The Lord of the Rings star, 87, and his associates must pay £640,000 to artist Gerardo Moreno for work he did on a DVD cover, a Spanish court ruled.
Mr Moreno claims he was not properly paid for the art work on the DVD of Jinnah, a 1998 movie starring Lee about the life of the founding father of Pakistan, Muhammed Ali Jinnah.
"I'm really chuffed Splintered plays a key role in Friday's episode of Coronation Street" says director Simeon Halligan "And what's ironic is that the background to the story in Splintered is very much about coming to terms with your own sexuality. This nicely echoes Corrie's Sophie Webster as she begins to realise her own sexual identity.
"It's also interesting that the lead character in Splintered is also called Sophie - and of course, having worked at Granada TV for many years myself and actually on Corrie itself back in the nineties - it seems fitting Splintered gets a nod on The Street before its UK release in July."
"It's very poetic, it can be, it's enormously powerful," says Lee of the genre, "and of course it's fantasy, a great deal of it, if you can understand the words and certainly in this album you will understand every word because we're very careful about things like that. It's a unique form of music and I suddenly found that in terms of 'symphonic metal' I could do it."
"We had this proposition, we're going to do this album with you as Charlemagne and all the other singers: the young Charlemagne as opposed to the old Charlemagne, and women and other people like the Pope and so on, my brother,"
"It's interesting because it starts really with me on my death bed and then in a way I'm in limbo looking back over my life. And he was a very remarkable man, I think he was 72 when he died and he was very tall like me and very strong, very firm ruler, and a tremendous believer in Christianity and he also, like any ruler in battle did some horrifying things - at the famous Battle of Verden he decapitated 4,500 of the Saxon chiefs, not personally, but it boggles the mind when you think about it."
"The Heraldic Colleges and the archaeologists say they have indubitable proof that my family goes back to the 1st Century on my mother's side which is Italian - which means Romans - and also that we are descended from Charlemagne. Well, a lot of people claim to be descended from Charlemagne, he must have been very busy. But that may or may not be true I don't know but I believe it probably is, because the Emperor Barbarossa who came afterwards, quite a bit afterwards, gave my family, the Carandini family, they probably had a slightly different name then in Latin, the right to bear the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire, and that's on this ring which belonged to my great-grandfather."
"The impact according to what I've been told is phenomenal, apparently number 1 in the metal charts in this country and number 5 in the world in the metal charts and they haven't even heard it. I was told that when the information first came out the first clips came out 17,000 newspapers and magazines and periodicals and things all over the world wanted more information - literally all over the world, China, Japan, everywhere. Also the other day there were 10 million hits from people. Well that's a figure I simply can't associate with, I don't imagine you can either. 10 million, heavens. On the other hand it's a bit difficult to believe that 4,500 men lost their heads as prisoners, I mean how long do you suppose that took? But it's there: 'I shed the blood of the Saxon men.'"You can buy the thing here:
A cursed engagement ring brings out the worse in a beautiful young bride in writer/producer/director Pat Higgins' darkly comic romantic shocker. Nicole Meadows has a great job, an adoring boyfriend, and a doting father. When Nicole's boyfriend proposes marriage, she eagerly accepts. But as her wedding day draws near, Nicole struggles to contain a dark secret. Her engagement ring once belonged to a woman named Josephine Stewart, who went insane after being betrayed by her fiancée. When the wedding bells start to ring, there will be blood. Fortunately, for the guests who survive, there will be cake as well.
2010 dates confirmed!
It's official! The 9th Fantastic Films Weekend will take place Friday 4 - Sunday 6 June 2010.
Early plans
FFW 2010 promises another rich and eclectic line-up of the very best of fantasy cinema and television, from the days of silent movies to the very latest digital shockers.
Early plans include double-bills of The Nightcomers and The Innocents, and 28 Days Later... and 28 Weeks Later. We are planning a tribute to Michael Reeves (1943-1969), screenings of Manhunter and The Silence of the Lambs, 70mm presentations of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Dark Crystal and Willow - and some very special guests.
Finally, back by popular demand is Pánico en el Transiberiano, otherwise known as Horror Express, a superior chiller starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Telly Savalas and a frozen fossil from beyond the stars that turns everyone into white-eyed zombies. We love it.
Well, my horror book's finally out in paperback. The awesomely titled 'Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers - A Canterbury Tale by Paul A. Freeman' is available from Amazon, see below:
This link to Coscom Entertainment should have further details:
http://coscomentertainment.com/robinhoodzombies.html
Although the story was originally 'The Monk's Second Tale', myself and the publisher decided that a less mundane and academic sounding title for a Chaucerian horror escapade was needed. This was especially so when I discovered that a new Robin Hood film, with Russell Crowe, is scheduled for release early next year.
You can buy the CD direct from:CDSML 8464James ClarkeThe Wildcats of St. Trinian’s (1980) & Vampyres (1974)Original Film Soundtracks
This Vocalion release contains the first ever commercial issue of James Clarke’s scores for the films ‘The Wildcats of St. Trinian’s’ (1980) and ‘Vampyres’ (1974). Both soundtracks blend funk and jazz with orchestral scoring and feature the talents of many of Britain’s leading session musicians of the 1970s, including Alan Parker (guitar), Les Hurdle and Frank Clarke (bass guitar), Harold Fisher and Chris Karan (drums), John Taylor and Alan Hawkshaw (keyboards) plus the musical direction of Frank Barber (‘Wildcats’) and Syd Dale (‘Vampyres’). Highlights from the ‘Wildcats’ score include the sophisticated, Fender Rhodes led disco-funk of Girls’ Disco, the easy listening grooves of Swimming Sequence, the cheeky charm of Harry’s Strut (Flash Harry) and Work Apace, the latter an absolutely gorgeous reworking of Malcolm Arnold’s St. Trinian’s School Song. 1974’s ‘Vampyres’ is probably best described as ‘erotic horror’, a torrid tale of two modern-day bisexual female vampires whose bloodlust is matched only by their voracious sexual appetite. James Clarke’s score evokes an atmosphere of unease, menace and dark, sexual tension, perfectly in keeping with the film itself. These qualities are particularly in evidence in Main Titles, blending driving rhythms with Alan Parker’s horrific ‘fuzz’ guitar, and The Legend of the House and The Big Woodland, each of which feature, in parts, intimate harmonies tinged with a sense of foreboding. Stalking is in the best tradition of horror movie music, opening with a ‘stab’ chord and punctuated throughout by the razor-sharp sound of Alan Parker’s ‘fuzz’ guitar, ominous timpani rolls and creepy, tremulando strings. Bisexual female vampires and their prey have never been better depicted in music! The accompanying booklet contains insightful liner notes written by James Clarke and Oliver Lomax, plus rare film stills and original film poster artwork. Remastered from the original analogue stereo tapes. First time on CD.
So what is this independent British vampire film, starring a bunch of unknown actors, that's been stirring up such feeling amongst the public, while still as yet largely under the radar of the industry press?
'The Vampires of Bloody Island' is a comedy horror story which harks back to the style and nostalgia of the British Hammer vampire movies of the 1970's. Filled to it's rotting rafters with creepy comical characters and plenty of exploding vampires, it's a laugh-packed send up of every vampire film you've ever loved.
"We've really taken the whole nostalgic Hammer Studios style of vampire film, with that charmingly English creepy feel, and piled on lashes of humour and special effects." Describes Allin. "The result is a really funny film filled with creepy characters and stunning locations that people want to watch again and again!"The Scream Magazine calls it "A real cult classic", Dark Nights Magazine calls it "Genuinely hilarious and tremendous fun" while British Film magazine says the film is "set to tantalise fans of horror and comedy alike."The NTSC DVD will be available on Feb 1st. Join the mailing list to be amongst the first to get it, and at a discount!You can see the trailer for 'The Vampires of Bloody Island', buy the DVD right now on multi-region PAL, and join the thousands of people receiving newsletters, all from the Weird World of Wibbell website at www.wibbell.co.uk
Exhibit A – Now available on DVD
Sometimes it’s not the bumps in the night or the zombies that are the scariest things on film or in life.
Sometimes the scariest thing is other people.
Exhibit A, Best UK Feature winner at the Raindance Film Festival and 3x British Independent Film Award nominee (Best Achievement in Production, Most Promising Newcomer (Bradley Cole), The Raindance Award), is now available to buy on Collector's Edition DVD from www.exhibitathemovie.com.
Exhibit A tells the timely story of a normal family disintegrating under financial pressure, eventually driven to the unimaginable. All is not as it seems as the King family go about their day-to-day lives oblivious of the horror to come. Dad Andy (Bradley Cole) is nursing a secret that ultimately leads to terrible consequences for them all. We witness these chilling events unfold through daughter Judith’s (Brittany Ashworth) video camera, which subsequently becomes Exhibit A. The film is inspired by the many men in real life who are known to their neighbours as devoted husbands and fathers, but for unknowable reasons suddenly decide to take drastic action to protect their loved ones.
In Exhibit A we learn that "true horror" is other people… So dim the lights, bolt your door and get ready for an experience that won't leave you the same person.
Written and directed by Dom Rotheroe (My Brother Tom, A Sarajevo Diary) and produced by Darren Bender (The Hamburg Cell), the film is a co-production between Bigger Pictures and Warp Films (Dead Man’s Shoes, This is England) and has left a trail of stunned audiences at festivals all over the world.
The film received support from the Screen Yorkshire and Screen East Production Fund.Sounds like a laugh-a-minute, eh?
CENTURION - IN CINEMAS 23rd APRIL 2010FIGHT OR DIE.
Written and directed by Neil Marshall (THE DESCENT) CENTURION stars Michael Fassbender (INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, HUNGER), Dominic West (300, THE WIRE) and Olga Kurylenko (QUANTUM OF SOLACE, HITMAN).
A relentless, action-packed thriller in the tradition of APOCALYPTO, LAST OF THE MOHICANS and DELIVERANCE, CENTURION is set against a background of conquest and invasion and is the gripping story of a fight for survival…
AD 117. The Roman Empire stretches from Egypt to Spain, and East as far as the Black Sea. But in northern Britain, the relentless onslaught of conquest has ground to a halt in face of the guerrilla tactics of an elusive enemy: the savage and terrifying Picts.
Quintus Dias (Fassbender), sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus’ (West) legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the earth and destroy their leader Gorlacon.
But when the legion is ambushed on unfamiliar ground, and Virilus taken captive, Quintus faces a desperate struggle to keep his small platoon alive behind enemy lines. Enduring the harsh terrain and evading their remorseless Pict pursuers led by revenge-hungry Pict Warrior Etain (Kurylenko), the band of soldiers race to rescue their General and to reach the safety of the Roman frontier.
CENTURION also features an exciting supporting cast including JJ Field (TELSTAR), Liam Cunningham (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, HUNGER), Noel Clarke (ADULTHOOD), Riz Ahmed (SHIFTY), David Morrissey (NOWHERE BOY) Imogen Poots (28 WEEKS LATER) and Dimitri Leonidas (TORMENTED).
Produced by Academy Award® Winner Christian Colson (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) and Robert Jones, CENTURION reunites Marshall with his key collaborators from THE DESCENT: Production Designer Simon Bowles and Director of Photography Sam McCurdy. The film was shot on location in Aviemore, Scotland and Farnham in Surrey.
CENTURION is a Pathé Productions presentation, in association with the UK Film Council, of a Celador Films Production, of A Film by Neil Marshall. CENTURION will be released for Pathé Productions Ltd. by Warner Bros. Pictures UK on 23rd April 2010.
