Wednesday, 31 March 2021
The Truth About Police Stop and Search
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
ITV recommissions Unforgotten for a fifth series
Me You Madness - Trailer - Starring Ed Westwick and Louise Linton in killer rom-com
Maya Jama to join the Celebrity Juice panel
Interview with Lili Matta - Director of 86 MELROSE AVENUE
Spiral: From the Book of Saw - 'Official Trailer' - In UK Cinemas May 17
Beat the Chef with Andi Oliver returns to Channel 4
Saturday, 27 March 2021
The Suicide Squad - Official Trailer - HBO Max
In The Earth - Official Trailer (2021) Starring Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia
Monday, 22 March 2021
ROCK HILL: COUNTER HISTORIES - The Friendship 9 – a civil rights protest that changed history – told in a groundbreaking film on digital 26th April
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Interview with Award Winning Author Elizabeth Massie
Interview with Elizabeth Massie by David Kempf
When did you first become interested in writing?
I’ve been a storyteller ever since I can remember. When I was a little girl, I was constantly entertaining (I use that term lightly; who knows how entertained they really were?) my family with made up “what if” tales. At night I might ask my mother, “What if when we’re sleeping a ghost comes down the chimney?” Or in the car with my dad, when we would stop to fill the tank with gasoline, I might say, “See that cute little stray dog over there? What if I opened the car door and he got in with us and wouldn’t get out?” Of course, then I’d launch off that question and explain all the things that might happen based on my scenario.
My parents were very patient and encouraging, though. In fact, my dad, the president of our hometown newspaper, had a lot to do with sealing my desire to be a writer. One evening, when I was four, I made up and shared a story about a squirrel who had lost her favorite acorn. When I went to bed, my father drove down to the newspaper office, typed up (yes, this was in the day of typewriters!) my story as best he could remember, found clip art of squirrels in one of the big advertising books, and hand-bound it into a booklet with a really cute cover. The next morning, he gave it to me. I was thrilled that I could now read and re-read (I was reading by the time I was four) my story, and share it with others. I’m sure my parents’ eyes glazed over with my twentieth reading, but I didn’t notice at the time.
How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?
I watched the original The Twilight Zone and original The Outer Limits on television as a kid. Scared me to death, but I couldn’t get enough. I think the reason is this…the characters were, for the most part, people I could care about. These characters faced frightening and often overwhelming situations…sometimes they made it out okay, other times they didn’t. And so, early on, it impressed on me the fact that horror, done well, could create and encourage sympathy and empathy. I really liked that. Also, these two shows tackled social issues that were often ignored during that time period. That was another big plus for me, another aspect of horror that steered me in its direction.
Tell us about your publisher.
I’ve had books out from a number of publishers: Harper Entertainment, Pan (UK), Carroll & Graf, Simon & Schuster, Leisure, Pocket Books. My current publisher is Crossroad Press (David Niall Wilson, CEO/Publisher). Established in 2009, Crossroad Press has grown a great deal, releasing trade paperbacks, hardcovers, e-books, and audio books in a variety of genres. They’ve published works by big names such as Cliver Barker, Joe Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, Chet Williamson, John Farris, and many others. They release originals as well as reprints of popular books. Crossroad Press is on top of marketing and aggressively works to benefit its authors. I’m honored to be part of the Crossroad Press family.
How would you classify the genre you write?
While I also write historical fiction and mainstream fiction, my primary genre is horror. Some people have said I write Southern Gothic, and that’s true in a number of cases (such as my Stoker-winning novel, Sineater, my rural Virginia novel, Homeplace, and one of my favorite Appalachian novels, Desper Hollow). However, having been in the horror business for a very long time (my first short story, “Whittler,” was published by The Horror Show magazine back in 1983) I’ve had the time and the interest to go all “over the map” when it comes to horror. My novel, Hell Gate, could be classified as “supernatural historic fiction” whereas my novel, Wire Mesh Mothers, could be shelved as “psychological road trip horror.” So, back to this: I write horror. A big genre with lots of wiggle room.
Why do you think horror and fantasy books remain so popular?
The world is filled with things we don’t understand. Things that worry us, scare us, endanger us, trouble us. It’s always been that way. Horror, in particular, has been popular for eons because it gives readers or listeners or viewers a chance to vicariously step in and see how others might handle a terrifying situation, to even imagine how they might deal with that same situation. It’s a like a test run, not that many of us will ever actually encounter zombies or werewolves or vampires. However, many of us (most if not all of us) will run into things that scare the shit out of us. It’s good to know we’re not the only ones. Plus, I think that, as I say in the introduction of my now OOP collection, Sundown, we “stare into the darkness to better understand the light.”
What inspires your stories?
Just about everything and anything can inspire a story, can give me the seed of an idea. A rumble of a train. A scream from down the street. An amusement park. A shadow on the wall. A dream. A piece of music. And then I start with the old “what if” question…. What if that train has been hijacked? What if that scream isn’t human? What if that amusement park ride takes people to another dimension? What if the shadow isn’t really a shadow after all?
What do you think the difference between American horror and British horror is?
I guess I never really thought about there being a difference…and I’m talking literature, not film. I read Clive Barker, Graham Masterton, Sarah Pinborough, and Ramsey Campbell as much as Stephen King, Bentley Little, Lisa Mannetti, and Joe Lansdale. However, Britain has been around a lot longer as a nation than the USA. It got a much earlier start in horror than we did over here….and did it so very well. Lots of fantastic, legendary ghosts and witches and monsters. English writer Horace Walpole gave us what is often considered the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto. Mary Shelley offered a hell of a horror tale with Frankenstein (1818), quite a few years before American writers got deep into what I’d classify as horror (Poe’s first horror story, “Bernice”, was released in 1835). Yet as to current literary horror works, I’m not seeing a big difference. So much great stuff to be had….thanks, UK! (If there’s a difference I’ve missed, please enlighten me!)
What are your favorite horror books?
Oh, so many! Must I really narrow them down? Okay, I’ll list some of the all-time favorites, but keep in mind there are others!
The Stand by Stephen King.
Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo (though not normally classified as horror)
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
The Bank by Bentley Little
The Good House by Tananarive Due
Midnight Sun by Ramsey Campbell
The Drive-In by Joe Lansdale
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Innocence by Dean Koontz
Deathwatch by Lisa Mannetti
I’d recommend anyone who has missed any of these to hie themselves post haste to the nearest bookstore (brick and mortar or online) and grab a copy.
What are some of your favorite horror movies?
While The Exorcist (1973, based on the William Peter Blatty novel) may be dated now, I remember being utterly terrified and enthralled by how well the movie told the story. The lighting, the pacing, the slowly encroaching and then in-your-face terror was near-perfect. No real gore except for the vomit, but it didn’t need gore. Though I’m not a devil-believer, this film came close to changing my mind!
The Other, a 1972 film based on Thomas Tryon’s novel of the same name (and not to be confused with the 2001 film, The Others), was another movie that I’ll never forget and count as a favorite. It doesn’t shove the viewers face into a shit-load of blood and guts, but is subtle and dark and creepy as hell. The ending is at once horrifying and heartbreaking.
1939’s The Dark Eyes of London (stupidly renamed The Human Monster here in the States) is one I saw initially as a child on television. I didn’t really understand all that was going on, but I was both frightened by the evil man in charge of the blind institute and so very sad for the hapless, doomed characters in the film.
The Thing (1982) has all the suspense and payoff that any horror lover would look for. Isolated, claustrophobic setting and characters struggling to figure what the hell is trying to kill them. Not a lot of gore but shocking scenes, nonetheless.
Get Out (a 2017 gem from Jordan Peele), does a brilliant job of revealing the horror of racism in a unique and horrifying way.
I could go on, there are many other favorite films; but I will point out that I’ll always prefer a movie with a good, strong story, with characters I care about, with horror that picks up the pace and does so without gratuitous violence, and stays away from jump scares and screeching, pop-your-eardrums music.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as an author?
I’ve been honored to have been complimented frequently on my character development. That means a lot and I consider that a wonderful accomplishment. I work to make my characters to be either relatable or intriguing…or both. There is no real emotion in a story or novel without characters to care about, to root for, to cry for, to cheer on as they struggle…and, in the case of horror, characters to cringe over, to hate, to want to see either defeated or destroyed. My recent novelette, “Baggie,” included in the anthology Voices in the Darkness (release date April 13, 2021, Crossroad Press) received a fantastic pre-release review along that line: “The character work by Elizabeth Massie was amazing. I felt so attached to the character and felt so emotional re: his entire arc. This was a tragic tale, a story of a villain and how circumstances dictated his life to where it ended. Samuel’s trauma and hardships and the way it was written, made Samuel exist beyond the pages. It had such a strong hold on me as a reader, and in the end I’m simply in heartache on how it progressed.” That makes me happy.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Read as much as you can, not just in your chosen genre. Realize that not everything you write will be a gem; a lot will suck, and that’s okay. First drafts are first drafts, not final drafts; find a good editor and give serious consideration to the suggestions that editor gives you. When you start a new story or novel, have an idea of where you want your story to end up, so at least you have a sense of direction; this doesn’t mean things won’t change as you write, but it will keep you from grinding to a halt, standing in the middle of the road, wondering which way to turn. Don’t get pissed if your work gets bad reviews…press on and try to do better with the next one. Please, unless you are a skilled, trained illustrator, don’t draw or paint your own book cover. (Have you seen how many awful book covers are out there? It’s painful!) Write most days, but give yourself time away to let your creative well refill…and it will.
What is your opinion of the new self-publishing trend?
It was inevitable, given the way large, traditional publishing houses are buying up other publishers, shrinking the market, and making it more difficult for newer writers to get picked up. Writers who create what the publishing houses determine to be blockbusters are now paid even more bucks than before, which leaves less money for B-list (and I think B-list is really tight now, too, and possibly dying). All this makes it even more difficult for newer writers to break in. And so, self-publishing is a route many new…and some established…authors are taking. There are some fantastic self-published works, and I’m glad writers have taken the reins when no one else would. And self-published books shouldn’t be judged solely on the fact that they are self-published.
That said, there is a ton of self-published garbage out there….works that should never have been put up for sale in the first place because they are nothing more than self-indulgent ramblings, or good intentions with bad grammar, weak plots, or cardboard characters. This makes it more difficult for those with good, solid stories out there.
Little anecdote: I had an appointment with a new eye doctor a couple months ago. She didn’t know me, just had my eye chart from the earlier doctor. As she was getting ready to check my vision, she said, “So, what do you do?” I said, “I’m a writer.” She chuckled and said, “Yeah, during the pandemic everybody’s at home now, writing books.” That struck hard. But she was right in many ways, though it isn’t just the current coronavirus pandemic that has set more people onto the “publishing” path. It seems that many want to claim they are writers but aren’t willing to put the solid work into creating something worth reading. So, to make a long answer short (too late), I’ll say I have no idea what publishing will be like in the next two, five, ten years, be it through traditional houses, smaller presses, or self-publishing. I can only hope that people keep reading and that good writers will continue to share their talents and their visions. I’m counting on them, because, c’mon, I wanna READ!
What are your current projects?
I’m always juggling several things at once, like many writers do. I’m working on the next novel in Ameri-Scares, my middle grade series of horror novels (books geared at readers ages 8-13). This one is entitled Texas: Theatre of the Absurd. So far, there are 12 novels in the series, and each is set in a different state in the Union. Also, each novel is based on or inspired by a folktale, legend, or historic event specific to that state. Mark Rainey has joined me in this mighty venture, as the series won’t be completed until we have all 50 states covered. Some of the current titles include Virginia: Valley of Secrets, Tennessee: Winter Haunting, Ohio: Fear the Grassman, Montana: Ghosts in the Dust, Washington: The Deep Dark Down, and more.
I’m also deep into my next adult horror novel, The House on Wyndham Island. It’s an historic horror novel set in 1898 off the coast of South Carolina and features an asylum/institution in which innocent young people, who were unjustly found guilty of a variety of crimes, are held for very dark purposes. My goal is to have it done before the end of this year.
My newest story collection, Madame Cruller’s Couch and other Dark, Bizarre Tales, should be out this summer (2021). It includes a number of short tales as well as a novelette and novella.
All of these will be published by Crossroad Press…and I hope folks on both sides of the pond check them out and find them appropriately creepy.
Please in your own words, write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
I’m a Bram Stoker Award- and Scribe Award-winning author of horror fiction, historical fiction, mainstream fiction, media-tie ins, and nonfiction. My novels and collections include Sineater, Wire Mesh Mothers, Desper Hollow, Hell Gate, Naked on the Edge, Afraid, It Watching, Buffy the Vampire: Power of Persuasion, Homeplace, the Ameri-Scares series, the novelizations of the television series The Tudors and Versailles, and more. A 9th generation Virginian, I live in the countryside in the Shenandoah Valley with my illustrator husband, Cortney Skinner. I enjoy geocaching, hiking, knitting very long scarves, staring out the window, and listening while Cortney plays the Theremin to television theme songs (he’s really good with “Perry Mason,” “Star Trek,” and “Still Game.”) Chocolate is from Heaven and cheese is from Hell.
COMPETITION: Win Shortcut on DVD
Who plays Queenie in Shortcut?
1. Closing date 05-04-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
Friday, 19 March 2021
FINAL DAYS - UK Trailer - Horror Starring Tyler Posey, Summer Spiro & Donald Sutherland
Thursday, 18 March 2021
Sky Studios launches Transistor Films
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
Disney’s Cruella - Sneak Peek
The Bike Thief (2021) - UK Trailer
Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s Wellington Paranormal lands on Sky Comedy and NOW TV this April
The Handmaid’s Tale returns to Channel 4 for its fourth season
It’s a wrap as psychological horror thriller EVIE enters post-production
Directed by Dominic Brunt (Before Dawn, Bait,) and Jamie Lundy (marking his feature film debut). the brooding psychological horror thriller centres on Evie (Dempsey), who has been burdened with a dark secret for most of her life.
Witness to a family tragedy when they were younger and ripped from an idyllic life by the sea, both Evie and her older brother Tony (Taylor) were put into care. Twenty years later they are reunited, but something terrible from their past follows…
The film also stars Honey Lundy, Liam McMahon, Joanne Mitchell and Danny-Lee Brunt.
Dominic Brunt said today: “I was drawn to the allegorical aspects of the story and the stunning locations of Yorkshire and the Llyn Peninsula. I’d known Jamie Lundy as a brilliant stills photographer and knew that his skills would be borne out as a director and I very much enjoyed the experience of co-directing with such an exceptional talent. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work with my producer wife Joanne Mitchell again. For myself, I wanted to expand on my fascination for natural storytelling and placing horror within an everyday context. Evie is very much a psychological thriller with a wicked horror twist in its tale.”
Jamie Lundy added: “For most filmmakers, I’m sure it’s safe to say that most will never forget shooting their first feature film, for both the good reasons and the bad. For me, Evie was not only my debut film, but an emotional experience I will never forget. Producing a film in normal circumstances is of course very difficult but producing it in a global pandemic was tougher than we expected. I can only give credit to our amazing producer and the crew who started and finished the production with no Covid cases. Evie is something very special and celebrates great British landscapes, great British acting and great British filmmaking.”
EVIE is a Paper Clip Pictures & Mitchell-Brunt Films Production, produced by Joanne Mitchell and exec-produced by Jamie Lundy. Written and directed by Jamie Lundy and Dominic Brunt. Associate Producer is Julie Foy and DOP is Edward Ames. Prosthetic make-up is by Shaune Harrison.
Monday, 15 March 2021
COMPETITION: Win Dawn of the Dead - Definitive Version
Who is the director of Dawn of the Dead?
Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 29-03-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
Interview with Jayne Wisener - Star of The Heiress
As supernatural horror film THE HEIRESS goes on digital release from March 15, lead actress Jayne Wiseman talks about her love of singing, coping with lockdown and her new period drama, Glow & Darkness.
You star in a new British supernatural horror film, THE HEIRESS. Tell us how you got the part and what is was about the script that appealed to you.
I worked with David Wayman a few years ago and he mentioned me to Chris when they were discussing the project. Chris reached out me and we had a great chat about the project. I was really excited about the concept. I love supernatural horror in general and this was something I’d not quite seen before.
What did you find most demanding about playing Anna?
I found the role came quite naturally to me. Weirdly I was even five weeks pregnant when we started filming! I have a sister too so I understand the dynamics of a close female bond. The hardest thing was probably trying to change my accent to sound as much like Candis as possible!
You’ve worked in the horror genre before. Tell us about your part in Boogeyman 3.
That was a very small role right at the end of the movie. But it was fun to be a part of!
Your first movie role was playing Johanna Barker in Tim Burton’s Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Quite a career entry! Looking back, how do you reflect about the whole experience?
The entire experience was phenomenal. Everything completely incredible and I’m so grateful. I was very young though and spent a lot of time feeling very overwhelmed and insecure. I wish I had lived in the moment and allowed myself to enjoy it more than I did!
You enjoyed a three-year stint in the popular BBC Northern Ireland drama series 6 Degrees. What were the highlights for you?
Oh I adored doing that show. I got to live and work in Belfast with an incredible cast and crew who became such great friends.
You were born in Ballymoney and grew up in Coleraine. Have your Northern Irish roots continued to be important to you in terms of your career choices?
I have always jumped at every opportunity to work in Northern Ireland. I just love home. So much so that I actually moved back this year!
You’ve said you’re really proud of playing Lauren, the feisty schoolgirl in The Inbetweeners. Tell us more.
I was a fan of the show when it originally aired. It has since become a huge cult comedy with a massive following worldwide. Over ten years later, it continues to appeal to new generations of young people. I am so proud to have been a part of it.
You’re also a singer and have appeared in many successful musicals, such as Northern Ireland Opera’s co-production of Kiss Me, Kate. How do you plan to carry on with that part of your career?
I love singing and I really miss it when I don’t do it. Hopefully, I will have more opportunities to sing in the future. The pandemic has completely destroyed live theatre which devastates me. As soon as I’m asked to sing on a stage again I’ll savour every second.
How have you coped with lockdown?
I’ve been kept fairly busy during lockdown as I have a 2 year old son. I did struggle massively with my mental health last year during the initial lockdown to be honest. However, on the whole I have been very lucky. I live at home now so I’m able to bubble with family. But I do miss a lot of people terribly.
Finally, what’s next for you?
I recently finished filming a nice role, playing Beatrice of Burgundy, in the upcoming medieval TV drama series ‘Glow & Darkness’ about the life of Francis of Assisi. I’m looking forward to that being aired. Aside from that, I’m continuing with self tapes and hoping that the entertainment industry returns to some version of normal in the near future!
THE HEIRESS will be available to download from all major platforms including iTunes, Amazon & SKY Box Office, from Monday 15th March, 2021. - https://amzn.to/30XEUIJ
Thursday, 11 March 2021
Martin and Roman Kemp make bumper return to ITV across Saturday and Sunday mornings
AFTER LOVE - New Release Date and Trailer
Wednesday, 10 March 2021
High octane series spy thriller, The Ipcress File, starring Joe Cole, as iconic spy Harry Palmer, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander commences filming
Tuesday, 9 March 2021
Sensation (2021) - Official UK trailer - Starring Eugene Simon, Emily Wyatt, Jennifer Martin
Monday, 8 March 2021
REVIEW: In Rays of the Light on Xbox One
Channel 4 and Davina McCall to break the menopause taboo
I'm Not In Love - Official Trailer
Interview with Keith Luethke - By David Kempf
When did you first become interested in books?
Like any writer I became interested in books at a young age. I liked the way the books from the library smelled, and the sound of old books when you turn their pages. I remember waiting for my parents and sister to go to bed at night so I could turn on my flashlight and stay up reading Island of the Blue Dolphin By: Scott O'Dell.
When did you write your first story?
I wrote my first story when I was ten. I recall it vividly because I got grounded for writing it. The story was just two pages long and had to do with kids killing monsters in a haunted house. I was a big Monster Squad fan. I read the story out loud to my parents and they told me never to write anything like that again. It was at that young age that I realized the profound effects of the written word. How it could make people feel. How a few simple words could change a life.
When did you publish your first novel?
That is questionable. My first published novel came in the form of The Wolves Of Elkhorn Peak. The publisher was PublishAmerica. If you ever heard of that publisher then you know I was a fool and if a contract from them comes your way run like hell. I'm not sure if you'd call that my first published work but it was the start of my decline of dealing with publishers. Some would say my first published novel was from Living Dead Press while others could agrue that Library Of The Living Dead Press could really claim first rites with their publication of Shelter From The Dead.
Why do you think horror books and movies remain so popular?
The genre has always been there and will always be. People need an escape from reality. A good safe place to drift away from mudane jobs and the pressures of living. Horror books and movies are popular because the lies are believable. It's a blur of reality, a hint of our world, but far enough away from it to reap a form of cathathris from it.
Why are people still obsessed with being scared?
People will never stop being obsessed with being scared, ever. It's a drug, a high. Fear gets the blood pumping. Maybe it's something leftover from when we were sitting in caves around a fire listening to a hunter being attack by a black bear, or the Native American Wendigo stalking the desolute lands of cold. People need fear. They need that feeling, that rush. It's why amusment parks were built.
Who inspires you?
Everyone and everything. Inspiration lurks at every corner. I can't tell you how many times I saw something as inspiring as a girl walking down the street with a stuff animal and it became the bases for a long running series of novellas called A Zombie Apocalypse. Finding the inspiration is something that I don't do. I just try to let it come to me. Strangers make for great tales. Somebody sitting along at a diner with plate of steak and fries in front of them and a dour expression seems so simplistic but could become the start of something great. Why won't he eat his steak? Is he waiting for someone? Is he simply pretending to be human but doesn't know how to eat? I'm telling you, inspiration lives everywhere.
Do you believe in the existence of Bigfoot or The Loch Ness Monster?
To quote my favorite fictional character, "I want to believe." Native American's have a long history with stories relating to Sasquatch or The Hairy Man or Bigfoot way before the white man picked it up. I think there's a layer of truth to these tales. For our sakes, I hope that nobody ever finds him. I hope he remains a mystery for generations. However, one day we might just wake up and find that Bigfoot was staring at us in the mirror all this time. If indeed he is the missing link.
Some scientists just took some samples of the waters of Loch Ness and came to some stunning conclusions. In the eighties they did a sonor scan of the entire loch and did run into something they couldn't explain. The pieces are slowly coming together. I doubt they'll ever find the bones of The Loch Ness monster on the bottom of the lake but one must keep an open mind in such matters.
What are some of your favorite horror books?
The Hobbit By: J.R.R Tolkien
Ghoul By: Brian Keene
Grendal By John Garner
Anything written by Terry Brooks
Fear By: Ronald Kelly
The Traveling Vampire Show By: Richard Laymon
What are some of your favorite horror movies?
I like old school horror. The Last Man On Earth, Night Of The Living Dead, Dawn Of The Dead (1978 Version), Jaws, The Haunting Of Hill House, Communion, Dark Skies, John Carpender's Vampires.
What are your current projects?
Currently, I'm working on a YA novel. I might pitch it to a publisher and I might not. I try to put out a novella every month and have for the last ten years. I have a list of projects for this year but things can always change. There's a shark book, Bigfoot book, haunted house book, zombie book, and some nameless stories bouncing around my head.
Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
Keith Luethke is an indie author who specializes in writing horror novellas.His work has broken the top Kindle 100 in horror. He grew up in upstate New York and now spends his days in the quiet rolling hills of East Tennessee. He loves to hear from fans and has a fear of open spaces and star filled nights.
Links: