Summit Entertainment recently send us over some stills and the official for the upcoming Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen comedy-drama "50/50". The film is directed by Jonathan Levine, who previously directed "The Wackness" and "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane", which still hasn't received distribution here in the states. The film also co-stars Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Anjelica Huston. "50/50" hits theaters in the US on September 30th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:http://50-50TheMovie.com

Plot Synopsis:

Inspired by personal experiences, 50/50 is an original story about friendship, love, survival and finding humor in unlikely places. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. Rogen also serves as producer, along with Evan Goldberg and Ben Karlin. Jonathan Levine directs from a script by Will Reiser. "We worked with Will on Da Ali G show, and it was shortly after that we learned he was sick." Rogen recalls. "As shocking, sad, confusing and generally screwed up as it was; we couldn't ignore that because we were so ill-equipped to deal with the situation, funny things kept happening. Will got better, and when he did, we thought the best way to pull something good out of the situation was to get him to write a screenplay. Ideally we wanted to make a film that would be as funny, sad, and hopefully as honest as the experience we went through. As soon as the script was completed, it quickly became a passion project for all of us. It helped us come to terms with Will's struggle as well as our own experiences." 50/50 is the story of a guy's transformative and, yes, sometimes funny journey to health. 50/50 draws its emotional core from Will Reiser's own experience with cancer and reminds us that friendship and love, no matter what bizarre turns they take, are the greatest healers.

Screening Information:

Monday September 12th
Ryerson
6:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Tuesday September 13th
AMC 7
2:00pm
Toronto, Canada






"50/50": Official Trailer

La Zanfoña Productions recently released stills for their film "Juan of the Dead". The comedy-horror film is apart of the Contemporary World Cinema program that happens every year at the Toronto International Film Festival. "Juan of the Dead" is Cuba's first horror film and has been receiving buzz from such horror sites as Dread Central and Bloody Disgusting, since the project was announced.

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

Plot Synopsis:

The zombie world has yet to witness one last stand – Cuba. An outbreak hits the island on the anniversary of the revolution, so Juan and his friends set out to conquer the undead who, according to government reports, are unruly Americans continuing their quest of undermining the regime.

Upcoming Screenings:

Saturday September 10th
Scotiabank Theatre 3
10:15pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
AMC 3
8:45pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 17th
Scotiabank Theatre 3
12:45pm
Toronto, Canada

Lionsgate send us information regarding a special sneak preview of their upcoming release "Warrior", which hits theaters on September 9th, The film starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton will having a special sneak preview this weekend on Sunday September 4th at 7:00PM.

For more information on participating theaters, you can goto
www.warriorsneakpreview.com

For more information on the film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.warriorfilm.com

Press Release:

LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced a special sneak preview screening program for the inspirational sports drama WARRIOR. The screenings will be held on Sunday, September 4th at 7:00 pm, at theaters nationwide. The announcement was made by Lionsgate's co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.

To promote the sneak previews, Lionsgate has partnered with Twitter to designate the hashtag #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview, which Lionsgate has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, allowing Twitter's powerful user base a direct link to buy tickets and continue to spread the tremendous word of mouth the film is receiving.
Moviegoers interested in seeing the film, which Rolling Stone's chief film critic Peter Travers calls "fiercely moving," can purchase tickets in advance at www.warriorsneakpreview.com and use #WARRIORMovieSneakPreview on Twitter to share information about the movie with friends.

"We are in a fortunate position in that the best promotional tool for this incredible film is the film itself," explained Drake of the motivation to allow general audiences this special advance access. "This is truly a movie for everyone, and as we've screened it, people in all demographics- even those who might not have otherwise sought the film out- have been enthralled by its blend of triumphant, inspirational sports storytelling with poignant and powerful family drama."
Adds David Spitz, who heads Distribution for Lionsgate, "Critics and private screening guests have shown extreme enthusiasm for this film in advance of its release, and we are honored to be able to share the experience earlier than promised with audiences everywhere, especially on a patriotic, family oriented weekend like Labor Day that fits so well with the themes of this particular film. We can't wait to read the sneak preview audience's tweets as they become the first consumers to share their reactions with the world."

About Warrior
Rising stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton command the screen as two estranged brothers facing the fight of a lifetime in Lionsgate's WARRIOR, a moving, inspirational action drama from acclaimed director Gavin O'Connor (Miracle).
Haunted by a tragic past, Marine Tommy Conlon (Hardy) returns home for the first time in fourteen years to enlist the help of his father (Nick Nolte) to train for Sparta, the biggest winner-takes-all event in mixed martial arts history. A former wrestling prodigy, Tommy blazes a path toward the championship while his brother, Brendan (Edgerton), an ex-fighter-turned teacher, returns to the ring in a desperate bid to save his family from financial ruin. But when Brendan's unlikely, underdog rise sets him on a collision course with the unstoppable Tommy, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart, facing off in the most soaring, soul stirring, and unforgettable climax that must be seen to be believed.
A rousing ode to redemption, reconciliation and the power of the human spirit, WARRIOR is also a moving testament to the enduring bonds of family. WARRIOR stars Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, Star Wars: Episode III), Tom Hardy (the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Black Hawk Down), Jennifer Morrison ("House", Star Trek) and Nick Nolte (Tropic Thunder, The Thin Red Line). The film is directed by Gavin O'Connor; screenplay by Gavin O'Connor & Anthony Tambakis & Cliff Dorman and story by Gavin O'Connor & Cliff Dorfman. Lionsgate and Mimran Schur Pictures present a Lionsgate / Mimran Schur Pictures production. A Solaris Entertainment and Filmtribe production

Lionsgate brings us some very good news for us blu-ray horror fans that were disappointed by Anchor Bay handling of "The Evil Dead II" blu-ray. Lionsgate official announced today that they will be releasing the 25th anniversary edition of "Evil Dead II on Novemeber 15 for a very low price of $14.99. By the looks of it, it's going to rock.

Press Release:

From horror master Sam Raimi (Drag Me to Hell) and starring the effervescent Bruce
Campbell (Army of Darkness), Evil Dead II gets the deluxe Blu-ray treatment this November from Lionsgate. Ranked #19 in Entertainment Weekly’s “Top 50 Cult Films” list, Evil Dead II has been hailed as “one of the most visually inventive, relentless and truly original films ever made” (BBC). The Evil Dead II: 25th Anniversary Edition is packed with all-new special features that revisit every aspect of the film’s shoot with over 20 cast and crew members, plus tons of existing content and a thrilling new High-Definition 1080P transfer. The Evil Dead II: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Disc slays fans on November 15th for the suggested retail price of $14.99.

The lone survivor after an attack of flesh-eating spirits, Ash (Campbell) retreats to the woods with his girlfriend, Linda (Denise Bixler, Crisis in the Kremlin). There, Ash plays her a recording of a professor’s readings from the Book of the Dead. The spell unleashes an evil force to take over Linda’s body and turns her into a monstrous Deadite, threatening to do the same to Ash. When the professor’s daughter and her friends arrive, the evening unravels into a gory and comic battle with a chainsaw, a shotgun and a flying eyeball.

BLU-RAY DISC SPECIAL FEATURES*

“Swallowed Souls: The Making of Evil Dead II” (HD) – NEW 90-minute multi-chaptered feature-length documentary Dead by Dawn – A Look At The Development And Twists Of Fate That Led To Evil Dead II’s Creation With Bruce Campbell And Others!

The Chosen One – Star Bruce Campbell Looks Back On Challenges Of Returning To The Evil Dead Universe While Actors Sarah Berry, Danny Hicks, Ted Raimi And Kassie Wesley Detail The Horrors Of Their Roles In Evil Dead II

Madman Sam – Cast & Crew Reflect On Working With Legendary Director Sam Raimi Featuring Rare And Candid Moments From Original On-Set Footage

Dead Effects – Special Make-Up Effects Creators Mark Shostrom, Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Robert Kurtzman And Others Detail Their Graphic And Now-Famous Creations From The Film Along With Never-Before-Seen Photos And Video Footage

Re-Animated – Animators Doug Beswick, Tom Sullivan, Rick Catizone And Other Members Of The Visual Effects Crew Detail The Extensive Stop-Motion And Physical Effects Work Used In Creating Many Of The Memorable Horrors Seen On Screen

Method to Madness – Cast & Crew Detail The Challenges Of The Film’s Production Design And Photography And Some Of The Most Memorable Moments From The Exhausting Shoot Of The Film

Rosebud – A Look At The Editing And Eventual Release Of The Film With Cast & Crew And How It Has Evolved Into A Certified Cult Classic Over The Past Quarter-Century

“Road to Wadesboro: Revisiting the Shooting Location of Evil Dead II” featurette (HD) – NEW

“Cabin Fever” featurettes from the set of Evil Dead II by makeup effects artist Greg Nicotero – NEW

“Artifacts of the Dead” stills gallery – NEW

Audio commentary with writer/director Sam Raimi, actor Bruce Campbell, co-writer Scott Spiegel, and special makeup effects artist Greg Nicotero

“The Gore the Merrier” makeup and effects featurette

“Evil Dead II: Behind the Screams” making-of featurette

Theatrical Trailer (HD)

And More!
*subject to change

“Red State” is to Kevin Smith what “Unforgiven” was to Clint Eastwood; a game changer in the way we perceive him as an artist. Any shred of Jay and Silent Bob is completely absent here as he probes the horror of an ultra-fundamentalist church whose fear of God prompts a siege of destruction that tests its members as well as those ordered to bring them down. Nothing Smith has done previously will prepare you for what he comes up with in “Red State.” We know he’s been looking to do something other than the “Clerks” movies or those formulaic comedies which he’s spent far too long apologizing for. With this one, his creativity and passion for moviemaking is clearly reinvigorated.

The movie starts off innocently enough with one of Smith’s favorite subjects: young men talking about sex. Three teens named Travis, Jared, and Billy Ray drive out to a remote place and meet up with a woman named Sarah (Melissa Leo) who has promised to make out with each of them. But after a couple of beers, they pass out and wake up to find themselves prisoners of the Five Points Church, a fundamentalist cult led by God-fearing pastor Abin Cooper (Michael Parks) who seeks to punish those who have morally corrupted America whether they be homosexuals or adulterers among other sinners. But when things get out of hand as they always do, the church is forced to make its last stand as the police and FBI intervene in a showdown that will not end happily.

The Five Points Church is Smith’s not so subtle representation of that church which is known for protesting funerals of homosexuals and dead soldiers. You probably know the church he’s referring to. For those of you who don’t, you can just figure that out which one on your own. While we see them for the fascist hate mongers they are, you have to wonder what draws anyone to a church with such unrealistic and obscene views. Some are just looking for an answer, and any answer will do to give their life meaning. Whether or not you believe in the beliefs of the Five Points Church or that church is almost beside the point; what should concern you is that there are people out there who do believe in the ridiculously hateful things they are taught, and they will do anything to defend those values at whatever cost.

The leader of that church can only dream of being as charismatic as Abin Cooper. Michael Parks performance is nothing short of brilliant as he makes you believe how people can fall under the spell of a religious pervert. Parks was introduced to a whole new generation of fans when he played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” and “Grindhouse.” After watching him in “Red State,” you come out wondering why he is not a bigger star. Parks doesn’t just give us a mere impersonation of some maniac preacher. Instead, he gives us a deeply religious man who is as seductive as he is dangerous.

With the actors, Smith just lets them loose to do their own thing, and the results are enthralling. Melissa Leo, who deservedly won an Oscar for her performance in “The Fighter,” gives it her all as Cooper’s daughter Sarah. Her emotional conviction in this role is proof of how far Cooper’s influence as a preacher goes, and Leo remains one of the best actresses working today.

Another big standout is John Goodman who plays ATF Special Agent Keenan. Goodman has always been a great actor, but you get the sense that after so many years that most people don’t recognize him as that. His work in “Barton Fink” and “The Big Lebowski” should be more than enough to convince you of this. Anyway, he gives some of the film’s best speeches as his character is forced into a situation that goes against his moral values, but is one which he cannot simply override. Goodman inhabits this character perfectly, giving him the emotional turmoil and confusion etched on his face.

Other great performances come from Kerry Bishé as Sarah’s daughter Cheyenne, and she is ever so intense in her desperation to save the women and children whom she feels will fall victim to the government’s actions for the wrong reasons. Kevin Pollak provides memorable support as Keenan’s right hand man, Special Agent Brooks. You also have to give credit to the three young actors playing the teens: Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, and Nicholas Braun. The roles they are given are one-dimensional, but they bring more to the material than what is on the page, and they give you a reason to care about their characters and of what happens to them.

Smith’s movies in the past have dealt with conversations about pop culture, but there’s none of that in “Red State.” He instead exploits certain movie conventions that have us believing we’ve figured this one out, and then he pulls out the rug from under us. The violence is truly shocking as characters meet their fates in a way we don’t see coming. This is not your typical good guys versus bad guys story as everyone here is morally flawed in one way or another. The events of David Koresh’s demise in Waco, Texas hang heavily over the proceedings, and no one looks to come out of this a hero.

“Red State” could have been a simple look at the damage caused by religious perversion, but there are different levels at work here. We see how the church, the government, and the local police react to the violent situation they are all immersed in. Look closely at the end credits; the cast is divided by religion, police, and politics. It becomes about containment by any means necessary. So when all is said and done, no one’s coming out of this battle in one piece.

Working with his long time director of photography Dave Klein, Smith finds a unique look for this movie thanks to the RED digital camera. Both are able to get shots that give the material a visceral feel you wouldn’t expect from the director of “Jersey Girl.” The flexibility they find with this device feels inspirational as it allows them to do things they couldn’t do previously.

Kevin Smith still seems determined to retire from making movies, and that’s a shame. “Red State” represents a new chapter in his long career that begs him to keep on going. It’s not a horror movie in the typical sense of things jumping out at you to give you an easy scare; it shows horror we find in everyday life. Who knew Smith would capture it to such powerful effect? In a time when the voices of independent movies appear to be gasping their last breath, Kevin Smith shows himself to be the last man standing and gives us a reason why we can’t let movies like his simply fade away.

* * * * out of * * * *

Fox Searchlights recently released the official poster and stills for their upcoming film, "Martha Marcy May Marlene". This is the first feature film from director Sean Durkin and stars Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes and Hugh Dancy. "Martha Marcy May Marlene" will be hitting US theaters on October 21, 2011.

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

Plot Synopsis:

Martha Marcy May Marlene is a powerful psychological thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young woman rapidly unravelling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a cult and its charismatic leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and brother-in-law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha's reality and delusion begins to blur.

Upcoming Screenings:

Sunday September 11th
Ryerson
3:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
Scotiabank Theatre 3
10:15pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 17th
TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
9:45pm
Toronto, Canada

Sony Pictures has released some stills and the official trailer for one of the most anticipated films of the fall, "Moneyball", which is directed by Bennett Miller (Capote). The film is starring Brad Pitt, as Billy Beane, who is the General manager for the Oakland A's. Also co-staring are Johan Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman. "Moneyball" hits theaters in the US on September 23rd.

For more information on this film, you can check out the film's official website at: http://www.moneyball-movie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Based on a true story, Moneyball stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s and the guy who assembles the team, who has an epiphany: all of baseball’s conventional wisdom is wrong. Forced to reinvent his team on a tight budget, Beane will have to outsmart the richer clubs. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games. It’s more than baseball, it’s a revolution – one that challenges old school traditions and puts Beane in the crosshairs of those who say he’s tearing out the heart and soul of the game.

Screening Information:

Friday September 9th
Roy Thomson
6:30pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 10th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
2:30pm
Toronto, CA

Saturday September 17th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
2:30pm
Toronto, CA





"Moneyball" Official Trailer

There are a couple of things that are happening this week here on Film Arcade. We will be debut our first internet show on our You Tube channel, this Friday. I'll talk more about it, when it goes online. Now on to the business at hand

Welcome to our coverage of the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. For the next couple of week here at Film Arcade.net, we will spotlighting films that are playing at this years festival like we did with out Sundance, SXSW Film Festival, and Fantasia coverage. We have stills, trailers and news items that come across our desk pertaining to this year's festival.

This year's Toronto International Film Festival will be taking place on September 8th through the 18th.

Film District recently send us some stills and the official trailer for their upcoming film "The Rum Diary". The film is based on debut novel from Hunter S. Thompson and stars Johnny Depp (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi and Marshall Bell. You can follow the film on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rum-Diary/218246874862570


Plot Synopsis:

Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson, “The Rum Diary” tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp). Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, The San Juan Star, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancée of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, is one of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen’s financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.





"The Rum Diary": Official Trailer

Bloody Disgusting Selects has send us over the official poster, trailer, and information regarding Lucky Mckee's new film "The Woman" that will be playing at AMC theaters on October 14th 2011 . The film earlier this year shocked and horrified audiences at Sundance. "The Woman" is the latest book from Jack Ketchum to adapted into a feature film.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/selects/releases/the-woman/

Press Release:

WHAT: Directed by Lucky McKee, based on the bestselling novel by Jack Ketchum, written Ketchum and McKee by and produced by Andrew van den Houten and Robert Tonino for MODERNCINÉ, THE WOMAN is a disturbing tale of torture and dirty little secrets that can haunt any seemingly harmless neighborhood. The story follows a successful country lawyer who captures and attempts to "civilize" the last remaining member of a violent clan that has roamed the Northeast in the wild for decades, thereby putting the lives of his family in extreme jeopardy.

Starring Pollyanna McIntosh, Sean Bridgers and Angela Bettis, the film prompted furious debates and walkouts during its world premiere in the Park City at Midnight program at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Reports surfaced of people becoming sick while watching the graphic scenes and one irate Sundance audience member went so far as to say THE WOMAN “ought to be confiscated, burned. There's no value in showing this to anyone." Whether a “wonderfully bizarre tale” or an “inhumane degradation of women,” you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Rated R for “strong bloody violence, torture, a rape, disturbing behavior, some graphic nudity, and language"

this film is sure to have viewers (and reviewers) squirming in their seats.

View the official trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWFSaJiROFY
View the teaser clip at: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/25803

WHEN: Opens theatrically beginning October 14th, 2011.

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

MORE: Director Lucky McKee has been involved in filmmaking since his childhood in Jenny Lind, CA, when he and a friend recreated THE NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET after seeing it in a local theatre. McKee directed his first video in 2001, and quickly gained a cult following a year later after releasing the film MAY, an eerie murder thriller based loosely on Mary Shelley’s “FRANKENSTEIN;” “TAXI DRIVER;” and lyrics from the band Nirvana. After showing at Sundance, MAY earned a limited theatrical release before being released on DVD. McKee has previously teamed up with Ketchum, adapting two of his novels into films: THE LOST in 2006 and RED in 2008. THE WOMAN made headlines earlier this year when it screened at the Sundance Film Festival, prompting walkouts and controversy surrounding its graphic violence. The film has also screened at the Texas Frightmare Film Festival.

WHAT ELSE: The Collective, a full-service entertainment management and content company and #1 Horror website BloodyDisgusting.com, have partnered to acquire and distribute the best new horror and thriller titles from the festival and international markets to theatres across America.

The series has included RAMMBOCK, YELLOWBRICKROAD, PHASE 7 and ATROCIOUS. The Collective, along with Bloody Disgusting Selects, also released the critically acclaimed Sion Sono film COLD FISH, which will be available on DVD and iTunes August 23 following its current art-house theatrical run, including a Sept. 16-22 run at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, and is available for rental on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/cold-fish/id452491582.

After their theatrical runs, The Collective and Bloody Disgusting will make each film in the series available to fans on DVD, Video on Demand (VOD), online and television. Released though The Collective’s home-video partnership with Vivendi Universal, DVDs for each film in the Bloody Disgusting series feature unrated content, bonus features and special packaging. The first, RAMMBOCK, was released June 28 on DVD and VOD. YELLOWBRICKROAD was released on August 2 on DVD and VOD and will also run on TV VOD from Sept. 2 through Nov. 1. COLD FISH streets on DVD and iTunes August 23 and follows with TV VOD on Sept. 23 through Nov. 22.

"The Woman": Official Trailer

WWE Studios recently send us over the official poster and trailer for their upcoming film "Inside Out", which stars WWE wrestler Triple H, Michael Rapapport, Parker Posey and Bruce Dern. The film is slated for limited release on September 9th.

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

Plot Synopsis:

For the last thirteen years AJ (Triple H) has been behind bars, convicted of manslaughter for killing a man who intended to kill his best friend, Jack (Michael Rapaport) a high-strung low-level mobster. Now released, AJ wants nothing more than to start a small business and live a life free of crime. Unfortunately, within hours of leaving prison, Jack involves AJ in an accidental shooting leaving a man dead.

When Jack’s father, local mob boss Dr. Vic (Bruce Dern), hears the news he wants the mess cleaned up, and fast. Meanwhile, Martha (Julie White) an agent for the Louisiana Tax Board, has been investigating Dr. Vic for smuggling counterfeit cigarettes into Louisiana and determined to bring Dr. Vic down and Jack. With the authorities hot on his trail, Jack is now forced to skip town.

Dr. Vic’s patience is wearing thin and he decides to take things into his own hands, looking for retribution. Well aware of Dr. Vic’s violent past, AJ will stop at nothing to protect Jack’s wife, Claire (Parker Posey), the woman he’s always loved and her daughter Pepper (Juliette Goglia).

"Inside Out": Official Trailer

Drafthouse Films and Magnet Pictures recently announced that Jon Schnepp (co-director of Metalocalypse) and Jorge Michel Grau, whose jarring 2010 cannibal drama SOMOS LO QUE HAY (WE ARE WHAT WE ARE)have joined the list of directors that will be partaking in "The ABCs of Death" anthology film. The 26th director will be choose by you, as filmmakers from around the world are competing for this one spot. They will be working with the letter T. For more information on this contest and to view the submitted films, you can goto: http://26th.theabcsofdeath.com/

Drafthouse Films, Magnet Pictures and Timpson Films have announced the full roster of directors signed on to participate in their international co-production THE ABCs OF DEATH, an anthology horror film featuring segments directed by over two dozen leading talents in contemporary genre film from around the world. The feature is comprised of 26 individual episodes, each helmed by a different director assigned a letter of the alphabet inspiring a single word about death. Currently in pre-production, the film's producers reserved the 26th director slot for a worldwide contest to find tomorrow's next great horror filmmaker. The contest ends October 1st. More submission information here -- http://26th.theabcsofdeath.com/.

In May 2011, the film's producers announced that enlisted directors were to include Jason Eisener (HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN), Ti West (HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and the upcoming THE INNKEEPERS), Ben Wheatley (SXSW 2011 favorite KILL LIST), Srdjan Spasojevic of A SERBIAN FILM infamy, and 18 others. Joining the roster are recent signees Jon Schnepp (co-director of Adult Swim's epic animated series Metalocalypse) and Jorge Michel Grau, whose jarring 2010 cannibal drama SOMOS LO QUE HAY (WE ARE WHAT WE ARE) garnered a great deal of notice and established him as one of the more fearless rising filmmakers of the era.

"Having Jon Schnepp onboard is really going to bring some anarchic diversity to the project," says co-producer Ant Timpson. "His work on Metapocalypse, The Venture Bros and Aqua Teen Hunger Force shows that he is the real deal; a supremely multi-talented guy with a unique perspective and set of skills to match."
"Jorge Michel Grau won top honors, the 'Next Wave' award, at last year's Fantastic Fest for his feature WE ARE WHAT WE ARE. We are delighted that this visionary filmmaker is joining our already strong roster," says co-producer Tim League.

As the search continues for the 26th director you can view entries that have been submitted, including demented gems such as "T is for Toilet" and "T is for Talk" -- http://26th.theabcsofdeath.com/

The following is the list of participating directors, along with their countries of origin and a reference title from each of their filmographies:
Kaare Andrews (Altitude), USA
Angela Bettis (Roman), USA
Ernesto Diaz Espinoza (Mirageman; Mandrill), Chile
Jason Eisener (Hobo With A Shotgun), Canada
Bruno Forzani & Helene Cattet (Amer), Belgium
Adrian Garcia Bogliano (Cold Sweat), Mexico
Xavier Gens (Frontiers; Hitman), France
Jorge Michel Grau (We Are What We Are), Mexico
Noburo Iguchi, (Robo Geisha), Japan
Thomas Malling (Norwegian Ninja), Norway
Anders Morgenthaler (Princess), Denmark
Yoshihrio Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police), Japan
Banjong Pisathanakun (Shutter), Thailand
Simon Rumley (Red, White & Blue), UK
Marcel Sarmiento (Deadgirl), USA
Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse; The Venture Bros.), USA
Srdjan Spasojevic (A Serbian Film), Serbia
Timo Tjahjanto (Macabre), Indonesia
Andrew Traucki (The Reef), Australia
Nacho Vigalondo (TimeCrimes), Spain
Jake West (Doghouse), UK
Ti West (House of the Devil; The Innkeepers), USA
Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace; Kill List), UK
Adam Wingard (A Horrible Way to Die), USA
Yudai Yamaguchi (Yakuza Weapon), Japan


Visit the Facebook page for news and updates- www.facebook.com/theabcsofdeath

“The Help” comes to us with some controversy as it is based on a 2009 best seller by Kathryn Stockett, a white woman who wrote about African American maids’ experience working in the houses of white people. Many would have preferred to have a black man or woman write this story, but it’s important to note that Stockett herself was raised by a black maid who instilled her with a strong confidence that is unwavering, and this was all in lieu of her absentee mother. Plus, Stockett (as represented by the character of Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan) captured the voices of these ill-treated black women with piercing honesty and made herself a vessel for their voices to be heard. From the start, she made clear this book was about them and not her.

The movie version comes to us wrapped in a bow with beautiful colors and an appealing movie poster. I kept think of Rob Reiner’s “Ghosts of Mississippi” which blew the opportunity to make audiences aware of who Medgar Evers was at the expense of some truly bland while characters, and that’s even though Alec Baldwin was playing one of them (James Woods fared much better). “The Help” looked like it would make the same mistakes, but thankfully it doesn’t. Whatever flaws it has, it is a deeply felt motion picture that revisits a painful part of American history that people have either forgotten or are sick of revisiting.

At its center is Skeeter (Emma Stone), a recent college graduate who gets a job writing a housekeeping column for the local paper in Jackson, Mississippi. After reuniting with good friends in her hometown, she finds herself perturbed by the senseless racism that has divided the blacks and whites in an almost unspoken way. Skeeter also becomes concerned as to the whereabouts of the maid who raised her, Constantine, as she has vanished without an explanation. These events compel her to start writing a book of the travails black housekeepers go through, and she is determined to capture their pride, heartache, and deep seated anger resulting from their thoughtless mistreatment.

This could have easily been a manipulative motion picture filled with cloying emotions, but the filmmakers have given us a variety of characters (black and white) that are complex and never come across as caricatures. Each one has their own needs and desires which conflict with those of others, and after awhile it becomes clear that it’s not always about race.

The black maid Skeeter leans on the most is Aibileen Clark, played in a powerhouse of a performance by Viola Davis. She is done memorable work in films like “Doubt” and “Knight and Day,” and she inhabits this character with a pride that while wounded remains defiantly strong. While her voice projects a kindness and understanding on top of an obedience to her employers, Clark’s face and eyes betray a deep seated resentment that has long since reached its boiling point.

The next black maid who contributes to Skeeter’s book is Minny Jackson, played in another great performance by Octavia Spencer. She’s the most outspoken of the bunch which results in her getting fired quite often, and yet she is reluctant at first to talk with Skeeter about her experiences. We later see Jackson getting her revenge in a way that somehow feels inspired by episodes of MTV’s “Punk’d” or “Jackass.” Spencer gives “The Help” a great sense of humor it might have otherwise not have had, and she is every bit Davis’ match.

Jackson also develops a highly unusual relationship with the hopelessly naïve Celia Foote. Unlike other working relationships, Jackson gets the opportunity to be blunt with Foote and tells her what she needs to hear. I found the friendship between them to be one of “The Help’s” most welcome surprises. Jessica Chastain brilliantly inhabits Celia Foote, and with this and “The Tree of Life,” she is having one hell of a summer!

Aside from “Superbad,” I’ve not seen Emma Stone in many other movies (I’ve been meaning to see “Easy A”). But she is a revelation here and holds her own against a large number of acting stalwarts. Stone imbues Skeeter with a hard won independence that never easily wavers. I love how even in her eyes you can see Stone’s determination of proving how strong a woman Skeeter and of the sincere goodness in her heart. If she has not proven herself as a dramatic actress before this, she certainly has now.

Now the majority of the white characters in “The Help” could have all been one-dimensional idiots, and while several of them make assumptions that are as ridiculous as they are racist, we see other sides of their personalities as well. One white character who can be seen as the movie’s chief villain is the snobby Hilly Holbrook, played in a truly gutsy performance by Bryce Dallas Howard. Her superiority against the black maids turns out to be driven more by fear than anything else, and realizing this at the film’s end gives Hilly a dimension we weren’t sure she had in the first place.

Howard has done phenomenal work over the years, and she was a good reason to actually see some of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies like “The Village” and “Lady In The Water” (the latter being a tremendous flop).

Other great performances in “The Help” come from Allison Janney as Skeeter’s mother Charlotte who goes from being a stubborn mother desperate for her daughter to get a man to someone who regrets the decisions she’s made in her life. Sissy Spacek is a hoot throughout as Hilly’s mother Mrs. Walters who delights in her daughter’s misfortunes as her dad spoiled her rotten. One underrated performance comes from Chris Lowell who plays Skeeter’s eventual boyfriend Stuart. He starts off as an arrogant young man who thinks he has women all figured out but later comes to his senses.

“The Help” isn’t perfect and does get a bit too cute at times, but its emotions ring true thanks to the acting and the direction by Tate Taylor (a long time friend of Stockett’s). It skirts the conventional narrative to give us something more authentic that is not (if you’ll excuse the expression) white-washed like so many other Hollywood movies. It covers a subject that in the end does need to be revisited, and it says a lot about the movie that it jumped from no. 2 to no. 1 in its second week of release.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

IFC Films recently send us information and stills for their upcoming release "Tales From the Golden Age", which opens Friday in NY. If you can't make it New York, the film is avilaible now on Sundancenow.com. You can view the film at http://www.sundancenow.com/film/tales-from-the-golden-age/745 for $6.95.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.talesfromthegoldenage.com

Plot Synopsis:

The final 15 years of the Ceausescu regime were the worst in Romania's history. Nonetheless, the propaganda machine of that time referred without fail to that period as “the golden age”... Tales from the Golden Age adapts for the screen the most popular urban myths of the period. Comic, bizarre, surprising myths abounded, myths that drew on the often surreal events of everyday life under the communist regime. Humor kept the Romanians alive, and Tales from the Golden Age aims to re-capture the mood of an era during which food was more important than money, freedom more important than love and survival more important than principles. On the occasion of a visit from Ceausescu a country mayor hangs fruit in trees to make sure his village gets noticed. A professional driver decides to open his sealed truck for the first time in his career and discovers the connection between eggs, Easter and marital love. A policeman gets a live pig as gift before Christmas and decides that gas poisoning would be the best way to kill the animal silently amongst his hungry neighbors. In 1980s Romania, Bughi and Crina play Bonnie and Clyde, robbing people of bottled air. These tales, and more, create a panoramic darkly comic vision of Romania's lost "Golden Age." From the creators of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.

Image Entertainment recently send us information that they will be distributing Giuseppe Tornatore's (Cinema Paradiso)latest film "Baaria" on DVD and Blu-Ray. The film received a Golden Globes nomination in 2010 for Best Foreign Film. "Baaria" is for release on October 18th.

Press Release:

Throughout the 20th century, political and social change in Italy cut a grand, passionate swath across the destinies of its population. And against this fervent backdrop, the saga of one family will became an epic story. On October 18, Image Entertainment releases Baarìa, an unforgettable tale of those tempestuous years and the evolution of one family. Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, director of the Oscar® winning Cinema Paradiso, Baarìa has been a Festival favorite, as well as a Golden Globe® nominee for Best Foreign Film in 2010. Featuring a score by Academy Award®-winning composer Ennio Morricone, Baarìa, with special features, will be available on DVD for an MSRP of $27.97 and on Blu-ray for $29.97. This film will also be available on digital download.

Baarìa describes the progress of a young man – as well as that of his country – as Peppino takes work as a shepherd to support his family in the small Sicilian town of Bagheria, nicknamed “Baarìa” by its residents. During the next five decades he experiences a gamut of emotions and awakenings, as he finds the love of his life, is a witness to dramatic political change and intellectual upheaval, and discovers a destiny he could have never imagined.

Special Features include:
Commentary by Giuseppe Tornatore
Behind-the-scenes featurette
Red carpet coverage at the film’s premiere
A conversation with Giuseppe Tornatore by Mario Sesti
Deleted scenes
Photo Gallery
Poster Gallery
Baarìa chronicles Peppino’s life, navigating through years of drama and change as both he and his country grow up. Bringing the past century to life with mesmerizing beauty and cinematic power, Baarìa is an affectionate memoir, a grand spectacle…a rare visual feast!

Balcony Releasing recently send us over some stills and official trailer for their upcoming documentary "Finding Joe". The film hits theaters in LA on September 30th with a national rollout to follow. For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.findingjoethemovie.com/


Plot Synopsis:

Rooted in deeply personal accounts and timeless stories, FINDING JOE shows how Campbell's work is relevant and essential in today's world and how it provides a narrative for how to live a fully realized life-or as Campbell would simply state, how to "follow your bliss".

The film features interviews with visionaries from a variety of fields including Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Tony Hawk, Rashida Jones, Laird Hamilton, Robert Walter, Robin Sharma, Catherine Hardwicke, Sir Ken Robinson, Akiva Goldsman and many more.

While studying myths, and writing on the human experience, Joseph Campbell was a professor at Sarah Lawrence College for 38 years. His seminal work, "A Hero with a Thousand Faces" was published in 1949 and greatly influenced generations of artists and writers, including Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, Jerry Garcia and others.





"Finding Joe": Official Trailer

Fisher Klingenstein Films recently send us over the official trailer and poster for their upcoming documentary "Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace". The film features interviews from Jimmy Carter, Henry Kissinger and Boutros Boutros-Ghali (among many others), as they talk about the workings and interplay of official government channels and the behind the scenes of the Egypt-Israel peace process. The film opens in New York City on September 16th and will roll out into more theaters throughout the fall. For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.backdoorchannels.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace is the true story of the men who brought lasting Peace to the Middle East. For the first time ever, the filmmakers take the audience behind the public veil obscured by a first of its kind White House issued media blackout on the events. Behind the press conferences and into the smoke-filled backroom corridors of power during one of the world’s greatest historical moments - the 1979 Camp David Peace Accord and Treaty between Egypt and Israel. For one brief moment in time, Arab and Jew put their differences aside and embraced peace. Menachem Begin, Anwar El-Sadat, and Jimmy Carter - were the strategic geniuses that crafted the peace, but it was the men behind-the-scenes, some driven by deeply held faith and conviction, others merely by raw ambition, who found a way to get them together and drive the peace process. It is a tale of secret missions, internal power struggles and diplomatic brinkmanship by a cast of characters never before revealed - until now.

Shot on location in Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Austria, France, and the U.S., Channel Productions crisscrosses the globe in search of the true story behind one of the most difficult diplomatic achievements of the 20th Century. Channel Production Films is an independent production company, founded by the Emmy award-winning team that built NYC-TV in New York, leading it to a record 160 Emmy® nominations and 42 Emmy® awards in six years. The company is centered on the documentary film and television space and focuses on poignant and impactful stories of people and events, which have far-reaching, global repercussions yet relay an intimate human dimension.

"Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace": Official Trailer

Welcome to the 302nd Edition of my series. As many of you might know, I am in the musical SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET in Portland, Indiana at the end of October at the Jay County Civic Theater. After a month of trying to get back to theater, I finally make my return and I got the part I put in for at the audition of Beadle Bamford. This will be my first show at the Jay County Civic Theater and hope friends in my area can come check it out. I have also found this is my most difficult part but am prepared to give it all I got. Now I will get down to the recommendations.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008): This is part three of my three-part Scarlett Johansson series and will continue with a Natalie Portman series which so far is a three-part series. This is my film on royalty for the week where these two girls I named off play the Boleyn sisters. Natalie is Anne and Scarlett is Mary who are both vying for the affection of Henry VIII, played here by Eric Bana, while he was still unhappily married to Catherine of Aragon. Mark Rylance plays their father who is trying to get them into the marriage of Henry while Kristin Scott Thomas plays their mother who just wants her kids to be happy but in that era cannot do that. Both girls worked very well together as the sisters and Bana was good as Henry. This is a pretty compelling part to this part of Henry VIII's life.

Pretty Persuasion (2005): This is part two of a two-part series of Evan Rachel Wood. I now go to the world of Beverly Hills high school where Evan plays the conniving Kim. She stirs up a lot when she talks two of her friends into filing a sexual harassment lawsuit on their drama teacher, played by Ron Livingston. 30 ROCK co-star Jane Krakowski plays a reporter named Emily who sees this scandal as a way to advance her career. James Woods plays Kim's bigoted father who is only focused on himself. This was a pretty funny film with a good performance from Wood. It is also a bit dark and shows the effects of people when something like this starts. This movie is available on Instant Netflix.

Before I Hang (1940): I guess I got to get prepared for the October Horror Movie Madness contest. I decided to use Boris Karloff who plays a doctor who is found guilty of murder for a mercy killing. He is then sentenced to death but while in there he develops a serum to stay young. He tries it on himself and sees a significant change. Soon, he becomes very valuable in the medical field and is pardoned. However, there is a dark side to what happened when he begins to experience Jekyll and Hyde type reactions. This was a rather different part for Karloff who I may not have recognized if I did not already know it was him. He plays a respected person whose good intentions do not work and does a pretty good job.

A Modern Cinderella (1932): This is my short film for the week which stars Ruth Etting as Anita who is the title character. She is the daughter of a costume shop owner where the customer has her try on things for the ball and is very liked in the dress. She eventually breaks out into song and dance. This is a rather entertaining musical short with Etting who did a lot of these musical shorts.

Doctor Zhivago (1965): This is my epic film the for the week which takes place in Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. Omar Sharif stars as Yuri who is a poet/doctor who is married and has a family but still falls for a political activist's wife named Lara, played by Julie Christie. Geraldine Chaplin plays his wife. Alec Guinness plays Turi's half-brother who narrates this story and meets a woman who is potentially Yuri's daughter. Sharif is very good as Yuri and his life hardships during very difficult times in Russia. This movie is over three hours but it is a good three hours with great cinematography. This movie is available on Instant Netflix.

The Secret in their Eyes (2009): This is my Argentina film for the week. Ricardo Darin stars as retired legal counselor Benjamin Esposito who is writing a novel for an unsolved homicide case he was on when he was younger hoping to bring closure. It flashes back from his younger days when he was on the case of a brutal rape and murder of a girl into the modern day when he is working on the case and investigating the case once again. Juan Jose Campanella directed this film which was a very good mystery film. Argentina is not known for their filmmaking but this is a great entry that can stand up to other countries.

Superman Cartoons (1942): This is something that is available on Instant Netflix and is really more of a compilation of cartoons for the 1940s directed by Dave Fleischer. Each one is kind of the same in which there is a villain and at the Daily Planet, Lois Lane and Clark Kent are called upon to cover the story. Lois Lane then finds a way to lose Clark as she wants to cover the story herself. She then gets in over her head and gets captured a lot of the time when Clark realizes "this is a job for Superman" who then in turns saves the day. These were pretty entertaining and well done for their time especially the Arctic Monster. There are a lot of these classic superhero cartoons available now on Instant Netflix where credit must be given where it is due. They may seem a bit cheesy today with what we have but they were rather ahead of their time when they first came out.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984): I have never been a real die-hard fan of this series but understand its importance. This one picks up where the last one left off where the crew must steal the decommissioned Enterprise to go after the body of Spock, thought to be dead, on the lonely planet of Genesis. They are at odds though with the Klingons, lead by Christopher Lloyd, who do everything they can to stop Captain Kirk and crew. William Shatner and crew all reprise their roles in a pretty decent entry of the series. Leonard Nimoy, who did not have a big of part in this film as Spock, goes behind the camera to direct this one.

Game of Death (1978): This is the movie that Bruce Lee died during filming. In this film he actually plays a martial arts actor named Billy Lo but has people who want to kill him. In an unsuccessful assassination attempt, Billy fakes his death and then avenges the underworld who tried to kill him. Much of this movie is archival footage due to his death. This movie is mostly entertaining but to say how good it is might not be accurate. The last 15 minutes or so of his fight footage are worth it. There is a memorable fight scene with him and basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who have quite a height difference. Other actors include Colleen Camp, Hugh O'Brian, Robert Wall, and a small part from martial arts star Sammo Hung. I have never been a big fan of Bruce Lee's movies but I also understand that credit must be given where it is due as I said earlier as he paved the way for the people I like including Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, and others. This is available on Instant Netflix.

The Thing Called Love (1993): I end this week with this movie on the country music industry. Samantha Mathis is a New Yorker named Miranda Presley making her way to Nashville in hopes of a music career. River Phoenix co-stars as country singer James Wright while Dermot Mulroney plays singer Kyle Davidson who compete for the affections of Miranda. She makes a very rash decision and must figure out what to do. This was nothing great but seems like something that can be appreciated by the struggling musicians doing everything they can to make it in such a difficult industry. Mathis was very good in her role and this was River Phoenix's last film. Sandra Bullock also co-stars as Miranda's friend Linda in one of her early roles. Other country stars from this era like Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood have cameo appearances.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes more Natalie Portman, James Cagney, Susan Sarandon, Terry Gilliam, Tim Blake Nelson, Lana Turner, and many others.

FUN AND USELESS FACTS

Natalie Portman (The Other Boleyn Girl) plays Padme Amidala in the newer STAR WARS films. Alec Guinness (Doctor Zhivago) plays Obi-Wan Kenobi in the older STAR WARS films.

Natalie Portman (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Scarlett Johansson (The Other Boleyn Girl) were considered for a part in the upcoming 2012 film GRAVITY but the part would ultimately go to Sandra Bullock (The Thing Called Love).

Jim Sturgess (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Evan Rachel Wood (Pretty Persuasion) worked together in the 2007 film ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. I believe they were at one point set to do the SPIDER-MAN Broadway musical but likely pulled out because of all the delays.

Evan Rachel Wood (Pretty Persuasion) and Sandra Bullock (The Thing Called Love) play family members in the 1998 film PRACTICAL MAGIC. Not sure if they are niece/aunt or daughter/mother. If someone knows and wants to tell me, please feel free to comment

Ron Livingston (Pretty Persuasion) and Eric Bana (The Other Boleyn Girl) worked together in the 2009 THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE.

Boris Karloff (Before I Hang) played the first Jonathan Brewster on ARSENIC AND OLD LACE on Broadway. My Facebook friend Elmore played the part in a 2010 version at the Anderson Mainstage Theatre.

William Shatner (Star Trek 3) and Sandra Bullock (The Thing Called Love) worked together in the two MISS CONGENIALITY films.

Welcome to the 301st Edition of my long-running series. Last night, I went to Indiananapolis with my friends Damon and Lonny to see my first Insanity Pro Wrestling show and it was their 10 year anniversary. It was a pretty good show though the main event was a little last minute and made into an 8-man tag match when it was originally a good tag match followed by a main event of Sami Callahan vs. Davey Richards. Both would have been great but I believe due to time, it was thrown together. It was a fun night though hanging out at Applebees afterwards. Now, it's time to get to my weekly recommendations.

Iron Man 2 (2010): I open this week with part two of my three part Scarlet Johannson series who plays the Black Widow in this film. Jon Favreau directs this film and Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the eccentric Tony Stark. In this film, Stark must contend with the government who wants his iron man suit, his own declining health, his new enemies, and the mysterious Nick Fury. Mickey Rourke plays the Russian villain Ivan Vanko who becomes Whiplash. I really liked Rourke in his role but felt he was used too sparingly. Sam Rockwell co-stars as the corrupt politician Justin Hammer who employs Whiplash. Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Stark's loyal assistant Pepper Potts. Don Cheadle takes over the part of Rhodey which was played by Terrance Howard in the first film. Samuel L. Jackson plays Nick Fury who is looking to recruit Tony Stark to be part of the Avengers. I actually liked part one better but still enjoyed this one and my idol Mickey Rourke co-stars in this film. Rourke went to visit a Russian prison in order to prepare for his part to make it as authentic as possible. This movie is available on Instant Netflix and like any of these movies, stay tuned for the credits.

The Gravy Train Goes East (1991): This is my mini-series of the week and a sequel to a British mini-series called THE GRAVY TRAIN. Christoph Waltz reprises his part as Dorfman who is an idealistic member of the European Economic Council. He then negotiates with a lot of trouble to negotiate with the country of Slaka to join the council. This is a four-part mini-series which is mostly of worth to see a younger Christoph Waltz. This is available on DVD on Netflix.

Assault and Flattery (1956): This is my animated short for the week which has Popeye. In this short, Bluto is suing Popeye for assaulting him unprovoked. To prove their points, they take clips from past cartoons. Wimpy presides as the judge in the case. This is a pretty entertaining seven minutes with Popeye taking on Bluto in a legal battle.

The Wild World of Batwoman (1966): I watched this on an episode of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 where Mike and his robot friends Tom Servo and Crow to watch the title and provide their commentary. The first part of this episode shows one of those old educational films which talks about the price of cheating in school. It is one of those short films which is meant to be educational but instead just becomes entertaining. Soon, they watched the movie of the title which in no way lends itself to Batman. To say I know what this movie is about would be the biggest lie of all time. This is best to watch with MST3K or with lots of friends.

The Awful Truth (1937): I now bring my screwball comedy for the week. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne star as married couple Jerry and Lucy Warriner who are beginning divorce proceedings with some very funny results. They soon try to undermine each others romances in every way possible. One of the most funny scenes was a court scene where they are battling for their dog. Grant and Dunne work so well together and the movie is quite funny even today.

Battle For Terra (2007): This is my second animated film for this edition which I really did not know what to expect. This is a sci-fi film that takes place on a peaceful planet called Terra. Their peaceful planet becomes compromised when us humans invade it so I guess we are the aliens in this movie. Evan Rachel Wood provides the voice of Mala who is a rebellious teen alien who wants to enjoy life but does everything possible to stop this alien attack. Luke Wilson provides the voice of Jim Stanton who is one of the invaders but questions what they are doing and takes a liking to the alien Mala. I really ended up enjoying this film and thought it had a really good story as well as good animation. I suppose it has that DANCES WITH WOLVES type element but it was done very well. Other voices include Chris Evans, Rosanna Arquette, James Garner, Brian Cox, Danny Trejo, and many others. This is available on Instant Netflix.

The Last Wave (1977): This is my courtroom film of the week but has a lot more to it. Richard Chamberlain stars as an attorney in Sydney, Australia who is assigned to defend five Aborigines in a murder trial but has a hard time getting them to give information. In the process, his life begins to have strange things happen as he begins to learn things about himself and the people he is defending. Chamberlain was very good in his role and this must be watched very closely to understand it.

The Big Town (1987): Matt Dillon stars as a small-town gambler named J.C. Cullen who is very good at the craps and is brought to Chicago hoping to hit the big time. Bruce Dern and Lee Grant play a couple who employ and exploit Cullen. He soon joins a crap game run by George Cole, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and breaks the bank and builds even more tension for falling for his wife, played by Diane Lane. Cullen is also seeing another woman played by Suzy Amis. This was a pretty decent gambling film showing the price of this type of lifestyle and good for some of the younger actors.

No Time for Sergeants (1958): This is my military comedy for the week which stars Andy Griffith as naive country boy Will Stockdale who is being drafted to the air force. In boot camp, he drives everyone nuts with his personality including Sergeant King who just wants to get him out of the unit. This is the movie that Griffith is more known for and while I liked his debut film A FACE IN THE CROWD better, this was still a very funny movie that kept me laughing. Don Knotts has an amusing cameo in this film which was his debut movie leading into their most known work for both of them in the tv series THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. Griffith played this part on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony award. This movie is available on Instant Netflix.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003): I end this week with some anime and my third animated selection for this edition. This movie takes place during Christmas where we meet three homeless people. There is Gin who is a middle aged man who is an alcoholic. There is also Hana who is gay and is a drag queen. The third person is a teen runaway named Miyuki. These three people have nothing in common except that they are homeless and each has a pretty dark past. They never get along but evidently care for each other since they stick together. They soon stumble upon an abandoned baby where Hana first has delusions of being a mother. They soon begin to look for the baby's parents. This is a much different anime film in which it is an anime drama while most others are futurstic and/or sci-fi with a lot of action. This is available on the Crackle app which I have on my Roku and it is getting more popular. Strangely enough, this movie is in the action section and I noticed my local library has that there as well seeming that it is being stereotyped because of the genre. If you are looking for action in your anime this is not it. However, this is a really moving film that can possibly be liked by non-anime people.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and do not like. Stay tuned for next week which so far includes more Scarlet Johannson, more Evan Rachel Wood, Omar Sharif, William Shatner and many others.

FUN AND USELESS FACTS

Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man 2) and Tommy Lee Jones (The Big Town) were in the 1998 film U.S. MARSHALLS.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 2) and Evan Rachel Wood (Battle For Terra) play sisters in the 2006 film RUNNING WITH SCISSORS with Brian Cox (Battle For Terra) as their father.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 2) played Catherine in the 2005 film PROOF. My Facebook friend Erica played the part in a version at the Muncie Civic Studio theater.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 2) and Luke Wilson (Battle For Terra) play siblings in the 2001 film THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. Danny Glover (Battle For Terra) is also part of the cast. Can't remember if he is their stepfather or just a boyfriend to their mother.

Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2) played District Attorney John Littleton and Tom Skerritt (The Big Town) played Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the 90s tv series PICKET FENCES.

Sam Rockwell (Iron Man 2) played Francis Flute in the 1999 film A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM. My Facebook Friend Sean played the part in a version at Muncie Civic Theater and Martin played the part in a version at the Anderson Mainstage Theatre.

Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2) and Evan Rachel Wood (Battle For Terra) play father and daughter in the 2008 film THE WRESTLER. They will also be in my biopic THE RISE AND FALL OF SHAUN BERKEY where Mickey plays my dad and Evan plays my friend Ashley.

Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2) and Matt Dillon (The Big Town) play brothers in the 1983 film RUMBLE FISH.

Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man 2) and Ian Richardson (The Gravy Train Goes East) have played famed detected Sherlock Holmes.

Cary Grant (The Awful Truth) plays Mortimer Brewster in the 1944 film ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. My Facebook friend Rick played the part in a 2010 version at the Anderson Mainstage Theater in which I was Lieutenant Rooney.

Ralph Bellamy (The Awful Truth) plays former president Franklin Roosevelt in the 1960 film SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO. My Facebook friend Jim played the part in a 2008 version of ANNIE at Muncie Civic Theater where I was the lead homeless guy in the HOOVERVILLE scene and I was FDR's cabinet member Cordell Hull.

Brian Cox (Battle For Terra) plays Drosselmeyer in the 2007 tv movie THE SECRET OF THE NUTCRACKER. I played the part in a 2006 version at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

Brian Cox (Battle For Terra) and Scarlet Johansson (Iron Man 2) worked together in the 2005 film MATCH POINT.

Brian Cox (Battle For Terra) and Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man 2) worked together in the 1996 action film THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT

Chris Evans (Battle For Terra) will be joining IRON MAN 2 alums Robert Downey Jr., Scarlet Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson in the 2012 film THE AVENGERS.

James Garner (Battle For Terra) and Tommy Lee Jones (The Big Town) were two of the title characters in the 2000 film SPACE COWBOYS.

Image Entertainment has send us word that "ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2" is now available on VOD. You can check this film out before it hits DVD and Blu-ray on September 20th.

Press Release:

After a triumphant premiere at San Diego Comic Con and in response to unprecedented fan feedback, Image Entertainment announces that ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2 is now available on video-on-demand!

ChromeSkull – the chrome face-plated, technologically savvy homicidal maniac that made his debut in the 2009 cult hit Laid To Rest – returns in ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2. Starring Brian Austin Green (“Desperate Housewives”), Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do, The Poker Club), LTR 1 alum Thomas Dekker (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Danielle Harris (Halloween), Owain Yeoman (“The Mentalist”) and Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue,” “Hellcats”), with Nick Principe returning as ChromeSkull, the sequel is once again directed by award-winning director Robert Hall (Laid To Rest, “Fear Clinic,” Lightning Bug).

After his gruesome encounter with the girl with no name, ChromeSkull has to rely on his assistant Preston, (Green) to take care of business. With a growing taste for bloodlust, Preston slashes his way from one gory mess to another. Not to be outdone, ChromeSkull resurges with a massacre of his own that is nothing short of "jaw dropping insanity!" -Dread Central.

Mimi Michaels (The Ugly Truth, Gamer), Christopher Allen Nelson (Sin City, Star Trek) and Angelina Armani (Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star) also star in the bloodiest sequel you'll ever see. ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2 is directed by Robert Hall, who also co-wrote and executive produced, and produced by Chang Tseng and Kevin Bocarde. Brian Austin Green and Stephen Niver are co-producers.

Please consult your local cable systems or satellite provider for more information about ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2 on VOD.

Image Entertainment recently announced the specs for the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray debut of Wes Craven's "The Hills Have Eyes". The film is apart of Image's Midnight Madness Series and is slated to hit shelves on September 6th.

Press Release:

Image Entertainment proudly announces the high-definition debut of a genuine cult gem with the September 6th Blu-ray™ premiere of Wes Craven’s 1977 horror classic The Hills Have Eyes. Featuring digitally restored 1080p video, DTS-ES 6.1 Master Audio sound, and over three hours of bonus features including audio commentary by writer/director Craven, retrospective featurettes on the film and the director, an alternate ending, U.S. and international trailers & spots, photo galleries, storyboards and more! A standard DVD edition, with commentary, will also be available. SRP is a very tasty $17.97 for the Blu-ray™ and $9.98 for the DVD.

Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Shocker, Scream) gave 70’s filmgoers a whole new definition of disturbing with The Hills Have Eyes, starring Dee Wallace (The Howling, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial) and John Steadman (Fade to Black, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie). The Carters are an all-American family on their way to California when their car breaks down far from civilization in the remote southwestern desert. But they are not alone. Watching from the hills is a very different kind of clan, a family of marauding inbred cannibals with an unspeakable taste for human flesh and monstrous brutality. In the nightmare that follows, what depravities must this wholesome family endure to survive? In a primal wasteland ruled by lust and rage, who will become the most shocking savages of all?

Susan Lanier (“Welcome Back Kotter”), James Whitworth (Planet of Dinosaurs, The Hills Have Eyes Part II) and genre favorite Michael Berryman (Weird Science, The Devil’s Rejects) star in the film that spawned one sequel, and as well as the 2006 remake.

Blu-ray™ Bonus Features:
Commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke
Looking Back At The Hills Have Eyes
The Directors: The Films of Wes Craven
Restoration Demo
U.S. and German Trailers
Alternate Ending
Still Galleries
Wes Craven Biography
DVD-Rom features

DVD Bonus Features:
Commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke

Big Beach Film has send us information about Todd Rohal's next film. The director behind "The Catechism Cataclysm" has teamed up with the producers of "Our Idiot Brother" & "The Sitter" for this untitled comedy. The filmmakers have also recently announced that Johnny Knoxville and Patton Oswalt have signed on for the project.

Press Release:

Johnny Knoxville and Patton Oswalt have signed on to co-star in Todd Rohal's latest, an outlandish yet poignant comedy about a pair of battling brothers who attempt to honor their ailing father by taking a troop of boys on a last ditch camping trip that goes wildly wrong. The film marks the first time comedic foils Knoxville and Oswalt will be sharing the big screen. Joining the team for the ensemble comedy are Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney & Patrice O'Neal.

The still untitled film is written and will be directed by emerging comedic auteur Todd Rohal, hot on the heels of the Sundance success of his second feature film, THE CATECHISM CATACLYSM. The film, which is loosely based on Rohal's experiences growing up, begins production this week.

The film is being financed by Marc Turtletaub's and Peter Saraf's Big Beach Films. Turtletaub, Saraf and Lisa Muskat are producing, David Gordon Green is executive producing, and Michael Clark and John Hodges will oversee production for Big Beach.

"Todd looks at the world through a different set of lenses than the rest of us, and yet his vision managers to be simultaneously unique and universal," Saraf said. "I think that's because his humor, while twisted at times, is fundamentally compassionate and truthful. The combination of Todd with this hilariously amazing cast is going to make for an exciting ride, and we're tightening our seatbelts."

After co-creating the massively successful "Jackass" franchise (which ultimately spawned three theatrical films) in 2000, Knoxville has starred in a number of feature films, including MEN IN BLACK II, LORDS OF DOGTOWN, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, THE RINGER, WALKING TALL and John Waters' A DIRTY SHAME. Knoxville's production company, Dickhouse Productions, which he co-owned with Spike Jonze and Jeff Tremaine, has produced all iterations of "Jackass," as well as the acclaimed documentaries THE WILD AND WONDERFUL WHITES OF WEST VIRGINIA and THE BIRTH OF BIG AIR.

Widely regarded as one of the best and most transgressive stand-up comedians of the last decade, Oswalt has released four hit comedy albums, the last of which, "My Weakness is Strong" in 2009, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Small roles in Paul Thomas Anderson's MAGNOLIA, Milos Forman's MAN ON THE MOON and Todd Phillips' STARSKY & HUTCH led to Oswalt's breakout leading roles as the voice of Remy in the hit Pixar film RATATOUILLE and Robert Siegel's acclaimed Sundance drama BIG FAN, for which Oswalt received a Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough performance. For the last three seasons, Oswalt starred on Showtime's Emmy-nominated "The United States of Tara." This Fall, he will appear in A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS and Jason Reitman's YOUNG ADULT with Charlize Theron and Patrick Wilson. His latest one-hour special "Finest Hour" debuts on Showtime on September 5th, with the CD/audio available September 20th on Comedy Central Records.

Big Beach is one of the leading indie film production companies. The Weinstein Company is releasing the Big Beach-produced OUR IDIOT BROTHER across the country on August 26th.

Todd Rohal, Johnny Knoxville and Patton Oswald are repped by CAA. Patton is managed by Generate and Knoxville is managed by 3 Arts.