Finally started to see some movies at the Glasgow Film Festival over the weekend starting with Michael Moore's "Capitalism" which was interesting and less schmaltzy than his usual fare, but perhaps a little overlong and dated with the Obama lovefest, but with plenty still to say for itself even though it was really a criticism of the big banks and corporations rather than the many forms of capitalism in the world. Well worth seeing though if you get the chance!
Yatterman on the other hand was an assualt on the senses, based on the popular 1977 anime series created by the Tatsunoku Productions and with this live action version directed by Takashi Miike, Yatterman looked intriguing! In fact it was fantastic! Fun, colourful and funny, sure the plot was a little hard to follow with Gan-Chan and Ai his girlfriend who turn into Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2 respectively when Lady Doronjo aided by Boyacky and Tonzura are on the scene! Miike really has stuck closely to the original show and has created a live action cartoon, even though some ideas don't work they are countered with some nice self referential humour. Once again, try to see this, even though it could be difficult given that its only doing the festivals at the moment and the Japan Blu-Ray is expensive and free of subtitles.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Glasgow Film Festival: Capitalism & Yatterman
Saturday, February 20, 2010
RIP: Jamie Gillis
Some sad news, as word reaches me from my friend Calum Waddell via Frank Henenlotter that the great Jamie Gillis has passed away. One of the true greats of porn's Golden Age has gone.
Frank Henenlotter's message about Jamie:
Jamie Gillis
April 20th, 1943 – February 19th, 2010
"It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Jamie Gillis, who died today in New York at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.
A wonderful and charismatic man and most treasured friend, he will be greatly missed by his partner Zarela, his family, his many friends, and countless fans around the world.
He will be cremated at a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, Jamie requested that contributions be made to the NYC Police Athletic League, an organization that helped Jamie as a boy and continues to assist children in New York City."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
DVD Contest: Win Penance on DVD!
I have a copy of this to give away from MVD DVD and IMD Films: All you need to do is email me your details HERE and I'll pick one winner at random a week today, Wednesday 24th March!
A pyscho attempts to "purify" several strippers through his own twisted methods. From award winning horror writer of "Days of Darkness."
Based on a true character, and from the award winning horror writer/director of 'Days of Darkness', and the producer of the indie horror hit 'Automaton Transfusion', comes a cautionary tale that will make you squirm and twist in your seat. With unrelenting suspense and terror, Penance is the tale of a young, demure single mother, Amelia (Marieh Delfino), who hits upon hard times and decides to take her future into her own hands and becomes a stripper. Everything is going well until Suzy, her stripper friend, is beaten up on a job and recruits Amelia to take her place. Reluctantly, Amelia takes the job, only to find the job isn't everything it seems. Driven to a strange location by a dark and mysterious man (Tony Todd), and confronted by a grizzled hit man (Michael Rooker), Amelia's world is turned upside down, as her captor (the mind bending Graham McTavish), is intent on one thing and one thing only - to purify Amelia and the other women in his incarceration.
Friday, February 12, 2010
SFX Magazine: Horror Special
SFX have a brand spanking new special horror edition on the newstands and it's a fantastic read plus there are some nifty free gifts! So when collecting the Sunday papers be sure to pick up a copy of this as well - you never know Pinhead might frighten off irritating visiting relatives if they come round!
"Our first special edition of the new decade is SFX COLLECTION: HORROR, your ultimate guide to the dark side of the imagination. It features a beefy 14-page news section, oodles of in-depth new features, and six great free gifts."
FREE GIFTS
* A giant-sized, double-sided poster featuring two classic John Carpenter films: The Thing and Halloween.
* Three horror-themed beermats.
* Two horror villain badges.
FEATURES
THE TOP 20 HORROR VILLAINS
Who's the greatest horror movie bad guy? We asked SFX readers to vote for their favourites. Here are the results!
VIDEO NASTIES
Our man risks his sanity by watching all 74 "official" video nasties, and rating them in order, from the worst to the best.
FRIDAY THE 13TH
The slasher franchise is 30 years old! We celebrate three gloriously gory decades of Jason Voorhees.
HIDDEN TREASURES
Horror directors, screenwriters and novelists recommend scores of obscure cult horror films, books and comics that you simply must hunt down and check out.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
We find out how they plan to resurrect Freddy Krueger as we go on-set for the remake of the classic 1984 film.
ROBERT ENGLUND
The man who was Freddy recalls the making of the original A Nightmare On Elm Street, in an extract from his new autobiography.
RICK BAKER
The make-up maestro talks us through his gorgeous concept art for the Wolfman, as played by Benicio Del Toro in the new remake.
THE PAN BOOK OF HORROR
The story of the sadly-missed anthology series, whose gruesome tales sickened and delighted generations.
MUTANT BLOOD
A shocking new short story by horror novelist Simon Clark.
BLAXPLOITATION HORROR
Blacula! Blackenstein! Dr Black, Mr Hyde! We examine the black-themed horror movies of the mid-'70s - with lashings of lurid posters.
THE WOLF MAN
With the remake hitting cinemas soon, we look back at the making of the 1941 Universal classic, starring Lon Chaney Jr.
THE CRAZIES
George Romero's 1973 film, in which a virus turns the population of a small town homicidal, has been remade. We talk to the director of the new version.
PIRANHA 3D
Joe Dante's B-movie favourite is also getting a reinvention, adding a terrifying third dimension to those killer fish! We go on set and talk to director Alejandra Aja.
LOST WORLDS
Investigating the silent horror films now missing, presumed lost forever.
HORROR COMICS
Writers and artists such as Gene Colan, Steve Bissette and Steve Niles discuss their part in the history of American horror comics.
SPANISH SHOCKS
Talking to actors and directors, we explore the rise and fall (and rise again) of Spanish horror films, from The Awful Dr Orloff to The Orphanage.
MY LIFE IN HORROR
Much-loved actors such as Brad Dourif, Ingrid Pitt and Kane Hodder talk about what it's like to be a horror movie icon.
FROM THE SFX ARCHIVES
There are 12 pages of reprinted material in this special, but it's all top-grade stuff: making of features on The Wicker Man, The Evil Dead and The Thing from issues 62, 93 and 101 of SFX, revised and updated.
SFX COLLECTION: HORROR goes on sale on Wednesday 27 January, priced £7.99. If sales of the last few SFX special editions are anything to go by, it'll sell out quick! To be sure of your copy, speak to your newsagent, or phone our customer services line on 01858 438 794.
Pinky Violence and Nikkatsu Posters
Look what I just bought from my man in Japan: original posters of "Delinquent Girl Boss:Worthless To Confess" and "Star Of David:Beautiful Girl Hunter". I am super happy, can't wait till these arrive!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 07, 2010
DVD Review: The Japanese Wife Next Door
My review is up over at the revamped and fantastic Cinema Nocturna! Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
DVD News: Arrow go Argento Crazy!
This is not meant to be a Arrow Film love fest but they are re-releasing some past Argento hits onto DVD but with some mind blowing cover art (and perhaps hopefully some nice little extras and better AV - all will be revealed soon) that will make you want to double and triple dip! All released on March 22nd!
The Stendhal Syndrome - Features include:
* Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork
* Exclusive collector’s booklet
* Poster
* Dario Argento trailer gallery
* Theatrical trailer
* English 5.1 and Italian 5.1 audio options
The Card Player - Features include:
* Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork
* Exclusive collector’s booklet
* Poster
* ‘The Making of The Card Player’ featurette
* ‘The Card Player’ promo
* Trailer
* Dario Argento trailer gallery
* English 5.1 and 2.0 audio options
Terror at the Opera - Features include:
* Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork
* Exclusive collector’s booklet
* Poster
* Feature presentation (102 minutes) with English 5.1 and Italian 5.1 audio options
* US edit of feature (91 minutes) with original ‘Cannes dub’ (English 2.0)
* US edit of feature (91 minutes) with approved, re-dubbed English 2.0 audio
* Dario Argento filmography and biography
* Photo gallery
* Opera by Demonia music video
* Dario Argento trailer gallery
* Top 6 gore scenes
* US trailer
* International trailer
Blu-Ray News: Day of the Dead Update
Here is a little update and breakdown of the fabulous and forthcoming Day of the Dead Blu-Ray from Arrow Film on March 29th! I'll just let you salivate...
Special Features
* Four sleeve art options
* Double-sided fold-out poster
* ‘For Every Dawn There Is A Day’ collector’s booklet
* ‘Day Of The Dead: Desertion’ – an all new exclusive 24-page collector’s comic featuring new Bub storyline
* 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio and 1.0 Mono audio options
Disc One (Blu-ray)
* Theatrical feature
* Audio commentary with special effects team of Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Everett Burrell and Mike Deak
* Joe Of The Dead – Acting In A Romero Classic (in HD)
* Travelogue Of The Dead (in HD)
Disc Two (DVD)
* The Many Days Of The Dead
* Behind the Zombies footage
* Romero Zombography
* Photo Album of the Dead
* Souvenirs of the Dead
* Night Of The Living Dead trailer
* Dawn Of The Dead trailer
* TV Ads of the Dead
* The Audio Recollections of Richard Liberty
* Wampum Mine promo
Full press release info at DVD Times
