Tag: Diana Rigg

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO – Review

Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Sandie and Thomasin McKenzie as Eloise in Edgar Wright’s LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, a Focus Features release. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC

Great set designs and cinematography. Moments of innovative direction by Edgar Wright. Superb performances from the two leading actresses – Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy. All of that frittered away because Wright’s screenplay begins with an intriguing premise before wandering everywhere but into the realm of coherence.

McKenzie plays a country lass who realizes her dream of acceptance into London’s best fashion school, where she plans to develop her designs based on the swinging 1960s, which was when her late mother thrived for a while before losing her marbles. She’s immediately dissed by the school’s “Mean Girls”, causing her to leave the dorm and find a room in an old woman’s (Diana Rigg, lamentably in her last role) even older, run-down house. She begins having visions of the glamorous times in that neighborhood from the era she worships, including Taylor-Smith’s role as a gutsy aspiring singer. It all looks so glamorous until it turns dark, and the lines between past and present start blurring to McKenzie’s growing fear and desperation.

The rest of the plot simply descends into sub-standard horror fare that wears out its welcome long before the sweet relief of rolling credits. But before then, the two stars shine bright. McKenzie’s an Audrey Hepburn-like babe in the woods, bringing a joyful, wide-eyed optimism to the big city before it starts crushing her. Taylor-Joy’s character is a brash wannabe who thinks she’s on her way to the top in the nightclub scene until she starts to find the rot beneath the glitz.

Perhaps the best reason to consider watching is Wright’s brilliant deployment of mirrors to show McKenzie’s perspective as a mute witness to past events that may or may not have actually occurred. Truly some award-worthy visuals in those moments. Many will also be delighted with the score that plays such a major role beyond creating atmosphere. If only the script could have remained as interesting as those specific elements.

Two Out of Four

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO is now playing in select theatres

Edgar Wright’s LAST NIGHT IN SOHO Trailer Stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp And Diana Rigg

Here’s a first look at Focus Features’ upcoming movie LAST NIGHT IN SOHO.

Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller about a young girl, passionate in fashion design, who is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it appears, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences…

Focus Features will release LAST NIGHT IN SOHO in theaters on October 22, 2021.

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO stars Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma), Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie (Jo Jo Rabbit), Matt Smith (The Crown), Michael Ajao, Synnøve Karlsen, Diana Rigg, Terence Stamp, and Rita Tushingham.

The score is from Oscar-winner Steven Price (GRAVITY). He and Wright previously collaborated on BABY DRIVER, THE WORLD’S END (interview).

Edgar Wright and Penny Dreadful scribe Krysty Wilson-Cairns co-wrote the screenplay, produced by Nira Park, Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and Wright. Focus Features and Film4 co-financed the film.

Director Edgar Wright and actor Anya Taylor-Joy on the set of their film LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, a Focus Features release. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features
Director Edgar Wright on the set of his film LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, a Focus Features release. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features
4139_D036_00251_R Director Edgar Wright and Cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung on the set of their film LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, a Focus Features release. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features

Vincent Price in THEATRE OF BLOOD at the SHAKESPEARE & CHILL Film Discussion May 13th – Presented by Cinema St. Louis and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

Join Cinema St. Louis Executive Director Cliff Froehlich in their new collaboration with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis to present Shakespeare & Chill. Every Wednesday at 8pm Cliff will moderate 20-30 minute panel discussion of a Shakespeare-related movie conversations between Shakespeare aficionados and industry professionals. Stay tuned to the Cinema St. Louis Facebook page for updates on the event!

A discussion of the 1973 classic Vincent Price film THEATRE OF BLOOD will take place between Cliff and Shakespeare and Vincent Price enthusiasts Chris Limber, Ben Ritchie, Kevin Townley, and We Are Movie Geeks own Tom Stockman Facebook on Wednesday May 13th at 8PM. The discussion will post on the Cinema St. Louis and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Facebook pages.

In the early 1970’s Vincent Price’s career was at a high point. The Doctor Phibes films were unexpected hits. How would he capitalize on these? In 1973 he took on a role in a film with a similar plot structure. In fact, many fright film fans consider THEATRE OF BLOOD an unofficial finale in a Phibes trilogy. Produced by United Artists rather then American International THEATRE OF BLOOD differed from the Phibes film in that it was set in modern times and boasted one of the most prestigious casts that Price ever worked with. Price portrays Edward Lionheart , a stage actor thought to be dead , who returns to murder the critics that denied him a thespian award. Many of Britain’s finest stage and screen actors appear to be having a blast as the victims. The members of the Critic’s Circle are Michael Hordern, Robert Coote, Jack Hawkins, Arhur Lowe, Robert Morley, Dennis Price, Harry Andrews, Coral Browne, and Ian Hendry (his character is the only critic who has some sympathy for Lionheart ). Diana Rigg plays Lionheart’s daughter Edwina, a movie make up artist. Hendry and Rigg were both part of the TV series ‘The Avengers’, he in the first episodes as Dr. David Keel and she achieving worldwide fame later as Emma Peel. Speaking of TV, in 1989 Ms. Rigg would take over hosting duties from Mr. Price on the PBS ‘Mystery!’ series. In later years Price would refer to THEATRE OF BLOOD as his favorite horror film for several reasons. The ingenious script has Edward dispatching the critics in murder scenes inspired by deaths in Shakespeare’s plays. This gave Price a chance to recreate several of the classic roles. He also gets to assume several disguises: a bobby, French chef, swishy hairdresser, and a masseuse who tricks Hawkins into believing his wife ( played by the British Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors ) is having an affair a la ‘Othello’. Price may also have had a soft spot for this film as he met the woman who would be his last wife, Coral Browne, during the filming. THEATRE OF BLOOD has some great comic relief from Milo O’Shea and Eric Sykes as investigating officers who seem always two steps behind Edward and great location work ( nothing was shot on studios sets ), brisk direction, and a witty script that blends suspense and humor. Vincent Price is a delight inTHEATRE OF BLOOD, perhaps his last great horror film.


Tenacious Eats Presents Vincent Price in THEATRE OF BLOOD October 10th with Victoria Price

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“Do you still say my Shylock was inadequate?”

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THEATRE OF BLOOD starring St. Louis native Vincent Price will be screened Saturday October 10th, as part of Movies for Foodies, a regular film series put on by the chefs at Tenacious Eats. The event will take place at St. Louis Banquet Center located at 5700 Leona. In attendance will be special guest Victoria Price, author of Vincent Price, a Daughter’s Biography.

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Tenacious Eats presents five courses and five cocktails themed to the Vincent Price masterpiece THEATRE OF BLOOD with special guest of honor Victoria Price! Recipes will be featured from Victoria’s parents’ best-selling cookbook “A Treasury of Great Recipes” which is being re-issued for its 50th Anniversary. Cookbooks will be available for purchase that evening. This event will take place at St. Louis Banquet Center located at 5700 Leona. Get ready for a creepy good time!  Live music and cash bar begin at 6:30pm.

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Because of their close relationship and her access to his unpublished memoirs and letters, Victoria Price was able to provide a remarkably vivid account of her father’s public and private life in her essential book, Vincent Price, a Daughter’s Biography. In the book, which is back in print, Victoria not only shares her insider’s view of Vincent Price’s extraordinary work in film, television, and theater but also offers fascinating detail on his early life in St. Louis, his world travels, and his abiding love for both art and cooking.

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In the early 1970’s Vincent Price’s career was at a high point. The Doctor Phibes films were unexpected hits. How would he capitalize on these? In 1973 he took on a role in a film with a similar plot structure. In fact, many fright film fans consider THEATRE OF BLOOD an unofficial finale in a Phibes trilogy. Produced by United Artists rather then American International THEATRE OF BLOOD differed from the Phibes film in that it was set in modern times and boasted one of the most prestigious casts that Price ever worked with. Price portrays Edward Lionheart , a stage actor thought to be dead , who returns to murder the critics that denied him a thespian award. Many of Britain’s finest stage and screen actors appear to be having a blast as the victims. The members of the Critic’s Circle are Michael Hordern, Robert Coote, Jack Hawkins, Arhur Lowe, Robert Morley, Dennis Price, Harry Andrews, Coral Browne, and Ian Hendry (his character is the only critic who has some sympathy for Lionheart ). Diana Rigg plays Lionheart’s daughter Edwina, a movie make up artist. Hendry and Rigg were both part of the TV series ‘The Avengers’, he in the first episodes as Dr. David Keel and she achieving worldwide fame later as Emma Peel. Speaking of TV, in 1989 Ms. Rigg would take over hosting duties from Mr. Price on the PBS ‘Mystery!’ series. In later years Price would refer to THEATRE OF BLOOD as his favorite horror film for several reasons. The ingenious script has Edward dispatching the critics in murder scenes inspired by deaths in Shakespeare’s plays. This gave Price a chance to recreate several of the classic roles. He also gets to assume several disguises: a bobby, French chef, swishy hairdresser, and a masseuse who tricks Hawkins into believing his wife ( played by the British Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors ) is having an affair a la ‘Othello’. Price may also have had a soft spot for this film as he met the woman who would be his last wife, Coral Browne, during the filming. THEATRE OF BLOOD has some great comic relief from Milo O’Shea and Eric Sykes as investigating officers who seem always two steps behind Edward and great location work ( nothing was shot on studios sets ), brisk direction, and a witty script that blends suspense and humor. Vincent Price is a delight inTHEATRE OF BLOOD, perhaps, his last great horror film.

Now you can enjoy THEATRE OF BLOOD while enjoying a five-course gourmet meal as well as five cocktails from the talented mixologists at ‘Cocktails Are Go’. The meal will be preceded by live music and an hour of Super-8 Vincent Price Movie Madness. Clementine’s Microcreamery will be providing some delicious Blood Pudding. The event will be co-hosted by Victoria Price and We Are Movie Geeks‘ Tom Stockman, director of the 2011 event Vincentennial, the Vincent Price 100th Birthday Celebration.

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Tickets for Tenacious Eats events are $75 per person and are available at www.BrownPaperTickets.com.  Be sure to Like Tenacious Eats on Facebook HERE for the latest news and special offers.  By integrating film and food, Tenacious Eats “Movies for Foodies” creates an original experience, a feast for the senses, an event that brings food and film, chefs and diners together.

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A Facebook invite for this event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/463429037162057/

Tenacious Eats only works with locally produced food procured by us and hard-to-find ingredients, imported from places that specialize in them. With each new film, they write a new menu specific to its story. Sometimes the menu is literal and sometimes it is inspired interpretation. In all cases, each dining experience is different because each film is different.

All ticket sales are final. No exchanges and or refunds. Seating is limited and is based on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Tenacious Eats  at tenaciouseats.com with any food restrictions or dietary needs.