It's Fall, so it must be time to check the value of all the players in Hollywood. Power list after ranked power list will find their ways online (remember when they used to be in print!?!), none of them based on anything beyond some box office success and sex appeal. The former being no way to judge quality, the latter being subjective at best.

We here at Film Threat aren't above the Fall list fever, however. In fact, we have an annual list of our own – The Frigid 50: The Coldest People in Hollywood. Unlike those other lists that brown-nose their way into some pampered celebrity's good graces, the Frigid 50 is a written declaration of who or what in Hollywood needs a reality check, detailing the least-powerful, least-inspiring, least-intriguing people in all of Tinseltown. Before a career is over (or in some cases, immediately after), it finds itself sitting in Frigid 50 territory.

Unplug the Hollywood "Power" lists and enjoy Film Threat's Frigid 50: The Coldest People in Hollywood 2008!

Get the list in FILM THREAT'S FRIGID 50: THE COLDEST PEOPLE IN HOLLYWOOD 2008>>>

It's no surprise that Halloween is our favorite holiday here at Film Threat HQ, so it's been our ultimate pleasure for the past few years to join forces with the Hollywood Film Festival in order to program and share with all of you guys the absolute best indie genre films we've seen all year. And we're back at it again this year. Below you'll find the full schedule for this year's Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, taking place at the Arclight in Hollywood. Come on down, see some great films and celebrate Halloween with your pals from Film Threat!

Friday, October 24

9:00pm, "Plague Town"
It's bad enough when you get you and your family lost in the Irish countryside, but when you're also being chased around by a village of killer weirdos, you know you're having a bad day. Apart from it being probably the creepiest film of the festival, what's really impressive about "Plague Town" is that it's always going above and beyond your expectations. Just when you think you've seen all it has to offer, director David Gregory cranks up the terror even higher and brings the noise. A very scary experience and a perfect movie for the Halloween season. Preceded by short: "Game Over"
Purchase tickets here!

11:00pm, "Vlog"
From the producers of "Saw" comes this bumpy and quite vicious little ride. "Vlog" is at first composed of a series of video blogs by internet star Brooke Marks, but things soon turn grisly as a sick killer starts up his own video blog detailing the gory deaths of Brooke's friends. Definitely not for the squeamish. Preceded by short: "Anyone There?"
Purchase tickets here!

Saturday, October 25

9:00pm, "Tromatized, Meet Lloyd Kaufman"
If you love Troma like we love Troma, then you're not going to want to miss this hilarious and insightful documentary portrait of the one and only Lloyd Kaufman, the man that has given us "The Toxic Avenger", "Class of Nuke 'Em High" and recently "Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead."
Purchase tickets here!

11:00pm, "Blood on the Highway"
A road trip turns ugly when three friends find themselves in the wrong town at the wrong time of day. Not your run-of-the-mill horror film, "Blood on the Highway" is as hilarious as it is gruesome. Preceded by short: "Rise of Convict"
Purchase tickets here!

Sunday, October 26
9:00pm, "Live Animals"
If you prefer your horror rough and tough then you'll dig on this film as it seats us front row for a particularly nasty entrepreneur's white slave operation as we watch his captives risk death to escape his barn of torture. Fans of "Saw" and "Hostel" will cheer!
Purchase tickets here!

I get asked all the time, "how do you get your film reviewed on Film Threat?" Considering how many film submissions we get per week, I'm always surprised that people still don't know the process. So I'm going to explain it here, as well as update those already familiar with the process about a new step.

Film Threat has been reviewing films for 23 years, and we plan on continuing to do so. With over 11,000 reviews since the inception of the website alone, our policy has always been "you send it in, we'll review it." Pretty simple, right? That's not going to change, but we do need to modify how films are sent to us.

In the past, folks have just sent their films to the Film Threat headquarters, with no real guidelines. Some come in perfectly packaged DVDs accompanied by pretty press kits. Others arrive unlabeled. This lack of submission consistency can cause problems, especially when the volume of film submissions per week is as high as it is.

So, we've come up with a solution. From now on, films submitted to Film Threat must first be entered into our Film Submissions Form, and then each submission must be accompanied by a printout of the completed form. This allows us to track not only what films are coming, but what films we should have in the queue and enable us to speed up the reviewing process.

Additionally, by filling out the form, filmmakers can save on the cost of expensive packaging and press kits, because all the important info we need to do our jobs should be entered before you submit. This cuts down on postal costs too, as now you just need to send your screener copy in with a piece of paper.

The best part? Each submitted film will have an id number that we, and you, can use to track the status of reviews. No more wondering if your film is in the queue. If you sent it in, and you've got an id, then it's in the queue. We're also currently working on a system that will allow you to search the review queue yourself, to find out whether your film is in the office, in a reviewers' hands or scheduled to be published.

Now what happens if you don't use the new submission system? Will we not review your film? No, we'll review your film but those who use the system will have priority. If you don't have a submission id, you're at the back of the line; the bottom of the pile. So, it's your call, but taking the time to fill out the submission form will reap great benefits for you and your film.

Oh, and on a related note, in case you haven't seen it yet, we're also looking for some new writers here at Film Threat. If you've ever wanted to be a part of our crew, now is the time to throw your hat into the ring.

Now get back to making movies so we can get back to reviewing them!

Regular readers of Film Threat know that we have an amazing writing staff on hand - they're doing it for the love of movies and for that we love them right back.  So now it's time for you to get in on the love.

We're looking for a few new writers who are passionate about movies to help us review films sent into the Film Threat office. More eyes are on us now than ever, so that means we're also getting more film submissions from indie filmmakers than we've ever seen. We're looking for quality writers who not only have a passion for independent film, but who also get the whole idea behind Film Threat. This is Film THREAT after all. Intelligent writers with a sharp edge are what we're looking for. We need passionate individuals that will be dedicated to writing quality reviews for indie films sent to our office because they love doing it; just like the people we have writing for us now. And even though there is no payment involved, there's still the reward of being one of the first to see outstanding films such as "The Wackness," "The Clay Head" and "A Catalog of Anticipations." You'll also get the satisfaction of helping filmmakers into festivals and distribution deals by the reviews that you write. If accepted on board, you'll be more than a simple "film critic," you'll be helping filmmakers' projects see the light of day. Let me tell you – that's a damn good feeling.

So let's see what you've got.  Send us a review sample via our New Writers Submission Form, and if we like what you've got, we'll be in touch with you. We won't respond to everyone, sorry, we get way too many submissions, but if you make the initial cut, you'll hear from us soon.

Good luck!

We here at Film Threat know all too well the challenges genre films can face over their careers. From being snubbed by "important" film festivals to being mis-programmed in front of the "wrong crowd," Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and other Underground films have their work cut out for them. Can't someone make life easier for genre films!?!

That's why we love the Hollywood Film Festival. For the last three years, they've allowed the genre-friendly film-lovers of this here website to program the Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy section of their prestigious film festival, and this year is no different. Running October 24-26, 2008, The Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival will be returning to the glorious ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles, CA and the film program will be selected entirely by Film Threat. That's right, it's not just about reviews, we're CURATING and PROGRAMMING this one.

What does this mean for you? Simple, we want to see your genre films of any length. Shorts, features, ..aries, narratives, animations... if you think your film fits into a Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy or genre-friendly category, submit the film to the festival. We'll decide whether you play, you decide on whether you want the opportunity. And, my friend, you DO want the opportunity.

For one, your film will be seen at arguably the best theater in Hollywood: the ArcLight. Films with budgets in the mega-million-wank-a-doodlery red carpet premiere at the place, and your film has a shot to play there. Tell an investor or a distributor you've played in LA, they'll shrug. Tell them you played the ArcLight, and they will bow before you. Just ask the filmmakers who played the festival last year.

Two, Film Threat KNOWS genre films. If we select your film, you know damn well that it fought and won a rightful place in the program, and we will treat you like the Kings and Queens of Genre Filmmaking you most likely are. Bragging rights, you get to say Film Threat LOVES you (and the reverse is true too, if we don't program your film you can always consider that a badge of honor, depending on your opinion of us. Win-win, really).

TO SUBMIT TO THE FESTIVAL

1. Apply to the festival via WithoutaBox or Download a copy of the 2008 Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy submission form.
2. Follow the instructions at WithoutaBox or the submission form.
3. Submit your film prior to August 15, 2008.
4. Don't just wait patiently for word on whether you got into the festival, become Film Threat's MySpace or FaceBook friend. We'll be updating about the festival news, films, screenings and special events there as well here at FT.

There's only two weeks left to submit to the 2008 Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival, so DO NOT DELAY! If you've got questions about the submission process, direct them to the Hollywood Film Festival. If you've got questions about Film Threat's sanity, drop us a line via our Support Form.

GOOD LUCK!
- Mark Bell, Genre-Friendly-Editor

The Hollywood Film Festival, presented by STARZ, will mark its return on October 22, 2008, to the state-of-the-art ArcLight Theatres in Hollywood for a twelfth annual, weeklong series of screenings, seminars, competitions, awards and a special presentation of "Genre Cinema."

Together with Film Threat and Chris Gore, the festival announces the "Call for Entries" for this year's Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival.

"Film festivals have always been very supportive of independents. Unfortunately, indie sci-fi, fantasy and horror genres often get left out of typical festival programs. How will we discover the next Peter Jackson if festivals do not support young filmmakers who create fantastic visions? I'm ecstatic to team up again with the Hollywood Film Festival to showcase cutting-edge new work from indie genre filmmakers. I'm proud that Film Threat's editor-in-chief Mark Bell as well as the Film Threat staff, will be involved in the selection process with the goal to feature the best of the next generation of filmmakers," said Film Threat founder Chris Gore.

The Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival will be featuring films from both emerging filmmakers and film masters and it will take place during the Hollywood Film Festival. For submissions and more information, please go to http://hollywoodawards.com/horror.html

"I've always considered the opportunity to program the best in underground and genre-friendly films and then screen them in the heart of Hollywood to be a semi-subversive act while, at the same time, also being a vital service to the filmmaking community and audiences alike. These are the true independent films, being made every day all over the world and, as such, need to be seen. I appreciate the Hollywood Film Festival's continuing commitment in not just projecting the safe and Hollywood-friendly, as so many other festivals do, but also reminding the world that the filmmaking universe covers many types of films from numerous talented individuals, and you, as an audience, have options," Film Threat Editor-in-Chief Mark Bell stated.

The festival and awards presenter is Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It  offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® brands with approximately 16.3 million and 30.7 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and Vongo®. Starz Entertainment is an operating unit of Starz,  LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.

Catering to the cinema-crazed, BBQ-starved malcontents that we are, the 2008 SXSW Film Festival gets underway this coming Friday in Austin, TX and Film Threat will be there for all the insanity. Who from Film Threat will be making the trek? Oh, just the usual out-of-town regulars and some local Texas denizens we like to call "The Magnificent Five":

Mark Bell - I can't get enough of Austin, it seems, and this Editor-in-Chief is looking forward to another year of great films, beer and BBQ. Oh, and Rock Band parties... lots of Rock Band parties...

Merle Bertrand - Austin-ite and Film Threat'er Merle Bertrand will not only be contributing reviews, he'll also be broadcasting live from the festival on his radio show on KMAC, "The Director's Cut." If you haven't heard the show before, make sure you tune in.

Chris Gore - FT founder Chris Gore will be under the protective guidance of a trained crew of television professionals as his festival reporting duties for G4's "Attack of the Show" continue. If you see Gore anywhere, chances are said crew is close behind. Unless he gives them the slip, in which case you'll probably see him with the rest of us at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Don R. Lewis - Every year we tell Don that he can't come just to watch his eyes tear up, and then we tell him we're kidding when the real bawling occurs. Seriously, if anyone could be considered an honorary Austin-ite, it'd be Don, because it's almost impossible to get him out of town when the film and music fests wrap.

Pete Vonder Haar - Pete hails from other parts of Texas; far more remote and dusty areas, where fuel is scarce and the only way to make a living is by fighting rival biker gangs for control of the highway. Every March he puts down the shotgun and hides the leather to come watch movies with us, and we couldn't be happier.

A FIRST-PERSON PERSPECTIVE VIA LIVE WEBCAM!
During the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, we tried out a live webcam from the condo. Running a feed of live video or a slideshow of pics from the festival, the webcam was a success of gibberish proportions. Still, I thought it could've been better, could've been more than a simple webcam feed from the condo. Therefore debuting at the SXSW Film Festival will be a whole new webcam experience, because the camera is going mobile. It'll be attached to yours truly as I wander around Austin, talking with filmmakers, other critics and generally bringing you the film festival experience like you've never seen it before. If you're at the festival, look for the guy with the weird helmet-laptop-webcam-backpack rig. If you're at home, tune into Film Threat's frontpage daily for all the footage live as it happens.

DAILY REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS AND FESTIVAL NEWS!
We're not all about new gimmicks over here, the same coverage you've come to expect will be on tap daily, including daily reviews, filmmaker interviews and festival news. We'll also be at various parties taking pics and shooting video, so expect to get all the SXSW you could want and more as the fest plays out.

SXSW FILM TRAILERS AND VIDEO COVERAGE!
Beginning today, check the site and iTunes podcast for trailers from as many 2008 SXSW films as we could find. Every day from here until the end of the festival we'll be showcasing more and more trailers and video coverage from the event. If the webcam wasn't enough, this video should help you hit your saturation point.

BLOGGING FROM THE FESTIVAL!
Still with us? Good, because we'll also be leaving more candid thoughts in the Film Threat Blogs. If you're curious as to whether Don and Mark truly love each other or just like to put on a show for Pete, this would be the place to check. Check out last year's blog for an idea of what you'll be in for.

WE ROCK THE PARTY, ROCK THE PARTY!
It's not all work for us either, we'll be having a party alongside our friends at B-Side on Sunday March 9th. Details are on the hush-hush right now, but I've heard rumors of a Rock Band set-up, free drinks and Chris Gore on a mechanical bull made of papier mache and laughter. If you run into a FT representative at the festival, we may be able to give you more info then...

We've got a few more SXSW-related announcements to be made before the 2008 festival gets underway, but this is all I'm able to share right now. Simply, we're going to be everywhere and the coverage is going to be intense and very, very unique. Check back daily so you don't miss out!

- Mark Bell, Founder of Alamo Drafthouse Anonymous, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those who have seen a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, been so impressed they've sworn off all other theaters and then been forced to return to their home states.

We at Film Threat have had some great times at the Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival, and this year is going to be no different. Starting off this Friday, October 19, 2007 with Damon Packard's sci-fi trip "Spacedisco-One" and continuing through Sunday, wherein the filmmaker you love to hate, Uwe Boll, will be on-hand to unveil the director's cut of his latest film "Postal," Film Threat is excited to join those genre-loving fans for the weekend's cinematic adventure at the fabulous Arclight Cinemas. Here's the schedule for the festival, complete with links for easy ticket purchase:

Friday, October 19, 2007
"Spacedisco-One"
Damon Packard's latest sci-fi epic gets the big-screen treatment, enabling our lucky audience to see just what happens when descendants of characters seen in "Logan's Run," "Battlestar Galactica," "Blade Runner," "1984" and "Krull" team up to track down some rogue "replicants" on the orbital platform "SpaceDisco-One," an interstellar craft whose interior is largely represented by a rainbow-glowing skating rink.
Screening at midnight
Purchase Tickets Here!

Saturday, October 20, 2007
"Cold Hard Cash"
Director Mike Pecci's short film opens Saturday's program, telling the tale of two beautiful girls put in the desperate situation of stealing a briefcase full of cash. Starring SuicideGirls Eliska and Odette, "Cold Hard Cash" will grab you by the throat and won't let go until the end.
Screening at 9pm with "Ass Monster"
Purchase Tickets Here!

"Ass Monster: The Making of a Horror Film"
Oh, what is there to say about "Ass Monster," a feature film by director Bill Zebub that spoofs everything from B-movie, straight-to-horror-convention-table schlock cinema to the art of filmmaking itself? Hmmm, how about that there's insane amounts of nudity, an Ass Monster (of sorts) and enough in-jokes to keep the film geeks AND horror geeks happy in this "American Movie" meets "Metalocalypse" meets... an ass.
Screening at 9pm
Purchase Tickets Here!

"Babysitter Wanted"
They just don't make horror movies like this anymore, and that's too bad. Gorgeous cinematography and the type of careful plotting, pacing and on-point elements reminiscent of such classic films as "Halloween" and "The Exorcist," "Babysitter Wanted" is the film to watch if you want that good old-fashioned horror film experience. Babysitting... it's amazing anyone would do that job anymore...
Screening at 11:15pm
Purchase Tickets Here!

Sunday, October 21, 2007
"Postal": Uncensored, Director's Cut
This Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival selection was so popular it was chosen to not just close out the genre side, but the overall 2007 Hollywood Film Festival as well. This is the extended, uncensored, see-it-here-or-possibly-never-see-it cut of the film that just may make people sit up and say "Uwe Boll isn't that bad afterall." Or maybe you'll hate it. The mighty Uwe Boll will be joined by a few of the film's cast for a post-screening Q&A. Love it, hate it, let Uwe know in person!
Screening at 7pm
Purchase Tickets Here!

"Night of the Hell Hamsters"
When will people learn that nothing good ever comes from Ouija boards!?! A night of playful Ouija occult fun turns into a blood-soaked end of the world in this short film from director Paul Campion.
Screening at 9pm with "End of the Line"
Purchase Tickets Here!

"End of the Line"
"End of the Line" is director Maurice Devereaux's cinematic treat about what could happen if a religious cult decided that the Apocalypse was upon us, and that the only way to save everyone from Hell on Earth is to kill them immediately. And what if that cult was right? Scares, kooks and blood, "End of the Line" delivers an Armageddon tale that is not to be missed.
Screening at 9pm
Purchase Tickets Here!

"The Caress of the Creature"
Stewart McAlpine's short film is kicking ass and taking names from festivals everywhere, and rightfully so. Asking the important question "What is lurking in the waters of Lake Habbagappee... and is it gay," "The Caress of the Creature" is a hilarious homage to classic '50s B-movies about a town under assault by an underwater tickle-monster.
Screening at 11:15pm with "Mercy"
Purchase Tickets Here!

"Mercy"
The 2007 program ends with "Mercy," a haunting, suspenseful horror film about a recently released convict named John. After 25 years in jail for a violent crime, John's slow acclimation to normalcy is hindered by the harshness of humanity and a penchant for increasingly disturbing hallucinations and nightmares.
Screening at 11:15pm
Purchase Tickets Here!

Film Threat will be on-hand for all screenings, and I, Editor-in-Chief Mark Bell, will introduce the films and, when applicable, get the Q&A's rolling as well. Since this means Film Threat'll be glued to the Arclight for the weekend (is that so bad?), make sure you come up and say "hello."We can't stress enough how great this year's program is, so make sure you DO NOT MISS A FILM! If you like genre films at their down and dirtiest, head out to the 2007 Hollywood Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival!

Film Threat's Editor-in-Chief Mark Bell will be a guest on TheStream.TV's show Filmnut tonight at 8pm PST / 11pm EST.  Mark and Filmnut host Jeff Schubert will be talking all about the history of Film Threat, film criticism, film festivals and indie filmmaking. The show airs live online, and you can watch at the link above or check out Filmnut's Stickam page. Want to ask Mark questions? Make fun of him? You can send instant messages during the broadcast and he'll answer them. Send IMs to TheStreamDotTV (AOL, Yahoo, MSN and ICQ is 489244975). Tune in live and let's party!