Reel News Daily - Page 102 of 179 - Reviews, News, and All Things Film.

RLJ Entertainment Acquires ‘Kickboxer: Vengeance’ Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) has acquired all U.S. rights to the highly anticipated Kickboxer: Vengeance. Co-Written by Dimitri Logothetis (Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers) and Jim McGrath and directed by John Stockwell (In the Blood, Blue Crush), the film features the return of Jean-Claude Van Damme to the franchise (Bloodsport, Kickboxer) and a bevy of professional athletes including newcomer Alain Moussi (X-Men: Days of Future Past) Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Gina Carano (In the Blood), Georges St-Pierre (Captain America), and Cain Velasquez (Term Life). The film was produced by Logothetis along with Nicholas Celozzi (The Lost Angel), Ted Field (The Last Samurai, Jumanji), Allen Knudson, Samuel Cory Timpson and Rob Hickman (who also orchestrated the majority of the financing on the film).

RLJE plans to release Kickboxer: Vengeance in theaters and On Demand later this year. Mark Ward, RLJ Entertainment’s Chief Acquisitions Officer, made the announcement today.

“Fans of Jean Claude Van Damme have been waiting for a long time for this reboot of the Kickboxer franchise,” said Ward. “The film delivers more action and an amazing ensemble of fighters from Dave Bautista to George St-Pierre to Cain Velasquez and Gina Carano. Fans will not be disappointed.”

“There is a spectacular beauty in martial arts films that audiences have been deprived of for a significant period of time. Making Kickboxer: Vengeance has been a priority and passion of mine for several years and I’m thrilled to be able to partner with RLJ Entertainment to bring this genre back to theatres,” said producer and writer Logothetis.

An update to the 1989 classic film KICKBOXER, Kickboxer: Vengeance follows the story of Kurt Sloane (Alain Moussi), who travels to Thailand to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of Tong Po (Dave Bautista). Kurt trains with the legendary Master Durand (Jean-Claude Van Damme) until he is ready to take on Tong Po in a brutal fight to the death.

Jess De Leo, Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for RLJ Entertainment along with Ward negotiated the deal with Logothetis, Field, Brian O-Shea, and Mike Weber on behalf of the film.

‘Scream: the TV Series’ Season 1 coming to DVD May 10th

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic film Scream, MTV’s popular teen slasher series, “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV. The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured today’s hottest young actors including Bella Thorne (The DUFF), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”). “Scream: The TV Series” returns for a second killer season May 31, 2016 on MTV.

In “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1, what starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon leads to problems for the teenagers of Lakewood and serves as the catalyst for a murder that opens up a window to the town’s troubled past.

“Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 will be available on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment on May 10, 2016 for the suggest retail price of $34.98. Special features include thrilling never-before-seen footage including a Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes and Promotional Gallery.

“…Ridiculous, meme-obsessed, self-mocking, and fun…”

Lenika Cruz, The Atlantic

“Waiting for a serial killer to strike has never been more fun”
Deborah Day, The Wrap

To learn more about the TV series on DVD, please visit www.anchorbayentertainment.com.

Spielberg and Ford Reunite as Indiana Jones Returns to Theaters JULY 19, 2019

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Indiana Jones will return to the big screen on July 19, 2019, for a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series. Steven Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, will helm the as-yet-untitled project with star Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Franchise veterans Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.

“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”

Famed archaeologist and explorer Indiana Jones was introduced in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark – one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time – and later thrilled audiences in 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The four films have brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office.

More as it becomes available

20th Century Fox has released the FIRST trailer and poster for Tim Burton’s ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

20th Century Fox has released the FIRST trailer and poster for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children! From visionary director Tim Burton, and based upon the best-selling novel, comes an unforgettable motion picture experience. Check out the trailer below!

When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

The film stars Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, Rupert Everett with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children hits theaters everywhere September 30, 2016!

VHX Exclusive: Apocalypic satirical comedy ‘Hot’ available now

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Glydascope Magnet Films is pleased to announce today’s release of the apocalyptic satirical comedy HOT, based on the award-winning play for Daniel Keleher and directed by Victor Warren. HOT is launching exclusively on the streaming video serv
ice VHX, a digital distribution platform backed by major angel investors including Chris Sacca and Fred Wilson that empowers independent artists to sell video content directly with their audience. In addition to the release of the film, Glydascope is also releasing two new movie posters and a trailer for HOT.From producer Dallas Sonnier:“Every filmmaker hopes to premiere their project at Sundance and sell to Netflix in a bidding war, but the statistical likelihood of this happening is microscopic. Once reality takes hold, you still have a movie that you love and believe in. We have experienced first hand the vast limitations of some distributors, and I was long impressed with filmmakers like Jeremy Gardner who embraced distribution through VHX successfully on his film THE BATTERY. Since we made this highly experimental film HOT for less than 100k, it felt organic to embrace a DIY nature for distribution, take control of your film’s destiny and get creative by launching the film on VHX.”From director Victor Warren:

“HOT is truly an independent film in every sense of the word. I am proud of what we were able to create with the audacity and tone that will evoke controversy and hopefully entertain. You create some magic, love what you are doing and laugh along the way. We made this film for close to no money, people cleared the days on their calendars, craft service was bought, cameras were rented and we created a little piece of art. I am so appreciative of the talented cast and tremendous crew who trusted me to lead them on this journey of getting my first film made.”HOT is a comic yet ultimately devastating look at an apocalyptic future Los Angeles torn apart by a dangerous virus, most of its victims left unconscious to die slowly. Life-long best friends Jones (Steven Strait) and Benny (Zachary Knighton) are holed up in an ostentatious penthouse with Jones spending his days caring for his comatose fiancée (Kate Siegel). Their only connection to what remains of the outside world is a militia member named Horn (Noah Segan) tasked with patrolling the city for newly infected citizens. Benny grows increasingly jealous of Jones, and strikes a deal with Horn to procure Benny his own girlfriend…albeit, in a coma.

With brutal language and imagery, alternately funny and horrifying, Keleher’s play tears back the curtain of social niceties to reveal the animal instinct of men. Warren’s background in theater lead him to option the piece from Keleher, who is the past recipient of the George Burns and Gracie Allen Fellowship for Outstanding Comedy Writing and the Skirball/Kennis Playwrights Award.

Sonnier and Warren even embraced the DIY mentality when it came to the marketing. With virtually no budget to make a preview, the filmmakers tracked down Tim Gonzales, who gained popularity on YouTube for cutting a modern-day trailer for THE LAST STARFIGHTER and fan trailers for “Supergirl” and WONDER WOMAN. HOT is Gonzales’ first paid gig as a trailer editor.

The filmmakers created a main poster to pay homage to the comedies of the 1980’s, while turning to emerging UK artist Adam Hale who Sonnier followed on Instagram to create a gonzo alternative poster.

For the female “love interest” to Knighton, a challenging role with over an hour of screen time, but no dialogue, the producers knew they would need to discover a new talent of striking beauty. International talent scout Marlon suggested a young model named Jessica Dykstra who has been on the cover of GQ Italia and was featured in Sports Illustrated India’s swimsuit edition. Warren met with her immediately, and she was cast the next day.

HOT is available today via VHX at this link below:

https://hot-movie.vhx.tv/

Marvel’s ‘Captain America: Civil War’ - Girls Reforming the Future Challenge!

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Challenging Young Female Avengers to Create Positive World Change through Science and Technology with a Chance to Earn an Internship with Marvel Studios

Disney, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Synchrony Bank, Broadcom MASTERS and Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of National Academy of Sciences are proud to unite to present the nationwide MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE in conjunction with the May 6, 2016 release of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Frank Grillo and Martin Freeman with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.

In Captain America: Civil War, each hero is forced to take a stand and choose a side in their fight to reform the future. Although the team becomes divided, they remain united by the same goals: the commitment to safeguard humanity, protect the earth at all costs and make the world a better place for future generations. Marvel, continuing to build on the success of the Ultimate Mentor Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of Good, and Ant-Man Micro-Tech Challenge, is launching the GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE to engage young women to further the Avengers’ goal of making the world a better place.

This program, supported by the Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of National Academy of Sciences, seeks to inspire young girls to create positive world change for their generation and beyond through science and technology. One exceptional young woman will be selected to receive a one-week internship with Marvel Studios. The challenge invites girls nationwide, ages 15 – 18, in grades 10 -12, to submit innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics)-based projects that have the potential to change the world. Each applicant will be asked to submit a short video demonstrating her project and explaining how her science and technology-based project could make the world a better place. Five finalists will be selected to come to California and present their projects to a panel of experts. One grand prize winner will be selected from the five finalists to receive an internship with Marvel Studios.

Finalists will have the opportunity to inspire other young girls around the world by participating in a LIVE global Broadcom Masters webinar during which the girls will discuss how their STEM skills enabled them to create their projects and become a finalist of the Captain American Civil War: Girls Reforming the Future Challenge. The Grand Prize Winner will share her MARVEL STUDIOS Internship experience, giving girls everywhere a peak into STEM skills in action outside the lab and the classroom.

Each finalist will receive: Two round-trip tickets to Southern California for the finalist and her parent or guardian, including scheduled meals, ground transportation to and from organized activities, hotel accommodations, from April 10 through April 13, 2016; an opportunity to be on the red carpet at the World Premiere of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” at the Dolby Theatre^® in Dolby Atmos^® and Dolby Vision™ on April 12, 2016; a tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California; and $500.00, deposited into a High Yield Savings account with Synchrony Bank.

Complete contest information will be available from March 11, 2016 through March 26, 2016. Entries will be accepted beginning on March11, 2016 through 9:00 PM PT on March26, 2016. For application forms, eligibility requirements, official contest rules and more information about MARVEL’S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – GIRLS REFORMING THE FUTURE CHALLENGE, please visit http://www.captainamericachallenge.com.

About the Contest:

No purchase necessary. Contest commences on March 11, 2016 and ends at 9:00PM PT on March 26, 2016. Open only to girls between the ages of 15 and 18, in grades 10 -12, as of March 26, 2016, who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Limit 1 entry per person. Winners must be able to travel on or about April 10, 2016 through April 13, 2016. See Official Rules at http://www.captainamericachallenge.com for full eligibility and entry requirements, prize description, conditions, and limitations. Void where prohibited. The official contest sponsor is Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Review: ‘BARNEY THOMSOM’ makes murder relatively complicated.

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Directed by and starring Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting, 28 Weeks Later) in his directorial debut the film features Emma Thompson (Sense & Sensibility, Saving Mr. Banks), Ray Winstone (The Departed) and Tom Courtenay (Quartet).

Barney Thomson, awkward, diffident, Glasgow barber, lives a life of desperate mediocrity and his uninteresting life is about to go from 0 to 60 in five seconds, as he enters the grotesque and comically absurd world of the serial killer.

Robert Carlyle is a real winner in his directorial debut. His portrayal of Barney is a wonderful mixture of neurotic, depressed, and pathetic Mama’s boy. A far cry from his Once Upon A Time role as Mr Gold. His skill as a director is plain to see. Barney Thomson has an upbeat and fun vibe. If you combined Baz Lurhmann‘s Strictly Ballroom, Richard Shepard’s Dom Hemingway, with a twist of Tarantino, you’ve got the eclectic style of Barney Thomson. Casting Emma Thompson as his mother, Cemolina, was pure genius. Their chemistry is unmatched. Wait until you see the prosthetics on Emma. The slightly overdone (and orange) nature of the makeup, creates the perfect backdrop for this larger than life character.

The dialogue from Richard Cowan and Colin McLaren is quippy and hilarious. Utilizing the a beautifully absurd storyline combined with rapid fire Scottish rhetoric makes for the perfect combination in style and comedy. The soundtrack is incredible and Fabian Wagner‘s cinematography is stunning. It’s clear that Carlyle knows his stuff and I, for one, look forward to any future endeavors. Barney Thomson is a hit.

BARNEY THOMSON On Demand February 2^nd, 2016 and in theaters March 11^th, 2016.

Directed By: Robert Carlyle (directorial debut)

Written By: Richard Cowan and Colin McLaren based on the novel by Douglas Lindsay

Produced By: John G. Lenic, Kaleena Kiff, Holly Brydson, Brian Coffey, Holly Brydson and Richard Cowan

Starring: Emma Thompson (Sense & Sensibility, Saving Mr. Banks), Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting, 28 Weeks Later), Ray Winstone (The Departed), Tom Courtenay (Quartet)

Distributed by: Gravitas Ventures

Running Time: 96 Minutes

Rating: NR

Review: ‘Yalom’s Cure’ fights darkness and seeks illumination

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Jordan Jenkins — Leave a reply

Irvin D. Yalom, is an inspiring, 80-year-old psychotherapist who believes the best cure for many of our everyday concerns are the relationships we have throughout our lives. Irvin studied the many ways of psychoanalysis and came to the conclusion that love is a powerful tool and necessity when it comes to finding happiness. Yalom’s Cure, directed and written by Sabine Gisiger, brings a beautifully constructed film of Irvin’s teachings, written works and practice, all interwoven into his own therapeutic journey through life.

The film is calming, moving and beautiful. For a man who puts so much of his personal life out in the open, all for the benefit to others is a selfless thing. This film is therapeutic within itself, by helping audiences realize some of the things we once saw as problems may not be as bad as they seem, and instead opens our eyes to where true life happiness really lies.The US Premiere for Yalom’s Cure is on March 11th at the Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles.

4/5 Stars

Official Selection Festival Del Film Locarno 2014

See the trailer below!

The Redband Trailer for ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ Starring Andy Samburg is Here!

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

The restricted trailer for Universal Pictures’ Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping has just debuted online! In theaters June 3, the comedy is headlined by musical superstars Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, collectively known as The Lonely Island.

The comedy goes behind the scenes as singer/rapper Conner4Real (Samberg) faces a crisis of popularity after his sophomore album flops, leaving his fans, sycophants and rivals all wondering what to do when he’s no longer the dopest star of all.

The latest comedy from blockbuster producer Judd Apatow (Trainwreck, Superbad, Knocked Up) co-stars Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows and Maya Rudolph and many of the biggest names in comedy and music in cameo performances. Co-directed by Schaffer and Taccone and written by The Lonely Island trio, Popstar is also produced by Rodney Rothman (producer of Get Him to the Greek, Forgetting Sarah Marshall; co-writer of 22 Jump Street), as well as Samberg, Schaffer and Taccone.

Netflix News: ‘The Ranch’ teams up Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson & Executive Producers of ‘Two & a Half Men’

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

I couldn’t even get through the entire trailer. It looks to be shot like a TV sitcom and has a laugh track. Seriously. I can’t even.

About The Ranch
Set in present day on a Colorado ranch, this multi-camera comedy series stars Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliott and Debra Winger. The show follows Colt’s (Kutcher) return home after a brief and failed semi- pro football career to run the family ranching business with his older brother Jameson “Rooster” (Masterson) and father Beau (Elliott), whom he hasn’t seen in 15 years. Winger stars as Colt’s and Rooster’s mother, Maggie, who runs the local town bar.

Nicolas Cage to direct & star in ‘Vengeance: A Love Story’

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Nicolas Cage in Outcast – I love this photo.

Oh, Nicolas Cage. No matter how terrible the movie, I know he’ll make it worth watching. Now we get to see his directing chops. Again. Anyone remember Sonny, from 2002, starring James Franco? Me neither. But seriously, if anyone has enough experience to get in the director’s chair, it’s Nicolas Cage.

Nicolas Cage who is attached to VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY as the lead actor “Detective Dromoor,” has also signed on to direct the feature, announced today by Michael Mendelsohn (USS Indianapolis, Zeroville, I Am Wrath, Lord of War, Air Force One, The Matrix, Reservoir Dogs), CEO of Patriot Pictures and Union Patriot Capital Management.

“I’m excited to work on Vengeance: A Love Story and bring Joyce Carol Oates’ bittersweet novel to the screen. Storytelling has always been my passion and I’m honored to work with this talented team to tell a tale of the suffering too many women have endured,” says Cage.

“Vengeance: A Love Story” is written by John Mankiewicz (House M.D., House of Cards, grandson on Citizen Kane writer Herman J. Mankiewicz), based on the award-winning novel “Rape: A Love Story” written by acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates. The film’s executive producers are Harold Becker (Taps, Sea of Love, Malice, City Hall, Domestic Disturbance – who initially developed the picture and was a prior director on the film)and Mike Nilon. Hannibal Classics is the film’s sales agent, executive producer Richard Rionda Del Castro (USS Indianapolis, I Am Wrath, Rage, Bus 657). “Vengeance: A Love Story” will start production April 4, 2016, in Atlanta, GA.

Story logline: On the Fourth of July, twelve-year-old Bethie Maguire flags down Niagara Falls Police Detective John Dromoor (Nicolas Cage). Bethie’s mother, Teena, has been brutally raped by four meth heads, was left for dead, and is being nursed back to health by her mother, Agnes,a strong, fierce advocate for her daughter and granddaughter who has taken on the responsibility of caring for them at great risk, as the meth heads are let out of jail on bail. Bethie’s testimony, along with the evidence collected, should be enough to put the boys in jail for life. However, the parents of the rapists hire the nationally renowned criminal defense attorney, Jay Kirkpatrick, who shifts the focus of evidence away from the defendants and puts the spotlight on Agnes’s daughter, the attractive plaintiff, Teena, challenging her credibility based on her sobriety, shoddy parenting, and sexual promiscuity. Moving at a relentless, compelling pace, “Vengeance: A Love Story” reveals how an act of unbelievable and raw brutality twists the lives of three generations of women, and sets Detective Dromoor on his own course of police vigilante justice.

“I love working with Nicolas Cage. He is a scholar, gentleman, and a talented actor. Delighted to work with Nicolas again, and excited for him to sit in the director’s chair to bring this special and important project to life, ” says Mendelsohn.

Prior to VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY, Nicolas Cage collaborated several features with producer and financier Michael Mendelsohn including: USS INDIANAPOLIS, RAGE, LORD OF WAR, FAMILY MAN, WILD AT HEART, and RED ROCK WEST.

Remaining roles for VENGEANCE are currently casting and will be announced shortly.

New Original Writing By J.K. Rowling Invites Audiences to Explore The Wizarding World of North America on Pottermore.com

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Leading up to the up to the November 18^th release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated feature “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” J.K. Rowling has crafted a collection of new original writing entitled Magic in North America, to introduce audiences to a new place and time in the wizarding world that she has created.

The first installment, “History of Magic in North America,” was introduced today with the global launch of a 100-second specially produced video that serves as a prologue to the new original writing by J.K. Rowling. The writing will be posted on pottermore.com over four consecutive days beginning tomorrow, March 8^th, at 6am PST. These four pieces will enlighten readers about a previously unexplored corner of the wizarding world: North American witches and wizards, their history and their magic. The video broke simultaneously on selected media sites around the world and links viewers to “History of Magic in North America,” which will soon be available exclusively at pottermore.com.

The video and the writing provide context and backstory for the feature film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Rowling, who first conceived the wizarding world in her enormously popular Harry Potter books, had introduced wizards and witches from other parts of Europe in the series, most notably in the Quidditch World Cup and Triwizard Tournament. However, this marks the first time we’ll learn the fascinating story of the history of magic in North America.

Review: Norwegian disaster film, THE WAVE, hits you like a ton of bricks… or a giant ass tsunami.

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Mother Nature is not one to be trifled with. The Earth is going to do as it sees fit, no matter what our plans may be as humans. THE WAVE is based on a very real “what-if” scenario. Not all too different from the horrors that will most certainly be coming our way in the future, if we don’t get out proverbial shit together. And very much like The Wave, this is not a matter of if, but when.

The Wave is an epic thriller that takes place in the majestic village of Geiranger, one of the most spectacular tourist locations on the planet. There are more than 300 unstable mountainsides in Norway, one of the largest being “Åkerneset.” When – not if – the mountain collapses due to widening cracks, the rock will crash into the fjord below, creating a massive tsunami that will hit the community. All inhabitants will have just 10 minutes to reach higher ground before tragedy strikes.

The film centers around geologist, Kristian and his family. Leaving his current position as safety gatekeeper for the village, Kristian has a tough time letting go on his final day on the job, and for good reason. Testing fate is not something that comes easily when an entire population is at stake. When the alarms sound and the what-if becomes a reality, Kristian will do whatever it takes to save anyone he can from impending doom.

The film has incredible effects. This is Norway’s Deep Impact. If you replaced the cast with big budget Hollywood A-listers, this could have easily been a film made in the US. THE WAVE is Scandinavia’s first-ever disaster movie. It has broken box office records in Norway and was their official entry for the Academy Awards. Hollywood is taking notice of director Roar Uthaug (Cold Prey). He just signed on to direct the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. The cast is incredibly solid, especially our leading man, Kristoffer Joner (The Revenant). I came to care deeply for each character. The script makes an interesting statement about survival and the human condition. If you had only minutes to escape a fire, flood, or tornado, who/what would you take with you? Do you lend a hand to those outside your intimate circle? I was truly impressed with The Wave. Don’t let the language barrier stop you from checking out this well made film. (There are English subtitles) THE WAVE will bowl you over with action and remind you to respect the hell out of the environment.

THE WAVE comes to theaters and VOD today, March 4th.

Review: EMELIE is a parent’s worst nightmare.

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

presents

EMELIE

Directed by: Michael Thelin

Starring: Sarah Bolger (ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” AMC’s “Into the Badlands” )

In Theaters and On Demand March 4, 2016

As a parent, all you want is for your family babysitter to care for your kids like you would.. When you do find a reliable sitter, you hold onto then for dear life. But what happens when, once in a while, your beloved child care provider is unavailable? You might panic and start calling other parents for recommendations, but if you’re really lucky, your babysitter has an alternative option already in the pipe line. Evening saved, right? What if the kids don’t like them? They’re probably just overreacting. What if it’s for a good reason? EMELIE is a parent’s worst nightmare.

As their parents head out for a date in the city, the three young Thompson children immediately take to their new babysitter, Anna (Sarah Bolger, Into the Badlands, Once Upon a Time), who seems like a dream come true: she’s sweet, fun, and lets them do things that break all of their parents’ rules. But as Anna’s interactions with them take on a more sinister tone, the kids realize that their caretaker may not be who she claims to be. Soon it’s up to big brother Jacob to protect his siblings from the increasingly nefarious intentions of a very disturbed woman whose weapon is trust, and whose target is innocence.

Featuring tour-de-force performances from Bolger and its three young leads, EMELIE is a multidimensional, nail-biting thriller that asks the question: how can you put an end to horror after you’ve already let it in?

Sarah Bolger stuns as the babysitter from Hell. Soft and cool one minute and downright sociopathic the next. Her backstory makes her motives all the more incredible. Never is there a moment when you don’t feel beyond uncomfortable. You never know what she’ll do with the constant passive aggressive look in her eyes. It is completely terrifying. Scene stealer award goes to Bolger’s foil, Joshua Rush, as Jacob. He is perfect from beat to beat. It’s a complex role for any actor, let alone someone so young. Think a slightly older Jacob Tremblay from ROOM. That’s the quality Rush gives in Emelie. He deserves much more attention and I look forward to SEEING more of him in the future, as the majority of his current body of work has been voice. Director Michael Thelin has created a quite a roller coaster of fear. I was off my game from the first frame to the very last. EMELIE will make any parent think twice about who’s really watching their children.

In Theaters and On Demand March 4, 2016

#EmelieMovie
@DarkSkyFilms

Interview: ‘Ava’s Possessions’ Director/Writer Jordan Galland & Actress Louisa Krause

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

I’ve always been a fan of turning the tables on a familiar story or topic. A story from a different perspective is nothing new, but as with everything, it’s how you tell that story. Director and writer Jordan Galland‘s third film, Ava’s Possessions, focuses on what happens to a young woman immediately after being possessed. She has to answer for the crimes she committed, reconcile with people she wronged and figure out how to get her life back to “normal.” To aid her in her journey, she joins SPA, Spirit Possessions Anonymous, where she meets others in similar circumstances. With surrealistic imagery and a delightfully enchanting soundtrack, this film flows in between horror and comedy in a playful way.

https://youtu.be/FrtT9ZuInfU

I got a chance to sit down with Ava herself, Louisa Krause, and Jordan Galland to talk about this unique film. It was clear that the energy on set was very collaborative and relaxed, and yet completely thought out. Jordan takes the role of leader seriously, but doesn’t get hung up on it. Louisa is so full of passion and talent, you feel like it could rub off on you.

Speaking with the two of them, I did my best to not ask the typical questions and really dig into the process of making a film. So often audiences have no idea what motivates the talented people who entertain them. Here are some of the highlights:

Jordan Galland

Took him 2 years to arrive at the right concept
Had an idea of Men In Black with demons, but was too big of an concept
Had an idea for using colors because of how constrained he was on his last film, Alter Egos
So many current horror films are desaturated and “there’s a bleakness to it.” Jordan wanted a totally different feel and the use of color was a perfect way to achieve that
When I asked about accounting for the audience watching on smaller screens, not in a movie theater, Jordan responds, “You have to fight it, not to. The fact of the matter is, sometimes it’s really hard to get a lot of wide shots. Shooting an indie film is hard. At night, it’s hard to light the whole background…it takes hours and permits and sometimes you don’t have those resources. Sometimes you do, so you choose your battles. That’s why close-ups are thought of as a very indie film trait. When you have a close up, it’s easier way to film the frame. For a movie like, It Follows, I feel like they put all their budget into lighting these beautiful backgrounds and filming so much in wide shots and I actually think that you have to not think for the iPhone or TV.”
“I think that’s the fun part, is educating yourself with the history of movies and how people achieved, moving, great, disturbing and unsettling images and not worry too much about the media. It’s still photography. Not “still photography” it is still photography ultimately. Until there’s 3D holograms telling stories. That would be a different approach.”
Original score by Sean Lennon, who has composed his other films as well.

Louisa Krause

“Had a blast doing the possession stuff.”
Jordan had her watch My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix
When filming movies, rarely are they shot in sequence. Louisa likes to look at all the scenes in order to get a better idea of the character and how she is developing. “It’s faster than looking at a full script.”
When talking about the crew, “Everybody wants to be there, because of Jordan, Because of his energy and brain.”

Ava’s Possessions is available today on demand – on iTunes it’s $9.99, and in select theaters below

Tribeca SnapChat Shorts at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival – Panel Announced

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Do you SnapChat? In 2015, the Tribeca Film Festival announce #6SECFILMS with Vine and this year has teamed up with SnapChat. You can also submit your own story.

The theme is comedy – whatever your sense of humor may be — so get creative, think of something funny and start Snapping! Create a short film using the Snapchat Story function. Your Tribeca Snapchat Short should be no longer than 200 seconds long. Find all the rules here.

Brought together by a shared love of storytelling, Tribeca Film Festival and Snapchat have joined forces to bring you TRIBECA SNAPCHAT SHORTS, the first-ever program of its kind – we’ll be spotlighting the best Snapchat Stories from across the US.

A jury of talented storytellers and avid Snapchatters will pick the top ten Stories. These winning Tribeca Snapchat Shorts will screen during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City and may be featured on a Discover channel on Snapchat.

Submissions open on February 27th and close March 8th. See below for submission guidelines and make sure you read our complete Official Rules.

PANEL

Jessica Alba: Jessica Alba is an actress known for her work in films such as the “Sin City” and “Fantastic Four,” as well as the co-founder of the eco-friendly business, The Honest Company
Snapchat Username: jessicamalba

Steve Aoki: Steve Aoki is a Grammy-award winning EDM musician, record producer, and music executive
Snapchat Username: aokisteve

Steve Buscemi: Steve Buscemi is a producer and award-winning actor known for a host of film and TV roles, including his recent stint as Nucky Thompson on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”

David Gordon Green: David Gordon Green is a film producer and director known for films, including “Pineapple Express”, “Prince Avalanche” and “Manglehorn”
DJ Khaled: DJ Khaled is a well-known DJ, record producer and radio personality
Snapchat Username: djkhaled305

Shay Mitchell: Shay Mitchell is an actress, model and author known for her role as Emily Fields in “Pretty Little Liars”
Snapchat Username: officialshaym

Vashtie: Vashtie is a New York based director, filmmaker, artist, designer, and creative consultant
Snapchat Username: VASHTIEKOLA

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Blu-Ray Release Date Announced

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered box office records upon its debut to become the cinematic event of a generation with over $926 million domestic and $2.05 billion worldwide. As announced this morning by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Iger at The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the epic movie will be available to own early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1. It comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.

Discover the complete story behind the making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with in-depth documentary and bonus material that will take fans on an exciting journey behind the scenes. Secrets will be revealed through extensive footage, never-before-seen deleted scenes, and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers. Bonus features include*:

Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey – For the first time, discover the complete story behind the making of The Force Awakens, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this feature documentary.
The Story Awakens: The Table Read – Cast members familiar and new reflect on the memorable day they all first came together to read the movie’s script.
Building BB-8 – See how the filmmakers brought the newest droid to the screen, creating an instant fan favorite in the Star Warsuniverse.
Crafting Creatures – Watch movie magic as the filmmakers bring a cast of new creatures to life.
Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight – Go deeper into the epic, climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren.
John Williams: The Seventh Symphony – The legendary composer shares personal insights of his work on Star Warsand The Force Awakens.
ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force – An insider’s look into the remarkable digital artistry of the movie’s visual effects.
Force For Change – Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. See how the Star Wars: Force for Change initiative has united Star Warsfans all over the globe to help others.
Plus Deleted Scenes

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer

RETAILER EXCLUSIVES

To celebrate the in-home release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are each offering fans a retailer-exclusive, uniquely packaged, collectible version of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray Combo Pack. These limited edition releases, seen below, will be packaged as follows:

TARGET – The Target Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray Combo Pack comes with exclusive packaging and an added 20 minutes of bonus content, including never-before-seen interviews with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega and a deeper look at the movie’s costumes and weaponry
WALMART – The Walmart Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray Combo Pack comes with exclusive BB-8 packaging and an exclusive Star Wars Galactic Connexions trading disc
BEST BUY – The Best Buy Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray Combo Pack features exclusive SteelBook Packaging

Star Wars: The Force Awakens saw the eagerly anticipated reteaming of original Star Wars stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, along with Anthony Daniels, the only actor to have been in all seven Star Wars films, and Peter Mayhew. The returning cast was joined by newcomer Daisy Ridley, who beat out fierce competition to take the principal role of Rey; BAFTA Rising Star Award winner John Boyega (Attack the Block, Imperial Dreams) as reluctant stormtrooper Finn; Emmy® nominee Adam Driver (Lincoln, Girls) as the villainous Kylo Ren, and Golden Globe® winner Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, The Bourne Legacy) as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt. Lucasfilm president and eight-time Academy Award® nominee Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams, along with his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, are the film’s producers.

Having established a musical legacy with his iconic scores for the previous six films in the Star Wars Saga, acclaimed composer John Williams returned to score Star Wars: The Force Awakens, ultimately garnering his 50^th Oscar® nomination for it.

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 136 min.

RATING: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF

ASPECT RATIO: Blu-ray Feature Film = 2.40:1

DVD Feature Film = 2.40:1

AUDIO: Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks

DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio Language Tracks

LANGUAGES: English, French & Spanish

SUBTITLES: English SDH, French & Spanish

Brand New Trailer for ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’ is Here!

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Fox and Blue Sky animation have released the trailer for Ice Age: Collision Course and we have it for you!

Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.

The film stars Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez and new cast members Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Ice Age: Collision Course crashes into theaters on July 22, 2016

Interview: Anna Axster Director/Writer of ‘A Country Called Home’

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Writer/Director of A Country Called Home – Anna Axster

How did the idea for the film originate?

The idea for A Country Called Home was inspired by extensive travel throughout the US while on tour with my husband and seeing so many different cultural landscapes all in this one country. Additionally it was inspired by the loss of a parent and how that speeds up the growing-up process.

What was the writing process like? Did you have an outline from the start?

I felt this story brewing but didn’t find the time to really focus and write it down and so I went to a cabin in Lake Tahoe and locked myself in for a few days without phone or internet and wrote the synopsis. Then I collaborated on the script with Jim Beggarly, a great writer from New York and he really fleshed out a lot of the scenes and dialogue and we kept sending ideas back and forth. It was a great experience working with him. When we had a first draft I went to New York and we sat down together for three days and went through the script with a fine comb and after that I gave it to some people to read for the first time.

Ryan Bingham as Jack in the drama “A COUNTRY CALLED HOME” an ALCHEMY and ARC Entertainment release. Photo courtesy of ALCHEMY and ARC Entertainment.

Did you always know you wanted to direct what you’d written?

I always knew that I wanted to direct this story. I consider myself a director first and a writer second I guess and while I am writing a new story at the moment I am also interested in the possibility of directing someone else’s material at some point.

Mackenzie Davis as Reno in the drama “A COUNTRY CALLED HOME” an ALCHEMY and ARC Entertainment release. Photo courtesy of ALCHEMY and ARC Entertainment.

Who are your biggest influences as a director?

There are so many different storytellers and directors that I admire for different reasons and the list is too long to cover here. I recently saw Lisa Cholodenko’s “Olive Kittridge” and loved it and thought it was an incredibly inspiring piece of filmmaking.

How did the production blog influence your process?

The blog didn’t really influence my process too much. It was just fun to know there’s some people out there who want to know what we’re up to.

How did social media/Kickstarter updates impact the production?

Kickstarter obviously impacted the production by allowing us to raise more money through crowdsourcing and therefore allowing us to really make this movie happen. The updates were honest updates about what we were doing and so I don’t know that they really impacted the production in any way. We just let the generous backers know what we were doing.

The cast is filled with strong females. Is that something you set out to do?

It’s not something I consciously set out to do, it’s just the story that came out and that I felt compelled to tell. I do however believe that it’s very important for more real female stories to be told and I feel lucky to have worked with such strong and powerful female actors.

Did you shoot with film or digital? Do you have preference for either?

We shot digital on the Arri Alexa. I used to shoot on film a lot and while I love film it was not really a sensible choice for our budget and I really liked working with the Alexa and I like the visual look that we were able to achieve.

How were you influenced by the fact that many independent films are now being viewed at home rather than in theaters?

I obviously knew throughout the whole process that most people would see this film on a TV screen and so it probably influenced me in some way but our cinematographer, Charlie Wuppermann, and I worked on the style and feel we wanted to achieve for a long time and we were not strongly influenced by fitting it into any certain size or format but rather by serving the story the best we could.

How was the editing process? Were there any scenes you had to cut?

I love the editing process as there are so many things you can questions or rethink. Shooting the film is like trying to get the best ingredients possible and editing is putting them together to make the best out of what you have. We did cut a couple of scenes, simply because it became clear that the story worked without them. Luckily I am not that attached to my own writing or the stuff we filmed so it was not too hard to make the choices of cutting some things out. But overall we didn’t leave to much on the editing floor and the story stayed pretty true to the script.

Do you any other scripts in the works? What’s up next for you?

I am currently working on a new story that I’ve started writing and I am looking forward to developing it into a screenplay. And I am open and looking forward to anything else that might come my way.

New to Netflix this March – Hint: you’re gonna love it

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

House of Cards

March 4th

Starting off the month with a bang is the brilliant House of Cards. Haven’t seen it? Well, carve out some time and do it. Don’t expect to be on your phone though. You really need to pay attention.

An uncompromising exploration of power, ambition and the American way, the series orbits Francis Underwood, the House Majority Whip. Underwood is the politician’s politician – masterful, beguiling, charismatic and ruthless. He and his equally ambitious wife Claire stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy.

Flaked

Flaked

March 11th

Will Arnett is brilliant as the voice of Bojack Horseman but I’m not totally sold as him on this show. Of course I’ll check it out. That’s the beauty of Netflix.

Flaked is the serio-comic story of Chip, a celebrated long-time resident of the insular world of Venice, California who falls for the object of his best friend’s fascination. Soon the tangled web of half-truths and semi-bullshit that underpins his all-important image and sobriety begins to unravel. Will Arnett plays Chip, a man doing his honest best to stay one step ahead of his own lies.

https://youtu.be/iKOpvm7BcOo

Characters

The Characters

March 11th

Huh. I don’t think I’ve seen any promo for this. Curious. Very curious.

One show. Eight comedians. Multiple personalities. In Netflix Presents: The Characters, the next generation of comedians get a chance that only Netflix could offer: the opportunity to create their own 30-minute episodes and do whatever they want. No rules. No limits. Each comedian writes and appears in his/her episode, presenting a series of sketches that veer wildly from Bachelor parodies, to music videos, to biblical spoofs… all in the name of outlaw comedy.

The Characters features: Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is The New Black, Jurassic World), Kate Berlant (The Meltdown), Dr. Brown (Dr. Brown), Paul W. Downs(Broad City), John Early (Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp), Tim Robinson (SNL), Natasha Rothwell (Writer, SNL) and Henry Zebrowski(Heroes Reborn).

The series also features cameos from SNL’s Cecily Strong and Bobby Moynihan, Tyson Beckford, and Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson.

Popples

March 11th

Season 2. My guess is that is you knew there was a Season 1, you’re the audience for Season 2. Have fun, kids.

Popples is a high-energy comedy series about an amazing species of creatures that can pop into and out of a ball. The story is driven by the optimistic comedic enthusiasm of the BPP’s (Best Popple Pals): Bubbles, Sunny, Lulu, Izzy and Yikes. Always wanting to help their friends, neighbors and each other, their efforts often times backfire in hilarious ways and they must spend the rest of the episode trying to unwind the mayhem they’ve caused. Luckily they always manage to save the day in their own POP-tastic way!

MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL

Marvel’s Daredevil

March 18th

I didn’t love this as much as Jessica Jones, but it’s growing on me.

Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the Super Hero “Daredevil” in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.

Jimmy Carr Funny Business

March 18th

Stand-Up Comedy Special

I have zero info on this. Strange. There’s not even any official photos!

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday

March 18th

Seriously. Have you seen the trailer? Any fan of his show is likely to love this.

The new film stars the beloved fun-loving hero of TV, stage and film, Pee-wee Herman. In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny. The film stars Pee-wee Herman, Joe Manganiello (True Blood, Magic Mike XXL), Jessica Pohly (Stalker), Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and was directed by John Lee (Wonder Showzen, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday). Paul Reubens and Paul Rust (Love, Arrested Development) wrote the film, that was produced by Reubens and Judd Apatow (Trainwreck,Bridesmaids).

My Beautiful Broken Brain

March 18th

Documentary

“If the physical body – the brain, is damaged, does this extend to damage to the self?”

This question is at the heart of Netflix’s new original documentary film, My Beautiful Broken Brain as we follow Lotje’s Sodderland’s incredible story of rehabilitation and recovery from a traumatic hemorrhagic stroke.

The film is a personal voyage into the complexity, fragility and wonder of the human brain. Lotje finds herself starting again in an alien world, bereft of language and logic, fighting not to be defined by her limitations, rather the endless possibilities of life. This feature documentary takes us on a genre-twisting tale that is by turns excruciating and exquisite – from the devastating consequences of a first-time neurological experiment, through to the extraordinary revelations of her altered sensory perception.

Executive producer David Lynch adds, “I am thrilled to join Lotje and Sophie in sharing My Beautiful Broken Brain with the world. The brain is truly fascinating and much in the way that our brains are able to achieve total coherence — finding enlightenment and fulfillment, you will surely be moved and inspired by this journey of self-rediscovery.”

The film was co-directed by Sophie Robinson and Lotje Sodderland and is an official selection of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival and launches globally on Netflix March 18.

VeggieTales in the House

March 25th

I once went to see Formula 51 (not the greatest movie) and they played a VeggieTales movie instead. Quite the disappointment.

Get ready to love your veggies! VeggieTales has a fresh new look as Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their Veggie friends venture off the countertop for the first time ever in an all-new television series, available exclusively on Netflix. Every episode also features a brand-new, upbeat silly song as the Veggie crew embarks on new adventures throughout their house. This loveable comedy stays true to the roots of the VeggieTales brand by seamlessly weaving in strong moral messages that will capture the hearts of Veggie.

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PANEL

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House of Cards

Flaked

The Characters

Popples

Marvel’s Daredevil

Jimmy Carr Funny Business

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday

My Beautiful Broken Brain

VeggieTales in the House

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