HORROR AT SUNDANCE: COOTIES Opens Strong, Lionsgate Swoops in For Distribution Rights!

  

Cooties, the pre-pubescent zombedy (and debut film) from Elijah Wood's SpectreVision, opened at Sundance on Sunday night to great reception. So good in fact, that Lionsgate is making their bid to acquire North American distribution rights. 

SpectreVision is a new production company, focusing on genre films (primarily horror), that was started by Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah and Josh Waller. They've got quite the year mapped out for the company, with Cooties only being the first. The story was penned by Leigh Whannel (Saw, Insidious), and this Lionsgate deal marks quite the anniversary. It was 10 years ago, at Sundance 2003, that Lionsgate swooped in and bought Saw which then went on to become one of the biggest horror franchises in recent times. 

Starring Elijah Wood and written by Leigh Whannel, “Cooties follows a struggling writer/substitute teacher whose first day at an elementary school sees him dealing with a virus that turns the kids into mindless killing cannibals. The teacher bands with the survivors — played by Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer and Leigh Whannell, among others — to figure out an escape from the school.”

Also appearing in the film are Rainn Wilson, Leigh Whannell, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer, Nasim Pedrad and Jorge Garcia.

Romero's DAY OF THE DEAD Gets Re-remade With The Help of Mark Tonderai

Well, remakes are not exactly the most uncommon thing in the world of horror, however, remakes of remakes, now that's... new? Some of you might remember back in 2008 when Millenium released the Steve Miner directed attempt at Romero's eponymous Day of the Dead (read my review of Romero's classic here). It didn't exactly go over so well. So I guess Millenium wants to take another stab at the film, as they've announced the green light on yet another attempt at remaking the film, this time with House at the End of the Street director Mark Tonderai. 

To be honest? This news is so subpar, I might just be lulled off to sleep by it. Mark Tonderai has done little to really contribute (or even come close to making his mark) in the world of horror, so to be taking on a film like this is quite the feat. His one film, House at the End of the Street is mediocre at best and I'm saying that while putting general dislike for Jennifer Lawrence aside. 

So, will Bub rise again? What are your thoughts on this? Mine are very mixed, as Day is literally one of the three or four zombie movies that I actually like.

George A. Romero's Day of the Dead (1985) - A Review

“First there was ‘Night of the Living Dead’, then ‘Dawn of the Dead’… and now the darkest day of horror the world has ever known.”

I had the wonderful privilege of attending the Day of the Dead Soundtrack Festival on Monday night at the beautiful Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. George A. Romero was in attendance, along with composer John Harrison, Howard Sherman, Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) and Joe Pilato for a post-screening Q&A. It was a dream come true for any horror fan, and to be sitting a mere 20 feet away from the godfather of zombies was quite an honor. 

While I have grown weary of the current zombie infestation that seems to be infecting every inch of pop culture, I had a wonderful time watching this film and getting a nice reminder about why George A. Romero is one of the horror greats. No matter how many zombies I see, his will always be the best. 

For those of you who have not seen Day of the Dead, it is a wonderful zombie with a twist. It’s strangely heartfelt, whacky, zany, hilarious and extremely graphic. It’s a very fun ride, you will laugh, you will cringe, you will jump, you may even get a little misty eyed, but mostly you’ll laugh. A lot. 

Will All the Zombie Fans Please Stand Up? George A. Romero Finishes Script for New Flick, THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES

 
While I'm not the biggest zombie fan, I do have love in my heart for the loveable little man with thick rimmed glasses, the Zombie King himself, Mr. George A. Romero. A true visionary for the world of horror, he gave the world the ultimate in terror in 1968 when he introduced us to zombies in his groundbreaking film Night of the Living Dead. Over the years, Romero has continued to pump out zombie hit after zombie hit, and even at 73 years old he doesn't seem to quitting anytime soon. Today, it's been revealed that he's finished his latest script entitled The Zombie Autopsies. 

As the walking dead rises up throughout the world, a few brave doctors attempt to find a cure by applying forensic techniques to captured zombies. Based on the research of renowned zombie expert Dr. Stanley Blum, performed at a remote island where a crack medical team has been sent to explore a radical theory that may lead to a cure for the epidemic, THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES documents for the first time the unique biology of zombie organisms. Twenty-five detailed drawings of the internal organs of actual zombies provide an accurate anatomy of these horrifying creatures, including zombie brains, hearts, lungs, skin, and the digestive system, while Dr. Blum’s notes reveal shocking insights into how they function, even as Blum and his staff themselves begin to succumb to the plague. No one knows the ultimate fate of Dr. Blum or his researchers, but now that his notebook, THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES, has been made available to the UN, the World Health Organization, and the general public, his scientific discoveries may provide the last hope for humans on earth!

Stay tuned for more news on this one!

- Rg Lovecraft 

HORROR ON BLU-RAY: Scream Factory Releasing Special Edition DAY OF THE DEAD

It's a happy day for Romero fans, Scream Factory has announced the release of Day of the Dead, Romero's 1985 installation in his "Dead" franchise. 

In Day: “A small group of scientists and soldiers have taken refuge in an underground missile silo where they struggle to control the flesh-eating horror that walks the earth above. But will the final battle for the future of the human race be fought among the living or have they forever unleashed the hunger of the dead?” 

Featuring revolutionary special effects by horror FX mastermind Tom Savini, the special edition blu-ray is packed full of tasty special features. It's enough to make any zombie fanatic drool:

Day of the Dead Bonus Features:
 
New High Definition Transfer
New Documentary – World’s End: The Legacy of “Day of the Dead
NEW! UNDERGROUND: A Look into the DAY OF THE DEAD mines
Audio Commentary with writer/director George A. Romero, Special Make-up Effects artist Tom Savini, Production Designer Cletus Anderson and actress Lori Cardille
Audio Commentary with filmmaker Roger Avary
Behind-The-Scenes Footage from Special Make-up Effects Creator Tom Savini’s archives
Photo Galleries
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
And more…

Get a copy of your own September 17, 2013. 

- Rg Lovecraft