The Arrow Video FrightFest Film Festival is one of the premiere horror festivals in the entire world and I am here to cover as many of the films as I can. Now when I saw I am here I mean I am at home tapping away at my laptop and not actually in the UK where the festival is taking place, but thanks to the wonders of the internet and social media, I am able to provide you with my TwoOhSix Picks, the absolute must watch films of the entire festival.
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| Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square, Home of FrightFest |
If you're not familiar with Frightfest, this is the festival's 20th year of scaring the pants off of movie goers in the UK with a steady stream of some of the biggest, best, scariest, and most genre bending movies you will ever find. This year the festival programmers have created a lineup of amazing movies that I wish I was there to see in person every single night with every packed house. After scouring the lineup, reviewing the films I have seen, and getting the low down on the ones I have not it is time to give you my very first FrightFest TwoOhSix Picks.
THE BLACK STRING
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Director: Brian Hanson
Co-writers Richard Handley and Bian Hanson bring their debut feature film to FrightFest with Frankie Muniz on board in the lead role. This movie looks about as creepy and scary as you would expect from a FrightFest selection.
BLISS
UK PREMIERE
Director: Joe Begos
Bliss is the drug induced vampire art project you've been waiting for. Highly stylized and filled with rage, this movie will take you on a heavy metal soundtracked highway to hell.
FREAKS
ENGLISH PREMIERE
Director: Zach Lipovsky
So, I'm typing this paragraph as the credits are rolling on the movie and holy imaginative storytelling Batman this movie is a super fun surprise that will blow you away. Mixing and mashing several different genres, I can't really say much else without giving away why the movie is so good.
HAPPY FACE
UK PREMIERE
Director: Alexandre Franchi
This is not a horror movie but, just like horror movies do, it gets under your skin, makes you think, and addresses some timely societal issues in what looks to be an emotionally impactful story.
HARPOON
UK PREMIERE
Director: Rob Grant
Director Rob Grant has created a tale of youthful excess, exuberance, and arrogance and has left any trace of empathy on the cutting room floor.
HERE COMES HELL
ENGLISH PREMIERE
Director: Jack McHenry
The twists and turns are all quite entertaining and the timeless quality of the production could help it to become a staple of midnight genre screenings and horror festivals for years to come. Check out my in depth interview with producer Olivia Loveridge on the TwoOhSix.com Podcast.
I TRAPPED THE DEVIL
UK PREMIERE
Director: Josh Lobo
I Trapped the Devil twists and turns the notions of good and evil as well as good versus evil and leaves you totally creeped out in the process.
KNIVES AND SKIN
UK PREMIERE
Director: Jennifer Reeder
With an artistic background that includes dozens of short films, director Jennifer Reeder's emphasis for this movie was to create something that stands out specifically as art while pushing the boundaries of story telling by basically ignoring them.
THE LEGEND OF THE STARDUST BROTHERS
ENGLISH PREMIERE
Director: Macoto Tezuka
This movie was released in Japan back in 1985 and was an epic flop. Now, over 30 years later, it has resurfaced and has gained an immediate following as people are finally realizing just how good it is, how funny it is, how bat shit crazy it is, how relevant it is, and just how genius it is.
PORNO
EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Director: Keola Racela
Porno is the indie horror comedy that fans have been waiting for. It's funny, it's scary, it's excessive, it's indulgent, it's smart, and it is filled with non stop gore, nudity, blood, sex, demons, and mind blowing hilarity. Oh, and did I mention this is award winning director Keola Racela first full length feature film? Watch this movie as soon as you get the chance.
RABID
WORLD PREMIERE
Director: Jen & Sylvia Soska
If you're not familiar with the Soska sisters, you need to check out American Mary immediately. For their remake of David Cronenberg's classic movie, they are pulling out all the stops including the release of a trailer that got their Twitter account permanently banned. Yes, I need to see this one.
READY OR NOT
UK PREMIERE
Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Ready or Not is a crowd pleasing thriller that revels in its devilry and delights in its depravity. Genre buffs and horror fans this is without question a must see film although I feel like even casual movie goers will get a kick out of it so get out there, grab some popcorn, and get ready to have a great time.at the movies.
TO YOUR LAST DEATH
WORLD PREMIERE
Director: Jason Axinn
I had to add this crazy looking animated feature to my picks because it looks bonkers and also because William Shatner is on board as the narrator of the story. The movie is a sort of a Groundhog Day meets Looper meets Archer mash up which I am all for. Let's do this!
To keep track of all my reviews, interviews and festival coverage please go to:
TwoOhSix at FrightFest 2019
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