I try not to get swept up in movie hype–it’s one of those things all good film critics do, because that way we can view the film objectively when the full version hits theaters. However, part of becoming a movie reviewer involves being a fan of movies in the first place–and not just a casual fan, but a hardcore lover of films. I mean, imagine doing this gig if you didn’t really give a shit about films…
Predator is one of those franchises that I tend to nerd out over. I have fond memories of seeing the first film in the theater when I was like 14 (yes, I’m that old…) and I’ve been a fan ever since. I wasn’t particularly interested in Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal’s attempt to reboot the franchise, Predators, until I started seeing some of the finished footage. I read an early version of the Predators script over the summer and I wasn’t really impressed–however, the clips and trailers we’ve seen in the past month or so have completely changed my tune.
Here’s the latest, an interview with Rodriguez and Antal that comes courtesy of Fox Germany. In it, the duo discusses the decision to cast Adrien Brody, why Antal got the gig, and some other goodies. If that’s not enticing enough, there’s also some new footage from the film that should give you extra incentive to make with the clicking.
I’m not the biggest fan of the Resident Evil films–I liked the first two well enough, but I’d never put them on a list of my favorite films (regardless of genre distinctions). That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them as campy and braindead fun, though. I hate when people say “turn off your brain”, but that’s kinda the best ways to watch the RE films.
The trailer for the latest is now online. Resident Evil: Afterlife looks like your typical entry in the series–stylish and filled with elaborate action set-pieces–but this time it comes with an added bonus: 3D. Milla Jovovich is once again back to take on the nefarious Umbrella Corporation, presumably in the equally retardedly named Raccoon City. Check out the new clip and see what you think
Resident Evil: Afterlife is due out later this year.
One of my favorite foreign horror films of recent vintage is Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza’s “monsters in a building” flick Rec. The Spanish film was creepy and intense and just a genuinely good time (and so much better than its American remake, Quarantine).
So, when news that the filmmakers were returning to do a sequel that picks up immediately after the first film ends, I was pretty excited. That feeling of anticipation grew with each new trailer and clip, and now comes the good news that Magnet Releasing (the genre division of Magnolia Films) is going to bring the film to America. Yes, unlike Sony, who sat on the original Rec for an eternity so it didn’t mess up the release of their subpar remake, we’ll actually be seeing Rec 2 very soon.
In typical Magnet fashion, the film will get a limited theatrical release sometime in July–but will be available through VOD services a month prior. Word on the street is that you need to see this in a theater if at all possible, but if you’re not lucky enough to live in a major metropolitan area, you’ll still be able to check it out on your home theater.
In preparation, here’s an English language trailer to get you in the mood.
After months of speculation, it’s finally official: Scream 4 is happening.
The news broke yesterday over at Variety, where Dimension Films chief Bob Weinstein confirmed that things are moving forward on the project. The newest installment in the popular franchise is set to go before cameras this spring and should release on April 11th of 2011 if all goes according to plan.
The biggest news is that Wes Craven is officially confirmed as director. After several false alarm announcements, Craven himself has spoken about how excited he is about the project. Our friends at Shock Till You Drop scored this quote from the man himself:
“I am delighted to accept Bob Weinstein’s offer to take the reins on a whole new chapter in Scream history. Working with Courteney, David and Neve was a blast ten years ago and I’m sure it will be again. And I can’t wait to find the talent that will bring new blood to the screen as well. Kevin is right on his game with the new script – the characters and story crackle with energy and originality – to say nothing of some of the most hair-raising scares I’ve seen in a script since… well, since the original Scream series. Let me at it.”
Ghostface’s latest adventure is set to be something of a family reunion. Scream 4 will see not only the return of Craven, but also screenwriter Kevin Williamson, and stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox Arquette, and David Arquette. That being said, it’s been over a decade since Scream 3. Do you think Craven and company can recapture the magic or is this–like grunge music and flannel shirts–something better left in the ’90s?
UK fright fans got a chance to check out The Descent Part 2 in theaters last December. Unfortunately, American audiences will have to make do with a DVD release as opposed to catching it on the big screen.
DVD Active is reporting that Lionsgate will bring Jon Harris’ sequel to Neil Marshall’s cult chiller to American home video audiences on April 27th. I’m ambivalent about this–to be honest, there are films that I don’t really need to see in a theater, and The Descent Part 2 falls squarely in that category. I’m perfectly content to watch it from my couch.
Here’s the synopsis:
Dazed, bloodied and speechless with trauma, Sarah Carter emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system where the events of THE DESCENT took place. Local sheriff Redmond Vaines forces her back underground to help the rescue team which is desperately searching for her five missing girlfriends. As the team moves deeper into the caves, Sarah’s flashes of fractured memory intensify and she begins to realizes the full horror of the would-be rescue mission. Only Sarah knows the terror which lurks in the shadows of the caves. But they are about to encounter a new tribe of crawlers, inbred, deformed and even more viciously feral than those Sarah faced before.
No word yet on what extras might be included with the disc, but I’ll keep you posted as we get closer to April 27th.
First off, I really fucking hope we’re not going to have to call this year’s annual Saw installment Saw VII 3D because that’s the most goddamn awkward title I’ve seen since Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie. It’s not as much of a mouthful as that one, but still–let’s just call it Saw VII, for Christ’s sake.
Anyway, IMDB has some early casting listings on the film’s page. You have to take any casting news acquired this way with an industrial-sized salt-lick, but the people listed as being in the newest outing all make sense so I wouldn’t be surprised if this actually turns out to be true. If they had a listing that included Gary Oldman amongst the cast, I’d be a lot more dubious. However, according to this list, Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Costas Mandylor, and Tanedra Howard are all coming back.
No word on what the story (currently being concocted by screenwriters Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton) might entail, but I’m guessing it will involve complicated traps, loads of flashbacks featuring Tobin Bell saying things like “make your choice”, and a ludicrous ending that sets up a sequel for October of 2011.
Personally, I think Saw VII should find Jigsaw taking on an evil film company that forces a director to make their movie after he’d already signed on to make a competing film instead. Sounds pretty topical to me.
Shock Till You Drop posted a link to a fascinating (well, fascinating if you like horror movies and find the inner workings of the movie business interesting, anyway) blog entry from screenwriter Todd Farmer chronicling how he and partner Patrick Lussier went from the fast-track on Halloween 3D to dead in the water in what seems like an instant. In this lengthy piece, Farmer tells you (mostly) what happened, what they were planning for the film (they wanted Tom Atkins to be in it…how awesome would that have been?), and why the whole thing fell apart.
I won’t spoil the story (it’s well worth reading for yourself), but this should be required reading for anyone wanting to work as a writer and creator in Hollywood. If things like this can happen to Farmer and Lussier (who were coming off their success with the My Bloody Valentine remake) just imagine what they can do to guys who haven’t had anything produced…
Check out the blog posting by clicking here. I’ll tell you that his blog is getting hammered this morning so it might not load right away. Be patient–it’s worth the wait.
I’m not sure why anyone would feel the urge to make a sequel to one of the worst films in recent history (Uwe Boll’s Alone in the Dark), but that’s exactly what’s happening and I’ve got the trailer to prove it (thanks to the mighty Dread Central).
What’s even more puzzling is why you’d make a sequel to a terrible film that is essentially universally despised, change the actors and story, and yet keep the title. Christian Slater and Tara Reid are gone and the only real tie to the original movie (which was based on a videogame series) is that Edward Carnby is still the main character. If that’s your only real tie to the original series, you’d probably be better off just doing a brand new standalone film. I guess this proves that even bad publicity is better than no publicity at all. I can see no other reason to tie yourself to anything directed by Uwe Boll.
Anyway, I’m probably gonna wind up watching this thing (and hating myself as soon as it starts) because it’s got Bill Moseley, Danny Trejo, and Lance Henriksen in it. Those three guys are cool enough to get me to watch just about anything and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Donald Pleasence had the same affect on me–and while I was burned by many a bad flick with Dr. Loomis skulking around in it, I kept going back for more.
We’ll all find out how bad Alone in the Dark II is when it debuts on DVD this January 26th.
Harold Raimis is at it again–he’s out there stoking the fanboy fires for the long-awaited Ghostbusters 3. This time out, he tells Heeb Magazine that things are looking good for a 2011 release date. I’d like to see a GB3 as much as anyone, but I’ll believe it when I plop my “a lot less fat than it used to be” ass in a theater chair and see the credits roll.
In the piece, Raimis basically recites the same old song and dance we’ve been hearing for the past few years. Ackroyd wrote a script, no one wanted to do it, now there’s an audience for it, we’re going to fuck it up by bringing in a new generation of young Ghostbusters, etc.
The story doesn’t become even remotely newsworthy (my lowered editorial standards for this week excluded, of course) until Raimis says “GB3 is progressing with plans to shoot next summer and release in 2011″.
So, there you have it–start counting down the days until Summer of 2011. Maybe Sigourney Weaver won’t have spoiled the entire fucking movie before that point.
Big news posted earlier this afternoon at Bloody-Disgusting. According to them, Laurence Fishburne is the newest addition to the Predators cast.
No word yet on who Fishburne will be playing, but we can only hope that he gets an opportunity to go all Ike Turner on one of the galaxy’s most feared hunters.
Predators is currently shooting in Austin, Texas with Nimrod Antal directing and Robert Rodriguez producing. The film is slated for a July 2010 release date. Expect more news on this as details come into focus.
