Ted Mikels' Grindhouse Reunion - Vegas Style!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Ted Mikels

This coming April the Las Vegas Palms Casino & Resort will be filled to overflowing with the cream of the B movie crop when legendary cult film maker Ted Mikels brings his "Grindhouse Reunion" to 'Sin City'.

The venue will serve as the perfect showcase for Mikels' latest film, "ASTRO ZOMBIES M3:Cloned" which will screen for the first time at the event.

Here is the press release posted by Mikels:

On April 26, veteran Hollywood film-maker Ted V. Mikels will unleash his latest gang of demented mutants on a new generation of grindhouse movie fans in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Where better to have a world premiere for ASTRO ZOMBIES M3:Cloned than in one of the most glamorous locations in the world?" asked Mikels.

"The mutant clones are going totally first class this time!" The iconic horror movie-maker is best known for his 1971 film, The Corpse-Grinders. He also filmed the first zombie movie ever shot in color – the original ASTRO ZOMBIES in 1969, starring John Carradine and Wendell Corey. Mikels is also well-known for creating unusual promotional activity surrounding the release of his films, and this event will prove to be no exception.

TVM Global Entertainment has announced that the premiere is being billed as the Ted V. Mikels' Grindhouse Reunion. Mikels will treat his grindhouse fans to two pre-release director's cuts, offering them a double feature on premiere night. The world premiere of Astro Zombies M3: Cloned will open the show, followed by Mikels' 2009 film Demon Haunt.

"Not only will most of the cast and crew from AZM 3 be there in person, but we are expecting guest appearances at the theatre from many of my actors and production people from both yesteryear and this year," said Mikels. Fans can expect to catch a glimpse of AZM 3 stars Fletcher Sharp and Donna Hamblin, along with such veterans of Ted Mikels films as Francine York from Doll Squad, Tura Satana, from the original Astro Zombies, and Shanti, from Corpse Grinders 2 and Demon Haunt. "Plus the very talented artist who scores my music, as well as the fellow who built the original corpse-grinding machine, and many others," said Mikels. "It will truly be a Ted V. Mikels Grindhouse Reunion!"

The TVM Studios world premiere event is scheduled for 7 PM on Monday, April 26 at the 14 screen Brenden Theatre inside the Palms Casino & Resort. The theatre is located at 4321 West Flamingo Blvd, Las Vegas, NV. To learn more about the Brenden Theatres, where the audience is the star, visit http://www.brendentheatres.com

See Also: The Doll Squad Moves In To Protect Florida From An Astro Zombie Attack / The Monster Mash - 08/17/09 - A Look At Smaller Monster Movie Productions / Ted V. Mikels Is Still Making More Astro-Zombies / Sara Dunn Photo Shoot And Casting News / Spend Your Valentine's Day Surrounded By Sexy Bikini Girls...Green Mutant Killer Bikini Girls / Bikini Monsters Scare Up Some Press In St Petersburg And Tampa - Exclusive New Photos! / It's Bikini Monster Girls Gone Wild! / Bikini Monsters - Posters, Behind The Scenes And Make Up Tests Oh My

The Monster Mash - 08/17/09 - A Look At Smaller Monster Movie Productions

Two New Posters From Ted V. Mikels "Astro-Zombies M3: Cloned."

Yes, film maker Ted V. Mikels is still making "Astro-Zombie" movies after 40+ years. His latest creation, entitled, "Astro-Zombies M3: Cloned", is now in the early stages of development.

For those of you who don't know, Mikels made the first film in this series way back in 1968. That film, which was simply titled "Astro-Zombies", starred John Carradine, Wendell Corey and Tura Satana. The film became an instant 'cult-classic'. In 2002 the film maker revisited the story in a direct-to-video sequel called, "Mark of the Astro-Zombies", that film once again starred cult movie icon Tura Satana.

Mikels was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to send us two brand new promo images, one from the upcoming Kevin Sean Michaels documentary "The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels", and another from the upcoming "Astro-Zombies" sequel. (above and below)

The First Look At Vorax From "Galactic Raiders"

Here is another indie monster flick that I hadn't heard anything about since about February or so.

Film maker Larry Arpin has gained my ultimate respect because he has chosen to make the special effects in his film, "Galactic Raiders", the 'old-school' way using stop-motion animated monsters.

Arpin was kind enough to send over a pic that features the main monster from the film called, "Vorax". The director notes that the background in this shot isn't what will appear in the final film and that there is still some touch-up work to be done on the monster, but this should give everyone a good idea what the final product should look like.

Here is the synopsis from the Galactic Raiders website:

GALACTIC RAIDERS is an independently produced motion picture on 35mm film with Ray Harryhausen style of special effects.The story centers around Rymir (Danny Fehsenfeld), who's girlfriend, Laura (Erica Howard), is kidnapped by Acastus (Elliot Eddie) and transported to another planet. On this 'other planet' is a powerful crystal, sought after by all peoples of the universe, including the Pharilleans, Acastus' people. Also, on this planet is Rosanna (Moksha McPherrin), wife of...well, I won't spoil it for you. Following Rymir to the 'other planet' are Cyrus (Joseph Arpin) and Bellus (Lloyd Lee Barnett), Acastus' accomplices.

The Conquered: Curse of the Shaman

Here's one that I learned about through my buddy Avery Guerra a couple of weeks back that I just didn't have time to write about until now.

It's an indie horror film being directed by Benjamin Cooper called, "The Conquered: Curse of the Shaman". As we all now from watching reruns of the "X-Files", the Native Americans of this great country are a very spiritual people who know more about the 'other-side' then anyone else. We also know, that on occasion, they can summon their ancestors, or evil spirits, to do their dirty work. Such is the case here.

Here's the plot from director Benjamin Cooper:

In this horror story, a Shaman’s daughter reanimates the mummified corpse of an ancient Indian brave to punish those that accidentally killed her father while trespassing in a sacred burial ground"

As I always say, "We need to respect the Native American people for they have been treated unfairly by we settlers from far away lands. We took away their land and their sources for food and clothing to expand this country. Ours is a history of shame."

....and if we don't respect them, they will unleash the undead on us.

Here are some photos from "The Conquered: Curse of the Shaman":




See Also: Ted V. Mikels Is Still Making More Astro-Zombies / Sara Dunn Photo Shoot And Casting News / Behind The Scenes Photos From Galactic Raiders / Galactic Raiders - Making Larry Arpin's Dream Come True

Ted V. Mikels Is Still Making More Astro-Zombies

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Ted V. Mikels / Avery Guerra

Veteran cult movie maker Ted V. Mikels is presently working on a new Astro-Zombies movie called "Astr-Zombies M3: Cloned." The film is the third in series that started way back in 1968 with the original "Astro-Zombies" which starred John Carradine, Wendell Corey and Tura Satana.

In the original film, a unemployed scientist tries to get revenge on the space agency who fired him by creating a army of super-human monsters from the remains of murder victims.

Mikels produced a direct-to-video sequel in 2002 called, "Mark of the Astro-Zombies", the film once again starred cult movie icon Tura Satana.

The director is just beginning the process of filming the third film in the series, but as he explains he is also consolidating his studios and transferring his older titles onto digital format.

"I'm moving my sixty years of movie-making collectibles , 35mm cameras and editing equipment, fifty tons of other stuff,( 'DUMPSTERIZING" MUCH OF IT), into new archival headquarters, demanding my full time and attention for at least another six weeks, and at the same time shooting on my newest movie 'ASTRO ZOMBIES M3::CLONED'."

Mikels is also a bit disgruntled that the press and fans alike aren't paying more attention to some of the other films that he has produced over the years.

"Seems that so many folks prefer to talk about my ASTRO or CORPSE movies. What about my other 400 credits in a non-stop attack on movie-making for sixty years? Like STRIKE ME DEADLY, THE BLACK KLANSMAN, THE DOLL SQUAD, TEN VIOLENT WOMEN, MISSION:KILLFAST, HEART OF A BOY, ETC."

Indeed sixty years is a long time, and Mikels has a point, he has worked on hundreds of other films besides "Astro-Zombies."

Mikels doesn't want to give anything away about his latest project as of yet, in fact he really won't be getting into full-swing with the project until about mid August.

The only thing that I know about the film is that model and actress Sara Dunn has been cast in the film. Most of you would know her from the syndicated television series, "Cinema Insomnia" where she stars alongside horror host Mr. Lobo. This should be a huge thrill for Sarah, because she will be starring alongside her idol Tura Satana.

The busy film maker was kind enough to take a couple of minutes out of his schedule to send us two teaser posters and a scouting video for "Astro-Zombies M3: Cloned" plus the trailer for his original "Astro-Zombies":






See Also: Sara Dunn Photo Shoot And Casting News