By Amanda Gilmore

Struggling farmer George (Marc Blucas) sells part of his property to the gas and oil industry to save his family. What he doesn’t realize is that the fracking is going to unleash an invisible terror from below.

Directors John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies along with co-writer Kelsey Goldberg mix genre horror with real-world terror in Unearth. The first half of the Film plays out as a Drama about fracking. The current hardships rural independent farmers are experiencing in real life are exposed through the two families within the narrative. In the Second Act, we switch into Horror territory which exposes the reality of the impending environmental crisis caused by the fracking industry. The expert direction exhibits the impending harm through images of ingesting contaminated dust and water. Then shifts into the invisible harm that’s been awakened below and penetrates the families without their knowledge. Unearth is one of the most original Horror films and is meticulously-written, directed. It’s also impressively acted by a stellar cast consisting of Blucas, Adrienne Barbeau, Allison McAtee and more.

Unearth screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Tue. Aug. 25 at 9 PM and Sun. Aug. 30 at 3 PM.

By Amanda Gilmore

Staff at a clothing store are preparing overnight for Monday Madness and the launch of their newest jeans. They soon learn those pants are alive, and their out for blood.

This Film gives a new meaning to the phrase, “Those are some killer jeans.” Director-Writer Elza Kephart and Co-Writer Patricia Gomez Zlatar have made a hilarious, gory comedy-horror with important social commentary. Early, we are thrust into the competitive retail clothing world filled with cutthroat characters, and a couple of endearing ones. These believable varied characters are what keep us wanting more hysterical, bloody murders while rooting for a survivor. However, Kephart and Zlatar have more on their minds then entertainment. They expose the villainous corporate agendas of clothing companies, such as child labour, and the culpable blind-eye of consumers and employees. What results is the manifestation of a hero in the form of jeans attempting to take down the establishment. The visual effects are stellar and the entire Cast is captivating, consisting of Romane Denis, Sehar Bhojani, Brett Donahue and more.

Slaxx screens live twice online at Fantasia Fest on Sun. Aug. 23 at 7 PM.

By Amanda Gilmore

Based on the Video Game of the same name, Detention is set in 1962 during Taiwan’s White Terror period. It follows Fang (Gingle Wang) and Wei (Tseng Chin-hua) who have been trapped alone at midnight in their high school.

First-time Feature Writer-Director John Hsu has made a striking Fantasy-Horror genre film. As with the Video Game, the real-world horror those experienced during the White Terror period perfectly moulds within fantastical elements of the narrative. Weaved into this fantasy realm is a powerful lesson of the importance of pain and the significance of those who suffer to live to tell the story. Hsu manages to keep this lesson prominent no matter how magical the stunning Visual Effects become. His effects also never take away from the impressive grounded performances from Chin-Hua and Wang. For any fan of Pan’s Labyrinth, Detention is for you.

Detention screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Mon. Aug. 24 at 7 PM.

By Amanda Gilmore

On a snowy night in a small Canadian town Steve (RJ Mitte) walks into a blue-collar bar owned by Paul (Peter Outerbridge). It’s clear the two know each other but why has Steve returned and what does he want?

The Oak Room is a slow-burn Thriller that has characters using the art of storytelling to unwind its central mystery. From beginning to end, Steve and Paul tell two different stories. However, Steve’s will slowly reveal his motive for returning home. Writer Peter Genoway has written captivating stories within his narrative. Yet, this unique and brave decision causes long drawn out scenes heavy on dialogue rather than action. That being said, Mitte and Outerbridge do bring much entertainment to their often-sedentary roles. There’s also a congenial supporting performance from Ari Millen as a character within Steve’s story.

The Oak Room will screen live online at Fantasia Fest on Mon. Aug. 24 at 9:45 PM and Mon. Aug. 31 at 11:30 PM.

By Amanda Gilmore

This Documentary follows David Arquette’s come back to wrestling after winning the World Championship title 18 years prior.

You Cannot Kill David Arquette is an outrageously-funny Documentary that perfectly compliments its zany subject. Directors David Darg and Price James have loaded many eccentric moments, such as wizard-caped horseback riding, spray tanning, magic and more, while never taking the focus off the heartfelt redemption story. Darg and James control the narrative to shift the audience’s opinion from beginning to end. As we travel with Arquette through his highs and lows, it becomes impossible not to root for him; turning audiences from sceptics to supporters. It doesn’t matter if you like or dislike wrestling and/or Arquette, because it’s a movie about an underdog aspiring for acceptance in the arena he loves. That’s what makes this a Documentary one not to be missed.

You Cannot Kill David Arquette screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Mon. Aug. 24 at 7:30 PM.

Master of Horror John Carpenter was honoured at Fantasia Fest 2020 this year and not only did he accept a Lifetime Achievement Award (the Cheval Noir), he also gifted fans with a Master Class. The genius behind classics like Halloween, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Christine, The Fog, Escape from New York and Starman spoke today, reflecting on his celebrated career.

Here are some highlights:

ON MONTREAL

“Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in.”. Carpenter’s first Film to premiere at Fantasia Fest was 1998’s Vampires.

ADVICE TO HIS YOUNGER SELF

“The advice I would give is to relax. It’s a long road

ON COLLABORATING WITH KURT RUSSELL

“There are always projects I want to work with Kurt [Russell] on. … He makes a great Santa Claus.”.

ON BEING INVOLVED IN 2018’s HALLOWEEN

“Jason Blum came and talked to me and he said, ‘Well, they are going to make this Movie whether you’re involved or not. Why don’t you come on board and stop judging these movies from a distance and come in and put your input on it?’.   “I don’t know if I made it better. But I did put in my two cents.”.

ON UPCOMING “HALLOWEEN KILLS”

“It is the quintessential Horror film. It is so intense. And oh my god! It even stuns me how incredible it is. David [Gordon Green] just did a great job. I can’t wait to have you see it.”. Like 2018’s Halloween, Carpenter also scores this upcoming installment in the Franchise, coming October 2021.

More on this and other Fantasia Fest events here. The Festival runs digitally through September 2, 2020.

Check back here daily for Amanda Gilmore‘s reviews of the Festival’s hottest titles.

(Photo credit: Fantasia Fest)

While there wasn’t an option for an in-person Comic-Con this year. DC Comics announced in June this year they would be holding their own global virtual convention. DC FANDOME takes place this weekend, with panels replaying for 24 hours. The fun doesn’t end there though – another event is coming Saturday, September 12, 2020. The festivities from the HALL OF HEROES had fans pumped as several exciting things were unveiled about the DC Comics universe’s upcoming release sate.

THE BATMAN – Everyone’s been waiting for it! Here is Robert Pattinson as Matt Reeves’ BATMAN. This is EVERYTHING. The Teaser also gives us a glimpse of The Riddler (Paul Dano) and Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz)! Coming to theatres October 21, 2021.

WONDER WOMAN 1984 – While the Pandemic has pushed back its release to October 2, 2020, fans got to see a first look at Kristen Wiig‘s Cheetah costume in this new Trailer!

SUICIDE SQUAD – Writer/Director James Gunn tells us, “It’s going to be different from any superhero movie ever made”. Check-out this exclusive Sneak Peek and “Roll Call” at the anticipated follow-up to 2016’s SUICIDE SQUAD. In theatres next year, the complete confirmed Cast includes: Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Joel Kinnaman, John Cena, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Michael Rooker, Flula Borg, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Steve Agee, Mayling Ng, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn, Storm Reid, Taika Waititi, Joaquín Cosío and Juan Diego Botto.

BLACK ADAM – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Noah Centineo star in this SHAZAM Spin-off, coming to theatres December 2021.

BATMAN MINI-SERIES – DC Comics Publisher and CCO Jim Lee and award-winning screenwriter John Ridley confirmed plans for a four-issue Batman miniseries scheduled for January 2021, featuring art by Nick Derington. The panel revealed key art for the first issue from LADRÖNN, and Ridley’s series will center on the family of Lucius Fox, confirming rumors that this Batman will likely be a person of color. This launches January 2021.

MILESTONE COMICS – working on the philosophy that Comic Artists of visible minority backgrounds were under-represented. Shutting down in 1997, it was announced today at DC Fandome that they will be returning to publishing once again starting with a Static Shock Digital Comic Series to surface February 2021, followed by an original Static Shock original graphic novel and the return of Milestone heroes Icon & Rocket. From September 2020 onwards, select content from their catalogue will be re-mastered and re-issued.

ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE – Coming to HBOMax in 2021 is the long-awaited Director’s Cut of JUSTICE LEAGUE, arriving in four hour-long segments. Fans have demanded it and they soon will get it at long last. Check-out this new official tease!

THE FLASH (Season 7) – A Teaser Trailer for the seventh-season of THE FLASH has been unveiled. The season premieres January 2021 and will feature a much-hyped cameo by Ezra Miller who stars as The Flash in the upcoming Andy Muschietti Feature based on the character.

THE FLASH – This long-awaited Feature begins filming in January and it’s confirmed both former Batmans Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton will make an appearance in the Film. A new-improved costume for the titular character was unveiled

TITANS (Season 3) – Toronto-filmed TITANS has been confirmed for a third season. New and returning characters to be introduced include: Red Hood (played by series star Curran Walters), Barbara Gordon (to be cast) and Dr. Jonathan Crane (to be cast) confirmed to appear in the season.

AQUAMAN 2 – While it won’t be out till December 2022, Director James Wan did say at today’s panel, “I think the second one is a little bit more serious, a little bit more relevant in the world we are living in today. I think that’s where it wants to go”.

SHAZAM! – At today’s panel for this Toronto-made Blockbuster, it was revealed its upcoming Sequel will be called SHAZAM!: FURY OF THE GODS! Not much got revealed about the actual Movie, but they definitely kept things entertaining going off-topic and they confused fans further with cameo by Sinbad! This Sequel will be released November 4, 2022. David F. Sandberg returns as Director.

More here on events. Stay tuned for more to come September 12, 2020!

(Photo/video credit: DC Comics/Warner Bros.)

By Amanda Gilmore

Undertaker Bernardo (Luís Machín) wife Estella (Celeste Gerez) and stepdaughter Irina (Camila Vaccarini) live disconcertedly amongst spirits in their home, but when a demon takes up residence, they have to fight to stay alive.

Writer-Director Mauro Iván Ojeda takes us early into the family’s distressing life. He gives us mystery and trepidation through steady camerawork and the use of shadows. Yet, he doesn’t root his ghost story in the tropes we have become accustomed to. Instead, he creates a fragmented familial portrait of members past and present. If spirits are always around us, shouldn’t we be sceptical of those who hurt us before? He ends the Film with a unique bittersweet moment, that may not work for all but stays true to the family’s story. The entire cast is pitch-perfect most notably Vaccarini who commands the screen.

The Undertaker’s Home screens live online at Fantasia Fest on Fri. Aug. 21 at 7:30 PM and Wed. Aug. 26 11:30 PM.

By Amanda Gilmore

After a chance encounter Chen Po-ching (Austin Lin) and Chen Ching (Nikki Hsieh), who both have OCD, begin a romantic relationship.

I WeirDo is a quirky Rom-Com with beautiful Art Direction and delightful performances. Writer-Director Liao Ming-yi makes this eccentric romance film so much more with a mid-film twist. Midway through, one-character experiences a miracle which shifts the film into dramatic territory. Therefore, creating a Film that examines the dark-side of co-dependency within relationships, and questioning love’s impermanence. Ming-yi has also shot the film on the vertical frame of an iPhone camera. This inventive decision heightens the inner psyche of the delightful characters and perfectly encapsulates the often-claustrophobic feeling of those inflicted with OCD.

I Weirdo will screen live online at Fantasia Fest on Sat. Aug. 22 at 7 PM

Funfetti Cornflake Crunch Cookies. Okay, full disclosure, these are very similar to those amazing cookies you find at Momofuku‘s Milk Bar, but we’ve added a Funfetti twist to it, because if you’re pulling out all the stops already and going over-the-top, you might as well go all the way! As usual, I reduce the sugar because the originals are way sweet and nobody has any business eating that much sugar.

Ingredients:

5 cups Corn Flakes
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into cubes
36 miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup miniature milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup organic raw sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tbsps sweetened condensed milk
2 tsps sea salt
1 tsp organic vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
4 tbsps rainbow sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Place Corn Flakes, 3 tbsps sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 tsp salt and half of brown sugar on a baking tray. Bake at 300°F for 15 minutes. Set aside.
2. In large bowl, use handmixer to cream 1 cup butter and half of brown sugar and all of raw sugar. Mix till creamy for 2 minutes.
3. Add egg and vanilla, cream with handmixer for another 5 minutes.
4. In another bowl, mix flour, 1 1/2 tsps salt, baking powder and baking soda.
5. Slowly add-in flour mixture to butter mixture using handmixer. Mix for 1 minute.
6. Using spatula, fold-in chocolate chips, corn flake mixture and sprinkles. Mix gently till combined evenly.
7. Using hands, form dough into 12 large balls. Stuff each dough ball with 3 marshmallows. Place on parchment paper-lined tray and refrigerate for one hour.
8. Set oven at 370°F. Arrange dough balls about 3-4″ apart from one another on baking sheet. Bake 13-15 minutes till golden. Transfer to cooling rack and store in air-tight container. Makes 1 dozen.

Gallery:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)