Poster and official site for Brit horror ‘F’

First we took a stroll to Eden Lake, from today you can take a tree lined (and harrowing) wander down Cherry Tree lane, and now the official site for upcoming horror ‘F’ seems to prove that the phenomenon of the British “Hoodie” horror, refuses to die a bloody death. Early reviews of the film coming out of its screening at this years Fright Fest seem fairly favourable, so it may well be worth giving this effective little splatter flick a watch. F hits UK Cinemas on September 17th. Trailer is on the site.

Synopsis: ‘F’ tells the story of Robert Anderson (David Schofield), a burned-out alcoholic world-weary English teacher, who has to face his most terrifying demons. F is set in a huge sprawling U.K. comprehensive school, after lessons have finished for the day. What is a place of learning during the daytime, becomes a vast and deserted labyrinthine nightmare of endless corridors, empty classrooms, woodwork rooms, gyms, welding rooms, motor pool shops, canteens, photographic darkrooms, art studios and sports halls. The school comes under relentless attack from a group of blood thirsty hoodies, intent on only one thing, to spread terror. Anderson must battle these brutal killers, and his deepest fears, in a desperate battle for the survival of his pupils, fellow teachers and those he holds most dear.

F official site

BY THE WILL OF GENGHIS KHAN: R2 DVD Review

Director: Andrei Borissov. Review: Adam Wing.

Not to be confused with the epic grandeur of 'Mongol,' Andrei Borissov presents us with another take on the Genghis Khan legend with his 2009 entry By The Will of Genghis Khan. Time for a little history lesson I guess. This is the story of Temüjin (Genghis Khan), the ruthless founder of the Mongol Empire. His name is well known worldwide, he even featured in a Bill & Ted movie, and his empire stretched from the yellow sea to the Mediterranean.

This particular movie follows three childhood friends, one grew up to be a great shaman and the other two followed the destructive path to War - but only one of them was to be remembered on the big screen time and time again. Love for a women made Temüjin the warrior he’s best remembered as (doesn’t it always), and a quest for peace drove him to war. That’s what it says here anyway, no matter which way you look at it though; the life of Genghis Khan lends itself to spectacular storytelling. So there’s no way on Earth Andrei Borissov could drop the ball on this one… I mean really...Continue reading review here.

Will of Genghis Khan official site 

 

Official U.S. site for Mamoru Oshii’s ASSAULT GIRLS

Babes with BIG guns, killing even bigger desert dwelling monsters…Yes Mamoru Oshii’s (‘Ghost in the Shell’) - eye popping action, sci-fi movie - Assault Girls is heading for U.S DVD and Blu-ray, and props should go out to American distributor Well Go U.S.A, who’ve gone to the trouble of creating an official U.S site for the release! We’ve a while to wait as it doesn’t hit the shelves until October, so in the mean time we can amuse ourselves with trailers and pics from the film.

Synopsis: In the aftermath of global thermonuclear war, three battle tested women: Gray (Meisa Kuroki), Lucifer (Rinko Kikuchi), and Colonel (Hinako Saeki), distinctly armed with Assault Rifles and electrifying magic, are transported to the virtual world of Avalon F. It's here these beautiful women known as Assault Girls must test their fighting skills in an epic virtual battle against sand-dwelling monsters known as Sand Whales. As the virtual game begins to unfold, the sparkle of "muzzle flash" begins to fade and assault ships gather overhead. The end is near when suddenly a gigantic super mutation called "Madara Sunakujira" attacks and the battle for survival begins.

Assault Girls US site

First films annouced for DC’s Spooky Movie Film Fest

Fright film fans in and around the Washington, D.C. area take note, The Spooky Movie Horror Film Festival is back and the first films have been revealed. TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL will be the opening night feature for the fifth annual festival, held from October 21-25. Some of the films joining TUCKER & DALE this year will be British zombie hit COLIN (as part of our Friday night Zombie Movie double feature), the Virginia premiere of the documentary on the career of Dick Dyszel (“Count Gore De Vol,” Captain 20,” and “Bozo The Clown”) EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN and the latest film from legendary filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis, THE UH-OH SHOW!, in its entirety – in its final version. Additional films to be announced include more zombies, monsters, maniacs and an American premiere of a new Chinese film (hmmm that has us wondering what) for closing night. The full schedule will be released September 7. Opening night on October 21 will be held at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, with the rest of the screenings (October 22-25) will be at Cinema Arts in Fairfax, VA. For more information visit fest website here.

Full trailer for action comedy SATURDAY KILLER

Think of a country that would be most likely to come up with the oddball premise of a comedy movie revolving around the story of a gunman who kills for money to cure his erectile dysfunction, and you’d perhaps picked Japan? Nah, try Thailand. A new length trailer is out for Yuthlert Sippapak's (‘Buppha Rahtree’) latest creation Saturday Killer, which follows the bizarre exploits of “impotent” hitman Tee Rifle in his quest for cash, and the love of fellow hitwoman Chris Styer. From the looks of the trailer that love is somewhat unrequited, in fact we think it’s safe to say, she hates his guts. Saturday Killer opens in Thailand September 30th. Trail at the link.

 

 

Saturday Killer trailer

KOBAYASHI FOUR box set coming in November

Facets has just announced that in November they'll be releasing a box set of the four films by Masahiro Kobayashi (Bootleg Film, The Rebirth, Man Walking On Snow and Bashing) under the name Kobayashi Four. We particularly enjoyed Bootleg Film here at 24FPS and definitely recommend checking out the director's work. I think it's safe to say we're all very much looking forward to his Haru To No Tabi with Tatsuya Nakadai later this year.

Anyway, the box is due out Nov. 23rd in the US with a price tag of $56 if you order it through Facets or Amazon.

Synopsis: Bashing tells the story of Yuko, a Japanese aid worker held hostage in Iraq. Her return home is anything but happy as coworkers, friends, and family harass her for her career choice. Shot in black-and white, Bootleg Film is a darkly comic road movie about two men, who are best friends despite being on opposite sides of the law. One is a retiring Yakuza, the other a cop, and the two embark on the road trip from hell to attend the funeral of their mutual beloved. Man Walking on Snow follows lonely widower Nobuo who struggles to communicate with his sons. Kobayashi directs himself in The Rebirth, a stark drama about a widower grieving for his daughter, who was stabbed to death by a classmate. Haunted by loss, the man moves to northern Japan , where he spots the mother of his daughter's killer working as a cook at a local inn.

Second trailer for Chinese Western WIND BLAST

Hailed as the first action crime thriller for the Chinese mainland, a second trailer is out for director Gao Qunshu's contemporary western film Wind Blast. The film stars a pretty stellar cast including; Duan Yihong, Xia Yu, Wu Jing, Yu Nan and Charlie Young with a plot centring on four detectives - each with a unique skill - chasing down a criminal into the wild desert, while at the same time fighting two bounty hunters.

Gao has apparently cited the films of John Ford as major influences in the movies look and it definitely shows, there’s sweeping desert vistas and lush cinematography to be seen in spades. Add to that fight moves and stunt skills from Wu Jing, and we'll be in action movie heaven. Wind Blast opens in China on October 28th, so provided it arrives in Hong Kong soon after, we'd expect to see it hit English subbed DVD around December/January time.

 

 

Wind Blast trailer

Via CRI

UK trailer for THE SWORD WITH NO NAME

One for historical epic fans….Kim Yong-gyun’s - director of the hit Korean horror movie ‘The Red Shoes’ - sweeping action flick The Sword With No Name is heading to the UK DVD via Cine Asia, next month. One word to the wise, whilst the UK trailer manages to convey the battles, swordplay and political intrigue well, it sidesteps (purely by accident I’m sure) the fact that there’s also a fairly hefty romantic sub plot running right through the movie. So provided you don’t mind some sweet nothings with your swordplay, give it a try. The Sword With No Name goes on sale September 20th.

 Synopsis: A young woman of noble birth embarks on a dangerous cross-country journey, where she encounters an infamous bounty-hunter. Honour-bound, he becomes her protector and against all the odds they fall in love. A few years later, to fulfill a sacred promise, she must enter the royal court and ascend to the throne as Empress, leaving her love behind. However, when aggressive Japanese forces gather against her nation, the bounty hunter will once again stand by her side as a devoted bodyguard. As the conflict escalates to all-out war, her irrepressible leadership will sustain her people and give them the hope of victory. Tragically, as her reputation spreads, she will become a target for assassination, but one man's courage will make all the difference...

Revenge can be murder in X-GAME

We’re a little late to the party with news on Yohei Fukuda’s (‘Chanbara Beauty’) latest offering - the revenge horror X-game - but the trailer looked entertaining and bloody enough to still give it a mention. Based on a novel by Yamada Yusuke X-game stars the members of Japanese pop groups (doesn’t every Japanese horror these days?) D-boys and AKB48, in a tale of an ex pupils extreme idea of revenge, for past school room bullying. Kids today! X-game is released in Japan next month.

 

 

 

X-game official site

Poster and trailer for THE LAST SEVEN

Pandemic, alien invasion or Zombie Apocalypse? The latest trailer (and poster) for Imran Naqvi’s horror thriller The Last Seven still isn’t giving much away as to what disaster befalls London - and why 7 strangers have survived in a city that once home to over 8 million - but has us intrigued enough to want to see more. They are going for one of those dual style releases on this one, the film hit UK theatres yesterday, and arrives on DVD a few days after.

Synopsis: A watch stops. A man awakes. He remembers nothing. And London is completely deserted. Starring Tamer Hassan, Danny Dyer and Simon Phillips – London’s last survivors must fight to stay alive as events become increasingly more dangerous and disturbing, whilst trying to piece together their memories of a cataclysmic event on an epic scale. Struggling to make sense of an impossible situation and stay alive against all the odds, this is the mission of THE LAST SEVEN.

 

The Last Seven trailer

Dario Argento’s INFERNO Blu-ray review

Director: Dario Argento. Review: Adam Wing.

It’s always nice to see classic horror movies get the treatment they deserve on blu-ray, and the upcoming release of Inferno is another fine example courtesy of Arrow Video. Inferno is Dario Argento’s follow up to Suspiria, and while it's not a true sequel in every sense of the word, it does deal with themes introduced in what is arguably Argento’s best-loved film. A belated third chapter called Mother of Tears: The Third Mother completed the trilogy in 2007, but it’s the first two instalments that helped cement Dario’s name in horror legend.

The scene is set at an apartment building in New York, where would be heroin Rose (Irene Miracle) purchases a book called The Three Mothers. The book tells the tale of three mothers, Mater Suspiriorum (the mother of sighs), Mater Lachrymarum (the mother of tears), and Mater Tenebrarum (the mother of darkness). An alchemist by the name of Varelli has built each of the ‘ladies’ a home - one in Germany, one in Rome and one in the heart of New York City. From these homes the three mothers rule the world "with tears, sighs, and darkness" – there’s no need for further explanation, it’s easier if you go with it...Continue reading review. 

Inferno trailer

24frames picks up Mexican sci-fi thriller SERES: GENESIS

24frames (No we’ve not branched out into distribution) has announced that it has just acquired all North-American rights to the Mexican science fiction movie Seres: Genesis. The alien invasion thriller will open nationwide in Mexico on September 17, followed shortly after by a run in US theaters.

Directed and written by Angel Mario Huerta stars Alejandra Barros (“Sultanes Del Sur,” “Amar,” “Matando Cabos”), Liz Gallardo (“Máncora,” “Sangre de familia,” “La última y nos vamos”), Humberto Busto (“Depositarios,” “Niñas Mal,” “Amores Perros”), Manuel Balbi (“Deseo Prohibido,” “La viuda de Blanco”), Arturo Delgado (“Entre Canibales,” “María José”) and veteran actor Gonzalo Vega (“A través del Silencio,” “Tengo Todo”). GÉNESIS is the first part of a planned trilogy, to be followed by SERES: EVOLUTION predicting the future of mankind, and finally SERES: EXTINCTION will reveal the secrets of our destiny.

Synopsis: When a young girl is found amid the wreckage of an accident caused by an alien craft, Mariel, head of a secretive task force investigating the paranormal, must solve the riddle of a frightening message the girl delivers which suggests humanity is on the verge of extermination by a hostile alien force.

Seres:Genesis English subbed trailer

Seres:Genesis English official site

Red band trailer for Indy survival horror DEVIL’S BRIDGE

Another day, more hard core indy British horror news. This time it’s the first, gritty and at times damn violent trailer for writer/director Chris Crow’s, Devils Bridge. DB stars Joshua Richards, Joesph Millson and David Schofield and the film follows three friends as their weekend trip to the rural wilds of Wales rapidly descends into a night of savage survival. We’ve tagged this as a red band trail, because this definitely isn’t work safe. Catch it at the link.

Synopsis: Sean’s livelihood is on the rocks, and he sets out meet an underworld specialist who can facilitate an off-the-books solution to his failing business. Heading into the rural isolation of Wales with his friends Adam and Danny, Sean finds himself in uncharted, unknown and deeply alien territory. In this unfamiliar setting the trio cross William Parry, a hardened farmer, consumed by paranoia, and a lifetime of bitter resentment, a powder keg ready to blow. Their encounter spirals rapidly out of control, moving into a brutal spree of pointless violence and revenge as William hunts the boys through a stark and unforgiving terrain.

Devil’s Bridge official site

THE CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH: UK DVD review

Director: Chuan Lu. Review: Adam Wing.

 I found myself in an unusual position as I sat down to watch City of Life and Death. On any other day I would probably avoid watching award winning films, especially award winning films that drown themselves in murder, rape and misery. Award winning films that not only drown themselves in murder, rape and misery - but also come with the tagline ‘based on true events’. That’s usually enough to send me running for the hills. City of Life and Death has already won Best Cinematography Awards aplenty, not to mention a Best Director achievement at the Asian Film Awards for director Chuan Lu. Not my usual cup of tea then, but just occasionally you have to dunk your biscuit in unfamiliar flavours and City of Life and Death can’t be considered anything less.

The third film from director Chuan Lu, City of Life and Death is a devastating account of the massacre that occurred when Japanese troops took control of the city of Nanjing in December 1937, a tragedy forever remembered as the Rape of Nanking. Shot in black and white, this uncompromising war epic captures the shocking violence and brutality of the Nanjing massacre, providing an unsettling portrait of both the victims and the perpetrators. It’s a tough watch from start to finish, touching on all aspects of life affected by war. No stone is left unturned, from the Chinese soldiers who gave their lives, to the foreign missionaries who offered support, through to the Japanese soldiers guilty of so many crimes against humanity...Continue reading here.

City of Life and Death trailer

 

Brit Sci-fi horror takes a trip down the ‘A70’

Film “Based on a true story.” Lets face it when those you read those words they’ll either make you want to run for the hills, or be your own guilty secret. Either way, every once in a while one of them appears that may do something to redeem this often over used marketing ploy. Enter stage left, Steven Forrester’s upcoming sci-fi horror ‘A70.’

Synopsis: A70, a powerful and extraordinary journey that involved two Scottish men named Garry Wood and Colin Wright in Edinburgh Scotland, 1992. One evening whilst both men where driving to a friends house on a route they have taken many times before, this particular night they where confronted by an extraordinary encounter. As both men are faced with fear and panic, Gary accelerates the car hard, to get away. As they finally reach their destination they learn they are missing two hours of time. Soon after, horrifying nightmares, ill health, unusual scars and strange visions slowly reveal that something far more sinister occurred that night. As the men search for answers their world is ultimately torn apart by what they discover.

His second feature as director, Forrester started out in the film business as an editor and FX whiz (on the likes of ‘Troy, ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘X-Men’), so he should know his way around a production. That coupled with the fact that Brit horror often means plenty of gritty scares, means we will pull this one over, and park it in the “definitely maybe” spot.

A70 official site

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