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Cult Horror & Fantasy at L.A. Film Fest 2009

Steve Biodrowski 3 min read
ZDM; Zombies of Mass Destruction

Amongst more traditional art house fare, the 2009 edition of the Los Angeles Film Festival will include several interesting cult horror and fantasy titles, some new and some old: EMBODIMENT OF EVIL (with Coffin Joe), I SELL THE DEAD (grave robbers menaced by zombies), NIGHT TIDE (atmospheric 1961 film starring Dennis Hopper), and ZMD: ZOMBIES OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There will also be a panel discussion titled GRAPHIC EXPLOSION, which will take a look at the recent wave comic book adaptations such s WATCHMEN.  The festival wraps up with a screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s PONYO on June 28.

Here is a schedule of the festival’s horror and fantasy-related movies:

EMBODIMENT OF EVIL (Brazil, 2008). Brazilian horror icon Coffin Joe returns in this delightfully demonic cavalcade of bloody bodies and bared breasts, slaying his way through a small town as he searches for a worthy mate. Jose Mojica Marins (i.e., Coffin Joe) directed and co-wrote. Friday, June 19 at 10:30pm in the Majestic Crest Theatre; Sunday, June 21 at 10pm in the Landmark 8 Theatre.

 GRAPHIC EXPLOSION – a 60-minute discusion. Adaptations of comic books and graphic novels have proliferated in recent years. And it’s not all superheroes: Sin City, 300, Wanted, and Persepolis all came from graphic novels. A group of filmmakers, artists, writers, and fans explore Hollywood’s fascination with the medium and the creative challenges of translating them to the screen.  With Barry Levine (Radical Publishing), writer Josh Olson (A History of Violence), writer Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk, X-2), and others. Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm in the Italian Cultural Institute.

I LIVE IN THE WOODS (USA, 2008). A woodsman’s jaunty walk through the forest takes an unexpected turn in this animated short subject. Saturday, June 20 at 4:30pm in the Majestic Crest Theatre; Wednesday, June 24 at 9:45pm in the Majestic Crest Theatre.

I SELL THE DEAD (USA, 2008). Two wily grave robbers in 18th century England get more than they bargained for when their corpses start biting back in this ghoulishly delightful comedy horror romp. With Dominic Monaghan, Larry Fessenden, Angus Scrimm, Ron Perlman. Wednesday, June 24 at 7:15pm in the Landmark Theatre; Friday, June 26 at 10pm in the Majestic Crest Theatre.

NIGHT TIDE (USA, 1961). A young Dennis Hopper stars in writer-director Curtis Harrington’s haunting feature debut about a sailor who falls in love with a mysterious woman, who believes she is a descendant of mythical Sirens. With Linda Lawson, Luana Anders, Gavin Muir. Saturday, June 27 at 7pm in the Billy Wilder Theatre.

ZOMBIES OF MASS DESTRUCTION (USA, 2009). Life in a conservative small town is complicated enough for a young Iranian-American woman and a not-completely-out gay couple, but now they also have to deal with zombie hordes in this splatter-filled comedy. Directed by Kevin Hamedani. Written by Ramon Isao, Kevin Hamendani. With Janette Armand, Ali Hamedani, Doug Fahl, Cooper Hopkins. Thursday, June 25 at 10pm in the Majestic Crest Theatre; Saturday, June 27 at 10pm in the Landmark 4 Theatre.

PONYO (Japan, 2008). From Academy Award-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes Ponyo, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Featuring the voices of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Noah Cyrus, and Frankie Jonas, this is the story of Ponyo, a young and overeager goldfish, on a quest to become human and befriend a young boy named Sosuke. Voices: Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White. Sunday, June 28 at 6:30pm in the Mann Village Theatre.

Locations:

  • Billy Wilder Theatre – 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90024
  • Italian Cultural Institute – 1023 Hilgard Aveneue, Los Angeles 90024
  • The Landmark Theatre – 10850 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles 90064
  • Majestic Crest Theatre 1262 Westwood Blvd, Westwood 90024
  • Westwood Village Theatre – 961 Broxton Avenue, Los Angeles 90024

Festival Website: Click here
Dates: June 18 through 28