Saturday, 30 September 2017
16-Year-Old Girl Sings Most Difficult Opera Song Ever, Nails It!
16-year-old Rachele Gilmore sings The Doll Song from The Tales of Hoffmann. She was an understudy for Kathleen Kim in the role of Olympia in the opera. She only had a four hours' notice that she would sing that night. She ended up singing a High A-flat, the highest note to have ever been sung at the Met.
Friday, 29 September 2017
Supergirl Season 3 "Hero's Journey" Trailer (HD)
Kara (Melissa Benoist) deals with the loss of Mon-El (Chris Wood) by focusing all her energy on being Supergirl and the mysterious new threat against National City. Alex (Chyler Leigh) confesses a secret to Maggie (guest star Floriana Lima) about their impending nuptials. A citizen of National City has a mysterious connection to Kara, and Lena (Katie McGrath) makes a bold move. Jesse Warn directed the episode with story by Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Robert Rovner and Caitlin Parrish (#301). Original airdate 10/9/2017.
The Librarians Season 4 Promo (HD)
In this season of The Librarians, our heroes embark on new, action-packed adventures, risking their lives once again to save the world. They face off against Santa’s brother the Patron Saint of Thieves, try to save a town plagued by ghosts from the Civil War, battle a casino that steals luck, endure a body switching fiasco and join forces with a time traveling Librarian from the past. But their greatest challenge will come from within the Library itself. With Charlene no longer tethered to the Library, which keeps it grounded to humanity, one Librarian and one Guardian must step up and take the mantle. As Jenkins organizes the Tethering Ceremony, the high ritual that will bond the pair to the Library forever, thus granting them immortality, Flynn and Baird seem poised to make this sacrifice. Until a woman from Flynn’s past reveals herself to be one of the Library’s dirty little secrets.
Catch up on Season 3 Here
DC's Legends of Tomorrow Season 3 Trailer (HD)
History gets a remix. DC's Legends of Tomorrow returns Tuesday, October 10 at 9/8c on The CW.
"Arrow" and "The Flash" have some new superhero company in the CW's lineup with the addition of "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." After seeing what doom the future holds, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter realizes heroes alone are not enough to prevent the impending catastrophe that threatens not only the planet, but all of time itself. Tasked with recruiting both heroes and villains, Rip brings together a ragtag team of divergent talents, which includes the likes of Sara Lance, Ray Palmer, and Heat Wave.
Catch up on Season 2 Here
Scandal Final Season Tribute (HD)
Gladiator Nation give tribute to Scandal, from the amazing cast to Kobe Bryant! Scandal Season 7 premieres Thursday October 5th on ABC!
REVIEW: Ticket to Ride: First Journey (Mobile Version)
Review by Jon Donnis:
Ticket to Ride First Journey is based on a board game called Days of Wonder, Now I have to admit I am not aware of this board game, as I don't really play them, so I come to this game from a position of complete ignorance. It is worth noting that this is a kids game, or a game that a parent can play with a young child. So I am probably not the demographic they are aiming at.
With that said the game is enjoyable. You start on a map, with various landmarks, and you have to connect the land marks with train routes, and whoever scores the most routes first wins, and you then collect artifacts, its that simple.
I will admit that I started playing the game without reading anything about it, and even during the tutorial I didn't pay much attention, because.. you know... I'm a stupid man and all that. So once the game started proper I had no real idea what I was doing, but once I figured it out, it is a fun little game.
There is a solo mode whereby you play against AI opponents, and that's fine for what it is, but the fun here comes from playing against someone else. You just pass your phone to them when your turn is over, and so on.
I played the game with my 7 year old niece like this, and much like a physical board game, we had the same type of experience, which was basically me taking things way too seriously and her getting annoyed with me for not letting her win. As soon as we finished a game she demanded we play again. And that's really all you need to know.
It's a fun, simple, easy to play game, better playing against others.
I give this game a solid 7/10.
Synopsis:
Ticket to Ride: First Journey brings the popular kid and family version of Days of Wonder classic board game Ticket to Ride, to digital platforms. Perfect for all ages with quicker and easier gameplay for younger players, this adaptation is a must-have introduction to the award-winning and millions-selling game Ticket to Ride. Including both USA and European maps, Ticket to Ride: First Journey allows you to collect train cards, claim routes across the continent and connect major cities across the map.
Playable in solo mode against three AI of varying difficulties, or with up to three friends (or bots) with the ‘pass and play’ mode, each game of Ticket to Ride: First Journey will steer you through the wild landscapes of the USA or historical Europe, learning more about iconic monuments and collecting pictures of the cities as you go.
A digital adaptation for the masses, Ticket to Ride: First Journey has been simplified for younger audiences, so parents and children can experience the ride together. The game features a colourful, fully-animated 3D user experience, and user-friendly drag and drop mechanics to make the first Ticket to Ride journey easy and fun for all ages.
Ticket to Ride: First Journey features:
Two maps: Europe & North America
Family-friendly gameplay, including interactive, kid-focused tutorial
Solo mode: Easy, normal & difficult AI
Pass and play mode on a single device: Up to four players (or bots)
Unlockable rewards to build geographical knowledge
Links to Purchase
iPhone
Android
Steam
Mac OS: Coming soon
RUINER Launch Trailer
RUINER is a top-down action shooter created in the spirit of cult cyberpunk anime and game classics. RUINER is quick and brutal but sophisticated gameplay, original world with mature storyline and unique visual style. It was born out of passion for great games but also for pushing the boundaries. RUINER is our own take on cyberpunk motifs but we we're not making a pure cyberpunk game. Our main inspiration is the world we live in. Because the future's already here.
http://www.ruinergame.com
PLAY Expo Manchester Unveils Greatest-Ever Roster of Indie Games
Replay Events Delivers an Indie Showcase to Remember, Arriving at EventCity, Manchester on October 14th and 15th
Manchester, England – September 29th, 2017 – PLAY Expo Manchester, the largest video game expo in the North of England, is thrilled to announce their greatest-ever Indie showcase, arriving at this year’s event taking place at EventCity Manchester on October 14th and 15th.
Famous for its support of the thriving Indie gaming scene, Replay Events has attracted the best and brightest Indie games for this year’s event, spearheading a remarkable initiative to support smaller developers through offering complimentary space at PLAY Expo Manchester.
Notable games appearing at this, the sixth blockbuster year of PLAY Expo Manchester include:
Silo Black Games – Boom Boom Barbarian
Hut 90 - Akuto: Mad World
Hope for Hopeless Studios - The Tension
Leda Entertainment - Bullion
Noskyvisible - Time Runner
Dumpling Co., Ltd. - SMASH TANKS!
1st Impact Games - All Contact Lost
LimeVibe Games - Space Toads Mayhem
Popup Asylum - BeeBeeQ
All iN - ERSATZ
Warpfish Games Limited - Razed
Huey Games - Hyper Sentinel
Onion Soup Interactive - Nippon Marathon
Ginger Biscuit Games - OAOA - Off And On Again
OceanSpark Studios - Tetra, Elemental Awakening
SinisterSoft - RetroStar
Gemi Games - Super Lumi Live
Chronik Spartan - Glo
Andy Brown, Director for Replay Events commented, “Our Indie showcase has long been one of the most popular sections of PLAY Expo Manchester, and it’s important to us to see the Indie scene grow and thrive by introducing their titles to a wider audience. This year, we’ve managed to outdo ourselves and can look forward to the broadest and most eclectic series of titles ever appearing at the event. Combined with our AAA titles, retro zone, arcade entertainment, panels, talks, cosplay and so much more, we’re confident that this year’s PLAY Expo Manchester will truly be an event to remember.”
Returning for its sixth year, PLAY Expo Manchester is a highly popular two-day video game event, ideal for all the family and offering visitors an unrivalled experience with features, tournaments, exhibitors, industry guests, panels and so much more. Celebrating gaming and popular culture, the expo uniquely caters for casual fans and dedicated gamers alike and promises to be an event not to be missed.
For more information on PLAY Expo Manchester 2017, please visit: www.playexpomanchester.com and follow Replay Events on Facebook, and Twitter.
Exhibitors, traders and press interested in PLAY Expo Manchester can contact the Replay Events team at: contact@replayevents.com
Beyond Skyline UK Trailer (2017)
Synopsis:
Get ready for intense sci-fi action adventure with Beyond Skyline, the stand-alone sequel to 2010 hit Skyline. Beginning with a new view of the alien invasion from the original film, we then move in an epic, world-spanning direction...
Los Angeles Detective Mark Corley (Frank Grillo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) thought bailing out his eighteen-year-old son, Trent (Jonny Weston, Taken 3), was the worst part of his day. But on the ride home, the skies above fill with a strange blue light. Within moments, the entire city's population is vacuumed up into a massive alien ship.
In the aftermath, father and son lead a band of survivors to the marina. But when Trent is abducted, Mark relentlessly storms after his son onto the nightmarish warship.
As the aliens move across the planet, feeding off the remnants of humanity, the resilient Mark battles through the bizarre environment, uncovering their horrific secrets. Before long, he forges an alliance with an unlikely ally. Together they are able to crash the ship and rescue several abductees.
Landing in Southeast Asia, they encounter a highly skilled resistance force, led by the deadly Sua (Iko Uwais, The Raid 1 & 2). In a race against time, these warriors from different sides of the world must unite to save their families and take back the planet.
Starring Frank Grillo (The Purge: Election Year, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Bojana Novakovic (Drag Me to Hell, Devil), Jonny Weston (Taken 3, Divergent), Iko Uwais (The Raid 1&2), Callan Mulvey (Heartbreak High, Batman v. Superman, 300), Betty Gabriel (The Purge: Election Year, Get Out, Westworld) Antonio Fargas (Starsky and Hutch, Foxy Brown) and Lindsey Morgan (The 100).
Beyond Skyline is written and directed by Liam O’Donnell. Produced by Greg Strause (Skyline), Colin Strause (Skyline) and Matthew Chausse
Premiere at Horror Channel FrightFest on 28th October. Digital HD 15th December and DVD & Blu-ray 8th January.
December 15th includes a US theatrical release from Vertical Entertainment
#BeyondSkyline @LionsgateUK @FrightFest
Interview with Francesca Zappitelli
"Ballerina I'm Not" is the underground, underdog story of the prolific journey that women take to follow their dreams and find their way in a male dominated fight industry. The film hails from writer, director and producer - and wrestling icon! - Francesca Zappitelli.
Congrats on the film! Do you remember how you pitched the film to your investors and cast initially? What was it that got them to want to be involved?
Thank you! Passion and positivity were the key components to enroll everybody. I wasn’t the only one that wanted to tell this story.
What kind of guidance and direction did you give those appearing on-camera?
I’d give my talent an opportunity to run through a take or two without direction, to get them warmed up. I also utilized Clint Eastwood’s method of saying, “Alright go ahead” or “When you’re ready,” to put them at ease in the next take instead of the flashy “Action” counterpart.
Was there anyone you would’ve wanted to have involved but couldn’t get?
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson of course. He is my favorite male wrestler and to see how he has crossed over into TV and Film is truly inspirational. I’m curious on his opinion on female wrestling from when he began to now.
The film, I imagine, covers some deep topics. How did you decide on just how far to push it?
Ballerina I’m Not explores the history of female professional wrestling which has been predominantly male driven. A documentary is social commentary and it would be an injustice not to tell the whole story even if it’s not a pretty one. However, it concludes on a high note shining a light on the accolades that women have achieved in both WWE and the UFC.
How has the reaction to the film been so far? I imagine it’s affected people different ways?
I’ve been pleased with the reactions. Particularly, the demographic of people that are not wrestling or fight fans they still found it riveting.
Have many male wrestlers seen it? Any feedback there?
Yes, a few have seen it and there has been mixed reaction. However, I’m pleased with the amount of male wrestlers that champion for their female counter parts and do not participate in locker room banter or misogynistic views.
What’s coming up for you?
You can watch Ballerina I’m Not, on Amazon October 6th as well as a female driven TV pilot entitled SYN in which I was the executive producer of. I’m also writing a short film ‘Guilty?’ based on real events, where good people do bad things. I hope to shoot it early next year.
Ballerina I’m Not is released October 6 on Amazon.
Thursday, 28 September 2017
Gotham Promo "The Fear Reaper" (HD) Season 4 Episode 2 Promo
Gotham 4x02 "The Fear Reaper" Season 4 Episode 2 Promo - Under pressure to prove that the GCPD is still powerful, Gordon attempts to bring in Jonathan Crane. However, Gordon puts himself in a dangerous situation at Arkham when he is forced to fight off lunatics and the demon within himself. Meanwhile, with Barbara's unexpected return, Selina and Tabitha must consider risks that come with joining her in the weapon business in the all-new “The Fear Reaper” episode of GOTHAM airing Thursday, September 28th on FOX.
Stephen Manley - From Spock to Hitler
Veteran actor Stephen Manley has made the leap to film once again with a new film The Time War. Manley is know for his portrayal as Spock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and a long history of television credits, including a recurring role this year in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots series as Dr. Saver.
In The Time War, Adolf Hitler (Stephen Manley) re-writes history as he travels through time. The film is set to release in 2018 and is directed by Neil Johnson, and also stars Tracey Birdsall, William Kircher (The Hobbit), Daniel Logan (Star Wars Episode II), and Aaron Jacques. The film is narrated by the late Christopher Lee.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm054 2603/
He can also be seen headlining “Ghosthunters,” as Dr. Henry Tanner, directed by Perry Teo (Cloud Atlas, Curse of Sleeping Beauty).
Ghosthunters Trailer:
Horror Channel FrightFest announces line-up for Halloween 2017 event
Horror Channel FrightFest Halloween 2017 unleashes seven choice shockers for the 7th annual West End Halloween chillorama – a wits-end wallow in all things gruesome, gory and glorious.
This year, the all-day shocktoberfest is at the Empire Haymarket on Sat Oct 28, 2017 and embraces one world, one European and five UK premieres, spanning three continents.
From the emotional making of a low-budget slasher to zombie nightmares, Gothic horrors, an outrageously strange mind cult, a sci-fi alien action extravaganza, a comic strip creature feature and the last word in Killer Clowns, this year’s line-up is an eclectic mix of the quirky, unusual and extreme.
Alan Jones, FrightFest co-director said today: “After FrightFest’s successful return to central London in August for our biggest and most acclaimed event yet, we’re pleased to announce our equally ambitious, and extended Halloween spooktacular. The line-up is a heady cocktail of horror, fantasy and sci-fi, which we hope haunts your nightmares until our Glasgow grindhouser next March”.
Attending guests will be announced shortly.
Tickets go on sale from noon on Sun 1 Oct. Passes: £45, single tickets: £14.50.
Bookings: http://www.frightfest.co.uk/tickets.html
Remaining single tickets can also be bought at the cinema on the day.
FULL LINE UP:
10:00 HORROR MOVIE: A LOW BUDGET NIGHTMARE (European Premiere)
Director: Gary Doust. Cast: Craig Anderson, Dee Wallace, Gerard Odwyer, Bryan Moses, Robert Anderson. Australia 2017. 99 mins.
A funny, sad, candid and revealing documentary on the making of RED CHRISTMAS, a recent FrightFest favourite. Sick of playing quirky roles on Australian TV shows, actor/filmmaker Craig Anderson puts everything on the line to make his first low budget slasher about an aborted foetus seeking revenge on its family. With money issues, union troubles, an angry Hollywood Scream Queen and even a circumcision to overcome, we follow Craig’s nail-biting rollercoaster production journey as he gambles his family’s life savings to relaunch his career as a horror film director in the highly competitive digital age of moviemaking and distribution.
12:05 HOSTILE (UK Premiere)
Director: Mathieu Turi. Cast: Brittany Ashworth, Javier Botet, Gregory Fitoussi, Jay Benedict, David Gasman. USA 2017. 82 mins.
A worldwide epidemic has killed most of the planet’s population. The few survivors struggle to find food and shelter. But they are not alone, for the ravaged remnants of society go hunting at night for human flesh. On her way back to base camp from a foraging expedition, Juliette has a terrible accident. Stuck in her car, with a broken leg, in the middle of an unforgiving desert, she must survive the perils of the post-apocalypse while a strange creature prowls around... From producer Xavier Gens, director of THE DIVIDE and FRONTIER(S), a terrifying, moving and unusual shocker.
14:10 THE BLACK GLOVES (World Premiere)
Director: Lawrie Brewster. Cast: Macarena Gómez, Nicholas Vince, Alexandra Nicole Hulme, Craig J. Seath, Jamie Scott Gordon. UK 2017. 80 mins.
The terrifying story of a psychologist obsessed with the disappearance of his young patient and the menacing owl-headed figure that plagued her nightmares. His investigations lead him to a reclusive ballerina who, just like his patient, is convinced that she is about to die at the hands of this disturbing entity. In the bleak Scottish highlands, Finn counsels his new patient, under the watchful eye of her sinister ballet teacher. He soon finds himself entangled in a pas-de-deux of paranoia, dark agendas and a maze of deadly twists and turns, as the legend of the Owlman becomes a terrifying reality.
16:10 IT CAME FROM THE DESERT (UK Premiere)
Director: Marko Mäkilaakso. Cast: Mark Arnold, Harry Lister Smith, Vanessa Grasse, Alec Mills, Callum McGowan. Finland/UK/Canada 2017. 89 mins.
Inspired by Cinemaware’s cult 1980s video game, itself motivated by the giant creature feature craze infesting 1950s Hollywood, get ready for the pulp action horror mutant monster movie of the year! It’s a terribly tall tale involving rival motocross heroes and cocooned heroines, out-of-control kegger parties in the New Mexico desert, crashed meteors from outer space, secret underground labyrinth military bases, romantic insecurities …and epic havoc caused by massive spider/ant hybrids! Smartly scripted, extremely funny and very creepy, with terrific special effects in homage to Ray Harryhausen, get with the OTT deadpan delivery and the Project T.H.E.M. program.
18:45 HOUSEWIFE (UK Premiere)
Director: Can Evrenol. Cast: Clémentine Poidatz, David Sakurai, Ali Aksöz, Defne Halman, Alicia Kapudag. Turkey 2017. 82 mins.
The first English-language feature from innovative Turkish director Can Evrenol who took shocked audiences on a tour of hell in BASKIN. After that homage to John Carpenter, join the Turkish delight as he navigates Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci territory with another pitch black delve into dark sexuality, family values, social claustrophobia, and outrageous nightmares. On a snowy eve, little Holly's sister and father are killed by her frantic mother. Twenty years later, Holly is married, lonely, and her life is soon about take a turn for the ultra-weird when she visits the ‘Umbrella of Love and Mind’ cult.
20:40 BEYOND SKYLINE (UK Premiere)
Director: Liam O'Donnell. Cast: Frank Grillo, Bojana Novakovic, Iko Uwais, Johnny Weston, Antonio Fargas. USA/Indonesia 2017. 105 mins.
In the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2010 breakout blockbuster hit SKYLINE, tough-as-nails detective Mark (THE PURGE star Frank Grillo) embarks on a relentless pursuit to free his embittered rebellious son Trent (Johnny Weston) from a nightmarish alien warship as the extraterrestrial menace continues its human harvest. Set concurrently with the original sci-fi shocker, with Mark and Trent trapped on a subway train as the intergalactic invasion begins, THE RAID franchise martial arts star Iko Uwais joins the thrilling turbo-charged action adventure as a disparate group of survivors must learn the true meaning of family.
23:00 TERRIFIER (UK Premiere)
Director: Damien Leone. Cast: Jenna Kanell, Catherine Corcoran, Margaret Reed, Katie Maguire, David Howard Thornton. USA 2017. 82 mins.
You thrilled to IT, now chill to Art the maniacal clown of all your worst nightmares. Appearing initially in director Damien Leone’s 2008 short THE 9th CIRCLE, then the 2011 award-winning short TERRIFIER, horrifying Art returns for his first full-length frightener. Here Leone delivers all the gore and much more in this slasher exploitation extravaganza that’s both lip-smackingly disturbing and screamingly shocking. For Art is back on the silent prowl ready to terrorize three young women on Halloween night and anybody who stands in his dismembering way.
www.frightfest.co.uk
Twitter @frightfest
Designated Survivor "Sting of the Tail" Season 2 Episode 2 Promo
FBI Agent Hannah Wells finally closes in on Patrick Lloyd, but when the president decides to take action during the White House Correspondents Dinner, members of the Homeland Security Council threaten to derail their plans, on “Designated Survivor,” airing Wednesday, October 4th on ABC.
Trailer courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/DesignatedSurvivorABC/
Season 1 available for £23 - Amazon UK
Season 1 available for $29.99 - Amazon USA
Season 1 available for £23 - Amazon UK
Season 1 available for $29.99 - Amazon USA
Hi-Lo Joe Official Trailer & Poster
Synopsis:
Everyone loves Joe Ridley, except Joe Ridley. He’s the life and soul of the party on the outside but, inside, a dark depression envelops him and a childhood trauma haunts him. Elly loves him but as their relationship grows, Joe’s inner turmoil slowly becomes uncontrollable, threatening his relationship. Can Joe save himself before he loses everything he loves?
With a breakout performance from new star Matthew Stathers and co-starring Lizzie Philips, Gethin Anthony (Game of Thrones), Tom Bateman (Da Vinci’s Demons), Joe Dixon (The Cold Light of Day) and Thaila Zucchi (Shameless), Hi-Lo Joe is an unforgettable and highly moving feature debut from writer/director James Kermack.
Out in Cinemas Nov 24th 2017
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
The Orville 1x04 Promo "If the Stars Should Appear" (HD)
The Orville 1x04 "If the Stars Should Appear" Season 1 Episode 4 Promo - Ed and the Orville crew encounter a massive vessel adrift in space, which is in danger of colliding with a star. While some of the crew set out to help the ship's inhabitants, Bortus, Gordon, and John stay behind and fend off a Krill attack on another Union ship in the all-new “If the Stars Should Appear” episode of THE ORVILLE airing Thursday, September 28th on FOX.
Designated Survivor Sneak Peeks "One Year In" (HD) Season 2 Episode 1
Designated Survivor 2x01 "One Year In" Season 2 Episode 1 Sneak Peek - In the second-season opener, Ukrainian nationalists hijack a Russian Air flight, leading to a hostage situation in which the president's diplomatic skills are put to the test.
Make sure to check out Designated Survivor on Facebook and give it a like for the latest photos, videos and news.
https://www.facebook.com/DesignatedSurvivorABC/
You can also buy Season 1 from Amazon using the link below.
Buy Designated Survivor Season 1 from Amazon
Gotham Season 4 "Hero" Trailer (HD)
Gotham finally has the hero it deserves - watching Batman finally begin is thrilling. Catch new episodes of Gotham every Thursday at 8/7c on FOX!
Buy Gotham Season 3 [DVD] [2017]
Once Upon a Time Season 7 Cast Interviews (HD)
Learn about Once Upon a Time Season 7 in these cast interviews with Lana Parilla, Colin O'Donoghue, Dania Ramirez (Cinderella), Andrew J. West (Henry), and Gabrielle Anwar (Lady Tremaine) along with show creators Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis.
Buy Once Upon a Time S1-5 [DVD]
Cute Little Buggers - Poster and Trailer
Gremlins meets Hot Fuzz in Cute Little Buggers, premiering on VOD Nov 7.
Tony Jopia’s highly anticipated comedy-horror hybrid sees locals of a peaceful English village, enjoying their annual summer festival, when they are suddenly attacked by mutated killer rabbits!
Somewhere in the depths of space, aliens are watching the earth and planning their attack. Unaware of the impending danger, the locals of a sleepy English village are preparing for their summer festival. The aliens launch their offensive by mutating the local rabbit population, and when the furry demons are released, the body count starts to pile up as blood, guts, and fur flies in all directions as the humans fight off the alien threat.
Featuring genre icon Caroline Munro (Maniac, The Spy Who Loved Me) and from Tony Jopia, director of Crying Wolf , comes the wildest film of the fall, Cute Little Buggers – crashlanding Nov 7 from Uncork’d Entertainment.
Jigsaw - New Poster & Trailer
SYNOPSIS
One of the highest grossing Horror franchises of all time is back, taking the Jigsaw killer’s signature brand of twisted scenarios to the next level.
Cast: Matt Passmore, Callum Keith Rennie, Clé Bennett, Hannah Emily Anderson, Laura Vandervoort, Mandela Van Peebles, Paul Braunstein, Brittany Allen, Josiah Black
Directed by: The Spierig Brothers
Written by: Josh Stolberg & Peter Goldfinger
Produced by: Oren Koules, Mark Burg, Greg Hoffman
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Promo (HD)
Jake and Rosa assimilate to their new lives behind bars, but both are coping in very different ways. Jake bonds with his cellmate, Caleb (guest star Tim Meadows), and is forced to join a prison gang led by notorious inmate Romero (guest star Lou Diamond Phillips), in order to gain his protection. Meanwhile, in the women's prison, Rosa puts Holt and Terry to the test by having them complete outrageous favors for her. Back in the precinct, Amy and Charles are doing all they can to exonerate their colleagues in the all-new “The Big House Pt.1” Season Five premiere episode of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE airing Tuesday, September 26th on FOX.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 4 [DVD]
Interview with Martin Koolhoven - Director of Brimstone
Bio
Martin Koolhoven graduated from the Amsterdam Film Academy as a writer/director. His breakthrough in The Netherlands came in 1999 with Suzy Q, which was also the debut of Brimstone-actress Carice van Houten. His first movies received good reviews and won awards, but it wasn’t until 2005 that Martin started making movies that also did well at the box office. Schnitzel Paradise was his first hit (biggest box receipts of all Dutch movies in 2005); it won awards and did well at festivals (including the Berlin Film Festival and the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it was part of the Variety Critics’ choice.).
His biggest success, however, was Oorlogswinter/Winter in Wartime (his fourth hit movie in a row). It was a phenomenal box office hit in Holland (it outgrossed Twilight and The Dark Knight at Dutch theatres) and was sold to many countries abroad. It made the shortlist of 9 movies at the Oscars (Best Foreign Language Film) and was successfully released by Sony Classics in the USA in 2011. Despite “Hollywood calling”, Koolhoven decided to form N279 Entertainment together with his producer Els Vandevorst. Brimstone is his first international film. Koolhoven’s work has won awards in the Netherlands, France, England, Lithuania, Egypt, Suriname, Japan, Uruguay, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic.
When did you come up with the idea for Brimstone?
Somewhere in the course of 2010. After the success of Winter in Wartime, I told people that I wanted to make a Western. I started off re-writing a script we bought, but after a few months of slogging away at it I realized that it wasn’t working out. I had to stop and ask myself why I wanted to make a Western so badly, and how I could do something original and personal within that genre. That ultimately resulted in Brimstone, a movie some people say can barely even be called a Western.
Why is that, do you think?
For a number of reasons, like the thriller element and the unique narrative structure, but at the end of the day I think it’s the feminine perspective that stands out most of all. Westerns are usually pretty macho, and there aren’t many examples of female leads. In the cases where that has happened, the films were usually the same kind of story, but then with a female gunslinger, like in The Quick and the Dead. Brimstone actually has a female point of view, not only literally, but in terms of actual content too. That’s fairly unique for a movie set in the Old West.
Writing from a feminine perspective, was that hard for you?
I think there are more similarities than differences between the sexes; somehow, people tend to forget that. Among all the things I am, a man is only one facet. I think I probably have more in common with female filmmakers than with, for example, a preacher, even if he and I share our gender. It’s striking that no one asks me whether it was hard to write The Reverend (played by Guy Pearce), even though that role is more remote to me than the character of Liz (played by Dakota Fanning).
Religion plays a major role in the film. Was there some account you needed to settle?
Not particularly, but I do come from a Calvinistic country and I was brought up a Protestant, so that made the story more personal. Besides, misogyny and religion are still a solid duo in the 21st century, so the subject hasn’t lost any relevance.
Brimstone is your first movie with international stars. What differences did you notice?
Not all that many, really. Working with Guy Pearce is not essentially different from working with Fedja van Huêt. Okay, when you’re in a Spanish bar with Kit Harington, you notice that you’re in the company of a star, but Kit himself is simply a very normal, hardworking actor. The big difference is in the way those stars are approached by other people, not the way they are themselves. Okay, there was one other difference. I’m a film buff, and so I love to talk about movies and directors. On the set I sometimes allude to other filmmakers in order to explain something to the cast or the crew. So one time I was saying something about Spielberg to someone, and Dakota came along and complemented me. The only thing was, she was doing that on the basis of first-hand experience. That was new for me, yeah.
It took you a long time to put Brimstone together. Why was that?
There are any number of reasons. I hadn’t written for a long time, and it was a complicated screenplay, so it took a few years before there was a script that my producer and business partner Els Vandevorst, could show around. When we got to that point, Els did some truly heroic work, because it wasn’t easy to get the film off the ground. That took a while too. And the shooting lasted a long time as well. The film is set in a number of places, and in different seasons. When you add it all up, Els and I worked on the movie for a good six years. Seven, counting that false start.
How should we view Brimstone? Is it a Dutch, a European or an American film?
Oh, man. There’s something to be said for all three. The writer, director, producer, director of photography, editor, make-up, production designer, costume designer, sound designer, composer and a number of the actors are all Dutch. What’s more, Guy plays a Dutchman, so the film is undeniably Dutch. On the other hand, the financing came from a number of European countries and we shot in a number of European locations, with a European crew and actors. I don’t really think the movie could had been made in America: it’s too forthright for that. On the other hand, though, the film is part of a largely American cinematic tradition, the lead and a number of supporting roles are played by Americans and the story is set there too. In fact, the film is of course about our shared history. So you tell me...
Are you proud of the way it turned out?
Absolutely. When Els and I set up the N279 production company in 2010, this is what we were aiming for. To make international films that matter. It feels as though I’ve touched home, in terms of both content and style. I’m raring to get started on the next movie.
Brimstone - Poster and Trailer
Written and directed by Martin Koolhoven
Starring Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Carice Van Houten and Kit Harington
UK release date | 29st September 2017
Running time | 149 minutes
Certificate | 18
SYNOPSIS
Written and directed by Martin Koolhoven, BRIMSTONE stars Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, The Secret Life of Bees) and the Emmy-award winner Guy Pearce (Neighbours, Memento), following a young woman’s epic quest for survival.
Our heroine is Liz (Fanning), a young and beautiful woman who is being hunted by a vengeful Preacher (Pearce) – a diabolical extremist and her nemesis. But Liz is a genuine survivor; she’s no victim but instead a woman of fearsome strength who responds with astonishing bravery to claim the better life she and her daughter deserve.
Told in four chapters, BRIMSTONE is a suspenseful tale of guilt and retribution that unfolds at the end of the 19th century in the unforgiving American West. Making its premiere at the 2016 Venice Film Festival, BRIMSTONE is a tale of powerful womanhood and the resistance against an unforgiving cruelty of a hell on Earth. The film also stars Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones, Black Book) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones, Testament of Youth).
Interview with Griff Furst - Director of Cold Moon
Horror movies are an easy sell? That’s BS, says Cold Moon director Griff Furst.
Congrats, sir! Do you remember how you pitched the film to your investors and cast initially? What was it that got them to bite?
We had a great crew lined up with a great story to tell. It was exciting for everyone involved. That makes it easy to fund.
There’s some brave stuff in there from some of the young performers. What kind of guidance and direction did you give them?
I spent a lot of time with Josh Stewart and Candy Clark. The movie really banks on the details of their characters. I could work a scene for 100 hours, but we had limited time, so the actors had to come prepared, and they all did. I got to work a scene where Frank Whaley confronts Josh Stewart in the living room for about an hour, which is a lot of time on a short shoot. That was a lot of fun.
The film goes to some pretty dark places. How did you decide on just how far to push it?
How far did we push it? I'm curious what the outside perspective would be on that topic. I'm a big fan of setting up A particularly violent or disturbing sequence so that the questionable act, whatever it may be, happens offscreen. For that reason I feel like he dark moments,could be okay for all audiences, but I do realize the nature of wha is being implied is pretty heavy. So I'm curious how dark or disturbing it feels, since we intentionally did not go over the top with the on screen violence.
How has the reaction to the film been so far? I imagine it’s affected people different ways?
It has indeed. Some people love it some people hate it. All of the critics seem to love it so far. I think part of it's a appeal at the moment is the success of Stephen king's It. McDowell and King have a very similar style. The style of the movie itself is meant to resemble cinema from the late 80s early 90s. This movie takes place in 1989.
There’s a common belief that thrillers and horror movies are the easiest sell in the marketplace. Agree? Was that your experience?
That's bullshit. It's just as hard to sell as anything (except dramas). Cameras are cheap and people with cheap cameras love to make horror movies because they think they're easy to sell so there's hundreds of them in every market, which makes it hard for the buyers to select the winners. 10 years ago you could box any horror movie and sell it on DVD. I think it will be a bit of a resurgence of horror theatrically and in the home-video market. But I'm not sure exactly what it's going to look like with everything being digital now.
Besides filmmaking, you also work another job. Tell us about that and how that led to making your own movies.
Acting is my first true love. And there's obvious benefits to the job, like shorter hours, and having enough down time to eat, go to bathroom, that sort of thing. And your present enough to truly enjoy your co-workers. The director is always thinking about the next thing. Me and my Assistant Director will have swollen feet at the end of the day, and then go to the hotel and schedule till the wee hours of the morning, but it’s fulfilling in a self mutilating kind of a way. When I direct, my initial approach is identical to if I was acting in it. I breakdown the scene, and figure out what it's about. Once I've got that down, everything else comes easy (unless it's a complex sequence like the opening of Temple of Doom. HUGE). It's a similar workflow, but a completely different beast. I will direct for the rest of my life, but when I'm in front of the camera the only thing I think about is my role, and how happy I am that I'm not directing.
Cold Moon is released on VOD and in select theaters October 6.
Congrats, sir! Do you remember how you pitched the film to your investors and cast initially? What was it that got them to bite?
We had a great crew lined up with a great story to tell. It was exciting for everyone involved. That makes it easy to fund.
There’s some brave stuff in there from some of the young performers. What kind of guidance and direction did you give them?
I spent a lot of time with Josh Stewart and Candy Clark. The movie really banks on the details of their characters. I could work a scene for 100 hours, but we had limited time, so the actors had to come prepared, and they all did. I got to work a scene where Frank Whaley confronts Josh Stewart in the living room for about an hour, which is a lot of time on a short shoot. That was a lot of fun.
The film goes to some pretty dark places. How did you decide on just how far to push it?
How far did we push it? I'm curious what the outside perspective would be on that topic. I'm a big fan of setting up A particularly violent or disturbing sequence so that the questionable act, whatever it may be, happens offscreen. For that reason I feel like he dark moments,could be okay for all audiences, but I do realize the nature of wha is being implied is pretty heavy. So I'm curious how dark or disturbing it feels, since we intentionally did not go over the top with the on screen violence.
How has the reaction to the film been so far? I imagine it’s affected people different ways?
It has indeed. Some people love it some people hate it. All of the critics seem to love it so far. I think part of it's a appeal at the moment is the success of Stephen king's It. McDowell and King have a very similar style. The style of the movie itself is meant to resemble cinema from the late 80s early 90s. This movie takes place in 1989.
There’s a common belief that thrillers and horror movies are the easiest sell in the marketplace. Agree? Was that your experience?
That's bullshit. It's just as hard to sell as anything (except dramas). Cameras are cheap and people with cheap cameras love to make horror movies because they think they're easy to sell so there's hundreds of them in every market, which makes it hard for the buyers to select the winners. 10 years ago you could box any horror movie and sell it on DVD. I think it will be a bit of a resurgence of horror theatrically and in the home-video market. But I'm not sure exactly what it's going to look like with everything being digital now.
Besides filmmaking, you also work another job. Tell us about that and how that led to making your own movies.
Acting is my first true love. And there's obvious benefits to the job, like shorter hours, and having enough down time to eat, go to bathroom, that sort of thing. And your present enough to truly enjoy your co-workers. The director is always thinking about the next thing. Me and my Assistant Director will have swollen feet at the end of the day, and then go to the hotel and schedule till the wee hours of the morning, but it’s fulfilling in a self mutilating kind of a way. When I direct, my initial approach is identical to if I was acting in it. I breakdown the scene, and figure out what it's about. Once I've got that down, everything else comes easy (unless it's a complex sequence like the opening of Temple of Doom. HUGE). It's a similar workflow, but a completely different beast. I will direct for the rest of my life, but when I'm in front of the camera the only thing I think about is my role, and how happy I am that I'm not directing.
Cold Moon is released on VOD and in select theaters October 6.
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