*This article is part of a two-part series 1925: The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney, was Universal Studios’ biggest movie of the year. Budgeted at two million dollars, it was in production for damn near two years (an extravagantly long gestation for the time) and would feature the grandest sets, the most lavish … Continue reading Phantom of the Phantom of the Opera: Part 1
Tag: New Zealand
To even skim one’s memory of Sam Neill is to realise that he truly was a totemic presence in cinema, not just for New Zealand, but for the global cinema community. Sir Sam Neill 14 Sept 1947 - 13 July 2026 He was, in the eyes of the public, both an actor and a movie … Continue reading Under His Spell: Sam Neill’s Horror Movies
Release Date: 9 July 2026 Directed By: Sébastien Vaniček Run Time: 110 mins REVIEW Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead is to the 80s what Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was to the 70s. A low-budget masterpiece that was a nightmare to film and tested the grit and patience of everyone involved. All the … Continue reading Review: Evil Dead Burn – Raging Inferno or Barely a Spark?
I actively avoided seeing The Weed Eaters at last year’s NZIFF, put off by the quotes: “… riotous NZ horror comedy. Four holidaying friends come across a strain of weed that gives them the most extreme case of the munchies ever recorded”. A no-budget horror-stoner-comedy? A wry take on the horror genre by a group … Continue reading In Praise of: The Weed Eaters on Tour
There’s a new wave of horror movies and movie makers emerging from this country, and it is the most exciting thing to happen to our corner of the horror genre since our first steps into it back in the 80s. Actually, right now, there’s a plethora of brilliant B-movies that have seeped out into festivals, … Continue reading Trouble in Paradise: The New Wave of Kiwi Horror
Join NZHF as we go behind the scenes with Needful Nightmares founder Lucas and discuss what it's like turning your passion for horror into a business!