In FANGORIA FrightFest’s HUNGER (now available on DVD from Phase 4 Films and via video-on-demand; check local listings), about a group of people unwillingly forced into a sinister experiment in which they’re deprived of food and sustenance, actress Lori Heuring immersed herself deeper in a role than ever before: She and the rest of the cast underwent a crash diet on an already psychologically exhausting and claustrophobic set. Fango spoke to Heuring (whose previous genre films include PROM NIGHT, WICKED LITTLE THINGS, MULHOLLAND DR. and THE IN CROWD) about making the film and the toll her latest role took.

A bright spotlight illuminates a massive black podium emblazoned with a luminescent biohazard symbol. A mysterious woman in military gear and full zombie makeup ascends. Bullhorn in hand, she addresses her hordes of loyal minions. The evil festivities are about to commence.

2006’s DEAD RISING paired players with surprising hero Frank West as he fought for 3 days of survival in a zombie-infested mall, using anything and everything as weaponry.  DEAD RISING 2 (available now on XBOX 360, PS3 and Windows PC) introduces the gaming world to Chuck Greene - extreme sports star, devoted father, and wizard of all things duct-tape – as he embarks on a 72-hour quest in Las Vegas inspired Fortune City to save his daughter from zombie-transformation…and bash, smash, slice and dice every lumbering mindless meatbag in his path.  We sat down with Rob Barrett, President of Blue Castle Games (Capcom’s western partner in developing DEAD RISING 2) for a behind-the-scenes look at why a zombie-pocalypse seems like so much fun. 

The North American rating system is a reality all films face at some point or another, whether they enjoy a lengthy cinematic exhibition or head straight for the DVD bargain bin. Unrated discs are common and widely available, but they often do not enjoy the same success as a film that has a theatrical release.

Fango’s visit to the set of writer/director Joe Maggio’s revenge shocker BITTER FEAST (opening Friday, October 15 at Brooklyn, NY’s reRun Gastropub Theater; see the first part of this story here) is taking place months after the main portion of shooting, at a restaurant in lower Manhattan. The reason the film is being wrapped up so far removed from the rest of its production (most of which took place in upstate New York) is simple: a brief onscreen turn by real-life celebrity chef Mario Batali, who briefly essays the boss of onscreen celebrity chef Peter Grey (James LeGros) and bears some seriously bad news for him.

“We got this going with Dark Sky Films, which is to say they gave us some money to make three movies and it was kind of up to me and my guys, Peter and Greg, to choose them,” says New York horror fixture and head of Glass Eye Pix, Larry Fessenden. “The budgets are microscopic, so my thinking was, ‘Who do I know who’s resourceful and can make a movie for no money?’ I thought of Joe Maggio, and the funny thing is, he’s an indie filmmaker who’s not known for horror or any of that stuff. But I just thought that Joe maybe had a dark side, so the fun thing was inviting him to make a genre movie—a scary movie.”

In the 1960s and ’70s, Hollywood studios and movie palaces struggled to redefine themselves in the age of television. Moviegoing was at an all-time low in Canada and the United States, and the old movie theaters were becoming rundown and second-run. Gone were the days of vaudeville, friendly interaction in the lobby and a full experience at the movies.