YouTube test. Me tube test? Etc

In the mists of time the old BHF site had a few videos attached to it. This was in the days before broadband and YouTube, when all I had was a VCR connected to an old PC and some simple software to make postage stamp sized video. Anyway, that's all changed, I've got hundreds of DVDs clogging up my attic, and we can now enjoy decent sized video courtesy of those nice people at YouTube. So here's a test, to see if it works...

New Brit horror - be like dad, keep mum

Here's a missive you might be interested in. If they're anything like my parents, they'll be bloody terrifying.

And yes, that is the bloke out of "The Good Guys"...

SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH MUM & DAD ANY TIME, ANY PLACE, ANYWHERE

Revolver launches shocking horror across all formats during the festive season

LONDON. On Boxing Day 26 December 2008 Steven Sheil's uncompromising "Heathrow Chainsaw Massacre" directorial debut MUM & DAD will be the first UK film release to appear in cinemas at the same time as being available on DVD, through Video on Demand, electronic sell-through and rental, it was announced today by award-winning independent film distributor Revolver Entertainment.

"Being the first UK distributor to release day on date across all platforms enables us to be the market leader in offering consumers the ultimate choice to watch the film in the way they choose, whether this is at home or on the big screen – or both," says Revolver Entertainment's Managing Director Justin Marciano.

An entirely digitally produced film, Mum & Dad is the first film to be released from Film London's Microwave scheme. Revolver is also exploring a similar plan for the film in the US around Mother's Day on 10 May 2009.

The film stars Perry Benson (Somers Town, This is England), the father figure of a psychotic family 'unit' living at the end of Heathrow's runway. They live off whatever they scavenge from cargo holds, offices and hotels - including a steady stream of transient workers who populate the airport's soulless hub. When Lena, a young Polish office cleaner, is befriended by them, she gets drawn into a nightmarish world of torture, murder and perversity. Imprisoned in a suburban House of Horrors and designated a 'Mummy's Girl', Lena's only options appear to be to become part of the family - and join them in their insanity - or die.

Mum & Dad received rave reviews at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June where it premiered as part of the Night Moves section and screened as part of the Film4 Frightfest in August.

Webkam teaser pics released

Webkam guy James has sent me some teaser pics of his forthcoming Brummie torture epic, which sounds (and looks) like a right bundle of laughs.

He says:

I have decided to release a couple of teaser pics of our film WEBKAM which is going into the edit this month, and will be available Christmas 2008.

The lead is Eleanor James, second lead is Joanne Gale, and Kim Sonderholm is male lead, the film has been shot entirely in England. The directors name is James Layton.

The film is a story of two lifelong friends, one of which is tested to breaking point when the other is kidnapped and tortured. Do YOU have what it takes to save your best friend from certain death?

New book by BHF antho alumnus

The ever-patient Allyson Bird, whose short story "Dissolution" will feature in the soon-to-arrive-I-promise BHF Book Of Horror Vol. III, has a new collection of short stories out. She writes:

'Available now - BULL RUNNING FOR GIRLS!

As my publisher, Steve Upham of Screaming Dreams, is very ill at the moment it is up to me to promote BRFG as best I can. So ....

A selection of adventure-horror stories set in many locations, from the excitement and danger of bull running in Pamplona, to small town life in Madison County, U.S. Stories set amidst the bustle of Hong Kong, on The Silk Road in China and under a hunter's moon in Bordeaux. Then there are those which are much closer to home.

Wonderful cover by British Fantasy Society award winning artist 2007, Vincent Chong. Introduction by Gary McMahon.

"There's a great deal to love about Bull Running For Girls, not the least of this being its promise that we've only seen the beginning of a remarkable career.” Laird Barron

On sale now, but to be formally launched at the British Fantasy Society Convention, September 2008 by Screaming Dreams Press.

About Shadow upon Shadow : When Alice Harwood committed adultery, she expected to pay for it one day but the form and the manner of that payment touched the essence of evil. "A dark tale indeed!" — Ramsey Campbell

On In the Wake of the Dead : Set in 19th Century Sligo, where magic and ritual have terrible consequences for the occupants of Elsinore House. "A potent brew of historical facts and gruesome imaginings" — Simon Clark

"Ally Bird's writing is as clean and crisp as a scalpel blade. Her stories have a firm sense of place and verisimilitude; it's as if we can see the locations she writes about through the eyes of a resident. It is also both refreshing and essential to see a female author embrace the dark side with such empathy and unflinching bravery." — Gary McMahon

"Allyson Bird is a powerful and personal writer" - Andrew Hook

You can read a full review by Laird Barron here: http://imago1.livejournal.com/

Or just hop over and buy it from here: http://www.birdsnest.me.uk/bibliography.htm

Hitch book... not just one for the Birds (ho ho)

There's a new book on its way, about some fat bloke who made a few filums ages ago.
Okay, okay, I'm not THAT much of a philistine! There's a new book about Hitch on its way, and while he didn't make a huge amount of BHFs (erm, one at the last count, and that's debateable... okay, two if you count 'The Lodger'. Or one, if you count 'The Lodger' and then discount 'Frenzy').
It's by the people who brought us 'The Hammer Story', and let's face it, that was a mighty fine tome. Here's the details...

A GLORIOUS TRIBUTE TO THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE!
The Alfred Hitchcock Story


“A magnificent book for any connoisseur of the Master of Suspense”
- Total Film

“Lavishly illustrated throughout with rare stills and behind-the-scenes photos… Both a treat to look at and a pleasure to read.”
- Film Review

With 2008 marking the 50th anniversary of the award-winning and twice Oscar®-nominated movie Vertigo, Titan Books is launching a brand new edition of the stunning celebration of the work of Britain’s most eminent director: The Alfred Hitchcock Story [22 August 2008, £24.99].

The first comprehensively illustrated look at the career of Alfred Hitchcock, this hardback volume comes in the tradition of Titan’s acclaimed The Hammer Story, providing an authoritative, film-by-film guide to 'the Master' and his work, from the early silent days of The Lodger, through his classic British period of The 39 Steps, to the Hollywood success of Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho and beyond.

Packed with hundreds of stills and posters, with many rare or unseen images, The Alfred Hitchcock Story also includes additional features on the director's famous cameos and is introduced with a foreword by Psycho star, Janet Leigh.

Taking readers on an exploration of the groundbreaking work of a director whose influence remains firmly intact throughout modern cinema, this is the ultimate book for Hitchcock fans and an invaluable resource for any film aficionado.


“[Ken Mogg] perhaps knows Hitchcock and his milieu better than any other film critic.” – Dan Aulier, author of Hitchcock’s Notebooks and Vertigo: The Making of a Hitchcock Classic

“If I had to recommend one book on Hitchcock… this would be the one.”
– Bill Krohn, author of Hitchcock at Work


Ken Mogg is the editor of the highly acclaimed magazine and website The MacGuffin, the foremost source of Hitchcock-related discussion and news on the Internet. He corresponded with Hitchcock and was on the set of his last film. He lives in Melbourne.

# # #

The Alfred Hitchcock Story (Revised Edition)
Ken Mogg. Foreword by Janet Leigh
Titan Books 22 August 2008 • Hardback • £24.99 • 192pp • ISBN-13: 9781845767082

Within The Woods update... again

Richard Adams has been in touch again about his feature "Within The Woods"...

We at Green Manalishi Productions have finally finished "Within the Woods" and its amazing. We have already been interviewed by Central News and BBC WM (UK based Radio and TV) and you can find all of the information in the EPK I've attached along with this message. We are also looking for a suitable event where we can premiere the film. We have all territories open at the moment and we are looking at International options (US/ Canada) as well as domestic (UK).
And just so you know, we DO know about the pedigree of the name "Within the Woods", Luke, the Director, is a massive fan and it's meant as a thanks for inspiration, rather than a steal, as the plot and characters are not related at all to the original short.

You can find more info and our fansite here: www.wtwthemovie.co.uk;
our Facebook site here: www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=12357195189
Myspace here: www.myspace.com/withinthewoodsthemovie
Youtube here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pqleo1lxHM

New Hammer doc DVD

Heyup. It's been a while, but there's been sod all happening in the world of Brit horror recently. Well, not that I'm aware of, anyway. Come on you people, send me your stories and drag me away from this bloody Wii.
Anyway, enough of my dancing around the living room with an invisible tennis racquet shenanigans. Rupert Griffiths has been in touch to let me know about his new DVD, which has been lovingly crafted by his good self and features 96 minutes of stuff about everyone's favourite film studio named after a household implement.
It's been endorsed by Hammer illuminatiiationers Jimmy "The Sang" Sangster, Brian "The Clem" Clemens and John "The Houghmeister Generalissimo Count Von Stromberg The Second" Hough, who weirdly all said exactly the same thing, meaning that Rupert could save space on his poster by only quoting them once. But enough of my fatuous remarks (and enough of the "enoughs"). This looks like the bees knees Hammer-wise, so why not buy it? This isn't an endorsement by the way, as I've not seen it. But I can't imagine that Brian Clemens, the man who invented The Professionals, is one to put his name to something he didn't rate.