Fox Atomic decided to torture us by inviting us over the the swanky Fox lot to view the first 28 minutes of the in-progress flick, 28 Weeks Later (we parked in "The Sound of Music," and let me tell you ... those hills were most definitely not alive. They didn't have eyes either, thankfully). I can say with absolute conviction, if you liked the first one, you're going to like this one as well. It's also safe to say (according to Fox Atomic) that you don't have to have seen the first film in order to enjoy this one. That's definitely true from what I was treated to.

Here's the setting: it's 28 weeks since the outbreak of the Rage infection that decimated London in the first film, 28 Days Later (hence 28 Weeks Later ... both movies are timed from the infection outbreak, which is day zero.) If you haven't seen the first film, the Rage virus/infection isn't pretty. One bite (or even a single drop of blood) from someone who is infected will put you instantly into a "state of irreversible hyperactivity and murderousness," according to Wikipedia. It's almost like being turned into a familiar horror movie staple (we aren't using the zed word here), except with the extreme hyperactivity.

In a move that should absolutely thrill those (few) people who simply can't wait for the direct-to-video horror titles to hit the Blockbuster shelves, Lionsgate, Freestyle and After Dark Films have conspired to birth the After Dark Horrorfest, which is not a film festival at all, but a series of eight (or nine?) horror flicks that will hit about 500 U.S. movie theaters on November 17th. (Got all that?)

Well, the official site hasn't been all that forthcoming about the event, but those astute goregeeks at Bloody-Disgusting.com were able to break out the slate for the rest of us. Should you happen to reside somewhere near the specially-selected cities, these are the movies you'll be able to see:

1. The Abandoned -- It played Toronto. I missed it. Heard good things.
2. Dark Ride -- Slasher stalks an amusement park.
3. The Gravedancers -- Over and over I'm hearing good chit-chat on this one.
4. Infection -- The horror sites are assuming it's this Infection (which I liked), but maybe it's actually this Infection. We shall see.
5. Penny Dreadful -- A girl with autophobia has Mimi Rogers for a shrink. Cool title though.
   
6. Reincarnation -- Another piece of LG-owned J-horror.
7. Sisters -- Chloe Sevigny and Stephen Rea in a tale of conjoined-twin terror.
8. Unrest -- Young docs deal with haunted corpse. Saw it at Fantastic Fest: A little slow, but not bad.
9. Wicked Little Thing -- Also known as The Children, it's about ghost children.

All in all, a clever little attempt to get a few extra bucks from some flicks that are heading direct-to-video anyway. If The Gravedancers plays anywhere close by, it'll get my nine bucks. The rest ... I can probably wait for the DVDs.

A random mix today:

• According to Moviehole, an unnamed studio is putting together a remake of 1955's glorious-if-way-too-long film version of Guys and Dolls as a vehicle for Catherine Zeta-Jones. Vin Diesel, who has been interested in the project since it was first mentioned almost three years ago, is angling to play Sky Masterson. Dear me. Vin, I knew Marlon Brando. Marlon Brando was a friend of mine and, while you've got the swagger and can probably even sing better than he did, you're no Marlon Brando.

• Calling all teenage, female, British His Dark Materials fans: New Line is holding a series of open casting calls to find just the right girl to play the starring role of Lyra Belacqua in their film version of The Golden Compass. While you'll undoubtedly freezing your ass sitting in line (if the studio tells you "be prepared to wait a while," you KNOW it's going to be a long time), this is your big chance to become the female Daniel Radcliffe - three movies, baby, not to mention a bigger pile of money than you can possibly imagine.

• In other New Line news, they have acquired the remake rights to Japanese horror flick Infection, and will produce a US version with Vertigo Entertainment. (Vertigo loves them some J-Horror, having produced both Grudges, both Rings, and Dark Water.) In order to make sure the remake is of the highest possible quality, New Line has hired Channing Gibson, the mind behind Cradle 2 the Grave, to write the screenplay. Gee, maybe they'll call this one Infection 4U, or something - he'll be right at home.