Damn this makes me happy. The Philadelphia Film Festival has always been known for some very fine "genre-style" programming, from U.S. horror fare to the oddest of offbeat imports. So when programmer Lewis Tice dropped me a press release on the 2008 selections, I dove into the email with much enthusiasm. (More specifically, I muttered "Oooh" and then I read the email.)

As much as I hate re-posting press releases with little or no commentary, the truth is that I'm knee-deep in SXSW awesomeness, so I don't have much time to commentate. And since I certainly wasn't going to let someone ELSE post something about PHILLY, the sad truth is that you're getting rooked here. Just movie titles and synopses, with none of that oh-so-awesome Weinberg insight. Try not to hold it against the Philadelphia Film Festival that I'm so lame. Check out the list of films after the jump ...
Bad Biology (World Premiere!)
Directed by Frank Henenlotter
Ribald, frisky and souped-up genitals invade Danger After Dark, as the director of Frankenhooker and Basket Case invites you to fasten your seatbelts for one of the raunchiest, most original horror comedies of the year.

Black House
Directed by Sin Tae-Ra
Korean horror continues to cross new boundaries with this nail-biting thriller about an insurance agent peeling back the mysteries of a creepy house only to find terrors beyond his imagination.

Confession of Pain
Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
From the makers of Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs (remade stateside as Scorsese's Oscar-winner The Departed), sophisticated and violent cop drama Confession of Pain proves a worthy, dark successor -- with a twist, of course.

Dead Fury (World Premiere!)
Directed by FSudol
If decapitations, flying eyeballs and disembowelment (emphasis on "bowels") are your cup of goo, then don't miss this adults-only animated horror parody from the imagination of animator and illustrator F. Sudol.

Epitaph
Directed by Jung Brothers
A chill is in the air as unrequited, obsessive love is swept up in a sea of blood in this South Korean box office sensation that takes Asian horror in a new direction.

Eye in the Sky
Directed by Nai-Hoi Yau
This action film from producer Johnnie To (Triad Election) follows a young woman's dangerous mission to catch wily jewel thieves amidst the concrete jungle of Hong Kong.

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer
Directed by Jon Knautz
Monsters invade Danger After Dark and who is left to save the day? Jack Brooks, plumber extraordinaire, in this loving, hilarious and thrilling ode to monster movies and monster slayers.

The Last House in the Woods
Directed by Gabriele Albanesi
In this Italian screamfest, a young couple seeks solace from a group of sadistic bullies at a mysterious house, only to discover that their place of refuge harbors even darker secrets.

Like a Shooting Star (1967)
Directed by Toshio Masuda
Filled with pop-art colors, a musical number(!), and some of the best on-screen romantic pairing since Hepburn and Tracy, this jazzy action classic from Japan's Nikkatsu studio tells the story of a Tokyo hitman who falls into a dangerous love affair while hiding out in Kobe.

Mirageman
Directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
An unlikely superhero emerges from the streets of Santiago to fight crime in this thrill ride that's often funny and always action-packed.

Pistoleros
Directed by Shaky González
A gun-toting romp through the mean streets of...Copenhagen? Chilean-born, Danish-reared first-time director Shaky Gonzalez scoops up the baton from Robert Rodriguez in this madcap tale of a heist gone awry and a hunt for missing millions.

Soo
Directed by Sai Yoichi (Choi Yang-Il)
This unflinching drama of violence and revenge makes for classic DAD fare. Korean-Japanese director Yoichi Sai's brutal film follows a policeman on a deranged crusade to avenge his twin brother's death at the hands of a ruthless gang of thugs. You want dark? You got it.

The Sperm
Directed by Taweewat Wantha
Comical mayhem ensues when the citizens of Bangkok are invaded by mutated sperm, masturbating clone babies, busty alien babes and a 50-foot rock star in this crazy mash-up of sci-fi, fantasy and cheeky, teen sex comedies.

Storm
Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
Gut-punching action, gory murders and Matrix-style special effects await you in the ultimate edge-of-your-seat thrill ride!

Stuck
Directed by Stuart Gordon
Based on a true story that inspired a delirious urban legend, filmmaker Stuart Gordon brings you an edge-of-your-seat thriller with his signature brand of unexpected humor, social commentary and red, delicious bloodshed.

Timecrimes
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
Spanish newcomer Nacho Vigalondo explodes onto the scene with this time travel thriller that boasts more twists and turns than The Usual Suspects.

Trailer Park of Terror
Directed by Steven Goldmann
Saddle up for countrified horror served with dirty double entendres, teens in jeopardy and road kill jerky as the popular comic series from Reading, PA-based Imperium Comics hits the big screen!

Triangle
Directed by Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To
Explosive comedy and action-packed adventure erupt as premier Hong Kong directors Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To collaborate to tell a story about three friends' quest for buried treasure.

Who is KK Downey?
Directed by Darren Curtis and Pat Kiely
Skinny jean enthusiasts beware as the hipster body count piles up in this filthy, expletive-driven and extremely dark satire about the seduction of fame and a counter-culture filled with rampant sex, drugs and electro-pop terror. Winner of the 2008 Cinequest New Visions Maverick Award.

--- These next ones aren't part of Danger After Dark, but should be of interest to the genre nuts...

Baghead
Directed by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
Four sexy aspiring actors take off to a secluded cabin in the woods with the goal of making their first independent feature. They get much more than they planned for in this hilarious and horrific comedy from young the creators of The Puffy Chair.

Blood Brothers
Directed Alex Tan
1930s Shanghai explodes with colorful period detail in this dramatic tale of unbridled greed, questionable alliances and fraternal betrayal.

Film Noir
Directed by D. Jud Jones, Risto Topaloski
Classic film noir receives the animated treatment with this deadly detective tale of amnesia, shady dames and gun-toting toughs.

The Forbidden Kingdom
Directed by Rob Minkoff
With fight choreography by Yuen Wo Ping of Kill Bill, Jackie Chan and Jet Li join forces for the first time on the big screen in this martial arts spectacular about a young man who is transported back in time to ancient China, joining forces with a crew of warriors out to rescue the imprisoned Monkey King.

The Pixar Story
Directed by Leslie Iwerks
The incredible success story of the studio that pioneered the computer animated feature and created such hits as Toy Story, The Incredibles and Ratatouille is told in this star-studded documentary.

Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story
Directed by Jeffrey Schwartz
Prolific director/producer Jeffrey Schwartz returns with this zany, fun-filled portrait of the innovator of interactive three-dimensional cinema.

Summer Scars
Directed by Julian Richards
A pleasant day in the woods turns into a terrifying and horrific life lesson for a group of kids in this thriller/drama with shades of Stand by Me and Lord of Flies. From the director of The Last Horror Movie.

Vexille
Directed by Fumihiko Sori
In the second half of the 21st century in a world dangerously influenced by android technology, a U.S. special agent discovers an apocalyptical Tokyo when sent to infiltrate Japan's decade-long self-imposed exile in this groundbreaking anime feature.

More on the 2008 Philadelphia Film Festival when I get back to Philadelphia!