Documentary MANCUNIAN MAN : THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF CLIFF TWEMLOW - UK Theatrical Tour

Following its successful festival run and ahead of its digital release in June 2024, Severin Films announces a UK theatrical tour of the acclaimed film MANCUNIAN MAN : THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF CLIFF TWEMLOW.

Tour dates:

3 March – Nottingham Broadway + Q&A with Jake West & David Gregory

13 March – Birmingham – Mockingbird Cinema + Q&A with Jake West

23 March – Exeter – Exeter Phoenix + Q&A with Jake West

26 April – London – Prince Charles Cinema + Q&A with Jake West

4 May – Glasgow – Glasgow Film Theatre + Q&A with Jake West

With more to be confirmed

Meet Cliff Twemlow – AKA Mancunian Man…Bouncer. Novelist. Composer. Screenwriter Producer. Stuntman. Star. In 1980s Britain Twemlow was all of these and much, much more. For more than a decade, he was in fact Britain’s most prolific indie filmmaker and in his hometown of Manchester, he was – and remains – a bonefide legend.

Between 1982 and 1993, he gathered a devoted team, including local doormen, martial artists, variety performers, club DJs, models, girlfriends, gym friends, family members and B-listers and created his own cut-rate Hollywood empire.

Perhaps best known for the ultra-violent G.B.H. (Grievous Bodily Harm) – which was banned as one of the notorious Video Nasties – Twemlow was a true trailblazer. Shooting with pioneering video technology, composing the music himself and working to almost non-existent budgets – he crafted movies of all genres, from gangster flicks to horror films, spy thrillers to sci-fi epics and beyond, with the help of his unlikely ensemble of misfits.

Now his unbelievable, but totally true story is brought to life by director Jake West (Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape, Razor Blade Smile and Doghouse) and Severin Films through exclusive new interviews, insane film clips and rare behind-the-scenes footage.

There’s only one real Mancunian Man, a true one-of-a-kind and legend whose story needs to be seen to be believed.

 

AWARE OF THE WOLF and ABADDON'S PIT - Available from Vipco

Indie distributers VIPCO have just released 2 more titles to their Digital catalogue, AWARE OF THE WOLF and ABADDON'S PIT. 

AWARE OF THE WOLF

VIPCO & BayView Entertainment have released the horror film AWARE OF THE WOLF, which is now available on Digital platforms (excluding Amazon Prime Video) worldwide. 

AWARE OF THE WOLF will also arrive on AVOD Digital Platforms worldwide on 30th April.
 
Official selection: New Jersey Mystery & Crime Film Festival, Thing In The Basement Film Festival.
 
Synopsis:
Terry is a life coach and motivational speaker for the meek and afraid, and his methods are very effective. But when his students start to become aware of the “wolf” inside of them, their transformations take a dangerous turn.

AWARE OF THE WOLF was Written and Directed by Joshua Nelson. The film stars Tony Murphy, Jenn Nobile and Katie Raulerson.

View the Trailer on YouTube

 
ABADDON'S PIT

VIPCO & BayView Entertainment have released the dramatic sci-fi thriller ABADDON'S PIT, which is now available on Digital platforms (excluding Amazon Prime Video) worldwide.

ABADDON'S PIT will also arrive on AVOD Digital Platforms worldwide on 30th April.
 
2023 Tabloid Witch Award Winner for Faith Kelly: Best Dramatic Actress ; Features the work of Emmy-nominated Production Designer Edic Dean (“The Bear”); Official Selection at these film festivals: Chain NYC Film Festival, Blow-Up International Arthouse Film Festival, Peephole FilmFest, International Art Film Festival, LA Sci-Fi & Horror Film Festival, Tuesday of Horror Fest.
 
Synopsis:
Blaming himself for the death of his wife Samara, Dave moves to the abandoned family farm to recover. There, he connects with his cousin Gareth. Together, they discover a bottomless pit that changes everything that enters it, and become obsessed with its secrets.
 
Abaddon’s Pit was Written and Directed by Jason Egan and Matthew Nash. The film stars Jeff Ayars, Alyssa Talbot, Lawrence Trailer and Faith Kelly.
 

View the Trailer on YouTube.

NYX UK to screen explicit horror anthology series THE HUNGER

NYX UK shows appetite for explicit horror with anthology series THE HUNGER, plus there are channel premieres for SISTERS, DARK TOUCH, GRIMM LOVE and THE DEMONIACS.

 

Coming to NYX UK on Thursday nights at 11pm is THE HUNGER, the horror anthology series that ran from 1997 to 2000, captivating audiences with its feast of eroticism, horror, and the macabre. The first series features stories that range from a young man’s eerie encounter with a carnival, a tragic love story entangled with disability and dependency, to forbidden love with a vampire, a chef's sinister culinary journey, and a newlywed couple's horrifying discovery at a remote inn. Familiar faces include Timothy Spall, Daniel Craig, Margot Kidder and Amanda De Cadenet. Exec produced by Ridley Scott, the first series is hosted by Terence Stamp.

Fridays nights continues to explore the realm of Euro exploitation  horror and the latest addition is the channel premiere of Jean Rollin’s THE DEMONIACS, a vampiristic mix of sensuality, the supernatural, and psychological torment.

Friday 9th March is International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion NYX UK is streaming the channel premiere of DARK TOUCH, Marina de Van’s harrowing, Ireland-set supernatural tale of haunting trauma and family tragedy.

The UK’s prime destination for horror fans is also celebrating David Cronenberg’s birthday on Friday 15th March with a double bill of two of his classic and much-loved movies – RABID and SHIVERS, both of which explore Cronenberg's signature blend of body horror, surrealism, and sexual exploration.

There are two more channel premieres this month. De Palma's 1973 thriller SISTERS weaves a riveting tale of suspense, identity, and madness, with Margot Kidder in a memorable dual role.  Then there is GRIMM LOVE, directed by Martin Weisz, which delves into the harrowing depths of human depravity and obsession, inspired by the true and unsettling story of Armin Meiwes, the German cannibal.

Wednesday nights continues with ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE, which revives the iconic horror hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, as portrayed by Cassandra Peterson and  FrightFest Saturday Scares with Alan Jones continues, with our genial host introducing and discussing his favourite films, including THE BOOGEY MAN (1980).

For weekly schedule and full listings: https://www.nyxtv.co.uk/tv-guide

 

 

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL - Coming to UK Cinemas, March

Shudder and Vertigo Releasing are thrilled to confirm the release of the upcoming horror, LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. The film will be in UK Cinemas from 22nd March.

In 1977 a live television broadcast goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into living rooms across the United States.

The film stars David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Dark Knight) as Jack Delroy, host of a late-night talk show. On Halloween night 1977 havoc unfolds when Delroy interviews a parapsychologist and the subject of her recent book, a young teenager who is the sole survivor of a Satanic church's mass suicide. 

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL will be in UK Cinemas from 22nd March 

View the Trailer on YouTube.

British horror THE BORDERLANDS - Limited and Standard Edition Blu-rays, available April

Say your prayers as writer-director Elliot Goldner’s chiller THE BORDERLANDS is set to strike fear into your very soul, as this acclaimed British horror classic comes to Limited Edition Blu-ray from Second Sight Films. The brand-new set arrives on 8 April 2024 and comes complete with a host of fascinating special features, it will also be available in a standard edition.

When frequent strange happenings are reported at a thirteenth century church in rural Devon, a small team of Vatican investigators are sent in to try and demystify the unusual goings on… But what they discover is more disturbing than they could ever imagine.

Acclaim for THE BORDERLANDS (aka Final Prayer in the US) has been wide reaching, with some drawing comparisons to not only horror classics, such as The Omen, The Exorcist and The Wicker Man (The Independent) as well as Blair Witch and Kill List, but the surprising too: sitcom Peep Show (The Guardian). With Goldner’s sharp script and some brilliant special effects, the film really does bring its own brilliant spin to the found footage horror genre.

Lauded for its humour and creepy location by many, with Evening Standard noting ‘The banter between Robin Hill (Kill List, Down Terrace) and Gordon Kennedys (The Halycon, Robin Hood) cynical Scot is funny and unsettling. And the stark church is a winner’, the film makes for a unique and terrifying watch.

Special Features 

- New audio commentary by Actors Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy, Producer Jennifer Handorf and Special Effects Artist Dan Martin
- Dressed the Part: a new interview with Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy
- Losing Faith: a new interview with Jennifer Handorf
- Monster Goo: a new interview with Dan Martin
- Archive featurette: Behind the Scenes

Limited Edition Contents

- Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy
- 70-page book with new essays by Tim Coleman, Martyn Conterio, Shellie McMurdo and Johnny Walker
- 6 collectors' art cards 

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

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

Short horror ESCALATION - At the Romford Horror festival.

Director Christian Bachini got in touch to tell us about his horror short ESCALATION, which is being shown at this years Romford Horror Festival.

ESCALATION is a full blown homage to the old school European horror style, from Italy's Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava style gore movies to the gothic and eerie style of Hammer and Amicus films. 

The film started its festival run in the US, but is getting it's final screening at Romford Horror in the UK, which is were the movie style belongs.

Speaking of the film the director said "I believe it doesn't matter how much budget US horror films have or which stars they use, at the end of the day the horror and genre movies that truly leave a mark are those which come from European filmmakers. The style, the cinematography, the lighting, everything we do has a sort of spooky charme that audiences worldwide cannot avoid falling in love with."

View the Trailer on YouTube. 

For more info on this and other films at the festival, along with info on how to book tickets, visit...

http://www.romfordhorrorfestival.com/

DAGR - A Review

On Friday, 23rd of June there was a special screening of the indie horror film DAGR at one of the cinemas local to me, and as we don't get too many preview screenings in my neck of the woods, felt compelled to attend.

The story essentially revolves around a couple of annoying teenage internet pranksters, Thea and Louise (yes, you read that right) who are in the middle of filming their latest video, which is intended to be their most daring one yet. 

Their plan is to infiltrate the film set of an advertising company, who are shooting a commercial for a high-brow fashion brand, by posing as caterers. Then film themselves stealing all the designer clothing and film equipment, which they intend to donate to charity.

Unfortunately, when they (finally) arrive on the set, they soon find themselves stumbling into a "Blair Witch" style scenario as the crew are nowhere to be found and they discover some very disturbing footage left on the crews equipment. More worryingly, whatever caused the film crews dissapearance may still be close by. But, there is the question as to whether whats happened was real, or are the pranksters being pranked themselves? Either way, will they live to regret their latest escapade?

Described as "Blair Witch Project" meets "Absolutely Fabulous", this was filmed entirely using Iphones and Ipads, so whether you will like this will depend largely on whether you like "Found Footage" style films. Generally I'm not fan of this style, and there did seem to be a lot of padding during the first half. But once it got going, I actually found myself largely enjoying it. Even if it was just for the fact, that there's something peversely satisfying about seeing a couple of whiny "Millenials" and pretentious advertising executives being seemingly terrorised and killed in various nasty ways.

Director Matthew Butler-Hart was in attendance, along with his wife Tori who played one of the characters in the film, who sat and chatted with the audience afterwards about how the film was made, as well as fielding questions, which was both interesting and amusing, as they described the guerilla tactics they had to resort to, in getting the film made on time and within budget.

Was very surprised to learn that Sir Ian McKellen (yes THAT Ian McKellen) actually helped finance the film and served as Executive Producer.  In fact, he's going to be appearing in their next film, about a bunch of Drag Queens attempting to pull off a daring heist at the home of an unscrupulous banker, which certainly sounds "interesting". I shall defintely keep an eye out for that one.

But anyway, if you enjoy found footage films, you should enjoy this. The film is due to be released Digitally to Buy/Rent in April and should be available to view on streaming platforms sometime after.

View the Trailer on YouTube.

For more info on this and other films by the Director visit...

https://www.fizzandgingerfilms.co.uk - Official Website 

Fizz and Ginger Films - Official YouTube

DAGR - The Film - Official Facebook Page

Fizz and Ginger Films - Official Facebook

Fizz and Ginger Films - Official Twitter

Director Matthew Butler-Hart - Official Twitter