Interview with Patrick C. Harrison III - By David Kempf

When did you first become interested in writing?

I was always very imaginative and interested in storytelling, but I first truly became interested in writing after meeting an author at the mall when I was a kid. Her name was Zinita Fowler. She was ancient when I met her, but she was at the mall doing a reading and signing for her book Ghost Stories of Old Texas. Not long after meeting her, I wrote my first short story.


How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?

Horror has always been my thing. Neither of my parents were ever into horror, so I’ve recently been trying to figure out exactly what got me into the genre. It was probably a combination of Unsolved Mysteries, The Hardy Boys, Stephen King’s Night Shift, The Twilight Zone, and all those gory movies of the 80s.


How did you get into writing splatterpunk?

I joined Facebook I guess in 2017. Maybe? At that time I was trying to find my way as an author, so I was just friend requesting other horror authors I saw. I ended up coming across Matt Shaw. When I looked him up on Amazon, I also found Edward Lee and Monica J. O’Rourke. I had already been writing fiction that I considered pretty fucked up, but after reading Header, Home Video, and Suffer the Flesh, I realized I could turn the horror up a notch if I wanted too.


Tell us about your splatterpunk nomination.

My novella Grandpappy was nominated! The story stemmed from a single idea for a scene I had. See, I used to work in healthcare. You hear and see some disgusting shit in healthcare. But there was this one story I heard involving sexual relations with a stoma. If you don’t know what that is, feel free to look it up. But that’s the scene I wanted to write, a scene I knew would disgust people to no end. So that’s where I was originally headed with Grandpappy. But, as stories often do, it grew into so much more.

https://amzn.to/3DXBkSA

Why do you think horror and fantasy books remain so popular?

Good question. I think fascination and fear of the unknown have a bit to do with it. Also, people have this engrained desire to explain the unexplainable, and often times this leads to folklore and mythology and fantastical tales.


What are your favorite horror books?

Oh geez, I could spend all day listing my favorites. I’ll list ten off the top of my head in no particular order. Ghost Story by Peter Straub, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, It by Stephen King, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, Optic Nerve by Rebecca Rowland, The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum, After Midnight by Richard Laymon, Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison, Lightning by Dean Koontz, Lakehouse Infernal by Christine Morgan.


What are some of your favorite horror movies?

Again, I could go on forever here. But I’ll pick ten. Return of the Living Dead, Jaws, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Vacancy, House of 1000 Corpses, Terrifier, Audition, I Saw the Devil, The Ring, The Shining.


What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a writer?

Hmm. That’s a tough one, because I don’t feel like I’ve reached my potential. I’ve been nominated for several awards, which is great. I won a Splatterpunk Award as an editor. You know, I just love hearing from readers who enjoyed my work. It feels so good to be acknowledged and appreciated for all those hours of hard work. But I guess the best thing I’ve written, in my opinion, is my short story “From These Muddy Waters.”


Do you have any advice for new writers?

Don’t procrastinate and don’t quit. I stopped writing for about ten years after getting a few rejections. Who knows how much further along I would be if I’d just kept at it.


What are your current projects?

I’ve got a couple of chapbooks I’m trying to finish up before heading to a convention in a couple of months. Then I’ve got my big project—The Snake Creek Inquisition. This is going to be a massive book, if I ever get it done. I’m also always editing for other authors. Hit me up at pc3@pc3horror.com if you’re in need of editing!


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.

Patrick C. Harrison III (PC3, if you prefer) is an author of horror, splatterpunk, and all forms of speculative fiction. His current publications include GRANDPAPPY, 100% MATCH, A SAVAGE BREED, and VAMPIRE NUNS BEHIND BARS, among others. His works can also be found in various anthologies, including AND HELL FOLLOWED and ROAD KILL: TEXAS HORROR BY TEXAS AUTHORS VOL. 4. PC3 is also an editor, having worked on numerous books for Death's Head Press, D&T Publishing, and Fedowar Press, as well for popular authors like Aron Beauregard and Danel J. Volpe. Follow PC3's FREE substack--pc3horror.substack.com--for frequent horror and exploitation movie reviews, as well as updates on his fiction.

 
Check out Patrick on Amazon at https://amzn.to/412b8jR

https://amzn.to/3YM9DUC

FULL MOVIE: Fear Inc (2016) - StarringLucas Neff, Caitlin Stasey, Christopher Rodriguez Marquette

 

Fear, Inc. is a 2016 American comedy horror film directed by Vincent Masciale and written by Luke Barnett. The film stars Lucas Neff, Caitlin Stasey, Chris Marquette and Stephanie Drake.

What if there was a company you could call that would - for a premium - bring your fears to life. You don’t have to leave your house, your office, or your vacation; the scares are customised to your tastes and arrive at your doorstep when you least expect it. But like texting an ex at 2am, what sounds like a great idea at the time, can end up getting you killed...

Release date October 21, 2016

TRAILER: The Curse of Rosalie - Starring Irene Bedard, Amanda MacDonald and Steve Monroe

 

Synopsis:

Get ready for a tense, paranormal horror which proves you can never truly escape evil…

A family on the run from their own dark secrets, Daniel and Theresa Snyder flee to a small Midwestern town, determined to find peace for their troubled young daughter, Rosalie. However, soon after they arrive, their neighbours begin to die in mysterious and seemingly paranormal circumstances. Fearing an evil entity has pursued them and possessed Rosalie, the desperate parents visit a Native American seer, willing to do whatever it takes to free her soul.

With a strong cast including Irene Bedard (Pocahontas, Tree of Life), Amanda MacDonald (CSI: Miami, The Mentalist) and Steve Monroe (Promising Young Woman), The Curse of Rosalie is an original and deeply atmospheric tale of terror. 

The Curse of Rosalie premieres on the Icon Film Channel from 13th March 

Sign up for a 7-day free trial at Iconfilmchannel.uk 

Interview with Owl Goingback - By David Kempf

When did you first become interested in horror?

I first became interested in horror back in 1968, at the ripe old age of nine. My mother had given me my very first weekly allowance, a whopping fifty cents, and drove me into town so I could spend it. The town was so small there were no comic book shops, or bookstores, and Toys R Us did not exist back then. But there was a Rexall Drug Store, which had a magazine rack. And on the bottom shelf of that rack, I discovered issue fifty-one of Famous Monsters of Filmland; a magazine filled with images of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolfman, and other horror delights. It was love at first sight.

Famous Monsters literally changed my life. Under the brilliant editorship of Forrest J Ackerman, the monthly magazine assured me it was okay to embrace monsters and all things scary. Best of all, it showed me I wasn't alone; there were others out there who loved horror as much as I did.


At what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I was in the 8th grade, so that would be around the age of thirteen. Our English teacher assigned everyone in the class to write a one-page story. At that time, I was a big fan of Mad Magazine so I decided to write something humorous. I wasn't expecting much out of my story, and was quite surprised when the teacher read it to the class and the entire room burst into laughter. Being a shy kid, writing stories gave me a way to entertain, and be accepted by, my peers.

What was it like to win a Stoker for your first novel?

It was a miracle my first novel, Crota, even made it into print. My agent sent the book to dozens of publishers before it was finally purchased by Donald I. Fine Books. But at the time, Mr. Fine was dying from cancer, his publishing house was being taken over by Penguin Putnam, and the editor assigned to my novel quit to become a real estate agent. I was orphaned before my writing career even got started.

After having such a rocky start, it felt pretty amazing when Crota won the Bram Stoker Award for first novel. It was also a finalist for best novel, the first time a novel had ever been nominated in both categories. I attended the awards ceremony, sharing the stage with Ira Levin, Forrest J Ackerman, and other horror dignitaries. It was a night I will never forget.


What inspired you to write?

I grew up in rural America, surrounded by forests and rolling farmland. It was a lonely existence and books by Poe, Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Andre Norton kept the boredom at bay. I was so inspired by the books I read, I started writing fiction of my own. I actually ghostwrote stories for my classmates in high school, charging a dollar per page, so they could pass their English assignments.

But I put aside all thoughts of writing when I enlisted in the United States Air Force. It wasn't until after I got out of the military, and opened a restaurant/lounge in Georgia, that thoughts of literary endeavors once again surfaced.

It happened one night after we closed for the evening. My wife, Nancy, and I were watching an interview with Stephen King on the television. During the interview, she jokingly asked why I couldn't be smart like him instead of so stupid. She didn't know I used to write, and I took her teasing as a challenge.

The next day I sat down and started writing again. At first, I did articles for martial arts magazines, but switched to writing fiction because it paid better. Ten years after watching that interview on television, I was up against Stephen King for a Stoker Award in the novel category.


Tell us about your children’s books Eagle Fathers and The Gift.

Eagle Feathers and The Gift are illustrated stories featuring the adventures of a little Kiowa boy in the 1800s. Much like the traditional oral stories of my ancestors, both books have teaching elements woven into them. They were published by The Wright Group (McGraw Hill), and used in elementary schools across the country. Eagle Feathers is a Storytelling Worlds Awards Honor Recipient for most tellable tale, ages eight to twelve.


What are some of your favorite horror books?

I really love The Exorcist. There's a creepiness to the book that still holds up well after so many years. I remember when it first came out everybody seemed to be reading it. The book generated so many newspaper and magazine articles, and really brought the occult into the spotlight.

I also love the collected stories of Ambrose Bierce, H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, and Edgar Allan Poe. Those writers are true masters in the horror field, and their fiction will never be forgotten.


What are some of your favorite horror movies?

Jaws is the only movie that ever scared me, so it is my all-time favorite. I watched it at a theater when I was in the military, and the movie grabbed me right from the start. I imagined what it would be like to be swimming in the ocean, and suddenly find out you are part of the food chain. Did I mention I live in central Florida, not far from New Smyrna Beach which is the shark bite capital of the world?

I'm also a big fan of the original Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Night of the Living Dead. Those movies are so well done, I could watch them over and over and never get bored. The directors knew how to build suspense and layer on the frights. They didn't need to rely on gallons of blood or cheap jump scares.


How did George A. Romero become a fan of your work?

George read Crota and was very interested in turning it into a movie. He called my agent, who set up a conference call for the three of us. Sadly, George didn't have deep enough pockets to do the story the way he wanted, traditional effects instead of CGI, so the movie never happened.

He also loved my novel Evil Whispers, and thought he could turn it into a film for less than five million. We were in negotiations with one of the major studios, but the Hollywood writers strike put a halt to all talks and killed the deal.

George and I became good friends, and we kept in touch via email and an occasional phone call. We also got to see each other at various horror conventions around the country. The last time I saw George, he asked me if I had sold film rights to Crota. I told him I was saving them for him, which made him very happy.

What are your current projects?

I'm currently taking a break from the novels, and working on short stories for various anthologies. I'm also working on a couple of comic scripts. I recently did a Werewolf by Night story for Marvel's Infinity Comics. After that, I will probably get back to writing longer fiction. I already have several new novels in various stages of development, including a follow-up to my novel Coyote Rage.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.

Owl Goingback has been writing for over thirty years, and is the author of numerous novels, children's books, short stories, screenplays, magazine articles, and comics. He is a three-time Bram Stoker Award Winner, receiving the award for lifetime achievement, best novel, and best first novel. His books include Crota, Darker Than Night, Evil Whispers, Breed, Shaman Moon, Coyote Rage, Eagle Feathers, Tribal Screams, and The Gift. In addition to writing under his own name, he has ghostwritten for Hollywood celebrities.

Check out Owl Goingback on Amazon at - https://amzn.to/407Hd9r
 

Interview with Ayvianna Snow

 
The UK horror/indie horror scene is a tight-knit community. Do you enjoy attending events like Frightfest, interacting with fans and meeting industry peers?

It really is such a tight-knit community and that's what I love about it! We all support each other's work. "Video Shop" just premiered at Horror-on-Sea and so many people came out to support it, they actually had to open two screens and play it on both simultaneously. The same thing happened at FrightFest with "LOLA". It is lovely to be part of that community. 

 

What are the best films you have watched recently (horror and any other genre) that you would recommend?

I loved last year's A24 horror "Lamb" as I thought it did something really interesting with the genre; it was about a childless couple living in rural Iceland, and how their desperation for a child leads them down a strange path. The cinematography is beautiful and it felt strange and ethereal; it blended horror with fantasy. And I think Cate Blanchett is astounding in "Tar".

 
What was the first horror film you ever watched, and how did it make you feel?

The first one was "The Shining" - I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to horror as it is such a well-made film with amazing performances!

 

Do you have any fears and phobias in real life?

I'm not great with spiders! 


In Video Shop Tales of Terror you star in the Vergessen segment, tell us a bit more about it?

I play Ilsa Lall, an unwilling participant in 'Operation Vergessen'. Together with the other occupants of the 'Frau Haus', I seek to escape, and exact revenge on my tormentors by any means possible!

It's based on a true story; during the war, the Nazis trained women as spies and placed them in a brothel frequented by high-ranking officers with instructions to record the men - the bedrooms were all wire tapped. It was part of the Nazis intelligence gathering.

Our film is about those women and their story, as they attempt to overcome their oppressors and escape.

It was important to me as I think women's stories often get overlooked and forgotten when we talk about the war. 

Video Shop Tales of Terror kickstarts a new horror anthology – will the team/cast be the same for the upcoming film/s?

I certainly hope so! I love working with Michael Fausti; he's an intelligent director with a great vision. And Kemal Yildirim who did the cinematography also writes and directs, so I would love to work with him too. 


What new projects do you have coming up that you would like to share with us?

I appear in Steve Lawson's "Ripper's Revenge" which is out on 3rd April. I am also lucky to appear in "How To Kill Monsters" directed by Stewart Sparke, a horror comedy, later this year! And "The Final 45"; a period drama set during the Second World War where I play a French resistance leader fighting Nazis!

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.