The fine folk at Arrow Video continue to burgeon genre fans with some of the most mouth watering releases of late and this certainly continues to be the case with their must have Blu-ray special edition release of Dario Argento's seminal gothic classic INFERNO which Stu Willis checks out in his review and we team up with Arrow to give away Blu-ray and DVD editions in our competition. Back on the indie horror front Stu takes a peek at the new Britsploitation gangster vampire flick DEAD CERT and low budget serial killer shocker BERDELLA. Paul Bird meantime has been stocking up on popcorn for some theatrical shocks by way of Adam Green's truly chilling FROZEN, Kim Chapiron's brutal Scum-esque shocker DOG POUND and the controversial body horror opus THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE.
We like to spoil you here at SGM but not with flowers and chocolates but with death and lots of it so to keep the body count up we have four death related competitions for your morbidly fixated pleasure. First up, online death is the name of the game as we give away three DVD copies of Yohei Fukuda's DEATH TUBE, then it's time for some deathly live action anime fun as we bring you three special edition Blu-ray sets of 4Digital Asia's DEATH NOTE 1 & 2. Not enough for your sick souls? Then how about some deathly chills Britsploitation style as we give away three copies of THE LAST SEVEN and finally we visit the morgue to give you the chance to win one of three copies of Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo's unsettling shocker AFTER.LIFE.
The UK's finest horror festival Dead by Dawn returns to Filmhouse Cinema in Edinburgh for a one-day Un-Halllowe'en Special on Saturday October 9th to keep muties going till the return of the main event next year. The blood soaked marathon of fearful feature premieres and short film shocks will kick off at noon and run right through to the wee hours of the following morning (and as ever the bar will be open till 3am) with the programme closely under wraps for now (though get ready for some shocking surprises on the day).
All-inclusive Passes priced £30 are now available from the Filmhouse website or by calling the box office on 0131 228 2688 (individual tickets will be on sale from October 1st). For more details keep an eye on the official site here.
The gangster film gets a new lease of life as Metrodome unleash DOWN TERRACE and top geezer Stu Willis cracks open a bottle of J&B to check it out before double padlocking the door as he visits CHERRY TREE LANE. It's a triple bill of Momentum terror next as Stu finds there's a tiger on the loose in BURNING BRIGHT whilst Keri O'Shea gets the chills as she's faced with THE TORMENT before pondering the merits of becoming a MANSON GIRL.
The lovely gore hounds at Unearthed Films get their drill ready for some splatter fun as Stu Willis settles down for a splatter lobotomy with BRAINJACKED then it's time for meaty exploitation anthology fun with FACES OF SCHLOCK. The exploitation fun keeps on rolling for Stu as he takes an adult interlude with Impulse Pictures super smutty PORNO, then it's back to the horror fun with some ghoulish Czech shocks in DARKNESS (TMA) and the astonishingly trashy ARMY OF THE DEAD.
Here at SGM we've long sang the praises of the very talented cult filmmaker Darren Ward, writer/director of the David Warbeck sleeper classic SUDDEN FURY, short shocker NIGHTMARES and more recently the intense uber gory gangster gem A DAY OF VIOLENCE which has just received a very welcome uncut DVD release in the UK so to celebrate the occasion we have teamed up with 101 Films to give away copies of the film on DVD to three lucky readers in our SGM competition.
Fans of Britsploitation and the Indie horror scene will be thrilled to see that a new bi-monthly magazine for all things shocking has just launched in the UK, SHOCK HORROR magazine is out now and includes blood soaked interviews (John Gulager, SGM fave Jason Impey on his new film The Turning, Scream Queen Scarlet Salem) and gruesomely good features (Vincent Price Horror Icon, Tattoos, Monster FX, Collectables) all for the ghoulishly nice price of £3 - to order your copy of the fright filled first edition check out the official site here.
The team travel around the world for global sneak peaks at some of the incoming DVD releases including the sadistically entertaining DEFILED from the US of A, then it's over to Australia for a four wheeled frightfest with ROAD TRAIN before Stu wraps his monstrous fun with THE BLACKOUT. Keri meantime is off to Thailand for some gory old fun with the MEAT GRINDER then it's back to school as she seeks bloody revenge with THE FINAL.
The fine folk at Synapse are back with some deliriously entertaining adult documentary entertainment so we strap Stu Willis in for some GRAPHIC SEXUAL HORROR then keep him lubed for some Cult Epics fun with VINTAGE LESBIAN EROTICA before he overdoses on some retro hippy fun by way of Wild Eye Releasing's GOLD. Keri O'Shea heads off into the desert to revisit Adam Mason's BLOOD RIVER before seeking some late night chills with MIYUKI.
We love gore here at SGM, especially when it comes courtesy of the legendary horror fanatic filmmaker Tim Sullivan so to celebrate the splattertastic uncut DVD and Blu-ray release of his movie 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS our very own Paul Bird kicked back with filmmaker (and longstanding respected horror fan) Tim Sullivan to discuss the film and his love for the genre in our SGM Interview.
There's a vary diverse selection of cracking new releases hitting the shelves just now as Stu Willis notes as he checks out Third Window's cool punk epic FISH STORY, the manga madness of KAIJI THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER and the stylish Spanish chiller HIERRO. Stu even manages to sneak in an early peek at the incoming uncut UK release of Daniel Grou's much anticipated shocker 7 DAYS (aka 'Les 7 jours du talion') while Keri O' Shea heads on to the circus for a date with JINGLES THE CLOWN.
The DVD and Blu-ray release schedule keeps the genre goodness coming and it's not just torture porn on the menu as Stu checks out Anchor Bay's new blu-ray release of the sleeper classic BUBBA HO-TEP, the sci-fi cult hit CARGO, post apocalyptic fantasy CAR CEMETERY and underground zombie treat OTTO. But lest we let Stu miss his regular diet of torture and porn (sorry Stu) as he's treated to John Orrichio's ABDUCTION before getting parched checking out Jeffery Lando's THIRST and falling into an exhausted heap after succumbing to the DEEP THROAT SEX COMEDY COLLECTION.
Following a successful screening at the Abertoir Film Festival last year, old school Britsploitation shocker RESURRECTING THE STREET WALKER has made its way onto DVD from the lovely folk at Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment so Paul Bird kicked back to review the new DVD while Keri O'Shea caught up with filmmaker Ozgur Uyanik to discuss the film and his career in our SGM interview
Time for Paul Bird to head to the concession stand and stock up on popcorn as he settles down in the cinema to watch Adrien Brody submerge himself in genetic shocks in the Optimum release of SPLICE (coming to UK cinemas on July 23rd) then it's time to up the brutality as he spills some Kia-Ora checking out THE COLLECTOR. And if that wasn't enough eye candy for poor Paul his tests his film fun endurance with the marathon manga slog that is 20TH CENTURY BOYS TRILOGY - THE COMPLETE SAGA - movie mayhem
The team at SGM get their teeth into a selection of releases from Big Bite Entertainment as Keri O'Shea kicks back with cannibal shock mockumentary LONG PIGS and Stu Willis indulges in some anthology horror fun with THE HORROR VAULT 3 before taking a visit to the OFFICE OF THE DEAD. Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment meantime are entertaining Stu with an invite to the Australian shocker THE DINNER PARTY, pass the salt please!
Time for the team here at SGM to take some early looks at some of the cool and diverse DVD and Blu-ray releases heading your way kicking off with Stu Willis as he checks out the very wild SAMURAI ZOMBIE and the crazy Johnnie To revenge thriller VENGEANCE ahead of getting some HD retro fun with Johnny Legend's Blu-ray release of the vintage gem THE SADIST before stripping down to join the BIKINI GIRLS ON ICE. Keri O'Shea is also on hand as she gets her fangs into Stax Entertainment's release of VAMPIRE.
Keri O'Shea is back and this time out she's casting her thoughts over one of the surprise hits of last years Edinburgh International Film Festival Stuart Hazeldine's shocker EXAM before getting nostalgic with the old school horror fanboy documentary FAN OF THE DEAD. Paul Bird meantime tests his twitching skills (and his sanity) as he settles down for some killer bird watching with Severin Films epic opus cheesefest BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR - prepare to be terrified!
It's proving a great year for fans of the late great horror maestro Lucio Fulci as Stu can attest as he checks out Optimum's beautifully remastered uncut DVD of A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN before dumbing down with a five movie smut fest by way of After Hours' GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS OF THE 1970S COLLECTION. Keri O'Shea meantime takes an altogether more chilling track as she peers out from behind the couch with MAREBITO whilst we go on a killer DVD freebie spree giving away five copies of SERIAL KILLERS: THE REAL LIFE HANNIBAL LECTERS in yet another blood splattered SGM competition.
We kick off with some comic book horror fun as Stu Willis checks out Brian Pulido's THE GRAVES and to celebrate the release we have teamed up with Anchor Bay to give away copies on DVD in our blood curdling competition. Stu also rejoices as the indie horror gods at Shameless unleash their remastered special edition of trash classic SATAN'S BABY DOLL but can Stu stay on top as he cosies up with the VAMP VIXENS. Keri O'Shea meantime has polished up her sword as she prepares to take on the SAMURAI PRINCESS - get ready for the blood to flow!
Fulci fans, rise to your feet and applaud the lovely folk at Arrow Video as they get set to unleash their blood splattered special edition of CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD on Blu-ray and DVD and the Arrow Video fun keeps coming (quite literally too) as Stu dons his smoking jacket for some classic film entertainment with CALIGULA then it's time for some low budget indie fear with S.N.U.B! and Keri O'Shea wraps the frightful proceedings with a look at the hot new anthology horror shocker PHOBIA - check 'em out!
Following its successful screening at the recent FAB Fest, Optimum Home Entertainment are unleashing gallic shocker HIGH LANE on DVD so Stu Willis dons his climbing gear to check it out before having some finger licking flesh eating fun with RAZOR'S RING. Rebekah Smith meantime stops by to ponder the extremes of genre filmmaking as she takes a look at low budget indie chiller THE FALLOW FIELD and the bloated cash soaked multiplex cash cow NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2010.
It's time to check out some of the latest incoming genre DVD releases as Stu Willis discovers the gallic delights of David Morlet's zombie gem MUTANTS before being chilled to the bone by Belgian shocker LEFT BANK. Then it's time for some monstrous mutant madness from Metrodome as Stu tackles LOCKJAW whilst Keri O'Shea gets to grips with the BEAR - seconds out, fight!!
Following his recent interview with Britsploitation filmmaker Adam Mason, Stu Willis is back with his thoughts on Adam's latest slice of cinematic brutality PIG then it's time to check out the DVD release of the absurdly exploitative shock sequel THE DESCENT PART 2. And talking of cheap trash cash ins Stu keeps it coming with the amusingly monikered I AM VIRGIN before Keri O'Shea brings us back to sanity with a look at Optimum's latest late night chiller DOROTHY.
Britsploitation filmmaker Adam Mason has experienced many highs and lows in his career to date, from the early days of no budget horror fun with THE 13TH SIGN to more recent fan favourites such BROKEN, so our very own indie film guru Stu Willis caught up with Adam to discuss not only his work on recent festival hit BLOOD RIVER but his career in general in our exclusive Spotlight interview.
Time for some more Indie film fun here at SGM as Stu Willis kicks off proceedings by heading over to France to try out the SPECIALITE DU CHEF by the fine folk at Oh My Gore! Then it's time for Stu to pay the rent by visiting Emil Hyde's THE LANDLORD before walking right into an ATTACK OF THE VEGAN ZOMBIES. Keri O'Shea meantime has her own monsters to face as she faces the BANSHEE!!! Whilst Rebekah Smith takes UMBRAGE with the vampire world!
After some slight delays Arrow Video are set to unleash their remastered DVD release of Dario Argento and George Romero's TWO EVIL EYES so Stu Willis revisits this undervalued horror treat whilst Paul Bird ponders what was going on in the mind of Argento as he shuffles the deck checking out THE CARD PLAYER. Keri O'Shea is also on hand to chip in her thoughts on the remake trend as she ponders Michael Haneke's reshoot of FUNNY GAMES U.S.A. Rounding business up we take a look at what's new on the genre front as Stu powers up the GHOST MACHINE and Paul takes a shot at BANGKOK ADRENALINE - get the popcorn ready!
Stu Willis has been perusing some of the tantalising incoming DVD shockers and kicks off the horror fun with Adam (Hatchet) Green's SPIRAL due out from Universal Pictures UK in May whilst on the terror radar for April we can savour Stu's thoughts on retro slasher BACKWOODS BLOODBATH, the subway shocks of STAG NIGHT before he lays his hands on the healing powers of GODSPEED. Keri O'Shea meantime has donned a pair of 3D glasses to see what all the three dimensional fuss is about with ORLOK THE VAMPIRE 3D!
There's gore and laughs aplenty for Stu Willis as he takes a trip to ZOMBIELAND and the splatter keeps coming as he fills up on FEAST 3: THE HAPPY FINISH but the cheese doesn't taste so good when Stu takes SUPERVAN for a spin. After all that trauma Stu needs some relief so thanks to the fine folk at Arrow Video he revisits Dario Argento's TERROR AT THE OPERA whilst Keri O'Shea ponders the merits of THE STENDHAL SYNDROME before digesting some HARD CANDY and fest promoter Rebekah Smith is on hand with some more Britsploitation fun by way of Pat Higgin's KILLER KILLER.
SGM's very own man about town Paul Bird has been out and about once again to peruse out the latest genre goodies as he checks out Anchor Bay UK's incoming release of SGM favourite Tim Sullivan's latest splatter treat 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS and J Blakeson's indie Brit shocker THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED before settling in for a night at the theatre with Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's thrilling shocker GHOST STORIES - prepare to be terrified!
British independent genre filmmakers often find that it's not so easy to bring their visions of terror to the screen in the UK with continuous barriers in funding and wide disinterest from the 'industry' in offering support to non mainstream film, but rather than give up the ghost a growing band of Britsploitation filmmakers take up the challenge to continue to deliver many cinematic treats as Stu Willis (SGM's champion of all things indie) found as he caught up with some of the finest Brit filmmakers for a SGM Spotlight Update Special including Jason 'Tortured' Impey, Alex 'Naked Trip' Bakshaev, Shane 'Terror Nation' Mather, Adam 'Broken' Mason, David 'Dead Wood' Bryant, Pat 'Hellbride' Higgins and Darren 'Sudden Fury' Ward.
And on the subject of the very talented Darren Ward, SGM readers should make plans to head out to the mouth watering FAB Press Festival (on Friday the 30th of April at the Filmhouse Cinema in Edinburgh) to catch Darren along with actors Nick Rendell and Euro-shock legend Giovanni Lombardo Radice as they present a very special screening of Darren's uber violent epic A DAY OF VIOLENCE. Full details of all films screening at the FAB Fest weekend (with trailers) can be found here.
Time for more retro thrills as Stu Willis settles down with Robert Stack and VCI Entertainment's ACTION MAN COLLECTION and it's with splats all the way for Stu as he gets ready for some PAINTBALL action before we revisit some recent review treats as Stu hooks up with the HELLBRIDE and Keri O'Shea spends an evening in the company of THE FRIGHTENED WOMAN.
It's time for advance early looks at some of the hot incoming DVD releases as Paul Bird checks out Revolver Entertainment's Brit shocker SALVAGE whilst Stu Willis gets the chills with Anchor Bay's PARANORMAL ENTITY and Lions Gate's UK release of CLIVE BARKER'S DREAD. We've also more indie film fun as Stu gets bird brained watching the delightfully absurd ZOMBEAK! then checks out the new wave of underground slasher shocks in RED VELVET before stripping down to get NUDE IN DRACULA'S CASTLE.
We haven't had a good killer pig movie in quite some time, so Stu Willis was thrilled to see South Korean filmmaker Jung-won Shin revisit an often ignored shocker scenario for his film CHAW and to celebrate the UK release of the movie Stu kicked backed with Jung-won Shin to discuss his work in our exclusive Spotlight interview.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Arrow Video keep the modern horror classics coming with a remastered Blu-Ray release of George A Romero's undead epic DAY OF THE DEAD and Stu Willis was more than happy to answer the cry of 'braaiiinnnsss' to bring you an early sneak peek review. And the old school horror fun keeps coming as Stu brings you another early review, this time it's Metrodome's retro styled chiller THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL. Momentum Pictures meantime get Stu wary about foreign travel as he takes a trip to BORDERLAND before wrapping his genre viewing fun with a look at the latest cult cinema treat from the ever-excellent Onar Films with ALTIN COCUK.
Indie film is always popular round these parts so Team SGM were happy to wave the indie flag once again as Stu Willis grips his rosary beads in contemplation of Camp Motion Pictures cult comedy NUN OF THAT before seeking PENANCE from Jake Kennedy's indie shocker. Keri O'Shea meantime takes time out to check out Tony (Cold Storage) Elwood debut feature KILLER whilst Abertoir Festival's Rebekah Smith ponders the value of wedded bliss as she watches Pat Higgins HELL BRIDE.
Zombie fans will be looking forward to the DVD and Blu-ray release of George A Romero's latest living dead opus SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD so Al Sex Gore jumped at the chance to bring you an advance sneak peek review of Optimum's incoming disc. Paul Bird meantime has stocked up on popcorn as he settles down at the press screening for Universal's latest interpretation of THE WOLFMAN. Stu Willis though has been on a journey of global genre goodness as he develops a THIRST with Palisades Tartan before wrapping business with a veritable feast of classic eye candy with Eureka Entertainment's COMPLETE FRITZ LANG MABUSE BOXSET.
Optimum Home Entertainment are proving to be real stars in the genre community as they continue to delve deeply into their catalogue of niche genre titles, merrily filling the gaps of many fans collections with a diverse line up of obscure film fun as our very own Stu Willis can attest as he spends an evening in the company of some of Optimums latest treats including Peter Collinson's 1971 shocker FRIGHT; and if that hasn't put the fear into him then he'll soon be screaming when he watches Philippe Mora's THE HOWLING 2 and the retro frights keep coming as Stu gets his sunglasses on to watch NIGHT OF THE COMET and after all that cheese he'll no doubt welcome the opportunity to visit the MAD MONSTER PARTY. After all that Optimum fun we reckon Stu needs a wee break so we've packed him off for a LONG WEEKEND courtesy of the folk at Showbox
Paul Bird kicks off the global insanity with a trip to Japan for a look at Nobuhiko Obayashi's HOUSE (Hausu) from Eureka Entertainment then he's off to South Korea with Terracotta Distribution to get BREATHLESS. Back over in Japan Keri O'Shea has popped round to the local library to check out Shinbaku Books literary exploitation love letter MOJU: THE BLIND BEAST while nearer to home in Wales, Abertoir Festival Coordinator Rebekah Smith has been pondering the values of some of the recent multiplex shockers including Karyn Kusama's cheerleading chiller JENNIFER'S BODY and Kevin Greutert's franchise frightfest SAW VI.
Poor Stu Willis is a hero round these parts, particularly so when the team at SGM tie him to a chair Clockwork Orange stylee with his hands firmly behind his back and spool hours of the finest vintage After Hours Cinema smut in a test of adult endurance…so kick back and see how Stu survives the pace as he's kicks off business with the GRINDHOUSE VIRGIN PART 2 TRIPLE FEATURE then it's time for him to start squirming with 42ND STREET PETE'S SLEAZY GRINDHOUSE PICTURE SHOW before inevitably spontaneously combusting whilst viewing CARTER STEVENS' COLLEGIATES COLLECTION - splashtastic!
After a lengthy stressful production history, Brit filmmaker Jim Groom's cult thriller ROOM 36 makes a very welcome debut on DVD from Ivory Tower Entertainment so to celebrate this triumph over adversity for independent film Stu Willis checks in with a review and we've teamed up with Ivory Tower to give three lucky readers the chance to win a copy of the film on DVD signed by writer/director Jim Groom in our exclusive competition here.
Some of the most talked about films of 2009 will shortly be making their UK DVD debut so Stu Willis takes some time out to see what all the fuss is about as he checks out Revolver Entertainment's incoming DVD release of the chilling shocker TONY before taking a truly terrifying trip to PONTYPOOL ahead of getting his snow boots on in preparation for a WHITEOUT then kick back in high definition as Stu goes back to ballet school as Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA debuts on UK Blu-ray from the fine folk at Nouveaux Pictures.
Horror fans have been waiting some time with much anticipation to see what the Spierig Brothers (of Undead fame) could do with the vampire genre, well the wait is over as Paul Bird heads to the cinema for the press screening of their latest opus DAYBREAKERS. Stu Willis meantime is celebrating the recent theatrical screenings of the Thorold Dickinson's classic THE QUEEN OF SPADES by checking out the new UK DVD release whilst taking time out to see what's happening in the new filmmaker scene with Alex Bakshaev's latest short BITTERSWEET.
Horror fans should get ready to self implode with joy (just like our very own Stu Willis did) as Bloody Earth Films prepare to unleash the triple disc bliss that is Stephen Romano's SHOCK FESTIVAL but before you change your pants you will want to join Stu as he settles down for a SLUTTY STEWARDESSES GRINDHOUSE DOUBLE FEATURE then kick back with some mind bending substances to admire THE LOVE STATUE before getting seriously cheesy with the ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE.
Whilst it's always good to see new horror films gaining mainstream profile Stu Willis digs under the skin of some of the latest releases as he checks out the new Fox release of WRONG TURN 3: LEFT FOR DEAD before visiting the lovely young ladies at SORORITY ROW while our very own horror femme fatale Keri O'Shea draws the curtains to spend the evening with Optimum's ORPHAN under the dim light of the HUMAN LANTERNS.
Following the success of their DAWN OF THE DEAD Blu-Ray release Arrow Video will be following it up on the 29th of March with a very welcome DAY OF THE DEAD Blu-Ray disc for the UK. Before then though Romero fans can look forward to a lovely DVD release of the Romero/Argento anthology collaboration TWO EVIL EYES on the 15th of February whilst Argento fans can look forward to Arrow Video re-releases of THE STENDHAL SYNDROME, TERROR AT THE OPERA and THE CARD PLAYER - all on the 22nd of March (under their popular Italian Masters of Horror label which will also see some Fulci fun looming kicking off with his classic CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD). Sister label Shameless though will not be lacking on the genre release front with plans for DVD releases of both LOVE GODDESS OF THE CANNIBALS (22nd February) and SATANS BABY DOLL (29th March) scheduled - happy days for UK horror fans!
Well it's that time of year again, when folk reflect on the year that's been, both the good and the bad, and ponder the year ahead and we're no different here at SGM as our very own Al Sex Gore settles back to review his movie highlights of 2009 and consider who may be the future genre rising stars of tomorrow in a special New Year spotlight review here- check it out and feel free to input your own thoughts at our forum.
The New Year means it's time to celebrate so that also means it's time for Stu Willis to crack open a nice bottle of Viper and kick back with the fully uncut UK DVD debut of the splatter classic STREET TRASH from the fine folk at Arrow Video who also keep the gore flying with the Herschell Gordon Lewis sequel BLOOD FEAST 2: ALL U CAN EAT. Talking of gory feasts, Optimum Home Entertainment also get in on the action with their own bloody sequels by way of FEAST 2: SLOPPY SECONDS whilst High Fliers bring the chills into the new year with a trip to COFFIN ROCK.
All at SGM were deeply saddened to hear that on Friday, the 18th of December legendary horror scribe Chas Balun (author of the influential Gore Score and Horror Holocaust books and publisher of the excellent unsurpassed Deep Red magazine) passed away after a long battle with cancer. SGM webmaster Al Sex Gore stated "Chas was not only a massive influence for horror fans over the years but was also a deep inspiration for Sex Gore Mutants and many other genre websites and publications. His influence and legacy will be felt for many years to come. A great man who will be sorely missed". Chas Balun - we salute you.
It's the festive season so Stu Willis is full of good cheer and feeling quite frisky as he reminisces about SKIN IN THE 70S whilst visiting the After Hours Cinema to check out some SLEAZY STAGS, AMERICAN STYLE and the somewhat dubiously monikered HITLER'S HARLOT COLLECTION before checking himself into THE GAY BED AND BREAKFAST OF TERROR for an early sneak peak at French thriller HIGHLY STRUNG.
Horror sequels have long been notoriously questionable for genre fans so when it was announced that a follow up to Neil Marshall's nerve jangling gem The Descent was in production the news was met with a universal sharp intake of breath from the horror community. Well The Descent Part 2 opens in cinemas across the UK today so our very own Paul Bird donned his wetsuit and spelunked himself into the press screening to bring you his thoughts in his review here.
The festive season is not the most popular holiday here at SGM Towers, a sickly overly commercialised exercise in retail misery thinly packaged as a religious celebration…but there is a small bright light shining amongst the crass commercialism in the form of Arrow Video's very welcome uncut DVD release of the infamous festive nasty SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT which is out now on DVD. And to celebrate the arrival of Santa Claws we have teamed up with the lovely horror loving folk at Arrow Video to give three lucky readers the chance to win some bloody festive fun in our competition.
Proving that Sweden's horror output has more to offer than cult classic Blood Tracks, the fine folk at DarkDisc/ Sick Films are about to launch a very welcome collection of films by Swedish horror auteur Daniel Lehmussaari so Stu Willis was more than pleased to check out the incoming debut release HOUSE OF ORPHANS. The chills keep coming though as Stu peeks out from behind the covers to peruse Nucleus Films very special edition release of the chilling GHOST STORY. But after all the fear fun it's time for some trash so Stu gets the popcorn out to kick back with BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE before settling down for the night (with his hands above the covers of course) when he visits the HONEYMOON SUITE GRINDHOUSE TRIPLE FEATURE.
There's been a very welcome rise in the number of British horror events of late so SGM welcomes onboard Keri O'Shea as she gives her thoughts on her trip to Whitby for the Bram Stoker International Film Festival 2009 before heading over to Wales to check out some new movies at the Abertoir Horror Festival including Ozgur Uyanik's sleeper horror smash RESURRECTING THE STREET WALKER and the latest gory opus from the legendary Herschell Gordon Lewis THE UH-OH SHOW. And talking of Abertoir, we also welcome festival programmer Rebekah Smith as she shares with us her reflections of the debut Celluloid Screams festival in Sheffield while wrapping the horror fun we welcome back Pooch as he opens his heart (and lets rip) after viewing BLACK DEVIL DOLL - check it out!
F.A.B. Press are without doubt the leaders in prestige film book publishing with some of the greatest genre books ever to go into print so it was with immense drooling pleasure that Stu Willis diverted his eyes from the TV screen long enough to kick back and savour in the vintage video nasties revisited spectacular THE ART OF THE NASTY by respected genre stalwarts Nigel (Salvation) Wingrove and Marc (Nucleus) Morris before wallowing in the deliriously deviant pleasures that is CINEMA SEWER VOLUME 2 masterfully edited by Canada's No 1 pervert maximus Robin Bougie - get those reading glasses on and enjoy
Following the success of Michael J Murphy's schlock horror gem INVITATION TO HELL on DVD, Sarcophilous Films have answered horror fans requests by following it up with the very welcome DVD debut of the outlandishly entertaining SKARE so to celebrate the occasion our very own low budget terror connoisseur Stu Willis has tracked down filmmaker Michael J Murphy to discuss the films, his career and more in our exclusive SGM interview.
We're worried that poor Stu Willis might end up with Brain Damage after he visits the HELL HOUSE only to accidentally AWAKEN THE DEAD and get a TASTE OF FLESH when he is inflicted by the CURSE OF THE WOLF and faces the FIST OF THE VAMPIRE. But worry not as we know that redemption awaits him at the BACHELOR PARTY IN THE BUNGALOW OF THE DAMNED - enjoy!
Producing movies in Britain is hard enough these days, producing exploitation films even more so. That though doesn't deter passionate filmmakers such as Shane Mather - the no budget exploitation guru and brains behind such underground splatter treats such as EXCREAMER and FANTACIDE. Well Shane is back with another slice of late night brutality with the shocking TERROR NATION so our very own Stu Willis caught up with Shane to discuss the films production in our exclusive SGM interview.
Stu Willis draws the curtains close once again as he settles down for an evening of Secret Key fun with some seriously saucy NAUGHTY NYMPHS, the very amorous INSATIABLE HOUSEWIFE GRINDHOUSE COLLECTION and a SEXPLOITATION DOUBLE FEATURE: FEMALE ANIMAL/TEENAGE MOTHER. And after that orgy of visual filthy fun you would think poor Stu might go mad but not enough to go SCREWBALLS thanks to the fine folk at Severin Films.
Although not scheduled for a UK DVD release until next year (March 2010), UK genre fans will be pleased to see THE HORSEMAN - a welcome return to form for the classic revenge road movie genre - get a theatrical release in UK cinemas from October the 30th thanks to the fine folk at Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment and to note the occasion SGM's Stu Willis kicks back with writer/director Steve Kastrissios to discuss the film and his career in general in our exclusive SGM interview.
Who would have thought that one day we would see remakes of extreme video nasties make their way onto the mainstream multiplex cinema screen, well Stu Willis was ready to brace himself to see if the road leads to nowhere in Universal Pictures release of THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. Long time readers will be familiar with Brit genre stalwart Jake West's work so we were intrigued to check out the DVD release of his zombird geezer blood fest DOGHOUSE from Sony and while we're on the subject of all things undead Stu throws himself into a feast of flesh eating fun with a triple bill of very differing zombie delights by way of Momentum Pictures ZOMBIE TRANSFUSION, the low budget cult sleeper WASTING AWAY and an early sneak peek at EVILUTION.
It's been some time since SGM spoke to filmmaker Dave (The Dead Hate The Living) Parker so with the much anticipated DVD release of his acclaimed new genre-bending movie THE HILLS RUN RED it was high time we caught up with him again so SGM's Paul Bird sat him down after a crowd pleasing festival screening to discuss his latest terror treat in our exclusive interview.
With preview screenings of Michael Dougherty's directorial debut TRICK R TREAT gathering unanimous praise from horror fans that had attended preview screenings, SGM was keen to find out what all the fuss was about. So armed with pumpkins and candy, SGM's Paul Bird tracked him down to an swish London hotel on the eve of the films DVD release for this exclusive interview.
Mainstream US production companies have long had the inability to appreciate that film fans can happily enjoy foreign subtitled movies, preferring to invest large sums of money in script tampering and remaking perfectly good genre movies, so Stu Willis was perhaps understandably apprehensive when it came time to check out Paramount's release of THE UNINVITED. In need of some good old monster movie fun Stu cracked open some Gatorade and kicked back with Icon Home Entertainment's ROGUE before saddling up with Dennis Quaid to join the HORSEMEN. Wrapping up Stu's horror ponderings he discovers that the Tasmanian Tiger isn't the only endangered species in DYING BREED before seeing what Anthony Hickox has been up to since he was Hellraising at the Waxwork back in the 1990's with his latest shocker KNIFE EDGE.
Sex and Gore are clearly two of our favourite things here at SGM so Stu Willis was positively gleeful when the wild Spanish shocker SEXY KILLER arrived from Momentum Pictures but would the giddy fun continue when he got masterful with Spirit Entertainment's SLAVE. It's almost Halloween (our favourite time of year) but will it be a happy one for Stu as he catches up with MR HALLOWEEN and books an appointment with DR CHOPPER while the legend that is Pooch returns to sing the praises of Nazi zombies in E1 Entertainment's DVD release of DEAD SNOW.
Stateside readers will already be aware of the work of indie DVD label BRAIN DAMAGE, but now UK horror fans can see what all the fuss is about as they launch in the UK with not one, not two but six slices of gory DVD fun for your delectation and our very own Stu Willis checks out all the launch titles...so kick back as Stu gets grimy with a Brain Damage marathon of the chilling DEATH OF A GHOST HUNTER, the spooky SILENT BLOODNIGHT, scientifically scary SERUM, the furrily frightening PREY FOR THE BEAST, the Krustily creepy SECRETS OF THE CLOWN and downright questionable TORTURE ME NO MORE.
It's been a while since we've visited the horror library to indulge our literary needs so everyone's favourite bookworm mutie Stu Willis got his book club membership renewed at his local Vault of Horror Library and kicks off his late night reading with a double dose of delights from Noir Publishing with Steve Earles weighty tribute to the work of Guillermo (Hellboy) Del Toro in THE GOLDEN LABYRINTH: THE UNIQUE FILMS OF GUILLERMO DEL TORO before invoking the dead to rise from the grave once again with the updated edition of Andy Black and Steve Earles zombie gem THE DEAD WALK - get your reading glasses ready guys and ghouls!
Long time readers will know that our very own Stu Willis has long been a big supporter of independent genre film so when the opportunity appeared to check out Julian Richards latest movie SUMMER SCARS Stu was right on the case. Keen eyed readers will also be aware that we've been following the career of rising Spanish filmmaker extraordinaire Julián Lara for some time now so we were pleased when a screener for his latest zombie epic KILLING TWICE: A DEADHUNTER CHRONICLE arrived at SGM Towers and while we're off globetrotting Stu checks out the latest terror from Thailand by way of 13 GAME OF DEATH from the folk at Revolver Entertainment.
Always more than happy to do his bit to put the 'sex' in Sex Gore Mutants, Stu Willis slips on his smoking jacket to peruse the latest delights in (ahem) art house adult entertainment…first we head over to Denmark to visit the legendary Ole Søltoft for a double dose of 70's fun with IN THE SIGN OF THE GEMINI and its astrological sequel IN THE SIGN OF THE LION then it's time for some fun for sports fans as Stu gets the pom poms out for the PRO BALL CHEERLEADERS GRINDHOUSE TRIPLE FEATURE before collapsing in a gratified heap with the GRINDHOUSE GIRLS OF THE 1970S COLLECTION.
Redemption Films have been keeping busy with an interesting release schedule, none so more evident as Paul Bird discovers when he kicks back with the downbeat and seriously chilling Nazi sleeper treat SPRING OF LIFE whilst Stu Willis takes a peek at their new UK release of Jean Rollin's recent spin on the nunsploitation genre DRACULA'S FIANCEE and having had his head filled with deviant dwarves and chain smoking nuns Stu's primed for some vintage sleaze by way of Joseph Sarno's ALL THE SINS OF SODOM and the deliriously titled THE HOSTESS ALSO LIKES TO BLOW THE HORN so needless to say to help bring poor Stu back to earth he treats himself to some delightful vintage classic video nasty fun by way of the inappropriately titled HORRIBLE (aka Absurd) - enjoy!
SGM's lead movie boffo Stu Willis embraces all genres of movies so was more than happy to take a sneak peek at the incoming UK DVD release of the outrageous martial arts mayhem fantasy DORORO and the absurdly funny Spinal Tap-esque GUNS ON THE CLACKAMAS by animation legend Bill Plympton. Back on the horror front Paul Bird gets the chills as he faces some suicidal horrors in FROM WITHIN and bizarre parental shocks with CRADLE WILL FALL whilst poor Broonage recuperates from a recent operation by indulging in THE UNGODLY and old school slasher KNOCK KNOCK,
Long time SGM readers will remember an explosive low budget exploitation movie starring the late great David Warbeck called SUDDEN FURY directed by the very talented Darren Ward, well he's back yet again with the next part in his ultra violent crime trilogy and this time he's teamed up with genre legend Giovanni Lombardo Radice to deliver A DAY OF VIOLENCE and our very own Stu Willis just about manages to stop himself going on a crime spree after watching this hot new gory treat and kicks back with filmmaker Darren to discuss the new film and his work in our exclusive Spotlight interview here .
It's been pretty quiet on the horror front of late for the team at the UK branch of Anchor Bay, that was until they took most of the horror community (and SGM regular Stu Willis) by surprise with the release of THE COFFIN JOE COLLECTION so check out Stu's extensive thoughts on this mouth watering release. But it's not just horror legend Jose Mojica Marins that's been getting the special edition treatment as Stu finds when he checks out Shock-O-Rama Cinema's remastered SLIME CITY GRINDHOUSE COLLECTION and Stu also takes time out to ponder Arrow Video's release of the Bava sleeper treat MACABRE and takes a very early advance look at Optimum's release of the IT'S ALIVE remake while Al Sex Gore himself puts his medical (and comedy) knowledge to the test with DIAGNOSIS DEATH.
Making his directorial debut with the truly chilling Brit shocker HUSH, filmmaker Mark Tonderai is clearly a talent to keep an eye on as our very own Stu Willis can attest as he checks out HUSH and kicks back with writer/director Mark Tonderai to discuss the film and his burgeoning schedule of productions ahead in our exclusive spotlight interview here.
Following the recent launch of Arrow Video's mouth-watering Masters of Giallo line, we find out whether Paul Bird will get restless revisiting Arrow's release of Dario Argento's SLEEPLESS while Stu Willis embraces the opportunity to have some vintage Fulci fun with a visit to (the uncut UK debut of) THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY. And whilst on the subject of classic horror, Stu welcomes the return of another golden gore great as Coffin Joe is unleashed once again in EMBODIMENT OF EVIL by Anchor Bay and there's some equally outrageous splatter fun for all with the release of PUNISHER: WAR ZONE.
Provocative art house stimulant or censor baiting filth? We're sure the spectrum of discussions around Lars von Trier's latest opus ANTICHRIST covers all bases so we sent roving scribe Pooch out to check out this controversial treat to give you all the low-down in his review. Stu Willis meantime takes a more gothic route with his filth by way of Wild Eye Releasing's absurdly naughty GOTH KILL and the controversy keeps coming as Stu takes a red hot look at American politics in SEX ON CAPITOL HILL: GRINDHOUSE DOUBLE FEATURE before felching to a finish with I, A WOMAN: THE SEQUELS from After Hours Cinema.
Jason is back, SGM's favourite machete welding corpse returns to the small screen with the DVD release of Part 12 of the long running franchise but with this reboot will horror fans rejoice? Stu Willis gives us the lowdown as he takes sneak peek at the new Killer Cut of FRIDAY THE 13TH. For some time now having suffered the butt and criticism of genre fans and critics alike but as Stu can happily attest perhaps its time folk reassess their opinions of Uwe Boll as he gets down and dirty with Metrodome's release of his latest opus STOIC. Then it's time to check out some overlooked vintage treats as Stu trips out retro style with VCI's release of GLEN AND RANDA and our French correspondent Broonage pops by to give us his thoughts on Redemption Films release of the Rollin sleeper TWO ORPHAN VAMPIRES before Stu wraps up the vintage fun with yet another unseen genre gem from Onar Films in the form of gothic gialloesque goodie KADIN DUSMANI - check 'em out!
New purveyors of vintage French filth 'Le Chat Qui Fum' are pleasing the non français among you with English frenidly DVD releases of some retro classics so we tasked the ever intrepid Stu to check their launch titles out so settle back as Stu loosens his trousers to indulge in a triple bill of Jean-Marie Pallardy fun with MY BODY BURNS (Dossier érotique d'un notaire), EROTIC DIARY OF A LUMBERJACK (Le journal érotique d'un bûcheron) and TRUCK STOP (L'amour chez les poids lourds). And if all that filth wasn't enough strain on poor Stu we done our best to push him over the edge with Shock-O-Rama Cinema's mouth watering uncut WOMEN IN PRISON TRIPLE FEATURE.
Undead master George Romero brought the dead back to life in Pittsburgh in the horror classic 'Night of the Living Dead', Clive Barker briefly shipped the corpses over to London in graphic novel form with 'Living Dead: London', now SGM Publishing have brought the living dead to Scotland's heartland in 'Living Dead: Glasgow'; the all-new zombie horror action strip mix of Trainspotting and Zombie Flesh Eaters in 'Living Dead: Glasgow' limited collectors edition magazine issue one!
Also included in this debut edition is a brand new 'Bad Dog' zombie strip by the very talented Gary Northfield (of Derek the Sheep' and The Beano fame) as well as an extensive chronological overview of the modern 'Zombie Movie Classics'; covering everything from 'Night of the Living Dead' to 'Shaun of the Dead' - a cracking article which should be please both old school horror fans and those new to the genre (with film synopsis and uncut availability on DVD!)
'Living Dead: Glasgow' collectors edition magazine is available direct from SGM by clicking here - show your support for SGM and all things zombie by ordering a copy now!
