Estes Park Film Festival

I just wanted to drop a quick line about something in my neck of the woods; well, I consider an hour’s drive to be “neck of the woods.”  The 2010 Estes Park Film Festival will take place Sept. 17-19.  As an avid movie-watcher, I was very excited to hear of a film festival taking place in Estes Park, one of my favorite local getaway towns.  The festival will feature 35 independent films from all over the world, all of which will be shown in Estes Park’s historic Park Theatre.

*Photo courtesy of historicparktheatre.com

Upcoming “Clone Wars” is CGI pilot for T.V. Show

I stumbled across the theatrical trailer for computer-animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” today.  This movie, set for an August 15 theatrical release, takes place in between “Star Wars” episodes two and three. I’m sure that will make us privvy to plenty of Anakin Skywalker angst.  Hooray…

I also disovered that this movie is effectively the pilot for the upcoming animated T.V. series of the same name.

Below is a link to an interview with Lucasfilm’s Steve Sansweet, in which he discusses not only “Clone Wars,” but also the upcoming live-action “Star Wars” television series.

 IGN.com - NYCC 08: Lucasfilm Interview


“G.I. Joe” Boasts All-Star Cast

As I was frantically scouring the web, trying to find a viable topic for this beloved blog of mine, I ran across a publicity photo that immediately sent nostalgia running rampant in my veins. The photo was for the upcoming film adaptation of “G.I. Joe.”

Apparently, this movie is way into production. IMDB still lists it as “filming” but there are at least 12 photos of cast members in full costume circling around, and there is also a set release date: August 7, 2009.

I’m not sure how this one slipped under my radar, especially considering the cast. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Brendan Fraser and Dennis Quaid are just a few of the stars we can expect to see. Hopefully, this film will be a bigger summer smash than “Speed Racer” is shaping up to be.

Remake of Spanish Film Looks to be Zombie “Cloverfield”

Last night, I fell victim to a rather spontaneous compulsion; to rent and finally see “Cloverfield.” I liked it; not only was it a monster movie (a rare occurrence in recent American cinema), but it was shot from a unique hand-held angle, which I thought really gave the film an eerie personal drive.

Now, I told you that nice little story to share this with you: the trailer for the upcoming “Quarantine.”

According to IMDB.com, it is based on the 2007 Spanish film, [Rec]. It has a similar premise to “Cloverfield;” something catastrophic happens, the only evidence to which is footage from a video camera found in the aftermath. Here’s where it gets interesting: replace 30-story monster with zombies.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of both zombies and movies that break the traditional norms of film making. This film, though it is indeed a remake, looks to be filling both those criteria. Regardless of what those pretentious youtube-posting jerks say, it’s safe to say I’ll definitely be seeing this one.

New “X-Files” Flick Gets Title

According to Studio Briefing’s page on IMDB.com, the upcoming “X-Files” movie finally has a title.  Chris Carter, creator of the “X-Files” TV series and the film’s director, told the Associated Press that the movie’s official title is “The X-Files: I Want To Believe.”  Any X-Files fan (myself included) is surely ecstatic at this news, as they can certainly recognize the words “I want to believe” as the caption on Agent Mulder (David Duchovny)’s famous UFO poster.

“It’s a natural title,” Carter said. “It’s a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. ‘I Want to Believe.’ It really does suggest Mulder’s struggle with his faith.”

This is the second movie to be based off of the popular sci-fi television series that ended its run on television six years ago.  The first film, “The X-Files: Fight the Future” was released in 1998.

New Line Cinema is (Basically) No More

Time Warner announced Monday that it was firing 450 of the 490 employees at New Line Cinema, reports a Studio Briefing entry on IMDB.  The remaining employees will work for Warner Brothers.  New Line will apparently continue producing low-profile “niche” films, which Warner Bros. will distribute.

New Line is still producing the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”

Personally, I wonder what will become of the lawsuit between New Line and Tolkien’s estate over the millions of dollars New Line still owes for the “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy.  I certainly hope at least some of those 40 employees who narrowly avoided the pink slip are lawyers.

Image: ABC News

Film Icon, Fervid NRA President Dies at 84

From IMDB.com:

Charlton Heston, the square-jawed movie star who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ben-Hur and was famed for a number of other epic films, died Saturday night at the age of 84. Though an official cause of death was not initially released, the actor had announced in 2002 that he was battling Alzheimer’s disease, and had withdrawn from professional appearances after the diagnosis. An actor at first well-known for his portrayal of historical figures — in addition to his role as Ben-Hur, he also played Michelangelo, El Cid, Moses, and John the Baptist — Heston’s fame later in life was highlighted by his polarizing views on gun control, as the actor was elected president of the National Rifle Association in 1998 and vigorously defended the rights of gun owners throughout the country. Indeed the role of political activist, which he embraced throughout his life, almost overshadowed his impressive acting career, which started in theater and television before graduating to the silver screen.

Image: The Official Site of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Trailer for “Incredible Hulk” Reboot

When I heard Universal Pictures was teaming up with Marvel for a completely revamped take on “The Incredible Hulk,” my first question was, why?  I heartily enjoyed the Hulk’s 2003 silver screen debut, directed by Ang Lee; I thought it was action-packed, well-acted, and surprisingly smart for a comic book movie.

I must say, though, that as news has gradually surfaced about this Hulk reboot, I have become more and more excited about it.  First of all, Edward Norton is playing the lead role of Bruce Banner; I don’t think I’ve yet ceased to enjoy Norton’s acting in any sense.  Also, based on the trailer I’ve posted below, the special effects look amazingly realistic and cutting-edge, which is always a big selling point for me. 

As with any other film, I suppose time will tell; but I’m suddenly very excited for June 13 to roll around!

Oliver Stone to Direct “Fair, True Portrait” of George W. Bush

Oliver Stone, the director behind such films as “World Trade Center” and “Nixon,” will soon begin directing “W,” a film that will chronicle the life of President George W. Bush.

Though Stone was criticized for his depiction of Richard Nixon,  an article on mtv.com says he has promised “W” will be a “fair, true portrait of (President Bush).”

“I’m the referee,” said Stone. “It will contain surprises for Bush supporters and his detractors. It’s like Frank Capra territory on one hand, but I’ll also cover the demons in his private life, his bouts with his dad and his conversion to Christianity, which explains a lot of where he is coming from.”

Josh Brolin, most recently seen in “No Counrty for Old Men,” will play the president himself, while Elizabeth Banks will play his wife, Laura Bush.  James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn will play George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush, respectively.

The movie is expected to be released before January 2009, but it is not known whether it will be out in time for the upcoming presidential election.

Image: The Associated Press

Cartoon-Based “Speed Racer” promises to be “Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen Before”

Having just returned from Las Vegas, I was pleased to find a story on mtv.com about the upcoming “Speed Racer” movie that was reported from Sin City itself.  The film’s star, Emile Hirsch, said the film based on the 1960′s animated series “has all these visuals and elements to it that you’ve never seen before.”

Matthew Fox, of “Lost” fame, who plays Racer X in the movie, echoed Hirsch’s sentiments.  “Larry and Andy [Wachowski] are huge fans of the material,” he said, ”so they’re going to pay homage to that and respect that in their version of ‘Speed Racer.’ But the world that they’re defining is so unique to itself.”

 

The brothers Wachowski are structuring the live-action movie like a cartoon as best they can, right down to a revolutionary new visual style that keeps the foreground and background of every shot in focus.  “There isn’t a film that’s been edited in this particular way,” said Christina Ricci, who plays Trixie.

“With this movie, they’re layering, layering, layering,” Ricci elaborated. “They’re layering these 2-D images in order to create depth, and that allows you to just sweep one image across the screen, the way that a cartoon does. It allows you to edit in a style that’s never been seen before, and they’re also using digital effects that no one has seen before. It’s just crazy.”

“Speed Racer” will be released nationwide in the U.S. on May 9.

 Photo by: Warner Brothers