Here’s one way to begin your Memorial Day Weekend – BBQs, tanning lotion, a swim in the pool – and Liam Hemsworth of course.
Relativity Media has released a new and wet photo from their upcoming thriller PARANOIA – featuring the film’s star Liam Hemsworth. Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford and Amber Heard also star in the upcoming Summer film based on the best-selling novel by Joseph Finder.
In this high-stakes thriller, Adam Cassidy (Liam Hemsworth) is a regular guy trying to get ahead in his entry-level job at Wyatt Corporation. But after one costly mistake, Adam’s ruthless CEO, Nicholas Wyatt (Gary Oldman), forces him to spy on corporate rival, Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford), Wyatt’s old mentor. Adam soon finds himself occupying the corner office and living the life of his dreams. However, behind the scenes, he is simply a pawn in Wyatt’s corporate game and realizes he must ultimately find a way out from under his boss who will stop at nothing, even murder, to win a multi-billion dollar advantage.
From director Robert Luketic, PARANOIA will be in theaters August 16, 2013.
EPIC’s world, which unites the familiar and the fantastic, is a forest unlike any we’ve seen before: tiny seeds look like boulders; rocks are the size of spiky mountains; flowers are gigantic and complex; and a butterfly is nothing short of a flying tapestry. In this world, director Chris Wedge interweaves spectacular battle scenes with intimate and emotional character interactions, and seasons the tale with humor, fun and romance. While the film’s visual wonders breaks new ground in animated spectacle, realism, action and adventure, it is EPIC’s characters and the actors who portray them that take center stage.
Amanda Seyfried plays Mary Katherine (she prefers M.K.), a smart, spirited and headstrong 17-year-old who finds herself on the journey of a lifetime. After returning to her childhood home to connect with her estranged father, Professor Bomba (Jason Sudeikis), M.K. loses patience with his endless stories of unseen people who live in the woods. His life has been dedicated to studying a civilization of tiny people he’s never seen. But when M.K. disappears, Bomba must put his own dreams under the microscope, and find what he’s really always been looking for. When she is magically transported into the Leafmen’s world, she gains a new perspective. To find her way home, M.K. must do more than believe in this world; she’ll have to help save it. But M.K.’s incredible journey to a secret universe in the forest changes many things about her, not the least of which is her feelings about her dad.
M.K.’s stumbles upon a resident of this unseen realm, Nod (Josh Hutcherson), who is all about bucking the rules and flying solo. But his brazen individualism doesn’t square with the Leafmen’s ideals of teamwork and unity, so he quits the squad. Only after M.K. enters his world does Nod discover what it takes to be a true hero. The two find an instant connection M.K. by the circumstances of her unsuccessful reunion with her father, and Nod by his rebellious nature, which he directs mostly toward his father figure, the Leafmen’s chisel-faced, battle-hardened leader, Ronin (Colin Farrell). During a fast-and-furious dogfight, the filmmakers hurtle Nod, his opponents – and the audience – through trees, brambles and fields in an electrifying competition.
Ronin’s and his Leafmen’s mode of transportation are hummingbirds – part motorcycle, part helicopter. (The Leafmen characters are inspired by William Joyce’s book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, which introduced the Samurai-like warriors. The author also co-wrote EPIC’s story and screenplay and serves as an executive producer and production designer.) Sworn to protect all life in the forest, the elite corps of warriors are my favorite characters and could easily have their own movie. When the forest is invaded, Ronin rallies the Leafmen into action with bravery and wry humor. Ronin’s closest and most powerful ally is Queen Tara (Beyoncé Knowles). Beautiful and strong, Tara is the life force of the forest, which she presides over with respect, compassion and humor. Her unique connection with nature gives her additional and powerful allies. Director Chris Wedge has created some of the most beautiful and silent moments in the scenes showing the powerful connection with her and the land.
Queen Tara’s home is Moonhaven, a veritable Eden formed out of living plants and stone, and which emanates perfection and harmony. One of Moonhaven’s most sacred enclaves is a patch at the end of a pond where two of her subjects tend to pods from which Tara will select her heir. Once every 100 years a new pod blooms to take over for the current queen. And who does Tara entrust with this crucial task? Mub (Aziz Ansari), a slug and self-characterized “ladies’ man” and his sidekick Grub (Chris O’Dowd), a snail and wannabe Leafman. Kids will absolutely fall in love with this slug-and-snail comedy duo and their quest to save their world.
Moonhaven’s future has been entrusted to amorphous blobs with extended eyeballs, who fancy themselves as heroes. The efforts of Mub, Grub and the Leafmen will be needed to protect the pod and the Queen’s legacy against the forces of darkness known as the Boggans – malevolent creepers that seek to destroy Moonhaven. The Boggans hail from Wrathwood, a dark, tunnel-filled place. The chief force behind the darkness and destruction is the Boggans’ ruler, Mandrake (Christoph Waltz) who has the ability to bring destruction to anything he touches. Mandrake and his Boggan minions are the arch-nemeses of the Leafmen. Mandrake is tired of hiding in the shadows, and with his son Dagda (played by Blake Anderson) by his side he plans the ultimate revenge – to claim the forest he believes should have always been his. Waltz plays it to the hilt – Mandrake is devious, dangerous and droll. His eloquent and sharp musings and threats are complemented by his vampire-like appearance. The effect is heightened by Mandrake’s bat cape and the fact that the nocturnal and feared rodents are the Boggans’ preferred mode of transport.
On the side of the Leafmen is Nim Galuu (Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler). Nim is the consummate party animal, but don’t let this larger than life caterpillar fool you – his wisdom and practical know-how make him a key behind-the-scenes player in the epic battle to save the forest. Another character in the mix is voiced by rapper/singer/songwriter Pitbull – Bufo. A tough-guy toad, Bufo profits no matter which side wins or loses. With this eclectic group of performers, the famous voices fit perfectly with the characters so it doesn’t pull you out of the movie. The emotional father-daughter dynamic is touching.
From the visuals to the production design to the costuming, the combination in this animated movie is a real spectacle and one for the ages. Blue Sky Studios characters in EPIC are very sophisticated while still looking human. Production designer Greg Couch’s work is very magical and mesmerizing. Art director Michael Knapp transforms a forest into a kind of alien universe with such bright colors. Supervising animators Galen Tan Chu and Melvin Tsing ChernTan make the characters and creatures so real. Academy Award-winning sound designer Randy Thom’s (The Incredibles) work is interwoven with Danny Elfman’s score to create additional magic. Everyday sounds such as leaves rustling in the wind become something otherworldly.
A lovely film for young women, much like last year’s BRAVE, girls will find positive role models in the determined characters of MK and the Queen. The showstopper of EPIC is the spectacular battles between the Leafmen and the Boggans. Filled with giant action, EPIC is storytelling on a grand scale.
McFarland & Pecci present a stark new vision for the most infamous comic book anti-hero of all time… and WAMG has a look at the first poster for their all new film THE DEAD CAN’T BE DISTRACTED. Check out the full poster below!
Inspired by Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto’s powerful run of The Punisher comics, director Mike Pecci’s The Dead Can’t Be Distracted featuring newcomer Nick Apostolides & Evalena Marie (from Steve Nile’s Remains). Stay tuned this month for more information including a teaser trailer next week.
McFarland & Pecci are known for their dark films (Mike Pecci’s GRINDHOUSE SHORTS), award winning mini-docs (VICE FIGHTLAND, RUNG’S IN THE LADDER) and world recognized music videos (FEAR FACTORY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, CZARFACE).
FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT:
McFarlandandPecci.com
The official website for the film is now live at TDCBDMOVIE.COM
Search #TDCBD #MCFARLANDANDPECCIon twitter/instagrm/tumblr for more info
Lots of new stuff coming out of the land of the undead today. WORLD WAR Z opens in less than a month from now, but on Wednesday Brad Pitt attended a special surprise advance fan screening as well as a celebrity screening of the movie.
Fans got their first look at WORLD WAR Z at the Hoboken Clearview Cinemas in Hoboken, New Jersey while Pitt and Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey hosted a VIP showing for Bruce Willis, Katie Couric, Jimmy Fallon, Oliver Stone, Trudie Styler, Sting, Lorne Michaels, Gayle King, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Bacon at MOMA in New York.
The studio also unveiled a new poster for director Marc Forster’s film.
Katie Courice and Brad Pitt
Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt
WORLD WAR Z Producer Dede Gardner and Brad Pitt.
Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey, Jimmy Fallon and Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt and Kevin Bacon
Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey and Oliver Stone
Trudie Styler and Sting
Katie Couric and Morgan Freeman
Bruce Willis and Emma Hemming
Gayle King
Lorne Michaels
In theaters June 21st, the story revolves former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself. WORLD WAR Z is based on the novel by Max Brooks with the screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan.
Dark Sky Films has released the latest – and scary – theatrical poster for the upcoming horror film HATCHET III. Dude is definitely in need of a holiday.
Concluding the saga begun in Adam Green’s hit 2006 thriller, Hatchet III follows the vengeful Marybeth (Danielle Harris) as she continues seeking out a way to destroy Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a hulking, seemingly-invincible sociopath rampaging through a sleepy Louisiana swamp.
While a heavily-armed team of mercenaries takes to the bayou surrounding Crowley’s home, Marybeth finds herself begrudgingly teaming up with a local policeman (Zach Galligan) and his ex-wife (Caroline Williams) – an expert on the maniac who may have uncovered the secret to ending his murderous rampage once and for all.
Directed by BJ McDonnell, HATCHET III will be in select theaters and available nationwide On-Demand June 14.
The boys are back in town in this brand new trailer for THE WORLD’S END.
The World’s End is the third installment of Edgar Wright’s trilogy of comedies, following the successes Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007). Mr. Wright co-wrote the script with Simon Pegg, who will once again star alongside Nick Frost. Joining the team are actors Martin Freeman (Shaun of the Dead, The Hobbit), Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes), and Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher).
20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King (Simon Pegg), a 40-year-old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub – The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.
Focus Features presents THE WORLD’S END, coming to theatres August 23, 2013
Here’s a film that takes a look at modern twenty-somethings in a fresh way. While in earlier generations, those in that age bracket (if they were fortunate to do four years of higher education, or a military stint) would whip off their cap and gown and settle into a steady job and perhaps start a family (after finding that dream suburban home). For many college grads today, those post-school years can be the start of a nomadic limbo, drifting from job to job and apartment to apartment, even returning to the family nest (insisting to the parents that this is just temporary). The title character of FRANCES HA doesn’t resort to that, but she is sort-of floating without a clear destination in sight. But thanks to Greta Gerwig, the film’s star and co-writer, we’re rooting for her even as she takes a ill-planned detour. Of course the movie’s director and other writer Noah Baumbach (THE SQUID AND THE WHALE) probably has a lot to do with the film’s appealing bouncy tone. It’s a pleasure to hang out for ninety minutes with the constantly moving (changing homes, that is), but not really going anywhere Ms.F.
It’s a perfect Spring-like New York day when we first meet Frances (Gerwig) sharing said day with current roomie and BFF Sophie (Mickey Sumner). They “play-fight” in the park, snack, tap dance, dash through the street intersections, hop on the subway and return to the cozy apartment they share where they chat into the wee hours. But this idyllic existence is about to end. Sophie, who’s the bigger breadwinner with her job as a book editor at a big publishing house, wants to move into a place in a better neighborhood with another pal. Frances struggles to make ends meet between waitressing and toiling in a dance troupe, so she can’t follow her and she can’t stay there solo. Oh, and Frances just broke up with her boyfriend. Luckily two guy pals let her take over a spare room at their place. Frances and Sophia begin to drift apart as things get serious with Sophie’s Wall Street beau. Frances counts on getting work at the big Christmas dance show, but she just can’t seem to impress the troupe’s director. Over the next few months Frances changes apartments, visits her folks out West, takes a weekend Paris trip, and even returns to her old college as an RA while she tries plot a clife ourse while sailing through her late twenties.
Hard to believe it was three years ago Gerwig broke through the low-budget indies (including a few in the “mumblecore” subset) with Baumbach’s GREENBERG as Ben Stiller’s love interest. The big studios didn’t seem to know what to do with her in NO STRINGS ATTACHED, TO ROME WITH LOVE, and the disastrous ARTHUR remake alongside Russell Brand. Going back to the lower budgets didn’t help with the dismal LOLA VERSUS and DAMSELS IN DISTRESS. But now with a role she helped create Gerwig is back on track. Sure she’s still quirky, but not aggravating so as she was in those last two flicks. Frances still makes bad decisions like her spur-of-the-moment Paris flight, but we still root for her to get her, uh, stuff together. Brit Marling may be hot on her heels, but Gerwig really captures the spirit of the “indie” it girl title established by Parker Posey and other great actresses. Sumner is terrific as the woman who seems to really have it together, but still yearns for those free-wheeling days with her best pal. Frances and Sophie’s unplanned reunion in the film’s last act is quite surprising and moving. Grace Gummer is also solid as fellow dancer who takes Frances into her home, much to her aggravation. Frances thinks she can “play fight” with her in the park like Sophie, but the reserved, aloof Rachel will have none of that schoolgirl silliness. Gummer’s annoyed stares when Frances crashes a family dinner are priceless. Adam Driver is very good as one of Frances’s male roomies who fancies himself as quite the ladies man even after being rebuffed by Frances. Michael Zegan is the other roomie, Benji, who seems to be a kindred brother to Frances as they both believe themselves “undateable”. In a clever scene Benji aspires to write for TV’s “Saturday Night Live”, but really has a great idea for a third Gremlins flick. Michael Esper is very funny as Frances’s obtuse boyfriend (are we breaking up or not?) and Gerwig’s real-life Mom and Pop are charming as Frances’s kept-in-the-dark West Coast parents. This is a wonderful supporting cast that compliments Gerwig’s title character performance.
Director Baumbach makes wonderful use of the locations. France is almost otherworldly as is the brief visit to the sunny hazy locales of Frances’s family. But the film’s main source of energy is the big apple. The gorgeous black and white cinematography gives the NYC neighborhoods and parks an almost silver glow, often suggesting a nostalgia for modern times (accented by the pounding opening chords of David Bowie’s “Modern Love”). This look is never oft-putting, but pulls us into the characters’ sometimes nomadic lives. What really makes this film magical, along with its unique look, is the smart script by the director and star. Yes, there’s the drudgery of trying to make ends meet, but there’s also the small victories like finally getting that tax rebate check and splurging on a big dinner (topped off by an exhilarating mad dash to find an ATM). Dialogue is clever without getting too jokey or cutesy. One highlight is an exchange at Rachel’s family dinner when Frances announces her weekend Paris trip will be put on a credit card she just got in the mail (“Oh Frances, that’s how those companies get you” “I know! I watch documentaries!”). In the midst of big loud Summer action blockbusters, the saga of an aimless twenty-something woman who doesn’t need to be rescued by a man provides a most enjoyable time at the cinema. You’ll be glad you let FRANCES HA crash with you.
4.5 Out of 5
FRANCES HA screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre
For one night only, two of the world’s most celebrated songwriters and composers will take to the stage for “Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken: The Disney Songbook.” The concert will take place at the D23 Expo 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in the D23 Expo Arena on Saturday, August 10.
Together Sherman and Menken have won a combined 10 Academy Awards for their work with Disney, and have composed music and songs for more than three dozen Disney feature films, over two dozen Disney Park attractions and half a dozen Disney musicals on Broadway.
“I can’t express how excited I am that my esteemed friend Alan Menken and I will be sharing the same bill for the very first time,” said Sherman. “Alan is an incredible talent, and I know we’re both thrilled to be performing for Disney’s most ardent fans—they’re the best and I can’t wait to be a part of what promises to be a very special night for all of us.”
“Richard Sherman and I share so many things; our cherished association with The Walt Disney Company, the blessing of having the opportunity to share our musical talents with ‘children of all ages’ and a genuine mutual admiration—but one thing we’ve never gotten to share is a concert stage,” said Menken. “This summer at the D23 Expo 2013, we will do just that. And I can’t think of anyone I’d prefer to share that stage with. Richard, along with his brother Robert, wrote songs that filled my formative years with joy and fantasy. And, all these years later, I can say with complete honesty that there is no one I’ve met in our business who is more warm and generous than my friend and fellow songwriter, Richard Sherman.”
Admission to the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to the D23 Expo. In addition to the 4,000-seat D23 Expo Arena, the concert will be simulcast into a 2,000-seat overflow theater inside the Convention Center.
Richard M. Sherman and his brother Robert B. Sherman composed some of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon. The Disney Legends won two Oscars® for their work on Mary Poppins, and during their decades–long association with Disney they wrote more than 200 songs for 27 films and two dozen television productions. They made unforgettable contributions to such Disney films as The Parent Trap, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the entire Winnie the Pooh series, as well as the family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They also penned beloved songs for Disney Parks including the theme songs for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, it’s a small world, and Carousel of Progress. Richard wrote the song “Make Way for Tomorrow Today” for the blockbuster film Iron Man 2, and is working on a new stage musical based on Walt Disney’s 1967 animated film classic The Jungle Book, premiering this June at the Goodman Theater in Chicago.
With eight Academy Awards, Alan Menken has received more Oscars than any living person. He has written songs and scores for some of the world’s most beloved films: Tangled (Oscar nominee), Enchanted (three Oscar nominations) The Little Mermaid (two Oscar wins), Beauty and the Beast (two Oscar wins), Aladdin (two Oscar wins), Pocahontas (two Oscar wins), Hercules (Oscar nominee), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Oscar nominee), Little Shop of Horrors (Oscar nominee), Home on the Range and Newsies. His song “Star Spangled Man,” was the patriotic anthem of the 2011 hit film Captain America: The First Avenger.
Menken’s Broadway successes include his 2012 Tony Award® for Newsies, plus The Little Mermaid (Tony Award nominee), Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sister Act (Tony Award nominee). His other stage productions include King David, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and his latest stage production Aladdin: The New Musical, opening next year. At Disney Parks, Menken added an exclusive ballad (“To Be Free”) to his song score for Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure and penned “Compass of Your Heart,” the catchy theme song for the attraction Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage at Tokyo DisneySea.
Tickets for the D23 Expo are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Though June 15, tickets are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $45 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $144 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate before June 15. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.
Follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.
Hackus, Smurfette, Grouchy and Vexy strike a pose in the latest posters for THE SMURFS 2.
Their latest adventures will be in theaters July 31st.
In this sequel to the hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy The Smurfs, the evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants, and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world¹s greatest sorcerer.
It’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue? Returning cast includes Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry as Smurfette and Hank Azaria as Gargamel. Brendan Gleeson joins the cast as Victor Winslow.
Narrator Smurf (Tom Kane), Papa Smurf (Jonathan Winters) and Smurfette (Katy Perry).
Vexy (Christina Ricci), Smurfette (Katy Perry) and Hackus (J.B. Smoove).
Vanity (John Oliver), Grouchy (George Lopez) and Papa Smurf (Jonathan Winters).
Introducing SOCIAL SMURF, the newest member of the blue team. Papa Smurf may keep the parental controls tight, but that doesn’t stop Social Smurf from safely tweeting, re–tweeting, sharing, posting, liking and hashtagging everything on his brand new Xperia Z! Follow him on Twitter @SocialSmurf for all the latest in Smurf Village.
The critically acclaimed new documentary on the politics and drama behind the World Trade Center rebuilding project, 16 ACRES, has been picked up for North American distribution by New York-based First Run Features. The film premiered at the Zurich Film Festival in September 2012, followed by a North American premiere at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in New York in October. It has played more than a dozen film festivals worldwide since and recently won an Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
The rebuilding of ground zero is one of the most architecturally, politically, and emotionally complex urban renewal projects in American history. From the beginning, the effort has been fraught with controversy, delays and politics. The struggle has encompassed more than a decade, 19 government agencies, a dozen projects and over $20 billion.
“It’s stating the obvious to say that 16 ACRES is one of the most important documentaries of recent years,” said First Run’s Vice President, Marc Mauceri. “Who would have thought a film about developers, politicians, and architects fighting over the design and development of a hallowed site could be so gripping? We’re proud to be working with the 16 ACRESteam in bringing the film to audiences in North America.”
16 ACRES is the inside story of ten years at the site, from September 12, 2001 through the 10th anniversary of 9/11, told by the key players who have shaped it. At the heart of the narrative is the dramatic tension between noblest intentions and the politics, hubris and ideology that is the bedrock of New York. “We were looking for an answer to the question: what’s the real story behind why it’s taken so long to rebuild?” said writer/co-producer Matt Kapp (producer, Valentino: The Last Emperor and The Education of Gore Vidal). “To our surprise, no books, TV shows or documentaries had attempted to answer that question. Few Americans, even New Yorkers, know much about what has really gone on behind the scenes.”
As with all great urban projects, from the Pyramids to Rome’s Coliseum to Rockefeller Center, a small group of powerful people will dictate the outcome. Who are they and what motivates them? “Our core creative approach was to tell the story fundamentally as a first-person narrative – without any narration – told by the key players themselves,” said director/editor Richard Hankin (director, producer, writer, Home Front, co-producer, editor, Capturing the Friedmans). “Many of them are true New York characters, and in many ways it’s a quintessentially New York story.”
Exclusive access to the WTC site, and extensive archival research – more than 3,000 hours of footage were screened – allowed the filmmakers to colorfully and precisely illustrate and guide the narrative without traditional narration. They used never-before-seen footage, photographs, and architectural renderings to create an unprecedented historical visual experience of the rebuilding effort. “We were privileged to have had exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the world’s highest-profile building project,” said Mike Marcucci, the film’s producer. “I hope this film will be seen as the definitive account of New York’s struggle to rebuild the World Trade Center and get its city back.”
