Fantastic Fest Announces Final Wave Of Film Programming
World Premiere Screening of 'The Collection' Tops Off The Incredible 2012 Lineup
PRNewswire/ -- Fantastic Fest is thrilled to announce the final installment of programming for Fantastic Fest 2012, including the world premiere screening of The Collection. Fantastic Fest will take place September 20-27 in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.
When Elena's (Emma Fitzpatrick) friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer. The Collector kidnaps and transports her to an abandoned hotel he's transformed into his own private maze of torture and death. Upon learning of his daughter's disappearance, Elena's wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a group of mercenaries to retrieve her from the vicious grips of The Collector. These mercenaries coerce Arkin (Josh Stewart), the only man to have escaped the wrath of this heinous monster, to lead them through the gruesome labyrinth. Now, Arkin finds himself fighting for his own life in order to save Elena. "The Collection," directed by Marcus Dunstan and written by Dunstan and Patrick Melton, is a suspense horror film with nonstop thrills at every turn, starring Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises), Emma Fitzpatrick (The Social Network), and Christopher McDonald (Requiem for a Dream). LD Entertainment will release The Collection in theaters November 30, 2012.
For more information about THE COLLECTION, please visit http://www.thecollectionmovie.com/, "like" the film on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheCollectionMovie or follow on twitter @collectionfilm, #TheCollection.
See below for the final wave of films at this year's festival.
AMERICAN MARY (2011)
US Premiere
Directors - Jen and Sylvia Soska, 95 mins
Disillusioned with her chosen profession and perpetually broke, medical student Mary Mason finds herself drawn into a shady world of underground surgery and body modification.
ANTIVIRAL (2012)
US Premiere
Director - Brandon Cronenberg, 110 mins
Syd March makes people sick, infecting them with viruses harvested to order from celebrities, but gets more than he bargained for when his most famous source dies from a virus Syd has just infected himself with.
BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO (2012)
US Premiere
Director - Peter Strickland, 92 mins
Strange things occur after a British audio technician is summoned to Italy to work on a gory giallo film.
BESTIES (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Rebecca Perry Cutter, 91 mins
BESTIES tells the story of two high school girls--an awkward freshman and a sexy senior--who become immersed in a manipulative and deadly friendship.
BLACK OUT (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Arne Toonen, 73 mins
A splitting headache, a dead gangster, twenty kilos of missing coke and 24 hours to sort it all out before getting married. Jos is about to have a very bad day.
BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE MACHINE GUN WOMAN (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Ernesto Diaz Espinosa, 75 mins
Timid, video game-loving DJ Santiago seemingly digs his own grave when he agrees to bring a violent criminal kingpin the head of Machine Gun Woman.
THE COLLECTION (2012)
World Premiere with director/writer Marcus Dunstan, writer Patrick Melton and cast Josh Stewart and Emma Fitzpatrick in person
Directors - Marcus Dunstan, 83 mins
When Elena's friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer.
COME OUT AND PLAY (2012)
US Premiere
Director - Makinov, 95 mins
While on vacation, Beth and Francis visit a remote island that turns out to be almost solely inhabited by children. Unfortunately for them, these kids are far from well behaved.
DANGER 5 (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Dario Russo, 150 mins
It's World War II and there's nothing Hitler won't do to take over the world! Dinosaur men! Love potions! Giant robots! And all that stands in his way are the intrepid forces of the DANGER 5!
DOM - A RUSSIAN FAMILY (2011)
North American Premiere
Director - Oleg Pogodin, 109 mins
A Russian mobster returns to his ancestral home for a family reunion after years of living in the criminal underworld. Unbeknownst to him, his ruthless enemies follow close behind.
EXORCIST IN THE 21ST CENTURY, THE (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Fredrik Horn Akselsen, 80 mins
Norwegian documentarian Fredrik Horn Akselsen examines the work of Father Jose Antonio Fortea - an actual, Vatican-approved exorcist - in this balanced look at a largely hidden world within the Catholic church.
THE FINAL MEMBER (2012)
Regional Premiere
Directors - Jonah Bekhor and Zach Math, 75 mins
A mind-blowing documentary about three men who are deeply obsessed with penises--human or otherwise.
THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER ROLLED (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Ryan Polito, 90 mins
Inspired by Morgan Spurlock's Greatest Movie Ever Sold, two comedians, Doug Benson and Graham Elwood, decide to finance a movie about going on tour by going on tour.
HAIL (2012)
Regional Premiere
Director - Amiel Courtin-Wilson, 104 mins
Real life ex-con Daniel P. Jones stars in this haunting and unflinchingly realistic film crafted from over 500 pages of his own memories and experiences.
HELLFJORD (2012)
World Premiere
Directors - Patrik Syversen, Kenneth Olaf Hjellum, Ole Giæver, Sebastian Dalen, Vegar Hoel and Roar Uthaug, 203 mins
Seven of Norway's finest directors team up for writer / producer Tommy Wirkola's fusion of HOT FUZZ and TWIN PEAKS. A seven part TV series from the director of DEAD SNOW.
HISTORY OF FUTURE FOLK (2012)
Regional Premiere
Directors - J. Anderson Mitchell and Jeremy Kipp Walker, 85 mins
Real life bluegrass band Future Folk use a banjo and a guitar to save mankind in this sci-fi comedy origin story.
LEE'S ADVENTURE (2011)
North American Premiere
Director - Frant Gwo, 91 mins
When Li Xianje's beautiful girlfriend dies in a tragic accident, he attempts to harness his temporal dilation disorder in order to travel back in time and save her.
MIAMI CONNECTION (1987)
Repertory screening
Directors - Y.K. Kim and Woo-sang Park, 120 mins
The legendary long-lost '80s thunder-rager! Martial arts rock band Dragon Sound throw down in the ultimate conflict against an army of cocaine-powered motorcycle ninjas. The BEST unseen movie in HISTORY!
PUSHER (2012)
US Premiere
Director - Luis Prieto, 89 mins
A small time drug dealer gets in way over his head when a big deal goes bad in Luis Prieto's British remake of Nicolas Winding Refn's debut feature film.
TAI CHI 0 (2012)
US Premiere
Director - Stephen Fung, 100 mins
Martial arts meets steampunk in Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Fung's slick, stylish pop-art take on the life of Yang-lu Chan (played by new martial-arts sensation Yuan Xiaochao), founder of the Yang school of tai chi.
TAPED (2012)
Regional Premiere
Director - Diederik van Rooijen, 80 mins
A trip meant to save their marriage turns into a nightmare when Johan and Saar accidentally videotape a police shooting in the streets of Argentina.
TEBANA SANKICHI: SNOT ROCKETS (2012)
World Premiere
Director - Yudai Yamaguchi, 79 mins
Tak Sakaguchi stars in Yudai Yamaguchi's feature-length reboot of an original indie short film made in 1995. Follow the ridiculous adventures of sometime private detective and fighting master Tebana "Snot Rockets" Sankichi, and his loyal sidekick "Twice" Shiro. An episodic, nonsense comedy that flies like a rocket and lands like a wet loogie.
TWO RABBITS (DOIS COEHLOS) (2012)
International Premiere
Director - Afonso Poyart, 108 mins
Edgar returns to Brazil after two years in Miami, focused on enacting a complicated revenge plot and hoping to find absolution for his sins in the process.
VEGETARIAN CANNIBAL (2012)
North American Premiere
Director - Branko Schmidt, 84 mins
A corrupt gynecologist provides illegal abortions to prostitutes working for the Croatian mafia.
VULGARIA (2012)
Regional Premiere
Director - Pang Ho-Cheung, 90 mins
What do pubic hair, pop rocks, cow vaginas and sex with mules have in common? They are all part of moviemaking in Hong Kong.
WAKE IN FRIGHT (1971)
Repertory screening
Director - Ted Kotcheff, 114mins
A Palme D'Or nominee based on the 1961 book of the same name by Kenneth Cook and directed by FIRST BLOOD's Ted Kotcheff, WAKE IN FRIGHT is an uncompromisingly brutal look at what happens when men are left alone together in the outback with guns and a lot of beer. This is going to be a mind-blower on the big screen. Get ready.
For the latest developments visit the Fantastic Fest official site www.fantasticfest.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
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.
AboutAlamoDrafthouse
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.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Review: "All-Star Superman" is Not All-Star
All-Star Superman (2011)
Running time: 76 minutes (1 hour, 16 minutes)
MPAA – PG for sequences of action and violence, language including brief innuendo, and some sensuality
DIRECTOR: Sam Liu
WRITER: Dwayne McDuffie (based upon the comic books by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely and the characters created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel)
PRODUCERS: Bobbie Page and Bruce Timm
EDITOR: Margaret Hou
ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/DRAMA
Starring: (voices) James Denton, Christina Hendricks, Anthony LaPaglia, Edward Asner, Obba Babatundé, Steve Blum, Linda Cardellini, Alexis Denisof, John Di Maggio, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kevin Michael Richardson, Fred Tatasciore, and Arnold Vosloo
All-Star Superman is a direct-to-DVD animated film from Warner Bros. Animation. Starring DC Comics’ beloved superhero, Superman, this film is based on the 12-issue comic book series, All-Star Superman, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely and published from 2005 to 2008. All-Star Superman is also the 10th feature in DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.
All-Star Superman begins with Lex Luthor’s (Anthony LaPaglia) successful plot to expose Superman (James Denton) to massive amounts of solar radiation. This overdose of solar radiation gives the Man of Steel new powers, but the radiation is also slowly killing him. Superman is left with only weeks to live and with his extraordinary powers deteriorating. As he prepares for his demise, Superman attempts to settle his affairs with Lois Lane (Christina Hendricks). However, before he dies, Superman must stop Luthor’s diabolical scheme to drastically change the world and then rule it.
Watching All-Star Superman, I could not help but be impressed by how many characters and subplots the film’s screenwriter, the late Dwayne McDuffie, managed to stuff into a movie that runs a little more than 70 minutes. Sadly, most of it really isn’t dramatic or exciting, mainly because much of this material needs to get more screen time than it ultimately does. Honestly, All-Star Superman is at its best whenever Lex Luthor (superbly voiced by Anthony LaPaglia) is onscreen, which he isn’t nearly enough.
Some of the voice performances are bad. Matthew Gray Gubler is terrible as Jimmy Olsen. Ed Asner is just wrong as Perry White, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, the newspaper where Clark Kent/Superman works.
The animation and character design is quite good. All-Star Superman is pretty to look at, but it is too bad that the entire film is such a chore to watch.
5 of 10
C+
Sunday, September 16, 2012
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
"E.T." Gets 30th Anniversary New Theatrical Release and Blu-ray Debut
“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.
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.
"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.
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.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Review: "John Carter" Will Show You a Good Time
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
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