Get ready to smile real wide with the first teaser trailer for Paramount Pictures’ Smile 2. Director Parker Finn’s sequel to the 2022 hit is set to release in cinemas on October 18th, and sees Kyle Gallner return as Joel alongside newcomers Naomi Scott, Lukas Gage, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
In Smile 2, per the official synopsis: “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”
Finn both writes and directs the sequel, with Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner and Robert Salerno serving as producers. Smile centres on a psychiatrist (Sosie Bacon) who is tormented after witnessing a traumatic incident with a patient. Until the full trailer releases for this sequel, why not check out STARBURST’s interview with writer-director Parker Finn about helming the box office hit, or with actors Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, and Kyle Gallner about starring in the horror film?
Watch the official teaser trailer for Smile 2 below, ahead of its October 18th release:
The hilarious animated family film Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on June 21st. It recently received an exclusive early screening at MCM London Comic Con.
Starring the voice of comedian Ronny Chieng, outside his comedy shows and specials, filmgoers will know him from Kung Fu Panda 4, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Crazy Rich Asians and most recently Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted. He often hits lines with a hilarious delivery, which works well for the dry, yet good-natured, comic tone of this arachnid inspector.
Playfully described as A Bug’s Life meets Poirot, this animated mystery is set in 1934 and follows the titular sleuth. After being fired from his detective job after a case gone wrong, Inspector Sun boards a luxury plane from Shanghai to San Francisco for his next job, a very secret mission. Shortly after departure, a murder takes place and the killer – or two, or three – are still onboard. As the passengers, assorted bugs and beasts, are wined and dined, also on board is Inspector Sun’s foe, the Red Locust. A web of intrigue will follow for our famous spider detective! Blending humour with intrigue and lively animation, the film takes a fun, creative spin on old genre tropes.
Dazzler Media presents Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow in cinemas from June 21st.
One of the most eagerly-awaited horror films of the year is Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3. Hitting cinemas on October 11th, we now have a first-look image and teaser poster to whet our bloodthirsty appetites even more. Check them out below…
The synopsis for the third film is: Art the Clown is set to unleash another round of chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve. Starring David Howard Thornton (Terrifier), Lauren LaVera (Terrifier 2), Daniel Roebuck (Final Destination), Elliot Fullam (Terrifier 2), Bryce Johnson (Pretty Little Liars), Samantha Scaffidi (Terrifier) and Chris Jericho (MacGruber), Terrifier 3 is written and directed by Damien Leone.
TERRIFIER 3 is only in cinemas on October 11th. Distributed by Signature Entertainment
Launching in 2025 in association with the BFI, the LONDON SOUNDTRACK FESTIVAL will be a yearly celebration of the sonic side of cinema, TV, and video games. Under wraps until early this afternoon, the first details have now emerged for this incredible new event, including the announcement of headliner Howard Shore (The Lord of the Rings), and a myriad of special guests such as Shore’s frequent collaborator David Cronenberg himself. Other notable composers in attendance for the varied events include Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Natalie Holt, The Martian’s Harry Gregson-Williams, Joker’s Hildur Guðnadóttir, and Star Trek Picard’s Stephen Barton, with more to come.
The capital’s first annual Festival dedicated to celebrating the music of film, TV and games, in association with the BFI, will take place from 19 – 26 March 2025. The programme will feature live performances, panel discussions, in-conversation screenings, composer Q&As and masterclasses with some of the biggest names in film, TV and games music, including:
Howard Shore:
Headliner Howard Shore is one of the most successful and popular film composers. His soundtrack for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for which he won countless awards (including three Oscars and three Grammys), is some of the most beloved film music of the last 25 years. Shore’s discography is vast and wide-ranging, scoring films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, and six films with Martin Scorsese including The Departed and The Aviator. In recognition of his constant originality, creativity and craft, Shore will become the first recipient of the Gunning Inspiration Award, which will be presented to him by director David Cronenberg as part of the LSF’s central Gala Concert.
Cronenberg and Shore have worked together for over 45 years, creating some of film’s most memorable, startling, moving and controversial moments. As part of a special Q&A event at Royal Festival Hall, Cronenberg and Shore (in conversation with journalist Jon Burlingame) will discuss their extraordinary collaboration, featuring Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Crash, M Butterfly, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence, Naked Lunch and their 17th and most recent film together, The Shrouds. Shore will also introduce exclusive screenings of some of his most iconic scores, with further details to be announced.
Howard Shore
Hildur Guðnadóttir:
Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, best known for her scores for Joker (for which she won an Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe) and TV series Chernobyl (Grammy, Emmy and BAFTA), is also an LSF Featured Artist next year. Guðnadóttir will lead a pre-concert talk about her work ahead of presenting Hildur Guðnadóttir In Concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall, performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra. The programme will celebrate Guðnadóttir’s film and TV music alongside her influences and inspirations. Hildur has written a new commission for cellist Richard Harwood, who will premiere the piece at Wigmore Hall as part of a lunchtime recital of music by film composers written for the concert hall.
Hildur Guðnadóttir
Gala performances:
At the heart of the Festival is a Gala Concert at Royal Festival Hall from London Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Ben Palmer, featuring music by all featured artists, with a particular focus on the recipient of this year’s Gunning Inspiration Award, Howard Shore.
BBC Concert Orchestra will perform popular hits from film and television at Alexandra Palace in a live edition of the BBC’s long-running popular programme Friday Night Is Music Night, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Anne Dudley and Friends: Movie Songs Live sees Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley (The Full Monty, Art of Noise) and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at The Roundhouse presenting an exclusive night of movie songs and music featuring some very special guest vocalists, still to be announced.
Screenings:
Musician and composer Anna Meredith will introduce a live performance of her score for Bo Burnham’s film Eighth Grade played in sync with a screening of the film at BFI IMAX.
Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece Modern Times will screen at Cadogan Hall with the original score played live by Covent Garden Sinfonia led by conductor Ben Palmer. The performance will be Introduced by Chaplin’s grandson, Spencer Chaplin.
Throughout the Festival, there will be exclusive screenings of films featuring scores by LSF featured artists, often introduced by the composers themselves. Further details will be announced soon.
Modern Times
Masterclasses and Talks:
Composer Paul Farrer (The Chase, Weakest Link) will reveal his composing and production process in a special masterclass.
Multi-award-winning composer Natalie Holt will present a masterclass exploring her process behind creating scores for TV hits Loki and Obi-Wan Kenobi in a masterclass.
Producers of music notation software Dorico will demonstrate the latest tricks and developments for media music creators in a demonstration session at the Southbank Centre.
And LSF host Jon Burlingame, one of the most respected writers on film and TV music in the world, will discuss his book ‘Music for Prime Time: A History of American Television Themes and Scoring’ with LSF Artistic Director and Founder, Tommy Pearson.
Natalie Holt
Games Music:
An unmissable celebration of Video Games Music will take place at The Roundhouse with Games Music: State of the Art, with masterclasses (by Grammy and Ivor-Award winning composers Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab on their score for Star Wars: Jedi Survivor), demos, autograph opportunities and a panel session with a stellar line-up of Games Music composers, including Borislav Slavov (Baldur’s Gate 3), Ludvig Forssell (Death Stranding) and Harry Gregson-Williams (Metal Gear).
Further events and details will be announced in the next few months.
Unveiling details of the inaugural Festival this morning at BFI Southbank, Festival Founder & Artistic Director Tommy Pearson has said: “It’s really exciting to be bringing this brand-new festival to London – the film, TV and games music capital of the world – and to celebrate the greatest composers working today who create the soundtrack to our lives. For me, it’s the culmination of a lifetime’s love of film and TV music; a chance to give audiences young and old (and everyone in between!) world-class performances, fascinating masterclasses, screenings and events for many years to come.”
Stuart Brown, Director of Programmes and Distribution at the BFI has said: “Music is the spiritual soul of cinema, television and video games, it inhabits our hearts, minds and dreams. We’re buzzing to be working with the London Soundtrack Festival to bring this very exciting new festival to audiences, and to be part of a really meaningful celebration of the incredible talent that brings these art forms to life.”
Howard Shore, composer and recipient of the inaugural Gunning Inspiration Award, has said: “It is an honour to be invited to the inaugural London Soundtrack Festival and to be the first recipient of the Inspiration Award. After many years of recording with the great London Philharmonic Orchestra, I am so looking forward to reuniting with them at the Gala Concert.”
Tickets to the Festival will go on sale in September 2024. For full details of the programme, and to sign up for the newsletter to hear about future updates, please visit londonsoundtrackfestival.com and follow the Festival on social media @LDNSoundtrack.
For over 30 years, Alan Jones was the principal reviewer for STARBURST. He pioneered a no-holds-barred critical stance with an authentic fanboy voice filtered through his punk attitude and a keen genre sensibility. Jones built a reputation as a critic of heft who often ruffled industry feathers but gained a legion of fans whilst expanding the language of fantasy film analysis. Finally, Jones has collated his entire body of STARBURST reviews into one extraordinary volume without editing the original texts that shone like a beacon during some of the darkest of times for the British genre lover.
STARBURST: The Complete Alan Jones Film Reviews 1977-2008 is a record of many of the most influential fantasy and horror movies ever. It also documents how the genre grew in stature from lowly poor relation to box office powerhouse. With his signature STARBURST house style – considered a brand novelty at the time – Jones was at the forefront of every new trend with his enlightening reviews covering every UK fantasy release in his eagerly-anticipated monthly column.
Being a key genre commentator meant Jones played an unexpectedly gratifying role in firing the creative imaginations of many of today’s top film industry names. Here, directors Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers), Andy Nyman (Ghost Stories) and writer Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen) share their life-changing memories of the magazine, and how Jones’ beloved reviews engendered their own devotion to the horror fantasy genre.
Together with a history of the magazine’s genesis and Jones’ role within it, this mighty tome is not only a genre reference bible about the most significant movies ever made, but also a glorious time machine taking readers back to an unforgettable era, fuelling the early days of fantasy fandom.
What can you expect? Well, there are 1,250 films reviewed, 660,000 words, 2,000 illustrations over 648 large-format pages!
The most significant single-authored genre film encyclopaedia of the 21st Century, this unique publication is a month-by-month record of the development and progression of science fiction, fantasy, and horror films, all told in the compelling words of someone who was there every step of the way, recording it all for posterity. A lucid, controversial and always entertaining read that will have fans everywhere adding copious movies to their ‘Must-See’ lists!
Special Features UNIQUE to the signed and numbered Collector’s Edition of STARBURST, only available direct from FAB Press:
Stunning SILVER page edges
Individually numbered limited edition – each Collector’s Edition book will have its own unique-numbered Alan Jones signature plate on the title page.
The STARBURST book launch will take place at this year’s FrightFest, with the silver page edge numbered edition available for sale. Two sessions with Alan Jones in attendance are scheduled, first on Friday, August 23rd, and then on Saturday, August 24th. The precise times of each one-hour slot will be decided shortly before the festival.
This is the first of two FAB Press books by Alan Jones to be released this year. Alan’s autobiography, DISCOMANIA, is currently in production and will be issued later in the year.
The BFI has revealed the line-up for its upcoming season of films that celebrate the opposite of the regular ‘comfort movie’. Taking place throughout July, Discomfort Movies is packed with challenging films that push our boundaries. They can cause stress, anxiety, and even despair. That being said, many of the titles are among our favourites of all time!
The season kicks off on July 1st with David Lynch’s debut Eraserhead (1977), a film that truly deserves to be seen on the big screen! Other movies being shown across the month include Billy Wilder’s alcoholic nightmare The Lost Weekend (1945), Andrzej Zulawski’s Possession (1981), Michael Haneke’s original version of Funny Games (1997), Takashi Miike’s Audition (1999), David Cronenberg’s Crash (1996) and Julia Ducournau’s Titane (2022). There’s also a screening of the disturbing TV movie Threads (1984), which still built up a cult following and still has the power to terrify.
Kimberley Sheehan, BFI events programmer and curator of the season, commented: “The films included in this season represent some of my most extreme experiences in cinema. I am fascinated by their power, and although the programme I have curated is personal to me, I’m curious about the feeling of discomfort in cinema and what might unsettle others. There seems to be a craving for darker material at this moment and a need to feel extreme emotion. Some may find these films shocking and upsetting, while others will find them oddly comforting. Either way, I hope audiences will allow themselves to be confronted, to tap into those strong visceral emotions and take away some ideas about the more challenging aspects of the human experience. There may even be some catharsis, too.”
Tickets for all screenings are available now from the BFI website and box office.
A special memorial to the young local actor Rob Knox will be unveiled at the Picturehouse Cinema in Bromley at 3pm on Saturday, June 8th. The free event is open to the public, and there is a small reception afterwards. His parents, Colin Knox and Sally Holder, will be attending with other close friends and film colleagues. Aaron Truss and Alice Amata, the co-directors of the Rob Knox London Film Festival, are also set to announce exciting new plans for the festival’s future.
Rising star Rob Knox found his breakthrough role in Harry Potter and the Half Prince, playing Marcus Belby in 2008, but shortly after filming, he was stabbed to death in Sidcup trying to protect his brother. The tragic event made headlines news and highlighted the continued concerns about knife crimes. This led to his father, Colin Knox, forming the Rob Knox Foundation in his honour and the Rob Knox London Film Festival, sponsored by Project Vision and Q Cumber Films.
The commemorations to celebrate Rob’s life and legacy are highlighted further in the autumn when the Picturehouse will host a special Q&A screening of the documentary (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story on October 12th with BAFTA-nominated actor Ray Winstone, who is a patron of the Rob Knox Foundation, in attendance alongside the film’s director Aaron Truss and Colin Knox. The event is chaired by Paul McEvoy, founder of FrightFest and host of the Stark Raving Cinemapodcast. Tickets go on sale on June 8th.
Director and close friend of Rob, Aaron Truss (Pareidolia), had filmed one of his last appearances, a student horror spoof short, Employee of The Dead, which is now available to view below.
Aaron says, “The Rob Knox Foundation and the Rob Knox London Film Festival are growing, and we need to stay ahead of the current climate. Knife crime is a scourge on our country, and I am honoured to help keep flying Rob’s flag to raise awareness and tackle this disease that’s senselessly killing young people. I hope Rob’s story can shed light on this issue. His story is crucial more than ever. Rob is a Bromley boy, and it’s time he came home; this is what June 8th is all about”.
Do your kids want to go to a comic con, but you don’t want to pay the extortionate entry fees? If you’re in the North West, then Sale Comic Con is the answer! Based in various venues in the town centre, it’s a great, FREE way to have the comic con experience. There will be comic creators, cosplay, and traders, with plenty of things to do for all the family. This includes a chance to meet TV star and ‘innocent men’ viral clip sensation Hacker T. Dog (with his handler Phil Fletcher), actors George Coppen (The School for Good and Evil) and Willie Coppen (Return of the Jedi), as well as legendary comic artists Lew Stringer (Viz, Beano, etc.) and Laura Howell (Beano).
Phil Fletcher and Hacker T Dog
Sale Comic Con takes place this Saturday, June 8th and here’s what to expect and where:
STANLEY SQUARE AND MARKET WAY
From 10.30am
EVENTS
Daleks, Cybermen, Tardis, and Doctor Who Props
Everything 4 Superhero Disco (Ticketed event)
GUESTS
Colin Mathieson, Noel K. Hannan, Dan Whitehead, Neil Roche,
Marc Jackson, Barry Renshaw, and Rick Eades.
TRADERS
Oddz n Sodz, Vince Gabrielides, The Art of Fish, Jenn Bee (with others to be confirmed)
STANLEY SQUARE/SCHOOL ROAD
From 10.30am
EVENTS
A-Team Van and props
Sarah Jane Adventures Car
EMPORIUM M33
From 10am
The Hulk
Various Traders
SALE LIBRARY
From 10.30
EVENTS
University Of Bolton Creature Shop and Movie Make up display
Daleks and other movie props
Cosplay Competitions from 3pm
GUESTS
Phil Fletcher and Hacker T Dog, Rachael Smith, Willie Coppen, George Coppen, Brian M Clarke, John Jackson, Laura Howell, Lew Stringer, Victoria Bates and Fox Hat
Lew StringerLaura Howell George Coppen
TRADERS
Wow Comix, Mark Swallow and Stranded Birds, Craig Samples, Stewart Tarpey, and Funkey Figurs
BRIDGEWATER CANAL/WATERSIDE PLAZA
From 2pm (part of Sale Festival)
Trafford Mayor’s Canal Boat Parade
WATERSIDE ROBERT BOLT THEATRE
11.00am (part of Sale Festival)
Artful Playground presents Minifest – A gig for kids
(This is a ticketed event)
7.30pm (part of Sale Festival)
Amy Webber and Hootin’ Annies “Up close and personal” From Standards to Stand up.
While STARBURST’s invite must have got lost in the mail (ahem), we nonetheless enjoyed watching from afar (i.e. on social media) as the stars of the feverishly anticipated new series STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE came out in Force for the UK premiere recently, and last night even saw the show’s Jedi Knight Kelnacca the Wookiee pay a visit to the London Eye! Check out a selection of pics and read all about it below, and if you’re clamouring for more info before THE ACOLYTE’s June 5th dual-episode debut, then be sure to pick up STARBURST MAGAZINE #486, in shops from May 31st and through our store: www.starburstmagazine.store. The Force is strong with this one!
From the Press Release:
To honour the release of Star Wars: The Acolyte, the London Eye lit up to welcome our live-action Jedi Wookiee, Kelnacca to London. Joining Kelnacca at the London Eye was a host of fans in Jedi costumes holding their lightsabers aloft. The iconic London landmark shone bright green to reflect Kelnacca’s lightsaber. Star Wars: The Acolyte will be exclusively streaming on Disney+ from June 5th. In “The Acolyte,” an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Leslye Headland created the series, based on Star Wars by George Lucas, and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef. Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim and Rob Bredow are the producers.
Headland also directed the premiere episodes (Eps. 101 & 102). Directors Kogonada (Eps. 103 & 107), Alex Garcia Lopez (Eps. 104 & 105) and Hanelle Culpepper (Eps. 106 & 108) round out the directing duties on the series.
Award-winning composer Michael Abels, known for his work on “Get Out” and “Us,” scored “The Acolyte.”
The worlds of horror cinema and rock and metal music collide, as Hammer Films has announced its first-ever partnership with the iconic Liquid Death Presents Download Festival at Donington Park. Some of Hammer Films’ classic films will be screened alongside the studio’s latest, Doctor Jekyll. An exclusive, limited-edition T-shirt will be available for festival attendees to commemorate the unholy collaboration.
Hammer Films is also teaming up with Old Sarum Tattoo, marking Old Sarum’s 11th year at Download Festival. This collaboration will offer exclusive Hammer horror flash tattoo designs, created specifically for the festival. Each person who gets tattooed will receive a co-branded Hammer Films and Old Sarum Tattoo sticker, celebrating this unique experience.
Liquid Death Presents Download Festival, known for the biggest names in rock and metal, will take place at Donington Park from June 12th – 16th, 2024. The films being screened for attendees are:
Jonathan Lack, COO at Hammer Films said: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Liquid Death Presents Download Festival for the first time and bring our iconic horror films to a legion of devoted fans. Celebrating our upcoming 90th anniversary with a presence at Liquid Death Presents Download Festival allows us to connect with fans who share a passion for the dark and dramatic, much like our films. As the torchbearers of horror, we can’t wait to offer a unique blend of horror and metal with our exclusive screenings and limited-edition merchandise. Prepare to be immersed in the sinister world of Hammer horror as we bring the chills and thrills to the heart of the festival.”
Hard-rocking horror fans can learn more about Liquid Death Presents Download Festival and purchase limited tickets by visiting https://downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.
You can sign up for the Hammer Films newsletter to keep updated with the latest news here.
