BIGFOOT has just been released on DVD by Troma, but it wasn’t produced by the company—and might have wound up more fun if it had been. A Tromatized take on the legendary man-monster holds all kinds of amusing possibilities; perhaps he could invade the New Jersey Pine Barrens and get into a turf war with the Toxic Avenger (this Sasquatch’s growls even sound like Toxie’s). As it stands, BIGFOOT, which was made five years ago, would have to date back a few decades more to seem like a fresh take on this subgenre.

Move over, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and TROLL 2—there’s a new best-worst movie in town! BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR has shocked and delighted critics and audiences alike (see our review here) as it has made its way across the big screen. Officially rejected from Sundance 2009 but already a cult favorite, it’s continuing to invade cities across the U.S. (including special midnight encore screenings this weekend at New York City’s IFC Center). After a recent showing, Fango got to sit down with director James Nguyen to find out about the origins of this unique cinematic experience.

With the release of the big-budget, monster-filled (but charm-lacking) CLASH OF THE TITANS 3-D remake upon us (see our review here), I thought it would be fun to reflect on the oeuvre of the original film’s FX pioneer, the legendary Ray Harryhausen.

“I’ve been away from my children for far too long…”

—Freddy Krueger

But he’s coming back to haunt your nightmares. Beware, Elm Street. Lock your door. Grab a crucifix. Stay up late. And never sleep again…

Nowadays, we’re all accustomed to CGI-heavy epics that overuse modern technology to paint a portrait of ancient times. So for director Dominic (WHITEOUT) Sena, the new Lionsgate supernatural thriller SEASON OF THE WITCH offered a refreshing departure for him to give the audience a glimpse at a tumultuous past.

The Shakespearean vampires of ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE UNDEAD have alighted on a new and final pair of release dates in different cities, courtesy of Indican Pictures. The horror/comedy, written and directed by Jordan Galland, was initially set to open this month.

Aspiring special FX makeup artists in the New York area can learn from a pro in the field this summer at a course being offered by New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Two sessions are being offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, one running May 17-June 25, the second from June 28-August 6.

You won’t remember the TITANS. At least, I won’t. THE INCREDIBLE HULK director Louis Leterrier’s middling remake has plenty of action, but it pales in comparison to the 1981 original. I’m sorry, but when it comes to CLASH OF THE TITANS, I want Burgess Meredith and Bubo!

Bong Joon-ho’s last film, THE HOST, was about a family struggling to stay together as a monster ravaged the city around them, kidnapping loved ones and spreading plague. His new movie, MOTHER, is also about a family with monster problems—but this beast is more elusive, more sinister and, one can argue, harder to fight. If THE HOST turned standard monster-on-the-loose fare on its head by upping the ante on its simple genre demands, then MOTHER (currently playing in numerous cities from Magnolia Pictures, and opening in more this Friday and throughout the spring) continues in that vein to even greater effect by transcending whatever genre labels one tries to put on it.

Is symbiotic sibling horror your thing? Does the bond between twins get under your skin? If so, the UK’s Screaming Dreams Books has a tale you may want to seek out. This month, Dreams released Paul Kane’s THE GEMINI FACTOR, a thriller that finds the aforementioned genetic wonders being sought out by a vicious murderer. Read on for more!

Mitchell Altieri, one-half of Northern California-based independent filmmaking team the Butcher Brothers (THE HAMILTONS), dropped Fango a couple of exclusive pics from their Sundance-screened movie THE VIOLENT KIND, and also provided an update on their next opus, the psychological thriller BLACK SUNSET.