Ghoulish Grin Films

The new release from Ghoulish Grin Films, "FORSAKEN" has been released for streaming on YouTube, Vimeo, and the Jess Solis Film Freeway profile. The only proper label for an experimental piece like this is 'Arthouse Horror.' It is the expression of the current times and the definition of underground...my old stomping grounds. Or perhaps I've just been here all along and just decide to embrace what I am. Who knows. This whole year (so far) has been a 'who knows.' But even then I can still see the light. I hope you can too. https://vimeo.com/402596248 https://filmfreeway.com/FORSAKEN460 A note from Director Jess Solis.

An icon of science fiction, William Shatner is an Emmy Award winning television veteran and author of several science fiction novels. A classically trained Shakespearian actor, he appeared on stage and landed many different television roles, including my favorite...an appearance on "The Twilight Zone." He's even dropped some outlandishly odd music. Treat yourself and watch some of his musical performances. But to everyone that recognizes him, whether casually or not, he will always be Captain James T. Kirk of The U.S.S. Enterprise. That original show created an entire culture of Trekkers who live the life of Star Trek and the values that Gene Roddenberry brought to that universe. Shatner's performance as Captain Kirk brought a leading man swagger with the wisdom of a leader of the future. Many a comedian and impressionist lovingly mocked his pausing style of acting, but in moments in the shows and films he showed solid chops and...isn't imitation the fondes...

On March 18th 1910 Edison Studios, owned by entrepreneur and inventor Thomas Edison, released a 14 minute adaptation of Mary Shelley's legendary "Frankenstein." It is the first adaptation of the modern mythos, setting the stage for future adaptations and cementing the legacy of the story. The film was originally believed to have been lost, like many other silent films. It was purchased in the '50's by a film collector and in the '70's came to light as a discovered and important gem. Now, like all silent films originating before 1924 has fallen into the public domain. This silent film may not have the chill factor for todays modern horror fans, but like many other silent horror films it holds a fascination factor that modern films can rarely capture. Enjoy this bit of cinematic history as the great majority of us catch up on our viewing. It's a great time to become aware of our history of horror, science fiction, and fantasy through these historic...

We're now seeing a temporary 'new normal.' Major events being cancelled. Seasons cancelled. Distancing. It's a very anxious and uncertain period not just now but in the coming months. And this is spilling into the box office. I was able to see "The Invisible Man" when it came out but in the back of my mind I was still thinking of world events and how they may shape the coming months. And it seems as if theaters will definitely get hit. "A Quiet Place 2" has been delayed until our collective leadership starts to get a hold of the panic and uncertainty. When that happens? Who knows. I know we're all hoping it's sooner rather than later. As many close to me know I'm a big theater goer. There's nothing like going to the movies in a theater with an enthusiastic crowd, enjoying a film on the big screen. The environment, the fandom. It's for many (including myself) an escape from the problems of the real world. Now the real worl...

I went into the theater ready to see the 2020 adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The Invisible Man" with expectations, I won't lie. I knew the reviews were great, and being a fanatic for the Universal Monsters era, I wanted perhaps more than it could potentially offer. To my delight it gave me all I wanted. The opening sequence (as I try not to spoil anything) had the feel of a Universal Monster movie in a modern setting. I was actually quite shocked at how well they were able to capture that classic feel in a modern setting. From that point on I was ready for an instant classic. And that's what I think Universal gave me. It's been a long time coming. Over the years they've had some films from the properties that were fantastic (Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 retelling "Bram Stoker's Dracula) and Kenneth Branagh's 1994 retelling of "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein), at least fun ("Van Helsing" and the Brendan Fraser "Mummy...

I believe Clive Barker's Books Of Blood are among the finest horror short stories ever put out. And among those chilling tales is a story called "The Forbidden." Now I had seen 1992's "Candyman" and thought it was an amazing film. An original take on an urban legend. I never realized "The Forbidden" was the source material until I started reading it. The short stories in The Books Of Blood are captivating and an easy read. Realizing I was reading the story of The Candyman, I ate it up like...well, you know. Sweets for the sweet. Just released is the upcoming 2020 remake of "Candyman," co-written and produced by our new voice in horror, Jordan Peele. The hype is real. It has the look and feel of a "Get Out" and "Us," but has a classic horror boogeyman at the helm. As if I needed any extra incentive to see this. Take my money.  

In 2004, director James Wan created not only a franchise but a new era in horror. For many it was a gory new era of 'torture' for squeamish fans. But the original "Saw" film (directed by Wan) was a bloody new entry to the history of horror films. With a new follow-up from Chris Rock, the Saw Franchise continues to scare up box office and is now a staple in Halloween shops every Halloween. But Wan didn't follow his directorial debut with that type of horror. Showing his diversity as a filmmaker, yet still playing in the horror sandbox, he directed "Dead Silence" in 2007 and would create a whole new universe with the "Insidious" and "The Conjuring" franchises. The world would expand with the "Annabelle," "Nun," and "La Llorona" films and with sequels to "Insidious" and "The Conjuring." He would later leave his comfort zone and direct mega blockbusters "Furious 7" and ...