Movies
Matt Smith Playing Charles Manson in ‘American Psycho’ Director’s ‘Charlie Says’
We told you just about one month ago that Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”) was in talks to play Charles Manson in a film being directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho), which was at the time titled The Family. Today brings confirmation that Smith has officially signed on, along with news of a title change.
Via THR, The Family is now titled Charlie Says, the plot focused on the three “Manson Family” women who were sentenced to death in Manson’s infamous murder case.
Suki Waterhouse has also joined the cast, along with Hannah Murray, Odessa Young, Marianne Rendon, Carla Gugino, Kaylie Carter and Merritt Wever.
“Charlie Says will focus on the three young women (Murray, Young and Rendon) who were sentenced to death following the infamous murder case of Manson (Smith). When the death penalty was lifted, their sentence became life imprisonment. One young graduate student, Karlene Faith (Wever), was sent in to teach them, and through her the film will follow their transformations as they face the reality of their horrific crimes.”
The script by Turner is based on Faith’s nonfiction book The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van Houten: Life Beyond The Cult and Ed Sanders’ controversial 1971 novel about the Manson Family murders, The Family.
Jeremy M. Rosen and Kevin Shulman are producing via their Roxwell Films banner, while David Hillary will executive produce alongside Dana Guerin and Michael Guerin.
Production is set start this Spring in Los Angeles.
Movies
‘Hold the Fort’ Trailer Pits New Homeowners Against an Onslaught of Monsters
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”

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