Typically, Hollywood rewards sequels that are more or less similar -- if not complete retreads -- of the original. Ivan Reitman's "Ghostbusters 2" is, beat for beat, very similar to his "Ghostbusters." James Cameron's "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" has the exact same premise as his "The Terminator." A short span of brainstorming can produce myriad other examples.
As such, it's something of a minor miracle that Pete Hewitt's "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" is as bonkers as it is, and its predecessor was already plenty wild. In the previous film, Stephen Herek's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989), the title characters were given a time-traveling phone booth from the future so that they may kidnap various historical figures and present them as their high school history final. If they failed, they would flunk out of history, be separated into different schools, and they'd have to break up their band Wyld Stallyns.
As such, it's something of a minor miracle that Pete Hewitt's "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" is as bonkers as it is, and its predecessor was already plenty wild. In the previous film, Stephen Herek's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" (1989), the title characters were given a time-traveling phone booth from the future so that they may kidnap various historical figures and present them as their high school history final. If they failed, they would flunk out of history, be separated into different schools, and they'd have to break up their band Wyld Stallyns.
- 1/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Mondays beware because Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, and Cecily Strong are joining the cast of Alcon Entertainment‘s Garfield movie. Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson also star in the film, which Mark Dindal is directing.
It should come as no surprise that Alcon’s Garfield movie is based on Jim Davis’ celebrated comic strip focusing on an orange, lazy, lasagna-loving feline, his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and Jon’s pet dog Odie. When Garfield isn’t making life a living hell for Jon and his canine companion, he waxes rhapsodic about the world, his perpetual hunger, and hatred of Mondays. Plot details about Alcon’s Garfield movie are unknown at this time. However, we know Pratt is voicing the iconic cat while Jackson is playing Garfield’s father, Vic.
Reports do not indicate who Waddingham, Rhames, Hoult, and Strong will play. However, if I had to venture a guess,...
It should come as no surprise that Alcon’s Garfield movie is based on Jim Davis’ celebrated comic strip focusing on an orange, lazy, lasagna-loving feline, his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and Jon’s pet dog Odie. When Garfield isn’t making life a living hell for Jon and his canine companion, he waxes rhapsodic about the world, his perpetual hunger, and hatred of Mondays. Plot details about Alcon’s Garfield movie are unknown at this time. However, we know Pratt is voicing the iconic cat while Jackson is playing Garfield’s father, Vic.
Reports do not indicate who Waddingham, Rhames, Hoult, and Strong will play. However, if I had to venture a guess,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Universal Pictures and Working Title have an updated feature version of The Borrowers in development, based on the Mary Norton book series of the same name. Sausage Party and The Addams Family filmmaker Conrad Vernon is in talks to helm off a screenplay by Patrick Burleigh.
The Borrowers is an action adventure that follows a family of tiny people who live secretly in the walls and floors of an English house and “borrow” from the big people in order to survive. Working Title and Polygram, which was later absorbed by Universal in 1998, originally released a live-action feature adaptation in 1997 starring John Goodman and Jim Broadbent, and directed by Peter Hewitt. The pic grossed close to $23 million at the domestic box office. Similar to the first movie, the new version will be a live-action take, I hear.
Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing. Alexandra Loewy, president...
The Borrowers is an action adventure that follows a family of tiny people who live secretly in the walls and floors of an English house and “borrow” from the big people in order to survive. Working Title and Polygram, which was later absorbed by Universal in 1998, originally released a live-action feature adaptation in 1997 starring John Goodman and Jim Broadbent, and directed by Peter Hewitt. The pic grossed close to $23 million at the domestic box office. Similar to the first movie, the new version will be a live-action take, I hear.
Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing. Alexandra Loewy, president...
- 4/27/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Songs from an Empty Room: Parisot Resurrects Beloved Slackers for Nostalgic Trilogy Capper
There aren’t any nonsensical yet iconic duos from 1990s pop cinema who were fashioned out of sillier frivolity than the eponymous Bill and Ted, here at last returning nineteen years after their last on-screen appearance with the long-gestating Bill & Ted Face the Music. Sure, there was Wayne and Garth, or Lloyd and Harry, both duos who also scored sequels (though Wayne’s World 3 has yet to transport itself through the endlessly recycling Hollywood machine), but even all of them had, arguably, more narrative fluffing than the time travel cavorting of the Southern Cali songsters born from Stephen Herek’s 1989 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and then again in Peter Hewitt’s Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991).…...
There aren’t any nonsensical yet iconic duos from 1990s pop cinema who were fashioned out of sillier frivolity than the eponymous Bill and Ted, here at last returning nineteen years after their last on-screen appearance with the long-gestating Bill & Ted Face the Music. Sure, there was Wayne and Garth, or Lloyd and Harry, both duos who also scored sequels (though Wayne’s World 3 has yet to transport itself through the endlessly recycling Hollywood machine), but even all of them had, arguably, more narrative fluffing than the time travel cavorting of the Southern Cali songsters born from Stephen Herek’s 1989 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and then again in Peter Hewitt’s Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991).…...
- 8/28/2020
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
There’s no reason Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure should have worked like it did in 1989. A comedy about two sweetly stupid buds who time travel through history? Abraham Lincoln espousing, “Party on, dudes”? Air guitar? Of course, the trick of the movie is that it only pretends to be dumb and is actually made by very intelligent people who knew exactly what they had on their hands. It’s a smart, funny script, well-directed, and performed with maximum charm by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves in star-making roles. As much of a miracle as the movie is, there’s even less reason that the 1991 sequel should exist, much less that it should be even more ambitious, more imaginative, and, dare I say, better than its predecessor. And yet that’s exactly what Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey is.
There are a dozen worlds and hundreds of pitch meetings in...
There are a dozen worlds and hundreds of pitch meetings in...
- 8/26/2020
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
Bill and Ted are getting some excellent new cohorts to go along on their much-anticipated third journey. Hammerstone Studios has announced that the long-teased “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” the third film in the rollocking time travel franchise that first kicked off in 1989, has cast a new duo: the eponymous lead’s daughters.
Rising stars Samara Weaving is on deck to star as Bill Preston’s (Alex Winters) daughter Thea Preston, while Brigette Lundy-Paine will join her as Ted Logan’s (Keanu Reeves) daughter Billie Logan.
“When we saw Samara and Brigette together, it was like deja vu. It was exactly the way we felt when we first saw Keanu and Alex. We are so thrilled to have this funny and unique pair join the Bill and Ted team!” said producer Scott Kroopf in an official statement.
Lundy-Paine currently stars in the Netflix original series “Atypical” opposite Keir Gilchrist,...
Rising stars Samara Weaving is on deck to star as Bill Preston’s (Alex Winters) daughter Thea Preston, while Brigette Lundy-Paine will join her as Ted Logan’s (Keanu Reeves) daughter Billie Logan.
“When we saw Samara and Brigette together, it was like deja vu. It was exactly the way we felt when we first saw Keanu and Alex. We are so thrilled to have this funny and unique pair join the Bill and Ted team!” said producer Scott Kroopf in an official statement.
Lundy-Paine currently stars in the Netflix original series “Atypical” opposite Keir Gilchrist,...
- 6/5/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Christopher Nolan is no longer the only one returning to movie theaters in summer 2020. “Bill & Ted” duo Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have announced production on the franchise’s long-in-the-works third movie, “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” will begin in New Orleans this summer. Orion Pictures will release the movie through its United Artists Releasing banner in August 2020.
“Bill & Ted Face the Music” will be the third entry in the long-running series, which started in 1989 with cult classic “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and continued in 1991 with the first sequel, “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.”
The official synopsis for “Face the Music” reads: “To fulfill their rock and roll destiny, now middle-aged best friends William ‘Bill’ S. Preston Esq. (Winter) and Theodore ‘Ted’ Logan (Reeves) set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we...
“Bill & Ted Face the Music” will be the third entry in the long-running series, which started in 1989 with cult classic “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and continued in 1991 with the first sequel, “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.”
The official synopsis for “Face the Music” reads: “To fulfill their rock and roll destiny, now middle-aged best friends William ‘Bill’ S. Preston Esq. (Winter) and Theodore ‘Ted’ Logan (Reeves) set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we...
- 3/20/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Shout! Factory's specialty Shout! Select imprint has been knocking it out of the park lately with their upgraded reissues of classics from the last 40 years and these latest bundle is no different. Today we'll look at five selections from Shout! Select and one regular Shout! Factory Blu-ray release that I thought deserved a bit of a push. First up a pair of new Steelbook reissues for Walter Hill's Streets of Fire and Peter Hewitt's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, then a trio of classic comedies in Rob Reiner's When Harry Met Sally, Ron Underwood's City Slickers, and Frank Oz's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and last up, an HD edition of Richard Donner's after-school special, Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic. Check out the...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/31/2019
- Screen Anarchy
Alcon Entertainment is moving forward on its “Garfield” animated feature project with Mark Dindal on board to direct.
Dindal’s credits include “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Chicken Little.” He’s directing from a screenplay by the writing team of Paul Kaplan and Mark Torgove. Pre-production is set to begin next month in Los Angeles.
Alcon bought the “Garfield” rights in 2016 from Jim Davis, the creator of the Garfield comic series and brand. Davis will be an executive producer. Alcon said Monday that its goal is to build a franchise of fully CG-animated Garfield feature films.
John Cohen (“Despicable Me”) and Steven P. Wegner (“Dolphin Tale 2″) brought the project to Alcon and will produce along with Alcon toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson. Bridget McMeel from Amuse will executive produce with Davis.
“Jim Davis’ beloved creation has been an international sensation for all ages for decades and we...
Dindal’s credits include “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Chicken Little.” He’s directing from a screenplay by the writing team of Paul Kaplan and Mark Torgove. Pre-production is set to begin next month in Los Angeles.
Alcon bought the “Garfield” rights in 2016 from Jim Davis, the creator of the Garfield comic series and brand. Davis will be an executive producer. Alcon said Monday that its goal is to build a franchise of fully CG-animated Garfield feature films.
John Cohen (“Despicable Me”) and Steven P. Wegner (“Dolphin Tale 2″) brought the project to Alcon and will produce along with Alcon toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson. Bridget McMeel from Amuse will executive produce with Davis.
“Jim Davis’ beloved creation has been an international sensation for all ages for decades and we...
- 11/12/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
"Choose your game. And if you lose, you will stay here in hell forever..." This is totally bogus! FilmStruck and the Criterion Channel have debuted a wacky, crazy, fun new trailer for their fantastic "Friday Night Double Feature" - Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal (1957) with Peter Hewitt's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991). For those who have seen the Bill & Ted sequel, there's a big part in the middle of it where they get stuck in hell (after being killed by evil robot versions of themselves) that is an homage to the chess scene in The Seventh Seal, where a medieval knight plays against Death. It's a iconic part of Bill & Ted, so FilmStruck decided to pair these two as a double feature - and it's a match made in heaven hell. This video combines the two movies and it's totally rad. As a big fan of Bill & Ted,...
- 7/26/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Just yesterday, Bill & Ted franchise writer Ed Solomon tweeted out the exciting news that Death would be returning in the long-in-development Bill & Ted Face the Music. Demon Knight‘s William Sadler stole the show as the Grim Reaper in Peter Hewitt’s 1991 Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, losing to the duo in a series of challenges and eventually joining the band as their […]...
- 2/21/2018
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Zoom: Academy for Superheroes (2006) Director: Peter Hewitt Stars: Tim Allen, Courteney Cox, Kate Mara With Hugh Jackman baring his adamantium claws for one final time this weekend in Logan, it’s time to revisit this unsuccessful attempt to copy the X-men franchise: Zoom: Academy For Superheroes, starring Tim Allen, Courteney Cox and Chevy Chase! If Xavier’s School for Gifted... Read More...
- 3/1/2017
- by Jesse Shade
- JoBlo.com
Kirsten Howard Sep 2, 2019
Keanu Reeves, as much as any actor of his generation, has left a legacy to be proud of. We take a look back at his career.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Much like his character in the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves is a man with very little to lose.
Often maligned for his lack of range as an actor, or dismissed as merely a vaguely goofy action star, every misstep that Reeves has taken throughout his career has come from an enviable ability to consistently take risks. Despite every effort to pigeonhole him, Keanu Reeves just won’t be told what he can and can’t do.
read more: The Matrix 4 in the Works with Keanu Reeves Set to Return
Born in Beirut to a showgirl and a geologist, Reeves is also a rabid fan of both The Two Ronnies and Bitcoin,...
Keanu Reeves, as much as any actor of his generation, has left a legacy to be proud of. We take a look back at his career.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Much like his character in the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves is a man with very little to lose.
Often maligned for his lack of range as an actor, or dismissed as merely a vaguely goofy action star, every misstep that Reeves has taken throughout his career has come from an enviable ability to consistently take risks. Despite every effort to pigeonhole him, Keanu Reeves just won’t be told what he can and can’t do.
read more: The Matrix 4 in the Works with Keanu Reeves Set to Return
Born in Beirut to a showgirl and a geologist, Reeves is also a rabid fan of both The Two Ronnies and Bitcoin,...
- 2/17/2017
- Den of Geek
Kirsten Howard Feb 17, 2017
Keanu Reeves, as much as any actor of his generation, has left a legacy to be proud of. We take a look back at his career.
Much like his character in the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves is a man with very little to lose.
See related Grimm season 6 episode 6 review: Breakfast In Bed Grimm season 6 episode 5 review: The Seven Year Itch Grimm season 6 episode 4 review: El Cuegle Grimm season 6 episode 3 review: Captain, My Captain
Often maligned for his lack of range as an actor, or dismissed as merely a vaguely goofy action star, every misstep that Reeves has taken throughout his career has come from an enviable ability to consistently take risks. Despite every effort to pigeonhole him, Keanu Reeves just won’t be told what he can and can’t do.
Born in Beirut to a showgirl and a geologist, Reeves is also a rabid...
Keanu Reeves, as much as any actor of his generation, has left a legacy to be proud of. We take a look back at his career.
Much like his character in the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves is a man with very little to lose.
See related Grimm season 6 episode 6 review: Breakfast In Bed Grimm season 6 episode 5 review: The Seven Year Itch Grimm season 6 episode 4 review: El Cuegle Grimm season 6 episode 3 review: Captain, My Captain
Often maligned for his lack of range as an actor, or dismissed as merely a vaguely goofy action star, every misstep that Reeves has taken throughout his career has come from an enviable ability to consistently take risks. Despite every effort to pigeonhole him, Keanu Reeves just won’t be told what he can and can’t do.
Born in Beirut to a showgirl and a geologist, Reeves is also a rabid...
- 2/8/2017
- Den of Geek
Before “Wayne’s World,” “Dumb & Dumber” and “Dude, Where’s My Car?” there was “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” a sci-fi comedy about two seemingly dumb teens who struggle to prepare a historical presentation with the help of a time machine.
Now, the 1989 film starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter is getting the long-overdue Honest treatment.
Read More: Keanu Reeves Narrates Short Film About The Importance of Film Preservation
“They hang out together, rock out together and say the exact same words together,” says Honest Trailers narrator Jon Bailey about buddies Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esq., who basically do and say everything as a pair.
The Peter Hewitt–directed movie is described as the “one film [that] brings something original about the two-dumb-guys-being-dumb genre: time travel.”
The trailer also puts emphasis on the way the film portrays the gay panic of the time and its use of anti-gay slurs,...
Now, the 1989 film starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter is getting the long-overdue Honest treatment.
Read More: Keanu Reeves Narrates Short Film About The Importance of Film Preservation
“They hang out together, rock out together and say the exact same words together,” says Honest Trailers narrator Jon Bailey about buddies Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esq., who basically do and say everything as a pair.
The Peter Hewitt–directed movie is described as the “one film [that] brings something original about the two-dumb-guys-being-dumb genre: time travel.”
The trailer also puts emphasis on the way the film portrays the gay panic of the time and its use of anti-gay slurs,...
- 1/5/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
Simon Brew Sep 5, 2016
Director Peter Hewitt has been chatting about how the brilliant Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey was originally set to end...
There are few sequels of the past 30 years or so we love quite as much as Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, a legitimately excellent and very funny follow-up to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
The movie was directed by Peter Hewitt, taking over from Excellent Adventure’s Stephen Herek. And he’s been chatting with Bloody Disgusting, along with William Sadler (who, of course, played the Grim Reaper) about the movie. In particular, the ending of the film, which saw Bill & Ted save the world, sing God Gave Rock & Roll To You, and leave us with a montage of newspaper and magazine headlines to fill in the rest of the story.
However, the original title of the film was Bill & Ted Go To Hell, and there’s long...
Director Peter Hewitt has been chatting about how the brilliant Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey was originally set to end...
There are few sequels of the past 30 years or so we love quite as much as Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, a legitimately excellent and very funny follow-up to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
The movie was directed by Peter Hewitt, taking over from Excellent Adventure’s Stephen Herek. And he’s been chatting with Bloody Disgusting, along with William Sadler (who, of course, played the Grim Reaper) about the movie. In particular, the ending of the film, which saw Bill & Ted save the world, sing God Gave Rock & Roll To You, and leave us with a montage of newspaper and magazine headlines to fill in the rest of the story.
However, the original title of the film was Bill & Ted Go To Hell, and there’s long...
- 9/5/2016
- Den of Geek
In less than one month, Bruce Campbell’s third annual Horror Film Festival will return to Chicago for its third year of celebrating horror movies both old and new. This year’s lineup includes Fede Alvarez’s Don’t Breathe and Darren Lynn Bousman’s Abattoir, the world premiere of Found Footage 3D, a 30th anniversary screening of Night of the Creeps, and much more:
Press Release: Rosemont, Ill., June 22, 2016— Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival, presented by Starz and their hit original series Ash vs. Evil Dead, returns for its third annual festivities on August 18-21, in conjunction with Wizard World Chicago. Today, the Festival announced highlights of the groovy lineup, sponsored by Shudder and Bloody-Disgusting.com, featuring the critically acclaimed opening night nail-biter Don’t Breathe, directed by Fede Alvarez; a salute to genre hero Fred Dekker; an epic event featuring comedian Doug Benson; and a 25th anniversary...
Press Release: Rosemont, Ill., June 22, 2016— Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival, presented by Starz and their hit original series Ash vs. Evil Dead, returns for its third annual festivities on August 18-21, in conjunction with Wizard World Chicago. Today, the Festival announced highlights of the groovy lineup, sponsored by Shudder and Bloody-Disgusting.com, featuring the critically acclaimed opening night nail-biter Don’t Breathe, directed by Fede Alvarez; a salute to genre hero Fred Dekker; an epic event featuring comedian Doug Benson; and a 25th anniversary...
- 6/22/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
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From Flushed Away and Hunchback to Titan A.E. and Sky High - the family movies that don't get the love they deserve...
When I sit through a film such as Zootropolis, Rango, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Eddie The Eagle or Coraline, I can’t help but be thankful somebody has bothered. As a parent as well as a movie lover, I’ve grown to really dislike family movies that just turn up to act as a surrogate babysitter for 90 minutes, with no intention of becoming anybody’s favourite film. The films I'm going to talk about are the family movies therefore that I think both try and do something a bit more, yet continue to fly under many people's radar.
A bonus mention before we get going, and number 26 in the list, much to my surprise: Alvin & The Chipmunks 4. I was expecting next to zero from it, courtesy...
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From Flushed Away and Hunchback to Titan A.E. and Sky High - the family movies that don't get the love they deserve...
When I sit through a film such as Zootropolis, Rango, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Eddie The Eagle or Coraline, I can’t help but be thankful somebody has bothered. As a parent as well as a movie lover, I’ve grown to really dislike family movies that just turn up to act as a surrogate babysitter for 90 minutes, with no intention of becoming anybody’s favourite film. The films I'm going to talk about are the family movies therefore that I think both try and do something a bit more, yet continue to fly under many people's radar.
A bonus mention before we get going, and number 26 in the list, much to my surprise: Alvin & The Chipmunks 4. I was expecting next to zero from it, courtesy...
- 5/26/2016
- Den of Geek
Crack out the lasagna; The Hollywood Reporter brings words that a Garfield animated movie has found a home at Alcon Entertainment, the studio currently presiding over Denis Villeneuve’s long-gestating sequel, Blade Runner 2.
Circling back to the strip-based comic that first made its bow back in 1978, before shooting to success throughout the ’80s, THR notes that Alcon has struck a deal with Jim Davis – creative mind behind the rotund feline – who will serve as executive producer on the finished movie. It’s understood Alcon is eyeing a bona fide series of CG films based around the endearing and indeed conniving cat, along with his adventures with Jon Arbuckle and Odie, the clueless dog that fast become an easy form of entertainment for the mischievous Garfield.
Of course, Garfield has made a pass at the big screen before, most notably with Peter Hewitt’s live-action movie that had The Jungle Book...
Circling back to the strip-based comic that first made its bow back in 1978, before shooting to success throughout the ’80s, THR notes that Alcon has struck a deal with Jim Davis – creative mind behind the rotund feline – who will serve as executive producer on the finished movie. It’s understood Alcon is eyeing a bona fide series of CG films based around the endearing and indeed conniving cat, along with his adventures with Jon Arbuckle and Odie, the clueless dog that fast become an easy form of entertainment for the mischievous Garfield.
Of course, Garfield has made a pass at the big screen before, most notably with Peter Hewitt’s live-action movie that had The Jungle Book...
- 5/23/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: China-nz-uk production with Karl Urban, Willow Shields gets cast, finance, director.
China-nz-uk 3D fantasy The Wonder, starring Karl Urban (Dredd) and Willow Shields (The Hunger Games) is currently prepping in China with shoot due to get underway early next month.
UK sales outfit Embankment Films has boarded international sales on the $20m feature, which will now be directed by actor-director Saul Rubinek (True Romance) who has taken over from Sliding Doors filmmaker Peter Hewitt.
Additional cast includes Il Postino actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Chinese teen star Wu Lei and leading Chinese actress Joe Chen Chiau-En (The Monkey King).
Also new to the English-language production is financier Tien Ran Media Group, a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Alibaba, which is making its first foray into international film production.
Tien Ran replaces Show + Share Investment as the film’s primary Chinese financier.
The Golden Era distributor Stellar Mega Films is due to release locally.
In [link=tt...
China-nz-uk 3D fantasy The Wonder, starring Karl Urban (Dredd) and Willow Shields (The Hunger Games) is currently prepping in China with shoot due to get underway early next month.
UK sales outfit Embankment Films has boarded international sales on the $20m feature, which will now be directed by actor-director Saul Rubinek (True Romance) who has taken over from Sliding Doors filmmaker Peter Hewitt.
Additional cast includes Il Postino actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Chinese teen star Wu Lei and leading Chinese actress Joe Chen Chiau-En (The Monkey King).
Also new to the English-language production is financier Tien Ran Media Group, a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Alibaba, which is making its first foray into international film production.
Tien Ran replaces Show + Share Investment as the film’s primary Chinese financier.
The Golden Era distributor Stellar Mega Films is due to release locally.
In [link=tt...
- 9/28/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Bill & Ted, Addams Family Values, Wayne's World 2 - the 1990s wasn't short of good comedy sequels. It's just not enough people watched them.
In recent times, Hollywood has enjoyed going back into the 1990s to come up with belated sequels to previous hit movies. So, we finally got Dumb & Dumber 2, for instance, whilst a third Clerks, a second Mallrats, a new Sister Act and a Naked Gun reboot are being cooked up somewhere. Further belated sequels? Zoolander 2 finally arrives next year, and Anchorman 2 celebrates, quietly, its second birthday this Christmas.
It was only at the end of the 1990s that comedy sequels suddenly really took off. There were exceptions beforehand of course, but few things raise the eyebrows of Hollywood high brass than lots of cash. This, whilst the enormous box office takings of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me were in part down to an utterly inspired marketing campaign,...
In recent times, Hollywood has enjoyed going back into the 1990s to come up with belated sequels to previous hit movies. So, we finally got Dumb & Dumber 2, for instance, whilst a third Clerks, a second Mallrats, a new Sister Act and a Naked Gun reboot are being cooked up somewhere. Further belated sequels? Zoolander 2 finally arrives next year, and Anchorman 2 celebrates, quietly, its second birthday this Christmas.
It was only at the end of the 1990s that comedy sequels suddenly really took off. There were exceptions beforehand of course, but few things raise the eyebrows of Hollywood high brass than lots of cash. This, whilst the enormous box office takings of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me were in part down to an utterly inspired marketing campaign,...
- 9/22/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Start-up UK and Beijing-based production company Parc Media has unveiled a slate of three China-uk co-productions, two of which will use Douglas Trumbull’s new Magi 3D process.
The new technology is designed to capture and display images at 120 frames per second in 4K and 3D on giant screens using conventional digital projectors.
The first Parc Media project scheduled to shoot with Magi 3D is previously-announced fantasy adventure The Wonder 3D, which will be co-produced by China’s Show + Share Investment.
Peter Hewitt is directing the $20m project with Karl Urban and Willow Shields heading the cast.
Parc Media also plans to co-produce $60m sci-fi epic StarSailor, written and to be directed by Trumbull and designed for Magi 3D. The producers are in talks with potential Chinese government financiers.
Finally, Parc Media is also teaming with China’s Central New Film Group (Cnfg) on $30m Sino-uk co-production Angel In The Dark, which is not...
The new technology is designed to capture and display images at 120 frames per second in 4K and 3D on giant screens using conventional digital projectors.
The first Parc Media project scheduled to shoot with Magi 3D is previously-announced fantasy adventure The Wonder 3D, which will be co-produced by China’s Show + Share Investment.
Peter Hewitt is directing the $20m project with Karl Urban and Willow Shields heading the cast.
Parc Media also plans to co-produce $60m sci-fi epic StarSailor, written and to be directed by Trumbull and designed for Magi 3D. The producers are in talks with potential Chinese government financiers.
Finally, Parc Media is also teaming with China’s Central New Film Group (Cnfg) on $30m Sino-uk co-production Angel In The Dark, which is not...
- 1/28/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Feature Seb Patrick 5 Mar 2014 - 05:55
As Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure turns 25, Seb takes a look back at the duo's outings...
There’s an urban legend that posits that the execrable 1996 Pauly Shore vehicle Bio-Dome was originally written as a third Bill & Ted film, before being turned down by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter and so repurposed with new characters. The rumour has been heavily debunked by many, including Winter himself; but frankly, it says a lot about a person if they believe it ever might have been true in the first place. Specifically, what it says is that that person hasn’t watched, or paid attention to, either of the Bill & Ted films.
What the rumour does play to is a range of assumptions about Bill and Ted: that they’re stoners, or slackers, or surfer dudes. That they’re completely lame-brained idiots who fail to understand anything about the world around them,...
As Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure turns 25, Seb takes a look back at the duo's outings...
There’s an urban legend that posits that the execrable 1996 Pauly Shore vehicle Bio-Dome was originally written as a third Bill & Ted film, before being turned down by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter and so repurposed with new characters. The rumour has been heavily debunked by many, including Winter himself; but frankly, it says a lot about a person if they believe it ever might have been true in the first place. Specifically, what it says is that that person hasn’t watched, or paid attention to, either of the Bill & Ted films.
What the rumour does play to is a range of assumptions about Bill and Ted: that they’re stoners, or slackers, or surfer dudes. That they’re completely lame-brained idiots who fail to understand anything about the world around them,...
- 3/4/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
This seems like an intriguingly different project for Karl Urban to involve himself with. It's a 3D family film called The Wonder, and it's a fantasy adventure that centers around magic rainbows. Apparently the actor is officially signed on with the film now, and it sounds like it's going to be a very crazy film... seriously! Just read over this breakdown of the story (thanks to Empire), and see for yourself!
The Wonder follows three teenagers, led by defiant outsider Rachel (Willow Shields), who after a bruising encounter with school bullies, experiences something incredible and seemingly impossible… a rainbow reaching up to the sky from a pool of golden energy.With the help of friends Grace, a Chinese girl and Tane, a Maori boy, the teenage trio adopt high-tech methods to find another, and learning of ancient rainbow legends they each make a special wish. Finally they actually track down...
The Wonder follows three teenagers, led by defiant outsider Rachel (Willow Shields), who after a bruising encounter with school bullies, experiences something incredible and seemingly impossible… a rainbow reaching up to the sky from a pool of golden energy.With the help of friends Grace, a Chinese girl and Tane, a Maori boy, the teenage trio adopt high-tech methods to find another, and learning of ancient rainbow legends they each make a special wish. Finally they actually track down...
- 8/23/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Karl Urban was back on our screens as Dr. McCoy in Star Trek Into Darkness earlier this year, and shortly he’ll be returning to another sci-fi character he’s played in the past, as Vaako will crop up in Riddick. Those wanting to see him in more of a family film setting will get their chance too, as he’s aboard The Wonder alongside The Hunger Games’ Willow Shields.Peter Hewitt is set to direct the film, working from a script by Ashley and Robert Sidaway. The Wonder follows three teenagers, led by defiant outsider Rachel (Shields), who after a bruising encounter with school bullies, experiences something incredible and seemingly impossible… a rainbow reaching up to the sky from a pool of golden energy.With the help of friends Grace, a Chinese girl and Tane, a Maori boy, the teenage trio adopt high-tech methods to find another, and learning...
- 8/22/2013
- EmpireOnline
American director Peter Hewitt has signed up for The Wonder 3D, a fantasy-adventure that marks the first of five movies to be made by the newly formed Sz Wonder Pictures over the next three years. They'll all be financed and based out of China and New Zealand in an arrangement that has a very futuristic feel to it. As Jeff Daniels said in Looper: "I'm from the future, go to China."The Wonder sees three teenagers, led by the defiant outsider Rachel, embark on an adventure together. According to the official synopsis, they spot a "rainbow reaching up to the sky from a pool of golden energy. With the help of friends Grace, a Chinese girl, and Tane a Maori boy, the teenage trio adopt high-tech methods to find another, and learning of ancient rainbow legends they each make a special wish. Finally they actually track down a rainbow...
- 8/21/2013
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive: Chinese film producers Chun-Yi Yueh and Changyu Li and UK writer-producers Robert and Ashley Sidaway together with the UK’s Iain Brown and Brown Films have launched the $5m funded Sz Wonder Pictures.
The new outfit will produce five feature films over three years based out of Shenzen, China and Auckland, New Zealand.
The first title is $18m family fantasy adventure The Wonder 3D, directed by BAFTA Award-winner Peter Hewitt (Garfield, The Borrowers) which will start principal photography in October 2013 in Auckland and Shenzhen. The Chinese and Western cast will be announced shortly but Karl Urban and Willow Shields were previously understood to be attached to the project.
Us-based Hyde Park International will handle sales and distribution on the film outside mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Production partners include venture capital company RuHing Partners in China, New Zealand Film Commission and Film Auckland. Bonding the film in both China and New Zealand is European Film Bonds...
The new outfit will produce five feature films over three years based out of Shenzen, China and Auckland, New Zealand.
The first title is $18m family fantasy adventure The Wonder 3D, directed by BAFTA Award-winner Peter Hewitt (Garfield, The Borrowers) which will start principal photography in October 2013 in Auckland and Shenzhen. The Chinese and Western cast will be announced shortly but Karl Urban and Willow Shields were previously understood to be attached to the project.
Us-based Hyde Park International will handle sales and distribution on the film outside mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Production partners include venture capital company RuHing Partners in China, New Zealand Film Commission and Film Auckland. Bonding the film in both China and New Zealand is European Film Bonds...
- 8/20/2013
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy, Joseph McKenna, Wynn Everett, Marcia Gay Harden, Breckin Meyer | Written by Michael LeSieur | Directed by Peter Hewitt
Originally titled The Maiden Heist and debuted in the UK way back in 2009 at the Edinburgh Film Festival, The Heist comes from director Peter Hewitt who helmed one of my all-time favourite films, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, but who has been stuck in kids movie purgatory ever since, directing The Borrowers, Garfield, and Thunderpants amongst others.
The Heist sees Hewitt team with three of Hollywood’s best actors: Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, and William H. Macy in what can best be described as a modern-day Ealing comedy. The film tells the story of art gallery security guard Roger who spends his days transfixed by a painting called The Lonely Maiden. When he discovers that the gallery has sold the entire wing of art to...
Originally titled The Maiden Heist and debuted in the UK way back in 2009 at the Edinburgh Film Festival, The Heist comes from director Peter Hewitt who helmed one of my all-time favourite films, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, but who has been stuck in kids movie purgatory ever since, directing The Borrowers, Garfield, and Thunderpants amongst others.
The Heist sees Hewitt team with three of Hollywood’s best actors: Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, and William H. Macy in what can best be described as a modern-day Ealing comedy. The film tells the story of art gallery security guard Roger who spends his days transfixed by a painting called The Lonely Maiden. When he discovers that the gallery has sold the entire wing of art to...
- 4/3/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
★★☆☆☆ Crime capers have long been a staple element of the cinematic diet and often lent additional frivolity by charging a group amateurs with pulling of required larceny. That is very much the case in the unimaginatively titled comedy The Heist (2009) helmed by the director of Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and The Borrowers (1997), Peter Hewitt. It's never particularly inventive stuff, though it adds an nicely original motive for the central robbery and has a trio of more-than-reliable performers as the bungling thieves that keep proceedings humorous, if never getting anywhere close to being uproariously funny.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 4/2/2013
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Here’s a rather fab looking trailer for new movie coming to DVD April 1st. It’s called The Heist and has some rather impressive names attached including Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden. It’d directed by Peter Hewitt with a script from Michael LeSieur.
It was a stroke of genius, but now the perfect crime is turning into a perfect disaster. Charles (Freeman), Roger (Walken) and George (H.Macy) are the very picture of honest security guards. But when they learn their favourite artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to switch the real masterpieces with fakes. All goes well until a mistake forces these first-time thieves into a last-minute escapade.
Signature Entertainment are releasing this one in the UK so keep your eyes peeled for more images etc in the coming weeks ahead of it’s release. Make...
It was a stroke of genius, but now the perfect crime is turning into a perfect disaster. Charles (Freeman), Roger (Walken) and George (H.Macy) are the very picture of honest security guards. But when they learn their favourite artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to switch the real masterpieces with fakes. All goes well until a mistake forces these first-time thieves into a last-minute escapade.
Signature Entertainment are releasing this one in the UK so keep your eyes peeled for more images etc in the coming weeks ahead of it’s release. Make...
- 3/7/2013
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A sequel may have different characters and actors, but thanks to the original movie, countless viewers know what to expect from anything with the title "Home Alone."
The John Hughes-written, Chris Columbus-directed 1990 comedy -- which famously made a star of Macaulay Culkin as a resourceful youngster outwitting thieves who invaded his family's home -- has yielded three follow-ups, two for theaters and the other for television. Now there's another: ABC Family debuts "Home Alone: The Holiday Heist" Sunday, Nov. 25, with the first "Home Alone" immediately preceding it.
In the new tale, instead of Culkin's Kevin, it's a just-relocated boy named Finn (played by Christian Martyn) who fends off crooks along with his sister (Jodelle Ferland) when what the siblings initially think are ghosts haunting their new home turn out to be burglars (Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar, Eddie Steeples). Seven-time Emmy winner Ed Asner also is in the cast,...
The John Hughes-written, Chris Columbus-directed 1990 comedy -- which famously made a star of Macaulay Culkin as a resourceful youngster outwitting thieves who invaded his family's home -- has yielded three follow-ups, two for theaters and the other for television. Now there's another: ABC Family debuts "Home Alone: The Holiday Heist" Sunday, Nov. 25, with the first "Home Alone" immediately preceding it.
In the new tale, instead of Culkin's Kevin, it's a just-relocated boy named Finn (played by Christian Martyn) who fends off crooks along with his sister (Jodelle Ferland) when what the siblings initially think are ghosts haunting their new home turn out to be burglars (Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar, Eddie Steeples). Seven-time Emmy winner Ed Asner also is in the cast,...
- 11/25/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Don Groves is a Deadline contributor based in Sydney. Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong’s Australian film production company Tree is taking root in North America. The producers plan to start shooting 33 Liberty Lane, a comedy starring Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Melora Hardin and Nia Vardalos, in Winnipeg in February, and they’re developing Doll, a U.S. romantic drama, with Chartoff Productions’ Lynn Hendee. Englishman Peter Hewitt (Garfield, The Maiden Heist) will direct Liberty Lane from a script by Canadian-born Australian resident Stephen Ayres. The plot follows four down-on-their-luck women who turn to phone sex as a way to make a quick buck and enlist the help of a hooker (not yet cast). Sales agent LevelK has negotiated presales worth $700,000 to Canada (Union Pictures), Russia and other territories, Rosen tells Deadline. Tree is co-producing with Phyllis Laing’s Winnipeg-based Buffalo Gal Pictures. Doll is the saga of an up-and-coming...
- 11/8/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
I participated in a Dreamago panel moderated by WGA-West VP and USC film writing prof and an artistic director at the Sundance Institute Wrting Labs, Howard Rodman.
Other panelists included Vince Fischer who, having been educated and working in Paris, Montreal, New York in business and advertising, event production, and creating the endorsement agency GlamCom which initiates deals between celebrities and products, such as he did with George Clooney and Nespresso, has gone on to create Artistic Alliance Eci which represents screenwriters, directors and actors with offices in Beijing, L.a. and Paris, to match people and projects abroad. Daniel Hsia, the writer/ director of Shanghai Calling, (Isa: Aldamisa) a U.S. - China co-production distributed in China by China Film Group and in So. Korea by Sookie and due to be released in Norht America in 2013 works with Janet Yang and is eager to do more co-productions in China though he admits to difficulties with censors, etc. You can see the trailer of Shanghai Calling here.
Neil Landau who wrote Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, the 3D animated feature Tad: The Lost Explores from Paramount which is the highest grossing animated film in Spain's history and the #1 Spanish box ofice movie of the year, is now working on its sequel and another animated feature by the same director. His latest screenplay is being produced by Cary Brokaw for Avenue Pictures (The Player, Closer, Angels in America). He is curretnly developing an original miniseries for HBO for the Russian Market and a crime drama for Sreda in Moscow.
Paula Manzanedo-Schmitt is VP of Film Finances Inc. the world leader in completion guarantees. She has been involved in more than 1,000 films and TV programs internationally and in U.S. She spoke of the various cross-cultural requisites in film production abroad.
The discussion centered around whether filmmakers could make a film without the notorioius interference of studios (they should all be so lucky as to have this problem). In other words, the panelists discussed their experiences making films with Russians and Chinese. All agreed that working abroad, and especially with international sales agents who also produce allows for greater freedom of vision (although in China the reward is writng so that China censorship does not interfere because one has written to their specifications). All agreed also that there is a certain cross-cultural divide one must discover in order to work effectively.
My suggestions for finding a way to create without corporate interferences are listed below:
** Coproduce with Canada who has the most coproduction treaties in the world, or go directly to producers or sales agents who do not rely on treaties.
** Work with international sales agents who produce international coproductions which include U.S., or with the producers of those films who now have established track records.
Take a look at Level K, Tine Klint's relatively new Danish company which is preselling films from U.K., Canada and Australia:
Not Another Happy Ending by Brit John McKay 33 Liberty Lane by Canadian Peter Hewitt The Turning by Australian Cate Blanchett and Robert Connelly starring Emily Watson The Last Ocean by New Zealander Peter Young
French sales agent Films Distribution is selling
Marina Zenovich's doc Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out which Showtime acquired for U.S. TV. Citadel from Ireland has sold to Cinedigm/ New Video for U.S. and Mongrel for Canada. 30 Beats from the U.S. sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S. and Codex Media And Advertising Corporation for Turkey.
Other French companies are doing likewise.
Studio Canal is selling
Liz Garbus' Love, Marilyn - though this was picked up complete at Tiff 12. Don Mazer's I Give It A Year from the U.K. and produced by Tim Bevan. It began presales in Cannes.
Celluloid Dreams is selling
Greetings From Tim Buckley--U.S.-Tiff 12 Special Presentations World Premiere - Director: Daniel Algrant The Comedian a U.K. comedy by Tom Shkolnik Francis Ha - U.S. - Tiff 12. by Noah Baumbach Satellite Boy - Australia The Conspiracy - U.K.
Snd is preselling The Love Punch an English language French comedy
Wild Bunch is selling
Blood Ties written by James Gray, directed by Guillaume Canet, Cast : Billy Crudup, Clive Owen, Marion Cottillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Producers: Alain Attal (Les Productions du Tresor), Hugo Selignac, John Lesher.
This very American sotry takes place in New York, 1974. Chris Pierzynski has just been released after years in prison for his part in a gangland murder. Waiting reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, and their father, who raised them alone, has always favored Chris - despite all his troubles. Frank has known this since they were kids, and it eats at him like nothing else.
It has presold to Belgium-Lumière, Scandinvia -Scanbox Entertainment, Netherlands-Lumiere, Romania-Independenta Film, Switzerland-Frenetic Films, Turkey-Codex Media, Ukraine Top Film Distribution
Maniac by Franck Khalfoun U.S. English Horror, Writers : Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur, Cast : Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, America Olivo, Producers : Thomas Langmann (La Petite Reine), Alexandre Aja. It has presold to Germany -Ascot Elite, Japan - Comstock Only God Forbids by Nicolas Winding Refn from Denmark, in English has been selliing since Berlin 2012 and has sold to Bulgaria-A Plus Films Ltd., Germany-Tiberius Film Gmbh & Co. Kg, Hungary-Budapest Film (Distributor), Hungary-Mtva, Italy-Italian International Film, Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Romania-Independenta Film, Turkey-Calinos Films
Global Screen (Germany) has many English language films, some originating from U.S. and English speaking countries and others from non-English speaking countries.
• No Place on Earth (The Cave) by Emmy Award winning director Janet Tobias a U.S., U.K., German co-production. the doc tells the longest recorded underground survival story in human history, when 5 Jewish families descended into a pitch black cave to escape the Nazis for 511 days.
Hungaricom Ltd (Hungary) has the English language animated comedy feature The Secret of Moonacre and Immigrants - L.A. Dolce Vita both produced by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, and Gabor Kalomista, a Los Angeles based company with Hungarian born principals. The synopsis of Immigrants is worth repeating: More people immigrate to America than to all other countries in the whole world combined. Why? Is it because they love hot dogs and hamburgers? Or because they want to meet Snoop Dogg or have a close encounter with Pamela Anderson? Maybe. But the real reason is – immigrants go to the U.S. to chase the American dream. Immigrants is the story of Vladislav (a Russian), and Joska (a Hungarian). Both are immigrants and best friends, living and chasing the American dream together. Vlad has a daughter, Ana, who’s adapting to life in America at the speed of light, while her dad is in complete culture shock. They stay at the Vista del Mar, an apartment complex run by an old failed actress, Greta Knight, who is always after Vlad for sexual favors. The building is home to immigrants from all over the world: Flaco, a friend from Mexico; Mr. Chea, who runs a Chinese family restaurant; Nazim, a former Pakistani nuclear scientist who drives a tour bus; and Mr. Splits, an old black pimp. We follow Vlad and Joska in their adventures… through their encounter with the American capitalist company Glut-co, through their attempt to open a Russian/Hungarian restaurant, and as their friendship is put in jeopardy when they hit the L.A. night scene. All the while Vlad is looking for a way to make a life for himself and his daughter; and Joska… well, Joska is mainly looking for women.
If Niel Landau's adventures in Russia appeal to you, but you don't have the connections there, visit Rosskino and the L.A. based Eleonora Granata Russian Film Commissioner or produce in Russia through international sales agents which were founded by Russian-Americans who know both cultures such as Aldamisa (where longtime Disney acquisitons VP Jere Hausfater is now looking for projects), 108 Media who has Myn Bala the Kazahkistan submission for Best Foreign Language Academy Award nomination is Canadian owned, or Red Sea, all of whom are Russian – American and/ or Canadian owned.
Singapore is looking for Looking for copros and Icon has stepped up to the plate with James Wan Presents House of Horrors, an English language U.S. horror film now in pre-productions. In the aftermath of a horrific massacre, lead Detective, Mark Lewis, and the police department’s psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Klein, question a suspect for the brutal murder of five college students. This has been preselling at Cannes 2012 (Line up), Afm 2011, Cannes 2011 and Berlin Efm 2012. Directed by Javier Guttierrez, written by James Wan and Max La Bella it will be distributed in Singapore by Cathay.
British companies are also packaging and preselling U.S. films:
Content is selling American indies 96 Minutes, Hick, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of God by Alex Gibney
Stealth Indie (Michael Cowan) is selling two U.S. indies, Crave and The Giant Mechanical Man
Bankside has a deal with New York based Killer Films for Innocence, now in post. This thriller is a modern-gothic vampire story where a recently bereaved teenage girl finds herself the focus of everyone’s attention at her elitist private school where life is steeped in tradition and ceremony.It has been preselling this at Afm 2011 and 2012, Toronto and Cannes 2011 and it has presold to Le Pacte for France, Videovision for So. Africa, Umut Sanat Filmcilik for Turkey, Shooting Stars for UAE.
Ealing Metro is preselling
Nina directed and written by Cynthia Mort, a U.S. production, a biopic about Nina Simone, a tormented genius who eventually finds love and peace. Produced by Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr, Mark Burton and Ben Latham Jones, it has presold since Toronto 2011 to Orlando for Israel, Entertainment One for Benelux, Cinesky has U.S. Better Living Through Chemistry directed and written by David Posamentier, a U.S. comedy now in post-production.A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a dangerously seductive customer who takes him on a joyride with explosive consequenses involving sex, drugs and possibly murder. Starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Ray Liotta, produced by Felipe Marino, Joe Neurater and Keith Calder, it has presold to Metro Pictures of India. Bailout is being presold. One morning Matt Prior wakes up to find himself jobless, crippled with debt, convinced his wife is having an affair and six days away from losing his home. Bailout is a hysterical, heartfelt tale of how we can reach the edge of ruin and begin to make our way back.
Salt is preselling Welcome to the Jungle, a U.S. comedy directed by Rob Meltzer, written by Jeff Kauffman, produced by Justin Kanew and Luillo Ruiz and starring Adam Brody, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone and Rob Huebel. A group of co-workers including Chris (Adam Brody) get stranded on a desert island when their nutty teambuilding coach (Jean Claude Van Damme) is mauled by a wild cougar. in the spirit of "lost in the wilderness" comedies such as Tropic Thunder and workplace comedies like The Office, Welcome to the Jungle is a rare beast in today's market: a comedy that delivers on the laughs - both the high and the lowbrow. It has already presold to Front Row for the Middle East.
Westend is preselling Joe which will start shooting this month be delivered in 2013. It is to be directed by David Gordon Green, produced by lisa Muskat and stars Nicholas Cage. Joe is the story of a man who becomes the unlikeliest of role models to 15-year-old Gary Jones, the oldest child of a family ruled by a worthless father. Together they try to find a path to redemption and the hope for a better life in the rugged, dirty world of a small Southern town. Joe is the story of the last hold-out of the cowboy age, when it was okay to shoot up a bar room or tell a lady what to do.
Other panelists included Vince Fischer who, having been educated and working in Paris, Montreal, New York in business and advertising, event production, and creating the endorsement agency GlamCom which initiates deals between celebrities and products, such as he did with George Clooney and Nespresso, has gone on to create Artistic Alliance Eci which represents screenwriters, directors and actors with offices in Beijing, L.a. and Paris, to match people and projects abroad. Daniel Hsia, the writer/ director of Shanghai Calling, (Isa: Aldamisa) a U.S. - China co-production distributed in China by China Film Group and in So. Korea by Sookie and due to be released in Norht America in 2013 works with Janet Yang and is eager to do more co-productions in China though he admits to difficulties with censors, etc. You can see the trailer of Shanghai Calling here.
Neil Landau who wrote Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, the 3D animated feature Tad: The Lost Explores from Paramount which is the highest grossing animated film in Spain's history and the #1 Spanish box ofice movie of the year, is now working on its sequel and another animated feature by the same director. His latest screenplay is being produced by Cary Brokaw for Avenue Pictures (The Player, Closer, Angels in America). He is curretnly developing an original miniseries for HBO for the Russian Market and a crime drama for Sreda in Moscow.
Paula Manzanedo-Schmitt is VP of Film Finances Inc. the world leader in completion guarantees. She has been involved in more than 1,000 films and TV programs internationally and in U.S. She spoke of the various cross-cultural requisites in film production abroad.
The discussion centered around whether filmmakers could make a film without the notorioius interference of studios (they should all be so lucky as to have this problem). In other words, the panelists discussed their experiences making films with Russians and Chinese. All agreed that working abroad, and especially with international sales agents who also produce allows for greater freedom of vision (although in China the reward is writng so that China censorship does not interfere because one has written to their specifications). All agreed also that there is a certain cross-cultural divide one must discover in order to work effectively.
My suggestions for finding a way to create without corporate interferences are listed below:
** Coproduce with Canada who has the most coproduction treaties in the world, or go directly to producers or sales agents who do not rely on treaties.
** Work with international sales agents who produce international coproductions which include U.S., or with the producers of those films who now have established track records.
Take a look at Level K, Tine Klint's relatively new Danish company which is preselling films from U.K., Canada and Australia:
Not Another Happy Ending by Brit John McKay 33 Liberty Lane by Canadian Peter Hewitt The Turning by Australian Cate Blanchett and Robert Connelly starring Emily Watson The Last Ocean by New Zealander Peter Young
French sales agent Films Distribution is selling
Marina Zenovich's doc Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out which Showtime acquired for U.S. TV. Citadel from Ireland has sold to Cinedigm/ New Video for U.S. and Mongrel for Canada. 30 Beats from the U.S. sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S. and Codex Media And Advertising Corporation for Turkey.
Other French companies are doing likewise.
Studio Canal is selling
Liz Garbus' Love, Marilyn - though this was picked up complete at Tiff 12. Don Mazer's I Give It A Year from the U.K. and produced by Tim Bevan. It began presales in Cannes.
Celluloid Dreams is selling
Greetings From Tim Buckley--U.S.-Tiff 12 Special Presentations World Premiere - Director: Daniel Algrant The Comedian a U.K. comedy by Tom Shkolnik Francis Ha - U.S. - Tiff 12. by Noah Baumbach Satellite Boy - Australia The Conspiracy - U.K.
Snd is preselling The Love Punch an English language French comedy
Wild Bunch is selling
Blood Ties written by James Gray, directed by Guillaume Canet, Cast : Billy Crudup, Clive Owen, Marion Cottillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Producers: Alain Attal (Les Productions du Tresor), Hugo Selignac, John Lesher.
This very American sotry takes place in New York, 1974. Chris Pierzynski has just been released after years in prison for his part in a gangland murder. Waiting reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, and their father, who raised them alone, has always favored Chris - despite all his troubles. Frank has known this since they were kids, and it eats at him like nothing else.
It has presold to Belgium-Lumière, Scandinvia -Scanbox Entertainment, Netherlands-Lumiere, Romania-Independenta Film, Switzerland-Frenetic Films, Turkey-Codex Media, Ukraine Top Film Distribution
Maniac by Franck Khalfoun U.S. English Horror, Writers : Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur, Cast : Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, America Olivo, Producers : Thomas Langmann (La Petite Reine), Alexandre Aja. It has presold to Germany -Ascot Elite, Japan - Comstock Only God Forbids by Nicolas Winding Refn from Denmark, in English has been selliing since Berlin 2012 and has sold to Bulgaria-A Plus Films Ltd., Germany-Tiberius Film Gmbh & Co. Kg, Hungary-Budapest Film (Distributor), Hungary-Mtva, Italy-Italian International Film, Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Romania-Independenta Film, Turkey-Calinos Films
Global Screen (Germany) has many English language films, some originating from U.S. and English speaking countries and others from non-English speaking countries.
• No Place on Earth (The Cave) by Emmy Award winning director Janet Tobias a U.S., U.K., German co-production. the doc tells the longest recorded underground survival story in human history, when 5 Jewish families descended into a pitch black cave to escape the Nazis for 511 days.
Hungaricom Ltd (Hungary) has the English language animated comedy feature The Secret of Moonacre and Immigrants - L.A. Dolce Vita both produced by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, and Gabor Kalomista, a Los Angeles based company with Hungarian born principals. The synopsis of Immigrants is worth repeating: More people immigrate to America than to all other countries in the whole world combined. Why? Is it because they love hot dogs and hamburgers? Or because they want to meet Snoop Dogg or have a close encounter with Pamela Anderson? Maybe. But the real reason is – immigrants go to the U.S. to chase the American dream. Immigrants is the story of Vladislav (a Russian), and Joska (a Hungarian). Both are immigrants and best friends, living and chasing the American dream together. Vlad has a daughter, Ana, who’s adapting to life in America at the speed of light, while her dad is in complete culture shock. They stay at the Vista del Mar, an apartment complex run by an old failed actress, Greta Knight, who is always after Vlad for sexual favors. The building is home to immigrants from all over the world: Flaco, a friend from Mexico; Mr. Chea, who runs a Chinese family restaurant; Nazim, a former Pakistani nuclear scientist who drives a tour bus; and Mr. Splits, an old black pimp. We follow Vlad and Joska in their adventures… through their encounter with the American capitalist company Glut-co, through their attempt to open a Russian/Hungarian restaurant, and as their friendship is put in jeopardy when they hit the L.A. night scene. All the while Vlad is looking for a way to make a life for himself and his daughter; and Joska… well, Joska is mainly looking for women.
If Niel Landau's adventures in Russia appeal to you, but you don't have the connections there, visit Rosskino and the L.A. based Eleonora Granata Russian Film Commissioner or produce in Russia through international sales agents which were founded by Russian-Americans who know both cultures such as Aldamisa (where longtime Disney acquisitons VP Jere Hausfater is now looking for projects), 108 Media who has Myn Bala the Kazahkistan submission for Best Foreign Language Academy Award nomination is Canadian owned, or Red Sea, all of whom are Russian – American and/ or Canadian owned.
Singapore is looking for Looking for copros and Icon has stepped up to the plate with James Wan Presents House of Horrors, an English language U.S. horror film now in pre-productions. In the aftermath of a horrific massacre, lead Detective, Mark Lewis, and the police department’s psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Klein, question a suspect for the brutal murder of five college students. This has been preselling at Cannes 2012 (Line up), Afm 2011, Cannes 2011 and Berlin Efm 2012. Directed by Javier Guttierrez, written by James Wan and Max La Bella it will be distributed in Singapore by Cathay.
British companies are also packaging and preselling U.S. films:
Content is selling American indies 96 Minutes, Hick, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of God by Alex Gibney
Stealth Indie (Michael Cowan) is selling two U.S. indies, Crave and The Giant Mechanical Man
Bankside has a deal with New York based Killer Films for Innocence, now in post. This thriller is a modern-gothic vampire story where a recently bereaved teenage girl finds herself the focus of everyone’s attention at her elitist private school where life is steeped in tradition and ceremony.It has been preselling this at Afm 2011 and 2012, Toronto and Cannes 2011 and it has presold to Le Pacte for France, Videovision for So. Africa, Umut Sanat Filmcilik for Turkey, Shooting Stars for UAE.
Ealing Metro is preselling
Nina directed and written by Cynthia Mort, a U.S. production, a biopic about Nina Simone, a tormented genius who eventually finds love and peace. Produced by Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr, Mark Burton and Ben Latham Jones, it has presold since Toronto 2011 to Orlando for Israel, Entertainment One for Benelux, Cinesky has U.S. Better Living Through Chemistry directed and written by David Posamentier, a U.S. comedy now in post-production.A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a dangerously seductive customer who takes him on a joyride with explosive consequenses involving sex, drugs and possibly murder. Starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Ray Liotta, produced by Felipe Marino, Joe Neurater and Keith Calder, it has presold to Metro Pictures of India. Bailout is being presold. One morning Matt Prior wakes up to find himself jobless, crippled with debt, convinced his wife is having an affair and six days away from losing his home. Bailout is a hysterical, heartfelt tale of how we can reach the edge of ruin and begin to make our way back.
Salt is preselling Welcome to the Jungle, a U.S. comedy directed by Rob Meltzer, written by Jeff Kauffman, produced by Justin Kanew and Luillo Ruiz and starring Adam Brody, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone and Rob Huebel. A group of co-workers including Chris (Adam Brody) get stranded on a desert island when their nutty teambuilding coach (Jean Claude Van Damme) is mauled by a wild cougar. in the spirit of "lost in the wilderness" comedies such as Tropic Thunder and workplace comedies like The Office, Welcome to the Jungle is a rare beast in today's market: a comedy that delivers on the laughs - both the high and the lowbrow. It has already presold to Front Row for the Middle East.
Westend is preselling Joe which will start shooting this month be delivered in 2013. It is to be directed by David Gordon Green, produced by lisa Muskat and stars Nicholas Cage. Joe is the story of a man who becomes the unlikeliest of role models to 15-year-old Gary Jones, the oldest child of a family ruled by a worthless father. Together they try to find a path to redemption and the hope for a better life in the rugged, dirty world of a small Southern town. Joe is the story of the last hold-out of the cowboy age, when it was okay to shoot up a bar room or tell a lady what to do.
- 11/5/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Cuban Fury
Chris O'Dowd ("Bridesmaids") and Nick Frost ("Hot Fuzz") are set to star in the salsa dance comedy "Cuban Fury" at Big Talk Productions.
Frost will play a former teen dance prodigy who attempts a comeback years after a rival (O'Dowd) ruined his career. Jon Brown ("Misfits") penned the script. [Source: The Sun]
Woody Allen's Next
Sally Hawkins is in talks to play one of the two female leads in Woody Allen's next dramedy which shoots in San Francisco and New York this summer.
The story follows a sophisticated woman who has her life together. Hawkins will play a neurotic who's more fun and rough around the edges. Letty Aronson is producing. [Source: Variety]
33 Liberty Lane
Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Nia Vardalos and Melora Hardin have all joined Peter Hewitt's rom-com "33 Liberty Lane" which begins shooting this Summer in Manitoba for a possible Sundance 2013 premiere.
The story follows four down-on-their-luck women...
Chris O'Dowd ("Bridesmaids") and Nick Frost ("Hot Fuzz") are set to star in the salsa dance comedy "Cuban Fury" at Big Talk Productions.
Frost will play a former teen dance prodigy who attempts a comeback years after a rival (O'Dowd) ruined his career. Jon Brown ("Misfits") penned the script. [Source: The Sun]
Woody Allen's Next
Sally Hawkins is in talks to play one of the two female leads in Woody Allen's next dramedy which shoots in San Francisco and New York this summer.
The story follows a sophisticated woman who has her life together. Hawkins will play a neurotic who's more fun and rough around the edges. Letty Aronson is producing. [Source: Variety]
33 Liberty Lane
Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Nia Vardalos and Melora Hardin have all joined Peter Hewitt's rom-com "33 Liberty Lane" which begins shooting this Summer in Manitoba for a possible Sundance 2013 premiere.
The story follows four down-on-their-luck women...
- 5/1/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
• One of the most unusual projects in Hollywood just got even more interesting: Harry Potter star Emma Watson is in talks to play herself in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s meta disaster comedy End of the World (formerly The Apocalypse), and Jason Segel and David Krumholtz have formally joined the film. The premise: James Franco throws a party at his house for a laundry list of upstart movie stars — Rogen, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel — when the apocalypse hits. Rogen and Goldberg will make their feature directorial debut on the project. [THR]
• Somewhere, Rachel Berry is losing her mind.
• Somewhere, Rachel Berry is losing her mind.
- 5/1/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Garfield director Peter Hewitt is going from the world of animated-family fun and shifting his focus to a more adult-themed comedy. According to THR, the English director is bringing along Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Nia Vardalos, and Melora Hardin to star in his upcoming romcom, titled 33 Liberty Lane.
Scripted by Stephen Ayres — and to be produced by Good Will Hunting‘s Su Armstrong and Ferngully‘s Brian Rosen — it tells the story of “four down-on-their-luck women turning to telephone sex as a way to make a quick buck. But without much in the way of sexual expertise – their team includes mother and recently dumped wife Brenda (Watson), the 40-year-old virgin Karen (Oh), stalled corporate executive Connie (Hardin) and serial marrier Isabella (Vardalos) – they enlist the services of a local hooker to keep their new erotic business afloat.”
After the success of Bridesmaids, it was only a matter of time before...
Scripted by Stephen Ayres — and to be produced by Good Will Hunting‘s Su Armstrong and Ferngully‘s Brian Rosen — it tells the story of “four down-on-their-luck women turning to telephone sex as a way to make a quick buck. But without much in the way of sexual expertise – their team includes mother and recently dumped wife Brenda (Watson), the 40-year-old virgin Karen (Oh), stalled corporate executive Connie (Hardin) and serial marrier Isabella (Vardalos) – they enlist the services of a local hooker to keep their new erotic business afloat.”
After the success of Bridesmaids, it was only a matter of time before...
- 4/30/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
When you think of .phone sex,. do the names Emily Watson, Sandra Oh and Nia Vardalos come to mind? Not for me either, but then again we aren.t Peter Hewitt. The British director whose credits include Garfield and The Borrowers has tapped those three ladies and Melora Hardin (of NBC.s The Office) for an upcoming comedy that he.s putting together at the Australian shingle Tree. THR has the details. The film, which will be called 33 Liberty Lane, has been penned by Canadian scribe Stephen Ayres and will begin shooting this July in Winnipeg . as soon as Oh wraps her commitment to the ABC drama Grey.s Anatomy. The story revolves around four down-on-their-luck women who turn to phone sex as a way of generating revenue. Of course, they.re four prudes . Oh reportedly plays a 40-year-old virgin, but not the funny kind . so they must recruit a...
- 4/30/2012
- cinemablend.com
Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Nia Vardalos and Melora Hardin have been cast in a new film called 33 Liberty Lane, which is a comedy about four women who set up a phone sex company. A rom-com directed by British helmer Peter Hewitt (Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey) is being penned by Canadian writer Stephen Ayres [...]
Continue reading Emily Watson, Sandra Oh Join 33 Liberty Lane on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: Emma Watson In Beauty And The Beast Produced by Guillermo Del Toro Emma Watson To Star In ‘Napoleon and Betsy’ Nathan Lane Joins Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear in The English Teacher...
Continue reading Emily Watson, Sandra Oh Join 33 Liberty Lane on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: Emma Watson In Beauty And The Beast Produced by Guillermo Del Toro Emma Watson To Star In ‘Napoleon and Betsy’ Nathan Lane Joins Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear in The English Teacher...
- 4/30/2012
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
The femme comedy quartet of Emily Watson, Sandra Oh, Nia Vardalos and Melora Hardin have checked into to 33 Liberty Lane, a romantic comedy about four friends who set up a phone-sex company. British helmer Peter Hewitt (Garfield, The Borrowers) is set to direct the laffer for producers Su Armstrong (Good Will Hunting) and Brian Rosen (Ferngully) of Australian shingle Tree. Filming is set to start this summer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The film's plot has the down-on-their-luck women turning to telephone sex as a way to make a quick buck. But without much in the
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- 4/30/2012
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Batman and "The Dark Knight" aside, D.C. Comics haven't had much joy on the big screen, with last year's "Green Lantern" being only the latest in a series of misfires, although they're hopeful that next year's "Man of Steel" will revive Superman. We say revive, but actually the superpowered Kryptonian only last year wrapped up a popular ten-year run with the TV series "Smallville."
While that show was a long-running hit, they've again not had much success in moving it beyond the single character: Batman spin-off "Birds of Prey" lasted a single season, "Human Target" didn't quite make it, and last year's "Wonder Woman" never made it beyond a pilot. But that doesn't mean they're done trying, as the CW is getting ready to shoot a pilot for "Arrow," a TV series based on the popular hero and Justice League member Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, and just debuted...
While that show was a long-running hit, they've again not had much success in moving it beyond the single character: Batman spin-off "Birds of Prey" lasted a single season, "Human Target" didn't quite make it, and last year's "Wonder Woman" never made it beyond a pilot. But that doesn't mean they're done trying, as the CW is getting ready to shoot a pilot for "Arrow," a TV series based on the popular hero and Justice League member Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, and just debuted...
- 3/20/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
ABC Family has announced that production has begun on the fifth installment in the "Home Alone" franchise. The new movie stars Malcolm McDowell, Edward Asner, Debi Mazar, Eddie Steeples and Christian Martyn. It is set to premiere as part of network's annual "25 Days of Christmas." In "Home Alone 5: Alone in the Dark," 8-year-old Finn (Martyn) is terrified to learn his family is relocating from sunny California to Maine, and the scariest house he has ever seen. Convinced that his new house is haunted, Finn sets up a series of elaborate traps to catch the "ghost" in action. Left home alone with his sister (Jodelle Ferland) while their parents are stranded across town, Finn's traps catch a new target - a group of thieves (McDowell, Mazar, Steeples) who have targeted Finn's house. The new movie is directed by Peter Hewitt (Garfield, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey). The fourth film, "Home Alone 4...
- 3/16/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
It's the gift that just keeps on giving! Some 22 years after the original Home Alone hit theatres and turned Macaulay Culkin into a superstar, production on the fifth installment in the Home Alone series is now underway, targeting a holiday 2012 release. Culkin, of course, dropped out of the franchise after the immediate follow-up, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, with Home Alone 3 starring some other kid (but still being written by John Hughes, believe it or not). Many people probably aren't even aware that there was a Home Alone 4, but it was made for TV and released back in 2002. Now the fifth movie will follow the same path; it is scheduled to premiere on ABC Family as part of their "25 Days of Christmas" programming event. Hey, at least it's not a remake, right? According to Deadline, Home Alone 5 will star Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar, Edward Asner, Eddie Steeples,...
- 3/15/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
ABC Family is reviving the Home Alone franchise with a fifth installment, which will air as part of the network’s popular “25 Days Of Christmas” holiday lineup. It comes 10 years after the most recent Home Alone movie, telefilm Home Alone 4: Taking Back The House. Here is the release: Burbank, CA (March 15, 2012) – ABC Family and Fox TV Studios announced that production has begun on the latest installment in the popular “Home Alone” franchise, starring Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar, Edward Asner, Eddie Steeples, and Christian Martyn. The movie is set to premiere as part of the network’s annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming event. In “Home Alone 5: Alone in the Dark” eight-year-old Finn (Martyn) is terrified to learn his family is relocating from sunny California to Maine, and the scariest house he has ever seen! Convinced that his new house is haunted, Finn sets up a series of elaborate...
- 3/15/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
It’s been exactly 15 years to the day since The Borrowers last graced American screens in the form of Peter Hewitt’s delightful action comedy, also adapted from Mary Norton’s novels. Where The Borrowers focused on the adventure, The Secret World of Arrietty is more in line with Hayao Miyazaki’s weird and wonderful Ponyo, also dealing with an impossible crush. With a crush one often does what they can to protect both oneself and the person or object one has a crush on, even in secrecy.
The Secret World of Arrietty planned, written and produced by Miyazaki and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi follows Arrietty Clock – voiced in the United States version by Bridgit Mendler, an only child in this incarnation. The Clock Family including her parents (voiced by Amy Poehler and Will Arnett) are four-inch tall residents living in within the walls of a country home shared by...
The Secret World of Arrietty planned, written and produced by Miyazaki and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi follows Arrietty Clock – voiced in the United States version by Bridgit Mendler, an only child in this incarnation. The Clock Family including her parents (voiced by Amy Poehler and Will Arnett) are four-inch tall residents living in within the walls of a country home shared by...
- 2/20/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
How anyone on God’s greenish earth could despise a motion picture built solely around a child who cannot stop farting is simply beyond my limited means of comprehension. Apparently a lot of people do, as “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” director Peter Hewitt’s underrated 2002 butt blasting action classic “Thunderpants” currently holds a particularly awful score over at Internet Movie Database. Naturally, one must approach such a crude, uncouth comedy with their absurdity cap pulled snugly around their otherwise discerning craniums, especially if they hope to see those precious end credits roll. Thankfully, when the relentless adolescent flatulence becomes too much to endure, you still have Rupert “Don’t Call Me Ron” Grint and an out-of-place Paul Giamatti to keep you company for the duration. But let’s be brutally honest with ourselves for a moment: “Thunderpants” isn’t high art, and it’s definitely not going to appeal...
- 8/3/2011
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
The Borrowers turn Japanese as the children's classic is lovingly reworked by the studio that gave us Spirited Away
When it comes to the quality of the product, the world of animated film is dominated at the moment by Japan's Studio Ghibli and America's Pixar. And with the latter's current offering, Cars 2, being something of a disappointment, Ghibli's entrancing Arrietty is the clear choice for a family outing this summer. The film's youngish director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, worked as an animator on such Ghibli classics as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo, but the idea of an animated version of Mary Norton's The Borrowers has been a long-cherished project of Ghibli's great film-maker Hayao Miyazaki, and the original Japanese title translates as "Arrietty and the Borrowers".
Several generations of children have now grown up on Mary Norton's books about sweet-natured little people living beneath the floorboards of...
When it comes to the quality of the product, the world of animated film is dominated at the moment by Japan's Studio Ghibli and America's Pixar. And with the latter's current offering, Cars 2, being something of a disappointment, Ghibli's entrancing Arrietty is the clear choice for a family outing this summer. The film's youngish director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, worked as an animator on such Ghibli classics as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo, but the idea of an animated version of Mary Norton's The Borrowers has been a long-cherished project of Ghibli's great film-maker Hayao Miyazaki, and the original Japanese title translates as "Arrietty and the Borrowers".
Several generations of children have now grown up on Mary Norton's books about sweet-natured little people living beneath the floorboards of...
- 8/1/2011
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
A little over a year ago, we brought you word that Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) was hinting that he’d like to reprise his role as “Ted” Theodore Logan for a third, most excellent adventure with his buddy, Bill S. Preston, Esquire (Alex Winter). At the time Reeves said that they were trying to get part 3 greenlit and when he was asked if he was joking or not, the actor said “I’m not”.
I think most people (including myself) brushed it off as a bit of a pipe dream, due to collective nostalgia for two of the best sci-fi/time travel comedy films that have ever graced the screen, and simply thought it was cool that Reeves even acknowledged those two fun, fan favorite films from his early days, especially considering the huge career he’s had since then.
While recently speaking with MTV about his latest film Henry’s Crime,...
I think most people (including myself) brushed it off as a bit of a pipe dream, due to collective nostalgia for two of the best sci-fi/time travel comedy films that have ever graced the screen, and simply thought it was cool that Reeves even acknowledged those two fun, fan favorite films from his early days, especially considering the huge career he’s had since then.
While recently speaking with MTV about his latest film Henry’s Crime,...
- 4/6/2011
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
And you thought you were underpaid. Director Peter Hewitt has quit the indie production of Sweet Baby Jesus because he allegedly hasn't gotten any checks from producer Philippe Rebboah. Said Hewitt: "I kept giving Rebboah the benefit of the doubt but he never paid me." Once a new director is "hired," the film will star Pixie Lott as a '70s version of Mary, who comes to Bethlehem, Md. to have the possible Second Coming. Sharon Stone was in talks to play Mary's mother. Of course. [Deadline]...
- 9/16/2010
- Movieline
The producers of 'Sweet Baby Jesus' have confirmed Ireland is no longer the planned location for the feature and have moved its shooting location to either the UK or Italy. The film's producer, Phillippe Rebboah (associate producer, The Guitar) is in London today to examine and discuss the film's alternative production plans.Rebboah confirmed to Iftn that production has moved away from Ireland as a result of direct equity investment. The film, announced earlier this year, was to be directed by Peter Hewitt (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey) who is now no longer attached to the project.
- 9/16/2010
- IFTN
2Nd Update: Peter Hewitt tells me he has left the production amid accusations that producer Philippe Rebboah has not paid below the line staff, an allegation which Rebboah denies in an interview with me. Production on Sweet Baby Jesus was due to start September 15. Hewitt, director of Garfield and Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, tells me that he’s never been properly paid, despite the verbal offer of a pay-or-play deal. “It’s been a catalogue of delays and trouble right from when I signed on in February,” he tells me. “I kept giving Rebboah the benefit of the doubt but he never paid me.” Studio Eight, the London-based producer and financier has also exited the project saying it can longer work with Rebboah. Jamie Brown, managing director of Studio Eight, Brown tells me: “What I don’t understand is that the money was all in place and we were all set to go.
- 9/16/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline London
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