CLICK HERE TO ORDER "Nightmares from the Mind of Poe"
Throughout Edgar Allan Poe’s life he was plagued with nightmares and the deaths of those he loved. Those nightmares and his tragic life were many times the basis for his stories and poems; often he found himself in the middle of those horrifying dreams and writings as the victim or antagonist. “Nightmares from the Mind of Poe” brings to life those stories with Poe as part of them, as he often dreamed and wrote them. In the movie, Poe struggles with insomnia, sadness and despair in his own life as he creates his stories. The film brings to life four of the most well-known tales from Edgar Allan Poe, the master of suspense and horror - “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Cask of Amontillado”, “The Premature Burial” and “The Raven”; all of which are word for word the way Poe wrote them, except “The Premature Burial” which was adapted from his narrative story. In “The Tell-Tale Heart”, Poe takes us to the mind of a mad man as he struggles with the thoughts that caused him to do the unthinkable. “The Cask of Amontillado” is the story of ultimate revenge as Montresor punishes Fortunato for insulting him by walling him up in a catacomb. In “The Premature Burial”, Poe deals with one of his greatest fears... being buried alive. “The Raven” which was written through Poe’s suffering for his dying wife, deals with the dread of death and “impending doom”. In the end, Poe realizes that out of his nightmares and tragic life would come his legacy, his stories for future generations.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT "NIGHTMARES FROM THE MIND OF POE":
From Roten Tomatoe's Steve Miller:
“Ric White breaks 70+ years of cinematic tradition with "Nightmares from the Mind of Poe" by presenting four screen adaptations so faithful that they use Poe's text word for word. The film presents four stories--"Premature Burial", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "A Cask of Amontillado", and "The Raven", interspersed and framed with quotes from Poe intended to shed light on why he might have written the story in question”...
“With "Nightmares from the Mind of Poe" Ric White has created a film that lovers of Edgar Allan Poe's work definitely need to check out. Film lovers in general will also find much to enjoy here.” To read the Rotten Tomatoes full review of "Nightmares from the Mind of Poe" CLICK HERE
“Nightmares from the Mind of Poe” was extremely entertaining and well done. Bravo! I have thoroughly enjoyed all the films that have come from Willing Hearts Productions!”
-Steve Dryden-
“I got the DVD Wednesday and previewed it that evening. It's great! I plan to show it Friday to my students. I told the other teachers about it. I'll also be teaching "The Raven," so I'll be sure to use it then, too. I think it's a treasure!”
-Joan-
“I teach freshman English and we study Poe for approximately four weeks. I have been unable to find any films that remain true to Poe’s original stories. Thank you for making this film!”
-Mrs. Glenn, AVID, English teacher-
“I teach English at North Fork Middle School in Quicksburg, VA. I wanted to let you know that our students LOVED your video. We watched the tales after reading them. My students wanted me to contact you to request that you make "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "The Black Cat" into videos. Thank you.”
-Donna Shafer-
“Bravo! Jeff Rense and Brad Stiger introduced me to your production company. I will continue to follow your work.”
-Gordon McDaniel-
“The film was great. I loved how the tone of the movie so depicted Poe’s tone!”
-Mrs. Hawkins, Grassland Middle School-
“Each story was a good length and the characters were realistic for the students to understand. Great job!”
-Mrs. Sinor, Central Middle School-
“The movie helped bring the characters to life for the students and gave them a greater understanding and interest in the stories. What a great way for to spend Halloween! Thank you!”
-Mrs. Clark, Stratton High School-
“I teach literature to college freshman, and Poe is one of my
favorite authors to teach. This film has provided a rich enhancement
to my course. Thank you.”
-Mrs. Cid-
“Thank you so much. The film was great, and it even received greater reviews as we discussed it in class. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your hard work and how you brought the literature to life for the students.”
-Judy Hawkins-
CAST
Edgar Allan Poe - RIC WHITE
Fortunato - CLAYTON CHEEK
Old Man - DOUG MOORE
Mary - CAREY KOTSIONIS
Richard - MICHAEL ROARK
Undertaker - DAVE STAIR
Top Hat Man - JOHN SILVESTRO
Gravedigger - RON CUSHMAN
Gravedigger - RICKY SMITH
Blacksmith - TOM VARENCHICK
Blacksmith - COLE SCHAEFER
Blacksmith - DAVID CHATTAM
Policeman - TOM DOLAN
Policeman - JAY MCMAHON
Policeman - JOHN HUBER
Policeman - ADRIAN MARSHALL
John Allan's Ghost - MICKEY LOVE
Mrs. Stanard’s Ghost - LINDA THORNTON
Virginia Poe’s Ghost - JAMIE VINCENT
Poe’s Brother’s Ghost - SHAWN RUSSELL
Raven Bird - WALDO
Young Husband - BRYAN MCKNIGHT
Young Wife - RETIKA DIAL
Dead Man - KENNETH DOZIER
Doctor - DAVID BALLASSO
Soldier - WILLIAM HENDRY
Soldier’s Wife - LINDA WYLIE
Child - EMMA CARDOSI
Doctor - DAVE BIELAWSKI
Husband - STEVE JARRELL
Dying Wife - STEPHANIE LOVE
Ghost Wife - JAMIE VINCENT
Ghost - SHAWN SPITALERI
Ghost - JAMES ANDERSON
Ghost - BRYAN MCNIGHT
Ghost - STEPHEN JERRELL JR
Ghost - ZACHARIAH PARHAM
Hearse Driver - TONI SOWELL
Party Guests - SHAWN SPITALERI
JEAN MASSENA
JAMES ANDERSON
BRYAN MCKNIGHT
KATHY SHEA
DAVID BAYER
ERIN JONES
STEPHANIE LOVE
RON CUSHMAN
RICKY SMITH
TOM DOLAN
WILLIAM HENRY
JUDITH DRAPER
RITIKA DIAL
LISA PARHAM
DEANNE COLLINS
ZACHARIAH PARHAM
STEPHEN JERRELL JR
RetarDead Premiers in Seattle on Wed. Oct 22 2008 at the Historic University Theater! (5510 University Way N.E.) This one time showing of RetarDEAD (the sequel to the indie cult fave Monsturd) will start at 7:00 p.m. It features Jello Biafra and cast of other notables with Music by Monkeys With Machine Guns, Marshall Crutcher (composer for Monsturd!) The Giant Leeches, and the Manatees, plus other notable Northwest musicians. Don't miss it or you will be EATEN!!!!
For more info on showtimes go to the Wing It Presents website;
If you haven’t been to the Historic University Theater before, it’s at 5510 University Way N.E., so you can get there by Metro Bus (lines 71, 72, 73) and it is within walking distance of the University of Washington as well. There is on street parking after 6:00 p.m.
For more info go to the the 4321Films website here;
We'd also like to Thank the Sponsors and Supporters of this event;
4321Films and Artslab in San Francisco, The Historic University Theater/ Wing-It Presents/The Jet City Improv, The Seattle Sinner, Scarecrow Video, Mansplat Magazine and Hairball Press, plus the ubiquitous Vagrant Records of Seattle Washington for making it happen.
I’m rather excited because I have a small part in an upcoming film based on Steve Aylett’s book LINT. Remember how “Spinal Tap” was a spoof on Heavy Metal bands and “The Ruttles” was a take-off on The Beatles? Now, Science Fiction has LINT!