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BASE AWARDS NIGHT NEARS
CHUCK STEELS ITSELF FOR RELEASE
HOWLING FOR MORE
GUEST MAKES A WELCOME RETURN
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
BEN’S EARTH STORIES
SPIRIT LIVES ON
TESTING WELL
EUREKA UNVEILS JANUARY RELEASES
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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During the 90s, as the VHS market was maturing and also during the heady
The BASE Awards – with the first in-person event for the annual event since back in 2019 – are taking place in less than a month now, with the November 18 date fast approaching. And the trade organisation has noted that the final touches are now being made for the event, being held this year at the long-announced and intended new venue of the Roundhouse in Camden Town, London. All you need to do to attend is book your tickets now, with BASE also suggesting attendees take a lateral flow test to ensure Covid safety for everyone going to celebrate the best of a pandemic-altered year in the business. BASE chief executive Liz Bales told The Raygun: “The 2021 BASE Awards are now less than a month away, and the team are working hard on the finishing touches for the festivities at Camden’s iconic Roundhouse on November 18. It’s a particularly special event as we celebrate with colleagues and friends from across the industry for the first time in almost two years, and to make sure we can play safely we are following all government Covid guidelines as well as encouraging all guests to take a lateral flow before attending. Tickets are selling fast, but there is still time to book your table and make sure you don’t miss out on a fabulous evening – just email Vicki@baseorg.uk to buy your tickets and we look forward to seeing you there!”
To the Vue in London’s Leicester Square for the premiere of Chuck Steel: Night Of The Trampires, due out at cinemas on Friday October 29. The film is a riotous stop motion animated affair, chock full of tasteless jokes and blood and gore and, as the packed audience highlighted, it goes down a storm with the right crowd. Director Mike Mort introduced the film, which features the voice talents of Paul Whitehouse and Jennifer Saunders among others, and revealed how he first came up with the character of Chuck Steel when he was in his teens, and, now he’s 50, Chuck has finally made it to the big screen. He also noted how, after numerous discussions with assorted distributors, he and the producers decided to self-release the film. It will play across cinemas, including all Showcase sites, Vue, Odeon and Cineworld from Friday, with a home entertainment release to follow early in 2022. You can see the latest trailer for the film here, its website is here…
Out in stores on Monday October 25 is the newly restored version of 1980s werewolf classic The Howling, with its groundbreaking special effects showing a human to lycanthrope transformation setting the bar for horror FX in the VHS era. Studiocanal has given the title its full treatment, with the release available in multiple SKUs. Commenting on the title, the company’s Carys Gaskin said: “We're thrilled to be releasing the brand new 4K restoration of THE HOWLING this Halloween, approved by the director Joe Dante for the film's 40th anniversary. With refreshed artwork for the limited edition 4K UHD Collector's Edition featuring a booklet, art cards and bonus documentary disc as well as being available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital, plus a stunning Zavvi exclusive SteelBook, so fans both new and original can fully embrace the cult werewolf horror classic.”
Also keeping up to the high standards it has set itself for releases is Second Sight, with the indie operator bringing another gorgeously packaged, lovingly put together release, this time focusing on Adam Wingard’s horror thriller The Guest, another more recent genre title given the full treatment, from best-ever sound and picture through to booklet with new writing on the film. Commenting on the release, in stores on October 25, the company’s Chris Holden said: “It’s been great to see the response to our 3rd 4K UHD release, The Guest. We worked closely with the producer and had the full support of Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett and the cast. Adam Wingard personally supervised the new HDR grade and it looks stunning! It’s a film that’s truly grown into a cult classic over the past few years and so we wanted to do something special with this one. We’ve had one unboxing call it the greatest looking 4K box they've seen so it’s great to hear that feedback when so much went into it.”
There’s not one, nor two, but a whopping three diverse but equally commercial titles due from Universal on Monday October 25, with some strong fare for both the half-term holidays, as well as more grown-up keenly timed seasonal releases for Halloween. First up is the latest from M Night Shyamalan, a director who has proved to be home entertainment gold over the yeas. His newest outing, Old, is a shaggy dog horror tale about a holiday resort where the guests age mysteriously – and suddenly. Commenting on the release, Universal senior product manager Stephen White said: “We’re excited to be bringing UK audiences the latest mind-bending thrill ride from M. Night Shyamalan. His films have been exciting and scaring audiences for the past two decades, and Old may just be his most terrifying film yet! Old also features a fantastic cast, including Vicky Krieps (from Phantom Thread) and Thomasin McKenzie who will be seen next starring in Last Night In Soho.”
And there’s another notable director, Ben Wheatley, also returning to the fray with his latest outing on the same day froma Universal, with the release of his In The Earth, putting a pandemic-style twist into his out-there filmmaking. Comment from senior product manager Stephen White again, who said: “In The Earth" sees cult favourite Ben Wheatley returning to the pure horror of Kill List, with a dose of A Field In England’s psychedelic madness. In The Earth is another unique vision from one of the UK’s finest filmmakers, and a must-see for horror fans looking for a film that goes into strange new territory!”
Lastly, and key for half term, is animated outing Spirit Untamed The Movie, available on DVD and Blu-ray from the studio. Universal’s Emily Evans said: “We are releasing a special Sleepover Edition which includes over an hour of bonus content that will be sure to entertain our audiences and help them prepare for the ultimate night in. Bonus features include videos which show you how to make campfire treats, your own indoor camp and sing along videos. Our Home Entertainment campaign is targeting families in co-viewing environments. We are showcasing the key themes of friendship, girl power and adventure in our creative, as well as highlighting that the film is the perfect film choice that everyone can enjoy this half term. We a lso have competitions running across our Facebook page and via the Spirit magazine where entrants have the chance of winning a copy of the film on DVD and some merchandise. The competition if going to be launched by Julianne Moore. From a PR perspective, we are sending key influencers a fabulous bundle to help them have the ultimate night in. This will include a projector, tent, movie merch and some yummy treats.”
Keep an eye out on The Beta Test, just released at cinemas by independent distributor Blur Finch Film Releasing and due on digital on November 8. It’s picking up strong word of mouth and is shaping up nicely, as the company’s marketing and operations manager Fatima Hayward explained. She said: ‘We’re very excited to be working with Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe on their latest release. After the success of Thunder Road, Jim has gained a dedicated following who have been eager to see the film on the big screen- considering the heavy studio release schedule in October, it has been great to see the exhibitor support for The Beta Test. We have had a strong opening weekend especially due to Jim and PJ coming to the UK to take part in Q&A screenings and additional press. With this and the positive critics’ response, we are feeling confident as we move towards the digital release.”
We're fully aware of the fact we’re not even that deep into Q4 yet, but independent labels are still announcing ambitious plans for 2022, which is a sign of the rude health some boutique imprints are currently enjoying. Chief among these is Eureka, which announced a brace of titles due in January from its assorted labels. Here’s national accounts manager Marcus Garwood in its first titles due to rung in the new year early in 2022. He said: “"The horses are ready and here at Eureka we saddle up and head West to open up our 2022 roster by bringing you John Ford’s 1953 Drama Western The Sun Shines Bright. Cited by Ford himself as his own favourite film the original uncut master has been fully restored and makes its UK debut on Blu-ray via The Masters of Cinema Series. Martial arts action next as we present a double bill set containing 1978’s Warriors Two and 1981’s The Prodigal Son. Both films are Directed by and star Sammo Hung (Millionaires Express, Encounters of the Spooky Kind), so fans know they are in safe hands here. The release itself is pure quality comprising a limited edition O-card slipcase featuring stunning new artwork by Darren Wheeling, limited edition reversible poster featuring the wonderful original Hong Kong artwork and a limited collector’s booklet crammed full of tasty archival imagevergreen double disc set with Hong Kong theatrical and international export Versions of Warriors Two on Disc One (Complete with stacks of extras) and The Prodigal Son on Disc Two (again with a host of extras). Both films make their UK debuts on Blu-ray from brand new 2K restorations making this a true day one essential for all martial arts film fans.”
AT THE MOVIES
Universal has confirmed it will give director Christopher Nolan the lengthy theatrical to home ent window he requires for his Robert Oppenheimer biopic that was subject of a major bidding war between the majors after the director decided to leave Warner. Universal Filmed Entertainment chair Donna Langley told a panel in the US: "Look, Chris has a precedent at Warner Bros. in the 20 years he was making movies there and he was very clear with, I think, everybody that he spoke with that that was something he was looking to do and so I think that was a sort of point of entry. We are happy to accommodate it." She did confirm that windows will get shorter in the main, however, adding: “We are training consumers to expect movies earlier… It just makes practical sense." She added that windos will remain in place and the studio won’t be doing many more direct to streaming releases in the US, as it did with Halloween Kills, adding it immediately to its Peacock streaming service. She said: “We’re working on the assumption that theatrical will be back next year. We may get off to a bit of a slow start, depending on what happens with Covid and during the flu season. It’s early days for The Peacock, but we anticipate having a really significant role there to the extent that film content will play there, which we imagine that it will. We have done a couple of day-and-date [releases], we are about to put Halloween Kills on to the platform and in theatres at the same time. I don’t think we are going to do much stunting like that. I think it’s going to be more about us making originals for [Peacock] going forward.”
With the film currently playing big at cinemas here in the UK and in other major territories, sci-fi fans are getting all hot under the collar about the likelihood of a sequel to Dune. And with all eyes on Warner, the studio has given another hint about the potential, a hint that many will take as confirmation of plans to have a second outing. Warner ceo Ann Saroff said: "“Will we have a sequel to Dune? If you watch the movie you see how it ends. I think you pretty much know the answer to that.”
Barbie has found her Ken, at last. For the film based on the enduring, evergreen and multi-talented toy property has moved on after the discovery of the male lead. Joining Margot Robbie, long in the frame to star as the Mattel property, will be Ryan Gosling, who will now star as her dishy pal in the forthcoming Warner movie. The title is being penned by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach with the former also directing, their involvement ensuring it will not be your average toy to movie property…
TWEET OF THE WEEK
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TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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