Movies
Sneak Peek of ‘Phantasm: Ravager’ To Air on Art House Theater Day!
Phantasm fans will be in for a real treat when the Art House Convergence holds their annual Art House Theater Day on September 24, 2016. The event aims to celebrate the cultural and community growth that art house theaters provide. Over 185 theaters will participate in the event, which just announced its first wave of programming. Among the films playing is Phantasm: Remastered, an all-new 4K restoration of the original 1979 cult classic. Those who purchase a ticket to the film will get to see a never-before-seen sneak peak of Phantasm: Ravager, the fifth and final installment of the long-running franchise. A list of theaters playing the film can be found here.
From the official press release:
Art House Theater Day is excited to announce it will screen the brand-new restoration of Don Coscarelli’s 1979 cult sci-fi/horror classic, PHANTASM: REMASTERED, making its first appearance in theaters nationwide following its world premiere at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival. In addition to PHANTASM: REMASTERED there will be a never-before-seen sneak peek behind the scenes of the fifth and final PHANTASM: RAVAGER including a tribute to Phantasm star Angus Scrimm.
PHANTASM: REMASTERED, distributed by Well Go USA Entertainment, has been given a loving 4K restoration from the original camera negative and a brand new 5.1 audio soundtrack, overseen by longtime fan J.J. Abrams and his production company Bad Robot. “When I made Phantasm three decades ago, the term “indie” didn’t have the same positive connotations that it does today. But that’s what Phantasm was. And in the decades since, the art house movement has cultivated an appreciation for independent films that break molds and push boundaries. That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that in 2016, art houses have embraced Phantasm and are giving it new life on Art House Theater Day. It’s really a dream come true to see it playing in so many exceptional theaters on the big screen, the way I originally intended, ” said filmmaker Don Coscarelli.
Directed by David Hartman, Phantasm: Ravager is the fifth installment in the long-running Phantasm series and also stars the late Angus Scrimm, who sadly passed away back in January. It will be his final role. Phantasm: Ravager brings one of horror’s longest-running franchises to a close.
Phantasm: Remastered came into being when filmmaker J.J. Abrams, a fan of the original, wanted to screen the film for his team at Bad Robot Productions- only to find the available prints in terrible shape. Working on the premises of Bad Robot with their expert staff, director Don Coscarelli was invited by J.J. to supervise a meticulous 4K digital remaster using their state-of-the-art tools. This included a brand-new 5.1 audio mix using the original stems, ensuring Phantasm will forever be available to scare the hell out of generations to come with perfect picture and sound.
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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