Thriller
Based on Michael Jackson’s song, the plot is being kept under wraps but it has to do with the song’s folklore, involving Vincent Price and the town he grew up in.
[BD Review] ’40 West’ is Slow To Burn, Quick To Creep
Of all the mainstays in Las Vegas, there’s probably none more associated with Sin City than Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton. Yeah, I’ve never heard of him, either. Probably because I’ve never been to Vegas, but I digress. Why do I mention a man who has made his career singing in Las Vegas casinos? Well, Mr. Newton has a cameo as a jealous, homicidal husband in Dana Packard’s 40 West, which has garnered several awards and nominations on the independent scene since it’s release in 2011. Aside from showcasing the man whose signature song was used in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, what else does the film offer?
40 West stars Jennifer Nichole Porter as Maeve, a blues singer who’s not having the greatest of days. After having her car break down and her purse stolen, Maeve appears to be saved by Elijah (Scott Winters), a self-confessed fan of her music. Elijah sets Maeve up in a seedy East Texas motel, but it turns out that the whole thing was a setup orchestrated by Maeve’s violent ex-con hubby, Colin (Brian A. White). Colin set up Maeve’s predicament in order to apologize for his past scumbag ways and to give her a gift. Unfortunately, Colin’s jailhouse girlfriend Arlene (Kathleen Kimball) shows up to complicate things. To stir the pot even more, Arlene’s husband Bud (the above-mentioned Wayne Newton) is none too happy about his wife cheating on her with Colin, and decides to track them down, revolver in hand.
Surprisingly, despite sounding like a lame soap opera, 40 West manages to impress with some great acting from almost everyone involved. Between Jennifer Nicole Porter and Brian White’s interactions, you can’t help but feel for Maeve and the crap that she’s had to put up with from Colin. She pretty much takes everything that he dishes out and stands her ground. As for Colin, the dude’s dark and sinister for much of the time he’s with Maeve, and cranks it up when Bud shows up. Speaking of which, Wayne Newton isn’t as bad as you’d think. On the contrary, he’s quite believable as your cocktail-sipping, stogie-smoking husband with a bone to pick. As for Kathleen Kimball, she too was engaging as Arlene. Plus as a stripper, she didn’t look half bad. Going hand in hand with the acting is the story. It’s straightforward but also engaging, given that this is a dialogue-heavy film that almost entirely takes place in one location. Kudos to Jennifer Nicole Porter (who pulled double duty on the script) and director Packard for accomplishing all of that in a low budget film like this.
On the negative side of things, the film’s length threatens to have things drag out at 120 minutes. Compounding things is the fact that this film is slow to reveal everything, which is good (since it is a story-driven film, after all), but at the same time threatens to turn viewers off it they’re not keeping up. As well, Scott Winters’ Elijah was probably one of the weaker performances. It was very one-dimensional, and lacked the emotion when it was really needed. Finally, the twists in the plot aren’t all that surprising once they’re let out to play, but they keep the story going, so it’s not entirely negative.
On a whole, 40 West was an enjoyable thriller that was surprisingly good, given its origins. While some people might be turned off the slow pacing and lack of consistent action, persistence does pay off for those looking for excellent acting and an engrossing story that tends to wander the dark side of things. Not bad for a film that has Wayne Newton relieving himself behind a tree.
Video/Audio: Filmed using the RED One camera, details are captured perfectly in this 1.78:1 transfer. Being mainly shot in one location, we’re treated to visuals that look a polished but with a sleazy side to it (it is a motel, after all). As for the sound, the 5.1 Dolby Digital track is great, focusing on the dialogue and giving attention to the score and ambient effects when needed.
Extras: In lieu of putting the trailer on the disc (why companies decide to leave it out but stick start-up trailers on the disc instead…), we’re treated to a 40-minute making-of featurette that goes pretty in-depth with all aspects of the film’s production. Mixing talking heads with on-set footage, you really do get the sense that these people really enjoyed working on the film, and it shows. Special props for showing the craft service table. I wish I had those desserts.
Black Swan’s Benjamin Millepied Directs This Zombie/Ghoul/Vampire Dance Off
Benjamin Millepied, the choreographer for Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, has teamed up with Canadian duo Zed’s Dead for their official “Demons” music video. The video is an homage to Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller”. You can watch it below.
The song comes from their Hot Sauce EP, which you can purchase on Beatport. READ MORE
R.J. Cutler And Chloe Moretz Would Like It ‘If I Stay’
I’m not sure if this movie is for us. As of right now it’s just barely straddling the line, but let’s see how it all shakes out and then we’ll decide if we keep covering it once more info comes in, cool? Per Variety, R.J. Cutler (“Nashville”, Sundance doc “The World According To Dick Cheney“) is in talks to direct his first narrative feature, and it’s a whopper. He’ll likely be helming Summit Entertainment’s new thriller If I Stay, which is a supernatural pic with Chloe Moretz (Let Me In, Carrie) attached.
The film will be based on Gayle Forman’s novel which, “ follows 17-year-old Mia as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family. In a coma, Mia has an out-of-body experience, and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. Mia watches as her memories flash before her eyes as she comes to realize that she must decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die.”
Sounds like it’s very much in the Moretz wheelhouse.
Twisted Music Video Of The Week Vol. 68: Lindsey Stirling “Moon Trance”
The weekend is upon us and it’s time to get twisted! But you know what? I’m feeling a little frisky. I kinda want to get out there and dance a bit. So that’s why I’m kicking off this weekend with Lindsey Stirling as our Twisted Music Video Of The Week! Below you can watch “Moon Trance”, which comes off her self-titled album (iTunes). The video could easily be likened to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in premise and presentation. So, if you’re a fan of that video, definitely give this a chance.
Stirling is an internet sensation who combines violin with electronic music all while performing modern dance. She will be embarking on a N. American tour beginning in February. All tour dates are below. READ MORE
Exclusive
BREAKING: “Thriller” Resurrected! John Landis Collaborating With Michael Jackson’s Estate!
*EXCLUSIVE*
While most of you were packing up for the holiday weekend, some monster entertainment news broke over at The Hollywood Reporter. The site reported that the estate of Michael Jackson has put the finishing touches on a deal with director John Landis and producer George Folsey Jr. that resolves litigation concerning net profits on the late singer’s “Thriller” video as well as a fight over a previously planned musical theater production of the hit song/video.
On Friday, the estate released a statement to THR indicating that the settlement had become firm: “The Estate of Michael Jackson, John Landis and George Folsey Jr. have reached an amicable settlement of the actions that were pending in the Los Angeles Superior Court relating to the legendary short motion picture Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the documentary “The Making of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”" The settlement terms are confidential.”
Being that “Thriller” is my all-time favorite music video, and maybe even earliest horror inspiration, after reading this news I was completely scaled in goosebumps. I immediately obsessed over one thought: “Does this mean we’ll finally get a proper “Thriller” release?“ The answer? Read on for the scoop… READ MORE
Dimension Nabs ‘Compulsion’ Mid-Shoot
Dimension has acquired the US rights to the new thriller Compulsion, which stars Heather Graham (pictured inside; The Hangover, License To Drive), Carrie-Anne Moss (Suburbia, The Matrix), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Kevin Dillon (“Entourage”, The Blob). The film is directed by Egidio Coccimiglio and was written by Floyd Byars.
The film, “is based on the South Korean film ’301, 302′ and centers on two women occupying neighboring apartments, each grappling with obsessions that have begun to overtake their lives. Graham portrays Amy, a vivacious, calculating chef whose need to be desired is so far-reaching that she becomes a star in her own imaginary cooking show. Moss is Saffron, a reclusive but alluring ex-child star who is battling anorexia. Their complex, ever-intensifying relationship builds to a surprising climax as their emotional connections to food and one another boil over.”
It is currently shooting in Ontario, Canada. READ MORE
[BD Selects] ‘Truth or Dare’ Brings Out The Shocking Truth on DVD/VOD!
![[BD Selects] Truth or Dare Brings Out The Shocking Truth on DVD/VOD!](/photosizer/upload/truthdare110111.jpg "[BD Selects] Truth or Dare Brings Out The Shocking Truth on DVD/VOD!")
Bloody Disgusting Selects just got twisted.
We have just now landed the North American rights to Robert Heath’s genre shocker Truth or Dare for release on DVD, VOD and digital platforms later this year.
Directed by Heath, and produced by Corona Pictures, “the film portrays five teenage friends who are taken hostage by a vengeful psychopath and forced to play a party game with life-or-death consequences. Their only hope is to work together and turn the tables on their assailant, even if they must risk their lives in the process. The scene is set for a shocking denouement as secrets are revealed in an epic blood-soaked final confrontation.”
Watch this spot for stills, art and a trailer in the near future. I think you guys are going to dig this gem… READ MORE
International Flair: ‘Dark Flight 407′ and ‘The Raven’ Posters
A pair of new one-sheets have been discovered for Thailand’s first 3D horror movie. From Art of the Devil 2 director Issara Nadee comes Dark Flight 407, a 3-D tale that mirrors Takashi Shimizu’s English-language 7500. Below you’ll find two haunting new posters, courtesy of Sanook. The pic follows a flight attendant who is haunted by the victims of plane crashes.
In other poster news, inside we’ve also added a hideous Italian poster for The Raven that displays a pretty graphic execution in the background. I guess that’s pretty cool. Directed by James McTeigue, Luke Evans will play a detective who partners with Poe (John Cusack) to search for a serial killer who has kidnapped the author’s fiancee (Alice Eve) and has gone on a murder spree that mimics the author’s work. Relativity will release in theaters April 27. READ MORE
‘Silent House’ Star Elizabeth Olsen Offered ‘Oldboy’ Lead
Twitch Film is reporting that Elizabeth Olsen (Silent House, Martha Marcy May Marlene) has been offered the lead role of “Maria” in Spike Lee’s Oldboy, his remake of the Korean thriller that will star Josh Brolin in the lead role. For the female lead both Rooney Mara and Mia Wasikowska had been offered and rejected the part.
In Park Chan-wook’s 2003 Korean original, “a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he’s released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.”
The remake has been riddled with casting issues over at Warners. It’ll be interesting to see if this or Akira gets off the ground first. READ MORE
The Absence Of TV Spots For ‘The Raven’ Is Nevermore!
Relativity Media’s The Raven hits theaters on April 27th, 2012 and now the TV promo materials are starting to come into play. James McTeigue’s (V for Vendetta) thriller is set in the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, when he gets wrapped up in a serial killer investigation.
“In this gritty thriller, Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack, Being John Malkovich) joins forces with a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans, Immortals) to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe’s own works as the basis in a string of brutal murders. Directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin), the film also stars Alice Eve (Sex and the City 2), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster).”
io9 got their hands on the new TV Spot. Hit the jump to check it out! READ MORE
Share Your Edgar Allan Poe Memories In Deathly ‘Raven’ Imagery
If you click right here you’ll find our updated image gallery for Relativity Media’s The Raven, which arrives in theaters March 9, 2012. The trailer continues to push the game of cat and mouse between an unknown killer and Poe, which can best be described as From Hell meets Sherlock Holmes.
James McTeigue’s (V for Vendetta) thriller is set in the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, when he gets wrapped up in a serial killer investigation.
“Luke Evans will play a detective who partners with Poe (Cusack) to search for a serial killer who has kidnapped the author’s fiancee (Alice Eve) and has gone on a murder spree that mimics the author’s work.” READ MORE
New Poster For ‘The Raven’ Goes Blood Red
Relativity Media’s The Raven, has a new release date of April 27th, 2012. Presumably this gives the film enough time for the cluttered market to simmer down and for their new marketing materials to take hold. One of those being the new one-sheet that Entertainment Weekly just unveiled.
James McTeigue’s (V for Vendetta) thriller is set in the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, when he gets wrapped up in a serial killer investigation.
“In this gritty thriller, Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack, Being John Malkovich) joins forces with a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans, Immortals) to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe’s own works as the basis in a string of brutal murders. Directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin), the film also stars Alice Eve (Sex and the City 2), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Faster).”
Hit the jump to check out the new poster!
READ MORE
Colin Firth Out of ‘Oldboy’!
Back in November we reported that Colin Firth was in talks for the villain role in Spike Lee’s Oldboy remake.
Color me disappointed, it looks like that will longer happen. Here’s hoping they can find a similarly inspired choice for the role.
Per Twitch, “Firth confirm[ed] the offer in subsequent interviews while playing coy about his intended response but had he taken the role on it would have seen him playing Josh Brolin’s tormentor in the story of a man kidnapped and imprisoned for years without explanation. Well, they’re going to need to find another kidnapper. Twitch has learned that Firth has now officially passed on the project meaning they need to find someone else to play opposite Brolin in what is being planned as an early 2012 shoot.”
It’s worth noting that when we spoke with producer Roy Lee last month he insisted that this new take would be “different and darker” than the original.
Whom do you Oldboy fans feel should play the villain? READ MORE
New Footage In ‘The Raven’ International Trailer
If you click on over to MyMovies you’ll find an international trailer for Relativity Media’s The Raven, which arrives in theaters March 9, 2012. The trailer continues to push the game of cat and mouse between an unknown killer and Poe, which can best be described as From Hell meets Sherlock Holmes.
James McTeigue’s (V for Vendetta) thriller is set in the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, when he gets wrapped up in a serial killer investigation.
“Luke Evans will play a detective who partners with Poe (Cusack) to search for a serial killer who has kidnapped the author’s fiancee (Alice Eve) and has gone on a murder spree that mimics the author’s work.”
You’ll find the previous trailer and long synopsis inside. READ MORE
‘The Red Robin’ Experiments on Mind Control
Producers of The Red Robin have tapped Judd Hirsch (pictured below; “Taxi”), Ryan O’Nan, C.S. Lee, Jaime Ray Newman, Caroline Lagerfelt and Joseph Lyle Taylor to star in the psychological thriller, reports Variety. Screenwriter Michael Z. Wechsler will direct and produce.
“O’Nan will play the adopted adult son of Hirsch’s character — a famed psychiatrist specializing in trauma who was rumored to have done some confidential work for the CIA during the Cold War. A family reunion on the psychiatrist’s death bed spirals into chaos when the father’s accused of adopting his large family of children for the purposes of dark experiments in mind control.”
“The Red Robin” begins production outside Philadelphia this weekend. READ MORE
Spike Lee’s ‘Oldboy’ Remake To Be “Different and Darker”?!
Last week while Bloody Disgusting was on the Los Angeles set of Takashi Shimizu’s new film, 7500, we had a chance to speak with Roy Lee about that film as well as a few upcoming projects. While I can’t say too much about 7500 right now, Mr. Lee was able to clue us in on a progress report in regard to Spike Lee’s Oldboy remake.
Things are gearing up fast, “We are planning to shoot ‘Oldboy’ in March, and we should start preproduction in late January”.
On if they had retained anything from the draft by Better Luck Tomorrow writers Ernesto Foronda, Fabian Marquez and Justin Lin, “No. This is completely separate. A brand new script by Mark Protosevich.”
As far as the new approach? “It is very similar but we’ve added new elements. Mark Protosevich has come up with new elements that will throw off the audience that have seen the original movie. There are new characters and new situations that present themselves in a way that change the story but then eventually get it going in the same direction… The ending will be something that fans of the original will e very happy with, in fact some may consider it to be a bit darker.”
On that famous hallway scene, “There’s a different interpretation of that scene that will hopefully be Spike’s signature moment in the movie. He wants to show it in a way that he’s never seen an action movie do it before.”
7500 lands in theaters on August 31, 2012. Expect more updates, and our full set report, as that date approaches. READ MORE
Interview
David R. Ellis Latest Name Attached to ‘Clock Tower’
With nine projects currently in-development, Shark Night 3D director David R. Ellis is a busy man. Although a live-action adaptation of anime Kite is his next project, Ellis has revealed details about two horror films on his “To Do List.”
Sara Paxton is attached to star in The Briar Lake Murders and Ellis, who’s directing, told Australian stringer Maria Lewis (@moviemazz) that the film follows a traditional killer in the woods storyline.
“It’s a movie about these kids that go on vacation and there’s a serial killer out there,” he said. “It’s got a good script and good people involved; I’m just not sure how soon that’s going to happen.”
The more interesting of the two sounds like The Thing-inspired Clock Tower which Ellis said is a “cool” supernatural horror. (Editor’s note: The project has been in development for over 6 years now and this is the first time it has been reported that Ellis is attached.) READ MORE
Terrible News Comes in ‘A Lonely Place to Die’ Clip
Now available nationwide on VOD (via IFC Midnight on Comcast, Cox, Cablevision, Time Warner, and Bright House) and in special limited theatrical engagements (11/25/11 Market St. Cinema Little Rock, AK, 12/02/11 TIFF Bell Lightbox Toronto, 12/09/11 Gateway 8 Columbus, OH) is Julian Gilbey’s British thriller A Lonely Place to Die (review), starring Melissa George (Amityville Horror, 30 Days of Night, Turistas) and Ed Speleers.
The picture also stars Sean Harris and Karel Roden and “follows a group of five mountaineers hiking and climbing in the Scottish Highlands. When they discover a young girl buried alive in a small chamber in the wilderness they become caught up in a terrifying game of cat and mouse with the kidnappers as they try to get the girl to safety.”
Bloody Disgusting scored an exclusive clip that delivers some horrible news, one of the team didn’t survive…. READ MORE
Could Colin Firth Seriously Screw Over Josh Brolin In ‘Oldboy’ Remake?
This could actually be pretty amazing. It seems that Colin Firth has a shot at a really meaty role as the villain in Spike Lee’s Oldboy remake!
Per Twitch, “Twitch has learned that an offer is out to Firth for the part of Adrian, which means that – should he accept – he will be stepping into the villain role opposite Josh Brolin”
It’s worth noting that Twitch was the first to report that Brolin was in talks so this could be legit. There was also mention of Rooney Mara joining the pic a few months back though that has yet to be confirmed.
Oldboy fans – what do you think? Is Firth up to the task? READ MORE
New ‘The Grey’ Imagery Brings the Deep Freeze
Opening January 27, 2012 from Open Road is director Joe Carnahan’s (A-Team) The Grey, a thriller that stars Liam Neeson (Unknown, After.Life), Dallas Roberts (Joshua, The Factory), James Badge Dale (The Departed), Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac), Frank Grillo (My Soul to Take, Mother’s Day), Nonso Anozie (RocknRolla), and Joe Anderson.
Originally hoping to gain Oscar attention, the film is supposed to be really, really good. We’ve added a few new images to the gallery, click above to see ‘em all.
“In ‘The Grey,’ Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements – and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt – before their time runs out.” READ MORE
AFM ’11: True Crime Tale of ‘American Girls’
Eric Anthony Pereira, the man behind the pretty OK thriller The Locals, directs American Girls, which is said to be based on horrific true events about the abduction of two high school girls that decimates a small town and exposes the corruption, greed and murder that lies beneath the demeanor of everyday God fearing people.
The crime/horror film is loosely inspired by the Bega Schoolgirl Murders (a notorious Australian case which took place in 1997 – the location and date have both been changed for this production) is set to go before the cameras in January 2012.
“ ‘American Girls’ is a dark, nihilistic tale about the abduction, rape and murder of two high school girls and the fallout that nearly decimates a small Mid-Western town as long buried secrets surface when the police begin to put together the pieces of the crime. Using the framework of movies such as The Social Network, American Girls offers no easy answers. Using multiple character points of view; the film presents a harrowing, psychologically astute look at a tragic crime and an uncompromising glimpse at what contributed to the death of the girls, the aftermath their families face and the utterly evil personas of their murderers.”
Kristina Page (A Lure: Teen Fight Club, Aqua Caliente) and Devanny Pinn (Song of the Shattered, Piranha 3D). Cast members that have signed on include Burgandi Phoenix, Josh Hammond (Jeepers Creepers II), Chris Anglin (A Christmas Carol), professional wrestler Al Snow (we believe Snow will be appearing sans head), Jessica Cameron (The Dead Matter), Kyle Morris (Night of the Living Dead: 3D), Barry Ratcliffe (The Witches of Oz), Tawny Amber Young (Bloody Wedding), Brandon Slagle (2012: Ice Age), Heidi Martinuzzi (Amateur Porn Star Killer 3D) and Carlos Ramirez (Crank 2) all star. READ MORE
AFM ’11: ‘Skylab’ Astronauts Stranded With Malevolent Alien
The Salt Company (Grabbers) also announced a second sci-fi-themed horror film set in space. Being directed by Coffin Rock‘s Rupert Glasson, Skylab‘s tagline teases: “NASA told them it was the Soviets…they were wrong.” It has a sort of Apollo 18 feel to it, but hopefully this guy is better.
“‘Skylab’ is a taut, claustrophobic, edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thriller in which three astronauts find themselves stranded 200 miles above the Earth and forced into a desperate fight to the death with a malevolent alien. Set onboard NASA’s eponymous space station the action takes place in the hours leading up to its famous crash landing in the Outback of Australia… READ MORE
Indie
AFM ’11: ‘Friday the 13th’ Remake Star Shares ‘Bloodwork’
We’ve just now landed the official international poster for Lighting Entertainment’s Bloodwork (formerly known as Phase One) starring Travis Van Winkle (), Tricia Helfer and Mircea Monroe.
Directed by Eric Wostenberg (Sacrifice), “Best friends Greg and Rob, college roommates, decide to earn a little extra cash by participating in a two-week pharmaceutical test over the Christmas holidays. Locked into a remote hospital facility far out in the isolated countryside, they find themselves part of a bizarre series of tests. But as order and control start to break down, it becomes clear that the drugs are having increasingly dangerous side effects, and that no one involved in the test will be safe for long.” READ MORE
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[Remember This?] ‘Freddy Vs. Jason’ And Being Careful What You Wish For