seems a bit too heavy to write off as a mere blip on the radar.

Diddy in Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

When you’ve made your mark in the music industry, you tend to acquire some baggage along the way. The question is, when that baggage includes allegations of s*x trafficking and racketeering,...

Amid P Diddy’s arrest and imprisonment, Investigation Discovery came up with a bombshell docuseries focusing on the life and downfall of the disgraced rapper. Considering how most of the accusations made against the singer are surrounding his treatment towards women, The Fall of Diddy documentary tapped into his relationship with Kim Porter and Jennifer Lopez.

P Diddy in his Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

Surprisingly, as Diddy’s childhood friends, security guards, media associates, and people close to him addressed his long-term relationships with Porter and Lopez, each one of them revealed a stark difference between the two. According to the docuseries, while Diddy often claimed to love Kim Porter, it was always Jennifer Lopez who he wanted.

The Fall of Diddy exposed infidelity and abuse against Kim Porter

As the first two episodes of The Fall of Diddy docuseries unraveled the childhood and early years of...

Once an unstoppable force, living a life of luxury, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs is currently awaiting his fate in prison, after being accused of s*x trafficking, assault, and transportation for pr*stitution. But among his charges, what seems to have been overlooked is his exploitation of other musicians, rappers, and even producers.

Diddy in Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

However, Investigation Discovery’s The Fall of Diddy docuseries took the responsibility to bring his bully side to the spotlight. And that’s where producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones offered his testimony, after previously filing a lawsuit against Diddy. Revealing how the $600M rich rapper would threaten and exploit his works, Jones further accused him of abuse.

Producer exposed rapper’s exploitative side in The Fall of Diddy docuseries

$600M rich rapper Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, who once dominated the music industry is currently facing the worst of fate in prison,...

Comedian Katt Williams did it again. With his reputation for bold predictions and satirical take on politics, Williams recently addressed one of the most controversial topics in America. Known for calling out P. Diddy’s downfall before it happened, this time, the comedian turned the spotlight on President Donald Trump.

Katt Williams in his TV special Katt Williams: World War III | image: Netflix

During his recent comedy tour, Heaven on Earth, Katt Williams delivered his satirical take on President Donald Trump’s new gender rules in the US. Considering how the nation went into a frenzy after Trump issued his strict order on his two-gender policy, Williams joked about the law comparing the President to God himself.

Katt Williams’ satirical take on Donald Trump’s gender rules

Donald Trump seemingly turned his rise to Presidential power into one of the most controversial times in history. Shortly after his swearing-in ceremony,...

In today’s times, the entertainment world constantly monitors celebrities’ activities. A single bad incident can erase years of accomplishments and something similar now threatens to ruin every aspect of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ entire career.

The once-prominent hip-hop entrepreneur now spends time in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Concerning lawsuits against the rapper turned into serious criminal lawsuits regarding s*xual misconduct along with trafficking accusations and many more.

Diddy – Closer To God | Credit: Diddy YouTube

However, his defamation lawsuit demanded $50 million to strike back against these accusations. The lawsuit is further exposing and revealing newer stories and counter-accusations on multiple fronts as the world keeps an eye on each of them.

Accusations and charges against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Diddy – Act Bad | Credit: Diddy YouTube

The legal charges and allegations attributed to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs continue throughout his long career. A federal indictment states that Combs managed a criminal enterprise...

Sean P Diddy Combs’ troubles are far from over, and it seems that the federal lawsuit against him was just the start. Still in jail, Combs has been hit by a fresh wave of allegations, this time stemming from Investigation Discovery’s docuseries, The Fall of Diddy.

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | Credit: YouTube

A four-part special, with each episode being nearly an hour long, features interviews with Combs’ former employees, ex-partners, and alleged victims. One of these interviews is with his former chef and former bodyguard who revealed shocking details about his ex Cassie Ventura.

The Fall of Diddy reveals shocking details about Cassie Ventura and Diddy Cassie Ventura | Credit: David Shankbone, licensed under Cc By Sa 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Back in November 2023, Diddy‘s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against the rapper, accusing him of s*xual assault, physical abuse, violence,...

Justin Bieber found himself in a bit of a hot mess, with reports claiming he was “sweating bullets” over Diddy’s legal troubles. The pop star’s marriage could be on the line as Diddy’s case takes a dramatic turn, threatening to pull Bieber into the chaos.

Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun | Credits: Lou Stejskal, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Amid rumors swirling, it looks like Bieber might soon be getting served with a subpoena. His calm, cool persona? Well, it may be tested as the case threatens to add some serious heat to his relationship.

Justin Bieber’s anxiety and Diddy’s legal woes put his marriage with Hailey on the brink P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | Credits: YouTube (@Diddy)

Justin Bieber is reportedly “sweating bullets” as the drama surrounding Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs’ legal troubles takes a toll on his marriage to Hailey Bieber.

Wendy Williams has always been a figure who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, whether it’s about Hollywood’s biggest stars or the drama surrounding her own life. On the same subject, recently during an interview, she dropped some intriguing hints about her past with rapper Diddy. While she didn’t go into full detail, her comments were enough to spark curiosity among fans and industry insiders alike.

Wendy Williams in a still from The Wendy Williams Show | Credits: Syndication

For years, Williams has been open about her experiences in the entertainment world, and her history with Diddy is no exception. She made it clear that there’s much more to the story than what’s been publicly known, suggesting she’s knows certain secrets about the rapper that could change the way people see him.

Is Wendy Williams ready to expose Diddy’s dark past?

Wendy Williams...

P Diddy might be biting his knuckles in jail, now that filmmaker dream hampton’s interview with Rolling Stone went viral. According to the 54-year-old executive producer of the 2019 documentary series Surviving R. Kelly, Diddy was apparently warned against making the same move of denying domestic abuse allegations as Johnny Depp.

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

Considering how renowned stars like Johnny Depp and Russell Simmons, prior to P Diddy were held accountable for domestic violence, where they denied the accusations—dream hampton had allegedly warned the rapper against taking the same step when Cassie Ventura sued him. But sadly, Diddy’s lawyers denied the allegations, and later on, he was accused in six more separate suits of s*xual assault.

dream hampton had warned P Diddy against denying assault allegations

Back when P Diddy was sued by his former artist and girlfriend,...

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been detained in prison for the past few months as he awaits trial. The disgraced rapper was arrested back in September on s*x trafficking and racketeering charges after federal authorities raided his homes. Combs is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Hundreds of lawsuits were filed against Diddy after his arrest, accusing him of s*xual assault and r*pe, with some even from minors. Harrowing details about his social life and the alleged criminal ring have come out, seemingly implicating many other celebrities who were associated with him. Here are a few updates on his case.

Diddy’s trial is set to happen in May Diddy on Late Night with Seth Myers | Credits: YouTube/Late Night with Seth Myers

After getting arrested in September 2024, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been in custody and his bail plea has been denied multiple times. The...

Sean “Diddy” Combs is no stranger to drama, but this time, it’s not about his beats or billionaire moves. One of his accusers dropped a bombshell, claiming he may have used a ruthless playbook to dodge abuse allegations. It’s the kind of revelation that makes you side-eye the glitzy empire he’s built.

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | Credits: YouTube (@Diddy)

Behind the private jets and champagne showers, there’s a darker story unfolding — a tale of power and control that’s anything but glam.

How The Fall of Diddy unravels decades of abuse allegations and a crumbling legacy Diddy on the cover of The Love Album | Credits: Motown Records

Diddy’s empire is crumbling, and The Fall of Diddy is here to spill all the tea. Dropping Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. Et on ID, this four-part docuseries dives into the “insidious and terrifying” allegations of rape,...

Although Kim Porter’s alleged diary is what made P Diddy’s arrest and lawsuit so controversial, the music mogul never seemed to have bad blood with the late model and actress. Instead, Diddy often mentioned regretting his decision to never marry Porter when she was alive.

P Diddy in a still from Closer to God music video | image: YouTube

After P Diddy had previously addressed his honest friendship and unbreakable bond with his on-and-off girlfriend Kim Porter, sources close to him had also reflected on how the rapper suffered immensely after Porter’s tragic demise. Further, considering himself a fool for losing Porter, Diddy called himself unworthy of marriage.

P Diddy suffered miserably after losing a friend in Kim Porter

Despite being in an off-and-on relationship with Kim Porter before their final break-up in 2007, P Diddy often addressed how had an unbreakable bond with the model/actress. Claiming to be best friends and lovers,...

Members of the entertainment business tend to have very tightly-knit communities. Most individuals either know of somebody in the industry or are well acquainted with each other. For many years Kim Kardashian and her sisters Khloe and Kourtney were associated with Sean Combs’ (P Diddy) circle of friends and they’ve publicly spoken about the rapper’s parties several times before.

The cast of Keeping Up with The Kardashians | Credits: Hulu

However, the 54-year-old CEO of Bad Boy Records was recently booked for s*x trafficking and racketeering that went on for several years before his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit against him claiming that he se*ually and physically abused her throughout their relationship.

This eventually triggered a chain reaction that encouraged many other alleged victims of his to speak out against him and his “freak offs”. However, Kim Kardashian’s ex-partner had quite the opposite experience of what others claimed they did.

There’s nothing conceptually all that special about “The Dead Center,” but sometimes it’s all in the execution, and this creepily restrained horror thriller manages to never seem entirely predictable while nonetheless drawing on numerous prior genre influences, from the “[rec]” films to “The Exorcist III.” It’s an impressive leap forward for writer-director Billy Senese, whose 2014 feature debut “Closer to God” was more in the realm of a nice try. It opens on ten U.S. screens on Oct. 11, with release in disc formats Oct. 22.

A big, gory mess of what’s assumed to be a suicide victim is delivered to a morgue, tagged and bagged. But later he proves not-so-dead — waking with a start, he tears out of his body bag, then stumbles to another part of the public hospital, tucking himself into an available bed before passing out again. It is there that he is found by...

Arrow Video will release Billy Senese's The Dead Center. The release will take place in both the U.S. and United Kingdom. The film involves the death of a man, through suicide. However, his body has disappeared, leading to a string of strange deaths. Also, The Dead Center had its World Premiere at Frightfest earlier this year. And, the film centrally stars: Jeremy Childs ("Preacher") and Shane Carruth. A preview of the film's wide release is hosted here. An international trailer was just released for The Dead Center. The clip shows doctors and nurses working in a psychiatric ward. As the patients fill the ward, one psychiatrist is overburdened from what he sees. Now, an unstoppable evil has been unleashed upon the world. The initial release, for the film, will take place on October 11th. This first release will involve a limited theatrical run, with a Digital launch also taking place on this date.

August 18th is bringing horror and sci-fi fans a bounty of home entertainment choices this week, especially if you’re into cult classics and indie genre films. Titles arriving on Tuesday include newer movies like Cub, Ejecta and Closer to God as well as the latest from the Soska Sisters, Vendetta. Several older films are getting an HD overhaul on Blu-ray too, including Nomads, The Hunger, Nightmare Castle, The Wife Killer and the supernaturally-infused Burn, Witch, Burn which was also co-penned by Richard Matheson.

And while it may not necessarily be a full-on genre movie, it’s worth noting that Shout! Factory is also releasing the criminally underrated cyber-adventure/thriller Hackers onto Blu-ray this week to celebrate its upcoming 20th anniversary.

Burn, Witch, Burn (Kino Lorber, Blu-ray)

The powers of dark magic rule the night in this chilling masterpiece of supernatural horror as a

college campus turns into a nest of evil.

Stars: Jeremy Childs, Shelean Newman, Shannon Hoppe, David Alford, Isaac Disney, Flint Adam, Matt Arnold, Skye Arnold, Colleen Barton, Sydney Bell, Jeff Boyet | Written and Directed by Billy Senese

Dr. Victor Reed is a brilliant geneticist who has just achieved a huge scientific breakthrough by successfully cloning the first human being, an adorable baby girl named Elizabeth. This immediately becomes a media spectacle and ignites a firestorm of debate concerning the moral and religious implications of such a discovery. Soon, Dr. Reed and his family lose all sense of privacy and safety as they are swarmed by protesters and the media. Their biggest threat, however, could be Victor’s own secret.

Closer to God is a science fiction thriller of the creepiest kind. It explores the impact that cloning a human could have. It explores the moral, scientific and religious inpacts of such an action also what might happen if it all goes wrong.

More standard horror flick, if elegantly presented, than the thoughtful science fiction drama it thinks it is. I’m “biast” (pro): I’m a big science fiction geek

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

And here we have a familiar story. Oh, not the fact that Closer to God is a modern updating of Frankenstein, swapping out reanimation of the dead for cloning: that is done rather cleverly. No, it’s the familiar story of many indie science-fiction dramas: they’ve got potentially intriguing ideas but don’t know what to do with them, and so what could have been an effective and eerie short film becomes a too-long — and this one is only 80 minutes! — feature that only hints at possibilities that seem deliberately left unexplored. Developing truly SFnal concepts and bringing them to a satisfying conclusion is hard, true,...

Turning a hot-button issue into a dramatic soap opera would be the easy way out. Skipping over the procedures and processes that would be involved, Closer to God goes directly to the creation of a clone and then asks, "What now?" As opposed to the army of movies that imagine clones in the future, writer/director Billy Senese wrestles with the essence of the issue, right here, and right now. Victor Reed (Jeremy Childs) is a scientist who is obsessed with cloning. He's not a "mad" scientist, though his obsessive behavior is certainly reminiscent of Mary Shelley's famed scientist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. What this modern-day Victor exudes is devotion to his important work and single-minded focus on success. He conducts interviews, but he is not at...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

For July 2015, we’ve got another jam-packed month of genre-related titles arriving on VOD (and a few other digital platforms too) to help fans beat the summer heat by staying inside and catching up on tons of great new movies.

IFC Midnight’s got a zany new creature feature called Stung that’s kicking off the month and for those of you who may have missed it in theaters earlier this year, the acclaimed breakout indie film It Follows is finally making its way to homes on VOD beginning July 2nd. Some other notable July VOD releases include 3-Headed Shark Attack, Felt, Alleluia, The Stanford Prison Experiment, Dark Was the Night, and Extinction.

Also, Dude Bro Party Massacre III - which premiered earlier this month at the Los Angeles Film Festival - is gearing up for its release as well in July; it won’t be arriving on traditional VOD platforms,...

“Closer to God” is a new twist on the classic “Frankenstein” tale with the addition of cloning. Director/producer Billy Senese elaborated more on making of the film in a recent press interview. Senese stated that the film drew from his love of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. “['Frankenstein'] was a big book for me when I was young, and I love the James Whale movies from the 1930s, “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein.” I always wanted to do my own interpretation of this story, kind of reinvent those same ideas and themes into a modern reality, one that we might actually face in our lifetime,” he said. “So about 6 months [ Read More ]

The post Billy Senese Discusses His Modern-Day Frankenstein Film, Closer to God appeared first on Shockya.com.

Making his feature directorial debut, Tyler Shields' Final Girl arrives in select theaters and VOD in August. Also in this round-up: details on new vinyls from Death Waltz and Mondo, as well as a Q&A with Closer to God writer/director Billy Senese.

Final Girl: Press Release -- "Renowned photographer to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tyler Shields will captivate audiences with his debut feature film, the “sardonic, smart, stylized, thriller” (Dennis Dermody, Paper), Final Girl. Starring Oscar® nominee Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland), Final Girl will debut in select theaters, Digital HD and Video on Demand August 14 from Cinedigm (Nasdaq:cidm) and Nasser Entertainment.

Also starring BAFTA® Film Award nominee Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games, American Beauty), Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games, Lone Survivor), Francesca Eastwood (Jersey Boys), daughter of Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, and Cameron Bright (The Twilight Saga), the terrifying, highly anticipated film...

Many sci-fi/horror films take on the notion of scientists possibly not weighing the ramifications of their breakthroughs, like “The Fly” and “Splice.” Uncork’d Entertainment and Breaking Glass Picture’s upcoming release “Closer to God” follows in the footsteps of these films by tackling the uncomfortable topic of cloning. “Closer to God” is written and directed by Billy Senese and has been described as an “ambitious, thoughtful and provocative take on the Frankenstein story” by ScreenDaily and a “mind-blowing, thought-provoking, disturbing and brilliant film” by Talent Monthly. Here’s what you can expect from the film. “Dr. Victor Reed is a brilliant geneticist who has just achieved a huge scientific breakthrough by successfully [ Read More ]

The post Sci-Fi Horror Film Closer to God Coming This July appeared first on Shockya.com.

Closer to God, a very independent sci-fi fright feature won acclaim at festivals last year for its eerie, topical tale of scientific breakthrough and public backlash. Written and directed by Billy Senese, Closer to God concerns “Dr. Victor Reed, a brilliant geneticist who has just achieved a huge scientific breakthrough by successfully cloning the first…

The post Closer To God, A Frankenstein-esque Clone Horror out in July appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Duck Dynasty: The Musical is officially theater-bound! Considering Broadway is pretty gay -- or at least, gay-friendly -- and considering what duck patriarch Phil Robertson has said in the past about homosexuality leading to bestiality, it may seem like an odd fit.

Until you find out it’s actually a Vegas musical. That makes more sense.

The Duck Commander Musical is a “modern-day Beverly Hillbillies story” about a “backwoods family” that strikes it rich. Don’t expect a satire or tell-all either, the Roberston family had script and casting approval.

Watch: Which Duck Dynasty star wants to be on Dancing With the Stars?!

Producer Michael David, whose credits include Jersey Boys, told The New York Times, “The show will end up challenging the views and assumptions of people across the political spectrum, more than most theater does.”

It’s being staged by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies) and is based on Willie and Korie Robertson’s 2012 book...

The fifth annual Telluride Horror Show is getting set to kick off in Telluride, Colorado, next month, and right now we have the first batch of announced films for your perusal.

From the Press Release

The Telluride Horror Show is excited to announce the first batch of films for its 5th annual festival, scheduled for October 10-12, 2014, in beautiful Telluride, Colorado.

Features

Backwater

USA | 2013 | 94 min | Director: Christopher Schrack

Followed by a Q&A with director Christopher Schrack.

A couple camping in the woods believe they are in tremendous danger even though they can't explain what is causing their terror.

Bag Boy Lover Boy

USA | 2014 | 77 min | Director: Andres Torres

Bag Boy Lover Boy follows the lowly life of Albert, an oddball hotdog vendor who is shocked to find himself suddenly becoming the bizarre muse of enigmatic NYC photographer Ivan Worthington. But shocks come his way even more so when, amidst his...

This past Wednesday, August 6th, saw the close of the 18th edition of Montreal's Fantasia Film Festival; and now that the dust has settled, we have the full list of this year's award winners plus the Fest's dates for 2015.

From the Press Release:

Returning to its home at Concordia University after the location’s massive 2013 renovations, the acclaimed Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running genre film fest, benefited from having three theaters in which to screen its record 160+ films.

Among the numerous highlights that took place during the three-week festival were the crowd-pleasing, revelatory world premieres of Leo Gabriadze’s Cybernatural (review here), Sarah Adina Smith’s The Midnight Swim, and Bennett Jones’ I Am A Knife With Legs. Also of note were massively successful screenings of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, James Gunn’s Guardians Of The Galaxy, Lee Su-jin’s Han Gong-ju, Keishi Otomo’s Rurouni Kenshin – Kyoto Inferno,...

We’re nearing September, which means we’re getting close to Alamo Drafthouse’s 10th annual Fantastic Fest. The film festival held in Austin, Texas is one of the most interesting and exciting fests around. Catering to hardcore cinephiles with a little bit of an interest in the strange, Fantastic Fest features a bevy of some of the best new horror films, indie thrillers, dark comedies, and low-budget sci-fi. Last year some of the best films included at the fest were Afflicted, Borgman, Jodorowsky’s Dune, The Sacrament, Blue Ruin, Grand Piano, We Are What We Are, A Field in England, The Congress, and Big Bad Wolves. In 2011 Fantastic Fest was one of the places to see Adam Wingard’s amazing You’re Next before it was shelved until it’s official release just last year.

Now the initial lineup for the 2014 festival has been announced and as always it looks very promising.

Our favorite film festival in the world is nigh. Later next month, Austin, Texas will host hundreds of genre fans for Fantastic Fest 2014!! We have the full list which includes the Us Premiere of Tusk as well as the World Premieres of ABCs of Death 2 and Horsehead. These won’t be all the films that will play the 10th anniversary of the film festival but it would be enough if it was. Look forward to more announcement waves of programming and don’t forget to follow up with our predictions that we made last week. I have added trailers above the film titles, if available. If the trailer is not available, there will be a still above the title.

From the Press Release

Fantastic Fest Celebrates 10 Years Of Chaos And Destruction With Us Premiere Of Kevin Smith’S “Tusk”, Leonard Maltin, The Meltdown With Jonah And Kumail And “ABCs Of Death 2...

A podcaster is slowly turned into a walrus, skaters are hunted by a cult, and 26 different ways to die are revealed. Yes, Fantastic Fest is adding some horror to their 10th anniversary this September. The first wave of programming for the festival has been announced and Kevin Smith’s Tusk will be screened, as well as the horror anthologies V/H/S Viral and ABCs of Death 2.

Fantastic Fest will open with the Us premiere of Tusk and will later feature the Us premiere of V/H/S Viral. ABCs of Death 2 will make its world debut at the festival taking place September 18th-25th in Austin, Texas. We have a press release with more details and the first wave’s full listing of films, as well as the festival’s official Mondo poster:

Austin, TX – Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - “Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Fantastic Fest is excited to...

It's that time of year again, isn't it? There is no greater party on Earth for fans of genre films than Austin's annual Fantastic Fest, and ten years in, they just keep making it better. "In 2014, we are taking no prisoners. This festival is going to set new boundaries of decadence, destruction and debauchery." - Tim League As much as I love events like Cannes, Sundance, or Toronto, I can't imagine the directors of those festivals ever issuing that statement. The scary thing is that Tim League isn't kidding. Fantastic Fest is special because it's much more than just movies being screened. Every day is packed with events that elevate the entire festival, and with this year taking place at the new Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar, complete with the brand-new Highball, it feels like it's going to be a blow-out the likes of which even the most avid Fantastic...

Fantastic Fest 2014 kicks off September 18th, and the first wave of programming has been announced. With films like Tusk, V/H/S Viral, The Babadook, and ABC's of Death 2 on the menu, it's one not to miss!

From the Press Release:

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the first wave of events, special guests, and film programming for Fantastic Fest 2014, taking place September 18-25 in Austin, Texas, at the newly reopened Alamo South Lamar and Highball.

Fantastic Fest is thrilled to open the fest with the Us Premiere of Kevin Smith's dark horror-comedy Tusk. Smith will be in attendance for a red carpet gala screening and Q&A.

Immediately following Tusk, the world premiere of ABCs Of Death 2 will unveil 26 devilishly diabolical tales at Fantastic Fest with multiple directors from the horror anthology sequel in attendance, including Alejandro Brugués, Robert Boocheck, Lancelot Imasuen, E.L. Katz,...

The Alamo Drafthouse’s Fantastic Fest has a stellar rep around these parts, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider some of the indie titles that have played there in recent years. Last year alone saw Coherence, Grand Piano and Septic Man make their world premieres, and films like Blue Ruin, Afflicted, Witching & Bitching, The Sacrament and Borgman all land in the U.S. for the first time.

This year doesn’t look to be any different, with a terrific lineup of indie titles including boatloads of promising horror. We’ve got sequels like The ABCs of Death 2 and V/H/S Viral, and originals like Kevin Smith’s anticipated Tusk and The Babadook. Keep in mind this is only the first wave of film announcements for Fantastic Fest 2014 – we’ll keep you posted as more titles are confirmed for the festival, which runs in Austin,...

About to have its international premiere at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal, director Billy Senese has just released the first trailer for his indie scifi thriller Closer To God. Here's how the festival describes it:The first successful cloning of a human pulls a brilliant genetic scientist into the center of volatile battle between science and religion in this unique reinterpretation of the Frankenstein story that's equal parts philosophical science-fiction/horror and paranoid thriller. Hypnotically cinematic and evocative of early Cronenberg, this is a fiercely intelligent knockout of a feature from award-winning short filmmaker Billy Senese (The Suicide Tapes).Take a look at the trailer below....

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Following last week’s first wave of programming announcements, the Fantasia International Film Festival has revealed its second wave of programming, which includes a screening of Ju-On: The Beginning of the End and a 40th anniversary screening of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, where Tobe Hooper will be presented with a lifetime achievement award:

“Official Closing Film – Abel Ferrara’s Welcome To New York

Fantasia will close its 2014 edition with the North American Premiere of Abel Ferrara’s Welcome To New York, the controversial latest from the legendary filmmaker behind such landmarks as Bad Lieutenant, King Of New York, New Rose Hotel and the recently re-released Ms 45.

Welcome To New York is loosely based on the Dsk scandal and stars the iconic Gérard Depardieu in one of the bravest performances of his career. Co-starring is the equally sensational Jacqueline Bisset.

Abel Ferrara will be on hand to host this special evening,...

We're back with more titles heading to the 2014 Fantasia Film Festival as well as a few new images and word on a Lifetime Achievement Award for Tobe Hooper. Read on for all the details!

From the Press Release:

Following last week’s first wave of programming announcements, the Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to unveil additional highlights to rev you up for our July 10th Press Conference, where our full 2014 film lineup will be revealed.

Official Closing Film - Abel Ferrara’s Welcome To New York

Fantasia will close its 2014 edition with the North American Premiere of Abel Ferrara’s Welcome To New York, the controversial latest from the legendary filmmaker behind such landmarks as Bad Lieutenant, King Of New York, New Rose Hotel and the recently re-released Ms 45.

Welcome To New York is loosely based on the Dsk scandal and stars the iconic Gérard Depardieu in one of...

The 18th Fantasia International Film Festival’s second lineup of films was unveiled Thursday, and it features the closing night film on August 5, Welcome to New York directed by Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Ms. 45).

Ferrara will be present to talk about his latest film, starring Gérard Depardieu and Jacqueline Bisset. The film was received with warm reviews after appearing out of competition at Cannes and at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

The Fantasia Film Fest runs July 17 to August 5 in Montreal, and the full lineup of films, in addition to the ones already announced, will be released July 10.

View the whole press release of second wave lineup announcements below.

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Fantasia Announces Second Wave

Of 2014 Programming Montreal, Thursday June 26, 2014 – Following last week’s first wave of programming announcements, the Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to unveil additional highlights to rev you up for our July 10th Press Conference, where...