February Screening: ‘The Burning’ (1981) and ‘Pieces’ (1982)
Happy New Year, fellins!
Firstly, we would like to thank everybody who showed their support for the society during 2011; we appreciate you all very much and hope you enjoyed our demented program and all the subsequent sleepless nights endured. Don’t worry, there’ll be more of those to come in the year ahead!
Speaking of coming attractions, 2012 will see the Melbourne Horror Film Society making a few changes to its usual yearly line up of screenings. Firstly, we’ve decided to run our gatherings on a bi-monthly basis with the intention of making them more of an ‘event’ rather than a routine series of screenings. Furthermore, we will now be programing double features instead of standard single sessions, so more bang for your buck! And to add to the suspense (that’s right, we can hear you quivering in your boots) we will also keep these films a secret until official announcement through our various social networking platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter) so as to keep you all guessing what horrors will be unleashed upon your unsuspecting minds come movie night! We’ll also be treating you all to the chance for prizes and other ghastly goodies should you decide to join us in our frenzied nerdiness. And honestly, why wouldn’t you?
Thus, this would make for an opportune moment to unveil our first double feature for 2012!
Drum roll, please…
The Burning and Pieces take the cake!
Oh yes, February will see a deliciously nasty pairing of slasher classics take the screen, both famous and infamous titles in their own right. For those yet to have embraced their brilliance, the former showcases some of FX maestro Tom Savini’s finest work while the latter is perhaps the most insane Spanish-US stalker epic to ever be birthed from the minds of a cluelessly inept film crew. In plain English, they’re AWESOME.
Well, that’s enough gibberish from us for now! So please, mark down the date of February 28th in your diary and come on down to Bar303, Northcote from 7pm (yes, we’re starting half an hour earlier from now on to make time for two features) and enjoy a night of fine film, fine wine and even finer eclectic personalities.
See you then!
Bob, Matt, Sam & Dave
December Screening: Black Christmas (Dir Bob Clark 1974)
“Agnes, It’s Billy! Don’t tell what we did!”
It’s CHOPPING TIME! Oh yes, the Christmas spirit has arrived and will soon be dispatched with a trusty ice sculpture to the heart! Moreover, we thought we’d celebrate the new years fear with a relatively illusive Canadian classic, a nasty little tidbit we know you’re all bound to find more than a might delectable 
One of the most influential horror movies ever made, Bob Clark’s Black Christmas (not to be confused with the godawful Glen Morgan-directed remake from 2006) was a litte-known genre oddity when it was released back in 74′ but would go on to arguably give precedence for almost every slasher flick produced this side of Carpenter’s Halloween. Featuring cemented staples of the subgenre such as a house chock full of nubile unsuspecting prey, camera work shot exclusively from the killer’s point of view, red herrings, hapless law enforcement…the works. It’s also uniquely atmospheric and genuinely creepy (something sorely lacking in many contemporary stalker pics) and propositions one of the most unforgettable villains in recent (or any!) memory.
So, if you’re feeling a little joyless and devoid of any Christmas purpose this year then why not let us give you a gift! Bar303, Northcote on Tuesday 27th December at 7:30pm is where we’ll be and as usual memberships are available on the night for all yet to be corrupted/converted.
See you then, little elves. Don’t drink too much Kool-Aid!
Bob, Matt, Sam & Dave
November Screening: People Under The Stairs (Dir Wes Craven 1991)
“In every neighborhood there is one house that adults whisper about and children cross the street to avoid.”
This month film is Bob’s favourite; People Under The Stairs. About 10 years after releasing Swamp Thing, Wes Craven delivered this over the top urban myth. Everitt McGill and Wendy Robie from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks play the insane ma and pa who run the classic scary-looking house that’s every foster kids worst nightmare. For some reason this film reminds me of the Goonies….perhaps its the ending. Either way, Craven delivers social commentary, child abuse, incest, gimp suits, a very large dog, pant-wetting over the topness and best of all; kids outwitting crazy adults and I think we can all get behind that!
Join us at Bar303, Northcote on Tuesday 29th November at 7:30pm to catch the craziness, incest and gimp suits. As usual our membership fees are minimal: a 3 film pass will cost you $10 and a 12 film pass will only set you back $25.
See you then, maniacs!
Bob, Matt, Sam & Dave
October Screening: Trick ‘r Treat (Dir Michael Dougherty 2007)
Thanks to all those who came along to last months screening of A Tale of Two Sisters! Might we say it was an awesome turn out and great discussion was had afterward about the twisted masterpiece in question – just ask James the bartender!
In light of all hallow’s eve (the juiciest time of the year of course), we’ve decided to switch movies around this month in favour of Michael Dougherty’s halloween-themed anthology romp Trick ‘r Treat! No matter if you’re a newfound newbie, a modest fan or a seasoned veteran of the fright scene, Dougherty’s film has something for everybody and is by far one of the most enjoyable times you’ll have being scared (no, we did not intentionally rip that from the tagline of Creepshow. Honest).
In addition to our spooktacular feature, we’ll also be screening a short horror film entitled T is for Talk Radio, the latest work by local Melbourne aspiring filmmaker Paul Anthony Nelson. It’s a deliciously nasty little nightmare and is sure to set the scene nicely for the ensuing mayhem thereafter. We’ll also have some neat giveaways afterward
So! Join us for a drink and some eclectic sinema at Bar303, Northcote on Tuesday 25th October at 7:30pm. As usual our membership fees are minimal: a 3 film pass will cost you $10 and a 12 film pass will only set you back $25.
See you then, cretins! Happy Halloween!
Bob, Matt, Sam & Dave
September Screening: A Tale of Two Sister (Dir Jee-woon Kim 2003)
Thanks to all those Vincent Price fans that came along to last months screening; it was great to see the ‘Merchant of Menace’ in his classic puppet master role. This month we are showing the South Korean film A Tale of Two Sisters, directed by Jee-woon Kim who is also responsible for The Quiet Family and A Bittersweet Life and the yet to be released in Australia bloody revenge flick: I Saw The Devil. Jee-woon’s films are beautiful, uncompromising and usually deeply effecting.
We hope you can make it down to Bar303 on Tuesday 27th September to catch this film with us. The screening will begin at 7:30pm and we’ll all be around before and after the film to share a drink and an opinion. As usual our membership fees are minimal: a 3 film pass will cost you $10 and a 12 film pass will only set you back $25.
We’ve purchased our copy of this film and organised the screening rights through Aztec International Entertainment, a recent offshoot of the Aztec record label that specialises in awesome reissues of classic Australian albums..check them out.
Also don’t forget that the Westgarth in Northcote is showing Dario Argento films as part of this years Italian Film Festival, Deep Red has already screened but you can still catch Suspiria and Tenebrae over the next couple of Friday nights from 11:30pm, head to Palace Cinemas for more details.
See you at Bar303
Bob, Matt, Sam & Dave
“I sometimes feel that I’m impersonating the dark unconscious of the whole human race. I know this sounds sick, but I love it.” Vincent Price.
“We all have a common interest, bigger and more horrible monsters – and I’m just the monster to bring them to you.” William Castle.
We will be screening House on Haunted Hill on Tuesday 30 August, 7:30pm – Bar303, 303 High St, Northcote.
Come along and catch some classic horror and dose up on the merchant of menace once again.
Bob, Matt & Sam
“I got good news and bad news, girls. The good news is your dates are here.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“They’re dead.”
Oh Yes! On Tuesday 26 July we’re screening Night of the Creeps at our new home; Bar303 at 303 High St in Northcote. Hopefully there won’t be a massive, dense blanket of fog covering the entirety of Melbourne for this months screening. Although for those that did brave the ‘city of dreadful night’ it did provide a suitable atmosphere for the perusal of horror but probably would of been more suited to a screening of a John Carpenter film or a reading of a James Herbert story. Either way it was the first time yours truly had seen Sheitan and I feel as though I should scream, “DON’T TAKE NOTICE OF ANY MIXED OR NEGATIVE REVIEWS YOU MAY COME ACROSS, THIS CRAZY FILM IS WORTH WATCHING!!”
As of course is Night of the Creeps so come along at 7:30pm on the night, grab a beverage and score a spot on one of the antique vinyl couches. Film society membership is now a measly $25 for a full 12 months or $10 for a mini 3 months.
See you on the last Tuesday,
Bob, Matt & Sam
June Screening: Sheitan (Dir Kim Chapiron 2006)
Change is afoot at the Melbourne Horror Film Society…we are on the move again and cheaper venue costs means cheaper membership fees..hoooray!
Our new home is Bar 303 in Northcote (303 High Street). Many of you will already be familiar with the venue as the home of Cinecult303 and we’re excited to be joining the line-up of awesome programming that Bar 303 is supporting.
As part of the move we are reducing our membership fees, our mini membership will now cost you $10 and our full membership will set you back a measly $40.
We’re also changing our regular monthly screening night from the last Wednesday of the month to the last Tuesday. So on Tuesday 28th June jump on the number 86 tram, head up to Northcote and join us for our screening of Sheitan a French freakshow starring Vincent Cassel. Films still start at the normal time of sometime between 7:30 and 8pm and considered discussion about the nights film is still encouraged if not guaranteed.
Click on the banner below for more info on the upcoming Shock Horror convention now featuring Tony Todd and Heather Langenkamp as well as Robert Englund and be sure to check out the website of Bloodfest Fantastique Film Festival brought to you from the guys at MUFF and happening in St Kilda from 10-18 June.
See you at Bar303 for Sheitan.
Bob, Matt & Sam
May Screening: Scanners (Dir David Cronenberg 1981)
Hope you guys enjoyed our Aussie double feature last month! Was great to see some support for the local horror biz, especially for a true independent like filmmaker Shannon George and his short film ‘The Last Mile’.
This month it’s time to whip out some old-school body horror in the form of master filmmaker David Cronenberg’s ‘Scanners’! A fusion of psychic theory, chase movie and twisted thriller, ‘Scanners’ is one of the Canadian auter’s best genre efforts and was enough to inspire two interesting, albeit ultimately lacklustre sequels. Also, it has one of THE BEST exploding heads in cinema history (De Palma’s ‘The Fury’ runs a close equal!).
If the above sounds like a good night out then please, come and join us at Rancho Notorious (above 1000 £ Bend on Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne) at 7:30pm on Tuesday the 17th and meet some fellow horror nerds. Society memberships can be purchased in person at the screening or alternatively you can email us at: melbournehorror@gmail.com to get it sorted prior to the event via PayPal.
And don’t forget, you can keep up to date with all MHFS happenings via our Facebook Page and Twitter account.
Keep it horror!
- Bob, Matt & Sam
April Screening: Long Weekend (Dir Colin Eggleston, 1978) & Body Melt (Dir Philip Brophy, 1993)
Thank you once again to all those who turned up last month for our ‘Night of the Demon’ screening – twas a blast as predicted! Perhaps now you have some idea of just how much an influence a major studio can have over a filmmaker’s artistic vision…and not always for the better to say the least.
As we roll on through into autumn, we here at MHFS feel we owe you guys something special this month, something most cinema establishments can’t offer. No, not extra large choctops or over-sized popcorn kernels but 2 X AUSSIE HORROR FLICKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! That’s right, this month we’ll be screening survival horror ‘Long Weekend’ (the original of course) as well as wacky antics of ‘Body Melt’ (see Harold from ‘Neighbours’ in his most insane role yet!); two backdoor epics lying somewhere between the undiscovered and the criminally underrated. Either way, they’re more than worthy of your time. To round off the above features we also have the pleasure of hosting an exclusive screening of ‘The Last Mile’ – a terrific short film by local emerging talent Shannon George.
As usual you can catch us at Rancho Notorious above the one and only 1000 £ Bend (361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne), this time on Wednesday 27th April at 7:30pm to help partake in the madness. Newcomers are encouraged to purchase themselves a membership in person at any MHFS screening or alternatively you can email us at: melbournehorror@gmail.com to get it sorted prior to the event via PayPal. Either way please show your support for the genre we all love!
Also, don’t forget to keep track of all the society’s happenings via our Facebook Page and feel free to leave any comments or suggestions you may have on the wall.
Oh, and you can also follow us at http://twitter.com/melbournehorror.
See you again soon!
- Bob, Matt & Sam
