Category: Cinema

Catching up with Brinke Stevens. From Scream Queen to The Night Jane Went Insane, and Director, She’s Doing It All!

In what get get to learn in part two of this look at The Night Jane Went Insane is in how it connects to Brinke Stevens personal interests.

Brinke Stevens and Ed SumBrinke Stevens really needs no re-introduction. I met her a long time ago, and when I heard she would return to Victoria, BC for another convention, I interviewed her. Because I’m a fan of scream queens from the 80s, I was more than thrilled when the opportunity was made available. Plus, when I see that she’s keeping busy with new projects, from more scary stories to even serious ones, I’m glad she’s showing no signs of slowing down. She’s a different kind of wonder woman.

She’s no longer that “nubile coed” from long ago and the reason is not about ageism in the entertainment industry. It’s about respect. These days, she’s getting offers to play characters whose profession is that of a doctor, lawyer or even a sheriff! The films might still be campy, and that’s okay. For her, “It’s really fun to be in roles that’s more about female empowerment,” stated this actress.

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Introducing a New Talent to the Horror Scene, Zach Lorkiewicz, and Why “The Night Jane Went Insane” in 2023/24!

What’s special about Zach Lorkiewicz’s art, music videos and short films is that he’s willing to put it all out for free on YouTube!

Zach Lorkiewicz and Brinke Stevens at The Night Jane Went Insane Zach Lorkiewicz may seem like a new name in the horror indie film industry, but when you look at his online profile, he’s been at it for a decade, and his prowess must be noted. According to Brinke Stevens, an icon in the horror film community, he has a solid work ethic. She’s seen him at work, and the fact he has a clear vision speaks volumes.

“And I also love art; It all started when I was young, making my own films and going to schools for it. I woke up to it,” said this filmmaker. Examples can be found on his Instagram page. “I enjoy making things outside the system. It allows you to have a lot of freedom, and that ultimately is the most important thing to realise.”

This talent is based out of Los Angeles, and to stand out is tough. He said that in this city it’s easy to meet folks in the industry, but he had to be cautious. “That’s because not all of them have my back. I’ve been very lucky. It is very difficult to find producers in the Indie world willing to commit to your project. I’m consistently making other [corporate] videos and random experimental things to put on display, to make ends meet.”

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So What Are 2024’s Chinese New Year Movies? (And Where to Find Them)

In part two of our look at the newest Chinese New Year Movies will be a list of animated films that should one day see an American release.

YOLO Movie Poster - Chinese New Year MoviesOutside the Rice Bowl of the World, the number of Chinese New Year movies available to view worldwide are based on what is being offered by Cineplex’s SilverCity Riverport operation in Richmond, BC. That’s because in all my years of tracking films from this market always head to this metroplex than any other operation in my neck of the woods.

True to form, just where these motion pictures get played depends on just how big of a Chinese-Canadian or American population exists per region. Others include Seattle, San Francisco, and New York (to name a few). Strangely, YOLO and Article 20 do not make the list. The good news is that the former will eventually see a hopefully fast release, as Variety broke the news about it being acquired by Sony Pictures.

The following list of works to enjoy are:

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Just What Survives “Out of Darkness” May Well Haunt You!

In this game of Cat and Mouse, there are times where Out of Darkness will remind viewers of Quest for Fire or even Prey!

Out of Darkness Movie PosterNow in Theatres

At a cursory glance, one may think Out of Darkness is Andrew Cumming and Ruth Greenberg‘s answer to Prey. This director and writer have a solid vision that kept me guessing, and while the comparison to the Predator film is unintentional, this horror movie kept me looking at what lays out of focus should that hunter be ready to pounce!

That terror is lurking out of the edges of what’s filmed, and if the group of Homo Sapiens landing upon a new shore is to survive, I’d say all of humanity rests upon who lives and dies in this film. I think who they have to face is not just a Wendigo. Just who this beast is, we’ll never know, and I don’t want to search my home library of monster lore just what legend it hails from. There are images of a horned beast to suggest there is more than one force at work here.

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Regarding The Great Salish Heist and it’s Vancouver Island Connection According to Leslie D. Bland

This producer said, “The Great Salish Heist is indigenous version of Ocean’s Eleven. Instead of breaking into a casino, they’re going to have to find a way into a museum after hours.”

The Great Salish Heist Movie PosterLeslie D. Bland is a filmmaker who has crafted a lot of documentary style content over the years. In 2021, he and Harold Joe made Tzouhalem, which examined the impact a local legend had in the Vancouver Island region (my coverage can be read here). And to change what they enjoy making together, they produced an action-comedy The Great Salish Heist.

When I last talked to him, this project was in the early stages of pre-production. And now that it’s ready to make its world debut at the Victoria Film Festival (Feb 9 at the Blue Bridge Theatre), they can talk about the concept more! There will be a Q&A after the screening, and for those wondering how this concept came to be, “The original idea is based on Harold’s work,” said Bland. “He’s a cultural worker for the Kwakiutl and other neighbouring Nations, and it was from a pitch he put forth in front of our staff one day.”

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What Does A Robot Dreams of is not Necessarily Life, Love and Happiness

Yoda would certainly mince the words around after watching this surreal look at the relationships of animal-kind and machine in Robot Dreams.

Robot Dreams Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

In Robot Dreams, a dog’s best friend is not a man. Instead, it’s in what can be made out of mechanical parts and the hope that parting is not sweet sorrow. In this anthropomorphic world, this canine (simply known as Dog) has no friends. I had questions regarding why this is so. There’s no backstory. My guess is that this mutt is a loner.

And after building Robot, life doesn’t seem as bleak. They hold hands and do things people dating would do, like go dancing in the park. There are even some questionable occasions which made me think he ordered a mail-order bride. It may be answered in the graphic novel this film is based on, but as I haven’t read it, I’ll have to find out!

From a technical perspective, this animation is really well done and as for what the artists had in mind for some sequences, I assume dog has fetishes that’s thankfully been edited out.

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