Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Man, I went to New York on the wrong weekend. Or I should have stayed longer. Or whatever. Point is, there’s some great stuff coming up for horror fans in the city, and I would love to hear from anyone who goes to these.
This first fest, the Hong Kong fest, features a film called RED TO KILL that sounds positively nightmarish. And yet I find myself dying to see it. What is it about horror fans that makes us seek out the transgressive? At any rate, there’s a feast here for genre freaks. See for yourself:
SUBWAY CINEMA PRESENTS
In the Mood for Gore: 22 Years of Deliciously Evil Hong Kong Cinema
November 8 - November 14, 2002 – At Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue, at Second Street) (212)505-5181
NEW YORK, NY - Long before he made IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, arthouse darling, Wong Kar-wai, and stars Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, spent time making Hong Kong horror movies. Unable to hack it, they moved on to art films, leaving horror movies to the professionals. Wong Kar-wai's already had his day in the sun, so now come scream your tonsils raw at a one-week goop-fest of all the horrors that have come crawling, oozing, flying and screeching out of Hong Kong. See the world of exploding penises, psycho killers, stupid zombies, hopping vampires, airborne sex, and devil fetuses that drove an otherwise nice guy like Wong Kar-wai into the arthouse. For IN THE MOOD FOR GORE program and ticketing info, please visit:
Firmly entrenched in the popular film gutter, IN THE MOOD FOR GORE is a mad dash through the stodgy corridors of Serious Film, breaking antiques and scuffing the floors. Above the water line we've got Sammo Hung's ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND, Hong Kong's first modern, martial arts horror film; the hopping vampire epic, MR. VAMPIRE, that launched a thousand imitators in its wake; Leslie Cheung (FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE) in the icy cold psychological horror movie, INNER SENSES; and Sam Lee and Jordan Chan in the Cheech and Chong meet DAWN OF THE DEAD zombie blow-out, BIO-ZOMBIE. Just below the surface there're the twin classics of Hong Kong horror film: DR. LAMB, the first true crime slasher pic from Hong Kong; and THE UNTOLD STORY, a notorious cannibal movie that shockingly garnered its star, Anthony Wong, a Best Actor award at the posh Hong Kong Film Awards. Then, down in the mucky ooze, deep beneath the surface, are the triple bazooka blasts of true cinematic depravity: THE ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA, THE STORY OF RICKY, and A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY. And last, but not least, Subway Cinema is enormously proud to give two neglected films their day in the sun. DEVIL FETUS, an ultra-rare and ultra-slimey horror film from the mid-80's, and RED TO KILL, Billy Tang's ultimate, end-of-humanity shocker about a necrophiliac serial rapist stalking a home for retarded adults.
SUBWAY CINEMA, a film programming and exhibition collective, is the premier launching pad for Asian films in New York City. Subway Cinema is committed to increasing exposure and appreciation for popular Asian cinema, which has been traditionally overlooked by mainstream American critics and film distributors. IN THE MOOD FOR GORE is their tenth event. This year alone they have presented ASIAN FILMS ARE GO!!! and MIIKE MANIA, both at the Anthology Film Archives.
THE FILMS
ALL FILMS ARE 35MM PRINTS IN CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
MR. VAMPIRE (1985)
Directed by: Ricky Lau
Starring: Lam Ching-ying, Yuen Wah, Chin Siu-ho, Ricky Hui
The movie that launched a thousand hopping vampire flicks, MR. VAMPIRE is an alchemical blend of Sammo Hung (producing), Lam Ching-ying (starring), and a legion of the hopping undead (killing). Stiff with rigor mortis, these Manchu-robed pogo corpses hop after the warm breath of the living, hungry for our blood until Lam Ching-ying lays them to rest with magic amulets applied to the forehead, and roundhouse kicks applied to the face.
THE STORY OF RICKY (1992)
Directed by: Nam Nai-choi
Starring: Fan Siu-wong, Yukari Oshima, Frankie Chin
In the year 2001 prisons are privatized like carparks! Ricky goes to prison! He punches heads off! Someone uses their intestines to strangle Ricky! The warden turns into a monster! It's exciting!!! With action choreography by Phillip Kwok (of the Shaw Brothers' Five Deadly Venoms) and outdoing itself in every over-the-top scene of shredded latex carnage, THE STORY OF RICKY is a moving argument against prison privatization AND a volcanic eruption of cartoon gore.
INNER SENSES (2002)
Directed by: Law Chi-leung
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Karena Lam, Waise Lee
Karena Lam sees dead people, and it's ruining her life. Leslie Cheung (FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE) is her workaholic psychologist, masochistically applying a massive caseload to his back like a penitent's lash. A riff on THE SIXTH SENSE, but with a main character whose dubious "gift" has made her a clinically-depressed basket case, this psychological ghost story feels like cold, dead fingers running down your spine. In INNER SENSES, every last lonely one of us is a ghost, and we haunt ourselves.
RED TO KILL (1994)
Directed by: Billy Tang
Starring: Ben Ng, Lily Chung, Money Lo
The most grueling motion picture masterpiece ever made. A necrophiliac serial rapist stalks a school for retarded adults in director Billy Tang's apocalyptic blowout where the violation of human bodies heralds the end of humanity. Cold, geometric stylistics frame this literalized battle between the sexes as psychotic men target vulnerable women who refuse to go down without a fight. A movie that plumbs the depths of human depravity, and actually touches bottom.
WARNING: THERE WILL BE NO TICKET REFUNDS FOR RED TO KILL.
DR. LAMB (1992)
Directed by: Danny Lee & Billy Tang
Starring: Simon Yam, Danny Lee, Kent Cheng
The true story of Lam Go-wan: Hong Kong's most notorious serial killer. When not driving his cab, he slaughtered women in the tiny one-room apartment he shared with his entire family....and no one ever noticed. Danny Lee (THE KILLER) is a cop trying to torture a confession out of his suspect, and the whole world teeters on the brink of darkness while he looks into the abyss, and sees a lonely Simon Yam (in a career-making performance) gibbering at the bottom. Bleak, dark, unrelenting and true.
THE ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA (1995)
Directed by: Chin Man-kei
Starring: Ellen Chan, Lily Ching, Elvis Tsui, Ben Ng
Hong Kongers go on vacation to Thailand and learn that Southeast Asia is a scary place, full of ticked-off wizards who'll turn their heads into genitalia before slapping them with a death hex. Featuring flying sex battles, ginchy blood curses, invisible naked warlocks, and reanimated, lime green corpses it's a cinematic bazooka that blasts you with bad taste and a hair metal soundtrack. Like a pizza, THE ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA is cheesy, yet satisfying.
A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY (1994)
Directed by: Bosco Lam
Starring: Yvonne Yung-hung, Elvis Tsui, Julie Lee
A sexually-explicit fairy tale, that doubles as a pre-handover critique of the Chinese legal system, ACTCS plays like a gleefully twisted episode of LAW & ORDER. Tommy Wong had the world's biggest penis and someone made it explode! Only a completely gratuitous application of sadistic Ching Dynasty justice can catch the killer. See a high-velocity barrage of flying, sexual kung fu! Feel the application of the Four Lustful Instruments! Without a mean bone in its body, this flick is a fresh-faced, bright-eyed imp of the perverse, waiting to goose you with a chainsaw.
BIO-ZOMBIE (1998)
Directed by: Wilson Yip
Starring: Jordan Chan, Sam Lee
A shotgun marriage of Cheech and Chong's STILL SMOKIN' and George Romero's zombie classic, DAWN OF THE DEAD, this off-the-cuff freak-out remixes the gangsta comedy with the zombie flick. Legions of the angry undead invade Hong Kong and a bunch of young punks hole up in a gleaming, chrome-and-glass shopping mall to make a last stand. Doobs are smoked, zombies fall in love, power tools are unleashed, human sushi is manufactured, and our heroes rush into the teeth of the apocalypse, facing the end of the world while yakking on their cell phones.
DEVIL FETUS (1983)
Directed by: Lau Hung-chuen
Starring: Ngai Dik, Lui Sau-ling
Ultra-rare and ultra-slimy! This 80's rarity stars a skinless monk spirit that shuffles out of an antique vase and humps everything it can get its tentacles on. Complications ensue.
WARNING: This movie contains a devil fetus. It is disgusting.
UNTOLD STORY (1993)
Directed by: Herman Yau
Starring: Anthony Wong, Danny Lee, Julie Lee
The most notorious eruption on the pimply face of Hong Kong sleaze, Anthony Wong won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of a disgruntled restaurant worker who uses a cleaver to transform entire families into high protein dim sum snacks. One part rant against police brutality, and one part greasy portrait of a cannibalistic serial killer, THE UNTOLD STORY is delicious and nutritious human noodle soup for the soul. Like FOREST GUMP, it teaches a heart-warming lesson: life is like a box of human meat roast pork buns.
ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND (1981)
Directed by: Sammo Hung
Starring: Sammo Hung, Lam Ching-ying, Wu Ma
A wild leap of originality, dripping with sweat, blood, and black magic, this is the first modern horror flick from Hong Kong, and it features the most impeccable martial arts in the genre. Portly Sammo Hung is set upon by an evil Taoist priest and a legion of funky corpses who want to pull him apart. Only spook-fu can save him now. Fight, fatboy, fight!
SCREENING SCHEDULE
Friday Nov. 8
6:15 UNTOLD STORY (96m.)
8:15 INNER SENSES (100m.)
10:30 A CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY (88m)
Saturday Nov. 9
3:15 MR. VAMPIRE (96m.)
5:30 DR. LAMB (89m.)
7:30 ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND (102m)
9:35 ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA (89m)
11:30 RED TO KILL (91m)
Sunday Nov. 10
3:30 DR. LAMB (89m)
5:30 DEVIL FETUS (88m)
7:30 STORY OF RICKY (90)
9:30 RED TO KILL (91m)
Monday Nov. 11
6:30 UNTOLD STORY (96m)
8:30 MR. VAMPIRE (96m)
Tuesday Nov. 12
6:30 STORY OF RICKY (90)
8:30 ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND (102m)
Wednesday Nov. 13
6:15 INNER SENSES (100m)
8:30 BIO-ZOMBIE (94m)
10:30 ETERNAL EVIL OF ASIA (89m)
Thursday Nov. 14
6:30 BIO-ZOMBIE (94m)
8:30 DEVIL FETUS (88m)
10:30 CHINESE TORTURE CHAMBER STORY (88m)
Next up, there’s a press release from the New York City Horror Film Festival, which is actually co-sponsored by the Independent Film Channel. I’ll let them explain:
The NYC Horror Film Festival honors legendary filmmaker George A. Romero with “Lifetime Achievement Award”.
The NYCHFF is proud to announce its latest sponsor THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL (IFC).
The NYCHFF and IFC will honor legendary filmmaker George A. Romero with the festival’s first "Lifetime Achievement Award." Mr. Romero will attend and we will present a special program and screening of one of his most beloved films "Creepshow".
Mr. Romero’s legendary career represents the evolution of the modern horror film. The New York born and raised filmmaker was in his late 20’s when he came up with the idea for "Night of the Living Dead." This film was instrumental in the progression of horror films from 1950’s campy, B-movie, sci-fi films to the terrifying realistic horror films of today.
The world-renowned writer and director then went on to a brilliant career, bringing to life some of the most successful horror films of the 20th Century. His impressive roster of films includes such horror titles as: Night of the Living Dead (1968) - The Crazies (1973) - Martin (1978) - Dawn of the Dead (1979) - Creepshow (1982) - Day of the Dead (1985) - Monkey Shines (1988)- Two Evil Eyes (1990) - The Dark Half (1993) – and Bruiser (2001).
In addition to screening some of the best new independent horror films in our competition series, the NYCHFF will be presenting three special “Classic Indies” screenings of:
Creepshow --- "The Most Fun You'll Ever Have Being Scared"
The NYCHFF will screen a 35mm print of George A. Romero's classic horror comic book come to life as a part of our special Lifetime Achievement Award Program. With stars including Adrienne Barbeau, Ted Danson, Ed Harris, Hal Holbrook, Stephen King, E.G. Marshall, Leslie Nielson and more this film is an exciting addition to the festival lineup.
Maniac --- "I Warned You Not To Go Out Tonight"
NYCHFF will be presenting a very special screening William Lustig's 1980 classic slasher film staring Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro and Tom Savini. Director William Lustig will be on-hand to discuss the screening and his Blue Underground line of films.
Return of the Living Dead --- “They're back from the grave and ready to party!"
NYCHFF is very excited to offer a very rare screening of Dan O'Bannon's 1985 classic zombie film "Return of the Living Dead". Staring Clu Gulager, James Karren and Linnea Quigley. We will screen a 35mm print.
The NYCHFF is also excited to announce the newest additions to the Festival lineup:
Michael Gingold (Judge) Managing editor of Fangoria Magazine will be on-hand as an expert addition to our judging panel.
Felissa Rose (MC) Scream queen will be on joining us as an MC at the festival. Ms. Rose has thrilled viewers in such films as the "Sleepaway Camp" series and many other credits.
Joe Kane (judge) Joe is the world famous film critic “Phantom of the Movies” and an excellent addition to the judging panel.
With more additions being added to the lineup all the time, NYCHFF will be a great opportunity for horror fans to see some of the best independent horror films out there as well as some of the greatest classic horror films. The NYCHFF will be held October 25, 26, 27 2002 at the prestigious Tribeca Film Center in Lower Manhattan. Visit www.moodudefilms.com for submission guidelines, forms and tickets.
The NYC Horror Film Festival is sponsored in part by The Independent Film Channel, Film Threat.com and DracTour.com the definitive "Vampire Vacation --- through this unique sponsorship, the winning filmmaker in the NYC Horror Film Festival's "Best Feature" category will be awarded an all expense paid Dracula Tour to Transylvania" courtesy of DracTour.com.
Excellent stuff, looks like.
I take heart in the fact that I’m one of the judges of ScreamFestLA this year, and that I’ll be working my way through all the films in the next few days. The fest funs from October 17th through the 20th at the Fairfax Laemmle Cinemas at 7907 Beverly Blvd. Wes Craven’s bringing THE HILLS HAVE EYES, there’s an evening with the ladies of THE EVIL DEAD, and the fest kicks off with a screening of THE EXORCIST: THE VERSION YOU’VE NEVER SEEN.
Also screening are UNKNOWN BEYOND, KOLOBOS, VAMPIRE, R.S.V.P., HORROR, THE RED RIGHT HAND, CURSE OF THE 49ER, AMITYVILLE: THE HAUNTING, GHOSTWATCHER, HATRED OF A MINUTE, CRADLE OF FEAR, a student shorts series, ISPR INVESTIGATES: GHOSTS OF BELGRAVE HALL, and CHILLER: 3 DAYS OF PEACE, LOVE & GORE.
Have I mentioned yet how much I always love the Halloween season?
"Moriarty" out.
