African-American Film Critics Choose "Straight Outta Compton" Best Picture of 2015

The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is a group of African-American film critics that gives various awards for excellence in film at the end of each year.  The association was founded in 2003 by Gil L. Robertson IV and Shawn Edwards.

2015 awards ceremony will be held February 10, 2015.

2015 AAFCA Award winners:

AAFCA Top Ten Films of 2015 in order of distinction:

1. Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)
2. Creed (Warner Bros.)
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Bros.)
4. Beasts of No Nation (Netflix)
5. The Martian (20th Century Fox)
6. 3-1/2 Minutes/Dope (HBO/Open Road Films)
7. Chi-Raq (Roadside Attractions/Amazon Studios)
8. Carol (Weinstein Co.)
9. The Big Short (Paramount Pictures)
10. The Danish Girl (Focus Features)

Best Picture
Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)

Best Director
Ryan Coogler, Creed (Warner Bros.)

Best Ensemble
Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)

Best Actor
Will Smith, Concussion (Sony)

Best Actress
Teyonah Parris, Chi-Raq (Roadside Attractions/Amazon Studios)

Best Supporting Actor
Jason Mitchell – Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)

Best Supporting Actress
Tessa Thompson, Creed (Warner Bros.)

Best Independent Film
Chi-Raq (Roadside Attractions/Amazon Studios)

Best Screenplay
Rick Famuyiwa – Dope (Open Road Films)

Breakout Performance
Michael B. Jordan, Creed (Warner Bros.)

Best Animation
The Peanuts Movie (20thCentury Fox)

Best Documentary
A Ballerina’s Tale (Sundance Selects)

Best Song
“See You Again” (written by Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth, DJ Frank E, and Andrew Cedar; perfromed by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth) from "Furious 7" (Atlantic Records)

Best TV Comedy
Black-ish (ABC)

Best TV Drama
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)

Best Cable/New Media TV Show
Survivor’s Remorse (Starz)

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2015 Detroit Film Critics Society Award Nominations Announced

The Detroit Film Critics Society was founded in Spring 2007 and currently consists of a group of 20 Michigan film critics (as December 2013) who write or broadcast in the Detroit area as well as other major cities within a 150-mile radius of the city including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint, Michigan.

The nominees for the 2015 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards were announced today, Thursday, December 10, 2015. The winners will be announced Monday, December 14, 2015.

2015 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards nominations:

BEST FILM

Brooklyn

Inside Out

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant

Sicario

Spotlight

Youth

BEST DIRECTOR

John Crowley, Brooklyn

Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

Paolo Sorrentino, Youth

BEST ACTOR

Christopher Abbott, James White

Michael Caine, Youth

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Tom Hardy, Legend

BEST ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Bel Powley, The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Saroise Ronan, Brooklyn

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Paul Dano, Love & Mercy

Benicio Del Toro, Sicario

Oscar Issac, Ex Machina

Liev Schreiber, Spotlight

Jacob Tremblay, Room

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Cynthia Nixon, James White

Kristen Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina

BEST ENSEMBLE

The Big Short

The Hateful Eight

Inside Out

Joy

Spotlight

BREAKTHROUGH

Sean Baker, Tangerine (director)

Emory Cohen, Brooklyn (actor)

Bel Powley, The Diary of a Teenage Girl (actress)

Jacob Tremblay, Room (actor)

Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina, The Danish Girl (actress)

BEST SCREENPLAY

Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, Inside Out

Nick Hornby, Brooklyn

Charles Randolph, Adam McKay, The Big Short

Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Amy

Best of Enemies

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

Listen To Me Marlon

The Look of Silence

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Boston Online Film Critics Name "Mad Max: Fury Road" Best Picture of 2015

The Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) was founded in May 2012.  According to the group, BOFCA fosters a community of web-based film critics and provides them with a supportive group of colleagues and a professional platform for their voices to be heard. They collect and link to their reviews every week at a website that also features original content by members, including filmmaker interviews and spotlights on Boston’s vital repertory film scene.

By widening professional membership to writers working in new media, BOFCA aims to encourage more diverse opinions in the field. The Boston Online Film Critics Association has gathered together critics writing for publications that collectively receive over 15 million impressions/page views per month. BOFCA is present on social media year-round with members’ film articles and essays.

The 2015 Boston Online Film Critics Association Awards:

BEST PICTURE: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST DIRECTOR: George Miller, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan, CREED

BEST ACTRESS: Saoirse Ronan, BROOKLYN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Sylvester Stallone, CREED

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kristen Stewart, CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA

BEST SCREENPLAY: Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, SPOTLIGHT

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: SON OF SAUL (Hungary)

BEST DOCUMENTARY: AMY

BEST ANIMATED FILM: INSIDE OUT

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Seale, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST EDITING: Margaret Sixel, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Junkie XL, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

BEST ENSEMBLE: SPOTLIGHT

THE TEN BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR:
1. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
2. CREED
3. BROOKLYN
4. CAROL
5. SPOTLIGHT
6. CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
7. BRIDGE OF SPIES
8. THE MARTIAN
9. ANOMALISA
10. TANGERINE

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New York Film Critics Online Put on the "Spotlight" for Best Film of 2015

The New York Film Critics Online is a group of Internet film critics based in New York City that meets once a year, in December, for voting on its annual NYFCO Awards.

2015 New York Film Critics Online honorees:

FILM:
Spotlight

DIRECTOR:
Tom McCarthy

SCREENPLAY:
Tom McCarthy and Josh Springer - Spotlight

ENSEMBLE CAST:
Spotlight

ACTRESS:
Brie Larson – Room

ACTOR:
Paul Dano - Love & Mercy

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Rooney Mara – Carol

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies

CINEMATOGRAPHER:
John Seale, Mad Max: Fury Road

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
Son of Saul (Hungary)

DOCUMENTARY:
Amy

ANIMATED FEATURE:
Inside Out

DEBUT AS DIRECTOR:
Alex Garland, Ex Machina

USE OF MUSIC:
Love & Mercy; Atticus Ross, Composer; Featuring the Music of Brian Wilson

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE:
Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina and The Danish Girl


Top 10 Pictures of 2015 (Alphabetical)
45 Years
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
Sicario
Spotlight
Steve Jobs
Trumbo

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20 Films Vie for 5 "Visual Effects" Nominations for Feb. 2016 Oscars Ceremony

20 CONTENDERS ADVANCE IN VFX OSCAR RACE

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 20 films are in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 88th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

    “Ant-Man”
    “Avengers: Age of Ultron”
    “Bridge of Spies”
    “Chappie”
    “Everest”
    “Ex Machina”
    “Furious Seven”
    “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
    “In the Heart of the Sea”
    “Jupiter Ascending”
    “Jurassic World”
    “Mad Max: Fury Road”
    “The Martian”
    “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”
    “The Revenant”
    “Spectre”
    “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
    “Terminator Genisys”
    “Tomorrowland”
    “The Walk”

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the preliminary shortlist.  This year, in the Visual Effects category, the number of eligible films initially shortlisted for further consideration was increased to a maximum of 20 titles.  The number of films that will be shortlisted for nominations voting remains at 10, which will be announced later this month.

The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 5:30 a.m. PT at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

The 88th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Jet City Comic Show 2015 Opens on Halloween in Tacoma, WA

JET CITY COMIC SHOW SCREAMS BACK INTO TACOMA ON HALLOWEEN WEEKEND
Comic Creators, Actors, Authors, Cosplayers and Fans All Come Together at the Tacoma Convention Center.

Back for its sixth year, Jet City Comic Show continues to grow with the city of Tacoma, Washington as it expands to two-days (October 31 – November 1, 2015). With over 100 Exhibitors and more than 100 Creators, Jet City Comic Show brings the wonderful world of comic books and sci-fi to life with fan favorite creators, authors and actors.

“We’re incredibly excited about the expansion to two-days,” says co-promoter Brian Meredith. “This growth was only made possible with the local community embracing the Jet City Comic Show.”

Being on Halloween weekend, Jet City Comic Show has added Trick-or-Treating into Saturday’s programing at the show. What better way to experience Halloween than with the super heroes and star wars cosplayers. Candy abounds from vendors and even ree comics (thanks to Comics4Kids). Bring the whole family, kids 10 and under are free with adults, to round out your 2015 Halloween experience.

Featured Comic Guests: Jose Marzan Jr (Superman, Y: The Last Man), Bob McLeod (Batman, Spider-Man), Nancy A Collins (Swamp Thing), Clayton Crain (Ghost Rider), animator Michel Gagné (The Iron Giant, Story of Rex) and Many More!

Featured Actors: Vernon Wells (Mad Max 2, Innerspace, Commando, Power Rangers), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), Linnea Quigley (The Return of the Living Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4)

Jet City Comic Show features more than just comic book creators and actors but some of the finest Award-Winning Science Fiction writers around in Terry Brooks (Shannara series), Robin Hobbs (The Farseer Trilogy), Brian Herbert (Dune) and even more thanks to Amazon’s 47North.

“After the last two years working with Amazon’s publishing division (Jet City Comics & 47North),” says co-promoter James Taylor. “We’ve seen a huge interest in having Sci-Fi Authors at the show so we’re incredibly excited to add many amazingly talented writers.”

Get autographs from your favorite, or newly discovered, writers/artists of top selling comic books. Discover the source material for blockbuster movies. Sketches from top artists or discover a unique and hard to find comic book.

Both days include Gaming, Q&A’s with guests, panels on working as an writer/artist, costume contests, after parties, original artwork, get your photo taken with Superheroes or Stormtroopers for charity.

Jet City Comic Show is dedicated to creating a fun, family-friendly experience for fans, vendors and guests to celebrate their passion for comic books and related pop culture.

Tickets Are Available for Purchase at www.jetcitycomicshow.com and Retail Outlets:
Atomic Comics - 4020 S Steele St, Tacoma, WA 98409

Comics Adventure - 455 Portland Ave, Gladstone, OR 97027 (coming soon!)

Destiny City Comics - 218 St. Helens Ave in Tacoma, WA

Everett Comics - 2831 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201

Fantasium Comics & Games - 1500 S 336th St #12, Federal Way, WA 98003

Subspace Comics - 3333 184th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037

TerraCrux Games - 760 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402

$10 for a One-Day Pass and $18 for a Two-Day Pass ($20 at the doors) with Kids 10 and Under are Free w/ adult purchase. Pre-purchased tickets enter you into a drawing for a Kindle Fire HD, thanks to sponsor Jet City Comics!


About Jet City Comic Show
The Jet City Comic Show was founded by James Taylor, an accomplished artist and publisher of Rorschach Entertainment, and Brian Meredith, co-founder of Emerald City ComiCon. JCCS is a family friendly, back to basics comic book convention, focusing on comic books and their creators. For information, contact the organizers at info@jetcitycomicshow.com or visit jetcitycomicshow.com.

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"Mad Max" the Video Game Takes Off

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Launches Mad Max

Experience the expansive post-apocalyptic, open-world game from Avalanche Studios for PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One and Windows PC
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced that Mad Max, the open-world, third-person action game developed by Avalanche Studios and set in a post-apocalyptic setting, is now available for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC.

    “We can’t wait to see how players customize their Max characters, as well as their cars.”

The Mad Max video game introduces an original story set within the universe of Mad Max and features deep car customization that impacts its handling, metal-grinding vehicular action and gives players a vast arsenal of mobile weaponry within The Wasteland. Players become Max, the lone warrior who must fight to stay alive by engaging in vicious on-ground fighting, as well as physics-based vehicular combat, against savage factions who are fighting for domination and survival in this gritty, dynamic open-world.

“Mad Max is an iconic character, recently re-introduced to the world by the latest film, and now we’re introducing a new way for fans and gamers to experience the adventure-filled Wasteland universe in which he lives,” said Peter Wyse, Vice President, Group General Manager, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Avalanche Studios has created an expansive, beautiful open world environment that comes to life with a brand new story for Mad Max.”

“Avalanche Studios are big fans of Mad Max and creating an open-world game in such a brutal setting was right up our alley,” said Christofer Sundberg, Avalanche Studios Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. “We can’t wait to see how players customize their Max characters, as well as their cars.”

Following the theft of his iconic Interceptor, Max must align himself with a gifted, but peculiar, mechanic named Chumbucket to build the ultimate survival vehicle, something Chumbucket calls the “Magnum Opus.” Players design, customize and upgrade their essential vehicle by choosing from different car chassis and a myriad of upgrades including mounted weapons, armor and engines in the hopes of escaping to the Plains of Silence. Gamers must endure the open-world, post-apocalyptic environment that features a huge variety of encounters in a host of different locations throughout The Wasteland, many of them remnants of the world before the apocalypse. Players brave the treacherous landscapes, hostile weather patterns and deadly marauders, while accumulating Max’s equipment and weapons to survive by combining melee combat, gunplay and tactical techniques.

Mad Max is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.madmaxgame.com, Facebook.com/MadMaxGame and Twitter.com/MadMaxGame.


About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About Avalanche Studios
Avalanche Studios is the original creator of the award-winning Just Cause franchise, and is currently working on Just Cause 3 (published by Square Enix), slated for release in December 2015. The studio has created acclaimed twin stick shooter Renegade Ops (published by SEGA) and self-published free-to-play service theHunter (developed by subsidiary Expansive Worlds) with more than 5 million registered players across 190 countries. Avalanche Studios, which is based in Stockholm and New York City, was founded in 2003 by Christofer Sundberg and Linus Blomberg. The studio develops games built on its proprietary technology, the Avalanche Engine, enabling huge open worlds filled with emergent gameplay. More information is available at www.avalanchestudios.com.

MAD MAX software © 2015 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Avalanche Studios. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

WB GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s15)
"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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Review: Original "Mad Max" Still Motoring

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 35 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mad Max (1979)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Australia
Running:  88 minutes (1 hour, 28 minutes)
MPAA – R
DIRECTOR:  George Miller
WRITERS:  James McCausland and George Miller
PRODUCER:  Byron Kennedy
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  David Eggby (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Cliff Hayes and Tony Paterson
COMPOSER:  Brian May

ACTION/CRIME/THRILLER

Starring:  Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward, Geoff Parry, Vince Gil, John Ley, and Brendan Heath

Mad Max is a 1979 Australian near-future action movie and crime thriller from director George Miller and starring a young Mel Gibson.  Mad Max was the first movie in what is, to date, a four-film franchise.  This movie's story was originally conceived by the film's director (George Miller) and producer (Byron Kennedy).  Mad Max focuses on an Australian police officer who must eventually avenge the lives of his wife and toddler son and also the cop who was his partner.

Mad Max opens in a dystopian future that takes place “a few years from now.”  The roads of Australia are plagued by motorcycle gangs and other high-speed drivers.  Trying to keep the roads safe are the police officers of the MFP – Main Force Patrol – who pursue reckless road criminals.  The top pursuit-man is Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson).

Max has an encounter with a gang member known as the “Nightrider” (Vincent Gil), in which Nightrider is killed.  The vicious and cruel Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) leads “The Acolytes,” Nightrider's motorcycle gang, and the gang seeks payback against the MFP.  Their actions against Max's family and colleagues sets Max on a mission of vengeance against Toecutter.  In his supercharged Police Special, Max goes on hot pursuit with killing on his mind.

Mad Max is one of those rare films that has the misfortune living in the shadow of a better-known and more popular sequel.  1981's Mad Max 2 (known in the United States simply as The Road Warrior) was a huge hit when it was originally released in the U.S. in 1982.  The second film had an influence on American pop culture and references from and homages to the film continue to appear decades after its initial release.

Still, the first Mad Max remains both a unique and an exceptional film.  It is also darn-good fun to watch, and I wish that at least one of the Mad Max sequels was more like it.  Max Max seems to blend 1950s Film-Noir crime films (especially those about street cops) and 1970s action-movies about cars and motorcycles with the kind of dystopian science fiction films that defined the 1970s.

The result is a fast and efficient film with power that belies its size.  Mad Max is cool without being slick and pretty.  It is one of the few science fiction films that are entirely plausible or close to it.  Mad Max is also timeless, although its future scenario originally took place only “a few years” from 1979.

Director George Miller has apparently stated that the filming of Mad Max was unpleasant for him.  From his suffering came cinematic art, and a movie star was born.  Yes, Mad Max introduced the world to Mel Gibson, who would go on to be a fine actor, a worldwide movie star, and an award-winning filmmaker before his public behavior and private comments seemed to derail his career (at least as of this writing).  Before that however, the legend of Mad Max carried us deep into the Outback, and we were in the passenger seat with rising star.

8 of 10
A

Tuesday, May 26, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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"Mad Max: Fury Road" Crosses $300 Million Mark in Worldwide Box Office

George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” Continues Its Worldwide Ride, Crossing $300 Million

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Mad Max: Fury Road” is continuing to draw moviegoers around the globe, now surpassing $300 million at the worldwide box office. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ has proven to be a hit with followers of the original films while also creating a new generation of fans. Congratulations to George Miller, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and everyone else involved in the film on this ongoing success.”

Directed, written and produced by George Miller, the feature marks the filmmaker’s return to the post-apocalyptic landscape of his iconic Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky. Domestically, “Mad Max: Fury Road” has held firm at the box office since its opening, earning $125.1 million to date.

The widely praised film is also still pulling in big crowds overseas, so far taking in an estimated $177 million at the international box office for a worldwide total of more than $302 million and counting.

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ has proven to be a hit with followers of the original films while also creating a new generation of fans. Congratulations to George Miller, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and everyone else involved in the film on this ongoing success.”

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “Word of mouth remains strong worldwide as the film continues to gain both first time and repeat viewers. Together with our partners at Village Roadshow Pictures, we are thrilled by the response of critics and audiences, who have made ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ one of the most acclaimed and talked-about films of the year.”

From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.

Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by Imperator Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) stars in the title role in “Mad Max: Fury Road”—the fourth in the franchise’s history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “Prometheus”) stars as Imperator Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; Josh Helman (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Slit; Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is The Splendid Angharad, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, Zoë Kravitz (“Divergent”) plays Toast the Knowing, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Cheedo the Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (“Happy Feet”) directed the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller also produced the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (“Babe”, “Happy Feet”), and PJ Voeten. Iain Smith, Chris deFaria, Courtenay Valenti, Graham Burke, Bruce Berman and Steven Mnuchin served as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (“The English Patient”), production designer Colin Gibson (“Babe”), editor Margaret Sixel (“Happy Feet”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“A Room with a View”), second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris (“Australia”), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (“Knowing”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. This film has been rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images.

madmaxmovie.com

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Negromancer New Bits and Bites for the Week of May 17th to 23rd, 2015 - Update #12

NEWS:

From Gawker:  This can't be real - Bill O'Reilly: wife beater.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Josh Duggar, one of Jim Bob and Michelle's 19 kids, has been accused and also investigated for child molestation, including committing those acts against his younger female siblings.

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From Collider:  At Cannes, John Lasseter previews "Finding Dory," "Toy Story 4," and more.

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From Moviesdotcom:  Chris Pratt talks about what movies he will be in going forward and what is bull-crap.

---------------
From TheWrap:  Peter Saarsgard joins Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in MGM's remake of The Magnificent Seven to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.

---------------
From YahooTV:  Melissa McCarthy addresses sexist critic.

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From Variety:  The winner of the May 15th to 17th, 2015 is Pitch Perfect 2 with an estimated haul of $70.3.  The first film only made $65 million during its entire theatrical run, although the film has been big in its move to home entertainment.  The other new film, Mad Max: Fury Road made an estimated $44.4 million, with Avengers: Age of Ultron finishing third with $38.8, after two weeks at #1.

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From Variety:  Jude Law headed to TV with "The Young Pope," which will air on HBO in America.

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From YahooMovies:  Matthew McConaughey defends Gus Van Sant's "Sea of Trees," at Cannes 2015, where critics are having fun reviling it.


TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The Maze Runner sequel: The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.


MISC:

From VillageVoice:  A review of Dark Star, a documentary about the late surrealist artist, H.R. Giger.

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From Salon:  Roger Waters responds to Dionne Warwick.

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From YahooNews:  Jay Z and Beyonce put their money where their mouths are.

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From YahooNews: This is probably the closest most will get to seeing a naked Mitt Romeny - shirtless, sweaty, and fight Evander Holyfield.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" Drives Past $109.4 Million in Worldwide Box Office

George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” Roars to a $109.4 Million Worldwide Opening With a Global Day-and-Date Release
Film is the #1 new release at the worldwide box office “Mad Max: Fury Road” gives George Miller his biggest opening ever and is already the top-grossing “Mad Max” film

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Riding on rave reviews and huge anticipation around the globe, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Mad Max: Fury Road” thundered at the worldwide box office with an opening weekend of more than $109.4 million, making it the #1 new release at the global box office. It is also the biggest opening ever for director George Miller and is already the highest grossing of all the “Mad Max” films. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “It’s truly gratifying to see the fantastic critical reaction translate to such strong numbers at the box office. George Miller’s edge-of-your-seat, action-packed experience is a must-see big-screen visual stunner that is luring both diehard followers and new fans around the world.”
George Miller’s return to the world of “Mad Max” was a major draw overseas, where it earned an aggregate estimated $65 million in 68 territories on 16,900 screens. It was #1 at the box office in almost 40 territories, including Australia, the birthplace of the post-apocalyptic anti-hero, as well as such key markets as France, Russia, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Korea, all of Scandinavia, and many more.

On the domestic front, “Mad Max: Fury Road” had an excellent opening of more than $44.4 million at 3,702 locations.

In making the announcement, Fellman said, “George Miller, together with his extraordinary cast, led by Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, and fellow filmmakers, has created a movie-going experience that critics agree is not to be missed, as evidenced by the 98% ‘Fresh’ score on Rotten Tomatoes—resulting in the biggest opening weekend ever for an R-rated actioner so well-reviewed. Word of mouth is already tremendous and should drive box office returns well into summer.”

Kwan Vandenberg stated, “It’s truly gratifying to see the fantastic critical reaction translate to such strong numbers at the box office. George Miller’s edge-of-your-seat, action-packed experience is a must-see big-screen visual stunner that is luring both diehard followers and new fans around the world.”

Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, said, “Anticipation began with our early campaign, which offered just a taste of the world inhabited by George Miller’s unique characters. Triumphant premieres in Los Angeles and at the Cannes Film Festival further fueled the social media buzz surrounding ‘Fury Road,’ which, combined with phenomenal reviews, turned the release into a global event.”

Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, added, “The success of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ is a testament to the commitment of George Miller and his team to deliver something moviegoers have never seen before. George’s vision not only lives up to the legacy of his pioneering ‘Mad Max’ films but expands upon that legacy for a new generation. We thank our partners at Village Roadshow and, together with them, congratulate everyone involved in the film.”

From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.

Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by Imperator Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) stars in the title role in “Mad Max: Fury Road”—the fourth in the franchise’s history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “Prometheus”) stars as Imperator Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; Josh Helman (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Slit; Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is The Splendid Angharad, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, Zoë Kravitz (“Divergent”) plays Toast the Knowing, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Cheedo the Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (“Happy Feet”) directed the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller also produced the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (“Babe”, “Happy Feet”), and PJ Voeten. Iain Smith, Chris deFaria, Courtenay Valenti, Graham Burke, Bruce Berman and Steven Mnuchin served as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (“The English Patient”), production designer Colin Gibson (“Babe”), editor Margaret Sixel (“Happy Feet”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“A Room with a View”), second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris (“Australia”), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (“Knowing”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The film is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. This film has been rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images.

madmaxmovie.com

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"Mad Max: Fury Road" Drives into International IMAX Theatres, May 13th

Warner Bros. Pictures And Village Roadshow Pictures' Mad Max: Fury Road To Charge Into Select Overseas IMAX® Theatres Starting May 13

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX), Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures announced that director George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released into IMAX® theatres in select international territories starting May 13, 2015.

Mad Max: Fury Road, which stars Tom Hardy in the title role and Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron as the Imperator, Furiosa, will be released in approximately 25 overseas IMAX markets.

The IMAX® 3D release of Mad Max: Fury Road will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.


About Mad Max: Fury Road:
From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary Mad Max franchise, comes Mad Max: Fury Road, a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.

Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) stars in the title role in Mad Max: Fury Road -- the fourth in the franchise's history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (Monster, Prometheus) stars as the Imperator, Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (Mad Max, Sleeping Beauty) as Immortan Joe; Nathan Jones (Conan the Barbarian) as Rictus Erectus; Josh Helman (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Slit; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Transformers: Dark of the Moon) is Splendid, Riley Keough (Magic Mike) is Capable, Zoe Kravitz (Divergent) plays Toast, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (Happy Feet) is directing the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller is also producing the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (Babe, Happy Feet), and P.J. Voeten. Iain Smith, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (The English Patient), production designer Colin Gibson (Babe), editor Margaret Sixel (Happy Feet), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (A Room with a View), action unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris (Australia), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (Knowing).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, "Mad Max: Fury Road." The film is scheduled for worldwide release beginning May 15, 2015, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

For more information about Mad Max: Fury Road, visit the official website at www.madmaxmovie.com/.


About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of March 31, 2015, there were 943 IMAX theatres (820 commercial multiplexes, 18 commercial destinations and 105 institutions) in 63 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, IMAX Is Believing® and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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"Mad Max: Fury Road" Trailer Debuts

Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures Present Worldwide Satellite Trailer Debut -- MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEJnMQG9ev8

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.

Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) stars in the title role in “Mad Max: Fury Road”—the fourth in the franchise’s history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “Prometheus”) stars as the Imperator, Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus; Josh Helman (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Slit; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is Splendid, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, Zoë Kravitz (“Divergent”) plays Toast, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (“Happy Feet”) is directing the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller is also producing the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (“Babe”, “Happy Feet”), and P.J. Voeten. Iain Smith, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (“The English Patient”), production designer Colin Gibson (“Babe”), editor Margaret Sixel (“Happy Feet”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“A Room with a View”), second unit director/supervising stunt coordinator Guy Norris (“Australia”), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (“Knowing”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The film is scheduled for release on May 15, 2015, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

The film has been rated R by the MPAA for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images.

www.madmaxmovie.com
https://www.facebook.com/MadMaxMovie
https://twitter.com/madmaxmovie
#MadMax

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"Mad Max: Fury Road" Trailer Arrives Wed. December 10th, 2014

Worldwide Satellite Trailer Debut Mad Max: Fury Road

From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.

Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) stars in the title role in “Mad Max: Fury Road”—the fourth in the franchise’s history. Oscar winner Charlize Theron (“Monster,” “Prometheus”) stars as the Imperator, Furiosa. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Nux; Hugh Keays-Byrne (“Mad Max,” “Sleeping Beauty”) as Immortan Joe; Nathan Jones (“Conan the Barbarian”) as Rictus Erectus; Josh Helman (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) as Slit; collectively known as The Wives, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”) is Splendid, Riley Keough (“Magic Mike”) is Capable, Zoë Kravitz (“Divergent”) plays Toast, Abbey Lee is The Dag, and Courtney Eaton is Fragile. Also featured in the movie are John Howard, Richard Carter, singer/ songwriter/performer iOTA, Angus Sampson, Jennifer Hagan, Megan Gale, Melissa Jaffer, Melita Jurisic, Gillian Jones and Joy Smithers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller (“Happy Feet”) is directing the film from a screenplay he wrote with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris. Miller is also producing the film, along with longtime producing partner, Oscar nominee Doug Mitchell (“Babe”, “Happy Feet”), and P.J. Voeten. Iain Smith, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-winning director of photography John Seale (“The English Patient”), production designer Colin Gibson (“Babe”), editor Margaret Sixel (“Happy Feet”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“A Room with a View”), action unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris (“Australia”), and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt (“Knowing”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, a George Miller film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The film is scheduled for release on May 15, 2015, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

www.madmaxmovie.com
https://www.facebook.com/MadMaxMovie
https://twitter.com/madmaxmovie
#MadMax

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"Mad Max" Game Speeds into 2013 Comic-Con International

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment invites you to get into the Mad Max game at San Diego Comic-con. Delve into the upcoming open world, third-person action game, based on the iconic road warrior, in the form of several Wasteland-worthy activities.

WHO: MAD MAX SPEEDS INTO SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

WHAT: INTERCEPTOR PHOTO OPP              

· This replica of Max’s legendary car is ready for photo opps and ideal for sharing on social media to intimidate rival gangs of desert marauders.

o Corner of Park Boulevard and Tony Gwynn Drive near PetCo Park

EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPHED POSTERS BY  DC COMICS ARTIST
· Inside the convention center, head to the Warner Bros. booth (#4545) on Friday, July 19 from 3-3:45 p.m. to meet DC Comics artist Shane Davis and get an autographed collector’s edition Motion Comic poster to display in your combat vehicle.

POST-APOCALYPTIC STREET TEAM
· Keep your eyes peeled for the Mad Max post-apocalyptic street team distributing special edition SDCC Mad Max posters featuring artwork by renowned comic book artist Shane Davis and Mad Max t-shirts.

WAR PAINT STATION
· Come visit our gang of bandits and get a Wasteland Warrior look featuring tribal-style face painting and temporary tattoos.
o Corner of Park Boulevard and Tony Gwynn Drive near PetCo Park

CUSTOMIZABLE MAD MAX ANIMATIONS
· Become Mad Max and make your own story using official Mad Max images with the Skit! App for iOS.

WHEN: Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21, 2013
Thursday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Mad Max Activities:
Corner of Park Boulevard and Tony Gwynn Drive
San Diego, CA, near PetCo Park

Poster Signing:
Warner Bros. booth (#4545) on Friday, July 19 from 3-3:45 p.m.

B-ROLL: Epic new Mad Max gameplay trailer: https://www.hightail.com/download/bWJvdFdjR3NVVGxBSXNUQw.

ABOUT: In development by Avalanche Studios, Mad Max is an open world, third-person action game where players become Mad Max, a lone warrior in a savage post-apocalyptic world where cars are the key to survival.  Mad Max is scheduled for a 2014 release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. For more information visit MadMaxGame.com. You can also find Mad Max on Facebook, Twitter (#MadMaxGame), and YouTube.