Subspecies
Year: 1990
Director:Ted Nicolaou
Stars: Anders Hove, Laura Tate, Michael Watson
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Full Moon Features
Running Time: 90 Mins

Plot Synopsis:

“Subspecies” has been considered as one of Full Moon Feature’s best films, by some horror fans alike. The film recently celebrated it’s twentieth anniversary and Full Moon Features recently released the remastered version of the film on DVD and Blu-Ray.

The film is about three women, who travel to Transylvania to do some research on the village culture and its rituals. They unwilling get caught up in a centuries old family war and fall into the clutches of Radu (Anders Hove), a sadistic vampire prince that’s hellbent on spreading darkness and claiming the bloodstone for himself. But his brother Stefan (Michael Watson) is out to stop him and his madness, after he killed their father. But his love for one of the girls puts them in danger, as Radu plans on making them part of his unholy brides. Can the girls survive Radu’s plan for them, in this gothic vampire film. The film also co-stars Phantasm‘s Angus Scrimm.

Film Review:

I‘ve always considered “Subspecies”, as one of my favorite Full Moon films. When I heard that it coming out on Blu-Ray for the first time, I was excited about the release. But after viewing this Blu-Ray, I was kept wondering why there wasn’t an introduction or commentary track with this release.

First, lets start with the film itself. I’ve always liked this film, since seeing it for the first time on the Sci-Fi Channel (known today as Syfy) years ago. One of the things that I still like about this film, the fact that the film is very gothic. Director Ted Nicolaou does a very good job creating a gothic tone. I know that some parts of the film is slow, but most gothic films are suppose to be this way. By making everything that way, it allows the film to have a mysterious and dark feel. He also manages to get the performances to work, so that your interested with the material. Nicolaou does a very good job keeping the characters engaging. He does that, by having a good cast that gels with the material. It’s very important to have chemistry between actors. If the chemistry is not there, then the final product suffers and your left with a boring film. Thankfully, it wasn’t boring and the acting here was good.

Another thing that I still like about this film, the performances of Anders Hove. He plays the film’s main character, Radu. He’s able to make this character very menacing. From the way that he talks to the way that he’s able to generate his presence onscreen, it makes the character very villainous. By doing that, it makes the character very appealing to the viewer and horror fans. That’s why the character has been one of the most popular characters in the Full Moon universe.

What also makes this film very good, the screenplay written by Jackson Barr and David Pabian. What I liked about this screenplay, the fact that the story had a gothic feel to it. They do a very job creating the feel of the story through the setting and the characters. By doing that, it truly makes it look like an nostalgic vampire film. The other thing that makes it good, two of the three characters are very dark. I liked, how they handled the conflict between the two brothers. It made the characters interesting and the story appealing.

Blu-Ray Extras:

Even though this disc boast a very good transfer of the film, I wish the disc had more extra features. The only feature on the disc is a nine minute behind the scenes featurette that was part of the Full Moon Videozone that accompanied each film on their old VHS releases. It wasn’t a bad featurette, as it went into the film’s production and location. It also provided some interesting facts that I never knew about the film. After that, there are six trailers for some of newer Full Moon films. It would’ve been nice to have had an introduction like the “Puppet Master” Blu-Ray had or a commentary track from the film’s director.

Final Summary:

Even though this Blu-Ray is lacking an introduction and/or commentary track, this is still a must for Full Moon fans that have been looking for a better transfer of this classic Full Moon film. “Subspecies” is a very gothic vampire that still has it‘s, after all these years.

You can pick up the twentieth anniversary edition of “Subspecies” only at Full Moon’s official website at: http://www.fullmoondirect.com/SUBSPECIES-Blu-Ray-Remastered_p_510.html

Film Rating: Five Stars

DVD Extras: Two Stars

Welcome to the 298th Edition of my long-running series and two weeks away from the 300th Edition so looking forward to that one. It's good to know the NFL lockout is over so I will soon be looking to join a fantasy team on CBS Sports. I am still plugging away in the world of community theater and hope to be in something soon but things are going well in my life right now so I'll still live if I don't get a part right away. Now I will get onto my selections for the week.

Clay Pigeons (1998): This is the 37th link on The Chain and this one continues with Janeane Garofalo who plays an investigating officer. Joaquin Phoenix, yes he was an actor before his big-time rap career, plays Clay who witnesses a friend kill himself because of an affair he is having with his wife. He then resists any advances from the widow. He then meets Lester, played by Vince Vaughn, who is a charming serial killer and befriends Clay. Lester then decides to help Clay with the problems in his life which leads into a lot of trouble for Clay. Vince Vaughn can be a bit hit or miss with me but I really liked his performance in this film. Phoenix is also good in his role. This was a pretty good independent film with an interesting ending.

Taps (1981): This film takes place at a military academy which features a young Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, and Timothy Hutton. The academy soon becomes threatened by local condo developers which cause these students of a large age range to take very extreme measures to protect their academy. George C. Scott co-stars as the head of this academy but gets taken out of the picture. Timothy Hutton is the leader of the revolt but must soon deal with the actual military with some bad results. While this movie had some entertaining moments and featured these young actors, it had moments of violence which bothered even me at times. I also did not agree with the way these kids went about what they did especially with smaller kids involved. It is still an entertaining 80s film.

Smile, Darn Ya, Smile (1931): This is my animated short for the week which was featured on the DVD for THE PUBLIC ENEMY. This is a Warner Brothers short which features a character named Foxy who is a train conductor and runs into a lot of problems. Foxy seems in some ways their answer to Disney's Mickey Mouse. This is the second of three Foxy shorts where he originates the line "That's All Folks" which would be famously used years later by Porky Pig. This sings the song of the title and is pretty entertaining. Also, good for historic purposes.

Diary of a Madman (1963): This is my chiller of the week which features Vincent Price. Price stars as magistrate Simon Cordier who visits a prisoner before the execution who claims that a spirit makes him do the murders. The prisoner then changed his personality and tried to kill Simon forcing him to kill him in self-defense. Cordier soon begins to feel effects and hears voices soon realizing that all that happened was true. He soon is forced to kill but does what he can to stop the spirit. I really like how this movie played out and flowed pretty well as a psychological thriller.

Forbidden Games (1952): This is my French film for the week directed by Rene Clement. We start with the little 5 or 6 year old girl named Paulette who is with her parents but becomes orphaned in a Nazi attack when her parents are killed. She then makes her way and finds a farming family and a boy named Berthe who is about 2 or 3 years older than her. He soon befriends her and is able to talk the family into taking her into their home. These two children must look to come to terms with the realities of death at their young age getting in trouble with the family and church. This was one film that I will call beautiful with the cinematography and the friendship of the two children dealing with adult situations. This is available on Instant Netflix.

Harriet the Spy (1996): This is my Nickelodeon film for the week which is more geared towards the kids but is a pretty good one for them. BUFFY alum Michelle Trachtenberg stars as the title character who really wants to be a writer and writes everything down in her notebook in her spying activities. The whole school turns on her when they find her notebook. It is then she must find some way to win back her friends and decide if she can still be in the spy business. Rosie O'Donnell is good in this movie as her nanny and Trachtenberg is also good in her role. This is the first feature film from Nickelodeon films and is a film that even us adults can relate to when we were that age.

The Man in the White Suit (1951): Alec Guinness stars in this Ealing Studios comedy which he did a lot of work for. Here he plays a chemist named Sidney Stratton who makes a white suit which cannot get dirty or go downhill. This seems like a great idea but people in the garment industry fear loss of jobs and do what they can to stop it. This movie delivers some laughs but is also a very thought-provoking film. This is available on Instant Netflix.

A.K.A. Cassius Clay (1970): This is my documentary for the week. Most know that Cassius Clay is the controversial boxer who would become Muhammed Ali. This documentary mostly takes a look at his avoidance of joining the military during the Vietnam War and the effects it had on his life. It also focuses on a short-lived musical he was in which appeared to focus on his life. It is a pretty interesting older documentary to take a look upon. My mom always tells the story of the time she met Ali and was one of the great moments in her life. This is available on Instant Netflix.

Cowboys and Aliens (2011): I made a rare appearance to the movie theater to see this one. I met my friends Doug, Tammy, and Jeff at the Hamilton 16 Imax theater in Noblesville which was my first time going to that movie theater. Jon Favreau directed this movie which is a western. Daniel Craig stars as Jake who stumbles into the town of Absolution but does not remember anything of his past or what has happened. He also has a strange shackle on his wrist and a really bad wound. Harrison Ford stars as Colonel Dolarhyde who pretty much runs the town in a bad way. Jake slowly sees his dark past and finds he is not welcome in the town he is in. Things then change for everyone when aliens attack their town and Jake is the person they must rely upon to save the town. Not much explanation needs to be made. It has a great cast including Clancy Brown who plays a preacher and looks a lot different than usual. I have seen some very mixed opinions on this film and that is not even just the critics but moviegoers in general. Myself and the people I was with really did enjoy this film. It did not reach the point of great but thought it was a pretty fun action film and Daniel Craig was great in his role which started to make me rethink recasting him as myself in THE RISE AND FALL OF SHAUN BERKEY in which I am torn between him and Casey Affleck. For me this is a summer block-buster and a pretty good one but I can see some will disagree with me.

My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story (2010): This is another documentary for the week which has a few celebrities reflecting on the relationship with their dogs including Richard Gere, SOPRANOS alum Edie Falco, Lynn Redgrave, Richard Belzer, and many others. They each talk about their individual dogs and the unconditional love they provide. This is one thing that just about anyone with a dog can relate to with these celebrities. I know because of the three chihuahuas we have and right now as I am writing this, two of them are lying against me.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and do not like and stay tuned for next week.

Welcome to the 297th Edition of my series. This week I pay tribute to actress Googie Martinez and former wrestler Terry Taylor who recently lost his wife to cancer. Yesterday morning, I went to Farmland to audition for a musical called RING OF FIRE which uses the music of Johnny Cash. I'll find out this week if I got a part or not. Last night, I had a great night in downtown Muncie with Jason, J.D., and Ian. Now let's get to my movie recommendations for the week.

Bottle Shock (2008): This is the 36th link for The Chain and this one continues with Miguel Sandoval. This is my film on the wine industry and the rise of wine in Napa Valley in California. Bill Pullman stars as Jim Barrett who is the patriarch of the family and very passionate about his wine making but does not want outside help. Chris Pine co-stars as his slacker son Bo who is more inclined though to get help which dismays Jim. Alan Rickman co-stars as Steven Spurrier who comes from Paris looking for good wine and finding it at Napa Valley. He invites them to a contest called "Judgement in Paris" but Jim does not want to go while Bo feels it would be the right thing. This was a really good look at the wine industry and Rickman is someone I can always watch. Other actors include DOLLHOUSE alum Eliza Dushku, Freddie Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, and many others. The real-life Jim Barrett has a cameo in the film. Next week's link on The Chain will be an actor or actress from the first link of The Chain from THE LARAMIE PROJECT. This is available on Instant Netflix.

The Public Enemy (1931): This is the movie which made James Cagney a star. This is my gangster movie for the week which stars Cagney as Tom Powers. It starts in his childhood when he and his friend Matt, played by Edward Woods, become young hoodlums in the prohibition era. When growing up, Tom rises in the Chicago underworld but has a brother Mike who does not like his lifestyle or his sister. Jean Harlow co-stars as Tom's love interest Gwen Allen. This is one of many great performances by Cagney. There is a disclaimer in the beginning talking about the environment that type of person can live in. This film contains the very famous grapefruit scene which sparked a lot of protest towards the abuse of women. Cagney based this performance on gangster Dean O'Bannion. This movie had a great ending and remains quite the classic.

Tulips Shall Grow (1942): This is my short film which I found on my Pub-D-Hub app on the Roku and a very interesting short. This is written and directed by George Pal and is used as a puppet animation film. This is about a young boy and girl who is living a great life but their lives are threatened when a group called The Screwballs come into their home destroying everything they own. This was really a propaganda short film towards the Nazis and their invasion of the Netherlands. It was actually nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Film and one that should be looked at if you can find it.

Fish Tank (2009): Andrea Arnold wrote and directed this gritty British drama which stars Katie Jarvis as the 15 year old Mia who lives in a very bad part of England and has a very difficult relationship with her mother and little sister. Mia tries to escape her pain through dance. Her mom then brings home a boyfriend Connor who she forms an uneasy friendship but starts to like him and he encourages her to pursue dance. In this, Connor may have some ulterior motives. Katie Jarvis was very good in her role and had never acted but director Arnold spotted her arguing with her boyfriend and cast her. This movie is available on Instant Netflix.

Night of the Lepus (1972): This is a movie about killer rabbits and even become giant rabbits later in the film. What more really needs to be said? This is the same year that the movie FROGS came out and at least here they made the rabbits to look quite vicious in which FROGS did not do a very good job of making the amphibians look mean. It was interesting to see Deforest Kelley and Janet Leigh star in such a bad film. This is a movie for one who love watching bad movies that are just so good because they are so bad. I thought a lot of my dad when I found this to DVR. My dad now owns two rabbits and has been a rabbit person for years so I'm not sure how he will take this movie. If you have not guessed, the world Lepus is the latin term for rabbit.

Malena (2000): This is my Italian film for the week. This takes place in the WWII era and stars Monica Bellucci as the title character. Giuseppe Sulfaro plays the 12 year old Renato who takes a fixation to Malena not believing all the gossip. Malena is a very beautiful woman whose husband is off to war and everyone assumes that she is a whore. This is a very beautiful film and shows the price of gossip and jealousy and what can happen when spreading false rumors. Renato is the only person in town who defends her and is the only mature person in the town. This movie is available on Instant Netflix and one I would like to get on the radar a bit.

On Approval (1944): This is my tribute to actress Googie Martinez who recently left us and co-stars in this film. This is my British comedy for the week. Beatrice Little and Clive Brook star as a couple who travel to a remote island to "try out" married life to see how great marriage can become. They soon tie the knot but see how complicated for married life. This is a pretty risque comedy for the time and delivers some laughs. It also has some very amusing narration in the beginning. This movie is available on Instant Netflix.

Forever Hardcore: The Documentary (2005): This is my tribute to Terry Taylor who recently lost his wife to cancer and has quite a bit of interview footage in this wrestling documentary. This documentary was produced by Jeremy Borash and is based on the Philadelphia promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling from the '90s which made quite a mark on the wrestling world. In 2004, WWE released their own documentary called THE RISE AND FALL OF ECW which people who were interviewed here were people who at the time worked for Vince McMahon. This documentary is a companion piece which have other wrestlers to reflect on their times with ECW. This movie goes in depth into Raven's crucifixion angle, Shane Douglas' infamous promo on the championship, New Jack's take on the Mass Transit incident, Sandman's entrance, and many other things. ECW alums like Raven, Sabu, Sandman, Terry Funk, Blue Meanie, Shane Douglas, Francine, New Jack, Joey Styles, and many others interview on the rise of the promotion to their downfall. On the DVD there is some extra interview footage with these guys including one of New Jack showing how crazy he is and one I don't know that I would work with. This was a very good documentary and possibly better than the WWE documentary though I still like that one. I really liked Terry Funk's insight whether I agree with him or not. This can be good for any wrestling fans. For all you younger fans and wrestlers, this is a good one to check out for this very controversial promotion that inspired a very loyal following of fans and something that will never be matched.

Ten North Frederick (1958): Philip Dunne directed and wrote the screenplay of the John O'Hara. Gary Cooper stars as Joe Chapin who is a businessman making the decision to go into politics and the repercussions it has on his family. This movie starts at his funeral where his daughter thinks back to the last five years of his life in his failed marriage and failures in his political career but finds one moment of happiness. This is a pretty good portrait on a dysfunctional family and Ray Stricklyn is good as Joe's son who wants to go into music but his mother is determined for him to follow in his father's footsteps. Cooper, while still the protagonist, is a little more dark than usual.

Time Out (2001): I end this week with this French selection. Aurelien Recoing stars as Vincent who is a married man and father of three. Vincent loses his job and cannot bring himself to tell the truth to his family so during the day roams the countryside. He does what he can to keep his secret from his family and looking for for a job as well as his place in the world. Vincent slowly slips into darkness while trying to keep this secret. This is a great character study and Recoing is good in his part.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike. Stay tuned for next week which so far includes Joaquin Phoenix, Tom Cruise, Vincent Price, and many others.

For once we have a summer movie that is not a sequel, prequel, or an unnecessary remake of a horror classic with “Cowboys & Aliens.” And yet we come out of it disappointed that it was not all it was cracked up to be. Despite having quite the crew with “Iron Man” director John Favreau, Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and it’s based on the popular graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. While it’s not boring, it is not as exciting or thrilling as its numerous trailers led us to believe.

The movie starts off in the wild west of 1873 when Daniel Craig’s character wakes up in a Jason Bourne-like situation not knowing who he is or why he has this metal thing attached to his wrist. But sure enough, he knows how to kick ass when the situation calls for it. I love how you can develop amnesia and yet remember certain reflexes like how to take out an attacker in less than 5 seconds. He is soon discovered to be Jake Lonergan (an appropriate last name for a loner), a wanted man with too many crimes to keep track of. But just as he is about to be taken away by Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford), strange lights appear in the sky… You’ve seen the trailer, so you know what happens next.

Mixing science fiction with the western genre is an inspired move, but Favreau is never able to balance one with the other effectively. It also would have been better if he did not reveal the look of the aliens early on. Not seeing them made them far more threatening to where our imaginations went into overdrive, and this could have worked immensely to the film’s advantage. But when we do see them up close, their design proves to be nothing memorable or particularly original. After “Super 8,” no other monster seems as scary or threatening in its wake.

This is a shame because “Cowboys & Aliens” could have gotten a passable grade on the performances alone. Instead of doing a riff on James Bond, Daniel Craig embodies the classic antihero that is Jake Lonergan without sugar coating him too much. Craig also reveals a strong vulnerability here underneath that rough bravado which looks through you saying:

“Let’s not mess with me today…”

Harrison Ford thankfully looks more alive here than in “Morning Glory” where he resembled a walking corpse. This is not just him doing Indiana Jones or Han Solo (the latter being the furthest thing from his mind I’m sure), and he could have gotten away with doing that. Ford makes Dolarhyde a tough and gruff man who has seen things impossible to wipe away from memory. While his role feels underwritten compared to Craig’s, it’s nice to see him in working in genres where he appears more or less to be having fun.

But the actor that truly blew me away here was Olivia Wilde’s who played the elusive Ella Swenson. This is not just due to her being ravishingly gorgeous (let’s be honest here), but I had to keep pinching myself to remind myself that she is the same person who portrayed the warrior Quorra in “Tron: Legacy.” She looks completely different here, and it’s not simply due to makeup. Along with sharing a palpable chemistry with Craig, she maintains her character’s mysterious nature to the very end, and her acting talent can no longer be easily dismissed.

I also loved all the character actors chosen for “Cowboys & Aliens” as their performances give this film an authenticity to its setting without being held prisoner to it. Clancy Brown, a long way from his “Highlander” and “Pet Sematary 2” days, is excellent as the preacher Meacham. Now this isn’t your fire breathing preacher with flames coming out of his nostrils, but a plain spoken man who speaks of God’s will without shoving it down your throat in condescending fashion.

It’s also great to see Sam Rockwell here as the saloon owner Doc. In many ways, this character could have been the gutless wimp that inhabits you average western, but Rockwell inhabits his character with a subtle humanity, keeping him from turning into a walking cliché. No, his performance doesn’t quite reach the heights of his work in “Moon” or “Choke,” but big deal! Rockwell is a welcome presence here, proving once again he’s one of the best character actors out there right now.

Keith Carradine has been celebrating some anniversaries lately, be it “Trouble In Mind’s” 25th or “Southern Comfort’s” 30th, and its welcome fun to see him here as Sheriff John Taggart. Carradine’s one of the few actors I can think of who can play a sheriff and effectively keep him from becoming a bumbling idiot. Some actors just act the part, but Keith becomes it and makes you believe he’s an officer of the law not easily corrupted.

And there’s Paul Dano, the wonderful actor who memorably played the cowardly characters in “There Will Be Blood” and “Where The Wild Things Are” among other films. For a moment, it looked like he would break typecasting here as Dolarhyde’s son Percy, looking to instill fear in the town’s inhabitants so he can get his way. Of course, Craig’s insertion of his knee into Dano’s “Mr. Happy” area is a quick reminder that he’s still stuck in cowardly territory. But he’s still a wonderful actor who does strong work here.

The actors really do a lot to elevate “Cowboys & Aliens” above the overdone western and sci-fi movie it sadly is. Director Favreau doesn’t do a bad job here, and there are good action scenes to be had. But coming out of this movie, I realized there was nothing about it that exhilarated or enthralled me. There were even times I found myself getting bored, but I didn’t look at my watch though.

Also, there are too many scenes that foreshadow what will happen later on. When Col. Dolarhyde gives the young boy his knife, you know that he will eventually use it to kill at least one alien. When the moment came where he made use of the sharp instrument, I was saying to myself:

“What took you so damn long?!”

Then there’s Sam Rockwell’s character that spends a couple of scenes learning how to shoot a gun. Of course, he’s a horrible shot, but will he get his aim straight and true when it counts? Does a bear shit in the woods?

The money’s certainly up there on the screen in “Cowboys & Aliens,” and it’s clear that the filmmakers did not slack in this production. That it comes up short is frustrating because while the cast keeps it from seeming like an average action movie, the director is unable to do the same. There are far worse movies out there this summer, and this one will still appeal to many. Still, this could have been far better than what ended up on the screen. Darn!

The one big delight I got out of “Cowboys & Aliens” came after the end credits where they had the old advertisement about visiting Universal Studios. You know this one; it was featured at the end of “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers” among other movies. Seeing it put a smile on my face, but it would have been just perfect if the filmmakers snuck in that one line:

“Ask for Babs.”

* * ½ out of * * * *

Fallback Plan Production recently send us over the official trailer for their film "Absentia", which is playing at this year's festival. The film has won awards such as Best Narrative Feature Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival 201l, Best Horror Feature at the Phoenix International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival 2011, and Honorable Mention, Best Narrative Feature, Fargo Film Festival 2011. The film has already played twice at this festival and will have one more showing before the end of the festival. The screening will be hosted by Writer/Director/Producer Mike Flanagan and Producers Justin Gordon and Morgan Peter Brown.

For more information on this film, you visit the film's official website at:http://absentiamovie.com/

Plot Synopsis

A missing person needs to remain that way for seven years before legally being declared dead in absentia. Today, Tricia’s long-vanished husband qualifies for this terrible honour. Even while filling out the final paperwork, she keeps missing-person posters for her husband, clinging to whatever hope she can. Her younger sister Callie, a recovering junkie, moves in with her for moral support. They struggle to avoid discussing the elephant in the room. Their town has a higher-than-average number of missing persons. Much higher than average. Search posters for the hastily departed adorn trees and posts like pockmarks and everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who vanished into thin air without warning or return.

Upcoming Screenings:

August 7th, 2011 / 9:30 pm / J.A. De Seve Theater / Montreal, Canada

"Absentia": Official Trailer

Scott Glosserman is seeking your help in funding his sequel to the cult hit "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon". He offering the chance for you to be part of his film and be killed by Leslie Vernon. Read further here for more information.

Press Release:

Hi,

Scott Glosserman seeks help from fans for the making of Before the Mask: The Return of Leslie Vernon by offering the chance to be killed by Leslie Vernon! In 2006 director Scott Glosserman took the horror world by storm with his debut feature, Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon, the mockumentary which followed Leslie Vernon as he planned his reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo. After years of rumors that Glosserman was preparing a new Leslie Vernon film the whole team, filmmakers & actors, are back for another round. This time Glosserman requests the help of Leslie Vernon’s loyal fans to compile financing for the “sprequel” - a mashup of a sequel, prequel and remake – to Behind The Mask.

With Before The Mask, Glosserman has set a goal to be the first feature film to raise funds directly through crowd financing through a Facebook application. Already fans have flocked to the Before The Mask facebook page (http://facebook.com/BeforeTheMask) to pledge over $6000 by preordering special edition DVDs and merchandise for Before The Mask.

And new items have been added to the Before The Mask store offering fans the opportunity to buy a walk on role, party with the cast at the wrap party, receive a phone call from the films star Nathan Baesel, or get killed in the new movie!

The video below features a special message from Leslie himself asking Vernonites to join together to support the making of Before The Mask: The Return of Leslie Vernon.

Constellation.tv, in conjunction with NYU film professor and filmmaker Amos Poe bring a unique series called "Quality Films with Amos Poe". The first film in the series is "Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon". The cost is $3.99 per film and the series will take place every Sunday night beginning 7/31 at 8pm EST. To reserve your e-ticket for the screening, you can goto: constellation.tv/quality.

Constellation, the first global movie theater, will present a weekly series of classic films, hosted exclusively on ConstellationTV by NYU film professor and filmmaker Amos Poe.

The first film in the series will be Akira Kurosawa's RASHOMON. Constellation viewers pay $3.99 for e-tickets to attend. Professor Poe will lead a live discussion about the film both during and after the virtual presentation.

"Kurosawa's masterpiece reflects the one unique quality of cinema, i.e. the story is a matter of perspective and the emotional truth of an inspired narrative is both subjective and objective."
-- Amos Poe

Purchase a ticket to this unique event here:
constellation.tv/quality

Romeo and Juliet vs. The Living Dead
Year: 2010
Director:Ryan Denmark
Stars: Hannah Kauffmann, Jason Witter, Mark Chavez
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Third Rail Films
Running Time: 90 Mins

What if, Shakespeare wrote a play with witty dialogue and put zombies in it. “Romeo and Juliet vs. the Living Dead” would be the film that he would come up with.

This take on Shakespeare follows Juliet Capulet, as she starts to fall for a zombie named “Romeo”. But there has been a long standing feud between the Capulets and the zombies that has threatens to ruin their union. While this is happening Juliet’s best friend Mercuito begins to have a crush on her. This leads him to try and stop Juliet from marring him. As everything unfolds, Mercuito is forced to make a decision between his own well being and Juliet’s true happiness.

I always liked it, when a film that comes in my mailbox that is original and not trying to take itself seriously. This was definitely the case with “Romeo and Juliet vs. the Living Dead”, as I had a lot of fun watching this film.

From start to finish, this was a laugh out loud riot. The main reason for that was the way the film was paced very well. Director Ryan Denmark does a very good job spoofing the material. One of the things that makes this film work, he allows the humor to be funny. From the way he directs his cast to how the funny moments are timed, the humor is something that you can laugh at and not think that its stupid or repetitive. The gags were funny, as I found myself laughing at various parts. It’s the way that Denmark handles the funny moments very well that makes it very good. He also pleases the zombie enthusiasts with a couple of very good zombie death scenes. Those scenes were handled very well, as they were very gory and had a purpose to enhance the story. It also kept the action moving, which is needed for a zombie movie to work. Denmark also does a good job with the way that he handles his cast. The performances worked very well with the subject matter, as they handled the delivery of the Shakespearean context and put their own funny spin on their character. It contributes to making this film, very funny.

The screenplay is what makes this film, in my opinion. Denmark along with screenwriter Jason Witter, who also plays Romeo does a very good job balancing the horror and romantic comedy aspects. I liked, how they came up with idea of writing most of the film’s dialogue in a Shakespearean tone. The way that they wrote it helps enhance the humor, which is needed for this to succeed and not come off as a poor man‘s attempt to recreate Shakespeare. What I also liked about it, the writers took their time to make the humor and horror elements work. Combining both of those elements are usually hard to do. You have to please both horror fans and people who are looking for moments to laugh. The writers do a very good job in combining those elements, as there are scenes that would make zombie fans and the general viewer happy and bursting in laughter. This is one of those films that you can’t stop laughing.

Forget about “Tromeo and Juliet” being the one film that would make William Shakespeare spin out of his grave,. “Romeo and Juliet vs. The Living Dead" would be that film with its offbeat humor and gory deaths.

You can check this funny film out through Amazon On-Demand at: http://www.amazon.com/Romeo-Juliet-vs-Living-Dead/dp/B004DCUJ20/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1311640856&sr=1-1 and ITunes at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/romeo-juliet-vs-living-dead/id396316117 .

Review Rating: Four Stars

IFC Films send us news that they've acquired John Landis' latest film "Burke and Hare" starring Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. The film is set to hit theaters on September 9th, but it will be premiering on VOD and Sundancenow.com on August 5th.

Press Release:

The first feature length film in over 10 years from director John Landis (THE BLUES BROTHERS), and featuring an all star cast led by Simon Pegg (SHAUN OF THE DEAD) and Andy Serkis (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), BURKE AND HARE is a comedic take on the true story of the 1828 Edinburgh body-snatchers William Burke (Simon Pegg) and William Hare (Andy Serkis). These two Irish entrepreneurs discover that a dead body can fetch a hefty price when the demands of the leading medical professors Dr. Knox (Tom Wilkinson) and Dr. Monroe (Tim Curry) reach beyond that of the local supply.

BURKE AND HARE will be available on SundanceNOW starting August 5th ahead of its theatrical debut on September 9th. The film stars Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher (WEDDING CRASHERS), Tim Curry (THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW), and Tom Wilkinson (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE).

The film is also playing at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival. Director John Landis will be on hand for the screening and he will also receive the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award before the screening.

Upcoming Screenings:

July 27th, 2011 / 9:30 pm / Hall Theater / Montreal Canada
August 5th, 2011 / 9:45 pm / J.A. De Seve Theater / Montreal Canada

There are a lot of sexual hijinks that goes on in "Foxy Festival". One of the films that's playing at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival. The film is directed by Lee Hae-young, who directed the comedy "Like a Virgin" in 2006. The film has played at Udine Far East and New York Asian Film Festivals, this year. Now its having its canadian premiere at this year's festival. Writer/Director Lee Hae-young will be there to host the screening on July 28th.

Plot Synopsis:

Word has come down in the local police station that in a not-so-subtle public relations display, the cops are going to double their efforts at keeping at least one particular neighbourhood — a nice, quiet, wholesome part of town — free of sleaze, perverts and indecency. Won’t the locals appreciate that! Not that Jang-bae is really the right cop for the job. He’s a total pig at home, awful to his girlfriend, and convinced that given the size of his mighty cock, the world owes him everything. Right around the time Jang-bae’s ego is shattered by the discovery of his girlfriend’s mail-order vibrator purchase, other naughty secrets are surfacing. A prim and proper dressmaker has noticed the handsome handyman across the street — and the whip and handcuffs hidden in his storage room. The dressmaker’s teenage daughter has a secret of her own. As does the fish-sausage vendor she’s got a crush on. And her high school teacher. And sooner or later, all these fetishes, kinks and sexual hijinks are going to boil to the surface — for better or worse!

Upcoming Screenings:

July 28th, 2011 / 9:45 pm / Hall Theater / Montreal Canada

The Frankenstein Syndrome
Year: 2011
Director:Sean Tretta
Stars: Tiffany Shepis, Patti Tindal, Louis Mandylor
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: MTI Home Video
Running Time: 90 Mins

Normally when your truly reviews independent horror, I don’t have much anticipation for the most of the films. But with this film, it was different. The film stars one of my favorite horror actresses, Tiffany Shepis. After watching “Nympha” and The Violent Kind, I was excited for this film.

“The Frankenstein Syndrome” follows Elizabeth Barnes, a young stem-cell researcher, who joins a top secret group that is looking for a serum that heals everything. During her research, she develops a serum that can brings the recently deceased back to life. But the serum has it’s side effects, as it makes that person mentally unstable. When a guard is murdered at the research facility, Barnes and her team resurrects him. Once resurrected, the man starts to exhibit childlike behavior. Soon he something much more violent than ever before. Barnes must find a way stop him and his behavior, before she becomes his next victim.

What happens when you take the elements of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein and mix them with stem cell research. The end result is a surprisingly good movie.

This one of those horror films, where it was about the story and not about slashing people to generate scares. The direction here was handled very well. If your going to have a film that is influenced by “Frankenstein”, then it has to be dark. Writer/Director Sean Tretta does a very good job making the tone very dark. He’s able to generate the tone of the film, from the way the film was directed. The scenes never gave you a sense that its going to end well for any of the characters, including the main character. That’s what makes this very dark and makes you feel like your watching a medical horror film that also feels like a well executed chamber drama. Tretta also does a very good job with the way that he directs the acting. The acting here was very good. I liked, how he makes sure that the performances are dark and dreary. It’s doesn’t make you want to like any of these characters.

Also I thought, Tiffany Shepis and Patti Tindall did a very good job making their performances work. They made their characters dark and interesting. In films like these, the performances have to be good or else your in for a long boring film. These actresses did a very good job in making their characters interesting and dark. There’s also a few scenes, where these actresses also did a very good job making the exchanges between their characters work. It’s good chemistry with lead actors that make dramatic scenes work and keep your interest with the film.

Tretta’s screenplay combining the elements of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein to the controversial topic of stem cell research to create an interesting story. He uses the topic stem cell research as an element to the story, instead of trying to be preachy about the pros and cons of this controversial research. It makes it feel like a movie and not the debates of this controversial subject. The other thing that I like about this, the way that Tretta tells this story. He tells from the point of view of Shepis’ character. By having the film being told through the FBI interview, your getting the story from the main character‘s point of view and negates the topic from becoming a major factor in the story.

By far, “The Frankenstein Syndrome” does not try to be a ripoff of the original “Frankenstein”. Instead. this is very horrifying medical horror film with very good lead performances and good direction from Sean Tretta.

Review Rating: Four Stars

Twisted Twins Productions send us information that their debut film "Dead Hooker in a Trunk" has been acquired for US distribution by IFC Midnight. The film is set for VOD release on August 3rd with limited midnight theatrical screenings to follow. Contact your VOD provider, for more information and availability.

Press Release:

The Highly Anticipated Release of the Award Winning, Critically Acclaimed, Independent Hit, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK!

WORLD PREMIERE -- AUGUST 3rd 2011 --

"You should check out DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. They made it low budget and it's f*cking awesome. The violence is incredible and the stunts are fantastic." ~ Eli Roth, Director

After touring the film festival circuit and capturing the attention and adoration of critics and fans alike, the highly anticipated world release of the independent, cult classic in the making, grindhouse film DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has finally arrived after making its UK and Australian release earlier in the year. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is being released through special midnight theatrical screenings in a limited release across the USA and Canada by IFC Midnight. Cities and theater information will be released soon. For those who can't wait to see it in theaters can see it early through VOD on August 3rd, 2011.

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, set in beautiful Vancouver, tells the story of four friends who set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when they discover the body of a dead hooker left in their trunk.

Lead by a sexy, impulsive Badass, her distant Geek twin sister, their bible thumping, Jesus loving Goody Two Shoes friend, and a chaotic, rock star Junkie pal, the group has to put aside their differences to dispose of the body before they're next. Thrown into their own personal purgatory, they face off against persistent police, a sleazy motel manager, chainsaw wielding triads, and a brutal serial killer. All the while they are followed by a mysterious Cowboy Pimp who wants to claim the corpse for his own.

Will they uncover the truth behind the body and be able to stand up to their demons? Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life filled with gun fights, extreme violence, blood, guts, gore, and goats.

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is the debut feature film by Canadian Twin Filmmakers, Jen and Sylvia Soska, that has set the independent horror scene ablaze with excitement. The film and the filmmakers have captured the attention of Hostel director Eli Roth, Fangoria, Gorezone, Twitch Film, Rue Morgue, and many other profound voices in horror.

“Watching Dead Hooker in a Trunk is like having the best bare backing sex of your life while hopped up on junk with a fugly prostitute in a seedy motel room on the wrong side of town”
~ TWITCH Film

"Seriously, f*cking wow. I was totally hooked by the dialogue and the sheer where-the-f*ck-is-this-going-ness" of it all."
~ Gorezone

"A cult classic in the making and a hidden gem in indie film making."
~ The Jaded Viewer

"Wild, psychotic, funny, bloody, and strangely sexy opus."
~ Arrow In The Head


DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has earned a substantial cult following and named onto several "Top Horror Film Of 2010" lists making it one of the most hyped and blogged about independent films of the year.

"Nearly every actor and actress who appeared on screen in DHiaT also served the film in other areas, from camera operators and stunt coordinators to editors and cinematographers. This film is a work of art, and it's a labor of love. Love from fans of horror, and of film in general, who took that love and put it to work, creating a film of their own. And the love and respect that these men and women have for the genre, as well as for movies as a whole, is very evident throughout the entire film. This is how a movie is supposed to look, sound and feel!" ~ D'Ment'D Cinema

For more information, please check out the following sites or contact the Twisted Twins at their Official Site (http://www.twistedtwinsproductions.net/).

When I heard about a major announcement regarding this year's festival on Friday , I didn't expect this would be the announcement.

On August 4th at 11:55 PM, the Fantasia International Film Festival will be hosting the World Premiere of "Final Destination 5" in 3D at the Scotia Bank Theatre, 977 Ste. Catherine West. Actress Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood will be attendance for the screening

Press Release:

In “Final Destination 5,” Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man’s premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

The second of the Final Destination films to be shot in 3D, “Final Destination 5” is directed by Steven Quale, marking his major feature film directorial debut. The screenplay was written by Eric Heisserer.

The film brings together an ensemble cast, including Nicholas D’Agosto (“Fired Up!,” TV’s “Heroes”), Emma Bell (“Frozen,” TV’s “The Walking Dead”), Miles Fisher (TV’s “Mad Men” and “Gossip Girl”), Arlen Escarpeta (“Friday the 13th”), with David Koechner (“The Office,” “Anchorman”) and “Final Destination” franchise icon Tony Todd (“Hatchet II”). Rounding out the cast are Courtney B. Vance (TV’s “Flash Forward,” “ER”), P.J. Byrne (“Dinner for Schmucks”), Ellen Wroe (TV’s “Huge”) and Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood (TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful”).

Producers Craig Perry and Warren Zide return for the fifth time, working with executive producers Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Erik Holmberg, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada and Dave Neustadter.

Collaborating with Quale behind the scenes are director of photography Brian Pearson (“Drive Angry 3D,” “My Bloody Valentine 3D”); production designer David R. Sandefur (“Repo Men,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth”); editor Eric Sears (“Shooter”) and costume designer Jori Woodman (“Eight Below”). The music is by Brian Tyler.

Quick note before I start this review: Be sure to stay through the end credits! Many of you may already be planning to sit through them, but everyone else needs to understand this when they enter the theater. There is a very special surprise for everyone at the end!

“Captain America: The First Avenger” succeeds where “The Green Lantern” utterly failed; it gives us a superhero (one from the Marvel Comics universe) that is distinct from all those of his ilk, and its character is one we quickly come to care about and root for. Steve Rogers isn’t just some cocky kid from Brooklyn with an overinflated ego to match. He’s a sickly young man who desperately wants to fight for his country, but who has been rejected from serving in the military countless times. But what he lacks in health he makes up for in spirit. Steve wants to fight for his country not because Uncle Sam wants him to, but because (and he said it himself) he never backs down from a fight.

I also liked how the movie didn’t shy from its American roots the way “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” did. While it shied away from saying the slogan “a real American hero” out loud, “Captain America: The First Avenger” doesn’t do that. At the same time, it doesn’t just beat you over the head with blind American patriotism that would make Roger Ailes at the Fox News Channel proud. It has its share of American pride, but it’s really about the spirit of this unlikely soldier which keeps him sane after he is transformed into a super soldier. The outside may be different, but the inside of the man remains the same (almost sounds like “Robocop”).

Playing Steve Rogers/Captain America is Chris Evans who you may remember him from those dopey “Fantastic Four” movies. As for myself, I remember him best for doing a grind down an icy railing which led to his ultimate doom in “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” Chris is perfectly cast and does great work in keeping his character from becoming just another clichéd war hero. His heart shines throughout the entire movie, and he never allows Rogers to become laughable or indulge in behavior that’s easily cringe inducing.

Once Steve is turned into the super soldier that is Captain America, you root for him to go into battle and defeat the Nazis. But seeing him become a pawn for the United States’ Government in hawking War Bonds is depressing even when his irrepressible spirit and love for country shines through. We understand his desire to prove himself, and out spirits rise along with his.

Of course with every superhero movie we get a vicious villain. In this case, that would be Johann Schmidt, Adolf Hitler’s right hand man who is later revealed to be Red Skull. This particular Skull has his own plans for world domination through his own organization of HYDRA, and he gets his followers to raise both hands instead of just the one for Hitler. With a stolen tesseract, HYDRA can eliminate their foes faster than those phasers that vaporized the red shirts on “Star Trek.”

Hugo Weaving portrays Johann Schmidt/Red Skull and gives “Captain America” the formidable villain it needs. Still, after being in all “The Matrix” and the “Lord of the Rings” movies, I kept waiting for him to say:

“Welcome to Rivendell Mr. Anderson!”

“Captain America: The First Avenger” also has the other requisite characters like the Army drill sergeant and the beautiful woman who dares the most macho men to treat her as a woman instead of the soldier she is. It’s not hard to guess who gets their ass kicked here. But director Joe Johnston succeeds in getting the best actors available to inhabit these roles and give them life beyond the mere clichés they could have been.

Tommy Lee Jones is highly entertaining as Col. Chester Phillips, a character we’ve seen in plenty of movies; a gruff, no nonsense military leader who expects nothing but the best from his soldiers. Jones however gives Phillips a wry sense of humor which much like the one Sam Gerard had in “The Fugitive.” Watching him being subtly dismissive of others and later coming around to see Steve Rogers is the man is a hoot, and he never ends up screaming all over the place like R. Lee Emery in “Full Metal Jacket.”

Then there’s Hayley Atwell who plays Peggy Carter, the female officer who of course becomes Steve Rogers’/Captain America’s love interest. But I really liked how her character was drawn out to where she doesn’t just exist for the sake of Chris Evans’ character. Hayley sells us completely on her tough demeanor which is no act, and she travels across the screen with an assured confidence that is not easily faked.

Joe Johnston got the job of directing “Captain America: The First Avenger” based on period movies he made like “The Rocketeer” and “October Sky.” There’s a lot of attention placed on the detail here (the story takes place 1942 to be exact), but it isn’t held prisoner by it. Heck, many of the tools HYDRA ends up using seem far removed from the 40’s, and they look like they came out of a sci-fi movie that has yet to be made for another 20 or 30 years. While he hasn’t made a great movie with this, he still has given us an undeniably entertaining one. It didn’t even need another terrific film score by Alan Silvestri to prove that!

In terms of the 2011 summer movie season, “Captain America: The First Avenger” isn’t better than “Thor” which for me had far more interesting characters, but it easily outdoes “The Green Lantern” which is one of this year’s biggest disappointments. Thanks to Chris Evans’ performance, Captain America finally gets the cinematic respect long since denied to him. It all serves as an entertaining prelude to next summer’s eagerly awaited “The Avengers.”

* * * out of * * * *

Level 10 Films and Battle of Ireland Film recently send us over stills for their film "Some Guy Who Kills People". It's one of the films that's playing at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival.

The film stars Kevin Corrigan (Living In Oblivion), Barry Bostwick ( The Rocky Horror Picture Show) , Karen Black (House of 1,000 Corpses), Lucy Davis (Shaun of the Dead)Leo Fitzpatrick (Kids) stars and is executive produced by John Landis (An American Werewolf in London).

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://someguywhokillspeople.com/
Plot Synopsis:

Featuring a stellar cast of familiar faces, the film follows Ken Boyd (Kevin Corrigan), a local loser fresh out of the loony bin. Trying to piece the remnants of his life back together, Ken’s fragile psyche receives no help from his over-bearing mother (Karen Black) or her buffoon of a lover, the local sheriff (Barry Bostwick).

Ken finds solace in the idea of killing the men he holds responsible for his miserable life, until a surprise run-in with his estranged 11-year-old daughter Amy (Ariel Gade) and a budding new romance (Lucy Davis) threaten to derail his plan.

A genre-defying delight, Some Guy Who Kills People is a guaranteed cult-classic that will tickle audiences’ funny-bone at knife-point with razor-sharp dialogue and cutting performances.

Upcoming Screenings:

July 25th, 2011 / 9:30 pm / J.A. De Seve Theater / Montreal Canada
July 29th, 2011 / 12:45 pm / J.A. De Seve Theater/ Montreal Canada

Well Go USA recently announced that they will be releasing Jackie Chan's latest film, "Little Big Soldier" to Blu-Ray and DVD on August 23rd. The film has won the audience awards at the New York and the Valencia Film Festivals.

Press Release:

Legendary martial arts star Jackie Chan (The Karate Kid, Rush Hour trilogy) is the writer, producer and star of the comic martial arts extravaganza Little Big Soldier, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD August 23 from Well Go USA. Chan co-stars with Leehom Wang (Lust, Caution) as a peasant soldier in ancient China who kidnaps a young enemy, then escorts him home in hopes of collecting a reward. The extensive bonus features include two featurettes and a Jackie Chan music video. Little Big Soldier will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.

Synopsis:
Set in the war period in China between 476 BC – 221 BC, the story between a soldier (Jackie Chan) and a general (Wang Leehom) from opposing states (Liang and Wei) and very much opposing views on the war and world. A painful yet comical journey commences when the soldier decides to abduct the downtrodden general and bring him back to his state in the high hopes of collecting a reward. When the unlikely duo are confronted by danger, they quickly learn that they must join forces in order to survive.


Bonus Features Include:
§ Behind the Scenes Featurette
§ Making of Featurette
§ Jackie Chan Music Video
§ Trailers

Bloody Disgustings and The Collective has send us information regarding their next film in the Bloody Disgusting's "Night Terrors Series" over at AMC Theaters, "Atrocious". It's one of the most anticipated indie horror films of the year, as the film has gained buzz at the 43rd Sitges International Film Festival and this year's Slamdance Film Festival. The film opens in AMC Theaters August 17, 2011 with midnight showings on Friday and 10pm showings on Wednesdays.

Press Release:

What: The directorial debut of Spanish helmer Fernando Barreda Luna, ATROCIOUS. Produced by Octavi Martínez, David Sanz, and Jessica Villegas Lattuada, ATROCIOUS is a Nabu Films and Silencio Rodamos Producciones production. View the official trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGOgo8wju5I.

ATROCIOUS premiered internationally at the 43rd Sitges International Film Festival and then at Slamdance this past January 2011, garnering a tide of online buzz and quick comparisons to 2008's PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.

ATROCIOUS is a gruesome, mind-bending thriller shot in a style reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. The horror film excerpts found footage from a film reel recovered by Spanish police, documenting a family of five discovering the truth behind a dangerous urban legend. The 37 hours of found footage follow Cristian and July Quintanilla passing time at their summer home by investigating a terrifying and mysterious urban legend. As their investigation intensifies, strange occurrences in and around the house escalate rapidly, culminating finally in unspeakable atrocities.

Director Fernando Barreda Luna was born in Mexico in 1983. A screenwriter, editor, producer, and director, he is the founder of production company Nabu Films. Atrocious is his feature film debut.

WHEN: Opens Theatrically August 17, 2011
Show times are 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and midnight on Fridays

WHERE: AMC Theaters. Please visit BloodyDisgustingSelects.com for tickets and show times or check local listings.

You know something? I was looking forward to this more than I was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.” Granted I saw the latter first, but anyone who knows me best will more than understand my sheer desire to see this one: I am a die hard Eeyore fan! I got my first Eeyore plush toy before the start of the 5th grade, and I’ve lost track of how many I have collected since; my niece told her friends I have over 3,000, but I beg to differ. To see him play such a pivotal role in “Winnie the Pooh” was a huge delight for me after seeing him get reduced to a mere cameo in “Pooh’s Hefalump Movie.”

Oh yeah, I should talk about the rest of the film as well. That “silly old bear” once again headlines the proceedings as his grumbling tummy develops a mind of its own as it uncontrollably yearns for honey. Sure enough there are beehives nearby with a wealth of Pooh’s favorite food, but the bees are understandably protective of their export. Then there’s the case of Eeyore’s missing tail which has everyone giving him another which (to put it mildly) doesn’t exactly compare. To cap it all off, this classic gang mistakenly believes that Christopher Robin has been kidnapped by an evil monster known as the “Backson” (see the movie, you’ll understand).

For some reason, watching Pooh hurriedly pursuing that sticky substance kept reminding me of Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream” with its characters becoming increasingly desperate for heroin or whatever their minds craved more than their bodies. But that’s just me. I somehow doubt the animators at Walt Disney had any intention of making a G rated movie reminding you of one of the most seriously disturbing films ever made.

“Winnie the Pooh” brings the 100 Acre Wood back to traditional hand drawn animation, something of a rarity these days. While the characters would have looked fantastic with computer animation a la Pixar, doing things the old fashioned way was the right choice. The “Winnie the Pooh” films and shorts have been long since relegated to the Disney channel and direct to DVD realm, and this brought about a drop in quality. But seeing Pooh bear and company on the big screen is a terrific reminder of why we grew up loving these characters in the first place.

Jim Cummings once again provides the voice for Pooh bear as well as Tigger, and he captures the distinctive voices of each character perfectly. Travis Oates gets the innocent stuttering of Piglet down to perfection, and late night talk show host Craig Ferguson makes Owl as jolly as he is oblivious to his own pomposity. Rabbit on the other hand has always been the most anal of A.A. Milne’s characters, so I thank Tom Kenny for making him more likably bearable than he typically is. As for Christopher Robin, Jack Boulter gives a strong British accent and still sounds like a girl at times (just like the actor who voiced him in “Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore”).

Now back to the good part! Eeyore has been a great source of dry humor, and his brand of it is on fully display here. Watching him try on the tails others have given him (Pooh’s clock doesn’t quite do the trick) should at the very least put a smile on your face even if it doesn’t on Eeyore’s. One of the movie’s most hilarious moments comes when Tigger trains him to be the second Tigger, leading to a montage that I would love to say (but can’t quite get myself to believe) would put Rocky to shame. Bud Luckey, who delighted us all with his great animated shorts on “Sesame Street,” memorably voices Eeyore with all his gloominess and reduced expectations in life.

One great addition to this particular version of Winnie the Pooh is of Zooey Deschanel. She doesn’t appear in this movie, but she does sing many of its songs including the classic opening track which introduces Christopher Robin’s friends. Her voice is lovely and it also has a whimsical quality which makes her contributions to this soundtrack all the more wonderful. While the songs by Robert and Kristin Anderson-Lopez aren’t as memorable as anything you heard in “Beauty and the Beast” or “South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut,” they fit the material nicely without indulging in cringe-inducing cheesiness.

By bringing Pooh and his friends back to basics, “Winnie the Pooh” really proves to be a wonderfully innocent and nostalgic stroll to the stories our parents read to us at one time or another. It’s the perfect family movie to see this summer even over the more popular (and ridiculously maligned) “Cars 2.” Not once does it boil things down to the lowest common denominator of an audience, and it is a rare piece of cinematic innocence in a world filled with loud explosions and seriously crappy 3D effects. It’s a mere 69 minutes long, but there is more story to this than its running time might suggest (BTW, stick through the end credits).

Now let’s get Eeyore’s name in the title of the next one! Tigger and Piglet both had enough charisma to get a headliner’s status above Winnie the Pooh, so you can’t convince me that Eeyore can’t. It’s not like Owl, Kanga or Roo could upstage him anyway. And regardless of what Tina Fey and Seth Meyers said on “Saturday Night Live,” Eeyore did not commit suicide. As to whether auto-erotic asphyxiation was involved, I have no comment.

EEYORE MOVIE FOR 2012!

* * * ½ out of * * * *

"Monster Brawl" will be making it's world premiere, this afternoon at the 2011 Fantasia Film Festival. Forsight Features recently send us over stills and the offical poster for that film. The film stars Dave Foley, Robert Maillet, Art Hindle, Jimmy Hart, Herb Dean, Narrarated by Lance Henriksen and featuring Kevin Nash. For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.monsterbrawlmovie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Set in the tradition of a Pay-Per-View main event, comes a grotesque and hilarious fight to the death featuring a cast of eight classic combatants in all. Along with their colorful managers, these Monsters compete in visceral bloody combat in the ring to determine the most powerful monster of all time.

Upcoming Screenings:

July 23rd, 2011 / 2:05 pm / Hall Theater / Montreal Canada

Did those ten years go by in a flash or what? With “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” we have reached the end of the boy with the lightning scar’s journey which culminates in his long awaited battle with Lord Voldemort. “Part 1” was slower, more drawn out and didn’t have as much action, but this was the case with the book so that had to be expected. But with “Part 2,” we get an all out action packed epic combining unforgettable characters with great special effects. We walk out of it somewhat exhausted but very much satisfied with its powerful conclusion, and we’re relieved it didn’t end the same way as “The Matrix Revolutions” did.

Unlike the other summer blockbusters of 2011 which value special effects over character, “Part 2” does the reverse; the key to this franchise is how emotionally invested we get in these characters. The more you realize that, the less it matters how noticeably good the visual effects are (BTW, they are excellent). This in part should explain why all those Harry Potter wannabes like “Percy Jackson” or “Eragon” never made much of a dent in our collective consciousness when they were brought to the silver screen.

My hat goes off to every single actor in this movie as everyone gives their all to this thunderous climax. Daniel Radcliffe in particular deserves much credit and proves that his casting as the famous wizard boy truly was a stroke of genius. He imbues every scene as Harry with tremendous heart and soul, and Radcliffe makes this iconic character all the more human instead of some generic hero. Seeing him grow up from the first film to the last is a joy as we watched his talent grow along with him.

Ditto as well for Rupert Grint and Emma Watson who finally get to do you know what in this movie. In a lot of ways they have the harder job here; playing characters forced to hold their on against the famous Harry Potter. If they seemed a bit one dimensional in the first movie, that certainly changed with each successive sequel. Rupert has grown so much to where his squeamish behavior has given way to a well earned heroism which was shown to great effect in “Part 1.”

Emma Watson has also given Hermione Granger more depth and complexity throughout the series, showing vulnerability and a longing which finally comes clean after she and Ron destroy one of the Horcruxes. She’s always made us care about Hermione even as her know it all attitude threatens to alienate those closest to her. This is not to mention that she has grown lovelier over the years as well.

Actually, one actor who almost steals the show here is Matthew Lewis who returns as Neville Longbottom. The character started out as a bumbling and disorganized student far more comfortable with Herbology than anything else. Matthew brought this character to life in wonderful fashion, and then he burned the character into our memories in “Order of the Phoenix” as we came to learn more about Longbottom. With “Part 2,” Matthew (much like Rupert) has earned his heroic status as he keeps up the fight against he who shall not be named.

But of all the performance in “Part 2,” my favorite by far was Alan Rickman’s who you come out believing was the only actor on earth capable of inhabiting the character of Severus Snape. We learn even more things about Snape this, and it will forever change to way you perceive the character. Alan deserves to be seen as one of England’s finest actors both on stage and in film, and his work in these films is further proof that there’s more to him than Hans Gruber in “Die Hard.”

“Part 2” brings back many actors from the previous films such as David Thewlis as Remus Lupin, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Emma Thompson as Sybil Trelawny, and Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood among others. I dare you to find a single weak performance from this entire cast as they inhabit their characters and give a full life to J.K. Rowling’s vivid (not to mention highly profitable) imagination. Now keep in mind, I said weak and not bad. We should all know by now that there are no bad performances to be found in the “Harry Potter” movies!

Of course, there’s no forgetting Ralph Fiennes who breathes life into the infinitely evil Lord Voldemort in a way others could not. While Voldemort’s first appearance in ‘The Goblet of Fire” felt like a let down, Fiennes made up for that with his vocal command and subtle movements which showed he never had to move much to instill fear at the mere mention of his name. How many other actors could deliver the line “Harry Potter is dead” with such nasty relish and fearsome satisfaction?

Now while I’m kind of bummed Nicholas Hooper didn’t come back to score the “Deathly Hallows,” I can’t complain with Alexandre Desplat’s work as he is now one of the premiere composers in movies today. Along with his brilliant work on “The Tree of Life,” this tops off what has been a great year for him so far. Desplat manages to weave the themes John Williams created all those years ago to where you cannot tell their work apart from one another, and he adds immeasurably to the story’s sheer emotional power.

But much of the credit should go to director David Yates who (along with Alfonso Cuaron) was one of the best things to happen to the “Harry Potter” movie franchise. Yates does excellent work in balancing out the characters with the destruction surrounding them, and he lets the actors move the film forward as opposed to the visual effects doing it for them. Yates digs deep into these characters’ lives which we have followed almost religiously for quite some time, and he never ever renders them as superheroes but as regular human beings caught up in a fight others cannot easily comprehend. It’s his attention to character which makes “Part 2” all the more enthralling.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” could have easily been anticlimactic as the book it was based on came out a few years ago, and we already know of Mr. Potter’s fate before this movie’s release. With the last of these movies, Harry has indeed earned our goodbyes for a second time. “Part 2” is an adventure filled with emotion that has us enthralled all the way to the very end. Even if we know the outcome, we’re still caught up with what’s going on.

All in all, it’s been a remarkable journey watching these kids grow up in a place of wonder which later gave way to a stark darkness that threatened to destroy them all. Some will say the “Harry Potter” movies got too dark, but that’s because they never bothered reading the books. It also shows that we all have a dark side within us. It is not something to be ashamed of as it is something we must overcome. Knowing this is a necessary part of growing up. Thank you J.K. Rowling for that!

* * * * out of * * * *

Pop Skull
Year: 2009
Director: Adam Wingard
Stars: Lane Hughes, Hannah Hughes, Brandon Carrol
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Halo 8 Entertainment
Running Time: 89 Mins

"Pop Skull is film that was released on DVD last year from Halo 8 Films. It's part of spotlight highlighting the work of director Adam Wingard, whose latest film ""What Fun We Were Having: 4 Stories About Date Rape" is having it's world premiere at this year's festival.

This is a repost and rewrite of my review from March 2010 . For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.popskullthemovie.com/

“Pop Skull” has won grand jury prizes at the Indianapolis International Film festival and Boston Underground Film festival. It has also premiered at the AFI Film Festival and internationally at Rome Film Festival. Now the film has been on DVD for a couple of months now.

This shocking film is about Daniel, a young pill addict. He has increasingly become addictive to pills and drugs. His downward spiral gets ever more worst. He has to collide with deadly sprits that begin to inhabit his house and haunt him. Soon Daniel discovers, the home holds a deadly secret that was the scene of a gruesome murder. As the force’s presence grows stronger, Daniel must stop these forces or else those murders are doomed to repeat again and destroy his life.

There are few films that you would be guaranteed to come out feeling like that you’ve just been on one bad acid trip. This was one of those films. It never lets up, as this becomes an acid trip in the first few minutes and never stops. It’s one of those films where you’ll watch the whole film and be horrified or you’ll just turn it off and never look back.

“Pop Skull” relies mostly on Adam Wingard’s direction. The direction here was very good. He goes for a very chaotic approach, when directing and shooting some of the film’s most horrifying images. He makes the imagery very dark through using various techniques. Some of the scenes were either full of color or dark and very bleak. This is where the acid trip analogy comes into play. Wingard also blends some of the film’s images together to give its surreal tone. He blends them to give the viewer an experience that frightens your senses and mind. Wingard also does a good job making performances work within the context of the story, as they were very dark especially the lead performance. I was sold on the fact that his character is on a downward spiral and losing control of himself. The performance helps makes this film, very effective.

The screenplay written by Wingard, Lane Hughes and E.L. Katz does a good job creating a level of suspense and shocking images. One of the reasons was that the writers did a good job, they focus around a character, by going into the character’s state of mind. By focusing on all of his problems and how his addiction to pills has changed the way that he looks at everything, as it gives a frightening aspect into how addictions destroy people. The writers also did a very good job making some of the film’s scares works. The reason that they work, the images come out of nowhere. All of this bizarre imagery grabs your attention to the point that you want to know how this is going to play out.

This is a very well crafted and shocking film. “Pop Skull” is a frightening and visually horrifying look at drug addiction and how it destroys people.

Review Rating: Five Stars

Upcoming Screenings:

July 24th, 2011 / 5:00 pm / J.A. De Seve Theater / Montreal Canada

In even more Lionsgate News, they've also released the official teaser poster for "The Hunger Games", which hits theaters on March 23rd, 2012. In addition, they are giving away mini posters of the film at particapating theaters this weekend and one lucky Facebook fan will win a meet and greets with some of the cast and crew of the film. For more information, check out this press release.

Press Release:

This weekend ONLY Lionsgate has partnered with movie theaters across the country to give away collectable mini posters for The Hunger Games. Make sure to check the following local theaters for posters while supplies last!

AMC Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/amctheatres
Carmike Cinemas: http://www.facebook.com/CarmikeCinemas
Celebration Cinemas: http://www.facebook.com/celebrationcinema
Cinemark Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/cinemark
Clearview Cinemas: http://www.facebook.com/ClearviewCinemas
Marcus Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/MarcusTheatres
Megaplex Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/MegaplexTheatres
Muvico Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/MuvicoTheaters
Malco Theatres: http://www.facebook.com/malcotheatres
Rave Motion Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/RaveMovies


Also, you can enter the Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps as the contest will be closing this Sunday July 24th with the conclusion of Comic-con. To enter the sweepstakes, fans need to “like” THE HUNGER GAMES on Facebook and submit an entry form. Then, they have the option for two additional entries if they share the page with friends. The winner will be announced online the week of July 25. Included in their set visit will be a tour of set, select meet and greets with some of the cast and crew and autographs.

In the last post, I mentioned Lionsgate's their upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D film. Now here's their other most anticipated horror film, Joss Whedon's upcoming co written and produced horror film "Cabin in the Woods". The film is also the directorial debut from "Cloverfield" writer Drew Goddard and stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Let Me In), and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing). "Cabin in the Woods is set to hit theaters on April 13th, 2012.

Press Release:

LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, acquired worldwide distribution rights to the horror film THE CABIN IN THE WOODS from MGM and scheduled the film to be released on April 13, 2012, it was announced today jointly by Joe Drake, President of the Motion Picture Group, and Jason Constantine, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.  The company will be distributing the film in North America and the UK, with Lionsgate’s international sales team handling overseas sales.

The film was co-written by Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, FIREFLY, the upcoming Marvel film THE AVENGERS) and writer Drew Goddard (CLOVERFIELD, LOST, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), and marks Goddard’s directorial debut.  Whedon also produced the film, which he has described as “the horror movie to end all horror movies.” The film is wildly imaginative and intensely horrific, toying with every convention of its genre while at the same time raising their stakes exponentially.  

THOR’s Chris Hemsworth stars as a young professional who visits a quaint cabin in the woods with a group of friends and ends up scratching the surface of something so massive and horrific that they can only begin to fathom it as time quickly runs out.       

Richard Jenkins (LET ME IN), Bradley Whitford (THE WEST WING), Kristen Connolly (THE HAPPENING), Brian J. White (STOMP THE YARD), Amy Acker (ANGEL), Fran Kranz (DONNIE DARKO), and Jesse Williams (BROOKLYN’S FINEST) also star in the film. 

“This is a movie that operates on many levels, and it works gloriously on every one of them,” said Joe Drake. “There is intense fan anticipation for this film, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver what we’re sure will be a major zeitgeist movie and an instant horror classic- and on a Friday the 13th no less.”
Added Constantine, “Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard are two filmmakers who I have long admired, and it’s an honor and a delight to be in business with them.  They’ve made an incredibly terrifying, mind-blowing movie that simultaneously celebrates and innovates the genre that they both know and love so well.”

Said Goddard, "Lionsgate's passion and enthusiasm for our movie has been so overwhelming, I had to go back and make sure we didn't accidentally screen The Godfather for them.   Fortunately, we did not.  We couldn't be happier at our new home."

Added Whedon, "I'm thrilled that Cabin has landed at Lionsgate because they get and love the film and I'm excited to be working with them on the release."
Negotiations on behalf of Lionsgate were overseen by Constantine along with Lionsgate’s SVP of Acquisitions Eda Kowan and EVP of Business & Legal Affairs Wendy Jaffe.