Rec 3 Genesis

2012, in horror, has had its ups and downs.

I found that a lot of the titles that I wanted to consider for the list were initially released in 2011.  For that matter, three of the titles that did make the list were in the can for some time before finally receiving distribution or US distribution in 2012. 

Head inside for my top five horror films of the year!

About six months ago, FEARnet's Lawrence Raffel and myself put the all-horror podcast we had been collaborating on, called Shock Waves, on hold.

A few factors into its hiatus (we knocked out 18 episodes consistently from July 2011 to January of this year), but nothing ever stays dead in this genre so we both agreed it was time to bring Shock Waves back, especially after the listener feedback asking when it would return.

Here's the rub.  All of our old episodes, from "season 1" we'll call them, are gone.  Lost to the Internet.  Don't ask me where they went, but they no longer exist, sadly.  We're starting "season 2" with a clean slate you might say.

In this installment, we're getting back into the groove of things.  We look at various horror movies we've liked and disliked in 2012 so far.  We also weigh in on the Korean import Deranged, now playing in select theaters.

Brian Collins (from BadAss Digest, Horror Movie a Day) swings by for a discussion about Halloween 4 and Halloween 5, two titles making their Blu-ray debut this month from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  How do the sequels featuring the iconic horror villain Michael Myers hold up?  Oh, we'll tell you...

All of this and much more in the Shock Waves relaunch!  Listen inside.

"I love gore."  

You don't hear those words spoken by actresses very often, especially during interviews, but when it comes to Spain's Leticia Dolera, star of this week's VOD release REC 3: Genesis, you know you are in good company.

The actress, who appeared in 2009's Imago Mortis, plays Clara, a new bride whose wedding reception takes a bloody turn when an outbreak - akin to the vicious infection that spread in the first two REC entries - occurs.  She's split from her man and spends the rest of the film running from the possessed undead, wielding a chainsaw and doing a fair share of ass kicking.

We were given a chance to speak with Dolera today via phone to discuss the sequel and discovered she's not only a genre fan, but a filmmaker in her own right.  Read on for our candid discussion.

Available on VOD today and hitting theaters during a limited theatrical run on September 7th...the Spanish import REC 3: Genesis, the anticipated follow-up to the intense REC and REC 2.

In anticipation of this release, we have a fun, exclusive clip to share - you'll find it after the jump.

The preview within has a bit of bloody action and introduces you to "Royalties," one of the many interesting characters featured in the sequel which takes place at a wedding reception.  If you missed our previous coverage for this title, check out our interview with co-writer Luiso Berdejo here, our review here and our interview with director Paco Plaza here.

The next chapter in the hit Spanish horror series REC breaks the claustrophobic confines of its urban tenement teeming with possessed residents ready to tear your throat out.

REC 3: Genesis – hitting VOD this Thursday from Magnet Releasing - relocates the action and bloodshed to the wedding reception of Koldo and Clara, a young couple happily in love until a vicious outbreak plagues their friends and family.  The results are gory and, at times, hilarious.  But the setting isn't the only thing different about this entry and, unlike the previous REC entries, there’s only one man sitting in the director’s chair this time – Paco Plaza.

Plaza had previously helmed Romasanta and the clever holiday treat, A Christmas Tale, one of the "6 Films to Keep You Awake" film series.  Of course, he had also co-directed REC and REC 2 with Jaume Balaguero.  Shock spoke with Plaza about his sequel, its "rebellious" nature, the Spanish film industry and more.

As with any assessment on a sequel, first comes a preface with brief thoughts on the entries that have come before it.  And, I’ll be honest, I have never watched the REC films more than once because I have this thing about playing out films that impact me - I'll revisit them soon enough.  I find them highly entertaining and effective.  

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the original, an assault on the nerves without..a…doubt.  REC 2 further quickened the pulse, heightened the action, offered new perspectives of the unfolding horror and explored the mythology further.  We were not dealing with a typical “infected” victim here.  The threat in this series worked on a spiritual level.  Infection by way of possession, which gave the films a cool Lamberto Bava’s Demons-esque vibe.  But the REC movies stood on their own with an inventive take on a particular sub-genre and an aggressive visual approach.

Which brings us to  REC 3: Genesis.  Paco Plaza is flying solo in the director’s seat this time, sans Jaume Balaguero, his co-director on the previous two entries.  And, for the most part, he fares quite well.  It’s brisk, bloody and packs some laughs, but it holds no surprises.  What it lacks in ingenuity it more than makes up for with some clever writing and characters.

With the August 3rd VOD premiere of REC 3: Genesis approaching, IGN has released the official U.S. trailer for the threequel, directed by Paco Plaza.  A September 7th limited theatrical run is also in the cards, courtesy of distributor Magnet Releasing.  Shock recently spoke to writer Luiso Berdejo about the film, follow this link for more and head inside for the trailer.

Shock Till You Drop had a chance to sit down for coffee with REC 3: Genesis co-writer Luiso Berdejo.

Some time ago, Berdejo developed a solid reputation with his short films (three of which are available on YouTube).

He co-wrote the first REC film and directed The New Daughter, the thriller starring Kevin Costner which was unceremoniously dump in a super limited theatrical run before heading to DVD.

Berdejo talks with us about what we can expect from REC 3: Genesis, the decision to move the film outdoors and he shares some details about the fourth installment REC: Apocalypse.

Rec 3: Genesis is making its way to the U.S. from Magnet Releasing.  We've been informed the film will  hit VOD on August 3rd and a limited theatrical run will follow on September 7th.

The sequel, directed by Paco Plaza, enjoyed a North American debut at SXSW this month and reviews, for the most part, have been positive.  Magnet has unveiled a Facebook page for the U.S. release.  You can check it out right here.

The North American premiere for REC 3: Genesis has come and gone.  The film played to SXSW audiences and now we have to wait until the fall - that's when Magnet releases Paco Plaza's sequel here in the U.S.  For you UK readers, you get the film May 11th and, this morning, a new trailer has made its premiere via Empire.

What's the advance word?  From those who saw the weekend screening, it's a mixed bag of reviews.  Some say it strayed from its predecessors and become just a regular zombie film, others thought it was still a well-executed gorefest.

Head inside for the trailer...

Allow us to dish some good news.  Shock has learned Magnet Releasing has acquired Rec 3: Genesis, the anticipated follow-up to the Spanish horror films Rec and Rec 2.  Magnet was responsible for bringing Rec 2 to the U.S., as well, in 2010.

We're told a fall 2012 release is being planned, so stay tuned for an official release date.  Those heading to SXSW this week will be able to see the film early.  We can't wait to hear the buzz on this sequel which is directed solely by Paco Plaza, one half of the Rec team (Jaume Balaguero will return for the fourth film).  Head inside for an update on another film we're excited about.

Four new images from Rec 3: Genesis have arrived, offering yet another look at this highly-anticipated sequel opening next month in Spain and making its American premiere at South By Southwest.  Head inside for a look!

A trailer is here to promote the French release of the highly-anticipated REC 3: Genesis.

Don't forget, if you're heading to the South By Southwest Film Festival, this latest chapter in the franchise is going to make its North American premiere next month!

With this latest film, director Paco Plaza is pumping new blood into the REC franchise. The third chapter of the saga will have spectators back on the edge of their seats with more action and more humor that will take us back to the essence of the first film: true to life characters and scenarios that the audience can't help but relate to.

The latest poster for REC 3: Genesis has arrived, playing nicely on Leticia Dolera's character Clara, a bride whose wedding ceremony goes terribly wrong.  Paco Plaza - who co-directed the previous entries - is at the helm this time.

On Valentine's Day, Filmax released a new trailer for REC 3: Genesis, opening in Spain next month.  We now have that same trailer, but with English subtitles.

With this latest film, director Paco Plaza is pumping new blood into the REC franchise. The third chapter of the saga will have spectators back on the edge of their seats with more action and more humor that will take us back to the essence of the first film: true to life characters and scenarios that the audience can't help but relate to.

In the film, Koldo and Clara are about to celebrate the most important day of their lives: their wedding. 

Aw, love is in the air...until terror strikes in the latest trailer for REC 3: Genesis, opening next month in Spain.  Some of you in the U.S. will be able to catch a domestic screening if you are visiting the SXSW film fest.

This entry is directed by Paco Plaza - co-director of the first two REC films - stars Diego Martin and Leticia Dolera.

South By Southwest's film festival schedule just got much more exciting.  The midnight line-up has been updated and it now includs The Tall Man, Rec 3: Genesis and V/H/S.

The Tall Man is the anticipated return of Pascal Laugier, the director of Martyrs.  And, of course, Rec 3 is the next chapter in the Spanish Rec series - this time directed solely by Paco Plaza.  Meanwhile, this is V/H/S' sophomore festival run after premiering at Sundance last month.

Head inside for the full SXSW midnight line-up.

In my review of Rec 2, I stated that the film was about as close as you were going to get to a great "first person shooter" film.  The sequel didn't set out to be a video game film, but it certainly adapted the style much better than, say, the Doom adaptation did.  And now things are going to be taking a turn for the Spanish horror series as plans are underway to carry Rec over to a new medium.

The Facebook page for Rec 3: Genesis presented a special look at a promo hitting Spanish theaters next week: A giant lobby standee featuring star Leticia Dolera, dressed in her wedding dress, brandishing a chainsaw and ready to kick some ass. 

The release of this image heralds the arrival of a new trailer which is said to be striking next week.