26th September - So.. Toronto ended splendidly and seems like an aeon ago. My highlights from another splendid year included THE LOVED ONES, SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD and REC 2.

Having departed the good company of Colin Geddes and his delightful crew it was off to spend a few days with Adam Green and his delightful future wife Rileah. Although I was only only in LA for a couple of days Adam kindly allowed me to view his forthcoming film FROZEN. As Alan previously wrote in a blog it's always difficult to watch a film by a film maker friend – but we always have to be honest... so it was a relief that I absolutely loved his new work. I can't really say a lot about this but it left me shell shocked. Also managed to catch up with Joe Lynch for a fab sushi meal (my first ever!) at Adam's favorite sushi restaurant.

We also stopped by to say hi to Messrs Di Blasi and Harrison who were conducting a Clive Barker based signing at Dark Delicasies to promote their forthcoming DREAD and BOOK OF BLOOD films. I managed to get them both to sign some very cool promo posters for the films – so look out for a future FrightFest website competition..

So.. goodbye Hellay and hello Austin and Tim and Karrie League's awesome Fantastic Fest. Showing in this their 5th year are a whole bunch of films – some familiar to us Fright folk and some not. GENTLEMEN BRONCOS the opening night film I could take or leave frankly. Overplayed and repetitive – from the NAPOLEON DYNAMITE team. This feels like the sci fi equivalent of the brilliant GARTH MARENGHI'S DARK PLACE. Aside from a great comedic turn from FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS lead Jemaine Clements this is a disappointment.

Better was the great fun but flawed ZOMBIELAND. A powerhouse opening 10 minutes that knocks you for six and a wonderful celebrity cameo aside this felt a little lacking in a couple of story areas but was an audience mega favorite and a hard R rated film to boot.

It was great to finally watch the new version of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.. having seen the screener we were sent a couple of years ago.. essentially the same film with a slightly tweaked ending. This was perfect midnight movie fare and had the hard boiled audience shrieking at this subtle terror tale in all the right places.

To be honest I have seen a load more things but A. I'm running out of space and B. I'm running out of time and out the door to the next screening.

Lots more next time..

Paul.

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