MastersFX, The Thing, and Slither hit the Rio Theatre

Hey Vancouver!!

MARK THIS DATE DOWN!!! July 27th the RIO THEATRE is doing it again. Bringing you an experience you can't download. This time, it's the thing gore~gasms and nightmares are made of. A DOUBLE BILLING of practical effects at their BEST with John Carpenter's THE THING and James Gunn's SLITHER. The monster master behind SLITHER and everything awesome, Todd Masters, himself will be in the house and you can't have this much bloody fun without us Twisted Twins, me and Sylvia Soska, coming on like locusts!!

There will be prizes! There will be goodies galore! Surprises! And a Q and A with Todd Masters himself.

PLUS lots more on the way to be announced.... DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!!!!

Doors 7:00
John Carpenter's THE THING 8:00
Q&A with Todd Masters 10:00
SLITHER 11:00

Double bill pricing in effect! See both films for $13/$15 door.
Individual films are $8/$10 door
19+ w/ bar service
www.riotheatre.ca
www.riotheatretickets.ca

https://www.facebook.com/events/607686132582973/

The Rio Grind Schedule

Get Your Grind On, Vancouver!

East Vancouver's only independently owned and operated single screen multi-purpose venue, The Rio Theatre, is thrilled to announce the final slate of films for the first edition of the Rio Grind Film Festival, Nov. 2-4. This year's lineup includes World, Canadian, Western Canadian and BC feature, documentary, and short film premieres from seven countries.
*Advance screeners and media interviews available upon request.

Festival Schedule Just Announced!

• The exclusive BC premiere of director Don Coscarelli's (Bubba Ho-Tep, Phantasm I-IV) highly anticipated adaptation of David Wong's bestselling novel John Dies at the End (Paul Giamatti, Chase Williamson). Friday, November 2, at 9:30 pm.
• The Western Canadian premiere of Lithuanian director Kristina Buozyte's romantic and erotically-charged Vanishing Waves, a dreamy sci-fi thriller that has taken top honors from festivals around the world - including including Austin's Fantastic Fest (Best Picture, Director, Actress, Screenplay), Sweden's Lund Fantastic Film Festival (Méliès d'Argent for Best Picture), and Sitges in Spain (the coveted Méliés d'Or for Best European Fantastic Film). Sunday, November 4 at 7:00 pm.
• The World premiere of Vancouver filmmaker Josh Laner's documentary on cosplay and the unusual world of cosplayers, My Other Me. The Rio Grind Film Festival is honored to be hosting the world premiere of this fascinating feature which is already slated to screen as part of Queenland, Australia's Gold Coast Film Festival in 2013. Friday, November 2 at 5:00 pm.
  
• We are pleased to be offering our three documentary features as "all ages" shows with a special student rate. (Viewer discretion is advised.)

Go HERE for advanced ticketing information. Connect on Facebook & @RioTheatre #RioGrind

In Competition: Short Film Program

Join us for the Rio Grind Film Festival's short film program on Saturday, November 3 at 1:00 pm. Presented in association with The Celluloid Social Club, this diverse roster of shorts features 15 films from five countries. (More to be announced!)

• Dysmorphia (Andy Stewart, Scotland)
• Spacewrecked (Kalle Gulbrandsen, Norway)
• Don't Make Us (Ashley Lynch, Canada)
• Game (Angus Swantee, Canada)
• Frozen Over: In From the Cold (Nathanael Draper, Canada)
• Alchemy and Other Imperfections (Zachary Rothman, Canada)
• Hellvetica (Kalen Artinian, Canada)
• Dead Crossing (Gigi Guerrero, Canada)
• Drifting Through Silence (Christopher Ray, Canada)
• Defenseless (Norm Coyne, Canada)
• Karon (Itai Edry, Israel)
• SHHH (Freddy Chavez Olmos, Canada)
• Beautiful Phil (Sophie Romvari, Canada)
• Dialogue (Josh Johnson, USA)
• Monster (Rich Johnson, Canada)

The Rio Grind Film Festival welcomes and encourages all levels of community, corporate, and in-kind promotional consideration from a wide variety of sponsors, and would like to thank the following for their support: BC Buzz, Cariboo Brewing, The Celluloid Social Club, DOXA Documentary Film Festival, The Georgia Straight, Latincouver, The UBC Department of Film Studies, Vancity Buzz, Vancouver is Awesome, The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Vancouver Film School and Videomatica.

Get your organization's grind on! To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or for press consideration, (media passes, request screeners for reviews, media interviews, information, etc.) please contact: Rachel Fox <miss.r.fox@gmail.com>.

Get Your Grind On, Vancouver!

Get Your Grind On, Vancouver!

The Rio Grind Film Festival at East Vancouver's independent Rio Theatre is excited to announce its full slate of documentary programming for the upcoming festival, November 2-4.

We are especially proud to be opening the first year of the Rio Grind Film Festival with the world premiere of Vancouver filmmaker Josh Laner's documentary My Other Me, the "documentary about cosplay and cosplayers." Acclaimed Vancouver horror directors and Rio Grind Film Festival Associate Programmers Jen and Sylvia Soska (American Mary) agree: "We love My Other Me!"
Friday, November 2, at 5:00 pm. Presented in association with BC Buzz.

In an effort to keep the festival as inclusive as possible, all three of the documentaries screened will be open to an all-ages audience. There's even a special student rate (with valid ID)! For advance ticketing go HERE. (Mature content. Viewer discretion is advised.)

WORLD PREMIERE - Presented in association with BC Buzz
My Other Me
Josh Laner (Canada, 2012)
At the Rio Grind Film Festival Friday, November 2 at 5:00 pm.

My Other Me embodies the things that we've always loved most about Halloween [and] acting... Cosplay [has] really become it's own art form and form of self-expression; that ability to pull on someone else's skin and be everything or anything you ever wanted to be. Their bravery and self discovery is something we are just in awe of. It's a heart-warming, beautiful film that makes you want to discover your 'other me'. - Jen and Sylvia Soska

BC Premiere - Presented in association with DOXA Film Festival
The American Scream Michael Stephenson (USA, 2012)
Winner - Best Documentary Fantastic Fest; Official Selection Telluride Horror Show, Starz Denver Film Festival
At the Rio Grind Film Festival Saturday, November 3 at 5:00

A compelling encapsulation of blue-collar life. Think Death of a Salesman with

demons. – Indiewire

It's rare to see a movie where you realize it's just about over and you feel the same disappointment you get on an actual holiday when the last guest leaves. – Badass Digest

Clearly a labor of love from all involved, The American Scream is a warm and touching look at three families doing what they love with what they have. – Film School Rejects

This film has the heart of a lion and is a must see film for any horror fan.- Horrors Not Dead

A terrific documentary, one that assures us all that life lived in pursuit of a passion, no matter how seemingly trivial, is never a wasted life.  – Ain’t It Cool News

Nightmare Factory - Presented in Association with Vancouver Film School
Donna Davies (Canada, 2011)
Official Selection Screamfest LA, Spooky Movie International Horror Film Fest, Telluride Horror Show
At the Rio Grind Film Festival Sunday, November 4 at 2:00 pm

Nightmare Factory shines a light on a man and a profession that has been a long time love of ours. Thank God Greg Nicotero quit med school and built up the legendary KNB FX. His work has consistently blown audiences away along with his cutting edge approaches. He is the go-to man of our personal heroes Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Nicotero is a Hollywood treasure, and this film gorgeously demonstrates just why KNB FX is the prolific monster that it is today. - Jen and Sylvia Soska
The Rio Grind Film Festival welcomes and encourages all levels of community, corporate, and in-kind promotional consideration from a wide variety of sponsors, and would like to thank the following for their support: BC Buzz, Cariboo Brewing, The Celluloid Social Club, DOXA Documentary Film Festival, The Georgia Straight, Latincouver, The UBC Department of Film Studies, Vancity Buzz, Vancouver is Awesome, The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Vancouver Film School and Videomatica.

Get your organization's grind on! To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or for press consideration, (media passes, request screeners for reviews, media interviews, information, etc.) please contact: Rachel Fox <miss.r.fox@gmail.com>.

American Mary Comes Home to Canada at TADFF 2012!

"As the lights went down, the Toronto theater was taken over by emotion, disgust, and the indescribable beauty of absolute ugliness.The screening was a hit! So what's the news? Anchor Bay has picked up American Mary for distribution!" - Sinful Celluloid (full article) 

"Jen and Sylvia Soska, otherwise known as the Twisted Twins, first came to our attention back in 2009 with the outrageous onslaught of insanity that was Dead Hooker In A Trunk; their micro-budget debut that quickly became a cult hit the world over. 

But Dead Hooker was done with no money when the movie world wasn’t ready to believe that two feisty females from Vancouver had what it takes to leave a mark on the horror genre. Oh how wrong they were. The Soska’s came back this year with American Mary, premiering at London’s Frightfest to an enthralled audience and receiving nothing but shimmering reviews across the board. Their Frightfest success was to be the first in a string of festival experiences which has seen fans, critics and academics alike heap praise upon the twisted twosome." - Chelsey Burdon, Bloody Disgusting (full article) 

"The Twisted Twins have made a fantastic film, filled with dark humour, some odd characters like Beatress (Tristan Risk) and Ruby (Paula Lindberg) (both of whom have incredible make-up effects), wonderfully crafted surgical scenes and a standout performance by Katharine Isabelle. 

Isabelle begins as a frustrated, almost naive, definitely innocent character, and through the course of the film, you see her change, grow and develop, taking on a darker, stronger edge that begins to frighten some of those around her. 

She changes and embraces her gift, moving from initial repulsion, so bad that upon arriving home she stumbles to the toilet to vomit, to full acceptance of the bod-mod culture. Isabelle has never been better or looked sexier, the Twins seemed to make sure that all of her outfits made her look fantastic, and you simply can’t take your eyes off of her." - TD Rideout, The Mind Reels (full article)

"...the Soskas offer up a social statement about the potentially disastrous modern perception and preoccupation with physical beauty. Weirdly compelling, interesting, drily amusing yet never mean-spirited, American Mary quietly contains a totally unexpected yet thoughtful commentary that surfaces as a profound, resounding element within the framework of the film... American Mary is certainly not the kind of garden variety, over-the-top, white-knuckle, cheap-thrill bloody gore-fest that some audiences may be expecting due to its unusual subject matter. Rather, the Soskas have crafted an experience that is thoughtfully restrained and refreshingly nuanced enough to leave them thinking, instead."- Rachel Fox, Twitch Film (full article)

"In a genre long dominated by men writers and directors, the Soska twins are a welcome and vibrant addition to the horror world. They have told a tale about women, from a woman’s perspective filtered through the world of horror. This bodes well as to the work they will produce in the future. Highly recommended." - Xavierpop (full article)

"This movie is thoroughly enjoyable and if you like modern torture horror movies, then you’ll love this one because it’s the way the characters are written and the way the story is structured, the shock value of the horror scenes doesn’t lose anything upon multiple viewings. Plus, you’d be surprised at the number of funny moments in the movie. The line that may have gotten the biggest laugh in the movie simply involved Mary enjoying a milkshake. In context, the scene is great and funny.  

Right now, American Mary is making the festival tour. It’ll play at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival this weekend, but has no major release date. Hopefully it gets one soon. And if not, buy the movie when it goes on sale. If you’re a horror fan, you’ll be glad you spent the money." - Javi Perez, PlayMakerOnline (full article) 

"Katharine Isabelle delivers a Mary who is initially very likeable, then terrifying as she grows increasingly icy, then savage. Dark humour and ample gore provide the thrills, but it’s the vivid verbal descriptions that chill to the bone." - Andrew Dowler, Now Toronto (full article)

"And although American Mary reminded us of movies The Human Centipede, Hard Candy and even a tad of Boxing Helena, American Mary stands on its own as a competent and effective horror thriller that is sure to get your attention and then twist it like a wrung out sponge leading to the unexpected concluding chapter. 

It has only been a few years since we were first introduced to the Soska sisters.  But in a short period of time, they have matured and honed their skills and are near perfection in American Mary.  These sisters are a triple threat having wrote, acted and directed their feature.  And each of their pursuits have been elegantly displayed as they have moved from our ‘To Watch’ list and on to our ‘Can’t Wait For the Next Project’ list.  Well done." - GregMO Roberts, Killer Reviews (full article)

"This is a challenging film. It defies any single definition, but is exceptional in so many ways. Canadian writers/directors Jen and Sylvia Soska, a.k.a The Soska Twins, achieve in creating a dark, amusing and, most importantly, captivating film, that takes audiences on a unique journey. Not only are viewers inside Mary's head, but they are invited into the intriguing world of body modification.

Isabelle is outstanding. Her performance is chilling as she acts without emotion in every situation. Mary's support for her clients and their modifications is always offered with a fake smile. She's mostly motivated by her desire to make money and the control these procedures offer her. The more difficult the request, the more she engages. Isabelle definitely achieves a new level in this role." - Sarah Gopaul, Digital Journal (full article)

"Katharine Isabelle is hypnotic as Mary, and her dry delivery of dialogue produces laughter in the oddest of places, which is much needed for some of the dark places this film goes. From genital modification to twins wanting to share a little too much (oh, hello, amazing Soska Twins performance!), you’re never sure of where this film is going next. There are some great subplots and twists that keep you on your toes, not to mention scenes that you will haunt you when you turn the light off at night. 

The Soska Twins have brought us an incredibly original, disturbing piece of work with their latest effort. If you thought Dead Hooker in Trunk showed the girls had potential, American Mary cements this. Prepare yourself for more; they have a lot to give." - Charlotte Stear, Rue-Morgue (full article)

"I can’t help but feel just a little bit dirty for admitting that I very much enjoyed American Mary – the latest film from Jen and Sylvia Soska (also known as The Twisted Twins). A bit surprised too. I was curious going in and hopeful that lead actress Katherine Isabelle (best known for Ginger Snaps) would provide some spark to a concept that didn’t have much appeal to me, but I had expectations the film would be gory for gore’s sake. So much for expectations." - Bob Turnbull, Row Three (full article) 

-Sylv

There Will Be Mod, Mary Reviews Keep Rolling in

"Original is a word that’s not often used within horror nowadays, which of Couse, is a shame, however, with this lack of originality in the genre, it only makes seeing a film such as American Mary that much more satisfying. Unflinching, shocking but somehow very touching and personal at the same time, American Mary is something new and well, I believe it’s something to shout from the rooftops about." - Jordan McGrath, EatSleepLiveFilm (full review)

"The twisted minds behind the cult smash ‘Dead Hooker in a Trunk’ have gone from cult low budget to Hollywood mainstream in one easy scoop. Capturing the imagination of none other than horror’s latest controversial director, Eli Roth. American Mary has the raw, talented and cringe inducing moments seen on film since Hostel and let’s get this clear from the outset, AM is not for the feint hearted." - BloodGutsUK (full review)

"American Mary is one of the very best films at this year's FrightFest, and practically guaranteed a lasting cult status. It is not only one of the few scheduled films directed by women, but also a refreshingly original take on the genre. In other words, while no turkey, it certainly has wings. Cannot wait to see where the Soskas will take us next." -Anton Bitel, Little White Lies (full review)

"The gorgeous Katharine Isabelle delivers a superlative, career-defining performance as Mary – an ambitious, vulnerable girl eventually twisted and sullied by circumstances that change her world. Her relationship with Billy holds a sweetness of its own, a promise of romance that neither of them really manages to drag to the surface, lending a multi-layered gravitas to their scenes together which, thankfully, both actors realise impeccably. As Beatress, Tristan Risk is an absolute delight."
- Pestilence, Dread Central (full review)

"The weird, strange, and often disturbing world of American Mary's body-mod setting is brought to life by special effects wizard Todd Masters, best known for his work on television shows like True Blood and Fringe as well as films like Slither. Remarkably, the movie contains no computer generated imagery, relying entirely on the old-school use of prosthetics and special make-up for characters ranging from the totally unconventional (silicone forehead horns) to cringe-worthy, Real Housewives-esque plastic surgery "victims." Oddly, it is the characters in the latter category who are the most compelling and disturbing to behold, especially when viewed through Brian Pearson's appropriately moody lens." - Rachel Fox, Twitch Film (full review)

-Sylv

There She Is, Miss America - The Remarkable Reviews

"AMERICAN MARY is the most emotionally accurate, bravest, best-made horror film I have ever seen, particularly given the Twisted Twins' current position within the industry. It is sexy, revolting, empowering and overwhelming all at once without ever feeling exploitative. It is the Twisted Twins’ story and they are asking you come to them on mutual terms. Watch Mary, enjoy her and face your own desires." - Dr. Karen Oughton, Ain't It Cool News (full review)

"If Rob Zombie is ever looking to cast the roles of Siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton in a remake of Freaks, he couldn’t do better than Vancouver’s own identical-twin directing duo, Jen and Sylvia Soska. Years spent cutting their teeth on the local Vancouver film-competition circuit combined with the moderate success of the 2009 cult grindhouse flick Dead Hooker in a Trunk have finally paid off, as the Soska sisters are now on the brink of something much bigger. Their latest feature, American Mary, produced by this town’s IndustryWorks Pictures, has been picked up by Universal Pictures International for distribution in the U.K. and Germany." - Rachel Fox, The Georgia Straight (full review)

"The screening got an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the almost capacity-filled cinema (an unusual thing for the morning slot). The directors were there to introduce the film and proved to be the most energetic, lovable and bat-shit insane people to ever grace the stage at the Empire. The twin sisters responsible for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK (their first feature) were dressed in matching identical fetish outfits which mirrored the film's themes and proved to be irrepressible and honest story-tellers as they explained the genesis and production of American Mary." - Matt Nefarious, Nefarious Films (full review)

"Jen and Sylvia Soska – the directors of Dead Hooker in a Trunk – return with what may have been the most talked-about film at the festival. Ginger Snaps star Katherine Isabelle plays Mary Mason, a medical student who enters the shady underground world of body modification in search of a quick buck, and soon finds it taking a terrible toll on her own psyche. Brutal, gripping and genuinely horrifying, American Mary is the kind of film that FrightFest was created for, and should be sought out at the earliest opportunity." - Chris Tilly, IGN (full review)

"Ginger Snaps star Katherine Isabelle, gives the movie some real power. Her transformation of downtrodden but confident student, to awesome and deadly woman is a journey that many actresses would have difficulty pulling off. Isabelle not only delivers the role, she makes the audience love her from very early on. You relate in some way to the character, and want only the best for her, as she moves from the hero to the villain role, you still support her." - Spencer Hawkin, Views from the Edge (full review)

"Mary is a medical student hard up on cash. Body modification is a tempting avenue for her to put her surgical skills up to lucrative use. Wicked black comedy from the adorable Soska sisters and marks an impressive step up from their fun Dead Hooker in a Trunk. Katharine Isabelle is iconic in the titular role. She let me speak to her in the pub. Cool lady." - Jim Drew, Letterboxd (full review)

"Picking my top film is a tough decision, but it's just gotta be American Mary, from the Twisted Twins – better known as Jen and Sylvia Soska. It's an astounding piece of work from the makers of the indie hit Dead Hooker in a Trunk from a couple of years ago. Mary is such an astonishing leap forward in every way, that I cannot wait to see what they do next. Jen and Sylvia are also two of the nicest, sweetest and huggiest people I've ever met, and easily my favourite guests of the weekend (sorry, Ross)." - Stuart O'Connor, Screenjabber (full review)

"American Mary is never as much fun as this in its second half, as the tone turns more downcast and literally horrifying, but the shift is steadily conducted and absolutely in the spirit of what preceded it. The transformation of Mary from reluctant surgeon to willing torturer is firmly justified by a disturbing mid-film scene upon which everything else can be said to rest. Needless to say, the Soska Sisters don’t wimp out when it comes to the crunch, and the film doesn’t end how one might have anticipated, a testament to their unyielding, daring vision." - Shaun Munro, What Culture (full review)

"Katharine Isabelle, who briefly took the trip from obscurity to genre superstar in the acclaimed but still criminally underrated ‘Ginger Snaps’ (2000) and, although she’s appeared in a lot of films and TV shows since then has never re-attained that status, deserves a place in the pantheon of horror greats purely on the strength of this performance alone. I know that sounds gushy but wait until you see the film. Mary is one of the most perfect of monsters because we can appreciate how she was created and what she must do to survive. It’s absolutely perfect that ‘Universal’ – original caretakers of Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman – are the studio distributing this film. 

I also want to briefly mention Burlesque dancer Tristan Risk’s scene stealing performance as Beatress. Beatress is a terrific character, a touchingly distorted homage to Betty Boop whose scenes with Mary crackle with truth, humour and vulnerability. Beatress is so endearingly three dimensional she could easily carry a film on her own. Most movies are lucky to have one stand-out character. ‘American Mary’ has the double whammy of Mary and Beatress, two completely original and multi-textured characters who truly confirm the Soska sisters’ film making genius." - Ian White, Movie Ramblings (full review)

-Sylv

Twitch Film Exclusive at the Mary Cast & Crew Screening

 The buzz surrounding Canadian identical twin horror directors Jen and Sylvia Soska is growing increasingly loud, despite the fact that their second feature film, American Mary, has yet to even premiere. Following the unlikely success of their ultra-low-budget grindhouse flick Dead Hooker in a Trunk, the girls quietly cultivated both a reputation and a serious fan base that includes director Eli Roth.

This past Monday, something very special happened for the cast & crew that came together to create a film called AMERICAN MARY - we reunited in the Rio Theatre to watch the film together for the first time. If you were part of the creation of the film, you had the opportunity to see her exclusively for the first time - also, if you were the brilliant Rachel Fox of Twitch Film, you got to see the film and be the very first person to speak to the cast that night.

On Monday, I attended a private screening for cast and crew at the Rio Theatre in the Soska's hometown of Vancouver, where the film was shot. American Mary is the story of broke medical student Mary Mason, who becomes disillusioned enough with the "establishment" to drop out when she discovers a more lucrative way to make use of her surgical skills in the dangerous, underground world of extreme body modification. Starring Vancouverite Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps, Freddy vs. Jason) and an eye-popping array of old-school prosthetics and special effects courtesy of Todd Masters and MastersFX (True Blood, Slither), the film is an homage to the kind of classic horror movies Jen and Sylvia grew up watching. "We're such horror nerds," Jen tells me.  

Following the screening, the jubilant directors (donning a pair of matching dresses worn by Mary in the film) brought their own Mary, actress Katharine Isabelle, up on stage for a round of applause. Sylvia issued a heartfelt apology for "covering her in so much blood, which she hated. But it was worth it!" Isabelle seemed both emotional and overwhelmed. "I'm very happy. I had a little bit of anxiety going in, but I knew that it would be good because of these girls. It turned out to be just wonderful. I love you two."

I want thank Rachel for coming out to the screening and having a chat with us, Katharine Isabelle (Mary Mason), Tristan Risk (Beatress Johnson), and John Emmet Tracy (Detective Dolor) following the screening. Making this film was the most important thing I have ever done in my life and I have never been more proud. The team you saw in the theatre that night were the ones responsible for making AMERICAN MARY possible.

Want to know Katie's original reaction to the film, what it is like to have identical directresses on set, what it was like to bring Beatress to life with her Masters FX makeover, how it was creating the film, and why is there a dedication at the end of the film to Eli Roth? Read the whole fucking wicked piece right here!

-Sylv