The Gathering - finally gets a UK airing on DVD

I remember reading about this years ago (probably about 2002, in fact - a British horror film with Christina Ricci in it. Then, nothing. Apparently it got a limited release around the rest of the world, but didn't actually make it to these shores. Until now, that is, almost a decade later. Wonder why?
Actually, I can find out why. The IMDB seems to suggest it didn't get a cinematic release in the UK, but according to Wikipaedia it did come out on DVD, and has been shown on the Beeb at some point. It also got a critical mauling.

I'm assuming this is simply a selection of clips of Ms Ricci in a variety of tight trousers and vesty tops, and NOT the highlights of the film. Cos if they are the highlights of the film, it must be monumentally shit. Although, let's face it, with a release history such as it has, I'm betting that it is, basically, monumentally shit.

Video Nasty DVD trailer... smart

Have to say, this looks rather splendid.

3 Cases Of Murder on DVD - hoo-bloody-ray

One of my absolute faves, the spine-chilling Three Cases Of Murder, gets a DVD release in the UK on October 11. I urge you all to go out and buy your copy...
And read the review here: http://britishhorrorfilms.co.uk/threecasesofmurder.shtml

Casting the Runes on DVD

This is a little-known gem which I was bought a couple of years ago and am now recommending to yous lot... the recommendation is not for the main feature which is, frankly, a bit of a clunking modern day retelling of an MR James classic (done much better in the peerless Night Of The Demon), but for the DVD extra, which is a really scary version of Mr Humphreys' Inheritance done for schools. Nice. And cheap, too...

Catch catch the horror taxi, I fell in love with a video nasty...

Now, if you, like me, enjoy the dubious delights of the so-called "video nasties", that bunch of variable horror films the government saw fit to lump together as a "type of film" back in the early 80s, then you might enjoy this... a new documentary about the whole sorry phenomenon. I mean, have you ever seen any of these things? There are a couple of genuinely horrible ones I grant you, but in the main they're as schlocky and daft as any other horror film. Bizarre. And it seems that half of them ended up on the list just because they had the word "Don't" in the title. What a shame they didn't see fit to ban "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead", or... erm, some other shit film with the word "Don't" in the title. Anyway, here's some info...

Keep repeating, it's only a movie....
Christopher Smith & Andy Nyman both feature is first teaser trailer of VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP & VIDEOTAPE
Jake West's doc to be screened at Film4 FrightFest and then released as part of VIDEO NASTIES: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE, a 3-disc box set out on Oct 11.

Psychomania special edition DVD on the horizon

We all know it, we all love it. That's a given. But it might FINALLY be the time to give up that treasured DVD-R you burned off BBC2 all those years ago (no? Just me then) cos finally, Psychomania is getting the proper "Special Edition" treatment.
Not sure if this'll be a Region 1 or 2 thing (I'm thinking Region 1, with a Region 2 release later on) but it's not a moment too soon. Undead bikers on the rampage in the Home Counties, you've got to think it's the greatest.
Here's the official details:

The grooviest zombie biker movie of them all is being exhumed and, after years of shoddy bootlegs and sub-par presentations, is getting the Special Edition treatment from Severin. Psychomania stars Beryl Reed (Beast in the Cellar) and, in his last performance, George Sanders (Village of the Damned), who perfect a formula to return from the grave via some sort of satanic toad worship. Said formula is then used by young Tommy and his biker gang, The Living Dead, who, after offing themselves in a variety of creative ways, free-wheel back from the dead to wreak havoc on a small English town.

This uber-black British horror-comedy (which has one of the greatest and most original soundtracks of its era) was a staple of late night TV for years but has never been seen like this thanks to a stunning new high definition transfer. Recent interviews were shot in London with stars Nicky Henson, Mary Larkin, Denis Gilmore, Roy Holder, and Rocky Taylor while soundtrack composer John Cameron (Kes, Jack The Ripper) and ‘Riding Free’ crooner Harvey Andrews not only reminisced but treated us to renditions of their otherworldly work on the film. Also on the extras slate is an intro from Fangoria editor-in-chief Chris Alexander.

This will be yet another amazing Severin restoration that any fan of 70s horror should not be without.

Sublime... now how about a region 2 release?

My favourite film in the history of the world ever is getting a lovely DVD release... sadly it'll only be available in the US for the time being.
Let's start a petition to get the thing released over here! What's that you say? Oops. The film I'm talking about is Horror Hospital, should've mentioned that, probably. Anyway, here's a nice clip, courtesy of the BHF Youtube channel...

And here's some info on the disc itself:

Released on June 15, the film is presented in uncut/uncensored form in a 16x9-enhanced widescreen transfer. It’ll be accompanied by a fresh audio commentary by producer Richard Gordon, moderated by Fangoria scribe Tom Weaver, and includes an extensive still/promo gallery including pics from Gordon’s personal collection and rare lobby cards from Germany.
Although frankly I couldn't give a shit about all that. Just WATCH THE FILM! It's grrreat.

DVD box set bonanza

Amazon, believe it or not, are having a sale on DVD box sets. Yes I know, it's incredible, isn't it? They hardly ever have sales on, do they? It's an absolute shocker. Wow. Astonishing. I'm amazed.
Aaaaanyway, I had a quick look and dug up a couple readers of this blog may be interested in... You know, everyone's busy putting DVDs in sales these days, aren't they? Anyone would think they were pretty much worthless in 2010. Can't think why.

First up, series one to four of the new Doctor Who. Get yourself re-acquainted with Messrs Ecclescake and Tagnut for just 50 English squid before Mr Smith makes you forget who they both were (that first episode was an absolute cracker, wasn't it?)



Then revel in the delights that were series two and three of the "adult" (or as I prefer to remember it, "even more childish") version of Doctor Who, Torchwood. And watch series one, if you fancy a laugh (god it was awful. Series two and three, though? Ace). Once more, just 50 poonds gets you this...

Hellbride... coming to a DVD player near you (if you buy it) later this month!

Once again, not a film I've seen, but ultra-low budget shocker Hellbride gets a shiny DVD release at the end of the month. See if the trailer whets your thingy. By the way, as it's about a wedding, do you think the idea is that it's supposed to look like a wedding video? No? Oh, just me, then.

Synopsis:

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.

Triangle man hates person man

Not seen this yet, but it's out on DVD as of March so will soon. Triangle is NOT a feature length version of everyone's favourite soap opera on a boat starring Kate O'Mara, but it IS the latest offering from Christopher Smith, whose previous films were Creep (just slightly too disgusting for my tastes) and Severance (brilliant when funny, so-so when scary, but I do like Danny Dyer, for some inexplicable reason, so very watchable). Triangle is a weird, time travelly, backwards and then forwards, forwards and then backwards, horror film about a boat. So perhaps it IS a feature length version of everyone's favourite soap opera on a boat starring Larry Lamb...

Further to the Asphyx re-release...

It has just been pointed out to me that I'm quoted on the front of the DVD box of the new Asphyx release. How chuffed am I? That's two now! (Killer's Moon was the first).

The Vampires Of Bloody Island

Oops, another late heads-up, but you might want to check out this new indie Brit flick, available on DVD right now...
Not my words, but below is some blurb.

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

And exhibit "A" is... "Exhibit A"

Just going back through my e-mails I found one about this bleak-sounding film...

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?

The Asphyx on DVD

The 1972 horror / photography epic The Asphyx has apparently just been re-released as a shiny DVD all cleaned up for a 21st century audience. I haven't seen it for yonks, but I wasn't particularly impressed when I did...

http://britishhorrorfilms.co.uk/asphyx.shtml

Perhaps having an eye-searing good print of it might change my view.
You can read more about the DVD here...
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=72242

Lloyd on film

Hellooo. And before you ask, this is not just an excuse to show a picture of a young lady in her smalls. Okay, it is. Anyhoo, tangerine-tastic, shops-in-her-jimjams scouse princess Danielle Lloyd (above) apparently appears in the new Brit horror "Cut", which was "filmed in one continuous take" and thus sounds probably a bit shite to me. But in case I'm wrong, it's out on DVD for you to take a gander. (Thanks to the Liverpool Echo for this one).

Salvage

Ah Brookside. Never watched it myself, but I'm told it was great, what with all them lesbian kisses under the patio and stuff. Anyway, there's a new Brit horror film on the way this month called Salvage, and it was apparently filmed on the now-defunct set of the now-defunct soap. From the trailer it looks like a laugh a minute (much like the show itself) and also satisfyingly squelchy and gory. Check it out... it's playing in selected cinemas on the 19th and then coming out on DVD almost immediately on the 22nd (Disney eat your heart out, that's what I call a quick turnaround).