Archive for March, 2009

  • 31 Mar

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    Paul Bettany as a Vampire Fighting Priest? Hell Yes!

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    Paul BettanyThe western/supernatural mashup may be a new developing trend. First there’s the yet to be released Gallowwalker (which we previously discussed) and now it looks like another entry into the genre fusion is right around the corner.

    News today is that the ridiculously talented Paul Bettany is in talks to star in the big screen adaptation of Hyung Min-woo’s popular Korean manga “Priest”. It’s the story of Ivan Isaacs, the title character of Priest, who basically has to save the world by fighting off evil beings, including vampires. It’s an extended and somewhat convoluted plot featuring fallen angels, God, demons and all sorts of other nasties which, if you’re looking for more detail, is well documented here.

    There is speculation that the film adaptation will not look at either the fallen angels or zombies but will focus specifically on the vampires and having yet to read the material, I can’t comment on what the omission means for the film but I will say this: Paul Bettany in talks to save the world against bad guys in a western themed world certainly has my attention.

    It looks like this isn’t the first time Bettany and director Scott Charles Stewart have worked together. The duo recently finished filming Legion, an interesting sounding horror thriller which is now in post production.

    I’m interested. The story of “Priest” sounds like something I should be reading and with Bettany slated to star in the adaptation, I’m definitely curious about the production.

  • 31 Mar

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    Thomas Jane’s Dark Country Looks Beautiful

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    The Dark Country Movie Still

    I was certain that at some point I’d posted information regarding Thomas Jane’s upcoming project but alas, scavenging through the archives has brought up nothing on the subject so I’m left to conclude that at some point I meant to write about it and forgot.

    Late in 2007, it was announced that Jane would be moving behind the camera for his directorial debut, a horror film titled The Dark Country, which would be shot for both 3D and 2D distribution. Aside from directing, Jane also stars in the film along with Ron Perlman and Lauren German. Written by Tab Murphy, the film has Jane and German, a recently married couple, en route from Las Vegas, having to deal with a “hellish ride” when they discover a dead body in the desert.

    The film has been trucking along for over a year though little has been seen of the production; until now. The always fabulous folks at Quiet Earth have posted the first still from the film and they are very impressive. The boys also have a quote from Jane that the idea is to “remain true to the stylistic choices of film noir” and these first stills certainly suggest that. I’m looking forward to it and who knows, maybe Jane will surprise by delivering a great horror film.

    At the moment, there’s little to say about the film’s release, which is being handled by Sony, but we’ll keep you posted on new developments. Until then, be sure to check out all the photos tucked under the seat!

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 31 Mar

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    Screen Shot Quiz #155

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    I am going to guess that this week will not be too challenging to a few of the readers here. James Bond for me is comfort food. I own all the movies (except the original Casino Royale) and I watch them fairly regularly. Yesterday’s quiz was indeed From Russia With Love and Stefan figured it out right away. This entire week will be shots from various Bond movies.

    Oh and the rule is that you are not allowed to use Google to figure these out. ;)

    Screen Shot #155

    I’ll post the the answer tomorrow along with the next quiz.

  • 30 Mar

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    After the Credits Episode 58 – Ramble On

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    After the Credits Episode 58 - Ramble On [ 48:04 | 44.02 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup

    To download show directly, paste this link into your downloader:

    http://www.rowthree.com/audio/AfterTheCredits-Episode58.MP3

    Dale (Digital Doodles), Colleen (353 Haiku Review) and Marina talk about a few movies and the event that was the BSG finale.

    Row Three:

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    We can also be contacted via email – marina@rowthree.com!

    Show Notes:

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 30 Mar

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    Cronenberg to Direct First Sequel

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    David CronenbergDavid Cronenberg has had a good few years. His uncompromising career has taken him from home-grown horror director on the fringes to the spotlight of Hollywood and though the recent resurgence doesn’t mark his first brush with the mainstream, it is the longest the director has stayed in the limelight and it looks as though the love affair may continue for a while longer.

    I realize I’m in the minority but I thoroughly enjoyed (more than A History of Violence) Cronenberg’s take on the Russian mafia. Eastern Promises mixed just the right amount of action, intrigue, mystery and mutilation for me and the film sits well near the top of my most revisited films as one I’ve seen regularly since its release two years ago. Now it looks like the director will be revisiting that universe.

    In a turn of events that I’m not sure I’m completely satisfied with, Cronenberg has confirmed that he will be working on a sequel which begins where the first film leaves off with Nikolai at the helm of the crime family. It appears that writer Steven Knight will return as will Viggo Mortensen to reprise his role.

    Though I love the idea of looking further into this criminal underworld, particularly with the Cronenberg’s aesthetic, I’m disappointed that a sequel is coming so close on the heels of the first film (it’s deserving of a little breathing room). The director is still hard at work on “The Fly: The Opera” and he’s still attached for the spy thriller we posted about a few months back. I’m assuming this sequel is the new project Mortensen hinted at late last year but it’s unclear if this will precede or follow up the Ludlum adaptation. Either way, I’m looking froward to it.

  • 30 Mar

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    Schlocky 50s Goodness: Alien Trespass Trailer

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    Alien Trespass Movie StillThe trailers for Monsters vs. Aliens suggested that the film would be a light hearted fun homage to the cheesy 50 sci-fi films which often involved the invasion of a town/city by an alien monster that then threatened the entire universe. Sadly, the animated film fails more than it succeeds and though it does have some fun moments, it falls flat.

    I didn’t expect to see another film of this type any time soon but sometimes, the universe has a way of surprising you. This will come up again in a few days’ time when I post the April preview but this is simply too good to sit on for a few more days. Directed by “X-Files” alumni R.W. Goodwin, Alien Trespass takes on, the trailer suggests in full force, the 50s sci-fi invasion film.

    Set in the late 50’s, it’s the story of a town dealing with the crash landing of a flying saucer and an invasion by alien beings. It stars Eric McCormack, Robert Patrick, Jenni Baird, Tom Braidwood, Dan Lauria and it feels as though Nathan Fillion (or Gillian Anderson in 1997) should make an appearance; it’s a little reminiscent of Slither but the trailer suggests an even better pastiche of 50’s sci-fi.

    I’m sold so it saddens me to say that Alien Trespass is only opening in limited release on April 3rd. Sad because I have a bad feeling I won’t have the opportunity to see it.

    Trailer is tucked under the seat!

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 30 Mar

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    Screen Shot Quiz #154

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    Friday’s quiz was indeed The One from Jet Li. Yes it is a science fiction movie and yes it is a big guilty pleasure of mine. Step was the first to figure out the answer oh and yes that is Jet Li in a blond wig as Swen Law. I have a theme for this week’s quiz that will hopefully be really obvious so for today guess the movie and the theme.

    screenshot 154

    I’ll post the the answer and what the theme is on Tuesday along with the next quiz.

  • 30 Mar

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    Mamo #135: No, nothing

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    Mamo!

    A wild, rambling, free-wheelin’ show about nothing, where “nothing” means the Warner Archive, the Star Trek movie, Green Lantern, 3-D movies, and the future of cinema itself. It’s Mamo: the show about movies and popular culture, now available at RowThree.com.

    Mamo #135: No, nothing [ 37:07 | 28.74 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup
  • 29 Mar

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    Finite Focus: Whadda You Know? (Lakeboat)

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    lake_boat_onesheetOne of the joys of watching a David Mamet directed film, or a Mamet script directed by someone (as is the case here) is how the language is often used to say absolutely nothing. It is the dance, not the destination. While this is actually something that goes against the grain of the writer in his book in 2007 book “Bambi Vs. Godzilla” these days, back when one of his earliest plays, was conceived, the language was the thing; a means to an end of expressing the competent and gruff manliness of blue-collar sailors and rebuilding their idle pitter-patter into some kind of poetry. In Lakeboat, director Joe Mantegna (a Mamet regular actor himself) simply lets his actors deliver their dialogue (albeit playing the cardgame “War” is a nice visual addition to the text). Here two Mamet stage-regulars, J.J. Johnston and Jack Wallace debate the finer points of action star Steven Seagal with Jonston merely antagonizing Wallace, he never really offers much of an argument except his own disdain. Yet with enough force, and enough swearing, the scene works well. It is far from the best scene in Lakeboat, yet, the non-essentially of it (note Dennis Leary reading porno in the background) makes it stand out. Either way something is being said about these two fellows, even if they don’t say much themselves amongst the fountain of wrangle.

    What would JVCD have to say?

  • 28 Mar

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    Who ya gonna call?

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    Rumors about a third entry in the Ghostbusters franchise have been around for centuries. There was a time that rampant rumors suggested Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Max Schreck would be a part of the cast and later Chris Farley, Ben Stiller, and Chris Rock were supposedly signed on for a sequel and the rumored line-up has evolved quite a bit since. While original co-writer and co-star Harold Ramis says no other actors are on board yet, he did again talk about with MTV the fact that a Ghostbusters 3 is in the works and gives a little more about what can be expected.

    Ramis promised that all the original Ghostbusters – Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson – are going to be involved although as he put it: “We’re all going to be in it in different kind of roles. We’re going to be the sage mentors. There are going to be young Ghostbusters.”

    So, this only confirms what most of us already expected, but he says that no decisions have been made about who the new Ghostbusters will be and the script (written by Lee Eisdenberg and Gene Stupnitsky – writers of Year One and many episodes of The Office) is still in the works. It’s a “passing of the torch” type film, which the very thought of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

    While hesitant doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings, I suppose if they really are going to do this thing, then I better be rooting for them. I’m not Rush Limbaugh. I don’t want them to fail. On the contrary, if this is made, I want it to be just as good as the original, although it would be impossible to hide my skepticism and cynicism, even if Bill Murray is on board.

    Who shall the torch be passed to then lies the question. With Judd Apatow on board to produce, the candidates are likely going to be from his pack of actors. I could envision Paul Rudd. Maybe Jason Segel. James Franco even? I don’t know. I don’t even know if I care. In writing this, I have gone from a cynical optimism to almost complete indifference. Oh well. Whatever. I hate movies anyway.

  • 28 Mar

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    Shutter Island One Sheet

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    shutterisland-onesheet

    Well, doesn’t this NOT look like a typical Martin Scorsese movie poster. Our own Dave Becker has told us that Scorsese is not as easy to pin down as many do (via his Scorsese Marathon Feature). With its big central star (Leonardo Di Caprio), one is certainly not expecting a haunting-of-the-insane-asylum-torture-porn look (a la Martyrs), but then defying expectations is a good thing. Especially after Scorsese’s last non-fiction feature was a remake. Teaser posters are designed to tease, and this one is intriguing enough although perhaps having the directors name in there would be a greater hook.

    Are folks out there looking forward to Shutter Island? The delectable supporting cast that runs deep should be enough to power 3 movies.

    (On a side comment, what is it with the folks that put their ‘website logo’ into the artwork of posters? Yes, I first saw the one sheet over at Rope of Silicon and they probably were the first to post it, but their graffiti is pretty distracting to the aesthetic of the thing. Please don’t mark up the artwork, guys.)

  • 27 Mar

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    FAQ about Time Travel

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    As I am an IT type guy I am a big fan of the British tv series IT Crowd. I love the humour and all the characters. Since first watching it I have become a bit of a fan of Chris O’Dowd (Roy in IT Crowd). Last night I was browsing around the web and I discovered a poster at IMPA for the British Comedy called Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel which stars O’Dowd.

    FAQ About Time Travel

    I did some more searching and found the trailer, which looks pretty hilarious. The movie is set for a release in the UK on April 24th. I’m hoping that it ends up being released here in North America shortly after.

    FAQ about Time Travel [ 0:01 | 8.9 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup

    Finally, here is O’Dowd in the opening scene of IT Crowd.

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