Throughout the month of October, horror fans celebrate by binging on our favorite tales of the macabre. We bust out our favorite Blu-rays, scour our collections and watch our old favorites from Romero, Craven, and Carpenter, while also checking out newer offerings. In my humble opinion, you really can’t have a proper Halloween season without the inclusion of H.P. Lovecraft. His stories made an indelible mark and influenced horror and science fiction for years to come. The genre wouldn't be what it is today without his work and the way he inspired other storytellers, and the inclusion of a Lovecraft story is essential in any October viewing schedule.
The Whisperer in Darkness is a classic entry in Lovecraft’s oeuvre (and one of my personal favorites). It was adapted for the screen in 2011 by Sean Branney (who also directed) and co-writer Andrew Leman. The story tells the tale of...
The Whisperer in Darkness is a classic entry in Lovecraft’s oeuvre (and one of my personal favorites). It was adapted for the screen in 2011 by Sean Branney (who also directed) and co-writer Andrew Leman. The story tells the tale of...
- 10/29/2017
- by Emily von Seele
- DailyDead
Our friends at Grimm Up North, in collaboration with The Horror Show, have announced the UK release of H.P. Lovecraft's The Whisperer in Darkness, available now. Read on for the details of this Christmas treat!
From the Press Release:
Grimmfest festival favourite H.P. Lovecraft’s The Whisperer in Darkness is finally available in the UK to stream or download at Horrorshow.TV, the UK’s new home for watching all the latest horror movie releases.
Completed in 2012, The Whisperer In Darkness was produced as a labour of love by the H.P. Lovecraft Society in their continuing mission to faithfully adapt Lovecraft’s films in the style from the era they were born in, as seen in 2005’s silent expressionist picture The Call of Cthulu. The Whisperer In Darkness, directed by Sean Branney, is considered by many critics to be the most authentic movie adaptation of Lovecraft’s writing and...
From the Press Release:
Grimmfest festival favourite H.P. Lovecraft’s The Whisperer in Darkness is finally available in the UK to stream or download at Horrorshow.TV, the UK’s new home for watching all the latest horror movie releases.
Completed in 2012, The Whisperer In Darkness was produced as a labour of love by the H.P. Lovecraft Society in their continuing mission to faithfully adapt Lovecraft’s films in the style from the era they were born in, as seen in 2005’s silent expressionist picture The Call of Cthulu. The Whisperer In Darkness, directed by Sean Branney, is considered by many critics to be the most authentic movie adaptation of Lovecraft’s writing and...
- 12/17/2013
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes details on Sun Choke, starring Barbara Crampton, and the Monster Zombie Claymation short film:
Sun Choke Begins Production: “Janie (Hagan) is just trying to get well. As Janie recovers from a recent violent psychotic break, she’s subjected each day to a bizarre holistic health and wellness regimen designed, and enforced, by her lifelong nanny and caretaker, Irma (Crampton). Janie begins to veer off the road to recovery when she develops an obsession with a young woman, Savannah (Lane), which Janie feels an inexplicable yet profound connection to. The obsession turns increasingly invasive and wedges all three women into an ever-tightening and terrifying struggle for control. Will Janie pull herself back from the precipice of insanity? Or will she go over head-first, taking anyone nearby down with her?
Lodger...
Sun Choke Begins Production: “Janie (Hagan) is just trying to get well. As Janie recovers from a recent violent psychotic break, she’s subjected each day to a bizarre holistic health and wellness regimen designed, and enforced, by her lifelong nanny and caretaker, Irma (Crampton). Janie begins to veer off the road to recovery when she develops an obsession with a young woman, Savannah (Lane), which Janie feels an inexplicable yet profound connection to. The obsession turns increasingly invasive and wedges all three women into an ever-tightening and terrifying struggle for control. Will Janie pull herself back from the precipice of insanity? Or will she go over head-first, taking anyone nearby down with her?
Lodger...
- 12/15/2013
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
The Whisperer In Darkness is the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society’s latest proof that film versions of Lovecraft’s work don’t have to be awkward or inaccurate (the first being their excellent Call Of Cthulhu silent picture, released in 2005). True to when the story was first written, this film is shot in unassuming black and white in what the filmmakers refer to as “Mythoscope”, and thus plays like a classic monster picture released in 1931.
To cut straight to the chase, this is the kind of ideal adaptation that every literary work deserves. You can feel the respect for Lovecraft here. It’s due to complete reverence to the source material that the film succeeds so completely in transporting you into Lovecraft’s world.
The short story itself is a pioneering meld of bizarre mysticism and straight-up science fiction involving a skeptical professor, the backwoods of Vermont, and ancient aliens...
To cut straight to the chase, this is the kind of ideal adaptation that every literary work deserves. You can feel the respect for Lovecraft here. It’s due to complete reverence to the source material that the film succeeds so completely in transporting you into Lovecraft’s world.
The short story itself is a pioneering meld of bizarre mysticism and straight-up science fiction involving a skeptical professor, the backwoods of Vermont, and ancient aliens...
- 3/13/2012
- by Holly
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Director: Sean Branney.
Writers: H.P. Lovecraft (story), Sean Branney and Andrew Leman (screenplay).
Cast: Stephen Blackehart, Annie Abrams and Matt Lagan.
Enthusiasts of H.P. Lovecraft will eat up the cinematic adaption of the tale, The Whisperer in Darkness. Made by the members of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, this film is very clearly a labour of love that came close to not finishing due to funding issues. But thankfully, Sandy Peterson, author of Call of Cthulhu, the role-playing game, saved the day by injecting the money needed to finish the project.
When turning Lovecraft’s works to cinematic expression, some liberties were taken. This movie nicely reproduces the style in films like Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy with the set designs and title cards. Also added is a Little Shop of Horrors style (the original) ending. But ultimately, this movie is an update than a wholly faithful adaptation. Had it...
Writers: H.P. Lovecraft (story), Sean Branney and Andrew Leman (screenplay).
Cast: Stephen Blackehart, Annie Abrams and Matt Lagan.
Enthusiasts of H.P. Lovecraft will eat up the cinematic adaption of the tale, The Whisperer in Darkness. Made by the members of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, this film is very clearly a labour of love that came close to not finishing due to funding issues. But thankfully, Sandy Peterson, author of Call of Cthulhu, the role-playing game, saved the day by injecting the money needed to finish the project.
When turning Lovecraft’s works to cinematic expression, some liberties were taken. This movie nicely reproduces the style in films like Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy with the set designs and title cards. Also added is a Little Shop of Horrors style (the original) ending. But ultimately, this movie is an update than a wholly faithful adaptation. Had it...
- 1/25/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
H.P. Lovecraft’s dark tale of terror, The Whisperer in Darkness, is slated to ship December 15th on DVD. This tale dares to venture deep into the hearts of horrific science fiction imagination and it will be delivered in the same vein as the H.P. Lovecraft Society's previous video endevour, Call of Cthulhu, in “Mythoscope.” This post-production technique gives the digital cinematography an antiquarian look.
In this story, Albert Wilmarth (Matt Foyer), a professor of folklore from Miskatonic University investigates a dark legend about strange creatures rumoured to dwell somewhere in the remote mountains of Vermont. But in whom he talks to, the question of who is the victim, or what is the prey, needs to be asked.
This product has literally been years in the making; some parts of the production went over budget and financial difficulties ensued which prevented a timely release. Sandy Peterson, author of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu RPG,...
In this story, Albert Wilmarth (Matt Foyer), a professor of folklore from Miskatonic University investigates a dark legend about strange creatures rumoured to dwell somewhere in the remote mountains of Vermont. But in whom he talks to, the question of who is the victim, or what is the prey, needs to be asked.
This product has literally been years in the making; some parts of the production went over budget and financial difficulties ensued which prevented a timely release. Sandy Peterson, author of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu RPG,...
- 12/3/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
The third annual Grimm Up North Film Festival runs this October 6th-9th at the AMC Cinemas in the Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate, and we've got the full lineup of films to be shown along with the schedule. If you'll be anywhere near Manchester, England, during that time frame, this is one event you don't want to miss!
Thursday - October 6th
(Tickets sold separately for this event – not covered by Festival Pass)
7.00 – Drinks, guests and press at Casino.
8.00 – Retreat plus Q+A with the director, writer and producer
Country: UK
Year: 2011
Director: Carl Tibbetts
Starring: Jamie Bell, Thandie Newton, Cillian Murphy
Status: Special Preview
10.15 – retire to the Casino bar.
Friday - October 7th
2.30 – The Dead Zone (103 mins)
Country: Us
Year: 1983
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams
Status: Exclusive screening
4.30 – Black And Blue Films: Producer Jonathan Sothcott and celebrity guests, with exclusive clips of new films
6.00 – Urban Explorer...
Thursday - October 6th
(Tickets sold separately for this event – not covered by Festival Pass)
7.00 – Drinks, guests and press at Casino.
8.00 – Retreat plus Q+A with the director, writer and producer
Country: UK
Year: 2011
Director: Carl Tibbetts
Starring: Jamie Bell, Thandie Newton, Cillian Murphy
Status: Special Preview
10.15 – retire to the Casino bar.
Friday - October 7th
2.30 – The Dead Zone (103 mins)
Country: Us
Year: 1983
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams
Status: Exclusive screening
4.30 – Black And Blue Films: Producer Jonathan Sothcott and celebrity guests, with exclusive clips of new films
6.00 – Urban Explorer...
- 9/6/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
The Whisperer in Darkness
Directed by Sean Branney
Written by Sean Branney and Andrew Leman, based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft
USA, 2011
Fantasia imdb
The Whisperer in Darkness is an extraordinarily well-crafted film and it completely achieves its objectives. Oddly, the film’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness.
The Whisperer in Darkness has two goals. First, to be a faithful Lovecraft adaptation.
While the film takes a few liberties with the original short story, especially in its ending, it does so in the interest of being even more bleakly Lovecraftian. The film is very faithful to Lovecraft’s ability to parcel out creepy information in dribs and drabs from a variety of different medium including lost books, letters, recordings, phone calls, overheard conversations, expert testimony and found artifacts. Most importantly, The Whisperer in Darkness captures Lovecraft’s ability to give us protagonists who come to heroism late in their own narrative,...
Directed by Sean Branney
Written by Sean Branney and Andrew Leman, based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft
USA, 2011
Fantasia imdb
The Whisperer in Darkness is an extraordinarily well-crafted film and it completely achieves its objectives. Oddly, the film’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness.
The Whisperer in Darkness has two goals. First, to be a faithful Lovecraft adaptation.
While the film takes a few liberties with the original short story, especially in its ending, it does so in the interest of being even more bleakly Lovecraftian. The film is very faithful to Lovecraft’s ability to parcel out creepy information in dribs and drabs from a variety of different medium including lost books, letters, recordings, phone calls, overheard conversations, expert testimony and found artifacts. Most importantly, The Whisperer in Darkness captures Lovecraft’s ability to give us protagonists who come to heroism late in their own narrative,...
- 8/3/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
In the description of The Whisperer in Darkness on the Fantasia Film Festival website, the claim is made that the film "very well may be the single most successful H.P. Lovecraft adaptation ever to lick fear across a screen." High praise indeed! Read on to see if Trembles agrees with it.
Synopsis: The place: Arkham, Massachusetts. Fresh after losing a ferocious public debate with a specialist in the occult, Miskatonic University professor Albert Wilmarth (Matt Foyer) finds himself more than a little curious about documents sent to him by a terrified Vermont farmer who insists that mysterious creatures have been appearing all over his town. He has photographed hoof prints in the soil near his home, and he is very, very afraid. Professor Wilmarth steps onto a train for Vermont and begins a journey that will plunge him in the centre of a terrifying conspiracy. One that is, unquestionably, not of this earth.
Synopsis: The place: Arkham, Massachusetts. Fresh after losing a ferocious public debate with a specialist in the occult, Miskatonic University professor Albert Wilmarth (Matt Foyer) finds himself more than a little curious about documents sent to him by a terrified Vermont farmer who insists that mysterious creatures have been appearing all over his town. He has photographed hoof prints in the soil near his home, and he is very, very afraid. Professor Wilmarth steps onto a train for Vermont and begins a journey that will plunge him in the centre of a terrifying conspiracy. One that is, unquestionably, not of this earth.
- 7/29/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Director: Sean Branney.
Writers: H.P. Lovecraft (story), Sean Branney and Andrew Leman (screenplay).
Stars: Stephen Blackehart, Barry Lynch and Conor Timmis.
The movie The Whisperer in Darkness is complete and touring the film festivals around the world. The filmmakers couldn't be any happier. Now the pressure is on to produce the DVD for the rest of the world to enjoy. With this seminal tale that is part science fiction and part terror, the onus is on how effective the actors are in reaching that creeping revelation.
“There are monsters in them thar hills,” as the hicks in the bayous like to call it.
And the written version, Albert N. Wilmarth, (Matt Foyer) an instructor of literature at Miskatonic University provides the narration. He’s corresponding with Henry Wentworth Akeley (Barry Lynch), a man who lives alone who claims to have made contact with these mysterious creatures. The response from Wilmarth,...
Writers: H.P. Lovecraft (story), Sean Branney and Andrew Leman (screenplay).
Stars: Stephen Blackehart, Barry Lynch and Conor Timmis.
The movie The Whisperer in Darkness is complete and touring the film festivals around the world. The filmmakers couldn't be any happier. Now the pressure is on to produce the DVD for the rest of the world to enjoy. With this seminal tale that is part science fiction and part terror, the onus is on how effective the actors are in reaching that creeping revelation.
“There are monsters in them thar hills,” as the hicks in the bayous like to call it.
And the written version, Albert N. Wilmarth, (Matt Foyer) an instructor of literature at Miskatonic University provides the narration. He’s corresponding with Henry Wentworth Akeley (Barry Lynch), a man who lives alone who claims to have made contact with these mysterious creatures. The response from Wilmarth,...
- 5/26/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
We recently received a metric ton of updates about upcoming events at the Bigfoot Crest Theater in Los Angeles so strap in because there's a lot for you guys to check out - including what could be The Greatest Monster Of All Time!
The Bigfoot Crest is going to be putting on some very cool screenings over the next two months, including showings of Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, The Thing, a new H.P. Lovecraft film (The Whisper in Darkness) and what wins the award of most unique looking new monster The God of Clay (see images below and know that somewhere The Foywonder is giving high fives to random strangers).
Check out all the details below, and see even more at the Bigfoot Crest website.
From the Press Release:
The historic Bigfoot Crest Theater in Westwood – recently hailed by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best screens in...
The Bigfoot Crest is going to be putting on some very cool screenings over the next two months, including showings of Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, The Thing, a new H.P. Lovecraft film (The Whisper in Darkness) and what wins the award of most unique looking new monster The God of Clay (see images below and know that somewhere The Foywonder is giving high fives to random strangers).
Check out all the details below, and see even more at the Bigfoot Crest website.
From the Press Release:
The historic Bigfoot Crest Theater in Westwood – recently hailed by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best screens in...
- 5/16/2011
- by dougevil
- DreadCentral.com
In poker parlance, Follow the Bitch (also more demurely known as Follow the Queen) is a seven-card stud game. In writer-director Julian Stone's first film of the same name, it's an intended comic look at the high jinks that ensue when a female of the species crashes a guys-only, cigar-chomping, ritual Friday night poker game and successfully calls their collective bluff.
The game proves to be far more unpredictable and involving than the film.
Forced and artificial, the one-set film takes a what-if premise and fails to ante up any tangible dramatic tension or character development. Faced with being dealt a crummy hand, filmgoers will undoubtedly place their bets elsewhere.
You know from the get-go that this particular Friday, sunset-to-sunrise, male-bonding poker marathon isn't going to go quite as planned. For starters, clean-cut Andy (Dion Luther) announces that he's venturing where none of his buddies has dared go before him with plans to get married.
The news doesn't sit well with the obnoxious Bill (Ray Porter), whose apartment has been serving as their weekly venue for a decade. A career curmudgeon, Bill is known to go on back-to-back rants that sound like old Jay Leno rejects. To further complicate matters, it appears that Ty (Michael Cudlitz) and Jerry Maguire wannabe Gordon (Tom Napier) have been secretly carrying on affairs with each other's girlfriends. Meanwhile, the obsessive Karl (David Teitelbaum) falls hard for the pizza delivery girl.
But the biggest upset of the evening comes when Andy's work colleague, the take-no-prisoners Liz (Melissa Lechner), crashes the party and handily beats the boys at their own game. In the process, she also manages to puncture Bill's protective armor, revealing the frightened inner child inside.
Stone fails to substantially differentiate his male characters, who, for the most part, all speak with the writer's voice. The adversarial female, meanwhile, is cut from stock ball-busting material. Her motivations are never made clear, and, as a result, she remains coldly unsympathetic.
On the comedic side, Stone, who also edited the picture, thoughtfully left a little room after the punch lines so audience laughter wouldn't cut into any of the bon mots. His concern, though admirable, proved unnecessary.
The cast is fine, although there's never any convincing sense of camaraderie among these longtime players.
There's an easygoing, budget-conscious scrappiness to the production values -- it was shot in the filmmaker's apartment -- although Dane Davis' faux lounge score quickly grates on the nerves.
FOLLOW THE BITCH
Gurney Releasing
Credits: Director-screenwriter: Julian Stone; Producers: Dion Luther, Brett Schlaman, Julian Stone; Director of photography: Joe Backes; Production designer: Rachel Kamerman; Costume designer: Barbara Inglehart; Music: Dane Davis. Cast: Bill: Ray Porter; Liz: Melissa Lechner; Andy: Dion Luther; Ty: Michael Cudlitz; Karl: David Teitelbaum; Gordon: Tom Napier; Blake/Henry Kissinger: Matt Foyer. MPAA rating: R. Running time -- 87 minutes. Color/stereo.
The game proves to be far more unpredictable and involving than the film.
Forced and artificial, the one-set film takes a what-if premise and fails to ante up any tangible dramatic tension or character development. Faced with being dealt a crummy hand, filmgoers will undoubtedly place their bets elsewhere.
You know from the get-go that this particular Friday, sunset-to-sunrise, male-bonding poker marathon isn't going to go quite as planned. For starters, clean-cut Andy (Dion Luther) announces that he's venturing where none of his buddies has dared go before him with plans to get married.
The news doesn't sit well with the obnoxious Bill (Ray Porter), whose apartment has been serving as their weekly venue for a decade. A career curmudgeon, Bill is known to go on back-to-back rants that sound like old Jay Leno rejects. To further complicate matters, it appears that Ty (Michael Cudlitz) and Jerry Maguire wannabe Gordon (Tom Napier) have been secretly carrying on affairs with each other's girlfriends. Meanwhile, the obsessive Karl (David Teitelbaum) falls hard for the pizza delivery girl.
But the biggest upset of the evening comes when Andy's work colleague, the take-no-prisoners Liz (Melissa Lechner), crashes the party and handily beats the boys at their own game. In the process, she also manages to puncture Bill's protective armor, revealing the frightened inner child inside.
Stone fails to substantially differentiate his male characters, who, for the most part, all speak with the writer's voice. The adversarial female, meanwhile, is cut from stock ball-busting material. Her motivations are never made clear, and, as a result, she remains coldly unsympathetic.
On the comedic side, Stone, who also edited the picture, thoughtfully left a little room after the punch lines so audience laughter wouldn't cut into any of the bon mots. His concern, though admirable, proved unnecessary.
The cast is fine, although there's never any convincing sense of camaraderie among these longtime players.
There's an easygoing, budget-conscious scrappiness to the production values -- it was shot in the filmmaker's apartment -- although Dane Davis' faux lounge score quickly grates on the nerves.
FOLLOW THE BITCH
Gurney Releasing
Credits: Director-screenwriter: Julian Stone; Producers: Dion Luther, Brett Schlaman, Julian Stone; Director of photography: Joe Backes; Production designer: Rachel Kamerman; Costume designer: Barbara Inglehart; Music: Dane Davis. Cast: Bill: Ray Porter; Liz: Melissa Lechner; Andy: Dion Luther; Ty: Michael Cudlitz; Karl: David Teitelbaum; Gordon: Tom Napier; Blake/Henry Kissinger: Matt Foyer. MPAA rating: R. Running time -- 87 minutes. Color/stereo.
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