Filthy Review - 'Fangoria #319'

Fangoria #319

Review by Jude Felton

Fangoria is the one magazine I subscribe to. I’ve been reading it since the 80s’ (issue 73 to be precise), but it’s only the last couple of years that I have eagerly awaited its arrival in my mailbox. So, I get a little antsy when I see the latest issue in the stores before my copy arrives, although I can live with this knowing that the magazine’s head offices were getting battered by Hurricane Sandy during the creation of #319. Hey, I’m just eager to get stuck into the bloody thing!

Filthy Music Review - 'Degial: Death's Striking Wings'

Degial – Death’s Striking Wings (2012)

Sepulchral Voice

Review by Jude Felton

Sweden’s Degial are a band from Sweden who have been around since 2004, yet this is their first full length album. They have previously released a demo, in 2006, and the EP Death and Darkness Buries All.. in 2010, both of which I have not heard. Death’s Striking Wings though is a hell of an introduction though to their music.

Filthy Review - 'The Frozen'

The Frozen (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

A movie does not have to be 100% original for me to enjoy it. Hell, if that was the case I really wouldn’t enjoy many films at all. I am, however, not a fan of laziness when it comes to the naming and marketing of them. So, when I first glanced my eyes over the artwork and title of The Frozen, many things came to mind; first and foremost being that there appeared not to be an ounce of originality in it.

Movie News - 'Crawlspace' Poster and Stills

The Australian horror flick, Crawlspace, (not to be confused with the 1986 Klaus Kinski flick) will be released by IFC Midnight on January 4th at select theaters, as well as VOD and Digital outlets. I've actually just finished reading an interesting article on the film in the latest issue of Fangoria, and it definitely looks to be well worth checking out (both the film AND magazine!). Check after the break for more on Crawlspace, include a bevy of stills.

Movie News - 'Stoker' poster debuts

'From the director of Oldboy' should be all you need to get excited about Stoker. Park Chan-wook's latest movie stars Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Matther Goode, and opens on March 1st. Above you can check out the deceptively innocent looking new poster.

Music News - 'Cradle of Filth' announce US tour dates

As you may imagine, I have been waiting for this tour to be announced and now they finally have. The boys from my home county of Suffolk, Cradle of Filth, are coming back to the States on tour. Support will be from The Faceless, Decapitated and The Agonist (full tour dates below). Available for this tour will be Ticketless VIP Packages, which include a meet and greet with the band. The Filthy ones are touring in support of their excellent The Manticore and Other Horrors album. See you in Philly!

DVD News - 'Above the Street, Below the Water'

Without a doubt the Scandinavians are putting out some of the most interesting and exciting movies and TV of late. On January 21st Arrow Films will be releasing Above the Street, Below the Water to DVD and Digital; a film which stars some of the cast from such shows as The Killing and The Bridge.

DVD News - 'My Ex 2: Haunted Lover'

On February 4th MVM will be releasing My Ex 2: Haunted Lover, from director Piyapan Choopetch. It is the sequel to My Ex, funnily enough, which I reviewed here. My Ex 2 was released in its native Thailand in 2010, but is only now seeing a DVD release in the UK. Check after the break for more details, including a shedload of stills.

Eco-Thriller 'The Bay' set to hit DVD and Digital in March

Barry Levinson's found footage style eco-thriller, The Bay, is set to hit DVD and Digital on March 5th from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film recently had a limited theatrical release, which surprises me as I have only heard good things about it, and I am eager to see it. I am also surprised that to the best of my knowledge there is no Blu-ray release planned as of yet. The DVD special features include an audio commentary from Levinson and a featurette entitled Into the Unknown. On a sidenote, I highly recommend reading the recent interview with Barry Levinson in issue 128 of Rue Morgue magazine.

Old School Video Store viewing of V/H/S - Get the anthology on Limited Edition video cassette

Want to get your hands on a limited edition number vhs edition of the horror anthology V/H/S? Thought you might. Well, one way you can do this (there are only 300 copies of this) is to attend this very cool looking screening of the film. Cellar Rentals, at Blackall Studios, in London, will be screening the film on Wednesday 16th January. You'll get drinks, popcorn, more drinks, a chance to peruse their retro video store AND a copy of V/H/S on vhs. Cool? Very.

Filthy Review - 'Resident Evil: Retribution'

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

Ever since the first Resident Evil movie, back in 2002, the series has moved away from the game franchise that spawned it, whilst ironically moving closer in some aspects. Realistically speaking the movie franchise, of with director/producer Paul W.S. Anderson pulls the strings, is an expansion of the gaming world taken in a new direction. Zombies are no longer the main threat, and appear in Retribution very rarely, with the ominous Umbrella Corporation continuing to be the uber-villian.

Filthy Review - 'Killer Joe'

Killer Joe (2011)

Review by Jude Felton

Hey Joe, where are you going with that gun in your hand? I’m going to shoot someone’s old lady, because they have a handsome life insurance policy. Yes indeed, legendary director William Friedkin is back with a bang in this modern day Noir that mixes up the down and dirty, with ample violence, with a good amount of dark humor.

Filthy Review - 'Out There'

Out There (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

There’s definitely something in the Irish water at the moment, with films such as the recent Citadel and Railway Children impressing the hell out of me. Now I can happily add Out There to this list, as this 16 minute short film is quite excellent. The film takes a simple premise and manages to infuse tension, thrills and perfect pacing until it reaches its wonderful climax.

'Django, Prepare a Coffin' coming to DVD from Arrow

If you have yet to see one of the original Django movies, which starred Franco Nero, there would be no better time than January 14th. This is when Arrow Video will be releasing Django, Prepare a Coffin on to DVD in the UK. This lost lost sequel to the 1966 movie, Django, comes at the most opportune time, with Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained hitting theaters over the Christmas period. As the blurb on the sleeve tells us, 'Step into the Cult Arena'! I am sure I will be.

Filthy Review - 'The Words'

The Words (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

It is always said that you should never judge a book by its cover, and this could very well be true. This is a statement that could also be leveled at Blu-rays or DVDs, as judging from the cover artwork of The Words you can’t really gauge what the film is about. Aside from plastering Bradley Cooper on it, who’s fairly hot property after his turns in the two The Hangover movies, there’s not an awful lot to go on. The fact that it is a film that does have a literary theme, tying in with my opening comment, might not be that surprising, given the film’s title, but I still don’t like the artwork.