“IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED…

that a single man in possession of a DVD collection, must be in want of an even bigger DVD collection.” – Jane Austen, 1813.  No truer words have since been spoken.  But who can blame us film fanatics when there’s so many fantastic titles being constantly released? Both old and new! They’re literally coming out of our ears. But fear not, for the Cult Labs’ Weekly Newsletter has all the info a self-confessed cult fan may need. Complete with upcoming titles, blogs, forums, competitions and even a film night this is the place to be! So take a swig of coffee, crack your knuckles and lean closer to the screen. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

ALL THE BEST THINGS OUT NOW!

If I were to mention eyeballs, blood and ‘Quack! Quack! Quack!’ one name would instantly roll off your salivating tongue. Mr. Lucio Fulci; the Italian Godfather of Gore. King of Spaghetti exploitation, the gore maestro is perhaps best known for his flesh-eating contributions to the zombie genre with titles including Zombi 2 and City Of The Living Dead, but perhaps his single greatest masterpiece is a little giallo that goes by the name of Don’t Torture A Duckling (Shameless, DVD). Released in 1972, this film is one of the best gialli ever created with a powerful narrative that is still shocking today and full of twists and turns. Add an incredible soundtrack courtesy of Riz Ortolani (Cannibal Holocaust) and you have yourself one hell of a film! Who’s behind all the gruesome kiddy deaths? There’s only one way to find out – watch the film! Released on the 29th of this month (August), this is a must have for any fan of Italian cinema. Click here for the complete specs of this release and be sure to pop over to the official forum and get chatting about this masterpiece that Fulci described as his own personal favourite.

If you fancy something slightly less powerful and a lot gorier – a masterpiece in a different way – then look no further than Adam Green’s splattertastic Hatchet II (Arrow Films, DVD & Blu-Ray). Released on the same day as Don’t Torture A Duckling this film will quench any horror hound’s blood thirst. With deaths a plenty and enough gruel and gore to swim in it’s no wonder that this film has already gained such a strong horror following. Visit the Mini-Forum and Sam‘s fantastic blog to find out all you need to know about this.

Or perhaps you’re after something totally different to either of those. Perhaps you’d be more interested in following one of the single most successful and popular cult television shows of all time. The one, the only Prisoner: Cell Block H! Thanks to Shock Entertainment & FremantleMedia Enterprises, the entire show’s run is being put onto DVD in lovely box sets just for you. So far they’re already up to Volume 9 (released on the 29th)!  Full of fisty-cuffs, teasing, stealing, escaping, manipulating and oh so much more, this show is bubbling over with tension and suspense that just keeps on getting better with every new episode. So whether you’re a long time dedicated fan or a newbie to the show, this box set is just what the Warden ordered. And whilst you’re at it, don’t forget to come and say hello on Prisoner‘s official forum here and get chatting about the phenomenal show…or we’ll set Vinegar Tits on you. Or worse…The Freak!

COMING SOON TO A SHOP NEAR YOU…

And there’s loads more goodies heading your way in the not too distant future as well! So, let’s take a look at some of the treats that are in store for you very soon…

• When a reviewer uses the phrase ‘I can honestly say that there isn’t a single thing about the film that isn’t enjoyable’ when discussing a film, you know it must be something awesome. Either that or the reviewer is a little too fond of hyperbole. Of course, that’s not the case with the incredible 13 Assassins coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on September 5th courtesy of Artifical Eye.  If you’re after some amazing Asian action look no further than this! Need more convincing? Head to the hubsite for everything you could possibly want to know.

• 

  Nom nom nom!

  There’s no denying it. Cannibal Holocaust (Shameless Screen Entertainment, DVD & Blu-Ray) is, without doubt, one of the single most powerful, shocking and disturbing films ever made in the history of the planet…ever! With a tramatic barrage of rape, castration, death, murder, animal killings and of course cannibalism, Ruggero Deodato’s film is either a crime against humanity or a truely classic piece of socially relevant art, depending on how you stand. Way back when Shameless first announced this film would be released by them, the forum was teeming with posts warning that the BBFC would cut it to shreds. How wrong we were. Passing virtually untouched, this marked a landmark in UK censorship of recent times. The notorious video nasty is released in this Shameless Special Edition complete with a totally new edit by Ruggero himself specifically for this release! For more info see here.

• Feeling guilty after witnessing all those little helpless animals violently disposed off? Well, fear not! The hit children’s TV show, Dangermouse is out next month thanks to Fremantle Media Enterprises on DVD. If you’re a fan of this little guy then why not visit the fansite or the new Cult Lab’s thread? Celebrating it’s 30th anniversary, all the episodes are together in one rather superb looking box set, for the first time ever! Keep an eye out for this, if you want to get all nostalgic.

CULT LABS’ FILM NIGHT!

Oh yes, that’s right people, it’s that time of month again! No – not that time of month! But the Cult Lab’s Film Night time of month. At the start of each month the forum holds a night dedicated to one film. Those taking part each switch the film on at 9pm, and we all comment on the film as it goes along – using Twitter. It’s a hell of a lot of fun and is bound to make you giggle whilst watching some great films. This month’s poll is rearing to go – just click on this link to vote for the film you’d like to watch. Will it be Night Train Murders, Evil Dead 2, The Strange Vice Of Mrs Wardh, The Return Of The Living Dead, or Torso? It’s your choice! (PICK EVIL DEAD 2!!!!). See you all on the 5th of September for the film night!

THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE LABORATORY…

Bloody hell, this newsletter is making War and Peace look like light reading! So to spead it up here’s just one thread that caught my eye this week. Shattered Hopes: The True Story of the Amityville Murders. Everyone knows the story. Guy goes crazy. Shots his family. New family move in. They go crazy. Ghosts and shizzle. Baddabing baddaboom, the mystery of Amityville was born. But as equally fascinating as the ghostly goings on concerning the Lutz’s, are the DeFeo’s murders. So many unanswered questions that chill to the bone. Nekromantik has created this thread dedicated to all things Amityville – especailly the new documentary about the shootings.

WIN! WIN! WIN! BECAUSE WE’RE GENEROUS LIKE THAT.

Ah this just keeps getting longer, so very breifly… Like manga? Good. Like zombies? Good. Enter this week’s compeititon and win both those things. Do it now. Good. Click here. Good.

WELCOME TO THE GRINDHOUSE!

Why look who’s popped in for a visit! It’s none other than the Grindhouse Guru, Mr. BioZombie. Why hello! What have you got in store this week?

Horrific Surgery in Bournemouth, a feast of frights in Chichester and silent, but deadly cowboys in London. These are just some of the cult delights you could be seeing in at the cinema this week. Check the links below for more details. BioZombie

• 28th August 2011 DR DEATH’S CINEMA SURGERY Bar Buffalo – Bournmouth There is a Doctor in the house, and this time he’s prescribed two injections of martial arts madness.

• 28th August 2011 WESTERN DOUBLE-BILL Roxy Bar and Screen – London The two Sergio’s (Leone & Corbucci), both legends in Spaghetti Western world, go head to head in a double bill of their greatest work.

• 29th August – 02 September 2011 HORRORS AT THE MULTIPLEX Cineworld – Chichester Some of the best films showing at the London Frightfest come to Chicester. Totally worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Cult film demands to seen on the big screen with an appreciative audience, so head over to The Grindhouse Project and give in to that demand (or else).

Phew! And so we finally come to the end of a whooping great big mammoth of a newsletter! I think I need a stiff drink…

Don’t forget…

There are so many ways you can get involved with all the cult film fun at Cult Labs:

o Join in the debate on the forums.

o Sign up to the newsletter (if you haven’t already!).

o Read the blog.

o Join us on Facebook.

o Follow us on Twitter.

o Check us out on MySpace.

Toodle pip.

Kyle.