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It was previously announced that the Sherlock producing team, Steven Moffat and Mart Gattis, would be developing a new Dracula series for the BBC and Netflix. Claes Bang (The Girl in the Spider’s Web) was cast in the role of the legendary vampire and today we have our first look at him in the role and he looks pretty good!

The series is based on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, and the story for the series will be set in 1897. It will revolve around the “blood-drinking count from Transylvania who sets his sights on Victorian London.”

When talking about being cast in the role of Dracula, Bang said:

“I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Dracula, especially when the script is in the hands of the incredible talents of Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and the team responsible for Sherlock. I’m so excited that I get...

Here’s a first look at Claes Bang (The Girl in the Spider’s Web) as the title character in BBC and Netflix’s upcoming “Dracula” series. He stars alongside a cast that includes the recently added John Heffernan, Dolly Wells, Joanna Scanlan, Morfydd Clark and Lujza Richter. Jonny Campbell (“Westworld”) is directing the opening installment with Damon Thomas (“Killing Eve”) and Paul McGuigan (“Film […]...

Steven Moffat and Mart Gattis, the creators of BBC's Sherlock, have been developing a series based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula" for BBC/Netflix which will re-introduce the world to the vampire who "made evil sexy." Claes Bang, best known for The Square and The Girl In The Spider's Web, was cast in the title role last year, and BBC/Netflix…...

Netflix has asserted that it has a “long-term commitment” to producing shows out of the UK and is growing “deep roots” with the British creative community.

Anne Mensah, Vice President of Original Series, Netflix told the House of Lords’ Communications Committee, “I was brought in to essentially work with British talent and to help and support that talent to reach a global stage. I believe my appointment and the appointment of my team in London is an indication of Netflix’s commitment and its long-term commitment to production in the UK.”

The former Sky drama chief said that Netflix wanted to have a mixed model in the UK with original commissions, co-productions with linear broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4 and co-licensing deals. “It’s about collaboration, not competition,” she said.

She also revealed that Netflix, which now has around 130 employees in the UK, a marked increase over the last twelve months,...

To celebrate the DVD release of Destination Wedding which is available on DVD and Digital now, we have a copy of the DVD up for grabs, courtesy of Vertigo Releasing!

Fresh from their incredible successes in the John Wick films and Stranger Things respectively, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder, previously seen together onscreen in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, among others, team up for a razor-sharp romantic comedy that will delight fans of these iconic, much-loved stars. The directorial debut of Emmy-nominated writer Victor Levin, Destination Wedding sees Reeves and Ryder (in their fourth screen pairing) meeting on the way to a wedding and discovering they have plenty to talk about – mainly their hatred of weddings and each other. Squabbling and bickering ensue before they even reach the wedding when things take an unexpected turn.

This is a wickedly quotable screwball comedy – imagine Before Sunrise directed by Woody Allen – with lashings of dry wit,...

In today’s film news roundup, the 2020 awards season schedule gets finalized; Afm will cover immersive content; “Murderous Trance” and “7 Days to Vegas” get acquired; and Kate Katzman has been added to “The Comeback Trail.”

Awards Date

The Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists Guild has set Jan. 11 as the date for its seventh annual awards show, four weeks and a day ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards.

The 2020 awards season will have more shows in a tighter time period than usual since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is moving its show forward two weeks.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Julie Socash, president of the guild, which operates as Local 706 of the International Alliance of the Theatrical Stage Employees. The guild also said nominations voting would take place between Oct. 28 and Nov. 8 with nominations announced on Nov. 11. Nominations for Lifetime Achievement Awards nominees will be announced July 9 with voting to open between Aug.

When it comes to the vampire subgenre of horror, it's safe to say that by now, we've seen every take under the sun. From the Bela Lugosi portrayal in Dracula, all the way to the sparkly, angst-filled Twilight vamps, it's been done and with varying results. It's hard to make a good vampire film and when it Is done right, we're given films like Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys. A bloodsucker-filled entry that to this day is considered one of the best vampire films of all time, The Lost Boys gave its viewers an experience that simply can't be rivaled.

While we've since received a handful of great vampire films, such as Larry Fessenden's Habit or David Slade's 30 Days of Night, very few films have captured that punk rock, Idgaf attitude that Schumacher's film confidently displayed... very few films, until now. Daily Dead readers, I am...

Exclusive:

Cary Elwes has joined the cast of Black Christmas, the Blumhouse Productions remake of the 1974 slasher cult classic for Universal Pictures. Elwes will play a main part in the film but details of the role were not disclosed.

Elwes joins a cast led by Imogen Poots and featuring Aleyse Shannon, Brittany O’Grady, Lily Donoghue, and Caleb Eberhardt. Sophia Takal is set to direct working off a script she wrote with April Wolfe. Filming begins soon in New Zealand. Black Christmas will be released Dec 13, a week shy of the 45th anniversary of the original film’s U.S. release.

Elwes, who may be best known for The Princess Bride, is featured in the upcoming third season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Elwes has become a specialist in the horror sector, too, after roles in Saw, Saw 3D: The Final Chapter, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Bride, and...

The BBC expects to co-produce “much less” with global Svod services such as Netflix and Amazon in the future and is increasingly looking to partner with international free-to-air broadcasters.

BBC Director General Tony Hall, speaking in the House of Lords Communications Committee, added that multi-million-dollar deals for top talent also poses a big challenge for the British public broadcaster.

During the session, he said that over the next few years, he expects Netflix and Amazon to increasingly commission their own projects out of the UK rather than co-produce high-end scripted titles with UK networks.

“Because this country has extraordinary creative talent, in drama and natural history, [Netflix and Amazon] have been doing co-productions with people like us. The big question is over the next three or four years, will they continue to do that or will they have so much muscle that they’ll say they don’t need the BBC, ITV, Channel 4,...

A host of guest stars have signed on for “Criminal,” the stripped-down Netflix procedural set in France, Spain, Germany and the U.K. The action takes place within the confines of a police interview suite. There are three 45-minute episodes set in each country.

Guest stars in the British installments include David Tennant (“Good Omens”), Hayley Atwell (“Agent Carter”), Youssef Kerkour (“Dracula”) and Clare-Hope Ashitey (“Doctor Foster”). George Kay (“Killing Eve”) and Jim Field Smith (“Endeavour”) are the showrunners.

The Idiotlamp-produced series was filmed at Netflix’s new production hub in Madrid. The series bows globally on Netflix in the fall.

In France, the roster of guest stars includes Nathalie Baye and Jérémie Renier, and in Germany Peter Kurth and Christian Berkel. The Spanish episodes will have Carmen Machi and Inma Cuesta guesting.

The episodes are all in the local language, with writing and directing talent from the individual territories...

While Scream Factory is bringing enough horror movies to Blu-ray this summer to keep you entertained after countless barbecues and bonfires, they also have a bunch of titles to look forward to this September, as they've now announced three more Hammer horror films coming to Blu-ray (including the Christopher Lee-starring Scars of Dracula), as well as 1972's Fright!

From Scream Factory: "If you’re a fan of Hammer Films (like we are) then save up for this Sept when we release three films from them on Blu-ray for the first time in North America! (**Correction: We originally included Fright as in the Hammer library. Our "Oops!" on that. Sorry! Its still releasing though.)

Scars Of Dracula (1970) - The legendary Christopher Lee is back as Dracula, bringing unspeakable horrors upon a local village that defies his evil reign. But when a young man and his luscious girlfriend unwittingly visit the Count's castle,...

Could David Arnold return as composer to the James Bond series?

It was the obvious question to pose while he was talking about Amazon’s new “Good Omens” miniseries, for which he has composed the elaborate score.

“It’s a no-news situation,” Arnold told Variety about 007. “I’ve heard nothing. But my pencil is always sharpened for him if James comes around again. But if he doesn’t, I’ll be as excited to watch the new film as anyone else. I still love him, and I love all of the team over there.”

Arnold composed the scores for five consecutive Bond films: three with Pierce Brosnan and two starring Daniel Craig.

With singer Chris Cornell, he co-wrote “You Know My Name,” the theme song for “Casino Royale,” and earned a Grammy nomination for it; he also received a BAFTA nomination for that score.

Arnold has scored more 007 films than any composer since John Barry,...

No movie star is quite like Keanu Reeves. An A-lister who has a trio of franchises to his name, all of which have become or are in the process of becoming trilogies, he walks between worlds with ease. An action hero, but also a part of a beloved comedy franchise, Reeves doesn’t fit into any one particular box. With the release this weekend of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, now seemed like a perfect time to look at the actor. Reeves is a big star in Hollywood, though one who doesn’t do things quite like anyone else. He very much follows the beat of his own drummer. It’s certainly worked for him, as this spotlight today will highlight. Reeves got his start on television, though he quickly made the jump to film with Youngblood. Soon after came River’s Edge, along with his first high profile movie in Dangerous Liaisons.

Dogs have long been referred to as "man's best friend," but they can be loyal to the undead as well, as evidenced in 1977's Dracula's Dog, aka Zoltan... Hound of Dracula, coming to Blu-ray this fall with a new 4K master from the team at Kino Lorber, who are also releasing 1966's Billy the Kid vs. Dracula on Blu-ray this August.

Kino Lorber announced the Dracula's Dog Blu-ray release on Facebook, and the Billy the Kid vs. Dracula Blu-ray news comes from Dawn of the Discs and Blu-ray.com.

An exact release date for the Dracula's Dog Blu-ray has yet to be announced, but it is expected to arrive in October, while Billy the Kid vs. Dracula is slated for an August 20th release.

Directed by Albert Band from a screenplay by Frank Ray Perilli, Dracula's Dog stars José Ferrer, Michael Pataki, and Reggie Nalder.

Dracula's Dog Synopsis (via Blu-ray.

Tricia Helfer is sinking her teeth into a bloodsucking new role: The Battlestar Galactica and Lucifer vet will play Dracula in Season 4 of Syfy’s Van Helsing, our sister site Deadline reports. (Netflix and the BBC have their own Dracula project, with The Bridge‘s Claes Bang as the iconic character.)

Helfer “will be a fierce and unstoppable Dark One… as the battle between good and evil reaches new heights,” executive producer Chad Oakes tells the site.

The series has also tapped Richard Harmon (The 100), Nicole Munoz (Defiance), Keeya King (The Handmaid’s Tale) and pro wrestler Big Show for undisclosed roles.

Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday.

This week’s question: “John Wick” actor Keanu Reeves has been a movie star for almost 30 years, and low-key perhaps one of the defining Hollywood screen presences of that time period.

What is his best performance, and how does it speak to his unique persona?

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula”

Lindsey Romain (@lindseyromain), Nerdist

I’m cheating a little, because it may not be his best, but it’s certainly my favorite. I was mostly unaware of Keanu Reeves’ before his turn in “Bram Stroker’s Dracula,” which remains in consistent rotation in my own personal cinematic library. I love him in the film, as daffy and poorly accented as he is. I find him beautiful, fascinating, and wholly his own in the role of Jonathan Harker.

“Constantine”

Clint Worthington (@clintworthing), Consequence of Sound,...

The 91st Annual Academy Awards were finally held on Sunday night, February 24, after months of anticipation. Heck, we were already considering this year’s Oscars when “Black Panther” was released more than a year ago. So who won, who lost, what were the biggest surprises, and what did it all mean in the context of the entire awards season? Follow along below for our live, minute-by-minute report and analysis of all the winners as they’re announced.

SEE2019 Oscars: Full list of winners (and losers) at the 91st Academy Awards [Updating Live]

This Oscar season was nothing if not turbulent, both in terms of the top contenders and the show itself. Should there be an award for Best Popular Film? Should they move some category announcements to the commercial breaks? Should anyone host the show after the controversy surrounding Kevin Hart? Who should present what categories? And how many of the nominated songs should be performed?...

By Adrian Smith

The first question you are probably asking is “Do we need another book about Hammer films?” Speaking as someone whose Hammer shelf is already groaning with the weight of so many volumes on the company, the answer, as far as Hammer Complete is concerned, is “Absolutely.” This book, coming in at nearly 1000 pages, is a lifetime achievement for journalist Howard Maxford, and one that deserves immense praise. Unlike other books which might focus specifically on the horror films, or the posters, or the ups and downs of the company itself, here Maxford has attempted to provide a complete encyclopedia of everything and everyone connected to Hammer. From Temple Abady (who appeared in Never Look Back in 1952) and The Abominable Snowman (1957) to Murial Zillah and Marc Zuber, no Hammer stone has been left unturned or contributor ignored.

Unlike many books of this type which are little more than...

For February 19th’s home media releases, one of the biggest reasons for genre fans to get excited is that Bad Robot’s Overlord is finally making its way to various formats, so for those of you who may have missed it in theaters, this week is your chance to right that wrong (this writer loved it!). As far as cult titles go, Scream Factory has resurrected The Return of the Vampire in HD, Severin Films is showing Skinner some much-deserved love, and Arrow Videos has Herschell Gordon Lewis’ Color Me Blood Red on tap.

Universal is re-releasing a ton of titles on Tuesday, including Cry-Baby, Dracula (1979), Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Silent Hill: Revelation,and The Watcher, and Nightmare Vacation is getting a special release this week as well.

Color Me Blood Red

URFor the third and final instalment in his infamous 'Blood Trilogy', Color Me Blood Red, splatter...

Eleanor Matsuura has just joined the cast of The Walking Dead, but she wouldn’t remind reprising her role on another one of the biggest TV shows in the world at some point in the future.

The English actress plays Yumiko on the AMC zombie series, one of a group of characters introduced in season 9×06, but back in 2017, she played a role on BBC’s Sherlock. If you’ll recall, she starred in season 4 opener “The Six Thatchers” as D.I. Stella Hopkins, a detective who consults with Sherlock on a few cases in the episode. When asked by Digital Spy if she’d like to return to the series if the show were ever to make a fifth season, Matsuura made it clear that she would.

I totally would! I love that show. I’ve always been a huge fan of the show. I think it’s phenomenal. The actors,...

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Mike Mignola's iconic comic book character Hellboy, and in addition to the upcoming release of a new Hellboy film, Dark Horse will help celebrate the year-long anniversary celebration with the July 3rd release of Hellboy: 25 Years of Covers, a new hardcover collection featuring more than 150 covers.

Press Release: Milwaukie, Ore.,—To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the publication of Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, Dark Horse Comics is publishing Hellboy: 25 Years of Covers. In Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, creator Mike Mignola first introduced comic book readers to the Right Hand of Doom, the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, and one of the most iconic comic book characters—and universes—of all time. And on July 3, 2019, Dark Horse will pay tribute to the characters’ legacy and 25 years of spellbinding covers with Hellboy: 25 Years of Covers, a deluxe, oversized hardcover collection that includes more...

“Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… It’s alive, it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, It’S Alive!”

The ‘Grave Tales’ Horror film series continues at Webster University Thursday January 31st with a screening of the groundbreaking horror classic Frankenstein (1931) starring Boris Karloff. The screening will be at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). The movie starts at 7:30. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here. Look for more coverage of the ‘Grave Tales’ Horror film series here at We Are Movie Geeks in the coming weeks.

Dr. Henry Frankenstein, played by Colin Clive, and his assistant Fritz, portrayed by Dwight Frye, stalk the graveyards at night. They dig up the fresh corpses of the recently deceased in order to fulfill a mad scientist’s dream. They seek to give life to a dead,...

Robert Townson, the veteran producer who helped build Varèse Sarabande into L.A.’s leading soundtrack label, is leaving after more than 30 years to launch a new venture producing live concerts of film music.

Concord Music, which purchased Varèse last year from Cutting Edge Group, has eliminated Townson’s vice-president position effective Jan. 31. “I have spent the past thirty-plus years helping build this incredible music company, and I am very proud of the legacy I leave behind,” Townson said in a statement to Variety.

“My career has included over 1,400 of the label’s frontline soundtracks and historic film-music restorations, new recordings and countless international live film music events. Robert Townson Concerts, previously Varèse Live, will not be affected by this and will continue its bright future course,” he added.

The announcement comes on the heels of the label’s 40th anniversary last year, which was marked with a best-of CD...

Take a look at new comic books for February 2019, including "Black Widow", "Bettie Page" and "Penny Dreadful:

"Marvel Tales Black Widow" #1,  from George Kapitan, Stan Lee, Harry Sahle and Jen Bartel:

"...relive exciting espionage adventures alongside the 'Black Widow' and celebrate Marvel's 80th anniversary with the return of 'Marvel Tales'! Featuring the debut of the 'Golden Age Black Widow' from 'Mystic Comics' (1940) #4...

"...the first appearance of the incomparable 'Natasha Romanoff' as a femme fatale targeting 'Iron Man' in 'Tales Of Suspense' (1959) #52 and the dazzling introduction of Natasha's iconic modern look in 'Amazing Spider-man' (1963) #86! 

"Criminals everywhere will also feel the Widow's bite when she goes solo in 'Amazing Adventures' (1970) #1...

"...and Natasha undertakes a superspy mission in 'Marvel Fanfare' (1982) #10..."

Dynamite Entertainment's Bettie Page" #2, from David Avallone and Julius Ohta:

"...aliens kidnap the Royals, while UFOs buzz London. What's a girl to do? Long Live 'Queen Bettie',...

The Plague of the Zombies

Blu ray

Shout Factory

1966 / 1.66:1 / 91 Min. / Street Date – January 15, 2019

Starring André Morell, John Carson, Jacqueline Pearce

Cinematography by Arthur Grant

Directed by John Gilling

Propping up one of Hammer Studios’ more visceral double-bills, John Gilling’s The Plague of the Zombies was released alongside Terence Fisher’s Dracula, Prince of Darkness in January of 1966. Fisher’s film was a briskly bloody chapter in the vampire’s long career but Gilling’s melancholy thriller packed a considerably gloomier punch.

The London-born Gilling was a writer/director with a taste for provincial settings, class conflict and horror – social commentary with a gothic twist. That formula was put to the test in his distinctly odd bit of sci-fi agitprop, 1957’s The Gamma People, a cold-war fable about a sinister doctor and an army of mind-controlled juvenile delinquents.

In 1960 Gilling turned that story on its head with The Flesh and the Fiends,...

Dating all the way back to his breakout role in the British cult film “Withnail & I,” Richard E. Grant has appeared in classics like “The Player,” “The Age of Innocence,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “Gosford Park,” not to mention parts in “Game of Thrones” and “Girls.”

But his Oscar nomination Tuesday morning for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” is his first Academy nod despite his long career.

“I’m over 62 years old, I’ve never been nominated for anything in my life. So far for this thing I’ve had 21 awards, so getting this nomination, it’s the cherry on top of the whole thing,” Grant told TheWrap. “Usually actors — by the time they get to my age — the parts have diminished, so whatever recognition you have is amazing.”

Also Read: Oscar Nominations Analysis: 'Roma,' 'BlacKkKlansman,' 'The Favourite' Gain Ground

There’s...

“Rats. Rats. Rats! Thousands! Millions of them! All red blood! All these will I give you if you will obey me!”

Horror Film Historian David J. Skal will introduce a screening of Dracula (1931) at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood) January 24th as part of the ‘Grave Tales’ Horror film series. Skal is an American cultural historian, critic, writer, and on-camera commentator known for his research and analysis of horror films and horror literature. After Dracula, Skal will screen his documentary The Road To Dracula. The program starts at 7:00. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here. Look for more coverage of the ‘Grave Tales’ Horror film series here at We Are Movie Geeks in the coming weeks.

First up is the original Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. Ladies fainted in their seats when Bela Lugosi rose from his coffin as a vampire in the 1927 Broadway stage...

This Oscar season Best Makeup and Hairstyling was all about dramatic transformations, making Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”), Christian Bale (“Vice”), and Tilda Swinton (“Suspiria”) unrecognizable as Freddie Mercury, Dick Cheney, and an 85-year-old male psychotherapist and horrifying witch.

Likewise, Eva Melander was made unrecognizable as a troll in the fantastical “Border,” Sweden’s Best Foreign Language entry. And the sprawling cast of Marvel’s “Black Panther” undergo dramatic transformations to become the citizens of Wakanda.

Transforming Malek into Mercury for “Bohemian Rhapsody” required reverse aging on the part of makeup and hair designer Jan Sewell. That’s because the climactic Live Aid concert was shot first. The task required an assortment of wigs, eye makeup, and artificial nose to compensate for Malek’s smaller eyes.

But the biggest challenge was re-creating Mercury’s legendary teeth because of his overbite. Sewell had three sets made to find the right fit for Malek.

Netflix has confirmed that 27 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in January, including the red-hot Oscar contender “Incredibles 2.” Among the returning shows are season 3 of “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” season 5 of “Grace and Frankie” and the final episodes of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Available January 1

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3 (Netflix original)

Across the Universe

Babel

Black Hawk Down

City of God

Comedians of the World (Netflix original)

Definitely, Maybe

Godzilla

Happy Feet

Hell or High Water

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Friends from College

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

It Takes Two

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Jersey Boys

Mona Lisa Smile

Mr. Bean’s Holiday

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pinky Malinky...

Thanks to a recent touring musical roadshow of "Monster High" and Mattel developing their own films in-house, there is renewed interest for Universal Pictures co-production of a live-action "Monster High" movie musical, with award-winning producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago') co-directing:

The "Monster High" Fashion Line doll series, was created by writer Garrett Sander and illustrator Kellee Riley.

Zadan and Meron said that the new film would be "...'Beetlejuice' meets 'Grease' meets 'The Addams Family' meets 'Edward Scissorhands'..."

"Monster High", the first original toy franchise for Mattel since "Hot Wheels" in 1968, are fashion dolls, with clothing accessories, packaged as the children of famous monsters the likes of 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein', with names like 'Draculaura',  'Frankie Stein', 'Clawdeen Wolf', 'Cleo de Nile and 'Lagoona Blue'. 

The toy brand, introduced July 2010, includes a wide range of merchandise and entertainment. Products...

How to shake up a mid-sixties slump at Hammer Films? It’s back to basics time, with Christopher Lee returning in a most unusual way: there wasn’t much left of Dracula at the finish of his first outing as the number one supernatural public enemy. Terence Fisher is also back, enlivening the third film in the series with some surprisingly excessive gore. Barbara Shelley’s superb performance makes her Hammer’s most self-possessed heroine.

Dracula: Prince of Darkness

Blu-ray

Scream Factory

1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 85 min. / Street Date December 18, 2018 / 34.93

Starring: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Kier, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Charles Tingwell, Thorley Walters, Philip Latham, George Woodbridge.

Cinematography: Michael Reed

Film Editor: Chris Barnes

Original Music: James Bernard

Written by Jimmy Sangster

Produced by Anthony Nelson Keyes

Directed by Terence Fisher

Third in Hammer’s Dracula series but only the second to star Christopher Lee, Dracula: Prince of Darkness...

Review by Roger Carpenter

Throughout the course of history an occasional film has been singled out as being particularly controversial. As far back as the silent era you had films like The Birth of a Nation, which drew widespread protests for its content. Frankenstein was another early film which had to be cut before being shown at theaters. There are plenty of others as well. Think about The Last Temptation of Christ, Last Tango in Paris, A Clockwork Orange. Then there’s Salo, or 120 Days of Sodom, Cannibal Holocaust, and The Passion of the Christ. The list is endless. In early 1981, when Maniac was released to theaters, it too, was met with huge controversy. News reports ran nightly upon the release of the film in various cities. It was picketed, protested, cut, censored, and outright banned in parts of the world. Most critics roasted the film for its depiction of...

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Christian Bale as Dick Cheney (“Vice”) lead the shortlist contenders for this season’s Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar.

Joining them are Tilda Swinton’s wild transformation in “Suspiria,” the fantastical look of Swedish foreign-language entry “Border,” the authenticity of “Mary Queen of Scots,” and Laurel & Hardy’s recreation in “Stan & Ollie.” While “Black Panther” made the cut, notably, Best Picture contenders “A Star Is Born” and “The Favourite” were both shut out.

However, the race has come down to a battle of the biopics between Mercury and Cheney. Hair and makeup head Jan Sewell transformed Malek into the flamboyant Queen singer/songwriter, making use of a prosthetic nose, eye makeup, an assortment of wigs, and, most crucially, a set of prosthetic teeth to approximate his famous overbite.

Meanwhile, three-time Oscar-winning makeup designer Greg Cannom used every tool at his disposal to...

A new year means a new batch of titles coming to Netflix in January, and fans of horror, sci-fi, and suspense will have plenty of movies and TV series to look forward to, including Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, The Strangers, Godzilla: The Planet Eater, Z Nation Season 5, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

In the list below (via Collider), you can view the full list of genre-related titles coming to Netflix in January:

Arriving on January 1st

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3– Netflix Original

Godzilla

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Pan’s Labyrinth

The Addams Family

The Mummy

The Mummy Returns

The Strangers

Watchmen

Arriving on January 9th

Godzilla The Planet Eater – Netflix Original

Io – Netflix Film

Arriving on January 27th

Z Nation: Season 5

According to Glamour, the following horror and sci-fi titles are leaving Netflix in January:...

Richard E. Grant is so memorable in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” that it’s a shock to realize he’s only in a fraction of the film.

Fox Searchlight’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”centers on biographer Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) when she is broke and desperate, and begins forging celebrity letters. Israel has encounters with multiple characters, but it’s the love-hate relationship with friend and accomplice Jack Hock (Grant) that audiences remember, even though he only enters one-third into the film.

To begin research, Grant read Israel’s 2008 memoirs. “It was her voice, in all its scabrous wit, but she was very scant on detail about Jack Hock. It’s a real achievement that [scriptwriters] Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty were able to extrapolate those few hints or suggestions and create a full character.”

He also credits the “brilliant” costume designer Arjun Bhasin. “The film starts in...

The best of all Hammer horror pictures finally comes to Region A Blu-ray, with a bright transfer made to look like original Technicolor prints. This is where Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing came into their own as international stars, as the undead Count Dracula and the no-nonsense vampire killer Van Helsing. It’s the bridge between old-school gothic horrors and the modern age of sex and gore, and it’s as exciting as a breakneck action serial.

Horror of Dracula (Dracula)

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1958 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 82 min. / Street Date December 18, 2018 / available through the WBshop / 21.99

Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Carol Marsh, Olga Dickie, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt, Janina Faye.

Cinematography: Jack Asher

Film Editor: Bill Lenny

Production Designer: Bernard Robinson

:Makeup Artist: Philip Leakey

Original Music: James Bernard

Written by Jimmy Sangster

Produced by Michael Carreras, Anthony Hinds, Anthony Nelson Keys

Directed by...

Here’s where I admit something terrible: out of all the great horror films that have come out in the last several decades that have given birth to beloved genre icons, Candyman was the one I was the least familiar with. I think I had only ever watched it twice until the recently released Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory, and the first time, I was on a date, so admittedly, I probably didn’t spend a lot of time paying attention to what was happening on the screen (and the second time was about 15 years ago). But as I immersed myself in all things Candyman over the last week, it was akin to that thrill you feel when you discover a 20 dollar bill in an old coat pocket, where you experience the rush of unearthing a treasure that has been there all along, but you had never quite...

Exciting news for fans of Hammer Horror! Horror Of Dracula (1958) is available on Blu-ray December 18th from Warner Archives. Ordering information can be found Here

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, Britain’s premier masters of the macabre, bring the Horror of Dracula to vivid, full-color death in this retelling of Bram Stoker’s spellbinding vampire tale. Dracula (Lee), a centuries-old Transylvanian nobleman damned to an eternal half-life, regularly finds new victims. He also finds Dr. Van Helsing (Cushing), a scientist who becomes the Count’s implacable foe in a deadly game of bat-and-mouse.The dread is here – as are the power and pathos of this genre landmark by which Hammer Studios ushered in a new era of screen chills from classic evildoers. Tremble through that era again. Unleash the horror.

Fresh off The Curse of Frankenstein, Christopher Lee began his iconic run as the Prince of Darkness alongside fellow Hammer...

Despite 'Bingo!' being one of the most popular games of chance, the animated feature "Hotel Transylvania" (2012) seems to be the only film to cover all the action, but with a 'Transylvania Twist':

"'Hotel Transylvania', is a holiday retreat owned by 'Dracula,' designed for other monsters and ghouls to escape to on vacation. And like all good vacation resorts, there are great games to play during the day, including 'bingo'. 

"Here in 'Monsterland', everything is played 'the monster way'. The bingo balls themselves are actually tiny skulls which hiss their number to the bingo caller who reads it out. 

"In one scene, an excited bingo player cries bingo after her number is called out. 

"Unfortunately, the player beside her is a little old lady monster, who shows how competitive bingo players can get when the balls aren't going their way..."

There's still not much out there for "Bingo!

When you think of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee collaborations, thoughts of multiple Dracula movies may be the first things to cross your mind, but the legendary actors also appeared in many other horror movies together, including Horror Express, which will be released on a special edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video in February.

Due out in the Us on February 12th from Arrow Video, the new Blu-ray release of Horror Express will include a new 2K restoration, a new audio commentary with authors Stephen Jones and Kim Newman, an introduction by Chris Alexander, and more. Below, we have Arrow Video's full announcement (via Facebook) as well as a look at the new cover art by Graham Humphreys.

From Arrow Video: "New UK/Us/CA Title: Horror Express (Blu-ray)

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee reunite for this tale of mad monks, primitive humanoids and bloodthirsty zombies set aboard a train bound for Moscow.

The most influential movie has officially been named.

Researchers at the University of Turin in Italy have given the title to Wizard of Oz after studying more than 47,000 movies, according to Yahoo! The movie was crowned the winner after findings showed it had the most references made to it in other movies, and the most spin-offs.

According to the study, Oz beat Star Wars and Psycho, which came in second and third, as well as fourth and fifth place finishers King Kong and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

“We propose an alternative method to box office takings, which are affected by...

Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis, the creators of BBC's Sherlock, have been developing a new series based upon Bram Stoker's "Dracula" for some time and it seems that they've finally found their leading man. Claes Bang, best known for The Square and The Girl In The Spider's Web, is set to play Dracula in the series which is set to premiere on BBC…...

With Sherlock on indefinite hiatus, creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have moved onto a new project that’ll resurrect another classic Victorian literary character. Yes, as you may’ve heard, the writing duo are helming a new Dracula TV series for BBC and Netflix that will air in seasons of 3, 90 minute episodes, much like the aforementioned smash-hit detective drama. And with production set to gear up next year, the show has now found its Count.

Dracula will be played by Claes Bang, the Danish actor most recently seen on the big screen in The Girl in the Spider’s Web. Shortly after the news broke, the 51-year-old star released a statement on his casting in which he promised to try his best to live up to the complexity of the iconic character and measure up to the many famous portrayals of the bloodsucker we’ve previously seen.

Here’s...

We already knew that the folks behind the hit BBC series “Sherlock” were setting their sights on the classic tale of Dracula for a new series, but now we know who will embody that iconic vampire.

According to Deadline, Netflix and BBC have found their headliner for the upcoming “Dracula” series in actor Claes Bang. The series, as you might presume, tells the story of Count Dracula, inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel, who makes plans against Victorian London.

Continue reading ‘Sherlock’ Creators Hire ‘The Square’ Actor Claes Bang To Star In Netflix/BBC Series ‘Dracula’ at The Playlist.

Netflix and the BBC have found their Dracula: Danish actor Claes Bang (The Bridge) will star as the titular bloodsucker in the upcoming drama from Sherlock producers/writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, our sister site Variety reports.

In the series — airing on BBC One and streaming stateside on Netflix as three feature-length episodes — Dracula plots a journey from Transylvania to wreak havoc in London.

Bang was also recently cast in the fifth and final season of The Affair as Helen’s love interest.

Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…

* Donald Sutherland (Trust) will play father to Nicole Kidman in The Undoing,...

As you may or may not have heard, BBC and Netflix have teamed up with the producing team of Sherlock, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, to develop a three-part Dracula series.

Today we’ve learned that Danish actor Claes Bang (The Girl in the Spider’s Web) has been cast in the role of Count Dracula.

Moffat and Gatiss are writing the series, which will be inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel. The story for the series will be set in 1897 and it will revolve around the “blood-drinking count from Transylvania who sets his sights on Victorian London.” Moffat and Gatiss previously had this to say in a joint statement:

“There have always been stories about great evil. What’s special about Dracula is that Bram Stoker gave evil its own hero. There’s nothing like fresh blood.”

Bang had this to say in a statement regarding playing...

Ladies and gentlemen, boils and ghouls, may I introduce you to the new Dracula. Claes Bang, an Danish actor who recently appeared in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, has been cast as the undead count in the upcoming BBC Dracula series. The new Dracula comes from the Sherlock team of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Bang joins a long […]

The post BBC ‘Dracula’ Series Asks Actor Claes Bang to Wear the Cape and Fangs appeared first on /Film.

Danish actor Claes Bang will sink his teeth into the role of Dracula in the new miniseries being developed for the BBC and Netflix by the writers and producers of “Sherlock.”

The new show inspired by Bram Stoker’s fanged creation will consist of three feature-length episodes, in which the bloodthirsty count plots to travel from Transylvania to wreak havoc in London. Filming will begin next year on “Dracula,” which will air on BBC One in Britain and on Netflix in the rest of the world.

“I’m so excited that I get to dig in to this iconic and super-interesting character,” Bang said in a statement. “Yes, he’s evil, but there’s also so much more to him. He’s charismatic, intelligent, witty and sexy. I realize that there’s a lot to live up to with all the amazing people that have played him over the years.

After bringing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation to life on the small screen with Sherlock, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat (who also teamed up on Doctor Who) are looking to do the same with Bram Stoker's legendary literary character in a new Dracula miniseries, and the've just cast Claes Bang as the iconic lead character:

"Award-winning Danish actor Claes Bang will take on the role of Dracula in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ brand new mini-series inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Commissioned by BBC One, Dracula will be produced by Hartswood Films and is a co-production between BBC One and Netflix.

Three feature length episodes will re-introduce the world to Dracula, the vampire who made evil sexy. In Transylvania in 1897, the blood-drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London. And be warned: the dead travel fast.

Claes Bang says, “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Dracula,...

Netflix and the BBC have dug up their Dracula… staking a claim with Danish actor Claes Bang, star of The Girl in the Spider’s Web.

Bang will take on the lead role in the three-part series for the Svod service and British public broadcaster with filming set to start next year. The series, which consists of 90-minute episodes, is produced by Sherlock producer Hartswood Films.

Written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the series is inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel and will re-introduce the world to Dracula, the vampire who made evil sexy. In Transylvania in 1897, the blood drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London.

Bang has also starred in Ruben Ostlund’s feature The Square alongside Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West as well as Danish TV series including The Bridge and Borgen.

Dracula was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content and Piers Wenger,...