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 fiancĂ©e, 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