Tuesday 30 June 2015

"HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3" in selected UK cinemas and on disc/VOD July

Monster Pictures to release THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3 (Final Sequence) in selected cinemas from 10 July, and on Blu-ray, DVD & VOD on 20 July 2015.

In the annals of horror, only one film series is almost too disgusting to describe! Now the unthinkable has become all too real! The final chapter to the most notorious movie franchise ever made has arrived – The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence).

Bully prison warden Bill Boss (Dieter Laser), has a lot of problems; his prison statistically has the highest amount of prison riots, medical costs and staff turnover in the country. But foremost he is unable to get the respect he thinks he deserves from his inmates and the state Governor (Eric Roberts). He constantly fails in experimenting with different ideas for the ideal punishment to get the inmates in line, which drives him, together with the sizzling heat, completely insane.

Under threat of termination by the Governor, his loyal right hand man Dwight (Laurence R Harvey) comes up with a brilliant idea - a revolutionary idea which could change the American prison system for good and save billions of dollars. An idea based on the notorious Human Centipede movies that will literally and figuratively get the inmates on their knees, creating the ultimate punishment and deterrent for anyone considering a life of crime.  Having nothing to lose, Bill and Dwight create a jaw-dropping 500-person prison centipede.

Re-uniting the stars of the first two films (Dieter Laser & Laurence R. Harvey), The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence) is the finale the world’s sickest horror franchise deserves. Nasty, revolting, and utterly deplorable, if you thought the first two films were gross, trust us, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
 
Incidentally, the organisers of the Mayhem film festival are also having a special screening with Director Tom Six and star Dieter Laser at the Broadway cinema on July 4. For more info on that visit the Broadway Cinema Website

Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk




Monday 29 June 2015

"The Gallows" - 'He's Coming For Me' Clip released

Warner Bros. Pictures UK are pleased to reveal a brand new clip from the terrifying soon to be released, THE GALLOWS....
 
 
 
 

No one can escape The Hangman. In UK cinemas July 17.
 

Slash's "The Hell Within" goes viral

Fans are creating and sharing incredibly vivid and horrifying pictures to express their excitement for Slash's "The Hell Within" project.
 
 

 
 

See what all the excitement is about HERE and become part of this horror movement!

Also visit the official Website and Twitter pages.


"CRAWL OR DIE" to premiere on Horror Channel (UK)

Oklahoma Ward’s much-praised "CRAWL OR DIE" is to receive its UK TV premiere on Horror Channel on Fri 17 July, 10.55pm. The indie alien-monster shocker, starring Nicole Alonso as the unstoppable ‘Tank’, takes claustrophobia to new heights and depths in its futuristic depiction of a rescue mission through a maze of ever-shrinking tunnels.
 
Earth as we know it is gone. A virus has destroyed the planet and rendered all its women infertile, all but one. An elite team of soldiers are tasked with bringing the woman to safety on the newly habitable Earth Two. But when they are forced underground they find themselves fighting for survival from a bloodthirsty creature in a maze of ever shrinking tunnels. As the team's ranks start to dwindle and the ammunition run out, the crawl for survival becomes acutely desperate. Nicole Alonso gives a terrific performance as Tank, a Mohawk sporting uber-babe, who would give any male action hero a run for their money.
 
There are also deserved UK TV premieres for Drew Daywalt’s hilariously gruesome "RED CLOVER" (2012), starring Billy Zane and featuring the most vicious leprechaun killer ever invented (Fri 10 July, 9.00pm), homegrown horror "THE HIKE" (2013), a harrowing trip through enemy-infested countryside, directed by Rupert Bryan, starring Barbara Nedeljakova and Shauna McDonald. (Fri 24 July, 10.45pm) and "EMBRACE OF THE VAMPIRE" (2013), a visually compelling remake of the 1995 film, directed by Carl Bessai.(Fri 3 July, 9,00pm)
 
TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138 / Freeview 70

Sunday 28 June 2015

"Closer to God" a review.

The ethics of human cloning are examined in Billy Senese’s dark sci-fi horror “Closer to God”, which is being shown at selected US cinemas July 3rd and released to US VOD outlets same day.
 
Scientist Victor Reed (Jeremy Child’s - TV’s “Nashville") has created the worlds first cloned human being. Named Elizabeth, for all intents and purposes she seems like a normal baby girl, except that she was created using cloned DNA.
 
Whilst the media debates the ethics of his experiment, Dr Reed and his staff find themselves set on by angry religious protestors, forcing them to move Elizabeth from their clinic, to his private home. But there’s no sanctuary to be found there either, as the authorities start demanding access to examine the child, and the angry mobs of religious protestors subsequently lay siege to their home.
 
But, we find there’s another reason that Dr Reed wanted to create a cloned baby and there’s a very dark secret he’s been hiding from his family, which may prove to be their undoing…
 
Not really what I would class as a “horror” film exactly, despite the obvious “Frankenstein” connections. I would describe this as more of a dark sci-fi drama, which explores some of the ethical issues surrounding human cloning.
 
For the most part, the scientists are shown as good people, trying to further medical science. But are so wrapped up in their work, they neglect everything else in their lives. On the other hand, the opponents of human cloning are shown to have little or no rational arguments for their objections, just their own personal religious beliefs. Which, when taken to the extreme, shows they’re capable of far worse actions.
 
An extremely impressive debut feature from director Billy Senese, who also wrote the script. The film appears highly polished for what was obviously a low budget movie, looking like it had a lot more money than it probably did. Competently shot, makes good use of its limited locations and despite most of the cast having few credits to their name, the acting was more than respectable (sharper eyed viewers will recognise some of the cast from TVs “Nashville” in this, as well as veteran actor John Schuck, a regular on TVs “Law and Order”, who’s also had several “Star Trek” roles, who turns up in a supporting role).
 
I personally enjoyed the film, but its best viewed as a dark drama. Its not exactly a horror film, though there are some very dark elements to the script and it’s certainly not an action film, though when we discover what Dr Reed’s dark secret is towards the end, things do bump up a gear.
 
The film is out in the US from July 3. No news yet of if and when it will become available in the UK.
 
View the trailer on YouTube

For more info visit the official Website and Facebook and Twitter pages.

Saturday 27 June 2015

"The Dead 2 : India" arrives in July.

Take to the road in this beautifully shot, zombie action-horror that will fill you with dread, right from the opening scene, as the Ford Brothers’ return with their eagerly anticipated follow-up to "The Dead". A non-stop ferocious fight for survival across the exotic landscapes and slums of India.
 
An American engineer teams up with a surviving orphan street kid to trek 300 miles across stunning but deadly rural Indian landscapes to the now infested slums of Mumbai to try and save his pregnant girlfriend. The first ever international zombie movie shot in Incredible India, "The Dead 2", puts the Ford Brothers unique vision on a far bigger canvas, with breathtaking scope, thrilling action and emotional resonance

"The Dead 2: India" triumphs with its unique apocalyptic vision, utilising the sprawling vistas and closed quarters locations to terrifying effect, coupled with standout performances from the cast, "The Dead 2: India" is one unforgettable road trip.

Coming to UK DVD July 13th from Altitude Entertainment.

Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk







"The Walking Deceased" comes to UK DVD

Imagine a world where the dead are smarter than the living!
 
Starring Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie, Horrible Bosses) and Joey Oglesby (Prison Break) this hilarious spoof of The Walking Dead will transport you into the land of the living dead. It rips the flesh off the spoof genre and infects it with a virus too hilarious not to spread.
 
The story follows a group of survivors from all walks of the apocalypse – an idiotic Sheriff with definite coma-induced brain damage, his hardass son, four squabbling friends forced to survive this zombieland together, and a lonely zombie who just needs love to fully regain his warm body.
 
They all leave their once-safe hideout in search of the rumored Safe Haven Ranch, a refuge untouched by the zombie virus that has ravaged humanity. But despite the comforting name, they discover that this sanctuary may not be as welcoming as advertised.
 
Signature Entertainment Presents THE WALKING DECEASED on Digital VOD 6th July and on DVD on 13th July, 2015
 
Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk
 
 

Film4 FrightFest 2015 announces opening and closing films

The 16th edition of Film4 FrightFest kicks off in skin-crawling fashion with the European premiere of David Keating’s blood-freezing rural nightmare CHERRY TREE, starring Anna Walton (Hellboy 2, Soulmate) and rising star Naomi Battrick (Down Dog, Waterloo Road)
 
Keating, who directed the acclaimed ‘Wake Wood’ for the revamped Hammer label, offers another provocative and compelling twist on the pagan cult chiller, in which a young girl, Faith (Naomi Battrick), in an attempt to save her father’s life, makes a fateful pact with Sissy Young (Anna Walton) head of a sinister black magic coven.
 
FrightFest’s first Irish event-opener, CHERRY TREE is a Fantastic Films & House of Netherhorror Production, produced by John McDonnell & Brendan McCarthy.
 
Closing Film4 FrightFest is the European premiere of the stunning anthology TALES OF HALLOWEEN, a celebration of the spooky October holiday. Ten tales of terror unfold in a sleepy American suburb on All Hallows Eve as ghouls, imps, aliens, goblins, demons, axe murderers and serial killers roam the witching hour. This anthology of power nightmares is directed by the cream of the scream industry crop: Neil Marshall, Darren Lynn Bousman, Axelle Carolyn, Adam Gierasch, Lucky McKee, Dave Parker, Paul Solet, Ryan Schifrin, John Skipp & Mike Mendez.

TALES OF HALLOWEEN is created by Axelle Carolyn and produced by Patrick Ewald, Shaked Berenson, Mike Mendez and Axelle Carolyn.
 
The guest line-up will be announced later but both films will be represented by cast and crew.
 

 Alan Jones said today:  We have never opened with an Irish production before. So we figured it was about time to put a sharp focus on all the sterling work the Irish Film Board has done to promote the genre. Over the years we have premiered DEAD MEAT, ISOLATION, DOROTHY MILLS, DARK TOUCH and THE CANAL, and CHERRY TREE follows in their fine tradition offering storytelling excellence, great production values and terrific casting, slathered with that appealing Emerald Isle quirkiness. The choice for our Closing night film was a no-brainer, Not only is TALES OF HALLOWEEN an absolutely terrific celebration of the October holiday, it also represents a potted history of FrightFest’s shining past due to much of the talent involved both on screen and behind it being our special guests over the last fifteen years. So sit back and enjoy!”
 
The full-line up will be announced on Thurs 2 July
 
This year’s event takes place at the Vue Cinema, Leicester Sq between Thurs Aug 27 & Mon Aug 31.
 
Festival and day pass sales will go on sale Sat July 4 at 10.00am and will only be available online.
 
Single tickets will go on sale on July 25. Full booking details will be announced on Thurs 2 July.
 
A festival pass will cost £185. Day passes are: Thursday £30, Friday & Saturday £60, Sunday & Monday £50. Single tickets will be £13.25.

For more info visit http://www.frightfest.co.uk/

 

"Contamination" coming to BD & DVD July 6 from Arrow

Arrow Video is excited to announce the world premiere Blu-ray release of cult director Luigi Cozzi’s video nasty, "Contamination".
 
Boasting a brand new 2K restoration of the film, this new disc will come loaded with hours of bonus content, including the featurettes Notes on Science-Fiction Cinema, an archive documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage, and a featurette with director Luigi Cozzi on the birth of Contamination, as well as a brand new interview with the director in which he discusses his filmmaking career from past to present.
 
Synopsis
 
Starring Italian horror veteran Ian McCulloch (Zombie Flesh-Eaters), "Contamination", from director Luigi Cozzi (Starcrash, Hercules) is one of the brightest stars in the firmament of early ’80s Italian splatter.
 
A cargo ship drifts into New York harbour. Its crew: all dead, their bodies horribly mutilated, turned inside-out by an unknown force. Its freight: boxes upon boxes of glowing, pulsating green eggs. It soon becomes clear that these eggs are not of this planet, and someone intends to cultivate them here on Earth. But who? And to what end?
 
Contamination takes the premise of Ridley Scott’s classic Alien and peppers it with exploding guts galore and a dangerously infectious soundtrack from celebrated Italian prog-rockers Goblin (Deep Red, Suspiria).

Special Features
 
•Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
•Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
•Newly translated subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
•Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
•Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker, Fangoria editor and Contamination super-fan Chris Alexander
•Notes on Science-Fiction Cinema – an archive documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and director Luigi Cozzi on the birth of Contamination
•2014 Q&A with Cozzi and star Ian McCulloch
•Sound of the Cyclops: Maurizio Guarini on the music of Contamination – the Goblin keyboardist discusses Contamination’s dark, progressive rock score and a lifetime of making music for Italian terror
•Luigi Cozzi vs. Lewis Coates – a brand new interview with the director in which he discusses his filmmaking career from past to present
•Imitation Is The Sincerest Form of Flattery: A Critical Analysis of the Italian Cash-In – a brand new featurette looking at the Italian genre movies which sought to cash-in on popular Hollywood blockbusters
•Theatrical Trailer
•Graphic Novel based on the original Contamination screenplay (Disc gallery)
•Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
•Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Chris Alexander

This newly restored edition will debut on UK Blu-ray and DVD in all its sci-fi spectacle from 6th July 2015.

Arrow will also be releasing this in the US July 7 

Pre-order the UK BD/DVD combo pack from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the US BD/DVD combo pack from Amazon.com
 

Pernicious screening at San Diego Comic-Con

One for my US site visitors, particularly if you're planning on visiting the San Diego Comic-Con this July.
 
Those that haven’t been able to catch James Cullen Bressack’s "Pernicious" on the big screen will have another chance when the acclaimed horror film screens at San Diego Comic Con!
 
Synopsis : Three young, beautiful girls arrive in Thailand to teach English for the summer, for what should have been the adventure of a lifetime. The girls find themselves in a nightmare situation when new friends go missing, bloody dreams haunt their sleep, and a stolen statue leads them down a dark path into Thai folklore and magic. Things only get worse when they realize not what, but who is haunting them: an 8-year-old girl, brutally murdered and sacrificed by her family decades ago.
 
Stars Ciara Hanna, Jackie Moore, Emily O’Brien.

You can read my review "Pernicious" HERE.
 
The screening is free for all badge holders at Comic Con. Cast and crew will be present.
 
PERNICIOUS Comic-Con screening details :
Friday July 10
10:10 PM
Hyatt Coronado Ballroom
 
 

Nowhere is safe in "The Gallows"

A bathroom pranks goes a bit wrong....


 
 
The Gallows comes to UK cinemas July 17.
 
 
 

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Fright-Rags brings "Re-Animator" back to life with new shirt collection

Stuart Gordon's "Re-Animator" celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and Fright-Rags is bringing H.P. Lovecraft’s classic tale of horror back to life with a collection of new shirts.
 


Justin Osbourn, Coki Greenway and Jorge Garza created art featuring Herbert West and other iconic imagery from the classic film. Each design comes on unisex or girls shirts.
 
Garza's effort is also available in lime green, while Osbourn's can be purchased on a baseball tee.
 
The Re-Animator collection is up for pre-order at Fright-Rags.com. Shirts are expected to ship in mid-July, and they may sell out prior to that.

Limited quantities of Fright-Rags' Chucky collection are still for sale, along with shirts from dozens of other beloved genre films.
 
Pre-order the "Re-Animator" shirts at Fright-Rags
 
 
 

Tuesday 23 June 2015

"Fear the Walking Dead" to be shown on new AMC UK channel

What we have here is a potentially 'Good News - Bad News' situation regarding the UK screening of upcoming Walking Dead spin off "Fear the Walking Dead".
 
The good news is that it is going to be shown here in September, but NOT on the Fox UK TV channel like "The Walking Dead" currently is.
 
Instead it's going to be broadcast on the new AMC UK TV channel, which launches in September, which is where the potential bad news lies...
 
AMC's UK channel is, at present, going to be exclusively available through British Telecom's own Pay TV service BT TV. So if you're one of the many millions that subscribes to stations like Fox UK through the Sky satellite platform, this channel will not be available to you.
 
So it seems the only way to see both series in the UK as and when they're first released is to switch from SKY to one of BT TV's premium packages (which also carries the Fox channel). Or wait until the series is repeated on one of the free to air channels, like 5* which currently airs The Walking Dead a year after its been shown on Fox UK.
 
The launch of the new AMC channel in the UK has also raised questions as to which channel will be screening future series of parent show "The Walking Dead". Series 6 is due to air in October on Fox, but with AMC arriving on our shores, SKY subscribers may be in for a shock by the time series 7 comes around.
 
Only time will tell, and it is possible that AMC may join the Sky platform at some point in the future. But in the meantime, I would suggest seeking out a friend who subscribes to BT TV to record it for you!!!


"The Walking Dead" Series 6 artwork released.

Key artwork for series 6 of "The Walking Dead" has just hit the web (click to enlarge).
 
 
And here's the UK version released by Fox TV UK

 
The poster appears to show Rick at odds with Morgan, who re-entered the show at the end of the last series.

Other news is that Corey Hawkins (Non-Stop) has joined the cast and that we'll find out a bit more about The Wolves.
 
More news about the show will be posted as its revealed. The show returns to the AMC network in the US in October, with UK showings on Fox to be shown shortly after.
 
 

Monday 22 June 2015

"Can't Come Out to Play" - UK DVD review

An overbearing mother proves to be the least of a young couple’s problems in John McNaughton’s “Can’t Come out to Play”, which is out now on UK DVD from Signature Entertainment.
 
The film primarily revolves around a young lad named Andy (Charlie Tahan – “I am Legend”), who’s largely confined to a wheel chair and is in extremely poor health. He never goes out of the house and rarely leaves his bedroom. He’s cared for primarily by his father (played by “Man of Steel’s” Michael Shannon), and his mother (Samantha Morton – “John Carter”) , when she’s not working at the local hospital.
 
When young Maryann (Natasha Calis – “The Possession”) moves in with her grandparents nearby, following the death of her parents. She happens to see Andy looking out of his window, and goes over to say hello and the 2 quickly become friends.
 
Whilst the father seems OK with her visits, the mother takes a much dimmer view and does all she can to stop her from coming round. But when Maryann defies her and starts sneaking round whilst she’s out, her behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and her attempts to re-assert control over her son becomes increasingly over bearing
 
But what initially seems like a family melodrama suddenly takes a very dark and sinister twist around the halfway mark, as Maryann makes a shocking discovery and we discover the real reason his parents have been buying black market medical supplies and stealing stuff from the Hospital and it isn’t because of Andy’s health…
 
Despite the films slow start, I think I can honestly say that this is definitely one of the darkest films I’ve had to review this year and some of the scenes that come later certainly make for very uneasy viewing.
 
Directed by John McNaughton, who’s probably best known for “Henry  Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “Wild Things”, he’s certainly not lost any of his dark twisted touch. The film also benefits from it’s strong supporting cast, which includes veteran actor Peter Fonda and Leslie Lyles ("Black Swan") as Maryann’s Grandparents.
 
The review disc I was sent did not contain any extras on.
 
So, if dark, twisted, psychological thrillers are your thing, this one certainly makes for compulsive viewing and don’t be deceived by it’s slow build up. This is only to make what is to come the more shocking!
 
View the trailer on YouTube
 
Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk
 

"Infernal" comes to UK DVD this August

See how the unrivalled joy of a newborn baby rapidly descends into fear of the highest order when "INFERNAL" screams onto DVD this August, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.
 
A newlywed couple Sophia have just moved into their new home together when Sophia delivers the news that she’s pregnant. Nathan digests the news, proposes to her and they get married, hoping to live happily ever after...
 
The couple welcomes their first child into the world shortly after, but their joy quickly turns to panic when the girl starts acting strangely and unexplainable things start happening around the house. Fearing their daughter could be possessed, the parents call in a priest to perform an exorcism, but when that goes horribly wrong, the parents start to wonder if they will ever be able to rid their daughter of the evil power lurking within her?
 
Will the hidden demons ever leave their presence?  Find out for yourself when "INFERNAL" is released on DVD on 24th August.
 
Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk





Thursday 18 June 2015

Dead Shadows comes to UK DVD 27th July

"The Thing" meets "Dawn of the Dead" in the high-octane horror "DEAD SHADOWS"! On UK DVD 27th July.

11 Years ago, Chris’s parents were murdered the same day the Halley's Comet was passing in the sky. Now a new comet has appeared, and bemused locals gather to view this slightly unnatural phenomenon. As night falls, Chris discovers that people are starting to act strangely; becoming disoriented and violent, which seems to be linked to the comet. 

It doesn't take long before people begin to mutate into something far beyond this world. In a fight for survival, Chris tries to escape from his building with the help of a gun-taunting neighbour – but will they make it out alive?

Dead Shadows is one of the true horror gems from the past few years. It’s part zombie film, part alien invasion, with plenty of huge action to keeps things exciting.

As director David Cholewa’s debut film, it’s also the beginning of what looks like a very promising career in genre cinema. He perfectly balances a high-energy pace with a creepy, atmospheric tone – no matter how much fun you have watching it, you know something horrific is lurking just around the corner.

The film is available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk


"The Gallows" opening scene...

The FIRST OFFICIAL CLIP for THE GALLOWS - In UK cinemas July 17, - brings a terrifying new twist to edge of the seat horror. Are you ready for The Hangman? Witness the spine-chilling OPENING SCENE now...


FOLLOW Warner Bros UK on Twitter | LIKE Warner Bros UK on Facebook 

Wednesday 17 June 2015

"Star Leaf" - US DVD review.

A group of friends experience more than just a close encounter when they head deep into the forest in search of a marijuana plant that is quite literally ‘out of this world’ in Richard Cranor’s “Star Leaf”, which is out on DVD in the US now, exclusively from Leomark studios.
 
Set in Washington state park, a couple of former marines, James (Julian Gavilanes - TVs "Z-Nation") and Tim (Tyler Trerise), along with girlfriend Martha (Shelby Truax) are given a map, showing the location of a rather potent crop of Marijuana plants which are growing in the middle of the forest.
 
Legend has it that the crop grew from alien spores, but in any case Tim hopes it will cure James’s PTSD, which he suffered after his last tour in Afghanistan. They’re given a very strict set of rules, they can smoke as much as they like, but mustn’t take any photos, collect any plant clippings or use any GPS devices to get there.
 
Having found the plants and spent the night getting extremely high, they prepare to head back. But when Tim tries to smuggle some leaf clippings back with him, the group find the road out blocked and themselves being stalked by a number of bizarre figures. A wild-man clad in animal furs, a rather unorthadox forest ranger and even a group of extra-terrestrial aliens, who all seem to be after them for one reason or another.
 
Are the group really in danger from these strange foes, or just experiencing a bad trip from smoking too much weed? Well, you’ll just have to watch and find out for yourself. Produced by Robert Leeshock (actor – TVs “Earth : Final Conflict”) and directed by Richard Cranor, who also appears as the Forest Ranger, this is a weird sort of film to categorise. If you’ve ever seen “Jacob’s Ladder”, try to imagine that crossed with one of those movies about people being stalked in a forest, and it's kind of like that.
 
Whether you’ll enjoy this will of course depend on your love of low budget indie films. The acting was fine, there was some good use of panoramic shots, but there was also some dodgy CGI. However, the black humour worked well (beware of randy Aliens) and I thought Russel Hodgkinson’s aging hippy character Seth was hilarious.
 
The screener I reviewed did not contain any extras, so I have no idea if the retail release will contain anything.

The film is currently available exclusively through the official website at http://www.starleafmovie.com

The film will later be available on DVD and VOD through usual outlets.

Tuesday 16 June 2015

"Crimson Peak" character posters revealed.

Universal Pictures have just released 4 new character posters for the upcoming gothic horror from Guillermo del Toro "Crimson Peak".

 
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider.  Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds…and remembers. 
 
Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, del Toro and Callum Greene produce, and Jillian Share executive produces.
 
"Crimson Peak" is released to UK cinemas October.
 
View the trailer on YouTube.
 
 
 

"Woman in Black 2 : Angel of Death" - UK BD/DVD review.

A group of school children and their teachers find that its never wise to ignore local ghostly legends, in Hammer films “Woman in Black 2 : Angel of Death” which comes to UK disc and VOD outlets July 6th from Entertainment One.
 
Set some 40 years after the original film, with the onset of WW2 and the German Luftwaffe bombing the living daylights out of London. A group of Evacuee school children are sent out to the countryside to stay at the dilapidated Eel Marsh House, which the local council have tried to patch up.
 
It’s been many years since the ghostly goings on of the first movie and whilst local legends persist, few people believe in the tales of the place being haunted by a mysterious Woman in Black.
 
But when the schoolchildren start dying under mysterious circumstances, it seems something evil could very well be lurking in their midst and the legend of the Woman in Black could be all too real.
 
Starring Phoebe Fox (War Book), Helen McCrory (Skyfall), Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) and Adrian Rawlins (Harry Potter franchise), the film is an effective ghostly chiller, that fans of the original should love.
 
Extras on the disc include
 
Deleted scene (2:25) – Miss Parkins looks around some of the deserted outbuildings of Eel Marsh House before going to bed.
 
Chilling Locations  - (5mins) Brief, but very interesting feature about the different locations used in the film, including Nocton Hall, used for Eel Marsh House, which was of particular interest to me, being local to myself.
 
Pulling back the Veil (13mins) - Making of feature, with interviews with the cast and crew, and behind the scenes footage.
 
Designing fear (3mins) – Production designer Jaqueline Abrahams and director Tom Harper and Make up artist Cate Hall discuss the look of the film.
 
From page to screen (2m30) – Another set of interviews in which the director and crew discuss how they set about following on from the first film.
 
Hammer’s Legacy (2m50) – Producer Simon Oakes, along with other crew and cast members talk about how they are re-inventing Hammer horror movies for the 21st century, with titles such as this and The Quiet Ones.
 
Great Expectations (2mins) – Actor Jeremy Irvine talks about his role as RAF pilot Harry Burnstow.
 
The disc I was sent to review was the DVD version, however these extras can also be found on the BD release.
 
If you enjoyed the original movie, you should equally enjoy the ghostly chills in this. It was also quite amusing to see Adrian Rawlins in this, given that he appeared in the original 1993 TV movie, plus he was Harry’s dad in the Harry Potter films, which starred Daniel Radcliffe, who appeared in the previous movie.
 
Packed with extra features, if you love a good ghost story, or you’re a fan of the original, I would recommend picking this one up.

“Woman in Black 2 : Angel of Death” is released July 6th

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk
 
Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk
 




ROBERT LEESHOCK – STAR LEAF INTERVIEW

Star Leaf has been all over the web the past couple of months. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about… well, producer Robert Leeshock (yes sci-fans, he of "Earth : The Final Conflict" fame) is happy to fill us in!
 
 
You’ve managed to make an unpredictable, original sci-fi flick. How did you manage that?

I’d like to say that we smoked a big fat ‘blunt’... but in actuality we didn’t smoke anything. We tried to infuse some thrilling elements into a horror skeleton, coupled with a few practical aliens and some ‘trippy weed’ and  voila... a veritable genre soup!  Good characters, some fine acting and just your typical ‘noodling’ with the space/time continuum and there you have it! Okay, we have no idea how we actually got here... well, we sort of had a hunch. But now we’re here and we’re going to celebrate the process of getting here.
 
Which films influenced – if even in a small capacity – this movie?

Subconsciously,  American Sniper. I think this is the story they sho
uld have told as a door into the psyche of the soldier who eventually killed the hero, Chris Kyle.  In hindsight, once we were editing some films sort of emerged...  Midnight Cowboy. Blair Witch. Oh yeah...  Up In Smoke & The Breakfast Club. Or wait... perhaps every film we’ve ever seen in our cumulative lives!!
 
Did you put a lot of thought into coming up with creative ways to torture your characters?

There is a fair amount of psychological torture in the story but I feel that in part, the characters simply brought it upon themselves.  The rules were laid out and they had to deal with what was karmically coming to them.  It feels justifiable, I mean the extent to which they must suffer.... pardon me if that is somewhat sadistic. Have I become numb...?
 
What kind of feedback have you had?

It’s been really enthusiastic... even from my friends of many years who have grown cynical to much of the ‘storytelling business’.  Yeah, our VFX don’t have the ‘big budget’ cachet we wished they could have.

We’ve screened the film with our colleagues and the locals in Washington state. There are some people watching it multiple times and quoting parts of the movie which we found silly and delightful from the start. One review refers to it as maybe.... just maybe, a ‘cult classic’. We can only hope! Another calls it a blend of Jacob’s Ladder meets Harold and Kumar.

The location is splendid. Where is that?

The Pacific Northwest! Washington state is a bona fide character in the film. The rain forest we shot in is freakishly awesome!
 
How much did you rely on practical effects vs. CGI?

We really put a lot of emphasis on the practical and let me tell you... I lost a lot of sleep wondering when those effects would wind up being exposed for the ‘latex’ they were.  I never really believed that we would pull off anything even remotely frightening. I was ready to bail and make it into a slapstick horror film, totally willing to poke fun at the practical effects that would surely undo our film.
 
Do you think your Earth : The Final Conflict fans will dig Star Leaf?

You know... I really hope they do. For years fans would ask me, “So what are you up to?  What projects are you working on...?” And to be honest, when you’re simply an actor it ties your hands creatively.  Working on a show doesn’t necessarily mean that you fully condone the ideas or ethos.  But now, we have the chance to share our sense of humor and our unique ideas of storytelling. We finally have a chance to show the fans of Earth: Final Conflict some insight into the creative mind behind Liam Kincaid. Perhaps it’s best to think of it as the ‘key’ into his vaulted and weird sensibilities, hidden deeply in a Taelon legend... or is it in fact, his history and legacy...?
 
What are the UK release plans?
 
We’re working on it as we speak.  It’s vital that we get the viral word out, even just ‘hits’ on our YouTube trailer would be tremendous in influencing the process. We’re an independent film company trying to compete with the ‘BIG BOYS’ so we need to employ mercenary tactics.  We have a really super cool husband/wife team at Leomark Studios, a creative/distribution company here in Los Angeles who are currently working to craft a strategy to distribute Star Leaf in the UK. They work with innovative filmmakers to produce dynamic content and creatively find ways to market those ideas to the appropriate territories.  We’re expecting great things from them!

Star leaf is currently available on US DVD exclusively through the website http://www.starleafmovie.com/




Sunday 14 June 2015

"It Follows" - UK DVD and BD review.

What if you could pass a demonic curse onto someone, like you could a sexually transmitted disease? That’s the premise of David Robert-Mitchell’s “It Follows”, which comes to UK disc and VOD this month from Icon home entertainment.
 
When Jay Height (Maika Monroe) sleeps with her new boyfriend, who subsequently vanishes under mysterious circumstances, it marks the start of a terrifying chain of events. Warning her that she is now the recipient of a deadly curse, she finds herself being stalked by strange people who only she can see.
 
Her friends and family are sceptical, but when they witness her being attacked by an unseen force, are forced to conclude that something very strange is indeed going on. Whilst, it seems, you can outrun these creatures, which can take on many different forms, they will always catch up eventually and so it becomes a race against time to try and find a way of ending, or at least passing on the curse to someone else.
 
A kind of cross between a supernatural thriller and a slasher movie, in which she’s being constantly pursued by this slow, menacing force. This is a satisfyingly creepy chiller, where you’re never too sure whether the person in the background is real or otherworldy.
 
The films haunting synth score, which was highly evocative of the soundtracks from the early 80s, particular John Carpenter’s “Halloween” and Vangelis’s soundtrack from “Blade Runner”, is also particularly effective. Helping add to the ever present feeling of menace and foreboding in the film.
 
The disc comes with the following special features.
 
“Disasterpiece” featurette (5mins) – which is basically an interview with composer Richard Vreeland, providing an insightful look at his scoring of the film.
 
Stills Gallery  (1min)- which looks at some of the concept art for the films posters.
 
Theatrical trailer  (1m40) – the films UK theatrical trailer is included, which I feel is a nice addition as I always like to see the original promo trailers for the film included, which are sadly missing from most releases these days.
 
Audio commentary track – A UK specific commentary, featuring writer and journalist Danny Leigh from the BBCs “Film” programme and Univeristy lecturer and horror film specialist Mark Yankovich of the University of East Anglia, who provides a critical running commentary on the film. Selectable from the Set-up sub-menu (not the special features menu) or using your remote.
 
The disc I was sent to review was the DVD version, but I’m told the same features appear on the BD release (obviously they won’t be on the VOD release).
 
This film was apparently very well received at the Cannes film festival and its easy to see why. This is in my view one of the MUST SEE horrors of 2015 and would definitely recommend everyone checks this out, even if only for its haunting electronic soundtrack.

The film is released to UK disc and VOD June 29th.
 
Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

 

Horror Channel (UK) to broadcast ‘Christopher Lee Night’ 2nd July

Horror Channel are clearing the post 9pm schedules on Thursday 2nd July for a 'Christopher Lee Night' in tribute to the great actor and horror Icon's recent death.
 
The films to be screened are:
 
9pm – THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (1968)
10.55pm – DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966)
12.45am – SCARS OF DRACULA (1970)
2.35am – TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (1976)
 
Stewart Bridle, Horror Channel’s manager said today: “'We feel the movies chosen for the night represent some of his most iconic characters and performances during his time with Hammer Films and in the horror genre. Watching these you realise why he was so highly respected as a fantastic character actor who could both be a stoic hero and also a terrifying villain. He will be greatly missed but he lives on through his amazing legacy of movies”.
 
TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138 | Freeview 70