Mayhem Film Festival Report 2018 - Day 1

It's mid October and I'm at the Broadway Arts Cinema in Nottingham, surrounded by fellow horror fans, which can only mean one thing.

It's time for the annual Mayhem Film Festival for another 4 days of Horror, Sci-Fi, Exploitation and just downright bizarre movies.

ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE

This years festival kicked off with the extremely bizarre ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE. A romantic teenage comedy musical, set at Christmas time, but against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse (yes you read that right).

Probably best described as a cross between High School Musical and Shaun of the Dead, this unusal mash up of opposing genres stars Ella Hunt (Robot Overlords) as the films titular heroine. Whose dreams of travelling the world and going to university after finishing school are subsequently dashed, when a full scale zombie outbreak grips her home town (although its several songs before she realises what's going on around her).

She and her friends are subsequently forced to fight their way across town to reach their parents, who are stuck in the school, whilst emoting their plight through the medium of song,  accompanied by lots of gory zombie mayhem, which had the audience in hysterics. Although the show was arguably stolen by Paul Kaye (AKA Dennis Pennis) who puts in an absolutely outrageous performance as the Deputy Head Master, Mr Savage.

If you remember that episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" which was done as a musical, it's kind of like that, but with zombies instead of vampires.

Director John McPhail was in attendance to introduce the film and do an audience Q&A afterwards. Footage of which will appear on my YouTube channel shortly.

The film was very well received by the audience and is a damnsite more enteraining than watching The Sound of Music at Christmas. Lets hope it gets released soon!

For more info visit...

Official Website (UK)
Official Website (US)
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Theatrical Trailer (You Tube)


NIGHTMARE CINEMA

The second and final film of the opening night was the anthology film NIGHTMARE CINEMA, in which several unsuspecting folk go, one-by-one, inside a dilapidated cinema. Only to find they are the main protagonists in the films being screened by the sinister projectionist who resides there (played with unholy relish by Mickey Rourke).

There are 5 stories, with each one revolving around one of the characters in the cinema, and each by a different director.

The first "The Thing in the Woods" (By Alejandro Brugués - Juan of the Dead) was a throwback to 80s slasher films, with 50s sci-fi B-movie twist, in which several teens staying at a remote cabin in the woods find themselves being stalked by a maniac in a welders mask.

"Mirare" (Joe Dante - Gremlins) is about a bride to be, who discovers first hand the perils of going overboard with plastic surgery, after deciding to have some work done on her face before her big day, with Richard Chamberlain as a sinister surgeon (I'll never watch Dr Kildare in the same light again, that's for sure)

"Mashit" (Ryûhei Kitamura - Midnight Meat Train) puts a new spin on the old demonic possession films, when a priest and nun at a catholic school are forced to battle an entire dormitory of possesed children in a battle scene that would make Peter Jackson proud.

"This Way to Egress" (David Slade - 30 Days of Night) was definitely the wierdest. Filmed in Black and White, a housewife goes to see a psychologist fearing she is losing her grip on reality as people she sees seem to change and take on demonic appearances. But which reality is she losing her grip on?

The final segment "Dead" (Mick Garris - Sleepwalkers) concenrns a young boy, who is the lone survivor of a botched car jacking, that finds he can now see the ghosts of dead people after being resusitated in the hospital. But that might not be his biggest problem when the carjacker decides he doesn't want any witnesses left behind.

Overall I enjoyed the film, which seemed to owe more than a passing nod to "Tales from the Crypt", but with Mickey Rourks as the Cryptkeeper (or projectionist in this case) and I would certainly reccomend giving it a watch.

However, where the film falls flat is it seemed to lack a point to it all? It was never explained how the films related to the characters watching them. Were they being punished for something they'd done? If so what?

Plus I thought Mickey Rourke was perhaps wrongly cast here, as for a film like this you would expect someone like Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, or even Brad Douriff, who are closely assosiated with horror, to play the creepy projectionist. Not Mickey Rourke, who is more closely assosiated with action films.

But, the audience seemed to like it, so I would reccomend it to you.

View the Theatrical Trailer (YouTube).

And then it was back to the hotel to prepare for Day 2

The Mayhem festival runs each October, at the Broadway Cinema - Nottingham.

For more info visit... 

http://www.mayhemfilmfestival.com
https://www.facebook.com/mayhemfilmfestival/
https://twitter.com/mayhem_festival

THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE - Out on UK DVD/Digital this November

From the writer of THE IMPOSSIBLE and THE ORPHANAGE, comes a unique and haunting psychological thriller set in 1960s rural America. 

THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE is a chilling new haunted house story featuring stand-out performances from the rising cast

After their mother's death, Jack (George McKay) and his siblings, have to learn to survive on their own, hiding from the world in the crumbling family house and with no other place to go. 

When their peaceful existence is threatened by a local lawyer wanting to repossess the house, their mother’s death is only the first of many secrets kept within the walls of the old Marrowbone House that will be revealed. As a menacing presence takes hold, Jack must fight against the demons to protect his siblings.

Starring George McKay (Captain Fantastic, Defiance), Mia Goth (Suspira, Everest) and Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE is out to own on DVD and Download this November

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

 

UFO - UK DVD review.

A brilliant maths student unearths evidence of Alien visitations and a government cover up in Ryan Eslinger's UFO, which is out now on UK DVD.

When news reports come in of a UFO sighting over a busy airport in Cincinnati, maths student Derek (Alex Sharp) realises the so called eye-witness accounts, claiming it to be a drone, don't match with the video footage being circulated after doing some complex calculations regarding the objects height and distance.

Investigating further, it seems whatever it was transmitted some sort of binary code, which affected radio frequencies in the area, which may be a message as to where they're going to appear next and both Derek and Govt officials, lead by an FBI agent named Ahls (David Strathairn - TV's The Expanse, Sneakers), race to decrypt it.

Not exactly "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", this wasn't bad as far as sci-fi films go, though it did have a kind of made for TV feel to it though and was rather like watching an episode of The X Files. Which is ironic as Gillian Anderson has a supporting role in this as Derek's university lecturer, although she's almost unrecognisable here under the red wig she's wearing.

If you like sci-fi thrillers, you'll probably enjoy this. It's not an action film, but it held my attention for its duration so I'd say it's worth giving it a go.

The disc itself is a bare bones release, with just the usual basic menus and chapter selection pages, and does not contain any supplemental features.

UFO is out now on UK DVD from Sony Entertainment.

Buy the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

 

THE STRAIN COMPLETE SERIES: 1-4 arrives on UK DVD 22nd Oct

Get infected by a stylish and shocking horror drama this Halloween from Academy Award® winner Guillermo del Toro. With all 46 episodes telling the complete saga in one binge-worthy collection, when you’re not gripping the edge of your seat, you’ll be jumping off it!

Based on the novels by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, The Strain draws on fears modern and arcane alike with the horror auteur’s frightening new take on the bloody vampire mythos.

House of Cards alumni Corey Stoll brings a complex gravitas to his standout lead role as a researcher struggling to prevent the collapse of both New York under a vampire plague, and his marriage. Award-nominated performances from David Bradley, Richard Sammel and more help round out a strong supporting cast as well.

With a stylistic flair reminiscent of The Shape of Water and the fanboy spirit that birthed Pacific Rim, Guillermo del Toro’s fingerprints are all over The Strain, creating a gruesome mystery that will delight fellow genre fans, but be a nightmare for anyone with a weak stomach!
 

 

Series 1:
In The Beginning
A Novel Approach
Setrakian’s Lair 

Series 2:
Deleted Scenes
Meet the Crew of The Strain
The White Room
Audio Commentary on “Night Train” featuring Carlton Cuse Gag Reel
Beyond the Page
Sentient Strigoi 

Series 3:
The Strain: Under Siege Companion Series
Webisodes 1-10
Vamp Boom Music Video 

Series 4:
Deleted Scenes
Gag Reel
Coping with The Strain: A Therapy Session
Inside Look 

THE STRAIN COMPLETE SERIES: 1-4 arrives on UK DVD October 22nd.

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

When Flies Strike by Philip J. Gould - out now in Paperback, Hardback and Kindle.

When Flies Strike is the latest release by horror novelist Philip J. Gould, which is available now from Amazon.

Residents of Fulbarton adore its idyllic setting and small-town charm.  Nothing ever happens to disturb their equilibrium.  That is, until an inexplicable death cloaked in a shroud of dead flies shakes them to their core.

Detective Inspector Baylem and Detective Sergeant McCardle are assigned to investigate an unexplained death.  The circumstances are unusual, but not alarming enough to cause concern… until the body count begins to rise and alarming similarities about the crime scenes lead them to believe they’re up against someone, or something far more dangerous than a serial killer.

As word of the troubling findings begins to circulate, panic sets in.  With the media and residents clamouring for answers, the detectives struggle to alleviate their fears and make sense of the dark force that is bent on destroying anyone or anything that gets in its way.

Do the seasoned detectives have what it takes to fend off another attack, or has the fate of the remaining townspeople – and the rest of the world – already been sealed?

When Flies Strike is out now in Paperback, Hardback and Kindle from Wildboar Publishing.

Buy online from Amazon.co.uk

 

Victoria Price to attend Birmingham's Cult Film event in November

Victoria Price is coming to Birmingham’s  Cine Excess cult film event that runs 8th - 10th  November. Daughter of the legndary screen actor Vincent Price, she is set to celebrate both her father’s work in film as well as his culinary skills.  A short season of Vincent’s films will be screened alongside a cookery deminstration based on some of the favourite recipes from his legendary book  ‘A Treasury of Great Recipes’.  She is also set to be presented with the Cine Excess Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her father.

Xavier Mendik , founder and organiser of Cine Excess says, “We are really excited mount this special celebration of Vincent Price’s career as part of our 12th annual event. Having previously hosted director Roger Corman who collaborated with Vincent Price on so many classic horror movies from the 1960s, it seemed entirely appropriate to dedicate this year’s event to such an iconic actor on the 40th anniversary of his chilling performance in  Witchfinder General.”

In a career spanning 55 years, Anglophile Vincent Price starred in many notable horror films, especially in Roger Corman’s Edgar Allen Poe adaptations, which has become cult classics. Films such as The Fall of the House of Usher (1960), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), alongside Witchfinder General (1968), The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971) and Theatre of Blood (1973). His last film Edwards Scissorhands (1990) introduced him to whole new generation of filmmgoers.

Victoria has continued to honour his memory though the Vincent Price Legacy, supported by film enthusiast and creator of the Vincent Price Festival and Legacy UK , Peter Fuller.  She is to be presented with Cine Excess Lifetime Award at the event on Friday 9th November. 

Alongside Victoria Price, this year’s festival also hosts a visit by the British horror director Pete Walter, who worked with the actor on  House of The Long Shadows (1983). Pete Walker will be presented with this year’s second Cine Excess Lifetime Achievment Award for his lifelong caeer in film, including Die Screaming Marianne (1971), Frightmare (1974) and the notorious House of Whipchord (1974). Pete Walker is also scheduled to appear at the event on Friday 9th November.
 

The theme of this year’s Cine Excess XII is ‘I Know What You Starred in Last Summer: Global Perspectives on Cult Performance’, with international academics presenting a wide range of related discussions alongside a specially curated selection of public film screnings and talks.

A full list of screening and events will be announced in October.

For more information on Cine Excess visit their Website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

For further Vincent Price information:

www.vincentpricelegacy.uk

www.vincentprice.com

 

HALLOWEEN (2018) Official Merchandise Available Now from Fright-Rags

Michael Myers returns in David Gordon Green's Halloween, picking up 40 years after John Carpenter's 1978 classic. Prepare for the highly-anticipated release with Fright-Rags' official Halloween 2018 merchandise.

Michael Myers stalks onto seven T-shirts, which feature new designs as well as official artwork. Select designs are available on zip-up hoodies, baseball tees, and women's shirts. There are also four enamel pins, including a closet door that opens to reveal The Shape behind it.

 

 

The Halloween 2018 collection is on sale now at Fright-Rags.com.

 

October 9 is the last day to place an order and receive it in time for the film's release on October 19; applies to US orders only. These designs and more will also be available from Fright-Rags at the Halloween: 40 Years of Terror convention in Pasadena, CA on October 12-14.