The Filmmason - Films I Love - The Night Flier

In this series of videos I will be talking about the films that I love, across all genres and ages. You might see some films on here that you hate or love as well, feel free to let me know either way!

Nightbreed - The Cabal Cut

Now this one snuck up on me. I had heard rumblings in the past, but thought it would never come about, but it looks like a lot of Nightbreed fans are going to be very happy.

Sadly everything isn't perfect, the missing footage that was thought to be tucked away safely, is either tucked away VERY safely, or is now lost forever. But video tapes exist of a cut that is around an hour longer then what we have seen so far.

Barker is promising a fully restored Blu-ray and DVD release, no doubt packed full of goodies, BUT how good are these VHS elements? Even if they were pristine, its still VHS.

Anyway, while we ponder that little problem (hopefully we will get the original cut as well restored and released with it), when Barker means fully restored, he really means it, as you can see by the video above, he has gotten his old friend Doug to come in and re-dub his lines, I didn't even know his lines were re-dubbed at the last minute by another actor, listening to the new vocals, it almost sounds wrong, even though its right, if that makes sense.

Anyway, more info as we get it...

DVD News - Clash of the Titans (2010)

Warner Home Video has announced DVD and Blu-ray releases of Clash of the Titans (2010) for the 27th July. The only extra material on the DVD release will be additional scenes. The Blu-ray release will include the additional scenes, along with an exclusive alternate ending, a Sam Worthington: An Action Hero for the Ages featurette, and a Maximum Movie Mode with enhanced scene breakdowns, enhanced VFX breakdowns, on-the-spot vignettes, and more.

DVD Review - Let the Right One In (R4)

Vampire films have captured the hearts and minds of cinemagoers since the advent of the medium, sparked by Max Schrek's iconic turn in F.W Murnau's 1922 feature Nosferatu in the first film adaptation of Bram Stoker's archetypal horror novel "Dracula". Over the years, the face, flavour and tone of the Dracula story has changed through countless iterations, from Tod Browning's 1930 version starring Bela Lugosi, to Francis Ford Coppola's 1993 feature starring Gary Oldman, and including comic, modern and action versions - Dracula Dead and Loving It, Dracula 2000, and Van Helsing respectively - however the mass appeal has remained. Indeed, the wider vampire legend has been heartily embraced by the film and television community in general, firmly entrenching the genre staple into popular consciousness through popular TV programs (some witty like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, some paint-by-numbers like Moonlight, some racy and fresh like True Blood), male-oriented action features (the three Blade films, the Underworld trilogy, 30 Days of Night, Daybreakers), period dramas (Interview With The Vampire), teen fare (The Lost Boys, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film), shlock-horrors (From Dusk Til Dawn) and derivative romances (the Twilight saga, of course), and cementing the vampire as a cultural phenomenon.

Not to discount the appeal of the mass market fare, along the way a few truly unique offerings were crafted outside the popular vampire molud. Films such as George A Romero's Martin, Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark, Guillermo del Toro's Cronos and Park Chan-wook's Thirst presented a different take on the age-old story, and each reinvented the genre as a result. With all things vampire back in flavour thanks to the current pre-teen obsession cultivated by Stephenie Meyer's inane books, thankfully innovation is still inherent in the vampire universe as illustrated by Swedish feature and instant classic, Let The Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in). The latest and greatest in the alternative vamp school of cinema, presenting an adolescent story with adult sensibilities populated with a cast of unknowns (no Robert Pattinson in sight), Let The Right One In is a critically applauded, culturally relevant, cult-status film that deservedly ranks amongst the best in the genre.

Whilst gazing out his bedroom window into the snowy night sky, twelve-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant, in his first film role) witnesses the arrival of a young girl and a man he assumes is her father. The next day they meet in person in the playground adjoining their apartment complex, with Oskar hopeful of befriending Eli (Lina Leandersson, again a newcomer to the silver screen) to fill the void left by his oft-working yet over-protective mother, weekend-only father, and school peers who torment him for being different. Though it is immediately apparent that Eli is not like other girls - disturbingly pale and malnourished, with a dark glint in her eyes, a supernatural grace to her movements, and a tendency to appear only at night - Oskar is able to see past these strange traits through his generousity, innocence and sole-minded quest for companionship. Bonding over a shared puzzle (a Rubik's cube infact, one of the only details to belie the film's early 1980's setting) Oskar and Eli forge an unlikely friendship - but when Eli's natural thirst threatens to destroy their bond (and their suburban community) Oskar is forced to confront the nature of their connection, and the life and death consequences possible as a result.

Preceding the current Swedish pop culture phenomenon (the novel-to-film translations of Steig Larsson's crime trilogy The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest) seasoned director Tomas Alfredson's translation of John Ajvide Lindqvist's best-selling novel of the same name is complex, engaging and rewarding. Perfectly capturing the isolation, melancholy and innate cultural specificity of the literary source material despite the small but significant variations in narrative and lack of background depth transposed to the screen (by Lindqvist himself), it is more quiet, hopeful and romantic than the book with less of a traditional horror bent, but retains an unmistakable vampire essence nonetheless. Further, the child characters inject a sense of humanity in what is, at the most basic level, a very human story of connecting and finding one's place in the world. As much a moral as an emotional journey, the juxtapositions of violence and nature, survival and love, and sacrifice and acceptance, are subtle but richly-layered, infusing the narrative with depths beyond the standard vampire fare. Similarly, the director's stylistic choice to favour vivid imagery over rapid-fire dialogue ensures a level of restraint, reflection and even beauty not normally associated with the content, creating a finished product akin to an artistic masterpiece.

With the Hollywood remake Let Me In scheduled for a cinematic release later in 2010, directed by Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves and starring Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass, (500) Days of Summer) and Australian Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road, Romulus, My Father) in the lead roles, time is running out to discover this original, haunting and insightful coming-of-age vampire film before it forever lurks in the shadow of the mainstream copy. Truly a vampire film like no other, Let The Right One In is genre-breaking, poetically-framed, disturbingly and surprisingly sweet horror, and completely essential viewing.

DVD News - Rambo : Extended Edition

Title: Rambo (IMDb)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone
Released: 27th July 2010
SRP: Prices TBC

Further Details:
Lionsgate Home Entertainment has announced DVD and Blu-ray releases of Rambo - Extended Cut for the 27th July. The film will include 9 extra uncut minutes. Each release will also include a 60 minute production diary. I've attached package artwork for the Canadian release. The US artwork should be virtually identical, albeit without the French translation on the sticker!

The FilmMasons Interview - Brinke Stevens

The FilmMasons: First off, let me thank you Brinke for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.

TFM: You have had a huge career in film, but it could have taken a very different turn in the beginning. How did you go from a master’s degree in marine biology to something like Slumber Party Massacre?

Brinke Stevens: In the late-1970s, I was kicked out of graduate school (with a Master's
degree) for doing unauthorized communication experiments with dolphins... forbidden research at that time. I then married my college sweetheart, artist Dave Stevens ("The Rocketeer") and moved to Hollywood in 1980. While I was looking for a science job, I fell into doing "extra"-work in movies to pay the bills. Quickly, I landed a major role in Roger Corman's "Slumber Party Massacre" (1981). When I sat in a movie theater and watched myself on the big screen, I realized that I actually could act! I continued to pursue movie jobs, until my science aspirations eventually faded into the past.


TFM: You have many feathers in your cap, a writer, a producer and of course an actor; do you have plans to direct next?

BS: I accidentally became the assistant-director on a movie called "First Loves" in the mid-1980s. Originally, I was hired by the Italian director to rewrite his script. Later, I helped him to audition the actors by reading scenes with them -- and sometimes offering my own suggestions to better their performance.The director, Antonio, was so impressed that he invited me to their shoot in Salt Lake City, Utah. He lacked a certain confidence in his ability to speak English, and thus to clearly communicate with the cast and crew. In Utah, Antonio would take me aside to explain what he wanted, and then I'd step on-set to block, rehearse, and ultimately "direct" the scenes. Unfortunately, after five weeks of shooting, I came in one morning to find the stage-doors locked -- they'd run out of money, and everyone was sent home. I'm not sure if it was ever completed and released. (Monique Parent starred it it, by the way.)
It was a great experience for me, and gave me a good taste of how to direct a movie. So far, the offers just haven't come in -- but I'd love to do it again someday.


TFM: The term ‘Scream Queen’ was a crown you and a few of your friends wore for many years. Which actress would you say could wear the crown now, if any?

BS: I'm a huge fan of two younger actresses, Debbie Rochon and Tiffany Shepis. Debbie is wonderful in everything she does, and she's such a delightful, intelligent, spiritual woman. Tiffany's highly-charged emotional performance blew me away in her recent Rolfe Kanefsky film "Nightmare Man". She's a gifted natural actress, as well as a fun-loving person. I also like Suzi Lorraine, another sweet and talented gal, though I've only worked with her once and haven't yet seen many of her films.


TFM: You've had a few small roles in films like Naked Gun, Three Amigos, and This Is Spinal Tap, but most of your work has been in horror. Is that something you have always been attracted to, or is that just the way the cards fell?

BS: After I arrived in Hollywood in 1980, I started out doing "extra"-work on major films. Inevitably, I would be singled out for a bigger walk-on part, such as in Brian De Palma's "Body Double". When the video-boom hit in the mid-'80s, a lot of my filmmaker friends started churning out low-budget horror movies -- and they hired me for leading roles. I quickly became known for my horror films, and then I got so much B-movie work that there simply wasn't time to pursue any "mainstream" movie jobs. In a sense, I think it was just my fate and destiny to become a "cult"-celebrity. I always say, "My career chose me, I didn't choose it."


TFM: My favorite film of yours is Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama with Linnea Quigley & Michelle Bauer. It looks like it was a fun shoot. Can you take us through a typical day on the set?

BS: We shot on-location at a bowling alley near San Diego, CA. Since it remained open for business during the day, we had to begin shooting at 9pm (when they closed) and work all night till 9 am. As such, we felt like real-life vampires, sleeping all day and eating "breakfast" about 5pm! For that reason, it was difficult. But it was truly a lot of fun, too. I shared a hotel room with Michelle Bauer, and really enjoyed working with Linnea and Robin Stille on-set.


TFM: What’s your opinion of where horror is now as opposed to the hey days of the 80’s?

BS: The 1980s were more known for horror-comedies than now. In my opinion, the films I did then were more innocent and fun-loving. Later, horror got much gorier and even went into the "torture-porn" realm.


TFM: Will we ever see a re-teaming of you and your fellow scream queens, Linnea & Michelle in the future?

BS: Recently, the three of us were guests at "Monsterpalooza" convention in Burbank CA (April 2010). It was so much fun to be together again! Michelle and I pored over old "Femme Fatales" magazines that she was selling, and reminisced about those glorious days back in the 1980s. Michelle is mostly "retired" now, though Linnea and I continue to work a lot in films. A couple of years ago, we co-starred in "It Came From Trafalgar" in Indianapolis, which I hope will be released soon.


TFM: Filming 4 to 5 films a year must leave you with very little time for friends and family; what do you do to relax?

BS: My local LA friends are my cherished support-group, so I visit with all my pals when I'm home for any length of time. I love to cook gourmet meals and watch DVDs with friends. I'm also an avid hiker and enjoy exploring the scenic canyons around Los Angeles. I'm a pretty good sketch-artist and dearly want to take up oil painting eventually; I just acquired an easel and some canvases, so I'm well on my way. I think painting for a few hours every day would be incredibly relaxing.


TFM: If you had the choice, what role would you kill to do, or to have done?

BS: It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Christopher Walken. He's an amazingly talented dancer, as well. I'd be so happy to work with him on a horror film, and maybe do a dance with him too!


TFM: The Coffin is in pre-production at the moment and sounds fantastic. What can you tell us about it, and when will it be out?

BS: I wish I could tell you more, but it's been in pre-production for quite a while now. I suspect they're having trouble raising all the financing. I'd play a gypsy, and it is indeed a fun, creepy script. With any luck, we'll shoot it soon in Florida.


TFM: Brinke Stevens, thank you so much for your time.

DVD News - Unthinkable

Title: Unthinkable (IMDb)
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson
Released: 15th June 2010
SRP: $24.96 (DVD)

Further Details:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced DVD ($24.96) and Blu-ray ($30.95) releases of Unthinkable for the 15th June. Extras will include an extended version of the film with an alternate ending, and a commentary with Director Gregor Jordan. The Blu-ray release will also include BD-Live features that connect you to real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie. We've attached our first look at the official package artwork to the right.

DVD News - Percy Jackson

Title: Percy Jackson (IMDb)
Starring: Logan Lerman
Released: 22nd June 2010
SRP: $29.98 (DVD)

Further Details:
Fox Home Entertainment has announced DVD ($29.98) and Blu-ray/DVD Combo ($39.99) releases of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief for the 22nd June. The DVD will include 5 deleted and extended scenes, a Discover Your Powers Quiz, and The Book Comes To Life featurette. The Blu-ray release will also include all that, along with 5 additional deleted and extended scenes, 4 featurettes ("Secrets of the Gods", "Inside Camp Half-Blood", "On Set With Brandon T. Jackson", "Meet The Demigods"), and a digital copy of the film. We've attached our first look at the official package artwork.

DVD News - Shutter Island

Title: Shutter Island (IMDb)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio
Released: 8th June 2010
SRP: Prices TBC

Further Details:
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced DVD and Blu-ray releases of Shutter Island for the 8th June. No extra material will be included on the DVD release. The Blu-ray release will include a Behind the Shutters featurette that follows the film from its inception as an acclaimed novel through the production process and to the big screen, and an Into the Lighthouse feature that discusses the historical landscape of psychiatric therapies during the 1950s through interviews with cast and crew.