Cockneys vs Zombies

The UK horror-comedy Cockneys vs. Zombies - which made its North American debut at Fantastic Fest last fall - will be released in select theaters on August 2nd.  You can read our review of the film here.

Directed by Matthias Hoene, the film follows Andy and Terry: Two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad’s care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. 

Shout! Factory has aquired two UK titles that recently played to Fantastic Fest audiences in September.

The company has picked up the thriller Tower Block as well as the horror-comedy Cockneys vs. Zombies.

Both films were penned by Severance scribe James Moran.

Shout! Factory plans a strategic rollout of the two titles on all packaged media, electronic-sell-through (EST), video-on-demand (VOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), television and in select theaters in 2013.

Talk about beating a dead horse.  In the wake of Shaun of the Dead, we’ve seen our fair share of imitators, from Lesbian Vampire  Killers to The Last Lovecraft – i.e. films that pit goofy pals against the supernatural – and Cockneys vs. Zombies is determined to ignore all of them and parade around the screen bringing nothing new to the realms of the horror-comedy or zombie sub-genre.

This latest attempt at a zom-com is severely lacking the wit writer James Moran brought to his previous effort, Severance, and it oozes with stale humor that neither elicits laughs nor smiles.  It’s weak sauce across the board and ultimately a disappointment.  What it does have going for it is a wide-range of decent zombie FX gags, but from a review standpoint, I think that’s fairly vapid critique.  These days there's an abundance of great zombie FX gags.  If you’re a fan of undead fare, however, I suppose the assortment of gunshot blasts, blows to the head and punting some of the zombies take in Cockneys vs. Zombies will please you to a degree.

Still, this movie is a mess, even if, amid the forced, silly banter, there is perhaps one half of a good idea for a film.

On August 31st, Cockneys vs. Zombies will make its UK premiere and we have a pretty amusing TV spot to share with you that is being called an "Olympic Tribute."

Says the e-mail that came accompanied with this spot: "Forget Usain Bolt, we have a race never before seen at London 2012! It’s the 10 metre lurch!"

The horror-comedy is making its North American debut at Fantastic Fest next month (we'll be dishing coverage from the event).  Here's a synopsis for the Mathias Hoene-directed flick: Andy and Terry: Two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad’s care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. Faced with hordes of undead zombies, the challenge is to rescue a home full of tough old folks, escape with the loot, and get out of London alive!

This has been a big week for the UK action zom-com Cockneys vs. Zombies.  The buzz started with its admittance into Fantastic Fest, then we learned the film was poised to hit UK cinemas later this month.  Now, a trailer has arrived!  You'll find it after the jump.

Matthias Hoene's film concerns Andy and Terry, two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad’s care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. Faced with hordes of undead zombies, the challenge is to rescue a home full of tough old folks, escape with the loot, and get out of London alive.

If you live in the UK, look for it to open August 31st.

When it comes to the zombie genre, we see a lot of "hand" imagery in the poster art.  Severed hands.  Hands reaching out of the ground.  Hands hanging off fences.  Doubt me?  Check out the art for Land of the Dead and all of the imitators that followed.

Cockneys vs. Zombies is carrying on the tradition with the UK quad you see to the left (a larger version can be found after the jump).  Thanks to Empire for the image.

Here, we have a giant undead hand destroying London.

Directed by Matthias Hoene, the horror-comedy is arriving in the UK on August 31st.  You can see the U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest this September.

Synopsis: Andy and Terry: Two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad’s care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. Faced with hordes of undead zombies, the challenge is to rescue a home full of tough old folks, escape with the loot, and get out of London alive!

Yesterday, it was revealed the action zombie pic Cockneys vs. Zombies was going to make its U.S. premiere at the Austin, Texas event Fantastic Fest and we couldn't be happier to hear it because we've been following this one since we were allowed to break the news about its start in 2008 (!).

A batch of stills came with the Fantastic Fest announcement and we'd like to share them with you...  Head inside for access to our gallery.

Andy and Terry: Two hapless cockney brothers who try to save their grandad’s care home by robbing a bank. At the same time, a virus sweeps across East London turning all the inhabitants into flesh eating zombies. Faced with hordes of undead zombies, the challenge is to rescue a home full of tough old folks, escape with the loot, and get out of London alive!

Our favorite time of year is approaching: Fantastic Fest is about to descend on Austin, Texas once again, rolling out September 20th - 27th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.  Last year, Shock attended this incredible film festival and we plan to do it again.

This morning, the organizers have revealed the first wave of film titles on the programming slate.

It was previously revealed that Frankenweenie would be making its premiere - sure, a nice slice of kiddie fare, no doubt.  On the other end of the spectrum, however, FF will be holding the premiere for Dredd 3D which is set to open September 21st nation-wide.

The festival is also pleased to announce the House of Psychotic Women sidebar, hosted by author and former Drafthouse programmer Kier-la Janisse.  Kier-la will be introducing each show and signing copies of her book afterwards. House of Psychotic Women is an autobiographical exploration of female neurosis in horror and exploitation films. Anecdotes and memories interweave with film history, criticism, trivia and confrontational imagery to create a reflective personal history and examination of female madness, both onscreen and off. 

Head inside for initial lineup of films at this year's festival...

A trio of images from the horror action flick Cockneys vs. Zombies have arriving, giving you a first look at a film we have been covering for quite a bit now.

Severance scribe James Moran penned the story directed by Matthias Hoene.  Inside, you'll find pics of stars Michelle Ryan, Alan Ford and Harry Treadaway.  The UK production follows two small time crooks who unleash an army of the dead. 

Two crooks and tons of zombies

Matthias Hoene has set up a new British zom-com entitled Cockneys vs. Zombies at Velvet Octopus, the same company behind S. Darko (the Donnie Darko sequel).

Lucus Roeche's script tells of two small time crooks carrying one million in stolen cash and fighting for survival in London after a zombie outbreak. Tamer Hassan (Wrong Turn 3) is the first actor locked to star.