Cameras Roll on “Our Brand is Crisis”
Principal photography begins on “Our Brand is Crisis,” starring Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton under the direction of David Gordon Green
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Filming is underway in New Orleans on director David Gordon Green’s (“Pineapple Express,” “George Washington”) feature adaptation of the critically acclaimed 2005 documentary “Our Brand is Crisis,” starring Oscar winners Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”) and Billy Bob Thornton (“Sling Blade”).
When a group of American consultants accept the challenge of getting an unpopular Bolivian president re-elected, they realize they need help. Tracking down retired maverick political consultant Jane Bodine (Bullock) to her cabin in the woods, they persuade her to lead the team—a decision they quickly come to regret, as “Calamity” Jane begins to live up to her nickname, unleashing her very own brand of chaos on the campaign.
Just as all seems lost, the loathsome Pat Candy (Thornton), Jane’s worst enemy, arrives in town to work for the opposition. Suddenly things become personal and as the battle begins the consultants get to see Jane the legend in action.
The film also stars Anthony Mackie (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”), Scoot McNairy (“Gone Girl,” “Argo”), Zoe Kazan (“Ruby Sparks”), Ann Dowd (“Side Effects,” HBO’s “The Leftovers”), Reynaldo Pacheco (“Beginners”), Dominic Flores (“Rampart”), Louis Arcella (NBC’s “The Blacklist”), Octavio Gómez Berríos (“Che: Part One”) and Joaquim de Almeida (“Fast Five”).
Green directs from a screenplay by Oscar nominee Peter Straughan (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), based on the documentary by Rachel Boynton, which outlined the American political campaign marketing tactics employed in the real-life 2002 Bolivian presidential election.
The film is being produced by Oscar-winning Smokehouse Pictures’ principals George Clooney and Grant Heslov (“Argo”), with Bullock, Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, and Stuart Besser serving as executive producers. Participant Media is a co-financier on the film.
Green’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes frequent collaborators director of photography Tim Orr, editor Colin Patton and production designer Richard A. Wright (“Manglehorn”), as well as costume designer Jenny Eagan (“Now You See Me”).
“Our Brand is Crisis” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
A Record 83 Countries Compete for Foreign Language Oscar Nominaitons at 87th Academy Awards
83 Countries In Competition For 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar®
A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards®. Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.
The 2014 submissions are:
Afghanistan, "A Few Cubic Meters of Love," Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, "Wild Tales," Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, "Charlie's Country," Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, "The Dark Valley," Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, "Nabat," Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, "Glow of the Firefly," Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, "Two Days, One Night," Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, "Forgotten," Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "With Mom," Faruk Loncarevic, director;
Brazil, "The Way He Looks," Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, "Bulgarian Rhapsody," Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, "Mommy," Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, "To Kill a Man," Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, "The Nightingale," Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, "Mateo," María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, "Red Princesses," Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, "Cowboys," Tomislav Mršic, director;
Cuba, "Conducta," Ernesto Daranas Serrano, director;
Czech Republic, "Fair Play," Andrea Sedlácková, director;
Denmark, "Sorrow and Joy," Nils Malmros, director;
Dominican Republic, "Cristo Rey," Leticia Tonos, director;
Ecuador, "Silence in Dreamland," Tito Molina, director;
Egypt, "Factory Girl," Mohamed Khan, director;
Estonia, "Tangerines," Zaza Urushadze, director;
Ethiopia, "Difret," Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, director;
Finland, "Concrete Night," Pirjo Honkasalo, director;
France, "Saint Laurent," Bertrand Bonello, director;
Georgia, "Corn Island," George Ovashvili, director;
Germany, "Beloved Sisters," Dominik Graf, director;
Greece, "Little England," Pantelis Voulgaris, director;
Hong Kong, "The Golden Era," Ann Hui, director;
Hungary, "White God," Kornél Mundruczó, director;
Iceland, "Life in a Fishbowl," Baldvin Zophoníasson, director;
India, "Liar's Dice," Geetu Mohandas, director;
Indonesia, "Soekarno," Hanung Bramantyo, director;
Iran, "Today," Reza Mirkarimi, director;
Iraq, "Mardan," Batin Ghobadi, director;
Ireland, "The Gift," Tom Collins, director;
Israel, "Gett, the Trial of Viviane Amsalem," Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz, directors;
Italy, "Human Capital," Paolo Virzì, director;
Japan, "The Light Shines Only There," Mipo O, director;
Kosovo, "Three Windows and a Hanging," Isa Qosja, director;
Kyrgyzstan, "Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains," Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, director;
Latvia, "Rocks in My Pockets," Signe Baumane, director;
Lebanon, "Ghadi," Amin Dora, director;
Lithuania, "The Gambler," Ignas Jonynas, director;
Luxembourg, "Never Die Young," Pol Cruchten, director;
Macedonia, "To the Hilt," Stole Popov, director;
Malta, "Simshar," Rebecca Cremona, director;
Mauritania, "Timbuktu," Abderrahmane Sissako, director;
Mexico, "Cantinflas," Sebastián del Amo, director;
Moldova, "The Unsaved," Igor Cobileanski, director;
Montenegro, "The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street," Nikola Vukcevic, director;
Morocco, "The Red Moon," Hassan Benjelloun, director;
Nepal, "Jhola," Yadav Kumar Bhattarai, director;
Netherlands, "Accused," Paula van der Oest, director;
New Zealand, "The Dead Lands," Toa Fraser, director;
Norway, "1001 Grams," Bent Hamer, director;
Pakistan, "Dukhtar," Afia Nathaniel, director;
Palestine, "Eyes of a Thief," Najwa Najjar, director;
Panama, "Invasion," Abner Benaim, director;
Peru, "The Gospel of the Flesh," Eduardo Mendoza, director;
Philippines, "Norte, the End of History," Lav Diaz, director;
Poland, "Ida," Pawel Pawlikowski, director;
Portugal, "What Now? Remind Me," Joaquim Pinto, director;
Romania, "The Japanese Dog," Tudor Cristian Jurgiu, director;
Russia, "Leviathan," Andrey Zvyagintsev, director;
Serbia, "See You in Montevideo," Dragan Bjelogrlic, director;
Singapore, "Sayang Disayang," Sanif Olek, director;
Slovakia, "A Step into the Dark," Miloslav Luther, director;
Slovenia, "Seduce Me," Marko Šantic, director;
South Africa, "Elelwani," Ntshavheni Wa Luruli, director;
South Korea, "Haemoo," Shim Sung-bo, director;
Spain, "Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed," David Trueba, director;
Sweden, "Force Majeure," Ruben Östlund, director;
Switzerland, "The Circle," Stefan Haupt, director;
Taiwan, "Ice Poison," Midi Z, director;
Thailand, "The Teacher’s Diary," Nithiwat Tharathorn, director;
Turkey, "Winter Sleep," Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director;
Ukraine, "The Guide," Oles Sanin, director;
United Kingdom, "Little Happiness," Nihat Seven, director;
Uruguay, "Mr. Kaplan," Álvaro Brechner, director;
Venezuela, "The Liberator," Alberto Arvelo, director.
The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards®. Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.
The 2014 submissions are:
Afghanistan, "A Few Cubic Meters of Love," Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, "Wild Tales," Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, "Charlie's Country," Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, "The Dark Valley," Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, "Nabat," Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, "Glow of the Firefly," Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, "Two Days, One Night," Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, "Forgotten," Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "With Mom," Faruk Loncarevic, director;
Brazil, "The Way He Looks," Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, "Bulgarian Rhapsody," Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, "Mommy," Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, "To Kill a Man," Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, "The Nightingale," Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, "Mateo," María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, "Red Princesses," Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, "Cowboys," Tomislav Mršic, director;
Cuba, "Conducta," Ernesto Daranas Serrano, director;
Czech Republic, "Fair Play," Andrea Sedlácková, director;
Denmark, "Sorrow and Joy," Nils Malmros, director;
Dominican Republic, "Cristo Rey," Leticia Tonos, director;
Ecuador, "Silence in Dreamland," Tito Molina, director;
Egypt, "Factory Girl," Mohamed Khan, director;
Estonia, "Tangerines," Zaza Urushadze, director;
Ethiopia, "Difret," Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, director;
Finland, "Concrete Night," Pirjo Honkasalo, director;
France, "Saint Laurent," Bertrand Bonello, director;
Georgia, "Corn Island," George Ovashvili, director;
Germany, "Beloved Sisters," Dominik Graf, director;
Greece, "Little England," Pantelis Voulgaris, director;
Hong Kong, "The Golden Era," Ann Hui, director;
Hungary, "White God," Kornél Mundruczó, director;
Iceland, "Life in a Fishbowl," Baldvin Zophoníasson, director;
India, "Liar's Dice," Geetu Mohandas, director;
Indonesia, "Soekarno," Hanung Bramantyo, director;
Iran, "Today," Reza Mirkarimi, director;
Iraq, "Mardan," Batin Ghobadi, director;
Ireland, "The Gift," Tom Collins, director;
Israel, "Gett, the Trial of Viviane Amsalem," Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz, directors;
Italy, "Human Capital," Paolo Virzì, director;
Japan, "The Light Shines Only There," Mipo O, director;
Kosovo, "Three Windows and a Hanging," Isa Qosja, director;
Kyrgyzstan, "Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains," Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, director;
Latvia, "Rocks in My Pockets," Signe Baumane, director;
Lebanon, "Ghadi," Amin Dora, director;
Lithuania, "The Gambler," Ignas Jonynas, director;
Luxembourg, "Never Die Young," Pol Cruchten, director;
Macedonia, "To the Hilt," Stole Popov, director;
Malta, "Simshar," Rebecca Cremona, director;
Mauritania, "Timbuktu," Abderrahmane Sissako, director;
Mexico, "Cantinflas," Sebastián del Amo, director;
Moldova, "The Unsaved," Igor Cobileanski, director;
Montenegro, "The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street," Nikola Vukcevic, director;
Morocco, "The Red Moon," Hassan Benjelloun, director;
Nepal, "Jhola," Yadav Kumar Bhattarai, director;
Netherlands, "Accused," Paula van der Oest, director;
New Zealand, "The Dead Lands," Toa Fraser, director;
Norway, "1001 Grams," Bent Hamer, director;
Pakistan, "Dukhtar," Afia Nathaniel, director;
Palestine, "Eyes of a Thief," Najwa Najjar, director;
Panama, "Invasion," Abner Benaim, director;
Peru, "The Gospel of the Flesh," Eduardo Mendoza, director;
Philippines, "Norte, the End of History," Lav Diaz, director;
Poland, "Ida," Pawel Pawlikowski, director;
Portugal, "What Now? Remind Me," Joaquim Pinto, director;
Romania, "The Japanese Dog," Tudor Cristian Jurgiu, director;
Russia, "Leviathan," Andrey Zvyagintsev, director;
Serbia, "See You in Montevideo," Dragan Bjelogrlic, director;
Singapore, "Sayang Disayang," Sanif Olek, director;
Slovakia, "A Step into the Dark," Miloslav Luther, director;
Slovenia, "Seduce Me," Marko Šantic, director;
South Africa, "Elelwani," Ntshavheni Wa Luruli, director;
South Korea, "Haemoo," Shim Sung-bo, director;
Spain, "Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed," David Trueba, director;
Sweden, "Force Majeure," Ruben Östlund, director;
Switzerland, "The Circle," Stefan Haupt, director;
Taiwan, "Ice Poison," Midi Z, director;
Thailand, "The Teacher’s Diary," Nithiwat Tharathorn, director;
Turkey, "Winter Sleep," Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director;
Ukraine, "The Guide," Oles Sanin, director;
United Kingdom, "Little Happiness," Nihat Seven, director;
Uruguay, "Mr. Kaplan," Álvaro Brechner, director;
Venezuela, "The Liberator," Alberto Arvelo, director.
The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of October 5th to 11th, 2014 - Update #14
NEWS:
From YahooCelebrity: Robert De Niro with his rarely seen daughter, Drena De Niro.
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From InformedConsent: Juan Cole on Ben Affleck vs. Bill Maher.
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From YahooCelebrity: Stephen Collins, the veteran actor best known for his role as the dad on the late WB series, "7th Heaven," allegedly admits to molesting an underage girl.
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From HitFix via YahooTV: Marvel's secret plan... A great article about Marvel Studio's success. There is also some kind of hint that Sony and Marvel may occasionally come together.
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From HitFix: William Shatner and his "Star Trek 3" (the reboot) hints.
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From TheVerge: Neil deGrasse Tyson voiced the character, Waddles the Pig, on Disney's animated series, "Gravity Falls."
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From EntertainmentWeekly: Gone Girl wins the box office for the weekend of October 3rd to 5th, 2014 with an estimated take of $38 million. Annabelle, a spinoff from last year's surprise smash hit, The Conjuring, was a close second with an estimated $37.2 million. Both exceeded expectations.
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From the Examiner: Johnny Depp balding?
COMIC BOOKS - Movies and Books:
From CinemaBlend: Marvel Comics' big 2015 is apparently "Secret Wars."
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From ScreenRant: Is Brainiac the villain revealed at the end of Batman Vs. Superman.
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From YahooMovies: Michael Keaton talks about the condition that would get him to play Batman again.
----------------
From CinemaBlend: Fans await some kind of Marvel teaser.
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From CinemaBlend: Marvel Comics is turning 75, and ABC will broadcast a special, Marvel 75 Years: From Pulp to Pop!
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From Yahoo: Starting in 2015, Dynamite Entertainment will start producing James Bond comic books and graphic novels.
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From CinemaBlend: Could Sony connect to Marvel's cinematic universe?
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From CinemaBlend: Downey backtracks.
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From CinemaBlend: Marvel ain't giving FOX anymore mutants.
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From YahooTV: More Downey-Marvel Studios talk.
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From YahooMovies: Yes, there will be an "Iron Man 4," says Robert Downey, Jr.
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From CinemaBlend: Michael B. Jordan talks about the suits for the Fantastic Four reboot.
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From the Examiner: New Ultron prop image from "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
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From CinemaBlend: Who could be left out of "Avengers 3?"
STAR WARS:
From YahooMovies: A cool anti-spoilers poster from the set of Episode 7.
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From io9: More Star Wars rumors... plus some other fanboy franchise news.
OBITS:
From YahooTV: "Saturday Night Live" veteran Jan Hooks died at the age of 57, Thursday, October 9, 2014,
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Also from YahooTV: The best of Jan Hooks.
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From ABC News via Yahoo: I missed the death of actor Richard Kiel, probably best known for playing the character, "Jaws," in two James Bond movies.
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From Yahoo: Sarah Goldberg, an actress on "7th Heaven," has died at age 40.
MISC:
From Yahoo: A rare photograph of slaves has been found. The slaves belonged to insurrectionist General Robert E. Lee.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
"Wolves" Howling on Video On-Demand and in Theatres
Synopsis:
Popular high school student Cayden Richards wakes from a horrific nightmare, only to realize that he’s living it… He is changing into something vicious, unpredictable and wild. Forced to hit the road after the brutal murder of his parents, Cayden tries to hunt down the truth of what he is. In the remote, mountain town of Lupine Ridge, he discovers others like him — Including the beautiful Angelina, a young woman caught between two ancient clans of “wolves”. And when he finally discovers the shocking truth behind his ancestry, Cayden realizes there is only one way to save the woman he loves… a grisly fight to the death against forces more savage than he could have ever imagined.
Written & Directed By: David Hayter
Produced By: Steven Hoban
Executive Producers: Benedict Carver, Hartley Gorenstein Steven Paul, Mark Smith
Cinematography: Gavin Smith
Creature Design: Dave Elsey, Lou Elsey
Edited By: Geoff Ashenhurst
Starring: Lucas Till, Stephen McHattie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Merritt Patterson and Jason Momoa
MPAA Rating: TBD
Release Dates:
Thursday, October 16th, 2014 on Video on Demand
Friday, November 14, 2014 in select cities nationwide
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Distributor: Ketchup Entertainment
Green Band YouTube: http://youtu.be/x4YgifoTd3E
Red Band (age restricted) YouTube: http://youtu.be/txMEBTuRXws
Follow WOLVES:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WolvesMovie
Twitter: @BewareWolves
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Wizard World "The Walking Dead" Limited Edition Comics Debut in 2015
Return Of Popular Run Includes Drawings By Superstar Artists For All 24 Shows In Wizard World Comic Con Series Beginning In New Orleans, January 9-11; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch
Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Robert Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With anticipation high for the debut of Season 5 of the television series in a few weeks, Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, and Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced the launch of an entirely new series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of popular issues of The Walking Dead comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at every Wizard World Comic Con event in 2015.
Superstar artists who regularly appear at Wizard World events will draw the unique covers for each of the 24 shows scheduled to date, beginning with Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 9-11 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The artists for each book will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans.
The exclusive The Walking Dead editions will be produced in extremely limited quantities and are available at registration to fans only while supplies last at each Wizard World convention. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic. The full schedule of 2015 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.
“Skybound is pleased to work with Wizard World and many talented artists to bring this series to thousands of fans,” said Kirkman, “Wizard World attendees have been great supporters of The Walking Dead for years, so these books are particularly appropriate for this audience.”
“Wizard World fans have shown a strong desire for everything The Walking Dead, and we are proud that this partnership with Robert Kirkman and Skybound will allow us to give these books free to all of our paid attendees,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO and President. “We have seen the rise in popularity of The Walking Dead, from popular celebrity guests like Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, Michael Rooker and many others, to cosplay of dozens of characters, to artwork and merchandise at our shows. We know that fans will appreciate the return of one of our most popular promotions ever.”
About Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International.
Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work.
That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.
Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series.
Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
About Skybound Entertainment
Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.
Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015.
Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve ascreator and executive producer of the series.
Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs.
Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible, all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.
Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures.
For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.
About Wizard World
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).
Full event information can be found at www.wizd.me/PR.
Wizard World Remaining 2014 Schedule:
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con
Wizard World 2015 schedule available at: www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Review: "Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy" is One of the Best Scooby-Doo Movies Ever
Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy (2014) – Video
Running time: 74 minutes (1 hour, 14 minutes)
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Paul McEvoy
WRITER: James Krieg
EDITOR: Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER: Andy Sturmer
ANIMATION STUDIO: Digital eMation, Inc.
ANIMATION/FANTASY/FAMILY and ACTION/COMEDY/MYSTERY
Starring: (voices) Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn, Diedrich Bader, Dee Bradley Baker, Eric Bauza, Jeff Bennett, Candi Milo, Susanne Blakeslee, Kevin Michael Richardson, Corey Burton, and Fred Tatasciore
Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is a 2014 straight-to-video, animated, comic mystery film. It is also the 22nd animated movie in the Scooby-Doo straight-to-video series from Warner Bros. Animation, which began in 1998 with Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. In Frankencreepy, Velma discovers that she has inherited a family castle that also comes with a curse.
Early in Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy, Velma Dinkley (Mindy Cohn) gets a call from Cuthbert Crawley (Kevin Michael Richardson), a lawyer. It seems that she has received an inheritance from her great-great-uncle, Basil Von Dinkenstein (Corey Burton) – property and a castle in the town of Transylvania, Pennsylvania.
However, Crawley informs Velma that the castle comes with the Dinkenstein family curse, which destroys what a person loves the most. Not long after that warning, the Ghost of the Baron (Corey Burton) makes his appearance, and something beloved by the Mystery Inc. gang is destroyed. Never ones to ignore a mystery, Fred Jones (Frank Welker), Daphne Blake (Grey DeLisle), Shaggy Rogers (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo (Frank Welker) join Velma and travel to the strange village of Transylvania, where angry villagers and a bizarre creature await them.
Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is not only one of the best Scooby-Doo direct-to-DVD films; it is also one of the best Scooby-Doo cartoons ever. The superb script by James Krieg recalls the first Scooby-Doo series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969-1970), both in spirit and in deed. Frankencreepy is an homage to the classic, original Scooby-Doo, but it is also a modernization that stays true to what is beloved about this franchise. The story is also a breath of fresh air for this direct-to-DVD franchise, in that it makes the characters do unexpected things. The mystery at the center of the film is both executed and solved in surprising fashion.
Frankencreepy has a striking visual aesthetic that also harkens back to “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” with an art deco twist. The backgrounds, village, Von Dinkenstein castle, interiors, etc. recall the classic animation art of Looney Tunes masters, Chuck Jones, Maurice Noble, and Phillip DeGuard. The animation almost seems like the cartoons of Charles Addams brought to life. Frankencreepy is truly one of the most beautiful animated films that is not also a major feature film production.
Obviously, I am crazy about this Scooby-Doo movie. Director Paul McEvoy keeps the story moving with an occasional offbeat moment or pace that assures that no one will think Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is just another Scooby-Doo cartoon. I would like the creative team behind this movie give us at least one more Scooby-Doo movie.
9 of 10
A+
Saturday, October 4, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of September 28th to October 4th, 2014 - Update #14
NEWS:
From EntertainmentWeekly: Thandie Newton and Melissa George added to NBC's "The Slap."
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From YahooTV: Ben Affleck spars with Bill Maher over Islam.
----------------
From YahooCelebrity: A rare photo of Vince Vaughn and his wife, Kyla Webber, out in public.
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From TheHollywoodReporter: Leo won't play Steve Jobs.
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From EntertainmentWeekly: Adam Sandler to produce four movies exclusively for Netflix.
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From EntertainmentWeekly: A nearly 100-year-old, silent film version of Sherlock Holmes was found in France a few weeks ago.
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From YahooTV: The accident that nearly killed Tracy Morgan... is his fault, says Wal-Mart.
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From YahooCelebrity: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin make their marriage official.
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From TheWrap: Denzel Washington's new film, The Equalizer (directed by Antoine Fuqua), debuted at #1 at the box office for the weekend of September 26 to 28, 2014 with an estimated take of $35 million dollars. This contiues Washington's string of solid openings.
From TheWrap: 5 Reasons why Washington's The Equalizer exploded at the box office.
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From the Examiner: A short article about Chris Nolan's highly-anticipated film, Interstellar.
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From CinemaBlend: New set photos from Interstellar.
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From the Examiner: Ridley Scott being vague about "Prometheus 2" and "Blade Runner 2."
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From YahooTV: See the Chris Pratt "Saturday Night Live Sketch" about Marvel movies.
COMIC BOOKS - Movies and Books:
From TheHollywoodReporter: Joaquin Phoenix has apparently bowed out of negotiations about playing Doctor Strange for Marvel.
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From YahooStyle: A Batman t-shirt that is available at Wal-Mart is raising all kinds of hell.
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From CinemaBlend: "Agent Carter" is ABC's television spinoff of the Captain America film franchise. Dominic Cooper, who played Howard Stark (Tony Stark/Iron Man's father), is the first Captain America film, will reprise his Howard Stark role on the series. At this point, it is unsure if Cooper will appear in a guest spot or in a recurring role.
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From Vulture: The fantastic Miles Teller says that the "Fantastic Four" reboot (due June 2015) will be a much more realistic Fantastic Four.
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From the Examiner: Rumors about "Avengers 3" being split into 2 movies.
STAR WARS:
From YahooNews: New Episode 7 rumors about characters and plot details.
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From YahooMovies: Who is the best Star Wars villain.
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From YahooMovies: Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher reunite in Los Angeles. See Hamill's shaggy beard.
INTERVIEWS:
From the WSJ: Marvel's Jason Aaron tells the Wall Street Journal why he made Thor a woman.
TRAILERS:
From 20th Century Fox: The debut trailer for Tak3n.
From 20th Century Fox: New Exodus: Gode & Kings trailer.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Barry Levinson's "The Humbling" to Premiere at 2014 Austin Film Festival
Austin Film Festival’s Opening Night Selections to Include Richard LaGravenese Presenting The Last 5 Years and the US Premiere of The Humbling
Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari to Present Rosewater as 2014 Closing Night Film
Edward Zwick to Receive “Extraordinary Contribution to Film” Award
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Austin Film Festival (October 23-30), the premier film festival recognizing writers’ and filmmakers’ contributions to film, television and new media, released their 2014 Opening Night and Closing Night selections, their Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award Recipient, and new programming announcements.
The Opening Night Film will feature the US Premiere of Barry Levinson’s The Humbling on Thursday, October 23rd, based on the Philip Roth novel, starring Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig.
Also kicking off AFF’s 21st anniversary, writer/director Richard LaGravenese will present the Jason Robert Brown musical adaptation of The Last 5 Years starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.
Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari will present Stewart's directorial debut, Rosewater, as the Closing Night Selection on Thursday, October 30th.
Edward Zwick will accept the Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award at the 2014 Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon, held at the Austin Club. Previous honorees have included Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Oliver Stone, Sydney Pollack, and John Lasseter.
Zwick’s directorial credits feature About Last Night, Courage Under Fire, The Siege, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Defiance and Love & Other Drugs, and the Academy® Award winning films Glory and Legends of the Fall. Producing credits include I Am Sam, Traffic, and Shakespeare in Love. Zwick most recently directed and produced Pawn Sacrifice.
Luke Wilson joins the 2014 Retrospective series, presenting The Pope of Greenwich Village alongside his short film Satellite Beach, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.
Scott Haze will present The Sound and the Fury, James Franco’s adaptation of the William Faulkner novel.
Austin Film Festival’s annual staged script-reading will feature the comedy Flarsky, by Dan Sterling (writer The Office, Girls, The Interview) in a live event co-presented by The Black List on Sunday, October 26th.
The full Film and Conference schedule is live on the AFF website, www.austinfilmfestival.com.
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
AFF is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, City of Austin Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by calling 1-800-310-FEST.
AFF’s 2014 partnerships include Austin Film Society (in association with Rosewater), AGLIFF, OnStory, Texas Book Festival, Harry Ransom Center, Houston Cinema Arts Society, The New Movement, The Wittliff Collections, and many more.
Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari to Present Rosewater as 2014 Closing Night Film
Edward Zwick to Receive “Extraordinary Contribution to Film” Award
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Austin Film Festival (October 23-30), the premier film festival recognizing writers’ and filmmakers’ contributions to film, television and new media, released their 2014 Opening Night and Closing Night selections, their Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award Recipient, and new programming announcements.
The Opening Night Film will feature the US Premiere of Barry Levinson’s The Humbling on Thursday, October 23rd, based on the Philip Roth novel, starring Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig.
Also kicking off AFF’s 21st anniversary, writer/director Richard LaGravenese will present the Jason Robert Brown musical adaptation of The Last 5 Years starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.
Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari will present Stewart's directorial debut, Rosewater, as the Closing Night Selection on Thursday, October 30th.
Edward Zwick will accept the Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award at the 2014 Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon, held at the Austin Club. Previous honorees have included Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Oliver Stone, Sydney Pollack, and John Lasseter.
Zwick’s directorial credits feature About Last Night, Courage Under Fire, The Siege, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Defiance and Love & Other Drugs, and the Academy® Award winning films Glory and Legends of the Fall. Producing credits include I Am Sam, Traffic, and Shakespeare in Love. Zwick most recently directed and produced Pawn Sacrifice.
Luke Wilson joins the 2014 Retrospective series, presenting The Pope of Greenwich Village alongside his short film Satellite Beach, which he wrote, directed, and starred in.
Scott Haze will present The Sound and the Fury, James Franco’s adaptation of the William Faulkner novel.
Austin Film Festival’s annual staged script-reading will feature the comedy Flarsky, by Dan Sterling (writer The Office, Girls, The Interview) in a live event co-presented by The Black List on Sunday, October 26th.
The full Film and Conference schedule is live on the AFF website, www.austinfilmfestival.com.
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
AFF is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, City of Austin Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by calling 1-800-310-FEST.
AFF’s 2014 partnerships include Austin Film Society (in association with Rosewater), AGLIFF, OnStory, Texas Book Festival, Harry Ransom Center, Houston Cinema Arts Society, The New Movement, The Wittliff Collections, and many more.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
"Interstellar" Gets an Early IMAX Release - Wednesday, November 5th, 2014
Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” on Film November 5th, Two Days Before Its Wide Release
Tickets Are Now on Sale
HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that the highly anticipated “INTERSTELLAR” from Christopher Nolan will be released in 70mm IMAX® film, 70mm film and 35mm film formats on Wednesday, November 5th, two days ahead of its nationwide release. The advance showings will play in select theaters in more than 225 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
“From IMAX to traditional film and digital projection, we are pleased that audiences will have the opportunity to see this awe-inspiring film in a wide variety of formats and we are very excited to be making the film available 2-days early for moviegoers.”
“To see Christopher Nolan’s ‘INTERSTELLAR’ on the big screen is an unforgettable movie going experience,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. “From IMAX to traditional film and digital projection, we are pleased that audiences will have the opportunity to see this awe-inspiring film in a wide variety of formats and we are very excited to be making the film available 2-days early for moviegoers."
“INTERSTELLAR” was shot using a combination of 35mm anamorphic film and 65mm IMAX film to maximize the crispness and clarity of the image and give the audience a truly cinematic and immersive experience. These advance engagements highlight those theaters presenting “INTERSTELLAR” in its native formats.
On Wednesday, November 5th, 2014, “INTERSTELLAR” opens in the following film formats:
- Select IMAX theaters will be offering The IMAX Experience® featuring 15 perf/70mm film projection which combines the brightest, clearest images at almost 10 times the resolution of standard projection formats, with powerful, laser-aligned digital sound and customized theatre geometry to create the world's most immersive movie experience. Select sequences will expand to fill the entire screen and will deliver unprecedented crispness and clarity.
- INTERSTELLAR in the 70mm film format offers brighter, clearer image, with three times the resolution of standard projection formats, using the process of projecting light through celluloid to deliver clear images in rich analog color with state-of-the-art digital sound.
- The 35mm film presentations project light through the 35mm frame to deliver clear, high resolution images with rich analog color combined with state-of-the-art digital sound in most locations.
Tickets for these advance showings on November 5th are available today at https://interstellar.withgoogle.com and at participating theater box offices. Tickets are also available for the nationwide release on Friday, November 7th, 2014, when “INTERSTELLAR” opens in theaters everywhere including its digital engagements:
- IMAX digital projection uses dual projectors with sub-pixel alignment to produce clear, high contrast images with powerful, laser-aligned digital sound and customized theatre geometry, creating the world's most immersive digital movie experience. Select sequences will expand to fill the entire screen.
- The film in 4K digital projection produces a clear, bright, high resolution image with absolute stability and cleanliness, combined with uncompressed digital sound for a powerful movie-going experience.
- Digital projection presents a clear, bright, stable image that never degrades in terms of cleanliness or fidelity and uses uncompressed digital sound for a powerful movie-going experience.
“INTERSTELLAR” stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, John Lithgow and Michael Caine. With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; traveling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars. Directed by Christopher Nolan, written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, and produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Lynda Obst.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA) (NASDAQ: VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Warner Bros. Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures meets worldwide tastes and demands with a diverse mix of filmed entertainment and is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films. The International Division operates offices in 24 countries and releases films in over 125 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures. Internationally, the Studio has been the market leader in six of the last 13 years, having surpassed $1 billion in grosses a total of 15 years, 12 of which were consecutive years, and crossed $2 billion five times, including 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
A Negromancer October 2014
Happy Halloween 2014! It's October 2014! Welcome to Negromancer 2.0. This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
"Magic Mike" Sequel Begins Production; Due July 1st, 2015
“Magic Mike XXL” Takes Center Stage
Production on Sequel Begins September 29 with Returning Cast, Plus New Stars, for Director Gregory Jacobs
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Magic Mike” stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias are reuniting for the hotly anticipated sequel “Magic Mike XXL,” beginning production on September 29th, for director Gregory Jacobs. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
“‘Magic Mike’ was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, scoring with critics and audiences across the board. We look forward to continuing the magic with so many of the talented individuals who made that film such a success—both in front of and behind the camera—and welcome these wonderful additions to the cast.”
Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, will be Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” franchise), Donald Glover (“Community”), Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”).
“Magic Mike XXL” is set for release on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.
The new film will be directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs (“Behind the Candelabra”), who served as a producer on “Magic Mike,” as well as numerous features in a long-running collaboration with Steven Soderbergh. “Magic Mike XXL” also reunites “Magic Mike” producers Nick Wechsler, Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, with a screenplay by Carolin. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the first film, will executive produce.
Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “‘Magic Mike’ was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, scoring with critics and audiences across the board. We look forward to continuing the magic with so many of the talented individuals who made that film such a success—both in front of and behind the camera—and welcome these wonderful additions to the cast.”
Stated Kroll, “‘Magic Mike’ delighted audiences everywhere with a fun and fascinating glimpse into a world few people ever see, becoming both a critical and commercial triumph. We’re thrilled to bring these memorable characters back to the big screen, along with some exciting new ones, in a story that will take them even further.”
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Production on Sequel Begins September 29 with Returning Cast, Plus New Stars, for Director Gregory Jacobs
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Magic Mike” stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias are reuniting for the hotly anticipated sequel “Magic Mike XXL,” beginning production on September 29th, for director Gregory Jacobs. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
“‘Magic Mike’ was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, scoring with critics and audiences across the board. We look forward to continuing the magic with so many of the talented individuals who made that film such a success—both in front of and behind the camera—and welcome these wonderful additions to the cast.”
Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, will be Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” franchise), Donald Glover (“Community”), Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”).
“Magic Mike XXL” is set for release on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.
The new film will be directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs (“Behind the Candelabra”), who served as a producer on “Magic Mike,” as well as numerous features in a long-running collaboration with Steven Soderbergh. “Magic Mike XXL” also reunites “Magic Mike” producers Nick Wechsler, Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, with a screenplay by Carolin. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the first film, will executive produce.
Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “‘Magic Mike’ was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, scoring with critics and audiences across the board. We look forward to continuing the magic with so many of the talented individuals who made that film such a success—both in front of and behind the camera—and welcome these wonderful additions to the cast.”
Stated Kroll, “‘Magic Mike’ delighted audiences everywhere with a fun and fascinating glimpse into a world few people ever see, becoming both a critical and commercial triumph. We’re thrilled to bring these memorable characters back to the big screen, along with some exciting new ones, in a story that will take them even further.”
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Monday, September 29, 2014
Emma Watson's United Nations Speech "We Want to End Gender Inequality..."
(photographic image is courtesy of UN Women.)
From The Huffington Post and Reader Supported News:
The following is an unedited version of the speech delivered by Emma Watson, the British actor and UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, at the launch of the UN Women's "HeForShe" Campaign on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
'We Want to End Gender Inequality - And to Do That We Need Everyone to Be Involved'
By Emma Watson, Reader Supported News
Today we are launching a campaign called HeForShe.
I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality - and to do that we need everyone to be involved.
This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanise as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. And we don't just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible.
I was appointed six months ago and the more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realised that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.
For the record, feminism by definition is: "The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes."
I started questioning gender-based assumptions when at eight I was confused at being called "bossy," because I wanted to direct the plays we would put on for our parents - but the boys were not.
When at 14 I started being sexualised by certain elements of the press.
When at 15 my girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn't want to appear "muscly."
When at 18 my male friends were unable to express their feelings.
I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.
Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive.
Why is the word such an uncomfortable one?
I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.
No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality.
These rights I consider to be human rights but I am one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn't love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn't assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that made who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are. And we need more of those. And if you still hate the word - it is not the word that is important but the idea and the ambition behind it. Because not all women have been afforded the same rights that I have. In fact, statistically, very few have been.
In 1997, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women's rights. Sadly many of the things she wanted to change are still a reality today.
But what stood out for me the most was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?
Men - I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.
Because to date, I've seen my father's role as a parent being valued less by society despite my needing his presence as a child as much as my mother's.
I've seen young men suffering from mental illness unable to ask for help for fear it would make them look less "macho" - in fact in the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20-49; eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I've seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don't have the benefits of equality either.
We don't often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes but I can see that that they are and that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence.
If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted women won't feel compelled to be submissive. If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled.
Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong... It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.
If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are - can all be freer and this is what HeForShe is about. It's about freedom.
I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too - reclaim those parts of themselves they abandoned and in doing so be a more true and complete version of themselves.
You might be thinking who is this Harry Potter girl? And what is she doing up on stage at the UN. It's a good question and trust me I have been asking myself the same thing. I don't know if I am qualified to be here. All I know is that I care about this problem. And I want to make it better.
And having seen what I've seen - and given the chance - I feel it is my duty to say something. English statesman Edmund Burke said: "All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough good men and women to do nothing."
In my nervousness for this speech and in my moments of doubt I've told myself firmly - if not me, who, if not now, when. If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you I hope those words might be helpful.
Because the reality is that if we do nothing it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly a hundred before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work. 15.5million girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. And at current rates it won't be until 2086 before all rural African girls will be able to receive a secondary education.
If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists I spoke of earlier. And for this I applaud you.
We are struggling for a uniting word but the good news is we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen to speak up, To be the he for she. And to ask yourself if not me, who, if not now when.
Thank you.
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Saturday, September 27, 2014
Review: "The Act of Killing" Delves into Mass Murder and Mass Murderers
The Act of Killing (2012)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Denmark/Norway/UK
Running time: 122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)
DIRECTOR: Joshua Oppenheimer with Christine Cynn and Anonymous
PRODUCERS: Christine Cynn, Anne Kohncke,Signe Byrge Sorense, Joram ten Brink, Michael Uwemedimo, and Anonymous
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Carlos Arango De Montis, Lars Skree, and Anonymous
EDITORS: Niels Pagh Andersen, Erik Andersson, Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, Ariadna Fatjo-Vilas Mestre, Janus Billeskov Jansen, and Mariko Montpetit
Academy Award nominee
DOCUMENTARY – History
Starring: Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, Ibrahim Sinik, Yapto Soerjosomarno, Adi Zulkadry, Soaduon Siregar, and Sakhyan Asmara
The Act of Killing is a 2012 documentary film from director Joshua Oppenheimer. A co-production of Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom, the film concerns the Indonesian killings of 1965-66. In The Act of Killing, former Indonesian death-squad leaders reenact the mass-killings in which they participated by imitating their favorite Hollywood films. Acclaimed filmmakers, Werner Herzog and Oscar-winner Errol Morris, are executive producers of this film.
The genesis of the story told by The Act of Killing began in Indonesia in October 1965. There is an intra-military dispute that leads to a failed coup. The army overthrows the government. It then uses paramilitaries and gangsters to form death squads to lead an anti-communist purge of Indonesia. Anyone opposed to the new government could be accused of being a communist, and that included union members, landless farmers, intellectuals, and ethnic Chinese (according the the film's foreword).
From 1965 to 1966, death squads killed people, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The Act of Killing's director, Joshua Oppenheimer, places the number of deaths between one to three million people. An accurate count of the actual number of deaths may never be known.
Oppenheimer and Christine Cynn began researching the Indonesian killings of 1965-66 over a decade ago. Eventually, interviews Oppenheimer conducted led him to Anwar Congo, who had been a “movie theater gangster,” selling black market movie theater tickets to popular Hollywood films showing in Indonesia. Congo and his partner, Adi Zulkadry, were promoted from gangsters to leaders of one of the most powerful death squads in the North Sumatra region of Indonesia.
Invited by Oppenheimer, Congo and his friends, especially a man named Herman Koto, recount and reenact their experiences killing people for the cameras. The idea is to turn their memories into a movie in which scenes of torture and murder mimic their favorite Hollywood films. However, the more he recollects his murderous deeds, the more Anwar is haunted by nightmares and guilt.
The word “shocking” is overused, but The Act of Killing is shocking. The matter-of-fact and nonchalant way in which the death squad killers recall their murderous work can be off-putting. The film takes the concept of the banality of evil and makes it mind-numbing. The Hollywood-style reenactments of interrogation, torture, and murder are a collision of the absurd and the god-awful that could lead the audience to eye-rolling... that is when they aren't being repulsed and infuriated.
The problem for The Act of Killing is that after an hour of watching, all these recollections of the acts of killing become tedious. At just over two hours in length, The Act of Killing is about a half-hour too long. Honestly, I can see why some people think of this as a great film. I think it tells a hugely important story, and the result is harrowing and intense. I think it is an exceptional film and an important document (as far as documentaries go), but is it truly great? ... not quite.
8 of 10
A
Friday, September 26, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
NOTES:
2014 Academy Awards, USA: 1 nomination: “Best Documentary, Features” (Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen)
2014 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Documentary” (Joshua Oppenheimer); 1 nomination: “Best Film not in the English Language” (Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen)
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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of September 21st to September 27th, 2014 - Update #16
NEWS:
From YahooTV: Information about some of the characters in the still-in-development Walking Dead spinoff.
From YahooCelebrity: George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin today, Saturday, September 27, 2014, in Italy. The marriage will be made official in a civil ceremony on Monday.
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From YahooTV: "Gilligan's Island" is 50-years-old today.
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From YahooScreen: Apparently, there will be a third installment of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. I don't like this movie, but strangely, I really loved Evan Dorkin's comic book adaptation of the film for Marvel Comics.
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From InsideMovies: Famously (infamously) reclusive writer, Thomas Pynchon, may make a cameo in Paul Thomas Anderson's film adaptation of his novel, Inherent Vice.
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From CinemaBlend: "Taken 3" gets a new title, Tak3n... seriously.
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From CinemaBlend: A story about Kenan Thompson of "Saturday Night Live" and "What Up With That?"
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From YahooNews: Will Smith posts cute birthday pic of he and and wife, Jada.
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From UPI: Oscar-nominated actress, Kate Hudson, claims that she and mother, Oscar-winning legend, Goldie Hawn, can see ghosts.
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From YahooCelebrity: Emma Watson, of Harry Potter fame, delivers a stirring speech on gender equality before the United Nations on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
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From TheHollywoodReporter: New release, The Maze Runner, wins the September 19th to 21st, 2014 weekend box office with an estimated take of $32.5 million.
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From the HuffingtonPost: Idris Elba's tale of the vampire Nic Cage.
COMICS BOOKS - Books and Films:
From TheMotleyFool: Five things you might not know about "Batman Vs. Superman."
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From Inquisitr: "Batman vs. Superman" cast member, Henry Lennix, says that fans of Frank Miller's seminal Batman graphic novel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, will be pleased about the 2016 film.
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From Vulture: Bryan Singer will direct "X-Men: Apocalypse" and an update on his legal trouble.
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From CinemaBlend: If he is in "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice," what will Aquaman look like.
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From YahooTV: TV Guide on what works and doesn't work in "Gotham" (FOX affiliates - 8 Eastern/7Central, but check your local listings).
STAR WARS:
From Inquisitr: Episode 7 concept art reveals a light sabre duel in a snowy forest
From CinemaBlend: Storm Troopers may have a new look in Episode 7.
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From IBTimes: Five villains who may be in Episode 7.
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From /Film: Roger Moore, James Bond and The Saint, talks about his Star Wars Episode 7 set visit.
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS:
From The Hollywood Reporter via YahooMovies: Richard Gere talks about playing a homeless man in "Time Out of Mind.
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From YahooTV: A review of Episode 1 of Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 22
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From TheVillageVoice: An interview of Terry Gilliam for the release of his new film, Zero Theorem.
TRAILERS:
From 20th Century Fox: New trailer for Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
"Hercules" Starring Dwayne Johnson on DVD and Blu-ray November 4th, 2014
Dwayne Johnson Stars in the Rollicking, Action-Packed Epic HERCULES, Debuting on Blu-Ray™ & Blu-Ray 3D™ Combo Pack November 4, 2014 with Theatrical and Extended Cut
“Dwayne Johnson was born for this role.” —Scott Bowles, USA Today
HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Fast-paced and packed with eye-popping action” (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News), Paramount Pictures’ and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ wildly entertaining epic adventure HERCULES debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and DVD November 4, 2014 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD October 21. Global superstar Dwayne Johnson delivers an unforgettable performance as the mighty Hercules in this thrilling story of strength, courage and heroism. When a terrifying new enemy threatens the innocent, Hercules and his fearless team of warriors must lead their army in a battle against overwhelming odds. HERCULES boasts a sensational cast of acclaimed actors including Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Joseph Fiennes (TV’s “American Horror Story”), Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist), and John Hurt (Immortals).
The HERCULES Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Combo Packs with Digital HD include both the theatrical version of the film, as well as an extended cut (in 2D only) with exciting new action not seen in theaters. The sets also boast over an hour of in-depth, behind-the-scenes special features including 15 deleted and extended scenes, interviews with the cast and crew, a look at the weapons employed by Hercules and his team, commentary featuring director Brett Ratner and more.
HERCULES Blu-ray Combo Pack
The theatrical version of HERCULES on Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:
Blu-ray
Theatrical version in high definition
Commentary by director Brett Ratner and producer Beau Flynn
Extended cut in high definition
Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson: An Introduction
Hercules and his Mercenaries—Delve into the story behind the team assembled by Hercules for his perilous missions and the skills required of them.
Weapons!—Exploration of the weapons created for the spectacular action scenes, including training with the actors.
The Bessi Battle—Discover how one of the major action sequences of the film was created with the filmmakers, actors, stunt team, make-up effects and more.
The Effects of Hercules—A behind-the-scenes look at the film’s spectacular visual effects.
15 Deleted/Extended Scenes
DVD
Theatrical version in standard definition
HERCULES Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack includes all of the above, as well as a Blu-ray 3D with the theatrical version of the film presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.
HERCULES Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes the theatrical version of the feature film in standard definition.
http://www.MightyHercules.com/
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/HerculesMovie
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Hercules
Tumblr: http://Hercules.Tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/HerculesMovie
iTunes: http://j.mp/iTunesHerculesMovie
Amazon: http://j.mp/BuyHercules
Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures present a Flynn Picture Company production in association with Radical Studios a Brett Ratner film: “Hercules.” Executive produced by Ross Fanger, Jesse Berger, Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey. Produced by Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Brett Ratner. Based on Radical Comics' 'Hercules' by Steve Moore. Screenplay by Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos. Directed by Brett Ratner.
About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.
HERCULES
Street Date:
November 4, 2014 (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD)
October 21, 2014 (Digital)
SRP:
$49.99 U.S. (Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack)
$39.99 U.S. (Blu-ray Combo Pack)
$29.99 U.S. (DVD)
Runtime:
98 minutes (theatrical version)
101 minutes (extended version)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for epic battle sequences, violence, suggestive comments, brief strong language and partial nudity
Canadian Rating: 14A for violence; not recommended for children
----------------------------------------
“Dwayne Johnson was born for this role.” —Scott Bowles, USA Today
HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Fast-paced and packed with eye-popping action” (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News), Paramount Pictures’ and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ wildly entertaining epic adventure HERCULES debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and DVD November 4, 2014 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital HD October 21. Global superstar Dwayne Johnson delivers an unforgettable performance as the mighty Hercules in this thrilling story of strength, courage and heroism. When a terrifying new enemy threatens the innocent, Hercules and his fearless team of warriors must lead their army in a battle against overwhelming odds. HERCULES boasts a sensational cast of acclaimed actors including Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Joseph Fiennes (TV’s “American Horror Story”), Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist), and John Hurt (Immortals).
The HERCULES Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Combo Packs with Digital HD include both the theatrical version of the film, as well as an extended cut (in 2D only) with exciting new action not seen in theaters. The sets also boast over an hour of in-depth, behind-the-scenes special features including 15 deleted and extended scenes, interviews with the cast and crew, a look at the weapons employed by Hercules and his team, commentary featuring director Brett Ratner and more.
HERCULES Blu-ray Combo Pack
The theatrical version of HERCULES on Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:
Blu-ray
Theatrical version in high definition
Commentary by director Brett Ratner and producer Beau Flynn
Extended cut in high definition
Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson: An Introduction
Hercules and his Mercenaries—Delve into the story behind the team assembled by Hercules for his perilous missions and the skills required of them.
Weapons!—Exploration of the weapons created for the spectacular action scenes, including training with the actors.
The Bessi Battle—Discover how one of the major action sequences of the film was created with the filmmakers, actors, stunt team, make-up effects and more.
The Effects of Hercules—A behind-the-scenes look at the film’s spectacular visual effects.
15 Deleted/Extended Scenes
DVD
Theatrical version in standard definition
HERCULES Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack includes all of the above, as well as a Blu-ray 3D with the theatrical version of the film presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.
HERCULES Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes the theatrical version of the feature film in standard definition.
http://www.MightyHercules.com/
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/HerculesMovie
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Hercules
Tumblr: http://Hercules.Tumblr.com/
YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/HerculesMovie
iTunes: http://j.mp/iTunesHerculesMovie
Amazon: http://j.mp/BuyHercules
Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures present a Flynn Picture Company production in association with Radical Studios a Brett Ratner film: “Hercules.” Executive produced by Ross Fanger, Jesse Berger, Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey. Produced by Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Brett Ratner. Based on Radical Comics' 'Hercules' by Steve Moore. Screenplay by Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos. Directed by Brett Ratner.
About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.
HERCULES
Street Date:
November 4, 2014 (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD)
October 21, 2014 (Digital)
SRP:
$49.99 U.S. (Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack)
$39.99 U.S. (Blu-ray Combo Pack)
$29.99 U.S. (DVD)
Runtime:
98 minutes (theatrical version)
101 minutes (extended version)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for epic battle sequences, violence, suggestive comments, brief strong language and partial nudity
Canadian Rating: 14A for violence; not recommended for children
----------------------------------------
Robin Williams Dead at 63 - Breaking... Update #10
Robin Williams, the stand-up comic, television actor, and acclaimed hit-making big screen actor, has died at the age of 63. He was found in his home and apparently had been battling depression lately.
Williams was known for his comedic and dramatic turns in film - performing in films as diverse as Walt Disney's Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire to Awakenings and What Dreams My Come. He received best actor Oscar nominations: Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and The Fisher King. He won the best supporting actor Oscar for Good Will Hunting (1997).
Williams was a writer and performer on "The Richard Pryor Show" (1977). His breakout role was as the alien "Mork" for four seasons on the ABC sitcom, "Mork & Mindy," for which he earned an Emmy nomination.
In addition to his Oscar, Williams won two Emmy Awards and several Golden Globe and Grammy Awards.
Williams is survived by a wife and three children. Negromancer sends condolences to Mr. Williams' family and friends. R.I.P. Robin Williams.
LINKS:
From YahooNews: Matt Damon: Ben and I owe everything to him (Robin Williams)...
From UPI: PBS is broadcasting a Robin Williams tribute special. Williams' "Mork & Mindy" costar, Pam Dawber, will guest star on that special.
From YahooNews: Actress Mila Kunis shares advice Robin Williams gave her.
From The Washington Post via RSN: Frenetic, Often Fearless
From YahooMovies: Other "Genie" voice actor has a tribute to Williams.
From YahooGames: Nintendo responds to petition to include Robin Williams tribute in Zelda game
From FOXNews: "Mork and Mindy" star Pam Dawber, other celebs react to the news of Robin Williams' death
From Entertainment Weekly's InsideMovies: Robin Williams: sober and battling Parkinson's, according to wife
From Today: Michael J. Fox "stunned" to learn Robin Williams had Parkinson's
From Today: Robin Williams was struggling with early Parkinson's, wife say.
From Variety: Police: Robin Williams' Death Due to Hanging
From YahooFinance: Robin Williams Set Up a 3-Part Trust Fund for His Kids Amid Money Troubles
From YahooSports: Robin Williams was the first male Denver Broncos cheerleader
From YahooCelebrity: The Children of Robin Williams Remember Dad
From InContention: We might have Robin Williams to thank for Jessica Chastain.
From YahooTV: Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg give the most eloquent reaction to Robin Williams' death.
From Collider: R.I.P. Robins Williams, Legendary Comic and Actor at 63
From Deadline: Singular Talent Robin Williams Commits Suicide at Age 63
From EW InsideMovies: Robin Williams Dead at 63
From The Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo: Robin Williams Died of Suspected Suicide
From Variety: Robin Williams Found Dead in Possible Suicide
Robin Williams' Wikipedia page is here.
Robin Williams' IMDb page is here.
Williams was known for his comedic and dramatic turns in film - performing in films as diverse as Walt Disney's Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire to Awakenings and What Dreams My Come. He received best actor Oscar nominations: Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and The Fisher King. He won the best supporting actor Oscar for Good Will Hunting (1997).
Williams was a writer and performer on "The Richard Pryor Show" (1977). His breakout role was as the alien "Mork" for four seasons on the ABC sitcom, "Mork & Mindy," for which he earned an Emmy nomination.
In addition to his Oscar, Williams won two Emmy Awards and several Golden Globe and Grammy Awards.
Williams is survived by a wife and three children. Negromancer sends condolences to Mr. Williams' family and friends. R.I.P. Robin Williams.
LINKS:
From YahooNews: Matt Damon: Ben and I owe everything to him (Robin Williams)...
From UPI: PBS is broadcasting a Robin Williams tribute special. Williams' "Mork & Mindy" costar, Pam Dawber, will guest star on that special.
From YahooNews: Actress Mila Kunis shares advice Robin Williams gave her.
From The Washington Post via RSN: Frenetic, Often Fearless
From YahooMovies: Other "Genie" voice actor has a tribute to Williams.
From YahooGames: Nintendo responds to petition to include Robin Williams tribute in Zelda game
From FOXNews: "Mork and Mindy" star Pam Dawber, other celebs react to the news of Robin Williams' death
From Entertainment Weekly's InsideMovies: Robin Williams: sober and battling Parkinson's, according to wife
From Today: Michael J. Fox "stunned" to learn Robin Williams had Parkinson's
From Today: Robin Williams was struggling with early Parkinson's, wife say.
From Variety: Police: Robin Williams' Death Due to Hanging
From YahooFinance: Robin Williams Set Up a 3-Part Trust Fund for His Kids Amid Money Troubles
From YahooSports: Robin Williams was the first male Denver Broncos cheerleader
From YahooCelebrity: The Children of Robin Williams Remember Dad
From InContention: We might have Robin Williams to thank for Jessica Chastain.
From YahooTV: Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg give the most eloquent reaction to Robin Williams' death.
From Collider: R.I.P. Robins Williams, Legendary Comic and Actor at 63
From Deadline: Singular Talent Robin Williams Commits Suicide at Age 63
From EW InsideMovies: Robin Williams Dead at 63
From The Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo: Robin Williams Died of Suspected Suicide
From Variety: Robin Williams Found Dead in Possible Suicide
Robin Williams' Wikipedia page is here.
Robin Williams' IMDb page is here.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
EPIX Documentary, "To Russia with Love," Explores World of LGBT Athletes
EPIX Original Documentary To Russia with Love Explores LGBT Human Rights Journey as Seen Through Athletes’ Experience -- Premieres October 29 at 8PM ET
Featuring Johnny Weir, Billie Jean King, Greg Louganis, Jason Collins and Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tewksbury
Golden Globe & Emmy Award Winner Jane Lynch Narrates
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium entertainment network EPIX announced today that Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“Glee”) will lend her voice to the EPIX Original Documentary, To Russia With Love, that will make its World Premiere Wednesday, October 29 at 8PM ET. To Russia with Love explores human rights through the lens of LGBT athletes, with iconoclastic athlete and commentator Johnny Weir serving as the viewers’ guide into this world. The 90 minute film examines the experiences of Olympic legends Billie Jean King and Greg Louganis as well as the next generation of LGBT athletes who participated in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Shooting worldwide in locations as diverse as Sochi, New York City, Calgary, Toronto, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the film follows these athletes from the ice to the slopes as they bear the brunt of constant media questioning about Russia's anti-gay laws.
In addition to Olympic sports legends, 2014 Olympians and Olympic hopefuls included in the film are snowboarders Belle Brockhoff and Simona Meiler, speed skaters Anastasia Bucsis and Blake Skjellerup, four-time gold medal winning hockey player Charline Labonté, as well as notable sports personalities such as Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations and USA Hockey personnel director Brian Burke, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Mark Tewksbury and Russian Open Games’ Konstantin Yablotskiy and Elvina Yuvakaeva. To Russia With Love also features interviews and commentary from David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, Golden Globe-nominated actor and activist Stephen Fry and the Brooklyn Nets’ Jason Collins.
To Russia With Love is an EPIX Original Documentary, produced by Sundance Productions. Noam Gonick is director; Howard Gertler (Oscar®nominee, How to Survive a Plague) and Elle Flanders are producers and Emmy® winner Jennifer P. Honn is editor. Laura Michalchyshyn and Johnny Weir are executive producers and Laina Cohn is co-producer. Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart are executive producers for EPIX.
Join the conversation about #ToRussiaWithLove on Twitter http://Twitter.com/EpixHD, on Facebook http://Facebook.com/EPIX and on the EPIX webpage http://www.epix.com/to-russia-with-love.
About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and was the first premium network to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android tablets and phones, Windows 8.1 and Roku® players. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads® and iPhones® and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.
EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX).
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Featuring Johnny Weir, Billie Jean King, Greg Louganis, Jason Collins and Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tewksbury
Golden Globe & Emmy Award Winner Jane Lynch Narrates
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium entertainment network EPIX announced today that Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“Glee”) will lend her voice to the EPIX Original Documentary, To Russia With Love, that will make its World Premiere Wednesday, October 29 at 8PM ET. To Russia with Love explores human rights through the lens of LGBT athletes, with iconoclastic athlete and commentator Johnny Weir serving as the viewers’ guide into this world. The 90 minute film examines the experiences of Olympic legends Billie Jean King and Greg Louganis as well as the next generation of LGBT athletes who participated in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Shooting worldwide in locations as diverse as Sochi, New York City, Calgary, Toronto, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the film follows these athletes from the ice to the slopes as they bear the brunt of constant media questioning about Russia's anti-gay laws.
In addition to Olympic sports legends, 2014 Olympians and Olympic hopefuls included in the film are snowboarders Belle Brockhoff and Simona Meiler, speed skaters Anastasia Bucsis and Blake Skjellerup, four-time gold medal winning hockey player Charline Labonté, as well as notable sports personalities such as Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations and USA Hockey personnel director Brian Burke, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Mark Tewksbury and Russian Open Games’ Konstantin Yablotskiy and Elvina Yuvakaeva. To Russia With Love also features interviews and commentary from David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, Golden Globe-nominated actor and activist Stephen Fry and the Brooklyn Nets’ Jason Collins.
To Russia With Love is an EPIX Original Documentary, produced by Sundance Productions. Noam Gonick is director; Howard Gertler (Oscar®nominee, How to Survive a Plague) and Elle Flanders are producers and Emmy® winner Jennifer P. Honn is editor. Laura Michalchyshyn and Johnny Weir are executive producers and Laina Cohn is co-producer. Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart are executive producers for EPIX.
Join the conversation about #ToRussiaWithLove on Twitter http://Twitter.com/EpixHD, on Facebook http://Facebook.com/EPIX and on the EPIX webpage http://www.epix.com/to-russia-with-love.
About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and was the first premium network to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android tablets and phones, Windows 8.1 and Roku® players. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads® and iPhones® and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.
EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX).
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Disney Launches "Star Wars Rebels" Merchandise and Product Lines
Disney Consumer Products Extends Epic Storytelling with the Launch of Star Wars Rebels Product Assortment
GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Consumer Products has unveiled an intergalactic assortment of products celebrating the release of Star Wars Rebels, the new Disney XD animated television series which debuts October 3rd on Disney Channel and continues on Disney XD starting October 13th. With all new exciting adventures and memorable new characters, Star Wars Rebels will introduce a new generation of fans to the Star Wars galaxy, inspiring new lines of figures, spaceships and lightsabers, apparel and accessories, home décor, books and more from best-in-class licensees including Hasbro, LEGO, Mad Engine, Rubies and Jay Franco.
“Star Wars Rebels extends the franchise’s legendary storytelling while refreshing nostalgic play patterns with a new audience”
“Star Wars Rebels extends the franchise’s legendary storytelling while refreshing nostalgic play patterns with a new audience,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global licensing, Disney Consumer Products. "With updated classics like multi-functional lightsabers and buildable spacecraft, kids will be able to recreate the epic galactic space fantasy that has been shared by multiple generations.”
Star Wars Rebels is also supported by Disney Publishing Worldwide with a new book program and series of interactive mobile apps from Disney Lucasfilm Press which expand upon the Star Wars Rebels series. The first wave of Star Wars Rebels books includes Star Wars Rebels: A New Hero by Pablo Hidalgo, an action-packed picture book that uses dynamic concept art from the show, and Star Wars Rebels: Servants of the Empire, an original chapter book series written by Jason Fry. Star Wars Journeys, an episodic series of apps from Disney Publishing, will be updated this October to include the stories that lead up to the action-packed adventures in Star Wars Rebels. In early 2015, Star Wars Scene Maker: Rebels will launch to feature the locations and characters from the series, giving fans an unrivaled user-generated storytelling experience that allows them to re-imagine and re-create scenes from Star Wars Rebels.
In addition to the collection of Star Wars Rebels products available at Disney Store locations nationwide, DisneyStore.com will feature a “Create Your Own” tab that allows fans to personalize a variety of items from tech accessories and school supplies to apparel and party invitations that feature their favorite characters from Star Wars Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels is set between the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode VI: A New Hope. It is a dark time in the galaxy. The evil Galactic Empire has tightened its grip on the star systems and the noble Jedi Knights are nearly extinct. Star Wars Rebels follows the brave and clever ragtag crew of the starship Ghost -- street-smart hero Ezra, cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, Zeb, the muscle, explosives artist Sabine, and Chopper, the grumpy astromech droid – who embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
Highlights from the product line include:
Action Figures & Role-Play:
Star Wars Rebels Action Figures by Hasbro (MSRP: $5.99-9.99): Team up characters or pit them against each other with these awesome action figures, featuring heroes and villains from the new animated series, Star Wars Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels Inquisitor Lightsaber by Hasbro (MSRP: $29.99): The signature weapon of the fearsome new villain from Star Wars Rebels – the Inquisitor -- comes to life in toy form. Start the battle with a single blade, and then attach the second blade to the special hilt for three feet of double-bladed power. And, for the first time ever, launch the Force Disc for a long distance strike!
Star Wars Rebels The Ghost by LEGO (MSRP: $89.99): Get ready to battle the Empire with the rebel heroes’ awesome starship – the Ghost! The ship has plenty of weaponry on board with 2 spring-loaded shooters, storage for a spare missile and a lightsaber.
Apparel:
Star Wars Rebels Costumes by Rubies (MSRP: $21.99-29.99): Show your support for the Empire or rebels this Halloween season with costumes inspired by the Star Wars Rebels characters.
Star Wars Rebels Tees by Mad Engine (MSRP: $12.95): Demonstrate your allegiance to the rebel cause with character-inspired tees that feature a graffiti-inspired motif.
Star Wars Rebels PJ Pals by Disney Store ($16.95): He'll be sleeping under the stars every night wearing this comfy cotton PJ Pal set featuring favorite characters from the Star Wars Rebels animated series.
Decor:
Star Wars Rebels Defeat The Empire Bedding Set by Jay Franco (MSRP: $14.99-32.99): Head for bed with the coolest group of heroes in the galaxy! The set of sheets, pillowcases and comforter will inspire out-of-this-world dreams, while the Chopper decorated Pillowtime Pal adds extra comfort.
Star Wars Rebels Wall Decal by York Wallcoverings (MSRP: $15.99): Turn your bedroom into the rebels’ starship Ghost with removable wall decals of your favorite characters.
Star Wars Rebels Posters by Trends (MSRP: $5.00-8.00): Show your support for the Empire or rebels with these awesome propaganda posters that are inspired by the epic rivalry.
Accessories:
Star Wars Rebels Lunchbox & FUNtainer Bottle by Thermos (MSRP: $9.99-16.99): Carry around your lunch in style with the insulated Stormtrooper themed lunchbox and stainless steel FUNtainer hydration bottle.
Star Wars Rebels Vinyl Binder by Disney Store ($18.95): Create eye-catching Avery Custom Signature Binders for home or office, featuring the characters from Star Wars Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels Hera iPhone Case by Disney Store ($39.95): Protect your iPhone 4 or 5/5S with a customizable Barely There Case-Mate case. This form-fitting case covers the back and corners of your iPhone with an impact resistant, flexible plastic shell, while still providing access to all ports and buttons.
Star Wars Rebels Watch by MZB (MSRP: $19.99): Help your Jedi-in-training learn to tell time with this Stormtrooper themed stainless steel watch that features labeled hour and minute hands!
Star Wars Rebels Scooter by Huffy (MSRP: $39.99-89.99): Race to your next adventure in a Star Wars Rebels branded scooter! The orange aluminum scooter deck is fully wrapped with grip tape and printed with a scene from the new animated series!
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world's largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into consumers' homes with products they can enjoy year-round. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities: Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books, magazines, and digital products and also includes an English language learning business, consisting of over 40 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental learning book program. DPW's growing library of digital products includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps that leverage Disney content in innovative ways. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide and is known for providing consumers with high-quality, unique products. Disney's official shopping portals online are www.DisneyStore.com and www.DisneyStore.co.uk. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products www.DisneyConsumerProducts.com or follow us at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving, www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving, www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving and www.Pinterest.com/DisneyLiving and www.Instagram.com/DisneyLiving.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
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