Bleugh.
That’s how I feel today: bleugh. I think I’m coming down with a cold, I’m hungry, there’s no snacks in, and… Oh, no, wait. I just found a packet of salt and vinegar rice cakes… Mmmm… cardboardy… Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, and I can’t open any window because my flat is being pounded by gale-force winds so my head feels all stuffy from lack of fresh air. Like I said: bleugh.
But I think I know what the problem is. It’s that this week I don’t have a fantastic Cult Labs film night to look forward to as I did last week, and that’s made me sad. I’ll be filling you in on the Escape from the Bronx film night and how you can get involved in the next one in a minute. I’ll also be filling you in on all the news from Cult Labs, details of a fantastic new blog and all my usual bits and bobs. And look out, there’s a bit of a zombie theme this week!
I’m sure all that will leave me feeling distinctly less bleugh by the time I’m done!
Sarah@Cult Labs.
JOIN IN WITH A CULT LABS FILM NIGHT!
Last Wednesday, as I’ve just mentioned, was the first (of what will hopefully become many) Cult Labs Film Night. The brainchild of iluvdvds, the Film Night was held on Twitter and drew a small but enthusiastic crowd of me, iluvdvds, bizarre_eye and stevoj. At 9pm we simultaneously pressed play on our copies of Escape from the Bronx and settled down to chat about it as we watched. Even though only four of us could make it, the evening was a success: a chance to have a real time discussion of a film, as opposed to simply discussing it after the fact as is the usual case on forums.
Due to its success, we have decided to hold a second one. The exact date has not been confirmed yet but it should be sometime early next month. The film has been decided on: George A. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead but we need help in deciding which version. Cast your vote over on the official thread as to whether you would like the Theatrical, Director’s or Argento cut of this classic piece of zombie action. And if you don’t yet have a Blu-ray player then never fear, Arrow’s special edition of Dawn is out on DVD next week so you can join in the fun regardless of format! For more info, head on over to the Film Night thread!
ZOMBIE NEWS DESK
New blog news! iluvdvds (writing as “Freak”), antmumford and pedromonkey have teamed up to bring you Zombie News Desk – your one-stop-internet-shop for zombie news and views! If you’re into your zombie goodness, then this is the place to be. Plus, you’ll be supporting your fellow Cult Labbers in a great venture.
Zombie News Desk pretty much does what it says on the tin: news about all things zombie-related. Films, games, clothes, kids cartoons, artwork… If it’s got something to do with zombies then you’ll find it here. The guys have also added in a separate section, Reviews of the Dead, to make any reviews that bit easier to find amidst all the news. They’ll be divided into categories and listed alphabetically to serve your zombie-based needs – super organised!
This is a really cool, well-designed blog that deserves the support of all you zombie fans so head on over, get reading and let people know about it! You can also let its creators know what you think on the zombie thread at Cult Labs.
THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE LABORATORY!
All that zombie-goodness is making me feel slightly less bleugh. Well, if zombies are the cure, let me show you some zombie gems from the Cult Labs forums.
Some of you have seen this cracking zombie film already and all of the positivity surrounding it says that it does not obey the law of inferior sequels. It’s released on DVD and Blu-ray by E1 Entertainment on 20 September 2010 alongside the [Rec] special edition Blu-ray but as some of you have seen it in advance, head on over to the [Rec] 2 thread and let people know what you think of it. If you haven’t seen it yet, head on over for a few tasters!
Also out on 20 September is The Horde, released on DVD by Momentum Pictures. Like [Rec] 2, The Horde is garnering great reviews and a generally positive reception all round. This thread is absolutely buzzing with people’s opinions on the film so head on over to join the debate. Did you manage to catch it at FrightFest last year? Or perhaps you live outside the UK and its already been released where you are. If so, let us know what you think. If not, again there are tasters galore over on this thread!
As you know, Arrow are set to release Demons and Demons 2 but what you may not know is that there will be a special edition comic packaged with each one. Demons 3 will be released in two parts, one with Demons and one with Demons 2! Stef Hutchinson has been kind enough to post the preview strip in full on the special Demons 3 thread. This is not the actual comic, but a promo that some of you might already have from FrightFest. I personally think it’s awesome. I’m even more excited for these releases than ever but what do you think? Let us know on this thread!
Possibly the best known zombie film of all time, it’s only natural that Dawn of the Dead should have a thread all of its very own! On this thread you can chat about the film itself, its many versions, its artwork or its many releases over the years. Discussion of this film is also quite timely, with Hatchet II being released on cinemas unrated in the US, just as Romero once did with Dawn. So what do you think? Is Dawn your favourite Romero? Or even your favourite zombie film? Head on over to this thread to tell us!
THE BEST OF THE REST
Zombies are definitely the cure! Here are some other brains… I mean, threads that caught my eye this week!
- Arrow Video – Dawn of the Dead DVD – If you don’t have Blu-ray, never fear!
- Survival of the Dead (2009) – It’s divisive, but it’s still a zombie film!
- Colin: The £45 Zombie Movie – We have British zombies too!
- Zombi 3 – Italian zombies too. We like multicultural zombies.
- What’s your opinion on VD? The Video Dead! – Not that VD! The other one…
- Hungry for some zombie goodness!!! – Or brains. I’ll take brains…
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“‘I’d rather have the clap than sit through this bilge again!” – Don’t mice your words, Make Them Die Slowly!
KYLE’S COMP CORNER
This week Kyle has got a zombie-related prize for you all – The Horde on DVD! To be in with a chance of winning this excellent piece of French horror, head on over to the Comp Corner… Good luck!
WELCOME NEWBIES!
This week I’m saying hello (and not at all trying to eat the brains of) Tymishu, T2KFreeker, xalexislegendx, cyberschizoid, WildsideCinema and J.R.. Hope you all have a great time at Cult Labs, and remember to aim for the head!
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!
Until next week,
Sarah@Cult Labs.
