“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” Returns to Cinemas for 30th Anniversary Celebration
Commemorating Universal Pictures' 100th Anniversary, NCM® Fathom Events and TCM Presents a Newly Remastered Version of Steven Spielberg’s Unforgettable Classic Adventure in Select Movie Theaters on October 3
CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This fall, movie theater audiences nationwide will “phone home" once again as Steven Spielberg's beloved film “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” returns to the big screen in honor of its 30th Anniversary. “TCM Presents ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’ 30th Anniversary Event” will take place Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. local time, with special matinee screenings in select theaters at 2:00 p.m. local time. Presented by NCM® Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Universal Pictures as part of the studio's 100th Anniversary celebration, the event features the all-new, digitally remastered feature film, as well as a special taped introduction by TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, who will take audiences through the making of this modern classic. Fans will discover how Spielberg came up with the idea for “E.T.” and learn what working on the film was like for the film’s three young stars. As an added treat, Drew Barrymore, who plays Gertie in the film and who currently co-hosts TCM’s “The Essentials” showcase, shares what the film means to her 30 years later.
Tickets for “TCM Presents ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’ 30th Anniversary Event” are available now at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented using new digital cinema projection systems in more than 560 select movie theaters around the country. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” stars Henry Thomas as Elliott, an imaginative boy who meets a lost alien and forges of one of cinema’s most endearing friendships. With help from his older brother, Michael (Robert MacNaughton), and little sister, Gertie (Barrymore), Elliott sets out to help the visitor find his way back home before government agents can capture him. Dee Wallace and Peter Coyote co-star.
Released in 1982, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” became the biggest blockbuster of the year, ranking No. 1 over 16 different weekends. Today, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” remains the fourth most successful movie of all time in the domestic box office (Adjusted for ticket price inflation). Nominated for nine Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Screenplay, the film took home four Oscars® for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and Best Music for John Williams’ now-iconic score.
“Thirty years ago, Steven Spielberg introduced the world to E.T. – the alien who stole our hearts with a timeless and endearing story about friendship and courage,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. “Together with TCM and Universal Pictures, Fathom Events invites audiences – young and old – to experience the magic of ‘E.T.’ once again in movie theaters.”
Universal Studios Home Entertainment will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial” with the film’s Blu-ray™ release on Tuesday, October 9. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered picture, as well as all-new 7.1 surround sound, the “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes the 1982 theatrical movie, an all-new interview with Spielberg, and “The E.T. Journals,” featuring never-before-seen footage from the set of the film.
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 181 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes over 19,000 screens (approximately 18,100 digital). During 2011, approximately 680 million patrons (on an annualized basis) attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place. The NCM Fathom Events live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is comprised of over 700 locations in 170 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 42 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.6% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.
About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. Currently seen in more than 86 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. As the foremost authority in classic films, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, along with regular programming events that include The Essentials with Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore, Essentials Jr. with Bill Hader, 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also stages special events and screenings, such as the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise; produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs; and hosts a wealth of materials on its website, http://www.tcm.com. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company.
Academy Awards® and Oscar® are both registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
About Universal Studios Home Entertainment
In honor of its Centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100 years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of our first 100 years, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of our many beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio’s rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.
[“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”]
Saturday, September 15, 2012
"E.T." Gets 30th Anniversary New Theatrical Release and Blu-ray Debut
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"Raiders of the Lost Ark" Theatrical Re-Release is Extended
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, NEWLY RE-MASTERED “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” WILL BEGIN AN EXTENDED THEATRICAL RUN THIS FRIDAY
THE FILM WILL PLAY IN MORE THAN 300 THEATERS ACROSS THE U.S. AND CANADA FOLLOWING ITS SUCCESSFUL ONE-WEEK ONLY IMAX ENGAGEMENT
“INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES” DEBUTS ON BLU-RAY™ SEPTEMBER 18
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 14, 2012) – Due to the extraordinary response for the newly re-mastered “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” during its one-week IMAX engagement, Paramount Pictures Corporation, a division of Viacom, Inc., has announced that the film will have an extended theatrical run beginning Friday, September 14.
The unforgettable and beloved film from director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas will play in more than 300 digital theaters across the United States and Canada. Tickets can be purchased now. Check your local listings for participating locations and showtimes.
"The re-mastering efforts by Steven, George and their team were incredible and the movie’s hugely successful run in Imax last week was a sure sign that audiences were excited to see the film again on the big screen. We are thrilled that audiences will have that chance again as part of this extended theatrical run,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.
“RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” was released for an exclusive one-week engagement in select IMAX® theaters on September 7, 2012. Under the supervision of Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, the film was meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving its original look, sound and feel for a highly-anticipated release in theaters and on Blu-ray.
“INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES” debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution with seven hours of fascinating bonus material, including a brand new two-part documentary titled “On Set with Raiders of the Lost Ark – From Jungle to Desert and From Adventure to Legend.” Featuring nearly an hour of rarely seen footage from the set of the film and archival interviews with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford, this captivating piece transports fans back to where the legend began.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
THE FILM WILL PLAY IN MORE THAN 300 THEATERS ACROSS THE U.S. AND CANADA FOLLOWING ITS SUCCESSFUL ONE-WEEK ONLY IMAX ENGAGEMENT
“INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES” DEBUTS ON BLU-RAY™ SEPTEMBER 18
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 14, 2012) – Due to the extraordinary response for the newly re-mastered “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” during its one-week IMAX engagement, Paramount Pictures Corporation, a division of Viacom, Inc., has announced that the film will have an extended theatrical run beginning Friday, September 14.
The unforgettable and beloved film from director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas will play in more than 300 digital theaters across the United States and Canada. Tickets can be purchased now. Check your local listings for participating locations and showtimes.
"The re-mastering efforts by Steven, George and their team were incredible and the movie’s hugely successful run in Imax last week was a sure sign that audiences were excited to see the film again on the big screen. We are thrilled that audiences will have that chance again as part of this extended theatrical run,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.
“RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” was released for an exclusive one-week engagement in select IMAX® theaters on September 7, 2012. Under the supervision of Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, the film was meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving its original look, sound and feel for a highly-anticipated release in theaters and on Blu-ray.
“INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES” debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution with seven hours of fascinating bonus material, including a brand new two-part documentary titled “On Set with Raiders of the Lost Ark – From Jungle to Desert and From Adventure to Legend.” Featuring nearly an hour of rarely seen footage from the set of the film and archival interviews with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford, this captivating piece transports fans back to where the legend began.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
Labels:
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Paramount Pictures,
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Remembering Four Little Girls
Friday, September 14, 2012
DreamWorks Plans to Make "Shadow and Bone" Movie
DreamWorks Studios Acquires Feature Film Rights to the Novel “Shadow and Bone”
David Heyman to Produce Young Adult Adaptation
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DreamWorks Studios has acquired the feature film rights to Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel “Shadow and Bone,” it was announced today by Holly Bario, President of Production at the studio. The young adult fantasy was published in June 2012 by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and is the first in a planned three book series, called the Grisha Trilogy. David Heyman, who produced the Harry Potter films, will produce along with "Up in the Air" producer Jeffrey Clifford.
In “Shadow and Bone,” a young woman must learn to control her newly discovered power in order to save her country from the Shadow Fold, a creature-filled darkness that threatens to overrun the land.
Said Holly Bario, “At DreamWorks, we are always looking for great stories, and with Leigh’s ‘Shadow and Bone’ we found not just a fantastic story, but one set in a mystical and fascinating world that will translate well to the big screen. We are excited to begin adapting this book and look forward to working with David Heyman who has unparalleled proven success in this genre.”
Said Leigh Bardugo, “I can't think of a better home for ‘Shadow and Bone.’ From moment one, I knew the story would be in great hands, and I'm truly thrilled."
Said David Heyman, “’Shadow and Bone’ is a riveting and wholly original adventure set in a breathtakingly imaginative world. I am thrilled to be working with the DreamWorks team and incredibly grateful to Leigh Bardugo for giving us the opportunity to bring her work to the screen.”
“Shadow and Bone” debuted on the New York Times’ Best Sellers list with Bardugo being one of the few first-time authors to make that list this year. The book has been selling consistently since its June 5th publishing date and Macmillan recently went back for a third printing at the end of July. Amazon also selected “Shadow and Bone” as both an adult and children’s Book of the Month pick and is the only title to have that distinction.
Internationally, the book was released simultaneously in the United Kingdom with ten more territories scheduled for release over the next year. The next book in the series, “Siege and Storm,” is scheduled for release in June 2013 with the third installment coming in summer 2014.
Bardugo is repped by Joanna Volpe and Pouya Shahbazian at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. and Melissa Rogal at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc.
About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include “Real Steel,” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Shawn Levy, Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, and “The Help,” which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award nominations with Octavia Spencer winning one for Best Supporting Actress. Its upcoming releases include Spielberg’s “Lincoln” starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.
About Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as a makeup artist. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic. Read more about Leigh and the world of the Grisha at www.leighbardugo.com.
David Heyman to Produce Young Adult Adaptation
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DreamWorks Studios has acquired the feature film rights to Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel “Shadow and Bone,” it was announced today by Holly Bario, President of Production at the studio. The young adult fantasy was published in June 2012 by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and is the first in a planned three book series, called the Grisha Trilogy. David Heyman, who produced the Harry Potter films, will produce along with "Up in the Air" producer Jeffrey Clifford.
In “Shadow and Bone,” a young woman must learn to control her newly discovered power in order to save her country from the Shadow Fold, a creature-filled darkness that threatens to overrun the land.
Said Holly Bario, “At DreamWorks, we are always looking for great stories, and with Leigh’s ‘Shadow and Bone’ we found not just a fantastic story, but one set in a mystical and fascinating world that will translate well to the big screen. We are excited to begin adapting this book and look forward to working with David Heyman who has unparalleled proven success in this genre.”
Said Leigh Bardugo, “I can't think of a better home for ‘Shadow and Bone.’ From moment one, I knew the story would be in great hands, and I'm truly thrilled."
Said David Heyman, “’Shadow and Bone’ is a riveting and wholly original adventure set in a breathtakingly imaginative world. I am thrilled to be working with the DreamWorks team and incredibly grateful to Leigh Bardugo for giving us the opportunity to bring her work to the screen.”
“Shadow and Bone” debuted on the New York Times’ Best Sellers list with Bardugo being one of the few first-time authors to make that list this year. The book has been selling consistently since its June 5th publishing date and Macmillan recently went back for a third printing at the end of July. Amazon also selected “Shadow and Bone” as both an adult and children’s Book of the Month pick and is the only title to have that distinction.
Internationally, the book was released simultaneously in the United Kingdom with ten more territories scheduled for release over the next year. The next book in the series, “Siege and Storm,” is scheduled for release in June 2013 with the third installment coming in summer 2014.
Bardugo is repped by Joanna Volpe and Pouya Shahbazian at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. and Melissa Rogal at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc.
About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include “Real Steel,” starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Shawn Levy, Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, and “The Help,” which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award nominations with Octavia Spencer winning one for Best Supporting Actress. Its upcoming releases include Spielberg’s “Lincoln” starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.
About Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as a makeup artist. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic. Read more about Leigh and the world of the Grisha at www.leighbardugo.com.
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Review: "John Carter" Will Show You a Good Time
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 73 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux
John Carter (2012)
Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action
DIRECTOR: Andrew Stanton
WRITERS: Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, and Michael Chabon (based upon the novel, A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs)
PRODUCERS: Lindsey Collins, Jim Morris, and Colin Wilson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dan Mindel (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Eric Zumbrunnen
COMPOSER: Michael Giacchino
FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE/SCI-FI
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Bryan Cranston, Daryl Sabara, and (voices) Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church
The subject of this movie review is John Carter, a 2012 American science fiction and fantasy film released by Walt Disney Pictures. John Carter is the first live-action film from director Andrew Stanton, who won Oscars for directing the computer-animated films, Finding Nemo (2003) and WALL-E (2008) for Pixar.
John Carter is largely based upon the 1917 novel, A Princess of Mars, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs (the creator of Tarzan of the Apes). A Princess of Mars began life in 1912 as Under the Moons of Mars, a serial in the pulp fiction magazine, The All-Story. A Princess of Mars is the first novel in the 11-book “Barsoom series” The film focuses on a former Confederate Army officer of the American Civil War who is transported to Mars, where he meets a princess in desperate need of a savior.
It is 1868, and John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is in the Arizona Territory where he has a dangerous encounter with the Apache. After escaping them, Carter hides in a cave. He has an extraordinary experience in which he gets transported to the planet Mars, which the inhabitants call “Barsoom.” There, he meets 15-foot tall Martians called Tharks and the human-like Red Martians. Two of the Red Martian cities, Zodanga and Helium, have been at war for a thousand years. However, the Therns, a group of mystic types, have taken Zodanga’s side.
Thern leader, Matai Shang (Mark Strong), gives Sab Than (Dominic West), the leader of Zodanga, a special weapon which will turn the tide of the war in his favor. Now, Than can force a ceasefire and use his advantage to demand that Tardos Mors (Ciaran Hinds), surrender his daughter, Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins), to him for a marriage that will unite Zodanga and Helium. When Dejah meets John Carter, she see someone who can save her people from Than’s machinations. After the losses he suffered during the Civil War, however, is John Carter ready to help a princess of Mars?
First, let me say that as far as I can tell, not only are there no African-American actors in John Carter, but there are also no Black actors providing voices in this film. That’s consistent with Pixar films, in which there are, at best, token participation of African-American actors and other actors of color. Anyway…
John Carter is an entertaining film. It was something of a major box office disappointment, and Disney reportedly took a write-off somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 million dollars because of John Carter. Some movies deserve to be flops, but John Carter isn’t one of them. It’s one of those odd, swashbuckling, effects-laden adventure movies that come across as weird when you only see a few minutes of it in a trailer or commercial. These movies fail to meet box office expectations, but I think when people see them, they realize what harmless, even charming fun these movies are. Another example would be Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, another pricey Disney disappointment at the box office.
A Princess of Mars and the other Barsoom novels would go on to influence science fiction writers such as Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury and such film’s as James Cameron’s Avatar and George Lucas’ Star Wars. However, the series is outdated and quaint, and the genre to which it belongs, interplanetary romance, is practically dead. Some readers of science fiction and fantasy and also people interested in pulp fiction and nostalgia will like the Barsoom stories. Beyond that, much of the audience for movies may ask, what’s the point of this? So much about this movie is just too old-fashioned, outdated, and weird for modern audiences.
John Carter is, from the point of production values and special visual effects, quite well made. The screenplay is as wonky as the source material, but the actors seem genuinely interested in selling their characters and this concept. The big problem with this movie is that the gadgets, tech, and other science fiction stuff – all the cool toys – are under-utilized. John Carter is more like a sword and sandal/sword and sorcery, Conan the Barbarian movie than it is a science fiction movie. Plus, there isn’t enough Mark Strong in this film; you can never have too much Mark Strong.
Anyway, movie audiences that enjoy anything science fiction and fantasy will find an entertaining oddity in John Carter. I liked it, and wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel.
6 of 10
B
Thursday, September 13, 2012
John Carter (2012)
Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action
DIRECTOR: Andrew Stanton
WRITERS: Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, and Michael Chabon (based upon the novel, A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs)
PRODUCERS: Lindsey Collins, Jim Morris, and Colin Wilson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dan Mindel (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Eric Zumbrunnen
COMPOSER: Michael Giacchino
FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE/SCI-FI
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Bryan Cranston, Daryl Sabara, and (voices) Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church
The subject of this movie review is John Carter, a 2012 American science fiction and fantasy film released by Walt Disney Pictures. John Carter is the first live-action film from director Andrew Stanton, who won Oscars for directing the computer-animated films, Finding Nemo (2003) and WALL-E (2008) for Pixar.
John Carter is largely based upon the 1917 novel, A Princess of Mars, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs (the creator of Tarzan of the Apes). A Princess of Mars began life in 1912 as Under the Moons of Mars, a serial in the pulp fiction magazine, The All-Story. A Princess of Mars is the first novel in the 11-book “Barsoom series” The film focuses on a former Confederate Army officer of the American Civil War who is transported to Mars, where he meets a princess in desperate need of a savior.
It is 1868, and John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is in the Arizona Territory where he has a dangerous encounter with the Apache. After escaping them, Carter hides in a cave. He has an extraordinary experience in which he gets transported to the planet Mars, which the inhabitants call “Barsoom.” There, he meets 15-foot tall Martians called Tharks and the human-like Red Martians. Two of the Red Martian cities, Zodanga and Helium, have been at war for a thousand years. However, the Therns, a group of mystic types, have taken Zodanga’s side.
Thern leader, Matai Shang (Mark Strong), gives Sab Than (Dominic West), the leader of Zodanga, a special weapon which will turn the tide of the war in his favor. Now, Than can force a ceasefire and use his advantage to demand that Tardos Mors (Ciaran Hinds), surrender his daughter, Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins), to him for a marriage that will unite Zodanga and Helium. When Dejah meets John Carter, she see someone who can save her people from Than’s machinations. After the losses he suffered during the Civil War, however, is John Carter ready to help a princess of Mars?
First, let me say that as far as I can tell, not only are there no African-American actors in John Carter, but there are also no Black actors providing voices in this film. That’s consistent with Pixar films, in which there are, at best, token participation of African-American actors and other actors of color. Anyway…
John Carter is an entertaining film. It was something of a major box office disappointment, and Disney reportedly took a write-off somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 million dollars because of John Carter. Some movies deserve to be flops, but John Carter isn’t one of them. It’s one of those odd, swashbuckling, effects-laden adventure movies that come across as weird when you only see a few minutes of it in a trailer or commercial. These movies fail to meet box office expectations, but I think when people see them, they realize what harmless, even charming fun these movies are. Another example would be Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, another pricey Disney disappointment at the box office.
A Princess of Mars and the other Barsoom novels would go on to influence science fiction writers such as Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury and such film’s as James Cameron’s Avatar and George Lucas’ Star Wars. However, the series is outdated and quaint, and the genre to which it belongs, interplanetary romance, is practically dead. Some readers of science fiction and fantasy and also people interested in pulp fiction and nostalgia will like the Barsoom stories. Beyond that, much of the audience for movies may ask, what’s the point of this? So much about this movie is just too old-fashioned, outdated, and weird for modern audiences.
John Carter is, from the point of production values and special visual effects, quite well made. The screenplay is as wonky as the source material, but the actors seem genuinely interested in selling their characters and this concept. The big problem with this movie is that the gadgets, tech, and other science fiction stuff – all the cool toys – are under-utilized. John Carter is more like a sword and sandal/sword and sorcery, Conan the Barbarian movie than it is a science fiction movie. Plus, there isn’t enough Mark Strong in this film; you can never have too much Mark Strong.
Anyway, movie audiences that enjoy anything science fiction and fantasy will find an entertaining oddity in John Carter. I liked it, and wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel.
6 of 10
B
Thursday, September 13, 2012
---------------------------
Labels:
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"Rise of the Guardians" to Be Honored at 2012 Hollywood Film Awards
Hollywood Film Awards to Honor DreamWorks Animation's "Rise of the Guardians" with the 2012 "Hollywood Animation Award" The 16th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by The Los Angeles Times, have announced that DreamWorks Animation's "Rise of the Guardians" will receive this year's "Hollywood Animation Award" at the festival's gala ceremony on October 22, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Directed by Peter Ramsey and written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole"), "Rise of the Guardians" is based on the highly acclaimed series of children's books by William Joyce. Joyce, who won an Oscar® last year for his animated short "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," was named by Newsweek as "one of the top 100 people to watch in the new millennium. "Rise of the Guardians" stars the voice talents of Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law. Produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro, Michael Siegel, and William Joyce, the DreamWorks Animation feature film will be released by Paramount Pictures on November 21st.
The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Awards. "It is a great pleasure to recognize "Rise of the Guardians" as the recipient of our animation award. This piece of Avant-garde animation style surely will be another classic for generations to come."
Said Bill Damaschke, Chief Creative Officer at DreamWorks Animation, "This award is a testament to the vision and dedication of our director Peter Ramsey and our producers Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, who saw in William Joyce's beautifully written books a truly magical world that he was able to bring to life with the help of David Lindsay-Abaire's wonderful screenplay and, of course, the outstanding work by his entire filmmaking team. We could not be more proud of the movie, or this recognition, and we thank Carlos and the Hollywood Film Awards for this great honor."
Past recipients of the Hollywood Animation Award include "Cars," "Rango," "Ratatouille," "Toy Story 3," "UP," and "Wall-E."
ABOUT "RISE OF THE GUARDIANS"
"Rise of the Guardians" is an epic and magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost's legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imagination of children everywhere.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of 1.6 million and 2.7 million on Sunday, more than 16 million unique latimes.com visitors monthly and a combined print and online local weekly audience of 4.4 million. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has been covering Southern California for more than 130 years.
The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) businesses and affiliates include the Los Angeles Times, The Envelope, Times Community News and Hoy Los Angeles and reach approximately 5.2 million or 39% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace. LATMG also owns and operates California Community News, as well as Tribune Direct's west coast division and is part of Tribune Company, one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information is available at http://latimes.com/aboutus.
ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD FILM AWARDS
The Hollywood Film Awards were created to honor excellence in the art of filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera, and launch the awards season. The criteria is: recipients are selected to be honored for their body of work and/or a film(s) that is to be released between January 1 and December 31 by an advisory team. In addition, for the recipients of our "film awards craft categories" (aside from evaluating their body of work), our Advisory team takes into consideration the recommendation of their guilds/societies. Last year alone, our recipients received 12 nominations and 5 Oscars. In the last 9 years, a total of 85 Oscar nominations and 32 Oscars were given to our honorees. The awards are bestowed at a GALA ceremony that takes place at the prestigious Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The Hollywood Film Awards are presented in conjunction with Presenting Sponsor the Los Angeles Times, Premier sponsors ArcLight Cinemas and Hollywoodnews.com, exclusive Regional Print Media sponsor Los Angeles Confidential and trade Media sponsor the Hollywood Reporter. Special support is provided by American Cinema Editors - A.C.E., American Society of Cinematographers - A.S.C., The Art Directors Guild - A.D.G., Celebrity Services, The Casting Society of America - CSA, Costume Designers Guild - CDG, Columbia Pictures, Creative Artists Agency, DreamWorks SKG, Entertainment Tonight, Focus Features, Fox Seachlight, ICM, ILM, Motion Picture Editors Guild, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney/Pixar, The Weinstein Company, WME. The Beverly Hilton Hotel is the Official Host Hotel and Getty Image is the Official Photography Agency.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
"Red Dawn" Remake Has Its World Premiere at 2012 Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest Announces The World Premiere Of 'RED DAWN' As The Closing Night Film
FilmDistrict's 'RED DAWN' Stars Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson & Josh Peck and Hits Theaters This Thanksgiving
World Premiere on Thursday, September 27!
The Wolverines are infiltrating Fantastic Fest to defend all that is good and American! The world premiere of FilmDistrict's RED DAWN will close Fantastic Fest, on Thursday, September 27, with stars Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki in attendance. A Korean-invasion-themed party will follow the premiere screening to celebrate the closing night of the festival. Fantastic Fest will take place September 20-27 in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.
RED DAWN stars CHRIS HEMSWORTH (Thor, The Avengers, Snow White & The Huntsman), JOSH PECK (Drake & Josh, The Wackness), JOSH HUTCHERSON (The Hunger Games), ADRIANNE PALICKI (Friday Night Lights, upcoming GI Joe: Retaliation), ISABEL LUCAS (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Immortals), CONNOR CRUISE (Seven Pounds) and JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN (Watchmen).
In RED DAWN, a city in Washington state awakens to the surreal sight of foreign paratroopers dropping from the sky - shockingly, the U.S. has been invaded and their hometown is the initial target. Quickly and without warning, the citizens find themselves prisoners and their town under enemy occupation. Determined to fight back, a group of young patriots seek refuge in the surrounding woods, training and reorganizing themselves into a guerilla group of fighters. Taking inspiration from their high school mascot, they call themselves the Wolverines, banding together to protect one another, liberate their town from its captors, and take back their freedom. FilmDistrict will release RED DAWN in theaters nationwide on November 21, 2012, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Following the World Premiere, Fantastic Fest will transform the Austin American Legion into a maximum-security prison for the ultimate Red Dawn shindig. Prisoners will experience mandatory enjoyment from delousing stations as well as free prison tattoos and head-shaves. Executive chef John Bullington will be doling out wild-game bulgogi, kimchi and piping-hot shots of deer blood while the uniformed detainees enjoy the musical stylings of festival favorite Future Folk.
For more information about RED DAWN, please visit RedDawnFilm.com, "like" the film on Facebook at or www.Facebook.com/RedDawnFilm follow on twitter www.Twitter.com/RedDawnFilm, #RedDawn
For more details regarding Fantastic Fest, contact festival publicist Brandy Fons, at brandy@fonspr.com. For more information, visit www.fantasticfest.com.
For the latest developments, tickets and badges visit the Fantastic Fest official site www.fantasticfest.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
To apply for press credentials to FF 2012 please email an assignment from your editor to press@fantasticfest.com. The deadline to apply for press credentials is Monday, September 10 at 5:00 PM CDT.
AboutFantasticFest
Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. In years past the festival has been home to world premieres of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, APOCALYPTO, ZOMBIELAND, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 and RED while the guest roster has included such talent as Mel Gibson, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Ryan Reynolds, Karl Urban, Josh Hartnett, The RZA, Dolph Lundgren, Jemaine Clement, Paul Rudd, Bill Pullman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, George Romero, Darren Aronofsky and Mike Judge. Fantastic Fest also features world, national and regional premieres of new, up-and-coming genre films. The festival has launched and propelled the buzz for international genre hits like THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, MONSTERS, TIMECRIMES and TROLLHUNTER. Fantastic Fest is held each year at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Lamar in Austin, Texas. During his Keynote Address at the International Film Festival Summit, Variety president and publisher Charlie Koones listed Fantastic Fest in a list of "10 Film Festivals We Love," alongside industry heavy-hitters such as Cannes, Toronto and Telluride. Fantastic Fest was also named as one of the "25 coolest film festivals" and the "25 film festivals worth the entry fee" by Moviemaker Magazine.
Our Partners
Returning Presenting Sponsors for Fantastic Fest and Arcade include AMD, Well Go USA Entertainment, and Texas' own Shiner Beer, whose family of products will be featured throughout the festival. Returning hotel partners include Embassy Suites Austin Downtown, Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin Downtown, and the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin.
New Presenting Sponsors include Sony Digital Cinema 4K, which delivers an immersive theatrical experience with ultra-high resolution digital projection technology.
About Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse is an entertainment brand comprised of an acclaimed cinema-eatery chain, the largest genre film festival in the United States and a collectible art gallery. Named "the best theater ever" by Time Magazine, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover's oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed "The Geek Telluride" by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of offbeat cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse's collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including the launch of Drafthouse Films, a new film distribution label and plans to extend its theaters and unique programming philosophy to additional markets across the United States. More information about Alamo Drafthouse franchise opportunities are available on the official website www.drafthouse.com.
FilmDistrict's 'RED DAWN' Stars Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson & Josh Peck and Hits Theaters This Thanksgiving
World Premiere on Thursday, September 27!
The Wolverines are infiltrating Fantastic Fest to defend all that is good and American! The world premiere of FilmDistrict's RED DAWN will close Fantastic Fest, on Thursday, September 27, with stars Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki in attendance. A Korean-invasion-themed party will follow the premiere screening to celebrate the closing night of the festival. Fantastic Fest will take place September 20-27 in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.
RED DAWN stars CHRIS HEMSWORTH (Thor, The Avengers, Snow White & The Huntsman), JOSH PECK (Drake & Josh, The Wackness), JOSH HUTCHERSON (The Hunger Games), ADRIANNE PALICKI (Friday Night Lights, upcoming GI Joe: Retaliation), ISABEL LUCAS (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Immortals), CONNOR CRUISE (Seven Pounds) and JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN (Watchmen).
In RED DAWN, a city in Washington state awakens to the surreal sight of foreign paratroopers dropping from the sky - shockingly, the U.S. has been invaded and their hometown is the initial target. Quickly and without warning, the citizens find themselves prisoners and their town under enemy occupation. Determined to fight back, a group of young patriots seek refuge in the surrounding woods, training and reorganizing themselves into a guerilla group of fighters. Taking inspiration from their high school mascot, they call themselves the Wolverines, banding together to protect one another, liberate their town from its captors, and take back their freedom. FilmDistrict will release RED DAWN in theaters nationwide on November 21, 2012, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Following the World Premiere, Fantastic Fest will transform the Austin American Legion into a maximum-security prison for the ultimate Red Dawn shindig. Prisoners will experience mandatory enjoyment from delousing stations as well as free prison tattoos and head-shaves. Executive chef John Bullington will be doling out wild-game bulgogi, kimchi and piping-hot shots of deer blood while the uniformed detainees enjoy the musical stylings of festival favorite Future Folk.
For more information about RED DAWN, please visit RedDawnFilm.com, "like" the film on Facebook at or www.Facebook.com/RedDawnFilm follow on twitter www.Twitter.com/RedDawnFilm, #RedDawn
For more details regarding Fantastic Fest, contact festival publicist Brandy Fons, at brandy@fonspr.com. For more information, visit www.fantasticfest.com.
For the latest developments, tickets and badges visit the Fantastic Fest official site www.fantasticfest.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
To apply for press credentials to FF 2012 please email an assignment from your editor to press@fantasticfest.com. The deadline to apply for press credentials is Monday, September 10 at 5:00 PM CDT.
AboutFantasticFest
Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. In years past the festival has been home to world premieres of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, APOCALYPTO, ZOMBIELAND, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 and RED while the guest roster has included such talent as Mel Gibson, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Ryan Reynolds, Karl Urban, Josh Hartnett, The RZA, Dolph Lundgren, Jemaine Clement, Paul Rudd, Bill Pullman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, George Romero, Darren Aronofsky and Mike Judge. Fantastic Fest also features world, national and regional premieres of new, up-and-coming genre films. The festival has launched and propelled the buzz for international genre hits like THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, MONSTERS, TIMECRIMES and TROLLHUNTER. Fantastic Fest is held each year at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Lamar in Austin, Texas. During his Keynote Address at the International Film Festival Summit, Variety president and publisher Charlie Koones listed Fantastic Fest in a list of "10 Film Festivals We Love," alongside industry heavy-hitters such as Cannes, Toronto and Telluride. Fantastic Fest was also named as one of the "25 coolest film festivals" and the "25 film festivals worth the entry fee" by Moviemaker Magazine.
Our Partners
Returning Presenting Sponsors for Fantastic Fest and Arcade include AMD, Well Go USA Entertainment, and Texas' own Shiner Beer, whose family of products will be featured throughout the festival. Returning hotel partners include Embassy Suites Austin Downtown, Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin Downtown, and the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin.
New Presenting Sponsors include Sony Digital Cinema 4K, which delivers an immersive theatrical experience with ultra-high resolution digital projection technology.
About Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse is an entertainment brand comprised of an acclaimed cinema-eatery chain, the largest genre film festival in the United States and a collectible art gallery. Named "the best theater ever" by Time Magazine, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover's oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed "The Geek Telluride" by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of offbeat cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse's collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including the launch of Drafthouse Films, a new film distribution label and plans to extend its theaters and unique programming philosophy to additional markets across the United States. More information about Alamo Drafthouse franchise opportunities are available on the official website www.drafthouse.com.
Labels:
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film festival news,
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