Had a go at turning this 1950s Diana Dors cover by artist R.S.Sheriffs into a t-shirt

Today’s reading:

I've largely given up interviewing but made an exception for cutie Mickey Reece, who is a total sweetheart and also the living embodiment of truly independent genre filmmaking. At Film International, we talk about his career as the 'Soderbergh of the Sticks' and his latest film EVERY HEAVY THING 🖤

Also thinking maybe we should start playing WWE entrance music for out guests as they approach the stage.

Now the dust has settled a little, a big thanks to everyone who came to Mayhem this year, especially our fantastic guests. Loved having so many terrific Q&As, and hoping very much to see all these filmmakers back at the festival in the future.

As part of this year's @mayhemfilmfestival.bsky.social, I got the chance to host a couple of great Q&As for some upcoming movies - GAME, with the cast and crew, and BULK, with director Ben Wheatley and producer Andy Starke. Both low-budget, inventive films well worth looking out for.

Lonely 10 year old orphan Veronica convinces the new girl in class Flavia that she is a witch, then proceeds to exert her power over her. Slow burn, atmospheric, nicely shot piece with solid performances from the two young leads and a great ending.

Finally succumbed to the stinking cold that's been threatening to hit me over the past week, so I've taken to my bed to watch films. First up, 1986 Mexican supernatural horror Poison For The Fairies

Just noticed that this is now available on Amazon Prime. Truly a love story for our times.

FYI: MAN FINDS TAPE, viewer gets scared - watch the creepy new trailer for Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman's found footage horror feature within.

#32: Garlic

I've written a new Adrian Chills story (short horror stories inspired by the Guardian columns of Adrian Chiles). This one's inspired by a piece from the archives. It's called 'Garlic'. bsky.app/profile/adri...

"Sir, I understand you were a victim of an unprovoked attack in the early hours of this morning?" "Yes, I heard a noise on the landing, went out to investigate and was struck on the foot by several sharp objects." "I see sir. And can you give a description of the assailant?" "I can do one better..."

I'm 'bi-oh-pic' all the way (it's a BIOgraphical PICture), but I wonder if the other pronunciation is more prevalent in people 50+ because they would have been around to watch The Six Million Dollar Man and will always read it in the same way they read 'bionic'?

Have just learned about an 1970s Italian TV variety show, all set in a Satanic underworld called Stryx, which featured sketches alongside musical performances from the likes of Grace Jones and Amanda Lear, accompanied by witches, demons, cat-people and lots of wild animals. Here's a taste.

The Christian preacher with a PA system who is loudly proclaiming that Jesus is real but that Father Christmas isn’t - while multiple people walk past with their young kids - is certainly pursuing a bold strategy.

If you've ever wanted to see a 1970s Spanish TV dance troupe do a choreographed routine to Kraftwerk's Trans Europe Express, now's your chance www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbmU...

If you've ever wanted to see a 1970s Spanish TV dance troupe do a choreographed routine to Kraftwerk's Trans Europe Express, now's your chance www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbmU...

Have discovered that this sculpture is called Man And Ewe by the artist Sioban Coppinger and used to be on display in the grounds of Rufford Country Park in Notts, until it was vandalised and put into storage. No idea where it is in this picture, or who the woman might be.

Just found this photo on the street if anyone is looking for a short story prompt

Another interesting article about horror movies. Not what I would have guessed, but fascinating, tbh www.bbc.com/future/artic...

Came out of the office to find the street packed with a few hundred people because Dave was doing a signing at Rough Trade. Crowd control seems to be entirely on the two security guards at the door.

Top 2 Hitchcock (subject to change): Notorious North By Northwest Strangers On A Train

Very good version of the Leopold and Loeb case, with great performances from Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillmand and Orson Welles as the Clarence Darrow stand-in, in which we move from the inspiration for the crime, through its investigation and the trial without ever actually seeing the crime.

This evening’s viewing:

Adding this to my collection of 'Children's Book Covers With Sinister Vibes'

A pre-Halloween horror film article I wrote last year. Enjoyed doing this one because the approach the editor suggested was not the obvious Top Ten format, and slightly eccentric (for the most part I tried to avoid the usual suspects).

Thought he was asleep beside me, then looked up from my book to see him watching me. Or maybe he’s just taken to sleeping with one eye open like a Mafia informant.

Today’s reading:

I've written another new Adrian Chills story (short horror stories inspired by the Guardian columns of Adrian Chiles). This one is called 'Zips'. bsky.app/profile/adri...

First review's in for GAME: ‘A gripping, darkly funny watch’ ★★★★ Rolling Stone UK Buy tickets for our Screening/Q&A tour here: linktr.ee/InvadaFilmsG...

"Horror is perhaps the only genre that faces the challenges and anxieties of the ever-devolving present with its eyes wide open." Great stuff as ever from @annebillson.bsky.social on horror's current moment in the sun.

#31: Zips

From the archive for Marghanita Laski, #BornOnThisDay in 1915, thoughts on THE VICTORIAN CHAISE-LONGUE. A highly unnerving novella that plays on our fears of entrapment and the loss of any grip on reality - a very atmospheric read. #BOTD #BookSky 💙📚 jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2021/01/26/t...

#30: Train

I've written a brand new Adrian Chills story (short horror stories inspired by the Guardian columns of Adrian Chiles). This one is called: Train. It's inspired by the Welsh folk story of the Gwrach y Rhibyn. bsky.app/profile/adri...

This is how you blurb

Thanks to @mayhemfilmfestival.bsky.social for hosting the UK Premiere of my film!

Thanks to everyone who came to @mayhemfilmfestival.bsky.social this weekend. Special thanks to all our great guests: @kierlajanisse.bsky.social, Ben Wheatley & Andy Starke, Marc Price and the cast of THE ARBITER, & all the team from GAME, including @robwilliams71.bsky.social, for some terrific Q&As.

Last night was the UK Premiere of GAME at opening night of the excellent @mayhemfilmfestival.bsky.social in Nottingham. Full house. Great cinema. Film seemed to go down really well.

Some fave reviews out of @mayhemfilmfestival.bsky.social "The best ghost story for Christmas since Stigma - absolutely stunning" (Stigma may be my favourite so this is high praise indeed!)

Rough Trade were doing a '7 albums for £5' deal, so I took a punt on some stuff

I've written a band new Adrian Chills story (short horror stories directly inspired by the Guardian columns of Adrian Chiles). This one is called 'Treat' bsky.app/profile/adri...

Great thread from Mayhem regular @penelopebabs.bsky.social if anyone is looking for some stellar horror recommendations from the past 14 years

#29: Treat

Today’s best second hand buy: eight 50s/60s novels by crime writer Ursula Curtiss, which were only a fiver because they were being sold as shelf decoration. Curtiss was the daughter of another crime writer - Helen Reilly - and the sister of yet another - Mary McMullen.

Today’s best second hand buy: eight 50s/60s novels by crime writer Ursula Curtiss, which were only a fiver because they were being sold as shelf decoration. Curtiss was the daughter of another crime writer - Helen Reilly - and the sister of yet another - Mary McMullen.

This is a great interview, my favourite quote being 'I had participated in a dark event' which I might steal as an all-purpose response.

Mayhem's only a day away! Looking forward to seeing everyone at @broadwaycinema.bsky.social tomorrow. And for those interested - Mayhem 2025 t-shirts are now on sale! www.broadwaymerch.shop/product-page...

The UK PREMIERE of Kier-La Janisse's brilliant adaptation of the Algernon Blackwood short story THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM screens this Sunday at Mayhem, with a post-screening Q&A: Tickets: www.broadway.org.uk/whats-on/may...