Yes, we’ve been tracking this one for a while and are promised a trailer soon but in the mean time we’ve got an impressive new gallery of stills from the upcoming Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre including the first released gore shots - though they’re definitely holding most of that stuff back - and the first shots to include the legendary Gunnar Hansen, the original Leatherface himself gone back to his homeland for this one.

An epic tale about a group of whale watchers, whose ship breaks down and they get picked up by a whale fisher vessel. The Fishbillies on the vessel have just gone bust, and everything goes out of control.

Hit the link below for more than twenty images from the film!

Continue Reading "Fresh Gallery Of Stills From Icelandic Horror-Comedy THE REYKJAVIK WHALE WATCHING MASSACRE!"...

While it’s far too soon to say whether Korean period-set action comedy 1724 Geisha House Riot is actually going to be any good one thing is already certain:  this aint going to be your father’s stodgy old period drama.  Rude, colorful and loaded up with people getting punched in the face this one is clearly aiming to be a period epic in name only, simply using the setting as an excuse to ramp up the colorful costumes and settings.  The first teaser is out now but will likely not mean much to non-Korean speakers as it is little more than a blooper reel loaded up with the key actors swearing at one another.  Check the teaser below the break and watch for more as we get it.

** We’ve got the first trailer now, as well, and there’s a whole lot more to it.  This is looking fun.  Both teaser and trailer are now below the break. **

Continue Reading "History Gets Goofy In Korea’s 1724 GEISHA HOUSE RIOT * UPDATE *"...

[Twitch-O-Meters will remain at the top of the page for the duration of the day they were published. Please scroll down for today’s film news]

Time flies when you’re having fun, especially if you can’t count.

I expected that shortly we’d have to do a special Twitch-O-Meter because number 100 was coming up. But when I finished counting them all, guess what: I was already too late. Last week was actually the hundredth of these that got published.

Which makes this Twitch-O-Meter number 101.
And that gave me the idea to put up a list with links to all the 100 which had come before. 

Sometimes we do get asked what the Twitch-O-Meter is supposed to be, or what its purpose is. What it is is quickly answered: it’s a weekly column, mostly (but not always) in the form of a list or a countdown.

What the purpose is takes a bit longer to explain, but it basically amounts to this: here at Twitch, most of the time we write about news. New movies, new plans from actors and directors, new DVDs…
But we didn’t become film fans because of news. We started to love films because of specific titles, specific events, specific genre highlights. The Twitch-O-Meter was invented so we had a chance to write about things we love and hate. And to share opinions and other stuff which does not necessarily constitute news.

These are our labors of love, or at least they should be. And what have we done with the freedom this column grants us? Find out after the break!

Continue Reading "What Came Before 101: A Big List Of All Twitch-O-Meters So Far"...

We’ve been keeping an eye on Luster, the latest from Devil’s Chair, Broken and Blood River writer-director duo of Simon Boyes and Adam Mason - regular podcasters on this site - and today our patience was rewarded with an exclusive first look at the sales promo for the picture.  Now, this is not a trailer per se, but a reel prepared to present and sell the film at the recently concluded American Film Market.  It hasn’t been through post production yet so it’s still a bit ragged around the edges in parts but it’s more than enough to show that Mason has taken a surprising direction with this one, leaving the intense horror of his previous pictures behind in favor of absurd black comedy.

Thomas Luster is a troubled businessman who tries to make sense of a life being driven out-of-control by a force closer to home than he first realizes.  When he discovers that the man working against him is another side of his own personality he is forced to fight back against his manipulative alter-ego as murder, madness and mayhem combine to take Thomas Luster on the most bizarre and terrifying ride of his life.

Andrew Howard - The Devil’s Chair and Blood River - stars.  Check the promo out in the Twitch Player below the break.

Continue Reading "An Exclusive First Look At Adam Mason’s LUSTER!"...

Good news for Korean film fans:  Ryoo Seung-Wan’s hyperactive action comedy Dachimawa Lee arrives on English subtitled DVD in Korea on December 5th. 

Better news for Korean film fans:  It includes the soundtrack CD.  This is seriously pretty much worth the cost of purchase all on it’s lonesome.

Dachimawa Lee is Ryoo’s expansion of an earlier short of the same name, a period set spy caper that whisks its titular hero around the world in a non-stop series of adventures and action that play out like equal parts Inspector Clouseau, James Bond and a whole lot of Shaw Brothers films.  The film has been accused of being a bit style over substance - which is true enough - and pretty much demands that you have similar tastes to the director if you’re going to have any hope of catching even half of the many, many film references scattered throughout but I figure that last bit shouldn’t be too much of a problem around here.  It’s goofy, hyperkinetic fun and everyone involved clearly had a blast making it. Check out the trailers below the break.

Continue Reading "Ryoo Seung-Wan’s DACHIMAWA LEE Available on DVD!"...

I think most of us here are fans of Jackie Chan and I think most of us here have been shaking their heads in dismay over his recent career choices. Well don’t stop shaking just yet cause Jackie is about to get his ass whooped by none other than Lazy Town’s Sportacus. I don’t know how many of you know the candy colored world of Lazy Town, the hyper positive environment and silly slapstick aimed at small kids and the message that you need to exercise and eat healthy.
That world is the brainchild of Magnús Scheving, an Icelandic fitness champion that started out with a children’s book, which led to a stage play, which led to a TV show, which led to a world wide phenomena.
Now Scheving is one fit mofo, doing most of his own stunts, flips and jumps in the show and that apparently got the attention of one of the producers for Jackie Chan’s latest US venture, The Spy Next Door co starring George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus. The story line revolves around a babysitter (Chan) who has to fight off evil doers when one of the kids he’s babysitting downloads a top secret code.
I know, I know.

Scheving will play the main villain, a russian up to no good as they usually are in movies.
Now Scheving was on TV a couple of weeks ago talking about his involvement in this project and showed viewers the screen test he did, using his Lazy Town connections, which apparently sealed the deal for him. He did however say that he was most likely not chosen for his acting ability, he’s the first to admit that he’s not a great actor, but for his moves and agility of which he has plenty of.
I’ve crudely cut together the scenes that were shown during the interview so audio will be choppy but all that was shown is there. The reason why I haven’t posted this sooner is because I’ve been having problem with the video file, which you’ll see will have a watermark because of Microsoft VS Apple issues. But to hell with it.
Take a look at the video after the break.

Continue Reading "Sportacus to whoop Jackie Chan’s ass?"...

You know what makes Greg Mottola’s Adventureland feel so different from the current string of teen comedy films being cranked out by Hollywood?  Instead of being a film cranked out by a bunch of guys in suits in a boardroom trying to cram in as much stuff as they think kids like, Mottola has instead made what is pretty obviously a loving memory of what being a kid was like.  Sure, it’s been tweaked and massaged a bit but the spirit of this is so clearly loving and nostalgic and the cast so strong across the board that it’s pretty hard not to fall in love with it.  Plus it’s got The Violent Femmes.  I love The Violent Femmes.

Summary, such as it is:  Rich college kid (AKA Greg Mottola substitute), wants to go to Europe, parents make him take the first paying job he’s ever had, and the only one he can get is as summer midway staff at a low rent amusement park.  Vomit and carnies ensue.

We’ve got the trailer below the break.

Continue Reading "I Want To Go To ADVENTURELAND"...

I’m still quite excited to see Scott Sanders’ loyal Blaxploitation spoof Black Dynamite.  I say still, because the first trailer looked like an over-the-top throwback to classic Blaxploitation fare, but this brand new trailer lets the cat out of the bag.  The creators are aiming for a classier version of I’m Gonna Git You Sucka or Undercover Brother (both fine spoofs in their own right).  Yum.  Yum.

This is the story of 1970’s action legend Black Dynamite. When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.

R.I.P.  Rudy Ray Moore.

You’ll find all the Dynamite goodness - including that of the NSFW variety - below the break in the Twitch Player.  Hit the link below for a larger version of the poster.

Continue Reading "Parody Done Right: BLACK DYNAMITE * UPDATED With The Fantastic New One Sheet *"...

I should have written this up after I saw this at TADFF. That would have been the proper thing to do but this was just one of those movies that I really wanted to write up but somehow found myself stymied to come up with a review. But with the one week of screenings starting tonight here in Toronto at our beloved Bloor Cinema the time is right to chime in. Love triangles, family betrayal, secrets and lies are all en vogue as Repo! delves into sonic darkness

Repo! takes place in the near future when an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet and the scientific community gears up for a massive organ harvest. A biotech corporation, Genco, comes up with easy organ payment plans. Need a heart? Why not put that new one on easy monthly instalments? How about that spine? Spread that hefty fee over time instead of today. But, these organs are subject to legal default, failure to meet your payments could include repossession at the hands of Genco’s repo men. You thinking missing payments on your car is bad? Hardly.

Continue Reading "Repo! The Genetic Opera: One week event at The Bloor Cinema!"...

[Updated with the teaser now included in the Twitch Player below the break.]

A teaser trailer for Imagi Studios’ Astro Boy, an upcoming CG animated film based on the classic manga series by the legendary Osamu Tezuka, has finally arrive online.  As mention before, the director is David Bowers (Flushed Away) and the voice cast include Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas and Freddie Highmore.  Heres the synopsis:

A thrilling tale of a true hero, ‘Astro Boy’ is an all-new, full-length feature film full of action, adventure, humor and heart. It will be brought to life on the big screen in breathtaking CGI animation on October 23, 2009.

Set in futuristic Metro City, ‘Astro Boy’ is about a young robot with incredible powers. Powered by pure positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly- not to mention the purest spirit on the planet.

Embarking on a journey across the planet to discover his powers, Astro Boy encounters a netherworld of robot gladiators and other comic characters, and learns the joys and emotions of being human. When he learns his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals all his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City, in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to embrace his place in the world.

Dang, I wanted to see more. The teaser certainly serve its purpose and that is to show only a little but just enough to get me hooked.  Its still almost a full year till it gets release to theaters.  So what do you think? Check it below the break.

Continue Reading "ASTRO BOY Teaser Trailer soars Online! ** UPDATE **"...

Hostess Peaches Christ is thrilled to announce that a great, big, B-movie dream of hers is about to come true!  One night only on Wednesday, December 17th, at San Francisco’s Landmark Bridge Theatre, Peaches will present—not just once, but twice at 7:00PM and 9:40PM—a Midnight Mass produced stage-show featuring cult film icon and genre superstar Bruce Cambell live and in-person.  Peaches has been dying to honor Bruce Campbell—as she says “forEVER”—and is putting together this San Franciscan evening of Idol Worship, preceding the Bay Area premiere of Bruce Campbell’s directorial debut My Name Is Bruce.  Tickets are $10.50 and can be purchased here.

Synopsis for My Name Is Bruce: When the small mining town of Gold Lick, Oregon needs to rid itself of a vengeful monster, they kidnap actor Bruce Campbell—star of the Evil Dead trilogy, Bubba Ho-tep and countless B-movie horror films—and recruit him to be their local savior.  Mortified at first, Bruce eventually goes along with the plan, convinced that it’s all an elaborate birthday present from his agent (Ted Raimi).  But the scheme goes horribly wrong when their hero, known more for fighting directors than mythical warriors, haphazardly leads the town in battle against the beast.  Confronted by a monster that’s not a guy in a rubber suit, and with the blood of innocents on his hands, Bruce has to choose between the harsh reality of Gold Lick and the sanctity of his former, artificial life.  A horror comedy written by Mark Verheiden (Smallville, Battlestar Galactica), My Name Is Bruce co-stars Grace Thorsen and Taylor Sharpe.

This is a match made in heaven … well, maybe hell (as in hella fun)!  See you there!

Cross-published on The Evening Class.

Well, it’s about time.  After releasing a three minute promo a year ago followed by a string of five teasers over the past month or so the first full trailer for Cem Yilmaz’s Turkish time traveling comedy AROG has just arrived.  A sequel / inversion to Yilmaz’s previous scifi hit GORA - a sort of Turkish Mel Brooks film with simply stellar production values - this one sends Yilmaz back in time to deal with cave men and dinosaurs and the early teasers - each of them self contained little scenes - were absolutely hysterical.  So it’s a little sad that this first proper trailer is the weakest by far of the promo materials released thus far, though blame for that should be placed squarely on whoever cut it together rather than the footage itself since the problems here seem to be all about presentation and not actual content.  Check ‘em all out in the Twitch Player below the break.

Continue Reading "Finally, A Full Trailer For Cem Yilmaz’s AROG"...

Anxious to see this one?  Well, yes, more than a little bit.  The Good Heart is the English language debut from Dagur Kari, who has previously shot much loved films in both Icelandic (Noi Albinoi) and Danish (Dark Horse).  Here’s the skinny:

Lucas is a good-hearted young man who has come to an existential dead-end. He is homeless, living in a cardboard box under the Brooklyn Bridge. With a total lack of prospects for the future, Lucas tries to commit suicide, but the attempt is a failure like everything else in his life.

Recuperating in hospital, Lucas is forced to share a room with Jacques, a grouchy, cynical bar-owner whose choleric demeanour and less-than-healthy lifestyle have resulted in no fewer than five heart attacks. With no family or friends and a risk of passing away any day, Jacques takes Lucas under his battered wing with the intention of passing on his idiosyncratic legacy.

Lucas begins a hectic learning process: he has to learn to make the perfect espresso and to adopt Jacques’ many bizarre philosophies.

Paul Dano and Brian Cox star.  We’ve run six photos from the film previously but we’ve just landed a seventh and you can check them all out at the link below.

Jonás Cuarón’s début is an exciting, charming and genuinely touching coming-of-age movie that defies conventional generic boundaries. The son of Alfonso, Cuarón Jr. draws on many notions from his father’s work and indeed the broader context of recent Mexican cinema; a cross generational relationship, the trials of puberty and the fleeting moments that shape young lives, so intense and affecting at the time yet painfully short-lived.  But here they are shaped into an experimental and fresh piece of work that resembles the exotic child from a union between La Jetée and Y Tu Mamá También. A documentary spliced with coming-of-age drama composed entirely of still photographs edited into a narrative that spans a year in the lives of Molly (Eireann Harper), a 21 year old American travelling through Mexico, and Diego (Diego Cataño), a typically and perpetually horny 14 year old – naïve, romantic and troubled by a persistent ingrowing toenail.

Continue Reading "Año Uña (Year of the Nail) Review"...

It was in 2005 that the Asian Film Archive issued the first DVD collection from its archives entitled Singapore Shorts Volume 1, and given its title, you’d come to expect more from this particular anthology series to emerge. It’s been a long three year anticipation for Volume 2 to materialize, which was recently launched last week, but as the adage goes, all good things come to those who wait.

Continue Reading "DVD Review of Asian Film Archive’s SINGAPORE SHORTS VOL 2"...