Blog Archives
Clapboard Jungle | Do you have what it takes to survive the modern independent film business?
If you have ever thought about becoming an independent film-maker, then you must check this out first. Justin McConnell, who writes, directs and features, has worked as a film festival coordinator, as well as being a cinematographer and editor on heaps of featurettes you’ve probably seen as bonus content, and also directed a number of documentaries and helmed two features. But he has still yet to make his mark in this riskiest of businesses, where it has become harder and harder for independents to make a living due to media giant monopolisation and a market oversaturated with product.
Featuring interviews with a vast range of industry luminaries, Clapboard Jungle (which is available on ARROW from Monday 19 April) follows Justin’s personal journey over a five year period, exploring not only the nitty-gritty of the film business (from pitch to product) but also the physical and emotional strain that comes with it. It’s a fascinating insight and something of a survival guide for anyone brave enough to attempt themselves.
Once you have watched the documentary, I strongly urge you to check out the extended interviews which feature a roll call of some of our favourite cult heroes who all discuss their career highs and lows, and their place in the independent film world today. Poignantly, among them are Dick Miller, George Romeo and Larry Cohen, who are no longer with us – so these are very special indeed.
Clapboard Jungle is available from ARROW from Monday 19 April
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
• Audio commentary with Justin McConnell
• Crew commentary: Justin McConnell, co-producer Darryl Shaw, executive producer Avi Federgreen and editor/associate producer Kevin Burke)
• Guest commentary/panel discussion: Barbara Crampton, Richard Stanley, John McNaughton, Gigi Saul Guerrero and Adam Mason
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Justin McConnell
• Extended interviews: Anne-Marie Gélinas, Barbara Crampton, Brian Trenchard-Smith, Brian Yuzna, Charles Band, Corey Moosa, Dean Cundey, Dick Miller, Don Mancini, Frank Henenlotter, Gary Sherman, George Romero, George Mihalka, Guillermo Del Toro, John McNaughton, Jon Reiss, Larry Cohen, Larry Fessenden, Lloyd Kaufman, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Mick Garris, Paul Schrader, Richard Stanley, Sam Firstenberg, Tom Holland, Tom Savini, Vincenzo Natali
• Documentaries: Working Class Rock Star (2008) and Skull World (2013)
• 13 short films with optional commentaries and intros
• Trailers, promos, photo gallery and Easter eggs
• Artwork by Ilan Sheady
• Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by producer/director Brian Yuzna
I Sell the Dead (2008) | This grisly comedy horror captures the spirit of classic horrors of old
If you love vintage horrors of old, then you will get a blast out of this offbeat comic horror homage to the Karloff and Lugosi 1940s classic, The Body Snatcher.
Dominic Monaghan plays Arthur Blake, an 18th-century grave robber awaiting a death sentence, while Ron Perlman plays Father Duffy, a priest who gets to hear Blake’s life story. What follows is a horrific, but hilarious, account of Blake’s exploits with his mentor Willie Grimes (Larry Fessenden) as they procure corpses for the bonkers Dr Vernon Quint (Phantasm‘s Angus Scrimm in brilliant form), before hitting on a lucrative line in digging up vampires and zombies. Standing in their way, however, is the notorious Murphy family, who will stop at nothing to cash in on selling the undead to the highest bidder.
The grisly exploits of Blake and Grimes are shocking and funny in equal measure, though some scenes where they banter ala Hope and Crosby just don’t work. Still, I Sell the Dead is a hugely atmospheric romp, and genre fans will savour the film’s nods to Hammer horror to the classic Amicus portmanteau films.
The 2009 UK DVD and Blu-ray releases feature an audio commentary by director Glenn McQuaid, audio commentary with actors Dominic Monaghan and Larry Fessenden, a making of featurette, and visual effects.
I Sell the Dead also screens on The Horror Channel (Sky 319, Virgin 149, Freesat 138) with the next showing today (Friday 27 December) at 10.55pm.
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