I had a mini-adventure last weekend. Went on a road trip to Newcastle with Mr. Sarah@Cult Labs and some friends. The friends were driving and, on the way home on Sunday, their clutch went on the A69. There was no way we could get back home that night so ended up staying in Newcastle for an extra night and day, not getting home until late on Monday. As a result I’m completely disorganised, behind with my PhD work, behind with my decorating and, worst of all, behind with what’s going on at Cult Labs. So if I seem to be playing catch-up in this week’s newsletter, it’s because I am.

So, anyway, I come home and check out the Labs for the purposes of research (and you thought I just winged this every week) and what do I discover? Not only is Love Goddess of the Cannibals out this week but My Favourite Film Of All Time™ is being released on Blu-ray! Yup, that’s right, Bubba Ho-Tep! When I came around, I also discovered several other cool and exciting things that I will be sharing with you this week along with all my usual titbits. So, without further ado, I’ll get on with it!

Sarah@Cult Labs.

BUBBA HO-TEP COMING TO BLU-RAY

Don Coscarelli’s brilliant Bubba Ho-Tep, starring Bruce Campbell (the Evil Dead trilogy), comes to Blu-ray for the first time anywhere in the world, courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment, in an edition packed with extra features (many produced with the exclusive cooperation of Don and Bruce) and presenting the film in dazzling high definition.

It’s the present day and at the Shady Rest Retirement Home in Mud Creek, Texas, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Bruce Campbell) is quietly living out his twilight years in the company of fellow resident, former US president John F. Kennedy (Ossie Davis). Sounds entertaining enough already? Well, that’s not half of it. According to the former president, there’s a malevolent Egyptian mummy on the loose in the halls of the home intent on devouring the residents’ souls. Reluctant to take this evil threat lying down, Elvis and JFK decide it’s time to kick some mummy ass! Armed with just a Zimmer frame, a wheelchair, a makeshift flamethrower and some dubious karate moves, the decrepit duo set about taking care of business.

Bubba Ho-Tep features a remarkable show-stopping and career-defining performance by Bruce Campbell as Elvis, described by both the Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety as one of the best screen interpretations of the King to date. One of the most original and touching genre films you will ever see, Bubba Ho-Tep is a must-see film and an essential addition to the Blu-ray collections of all Bruce Campbell and Elvis fans. It will be released 12 July 2010 (my birthday!). In the meantime, you can check out Sam’s blog or discuss the release on its official thread.

COMING SOON FROM CULT LABS: BLOOD RIVER

Winner of the Breakthrough Performance Award (Andrew Howard) and the Film Competition Award for Best Cinematography (Stuart Brereton) at the 2009 New York VisionFest as well as the Jury Prize for Best Actor (Andrew Howard) at the 2009 Honolulu International Film Festival, Blood River is a tense, psychological thriller that follows the collapse of a young couple’s seemingly perfect relationship after an encounter with a mysterious drifter on a remote desert highway. Hailed as “a tight-knuckled and disconcertingly handsome thriller” by Fearnet.com, Blood River is released 19 July 2010 by Revolver Entertainment. Check out Sam’s blog or head on over to the official thread.

CULT ARTS: WHERE CULT MEETS CULTURE

Sam@Cult Labs has been a busy boy, developing a new sub-forum over at Cult Labs – Cult Arts. This is a section dedicated to off-beat art flicks, some of which are extreme enough to appeal to horror fans with an open mind, others a little more cuddly.

Sam had this to say on his reasoning for the creation of Cult Arts: “Cult Labs will be picking up promo gigs for documentaries and classic Foreign and Art House movies so, rather than randomly post them alongside the zombies movies, slasher flicks and video nasties, we’ve set up Cult Arts. Members who like to step away from genre films and love cinema in all it’s forms can check out the new releases as they appear but if don’t, rest assured that Cult Labs continues to be the home of great cult entertainment, in whatever form it takes.” Almar, meanwhile, said that this “should be a forum of discovery and recommendation.”

So if you love cinema in all it’s weird and wonderful forms, you should head on over to the new and fantastic Cult Arts sub-forum where you’ll find sections on Cult Arts films, exteme art cinema, 20th and 21st century arthouse and non-cinematic art.

THE BEST OF THE REST

As I get more organised (and eat my lunch!), here’s a little look at what’s caught my eye over at the Labs this week:

• Love Goddess of the Cannibals (SHAM022) – It’s out now so tell us what you think!
• Cult-Labs.com Times write-up – Reclaiming “geek power”? The Times thinks we are!
• Arrow Video – Tenebrae – This release is still generating a helluva lot of interest, what are your thoughts?
• Porno Horror – I never knew such a thing existed until a couple of years back. Any suggestions?
• Horror sequels: Where did they fall off the wagon? – Sounds like a class assignment – but more fun!
• TIGON Films – Go on, tell us your favourites!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I used to get offended when people called me a Geek, then I took one look in the mirror and noticed I was wearing a Flash Gordon t-shirt and thought, you know what… I am a geek… Geek Power!!!!!” – pedromonkey describes how he came out of the geek closet.

KYLE’S COMP CORNER

Once again I’m completely bummed that I can’t enter this. Why? Because Kyle is only giving away Bubba Ho-Tep on Blu-ray! For details on how to enter, head on over to the Comp Corner. Good luck!

WELCOME NEWBIES!

This week I’m mostly saying hello to mcmikey88 (my baby bro!), Zombie_Matt, The 4th Fella, no1keeper and Riotus. Make yourselves at home and have a good natter about all things cult!

AND FINALLY…

If you have any comments, feedback or anything you’d like to see featured in the newsletter, PM me at Sarah@Cult Labs or drop me a line on the newsletter thread!

Until next week,

Sarah@Cult Labs.