Whilst the fans of ‘Stranger Things’ wait for the second season to come out, the third season of the fantastic series has been confirmed.
The show created big hype with its superb 80’s style vibe, mysterious tension and beloved characters. Now, with season two to be released in October, the creators shared more great news for the super eager fans that are hungry to watch more.
In an interview with Vulture, Ross Duffer said the series will likely be “a four-season thing and then out.” suggesting the fourth season has not yet been approved, but season three has. He also said he wants the season two of ‘Stranger Things’ to “feel like a movie sequel” rather than a separate season.
Season two of ‘Stranger Things’ will be released on the 27th of October.
‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ has topped the box office weekend with an impressive $21.6 million.
Whilst ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ did well with $21.6 million at the box office weekend, rival ‘Logan Lucky’ did not do so well by netting only $8 million.
Both films were set to be rivals as both were released on the 18th of August, meaning they have and will be competing for big screen sales against each other. However, both of the films will likely pass their production budget with the money they make from screenings as both films have a modest production budget of around $29 million.
In second place at the box office weekend came ‘Annabelle: Creation’ once again showing that the Conjuring franchise is not slowing down, as it became the third highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, behind ‘Alien’ and ‘Resident Evil’.
Netflix are once again showcasing why they are the leader in the world of streaming.
With Narcos season 3 to be released, Netflix have released several pre-release videos to hype up the new season via social media. The videos feature musical-type styled humour surrounding the world of Narcos. Even though they have not yet created much extra hype, they definitely have give an another dimension to the series.
Narcos season 3 is due to be released on the 1st of September this year. As the main character Pablo Escobar is now out of the series, season 3 will follow the Cali family, who are meant to be even bigger and more threatening than Pablo himself.
Raindance have once again revealed a fantastic line-up, this time for the Best Documentary Feature award.
The category has shortlisted a total of five terrific films that share five equally unique stories. All of the films will be getting a UK premiere including ‘Bluefin’ by John Hopkins which will get a European premiere.
The Family I Had – Katie Green and Carlyle Rubin – UK Premiere
In this splendid documentary, a mother recalls how her brilliant teenage son came to shatter their idyllic family through one horribly violent and shocking act. Now, left to pick up the pieces, the survivors test the boundaries of their newly defined reality in the moving true crime exploration of the nature and limits of familial love.
Starring: Charity, Paris, Ella, Kyla
RiverBlue: Can Fashion Save the Planet? – David McIlvride and Roger Williams – UK Premiere
RiverBlue follows internationally celebrated river conservationist Mark Angelo on an around-the-world journey by a river that uncovers the dark side of the fashion industry. Infiltrating one of the world’s most pollutive industries, and speaking with fashion designers and water protectors worldwide, RiverBlue reveals stunning and shocking images that will forever change the way we look at the clothes we wear.
Starring: Jason Priestley
On Yoga: The Architecture of Peace – Heitor Dhalia – UK Premiere
On Yoga: The Architecture of Peace is based on Michael O’Neill’s book of the same name. This project tells the story of the 10 years the author spent photographing Yoga’s great masters. By posing very human questions from our current perspective, and mixing it with elements of movement and experiential sound, the film results in a new view of the art of Yoga.
Starring: Michael O’Neill, Edie Stern, Deepak Chopra, Mooji, Elena Brower
Bluefin – John Hopkins – European Premiere
Endangered giant bluefin tuna have returned to Prince Edward Island, Canada in surprising abundance after a disappearance from overfishing. But something strange is going on. With stunning cinematography, filmmaker John Hopkins’s acclaimed documentary explores the mystery of why normally wary bluefin tuna no longer fear humans and turning into pets.
Starring: Dr. Carl Safina, Brian Skerry, Dr. Boris Worm, Capt. Jamie Bruce, Capt.Jeff MacNeill
Speak Up – Stéphane de Freitas and Ladj Ly – UK Premiere
Every year, at the University of Saint-Denis, a competition is held to decide “The Best Orator in the 93”. Any student can participate and many prepare with the help of professional advisors. Armed with new-found knowledge, Leïla, Elhadj, Eddy and the others face off in a bid to become the best orator in the 93.
‘Annabelle: Creation’ is now the fourth film in the Conjuring franchise to pass the $100 million mark worldwide.
It looks like Warner Bros. have created another success, as ‘Annabelle: Creation’ becomes the fourth film to pass the $100 million mark worldwide.
The film also marks for more celebrations as the Conjuring franchise has also officially passed the $1 billion mark, making it one of the most successful franchises with only four films released. It currently stands as the third highest grossing horror franchise ever behind Alien which made $1.4 billion with eight films and Resident Evil which made $1.2 billion with six films.
When you’re in doubt of what to wear these are 4 outfits that you can never go wrong in. They are easy to match with accessories as well as shoes. Just don’t go overboard of course!
This look is effortless, just pop on a summer dress and some sandals for the hot weather. If you wanted to go all out on accessories then pop on some sunglasses, a small shoulder bag and a floppy hat. For the more breezier days you could wear ankle boots and a cardigan.
This look is great for on the go, it’s quick to put on and easy to accessorise. You could leave it as it is and wear sandals or gladiator shoes. You could also wear a belt around the waist. For a breezier day you could wear a cardigan and ankle boots just like the summer dress.
This is easy to pair together, tops can be like a jumper, a crop top or a cami top. Shoes you may want to consider are: flats, sandals, wedges or converses. If you are going out at night you may want to have a jacket to keep you warm. A suggestion would be a biker jacket.
This is a more formal outfit compared to the rest. You can choose plain or patterned shirts with a pair of shorts that is not denim shorts. Shoes you could go for are brogues, loafers, pumps or heels. If the weather is much colder you should pair this look with a blazer.
To celebrate the birthday of Amy Adams, we have selected four great scenes that showcase the talent Amy Adams has and why she deserves to win Academy Award.
Amy Adams first hit the big screens with a 1999 film ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ playing the role of Leslie Miller. But, her first big breakthrough came in 2005 with Phil Morrison’s film ‘Junebug’ which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.
In total, Adams has earned five Acadamy Award nominations and with films like ‘Arrival’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ coming last year, she will be looking to grab more roles that will put her on the list to winning it.
Whilst Oscars might not be on the list this year, her forthcoming film ‘Justice League’ will be coming out at the end of the year, where Adams is playing the role of Lois Lane. The film is currently in post production and is set to be released on the 17th of November.
Arrow Video, the fine purveyors of quality cult cinema releases, now bring us the infamous sequel to Tobe Hooper’s gut-churning chainsaw horror on Blu-Ray.
First of all, the film itself…
Ever since the grizzly events of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), mysterious deaths have plagued the state. Sixteen years on, Lieutenant ‘Lefty’ Enright (Dennis Hopper) is still searching for the maniacs who butchered his nephew, Franklin. Local radio DJ Stretch (Caroline Williams) gets a blood-curdling call to her show from two yuppies who are brutally murdered by a familiar chainsaw-wielding murderer. Initially reluctant to accept her help, Lefty asks Stretch to play the recording of the murder over the air to perhaps stir the killers back. The plan goes dangerously awry as Leatherface (Bill Johnson) and the sadistic ‘Chop Top’ Sawyer (Bill Moseley) show up at the radio station. As Lieutenant Enright prepares to do battle with the monsters who killed his nephew, Stretch falls into the labyrinth of the Sawyer lair. Will she end up as Leatherface’s next victim? Or is there more behind the hideous skin mask to this monster?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a mixed bag. Following up any beloved story is difficult, and the stakes are raised when you have to develop a title as iconic as Tobe Hooper’s seminal 1974 horror. With some underdeveloped characters and elements that seem to run a little too closely to its predecessor (almost the entire ‘dinner sequence’ is lifted from the first film), this sequel feels more artificial than the first. There are standout aspects, like Tom Savini’s marvelous makeup effects work, but overall the film, whilst entertaining, stands in the shadow of the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART 2, (clockwise from left): Ken Evert, Bill Johnson, Jim Siedow, Bill Moseley, 1986, (c)Cannon Films
Dennis Hopper’s Lieutenant Enright develops beyond little more than an eccentric man hell-bent on vengeance. He is, at times, afforded personal depth however. His discovery of the desiccated remains of his nephew allows for a genuine moment of loss and anger and is the highlight of Hopper’s performance. It is a shame then that beyond this sequence, Enright is just a another angry man wielding a chainsaw but without the enigmatic intrigue of Leatherface. Of course, perhaps that was the point, that he becomes the thing he wishes to destroy, but Enright’s madness becomes lost in how larger-than-life the entire film is.
Caroline Williams’ Stretch is a charismatic and likeable hero, and is especially engaging whenever she tries to communicate or reason with Bill Johnson’s monstrous Leatherface. Her character marks a narrative thread that builds on the Chainsaw mythos. Leatherface’s sexual and romantic attraction to her works to give a glimpse of the humanity that lingers within him. The Leatherface of the sequel is a far cry from the beast of the 1974 original. The ‘humanisation’ of Leatherface is a point that both succeeds and fails depending on one’s perspective. On one hand, sequels have to change and evolve to take these famous narratives to new territory. To that end, the exploration of Leatherface as an actual thinking, emotional, and even sympathetic character lends a certain nuance. On the other hand, the fear factor is immediately reduced. This is no longer the hulking mass that emerged from behind a metal frame to bash in the skull of a hapless teenager. This is not to suggest that Leatherface does not kill anyone – far from it – but even in such simple (and personable) aspects like seeing his eyes Leatherface becomes much less fearsome than he once was.
Tom Savini’s makeup and gore effects are (as usual) second to none. In a particularly gory highlight, a yuppie has his head sliced in half by Leatherface’s buzzing blade. The effect is deliciously gruesome and life-like. Moreover, the makeup for the metal plate that sits atop Chop-Top’s head is disgustingly brilliant. Embellished by Bill Moseley’s energetic performance, both Savini’s makeup and Moseley’s acting complement one another, exemplifying the talents of both actor and artist alike.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is not perfect, but it certainly is entertaining. Despite some missed potential with its characters, the great performances from the cast and the bloody effects courtesy of Savini help make this odd sequel certainly worthwhile. Whether one loves the exploration of Leatherface or not, it certainly lends an edge to the film that further sequels would attempt but rarely do so interestingly. Tobe Hooper may not have struck gold twice with this sequel, but he did at least strike something fun.
And now for Arrow Video’s Blu-Ray itself…
As with all their eclectic range of cult releases, the blu-ray picture is stunning. Looking crisp and clear, this 1080p quality is the result of a digital transfer supervised by the film’s Director of Photography Richard Kooris. The colours are rich and vibrant, allowing for the film’s surprisingly vivid colour palette to reach its full potential. The red hues of the Sawyer family’s lair on Leatherface’s mask look gorgeous.
No different to any other Arrow Video release, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is packed with extras to fascinate and satisfy the earnest Chainsaw aficionado. Included is It Runs In the Family, a six-part documentary chronicling the inception, production, writing, design, and more of the 1986 sequel. It is fascinating to hear L.M. Kit Carson (the film’s screenwriter) explain how Cannon Films diminished the film’s budget and how in turn the script was re-written several times as the production wore on. Equally interesting to note is how the film began to change upon Cannon Films’ wishes after the response to the film at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite being intentionally comedic, Cannon took issue with the audience laughing along with the film. As such, as Carson explains, the film was further altered to ‘show the monsters’
Also included is Still Feelin’ the Buzz, a fabulous interview/documentary with author and horror expert Stephen Thrower. Thrower makes some excellent arguments regarding the film’s commodification of its predecessor, as well as some brilliant commentary on the film’s Vietnam references – especially those made through Bill Moseley’s Chop-Top.
Cutting Moments with Bob Elmore sees an interview with the film’s Leatherface stuntman. With a weary voice, Elmore tells of the many woes of the production, including the story of how he wound up as Leatherface for much of the film. Thinking his work was done after a crash-through-wall stunt, Elmore was called back to the set when it became apparent that Bill Johnson (Leatherface) couldn’t physically lift the enormous chainsaw built for the film. Consequently, it is Elmore behind that horrific skin mask whenever Leatherface is wielding his fearsome weapon.
Elmore also explains his appreciation and enthusiasm for director Tobe Hooper’s intensity but also his disdain for being shouted at on set. Indeed, Elmore notes the difficulties involved with being directed as an actor but being anything but.
Along with two audio commentaries (one with director Tobe Hooper and another with stars Caroline Williams, Bill Moseley, and makeup maestro Tom Savini), Arrow has gifted this release with plenty of deleted footage. Of particular note is the ‘Die Yuppie Scum’ sequence, wherein Leatherface dismembers several violent yuppies in an underground car park. Heads are sliced, arms are cut off, and Leatherface waves his chainsaw triumphantly. Although cut for pacing reasons, it is certainly appreciated to have such scenes available to see now thanks to Arrow.
With a stunning 1080p transfer and absolutely packed with extras, Arrow Video’s release of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is certainly worth buying. The crisp picture quality allows for the best possible viewing experience, and the extras wonderfully embellish one’s enjoyment. Any qualms one may have with the film itself are certainly compensated for with the great care Arrow has afforded this release. Highly recommended.
Many of the films that Arrow so brilliantly puts out have previously been starved of any high-quality home video release. The Slayer (1982) is no different. Beforehand, it was only available in truncated versions, but now Arrow Video finally brings this obscure psychological horror to crisp blu-ray and DVD life.
First of all, the film itself…
Anxiety-ridden artist Kay (Sarah Kendall), her husband David (Alan McRae), her brother Eric (Frederick Flynn) and his wife Brooke (Carol Kottenbrook) escape to an isolated beach island for a vacation. Plagued by horrific dreams she’s had since childhood, Kay becomes more and more frightened that what lurks in her mind might be coming to life. As people die in gruesome ways, Kay becomes convinced that her nightmares are real and that some supernatural entity is closing in on her.
The Slayer has a genuinely fascinating concept, but is ultimately executed very poorly. A slow pace harms the narrative, and the script’s excessive ambiguity does not work in the ‘less is more’ manner. The central idea of a creature from the psyche slowly manifesting itself until it cannot be stopped is a brilliant one – as exemplified by Forbidden Planet (1956). However, so much of this idea is left unexplored that it becomes unsatisfying. Only at the halfway point do we receive any clue as to the root of Kay’s nightmares (coming from her brother Eric), but this is as far as explanations go. Leaving the parameters of her psychology and the supernatural being up to the audience could have been interesting had the writing given more for one to understand. By the film’s end however, we are no closer to understanding the titular Slayer or its relation to Kay than we were at the beginning.
Another issue lies with the characters themselves. Eric, Brooke, and David are all portrayed as hostile to Kay’s anxiety surrounding her dreams. Although Brooke slowly begins to soften and eventually sympathises with Kay, the characters are predominantly dismissive of her fears. Consequently, it is difficult to feel for these individuals upon their deaths, as they rarely seem to afford that same sympathy for Kay. One might be able to overcome this problem if Kay herself was an engaging or likeable hero. On the contrary, Kay is portrayed with such disengagement from reality that it is difficult for the audience to find a way into her character. It could be argued that the quiet, subdued, yet frightful performance by Sarah Kendall works for such a troubled individual, but the end result is someone who rarely expresses the full emotional range – thus stifling our connection to her.
The makeup and gore effects hold up remarkably well. Pitchforks pierce skin, necks are mashed, and heads are bashed in. Robert Short’s creations for the film, whilst sparsely placed throughout, work magnificently. Unfortunately though, the monster of the title appears for less than ten seconds-worth of screen time. As hideously brilliant as its visage appears, it is a shame that the filmmakers worked hard to establish the menace of the beast (through both the suspenseful soundtrack and the bloody murders) and yet the appearance of this creature that has stirred the events of the whole narrative feels like an after-thought – almost like the creature added to the end of The Beast with a Million Eyes (1955).
The Slayer is not one of the stronger horror films of the early 1980s. Plagued with pacing and character issues, and a title creature whose appearance is fleeting at best, it is safe to say that the film has its problems. Although gifted with Robert Short’s great makeup effects, they ultimately cannot save the film.
Now for Arrow Video’s release itself…
Qualms with the film aside, Arrow has outdone themselves in assembling a release that is superb. The Slayer has never looked better, thanks to a newly restored transfer taken from the original negatives. The Slayer itself may only appear briefly, but it looks vivid and terrifying when it does thanks to the 1080p picture quality. The care and dedication afforded to this title is shown in the sheer number of extras included.
Nightmare Island: The Making of The Slayer is a fascinating documentary that chronicles the film’s production. Of particular interest is when Director and Co-Writer J.S. Cardone talks of how they wanted to steer away from doing just another slasher film and instead opted to pursue a story more bound in concepts surrounding the very edge of consciousness – bringing to mind the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Karen Grossman, the Director of Photography, also speaks about her role in the production. Being a woman cinematographer ‘is hard today and it was hard back then’ Grossman notes, but her strong confidence in her abilities remains inspiring and palpable.
Makeup effects artist Robert Short tells of how he was recommended for the film and how his intrigue at the nightmare creature brought him on-board. Short also explains how some of The Slayer’s few-but-gruesome kills were achieved – including the ingenious eye bleeding effect on actor Alan McRae. Short’s stories of the production are brimming with references to makeup artist maestros like Jack Pierce and Dick Smith. Knowing his clear affection for artists of old certainly makes watching his effects onscreen all the more enjoyable.
Of particular merit is The Tybee Post Theatre Experience. On Tybee Island’s refurbished cinema – the very same theatre featured in the film – Arrow’s restoration of The Slayer was specially screened. Included in the extras is the chance to essentially join that experience. With audio from the showing, every reaction, every laugh, every cheer, every scream is there for your enjoyment. Ewan Cant – Arrow Theatricals Executive – presents this feature and makes a poignant comment about the similar fates of the cinema and the film itself. Following the audio accompaniment to the film is a special Q&A session with Arledge Armenaki and the aforementioned Ewan Cant.
Brimming with all these extras and more (including two audio commentaries featuring the film’s director and actress Carol Kottenbrook), the affection that Arrow Video has bestowed upon this title is infectious. The film may have its issues, but the lengths that Arrow has gone to in crafting the release for this obscure (though perhaps not anymore) horror are remarkable. Recommended.
Today is the birthday of one of the most important figures in the fashion world, Coco Chanel.
Chanel was born as Gabrielle Chanel in Saumur, France on the 19th of August 1883. As a designer, Chanel broke through and became a fashion icon through her bold and liberating work. She came most widely known and remembered for her signature scent Chanel No.5, which has become an iconic product in the world of fashion and to this day stands as one of the most important scents ever created.
Sadly, Coco Chanel passed away aged 87 on the 10th of January 1971. However, the work that her label Chanel does is still very much significant as they are constantly developing new products and redeveloping and improving on the old. The brand itself turned over $5.2 billion in the year 2016 and has over 300 stores and boutiques worldwide – sustaining its name as one of the leading fashion brands worldwide.
To remember the life and work of Coco Chanel here are some great quotes by the fashion icon herself.
“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”
“Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”
“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
