FrightFest 2009: Day Two

Written by Nikki Baughan Saturday, 29 August 2009 09:02

Feature

We blame the after effects of last night's party for not making it to this morning's screening of The Horseman, although we hear from other FrightFesters that it was a gory delight. Our first film of the day is Beware the Moon, an enthusiastic documentary looking at the making of the 1981 horror classic An American Werewolf in London. Written and directed by Werewolf fan Paul Davis, the film brings together cast and crew for an entertaining trip down memory lane.

Although some of the film resembles a student movie, it's perhaps all the more endearing for that and it doesn't detract from the sheer wealth of information on display here. From make up artists to effects guru Rick Baker, from stars David Naughton, Griffin Dunne and Jenny Agutter to director John Landis, all involved are happy to share their - often candid - on-set experiences.

After a short Q & A with the Beware the Moon film-makers, in which they expressed their absolute delight in being able to make the movie, it was time for what many viewed as the highlight of the festival. Director John Landis came up on stage to introduce the premiere of the remastered version of An American Werewolf in London, and then it was time to re-watch a classic. The high-def visuals were an absolute treat, showcasing Rick Baker's amazing makeup and effects which still absolutely stand up nearly 30 years after they were created. Werewolf remains one of the classic horror films, a movie that you can watch time and again without ever growing tired of the story or characters. And that iconic 'body change' sequence is absolutely glorious to behold in high-def; make sure to get the Blu-ray when it's released on September 28.

After the screening Landis returned to the stage, where he was joined by several members of the original cast and crew including cinematographer Robert Paynter and make up artist Beryl Lerman. It was Landis who, quite rightly, took the spotlight, taking questions from the audience and sharing memories from the making of Werewolf. Animated and passionate, Landis clearly revels in the huge fan following his film has achieved, and eventually had to be forced off the stage so that the next film could be set up in time.

After a spot of dinner we were ready for French zombie movie The Horde. As the film isn't released until mid-2010 we're not allowed to divulge too much. What we can say, however, is that this bold, breathless movie which sees a group of feuding cops and criminals holed up in a derelict tower block that's under attack from the marauding living dead is an absolute stonker, and should be on the must-see list of any horror fan.

Movie Highlight

The Woman in Black

Having relaunched in 2010 with the promise of delivering solid horror films for a modern audience, the output from the rebooted Hammer Films has been something of a mixed bag. While its inaugural release, remake Let Me In, was received with great fanfare, subsequent films The Resident and Wake Wood have been less successful. So with its first big release, The Woman in Black, Hammer has much to prove – and has piled on the pressure by choosing to adapt a story that’s not only a bestselling novel but also a long running West End play.

An additional challenge is that tale is so effective because of its simplicity; there are no big set pieces for a filmmaker to hide behind. So it’s reassuring to see that, while some elements of Susan Hill’s story have been tweaked to give it more of a cinematic scope, the narrative runs fairly true. At its heart is young lawyer Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) who, still reeling from the death of his wife in childbirth four years previously, is sent to a remote village in order to organise the paperwork at the isolated Eel Marsh House. On his arrival he finds the locals most unwelcoming, believing that anyone disturbing the peace at the house brings tragedy to the village. Although initially sceptical, Kipps soon discovers that the mansion holds horrifying secrets, and that one of its former occupants is determined to exact terrifying revenge…

READ FULL REVIEW: The Woman in Black

DVD Highlight

The Walking Dead

The living dead have been a mainstay of horror cinema for decades. Now they maraud onto the small screen in Frank Darabont’s adaptation of the graphic novel by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard.

Brit favourite Andrew Lincoln (This Life, Teachers) adopts a convincing drawl to take on the role of sheriff Rick Grimes, who wakes from a coma to find the local residents have become flesh-eating ghouls. While the initial set-up is reminiscent of 28 Days Later, these zombies are not Danny Boyle’s fast moving monsters, but the lumbering breed of tradition. That doesn’t dilute their impact; as Rick teams up with other survivors, the zombies are relentless in their pursuit and the tension builds to unbearable levels.

READ FULL REVIEW: The Walking Dead

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