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Chris Alexander to Direct BLOOD OPERA

Written by Chris Alexander

Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:38

From Fangoria.com:

FANGORIA's new editor-in-chief, Chris Alexander has announced the beginning of pre-production on his first film, BLOOD OPERA.

Shooting in January, 2011, the film will be an "independently produced thriller whose aim is to re-capture the spirit, style, tone and mood of the great European horror pictures of the 1970’s." The film follows the final nights of the ancient, beautiful and lethal parasite Irina as she stalks the most dangerous sections of the city, hunting for the blood that keeps her dead heart beating. When a mysterious woman discovers her secret, Irina decides to share the curse that has forever made her a prisoner of the dark. The blood opera has begun…

“My goal with BLOOD OPERA is to create an art-house exploitation film,” says Alexander who plans to write and direct as well as compose BLOOD OPERA’s experimental score. "I’ve always been a fan of more eccentric movies that wallow in the visceral aspects of horror while still maintaining both humanity and visual poetry. Movies like Jose Larraz’s VAMPYRES, Harry Kumel’s DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS, George Romero’s MARTIN and Jean Rollin’s LIPS OF BLOOD; films that are as bloody, sensual and sensational as they are ambiguous and abstract; as filled with beauty as they are beasts.”

BLOOD OPERA will be photographed on the RED by Director of Photography Michael Jari Davidson (NOSTRUM, EYES BEYOND). Davidson will also produce the picture for Long Shadow Pictures.

“I am truly excited to bring BLOOD OPERA into the world,” says Davidson. “Working in my genre of choice with a director that has an encyclopedic knowledge of horror is a privilege and I think our vision will result in something truly special.”

Final cast is expected to be announced later this year.

To find out more and join the BLOOD OPERA “Facebook” page head here.

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Chris Alexander's FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL presents NIGHT OF THE HUNTER - A 35mm Print!

Written by Chris Alexander
Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:13
FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL presents NIGHT OF THE HUNTER Thursday, October 26th, 9:30pm The Bloor Cinema Toronto www.bloorcinema.com One of the most fascinating one-shot films in cinema history, Charles Laughton’s 1955 melodramatic morality play NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (based on the novel by Davis Grub) is a major work of American moviemaking. In the performance of his career, Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum stars as the deranged, homicidal false prophet preacher Harry Powell who, during the darkest days of the depression, leaves... a bloody trail of broken dreams and dead widows in his wake. When a desperate man (Peter Graves) is executed for robbing an bank to feed his family, the loot is secretly stashed by his traumatized children…and that’s when the charming, wild eyes, switchblade wielding Powell comes-a-calling. The only film directed by iconic actor Laughton, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER is a masterpiece of darkness, melancholy, faith and the fragility of childhood that has often been imitated but never, ever duplicated. Chris Alexander will provide an in-depth lecture about the film before screening a 35mm print of this timeless classic. SPONSORED BY EYESORE CINEMA, the finest in cult, horror, fantasy, trash and exploitation cinema! http://eyesorecinema.blogspot.com/?zx=ff55e685ef460c93 Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 27
Last Updated on Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:24

FANGORIA #296 - NOW ON STANDS!

Written by Chris Alexander
Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:59
My work as EIC of FANGORIA magazine continues with issue #296, my favorite one to date! TONS of material in here including a history of 3D horror, a look at NEW 3D horror, spaghetti westerns, an awesome chat with Roger Corman, weird exploitation stuff, a look back at DARK SHADOWS....so much horror and dark fantasy goodness I can't stand it! Get off yer arse and go and buy this classic already! Or go to www.Fangoria.com to subscribe! Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 25
Last Updated on Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:22

FANGORIA #295 SPLATS ONTO STANDS!

Written by Chris Alexander

Wednesday, 07 July 2010 01:37

For the first time ever, FANGORIA is featuring a video game as its central cover image. The classic SPLATTERHOUSE is getting a massive, eye-popping, monster-filled reboot this summer, and we giddily take you on a tour of it, level by painful level. But for those of you whose pulses don’t pound at the thought of blood-drenched joysticks, we still have acres of creepy cinema to explore. From the weird world of PARASOMNIA, to the splattertoon sequel 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS, to exclusive set visits to TRUE BLOOD and the sci-fi shocker PREDATORS, to the Eastern European tummy-turner A SERBIAN FILM, to a glance back at some of the greatest greasy flicks from the golden age of the AMERICAN GRINDHOUSE and so much more, this latest Fango is so jam-packed with content, it should be illegal. And in some pockets of the world…it probably is!

This is my third stab as editor-in-chief at FANGORIA. And so far, it's my favorite...

Go to www.Fangoria.com for more fun stuff.

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Chris Alexander's FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL presents a 35mm screening of LIFEFORCE at The Bloor

Written by Chris Alexander
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 01:17
1985 was a landmark year for dark fantasy cinema. RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, FRIGHT NIGHT, DAY OF THE DEAD, RE-ANIMATOR, the list goes on. But perhaps the most remarkable picture released that year was director Tobe (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSCARE) Hooper’s eccentric, big budget and wildly out of control erotic science fiction/horror epic LIFEFORCE. Produced by Cannon Films bigwigs Golan and Globus, LIFEFORCE is an unhinged adaptation of Colin Wilson’s eerie novel “The Space Vampires” mounted in England with an international cast and mind blowing special effects. Featuring the gorgeous French model/actress/musician Mathilda May (Werner Herzog’s SCREAM OF STONE) as a nude, galactic parasite running around London turning people into zombies, the film was perhaps too berserk for its own good and was met with critical derision and box office indifference. But LIFEFORCE has survived, emerging as one of the greatest cross-genre films in history and now commands a devoted cult following. Full of blood, sex, exploding zombies, weird sound design and operatic visuals, there is no other film quite like LIFEFORCE. Film School Confidential is proud to present the rare US 35mm print of LIFEFORCE, with a shorter running time, more zombies and terrifying Michael Kamen synth music blending with the symphonic Henry Mancini score. A MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN! Chris Alexander will introduce the film and add context. This event is exclusively sponsored by EYESORE CINEMA, the finest in cult, horror, exploitation and hard to find films on DVD. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 82

FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL presents a 35mm screening of John Carpenter's GHOSTS OF MARS in June at The Bloor Cinema

Written by Chris Alexander
Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:05
Special message from Chris Alexander about this month’s FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL screening: The drive behind FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL is always to bring you the best in unique, fascinating cult cinema; movies that have historical value – or at least personal value to me – and that rarely get discussed by so-called “serious cinephiles”. This month, I am out of my mind with excitement to bring you a glorious 35mm print of iconic filmmaker John (THE THING) Carpenter’s magnificent horror/sci-fi/action/western GHOSTS OF MARS. GHOSTS was Carpenter’s last theatrical effort and, upon its release in 2001, was loudly derided by fans and critics, resulting in a complete belly flop at the box office and Carpenter’s complete disenchantment with the filmmaking process. But time has been kind to this remarkable bit of trashy, stylish insanity and slowly, surely this berserk amalgam of 3:10 TO YUMA, RIO BRAVO, Carpenter’s own ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, DAWN OF THE DEAD and PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES is finding its cult. With a top-notch, once-in-a-lifetime cast that includes Ice (ANACONDA) Cube, Natasha (SPECIES) Henstridge, Pam (COFFY) Grier and Jason (THE TRANSPORTER) Statham, wall to wall violence, ultra-stylized dialogue and a blistering electronic/heavy metal score by Carpenter, Steve Vai, Anthrax and Buckethead, GHOSTS OF MARS is John Carpenter’s secret masterpiece and needs to be revisited…and what better way to do so then on the big screen, at The Bloor Cinema and in 35mm! As usual, I will provide an in-depth lecture about Carpenter the director, the writer and the composer and why GHOSTS is such an important piece of work. And new sponsor EYESORE CINEMA (www.eyesorecinema.blogspot.com) will provide prizing for the savvier students… Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 105
Last Updated on Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:11

FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL presents a 35mm screening of Lucio Fulci's CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD on May 27th at The Bloor Cinema!

Written by Chris Alexander
Wednesday, 05 May 2010 16:46
Before I get into the guts of this month’s FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL screening, an apology... Contrary to information in the May Bloor Cinema program, I will NOT be showing a 35mm print of Ken Russell’s 1971 masterpiece, THE DEVILS. An unfortunate turn of events has blocked my path in securing that coveted US theatrical print I had believed still existed. I had toyed with carrying on, screening the uncut DVD. But since DVD is NOT the way to see this brilliant, colorful, gorgeously offensive motion picture on the big screen, I have called in the big guns for a ringer… My good friends at Vagrancy Films are providing my loyal students and I an UNCUT 35mm print of Lucio Fulci’s towering masterpiece of phantasmagorical horror CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD. This is my all-time favorite Italian horror movie…ever. It is the maverick genre filmmaker Fulci’s finest creative hour. It is terrifying, gorgeous, insane and unapologetically revolting. It features open portals to Hell, undead priests, teleporting zombies, women buried alive, other women vomiting guts, men getting their heads drilled and both men and women getting their brains squished out. And maggots…lots and lots of maggots. It is truly, truly a magnificent motion picture, one that just improves with the passage of time. FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL is proud to present this magnum opus of shock, a wild, smarmy and delicious 35mm experience. As usual, I will provide a pre-screening, in-depth lecture about Fulci and the film’s importance as both a piece of his puzzle and a piece of horror history. And then…let the drills whir and the spleens spill. It’s time to open the gates of hell… CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (aka THE GATES OF HELL) 1980, Dir: Lucio Fulci Thursday, May 27th at THE BLOOR CINEMA 9:30pm. Sharp. FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL! is sponsored by EYESORE CINEMA, Toroto's finest purveyor of hard to find and out of print DVD's. Visit them at http://eyesorecinema.blogspot.com Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 124
Last Updated on Wednesday, 05 May 2010 19:41

FANGORIA #293 NOW ON STANDS!

Written by Chris Alexander
Monday, 26 April 2010 02:05
FANGORIA issue number 293 - my first as acting Editor-in-Chief - is now on stands across the world. Many changes, many additions and I hope you dig it. Birth is painful but the result is almost as sweet as fathering a real child...almost. And keep your eyes peeled for our next issue, #294, on stands near the end of May! Here's a look at the rather gorgeous cover art: Be sure to keep logging on to www.Fangoria.com for more details as they come. And to all that have been supporting me through this - and all - of my weird adventures, I thank you and love you all...to death! Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 147

ANNOUNCEMENT: Chris Alexander Named New Editor of FANGORIA Magazine

Written by Chris Alexander
Saturday, 06 February 2010 04:56
From Chris Alexander: Friday, February 5^th, 2010 After weeks of discussion and debate, I’m more than a little thrilled to announce my latest adventure as the new Editor of legendary NYC based horror magazine Fangoria, taking over duties from longtime Editor (20 years) and gentleman of genre journalism, Tony Timpone. Since I was a little boy, Fangoria has been mythical; my gateway into a wild, weird world of monsters and mayhem, of sex, blood, death and general taboo bending pulp fiction delirium. Now, after freelancing for this genre entertainment institution for 2 years, I’m both honored and a little bit shaken by this new role…my dream job, actually. It’s all rather surreal… Those of you who have followed my words in the pages of Canadian periodical Rue Morgue (where I first got my start as a film journalist) or daily Toronto newspaper Metro, or heard my endless blather on radio or television, or - Heaven forbid - had the chance to share space with me in the flesh as a student in my film history class...you all know one thing is certain: that I absolutely LIVE for cinema, specifically dark, oddball, horror, cult and exploitation cinema. That passion, that manic, tireless energy has driven me my entire life and it's that deep love for the history and future of macabre film and fiction that I plan to harness and bring to the pages of Fangoria this year and, hopefully, beyond… So stay tuned….it’s going to be a wild ride. C. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 432
Last Updated on Monday, 26 April 2010 02:18

Chris Alexander's BLOOD SPATTERED BOOK is Now Available from Midnight Marquee!

Written by Chris Alexander
Thursday, 04 February 2010 01:31
CHRIS ALEXANDER'S BLOOD SPATTERED BOOK Now Available for Purchase at www.midmar.com! A wild, unhinged collection of eccentric essays on oddball horror, dark fantasy and cult movies that refuse to behave! Featuring essays on films like Alice, Sweet Alice, Angel Heart, In the Folds of the Flesh, City of the Living Dead, The Sentinel, The Devil's Nightmare, Ravenous, Sole Survivor, The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue, Lifeforce, The Shout, Inseminoid, Psychomania, Lair of the White Worm and many, many more! TONS of rare colour stills and all new interviews with icons like Tobe Hooper, Amanda Donohoe, Mark Damon, Roger Corman, Mickey Rourke, Norman J. Warren, Alessandro Alessandroni, Fabio Frizzi, Michael Winner and many, many others! Visit www.midmar.com to take advantage of the introductory sale today! Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites Read More Hits: 242
Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 12:54

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