Filthy Music Review - Dark Shadows Original Score

Dark Shadows: Original Score

Review by Jude Felton

I don’t review as many film scores as I would like, but I do listen to a lot of them. Not soundtracks, but scores, give me some Fabio Frizzi, Ennio Morricone or Hans Zimmer over a thrown together bunch of metal songs any day of the week. A good score will enhance the viewing experience, and in essence become another character in the movie, and soundtracks just can’t do that. Ok, so the occasion one can, but they are few and far between.

Filthy Review - If a Tree Falls

If a Tree Falls (2010)

Review by Jude Felton

When watching a movie I never consider the film’s budget, I just don’t see the point. You can throw millions of dollars at a film, but if there is no talent or soul involved you are just going to get a good looking turd. By the same token a film can have a minimal budget, and in the case of If a Tree Falls very minimal, and be a cracking film. If the talent is there and the film has made with passion you see past the surface and just embrace the ride.

Filthy Review - The Road

The Road (2011)

Review by Jude Felton

It is a sad state of affairs when all you see if the bemoaning of another horror flick being remade, not the fact there is another remake but instead the amount of page space being dedicated to giving it exposure, and the inevitable crying that will follow. Instead of this I much rather prefer to actively seek out and spread the word about original horror. Sure, I might write about a remake but you won’t see me lying on the floor quivering as if it is the end of the world.

Red Band trailer for Skull World and Cannes Info

Some news in about the upcoming documentary Skull World, from director Justin (The Collapsed) McConnell. The documentary, which follows the exploits of Skull Man (Greg Sommer), will be represented by Raven Banner Entertainment at the Cannes Film Market. So, if you are there, head to Riviera G31! I've got the newly released Red Band trailer to share with you, and from the early footage I have seen this looks bloody mental.

The Raid to explode across the UK

Director Gareth Evan's Indonesian action-fest, after having taken over $4 million at the US box office, is all set to assault the UK. Momentum have announced that The Raid will be opening on over 280 screens nationwide on May 18th, which considering the size of my old stomping ground is a hell of a lot. Even though I have regrettably still yet to see the film this news does make me a happy man. More news below, including links to the theaters that The Raid will be playing. I have also thrown in the US trailer and UK TV spot to further whet the appetite!

Filthy Review - Asylum Blackout

Asylum Blackout (2011)

Review by Jude Felton

A film’s name can do a lot for a movie, it can help or hinder or it can give you a rough idea of what to expect from the film itself. This movie was formerly known as The Incident, and whilst there is nothing essentially wrong with that, it is incredibly vague. Now, Asylum Blackout, on the other hand, pretty much hands it to you on a plate in terms of what you are getting; it’s set in an asylum and there is indeed a blackout. That being said, despite reading up on the movie and checking out the trailer, I was expecting something along the lines of a cheesy B-movie schlock-fest. How wrong was I?

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old: Tea Bagging in the UK

News of a title change for the upcoming DVD release of the Jay and Silent Bob live in the UK release. Previously known as UK 2012, it has now been changed to Tea Bagging in the UK, which is a far better title if you ask me. The DVD will be released by Industrial Entertainment on August 14th.

The Tortured finally set for a U.S. release

For reason unbeknownst to me, The Tortured has taken forever to find a release in the States. The Canadian lensed film, from director Robert Lieberman and the producing team of Twisted Pictures, was made in 2010 and has seen release in other territories but not here. Until now. On May 11th The Tortured, which focuses on a young couples revenge, will be available on VOD (full list below) and theaters on June 15th from the excellent IFC Midnight.

Strand Releasing bring Desire to DVD

The latest movie to hit DVD from the impressive Strand Releasing is the French film Desire (also known as Q), which is directed by Laurent Bouhnik. It will be released on June 5th and I have the full synopsis and trailer below for your viewing pleasure.

Mirror Mirror Blu-ray and DVD details

It's not often you'll see Julia Roberts get mentioned here at the Lair, but I will confess to having enjoyed the preview of this updated version of the Snow White tale. Mirror Mirror, which is coming from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and is directed by Tarsem Singh (who recently directed Immortals), will hit Blu-ray and DVD on June 26th.

Zombie short We Are What We Eat ensures that School's Out forever

Here's some news on a very cool short movie that I had the pleasure of watching a little earlier. Hailing from London, England, We Are What We Eat is a new entry into the zombie sub-genre, which focuses a bad couple of days at a secondary school. The film was directed by 16 year old Sam Toller, produced by Darien Davis, with Stuart Dye serving as Director of Photography and Sound by Carlos Badosa and also features Chris Bearne, who you may have seen in An American Werewolf in Paris and The Pillow Book.

The Squad invade the UK

Heading to DVD in the UK on June 18th is The Squad (El Paramo), from director Jaime Osorio Marquez, which is about a group of soldiers sent to investigate a communications problem in a remote bunker. The DVD will be released by Momentum Pictures and is rated 15. More info below.

Filthy Giveaway - The Aggression Scale - Closed

May 29th will see the release to Blu-ray and DVD of the dark thriller, The Aggression Scale. Starring Ray Wise, Dana Ashbrook and Derek Mears, and directed by Steven C. Miller, it has been described as "Home Alone with more death". Well, thanks to those good folk at Anchor Bay, who are releasing the movie, I have a copy of the DVD to giveaway to one lucky blighter.

American Reunion Blu-ray and DVD Details

The gang's all back in American Reunion and it now has a release date for Blu-ray and DVD. July 10th will see the comedy, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, hit Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy/Ultraviolet combo pack, as well as DVD and On Demand. It will include the unrated version, as they all tend to do, which contains footage not seen at the theater, and a pie-load of extras. 

David Arquette thriller Black Limousine to hit DVD

The new thriller starring David Arquette and Bijou Phillips, entitled Black Limousine, is set to hit DVD from Anchor Bay on July 10th. I've included the full synopsis and some stills for you to check out.

Impulse bring forth more Filth in the latest Nikkatsu Collection releases

Great news for filth-mongers with the announced upcoming releases of Impulse Pictures Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection. Slated for release on July 10th is Zoom In: Sex Apartments and True Story of a Woman in Jail Continues. Nice! Full details below.

Filthy Review - 42nd Street Forever: Blu-ray Edition

42^nd Street Forever: Blu-ray Edition (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

If the thought of watching well over 3 ½ hours of the finest in sleazy and filthy trailers is akin to having your face sandpapered I recommend you stop reading right now. If, on the other hand, this sounds right up your street, 42^nd or otherwise, then you should stop reading now and go and buy this thing of beauty.

Filthy Review - Shock Labyrinth 3D

Shock Labyrinth 3D (2009)

Review by Jude Felton

Director Takashi Shimizu is probably best known for Ju-on and it’s follow-up Ju-on 2; two movies that are in my opinion second only to the Ring series in terms of popularity when it comes to Asian horror. He also, rather misguidedly, directed the quite atrocious Western remakes, The Grudge and The Grudge 2, which managed to remove any of the tension and creepiness from what were two very good films. It’s not a case of them being remakes; it’s a case of them being bad films. However, moving on, we now have Shimuzu’s latest stateside release, and Japan’s first 3D horror film, in Shock Labyrinth 3D, or The Shock Labyrinth depending on where you look.