Well kiddies that’s this month’s tale of terror from the House Of Poe. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve got to stop writing these articles on Fly-Paper!! Hah!! Malevolence: Since I have already crossed the classic horror boundaries and stepped out with the Slasher crowd, I might as well bring you this bit of pertinent information pertaining to a new film called “Malevolence”, which has already made it’s world premier in the New York area and is heading to a theatre near you.


I received a phone call the other day from Robert Newton, who together with his wife Cindy operates the Bijou Theatre here in Worcester. Robert also heads the MassBay Film Project (M.B.F.P.) as their Creative Director. I also met Robert through Mike Baronas (Gee Mike! You turned me on to some pretty suave people! Thanks!). Robert invited me to a Press Junket for “Malevolence” which is premiering at the Bijou (Worcester, Ma.) on July 31st at midnight. Robert wanted to know if I was interested in doing a 20-minute interview with the mastermind behind “Malevolence”, writer, director and producer Steve Mena.

“Malevolence” is being distributed by Anchor Bay, who always loves a good horror script, and in association with New York’s Painted Zebra Releasing, is planning to roll out the red carpet for “Malevolence” nationally in August. “Malevolence” which has already captured the honors at the New York City Horror Film Festival and voted the “Best 35mm Feature” at The Long Island Film Festival, has had the patrons running for the doors at it’s first opening in Farmingdale, N.Y. at the Regal Theater. I received a promotional DVD loop of patrons expressing their thoughts after a viewing of “Malevolence”. It went something like this: “Scary…Scariest movie I have ever seen…Don’t see this alone…Was worse than the first time I saw Psycho…Startled me…Jumped out of my seat…Screamed through the whole thing…Couldn’t breathe…I’ll never get to sleep tonight…My heart’s still pounding…I’m sick to my stomach…My hands were over my eyes the whole time….It got me real good a couple of times…Four thumbs up….Terrifying!!” Need you hear more? You do? Okay.

“Malevolence” got rave reviews from The Horror Report, Fangoria, and Film Threat. A film clip was also shown at this years’ Fango/Chiller in January of 2004 and received quite an ovation except for the illiterate that shouted out “What do they mean? Male Volence??” Oh well, as the saying goes, “there’s one in every crowd”, even a horror crowd.

It was time for me to interview Mr. Mena. It’s kind of hard to make inquiries or comments about a film you have never viewed before, but I gave it my best shot. I shook hands with Steve and we sat down across from each other at a table set up for us in the foyer of the Bijou.

Dr. Vollin: Well Steve. It’s a pleasure to meet you and thanks for having me. There seems to be quite a bit of excitement about your project. I am looking forward to seeing it here on the 31st.

Steve: Thanks for coming down.

Dr. Vollin: Can I start by asking you how old you are? So I can get a feel of the era in which you grew up?

Steve: Sure. I’m 33. I was raised on the classics.

Dr. Vollin: Oh? Frankie, Dracula, the Wolfman.

Steve: No. I’m sorry. Not those classics. I mean Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Friday the 13th.

Dr. Vollin: Oh, I see. The first Slasher films. Modern classics. What was the film that started it all for you?

Steve: Definitely Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I saw it as a re-release and was on the edge of my seat through the whole film.

Dr. Vollin: Who else has been influential in your work?

Steve: I like John Carpenter. Stanley Kubrick. Ridley Scott and David Fincher of “7”.

Dr. Vollin: Is this an actual Slasher film? Are they eternal like Jason or Michael Myers? I mean do they have supernatural powers or are they ordinary men?

Steve: No. They are human. Dr. Vollin: Is your killer as scary as Leatherface?

Steve: That’s a tough act to follow.

Dr. Vollin: If you could pick a movie. What movie would most remind you of your own endeavor?

Steve: I’d have to say Psycho. Because it starts off with a crime and then turns into a……..well. I’ll let you wait and see for yourself.

Dr.Vollin: I realize it’s your own work but do you see it as real scary?

Steve: I think so.

Dr. Vollin: I don’t scare easy.

Steve: You don’t look like you do. I hope we don’t insult you!

Dr. Vollin: Looking forward to it. Where were you born?

Steve: East Meadow. Long Island. Lived there my whole life.

Dr. Vollin: Did you study filmmaking in college?

Steve: For a little while then I dropped out. I went to New York Institute of Technology. I was always into filmmaking. I have been dabbling in it since I was about 11 years old.

Dr. Vollin: What did the film cost if you don’t mind me asking?

Steve. Not at all. It was as low budget as you can get in 35mm. About $200,000. I call it a “credit card” film.

Dr. Vollin: I see. Color or B&W? Steve: Color and with Dolby Sound.

Dr.Vollin: Where did you shoot?

Steve: In Calverton Long Island and in Allentown Pennsylvania.

Dr.Vollin: How about the actors? Anyone we know?

Steve: No. All non-equity actors. Most of them are first timers.

Dr. Vollin: Really? How about the gore factor. How much blood and guts does the film contain?

Steve: Actually you never see any blood. I have a good storyline so I eliminated the blood. It’s all suggested.

Dr. Vollin: Good for you. I’m not a big blood fan. The Hershey Syrup in Psycho is just about enough for me.

Steve: There is some blood but it’s in part three. This is the middle of a trilogy. No blood in the second film either.

Dr. Vollin: Impressive.

Steve: Can I ask you a question?

Dr. Vollin: Sure.

Steve: What did you think of Van Helsing.

Dr. Vollin: Two Fangs Down. There’s no more quality acting. It’s all CGI and acrobatics. In this day and age you’re better off enrolling in the Cathy Rigby School of Gymnastics than studying acting with Jerzey Grotowski. Your greatest actors derive from the stage. Everyone and his grandmother can do movies.

Steve: I know what you mean.

Dr. Vollin: Well Steve. I think I got what I need. Is there anything that you can think of that you might want to add?

Steve: No. I can’t think of anything.

Dr.Vollin: Will you be staying in town?

Steve: No. We are heading back to New York shortly.

Dr. Vollin: Well. When you come back to town for the premier. I hope Robert will bring you to the House Of Poe for a brief tour.

Steve: I would love to see it. Robert was telling me about it.

Dr. Vollin: Thanks Steve. Nice to meet you.

Steve: Nice to meet you too.

To be continued ………………….