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‘Harpoon’ Hits Home with a Boatload of Goodies from Black Fawn Distribution

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Harpoon Black Fawn Distribution

Black Fawn Distribution has acquired Canadian physical home video rights for Harpoon, the critically acclaimed horror-thriller with a pitch-black comedic twist. The fine folks at Black Fawn will bring the release home on February 11, 2020 with a special 2-disc collector’s edition of the film that will feature a slew of special features, stunning new artwork, and a limited edition retro slipcase.

In Harpoon, rivalries, dark secrets, and sexual tension emerge when three best friends find themselves stranded on a yacht in the middle of the ocean desperate for survival. With plenty of alcohol and very little food and water, emotions run high and their delusions become a reality. As the days stretch on and death seems inevitable, their terrifying truths float to the surface.

Directed by Rob Grant, Harpoon took the film festival circuit by storm in 2019 with premieres at Rotterdam (Netherlands), Fantasia (Montreal), Sitges (Spain), Fright Fest (London, England), BiFan (South Korea), Chattanooga Film Festival (Tennessee), Monster Fest (Australia), Fantaspoa (Brazil) and many more.

I had the chance to catch Harpoon at Fantasia Fest (full review here), and it’s definitely one that should not be missed. It’s garnered a ton of positive reviews and has earned the label of “Certified Fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 96% rating, placing it as the second-highest rated horror film of the year.

The film stars Munro Chambers (Turbo Kid, Riot Girls, Knuckleball), Emily Tyra (TV’s Code Black, Flesh and Bone), Christopher Gray (TV’s The Mist) and Brett Gelman (Netflix’s Stranger Things, The Other Guys), and was produced by Michael Peterson, Julian Black Antelope and Kurtis David Harder, and executively produced by Laurie Venning.

“I feel blessed to get to work with such a prolific team in the genre world such as Black Fawn,” states director Rob Grant. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity for all of us to work together and, with Black Fawn taking on Harpoon, I finally get to cross that off my list.”

The 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD release is packed with special features, including:

  • Audio commentary by writer/director Rob Grant and producers Michael Peterson and Kurtis Harder
  • Audio commentary by director of photography Charles Hamilton and colorist Brendon Rathbone
  • “Psychedelic commentary” by writer/director Rob Grant (note: whatever that is, I’m here for it)
  • 30-minute behind-the-scenes making-of featurette
  • B-roll footage of the cast and crew
  • Deleted scenes
  • Trailers

Additionally, Black Fawn Distribution are taking it up a notch with their physical release, offering a special VIP package as part of their Blacklist series (the series also features a package for Jenn Wexler’s punk rock slasher, The Ranger and Black Fawn’s own bugged-out body horror, Bite).

This release will include the Blu-ray/DVD of the film along with cast autographs, a limited edition retro slipcase featuring custom artwork, a pair of Harpoon sea shades, a “Lost at Sea” survival kit, and more. The Harpoon Blacklist VII package is only available via Black Fawn Distribution’s on-line store.

“We’re always thankful to be able to work with a variety of talented film teams from across Canada and around the world, and we couldn’t be happier to now be working with the team behind this nasty gem of a movie,” explains Black Fawn Distribution’s Operations Manager CF Benner. “Harpoon is simply one of the best genre films we’ve seen in a while, it’s one of the best reviewed films of the year, and we couldn’t help but feel that it deserved a physical release that matched the exceptional film that these guys have imagined. I can’t wait for people to see what we’ve come up with for this release. Film fans and collectors are going to be hyped.”

Harpoon is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.ca, or you can head over to Black Fawn Distribution’s site to order the film with all the bonus goodies.

For more on Harpoon, check out my review, interview with director Rob Grant, and interview with star Munro Chambers. For more from Black Fawn, check out their streaming service.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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