MUTANTS - David Morlet

Status:  On DVD

Starring:  truthfully, all French cast that would take forever and I don't think I know any of them.

       

       A couple and their unborn child try to survive after a cannibalistic virus spreads to the populous.

Notes:  I know, a pretty standard plot for any zombie, virus, or apocalyptic film made in the last eighty years or so.  What I'm looking forward to is the gore and special effects.  Maybe it's the tradition of artistic inspiration centered in France, or the after effects of the Renaissance, or maybe that the French are arrogant, sick fucks themselves; but they do amazing horror film effects. 

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

BURKE & HARE - John Landis

Status:  ????

Starring:  Simon Pegg
                (Shaun of the Dead)
               Andy Serkis
               Tim Curry
               Isla Fisher
                (The Wedding Crashers,
                  married to Sascha Baron Cohen)

          A comedic retelling of the true story of William Burke and William Hare, England's serial killing and body snatching duo in the 1800's.  At the time, medical schools were desperate for corpses to expand scientific knowledge; and the cost for a corpse was too high for these two, and many others, to ignore.


Notes:  I am really excited for this one!  Last year, I fell in love with a similar film and story called I Sell The Dead.  I can't help but grin, at the contrast between what was accepted by the medical community in the ever proper U.K.  The truth is, medical schools worldwide were known at this time to procure corpses in less than admirable circumstances.  But the idea that these two were serial killers, whose actions in effect are saving lives today, is about as tongue and cheek as you can get without ripping a hole in your mouth.

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

BLACK SWAN - Darren Aronofsky

Status:  Release Scheduled for December 3, 2010

Starring:  Natalie Portman
               Mila Kunis
               Winona Ryder
               Vincent Cassel

       Natalie Portman is a ballerina under immense amounts of pressure to perform perfectly, satisfy her mentor in many ways, and prove to her rival that she deserves to be on top.  As Portman becomes strangled by the stress, she starts seeing something evil.  Regardless of whether or not it truly exists or is a representation of her desperation, it is malicious, and powerful enough to take her for everything she's got.




NOTES:  Aronofsky is well known for his surreal, and intense cinema (Requiem For A Dream).  I adore Natalie Portman, in her acting strength, and fearlessness for such a small woman.  I'm hoping Mila Kunis will redeem herself from the clusterfuck that was Max Payne (not entirely her fault, but my hatred for that film runs deep).  I think Vincent Cassel is perfect for the arrogant, European-man-whore teacher; even if I myself find him as sexually appealing as Gilbert Gottfried.  The ending will make or break this movie.  Is she insane, and if so, will she be violent inwardly, or outwardly.  Is it supernatural?  Is she really turning in to a demon or is one after her? Or are Kunis and Cassel just fucking with her?  I am sure I will love the cinematography, the music and the mood.  But dropping the ball on this ending will force me to add another name to my "Dean Koontz: and Other Celebrity Blow Hards I Will Punch In The Face' list.

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

S&MAN (SANDMAN) - J.T. Petty

Status: On DVD, October 12, 2010

               
     A faux documentary that mixes in real interviews from filmmakers and actors involved in fringe horror that focus on voyeuristic gore.  The film explores why people watch these films, what is the payoff, and gives a lesson in worst case scenario.

Notes:  I regularly question and analyze myself in my interest in horror film.  I have a masters in Catholic school survival and knowledge, and the paranoid guilt that follows has caused me some anxiety over the years.  Honestly, when I first saw the title and poster I ignored it; thinking it was just another angry nerd, torture porn film.  But I honestly want to watch it now that I know there are real questions and answers that I ponder myself, and a fictional story line to keep me entertained.

Bloody-Disgusting: 8/10



DEATH AND CREMATION - Justin Steele

Status:  ?????

Starring: Brad Dourif (he does creepy so well)
              Jeremy Sumpter
              Daniel Baldwin (really?)

           A lonely neighbor who offers cremation services takes a young boy in need under his wing.  The two delve into the older man's secret life as a vengeful serial killer and try to evade capture from the local police.

 

NOTES:  So far, I've only been able to see the teaser trailer.  I'm hoping for a little more explanation of the plot before I actually see the movie.  I love Brad Dourif, and I love a good revenge story; especially one that produces some morally good effect.  But Daniel Baldwin, well, I hate thee, and if he slithered his way into a large part, he could ruin the whole damn thing.

Bloody-Disgusting: 8/10

Teaser Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

THE CLINIC - James Rabbitts

Status:  ?????

Starring:  Tabrett Bethell
               Andy Whitfield (Spartacus on Starz)

          A pregnant woman's husband (I assume) decides it's a good idea to go on a cross country trip during her pregnancy.  She is kidnapped, and her baby is taken to some unknown place.  Still held captive, she tries to understand where she is and why to find her baby, while her husband is on the outside searching for them both.

 

Notes:  Terrifying poster I found, right?  When it comes to motherhood in horror films, I am the worst feminist.  I loved France's Inside and who doesn't have a warm spot for Rosemary's Baby?  The film is rumoured to have a few twists though, so any mommy's should probably wait till I see it and review it to make sure it won't be a scarring twist.

Bloody-Disgusting: 8/10

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting



THE SHRINE - Jon Knautz

Status: ????

Starring:  Cindy Sampson
               Ben Lewis

         Fellow journalists follow after their missing coworker to rural Europe, where a cult that practices human sacrifice is rumoured to exist.  They are met with the usual distrust and disgust that europeans have for americans; especially the nosy for a living kind.  What they aren't prepared for, is the viciousness of the group; and that the  deity they are sacrificing to, may be closer to earth than they wanted.

 

NOTES:

Bloody-Disgusting: 7/10

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting



RED, WHITE, & BLUE - Simon Rumley

Status:  TWC On Demand

Starring:  Noah Taylor
               Amanda Fuller
               Marc Senter

             A wannabe rockstar with a heart, a girl who acts out childhood terror in her abusive sex life, and a man who could maim a nun without blinking come together in Texas, USA. 

 

NOTES:  Another film from IFC Midnight's Fantastic Fest.  The trailers I've watched of this movie in broad daylight make me uncomfortable.  The director is well known in indy film circles for his haunting family drama The Living and the Dead.  I haven't seen that film yet, but it is certainly in my Netflix Queue.  The sex and violence in this movie promise to be ragged, and revolting.  I went through 'Fucked Up Period' in my film watching career, which was filled with Jack Ketchum adaptations and lots of 60's and 70's exploitation films.  Since then, I have tried to abstain from the grotesque because it honestly seemed to mess with my psyche.  If I get a second wind though, this will be top on my list; after which I'll probably watch Monsters Inc. or something.

Bloody-Disgusting: 8/10

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

PRIMAL - Josh Reed

Status:  TWC On Demand

Starring:  Krew Boylan

               Lindsay Farris

               Rebekah Foord

               Damien Freeleagus

               Wil Traval

               Zoe Tuckwell Smith

        Six friends in Australia continue in the tradition of breaking reality's ratio between hot friends and ugly friends, and take their genetic good luck to a place without technology, civility, or police.  A scandelous dip in a swimming pool sets up the sickness that infects pink pajamas and turns her into a blood thirsty predator.  As the infection continues, and the body count rises, it becomes kill or be killed; and no darwinian cup size can save them this time.

NOTES:  Another film from IFC Midnight's Fantastic Fest.  The story certainly isn't original, in virtually every aspect from setting   (Wolf Creek), to dialogue (hot horny couple, distant-been together too long couple, single and why couple), to the scare (The Ruins).  From the trailer, I'd stil like to check out the 'changing scene' and the FX involved with the teeth, mouth, and eyes.

Bloody-Disgusting: 1/10

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

              

HIGH LANE (VERTIGE) - Abel Ferry

   Status:  TWC On Demand

   Starring:  Fanny Valette

                 Johan Libereau

                 Raphael Lenglet

                 Nicolas Giraud

                 Maud Wyler

                 Justin Blanckaert

          

           A group of French girl scout and boy scout    graduates decide to be get back to nature; and  leave the dangers of the modern techy age to go  rock climbing in the middle of God's green earth.  Un, they are hunted by a savvy  wilderness type who prefers blood red,  to conservation green.  The group must throw aside their tree hugging tendancies and urge to run away to fight the hunter if they decide they want to live.

Notes:  Part of the newly convened IFC Midnight's Fanastic Fest, the film conjures memories of The Descent and Wrong Turn.  However that may not be a bad thing, considering I love both films.  My real reservation: it's French, and as much as I appreciate the dubbing to lessen language distractions like subtitles, I remain strong in my dislike of the French.  Maybe, much like INSIDE, this movie will make even me, smile instead of spit at the French.

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

        

HEARTLESS - Philip Ridley

Status: TWC On Demand


Starring: Jim Sturgess
             Clemence Posey
             Noel Clarke

        A photographer with a large birthmark that isolates him, starts seeing hallucinations that leave him desperate fearful.  He makes a deal with the devil of sorts to free himself from his skin deformatory, and finds the bitter truth nothing is for free has the taste of blood.

 

Notes:

Bloody-Disgusting: 8/10

Trailer from Bloody-Disgusting

DOGHOUSE - Jake West (UK)

 

Status:  TWC On Demand,
            DVD: Oct. 12, 2010




 Starring:  Danny Dyer
               Noel Clark
               Lee Ingleby
               Stephen Graham

    




     Ah, the English.  What they lack in oral hygiene, they make up for in moxy.  Nine basterdly guys decide to take a vacation from their busy shagging and bad behavior to live it up in the middle of nowhere.  But they didn't count on the horde of zombie ho's that won't just swallow; they'll chew first.

Notes:  From IFC MIDNIGHT

Trailer from BLOODY-DISGUSTING