This Bug's Got Bite!

Remember the much-anticipated hillbilly horror/giant monster flick The Millennium Bug, directed by Kenneth Cran. Well, in case you've been living under a rock (and who doesn't sometimes) here's some comprehensive Undead Backbrain articles to remind you.

While they're off reading those, the rest of you can take a gander at the latest picture of the monster and his very special grin. Click on the image to get the full effect!

The film is completed and a limited early release DVD is now on sale (well before it's introduced to the world through a mainstream distributor). Right now, you can pick it up for $15 from http://mbugmovie.com/store.html. Buyers of this limited release DVD get exclusive access to the latest behind-the-scenes video, which shows (we're told) how they "filmed the scene in which actress Ginger Pullman gets slimed by the monster". The first thousand people who order the DVD will also be entered into a raffle for a signed piece of original artwork by director Kenneth Cran.

I haven't seen the film yet, but a few lucky reviewers have and the reception is enthusiastic. For example, Ain't It Cool News describes it as "...a dash of GODZILLA, a sprinkle of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and hell, even a bit of JURASSIC PARK mixed in" and io9.com adds: "... a seriously gory flick that answers the age-old question of what would happen if Godzilla rampaged through a Rob Zombie movie."

So far, The Millennium Bug is entered in eight festivals, in California, New York, Georgia, Indiana, Canada, France, and England. Tickets and information for each festival are on the website. Of special interest will be its presence on the program for the B Movie Celebration in Franklin, Indiana, which runs from 23rd to 25th of September (details can be found in this Brainspasm article).

Finally, I'll leave you with the really good news that the film's creators are giving away a free copy of the limited edition DVD each month to new email list members. So join the M-Bug team, and tell your friends to do likewise, for a chance at winning a copy of the movie: http://mbugmovie.com/join.html

Addendum: Four Behind-the-Scenes/Making of videos are now available, just like this one about making the monster's head:

Source: Press release (via Avery Guerra). Written by Robert Hood

Us vs Them! The Ants Are Coming Back!

Independent filmmaker Joe Gatto is bringing back the giant ants!

The classic giant bug film Them! (US-1954; dir. Gordon Douglas), despite or (in part) perhaps because of its non-CGI, full-size puppetry, remains one of the truly great monster flicks of the 1950s and one of the best giant monster films of all time. The lonely desert landscapes, the rising wind as it carries the clicking shrill of the ants to us long before we see them, the young traumatised girl suddenly sitting up and screaming, "Them! Them!" -- who could not be deeply affected by the atmosphere created by these things. And the final confrontation deep with the city sewers that the ants have made their nest is a beautifully choreographed sequence, rich with tense and excitement.

The poster itself has become iconic!

Gatto's ambitious film, which follows Them! in being about giant ants but not in terms of characters or plot, is currently in script stage. He described it for the Backbrain:

I'm a huge fan of the classic big bug film. Us vs Them is actually a homage to the original Them! [rather than a remake or official sequel] so no rights acquisition was needed. This one will have lots of big bugs, flying ants vs. an Apache helicopter,  and massive hybrid insects that have evolved from genetic mutations. It's a feature script about 100 minutes long.

Below are several posters featuring the various stars of the film.

Plus a conceptual drawing of the Queen:

We'll keep you informed as this enticing project progresses.

Sources: Joe Gatto via Avery; Gatto's YouTube Channel.

Free Blarghaaahrgarg DVD Giveaway!

Okay, repeat after me: "Blarghaaahrgarg!" Say it again without trying to drink from that beer can this time: "Blarghaaahrgarg"!"

 

Now you can win a copy! Free!

Blarghaaahrgarg is a new independent horror-comedy film written and directed by Nuria Leon Bernardo and produced by Clones Productions in Lisbon -- creators of Papá Wrestling. The film premiered at Motelx last October and has been an official selection at assorted festivals throughout Portugal, the UK and the US, including the Leeds International Film Festival and Tohorror Film Fest. 

Blarghaaahrgarg is about "an exterminator, a man in a dressing gown, a cat and a monster." Actually there's other stuff, too, including buckets of blood. It's very nicely made and funny, and features a completely old-school monster -- you know, an animatronic puppet made of paper-maché or something. Classic stuff.

Blarghaaahrgarg (Portugal-2010; short [15:18 min.]; dir. Nuria Leon Bernardo)

Synopsis:

Zeca is a loser. He lives with his grandmother and works as an exterminator. One day, while working, Zeca has an accident which will spawn the meanest, ugliest, most horrible monster ever.

Crew:

Director and writer - Nuria Leon Bernardo
Special effects and animatronics - Fernando Alle
Producers - Luís Henriques & Pedro Florêncio
Cinematography - Tiago Augusto

Thanks to SFX guy Fernando Alle and the wonderful people at Clones, we're giving away 5 copies of the DVD. Just send your name and address (including country, folks) to Undead Brainspasm at backbrain@gmail.com. Include the words "Blarghaaahrgarg Giveaway" in the header. Every entry we receive over the next two weeks (provided the film's name is spelt correctly) will go into the draw and five winners picked at random by my cat Pazuzu -- who's intrigued by this rat, but a bit disturbed by certain feline-related aspects of the film itself.

Okay, you don't have to spell the name correctly.

If you need added enticement, here's the trailer:

... and the theme music, which is heard over the credits:

Thanks to Fernando and the Clones.

Sources: Official website (check it out for info on how to order the DVD and to learn more about the Clones); via Avery Guerra. Written by Robert Hood

Demeking is here!

So today Demeking: The Sea Monster [aka Demekingu; Space Monster Demeking] (Japan-2009; dir. Kôtarô Terauchi) hits DVD in the US.

Synopsis:

In 1969, a young man finds an anonymous letter in a glass bottle which describes the apocalyptic arrival of a cosmic monster known as Demeking. Since then, he has physically prepared himself in a lone struggle for that fateful day when the monster will arrive. 

In case you haven't been paying attention and want to know what the monster Demeking looks like, well, he's a sort of undersea/space Gastropod -- a snail-like monstrosity with eyes on stalks and what looks a bit like coral vents on his back.

Here he is from a distance and direct from the movie:

Here are models of him -- puppets used as part of the SFX collateral:

Finally, a Demeking toy:

Cute, eh?

Information on Demeking from Undead Backbrain and Undead Brainspasm:

• Demeking Plummets to Earth
• Demeking Additions
• Update: Demeking on DVD
• Demeking Pictorial Update

Source: Various via Avery. Wriiten by Robert Hood

Sacrifice News

Making independent giant monster films can be a lengthy process. The indie giant monster film Sacrifice (US; dir. Bob Nelson) premiered on the big screen in August, with more showings in September. A DVD release is forthcoming. Pre-orders are being taken via the website.

The progress of Sacrifice can be measured in terms of "Making of" and "Production" clips, such as those that follow. We still don't know anything about the nature of the giant monster (apart from the fact that it's giant and monstrous), but hey, we giant monster fans are patient, right? (See links below for earlier information, posters etc.)

Synopsis:

Sacrifice is the story of choices. Woven into the story are the impact of the choices we make, be they 500 years ago or today. the story follows the discovery of a potential weapon of mass destruction in southern Arizona, and the pursuit of answers by a young couple and the military. What they find is a threat that is (literally and figuratively) larger than all of them as they set loose a giant monster, which subsequently seeks to destroy civilization as we know it.

Art Director Mike Robinson is also working on a comicbook adaptation of the film (see page rough, without text, below). An article in The East Valley Tribune has brief but informative comments from Robinson, director Bob Nelson, and Director of photography Kent Markwart on both the film and the graphic novel.

Previous Articles:

• Undead Brainspasm
• Undead Backbrain: First Live-Action Trailer

New US Trailer for MONSTERS

The US theatrical trailer for Gareth Edwards' classy giant monster flick, Monsters, has been released. Here it is:

Via Avery Guerra.

For more about the film, see the previous Undead Brainspasm article.

News of Host 2

Ever wonder what's come of the proposed sequel to the excellent giant monster flick The Host [aka Gwoemul] (South Korea-2006; dir. Joon-ho Bong)?

Well, SciFiJapan confirms that funding has been obtained and The Host 2 (Gwoemul 2) is officially greenlit.

According to the press release, THE HOST 2 is currently in the development stage with multiple scripts (including a prequel written by comic book creator Kang Full) featuring a variety of concepts. The press release also stated that the South Korean mobile telecommunications provider SK Telecom previously invested to cover expenses for planning and development of THE HOST 2. As of this writing, there is no cast or director announced for the sequel.

Check out the details here.

More Ghoul Girl Pictures

Here's two more images from Attack of the 50 Foot Ghoul [Girl], a kid-friendly monster from director Brian Nichols and his over-sized daughter. The film will premiere at Monster Bash in June at Butler PA.

Music for the movie will be provided by Kevin Slick, seen below in the recording studio at work on a 1950s style rock 'n' roll number for the retro monster flick.

• Source: Monster Bash News; Creepy Classics via Kaiju Search-Robot Avery
• Previous Brainspasm article
  

Guilala US DVD cover

Here's the cool new cover for the American release of Girara-no Gyakushuu Touyaku Samitto Kiki Ippatsu [lit. Guilala’s Counter Attack: the Touyaku Summit One-Shot Crisis; aka Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit!] (2008; dir. Minoru Kawasaki):

• Source: Amazon

Kirk vs the Snow Monster

A clip of the "giant monster" scene from J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek movie has surfaced, showcasing the excellent design work of monster creator Neville Page. Page was the man who designed the Cloverfield monster for Abrams in his last foray into giant-monsterdom, and the lineage is pretty obvious...


Below is the clip:

• Source: io9 via Avery

Another Giant Snake: The Scout

While we're on the subject of giant snakes, it seems that Thai director Pleo Sirisuwan is in post-production of a follow-up movie to his previous giant-snake-in-the-jungle flick, Vengeance. This one is called The Scout.

Synopsis:

Scouts visit an ancient temple to witness a lunar eclipse. Hearing campfire stories of the legendary god who protects the temple, they decide to go on a treasure hunt. Finding themselves lost in a parallel universe, they must find the way back before the end of the eclipse traps them.

The following teaser definitely does a good job of teasing me.

• Source: Wise Kwai's Thai Film Journal via Kaiju Search-Robot Avery

New: Megaconda

Breaking news is that Chris Ray, of Reptisaurus fame, is about to go into shooting of a new giant critter film, this one called Megaconda!

The director's famous father, Fred Olen Ray, reports:

As we're only a week a way from the start of shooting I guess it's alright to show our cards and announce that Chris Ray is undertaking his second feature film for us, Megaconda.

You might guess, it's a giant snake movie. It stars Greg Evigan and Stella Stevens, and also features Ted Monte and Mike Gaglio.

More news as it comes.

• Source: Fred Olen Ray via Avery