Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. The film stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe.
Focus Features has released this first teaser for the highly anticipated NOSFERATU.
Starring Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe, Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
The German silent horror film released in 1922 was notable for being the earliest surviving film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and for its technically novel and effective cinematography. Directed by German Expressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau from a screenplay by Henrik Galeen, Nosferatu is known for its haunting vampire imagery, made possible in part by the state-of-the-art film tricks of cinematographers Fritz Arno Wagner and Günther Krampf, and for an eerie performance by Max Schreck as Count Orlok/Nosferatu.
Nosferatu the Vampyre, a German-French production directed by Werner Herzog and starring Klaus Kinski and Isabelle Adjani, was released in 1979. It is a relatively faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula that incorporates elements of Murnau’s Nosferatu. Kinski, as Dracula, suffered for his art, spending four hours in the makeup chair every day for his transformation into the blood-driven count.
Shadow of the Vampire, directed by E. Elias Merhige, was released in 2000. It is a fictionalized account of the making of Nosferatu in 1922, with the amusing premise that Max Schreck was a real vampire, cast by F.W. Murnau for authenticity. John Malkovich played Murnau, and Willem Dafoe portrayed Schreck.
Composer Robin Carolan reunites with Eggers for the score. The two previously worked on THE NORTHMAN. Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke is back behind the camera for another of the director’s films. They collaborated on THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE WITCH and THE NORTHMAN.
Focus Features will release NOSFERATU in cinemas on Wednesday, December 25th
Whew, it’s not even May, and the cinematic “body count” rises up considerably with another lone, determined warrior facing nearly insurmountable odds. I suppose this is more of the “JOHN WICK” effect, as filmmakers try to “up the ante” and deliver a flick with near wall-to-wall frenetic action. So far this year we’ve gone from the spy showdowns of ARGYLE to the avenger of the elderly THE BEEKEEPER, and winding up a couple of weeks ago with the manic MONKEY MAN (not to mention the ballistic ballerina ABIGAIL and THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE, which wasn’t shown to the press). For this week’s thriller we’re sent to a near future time in an exotic foreign land as, in a nod either to old Variety newspaper headlines or the beloved ABC TGIF sitcom, BOY KILLS WORLD.
And it is a nasty dystopian world for the preteen boy (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti), who is being trained in the jungle by the surly, “slave-driving” Shaman (Yayan Ruhian). And just what is he being trained for? Revenge, natch’, against the leader (mayor, or perhaps president) of the nearby city-state Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen). It seems there’s been an annual event during her 25 years in office, a big ceremony/celebration known as “The Culling”. Basically, her thug army rounds up a dozen or so troublemakers for a public execution. Recently Hilda took out the boy’s kid sister Mina and their underground rebel mother. Somehow the Shaman whisked the boy into the woods and deprived him of his hearing and speech before the mentoring began. The years pass and the lad becomes an adult (Bill Skarsgard). He and the Shaman head to the city’s market on “Culling Eve” and witness an attack on the populace by Hilda’s forces led by her flashy, sleazy spokesman son-in-law Gideon (Sharlito Copley) and her speech-writing son Glen (Bret Gelman). During the melee, the “Boy” breaks from the Shaman and makes his way to a secret hidden weapons factory. After a furious battle, he teams with an enslaved worker, Basho (Andrew Koji) and the last of the “resistance” Benny (Isaiah Mustafa) to infiltrate the Van Der Koy mansion. But do they stand a chance against the minions commanded by daughter Melanie (Michelle Dockery) and spearheaded by the mysterious, savage June 27 (Jessica Rothe)? Maybe, if the boy can ignore the taunts of the ghost of his kid sister Mina (Quinn Copeland) and heed his inner voice (H. Jon Benjamin)…
After terrifying audiences as the child-killing clown Pennywise in the recent pair of IT flicks, Skarsgard puts those expressive dark eyes to good use as the film’s silent “wrecking ball”. And he communicates thoroughly whether he’s filled with adrenaline prior to battle, or must quickly formulate a new plan as things inevitably go awry. Most importantly Skarsgard conveys Boy’s sadness and his yearning for a time before the violence and the heartbreaking loss. We see that in his scenes with Copeland who goes from cute to snarky to coldly savage as the ghostly kid sister Mina (perhaps a nod to the Dracula heroine). The actors having the most fun might be the crew playing members of the Van Der Koy dynasty. Dockery is pure unbridled ambition as the calculating Melanie. Gelman is an erudite murderous “poison pen” as the pompous scribe Glen, a great sparring partner with the equally arrogant “showboat” Gideon. But none are more chilling than Mama played as an unpredictable unhinged “hair-trigger” by the aloof, slinky Janssen. Though he’s teaching and aiding the boy in his quest for justice, Ruhian could also be considered a “bad guy” as he appears to delight in his tasks of torture and agony. Rothe makes a compelling enforcer (with standards) as the enigmatic 6/27. And I must single out the snarky narration of Benjamin, mixing the Boy’s sense of wonder with the bravado of an old-style action hero.
Director Moritz Mohr, who co-wrote the film based upon his previous self-tittled short, has a kinetic frenetic visual style, which may be what attracted producer Sam Raimi (I’m sure his EVIL DEAD trilogy was an inspiration). He puts you right in the thick of the action as the camera seems to dance about the combatants, weaving in and out, leaving the viewer nearly spent after a big stunt sequence. Yes, the energy is up, but it becomes somewhat repetitive after a bit, even to the point of (sorry) “overkill”. Maybe it’s too soon after the superior MONKEY MAN, but the story seems to lurch between the big battle sequences. Yes, there are some very clever ideas, with “The Culling” mixing elements of THE HUNGER GAMES, THE PURGE, and a touch of THE RUNNING MAN and the visor on the helmet of June 27 projecting digital messages (“Back away”, “No kids” and, of course “F#$* you”). It adds to the casual inhuman cruelty of the Van Der Koys, who also seem to stand in for many despised “one-percenters”. And there are a few amusing “call-backs”, particularly Boy’s inability to read the lips of Benny, resulting in a strange deluge of nonsense words. But just as the script shows a bit of wit, we’re soon drowning in a sea of gore (the CGI plasma bursts quickly became stale), perhaps hitting its zenith with a tribute to the Black Night of MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (I kept waiting for the drug-fueled goon to shout, “None shall pass!”). Mohr tries to dazzle us with some third-act plot twists and reveals, but we’re too pummeled by the body count to really care. Even action flick junkies may feel as though they’ve been “over-served” by the indulgences and excess of BOY KILLS WORLD.
2.5 Out of 4
BOY KILLS WORLD is now playing in theatres everywhere
Bill Skarsgård takes on the iconic role of THE CROW in this modern reimagining of the original graphic novel by James O’Barr.
Soulmates Eric Draven (Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.
Here’s a first look at the brand new trailer for THE CROW, in theaters June 7.
“I was a huge fan of the original film growing up as a kid and was so honored to take on the role of Eric Draven. But really what drew me to it was what Rupert Sanders wanted to do with it. He wanted to completely reimagine the story and the character and tailor it towards a modern audience. It’s a character that I know many revere and have a strong connection to – he is unlike any I’ve ever taken on before,” says star Bill Skarsgård.
FKA Twigs says she was thrilled to be in THE CROW, “I am so excited that the trailer is being unveiled and even more excited to have the world see the film this summer.”
Director Rupert Sanders says of the earlier film, “What Alex Proyas did with the Crow in 1994 – and Brandon Lee’s iconic embodiment of that character – will forever impact that generation and others to follow. It was a culture-defining film that is beloved to this day and has inspired many other iterations both inside and outside the Crow Universe.
That film sparked a fire with the youth of that day, a youth who grew up on hard, alternative rock, punk and metal, that binged on MTV and zines. It held a mirror to that generation in the aesthetic of the film, its smoky, rain-drenched streets, stylized and subverted sets, its leatherclad hero and chain wielding villains. It expressed its name in a very specific, music-driven vision, that spoke to a young audience who had never been spoken to in that way. It became a cult classic.”
Bill Skarsgård in THE CROW. Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate
Opening only in theaters and IMAX on March 24 is the highly anticipated JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Deadline is reporting the fourth chapter is “tracking today with a robust projection between $60M-$70M in what would rep the highest opening stateside for the Keanu Reeves R-rated franchise.” https://deadline.com/2023/03/john-wick-chapter-4-box-office-keanu-reeves-1235276778/
Check out this interview with Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski.
WAMG is giving away free passes to the advance screening in the St. Louis area. Tuesday, March 14th.
EMAIL michelle@wearemoviegeeks.com to enter.
WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed.
Directed by Chad Stahelski. Written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch. Based on Characters Created by Derek Kolstad.
Focus Features announced today that production has commenced on Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated next film NOSFERATU.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train) has joined the cast, starring alongside Bill Skarsgård (Barbarian), Nicholas Hoult (The Menu), Lily-Rose Depp (Wolf), Emma Corrin (Lady Chatterley’s Lover), Willem Dafoe (Inside), Simon McBurney (Carnival Row) and Ralph Ineson (The Green Night). NOSFERATU is written and directed by Robert Eggers. Jeff Robinov, John Graham, Eggers, Chris Columbus and Eleanor Columbus are producing the film, which is currently filming in Prague.
Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman in 19th century Germany and the ancient Transylvanian vampire who stalks her, bringing untold horror with him.
Taylor-Johnson will next be seen starring as the titular superhero character in the Marvel film, KRAVEN THE HUNTER. He recently wrapped production on the upcoming action/adventure film THE FALL GUY, re-teaming with director David Leitch who previously directed him in BULLET TRAIN. Taylor-Johnson’s additional credits include Christopher Nolan’s TENET and the action-spy feature, THE KING’S MAN, a prequel to the “Kingsman” film series. He is represented by WME, Brillstein Partners and Sloane, Weber legal.
Focus previously collaborated with Eggers on 2022’s THE NORTHMAN. The studio’s upcoming slate includes Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, an untitled comedy from Ethan Coen; Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society; A.V Rockwell’s A Thousand and One; Bill Holderman’s Book Club: The Next Chapter; My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 from Nia Vardalos; Zelda Williams’ Lisa Frankenstein; Goran Stolevski’s Of An Age; Vasilis Katsoupis’s Inside and Bobby Farrelly’s Champions, among others.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.
The highly anticipated Lionsgate film stars Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
Keanu Reeves as John Wick and Donnie Yen as Caine in John Wick 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
Check out the brand new trailer for JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
The film stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch and based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 opens in theaters March 24.
It was announced in early November Prime Video will launch The Continental, the highly anticipated special event series based on the blockbuster action franchise John Wick. The prequel is produced by Lionsgate Television, and will be exclusively available to Prime Video members worldwide excluding the U.S., Middle East and Israel in 2023.
The Continental is told from the perspective of the hotel manager, portrayed by Ian McShane in the film franchise – a young Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant). Throughout the series, viewers will follow Winston through the underworld of ’70’s New York, where he will battle demons from his past as he attempts to seize control of the iconic hotel – a hotel that serves as a meeting point for the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Woodell is joined by Mel Gibson (Braveheart), as Cormac; Ayomide Adegun (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), who will portray a young Charon (based on the character portrayed by Lance Reddick); Ben Robson (Vikings) as Frankie; Hubert Point-Du Jour (Dr. Death) as Miles; Jessica Allain (The Laundromat) playing Lou; Mishel Prada (Vida) as KD; Nhung Kate (The Housemaid) as Yen; and Peter Greene (Training Day), who dons the fedora of Uncle Charlie (based on the tight-lipped body disposal expert).
The John Wick films have grossed nearly $600 million worldwide to date, with each film outperforming its predecessor.
In “Barbarian,” a young woman traveling to Detroit for a job interview books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the evening, but soon discovers that there’s a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.
From 20th Century Studios and New Regency, “Barbarian” stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis, Richard Brake, Jaymes Butler and Kurt Braunohler. The film was written and directed by Zach Cregger. The producers are Arnon Milchan, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz. Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Danny Chan, Alex Lebovici and Bill Skarsgård are the film’s executive producers. The score is by Anna Drubich whose recent works are “Navalny,” “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” “Fear Street Trilogy” and “Werewolves Within.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Keanu Reeves speaks onstage during “Collider”: Directors on Directing Panel at Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
Fans of JOHN WICK got a first look at the teaser for the upcoming fourth installment of the franchise during San Diego Comic Con 2022 over the weekend.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.
Reeves surprised fans during “Collider”: Directors On Directing Panel and told fans about what fans will see in the movie.
Lionsgate will release JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 in theaters on March 24, 2023.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, based on characters created by Derek Kolstad, JOHN WICK 4 stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: (L-R) Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves speak onstage during “Collider”: Directors On Directing Panel At Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
