Friday, 26 April 2013

News Round Up! Scream, Monster, Thor and More...


In the world of television two big announcements have been made this week. First, the film franchise Scream, directed by Wes Craven, has been picked up by MTV who have signed off on a one hour pilot. Rumour has it that Craven may also direct the first episode. I imagine that Scream, a tongue-in-cheek satire of the slasher genre, may work well as an MTV serial. It probably won’t be hard hitting or edgy, but instead a bit of trashy, easy-watching fun, rife with teenage drama and promiscuity. Cynicism will undoubtedly underline some horror fans’ response to this franchise development, but in my view the first film was the only decent installment anyway. I guess what I’m trying to say is that MTV - you go for it, because really... it can't get much worse. 


Almost on the complete opposite side of the spectrum is the announcement that Guillermo del Toro is helping to adapt the Japanese manga and anime series, Monster, for HBO. Production is at its earliest stage and the pilot episode has not even been given the green light. Nevertheless it’s an incredibly exciting prospect, especially if del Toro is chosen to direct. Really hope this goes ahead as it could well turn out to be something magical


Developments on Dr. Hannibal Lecter and co. have also come in to fruition this week. It turns out episode 4 of Hannibal’s first series was in fact entitled CeufBryan Fuller chose not to air this episode due to the current socio-cultural climate in the United States. His full explanation can be read here. The episode involved a group of missing children who were brainwashed into killing their families. It also following the blossoming but bizarre relationship between Dr. Lecter and Abigal Hobbs. Fuller has expressed, however, that missing this episode will not pose continuity issues for viewers. Regardless, he has provided snippets from the episode, with directors commentary, forming a somewhat mini web-series. It is available on the official website but unfortunately unavailable to those overseas (aka me). So instead it's business as usual and stay tuned for the upcoming review of episode 5 entitled Coquilles.


In the world of film there have been two trailers and two releases this week that are worth mentioning. First up is the red band trailer for Hatchet III, which you can catch below. 


The film continues the tale of the villain Victor Crowley, as a search and recovery team head into the haunted swamp to clear the bloody mess left from the first two installments of this trilogy. Obviously carnage ensues in a wickedly gory and entertaining way, involving chainsaws, bazookas and er... balls. Nothing ground-breaking or particularly horrifying but just a good bit of fun. Hatchet III is due for release June 14, 2013

The biggest trailer to be released this week however is for Thor: The Dark World. You can catch it below...


It’s a shame Kenneth Branagh is not returning to direct, but fear we musn’t as Alan Taylor (of Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and Mad Men fame) is instead taking the directorial position. Furthermore all our favourite cast members such as Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins and Tom Hiddleston, are returning. Christopher Eccleston also stars in a nice piece of casting, as the vengeful Malekith whose Dark Elves plague Thor and Asgard. It looks to be quite the action packed sequel and is due for release 30th October, 2013.

The two big releases this week are Iron Man 3 and Rob Zombie’s The Lords of Salem. Will hopefully see both soon so stay tuned for reviews in the coming week. 








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