We've got Elsa Pataky, Tyrese, Ludacris, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Don Omar, and Gal Gadot giving us a look at what a blast they had, what they did off set and what it means to be back with full fan support.
A bit of advice? When you see the film, stay after the credits. You'll be kicking yourself if you miss that little bit of awesomeness!
Check out the video after the jump.
суббота, 30 апреля 2011 г.
Moviefone Chats With the Cast of 'Fast Five'
пятница, 29 апреля 2011 г.
Early Edition: Jack Ryan Reboot Moves Ahead; Ben Kingsley Joins 'The Dictator'; More
Yesterday we brought you the news thatSacha Baron Cohenwas putting meat on his new film 'The Dictator,'in which he plays the dual roles of a goat herder and a deposed foreign ruler who gets lost in the U.S. Larry Charles, who directed 'Borat' and 'Bruno,' is again behind the camera, working from a script by Baron Cohen and 'Seinfeld' writers Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and Dave Mandel; Anna Faris, Kristen Wiig and Gillian Jacobs were reading for the female lead; and Jason Mantzoukas of 'The League' was in negotiations to play Baron Cohen's sidekick. NowVarietyreports thatBen Kingsleywill co-star as a Middle Eastern character who factors into the plot. The film will begin production this May in locations in New York and Morocco, and is scheduled for release on May 11, 2012.
DidButch Cassidyreally die with the Sundance Kid in Bolivia? Not according to'Blackthorn,'the English-language debut of director Mateo Gil that unspooled at the Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend and was just picked up by Magnolia Pictures. The film -- which stars Sam Shepard, Stephen Rea, Eduardo Noriega and Nicolaj Coster-Waldau -- speculates that Cassidy survived his final shootout with the Bolivian military in 1908 to embark on a last adventure, according toVariety.We'll find out later this year when Magnolia releases 'Blackthorn' to theaters.
четверг, 28 апреля 2011 г.
Early Edition: Helen Hunt Plays 'Surrogate,' Jane Lynch Joins 'Stooges,' New 'Transformers' Photos
Jane Lynchwill be donning nun's garb soon: She's set to join'The Three Stooges'as the Mother Superior who runs the orphanage where the trio grows up, despite her best efforts to get them adopted. The Fox comedy, directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, will star Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe, Will Sasso as Curly, and Sean Hayes as Larry Fine. Production begins in May. {Deadline}
Let's start the day in a transformative mood, shall we? Here's some just-released photos from'Transformers: Dark of the Moon,'Michael Bay's second sequel in the franchise, due July 1. Check them out after the jump. Tip o' the hat toAin't It Cool News.
среда, 27 апреля 2011 г.
China Bans Movies About Time Travel
According to The Hollywood Reporter, China's media authorities have banned the popular plot device from movies and television, saying the sci-fi notion"disrespects history."
This decision comes as part of the 90th anniversary of China's ruling political party.
"The rationale {for the time-travel ban} is that whatever isn't possible in the real world belongs to superstition,"commented film critic and journalist Raymond Zhou Liming.
Which, we imagine, would also rule out any films where the characters can fly, like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' or anything supernatural, like 'A Chinese Ghost Story.'
In the highly rated current TV series 'Myth' (Shen Hua), a teenager goes back to ancient China where he finds he is blood brothers with Liu Bang, the first emperor of the 400-year Han Dynasty.
Such visits to the past would seem to satisfy the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's instructions to produce"vivid reproductions of the Chinese revolution, the nation's construction and its reform and opening up."
But the group's guidelines state,"Producers and writers are treating serious history in a frivolous way, which should by no means be encouraged anymore."
China's ruling party bases much of its strict media management on scientific Marxism, so the fantasy of time travel runs counter to state-mandated ways of thinking.
As it turns out, time travel has not been handled very often by Chinese filmmakers, with the last major local film to feature time travel being Hong Kong's 'Iceman Cometh' (Ji Dong Qi Xia), starring Maggie Cheung.
{viaThe Hollywood Reporter}
вторник, 26 апреля 2011 г.
Emma Thompson Accused of Plagiarism by Playwright Over Upcoming Film 'Effie'
Playwright Gregory Murphy is accusing Oscar-winnerEmma Thompsonof stealing his idea for a film about the life of Victorian philosopher John Ruskin and his wife Effie from a screenplay he sent to Thompson's husband, actor Greg Wise. Murphy penned alengthy accountof his legal wranglings with Thompson and producers over the proposed film, 'Effie,' and its similarities to 'The Countess,' Murphy's play and screenplay about Ruskin.
Murphy contends that Thompson and Wise, who co-wrote 'Effie' with the actress, were sent copies of his play and screenplay through a mutual friend -- the casting director for the West End production of 'The Countess' -- before their screenplay was written and that despite denials, both have read his script. According to Murphy, there are slight differences between the two films, particularly surrounding how the Effie character is portrayed, but they share"time-frame, character development, structure and tone"so closely that it cannot be coincidental.
In thearticle, Murphy recounts a positive meeting with Thompson at her home in London followed by nearly two years of brokering between lawyers over whom should receive credit for 'Effie''s screenplay. The negotiations recently fell apart, and the parties are now stuck in a protracted legal battle that has 'Effie''s producers seeking to have the screenplay's originality adjudicated by a court in New York so filming can begin this summer.
Murphy says that Thompson's official stance on the similarities between his screenplay and hers are"the result of the fact that both screenplays are based on real events."
The playwright became aware of Thompson and Wise's project in April 2009 when the director of the off-Broadway and West End productions of 'The Countess' contacted a film producer in London to pitch Murphy's screen adaptation of the play. Following a conversation with the producer, the director informed Murphy,"They said they're already doing a film on the subject, called 'Effie,' written by Emma Thompson."
Murphy alleges he had previously sent Wise, though a mutual friend, a copy of his screenplay in hopes that Wise would star as Ruskin.
The playwright met the actress at her home nearly two years ago to discuss the issue. Murphy says he hoped to avoid any sort of legal mess by offering to collaborate with Thompson, who he says was responsive to the idea. The actress, however, told Murphy that she had never seen his play or screenplay for 'The Countess,' a stance she upholds to this day.After the meeting, lawyers on both sides attempted to negotiate a truce. The first offer was to pay Murphy $10,000 and offer him"special mention and a thank-you in the credits at the end of the film."
Murphy did not respond to the offer and after two months, lawyers for 'Effie' allegedly asked what it would take to settle the case. The playwright wanted paid in the"low six figures and a screenwriting credit."Lawyers for the production at first called the request"quite unacceptable"and"difficult to take seriously"; however, a few months later, Murphy received further correspondence asking how he would like to be credited --"Screenplay by Emma Thompson, Greg Wise and Gregory Murphy"or"Based upon the play 'The Countess' by Gregory Murphy"-- and making a slightly lower six-figure offer.
His demands met, Murphy believed the experience was behind him until his lawyer informed him that he would not be paid a cent until the film began production. This is not customary in the film industry; writers are typically paid 50 percent at the time of signing and the rest when filming commences.
When Murphy declined the offer because of this, lawyers for the production walked away from negotiations entirely, disavowed all previous negotiations and sought a court order against the playwright.
The case remains open, and Murphy will now have to prove in court that Thompson's film 'Effie' directly plagiarized his play and/or screenplay for 'The Countess.'"I can say from her court papers that she firmly contends that 'Effie' is a fiction created from her imagination and is based on real people and actual historical events,"Murphywrites.
понедельник, 25 апреля 2011 г.
John C. Reilly Joins 'Hunger Games' Rumor Mill
On Friday, Paula Malcomson ('Caprica') was cast to play Mrs. Everdeen, mother of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Prim (Willow Shields), two of the main characters in the Gary Ross adaptation of Suzanne Collins' sprawling post-apocalyptic novels. She was added to a list that already included, in addition to Lawrence and Shields, Elizabeth Banks, Leven Rambin, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Amandla Stenberg and Dayo Okeniyi.
That led the folks over atSlashFilmto put together a list of roles that need to be cast and the stars they felt could fill those shoes: There are several prominent adult roles in addition to 18 more (out of 24 total) Tributes, the teenage participates in the actual Hunger Games themselves. And no sooner did they post their list than SlashFilm reported arumor from VulturethatJohn C. Reillyis in talks to play Haymitch Abernathy, one of the most important roles in the film -- the drunken, former winner of the Hunger Games who helps to train Katniss and Peeta (Hutcherson) for the games.
You can check out their listhere-- but before you do, here's a refresher on the plot line:
The story takes place in the not-too-distant future, when the U.S. has collapsed and has been replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. To keep the subjugated citizens entertained, each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in the brutal Hunger Games, which are broadcast throughout the country, with all citizens required to watch. The first book in Collins' series follows the adventures of two contestants -- Katniss and Peeta -- as they become gladiators in the futuristic reality show.
The film is set to open March 23, 2012, and we can bet that we'll be in store for tons more rumors, plenty of Tweets, and scores of videos and photos from the set before that date.
Let the games begin (or continue).
воскресенье, 24 апреля 2011 г.
The Hulk Smashes 'Eat, Pray, Love'
FromComicsAlliance: It was only because of a recent twist of fate that the Hulk found himself watching'Eat, Pray, Love'the other night, prompting the green goliath to pen a furious yet uncommonly thorough 7,000-word analysis of theJulia Robertsfilm that has laid waste to so many before him. Writing on 'FILM CRIT HULK! HULK BLOG!,' in a piece entitled,"HULK WATCH EAT, PRAY, LOVE FOR YOU A**HOLES,"the Hulk said he felt that author/main character Elizabeth Gilbert was"LARGELY CRITICIZED FOR WRONG AND ODDLY SEXIST REASONS,"and that he was compelled to articulate, insofar as the incredible Hulk can articulate anything, why 'Eat, Pray, Love' is so awful and why its creator seems to suffer from"CRIPPLING SELF-CENTERED-NESS."
Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert and directed byRyan Murphy, 'Eat, Pray, Love' is the story of a 30-something American woman who initiates a divorce from her husband before taking a year-long journey around the world to complain about everything in a breathtaking expression of so-called"white people problems."At least, that is how the Hulk characterizes the film.
Horribly disfigured and cursed with endless rage as a consequence of a gamma radiation explosion, the Hulk began his treatise by noting that he is not against"chick flicks."
The crux of the Hulk's distaste for 'Eat, Pray, Love' -- and by extension, Elizabeth Gilbert herself -- is that throughout the narrative (which the Hulk describes as"ACTUALLY ABSENT"), Gilbert is framed as a sympathetic victim despite the fact that unlike many people, she is lucky enough to define the nature of her existence and make choices and affect changes as she sees fit. Among those choices, deliberately betraying the ones who love her and being a generally rotten individual.HULK NOT AGAINST"CHICK FLICKS."HULK EVEN FIND THAT TERM REASONABLY OFFENSIVE. MANY PEOPLE CONFUSE THE LOW QUALITY AND PANDERING NATURE OF RECENT HOLLYWOOD ENTRIES WITH THE ACTUAL POTENTIAL QUALITY OF THE GENRE. THAT BIG MISTAKE. IN HULK'S VIEW, THERE SIMPLY GOOD MOVIES AND BAD MOVIES. HULK NOT CARE ABOUT GENRE OR INTENDED AUDIENCE. SO EAT PRAY LOVE = MOVIE ABOUT FEMININITY AND PERSONAL ENLIGHTENMENT? SURE, PERFECT! IT TOPIC NOT EXPLORED ENOUGH IN MOVIES, SO SIGN HULK UP! BUT HULK'S EVENTUAL PROBLEM WITH EAT, PRAY, LOVE THE ACTUAL CONVEYING OF SAID MESSAGE/SOLUTIONS/THEME AND NOT MESSAGE/SOLUTIONS/THEME ITSELF.
Read more atComicsAlliance
суббота, 23 апреля 2011 г.
Ian Holm Will Be in 'The Hobbit'
'Lord Of The Rings' director/producer (co-writer of the film adaptation),Peter Jackson, recently posted a message onhis Facebook fan pageclarifying the identity of a voiceover in ashort videoannouncing the production of the films. Many people assumed the voice was that of Holm. The audio was actuallyMartin Freeman, who plays the younger Mr. Baggins. And it was taken from a script read-through. However, the mistake is unimportant! What is important is that it has now been uttered by someone in the know:"Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit.'"
The two parts of 'The Hobbit' are currently both in production, and filming in New Zealand, withPart 1set to release in December 2012, andPart 2at some point in 2013. So plan ahead. Way ahead.
(Written By Caroline Dworin)
пятница, 22 апреля 2011 г.
Today on indieWIRE: Tribeca Opening Night, 'The Tree of Life' and More
Today on indieWIRE: Coverage of Tribeca's Opening Night, a review of'The Union,'a first look at'The Tree of Life'dinosaur, and more.
- The 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival kicked off last night with an open-air screening ofCameron Crowe'sdocumentary'The Union'and performances by the Bangles andElton John. Was the event successful?indieWIREtook a lookat the strengths and weaknesses of opening night.
- In this week's in-production column,indieWIREtook a lookat 'Buddy Holly Is Alive and Well on Ganymede,' the adaptation of a sci-fi comic novel starringJon Heder. Also profiled are four more Kickstarter projects.
- In today's business news, Snag Films acquired domestic VOD and digital rights to director Iara Lee's'Cultures of Resistance.'indieWIREreportedon the details of the deal, including the key figures and full press release.
- The anticipation continues to mount over the upcoming release ofTerrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life.'Today's hullabaloo concerns the first still of that much-discussed dinosaur.The Playlistoffered apeekat the creature.
- SXSW favorite'Attack the Block'has released a trailer. Clickhereto check outJoe Cornish'salien-invasion comedy.
- Following the tragic news yesterday of the untimely deaths of photojournalistTim Hetheringtonand photographerChris Hondrosin Libya,Thompson on Hollywoodput together atributeto their work. Included in the obituary are clips from Hetherington's'Restrepo,'several of the duo's photographs and statements regarding their passing.
четверг, 21 апреля 2011 г.
Early Edition: Susan Sarandon on Road to 'Hemlock Drive'; Robert Zemeckis Takes 'Flight'
Robert Zemeckishas had a decade-long hiatus from live-action films (his last was 2000's 'Cast Away'), concentrating on performance-capture and animated movies such as 'The Polar Express,' 'A Christmas Carol' and the recent dud 'Mars Needs Moms.' Now, according toThe Hollywood Reporter,the director is in negotiations to helm'Flight,'a drama for Paramount that has Denzel Washington loosely attached to star. The film centers on an alcoholic and drug-addicted pilot who becomes a hero when his airliner gets into trouble and he saves the plane and its passengers from disaster.
More casting on the'The Hunger Games'front: NewcomerWillow Shieldshas nabbed the role of Prim, a pivotal role in the first book of Suzanne Collins' trilogy. She joins Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, a youthful gladiator in a post-Apocalyptic America, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Jack Quaid, Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi and Amandla Stenberg. Elizabeth Banks is also in talks to join the Gary Ross-directed film in the role of Effie Trinket, Katniss' handler. {THR}
среда, 20 апреля 2011 г.
Jude Law, Uma Thurman Will Serve on Cannes Jury
Members of the jury have just been announced, including Jude Law and Uma Thurman, who'll serve with previously announced jury president Robert De Niro.
The rest of the international members of the Cannes jury:
Actress-producer Martina Gusman (Argentina), known for her films 'Carancho' and 'The Lion's Den;' critic-writer Linn Ullmann (Norway), daughter of director Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann who appeared in several of her father's films as a child; Olivier Assayas (France) of the mini-series 'Carlos' and 'Paris, je t'aime;' director Johnnie To (Hong Kong) whose 30-plus credits include 'Vengeance' and 'Sparrow;' and director Mahamat Saleh Haroun (Chad) whose films have won several festival awards.
And in case you thought only cinephiles were allowed to weigh in, they've also invited producer Nansun Shi (China), whose credits include the Dennis Rodman/Jean Claude Van Damme actioner 'Double Team;' and Van Damme's 'Knock Off.' Vive l'arte.
This year, the Cannes film fest runs from May 11 to May 22.
{ViaDeadline}
вторник, 19 апреля 2011 г.
Monkeygate 2011: 'Hangover 2' Monkey NOT Addicted to Cigarettes
Oh, thank God. It's been two days and we haven't talked about'The Hangover Part 2.'I'm glad we're back on schedule.
If we're not spoiling a"surprise cameo"six months ahead of time, or documenting the vague reasoning behindpulling a vaguely inappropriate trailer, let's talk about how the director of notoriously raunchy comedies can't seem to make a dry, slightly subtle joke without a lot of controversial criticism.
It all started when directorTodd Phillipswas doing one in a looooong line of promotional interviews for his upcoming R-rated comedy. Seeking to break the monotony ofstill being asked about Mel Gibson, Phillipsjokedthat he got the capuchin monkey sidekick ofZach Galifianakisaddicted to cigarettes for a scene in the movie and was now being harassed by PETA. It was a simple joke meant to garner a laugh. However, using the"If I read it on the Internet, then it must be true"principle, everyone actually got mad at him for something that didn't happen.
Today, Phillips had to release astatement to Movielineexplaining that his joke was in fact a joke, and not an admission of guilt about animal cruelty:
This was a joke. I make comedies.
If you read the story, it doesn't even make sense. 'On the set of her new film, she won't stop smoking cigarettes.' Umm. Really? Maybe just take them away from her. Or at least take her money away so she can't buy them any longer.
When you are doing press for a film, it tends to get repetitive, lots of the same questions over and over. Sometimes I like to mix it up with the journalists. Obviously, the monkey in the film NEVER smoked a single cigarette. There are people on set whose sole job is to protect that monkey. Even if I wanted her to smoke it wouldn't be allowed. By the way, she also appears to do cocaine in the movie, but I guarantee you that she didn't do that either (I can't, however, comment on Ken Jeong's cocaine use in the film).
Sorry for the confusion, but it definitely is a funny headline 'PETA pissed after Todd Phillips gets Hangover 2 monkey addicted to cigarettes.' Definitely one for the office wall.
So there you go. But we could understand why this happened; why take a moment to analyze tone when you could immediately state an opinion on the issue?
Moviefone rant time:For what's supposed to be a comedy, there sure is a lot of"drama"around 'The Hangover 2.' In our opinion, none of this stuff will actually make the movie funnier; it's just pulling the curtain back for the sake of pulling it back. And then when the movie comes out and people have that vague feeling that it was a disappointment but are unable to articulate why, it will have been because they saw too much of how the sausage is made. But that's what happens when you get a bunch of corporate suits meddling with something that already worked in an effort to make it work"better."
Anyway, the irony is not lost on us that we had a deathly serious reaction to people's deathly serious reactions to a harmless joke.
'The Hangover 2' comes out on Thursday, May 26, Memorial Day weekend.
понедельник, 18 апреля 2011 г.
'Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev Joins 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'
Logan Lerman (D'Artagnan in the upcoming 'Three Musketeers')will staras introvert high school freshman Charlie, who's in mourning after the suicide of his best friend. Dobrev will play his older sister, Candace and 'Harry Potter's Emma Watson co-stars as his friend, Sam.
Stephen Chbosky adapted his 1999 novel 'Wallflower' for the screen and also plans to direct. He also created the TV series 'Jericho,' and wrote the screenplay for the 2005 adaptation of 'Rent.'
Dobrev will next be seen in 'The Killing Games,' as Kellan Lutz's wife. Her other film credits include 'The Roommate' and 'Chloe.'
{ViaDeadline}
воскресенье, 17 апреля 2011 г.
Nicolas Cage Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge
The incident that led to the arrest was a rather public one: According toTMZsources, the Oscar winner was"very drunk"on a New Orleans street when a taxi driver allegedly witnessed the couple quarreling loudly. The cabbie reportedly called the police when Cage pushed his wife.
Cage is said to have taunted cops into taking him into custody, repeatedly refusing their request to quietly go home and asking,"Why don't you just arrest me?"The officers ultimately obliged, charging Cage with disturbing the peace and domestic violence.
He remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing; his wife is reportedly denying any physical violence occurred, and expressing no wish to press charges.With Alice, the actor is raising a son named Kal-El, born in 2005. Cage, who lost his father in 2009, was previously married to Patricia Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley.
Cage has a history of public outbursts, including a blow-up last year(caught on tape)on the Romanian set of a movie, and abar fightin New Orleans last month.
Nobody would dispute that Cage has been battling his fair share of demons recently, including major financial woes. The IRS has alleged for years that he owed millions in income and property tax, while the mother of Cage's firstborn son sued him in 2009 for more than $13 million. That same year, Cage filed a $20 million negligence and fraud suit against his business manager, Samuel Levin -- who then accused Cage of ignoring his pleas to stop living beyond his means. Levin said in a countersuit that Cage was repeatedly advised to curtail his spending, but instead ended up purchasing yachts, Rolls Royces, a Gulfstream jet and 15 homes.
суббота, 16 апреля 2011 г.
'Black Swan' Dancing Double Says Close-Ups of Natalie Portman's Face Don't Count As Dancing
Sarah Lane,Natalie Portman's ballerina double inher Oscar-winning role, stands by her assertion that Portman did not do as much of the dancing as everyone claims.
"They were trying to create this image, this facade, really, that Natalie had done something extraordinary, something that's pretty much impossible,"Lane tells 'Good Morning America,'"which is to become a professional ballerina in a year and a half."
As for Darren Aronofsky's explanation thathe counted the dance shotsand 80 percent of them were Natalie, Lane scoffs.
"It's possible, like I said, if you're counting the close-ups of her face as actual dancing shots. But I don't call close-ups of her face actually dancing,"she retorts.
But the ballerina does believe Portman deserved the Oscar."An Oscar is for acting, and she did an amazing job with the movie."
Besides Aronofsky, Portman's fiance (and dancing partner from the film)Benjamin Millepiedand her co-starMila Kuniscame to her defense.
Theactress even spoke outabout it as well, wishing to put the feud behind her.
пятница, 15 апреля 2011 г.
Today on indieWIRE: Cannes Lineup, Zeina Durra, 'Drive'& More
Today on indieWIRE Cannes releases its lineup,Zeina Durradissects a scene, a first look at 'Drive' and more.
- It was a big day in France, as festival chief Thierry Fremaux revealed the lineup for the 64th annual Festival de Cannes. Among the surprises were the inclusion ofNicolas Winding Refn's 'Drive'and the fact thatTerrence Malick's 'Tree of Life'will screen in competition. Clickherefor the full list of films.
- For more on Cannes, check outThompson on Hollywood'sroundupand compilation offestival trailers, as well asDana Harris'cheat sheeton the competition titles. Finally,The Playlistoffered a rundown ofsnubbed films.
- In festival news of another kind,indieWIREposted interviews with three more directors featured in the Tribeca Film Festival. Clickhereto get better acquainted withLisa Aschan, Maggie Betts and Bill Morrison.
- Zeine Durra's first film,'The Imperialists Are Still Alive!,'hits theaters this Friday courtesy of Sundance Selects. In an exclusive feature,Durra dissected a critical scenefrom her debut forindieWIRE.
- IMAX got the spotlight inthis week's in-production column, asindieWIREfocused on'Outside In,'a project being developed in Stephen van Vuuren's basement.
- In business news, Sundance Selectsannounced todaythat it will release the rock documentary'Last Days Here'in North America. Meanwhile,Roman Polanski's'Carnage'will make it to U.S. theaters courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
- Last weekend, the 2011 Aspen Shortsfest came to an end in Colorado.IndieWIREprovided a listof all the awards the festival doled out.
- Nicolas Winding Refn's'Drive'made the news today when it was announced that it would be part of the Cannes lineup.The Playlistgot hearts racing when it offered astill of Ryan Goslingin the upcoming film.
четверг, 14 апреля 2011 г.
Geroge Clooney Bails Out Wall Street
Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smoke House production company will produce a film about the Wall Street bailout. According toVariety,the project -- based on Laura Blumenfeld's 2009 Washington Post article about TARP mastermind Neel Kashkari -- is being developed as a potential directing vehicle for Clooney.
Kashkari was a top official under then-Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and helped develop the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that bailed out the big banks following the economic collapse in 2008. Kashkari eventually left Washington and moved to an isolated cabin in Northern California.
Zach Helm ('Stranger Than Fiction') will write the screenplay.
среда, 13 апреля 2011 г.
Early Edition: Rufus Sewell Turns Into a Vampire; 'Dragonflight' Book Takes Wing; More
Is this 'Avatar' meets 'How to Train Your Dragon'? Copperheart Entertainment and Entertainment One are producing an adaptation of Anne McCaffrey's'Dragonflight,'the first in the 'Dragonriders of Pern' book series, with 'Watchmen' and 'X-Men' writerDavid Hayterset to pen the script. The story revolves around an elite group of warriors who take to the skies on the backs of giant, fire-breathing, telepathic dragons to save the exotic planet of Pern from a terrifying airborne menace. {Deadline}
Michael Mannis teaming up withPaul Haggisto pan for'Gold,'a spec script that is a contemporary thriller in the vein of 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,' about a ruthless search for the precious metal. Haggis was attracted to the script in the hopes of directing it, but other projects got in the way and he passed it on to Mann, who acquired it for his production company. Mann will most likely direct, and will also produce with Haggis and Michael Nozik. {TheWrap}
If all goes well,Michael Clarke Duncanwill voice the character of Kilowog in Warner Bros.'s Green Lantern movie. The Ryan Reynolds film is in post-production and the studio is adding voices to its CGI characters; Geoffrey Rush signed on to voice the character of Tomar-Re two weeks ago. Duncan received his offer for the part Tuesday and is now negotiating. {The Hollywood Reporter}
James McAvoywill join'Welcome to the Punch,'a London-set action thriller that will be directed by Eran Creevy, who made his directorial debut with 2008's 'Shifty.' Though not much is known about the film, McAvoy will play Max, a detective, who is pursuing an ex-con who has just returned to London. {THR}
'Gotti: Three Generations,'a biopic on NY mobster John Gotti, has just addedJoe Pescito the cast. He'll play Angelo Ruggiero, one of Gotti's henchmen. Gotti will be played by John Travolta. Nick Cassavetes is directing. {TheWrap}
вторник, 12 апреля 2011 г.
Today on indieWIRE: Bertolucci, Stephen Root, Helen Mirren's Boob's& More
Today on indieWIRE:Stephen Rootchats with indieWIRE about his 1,000th IMDb credit,Helen Mirrengets frisky, Cannes makes a date withBernardo Bertolucciand more.
- indieWIREsat down with actorStephen Root, an actor with 1,000 IMDb credits, including a slew of 2011 releases --'Rango,' 'Cedar Rapids,' 'Red State'and'The Conspirator.'"It's been challenging to be able to manage it all,"Root said."When you film so many TV comedy roles -- especially like I did in the '90s, with 'NewsRadio' and 'Seinfeld' or whatever, you get typecast and it was really difficult to break out out that. And in 2000 or so, I really decided to try and do that. But to be able to change casting directors minds was hard, especially with dramatic roles. But I kept pushing, and it eventually paid off a bit."
- Three newTribecaFilmmaker interviews hitindieWIREtoday in anticipation of the 10th annual event. Check them outhere.
- Women and Hollywoodtore into whatSNLchose to do with guest hostHelen Mirren."It turned out the show was hosted not by Mirren, but by her boobs. This week's episode of SNL highlighted the uncomfortable nature of how we as a culture deal with and talk about sexuality and the older woman."Did you find her skits funny?
- Speaking of the woeful state of women's roles in Hollywood today,Thompson on Hollywoodpointed to The New Yorker's profile of comedienneAnna Faris,who is turning down what she calls"bounce card"roles in favor of developing and writing her own stuff.
- Cannes announcedtoday that the festival will honor directorBernardo Bertolucciwith the Honorary Palme d'Or.
- indieWIRElaunched the new daily column,indieWIRE Recaps,that curates indie news and stories from around the film world. Clickhereto view the first entry.
- For those dying to see the latest installment in the'Scream'series that hits theaters this Friday, check out one ofNeve Campbell's early films, the short 'Love Child.'Spouthas the streaming short along with a breakdown of why it still stands up.
- Fans ofMatt Reeves' 'Let Me In,'the surprisingly ace remake of'Let the Right One In,'rejoice.The Playlistreported on Reeves' follow-up, a sci-fi film based on the short story '8 O'Clock in the Morning.'"Doesn't sound familiar? It was the foundation for John Carpenter's 1988 film"They Live,"with the story centering on a man who wakes up one day with the realization that aliens have taken over and are in control. But don't call it a remake. Reeves will be writing his own script based on the story and will be ditching the plot element where special glasses reveal the identity of aliens who are hiding as humans."
понедельник, 11 апреля 2011 г.
Bunny Russell Brand Beats Out Human Russell Brand: Box Office Report April 8 - 10
In this weekend'sRussell Brandvs. Russell Brand showdown, the real Russell Brand lost. The cartoon Brand in'Hop'ruled the box office for the second straight weekend, while the live-action Brand's'Arthur'debuted in a distant second place.
In its second weekend, 'Hop' dropped 42 percent to an estimated $21.7 million. That was a little steeper than expected, given the absence of other animated family fare in theaters. Still, it was enough for the Easter-themed movie to jump to a 10-day total of $68.2 million, putting it well on the way to crossing the $100 million mark.
'Arthur' debuted at No. 2 with an estimated $12.6 million, well below expectations that the comedy would earn between $15 and $18 million. The premise, about a lovable drunken billionaire, didn't resonate well in our recessionary, abstemious times. Younger viewers may not have remembered the 1981 original with Dudley Moore, and moviegoers who did may have been put off by weak reviews. Since the movie featured Brand doing the shtick he's best known for, its stumble out of the gate casts doubts over whether he can carry a movie -- when he's not playing a rabbit, at least.
'Arthur' came in only a hair ahead of'Hanna'(in fact, when final numbers are released Monday, their chart positions may swap). The arty action thriller about a teenage hitwoman had a surprisingly strong debut, with an estimated $12.3 million, well above the $8 to $10 million range predicted. With the best reviews of the weekend, 'Hanna' transcended its art-house pedigree (it marked the reunion of the director and star of 'Atonement,') an unproven leading lady in 16-year-oldSaoirse Ronanand a modest-sized release pattern (2,535 screens).
Another unlikely blonde teen heroine fared nearly as well. Opening at No. 4 was'Soul Surfer,'with an estimated $11.1 million. That's about $1 million better than expected, given the still-strong family competition from 'Hop' and a release on just 2,214 screens. But the film, an inspirational drama based on the life of surfer and shark-attack survivor Bethany Hamilton, was well-marketed, especially to Christian moviegoers (Bethany's faith plays a major part in the story) and earned the strongest word-of-mouth of any film this weekend. It also had a higher per-screen average than 'Hanna' ($5,014 to $4,812), suggesting it can ride the wave of popularity for a few weeks longer than 'Hanna.'
Haunted house chiller 'Insidious' held up better than expected, dropping a mere 27 percent to an estimated $9.7 million, good for fifth place. Horror films tend to drop off quickly, and this one was expected to fall to around $7 or $8 million in its second weekend. Credit good word-of-mouth for the film having earned $27.1 million in 10 days, very profitable for a movie that cost about $1 million to make.
The crowded weekend's fourth wide release,'Your Highness,'didn't crack the top five, opening in sixth place with a disappointing $9.5 million, according to estimates. (Still, that's close enough to 'Insidious' that the two could switch places when Monday's final numbers are out.) The film had star power going for it (includingNatalie Portman- in an armored bikini - andJames Franco) and was made by the same team that made the hit 'Pineapple Express.' Pundits expected those factors to result in a debut around $13 million. But the movie had a restrictive R rating, a release on less than 2,800 screens and hit-or-miss reviews. Plus, as a medieval stoner comedy, it may have been too inside-jokey for all but fanboys, following the pattern of fellow Universal releases 'Paul' and 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.'
The full top 10:
1.'Hop,'$21.7 million (3,616 screens), $68.2 million total
2.'Arthur,'$12.6 million (3,216),new release
3.'Hanna,'$12.3 million (2,535),new release
4.'Soul Surfer,'$11.1 million (2,214),new release
5.'Insidious,'$9.7 million (2,419), $27.1 million
6.'Your Highness,'$9.5 million (2, 769),new release
7.'Source Code,' $9.1 million (2,971), $28.6 million
8. 'Limitless,'$5.7 million (2,655), $64.4 million
9.'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,'$4.9 million (2,881), $45.5 million
10. 'The Lincoln Lawyer,'$4.6 million (2,420), $46.5 million
Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.
воскресенье, 10 апреля 2011 г.
The Trailer For 'Mortal Kombat: Legacy' Debuts With Guns Blazing (VIDEO)
Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on the possibility of more live-action adventures set in the world of 'Mortal Kombat,' the infamous video game series of the 90s. It all started last summer, whena bloody, hard-hitting short film landed on the Webfrom filmmakerKevin Tancharoen, and starringMichael Jai White(of'Black Dynamite'fame) andJeri 'Seven of Nine' Ryan.Video game fans were happy to see a film adaptation that actually tried to match the tone and impact of its video game predecessor.
Well to all those who were hoping that the short was the start of the something more, you'll be happy to new that Tancharoen's gritty depiction of 'Mortal Kombat' will continue in a new web series called'Mortal Kombat: Legacy'-- and we have the first trailer for it behind the jump.
'Mortal Kombat: Legacy' premieres onMachinimaon April 12.
суббота, 9 апреля 2011 г.
Elfquest Fans Make Their Own Movie
Unsatisfied with this state of affairs, producers/actors Stephanie Thorpe and Paula Rhodes took matters into their own hands with 'Elfquest: A Fan Imagining,' a nearly five-minute, trailer-style short film that was produced with the blessing of the Pinis. Reflecting the fact that Elfquest has attracted far more female readers than most mainstream comics, 'A Fan Imagining' was created by and stars women almost exclusively.Producers Thorpe and and Rhodes were already involved in the Web-series scene when they discovered their mutual adoration for Elfquest, which can beread in its entirety for free online.
"Elfquest showed us the heroines that we could aspire to become and its magic shaped us, ultimately leading us into the creative entertainment sphere. So we owe it a lot!"they said.
Thorpe and Rhodes assembled a cast and crew of Web series veterans to create 'Elfquest: A Fan Imagining,' and surpassed its fundraising goal of $5,000 with the help of the Pinis themselves, who sold original artwork to support the production. Fans of original Web series like Thorpe's'Night of the Zombie King'or co-star Jessica Rose's'Lonelygirl15' will recognize many of the performers in 'A Fan Imagining,' who, it must be said, look stunning in their big-budget cosplay.The results of the producers' labors are impressive, to say the least. While 'A Fan Imagining' might leave those of us new to the Elfquest universe with just a few cryptic hints as to the nature of the story, dedicated fans will no doubt embrace the trailer as a welcome substitute for a dodgy Hollywood adaptation.
For much more on the production, including cast bios and behind-the-scenes photos, head over to the official 'Elfquest: A Fan Imagining' website.
{ViaComicsAlliance.}
Written byAndy Khouri.
пятница, 8 апреля 2011 г.
This Week in Movies: Old 'Bears,' New Minotaurs and Sharks
This Week in 1976: Opening Day for 'The Bad News Bears'
Thirty-five years ago this week (on April 6, 1976), just in time for the beginning of baseball season, Hollywood delivered the best movie ever made about Little League.'The Bad News Bears'was, on the surface, a traditional sports flick about underdogs who come together as a team and make it to the championship, but it still broke the rules for both sports films and movies about children. The coach (Walter Matthau) was a cynical alcoholic, and the kids were an equally cynical group of foul-mouthed misfits. Lessons of teamwork and sportsmanship were taught, but no one really became a better person.
Surprisingly, their gleeful vulgarity is what endeared viewers to these kids, so much so that the film spawned two sequels, a TV series, and a 2005 remake. Even today, the former child actors who starred in the original film, most of whom dropped out of show business when they grew up, continue to be recognized for their part in the Bears' championship season. So let's play a little game of"Where Are They Now?"
•The most successful of the cast currently seems to beJackie Earle Haley, who played motorcycle-riding outfielder Kelly Leak. He dropped out of showbiz for a long time but has made a brilliant comeback in recent years with such projects as'Little Children,''Watchmen,'and Fox TV's 'Human Target.'
•Tatum O'Neal, who played pitching ace Amanda Whurlitzer, the team's only girl, is surely the most famous alum. While her personal travails are well-known, her movie career has faltered. (Her last prominent screen role was as Dakota Fanning's mom in 2010's'The Runaways.') She's done well on TV, though, as a regular on FX's 'Rescue Me.'
•Alfred Lutter(bespectacled bookworm Ogilvie, who spouted statistics and played first base) is now CEO of a software company called NetChemistry.
•David Pollock(relief pitcher Rudi Stein, who often allowed himself to be beaned in order to walk to first base) worked as a manager at Boeing and has been active in California politics on school boards and the city council in the town of Moorpark.
•Gary Cavagnaro(catcher Engelberg, target of numerous fat jokes) is a senior sales representative at Omron Electronic Components in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
•David Stambaugh(first baseman and self-appointed team spokesman Toby Whitewood) is a pastor at Hollywood United Methodist Church.
•Joyce Van Patten, who played league manager Cleveland, is still active in movies and TV at 77. Recent films include 'Grown Ups' and 'Marley& Me.'
•Walter Matthau (Coach Buttermaker) continued to be in demand as a comic leading man for the next quarter century after 'Bears,' in such hits as 'House Calls' and the 'Grumpy Old Men' movies. He died in 2000.
•Quinn Smith(frail right-fielder Lupus) became a Hollywood writer and documentary filmmaker. He did a radio interview just last week where he touted a forthcoming reunion movie, 'The Bad News Bears Back In Action,' that will reunite most of the now middle-aged cast, with the notable exception of Ogilvie, now to be played by Corey Feldman, who starred in the TV version. Batter up!
1960(April 4): 'Ben-Hur' wins a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Charlton Heston. To date, only 'Titanic' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' have matched the biblical epic's Oscar haul.1962(April 9): For her performance in 'Two Women' as a protective mother shielding her daughter amid the ravages of World War II, Sophia Loren wins a Best Actress Oscar, the first Academy Award given for a non-English language performance. It'll be 37 years before her feat is duplicated, when fellow Italian Roberto Benigni wins Best Actor for a similar role in 'Life Is Beautiful.'
1968(April 6):Stanley Kubrick's'2001: A Space Odyssey' is released, inspiring countless head trips, late-night college bull sessions, and future big-screen space operas.
1970(April 7):John Waynewins the only acting Oscar of his career for his starring role as ornery, one-eyed marshal Rooster Cogburn in the original 'True Grit.'
1978(April 3): Sorry, 'Star Wars' fans. At the Oscars, 'Annie Hall' beats the space saga for Best Picture, also winning Best Actress forDiane Keatonand Best Director and Original Screenplay forWoody Allen. Allen becomes the first person to win an Academy Award for directing a movie he also starred in.
2008(April 5): Forty-eight years and one day after his Oscar win for 'Ben-Hur,'Charlton Hestondies at 84. The legendary actor and activist had remained in demand as a leading man and character actor until Alzheimer's disease halted his career in 2002.
Alec Baldwinturned 53 on April 3, the same day thatEddie Murphyhit the big 5-0. April 6's birthday boys are not as young as you think they are;Paul Ruddis 42, andZach Braffis 36. April 9 seesKristen Stewartturn 21 and Dakota-in-trainingElle Fanningturn 13. (It's also Dennis Quaid's 57th.) April 4 marked Robert Downey Jr.'s 46th birthday. April 7 is cake day for men of action Russell Crowe (47) and Jackie Chan (57).
Among movie oldtimers, directorFrancis Ford Coppolaturns 72 on April 7, while his mentor, B-movie guru Roger Corman, turned 85 on April 5. James Garner's 83rd is April 7, and Doris Day was 89 on April 3. Also, we can't believe
'Arthur' - Trailer No. 1
'Arthur'(PG-13)Starring:Russell Brand,Helen Mirren,Greta Gerwig,Jennifer Garner,Nick Nolte
Directed By:Jason Winer
What's It About?In this remake of the 1981 Dudley Moore comedy, Brand plays the spoiled, drunken playboy torn between an arranged marriage (to Garner) that will allow him to maintain his lavish lifestyle or true love (with Gerwig) and disinheritance. In a nice gender twist, Mirren plays the valet/nanny role that won John Gielgud an Oscar in the original.
Why Should You See It?Brand is on a roll right now, and Mirren adds class to just about any movie. Plus, these days, any movie that celebrates alcoholism and unrepentant wealth is practically bold and subversive.
You Might Like It If You Like:'Get Him to the Greek,' 'Red,' binge drinking
Stars in Rewind: Helen Mirren's First Feature Film Performance
'Your Highness'(R)Starring:Danny McBride,James Franco,Rasmus Hardiker,Zooey Deschanel,Natalie Portman
Directed By:David Gordon Green
What's It About?It's a medieval stoner comedy about two princely brothers, one a ne'er-do-well (McBride) and one a dashing overachiever (Franco), out to rescue a damsel in distress (Deschanel). Along for the ride is a warrior in an armored bikini (Portman) and various monsters, including a well-hung minotaur.
Why Should You See It?You had us at"medieval stoner comedy."(And this one is from the team behind 'Pineapple Express.') Also, did we mention Natalie Portman in an armored bikini?
You Might Like It If You Like:'Pineapple Express,' 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' 'Jabberwocky'
Video Interview: Green and McBride on Minotaur Genitalia
Natalie Portman's Sexiest Scenes|Danny McBride Exclusive Interview
'Soul Surfer'(PG)Starring:Dennis Quaid,AnnaSophia Robb,Helen Hunt,Lorraine Nicholson,Carrie Underwood
Directed By:Sean McNamara
What's It About?Robb plays teenage surfing champ Bethany Hamilton, who famously lost an arm to a shark but, through faith and courage, managed to climb back on the board a month later. Quaid and Hunt are her parents, and singer Underwood makes her film acting debut as Hamilton's youth pastor.
Why Should You See It?It's the only family-friendly movie opening this week. The story (adapted from Hamilton's memoir) is certainly inspirational. And the surfing footage (with stunts done by Hamilton herself) is reportedly breathtaking.
You Might Like It If You Like:'Blue Crush,' '127 Hours,' 'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken'
'Hanna'(PG-13)Starring:Saoirse Ronan,Eric Bana,Cate Blanchett,Tom Hollander,Olivia Williams
Directed By:Joe Wright
What's It About?Ronan plays a teenage girl trained by her father (Bana) to be the perfect assassin. Sent across Europe on a mission, she's pursued in turn by ruthless spy Blanchett.
Why Should You See It?Art-house director Wright promises to lend some intelligence to the usual cloak-and-dagger action spectacle, and he works well with the precocious Ronan (nominated for an Oscar for Wright's 'Atonement').
You Might Like It If You Like:'La Femme Nikita,' 'Kick-Ass,' 'The Bourne Identity'
Hollywood Redefines the Blonde Bombshell
Grim Fairy Tales: New Teen Heroines Out for Blood
'Born to Be Wild'is an IMAX 3-D documentary about scientists who rescue orphaned orangutans and elephants, raise them and then return them to the wild. Morgan Freeman (who else?) narrates.Showtimes& Tickets|Reviews|Trailers& Clips
'Ceremony'is about a young man (Michael Angarano) whose plan to break up his ex-girlfriend's (Uma Thurman) wedding to a rich director (Lee Pace) hits a snag when the groom befriends him and invites him to spend the weekend at the beach house where the nuptials are to take place.Showtimes& Tickets|Reviews|Trailers& Clips|Interview with director Max Winkler
•'Hop'- Russell Brand plays an irresponsible, slacker heir who has trouble getting along in the real world. It's like a family-friendly version of 'Arthur,' but with floppy ears, eggs and candy.Showtimes& Tickets|Reviews|Trailers& Clips
•'Source Code'- Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan shine in Duncan Jones' smart time-travel thriller.Showtimes& Tickets|Cinematical's Review|Trailers& Clips
•Insidious- Cheap but effective haunted house chills from the folks who brought you 'Saw' and 'Paranormal Activity.'Showtimes& Tickets|Cinematical's Review|Trailers& Clips
New on DVD:There are many visual treats in'TRON: Legacy,'which, besides the neon-lit, inside-the-Matrix sets and special effects, include the sight of a grizzled Jeff Bridges acting opposite a younger version of himself and the sight of Olivia Wilde in an illuminated catsuit. Of course, none of this may look as awesome at home as it did in 3-D in theaters, and all that visual pizazz may not be enough to distract you from the roteness of the trapped-in-a-computer-game storyline, but if you're the target audience for this sort of thing (you know who you are), you won't mind oneOn Our Netflix Queue:Is it only a matter of time before the radiation from the Japanese nuclear disaster taints our air, water and food? That fear, plus what would have been the 85th birthday of Gregory Peck (on April 5), made us revisit the classic'On the Beach'(1959). In that film, nuclear war has devastated the northern hemisphere, and folks in Australia (including American submarine commander Peck and his crew) are biding their time until the winds bring the fallout Down Under and kill everyone else. Several characters (including lonely siren Ava Gardner, aging egghead Fred Astaire and young dad Anthony Perkins) get maudlin and self-indulgent, and even Peck loses it for a while, but ultimately, that familiar Peck gravitas helps ground everyone's anxiety and dread and even provides a small measure of hope.Buyorrentthe DVD
On TV:If Elizabeth Taylor's recent passing has reignited your ardor for all things Liz - or if you're too young to remember her when she was a beloved actress and wonder what all the fuss was about - park your remote at TCM on Sunday, as the classic movie channel is airing 24 straight hours of Taylor's best films, starting at 6AM. Primetime sees screenings of her two Oscar-winning performances, in'Butterfield 8'and'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'Check your local listingsFollow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman.
среда, 6 апреля 2011 г.
The Week In Geek: 'Your Highness' Shows Its Roots With a Fantasy Triple Feature
{The Week in Geekis a weekly Tuesday column that plunges headfirst into a deep pool of genre geekiness without ever coming up for air.}
If there's one thing the 'Lord of the Rings' movies are missing, it's a hefty dose of fun and stupidity. Before you can say,"They don't make 'em like they used to,"along comesDavid Gordon Green's'Your Highness'-- an idiocy-filled love letter to sword-clanging epics where the men were men and the women were topless."I laugh at just the novelty that it exists,"says Green, who conceived the film through a jokey game with 'Your Highness' starDanny McBridebetween takes on the set of 'All the Real Girls.' They'd make up a movie title, then spitball a plot right there on the spot.
"We just wanted to throw every rule imaginable out the door,"Green elaborated on 'Your Highness,' which sees McBride and Franco as royal pot-smoking brothers on a quest to rescue a virginal damsel in distress (Zooey Deschanel) from an evil wizard (Justin Theroux). Green's aiming to not only entice fans of dumb comedies, but old-school fantasy film buffs as well. With the help of Austin'sAlamo Drafthouse, Green assembled a triple feature around his new film -- an all-out celebration of might and magic featuring 'Sword and the Sorcerer' and 'Krull.'
Alamo owner Tim League took to the stage in wizard's robes and introduced Green, as well as stars Danny McBride and Justin Theroux, and led a team of five random audience members in a mead-swilling contest against League and the 'Your Highness' crew. Even with the unbalanced teams, the audience members handily defeated the"pros"(owing mainly to Green's inability to down a full tankard of mead like a MAN).
The first film of the night was Albert Pyun's best film (no argument) 'The Sword and the Sorcerer,' and we got to see a handful of vintage trailers to set the mood. Here's the list, accompanied by my immediate reactions ...
'Conan the Barbarian'-- Still a great trailer, especially in light of the recent 'Conan' teaser. Such a well-cut trailer in fact that it may oversell the movie, because I remember it being pretty awesome, but not THAT awesome.
'Dragonslayer'-- This actually played SXSW in Austin a couple of weeks ago, and got big applause because it was fresh in people's minds. The trailer really plays up Ralph Richardson more than Peter MacNicol.
'The Dark Crystal'-- Hearing Trevor Jones' memorable theme song blare over the theater speakers turned me into a seven-year-old again for approximately two minutes.
'The Beastmaster'-- Out of all the sword and sorcery B-movies, this is the one I've seen the most. Thanks, cable TV! Marc Singer is an unusual casting choice in retrospect, and, sadly, the movie had not aged very well the last time I caught it on DVD.
'The Sword and the Sorcerer'-- Forgive me, Albert Pyun, as I never knew that you'd actually made a thoroughly entertaining movie. This was my first time to see it, and I was shocked at how well the 1982 film played to the packed house. It has welcome moments of horror and humor, and, though its low budget shows through, Pyun makes up for it with energetic swashbuckling and memorable characters. It's too bad we never got that promised sequel, 'Tales of the Ancient Empire.' Like 'Your Highness,' it features a lead scoundrel, a virgin damsel, exciting fights, and a smattering of naked female flesh.
At this point, Wizard #2, author Zack Carlson, took to the stage and led three audience members in a"meatball"eating contest, only to reveal after the fact that the contestants were, indeed, eating deep-fried bull testicles. Wacky and delicious!
'Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time'-- Despite (or maybe because of) my fondness for 'Beastmaster,' I never saw the sequel. All it reminds me of isthis montagefrom Everything Is Terrible.'Excalibur'-- This trailer felt a little out-of-place; a little too high-falutin' for the kind of entertainment that 'Your Highness' was promising. There's plenty of shiny armor and swords, but a little too much class so soon on the heels of a 'Beastmaster 2' trailer.
'Kingdom In the Clouds'-- What the heck did I just see? I've never even heard of this one. Imagine 'Never-Ending Story' on a quarter of the budget, filmed in Romania, and imported by the Xerox Corporation (whose indicia was right underneath the Paramount logo). Frightening.
'Your Highness'-- Universal has cast an evil spell called"THE EMBARGO"that prevents me from saying anything on the record about the film until its release on April 8. A loophole of that particular spell is that Icantalk about the audience in attendance, and most of them seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.
Green, McBride, and Theroux held a relaxed post-film Q&A at this point, answering basic questions about the film's mechanical bird and Natalie Portman's willingness to be called a whore. This led straight into a 'Krull' arcade game competition in which a lanky, long-haired 'Krull' pro tested his skills against a 10-year-old newbie. The kid actually held his own enough to impress his competitor into handing over his competitor's hard-won prize -- aglaiveinspired by the weapon in the film 'Krull.'
'The Dungeonmaster'-- This trailer has everything one person could want from a trailer, including (but not limited to) samurai, wizards, post-apocalyptic dune buggies, zombies, and stop-motion stone idols. The movieis on Netflix Instant, so I'll be able to see if it lives up to all the hype.
'America 3000'-- This was the most out-of-place trailer of the night, as it's a futuristic comedy and not a fantasy, but it does look stupid enough to hold its own with 'Your Highness.'
'Yor: Hunter From the Future'-- As a kid, I always wanted to like this movie more than I actually did. In truth, even as a tyke, I thought it was deadly dull, and I've never given it a second look.
'Sorceress'-- Talk about a great trailer! The movie itself is actually terrible, but you might not know it from the amazing red-band preview, filled with fighting and satyrs and demons in the sky and bare breasts! Yes, the film stars twin warrior women, so, no, the film's title never makes a lick of sense.
'Krull'-- I wondered in advance what connection 'Krull' could possibly have to 'Your Highness' and was pleased when Green pointed out the specific inspirations. Both films feature twin moons and a bride kidnapped by evil forces on her wedding day, then held in a tower against her will. There's also a cyclops in both! 'Krull' wants to be a chocolate-and-peanut-butter pairing of 'Star Wars' and classic fairy tales, but it's more like Fritos and peanut butter -- still edible, but not quite right. The film is wooden in a uniquely off-kilter way that's hard to pin down. It's as if everyone is sharing the same dream -- one that includes an incredible"Widow of the Web"and an even more impossible young Liam Neeson.
The Drafthouse has gained its reputation through special events like this, and it was indeed a magical time throughout the land. Smoked turkey legs were eaten, laughs were had, and the city was saved from the Monday night doldrums by three gallant heroes who just happened to have a multi-million dollar film opening soon. I hope they all live happily ever after (or at least until next Monday's 'Your Highness' grosses come in).
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