Four-time Oscar® nominee Ethan Hawke (Best Supporting Actor, Boyhood, 2015) stars as an ex-mercenary who’s given one last shot at redemption in the wall-to-wall nonstop action-thriller 24 Hours to Live, exploding on Blu-ray (plus Digital), DVD and Digital February 6 from Lionsgate. The film is currently available On Demand. Directed by Brian Smrz, known for his stunt work on films like Live Free or Die Hard, Minority Report and Iron Man 3, and written by Ron Mita, Jim McClain, and Zach Dean, the film is produced by John Wick’s Basil Iwanyk, Gregory Ouanhon, and Mark Gao. This action-thriller is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The 24 Hours to Live Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.
Official Synopsis
Ethan Hawke gives an explosive performance in this epic action-thriller from the producers of John Wick. Travis Conrad (Hawke) is a...
The 24 Hours to Live Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.
Official Synopsis
Ethan Hawke gives an explosive performance in this epic action-thriller from the producers of John Wick. Travis Conrad (Hawke) is a...
- 1/24/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Sometimes all you need in Hollywood is an idea that executives don’t have to think too hard about. So when screenwriters Zach Dean, Jim McClain, and Ron Mita sent “24 Hours To Live” around town, they must’ve rattled off “John Wick,” “Flatliners,” “Jason Bourne,” “In Time,” and “Edge Of Tomorrow” as similar movies, because this trailer sure plays like an unholy mix of all of those.
Continue reading ’24 Hours To Live’ Trailer: Ethan Hawke Flick Is Like ‘John Wick’ Meets ‘Flatliners’ Meets ‘Jason Bourne’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading ’24 Hours To Live’ Trailer: Ethan Hawke Flick Is Like ‘John Wick’ Meets ‘Flatliners’ Meets ‘Jason Bourne’ at The Playlist.
- 10/17/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Now a successful producer, John Wayne tries a big budget action picture with an anti-Communist theme. It’s The Alamo on a ferryboat, set in the far East where the locals are a hungerin’ for Freedom. Wayne is an apolitical adventurer who just feels like savin’ Chinese and kissin’ Lauren Bacall. Ace director William Wellman holds it together — barely.
Blood Alley
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date July 18, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Paul Fix, Joy Kim, Berry Kroeger, Mike Mazurki, Wei Ling, Henry Nakamura.
Cinematography: William H. Clothier
Film Editor: Fred McDowell
Original Music: Roy Webb
Written by A.S. Fleischman, from his novel.
Produced by John Wayne
Directed by William Wellman
John Wayne was extremely busy in 1955, starring in movies for big studios as well as for his own company Batjac. He was rated the most popular Hollywood star and was making constant public appearances,...
Blood Alley
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1955 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date July 18, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Paul Fix, Joy Kim, Berry Kroeger, Mike Mazurki, Wei Ling, Henry Nakamura.
Cinematography: William H. Clothier
Film Editor: Fred McDowell
Original Music: Roy Webb
Written by A.S. Fleischman, from his novel.
Produced by John Wayne
Directed by William Wellman
John Wayne was extremely busy in 1955, starring in movies for big studios as well as for his own company Batjac. He was rated the most popular Hollywood star and was making constant public appearances,...
- 7/6/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
- 5/19/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Saban Films has acquired Us rights to Brian Smrz’s assassin thriller 24 Hours To Live starring Ethan Hawke and Chinese actress Xu Qing.Sierra/Affinity handles international sales and will screen the film in Cannes.Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the story of a hitman who turns rogue when his latest mission goes wrong.Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films’ Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon produced, and Fundamental Films fully f
Saban Films has acquired Us rights to Brian Smrz’s assassin thriller 24 Hours To Live starring Ethan Hawke and Chinese actress Xu Qing.
Sierra/Affinity handles international sales and will screen the film in Cannes.
Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the story of a hitman who turns rogue when his latest mission goes wrong.
Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films’ Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon produced, and [link=co...
Saban Films has acquired Us rights to Brian Smrz’s assassin thriller 24 Hours To Live starring Ethan Hawke and Chinese actress Xu Qing.
Sierra/Affinity handles international sales and will screen the film in Cannes.
Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the story of a hitman who turns rogue when his latest mission goes wrong.
Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films’ Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon produced, and [link=co...
- 5/17/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Saban Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Brian Smrz's 24 Hours to Live, starring Ethan Hawke.
Chinese actress Xu Qing, Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the thriller from the producer behind the John Wick franchise and Sicario. It will receive a theatrical release later this year.
Penned by Zachary Dean and based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain, 24 Hours to Live follows a career assassin who turns rogue after his latest mission goes awry.
Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films' Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon produced...
Chinese actress Xu Qing, Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the thriller from the producer behind the John Wick franchise and Sicario. It will receive a theatrical release later this year.
Penned by Zachary Dean and based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain, 24 Hours to Live follows a career assassin who turns rogue after his latest mission goes awry.
Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films' Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon produced...
- 5/17/2017
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Saban Films has picked up U.S. rights to Brian Smrz's 24 Hours to Live starring Ethan Hawke and Chinese actress Xu Qing. Paul Anderson, Liam Cunningham and Rutger Hauer also star in the upcoming thriller, which will receive a theatrical release later this year. Zachary Dean writes based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain. Story follows a career assassin who turns rogue after his latest mission goes awry. Thunder Road's Basil Iwanyk and Fundamental Films'…...
- 5/17/2017
- Deadline
Of the many treasures I’ve collected since making comics, the friendships gained are the most valuable. One such friendship, with writer and artist Jim McClain, stands above and beyond nearly any other – save perhaps only for my frenemy Dan Dougherty (a.k.a. “Beardo”). For those who aren’t in the know, Jim represents literally the best kind person: a selfless, intelligent, driven man whose comic book career comes in between his time as a school teacher, husband, and father. This week, I’m proud to hang up my snark and snarl. Instead, I get to put on my hat of friendship and sharing. Solution Squad by Jim McClain is a gem of a series you’d be smart to jump on.
I’ll spare you the dynamic origin story. Jim wrote it already.
Are you back? Good.
Ask a younger Marc – pre-being-a-dad – how often he might stop at...
I’ll spare you the dynamic origin story. Jim wrote it already.
Are you back? Good.
Ask a younger Marc – pre-being-a-dad – how often he might stop at...
- 4/15/2017
- by Marc Alan Fishman
- Comicmix.com
Of the many treasures I’ve collected since making comics, the friendships gained are the most valuable. One such friendship, with writer and artist Jim McClain, stands above and beyond nearly any other – save perhaps only for my frenemy Dan Dougherty (a.k.a. “Beardo”). For those who aren’t in the know, Jim represents literally the best kind person: a selfless, intelligent, driven man whose comic book career comes in between his time as a school teacher, husband, and father. This week, I’m proud to hang up my snark and snarl. Instead, I get to put on my hat of friendship and sharing. Solution Squad by Jim McClain is a gem of a series you’d be smart to jump on.
I’ll spare you the dynamic origin story. Jim wrote it already.
Are you back? Good.
Ask a younger Marc – pre-being-a-dad – how often he might stop at...
I’ll spare you the dynamic origin story. Jim wrote it already.
Are you back? Good.
Ask a younger Marc – pre-being-a-dad – how often he might stop at...
- 4/15/2017
- by Marc Alan Fishman
- Comicmix.com
Political terror scenarios were a bit simpler in the 1950s, and movies about them fairly rare. Frank Sinatra gives a strong performance as the villain John Baron, in a tense tale of presidential assassination by high-powered rifle. Suddenly Blu-ray The Film Detective 1954 / B&W / 1.75 widescreen / 75 min. / Street Date October 25, 2016 / 14.99 Starring Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason, Nancy Gates, Willis Bouchey, Cinematography Charles G. Clarke Art Direction Frank Sylos Film Editor John F. Schreyer Original Music David Raksin Written by Richard Sale Produced by Robert Bassler Directed by Lewis Allen
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Some disc companies do well by refurbishing movies in the Public Domain, using various methods to bring what were once bargain-bin eyesores nearer the level of releases made from prime source material in studio vaults. As I've reported with efforts by HD Cinema Classics and Vci, the results vary dramatically -- did the company do a professional job,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Some disc companies do well by refurbishing movies in the Public Domain, using various methods to bring what were once bargain-bin eyesores nearer the level of releases made from prime source material in studio vaults. As I've reported with efforts by HD Cinema Classics and Vci, the results vary dramatically -- did the company do a professional job,...
- 10/8/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Shanghai-based Fundamental Films and Thunder Road Pictures of Los Angeles announced the casting additions on Tuesday.
Thriller 24 Hours To Live stars previously announced Ethan Hawke and China’s Xu Qing. CAA handles Us rights and Sierra/Affinity international sales.
Brian Smrz directs from a screenplay by Zachary Dean based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain and principal photography is underway in Cape Town, South Africa.
The story centres on an assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily when he dies on the job.
Fundamental Films is fully financing the project and Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon serve as producers
Jon Kuyper, Kent Kubena, Jonathan Fuhrman and Gary Glushon are the executive producers.
Fundamental and Thunder Road are also collaborating on Outlaws Inc., announced earlier this year. Fundamental is also the lead financier on [link...
Thriller 24 Hours To Live stars previously announced Ethan Hawke and China’s Xu Qing. CAA handles Us rights and Sierra/Affinity international sales.
Brian Smrz directs from a screenplay by Zachary Dean based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain and principal photography is underway in Cape Town, South Africa.
The story centres on an assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily when he dies on the job.
Fundamental Films is fully financing the project and Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon serve as producers
Jon Kuyper, Kent Kubena, Jonathan Fuhrman and Gary Glushon are the executive producers.
Fundamental and Thunder Road are also collaborating on Outlaws Inc., announced earlier this year. Fundamental is also the lead financier on [link...
- 8/9/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The actors have joined Ethan Hawke in the upcoming thriller from China’s Fundamental Films and Thunder Road Pictures.
Brian Smrz is lined up to direct 24 Hours To Live in Cape Town in June. Fundamental fully finances the project and Sierra/Affinity continues international sales in Cannes.
Zachary Dean wrote the screenplay based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain about a career assassin who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily.
Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon serve as producers on 24 Hours To Live.
Jon Kuyper, Kent Kubena, Jonathan Fuhrman, and Gary Glushon are executive producers.
Brian Smrz is lined up to direct 24 Hours To Live in Cape Town in June. Fundamental fully finances the project and Sierra/Affinity continues international sales in Cannes.
Zachary Dean wrote the screenplay based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain about a career assassin who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily.
Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon serve as producers on 24 Hours To Live.
Jon Kuyper, Kent Kubena, Jonathan Fuhrman, and Gary Glushon are executive producers.
- 5/10/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Common (Selma) and Chinese actress Xu Qing (Looper) have joined Ethan Hawke (Boyhood) in Brian Smrz’s thriller 24 Hours to Live. Fundamental Films and Thunder Road Pictures are producing with shooting set to commence this June in South Africa. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales at Cannes. Penned by Zachary Dean and based on an original script from Ron Mita & Jim McClain, 24 Hours to Live follows a career assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his…...
- 5/10/2016
- Deadline
Rapper Common and Chinese actress Xu Qing are set to join Ethan Hawke in the cast of the Brian Smrz-directed thriller "24 Hours to Live" for Fundamental Films and Thunder Road Pictures.
Scripted by Zachary Dean and based on an original story from Ron Mita and Jim McClain, the story follows a career assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily - just after being killed on the job.
Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon are producing and filming begins in South Africa next month.
Source: Variety...
Scripted by Zachary Dean and based on an original story from Ron Mita and Jim McClain, the story follows a career assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily - just after being killed on the job.
Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon are producing and filming begins in South Africa next month.
Source: Variety...
- 5/10/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
By John M. Whalen
“A Bullet for Joey” (1955) with Edward G. Robinson, George Raft and Audrey Totter is one of those “Red scare” movies from the mid-fifties that combines elements of a crime plot with espionage and the evils of communism. It was the Cold War era and people were digging bomb shelters and practicing “duck and cover” air raid drills, while at the same time, congressional committees hauled in suspected Communist Party members, including actors, writers and directors, to testify and name names. Hollywood did its part, in turn, by black listing suspected commies and turning out anti-communism films like John Wayne’s “Big Jim McClain” “The Woman on Pier 13 (“I Married a Communist”), and “I Was a Communist for the FBI.” “A Bullet for Joey”, despite having two of Hollywood’s toughest tough guy actors in the cast, is one of the weaker examples of this sub-genre.
“A Bullet for Joey” (1955) with Edward G. Robinson, George Raft and Audrey Totter is one of those “Red scare” movies from the mid-fifties that combines elements of a crime plot with espionage and the evils of communism. It was the Cold War era and people were digging bomb shelters and practicing “duck and cover” air raid drills, while at the same time, congressional committees hauled in suspected Communist Party members, including actors, writers and directors, to testify and name names. Hollywood did its part, in turn, by black listing suspected commies and turning out anti-communism films like John Wayne’s “Big Jim McClain” “The Woman on Pier 13 (“I Married a Communist”), and “I Was a Communist for the FBI.” “A Bullet for Joey”, despite having two of Hollywood’s toughest tough guy actors in the cast, is one of the weaker examples of this sub-genre.
- 3/16/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Nick Meyer and his sales team have licensed key territories at the Efm led by deals with Snd in France and Square One in Germany.
Ethan Hawke will star for Thunder Road Pictures and China’s Fundamental Films in 24 Hours To Live as a hitman brought back to life who must team up with the female super-spy that killed him to bring down a crime syndicate.
Sierra/Affinity has close deals in: Italy (Eagle Films); Spain (Key2Media); Latin America (Gussi Films); Canada (Vvs Films); Benelux (The Searchers); Middle East, India Turkey, Greece (Italia Film); and South Korea (Woo Sung).
Japan has gone to Klockworx, Indonesia to Cinemaxx, South Africa to Ster Kinekor, Vietnam to Noori Pictures, and airlines to Cinesky. Fundamental Films finances the film and will distribute in China.
Brian Smrz will direct and Basil Iwanyk produce with his Thunder Road colleague Kent Kubena, and Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon of Fundamental.
Zach Dean is writing...
Ethan Hawke will star for Thunder Road Pictures and China’s Fundamental Films in 24 Hours To Live as a hitman brought back to life who must team up with the female super-spy that killed him to bring down a crime syndicate.
Sierra/Affinity has close deals in: Italy (Eagle Films); Spain (Key2Media); Latin America (Gussi Films); Canada (Vvs Films); Benelux (The Searchers); Middle East, India Turkey, Greece (Italia Film); and South Korea (Woo Sung).
Japan has gone to Klockworx, Indonesia to Cinemaxx, South Africa to Ster Kinekor, Vietnam to Noori Pictures, and airlines to Cinesky. Fundamental Films finances the film and will distribute in China.
Brian Smrz will direct and Basil Iwanyk produce with his Thunder Road colleague Kent Kubena, and Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon of Fundamental.
Zach Dean is writing...
- 2/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Extending his working relationship with Fundamental Films, the Chinese production company spearheading Luc Besson’s space odyssey Valerian, Ethan Hawke has inked a deal to headline new thriller 24 Hours to Live.
That’s according to Deadline, after the outlet revealed that news first came to light on the eve of Berlin Film Festival, where Sierra/Affinity intends to handle international sales. Fundamental, on the other hand, are partnering with Thunder Road Pictures to finance and produce the motion picture, appointing second unit director Brian Smrz at the helm in the process.
Zachary Dean is penning the script, working from a treatment first pitched by Ron Mita and Jim McClain. A redemption story at its core, 24 Hours to Live will orbit around an expert assassin (Hawke, we assume) who is literally given a second chance at life after his employer resuscitates him. Living up to the evocative title, Smrz’s thriller...
That’s according to Deadline, after the outlet revealed that news first came to light on the eve of Berlin Film Festival, where Sierra/Affinity intends to handle international sales. Fundamental, on the other hand, are partnering with Thunder Road Pictures to finance and produce the motion picture, appointing second unit director Brian Smrz at the helm in the process.
Zachary Dean is penning the script, working from a treatment first pitched by Ron Mita and Jim McClain. A redemption story at its core, 24 Hours to Live will orbit around an expert assassin (Hawke, we assume) who is literally given a second chance at life after his employer resuscitates him. Living up to the evocative title, Smrz’s thriller...
- 2/5/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
The Efm dance card is filling up as Sierra/Affinity announced it will launch sales on the Ethan Hawke assassin thriller 24 Hours To Live, while Foresight Unlimited arrives with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore as illicit lovers in the drama Blind.
Fundamental Films is fully financing 24 Hours To Live and produces with Basil Iwanyk’s Thunder Road Pictures.
Second unit director Brian Smrz will direct the story of a hitman who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily after he is killed on the job.
Zachary Dean wrote the screenplay based on an original script by Ron Mita and Jim McClain. Iwanyk, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon are producing.
Fundamental Films’ Gary Glushon and Thunder Road’s Kent Kubena and Jonathan Fuhrman will serve as executive producers.
Michael Mailer directs Blind, in which Alec Baldwin plays an author who lost his wife and his eyesight...
Fundamental Films is fully financing 24 Hours To Live and produces with Basil Iwanyk’s Thunder Road Pictures.
Second unit director Brian Smrz will direct the story of a hitman who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily after he is killed on the job.
Zachary Dean wrote the screenplay based on an original script by Ron Mita and Jim McClain. Iwanyk, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon are producing.
Fundamental Films’ Gary Glushon and Thunder Road’s Kent Kubena and Jonathan Fuhrman will serve as executive producers.
Michael Mailer directs Blind, in which Alec Baldwin plays an author who lost his wife and his eyesight...
- 2/5/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
China’s Fundamental Films and Basil Iwanyk’s Thunder Road Pictures have found the leading man for their thriller, which Sierra/Affinity will introduce to Efm buyers next week.
Second unit director Brian Smrz will direct 24 Hours To Live and Fundamental is fully financing the project.
Zachary Dean wrote the story based on an original script by Ron Mita and Jim McClain about a hitman who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily when he is killed on the job.
Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon are producing.
Fundamental Films’ Gary Glushon and Thunder Road’s Kent Kubena and Jonathan Fuhrman will serve as executive producers.
Second unit director Brian Smrz will direct 24 Hours To Live and Fundamental is fully financing the project.
Zachary Dean wrote the story based on an original script by Ron Mita and Jim McClain about a hitman who gets a chance of redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily when he is killed on the job.
Iwanyk of Thunder Road, Fundamental Films chairman Mark Gao and international president Gregory Ouanhon are producing.
Fundamental Films’ Gary Glushon and Thunder Road’s Kent Kubena and Jonathan Fuhrman will serve as executive producers.
- 2/5/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Ethan Hawke will star in the thriller 24 Hours to Live, which will be directed by Brian Smrz. Zachary Dean wrote the latest script based on an original script from Ron Mita and Jim McClain. The story follows a career assassin who is given a chance at redemption after his employer brings him back to life temporarily, just after being killed on the job. Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, China's Fundamental Films Chairman Mark Gao and International President Gregory Ouanhon are producing the film, with Fundamental fully financing. Fundamental Films’ Gary Glushon and Thunder Road’s Kent Kubena and Jonathan Fuhrman will
read more...
read more...
- 2/5/2016
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – Director Jay Roach loves his work, heading into another phase of his successful career. The man who directed the first two “Austin Powers” films is now taking on movie and American history with “Trumbo,” featuring Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) as the 1950s blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.
The “black list” was a partnership between government and the film industry. Whenever a writer, director or actor would not “name names” to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (Huac) of the the 1950s, they effectively ended any chance of getting hired in Hollywood. Huac was looking for Communists, as the threat from Soviet Russia at the time was seen as the greatest menace to American freedom. Never mind that Russia was a ally of the U.S. only ten years earlier during World War II, or that being a Communist was not illegal in America. It was a witch hunt, pure and simple,...
The “black list” was a partnership between government and the film industry. Whenever a writer, director or actor would not “name names” to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (Huac) of the the 1950s, they effectively ended any chance of getting hired in Hollywood. Huac was looking for Communists, as the threat from Soviet Russia at the time was seen as the greatest menace to American freedom. Never mind that Russia was a ally of the U.S. only ten years earlier during World War II, or that being a Communist was not illegal in America. It was a witch hunt, pure and simple,...
- 11/13/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
So Unshaven Comics finds itself once again in the loving bosom of the Javits Center and the New York Comic Con. As I reminded you last week, Unshaven split its booth space with ComicMix in 2013. This year we split with the lovely Jim McClain of the Solution Squad (and subsequently Reading With Pictures). As of this writing – literally being written hours before you are likely seeing it posted – Unshaven has had some significant ups, and some hilarious downs. Let’s list them until I’ve wasted enough of your time.
Up: Sales!
It’s always good to see a rise in sales. Given our booth placement (ahem, Marvel-Adjacent) we figured we’d either be in the money or left drowned by lines, crowds, and cheering… and find ourselves in Bone City. Luckily for us, Marvel erected a large wall across from our table. This houses their crowds well enough, and...
Up: Sales!
It’s always good to see a rise in sales. Given our booth placement (ahem, Marvel-Adjacent) we figured we’d either be in the money or left drowned by lines, crowds, and cheering… and find ourselves in Bone City. Luckily for us, Marvel erected a large wall across from our table. This houses their crowds well enough, and...
- 10/11/2014
- by Marc Alan Fishman
- Comicmix.com
…and won? Well, we won’t know that until October 13th when all our data is tabulated. But the old adage applies: it’s not so much about the destination as it is the journey that matters. In this case, the journey is that of the punk rock garage band attempting to overcome the man. But first, a little history.
Unshaven Comics partnered with ComicMix in 2013 to exhibit at the New York Comic Con. Over the course of four days, sales records were decimated. Beards were bristled with pride. New York’s con felt like a wave pool, where every few minutes, a shallow tsunami rolled past our booth, and thanks in part to a helpfully pitiful sign (“Can I tell you about my comic book?”), customer after customer soon parted ways with our book(s) in hands. Here we are a year later, and ready to return with the...
Unshaven Comics partnered with ComicMix in 2013 to exhibit at the New York Comic Con. Over the course of four days, sales records were decimated. Beards were bristled with pride. New York’s con felt like a wave pool, where every few minutes, a shallow tsunami rolled past our booth, and thanks in part to a helpfully pitiful sign (“Can I tell you about my comic book?”), customer after customer soon parted ways with our book(s) in hands. Here we are a year later, and ready to return with the...
- 10/4/2014
- by Marc Alan Fishman
- Comicmix.com
Ray Rice's criminal case was handled "outrageously" and "shamefully" ... this according to numerous prosecutors in the office ... TMZ Sports has learned.Multiple prosecutors in the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office have spoken with TMZ -- on condition of anonymity -- and they say it is "virtually unheard of" for their office to allow someone like Ray Rice to avoid felony charges. What's more ... they say it all happened behind closed doors ... behind their backs.We previously...
- 9/13/2014
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Variety has news that John Boorman, the man who brought us Excalibur, Deliverance and, most importantly, Zardoz, is attached to direct a $25 million, CG-animated “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s original novel will be Boorman’s first animated film. The film is written by Boorman, Ron Mita and Jim McClain ("Robots") and will be produced by Laurent Rodon, Claude Gorvsky and John Boorman’s longtime associate Kieran Corrigan. Currently in pre-production, the film is scheduled for a summer 2010. The English-language adaptation maintains the tale’s main characters and settings. Unlike the MGM classic, however, it’s not a musical. “Oz" comes as the $35 million Gallic 3-D French toon “A Monster in Paris” has suspended production, reportedly out of financing concerns. “Oz” consolidates Snd’s push into animated feature financing.
- 11/7/2008
- UGO Movies
John Boorman (The Tailor of Panma, Excalibur) is attached to direct The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a CG-animated flick based on L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s book. Oz follows Dorothy, who is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. Along the way she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tin man and the Cowardly Lion, all of whom are convinced by Dorothy that the Wizard can help them too. The adaptation, which will be Boorman’s first animated film, maintains the tale's main characters and settings, but, unlike MGM’s 1939 film, it's not a musical. Produced by Laurent Rodon (Doogal) and Claude Gorvsky (The Magic Roundabout), Oz was adapted by Boorman, Ron Mita (S.W.A.T) and Jim McClain (Robots). It's scheduled for release summer 2010.
- 11/6/2008
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
Opens Friday, March 11
If sheer cleverness were everything, "Robots" would be the best computer-animated cartoon yet. The movie invents an entire robot world in which all things mechanical take on a life force of their own. Dazzling landscapes feature Rube Goldberg contraptions and visual gags that turn our world on its head. Yet, unlike the very best CG animation, "Robots" doesn't quite connect with the emotions and humor for which one yearns in cartoons. The film is just a bit too ... well, mechanical.
"Robots" comes from director Chris Wedge and Blue Sky Studios, which gave us the frisky prehistoric cartoon "Ice Age" in 2002. The Blue Sky trademark now is clear: slapstick comedy and manic energy. It's Looney Tunes times four (at least), with the screen crammed with more visual gags than eye or brain possibly can register, which undoubtedly means repeat theater visits by youngsters and huge sell-through in the video/DVD market. "Ice Age" took in more than $176 million, and "Robots" should repeat if not surpass those totals.
As is Wedge's habit, his simple, likable (or unlikable) characters mostly are a collection of running gags. There is a robot named Fender (voiced by an equally manic Robin Williams), whose body parts fall off at inopportune moments, and his kid sister, Piper (Amanda Bynes), who is a tightly wound ball of energy. Some characters truly are marvelous. Jim Broadbent of all people raises his voice a few octaves to play the villainous Madame Gasket, an erratic design of mismatched parts that seem to leak red grease.
The screenplay, designed by David Lindsay-Abaire and the comedy-writing team of Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel, envisions a world inhabited entirely by robots. Unlike "Monsters, Inc". no rationale is given for such a world. Nor do we understand how it came to be invented, no Big Clang theory as it were. It just exists. Cups of oil replace cups of coffee and a fire hydrant can talk back to a dog.
Our hero is Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), assembled and raised by parents to believe anything is possible. He is fed a similar notion through TV broadcasts by Bigweld (Mel Brooks in a kind and gentle mode), the master inventor who rules the only corporation that seems to exist. The door always is open to any new inventor, Bigweld declares. So when Rodney leaves his hometown for Robot City with invention in hand, he is shocked to find that door firmly shut.
The back story is vague, but it seems that Madame Gasket and her sleekly robotic son, Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), somehow have shunted Bigweld aside. They scheme to take off the market all spare parts needed by the robot citizens to live and function. Instead, they manufacture only expensive "upgrades." Thus, many otherwise fine robots who can't afford these upgrades find they have become "outmodes," vulnerable to city sweepers that can snatch them off the street and deposit them at Madame Gasket's Chop Shop.
So Rodney, Fender and Fender's gang of outmodes -- this includes eternal pessimist Crank Casey (Drew Carey), big-hearted Lug (Harland Williams) and Diesel, who lacks a voice box -- set off to challenge the greedy rulers of the massive corporation. Along the way, Ratchet's female assistant with a great 'bot, Cappy (Halle Berry), rebels and joins the good guys.
There are marvelous set pieces: A cross-town express flings Rodney and Fender through the mechanical metropolis like a cross between a monorail and roller coaster. Bigweld surfs a sea of dominos. The climatic battle between the corporation's robotic army and the retooled and refitted robot misfits explodes into a frenzied spoof of action-movie fights.
Much of the animation is spectacular. Even the colors somehow have a metallic look. Yet, as complex as this imagined world is, Wedge keeps his characters rudimentary. Thus, audiences never develop much emotional attachment to any of them. The emphasis here is entirely on the timing of gags and a steady flow of action.
ROBOTS
20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox Animation presents a Blue Sky production
Credits:
Director: Chris Wedge
Co-director: Carlos Saldanha
Screenwriters: David Lindsay-Abaire, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
Story by: Ron Mita, Jim McClain, David Lindsay-Abaire
Producers: Jerry Davis, John C. Donkin, William Joyce
Executive producer: Christopher Meledandri
Production designer: William Joyce
Music: John Powell
Editor: John Carnochan.
Cast:
Rodney: Ewan McGregor
Ratchet: Greg Kinnear
Bigweld: Mel Brooks
Fender: Robin Williams
Cappy: Halle Berry
Piper: Amanda Bynes
Crank: Drew Carey
Madame Gasket: Jim Broadbent
Tim: Paul Giamatti
Mr. Gurk: Dan Hedaya.
MPAA rating: PG
Running time: 91 minutes...
If sheer cleverness were everything, "Robots" would be the best computer-animated cartoon yet. The movie invents an entire robot world in which all things mechanical take on a life force of their own. Dazzling landscapes feature Rube Goldberg contraptions and visual gags that turn our world on its head. Yet, unlike the very best CG animation, "Robots" doesn't quite connect with the emotions and humor for which one yearns in cartoons. The film is just a bit too ... well, mechanical.
"Robots" comes from director Chris Wedge and Blue Sky Studios, which gave us the frisky prehistoric cartoon "Ice Age" in 2002. The Blue Sky trademark now is clear: slapstick comedy and manic energy. It's Looney Tunes times four (at least), with the screen crammed with more visual gags than eye or brain possibly can register, which undoubtedly means repeat theater visits by youngsters and huge sell-through in the video/DVD market. "Ice Age" took in more than $176 million, and "Robots" should repeat if not surpass those totals.
As is Wedge's habit, his simple, likable (or unlikable) characters mostly are a collection of running gags. There is a robot named Fender (voiced by an equally manic Robin Williams), whose body parts fall off at inopportune moments, and his kid sister, Piper (Amanda Bynes), who is a tightly wound ball of energy. Some characters truly are marvelous. Jim Broadbent of all people raises his voice a few octaves to play the villainous Madame Gasket, an erratic design of mismatched parts that seem to leak red grease.
The screenplay, designed by David Lindsay-Abaire and the comedy-writing team of Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel, envisions a world inhabited entirely by robots. Unlike "Monsters, Inc". no rationale is given for such a world. Nor do we understand how it came to be invented, no Big Clang theory as it were. It just exists. Cups of oil replace cups of coffee and a fire hydrant can talk back to a dog.
Our hero is Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), assembled and raised by parents to believe anything is possible. He is fed a similar notion through TV broadcasts by Bigweld (Mel Brooks in a kind and gentle mode), the master inventor who rules the only corporation that seems to exist. The door always is open to any new inventor, Bigweld declares. So when Rodney leaves his hometown for Robot City with invention in hand, he is shocked to find that door firmly shut.
The back story is vague, but it seems that Madame Gasket and her sleekly robotic son, Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), somehow have shunted Bigweld aside. They scheme to take off the market all spare parts needed by the robot citizens to live and function. Instead, they manufacture only expensive "upgrades." Thus, many otherwise fine robots who can't afford these upgrades find they have become "outmodes," vulnerable to city sweepers that can snatch them off the street and deposit them at Madame Gasket's Chop Shop.
So Rodney, Fender and Fender's gang of outmodes -- this includes eternal pessimist Crank Casey (Drew Carey), big-hearted Lug (Harland Williams) and Diesel, who lacks a voice box -- set off to challenge the greedy rulers of the massive corporation. Along the way, Ratchet's female assistant with a great 'bot, Cappy (Halle Berry), rebels and joins the good guys.
There are marvelous set pieces: A cross-town express flings Rodney and Fender through the mechanical metropolis like a cross between a monorail and roller coaster. Bigweld surfs a sea of dominos. The climatic battle between the corporation's robotic army and the retooled and refitted robot misfits explodes into a frenzied spoof of action-movie fights.
Much of the animation is spectacular. Even the colors somehow have a metallic look. Yet, as complex as this imagined world is, Wedge keeps his characters rudimentary. Thus, audiences never develop much emotional attachment to any of them. The emphasis here is entirely on the timing of gags and a steady flow of action.
ROBOTS
20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox Animation presents a Blue Sky production
Credits:
Director: Chris Wedge
Co-director: Carlos Saldanha
Screenwriters: David Lindsay-Abaire, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
Story by: Ron Mita, Jim McClain, David Lindsay-Abaire
Producers: Jerry Davis, John C. Donkin, William Joyce
Executive producer: Christopher Meledandri
Production designer: William Joyce
Music: John Powell
Editor: John Carnochan.
Cast:
Rodney: Ewan McGregor
Ratchet: Greg Kinnear
Bigweld: Mel Brooks
Fender: Robin Williams
Cappy: Halle Berry
Piper: Amanda Bynes
Crank: Drew Carey
Madame Gasket: Jim Broadbent
Tim: Paul Giamatti
Mr. Gurk: Dan Hedaya.
MPAA rating: PG
Running time: 91 minutes...
- 4/18/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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