Prepare for the chilling return of the Romford Horror Festival, an extended four-day plunge into the heart of cinematic horror, starting on Thursday, 29th February 2024. Now in its fourth year, this festival, a twisted offshoot of the Romford Film Festival, is gearing up to unleash an unparalleled experience, unveiling its most diabolical lineup to date.
Plunge headfirst into a blood-curdling cinematic odyssey, featuring 168 feature films and shorts, including eight timeless classic horror masterpieces. The festival, spreading its dark influence across two screens and introducing a third exclusively for spine-tingling talks, continues its legacy of premiering global cinematic nightmares, boasting an astounding 33 world premieres that are sure to send shivers down your spine. The resurrection of fan-favorite segments like “Short, Sharp Shocks” and “Cheap Thrills” is now joined by two electrifying additions: “Student Bodies,” showcasing student films, including seven from New City College, and the unpredictable “Horror Roulette,” a pulsating party...
Plunge headfirst into a blood-curdling cinematic odyssey, featuring 168 feature films and shorts, including eight timeless classic horror masterpieces. The festival, spreading its dark influence across two screens and introducing a third exclusively for spine-tingling talks, continues its legacy of premiering global cinematic nightmares, boasting an astounding 33 world premieres that are sure to send shivers down your spine. The resurrection of fan-favorite segments like “Short, Sharp Shocks” and “Cheap Thrills” is now joined by two electrifying additions: “Student Bodies,” showcasing student films, including seven from New City College, and the unpredictable “Horror Roulette,” a pulsating party...
- 2/5/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
The Romford Horror Festival, an extended four-day plunge into the heart of cinematic horror, returns for its Fourth(!) year on Thursday, 29th February, with a lineup that promises a star-studded affair, featuring Tony Todd, Prunella Scales, Sean Young, Jamie Lomas, Kane Hodder, Kierston Wareing, Lynn Lowry, Caroline Munro, Graham Cole, Diane Franklin, Caroline Pickles, Pauline Peart, Guy Henry, Dani Thompson, Ayvianna Snow, and a myriad of other captivating talents, all ready to plunge audiences into a world of terror.
Plunge headfirst into a blood-curdling cinematic odyssey, featuring 168 feature films and shorts, including eight timeless classic horror masterpieces. The festival, spreading its dark influence across two screens and introducing a third exclusively for spine-tingling talks, continues its legacy of premiering global cinematic nightmares, boasting an astounding 33 world premieres that are sure to send shivers down your spine. The resurrection of fan-favorite segments like “Short, Sharp Shocks” and “Cheap Thrills” is now...
Plunge headfirst into a blood-curdling cinematic odyssey, featuring 168 feature films and shorts, including eight timeless classic horror masterpieces. The festival, spreading its dark influence across two screens and introducing a third exclusively for spine-tingling talks, continues its legacy of premiering global cinematic nightmares, boasting an astounding 33 world premieres that are sure to send shivers down your spine. The resurrection of fan-favorite segments like “Short, Sharp Shocks” and “Cheap Thrills” is now...
- 1/29/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Luana Bajrami has won best director and the Discovery Award for best debut feature for “The Hill Where Lionesses Roar” at the 29th Raindance Film Festival (Oct. 27 – Nov. 6).
The film was nominated for the Golden Camera and Queer Palm at Cannes, and has also won awards at the Sarajevo and Warsaw festivals.
The debut feature by YouTuber and short filmmaker Luke Cutforth, “The Drowning Of Arthur Braxton” won best U.K. feature, while Anita Rocha da Silveira’s San Sebastián and Sitges winner “Medusa” won best international feature.
Daniel Lombroso’s “White Noise” was named best documentary feature, while Matthew Walker’s “I’m Wanita” won best music documentary.
Portuguese actor Lucia Moniz won best performance for her lead role in Ana Rocha’s “Listen,” for which she has won several awards previously.
Known for his work on “Frances Ha” and Lady Bird,” DoP Sam Levy won best cinematography for Karen Cinorre’s “Mayday.
The film was nominated for the Golden Camera and Queer Palm at Cannes, and has also won awards at the Sarajevo and Warsaw festivals.
The debut feature by YouTuber and short filmmaker Luke Cutforth, “The Drowning Of Arthur Braxton” won best U.K. feature, while Anita Rocha da Silveira’s San Sebastián and Sitges winner “Medusa” won best international feature.
Daniel Lombroso’s “White Noise” was named best documentary feature, while Matthew Walker’s “I’m Wanita” won best music documentary.
Portuguese actor Lucia Moniz won best performance for her lead role in Ana Rocha’s “Listen,” for which she has won several awards previously.
Known for his work on “Frances Ha” and Lady Bird,” DoP Sam Levy won best cinematography for Karen Cinorre’s “Mayday.
- 11/5/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Grants
The International Documentary Association (IDA) will award grants totalling $105,000 to five films through its Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund on the theme, “Challenging White Supremacy.”
The films are “Aanikoobijigan”; “Brigidy Bram: The Life and Mind of Kendal Hanna”; “Home Is Somewhere Else”; “The Quiet Part” (working title); and “Yintah”.
In addition, filmmakers Ilse Fernandez (“Exodus Stories”) and Sundance winner Rintu Thomas (“Writing with Fire”), will receive IDA’s Logan Elevate Grants of $25,000 each.
Highlighting IDA’s support for diversity, among the Pare Lorentz grants, one project is directed and/or produced by a non-binary filmmaker and four are directed and/or produced by a woman. Four have a Bipoc director and/or producer and four directors and/or producers identify as LGBTQ+.
Since 2011, IDA has provided over $5.9 million in grants through its documentary funds.
Festival
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (Jan. 26 – Feb. 6) has revealed the first confirmed titles for its 51st edition,...
The International Documentary Association (IDA) will award grants totalling $105,000 to five films through its Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund on the theme, “Challenging White Supremacy.”
The films are “Aanikoobijigan”; “Brigidy Bram: The Life and Mind of Kendal Hanna”; “Home Is Somewhere Else”; “The Quiet Part” (working title); and “Yintah”.
In addition, filmmakers Ilse Fernandez (“Exodus Stories”) and Sundance winner Rintu Thomas (“Writing with Fire”), will receive IDA’s Logan Elevate Grants of $25,000 each.
Highlighting IDA’s support for diversity, among the Pare Lorentz grants, one project is directed and/or produced by a non-binary filmmaker and four are directed and/or produced by a woman. Four have a Bipoc director and/or producer and four directors and/or producers identify as LGBTQ+.
Since 2011, IDA has provided over $5.9 million in grants through its documentary funds.
Festival
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (Jan. 26 – Feb. 6) has revealed the first confirmed titles for its 51st edition,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Music Box Films has picked up North American rights to Medusa, a fantasy horror film with a sharp satirical bite from Brazilian director Anita Rocha da Silveira.
Medusa, da Silveira’s follow-up to her well-received debut Kill Me Please, premiered in Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar and had its North American premiere in Toronto. The film will screen at the AFI festival in Los Angeles on November 13.
Medusa stars Mari Oliveira as Mariana, a 21-year-old trying to keep up appearances and resist temptation, particularly of a sexual nature. At night, she and her girlfriends team up, put on masks, and head out to hunt ...
Medusa, da Silveira’s follow-up to her well-received debut Kill Me Please, premiered in Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar and had its North American premiere in Toronto. The film will screen at the AFI festival in Los Angeles on November 13.
Medusa stars Mari Oliveira as Mariana, a 21-year-old trying to keep up appearances and resist temptation, particularly of a sexual nature. At night, she and her girlfriends team up, put on masks, and head out to hunt ...
- 11/3/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music Box Films has picked up North American rights to Medusa, a fantasy horror film with a sharp satirical bite from Brazilian director Anita Rocha da Silveira.
Medusa, da Silveira’s follow-up to her well-received debut Kill Me Please, premiered in Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar and had its North American premiere in Toronto. The film will screen at the AFI festival in Los Angeles on November 13.
Medusa stars Mari Oliveira as Mariana, a 21-year-old trying to keep up appearances and resist temptation, particularly of a sexual nature. At night, she and her girlfriends team up, put on masks, and head out to hunt ...
Medusa, da Silveira’s follow-up to her well-received debut Kill Me Please, premiered in Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar and had its North American premiere in Toronto. The film will screen at the AFI festival in Los Angeles on November 13.
Medusa stars Mari Oliveira as Mariana, a 21-year-old trying to keep up appearances and resist temptation, particularly of a sexual nature. At night, she and her girlfriends team up, put on masks, and head out to hunt ...
- 11/3/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: Music Box Films has acquired North American rights to Medusa, the well-received thriller-satire by Brazilian writer and director Anita Rocha da Silveira.
The feature debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight strand before getting its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Medusa follows Mariana (Mari Oliveira), a 21-year-old who belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, their girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been.
The social and political critique, which touches on themes of sexual liberation, violence, and religious fixation in Brazil,...
The feature debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight strand before getting its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Medusa follows Mariana (Mari Oliveira), a 21-year-old who belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, their girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been.
The social and political critique, which touches on themes of sexual liberation, violence, and religious fixation in Brazil,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Bananeira Filmes’ Vania Catani, a producer on Lucrecia Martel’s “Zama” and Lisandro Alonso’s “Eureka,” is set to produce Anne Guimaraes’ “Super Powers,” as Catani primes films from leading lights in Brazil’s youngest generation of emerging female filmmakers.
Two titles from such directors – Flavia Neves, with Primer Corte’s “Fogaréu” and Monica Demes with “Requiem for Clara,” a Punto Género project – will be unveiled at Ventana Sur. Another, “Medusa,” from Anita Rocha de Silveira (“Kill Me Please”), now in post-production, looks, as “Fogaréu,” like a good bet for major festival play in 2021.
Between them, the four movies sum up many of the trends coursing one of the most exciting new talent builds in Latin America, as more movies from young Brazilian women directors are hitting the market: Think IuIi Gerbase’s “The Pink Cloud,” a sci-fi character-driven thriller from MPM Premium; Thais Fujinaga’s “The Joy of Things,...
Two titles from such directors – Flavia Neves, with Primer Corte’s “Fogaréu” and Monica Demes with “Requiem for Clara,” a Punto Género project – will be unveiled at Ventana Sur. Another, “Medusa,” from Anita Rocha de Silveira (“Kill Me Please”), now in post-production, looks, as “Fogaréu,” like a good bet for major festival play in 2021.
Between them, the four movies sum up many of the trends coursing one of the most exciting new talent builds in Latin America, as more movies from young Brazilian women directors are hitting the market: Think IuIi Gerbase’s “The Pink Cloud,” a sci-fi character-driven thriller from MPM Premium; Thais Fujinaga’s “The Joy of Things,...
- 12/2/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney Junior’s Emmy and BAFTA Award-nominated animated series Vampirina has lined up a roster of season 3 guest stars from both Broadway and television, including Audra McDonald and, from Hamilton, Christopher Jackson and Taran Killam, among others.
Season 3 of Disney Junior’s Vampirina premieres Monday, October 5, 11 a.m. Et/Pt on Disney Junior.
The series, which Disney describes as a blend of spooky fun, heartfelt storytelling and Broadway-caliber music, stars Lauren Graham, James Van Der Beek and Isabella Crovetti as a family of friendly vampires who have relocated from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Brian Stokes Mitchell voice the recurring roles of Vampirina’s grandparents, Nanpire and Grandpop.
Joining as guest voices for the series’ third season are:
Christopher Jackson and Taran Killam (who both appeared in the Broadway production of Hamilton) as The Horseman and Ichabod, respectively; Audra McDonald (Broadway’s Porgy and Bess...
Season 3 of Disney Junior’s Vampirina premieres Monday, October 5, 11 a.m. Et/Pt on Disney Junior.
The series, which Disney describes as a blend of spooky fun, heartfelt storytelling and Broadway-caliber music, stars Lauren Graham, James Van Der Beek and Isabella Crovetti as a family of friendly vampires who have relocated from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Brian Stokes Mitchell voice the recurring roles of Vampirina’s grandparents, Nanpire and Grandpop.
Joining as guest voices for the series’ third season are:
Christopher Jackson and Taran Killam (who both appeared in the Broadway production of Hamilton) as The Horseman and Ichabod, respectively; Audra McDonald (Broadway’s Porgy and Bess...
- 9/28/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Gap financing event to present 56 feature film and Vr projects.
UK director Steve McQueen’s upcoming documentary The Occupied City is among 56 projects selected for the Venice Production Bridge, the gap financing event of the Venice Film Festival, which is due to take place from September 2-12.
The three-day industry event, running September 4-6, will unveil 28 feature-length fiction and documentary projects and 12 immersive story projects.
It will also present 13 Vr projects and three cinema projects developed under the auspices of the Biennale College Cinema programme aimed at supporting emerging talents.
More than 270 project were submitted in total.
The event, involving pitches and one-on-one meetings,...
UK director Steve McQueen’s upcoming documentary The Occupied City is among 56 projects selected for the Venice Production Bridge, the gap financing event of the Venice Film Festival, which is due to take place from September 2-12.
The three-day industry event, running September 4-6, will unveil 28 feature-length fiction and documentary projects and 12 immersive story projects.
It will also present 13 Vr projects and three cinema projects developed under the auspices of the Biennale College Cinema programme aimed at supporting emerging talents.
More than 270 project were submitted in total.
The event, involving pitches and one-on-one meetings,...
- 6/23/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦69¦
- ScreenDaily
Even before coronavirus, Brazil’s film sector was in extraordinary trouble, victim of a near 18-month freeze on government film funding under far-right Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Now, many executives fear a radical shake out. “We have the incentive freeze, coronavirus, economic crisis, need for a new audiovisual law,” says Fabiano Gullane, one of Brazil’s biggest film-tv producers. The shingle has drama “Paloma,” from Marcelo Gomes, on tap.
“I fear for the future of medium-sized and small companies in Brazil,” he says. “They are near 100% dependent on [federal film agency] Ancine, [and] may well not have the cash-flow to survive the crisis.”
Adds producer Rodrigo Teixeira: “If we don’t have access to subsidies, production will stop, not only because of the pandemic but also the way Brazilian film financing is structured.”
The double crisis will push Brazilian companies into producing for TV as well as Brazil’s digital platforms.
Last October,...
Now, many executives fear a radical shake out. “We have the incentive freeze, coronavirus, economic crisis, need for a new audiovisual law,” says Fabiano Gullane, one of Brazil’s biggest film-tv producers. The shingle has drama “Paloma,” from Marcelo Gomes, on tap.
“I fear for the future of medium-sized and small companies in Brazil,” he says. “They are near 100% dependent on [federal film agency] Ancine, [and] may well not have the cash-flow to survive the crisis.”
Adds producer Rodrigo Teixeira: “If we don’t have access to subsidies, production will stop, not only because of the pandemic but also the way Brazilian film financing is structured.”
The double crisis will push Brazilian companies into producing for TV as well as Brazil’s digital platforms.
Last October,...
- 5/11/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Several high-profile releases have been postponed.
The spread of coronavirus in northern Italy is beginning to take its toll on the country’s cinema chains.
Italian box office takings this weekend were down 44% compared to the previous week and down 30% compared to the same period in 2019.
Several releases due out next weekend have also been postponed; Si vive una volta sola from comedy star Carlo Verdone (Vision Distribution); Berlinale competition title Hidden Away by Giorgio Diritti (01 Distribution); Bart Freundlich’s After The Wedding (Lucky Red); Cambio tutto (Medusa) and Lupin III (Anime Factory). None of the distributors have set new...
The spread of coronavirus in northern Italy is beginning to take its toll on the country’s cinema chains.
Italian box office takings this weekend were down 44% compared to the previous week and down 30% compared to the same period in 2019.
Several releases due out next weekend have also been postponed; Si vive una volta sola from comedy star Carlo Verdone (Vision Distribution); Berlinale competition title Hidden Away by Giorgio Diritti (01 Distribution); Bart Freundlich’s After The Wedding (Lucky Red); Cambio tutto (Medusa) and Lupin III (Anime Factory). None of the distributors have set new...
- 2/24/2020
- by 1100976¦Gabriele Niola¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Love is war in “Medusa,” the latest single from the Dominican rapper Jaudy and the Puerto Rican Mc Brray.
Medusa, an infamous character in Greek mythology, is a monster with snakes for hair; anyone who caught a glimpse of her face was instantly turned to stone. Jaudy and Brray seem happily, if hopelessly, entangled with a partner that they claim is even more dangerous. “I didn’t believe the Greek mythology,” one rapper says in Spanish, “but Medusa doesn’t even compare.”
This sounds menacing and potentially life-threatening, but the...
Medusa, an infamous character in Greek mythology, is a monster with snakes for hair; anyone who caught a glimpse of her face was instantly turned to stone. Jaudy and Brray seem happily, if hopelessly, entangled with a partner that they claim is even more dangerous. “I didn’t believe the Greek mythology,” one rapper says in Spanish, “but Medusa doesn’t even compare.”
This sounds menacing and potentially life-threatening, but the...
- 2/4/2020
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Paramount Pictures International has signed a landmark distribution partnership with Italy’s leading independent distribution company Eagle Pictures. Under the deal, Eagle Pictures will release Paramount titles in the country starting in March with John Krasinski’s anticipated horror film “A Quiet Place 2.”
Since 2017, Paramount Pictures has had its films released by Fox in Italy, and prior to that, by Universal. Following the Disney/Fox merger, however, the U.S. studio has been searching for another solid partner among independent distributors in the region.
A number of distribution outfits were considered, including Medusa, Rai, Leone, Notorious and Lucky Red, according to an industry insider.
The timing is auspicious for Eagles Pictures, which has had a banner year. The outfit was Italy’s top distribution company, and the only local player ranking in the B.O.’s top 10, leading with “Green Book.” Eagle was also the only Italian banner to...
Since 2017, Paramount Pictures has had its films released by Fox in Italy, and prior to that, by Universal. Following the Disney/Fox merger, however, the U.S. studio has been searching for another solid partner among independent distributors in the region.
A number of distribution outfits were considered, including Medusa, Rai, Leone, Notorious and Lucky Red, according to an industry insider.
The timing is auspicious for Eagles Pictures, which has had a banner year. The outfit was Italy’s top distribution company, and the only local player ranking in the B.O.’s top 10, leading with “Green Book.” Eagle was also the only Italian banner to...
- 1/21/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Zero Gravity Management, the La-based management and production company, is ramping up activities in the UK and has brought in two new clients on that site of the pond.
Chris Foggin, the director of 2019 UK box office hit Fisherman’s Friends, the low-budget indie project from Fred Films that took an impressive $9.7m after opening at number two behind Captain Marvel, has signed with the company for management in the U.S.. He is represented by United Agents in the UK.
Foggin has directed award-winning short films starring the likes of James Corden, Judi Dench and Tom Hiddleston. Fisherman’s was his second feature after 2016 picture Kids In Love, which starred Will Poulter, Alma Jodorowsky and Cara Delevingne. His upcoming work includes the first two episodes of the next season of UK series Cold Feet for ITV.
Zero Gravity opened its London office in August, hiring producer Leon Clarance...
Chris Foggin, the director of 2019 UK box office hit Fisherman’s Friends, the low-budget indie project from Fred Films that took an impressive $9.7m after opening at number two behind Captain Marvel, has signed with the company for management in the U.S.. He is represented by United Agents in the UK.
Foggin has directed award-winning short films starring the likes of James Corden, Judi Dench and Tom Hiddleston. Fisherman’s was his second feature after 2016 picture Kids In Love, which starred Will Poulter, Alma Jodorowsky and Cara Delevingne. His upcoming work includes the first two episodes of the next season of UK series Cold Feet for ITV.
Zero Gravity opened its London office in August, hiring producer Leon Clarance...
- 10/25/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
La management and production firm Zero Gravity has opened a UK office, appointing Brit producer Leon Clarance to head operations.
The company, whose credits include Ben Affleck starrer The Accountant and hit Netflix series Ozark, previously partnered with Clarance on Andrew Scott thriller A Dark Place (known in UK as Steel Country).
Clarance recently produced Jason Sudeikis-starring movie Kodachrome and was an executive producer on Netflix series Sense8. His remit at Zero Gravity will be to attract acting, writing, directing and below-the-line talent to the company with a view to producing and financing material which has international appeal whilst building a team from scratch.
Clarance, A Dark Place director Simon Fellows and Zero Gravity partner Mark Williams are currently in pre-production on The Department, a sci-fi-thriller created by Fellows and co-written by Luke Garrett which examines current themes of civil liberties and state intervention. Zero Gravity and Clarance have...
The company, whose credits include Ben Affleck starrer The Accountant and hit Netflix series Ozark, previously partnered with Clarance on Andrew Scott thriller A Dark Place (known in UK as Steel Country).
Clarance recently produced Jason Sudeikis-starring movie Kodachrome and was an executive producer on Netflix series Sense8. His remit at Zero Gravity will be to attract acting, writing, directing and below-the-line talent to the company with a view to producing and financing material which has international appeal whilst building a team from scratch.
Clarance, A Dark Place director Simon Fellows and Zero Gravity partner Mark Williams are currently in pre-production on The Department, a sci-fi-thriller created by Fellows and co-written by Luke Garrett which examines current themes of civil liberties and state intervention. Zero Gravity and Clarance have...
- 8/16/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Company hires Sense8 producer to lead UK office.
Zero Gravity Management, the Los Angeles based management and production company that has credits including Netflix series Ozark, has opened a London office and has hired UK producer Leon Clarance to head up its UK operation.
Alongside its production activities, Zero Gravity has a roster of clients including screenwriters, directors and actors. They include Katherine Heigl, Dolph Lundgren, and Michael Jai White.
Clarance, whose credits include Netflix series Sense8 and 2017 feature Kodachrome, will be tasked with developing film and TV projects, targeting both theatrical and streaming audiences, and also bringing talent into the company’s management stable.
Zero Gravity Management, the Los Angeles based management and production company that has credits including Netflix series Ozark, has opened a London office and has hired UK producer Leon Clarance to head up its UK operation.
Alongside its production activities, Zero Gravity has a roster of clients including screenwriters, directors and actors. They include Katherine Heigl, Dolph Lundgren, and Michael Jai White.
Clarance, whose credits include Netflix series Sense8 and 2017 feature Kodachrome, will be tasked with developing film and TV projects, targeting both theatrical and streaming audiences, and also bringing talent into the company’s management stable.
- 8/16/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Telekinesis, aka moving stuff with your mind (for the non-scientific hoi polloi), blew up big time with Brian DePalma’s Carrie (1976); soon we had boarding school snake whisperers (Jennifer) and bed bound psychotics (Patrick) filling the screens in an effort to scare audiences. But the most intriguing of the post White lot is The Medusa Touch (1978), a film that ups the scale of destruction while offering one of the most misanthropic views of humanity in horror from the ‘70s. (Which is saying a lot.)
This British-French co-production was released by Itc in the UK in early April, with a world wide rollout shortly thereafter. Every review wasn’t completely terrible; several critics praised the talented cast and the special effects, while the rest found it to be another in a growing line of psychic mumbo jumbo, mixed with The Omen’s creative deaths. Around these parts we call that a win,...
This British-French co-production was released by Itc in the UK in early April, with a world wide rollout shortly thereafter. Every review wasn’t completely terrible; several critics praised the talented cast and the special effects, while the rest found it to be another in a growing line of psychic mumbo jumbo, mixed with The Omen’s creative deaths. Around these parts we call that a win,...
- 5/18/2019
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
One can suppose it was inevitable for Hammer to take on a lesser celebrated (at the time) yet influential sub-genre such as zombies; the ’30s and ’40s were certainly a heyday, with such films as White Zombie (1932) and I Walked with a Zombie (1943) setting a template of voodoo curses and unwilling (and undead) subjects. By the ’50s, they were already used for comic effect, until Hammer took their chance with The Plague of the Zombies (1966), an atmospheric yet rousing period piece that would help set up another template for zombiedom’s biggest sea change two years later.
Part of a four picture co-op with Seven Arts Productions, Plague was released stateside by Twentieth Century Fox in late January to better than average reviews; mind you, Hammer usually found an appreciative press, if even for set design and production values alone. But critics at the time liked the fact that they...
Part of a four picture co-op with Seven Arts Productions, Plague was released stateside by Twentieth Century Fox in late January to better than average reviews; mind you, Hammer usually found an appreciative press, if even for set design and production values alone. But critics at the time liked the fact that they...
- 2/23/2019
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
I have the softest of spots for Satanic Panic horror, from Rosemary’s Baby (1968) to The Exorcist (1973) to The Devil’s Rain (‘75) up to The Devil’s Advocate (1997) and beyond. There’s just something about Old Scratch pulling the strings on the ill-begotten and innocent alike that makes me giddy. One of the most successful iterations is 1976’s The Omen, wherein Beelzebub sends his little guy into the world to stir things up and make it hard for A-list actors to keep straight faces. But they somehow do, resulting in one of my very favorite devil-dipped ‘70s flicks.
Released by Twentieth Century Fox in a limited run on June 6th (Ooh), The Omen went wide and brought in over $60 million against a $2.8 million budget, making it the fourth biggest grossing film of the year. And surprise, surprise, some mainstream critics liked it too, citing the acting, creative deaths, and Jerry Goldsmith’s now iconic,...
Released by Twentieth Century Fox in a limited run on June 6th (Ooh), The Omen went wide and brought in over $60 million against a $2.8 million budget, making it the fourth biggest grossing film of the year. And surprise, surprise, some mainstream critics liked it too, citing the acting, creative deaths, and Jerry Goldsmith’s now iconic,...
- 11/10/2018
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
English-born film editor Anne V. Coates, who won an Academy Award for cutting David Lean’s classic “Lawrence of Arabia,” has died. She was 92.
She earned that 1963 Oscar: In addition to its impressive balance of imposing desert landscapes and vivid human drama (culled from some 31 miles of footage), the nearly four-hour epic contains one of the most famous “match” cuts in movie history, from a shot of Peter O’Toole blowing out a match to a majestic desert sunrise.
Coates went on to receive four more Academy Award nominations, for editing Peter Glenville’s “Becket” (1964), David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man” (1980), Wolfgang Petersen’s “In the Line of Fire” (1993) and Steven Soderbergh’s “Out of Sight” (1988).
Her other credits include “Young Cassidy” (1965), “The Bofors Gun” (1968), “The Public Eye” (1972), “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974), “What About Bob?” (1991), “Chaplin” (1992), “Congo” (1995), “Striptease” (1996) and Soderbergh’s “Erin Brockovich” (2000).
Her more recent credits include “The Golden Compass...
She earned that 1963 Oscar: In addition to its impressive balance of imposing desert landscapes and vivid human drama (culled from some 31 miles of footage), the nearly four-hour epic contains one of the most famous “match” cuts in movie history, from a shot of Peter O’Toole blowing out a match to a majestic desert sunrise.
Coates went on to receive four more Academy Award nominations, for editing Peter Glenville’s “Becket” (1964), David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man” (1980), Wolfgang Petersen’s “In the Line of Fire” (1993) and Steven Soderbergh’s “Out of Sight” (1988).
Her other credits include “Young Cassidy” (1965), “The Bofors Gun” (1968), “The Public Eye” (1972), “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974), “What About Bob?” (1991), “Chaplin” (1992), “Congo” (1995), “Striptease” (1996) and Soderbergh’s “Erin Brockovich” (2000).
Her more recent credits include “The Golden Compass...
- 5/9/2018
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
By Lee Pfeiffer
Perhaps more relevant today than ever, the Visual Entertainment Inc. DVD label has released "Arthur C. Clarke: The Complete Collection", a 52 episode boxed set containing 22 hours of programming. Why is this set more relevant today than ever? Because in his prime, Clarke and his fellow prominent scientists and intellectuals were held in great esteem by the general public. Today, however, vast segments of the world's populations are intent on downgrading the importance of science in place of fanatical religious dogma. Fortunately, for the majority of people of faith, science does not exist in a mutually exclusive universe. Nevertheless, there is an undeniable trend in some quarters to pretend that established fact does not exist, especially if it offers some inconvenient contrasts to what these people want to believe. This anti-science slant is not restricted to fringe religious groups. Our popular culture reflects widespread belief in things...
Perhaps more relevant today than ever, the Visual Entertainment Inc. DVD label has released "Arthur C. Clarke: The Complete Collection", a 52 episode boxed set containing 22 hours of programming. Why is this set more relevant today than ever? Because in his prime, Clarke and his fellow prominent scientists and intellectuals were held in great esteem by the general public. Today, however, vast segments of the world's populations are intent on downgrading the importance of science in place of fanatical religious dogma. Fortunately, for the majority of people of faith, science does not exist in a mutually exclusive universe. Nevertheless, there is an undeniable trend in some quarters to pretend that established fact does not exist, especially if it offers some inconvenient contrasts to what these people want to believe. This anti-science slant is not restricted to fringe religious groups. Our popular culture reflects widespread belief in things...
- 5/4/2018
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Who?
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1974 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 93 min. / Street Date , 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring Elliott Gould, Joseph Bova, Trevor Howard, Edward Grover, John Lehne, James Noble, Lyndon Brook, Michael Lombard, Kay(m) Tornborg, Joy Garrett, John Stewart.
Cinematography: Petrus R. Schoömp
Film Editor: Norman Wanstall
Original Music: John Cameron
Written by John Gould from the novel by Algis Budrys
Produced by Barry Levinson
Directed by Jack Gold
Today’s filmgoers say they want more cerebral science fiction films, and some moviemakers make an effort to comply. This year’s Arrival is quite ambitious, and last year’s Ex Machina is as good as any sci-fi movie since 2001.
But back in the 1950s producers quickly discovered that the audience wanted little more than monsters and mounting disaster in their sci-fi. Although some wonderful work snuck through, killer robots and alien invaders became the norm. From the 1970s forward, even with Stanley Kubrick aboard,...
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1974 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 93 min. / Street Date , 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring Elliott Gould, Joseph Bova, Trevor Howard, Edward Grover, John Lehne, James Noble, Lyndon Brook, Michael Lombard, Kay(m) Tornborg, Joy Garrett, John Stewart.
Cinematography: Petrus R. Schoömp
Film Editor: Norman Wanstall
Original Music: John Cameron
Written by John Gould from the novel by Algis Budrys
Produced by Barry Levinson
Directed by Jack Gold
Today’s filmgoers say they want more cerebral science fiction films, and some moviemakers make an effort to comply. This year’s Arrival is quite ambitious, and last year’s Ex Machina is as good as any sci-fi movie since 2001.
But back in the 1950s producers quickly discovered that the audience wanted little more than monsters and mounting disaster in their sci-fi. Although some wonderful work snuck through, killer robots and alien invaders became the norm. From the 1970s forward, even with Stanley Kubrick aboard,...
- 1/17/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Brian DePalma’s Carrie (1976) has cast a very wide shadow since it hit theatres. Many horror films have used the trope of telekinesis for the greater bad following its release, including Jennifer, The Fury, Patrick, The Medusa Touch (all ’78), Scanners (’81), and several more. (You can’t make me mention Friday the 13th Part VII. Oh. Dammit.) Of course, television is anything if not inclusive, and the networks scrambled to come up with their own takes on teenage angst. However, ABC’s The Initiation of Sarah (1978) took a slightly different tact and sent the girl off to college – and ended up serving a strong dose of female empowerment.
First broadcast on Monday, February 6th, Sarah had her work cut out, not so much from NBC, who provided their own Monday Night at the Movies, but from CBS’ juggernaut of M*A*S*H/One Day at a Time. Regardless of ratings,...
First broadcast on Monday, February 6th, Sarah had her work cut out, not so much from NBC, who provided their own Monday Night at the Movies, but from CBS’ juggernaut of M*A*S*H/One Day at a Time. Regardless of ratings,...
- 6/5/2016
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Colossal
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Writer: Nacho Vigalondo
We’ve been a bit underwhelmed with Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo’s two follow-ups to his fun 2007 debut Timecrimes, those being the alien invasion comedy Extraterrestrial (2011) and his English language internet thriller Open Windows (2014) with Elijah Wood. But we have high hopes for his current project, Colossal, which managed to score a cast including Anne Hathaway, Dan Stevens, and Jason Sudeikis. A minor hiccup occurred between the director and rights holder of Godzilla, which was thankfully settled so Vigalondo could return to doing something more meaningful. In short, Hathaway stars as woman discovering that severe catastrophic events are related to her own mental breakdown….which sounds a lot like The Brood (1979) meets forgotten Richard Burton thriller The Medusa Touch (1978).
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Dan Stevens, Jason Sudeikis, Tim Blake Nelson
Production Co.: Brightlight Pictures, Sayaka Producciones Audiovisuales
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. Tbd...
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Writer: Nacho Vigalondo
We’ve been a bit underwhelmed with Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo’s two follow-ups to his fun 2007 debut Timecrimes, those being the alien invasion comedy Extraterrestrial (2011) and his English language internet thriller Open Windows (2014) with Elijah Wood. But we have high hopes for his current project, Colossal, which managed to score a cast including Anne Hathaway, Dan Stevens, and Jason Sudeikis. A minor hiccup occurred between the director and rights holder of Godzilla, which was thankfully settled so Vigalondo could return to doing something more meaningful. In short, Hathaway stars as woman discovering that severe catastrophic events are related to her own mental breakdown….which sounds a lot like The Brood (1979) meets forgotten Richard Burton thriller The Medusa Touch (1978).
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Dan Stevens, Jason Sudeikis, Tim Blake Nelson
Production Co.: Brightlight Pictures, Sayaka Producciones Audiovisuales
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. Tbd...
- 1/9/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
“The British Film” collection was launched by Network Distributing in April 2013 as part of a five-year plan to release over 450 vintage British films through a deal with Studiocanal. Many of the films have never been available to own and will benefit from new transfers. We’ve already reviewed a couple of their previous releases, the Hammer horror pairing of Countess Dracula and Twins of Evil – and now we take a look at two more interesting British horrors of the 1970s…
The Shout
Stars: Alan Bates, Susannah York, John Hurt, Robert Stephens, Tim Curry | Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski
Synopsis: During a cricket match at an insane asylum between the inmates and the local villagers, Crossley and Graves keep themselves entertained by telling stories. Crossley tells of how he came to possess supernatural powers enabling him to kill with a single shout and although his companion dismisses the tale as an insane fantasy,...
The Shout
Stars: Alan Bates, Susannah York, John Hurt, Robert Stephens, Tim Curry | Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski
Synopsis: During a cricket match at an insane asylum between the inmates and the local villagers, Crossley and Graves keep themselves entertained by telling stories. Crossley tells of how he came to possess supernatural powers enabling him to kill with a single shout and although his companion dismisses the tale as an insane fantasy,...
- 10/26/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
By Adrian Smith
Although by the late 1970s Richard Burton's reputation was based more on his hard-drinking and turbulent marriages, he was still capable of demonstrating his powers as a dangerous and magnetic performer. Arguably by this time he had lost some of his former box-office draw and was taking roles in horror films like Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and The Medusa Touch to pay the bills, yet he was still a mesmerising screen presence and in this film can even command the attention of the audience whilst lying on a hospital bed in a coma.
The Medusa Touch is set in London and begins with a murder. In the opening scene we see renowned author John Morlar (Richard Burton) watching news of a space shuttle disaster on TV. Within seconds he is being bludgeoned to death by a blunt instrument. It is something of a shock to see...
Although by the late 1970s Richard Burton's reputation was based more on his hard-drinking and turbulent marriages, he was still capable of demonstrating his powers as a dangerous and magnetic performer. Arguably by this time he had lost some of his former box-office draw and was taking roles in horror films like Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and The Medusa Touch to pay the bills, yet he was still a mesmerising screen presence and in this film can even command the attention of the audience whilst lying on a hospital bed in a coma.
The Medusa Touch is set in London and begins with a murder. In the opening scene we see renowned author John Morlar (Richard Burton) watching news of a space shuttle disaster on TV. Within seconds he is being bludgeoned to death by a blunt instrument. It is something of a shock to see...
- 10/12/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
In anticipation of the latest found footage horror The Borderlands, HeyUGuys caught up with filmmaker Elliot Goldner to discuss investigating paranormal events in a remote church.
Elliot spoke to us about the marketing of a filmmaker’s vision, the inner workings of found footage, and whether it is a genre or a style of filmmaking. During our discussion he also touched upon the influence of the individual filmmaker, horror masterpieces directed by directors outside of the genre, as well as the terrifying presence of Richard Burton and Snow White’s nemesis.
The experience of a film can be radically different to what the poster quotes lead you to expect, as is possibly the case here. But then film like all art forms is dependent on the subjective reaction of a broad audience.
Well it’s interesting to have an idea of a film as you are making it and then...
Elliot spoke to us about the marketing of a filmmaker’s vision, the inner workings of found footage, and whether it is a genre or a style of filmmaking. During our discussion he also touched upon the influence of the individual filmmaker, horror masterpieces directed by directors outside of the genre, as well as the terrifying presence of Richard Burton and Snow White’s nemesis.
The experience of a film can be radically different to what the poster quotes lead you to expect, as is possibly the case here. But then film like all art forms is dependent on the subjective reaction of a broad audience.
Well it’s interesting to have an idea of a film as you are making it and then...
- 3/25/2014
- by Paul Risker
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Hopefully there won't be a chorus of voices proclaiming that I've discovered a new room in the house of 'wrong'. The same personal history that attracts us to certain faces (or quirks - or even defects) applies to how we respond to any particular human voice, so a list of 'best voices' is going to be pretty far from any kind of actuarial table on the matter. That said, there seems to be a pretty broad consensus of 'voice appeal' in a lot of my choices.
I note that I only came up with five female voices out of twenty. I don't know if that's some kind of unconscious sexism, or if it in any way ratifies the (itself probably pretty sexist) opinion I once heard that female voices have less scope than male ones. In any case that bias, if such it is, is in pretty broad opposition to...
I note that I only came up with five female voices out of twenty. I don't know if that's some kind of unconscious sexism, or if it in any way ratifies the (itself probably pretty sexist) opinion I once heard that female voices have less scope than male ones. In any case that bias, if such it is, is in pretty broad opposition to...
- 3/30/2011
- Shadowlocked
Great news for Lee Remick fans: eleven of her movies will be shown on Thursday, Aug. 26, on Turner Classic Movies. Remick Day is part of TCM’s "Summer Under the Stars" series. [Lee Remick schedule.] I’ve been a major Lee Remick fan since I saw this pretty, talented blonde with the bluest of blue eyes in two movies: Otto Preminger‘s courtroom comedy-drama Anatomy of a Murder (1959) and, in a supporting role, Martin Ritt‘s The Long, Hot Summer (1958). Her movies have ranged from the excellent (the aforementioned Anatomy of a Murder) to the exceedingly awful (The Medusa Touch), but no matter how atrocious the screenplay Remick has always brought honesty, intelligence, and a cool sensuality to her roles. There are four TCM premieres on Lee Remick Day: Robert Mulligan‘s drama Baby, the Rain Must Fall (1965), co-starring Steve McQueen and Don Murray; Don Sharp‘s Ira thriller Hennessy (1975), with Rod Steiger...
- 8/26/2010
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
British actor Mark Jones appeared frequently on films and television from the 1960s. He was featured as Arnold Keeler in the 1976 Doctor Who serial The Seeds of Doom, and was an Imperial Officer in the 1980 Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back.
Jones was born in England on April 22, 1939. He made his film debut in Peter Brook’s 1967 adaptation of the Peter Weiss play The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade (aka Marat/Sade).
He starred in the 1973 television production of the science fiction drama A.D.A.M., and was seen in the 1975 adult sci-fi film The Sexplorer (aka Girl from Starship Venus). His other film credits include 1978’s The Medusa Touch, a psychological thriller about a telekinetic novelist, starring Richard Burton, and the 1984 holiday-themed slasher film Don’t Open Till Christmas. He was...
Jones was born in England on April 22, 1939. He made his film debut in Peter Brook’s 1967 adaptation of the Peter Weiss play The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade (aka Marat/Sade).
He starred in the 1973 television production of the science fiction drama A.D.A.M., and was seen in the 1975 adult sci-fi film The Sexplorer (aka Girl from Starship Venus). His other film credits include 1978’s The Medusa Touch, a psychological thriller about a telekinetic novelist, starring Richard Burton, and the 1984 holiday-themed slasher film Don’t Open Till Christmas. He was...
- 2/12/2010
- by Bryan
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (Tltwtw) has several adaptations available for all ages: apart from the live action series and the recent cinematic adaptatios, many of you may still remember this animated version, directed by Bill Melendez. I myself grew up with the live action series which aired on the Hungarian national television some time in the early 90s and I don't believe the cartoon was ever shown here. I had to track it down myself and I wasn't disappointed - sure, it's "animated", but its one of those pictures that's good for the whole family and the adults won't fall asleep either from boredom.
Along with The Medusa Touch (see yesterday's post) this is one of the most well-known titles from Lewis' filmography and shows the importance of building your career in several directions. After Theatre of Blood, the composer found a new career in writing music for...
Along with The Medusa Touch (see yesterday's post) this is one of the most well-known titles from Lewis' filmography and shows the importance of building your career in several directions. After Theatre of Blood, the composer found a new career in writing music for...
- 2/3/2009
- Daily Film Music Blog
Watching The Medusa Touch on Hungarian commercial television is one of my earlier film watching memories - I saw it several times as for some reason the station showed it quite frequently. The film tells the story of the telekinetic John Morlar (Richard Burton), who manages to cause various catastrophes just by thinking at them. It really works a bit like the early Omen movies which showed numerous inventively arranged deaths, but Morlar's talents even overshadow that of Damien Thorne. Did I mention that this picture features Lee Remick as well?
The music is the type of scoring that easily impresses a young, impressionable mind - it's totally in your face, very powerful and really spooky at the same time. And like any movie whose music I remember from this age, there's a sequence very dominantly built around the music. "Destruction of Cathedral" is an exhillirating 5-minute ride which I...
The music is the type of scoring that easily impresses a young, impressionable mind - it's totally in your face, very powerful and really spooky at the same time. And like any movie whose music I remember from this age, there's a sequence very dominantly built around the music. "Destruction of Cathedral" is an exhillirating 5-minute ride which I...
- 1/30/2009
- Daily Film Music Blog
Since I so royally dissed Empire and its reader t'other day for their downright dispicable "500 Greatest Movies Of All Time" poll, I thought it might be a suitable time to finally get around to posting a little list of my own. Yes, as part of a sometimes series which I shall simply call 'Lists' for ease of use, I present to you my top 10 favourite films, so I may in turn be royally dissed.
Please note this list if "favourites" and Not "greatest" and as such is not a claim by myself to be the most incredible standout pieces of cinema the world has ever seen. These are all films which, for reasons both known and unknown, are very dear to me.
And so, in no particular order bar No.1, I present to you Fi's Fave Films!...
1. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (David Lynch, 1992)
This is my all-time favourite film,...
Please note this list if "favourites" and Not "greatest" and as such is not a claim by myself to be the most incredible standout pieces of cinema the world has ever seen. These are all films which, for reasons both known and unknown, are very dear to me.
And so, in no particular order bar No.1, I present to you Fi's Fave Films!...
1. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (David Lynch, 1992)
This is my all-time favourite film,...
- 10/14/2008
- by Fiona
- Latemag.com/film
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