July 30, 2015

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Our Film Guesses for FANTASTIC FEST 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE: We had this scheduled to be published on July 30th which was also when the announcement of the First Wave of films for Fantastic Fest 2015 was announced.

Fiends, there is no doubt in my mind that the weeks in late September in Austin, TX is heaven on earth for a genre fan like me. Why? Two words – FANTASTIC FEST!

Every year, we’ve been trying to see if we can figure out what might play before those three separated waves of amazing content roll out. Some years, our guesses have been good. Some years, not so good. Even if these films don’t play at the best genre film festival in the United States, we hope that you put them on your radar, regardless. Most of our picks are from films that are on our radar and have possibly played other genre film festivals.

OUR PICKS

HARDCORE

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQS4iT0jKtc”]

This is a carryover from last year’s picks. From what I understand, this film is in post-production and I feel could be great for Fantastic Fest. This film is produced by Timur Bekmambetov and directed by the guy who did the “Bad Motherfucker” music video.

PHANTASM V: RAVAGER

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1wOobOGa4w”]

If the latest Phantasm entry wants a hell of a world premiere, Fantastic Fest would be the place. Coscarelli has appeared in the past to show off a few minutes of John Dies at the End. As a fan of the Phantasm series, I’d love to see it with the Fantastic Fest crowd.

CRIMSON PEAK

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oquZifON8Eg”]

If this plays at Fantastic Fest, it’ll either be an Opener, Closer or a Secret Screening. Guillermo del Toro was supposed to show up a few years ago when Julia’s Eyes played. Sadly, he had to miss out but said he would be back. Let’s hope he returns with Crimson Peak.

GREEN ROOM

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONW0HCpY_UM”]
No Trailer Available

If there is someone that listens to fans of this festival and lovers of director Jeremy Saulnier’s previous film, Blue Ruin – which played at Fantastic Fest 2013, I would hope that Green Room would find a way into the lineup. I have heard that it is magnificent.

IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE

No Available Trailer

Ti West has always been a supporter of Fantastic Fest. Hell, that’s where House of the Devil premiered and the last film he worked on, The Sacrament, was part of the 2013 lineup. As long as the film is finished, I’m sure we will see this in the lineup.

GASPER NOE’S LOVE

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDzuG0UrQ2g”]

Alchemy picked up the film for U.S. distribution but has not yet set a release date. “Love” opens in France on July 15. Flying ejaculate and taboo scenes in 3D sound like Fantastic Fest material to me.

ANGELICA

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XY54rzbo0o”]

Here’s Mitchell Lichtenstein’s follow-up to Teeth. Depending on the quality (I’ve heard mixed reviews on this film), this could show up in a second or third wave announcement.

RABID DOGS (2015)

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuOSLcfw8e4″]

Look, I’ll be honest. I’m hoping this film plays at Fantastic Fest so it gives me a chance to see it on the big screen. This is the remake of Mario Bava’s unfinished film. I consider the original, while “unfinished”, a masterpiece and maybe one of Bava’s best films.

MARTYRS (2015)

No Official Trailer

This remake has gone under the radar for a long time. It’s going to premiere at a festival. I have no doubt about it. Will it be Fantastic Fest?

YAKUZA APOCALYPSE: THE GREAT WAR OF THE UNDERWORLD

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXjHXLte-c”]

New Takashi Miike. Yes, Please.

MONSTER HUNT

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbhsvxqoCG4″]

This film has already grossed more than $20 Million in China and I’d love to see a U.S. Premiere at Fantastic Fest. Yes, this is from the creator of Shrek.

VICTORIA

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nL9xJM396Q”]

Even though the film is over 2 hours long, Fantastic Fest doesn’t shy away from longer running times. This single take film that keeps getting compared to Run Lola Run sounds like a blast and right up Fantastic Fest’s alley.