Film - October 08

30th October

New trailer and release date for Malaysia's first martial arts pic 'Kinta'

A new trailer has appeared and a release date finally (the flick was originally set for release in Nov 2007 but hit production problems) announced for whats being hailed as "Malaysia's first ever martial arts movie" Kinta. It looks like director CL Hor has the problems solved now, because the film is looking truely kick ass and is due out on Dec 4th. Trailer at the link (takes a while to load)

Synopsis: In the 1880’s, Chinese immigrants flooded Kinta Valley when tin ore was discovered. Master Hoong (Patrick Teoh) consolidates his domination of the Southern Ocean by teaming up with a mysterious secret society to suppress struggling miners. A group of the miners including Dragon (Robin Ho), Tiger (Michael Chin), Ace (Kuan Fei Jun) and Blaze (David Bao) unite under the leadership of Tin Sok (Albert Yuen) to take on their oppressors. In the fight of justice and survival of the fittest, a heroic battle of earth shaking proportions ensues.

Kinta Trailer

29th October

Martyrs director boards Hellraiser remake

Finally some news the on troubled remake of Clive barkers horror classic Hellraiser, that’s actually caught our attention. The project has been through several directors and multiple script rewrites and seemed forever doomed (some may say rightly) to the hell of "horror remakes stuck in development that are a really really bad idea." But now that may all have changed.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pascal Laugier who helmed the unrelenting extreme French horror Martyrs, has signed up to direct. Laugier seems a credible choice, there are similarities with the movies topics of spiritual horror, with torture figuring as a focal point. "This is a dream project for me," Laugier said. "I know Clive Barker's work very well, and I would never betray what he has done. Fans are expecting a definitive 'Hellraiser,' and I don't want to take that away from them." Well well - the remake of Hellraiser just got a whole lot more interesting.

28th October

'Queen of Langkasuka' tops Thai box office

No real surprise this. Nonzee Nimibutr's fantasy action epic Queen of Langkasuka topped the box office charts in Thailand this weekend. The action-packed film has grossed 34.2m baht ($980,000) over five days in Bangkok, helped along by a public holiday on Thursday. The biggest hit of the year there so far was The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, but this local blockbuster will no doubt blow that right out of the water. The film is die to appear at this years American film market, where fingers crossed, it will get picked up for release in an English language (for that all important DVD release) country. Via

Queen of Langkasuka (Official site)

28th October

' L - change the World' on R2 DVD

Hideo Nakata's (‘Dark Water', ‘Ring') L - change the World, the final movie in the live-action ‘Death Note' trilogy is set for release on on R2 DVD. Presented in a rather nifty Ltd edition two-disc set, it includes a 24-page book and over 3 hours of extra features, the film presents the conclusion to the Death Note supernatural saga.

Following the events of Death Note 2 the detective, L (Kenichi Matsuyama), now knows that he has just 23 days left to live. Having destroyed the last remaining Death Notes, and facing his final days alone following the loss of his faithful retainer Watari (Shunji Fujimura), L has devoted himself to solving as many international crimes as possible before his time runs out. But when a young girl and boy come to him for assistance, he finds himself faced with what may be his most difficult case yet.

L - change the WorLd (cert. 15) will be released on 29th December. Special Features include: 24-page book; A Slice of "L Change the World" (Making of); Interview with star Kenichi Matsuyama; Production Wrap Press Conference; Asia Promotion Campaign (Jump Fest 2007); Japan Gala Premiere; Opening Day Stage Greetings; Japan Tour; original Japanese trailers and TV spots; UK trailer; image gallery.

L Trailer

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27th October

Live action 'Ninja Scroll' movie finds a writer

Alex Tse has been named to write the script for Warners Bros live action remake of the 1993 classic Japanese Anime Ninja Scroll. Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way is to produce along with Madhouse Pictures. Tse’s most recent work in the realm of adult fantasy, was as co-writer of the upcoming reworking of Alan Moore’s supremely brilliantly and excellent (can you spot we’re Moore fans) Watchmen.

So, it sounds like they've found a half decent writer, but it will take a lot more to keep the die hard Ninja Scroll fans happy. Whoever is picked to direct and star in this pic - will make a big difference to whether or not the movie lives, or dies, on its (silk robed) ass. We wait with interest.

Source

27th October

Second trailer for 'K-20'

More action, more capes and more girls flying James Bond style Gyrocoptors?! - A second trailer for the Japanese period superhero action flick K-20: The Fiend With Twenty Faces, has just dropped on the movies official site. For details on the plot, check our earlier post on September 30th.

K-20 (Official site)

26th October

'Public Enemy Returns' on DVD

The third film in director Kang Woo Suk's golden franchise, Public Enemy Returns became one of the highest-grossing Koreans films of 2008. After presenting a different story and character in 2005's Another Public Enemy, Kang Woo Suk goes back to the original premise and protagonist of Public Enemy for his latest chapter, with acclaimed actor Sol Kyung Gu continuing to carry the franchise.

This time, Sol Kyung Gu's lethal, bad-tempered detective faces off against Jung Jae Young (Going By the Book, Righteous Ties). Public Enemy Returns also boasts the addition of award-winning screenwriter Jang Jin (Welcome to Dongmakgol, Guns and Talks) who works his signature offbeat humor into the intense crime action thriller.

Bitter detective Kang Chul Jung (Sol Kyung Gu) has been in the force for over a decade, but he's got little to show for all his years of doggedly crime-busting. The scum he put away are making more money than him. Kang is starting to regret his profession, but his angry determination kicks back into action when his next target shows up: Lee Won Sul (Jung Jae Young), a wealthy CEO, family man, and seemingly upstanding citizen who is actually the ruthless boss of a large crime organization.

Public Enemy Returns (Official site)

Order the DVD here

25th October

English subtitled trailer for 'Coming Soon'

Another very quick update on Thai horror Coming Soon. GMM the production house for the movie have just release an English subtitled version of the trailer. Always handy! For some addtional plot/background details, check out our earlier story, posted back on Sept 14th.

Coming Soon Trailer (English subtitled)

24th October

Update on French Zombie horror 'Mutants'

Waaaaayyy back in November of last year we covered news on an upcoming French Zomb horror by director David Morley, Mutants. Originally due in 2008 the production hit some major delays in filming, but all is now well. Yesterday David dropped us a mail with the great news that Mutants is now complete, with a released due early in the new year. Yay! Catch some pics, from the link.

Synopsis: "In a world devastated by a pandemic virus that turns human beings into primitive and bloodthirsty creatures, Marco and Sonia set off to find a secret base to escape from the 'mutants'. When the latter attack them, Marco is infected too. Little by little, he undergoes the same changes. Sonia, who is expecting a baby, is then forced to fight her worst enemy, the man she loves."

Mutants Stills

23rd October

'Midnight Meat Train': Review

The Midnight Meat Train (2008) Director - Ryuhei Kitamura
Review by: Peter Higgins

Midnight Meat Train. First things first: great title. No, really: great title. But is that the only thing it has going for it? Possibly. Certainly, the presence of Vinnie Jones in the cast isn’t exactly a selling point. Vinnie Jones? Is he still around? Afraid so. Meanwhile, the hero unfortunately looks like Ben Stiller’s less talented little brother and the rest of the cast is made up of people you can sort of remember from ancient episodes of Law and Order/CSI/NCIS. Oh, and Brooke Shields plays an art-gallery-owner.

Add to this uninspiring mix the fact that it’s based on a short story by Clive Barker, and the portents are not good. But that title: how can you resist? You can’t. The script is dumb, the CGI-heavy effects are insane, the characters behave in the way characters always do in silly movies, but you can’t stop watching. For two reasons: firstly, the film looks absolutely stunning. The director, Ryuhei Kitamura, and the cinematographer, Jonathan Sela, both deserve praise here: the widescreen compositions are gorgeous...

Continue reading Midnight Meat Train review

Meat Train Trailer

22nd October

First stills from upcoming Thai horror 'Meat Grinder'

Right, this is what we know so far about upcoming Thai horror Meat Grinder. It's being made by local movie production house Phranakorn film (who've released some pretty good upper end B-horror movies in the past) and from the look of these first stills to appear online, its going to be more than little bit (ok, its Thai horror so make that incredibly) bloody. Still being lensed, Meat Grinder is apparently due for release, sometime early in the new year.

Meat Grinder Stills

21st October

New poster for 'The Fatality'

Whoever in Taiwan is responsible for marketing the upcoming Thai/Taiwanese horror The Fatality seems to have caught on that their first rather drab one sheet might not really cut it when it comes to HORROR movie posters, and has swapped out the design for a variation of the Thai version. A great improvement. To see that, plus a couple of great (both very different in style) trailers for the film, head down the page to our earlier post on Oct 9th.

20th October

'Guard Post' DVD giveaway winners

Our contest to give away 3 copies of Su-chang Kong's military horror The Guard Post has ended and the winners have been picked. Congratulations are due too: Sandy Kydd, Michelle Lin and David Ryan who each get a DVD. Didn't win this time? No worries, we have more great giveaways coming soon.

20th October

Kenta Fukasaku's 'XX' (aka X-Cross) on R2 DVD

Coming soon to R2 DVD is Kenta Fukasaku's (YoYo Girl Cop, Battle Royale 2) bubble gum horror ’XX’ (aka ex-cross'). ‘XX’ is based on the Manga series of the same name, which originated from the hit novel by Nobuyuki Joko in 2004.

Its plain that XX isn't going to win any awards for forwarding the genre that is (unless there's a prize for "movie with the biggest surgical sheers, weilded by an eye patch wearing psycho nurse) horror, but it looks gore filled cheesy fun none the less.

Synopsis: Recovering from a failed affair Shiyori heads to the country, in the company of best friend and bad girl Aiko. Having taken a long soak in the hot spring they retire to their respective cabins. Soon though they discover that the tranquil village is the home of a cult with a fetish for cutting off female legs. Trying to escape their assailants they are split up and keep in touch via their mobile phones. Multiple points of view and time frames keeps the viewer on their toes trying to discern the grisly fate of these "lost" girls.

X-Cross (English subtitled trailer)

X-Cross (Official site)

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19th October

'Ong Bak 2' website arrives!

Yes indeed, the official website for Tony Jaa’s follow (but not sequel) up to the hugely successful fight pic Ong-Bak, is now online. But before you go dashing off to the link be aware the only thing on there so far, is the previously seen promo trailer. No doubt theres going to be plenty of content to come, and we for one will be keeping a very close eye out for updates. Ong-Bak 2 opens in Thailand December 4th. Via

Ong Bak 2 (Official site)

19th October

Ghost Hunters vs Evil Spirits in 'Mandate: Gods Mission'

How did this nearly passed us by! A Korean supernatural action thriller about sword wielding Ghost hunters, we would usually be there in a flash. So now we're on it, here's some info on the pic. Mandate is directed by Hee-Joon Park and stars Da-Inn Yu and Jae Hee (Art of Fighting) as the ghost hunter. Release is set in Korea for October 30th. That was the easy part. Getting hold of a plot summary was trickier, but we found one - its a very rough translation and goes like this...

Evil spirit controls the serial killing. The match begins between the Ghost hunters and the Evil Spirit. For ten years a series of serial killing takes place at a village and the villagers leave their home town & the town becomes a haunted place. After the town becomes a ghost village the serial killing stop. Two years pass without incident, suddenly a college girl is murdered and again the horrors begin. The ghost hunter feels the attacks are not the work of any man but that of an evil spirit, he decides to hunt the evil down.

Mandate (Official site)

18th October

Website goes live for 'Coraline'

The official site for Neil Gaiman's upcoming animated horror fantasy film Coraline is live to explore. For those not in the know, Gaimen is a highly respected (and in our book literary genius) and influential British writer of fantasy/horror Graphic novels, books, & screenplays. Coraline has been compared to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland books because of its dark surrealism and alternate-reality based plot, albeit in a far more contemorary setting.

If them making a film of Gaimen's book wasn' t good enough, even better - the film is directed by Henry Selick who helmed Tim Burtons A Nightmare before Christmas. Oh this is gonna be good.

A young girl (Coraline) walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.

Coraline Website

Coraline Teaser trailer

17th October

'The Warlords' invade the UK

Heads up British fans of all things Asian and epic. Peter Chan’s historical blockbuster The Warlords starring Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro is set for a UK theatrical release next month. As well as the good looking new quad poster, there is also a great (ignore the ever annoying Mr voiceover man narration) new trailer, plus a hugely long synopsis to be read, on the films UK sub site. Warlords opens in the UK on November 7th.

The Warlords UK sub site

16th October

'Tokyo Gore Police' arrives on R1 DVD in January

Theres still no word on a theatrical (if any) release for Yoshihiro Nishimura's horror splatter fest Tokyo Gore Police, the same now cant be said for the DVD. TGP will hit the shelves in North America on January 13th. Pre-orders to automatic!

In the near future, the Tokyo Police Corporation is locked in a bloody war with the "engineers." These genetically modified super-criminals can bio-fuse their open wounds with weapons, turning self-mutilation into a combat form. Ruka, the daughter of the police chief's murdered right-hand man, is now the top engineer hunter. With cold-blooded efficiency she cuts through the psychotic engineers and tracks down their home base, a truly bizarre fetish club. Nothing keeps her from her sworn duty, even when she finds out the truth behind her father's death.

Tokyo Gore Police Website

Tokyo Gore Police Trailer

Read our review of Tokyo Gore Police

Pre-order the DVD

16th October

Fox and MGM launches Halloween hall of fame

It's getting close to that time of year where thinks go bump in the night, and to celebrate their horror heritage Fox and MGM have joined forces to create a website showcasing some of the horror classics from the last twenty years. Included are such (Frankly if you’ve not seen a fair chunk of the movies on there already, you should be hanging your horror movie fan head in shame) greats as Aliens, The Omen and Misery.

Other more facinating and obscure highlights on the site include details on the Vincent Price collection & a very entertaining 50s-60s Midnight Movies section - Gorilla at Large and The Phantom from 10000 leagues, looked particularly good cheesy fun.

We dare you to watch (Official site)

15th October

U.S theatrical play dates for 'Let The Right One In'

If you're in the U.S and have been itching to see Swedish Vamp horror Let The Right One In, on the big screen, this may be your lucky chance - The theatrical dates have been announced, but unsurprisingly they are very limited.

Screenings kick off in Hollywood and NewYork on October 24th - For a full rundown of the all dates and to see the U.S trailer for the film, check the links below.

Synopsis: "Oskar and Eli. In very different ways, were both victims. Which is why, against the odds, they became friends. And how they came to depend on one another, for life itself. Oskar is a 12 year old boy living with his mother on a dreary housing estate at the city's edge. He dreams about his absent father, gets bullied relentlessly at school and has a macabre fascination with murder. Eli is the young girl who moves in next door. She doesn't go to school and never leaves the flat by day. She is a 200 year old vampire, forever frozen in childhood, and condemned to live on a diet of fresh blood.

Screening dates

U.S trailer

14th October

Kelvin Tong's new horror 'Rule #1' on DVD

Back in August we reported that Kelvin Tong's (The Maid) new horror pic Rule #1 was getting a Hong Kong theatrical release and we have been waiting on tenderhooks ever since - Why? because it was a sure fire bet an English friendly DVD release would soon follow. Rule #1 traces the stories uncovered by the Police emergency calls centre. Everyday the centre receives 185 phone calls, 180 of them are about felonies, murders, robberies and kidnappings. The other five begin with "there's something strange in my house.”

Synopsis: Rookie Sergeant Lee is injured in a shoot-out and is assigned to the highly dubious sounding Miscellaneous Affairs Department (MAD). There, he is paired up with Inspector Wong a jaded and alcoholic veteran who explains that MAD's role is to answer supernatural calls. Wong explains to Lee MAD's Rule #1 - there are no ghosts. For every inexplicable phenomenon, there is a corresponding scientific & rational explanation. MAD begins investigating a string of bizarre teenage suicides... impossible suicides, unless the victims were possessed. Lee and Wong follow the clues, but something sinister is heading their way.

Rule #1 trailer

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14th October

David prior's horror short AM1200: Review

Posted by: Joe

I've just got home from the HP Lovecraft Film Fest in Portland, and saw a great film AM1200. Here’s the facts. AM1200 is a 40 min horror thriller written, produced & directed by award-winning DVD producer David Prior (Zodiac, Master & Commander,Fight Club). Subtlety, Atmosphere, excellent acting and sound design about as perfect in a film as I have come across, this film has it all in spades. From the opening tracking shot I was hooked.

I have grown weary of buckets of blood and cheap over the top frights. Engage my mind and you’ll win my heart! That said, this hooked me deep. And if it can lure me in, I’m betting this finely crafted thriller will grab you as well. I hate spoilers, so here’s a brief description of this engrossing film: Investment analyst Sam Larson (Eric Lange) has a lot on his mind. After a financial scam goes horribly wrong, he hits the road in a bid to outrun his guilt. A fragment of a radio broadcast, that may be a distress call, lures him to an isolated transmitting station and into a terrifying mystery of murder, madness and the insatiable hunger of a power beyond his comprehension.

David Prior offered to give me a copy of his film, but I felt so strongly about what I had just seen, I dashed and bought one. This film needs to be supported by every one who loves dark films. And don’t take my word for it, director David Fincher [can ya say SE7EN, or ZODIAC, or FIGHT CLUB?] said, “David Prior, in 40 short minutes, shows why he is the single most promising director I’ve seen in years.” And Del Toro loves Prior’s work, so what else to you need to know? Get yer paws on this horror thriller!

For more info and to watch the trailer, zip over to the official site. As Eric Burdon once said, “It will be worth it.”

13th October

More teasing from Brit horror 'The Children'

Oh they tease. Further to our post on October 3rd, a second teaser trail is online for Waz director Tom Shankland's new Brit Horror, The Children. No word as yet on a release date, its still quoted as "coming soon."

The Children Teaser no2

13th October

'Art of the Devil 3' set for release in Korea

Directed by the collective group known as "The Ronin Team," the 3rd installment in the extreme Thai horror series Art of the Devil 3 is to get a theatrical release in Korea. Great news for Korean fans of hard core horror, but also for those (us included) who have been waiting months for a chance to see this film with English subtitles, and Korean DVD usually have them.

AOT Devil 3 opens in Korea October 30th and all being well, a subbed DVD release should follow 2-3 months after. For those that missed them first time around, we've included links to the Thai official site, posters and trailers. Viewer discretion advised, especially on the trailers.

1 2 3 (Posters)

Uncensored clips

Art of the Devil 3 (Official site)

12th October

'Eden Lake' up for pre-order on DVD

Its a fair while off, but James Watkins Hoodie horror Eden Lake is up for pre-order on DVD. Opinions on the flick here at 24fps have been divided right down the middle, but there's no denying EL is a well shot, visceral and hard core piece of filmaking - with one hell of bleak ending. Eden Lake arrives on R2 DVD January 5th.

Primary school teacher Jenny (Kelly Reilly) and her boyfriend Steve (Michael Fassbender) head out of London for a weekend at a beautiful secluded lake. However, when the couple encounter rowdy and volatile group of teens, the romantic trip takes a sinister and deadly turn...

Eden Lake (Official site)

Pre-order the DVD

11th October

Second poster for 'Button Man'

Considering the plot revolves around the story of a cleaner for the mob, the first poster for Jen Hao Chien's gangland thriller The Button Man, was a little on the tame side. A fault they haven't repeated, with this 2nd far darker one sheet. Francis Ng (Shamo, It's a Wonderful Life) heads up the cast of what looks like, it could be one hell of a bloody ride. Below you can check out a clip of Wei (Ng) taking out an assassin sent to kill him, Triad style. Synopsis: Wei is “Button man”, an expert cleaner for the Chinese Mafia, a man who arrives after a murder, takes care of the victim, disposing the body and leaves no evidence behind. Who would have thought one day, he would become a target of their list.

Button Man clip

10th October

New project from 'Muay Thai Chaiya' director Kongkiat Komesiri

The next film project from director Kongkiat Komesiri, the man behind the hit martial arts action pic 'Muay Thai Chaiya' has been announced by local movie house 5 Star Productions - A horror thriller titled Slice. Even better the script will be penned by ‘Tears of the Black Tiger’ writer/director, Wisit Sasanatieng!

Komesiri and Sasanatieng back on the same team is fantastic news. When these two get together on a movie producton, great things happen. Still in pre-production there's no word yet on who is set to star, or a release date, but here's a detailed plotline to be going on with...

After a string of murder cases, involving mostly male victims being severed from the police are still baffled by the case and have no clue linking a murder suspect. An ex hitman named Tai, turned informant, tries to fill in the details of this baffling case. But the police simply disregard his valuable input, until now. The situation changes when the next victim is revealed as the son of a government official. The order is put out to capture the murderer at all costs. The police have nowhere to turn to for clues and so must revert to Tai for leads. But information from the Tai comes with a price. First he requests his freedom. In return, he promises to apprehend the murderer within 15 days. To make sure he can deliver the murderer as promised, his wife is held against her will until he can deliver the murderer. With Tais expertise in tracking down people, the ex hitman uses what he knows to gain insight and clues to the case. Remembering that one of his childhood friends has a history of mental illness that shows in the form of resenting the male species in general, thus starts a chase for the murderer. Tai must now duel it out and hopefully catch the right man.

9th October

New trailer for Thai/Taiwanese horror 'Fatality'

A new (this time its the Taiwanese version and very different in style) trailer is up for Thai /Taiwanese horror Fatality. Directed by Thiwa Meyathaisong (Sisters) it's been hailed as the first co-production between the two countries. Fatality stars Pitchanart Sakhakorn and Kenji Wu, in a tale of death, reincarnation and retribution - always good horror topic territory. Originally due out in June, the opening has now been pushed back to November.

Synopsis: An unsuccessful man in Taipei commits suicide, only to wake up in the body of a coma victim in Bangkok. His new life is almost perfect - he now has a stable job, a healthy body and a beautiful wife, but as the two souls fight for control of the body they start developing supernatural powers over life and death itself, leaving havoc in their wake.

Fatality (Taiwanese Trailer)

Fatality (Thai Trailer)

7th October

First trailer for 'The Beast Stalker'

From the title & poster you'd perhaps expect a horror flick, but Beast Stalker is the latest thriller directed by Hong Kong action veteran Dante Lam. As well as the kick ass action you'd come to expect from a Lam helmed movie, the cast is also top notch, with Nicholas Tse (Sorm Riders) , Jingchu Zhang (Protégé) and Nick Cheung (Sweet Revenge).

Beast Stalker opens in Hong Kong, November 27th and to see the mayhem filled trailer, as always head to the link below.

The Beast Stalker Trailer

7th October

'Eye For an Eye' up for pre-order on DVD

Korean boxoffice smash hit cat-and-mouse thriller Eye for an Eye is up for pre-order on DVD. Proceeding are helmed by Kwak Kyung Taek (Friend, Typhoon) while top stars Cha Seung Won (Murder Take One) and Han Suk Kyu (Shiri) face off in a battle of brawn and wit. Weaving from Busan to the corporate districts of Seoul, Eye for an Eye throws in gripping car chases, daring heists, and unexpected plot twists galore.

Fierce, suave, and foulmouthed detective Baek (Han Suk Kyu) is about to leave the force to start his own business, but his plans are interrupted when two large cases land on his desk. First, an armored truck is robbed,then someone impersonates Baek and steals trafficked gold from the airport right under the nose of the Police. As a final insult, the perpetrator, Ahn (Cha Seung Won), sends a package of cash to Baek the next day. Outraged, Baek pursues his target with the determination of a madman, but Ahn is one step ahead at every turn, deliberately leaving clues behind to taunt the police. Baek soon realizes that Ahn's clues are leading him to an even greater enemy.

Eye for an Eye (Official site)

Pre-order the DVD

7th October

Coming soon from Canada 'Bollywood Zombie'?

Registering 9.5 on the wtf-o-meter, Toronto based movie house Cinesavvy (via Access Motion Pictures) are to produce horror comedy titled Bollywood Zombie. Who, and which countries they intend to market this to still eludes us, but the pic (directed by Maninder Chana) is apparently already filming, with a release in the new year.

Synopsis: What seems a match made in heaven goes terribly awry when a wicked Aunt tries to sabotage her niece’s wedding day. Adding a secret potion to the buffet, she inadvertently turns the bride and her guests into Zombies. Now the bride’s sister, the groom, his best man and the shady Chef have to figure out a way to save the bride before she becomes a permanent member of the living dead.

6th October

Full trailer for Japanese disaster pic 'Infected Island'

One of a mini wave of disaster movies coming out of Japan this year - Kansen Rettou (rough translation 'Infected Island'), now has a full theatrical trailer on the official site. We're still in two minds here as to whether this will actually end up more like a Japanese "ER" than "Outbreak," so take a look and decide for yourself.

Infected Island (Official site)

5th October

'Redbelt': Review

Redbelt (2008) Director - David Mamet
Reviewed by: Pete Higgins

David Mamet finds himself in the unfortunate company of fellow directors Woody Allen and David Cronenberg: their past glories are enough to ensure funding for new projects, and a steady supply of talented actors keen to work with the master, even if the resulting movie stinks to high heaven. And, take it from me, “Redbelt” really stinks.

The plot manages to combine po-faced macho posturing with silly dialogue and frankly ludicrous plot developments (wouldn’t he have left the safety on? Wouldn’t he have known that committing suicide would rob his widow of his pension, and thus try and make it not look like suicide? Couldn’t they have come up with a better story to explain the busted window to the insurance company?). On and on it goes, with all concerned giving it their best, but to no avail. The ever-watchable Chiwetel Ejiofor is his usual excellent self, but with this script he never really had a chance. Tim Allen is surprisingly good, too: Mamet has, I suppose, always had a way with quirky casting choices that pay off (Steve Martin in “The Spanish Prisoner”, for example). The woman look terrific, the guys look tough, but none of it ever even gets close to working.

By now, we know what to expect from Mamet: there will be a small role for his current wife (Rebecca Pidgeon, this time). There will be a conspiracy so unnecessarily byzantine that it’s almost funny. There will be slightly unreal-sounding dialogue. There will be utterly implausible events that make no sense whatsoever. Joe Mantegna and Ricky Jay will repeat themselves. They’ll repeat themselves. Ricky Jay and Joe Mantegna. They’ll repeat themselves. Yes, they will. Ricky Jay. And Joe Mantegna. Repeat themselves. Repeat themselves. That’s what they do in Mamet’s movies. In Mamet’s movies, that’s what they do. That’s what they do. That’s what they f*cking do. Yawn. For Mamet completists only. And maybe even they should approach with caution..

4th October

'Coming Soon' gets a trailer

First trailer time for Thai horror Coming Soon and its looking pretty good so far. The flick is directed by Sophon Sakdaphisit (who wrote the hit Thai horror 'Shutter') so we'd expect nothing less than good. Here's hoping someone releases it with English subtitles soon, because this has "another promising asian horror movie, soon to get a hugely average Hollywood remake," written all over it. Coming Soon opens in Thailand, October 30th.

Synopsis: "What kind of scenes in a horror film scares you the most? When a ghost appears totally unexpectedly? When the main character does not see the ghost sneaking up behind him? When at the very end you find out that the main character was actually a ghost all along? But none of this compares to the feeling of arriving home alone and suddenly being stuck by a feeling of dj vu that you are reenacting the very same scenes in the horror movie you just saw! This movie will scare you from the second you step inside the movie theatre. It will get you thinking if Something or Someone might be waiting for you to let your guard down. The horror movie that you just saw is about to happen to you in real life! Coming Soon."

Coming Soon Trailer

3rd October

'The Good, The Bad and The Weird': Review

The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008) Director - Ji-woon Kim
Reviewed by: Pete Higgins

“The Good, The Bad, The Weird” certainly lives up to its title. Bits of it are good, bits of it are bad, and bits of it are weird. Essentially a spaghetti western mash-up of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Mad Max 2”, it dashes along at such speed that it’s only afterwards you notice the complete lack of plot, character or motivation. For what it’s worth, it appears to be about some guys who want to find a map that will, in theory, lead them to some treasure.

There are good guys and bad guys, though it’s often hard to spot the difference. There is a train robbery (really, all films should have train robberies – they’re great) and horse riding and motorbikes with sidecars, and people donning diving helmets to protect themselves from bullets, and there is a Mexican stand-off, and awesome music, and one crazy fight after another. But is that enough? Just about.

It is brilliantly put-together, which helps a lot. The acting by the three leads is superb – the two bad-ass guys look ridiculously cool while the comedy guy is fitfully amusing. The violence and action are occasionally inspired and gasp-inducing, while the stunts look genuinely dangerous, which is a rarity in these digital days. In the end it’s nothing you haven’t seen before but it is hugely entertaining and exhilarating. My viewing experience was not exactly enhanced by a poor quality DVD with subtitles I could only read if I stuck my nose to the screen, so I can only imagine how awesome this would look at the cinema. Not sure when/if it’s getting a UK theatrical release, but I’m looking forward to it.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird (Official site)

3rd October

Teaser trailer for Brit horror 'The Children'

A first teaser trailer has surfaced for Waz director Tom Shankland's new Brit Horror The Children. Incredibly brief, it still manages to ooze malevolence.

The Children tells the story of a relaxing Christmas vacation that turns into a terrifying fight for survival, as the children begin to turn on their parents. Isn't that about normal on xmas day? Children opens in the UK in December.

The Children Teaser

2nd October

Concept art from Zero Chou’s new project 'Sacred Warriors'

A distinct departure from previous work such as award winning Spider Lilies (a tale of forbidden love starring Rainie Yang and Isabella Leong), writer director Zero Chous has announced her latest project Sacred Warriors. Described as a lyrical version of Apocalyto, the movie tells the tale of indigenous tribes living in the deepest mountains of Taiwan who practice ritualistic and bloody head-hunting raids for the glory of their gods. The project is still in development, but we have turned up a piece of concept art and a synopsis for the film.

"Before modern highways cut through Ali Mountain, a ferocious tribe lived deep in the shadows of its forest. They worshiped their God by offering heads as sacrifices. In order to come closer to the divine, the tribe sent their greatest warrior, Mowo, to a sacred waterfall deep inside the forest to hear the direct word of God. After three days of waiting, he hears the Gods revelation. He returns to his tribe, refusing to look backwards in case the wisdom is lost, even when he hears the death cries of a woman caught in an animal trap. He returns successfully, bringing glory to his tribe. To get ever closer to the Gods, the tribe will turn to the cruellest acts of sacrifice, even sacrificing Mowo`s own son."

A Taiwanese styled Apocalyto-esk movie - different!

2nd October

DVD giveaway: Win a copy of Korean horror 'Guard Post 506'

We have another fantastic DVD giveaway! Su-chang Kong’s (director of ‘R-Point’) new military based horror G.P 506 is being released through Showbox’s Cine Asia label and we have three copies up for grabs. The giveaway is open to all, but be aware that these are R2 discs.

Entry is open until October 13th, after which 3 winners names will be picked at random. To enter, just send us an email to the address on our contact page, with your name and "GUARD DVD" in the subject field. That’s all there is too it, good luck!

G.P 506 Trailer

1st October

New trailer for 'Antoo Fighters'

More cheesy than a Kraft Dairylea factory, its a new trailer for Malaysian horror comedy Antoo fighter. AF follows the absurd adventures of super heroes the 'Antoo fighters,' as they fight to save the world from the evil Count Drakulat. To read a summary of the storyline, check our earlier article on August 11th. Antoo Fighter camps its way into Malaysia, next month.

Antoo Fighter Trailer

Antoo Fighter (Official site)

1st October

Aussie post apocalyptic horror movie 'The Strawman'

Its bare bones info on it at the moment, but a teaser poster and synopsis for upcoming Australian post Apocalypse movie The Strawman have done their job, and intrigued. What the finished article will turn out like is another matter. More as we get it.

Synopsis: In the wake of an economic meltdown, the government declares martial law on its citizens and enslaves them. A handful of survivors set out to save their country.