V/H/S Go Old School With Special Video Rental Store Screening

The anticipation around the upcoming 18th January cinema release of the horror anthology V/H/S is at fever pitch with Dread Central describing it as “A phenomenal piece of work. 5 out of 5.” and Fangoria urging “Horror fans need to see this movie at their earliest possible opportunity, because it’s a contender for best of the year.”

In the movie a small group of misfit friends and petty crooks are hired by a mysterious man to break into a derelict suburban house with the sole purpose of finding and stealing a rare VHS videotape. As they search through the tapes, playing them in turn, they are treated to a succession of graphic and apparently genuine video recordings, each one more shocking and bizarre than the last.

Momentum Pictures are proud to present a one-off early screening of V/H/S where for one night only you can go back in time to the glory days of VHS! Come join us on Wednesday 16th January at 6.30 at the one night only that ‘Cellar Rentals’ will exist at the Blackhall Studios in London for a pre-drink followed by an exclusive screening of the film at 7pm complete with popcorn. Should you survive this portion you'll then be able to join us in our loving tribute to the days of VHS as we're building an old-skool rental store for one night only. Look through the covers, enjoy complimentary drinks and other fun items in this rare chance to go back to the heady days of choosing tapes. The best bit of all - you'll get to leave with a rental big box VHS tape of V/H/S! Only 300 exist and they're numbered and this will be the ONLY SURE WAY to get hold of one of these rare collectors items.

Don't miss out - this will never happen again…To book tickets visit: www.agmp.co.uk

V/H/S is released in UK cinemas on 18th January 2013 and on DVD and Blu-ray on 28th January 2013 by Momentum Pictures.

WE ARE MONSTERS Gets New Artwork, Help The Movie Via Kickstarter

Cardiff/Bristol based production company Movie Mogul Ltd (PANIC BUTTON), are gearing up for their next production - sci-fi action horror WE ARE MONSTERS. They have brought on board accomplished key crew such as Casting Director Jeremy Zimmermann (MOON, HELLBOY), Monster effects specialist Neill Gorton (THE WOLFMAN, FROM HELL); Stunt Co-ordinator Andy Bennett (THE WOMAN IN BLACK) and Storyboard artist Ben Oliver (JUDGE DREDD, X-MEN). Casting is currently underway.  

Keen to involve the public, WE ARE MONSTERS producer, director and co-writer, John Shackleton, has turned to crowd-funding platform Kickstarter, which recently opened its virtual doors to UK projects. Movie Mogul’s fund-raising campaign runs for 60 days from December 14^th and they are aiming to raise £100,000 in an all or nothing campaign.

Shackleton commented: “We’re offering members of the public who might not normally have access to a film production, a window through which to get involved in the production of a fully professional feature film. There are a lot of fun incentives on offer, not least the opportunity to take part in the climactic uprising scenes at the end of the film, when the population begins to rise up against their alien oppressors.”

Synopsis: Lorna Thompson, a lonely suburban schoolgirl, joins a mutant gang of teenagers on a quest to discover their true identities. They uncover a global conspiracy, which they must find the strength to fight before civilization is destroyed.

Support We Are Monsters at Kickstarter here /  www.wearemonstersmovie.com

Interview: American Mary Directors The Soska Sisters

Jen and Sylvia Soska are the ‘terrible twins’ who are taking the film world by storm. Their second feature, AMERICAN MARY, is enjoying huge critical success ahead of its UK release in January 2013.

For their Director’s Night on Horror Channel, they have chosen ‘Hellraisers’,’Martyrs’ and ‘Pontypool’ and here they talk about their choices, why the UK is so special to them, the therapeutic nature of American Mary and why they can’t wait to get started on ‘Bob’.

Q: Last year Horror Channel broadcast the world premiere of ‘Dead Hooker In A Trunk’. What did that mean to you?

SS: When we were in the UK for FrightFest this year, we met so many people that were introduced to our work through the Horror Channel screenings - that gives an independent an audience they could never reach otherwise on a global scale.

JS: The UK is very special to us. It's the first place the film showed at a festival and the first place it was released. It was only was fitting to have our television premiere where we've had such a stellar response. It was at the same time very surreal. We watched along via twitter with the fans and I think we crashed our twitter account half way through and had to carry on via Facebook, ha ha! And to have an intro from our horror girl crush, Emily Booth, was a dream come true.

Q: How did that film change your lives?

SS: That film and more specifically the support we received from the horror community has changed our lives. We have this amazing opportunity to create unique films and we have brilliant people standing by the work to make it possible. We're promoting our second film, American Mary, now; what's different is we're getting the chance to travel and meet the people who have made this possible and watch the film with them. I feel like we're the luckiest horror nerds on the planet.

JS: Dead Hooker In A Trunk was a massive success due to the outstanding support of the horror community. First and foremost, we're horror fans ourselves and there's nothing like the feeling of having our fellow horror lovers embrace what we're doing. It's never been more easy to make a film in the way that we have so much technology and that makes it on the flip side a great struggle to stand apart from all the others, particularly for first time filmmakers. DHIAT has made us known filmmakers and that is a huge honour. We are so grateful to the people who have believed in us from the very beginning. They're the reason we're able to keep making films.

Q: Your new movie American Mary, which opens in the UK in January, has made a huge impact across the globe and has critics clambering over themselves to heap praise upon it. Where did the idea come from?

SS: Thank you; it's a very personal story. We were fascinated about the body modification culture when stumbling upon it years ago and massively researching the subject matter. We were struggling after making DHIAT, this is before its release, poor as hell, starving, meeting monsters in the industry, and having all sorts of personal troubles. The script was very therapeutic - we put everything we were going through and ourselves into that story using mainstream medicine Vs body modification as analogies for mainstream film industry Vs the horror scene. We wanted to shift people's opinions on appearances on the surface as well as one person's struggles for success.

JS: We've always been outcasts and found friendship and acceptance with our fellow underdogs. That inability to accept people who are different comes largely from ignorance. The body modification community is largely misunderstood and seems to be the subject of modern day witch hunts. It makes no sense to me that cosmetic surgery is fully accepted whereas body modification is ridiculed. We wanted to educate people on body mod. It makes a perfect vessel for telling our story as well.

Q.How different was it making American Mary compared to DHIAT?

SS: On DHIAT, we were every department. It was sink or swim and everyone having multiple jobs. On AM, we had experts in every department that killed themselves to make every aspect of the film excel. We had the experience from DHIAT to understand each department role and be involved, but a great full team and some money makes a world of difference, especially with an ambitious film like AM.

JS: Every project is a different experience. You learn from each, but they're all unique. The things that happened on DHIAT didn't happen on AM. DHIAT taught us how to roll with the punches which is an invaluable skill for a filmmaker at any level. Every film does come with its individual challenges. They're never the things you prepare for. You just need to be able to trouble shoot and keep going no matter what is standing in your way.

Q: Do you think you’ve grown in confidence as writers and directors?

SS: Yes. This job toughens you up significantly. I wanted to please everyone earlier on and you just can't do that. You have to stick to your guns, get your shots, and make your day. You have to be worthy of the leadership and visionary position that you have. I love collaborating with other team members to create a beautiful project, but I don't put up with shit from people who derail the process. Life's too short to deal with assholes.

JS: Absolutely. You become more sure of yourself and confident with your vision. I'm proud of DHIAT, but that film was very reflective of where we were when we made it. AM is where we've evolved to and our next film will be reflective of where we evolve to next. As a Canadian and as a woman, society trains you to tread so lightly and avoid confrontation and that's a load of bullsh*t you need to train yourself out of. You need to stick to your guns and trust your instincts. I'm very comfortable with that now. We don't compromise with our artistic vision. When you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one, especially yourself.

Q: Does it make you nervous for your next movie?

SS: I'm dying to get back to work. I love travelling and promoting a film, but I only truly feel like myself when I'm working on creating a film - I long to get back to that. And the next one is completely different; I can't wait to get it out to people.

JS: Quite the opposite. I can't wait to be shooting and prepping and cutting the new one. It's been a life changing experience to be able to travel with American Mary and have the opportunity to connect with the fans, but I feel the most like who I am when I'm working on a film. It's invigorating and exciting and there's no feeling in the world like it. I can't wait to create a new, original nightmare for the horror community.

Q: American Mary will be released in the UK in January. For the DVD; can you give us any hint of what extras we can expect?

SS: I like bringing people into the world of how the film is created. We've got some great behind the scenes goodies, a making of mini-documentary, and some other good stuff. Plus, it's our first film out on Blu-ray - we shot on the Red and it makes a big picture difference.

JS: Yup, everything Sylvie said. The behind the scenes is my favourite feature. You get to see us and the full cast and crew in the thrall of it all.

Q: You’ve chosen Pontypool, Martyrs and Hellraiser for your Director’s Night, can you explain why you picked these three movies?

SS: They are some of my favourite horror films. I don't like predictable, paint by numbers horror - these films are genuinely unique and memorable, Martyrs might actually scar your mind. I like that kind of feeling, films that make you feel something.

JS: Pontypool is one of the most original takes on a classic horror genre and it's one of those hidden little horror gems. We wanted to get it out there and share it. It's a film that too few people know about. Hellraiser is just an outstanding work of art. We saw it when we were 12 and needless to say it was quite impactful. We adore body horror and Clive Barker. It's one of those films that’s just as damn good every time you see it.

Q: So what’s next for you two?

SS: Bob is next. There's a monster in all of us, sometimes it gets out. Be prepared for something wild that you haven't seen before.

JS: I'm very excited to get going on Bob. It's a very original take on a genre that's been plagued with a lot of crap as of late. We have the remedy for that.

Jen and Sylvia Soska, thank you very much.

SS: Thank you so very much!!

From Jan 11 2013, The Soska Sisters will be in the UK for a nationwide theatrical tour for AMERICAN MARY, courtesy of FrightFest and Universal.

Get Ready For Django Unchained With Home Re-Release of The Original Django

Coinciding with the theatrical release of Tarantino’s “Django Unchained”, the original and greatest Spaghetti Western of them all comes to Blu-ray, the original Django.

It was originally banned in several countries (and denied a certificate by the BBFC in the UK until 1993), but still managed to make an international star of Franco Nero and, worldwide, spawned over 50 unauthorised sequels. One of the greatest Spaghetti Westerns ever made, and without a doubt the most influential, Sergio Corbucci’s iconic masterpiece is a landmark piece of cinema revered by film critics and Western genre fans alike.

On foot and dragging a coffin behind him, a mysterious lone drifter calling himself Django (Franco Nero) arrives on the outskirts of a bleak, mud-drenched town located near the Mexico-US border. He saves the life of a prostitute, Maria (Loredana Nusciak) who is being abused, first by a group of Mexican bandits and then by a gang of racist, Ku Klux Klan-like radicals under the command of corrupt former Confederate soldier Major Jackson (Eduardo Fajardo). Accompanying Maria back to the town, Django discovers it consists of nothing more than a brothel serving the warring factions of Mexican outlaws and Jackson’s followers. Loyal to none, Django soon finds himself caught in the middle of the violent dispute and, armed with a devastating weapon, he is forced to defend himself against both sides. But when a chance encounter with a former acquaintance presents him with an opportunity to make some money and settle an old score, Django decides to team up with his adversaries, risking everything in a deadly plot that could end his life.

Director Sergio Corbucci (The Great Silence; Navajo Joe; Minnesota Clay), star Franco Nero (Die Hard 2; The Virgin And The Gypsy; Camelot), cinematographer Enzo Barboni (They Call Me Trinity) and Oscar-winning composer Luis Enríquez Bacalov (Il Postino).


Argent Films will be releasing Django on Blu-Ray in UK&Ireland 21st January 2013, Pre-OrderDjango [Blu-ray]

Special Features:

• Exclusive in-depth presentation by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Cox (Repo Man, Sid And Nancy) in the style of his epoch-making Moviedrome BBC series.
• Exclusive interview with star Franco Nero.
• Theatrical trailers.
• Argent Trailer Park.
• Alternative Opening Sequence.
• Reversible Sleeve with original Poster Artwork.

Deception Comes Home As The Imposter To Get January Home Release

Be the first to witness the most unbelievable true story in the highly anticipated box office smash, THE IMPOSTER. As well as being shortlisted for an Oscar nomination, this critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentary thriller is out on DVD, Blu-ray, Download and On-Demand on 7 January 2013 from Picturehouse Entertainment and Revolver and will leave you wondering if the truth really is stranger than fiction.

In 1994, 13-year-old Nicholas Barclay disappeared from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later, he was found alive, thousands of miles away in Spain. Disorientated and quivering with fear, he divulges his shocking story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home, but all is not what it seems.

Despite having the same tattoos, he looks decidedly different and now speaks with a strange French accent. It’s only when a private investigator starts asking questions that this astonishing true story takes an even stranger turn.

Directed by Bart Layton, this bold and utterly unmissable true crime story is one of the most talked about films of the year. Intriguing and gripping in equal measures, Layton combines both documentary and stylised visualisations to unveil the jaw-dropping true story of Nicholas Barclay’s disappearance. As the truth begins to dawn on you, another emerges leaving you even further on edge as deception comes home...

The film creates a wonderful cohesion between real interview footage and filmed re-enactments, making THE IMPOSTER a thriller filled with twists that you don’t see coming – it’s about the lies that we tell ourselves to find the truth.

An absolute must-see for all film fans this New Year, THE IMPOSTER is available on DVD, Blu-ray, Download and On-Demand on 7 January 2013 from Picturehouse Entertainment and Revolver and available now for pre-order (see below).



DVD & Blu-Ray Extras:

• Making the Imposter (30 min edited version)
• Q&A with Bart, Dimitri and Charlie Parker hosted by Jon Ronson (40 mins)

Pre-Order The Imposter:DVD / Blu-ray

From Disney To Michael Gondry 2013 Glasgow Youth Film Festival Programme Announced

The programme for the fifth annual Glasgow Youth Film Festival – the only film event in the UK curated entirely by 15-18 year olds – launches today, at Tramway’s Fresh Faced Winter Fayre. Working with staff at Glasgow Film Festival, the team of young programmers have organised workshops, special preview screenings of soon-to-be-released films, and even an outdoor dance party on the banks of the Clyde!

This year’s opening gala will be an advance preview screening of Disney’s latest, video game-themed release, Wreck-It Ralph, starring John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman; the festival closes with a preview of The We and the I, the hilarious, off- beat new film from director Michael Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

A number of extra special events make the programme particularly unique this year. A team of street dancers and DJs will take over the River Clyde Embankment, creating a live homage to the innovative music/dance film Girl Walk // All Day, which saw dancers interacting with the public all over New York; the film will be simultaneously projected onto the riverbank. Elsewhere, London’s Paper Cinema company use puppetry, live animation, music and performance to create a one-off big screen version of The Odyssey, and members of the cast and crew of Channel 4’s hit sitcom Fresh Meat drop by for a masterclass. Enduring teen icon Ferris Bueller gets another day out, and a number of films get UK premieres, including Dutch comedy The Deflowering of Eva van End, Belgian drama The Day of the Crows, and from the US, Matthew Lilliard’s Fat Kid Rules the World, about a suicidal teen rocker.

The programme also includes a vibrant, internationally-focused range of animation, documentaries and films reflecting issues and experiences of young people around the world, and a series of workshops where industry professionals offer advice, tips and practical experience to young people interested in making a career in cinema. There’s plenty for little brothers and sisters too, from innovative family-focused short films to a live appearance by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson.

The 2013 festival will run from 3-13 February 2013, the actual Glasgow Film Festival starts the day after Glasgow Youth Film Festival finishes,running from 14-24 February.

Love Crime (Crime d'amour) Review

The final film of late French filmmaker, Alain Corneau receives a posthumous British cinematic release this month. Love Crime (Crime D'amour) remains a testament to the high quality of Corneau's work.

Christine, a controlling business executive (Kristin Scott Thomas), leads a young associate, Isabelle, (Ludvine Sagnier) into a controlling game of manipulation and domination. After embarrassing her at a staff function, Isabelle vows deadly revenge on Christine.

Love Crime boasts a near Hitchcockian narrative, proving to be a completely unpredictable ride. Corneau's film opens with a meeting between Christine and Isabelle,  which verges on seduction - we see the young associate drawn to magnetic persona of Christine.  As this character dynamic builds we gradually see this idolisation turn into a passionate contempt between both women, as Christine continually toys with Isabelle's emotions - this cat and mouse relationship makes Love Crime a truly absorbing watch. We see the tension build between the pair until Isabelle  reaches breaking point in a twist that completely overturns the narrative of the whole film. This twist creates dozens of questions and mysteries throughout the remainder of the film, which gradually get unravelled in Corneau and Nathalie Carter's sharp script. The pair pay a strong attention to detail, with meticulous answers to any plot-hole or inconsistency, a viewer may attempt to pick. However, one small flaw lies in Love Crime's ending which feels too outlandish and contrived to be wholly satisfying, yet is unlikely to spoil your enjoyment of Cournea's film.

Corneau is a master of crafting intrigue and suspense, allowing us to empathise with Isabelle but keeping us distanced from her motivations, gradually unravelling them by the conclusion of Love Crime.  This allows for a magnificent performance from Sagnier as we see the character turn from vulnerable underdog to a more-than-fitting opponent of Christine.  The actress is equally convincing as both victim and challenger, boasting her finest performance since Francois Ozon's Swimming Pool.  Kristin Scott-Thomas brings a cold, self-satisfying presence to the role of Christine, truly commanding the screen.

Love Crime may not cover any new ground to a traditional euro-thriller, but proves engaging, sharp and fast paced enough to  prove completely enjoyable, particularly thanks to performances from Sagnier and Scott Thomas.

Andrew McArthur

★★★★☆

Stars: Ludvine Sagnier, Kristin Scott Thomas,;Patrick Mille
Director: Alain Corneau
Release: 14th December 2012
Certificate: 15 (UK)

Win Christmas Slasher Christmas Evil On DVD

Better watch out.... Better not cry.... Or you may die! Courtesy of Our Friends at Arrow Films we have a special Christmas treat for Cinehouse readers as we have 3 copies of the cult 1980's Christmas slasher Christmas Evil (aka You Better Watch Out) on DVD!

When little Harry sees his Dad in a Santa Claus outfit, groping his mother one Christmas Eve, life changes for the quiet little boy. Thirty odd years later, you’d better watch out in this 80s horror classic from the small but perfectly formed micro-genre of Yuletide Slashers.

Because now - all grown up and disgruntled by his dead end job in a depressing toy factory - he’s making a list, checking it twice and descending into a self-created Christmas nightmare where he is Father Christmas and his judgement is final! Dressed as St. Nick, Harry is going to show his bullying co-workers and all the other naughty people what the true spirit of the season is... Run for your miserable lives, the vengeance is going to be swift and bloody!

 In your hands is a true dark Christmas oddity that cult movie kingpin John Waters described as "greatest Christmas movie ever made."

To win Christmas Evil on DVD, lease answer the following question:

Q.Which one of the cast of Christmas Evil recently starred in The Walking Dead?

Send your name,address, postcode and your answer only to winatcinehouseuk@gmail.com
Deadline for this competition is Sunday 5th January 2013 (2359hrs) Must be Aged 18 or older to enter.

Read our recent review of Christmas Evil here

Terms & Conditions:1.This prize is non transferable.No cash alternatives apply.UK & Irish entries only.2.The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse and Arrow Films. have the right to alter, delay or cancel this competition without any notice3.The competition is not opened to employees, family, friends of The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse,Arrow Films employees 4.This competition is promoted on behalf of Arrow Films 5. If this prize becomes unavailable we have the right to offer an alternative prize instead 6.To enter this competition you must send in your answer, name, address only, Deadline 5th January 2013 (2359hrs)7.Will only accept entries sent to the correct email (win [at] thepeoplesmovies [dot] com), any other entry via any other email will be void.8.If the above form fails please send the information required from the form email it to winatcinehouseuk@gmail.com (label christmas evil) If any info required from the form is not sent in the email your entry will be void 9.automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified, which could result you been banned.10.The Peoples Movies, Cinehouse takes no responsibility for delayed, lost, stolen prizes 11.Prizes may take from days to a few months for delivery which is out of our control 12.The competition is opened to Aged 18 and over.13. Majority of the prizes on offer will come from representatives of the distributor, no The People’s Movies &Cinehouse, when we do have the prizes we will inform you.14. Unless Stated Please Do Not Include Telephone Numbers, we don’t need them and if you include your telephone number Cinehouse and The People’s Movies are not responsible for the security of the number15.The winning entries will be picked at random and contacted by email or announced via facebook, sometimes we are unable to confirm winners.16.This competition is bound by the rules of Scotland,England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland.17.By sending your entry for this competition you are confirming you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

UK Competitions and Prize Draws at UKwins
Loquax Competitions
Free Competitions
ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Hi Ho Willy! Watch Animated Penis Western Short - The Willies- Wanted Melody

Before you start climbing on the moral high horse demanding I wash my mouth out with soap, this is not porn or anything sexually explicit apart from all the characters are all penis! It's time to marvel in the animated short of The Willies: Wanted Melody by Paul Jaulmes and Boris Croise. These French animators are attempting to create a series of shorts in a number of genres with all the characters penises! They need your support and you can support them through the indiegogo so they can create those other genres then releasing everything online!

Below we actually have one of the shorts based on a Western, but if they get the funding you can expect world of pirates, horror even a musical! For Wanted Melody it's not the size that matters it's what you do with it and in this way its create great little animated short films!

Wanted Melody by wantedmelody

Horror Channel to screen Classic Cronenberg Season

Pascal Laugier, Simon Rumley & Sean Hogan present three of Cronenberg’s most influential masterpieces,Saturdays January 12 until January 26, 10.55pm

Horror Channel showcases three of David Cronenberg’s most defining films with a season that can’t fail to shock and awaken the senses. SHIVERS, RABID and THE DEAD ZONE all receive their Horror Channel premieres, exclusively introduced by top horror directors Simon Rumley (Red White & Blue), Sean Hogan (The Devil’s Playground) and Pascal Laugier (Martyrs).

Saturday January 12 @ 22:55

The season kicks off with the premiere of SHIVERS (1975), Cronenberg’s debut full-length feature that helped coined the phrase ‘Body Horror’. The infectious plot sees a parasite enter the bodies of people living in a Montreal apartment block and consequently turns them into libido driven, sex mad zombies. Clearly a fan of the genre, Cronenberg cast the unforgettable Hammer Horror siren Barbara Steele in what was to become one of the most iconic scenes in the film.

Sean Hogan on SHIVERS: “I chose Shivers because, much like the sexual parasites that drive the plot, the film burrows under your skin and leaves you with strange, dark feelings. It announced the arrival of a bold new voice in horror and after it, the genre was utterly transformed: The New Flesh had arrived”.

Saturday January 19 @ 22.55

Next up is the premiere of RABID (1977) in which Cronenberg is once again flirting with the themes of strange science and even stranger sex in this blood-lusty follow up to Shivers. This time a young woman becomes a test subject for an experimental skin graft when she survives a horrific motorbike crash – but her new skin demands feeding…Starring Marilyn Chambers, this is Cronenberg’s twisted take on the Vampire genre.

Saturday January 26 @ 22.55

Last in the season is THE DEAD ZONE (1983), in which Cronenberg teamed up with Stephen King when he adapted his novel THE DEAD ZONE. Filmed during a relentless deep freeze in Southern Ontario, this horror thriller stars Christopher Walken. As Johnny Smith – a man who wakes from a coma to find he’s lost five years of his life but gained psychic powers to foresee the future – something of a gift that soon becomes a curse.

Simon Rumley on THE DEAD ZONE: “This was one of the many classic small town American movies I watched when I was growing up and for a teenager from Kent it was intriguing and creepy and had, at the time, two of the coolest actors in the world - Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen”.

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138 

 www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel