March, 2009
Below are links to articles posted in March, 2009
Gorgeous UK Quad for ‘Blood the Last Vampire’
Hitting screens in Europe in June (with no release yet planned for the U.S.), “Blood the Last Vampire” is already wowing fans who ride the Tube with this UK quad poster. Click on it for a much bigger view.
Directed by Chris Nahon, “Blood: The Last Vampire” is based on the anime classic of the same name, and stars Gianna Jun and Allison Miller. Here’s the storyline: A vampire named Saya, who is part of covert government agency that hunts and destroys demons in a post-WWII Japan, is inserted in a military school to discover which one of her classmates is a demon is disguise.
It hits theaters in Japan May 29, the UK June 12 and France June 17.
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Jean Rollin, ‘The Sinful Dwarf’ and More — Tuesday, March 31 Is A Huge Day for Horror on DVD
March ends on a high note with a slew of major titles hitting DVD, including the re-release of Lucio Fulci’s “Cat in the Brain” and the AfterDark Horror Fest box set.
Dark Sky Films is resurrecting the late ’60s/early ’70s Czech horror film “The Cremator.” Here’s the storyline: Karl Kopfrkingl (Rudolf Hrusinsky) works at a stately crematorium in Prague. Obsessed with his duties, he believes he is liberating the souls of the departed. With Nazi forces gathering at the Czech border, Karl descends into a mania that allows him to wholly enact his disturbed beliefs. No one is safe from his quest for salvation, not even his own family.
Redemption is resurrecting the Jean Rollin film “The Escapees.” In this film, on the run from an asylum for the insane, a feisty young girl and her forlorn female companion embark on a surreal journey with a group of traveling erotic dancers. Sounds fun!
Redemption is also unleashing “Saint Francis.” Francis, the son of a corrupt TV preacher, tumbles down a hallucinatory rabbit-hole of sex, drugs, aliens, fratricide, and planetary apocalypse in this twisted take on the life of Saint Francis.
‘H2′ Images, ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ Casting — It’s the Remake News Roundup
Here’s the latest on such upcoming horror remakes as “Sorority Row” and “Halloween 2″.
The “Sorority Row” remake got an official Web site, and here it is. Check out official stills and of course the trailer. This looks better than “House on Sorority Row,” the film upon which it’s based.
More images surface from Rob Zombie’s production of “H2″ — the “Halloween” remake sequel which doesn’t appear to have an official title yet. The most interesting shot is of Chase Vanek as the new “Young Michael Myers”, no doubt to appear in flashbacks.
Here’s one of a long-haired Michael Myers stalking the streets of Haddonfield.
Here’s an image of a T-shirt worn by a character arrested outside of Sam Loomis book signing in the film:
Meanwhile, over at Platinum Dunes, they are cranking on their remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. And the script has just been recently reviewed by Latino Review. Check their review out here.
Ray Calls For Respect
Hollywood tough guy Ray Winstone shows his support for The FA’s Respect Parent Guide to Youth Football
Winstone is here to promote The FA’s new Respect Parent Guide after research showed that thousands of youngsters had hung up their boots over the last couple of years due to pressure from the sidelines.
Winstone believes that parents need to lose the “win at all costs” attitude and bring some enjoyment back to the game: “Kids want their parents to watch them play football but they want to be supported by them, not embarrassed.
The FA Respect programme has already had a major breakthrough in the grassroots game with dissent figures showing an 8% improvement nationwide on last season’s totals while 567 leagues have shown their support by becoming Respect Leagues.
With one in three matches taking place across the country without a qualified match official, The FA is aiming to recruit 8,000 new referees by 2012.
Other FA plans to improve pitch side behaviour include teaming up with the Football Foundation to provide grants for Respect Barriers which ensure that spectators are standing well away from the touchline at youth football games.
Halo-8 Swallows ‘Pop Skull’
Halo-8 Entertainment has secured North American distribution rights to the manic, twisted, drug-infused “”Pop Skull”,” an award-winning psychological horror film directed and co-written by Adam Wingard (”Home Sick”), starring and co-written by newcomer Lane Hughes, co-written and co-produced by E.L. Katz (”AUTOPSY”), and produced by Peter Katz (”MORTUARY”). The film premiered domestically at the AFI Film Festival and internationally at the Rome Film Festival, where Wild Bunch acquired the foreign rights. Halo-8 has slated the film for a limited theatrical run followed by a DVD release on July 28, 2009.
“Adam Wingard’s brash and gutsy film isn’t a breath of fresh air–it’s a breath of toxic, dextromethorphan-laced air that leaves audiences shocked to the core and proves horror can still be bold and inventive and smart,” said Matt Pizzolo, President of Halo-8. “What makes “Pop Skull” so unique is the fact that its aggressive voice is mixed with a subtle and evocative story, a compellingly vulnerable lead, and a gorgeously photographed visual style.
‘Children of the Corn’ Hits Blu-Ray July 28
In 1984, a film adaptation of a chilling short story by horror master Stephen King launched a film franchise that continues to this day. Granted, its sequel was better.
But now, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the original “Children of the Corn” and just in time to welcome the upcoming remake, Anchor Bay Entertainment announces the July 28 release of the original “Children of the Corn” on Blu-ray. Not only will fans see and hear this ?80s shocker classic like never before, this Blu-ray edition contains all the supplements from the previous DiviMax DVD, as well as nearly an hour of newly-produced high-definition bonus features, with all-new, never-before-seen interviews with the cast and crew ? created exclusively for this release.
Produced by Donald P. Borchers (who is helming the 2009 remake) and directed by Fritz Kiersch, “Children of the Corn stars” ’80s sensations Linda Hamilton (Terminator) and Peter Horton (?thirtysomething?) as a young couple who find themselves stranded in the isolated community of Gatlin, Nebraska. They soon discover that all of the town?s adults have been slaughtered by a twisted religious cult of children led by the enigmatic Isaac (John Franklin) who worship a mysterious cornfield deity.
A Contest a Day: Win ‘Donkey Punch’ on DVD!
For the next several days, we’ve got so much to give away that we will be holding a contest EACH DAY! Today — win “Donkey Punch” on DVD. This movie is worth owning for the nudity alone — but it’s also a great little horror thriller (check out our review here).
The first five of you to email Lucius Gore with your mailing address win a FREE copy of “Donkey Punch”! Don’t hesitate! And come back tomorrow for another contest!. . . .
A Contest a Day: Win ‘Shuttle’ on DVD!
One of the best American horror movies of this year is easily “Shuttle” — an edgy and original thriller (check out our review here). We have five copies to give away!
The first five of you to email Lucius Gore win a FREE copy of “Shuttle”! Don’t hesitate!
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Should You ‘Let the Right One In’ in the U.S.?
Icons of Fright published an amazing article identifying severe problems with the “Let the Right One In” DVD and Blu-Ray just released by Magnolia.
Unfortunately, the subtitles have been changed from the version that played theaters — and even the version released to reviewers as a screener copy. In short, if you speak Swedish, the version released to DVD and Blu Ray is the same. But otherwise, the subtitles have been dumbed down and the film shouldn’t be watched.
The original screener attributes that the subtitles were done by Ingrid Eng. (Multiple kudos to Miss Eng for doing an amazing job.) My guess is that in order to re-use them for the American version of the DVD, Magnolia/MAGNET probably had to pay Ingrid again for her services. Rather then do that, perhaps they hired someone else to do the translations for real cheap.
Click here for more.
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Remake-palooza: Writers Discuss ‘Birds’ and ‘Poltergeist’ Redos
Screenwriting duo Stiles White and Juliet Snowden didn’t just the so-so sci-fi film “The Knowing,” now in theaters. They are also writing the remakes of “The Birds” and “Poltergeist” and recently spoke with IGN about their take on the redos.
First, “The Birds”:
“With something like The Birds, you can take the concept of birds gone crazy and put that onto a myriad of situations?It was presented to us as they wanted to go back to the original source material because you just don’t want to attempt to remake a Hitchcock film. But the original novella, by Daphne du Maurier, had a lot of interesting source material. Alfred Hitchcock used it as his jumping-off point and told a story that was somewhat different from the novella?.We took that same approach and went back to the source material rather than going to his film. Ultimately, what you would get is a modern-day telling of what if a bird phenomenon happened like that again — rather than saying, ‘This person’s gonna play the Tippi Hedren role,’ and ‘Here’s the famous moment on the jungle gym.’ We really tried to avoid those things.”
And on “Poltergeist”:
“Poltergeist, on the other hand, is a much more specific story — one family, one house.
A Contest a Day: Win Tickets to Fangoria Weekend of Horrors
The weekend of April 18 in Los Angeles Fangoria is holding its annual Weekend of Horrors. We have two pairs of tickets to give away — right now!
The first two of you to email your mailng address to Lucius Gore win a free pair of tickets! For all the details on Weekend of Horrors, check out the poster below.
Here’s a roundup of who’s appearing:
SAM RAIMI
EVIL DEAD/SPIDER-MAN director hosts exclusive DRAG ME TO HELL panel! Appearing on Friday. Note: Due to tight postproduction schedule, Mr. Raimi will not be signing autographs.
CLIVE BARKER
Creator: HELLRAISER, CANDYMAN, NIGHTBREED, MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN and LORD OF ILLUSIONS; novels: WEAVEWORLD, THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW, IMAJICA, ABARAT and MISTER B. GONE; latest movies: DREAD and BOOK OF BLOOD.
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Reviews of Jesús “Jess” Franco’s A Virgin Among the Living Dead may be mixed, (I myself found it to be an incomprehensible fevered hot mess), but one thing is for sure: it has quite possibly the coolest movie poster ever!
SAW Ride in Thorpe Park
The world’s first ever horror movie-themed rollercoaster lays claim to being the most terrifying ride in the world. The celebs who found themselves stranded on it at the preview event would probably agree 
Thorpe Park challenges visitors to face their fears with a ‘beyond vertical’ drop of 100º from a terrifying height of 100ft. Not for the faint of heart!
Bleed with me
Danish horror flick "BLEED ME WITH" (original Danish title "ROVDRIFT") promises plenty of blood, horror, viciousness and female anatomy for the buck. It is finished and currently making it’s way out in the world.
Laura (Camilla Metelmann) has had the worst day of her life, everything’s gone wrong. On her way home from work a late night she catches a taxi, not realizing the Chauffeur (Kim Sønderholm) is about make her day a whole lot worse…
Bleed With Me has been underway for three years and, in that time has been known by the working title of Hellride and an International English title of Predatory Instinct. The original Danish title of the film has remained unchanged: Rovdrift. The film is written and directed by Emil Ishii, produced by Anne Worm and executive produced by Kim Sønderholm. Produced by Doghouse Films is association with Cetus Productions.
Days 2 Die – Horror Zombie Game
Warning: This Game contains scenes of violence and gore. Awesome.
Fun zombie game without an endless horde of zombies to to in, but challenging enough to keep you entertained.
4 silver shotgun shells on a possible 5 on this one.
The Guardian Short Movie
Not horror, more like an adventure short of the archealogist-meets-skeleton type, with great undead special effects. Directed by Andrea Ricca and starring Michele Di Mauro. Went to see this one with no expectation whatsoever but was very pleasantly surprised. Thanks to whoever sent this one in.
Win ‘Timecrimes’ on DVD
One of the best sci-fi horror movies of last year was “Timecrimes”, an absolute must see if there ever was one. Click here for our review. Easily the best time travel movie ever made too. We have five copies to give away right now!
I can’t think of any clever trivia question, so the first five of you to email Lucius Gore with your mailing address wins a copy each! Act now, or shell out $23 ore more to buy this baby at your local store.. .
‘Thing’ Script Finished
Ronald Moore, best known to sci-fi fans as “Battlestar Galactica” writer, has been commissioned to write the script for Universal’s “Thing” prequel. Here’s what he had to say to Sci-FI Wire about the progress on his script.
“I was working on The Thing. I finished. I did my last draft a few weeks ago and turned it in. They [Universal Pictures] seem happy.
Branagh Eyes ‘Night of the Demon’ Remake
Remakes, remakes, remakes. One of the best horror movies of the 1950s, “Night of the Demon” is now set for the redo treatment by none other than Kenneth Branagh, director of “Much Ado About Nothing” and, yes, that terrible 1990s “Frankenstein” film, “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.”
He tells Fangoria that he’s working on a remake of “Night of the Demon”, the 1957 British horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins and Niall MacGinnis. An adaptation of M. R. James’ Casting the Runes (1911), the plot revolves around American Professor John Holden going to England and investigating a Satanic cult suspected of being responsible for more than one death in recent months.
“I think it’s a sensational movie and I think it’s ripe for redoing,” he told Fangoria.”We can be quite different with a new version of it.”
Currently, Branagh is getting ready to film a comic book movie based on Marvel’s “Thor” character.
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‘Legend of Blood Castle’ Finally Hits DVD
On May 19, Mya Communication will finally release “Legend of Blood Castle” (aka “Ceremonia sangrienta”) to DVD in an anamorphic widescreen edition. Directed by Jorge Brau, who helmed the classic gore fest “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie”, “Legend of Blood Castle” is something of a long lost classic.
A 17th-century Hungarian nobleman becomes a vampire and uses his newfound powers to lure virgins to his castle, where his wife bathes in their blood in order to retain her beauty. This gory Spanish adaptation of the Countess Bathory legend stars Espartaco Santoni, Lucia Bose, and Ewa Aulin of “Candy” fame. It also goes by the name “Blood Castle,” “Bloody Ceremony,” “Countess Dracula,” and “The Female Butcher.”
Here’s the announcement:
When Countess Erzsebet Bathory (Lucia Bos�) is accidentally splattered with some blood drops of one of her nubile maidservants, the Countess finds out that the blood can preserve her skin young and beautiful. Compelled to kill innocent young girls to use their blood, the Countess is helped by her husband Karl (Espartaco Santoni), who fakes his own death and pretends to be a vampire to fool the superstitious villagers about the source of the exsanguinations.
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