Horrors still to be UNLEASHED
June 17th 2007 23:41
With the Sydney Film Festival into its second week I thought I’d post some horror news, some of the upcoming features either about to be released overseas, or still in production, or have just been announced. More than likely moist of these will be released down under straight to DVD, but you never know …
Director Douglas Buck has re-made the Brian De Palma 1973 horror Sisters, starring Chloe Sevigny and Stephen Rea. The psychotic and macabre story revolves around a pair of Siamese twins who are separated, with one forced to live a sheltered existence under the watchful eye of a controlling psychiatrist. The film went into post-production two years ago and recently screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, but no actual release date for the movie has been given yet.
Japanese cult director Takashi Miike’s One Missed Call has just opened in the UK for a limited cinema release. The film first opened in Japan in 2004 and spawned a series of sequels varying in quality, and even a TV series. The story of the movie is a twist on the now familiar Ring series, but rather than a cursed video tape the hapless victims receive their call to a gruesome death, via their mobile phones. Any opportunity to see a Miike flick on the big screen is an opportunity that cannot be passed by!
The Russian movies Night Watch and Day Watch are part of the Sydney Film Festival. However another Ruskie horror is making waves; the release date for Viy has been put back from November to March 2008. This means a cinema (outside Russia) release, or an English subbed DVD are even further away.
The synopsis sounds great: Cartographer Jonathan Green undertakes a scientific voyage from Europe to the East. Having passed through Transylvania and heavy fog he finds himself in a small village. The locals do not resemble any other people which the traveler has seen before. The villagers have dug a deep moat to fend off the evil of the outside world, yet have failed to understand that evil has made its nest in their souls. Even in his worst nightmares Green could not suppose that he was going to meet the devil’s most faithful servant.
Here is the trailer:
Nacho Cerda’s first feature length horror film The Abandoned, which has been released in the states, is most likely going to turn up on DVD down under, like most of the Horrorfest – 8 Films to Die For have done. An intensely atmospheric haunting tale of ghosts and doppelgangers, it will unlikely be as shocking as his short Aftermath, but will no doubt be as resonant.
Here is the trailer:
Produced by internationally successful Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro, and directed by J.A. Bayona is The Orphanage. The movie centers on Laura, who purchases her beloved childhood orphanage with dreams of restoring and reopening the long-abandoned facility as a place for disabled children. Once there, she discovers that the new environment awakens her son's imagination, but the ongoing fantasy games he plays with an invisible friend quickly turn into something more disturbing.
Featuring in this year’s Sydney film Festival is the Hungarian film Taxidermia. I am unable to make the single screening, but am keeping my fingers crossed for a theatrical release in Australia (as it opens in the UK next month). The movie is a 180-degree shift in tone and theme from his previous work Hukkle. David Lynch meets David Cronenberg meets; Taxidermia is full of freakish imagery and bizarre plot twists. It’s a disturbing look at the human condition, and not one for the squeamish.
Here is the foriegn language trailer:
New Zealander Sam Neill has joined Ethan Hawke on the cast of the upcoming vampire thriller Daybreakers. It will be helmed by the Aussie Spierig brothers, who directed the instant cult zombie flick Undead (2003). The story takes place in 2017 as a clandestine group of vampires discovers the key to saving the human race from a plague. It's a race against time to cure the disease, as it is rapidly killing off their only food supply. Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop are to handle the creation of the vamps. Daybreakers is set to begin filming in Australia in July.
And finally (although not horror, but still worth mentioning), Robert Rodriguez is to direct a remake of Barbarella for a 2008 release. The director is working with writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (the recent Bond movies) on the remake of the 1968 film which starred Jane Fonda as a futuristic mercenary. Rodriguez says, "I love this iconic character and all that she represents, and I'm truly excited by the challenge of inviting a new audience into her universe.” Producer De Laurentiis says, "In our vision, the future is female, and I can't wait to introduce Barbarella to a new generation of moviegoers.”
The big question is … who will play Barbarella?
The synopsis sounds great: Cartographer Jonathan Green undertakes a scientific voyage from Europe to the East. Having passed through Transylvania and heavy fog he finds himself in a small village. The locals do not resemble any other people which the traveler has seen before. The villagers have dug a deep moat to fend off the evil of the outside world, yet have failed to understand that evil has made its nest in their souls. Even in his worst nightmares Green could not suppose that he was going to meet the devil’s most faithful servant.
Here is the trailer:
Nacho Cerda’s first feature length horror film The Abandoned, which has been released in the states, is most likely going to turn up on DVD down under, like most of the Horrorfest – 8 Films to Die For have done. An intensely atmospheric haunting tale of ghosts and doppelgangers, it will unlikely be as shocking as his short Aftermath, but will no doubt be as resonant.
Here is the trailer:
Here is the foriegn language trailer:
New Zealander Sam Neill has joined Ethan Hawke on the cast of the upcoming vampire thriller Daybreakers. It will be helmed by the Aussie Spierig brothers, who directed the instant cult zombie flick Undead (2003). The story takes place in 2017 as a clandestine group of vampires discovers the key to saving the human race from a plague. It's a race against time to cure the disease, as it is rapidly killing off their only food supply. Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop are to handle the creation of the vamps. Daybreakers is set to begin filming in Australia in July.
And finally (although not horror, but still worth mentioning), Robert Rodriguez is to direct a remake of Barbarella for a 2008 release. The director is working with writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (the recent Bond movies) on the remake of the 1968 film which starred Jane Fonda as a futuristic mercenary. Rodriguez says, "I love this iconic character and all that she represents, and I'm truly excited by the challenge of inviting a new audience into her universe.” Producer De Laurentiis says, "In our vision, the future is female, and I can't wait to introduce Barbarella to a new generation of moviegoers.”
The big question is … who will play Barbarella?
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Viy-Those crazy Russian have done it again. MUST see it can not stop myself must see it.
Barbarella? Remake? Duran Duran?
The horror.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I know they've been talking about a Barbarella remake for years and years. Can't believe that they're actually going to be making it.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I think One Missed Call is already available on DVD in Oz, I have a promo somewhere for it I think.
I was just reading that Takeshi Miike is doing a Japanese western remake of Django that is going to have guest spot with Tarantino. Story HERE
Im holding my breath for Daywatch, loved Nightwatch.......Viy sounds promising too.
I must see Nacho Cerda's Abandoned, AfterMath is still with me.
Remaking Sisters without Margot is just plain rude.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
These all look great.
Barbarella? Oh, they'll probably cast f**king Angelina Jolie. She's riding the crest right now..
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Bryn, I get excited about horror when I get to this site... the russian film, the hungarian one... very excited about that.
not sure about the guy that made Aftermath... have you seen it?
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Yeah, Barbarella ... hmmmm. My short list would be:
1. Rose McGowan
2. Britney Murphy
3. Jessica Biel
4. Jessica Alba (but she needs to raise her acting game)
5. Eva Mendez (although possibly too Latin, but hey, if Rodriguez is directing, then he may go Latin anyhoo)
6. Rosario Dawson (again, too dark, but hey, Halle Berry looked great as Catwoman, even if the movie did suck big time!).
Or, they go with an unknown ... Jane Fonda wasn't really that known at all when she did the role.
Tis big boots to fill though ... Fonda owned that role. Every damn curve!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
No, I haven't seen Aftermath yet, but I'm "looking forward" to it ... lol ... apparently The Abandoned is nothing like it, more of a suspense ghost thriller-horror ...