From Namibian western to animated revenge thriller, from Bosnian family saga to a lesbian vampire breakup story, 10 upscale scripted TV projects were spotlighted at the Berlinale Series Market’s Co-Pro Series on Tuesday morning, representing “unique and bold choices with regard to genre and perspective, on top of great storytelling,” Martina Bleis, Head of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, observed before the presentation..
“This should attract buyers and co-producers now, and will surely convince discerning audiences once they have been made,”
With Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy joining climate change satire “S.O.L.,” created by late Ruth McCance, or Cannes-awarded director Aida Begić now focusing on “Mirrors,” it was a high-profile affair.
“This female family chronicle serves as a bridge between two centuries, two eras and two societies, shedding light on the hidden lives of Balkan women. Female secrets touch on taboos such as sexuality, violence and mental health. What would...
“This should attract buyers and co-producers now, and will surely convince discerning audiences once they have been made,”
With Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy joining climate change satire “S.O.L.,” created by late Ruth McCance, or Cannes-awarded director Aida Begić now focusing on “Mirrors,” it was a high-profile affair.
“This female family chronicle serves as a bridge between two centuries, two eras and two societies, shedding light on the hidden lives of Balkan women. Female secrets touch on taboos such as sexuality, violence and mental health. What would...
- 2/21/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Writer, director, and actor José Mojica Marins singlehandedly inaugurated Brazilian horror cinema in 1964 when he released At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul. This surprisingly gruesome gothic concoction introduced unsuspecting audiences to the indelible figure of Coffin Joe, a nefarious undertaker with a black top hat and cape, uncannily long fingernails, and a bloodthirsty life philosophy that’s part Friedrich Nietzsche, part Marquis de Sade. Over the next four decades, Coffin Joe would not only headline his own official trilogy but also turn up as a sometimes secondary character in numerous other films and TV shows, ultimately achieving the status of a national icon often called “the Brazilian Freddy Krueger.”
Arrow Video has assembled 10 of Mojica’s films in their staggeringly appointed new box set Inside the Mind of Coffin Joe. All of these titles have received striking new 4K restorations from original film elements, and Arrow has included many hours of bonus materials,...
Arrow Video has assembled 10 of Mojica’s films in their staggeringly appointed new box set Inside the Mind of Coffin Joe. All of these titles have received striking new 4K restorations from original film elements, and Arrow has included many hours of bonus materials,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
In an early scene in “Saw X,” John Kramer (Tobin Bell) offers a succinct summary of how he chooses to spend his free time: “I help people enact positive change in their lives.”
It’s a statement that would elicit some pushback from his victims, but it feels like a fair phrasing of his perspective. The man commonly known as Jigsaw is not a serial killer in any conventional sense of the word. While he’s probably responsible for more deaths, dismemberments, and general maimings than everyone reading this combined, he never holds the weapon himself. Instead he prefers to place his victims in elaborate DIY torture devices that force them to willingly inflict massive amounts of bodily harm on themselves in order to save their lives. If they fail to perform his tasks in the impossibly short time windows that he gives them, Jigsaw feels that they have nobody...
It’s a statement that would elicit some pushback from his victims, but it feels like a fair phrasing of his perspective. The man commonly known as Jigsaw is not a serial killer in any conventional sense of the word. While he’s probably responsible for more deaths, dismemberments, and general maimings than everyone reading this combined, he never holds the weapon himself. Instead he prefers to place his victims in elaborate DIY torture devices that force them to willingly inflict massive amounts of bodily harm on themselves in order to save their lives. If they fail to perform his tasks in the impossibly short time windows that he gives them, Jigsaw feels that they have nobody...
- 10/10/2023
- by Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Glenda Jackson, the two-time Oscar winner who walked away from a hugely successful acting career to spend nearly a quarter-century in the U.K. parliament, only to make a comeback on the stage, died Thursday. She was 87.
Jackson died peacefully after a brief illness at her home in Blackheath, London, and her family was at her side, her agent Lionel Larner said in a statement. “Today we lost one of the world’s greatest actresses, and I have lost a best friend of over 50 years,” he said.
She recently completed filming The Great Escaper opposite Michael Caine, Larner noted.
The British actress collected a slew of honors that included best actress Academy Awards for Women in Love (1969) and A Touch of Class (1973); two Emmys for her performance as Elizabeth I in the BBC miniseries Elizabeth R (a role she also played in the 1971 film Mary, Queen of Scots); and a...
Jackson died peacefully after a brief illness at her home in Blackheath, London, and her family was at her side, her agent Lionel Larner said in a statement. “Today we lost one of the world’s greatest actresses, and I have lost a best friend of over 50 years,” he said.
She recently completed filming The Great Escaper opposite Michael Caine, Larner noted.
The British actress collected a slew of honors that included best actress Academy Awards for Women in Love (1969) and A Touch of Class (1973); two Emmys for her performance as Elizabeth I in the BBC miniseries Elizabeth R (a role she also played in the 1971 film Mary, Queen of Scots); and a...
- 6/15/2023
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Happy #RobertEnglundDay!
About one third of the 150+ acting credits accumulated over the course of Robert Englund’s 50-year career fall under the horror genre. Screambox is streaming five of them, along with the all-new documentary, Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story.
Here are six Robert Englund movies you can watch on Screambox now…
Galaxy of Terror
Before moving to Elm Street, Englund went to space for 1981’s Galaxy of Terror, the first of two back-to-back Alien knock-offs produced by Roger Corman. The film follows a ragtag spaceship crew on a rescue mission to a barren planet, where they encounter a deadly creature. In a slight twist on Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic, Galaxy of Terror uses its victims’ own fears against them — which, incidentally, is similar to Freddy’s modus operandi.
Englund plays the ship’s second technical officer, Ranger, but he’s not the only notable...
About one third of the 150+ acting credits accumulated over the course of Robert Englund’s 50-year career fall under the horror genre. Screambox is streaming five of them, along with the all-new documentary, Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story.
Here are six Robert Englund movies you can watch on Screambox now…
Galaxy of Terror
Before moving to Elm Street, Englund went to space for 1981’s Galaxy of Terror, the first of two back-to-back Alien knock-offs produced by Roger Corman. The film follows a ragtag spaceship crew on a rescue mission to a barren planet, where they encounter a deadly creature. In a slight twist on Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic, Galaxy of Terror uses its victims’ own fears against them — which, incidentally, is similar to Freddy’s modus operandi.
Englund plays the ship’s second technical officer, Ranger, but he’s not the only notable...
- 6/6/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Bloody Disgusting is celebrating the 76th birthday of horror legend Robert Englund on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, and in fact, the party has already begun over on Screambox!
The Bloody Disgusting-powered horror streaming service just added Three classic Robert Englund films to the lineup, and that’s only the beginning of our epic celebration.
Over on Screambox, beginning today, you can now stream A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), plus Tobe Hooper movies Night Terrors (1993) and The Mangler (1995)!
Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is of course the original horror classic that introduced audiences to Freddy Krueger, the dream demon that Robert Englund became a household name through playing across multiple films. Night Terrors, almost a full decade later, saw Englund playing the Marquis de Sade for director Tobe Hooper, while Hooper’s The Mangler brought Englund into the world of Stephen King. The Mangler is one of Englund’s personal...
The Bloody Disgusting-powered horror streaming service just added Three classic Robert Englund films to the lineup, and that’s only the beginning of our epic celebration.
Over on Screambox, beginning today, you can now stream A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), plus Tobe Hooper movies Night Terrors (1993) and The Mangler (1995)!
Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is of course the original horror classic that introduced audiences to Freddy Krueger, the dream demon that Robert Englund became a household name through playing across multiple films. Night Terrors, almost a full decade later, saw Englund playing the Marquis de Sade for director Tobe Hooper, while Hooper’s The Mangler brought Englund into the world of Stephen King. The Mangler is one of Englund’s personal...
- 6/1/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
In 1516, English philosopher Thomas More published Utopia, a piece of speculative fiction filled with musings about the ideal society. Of course, it was all nonsense. So even though it took a few more centuries for the word to come into use, “dystopia” has always captured the human imagination better than utopia. Literally stories about “bad places,” dystopias show humanity at its worst.
As you might expect, dystopias tend to be cynical works of imagination. But that’s not all they are. By looking at how dark things could be, dystopias shine a light on the world as it currently is. Works of literature like Watchmen and television series such as Black Mirror have told their stories about bleak alternate realities to issue warnings about the arms race and social media, making grotesques out of the real world.
While this list of darkest cinematic dystopias may not contain the absolute worst images of humanity,...
As you might expect, dystopias tend to be cynical works of imagination. But that’s not all they are. By looking at how dark things could be, dystopias shine a light on the world as it currently is. Works of literature like Watchmen and television series such as Black Mirror have told their stories about bleak alternate realities to issue warnings about the arms race and social media, making grotesques out of the real world.
While this list of darkest cinematic dystopias may not contain the absolute worst images of humanity,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Jacqueline West is one of Hollywood’s most respected costume designers with four Oscar nominations for Philip Kaufmann’s Quills, David Fincher’s The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s The Revenant and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One.
She is also Terrence Malick’s go-to costume designer, after a recommendation from his long-time production designer Jack Fisk, working with him on The New World, The Tree of Life, To the Wonder and Knight of Cups, while other credits include Stephen Norrington’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Ben Affleck’s Argo and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Talking about her career in a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute, West said she fell into cinema by chance after connecting with Kaufmann through a clothes store she set up in Berkeley in the 1990s after majoring in art history, having originally planned to study sciences.
She is also Terrence Malick’s go-to costume designer, after a recommendation from his long-time production designer Jack Fisk, working with him on The New World, The Tree of Life, To the Wonder and Knight of Cups, while other credits include Stephen Norrington’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Ben Affleck’s Argo and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Talking about her career in a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute, West said she fell into cinema by chance after connecting with Kaufmann through a clothes store she set up in Berkeley in the 1990s after majoring in art history, having originally planned to study sciences.
- 3/17/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Dan Zapata, Enrique Diaz Duran, Jacqueline Blanca Bribiesca, Marisela Plaza | Written by Alex Hernández, Juan Manuel Martinez | Directed by Alex Hernández
Written in 1791 Justine or The Misfortunes of Virtue by Donatien-Alphonse-François de Sade, better known as the Marquis de Sade, is one of the more infamous novels in the history of literature. But what else would you expect from the man whose name inspired the words sadism and sadistic?
Rather than filming it as a period piece director Alex Hernández and co-writer Juan Manuel Martinez have taken the same approach to Justine that Pasolini took when adapted De Sade’s Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom. They’ve updated it and used it to look at more contemporary society. In doing so they’ve deviated from the source material much further than Pasolini did. They’ve basically taken one segment of the book and expanded it out to feature length,...
Written in 1791 Justine or The Misfortunes of Virtue by Donatien-Alphonse-François de Sade, better known as the Marquis de Sade, is one of the more infamous novels in the history of literature. But what else would you expect from the man whose name inspired the words sadism and sadistic?
Rather than filming it as a period piece director Alex Hernández and co-writer Juan Manuel Martinez have taken the same approach to Justine that Pasolini took when adapted De Sade’s Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom. They’ve updated it and used it to look at more contemporary society. In doing so they’ve deviated from the source material much further than Pasolini did. They’ve basically taken one segment of the book and expanded it out to feature length,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
This has been a huge year for Screambox.
Not only did we break box office records with Terrifier 2, but we’ve loaded the horror streaming service with all sorts of horror goodies including It, Pet Sematary, and Hellraiser documentaries, as well as Original films Deep Fear, All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, PussyCake, When the Screaming Starts, Vietnamese Horror Story, Story Game, and Welcome to Hell. We also exclusively have the Halloween cult classic Satan’s Little Helper Uncut, “Toxic Crusaders”, and much, much more.
This December is jam-packed and already we’ve released the must-see Letterbox smash-hit History of the Occult, a Lovecraftian faux documentary that pulls viewers deep into a world of conspiracy and witchcraft.
From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist director Tobe Hooper, Night Terrors is streaming on Screambox as well. The 1993 horror film stars A Nightmare on Elm Street icon Robert Englund in...
Not only did we break box office records with Terrifier 2, but we’ve loaded the horror streaming service with all sorts of horror goodies including It, Pet Sematary, and Hellraiser documentaries, as well as Original films Deep Fear, All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, PussyCake, When the Screaming Starts, Vietnamese Horror Story, Story Game, and Welcome to Hell. We also exclusively have the Halloween cult classic Satan’s Little Helper Uncut, “Toxic Crusaders”, and much, much more.
This December is jam-packed and already we’ve released the must-see Letterbox smash-hit History of the Occult, a Lovecraftian faux documentary that pulls viewers deep into a world of conspiracy and witchcraft.
From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist director Tobe Hooper, Night Terrors is streaming on Screambox as well. The 1993 horror film stars A Nightmare on Elm Street icon Robert Englund in...
- 12/16/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
The final month of 2022 is already upon us, and December brings plenty of horror offerings beyond holiday fare- though expect some bloody fun there, too. Whether you’re in the mood to play catch-up on 2022 releases or looking for the deep cuts, this month has it all.
Here are ten noteworthy horror titles available for streaming in November 2022 on some of the most popular streaming services, along with when/where you can watch them.
Tobe Hooper’s Night Terrors – Screambox (December 1)
Robert Englund stars as the Marquis de Sade and his descendent in this strange, underseen feature by Tobe Hooper. Our own Patrick Bromley wrote about the film earlier this year. He wrote, “Hooper was a last-minute replacement for this offbeat horror movie, which attempts to bridge flashbacks of the Marquis de Sade with the modern-day story of a young woman (Zoe Trilling) who gets involved with a weird sex...
Here are ten noteworthy horror titles available for streaming in November 2022 on some of the most popular streaming services, along with when/where you can watch them.
Tobe Hooper’s Night Terrors – Screambox (December 1)
Robert Englund stars as the Marquis de Sade and his descendent in this strange, underseen feature by Tobe Hooper. Our own Patrick Bromley wrote about the film earlier this year. He wrote, “Hooper was a last-minute replacement for this offbeat horror movie, which attempts to bridge flashbacks of the Marquis de Sade with the modern-day story of a young woman (Zoe Trilling) who gets involved with a weird sex...
- 12/2/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Screambox has revealed the new films that will be joining the horror streaming service this December, including exclusive titles History of the Occult and The Anchor, and cult favorites like Tobe Hooper’s Night Terrors, American Mary, and the shocker Housebound.
Letterboxd’s highest-rated horror movie of 2021, History of the Occult, streams exclusively on Screambox on December 6. From Argentinian writer-director Cristian Ponce, the Lovecraftian faux documentary pulls viewers deep into a world of conspiracy and witchcraft. This is easily one of the best films of the year.
Bring the year to a close with South Korean mystery-thriller The Anchor beginning December 27. Writer-director Jung Ji-yeon‘s feature debut stars Chun Woo-hee (The Wailing), Shin Ha-kyun (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), and Lee Hye-young (Boys Over Flowers).
From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist director Tobe Hooper, Night Terrors is streaming on Screambox today. The 1993 horror film stars A Nightmare on Elm Street...
Letterboxd’s highest-rated horror movie of 2021, History of the Occult, streams exclusively on Screambox on December 6. From Argentinian writer-director Cristian Ponce, the Lovecraftian faux documentary pulls viewers deep into a world of conspiracy and witchcraft. This is easily one of the best films of the year.
Bring the year to a close with South Korean mystery-thriller The Anchor beginning December 27. Writer-director Jung Ji-yeon‘s feature debut stars Chun Woo-hee (The Wailing), Shin Ha-kyun (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), and Lee Hye-young (Boys Over Flowers).
From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist director Tobe Hooper, Night Terrors is streaming on Screambox today. The 1993 horror film stars A Nightmare on Elm Street...
- 12/1/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
The late Tobe Hooper might best be known for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, but he directed more than a handful of classics, including the awesome 1993 horror Night Terrors, starring none other than A Nightmare on Elm Street‘s Robert Englund.
Patrick Bromley wrote about the film for Bloody Disgusting earlier this year, which follows a woman visiting her father in Egypt who becomes involved with Marquis De Sade’s (Robert Englund) descendant and his terrifying cult.
Patrick explains, “Hooper was a last-minute replacement for this offbeat horror movie, which attempts to bridge flashbacks of the Marquis de Sade with the modern-day story of a young woman (Zoe Trilling) who gets involved with a weird sex cult (led by Englund in the second of his dual roles).”
Night Terrors isn’t the first time Hooper and Englund worked together as they linked up on the pilot for “Freddy’s Nightmares...
Patrick Bromley wrote about the film for Bloody Disgusting earlier this year, which follows a woman visiting her father in Egypt who becomes involved with Marquis De Sade’s (Robert Englund) descendant and his terrifying cult.
Patrick explains, “Hooper was a last-minute replacement for this offbeat horror movie, which attempts to bridge flashbacks of the Marquis de Sade with the modern-day story of a young woman (Zoe Trilling) who gets involved with a weird sex cult (led by Englund in the second of his dual roles).”
Night Terrors isn’t the first time Hooper and Englund worked together as they linked up on the pilot for “Freddy’s Nightmares...
- 12/1/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
"Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." It's an LL Cool J lyric but it applies to one Geoffrey Rush, renowned Australian stage and screen actor. One of the few people who have earned an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy, and a Tony Award, Rush's resume is extensive and varied.
Following an early career on the stage with the Queensland Theater Company, Rush gained universal acclaim in a breakthrough performance in 1996 with "Shine," snagging that Best Actor Oscar. Roles of great gravitas would further cement his fame, like that of sneaky spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham in Shekhar Kapur's 1998 drama "Elizabeth" and the militant Javert in Bille August's 1998 film adaptation of "Les Miserables." Rush has also kept critics on their toes with oddball roles like that of Stephen Price (a fantastic nod to Vincent Price) in the 1999 remake of "The House on Haunted Hill." The kiddies...
Following an early career on the stage with the Queensland Theater Company, Rush gained universal acclaim in a breakthrough performance in 1996 with "Shine," snagging that Best Actor Oscar. Roles of great gravitas would further cement his fame, like that of sneaky spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham in Shekhar Kapur's 1998 drama "Elizabeth" and the militant Javert in Bille August's 1998 film adaptation of "Les Miserables." Rush has also kept critics on their toes with oddball roles like that of Stephen Price (a fantastic nod to Vincent Price) in the 1999 remake of "The House on Haunted Hill." The kiddies...
- 11/25/2022
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
The mythology of "Hellraiser" is well known to Clive Barker fans the world over. Certain determined souls, having exhausted the sensual pleasures available to the earthly plane, seek out the Lament Configuration as a means of pushing themselves further. The configuration is a puzzle box that is solved by rotating it just such and sliding one's fingers carefully across a smooth surface. When manipulated correctly, the box slides apart, rotates, and slides back together. When solved, the box ethereally reaches across dimensions to a realm of pure physical experience.
Stepping out of this realm are the Cenobites, supernatural sadomasochists whose own search for the ultimate lustful pleasure has pushed them into a space of constant sensory overload. Their bodies are mutilated with hooks, wires, and nails. They wear black leather outfits that are a cross between S&m fetish wear and a heavy-duty toolbelt. They carry handheld torture devices around their waists.
Stepping out of this realm are the Cenobites, supernatural sadomasochists whose own search for the ultimate lustful pleasure has pushed them into a space of constant sensory overload. Their bodies are mutilated with hooks, wires, and nails. They wear black leather outfits that are a cross between S&m fetish wear and a heavy-duty toolbelt. They carry handheld torture devices around their waists.
- 10/7/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Every horror movie is about pain, but only the “Hellraiser” series is about sadomasochism — the electricity and agony of it, the higher calling of it. “Hellraiser,” a reboot of the franchise that began in 1987 and has given us nine sequels (time flies when you’re having fun imagining yourself being tortured for fun), is a movie that honors the transgressive tug of Clive Barker’s 1986 novella “The Hellbound Heart.” But it takes a long time for the new “Hellraiser” to get to what devotees of the series would call the good stuff. When it does, however, the movie doesn’t hold back. Flesh is torn and flayed, flesh is peeled and sliced, flesh gets split wide open with mystical mechanical devices. The film’s brutal final act may put you in mind of such queasy landmarks of cinematic mutilation as “Audition,” “The Cell,” the “Saw” series, the 2018 remake of “Suspiria,...
- 10/5/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Armie Hammer’s fall from grace is the subject of “House of Hammer,” a new three-part documentary from Elli Hakami and Julian Hobbs. The actor, who once headlined films like “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Call Me By Your Name,” is now reportedly working as a timeshare salesman in the Cayman Islands following multiple allegations that he attempted to coerce women into performing disturbing sexual acts. His interest in cannibalism and alleged request to eat a woman’s ribs has received the most attention in pop culture, but the allegations all fit together to form a pattern of abusive behavior.
The accusations began to snowball in 2021 after Effie, a 26-year-old European woman identified only by her first name, accused Hammer of rape in a news conference held by her lawyer. (Hammer’s attorney denied the claims.) But while Effie wants to see Hammer brought to justice, that doesn’t mean...
The accusations began to snowball in 2021 after Effie, a 26-year-old European woman identified only by her first name, accused Hammer of rape in a news conference held by her lawyer. (Hammer’s attorney denied the claims.) But while Effie wants to see Hammer brought to justice, that doesn’t mean...
- 9/3/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
There’s a pervasive question repeatedly asked through “House of Hammer”: How did Hollywood’s Golden Boy seemingly turn into a pariah overnight?
Unfortunately, this three-part Discovery+ docuseries has little new to say on its subject — or the themes of power and abuse — because we’ve seen this narrative play out many times before. Hell, even just this week actor Shia Labeouf, accused of abusive behavior by an ex-lover, embarked on a redemption tour in the hopes of reshaping his own narrative. Bad behavior from Hollywood’s It boys didn’t start or end with the “Call Me By Your Name” star.
Then again, “House of Hammer” is about a generational legacy all its own. When the actor came to prominence in 2010 with the release of David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” much was made about his connection to Los Angeles’ prominent Hammer family. As this project will remind you continuously,...
Unfortunately, this three-part Discovery+ docuseries has little new to say on its subject — or the themes of power and abuse — because we’ve seen this narrative play out many times before. Hell, even just this week actor Shia Labeouf, accused of abusive behavior by an ex-lover, embarked on a redemption tour in the hopes of reshaping his own narrative. Bad behavior from Hollywood’s It boys didn’t start or end with the “Call Me By Your Name” star.
Then again, “House of Hammer” is about a generational legacy all its own. When the actor came to prominence in 2010 with the release of David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” much was made about his connection to Los Angeles’ prominent Hammer family. As this project will remind you continuously,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
John Steiner, a British actor who appeared in Caligula and several other films in the 1960s and 1970s, has died. He was 81 and passed Sunday at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs after a two-vehicle automobile accident in La Quinta, the Riverside County Sheriff’s department told the Desert Sun newspaper.
Steiner played the treasurer Longinus opposite Malcolm McDowell in the 1979 film Caligula, one of several movies he made with Italian film director Giovanni “Tinto” Brass.
He portrayed the tycoon Beauty Smith in director Lucio Fulci’s White Fang (1973) and Challenge to White Fang (1974). He was also a vampire in Dracula in the Provinces (1975).
He also appeared in director Mario Bava’s Shock (1977) and director Dario Argento’s Tenebrae (1982), the latter memorable for his character taking an ax to the head.
Born on Jan. 7, 1941, in Chester, England, Steiner attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
Steiner played the treasurer Longinus opposite Malcolm McDowell in the 1979 film Caligula, one of several movies he made with Italian film director Giovanni “Tinto” Brass.
He portrayed the tycoon Beauty Smith in director Lucio Fulci’s White Fang (1973) and Challenge to White Fang (1974). He was also a vampire in Dracula in the Provinces (1975).
He also appeared in director Mario Bava’s Shock (1977) and director Dario Argento’s Tenebrae (1982), the latter memorable for his character taking an ax to the head.
Born on Jan. 7, 1941, in Chester, England, Steiner attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company,...
- 8/4/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where he’s being feted with lifetime achievement honors, Australian actor Geoffrey Rush says that the prospect of playing Groucho Marx in Oren Moverman’s “Raised Eyebrows” is “scary,” but that he’s always enjoyed the challenge of complex characters.
It is not a biopic, he says of the film – still in development – adapted from the book “Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House” by Steve Stoliar, which focuses on the last days of the legendary comic. “I describe it as a tragi-comedy about mortality,” he says. “He’s 83 to 86, at the end of his life. There’s dementia but you never know because with Groucho he would never let you know that he’s forgetting things.”
Mastering the way Groucho Marx spoke is a challenge, Rush admits. “His dialogue is so hard to learn because it’s non sequiturs – you know how he would free-form.
It is not a biopic, he says of the film – still in development – adapted from the book “Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House” by Steve Stoliar, which focuses on the last days of the legendary comic. “I describe it as a tragi-comedy about mortality,” he says. “He’s 83 to 86, at the end of his life. There’s dementia but you never know because with Groucho he would never let you know that he’s forgetting things.”
Mastering the way Groucho Marx spoke is a challenge, Rush admits. “His dialogue is so hard to learn because it’s non sequiturs – you know how he would free-form.
- 7/7/2022
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Catherine Breillat doesn’t make porn. Anyone familiar with the 73-year-old French auteur knows her frank portraits of female sexuality are complex, often transcendent explorations of desire through a metaphysical lens. That impulse extends back to Brelliat’s first film in 1976, “A Real Young Girl,” in which she adapted her own controversial novel about a 14-year-old’s sexual awakening. It has stayed with her through the decades in everything from “Fat Girl” to “Sex Is Comedy,” which fictionalizes the discomfort of shooting a sex scene.
Many of those movies are included in a new 11-film Breillat retrospective at New York’s IFC Center, but none epitomize Breillat’s daring aesthetic more than 1999’s “Romance,” the absorbing story of a young woman named Marie who finds catharsis from her sexless relationship with her boyfriend in a series of ambitious trysts. One of these leads to her rape; another inspires her revenge.
Many of those movies are included in a new 11-film Breillat retrospective at New York’s IFC Center, but none epitomize Breillat’s daring aesthetic more than 1999’s “Romance,” the absorbing story of a young woman named Marie who finds catharsis from her sexless relationship with her boyfriend in a series of ambitious trysts. One of these leads to her rape; another inspires her revenge.
- 2/14/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Did these filmmakers have any idea how twisted a picture they were making? It doesn’t matter because this Italo torture orgy has has remained a freakout favorite ever since. Mickey Hargitay likely asked, ‘do you really want me to act this nuts?’ and then fully complied with Massimo Pupillo’s request to burn, stab, choke and roast his mostly female victims in orgasmic glee. It’s all still more than a little disturbing — or screamingly funny depending on one’s orientation. Severin’s Blu-ray sources original printing elements, lending incredible video and audio quality to this artless yet stunning exercise in sex & death insanity. We also recall an interpretation given this gem by Brit film critics. Co-starring Walter Brandi & Luisa Barrato, plus eight willing special guest torture victims.
Bloody Pit of Horror
Blu-ray
Severin Films
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 26, 2021 / Il boia scarlatto, The Crimson Executioner / Available...
Bloody Pit of Horror
Blu-ray
Severin Films
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 26, 2021 / Il boia scarlatto, The Crimson Executioner / Available...
- 11/25/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Italy has officially abolished film censorship by scrapping legislation that since 1913 has allowed the government to censor scenes and ban movies such as, most famously, Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom” and Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Last Tango in Paris.”
The move — which is symbolically important, though censorship is de-facto no longer practiced — definitively does away with “the system of controls and interventions that still allowed the Italian state to intervene on the freedom of artists,” said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini who late Monday announced a new decree ending the government’s powers to censor cinema.
Hundreds of films from all over the world have been banned locally during the past decades for religious, “moral” and political reasons.
Under the new decree, film distributors will self-classify their own movies based on existing audience age brackets such as “over-14″ (or aged 12+ if accompanied by a parent) and “over 18” (or 16+ accompanied by adults).
Subsequently,...
The move — which is symbolically important, though censorship is de-facto no longer practiced — definitively does away with “the system of controls and interventions that still allowed the Italian state to intervene on the freedom of artists,” said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini who late Monday announced a new decree ending the government’s powers to censor cinema.
Hundreds of films from all over the world have been banned locally during the past decades for religious, “moral” and political reasons.
Under the new decree, film distributors will self-classify their own movies based on existing audience age brackets such as “over-14″ (or aged 12+ if accompanied by a parent) and “over 18” (or 16+ accompanied by adults).
Subsequently,...
- 4/7/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Zack Snyder’s retouched Justice League is coming, and with it, a whole passel of fresh New Gods. One of them we’ve seen from the trailer is DeSaad, the pointy faced, pointy toothed guy in a hood. But who is he? Well, friends, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about him.
But just in case you haven’t seen that ridiculous Snyder Cut trailer yet, here it is…
Who Is Desaad?
DeSaad was originally created as part of Jack Kirby’s huge Fourth World story. His name was a reference to the Marquis de Sade, the famous French snuff enthusiast, and befitting the name, DeSaad was chief torturer to Darkseid, the evil god at war with Highfather and New Genesis.
He was once a sweet little boy, tricked by Darkseid to believing that his pet cat had killed his pet bird. Darkseid convinced him...
But just in case you haven’t seen that ridiculous Snyder Cut trailer yet, here it is…
Who Is Desaad?
DeSaad was originally created as part of Jack Kirby’s huge Fourth World story. His name was a reference to the Marquis de Sade, the famous French snuff enthusiast, and befitting the name, DeSaad was chief torturer to Darkseid, the evil god at war with Highfather and New Genesis.
He was once a sweet little boy, tricked by Darkseid to believing that his pet cat had killed his pet bird. Darkseid convinced him...
- 8/23/2020
- by Jim Dandy
- Den of Geek
Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Michael Haffner, Sam Moffitt, and Tom Stockman
Peter Cushing, born on this day in 1913, was one of the most respected and important actors in the horror and fantasy film genres. To his many fans, the British star, who died in 1994, was known as ‘The Gentle Man of Horror’ and is recognized for his work with Hammer Films which began in the late 1950’s, but he had numerous memorable roles outside of Hammer. A topnotch actor who was able to deliver superb performances on a consistent basis, Peter Cushing also had range. He could play both the hero and the villain with ease.
Here, according to We Are Movie Geeks, are Peter Cushing’s ten best roles:
10. Dr. Maitland
During the 1960s, Amicus Studios had a knack for borrowing from the pool of Hammer Studios actors and filmmakers to make their own Hammer-inspired films. While...
Peter Cushing, born on this day in 1913, was one of the most respected and important actors in the horror and fantasy film genres. To his many fans, the British star, who died in 1994, was known as ‘The Gentle Man of Horror’ and is recognized for his work with Hammer Films which began in the late 1950’s, but he had numerous memorable roles outside of Hammer. A topnotch actor who was able to deliver superb performances on a consistent basis, Peter Cushing also had range. He could play both the hero and the villain with ease.
Here, according to We Are Movie Geeks, are Peter Cushing’s ten best roles:
10. Dr. Maitland
During the 1960s, Amicus Studios had a knack for borrowing from the pool of Hammer Studios actors and filmmakers to make their own Hammer-inspired films. While...
- 5/27/2020
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The New York Film Festival’s Dennis Lim delivered director Albert Serra to me in the lobby of the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center during the 57th edition of the festival last fall. Serra was traveling solo for the American debut of Liberté, which picked up a Special Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival when it premiered in the Un Certain Regard section.
We didn’t know where to record our conversation so we intruded on the festival staff’s lounge. Serra set up two U-shaped leather chairs facing each other. He grabbed us drinks from the bar and moved in close. Talking to the director is a lot like watching his movies; you listen and watch closely for long, unbroken amounts of time. You don’t analyze Serra’s film–they analyze you. Some directors refuse to speak about their own work—especially with the press—but Serra will gladly dissect his own,...
We didn’t know where to record our conversation so we intruded on the festival staff’s lounge. Serra set up two U-shaped leather chairs facing each other. He grabbed us drinks from the bar and moved in close. Talking to the director is a lot like watching his movies; you listen and watch closely for long, unbroken amounts of time. You don’t analyze Serra’s film–they analyze you. Some directors refuse to speak about their own work—especially with the press—but Serra will gladly dissect his own,...
- 5/1/2020
- by Joshua Encinias
- The Film Stage
Two beloved TV Fanatic favorites are possibly returning to the small screen.
We'll start with Scott Foley.
The Scandal and Whiskey Cavalier grad is headed to Fox to lead the cast of The Big Leap.
The series is a journey of self-acceptance, body-positivity and empowerment at any age, it follows a diverse group of underdogs from all different walks of life compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of Swan Lake.
What they lack in the traditional dancer body type, they make up for with their edge, wit and desire to reimagine an iconic story to fit their own mold. Inspired by the UK format Big Ballet.
Deadline first revealed the casting news, revealing that Foley is on board to play Nick Smart, the executive producer of the show within a show.
He joins previously cast Simone Recasner, Jon Rudnitsky,...
We'll start with Scott Foley.
The Scandal and Whiskey Cavalier grad is headed to Fox to lead the cast of The Big Leap.
The series is a journey of self-acceptance, body-positivity and empowerment at any age, it follows a diverse group of underdogs from all different walks of life compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of Swan Lake.
What they lack in the traditional dancer body type, they make up for with their edge, wit and desire to reimagine an iconic story to fit their own mold. Inspired by the UK format Big Ballet.
Deadline first revealed the casting news, revealing that Foley is on board to play Nick Smart, the executive producer of the show within a show.
He joins previously cast Simone Recasner, Jon Rudnitsky,...
- 3/11/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
The weird sisters of Bram Stoker’s Dracula are doing it for themselves. Greg Berlanti and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who brought the devil out of Riverdale to spawn Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, are shooting pilot for The Brides for ABC.
The project goes back to 2015, when NBC put in an order for a script. For ABC’s desanguinated re-incarnation, the script will be written by Aguirre-Sacasa, who will executive produce alongside Berlanti and his head of production company, Sarah Schechter. This new series promises to move “stronger into horror and sexuality as it reimagines the classic vampire characters.” The pilot will be directed by Maggie Kiley. ABC Studios and Warner Bros. Television will coproduce the series.
The project was announced back in January. The Brides is technically ABC’s first pilot order of the 2020-21 broadcast season. It is the first shot across the bow for Karey Burke, who as ABC’s...
The project goes back to 2015, when NBC put in an order for a script. For ABC’s desanguinated re-incarnation, the script will be written by Aguirre-Sacasa, who will executive produce alongside Berlanti and his head of production company, Sarah Schechter. This new series promises to move “stronger into horror and sexuality as it reimagines the classic vampire characters.” The pilot will be directed by Maggie Kiley. ABC Studios and Warner Bros. Television will coproduce the series.
The project was announced back in January. The Brides is technically ABC’s first pilot order of the 2020-21 broadcast season. It is the first shot across the bow for Karey Burke, who as ABC’s...
- 3/11/2020
- by jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
Erin Richards and ABC are tying the knot: The Gotham actress has signed on to play one of Dracula’s three Brides in the network’s soapy drama pilot, TVLine has learned.
The potential series, from Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, is a “sexy contemporary reimagining” of the classic Dracula story with “strong horror elements,” centering on the legendary vampire’s three brides (played by Suits‘ Gina Torres, Claws‘ Katherine Reis and Richards).
More from TVLineWork Wife: Angelique Cabral, Tone Bell to 'Play' Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest in Potential ABC SitcomStation 19 Renewed for Season 4Ratings: As Bachelor Finale Dominates, This Is Us...
The potential series, from Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, is a “sexy contemporary reimagining” of the classic Dracula story with “strong horror elements,” centering on the legendary vampire’s three brides (played by Suits‘ Gina Torres, Claws‘ Katherine Reis and Richards).
More from TVLineWork Wife: Angelique Cabral, Tone Bell to 'Play' Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest in Potential ABC SitcomStation 19 Renewed for Season 4Ratings: As Bachelor Finale Dominates, This Is Us...
- 3/11/2020
- TVLine.com
Erin Richards has been cast in the final of the three lead roles in the ABC drama pilot “The Brides,” Variety has learned.
Richards will now star as one of the titular brides alongside Gina Torres and Katherine Reis, with Sophia Tatum, Chris Mason, and Goran Visnjic also set to star in the pilot. It is described as a contemporary reimagining of “Dracula” with a trio of female leads. The show would follow these immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy, and their nontraditional family.
Richards will play Renée Pélagie. One of the three Brides of Dracula, Renée is the head of a top modeling agency in New York City, known for her torrid affairs with her beautiful female models. In her former life, she was the wife of the Marquis de Sade when she invited Dracula into her “house of pain” and asked to be “turned” by him.
Richards will now star as one of the titular brides alongside Gina Torres and Katherine Reis, with Sophia Tatum, Chris Mason, and Goran Visnjic also set to star in the pilot. It is described as a contemporary reimagining of “Dracula” with a trio of female leads. The show would follow these immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy, and their nontraditional family.
Richards will play Renée Pélagie. One of the three Brides of Dracula, Renée is the head of a top modeling agency in New York City, known for her torrid affairs with her beautiful female models. In her former life, she was the wife of the Marquis de Sade when she invited Dracula into her “house of pain” and asked to be “turned” by him.
- 3/11/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Gotham alumna Erin Richards has landed the remaining title role opposite Gina Torres and Katherine Reis in The Brides, ABC’s Brides of Dracula drama pilot from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros Television.
Written by Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Maggie Kiley, The Brides, a sexy contemporary reimagining of Dracula, is a family drama with a trio of powerful female leads at its heart — Cleo (Torres), Renée (Richards), and Lily (Reis). With strong horror elements, The Brides is a vampire soap about empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy — and their nontraditional family.
Richards’ Renee is the head of a top modeling agency in New York City, known for her torrid affairs with her beautiful female models. In her former life, she was the wife of the Marquis de Sade when she invited Dracula (Goran Višnjić) into her “house of pain” and asked to be “turned” by him.
Written by Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Maggie Kiley, The Brides, a sexy contemporary reimagining of Dracula, is a family drama with a trio of powerful female leads at its heart — Cleo (Torres), Renée (Richards), and Lily (Reis). With strong horror elements, The Brides is a vampire soap about empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy — and their nontraditional family.
Richards’ Renee is the head of a top modeling agency in New York City, known for her torrid affairs with her beautiful female models. In her former life, she was the wife of the Marquis de Sade when she invited Dracula (Goran Višnjić) into her “house of pain” and asked to be “turned” by him.
- 3/11/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In 2019, no movie became a greater flashpoint for cultural debate than “Joker” — and Todd Phillips sat happily at the center of the battlefield. To some, Phillips looked like he wanted to provoke the ire of the moment — the bearded reprobate with a naughty grin and cynical gaze, the Hollywood bro who made those “Hangover” movies and gave up on comedy to avoid the sensitivities of the moment, a Tinseltown huckster straight out of the “Entourage” mold who cared less about the art of filmmaking than contorting it into the ultimate blockbuster coup.
But these readings tend to ignore his roots, and how they set him up for everything that followed. Phillips’ origin story has been obscured by the sheer scale of his commercial successes, and even he’s reticent to look back. “People don’t always know about my beginnings, and I get it,” Phillips told me when we met...
But these readings tend to ignore his roots, and how they set him up for everything that followed. Phillips’ origin story has been obscured by the sheer scale of his commercial successes, and even he’s reticent to look back. “People don’t always know about my beginnings, and I get it,” Phillips told me when we met...
- 1/1/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
It’s a misty morning in the North of Greece and Albert Serra is nursing a cold. The enfant terrible filmmaker behind Birdsong, The Story of My Death, and The Death of Louis Xiv has arrived at the Thessaloniki film festival as a guest of honor, here to present his 5 features to date–a growing oeuvre of uniquely provocative films that owe about as much to cruising flicks, perhaps, as they do to the Marquis De Sade.
Born in the small Catalonian city of Banyoles in Northern Spain, Serra directed his first feature in 2003 at the age of 23. More often than not set in the 17th & 18th centuries, with an eye for the hedonism of the time and painstakingly presented to look as if they were somehow candidly shot then, his work has both the punch of contemporary subversion and the feel of something that’s been around forever.
His latest,...
Born in the small Catalonian city of Banyoles in Northern Spain, Serra directed his first feature in 2003 at the age of 23. More often than not set in the 17th & 18th centuries, with an eye for the hedonism of the time and painstakingly presented to look as if they were somehow candidly shot then, his work has both the punch of contemporary subversion and the feel of something that’s been around forever.
His latest,...
- 12/10/2019
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
Noboru Iguchi is a director and screenwriter. He was born in 1969 and he began his career in the 1990s as a director of porno films. His “Kurushime-san” of 1997, which combined horror and black comedy, revealed his interest in extreme genre cinema. The titles of his next films confirmed this passion – his filmography contains “A Larva to Love”, “Cat-Eyed Boy”, the famous “The Machine Girl” about a girl with an arm replaced with a machine gun, “Zombie Ass” and “Karate-Robo Zaborgar” presented at Five Flavours fifth edition. “Flowers of Evil” is his latest film.
One the occasion of the international premiere of “Flowers of Evil” at Five Flavours, we speak with him about the change of his filmmaking style, Baudelaire, Tanizaki, the concept of the hentai, and many other topics.
During the latest years and particularly your last two films, you have made a change to your style of filmmaking. How did this change occur?...
One the occasion of the international premiere of “Flowers of Evil” at Five Flavours, we speak with him about the change of his filmmaking style, Baudelaire, Tanizaki, the concept of the hentai, and many other topics.
During the latest years and particularly your last two films, you have made a change to your style of filmmaking. How did this change occur?...
- 11/25/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Sk Global is revving up its television development slate with plans for a drama series loosely based on the colorful life of the French nobleman Marquis de Sade.
“For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” is described as examining the life of the writer and philosopher in the period spanning pre-revolutionary France in the late 18th century through the war-torn Napoleonic era. Claire Weaver penned the pilot script and is shepherding the series with film and TV veteran Harley Peyton (“Twin Peaks”).
Bill Todman Jr. and Edward Milstein of Level 1 Entertainment will executive producer along with Sk Global.
The project will be shopped to cable and streaming outlets. The series promises to offer a “frank depiction of sexual intrigue and brutal power struggles” that shaped de Sade’s life.
“We couldn’t be more excited to help bring to life Claire and Harley’s audacious vision for this eternally fascinating character and the explosive,...
“For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” is described as examining the life of the writer and philosopher in the period spanning pre-revolutionary France in the late 18th century through the war-torn Napoleonic era. Claire Weaver penned the pilot script and is shepherding the series with film and TV veteran Harley Peyton (“Twin Peaks”).
Bill Todman Jr. and Edward Milstein of Level 1 Entertainment will executive producer along with Sk Global.
The project will be shopped to cable and streaming outlets. The series promises to offer a “frank depiction of sexual intrigue and brutal power struggles” that shaped de Sade’s life.
“We couldn’t be more excited to help bring to life Claire and Harley’s audacious vision for this eternally fascinating character and the explosive,...
- 7/19/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
If two hours of sado-masochistic 18thcentury sex doesn’t sound like a European art film to you, then you haven’t been to Cannes this year.
There is a lot to think about in “Liberte,” by Spanish writer-director Albert Serra, which screened in the Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. One could describe the film as a contemplation of Libertinism, a hedonistic philosophy of all-consuming, transgressive sex, lived out in the film by a group of acolytes who plot their own socio-cultural upheaval in a forest in revolutionary Europe.
Also Read: Cannes Report, Day 4: Amazon and Paramount Open Their Wallets, Mariah Carey Sings!
You could also describe it as a two-hour-plus orgy of X-rated masochism, sadism, masturbation, sodomy, flagellations and humiliations of all kinds. (Including that kind that supposedly never happened in a certain Moscow hotel.)
And while the subject is undoubtedly crude, the film is magically quiet,...
There is a lot to think about in “Liberte,” by Spanish writer-director Albert Serra, which screened in the Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. One could describe the film as a contemplation of Libertinism, a hedonistic philosophy of all-consuming, transgressive sex, lived out in the film by a group of acolytes who plot their own socio-cultural upheaval in a forest in revolutionary Europe.
Also Read: Cannes Report, Day 4: Amazon and Paramount Open Their Wallets, Mariah Carey Sings!
You could also describe it as a two-hour-plus orgy of X-rated masochism, sadism, masturbation, sodomy, flagellations and humiliations of all kinds. (Including that kind that supposedly never happened in a certain Moscow hotel.)
And while the subject is undoubtedly crude, the film is magically quiet,...
- 5/18/2019
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Stars: Al Cliver, Antônio do Cabo, Antonio Mayans, Bertrand Altmann, Gisela Hahn, Ursula Buchfellner, Werner Pochath | Written by Jess Franco, Julian Esteban | Directed by Jess Franco
Its hard to believe, but growing up I thought Jess Franco was a horror-filmmaking god; even though I’d never seen a single one of his genre films. Why? Well because I was an avid subscriber of Dark Side Magazine and the way they wrote about Franco and his films with such reverence (and some irony it would seem looking back at it now), you would have thought he was up there with the horror greats. Yet while, now, I know differently – Franco was very much a journeyman filmmaker, cranking out films at a pace unheard of today – he still has a huge fanbase out there. You only have to look at just how many of his film are available on DVD and Blu-ray,...
Its hard to believe, but growing up I thought Jess Franco was a horror-filmmaking god; even though I’d never seen a single one of his genre films. Why? Well because I was an avid subscriber of Dark Side Magazine and the way they wrote about Franco and his films with such reverence (and some irony it would seem looking back at it now), you would have thought he was up there with the horror greats. Yet while, now, I know differently – Franco was very much a journeyman filmmaker, cranking out films at a pace unheard of today – he still has a huge fanbase out there. You only have to look at just how many of his film are available on DVD and Blu-ray,...
- 4/8/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
It’s been nearly five years since Abel Ferrara’s “Pasolini,” starring Willem Dafoe as murdered Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, made its debut at the Venice and Toronto International film festivals in 2014. Now, at last, it’s getting U.S. distribution: Kino Lorber has picked up North American rights to the film and has set its premiere for New York City’s Metrograph on May 10.
Ferrara will be showing a new documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival this April called “The Projectionist,” but his films have barely been seen in the U.S. over the past decade. In the ’90s, Ferrara established himself as a bad-boy auteur with “King of New York,” “Bad Lieutenant,” and “The Addiction.” But a reputation for being difficult has made it harder and harder for his films to get released.
A particular flashpoint in Ferrera’s career was “Welcome to New York,” his film...
Ferrara will be showing a new documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival this April called “The Projectionist,” but his films have barely been seen in the U.S. over the past decade. In the ’90s, Ferrara established himself as a bad-boy auteur with “King of New York,” “Bad Lieutenant,” and “The Addiction.” But a reputation for being difficult has made it harder and harder for his films to get released.
A particular flashpoint in Ferrera’s career was “Welcome to New York,” his film...
- 4/2/2019
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Nine years ago, Rolling Stone sent me deep into the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region of France, to interview John Malkovich at the home he kept there. He had two new movies coming out: Red, starring him as an LSD-addled ex-CIA agent, and Secretariat, him as a crusty, goofy-clothes-wearing horse trainer. They displayed Malkovich in great classic, loopy form, and both flicks did well. But for whatever reason — the vagaries of the publishing industry, the mercurial whims of the magazine’s editor — the piece never ran. And so there it sat,...
- 4/2/2019
- by Erik Hedegaard
- Rollingstone.com
It’s “Fame directed by the Marquis de Sade,” it’s “a typically confrontational cocktail of music and horror … dropped on its audience like the bucket of blood from Carrie,” it’s “Step Up meets Enter the Void” — these were a few of the creative descriptions of Gaspar Noe’s dance-dance-devolution epic Climax coming out of the festival circuit press over the past 10 months. For folks familiar with the filmmaker’s back catalog, the notion that the golden child of the New French Extremity has filled his latest film with sex,...
- 2/28/2019
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Stars: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub, Kiddy Smile, Claude Gajan Maull, Giselle Palmer, Taylor Kastle, Thea Carla Schott, Sharleen Temple, Lea Vlamos, Alaia Alsafir, Kendall Mugler, Lakdhar Dridi, Adrien, Sissoko, Mamadou Bathily, Alou Sidibe, Ashley Biscette, Vince Galliot Cumant | Written and Directed by Gaspar Noé
On its theatrical release the posters for Gaspar Noé’s Climax proudly trumpet that “it’s Fame directed by the Marquis de Sade with a Steadicam”, a gift of a quote from the Variety review. Joyfully, that line turns out to be surprisingly accurate, and Climax proves that French cinema’s enfant terrible has lost none of his power to shock or enthrall.
In typically perverse Noé fashion, Climax opens with a post-credits sting, an overhead shot in which a bloodied woman staggers through the snow before collapsing, her twitching movements making snow angels. It then cuts to the end credits (including multiple music...
On its theatrical release the posters for Gaspar Noé’s Climax proudly trumpet that “it’s Fame directed by the Marquis de Sade with a Steadicam”, a gift of a quote from the Variety review. Joyfully, that line turns out to be surprisingly accurate, and Climax proves that French cinema’s enfant terrible has lost none of his power to shock or enthrall.
In typically perverse Noé fashion, Climax opens with a post-credits sting, an overhead shot in which a bloodied woman staggers through the snow before collapsing, her twitching movements making snow angels. It then cuts to the end credits (including multiple music...
- 2/11/2019
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Ahead of the World premiere of the darkly erotic Automata at Arrow Video FrightFest Glasgow 2019, director Lawrie Brewster tells us about his record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, the growth of Hex Studios and his fascination with creepy dolls.
Automata has earned its place in Kickstarter history as the UK’s most funded narrative film ever. Why do you think that happened?
The reason this happened is because there is a disconnect between a swathe of the audience, in our case a genre audience, and commercial distributors. Because commercial distributors and broadcasters for that matter, are so adept and so accustomed to selling a type of predictable product, that a form of repetition occurs whereby films that might not fit the mould, are simply not sold, and hence not usually produced. With Automata, and with all of our films at Hex Studios, we utilise that underserved niche, to produce unique genre films, which...
Automata has earned its place in Kickstarter history as the UK’s most funded narrative film ever. Why do you think that happened?
The reason this happened is because there is a disconnect between a swathe of the audience, in our case a genre audience, and commercial distributors. Because commercial distributors and broadcasters for that matter, are so adept and so accustomed to selling a type of predictable product, that a form of repetition occurs whereby films that might not fit the mould, are simply not sold, and hence not usually produced. With Automata, and with all of our films at Hex Studios, we utilise that underserved niche, to produce unique genre films, which...
- 1/30/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Verna Bloom, whose memorable turn as Marion Wormer in the 1979 comedy classic Animal House saw her immortalize cucumber innuendo, has died. She passed Wednesday in Bar Harbor, Maine from dementia complications, according to a family spokesperson.
Bloom had a long career in film, television and on the stage, spanning a wide range of roles in drama and comedy. She made her film debut in Medium Cool as a single mother mixed up in the violence of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. She also worked with Martin Scorsese in the comedy After Hours; played Mary in the The Last Temptation of Christ; was the lover of Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973) and again joined him in Honkytonk Man.
Perhaps her most memorable film role was Marion Wormer, the boozy but sexy wife of Faber College Dean Vernon Wormer in Animal House. Approached in the supermarket vegetable isle by Tim Matheson’s Bmoc Otter,...
Bloom had a long career in film, television and on the stage, spanning a wide range of roles in drama and comedy. She made her film debut in Medium Cool as a single mother mixed up in the violence of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. She also worked with Martin Scorsese in the comedy After Hours; played Mary in the The Last Temptation of Christ; was the lover of Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973) and again joined him in Honkytonk Man.
Perhaps her most memorable film role was Marion Wormer, the boozy but sexy wife of Faber College Dean Vernon Wormer in Animal House. Approached in the supermarket vegetable isle by Tim Matheson’s Bmoc Otter,...
- 1/11/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Twenty years, in terms of horror films, doesn’t sound all that long. Yet it adds up to a generation, and the list below reflects that. It’s a catalog of the cinematic fears and obsessions that define an era. The list is also destined to start a few fights. So feel free to object, and to point out the dozens of terrific films I left out.
20. The Babadook (2014)
It’s scrappy and, at times, a little short on atmosphere, but Jennifer Kent’s sinister maternal psychodrama puts you inside the head of a woman on the verge like no horror film since “Repulsion.” It’s set in Australia, where Amelia (Essie Davis) was widowed in a car crash the night she gave birth to her son (Noah Wiseman), who is now six. (Her husband was driving.) The son is deeply troubled, but not nearly so much as his mother,...
20. The Babadook (2014)
It’s scrappy and, at times, a little short on atmosphere, but Jennifer Kent’s sinister maternal psychodrama puts you inside the head of a woman on the verge like no horror film since “Repulsion.” It’s set in Australia, where Amelia (Essie Davis) was widowed in a car crash the night she gave birth to her son (Noah Wiseman), who is now six. (Her husband was driving.) The son is deeply troubled, but not nearly so much as his mother,...
- 10/18/2018
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Kate Winslet represents the third generation of actors in her family. Her grandparents ran a repertory theater in England and her father struggled for many years as an actor himself while working other jobs to support his family. Winslet however found incredible success quite early in her career and by the time she turned 30, she had already received four Oscar nominations and played the female lead in the biggest box office blockbuster Hollywood had ever seen, “Titanic.”
While success in films came easy for Winslet, the one thing that did seem to elude her for a long time was recognition from the Academy. She would have to wait through five Oscar losses before the award would finally come her away for the 2008 movie “The Reader.” She would lampoon her Oscar troubles (and ironically receive an Emmy nomination) on an episode of the Ricky Gervais comedy “Extras.” On that show Winslet...
While success in films came easy for Winslet, the one thing that did seem to elude her for a long time was recognition from the Academy. She would have to wait through five Oscar losses before the award would finally come her away for the 2008 movie “The Reader.” She would lampoon her Oscar troubles (and ironically receive an Emmy nomination) on an episode of the Ricky Gervais comedy “Extras.” On that show Winslet...
- 10/5/2018
- by Robert Pius and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Stars: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub, Kiddy Smile, Claude Gajan Maull, Giselle Palmer, Taylor Kastle, Thea Carla Schott, Sharleen Temple, Lea Vlamos, Alaia Alsafir, Kendall Mugler, Lakdhar Dridi, Adrien, Sissoko, Mamadou Bathily, Alou Sidibe, Ashley Biscette, Vince Galliot Cumant | Written and Directed by Gaspar Noé
The posters for Gaspar Noé’s Climax proudly trumpet that “it’s Fame directed by the Marquis de Sade with a Steadicam”, a gift of a quote from the Variety review. Joyfully, that line turns out to be surprisingly accurate, and Climax proves that French cinema’s enfant terrible has lost none of his power to shock or enthrall.
In typically perverse Noé fashion, Climax opens with a post-credits sting, an overhead shot in which a bloodied woman staggers through the snow before collapsing, her twitching movements making snow angels. It then cuts to the end credits (including multiple music track listings) and a number of captions,...
The posters for Gaspar Noé’s Climax proudly trumpet that “it’s Fame directed by the Marquis de Sade with a Steadicam”, a gift of a quote from the Variety review. Joyfully, that line turns out to be surprisingly accurate, and Climax proves that French cinema’s enfant terrible has lost none of his power to shock or enthrall.
In typically perverse Noé fashion, Climax opens with a post-credits sting, an overhead shot in which a bloodied woman staggers through the snow before collapsing, her twitching movements making snow angels. It then cuts to the end credits (including multiple music track listings) and a number of captions,...
- 9/1/2018
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
The actor on her fear of elevators, her childhood dream job and why she’d be willing to play golf with Donald Trump
Born in Paris, Isabelle Huppert, 65, made her name internationally in the 1977 film The Lacemaker, for which she was named Bafta’s most promising newcomer. Dozens of international accolades followed, including two best actress awards at Cannes (for Violette Nozière in 1978 and The Piano Teacher in 2001). For her role in the 2016 movie Elle, she was Oscar-nominated and won her second César. On 9 June, she reads Marquis de Sade at the Southbank Centre, London. She is married to the film-maker Ronald Chammah, and has three children.
When were you happiest?
Fortunately, I’ve often been happy, which you wouldn’t necessarily guess from the roles I play. I’ve always been very happy to have my children with me, particularly on location. My daughter was in in London when...
Born in Paris, Isabelle Huppert, 65, made her name internationally in the 1977 film The Lacemaker, for which she was named Bafta’s most promising newcomer. Dozens of international accolades followed, including two best actress awards at Cannes (for Violette Nozière in 1978 and The Piano Teacher in 2001). For her role in the 2016 movie Elle, she was Oscar-nominated and won her second César. On 9 June, she reads Marquis de Sade at the Southbank Centre, London. She is married to the film-maker Ronald Chammah, and has three children.
When were you happiest?
Fortunately, I’ve often been happy, which you wouldn’t necessarily guess from the roles I play. I’ve always been very happy to have my children with me, particularly on location. My daughter was in in London when...
- 5/26/2018
- by Rosanna Greenstreet
- The Guardian - Film News
Gaspar Noé has taken top honors at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, winning the Art Cinema Award for his critically acclaimed new film, “Climax.” The film, starring “Atomic Blonde” actress Sofia Boutella, centers around members of a dance troupe who descend into madness after they are all drugged at a celebration. “Climax” premiered May 13 at Cannes to instant raves from critics and audiences. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich called the film the best of Noé’s career so far in his A- review.
Other major Directors’ Fortnight winners include Gianni Zanasi’s “Lucia’s Grace” (Europa Cinemas Label), Pierre Salvadori’s “The Trouble With You” (Sacd Prize), and Patrick Bresnan’s “Skip Day” (Illy Short Film Award).
Noé, whose previous films “Irréversible” and “Love” courted controversy for depicting graphic rape and sex scenes, was expecting a more polarizing reaction to “Climax.” Speaking to Vulture, the director said he’s gotten used to getting bad reviews,...
Other major Directors’ Fortnight winners include Gianni Zanasi’s “Lucia’s Grace” (Europa Cinemas Label), Pierre Salvadori’s “The Trouble With You” (Sacd Prize), and Patrick Bresnan’s “Skip Day” (Illy Short Film Award).
Noé, whose previous films “Irréversible” and “Love” courted controversy for depicting graphic rape and sex scenes, was expecting a more polarizing reaction to “Climax.” Speaking to Vulture, the director said he’s gotten used to getting bad reviews,...
- 5/17/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
[Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Lars von Trier’s “The House That Jack Built.”]
The films of Gaspar Noé have included a brutal 10-minute rape scene and a 3D male ejaculation, which means it takes a whole lot more than a serial killer murdering children and mutilating young women to disturb him. The aforementioned killings are included in Lars von Trier’s “The House That Jack Built,” and they’re part of the reason the film caused walkouts and severe outrage during and after the movie’s premiere at Cannes. Unsurprisingly, Noé had no issues with von Trier’s controversial violence.
“I thought it was so funny!” Noé told Vulture about watching “The House That Jack Built” at Cannes. “Lars von Trier has a very cold humor, but I enjoyed it so much. It’s like a Todd Solondz movie, so dark. All the sadistic scenes were so funny that people were staring at me...
The films of Gaspar Noé have included a brutal 10-minute rape scene and a 3D male ejaculation, which means it takes a whole lot more than a serial killer murdering children and mutilating young women to disturb him. The aforementioned killings are included in Lars von Trier’s “The House That Jack Built,” and they’re part of the reason the film caused walkouts and severe outrage during and after the movie’s premiere at Cannes. Unsurprisingly, Noé had no issues with von Trier’s controversial violence.
“I thought it was so funny!” Noé told Vulture about watching “The House That Jack Built” at Cannes. “Lars von Trier has a very cold humor, but I enjoyed it so much. It’s like a Todd Solondz movie, so dark. All the sadistic scenes were so funny that people were staring at me...
- 5/16/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Gaspar Noé is a filmmaker who literally wants to show you hell on earth. He wants to lead you into the pit, to make the ultimate shocking spectacle of our violence and addiction and depravity. He did it in two sequences of “Irreversible,” his 2002 drama of degenerate psycho horror: At a nightclub, a man smashed someone’s face — over and over — with a fire extinguisher, until his entire head was turned into hamburger. Then, in an empty tunnel, Noé staged a rape sequence in a hideously long and unflinching shot — one of the most excruciating scenes ever filmed. You were practically invited to debate the morality of what you were seeing, yet there was no denying the debauched mastery of the button-pushing.
Ever since then, however, Gaspar Noé’s career has been haunted by a single question: Once you’ve taken your audience to hell, what do you do for an encore?...
Ever since then, however, Gaspar Noé’s career has been haunted by a single question: Once you’ve taken your audience to hell, what do you do for an encore?...
- 5/13/2018
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
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