Vampires Get Sexy Again In UK trailer For Xan Cassavetes Kiss Of The Damned

Regulars will know John Cassavetes is loved and adored at Cinehouse HQ and  Eureka! Entertainment are to release of Kiss Of The Damned, l an impressively stylish, slyly funny and decadent mix of 70's sexy vampirism, and debut feature narrative film from John Cassavetes daughter Xan .

The undead have a thirst for life and an appetite for destruction. Having sworn off humans, young vampire Djuna finds peace with her new partner, only for her less hung-up sister to invade their tranquillity and threaten the whole vampire community.

House Of Devil, Amer proof that going back to go forward will bring relative success especially in indie horror. Been a daughter of film auteur who made his name for stylish films 1970's it was obvious the influence would rub off, it also looks like the film takes old take on Vampire genre too. Could films like Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left and now Xan Cassavetes  Kiss Of The Damned be the saviours of the vampire genre and give it back it's sexiness?

Eureka! Entertainment have released  new UK trailer for Kiss Of The Damned, they have sent us that trailer check out.....

Film's official UK poster

Synopsis

Milo Ventimiglia (TV Series Heroes, TV Series Wolverine, Rocky Balboa) plays Paolo, a screenwriter who has ensconced himself in a house far away from Hollywood in order to finish what seems like his last stab at writing a commercial screenplay. He’s easily distracted though and, after meeting the beautiful Djuna (Josephine de La Baume – Rush, One Day) during a night out, he’s inextricably infatuated. Djuna digs Paolo too, but she’s got a rare “blood disorder” that doesn’t allow her to venture our into sunlight. Scarily persistent, Milo keeps courting her until she finally relents and agrees to hook up with him under one condition – she needs to be tied up so she can’t bite him. Needless to say their lovemaking is somewhat acrobatic (despite the bondage) and she’s presented with a fair shot at his neck, which she takes.
Djuna begins to school Paolo in the ways of the vampire. They try to drink only synthetic or harvested blood and kill only animals (killing humans is strictly forbidden). But that doesn’t mean they live in a prudish culture. Paolo instantly takes a shine to the Euro-glitterati lifestyle that accompanies eternal life. Soon enough, trouble comes in the form of Djuna’s more carnal and violent sister, Mimi (Roxane Mesquida). Mimi doesn’t believe in the whole “not killing people” thing. She’s also not big on being tied down, preferring her three-ways and one night stands anytime and anywhere she can get them

Kiss Of The Damned will be released on DVD by Eureka! Entertainment on 27 January 2014 and stars Joséphine de La Baume, Milo Ventimiglia, Roxane Mesquida, Riley Keough and Michael Rapport.

Film Review - Jeune Et Jolie (Young & Beautiful)

Genre:
Drama
Distributor:
Lionsgate Fims UK
Rating:
18
Release Date:
22nd November 2013 (UK)
Director:
François Ozon
Cast:
Marine Vacth, Géraldine Pailhas, Frédéric Pierrot,Charlotte Rampling

François Ozon’s examination of teenage sexual awakening is a quiet, puzzling affair. As a treatise on childhood, rebellion or sexuality it seems to offer up very little in the way of answers, but repeatedly alludes to a crucial and troubling question of motivation.

Seventeen year-old Isabelle’s (Marine Vacth) disappointing holiday dalliance with a German lad prompts the striking young girl to seek out an existence as a prostitute, the reasons for which are never truly explained. She frequents high-end Parisian hotel rooms servicing a number of gents, ultimately developing something approaching a relationship with a kind, elderly client.

The arrangement takes its toll on her family life, with the inevitable revelation damaging her already detached relationship with her parents. She is trotted off to see a psychologist to reflect upon the fallout her emotionally difficult, yet financially rewarding career path has caused to her and those around her.

Isabelle is frequently quizzed on the reasons behind her new calling as a prostitute, but it’s a question which is never reasonably answered. Indeed watching Vacth’s puzzlingly vacant expression as she lounges across the bed sheets, you’re never quite sure if she or the director had any clue themselves.

Perhaps the only reasonable explanation is just that she enjoys it, which might possibly be justification enough. It’s a coolly intriguing thought to dwell upon, but it leaves you with distinctly underwhelming and disappointing sense of a missed opportunity.

A mysterious sign-off with a briefly visible Charlotte Rampling provides little closure and only serves to intensify the slight sense of dissatisfaction which lingers throughout the whole thing.

★★★☆☆

Chris Banks

GFF 2014 - Amer Duo Go Avant Garde For New Film The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears Watch Trailer [Updated]

In 2009 Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani baffled but also mesmerized cinephiles with their arthouse giallo horror 'Amer' in 2014 they will be returning with their follow up The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears. A new trailer has now arrived online for the film which shows we will be once again engaged in those exquisite stylings.

The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears is a psychological nightmarish journey for a man (Klaus Tange)looking for his wife who has mysteriously disappeared from their Parisian flat which was locked from the inside out. During his journey he discovers there has been other people disappearing from the apartment block so is the apartment block the key to his answers?

If your a fan of the neo giallo sub genre from the word from the film's festival The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears looks like it will push the boundaries with in the genre. Everyone from  David Lynch even a little Berbarian Sound Studio and myself trained as a graphic designer at university i'm awestrucked.

No word on a UK release date been set but expect 2014 release possibly the film making an appearance at the Glasgow or London Film4 Frightfest before its released. If your French expect the film March 2014.


[Update - 21st January The film has been announced as one of the film's part of 2014 Glasgow Film Festival, hopefully we can see this one, stay tuned]
source: TwitchFilm

Review - Nebraska

Genre:
Drama, Comedy
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures UK
Release Date:
6th December 2013 (UK)
Rating:
15
Director:
Alexander Payne
Cast:
Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keech, June Squibb

Nebraska is the latest film by Alexander Payne and quite possibly his finest film to date. It stars the always wonderful Bruce Dern stars as Woody Grant who falls for the age old winning $1,000,000 letter scam and wants to go all the way to Lincoln, Nebraska to get the money. The role was originally intended for Jack Nicholson but turned it down and in many ways that’s a good thing cause it would have became a JACK movie.

Woody is an alcoholic grumpy old man with Alzheimer’s who realises he has wasted his life. The letter comes though the door and it’s one thing he can put some hope on even though he knows somewhere it’s all a scam. Woody annoys his long-suffering wife with the letter and other relatives. His son David (Will Forte) eventually agrees to drive him all the way to the return address on the letter. They meet relatives, old friends and grow closer on the way in a sentimental level but not in a sugary sweet way.

The film is in many ways similar to Payne’s previous films especially About Schmidt and to a lesser extent his last film The Descendants. Both films are about a man in the twilight years of their life and both films face morality. It however works a lot better than both of those films due to the surprise casting of the Bruce Dern in the kind of role he never gets. It’s also it’s just paced better than both of those films which has been a problem for Payne in the past especially About Schmidt.

The film full of great characters actors not just Bruce Dern in a rare starring role but Stacy Keech and everyone’s favourite Sleazy Lawyer Bob Odenkirk from Breaking Bad as Woody’s other son. Nebraska harkens back to the old days of character-based films of the 1970s, which is evident in the way the story is told as is the casting of Dern and Keach. It’s a one of the year’s finest films and it was one of the highlights of the Leeds film festival.

★★★★★

Ian Schultz

Movie Mogul’s supernatural horror thriller The Sleeping Room goes into production

Production Company Movie Mogul (Panic Button, Shortcuts To Hell) announced today that shooting on supernatural thriller THE SLEEPING ROOM begins on Wed Dec 4, for a three-week shoot on location in Brighton.

Starring Leila Mimmock (Becoming Human), Joseph Beattie (Hex) and Julie Graham (Tower Block), this intense tale of Victorian revenge is written by Ross Jameson, Alex Chandon and John Shackleton and directed by Shackleton with Jake West directing the ’Mutoscope’ action sequences. Director of Photography is Simon Poulter, (Panic Button).

Set in present day Brighton, THE SLEEPING ROOM is the story of Blue (Leila Mimmock), a call girl who falls for a new client, Bill (Joseph Beattie) But the real attraction for Blue is Bill’s apartment and a mysterious room that seems to hold the key to the dark secrets of her family’s past – a room that is about to unleash terrible physical and supernatural forces. Nobody will escape unless a score for a heinous crime is settled.

The cast also includes David Sibley, Chris Waller, Christopher Adamson and Mike Altmann. A Movie Mogul production, it is produced by Gareth I Davies and John Shackleton. Production Designer is Lorna Gay Copp, Costume Designer is David Blight, Production Manager is Tansi Inayat. Editor is John Gillanders and Bang Post Production are handling picture and sound.

John Shackleton, said today: “Support for the film has been first rate and we are immensely proud to be surrounded by such a talented cast and crew, particularly given the huge budget restraints, which we are operating under. Brighton is proving to be not only a wonderfully cinematic place in which to shoot, but also a very accommodating town in which to house a production”.

THE SLEEPING ROOM is the first film to be crowd funded for equity over at
https://www.seedrs.com/startups/the-sleeping-room

Gia Coppola's Directorial Debut Palo Alto To Get Summer 2014 Tribeca U.S Release

Tribeca Film today announced it has acquired North American rights to Gia Coppola’s acclaimed directorial debut Palo Alto, starring Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story,” We’re the Millers), Jack Kilmer (in his acting debut), James Franco (Spring Breakers), Nat Wolff (“The Naked Brothers Band”), Zoe Levin (The Way, Way Back), and Val Kilmer. Written and directed by Coppola, and based on Franco's short story collection of the same name, the film features an original soundtrack by Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange) and Robert Schwartzman. Following a prestigious festival run at the Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival, a Spring 2014 theatrical release is planned.

Palo Alto weaves together three stories of teenage lust, boredom, and self-destruction: shy, sensitive April (Emma Roberts), torn between an illicit flirtation with her soccer coach (James Franco) and an unrequited crush on sweet stoner Teddy (Jack Kilmer); Emily (Zoe Levin), who offers sexual favors to any boy to cross her path; and the increasingly dangerous exploits of Teddy and his best friend Fred (Nat Wolff), whose behavior may or may not be sociopathic. One of the strongest American directorial debuts of the past decade, Coppola's film has a palpable sense of time and place, but her characters — seeking cheap thrills and meaningful connections — could be teenagers from any generation.

“Gia Coppola’s auspicious filmmaking debut Palo Alto is an elegant depiction of generational angst and despair which resonates with realism and restraint. Fueled by a vibrant cast of young talent, Coppola’s artistic collaboration with James Franco results in a thoughtful and subtly intertwined coming of age story,” said Tribeca Film Chief Creative Officer Geoff Gilmore.

“I'm very excited that Tribeca film will distribute my debut feature film, Palo Alto. It's a company that has been a pleasure to partner with and share creative ideas in this ever evolving film industry. I can't think of a better home for my film,” said Gia Coppola.

The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by Nick Savva, and Barry Hirsch and George Hayum of Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman on behalf of the filmmakers.

Palo Alto is a James Franco and Rabbit Bandini Productions presentation, produced by Sebastian Pardo, Adriana Rotaru, Miles Levy, and Vince Jolivette.

No word yet on who will release Palo Alto in UK if and when that date will be too.

Source: Tribeca Press Release

Checkmate, Andrew Bujalski's Computer Chess To Get Its Masters Of Cinema Home Release January

Genre:
Comedy
Distributor:
Eureka! Entertainment
DVD Release Date:
20th January 2014 (UK)
Director:
Andrew Bujalski
Cast:
Kriss Schludermann, Tom Fletcher, Wiley Wiggins
Pre-Order/Buy [Amazon]:
Computer Chess (Masters of Cinema) (DVD & BLU-RAY DUAL FORMAT)
Eureka! Entertainment have announced the home video release of Computer Chess, the smash indie-hit selected by the 2013 London Film Festival, 2013 Sundance Festival, 2013 South by Southwest, and 2013 Berlin Film Festival. Directed by the "godfather" of the American "mumblecore" movement, Andrew Bujalski, director of Funny Ha Ha, Mutual Appreciation, and Beeswax – and selected by The New York Times this summer as one of 20 Directors to Watch, Computer Chess is poignant, absurd and downright hilarious. Andrew Bujalski's Computer Chess follows the trials and tribulations of a group of oddball geniuses over the weekend of a computer chess tournament circa 1980. As they pit their chess programmes against each other’s they're met with right-on new-agers, voracious swingers and a computer that appears to be self aware...

Computer Chess transports viewers to that fleeting moment when the contest between man and machine seemed a little more up for grabs. We get to know the eccentric geniuses possessed of the vision to teach a metal box to defeat man, literally, at his own game, laying the groundwork for artificial intelligence as we know it.

Computer Chess received its UK premiere at the LONDON FILM FESTIVAL, before wowing audiences at the CORK FILM FESTIVAL, CINE-CITY (Brighton Film Festival) & LEEDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ahead of its UK VOD and theatrical release on 22 November 2013 where it is currently playing selected cinemas nationwide across the UK in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Brighton, Edinburgh, Southampton, Dublin & Cork and more.


Released as a Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD) edition as part of Eureka! Entertainment's award-winning The Masters of Cinema Series, Computer Chess will be available on home video from 20 January 2014.

The fourth feature film from the brilliant and maverick American filmmaker Andrew Bujalski, whose previous works include Funny Ha Ha (the early ‘00s film that arguably kicked-off the so-called “mumblecore” movement of American independent cinema), Mutual Appreciation (an acclaimed comic portrait of love and longing in the Brooklyn indie music scene), and Beeswax (which among its principals starred Alex Karpovsky, the filmmaker and actor who has gone on to renown for his own comedy features and his role in Lena Dunham’s Girls).
A boldly intelligent ensemble comedy with a feel and atmosphere that surpass easy comparison, Computer Chess takes place in the early-1980s over the course of a weekend conference where a group of obsessive software programmers have convened to pit their latest refinements in machine-chess and the still-developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) against an assembly of human chess masters. Computer Chess is a portrait not only of the crazy and surreal relationships that come to pass between the abundance of characters who participate in the weekend event (and among whose ranks include Wiley Wiggins, the revered indie-game developer and star of Richard Linklater’s classic Dazed and Confused), but of the very era of early computing itself – and of the first, rudimentary video games – and (if that weren’t enough) of the hopes and insecurities that persisted through the film’s “retro” digital age into the present-day — that semi-virtual, hyper-social, maybe-kind-of-dehumanised landscape that, let’s face it, is our very own era. If that still weren’t enough: it’s also one of the wittiest, most shift-and-cringe-in-your-seat, and entirely LOL-hilarious movies of recent times.
With its radical retro video aesthetic and wry rumination on digitality and where-we-are-today, Computer Chess is a far-reaching and ambitious benchmark for the modern American cinema. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Andrew Bujalski's Computer Chess in its UK home-viewing debut in a Dual Format (Blu-ray + DVD) release.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• 1080p presentation of the feature film on the Blu-ray
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Two trailers for the film
• Andrew Bujalski's short 2013 film Analog Goose
• New and exclusive video interviews with Bujalski, actor Wiley Wiggins, and producer Alex Lipschultz
• 56-PAGE FULL-COLOUR BOOKLET featuring a new essay by Craig Keller; a discussion on retro gaming with Wiley Wiggins; a profile on cover artist (and original Atari 2600 packaging artist) Cliff Spohn; a plethora of full-colour photography from the set; and more!
• Additional extras to be announced closer to release

We recently reviewed Computer Chess you can re-read the review by Pierre Badiola here and Computer Chess will be released by Eureka! Entertainment via The Masters Of Cinema on a Dual Format release (Blu-Ray & DVD) on 20th January 2014 , Pre-order/Buy Computer Chess (Masters of Cinema) (DVD & BLU-RAY DUAL FORMAT)

Rudge Park's Finest Heading Down Under For The Inbetweeners Movie 2, Shooting Starts This Week

The follow-up to the UK’s most successful comedy film of all time reunites the hapless Jay, Neil, Simon & Will in Australia. The Inbetweeners Movie 2 will start shooting in Australia on 7th December before moving to the UK in January.

The Inbetweeners creators, Iain Morris & Damon Beesley, will be directing the comedy, having once again written the script. Spencer Millman ("The Mighty Boosh","Man Down") is producing the film.

Iain & Damon commented: “We can't say too much as we don't want to spoil the jokes for you, but what we can exclusively reveal is there will be kangaroos. And Australians. And possibly koalas.” Oh and obviously Jay, Will, Neil and Simon providing they’re let into the country. Thanks so much for all your support, we’re hoping to deliver a film that you’ll enjoy even more than the last one"

Distributor EFD has also confirmed that 2014’s most anticipated comedy will hit cinemas across the UK and Ireland next August.

The film will be produced by Bwark Productions, a Zodiak Media company, who will co-finance with Channel 4/Film4. Entertainment Film Distributors will distribute the film in the UK.

Having started life on E4, the multi award-winning series went on to enjoy massive success with its debut film, The Inbetweeners Movie, which was fully financed by Channel 4/Film4.

souce: The peoples Movies

DVD Review - Only God Forgives

Genre:
Drama, thriller, arthouse
Distributor:
Lionsgate Films UK
Rating:
18
BD/DVD Release Date:
2nd December 2013 (UK)
Director:
Nicholas Winding Refn
Cast:
Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam
Buy Only God Forgives: [DVD] / [Blu-ray]

After edging closer to mainstream audiences with his 2011 feature Drive, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn gives his new-found audience a square kick to the face as he returns to more ambiguous arthouse territory with Only God Forgives.

Only God Forgives, a tale of vengeance set in the Bangkok criminal underworld, follows Julian (Ryan Gosling) an American gym owner cum drug smuggler. After Julian’s brother is murdered for raping and murdering a 16 year-old Bangkok girl, Julian is ordered by his domineering mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) to avenge his brother’s death. He is soon entwined in a battle with Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm) – a corrupt retired police chief who runs the streets by his own laws.

Whilst Only God Forgives is stylistically reminiscent of Drive – seen through its neon-tinged aesthetic and dark red glows, thematically it feels closer to Refn’s brooding Norse epic, Valhalla Rising. Refn uses limited dialogue, places an emphasis on ambiguous dream-like sequences and further showcases his tendency for ultra-violence. This results in a truly striking combination of electric and mesmerising visuals with a broodingly intense yet mysteriously ambiguous narrative.

It is no surprise to see the director dedicates Only God Forgives to cult-Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky – his influence can be seen throughout the feature – as can the stylings of fellow avant-garde filmmakers David Lynch and Gaspar Noé. Walks down woosy corridors, visions of limbs being hacked off and unsettling karaoke numbers craft a surreal, nervous dreamlike atmosphere – resulting in us never truly anticipating the direction that Refn’s narrative is going to take.

Thematically Refn presents us with a lingering tale of vengeance and skewed justice – where the ‘good guys’ start and the ‘bad guys’ begin is never quite clear. Julian is a quiet type who never truly appears to commit to the vengeance that he seeks – he appears lost, drifting through this surreal hellish Bangkok underworld. Gosling brings a mesmerising intensity to the role of Julian – he showcases echoes of the troubled western hero and presents us with a dangerous unsettled quality.

The title seems most apparent in the character of Chang – the zen-like retired police chief is God – he dishes out the punishments that he sees fit and masterminds some of the most violent moments in the feature – queue one sequence involving spiked needles and ear-drums. Perhaps even more vile than Chang is Crystal, Julian’s velour track-suited, peroxide blonde mother who excuses her eldest son’s crimes (noting ‘well he must have had a reason’). Crystal’s desire for vengeance is showcased through her continual disappointment for Julian who she continually compares to his older brother (with echoes of incest coming through when Crystal even compares her son’s manhood). The usually loveable Scott Thomas is magnificent in this trashy, downright vile role.

Whilst many will be tired by the ambiguous nature of Only God Forgives, others will be mesmerised by Refn’s astounding visual style and poignant, intense, ultra-violent tale of vengeance in the Bangkok underworld.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

This is a repost of The People's Movies cinema review

Models Turned Actors (Jeune et Jolie Feature)

With model-good looks being a near-universal prerequisite to ‘making it’ in Hollywood, it might seem like moving from the modelling industry into acting would be a logical, seamless transition. However, with a number of successful models proving to be acting disasters, we are naturally wary of those that make the switch, suspecting that talent may have taken a backseat to beauty. In François Ozon’s brilliant new film Jeune et Jolie, Marine Vacth proves that these prejudices far from apply to her. In a performance that has received rave reviews, Vacth stars as a curious young girl on a journey of sexual discovery. To celebrate the release of Jeune et Jolie on 29th November we take a look at some others who have proven that models can have serious acting chops too.

Marine Vacth

Starting out as a model at the tender age of 15, the beautiful Marine stunned her way to a number of high profile campaigns, replacing Kate Moss as the face of Yves Saint Laurent perfume. However, Marine left behind what surely would have been an impressive career in modelling to pursue her true passion in film. Jeune et Jolie marks her breakthrough role, gaining international recognition for her performance - delivered with the assurance and subtlety of an actor years her senior.

Famke Janssen

Dutch beauty Famke Janssen moved from Holland to the US to pursue a career in modelling, experiencing great success evident through her work in the late 80s with Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Victoria’s Secret. She burst onto the scene with her brilliantly camp portrayal of Xenia Onatopp in Pierce Brosnan’s best Bond film – Goldeneye – and cemented her ‘respectable actor’ status as Jean Grey in Bryan Singer’s X-Men trilogy.
Film highlights – Goldeneye, Taken, X-Men

Halle Berry

Halle Berry has had a truly remarkable, record-breaking career. Winning Miss Teen All American and Miss Ohio as a teen, she later went on to become the first African American Miss World entrant in 1986. Making her film debut in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, Halle went from role to role until, in 2001, she became the first – and only – African American to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards for Monster’s Ball. Like Janssen, Berry also starred in the X-Men Trilogy as Storm, and appeared as a Bond girl in the –albeit terrible – Die Another Day. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all, Halle!
Film Highlights – Monster’s Ball, X-Men, Cloud Atlas

Lily Cole

Before being scouted whilst walking the streets of London aged 14, Lily Cole had never considered modelling. Yet this chance encounter proved to be the most important in her life. Appearing on the cover of Vogue aged 16, the only was up for Cole as she went on to work with fashion giants such as Prada, Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. While still an influential model, Cole tried her hand at acting, taking on a few small roles before starring in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus alongside Heath Ledger in his final film.
Film highlights – The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, St. Trinians

Mark Wahlberg

While not the most prolific of models, Mark Wahlberg can easily boast the most colourful past on this list. Coming into the public eye as the younger brother of Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame, Mark was angry and violent through his adolescent years, suffering from cocaine addiction at 13 and getting convicted for attempted murder at 16. Turning over a new leaf, Wahlberg reinvented himself as rapper Marky Mark, later modelling for Calvin Klein underwear. Wahlberg then made the transition to acting, gaining plaudits for his portrayal of Micky Ward in 2010’s The Fighter.


Jeune et Jolie is in UK cinemas from today 29th November courtesy of Lionsgate Films UK.