It’s good to be back and migraine-free! Last week I was struck down with the worst migraine I’ve ever had (ended up lingering for about four days) and I was unable to look at the computer screen for longer than five minutes. Luckily, I was rescued by iluvdvds who stepped up and took over for me. So a big thank you to Kyle for covering and doing an excellent job!
Now the eagle-eyed amongst you who are reading this in your inbox will have noticed that this week the newsletter is coming to you from “Sarah from Cult Labs” (me!) as opposed to “Cult Laboratories Ltd.” This subtle but important change (courtesy of the tech-genius that is Stefan@Cult Labs) means that from now on you can contact me simply by hitting “reply” and sending an email! So if you have any feedback, comments or anything you’d like to add to the newsletter, you can contact me directly, just by replying. How cool is that?! In other newsletter, um, news, as of next week, This Week @ Cult Labs will be going out to your inbox on a Friday so that you can kick the weekend off with a bit of Cult Labs awesomeness!
Now, I best get on with the show as it’s a busy week for news and I have a whole new section to put in dedicated to TheXperimentHQ! So… Here’ goes nothing!
A SERBIAN FILM HUBSITE
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last few months then you’re bound to have heard of A Serbian Film, probably the most talked about film of 2010. Revolver Entertainment will be releasing it on UK DVD and Blu-ray on 3 January 2011 but if you can’t wait that long, you can check out the brand new hubsite right now. Here you can find a synopsis, reviews and images and, over the next few months, it will become your one stop shop for all things A Serbian Film. The site is honest and is determined to cover all reactions to the film: positive or negative so if it’s a film you’re still not sure about, or if indeed you have just crawled out of a cave, check out the site for all the information you could want. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that A Serbian Film is one of the most important films of recent years and it will get you talking.
OUT NOW: DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA
Takashi Miike’s jaw-dropping Yakuza movie is out on UK DVD from MONDAY! This fantastic release from Arrow Video includes an array of special features that will make your mouth water. They include: brand new transfer of the film with new and improved subtitle translation; original trailer; video interview with director Takashi Miike; ‘Deadly Outlaw: Miike’ – Takashi Miike discusses key scenes from the film and working with his collaborators; booklet featuring stills and an essay on the film by Tom Mes, author of Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike; notes on prog rockers Flower Travellin’ Band, the stars and providers of the soundtrack to the film, written by Sam Jones. You can check out the details on the blog or let us know what you think on the official thread.
DEMONS SCREENING!
Are you free on 26 November 2010? Can you be at Curzon Soho, Shaftsbury Avenue, London at 10pm? If the answer is “yes” to both of those questions then you need to purchase a ticket for £8.50 in advance (£12.50 on the door) and get yourself to the screening of Demons, presented by Under the Influence!
Party with DJ Philip Ilson until the movie starts at midnight. The dress code is 80s and a there will be prizes for the best dressed. So what are you waiting for? For more details check out the official site or the Facebook page.
THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE LABORATORY
Bit of an Argento-themed forum round-up this week as I love him and he’s great. Do I need more reasoning than that? Oh, I do? OK, well, largely because Arrow have announced three new Argento releases over the last couple of weeks complete with Rick Melton cover art and I want to share it with you… As well as resurrecting a thread for an Argento release that hasn’t received any attention in a while. I’ll stop teasing you now and just get on with it!
Arrow Video – Phenomena – The Artwork
Announced this week, Phenomena is coming to Arrow Video in the first quarter of 2011. Rick’s beautiful, beautiful artwork has also been posted and, I have to say, it’s looking to become one of my favourites. I’ve only seen Phenomena once but I remember it being an awesomely bonkers film and the news that Arrow have it on their slate has met with a great reception. Argentofan says, “You are pulling out all the stops here Arrow,” while ZigZagZombie says, “Another excellent cover for what’s possibly my favourite Argento film.” Personally, I’m as psyched for this as I am for Deep Red and Tenebrae so roll on 2011!
Arrow Video – Cat o’ Nine Tails – The Artwork
Cat o’ Nine Tails is an Argento I am yet to see so I think I’ll save myself for this Arrow DVD (and hopefully BD) release in the second quarter of 2011. Reactions to the artwork to this have been a little more mixed – although it’s no Inferno bum cheeks! In fact, there’s no nudiness on this cover at all! I personally love it, but let us know your thoughts on this release and it’s cover over on this thread!
Arrow Video – The Bird With The Crystal Plumage
Like Phenomena, I’ve only seen The Bird With The Crystal Plumage once but I remember it being a very classy giallo with a lot to recommend it. Rick’s artwork for this release is just divine, depicting his spin on a classic scene from the film. Sam has gone so far as to say it’s his favourite yet from Rick! This one’s also out in the first quarter of 2011 so hold on to any HMV vouchers you get for Christmas!
This thread has gone quite quiet and I know there’s not been a lot of news for a bit but that artwork just cries out for attention! It’s still one of my favourite Argento covers from Rick and one of my favourite Argento films – right up there with Deep Red. So are you still eagerly anticipating this release? Get on the thread and let us know!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I’ve always found her eyebrows a bit off-putting myself.” – the blob made me giggle so hard with this reason for not fancying Jennifer Connelly that I had to make it Quote of the Week.
KYLES COMP CORNER
This week, Kyle has a copy of Deadly Outlaw Rekka to give away. This mind-blowing film could be yours absolutely free and all you have to do is take part in Kyle’s latest competition. So head on over to the Comp Corner for the details… Good luck!
THEXPERIMENTHQ – EPISODE 6: THE SIXTH DEFENCE
On 30 October, The British Horror Film Festival planned to showcase a controversial little film from a country called Serbia. Little did they realise what they were letting themselves in for. In this special edition, TheXperimentHQ welcomes its second special guest, writer, director, actor and festival director Stuart Brennan sits down with truckturner, shawnduhast and pedromonkey to talk about the controversy this film has caused. In this insightful edition, we learn the real reasons for the last minute exit of A Serbian Film from the festival’s line up, Stuart’s thoughts on the film, censorship and the journalistic attacks made towards him for standing up and sharing his appreciation for the film. Presenter Tim Porter also sheds some light on the cuts to next month’s UK release with information straight from the films UK distributor, Revolver Entertainment.
MODS & ROCKERS
Once again it’s been another pleasant week at the Labs with the Mods having very little to do – just the way we like it! In fact, there’s just one point to be made this week:
- Please don’t try to artificially bump up your post-count. Whether you are doing it to be able to post links in a thread or in your signature, whether you are trying to up your forum status, or whether you are trying to beat Reaps out of the No. 1 slot, it will result in infractions or a ban. It’s annoying for members to have to read repeats of the same or very similar messages and we do notice you doing it. There are lots of threads on the Labs so we bet that if you just take part in a few conversations normally and thoughtfully you’ll have more fun and your post-count will have risen before you know it. Nobody likes spam, so don’t do it.
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!
Just want to say a big hello to all the new members this week. So hi there to CaitEBug, el diabolik, cyberspook, ukdracula and Rik! Welcome to the Labs… Here’s hoping you have a great time!
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.
