Wednesday, December 31, 2008

UNIVERSAL PICTURES 2009


DUPLICITY
March 20, 2009


Oscar® winner Julia Roberts and Clive Owen reunite for Duplicity, from writer/director Tony Gilroy (seven-time Oscar®-nominated Michael Clayton). In the film, they star as spies-turned-corporate operatives in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes espionage game, they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much to trust the one you love.

CIA officer Claire Stenwick (Roberts) and MI6 agent Ray Koval (Owen) have left the world of government intelligence to cash in on the highly profitable cold war raging between two rival multinational corporations. Their mission? Secure the formula for a product that will bring a fortune to the company that patents it first.

For their employers—industry titan Howard Tully (Tom Wilkinson) and buccaneer CEO Dick Garsik (Paul Giamatti)— nothing is out of bounds. But as the stakes rise, the mystery deepens and the tactics get dirtier, the trickiest secret for Claire and Ray is their growing attraction. And as they each try to stay one double-cross ahead, two career loners find their schemes endangered by the only thing they can’t cheat their way out of: love.


FAST AND FURIOUS
April 3, 2009


Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed—Fast and Furious. Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert in the new high-octane action-thriller.

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Conner (Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.


STATE OF PLAY
April 17, 2009


Oscar® winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in an case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation’s most promising political and corporate figures in State of Play, from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).

Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party’s contender for the upcoming presidential race. Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.

McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar® winner Helen Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer’s identity, McCaffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation’s power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is ever safe.


WILD CHILD
May 8,2009


Sixteen-year-old Poppy (Emma Roberts, Nancy Drew) is a self-obsessed, incorrigible brat who lives a pampered life in her L.A. world. Though she’s handed credit cards with unlimited balances and surrounded by countless hangers on, Poppy can’t escape the mounting frustration she feels with her family situation. And she makes sure that everyone knows it.

After an over-the-top prank pushes her father (Aidan Quinn) one step too far, Poppy is shipped off to an English boarding school. Finding herself in a foreign world of early curfews, stern matrons and mandatory lacrosse, the American princess has finally met her match: a school of British girls who won’t tolerate her spoiled ways.

Under the watchful eye of the school’s headmistress (Natasha Richardson) and surrounded by a new circle of friends, Poppy begrudgingly realizes her bad-girl behavior will only get her so far. But just because she must grow into a fine young lady doesn’t mean this Wild Child won’t be spending every waking hour shaking up a very proper system…


DRAG ME TO HELL
May 29, 2009


Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy, Evil Dead series) returns to the horror genre with Drag Me To Hell, an original tale of a young woman’s desperate quest to break an evil curse.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton (Justin Long). Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks (David Paymer), and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home.

In retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao) to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered Christine return her life to normal, the psychic sets her on a frantic course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must face the unthinkable: how far will she go to break free of the curse?


LAND OF THE LOST
June 5, 2009


Space-time vortexes suck.

Will Ferrell stars as has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall, sucked into one and spat back through time. Way back. Now, Marshall has no weapons, few skills and questionable smarts to survive in an alternate universe full of marauding dinosaurs and fantastic creatures from beyond our world—a place of spectacular sights and super-scaled comedy known as the Land of the Lost.

Sucked alongside him for the adventure are crack-smart research assistant Holly (Anna Friel) and a redneck survivalist (Danny McBride) named Will. Chased by T. rex and stalked by painfully slow reptiles known as Sleestaks, Marshall, Will and Holly must rely on their only ally—a primate called Chaka (Jorma Taccone)—to navigate out of the hybrid dimension. Escape from this routine expedition gone awry and they’re heroes. Get stuck, and they’ll be permanent refugees in the Land of the Lost.

Based on the classic television series created by Sid & Marty Krofft, Land of the Lost is directed by Brad Silberling and produced by Jimmy Miller and Sid & Marty Krofft.


FUNNY PEOPLE
July 31, 2009


Over the past few years, writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) has shown that nothing—not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth—is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, "I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!" Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.

Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA and newcomer Aubrey Plaza join a cast that reunites Judd Apatow with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill in their third comedy together.



THE WOLFMAN
November 6, 2009


Inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror, The Wolfman brings the myth of a cursed man back to its iconic origins. Oscar® winner Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father (Oscar® winner Anthony Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother...and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself.

Lawrence Talbot’s childhood ended the night his mother died. After he left the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor, he spent decades recovering and trying to forget. But when his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns home to join the search. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Hugo Weaving) has come to investigate.

As he pieces together the gory puzzle, he hears of an ancient curse that turns the afflicted into werewolves when the moon is full. Now, if he has any chance at ending the slaughter and protecting the woman he has grown to love, Talbot must destroy the vicious creature in the woods surrounding Blackmoor. But as he hunts for the nightmarish beast, a simple man with a tortured past will uncover a primal side to himself…one he never imagined existed.


CIRQUE DU FREAK

Cirque Du Freak tells the frightening tale of a boy who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

14-year-old Darren (Chris Massoglia) was like most kids in his suburban neighborhood. He hung out with his best friend, got decent grades and usually stayed out of trouble. But when he and his buddy stumble upon a traveling freak show, things begin to change inside Darren. That’s the exact moment when a vampire named Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) turns him into something, well, bloodthirsty.

Newly undead, he joins the Cirque Du Freak, a touring sideshow filled with monstrous creatures from a snakeboy and a wolfman to a bearded lady (Salma Hayek) and a gigantic barker (Ken Watanabe). As Darren flexes his newfound powers in this dark world, he becomes a treasured pawn between the vampires and their deadlier counterparts. And while trying to survive, one boy will struggle to keep their brewing war from devouring what’s left of his humanity.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

REPO! ROAD TOUR 3 SET TO KICK OFF JANUARY 13

“I think that the REPO! Road Tour must be seen to be believed. REPO! has inspired a community, and that community shows up in force on the road tour to bond, sing, and show off their fan-made REPO! costumes and props. I imagine this is what being there on the ground floor of The Rocky Horror Picture Show experience 33 years ago must have been like.” Stated Terrance Zdunich Actor/Co Creator.

The third and FINAL leg of the REPO! Road Tour is primed and ready to kick off January 13, 2009. Director Darren Bousman and actor/writer Terrance Zdunich will be heading out across the country to promote their film, REPO! The Genetic Opera. In anticipation of the dual release of the extended Soundtrack and the DVD on January 20th, Bousman and Zdunich will be taking over independent theaters and screening the film for fans in-person. The REPO! Road Tour is for fans to come out and be a part of the event together. Each city has put its own spin on the event, from fans dressing up as characters to theater-wide sing-a-longs, and more!

With sellouts on the first two REPO! Road Tours, Bousman and Zdunich look to repeat their success. Tickets are $15 and are on-sale Monday, December 29, at www.reporoadtour.com. The event WILL sell-out, so make sure to buy yours early! Recently on REPO! Road Tour I and II, several cast members have joined the tour in select cities including Paul Sorvino, Alexa Vega and Bill Moseley, as well as co-writer and band leader Darren Smith, so to all REPO! Fans; be prepared for special guests!

Bousman commented on the upcoming tour: “The REPO! Road Tour has become the single most important aspect of REPO. You haven't seen REPO until you have seen it with a packed house of dressed-up people singing with the movie. The Road Tour truly has turned into an event. It's like a concert. Every single show we have done thus far has been sold out. With lines wrapping around the block, the fan reaction is amazing.”

For the fans: REPO! Road Tour includes an introduction to the film by Bousman and Zdunich, a screening of REPO! The Genetic Opera, as well as a post-film Q&A session and autograph session with the filmmakers and Actors, and a chance to purchase exclusive REPO! Road Tour merchandise.

REPO ROAD TOUR dates:

1/13- / TUESDAY -SALT LAKE CITY UTAH -The Tower Theatre

1/14-/ WEDNESDAY- INDIANAPOLIS, IN -Indy Keystone

1/15- / THURSDAY- FOXBORO, MA -The Orpheum

1/16-/ FRIDAY - NJ - TBA

1/17-/ SATURDAY -GREENBELT, MD -The Greenbelt Theatre

1/18 -/ SUNDAY -CINCINNATI, OH -The Esquire Theatre

1/20-/ TUESDAY- ST.LOUIS, MO- The Landmark Tivoli

1/21- /WEDNESDAY- DENVER, CO- The Landmark Mayan

1/22-/ THURSDAY- JACKSON, MI- The Michigan Theatre

1/23-/ FRIDAY - MILWAUKEE, WI- The Oriental Theatre

1/24-/ SATURDAY - LOS ANGELES, CA- Theatre TBA


REPO! The Genetic Opera: In the no-so-distant future, a worldwide epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GENECO, a biotech company that offers organ transplants...for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by THE REPO MAN. By fusing ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and BLADE RUNNER, this futuristic tale of horror modernizes the “rock opera” genre with original music and rich, dark production design. This rock opera boasts an entirely original soundtrack that blends equal parts goth and punk rock to form an eerie and powerful musical narrative and features vocal performances by an amazing cast; Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley, Sarah Brightman, Anthony Stewart Head, Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Ohgr and more. Instrumentals and score provided by an all-star lineup that features performances from Joan Jett( who cameos in the film), Richard Patrick (Filter), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), Clown (Slipknot), Ray Luzier (Army of Anyone), Brian Young (David Lee Roth's band), Sonny Moore (From First to Last), Richard Fortus (Guns & Roses), David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Daniel Ash (Love & Rockets), Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne), Tommy Clefetus (Rob Zombie's band), Melora Creager (Rasputina). Also lending her voice to the soundtrack is the edgy pop star Poe.

For further info including a full list of confirmed dates and show times, visit www.reporoadtour.com

For behind the scenes footage and more visit the film’s main page www.repo-opera.com.

For the MOVEMENT report from the Orlando stop of the Road Tour click here:
http://www.movementmagazine.com/MovementGallery/repogallery/index.html

Thursday, December 18, 2008

DIMENSION FILMS AND ROB ZOMBIE SCARE UP “H2,” SEQUEL TO 2007'S HIT FILM “HALLOWEEN”

Trancas International Films To Produce

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (December 16, 2008) -- Dimension Films - the successful genre and specialty arm of The Weinstein Company - is pleased to announce that the company will make “H2,” the sequel to Rob Zombie's 2007 reinvention of the horror classic “Halloween.” Once again, Rob Zombie has been tapped to write and direct. Malek Akkad of Trancas International Films, who also produced 2007's Halloween with Dimension, will produce the sequel, along with Andy Gould of Spectacle Entertainment Group, Zombie’s long time manager and producing partner. The announcement was made today by Bob Weinstein, Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company.

Dimension's “Halloween” scored the highest Labor Day weekend opening ever with a record-breaking $30.6 million in its first four days of release and went on to gross nearly $60 million at the domestic box office in 2007.

Zombie’s “H2” will pick up at the exact moment the first movie stopped and follow the aftermath of Michael Myers murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode.

“H2” will be Zombie’s fifth written and directed feature. Prior to the success of Halloween, Zombie released the critically-acclaimed film “The Devil’s Rejects” (2005), the follow-up to his cult classic “House of 1000 Corpses” (2004). Zombie just wrapped production on his animated feature film “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” due to be released in 2009. Zombie, also an accomplished recording artist, has sold over fifteen million albums worldwide, making him one of Geffen Records’ top selling and longest running artists.

Bob Weinstein stated: "Following the success of 2007’s ‘Halloween,’ we are thrilled to be back in business with Rob Zombie, bringing a sequel to theatres. The fans have made it clear – and we agree - that they feel the franchise is in great hands with Rob Zombie.”

Rob Zombie said, ”I am very excited to be working with Bob Weinstein again and returning to the world of ‘Halloween.’ The remake laid the groundwork, now it’s time to really take Michael Myers to the next level. I believe we’ve just barely scratched the surface of where we can take this series.“

John Carpenter's “Halloween” launched the Halloween franchise in 1978 and Moustapha Akkad, founder of Trancas International Films, executive produced the original classic. Akkad’s son Malek has continued with the franchise, producing “Halloween” (2007), “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998) and now, “H2.”

“I am thrilled to be making ‘H2’ at Dimension, the home of the ‘Halloween’ franchise for the last 15 years,” commented Malek Akkad. “I look forward to working again with Bob Weinstein, as well as a filmmaker of Rob Zombie’s talent and stature.”

Friday, December 5, 2008

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

2009 RELEASE SCHEDULE

“HOTEL FOR DOGS”
DreamWorks Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies
In Association With Cold Spring Pictures
JANUARY 16

“DEFIANCE”
Paramount Vantage
JANUARY 16 (wide)
DECEMBER 31, 2008 (NY/LA)

“THE UNINVITED”
DreamWorks Pictures
In Association With Cold Spring Pictures
JANUARY 30

“DANCE FLICK”
Paramount Pictures and MTV Films
FEBRUARY 6

“I LOVE YOU, MAN”
DreamWorks Pictures
MARCH 20

“MONSTERS VS. ALIENS”
(3D Movie/2D Available)
DreamWorks SKG
MARCH 27

“THE SOLOIST”
DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures In Association
With Studio Canal and Participant Media
APRIL 24

“THE GOODS: THE DON READY STORY”
Paramount Vantage
APRIL 24

“STAR TREK”
Paramount Pictures and Level 1 Entertainment
MAY 8

“EDDIE MURPHY UNTITLED”
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films
JUNE 12

“TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN”
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures
JUNE 26

“G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA”
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment
AUGUST 7

“SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE”
DreamWorks Pictures
FOURTH QUARTER 2009

“UP IN THE AIR”
DreamWorks Pictures
FOURTH QUARTER 2009

“SHUTTER ISLAND”
Paramount Pictures
FOURTH QUARTER 2009

“THE LOVELY BONES”
DreamWorks Pictures
FOURTH QUARTER 2009

“CASE 39”
Paramount Pictures
TBD

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO FEATURE FILM ADAPTATION OF PULITZER AND TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

NEW YORK, The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired the worldwide rights to produce and distribute the feature film adaptation of the multiple Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County. Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC, will serve as one of the producers on the film. Weinstein will join Jean Doumanian Productions and Steve Traxler, president and co-founder of Jam Theatricals, who had previously signed on to produce.

Weinstein is a co-producer of the Broadway production of August: Osage County; Doumanian and Traxler are lead producers as are Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel who are on board to executive produce the feature film adaptation.

The film is currently in development, with playwright Tracy Letts, who won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for August: Osage County, writing the script. The winner of five 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Play, and the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, the critically acclaimed August: Osage County premiered in summer of 2007 at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre and debuted on Broadway in December 2007.

“This is such an extraordinary piece of material, which comes along once in a great while,” said Weinstein. “I was blown away by Tracy’s play and believe our movie will likewise have an incredible resonance with anyone who has ever been a part of a family. I’ve worked with Jean before and I am a big fan. I’m looking forward to working with her and Steve on this picture.”

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Harvey Weinstein again on August: Osage County – we had previously worked together on films such as Bullets Over Broadway and Everyone Says I Love You. I greatly respect his taste as a filmmaker and a distributor,” said film and theatre producer Jean Doumanian. “I know he is equally passionate about Tracy Letts’ wonderful play, which has spoken to so many people, and I look forward to collaborating with him on the film adaptation.”

“Tracy Letts wrote a great American play and we look forward to making it into a motion picture. We envisioned this as a film before we opened on Broadway and I am so pleased to be working with Tracy and Harvey to make this a reality,” said Traxler.

Ben Famiglietti, vice president of production and development, originally brought the play to Weinstein, who immediately signed on as a co-producer of the Broadway production. Famiglietti also brought the movie rights to TWC. Famiglietti and Rob Scheidlinger, executive vice president of production and business affairs, will oversee the production on behalf of TWC. Patrick Daly, Vice President of Production and Development at Jean Doumanian Productions, will liaise with TWC on August: Osage County.

Scheidlinger negotiated on behalf of TWC, George Sheanshang negotiated on behalf of Doumanian, Traxler, Richards and Frankel.

August begins an eight week engagement at London’s National Theatre on November 21, 2008. The national tour of August launches in Summer 2009.

CHEECH AND CHONG NEW CONCERT MOVIE

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY PARTNERING WITH CHEECH MARIN AND TOMMY CHONG ON A NEW CONCERT MOVIE

TWC to Retain Worldwide Rights


NEW YORK, NY, The Weinstein Company (TWC) have partnered with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, and their managers Ben Feigin and Josh Klein to produce a concert movie to memorialize the comic duo’s reunion and first tour together in 25 years. The announcement was made today by Barry Gordon, executive vice president of home entertainment at TWC.

As part of the arrangement, TWC has worldwide theatrical, home video, digital and television rights. The feature-length program, which will portray a live concert experience of the “Cheech & Chong: Light Up America” tour, is expected to make a major TV premiere, followed by the DVD release. TWC International will handle foreign sales beginning at AFM this week.

“The Cheech and Chong Concert Movie” will be an historic, must-experience event for the many fans that grew up listening to their recordings and watching their movies,” said Barry Gordon, EVP of Home Entertainment at TWC. “For the millions of new fans who have discovered Cheech and Chong over the years as cultural icons, this will be the first time many of them will be able to enjoy the artistry and one-of-kind magic that is Cheech and Chong live on stage. This is the comedy event of the decade."

"It's great to get a chance to cap a long career with a show of where we are now,” said Marin.

Chong stated, "I really like Harvey because he picked up my dinner tab."

Start of production and official release dates are to be announced.

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong's phenomenal success began on the stand-up comedy circuit and led to eight hit films and nine comedy albums, which garnered multiple Grammy nominations. The “Cheech & Chong: Light Up America” reunion tour officially kicked off on September 26, 2008 and has been selling out across the country. Many of the dates have needed to add multiple shows each night to meet demand. The tour will continue through 2009, and will bring the duo overseas to multiple continents.

Gordon and Eileen Rodriguez, director of acquisitions, negotiated on behalf of TWC. Ben Feigin of Anonymous Content, Josh Klein of The Group Management, Stan Coleman and Matthew Sugarman from the firm of Weissmann, Wolff, Bergman, Coleman, Grodin & Evall, and Josh Hiller negotiated on behalf of Marin and Chong. Feigin and Klein will executive produce the movie.

Friday, November 7, 2008

MILK Mosaic

Housed on the Milk Official Website at FilmInFocus.com.

Enhancements will be worked on throughout the week, but since they're live we'd like to invite you to "Celebrate the Harvey Milk in all of us” and create a tile for the Mosaic. Simply submit a video, photo or text of someone/something that inspires you.

To get to the Mosaic and create your tile:
http://filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic

To view the current entries at the Mosaic Viewer:
http://filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php

To see some tiles for inspiration:
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=123
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=75
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=153
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=3
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=30
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/mosaic/mosaicViewer.php?item_id=188

Enjoy!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Brad Pitt in Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds


Brad Pitt on the set of Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds (Not a typo!)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater

Tickets on sale: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
Opening: Friday, Nov. 7, 2008


The new DreamWorks Animation film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® and will open at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater Friday, Nov. 7.

Bringing back the loveable characters – Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins – Escape 2 Africa follows the crew as they’re left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. The New Yorkers hatch a plan so crazy, it just might work! The film stars the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Tickets for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, a special engagement film at the 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, will be available on-line at www.wgv.com beginning Friday, Oct. 10. Prices are $12 for adults, $11 for military, seniors and students and $10 for children ages 3-12.

For more information, call 904-940-IMAX or visit the IMAX section at www.wgv.com.

VALKYRIE Trailer and Clips

Below is a link from YAHOO.com that includes the trailer and a new feature. Enjoy!
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809913399/info

TIM ROBBINS - STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

Born October 16, 1958 in West Covina, California and raised in New York City's Greenwich Village, Tim Robbins has a long list of notable credits as an actor, director, writer and producer of films and theater.

Key acting roles are in such films as Mystic River,The Secret Life of Words, Catch a Fire, The Player and Short Cuts, The Shawshank Redemption, The Hudsucker Proxy, War of the Worlds, Arlington Road, Code 46, Human Nature, Five Corners, Jacob’s Ladder and Bull Durham. Robbins will next be seen in Fox Walden’s City of Ember, which opens nationwide October 10th.

Robbins has won numerous awards for his acting including an Oscar®, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River, Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globe for Best Actor for The Player. He was nominated by the Golden Globes for Best Actor for Bob Roberts and by the Screen Actors Guild for Best Actor for The Shawshank Redemption. Warner Home Video will be releasing The Shawshank Redemption, which Robbins considers one of his four all-time favorite films in a magnificent new Blu-Ray Hi-Def version on December 2.

As a director, Robbins distinguished himself with Cradle Will Rock, which he also wrote and produced, winning Best Film and Best Director at the Sitges Film Festival in Barcelona and the National Board of Review Award for Special Achievement in Filmmaking in the United States.

Dead Man Walking, which he also wrote and produced, won multiple awards including the Academy Award for Best Actress for Susan Sarandon, the Christopher Award, the Humanitas Award and four awards at the Berlin Film Festival, as well as four Oscar nominations including Best Director and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay.

His first film, Bob Roberts, won the Bronze Award at the Tokyo International Festival and Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor at the Boston Film Festival.

Robbins also serves as Artistic Director for the Actors’ Gang, a theater company formed in 1982 that has over 80 productions and more than 100 awards to their credit. As a playwright he has been produced in London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. His latest play, Embedded, played to sold out audiences for over four months at the Public Theater in New York before playing the Riverside Studios in London and embarking on a National Tour in the U.S.

Most recently he directed the Actors Gang in their shockingly relevant and wildly successful adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 which for the past two years has toured to over 40 states and to four continents.

From 2006 until the present, Le Petit Theatre de Pain's production of Embedded has been touring France, most recently playing at the Theatre du Soleil in Paris. In the US, Embedded was revived recently in productions in Chicago and Tampa Bay.

Robbins is also very proud to sponsor educational programs with the Actors Gang that provide arts education to Elementary, Middle and High School students in the L.A. area. The Gang has also worked for the past three years providing theatrical workshops to incarcerated inmates in the L.A. prison system.

Friday, October 3, 2008

KUNG FU PANDA SEQUEL

Paramount Pictures is proud to announce the KUNG FU PANDA SEQUEL from DreamWorks Animation for release on June 3, 2011. The KUNG FU PANDA SEQUEL will be released in 3D.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Marvel Studios Release Dates!

Paramount Pictures is proud to announce the release and date changes of the following Marvel Studios films:

Iron Man 2
will be released on May 7th, 2010

Thor
will be released on July 16, 2010

The First Avenger: Captain America
will be released on May 6, 2011

The Avengers
will be released on July 15, 2011

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Jacksonville looses another pioneer

It is with regret that we let our readers know that Jacksonville looses another great pioneer in our struggling arts scene. Tim over at the San Marco Theatre has decided to leave us. Tim has been instrumental in the Jacksonville Film Festival's beginnings, The Pit (near Riverside) where he screened countless underground films, and for turning the San Marco Theatre into a hot spot for midnight screenings of avant-garde and music related films not to mention his brilliant original series "THE TALKIES" where he would invite the director to narrate live over the film.

Below is a message from his last e-mailer...

"...not to get too maudlin on you folks but this will be my last post. i landed a new position as cinema director for a yet-to-be-built twin in minnesota. after the festival collapsed due to shear ineptitude and not being able to buy the san marco (the owner isn't interested in letting it go) and take it in to a new direction (which would have included some necessary renovations) there is nothing left fer me here. it's been a long run since moving back here from austin but it seems that i have been running in place as of late. Mother of Tears the newest Argento film will be the last midnight film to screen and THE TALKIES will continue in minnesota and will hopefully become a roadshow of sorts.

thanks for all the support you folks have provided by not only attending the midnight shows but the occasional "smaller" flick or two i was able to squeeze in such as: MAIL ORDER BRIDE, THE HOST, CONTROL, THE OSCAR SHORTS,BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD and also all the big Hollywood fare that comes thru our doors.

i had this funny idea that i was going to be able to trick jacksonville and make one corner of it a little more interesting but it seems that the vicious cabal that really runs things to keep the beast alive has won.

cheers!
tim"

He left out my personal fav MEET THE FEEBLES which I never thought I would ever get to see on the big screen. Thanks for making it a reality for us Tim. You will be deeply missed! Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

- Max Michaels

BOLT

Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: November 21, 2008
Genre: Animation, Comedy-Adventure
Rating: TBD


Voice Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton
Directors: Chris Williams and Byron Howard
Producer: Clark Spencer
Executive Producer: John Lasseter
Screenplay by: Dan Fogelman and Chris Williams

For super-dog BOLT (voice of JOHN TRAVOLTA), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue—at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of MILEY CYRUS). Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions—a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of SUSIE ESSMAN) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of MARK WALTON) -- Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

MGM ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS RELEASE DATE FOR VALKYRIE


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures announced today they will be releasing the suspense film, VALKYRIE, from Director Bryan Singer, on Friday, December 26, 2008.

“We saw and tested the movie,” says Clark Woods, President of MGM Distribution. “and we believe a strong movie deserves a strong playdate.”

Tom Cruise stars in the suspense thriller, VALKYRIE, based on the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (CRUISE) and the daring and ingenious plot to eliminate one of the most evil criminals the world has ever known. Director Bryan Singer (THE USUAL SUSPECTS, X-MEN, SUPERMAN RETURNS) re-teams with Academy Award®-winning USUAL SUSPECTS screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie to bring to life the story of the men who led the operation to assassinate Hitler. The film also stars an acclaimed cast including Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann, Eddie Izzard, Christian Berkel and Terence Stamp.

A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler’s own emergency plan – known as Operation Valkyrie – these men plot to assassinate the dictator and over-throw his Nazi government from the inside. With everything in place, with the future of the world, the fate of millions and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to the one who must kill Hitler himself.

VALKYRIE is produced by Bryan Singer, Christopher McQuarrie and Gilbert Adler. McQuarrie co-wrote the original screenplay with Nathan Alexander who also serves as co-producer. The executive producers are Chris Lee, Ken Kamins, Daniel M. Snyder, Dwight C. Schar and Mark Shapiro.

The film was shot in Germany at various locations where many of the actual events occurred, including the historic Bendlerblock. Recreating the atmosphere of urgency and paranoia inside the German resistance is a team that includes Singer’s frequent collaborators Newton Thomas Sigel (SUPERMAN RETURNS, X2, X-MEN) as director of photography and editor/composer John Ottman (SUPERMAN RETURNS, X2); as well as production designers Lilly Kelvert (two-time Oscar®-nominee for THE LAST SAMURAI and LEGENDS OF THE FALL) and Patrick Lumb (THE OMEN); and costume designer Joanna Johnston (MUNICH, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN).

Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia to Open at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater August 29

St. Augustine, Fla. (August 13, 2008) – Beginning Friday, August 29th, the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater will bring dry bones to life when it opens Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia. The documentary-style film will give audiences a larger-than-life view of prehistoric Patagonia and a variety of the extinct creatures that once walked its terrain. Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia will run at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on opening night.

Dinosaurs are among the most fascinating animals to have ever walked the Earth. Some are captivated by their enormous size and intrigued by the fact that they disappeared millions of year ago. Throughout Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia, viewers can discover some of the great paleontological discoveries of modern time and help piece together their mysterious past.

Following Rodolfo Coria, a world-renown Argentinean paleontologist, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia will focus on the history, evolution and ultimate extinction of dinosaurs. The film will take viewers to sites of major discoveries in Patagonia and on travels back in time to see amazing beasts come to life, including the colossal plant-eating Argentinosaur, and its nemesis, the Giganotosaur, a bipedal carnivore.

Deeply rooted in science, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia will carry the audience through the lives of two particular specimens of dinosaurs, at times showing intense action and at others, the picturesque landscapes of Patagonia. Done in close collaboration with the foremost scientists of the domain, the movie will show never-before-seen computer generated footage of the Giganotosaurus, Argentinosaurus and more. The camera even takes viewers into space to witness the movement of the tectonic plates, the arrival of a comet that will seal the fate of the dinosaurs and more.

Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia is produced and distributed by Sky High Entertainment. The film is rated G and runs 40 minutes. The film is also one selection available as part of the IMAX Theater’s 10th Anniversary $10 double feature combo, which will be available through November 20. For additional film information or to purchase tickets, visit the IMAX Theater section at www.wgv.com.

The 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater offers unique movies and entertainment enhanced by state-of-the-art, specially-designed cinematic technology. Located at World Golf Village, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008, the 300-seat IMAX Theater is the only in Northeast Florida and houses an 80-foot-wide by six-story-high screen to show a variety of entertaining and educational movies throughout the year. The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For tickets and show times, call 904-940-IMAX or visit www.wgv.com.

Monday, August 18, 2008

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT'S RELEASE DATE CHANGES

Summit Entertainment’s SEX DRIVE now opens Friday, October 3rd, and TWILIGHT now opens, Friday, November 21st

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Spirit

In theaters December 25, 2008
Lionsgate


For a new extended trailer visit
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thespirit/

Adapted from the legendary comic strip, THE SPIRIT is a classic action-adventure-romance told by genre-twister FRANK MILLER (creator of 300 and SIN CITY). It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the SPIRIT (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the OCTOPUS (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he’s going to wipe out Spirit’s beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality. The Spirit tracks this cold-hearted killer from Central City’s rundown warehouses, to the damp catacombs, to the windswept waterfront … all the while facing a bevy of beautiful women who either want to seduce, love or kill our masked crusader. Surrounding him at every turn are ELLEN DOLAN (Sarah Paulson), the whip-smart girl-next-door; SILKEN FLOSS (Scarlett Johansson), a punk secretary and frigid vixen; PLASTER OF PARIS (Paz Vega), a murderous French nightclub dancer; LORELEI (Jaime King), a phantom siren; and MORGENSTERN (Stana Katic), a sexy young cop. Then of course, there’s SAND SAREF (Eva Mendes), the jewel thief with dangerous curves. She’s the love of his life turned bad. Will he save her or will she kill him? In the vein of BATMAN BEGINS and SIN CITY, THE SPIRIT takes us on a sinister, gut-wrenching ride with a hero who is born, murdered and born again.

http://www.mycityscreams.com/

Eight Miles High

In theaters August 22, 2008
Dokument Films




Eight Miles High tells the incredible true story of European wild-child Uschi Obermaier. The film tracks her restless life from a small town girl in rural Bavaria to a fast-living fashion icon in Munich; from free-loving companion of the Rolling Stones to ultimately becoming the embodiment of the 60’s generation of sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll. This is one woman’s story about the discovery of freedom and the price one must ultimately pay to achieve it.


Natalia Avelon as Uschi Obermaier and Alexander Scheer as Keith Richards

For more info visit
http://www.eightmileshighthefilm.com

Thursday, August 7, 2008

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

Columbia Pictures
08/06/08


Seth Rogan does it again and raises the bar for stoner movies from here on out. Rogan as process server Dale Denton along side his on screen weed dealer Saul (performed flawlessly by James Franco) are thrown into a bodacious hide and seek from drug boss assigns after Denton after he haphazardly witnesses the boss man take out one of the competition by take out part of his head with a bullet. From there the film is a nonstop laugh riot as they are chased for the lives. This is a must see film for the summer of 08.

IGOR

Release: September 19, 2008
Directed by: Tony Leondis
Written by: Chris McKenna
Produced by: John D. Eraklis and Max Howard
Cast: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon, Christian Slater
Rating: PG
Runtime: 86 minutes

In a land of mad scientists and diabolical inventions, what do you do when you’re born with a hunch on your back?

You become an Igor.

A hilarious twist on the classic monster movie, "Igor" tells the story of one Igor who’s sick of being a lowly lab assistant with a Yes Master’s degree and dreams of becoming a scientist. When his cruel master kicks the bucket a week before the annual Evil Science Fair, Igor finally gets his chance.

With the help of two of his experimental creations - Brain, a brain in a jar who’s a little light on brains, and Scamper, a cynical bunny brought back from being road kill, Igor embarks on building the most evil invention of all time, a huge, ferocious monster. Unfortunately, instead of turning out evil, the monster turns out as Eva, a giant aspiring actress who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Just when the load on his back can’t get any heavier, Igor and his band of monstrous misfits uncover an evil plot that threatens their world. Now, they must fight to save it and prove that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Featuring the voice talents of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon and Christian Slater, "Igor" is the must-see family comedy of the fall.

Igor is directed by award-winning animation veteran Tony Leondis (Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch) and written by Chris McKenna (American Dad!). Exodus Film Group CEO John D. Eraklis produces along with seasoned animation executive and Exodus president Max Howard who has collaborated on such animated blockbusters as Disney’s Lion King and Aladdin, and Warner Bros.’ Space Jam and The Iron Giant.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Friday The 13th trailer leaked online



"Friday the 13th," directed by Marcus Nispel (Pathfinder) is scheduled to hit theaters on Friday February 13th, 2009.

"How do you remake a rated R horror movie and take the guts out literally and figuratively? What is F13 without sex, drugs and really, really long sharp machete? And why would we, horror fans ourselves, produce a movie devoid of the things that made the title so appealing in the first place," said Fuller, adding: "It has insane kills that will be shown in all their glory- it has a group of college students who drink and even have sex. We are betting that if we don't hold back that the audience will reward us for being bold in a time when some horror movies are playing the ratings game. So we embrace the R-rating Friday the 13th will have, and hope you will too."said Fuller about the films rating.


The first teaser poster.

The trailer was bootlegged from this years Comic-Con in San Diego and this is one of the few remaining places it is still live - as of today...
Click here to check out the trailer

Batman

Gotham Knight DVD
Warner


With the latest Batman film "The Dark Knight" devastating box offices across the globe, it seems people just can't get enough of the caped man in black. Who can blame them? It's the best film of the year so far, and will be extremely hard to top. If your one of the many like me who need more Batman (even after seeing the film multiple times) then do I have a treat for you! Our pals at DC comics and Warner have teamed up to deliver the animated feature Batman: Gotham Knight. Six short films that take place between Batman Begins and the latest film. Very similar to the Animatrix in style, as each film is animated differently with independent stories that loosely connect to each other. All six episodes are very well done, but I (as undoubtedly you will as well) have certain particular favorites.
"Have I Got A Story For You" tells the tale of four skateboard kids, who tell their personal stories of how they witnessed Batman chasing a mysterious villain in different locations that very same day. From a living shadow, to a giant bat or even a mechanized robot, these are the wild imaginations of Gotham's dark protector from the mind of a youngster. Only near the end does the fourth kid actually see Batman personally has he and his adversary make an abrupt entrance into the abandon building where all four friends are hanging out.
"Crossfire" gives us a unsettling glimpse of the outside of Arkum's sanitarium as two of Gordon's officer's drop off the criminal captured by Batman in the first segment. If this is the outside, I can only imagine what nightmares lurk in it's halls. One of the officers is considering leaving the unit due to his mistrust of Batman and Gordon's faith in a "vigilante". It get's worse though, as on the way back to Gotham they stop the car near some abandon buildings to talk things through, and are caught in the crossfire between the Russian and Italian mob. Batman makes an appearance and saves the life of the very officer who doubts him while taking care of the mob in the process.
"Field Test" involves Bruce Wayne's friend Lucius Fox devising yet another useful tool for Batman to use in his never ending fight against Gotham's underworld. An electromagnetic device that can actually deflect bullets from small arms fire. While such an invention sounds wonderful in theory, Bruce finds out very quickly that the device works too well and opts to put his mortality on the line vs. being invincible.
"In Darkness Dwells" our Masked avenger pursues a kidnaped cardinal taken from his church by "Killer Croc". In the dank sewers Batman confronts the reptilian menace and suffers a bite wound. Croc is suffering from Scarecrow's fear toxin and it's mind altering effects are transferred to Batman via the bloodstream. With time running short Batman fights dark illusions to rescue the cardinal from Scarecrow and a gang of escaped Arkam inmates.
"Working Through Pain" is a trip down memory lane while Batman is wounded in a sewer from a gunshot wound. Disorientated and losing blood, Bruce remembers his time in India, where under the guidance of a young woman (an outcast in her village for originally disguising herself as a boy, to learn secrets that were only taught to men) helps him overcome and control various degrees of pain in any situation. With this knowledge, he fights his way back to the surface and to safety.
"Deadshot" the final feature, pits Batman against one of the world's deadliest assassins "Deadshot". (I guess this is DC's answer to Marvel's Bullseye). Deadshot likes a challenge (such as shooting his target from moving vehicles) and it also keeps him one step ahead of his opponents. When the word comes down that he's coming to Gotham and commissioner Gordon is his next intended victim, it will take everything Batman has to outwit and defeat this evil nemesis.
As I said earlier this, is a great set of stories that give us even more insight and adventure into Batman's past and present. The Joker or some of the other well know villians (aside from Scarecrow) are absent from these tales, but I find that it's a refreshing departure to have Batman face unknown rivals or some of the more lesser known villains that continue to plague Gotham's city streets. As always, no matter who threatens the lives of innocents the Dark Knight will be there to be the night's right hand of justice.

- Craig Harvey

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

HELL RIDE

by Quentin Tarantino and Larry Bishop

The story deals with the characters Pistolero, the Gent and Comanche and the deadly, unfinished business among them. Rated R for strong violence, sexual content including graphic nudity and dialogue, language and drug use.

www.hellridemovie.com/

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Dark Knight

Warner Bros.

I am rarely a fan of squeals. Few franchises can pull it off. This is one of those exceptions. The BATMAN returns in this gritty squeal that makes "BEGINS" look downright timid. A topsy turvy story that's more roller coaster than movie taking the Dark Knight down a path that should he reach the end there would be no turning back for the caped crusader. Christian Bale is as good as always with his throaty growl as he preaches good from behind the heavy black mask, Cillian Murphy makes a cameo in his Scarecrow role early in the film and Gotham white knight attorney Harvey Dent played by Aaron Eckhart is spine chilling after his transformation into Two-Face, the most gruesome so far. The center piece of this film however is the over the top performance by Heath Leger as the winged-ones most notorious nemesis. Leger's performance is the Joker that BATMAN fans have been waiting for all along. Clever and manipulative but insane beyond measure, violent and malevolent and trumps any predecessors attempt at the character. I stress that you should not wait any longer and get up from the computer and get to the nearest theatre or IMAX to see this remarkable film because not only do we predict that it will set records at the box office, all of your friends will be talking about it till your ears bleed and you will not want to leave it up to the spoilers to find out what happens!

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/


- Max Michaels

Thursday, June 26, 2008

WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME IMAX® THEATER BEGINS ADVANCE TICKET SALES JULY 3 FOR NEWEST BATMAN FILM, “THE DARK KNIGHT”

St. Augustine, Fla. (June 25, 2008) – The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater will begin selling tickets to its special engagement of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “The Dark Knight” beginning Thursday, July 3 at 12:01 a.m. in advance of the film’s nationwide release set for July 18. The public can purchase advance tickets on-line at www.wgv.com or at the World Golf Hall of Fame box office.

“The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan with star Christian Bale, who returns to continue Batman's war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger), who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.

“The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is eagerly anticipating the opening of ‘The Dark Knight,’ the follow-up film to ‘Batman Begins,’ which will most likely be the event movie of Summer 2008,” said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame & IMAX Theater. “In addition to our traditional IMAX films, this feature film will lend additional excitement to our offerings and make for quite the experience for moviegoers as they see the vivid characters and story on the largest screen in Northeast Florida.”

“The Dark Knight” will feature six sequences filmed with IMAX cameras (including the opening six minutes), which marks the first time ever that a major feature film has been even partially shot using IMAX cameras – a revolutionary integration of 35 mm and IMAX film formats.

“The Dark Knight” runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

For additional film information, visit the IMAX section of www.wgv.com.

The 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater offers unique movies and entertainment enhanced by state-of-the-art, specially-designed cinematic technology. Located at World Golf Village, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008, the 300-seat IMAX Theater is the only in Northeast Florida and houses an 80-foot-wide by six-story-high screen to show a variety of entertaining and educational movies throughout the year. The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For tickets and showtimes, call 904-940-IMAX or visit www.wgv.com.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

THE DALI DIMENSION: DECODING THE MIND OF AGENIUS

MVD new releases

Multiple Award winning film delves into the psyche of the most important Surrealist artist who ever lived, Salvador Dali. Through a series of rare film clips and interviews with the artist, Dali Dimension explores the many inspirations that resulted in Dali's unforgettable masterpieces. A documentary by Joan Úbeda, Susi Marquès and Eli Pons. Narrated by Joseph Nuzzolo. DVD

SRP: $24.95
RUN TIME: 70mins
GENRE: Documentary
STREET DATE: 08/05/2008

DIMENSION FILMS ADDS MORE "YOUTH TO REVOLT"

Justin Long, 'American Comedy Award' winning Fred Willard, Zach Galifinakis, Ari Graynor, Erik Knudsen, Adhir Kalyan, Tricia Mara, Jonny Wright and 'Emmy Award' winning Mary Kay Place Join Cast

Newcomer Portia Doubleday to star in her first feature film



NEW YORK, NY (June 23, 2008) -Dimension Films announced today actors Justin Long ("He's Just Not That Into You", "Drag Me To Hell", "Live Free or Die Hard", "Accepted", "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story"), American Comedy Award winning actor Fred Willard ("Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”, "Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle", "Date Movie"), Zach Galifinakis ("Into the Wild", "What Happens in Vegas"), Ari Graynor ("Mystic River", "Game 6"), Erik Knudsen ("Saw II", "Common Ground"), Adhir Kalyan ("Aliens in America", "Nip/Tuck"), Jonny Wright ("The Longshots"), Tricia Mara ("Urban Legends 3: Bloody Mary", "Women's Murder Club") and Emmy Award winning Mary Kay Place ("Being John Malkovich", "Sweet Home Alabama", "The Rainmaker") will join the cast of Miguel Arteta's "Youth in Revolt," starring Michael Cera ("Superbad," "Juno," "Arrested Development"). "Youth in Revolt" will also introduce newcomer actress Portia Doubleday in her first feature film. This announcement follows on the heels of the recent cast expansion to include Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, and M. Emmet Walsh.

Doubleday will star as 'Sheeni Saunders' who is Nick Twisp's (Michael Cera) object of desire. Long will play her brother, 'Paul Saunders' who is also known as 'Nick's' oracle', Mary Kay Place will be their mother, 'Mrs. Saunders.' Other roles include Willard as 'Mr. Ferguson', Knudsen as Nick's best friend, 'Lefty', Wright as Nick's arch nemesis 'Trent', Galifinakis as 'Jerry', Graynor as 'Lacey', Kalyan as 'Vijay' and Mara as 'Taggerty'. The screenplay, written by Gustin Nash, Arteta and Cera, is based on the book "Youth in Revolt" by C.D Payne, which became an underground sensation and garnered a youthful cult following throughout the world. The novel has been published in multiple countries, staged as a play, broadcast over the radio and has been the subject of countless fan-based Web sites.

"Youth in Revolt" will be a co-production between Permut Presentations and Shangri-La Entertainment with David Permut serving as producer and Steve Longi, Vice president of production at Permut Presentations co-producing along with Miranda Freiberg. The announcement was made today by Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films.

Bob Weinstein said: "We are very excited that we have assembled such a talented team of actors to star alongside Michael Cera."

"Youth in Revolt" is the irreverent story about the wild adventures of a teenage boy named Nick Twisp who meets the girl of his dreams while on a family vacation and has to turn his life and the lives of all those around him upside down in order to be with her.

"Youth in Revolt" is part of Dimension's diverse upcoming slate which features cutting-edge comedies including "Soul Men" directed by award-winning filmmaker Malcolm Lee ("The Best Man," "Undercover Brother," "Roll Bounce") starring Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac; horror films like the spine-tingling thriller "Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser," a remake of Barkers most celebrated and terrifying story; and a variety of family friendly movies with Ice Cube's production company Cube Vision including the Fred Durst helmed "The Longshots" about a poor Illinois town that comes together behind the local Pop Warner football team.

Dimension's 2008 release slate continues the momentum of an extremely successful 2007 led by "1408" which grossed over $71 million at the box office and was the highest grossing independent film of the year. Since its launch in 1995, Dimension has established itself as a pre-eminent independent label releasing more films that debuted at #1 (ten) and more films that grossed over $90 million (nine) than any other independent studio.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

PALM PICTURES TO RELEASE STEVEN SEBRING'S SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD-WINNING FILM "PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE"


- In Theaters September 2008-

Companion Book To Be Published By Rizzoli In August

The Coral Sea, Live Album From Smith And My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields, Set For July 11th Release


New York, NY (June 11, 2008) - Palm Pictures has announced the theatrical release of acclaimed photographer Steven Sebring's directorial debut, PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE. The film is set for release this September. The richly layered portrait of the legendary poet, artist, musician and activist won the Cinematography Award when it received its world premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. New Yorkers will get an early glimpse of the film, which was produced by Margaret Smilow of Thirteen/WNET and Scott Vogel, when it screens at the Film Forum August 6th - 19th.

PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE has generated critical acclaim, being hailed as a "spellbinder" (Premiere) and a "joy for anyone interested in pop culture of the past 40 years" (The Hollywood Reporter). "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" gets unusually close to its subject," said Reuters. "Experimental camera work and editing makes for a fittingly unconventional portrait of one of the pioneers of punk music."

Smith emerged in the 1970's, galvanizing the music scene with her unique style of poetic rage, music and trademark swagger. Sebring, renowned for merging raw realism with high fashion in his portraiture, first met Smith, in 1996, when he photographed her for Spin magazine. Upon seeing her perform, he was so moved that he asked if he might begin filming her - thus beginning an 11-year odyssey. PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE (which takes its title from her 1988 album, Dream of Life) is a plunge into the philosophy and artistry of this complicated, charismatic personality. Sebring captures Smith, who narrates the film, through her spoken words, performances, lyrics, paintings and photographs. The film also features performances with composer Philip Glass and playwright/author/actor/musician Sam Shepard.

Rizzoli will publish Sebring's companion book, Patti Smith: Dream of Life, in August. Integrating quotes and private transcripts with his photographs of Smith, Sebring traces the artist's extraordinary personal journey. The volume also includes never-before-published Polaroid's taken by Smith as well as other photos from her archives.

Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and continues to be a vibrant, prolific artist, working in a wide variety of media. Fondation Cartier in Paris is currently hosting a major solo exhibition of her visual work. The Coral Sea, a live CD she recorded with My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields, will be released July 11th on PASK, a new imprint founded by Smith and Shields. The double-CD captures their June 22, 2005 and September 12, 2006 performances at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, a collaboration inspired by Smith's 1996 book of the same name, which paid tribute to her great friend, the late artist Robert Mapplethorpe.

http://palmpictures.com
http://www.dreamoflifethemovie.com/
http://www.pattismith.net/
http://www.stevensebring.com/

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Terminator TV Season 2

Season 2 of the FOX Terminator series, staring MOVEMENT's cover feature Thomas Dekker as John Connor, is airing September 8th!

Monday, June 9, 2008

SEX IN THE CITY

Three years and a few botox injections later, the gals of Sex in the City return to reprise their roles as the sluts we've grown to love; Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. Although the movie is about 2 1/2 hours long, you barely even notice that the time has passed because this movie takes you on such an emotional ride that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just as in real life one may find themselves in sticky situations of heartbreak, laughter, love and regret, Sex in the City lures you into fantasies of Vera Wang and Fashion shows then SNAP you're back to the world of disappointment and disbelief from your grueling reality.

You're thoughts will race, your heart may pound, you're gut will drop, you might find yourself covered in goosebumps and you may even shed a tear watching this film - but trust me when I say this - you will feel something.

Forget the rumors you've heard about Miranda turning gay, Samantha getting engaged or Carrie bumping into Aiden. Those are all ploys to get you to see the movie, but by all means you should see the movie!

Although these gals are still the same hot mess we've grown to love (or get annoyed by), I'd have to say there still are quite a few surprises, even for the avid Sex in the City viewer. And if you aren't a Sex in the City watcher, you still won't be out of the loop because there is a brief introduction of the characters and their former clips of the show in the beginning of the film to keep you up to speed.

While Miranda and Charlotte pretty much stay the same, their challenges and hopes come to surface in the movie.

Charlotte (Kristin Davis) finds that she may have one good egg left in that body of hers, while Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) can't seem to find the time or libido to keep her marriage bed busy.

But the real shocker is Carrie and Samantha.

As shown in the trailer Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) does become a bride to

Mr. Big (Chris Noth), and being the fashion icon of the series of course she gets the wedding fantasy of her dreams by being enlisted as the "40 Year Old Bride" in a designer wedding gown spread in Vogue magazine. The challenge she faces, of course, is the same old road she's been down before with Mr. Big - cold feet.

While Big is definitely ready to spend the rest of his life with Carrie, he still struggles with the pressures of a big wedding and the embarrassment of his former two failed marriages. Instead of offering her a ring, he gives her a closet the size of my living room - which while that shows their relationship has definitely grown, it is still missing a little bit of that thing all us sappy gals love - romance.

But to my surprise co-dependent Carrie finally grows some balls and grows up a little with the help of her new assistant Louise from St. Louis (Jennifer Hudson), a young woman who rents designer purses and came to New York wide eyed and hopeful for love.

Saucy Samantha (Kim Catrall) tones it down a bit and actually becomes domesticated. But when the long working hours of boyfriend Smith Jarrod (Jason Lewis) and the steamy new neighbor of Samantha (who's sex life is the equivalent of Samantha's pre-Smith days) tempts and tortures her - she turns to two distractions; food and a furry new friend who has a bad case of the humps.

Think Samantha in canine form.

Having adopted a pooch and a with a poochy middle of her own, Samantha flies back and forth from Hollywood to New York to consult the guidance of her ever supportive gal pals.

Other than that, the girls are pretty much the same.

Miranda's still a cynical bitch, Charlotte still lives in a prissy fairytale land, Samantha's still a sex addict and Carrie's still got a bad shopping habit.

I mean, let''s face it. When you buy Louis Vuitton bags and $500 Manolo Blahnik shoes but can only afford to eat Cup O' Noodles and have duck tape holding your cell phone together - you know you've got a problem.

So one may wonder did the film live up to the reputation it's show had for so long?

With my stomach in knots from empathy and stitch in my side from laughing so hard, I'd have to say absofuckinglutely. Yeah, so what if it's a chick flick? There are some cornball parts but we all know Sex in the City has it's cheesy moments anyway.

While the show Sex in the City was definitely a treat, Sex in the City the Movie was the icing on the cake.

I give it four martini's straight up!

Overall rating: Four stars (out of four)

- Mia Carlin

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

TAKING WOODSTOCK IN DEVELOPMENT AS NEXT FILM FOR OSCAR-WINNING DIRECTOR ANG LEE

Focus Features is developing the 1969-set true story Taking Woodstock as the next project for Academy Award winner Ang Lee to direct. Focus Features CEO James Schamus confirmed the comedy’s active development today.

Mr. Schamus is writing the screenplay, which is an adaptation of Elliot Tiber’s memoir Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, A Concert, and A Life. The book, published last year by Square One Publishers, was written by Mr. Tiber with Tom Monte.

Mr. Tiber played an unexpected but pivotal role in making the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the famed happening it was. Working as an interior designer in Greenwich Village during culturally and politically exciting times, Mr. Tiber felt empowered by the gay-rights movement. But he was also still staked to the family business – a Catskills motel. As its part-time manager, he had become the local town’s issuer of event permits, granting himself one annually for a small music festival. When he heard that the planned Woodstock concert had had its own permit denied by a neighboring town, he called to offer his own. Soon half a million people were on their way to Mr. Tiber’s neighbor’s farm in White Lake, New York, and Mr. Tiber found himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life, and American culture, forever.

Mr. Schamus commented, “Elliot’s exuberant and heartfelt story is a perfect window onto the Woodstock experience, exploring an inspiring historical moment when liberation and freedom were in the air.”

Mr. Tiber has written and produced numerous award-winning plays and musical comedies for the theater, television, and film. As a professor of comedy writing and performance, he has taught at the New School University and Hunter College in New York City. His first novel Rue Haute, was an instant bestseller in Europe, and was published in the U.S. under the title High Street.

Mr. Monte has written more than thirty books and hundreds of articles for such publications as Life, The Saturday Evening Post, and The Chicago Tribune. Among his many works are The Way of Hope, about the AIDS crisis in New York City; and Recalled by Life, which he co-authored with Dr. Anthony Sattilaro.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

BETTER DEAD THAN WED ON JULY 1ST




NAVARRE CORPORATION’S BCI ANNOUNCES
JOHN WATERS’ CULT TV SHOW

“’Til Death Do Us Part”
FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DVD
DON’T FEAR THE GROOM REAPER!


Los Angeles, CA – Director John Waters has become an icon of independent film with ground-breaking works like Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, so it’s no surprise that this foray into television would push the envelope in both content and taste. On July 1st, BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company, will release ‘Til Death Do Us Part, the series that lets Waters run amok with a campy marriage of madcap melodrama and macabre humor. This beautifully packaged 3-disc box set contains all 13 episodes (plus a bouquet of never-before-seen bonus footage of Waters at work) and will be available at the SRP of $29.98.

“We are pleased to present this twisted TV show to our audience, not just because it features an original talent like John Waters, but also because it’s a unique series that many missed the first time it aired,” said Cliff MacMillan, BCI’s Director of Brand Management and Acquisitions. “We know fans of Waters will love it, but so will anyone with an interest in the offbeat.”

John Waters is the host of this wickedly amusing anthology series about what happens after the honeymoon. Known to the viewer simply as “the Groom Reaper,” Waters leads us through slyly sinful stories of vindictive and vicious husbands and wives with each cautionary tale ending in one spouse pushing up the daisies - always to the delight of our naughty narrator.

"We asked fans if they wanted to see this amazing show on DVD, and they said, ‘I do!’” stated Jeff Siegel, FremantleMedia's VP of Home Entertainment for the Americas. “Now, with BCI, we are happy to provide them with an excellent shower gift. That is, if the shower they are planning is anything like the one in Psycho."

‘Til Death Do Us Part is like no other TV series - an unlikely marital mash-up of ‘50s soap opera hysterics, the black comedy of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and a touch of good old tabloid sensationalism that all adds up to perverse entertainment that’s custom made for the wicked wit and demented mind of John Waters.

Till Death Do Us Part

Street Date: July 1, 2008
Retail Price: $29.98
Genre: TV
Running Time: 286 minutes (approx.)
Rating: N/R

Friday, May 16, 2008

The Trailer & Poster for Star Wars: The Clone Wars



The Clone Wars: Theatrical Trailer Star Wars as you've never seen it before, coming to the big screen on August 15, 2008.
http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/video/sr_trailer.html

May 06, 2008
First Theatrical Trailer for Animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS to Premiere Exclusively Across Multiple Turner Networks Thursday, May 8

Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, CNN, and Boomerang All to Showcase Newest Star Wars Adventure at 7:58 p.m.

[ The Trailer & Poster for Star Wars: The Clone Wars ] Star Wars fans will get an unprecedented look at the newest intergalactic adventure on Thursday, May 8, when the world-premiere trailer for the upcoming CG-animated movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts across five Turner networks simultaneously.

At 7:58 p.m. in all U.S. time zones, Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, CNN, and Boomerang will debut an action-packed, two-minute preview of the animated adventure from creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation. It marks the first time a theatrical trailer has received a simultaneous, cross-network airing on Turner Networks. The trailer debuts in theaters on Friday, May 9, along with the first poster for the movie. The poster is available for pre-order exclusively at StarWarsShop. Check it out here.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars opens in movie theaters Aug. 15.

"By combining the power of the Turner Networks and the power of the Force, we're able to create a fantastic event for Star Wars fans of all ages," said Howard Roffman, vice president of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We're incredibly proud of The Clone Wars, and eager to be able to showcase it for the first time in such an exciting way."

The newest tale of adventure, intrigue and excitement in a galaxy far, far away combines the legendary storytelling of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars Saga with a signature animation style from Lucasfilm Animation.

On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padm� Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains -- led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous -- are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

The theatrical release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars tells an all-new story that leads directly in to this fall's premiere of a weekly, animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT.

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S “KUNG FU PANDA” KICKS OFF CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2008



Jack Black spreads “Panda-monium” Throughout Festival. SWEEPS

Cannes, Frances, May 14, 2008 -– DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (NYSE: DWA) kicked off the 61st annual Cannes Film Festival today, as Jack Black, star of the company’s June 6 release, “Kung Fu Panda,” spread “Panda-monium” as he emerged from a water taxi to be greeted on the Carlton Hotel pier by nearly 40 life-sized Po, the Panda’s—his on-screen persona and the hero of the film.

Black and the other “kung fu pandas” posed for a barrage of photojournalists and camera crews, signaling that the celebrity- and film-fueled glitter of the 2008 Festival had officially begun. Black’s arrival at the Carlton is just the beginning of the “Kung Fu Panda-monium” set to sweep Cannes, culminating with the film’s worldwide premiere, tomorrow, May 15th, at 7:30pm at the nexus of the Festival, the Palais. The pre-screening red carpet arrivals will spotlight Black and several of his “Kung Fu Panda” co-stars—Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu—along with directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, producer Melissa Cobb, and co-producers / screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, along with DreamWorks Animation’s Jeffrey Katzenberg.

In addition to the coverage supplied by the throng of international journalists on hand at the Festival, the “Kung Fu Panda” appearances and activities will be broadcast in real time to fans around the globe, thanks to satellite hookups beaming the Pandamonium worldwide.

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black) is the biggest fan of kung fu around…which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. When he’s unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality and he joins the world of kung fu to study alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five: Tigress (Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie); Crane (Emmy winner David Cross); Mantis (Emmy nominee Seth Rogen); Viper (Emmy/SAG nominee Lucy Liu); and Monkey (international superstar Jackie Chan) — under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu (two-time Oscar® winner Dustin Hoffman). But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Emmy/Golden Globe winner Ian McShane) is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a kung fu master into reality? Po puts his heart into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths. The film opens nationwide in the US on June 6, 2008.

DreamWorks Animation presents “Kung Fu Panda,” a Paramount Pictures release, featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, Michael Clarke Duncan and Dan Fogler. The film is directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne. The story is by Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris. The screenplay is by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger. The producer is Melissa Cobb. The executive producer is Bill Damaschke. The co-producers are Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. This film has been rated PG for sequences of martial arts action.

San Marco Theatre Midnight Movie Schedule

All "Midnight" shows start at 11:55pm


6/6 & 6/7
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

6/13 & 6/14
HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD
(this is a really great doc by those kids at vice magazine)

6/20 & 6/21
CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST

6/27 & 6/28
BLADE RUNNER the directors cut
NEW PRINT

7/4 & 7/5
GREMLINS

July 25th & 26th
SHAUN OF THE DEAD (tentative)

August 1st and 2nd
THE ANIMATION SHOW

August 11th and 12th
THE CROW

August 22nd and 23rd
Dario Argento's MOTHER OF TEARS

August 29th and 30th
POULTRYGEIST


San Marco Theatre
1996 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 396-4845

OVERTURE FILMS AND PARAMOUNT VANTAGE TEAM TO CO-FINANCE AND DISTRIBUTE MICHAEL MOORE’S NEXT FILM

(Los Angeles, CA) May 13, 2008—Paramount Vantage and Overture Films will co-finance and distribute Oscar® winner Michael Moore’s next film, a searing and provocative follow up to his groundbreaking 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. The announcement was made today by Moore, Nick Meyer, President of Paramount Vantage, John Lesher, President of Paramount Film Group, and CEO Chris McGurk and COO Danny Rosett of Overture Films. Paramount Vantage will handle international distribution in all media and Overture will handle domestic distribution in all media. Paramount Vantage will be launching the film into the international marketplace this week in Cannes. The film is scheduled for release in 2009.

Moore has made three of the top five highest-grossing documentaries of all time including Fahrenheit 9/11, 2008 Academy Award® nominee Sicko, and Bowling for Columbine, the Academy Award® winner for Best Documentary in 2003. He has also written and starred in the TV shows TV Nation and The Awful Truth, both of which established his trademark style of presenting serious documentaries in humorous and engaging ways. As with all of Moore’s projects, the subject matter of the new film is being kept under wraps by all the principals.

"It's great to be working again with Chris McGurk and John Lesher,” said Moore. “Both of them have been exceptional to work with in the past and I look forward to their assistance in this new project."

“We are thrilled to be working with Michael again,” said McGurk and Rosett jointly. Adding, “His fearless filmmaking has become an important catalyst for challenging mainstream thoughts and values regarding the important critical issues facing this country and the world. Everyone on the Overture team is delighted to be involved with Michael’s exciting new film.”

“Michael is one of the most inspiring, innovative and thought-provoking filmmakers of our generation,” said Meyer. “With his unquestionable mark on our culture and politics, Moore is renowned and iconic within the international marketplace and we could not be more enthusiastic about this partnership.”

Most of the principals involved have previously worked with Moore – John Lesher represented Moore as one of his agents at Endeavor and was involved in Fahrenheit 9/11, and McGurk and Rosett, while at MGM/United Artists, oversaw the release of Bowling for Columbine.

This announcement marks the second major deal between Paramount Vantage and Overture Films. The two studios entered into an exclusive international distribution deal last year that allows Overture access to Vantage’s international sales division as well as the distribution arm of Paramount Pictures International.

Moore is repped by Ari Emanuel of Endeavor, who brokered the deal on his behalf. Justin Alvarado-Brown oversaw the deal for Overture Films and Jeff Freedman negotiated on behalf of Paramount Vantage.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

SONY PICTURES CLASSICS WILL RELEASE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION OF PERSEPOLIS ON APRIL 11, 2008

Sony Pictures Classics will release the English language version of "Persepolis,” Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s animated feature based on Satrapi’s internationally best-selling and award-winning comic book autobiography, on one hundred screens nationwide on April 11, 2007. (A list of markets the film is opening in follows below.)

The English language version of “Persepolis” features the voices of Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane, Sean Penn as Marjane’s Father Ebi, Catherine Deneuve as Marjane’s Mother Tadji, Gena Rowlands as Marjane’s Grandmother, Iggy Pop as Uncle Anouche, and Amethyste Frezignac as Young Marjane. The English language version of the film was recorded under the direction of Co-Directors Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud as the French language version of the film was being completed.

“Persepolis” was nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar, was France’s entry for the Best Foreign Film Oscar, shared the jury prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, showed to critical acclaim at the 2007 Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals, and closed the New York Film Festival. Sony Pictures Classics released the French language version of the film in the U.S. on December 25, 2007.

Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud co-wrote and co-directed the film, which is produced by Marc-Antoine Robert and Xavier Rigault of 2.4.7. Films, and executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company in co-production with France 3 Cinema, Franche Connection Animations and Diaphana Distribution; in association with Celluloid Dreams, Sony Pictures Classics, Sofica Soficinema and Sofica Europacorp.

“Persepolis” is the poignant story of a young girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of precocious and outspoken nine year old Marjane that we see a people's hopes dashed as fundamentalists take power - forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. Clever and fearless, she outsmarts the “social guardians” and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden. Yet when her uncle is senselessly executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war, the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable.

As she gets older, Marjane's boldness causes her parents to worry over her continued safety. And so, at age fourteen, they make the difficult decision to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land, she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager. In addition, Marjane has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape. Over time, she gains acceptance, and even experiences love, but after high school she finds herself alone and horribly homesick.

Though it means putting on the veil and living in a tyrannical society, Marjane decides to return to Iran to be close to her family. After a difficult period of adjustment, she enters art school and marries, all the while continuing to speak out against the hypocrisy she witnesses. At age 24, she realizes that while she is deeply Iranian, she cannot live in Iran. She then makes the heartbreaking decision to leave her homeland for France, optimistic about her future, shaped indelibly by her past.

Marjane Satrapi was born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran, and currently lives in Paris. She has written several children’s books and her commentary and comics appear in newspapers and magazines around the world, including The New York Times and The New Yorker. Her most recent books are the graphic novel, Chicken with Plums and the children’s book, Monsters are Afraid of the Moon.

Vincent Paronnaud is also known as the comic book author Winshluss. He has created, often with his friend and collaborator, Cizo, several comics and short films. The Festival d’Angoulême nominated him in 2004 for Smart Monkey and for Wizz and Buzz in 2007. Their film, Raging Blues, screened at more than 30 festivals around the world and received the Prix de la Presse aux Lutins in Paris.

2.4.7. Films is a new company created by Marc-Antoine Robert and Xavier Rigault, who have both had long experience in the French film industry, particularly in production for the former and theatrical distribution for the latter. “Persepolis” is 2.4.7.films' first project. Marc-Antoine Robert and Xavier Rigault are also working on a number of other projects still in development.

Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall formed The Kennedy/Marshall Company in 1992. The Kennedy/Marshall Company's productions include "Snow Falling on Cedars," directed by Scott Hicks; "A Map of the World," starring Sigourney Weaver and Julianne Moore; "The Sixth Sense," starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment; "The Bourne Identity” and "The Bourne Supremacy" starring Matt Damon; M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs," "Seabiscuit," the true story based on Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling book and directed by Gary Ross; "Munich" directed by Steven Spielberg; and “Hoot,” based on the book by Carl Hiaasen.

Prior to establishing The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Frank produced “Raiders of the Lost Ark” while Kathleen produced “E.T.” They then co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg in 1982 and produced films such as “Poltergeist,” "The Color Purple," the "Back to the Future” trilogy, "The Bridges of Madison County," "Twister,” and "Jurassic Park: The Lost World." In addition, Kathleen served as executive producer on "Schindler's List," and produced "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence." Recent Kennedy/Marshall projects include, “The Bourne Ultimatum,” the third in the Bourne series of movies and "Benjamin Button," based on a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story.

HIAM ABBASS, GAEL GARCÍA BERNAL, PAZ DE LA HUERTA, ALEX DESCAS, JOHN HURT, YOUKI KUDOH, BILL MURRAY, JEAN-FRANÇOIS STÉVENIN, TILDA SWINTON, LUIS TOSAR

IN NEW FILM FROM WRITER/DIRECTOR JIM JARMUSCH;
PRODUCTION UNDERWAY


Independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s new film, the tentatively titled The Limits of Control, has confirmed the addition of ten actors to its cast. Mr. Jarmusch started shooting the picture, to which Focus Features has worldwide rights, in Madrid, Spain earlier this month.


Joining previously announced lead actor Isaach De Bankolé, in his fourth collaboration with Mr. Jarmusch, are Hiam Abbass, whose films include Munich and Paradise Now; Gael García Bernal, of Focus’ Academy Award-winning The Motorcycle Diaries; Paz De La Huerta, whose independent feature work includes the upcoming The Guitar, with Mr. De Bankolé; Alex Descas, who starred opposite Mr. De Bankolé in the “No Problem” segment of Mr. Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes; two-time Academy Award nominee John Hurt; Youki Kudoh, who starred in Mr. Jarmusch’s Mystery Train; Bill Murray, who starred in Mr. Jarmusch’s most recent film, Broken Flowers, which was also handled worldwide by Focus; Jean-François Stévenin, whose films include Brotherhood of the Wolf and The Man on the Train; Tilda Swinton, also a Broken Flowers cast member, and currently an Academy Award nominee for her performance in Michael Clayton; and Luis Tosar, whose films include Miami Vice, in which Mr. De Bankolé also appeared. Focus is co-financing the film with Entertainment Farm.

In addition to Broken Flowers, Mr. Jarmusch’s films include Permanent Vacation, Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Mystery Train, Night on Earth, Dead Man, Year of the Horse, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes, and the short film “INT. TRAILER. NIGHT.”

The new film is the story of a mysterious loner (to be played by Mr. De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. The film is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain (both urban and otherwise).

Mr. Schamus said, “These acclaimed actors span an international spectrum of talent, and are sterling additions to this exciting new project. We have had the pleasure of collaborating with several of them previously, and eagerly anticipate their work with Jim.”

Stacey Smith, who has worked with Mr. Jarmusch for over a decade, and Gretchen McGowan (who co-produced the filmmaker’s Coffee and Cigarettes) are producing the new film. Award-winning cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love) is the film’s director of photography; Eugenio Caballero, an Academy Award winner last year for his art direction of Pan’s Labryinth, is the film’s production designer. The filmmaker’s longtime collaborator Jay Rabinowitz will edit the feature. Jon Kilik (Babel) is executive-producing the film, continuing his association with Mr. Jarmusch.

President of production John Lyons and senior vice president, international production and post-production Allison Silver are overseeing the project on behalf of Focus.

Focus Features (www.focusfeatures.com) is a motion picture production, financing, and worldwide distribution company committed to bringing moviegoers the most original stories from the world’s most innovative filmmakers.

In addition to Mr. Jarmusch’s new film, current and upcoming Focus Features releases include Joe Wright’s Atonement, nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture; Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes, which world-premiered as the Opening-Night film of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival; Bharat Nalluri’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, starring Frances McDormand and Amy Adams; Andrew Fleming’s irreverent comedy Hamlet 2, starring Steve Coogan; Shane Acker’s animated fantasy epic 9, starring Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly; Henry Selick’s stop-motion animated feature Coraline, starring Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher; Cary Fukunaga’s immigrant thriller Sin Nombre; Joel and Ethan Coen’s Burn After Reading, starring George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, and Brad Pitt; Gus Van Sant’s Milk, starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk; and a contemporary comedy to be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes.