Me and my son in trailer for Coventry zombie film Immune

June 29, 2015, 9:07 am

≫ Next: The Xlitherman returns on 1st September

≪ Previous: Zombie Women of Satan 2 very, very close to completion

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Last year young TF Simpson and I went over to Coventry to help with the shooting of a teaser trailer for a new zombie feature Immune, directed by Steven Tayler.

That trailer has now been released and you can watch it on YouTube. Find out more about Immune on the Halogen Entertainment website.

Here's a couple of grabs of Simpson pere et fils...

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The Xlitherman returns on 1st September

June 30, 2015, 3:12 pm

≫ Next: Baker's dozen British features at Frightfest

≪ Previous: Me and my son in trailer for Coventry zombie film Immune

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Back in 2009 there was a British horror movie called The Xlitherman, starring BHR regular Marysia Kay. I've never seen the film and never tracked down a copy.

Well, my search is nearly at an end because director Peter Lancett is working on a new version, called The Xlitherman - Remaster, and a release date of 1st September has now been announced over on his Facebook page.

Synopsis:After his girlfriend leaves him, Martyn hides his disturbing slide to to the edge of insanity behind a mask of repressed normality. Martyn is an everyday man of the suburbs. In fact, he's just like you.

Martyn is just like you: that's how he thinks you see him. He lives in the suburbs; he goes to work and comes home again. Just like you in fact. But Martyn has a secret. Martyn is obsessed with murder and magic. He admires people like Peter Kurten, Charlie Manson,  night stalker Richard Ramirez - and of course, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Martyn visits notorious locations forever linked with the horrors of the past, particularly Saddleworth Moor where Brady and Hindley tortured, murdered and buried their child-victims. And if you cross him, perhaps he even visits your home while you sleep. Still, everyone has a few secrets, right? Even you. Martyn is no different from you after all.

Things change when Sandra appears - seemingly from nowhere - and Martyn is goaded into revealing his true nature. Now, the suburbs will never be safe again.

Here's a description of the new version from Lancett's webste:

The radical new cut features newly shot and never before seen footage, using recaptured and remastered HD footage.

The sound design, created by Mark Rimington is completely fresh and features original music from Mark Rimington, Steve Max and music composed and performed by talented Hollywood-based musician Michelle Macedo of Macedo Music, recorded mixed and mastered by Mj Denton of MoonGold Records, Los Angeles.

The Xlitherman - Remaster will be available on various Video on Demand platforms

I'm looking forward to finally getting to tick this one off my list. Here's the trailer for the original version:

Baker's dozen British features at Frightfest

July 2, 2015, 10:28 am

≫ Next: 'The Dead 2' on UK DVD next week

≪ Previous: The Xlitherman returns on 1st September

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Frightfest have announced their line-up for 2015 and as usual it includes a good selection of British features. Thirteen in total:

• Bait (Dominic Brunt) - see previous post
• Nina Forever (Ben and Chris Blaine) - see previous post
• Aaaaaaaah! (Steve Oram)
• Never Let Go (Howard J Ford)
• Estranged (Adam Levins)
• The Hallow (Corin Hardy)
• The Lesson (Ruth Platt)
• Howl (Paul Hyett) - see previous post
• Awaiting (Mark Murphy)
• Another Me (Isabel Coixet)
• Afterdeath (Gez Medinger, Robin Schmidt)
• The Unfolding (Eugene McGing) - see previous post
• Banjo (Liam Regan)

There will probably be some British shorts too, but those haven't been announced yet.

Frightfest runs 27th-31st August down in That London.

'The Dead 2' on UK DVD next week

July 6, 2015, 2:31 pm

≫ Next: The Zombie King finally gets a UK release date

≪ Previous: Baker's dozen British features at Frightfest

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Pretty much at the top of my must-see list is The Dead 2: India, the Ford Brothers' follow-up to their absolutely awesome 2011 Africa-set zombie picture.

The film premiered at Frightfest two years ago, and hits UK DVD on 13th July courtesy of Altitude Films. It's eight quid on pre-order from Amazon. Howard Ford's subsequent film, Never Let Go, plays the 2015 Frightfest next month.

Synopsis: The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the Ford Brothers’ African set THE DEAD, THE DEAD 2 moves us to the hustle and bustle of India as the outbreak of the walking dead take hold. An American engineer teams up with a surviving orphan street kid to trek 300 miles across stunning but deadly rural Indian landscapes to the now infested slums of Mumbai to try and save his pregnant girlfriend. The first ever international zombie movie shot in incredible India, THE DEAD 2, puts the Ford Brother's unique vision on a far bigger canvas, with breath taking scope, thrilling action and emotional resonance.

Here's the trailer. Review coming soon.

The Zombie King finally gets a UK release date

July 19, 2015, 1:44 am

≫ Next: New artwork and unimaginative new title for Bloodlust

≪ Previous: 'The Dead 2' on UK DVD next week

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When I reviewed The Zombie King last November I noted that there had been German, Dutch and Japanese releases but nothing yet in the UK. Well, a UK disc is now up for pre-order on Amazon.

High Fliers Films will release the picture on 26th October 2015 (ie. Halloween week - always the busiest time for horror releases). The title has been changed to King of the Dead.

I suspect this isn't the final artwork as, of the six quotes on the sleeve, two are attributed to InfernalCinema.com and three to UKHorrorScene.com!

New artwork and unimaginative new title for Bloodlust

July 19, 2015, 1:55 am

≫ Next: British horror western Blood Moon set for UK and US release

≪ Previous: The Zombie King finally gets a UK release date

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Last November I reported the impending February 2015 release of Richard Johnstone's vampire feature Bloodlust, starring fan favourite Victoria Hopkins (The Devil's Music, Le Fear 2, Zombie Women of Satan). Needless to say, the release has been bumped.

The film is now pencilled in for 12th October 2015 and has undergone a name-change. It was shot as Bloodless, which was changed to Bloodlust, either of which is pretty cool. But 101 Films, for reasons best known to themselves, have decided to release the picture as... Vampires.

FFS. How is that supposed to stand out in any way among the barrage of horror DVDs that hit the streets each October?

British horror western Blood Moon set for UK and US release

July 31, 2015, 10:27 am

≫ Next: House on the Witchpit - 'press release'

≪ Previous: New artwork and unimaginative new title for Bloodlust

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Jeremy Wooding's Blood Moon - a werewolf western shot in Kent in 2013 - premiered at last year's Frightfest. Since then it has played a bunch more festivals including Bram Stoker and Fantasporto. Now it's finally coming to DVD just over a year later, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Uncork'd Entertainment release the US disc on 1st September, rhen StudioCanal release the film in the UK on 5th October.

Wooding has previously directed episodes of some of the best shows on CBBC, including Bear Behaving Badly, Dani's House and The Legend of Dick and Dom.

The cast includes Shaun Dooley (Broadchurch, Wolfblood, Misfits), George Blagden, Anna Skellern (Siren, A Night in the Woods) and Canadian voice legend Kerry Shale.

NB. The publicity claims that this is the first western shot in the UK since Carry On Cowboy although that's not strictly true. Even if we discoumt Richard Driscoll's Eldorado, we can't ignore Edgar Wright's infamous debut A Fistful of Fingers. Not that it matters. Just being accurate is all.

Find out more at www.bloodmoonthemovie.com

House on the Witchpit - 'press release'

August 24, 2015, 12:07 pm

≫ Next: Three retitled British horrors on US disc on Monday

≪ Previous: British horror western Blood Moon set for UK and US release

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I put 'press release' in inverted commas there because traditionally a release actually tells you something. But that wily Pat Higgins continues to play his cards so close to his chest that he'll probably end up with a reverse tattoo of the Jack of Spades.

This is what young Patrick H has to say to the world about his latest opus:

The latest feature from Jinx Media, entitled The House on the Witchpit, has just wrapped principal photography.

Writer/Director Pat Higgins has elected not to release any stills, trailer, synopsis or casting information for this film. He has announced that the film will be screened to 36 people at a single screening in 2015, after which that particular version will never be screened again.

A different version will be screened at the Horror-on-Sea festival in 2016,, after which that version will also never be screened again.

The only official image connected with the feature to have been released is the teaser poster (above).

An associated Twitter account at @witchpithouse stated on August 2nd “We are making a film that exists largely to unnerve you”

Make of all that what you will...

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Three retitled British horrors on US disc on Monday

August 26, 2015, 12:50 am

≫ Next: Containment release details: cinemas, VOD, DVD

≪ Previous: House on the Witchpit - 'press release'

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Three recent British horrors are lined up for US release on Monday 1st September under different titles to those we know them by.

Simeon Halligan’s terrific White Settlers, in which an English couple move to Scotland only to be brutally harassed by the locals, is out from Magnolia Pictures. But don’t look for it under W as the distributor has retitled it The Blood Lands.

Luke Hyams’ Xmoor, which premiered one year ago at Frightfesst 2014, is released on the same day through Screen Media. This one, which is still awaiting a UK disc, is now The Beast of Xmoor, which seems fair enough.

And one more for luck. MPI Video release Hangar 10, a sci-fi/horror feature directed by Daniel Simpson (no relation). This is the title under which the film was shot, but in the UK it has been released as The Rendlesham UFO Incident.

Containment release details: cinemas, VOD, DVD

September 4, 2015, 1:22 pm

≫ Next: Apparently there a UK comedy-horror film based on a CBBC series...

≪ Previous: Three retitled British horrors on US disc on Monday

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Containment, a sci-fi-horror picture directed by Neil Mcenery-West from a script by David Lemon, gets a limited theatrical release from next week as well as hitting on-demand platforms.

The film has a preview tomorrow (Saturday 5th) in Henley, then it plays That London from 11th to 14th, Southampton for one night only on 14th, then from 14th-17th you can catch it in Bristol, Derby, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. There’s also a one-off screening in Brighton on 21st. Full details on www.containment-film.com

It was released on US VOD things last month and hits UK VOD things from 11th. For those of us who still like proper shiny discs like Grandad watched, the DVD is out on 5th October from 4DigitalMedia.

Synopis: Mark, a failed artist estranged from his wife and son, wakes one morning to discover that the doors and windows of his flat have been sealed shut. He assumes it’s a sick joke until he sees an army of ‘Hazmats’ – mysterious figures in protective suits – patrolling the grounds and attacking his fellow residents. When a neighbour smashes through their adjoining wall, Mark joins forces with his new-found ally and others from within the block. Together, they must work to defend themselves from the sinister Hazmats. But they soon discover that the greatest danger is sealed inside with them…

Apparently there a UK comedy-horror film based on a CBBC series...

September 8, 2015, 1:24 pm

≫ Next: New book on 21st century British horror films

≪ Previous: Containment release details: cinemas, VOD, DVD

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I've never heard of Friday Download but evidently it's a series on CBBC (11-year-old TF Simpson is too old for that channel now and just obsessively watches repeats of Top Gear on Dave). And apparently, it's now a British comedy-horror movie too! It seems to have played theatres back in May when, quite understandably I'm sure you'll agree, I was totally unaware of it,

The DVD's out next month. One for completists, this, I think. Here's the press release:

Long running hit CBBC kids show Friday Download gets the big screen treatment in action-packed comedy adventure Friday Download The Movie (Up All Night). This fun filled spooky escapade featuring teen sensations The Vamps and Britain’s Got Talent favourites Bars and Melody makes its way to DVD on 19 October 2015 from Great Point Media and Spirit Entertainment.

It’s summer and the Friday Download gang Dionne Bromfield, Richard Wisker, Shannon Flynn, George Sear and Bobby Lockwood, pack their bags and hit the road for a trip of a lifetime but things don’t quite go to plan.

A mysterious power, beyond their control, plays havoc with their sat nav, the van gets totalled and soon they’re knocking on the door of Hill House, a creepy old mansion in the middle of nowhere where they encounter brother and sister Caleb (Tyger Drew Honey – Outnumbered) and Clara (Louisa Connolly-Burnham – Wolfblood), who invite them to stay the night while they get their van repaired. But the strange pair are hiding something and after a night of ghostly goings on and an encounter with hapless policeman (David Mitchell – Peep Show), and ghost hunter (Ethan Lawrence – Bad Education), the team learn that the house is about to be knocked down. Can the gang save it from demolition with their plan for a special Friday Download music festival?

For a fun fix of Halloween happenings, laugh-out-loud Friday Download – The Movie will keep the family entertained during the half term and beyond.

Written by Toby Davies (Yonderland), directed by John Henderson (The Borrowers) and produced by Jeremy Salsby (Friday Download), Dan Shepherd (Chalet Girl) and Jules Elvins (The Color of Freedom).

New book on 21st century British horror films

October 7, 2015, 12:05 pm

≫ Next: UK and US DVD sleeves for Howl

≪ Previous: Apparently there a UK comedy-horror film based on a CBBC series...

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Johnny Walker’s book Contemporary British Horror Cinema: Industry, Genre and Society has just been published by Edinburgh University Press. This is of course only the second ever volume devoted to 21st century UK frightflicks.

Johnny lectures in Media at Northumbria University. Before heading up north he did his PhD here in Leicester at De Montfort University and we would occasionally quaff a few pints together and discuss Jason Impey films. He has written a number of pieces for magazine and academic journals, and spoken at various events, but Contemporary British Horror Cinema is his first book.

Where my own Urban Terrors: New British Horror Cinema 1997-2008 (which Johnny cites in his own work) took a populist approach to the subject matter, CBHC:IGS is much more of an academic work, full of citations and references. But it’s a historical rather than analytical or theoretical work, so don’t be too alarmed. I’d like to think that my book and Johnny’s are complementary.

The book will be launched on 13th November at the Abertoir Horror Film Festival in Aberystwyth (which is a bit better than the last minute launch in the Leicester University bookshop which I managed...)

Now here’s the bad news. Academic books are eye-wateringly expensive and this one will set you back seventy quid. There is a cheaper softback version on the way next year, so you may want to wait for that.

Expect a more detailed review in due course when I’ve read it.

• Publisher's website
• Amazon.co.uk

Publisher's blurb:

Combining industry analysis, interviews and detailed textual readings, this book examines the post-millennial revival of Combining industrial research and primary interview material with detailed textual analysis, Contemporary British Horror Cinema looks beyond the dominant paradigms which have explained away British horror in the past, and sheds light on one of the most dynamic and distinctive yet scarcely talked about areas of contemporary British film production. Considering high-profile theatrical releases, including The Descent, Shaun of the Dead and The Woman in Black, as well as more obscure films such as The Devil s Chair, Resurrecting the Street Walker and Cherry Tree Lane, Contemporary British Horror Cinema provides a thorough examination of British horror film production in the twenty-first century.

UK and US DVD sleeves for Howl

October 9, 2015, 12:20 pm

≫ Next: Vampire Dawn DVD launch in Bath today

≪ Previous: New book on 21st century British horror films

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Here's the British DVD sleeve for Paul Hyett's werewolf on a train feature Howl.

The UK disc is released on 26th October. Before then you can catch Howl on the big screen at the Mayhem festival in Nottingham on 16th October, and at the Prince Charles Cinema in London on 18th.

The American disc follows on 12th January next year and looks like this:

Vampire Dawn DVD launch in Bath today

October 17, 2015, 2:52 am

≫ Next: Poster artist exhibition

≪ Previous: UK and US DVD sleeves for Howl

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I know it's short notice, but if you're anywhere near Bath today get yourself along to the Bath Party Shop where director David Gunstone is launching the Director's Cut of his debut feature Vampire Dawn (see blogs passim).

The shop is at 49 Moorland Road and David will be there from midday. You can also purchase his second feature The Doomsditch Demon. I would have alerted you sooner but my screener of Vampire Dawn has only just turned up. Review on the way.

David is working on a third movie and has a fourth in prep.

Find out more at http://vampiredawn.moonfruit.com

Poster artist exhibition

October 19, 2015, 10:22 am

≫ Next: Horror-on-Sea mocks me once again with an incredible line-up of films I can’t watch

≪ Previous: Vampire Dawn DVD launch in Bath today

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Poster artist Graham Humphreys is most closely associated with 1980s titles like Evil Dead II and A Nightmare on Elm Street, but he's still around and still doing posters for films, including a number of British Horror Revival titles, so it's not inappropriate to let you know about a new exhibition of his work.

Humphreys created posters for Inbred, Lesbian Vampire Killers, The Woman in Black and A Day of Violence (plus the video sleeve for London Voodoo).

An exhibition of his horror work, Drawing Blood, runs at Proud Camden in That London from 28th October to 22nd November.

You can find out more about the artist at www.grahamhumphreys.com

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Horror-on-Sea mocks me once again with an incredible line-up of films I can’t watch

November 9, 2015, 1:51 pm

≫ Next: Tear Me Apart premieres in Austin

≪ Previous: Poster artist exhibition

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I often get asked if I’m going to this or that film festival and the answer is invariably no. I don’t go to film festivals. I would love to, but I have a day-job and a family, and consequently I have neither the time nor the money to go to festivals. But if I could go to just one, it would be Horror-on-Sea, which is stuffed full of great movies and most of my friends. Here’s what I will be missing over the weekend of 22nd-24th January 2016:

• Definition of Fear (James Simpson) - Four beautiful girls at a charming holiday cabin. But all is not what it seems…they are not alone 
• Banjo (Liam Regan) - A young man is manipulated by his imaginary friend to take revenge on his tormenting co-workers
• Survivors (Adam Spinks) - A virus sends the UK into a state of emergency. Without laws, how far would you go to survive?
• The House on the Witchpit (Pat Higgins) - World Premiere! No advance details: This is ‘Secret Cinema’, Pat Higgins-style! Just be amazed!
• The Snarling (Pablo Raybould) - World Premiere! A village hosts the cast and crew of a zombie film. But the horror turns real…
• Nina Forever (Ben Blaine and Chris Blaine) - Nina, Rob’s deceased girlfriend, returns to torment him whenever he has sex with his new girlfriend  
• Bacchanalia (Gary Meyer) - A wine tasting turns into wicked, murderous debauchery, with the morning after still to be faced [Formerly The Winedancers - MJS]
• Cleaver: Rise of the Killer Clown (Mj Dixon) - In 1990, Carlton the Clown slaughtered his unfaithful wife and her lover. Now ‘Cleaver’ is back…
• Art of Darkness (Steve Laurence) formerly Art House Massacre - A lunatic is hell-bent on transforming a captive woman into his latest blood-splattered masterpiece

Plus all these British shorts:

• FestEvil (Paul Taylor) 
• Lab Rats (David 'dwyz' Wayman) 
• Terry and Brenda (Jamie Hooper) 
• The Wager (Joss Maines) 
• Blanche Dumas from B to Z (Walter Martyn Cabell) 
• Red Wolf Pines (Mike Tack) 
• Beyond Redemption (Andrew Gilbert)
• Cephalopod (Lewis Peake)
• The Weird World of Molly Brown (Molly Brown)
• The Man Who Walked Too Far (Peter Bluck)
• Blue Moon (Martyn Pick)
• The Outer Darkness (Ben Franklin and Anthony Melto)
• Cyme Styrung (Alex Wylie)
• Slaypril Fools Day Part V: The Last Laugh (Mj Dixon)
• Stained (Phil Haine) 
• Beachcomber (Richard Elson)

Plus some great non-UK stuff including Debbie Rochon’s Model Hunger.

And then the next weekend, just to rub it in, there’s all this too:

• The Apostate: Call of the Revenant (Andy Dodd) - A man is found with four bodies. Flashbacks and interviews slowly piece the story together
• My Horrible Love (Charles Edmond) - Four foul mouthed family members attempt to settle their differences at a caravan park in Essex
• Hollower (Mj Dixon) - Agoraphobic Nathan keeps to himself. When he meets Izzy something awakens…something evil

And a load more non-UK stuff including Dave Campfield’s hilarious Caesar and Otto’s Paranormal Halloween.

I hope you all have a great time. If any of the film-makers want to send me a screener, I'd love to watch it. On my own,

Tear Me Apart premieres in Austin

November 12, 2015, 12:35 am

≫ Next: Incredible unseen images from Doghouse (Part 1)

≪ Previous: Horror-on-Sea mocks me once again with an incredible line-up of films I can’t watch

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Alex Lightman's debut feature Tear Me Apart had its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival on Halloween.

"In the wasteland of post-apocalyptic rural England, two young brothers turn to cannibalism to survive, only to fall for their prey, a teenage girl… and possibly the last girl alive."

The Austin Chronicle gave it a great review, saying "With post-apocalyptic shades of The Walking Dead and Y: The Last Man, writer Tom Kerevan also folds in the quirky menace of the early novels of late, great Scottish novelist Iain M. Banks."

You can find out more on the film's Facebook page or www.cannibalfilms.co.uk

Incredible unseen images from Doghouse (Part 1)

November 12, 2015, 2:41 pm

≫ Next: Incredible unseen images from Doghouse (Part 2)

≪ Previous: Tear Me Apart premieres in Austin

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My mate Jake West recently sent me a bunch of awesome on-set photos from Doghouse. A lot of these have not been published before, including some great close-ups of the incredible make-up that Karl Derrick created for the zom-birds. Jake very kindly said that I could publish them here on my blog, so here's the first batch. See more at Doghouse Photos Part 2, Doghouse Photos Part 3, Doghouse photos Part 4

Victoria Hopkins as 'The Bride'. Victoria was also in Zombie Women of Satan, Le Fear 2, Bloodless aka Vampires and of course The Devil's Music.

Lorry O'Toole as 'Foxy'. Lorry is a production designers whose credits include The ABCs of Death, The Theatre Bizarre and Adam Mason's Pig.

Joelle Simpson (no relation) as 'The Dentist'. Joelle was also in Warrioress and was one of the infected in 28 Days Later.

Alison Carroll as 'The Teen'. Alison was also in Devil's Tower and has played Lara Croft in commercials.

Beryl Nesbitt as 'Mikey's Nan' (with Terry Stone as Sgt Wright). Beryl has been acting for 60 years and can be seen in Dark Corners, Night Junkies and Little Deaths.

And introducing... Miss Emily Booth as 'The Snipper'.

Incredible unseen images from Doghouse (Part 2)

November 13, 2015, 10:04 am

≫ Next: Richard Driscoll is out of prison and wants you to fund his next movie!

≪ Previous: Incredible unseen images from Doghouse (Part 1)

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Here are some more on-set photos from Doghouse kindly supplied by Jake West. See more at Doghouse Photos Part 1, Doghouse Photos Part 3, Doghouse photos Part 4

Here'a Annie Vanders as 'Bubbles' in the infamous 'finger food' scene. She was also in Hush.

Here's a close-up look at Karl Derrick's make-up that Annie had to wear. Apparently it took five hours to apply!

This is Joanne Marie Cutts as 'The Butcher'.

Here's another shot of 'Lara Croft' actress Alison Carroll as 'The Teen'.

Don't know who this is, sorry.

And this is Nicola Jane Reading as 'The Witch'. She is also a stunt performer and was in Casino Royale.

Richard Driscoll is out of prison and wants you to fund his next movie!

November 14, 2015, 4:11 pm

≫ Next: Richard Driscoll's new film - the gory details

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It's the moment we've all been waiting for. Richard Driscoll has walked free from prison, having paid his debt to society. And what the first thing he' has done? That's right - resurrected one of his old rip-off projects.

For years, Driscoll talked about making something called Blade Hunter that was so shamelessly plagiarised from Blade Runner it would make Philip K Dick turn in his grave. Well, now he's trying to get it off the ground again, but instead of a dodgy tax deal, he's going to crowdsource the movie via Indiegogo!

He's set up a whole freaking website. Look, it's here: http://bhmovie.club

bhmovieclub? More like bsmovieclub.

It's late and I need to go to bed. I'll blog about this tomorrow, and discuss why you should or should not consider contributing to this project.

But for now, let's just welcome back to the cinema industry the worst film-maker in Britain, the UK's own answer to Ed Wood, the man, the legend, the lawsuit - Mr Richard Driscoll!