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Good morning film fiends! Read on for the latest round up –

The infamous 80’s nuclear aftermath docu-horror Threads is getting a brand new blu-ray and DVD release. Remastered from the original BBC 16mm prints, this re-release of Threads coupled with a host of brand new extras is available in the US via Severin Films , and is scheduled for release in the UK from Simply Media on April 9th. You can pre-order from Amazon’s UK site here. What once seemed like a fascinating time capsule of Cold War era fears now feels frighteningly relevant again, so have a stiff drink ready while watching.

The UK edition special features include:

Disc 1

UK 2k Remaster from BBC CRI prints

DVD Audio Commentary with Karen Meagher (UK Exclusive)

DVD Audio Commentary with Mick Jackson

Disc 2

PDF of Radio Times articles and letters (UK Exclusive)

Documentary: Shooting the Annihilation

Documentary: Auditioning for the Apocalypse

Documentary: Destruction Designer

Documentary: Stephen Thrower on Threads

An infinitely more fun experience is listening to two of the horror film related podcasts I’ve gotten into. Horror of the Remake and Invasion of the Remake are, as their titles suggest all about the film industry’s penchant for revisiting past glories (or not, as the case may be.)

Both podcasts take a compare and contrast approach to each pair of films, each going into some depth on the merits or otherwise of each.

My own pet bugbear regarding a remake concerns the adaptations of Richard Matheson’s classic inversion of vampire tropes I Am Legend. Three versions down and the world is still waiting for a halfway satisfying version of the source material.

I’m planning a full length blog on all the film related podcasts I’m following, but in the meantime check out these two shows and lend them your support by subscribing if you like what you hear. Both are available on iTunes and most other podcast subscription services.

And finally –  to any aspiring independent filmmakers, podcasters or film related writers out there out there reading this, let me know if you’d like me to publicize and/or review your projects, The Stricken Land is always happy to promote new talent and ideas! And as ever, please feel free to share this post and any others on here that you like, far and wide.

Watch the Skies,

Ian

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Over the last couple of days I’ve found myself tweeting with an Australian chap by the name of David Black, frontman for a theatrical horror rock band called Darkness Visible and all round horror film fan.

It turns out that David is deep in production of his own hosted horror show Horror House, which is a late night half an hour slot showcasing the best new Australian short horror films. Presented in the spirit of fondly remembered horror hosts like Criswell and 80’s goth babe Elvira, It will be hosted by David himself playing the role of hapless bloodsucker Count Funghoula along with co-host Tritia DeVisha playing the role of horror goth dominatrix Mistress Boobiyana.

Yes, it all sounds as kitsch and comedic as it looks,(check out the stills below), and frankly, great fun. It’s high time we had this sort of thing back on our screens to promote new talent and creativity in fields other than bubblegum pop and tiresome variety acts. As David himself say; “The preference is always going to be for bucket loads of gore, boobs and bad taste humour.” Amen to that!

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Currently, David and Tritia are busy hawking the show around the Australian networks, but are also hoping to interest one or more of the on demand services so we viewers outside the land of Oz will get a chance to see the fruits of their labours at some point. Watch this space.

In the meantime you can follow Horror House on Facebook @HorrorHouseShow  and David can also be found lurking on Twitter and Tumblr. He also has his own blog, Oz Indie Cinema, a link to which you can find in the sidebar under Blogroll.

On a related note, The Stricken Land is always and everywhere happy to promote film related projects be they indie productions, books, blogs, websites or podcasts, so if anyone reading this would like me to review and/or promote their project do let me know. I am contactable on any of the social media channels listed on the sidebar, or alternatively just leave me a comment on the site. Promotional freebies, cash bribes, free Lamborghinis or trips to the Playboy mansion are not obligatory, but will be greatly accepted.

Semper fi