Savage Popcorn

One of the biggest benefits of running a website dedicated to independent film – and the main reason I keep doing it – is for the opportunity to see mind-bendingly original films that I would otherwise be utterly unaware of. It’s with this in mind that I am very grateful to Quiet Earth for pointing me in the direction of Francesc Morales’ Humanimal, a dark fairy tale centered on a pair of animals, clumsy Turtle and cunning fox who live together.

Watching the teaser reminded me a lot of Randy Greif’s The Three Trials – one of the strongest slices of celluloid surrealism I’ve seen in recent years. If I do manage to see Humanimal and it does live up to my (probably unfairly) high expectations, I will be a very happy bunny indeed.

With hindsight it was probably inevitable that, following the news that the current mayor of Aberystwyth, is trying to overturn a near 30-year ban imposed by the town on Monty Python’s Life of Brian, some ignorant fundamentalist would demand that the ban be kept in place. So step forward Reverend Stuart Bell, Rector of St Michael’s Church.

The reverend hasn’t seen the film, and doesn’t want you to either. Of course, if he hasn’t seen the film it does beg the question of what exactly he finds offensive about it.

(Reposted from Gagwatch)

Todd at Twitch has found the trailer for Albert Pyun’s The Sword and the Sorcerer, a much appreciated blast from the past and a fine piece of good pulpy fun.

They don’t make films like that any more. Or do they?

It’s Christmas, 1924, and young Manhattanite John McClane visits olde Los Angeles towne to see his wife and enjoy yultide splendor. However, a few ne’er-do-wells have plans of their own..

Via Filmstalker

Originally seen on Flickr.

Since moving to Belgium I have really started to develop a taste for Flemish Red beers, such as Ichtegem’s Gran Cru from the Brouwerij Strubbe.

It’s quite light for a dark beer, not too strong, but very drinkable.

I shall sleep well tonight…

Beau Bo D’Or sums up the Madonna adoption row.

All The President’s Lies via Peter Black.

Writing in The Guardian, Timothy Garton Ash says:

In the first decade of the 21st century, the spaces of free expression, even in old-established liberal democracies, have been eroded, are being eroded and - if we don’t summon ourselves to the fight - will continue to be eroded. Free expression is not just the particular preserve of writers and artists. It’s a first-order freedom, the oxygen on which other liberties depend. Not for nothing did John Stuart Mill devote a whole chapter in his On Liberty to “the liberty of thought and discussion”.

Read the rest.

Jesus Appears on Backside of Beloved Pet!

Angus MacDougall is a three-year-old terrier mix that has recently been blessed with the revered and holy image of Jesus Christ on his hindquarters. Is this manifestation of The Prince of Peace a coincidence or a bona fide miracle? One thing is for certain, this apparition of the Son of God is sure to inspire controversy. Not much if any true scientific or theological inquiry has been made into the nature of this sign to date, but “seeing is believing” as little Angus’ terrier-tush is obviously marked by the likeness of Christ. Click on the image below to witness His astonishing appearance, first hand then be sure to visit the links above to learn more about Angus and his sacred derriere extraordinaire. We hope you enjoy your visit!

Witness the miracle here.

(Via Atheist Mum, a welcome addition to my blogroll)