FOCUS FEATURES TO DISTRIBUTE MILK WORLDWIDE; GROUNDSWELL PRODUCTIONS CO-FINANCING WITH FOCUS
NEW YORK, November 16, 2007 – Academy Award-nominated director Gus Van Sant will commence production in January on the biographical drama Milk, to star Academy Award winner Sean Penn as gay-rights icon Harvey Milk. Milk will be produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, the Academy Award-winning producers of American Beauty, through The Jinks/Cohen Company. Milk is being co-financed by Groundswell Productions and Focus Features, and distributed worldwide by Focus. The announcement was made today by Focus CEO James Schamus and Groundswell CEO Michael London.
Mr. London will also serve in a producing capacity on the film. Milk is being executive-produced by Bruna Papandrea of Groundswell; William Horberg; and Dustin Lance Black (Big Love), who wrote the original screenplay.
Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was an activist and politician, and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America; in 1977, he was voted to the city supervisors’ board of San Francisco. The following year, both he and the city’s mayor George Moscone were shot to death by another city supervisor, Dan White. Mr. Milk was previously the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary feature The Times of Harvey Milk (1984), directed by Rob Epstein and produced by Richard Schmiechen. Milk will be the first non-documentary feature to explore the man’s life and career.
Mr. Schamus said, “Gus Van Sant is the perfect artist to bring to the screen the extraordinary story of Harvey Milk, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to join our partners at Groundswell in helping make this dream project a reality.”
Mr. London added, “The Focus team is the best in the business when it comes to provocative, socially relevant movies with world-class talent like Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn. We’re thrilled that they share our passion for telling the story of Harvey Milk.”
Mr. Jinks and Mr. Cohen commented, “We couldn’t be more proud to be working with Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn in bringing this important and moving story to the screen.”
Focus Features International will handle overseas sales for the movie. David Gerson, Focus vice president of production and development, is supervising Milk for president of production John Lyons.
Bill Groom, whose previous credits include The Pledge (directed by Mr. Penn), will be the production designer on Milk. Harris Savides, in his fifth feature collaboration with Mr. Van Sant, will be the cinematographer on the film.
Gus Van Sant has directed such films as Mala Noche (a restored version of which was re-released earlier this year), Drugstore Cowboy (which won Best Film and Best Director from the National Society of Film Critics), My Own Private Idaho (which earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay), To Die For (for which Nicole Kidman won a Golden Globe Award), Good Will Hunting (for which he received a Best Director Oscar nomination), Finding Forrester (which was honored at the 2001 Berlin International Film Fetsival), Elephant (which won the top prize, the Palme d’Or, at the 2003 Cannes International Film Festival), and Paranoid Park (which will be released early next year).
In addition to the aforementioned multi-Oscar-winning American Beauty, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen have produced films including Tim Burton’s Big Fish; Peyton Reed’s Down with Love; Joseph Ruben’s The Forgotten; and John August’s The Nines. Their producing credits for television include this season’s new hit series Pushing Daisies.
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Focus Features www.focusfeatures.com
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The MIST
The Weinstein Co
I have to admit that I have been deeply disappointed by most if not likely all of Steven King's stories retold on the big (or small) screen. So I was not expecting much from THE MIST. What did I expect to be in The MIST? Probably something pretty disappointing and typically Hollywood. And after the suspenseful lead up to members of a small town being trapped in a neighborhood supermarket due to something deadly that is lurking in the mysterious mist that has settled over their small town there is a scene in the store room that gives you a first glimpse of what's out there, and for me it looked like it was going to be another rehash of the dreadful waste of time "Dreamcatcher," also based on a King novel. However, as the story progresses it really become a film so much less about the terror on the outside and so much more about the horror of our own human penchant to jump to conclusions, be unwilling to deal pragmatically with situations and ultimately and inevitably spiral out of control giving into fear, paranoia, and mob rule. The terror in the mist is just a catalyst to erupt this behavior in the group of trapped citizens and those that are taken by what is in the mist at times seem like the lucky ones. The ending is unexpected and mind bending. This is one for record books, a adaptation of a King film that I thought was all in all a very enjoyable movie going experience. I can't say as much for the audience that managed to get passes to the advance screening. Rows or rude, obnoxious and loud people flipping open cell phones and talking nearly nonstop the entire way through. I plan to go back and see the film again with what I hope will be a more docile group of movie goers who are actually there to watch a movie rather than text their friends the whole way through.
- Max Michaels
I have to admit that I have been deeply disappointed by most if not likely all of Steven King's stories retold on the big (or small) screen. So I was not expecting much from THE MIST. What did I expect to be in The MIST? Probably something pretty disappointing and typically Hollywood. And after the suspenseful lead up to members of a small town being trapped in a neighborhood supermarket due to something deadly that is lurking in the mysterious mist that has settled over their small town there is a scene in the store room that gives you a first glimpse of what's out there, and for me it looked like it was going to be another rehash of the dreadful waste of time "Dreamcatcher," also based on a King novel. However, as the story progresses it really become a film so much less about the terror on the outside and so much more about the horror of our own human penchant to jump to conclusions, be unwilling to deal pragmatically with situations and ultimately and inevitably spiral out of control giving into fear, paranoia, and mob rule. The terror in the mist is just a catalyst to erupt this behavior in the group of trapped citizens and those that are taken by what is in the mist at times seem like the lucky ones. The ending is unexpected and mind bending. This is one for record books, a adaptation of a King film that I thought was all in all a very enjoyable movie going experience. I can't say as much for the audience that managed to get passes to the advance screening. Rows or rude, obnoxious and loud people flipping open cell phones and talking nearly nonstop the entire way through. I plan to go back and see the film again with what I hope will be a more docile group of movie goers who are actually there to watch a movie rather than text their friends the whole way through.
- Max Michaels
Monday, November 19, 2007
KATE BUSH RECORDS ORIGINAL SONG “LYRA” FOR THE NEW LINE CINEMA FANTASY EPIC THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Song Will Be Featured Over The Film’s End Titles And
On New Line Records’ Golden Compass Soundtrack
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 13, 2007) – Acclaimed British singer/songwriter Kate Bush will contribute an original song titled “Lyra” to the end title credits of New Line Cinema’s upcoming epic fantasy adventure The Golden Compass, which is scheduled for a Dec. 7 worldwide release. The song will also be available for download as part of New Line Records’ The Golden Compass soundtrack, which will be released Dec. 11.
The song, named for Lyra Belacqua, the lead character in The Golden Compass, is written and produced by Kate in her own studio, and features the Magdalen College Choir, Oxford. The song will be available for digital download as part of The Golden Compass soundtrack on December 11th.
Over the course of her career she has released eight albums, earning three Grammy nominations and was recognized with an Ivor Novello Award for “Outstanding Contribution to British Music” in 2002. She has previously had songs featured in the films Castaway and She’s Having a Baby.
Based on author Philip Pullman’s bestselling novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. An exciting fantasy adventure, the film is set in an alternative world populated by talking bears who fight wars, witches, Gyptians, and daemons. In the world of The Golden Compass, a person’s soul lives on the outside of their body in the form of a daemon, an animal spirit that accompanies them through life. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott (Ghost Rider), Eva Green (Casino Royale) and the voices of Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings), Ian McShane (“Deadwood”), Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Kathy Bates (Charlotte’s Web), and Kristin Scott Thomas (Gosford Park). The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About A Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro.
On New Line Records’ Golden Compass Soundtrack
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 13, 2007) – Acclaimed British singer/songwriter Kate Bush will contribute an original song titled “Lyra” to the end title credits of New Line Cinema’s upcoming epic fantasy adventure The Golden Compass, which is scheduled for a Dec. 7 worldwide release. The song will also be available for download as part of New Line Records’ The Golden Compass soundtrack, which will be released Dec. 11.
The song, named for Lyra Belacqua, the lead character in The Golden Compass, is written and produced by Kate in her own studio, and features the Magdalen College Choir, Oxford. The song will be available for digital download as part of The Golden Compass soundtrack on December 11th.
Over the course of her career she has released eight albums, earning three Grammy nominations and was recognized with an Ivor Novello Award for “Outstanding Contribution to British Music” in 2002. She has previously had songs featured in the films Castaway and She’s Having a Baby.
Based on author Philip Pullman’s bestselling novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. An exciting fantasy adventure, the film is set in an alternative world populated by talking bears who fight wars, witches, Gyptians, and daemons. In the world of The Golden Compass, a person’s soul lives on the outside of their body in the form of a daemon, an animal spirit that accompanies them through life. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott (Ghost Rider), Eva Green (Casino Royale) and the voices of Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings), Ian McShane (“Deadwood”), Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Kathy Bates (Charlotte’s Web), and Kristin Scott Thomas (Gosford Park). The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About A Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro.
REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, announced today that Twisted Pictures commenced principal photography this week in Toronto, Canada on REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA. The film is being produced by Daniel Heffner, Carl Mazzocone, Mark Burg and Oren Koules. Lionsgate's President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Peter Block and EVP Jason Constantine are overseeing production for the studio.
Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV) is directing from a screenplay by Terrence Zdunich and Darren Smith, co-creators of the original stage production of the same name upon which the film is based. Japanese musician, songwriter and composer Yoshiki Hayashi (better known as simply Yoshiki) is producing the film's soundtrack.
International recording artist/performer Sarah Brightman (making her feature film debut), Anthony Head ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Paris Hilton ("House of Wax"), Bill Moseley ("Halloween," "The Devil's Rejects"), Paul Sorvino ("The Cooler," "Goodfellas"), Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids") and Ogre (Skinny Puppy) make up the production's beloved band of misfits in this incarnation.
Bousman is a longtime member of the Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate families, having directed the past three installments of their wildly successful Saw franchise. He has also long been involved in various incarnations of Repo!, having directed both the story's first Los Angeles stage production in 2002 and a 2006 short film adaptation.
Directing a full-length filmed version of the story has always been a goal for Bousman, and he is enthusiastic about the cast that has been assembled for the production. "I'm very excited to be bringing this story to life with each of these outstanding performers," Bousman raves. "They bring so much flair to Repo's bizarre fantasy world while entirely
disappearing into their shadowy characters."
Burg and Koules agree, adding "Repo! explores human oddity in a really memorable and genre- bending way, and with our actors' unique backgrounds and wide appeal across genres, the cast absolutely rises to the occasion."
Set in the not-so-distant future, the production tells the story of an epidemic of organ failures that devastates the planet, killing tens of millions. As scientists feverishly make plans for a massive organ harvest program, a multi-billion dollar biotech company called GeneCo begins to manufacture salvation—for a price—offering simple payment plans to those lacking the necessary funds to purchase new body parts outright. But all financed organs are subject to default procedures, including repossession at the hand of the notorious organ repo men.
Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV) is directing from a screenplay by Terrence Zdunich and Darren Smith, co-creators of the original stage production of the same name upon which the film is based. Japanese musician, songwriter and composer Yoshiki Hayashi (better known as simply Yoshiki) is producing the film's soundtrack.
International recording artist/performer Sarah Brightman (making her feature film debut), Anthony Head ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Paris Hilton ("House of Wax"), Bill Moseley ("Halloween," "The Devil's Rejects"), Paul Sorvino ("The Cooler," "Goodfellas"), Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids") and Ogre (Skinny Puppy) make up the production's beloved band of misfits in this incarnation.
Bousman is a longtime member of the Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate families, having directed the past three installments of their wildly successful Saw franchise. He has also long been involved in various incarnations of Repo!, having directed both the story's first Los Angeles stage production in 2002 and a 2006 short film adaptation.
Directing a full-length filmed version of the story has always been a goal for Bousman, and he is enthusiastic about the cast that has been assembled for the production. "I'm very excited to be bringing this story to life with each of these outstanding performers," Bousman raves. "They bring so much flair to Repo's bizarre fantasy world while entirely
disappearing into their shadowy characters."
Burg and Koules agree, adding "Repo! explores human oddity in a really memorable and genre- bending way, and with our actors' unique backgrounds and wide appeal across genres, the cast absolutely rises to the occasion."
Set in the not-so-distant future, the production tells the story of an epidemic of organ failures that devastates the planet, killing tens of millions. As scientists feverishly make plans for a massive organ harvest program, a multi-billion dollar biotech company called GeneCo begins to manufacture salvation—for a price—offering simple payment plans to those lacking the necessary funds to purchase new body parts outright. But all financed organs are subject to default procedures, including repossession at the hand of the notorious organ repo men.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Beowulf
In theaters November 16th, 2007
Paramount
I think Beowulf should have be advertised more blatantly as an entirely animated film, since it is. Knowing that ahead of time I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Visually stunning, hyper realistic at some points, and a little too clean and eerily perfect in others. I'd have preferred more consistency. My immediate critique upon leaving the theater was "Shrek's Final Fantasy." But as with both of those films they hyped the animation factor where with Beowulf, it is never mentioned in ads or press releases. Of course with fantasy movies today you cannot help but expect a heaping pile of CGI to bring the various monsters, daemons and dragons to life, but when it comes to the actors, it distracts when you are expecting a certain level of reality yet despite brutal battles, strenuous physical acts or a dragons throaty fire you never see a single bead of sweat on any of the characters perfect unnaturally glowing skin, not even when Beowulf battles Grendel stark naked. It is a fantasy to the extreme. However, for being the first made for digital 3-D theater going experience it was entirely enjoyable. The 3-D thankfully lacked much of the purposeful over the top in-your-face gimmicks movie goers were subjected to in the 80's era 3-D films like Friday the 13th part 3 and JAWS 3. Beowulf's 3-D was more incidental but for a few scenes and merely added a new and welcome depth to the movie going experience. Comic geeks and cult movie fans everywhere will be drawn to the film in droves (as was proven at last nights advance screening) due to Neil Gaiman (Mirrormask, Sandman) and Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction) names being attached for having adapted it for the big screen.
If I had to judge on a five star scale, I'd throw it three and a half.
www.beowulfmovie.com
- Max Michaels
Paramount
I think Beowulf should have be advertised more blatantly as an entirely animated film, since it is. Knowing that ahead of time I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Visually stunning, hyper realistic at some points, and a little too clean and eerily perfect in others. I'd have preferred more consistency. My immediate critique upon leaving the theater was "Shrek's Final Fantasy." But as with both of those films they hyped the animation factor where with Beowulf, it is never mentioned in ads or press releases. Of course with fantasy movies today you cannot help but expect a heaping pile of CGI to bring the various monsters, daemons and dragons to life, but when it comes to the actors, it distracts when you are expecting a certain level of reality yet despite brutal battles, strenuous physical acts or a dragons throaty fire you never see a single bead of sweat on any of the characters perfect unnaturally glowing skin, not even when Beowulf battles Grendel stark naked. It is a fantasy to the extreme. However, for being the first made for digital 3-D theater going experience it was entirely enjoyable. The 3-D thankfully lacked much of the purposeful over the top in-your-face gimmicks movie goers were subjected to in the 80's era 3-D films like Friday the 13th part 3 and JAWS 3. Beowulf's 3-D was more incidental but for a few scenes and merely added a new and welcome depth to the movie going experience. Comic geeks and cult movie fans everywhere will be drawn to the film in droves (as was proven at last nights advance screening) due to Neil Gaiman (Mirrormask, Sandman) and Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction) names being attached for having adapted it for the big screen.
If I had to judge on a five star scale, I'd throw it three and a half.
www.beowulfmovie.com
- Max Michaels
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
8 films to DIE for
(Movie lineup)
Crazy Eights
Lake Dead
Borderland
The Deaths of Ian Stone
Mulberry Street
Nightmare Man
Tooth and Nail
Unearthed
Along with its partners AMC, Regal and Cinemark, After Dark Horrorfest 2007 runs over the course of one week (2 weekends) on over 300 screens across the United States from November 9 – 18th, making it the largest film festival in the world. This unique festival is the first of its kind, premiering “8 Films to Die For,” celebrating the horror genre by showcasing films that run the spectrum of horror from thrillers to gore to the supernatural. Earlier this year, After Dark‘s COO Laura Ivey and EVP of Creative Affairs and Acquisitions Stephanie Caleb locked The Deaths of Ian Stone, Frontiers, Nightmare Man and Unearthed to screen as part of this year’s festival. After achieving groundbreaking success in its inaugural year, now After Dark Films is back with an even bigger and better Horrorfest.
In 2006, After Dark Horrorfest became the first film festival in history to break into the top 10 at the national box office, grossing over 2.5 million dollars, on only a quarter of the screens of any other film in the top ten that weekend. The “8 Films to Die For Ò” package, released on DVD by partner Lionsgate Films, has reached great success with 1.8 million DVDs in circulation.
For more information on After Dark Horrorfest 2007, including how to purchase tickets and all access passes to this hair-raising national event, please visit the official website at
www.horrorfestonline.com
In Jacksonville, FL see it at: CINEMARK TINSELTOWN
Crazy Eights
Lake Dead
Borderland
The Deaths of Ian Stone
Mulberry Street
Nightmare Man
Tooth and Nail
Unearthed
Along with its partners AMC, Regal and Cinemark, After Dark Horrorfest 2007 runs over the course of one week (2 weekends) on over 300 screens across the United States from November 9 – 18th, making it the largest film festival in the world. This unique festival is the first of its kind, premiering “8 Films to Die For,” celebrating the horror genre by showcasing films that run the spectrum of horror from thrillers to gore to the supernatural. Earlier this year, After Dark‘s COO Laura Ivey and EVP of Creative Affairs and Acquisitions Stephanie Caleb locked The Deaths of Ian Stone, Frontiers, Nightmare Man and Unearthed to screen as part of this year’s festival. After achieving groundbreaking success in its inaugural year, now After Dark Films is back with an even bigger and better Horrorfest.
In 2006, After Dark Horrorfest became the first film festival in history to break into the top 10 at the national box office, grossing over 2.5 million dollars, on only a quarter of the screens of any other film in the top ten that weekend. The “8 Films to Die For Ò” package, released on DVD by partner Lionsgate Films, has reached great success with 1.8 million DVDs in circulation.
For more information on After Dark Horrorfest 2007, including how to purchase tickets and all access passes to this hair-raising national event, please visit the official website at
www.horrorfestonline.com
In Jacksonville, FL see it at: CINEMARK TINSELTOWN
Monday, October 22, 2007
ALIEN VS PREDATOR: REQUIEM
20th Century Fox
This Christmas there will be no peace on Earth. When a Predator scout ship crash lands in a Colorado town. The Aliens on board escape and kill all the Predators except one. The last remaining Predator must now destroy all the Aliens as well as the horrific Pred-Alien that was spawned in the first AVP. Meanwhile the towns people are helplessly caught in the middle of the ultimate face-off between these two mythic creatures. A sequel to the 2004 film AVP directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, "Alien vs Predator: Requiem" continues the Alien-Predator war.
Release Date: December, 25 2007
Check out the gory age restriced trailer here:
http://www.avp-r.com/
This Christmas there will be no peace on Earth. When a Predator scout ship crash lands in a Colorado town. The Aliens on board escape and kill all the Predators except one. The last remaining Predator must now destroy all the Aliens as well as the horrific Pred-Alien that was spawned in the first AVP. Meanwhile the towns people are helplessly caught in the middle of the ultimate face-off between these two mythic creatures. A sequel to the 2004 film AVP directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, "Alien vs Predator: Requiem" continues the Alien-Predator war.
Release Date: December, 25 2007
Check out the gory age restriced trailer here:
http://www.avp-r.com/
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Brian Henson on new Dark Crystal and Fraggle Rock films
In even bigger news for children of the 1980s, the Henson Company is doing a feature length Fraggle Rock movie. “I think we announced that we’re trying to develop a Fraggle Rock movie a little bit earlier than we’re doing it. Yes, we’re writing a Fraggle Rock movie and trying to pull it together.”
It’s been so long that they may have to reintroduce the origin story of the Fraggles, but devotees need not worry about a cheap remake. “I think it was more realizing the Fraggles in a slightly different environment. It was to do something that sort of stands next to Fraggle Rock rather than [is] a continuation of [it].”
You’ll see all your favorite Fraggles, and you won’t even be able to tell that the original puppets have been lost to mothballs. “Well, we have to rebuild them because they’re old, but it would be with a lot of those characters, definitely.”
Queen Kira from the upcoming 2007 film, "The Power of the Dark Crystal".
On the front burner for Henson is a sequel to the cult classic The Dark Crystal. “We are trying to pull the business pieces together on a Dark Crystal sequel. That one’s pretty far along. It’s got a good, strong script, a great vision for how to do it and we’re just trying to [put it together].”
Read the entire article as well as many other stories about the world of Muppets at: Muppet Central News
Thursday, October 4, 2007
SPICE STUDIOS GOES GOTHIC IN THE SUPERNATURAL THRILLER, “THE TAUNTING”
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Wednesday, October 3, 2007
ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS VICTOR CROWLEY TO DVD WITH THE DECEMBER 18TH RELEASE OF ADAM GREEN’S HATCHET
DVD will be available in unrated and original theatrical versions;
Bonus features include five behind-the-scenes featurettes
charting the production from Day 1
“Amongst the greatest slasher films of all time.” – Bloody-Disgusting
“Victor Crowley is the next icon of horror.” – Ain’t It Cool News
“…salutes ’80s slasher films in cleverly gruesome style.” – Detroit Free Press
BURBANK, CA – Fresh off its national theatrical release, writer/director Adam Green’s Hatchet – the independent horror film championed by internet fans and critics the world over – will be released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on DVD December 18th. The Unrated DVD of the acclaimed horror film, which Pit of Horror dubbed “the best slasher film in twenty years,” comes packed with ninety minutes of in-depth bonus features detailing the joys and pains of creating the next great horror icon – Victor Crowley! SRP for the unrated and theatrical version DVDs is a tame $26.97, with pre-book on November 15.
Visceral and unrelenting, Hatchet is Adam Green’s blood-soaked love letter to the slasher film genre, which reached its critical and commercial zenith in the 1980s. Starring Joel David Moore (Dodgeball, Grandma’s Boy, the upcoming James Cameron film Avatar), Deon Richmond (Not Another Teen Movie, Scream 3), Tamara Feldman (Perfect Stranger) and Mercedes McNab (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”), Hatchet also boasts a stellar supporting cast of iconic genre veterans including Robert Englund (“Freddy Krueger” from the Nightmare on Elm Street film series), Kane Hodder (“Jason” from Friday the 13th Part VII and VIII, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Chapter and Jason X), Tony Todd (Candyman), and Joshua Leonard (The Blair Witch Project).
Hatchet spins a terrifying tale of tragedy and comeuppance from beyond the grave. Victor Crowley is a hideously deformed boy, living in seclusion with his father (Kane Hodder) in an isolated cabin deep in the Louisiana bayou. When a Halloween prank initiated by local kids goes terribly awry, Victor is accidentally killed in a vicious twist of irony. Years later, a tourist group visiting New Orleans’ “haunted swamps” stumble upon the remnants of that shocking event, transforming an evening of seemingly innocent fun into a horrific nightmare, from which there may be no escape.
From its first appearances at film festivals worldwide including Fantastic Fest in Austin (winning Best Picture “Audience Choice Award,” Best Actor – Kane Hodder and Best Special Effects), Spain’s Sitges Festival, Montreal’s Fantasia Festival (winning Best Picture “Audience Choice Award”), London FrightFest, France’s Weekend De La Peur (winning Best Picture “audience Choice Award”), Los Angeles ScreamFest and the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, Hatchet immediately developed and cultivated a loyal following among horror fans on the Web. Following Adam’s numerous appearances at fan conventions, Hatchet became the “independent film that could,” rallying the fans from all over the world into the “Hatchet Army,” helping to spread the word about the film’s national theatrical release, which included sold-out exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles.
Critical reaction within the genre community was immediate and unanimous. DreadCentral called Hatchet “the next big thing in horror,” while Gorezone Magazine declared the film “a masterpiece.” Tony Timpone, editor of Fangoria Magazine, dubbed Victor Crowley “a potential new slasher icon,” while Icons of Fright reveled in the “over the top, jaw-dropping gore.” But horror fans weren’t the only ones to champion Hatchet. The Austin Chronicle said “no other film in recent memory has featured such a terrifically retro maniac or revisited the heyday of Eighties gore films with such gleeful, moist abandon,” while the Memphis Commercial Appeal proclaimed “I can think of no other recent film that succeeds so spectacularly at what it sets out to do.” It was even put on Top 10 Films of the Year lists for both MTV and Ain’t It Cool News.
The Unrated Hatchet DVD not only presents the film exactly as Adam Green intended – frame by frame – but also offers ninety minutes of bonus features charting the film’s production practically from Day 1. Witness the birth of the next great movie monster with the following supplements:
* Widescreen (1.78:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
* Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Adam Green, Cinematographer Will Barratt and Actors Tamara Feldman,
Joel David Moore and Deon Richmond
* The Making of Hatchet
* Meeting Victor Crowley: An in-depth look at the creation of a new horror icon
* Guts & Gore: Go behind the scenes of Hatchet’s special makeup and prosthetic effects
* Anatomy of a Kill: Witness the “jaw-breaking” birth, design and execution of a death scene
* A Twisted Tale: Writer/Director Adam Green recounts his decades-long friendship with “Twisted Sister” front man
and Fangoria Radio host Dee Snider
* Gag Reel
* Theatrical Trailer
The theatrical version DVD of Hatchet presents the R-rated version, as seen in theaters nationwide, along with the “Meeting Victor Crowley” featurette and the theatrical trailer.
Hatchet was produced under ArieScope Pictures, Radioaktive Film, and High Seas Entertainment. The film was written and directed by Adam Green and produced by Cory Neal. Producers were Sarah Elbert and Scott Altomare. Andrew Mysko and Roman Kindrachuk were the Executive Producers. FX wizard John Carl Buechler (Re-Animator, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers) created Hatchet’s unforgettable special make-up and creature effects.
HATCHET UNRATED VERSION
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Run Time: 84 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP: $26.97
HATCHET THEATRICAL VERSION
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Run Time: 83 minutes
Rating: R
SRP: $26.97
Bonus features include five behind-the-scenes featurettes
charting the production from Day 1
“Amongst the greatest slasher films of all time.” – Bloody-Disgusting
“Victor Crowley is the next icon of horror.” – Ain’t It Cool News
“…salutes ’80s slasher films in cleverly gruesome style.” – Detroit Free Press
BURBANK, CA – Fresh off its national theatrical release, writer/director Adam Green’s Hatchet – the independent horror film championed by internet fans and critics the world over – will be released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on DVD December 18th. The Unrated DVD of the acclaimed horror film, which Pit of Horror dubbed “the best slasher film in twenty years,” comes packed with ninety minutes of in-depth bonus features detailing the joys and pains of creating the next great horror icon – Victor Crowley! SRP for the unrated and theatrical version DVDs is a tame $26.97, with pre-book on November 15.
Visceral and unrelenting, Hatchet is Adam Green’s blood-soaked love letter to the slasher film genre, which reached its critical and commercial zenith in the 1980s. Starring Joel David Moore (Dodgeball, Grandma’s Boy, the upcoming James Cameron film Avatar), Deon Richmond (Not Another Teen Movie, Scream 3), Tamara Feldman (Perfect Stranger) and Mercedes McNab (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”), Hatchet also boasts a stellar supporting cast of iconic genre veterans including Robert Englund (“Freddy Krueger” from the Nightmare on Elm Street film series), Kane Hodder (“Jason” from Friday the 13th Part VII and VIII, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Chapter and Jason X), Tony Todd (Candyman), and Joshua Leonard (The Blair Witch Project).
Hatchet spins a terrifying tale of tragedy and comeuppance from beyond the grave. Victor Crowley is a hideously deformed boy, living in seclusion with his father (Kane Hodder) in an isolated cabin deep in the Louisiana bayou. When a Halloween prank initiated by local kids goes terribly awry, Victor is accidentally killed in a vicious twist of irony. Years later, a tourist group visiting New Orleans’ “haunted swamps” stumble upon the remnants of that shocking event, transforming an evening of seemingly innocent fun into a horrific nightmare, from which there may be no escape.
From its first appearances at film festivals worldwide including Fantastic Fest in Austin (winning Best Picture “Audience Choice Award,” Best Actor – Kane Hodder and Best Special Effects), Spain’s Sitges Festival, Montreal’s Fantasia Festival (winning Best Picture “Audience Choice Award”), London FrightFest, France’s Weekend De La Peur (winning Best Picture “audience Choice Award”), Los Angeles ScreamFest and the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, Hatchet immediately developed and cultivated a loyal following among horror fans on the Web. Following Adam’s numerous appearances at fan conventions, Hatchet became the “independent film that could,” rallying the fans from all over the world into the “Hatchet Army,” helping to spread the word about the film’s national theatrical release, which included sold-out exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles.
Critical reaction within the genre community was immediate and unanimous. DreadCentral called Hatchet “the next big thing in horror,” while Gorezone Magazine declared the film “a masterpiece.” Tony Timpone, editor of Fangoria Magazine, dubbed Victor Crowley “a potential new slasher icon,” while Icons of Fright reveled in the “over the top, jaw-dropping gore.” But horror fans weren’t the only ones to champion Hatchet. The Austin Chronicle said “no other film in recent memory has featured such a terrifically retro maniac or revisited the heyday of Eighties gore films with such gleeful, moist abandon,” while the Memphis Commercial Appeal proclaimed “I can think of no other recent film that succeeds so spectacularly at what it sets out to do.” It was even put on Top 10 Films of the Year lists for both MTV and Ain’t It Cool News.
The Unrated Hatchet DVD not only presents the film exactly as Adam Green intended – frame by frame – but also offers ninety minutes of bonus features charting the film’s production practically from Day 1. Witness the birth of the next great movie monster with the following supplements:
* Widescreen (1.78:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
* Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Adam Green, Cinematographer Will Barratt and Actors Tamara Feldman,
Joel David Moore and Deon Richmond
* The Making of Hatchet
* Meeting Victor Crowley: An in-depth look at the creation of a new horror icon
* Guts & Gore: Go behind the scenes of Hatchet’s special makeup and prosthetic effects
* Anatomy of a Kill: Witness the “jaw-breaking” birth, design and execution of a death scene
* A Twisted Tale: Writer/Director Adam Green recounts his decades-long friendship with “Twisted Sister” front man
and Fangoria Radio host Dee Snider
* Gag Reel
* Theatrical Trailer
The theatrical version DVD of Hatchet presents the R-rated version, as seen in theaters nationwide, along with the “Meeting Victor Crowley” featurette and the theatrical trailer.
Hatchet was produced under ArieScope Pictures, Radioaktive Film, and High Seas Entertainment. The film was written and directed by Adam Green and produced by Cory Neal. Producers were Sarah Elbert and Scott Altomare. Andrew Mysko and Roman Kindrachuk were the Executive Producers. FX wizard John Carl Buechler (Re-Animator, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers) created Hatchet’s unforgettable special make-up and creature effects.
HATCHET UNRATED VERSION
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Run Time: 84 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP: $26.97
HATCHET THEATRICAL VERSION
Street Date: December 18, 2007
Run Time: 83 minutes
Rating: R
SRP: $26.97
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