Thursday, December 22, 2011

Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone National Broadcast Premiere on Monday, January 22, 2012


Available as iTunes Exclusive on February 1st
& DVD Release February 22nd



Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone will have its national broadcast premiere on Monday, January 22nd, 2012 as part of public television's AfroPoP documentary series. The series, produced by the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT), kicks off it's new season with Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, which documents the history of legendary Los Angeles band Fishbone.

The film is being distributed via digital and home video by Cinema Guild, which will present the film exclusively via ITunes starting February 1st, 2012 as part of the celebration of Black History Month and then via home video starting   February 22nd, 2012.

When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later.  Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence FishburneEveryday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band’s history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers.

Everyday Sunshine is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years.  From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."  

Laurence Fishburne narrates Everyday Sunshine, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, and an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America.  Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, Everyday Sunshine explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.

At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art.  To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.

The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Branford Marsalis (saxophonist), Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros), Questlove (The Roots), and more.

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChXk4R0mGNw

Official Documentary Website:
http://www.fishbonedocumentary.com/
Official Band Website:
http://www.fishbone.net

Monday, December 19, 2011

FOCUS FEATURES ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATES FOR FIRST HALF OF 2012; BEING FLYNN, SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, MOONRISE KINGDOM OPENINGS SET


Focus Features
Three previously announced Focus Features movies for 2012 release have been assigned confirmed domestic opening dates for the first half of the year. The company made the announcement today.

Being Flynn is the new dramatic feature from Academy Award-nominated writer/director Paul Weitz (About a Boy). Adapted from Nick Flynn’s 2004 memoir Another Bulls—t Night in Suck City, the movie explores bonds both unbreakable and fragile between parent and child. Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood) portrays Nick Flynn, a young writer seeking to define himself. He misses his late mother, Jody (four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore), and her loving nature. But his father, Jonathan, is not even a memory, as Nick has not seen the man in 18 years. Jonathan Flynn (two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro) has long defined himself as a great writer, “a master storyteller.” Suddenly facing eviction from his apartment, Jonathan impulsively reaches out to Nick and the two come face-to-face. Being Flynn will open in select cities on Friday, March 2nd.

Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley star in the comedy Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, which marks the feature directorial debut of screenwriter Lorene Scafaria (Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist). Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity’s last days are at hand. As the respective journeys of Dodge (Mr. Carell) and Penny (Ms. Knightley) converge, the two spark to each other and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World will open in theaters nationally on Friday, April 20th.

Moonrise Kingdom is the new feature from two-time Academy Award nominee Wes Anderson (The Royal TenenbaumsRushmore). Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, the film follows a young boy and girl (newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) falling in love. When they are moved to run away together, various

factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing. Bruce Willis plays the town sheriff; two-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton is cast as a camp leader; and Academy Award nominee Bill Murray and Academy Award winner Frances McDormand portray the young girl’s parents. Also in the cast are Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton and Jason Schwartzman. The original screenplay is by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola (The Darjeeling Limited). Moonrise Kingdom will open in select cities on Friday, May 25th.

In addition to the three newly dated films, current and upcoming Focus Features releases include writer/director Dee Rees’ contemporary drama Pariah, which world-premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival; Sam Fell and Chris Butler’s ParaNorman, the new 3D stop-motion comedy thriller from animation company LAIKA, which was previously announced for a 2012 nationwide domestic release on August 17th; the historical tale Hyde Park on Hudson, directed by Roger Michell and starring Academy Award nominees Bill Murray and Laura Linney; Joe Wright’s epic romance Anna Karenina, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard and starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Aaron Johnson; and Tomas Alfredson’s thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Tom Hardy.

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America, and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world.

Focus Features and Focus Features International are part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

CELEBRATE BEETHOVEN'S 241st BIRTHDAY (Dec. 16) with THE GREAT KAT’S Blistering New "BEETHOVEN SHREDS" CD & "BEETHOVEN’S GUITAR SHRED" DVD!


Featuring Beethoven's "5th SYMPHONY", "THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE-BEE" & MORE SHRED/CLASSICAL GUITAR INSANITY!!! 

WQXR CLASSICAL RADIO FEATURES THE GREAT KAT IN "HOW BEETHOVEN BECAME AN AMERICAN ICON"! "Ludwig Through the Lens of Filmmakers, Activists, Rockers and Rappers. The Great Kat riffs on Beethoven." - By Brian Wise, WQXR Classical Radio

"No one in heavy metal has exploited Beethoven to the extent of Katherine Thomas, known as 'The Great Kat.' She does not just play Beethoven. If you believe her, she is Beethoven reincarnated. Loud, blistering fast guitar riffs accompanied by screams, and an aggressive hyper-dominatrix persona. Her act is not subtle. She is direct and flamboyant about her intentions. Her virtuosity is for real. Over-the-top stage persona. This is a frontal assault." - By Michael Broyles, "Beethoven in America" Book (Indiana University Press)

The Great Kat Guitar Goddess (http://www.greatkat.com)Juilliard Graduate Violin Virtuoso turned Guitar Virtuoso/"Top 10 Fastest Shredders Of All Time"-Guitar One Mag./"50 Fastest Guitarists Of All Time"-Guitar World Mag./"12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists"-Elle Mag./"Top-10 Fastest Guitarists Of All Time"-Guitar World's Readers' Poll. The Great Kat’s new CD, “Beethoven Shreds” features the phenomenal guitar/violin shredding of The Great Kat on “The Flight of the Bumble-Bee” (on guitar and violin at 300 BPM!), the famous Beethoven’s “5th Symphony” and Paganini’s demonic “Caprice #24.

Converse Rubber Tracks has premiered two new exclusive short-films featuring Converse Rubber Tracks recording artist Black Spade in "Oh Hello" and "Track of the Week".


In "Oh Hello"  Black Spade sits down to talk about how he operates in the studio
and the recording process he goes through. During this Converse Rubber Tracks
recording session, he teams up with drummer Isaac Teel, whom he hadn't
previously met before to collaborate on the original track "Nobody's Fool".

The newest installment of the short-film series "Track of the Week" features
behind-the-scenes footage of Black Spade as he records the original single
"Nobody's Fool" at Converse Rubber Tracks, which is the featured "Track of the
Week" on www.converse.com/rubbertracks

Thursday, December 15, 2011

“THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO” TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 20 AT 7 P.M. NATIONWIDE


Moviegoers will get a jump on one of the most highly-anticipated films of the season as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens one day early beginning on December 20 at 7 p.m. nationwide, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures.

Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, “This is one of the busiest times of the year for moviegoing and we can't wait to share this outstanding thriller with audiences all over the world.  We feel that by opening for night-time shows on December 20th, fans of the book will be given the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on the release of an exceptional film.”

In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Academy Award®-nominated director David Fincher (The Social Network) uncoils the world of Stieg Larsson’s global blockbuster thriller on the screen. Within the story’s labyrinth lie murder, corruption, family secrets and the inner demons of the two unexpected partners chasing the truth of a 40-year-old mystery.  Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a financial reporter determined to restore his honor after being convicted of libel. Engaged by one of Sweden’s wealthiest industrialists, Henrik Vanger (Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer), to get to the bottom of the long-ago disappearance of his beloved niece, Harriet – murdered, Vanger believes, by a member of his large family – the journalist heads to a remote island on the frozen Swedish coast, unaware of what awaits him.  At the same time, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), an unusual but ingenious investigator with Milton Security, is hired to do a background check on Blomkvist, a job that ultimately leads to her joining Mikael in his investigation of who killed Harriet Vanger. Though Lisbeth shields herself from a world that has repeatedly
betrayed her, her hacking skills and single-minded focus become invaluable.  While Mikael goes face-to-face with the tight-lipped Vangers, Lisbeth plies the wired shadows.  They begin to trace a chain of homicides from the past into the present, forging a fragile strand of trust even as they are pulled into the most
savage currents of modern crime.  The screenplay is by Steven Zaillian, based on the book by Stieg Larsson originally published by Norstedts.  The producers are Scott Rudin, Ole Søndberg, Søren Stærmose, and Ceán Chaffin. The film is presented by Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

ELVIS FOUND ALIVE Directed and Produced by Joel Gilbert


Coming to DVD on January 24

Also New 'Elvis Found Alive' Digital Audio on iTunes and Amazon Today 
and on CD January 10 
 Elvis Found Alive Trailer

MVD Visual announces the release of a new film from Highway 61 Entertainment - ELVIS FOUND ALIVE - for North American distribution on DVD on January 24, 2012.  Also a new CD 'Elvis Found Alive' will be released digitally on December 6, and on CD January 10.  Film description below:

ELVIS has been FOUND, ALIVE!  After visiting Graceland, Director Joel Gilbert made a Freedom of Information Act request for US government files on Elvis Presley.  Incredibly, documents arrived from the FBI revealing an address for Federal Agent "Jon Burrows," Elvis' 1970's alias, in Simi Valley, California.  After a brief confrontation, Elvis agreed to chronicle the secret history of his life and "death" in an exclusive interview.

In Elvis Found Alive, Elvis reflects on his early life and career, and describes his admiration for his look-alike, comic book hero Captain Marvel Jr.  He explains that social unrest in the late 1960's and terrorism by the Weather Underground drove him to ask President Nixon to make him a Federal Agent.  "If I could help save America, maybe it was my true destiny that God had prepared me for."

Elvis reveals that he battled Weatherman Bill Ayers and the Mafia crime families during the 1970's, leading to a faked death to go undercover.  What followed was a long struggle to return to his singing career, and an Obama administration that is preventing it to this day.  Elvis Presley remains the single most influential and respected figure in the history of Rock and Roll music.  Today he is a symbol of America, as recognizable as the flag.  Get ready, he's back!

After filming the Elvis Found Alive film, a new CD was recorded featuring classic Elvis songs with modern rock arrangements, and more recent songs by Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, The Police, and Richard Marx. The newly written hit 'Lisa Marie' is released for the first time.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

THE DANNY ELFMAN & TIM BURTON 25TH ANNIVERSARY MUSIC BOX RECEIVES 2012 GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATION FOR"BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE"


 
Arguably the most innovative and adventurous box set package ever assembled is The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box, which was released by Warner Bros. Records in May. Wednesday, this extraordinary collection of music and artwork earned a 2012 Grammy Award nomination for "Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package," earning nods for its art directors Matt Taylor and Ellen Wakayama, as well as for Danny Elfman and Tim Burton.

This ingenious collaboration between renowned composer Danny Elfman and legendary film director Tim Burton collects expansions of the 13 original scores that Elfman has composed for Burton's iconic films; a newly produced library of 16 CDs, each packaged with artwork by Burton, adding up to more than 19 hours of music. Additionally the package contains a bonus DVD of an exclusive conversation between Elfman and Burton discussing every film and score in their remarkable quarter-century collaboration.

The elaborate and lovingly designed collectible box set included the first-time-ever soundtrack release of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985), as well as scores to the films Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Mars Attacks! (1986), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). It also includes music from Elfman and Burton's numerous other collaborations: Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Jar, Amazing Stories: Family Dog, Beetlejuice: The Animated Series, The World of Stainboy, Burton's Museum of Modern Art exhibit, and Elfman's unused score to the Edward Scissorhands Ballet. The initial series of limited, numbered editions are sold out, however a small quantity of the standard edition, highly collectible box set can be purchased here.  
             
About Matt Taylor: Taylor won a Grammy Award in 2007 for his design of The Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadiumbox set. He followed that achievement with Grammy nominations for HIM's Venus Doom and My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade. His work has showcased the diverse sounds of Smashing Pumpkins, Brian Setzer, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Melissa Etheridge, Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, Kenny G, Paris Hilton, Frank Sinatra, and others.

About Ellen Wakayama: Between the years 2002 and 2010, Wakayama remained the heart and soul of the Warner Bros. Records art department. As Senior VP, Wakayama spearheaded artwork and packaging campaigns for every project, and worked closely with artists on the WMG roster including: Madonna, Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Fleetwood Mac, Seal, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Bublé, and My Chemical Romance, among others. In 2007, Wakayama was nominated for a Grammy Award for the packaging of My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade.
             
About Danny Elfman:  Four-time Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning composer Danny Elfman has scored such diverse films as Spider-Man, Good Will Hunting, Beetlejuice, Batman, Men in Black, Midnight Run, Big Fish, Dick Tracy, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mission: Impossible, Chicago, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Milk. His 25-year, 13-film collaboration with director Tim Burton began in 1985 when Elfman was pulled from his band Oingo Boingo to score Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and continued with 2010's blockbuster Alice in Wonderland. Elfman made his classical music debut at Carnegie Hall with his symphony, "Serenada Schizophrana," followed by "The Overeager Overture," which premiered at The Hollywood Bowl. His first ballet, "Rabbit and Rouge," choreographed by Twyla Tharp, debuted with the American Ballet Theatre at Lincoln Center. His upcoming projects include Men In Black 3, Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great And Powerful, and Cirque du Soleil's "Iris." Two new films for Tim Burton, Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie, are also in the works. Elfman is also known for the classic television themes to The Simpsons and Desperate Housewives.
             
About Tim Burton: Tim Burton has directed memorable and stylistic films, ranging from Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  His most recent blockbuster, Alice in Wonderland, broke the billion-dollar box office mark. His films have racked up six Academy Awards and 11 Oscar nominations for everything from acting to art direction. His first feature length film, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, was also his first collaboration with composer Danny Elfman. Their instant film chemistry led them to 13 collaborations, and continues with Burton's upcoming stop-motion animated film, Frankenweenie. With a background in animation, Burton has done more to revive the stop-motion field than any other director, starting with his first stop-motion project, Vincent, and continuing through the cult classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. Burton has also published a book of characters and stories, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy, and most recently released an immense 430-page book comprising over 40 years of his personal and project artwork, titled The Art of Tim Burton. He currently has an art exhibit that debuted at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and is touring through several art museums across the world.
               

Thursday, December 1, 2011

"Deadly Spawn: Millennium Edition" Blu-ray and "Hell on Earth" DVD coming January 24


The cult classic film The Deadly Spawn will see a "Millennium Edition" debut on Blu-ray this January 24th courtesy of Elite Entertainment. The company will also release Hell on Earth - the latest release from the creators of The Deadly Spawn - on DVD the same day.

In The Deadly Spawn, two campers in the New Jersey woods have their outdoor fun interrupted by the BLOX Press Photoarrival of a meteorite crashing nearby. They go to investigate the crater, but are suddenly attacked and devoured by alien parasites who have hitched a ride to Earth. After finishing off the campers, the hungry space monsters head for a nearby town, where they make their domain in the basement of an old house and soon begin polishing off one hapless inhabitant after another. Four young teenagers, plus one pre-teen boy, try to find a way to stop the angry space monsters before they reproduce and literally eat humanity.

Bonus Features: Commentary, still gallery, casting footage, gag reel, theatrical trailer & TV spot, enhanced opening scene, television review footage and more! 

In Hell on EarthSeventeen year old Bobby, walks with the help of metal leg braces and lives with his nasty parents and repulsive sister, Peggy. He plays with "imaginary friends" provided by the mysterious and ancient "Apocryphal Book of Tarkuhm" provided by his eccentric and somewhat crazy Aunt Sadie. What he does not BLOX Press Photoknow is that the monsters and demons are only biding their time until the planets are aligned and they can get him to read the passage freeing their master from the "Hell" of another universe.

Bonus Features:  Director's Commentary, still gallery & audition/casting footage

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON


Street Date: December 6, 2011           
Suggested Retail Price: DVD $29.98 ($37.48 in Canada)
Length: Approx. 315 minutes 

“…at the centre of the show has always been Elisabeth Sladen. It's a poignant thought that for certain kids, she was their Doctor.”   
The Guardian

New York – November XX, 2011 – BBC Home Entertainment announces the release of The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Complete Fourth Season available on DVD on December 6, 2011. Created and produced by award-winning writer Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, Torchwood), the exciting action-adventure children’s series follows the exploits of school friends Luke, Clyde and Rani, who team up with alien investigator Sarah Jane Smith and her trusty super-computer Mr. Smith to examine strange and mysterious events.  The series is a spinoff of the long-running science fiction favorite, Doctor Who.
In the fourth season, Luke faces down the terrifying Nightmare Man stalking his dreams before leaving Sarah Jane and the gang as he departs for university. But the planet won’t save itself and there are still more adventures in store for the gang: confronting the Men in Black at the Vault of Secrets; waking up to find every human on the planet has disappeared; being scattered through the past in order to find three objects forged in the Time Vortex. In two special episodes written by Russell T Davies, Sarah Jane is reunited with another of the Doctor’s former companions, Jo Grant (Katy Manning), as they investigate the fate of the Doctor at his own funeral. Things get more complicated when they’re joined by the Eleventh Doctor himself (Matt Smith) in an alien-busting adventure featuring brand-new vulture aliens, the mysterious Shansheeth and a trip to an alien planet.
Finally, Sarah Jane faces her saddest day: realizing that no one can defend the earth forever, she prepares to hand over the reins to a new regime. But is her replacement completely trustworthy?
Elisabeth Sladen, the actress who first played the landmark companion Sarah Jane on Doctor Who in 1973, sadly passed away earlier this year. She is missed not only by generations of Whovians but also by the young fans who first met her thanks to The Sarah Jane Adventures.