Blood Ritual - Blood Diner (1987)

Date: Saturday the 11th of February 2023
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

This year we're bringing our annual Women in Horror Month celebrations to True North with a special and quite fitting Blood Ritual screening of the Jackie Kong directed Blood Diner (1987). This movie is absolutely bonkers in all the best ways, so if you like what we typically serve up, this cannibalistic ride will be right up your alley!

Be there next Saturday night, February 11th for all the fun. Food and drinks from 5pm, we'll be there by 6 with the film to start when the sun goes down. We encourage you to get there early to get a seat as 2023 has gotten off to an insanely chockers start. Memberships will be available for $10 cash on the night - and that measly note gets you 3 screenings and a free drink! 

Hope to see you there!
- MHFS gang

MHFS January – Slugs (1988)

Date: 31st January 2023
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Welcome to (yikes) 2023.

We closed out 2022 with a screening of the Spanish film, Day of the Beast, which was a huge success (well done Mel) and a new festive favourite, so I (David) thought, why not start the year with another Spanish film? And, not just any random Spanish film but one that comes from the same director as MHFS' most screened and most enjoyed film… Pieces.

Join us on the last Tuesday of the month for some gooey goodness with the 1988 film from Juan Piquer Simón, Slugs. 

A small American town is overrun with slugs that are partial to human flesh. Mike Brady, a local health worker, has a solution to off these pests, if only someone would listen to him. When the body count rises and a “slug-spert”, I mean slug expert arrives from England, it looks as though Mike had the right idea all along..
Slugs was one of the many films released on VHS in the 80s that had the 'Banned in QLD' sticker proudly displayed on its cover, so we knew it was worthy of our hard earned money!

The screening will officially start at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the rear of LongPlay, but you'll be able to find us in the middle room from around 6pm if you would like to join us for a pre-film drink and / or bite to eat. Everyone is welcome!

Memberships will be available on the night at a cost of $15 for 3 screenings or $50 for 12. Please bring cash.

David, Mel, Sam & Adam.

Blood Ritual – Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

Date: Friday the 13th of January 2023
Time: Around 9pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

Welcome to 2023 Bloodites.

We have an extra special Blood Ritual lined up to launch the new year, and you'll need to join us on the second Friday in January, instead of the Saturday. Why you ask?

Well, each new year we're eager to check out how many Friday the 13ths the calendar has blessed us with, and low and behold, there's one right there on the first page! So we thought, let's celebrate with a cheeky Friday night screening at True North, Blood Ritual headquarters.

From the vast catalogue of Friday films - which is currently at 12 and counting, fan favourite Part VI: Jason Lives feels fitting to kick off the year as we all return to life after New Year celebrations.

Tommy Jarvis (from Part IV and V) returns to the graveyard to make sure Jason Voorhees is dead and accidentally brings him back to life. Now it's up to Tommy to stop Jason's mindless killing and put him back where he belongs.

The True North Osteria kitchen will be open from 5pm and we'll be hanging out there by 6, with the screening to start when the sun goes down (around 9pm). Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and that'll also get you a ticket to grab a beverage on the house - and let's be honest, after the holiday season, we need all the freebies we can get! Please bring cash for memberships.

David, Mel, Adam & Sam 

MHFS Christmas: The Day of the Beast (1995)

Date: 20th December 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

A priest, a heavy metal afficionado and a TV occult personality walk into a bar...

We've all heard that joke, right?

Join us on Tuesday, December 20 for our final screening of the year - The Day of the Beast (El dia de la bestia) (1995).

The end of the world is nigh in this Spanish dark horror-comedy and theology professor, Angel, takes to the streets of Madrid, hell-bent on enacting as many sins as possible in order to sell his soul to the Anti-christ... at midnight on Christmas Day. He gets a couple of unlikely allies on board and the trio incompetently cobble together a Satanic ceremony.

This will be a fun watch! So get your Iron Maiden records out and devil horns at the ready for the MHFS version of Christmas mass.

Memberships will be available on the night at a cost of $15 for 3 screenings or $50 for 12. As usual, you'll be able to find us hanging out from around 6pm before the screening officially kicks off in the cinema room at the back, at 7.30pm.

David, Mel, Sam & Adam.

Blood Ritual- Gremlins

Date: 10th December 2022
Time: Around 8.30pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The silly season is officially upon us and the year wouldn't be complete without one last Blood Ritual to round things out. We're taking another trip back to the 80s for a holiday classic, 1984s Gremlins!

When Billy (Zach Gallogan) is gifted a pet Mogwai for Christmas he instantly gets a new friend in the adorable Gizmo. After Billy breaks the rules for taking care of his new exotic pet, Gizmo sprouts some mischievous friends who quickly outstay their welcome and change into hideous monsters.

We'll be hanging out at True North from 6pm before the screening gets started when the sun goes down (8:30 to 9pm).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we hope to see you all there!

David, Mel, Adam & Sam

MHFS November Screening - Serial Mom

Date: 29th November 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

After 31 days of horror we thought we should show something a bit light hearted for this month's screening. Serial Mom is exactly as it sounds, a mother who is a serial killer in the "perfect" American small town. For anyone familiar with John Waters' filmography Serial Mom falls perfectly into his 90's catalog. For those unfamiliar with Waters' work, you're in for a treat.

The screening will officially start at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the rear of LongPlay, but you'll be able to find us in the middle room from around 6pm if you would like to join us for a pre-film drink and / or bite to eat. Everyone is welcome!

Memberships will only set you back $15 for a three screening pass, or $50 for twelve. We take cash on the night.
We would love to see you there!

David, Mel, Adam & Sam

Blood Ritual - John Dies at the End

Date: 12th November 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

"Solving the following riddle will reveal the awful secret behind the universe, assuming you do not go utterly mad in the attempt."

So opens Don Coscarelli's 2012 film John Dies at the End. Based on the book of the same name John Dies at the End mixes cosmic horror and black comedy into one hell of a trip you won't likely forget anytime soon. Two paranormal investigators are trying to understand the effects of a seemingly alien drug that when taken opens to the users to see...well...the awful secret behind the universe.

We'll be hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started at a loose 8.30 (or there abouts).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

MHFS Halloween Screening - Urban Legend

Date: 25th October 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Bloody Mary.. Bloody Mary.. Bloody Mary.. well, you know the rest! 

Make sure you check the back seat of your car, then get along to LongPlay in Fitzroy North on Tuesday, October 25th for our screening of Urban Legend (1998). Directed by Melbourne's very own Jamie Blanks, this is one super fun slasher from the post-Scream world that really holds up and is well worth another watch! An incredible cast of Alicia Witt, Jared Leto, Rebecca Gayheart, Michael Rosenbaum, Tara Reid, Joshua Jackson and also featuring big-time players of the genre, Robert Englund, Danielle Harris and Brad Dourif, this movie is gleefully meta and looks beautiful, all while not taking itself too seriously. Bring your pop rocks and your soda for our final screening before HalloweeeEeeEEeen. 

And, to get you even more in the mood, check out the link below for a special chat with director Jamie Blanks that the guys from Good Movie Monday teed up ahead of this screening. You can listen to the audio of it as part of their podcast episode, released on October 3 that also features our Melsy, chatting movies based on urban legends. 

MHFS Halloween Screening - Crawl

Date: 18th October 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Apex Predator all day baby!

Join us once again at LongPlay on October 18th for another of our Halloween screenings 'Crawl' (2019) directed by Alexandre Aja.

When Haley (Kaya Scodelario) goes to check on her father Dave (Barry Pepper) in the middle of a hurricane she finds more danger than just the looming storm above. As the waters rise around them Haley and Dave must fight to survive against the prehistoric monster below the house.

We can't wait to see you all there, just over halfway to Halloween, keep it spooky

The screening kicks off at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the rear of LongPlay. You'll find us in the middle room from around 6pm for a pre-film dinner and drink.

Memberships will only set you back $15 for a three screening pass, or $50 for twelve. We take cash on the night.

MHFS Halloween Screening - Uninvited

Date: 11th October 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Yay. The Spooky Season is here and we have such sights to show you. We have three screenings at LongPlay this month and first up is Uninvited from 1987.

A bunch of young people are invited to a "Caribbean cruise" on a gangster's yacht, to distract the attention of the authorities. Unfortunately, a mutant cat which escaped from a test laboratory also gets on board and kills most of the passengers.

The film stars veterans of the horror genre, George Kennedy (Death Ship, Creepshow 2) and Clu Gulager (Return of the Living Dead).

Join us for this bonkers film that once seen is never forgotten.

The screening will officially start at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the rear of LongPlay, but you'll be able to find us in the middle room from around 6pm if you would like to join us for a pre-film drink and / or bite to eat. Everyone is welcome!

Memberships will only set you back $15 for a three screening pass, or $50 for twelve. We take cash on the night.

Blood Ritual - Trick or Treat (1986)

Date: 8th October 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

What are you afraid of? It's only rock & roll...

This October, for our Halloween screening at Blood Ritual, we will be showing the heavy metal horror cult classic - Trick or Treat. Filmed during the height of the Satanic Panic, Trick or Treat is the story of a bullied metalhead who plays a record backwards to raise the spirit of metal frontman Sammi Curr to take vengeance on the kids who made his life hell. Trick or Treat has a horns raising soundtrack, amazing cameos and so many spikes on black leather.

Blood Ritual is now the second Saturday of the month at True North in Coburg, we'll be hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started at a loose 8.30 (or there abouts).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

MHFS Watch Party - Freaky

Once again the spooky season is upon us, and we’ve decided to begin this years screening festivities with a good old fashioned Watch Party. 'Freaky' is a 2020 horror comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton, currently streaming on Netflix.

When a serial killer attacks his most recent victim, Millie, with an ancient dagger, they awaken the next day to find they’ve switched bodies a là 'Freaky Friday'. As both Millie and the killer struggle to come to terms with their new bodies the very threat of being stuck forever means Millie has to confront her fears and fight back against what the world is throwing at her.

Settle into that comfy spot on your couch for all the entertainment this coming Tuesday night, October 4th. We’ll be hitting play at 8pm AEDT, with customary 30 minute countdown from 7:30pm. We have a dedicated channel for chatting/giffing on our Discord server - send us a DM or email (melbournehorror@gmail.com) for a link to join.
Can’t wait to “see” you all there for this super fun ride!

Blood Ritual - The Blob (1988)

Date: 24th September 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

Buckle up ghouls, it’s about to get sticky!

Come down and join us as we continue our 80’s cult classic shenanigans with 1988s The Blob. A remake of epic proportions, directed by Chuck Russel a year after his debut - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Blob gives a “modern” spin on 1958s film of the same name. As a small town is slowly overrun by a gelatinous creature from outer space, highschoolers Brian (Kevin Dillon) and Meg (Shawnee Smith) become tangled in a web of chaos between the unwelcome visitor and a new military presence. Chock full of gruesome practical effects The Blob is a cult classic well deserving of a Blood Ritual viewing experience.

We'll be hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started at a loose 8.30 (or there abouts).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

We hope to see you all there!

MHFS September screening: PSYCHO II

Date: 27th September 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

It's 22 years later and Norman Bates is coming home...

On the back of making ROADGAMES, Richard Franklin was asked to direct a sequel to one of the biggest films by his hero and mentor, Alfred Hitchcock. Teaming up with writer Tom Holland and cinematographer Dean Cundey, this is such a gem of a psychological thriller! Anthony Perkins returns as Norman and upon his return to the Bates Motel, he makes a new friend, Mary (played by Meg Tilly). All is going well until Norman starts getting "confused" again.

This is the second screening in our duo of films directed by Richard Franklin and will be taking place on Tuesday, September 27. The screening will officially start at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the rear of LongPlay, but you'll be able to find us in the middle room from around 6pm if you would like to join us for a pre-film drink and / or bite to eat. Everyone is welcome!

Memberships will only set you back $15 for a three screening pass, or $50 for twelve. We take cash on the night.

We would love to see you there!

Blood Ritual - Demons

Date: 27th August 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

Are you having trouble with inner demons? If so, we at Melbourne Horror Film Society can help.

Join us on Saturday, August 27, for it is time to exorcise those demons (and exercise those drinking arms), whilst watching an Italian gem called, you guessed it (plus it was in the event title), 'Demons'.

It's the mid 80s and Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava (Mario's son) team up to write this slice of craziness and gore. Directed by Lamberto Bava, and with a cheeky appearance by fellow horror director Michele Soavi, what you're about to see on screen is beyond belief. If revisiting this film doesn't become a personal ritual, we'll all be very surprised.

Blood Ritual is held at True North in Coburg, and you'll find us there from 6pm, drinking a beverage or two (served in skulls ) and having a tasty bite to eat from the biggest bloody legends you'll ever meet.
Memberships for Blood Ritual are a steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll also get a ticket to grab a drink on the house - what more could you want?!

We hope to see you all there!

MHFS August screening: ROADGAMES

What's in the esky?

You'll have to join us on Tuesday, August 30 to find out as we screen the 1981 Aussie thriller, ROADGAMES.

Heavily inspired by the Alfred Hitchock classic, 'Rear Window', ROADGAMES stars Stacy Keach as Quid, an American trucker driving across the Nullabor who comes to suspect the driver of a green van of murder. Quid picks up a hitchhiker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis and the two (along with pet dingo Boswell) team up to catch the killer.

This screening will be the first of two featuring films directed by Richard Franklin.

You'll be able to find us in the middle room at LongPlay from 6pm and we invite anyone and everyone to come in early and have a pre-film drink, bite to eat, or just a friendly catch up together. The screening will then get underway at 7.30pm in the cinema room at the back. Memberships will be available on the night, setting you back just $15 cashola for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months.

We hope to see you all there!

Blood Ritual July 30th - Maniac Cop

Date: 30th July 2022
Time: Around 8pm
Location: True North 2A Munro St, Coburg

You have the right to remain silent… FOREVER

We’ve been bouncing through some new age cult classics, but now it’s time for Blood Ritual to return to the magic of the 80s with William Lustig’s 'Maniac Cop'. When a brutal killer, dressed as a New York City police officer goes on a rampage, it's up to Lieutenant McCrae, along with fellow officers Forrest and Mallory to uncover who is behind this evil badge before Forrest is put behind bars as a suspect in the murders. A staple of the late 80s, it stars the wombo combo of Tom Atkins and Bruce Campbell (Chin and Moustache kings) as McCrae and Forrest, with Lauren Landon as Mallory and Robert Z’Dar towering as the Maniac Cop. Written by the great Larry Cohen, and eventually spawning two sequels, you’re not going to want to miss the high octane thrills and kills on the big screen.

Blood Ritual is held at True North, where you'll meet a bunch of bloody legends behind the bar serving beer in skulls and cooking up some tasty eats. 

We'll be hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started at a loose 8.30 (or there abouts).

Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!

We hope to see you all there!

David, Mel, Adam & Sam

MHFS July Screening - Idle Hands

Severed Hands Part 3 of 3

Date: 26th July 2022
Time: Screening starts at 7.30pm
Location: LongPlay 318 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Are you bored, unoccupied, and don't want to do anything that will get you in trouble? MHFS has the answer. Come along to Part 3 of our Severed Hands film theme and we promise you won't have....Idle Hands.

Firstly, a huge thanks to our ever-wonderful members who we are always grateful for, but especially last month as we had a little hiccup and were forced to postpone the screening by a week. No thanks to the spicy cough.. *cough cough*.

Now that that's done with, this month we are heading to the late 90s with 'Idle Hands', starring Devon Sawa, Jessica Alba, Seth Green and Elden Henson.

Seventeen-year-old slacker Anton Tobias wakes up one Halloween morning to discover that both of his parents have been turned into two headless Halloween decorations. After speaking to his equally irresponsible friends, Mick and Pnub, Anton discovers that his right hand has a blood-thirsty mind of its own and and is hell-bent on wreaking havoc whether he likes it or not.

We will also be giving away the last of our fantastic prizes, a severed thumb vial, which was kindly donated and specially made for this series of films by our very talented friend Chonchon Glass.

Join us on Tuesday July 26th for the pre-film talk, which will start at 7.30pm.. and be prepared as I (David) have added more titles to my list of films related to the Severed Hands theme. You will find us in the middle room at LongPlay from 6ish on the night, with membership costing $15 cash for three screenings, or $50 for twelve months.

We look forward to seeing you there.

David, Mel, Adam, and Sam

Blood Ritual 25th of June - Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Come one, come all to the next Blood Ritual, held on Saturday June 25th where we’ll be happily screening the horrifically entertaining Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) are a couple of well-meaning hillfolk headed to their dream cabin in the woods for some restorations, but they are mistaken for psycho killers by college students on a Memorial Day weekend getaway. Their plans go up in smoke as both groups fight for their survival. Filled with hilarious comedic timing, and enough blood and guts to satisfy the gore-whore in us all, this is truly a horror-comedy to die for.

Blood Ritual is held at True North, where you'll find a bunch of bloody legends behind the bar serving beer in skulls and cooking up some tasty eats. The specially made Slither dessert last month was amazing! You'll find us hanging out there from 6pm before the screening gets started around 8/8.30.
Memberships for Blood Ritual are an absolute steal at $10 for 3 screenings and you'll get a ticket to grab yourself a beverage on the house - yep, just paid for itself!
We hope to see you all there!

Interview with The Hand's Andrea Marcovicci

Our friends at Good Movie Monday caught up with Andrea Marcovicci ahead of our June screening of 'The Hand'. 

You can also hear the audio version of this interview on the GMM podcast episode released on June 9, which features MHFS co-organiser Melsy Begg discussing body parts movies and our Severed Hands series with Glenn and Ben. 

Search for Good Movie Monday wherever you get your podcasts.