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Be afraid, be very afraid: Finnish mystery thriller “Icebreaker” has just revealed exclusive first-look photos.

Set on a stranded icebreaker, it sees coast guard Sanna Tanner (Jessica Grabowsky) leading a rescue team. She comes across a group of survivors – and a frozen body – but over the course of six days, crew members start to disappear. And a vindictive spirit might have something to do with it.

“Icebreakers’” backers have shared a set of first-look stills in exclusivity with Variety.

Created by Mia Ylönen, who exec produces with Aleksi Bardy following their collaboration on “Codename: Annika,” “Icebreaker” is produced by Helsinki-filmi, an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.

Commissioned by Elisa Viihde and distributed by About Premium Content (Apc), the series boasts an impressive cast, with “Border” lead Eero Milonoff and “Compartment No. 6’s” Seidi Haarla joined by Mikko Leppilampi, Karim Rapatti, Roderick Kabanga or Johannes Holopainen.

“We wanted to build up slowly,...

First Look Media’s niche streaming service Topic has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to the second season of the Nordic thriller “Arctic Circle,” which just started shooting in the icy wilderness of Lapland.

Lagardère Studios Distribution, which was recently acquired by Mediawan Group, is handling international sales on the series and participated in its financing. “Arctic Circle” was produced by Yellow Film & TV for Elisa, the leading Finnish streaming service.

The series’s second season will be filming until March and will launch on Elisa at the end of the year. Lagardere Studios previously sold season one of the show to Topic, as well as Polar+ (France), Rts (Switzerland), BeTV (Belgium), Videotron (Canada), Npo (The Netherlands), Ivi (Russia), Canal Plus (Poland), Rtp (Portugal), Cosmopolitan TV (Spain), Elisa (China) and Ftv Outre-mer 1e (France overseas), among others.

The show is headlined by Iina Kuustonen, Pihla Viitala, Mikko Leppilampi and Max Brückner.

Directed by: Marko Makilaakso

Written by: Marko Makilaakso

Starring: Mikko Leppilampi, Andrew Tiernan, Samuel Vauramo, Jouko Ahola, Antti Reini, Magdalena Gorska

The zombie movie apocalypse continues with War of the Dead, an action film/zombie hybrid with some surprisingly strong cinematography, solid performances and several other positive aspects the target audience will not especially care about.

During WWII, along the Russian border, Nazi scientists hide away in a secret bunker and perform “anti-death” experiments on captured Russian soldiers. When the test subjects turn into crazed, flesh-eating zombies with superhuman strength, the experiments are abandoned and the “evidence” is buried in a mass grave. Two years later an American and Finnish task force led by Captain Stone (Andrew Tiernan) is recruited to find and destroy the Nazi bunker. They face off with German soldiers and several men on both sides are killed or severely wounded.

The remaining members of the task force continue on their mission,...

Things promise to get rather dark in upcoming Finnish crime drama 8 Ball. A multi faceted affairdirected by Aku Louhimies and backed by Blind Spot Pictures (Iron Sky), 8 Ball looks to be a more encompassing view of the narcotic underground than normal, one that includes not only gangsters and guns but also addicts and their families in a package that promises to be edgy and provocative in a way we haven't seen out of the region since the Pusher films and Ole Christian Madsen's Angels In Fast Motion (Nordkraft). Jessica Grabowsky, Eero Aho, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, and Mikko Leppilampi star.We ran the first teaser for this one back in October but now a full trailer has arrived. Take a look below....

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Described as "Band of Brothers" meets "The Walking Dead," War of the Dead is hitting Blu-ray and DVD just after the first of the new year from Entertainment One, and we have all the info you need on the film right here, including a trailer and some stills.

From the Press Release:

The "March of the Undead" continues from Entertainment One, home of all things that shamble with War of the Dead (UK DVD review here), an epic mashup of zombie and war films! In the record books as the most expensive film to ever be shot in Lithuania, it's certain to give you your fix if you're the kinda person who just can't resist a zombie in uniform. Could there be a better film to start off the New Year with?

The film is directed by Marko Mäkilaakso and stars Andrew Tiernan (300; The Pianist; Lock, Stock and Two Smoking...

Today in our Indie Beat section, we've got a DVD/Blu-Ray release date for an upcoming zombie flick called War of the Dead.  The main catch here being it's set up more as a war film (Band of Brothers style) but with tons of zombies thrown in.

Here at TheMoviePool we like to talk about all aspects of filmmaking and movie news. To that end, we have Indie Beat where we highlight some of the latest news, trailers, and PR releases from the indie filmmaker scene.  So if you're an independent filmmaker and want some coverage on our site, be sure to drop us a line at jordan@themoviepool.com . 

If a Band of Brothers style drama spiced up with zombies sounds like it's right up your alley, then you're in luck.  War of the Dead launches on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 8, 2013, so it's a great way to start of your year.

Today in our Indie Beat section, we've got a DVD/Blu-Ray release date for an upcoming zombie flick called War of the Dead.  The main catch here being it's set up more as a war film (Band of Brothers style) but with tons of zombies thrown in.

Here at TheMoviePool we like to talk about all aspects of filmmaking and movie news. To that end, we have Indie Beat where we highlight some of the latest news, trailers, and PR releases from the indie filmmaker scene.  So if you're an independent filmmaker and want some coverage on our site, be sure to drop us a line at jordan@themoviepool.com . 

If a Band of Brothers style drama spiced up with zombies sounds like it's right up your alley, then you're in luck.  War of the Dead launches on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 8, 2013, so it's a great way to start of your year.

Watch the trailer for Entertainment One's War of the Dead on Blu-ray and DVD January 8th, 2013. The film stars Andrew Tiernann of 300, The Pianist, Mark Wingett (Snow White and the Huntsman), Mikko Leppilampi (Frozen Land) and Jouko Ahola of Kingdom of Heaven. March 1941. Captain Martin Stone (Andrew Tiernan) is leading a finely-trained platoon of American soldiers on a mission to destroy an enemy bunker, joining forces with an elite platoon of Finnish soldiers led by Captain Niemi (Jouko Ahola) and Lieutenant Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi). Underestimating their enemy’s strength, they are quickly beaten back into the forest. As they try to regroup, they're suddenly attacked by the same soldiers they had just killed a few minutes earlier. Forced to flee deeper into Russian territory, they discover one of war’s most terrifying secrets and realize that they have woken up an enemy far deadlier than ever before imagined.

Watch the trailer for Entertainment One's War of the Dead on Blu-ray and DVD January 8th, 2013. The film stars Andrew Tiernann of 300, The Pianist, Mark Wingett (Snow White and the Huntsman), Mikko Leppilampi (Frozen Land) and Jouko Ahola of Kingdom of Heaven. March 1941. Captain Martin Stone (Andrew Tiernan) is leading a finely-trained platoon of American soldiers on a mission to destroy an enemy bunker, joining forces with an elite platoon of Finnish soldiers led by Captain Niemi (Jouko Ahola) and Lieutenant Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi). Underestimating their enemy’s strength, they are quickly beaten back into the forest. As they try to regroup, they're suddenly attacked by the same soldiers they had just killed a few minutes earlier. Forced to flee deeper into Russian territory, they discover one of war’s most terrifying secrets and realize that they have woken up an enemy far deadlier than ever before imagined.

Director: Marko Mäkilaakso. Writers Marko Mäkilaakso, and Barr B. Potter. Cast: Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuel Vauramo, Jouko Ahola, Mark Wingett, and Andreas Wilson. War of the Dead was originally titled Stone's War. This film has undergone several other changes in its eight year production history. Production companies have come and gone along with primary cast members. James van der Beek was one actor who was attached to this picture only to be replaced by another. War of the Dead released in the United Kingdom on DVD May 28th and this film has not overcome the many challenges of production. The film reviewed here is simply lackluster in story and character development. Only a few exciting film elements draw this title out of complete oblivion. The film is set during World War II. Finnish and American forces are working together to destroy an underground German bunker. Beneath the ground, an...

The UK’s favorite horror festival visits its second home at the Glasgow Film Festival for the 7th year with its biggest lineup ever. From Friday, February 24th, to Saturday, February 25th, Film4 FrightFest will be screening 11 new must-see genre titles, 10 of which are UK premieres.

From the Press Release:

Expect to be taken on a roller-coaster ride from hell with this ghoulish global celluloid feast featuring Argentinean demons, flesh-hungry Russian zombies, mutant cannibals, a Chinese-speaking alien, Asia’s deadliest killers, a Croatian hit-man, Pinocchio obsessed psychos, and Jack Nicholson like you’ve never seen him before.

With guest directors and filmmakers from all over world (to be announced shortly), surprises on screen and off, and our unique community feeling, FrightFest at the Gff has now become a must-attend occasion on the horror fantasy fan's calendar.

Alan Jones, FrightFest’s co-director said: "Film4 FrightFest is thrilled to be part of...

The UK’s favourite horror fantasy festival returns to its second home at the Glasgow Film Festival for the 7th year with its biggest line-up ever.

From Friday Feb 24 to Saturday Feb 25, Film4 FrightFest will be screening eleven new must-see genre titles. ten of which are UK premieres. So expect to be taken of the roller-coaster ride from hell with this ghoulish global celluloid feast, featuring Argentinean demons, flesh-hungry Russian zombies, mutant cannibals, a Chinese-speaking alien, Asia’s deadliest killers, a Croatian hit-man, Pinocchio obsessed psychos and Jack Nicholson like you’ve never seen him before.

With guest directors and filmmakers from all over world (to be announced shortly), surprises on screen and off, and our unique community feeling, FrightFest at the Gff has now become a must-attend occasion on the horror fantasy fan’s calendar.

Here is the full line-up

Fri 24

13:30 Corman’S World: Exploits Of A Hollywood...

My favourite horror film festival, FrightFest, have announced the line-up for next month’s Glasgow Ff, which takes place as part of the Glasgow Film Festival – with what looks to be the biggest line-up ever. Says Alan Jones, FrightFest’s co-director:

Film4 FrightFest is thrilled to be part of the Glasgow Film Festival for its seventh and biggest year. We’ll be showing eleven fantastic premieres, previews and special events to shock, thrill and amaze over two days – plus those must-meet guests from all corners of the genre. So, be part of the best community spirit in the country while watching the best fright stuff currently on offer. There couldn’t be a better way to delve into 2012 and ready yourselves for FrightFest the 13th in August

From Friday February 24th to Saturday February 25th, Film4 FrightFest will be screening Eleven new genre titles, ten of which are UK premieres...

Looks like it's going to be a big year for zombie apocalypses once again and writer/director Marko Makilaakso's Lithuanian zombie effort 'War of the Dead' (also known as 'Stone's War') looks to be leading the flesh-hungry pack. The flick is set to premiere finally at this years Toronto After Dark Film Festival and it's also scored a new festival poster and trailer. Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuli Vauramo, Jouko Ahola, Mark Wingett, Andreas Wilson, Antti Reini and the sexy Magdalena Gorska (below) all star. Check out the plot, one-sheet and new trailer below....

Cool pics of War of the Dead per Dread. Yunno, I was just saying….when is someone gonna finally come out with another zombie film?? The anticipation is killing me.

Oh ya- missed the “War of The Dead” Trailer? no Sweat!

Synopsis

March 1942. Captain Martin Stone (Andrew Tiernan – 300, The Pianist) leads an American unit on a mission to destroy an enemy bunker, joining forces with an elite platoon of Finnish soldiers that includes Cpt. Niemi (Jouko Ahola – Kingdom of Heaven) and Ltnt. Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi). The troops are torn apart by the same enemy… More...

Love zombies and war!? Then you're in luck. No...it's not 'World War Z', it's Lithuanian horror flick 'War of the Dead' (also known as 'Stone's War'). The new action zombie feature from writer/director Marko Makilaakso, which he co-wrote along with Barr B. Potter, has been around for a while now and finally it appears to be ramping up towards an actual release! A new, albeit brief, ad for the movie has appeared over at the official Facebook page which you can check out below revealing 2011 as the release year. The movie stars Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuli Vauramo, Jouko Ahola, Mark Wingett, Andreas Wilson, Antti Reini and hottie Magdalena Gorska - who you can check out below in a cheeky and downright dirty topless pic!...

It's been a long time since last there was anything to report on War of the Dead (formerly Stone's War). So long in fact that we had all but written the film off. However, that's the thing about the dead; eventually they will rise.

Over on the official War of the Dead Facebook page a couple of new videos have been posted. That indicates good things, right? We hope so. Dig on them below.

Marko Makilaasko directs. Andrew Tiernan, Jouko Ahola, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuel Vauramo, Mark Wingett, Andreas Wilson, Antti Reini and Magdalena Gorska star.

Synopsis

March 1942. Captain Martin Stone (Andrew Tiernan - 300, The Pianist) leads an American unit on a mission to destroy an enemy bunker, joining forces with an elite platoon of Finnish soldiers that includes Cpt. Niemi (Jouko Ahola - Kingdom of Heaven) and Ltnt. Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi). The troops are torn apart by the same enemy...

We've been covering Marko Makilaasko's War of the Dead (for a short time known as Stone's War) since what feels like the beginning of time with the most recent bit of news surfacing earlier this year suggesting that the film was finally getting closer to release. Adding fuel to the release buzz, a new promo has surfaced for the movie claiming, once more, that it's coming this year.

The official verbage reads:

March 1942. Captain Martin Stone (Andrew Tiernan - 300, The Pianist) leads an American unit on a mission to destroy an enemy bunker; joining forces with an elite platoon of Finnish soldiers; Cpt. Niemi (Jouko Ahola - Kingdom of Heaven) and Ltnt. Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi). The troops are torn apart by the same enemy soldiers they had killed a few minutes earlier in an ambush. The living dead? Evil forces? Or SS experiments gone wrong?

To go with the new ad,...

The War of the Dead Movie Trailer has premiered. Marko Makilaakso‘s War of the Dead (2011) – formerly Stone’s War – stars Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuli Vauramo. War of the Dead‘s plot synopsis: “Captain Martin Stone is leading a finely-trained, elite platoon of American and Finnish soldiers as they attack an enemy bunker. Underestimating their enemy’s strength, they are quickly beaten back into the forest. As they try to regroup, they are suddenly attacked by the same soldiers they had just killed a few minutes earlier. Forced to flee deeper into Russian territory, they discover one of war’s most terrifying secrets and realize they have woken up a far more deadly enemy.” If Marko Makilaakso approaches this horror movie as a war film first, a zombie movie second, this may be good. The parallels must be balanced or the film could easily fall to comedy. War of...