Grand Rapids, Mich.- June 24, 2010. Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien who assumes the appearance of the people it kills is the premise of Thriller! Chiller!’s Saturday night cult classic this year.  “John Carpenter’s The Thing” will be screened as part of Michigan’s premier genre film festival on October 23rd at the Wealthy Theatre.

The annual film festival screens at least one cult classic genre movie as part of its celebration every year. In the past, Thriller! Chiller! has unspooled other great genre classics such as “Jaws,” “Poltergeist,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Shining” to name just a few.

Festival director, Chris Randall, says there’s a lot to love about the film. “‘John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ is one of those great classic genre movies. It has so much going for it from the acting, to the story, to the visuals, to the effects,” he says. “It’s a unique film that can mix of all the genres together that we represent with Thriller! Chiller! And this one has it all with the very best of sci-fi, horror, suspense and action.”

The film was released in 1982, years before the use of CGI visual effects, and FX artist Rob Bottin famously worked himself to exhaustion creating the practical special effects used throughout the movie. “John Carpenter’s The Thing” was director John Carpenter’s fourth collaboration with cinematographer Dean Cundey (“Halloween,” “The Fog,” and “Escape from New York”) and his third movie with lead actor, Kurt Russell.

Thriller! Chiller! is the last chance many people will have to see the original on the big screen before the release of the prequel next spring. The prequel, which focuses on the how the creature came to Earth, is currently in production and has been scheduled for release on April 29, 2011.

Grand Rapids, Mich.- May 18, 2010. Set in a post apocalyptic landscape 28 thousand years into our future, a talented local film maker presents his unique vision of our beloved city mired in the throes of a power struggle amongst the city's elite dynasties: Devoz Corp, Stealbase and the Filmore Collection! “GR30K,” a Flim Flam Films and Collective Studios collaboration, made entirely in Grand Rapids, will premiere as a special event opening night feature film at Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival on Friday, October 22nd at the Wealthy Theatre.

“Our movie’s tagline is ‘After 4 nuclear holocausts, and the 2nd ice age, one God forsaken city still remains,’ ” says creator/director Daniel E. Falicki. “We all like to think we’d be the sole survivor of a horrible disaster only to return and save the day, right?  Well, this movie does all that on an epic scale and imagines our descendents in a sci-fi fantasy land where we can laugh at who we are now from that perspective.”

In the case of “GR30K,” Grand Rapidians will do just that. The film showcases plenty of popular Grand Rapids iconography and satirical representations of futuristic local residents and businesses. It was shot entirely at Collective Studios green screen studio space and features all Grand Rapids based writers, actors, voices, and musicians. GR30K’s intensely unique visual style transforms live action actors into animated characters with separate actors brought in to record the voices. The film’s futuristic weapons, vehicles and gear were crafted by Collective Studios prop masters from a variety of scrap parts cannibalized from computers, vacuum cleaners and other remnants gleaned from thrift stores throughout the city.

“GR30K may be centered on Grand Rapids but is clearly destined to be a cult classic on the Michigan film scene,” says festival director, Anthony E. Griffin, “It also represents an important step in our growing confidence as a city when we can practice self deprecating humor. Thriller! Chiller! is all about celebrating that sense of adventure we expect to have when we go to the movies. We’re proud to use our ability and international reputation to support the Michigan film makers who both work and live here because it shows off their talent to the rest of the world.”

“Heavy Metal” is the canonical predecessor of sexually charged, futuristic animated good versus evil battle films to which “GR30K” pays homage. Like its well-known predecessor, “GR30K” incorporates an adult thematic, violence and sexuality into its story, and although the film is not rated, it is recommended for adults and minors over 17 with a parent or guardian.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Festival passes on sale now for Michigan’s Premier Genre Film Festival
Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival: October 22-23, 2010, Wealthy Theatre

Grand Rapids, Mich.- May 5th, 2010. Thriller! Chiller! returns as Michigan's premier film festival celebrating the genre movie. Festival passes are on sale now for the two-day event on Friday and Saturday, October 22-23, 2010 at the Wealthy Theatre.

Festival passes are only $25 with a $5 discount for members of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, and are available for purchase on the site. A festival pass is good for the whole weekend except for the opening night special event to be announced soon. Individual tickets are $5 each and will be available at the Wealthy Theatre box office during the festival.

Award-winning Michigan filmmakers Chris Randall and Keith Golinski of Fulvew Productions, and Anthony E. Griffin of UnSAFE Film Office are co-directors of the event.

“Thriller! Chiller! honors the tradition of great independent genre cinema,” says festival director, Anthony E. Griffin. “However, this is not your traditional film festival. Our fans should expect a fun interactive event that reminds them of why they love going to the movies. We offer popcorn movies and cold beer.”

Adult beverages are available for purchase on Friday for GRCMC members only, and all guests over 21-years of age on Saturday.