Another top week, this week. Firstly, I have bought Christmas stamps. Once I buy Christmas stamps that officially means it’s Christmas. Next stop, write out the gazillion cards I need to send out! Secondly, I finished a massive pile of marking that was infiltrating my life and causing my stress levels to rise to record-breaking heights. Seriously. I cried. But now it’s finished with and my stress levels can meander back down from remake King Kong height to their more usual original King Kong height!

Thirdly, and perhaps most of all responsible for my good mood, is that Kyle has got a Super Comp for you! You might remember that last week I told you about a special screening of Demons at Curzon Soho, Shaftsbury Avenue, London on Friday 26 November (today if you’re reading this as part of our brand new Friday email!). Well, Kyle has got a pair of tickets for the event to give away and all you have to do is enter! The comp will close at 2pm on Friday 26 November so you need to be within travelling distance of London and, obviously, available that night but if you are then what are you waiting for? Enter right now!

Sarah@Cult Labs.

SOME SERBIAN LINKS

As mentioned last week, Revolver Entertainment are releasing A Serbian Film in UK cinemas on 10 December 2010, and then on UK DVD and Blu-ray on 3 January 2011. The UK premier is Thursday 23 November and both the producer and director will be there for a Q&A session! If you are reading this online then there is still a chance to get tickets! Just head on over here to place your order. If you’re reading this in your inbox on Friday, sorry you missed out but, let me assure you, a great time was had by all!

A Serbian Film is definitely one of the most talked-about films of 2010 and may well continue this into 2011. Here at Cult Labs we’re dedicated to serving all your A Serbian Film needs so if you want to join the debate, check out the A Serbian Film subforum where you can share your thoughts on the film, whether positive or negative. If you would like to find out more about the film or check out reviews (again, both positive and negative) then you should head on over to the official UK site!

DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA OUT NOW!

I made a boo boo last week. Whoops! Deadly Outlaw Rekka actually came out on Monday and so is out now on DVD from Arrow Video. The great thing about a Takashi Miike movie? You literally don’t know what to expect. His films have featured everything from musicial numbers and zombies to lactating women filling a kitchen with milk. So who knows what strangeness you’ll come across in this one… For reviews (some of which contain spoilers) head on over here! If you’ve had a chance to watch it already, why not let us know what you think?

CHANGES TO THE CULT LABS FACEBOOK

Have you been to the Cult Labs Facebook recently? If so, you might have noticed that there’s a cool new feature in the tabs section near the top of the page! Besides the usual “wall,” “info,” etc. tabs, there are now tabs for A Serbian Film and Deadly Outlaw Rekka. Click on either of these and they’ll give you more info about the film, a selection of links and the ability to share the title with your friends. So for quick and easy info about Cult Labs titles when you’re on Facebook, just check the tabs!

BAY OF BLOOD @ THE CONTINENTAL

If you’re in the North West on 2 December 2010, then get yourself to Preston because Trash Cinema is presenting another screening at The Continental in association with TBH Films and, this time, it’s Mario Bava’s Bay of Blood! The event starts at 8pm and costs just £3.50 to get in. Also, one lucky blighter will walk away with an original cinema poster for Michele Soavi’s Stage Fright. You can get more details about this event here and here!

THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE LABORATORY!

It’s that time during the newsletter where I get a craving for a cup of lemon and ginger tea and a biscuit so I’m going to go make one. While I’m off kettle-boiling, why don’t you catch up on what’s caught my eye at the forums this week?

New Video Nasties Documentary

I’m sure most of you have your fabulous copies of Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide by now (mine’s number 2017!) and have either had marathon sessions or are doing what I’m doing, which is every time I have a coffee break I watch a few more sections! There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to this release – in fact nearly all the Collector’s Editions have sold and now the thread has turned its gaze to Easter Eggs. No, I haven’t gone barmy, I know it’s nearly December… It’s just Selection Boxes doesn’t have quite the same ring! So, if you’re interest in what and where the DVD Easter Eggs are, check out this thread!

Plottdigger Films

Well, I had no idea what Plottdigger Films was until I saw this thread and I’m really glad I did since part of my PhD is going to be on independent horror cinema (when I eventually get round to it!). So have you seen any Plottdigger Films – which are not, as I initially thought, films about some kind of digging equipment! – or do you own any? If so, head on over to this thread to share your thoughts along with dis, bizarre_eye and mbv!

Closet Film Favourites

I like to revisit this thread every now and then just to see what embarrassing films people have decided to post.  Some forums can be too snobby so it’s nice to see that on Cult Labs, gag and Make Them Die Slowly feel comfortable enough to admit a love of Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks! What? No Sound of Music in there? While not film, I have to admit to rediscovering Murder She Wrote on BBC2 recently as it times in nicely with my afternoon tea break. Angela Lansbury rules… and have you seen her in her early films? Jessica Fletcher was foxy!

Zombie Flesh Eaters

When I was a much younger horror fan, I used to go on to very slow websites and look at images from Zombie Flesh Eaters and long for the day when I would see that eye-gore in all its glory. Pete has kindly set up a thread asking whether or not you think Arrow should release Fulci’s classic and giving you a chance to chat about this gem of a film. So head on over to the thread for some zombie vs. shark action now!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Prefer the Steps version [of Better The Devil You Know] .. but don’t tell anyone! Ssssh!” – whoops! Too late, Sargento… Sorry!

KYLE’S COMP CORNER

In addition to his Super Comp, Kyle is also running is regular Weekly Comp. This week, our resident Competitions Mod is giving away a copy of Arrow Video’s fantabulous release of Mario Bava’s Bay of Blood! For details on how to enter, head on over to the Comp Corner now! Good luck…

THEXPERIMENTHQ – THE DEVIL’S REJECTS: DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND – INTERVIEW AND REVIEW

In the previous edition; everyone hated Tim so much that this time he didn’t turn up for recording. Hooray some of you may be saying, sadly he returns to haunt everyone in the latter half of the episode.  It’s another special guest edition. This time we speak Mark McQueen (director) and Bart Ruspoli (actor, writer & producer) of the new British Zombie film Devil’s Playground. This is your chance to gain world exclusive information on this production literally from the horse’s mouth. Tim isn’t the only one ranting- if you thought he was bad wait to you get a load of Shawn!

MODS & ROCKERS

Just a couple of notes from your friendly neighbourhood mods this week:

• While swearing isn’t banned as we’re all grown ups, it won’t be tolerated when aimed at other Cult Labs members or the people working for their labels. Members should also remember that many people find certain four-letter words upsetting and/or intimidating so please think before you type as any complaints against such language will be upheld.
• Everyone is welcome to their own opinion on Cult Labs. It’s fine if you don’t like something one of our labels are doing, just as it’s fine if you do. One of the reasons Arrow, Shameless etc. put early details of releases on the forums is to get feedback and this includes constructive criticism, which is very welcome. What is not appreciated is simply saying, “I hate it,” or words to that effect with no reason offered. If you hate something, that’s fine, but Cult Labs and its labels would appreciate some level of reasoning so that they can potentially find a solution. That’s the whole point of this forum!
• Personal attacks on other members because you don’t happen to agree with their opinion is also not tolerated. This is true regardless of whether the opinion is positive or negative.

The forum rules can be found here. If any of the mods (forum, technical, competitions, etc.) want me to include anything in this section next week then just let me know!

WELCOME NEWBIES!

This week I’m saying hello to Bobz, Analord, jamesg, McCrutchy and Deacon! Hope you’re all having a great time here!

AND FINALLY…

Before I go, here’s a little reminder that if you haven’t already signed up to receive this newsletter in your inbox each week, you can do so using this link. All this means is that every Thursday you get a little bit of me in your inbox. Not literally though. That’d be a bit gross.

Remember, if you have any comments, feedback or anything you’d like to see featured in the newsletter, PM me at Sarah@Cult Labs or drop me a line on the newsletter thread! Or, if you’re reading this as an email, just hit “reply”!

Until next week,

Sarah@Cult Labs.