DYLAN KNOWS....

...a wise man indeed.

SIMPSONS, SOUNDTRACK, TOILET HUMOR & FANTASTICFEST APPROACHES..

Hey gang,



Well, only a few more days to the US premiere in thw world famous Alamo Drafthouse as part of Fantasticfest, and I'm getting very excited. Hoping that the reaction is even a smidge of what it was in the UK...crossing pubes there. I love that I get to go to what I've heard is the coolest city in the US, home of Linklater, Rodriguez, SXSW....th elist goes on. If you are out in the Austin area and like mutant incest and entrails, stop on by Friday night at midnight....should be a hootenanny.



Here is a commercial for FantasticFest (which uses copious amounts of a certain film...but beware of gag spoilers!)...damn fine advertising.

Been a busy few weeks since I got back from the UK...so much stuff to do before the release, which is only a few weeks away! Holy crap!! I can't believe its that close. Still bummed it got Bit Torrented, so hopefully some of those people who saw it and liked it will want to venture out and see the complete, high res version on a nice TV instead of a shitty downloaded file, but whatever...it's in the Cinema God's hands now...



...but what's fucking rad as rat farts is that the muthafuckin' soundtrack to WRONG TURN 2 just came out this week. I cannot believe that an actual scored soundtrack for my film, done by a composer I highly admire, is out there....and I haven't even heard it yet! Bear's been telling me for months how how the new version is like a major face-life on the score in the film, almost like an "Extended Composer's Cut" which to me is pretty frakking cool (sorry, had to do it...get it? Bear? Galactica?? Fra-oh fucking christ, forget it). I've seen the cd cover, which is insane because it has some um...."revealing" shots of Sweaty & The Bear, so be warned. But the liner notes are bad-fucking-ass. However.

I fucked up.



In the liner notes, they asked me if I wanted to have a thank you, which seemed odd but fine by me. But in my haste, I forgot one of the most important names if the lot who were a major part of my getting the film, as well as someone I consider one of my closest friends ever. Luke muthafuckin Rivett. Not to make you start questioning my sexual preference, but I love this guy with all my heart. He's been there for me through thick and thin, and I hope I have done the same for him. I truly consider him a mate, and hell....he basically got my feature film career going. So after i checked the liner notes, making sure everyone is in there...and I didnt see his name. DAMMIT!!!! I checked my own notes...and it wasnt there either. How could I have forgotten him? I feel like a right bastard, and even though when I told him he was like "no worries matey", it still stings to know I fucked up and realy need to stop multitasking out the wazoo. Just know, if and when you pick up the soundtrack (which you can get HERE)...if i could dedicate that soundtrack to anyone, it would be Luke Muthafuckin' Rivett. Thanks Buddy...



THE SIMPSONS MOVIE: Man, Bri and I are BAD Simpsons fans. Look, I've been a rabid Simpsons fanatic from the first episode to the last one this season, have been an apologist for its weaker eps and a champion when their humor is spot on, so we were both hotly anticipating the film. I mean, hell, we were even salivating inside the Quik-E-Mart that erected itself (heh...erect) upon the release in July, we were that excited. Unfortunately, the movie came out the same weekend as Comic-con (good job guys, right when all the nerds are in one place) and then with the UK trip and all the other crazy shit going on, we never got a chance to go. So, when i found out it was playing ONE MORE night at the Arclight, Bri and I made a sworn promise we HAD to see it before it was gone from theaters. So, last Thursday night at 9:45pm, we drove to the Arclight, giddy with anticipation. "Wouldnt it be funny if it was like, sold out?" Bri says, laughing (knowing it wouldnt) and I said "Don't jinx it!"
Sure enough, we get to the ticket booth and the gentleman there says "Sorry, they cancelled that last show."
Fucknugget. Of course...just our luck.
So, clearly we were devastated. How could this have happened?!?!? Both dejected, disgusted, we shuffled out to the exit when our friends Brian & Gerry, who were at the bar getting likkered' up for the HATCHET show at 10pm (yeah boyee! Support that horror!!) and said we should check out THE BROTHERS SOLOMON. Brian worked with Bob Odenkirk the director and heard it was funny, and I love Will Forte's work on SNL and his writing on ACTION, so we decided to give it a shot.

...kinda wish we saw SIMPSONS.





THIRSTY: On Friday, we went up north a bit on the5 with the THIRSTY crew to shoot some more scenes from the short, which was fun, even though by then I was running on fumes. We had to shoot the scenes in the bathroom and outside where Im attacked by...well, you'll see...so it was mostly me, the skeleton crew and one nasty public bathroom, which we only made nastier thanks to movie magic (actually, chocolate syrup and magic markers).



We pulled a total "guerella" style shoot...permits be damned! But it was fun and I think we got some great footage...and hell, I got to work in "shit ghosts" so I was happy as punch, even after having to lick "poo water" for an hour with my head rested on a public sink that smelled like undead balls. Never a dull moment in the movie making biz!



Eastern Promises: I love me some Cronenberg....from SHIVERS to CRASH to HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, Canada's top cinematic cheese has always delivered, and then some. I was extremely excited for this flick, not only because it was new Cronenberg, but that it was a gangster flick of sorts...and set in London. Im fucking IN.

Well, sad to say, I did NOT like it. I can't believe I'm even writing this, but it just did not agree with me. The story was too fractured and slight, the acting good but uninvolving, and it just bored me to tears. Now, I'll be the first person to defend the meditated pacing of CRASH or even DEAD RINGERS, and Cronenberg isnt one to ramp up the film's pace for ANYONE, but this one just left me cold, and almost falling asleep till the already infamous "dong fight" occured, which actually woke the audience up a bit. Major dissapointment for me, but oh well. I'll be there opening weekend for his next one regardless...



Death Proof: OPEN NOTICE TO UK AND EUROPE: You lucky bastards....ok ok, I know, you guys don't get to see the full GRINDHOUSE experience like we douchetards in the US did, but let me tell you that the new, extended cut of QT's DEATH PROOF that premiered in Cannes and just skidded onto DVD shelves on Tuesday is the fucking bees knees. Seriously, I could vouch for the film in it's shorter version, which I had great fun with. Now, Tarantino has gone back, added a few scenes and gave the film a tune-up that in retrospect, it sorely needed. So much is fleshed out with the girls, with Stuntman Mike and his dark intentions, even the cops from KILL BILL who serve as the "Psycho" exposition, all get a little more love in their characterization, and it worked so well for me. Plus, the big story shift in the middle of the film where we switch focus on a new set of girls now has a real REASON, plus QT explains how S.M. recovered so quickly and was ready to strike again. This might be my film of the year so far now, especially with this cut, and cannot wait to watch it again and again.

Spooky's party: Spooky Dan had a partay for his birthday which was a fun time for all. Steve and Deb came up from San Diego, we got "the band back together" and it seemed everyone had a great night. In true Spooky form, he had a screen up outside (like last summer) and we played various shorts, the ending of SHOCKER (which is arguably the WORST climax ever, but also fucking brilliant)



Trailer Park Boys: Holy christ, this was a long time coming. G4 has FINALLY posted the exclusive video that Zach and I did up in Vancouver in January (!) when we got to meet up with Canada's hottest comedy miscreants, the Trailer Park Boys. I discovered these dudes from my Special Effects guru Bob "Twunty" Comer who gave me the dvd's while i was up there last summer shooting, and instantly fell in love with the show's gritty verite style and loosy goosey comedic tone, and the guys in it are of stoned genius. So we leapt at the chance to do an interview, but it took months of legal hurdling to get to use the clips in this piece, but all the "t"s are crossed and behold the mastery of TRAILER PARK BOYS (and look for the cameo). Why this show is not in the states is beyond me...if anyone's gonna get it, it's the red state demographic!

Check out the fookin' wicked good video HERE.

I'll be blogging my tush off for FantasticFest, so stay tuned!

Staying Scary,
Joe

My Open Letter of Thanks to FRIGHTFEST UK (repost)

Dated August 28th, 2007 8:24 a.m.

TO THE FRIGHTFEST FAMILY:



It's way too early and im sitting in Heathrow, cranking Otis Redding and Static-X though my ipod to drown out the human traffic as I await my flight back to the dregs of real life, my heart still swelling with so many wonderful memories of the previous 5 days of cinematic madness and mayhem at FrightFestUK and i felt the need to express them to you. Sorry in advance, cause this might get mushier than your wonderful peas...

Like I've professed to arguably every person I had the honor to talk to and geek out with over the past few days (including that drunken chap on the flattened cardboard box in the park, who ended up having a wonderful take on THE 400 BLOWS), this was a dream come true for me to bring my first film, WRONG TURN 2, to the country that coined the phrase the "Video Nasty", I had a good feeling about how my labor of bloody love would be received with a 5 horror crowd, even as you witnessed me losing 10 pounds on-stage from sweating (damn you humidity...or was it my thyroid?). But I had never expected the rapturous response the fans and even some skeptics gave the film, something I still think Im in mild shock from. Yet, the World Premiere has come and gone, and while it was quite the honor to bring you all my love letter to the "Video Nasty/Splatter" era to the home where it was coined, and I'll never forget the sheer joy in watching the audience jump, laugh and cheer in all the right places, my sadness in leaving you all stems much further.

I remember Green saying how gracious and welcoming the horror community was in the UK, and man do I believe it now more than ever. As Im waiting for my flight to whisk me back to bills & bullshit, Im both saddened to leave you all today after a week of great films and great people to enjoy it with, yet so proud and happy to have experienced it with all of you as well, since I was there really for one day of "work" (but was it really?) and 4 days of remembering why I love communal horror experience. How awesome were some of those movies? There's nothing worse than seeing a great flick with a bad crowd (and vice versa) and I don't think we ever had a moment there. We were all in it together, like a bloody family(literally), and I/we felt so welcome to be there with you, screaming, tensing up and even laughing throughout the entire time, be it grandiose russian fantasy epics to intimate character thrillers to all-out grue-fests to even a double dose of Dr. Uwe Boll (for better or worse of course).

Plus, with what we saw this weekend as evidence, Horror is FAR from dead.



This was by far the most well programmed and organized festival I'd ever seen or been part of, and many thanks are due to all the hard work, tenacity and patience the FF team all had with everything from botched formats to bothersome talent. Seriously, I don't know if it's just in the water (Smilex, Anyone?) or you all hid your frustrations or true feelings so well, but i can't think of one moment anyone WASN'T smiling throughout the fest. You UK horror fans out there should count your lucky stars (or severed toes) that you have such an esteemed and dedicated team who strives to bring you the best and brightest in Horror each and every year FrightFest unfolds.

So, please bear with, as these are just some of the people that truly made my time here one of the most memorable few days in what has already been a surreally spectacular year.

Paul, Ian, Greg & Alan - 4 Horror film lovers and the grand pubas of this sick cinematic celebration, who programmed the best festival I have ever been to thus far, hands down. It was almost unfortunate that my flick was playing, because as excited i was to see it on the big screen for the very first time with the TRUE demographic, I think I was even more excited to just kick back and be sledge-hammered by great new horror, both long and short. Ian & Paul, thank you for believing in me and my first work, even when things were looking grim due to red tape bullshit, but you held fast and cleverly made it work out, and I am forever bowing my respect to you and hopefully we'll be swapping more lewd stories in Austin soon. Alan, for keeping me frosty and laughing the whole fest and for being such a great host the entire time. I know I'll catch SOME shit for this, but I already miss your beautiful bald head (insert insinuation here). Greg, thank you for being the ever-smiling ringleader; i dont think there was one time admist the chaos you didnt keep your cool. You guys were the heart of the show, and the UK fans are again lucky to have you.

Suzy, Shaun, Jen, Suzi & Amanda - The REAL reason this festival went off without a hitch. I don't know if you fans got to see it, but these lovely ladies were the backbone of the festival. They were there at the ass-crack of dawn and were tireless in making sure everything went smooth. Why did you have plenty of swag? How did those beers get in your hands during the movie? These girls were truly the "A Team" and hopefully will be back again to keep the blokes above in check! You all were so nice and hospitable to this stinky, sweaty yank, and first round is on my at the Phoenix upon return so i can have my "moobs" poked again. Good times.

Green - My partner in crime at the fest and the true rock star of the weekend. Thanks first for putting the bug in Ian, Paul and Alan's ear about the film and believing in it enough to put the "Green Battered Seal of Approval" on it. Plus, its always great to see great cinema with a like minded madmad, and I couldn't have had a better movie buddy throughout the festival and glad we got to roam the streets and just geek out the whole time. Seriously, the only thing missing from this were backpacks, The Slaughtered Lamb, talking about Debbie Klein's body & not sticking to the road...oops.
You are a true mate, and I thank you for that.

Everyone at Horror Zone - Why don't we have this in the US? There's been plenty of attempts, but it seems that HZ has cornered the market in bringing you guys some great grue on the boob tube, you lucky bastards. If everyone at HZ are as dedicated and awesome as the field crew that planted themselves at the Odeon to get all the events that unfolded, then you really do have a winner of a channel. To Emily and the amazing crew there, cheers for making me feel so comfortable and hope I didn't screw up the "Cut" presentation at all.

Liz @ Fox - Thanks so much for being part of this amazing experience, making sure the film and the badges (see? I didn't say buttons, ha!) and posters were there for everyone, and for making sure everything went smooth with my trip and other happenings, I really appreciated all your hard work and sacrifices over the weekend. I hope to work with you again, maybe for the UK release!

Neil, Axelle, Jake, Jonathan, Ailsa, Matt, Chris (both Smith & Stapp), James, Mike, Uwe, Tom, Adam (of course), J.A. and all the other filmmakers I met there- It was great to commiserate with you all at the waystation for horror, so awesome to experience all of our films together there both as artists AND as fans. I really do with you all the best of luck and hope we can pow wow with our wares again soon. In a perfect world, a future FrightFest!

The Fans - Now, YOU guys.
My people.
My friends.
My family.
To experience not just my world premiere, but ALL of the films I got to see with all of you, FrightFest regulars and newbies alike, was such a thrill. Seriously, no sucking up here, it was just like being with the best bunch of friends you can gather, people you knew "got it" and wouldn't scoff at our love for the fringe, the k up and the frightening, and just kicking back and wanting some fresh meat. I'd be here for hours and miss my flight if I started to name everyone who were so nice and gracious to me, who didn't mind me spewing the finer points on CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, EXORCIST 3, Val Lewton and of course MANIAC COP 3, so please accept one big juicy virtual hug from me to you. Also, thank you for being so receptive to my little flick, what was probably one of the question marks of the festival. Im sure plenty of FF fans said "Whuut??" when it was announced, so thanks for believing in this scrappy little splatter-coaster and giving such a memorable World Premiere. Even if you stone cold HATED the film (again, Im sure there's plenty that did), you were very repsectful and overall, I didn't meet one person who wasn't loving to be there & so kind and welcoming to a Yank hillbilly like myself. I will see you all again soon, promise.

I know Im forgetting so many people here to thank (still running on fumes) so my apologies to anyone I've missed, but please know that I will never forget this past 5 days. It was an honor to be there and be part of such a grand celebration of the Horror genre, and come hell or high horror (or if that remake of EBOLA SYNDROME works out) I be drinking plenty of beers and enjoying more horror with you all next year....if I can get out of Heathrow first.

LONG LIVE FRIGHTFEST!

"See You Next Wednesday..."


Joe
AKA: Another American Werewolf

FRIGHTFEST DAY 4 & 5

Hey all,



Sorry for the delay, as my body is FINALLY getting back to the Western world. I don't know why but it was much harder to aclimate back to this time zone than it was in the UK. Maybe it's because from the moment I set foot on that royal British soil, I was going 100 mph. Ah, memories...speaking of which, here is my wrap up on the final days of FrightFest, sorry it took so long to post.

DAY 4:



Ah, the pressure is off.

The film is screened, we came we saw and I hope we kicked ass. You never know with people; sometimes they are being polite in saying "I liked it!" to then hear them turn and say "What a piece of Poop" but the general feeling I got was people had a great time. Sweet, then I did my job. But it's over, and a part of me is a little sad to see it go, that singular experience I've waited so long for, but now i get to kick back with Green and the gang and watch some muthafuckin' movies!

I was still buzzing from an hour of sleep, but felt the need to see Adam and Amanda's reaction to JACK KETCHUM's THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (which you can read my reactions to in an earlier blog post). It's pretty harrowing stuff, and I wanted to see a big crowd react to the many scenes of frank, almost casual violence that stemmed from it. I think it played well, wish that Andrew or Greg the director was there to talk about it, but i think it really affected people, the way it was supposed to. Pretty hard cinema, to be sure.



Unfortunately, I missed BOTCHED to go out and talk to some fans outside, but heard it was pretty rad. Well, one i can catch later. But there was a buzzing in the air, and suddenly...POOF! Uwe Boll was in the house! We exchanged pleasentries (see above for the meeting of the "masters", Uwe, Neil and Axelle), he seemed pretty relaxed but ready for anything as people piled into the theater for a double dose of Dr. Boll....



POSTAL: I think I've had my say on this, but I really liked it. Loved the brashness of the humor, felt it totally worked with the crowd, and Zach Ward is a revelation. Sure, some of the jokes dont work, and some people might NOT enjoy seeing Dave Foley's lil "kid in the hall" hanging out for an extended time, but then if you dont like to laugh at little old ladies getting hit by cars, then this might not be your movie. This really is Uwe's masterwork, considering his other films, and I really think he should do more intentional comedies.



SEED: Wow, how far we've come...or gone. While I really enjoyed POSTAL, SEED did NOT go over well for me, or seemingly most of the audience. An attempt at blending SEVEN with HOSTEL, the film tracks a cop (Michael Pare) trying to find, kill, then kill again the serial killer "Seed". Long story short, this is a mean, mean film, clearly looking to simply push your buttons with PETA footage of animals dying and a somewhat clever concept of a "one-take" kill that unfortunately gets marred by ineffective CG manipulation and the viewer saying "who is this woman in corralation to the rest of the movie?" It was a random moment of squeamishness that could have been more effective, but just comes off as exploitive. Afterwards, as I raced out to avoid wet trousers, I heard people vehemently booing the film, calling it "Shite!" and there was more outside. Supposedly Uwe defended himself and his film, while telling people if they didnt like his films, go see NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. Love that Uwe...

After the Double Boll Bill we grabbed some lunch (Subway, nice and American), then hit Paul's awesome movie memorbillia shop (got Adam a present for hooking me up with these guys, and I got Ebola Syndrome!!!) and then went out to take some shots of the "American Werewolf" galavanting around Piccadilly Circus. Its so cool to see the location now and re-visualize the climax of A.W.I.L., Landis you genius.



Then, to quell my sweating dilemma, we slipped into a huge sports department store, packed to the gills, so I could get a headband to sop up the Lynch gravy. Yes, I wore a headband, fuck off. Of course, Im outside the Odeon and no longer than 2 minutes and I hear "Oh Im so blessed to see Jane Fonda has graced us with her presence at FrightFest". Oh Alan Jones, you right bastard. But I guess I get what I deserve...sweaty Yank I was.



Back to the Fest, we met up with Neil and Axelle as he showed the new DOOMSDAY trailer he cut personally....and lo and behold, it had music by Bear!!!! It was from GALACTICA, but it worked so well (Bear would have been proud) and let me tell you, no lie.

DOOMSDAY WILL FUCKING ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF.

You can tell Neil was like a kid in a candy store here, blending elements of ROAD WARRIOR, RAIDERS, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK and other 80's apocalypto adventures into one huge stew of steaming awesomeness. And it's got beheadings! Seriously, this was a big one for me, and all biases aside now that Ive become friendly with Sir Marshall, i cannot WAIT to see the final product. The crowd seemed to feel the same way too.



WAZ-A serial killer film akin to SE7EN, yet with an even grittier style (courtesy of the DP from the cult hit PUSHER, a personal fav). I love Stellan Saarsgard, and here he plays a hard boiled cop with a past tied to mysterious murders that have a ritualistic bent, all the while dealing with a new female partner thrust into the case. Pretty compelling stuff, and the twists had me glued to my seat. Good, challenging thriller.

Having endured SKINWALKERS already (sorry Stan) we ended up talking our asses off at the Cinema bar till late with the fans and the filmmakers, then continued back to the hotel for a LITTLE sleep for tomorrow's big Zombie Walk. Fucking psyched for that one, but more excited to see SPIRAL again with an audience. I'm sure Green is nervous a little since the weekend's been nothing but blood and guts, but I think its gonna go fantastic. This is a very accepting crowd...so glad Ailsa, who was the PR rep for HATCHET, was so cool in hanging out with us too, even though I didnt mention her before here, she was so much fun to chill out with and I totally owe her a beer when Im back. I promise A!



DAY 5:

Man it was tough getting up for the Zombie Walk. Guess it's fitting Im lurching towards the Odeon in back alleys, I feel like one of the undead dancers in the title sequence for SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Funny, literally on random play, "London Calling" pops on my ipod on my way over. It shot a burst of adrenaline into me and instantly Im hopping over there. One more day, Lynch, make it count!!! At first, the streets were, save the pun, "dead" because of a holiday, but as I got closer....



The Zombie walk was CRAZY. Im sure you heard about it or read elsewhere, but they wereEVERYWHERE in the park...big ones, small ones, baby undead. A Zombified Spiderman an even a chick in an Evel Kenivel [sic] suit all undead like.They were even pumping Goblin and the DAWN soundtrack while the living dead did photo ops and generally just stumbled around, big smiles on everyones faces. I swear, could you imagine if you had no clue about this and just walked down the street and see this cavalcade of Zombies coming towards you? Fucking genius.





After the press part, we all shuffled in to see THE ZOMBIE DIARIES, which was a mix of BLAIR WITCH & (insert Undead flick here) and while I thought there were scenes of real inspriado using the concept of a Documentary crew getting stuck in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, i felt like it didnt go far enough. But, for the amount of money spent on it, its pretty fucking cool, hats off to the guys for effectively using the digital media to create a "real world" feel to it. If you like zombie flicks and a little something different, check it out.

After a short trip back to the hotel, I got to FINALLY sit down with Axelle, Neil's lovely and very horror-astute girlfriend for a one-on-one interview, which I honestly thought went great. No offense to the other guys, but maybe it was that she was asking questions I didnt hear before, mainly because she's probably heard me gabbagabba away before on the usual cache of questions. There's nothing better than being surprised and not rolling off the same answer over and over. Not that I dont mind, but its nice to spark the mind a bit on stuff Im not expecting. I can't wait to read that interview, although we might have to finish it up online as we were going to be late for...



SPIRAL: Well again, I might have already mentioned how much I loved this movie, and sure, Im a "F.O.G" (Friend of Green) but it really is a small masterpiece, and Im so glad that the audience, who we thought would be jaded and not into a psychological piece like this, would warm to it. But quite the contrary...they LOVED it! This is why I love FrightFest. The audience can clearly embrace films like BLACK SHEEP, THE SIGNAL, ALLTHE BOYS and even WRONG TURN 2, but also be respectful to more moderated, subtle films like SPIRAL, JOSHUA & THE ORPHANAGE. Everyone knows to have an open mindset, and it just made me want to move to London and hang out with these great groups some more. They clearly GET IT.



After the film played well, Adam got up and worked his magic on the crowd, first answering questions about the production, then kicking in the audience's teeth with his famous "Dee Snider" story, which to him must be old hat, but you'd never know it. It's clear how Dee touched Adam (um....) in so many ways (double um....) but the inspiration from this story clearly hit home with so many in the crowd.



IN THE WALL: After SPIRAL, we got to enjoy a short film by one of the F.C. members, Mike Williamson, who I saw at the airport with his lovely wife and a film cannister (god I miss seeing those). The short was called IN THE WALL and I, like the rest of the crowd, was VERY impressed with Mike's work here in the short time he had. I'll save you the details because the twists come fast and furious from the get-go, but let's just say that Edgar Allen Poe would be proud. Although I wasnt a fan of the lead actor per se, Erin Brown (THE LOST) gave a stellar performance of a Pregnant woman in peril, and Williamson's lighting and camerawork are su-fucking-perb, and the makeup is killer too. The whole film had the kind of pro polish on it while still being EXTREMELY creepy and effective that this guy wll be kicking our asses on a feature in no time. Great work Mike!

I then actually missed a film I was excited to see, DAY WATCH, to go back to the hotel, pack my things and put on a dry shirt (still sweating!) for the last film of the night, which would lead into the final soiree at The Winches-er, The Phoenix.



THE ORPHANAGE - Man, did they save the best for last. This was one powerful and haunting film, very much Del Toro's POLTERGEIST, in that it was produced by the Mexican Master (directed by J.A. Bayona, his first film), had similar elements like POL (haunted house, scientists, missing kids in the house, etc) and felt like a natural "extension" of THE DEVILS BACKBONE...and that is a compliment. It was absolutely riveting cinema, and a must see when it's released.



Then, Alan, Paul, Greg & and Ian said their goodbyes....and that was is. Over. Finis. Kaput.



People filed out, jazzed from the movie, a little sad to see it over....but I couldnt MOVE. It took Amanda to actually pick me up by my arm to get me out of my seat, T23, the one I sat in pretty much the whole festival, to finally leave. Now it was over. I can't help being sad, it was truly a magical moment in my life, being here, being with new and wonderful friends, showing my first labor of love to a willing audience in a foreign land that I loved before I came and love even more now. But I had to sit there one more time, and promise myself that unless I'm shooting my next film or something HUGE in my life comes up, I will be back to re-experience FRIGHTFEST again. (I can think of one way to miss it: Death...oooh how cryptic would THAT be if you are reading this a year later after my tragic death from Dysentery prevented my return...creepsville!)





Adam, Amanda, Jen, Suzi, Sian (did I spell that right? Bollocks) and some others walked to The Phoenix for the last beers and goodbyes, and it was really hard to say farewell to so many newly familiar faces. Fatigue was also kicking in, as I could barely stay awake, let alone gab with people, and I felt really bad not being as hyper as I was the previous days. I guess if I did coke, that would be a natural time for a "recharge"; thank god I'm not into that shit. But then it was getting late, and we headed back to the hotel after saying final goodbyes to the DEVIL DARED ME TO guys and Neil and Axelle, who were so sweet to us the whole trip. I hope we get to hang out again with them, and if all goes well, it might just happen sooner than they think!



Back at the hotel, saying goodbye to Adam and Amanda too was extremely difficult; Green had to stay for another screening of the film and of course, Amanda had her life back in London, but we all said that we hope we can do it again next year. So the Three Amigos departed...for now...

Back at the room, I stared at my bag, not wanting to leave here.

To quote Henry Hill..."It was a glorious time."



My final goodbye to Frightfest next...and this might be the coolest shop in the UK...

Staying Scary,
joe

HOLD THAT THOUGHT....

Hey all,

Sorry i had to post this.

I was constantly apologizing on behalf of the USA for fucking up the GRINDHOUSE experience for the UK fans. They heard all about how awesome seeing the full GH film with both films back-to-back and the trailers, and now because of the U.S. theatrical run not living up to the studio's hopes, the films are being seperated and released as such, ripped apart like siblings in a war, and it will never be the same experience. I wish my UK fans could have seen it, and maybe someday they will (Maybe a FRIGHTFEST exclusive next year??? Boys are you listening??????)

However, looks like Quentin made an alternate cut, and for a DEATH PROOF fanatic like myself (my fav of the two, and I loved PLANET TERROR too) I cant wait to see the extended version. It will be bittersweet, but at least UK and Euro fans get a little more sizzle in their steak.

Behold, QT goes gonzo...



Sorry, had to share...Back with more FRIGHTFEST asap!

Staying Scary,
Joe

FRIGHTFEST DAY 3 (the amendments)

Hey All,



So yeah, the big premere came and went, and I think it did REALLY well. I was so relieved that, on the day, the film seemed to play off better than expected, but the rousing response from the fans afterwards was really really great. So many fans were so kind, and I thank you all for coming out and supporting the movie, it meant so much.

So a few other things that happened on Saturday.

So first I run over to the Odeon and see Alan Jones who is demanding I follow him to this club where we were having the "filmmakers" luncheon. Oh, wait. Dont I have media interviews now? Well, I get pulled off anyway, much to the chagrin of Liz, who set the interviews up. Im yanked down the street, so im already sweaty from the racing heartbeat, and then after Amanda desperately tried to get Liz to move the interviews so i can enjoy the lunch (it looked so good, bawls) but no go so she throws me into a cab and it's back to the theater where i finally get to meet Bryn and Mark (or was it Matt? shit my brain is frazzled) from Gorezone Magazine (killer mag, mind you), who named me and Green part of their "Splat Pack" (or "Spalt Pack" cause i guess they dont use spell check here, too funny). We had a GREAT interview, and they were so cool. After that, another interview (fuck I forgot that guys name too, I need a "name pad") which went even better. I gotta admit, I am proud of my movie, and I think it shows when i talk about it, at least I hope so.



Then, I raced over to do interviews with the lovely Emily Booth at Zone Horror, which as you can see HERE, I was practically panting. But I think I came off ok, Emily was super nice and sweet (and easy on the eyes is good too) and the crew were cool too. These guys are around all weekend, tireless bastards.









The "badges" come and Im making sure that they are properly placed on all of the ladies for optimal exposure. Hey, sex sells right?

I miss out on JOSHUA (coming out on DVD in the states in a few weeks) so i can go back, put on my decent clothes and head back to the screening. I wanted to see the shorts, so time was of the essence. I get all doodied up, get the tie around the neck, and off I go. I dont know why, but seriously, I need a headband or something because this sweating thing is fucking bollocks. So embarrassing. I feel like my body is pulling a Cronenberg and revolting on me, crap!

Back to the Odeon, sweating of course, and I sit for the shorts. Most of them were kinda bad actually, except one named LITTLE BRATS which was like a deleted scene from DELLICATESSEN, a gonzo favorite. Great kooky style, creepy fat frenchman, and killing kids...a winning combo in my book.



The film that played after that was Jamie Blanks' STORM WARNING, which was another "Hillbilly Horror" movie like mine, just an Aussie port of the genre. Started out slow but I appreciate that, getting to know the protagonists as they boat out to fish, then get stuck on a mysterious island where the locals are not too friendly, and by the end it was splashing with gore and the crowd loved it. I was getting a little nervous though; could the audience take another type of this film? But seeing the crowd take in Blanks's visceral climax gave me hope they'd be into the splatter of WT2. Crossing fingers. Nice to see Jamie back int he game after a long hiatus from the scene (he directed URBAN LEGENDS & VALLENTINE). Welcome back man!



After, Emily from Zone Horror and I had to go up and announce the "Cut" shorts competition which Im a judge for, a major honor thank you, I got to snap that shot that's already on the blog of all the fans, who were piling in for WT2 and still, I wasn't nervous, just excited to get the ball rolling, even though my wet clothing probably betrayed that sentiment.



...and well, if you read the previous post, you know how the screening went. After the first 5 minutes, i think the audience knew what kind of movie they were in for so if you got it then, I knew you'd like it. If not, hey, sorry, better luck next time!







Afterwards, I talked and signed with fans for at least a full hour, maybe more. Everyone was so nice. Poor Amanda; she had to be relegated to being my "Sweat Wrangler" and wait in the wings with napkins ready to be used. But thank god she was there, cause I was pouring with perspiration. Hey, I was excited!!!

Later, the crew went over to dinner and we met them there, walked the busy London streets to a nice Mexican feast down the road. It was an honor to have Marshall (up int he first pic above, looking on at my sweating in wonderment) say he liked my film after I basically told him DOG SOLDIERS was a major influence on WT2, and he had some great notes and points on the flick that Im glad to hear. Both Ian and Paul seemed relieved that WT2 did well too and we toasted to it, which filled my heart with cinematic love. I am in London, being toasted for my sick little flick by my peers and people I totally respect. It was a memory i wont soon forget.

What I wanted to forget was the horrible feeling I had after the meal. As we walked back to catch one of my definite must-see's, THE DEVIL DARED ME TO, I could feel my stomach twisting and coiling, my body not quite agreeing with the argument the Burrito is dishing out. But we had to go...



THE DEVIL DARED ME TO: THIS is what HOT ROD should have been. A rauchous, crude, over-the-top comedy that might be questioned as being valid at a horror fest like this if it was not for the splatter style of the violence and the fact that it's just an out-and-out blast of a time. The crowd was loving it, and we did too, even though Green seemed to catch the bad meal bug too. This was the PERFECT midnight movie, a 6 beers to fun cinematic romp that doesnt quit.

Afterwards, we hung out with the DEVIL guys (who both acted and wrote/directed it) who were a fucking hoot. Great fucking guys, and man do they know how to party. We ended up back at the hotel, where Slo-mo the waitress was back and took fucking FOREVER to hook everyone up with the proper booze. Chris, the director of DEVIL, at one point went up to her and said "17, no...18 beers please luv" and she looked at him like he was crazy, or from New Zealand.



We then got some fresh air by walking around the streets of London, which was fuckign glorious. Such a nice breeze for a change, we talked with a few guys from the Festival like Scotty (total metal head, above) and Greg (total film geek) who were super nice. Everyone here is just here to enjoy and celebrate the horror scene, so it never really felt like there was a difference between fan and filmmaker; we were ALL fans there, so the company was nice.



We then headed back to the hotel where we found it HILARIOUS that there was a restaurant named "Green's" so of course we had to take snaps. Look at that diva Vogue!



People were petering off but I wasn't tired for some reason, still hopped up and overtired from the day, so Amanda (who NOW had the unfortunate task of babysitting me, poor girl) and I walked around some more, taking in the sights (at least I was) and geeking out about horror and how she could kick my ass (I believe it) before I finally got to bed, a huge shit eating grin on my face. It was a specatcular day and night, one I will never soon forget.

Now I get to just dork out and watch a shit load of movies...including, DOUBLE UWE BOLL tommorow! I've seen POSTAL (which I had a jolly good time with) but curious about SEED....can Uwe live up to this new promise?

Man, so glad it's all over, but so sad it's over too. Can I do it again please?!?!?



Staying Scary,
Joe