Yesterday saw the official announcement of the line-up for the London Film4 FrightFest 2010 and whilst the FrightFest gang had already announced Hatchet II, The Last Exorcism, Eggshells, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and we exclusively revealed the appearance of Burning Bright, and Red White & Blue at this years festival, there was still some surprises amongst the bunch.
So after reading up on each movie that is due to play the festival I thought it would be a good idea to breakdown just which movies I’m looking forward to seeing, and which ones I’m not… As always let me know your thoughts in the comments!
HIGHLIGHTS:
The real highlights for me this year include Simon Rumley’s Red White & Blue, the infamous A Serbian Film – which should test the FrightFest audiences metal! Of course I’m looking forward to Hatchet II – since when has Adam Green ever let FrightFest down? (OK besides not showing up to FF Glasgow earlier this year… I’m kidding!). Despite it’s apparent PG-13 rating in the States, I still have high hopes for the Eli Roth-produced The Last Exorcism, as I do for the other Roth-namesake Christopher Roth. Last years out-of-left-field Italian horror flick Shadow took everyone by surprise and I’m hoping Christopher Roth will too – besides, how can you miss a film with SFX by Giannetto De Rossi?
F looks interesting, although I hope to god it’s not another chav-horror ala Eden Lake; as does Primal, which I think may be one of the few Aussie horror I’m looking forward to as this years FrightFest. Then there’s the insane looking Alien vs. Ninja, which I’ve been dying to see since we premiered the trailer back in April. One film I haven’t heard much about is The Tortured, but as it comes from director Robert Lieberman, who has helmed some of my favourite TV shows – The Dead Zone, Killer Instinct and Jake 2.0 – it’s another film I’m looking forward to checking out at the festival.
The Discovery Screen plays host to some of the more ‘interesting’ films at this years Frightfest – including indie horrors Finale and Wound, which I’m particularly interested in as it sees the return of Death Warmed Up director David Blyth. Also showing in the Discovery Screen is After.Life, the Christina Ricci starring horror that has peaked my interested ever since I saw the trailer. Out of all the films screening at FrightFest 2010, there are four films that are on my “must-see” list for this year and they are: The Pack, the I Spit On Your Grave remake, Monsters, and the Jake West/Marc Morris documentary Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship and Videotape.
THE REST:
Strangely the FF boys have decided to host a repeat showing of Amer in the Discovery Screen – I’ll give it a miss, although I will say that it will probably be more appreciated by a London crowd than the Glasgow one in February. Also screening as part of the Discovery Screen is Fanboys(!). Yes, THAT Fanboys – the ode to Star Wars fandom that caused a storm on the internet then died a death at the box office thanks to too much studio interference. I have it on DVD, it’s a BRILLIANT film, but I won’t be watching this one at FrightFest. An odd choice. Then there’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I’ve seen it on the big screen a number of times, but I’m still mulling over whether to attend this screening – it’ll be screened in the presence of Tobe Hooper for one! Another film I will definitely be skipping at FrightFest is Burning Bright, not because I want to but rather because I have a screener disc sat here on my desk already, just waiting to be watched. Look out for a review soon.
As for what I’m NOT looking forward to: well in my opinion there’s way too many UK and Aussie horrors this year – yes there are some gems (Primal), but then there’s a lot that look like they’re guaranteed to disappoint: Dead Cert, Outcast, The Dead, Cherry Tree Lane, etc, etc. There maybe some diamonds in the rough – 13 Hours, The Loved Ones and The Clinic perhaps… but we’ll have to wait and see till August. I’ll no doubt skip a lot of the Eastern movies screening at FF, as they will most likely be available on Region 3 DVD before then. There’s just one film I’m still completely undecided on… Greg Araki’s Kaboom. I enjoyed his Doom Generation, but the rest of his output has left me cold. And don’t get me started on the crap that is his last film, Smiley Face!
You can find a full break down of each film at the official FrightFest website, where you can also find details on how to get festival tickets.
