Gunnar Hansen on Chainsaw Confidential

Gunnar Hansen took time out from his book tour to talk to me about his new book Chainsaw Confidential

Read the interview here.

The Cloth (2013)

"Somebody slap me in the face with the Devil's nutsack!" If you thought it was impossible for exorcism movies to get any worse than The Devil Inside, then ye have little faith. The Cloth is rapidly shaping up in terms of public opinion (check the movie forums) as not just the worst exorcism movie ever made, but perhaps the worst film ever made per se.

To read my review go here.

Evil Dead (2013)

Another redundant remake.

That's all I have to say about that!

Thanatomorphose (2012)

 

Rotting never felt this good! So says the publicity for this jaw-dropping (literally) body horror feature debut from French-Canadian director Eric Felardeau. Reminiscent of New French Extremity films like Inside and In My Skin, Thanatomorphose takes its title from the French term for 'the visible signs of an organism's decomposition caused by death'. That pretty much sums up the plot: alienated young sculptress, Laura (Kayden Rose) moves into a Montreal apartment where she spends her time suffering in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Antoine (Davyd Tousignant), and feeling equally rejected by the artistic establishment who refuse her an arts grant. She is dying inside (literally). One morning she wakes up to find her body slowly and inexorably starting to decay...

Read the full review here.

 

 

Space Monsters - Issue 2

 

The amazing Cyberschizoid AKA Richard Gladman has just sent me news that issue two of his fanzine Space Monsters is now available to preorder. Das is good, ja? I loved the first issue and issue two, with its theme of Space Vampires, looks every bit as scrummylicious (especially as Emily Booth and Billy Chainsaw have both joined an already stellar writing team).

To preorder Space Monsters go here

To read my review of issue one go here

Digital FilmMaker Magazine Issue 8

New and emerging film makers may want to check out the new  issue of Digital Filmmaker Magazine. It has lots of hints and tips on everything from screenwriting software, to shooting in RAW.

And if you're an independent horror director you might want to check out my article, WHY FILMMAKERS LOVE TO SHOOT HORROR, with contributions from the filmmakers themselves.

You can buy/ subscribe to Digital FilmMaker Magazine here.  You can buy the digital version here. Or buy it in person at your local W. H. SMITHS.

Book Update!

I am guilty of having neglected this blog. It's been over three months since my last post, but I have an excuse. I've been working solidly on the book for which this blog is 'companion', and am pleased to say that it's now finished and sent to the publishers.

It's been quite a journey these last few months; hard work for sure, but very fulfilling. It's the culmination of five years' research and writing, and now the words are on the page I feel sad that it is in some ways over, although the work is not finished yet. There's proofing and indexing and marketing and promotion to come. Exciting stuff!

One of the joys of working on the book these past few months has been finding the movie stills to illustrate it. I've been incredibly fortunate to have received the help of the legendary Ronald V. Borst, who has delved into his own private collection of movie memorabilia to provide some rare stills from movies like Cat People (1942), House of Whipcord (1974), Shivers (1975), Witchfinder General (1968) and countless others. Ron wrote the book Graven Images, which features hundreds of amazing movie posters from his collection, and he also provided movie stills from Kevin Brownlow's excellent documentary, Universal Horror (2000). I met him in his shop, Hollywood Movie Posters on Hollywood Boulevard, and I am grateful to him and his wife, Margaret for all their help. Harvey Fenton at Fab Press also provided me with difficult-to-find stills from Frightmare (1974), while Joyce Pierpoline, producer of Teeth (2008), graciously provided me with stills from her film, and Greg Chick at Blue Underground helped me out with images from Deathdream (1972).

And still more exciting news: the foreword has been written by none other than Jeff Lieberman, the director of Squirm (1976) and Blue Sunshine (1977). He has written a fantastic piece about the subversive qualities of his films, adding an extra layer to the book whilst supporting its arguments at the same time. I really couldn't have asked for more. Thank you, Mr Lieberman!

Publication is set for Spring 2014, and I'll provide updates over the coming months. In the meantime I'm looking forward to getting back to regular posting and catching up with other people's blogs.

Brian Yuzna in Brighton!

Over at Starburst Magazine my buddy Martin Unsworth reports on the exciting news of Brian Yuzna's attendence at this year's Cine Excess in Brighton.

"Readers in the Brighton area who are fans of satirical '80s body horror classic SOCIETY may wish to get down to the Komedia where on 23rd of May CINE EXCESS will be hosting a special screening of the film, with director/producer BRIAN YUZNA providing a Q&A afterwards! Don't miss this rare chance to meet the man who produced the RE-ANIMATOR series and FROM BEYOND!

Here's the full press release for the event:

CINE EXCESS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON PRESENTS
A SPECIALLY REMASTERED SCREENING OF CULT HORROR CLASSIC
SOCIETY FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH DIRECTOR/PRODUCER BRIAN YUZNA

DATE: THURSDAY 23rd MAY  TIME: 9.15pm

VENUE: DUKE’S at KOMEDIA, BRIGHTON
The Cine Excess International Film Festival and the University of Brighton’s Faculty of Arts are delighted to welcome myth-making director/producer Brian Yuzna to the region, where he will present a special screening of his cult film classic Society, as well as to give a career talk to film students studying at the University’s Hastings Campus the following day. He will be interviewed on stage by Cine Excess Director, Dr. Xavier Mendik, Lecturer in film studies at University of Brighton and author of BFI’s 100 Cult Films.

Society (1989) is a deliciously dark satire on the darker underbelly of modern life.Billy (Billy Warlock) is feels he’s different to the rest of his family. They seem to relish an upper class life of social parties whilst he prefers to be more down-to-earth.His suspicions extend to his own girlfriend but when David (Tim Bartell) his sister’s boyfriend, dies mysteriously after showing him a tape, he returns home to find a bizarre party in full swing which reveals the true horrors of his upbringing, a heritage he’s now expected to embrace.

Brian Yuzna has been producing cult exploitation films for quarter of a century in the spirit of Roger Corman. His directorial debut Society (1989) mixed horror and satire, and his passion for HP Lovecraft led to him also making Re-Animator (1985), From Beyond (1986), Re-Animator 2 (1989) and Necromicon (1993). He also co-produced and co-wrote the Disney hit comedy Honey I Shrunk The Kids (1990), as well as working with Christophe Gans on the manga inspired Crying Freeman (1995). Having later set up The Fantastic Factory production company in Spain, Yuzna went onto produce a series of small budget fantasy titles such as Arachnid (2001), Dagon (2001), Darkness (2002) Beyond Re-Animator (2003) and The Nun (2005), before returning to directing with Amphibious 3-D (2010).

Brian Yuzna’s visit is one of a number of new initiatives linked to the recent relocation of the Cine-Excess festival to the University of Brighton’s Faculty of Arts. These also include the launch of the new industry meets academia Cine-Excess E-Journal, which is released is May 2013, and a new Digital Film BA (Hons) degree which is currently enrolling for September 2013.

Tickets are available from Duke’s at Komedia box office tel: 0871 902 5728 or online."

The tireless Cyberschizoid has been busy organising some great double-bills at the Roxy Bar and Screen in London. Here's the info that Rick sent me:

CLASSIC HORROR, SCI-FI AND CULT MOVIE SCREENINGS

Remember the days when the BBC would screen late-night classic horror double bills and cult science-fiction movie seasons on a regular basis? Well, you can recapture those halcyon days in the comfort of the Roxy Bar and Screen, one of London’s leading boutique cinema venues near London Bridge. Saturday and Sunday afternoons will never be the same again as your hosts Cyberschizoid, Filmbar70 and Dr Karen Oughton guide you through an eclectic selection of classic cult movie screenings over the next few months.

On Saturday June 1^st special guest Francoise Pascal (Mind Your Language, The Iron Rose) joins the gang for a unique screening of The Flesh and the Fiends (1959) and Burke and Hare (1971) both based on the true story of the famous Edinburgh grave robbers!

Sunday 16^th June brings a classic sci-fi double bill – a tribute to legendary stop-motion special-effects maestro Ray Harryhausen – Earth vs The Flying Saucers (1956) and First Men In The Moon (1964).

In July we have a Blood-Sucking Vampire Double Bill of Nosferatu (1922) and House of Dark Shadows (1970) as well as a Sexy Space Opera Double Bill featuring Barbarella (1968) and Starcrash (1978).

Later in the year, look forward to a special Peter Cushing double bill, the Scalarama cult film festival, a werewolf triple-bill, The Blob (1958) and The Incredible Melting Man (1977) all sponsored by Shock Horror Magazine!

Tickets available from - http://www.wegottickets.com/classichorrorcampaign

For our future screenings check the CLASSIC HORROR CAMPAIGN website - http://www.classichorrorcampaign.com/events/

SHOCK HORROR MAGAZINE - http://www.shockhorrormagazine.com/

DOCTOR KAREN OUGHTON - http://www.27061979.co.uk/

CYBERSCHIZOID - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cyberschizoid/386004161495028

ROXY BAR AND SCREEN - http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/

www.classichorrorcampaign.com

 

 

Friday Night Frights - Richard (Cyberschizoid) Gladman on the Classic Horror Campaign

The BBC horror double bills of the 1970s and 1980s have a place close to my heart, as they do for many British horror fans. In fact I trace the origins of this project to a specific date: 22 July 1978. That was the night BBC2 screened a double bill of The Quatermass Experiment and The Crazies. The first film I loved but the second film... it changed my life. And those double bills did the same for many fans, journalists and film-makers.

So I'm delighted to have Richard Gladman (aka Cyberschizoid ) on this week's Friday Night Frights to talk about the Classic Horror Campaign - his initiative to persuade the BBC to bring back the classic horror double bill. Richard's campaign has the support of many industry names and both his websites are nominated for this year's Rondo Awards.

Good Luck to Richard. I hope he wins and I hope you all go to the Rondos to vote for him, as well as signing his On-line petition

Liten to the podcast here

Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton talk The Collection on Friday Night Frights

 

Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton have come a long way in the last few years. Since winning Project Greenlight in 2005 for their screenplay Feast, they have gone on to write Saw IV, V and VI, and Piranha 3DD, as well as writing and directing The Collector (2009) and the sequel The Collection (2012). Not bad for a couple of guys from the University of Iowa. I interview them in this week's Friday Night Frights. Go here.

Stephen (Ghostwatch) Volk is my guest on this week's podcast

In 1992 the British TV programme Ghostwatch hit the headlines after an estimated 30,000 viewers called the BBC to complain about the show. They said it was too disturbing, with some believing the events to be true. To mark the twenty year anniversary a new documentary, Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtain was released on DVD this March.

The man behind Ghostwatch is Stephen Volk, screenwriter and author, and one of the most important names in British horror.  His work for the big screen includes screenplays for Ken Russell and William Friedkin, and he is creator of the hit TV drama, Afterlife.

With this year the centenary of the birth of Peter Cushing, Stephen had published the novella, Whitstable, about a fictionalised Peter Cushing drawn into a web of intrigue by a boy who believes his stepfather is a vampire.

Stephen is my guest on this week's Friday Night Frights where we talk about Ghostwatch and Whitstable, and Stephen reveals some fascinating behind the scenes stories.

To listen go here

Friday Night Frights Episode 22 - with special guest Kim Newman

This month indie film and home entertainment Network Distributing launch The British Film DVD Collection, an intriguing mix of of vintage British movies from the past five decades, including some obscure horror gems like Devil Girl From Mars (1954), the Frankie Howerd horror-comedy House in Nightmare Park (1973) and two Herman I Was a Teenage Werewolf Cohen productions, Horrors of the Black Museum (1959) and Konga (1961).

To mark the launch I spoke to author and critic Kim Newman about what it is that makes these titles so unique within British horror and science fiction.

To listen to the podcast go here

For more information on The British Film Collection visit http://networkonair.com

Friday Night Frights - Dark Skies producer Jason Blum

My guest on this week's Friday Night Frights is Dark Skies producer Jason Blum. His company Blumhouse Productions is responsible for the Paranormal Activity franchise, Insidious and Sinister; and his model of low budget-wide release director-led film-making has made him one of the most successful producers in Hollywood.

To listen go here

We Belong Dead Returns!

Easter is the time of resurrection and one of the most impressive this spring is the return of We Belong Dead, Eric McNaughton's fanzine that many thought deceased back in 1996 after just 8 issues. Based on the only-slightly-delayed-by-16-years issue 9, We Belong Dead is very much alive and kicking. Despite its fanzine status, WBD, both in design and quality of its writing, gives more 'professional' horror magazines a run for their money. WBD concentrates on classic horror so don't be suprised by the lack of coverage of modern multiplex fodder: there is more than a whiff of nostalgia in its 80 pages, but to its credit none of it is musty.

The contributors are all horror fans themselves - and they include some well-known names as Tony Earnshaw, John Lewellyn Probert and Stephen Mosley - so the bar is set very high indeed in terms of the writing: Stephen Jones and Hemlock books contribute the movie stills, posters and lobby cards that illustrate WBD's sumptuous pages - including some rare overseas artwork; Dave Brooks and Woody Welch provide the illustrations, including a stunning front cover by Brooks based on Hammer's Twins of Evil. It's all beautifully laid out by designer Steve Kirkham, and editor McNaughton collates a satisfying and eclectic mix of articles, reviews, think-pieces and fan reflections, including a few genuine scoops: a revealing but all-too-brief account of writer John Burke's contribution to The Sorcerers (1967) by Chris O'Loughlin; a final interview with Jean Rollin by Piddle Andersson; and an interview by the aforementioned Earnshaw with scream queen Barbara Shelley.

Elsewhere in the magazine there's an entertaining retrospective of Twins of Evil by Mosley; a warm appreciation of Ossorio's Blind Dead films by Probert; an informative look at Witchfinder General by O'Loughlin (clearly a Michael Reeves fan); and a fun look at the all-but-forgotten- Al Adamson so-bad-it's-good monster flick Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1970) by Ernie Magnotta. Some of the other in-depth pieces include a detailed script-to-screen analysis of Tourneur's Night of the Demon (1957); a survey of Peter Cushing's work for Amicus; and a well-informed discussion of Tobe Hooper's Salem's Lot (1979); as well as a raft of other fan writing on Auroa monster model kits, Facebook groups and the Bring Classic Horror Back to Television Campaign.

Produced as a labour of love by all concerned, but with a professionalism that belies its fanzine status, WBD deserves a wide readership. It's an absorbing read from start to finish. Issue 10 is already in the works; and McNaughton plans to publish a 100 page Fearbook featuring the best of the long out of print and hard to find first 8 issues later in the year. Horror fans are advised to place their orders now as print runs will be limited. Based on the quality of issue 9 let's hope that WBD will be around for a long time: We Belong Dead very much belongs alive.

For more information visit wbd@yahoo.co.uk

The Orphan Killer on Friday Night Frights

Over at my podcast at Starburst Magazine, I talk to Matt Farnsworth, the director of The Orphan Killer about making and marketing his transgressive mini-masterpiece. The Orphan Killer is an agreeably nasty little slasher with an intriguing anti-Catholic theme that put me in mind of some of those 1970s classics like Alfred Sole's Communion and Pete Walker's House of Mortal Sin. But with more blood and guts. Listen to the podcast here.

Friday Night Frights 18 - I Didn't Come Here To Die

I remember as a kid being traumatised by those Central Office of Information safety films that used to show on children's television in the 1970s, warning of the perils of playing in dangerous places. The most memorable was Lonely Water (1973) and featured the voice of Donald Pleasence as the Grim Reaper culling off the foolhardy and the unwary. Another, more elaborate, but no less terrifying, effort was Apaches (1977) directed by John The Long Good Friday Mackenzie. This little nasty depicted a group of children who ignore all safety precautions while playing on a farm, and as a result die horribly under the wheels of tractors and so forth. What was so horrific about these films was that they proved that fate had it in for us kids, no matter what, and their gritty presentation made them all the more real. Final Destination re-imagined by the Children's Film Foundation.

All this is by way of introduction to my guest on this week's podcast - Bradley Scott Sullivan, whose debut I Didn't Come Here To Die comes on like some deranged version of those 1970s public information films.

Don't play with chainsaws, kids!

To listen go here.

Friday Night Frights 17: Leigh Dovey on The Fallow Field

 

Leigh Dovey's The Fallow Field has been described as Wolf Creek meets Memento set against the backdrop of the British harvest season. It's an intriguing combination and debut director Dovey is a big horror fan who got his chops watching the late night double bills on British BBC TV in the late 1970s/early 1980s. No surprise then that The Fallow Field has plenty of nods to rural horror classics like Blood on Satan's Claw (1970). I spoke to Leigh about his influences behind The Fallow Field over at my podcast. To listen go here

Starburst Issue 386

Fans of the Evil Dead will want to get their talons on this month's Starburst - just look at what is inside Issue 386

"Starburst dares to delve into the legacy of the Evil Dead franchise and is possessed by the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis as a result! Awaiting you beyond our exclusive Book of the Dead wrap-around cover you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about Sam Raimi’s enduring horror franchise - from its humble origins, the innumerable comic book and videogame spin-offs, right up to the nervously anticipated remake. Jooooin us…
 
ALSO: The original ‘action figure’ himself, G.I. Joe gets the retrospective treatment in time for his second cinematic outing; Demons Within begins our exhaustive history of Exorcism in the Movies; and we go behind the scenes to talk with the crew of Angels & Airwaves’ acclaimed sci-fi drama, Love. Also letting us bend their ears in brand new interviews are Charlie Brooker (on Black Mirror, his career and more), Before Dawn’s Dominic Brunt, Doctor Who’s Chris Chibnall and Sinister director Scott Derrickson."

Yes, Demons Within, my history of Exorcism Movies sees print in this month's issue - with part two in next month's.

 

And coming up in my Friday Night Frights podcast over the next few weeks I have Leigh Dovey, director of The Fallow Field; Matt Farnsworth, director of the infamous The Orphan Killer; Scott Leberecht, director of Midnight Son; and Bradley Sullivan, director of I Didn't Come Here to Die. Quite a scary bunch of guys!

Thanks to all those who have been asking about the progress of my book, Shocks to the System. I'm happy to say I'm on target to meet my deadline with McFarland, so all is good. Have just spent the last month or so immersed in Val Lewton's world of shadows - not a bad place to be!

Scott Derrickson on Friday Night Frights

Scott Derrickson, director of Sinister (2012) and The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) is my guest on this week's Friday Night Frights podcast. Check it out here.

Return to Mayhem

Steven Sheil and Chris Cooke creating Mayhem

Readers of this blog will recall that I went to the Mayhem Film Festival in Nottingham last October and posted several reviews over at Starburst Magazine.

With many of the films shown at Mayhem - such as Maniac and American Mary - now on release (or about to open), I thought it would be good to catch up with the curators of Mayhem, Steven Sheil (who directed the brilliant Mum and Dad, 2008 ) and Chris Cooke (who made the equally sublime One for the Road, 2003) to pick over the bones of Mayhem 2012. To listen go here.

Friday Night Frights - Elias on 'Gut'.

Elias, writer/director of 'Gut' (2012)
 

Happy New Year!

On a recent trip to LA I interviewed director, Elias, about his debut feature, 'GUT', a stark psychological thriller about two friends' obsession with a snuff movie they discover on line. To listen to the podcast go here.

To find out more about 'GUT' and to watch it VOD visit the website www.gutmovie.com