Horror Channel bares its teeth in March with VAMPIRE WEEK

 

Time to get the garlic out as Horror Channel presents VAMPIRE WEEK, a bitefest of vampire movies from 13 – 19 of March, led by the channel premiere of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, David Slade’s savage riff on the vampire myth, starring Josh Hartnet and Melissa George.

There are also classics and cult favourites to sink your teeth in to, including Matt Reeves’ critically-acclaimed vampire fantasy LET ME IN, and Tom Holland’s voracious teen vampire hit FRIGHT NIGHT, JOHN CARPENTER’S VAMPIRES, a horror Western starring James Woods, as a vengeful, stake-wielding bloodsucker hunter, and Francis Ford Cappola’s powerful BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA, starring Gary Oldman as the immortal Count. Also, Paul Bettany is in fine vampire-killing form in PRIEST, and a vampire-diseased Milla Jovovich fights for her life in martial-arts futurist thriller ULTRAVIOLE.

Plus, the Brits sharpen their stakes with Tom Paton’s nerve-shredding REDWOOD, a fresh spin on the creature-in-the-woods mythology, and EAT LOCALS in which actor Jason Flemying makes his directorial debut with a bloodsucking comedy chiller featuring Mackenzie Crook, Dexter Fletcher and Annette Crosbie.

Full film details in transmission order:

Saturday 13 March @ 21:00 – ULTRAVIOLET (2006)

In the late 21st century, a subculture of humans has been infected with a genetic mutation causing enhanced speed, incredible stamina and acute intelligence. As more people are infected, the government sets out to destroy them, but one woman stands in the way: ultra-beautiful, ultra-lethal Violet (Milla Jovovich). With eye-popping martial arts skills and chameleon-like abilities, Violet becomes a rogue warrior bent on protecting her new race and seeking revenge on those who created it.

Saturday 13 March @ 22:45 – 30 DAYS OF NIGHT (2007) *Channel Premiere

A remote, isolated town in Alaska is plunged into a state of complete darkness for 30 days every winter. It is here that a group of marauding and bloodthirsty vampires, led by Marlow (Danny Huston), are coming to feast on its helpless residents. It is up to Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett),his estranged wife, Stella (Melissa George), and an ever-shrinking group of survivors to do anything and everything they can to last until daylight.

Sunday 14 March @ 21:00 – LET ME IN (2010)

When a strange young girl, Abby, moves in to the apartment next door, 12 year old Owen is pleased to have found a friend. But as a series of grisly murders take place in their small town, he starts to realise she is not what she seems...

Sunday 15 March @ 23:15 – REDWOOD (2017)

After some bad news back at home, musician Josh and his girlfriend Beth head out to a secluded national park in search of some clarity on the situation they’ll face when they return. But the couple get more than they bargained for when they ignore the advice of Park Rangers and venture off the trail, coming face to face with The Redwood’s legendary wildlife. Starring Nicholas Brendon, Tatjana Nardone, Mike Beckingham, Muzz Khan, Jessica Jane Stafford.

Monday 15 March @ 21:00 – FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)

Everything is normal about Charley except for one thing: he's pretty sure a vampire has moved into the house next door. But Charley is having a hard time getting anyone to believe him. Even Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), the former horror-film star to whom Charley turns for help, sees his assignment as a way to make easy money. Only his suave and sinister neighbour, Jerry Dandrige (Chris Sarandon), takes Charley seriously. And Jerry's out to make sure Charley stops telling stories. Permanently

Tuesday 16 March @ 21:00 – JOHN CARPENTER’S VAMPIRES (1998)

James Woods is Jack Crow, leader of a team of vampire hunters hired by the Vatican. After wiping out a vampire nest in rural New Mexico, "Team Crow" is savagely ambushed by the unholy Valek (Thomas Ian Griffith), a vicious 600-year-old vampire. Valek is nearing the end of a long search for the elusive Berziers Cross, the ritual implement that can give him and all vampires’ omnipotent power to walk in the daylight. Crow pursues Valek through the high deserts, culminating in a fateful and final confrontation.

Wednesday 17 March @ 21:00 – PRIEST (2011)

Based on a popular comic book series, Paul Bettany stars as a warrior priest who disobeys church law by teaming with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a priestess (Maggie Q) to track down a band of renegade vampires who have kidnapped his niece.

Thursday 18 March @ 21:00 – EAT LOCALS (2017)

In a quiet countryside farmhouse, Britain's vampires gather together for their once-every-fifty-years meeting. Others will be joining them too, including a detachment of Special Forces vampire killers who have bitten off more than they can chew. This is certainly going to be a night to remember... and for some of them it will be their last. With Anette Crosbie, Freema Agyeman, Charlie Cox, Mackenzie Crook, Eve Myles, and Vincent Regan

Friday 19 March @ 21:00 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992)

Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) is condemned to live off the blood of the living for eternity. Young lawyer Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) is sent to Dracula's castle to finalise a land deal, but when the Count sees a photo of Harker's fiancée, Mina (Wynona Ryder), the spitting image of his dead wife, he imprisons him and sets off for London to track her down.

COMPETITION: Win The Curse of Dracula on DVD

The Curse of Dracula is released on DVD on 22 February

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis: 

Two small time crooks looking to scam wealthy tourists organize a guided tour of an abandoned Slovenian manor house rumored to be haunted by the cousin of Count Dracula. Their first group of visitors consist of a Swedish Satanist looking for a relic, French goths on a vampire hunt and a Russian porn director looking for a location. The tour descends into bloody chaos as the tourists are slaughtered one-by-one by a mysterious phantom wielding a saw. When the survivors seek refuge in the basement, they are confronted by a family of hungry cannibals looking for their next meal.

Buy From Amazon at

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For your chance to win just answer the question below.

Who directs The Curse of Dracula?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 29-02-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win Butchers on DVD

Butchers will be available on digital download 22nd February and coinciding with National Butchers Week, available on DVD from 8th March

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies to give away on DVD

Synopsis: 

After their car breaks down, four youths find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. Little do they know they are being watched. They soon fall captive to a family of sadistic butchers who keep their ‘fresh meat’ tied up in a wooden outhouse.

 

With hints of WRONG TURN, the four friends have little time to escape before it’s their turn to meet the chopping block.

Starring Simon Phillips, Michael Swatton and Julie Mainville

Buy From Amazon at

https://amzn.to/3a27D4a

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 08-03-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Interview with Chris Bell - Director of The Heiress

Ahead of the UK Digital release of THE HEIRESS on March 15, 2021, director Chris Bell talks about familial horror influences, his South London ‘hooligangster’ phase and learning new lockdown skills.

How did you get the idea for THE HEIRESS?
I was in my local library when I came across a painting. The artist was a local lady. I was drawn to this eerie artwork and I knew I had to meet her. When we did meet I told her that I was going to write a film inspired by this painting. Not only that but I promised to feature her in the movie – and I did just that.

Myself, alongside Danny and Kelly Prescott, created the script for what became The Heiress. I’d arranged a meeting with producer Jezz Vernon, whom I had recently worked with on another movie. We pitched the script to him and from there he came on board.

How would you describe the film?
The Heiress is high concept horror that charts the story of four generations of a rural British family dominated by the female line. These women have been gifted an unusual supernatural patron who over the generations has become deeply possessive of them. The patron – an aggressive spirit loosely based on the ancient myth of Lilith – wants to protect them from ‘man’, but modernity has suffocated her mythology in the present generation of the female line, and we come to understand that her maternal dominance and hatred of men is now destroying the lives of the youngest women in the family.

The cast absolutely smashed the roles and the crew made the visuals exactly how we imagined the film to look like. It was a 100% team effort and I’m so proud of everyone who worked on it.

It’s a very contemporary horror film, rooted in familial dysfunction. What was the influence behind that?
My first question to myself was: “What scared me as a child?” This isn’t something I’ve spoken about before but here goes…It wasn’t a scary movie or a monster in the closet but hearing the screams from my father’s epileptic seizures. I can remember being a toddler and diving under the covers when I heard these screams. For those that have ever witnessed someone having a seizure would know how frightening they are. I knew that this would HAVE to be the subplot to this story. I also wanted to know what would happen if you told your family, doctor, priest etc. “I’m seeing things”..!

For me, it was also a family movie. By this I mean my family were involved, I had my three kids on screen and my wife running the catering. We even shot some scenes inside my mum’s house! (after we took our shoes off).

Chris Bell on the set of THE HEIRESS

Any scary stories during filming?
Yes! We had the odd lights flicker and doors slam! All have logical explanations but as this is an interview for a horror movie I will say it was definitely ghosts

You began life as an actor. What kicked it off for you?
I was around fourteen years old in the mid to late nineties at a secondary school in London. I was passionate about Drama. My drama teacher always thought of me as the class clown who didn’t take much very seriously. For me this lesson was an escape. It was the first time I realised I could use this time as an escape from my parent’s divorce. It’s an escape skill which I carry to this day. I mean can you think of another job where you can go to work and cry, laugh and be whoever the hell you want to be for that split second? You see an actor on TV crying and you clap. As performers we see something very different.

Do you remember your first role?
Oh yes. I auditioned for a part in the school pantomime “Aladdin”. Naturally I wanted to play the lead but I was told I wasn’t good enough. I then noticed a character that I wasn’t familiar with – The Ring Genie. I asked my drama teacher if I could audition and she laughed and said “I don’t think this would be right for you dear”. I then heard someone say that this character needed to be very flamboyant and camp. It was only from watching The Birdcage that I actually knew what these characteristics meant. I remember walking out onto that stage, arms out with the biggest swag I could do. I made Julian Clary look butch! Needless to say I got offered the part.

Besides acting, you’ve produced, directed and written a number of films and have said your South-East London upbringing inspired you to create some ‘hooligangster’ films. Can you elaborate?
It was pretty rough growing up in South East. When I look back, we got into some minor mischief but nothing to the degree of what I have portrayed on screen.

My first film, Three Stops Down From Plaistow (2013), was shot on the streets of Bermondsey. We had no money, we were just a bunch of pals playing with a camera and some crazy ideas. Little did I know back then that the film would end up on the shelves of HMV and get overdubbed in several countries.

I remember being asked at the premiere of Essex Boys: Law of Survival, which I wrote the story for, what I’d do if my wife was killed in real life like in the film. I think she was hoping I’d say “round up the troops and go after the bad guys”. I don’t think she was expecting me to say “Call the Police”.

It was fun making those films - there was also Hooligans at War - North vs South (2015) and I am Hooligan (2016), but I don’t think I’ll be returning to that genre any time soon. I think people have seen enough football associated violence and shotgun wielding hard men.

Chris Bell (l) & Robert English in I AM HOOLIGAN. Photo credit: Gaz de Vere

How did you get into directing?
Like many actors I watched directors at work and thought: “how hard can that be”? Little did I know that it meant being the first to arrive on set and the last to leave. I think actors make good directors because they’ve been there. They know the pressures and how to get into an actors mind and how not to f*** with their brain. I say this as it only takes a second for someone to break your character and your’re screwed. You think ghosts are scary? You should meet an actor with the hump!!!

I think it was always in me. When I look back as a child playing with my action figures, I was directing my toys. I would have a story in my mind like Action Man fights the Terminator to win April from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You may think I’m crazy but how many times have you heard a builder say that as a child he was obsessed with Lego or a chef saying how much they took to cooking as a child. Sometimes you can look back and just see things that were always there.

How are you coping with lockdown?
I’m trying to keep as busy as possible. Doing lots with the family and also working on some new material. I’ve invested in a tripod as self-tapes are now the way forward for many castings and auditions. I think Mrs Bell finally got the hump with me asking her to hold the camera every time my agent got me a casting. All I need to do now is work out how to use the bloody thing! I’ve learnt some new skills, namely ZOOM and SKYPE. Danny and I are still writing together and sharing ideas.

Finally, what’s next for you?
Well, writer and co-collaborator Danny Prescott and I have a few projects on the go. All on hold due to the pandemic but we have the words on paper. We can’t really say much other than we have a thriller in development which is inspired by true events and will be rather disturbing. Oh, and a little six part sitcom for TV.

THE HEIRESS will be available to download from all major platforms including iTunes, Amazon & SKY Box Office, from Monday 15th March, 2021.

COMPETITION: Win Skin Collector on DVD

Skin Collector is released on DVD on 15 February

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away.

Synopsis: 

The Gryphon (John Jarratt) is a serial killer with a flair for the dramatic - and a grisly trophy case of victims. But when he sets out to add young secretary Wendy Alden (Danielle Harris) to his macabre collection, he gets more than he bargained for. Always one step ahead of the pursuing Detective Delgado (Casper Van Dien) the brilliant psychopath penetrates police lines at will, circling ever closer to the target of his deranged fantasies. Until finally, the only thing standing between Wendy and the Gryphon's unthinkable desires is her own indomitable will to survive.

Buy From Amazon at

https://amzn.to/3rtIAgr

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 22-02-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Juliane Block’s & Wolf-Peter Arand’s zombie home invasion movie THE CURSE OF HOBBES HOUSE gets a March 8 UK release

4Digital Media will be releasing Juliane Block's gripping undead horror thriller THE CURSE OF HOBBES HOUSE on DVD and Digital download in the UK from March 8, 2021.

Pre-Order from - https://amzn.to/2O5DUiq

The zombie actioner, starring Mhairi Calvey and Makenna Guyler as rival sisters forced to team up to survive a zombie home invasion, will be available to purchase from ASDA, Morrisons, HMV Online and Amazon. It will also be available to download at iTunes, Amazon Video and from the Sky Store.

Directed by Juliane Block (8 Remains, 3 Lives), and written by Block and regular collaborator Wolf-Peter Arand, THE CURSE OF HOBBES HOUSE was shot entirely on location at Kings Weston House, Bristol.

Block and Arand said: "We're very excited about The Curse of Hobbes House being released in the UK. It's where the film was shot and where key members of our team are based, so the film's UK release feels a bit like a homecoming. Although a Zombie movie the film encapsulates thoughts and feelings people can relate to, especially right now. In times like these we have to realise we're at our best whenever we overcome our differences and work together."

Synopsis:

After the death of her Aunt, Jane Dormant travels to the family's remote, ancestral home hoping to receive a large inheritance. When Jane's estranged, half-sister Jennifer arrives at Hobbes House to claim her part of the estate, the sisters' simmering hate ignites. But then a violent, unexpected storm cuts the estate off from outside help and a wave of bloodthirsty undead lays siege. Now the sisters have to learn how to fight back together.

THE CURSE OF HOBBES HOUSE is directed by Juliane Block, written by Wolf-Peter Arand, and exec-produced by Malcolm Winter and Monika Gergelova. Producers are Juliane Block, Wolf-Peter Arand, Mhairi Calvey and Paul Dudbridge. Cast: Mhairi Calvey (Braveheart, Crystal's Shadow), Makenna Guyler (David and Goliath). Waleed Elgadi (Mosul, A Hologram of the King) and Kevin Leslie (The Rise of the Krays). Production Company: J Blockbuster Ltd

Interview with Natasha Kilip - Star of Paintball Massacre

Paintball Massacre star Natasha Kilip offers up her advice to those considering a pursue in acting, the importance of social media marketing, and her dream to work Quentin Tarantino.

When did you get involved in Paintball Massacre?

I was one of the last actors to be brought on board. I think they struggled to find the right person to play Lauren. The writer Chris contacted me and asked me to audition & shortly after I met up with Darren the director & then 2 weeks later, we started filming. 

Any noticeable differences between working on a smaller project like this to one of the earlier, bigger projects you’ve been involved in?

Usually with smaller projects there is a smaller team. But I love that because you all form a bond and become a little family away from home. 

I imagine there’s some real pluses being in an indie production. What would you say they are?

Things just feel more authentic when it’s an indie production. It’s raw, and you see the crew and producers and director bend over backwards to make it work. You really get to see the process of film making when it’s a smaller budget and team and I love that. Whereas with bigger projects, you don’t really get involved as much in my experience. You just do your job and wait for the finished product.

And you’re likely encouraged to get involved in a team-level too?

Yeah. When you see everyone working so hard, you can’t help but offer a helping hand. Although most of the time I would offer and they would politely tell me to just relax whilst they did the grafting. 

What makes your character tick?

I think anything makes her tick. Haha. She has a very low tolerance for anything. You might say she’s a bitch... 

Any similarities there?

Well... if you get on my bad side... maybe... 

I imagine you were  a pretty tight-knit bunch. Who did you form the closest relationship with during the shoot?

To be honest with you- as cliche as it sounds- I grew close with everyone. Every day on set was so much fun. 

You’re working at Blockbuster Video, back in the day, and this comes in - - which shelf do you place it on?

It’s tough because it’s a horror & a comedy. But I’d place it on the shelf next to Shaun Of The Dead & Zombieland.

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could only take one movie with you, what would it be?

I’d have to say David Fincher’s Seven. I never get sick of it.

And if you could only have one actor join you on that island, to keep you company, who would it be?

If you mean one actor from Paintball Massacre, I’d say Lockhart because he’s a bad ass and could hunt & gather for me. If it’s any actor, I would take Jennifer Lawrence. She would be an absolute hoot!

What are your future plans?

To continue grafting in the industry & put my name out there. 

Any advice for those looking to tackle the industry? 

Have thick skin. Don’t let anything or anyone get to you. Believe in yourself. 

Do you consider social media a ‘must’ for any entertainment professional, these days?

These days, it is an absolute necessity. I’ve found in recent years that some people won’t even book you unless you have a good following. It’s crazy. 

I’m not very good at the social media thing, but I try.

Dream gig?

To work with Tarantino would be the dream. I know he said he’s quit directing- but you never know. 

PAINTBALL MASSACRE is out now on Digital in the US and will be released in the UK on digital in April.

AMC+ to Debut First Episode of "The Walking Dead's" Extended 10th Season One Week Early on Sunday, February 21

AMC+ will debut the first episode of The Walking Dead's highly-anticipated extended 10th season on Sunday, February 21 - one week ahead of its linear premiere on Sunday, February 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on AMC. All subsequent episodes will debut early on the premium streaming bundle, every Thursday prior to the episodes' linear premiere on Sundays, beginning March 4.

Last on The Walking Dead, we witnessed the fall of Alpha (Samantha Morton) and the end of the Whisperers War. The Kingdom had fallen, Hilltop was virtually destroyed and Alexandria abandoned to prepare for final battle. Our survivors were trapped and separated from one another. Yet, when faced with almost certain death, they rallied together to fight, killing Beta (Ryan Hurst) and eliminating the threat of the horde.

In these six new episodes, we find our survivors trying to pick themselves up by their bootstraps following the destruction the Whisperers left in their wake. The years of struggle weigh upon them as past traumas surface, exposing their more vulnerable sides. As they question the state of humanity, the state of their collective community, and the states of their minds, will they find the inner strength to persevere with their lives, friendships, and group intact?

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, The Walking Dead is produced by AMC Studios and executive produced by Chief Content Officer Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner Angela Kang, Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, Greg Nicotero, Joseph Incaprera and Denise Huth.

Horror legend Barbara Crampton stars in SACRIFICE a fierce, frightening folk horror on digital 15 March 2021

A couple expecting their first child head to a remote Norwegian village after a death in the family only to find themselves caught up in a deadly cult in Sacrifice, a twisted Scandi-folk horror tale.

FrightFest favourite Barbara Crampton (From Beyond, Re-Animator) makes a welcome return to our screens in this dark terror-filled flick that’s set for its UK premiere this March thanks to 101 Films and it’s a fright for sore eyes.

This thrillingly gut-churning folk horror from Andy Collier and Toor Mian, arrives on digital on 15 March 2021. It follows fish-out-of-water Americans who head to their ancestral homelands near the arctic circle and are soon out of their depth.

After his mother, dies New Yorker Isaac (Ludovic Hughes – Murder Maps, Ride) and pregnant wife (Sophie Stevens – The Haunted, The Black Prince) journey back to the remote Norwegian village of his birth to get the family affairs in order.

The frosty welcome the couple receive from locals when they arrive soon warms as villagers learn their family name and are soon taken under the wing of policewoman (Crampton), but is she everything she seems?

The pair soon discover dark secrets from Isaac’s past and things become increasingly strange as Emma’s nightmares become all too real. A sinister cult that worships a sea-dwelling deity turns its followers’ attentions to the couple. Is it by chance or is it fate? And will they make the ultimate sacrifice?

Filled with a creeping sense of dread, get ready make the Sacrifice. It’s worth giving up everything for…

Released on digital Monday 15 March 2021

COMPETITION: Win I am Toxic on DVD

I am Toxic is released on DVD 1st February

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away on DVD

Synopsis: 

A man wakes in a world ravaged by biological warfare with no memory of his previous life. Taken prisoner by a group of scavengers he meets a young woman who helps him escape. As the scavengers pursue them through a toxic wasteland he discovers that he must make the ultimate sacrifice to save her.

Cast: Esteban Prol, Horacio Fontova, Sergio Podelei

Buy From Amazon at

https://amzn.to/3ogt8SA

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 08-02-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.