Ready to get creeped out… all over again? Well, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 is on it’s way to do just that. Here’s the trailer for the haunting sequel to the little indie supernatural horror flick that made waves last year with audiences, proving that tiny budget films can still have massively wide spread appeal.
The 10th Annual St. Louis Filmmaker’s Showcase begins July 18th at the historic Tivoli Theatre, so prepare yourself once again to witness the talent that lives and creates amongst us… read more about the event below.
June 17, 2010 – The 10th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase (SLFS), an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. SLFS screens works that were written, directed, edited or produced by St. Louis natives or those with strong local ties.
The 16 film programs that screen at the Tivoli from July 18-22 serve as SLFS’s centerpiece. The programs range from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Most programs include post-screening Q&As with filmmakers. There are 65 films in this year’s event.
In addition to the screenings, SLFS offers filmmaking seminars for anyone interested in the moviemaking process. The programs feature Q&As with working filmmakers and are held on Saturday, July 17, at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. Admission is free.
SLFS hosts a closing-night awards party on Thursday, July 22, at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd. KDHX DJ Rob Levy will spin music, and Cinema St. Louis will announce the films chosen for inclusion in the St. Louis International Film Festival. Awards for the best films will be given by the St. Louis Film Critics. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Highlights of this year’s SLFS include the following:
Rebecca Ormond’s “Gateway Guardians”: A volunteer organization called the Gateway Guardians feeds daily, rescues and adopts hundreds of animals each year off the streets of East St. Louis, Ill. This documentary captures heartbreaking footage of the abandoned pets, volunteers on the streets, vet visits and foster homes.
Ryan Eslinger’s “Daniel and Abraham”:When Daniel sets out on a five-day hike to spread his father’s ashes, he encounters a mysterious stranger, Abraham, who appears to live in the woods. The film turns increasingly dark, as Daniel continues on his way and Abraham persistently follows. With writer/director Eslinger (“Madness and Genius,” “When a Man Falls in the Forest”), a St. Louis-area native, who will also host a seminar on micro-budget filmmaking on Saturday, July 17, at the Regional Arts Commission.
Niyi Coker’s “Pennies for the Boatman”: In North St. Louis during the summer of 1958, a woman is struggling with a secret and a prodigal sister who unexpectedly appears like a force of nature. The storm stirred up leaves behind both a trail of calamities and some unforeseen hope. The film is adapted from the award-winning play by Mario Farwell.
Mark Smith’s “Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture”: This compelling documentary examines the life and work of the great American architect Louis H. Sullivan (1856-1924), one of the original practitioners of the Prairie School of design and a key influence on Frank Lloyd Wright. Sullivan’s legacy is especially visible in his adopted home of Chicago, but his work is found throughout the U.S. and includes St. Louis’ Wainwright Building – one of the world’s first skyscrapers – and Union Trust Building.
Tickets:
Tickets for film programs at the Tivoli are $10 each; $8 for students with valid and current photo ID and for Cinema St. Louis members with valid membership cards. Advance tickets are on sale beginning July 1 at the Tivoli Theatre box office (5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday). Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may also be purchased in advance at tickets.landmarktheatres.com. There is a $1 per-ticket service charge. You must pick up your tickets at the Tivoli box-office window. Bring the credit card that you used to purchase the tickets and the confirmation number. Online sales are limited to full-price tickets only. Cinema St. Louis member and student discounts can only be obtained in person at the box office because ID is required. No phone sales.
Saturday, July 17: Filmmaking Seminars 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. Topics include documentary filmmaking, micro-budget filmmaking (with writer/director Ryan Eslinger), genre filmmaking, and using SAG/AFTRA low-budget contracts. These seminars are free and open to the public.
Sunday-Thursday, July 18-22: Film Programs
At the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd.
For times and film descriptions, see full schedule (document attached) or visit cinemastlouis.org.
Thursday, July 22: Closing-Night Awards Party
8 p.m.-midnight at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd. Free (donations accepted).
THE WOLFMAN is a remake of the Universal classic THE WOLF MAN (1941) and stars Benicio Del Toro as Lawrence Talbot, cursed to transform into a savage beast on nights of a full moon. The film was directed by Joe Johnston with special makeup effects by the legendary Rick Baker and co-stars Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving.
WAMG has a limited number of Unrated Director’s Cut DVD’s of 2010’s THE WOLFMAN. Follow the instructions below and, if you’re able to submit the “correct” answers soon enough, you may just win one of these DVD’s.
For the movie geeks out there looking for edgy films, director Nicolas Winding Refn is one filmmaker to keep an eye out for, which is why I’m excited to share this new trailer for VALHALLA RISING. Refn, who directed such great films as the PUSHER trilogy and 2008’s BRONSON, has a unique visual style and sense of intense storytelling.
Plot Synopsis:
Mute slave HARALD escapes his Scottish masters with the help of 10 year old ARE, torturing and killing them before joining a band of dispossessed Vikings. They go to sea, determined to return to Scandinavia to fight the spread of Christianity, but for HARALD the journey is also a personal one to discover his own origins. Caught in a terrible storm, the group drift for 40 days until, on the verge of death, they find themselves in a freshwater river. The land seems at once strange yet familiar.
When they come under attack by unseen assailants, the groups’ quest for their homeland takes on a bitter urgency as one-by-one they succumb to the onslaught, dying at the hands of the invisibles. Worse, they are no clearer about where they are or if this place even exists outside their imagination. Have they finally reached the new world, or Valhalla?
Meanwhile, HARALDS’s search for identity is compromised when ARE is captured. As the enemy reveal themselves, HARALD realizes he has finally found his identity but at too high a price. As ARE’s life is threatened, HARALD is faced with an impossible choice; save the boy or save his soul?
VALHALLA RISING officially hit US theaters in a limited capacity on June 4, 2010 but hopefully more small theaters will pick this one up throughout the country as word gets out.
NEW TRAILER:
And, in case you missed it… here’s the first trailer:
Check out this short film made to test a concept for a feature MORTAL KOMBAT film from Warner Brothers. The film plays sorta like an R-Rated homicide detective story incorporating a secret underground illegal fighting tournament, featuring new takes on characters Baraka, Reptile and Scorpion with a brief appearance by Sonja Blade and a split-second glimpse of Sub-Zero. Oh yeah, and Johnny Cage gets killed… which is fine because I always thought he was the lamest MK character.
Sweet! Now you can create your very own customized SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD Avatar… making you cool! Go to ScottPilgrimTheMovie.com to create your own awesome avatar — see the one I made above — in the style of a Scott Pilgrim character and you too will become invincible against any evil ex-boyfriends/girlfriends that stand in your way! Check out all the other cool, interactive stuff on the website while you’re there… I’ve lost count of how many falling coins I’ve snagged!
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Michael Cera, opens in theaters nationwide on August 13, 2010.
One of the most significant concepts spoken in the documentary ICONS AMONG US regards how a musician learning to play jazz is nothing more than that musician discovering the answer to the question who am I… because, as is stated in the film, the core of how an artist approaches creating jazz music is all in the music coming from who they are. That sounds deep, but when you really think about and consider what that means… it says so much about jazz.
Immediately upon viewing ICONS AMONG US, the viewer will realize not only that jazz is a passion for musicians of all backgrounds, ages, men and women – it’s a way of life, not just something people do. What is also apparent is that jazz has, and is still, evolving constantly. Much of the jazz heard in this film is very different from the standards and greats from the past, but that’s not to say this music, as broad and vivid as it is, doesn’t have its place and purpose.
ICONS AMONG US is a journey through the “now” of jazz music, the story of how the sound and the structure – the heart and soul of the music – how it has grown with us as a culture of emotional human beings, each of us having lived our own lives yet all interconnected. On a very primal level, jazz is the musical interpretation of that experience.
Co-directed by Lars Larson, Michael Rivoira and Peter J. Vogt, ICONS AMONG US is a straightforward documentary. There’s no glitz or flair in the style of the film. Instead, it’s all about the music… whereas the typical response for many would be to focus on the musician. The creator/performer of jazz is not the catalyst for the music, but is the vessel for its birth into the world for others to hear and feel. With that said, this film is an intensely enjoyable audio/visual experience, especially for the enthusiastic — but ignorant — amateur lover of jazz, such as myself. It’s both an introduction and a retrospective nostalgia piece that takes the viewer from the origins of jazz (from the mouths of some of the art form’s veterans) to loose predictions and anticipation for where jazz music is headed… into the great unknown of infinite possibilities.
The full title of this documentary is ICONS AMONG US: JAZZ IN THE PRESENT TENSE. Fitting, given the clearly emphatic theme of current musicians and the essence of jazz as music of now. This is the film that needs to be shown to young students just developing an interest in music, whether it be jazz or classical or any kind of music. Jazz is like learning the rules and bending/breaking them all at once – in my mind at least, the core of the phenomena of music uninhibited.
For more information about ICONS AMONG US and to follow the progress and success of the film as it reaches more and more viewers, check out The Jazz Indie.
I know how much all of our readers are dying to see STEP UP 3D, so we’re promoting this awesome contest for all of you dancers who want to make it big! Read through the contest description and rules and, if this is up your alley, play to win!
WHAT: Are You #BFABB (Born From a Boom Box)? Then this is your chance.
TO ENTER:
Step 1: Go to StepUpMovie.com, Facebook.com/StepUpMovie, MySpace.com/StepUpMovie or YouTube.com/StepUpMovie and press enter.
Step 2: From any of these sites, log into your YouTube account (or register if you do not have an account) and allow the application
Step 3: Download the MP3 on the site
Step 4: Create a video showing your best moves to the music provided ON THE SITE
Step 5: Upload your video to the site to compete to win the following:
Up to 10 semi-finalists will win a Flip™ MinoHD™ video camera
Two First Prize winners (plus a guest) will win a trip to LA to attend the World Premiere of “Step Up 3D” and the opportunity to perform on BET’s 106 & Park to compete for a cash Grand Prize.
CONTEST TRAILER: On Youtube
THE JUDGES: The Sponsor of the Contest, along with “Step Up 3D” director Jon M. Chu and producers from BET’s 106 & Park will select up to 10 semi-finalists. “Step Up” Fans select the first-prize winners!
CONTEST ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest Entry Period begins on June 18, 2010, at 12:00 noon Pacific Time and ends on July 6, 2010, at 12:00 noon Pacific Time. Make sure to check back on July 19 to vote for your favorite!
ABOUT THE MOVIE: New York’s intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D in the third installment of the “Step Up” franchise as the raw, passion-fueled culture goes global. A tight-knit group of street dancers, including Luke (Rick Malambri) and Natalie (Sharni Vinson), team up with NYU freshman Moose (Adam Sevani), and find themselves pitted against the world’s best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.
“Step Up 3D” is in theatres August 6, 2010.
For official rules, visit www.StepUpMovie.com
Press Release from Summit Entertainment:
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES THE
LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH “TWILIGHT NIGHT”
AT ST. LOUIS UNION STATION ON JUNE 26thTWILIGHT NIGHT at St. Louis Union Station to Provide Families,
Friends and Fans the Opportunity to See the Twilight Saga: New Moon
Under the Stars with special cast appearances!
St. Louis, MO June 18, 2010 – In celebration of the lunar eclipse on the evening of June 26th, Summit Entertainment is inviting St. Louis to TWILIGHT NIGHT, a free event at St. Louis Union Station in the South Plaza which will include special cast appearances from Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Doors will open at 6pm with an outdoor screening of New Moon to begin at 9pm (event will be moved indoors if there is inclement weather). Prior to the film, fans can engage in Twilight-filled fun with a Cullen Make-Up Booth, Twilight Tarot Card Readings, Twilight Henna Tattoos and live Twilight-inspired songs by local band Bitter Pill. Along with the special booths fans can capture their memories with the special TWILIGHT NIGHT Red Carpet and Photo Booth, both provided by Moviefone.
TWILIGHT NIGHT is a 12-city event including outdoor screenings of THE TWIILGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. The family and community-oriented events are the perfect chance for those new to the film franchise as well as moviegoers in general to immerse themselves in THE TWILIGHT SAGA phenomenon just in time for the highly anticipated theatrical release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third installment of Summit Entertainment’s TWILIGHT SAGA film franchise, on June 30th.
*Cities, venues and times are subject to change. Visit eclipsethemovie.com for the most current information.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is rated PG-13 for some violence and action.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some sensuality.
In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, directed by David Slade from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, Bella (Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Edward (Pattinson) and Jacob (Lautner) — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
TOY STORY 3 is the fitting end to a very memorable trilogy of family-friendly films, enjoyable by kids of all ages. Now, the trick is for Disney Pixar to resist the temptation of all the money this film will make and NOT make a fourth.
The TOY STORY saga has three distinct chapters. The first film deals with Andy’s favorite toy Woody feeling threatened by the arrival of the more modern hi-tech toy Buzz Lightyear and he must come to terms with learning to share his owner. The second film has Woody being stolen by a toy collector, but finds he’s tempted by the allure of being immortalized in a toy museum while his friends struggle to rescue him. Woody ultimately learns the importance of family and a little humility along the way. Finally, TOY STORY 3 brings the cycle of childhood full-circle with Andy learning to let go and move on.
With the first two films being pure fun and adventure with just a hint of drama, TOY STORY 3 ramps up the emotional hook on the viewer as we watch Woody and friends cope with the idea of being left behind as Andy prepares to leave home for college. In the process, Pixar still delivers on the fun and adventure and it’s just as energetic and hilarious as the previous two films.
TOY STORY 3 opens on Woody playing the part of the heroic cowboy, riding his trusty horse Bull’s Eye alongside his cowgirl counterpart Jesse. Woody is attempting to thwart a train robbery being committed by One-Eyed Bart (Mr. Potato Head) and his little green one-eyed Martian minions under the employ of the insidious mastermind Dr. Pork Chop. What’s different is that it’s all real, or at least it’s real within Andy’s imagination.
This is a great lead-in to the emotional punch that is carried throughout TOY STORY 3. Our peek inside Andy’s imagination transitions into old home video footage of Andy at play with his beloved toys. Cut to Andy, now a typical 17-year old, more interested in his computer than the toys he grew up with, which are now stuffed away in an old toy chest. Andy’s mother makes him sort his room into two categories… things to keep in the attic or take to college with him and things to toss and/or donate. Thus begins the adventure…
Which brings me to an interesting parallel TOY STORY 3 has to another classic film called THE GREAT ESCAPE. Once Woody and his friends find themselves donated to Sunnyside daycare, they realize something isn’t quite right. Woody makes his escape after splitting from his friends in favor of rejoining Andy at college, but his conscience draws him back to save his friends from the well-mannered but devious Lotso’Huggin’ Bear (Ned Beatty)… that smells of strawberries. There’s a wonderful element desperate action as Woody is constantly working by the seat of his pants to facilitate an escape from their evil captors. Similar in theme, TOY STORY 3 also ventures loosely into some other cinematic indulgences, one of the most noticeable being the moment of redemption for Darth Vader in RETURN OF THE JEDI when he turns on his master to save his son. See if you can pick out the similar scene in TS3.
All the favorite characters return, with Tom Hanks voicing Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jesse, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Wallace Shawn as Rex and John Ratzenberger as Hamm. However, TOY STORY 3 ramps up the fun with some new characters including Jodi Benson as Barbie and Michael Keaton as Ken, a comical chemistry that nearly stole the show. Of all the laughs throughout the film, I give Keaton credit for producing the deepest, hardest belly chuckles of the film.
TOY STORY 3 incorporates many sight gags, character quirks and witty dialogue spurting rapid-fire intelligent pun usage. Perhaps the most original and overwhelmingly sustained laughter-producing moment is during the elaborate escape plan when Mr. Potato Head must alter himself to carry out his mission, in turn transforming into a “slimmer” somewhat “floppier” version f himself. The character needs not say a thing, the sight gag is so effective on it’s own that the audience will simply lose it.
Finally, one of the most extraordinary elements of TOY STORY 3’s success is the absolute brilliance in conveying its story and message so effectively to the entire audience, both young and old. Sure, adults were laughing and even crying in some cases, but the observation I found most amazing while sitting in a large, packed theater surrounded by hundreds of little kids, was that they ALL got it, completely, demonstrating a wide range of vocal emotional responses from laughter to fear to excitement to sadness… it was all there.
On that note, I highly recommend seeing TOY STORY 3 in a packed house, preferably with a maximum number of children in attendance. This is not normally something I would recommend, but given this is not just a kid’s movie but also a film enjoyed by all ages that really connects to kids in a noticeable way, making the entire experience much more enjoyable and rewarding.
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