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South Korea’s Hive Filmworks has boarded sales of horror The Abandoned and hip-hop themed Hit Hit Hit and will debut both to international buyers here in Hong Kong.

The Abandoned marks the latest from filmmaker Kwak Jieong-duk, known as the director of 2023 action-adventure Night Of The Assassin and co-writer of 2019 blockbuster Ashfall.

The story revolves around friends of a thrill-seeking YouTuber who go looking for him after he disappears at one of Korea’s most-haunted places, only to discover disturbing footage of themselves while unravelling the mystery. Partially shot as a found-footage film, the cast includes Jung In-sun (Han Gong-ju), Lee Gyu-hyun,...

In Hollywood, a lot of directors have built their careers on their twist endings, from M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense to Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects. These endings can make the audience leave the movie still thinking about its themes and message years after seeing it. Unfortunately, not every movie achieves this, and there's no shortage of criticism of directors who try too hard to be subversive, only to undermine their film.

A good twist should compel the viewer to immediately want to revisit the story to pick up on small details and clues as they go. For a variety of reasons, some movies simply aren't good enough to warrant that second viewing. Sometimes, it's the twist itself that hurts the film, while others are just too weak for another watch regardless of how good the twist is. Either way, these movies show that subverting expectations doesn't...

Netflix is ramping up its Chinese-language entertainment with five drama series set for 2025, toplined by Shu Qi, Lee Sinje and Alice Ko and directed by Rene Liu, Li Nien-hsiu and Chien Chi-feng.

The five series – four Taiwanese productions and one licensed title from mainland China – span romantic comedy, revenge and period drama and feature local stories from rising voices to industry icons.

Starring Alice Ko (Copycat Killer) and Jasper Liu (Twogether), I Am Married…But! is a romantic comedy series that offers an unconventional look at marriage through a woman who is trapped in a cycle of wanting to leave...

On Wednesday December 18 2024, Discovery broadcasts Mysteries of the Abandoned!

High-Rise Hotel Battlefield Season 11 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Mysteries of the Abandoned,” titled “High-Rise Hotel Battlefield,” promises to take viewers on an intriguing journey through different locations with rich histories. This episode will air on Discovery and explore a slice of the Miami suburbs known for its unique style and historical significance. The vibrant architecture and cultural stories of this area will be highlighted, showcasing how it stands out in the bustling city.

In addition to the Miami suburbs, the episode will delve into a hotel in Lebanon that bears the scars of a civil war. This location holds deep historical importance, and its story reflects the struggles and resilience of the people in the region. The hotel serves as a reminder of the past, and viewers will learn about the events that shaped its history and the...

Most of us watch Netflix through the app, whether it's on a smart TV, a tablet, or a phone. But millions of us still stream it on our computers, even if only occasionally. There's one advantage to watching on a browser that Netflix has yet to replicate on their app. That would be the famous secret category codes. Or not so famous; that's probably why you're reading this.

The secret categories originated from the dull boring days before streaming. Yes, Virginia, there used to be a thing called DVDs by mail. There used to be video stores, too, but that's a story for another time. When Netflix's primary business was DVD rentals - crazy, right? - they categorized and subcategorized movies ad infinitum to make films easier to find. Sadly, they haven't carried those subcategories forward to the app, but you can find them through a web browser.

When I say they created subcategories,...

On Wednesday December 4 2024, Discovery broadcasts Mysteries of the Abandoned!

Ghost Skeleton Coast Season 11 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Mysteries of the Abandoned,” titled “Ghost Skeleton Coast,” promises to take viewers on a captivating journey through some of the world’s most intriguing abandoned places. This episode will air on Discovery and explores a variety of locations that hold both beauty and dark histories.

In Alabama, a fantasy land awaits exploration. This area, once a refuge, now stands as a reminder of what once was. The episode will delve into the stories that make this place special while uncovering the reasons behind its abandonment. It will highlight the contrast between the enchanting scenery and the eerie silence that now fills the space.

Moving across the ocean to Ireland, the show will reveal a location that once offered safety but has since transformed into a house of horrors. The stories...

The After Dark Horrorfest was a game-changer back when it premiered in 2006. Not only was this film festival devoted to the horror genre, it was accessible. Founder Courtney Solomon (An American Haunting) chose the best possible venue for this “ultimate celebration of horror”: the big screen. So from November 17 to 21, these hand-picked titles were shown at select theaters across the U.S.

There have been four “sequels” to the After Dark Horrorfest since then, but for many horror hounds like myself, the original one is a bit more meaningful. It was an exciting time for discovery, developing one’s own taste, and for learning what the genre had to offer in the non-mainstream sector.

So in honor of this momentous film fest, we look back at the first “8 Films to Die For”.

The Abandoned (Nacho Cerdà)

Pictured: Anastasia Hille in The Abandoned.

That February following the first After Dark Horrorfest,...

Celebrating 22 years of fear, House of Torment is back and never misses a beat. This legendary haunted house has earned its place as a premier destination for horror enthusiasts, and this year’s new themes do not disappoint.

Highlights for this year’s event include:

The Arrival: At Site 505 in Austin, TX, Hades Corporation’s rescue team finds an abandoned facility and a terrifying new reality. The corridors reveal the missing team grotesquely fused with insectoid features, hinting at a hive-like existence. Security footage shows an alien entity overwhelming the station and using its inhabitants to expand the hive. Amidst the twisted metal and flesh of these genetic alterations, trust disintegrates, blurring the line between friend and foe, and mutating the very concept of humanity.

Torment ’99: In 1999, in the quiet town of Blackthorn Falls, two video store clerks discover an ancient amulet hidden in a VHS case. The amulet awakens Dracula,...

Members of Deep Space Nine cast, like Avery Brooks and Rene Auberjonois, directed some of the show's best episodes. The "Director's School" program, started by Jonathan Frakes's request, allowed actors to gain experience in directing Star Trek episodes. Avery Brooks, Michael Dorn, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig, and Andrew Robinson all directed memorable episodes of Star Trek series.

Several members of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cast stepped behind the camera to direct some of the show's best episodes. In the 1990s, every Star Trek show had what was referred to as "Director's School", which would give actors the relevant knowledge and experience to direct their own episodes. Stewarded by Rick Berman, the "Director's School" originated from a request by Star Trek: The Next Generation star Jonathan Frakes to direct an episode. Now a successful director in his own right, Frakes paved the way for other actors, including members...

Chase Masterson almost played Jake Sisko's girlfriend but ended up as Leeta in Deep Space Nine, a character that made a lasting impact. Leeta's relationship with Rom, brother of Quark, continued even after Deep Space Nine, leading to Ferengi negotiating Federation membership. Deep Space Nine's season 3 saw key additions with Leeta and Eddington, and the arrival of Kasidy Yates, Captain Sisko's great love.

Best known for playing Leeta, the wife of Rom (Max Grodnchik) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Chase Masterson almost played the girlfriend of Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton). Leeta debuted in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 22, "Explorers", where she was introduced as a potential love interest for Doctor Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig). Bashir and Leeta's relationship lasted for a year before she found true love with Rom, the brother of Ferengi bartender Quark (Armin Shimerman). Rom and Leeta continue to make a positive impact...

On Thursday August 8 2024, Science broadcasts Mysteries of the Abandoned!

Korea’s Joan of Arc Season 10 Episode 14 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Mysteries of the Abandoned,” titled “Korea’s Joan of Arc,” the story focuses on a young girl whose courage and sacrifice have left a lasting impact on Korea’s history. Viewers will learn about the life of this teenage girl, who was martyred in prison for her beliefs and actions during a time of great turmoil. Her bravery has made her a national hero, symbolizing the fight for independence in Korea.

The episode will explore the facility where she was held captive. This site stands as a powerful reminder of her struggle and the broader fight for freedom in Korea. The abandoned prison holds many stories within its walls, and the episode will delve into the history of the location, revealing how it has become a place of remembrance for her legacy.

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Peeping Tom 4K Uhd from Criterion

Peeping Tom will join The Criterion Collection on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on May 14. The 1960 British horror-thriller has been newly restored in 4K with Dolby Vision Hdr and uncompressed monaural sound.

A progenitor of the contemporary slasher, Michael Powell (The Red Shoes) produces and directs from a script by Leo Marks. Carl Boehm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, and Maxine Audley star.

Special features include: a new introduction by Martin Scorsese; a new interview with Thelma Schoonmaker; a new featurette with Scorsese, Schoonmaker, and Boehm; audio commentaries by film scholar Laura Mulvey and film historian Ian Christie; featurettes Marks and on the restoration; and more.

Chucky Talking Board from...

The Abandoned is a 2023 Taiwanese crime thriller that begins on New Year’s Eve, with the main character, a grief-stricken cop named Wu Jie holding a gun at her throat in the driver’s seat of a car. The Abandoned is an interwoven tale of grief, migrant laborers, and a serial killer murder mystery. Wu Jie abandons her suicide attempt when a flustered young girl bangs at her window in absolute torment. Wu Jie then discovers a corpse in a ditch nearby, automatically taking on the case and stepping into her role as detective. As these things usually go, she’s then assigned a babyface rookie cop as an assistant to solve this complicated case of the terrifying murder of a missing illegal Thai laborer.

Spoilers Ahead

What Happens In The Film?

Through flashbacks, we learn that Wu Jie used to have a partner who killed himself in the same...

Is it possible that the thriller genre has taken the back seat lately? There’s something very stunted about thriller films from the past year that leaves me wondering if I’ve seen too many or if they’re just not as good as they used to be. The Abandoned is a Taiwanese film about two police officers, one struggling with the grief of a traumatic incident (tell me something new), and the other a young and excited newcomer who wants to win everyone over with her skills. The first big problem with this film is how incompetent the protagonists are. Is it for comic relief? Is it meant to keep us on our toes, hoping they’ll survive despite their many errors? Is it because they’re women and are meant to be inferior? At some point, you’re left wondering, “How are they not dead already?” I suppose...

Red Rooms won a leading three awards including Best Feature at the 27th annual Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, with the thriller Femme taking Best Director for Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping and Outstanding Performance for Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. See the full list of winners below.

“The ultimate effect a film can achieve is to implant a significant and lasting emotional memory,” the genre fest’s jury said in a statement. “The jury was unanimously convinced that [Red Rooms] masterfully accomplished that goal.”

In writer-director Pascal Plante’s thriller from Nemesis Films, the case of a serial killer who streamed his murders in the “red rooms” of the Dark Web goes to trial, and Kelly-Anne (Laurie Babin) is obsessed. She goes down a dark path to obtain the final piece of the case’s puzzle.

In Femme, after drag artist Jules (Stewart-Jarrett) sees his closeted assailant (George Mackay) at a gay sauna,...