COMPETITION: Win Shadow Master on Bluray

Dazzler Media presents martial arts-horror Shadow Master, from the maker of Ong Bak, Warrior King and Chocolate, lands on Blu-ray, DVD and Download on 30th January. 

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

Synopsis: 

From producer Prachya Pinkaew, the filmmaker behind modern martial arts classics, Ong Bak, Warrior King and Chocolate, comes a new hero from a world of supernatural horror…

Arrested for the massacre of cultists, the mysterious An is brought into custody. Hired as a Night Watchman, An started out roaming the halls of an abandoned hospital, supervising the squatters that lived there. But he soon discovers that the residents are victims of a cult who kidnap children for ritualistic purposes. Guided by a spirit, he attempts to stop the cultists but is quickly overwhelmed and left for dead. Striking a deal with a Death God known as Hanuman, he is given unlimited power and abilities in exchange for a piece of his soul. How far into the darkness is he prepared to go?

Dazzler Media presents Shadow Master on Blu-ray, DVD & Download from 30th January

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3XLIfG0

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who is the producer of Shadow Master?

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

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 06-02-23
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.

LEGEND reveals slate of horror, sci-fi and action premieres for February 2023

 

Dangerous outlaws, crazed serial killers and murderous aquatic beasts haunt a fearsome February line-up on LEGEND, headed up by the UK TV premiere of JESSE JAMES THE UNSTOPPABLE OUTLAW, a thrilling Western in which the famous cowboy takes on the deadliest ride of his life.

Plus, there are Channel premieres for Michael Bay’s tough cop caper BAD BOYS, starring Will Smith, serial killer thriller THE FACTORY, starring John Cusack, BRAKE, a dark action drama starring Stephen Dorff and the 1975 Brit crime thriller RANSOM, starring Sean Connery and Ian McShane.

There are further Channel premieres for the psychological horror thriller MINDSCAPE, starring Mark Strong and Brian Cox and JOHNNY HANDSOME, Walter Hill’s gritty 1989 American neo-noir crime thriller, starring Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, Forest Whitaker and Morgan Freeman.

THE VINTAGE VAULT continues to light up Sunday nights with its popular classic genre double-bills, headed up this month by the Channel premiere of sci-fi monster classic, THE PHANTOM FROM 10,000 LEAGUES

February also see the continuation of the Channel premiere of the ever-popular original series of sci-fi anthology classics, THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Full film details in transmission order:

Friday 3 Feb @ 22:55 – BAD BOYS (1983) *Channel Premiere
With time running out, detectives Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Lowrey (Will Smith), two Miami cops who must find $100 million in stolen heroin before their department is shut down, track a master thief into the Miami underworld. A witness (Téa Leoni) can identify the suspect, but a mix-up causes her to believe Burnett is Lowrey, forcing the partners to switch identities. Directed by Michael Bay.

Saturdays & Sundays from Sun 4 Feb @ 20:30 – THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959) *Channel Premiere
A classic anthology of sci-fi, suspense and goose-bump-inducing tales that explore 'a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man'. Filled with invention and irony, each story is tightly constructed, containing cautionary themes and frequently ending with an unexpected plot twist.

Sat 4 Feb @ 21:00 – THE FACTORY (2012) *Channel Premiere
An obsessed detective, Mike Fletcher (John Cusack), is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N.Y. but when his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any professional restraint to get the killer. Directed by Morgan O’Neill.

Sun 5 Feb @ 21:00 – IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953) *Part of The Vintage Vault
John Putnam (Richard Carlson), an amateur astronomer, is looking at the skies with his fiancée, schoolteacher Ellen Fields (Barbara Rush), when they see what looks like a huge meteor crash into the desert. As events unfold, various townspeople start to disappear, including Ellen, to be replaced by alien ‘duplicates’ As the townspeople become aware of the danger, the likelihood of bloodshed becomes apparent. Based on a story by Ray Bradbury.

Sun 5 Feb @ 22:35 – REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955) *Part of The Vintage Vault
Two oceanographers (John Bromfield and Robert B. Williams) capture the creature and put him on display. Here the hapless Gill-Man is taught a few words of English by compassionate ichthyologists, John Agar and Lori Nelson. Eventually, however, the creature reverts to type, kills one of his captors and goes on a rampage, managing to abduct the heroine and carry her off. Intense underwater photography and practical effects make "The Revenge of the Creature" a horror classic.

Thurs 9 Feb @ 21:00 – BREAK (2012) *Channel Premiere
Special agent Jeremy Reins (Stephen Dorff) wakes up in total darkness, confused and disorientated. The only light comes from the blood-red digital numbers ticking away above his head. Jeremy quickly realizes he's in trouble He's trapped in the trunk of a moving car. As his captors reveal their motives, Jeremy realises he won't be set free until he discloses classified Government information he has sworn to protect…

Sat 11 Feb @ 21:00 – RANSOM (1974) *Channel Premiere
Attempting to secure the release of political prisoners, a terrorist group, led by the fierce Ray Petrie (Ian McShane), takes over a British plane. Tough Scandinavian operative Nils Tahlvik (Sean Connery) is sent in to deal with the armed men and free the aircraft's passengers. Unfortunately for Tahlvik, the terrorists prove to be quite formidable.

Sun 12 Feb @ 21:00 – THE PHANTOM FROM 10,000 FEET (1955) *Channel Premiere *Part of The Vintage Vault
When a postmortem finds that a murdered fisherman was exposed to unusual amounts of radiation, Dr. Ted Stevens (Kent Taylor) decides to investigate. He meets Lois (Cathy Downs), whose father, Professor King (Michael Whalen), runs a local marine biology lab. Ted discovers that the Professor’s secret experiments with atomic energy have resulted in the creation of a murderous aquatic beast, and he must act fast to prevent more needless deaths.

Sun 12 Feb @ 22:35 – IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955) Part of The Vintage Vault
While on a routine mission, Cmdr. Pete Mathews (Kenneth Tobey) runs into trouble when his submarine is nearly sunk by an unknown creature, which is identified as a giant octopus from the nether reaches of Mindanao Deep. The beast has been awakened by nearby nuclear testing and now, radioactive and monstrously huge, the rampaging leviathan is heading toward the North American Pacific Coast.

Thurs 16 Feb @ 21:00 – JESSE JAMES THE UNSTOPPABLE OUTLAW (2018) *UK TV Premiere
The West has never been so wild. Jesse James (Paul Clayton) is possibly the most famous, and dangerous, outlaw in the history of the Wild West. Renowned for his audacious robberies, he has always been advised to stay away from the infamous Black Train. But going against all the advice, Jesse will take on the most dangerous robbery of his career as he takes on the mysterious and dangerous Black Train.

Sat 18 Feb @ 21:00 – MINDSCAPE (2013) *Channel Premiere
A detective (Mark Strong), who has the ability to enter people's memories, takes on the case of a troubled teenage girl. However, he needs to determine whether she is a sociopath capable of murder, or a victim of trauma.

Sun 19 Feb @ 21:00 – EARTH VS THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956) *Part of The Vintage Vault
UFOs from a doomed star system invade Earth with plans of world conquest. Surrender is not an option so the human race must fight to the bitter end. Special effects are by Ray Harryhausen

Sun 19 Feb @ 22:40 – THE MOLE PEOPLE (1957) *Part of The Vintage Vault
John Bentley (John Agar), leads a Middle Eastern expedition in search of a lost tribe of Sumerians. He and his cohorts follow a tunnel deep below the surface of the earth, eventually coming across a tyrannical tribe of albino Sumerians, who use the semi-human Mole People as slaves. Aware of the danger the scientists pose, the subterranean High Priest wants them eliminated.

Sat 25 Feb @ 21:00 – JOHNNY HANDSOME (1989) *Channel Premiere
Johnny, a disfigured petty criminal (Micky O’Rourke) is given plastic surgery in prison. and, unrecognisable as his former self. Doctors hope Johnny’s new look will help him to reform, but he is bent on settling the score with the gang who killed his only friend and left him to carry the can for their last heist.

Sun 26 Feb @ 21:00 – THE GIANT CLAW (1957) *Part of The Vintage Vault
When a strange flying object is spotted, it is believed to be a UFO. However, it turns out to be an extraterrestrial bird made of anti-matter which leaves a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

Sun 26 Feb @ 22:30 – THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957) *Part of The Vintage Vault
An adaptation of a drama by Nigel Kneale, creator of the Quatermass series, this horror fantasy stars Peter Cushing as scientist John Rollason, who, Ignoring his wife's objections, joins an expedition lead by brash American Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker). They are searching for the legendary yeti in the high Himalayas - a quest with deadly consequences

TV: Sky 148 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 41 / Freesat 137

COMPETITION: Win The Queen of Spades on DVD

STUDIOCANAL has announced that a breath-taking new 4k restoration of THE QUEEN OF SPADES is in cinemas now. One of the most evocative and sinister British horror films ever made, Thorold Dickinson’s (Gaslight, The Next of Kin) ghostly chiller will also be available to own on Blu-ray for the first time and on DVD and Digital on January 23.

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

Synopsis: 

Starring Dame Edith Evans (Tom Jones, The Whisperers) in a role that marked her return to cinema following 35 years devoted to theatre work alongside Anton Walbrook (The Red Shoes, Gaslight) and Yvonne Mitchell (The Divided Heart), THE QUEEN OF SPADES is based on a short ghost story by celebrated Russian author Alexander Pushkin, and is considered legendary filmmaker Thorold Dickinson’s most accomplished piece of work. Dickinson was only hired after the original director was fired just a few days before production was due to start, making his achievement even more remarkable. 

 

St. Petersburg, 1806. Army officer Herman Suvorin (Anton Walbrook) has become obsessed with playing cards, particularly the game of Faro, where the Queen of Spades is considered an unlucky card.

 

On stumbling upon a mysterious book about the secrets of a notorious Count, Herman becomes convinced that the elderly Countess Ranevskaya (Edith Evans) possesses the secret of winning every game. Desperate to learn the secret for himself, Herman devises a plan to gain access to her house by seducing her young Ward, Lizaveta (Yvonne Mitchell). The plan goes awry when Herman accidently startles the Countess, leading to her death.

 

At the Countess's funeral, Herman comes to pay his respects, but when he leans over her open coffin, her eyes open and he lets out a howl of fear. From this point, Herman finds himself drawn into a satanic world of madness and mayhem as he is haunted by the Countess and the curse of the Queen of Spades.

With Otto Heller’s (The Ladykillers, Peeping Tom) eerie cinematography and exquisite sound design contributing to the atmosphere created in the film, THE QUEEN OF SPADES is a rarely seen gem and warrants up Scorsese’s claim that it is “One of the few true classics of supernatural cinema’.

Order from Amazon at  https://amzn.to/3W9UjQ1

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who plays Army officer Herman Suvorin The Queen of Spades?

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

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 30-01-23
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.

FrightFest 2023 announces Glasgow Film Festival line-up

 

Be prepared to devour a devilish feast of dread-filled delights as the UK’s favourite horror fantasy event returns to the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for an 18th year, from Thurs 9 March to Sat 11 March 2023.

This year’s daring line-up, once again housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, embraces the latest genre discoveries from around the world, spanning nine countries with an eclectic mix of World, International and UK premieres.

Passes are on sale from noon on Wednesday 18 Jan.

Festival co-director Alan Jones says, “FrightFest is one of the most potent forces on the horror, science fiction and extreme thriller landscape, a reputation that has firmly placed it in the Top 10 Essential Fantasy Festivals List. And we aim to stay ahead of the chiller curve, returning to the incomparable Glasgow Film Festival with a shiver and shudder showcase of epic proportions”.

FrightFest kicks off with two special screenings on Thursday March 9, opening in grand Gallic style with the UK premiere of SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING, a quirky, absurdist comedy sci-fi fantasy from visionary director Quentin Dupieux, whose film Rubber caused a 2010 GFF FrightFest sensation. This is followed by the UK premiere of SISU, a pulverizing, nerve-shredding and spectacularly gory WW2 action epic by Finnish director Jalmari Helander of Rare Exports fame.

Enter the haunted ‘Devil’s Manor’ as FrightFest’s traditional two-day event kicks off on Friday March 10 with the International premiere of #chadgetstheaxe, Travis Bible’s Found Footage comedy horror. Then we travel into an ancient mythological world for the UK premiere of IRATI, a dark Spanish epic adventure from Errementari director Paul Urkijo Alijo, based on the graphic novel by J. L. Landa and J. Muñoz.

Next up is the UK premiere of MOTHER SUPERIOR, directed by Marie Alice Wolfszahn, making her feature film debut. This stylishly brooding occult chiller with the evils of nationalism rippling beneath the surface, won Best Feature at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2022.

This is followed by another directorial debut - Rhys Frake-Waterfield’s slasher parody WINNIE-THE-POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY. Pooh and Piglet are not happy and in this UK premiere, prepare for a journey into Hundred Acre Wood as you’ve never seen it before. And get ready for the very first Lithuanian slasher as Friday evening climaxes with the UK Premiere of PENSIVE, director Jonas Trukanas’ inventively gripping horror ride into the prom night from hell.

Saturday’s malevolent menu starts with the International premiere of HUNT HER, KILL HER, an intensely violent and breathtaking thriller from directors Ryan Thiessen and Greg Swinson, which uses time and space to maximize suspense, Served up next is the International premiere of ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS. Based on his viral internet character of the same name, writer, director, and star Andrew Bowser ‘s wild comic ride is a creative and joyful celebration of weirdos of all kinds.

The next demonic dish is the European premiere of Christopher Smith’s CONSECRATION, which finds the Severance / Black Death director in a mysterious Scottish convent exploring the dark recesses of the mind. Smith’s graphic and psychologically disturbing supernatural thriller stars Jena Malone, Danny Huston and Janet Suzman,

The evening programme opens with the World premiere of LITTLE BONE LODGE, an atmospheric twisty thriller from Matthias Hoene, director of Cockneys vs Zombies. This highly effective bone-chiller stars Joely Richardson.

Next up is the International premiere of HERE FOR BLOOD, the tongue-in-cheek, extreme splatter, campy comedy horror discovery of the year. Directed by Daniel Turres and starring Shawn Roberts, this joyously outrageous celebration of the genre has the body-count going up as the blood rains down.

This year’s feast of fear ends with the International premiere of 13 EXORCISMS. Inspired by recent events in Spain, where it was a box-office smash, this supernatural chiller hits home with relentless suspense and skin-crawling horror.

The Guest list will be announced soon.

FrightFest Weekend Passes are £75 and available from noon on Wednesday 18 January 2023.  Passes will be exchanged for admission wristbands, which must be worn at all times to access all FrightFest films on Fri 10 March and Sat 11March ONLY.

Tickets for SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING and SISU, plus individual tickets for the Fri/Sat films are on sale Mon 30 January, from noon. Price: £11.50 / £9.30 (concessions)

How to Buy Tickets

Online: https://glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-film-festival

Programme details

THURS 9 MARCH – GFT Screen 1

18:30 SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING (UK Premiere)

Director: Quentin Dupieux. Cast: Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Lacoste, Anaïs Demoustier. France 2022 1hr20m N/C 18.

Synopsis: The Tobacco Force is a superhero quintet fighting evil by using cigarette cancer-causing substances as their weapon of choice. But Chief Didier has noticed friction in the team. Since there's an upcoming battle against evil conquerer Lezardin on the horizon, Didier sends them to a lake retreat for a team-building holiday where they tell each other scary campfire tales. Will they form a cohesive unit again in time for the final epic face-off?

Contains: Superhero comedy, mild threat, scary images, gore, gross-out humour.

20:45 SISU (UK Premiere)

Director: Jalmari Helander. Cast: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan. Finland 2022 1hr31m N/C 18.

Synopsis: After a solitary prospector strikes gold in the wilderness of Lapland, he runs into a retreating detachment of Nazi soliders who set their sights on claiming the bounty. Unfortunately for the stormtroopers, this is no ordinary miner, but a mythic one-man army epitomising the quintessential Finnish concept of ‘sisu’ - white-knuckled courage and unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

Contains: Explicit violence, accident trauma, sexual innuendo

FRI 10 MARCH – GFT Screen 1

13:45 #chadgetstheaxe (International Premiere)

Director: Travis Bible.  Cast: Michael Bonini, Spencer Harrison Levin, Taneisha Figueroa. USA 2022 1hr23m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Four social media influencers must decide if Internet fame is worth the danger in real time. Bros Spicy Steve and Chad team up with a pair of beauty tip streamers to visit the supposedly haunted Devil’s Manor, former home to a Satanic Cult. Soon they’re forced to wonder if it’s all a prank created by other streamers, by each other, or if there is something more sinister at hand… And as the violence ramps up… so do the views and likes.

Contains: Violence, gore, strong language, intense/scary images

15:50 IRATI (UK Premiere)

Director: Paul Urkijo Alijo. Cast: Edurne Azkarate, Eneko Sagardoy, Itziar Ituño. Spain 2022 1hr54m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Christian nobleman Eneko must fulfil the promise he made to his late father, to protect and lead his people into the new era. To do so, he must recover his father’s body, buried next to Charlemagne's treasure. However, despite his faith, he needs the help of his childhood friend, the pagan Irati. On this mythological and magical mission, the two young men venture into a strange forest where "Everything that has a name exists".

Contains: Strong violence, blood, gore, nudity, threat.

18:45 MOTHER SUPERIOR (UK Premiere)

Director: Marie Alice Wolfszahn Cast: Isabella Händler, Inga Maux, Jochen Nickel. Austria 2022 1hr11m N/C 18.

Synopsis: 1975, Rosenkreuz Manor. Sigrun Fink, desperate for information about her biological family, starts a new position as nurse to the aging, ill and eccentric Baroness Heidenreich. For a shared longing binds them together: the old lady’s memory contains the secret to Sigrun's true identity; the nurse’s lifeforce holds the key to the future for the Baroness. On the path to self-discovery, Sigrun is confronted with the sinister world of folklore occultism, carried out by the Baroness and her sinister groundskeeper Otto. One opening an unearthly, pagan abyss in which every moral and principle will be tested.

Contains: Bloody images, nudity, disturbing sequences.

20:45 WINNIE THE POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY (UK Premiere)

Director: Rhys Frake-Waterfield. Cast: Craig David Dowsett, Chris Cordell, Natasha Tosini. The Netherlands 2023 1hr30m N/C 18.

Synopsis: During childhood, Christopher Robin befriended Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and their friends, played games and fed them. But as he grew older, the visits stopped, leaving them increasingly hungry and desperate, eyeing Eeyore as food. Now Christopher has returned to the forest with his new wife hoping to introduce her to his old friends. But it sends Pooh and Piglet on a murderous scavenger hunt for human flesh when they antagonize a group of college girls on a rural cabin vacation. Will Christopher still get Pooh back on the right track?

Contains: Gore, threat, strong language, scenes of a sexual nature.

23:00 PENSIVE (UK Premiere)

Director: Jonas Trukanas. Cast: Šarūnas Rapolas Meiliešius, Gabija Bargailaitė, Marius Repšys. Lithuania 2022 1hr27m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Wooden sculptures of the Pensive Christ can be found in weird spots all through the Baltic States. They combine folk art and Christian traditions into a singular entity concerning the fear of being judged. And that’s what is about to happen to the usually risk-averse Marius as he organises the venue for his high school graduation party at a remote cottage. For his drunken and drugged classmates destroy some life-size wooden statues and a scarred, masked and mysterious killer starts picking them off one by mutilated one.

Contains: Bloody images, extreme gore, nudity, maiming, bad language, threat.

SAT 11 MARCH – GFT Screen 1

11:00 HUNT HER, KILL HER (International Premiere)

Directors: Ryan Thiessen, Greg Swinson. Cast: Natalie Terrazzino, JC Oakley III, Larry Bunton. USA 2022 1hr29m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Karen is a desperate young mother who has just filed divorce papers on her abusive husband. Forced to take a job as the night shift janitor at a large furniture factory, she is told she will be the only one working at this time. But, after seeing a strange vehicle idling in the parking lot and finding a door to the factory ajar, Karen gets the feeling she might not be alone after all.

Contains: Sustained threat, strong violence, gore, profanity

13:00 ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS (International Premiere)

Director: Andrew Bowser Cast: Andrew Bowser, Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton USA 2023 1hr45m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Fledgling occultist Marcus J. Trillbury (Onyx) attends a black magic ritual at his idol Bartok the Great's dark mansion. But terrible things begin to happen and it soon becomes clear that Bartok’s intentions are way more nefarious. As Marcus battles to keep his soul, a question of great destiny looms. Is he doomed to remain a nobody or will he rise to defeat Bartok and save his fellow Satanist followers from damnation?

Contains: Comedy threat, scary images, gore, gross-out humour.

15:45 CONSECRATION (European Premiere)

Director: Christopher Smith. Cast: Jena Malone, Danny Huston, Janet Suzman. UK 2022 1hr31m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Grace is summoned to the Mount Saviour convent deep in the Scottish Highlands following the mysterious death of her priest brother. Refusing to believe he committed  suicide, Grace starts her own investigation as the nuns prepare a consecration ceremony to purify the holy site. Soon she inadvertently shines a light on murder, sacrilege and a disturbing truth, relating to the forgotten years of her own childhood, intertwined with that of the convent’s holy order and the secret it’s charged with protecting.

Contains: Strong bloody scenes, profanity, threat

18:15 LITTLE BONE LODGE (World Premiere)

Director: Matthias Hoene. Cast: Joely Richardson, Neil Linpow, Sadie Soverall.. United Kingdom 2023 1hr33m N/C 18.

Synopsis: During a stormy night in the Scottish Higlands, two criminal brothers on the run seek refuge in a desolate farmhouse. But after taking the resident family captive, they find the house holds even darker secrets of its own. Colour Out Of Space star Joely Richardson plays the fearsome family matriarch who will stop at nothing to protect her kin and the shocking mysteries that surround their very existence.

Contains: Gore, threat, strong language, disability taunts, menace.

20:40 HERE FOR BLOOD (International Premiere)

Director: Daniel Turres Cast: Shawn Roberts, Joelle Farrow, Dee Snider. Canada 2022 1hr40m N/C 18.

Synopsis: When his girlfriend is swamped with college exams, Tom O'Bannon, a rowdy pro-wrestler struggling to make ends meet, agrees to fill in as a last-minute replacement for her well-paying babysitting job. Tom arrives at an isolated family home where he meets the precocious 10-year-old Grace. But what starts off as a quiet night of pizza and video games quickly spirals into bloody, violent, demonic chaos as Tom and Grace find themselves fighting for their lives when an otherworldly cult of masked intruders descend on the home.

Contains: Extreme gore, violence, sexual imagery, profanity, child endangerment, torture, maiming.

23:05 13 EXORCISMS (International Premiere)

Director: Jacobo Martinez Cast: Maria Romanillos, Ruth Díaz, Silma López. Spain 2022 1hr38m N/C 18.

Synopsis: Shy, sensitive teenager Laura is tricked into taking part in a Halloween séance to contact the spirit of a mad doctor who murdered his family. From that night on, Laura's life is forever changed... Dark presences, terrifying visions, ominous voices, painful marks on her skin, and other paranormal phenomena haunt her. Laura's religious parents decide to call the local priest for advice, who claims she’s possessed. To set her free, he will have to perform a series of exorcisms - each more violent than the last.

Contains: Disturbing supernatural horror, gore, threat, strong language, scenes of a sexualnature.

For full programme details: http://www.frightfest.co.uk/

COMPETITION: Win Halloween Ends on DVD

‘Halloween Ends is available to download and keep NOW, and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on 16th January.’

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

Synopsis: 

The saga comes to an END. Golden Globe® and BAFTA winner Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween franchise, “Scream Queens,” Knives Out) is back as Laurie Strode, “horror’s greatest, toughest scream queen” (NME), fighting for her life in the thrilling conclusion against the infamous masked killer, Michael Myers.

The most acclaimed and revered horror franchise in film history reaches its epic, terrifying finale as Laurie Strode (Curtis) faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney). Michael hasn’t been seen for four years after the events of Halloween Kills. Laurie lives with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and has chosen to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. When a young man is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, a cascade of violence and terror is ignited with a final confrontation between Laurie and Michael unlike any ever captured on screen. Only one of them will survive.

‘Halloween Ends is available to download and keep NOW, and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on 16th January.’

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3k47kxr

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who plays Michael Myers in Halloween Ends?

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

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 23-01-23
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.

Top 10 Best Horror Films of All Time

 

Horror films have been a popular genre in the film industry for many years, with a wide range of styles, themes, and storylines. From classic monsters to modern slashers, horror films have captivated audiences with their scares and suspense. Here is a list of the top 10 best horror films of all time:

The Exorcist: This classic horror film tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon and the two priests who try to save her. It is known for its intense and disturbing imagery, as well as its strong performances and powerful story.

The Shining: Based on the novel by Stephen King, this psychological horror film follows the descent of a man into madness as he takes care of a remote hotel during the off-season. It is known for its creepy atmosphere, iconic imagery, and memorable performances.

Psycho: This classic film from Alfred Hitchcock follows the story of a young woman who is murdered at a remote hotel and the shocking twist that follows. It is known for its suspenseful storytelling and iconic shower scene.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: This brutal and disturbing film follows a group of friends who are terrorized by a family of cannibals in rural Texas. It is known for its intense and graphic violence, as well as its unsettling atmosphere.

The Blair Witch Project: This found footage horror film follows a group of friends who become lost in the woods while searching for the legendary Blair Witch. It is known for its innovative use of the found footage format and its creepy atmosphere.

Halloween: This classic slasher film follows the story of a young girl who is stalked by a masked killer on Halloween night. It is known for its iconic villain, Michael Myers, and its suspenseful and terrifying atmosphere.

Jaws: This classic film tells the story of a giant man-eating shark that terrorizes a beach community. It is known for its memorable score and its suspenseful and thrilling action.

The Thing: This classic horror film follows a group of scientists who become trapped in an isolated research station in Antarctica and are terrorized by a shape-shifting alien. It is known for its intense and disturbing special effects and its gripping story.

A Clockwork Orange: This disturbing film tells the story of a young man who is subjected to a controversial experiment in an attempt to cure his violent tendencies. It is known for its graphic violence and its thought-provoking themes.

Alien: This science fiction horror film follows the crew of a space ship who become terrorized by a deadly alien creature. It is known for its tense and suspenseful atmosphere, as well as its memorable creature design.

These are just a few of the many classic horror films that have captivated audiences over the years. Whether you prefer suspenseful thrillers, gore-filled slashers, or creepy supernatural tales, there is a horror film for everyone on this list.

You can watch our number one horror film of all time, The Exorcist at https://amzn.to/3If5zaC

LEGEND reveals slate of horror, sci-fi and action premieres for January

Demented scientists, deranged doctors and avenging heroes kick off the New Year on LEGEND, headed up by the UK TV premieres of RED a dark thriller based on Jack Ketchum’s novel, starring Brian Cox and Robert Englund and tough action drama SEAL TEAM VI: JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS, which depicts an elite counter-terrorism team's incursion into Iraq four days prior to Operation: Desert Shield.

Plus, there are Channel premieres for gothic horror fantasy THE ASPHYX, starring Robert Powell, and the deliciously outrageous HORROR HOSPITAL, starring Michael Gough. These seventies cult classics headline THE VINTAGE VAULT strand, the popular Sunday night presentation of double-bills of classic and cult favourites

There are also Channel premieres for sci-fi horror THE LAWNMOWER MAN, which is based on a Stephen King short story and stars Pierce Brosnan, its sequel, LAWNMOVER MAN 2: BEYOND CYBERSPACE and Brit action crime thriller THE OUTSIDER, written by and starring Craig Fairbrass.

January also heralds the Channel premiere of the ever-popular original series of sci-fi anthology classic THE TWILIGHT ZONE. 

Full film details in transmission order:

Saturdays & Sundays from Sun 1 Jan @ 20:30 – THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959) *Channel Premiere

A classic anthology of sci-fi, suspense and goose-bump-inducing tales that explore 'a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man'. Filled with invention and irony, each story is tightly constructed, containing cautionary themes and frequently ending with an unexpected plot twist. In the first series of 36 episodes, the stories include a man arriving in a deserted town, who can't help feeling that he's being watched, the residents of a peaceful suburban street who begin to fear that their neighbours are aliens masquerading as humans, and a schoolteacher who is followed around by a sinister small child.

Sun 1 Jan @ 21:00 – THE ASPHYX (1972) *Channel Premiere

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Utilising an experimental photographic device, a scientist (Robert Stephens) captures what appears to be the image of the Asphyx—the ancient Greek spirit of the dead. With the help of his adopted son (Robert Powell), he discovers a way to harness the Asphyx and gain immortality, unleashing dreadful consequences. Blending elements of Gothic horror with the more contemporary ingredients of steampunk, The Asphyx has emerged from obscurity to become a cult favourite of the sci-fi/fantasy genre.

Sun 1 Jan @ 22:45 – TWINS OF EVIL (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

After being orphaned, two beautiful identical twins move from Vienna to the village of Karnstein. There they are to live with their Uncle, a fanatical Puritan (Peter Cushing). Nearby, the Count of the village is performing a sacrificial rite which raises his ancestor, the vampire Countess. He turns his attention to the twins. One of them is destined to fall under the castle's spell, but which one?

Sat 7 Jan @ 21:00 – THE LAWNMOWER MAN (1992) *Channel Premiere

Dr Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) is a brilliant scientist obsessed with perfecting virtual reality software. When his experiments on animals fail, he finds the ideal substitute – Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey), a slow-witted gardener. When he puts Jobe on a regime of experimental pills and computer-simulated training sequences he cannot begin to fathom what he has unleashed…

Sun 8 Jan @ 21:00 – TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS (1973)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Stroll down the corridors of a mental asylum - your mind will not believe what your eyes see. In the tradition of Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow, this anthology of pulp horror stories is helmed by horror master Freddie Francis and the legendary cast includes Donal Pleasance, Joan Collins, Kim Novak, Jack Hawkins and Suzi Kendall.

Sun 8 Jan @ 22:50 – HORROR HOSPITAL (1973) *Channel Premiere

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Jason Jones, a disillusioned songwriter (played by Robin Askwith) decides a change of pace is needed and checks into Brittlehouse Manor, a 'health resort' where young people are supposedly cured of all their hang-ups. It is run by the sinister Dr Storm (Michael Gough). a crippled, demented genius who performs lobotomies on his young patients. It isn’t long before Jones realises that his life is in danger, and with the help of Strom’s assistant dwarf (Skip Martin), he tries to escape…

Thurs 12 Jan @ 21:00 – SEAL TEAM VI: JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS (2008) *UK TV Premiere

A team of Navy Seals were sent on a black ops incursion into Iraq prior to Operation Desert Storm, but when their mission is compromised they face harrowing consequences that will change the course of the conflict. Based on actual events this film follows the most elite of the U.S. Navy's Seal Teams and tells their incredible true story. Directed by Mark C. Andrews and starring Jeremy Davis, Zach McGowan and Chris Warner.

Sat 14 Jan @ 21:00 – LAWNMOWER MAN 2: BEYOND CYBERSPACE (1995) *Channel Premiere

They thought they had destroyed him, but Jobe (Matt Frewer), the simple gardener-turned-super killer has found a way to reboot himself, but Benjamin (Patrick Bergin), a brilliant computer engineer, is out to help thwart Jobe's scheme for world domination, and a battle rages throughout cyberspace and in the real world.

Sun 15 Jan @ 21:00 – DOOMWATCH (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Dr Del Shaw (Ian Bannen), part of the government's investigative environmental organisation Doomwatch, travels to the island of Balfe to examine the potentially adverse effects of a recent oil spill. The villagers are all suspicious of Shaw, especially the menfolk, who seem to have transformed into near-Neanderthals. After teaming up with a local teacher, Shaw discovers that the transformation of the men is due to a disease called acromegaly.

Sun 15 Jan @ 22:50 – TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (1976)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Henry Beddows (Denholm Elliott) asks occult novelist John Verney (Richard Widmark) to protect his 18 year-old daughter, Catherine (Natasha Kinski). She has attracted the attention of ex-communicated priest Father Michael Rayner (Christopher Lee), who wants Catherine to become the incarnation of one of the crowned princes of Hell, Astaroth. Pitted against black magic, ancient rituals and a clan of Satanists, Verney battles to save the young girl from a diabolical fate.

Sat 21 Jan @ 21:00 – RED (2008) *UK TV Premiere

Multi-award winning actor Brian Cox plays reclusive Avery Ludlow, a small-town shop owner whose only reason for living is his dog, Red. When bored and bad-seed teens savagely kill the animal, Cox becomes determined to settle the score by wreaking vengeance by whatever means possible, Based on the novel by cult thriller writer Jack Ketchum, the horror thriller also stars Robert Englund and Tom Sizemore.

Sun 22 Jan @ 21:00 – THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Claude Rains plays a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. But the same drug that renders him invisible slowly drives him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Wells' classic novel and directed by the master of macabre James Whale, The Invisible Man not only fuelled a host of sequels, but also features some special effects that are still imitated today.

Sun 22 Jan @ 22:25 – BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

This celebrated sequel to the 1931 classic, directed by James Whale, finds Mary Shelley's monster alive and well and forcing the good baron to create a mate. Horror film icon Boris Karloff reprises his role as Dr Frankenstein's fabled creation and Elsa Lanchester co-stars as his monstrous lady love.

Sat 28 Jan @ 21:00 – THE OUTSIDER (2008) *Channel Premiere

Craig Fairbrass stars as Lex, a British military contractor who is told that his daughter has died. When he arrives in Los Angeles he discovers that the body isn't his daughters, and that Karl Schuster, a high tec company CEO (James Caan) is implicated in her kidnap. Trailed by a suspicious detective (Jason Patric), Lex sets out to save his daughter, wreaking havoc through the streets of L.A.  

Sun 29 Jan @ 21:00 – THE MUMMY’S HAND (1933)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Two broke archaeologists, Steve Banning (Dick Foran) and Babe Jenson (Wallace Ford), head to Egypt to uncover the legendary sarcophagus of Princess Ananka. Not only is the tomb cursed, it has its own guard - an eternal mummy named Kharis! When expedition members start dying at the mummy’s hand, it’ll take wits and courage to survive the undying horror uncovered under the sands.

Sun 22 Jan @ 22:20 – FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (1943)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Two of the silver screen's most fearsome creatures battle it out when the Wolfman (Lon Chaney Jr. reprising his role) seeking to end his curse, looks to the notorious Dr Frankenstein for a cure. However, his mission pus him on a collision course with Frankenstein’s monster, played by Bela Lugosi. Directed by Roy William Hill, this was the first of a series called "monster rallies" combining characters from several film series.

TV: Sky 148 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 41 / Freesat 137

COMPETITION: Win SMILE on 4k UHD Bluray

SMILE on 4k UHD Bluray is released on 26th December

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

Synopsis: 

Critics are calling SMILE “haunting” (Erik Davis, Fandango) and “scary as hell” (Alyse Wax, Collider). The film stars Sosie Bacon as Dr. Rose Cotter who, after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD™, and Blu-ray™ releases come packed with over an hour of heart-pounding bonus content, including the award-winning, chilling short film by writer/director Parker Finn that inspired SMILE.  Face your fears with deleted scares not seen in cinemas, go behind the scenes with the cast and crew, then fully immerse yourself in the escalating nightmare with the director's commentary.

SMILE is available to Download & Keep on December 14 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD December 26.

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3j7AlrC

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 26-12-22
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 Lewis Schoenbrun - By David Kempf

When did you first become interested in films?
My interest in films began when I first saw King Kong (1933) and March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934) on TV, both of which played each Thanksgiving when I grew up in the early 1960’s. I was particularly fascinated by the animation sequences in these films and was interested as to how they were done. Other influences included watching old 1950’s sci-fi films which ran often on the independent tv stations; by the mid 1960’s shows like The Twilight Zone and Star Trek solidified my interest in film.

Do you remember what the first movie you saw was?
The first film that I ever recall seeing in a movie theater was Lady and the Tramp (1955), I saw the 1962 re-issue and would have been 3 1/2 at that time. Apparently the brilliant images made a significant impact on me since I can still recall seeing it vividly and yet I have never seen the movie since.

When did you make your first movie?
I was 11 years old and my friend’s father had a Kodak Super 8mm camera, it was very simple to use no lens to focus, you just inserted the film cartridge, aimed and shot. I remember it was called The ‘Intellectually Disabled’ Genie, that’s not what we called it at the time but the term we used at that time is now considered insensitive and inappropriate. My friend and I edited the film in the camera and took turns filming each other; it was mostly using trick photography like turning the camera on and off the way they used to do on tv shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.

I used to experiment a lot animating clay years before it was ever referred to as “claymation”, I think I must have been influenced by the Gumby cartoons and Will Vinton’s short film Closed Mondays (1974).

When I was 14 years old I took a high school filmmaking class where I made several short films, one I recall was called Rainy Day about a young boy who is shut-in all alone at home on a rainy afternoon.

My first serious effort was a short 25 minute film I made in 1976 as a high school independent study project, it was based on a Ray Bradbury short story called, The Earth Men which is from his Martian Chronicles collection. It was the first time I was able to completely flush out a comprehensive story and it utilized a variety of special effects which included miniatures, animation and rear screen projection, you can see it in the links below.





Why do you think horror books and movies remain so popular?
Horror always has and always will remain relevant. Although genre’s like westerns, film-noir or musicals may wane over time, horror will always be essential for two reasons. Horror appeals to our darkest fears, whether it be a homicidal maniac or the supernatural, these will always be a part of the human condition. The other reason is that horror often plays out as a morality play and the protagonists represent children and the monster represents adults (authority figures). In most horror films a bunch of teenagers do that which they aren’t supposed to like smoking, drinking, recreational drugs, sex, etc. and ultimately they are punished to death by the monster. These stories are cathartic and will always have an appeal, especially to a younger audience.

Why are people still obsessed with being scared?
Well again I think it’s all about the catharsis. We all experience fear as children and throughout our lives, but in reading a book or watching a movie we can experience those fears while at the same time feeling safe and knowing that in the end we will be fine.

Who inspires you?
As a youth I was inspired by many talented filmmakers including Kubrick, Hitchcock, Harryhausen, etc. I think today I look at the current crop of filmmakers and I just don’t see the same level of artistic brilliance. Maybe its because of changes that have taken place in the industry or maybe it’s just my getting older. I keep looking for inspiring new filmmakers, I just don’t see many today, maybe I am not invested the same as I used to be. But I am hopeful that I will see the same brilliance I once saw in a younger generation of filmmakers.

What are the differences between a parody and a mock buster?
Well a parody is taking a novel, play or movie and making fun of the story, genre, characters etc. A mock buster is an attempt to work off of the coat-tails of an already existing and successful work; it doesn’t necessarily need to poke fun at the original. I think that the most successful company to do this is The Asylum who make exclusively mock busters, but they aren’t necessarily trying to make fun of the originals, they are just hoping that people will be interested in an alternative version of the same basic story.

Now my film The Amazing Bulk (2012) clearly falls into the category of being both a parody of Marvel movies and also mock buster as I hoped to ride the coat-tails of The Incredible Hulk and The Amazing Spiderman while at the same time having fun with the genre of super-hero comic book films.

What are some of your favorite horror books?
My favorite horror novel is Stephen King’s The Shining. I recall reading it when it first became available in paperback, before the movie version and I was thinking this is the scariest story I’ve ever read. It was a real page-turner at the same time I was scared to turn those pages because the build up was so incredibly effective.

What are some of your favorite horror movies?
Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Wolf Man (1941), Dead of Night (1945), Les Diaboliques (1955), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1962), Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Exorcist (1973), Carrie (1976) and The Thing (1982).

You are a huge admirer of Stanley Kubrick. What is it about his work that stands out to you?
I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 on it’s initial theatrical release, the film still very much inspires me. It was the first time I thought to myself, I’d like to do that one day, make movies. There are so many things that make Kubrick stand out as a great filmmaker, particularly the originality of all his works, he never repeats himself and crossed many different genre’s. I am mostly interested in his earlier films beginning with The Killing all the way through Barry Lyndon. I’m not as interested in his later works, I think he became less interested in his audience over time and more interested in making films for himself.

I must ask this question. Is it better to make a “bad” movie or no movie at all?
Go ahead and make that bad movie. If it wasn’t for bad first movies we might not have had some of our best directors: Stanley Kubrick’s Fear and Desire (1953), Francis Coppola’s Dementia 13 (1963), Peter Weir’s Homesdale (1971), Oliver Stone’s Seizure (1974), Ron Howard’s Grand Theft Auto (1977), Peter Jackson’s Bad Taste (1987), etc.

What are your current projects?
I am not working on anything currently, I do have hopes to make a sequel to my film The Amazing Bulk which is based on a novel written by a young enthusiastic fan. I wasn’t that interested in doing a sequel but I really like her story and I’ve got completely different take on how I would make the film (i.e. it wouldn’t rely nearly as much on green screen).

I have a time-travel comedy script I’ve been working on, but it’s just not ready yet.
My main focus has been about launching my website / streaming service Lost and Found Films which is dedicated to collecting public domain feature films, restoring and colorizing them. We have identified over 4,000 silent and 3,000 sound era films and use AI Technology to restore many back to their original condition. I have completed 50 films and most of them are currently available on Amazon Prime and Tubi. You can find them all for free on my Youtube channel until my site is launched at which time they will still be available at a very affordable price.

https://www.youtube.com/@lewschoen

COMPETITION: Win Mad God (Shudder Original) on DVD

Mad God (Shudder) on Blu-ray is released on 5th December

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

Synopsis: 

SAY YOUR prayers to Mad God – a dazzling, delirious, and dystopian masterpiece directed by two-time Academy Award-winning artist, animator, and filmmaker – the legendary Phil Tippett (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, RoboCop, Starship Troopers).

 

The most watched Shudder premiere of 2022 – and certified fresh with a 92% rating – this critically-acclaimed and mind-blowing chef-d'oeuvre was 30 years in the making and has earned plaudits around the globe for its creative genius, cinematic originality, and inspired grit.

Having collected five awards, including Winner of 2021 Fantasia Film Festival’s Most Ground-breaking Film and Best Animated Feature and the 2021 Sitges Award for Best Visual Effects – this expertly crafted and exquisitely imagined Shudder Exclusive is now set to delight fans with its release on Blu-ray, DVD and digital on 5 December 2022, courtesy of Acorn Media International.

Equipped with a gas mask and a crumbling map, the Assassin, an iron-clad humanoid, descends into a rusty, peril-laden underworld of grime, blood, tortured souls, decrepit bunkers and unsettling monstrosities forged from the most primordial horrors of the subconscious mind.

As the stealthy invader meanders through the labyrinthine post-apocalyptic wasteland on a mysterious mission, going deeper and deeper into the nightmarish realm, he eventually reaches his destination… the heart of this grotesque tower of torture.  But what awaits him there?  

Crafted by the world's pre-eminent stop-motion animator, every set, creature, and effigy in this macabre masterpiece is hand-crafted and painstakingly animated using traditional stop-motion techniques. 

The result? A striking, haunting, halogenic, and hellish stop-motion spectacle unlike any other. 

Descend into unimaginable depths and get ready to meet your maker, Mad God – a gorgeously gruesome cinematic frenzy that deserves every ounce of praise it receives.

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3GTS1kk

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 12-12-22
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.