"...and the Award Goes To --" - The Popcorn Frights 2022 Award Winners

Living with Chucky, dir. Kyra Gardner

August 29, 2022 // -- As its eighth edition comes to a close after eleven nights of in-person and virtual programming, Popcorn Frights Film Festival is proud to announce its juried and audience awards that were selected from its lineup of 113 films (36 features and 77 shorts films from 20 countries) in 10 categories. This year’s jury consisted of members of national media and local filmmakers, who chose to honor Florida filmmaker Sylvia Caminer’s FOLLOW HER with the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. In announcing the Feature Film Prize for the film, the jury said the following: “A socially relevant horror movie for modern times, Sylvia Caminer’s Follow Her features a completely unpredictable screenplay bystar Dani Barker with a twist at the end that rivals The Sixth Sense. Caminer’s directing style is near perfection, and we can’t wait to ‘follow her’ into her next film.”

Follow Her, dir. Sylvia Caminer

UBW Top 100 Horror Movies: A Taste of Things to Come (No Pun Intended)

We're very excited to release our upcoming Top 100 Horror Movies list. So excited, in fact, that we've decided to offer a bonus to everyone in the form of number 101-105 over the course of the next few weeks. Then, in October, we'll release 25 films each week with the top ranked batch the week before Halloween.
So to kick things off, here is number 105.

105

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Probably the only photo from this movie we can share and remain "family friendly"

Director: Ruggero Deodato

Starring:  Robert Kerman, Carl Gabriel Yorke, Francesca Ciardi

Coming in at #105, Cannibal Holocaust is more “horrific” than “horror”. Cinematically it’s a mix of found footage and traditional narrative storytelling while visually it’s a gore-soaked descent into animal mutilation and slaughter, rape, and yes, cannibalism.  Banned by about a million countries until a handful lifted the restriction nearly twenty years after its release, this is certainly not for those with weak stomachs.

Coming Soon!

We're just a little over a month away from our most monumental unveiling since our Retro Pop Culture Battle Royale a few years ago (and honestly, we think this is bigger).

Prepare yourselves for:

"Hot Rod Lincoln"

Episode #127

Join us as Mike and Joseph take a leisurely Sunday drive back in time to talk about some of their favorite cars from TV shows like the Batmobile (of course!), the Monkee Mobile (really?), and Fred Sanford's beat-up pick-up truck (why not?!). Before that, it's time for "Gift, Keep, Ditch" which sees the guys offer up their choices for spaceships! From dog-boned shaped satellites to tricked out school busses, this episode is a high-octane burst of nostalgia!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW127_Hot_Rod_Lincoln.mp3

Popcorn Frights Film Festival Movie Review: "Living with Chucky” (2022)

"We're Friends Till The End, Remember?"

by Joseph Perry

Living with Chucky director/cowriter Kyra Elise Gardner did just that, as her father is special effects wizard Tony Gardner, who designed the Chucky and Tiffany dolls for some of the Child’s Play film franchise features. Gardner’s enlightening documentary did two things for me: it made me appreciate the franchise more, as someone who is just a casual fan and skipped the middle two entries, and it gave me an appreciation of the family-like bonding behind the films and TV series, the latter of which really is the main aim of this film.

FRIGHTFEST & FAB PRESS LAUNCH THE FRIGHTFEST GUIDE TO VAMPIRE MOVIES

Vampires in all their forms and undead glory are favorites around these parts. From the original Dracula to Fright Night, both Joseph and Mike are fans of the bloodsuckers.  That said, this book looks to be a can't miss even for those outside of the UK (where it's being published) that might have to pay a bit for shipping and handling.  

The FrightFest Guide to Vampire Movies
By Nathaniel Thompson
Foreword by Kim Newman

FrightFest and FAB Press once again join forces to launch THE FRIGHTFEST GUIDE TO VAMPIRE MOVIES, which goes exclusively on sale during Arrow Video FrightFest 2022, Aug 25 – Aug 29. Both the author Nathaniel Thompson and author/critic Kim Newman, who wrote the foreword, will be present to sign copies at the Cineworld, Leicester Square. Dates and times to be confirmed.

This is the sixth edition of the FrightFest Guides, the latest in a series of successful, wide appeal books for both the curious spectator and the cult connoisseur. Previous genres covered include Exploitation Movies, Monster Movies, Ghost Movies, Werewolf Movies and Grindhouse Movies.

For centuries, mankind has been chilled by tales of vampires. A fixture of literature, art, and folk tales, the vampire was a natural early choice for a movie monster at the dawn of cinema and has remained popular ever since as the screen’s most enduring and sexually charged nightmare figure.

Within these bloodstained pages, you’ll discover all the vampire icons, from Bela Lugosi and Max Schreck’s pioneering fiends to the heyday of Hammer Films, but that’s just a sanguinary taste of what’s to come as you explore macabre offerings from Hong Kong, India, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and many more countries across the globe.

It’s all served up on a blood-spattered silver platter by author and film historian Nathaniel Thompson, who also delivers a globetrotting introduction to the history and evolution of vampire cinema, from the silent era to the modern age of undead heartthrobs and vampire assassins.

Sweetening the bloody deal is a foreword by legendary writer and monster expert Kim Newman, who dragged vampire literature into the daylight of the modern age with his Anno Dracula series..

The FrightFest exclusive hardcover will be on sale for just £25, and people not attending in person won’t miss out as they have the option to pre-order the book from www.fabpress.com -- pre-ordered books will ship the first week of September.

The Paperback publication date is 18 October 2022.

FAB Press

Since launching with its seminal publication Flesh And Blood (the source of the FAB acronym) in 1993, FAB Press, publishers of books for cult connoisseurs, has gained respect among its loyal customers and knowledgeable members of the book publishing industry alike. FAB Press has been working with FrightFest since 2016. This is the sixth volume in the FrightFest Guide series of books.

FrightFest

FrightFest is the most prestigious horror fantasy movie event in the United Kingdom since 2000. Created by Paul McEvoy, film exhibitor Ian Rattray, film critic, international journalist, author and broadcaster Alan Jones, and veteran PR man Greg Day, the main FrightFest event takes place annually over the August Bank Holiday in London. They also have their an annual three-day event at the Glasgow Film Festival and own distribution label, FrightFest Presents, in partnership with Signature Entertainment.

8 From the 80s: Hunks

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

80s Hunks

A few weeks ago I did a list of eight of the hottest babes from the 80s, so it's only fair that I do up a list of hunks. Like the gals, there were a lot of guys who could have been included on this list and probably would make it if I made this list a year ago or a year from now.  Anyway... let's hop to it!

8. Andrew McCarthy

He had sex with a Mannequin, spent a Weekend at Bernie’s and looked Pretty in Pink (well, okay, Molly Ringwald looked pretty in that last one, but you get the drift).  McCarthy, who had an innocent look with a wry smile, had a career that includes television as well as the stage and, while he peaked in the 80s, he’s still active as both an actor and director.

7. Michael Schoeffling

Mike was Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles.  His career didn’t last too long, however, ending seven years after his most memorable role and included films like Vision Quest and Mermaids (which was a 90s movie and so we shouldn’t really count it here).  I suspect Molly Ringwald’s Samantha wasn’t the only writing "I ♥ Jake Ryan" on her notebook.

Popcorn Frights Film Festival Movie Review: Final Summer

Final Summer is a Nostalgic Trip Back to the Slasher Classics From the 80s

-by Mike Imboden

Imagine, if you will, your last summer before heading off to college.  High school graduation is in the history books and the days of big hair, glam rock, and the rest of the decade of excess is getting farther behind you in the rearview mirror as the 1990’s loom in front of you, full of possibilities.  You need some extra cash and so, like the last few years before this one, you sign on as a counselor at a summer camp, certain that THIS year will end in the exchange of phone numbers with a certain someone and - if you’re lucky - the exchange of something a bit more. You’re not the only one with summer plans, though, and while yours are like many others, there’s always one who has decidedly… different ideas of how to spend their summer.

Not the person you want to see on the last night of summer camp

It’s 1991 and Camp Silver Lake is closing its doors on its last season before it’s sold.  This news comes as a surprise to the counselors who are tasked with getting everything put away and cleaned up. It probably shouldn’t be a surprise, though, when it’s revealed that “accidents” have befallen the camp every year and are attributed to the camp’s urban legend of a former groundskeeper named Warren Cooper, who was believed to be a bit unstable.  When a masked figure wielding an axe shows up, what was a night of work and camaraderie becomes a night of survival.

Popcorn Frights Film Festival Movie Review: The Third Saturday in October

{Note: Go read the review for The Third Saturday in October Part V and then come back to read this)

Jakkariah "Jack" Harding (Antonio Woodruff) is back again to… wait, this isn’t a sequel, it’s the ORIGINAL “lost” entry in The Third Saturday in October franchise and boy, is this a doozy!

Back in 1979 "Jack" Harding has a date with an electric chair courtesy of the killing spree that he was responsible for.  In attendance as witnesses are Ricky Dean Logan (Darius Willis) and Vicki Newton (K.J. Baker), unrelated parents of a couple of Harding’s victims. Oddly, Harding is scheduled to be buried directly following the execution, but when Ricky and Vicki arrive at the cemetery they discover, to their horror, that Harding is still alive and now on the run!

Popcorn Frights Film Festival Movie Review: Third Saturday in October Part V

Try to follow along here.  The Third Saturday in October Part V is the fourth sequel to the “lost slasher” film, The Third Saturday in October, however there are no parts two, three, or four - but there IS a part one and we’ll get to that a little later. Y’see, writer/director Jay Burleson has crafted a two part homage to the heyday of the slasher sub-genre and video stores where you’d often find a sequel before stumbling across the original entry - so the recommended viewing order here is Part V followed by Part I.

As any good sequel should, this starts off with a flashback montage of the three sequels from the 1980s (the original was released in 1979, as the story goes) before we hit our “current” time of 1994 and the titular third Saturday in October when everyone is glued to their TVs for the annual college football rivalry game between  the Alabama-Mobile Seahawks and Tennessee A&M Commonwealth. Again, like any good sequel, we’re treated to a killing by franchise star Jakkariah "Jack" Harding (Antonio Woodruff) just a few minutes in.  

Olivia Newton-John (1948-2022)

You made us "Hopelessly Devoted [to you]", with your "Magic" and gave us a "Heart Attack" when you got "Physical", but will always be our favorite of the Nine Muses of Olympus as you sing and skate around the floor of "Xanadu".

Rest in Peace and thank you for the magic you left us with.

Olivia Newton John from the Universal film "Xanadu"

GenreBlast Film Fest 2022

The GenreBlast Film Fest is one of our favorite film festivals thanks in no small part to its dedication to genre movies (hence its name!) from independent filmmakers.  It's also the first film festival that Mike got to join Joseph in reviewing movies for, so that ensures that there'll always be a spot in Uphill Both Way's heart for it.  Read on for the press release detailing this year's lineup!

GenreBlast Film Fest has announced its lineup for the seventh year of their international independent genre film festival. The four day in-person event will feature fourteen feature films and roughly ninety short films from around the world as well as the results of their annual screenplay competition.

Worst Laid Plans

Emanating from the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester, Virginia, GenreBlast continues to  champion truly independent genre cinema and this year features one of its strongest lineups of cross-genre fare so far. With horror, science-fiction and fantasy, action, and even cult and midnight offerings, the fest prides itself on being an eclectic mixtape of genres and filmmakers.

Of the thirteen features selected this year, there are two world premieres, one North American premiere, one U.S. premieres, one east coast premiere, four regional premieres, and four Virginia premieres and a special advance screening.

Liam Regan’s satirical bloodbath EATING MISS CAMPBELL makes its North American premiere while indie horror filmmaking doc THE BRILLIANT TERROR has its in-theater U.S. premiere. Regional premieres feature Alexandra’s Spieth’s ensemble thriller STAG and Syliva Caminer’s twisty FOLLOW HER, plus Jeffrey Garcia’s cult VHS comedy BUBBLEGUM, and Antonio Rotunno’s bloody Mexican midnighter PLEASE DON’T ABANDON ME. World premieres include cult auteur Jeff Frumess’ sophomore effort GOUGE AWAY as well as Jonathan Straiton’s long-awaited post-apocalyptic action horror throwdown JOHNNY Z. Kenneth Lui’s mockumentary ARTISTS IN AGONY: HIT-MEN AT THE CODA TEAHOUSE arrives as an East Coast premiere. Justin Seaman’s slasher sequel THE BARN PART II makes its Virginia premiere along with Marc Coleman’s bittersweet fish-out-of-water flick MANFISH, Kenichi Ugana’s Japanese sci-fi black comedy EXTRANEOUS MATTER, and Ryan Imhoff & Matt Neal’s demented horror satire FRESH HELL.

A special advance screening of GenreBlast’s first feature film with fest director Nathan D. Ludwig as producer along with Samantha Kolesnik. GenreBlast Films presents the film adaptation of WORST LAID PLANS, a feature horror anthology culled from the pages of the Grindhouse Press book, edited by Kolesnik. Segments directed by John Hale, Jeremy Herbert, and Christopher G. Moore.

The fest runs from Thursday, Sept. 1st through Sunday, Sept. 4th at the Alamo Winchester concluding with a livestreamed awards ceremony followed by the GB Aftermath After Party. Script table reads and a discussion panel will also be on the schedule during the fest.

Weekend passes are now on sale at the Alamo Winchester website: https://drafthouse.com/winchester. 

Additional information can be found at the fest’s official website: www.genreblast.com

"Vacation"

Episode #126

As we start getting towards the end of Summer it's time for Joseph and Mike to discuss what they did on their childhood summer vacations - from county fairs to community pools and summer camps to Disneyland. Plus, a shocked Mike has to explain how to play "Kick the Can" to Joseph who never saw the game outside of that episode from 'The Twilight Zone'. All that AND there's a visit to the Planet of the Apes! 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW126_Vacation.mp3

Its Time Once Again for a “Howlin’-good Taste of Fruit”!! Frute Brute is Back!

We here at Uphill Both Ways have made it no secret that we're HUGE fans of General Mills' monster cereals from as far back as we can remember... back when they weren't "seasonal" and you didn't have to wait for them to appear on the store shelves.  Sadly, for the past decade, all you could get were Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo-Berry – but this year Frute Brute Monster Cereal is back , and along with it are limited-edition KAWS-designed boxes for the cereals.

“It’s been a thrill to collaborate with General Mills and Monster Cereals,” said KAWS. “I’ve been a big fan of the cereals since I was a kid. Even now, I love the original box designs and the creativity and imagination they invoke.”

This year’s seasonal Monster debut is also marked by the return of Frute Brute, which joins the other monsters on shelves with its first appearance since 2013, as well as other spooky surprises to come later this fall. Frute Brute is known for its “howlin’-good taste of fruit” and is considered by many collectors to be the most sought-after vintage cereal, in part due to its appearances across various blockbuster movies in the 1990s. 

Franken Berry, Count Chocula, Boo-Berry and Frute Brute Monster Cereals boxes are available now at retailers nationwide. Each Monster Cereals box comes with a unique code on the back that fans can enter on www.kawsmonsters.com for a chance to win a set of the highly coveted KAWS-designed collectible prizes. 

Now if we could just get some Yummy Mummy in our bowls...

You can read the full press release right here.

To learn more about the history of Monster Cereals, visit https://www.generalmills.com/news/stories/the-history-of-our-monsters.

It's Contest Time Again!

Want a FREE Copy of Well Go USA's "Baby Assassins"?

Director Hugo Sakamoto (A Janitor, Hangman’s Knot) and action director Kensuke Sonomura (John Woo’s Manhunt, Nowhere Man, Hydra, Bushido Man) combine their talents for the critically-acclaimed martial arts action-comedy BABY ASSASSINS, which debuted July 22 exclusively on the martial arts streaming service Hi-YAH! and hits Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD on August 16.

Just e-mail us at CONTEST@UBWPODCAST.COM with your favorite movie from the 70s or 80s that features an assassin as a lead character or an assassination as the central plot device.  We'll pick two random entrants who'll walk away with a free Blu ray copy of the movie! Deadline for entries is Monday, August 15th.

Well Go USA Entertainment's BABY ASSASSINS stars Akari Takaishi (Distant Thunder, A Janitor) as “Chisato” and Saori Izawa (A Janitor) as “Mahiro” as highly trained teenage assassins who must get “real” jobs as a cover, and—even worse—become roommates. However, after a nasty run-in with a Yakuza, the girls must band together to survive an epic fight for their lives. The cast also includes Masanori Mimoto (Enter the Fat Dragon, Hydra, First Love, Yakuza Apocalypse, God of War).