The Dead Return to UK DVD & BR

The dead have risen and they need more ‘BRAINS’! Dan O’Bannon’s cult splatterfest The Return Of The Living Dead is one of the definitive zombie movies and one of the classic horror films of the 80s.

Now this horror favourite is being released as a special edition double DVD and makes its UK Blu-ray debut in a limited edition Steelbook, both with five hours of special features, on 4 June 2012 courtesy of Second Sight.

Blundering medical supplies warehouse workers Frank and his young trainee Freddy unwittingly set off a mysterious US military chemical that brings the dead back to life. And they’ve got a real hunger for human brains. Enlisting the help of a local crematorium, they set off a chain of events that could lead to the end of civilisation.

Can they defeat the growing army of ravenous zombies? ‘How do you kill something that’s already dead’ It’s not a bad question Bert.

Complete with a raucous rock soundtrack by the inimitable The Cramps, The Return Of
The Living Dead is a zombie gorefest at its best.

Special features:
• MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD
The definitive two-hour documentary featuring interviews with cast, writers, producers and many more, as well as previously unseen behind the scenes footage, storyboards, conceptual art, publicity materials and archival documents
• MORE BRAINS! TWO HOURS OF KILLER BONUS FEATURES
A conversation with Dan O’Bannon: The Final Interview
They Won’t Stay Dead: A Look at Return of The Living Dead Part 2
A Love Beyond The Grave: A Look at Return of The Living Dead 3
Stacey Q Live: Exclusive ‘Tonight’ music video
Even More Brains: Deleted documentary interview
Return of The Living Dead in three minutes
Resurrected Settings: The Filming Locations Today
• THE ORIGINS OF RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD – with John A. Russo
• THE FX OF THE LIVING DEAD – with production designer William Stout and FX make-up artists William Munns and Tony Gardner
• PARTY TIME – with music consultant Steve Pross and 45 Grave singer Dinah Cancer
• EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY STEELBOOK – ‘ERNIE’S NOTEPAD’ – 20-page replica notebook by embalmer Ernie Kaltenbrunner, featuring production notes, carting information and exclusive artwork

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Blu-ray at Amazon.co.uk

The Awakening comes to UK DVD & BR

Set in 1921, in a post-war England, Florence Cathcart (REBECCA HALL from THE TOWN) is committed to debunking supernatural claims, using methodical and rational explanations. When she is asked to visit a boarding school in the countryside called Rookwood - to investigate the alleged sightings of a ghostly young boy - she feels compelled to take the job.

But over the coming days the blurred image of a child-like ghost haunts Florence and she begins to doubt her resolve, increasingly unable to provide any logical explanation for the bizarre goings-on.

The film also stars DOMINIC WEST (THE WIRE) and IMELDA STAUNTON from (VERA DRAKE).

Special Features:

Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Nick Murphy
Behind the Scenes
A Time For Ghosts
Trailer

Additional Blu-ray Special Features

Anatomy of A Scene - Florence and the lake
Anatomy of A SCREAM
Deleted Scenes with Director's Introduction
Interview with Director Nick Murphy
BAFTA Q&A

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the BR & DVD double pack at Amazon.co.uk

Hudson Horror Festival - New York

One for my American site visitors, on Saturday, May 19th, 2012, the hallowed grounds of the Silver Cinemas, South Hills 8 in New York, will once again showcase the greatest classic horror film festival in the Hudson Valley, Hudson Horror Show 5

Their fifth 12 hour movie festival will feature five full length classic genre films along with shorts and drive in style trailers, all off rare 35mm film prints!

Hudson Horror Five opens at 12 noon that day, the“opening act” will be Hammer Films and the Shaw Brothers "LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES", followed by the traditional "MYSTERY MOVIE", which will be announced on the day.

Then there's a triple headliner, starting with an extremely rare screening of George A. Romero’s "DAY OF THE DEAD", followed by Don Corscarelli's "PHANTASM" before finishing with the uncut version of the original FRIDAY THE 13th!

There will also be the usual short films, drive in trailers, vendors, giveaways, trivia questions and usual nonsense that make Hudson Horror so much fun.

The December to Dismember 2011 show was a sell out with people having to be seated in our “reserved for staff seats”. So if you can get yourself to New York, don’t miss out, grab your tickets now! This is our third year of shows and ticket prices are still only $26.00 in advance via PayPal. Advance ticket holders save money and will be admitted first. If any tickets remain they will be available at the door on the day of the show for $30.00, cash only.

For more info visit their website at http://www.hudsonhorror.com/

The Dead Rise.... and reveal all in a new book!

Director/ Producer Howard J Ford of hit Zombie film THE DEAD has written an uncompromising and disastrously toe-curling behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow account of the making of the feature film that has become the global zombie movie of the year.

SURVIVING THE DEAD – illustrated with never before seen stills from the shoot - takes us from England to Africa on a harrowing journey as The Ford Brothers try to hold together a film shoot with more horror than any fictional plot could possibly contain. For anyone interested in the harsh realities of filmmaking or nuts enough to actually want to make a film, then this is a must-read guide.

Amongst many other secrets exposed within the book, one chapter reveals the true budget for THE DEAD and it’s definitely a shocker!
 

“Frustratingly”, Howard says, ‘although I’ve since read that our budget was $2-5Million, we actually had just under $150 thousand dollars -  $30 thousand of which went on corruption & bribery just to keep us moving. The crazy thing about this is that I have directed soap powder commercials that run for only 30 seconds with larger budgets than the entire 100 minutes that is ‘The Dead”.

How they pulled this off and survived to tell the tale is revealed in detail for the first time only in the book, as are: A full expose on the fiery situations that went down on location between Malaria-ridden lead actor Rob Freeman and Jon Ford and exactly why Jon became known locally as ‘The crazy One’, plus numerous tips and humorous insights on all aspects of the film business.

Currently only available from the official SURVIVING-THE-DEAD.com website, the book can be pre-ordered from today for a discounted £2.99. It will be go on sale from 1st March at a cost of £3.99 and will then spread to Amazon, ITunes and many more…

Visit the official website: www.surviving-the-dead.com.

The Horror Channel celebrates British Horror Past & Present (UK)

Following the success of last year’s ‘Cruel Britannia’ season, Horror Channel presents ‘Heritage Of Horror’, which continues to showcase and celebrate British horror, past and present, at its finest.  Here we have two classics from the vaults and two brand new films, yet to be shown on UK television.

First up, on Friday March 9, is Gary Sherman’s 1973 DEATH LINE. Set on the London Underground, this moody shocker features brilliant horror icon Donald Pleasance in the lead role as a cockney copper. Hammer Horror star Christopher Lee also shows up in a small cameo. This is one of Guillermo del Toro’s all-time favourites.

Then, on Friday March 16, we jump forward four decades to bring you the UK TV premiere of Jonathan Glendening’s 2010 sexy werewolf chaser 13 HRS - which sees hot ‘Hollyoaks’ star Gemma Atkinson turn her hand to horror for the first time. The film, which won ‘Best British Horror’ at the Grimm Up North Festival, also stars Tom Felton, Isabella Calthorpe and Simon MacCorkindale.

Next up, on Friday March 23, is the all-time classic BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW (1971). Featuring an all-star cast of great British thespians this is a gritty and at times gruelling and grisly slice of prime genre product. A truly disturbing and shocking slice of 17th century horror mayhem featuring devilish and demonic behaviour and eroticism – this film is certainly not for the feint hearted…

Finally, on Friday March 30, we bring the season bang up to date with the UK TV Premiere the psychological thriller PSYCHOSIS (2010), directed by first-time horror filmmaker Reg Traviss and starring Charisma Carpenter, who found mega fame in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Here she takes on the role of a novelist who finds herself mentally unravelling.

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138

 Website www.horrorchannel.co.uk | Twitter www.twitter.com/horror_channel

Film4 FrightFest announces guest line-up for Glasgow FF 2012

Audiences at this year’s Film 4 FrightFest event at the Glasgow film Festival are in for a treat as no less than six directors will be attending.

One of the most eagerly anticipated movies in the Film4 FrightFest Glasgow line-up is THE RAID. This action film to end all action films is virtually guaranteed to blow the roof off the Glasgow Film Theatre with its ramped up sequences of super-exhilaration and has already been snapped up for a major Hollywood remake. So we are thrilled to welcome Welshman director Gareth Evans to Scotland, via his home in Indonesia, to discuss all things Glock and roll and star Iko Uwais.

CRAWL director Paul China and his producer brother Ben China are travelling from Australia to share the excitement their superbly slow-burning thriller is currently generating across the globe.

Another set of brothers will be arriving from Rome to present L’ARRIVO DI WANG/THE ARRIVAL OF WANG. Antonio and Marco Manetti, collectively known as the Manetti bros. have become a major force in Italian fantasy over the past few years with such movies as ZORA THE VAMPIRE and THE 17th FLOOR. Their wonderful slice of playful sci-fi will reveal in no uncertain times why they have been asked to direct the remake of STAGE FRIGHT and a sequel to TORSO.

From Los Angeles comes Padraig Reynolds, director of the shocker fantasy RITES OF SPRING, who will be talking about rising horror star A J Bowen and why he’s thanked on Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.

Another key Italian figurehead, travelling from Rome to join us is SHADOW man Federico Zampaglione. The Italian Rob Zombie, is bringing over the opening sequence of his new giallo horror TULPA to show in public for the very first time. This is a world premiere from the lead singer of the Italian rock band Tiromancino you will not want to miss.

Festival co-director Alan Jones said: “We know it’s important to our audience that they meet the talent behind the terror and it’s that respectful interaction that makes FrightFest extra special within the fan community”.

The UK’s favourite horror fantasy festival returns to its second home at the Glasgow Film Festival for the 7th year from Friday Feb 24 to Saturday Feb 25, Eleven new must-see genre titles will be screened, ten of which are UK premieres.

To book tickets:

+44 (0)141 332 6535 / boxoffice@glasgowfilm.org

For full programme & timetable log onto www.frightfest.co.uk

Dracula : Prince of Darkness returns....

STUDIOCANAL are undertaking a joint restoration project with HAMMER FILMS to restore and release on DVD and as blu-ray premiers, some of their most iconic horror titles.

Starting March 5th with one of Hammer's most iconic characters, they will be releasing a DVD and Blu-ray double-play combo pack of DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, starring Christopher Lee and Barbara Shelley. Along with the fully restored film, there will be a comprehensive extras package produced in association with Hammer expert and author Marcus Hearn!

Four English tourists find themselves stranded in the mysterious village of Karlsbad, a sinister and remote place of deadly, dark legend. Their journeyleads them to an abandoned castle where a nightmarish destiny awaits them. However, it wasn’t just fate that brought them here, but an evil force in need of resurrection, a blood craving beast known only as Count Dracula, Prince of Darkness. Released in 1966 this is Christopher Lee’s second outing as Dracula, with Hammer Films pushing the cinematic boundaries of graphic gore and terror.

Extras: Commentary featuring Christopher Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews & Barbara Shelley / World of Hammer episode “Hammer Stars: Christopher Lee” / Back to Black / Super 8mm Behind the Scenes footage / Restoration comparison / Trailer / Double bill Trailer / Original USA Titles / Orginal Print UK Theatrical Titles. 

Further titles to be released in this restoration programme will include THE REPTILE and THE PLAGUE OF ZOMBIES, both arriving to blu-ray for the first time on May 7th, with more to follow later this year.

Buy online at Amazon.co.uk

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark on DVD!!!!

Something ancient and evil is alive in the darkness beneath the Blackwood Mansion. When young Sally Hurst (Bailee Madison) arrives in Rhode Island to visit her father Alex (Guy Pearce - Hurt Locker) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes - Batman begins) at the Victorian mansion they are restoring, she already feels like an outsider and her ornate new home seems a cold and unwanted prison.

Finding comfort and escape in her solitary exploration of the property, and despite the warnings of the caretaker Mr. Harris (Jack Thomspon), Sally embarks on an adventure that leads to the discovery of a hidden basement, undisturbed since the mysterious disappearance a century earlier of the mansion’s builder, famed nature illustrator Emerson Blackwood. Once the private studio of Blackwood, the dark and dank underground chamber houses the secrets of the past of this unstable and unholy place, and perhaps something even more sinister.

Written by legendary filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro and directed by comic book artist Troy Nixey, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is a remake of the 1973 ABC made-for-television horror film of the same name.

The film comes to UK DVD and Blu-ray on February 20th. Extras include 3x making of features, The Story, The Build and The Creatures, as well as Character Profiles and 2xTheatrical Trailers.

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Blu-ray at Amazon.co.uk

The Raven

This looks interesting, John Cussack starring as Edgar Allan Poe, in which the poet pursues a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories!



The film hits UK cinemas 9th of March!

NAZIS FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!!

This one's been in production for a while, but I'm pleased to say that the epic sci-fi adventure about Nazi's from outer space is finally due to hit UK cinemas this April.

Dunno about you, but this looks like bloody good fun to me, oh yeah and Udo Kier is in it!

Visit the official website at http://www.ironsky.net

Sometimes They Come Back on DVD!!!!!

Fans of the film "Sometimes They Come Back" can finally do away with their old VHS copies, as the film is set to finally hit UK DVD this April.

Based on a story by the master of horror Stephen King, Teacher Jim Norman (Tim Matheson) reluctantly returns to his hometown to a job at the local school, almost 30 years after he left. Bad memories linger in the town where his brother Wayne was killed by a local rebel gang and he escaped unharmed.

Those responsible died in fiery car wreck, but sometimes the dead aren’t ready to die and come back to take care of unfinished business, in this dark twisted tale of vengeance by the undead.

Directed by Tom McLoughlin (Friday the 13th Part 6 : Jason Lives), the film comes to UK DVD for the first time on 9 April 2012, courtesy of Second Sight.

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Daniel Radcliffe and James Watkins introduce special screenings of "Woman in Black".

Daniel Radcliffe and Director James Watkins will be in central London this weekend to welcome the audience to two screenings of their gothic chiller THE WOMAN IN BLACK on Saturday the 11th of Feb.

For those fans who missed the chance to see Dan at the Worldwide Premiere last month, this is a fantastic opportunity to see the star as he and James personally introduce both screenings. 

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is based on the world famous ghost story by Susan Hill.  The film follows the fate of Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a lawyer who is forced to leave his young son and travel to a remote village to attend to the affairs of the recently deceased owner of Eel Marsh House. 

Working alone in the old mansion, Kipps begins to uncover the town’s tragic and tortured secrets and his fears escalate when he discovers that local children have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances.  When those closest to him are threatened, Kipps must find a way to break the cycle of terror.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK also stars Ciaran Hinds (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY) and Janet McTeer (TUMBLEWEEDS) and was adapted from Susan Hill’s best-selling novel for the screen by Jane Goldman (KICK ASS) and directed by James Watkins (EDEN LAKE).

THE WOMAN IN BLACK will be released across the UK and Ireland by Momentum Pictures, an Alliance Films company, on 10th February 2012.

The pair will be presenting the 3:00 pm screening at The Empire Cinema, Leicester Square. London and the 4:30pm screening at the Vue cinema, Westfield, London, this Saturday, 11th Feb.

The film is released nationwide from 10th February 2012

For more info on these screenings and to book tickets, visit their websites below...

Empire, Leicester Square.

Vue, Westfield.

Night of the Living Dead's Bill Hinzman - RIP

It's been widely reported that horror actor Bill Hinzman died over the weekend at the age of 75, following a long battle with cancer.

Hinzman is undoubtedly best known for his role as the Cemetery Zombie in George Romero's classic 1968 film "Night of the living Dead".

He went on to star and produce in numerous other independant horrors over the years, including Romero's "The Crazies", and the films "Flesh Eater" (AKA Zombie Nosh) and "Santa Claws".

He was a regular at horror conventions in the US, and would often turn up in full zombie make up to pose for photos with fans.

So long Bill, may you rest in peace (and hopefully not return as a zombie this time)!

Visit Bill's official website at http://zombie1.com/ 

Hostel Part 3 - Out Now on UK DVD and Blu-ray

The nice folks at Sony Home Pictures entertainment were kind enough to send me a review copy of "Hostel Part 3" to take a look at, which recently hit UK video shelves. Picking up sometime after part 2, a group of teens on a stag weekend in Las Vegas are busy partying hard, when they get invited to an exclusive off-strip party.

When one of them fails to turn up back at the hotel next day, the others go looking for him, only to fall prey to the notorious Elite Hunting Club, which has just relocated to Las Vegas. It seems they have their own high stakes gambling games and the group have just become unwitting players in them. As  Sin City prepares to get a lot more sinful.

Directed by Scott Speigel (Intruder, From Dusk till Dawn Part 2), this direct to disc feature follows in the bloody footsteps of Eli Roth's earlier films. It is perhaps not as gory or visceral as its predecessors, and I'm kind-of surprised they choose the direct-to-video route, as I would rather they have upped the budget and get Eli Roth back to direct. But it is never-the-less a respectable follow up which fans should enjoy.

The film is available now on DVD and Blu-ray with an audio commentary track, featuring director Scott Speigal and star Kip Pardue, as an extra.

Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Buy the UK Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk

Snowtown comes to UK DVD

Revolver Entertainment is pleased to announce the Monday 19th March UK Blu-Ray & DVD release of Snowtown – one of the most gripping, harrowing and disturbing films ever to come out of Australia.

From first-time director Justin Kurzel, Snowtown marks the arrival of a major new filmmaking talent. A nail-biting, emotionally compelling and a psychologically devastating account of real-life murders, Snowtown documents the true-story of John Bunting - Australia’s most notorious serial killer.

Set in Adelaide, Southern Australia during the late 1990s, Bunting rallies against a nonchalant police force where paedophiles and drug addicts are free to roam the streets. Bunting takes on the role as an unsolicited vigilante for the under-classes by taking the law into his own hands and sets off on a killing spree.

Currently serving eleven consecutive sentences of life imprisonment, Bunting was the ringleader of what is described as a "degenerate sub-culture" of murderers. His crimes led to the longest and most expensive investigation and criminal trials in Australia's history. Bunting's targets consisted primarily of people he knew and thought to be paedophiles and homosexuals.  He has been described as a skilled manipulator of people and "Australia's worst serial killer".

With an outstanding cast, made-up almost completely of newcomers, Snowtown has mesmerised viewers and critics alike. The film was honoured with the prestigious Adelaide Film Festival’s Audience Award, was given the President’s Special Mention at Cannes, and was officially selected for the 2011 London Film Festival.

Visit the official website at http://www.snowtownthemovie.com/ 

Buy the DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk

The Thing to invade UK homes this March

Ever wondered what really happened during the events leading up to the original film The Thing?  Get ready to find out where it all began as the chilling prequel to John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror classic crashes onto Blu-ray with Digital Copy, DVD and download to own this March from Universal Pictures UK.  

If you’re a fan of the original’s body-shock horror and creepy, suspenseful atmosphere, then brace yourself for a terrifying ride as events unfold at an isolated Antarctic research site immediately prior to the original film. A spine-chilling prologue to the sci-fi saga of the same name, The Thing introduces a whole new generation of fans to one of the most unforgettable and gruesome horror stories of all time.  

Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Final Destination 3, Death Proof), The Thing sees a group of research scientists accidentally stumbling on the existence of a frozen alien craft in remote Antarctica.  Follow the horrifying fall-out of a decision to bring the craft and its deep-frozen inhabitant back to base camp as the scientists battle to contain the terror they have unwittingly unleashed.

With stunning, out-of-this-world special effects and a must-see storyline that fills in the many unanswered questions from the original, The Thing is an action-packed rollercoaster ride of jumps and thrills – truly unmissable in high definition Blu-ray!

Packed with hours of special features the DVD and Blu-ray discs both feature extensive bonus content including making of features, commentaries with the director and producer and both deleted and extended scenes. In addition, a must for any horror fan, is the new two-disc boxset that features not only this year’s gripping prequel, but also John Carpenter’s original classic movie The Thing from 1982. Both the DVD and Blu-ray boxsets contain a plethora of additional content allowing you to delve further and deeper into this iconic horror franchise’s universe than ever before.

The Thing is released to UK video shelves on 26 March.

Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Buy the UK Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk