Toronto After Dark Film Festival: Centurion (2010)

Short Description

Romans battle Celtic forces in this brutal new action film from director Neil Marshall (THE DESCENT, DOG SOLDIERS)

The Buzz

“Imagine a flick like Braveheart, 300, Gladiator… stripped of all those boring scenes… The result would be a movie that looks a lot like Neil Marshall’s Centurion, a fast-paced, visually stunning, and action-heavy period piece…. And it succeeds on all counts.” - Cinematical

“Loaded to the gills with bone-crunching, limb chopping carnage….a fun action flick” - Joblo.com

“A great time at the theatre…filled with great physical action and fun characters” - CHUD.com

Official Selection - SXSW FIlm Festival

Synopsis

AD 117. Rome, in its effort to expand its empire across the known globe, orders its legendary Ninth Legion into Northern Britain to quell the Picts, a savage Celtic tribe that has brought their plans of total dominion to a standstill. Underestimating the Picts’ strategic intelligence, the legion is quickly decimated, leaving only a handful of survivors and their general (Dominic West of 300 and THE WIRE) taken captive. Led by Centurion Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender from INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS), the surviving Romans rally themselves together in a desperate plan to steal back their general and return to the Roman frontier alive, all while battling both the harsh environments and the merciless pursuit of a vengeful Pict warrior (Olga Kyrylenko from QUANTUM OF SOLACE). Writer/Director Neil Marshall (THE DESCENT, DOG SOLDIERS) orchestrates the proceedings effortlessly, punctuating the frame with sweeping vistas, and his trademark brutal and bloody carnage. Read more …

10 Best Horror Films! An Excellent Suggestion

We’ve read a great Top Ten of Horror Films from PictureNose guys and we want share it with you.

The horror, the horror…

Missed me? Been away for a little while, thought it was only fair to allow Picturenose’s other fair contributors (well, Colin) to have a sojourn in the spotlight. Anyway, Colin’s recent excellent post, 10 Great Final Bows, put me in mind of a list of my own that I have been meaning to do for some time. Regular visitors to this site will be aware that horror is my favourite kind of film and, I hope, will also know that I have, after many, many years of subjecting myself to numerous examples of what passes for the genre, developed a certain sophistication in my appreciation of things that slither by moonlight. So, in reverse order, and to set the record straight once and for all (or, of course, until another example comes along that will neccesitate a rejig), here are the ten films that for me define what horror should be all about – your disagreements, hurrahs and personal favourites that are not on the list are of course more than welcome.

NOTE: I am convinced that the ‘top five’ are in absolutely the right order – the remainder is somewhat more of a movable feast.

10. Tales from the Crypt (1972), Dir. Freddie Francis

As previously explained, this was the film that began, at around the tender age of 11, my love of the genre. Dispensing with the original stories that had comprised the previous Amicus compendium horrors, and opting instead for adaptations of tales straight from the EC horror comics, director Freddie Francis, helped by an ensemble cast including Joan Collins, Sir Ralph Richardson, Peter Cushing and Ian Hendry, created a truly creepy collection that still chills to this day, namely All Through The House (don’t let Santa in after you’ve just murdered your husband!), Reflection of Death (don’t leave your wife and kids!), Poetic Justice (don’t be mean to your neighbour!), Wish You Were Here (don’t make three wishes!) and Blind Alleys (don’t mess with the sightless!). My personal favourite? Reflection of Death – beautifully staged, with a twist that still shocks. Read more …

Toronto After Dark Film Festival: Doghouse (2010)

Short Description

It’s boys vs undead girls in this outrageous new British zombie comedy from Jake West (EVIL ALIENS)

The Buzz

“Funny and entertaining… combined with blood and gore… make for a good combination” - Twitch Film

“SHAUN OF THE DEAD mutated into THE HANGOVER… heartily achieves its goal of tickling your funny bone while the so-called Zombirds gnaw away” - Shock Till You Drop

Official Selection - Fantastic Fest, Austin

Synopsis

What’s a middle-aged man to do when his wife has left him and he’s down in the dumps? Go to a small English village with your best mates and try to drown your sorrows in endless pints of beer in a town where women outnumber men 3 to 1. But when Vince and his pals arrive in Moodley, they find that the women are indeed insatiable, but not for sex! Being used in a strange government experiment has turned the women of Moodley into man-flesh-eating zombies! As the friends find themselves under attack from the infected, cannibalistic women, the disparate group must band together to get the hell out of dodge. Directed by Jake West (EVIL ALIENS, RAZOR BLADE SMILE) and starring Danny Dyer (SEVERANCE) and Noel Clarke (DOCTOR WHO), Doghouse is in the grand tradition of British horror-comedies, where the men face down death with British wit, fortitude, cursing… and cricket bats. Read more …

Toronto After Dark Film Festival: All About Evil (2010)

Short Description

Cult horror comedy about a serial killer (Natasha Lyonne) who owns an old movie theatre, co-stars Thomas Dekker, Noah Segan and Cassandra Peterson (ELVIRA)

The Buzz

“All About Evil is the perfect movie for this fest. Its hero is a horror fan, it’s set in a theatre much like the Bloor and it centres on a young woman whose act of murder leads to artistic liberation and celebrity status. Laughs and gore abound. Natasha Lyonne is big fun as homicidal Deborah and gets stellar support.” - NOW Magazine, Advance Review

“Not only is All About Evil a fun and ultimately rewarding film, but it is also a definite must to enjoy in the company of others” - Killer Reviews

“Over the top, outlandish…hilarious and charming…All About Evil demands to be seen with a large audience of horror fiends, camp aficionados and other like-minded maniacs.” - Geekscape

“From the opening credits (which we loved!)….very much a throwback to some of the campy horror films that paved the way to today’s standards - Killer Reviews

Official Selection - Los Angeles Film Festival Read more …

Toronto After Dark Film Festival: The Last Exorcism

Short Description

In this new scarefest from Eli Roth, a preacher records his final act of exorcism on camera with terrifying results.

The Buzz

“Damn frightening….THE LAST EXORCISM is another success from Roth and a great introduction to relative Hollywood newbie Stamm….the duo deliver a solid film full of killer frights, courtesy of fine direction, a good script and brilliant acting. Definitely worth the ticket price!” - Fangoria

“A unique take on possession … good scares… and keeps you guessing right to its final moments” – Bloody-Disgusting

“An occult chiller that horror fans will be tweeting about” – Fearnet

Official Selection - SXSW Film Festival

Synopsis

Triple threat Writer-Director-Actor Eli Roth (CABIN FEVER, HOSTEL, GRINDHOUSE, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS) takes on the producing reigns with his latest project to stir up excitement in the horror community. In the hotly anticipated scarefest THE LAST EXORCISM, jaded preacher Cotton Marcus, has had enough of making a living from ridding families of demonic possessions he doesn’t even believe exist. The reverend decides to document his last case on camera, to reveal the true sham nature of the business of exorcism. Unfortunately for the priest, his visit to the Sweetzer family farm to treat their daughter Nell will be nothing like anything he’s encountered before. THE LAST EXORCISM is a must-see addition to the recent wave of scary Point-of-View horror films (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, [REC], QUARANTINE, CLOVERFIELD). Amidst the clever camerawork, are some terrific performances that will draw you deeply in, all the way to the film’s shocking climax!
- Adam Lopez Read more …

Vampires Suck (2010) Poster, Plot, Photos and Trailer

Vampires Suck is a 2010 American vampire spoof film based on the Twilight film series directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, starring Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, Christopher N. Riggi, Ken Jeong, and Anneliese van der Pol.

Vampires Suck (2010) Plot

Becca Crane (Jenn Proske) moves to Sporks to live with her clueless father, Sheriff Frank (Diedrich Bader), after her mother starts an affair with Tiger Woods. Meanwhile killings have been happening to random people and the number one suspects are the Kardashians. Becca is quickly befriended by many students at her new high school, but she is intrigued by the mysterious and aloof Edward Sullen (Matt Lanter), who perplexes her during their time in the biology class. Later, Becca is nearly struck by a van in the school parking lot. Edward inexplicably moves from several feet away and stops the vehicle with a student without any harm to himself or Becca, the student being badly injured. He later refuses to explain this act to Becca and warns her against befriending him. After much research, but reaching the wrong conclusion that he is a Jonas Brother, Edward corrects her saying he’s a vampire, though he only consumes animal blood shows her his shiny bling he wears under his clothes.

The pair fall in love but Edward denies having sex with her and instead Edward introduces Becca to his vampire family on her birthday. While unwrapping a gift, Becca gets a paper cut, causing Edward’s family to relapse by her blood’s scent and attempt to kill her. Realizing the danger that he and his family pose to Becca, Edward ends their relationship while saving her from the one of the three nomadic vampires who have been killing humans, Jack (Charlie Weber), knocking his head off with a baseball bat. Edward’s departure leaves Becca heartbroken and depressed for months as she discovers that thrill-seeking activities evoke Edward’s preserved image. She is also comforted by her deepening friendship with Jacob White (Christopher N. Riggi), the cheerful childhood friend who eases her pain over losing Edward. But due to his strange puberty, Becca discovers he has become a werewolf as his pack arrive to maul another of the nomadic vampires. Read more …

Kelly Brook – “Piranha 3D” Premiere in Los Angeles HQ x20

Kelly Brook – “Piranha 3D” Premiere in Los Angeles HQ x20

Read more …