Sword & Cloak Blog

Hey Folks -

Just wanted to point out two very cool projects. The first is a terrific little short film adapting a story by the always popular (at least around here) H.P. Lovecraft - The Silver Key. I think it's a great example of moody, evocative minimalist filmmaking, and great fun to boot! Solidly crafted visual storytelling and marvelous use of low-key performances, marvelous locations, and a terrific score. You can watch the whole movie here: http://vimeo.com/8370688

Also, a good friend hipped me to this documentary being shot about this creepy abandoned hospital in Singapore - Old Changi. There's not much up on their blog yet, but I've see some photos and read some stories that were really cool! It has a horrifying history, and some great legends attached to it. Check it out and follow as it unfolds - they should have more photos up soon. I think this is gonna be very fun. :D http://hauntedchangi.blogspot.com/

Best to all,

David

Hey Folks -

Apparently this post is going to be all about links to trailers. :D

First - the charming & talented Tirf Alexius, who starred in House of Black Wings, recently posted this terrific looking pilot: Breathing Room. Aside form being a producer on the project, he is also one of the stars. Personally, I can't wait to see it. Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64C3EFZjoF0

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Recently I was inspired by discussion with friends online, and by the ever-excellent Dr A.C., to take a look back at my movie watching last year, and esp. my scary-movie watching. Making a count of rentals and theater views, I saw at least 64 genre films this year for the first time. (i.e.: Not counting re-watching old.)

David

Hey Folks -

The nifty guys over at Indy Mogul had a 60-second scary movie contest, and just posted the winners! You can check out all the creepy, creative, DIY no-budget fun here:

Winners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-T0j1E7LPQ

Runners up:
http://www.indymogul.com/post/15163

All these people are awesome. :)

Best,

David

Hey Folks -

This time of year I always have people asking me "What's a good scary movie to watch?". It being the season for scares, I'm always happy to steer them toward the quality, lesser-known films that may have gotten passed over in the media barrage of some lame sequel or re-make.

Instead of taking home whatever you local video store has on it's top-rental shelf - why not check out one of these great little movies! I bet you'll be glad you did. :)

Let the Right One In - This may be the best horror movie in years. A quiet, slow-building foreign film about the strange friendship between a bullied young man and a mysterious little girl. Insightful, original, funny, moving, and just damn creepy.

See the Trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp4g9p_rgo

Trick 'r Treat - The perfect movie for the season! This black-comic delight revels in all the mythology and iconography of the holiday while weaving four different stories taking place on the scariest night of the year. This movie hits its tone perfectly, and is just a bag full of tampered treats. Fun!

Trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jh0DwJZjz8

The Substitute - A class of school kids start to suspect that their beautiful but abusive new teacher is actually an otherworldly evil in this highly entertaining and mostly family-friendly chiller. Highly recommended.

Trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6mRLoblEA4

Alien Raiders - Ignore the bad SyFy title that the distributor slapped on it - this is a terrific, taunt, suspenseful SF thriller is the kind of well-crafted, scary fun that John Carpenter used to make. One of my favorites of the year!

Trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl1rRf7PW58

Cthulhu - Looking for something different? Check out this moody and disturbing adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow over Innsmouth, which follows a college professor back to his coastal home town, only to uncover terrible secrets about his family, the town, and himself. A textured and rich movie full of lurking horrors and apocalyptic doom. Very cool.

Trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM2OhkJEbUk


Whatever you watch - have a wonderful and spookie Halloween!!!

Best,

David

Hey Folks -

">Monday night I attended Deathscribe 2009, The 2nd annual International Festival of Radio Horror Plays. The beautiful old Music Box Theater was once again the rich and atmospheric home for this performance and judging of the five top finalists of the 10-minute radio-play contest, and once again WildClaw Theater pulled out all the stops to bring the packed house an exciting and very entertaining evening of thrills, chills, and a lot of dark laughter as well. The plays were performed by groups from several local theater troupes, and all were really very well done.

This year's nominees included: "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World" - an unsettling Victorian tale of tragic lovers and cosmetic surgery, "Bags of Blood" - a deadpan horror/comedy about Florida residents and vengeful mosquitoes, "The Dust Gods of Doctor Gaul" - a pulp-horror pastiche about viral infections and chthonic deities in darkest Africa; "Remembrance" - a disturbing s.f./medical horror about a retro-viral cure for Alzheimer’s gone terribly wrong, and "The Skinny Man" - about a pair of cops investigating reports of screams from the basement of an abandoned house and what they find there.

The clear winner was "Remembrance" by Chris Hainsworth, which stood way out from the crowd with it's visceral psychological horror of people overwhelmed with the emotional immediacy of not being able to escape being intensely trapped in all the past moments of their lives. At different points it was funny, disturbing, poignant, horrifying, and apocalyptic. A deeper and more resonant piece of work than any other, and one that clearly stuck with people after the show. Outstanding work and a well deserved honor.

And around the plays, WildClaw packed in tons of other fun - Aaron "Doc A.C." Christensen's lively and funny hosting of the event, terrific live reading from Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, Sense & Sensibility & Seamonsters, as well as a show-stopping recitation of Poe's Lenore, A few surprise songs, wacky and surprisingly funny commercials for the show's sponsors, and wonderfully dark and moody Noir-style accompanying music from the band "Seeking Wonderland". Big kudos to WildClaw, who may have actually topped themselves with a tighter and even more energetic evening. Outstanding fun from a group dedicated to giving the genre - and it's audience - their full due.

BTW - The company also announced their next big show in the spring. Having already tackled Machen's The Great God Pan, and Lovecraft's Dreams in the Witch House, as well as the wonderfully personal zombie drama The Revenants, this horror theater company has their eyes set on a stage production of William Peter Blatty's Legion! I'm really thrilled by the literary thread in their work, and I can't wait to see what they do with the adaptation.

Best to all,

David

Hey Folks -

Just wanted to pass on the review of someone who saw Robert Cappelletto's Pickman's Muse at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. Go Bob! :D

From Archmage at http://archmage.livejournal.com/2142574.html

"- Pickman's Muse, well, let's just say it more than made up for the shortcomings of the previous film. In a bold move, the stories Pickman's Model and The Haunter Of The Dark were blended into into a single tale that felt, from the beginning to the end, worthy of being called Lovecraftian. Pickman, our slightly disconnected artist, gets into a rut with his work and gains new inspiration from the Church of Starry Wisdom, and ends up connected to Nyarlathotep in the same manner as a serial killer of previous note. The descent into madness, the connection to the dark, the search for answers, and the denial of truth is built up to a frenzy. In the end, he tries to stop what is happening, only to find what happens when you do not repay your debts to the Things From Beyond. An absolutely fabulous piece of work."

Best to all,

David