Tuesday 25 April 2023

LEGEND reveals slate of horror, sci-fi and action premieres for May 2023

 

Sociopathic drivers, haunted soldiers and a vengeful Nicholas Cage, spearhead an action-packed May line-up on LEGEND, highlighted by the UK TV premieres of Western psychological thriller WAR ON THE RANGE and compelling suspense actioner VENGEANCE, starring Nicholas Cage.

Plus, there are Channel premieres for HIDDEN AGENDA, starring a gun-toting, high-kicking Dolph Lundgren, suicide mission drama LAST PASSENGER, starring Dougray Scott, high-octane crime thriller PAYDIRT, starring Val Kilmer and Luke Goss and John Frankenheimer’s gripping, highly-acclaimed YEAR OF THE GUN, starring Sharon Stone.

THE VINTAGE VAULT continues to haunt Sunday nights with its popular classic genre double-bills, which, this month, include cult favourites WITCHFINDER GENERAL, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT and LUST FOR A VAMPIRE.

The weekends are further enhanced by the continuation of the ever-popular original series of sci-fi anthology classics, THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Full film details in transmission order:
Thurs 4 May @ 21:00 – WAR ON THE RANGE (2015) *UK TV Premiere

In post-Civil War Texas, two neighbouring families are grieving tragic losses while they struggle to survive. The cattle-ranching McCluskeys have lost both a son and their entire herd to the war. The Rileys, mourning the loss of wife and mother Mary to illness, eke out a living trapping animals and selling their pelts. When Wade returns from fighting for the Confederacy, he discovers that the McCluskey family have been stealing animals from his family’s traps. He decides to take matters into his own hands, sparking yet another tragic and senseless war. This rural drama stars James Badge Dale and William Forsythe

Saturdays & Sundays from Sat 6 May @ 20:30 – THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959)

A classic anthology of sci-fi, suspense and goose-bump-inducing tales that are filled with invention and irony. Each story contains cautionary themes and frequently ending with an unexpected plot twist. The series was nominated for seven Emmy Awards and four Hugos and won three of each.

Sat 6 May @ 21:00 – HIDDEN AGENDA (2001) *Channel Premiere

Former government agent Jason Price (Dolph Lundgren) is now a hit man for top government agencies. His high-tech operation never makes a wrong move. But when a mysterious competitor known as The Cleaner infiltrates his system and begins a killing spree, Jason finds himself caught in a frightening spiral where no one can be trusted.

Sun 7 May @ 21:00 – THE WITCHES (1967)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
Following a horrifying experience with the occult in Africa, a schoolteacher (Joan Fontaine) moves to a small English village, only to discover that a mysterious magic resides there as well. Directed by Cyril Frankel and co-starring Alec McCowen this Hammer Films production, was adapted from the 1960 novel The Devil's Own

Sun 7 May @ 22:50 – WITCHFINDER GENERAL (1968)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
Set during the English Civil-War, Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price), tours the Eastern counties instigating witch-hunts and extracting 'confessions' under torture. When a young woman, Sara (Hilary Dwyer), is raped by Hopkins and her priest father murdered, Sara’s lover, Richard Marshall (Ian Ogilvy), vows revenge. The last and best film of director Michael Reeves' tragically brief career, Witchfinder General has received broad critical admiration.


Sat 13 May @ 21:00 – LAST PASSENGER (2013) *Channel Premiere

Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is an overworked doctor and devoted single dad heading home with his young son Max on the last train from London. He strikes up a promising relationship with Sarah (Kara Tointon), but events take a dark turn when Lewis discovers the guard has mysteriously vanished and the brakes have been sabotaged.

Sun 14 May @ 21:00 – THE CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTER (1968)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
Mark Eden, in search of his brother, stumbles upon a coven led by the civilized-looking Christopher Lee who is enacting the revenge of his witch ancestor (Barbara Steele burned in the 17th century. Also starring Boris Karloff as a local witchcraft expert. this adaptation from Lovecraft’s Dream in the Witch House was shot in the allegedly haunted house of W S Gilbert and is the only time Lee, Karloff and Steele appear in the same film. It is also the last British film that Karloff made.

Sun 14 May @ 22:45 – THE BLOOD BEAST TERROR (1968)
 
*Part of The Vintage Vault
A 19th-century entomologist's daughter undergoes a metamorphosis into a giant death's head moth which needs human blood to survive. Her father creates a giant moth to keep her company, but only succeeds in unleashing more blood-sucking terror. Meanwhile, a police inspector (played by Peter Cushing) tries to find the key to the series of gruesome murders.
Fri 19 May @ 22:35 – VENGEANCE (2017) *UK TV Premiere

An adaptation of the Joyce Carol Oates novella Rape: A Love Story. Nicholas Cage plays John Dromoor, a police officer investigating a case involving the gang rape of single mother Teena Maguire, which occurred in front of her 12-year-old daughter Bethie. After the attackers get off scot-free, John attempts to get justice by any means necessary.
Sat 20 May @ 21:00 – PAYDIRT (2020) *Channel Premiere

Criminal gang leader Damien Brooks (Luke Goss) is recently out on parole. He reconnects with his old crew to find the cash they stole and buried as a result of a DEA bust. However, they are being monitored by Sheriff Tucker (Val Kilmer), a retired officer who knows that Damien and the gang are still up to no good.

Sun 21 May @ 21:00 – THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (1968)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
The powers of good are pitted against the forces of evil as the Duc de Richelieu (Christopher Lee) wrestles with the deadly Satanist, Mocata (Charles Gray) for the soul of his friend, who has become deeply involved in a satanic society run by Mocata. Furthermore, De Richleau's daughter is kidnapped by the cult and put up for sacrifice to the Angel of Death..

Sun 21 May @ 22:55 – DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
Young Doctor Jekyll pursues his search for a drug to prolong life. He tries his potion on himself and to his horror finds it changes him into a young and beautiful woman. So Sister Hyde is born, who stalks the dark alleys of Whitechapel for young, innocent, female victims, ensuring continuation of the bloodstained research. With each transformation Sister Hyde becomes the more dominant personality, determined to eventually suppress the ineffectual Dr Jekyll forever. Directed by Roy Ward Baker, the film is based on the 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Sat 27 May @ 21:00 – YEAR OF THE GUN (1991) *Channel Premiere

American novelist David Raybourne (Andrew McCarthy) accidentally becomes entangled in the Red Brigade's terrorist plan to kidnap Italian Premier Aldo Moro during a research trip to Rome. As the terrorists attempt to kill David, he and his photojournalist friend (Sharon Stone) must struggle to stay alive. Directed by John Frankenheimer
Sun 28 May @ 21:00 – SCARS OF DRACULA (1970)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
Count Dracula, (Christopher Lee), once again spreads his evil from his mountaintop castle. When libertine Paul Carlson disappears one night, his more sober brother Simon and his girlfriend trace him to the area, discovering a terrified populace. Thrown out of the inn, they make their way, like Paul before them, towards the sinister castle and its undead host. This sequel to Taste the Blood of Dracula" (1968), also stars Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Patrick Troughton, and Michael Gwynn.
Sun 28 May @ 22:55 – LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault
The enigmatic Carmilla (Yutte Stensgaard) enrols as a student in an exclusive girls' finishing school and proceeds to wreak havoc among pupils and teachers alike. Among those who fall victim to her striking and sensual beauty is the school's new English teacher Giles Barton (Ralph Bates), who at first refuses to credit the ugly rumours about her true vampiristic nature. But, following the death of a colleague, and as the toll among the girls mounts, Barto he is reluctantly forced to face the truth...

TV: Sky 148 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 41 / Freesat 137

Monday 24 April 2023

COMPETITION: Win Picnic at Hanging Rock on Blu-ray



Peter Weir's acclaimed 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' gets new Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release + Standard Editions released on 1 May 2023

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on Standard Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis:
The internationally acclaimed Australian cinema classic Picnic at Hanging Rock established the now legendary, Peter Weir (The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society) as a major filmmaker and with BAFTA-winning photography and a memorably haunting score, it remains one of the most chillingly atmospheric and beautifully enigmatic films ever made.  Now this seminal piece of cinema is set to receive a stunning new Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release alongside Standard Editions on 4K UHD and Blu-ray courtesy of Second Sight Films on 1 May 2023.

The film is presented in an impressive new Second Sight Films 4K scan and restoration from the original camera negative, which was supervised and approved by Peter Weir and director of photography Russell Boyd.  The Ltd Ed comes in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Thinh Dinh as a four-disc set featuring two UHDs and two Blu-rays, including restorations of the Director’s Cut and original Theatrical Cut.

There’s a basket-load of special features, including brand new interviews, audio commentaries and the feature-length documentary A Dream Within a Dream and much more; please see full details below.

On Saturday, 14 February 1900, a party of schoolgirls from Appleyard College took a trip to Hanging Rock near Mt. Macedon in Victoria. During that idyllic sun-drenched afternoon some of the girls left the rest of the group to go exploring. The higher they climbed the more exhausted they became, finally they stopped to rest and  fell asleep…

When they awoke, as though still in a dream the girls silently ventured further through a passage in the imposing rock face. Some of them were never seen again.

Based on the novel by Joan Lindsay and starring mesmerising performances from Anne-Louise Lambert, Rachel Roberts, Vivean Gray, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a treasured masterwork that now gets the release it deserves in a must own collector’s edition.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3oxOXmF

Enter now for a chance to win.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 08-05-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Wednesday 19 April 2023

Interview with Amber Doig-Thorne (Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey)

Amber Doig-Thorne of the smash-hit film Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey joins us for a chat.

Amber’s talent has landed her leading roles in over 100 productions, including 23 British feature films (The Seven, Demons at Dawn, Heropanti 2, Vikings: Battle of Heirs) and numerous award-winning short films, and comedy productions.

Interviewer: What is your favorite horror film?

Amber Doig-Thorne: I can't just choose one favorite horror film – I love Halloween, I love the Scream franchise, The Conjuring, The Purge, and Paranormal Activity.


Interviewer: If they were to remake some of the classic horror films, which ones would you like to be involved in?

Amber Doig-Thorne: If they were to remake Friday the 13th, Halloween, Scream, and The Conjuring – I would be delighted to be involved because I think they are so iconic; I feel like each of them has paved the way in some way in the horror genre.


Interviewer: What scenes from horror films have traumatised you?

Amber Doig-Thorne: So many scenes from horror films have traumatised me – I remember watching the original Japanese version of The Grudge when I was far too young; I didn't sleep for weeks! In the American version, the scene where a character is in the wardrobe, and they stick their head up in the loft, and the Grudge is there. There is another scene in the hallway where there's a CCTV camera, and the Grudge crawls towards the camera; the way it crawls and the body moves really freaks me out.


Interviewer: Can you tell us about your experience filming Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey?

Amber Doig-Thorne: When we were filming Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey, I called my Mum every day after filming to let her know how it was going. At the end, I remember telling her: 'This feels like something really special'. I had so much fun filming it, and I had a feeling people would have fun watching it. But never in a million years did I think the film would be as well-received as it has been. It's been incredible to be interviewed by publications I grew up with, like Variety, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Hollywood Reporter – all commenting on our little independent low-budget film that's now gone on to take over $6 Million at the box office - I've been blown away by it.


Interviewer: What's the next film you're working on?

Amber Doig-Thorne: The next film I am working on is The Baby In The Basket, a gothic horror set in the 1940s, it takes inspiration from old gothic horrors and psychological thrillers. I play the lead role of Sister Agnes - a baby is left in a basket on the stars of a monastery. There is drama between the Nuns anyway, so the baby is brought into that situation, and very quickly, things go haywire, which leads my character to believe the baby is the son of the devil. Without giving anything away – madness ensues, and there are lots of twists and turns. It's definitely one of my most challenging roles so far.


Interviewer: Where will you be filming The Baby In The Basket?

Amber Doig-Thorne: We will be filming in Scotland, which feels like returning to my roots, as I have Scottish heritage. We will be filming as a church or abbey, so we will be immersed, and we are crowdfunding at the moment – so there's the opportunity to visit us on set or go to the premiere. This offers people an exciting chance to be involved in a horror film. It will be a lot of fun, and people can expect to be on the edge of their seats!

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey is out now at https://amzn.to/3URQ0dq



Tuesday 11 April 2023

COMPETITION: Win M3GAN on Blu-ray


M3GAN (Unseen Edition)  released on 17th April

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on Blu-Ray to give away.

Synopsis:
M3GAN UNSEEN EDITION delivers more distressing violence and profanity and features never-before-seen bonus content including a breakdown of the creation of M3GAN and behind-the-scenes featurettes showcasing the film’s complex stunts and gory deaths.

M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams, Get Out), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to. As Gemma faces pressure at work from her boss (Ronny Chieng, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) to deliver a finished version of M3GAN, she suddenly becomes the unprepared caretaker of her newly orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House). Gemma decides to pair the M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems, a decision that will have unimaginable consequences.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/41kUHhC

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 24-04-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey on DVD

Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey released on 17th April

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis:
An unexpected re-imagining of A. A. Milne's beloved 1926 book in an ingenious and irreverent new horror film

During childhood, Christopher Robin befriended Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and their friends, played games and fed them. But as he grew older, the visits stopped, leaving them increasingly hungry and desperate, eyeing Eeyore as food. Now Christopher has returned to the forest with his new wife hoping to introduce her to his old friends. But it sends Pooh and Piglet on a murderous scavenger hunt for human flesh when they antagonise a group of college girls on a rural cabin vacation. Will Christopher still get Pooh back on the right track?

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Utm1Il

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 24-04-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Monday 3 April 2023

COMPETITION: Win The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: (4K UHD and Blu-ray) Limited edition



The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: (4K UHD and Blu-ray) Limited edition out on 10th April 2023

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and a copy to give away.

Synopsis

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre not only changed the face of horror, it remains one of the most disturbing, powerful and terrifying films ever made. Now – almost half a century after its original release – you can witness the terror as never seen before, as Second Sight Films presents the definitive version of Tobe Hooper’s legendary horror classic.

The highly anticipated Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray Box set comes complete with three discs: one UHD and two Blu-rays and in a brand-new presentation featuring additional restoration work. The UHD is presented in Dolby Vision HDR produced by Second Sight Films. Presented in a rigid box featuring stunning artwork, the release comes complete with a slew of special features and a 190-page hardback book. It arrives on 10 April 2023 and will also be available on Standard Edition 4K UHD and Standard Edition Blu-ray.

The film that redefined horror, tells the story of a group of five friends who take a road trip and find themselves at the mercy of a depraved Texan clan, among them one of the all-time horror icons, the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface – played by the inimitable Gunnar Hansen. It’s not long before their idyllic drive becomes a macabre nightmare...

On its 1974 release, the film shocked audiences to their core, caused outrage and was widely banned for many years. To this day, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has the power to strike fear into its victims, both old and new.

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3ZwsJOB

Enter now for a chance to win.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 17-04-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.