Monday, May 16, 2011

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES

DIMENSION FILMS AND MIRAMAX ANNOUNCE PRODUCTION OF THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES

Marks the First of Many Pictures to be Produced Under TWC Miramax Alliance to Create Sequels to Best-Loved Miramax Properties


Dimension Films and Miramax today announced the production of THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES. This is the first film to be produced under the agreement between Miramax and The Weinstein Company to create sequels to some of Miramax's best-known properties.

Dimension also announced that it has acquired the rights to a new screenplay for the film by Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands. Farrands and La Scala are also set to direct the film. Production will commence this summer with a release date scheduled for January 27, 2012. The announcement was made today by Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company (TWC), and Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax.

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES showcases the events after the time of the original The Amityville Horror book and movie through found footage dating back to 1976. An ambitious female television news intern, on the verge of breaking the most famous haunted house case in the world, leads a team of journalists, clergymen and paranormal researchers into an investigation of the bizarre events that will come to be known as The Amityville Horror ... only to unwittingly open a door to the unreal that she may never be able to close.

"We are thrilled to return to the mythology of the Amityville Horror with a new and terrifying vision that will satisfy our existing fans and also introduce an entirely new audience to this popular haunting phenomenon," said Bob Weinstein.

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES is being produced by Jason Blum, Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands. Bob and Harvey Weinstein are Executive Producers. Blum has previous experience with found footage films having produced PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 1 and 2, which have grossed close to $400 million worldwide.

The Amityville Horror stories are based on events in the life of George Lutz. The Amityville Horror project is one of several sequel or development projects that Miramax and TWC are currently collaborating on.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Bob to reinvent one of the all-time great horror franchises, and I think this new installment will really hit home with a new generation of moviegoers," said Jason Blum.

Friday, May 13, 2011

PRIEST Review



Based on the 1998 TOKYOPOP comic of the same name, PRIEST is a visually delightful and action packed movie surprisingly better than my expectations. A gory and stylish animation sequence sets up the story of a world divided by man and vampiric creatures locked in an unwinnable war, until the church trains a sect of warrior priests to turn the tide. The church has walled up their cities and its people in an industrial blade runner-meets-dark city mash up peppered with video screens pumping out church propaganda city wide, all to reminiscent of 1984's Big Brother.

The war won, these priests are now no longer needed, their ranks are reduced to manual labor and subjugated to relative obscurity until one is drawn out by a single attack in the badlands and he must break his vows and leave the city, against protests on the church elders, to uncover what is going on. Its all downhill from there. This is one I went into with low expectations and came out a fan. Don't expect a neat and tidy ending. You will be left dangling until the sequel. See it in 3D, they make good use of the medium.

- Max Michaels

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON new stills!



Warner Bros. ROCK OF AGES - OPEN Extras Casting Call


OPEN EXTRAS CASTING CALL
SATURDAY, May 14th FOR ROCK OF AGES FILM


Ellen Jacoby Casting is holding an open extras casting call this Saturday, May 14th in Fort Lauderdale for Adam Shankman’s film adaptation of the popular musical “Rock Of Ages.” The production begins filming late May in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area. The film is being produced by New Line Cinema, with Warner Bros. Pictures handling worldwide distribution.

DATE:
Saturday, May 14th

AT:
Sheraton Fort Lauderdale/ Airport Hotel
Empire Ballroom
1825 Griffin Road (I-95 and Griffin Road)
Dania, Florida 33004

TIME:
10: 00 AM- 2:00 PM


“Rock of Ages” is an arena-rock love story told through the heart-pounding hits of Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, Reo Speed Wagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and many more.

To join the star-studded cast, they are looking for people who can play rockers of the mid-1980s, and 35-45 year old straight-laced, anti-Rockers dressed in 1980’s ultra conservative garb. Please come dressed for the part! Everyone should bring a photo of themselves; it does not have to be a professional, but it must include your name, stats and phone number on the photo.

They are also in search of cars from that era, so if you happen to have one, bring a photo of your car, too.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

New stills from TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON:







Too hot. I'm going to give this one a chance.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

FOCUS FEATURES ACQUIRES DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO
SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD,
LORENE SCAFARIA PRE-APOCALYPTIC COMEDIC ROMANCE
STARRING STEVE CARELL AND KEIRA KNIGHTLEY;
INDIAN PAINTBRUSH AND MANDATE PICTURES
ARE CO-FINANCING WITH FILMING BEGINNING THIS MONTH ON ANONYMOUS CONTENT PRODUCTION

Focus Features has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, written and to be directed by Lorene Scafaria. Indian Paintbrush and Mandate Pictures are co-financing the movie. The contemporary comedic romance stars Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley. Filming begins this month in Los Angeles. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is being produced by Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Steve Golin and Joy Gorman of Anonymous Content; and by Indian Paintbrush’s Steven Rales and Mark Roybal. Mandate Pictures’ Nathan Kahane and Nicole Brown are executive producers; Mandate’s Kelli Konop and Indian Paintbrush’s Jeff Sommerville are co-producers. Lionsgate is handling international sales on the title.

Set in a too-near future, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World explores what people will do when humanity’s last days are at hand. Can one man find his greatest love at the worst possible time? 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.

Ms. Scafaria, who wrote the original screenplay, is making her feature directorial debut with the film. She wrote the screenplay adaptation for the 2008 feature Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, also for Mandate, which starred Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.

Mr. Schamus commented, “Lorene has created a very funny story about the human condition, and about how love is the only thing that can save us all. We’re excited to be partnering with Indian Paintbrush and Mandate, and working with Lorene on her directorial debut – she’s an extraordinary talent who is particularly adept at drawing interesting and dynamic characters and their worlds.”

Ms. Scafaria added, “This story has been many years in the making and I couldn’t ask for a better team of people to help bring it to life. I’m absolutely thrilled that Steve and Keira are joining me at the end of the world.”

Mr. Roybal said, “This epic and comedic love story is going to be the first of many wonderful films that Lorene will make, and everyone at Indian Paintbrush is proud to be here at the beginning.”

Ms. Gorman said, “Focus is the perfect distributor for intelligent, distinctive films like Seeking a Friend. Anonymous and Focus had great success together with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and we are thrilled to be in business with them again. It’s an honor for us to be producing Lorene’s directing debut and we couldn’t ask for a better team behind her than Focus, Mandate, and Indian Paintbrush.”

Mr. Carell has won Screen Actors Guild Awards as a member of the ensembles of the film Little Miss Sunshine and the television series The Office; he won a Golden Globe Award for his performance on the latter. Ms. Knightley has previously starred for Focus in Joe Wright’s Atonement and Pride & Prejudice; she was an Academy Award nominee for her performance in the latter.

Indian Paintbrush, a film development/production/finance company, is in production on Moonrise Kingdom, the next film from director Wes Anderson, starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton; the film is being produced by Mr. Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, and Jeremy Dawson, with Focus Features holding worldwide distribution rights. Also currently in production is the Untitled David Chase Project with James Gandolfini, Brad Garrett, Bella Heathcote, and Jack Huston starring for the writer/director. Indian Paintbrush is in post-production on Jeff Who Lives At Home, written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, starring Jason Segel, Susan Sarandon, Ed Helms, and Judy Greer, which will be released by Paramount Pictures. Recently, Indian Paintbrush and Paramount acquired Drake Doremus’ Like Crazy, which took home the Grand Jury Prize for Drama as well as a Special Grand Jury Prize for star Felicity Jones at the Sundance Film Festival; the love story also stars Anton Yelchin and Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence. Previously, Indian Paintbrush co-financed and executive-produced Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Darjeeling Limited.

Mandate Pictures is a multifaceted film production and financing company with a distinguished reputation and proven track record of success and profitability. Acquired by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) in 2007, Mandate continues to operate as an independent brand delivering acclaimed commercial and independent films worldwide. Mandate has carved out a unique position in the film industry, having the creative autonomy and capital to finance, develop, package, and produce theatrical films such as the Academy Award-nominated Juno, directed by Academy Award-nominated Jason Reitman from the Academy Award-winning original screenplay by Diablo Cody. Mandate’s upcoming slate includes 50/50, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, which will be released by Summit Entertainment on September 30th, 2011; A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, reuniting John Cho, Kal Penn, and Neil Patrick Harris, which will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on November 4th, 2011; and Young Adult, reteaming director Jason Reitman with screenwriter Diablo Cody and starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt, which will be released worldwide by Paramount Pictures.


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.

Friday, May 6, 2011

FOCUS FEATURES ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO MOONRISE KINGDOM, NEW WES ANDERSON FEATURE STARRING BRUCE WILLIS, EDWARD NORTON, BILL MURRAY

Focus Features has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Moonrise Kingdom, the new feature from two-time Academy Award nominee Wes Anderson. Indian Paintbrush is presenting the American Empirical Pictures production, which Mr. Anderson is directing from an original screenplay that he wrote with Roman Coppola. Filming has begun, and Focus Features International (FFI) will commence international sales on the title at this month’s Cannes International Film Festival. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

Moonrise Kingdom is being produced by Mr. Anderson, Scott Rudin, Indian Paintbrush’s Steven Rales, and American Empirical’s Jeremy Dawson. Previously, Indian Paintbrush executive-produced and co-financed Mr. Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Darjeeling Limited, both also produced by Mr. Rudin.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, Moonrise Kingdom follows a young boy and girl 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; Academy Award nominee Bill Murray and Academy Award winner Frances McDormand portray the young girl’s parents; the cast also includes Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton and Jason Schwartzman. The young boy and girl are played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward.

Mr. Schamus commented, “One of the world’s most distinctive filmmakers, Wes crafts witty and emotionally affecting pictures. The stellar cast will bring his and Roman’s fanciful script to life, and audiences will enjoy their trip back in time to this Kingdom. Everyone at Focus is pleased to be working with Wes and partnering with Indian Paintbrush.”

Indian Paintbrush, a film development/production/finance company, is in pre-production on the romantic comedy Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, written and to be directed by Lorene Scafaria with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley starring. Currently in production is the Untitled David Chase Project with James Gandolfini, Brad Garrett, Bella Heathcote, and Jack Huston starring for the writer/director. Indian Paintbrush is in post-production on Jeff Who Lives At Home, written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, starring Jason Segel, Susan Sarandon, Ed Helms, and Judy Greer, which will be released by Paramount Pictures. Recently, Indian Paintbrush and Paramount acquired Drake Doremus’ Like Crazy, which took home the Grand Jury Prize for Drama as well as a Special Grand Jury Prize for star Felicity Jones at the Sundance Film Festival; the love story also stars Anton Yelchin and Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wes Bentley in The Hunger Games from Lions Gate Film

Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES are pleased to announce that actor Wes Bentley (AMERICAN BEAUTY, GHOST RIDER) has been cast in the role of Seneca Crane in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel.

Bentley joins a cast of talented young actors - Jennifer Lawrence as series heroine Katniss Everdeen with Willow Shields as little sister Primrose, and Josh Hutcherson, who was cast as Peeta Mellark, with Liam Hemsworth in the role of Gale Hawthorne. Paula Malcomson will be playing Katniss and Primrose’s mother. It was also announced that Elizabeth Banks has signed on for the part of Katniss’ pre-games handler Effie Trinket.

Bentley is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

About The Role
Seneca Crane is the “Head Gamemaker” of the 74th Hunger Games, in which heroine Katniss Everdeen and childhood acquaintance Peeta Mellark are forced to compete against one another and 22 other young people in a life-threatening survival setting after Katniss bravely volunteers herself to enter the arena in the place of her younger sister.

About The Film
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

THE HUNGER GAMES will be directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Collins’ best-selling novel, which has over 3 million copies in print in the United States alone, is the first in a trilogy of novels which have developed a global following.

Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.