As a massive fan of Neill Blomkamp, the best thing to come out of this God damn pandemic was the news that Neill Blomkamp has somehow managed to shoot a movie during this whole shit-storm of events. Not only that but Blomkamp’s new film is a horror film, and while his sci-fi flicks do have elements of horror in them, this is his first feature in the genre. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Blomkamp movie without some sci-fi too.
I am delighted to share with you all the official press release from IFC Midnight for Blomkamp’s new horror, Demonic. The press release includes the first released images, as well as release info and a behind the scenes look at the film.
Nathalie Boltt in the horror film, “DEMONI” an IFC Midnight release. Photo courtesy of IFC Midnight.
Take a look at a newly released behind the scenes featurette
D E M O N I C
Directed and Written By: Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9, ELYSIUM, CHAPPIE)
Starring: Carly Pope, Chris William Martin, Michael Rogers
I remember seeing the short film Fred Barry is based on.
It was like a fucked up acid trip, full of beautiful colours, drenched in weirdness with some great sound design accompanied by an outer-worldly unique performance. I am delighted Fried Barry got the feature-film treatment and more so that it found its home with Shudder.
If you’re to watch one movie this year about a drug-addicted homeless man that gets his body hijacked and controlled by aliens and then send him on a path of mayhem through Cape Town, then it’s gotta be, Fried Barry.
Here’s the official press-release
Fried Barry follows the story of a drug-addled degenerate who, after yet another bender, gets abducted by aliens. Barry takes a backseat as his alien visitor assumes control of his body and takes it for a joyride through Cape Town. What follows is an onslaught of drugs, sex and violence as Barry’s alien tourist enters the weird and wonderful world of humankind.
The feature directorial debut from award-winning music video director Ryan Kruger
Starring newcomer Gary Green, the genre-pushing, acid-washed, sci-fi horror has been praised by critics and embraced by fans around the world.
The film, which is a feature adaptation of Kruger’s acclaimed experimental short by the same name, is produced by James C. Williamson and Kruger and executive produced by Nicolai Fuglsig (12 Strong). Williamson shares a story credit with Kruger who serves as both writer and director. The expansive cast is led by Green alongside Bianka Hartenstein, Sean Cameron Michael (Shooter, Blood Drive), Chanelle de Jager (The Widow, Outlander), Joey Cramer (Flight of the Navigator) and Jonathan Pienaar (Blood Diamond, Roots).
Fried Barryworld premiered at the 2020 Cinequest Film Festival and went on to screen at celebrated festivals such as the prestigious Sitges International Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, Grimmfest, and Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival, where it was awarded Best Actor.
Official Selection: Cinequest Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, L’Étrange Festival, MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, Fantasy Filmfest, Grimmfest International Festival of Fantastic Film, Sitges Film Festival, Imagine Film Festival
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror Country: South Africa Runtime: 99 min Year: 2021 Language: English, Afrikaans Rated: NA
We always need new vampire movies in our lives. Luckily for us, we have a new vampire comedy from Ireland – The Boys From County Hell.
I have been hearing great things about The Boys From County Hell. Being from Ireland myself, I should have had this covered a long time ago. I remember seeing it at festivals that I couldn’t commit to cover this year. That was a shame but hey, better late than never, right?
The title of the movie is also the name of a Shane MacGowan song he recorded with The Pogues. I bet ya when Macgowan wrote those lyrics, he didn’t think the title would be used for a vampire movie set in the futuristic year of 2021.
Chris Baugh directed and co-wrote with Brendan Mullin the brilliant Northern Irish film Bad Day For The Cut. If you haven’t checked out Bad Day For The Cut then please do!. It is great, and it is on Netflix.
Now, back to the vampires.
Shudder has acquired the rights to Chris Baugh’s Irish vampire comedy, The Boys From County Hell. Check out the press release, trailer and poster below
Strange events unfold in Six Mile Hill – a sleepy Irish town that claims to have been travelled by the famed author Bram Stoker. When construction on a new road disrupts the alleged grave of Abhartach, a legendary Irish vampire said to have inspired Dracula. Deadly and sinister forces terrorize the work crew. Led by Francie Moffat and his son Eugene, a free-spirited young man who prefers pints to pickaxes, and they’re forced to fight to survive the night while exposing the true horror that resides in the town’s local myth.
The Boys From County Hell poster
Starring Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders), Nigel O’Neill (The Bookshop), Louisa Harland (Derry Girls), Fra Fee (Animals, the upcoming Hawkeye series) and John Lynch (The Terror, The Banishing) and Michael Hough (the upcoming Chapelwaite series). It is written and directed by Chris Baugh (Bad Day for the Cut).
Trailer
BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL
Genre: Horror/Comedy Country: UK | Ireland Runtime: 90 min Year: 2021 Rated: NA
BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL will stream exclusively to Shudder on April 22nd in the US and Canada
As always, thanks for reading.
Words by GG
Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
Source - Official press pack
Shudder will release The Banishing, a new British supernatural horror film based on true events from the director of Triangle, Creep (2004) & Black Death
Check out the official press release and trailer below.
From acclaimed director Chris Smith comes THE BANISHING, which tells the true story of the most haunted house in England. A young reverend and his wife and daughter move into a manor with a horrifying secret. When a vengeful spirit haunts the little girl and threatens to tear the family apart, the reverend and his wife are forced to confront their beliefs. They must turn to black magic by seeking the help of a famous Occultist…or risk losing their daughter.
Anya McKenna-Bruce as Adelaide – The Banishing – Photo Credit: Shudder
Starring Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey), Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible franchise), John Lynch (The Secret Garden, Black Death), and John Heffernan (Eye in the Sky) and directed by Christopher Smith (Creep, Severance, Triangle).
THE BANISHING is a WestEnd Films production.
THE BANISHING
Genre: Horror Country: United Kingdom Runtime: 97 min Year: 2021 Rated: NA
THE BANISHING will stream exclusively to Shudder on April 15th in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as via the Shudder offering within the AMC+ bundle where available.
Check out the trailer below
The Banishing trailer – A Shudder Release
As always, thanks for reading. All the above information from the official press-release.
Article by GG
Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
When it comes to disaster movies, no one can quite do it like Asia. We have had some fantastic releases including, Pandora, The Tunnel, The Tower and Earthquake. The thing is, unlike Hollywood productions with L.A crumbling, and The Rock hanging from helicopters trying to save his family, Asian disaster movies are based on real events. Fukushima 50 is based on the most terrifying event of them all: biblical-scale earthquakes leading to a meltdown putting the whole of Japan and the rest of the world at risk of a nuclear catastrophe worse than Chernobyl. This film follows the heroic actions of the ones that sacrificed their lives to prevent Fukushima from further devastation and reaching a global scale.
Japan’s Tohoku Region: at a magnitude of 9.0, the strongest earthquake in the country’s history strikes, triggering a huge tsunami and carnage that would end up killing thousands of people and displacing many more. It mercilessly engulfs the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture, causing a crippling station blackout. Unable to be cooled, the nuclear reactors quickly turn into hydrogen bombs at the brink of explosion. If the power plant is abandoned, Japan’s destruction is assured. Facing a life or death situation, the power plant workers known as the “Fukushima 50”, including shift supervisor Izaki and plant manager Yoshida, remain on the site until the bitter end. As the world holds its breath, the Fukushima 50 fight for their hometown, their families, and the future of Japan.
Capelight Pictures
FUKUSHIMA 50 Arrived On VOD/Digital Platforms On March 5th
You can check out the trailer below
Trailer
FUKUSHIMA 50
poster for Fukushima 50
Directed by: Setsuro Wakamatsu Written by: Ryusho Kadota (Book: “On The Brink: The Inside Story of Fukushima Daiichi)and Yoichi Maekawa (Screenplay) Country of Origin: Japan Language: Japanese (OV) / English (dub) Genre: Action & Drama Distributor: Capelight Pictures Produced by Tsuguhiko Kadokawa RunTime: 121minutes
As always, thanks for reading.
Article by GG Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
Official Selection: Celebration of Fantastic Fest, Lund Fantastic Film Festival, NIGHTSTREAM, Sitges Film Festival
“Scary, skin-crawling fun… a gnarly supernatural chiller that will get under your skin”
Nerdist
The sins of the past come back with a vengeance in this new film from two of Indonesia’s modern masters of horror, director Kimo Stamboel (HEADSHOT) and writer Joko Anwar (SATAN’S SLAVES, IMPETIGORE).
A family travels to the distant, rural orphanage where the father was raised to pay their respects to the facility’s gravely ill director. But his and his best friends’ homecoming turns into a terrifying supernatural ordeal that threatens their and their families’ lives: someone is using dark magic to avenge evil deeds, long-buried but not forgotten. Stamboel’s film is a reimagining of the 1981 Indonesian horror classic of the same name.
Streaming exclusively on Shudder January 28th U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand (and via the Shudder offering within the AMC+ bundle where available)
The film marks the sophomore solo feature for Kimo Stamboel following his 2019 celebrated video game adaptation film DREADOUT, and follows his collaborated work with director Timo Tjahjanto — together known as the directing duo The Mo Brothers, and their breakout hits MACABRE and KILLERS. Drawn from a script penned by Joko Anwar, whose own most recent feature, the 2019 Sundance selection IMPETIGORE, has been named Indonesia’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.
An exciting new addition to the ranks of modern Indonesian horror and a disturbingly dark reboot of the 1981 witchcraft film by the same name, THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC promises visceral body horror, tormented folklore, and an inescapable past.
THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC is directed by Kimo Stamboel and written by Joko Anwar. Starring Ario Bayu (IMPETIGORE), Hannah Al Rashid (V/H/S/2, THE NIGHT COMES FOR US), Adhisty Zara (TWO BLUE STRIPES), and Muzakki Ramdhan.
THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC
Original Title: Ratu Ilmu Hitam
Genre: Horror
Country: Indonesia
Language: Indonesian
Runtime: 99 min
Year: 2021
As always, thanks for reading.
All above information from official press-release.
Article by GG Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
Minor Premise Fucks With Your State Of Mind – Some Things Should Remain Locked
Ethan, a recluse neuroscientist hides in his late father’s shadow. His father’s death has left Ethan bitter, full of hate, regret and has thrown him into self-isolation. Ethan and his dad had some issues but he died before they had a chance to make amends. And now, although he was able to complete his late father’s work, his name is being buried in a corporate coffin by Malcolm, the head of a scientific research company experimenting with human emotion and consciousness.
Rather than only being acknowledged for the work his father started, Ethan decides to take things a step further. Confidently using himself as a human guinea pig, he conducts the experiment, but things don’t go according to plan. Something went wrong and Ethan’s consciousness and emotions have been split into 10 different personalities. Now, with his estranged girlfriend, Alli, Ethan must battle each Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde state of mind before his own mind destroys him.
If I was to compare this to any other great indie sci-fi, it wouldn’t be the premise that is similar. It is because of the ambitious brilliance of it – this is low-budget sci-fi cinema done right. It is intelligent, original and confident with its complexed content.
As well as a solid sci-fi flick Minor Premise also makes you question your own state of mind. We have been all of these characters, we are all of these characters…and for example: when we are angry, you have to admit, we are like a different person, right? So not only does Minor Premise offer us a great science-fiction movie there is also a deep emotional human drama there too. All this is achieved with a strong minimal cast of three people.
Minor Premise is directed by Eric Shultz (feature-length debut) and written by Eric Schultz, Thomas Torrey & Justin Moretto. The films stars Sathya Sridharan, Paton Ashbrook, & Dana Ashbrook.
In theaters, virtual cinemas, Digital & On-Demand this Friday, December 4th!
As always, thanks for reading.
Article by GG Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
NEW TRAILER RELEASED FOR UPCOMING SHUDDER ORIGINAL – THE ACCLAIMED HORROR ANTHOLOGY “THE MORTUARY COLLECTION”
THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN WATCH STARS CLANCY BROWN AND COMES TO SHUDDER OCTOBER 15TH!
Official Selection: Fantastic Fest, FrightFest Glasgow, Fantaspoa, Sitges, Fantasia International Film Festival, Winner of the Gold Audience Award for Feature Film @ Fantasia 2020
😱 Feast your eyes on the chilling new trailer here! 😱
COMING TO AMC NETWORKS’ HORROR STREAMING PLATFORM SHUDDER OCT. 15TH
Available in the following territories: U.S, Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand
“A twisted tapestry of grisly fun and endlessly inventive terror”
Sam Rami
“One of the best horror anthologies in years”
Rotten Tomatoes
A young drifter applies for a job at the local mortuary and meets an eccentric mortician (Clancy Brown) who chronicles the strange history of the town through a series of twisted tales, each more terrifying than the last.
Five twisted tales of terror, THE MORTUARY COLLECTION transports you back to anthology films of the 70s with loving inspiration from EC horror comics, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, and the power of storytelling, and is a Halloween classic in the making.
THE MORTUARY COLLECTION is the feature debut from writer/director Ryan Spindell, who also contributed to Quibi and Sam Raimi’s celebrated 50 States of Fright series. The film stars beloved character actor Clancy Brown, widely recognized as one of the most prolific and versatile performers in Hollywood, and best known for his roles in HIGHLANDER, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, STARSHIP TROOPERS as well as Brother Justin Crowe on HBO’s Carnivàle, Kelvin Inman on ABC’s Lost, and as the voice of Mr. Krabs in Sponge Bob Square Pants.
The film also stars Caitlin Fisher (Teen Wolf), Jacob Elordi (Euphoria), Barak Hardley (SPELL), Sarah Hey (BRAID) and Christine Kilmer. THE MORTUARY COLLECTION is produced by Spindell, Allison Friedman and T. Justin Ross with special effects from the Academy Award Winning company Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc., who worked on TREMORS, DEATH BECOMES HER, STARSHIP TROOPERS, and many more!
As always, thanks for reading.
All above information from official press-release
Article by GG
Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
Luz: The Flower of Evil – sins committed in the name of God
Luz opens up with a vacant woodland, bones scattered everywhere. You know within a few seconds that it is going to be a visual gift. The scenery, the beautiful camera work and lighting sets the tone for something wonderful.
We then meet a family of three daughters and their father. The father is strict, he is a man of god and has brought his daughters up under strict religious rule! In fact, he believes that his daughters are actual angels, sent from God.
He also believes that the Devil is among them and that a new Messiah in the form of a scared young child which he has chained to a post in his garden is going to cast the devil back to hell.
Here’s the thing, although it looks like this is set in the 1800s, it has to be set sometime after 1962. The daughters find a cassette player with a cassette inside. The father makes them believe that the cassette is from the Devil himself. He tells his daughters that the Devil can hide in many things, including music & poetry. Cassettes didn’t come out until 1962. This gives the film a vibe like The Village. A group of religious nuts that live in the hills, kept away from the greed and sins of the modern world.
Luz: The Flower of Evil may not have had the mayhem, cults or satanic goat action I was looking for but the film meant something much more and a film that sticks around in your head after viewing.
That was completely to do with jaw-dropping scenery, the nightmarish plot drenched in blood and sunshine…and of course, the goat. As similarities go, it stops there.
Luz looks at the atrocities that one can get away with when believing that their dangerously delusional actions are coming from a higher power. If you think, and others believe that you’re doing God’s work while committing sins that only the Devil can be proud of, it shines a dark light on the fine line of what is good and what is evil.
LUZ: THE FLOWER EVIL
Written & Directed by Juan Diego Escobar Alzate Language: English dub and Spanish/Original with English subtitles Genre: Drama Distributor: Dark Sky Films Produced by: Juan Diego Escobar Alzate Cast: Yuri Vargas (Revenge Strategy, Playing with Fire), Conrado Osorio (Sniper: Ultimate Kill, La Reina del Sur), Andrea Esquivel (Afuera del Tiempo, The Hunters), Sharon Guzman (La Reina del Sur 2, Noobees Nickelodeon), Jim Munoz (TV’s One Way Out), Johan Camacho (Guelcom tu Colombia), Daniel Paez (Narcos)
Dark Sky Films brings LUZ: THE FLOWER EVIL to Digital + VOD on September 15th.
Need a new horror to look forward to?. check out the official press-release for Spiral
There is so much great stuff on Shudder these days. It took a while for their library to build up but man, they’re a horror fans dream come true. And Spiral looks to be another horror we should be looking forward to. Check out the press release and trailer below. I hope you enjoy it.
Don’t trust the neighbours in the Shudder Original SPIRAL, starring Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman –
PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 17TH EXCLUSIVELY ON AMC’S SHUDDER
The new acclaimed queer horror from the writer of WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE and the producers of HARPOON, Z and STILL/BORN
Official Selection of FrightFest, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival
A same-sex couple move to a small town to enjoy a better quality of life, but nothing is as it seems in their new neighbourhood
Available on AMC’s horror streaming service Shudder in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand September 17th
“A thrilling blend of Polanski and Peele”
SciFi Now
“Unnerving Psychological Horror at its best”
iHorror
“The most emotionally scarring, horrifyingly realistic, and intelligently conceived take on queer horror I’ve seen to date”
Wicked Horror
“Through a phenomenal performance, chilling atmosphere and a terrific script, Spiral builds an experience that is as terrifying as it is depressingly timely”
Slashfilm
Malik (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, American Horror Story, Canada’s Drag Race) and Aaron (Ari Cohen, IT: CHAPTER TWO) move to a small town in search of a better environment for them and their 16-year-old daughter (Jennifer Laporte, Web of Dreams). But nothing is as it seems as something sinister lies behind the picturesque homes and welcoming faces of their new neighbours (Lochlyn Munro, CW’s Riverdale).
A horror film for the current age, SPIRAL skillfully dissects themes of ostracisation, otherness, and the cycles of societal rejection and hate, led by a breakout performance by Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.
With Ty Wood and Chandra West. Written by Colin Minihan (writer of the Shudder Original Z and the upcoming new URBAN LEGEND) and John Poliquin (SELFIE), directed by Kurtis David Harder (SUMMERLAND, INCONTROL).
SPIRAL is produced by Minihan, Harder, and John Poliquin for Digital Interference, the celebrated Canadian indie label behind the SXSW sensation WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE (released by IFC Midnight), Shudder Originals Z and STILL/BORN, and the cult-hit GRAVE ENCOUNTERS.
Spiral hits Shudder on the 17th of September. Check out the trailer below. Enjoy
End Of Press Release
I was a huge fan of What Keeps You Alive. It was a simplistic, yet highly effective female-led serial killer horror with two great performances from Hannah Emily Anderson & Brittany Allen
You can check out the Moviehooker review for What Keeps You Alive HERE.
