New LEFT FOR DEAD Review

The latest edition of Combat Magazine has a brand new review of Modern Life? feature film LEFT FOR DEAD, in the Indie corner section of Combat Film.

'In short Left For Dead is an unapologetic by genre fans, for genre fans" martial arts movie that pushes the right buttons...'

Check out Daniel Gibberds full review in Combat Magazine, available from all leading magazine retailers priced at just £3.75 or you can take a look at the review in our press section http://www.mod-life.net/modlife/press.htm

For more on Combat Mag check out www.combatmag.co.uk

Phil Hobden
Producer - Modern Life?
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Mod Life Site Massive Update

The official Modern Life? website at www.mod-life.net/modlife has now been updated. We've added the following to the already content rich site:

* New feature film - Cut
* Pulp Movies added in Films/Other
* News short film - Gauntlet 3
* Shop Updated - Including Unarmed But Dangerous, Cut and Ten Dead Men : The Last Job
* Contact Us updated
* About Us - Updated
* Graveyard - Live Wire Added
* New articles and press
* Links - Cut, Spelling Mistakes & All - The Official Phil Hobden Blog,
* Additional links to enable you to follow us on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, Flickr and Shooting People.

Keep checking back for more updates.

Webmaster
Mod-life.net

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The latest edition of Combat Magazine, featuring Combat Film is out now.

This month : I take a look at what we really know about the legend that is Chuck Norris as well as take an in-depth look at the new Terminator film with it’s stars and director. Also this month we review Inglorious Basterds, Damage, The Keeper, Blood Rain, Red Cliff and MUCH more.

Also this month you can win copies of Terminator Salvation on Blu-Ray, Red Cliff and David Carradine’s workout.

Combat Magazine is available from all WH Smith and leading magazine shops, priced from £3.75.

For more check out http://www.combatmag.co.uk/

Phil Hobden
Editor - Combat Film

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Modern Life Gets CUT to DVD

Pulp Movies (a division of Modern Life?) is pleased to announce the upcoming world premiere DVD release of British thriller CUT starring Zack Gilligan (Gremlins) and model Danielle Lloyd, through leading independent distributor Britfilms.tv (Ten Dead Men).

CUT, directed by Alexander Williams and produced by Dominic Burns and Simon Phillips, shuns genre tradition – presenting a real time story filmed in one take. A claustrophobic thrill ride about friendship, survival and things that go bump in the night, CUT is truly unique entry to the horror thriller genre.

CUT will be released in February 2010 and will be available from HMV, Asda and all major online retailers.

For more on Zack Gilligan check out his blog at http://zgalligan.blogspot.com/

For more on Brit Films check out www.Britfilms.tv

For more on CUT Check out www.cut-the-movie.com

More CUT news coming soon…

Phil Hobden
Associate Producer – Cut

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Watercooler... Part 2

Last year when I was acting as co-producer on the rather unique actioner Kung Fu Flid (aka Unarmed But Dangerous) I came across a rather militant bunch of guys called ‘The Watercooler’. Basically they take umbrage at people using ‘unpaid’ labourer for low budget film projects.

Now funny enough in part I agree with them. There are people out there who take advantage. Oscar nominated film makers with budgets do not need unpaid labour. They can and should pay.

When, however, you budget is non existent (for Ten Dead Men say sub- £10k) their rationale that you should fully pay a runner or camera is frankly barking when you yourself are working for free.

I TRIED to argue that their should be a different way of grading projects but they are a militant bunch and just the though that they may be wrong is shouted down with (misplaced) passion and vitriol.

However since my original run in with the Watercooler and my response on this blog to their articles (See the original discussion post at the Watercooler website at : http://tvwatercooler.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sweat&action=display&thread=7611)

I have had quite a few responses from filmmakers who themselves have come a-cropper with this bunch. So I thought it well timed to repost the link to the original post with all the new comments attached…

To say they are unpopular is a mild understatement.

Anyway see for yourself at: http://philhobden.blogspot.com/2008/07/watch-out-watercooler-is-about.html

Phil Hobden
Modern Life?

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Combat Nov 2009 - Out Now

The latest edition of Combat Magazine, featuring Combat Film is out now.

This month : I take a look at Pro Wrestling in the movies, Richard Badley takes an exclusive look at the new Donnie Yen film IP MAN and we review new Jackie Chan film The Shinjuku Incident, Fight girls, 50 dead Men Walking and Spliner.

Also this month you can win copies of Street Fighter, Doghouse, Blood Rain, Away days and Armed & Dangerous.

Combat Magazine is available from all Borders, WH Smith and leading magazine shops, priced from £3.75. For more check out http://www.combatmag.co.uk/

Phil Hobden
Editor - Combat Film

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New 'Ten Dead Men' Review

Film review site ScreenHead.com (http://www.screenhead.com/) has posted their review of TEN DEAD MEN.

“And plain old amazing is an excellent descriptor. I usually enjoy British gangster films–they have a certain charm to them that you can’t get anywhere else. They have the violence and action you expect, but they also bring in some comic relief, too–plus the occasional surprise or two.”

You can check out the full review at http://www.screenhead.com/reviews/ten-dead-men-movie-review-british-for-awesome/

For more on TEN DEAD MEN (now available to buy at HMV & Play.com) check out www.tendeadmen.co.uk

Phil Hobden
Producer – Ten Dead Men
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10 DEAD MEN MINI REVIEW

A new Mini Video reviw of Ten Dead Men

Phil Hobden
Producer - 10DM

Jc Mac Interview

Ten Dead Men actor JC Mac was recently interviewed fro Final Fitness Magazine. Talking to David White, JC discusses his move to Hollywood, his recent movies 'Stagnight’, ‘45’ and, of course ‘Ten Dead Men’ and his plans for the future.

“Many of us dream of becoming an action film star and that was Jc Macs dream as well from an early age, and now this East London boy has made it to Hollywood and stars in action and comedy films for a living. Final Fitness wanted to find out how he made the dream come true, and how fitness played a big part in keeping him in action man shape for his jobs.”

Check out the full interview here: http://www.finalfitness.co.uk/issue/issue-3/119-macs-interview

For more on JC Mac check out: www.jcmac.co.uk

Phil Hobden
Producer – Ten Dead Men
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Ten Dead Men - New Artwork / Releases

Check out this new artwork from the latest TEN DEAD MEN worldwide DVD releases. From Left to Right : Swiss, Thailand and Indonisian DVD

Phil Hobden
Producer - Ten Dead Men
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UNARMED BUT DANGEROUS On DVD Now

UNARMED BUT DANGEROUS (Aka Kung Fu Flid) is now available to rent and buy from all leading stockists.

One of the most controversial martial arts movies ever - Mat Fraser plays an expert in Kung Fu whose wife is shot and his child kidnapped, but they were messing with the wrong man. A strong cast including Terry Stone (Rise Of The Footsoldier/Doghouse), Faye Tozer (Steps) and Frank Harper (Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels/The Football Factory) give sterling performances in this dark, violent movie, with no holding back, 'Unarmed But Dangerous' delivers in all ways - if you like violence, blood, guts and, then you will love the 'Unarmed But Dangerous'. Definitely not for the faint hearted, be warned, this film pulls no punches!!!

Rent The Film from LOVE FILM: www.lovefilm.com/film/Unarmed-But-Dangerous/133545/

Buy The Film From PLAY.COM (Priced £8.99) : www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/10852147/Unarmed-But-Dangerous/Product.html

Check out The Following UNARMED BUT DANGEROUS news clips:

www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/leisure/cinema/a205690_Kendal/details/m17946_Unarmed_But_Dangerous__Kung_Fu_Flid_/
www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=71525
www.fareastfilms.com/newsPage/Unarmed-But-Dangerous-On-UK-DVD-1192.htm
www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.uk/leisure/cinema/a205732_Lancaster/details/m17946_Unarmed_But_Dangerous__Kung_Fu_Flid_/

Phil Hobden
Co-Producer -Kung Fu Flid

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Left For Dead - New Review

After turning his critical eye onto TEN DEAD MEN, The Occulusorbus site has now reviewed our first feature LEFT FOR DEAD.

“It's markedly less polished or professional than 10DM, but it's ultimately a lot more fun and easy-going. If you're looking for practical and realistic, look elsewhere’s. If you want a fighting-for-fighting's-sake low budget martial arts rampage, l4d delivers the goods in impressive style.”

Check out the full review at http://occulusorbus.blogspot.com/2009/09/left-for-dead.html?zx=1db40f1f7461313c

You can still buy Left For Dead from HMV and online from Amazon.co.uk priced from £8.99 ( http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3305295/Left-For-Dead/Product.html).

Phil Hobden
Producer – Left For Dead

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Just To Clear Things Up...

News Story: Ross leaves Modern Life? Phil sells rights to TEN DEAD MEN/ LEFT FOR DEAD

So Did I walk or was I pushed. Does anyone care? Probably not but for the record I walked. The honest truth is that I got fed up. LEFT FOR DEAD was done commercially and TEN DEAD MEN was becoming a very heavy weight around my neck. Add to that I had a business partner who no longer had any interest in the direction the business was taking… well choices had to be made.

It’s safe to say that for TEN DEAD MEN the work has and had very much outstripped the reward, which so far has been zero. I’ve made no secret of my lack of love for the process that was TEN DEAD MEN and to be honest for reasons far too numerous to list here I never really had that much love for the finished film. Not so much a reflection on the movie, but on the making off which was a joyless experience compounded by clashes of egos by people who really haven’t done enough to warrant having one. I still to this day believe that the film was only around 60% of what it could have been. Which is a shame, especially after near two years work. But again a discussion of this could take weeks so…

But surely I’m walking away from a potential goldmine? Maybe. But in reality probably not. See in terms of profits, LEFT FOR DEAD (that was released in a far more buoyant market) made only a very small return, but a return none the less that helped us fund TEN DEAD MEN. But TEN DEAD MEN as a film has done nothing. Now you may find that hard to believe (trust me so do I), especially after a massive UK release and a nice run in the US. But that my friends is the reality of the business. The sales agent took their EP fees (a part of the deal), then their cut (and for the record the sales agent agreement was a deal I was never happy with), then their expenses for the markets and then, after all that, we finally get ours. I wont tell you how much that comes to but needless to say it’s a laughably high figure. Especially in the current climate…

This works well if the film does what was expected and the market is kind. But then recession hits and with the film market and economy as it is, Indie films are doing very badly and most are finding it a tough sell even to get a % deal let alone an upfront. Now my thinking is that if the film has made nothing after a high profile UK release and already sold in key territories like Germany, Japan and the US it’s going to be very difficult for the film to make a big return, let alone enough to cover the deferred costs that still hang over the film.

So those of you thinking my exotic holidays were reaped from the rewards of making a Top 10 best selling DVD you are sadly mistaken. In fact, much like you, they came from busting my hump at a 9-5 day job.

But the calls, emails and issues relating to the film never stopped. Neither did the sh*t. So after a lot of thinking, I made a call to ‘sell’ the rights for the films and naturally (and correctly being that Ross owns 50% of Modern Life) gave Ross first refusal. He accepted and this week we completed the paper work. It was and is a deal that suits both of us, as he gets the rights to do with the films what he wants and I get the chance to focus my attentions onto future (money making) projects.

And that’s it. Beyond that it was logical as Ross no longer had interest in working on new feature projects (and being that Modern Life? Is a feature film production company) that he stepped down from the business.

So what about the future for Modern Life? Well in addition to our continuing editorial work with Combat and our own review website, we are currently developing two new features for production in 2010 as well as a new multi-media project. So the future is looking bright.

As always keep checking www.mod-life.net for all the latest news and developments.

Phil Hobden
Producer – Ten Dead Men

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Combat : Out Now

The latest edition of Combat Magazine, featuring Combat Film is out Monday 28th September.

This month : I take a second look at Internet movie critics (including their take on my very own film LEFT FOR DEAD), Richard Hawes takes an exclusive look at the new Donnie Yen film IP MAN as well as Import title ONG BAK 2. In addition we have reviews of new MMA film FIGHTING, CRANK 2, X MEN ORIGINS and SNIPER.

Also this month you can win copies of Fighting, Ichi & Splinter.

Combat Magazine is available from all Borders, WH Smith and leading magazine shops, priced from £3.75. For more check out http://www.combatmag.co.uk/

Phil Hobden
Editor – Combat Film

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Ross Boyask Departs Modern Life?

Effective immediately, Ross Boyask has stepped down as his role of co-Managing Director of Modern Life? to pursue other interests away from feature production.

Boyask, director of both 'Left For Dead' and 'Ten Dead Men' as well as numerous music videos and short films, has worked alongside Phil Hobden at Modern Life? since it's inception.

Modern Life? would like to wish Ross all the best for his future endeavours and thank him for his hard work over the past 10 years.

In addition Modern Life? have sold their interest in both Ten Dead Men & Left For Dead, effective 22nd September 2009.

Phil Hobden
Managing Director, Modern Life?
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New TEN DEAD MEN Review!

Just had this emailed through to me from the reviewer… a brand spanking new TEN DEAD MEN review now up live at http://occulusorbus.blogspot.com/2009/08/ten-dead-men.html

For my money this one is pretty spot on. “it has more than a few flaws, but there are also plenty of diamonds in the rough, the action and fight scenes are really well done and I'm definitely going to be making a point to check out whatever they are doing next.”

Take a look for yourself at http://occulusorbus.blogspot.com/2009/08/ten-dead-men.html

TEN DEAD MEN is still avialble to buy on Region 2 DVD priced from £4 (best price HMV)

Phil Hobden
Modern Life?
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