Indie Trailer Sunday: Zombies in The Dead and the Damned!
How about some zombies to brighten up your day? I know we’ve probably seen a couple of zombie westerns before (George Romero’s latest flick, Survival of the Dead, is kind of a western too) but this film is a full on “Deadwood with zombies” style western horror indie. It’s called The Dead and the Damned and it comes from Twitch and I’m featuring it because there wasn’t anything else I could find that’s worth showing today. The production values look a little skimpy and the zombies just look terrible, but it does look kinda cool, like a fun low budget zombie western. Oh and there is some nudity. Check it out and let us know what you think?
Watch the official trailer for Rene Perez’s The Dead and the Damned:
The Dead and the Damned is written, directed and composed by filmmaker Rene Perez, who also runs iDiC Entertainment and previously directed another action movie called War Machine last year. This is playing at the Hole in the Head Festival in July and is currently in post-production. It was shot earlier this year mostly in Jamestown, California and stars a bunch of burgeoning actors. I have no clue if this will ever hit theaters, but I’m expecting it to arrive straight-to-DVD before anything. It does not have a theatrical distributor at all. You can check out the official Facebook page or visit the official website: thedeadandthedamnedmovie.com.
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Woody & Buzz Return to Theaters in 2011 in a New Short Film
Thankfully, after what turned out to be a wholly touching, heartfelt and spectacular farewell to Woody, Buzz Lightyear and friends in Toy Story 3, we won’t have to worry about Disney and Pixar scraping the bottom of the barrel for another sequel with the gang from Andy’s room. However, in a recent interview from MSN with director Lee Unkrich (check out our interview with him, too!) it was revealed that we may not have to say goodbye to those characters forever because some of the Toy Story characters will be returning in one of Pixar’s famous short films which will be shown in front of Cars 2 when it’s released on June 24th, 2011.
Here’s what Unkrich said about closing out the toy story saga with his film while keeping the toys “alive”:
“Well, I really tried my best to end the story of Andy and his toys and bring that story to a close in a really nice way at the end of this film. That being said, we know that people love the characters, love Woody and Buzz, and would hate to say good-bye to them completely. I don’t know that there would ever be a [Toy Story] 4. We don’t have any plans for one — but we are trying to find ways to keep the characters alive. We have announced we’re going to do a short film in front of Cars 2 that uses the Toy Story characters. We’re going to keep them alive; they’re not going away forever.”
I’m glad that Unkrich tried to definitively end the story in Toy Story 3, as I think that Disney has learned enough about crappy sequels by now to understand that they shouldn’t even think about trying to develop a Toy Story 4. Of course, it’ll certainly be great to see Woody, Buzz and the gang (or maybe the lesser known toys even) show up from time to time in Pixar’s brilliant short films, and I look forward to catching up with them whenever we get that opportunity. At least we know what we’ll be seeing in front of Cars 2 next year, which I think most Pixar fans aren’t even that excited for yet. If you haven’t seen Toy Story 3 yet, go see it!
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Review: Pixar’s Toy Story 3 is Magical & Full of Wonderment
There is always a sense of apprehension going into the third movie of any franchise. Historically, the third film is where the series turns downhill, and the quality of story, character, and execution is rarely ever on par with the rest. The franchise loses its magic, if you will, and the characters and predicaments that play out typically seem derived and dull. You’ve never been able to count on a third movie in a franchise.
That is, until now. Why? Because Pixar has never made a third film in a series until now. With Toy Story 3, the same magic we’ve come to know and love from not only the first two Toy Story films but all Pixar has had to offer to date is on full display. Heartwarming, adventurous, and comical, the precise combination we’ve seen time and time again from this studio, Toy Story 3 is every bit as magical as the previous films in its franchise.
Set 10 years after the events of Toy Story 2, Andy, the child whose toys we’ve seen go on a few adventures, is now 17. He’s moved on from playing with toys as all 17-year-olds must do in favor of cell phones and cars. Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang (at least, the rest of the gang that hasn’t already been given away or tossed) find themselves relegated to Andy’s toy chest, only getting time with him after hiding his cell phone in with them. Andy is planning to go to college, and the decision on what he should do with these toys comes up.
Through a series of mishaps, as is the case with most of these adventures these toys gets into, the toys find themselves at the Sunnyside Day Care Facility. There, they meet new toys who convince them that Sunnyside is a happy place where the children are loving and careful with each toy. But, as with any adventure, not everything is as it appears to be, and the toys soon find themselves in a situation they must escape from as quickly as possible.
Directed by Lee Unkrich, who co-directed Toy Story 2 with John Lasseter and Ash Brannon, there was a lot of expectation going into Toy Story 3. Would we be able to revisit these same characters with as much connection and heart we had for them 10 years after last visiting them? Toy Story 3 meets those expectations and answers them in kind. From scene one, we are right back in with the toys, connected as we’ve ever been with their story. In fact, as was the case twice before, there is more connection between the animated characters of Toy Story 3 and the audience than there is found in most, live-action films these days.
And that is what makes Pixar so special. Every film they have put out to date not only incorporates flawless and meticulously crafted animation. An opening scene here that includes millions of toy monkeys is quite a stunning achievement to behold. But, more so than the brilliance of their animation, the characters and story are put forth in such loving care, it’s no wonder Pixar’s films are consistently nominated for screenwriting awards. Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich are to thank for the screenplay here. The story, both heartfelt and important to the overall series, has a wonderful way of referring back to the previous films, something people who know those films in and out will appreciate. Even though it may not be the most inventive set-up we’ve seen from the Pixar team (you can’t help but get a sense of been-there-done-that with the idea of the toys having to escape from a facility they find themselves trapped in), this is easily brushed aside in favor of the incredibly crafted characters both old and new.
Woody and Buzz are just as exquisitely written as they’ve ever been, and neither of them would work as well were it not for Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, respectively, serving as their voices. Buzz gets put on the back-burner ever so slightly here, but that goes with the story at hand. All the old characters are back and in full force, but the new characters on display here are equally as significant. The idea of bringing Ken and Barbie into this story, voiced by Michael Keaton and Jodi Benson, was a stroke of genius. Their plot-line serves some incredibly comical moments, especially when Ken feels the need to fashion his vast wardrobe for Barbie. Ned Beatty as the voice of Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear, the leader of the team at Sunnyside, is also a well-written and executed character, even if his intentions are somewhat predictable in nature.
The characters, the story, and the animation are all there in Toy Story 3, all ingredients of a wonderful and engaging film. But more importantly than these, the film has heart, and what would a Pixar movie be without a boat load of heart? It wouldn’t be Pixar, that’s for sure. Toy Story 3 is certainly about these characters and the latest adventure they find themselves on, but, ultimately, the film is at its most gripping in the smaller moments between characters. It’s in the connection a young boy has with the toys he has grown up with, the same toys he must one day put away in favor of a much bigger world.
The final scenes in Toy Story 3, no details given, are incredibly moving, and, once again, Pixar easily brings you to tears. They are happy tears, tears of hope and brought about by the human character both young and old. It’s about the imagination of a child, and as seen in Toy Story 3, there’s nothing more magical than that.
Jeremy’s Rating: 9 out of 10
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Check These Out: Gorgeous ‘True Romance’ Tribute Art Prints
Any fans of Tony Scott’s True Romance out there? Written by Quentin Tarantino and starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Samuel Jackson, Michael Rapaport, and even Brad Pitt, True Romance is quite a beloved cult classic. I recently received an email with a link to these three posters created by graphic designer Derek Gabryszak that are part of a special tribute series to True Romance. Derek made three different fine art prints inspired by the film and iconic imagery from it. They’re quite gorgeous and if you’re a True Romance fan, you’ll certainly love these.
You can buy them for around $25 a piece from Gabryszak’s website: thatsthewayitgoes.com. They each have an edition of 45, are 14″x17″, three color prints on Canson fine art paper. They are titled ‘You’re So Cool!‘, ‘Elvis‘ and ‘Angel.’ He’s done a great job bringing some minimalistic but sleek to design to a great movie and I’m excited to feature these. I occasionally love finding fan-created artwork like this to feature because it shows a true love and appreciation for cinema. Hopefully a few of you True Romance fans pick up a series of these great posters. For more info and to see more close-up photos (like this one!), head over to his website.
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Review: Jonah Hex is Derailed & Disfigured by Awful Editing
Chopped up. Scarred. Disfigured until the original can no longer be identified. No, I’m not referring to the face of the character Jonah Hex. I’m referring to the movie Jonah Hex, the latest adaptation of a DC Comic. What may have started out as a decent western actioner complete with stylish scenes of explosive action and non-stop violence has most assuredly been whittled down to near nothing, a sad example of a film that borders on the unwatchable.
What we can gather from what’s left of the film intact, the story follows Hex, played by Josh Brolin, a former confederate soldier who is severely scarred and forced to watch his family murdered by a terrorist named Turnbull, played by John Malkovich. After brushing death and brought back by the mystics of an Indian tribe, Hex is now a bounty hunter. Having seen death, Hex is able to converse with the dead, a gift that aids in his seeking out and capturing outlaws. With the aid of a prostitute, played by Megan Fox, Hex’s latest bounty is the very man who made him who he is, the terrorist who is dead set on bringing anarchy to the known world.
Originally, Jonah Hex was to be written and directed by Neveldine and Taylor, the duo who brought us Crank and Gamer. Things didn’t work out, and they walked away from the project after the script had been written. Naturally, Warner Bros went with Jimmy Hayward, the man whose previous, directing credit includes Horton Hears a Who! But, alas, that isn’t where Jonah Hex falls apart. Neveldine and Taylor’s script seems satisfactory enough, full of enough character moments and wall-to-wall action to service just about any level of action fan. Hayward’s direction is stylish and slick. In fact, the production design by Tom Meyer is fairly stellar.
Unfortunately, what ultimately derails Jonah Hex is the editing, both within the confines of each scene and in the structure of the film as a whole. Four people served as editor on Jonah Hex, and I won’t bother to name them simply because there is no telling at this time who is responsible for what. Let’s just say, as a whole, the editing is the biggest problem this film has, and it is so unavoidable it completely ruins anything the film may have had going for it in the first place. There is so much back and forth editing within each action scene, it becomes extremely difficult to tell who is who or what is being done to just about anyone. Explosions happen. We don’t know why. People fly back as if being shot. No one has a gun. These are all jarring moments that quickly take you out of any story that may have gripped you to begin with.
In the broader scope of the film, the editing is much, MUCH worse. Hex is brisked from set piece to set piece with very little instigation and even less establishment. We rarely know where he is or why he’s even there to begin with. Some scenes even seem to be edited together, as if a patch-work of two scenes into one might help move the film along a bit. It doesn’t, and only adds to the confusing mess we already have to deal with. Certain characters and the actors who play them fall victim to this lack of cohesive editing, most notably Michael Shannon who plays a barker at a boxing match. Literally do not blink or you will miss his two seconds of dialogue-less screen time.
The rest of the cast varies in degrees of serviceability. Brolin seems the perfect choice as Hex, and he plays the part with everything he’s got. Malkovich can play this type of villain in his sleep, and he appears to be doing just that here. Fox is horrid, only there for window dressing and as a possible distraction from the fact that her character does absolutely nothing. Michael Fassbender as one of Malkovich’s henchman very nearly steals every scene he is in, and it pains you to think of a better film he and Brolin’s Hex could have been put into to give their violent relationship more weight.
And, ultimately, this is the very thing the editing in Jonah Hex pulls out of the film. At 85 minutes (75 minus the credits), there is an absolute lack of weight to the film. You see the action going on, you witness the violence and the explosions hitting the screen from right and left, but you don’t care. If any film has suffered more from its post-production than Jonah Hex, I don’t believe I have seen it. This film is so unrecognizable from what it may have once been, in fact, that it is impossible to review it based on anything but the horrendous patch job that occurred after it was shot.
Perhaps there will be a Director’s Cut that puts back in all the character developments, all the natural transitions between scenes, and all the meaning of what we are witnessing. As it is, though, we get none of that, and Jonah Hex is left more disfigured and unidentifiable than its lead character.
Jeremy’s Rating: 3 out of 10
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Alexander Skarsgard Lands a Lead Role in the Battleship Movie
Although he didn’t end up in Marvel’s Thor, Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard has booked a lead role in another big movie. Heat Vision reports that Skarsgard, son of actor Stellan Skarsgard, has signed on to star in Universal’s Battleship movie, based on the Hasbro board game and being directed by Peter Berg (The Rundown, The Kingdom, Hancock). Skarsgard will star as a “straight and narrow” naval officer whom Taylor Kitsch, who has cast in this a few months ago, idolizes (military hierarchy at play). This is Skarsgard’s first major studio role since starring in True Blood and, as long as everything goes to plan, it should be big.
Battleship isn’t even slated for release until May of 2012, so we have a long time to wait, but Peter Berg is preparing to shoot this in August down in Hawaii. Although based on the board game, this Battleship movie, written by Jon and Erich Hoeber (Whiteout, Red), sees an international fleet of various battleships coming together to fight a water-bound armada of “otherworldly origin” – as in some aliens who have some crazy ships that dance along the top of the water like bugs. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about this project as it continues to cast and move towards to start of production. Stay tuned for updates. Anyone excited?
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Disney Unveils Their ‘ComiTRON’ Plans for Comic-Con 2010!
Disney is the first studio to announce some of their official plans for the San Diego Comic-Con this year. Returning for an unprecedented third year to the fans and convention that “started it all,” Disney is pleased to present a special, inside look at its upcoming Tron Legacy plans for Comic-Con. The official Tron panel will be held in Hall H on Thursday, July 22nd starting at 11:15AM with appearances and a Q&A from the actors and filmmakers as well as “exclusive glimpses of the film.” They’ll also have a booth on the showfloor. FS.net will be there covering the panel live and following whatever Tron madness Disney decides to unleash.
It was at Comic-Con in 2008 that the vision of a 21st century Tron was born – that’s where Disney unveiled a secret VFX test trailer that fans went crazy for, allowing this highly anticipated sequel to get the greenlight. Director Joe Kosinski says: “We set out to stay true to the characters, the vehicles, and the world established in the first film—then show its evolution. When it took off with the fans, we knew we were in the right place. Because they’ve been key to getting this story told, we’re back to keep them involved, and excited to finally present actual footage from the film to the audience that made it all possible.” I, for one, can’t freakin’ wait!
That awesome Tron photo above actually comes from the E3 showfloor this year and is probably part of the same display that will be rebuilt on the Comic-Con showfloor. In addition to their panel in Hall H, Disney has announced that the Tron booth (located at #3712) will give fans a first look at the all new Tron Legacy inspired merchandise launching this fall, including toys (like these things), electronics, collectibles, apparel, accessories, publishing and the Tron: Evolution video game from Disney Interactive Studio. I want all of it! Stay tuned for our own coverage of the 2010 Comic-Con starting late next month. See you all in San Diego!
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Don Cheadle and Freida Pinto Offered Roles in Rise of the Apes
This cast is shaping quite nicely. We already know that James Franco will star in Fox’s Planet of the Apes: Rise of the Apes prequel that Rupert Wyatt is directing this summer up in Vancouver. But besides Franco, no other cast members have been announced yet, although we do know they’ll be using Weta to create CGI apes instead of using men in suits. Bloody-Disgusting, of all places, is reporting that offers have been made (read: they’re not signed yet) to actors Don Cheadle (last seen in Iron Man 2) and Freida Pinto (last seen in Slumdog Millionaire) for roles in the movie. But as of now, it’s unconfirmed if these two will be joining.
Rise of the Apes is set in contemporary San Francisco and follows a young scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes. Franco’s character has been working on a cure for Alzheimer’s, testing it on apes. One of them, named Caesar, starts to evolve rapidly, and the scientist takes him home to live with him and protect him from “cruel doctors,” thus starting the inevitable ape revolution. No clue what roles Cheadle or Pinto will be playing, but I’d love to see the two of them cast in this. I have a feeling Rupert Wyatt is putting together one hell of a reboot. Looking forward to seeing who else joins the cast – stay tuned!
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Watch: Hilary Swank & Sam Rockwell in the Conviction Trailer
Now this is a film I haven’t actually heard of before today, but it looks good. Apple has debuted the official trailer for Tony Goldwyn’s Conviction, a new Fox Searchlight dramatic legal thriller, based on a true story, starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell. It looks like a very intense drama about, well, how screwed up and corrupt our legal system can be, as Swank tries to free her wrongfully imprisoned brother. I don’t know if Swank or Rockwell may be awards contenders for this, but it’s definitely a possibility. It looks pretty good, a little heavy-handed, but I’ll probably catch it in the fall. Take a look below and let us know what you think?
Watch the official trailer for Tony Goldwyn’s Conviction:
You can also watch the trailer for Conviction in High Definition on Apple
A working mom puts herself through law school in an effort to represent her brother, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and has exhausted his chances of appealing his conviction through public defenders.
Conviction is directed by actor/filmmaker Tony Goldwyn, who previously directed the films The Last Kiss, Someone Like You, and A Walk on the Moon, as well as numerous TV shows. The screenplay was written by Pamela Gray of A Walk on the Moon and Music of the Heart previously. It’s based on the inspirational true story of Betty Anne Waters. Fox Searchlight is bringing Conviction to theaters on October 15th this year.
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Worthington to Face-Off Against Chris Pine in This Means War
After initially hearing that Bradley Cooper was taking on one of the lead roles in McG’s action comedy This Means War, his schedule involving filming The Hangover sequel meant he had to drop out. But then came word that actors Chris Pine and Seth Rogen were being pursued for one of the same lead roles in the movie that pits two best friends and veteran spies against each other when they both fall for the same girl (Reese Witherspoon). Now Vulture reports that Pine has fully signed on as one of the dueling spies, and an offer is out to Sam Worthington to play the other friend-turned-enemy in this project with an 11 year history.
With all the jockeying around that’s been going on with this project since it was first picked up way back in 1998, Worthington’s accepting the offer may not even guarantee that it gets off the ground. Stars like Martin Lawrence were once attached, and directors like Gore Verbinski have been involved previously, so anything could happen. This seems to be the furthest the project has made it recently, with Fox making it a priority project for their future slate, so maybe that bodes well for imminent production. There’s plenty of projects that took years to get off the ground before a perfect storm of talent came together for some great cinema.
Though I’m usually against Sam Worthington’s casting in pretty much anything right now, this would be an interesting turn since we haven’t seen his comedic side yet. I’d like to give him another shot to impress me (since he hasn’t so far), and maybe this is it. But he has quite a lot on his plate already, not to mention that Vulture says he’s considering yet another project called Man on a Ledge at Summit. In that film, he would play an ex-cop threatening to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop; unbeknownst to the police psychologists brought in to talk him down, the suicide attempt is just a cover for the biggest diamond heist ever attempted. Sounds interesting enough, but that film would be fine without Worthington and I want to see him make with the funny. You guys want to see Sam Worthington and Chris Pine duke it out?
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