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Vinyl Review: Martin OST

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70s_Fisher_Price_toy_record_player_playing_Stairway_to_Heaven

 

In 1977, George A. Romero released Martin, a modern vampire story. The film follows a young man, who is believed to be an 84 year old vampire, as he goes to live with his cousin in a small town in Pennsylvania. The film plays with the idea and mythology of vampirism wonderfully, portraying Martin as both evil and innocent throughout the film. We see him kill, we see he recount his evil doings, and yet the audience is always left questioning whether or not he is truly evil. What drives this point across in the most spectacular way is Donald Rubinstein’s score. A beautiful mix of classical inspired pieces mixed with jazz and haunting vocals, the soundtrack for Martin is a gorgeous example of film scoring. Now, thanks to the fine folks over at Ship to Shore PhonoCo, A Light In the Attic, and One Way Static we can experience the score in one of the best ways possible.

Martin Artwork

Official artwork for the Ship to Shore PhonoCo. Martin vinyl.

 

Right off the bat, the artwork captures the look and feel of the film. Gothic, modern, and very playful with the theme of Martin being a fake vampire. The contrast between the cheap fake vampire teeth and the bloody razor are a simple and elegant way of portraying the film, and its score, playful nature with its very serious content. The soundtrack is printed on a thick 180 gram vinyl and is taken from the original negative print of the score, ensuring great sound. The sleeve includes liner notes from both Donald Rubinstein and actor John Amplas. Rubinstein’s notes paint a picture of what he went through composing the score. He talks about writing the score, basing it mostly of the script alone, his influences, meeting George, where he was at at that point in his life and career, as well as talking about the stark contrasts in the score. It is always great getting more perspective from the composer years after the score has been made, and Rubinstein is a great storyteller and very insightful. Now its time to run some wax.

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The opening theme “The Calling”, sets the tone using a slow beat with gothic tones. This, with the operatic singing, help establishes the film with one foot in the past as a reminder of early vampire films like Nosferatu and Dracula. At the same time the piece is very hypnotic, like the voice is calling out to someone. I love this because it reminds me of Dracula quite a bit, how through out the novel his calls out to Jonathan and his fiance. It is a very hauntingly beautiful piece and the score does a great job of reprising this piece at key moments. But the soundtrack doesn’t just play haunting music, alot of the soundtrack is jazz.

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There are pieces from this soundtrack that make me forget I am listening to a soundtrack, “Back To Me” is one of them. The jazz pieces are a large reason why the film is considered hip and modern. It helps establish Martin and the viewers in the now and at times helps to add fuel to the chaos happening on the screen. When the jazz is mixed with the gothic pieces it helps to create an environment of chaos, innocence, but also of a man of two times. As John Amplas said in the liner notes: “It moves from gothic romance to operatic heights swirling into chaotic jazz filled with tension and soul. Its original and it motivates the story.”

One way to judge a soundtrack is if the piece works on its own, and Donald Rubinstein’s score for Martin not only drive the films major themes, but its stand on its own two feet. This is a beautiful soundtrack that has been given a fantastic and worthy release. I would highly recommend this not only for fans of horror soundtracks, but fans of music in general. MOJO Magazine named it as one of the “Top 100 Coolest Soundtracks Of All Time” and it is very true. There are multiple variants of this record being sold in addition to regular 180 gram black being sold by different companies and they are:

Ship To Shore PhonoCo is selling a black & white swirl called Transylvanian Flashback. Limited to 500

Light in the Attic (US) and One Way Static (UK) are selling a Marble “Blood” Red. Limited to 500.

All three are selling 180 gram black was well and those are limited to 1000.

TRACK LISTING

A1. The Calling / Main Title
A2. Train Attack
A3. Phased
A4. Tat Cuda’s House
A5. Martin At The Butcher Shop
A6. Antique Chase With Villagers
A7. Garlic Chase #6
A8. Martin Goes To The City
A9. Christina Leaves
A10. Halloween
A11. Modern Vamp

B1. Chant
B2. The Calling (Reprise)
B3. Braddock / Chase
B4. Back To Me
B5. Crawling Sequence
B6. Martin Martin Martin
B7. Marie – Interlude
B8. Evocation
B9. Fly By Night
B10. Exorcism / Classical Funk
B11. Stake, Well Done!

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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