NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE - casting announced

Casting is announced today for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Live, the first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero’s cult zombie classic. The production, directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) will come to life at Pleasance, London from 9 April to 19 May 2019. 

The production stars Ashley Samuels (Ben), recently seen in Fun Home at the Young Vic and Motown the Musical in the West End, in the iconic role of the protagonist, with Jennifer Harding (Helen/Judy) who was named Hello Magazine’s Rising Star of 2018 and received multi-award nominations for her role in The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Marc Pickering (Harry) best known for playing the young Sheriff Enoch Thompson in Sky Atlantic’s Boardwalk Empire, Mari McGinlay (Barbra) winner of the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year Award, Mike Bodie (Chief McClelland) who has starred in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery and is a creator and founding member of Mischief Theatre, and Tama Phethean (Tom) previously seen at The Globe in The Great Duke of Florence and The False One.

1960s, rural Pennsylvania. Six strangers, a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by zombies – what could possibly go wrong? Who will make it out alive?

This new adaptation of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD will be played out on a monochrome set paying homage to the 1968 classic and featuring all the iconic scenes along with an entirely new journey for the beloved characters from the farmhouse in the second act. A loving, comedic tribute to the world-renowned zombie film, this production skirts the line between the horrific and the hysterical, culminating in a frightening and funny night out. Audiences can choose to get amongst the gore in one of the special ‘Splatter Zones’ or those who prefer to keep zombies at arm’s length can opt for seating in the ‘Supposedly Safe Zones’.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Live had its world premiere in Toronto in 2013 and is the only officially authorised stage production endorsed by the Romero Estate which will come to the UK for the first time this spring.

First seen in 1968, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential releases of all time. Previously dominated by Hammer horror, George A. Romero radically redefined the genre of the modern horror film introducing zombies as a social construct in his seminal 1968 movie. His influence is still felt today spawning countless zombie films and series such as Sean of the Dead and The Walking Dead. Now, more than 50 years on, the story of Night of the Living Dead™ remains as relevant as ever through its exploration of race, class division and America's national identity. 

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Live, based on the film by George A. Romero, is co-produced by award-winning producer Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt for Senbla by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. It is written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin and created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison. The production is directed by Benji Sperring, designed by Diego Pitarch with lighting design by Nic Farman, soundscape design by Samuel West and casting by Jane Deitch.

Tickets on sale at www.LivingDeadLondon.com

   

"Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" - in selected UK cinemas April

The murderous marionettes are on the march! Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, brings the kills, thrills and spills in the bloodthirsty reboot of Charles Band’s classic horror franchise from co-directors Tommy Wiklund and Sonny Laguna (Wither, Blood Runs Cold) and writer S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk, Dragged Across Concrete).

When recently divorced Edgar (Thomas Lennon) returns to his childhood home he finds a nefarious looking puppet and decides to sell the doll for a quick buck. Bringing along his new girlfriend Ashley (Jenny Pellicer) and nerdy pal Markowitz (Nelson Franklin), Edgar heads on a doomed road trip to a puppet auction celebrating the 30th anniversary of the infamous Toulon Murders. But all hell breaks loose when a strange force animates the puppets at the convention, setting them on a bloody killing spree motivated by an evil as old as time.

With twenty-one scenes of graphic puppet violence and a score from composing legend Fabio Frizzi (The Beyond, City of the Living Dead), FANGORIA presents Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich - the wildest, craziest and goriest movie of the year. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bloody ride!

Starring: Thomas Lennon (Night at the Museum), Jenny Pellicer (The Bridge), Nelson Franklin (The Office), Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up), Michael Paré (Bone Tomahawk), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), Udo Kier (Suspiria) and Skeeta Jenkins. Directed by Tommy Wiklund and Sonny Laguna, written by S. Craig Zahler and produced by Dallas Sonnier (Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99) and Amanda Presmyk (The Standoff at Sparrow Creek). 

FANGORIA presents Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich in cinemas 19 April 2019 

View the trailer...

Keanu Reeves in Sci-fi Thriller REPLICAS - on UK Disc and Digital April

At a medical research facility in Puerto Rico, daring neuroscientist Will Foster (Keanu Reeves) is on the verge of successfully transferring human consciousness into a robot when his family is tragically killed in a car crash. 

Not wanting to say goodbye to his wife (Alice Eve) and three children, Will recruits his colleague Ed (Thomas Middleditch) on an audacious mission to preserve their minds and transfer them into secretly-grown clone bodies...

Soon discovering that playing God has its downsides, Will battles against the clock and the physical laws of science themselves to resurrect his loving family. 

When success appears to be within reach, Will finds himself pitted against a sinister government-controlled laboratory and a shady police task force who will stop at nothing to find the key to the incredible scientific breakthrough…

Offering a fresh take on the Frankenstein myth, Replicas is a taut and action-packed sci-fi thriller about family, loss and the dangerous questions surrounding emerging scientific technologies.

Starring Keanu Reeves (The John Wick Franchise, The Matrix), Alice Eve (Star Trek: Into Darkness), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) and John Ortiz (Kong: Skull Island). Directed by Jeffery Nachmanoff (The Day After Tomorrow) and produced by Stephen Hamel (Passengers), Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Constantine, Transformers), Keanu Reeves, Luis Riefkohl and Mark Gao. 

Lionsgate UK presents Keanu Reeves in sci-fi thriller Replicas on Digital Download from 22 April and Blu-ray & DVD from 29 April 

View the Trailer on YouTube.


 

LEPRECHAUN & THE FLY Apparel from Fright-Rags

With St. Patrick's Day fast approaching, Fright-Rags has launched a line of Leprechaun apparel. As if that's not lucky enough, you can transform your wardrobe with The Fly shirts.

The luck of the Irish runs strong in Fright-Rags' Leprechaun collection. It includes five shirts depicting the 1993 cult classic's pint-sized killer, including a heather green triblend shirt and a baseball tee with green sleeves. The Leprechaun, as portrayed by Warwick Davis, is also featured on an enamel pin and a pair of socks.

Be afraid, be very afraid of Fright-Rags’ The Fly collection. Experiment on five T-shirts from David Cronenberg’s 1986 classic, including one featuring a picture of Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle. Select designs are also available on baseball tees or hoodies. 

Leprechaun and The Fly collections are on sale now at Fright-Rags.com. Keep an eye for more horror merchandise - including Joe Bob Briggs - coming soon to Fright-Rags! 

NEXT OF KIN - UK BD review

A young heiress inherits more than just care home, in the cult 1982 Ozzie horror NEXT OF KIN, which is out now on UK Blu-Ray and Digital from Second Sight Entertainment.

Young Linda Stevens (Played by Australian TV actress Jacki Kerin), has just taken over the running of an old retirement home, that was founded by her late mother.

But not long after she arrives, she begins to suspect something is not quite right with the place. A couple of residents myseteriously die. Staff start to dissapear, the lights mysteriously go out for no reason and somebody keeps turning taps on. 

It seems that something sinister is going on and someone, or something, is trying to drive her and the old folk out of there. But who, or what, would want to do such a thing?

Also starring Alex Scott (Twins of Evil, Abominable Dr Phibes), Gerda Nicolson (TV's Prisoner Cell Block H) and a young John Jarret (Wolf Creek) NEXT OF KIN (not to be confused with the Patrick Swayze film) is creepy Haunted House/Murder Mystery that fans of cult movies will undoubtely want to check out, if only for seeing a young John Jarret in an early role.

Extras on the disc include

2x Audio Commentary Tracks

Track 1 with Director Tony Williams and Producer Tim White

Track 2 with cast members John Jarratt, Jackie Kerin, Robert Ratti and 'Not Quite Hollywood' Director, Mark Hartley

Return to Montclare - A look around the home and gardens used in the film as they appear today.

Extended interviews from the 2009 Documentary "Not Quite Hollywood" with Director Tony Williams and co-star John Jarret.

You also get a couple of Director Tony Williams early short films

-Getting Togethor

-The Day we Landed on the Most Perfect Planet in the Universe.

And a deleted scenes section, which is actually a collection of on set stills of a couple of deleted scenes, the original footage to which has since gone missing. Which you navigate using the skip button on your remote.

Theres also a selection of trailers from the Australian and German releases of the film (entitled "Montclare - Erbe Des Grauns") and the alternate opening sequence used for the German release.

The "Before the Night is Out" feature is probably the most bizarre addition, showing the original ballroom dance footage seen on the TV in the film, which was apparently something the director had shot previously and decided to re-use here.

Lastly there's an image gallery, which you navigate using your remote control. Showing the various posters and VHS box artwork that has been used to promote the film, behind the scenes stills, Story boards and location sheets.

A generous selection of extras, which appear to be the same ones featured on the Australian release from Umbrella, which Second Sight has ported over for this.

Next of Kin has been kind of difficult to get hold of on disc for some time, so this release from Second Sight makes a welcome addition to their catalogue. So, if you are a fan of the film, or love cult Australian horrors, then you can't go wrong with this release. 

Buy the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

WHERE DO I BEGIN - Kickstarter Campaign

Film makers James Taylor, John Hanaway and Nicholas Foundoukis have launched a Kicksterter campaign for their film WHERE DO I BEGIN.

Deep in a suburban town on the outskirts of a big city, a young traveller returning home tries to convince two detectives that he is, in fact, a werewolf and has been on a killing spree for the past week.

Battling between his morality, humanity, haunted by horrific visions and memories, as the night progresses we struggle to tell who is really in control... the police, the young man, or the monster inside…

Where Do I Begin' started as a passion project for writer and director James Taylor. Bred on a love of the horror genre, filmmaking, and an unhealthy obsession with werewolves, he wrote the script during spare time at college while studying. After several years of rewriting and honing the story it ended up a forgotten relic until one day it was picked up by John Hanaway, who brought Co-producer Nicholas Foundoukis on board.

The film is currently crowdfunding on KickStarter. For more info on the film and list of benefits involved with the various levels of donation, visit the KickStarter Page.

Visit the films social media pages.
Twitter : http://twitter.com/WDIBHorrorFilm
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HOLLOW MAN and HOLLOW MAN II on Special Edition UK BD April

From the mind of visionary director Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop and Starship Troopers) come two tales of transparent terror!

In Hollow Man, a team of scientists - the ambitious Dr. Sebastian Caine (Kevin Bacon - Apollo 13, Tremors), his ex-girlfriend Linda (Elisabeth Shue – Back to the Future Part II & III) and colleague Matt (Josh Brolin – Avengers: Infinity War) - have developed a ground-breaking serum for invisibility. Desperate to take their research to the next level, Caine volunteers himself as a test subject with horrifying results...

Hollow Man II tells the story of Michael Griffin (Christian Slater – Mr. Robot), an invisible assassin gone haywire. Facing a slow death unless he receives a life-saving antidote, it’s down to biologist Maggie Dalton (Laura Regan – Dead Silence) and homicide detective Frank Turner (Peter Facinelli – The Twilight Saga) to take whatever measures necessary to apprehend this unseeable menace...

Featuring Oscar-nominated special effects, adrenaline-pumping suspense, and provocative commentary on the nature of power and corruption, Hollow Man and Hollow Man II are ripe for reappraisal with this lavish collector’s edition box set from 88 Films!

SPECIAL FEATURES

DISC ONE:

Director's cut of Hollow Man

Optional English subtitles

English Dolby TrueHD 5.1

‘HBO First Look Special - Hollow Man: Anatomy of a Thriller’ featurette (15:04)

‘Fleshing Out the Hollow Man: Behind-the-Scenes’ - includes Paul Verhoeven - Hollywood’s Mad Scientist, The Invisibility Formula, The Muscle Man, The

Human Bubble, Thermal Imaging, The Smoke Guy, The Gorilla Suit, The Mask, Flaming Sebastian, Elevator Finale, Ape Reversion Storyboards, The

Underground Lab, Reversion Progressions, Invisibility Progressions, and Digital Body Parts Montage.

VFX Picture-In-Picture Comparisons: Includes Kramer's Death, Sprinkler Attack, Sebastian's Demise

DISC TWO:

Theatrical cut of Hollow Man

Optional English subtitles

English DTS-HD MA 5.1

‘Disappearing Act - The Genre Jaunts of Paul Verhoeven’ - an interview with critic Kim Newman about the Hollow Man legacy and the career of director Paul Verhoeven

Hollow Man trailer

DISC THREE:

Blu-ray debut of Hollow Man II

Optional English Subtitles

English DTS-HD MA 5.1

Inside Hollow Man II Featurette

Storyboard Comparison

Visual FX Comparison

Hollow Man II Trailer

PLUS:

Includes Limited Edition (3000) slipcase enclosed fold-out digipack with new paintings from acclaimed artist, Jeremy Pailler Extensive 52-page booklet with notes by film journalists Dave Wain and Matty Budrewicz 

Pre-order the Blu-Ray from Amazon.co.uk