Monday, January 28, 2008

TOY STORY TRIO IN 3D

Burbank, CA – January 24, 2008 - The Walt Disney Studios is taking the latest advances in digital 3-D technology “to infinity and beyond” with ambitious plans to debut new Disney Digital 3-D™ versions of Disney- Pixar’s “Toy Story” on October 2nd, 2009, and “Toy Story 2” on February 12th, 2010, it was announced by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Both of these beloved animated features are being newly converted to 3-D in advance of the June 18th, 2010 release of Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story 3," which is being produced as a 3-D motion picture and will represent the state-of-the-art for the genre. Veteran Pixar filmmaker Lee Unkrich (co-director “Toy Story 2”) is directing.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter (director of the first two “Toy Story” films and chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios) will personally oversee the creative side of the 3-D conversions for “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” with his acclaimed team of technical wizards handling all the necessary steps in the conversion process.

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, “‘We are committed to bringing moviegoers the best and most exciting 3-D movie experience, and we think they’re going to love seeing Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and all the wonderful ‘Toy Story’ cast of characters in an eye popping and dazzling way. John Lasseter and the animation team are putting all their passion and hard work into making this the greatest 3-D experience yet, and we’re excited to share their efforts with audiences everywhere.”

Lasseter added, “The ‘Toy Story’ films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we’re so excited to be bringing this landmark film back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3-D technology. I am sure that this is going to be nothing short of fantastic and people are going to be blown away by the experience. With ‘Toy Story 3’ shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy’s room, we thought it would be great to let audiences experience the first two films all over again and in a brand new way. 3-D offers lots of great new possibilities for the art of animation and we will continue to use this new technology to tell our stories in the best possible way.”

In converting “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” to state-of-the-art 3-D films, the technical team is retrieving all of the original digital elements and rebuilding them in 3-D.

Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, “Toy Story” was the first feature film from Pixar Animation Studios and director John Lasseter. The film went on to receive Oscar® nominations for Original Score, Original Song, and Screenplay, and earned Lasseter a Special Achievement Award “for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.” “Toy Story 2” was released in 1999, and reunited voice talents Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, in their roles as Woody and Buzz. The film became one of the most popular animated features of all time, and received an Academy Award® nomination for Original Song.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Heath Ledger draws the death card, no joke.

The phones at MOVEMENT have been buzzing with our friends asking if Ledger's untimely death will effect the new BATMAN film. Now, we can understandably see how this may come across as cold, since his body barley is, but lets face it, a lot of our friends are comic geeks who would take the potential death of a character a lot more seriously over the actual death of the actor portraying it. But for all of you clutching your collective chests and gasping can ease back and take a deep breath. According to our sources at Warner Bros. the filming for the next installment in the new BATMAN franchise has wrapped filming and as far as anyone can say at this early point it should not effect the release. My concern is the morbid implications it may have should the Joker die in this film as the character did in the Tim Burton version of BATMAN. Spooky.

R.I. P. Heath, you'll be missed, we just can't quit you!

New photo from the next INDIAN JONES

Thursday, January 17, 2008

CLOVERFIELD

Paramount Pictures
January 18th, 2008


The anticipation was high for CLOVERFIELD after months of speculation and numerous trailers in the blitzkrieg campaign teasing us with tiny bits of what could be the monster ravaging the city, if it be a monster at all. We threw a party for the film this past Saturday at FACTORY and gave away loads of passes to the advance screening this past Tuesday. The line started early with eager people waiting for the mystery to finally be revealed. I saw dozens of people from the club amongst the rest of the geeks and nerds like me giddy for a good monster film. I can say the theater was filled with geeks and nerds without pause because when we were unexpectedly treated to the J. J . Abrams vision of STAR TREK teaser trailer the theater erupted in applause.

Having been deeply disappointed by a number of highly anticipated films that promised to be larger than life, I was pleased that CLOVERFIELD was much more entertaining than I had even anticipated. Here is the premise, the entire movie is actually footage from the devastation recovered by the government from a personal camcorder left in the wake of a horrific attack by a 30 story creature of unknown origin obliterating New York City. It starts with a going away party where the guest of honors best friend is asked to record testimonials for him. In the middle of the party the whole city shakes and the nearly nonstop chaos, running and screaming begins. Despite the advertising, the monster(s) in CLOVERFIELD are almost peripheral to the main story which is of a young man defying all odds in the midst of the greatest possible calamity braving all adversity to rescue his one true love, despite the fact that he has no idea if she is even alive or dead. The monster is just another obstacle for him and his friends to evade to find their way to safety, though it seems the creature was practically following them around the city the whole time. You get to see the creature peripherally in most instances, obscured by buildings in a lot of them. But toward the end you are treated to some great clear views and one really great close up of the alien looking beast. What is it? Where did it come from? Well, we never find out because after all this is just someone's home video found in the rubble of the wasteland once known as New York. But that lends to the fun of this film, speculating about what all was happening to these poor souls whose experience we were living through voyeuristically and why.

This Blair-witch-ish POV style of film making certainly gave the film an added sense of legitimacy unlike any other film I've seen (including The Blair Witch). The camera is jostled in every direction just as it would be by an amateur videographer in the same situation. But the downside of this is a film where every scene is hardly ever stabilized even at the films most benign moments the only break from the jittering motion is when the camera itself is either set down or dropped. This near ceaseless movement caused some slight motion sickness in a few movie goes we know of for sure, including me. I and few others around me had to shut our eyes more than a few times just to regain our equilibrium.

So I do highly suggest you go see this exciting new film, just whatever you do, don't forget your Dramamine!

- Max Michaels

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Martin Scorsese’s “SHINE A LIGHT” to Open the 58th Berlin International Film Festival

The 58th Belinale has selected the ultimate Rolling Stones concert film, “SHINE A LIGHT,” from Oscar®-winning director Martin Scorsese, to open the festival on February 7, 2008, with Scorsese and The Rolling Stones in attendance.

Scorsese assembled an award-winning camera team to capture the raw energy of the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll band in two concerts at the Beacon Theatre on October 29th and November 1st 2006. Using sixteen 35mm cameras and one Genesis Hi Def camera to shoot more than half-a-million feet of concert footage, Oscar®-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson (The Aviator, JFK) supervised a team which included several highly acclaimed directors of photography: Oscar® winner John Toll (The Last Samurai, Braveheart); Oscar® winner Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong); Oscar® nominee Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano, The Painted Veil), Oscar® nominee Robert Elswit (Magnolia, Good Night and Good Luck); Oscar® nominee Emmanuel Lubezki (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Sleepy Hollow); and Ellen Kuras (Summer of Sam, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). The film was edited by David Tedeschi, who received an Emmy nomination for his work with Scorsese on the acclaimed Bob Dylan documentary, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.

With special guest performances from Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy and Jack White III of the White Stripes, the two Beacon concerts form the heart of the film. “SHINE A LIGHT” also features rarely seen archival footage and current behind the scenes footage and interviews shot using additional Hi Def, DV Cam, 16mm and 8mm cameras. With this extensive camera coverage and intimacy of the setting, Scorsese has created a extraordinary musical film event and given audiences unprecedented access to the Rolling Stones both on stage and off.

Produced and financed by Steve Bing's Shangri-La Entertainment and long-time Stones tour promoter Michael Cohl's Concert Promotions International, producers are Victoria Pearman, Michael Cohl, Zane Weiner and Steve Bing. Executive producers are Stones members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, with Jane Rose as co-executive producer.

In making the announcement, Festival Director Dieter Kosslick said “We are extremely excited to have the World Premiere of this magnificent film as our opening gala. Martin Scorsese has again set the gold standard when it comes to capturing the pure essence of an iconic band on the big screen.”

The film will be released in North America on April 4th, 2008 by Paramount Classics.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Jon Reiss’ Global Graffiti Documentary "Bomb It"

Teams Up With Theatrical Distributors
Hip Hop Film Festival
For US Hybrid Screenings Starting March 2008
DVD Release April 29, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CA – Antidote Films partners with theatrical distributors Hip Hop Film Festival (HHFF) to release Bomb It, the global graffiti documentary by award winning director Jon Reiss. Featuring street artists and top graffiti writers from 5 continents Bomb It is the first film to update the story of graffiti with a truly international perspective. Hip Hop Film Festival plans to screen Bomb It across North America starting in March 2008. The hybrid screenings will take place at theaters, cultural centers, alternative venues and a handful of festival. Docurama Films will release the DVD on April 29, 2008. Personalities such as Cornbread, Lady Pink, acclaimed hip hop artist and former graffiti writer KRS One, international art machine Shepard Fairey, Brazilian bombing twin brothers Os Gemeos, and others share their lives with the camera. Globally comprehensive as well as politically relevant, a recent review by IGN.com reported, “… At the core of the film is a poignant social statement about public space and the war being waged for it.” To learn more please visit http://bombit-themovie.com and http://www.myspace.com/bombitthemovie. For continual updates about this film and graffiti culture in general - such as events, artist rights, screenings, etc. - visit the Bomb It blog at http://bombit-themovie.com/blog.

Starting with graffiti’s roots in New York and Philadelphia, Bomb It goes on to explore the graff cultures in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Barcelona, Berlin, Cape Town, São Paulo, and Tokyo, before finally wrapping up in Los Angeles. The film features original footage with artists around the world who have taken the form and applied it to their particular cultural and social conditions, from Latin America, where graffiti has been adapted into the mural tradition, to Japan where anime inspired rakugaki juxtaposes with formal calligraphy and conformist societal norms, to Europe where a dadaist/surrealist tradition produces deliberately confrontational prankstering.

While some believe the roots of graffiti can be traced back to pre-linguistic cave markings and the innate human need for self-expression, graffiti remains a highly controversial issue. Using a myriad of original interviews as well as guerilla footage of graffiti writers in action, Bomb It tells the story of contemporary graffiti from its roots in ancient rock paintings through Picasso to Latino placas through its notorious emergence as a visual adjunct to the rise of hip hop culture in 1970's New York City culminating in its current, pervasive presence in a myriad of forms – on the streets and in pop culture throughout the world, co-opted into advertising, on our clothing, etc.

The controversy surrounding graffiti is an integral part of the story: from anti-tagging groups, to the impact of New York City's infamous "Quality of Life" laws which directly targeted illicit writing (the film includes an interview with NYC’s most outspoken graffiti critic, NYC Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.), to the proliferation of these laws throughout the world. Graffiti – as well as stenciling, stickering, postering, and any unsanctioned graphic “interference” in public space - raises important questions that delve deep into our contemporary social structure such as: Who has the right to express themselves? What is a canvas? Where should art take place? If public space is a forum for discussion, which voices will be heard?

Bomb It is the most comprehensive documentary about graffiti and street art to date. Roughly 200 artists were interviewed for this film. In addition to those named above, interviewees included Mear One, Terrible T-KID 170, Taki 183, Zephyr, Tribe, Tats Cru, Chaz Bojorquez, Robbie Conal, Ron English, Cope 2, Daim, Revs, Blek Le Rat, Very One, Stay High 149, Tracy 168, KET, Chino, Revok, Pez, Sixe, Zezao, Faith47, and so many more (see http://bombit-themovie.com/artists/default.html for full list of artists interviewed).

The film’s soundtrack combines a striking roster of hip-hop, electronic music and native sounds from some of the locales visited. Highlights include tracks by Immortal Technique, Big Syphe, The Budos Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Disco D, Donald Byrd, Spank Rock, Virgin Tears vs Dave The Hustler, and Mathematics. Indie record labels such as Highpoint Lowlife, Daptone Records, and Ninja Tune were extremely helpful in the process. Soweto Gospel Choir, ACFC Choir, and Black Noise underscore the South African scenes while the São Paulo portion boasts songs by Brazil’s Arthur Joly, and ARD, and Uruguay’s Federico Ramos Composed.

“Filmmaker Jon Reiss finds himself drawn to subcultures with guts,” the Village Voice wrote in May of this year during an interview for Bomb It’s world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Reiss has covered the West Coast punk explosion, documented the notorious San Francisco performance group Survival Research Laboratories, rave culture in his debut feature-length documentary, Better Living Through Circuitry, and now graffiti culture. He also has a non-doc under his belt: the award-winning dark psychological drama, Cleopatra's Second Husband. Also famous for his music videos, in 1995 the Toronto Film Festival curated a retrospective of Reiss' music videos, which included 1992’s acclaimed Nine Inch Nails video, “Happiness in Slavery.” Jon Reiss’ work has screened at festivals, theaters and cultural centers throughout the world as well as on channels such as IFC, Showtime, and the Sundance Channel. Reiss received his MFA from the UCLA Film School.

The Hip Hop Film Festival was created to provide an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work and for audiences to experience these films in a theatrical environment, bringing people together for events, discussions, panels, and workshops. It curates films that speak with a true voice to all generations and cultures worldwide, representing the real values of hip-hop: Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, Freedom, Justice, Equality, Respect, Unity, Love, and Peace. Learn more about HHFF at http://www.hiphopfilmfestival.com.

"SEX IN THE CITY: THE MOVIE" TRAILER

ENJOY!
http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/video/trailer-no-1/2033774

New Line Cinema Presents
SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE

Director: Michael Patrick King
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon

Sex and the City is coming to the big screen in a feature film adaptation of the hit HBO television series. The film will follow the continuing adventures of the series four main characters - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are all on board to reprise their roles, while the film will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who executive produced the original television series. Additionally, Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis will return as the women's love interests. Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) has also joined the cast of the film and will play Carrie Bradshaw's assistant, a new character to be introduced in the film. Sex and the City is scheduled for a May 30th release.

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE opens nationwide on May 30, 2008

THE ATTIC

The One Room In Your House You Should Never Enter Alone
THE ATTIC

A New Horror Classic Available January 15, 2008 From the Director of PET SEMATARY

Woodland Hills, CA – Allumination FilmWorks is proud to announce the debut of The Attic, the spine-tingling new film from award-winning director Mary Lambert (Pet Sematary, Pet Sematary 2, Urban Legends: Bloody Mary). The DVD will be released on January 15, 2008 under Allumination’s partnership with Slamdance for a suggested price of $29.98. The Attic features a top-notch cast including Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City,” Mr. Brooks, “Brothers and Sisters”), John Savage (The Deer Hunter, Do the Right Thing, “Carnivale”), Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet, Weekend at Bernie’s) and Thomas Jay Ryan (Henry Fool, Fay Grim).

“The Attic is a classic ghost story in the tradition of The Shining and The Changeling,” says Cheryl Freeman, President and CEO of Allumination Filmworks. “The emphasis on psychological suspense has been brilliantly realized by director Mary Lambert.”

Emma (Elisabeth Moss, “The West Wing,” “Invasion”) is a troubled teen with a strong aversion toward her family’s new house - particularly the attic. After moving into their picture-perfect Victorian home, Emma and her family come to feel uncomfortable and unhappy in their new surroundings. The situation escalates one day when Emma is in the attic alone and she is viciously attacked by someone who looks exactly like her! Emma becomes convinced that someone or something is haunting her, and that her own past holds the key. As the clues pile up, Emma discovers that she once had a twin sister named Beth, who died 12 days after they were born. Emma’s fear intensifies when she realizes that she can’t turn to her family for answers, and she begins to suspect that it may be Beth determined to destroy anyone who dares delve into the dark mysteries of The Attic.


About Allumination FilmWorks

Launched in August 2002, Allumination FilmWorks, a wholly owned subsidiary of ContentFilm PLC, has rapidly established itself as a leading independent distributor of quality entertainment to broadcast, satellite and cable television, as well as both theatrical and home entertainment markets worldwide. Allumination provides turnkey home video distribution services to content owners in the U.S. market including sales and marketing, manufacturing, fulfillment, credit and collection. The award-winning company boasts an impressive portfolio of nearly 625 quality theatrical films in all major categories, as well as over 4,000 hours of television programming, along with documentaries and reality programming, music and sports specials, lifestyle titles, a wide array of “how-to” product and kids/family feature releases.

Visit Allumination FilmWorks at www.alluminationfilmworks.com.

THE ATTIC
Street date: January 15, 2008
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R
SRP: $29.98
Running time: Approximately 85 minutes