Assemblog: October 19, 2012
Published on October 19th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Critics/Criticism, Horror, Movies, Trailers |
Beyond The Black Rainbow
New this week on Popshifter: The full schedule for the Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2012 is out; I profile one of my top five picks for the festival, American Mary; and Elizabeth weighs in on The Rumble 2012 in her new installment of “TV Is Dead, Long Live TV.”
Toronto After Dark 2012: Top Five Picks – American Mary
Published on October 18th, 2012 in: Canadian Content, Feminism, Film Festivals, Horror, Movies, Trailers, Upcoming Events |
What:
American Mary: A disillusioned medical student decides to ply her trade in the shady underworld of unregulated surgeries and body modification with horrifying consequences. (Synopsis from the Toronto After Dark Film Fest website)
Who:
Written and directed by The Twisted Twins, a.k.a. Jen and Sylvia Soska.
Why:
At the risk of restating the oh-so-obvious, women do not frequently get taken seriously in the film industry, especially in genre films. Although there are many strong female characters throughout the history of horror, there are more Final Girls and Scream Queens than horror heroines, much less writers and directors. The film also boasts women behind the camera including casting, production, art and set decoration, production and costume design, and effects makeup. American Mary should ace the Bechdel Test.
Twins Jen and Sylvia Soska were born in Vancouver, where they filmed 2011’s exploitation smash, the ultra-violent (and controversial) Dead Hooker In A Trunk. The appeal of a female Canadian horror director—much less two—cannot be overstated. American Mary received a lot of positive attention at this year’s Fantastic Fest, including the performance of lead actress Katherine Isabelle (from horror cult classic Ginger Snaps).
When:
American Mary‘s Canadian premiere takes place on Thursday, October 18 at 9:45PM.
Where:
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West.
Assemblog: September 28, 2012
Published on September 28th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Culture Shock, Film Festivals, Horror, Less Lee Moore, Movies, Trailers, Underground/Cult |
The Bird With The Crystal Plumage, 1970
New on Popshifter this week: I strongly recommend Richard Crouse’s new book Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of The Devils; a concerned citizen lays down some rules on proper Facebook etiquette; Julie can’t find a song to dislike on Gemma Ray’s Island Fire; Emily deems The Very Best Of Vince Guaraldi and The Very Best Of The Bill Evans Trio as “essential” and praises Timi Yuro’s The Complete Liberty Singles as a “wonderful collection”; Paul explains why only hipsters hate hipsters; and Jemiah has good news for people who don’t know the difference between “grisly” and “grizzly” in her review of The Wrong Word Dictionary.
Assemblog: September 21, 2012
Published on September 21st, 2012 in: Assemblog, DVD, Film Festivals, Horror, Movies, Music, Trailers |
Grease 2: “Friday night . . . talent show!”
New this week on Popshifter: Danny calls Bob Mould’s Silver Age “flawless;” Cait thinks Coal Porters’ Find The One is “gorgeous;” Elizabeth Keathley introduces a new series on “linear television” I look at the art of Frankenweenie; chat with Andrea and Paul of horror lecture series The Black Museum; give you the goods on Fantastic Fest 2012; and review Jason Lapeyre’s great new film Cold Blooded.
Assemblog: September 14, 2012
Published on September 14th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Feminism, Film Festivals, Horror, Movies, Streaming, Trailers, TV |
You’re Next, 2011
New this week on Popshifter: Emily dares you to get “Les Sucettes” out of your head in her review of France Gall’s Made In France and John places Mary Edwards’s Eastern/Central & Mountain/Pacific in his Top Ten of 2012.
Assemblog: September 7, 2012
Published on September 7th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Critics/Criticism, Horror, Movies, Reviews, Trailers |
Lord Of Tears
New this week on Popshifter: I have mixed but positive feelings about the new Weep release, Alate and suggest that you check out Blind Benny’s great new EP, No Honor, while Cait adores the reissues of 20/20’s self titled debut and Look Out! (and not-so-secretly wants them to get back together).
Assemblog: August 17, 2012
Published on August 17th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Canadian Content, Critics/Criticism, Film Festivals, Horror, Movies, Trailers |
Cold Blooded, 2012
Still from Bloody Disgusting
New this week on Popshifter: Chelsea describes the main mystery man of documentary Searching For Sugar Man as a “kind of rock and roll Harry Lime”; Cait assures us that Ignition—the new album from Shoes—proves “they’re still as fresh, vital, and engaging as they were when Jimmy Carter was swatting at swamp rabbits” and extols the virtues of the “gorgeous, melodic” tunes on Bad Lucy’s self-titled EP.
Assemblog: July 27, 2012
Published on July 27th, 2012 in: Assemblog, DVD, Horror, Movies, Trailers, TV |
Jack and Diane, 2012
New this week on Popshifter: Jemiah explains why Laetitia Sadier’s Silencio is worth your time; I take critics to task on The Dark Knight Rises (again!); Chelsea chats with Glenn di Benedetto of Boston’s Parlour Bells; and Paul recommends The Very Best of Wes Montgomery. (more…)
Assemblog: June 22, 2012
Published on June 22nd, 2012 in: Assemblog, Books, Canadian Content, Film Festivals, Horror, Media, Movies, Science and Technology, Trailers |
Image from V/H/S, 2012
New this week on Popshifter: Thoughts On: THE BAND, Music From Big Pink; reviews of Silver Jews, Early Times and Harry Howard and The Near Death Experience; new Robyn Hitchcock song “There Goes The Ice;” Theresa Andersson in Cambridge MA; an interview with author A. Jay Lee; and that burning question: Are The Originals The Best?
Assemblog: June 8, 2012
Published on June 8th, 2012 in: Assemblog, Comedy, Copyright/Piracy, DVD, Horror, Movies, Music, Science Fiction, The Internets, Trailers, TV, Video |
Screencap from Miami Vice Fashion
New this week on Popshifter: a SpaceX celebration mix; reviews of The dB’s Falling Off The Sky, Jherek Bishoff’s Composed; John Singer Sergeant from John Dufilho; and a new band to watch: Sad Baby Wolf.