We Are Movie Geeks All things movies… as noted by geeks.

November 26, 2025

WAKE UP DEAD MAN – Review

Filed under: Review — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Cate Marquis @ 9:18 am
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. (L-R) Josh O’Connor and Josh Brolin in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025

Enormously entertaining, WAKE UP DEAD MAN offers more than a good murder mystery, delving into the soulful with an ex-boxer priest, playing excellently by Josh O’Connor, seeking his own forgiveness and an unforgiving monsignor, played menacingly by Josh Brolin, with his own little kingdom in a Gothic church isolated in a rural upstate New York that feels straight out of “The Headless Horseman.” Rian Johnson’s third installment in his Knives Out mystery series may be his best yet, featuring his droll Southern detective Beniot Blanc, the two Joshes and a star-studded cast of supporting players including Glen Close, Andrew Scott, and more.

A murder in a church sounds wrong but in Rian Johnson’s capable hands it turns into the perfect place in a story that pits faith and love against power and evil. The Gothic setting lends itself well to the tale of long-buried secrets and hidden motives in this isolated, claustrophobic small community. But director/writer Johnson makes you wait a bit for the crime and the detective, focusing first on Josh O’Connor’s priest as he grapples with his spiritual journey, trying to put love at the forefront, and overcoming the rage that led to him killing a man in the boxing ring.

To help him in wrestling those inner spiritual demons, and to help the church to unravel the curious goings-on at a remote little parish, his bishop (an unexpectedly darkly funny Jeffrey Wright) gives the young priest his first assignment. Not to replace the mysterious long-time priest, a monsignor, at that ancient church but as to be the assistant priest, and perhaps figure out what is happening there.

Josh O’Connor’s priest starts out with a firm belief in the power of love but a more knowing eye for human failings, his own and others. He arrives at the ancient church, which looks more like it was transported whole, complete with churchyard graves, from old England than something in New England. Josh Brolin’s parish priest gives the newcomer a chilly greeting, insisting on being called monsignor, and immediately asking him to hear his confession, a scalding one that leaves the young priest staggering. The battle of the Joshes is on.

Rian Johnson spins out this tale brilliantly, crafting the characters and the mystery to draw you in, and adding plenty of humor and twists along the way. Daniel Craig’s detective arrives a bit late but from that point on, the film takes the brakes off for a wild, massively entertaining ride, while still keeping it’s good versus evil. Figuring out who is good and who is evil is part of the fun.

Reportedly, this is the last of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out mysteries, which is disappointing news if true. This mystery is the best of the series, demonstrating the elastic nature of the genre and showcasing Johnson’s considerable talent.

Of course, that is aided mightily by the wonderful cast, especially first-rate performances from Josh O’Connor, who is really having a year, and Daniel Craig, as the clever, quipping detective. Some of best moments are between these two, as the believer debates the non-believer, in dialog that is both though-provoking and entertaining. Who wants to see that kind of film-making come to an end?

WAKE UP DEAD MAN opens Wednesday, Nov. 26, in theaters.

RATING: 4 out of 4 stars

September 8, 2022

Daniel Craig Is Benoit Blanc In Teaser For GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

Filed under: Netflix — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Michelle McCue @ 3:31 pm
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

On December 23rd, Netflix will premiere GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY.

In the follow up to Rian Johnson’s KNIVES OUT, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects.

Starring Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista, check out the brand new teaser.

According to Johnson, Blanc’s penchant for bombast is partly to thank for the film’s title, which pays homage to the 1968 Beatles song of the same name. “I’m always fishing for something fun that Blanc can grab onto as an overwrought metaphor that he can beat to death,” he says.  “This is all in plain sight from the very start. So, the idea of glass came to me, something that’s clear. I’ll be very honest. I literally got out my iPhone and searched my music library with the word glass.“There’s got to be some good glass songs.”I was like, “Oh, is it a glass fortress? Is it a glass castle? Is it a glass man?” The first thing that came up, because I’m a huge Beatles fan, is ‘Glass Onion.’” Read more on the new mystery here: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/glass-onion-knives-out-2-release-date-photos

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). (L-R) Kathryn Hahn as Claire, Madelyn Cline as Whiskey, Edward Norton as Myles, Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel, and Kate Hudson as Birdie. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). (L-R) Dave Bautista as Duke and Madelyn Cline as Whiskey. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (L-R) Edward Norton, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, and Daniel Craig. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.

June 28, 2021

KNIVES OUT 2, JOHN WICK 4 And AQUAMAN 2 All Begin Production Today

Filed under: Franchise,Movies — Tags: , , , , , , — Michelle McCue @ 3:15 pm

Monday was full of surprises for movie fans all over the world. Filmmakers Rian Johnson, James Wan and Chad Stahelski started production on the next installments of JOHN WICK, KNIVES OUT and AQUAMAN movies and all were announced via Social Media.

Director Rian Johnson announced filming on his sequel via Twitter. KNIVES OUT 2 is coming to Netflix in 2022.

Fans of JOHN WICK received their notifications via a text message, as well as the film’s official Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages. Lionsgate officially announced the fourth installment during John Wick 3’s opening weekend. The first three John Wick movies have grossed $584.7 million at the global box office. Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, Hiroyuki Sanada and Shamier Anderson, Lionsgate plans to release JOHN WICK 4, directed by Chad Stahelski, in theaters on May 27, 2022.

And lastly, director James Wan made his “chilly” announcement, with a curious title, on Facebook and Instagram for the sequel to the box office smash AQUAMAN.

Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, and two-time Golden Globe nominee Patrick Wilson starred in the DC superhero film, which was released December 21, 2018. Number 1 at the U.S. box office for three weeks, the title has become DC’s highest worldwide grossing film of all time.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is scheduled for a December 2022 release.

https://www.facebook.com/creepypuppet/posts/10158881284116487

Next up for Wan is “Malignant,” an original horror/thriller that takes him back to his indie filmmaking roots.

November 26, 2019

KNIVES OUT – Review

Filed under: Review — Tags: , , , , — Tom Stockman @ 8:32 pm

A dead body, a dozen shady characters, and an elegant country house filled with rooms and weapons. Those are the ingredients for KNIVES OUT, a farcical revival of the old fashioned whodunit that audiences are being served this Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a big entertainment which manages to well-capture the magic of the bygone era of all-star mysteries while providing modern twists and hearty laughs along the way.

Christopher Plummer plays Harlan Thrombey, a millionaire publishing baron whose greedy children, in-laws, and grandchildren have lived off of his generosity all their lives. . When the family assembles at Thrombey Mansion to celebrate the patriarch’s 85th birthday, stress and strain are obvious as the old man has announced that he has, for one reason or another, cut off the family’s gravy train. This makes everyone at the gathering a suspect the next morning when Thrombey’s nurse Marta (Ana de Armas) comes to wake him up only to find his throat cut ear to ear (this is the opening scene – not a spoiler – the time-line jumps back and forth). The murderer’s row of colorful would-be killers starts with Harlan’s unpleasant real estate mogul daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis). Or perhaps the murderer is Linda’s unfaithful husband Richard (Don Johnson). Or maybe it’s their cocky son Ransom (a particularly smarmy Chris Evans). Then there’s Harlan’s cagey son Walt (Michael Shannon), who’s just been booted from the family publishing empire. There’s also Joni (Toni Collette), the widow of Harlan’s late son who’s been caught taken advantage the old man’s largesse by double-dipping into his payments for her daughter Meg’s (Katherine Langford ) college expense. That’s two more suspects. The maid Fran (Edie Patterson) has a drug problem, and then there’s Marta, who’s been considered part of the family for years, yet nobody seems to be sure where she’s from (Uruguay? Paraguay? – a funny running gag). A pair of detectives assigned to the case (Noah Segan and Lakeith Stanfield) can’t decide whether this is a suicide or foul play, so agree to let flamboyant private investigator, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig sporting a Yosemite Sam southern drawl), who’s been hired by someone (?), to help them interrogate everyone in the house. When questioned, each insinuates that another family member had a stronger reason to want Harlan dead. None can be trusted to tell the truth, except perhaps Marta, who has the unfortunate habit of projectile vomiting when she lies. Giving away more than that wouldn’t just be unsporting, it would be difficult, because from this point, KNIVES OUT is off and running with a plot that subscribes to the old screwball comedy philosophy that you can sell the audience just about anything if you do it fast enough. As the entire plot twists are whizzing by, you may not notice that eventually KNIVES OUT falls short in the satisfying level when all is said and done, at least in terms of who the culprit is (or if there was even a murder at all). So if you’re in this for an Agatha Christie-style mystery, or have some hope of getting a jump on the characters and figuring it out in advance, you may or may not be out of luck. But if you’re open to a weirdly atmospheric comedy that sprints from deadpan to manic and back again, it’s a delight. The cast is all working at the top of their game. The largest role is given to the star with the shortest resume. Ana de Armas, so loveable as the sexy hologram in BLADE RUNNER 2049 is given a lot to do in a demanding role but keeps up with her more seasoned co-stars. Daniel Craig plays it way over-the-top, and while it takes a while to get used to his accent, it eventually fits into the spirit of the film.

The script and direction by Rian Johnson are clever and dynamic, the cinematography and set design ravishing (the circle of knives displayed in the film’s ads is just one of the many glorious eccentricities of Thrombey Manor). One minor complaint with KNIVES OUT is the climax when Blanc assembles all the pieces for us, defines all that has happened, and revisits the timeline to explain events in flashback. It’s a classic murder mystery trope, but usually consists of the movie’s final ten minutes, not the final thirty (I was thinking ‘Let’s get on with it’). But still, KNIVES OUT is a lot of fun, like a party on the screen to which we have all been invited.

3 1/2 of 4 Stars

December 15, 2017

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI – Review

Filed under: Review — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Jim Batts @ 12:03 am

 

Movie fans have yet another reason to be giddy near the end of the year ( besides the big serious Oscar films and those great special DVD sets that Santa brings). For the last two years around this time we’ve been transported to that “galaxy far, far away”. When the Disney company bought Lucasfilm they made a promise to continue the saga AND delve into the mythos with “stand -alone” spin-off films. The “mouse house” has more than kept their promise. 2015 saw the much-anticipated release of “Episode VII” in the saga, introducing a new set of heroes and villains along with returning characters from the original first trilogy. Last year, while another episode was in production, we got the first live-action spin-off, a prequel of sorts to the first film, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. Both films were box office smashes with VII becoming the biggest B.O. blockbuster of all time. Now the cast and crew have re-united, under the guidance of a new director/screenwriter for “Episode VIII” also known as STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Really…the last?

 

Despite the decisive victory over the First Order in the last film (the Star Destroyer “blowed up real good”), the rebel forces are in hot water once more. They’re outgunned by the Order’s massive fleet, but one pilot takes his X-wing toward certain death. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) can inflict some major damage if he can outwit the revenge-seeking General Hux (Dominhall Gleeson). The plan seems to work until Poe ignores orders from resistance leader General Organa (Carrie Fisher). When the Order’s fleet follows the rebels through hyper-space, all may be lost. Cut back to the final moments of the last installment as Rey (Daisy Ridley) meets the legendary last Jedi knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Rey is eager to learn the ways of the “Force”, but Luke is still full of regret over past failures. Speaking of which, we catch up with former pupil gone bad Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who is still straining under the watchful eyes of Supreme Leader Snoke (“mo-cap” by Andy Serkis). Back on the main rebel ship, reformed stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) finally awakens from his wounds inflicted by Kylo. Finn tries to get away and find Rey, but is stopped by grieving mechanic Rose (Kelly Marie Tran). She believes she can disable the tracking devices on the Order’s ship. The duo enlist Poe’s help in finding a master “code breaker’ for the job, all while alluding new commander (Leia is injured), Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). As Rose, Finn, and droid BB-8 travel to a casino planet, Luke discovers that Rey is leaning toward the dark side, and is able to communicate with Kylo via the Force. Will the last of the knights be able to pull her back as he faces his former student. And will Poe’s secret mission succeed? If not, the rebellion may be finished.

 


As with the last installment fans get a chance to see several favorites from the first trilogy alongside those who’ll help the franchise “live long and prosper” (oops, wrong space series). The big draw here is Hamill returning to his iconic role. Skywalker, now 34 years older, is closer to that “crazy old hermit” Ben Kenobi that he encountered on Tatooine. He just wants to be left alone, still stinging from past failures which overshadow his triumphs. Yet he somehow gives us a hint that the vibrant warrior is not gone, but rather dormant, just waiting for his moment. Hard to believe, but it was nearly a year ago that Fisher unexpectantly passed away. Reports quickly surfaced that her work was complete for this and perhaps the next film. Happily, we see much more of her here than in last year’s AWAKENS. Leia’s keen strategy and leadership skills are on full display. She’s a stern taskmaster (as Poe finds out), but still a nurturing, warm maternal figure. As for the characters we first met two years ago, the actors are easing into the roles (maybe they feel less pressure after the success of their debut). Ridley’s Rey is full of fierce determination and a yearning to learn how to harness her skills. There’s a sadness in her also as she hopes to learn of the family that tossed her aside. Boyega as Finn embraces his new role as rebel agent, becoming confident as his life has a greater purpose. Isaac’s Poe still has lots of that familiar Han Solo-style swagger, though his vanity has truly taken its toll (too bad he never heard Han’s great advice to Luke:”Don’t get cocky!”). He’s a guy whose ego is as deadly as his piloting.

 

As for the “baddies”, Driver as Kylo Ren continues to have lots of issues: anger, family, authority. He’s a tightly coiled cobra, ready to lash out at friend or foe. Here he reaches out and tries to make an emotional connection exposing his inner lonely child. Gleeson as Hux has quite the temper also. He’s more of a self-serving, ambitious dilettante who believes he deserves much more respect. This time out Smoke is not a massive hologram projection, rather a lizard-like wraith give expressive life by Serkis. Also returning is Gwendoline Christie as the imposing Captain Phasma, who gets to showcase her considerable fighting talents.

 

Two familiar actors make their first saga appearances. Dern is a most intimidating leader as the no-nonsense Holdo, a boss with no tolerance for “hot-shots” like Poe. On their mission, Finn and Rose encounter an ally, DJ played by Benicio Del Toro, a con artist with conflicted loyalties whose pessimism comes right from this modern world. Speaking of Rose, Tran offers us a different type of rebel, one used to working in the shadows, who discovers that coming forward may be the best way to deal with her grief.

 

Speaking of saga newbies, Rian Johnson, who hasn’t made a feature since 2012’s LOOPER (he directed some episodes of the acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad”), has directed a most engrossing entry, one that he also wrote. While AWAKENS took some critical heat for being a rehash of the original’s plot, Johnson takes some inspiration from the first sequel (1980’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK or “Episode V”), with his training subplot (Luke and Yoda becomes Luke and Rey), but generates tension with some creative twists. Rose and Finn head to a “pleasure planet” that feels like the Monte Carlo version of the Mos Eisley Cantina (still a “hive of scum and villainy”, but with fancy attire) in a “caper” plot (think “Ocean’s 1138”). Luckily the script has plenty of humor (Poe talks to Hux), even taking a jab at sacred saga tropes (Rey thinks using the Force is “moving rocks”). And kudos for making the affable flying ace Poe a really flawed guy. Of course the film is visually stunning from Luke’s rocky emerald isle to the “whiz-whiz, zap-zap” space battles (maybe too tough to follow at times, like the episode VI finale). And the John Williams score is sweeping, lush, and full of emotional heft (the new themes for Rey and her pals are really growing on me). Johnson balances the big action set pieces (one of the greatest light saber fights) with several compelling intimate moments (how the rebellion inspires hope). And though work has started on the next film which will “wrap up” this third trilogy, Johnson’s last act almost seems like a conclusion (no “cliff-hanger” as with EMPIRE). Either way, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is a superior, soaring sequel that’s full of the same kind of wonder that grabbed movie-goers 40 years ago in a theatre far, far away.

 

4.5 out of 5

 

October 8, 2017

New STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Trailer To Debut During “Monday Night Football” Tomorrow October 9

Filed under: Movies — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Michelle McCue @ 9:02 am

Photo: John Wilson..©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Proof that sports and movies can co-exist in the same galaxy, a brand new trailer for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI will debut on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on Monday, October 9, during halftime of the National Football League (NFL) game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears in Chicago. The game starts at 5:15 p.m. PDT/8:15 p.m. EDT.

Lucasfilm also announced today that following the trailer launch, tickets to the highly anticipated cinematic event will be on sale everywhere movie tickets are sold.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.

©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi..Finn (John Boyega) in a Ski Speeder on Crait..Photo: Industrial Light & Magic/Lucasfilm..©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

In Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

January 23, 2017

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Episode VIII Title Revealed – Hitting Theaters December 15, 2017

Filed under: Movies — Tags: , , — Michelle McCue @ 10:16 am

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Disney has sent out a press release about the next STAR WARS film.

We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy.  In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga:  STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

This is the followup to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was released in theaters on December 18, 2015. According to BoxOfficeMojo, the worldwide total now stands at $2,068,223,624.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, Episode VII stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow.

February 15, 2016

Rian Johnson’s STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII Starts Filming; Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern Added To Cast

Filed under: Movies — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Michelle McCue @ 12:21 pm

Ep-8-thumb-1536x864-278076908271

News on STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII broke on Monday during the President’s Day holiday.

Rey took her first steps into a larger world in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII, which is written and directed by Rian Johnson and continues the storylines introduced in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, welcomes back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. New cast members will include Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern, and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. Joining the production crew will be some of the industry’s top talent, including Steve Yedlin (Director of Photography), Bob Ducsay (Editor), Rick Heinrichs (Production Designer), Peter Swords King (Hair and Make-Up Designer), and Mary Vernieu (US Casting Director). They will be joining returning crew members Pippa Anderson (Co-Producer, VP Post Production), Neal Scanlan (Creature & Droid FX Creative Supervisor), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Jamie Wilkinson (Prop Master), Chris Corbould (SFX Supervisor), Rob Inch (Stunt Coordinator), Ben Morris (VFX Supervisor), and Nina Gold (UK Casting Director).

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

March 12, 2015

STAR WARS News: Episode VIII In Theaters May 26, 2017; ROGUE ONE Stand Alone Movie Title

Filed under: General News — Tags: , , , , — Michelle McCue @ 12:25 pm

star wars

During Disney’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders this morning, Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, made several announcements about the Star Wars cinematic galaxy.

StarWars.com reports:

Iger announced news regarding the first Star Wars stand-alone movie as well as Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Rogue One is the title for the first film in a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga. Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) and written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About a Boy, Antz).

The first actress cast is Felicity Jones, who garnered an Academy Award nomination and critical acclaim for her performance in The Theory of Everything. The idea for the story of Rogue One came from John Knoll, an Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic. He will executive produce along with Simon Emanuel (The Dark Knight Rises, Fast & Furious 6) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds). Kathleen Kennedy and Tony To (Band of Brothers, The Pacific) are on board to produce and John Swartz (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will co-produce.

The film starts shooting this summer in London and is due for release on December 16, 2016.

In addition, Iger confirmed that Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII.

The film, which continues the saga after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is set for release on May 26, 2017 — forty years and a day after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977.

Johnson is widely considered one of cinema’s most gifted young filmmakers, having directed the modern sci-fi classic, Looper, as well as Brick and The Brothers Bloom. He was also behind the camera for three episodes of the critically-acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, including “Ozymandias,” which series creator Vince Gilligan named as the best installment of the show. Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman, producer of Looper, Don Jon, Brick, and The Brothers Bloom, are on board to produce.

7_App_Artwork_E7_SWCT_TFA

The Topps Company, Inc. today released Star Wars™: Card Trader, the official Star Wars™ digital trading card app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Available now exclusively on the App Store, Star Wars: Card Trader brings the thrill of the chase of digital collecting to Star Wars fans everywhere.

“In the same way that digital media is transforming reading books, listening to music and watching television, Card Trader is revolutionizing Star Wars collecting,” said Michael Bramlage, Vice President of Digital at Topps. “Your favorite characters, vehicles and locations from the Star Wars universe can be collected and traded on your iOS device, from anywhere at any time.”

Star Wars: Card Trader launches with exciting new features, including:

· The First Cards From Star Wars: The Force Awakens: BB-8, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, Rey and other recently announced new characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens are here! Go to the Cantina and blast open packs to try to find these exciting new cards, all released in vintage-inspired “Star Wars ‘77” blue and red border designs.

· Trading Like A Jawa: The Star Wars: Card Trader app is like a 24/7 Star Wars card convention that you can take with you anywhere you go. Meet real people, make friends, complete trades and build your collection with confidence using features like 9-for-9 trading and Trader Ratings to highlight your trading partner’s trustworthiness.

· Classic Re-Releases: Only Topps brings you over 30 years of official-licensed Star Wars trading cards in new, high-definition digital format, from the vintage era to today. Haven’t collected cards in a while? Check out Topps’ state-of-the-art Parallax and Motion cards, innovations that could never have existed in cardboard!

“The same team that brought you the award-winning and top-grossing app, Topps BUNT, is behind Star Wars: Card Trader,” said Bramlage. “It is a must-have app for anyone who considers themselves a Star Wars fan.”

Star Wars: Card Trader is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id946777364?mt=8&c=Generic&pid=PR

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

3_App_Artwork_E7_SWCT_Splash

August 17, 2012

Second Wave of FANTASTIC FEST 2012 Films Announced

Filed under: Fantastic Fest,Film Festivals,General News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Travis Keune @ 8:07 pm

The second wave of genre films slotted to play this year’s Fantastic Fest has been unleashed upon the masses. Among the the are two of the year’s most anticipated films, LOOPER and SINISTER. Continue reading for the films announced and a brief plot synopsis of each… but, do so at your own risk! (The inconceivable awesomeness of Fantastic Fest may be too much for some to handle. Those unaccustomed to this level of awesomeness should refrain from indulging in such films without first consulting your physician to verify you are in fact an adult with adventurous taste and not still just a sniveling, winy brat.)

THE ABCs OF DEATH (2012)
US Premiere with multiple directors in person
Director – Various, 110 minutes
Twenty-six directors. Twenty-six ways to die. Co-produced by Drafthouse Films, and finally ready to be unleashed—see what happens when you give more than two dozen of the most brilliant filmmakers from around the world free reign to indulge their creative impulses and black humor. From A to Z, it’s got something for every genre fan and is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

THE AMERICAN SCREAM (2012)
World Premiere with director Michael Paul Stephenson and stars Manny Souza and Victor Bariteau in person
Director – Michael Paul Stephenson, 81 minutes
In a small Massachusetts community, three Halloween-obsessed households transform into neighbor-terrifying supernatural wonderlands in this surprisingly touching documentary from the director of BEST WORST MOVIE.

COLD BLOODED (2012)
Regional Premiere with director Jason LaPeyre in person
Director – Jason LaPeyre, 86 minutes
Things quickly spiral out of control when a policewoman must protect her recently comatose suspect from a violent crime boss who has cornered them in an isolated hospital wing.

COLD STEEL (2011)
Texas Premiere
Director – David Wu, 107 minutes
After 17 years spent directing television series in North America, director David Wu (a longtime collaborator of John Woo) returns to his native China to deliver the heart-pounding World War II epic COLD STEEL.

DOOMSDAY BOOK (2012)
Austin Premiere
Director – KIM Jee-woon and YIM Pil-sung, 113 minutes
Innovative Korean genre directors Kim Ji-Woon (A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, A BITTERSWEET LIFE, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE WEIRD, I SAW THE DEVIL) and Yim Pil-Sung (HANSEL & GRETEL) turn their imaginations to apocalyptic sci-fi with this three-part omnibus film which outlines three possible ways in which the world goes kaput.

GRACELAND (2012)
Texas Premiere with director Ron Morales and producers Theo Brooks and Joshua Sobel in person
Director – Ron Morales, 84 minutes
When a driver for a powerful congressman picks up his and his boss’s daughter from school, he’s annoyed to find himself being pulled over. But this alleged cop, far from an officer of the law, sets in motion a downward spiral of kidnapping, murder, deceit and deep depravity.

HENGE + THE BIG GUN (2012)
US Premiere
Director – Hajime OHATA, 106 minutes
A double shot from Japanese up-and-comer Hajime Ohata. Blending elements of Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Shinya Tsukamoto with just the right amount of kaiju monster battles, Ohata is quickly building a reputation as one of Japan’s brightest new talents.

HERE COMES THE DEVIL (2012)
US Premiere with director Adrian Garcia Bogliano in person
Director – Adrian Garcia Bogliano, 97 minutes
Fantastic Fest veteran Adrian Garcia  Bogliano (COLD SWEAT, PENUMBRA) returns with his latest supernatural horror.  When two children who went missing while exploring a cave are found, it quickly becomes apparent something evil has come home with them.

HOLY MOTORS (2012)
North American Premiere
Director – Leos Carax, 116 minutes
While following a day in the life of Mr. Oscar as he attends several appointments, things quickly unravel and spiral out of control, abandoning all sense of logic or sanity.  Fans of Carax’s ‘Mierde’ segment of Fantastic Fest 2008 hit TOKYO! will be right back at home.

LOOPER (2012)
Special Screening with director Rian Johnson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in person
Director – Rian Johnson, 118 minutes
In the futuristic action thriller LOOPER, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market.  When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe – is waiting to mop up.  Joe is getting rich and life is good… until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self for assassination. The film, starring Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Emily Blunt, is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Ram Bergman and James D. Stern.

MY AMITYVILLE HORROR (2012)
US Premiere
Director – Eric Walter, 88 minutes
You’ve seen the movie, now hear the story of the Amityville haunting from someone who lived it. Regardless of the source, it’s clear there was darkness in that Long Island house.

NEW KIDS NITRO (2012)
US Premiere with cast Huub Smit, Wesley van Gaalen, Steffen Haars and Flip Van der Kuil
Director – Steffen Haars & Flip van der Kuil, 78 minutes
In 2011, NEW KIDS TURBO rocked Fantastic Fest audiences with its potent brand of Dutch gross-out humor. Now, Fantastic Fest is proud to present the highly anticipated—and very offensive—sequel: NEW KIDS NITRO.

NO REST FOR THE WICKED (2012)
Regional Premiere
Director – Enrique Urbizu, 104 minutes
A dirty cop who tries to cover up a crime stumbles upon a massive criminal conspiracy.  NO REST FOR THE WICKED swept the Spanish Goya awards this year with an electrifying performance by lead actor Jose Coronado.

OUTRAGE BEYOND (2012)
US Premiere
Director – Takeshi Kitano, 112 minutes
As Japanese police launch a full-scale crackdown on organized crime, it ignites a national yakuza struggle between the Sanno of the East and Hanabishi of the West.  What started as internal strife in director Takeshi Kitano’s OUTRAGE, has now become a nationwide war in his latest film OUTRAGE BEYOND.

SINISTER (2012)
Special Screening with director Scott Derrickson, producer Jason Blum and writer C. Robert Cargill in person
Director – Scott Derrickson, 110 minutes
SINISTER is a frightening new thriller about a true crime novelist who discovers a box of mysterious, disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror.

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING (2012)
World Premiere with Dolph Lundgren and Scott Adkins in person
Director – John Hyams, 93 minutes
Surviving Unisols Luc Deveraux and Andrew Scott battle anarchy to build a new order ruled by Unisols without government oversight. To accomplish this, they weed out the weak and constantly test their strongest warriors in brutal, life-and-death combat.

VANISHING WAVES (2012)
US Premiere
Director – Kristina Buozyte, 124 minutes
A scientist with a neurological research team volunteers to experiment with a new technology which will allow him to access the thoughts of a coma victim.

WARPED FOREST, THE (2011)
US Premiere
Director – Shunichiro Miki, 81 minutes
Shunichiro Miki delivers a shot of utter madness. Penis guns! Nipple monsters! A giant girl running a very small shop! This quasi-sequel to THE FUNKY FOREST more than lives up to the weird factor of its predecessor.

Fantastic Fest – Austin, Texas – September 20-27, 2012!

Look for more film and event programming announcements for Fantastic Fest in the weeks ahead. For the latest developments, tickets and badges visit the Fantastic Fest official site and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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