Written by Adam Mast
Video Interviews by Adam Mast, Jeff Sanders, John Pugh, and Cragun Clayburn
A few weeks back, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2015 Stanley Film Festival in breathtaking Estes Park, CO. This outstanding genre fest is held at the very resort that inspired Stephen King to write a little book you might have heard of called “The Shining.”
The opening night movie at this year’s Stanley Film Festival was a wonderfully zany flick called “Cooties.” In this lively horror/comedy, Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson play teachers who band together with their fellow staff members in an effort to survive after a middle school campus is besieged by prepubescent zombie students. Yes, it’s as crazy as it sounds.
From the success of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” to the more humorous “Warm Bodies” by director Jonathan Levine, or the recent Arnold Schwarzenegger-fronted slow-burn “Maggie” to next month’s Joe Dante-helmed zom-rom-com “Burying the Ex,” it’s clear that zombies are still a hot commodity. So you had to know that it was only a matter of time until someone came up with a story about a virus that turns little kids into rabid monsters. Exactly where said virus comes from is but one of the funniest—and scariest—aspects of this infectiously likable fusion of horror and laugh-out-loud hilarity.
“Cooties” was co-written by “Saw” and “Insidious” screenwriter Leigh Whannell, and not only does this creative individual pepper his latest effort with dozens of spirited horror references, but he also turns in scene stealing work as a most inspired supporting player. That’s right. In addition to his keen writing skills, Whannell proves to have expert comic timing as well.
Today, Yahoo premiered the trailer for the upcoming September 18 release, “Cooties.” While at the Stanley Film Festival, we were able to interview “Cooties” cast members Elijah Wood, Leigh Whannell, and Alison Pill, as well as directors Jonathan Millot and Cary Murnion. The entire team proved to be very friendly and extremely accessible. Whannell was even kind enough to dish a bit on his directorial debut, “Insidious: Chapter 3,” which opens on June 5th.
Enjoy.
“Cooties” trailer: https://www.yahoo.com/movies/cooties-trailer-pits-rainn-wilson-and-elijah-119452211552.html
Interview with “Cooties” cast members Elijah Wood, Leigh Whannell, and Alison Pill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7qbCLxx6Eo
Interview with “Cooties” directors Jonathan Millot and Cary Murnion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54kU4GMbByo
