FRC Feature – Grimm Screenings

Our good friends over at Grimmfest have recently announced their lineup for the first part of 2013 and boy is it a belter! As usual the team will be bringing a mixture of horror classics and previews of new releases to Manchester Dancehouse and their new adopted home of Stockport Plaza throughout the coming months in what is set to be a series of blood-soaked screenings. The full lineup can be viewed on the Grimmfest website www.grimmfest.com but here is my pick of the films that should not be missed on the big screen:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Wednesday 23rd January - Forget heading to your local multiplex for the latest cash-in on what has unfortunately become a tired franchise and instead check out the depravity of Tobe Hooper’s original and best that inspired generations of film-makers. Paired with Wes Craven’s infamous The last house on the left, this is not a night for the faint-hearted, with both films’ gritty low-budget approach adding to the intensity of these two classic seventies shockers

Tower Block

Saturday 26th January – This special evening features a guest appearance from Tower Block’s prolific screenwriter James Moran ahead of a premiere screening of his new thriller about a rogue sniper, which will be followed by the folklore based horror Hollow whose writer and producer Matt Holt will also be in attendance. Tickets to the event will gain you entry into an audience with these two British film-makers who will be discussing their work with the Grimm up North guys before the films. James has been involved in movies such as Cockneys Vs Zombies and Severance, as well as TV work on Dr Who and Spooks so this is your chance to hear from the creator of some fiendishly good films and shows. Matt will be speaking about his journey from making Hollow and showcasing it at festivals through to getting Uk and US distribution so this is sure to be a fascinating evening that should not be missed.

The Tall Man

Thursday 7th February - Pascal Laugier made one hell of an impact with his brutally visceral horror flick Martyrs back in 2008 and his fans have been eagerly anticipating its follow-up for four years now. The Tall Man treads a slightly different path; veering from straight up horror to a more subtle approach in this dark thriller about an entity of supernatural origin who abducts children. Grimm are then giving those brave enough the chance to experience Martyrs on the big screen because this is a film capable of turning the stomachs of even the most hardened horror fans out there.

From Beyond

Wednesday 13th March  - recently release on Blu-ray, this long-awaited horror classic has been unavailable in the Uk for many years and the opportunity to catch it on the big screen should not be missed. Having recently seen the new transfer I can vouch for the quality of this release and whilst some of the effects have dated slightly, there is still an undeniable charm in witnessing practical effects as elaborate as those in From Beyond. To continue with the H.P. Lovecraft theme, viewers will get a chance to see The Whisperer in the Darkness beforehand, so this will be a night of tentacle filled goodness!

Slice and Dice: The Slasher Film Forever

Tuesday 26th March- This new documentary takes a look at the history of the slasher film featuring interviews with luminaries of the genre such as Tobe Hooper and Scott Spiegel. Scott’s very own cult classic will be shown afterwards, the under-rated 80′s flick intruder, featuring none other than Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. This chance to catch Slice and Dice before it is out on general release should not be passed by, and with the director and producer team in attendance this is sure to be one hell of a night.

Scanners

Thursday 4th April - Cronenberg’s explosive head horror is a cult classic that is revered as one of his more accomplished earlier works. Coupled with Oliver Reed starrer The Brood about a group of deadly mutant children on a murderous rampage, this Cronenberg themed evening is a thousand miles away from his recent efforts and showcases the gruesome body horror which he became synonymous with back in the 70′s and 80′s.

Society

Thursday 18th April - Having never witnessed the depravity of Society first hand, but hearing lots of good things about it, this has got to be one of my most anticpated evenings, with the disgusting events that occur in this movie appealing to my taste in horror. Those who squirm at gory scenes should definitely stay away, but those willing to take a chance on Society may be entranced by the delightfully tasteless horror about a young teenager who uncovers a terrible secret about his family. Followed up by Opstandelsen (The Resurrected), a Danish zombie film, this promises to be one of the most interesting screenings of this season.

Re-Animator

Tuesday 21st May - Another Stuart Gordon classic, Re-animator takes a similarly comedic approach to horror that worked so well in The Return of the Living Dead, which was released in the same year. The laughs come thick and fast but so do the incredibly gross creature effects when a student at a medical centre attempts to bring life back to dead flesh. Its sequel, Bride of Re-Animator, completes the line-up and this is sure to be a very entertaining evening.

There are lots of other films on offer from the Grimm team throughout the first few months of the year, with prices starting at just £7 per ticket, so make sure you check out the full line-up of events over on the Grimmfest website, www.grimmfest.com and I will look forward to seeing you there!