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Australia’s Umbella Entertainment has announced the New Extremity Collection: Volume 1, a Blu-ray box set featuring four provocative French films: High Tension, Anatomy of Hell, Frontier(s), and Martyrs.

2003’s High Tension (also known as Haute Tension and Switchblade Romance) is directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes), who co-wrote with Grégory Levasseur. Cécile de France, Maïwenn, and Philippe Nahon star.

Best friends Marie and Alexia decide to spend a quiet weekend at Alexia’s parents’ secluded farmhouse, but their idyllic getaway turns into an endless night of horror.

Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur Audio Commentary by film hustorians Josh Nelson and Alex Heller-Nicholas (new) Haute Horror: Making of High Tension 2003 Documentary 2003 Interview with Cécile de France 2003 Interview with Maïwenn 2003 Interview with Phillippe Nahon Head Case: Final Girls, Fabulism and Amour Fou in Alexandre Aja’s High Tension with Anton Bitel (new) Stills Gallery...

Mike Flanagan knows how to get under our skin. The horror auteur gravitates toward themes that deal with generational trauma and cyclical grief, entwined with supernatural manifestations of such visceral emotions. His Netflix horror hits offer a variety of scares: series like "Midnight Mass" mix religion-tinted bouts of vampirism with acute human loss, while his rendition of "The Fall of the House of Usher" maps the disintegration of a generational legacy marked with greed, betrayal, and pain. Apart from helming effective horror films like "Hush" and "Oculus," Flanagan has also adapted seminal literary works, including Stephen King's "Doctor Sleep" and "Gerald's Game," which the director has invested with inimitable depth.

As someone so well-versed with the inner machinations of the genre, is Flanagan easily spooked? Maybe not anymore, but horror movies "scared [him] too much" as a child, until he came to appreciate the terrifying ability of the written word...

"Europe is a tough place. And only the strongest of you will make it there." Voltage Pictures has unveiled an official trailer for a Belgian horror thriller survival film called The Hunted, made by French filmmaker Louis Lagayette. This seems to be a promo trailer to attract buyers more than for audiences, since there's no release dates set. After their boat capsizes in the Mediterranean Sea, a group of refugees are rescued by rich Europeans who offer them shelter on an idyllic island. But the miracle soon becomes a nightmare when the saviours turn into ruthless manhunters. So this is a campy modern twist on "The Most Dangerous Game" story, involving refugees who get turned into the prey when they're taken to a private island. Scary! Starring Lily Banda, Alec Newman, Mylène Jampanoï, Raj Bajaj, Vassilis Koukalani, Aurora Marion, & Daphne Alexander. It's a bit of a manipulative concept, but the...

While there’s plenty to be said and appreciated about cozy, comforting horror that offers catharsis, the genre’s ultimate aim is to terrify, shock, and even repulse. Of course, there is no shortage of ways that filmmakers accomplish this, frequently through gore, violence, and potent scare tactics, but transgressive horror is in a league of its own.

More than just gore, transgressive horror films revel in the taboo. Transgressive horror shatters cultural norms and seeks to explore beyond the boundaries of taste and social sensibilities, challenging viewers with shocking and sacrilegious imagery and themes. And yet, it’s not solely for shock value; transgressive horror has more on its mind than simply gore and depictions of depravity. There’s a purpose behind the pain. This week’s streaming picks are for the seekers of extreme cinema, unafraid to test their limits.

Here’s where you can stream them this week.

In 2008, writer-director Pascal Laugier contributed to the realm of New French Extremity — a movement defined by such unrelenting bloodbaths as Claire Denis’s Trouble Every Day and Alexandre Aja’s High Tension — with Martyrs. While lesser films of its ilk received the dreaded “torture porn” label, Laugier’s shocking revenge picture gained cult admiration by padding its wrenching depictions of child abuse, hardcore gore, and ghastly (if not inventive) body horror with a provocative reflection on the meaning of suffering. Like many popular overseas horror selections, the film has received an American remake that may not resonate quite as much.

Directed by Kevin and Michael Goetz (Scenic Route), and based on a script by Mark L. Smith (who, as the co-writer of The Revenant, knows a thing or two about grueling violence), the new Martyrs begins much like its predecessor: with a little girl named Lucie (Ever Prishkulnik) escaping an...

It’s what most horror films are known for: the gore that splatters on the screen. But when done right, the flying viscera becomes more than just gallons of red stuff, it becomes a chilling reminder of the fragility of the human body and of the ingenuity of filmmakers in making our most twisted fears and fantasies into a stomach churning reality. Grab your barf bag!

*****

Antichrist (2009)- His and her pain

As far as horror sub-genres go, torture porn is up there with found footage as the most understandably reviled by audiences. With Antichrist, Lars Von Trier attempted to write a film that dealt with his personal demons. Confessing that he had been suffering from depression while writing the screenplay, Trier ended up bringing torture porn to its logical conclusion by taking the title of the sub-genre all too literally and creating a macabre near-masterpiece out of trashy genre origins.

In an odd turn of events, this list has a number of films that don’t have English-language titles. They just go by whatever the original title was. Good for us. What we do see in this portion of the list is a few movies that weren’t really created specifically to be horror films, but their themes and visuals made it so. In addition, we have some heavyweights of non-horror cinema creating horror films that push the genre all the more upward. “Thinking man horror,” if you will.

20. Le locataire (1976)

English Language Title: The Tenant

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski has made one of the greatest horror “trilogies” of all time with 1965′s British production Repulsion, 1968′s American production Rosemary’s Baby, and 1976′s French production The Tenant, completing his “Apartment Trilogy.” Unlike the other two, Polanski actually stars in The Tenant as Trelkovsky, a reserved man renting an apartment in Paris.

Another relationship in Bollywood has gone kaput and this time it is of model turned actor Milind Soman and ‘Rock On’ actress Shahana Goswami. After dating for six long years, finally Milind and Shahana called it a quit. The reason of their break-up is said to be marriage. The couple had a difference of opinion on marriage. While Shahana eager to settle down soon, Milind is showing no interest on settling down anytime soon. Milind who was in news for numerous affairs had a failed marriage with French actress Mylene Jampanoi. He married Mylene but in 2009, he got divorce unwilling to commit. Shahana Goswami, 26, entered Milind’s lif...

Mumbai, Nov 4: Model-tuned-actor Milind Soman turns 47 Sunday and his actress girlfriend Shahana Goswami calls him the loveliest person who inspires her.

"The loveliest of them all was born today. My sweetest, most adorable and someone who greatly excites and inspires me... Milind (Soman)," Shahana tweeted.

The 46-year-old, who had a relationship with co-model Madhu Sapre in the past, married Mylene Jampanoi, his French co-star in "Valley of Flowers" in 2006, but got divorced in 2009.

Shahana, 26, who was appreciated for her performance in.

Special Mention: The Fake Trailers from Grindhouse (2007, USA): The four fake trailers featured in the otherwise disappointing Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino double-feature: Machete by Robert Rodriguez, Werewolf Women of the SS by Rob Zombie, Thanksgiving by Eli Roth and Don’t by Edgar Wright-are all very entertaining trips down horror/exploitation film memory lane and are easily the best part of the film.

****

2) Other Notable Horror Films Of The 2000’s:

This list focuses on films that are partially successful and even touch on brilliance at times but ultimately don’t pull everything together to fully deliver on their promise.

Intacto (Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, 2001, Spain):

This film about a group of people blessed with supernatural good luck has a great premise, several great scenes-the revelation of the plane crash early in the film, the blindfolded race through the trees and the Russian roulette climax-plus the welcome presence of...

While we patiently wait for Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" to start rolling in front of cameras, the director has been keeping his skills sharpened on a couple of sideline gigs, helming some bracing spots for The Meth Project Foundation as well as a video for Metallica and Lou Reed's silly Lulu album. But this next one we didn't exactly see coming.

Aronofsky has gotten behind the camera for a Kohl's ad for Jennifer Lopez's brand of clothing and accessories. And it's pretty underwhelming. It's essentially like any other ad Lopez does, where she "sings" and dances in a variety of outfits, striking some poses. Frankly, if you didn't tell us Aronofsky did this, we couldn't have guessed. But then again, we don't look to Kohl's ads for high art.

Meanwhile, Ridley Scott's daughter Jordan Scott continues to follow in her father's footsteps. If you haven't seen her...

Sexy French actress Mylene Jampanoi has signed on as the new face - and body - of lingerie firm Agent Provocateur.

The 31-year-old star will pick up where beauties like Dita Von Teese, Kate Moss and Transformers: Dark of the Moon star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley left off as ambassadors for the racy firm.

The Martyrs star will model lacy bras, panties and garter belts from the company's 2012 spring/summer line in upcoming ads.

Horror is one of those genres that many have a love/hate relationship with. Often mistreated, Horror seems to attract the hackiest writers and film-makers and as such many Horror movies released today are exercises in the drab and formulaic. Far from producing truly great scares contemporary Horror often commits the worst sin in Cinema: predictability.

In general, audiences today are some of the smartest and most discerning in the medium’s history. Even a layman, with little academic or practical experience in film can produce a verbal reading that is often on the money. This is a tough crowd to unleash a movie on, especially from a genre that is so rife with established conventions and clichés.

And yet we cannot get enough. It’s the same reason that a traffic jam forms around a vicious road accident; as a species we are morbidly fascinated with death and destruction.

See an exclusive Gainsbourg clip with Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) and Serga (Eric Elmosnino) talking on the phone. Joann Sfar directs the drama and adapts the script based on the graphic novel of the same title. Also in the cast of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life are Anna Mouglalis, Mylene Jampanoi, Philippe Katerine and Juliette Greco. Pic is now in theaters and is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar.

See an exclusive Gainsbourg clip with Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) and Serga (Eric Elmosnino) talking on the phone. Joann Sfar directs the drama and adapts the script based on the graphic novel of the same title. Also in the cast of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life are Anna Mouglalis, Mylene Jampanoi, Philippe Katerine and Juliette Greco. Pic is now in theaters and is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar.

Music Box Films' Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life - a.k.a. Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) - stars Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. The music drama biopic opens opens August 31st and is helmed and written by renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar, based on her own graphic novel of the same title. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar.

Music Box Films' Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life - a.k.a. Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) - stars Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. The music drama biopic opens opens August 31st and is helmed and written by renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar, based on her own graphic novel of the same title. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar.

Movie poster for Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life directed by Joann Sfar Check out the first movie poster for Music Box Films' Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (a.k.a. Vie héroïque), starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. The drama helmed by Joann Sfar opens on August 31st. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and AMÉLIE, renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar...

Movie poster for Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life directed by Joann Sfar Check out the first movie poster for Music Box Films' Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (a.k.a. Vie héroïque), starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. The drama helmed by Joann Sfar opens on August 31st. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and AMÉLIE, renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar...

Movie poster for Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life directed by Joann Sfar Check out the first movie poster for Music Box Films' Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (a.k.a. Vie héroïque), starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. The drama helmed by Joann Sfar opens on August 31st. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and AMÉLIE, renowned comic book artist Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life is a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter, Serge Gainsbourg (Eric Elmosnino). Born Lucien Ginsburg to Russian-Jewish parents, Sfar follows him from his precocious childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, to his beginnings as small time jazz musician and finally pop superstar...

This is the review for Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque), starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï, Sara Forestier, Kacey Mottet Klein and Razvan Vasilescu, directed by Joann Sfar. Joann Sfar’s debut film documents the life of the one and only, ugly as sin, sexy as hell, Serge Gainsbourg. Sfar has set himself quite the challenge - with the title alone - to convince us of Gainsbourg’s ‘heroic’ attributes. The film captures Gainsbourg’s cheeky wit; indeed, the subtitle makes reference to his most famous song ‘Je t’aime…moi non plus’, which translates to ‘I love you…me neither’. The song was banned in many countries after its release in the 1960s, due to the sexually explicit lyrics contained within the song, and Jane Birkin’s apparent orgasm at the end.

The horror movie remake arena continues to grow as yet another foreign flick gets the green light to move forward.

The French horror movie Martyrs by Pascal Laugier's will get an American horror remake thumbs up via the the producers of Twilight. The director of 'The Last Exorcism', Daniel Stamm has been tapped for the film as well.

Martyrs tells the story of Lucie and Anna, two orphans who develop a strong bond with each other, until one of them seeks revenge on a family who may or may not have abused her as a child. Director Daniel Stamm had the following to say about the movie: "Martyrs is very nihilistic. The American approach [that I'm looking at] would go through all that darkness but then give a glimmer of hope. You don't have to shoot yourself when it's over."

Stamm has denied any rumor that says Twilight starlet Kristin Stewart will star in the remake.

One heck of a fantastic French film from 2008 was Pascal Laugier's 'Martyrs'. The brutal tale of abuse, torment and torture...it was visually exciting and bleakly raw. So, of course, logic dictates it must demand a remake!? Booooo. There was obviously going to be a bit of a blacklash when the announcement that an English-speaking remake was in the pipeline but will this latest news calm the haters a little? German director Daniel Stamm has just been signed up to the project. Stamm recently gained some note-worthy feats with the Eli Roth produced horror 'The Last Exorcism' and it will be very interesting also to see who he has in mind to take on the roles of Anna and Lucie, played brilliantly by both Morjana Alaoui (below) and Mylene Jampanoi in the original....

This is the first trailer for Hereafter, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jenifer Lewis, Jay Mohr, Cécile De France, Richard Kind, Derek Jacobi and Mylène Jampanoï. Hereafter tells the story of three people who are haunted by mortality in different ways. Matt Damon stars as George, a blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world, Marie (Cécile de France), a French journalist, has a near-death experience that shakes her reality. And when Marcus (Frankie/George McLaren), a London schoolboy, loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. Each on a path in search of the truth, their lives will intersect, forever changed by what they believe might—or must—exist in the hereafter.

Hereafter Us PosterSupernatural thriller Hereafter has a new poster, which shows leads Matt Damon (The Bourne Supremacy) and Cecile De France (Haute Tension aka High Tension) forefront. This is director Clint Eastwood's latest production and filming partially took place in London, England. Hereafter bridges the spiritual realm to film through the use of nres (near death experiences). The first poster for the film seems to echo this theme, as a blue background highlights an angelic figure hoisted in the sky. Damon as reluctant psychic George stares on with character Marie LeLay (De France), in what is sure to be an uplifting film. Hereafter releases October 22nd, 2010 in theatres.

The synopsis for Hereafter here:

"Hereafter tells the story of three people who are haunted by mortality in different ways. Matt Damon stars as George, a blue–collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world,...

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Clint Eastwood’s supernatural drama, Hereafter.

The film was written by Peter Morgan (The Queen) and stars Matt Damon, Cecile De France, Frankie McLaren, George McLaren, Jay Mohr and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Hereafter, Mylène Jampanoï

Hereafter tells the story of three people who are haunted by mortality in different ways. Matt Damon stars as George, a blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world, Marie (Cécile de France), a French journalist, has a near–death experience that shakes her reality. And when Marcus (Frankie/George McLaren), a London schoolboy, loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. Each on a path in search of the truth, their lives will intersect, forever changed by what they believe might—or must—exist in the hereafter.

Hereafter opens October 22nd, 2011

Check out the trailer...

This is a clip from Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque), directed by Joann Sfar and starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most beloved graphic artists of our time and the team behind the magical creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth.

This is a clip from Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque), directed by Joann Sfar and starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most beloved graphic artists of our time and the team behind the magical creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth.

This is the trailer for Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque), directed by Joann Sfar and starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most beloved graphic artists of our time and the team behind the magical creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth.

Optimum Releasing have just sent us another brand new International poster for Gainsbourg which is directed by Joann Sfar and stars Eric Elmosnino, Eric Elmosnino, Anna Mouglalis, Laetitia Casta, Lucy Gordon and Mylene Jampanoi.

It’s set for release 30th July and is based on the true life story of Serge Gainsbourg. Optimum have also sent us a brand new clip from the movie which you can see below.

Synopsis: From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at his early life, growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, and through his successful song-writing years in the 1960s until his death in 1991. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most...

With A bout de Souffle making the rounds again this month with a restored print you owe it to yourselves to check it out, and consider it a precursor to the new film of Serge Gainsbourg’s life.

Unambiguously titled Gainsbourg, this film of the tumultuous life of the singer, actor and director is directed by Joann Sfar the film stars Eric Elmosnino, Anna Mouglalis, Laetitia Casta, Lucy Gordon and Mylene Jampanoi, and there’s trailer, alternative poster and set of stills here to fully immerse you in the ultra cool atmos.

Gainsbourg is getting a release here in the UK on the 30th of July, here’s the poster you’ll be seeing before then. It’s clickable. Don’t be shy.

The lords and ladies at Empire had their hands on this first.

While its football team somehow managed to make even more of a spectacle of itself than ours did in South Africa, France can at least take cinematic comfort in a different kind of enfant terrible later this month. Here in all his insouciant glory is Serge Gainsbourg, captured on the new quad for Gainsbourg, Joann Sfar's film of his tumultuous life. The biopic charts Gainsbourg’s (Eric Elmosnino) life from childhood in a Jewish family coping with the Nazi occupation of Paris to his rise to pop star and all-round poster boy for Gallic cool, to his death in 1991. When he wasn't dating astonishing-looking women, he was known for his musical shapeshifting, morphing effortlessly from jazz to pop to reggae and eventually electronica. And for smoking loads and loads of fags.Character-wise, Gainsbourg is a Who's Who of icons, including exes Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta), Jane Barkin (Lucy Gordon) and the singer's last partner,...

Optimum Releassing have just sent us this new Internatonal trailer for Gainsbourg which is directed by Joann Sfar and stars Eric Elmosnino, Eric Elmosnino, Anna Mouglalis, Laetitia Casta, Lucy Gordon and Mylene Jampanoi.

It’s set for release 30th July and is based on the true life story of Serge Gainsbourg and from the trailer and these images, the movie looks beautifully shot.

Synopsis: From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at his early life, growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, and through his successful song-writing years in the 1960s until his death in 1991. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most beloved graphic artists of our time...

This is the trailer for Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque), directed by Joann Sfar and starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones, Anna Mouglalis, Mylène Jampanoï and Sara Forestier. From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at his early life, growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, and through his successful song-writing years in the 1960s until his death in 1991. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is one of 2010’s highly awaited films brought to us by one of the most beloved graphic artists of our time and the team behind the magical creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth.

Twilight producer Wyck Godfrey has said that he wants Kristen Stewart to star in his remake of French-Canadian thriller Martyrs. Godfrey revealed in an interview with FEARnet that Stewart is his top choice for the project. "I would love for Kristen to do it," he said. "We're doing it for an American audience with an American cast, the script we've written for it is awesome." Martyrs centres on a young woman who sets out to take revenge on the people who kidnapped and abused her as a child. Mylène Jampanoï and Morjana Alaoui starred in the original for writer-director Pascal Laugier. Godfrey (more)...

One more cast member has been added to Clint Eastwood's supernatural thriller Hereafter, and it's not someone you hear connected to our genre very often. Jay Mohr has signed on to play Matt Damon's brother, Billy.

Variety describes Hereafter as "the story of people touched by death in different ways," and as previously reported, those people include a blue-collar American, a French journalist, and a London school boy.

Along with Damon, Mohr joins Bryce Dallas Howard, Cécile De France, Mylène Jampanoï, Marthe Keller, Thierry Neuvic, Charlie Holliday, Frankie McLaren, and George McLaren. Peter Morgan wrote the script, and filming is taking place in Paris, London, Hawaii, and San Francisco.

Hereafter is slated for a theatrical release in December of 2010.

- Uncle Creepy

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Bryce Dallas Howard is no stranger to supernatural thrillers, having starred in M. Night Shyamalan's The Village and Lady in the Water. This time around it looks like she's joining Matt Damon and High Tension star Cecile de France in Clint Eastwood's next project, Hereafter. Written by Peter Morgan (The Last King of Scotland, The Queen), the film "tells the story of three people -- a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy — who are touched by death in different ways." Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Peter Morgan are among the executive producers. The film will apparently take place across Hawaii, San Francisco, London, and Paris. Thierry Neuvic (Tell No One) and Mylène Jampanoï will join the cast for the French portions. This looks like a decent change of pace for Eastwood, assuming it actually deals with the supernatural. Further plot details (see below) have made...

Clint Eastwood works fast. He had two films out last year, Changeling and Gran Torino. He's got Invictus opening next month, but is already shooting his next picture, called Hereafter. That one, written by Peter Morgan, is one we haven't reported on too much yet, but features Matt Damon in a story of "of three people who are touched by death in different ways." We'd heard but hadn't reported that Cecile de France, the violent lead from High Tension, would be part of the film as well. Now that's confirmed by the trades, so I'm using the report as an excuse to bring us all up to date on the film. Variety has the casting report. The Playlist had actually pegged that last month, along with the casting of Thierry Neuvic (Tell No One) and Mylène Jampanoï for the French part of the production. The story has three components, two...

It has taken me seven weeks to collect my thoughts about the only film, among thousands, to ever burrow its way beneath my pale-though-gen y-jaded skin. Even the most extreme of the French Extremist Wave seems to have a wink and nod somewhere within texts and yarns and yards of innards—and umbilical cords, Yet it is difficult to identify a definitive Starting Point—was it the jaw dropping violence of Haute Tension (2003)? The horrific Jaws-esque unseen-force-of-terror of Ills (2006), if you count Ht as fraud? Perhaps we’ve all been duped and they’ve been doing it since 1960’s wildly unnerving Eyes Without A Face—incidentally the same year of Psycho—iconic for its shocks and the rule-making and breaking of virtually all American horror species to follow—yet I’d throw it out there that Eyes…, with its own quiet graces and familial transgressions, keeps me awake, haunted by subtle beauty,...

The votes have been compiled and counted, and the readers have spoken: It’s time to announce the winners in our poll of the best horror films and filmmakers of 2008, as well as how the runners-up placed. Elaborating on our report in Fangoria #285 (on sale now), here’s a complete rundown of how the nominees ranked, in descending order, with write-ins also acknowledged (and don’t worry, fans, we’ll get to Martyrs and Deadgirl next year!):

Best Wide-release Film

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (pictured)

Cloverfield

The Strangers

The Ruins

Quarantine

Write-ins: Funny Games; Doomsday; Mirrors

Best Limited-release/Direct-to-video Film

Let The Right One In

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

Rogue

Stuck

The Living And The Dead

Write-ins: Inside; Machine Girl; Mother Of Tears

Best Actor

Ron Perlman, Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Kare Hedebrant, Let The Right One In

Marc Senter, The Lost

Trevor Matthews, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

Leo Bill,...

• Following in the premieres of Persepolis (2007) and Waltz with Bashir (2008), I'd be in disbelief if Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist (2009) doesn't follow the pattern and would be even more surprised if Cannes 2010 edition doesn't roll out the red carpet for Serge Gainsbourg, vie héroïque. The bio-flavored pic with surrealist elements has not been announced as an animated film, but I'm guessing there will be certain passages that will be animated by comic book writer and first time director of the picture Joann Sfar. The director/writer who like Gainsbourg comes from a Jewish heritage, cited that Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and Ernst Lubitsch's 1943 comedy Heaven Can Wait were key influences for his approach with this film. Casting having been completed late in 08' (Lucy Gordon was cast as Jane Birkin, but there seems to be no mention of both singer's lovechild in Charlotte Gainsbourg

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In the spirit of the recent Academy Awards, Brian Solomon from The Vault of Horror blog put together The 2008 Cyber Horror Awards ballot, which was sent out to the usual group of horror bloggers as detailed here.

Out of all of the nominated films, the only one I haven't seen is Martyrs (and some of Repo! - more on that in a bit). From what I've heard, I may have voted very differently had I been able to see this film. With this in mind, I suggested that the French film Inside (with it's 2008 DVD release in the U.S.) should be on this year's ballot and Martyrs (with it's U.S. DVD release coming up in a few weeks) should be on next year's ballot, but I was overruled.

With that, here are my selections, the nominees and the winners from the 2008 Cyber Horror Awards Ballot.

Ray Harryhausen Award...

DVD art has finally been revealed for the U.S. release of Pascal Laugier's "Martyrs" from Genius Products on April 28. Meanwhile, Laugier is at work on a new project called "Dogs." First the DVD art, which can be seen below. The film stars Morjana Alaoui and Mylene Jampanoi. Diretor Pascal Laugier also helmed "House of Voices." Click here for a ton of stills. Laugier, meanwhile, is set to helm "Dogs," a film about a war veteran trapped in a desert shack surrounded by starving, hungry dogs.

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Dec. 18, 2008...

• Billy Ray is set to direct the big-screen adaptation of Fritz Leiber Jr.'s horror fantasy novel "Conjure Wife," about a college professor who finds out his good fortune is the result of his wife's magical powers. This marks the fourth time the book has been adapted to the screen. (THR)

• Lucy Gordon is the latest to board Joann Sfar's French movie about the life and fame of poet, songwriter and singer Serge Gainsbourg. Also starring are Eric Elmosnino, Laetitia Casta and Mylene Jampanoi. Gordon's credits include "Spider-Man 3" and "Serendipity. (THR)

• Maggie Q has officialy boarded "King of Fighters," a live-action adaptation of the Japanese video game. Directed by Gordon Chan and starring Sean Faris, Ray Park and Will Yun Lee, the film follows a young man who competes in a fighting tournament. Q will next be seen in "New York,...

London -- British actress Lucy Gordon has joined the cast of the Universal Pictures International Studios-backed French-language movie about iconoclast Serge Gainsbourg's rise to fame.

Gordon, who most recently appeared in "Spider-Man 3," will play Jane Birkin in the project, which has a tentative title "Vie Heroique" (Heroic Life).

The project marks Universal Pictures International Studios' first French-language project and is scheduled to shoot in France and England beginning in January. French co-production and finance label Studio 37 partners on the movie, which marks the directorial debut of French graphic artist Joann Sfar.

The film also stars Eric Elmosnino as Gainsbourg, Laetitia Casta as Brigitte Bardot and Mylene Jampanoi as Bambou.

It traces Gainsbourg's life from a young boy in 1940s occupied Paris and his subsequent transformation into a world-renowned poet, songwriter and singer.

Sfar's movie is produced by Marc du Pontavice and Didier Lupfer of One World Films from Sfar's own script.

Universal is gearing up to begin production on Serge Gainsbourg, a film based on the life of iconic singer-songwriter who died in 1991. It will be the studio’s first French-language project. Eric Elmosnino has signed on to play Gainsbourg, who was as famous for his glamorous lovers, including Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, as he was for penning such hits as “Je t’aime ... moi non plus.” French model Laetitia Casta will play Bardot, with Mylene Jampanoi set to play Gainsbourg’s last paramour, Bambou, and Anna Mouglalis tapped to play French singer Juliette Greco, who collaborated with Gainsbourg for many years. The film will trace Gainsbourg from his youth growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, when he was called Lucien Ginsberg, through to his transformation into the hard-living showman. Graphic novelist Joann Sfar wrote the screenplay and will also make his directorial debut with the project. Filming begins in January in Paris.

Universal’s will develop its first local-language French film called “Serge Gainsbourg (vie heroique)” which will be based on the life of Gaul’s iconic singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. This marks the directorial debut of graphic novelist Joann Sfar. Eric Elmosnino ("Illusions, "Atrices," "Gentille") will star as Gainsbourg, a man known for his glamorous lovers which included Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. Laetitia Casta, the French model will apparently play Bardot. Mylene Jampanoi ("Martyrs," "Choisir d'aimer") is set to play Gainsbourg’s Bambou and Anna Mouglalis ("Mare nero")will play French singer Juliette Greco.

Universal’s will develop its first local-language French film called “Serge Gainsbourg (vie heroique)” which will be based on the life of Gaul’s iconic singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. This marks the directorial debut of graphic novelist Joann Sfar. Eric Elmosnino ("Illusions, "Atrices," "Gentille") will star as Gainsbourg, a man known for his glamorous lovers which included Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. Laetitia Casta, the French model will apparently play Bardot. Mylene Jampanoi ("Martyrs," "Choisir d'aimer") is set to play Gainsbourg’s Bambou and Anna Mouglalis ("Mare nero")will play French singer Juliette Greco.

Universal’s will develop its first local-language French film called “Serge Gainsbourg (vie heroique)” which will be based on the life of Gaul’s iconic singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. This marks the directorial debut of graphic novelist Joann Sfar. Eric Elmosnino ("Illusions, "Atrices," "Gentille") will star as Gainsbourg, a man known for his glamorous lovers which included Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. Laetitia Casta, the French model will apparently play Bardot. Mylene Jampanoi ("Martyrs," "Choisir d'aimer") is set to play Gainsbourg’s Bambou and Anna Mouglalis ("Mare nero") will play French singer Juliette Greco. Filming starts on January 19th in Paris for thirteen weeks. Marc du Pontavice and Didier Lupfer will produce along with Sfar who is working the screenplay.

Universal’s will develop its first local-language French film called “Serge Gainsbourg (vie heroique)” which will be based on the life of Gaul’s iconic singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. This marks the directorial debut of graphic novelist Joann Sfar. Eric Elmosnino ("Illusions, "Atrices," "Gentille") will star as Gainsbourg, a man known for his glamorous lovers which included Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. Laetitia Casta, the French model will apparently play Bardot. Mylene Jampanoi ("Martyrs," "Choisir d'aimer") is set to play Gainsbourg’s Bambou and Anna Mouglalis ("Mare nero")will play French singer Juliette Greco.