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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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Dracula (1931)
DRACULA (1931)
Universal Studios
Directed By: Tod Browning
Written By: Bram Stoker, Hamilton Dean, John L. Balderston, Garrett Fort, Dudley Murphy, Louis Bromfield, Tod Browning, Max Cohen, Louis Stevens
Cast:
Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula
Helen Chandler as Mina Harker
David Manners as John Harker
Dwight Frye as Renfield
Edward Van Sloan as Prof. Abraham Van Helsing
Herbert Bunston as Dr. Jack Seward
Frances Dade as Lucy Weston
Joan Standing as Briggs
Charles K. Gerrard as Martin
Geraldine Dvorak as Dracula's Wife
Dorothy Tree as Dracula's Wife
Cornelia Thaw as Dracula's Wife
Runtime: 75 Minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Sound Mix: Mono
Released: February 14, 1931
By Ken Hulsey - Monster Island News
The former Londen Lyccum Theatre manager, Bram Stoker is often credited with creating modern vampire lore through his Victorian novel Dracula, which was published on May 18, 1897. Though the inspiration for dozens of films, TV series, books and plays, Dracula was not a successful novel and is not considered an important work in Victorian literature. It is modern folklore that the inspiration for the vampire in his book was the infamous Vlad III Dracula (“Vlad the Impaler”) yet most scholars agree that is not the case. Though Stoker did discover the name “Dracul” (Dragon) while studying Romanian history and used it for the name of his vampire character, that is where the connection ends. It is a fact that the author was inspired by earlier vampire stories such as Emily Garads “Transylvania Superstitions (1885), Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Carmilla” (1871), John Polidori’s “The Vampyre” (1819) and Lord Byron’s “The Giaour” (1813). The main inspiration, however, would come from the Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory who reportedly killed 700 servant girls to bathe in or drink their blood in attempt to achieve everlasting life. Yet another inspiration was the former Lyceum Theatre manager Henry Irving. Dracula’s mannerisms and gestures were directly copied from Irving, who Stoker often tried to convince to play the vampire in a stage performance of his novel. Regardless of the true origins of Stoker’s Dracula the character has now become the stereotype for which all vampire adaptations that followed have been based.
In 1922 the first film based on the Bram Stoker novel was produced. While originally the movie was to be titled “Dracula” the films producers failed to get permission from Stoker’s widow and the title was changed to “Nosferatu: eine Symphonie des Grauens” (“Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror). Copyright problems also mandated the location of the story to be moved from England to Transylvania and Germany. The name of the vampire also had to be changed from Dracula to Count Orlock. Method actor Max Schreck would become infamous for his portrayal of Orlock, which to this day is probably the most frightening of any movie vampire in the history of film. It has often been noted that Schreck was such a devoted method actor that he actually began to believe he was a vampire and only could be called for shooting after the sun had gone down. Stoker’s estate was able to win several lawsuits against the makers of “Nosferatu” and all copies of the film were to have been destroyed. All the prints of the film that survive today come from pirated copies that escaped destruction. In 1927 a theatrical adaptation of “Dracula” written by Hamilton Deane and John L., Balderston became a huge hit on Broadway. This play would star the Hungarian born actor Bela Lugosi who didn’t speak a word of English. Lugosi learned all his lines phonetically, which produced the famous speech pattern that Dracula (and most vampires) would become associated with.
Bela Lugosi (Bela Ferenc Dezso Blasco) came to America in the 1920s’ to pursue an acting career. Even though the actor had starred in several small roles prior, he would always be remembered for portraying Dracula, both on stage and in numerous films. After Dracula became a huge hit the actor was offered the part of “The Monster” in “Frankenstein”, which he turned down. Boris Karloff would become famous for the part, and Lugosi’s short term as the “King of Horror” would end as quickly as it started. Lugosi would go on to play Dracula and other various vampires throughout his career. The actor managed to beat a drug addiction, but ended his career in low budget features such as the infamous “Plan 9 From Outer Space” which would be his last film. He passed away while it was still in production. Despite all of his stage and film roles the actor died in poverty.
Bela Lugosi (Bela Ferenc Dezso Blasco) came to America in the 1920s’ to pursue an acting career. Even though the actor had starred in several small roles prior, he would always be remembered for portraying Dracula, both on stage and in numerous films. After Dracula became a huge hit the actor was offered the part of “The Monster” in “Frankenstein”, which he turned down. Boris Karloff would become famous for the part, and Lugosi’s short term as the “King of Horror” would end as quickly as it started. Lugosi would go on to play Dracula and other various vampires throughout his career. The actor managed to beat a drug addiction, but ended his career in low budget features such as the infamous “Plan 9 From Outer Space” which would be his last film. He passed away while it was still in production. Despite all of his stage and film roles the actor died in poverty. Carl Laemmle Jr. had a vision for a big screen adaptation of “Dracula” for Universal that would have been in the same league as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” Laemmle was also very insistent that Lon Chaney, play the vampire in his picture and set out to lure him away from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Unfortunately Lon Cheney passed away from throat cancer before production was set to begin.
There were more setbacks for the production of “Dracula.” Universal was feeling the grip of the Great Depression and the budget for the film was cut drastically. This lead to several scenes, that would have mirrored Stoker’s original story, to be abandoned. That is when the filmmaker turned his attention to the Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderson Broadway play for the basis of his production.
There were more setbacks for the production of “Dracula.” Universal was feeling the grip of the Great Depression and the budget for the film was cut drastically. This lead to several scenes, that would have mirrored Stoker’s original story, to be abandoned. That is when the filmmaker turned his attention to the Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderson Broadway play for the basis of his production. Carl Laemmle would end up hiring Tod Browning to direct the film and together they would begin a search for an actor to play the vampire. Ian Keith was the top choice to play “Dracula”, but Lugosi did everything he could to change their minds. Despite rave reviews for his portrayal on Broadway, Lugosi was not what the duo had in mind. Ultimately Bela Lugosi would end up as Dracula, but only after he agreed to a salary far below that of his co-stars.
While the standard version of “Dracula” was being shot during the day there was a Spanish version under the direction of George Melford being shot at night. This film used the exact script and sets as the English language version. The “night crew” had the advantage of being able to view takes from the days shoot and work out better camera angles and lighting. Since the film was produced for distribution outside the US it didn’t have to worry about censorship under the Hayes Code, so scenes that were not allowed in the standard version made it into the Spanish print. Another advantage that the production had was the ability to use some of Browning’s alternate takes for stock footage. It is for these reasons most fans feel that this version is actually superior to Legosi’s classic. The film, along with all the alternate language versions of classic monster films produced by Universal, was believed to be lost forever. In the late 1970s’, however, a complete print of the film was discovered and it was fully restored in 1990.
Dracula would premiere on Valentine’s Day 1931, and was billed as “The strangest love story of all.” The film gained nationwide media attention when it was reported that audience members often times fainted from the horror portrayed on the screen. This was a very well executed publicity stunt orchestrated by Universal who placed actors in the audience at select screenings who would indeed faint or scream at predetermined times. The stunt paid off and people packed theatres to see the film, if for nothing else than for the sake of curiosity. The popularity of both Dracula and Frankenstein, which was released later the same year, would help pave the way for a series of horror films that would secure Universal as the king of the horror genre for decades to come
Buy Dracula on DVD From Amazon.com:
While the standard version of “Dracula” was being shot during the day there was a Spanish version under the direction of George Melford being shot at night. This film used the exact script and sets as the English language version. The “night crew” had the advantage of being able to view takes from the days shoot and work out better camera angles and lighting. Since the film was produced for distribution outside the US it didn’t have to worry about censorship under the Hayes Code, so scenes that were not allowed in the standard version made it into the Spanish print. Another advantage that the production had was the ability to use some of Browning’s alternate takes for stock footage. It is for these reasons most fans feel that this version is actually superior to Legosi’s classic. The film, along with all the alternate language versions of classic monster films produced by Universal, was believed to be lost forever. In the late 1970s’, however, a complete print of the film was discovered and it was fully restored in 1990. Dracula would premiere on Valentine’s Day 1931, and was billed as “The strangest love story of all.” The film gained nationwide media attention when it was reported that audience members often times fainted from the horror portrayed on the screen. This was a very well executed publicity stunt orchestrated by Universal who placed actors in the audience at select screenings who would indeed faint or scream at predetermined times. The stunt paid off and people packed theatres to see the film, if for nothing else than for the sake of curiosity. The popularity of both Dracula and Frankenstein, which was released later the same year, would help pave the way for a series of horror films that would secure Universal as the king of the horror genre for decades to comeBuy Dracula on DVD From Amazon.com:
Phantasm (1979)
Phantasm (1979)
AVCO Embassy Pictures
Directed By: Don Coscarelli
Produced By: D.A. Coscarelli
Written By: Don Coscarelli
Cast:
A. Michael Baldwin
Bill Thornbury
Reggie Bannister
Angus Scrimm
Release Date: March 28, 1979
Running Time: 88 min.
Language: English
Budget:$300,000 (estimated)
Following the death of their parents, 24 year old musician Jody Pearson (Bill Thornbury) raises his 13 year old brother Mike (A. Michael Baldwin). Jody is in a successful three-piece blues band with his friends Reggie (Reggie Bannister) and Tommy (Bill Cone). Reggie supplements his income as an ice cream vendor. Jody drives a black 1971 Plymouth Barracuda coupe.
Two years later, Tommy is murdered in Morningside cemetery by a mysterious lady in lavender (Kathy Lester). When Jody and Reggie attend the funeral of their friend, Mike secretly tags along on his motorcycle. He hears strange noises in the cemetery and then sees the funeral director (The Tall Man) single-handedly lift Tommy's coffin into the back of a hearse. As he rides away, he is thrown from his bike.
Mike regularly visits a fortune teller (Mary Ellen Shaw) whose granddaughter (Terrie Kalbus) speaks for her. He tells her that he fears that Jody is going to leave and get his aunt to raise him. She tells him that if he leaves, Jody will take him along. Then he tells her about his frightening experience at Morningside. She produces a small black box and tells him to put his hand into it. The box grips his hand and he tells her it hurts. She tells him not to fear and as his panic subsides so the box relaxes its grip. She tells him that fear is the killer.
The fortune teller’s granddaughter visits Morningside and is not seen again.
Jody goes to a bar and meets the lady in lavender. He takes her to the cemetery to make love to her, and Mike follows to hide and watch. Mike is chased by something “brown and low to the ground” and interrupts his brother’s activity, unwittingly saving his life. Jody is unconvinced by Mike’s explanation.
Mike has a nightmare where the Tall Man looms over him and then hands grab him from either side. He later sees the Tall Man walking down the street. When Reggie opens his ice cream van, the Tall Man comes to a standstill, clearly affected by the cold. While working under Jody’s ‘Cuda, Mike hears the familiar sounds of the thing that chased him the other night. The car shakes and falls from its jack, pinning him to the ground. He sees a pair of feet and, from beneath the car, strikes out with a hammer. It’s Jody’s foot that he strikes and he’s still not buying Mike’s claim that something’s trying to get him.
Arming himself with a hunting knife, Mike breaks into Morningside mortuary through a basement window. When the caretaker (Ken Jones) investigates, he hides in a casket. As Mike continues to search, the caretaker seizes him. Then a flying sphere appears and hurtles towards them. Mike struggles free and the sphere impales the caretaker, drilling into his head and killing him. The Tall Man appears and gives chase. Mike traps his pursuer’s fingers in a door and severs one with the knife. The Tall Man bleeds yellow goo. With a hooded dwarf at his heels, Mike escapes the building with the twitching finger as proof of the Tall Man’s unearthliness.
Jody finds Mike at home asleep, clutching a shotgun. When he sees the finger, still twitching, Jody finally believes Mike, who tells him the whole story. He decides to go to the sheriff with it and tells Mike to fetch the box containing the evidence. However, when Mike opens the box, the finger has transformed into a huge fly. The pair struggle with the creature and eventually manage to destroy it in the waste disposal grinder, just as Reggie arrives to witness the act.
Jody goes to Morningside alone and enters through the broken basement window. He is immediately attacked by a dwarf which he shoots and manages to escape. He is pursued by a white hearse but Mike arrives in the ‘Cuda and they drive off. The hearse gives chase and comes alongside. No one appears to be driving. Jody fires a shotgun at it and it crashes into a tree. The dwarf driving has been impaled by a branch. It’s Jody’s dead friend Tommy.
They stow Tommy in the freezer compartment of Reggie’s truck and return home. Jody cannot understand why Tommy’s body has been crushed down to half size. Mike worries that their parents may have suffered the same fate. Reggie wants to capture the Tall Man and brutally interrogate him. Jody tells Reg to take Mike to Sally’s (Lynn Eastman) antique store where he will be safe.
At the antique shop, Mike finds an old photograph of the Tall Man which turns and looks at him. He insists that Sally and Suzie drive him home. Meanwhile Reggie hears growling and banging from the rear of his truck. As Sally drives Mike home in her VW Beetle, they find Reggie’s truck overturned at the side of the road. Neither Reggie or Tommy are anywhere to be seen. Mike tells the girls to drive on but its too late… The girls are seized by dwarves and Mike is forced out through the rear screen. The car drives off with the girls screaming and Mike is left lying in the road.
Mike goes home and tells Jody about the girls. Jody shuts Mike in his room and jams the door with a screwdriver. As Jody drives off, Mike uses a shotgun shell taped to a hammer to blast a hole in the door and escape. The Tall Man is waiting for him at the front door and locks him in the rear of a hearse. As they arrive at Morningside, Mike shoots out the rear screen and a tyre, escaping just before the car hits a telephone pole and explodes in flames.
Jody breaks into the family tomb to find his father’s coffin empty. Mike also finds this just before a sphere appears and flies towards him. Jody destroys it with a shotgun blast. Reggie also arrives and tells them that he had helped the girls to escape. The three enter a private room to find a store of barrels with shrunken bodies inside. At the other side of the room are two silver poles which are a gate to an alien world. Mike is pulled into the gate and sees dwarves emerging from barrels in a barren land. Jody pulls Mike out of the gate before he can be trapped there. Mike believes that the dwarves are being used as slaves and that they have been crushed down to withstand the high gravity and heat.
Suddenly they are thrown into darkness and attacked by dwarves. When the light comes on, Reggie is alone. He unwittingly activates the gate and the barrels are drawn through it. He manages to crawl out of the room and escape. Outside the building there is a great wind. The three are separated and run around calling to each other. Reggie finds the lady in lavender collapsed on the ground. She stabs him dead. She is the Tall Man.
Jody and Mike escape in the ‘Cuda before Morningside itself vanishes into the gate. Jody decides to lure the Tall Man into a 1000-foot deep mineshaft near Singer’s Creek. He leaves Mike at home while he goes off to camouflage the shaft and set the trap. The Tall Man breaks into the house through the window and Mike flees into the night. The Tall Man gives chase. Tombstones emerge from the ground and hands from the mud grip Mike’s ankles. The lady in lavender appears with a knife in her hand. Mike tells himself not to fear and runs on. Mike jumps over the concealed mineshaft and the Tall Man falls in. Jody triggers a landslide that seals the pit. Mike awakes in his bed. Has it all been a dream?
Mike tells Reggie about his dream. He is worried that the rocks won’t hold the Tall Man. Reggie says it is just a nightmare, brought on by Jody’s funeral last week. He died in a car wreck. But Mike is convinced that the Tall Man has taken his brother and parents. Reggie suggests taking a road trip and tells Mike to pack. In his room, Mike spies the Tall Man in his mirror. He turns and a dwarf’s hands pull him backwards through the mirror…
Phantasm is a low-budget cult classic horror movie produced in 1977 and released in 1979. It was directed, written, photographed, co-produced and edited by Don Coscarelli. It introduced The Tall Man (who was portrayed in the film and its sequels by Angus Scrimm), a supernatural and sadistic undertaker who turns the dead into dwarf zombies to do his bidding and take over the world. The Tall Man uses flying silver balls (referred to as Sentinel Spheres by fans) that contain a lethal pair of spiked blades and a drill that destroys the victim's brain. This film was re-released on DVD by Anchor Bay Entertainment on April 10th, 2007.
A number of deleted scenes have been included on various laserdisc and DVD releases over the years, and the MPAA originally assigned the film an X-rating, forcing Coscarelli to trim it for an R.
This movie was number 25 on the cable channel Bravo's list of the "100 Scariest Movie Moments".
It was followed by four sequels, Phantasm II, Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead, Phantasm IV: Oblivion, and in 2008, Phantasm V.
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Guillermo del Toro Wants To Get His Hands On Frankenstein
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Ready For Resident Evil The Cartoon?
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Fox Prepares To Get Spaced
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Sci Fi To Unlock The Secrets Of Warehouse 13
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Shatner Upset At Not Being Cast In Star Trek XI
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Thursday, October 25, 2007
Jet Li Is A Horse Riding Madman In The Mummy Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor
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Cloverfield Actress Jessica Lucas Talks About The Upcoming Movie
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Stargate Atlantis Season 5 Is A Go
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
House Of Wax (1953)
House of Wax (1953)
Warner Bros
Directed By: André De Toth
Produced By: Bryan Foy
Written By: Charles S. Belden (play) / Crane Wilbur (screenwriter)
Cast:
Vincent Price — Professor Henry Jarrod
Frank Lovejoy — Lt. Tom Brennan
Phyllis Kirk — Sue Allen
Carolyn Jones — Cathy Gray
Roy Roberts — Matthew Burke
Paul Picerni — Scott Andrews
Paul Cavanagh — Sidney Wallace
Charles Bronson (as Charles Buchinsky) — Igor
Release Date: April 25, 1953
Running Time: 88 min.
Language: English
Budget: $658,000 (estimated)
House of Wax is a 1953 American horror film starring Vincent Price. Director André De Toth’s remake of Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) was the first 3-D film of the 3-D craze of the early 1950s.
Professor Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price) is a devoted wax figure sculptor for his museum in 1910s NYC. When his financial partner, Matthew Burke (Roy Roberts), demands more sensational exhibits to increase profits, Jarrod refuses. In retaliation, Burke torches the museum for the insurance money, leaving Jarrod for dead. Miraculously, Jarrod survives (though his hands and legs are rendered useless) and builds a new House of Wax with help from threatening deaf-mute sculptor, Igor (Charles Bronson).
The museum’s popular "Chamber of Horrors" showcases both famous crimes and more recent ones, like the murder of Jarrod's former business partner by a cloaked, disfigured killer. Burke's fiancée, Cathy Gray (Carolyn Jones), is also attacked. But when Cathy’s friend, Sue Allen (Phyllis Kirk), visits the museum, she makes a discovery that leads to the horrifying truth behind the House of Wax.
Stereoscopic 3-D was an alternative technology (like Cinemascope and Cinerama) used by 1950s studios attempting to compete with the new threat of television. Just over 50 titles were released in the 3-D process during its 2-1/2 year heyday. House of Wax was always shown in dual interlocked 35 mm projection with polarized glasses. The film was re-released in the period of 1975 through 1980 in both single strip 35mm Stereovision 3-D and in Stereovision's pioneering 70mm 3-D process, where it played in major venues like Grauman's Chinese Theater, in Hollywood, and the huge Boston Music Hall (seating 4300 patrons).House of Wax, originally titled The Wax Works, was Warner Bros. answer to the 3-D hit, Bwana Devil, which had been released the previous November. Seeing something big in 3-D's future, WB contracted the same company, Natural Vision, run by the Gunzberg Brothers, Julian and Milton, to shoot the new feature. The film is ultimately a remake of the studio's 1933 film, The Mystery of the Wax Museum, which in itself was written and based on Charles Belden's three-act play, The Wax Works.
Among the scenes featured in the film that make the best use of 3-D are a museum fire, a paddleball man, and can-can girls. Ironically, the director De Toth was blind in one eye, and unable to experience stereo vision or the 3-D effects.
The title was borrowed for a very different story line, as a modern film remake starring Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray, released in 2005.
House of Wax is without a doubt one of the most effective horror films produced in the 1950s'. Price is at the top of his game in this one, as a crippled sculptor who finds an easy short cut to create wax figures of histories greatest beauties. What a better way to create life-like figures than to kidnap local woman and encase them in wax?
The climax is of the film is an eerie affair with fire consuming melting wax figures ala Raiders of the Lost Ark. A chilling effect to say the least.
Also of note is a great cameo by Carolyn Jones (The Addams Family - Morticia) as a ditsy blond who becomes one of the first victims.
A true classic not to be missed!
Brendan Fraser And Jet Li Fight It Out In The Mummy Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor
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I Was A TV Horror Host
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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Nichols And Davis Join The Cast Of Heroes
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Japan Is Ready To Robo Rock
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Monday, October 22, 2007
'Duel with Dooku' Yoda VS Count Dooku Diorama
Your Price: US $199.99 - Order Now!
Sideshow Collectibles and Lucasfilm proudly present this dynamic depiction of Jedi Master Yoda and Count Dooku as they battle over the fate of the young Jedi Knights. The piece captures an epic moment, as Yoda leaps into the air, lightsaber blazing and forcing Dooku into a defensive stance. Each diorama is cast in the highest quality polystone, hand-finished and hand painted to Sideshow's exacting standards. The Duel with Dooku diorama is expertly sculpted in approximately 1:9 scale, standing over 10 inches tall. This outstanding scene will make a dramatic addition to any Star Wars collection!
Long ago, Jedi Master Yoda trained a promising young Padawan who would eventually become the stately Jedi Knight Count Dooku. Once dedicated to the Order, the Count himself would train many Jedi in the ways of the Force, but he eventually grew dissatisfied with the Jedi Order, believing the Jedi to blindly serve a corrupt Senate and Galactic Republic.
Lured to the Dark Side through pride and lust for power, Dooku became Darth Tyranus, apprentice to the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Secretly aided by his dark master, Count Dooku quickly assumed leadership of the manipulated Separatist Movement, unaware that he too was merely a pawn in Sidious' plot to create a Galactic Empire under his total control.
During the first conflict between the Republic's Clone Army and the Separatist's robotic forces, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, confronted Dooku, who incapacitated both Jedi, a nasty encounter that cost Skywalker his right arm. Their lives were narrowly saved by the intervention of Jedi Master Yoda, who had learned of Dooku's treachery and surmised that he had fallen to the Dark Side.
Lightsabers ignited, the Count Dooku and Yoda begin an epic confrontation. Clearly, skill with a lightsaber would not decide the outcome of the duel, and the two combatants exhibited near equal strength in the Force. The duel raged on, noble Jedi pitted against evil Sith, until Dooku threatened the life of the fallen Obi-Wan and Anakin, forcing Yoda to abandon the battle to save his allies and allowing Dooku the opportunity to escape.
"Powerful you have become Dooku. The Dark Side I sense in you."
"I have become more powerful than any Jedi, even you."
"Much to learn, you still have."
When Time Collides: The Return of the Fifth Doctor
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Horror Express
Horror Express
Aka: Pánico en el Transiberiano
Directed By: Eugenio Martin
Produced By: Bernard Gordon / Gregorio Sacristan
Written By: Arnaud d'Usseau / Julian Zimet
Cast:
Christopher Lee
Peter Cushing
Telly Savalas
Released: December 3, 1973 (UK); January 1974 (USA)
This film has the Orient Express, The Yeti, Zombies, Alien Possessions, Rasputin, Count Dooku, Grand Moff Tarkin, Kojak, and a big train wreck, what more could you ask for? - MIN
Horror Express was a Spanish production directed by Eugenio Martin. It was filmed in Madrid in the years 1971-1972, a low budget film ($300,000) with the luxury of having three familiar genre actors in the lead: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Telly Savalas. The film was co-produced by American filmwriter/producer Bernard Gordon, who had collaborated with Martin on the 1972 film Pancho Villa (which also featured Savalas in the title role). The filmmakers used both the miniature train and interior train set from Pancho Villa for Horror Express. The challenge was that they only had one set to be used as an interior train car. All of the scenes for each train car had to be shot at once, then the set would be rebuilt as the next car.
Securing Lee and Cushing was a coup for producer Gordon, since it lent a certain atmosphere reminiscent of Hammer Films, many of which starred both of the actors. However, when Cushing arrived in Madrid to begin work on the picture, he was still distraught over the recent death of his beloved wife, and announced to Gordon that he could not do the movie. With Gordon desperate over the idea of losing one of his important stars, Lee stepped in and put Cushing at ease simply by talking to him about some of their previous work together. Cushing changed his mind and stayed on.
The over-the-top performance of Telly Savalas cemented the film's reputation as a cult favorite. Savalas performed the role using grand gestures and a speaking voice similar to his characterization of Kojak, despite the fact that his character was supposed to be a Russian Cossack.
Horror Express was filmed mostly without sound, with effects and voices dubbed into the film later. Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas all provided their own voices for the English market.
Professor Alexander Saxton (Christopher Lee) is an anthropologist returning home to Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway bringing with him a 'fossil' in a crate. The 'fossil' is the frozen remains of a primitive humanoid creature, which Saxton is sure is the missing link in the evolutionary chain. Also on board is Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing), another Englishman and a colleague of Saxton's.Mysterious deaths occur even before the train sets out. A known thief is found dead on the platform after having looked into the crate, bleeding from his eyes, which have turned blank and white. A slightly unbalanced monk (a Rasputin-esque figure), who acts as a spiritual advisor to the Count and Countess waiting to board the train, claims that the crate is evil.
Saxton is eager to keep his find a secret from everyone, especially Dr. Wells, but Wells pays the baggage man to look into the crate. When he does, he is also killed by the glowing red gaze of the creature, which escapes the confines of its crate. The murders continue while the humanoid fossil haunts the moving train, the victims found with blank white eyes, and an autopsy leads Wells and his assistant to hypothesize that the brains of the victims are being drained of memories and knowledge. When the fossil is gunned down by Inspector Mirov, an authority in charge of the train, the threat seems to have been vanquished. However, Saxton and Wells discover images embedded in liquid inside the eye of the dead fossil, images that reveal a prehistoric Earth, as well as a view of the Earth from outer space. They deduce that the real threat is a formless alien creature that was simply inhabiting the body of the fossil, and that it has now transferred itself to the Inspector. The monk senses the evil presence inside of the Inspector and pledges allegiance to it, considering it Satan.
When news of the murders on the train is wired to Siberian authorities, the train is stopped and an intimidating cossack named Captain Kazan (Telly Savalas) boards with a small group of his men. Mirov is discovered to be the creature and is shot down, but not before the alien presence transfers itself to the monk. The passengers all retreat to the caboose, while the monk murders Kazan and his men by draining them of their brains.Saxton rescues the Countess from the creature, but it resurrects all of its victims as white-eyed zombies. The zombies chase Saxton and the Countess back to the caboose, where the others are waiting. As they desperately work to detach the caboose from the rest of the train, Russia sends a telegraph to the next station ahead that they are to send the train over a cliff. The operators follow this order, thinking that they may be at war. Just as the surviving passengers manage to separate themselves from the rest of the train, it goes crashing over the cliff into a fiery explosion below. The caboose rolls to a safe stop precariously near the edge, where the survivors watch the fire consume the train and the unnatural inhabitants within it.
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Danny Elfman: Telling A Nightmarish Tale Through Music
Monster Island News Is Now Closed
Please visit Robo Japan for all your Sci Fi and Monster Movie news!
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Naomi Watts Is Ready For The Birds
Tatiana Siegel - Variety
Naomi Watts will star and Martin Campbell is in negotiations to direct Universal's new version of "The Birds."
U is planning a reimagining of Daphne du Maurier's short story, which inspired the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic.
Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller will produce through their Platinum Dunes shingle, while Peter Guber and Cathy Schulman are producing for Mandalay Pictures.
U is not looking to rush the pic into production prior to a possible strike.
Stiles White and Juliet Snowden wrote a version of the script that is still being developed. New scribes may be brought aboard.
For the moment, Campbell's and Watts' dance cards are already filled with other projects.
Campbell is attached to Fox's runaway train actioner "Unstoppable" and crime thriller "36" at Paramount. He most recently helmed the latest James Bond installment "Casino Royale."
Watts, who will next be seen in Warner Independent's "Funny Games," is filming "The International" and will follow that up with First Look's adaptation of Amy Sutherland's "Kicked, Bitten and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premiere School for Exotic Animal Trainers."
Mandalay's David Zelon and Jonathan Krauss will oversee for Mandalay. Scott Bernstein is overseeing the pic for U.
Luke's Lightsaber Goes Into Space
Luke Skywalker's original Jedi lightsaber, the famous movie prop from the Star Wars saga is now aboard space shuttle Discovery as it waits for its scheduled October 23rd launch at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
The Jedi lightsaber has been carefully stowed away and will travel into space with the seven STS-120 astronauts to the International Space Station before returning to Earth 14 days (and six million miles) later to mark the legendary film's 30th anniversary.
During the two-week mission, Star Wars fans will be able to leave their best wishes to the space shuttle astronauts. Be sure to check http://www.starwars.com/ over the next few days for more information on how you can get a message to the shuttle crew and what the plans are for the lightsaber upon its return to Earth.
In the meantime, you can watch how the lightsaber's journey began as it left Lucasfilm's headquarters on its way to NASA in this video: http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000545.html
Universal Begins Work On The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian
The newest entry in Universal's hugely successful DVD Originals™ offerings, The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian, commenced principal photography in Capetown, South Africa on October 1, 2007. Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions is co-producing with Film Afrika and ApolloMovie. Universal Studios Home Entertainment is distributing the all-new epic adventure, which expands the line's presence into the live-action adventure arena for the first time. The film is slated for release on DVD in 2008.
The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian is the thrilling prequel to The Scorpion King, the action blockbuster that starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Mathayus, the fearsome warrior king of an ancient desert empire. The new film, a heroic tale of loyalty and betrayal filled with heart-stopping action and thrilling visual effects, tells the story of how the young Mathayus rose to become the Scorpion King. Shot entirely in South Africa, this entertaining blend of myth, magic and muscle is directed by Russell Mulcahy (Resident Evil: Extinction, Highlander) and stars Michael Copon ("Beyond the Break," Bring It On: In It to Win It) as the young hero Mathayus, Simon Quarterman ("Murder Rooms: The Patient's Eyes") as the wily Ari, Karen David (The Colour of Magic) as the beautiful Layla, Ralf Moeller (Pathfinder) as the fierce warrior Pollux, and current six-time Ultimate Fighting Championship king Randy Couture (Invincible), holder of three heavyweight and three light heavyweight titles, as the charismatic and powerful villain Sargon.
"The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian is by far our most ambitious DVD OriginalTM production ever in terms of the scope and quality of the sets, visual effects, fight sequences and stunt work," said Glenn Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions. "Because of the remarkable success of the DVD OriginalsTM product line, we are committed to producing a diverse slate of films based on proven franchises to help satisfy the growing demand for high quality entertainment on DVD."
The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian is written by Randall McCormick (Speed 2, Titan A.E.). David Wicht, Thomas Becker and Jorg Westerkamp are co-producers and Sean Daniels and Jim Jacks (both of The Mummy and The Scorpion King.) are the executive producers. The film's production team includes director of photography Glynn Speekaert, production designer Tom Hannam, editor John Gilbert and costume designer Diana Cilliers.
The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian tells the story of the teenage warrior Mathayus and his quest for justice and honor against the evil and powerful King Sargon.
Sci Fi Channel To Launch A Revolution
SCI FI Channel has greenlighted a two-hour drama/action pilot entitled Revolution, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming SCI FI. Much like our own revolution and the struggles of the American colonists, Revolution is the sweeping story of 'New America,' a distant colony on an Earth-like planet struggling for its independence from an increasingly hostile homeland.
Revolution is created and written by Ed Redlich (Shark, Without a Trace) and John Bellucci (Jack and Bobby, Without a Trace) who will both serve as executive producers along with executive producer Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Keen Eddie), and co-executive producer Jib Polhemus for Simon West Productions. The pilot from CBS Paramount Network Television is slated to begin production in January 2008.
New America is a colony settled by the now-named 'United State of America' on a planet resembling our own, located 50 light years away. Echoing many contemporary issues and themes, it is a futuristic version of a new world's passionate fight for freedom. The expansive drama centers on the Hart family – one of the founding families of New America. Tom, a former military man turned industrialist, is the patriarch of the family facing great pressure from the government to increasingly tax the colonists already heavily burdened. His two sons have struggles of their own with one rebelling against his industrialist grandfather and the old America, the other more radical one heading toward revolution. His 16 year-old daughter is simply trying to find her way in this world. Add to this a new local Governor torn between her allegiance to the colony and her desire for peace, and a young ambitious bureaucrat looking to bring the colony back under control.
"'Revolution' is a powerful drama with all of the key emotional elements," said Mark Stern. "There are power struggles, love stories, rebellions, victories, great sacrifices plus thrills and action. Ultimately it's a story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and the heroes that emerge even in the most trying of times."
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Karl Urban From Xena To Star Trek
From StarTrek.com
New Zealander Karl Urban is set to play Dr. Leonard McCoy, STARTREK.COM can now confirm. Once again, this ends the recent speculation as to whether the Kiwi actor would sign on for the role.
Urban (not to be confused with the other famous New Zealander named Urban, country singer and guitar player Keith) has been in some high-profile films of late, including "The Bourne Supremacy," "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King," and "The Chronicles of Riddick." Urban's acting career began to take off back in his native New Zealand when he guest starred in several episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, both filmed in Auckland.
For the role of McCoy in J.J. Abrams' new "Star Trek" film, not much is known where we are in the story with the character of "Bones." Or if he even has that nickname yet!
With the announcement of Karl Urban as McCoy, this completes principal casting for the main bridge crew. Christopher Pike is one of the big parts remaining to be cast.
You may have read an article posted a week ago here at MIN about the possible casting of Chris Pine as Captain Kirk. Well that news has now been confirmed.
Paramount Pictures have finally announced that little known actor Chris Pine has been cast in the role of Captain Kirk in the new Star Trek movie.
It has been revealed that the announcement was delayed due to the actor being offered a role in White Jazz alongside George Clooney, which would lead to a clash in shooting schedules, and the actor was left with a tough decision.
Pine is a surprise choice given his limited experience despite a wide range of television roles he has only done a handful of movies.
He is best known for his role as Jake Harding in Just My Luck alongside Lindsay Lohan. He was also in last years Smokin' Aces.
See Also: The Parade Of Captain Kirk Candidates Continues
Barbarella Derailed By A Rose
Spencer Morgan - The New York Observer
Sin City director Robert Rodriguez is letting his heart get in the way of his better judgment with his forthcoming big-budget remake of Barbarella, a source with knowledge of the production told the Transom.
Universal Studios has backed out of backing the movie, whose budget the source pegged at nearly $100 million, because Mr. Rodriguez has insisted on casting his new fiancé, Rose McGowan, in the lead role, famously played by Jane Fonda in the 1968 original directed by Ms. Fonda’s then-husband, Roger Vadim.
The movie depicts a futuristic astronaut who travels the galaxy, seductively conquering everything in her path. More famous names floated for the part included Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba.
“It’s sort of embarrassing for everyone involved,” the source said. “No one thinks Rose can carry the movie, but Robert won’t listen.”
The film’s executive producer, Dino De Laurentiis, an Academy Award winner who produced Mr. Vadim’s Barbarella, is keeping mum on the matter, the source said. “He’s technically independent but has a strong connection to Universal. He wants to back Robert and his vision. But Robert’s vision is blurred by Rose.”
Universal’s initial excitement about the project had prompted reports that the movie would be fast-tracked for release in 2008. Indeed, the studio was so excited about the film that upon discovering Mr. Rodriguez’s nepotistic casting preference it came back with a second offer to fund Barbarella with an amount significantly below the original—in the double-digit millions, said the source. Apparently many of those involved have unsuccessfully tried to persuade Mr. Rodriguez to see his way beyond his curvaceous fiancée, best known for her role in the TV series Charmed.
But the director is sticking by his number-one chica, the source said, and with Ms. McGowan billed to fill Fonda’s thigh-high boots, the studio is afraid the box office simply wouldn’t stand up to the investment.
Mr. Rodriguez denied this, claiming the issue was simply one of budget. “Universal had initially signed on for $60 million,” he told the Transom, “but then when we were done with the script it wound up at closer to $82 million, and they had just financed a Will Ferrell movie that was a $130 million and they even cut that down to $100.”
He said Universal would still be happy to fund the picture for $60 million, but that he was shopping it around to other studios in the hopes of getting more money. Mr. Rodriguez is known for his ability to make movies cheaply, but believes it will be difficult with Barbarella since much of the film takes place in outer space, and “we don’t want the movie to look like the original,” he said.
The director alleges that the people at Universal were in fact thrilled with Ms. McGowan’s screen test, “blown over,” as he put it. “They said, ‘What are we looking at?’” Mr. Rodriguez said. “She looks fantastic in the role. … She was perfect for this part. She just has that daring look, a sort of classic sexiness that is also kind of futuristic.”
His bodacious Barbarella vision came to him while flipping through the trades one morning with his fiancée at his side. “I asked Rose, I said, ‘Would you be interested in doing this?’ And she said, ‘Oh, we’d rock that shit so hard.’” Mr. Rodriguez said. “And I said, ‘Well, that sounds like a lot of fun.’”
Reps for Mr. De Laurentiis and Universal had no comment.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Gigantis The Fire Monster
Gigantis The Fire Monster (1959)
Warner Bros. (Toho)
AKA: Gojira no gyakushu (1955), Counterattack of the Monsters (1959), Gigantis (1955), Godzilla Raids Again (1959), Godzilla's Counter Attack (1955), Gojira Strikes Again (1955), Gojira's Counterattack (1955), The Return of Godzilla (1955), The Volcano Monster (1955)
Directed By: Motoyoshi Oda
Written By: Shigeaki Hidaka and Shigeru Kayama
Starring:
Hiroshi Koizumi as Shoichi Tsukioka
Setsuko Wakayama as Hidemi Yamaji
Minoru Chiaki as Koji Kobayashi
Takashi Shimura as Dr. Kyohei Yamane
Masao Shimura as Dr. Tadokoro
Runtime: 82 Minutes Japan / 78 Minutes USA
Color: Black and White / Sound: Mono
Released: April 24, 1955 (Japan)(Godzilla Raids Again)
After the success of Gojira Toho studios would make a second feature film starring their new world famous monster entitled Godzilla Raids Again. This time the mighty Godzilla would be pitted against another titanic creature Anguirus whose origin is never explained in the film. This as most fans know would be the first of several Godzilla battle films.
Two spotter pilots for a Japanese fish canning plant crash land on a deserted island where both Godzilla and Anguirus are already engaged in mortal combat. During the fight the two titans plunge into the sea and disappear leaving the two onlookers amazed at what they had both witnessed. Would anybody believe their amazing tale?
The Japanese scientific community could take no chances. The two pilots were questioned thoroughly and asked to identify the monsters from a pile of sketches of known prehistoric creatures. The scientist’s worst fears would become reality. One of the creatures was indeed another Godzilla and the other an equally beast Anguirus. Tokyo was destroyed by just one of these monsters. How could Japan defend itself against two?
A ocean wide search was began to locate the two monsters. At first it was believed that the two creatures had swam past Japan. A celebration would begin. People would relish the fact that Japan had been spared another tragedy. Their celebration would be short lived.
Anguirus would soon appear off the coast of Osaka. Once ashore the monster would blaze a path of destruction through the city. If Anguirus was here could be long before Godzilla would follow?
The King of Monsters would take little time in tracking down it’s foe. Despite all attempts by the Japanese military to keep the two monsters apart they would soon again be locked in deadly combat.
Godzilla and Anguirus would level Osaka.
Godzilla would become the victor of this titanic battle by ripping Anguirus’s throat open with a bit to the neck. Anguirus would lay dying while Godzilla would return to the sea.
Another search would begin to locate Godzilla. Our two hero pilots would be enlisted to aid in the search effort and one of them would locate him near the polar ice of the North Pacific.
A plan was put into action to burry the monster under the ice using missiles fired from Air Force planes.
Success!
The bombardment would indeed cause an avalanche that would incase Godzilla under tons of ice. Japan would once again be safe from Godzilla…….but for how long?
The film would be released in America in 1959 as 'Gigantis the Fire Monster". The distributer of the film was not able to secure the rights to use the name Godzilla so Gigantis would take it's place.
This would not be the first attempt to bring the film to US shores. In 1957 Hary Rybnick and Edward Barison of AB-PT Pictures had struck a deal with Toho to use footage from the film to make one of their own. The movie was to be called "The Volcano Monsters". The story revolved around the bodies of both Godzilla and Anguirus being discovered in a lava flow in Japan. An American company would buy the two monsters and ship them to San Francisco. Of course the two monsters would end up being alive and break loose to wreck havoc in Chinatown. In the end Godzilla kills Anguiruss and is lured to the North Pacific where he is frozen. Could have been interesting. Only one problem. The studio folded the same year and the film never got made. Toho was so desperate to get the film into the US market that they agreed to this project. Another odd side note to the story. Hollywood. Those costumes were never returned to Toho and never heard of again. To this day those two costumes are somewhere here in America waiting to be found.
The film itself is a testimony on how not to edit a motion picture. Warner Bros. did the worst job imaginable on this film. The dubbing is the worst of any Godzilla film. The voice acters get the names of the monsters confused many times. The same monster is called Gigantis in one scene and Anguirusaurus in the next. The sound department even mixed up the monsters roars. Godzilla is seen through most the film with Anguirus's roar coming out of his mouth. The film itself is in fairly pour condition but still very watchable. There are a couple of scenes that get so dark that it is hard to make things out. Despite the films condition this is still a film that has rarely been seen, mostly forgotten, so this is probably as good it will ever be. Toho itself doesn't own a screenable print.
Acting/Dialogue: Gigantis the Fire Monster – Awful. This may be the worst dubbed film ever. None of the original dialogue would make it into the American cut. What you end up with are lines like “Horrors in the world of science are part of nature’s plan” Even more amazing is the fact that Warner Bros. Isn’t to blame for this. Toho actually provided the English script.
Gore:Very little. There is some blood when Godzilla bites Anguirus’s neck.
Good Points:The film itself (American cut) is a mess. Yet it is still entertaining to watch. The monster fighting although shot at the wrong speed, faster instead of slowed down to produce the effect of mass size, is more like two animals fighting in real life. The film still has value due to it’s rarity and the fact that it is direct sequel to Gojira. Fans should see it at least once for these facts alone. I myself do love the film for it’s camp value.
Bad Points:The film itself (Gigantis) should be shown to all film students as a “what not to do to a foreign film” lecture. Everything is done wrong. The dialogue doesn’t match. The monsters sounds are switched. The monsters are called by the wrong names. The original score was replaced. On and on the list goes. It just makes me wonder why so little care went into this?
Overall Rating:2 out of 5 stars. For camp and historical value
Outside Review: Barney Buckley - Godzilla Shrine (http://www.godzillashrine.com/)
Summary or Synopsis:Kobayashi and Tsukioka are part of a small fishing fleet , they are pilots for this company. While Kobayashi's plane has problems. Kobayashi is forced to landed on Iwato island. He is found by Tsukioka, there they stumble onto two great beasts clashing with each other. The Monsters known as Godzilla to some and the name given to him is by Warner Brothers upon distribution is called Gigantis and the other monster is called Anguirus. The two monsters fight until they fall into the ocean where they end up in Osaka, Japan. Gigantis eventually gets the better of Anguirus and kills the monster. Gigantis is now traveling to an off island where he is eventually trapped in ice by jet fighters bombing the hill side that is packed full of ice and snow..
Acting/Dialogue:The acting and dialogue and dubbing is pretty accurate for its time. The acting is alot better to me then most of the newer movies they make. Sometimes the simpler the situation the easer it is to control.
Gore:The only gore I have seen here is when Gigantis takes a bite of Anguirus. He chomped down on his neck like a vampire hungry for blood.
Good Points:Now the good points to this movie is unlike Godzilla 1954 where he plundered and destroyed Tokyo at a very calm and deliberate pace, Gigantis is the opposite , the monsters are very swift and agile, reason for this is they (Toho Company) filmed the fight scenes at a slower speed and the rest of the movie at the regular speed giving the monsters the impression of being very fast. Tsuburaya who was the effects director for the film studied the movies from three different cameras all being the same speed except camera C. Tsuburaya actual liked it and left in this film and future films to come. Another thing I liked about this film was the actual design of Gigantis suits, I am partial to the spines of this suit.
Bad Points:The one thing that sets in everyone's mind is why the different name , well being that Warner Brothers purchased the rights to the movie , they just did not want to fork out that extra penny for the name, and the roars are another thing in Warner Brothers Version Gigantis sounds like Anguirus at times what's up with that. One thing I mentioned early was the design of the suit it also has its flaws like some scenes it shows Anguirus's carapace separate and Godzilla seems at times in the bay coming ashore he looks like he is a on Slim fast diet.
Overall Rating:This movie is a good one to watch like the original is has a dark and eerie feel about it. But it has its weak points too. Though it is the very movie that had Godzilla or Gigantis in this case gets his first enemy a foe who later becomes Godzilla's friend in later movies.
I will give this movie 3 zillers.
Trivia:
1. The fight scenes between Godzilla and Anguirus were filmed at the wrong speed. Tsuburaya wanted the scenes in slow motion, but they ended up at a faster pace. He liked the effect so he kept the footage in the film.
2. Instead of using the original score by Masaru Sato Warner Bros. used the themes from "Kronos" (1957) and "Deerslayer" (1943).
DVD Review: Cinema Isomnia - Episode 3 - Gigantis The Fire Monster
Gigantis the Fire Monster is finally available on DVD. Hosted by Mr. Lobo for the cable program Cinema Insomnia this disk recaptures the feel of old fashioned late night movie nostalgia. Many older readers will remember that this is how these films used to be seen in an era long before DVD, VHS, or for that fact Cable TV. Mr. Lobo does an excellent job adding comic relief between scenes and there are a lot of good trailers and classic adds added into the mix. Overall a great trip down memory lane for those of us who can remember and great campy fun for the younger generation. Copies of the disc are available at Cinema Insomnia for $15.99.
Buy The Movie "Gigantis The Fire Monster" on DVD From Amazon.com (Along with the original Japanese print "Godzilla Raids Again"):See Also: DVD Spotlight: Godzilla Raids Again & Mothra vs Godzilla / Godzilla: King of the Monsters / King Kong vs Godzilla / Mothra vs Godzilla (1964) / Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster / Godzilla 2000 / Godzilla vs Gigan / Godzilla X MechaGodzilla (2002) / Godzilla's Revenge
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Download The Search For The Next Elvira For $1.99
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is searching for an evil handmaiden to assist with her Halloween hosting duties on the Fox Reality Original "The Search for the Next Elvira," which debuts on Fox Reality, the only all-reality, all-the-time cable and satellite network, on Saturday, October 13 at 9:00 PM PT / 12:00 AM ET. Natural 9 Entertainment ("Reality Remix," "Fox Reality Really Awards") is producing the series exclusively for Fox Reality.
On Friday, July 13, Fox Reality will host an open "Casket Call" at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA for their original series "The Search for the Next Elvira." From the hundreds of horrific hopefuls, Elvira will cut the group down to the unlucky thirteen participants, while the others will be told to "Rest in Peace." Later that evening, Elvira will be crowned with her new title "Queen of Halloween." Instructions for entering the Fox Reality Original "The Search for the Next Elvira" through the open "Casket Call" are posted on http://www.foxreality.com/.
"We are thrilled to hold the 'Casket Call' on Friday the 13th at the Queen Mary a notoriously haunted LA landmark. All walks of life are welcome to see if they have what it takes to become the Next Elvira," said Carol Sherman, Executive Producer, Natural 9 Entertainment.
"The Search for the Next Elvira" is a reality series consisting of three, hour-long episodes during which contestants will compete to see if they can look the part, and present the same wit, poise and courage as the real Elvira in hopes of becoming one of Halloween's most sinful icons. Following the second episode on October 20, audience members can vote for their favorite aspiring Elvira who will be crowned as the next "Mistress of the Dark" during the LIVE finale on Halloween.
"There are simply too many ghastly engagements for one 'Mistress of the Dark' to entertain," said Elvira. "I am searching for someone to share my tricks with someone to help spread the Halloween spirit."
Download The First Episode Of "The Search For The Next Elvira" From Amazon.com:
Catching Up With The Insomniacs
Below you will find all sorts of goodies for Halloween, er, we mean, Loboween! There’s happening music, Thrilling live shows, new CINEMA INSOMNIA episodes for your TV, computer, “iGizmos” and DVD player, a new comic book, and what’s up with CINEMA INSOMNIA’s sweetheart the Queen of Trash.
NEW LOBO HALLOWEEN MUSIC If you just can’t bare to bust out MONSTER MASH one more damn time download this treat!Your horror host Mr. Lobo and Bay Area band APOCALYPSO NOW have recorded what is sure to be the greatest holiday song of all time. HALLOWEEN CANDY. It should be coming soon to iTunes but in the meantime…
Get the mp3 at: http://www.lulu.com/content/1284908
Get the Ring Tone at: http://www.groupietunes.com/artists/MrLobowithApocalypsoNow
SACRAMENTO HORROR FILM FESTIVALThis is the Big one! Mr. Lobo and the Queen of Trash host the inaugural year of of this highly anticipated three day festival of 40 films in Sacramento at the colonial theatre! Tony Todd of Candyman and Night Of The Living Dead will be there with Tony Moran, The Original Michael Meyers in John Carpenter’s Halloween! See the full schedule at sachorrorfilmfest.com.
LOBOTRONIC FILM SHOWTHE SACRAMENTO HORROR FILM FESTIVAL will also be home to the 4th LOBOBTRONIC FILM SHOW! See Lobo and the Queen host a parade of hilarious, twisted, and bizarre pyschotronic short 16mm films courtesy of “SciFi”Bob Eckman! Friday Night at the colonial theatre for details please visit sachorrorfilmfest.com!
NEW LOBO TV If you missed the John Stanley/CREATURE FEATURES tribute episode featureing the broadcast premiere of NIGHTMARE IN BLOOD we have another, very special Halloween episode this month, featuring Ed Wood’s PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE and HARDWARE WARS! Special guests include Ed Wood player CONRAD BROOKS, Ernie Fosselius: director of Hardware Wars, Chewchilla: The Wookie Monster, space-drone robot Artie-Deco, and “George Lucas”? Don’t Miss this one, Insomniacs! It’s likely we’ll be sued! On KTEH and BitTorrent!
LOBO’S FULL-LENGTH SHOWS ONLINE DVD quality episodes will be available for FREE by the end of October on BitTorrent.com Mr. Lobo and Cinema Insomnia is proud to be part of the unveiling of an all new sponsor suppoted delivery on BitTorrent. Enjoy the all new Halloween Show Featuring PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE and HARDWARE WARS and many more episodes with new content added monthy.
NEW LOBO DVD’SCollect ‘em all for your own personal Halloween Shlock-O-Thon! CREATURE, INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN, DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME, HOUSE ON HAUNTED HLL, BOB WILKINS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL, FRANKENSTIEN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE, LAST MAN ON EARTH and more…Look for online store updates throughout October.
For More Info Visit: http://www.cinemainsomnia.com/
Lucas Looking For Writers For Star Wars TV Series
Okay, maybe not for a remake of this Star Wars television.......um......event.
By Lynette Rice - Entertainment Weekly
Multiple sources have confirmed to EW.com that George Lucas is coming to Los Angeles next week to meet with writers for his long-gestating live-action Star War series. According to one agent familiar with the project, Lucas' plan is to recruit several freelancers - aka "writers of real significance" - to spend a week at the Skywalker Ranch in November to come up with story ideas for the series. The agent also said that Lucas has indicated a desire to hire writers from other countries. The scribes would then disperse and write the 13 episodes that would be produced and financed by Lucas.
When Lucas first began recruiting Hollywood writers for the project as early as February 2006, according to the agent, his original intent was to produce 26 episodes before he went on the lookout for a network partner. The news put fans in the frenzy as speculation swirled that the live-action series would take place between Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars IV: A New Hope, though the agent believes those rumors are unfounded. Plot points for the series, as a result, remain sketchy.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Exclusive Signing Event With Elisabeth Sladen
Exclusive Signing Event with Elisabeth Sladen star of The Sarah Jane Adventures on BBC One and former Doctor Who companion.
Time: 2 – 4pm
Date: 27 October, 2007
Venue: Borders, 203 – 207 Oxford Street , London W1
Tel: 0207 292 1600
Website: http://www.bordersstores.co.uk/events/
Time: 2 – 4pm
Date: 27 October, 2007
Venue: Borders, 203 – 207 Oxford Street , London W1
Tel: 0207 292 1600
Website: http://www.bordersstores.co.uk/events/
Elisabeth Sladen star of The Sarah Jane Adventures series on BBC One will be signing copies of our new audio-exclusive titles The Glittering Storm and The Thirteenth Stone at Borders Oxford Street store on the 27th October. The signing event will allow fans to get hold of the new Sarah Jane Adventures audio-exclusive titles on CD a full week before their national release on 5th November.
Elisabeth Sladen plays Sarah Jane Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures a brand new children’s drama from the makers of Doctor Who currently running on BBC One and CBBC. The two audio-exclusive titles are read by Elisabeth from her character Sarah Jane Smith’s point of view and mark the first time that BBC Audiobooks has released original stories exclusively on audio. Elisabeth Sladen first filled the role of Sarah Jane Smith, investigative journalist from 1973 – 1976 during which time she was companion to both Jon Pertwee as the third Doctor and Tom Baker as the Fourth. She has also appeared in the new series of Doctor Who starring opposite the Tenth Doctor David Tenant.
Sarah Jane Adventures: The Glittering Storm
Published by BBC Audiobooks on 5 November
CD ISBN: 9781405678247
RRP: £5.99, 1 hour 10 mins on 1 CD
Download ISBN: 9781405609258 RRP: £3.60
Published by BBC Audiobooks on 5 November
CD ISBN: 9781405678247
RRP: £5.99, 1 hour 10 mins on 1 CD
Download ISBN: 9781405609258 RRP: £3.60
When patients at a London clinic begin to act strangely, Sarah Jane’s suspicions are aroused. Luke falls prey to the clinic’s sinister agenda, Maria and Clyde are pursued through London by a golden battle machine, and Sarah discovers a plot to harvest all the gold from Earth - at a terrible cost to the planet!
Sarah Jane Adventures: The Thirteenth Stone
Published by BBC Audiobooks on 5 November
CD ISBN: 9781405678230
RRP: £5.99, 1 hour 10 mins on 1 CD
Download ISBN: 9781405608732 RRP: £3.60
Whilst helping out on a school trip, Sarah Jane discovers the truth behind the legend of an ancient stone circle. Something is trying to escape from one of the stones – and it’s chosen Luke as the way out! Can Sarah, Clyde and Maria save him?
Creature From the Black Lagoon: Translucent Green Action Figure
Introducing this exciting Special Edition Translucent Creature. This 8" action figure features the likeness of the famous monster from the 1954 Universal Studios film 'Creature from the Black Lagoon.'This figure has 14 points of sculpted articulation which allows it to make many different action poses!
Order Now From Amazon.com:
McKellen Ready For Another Round Of Gandalf
From BBC News
Sir Ian McKellen has said he would be "very pleased" to reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in the planned film of JRR Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.
"If I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it," he told Reuters.
Sir Ian played the role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, landing an Oscar nomination in the process.
Due to a legal dispute with film studio New Line, however, Peter Jackson will not be back as director for The Hobbit.
"When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an email saying: 'Because I am not going to do it, it doesn't mean you have to do the same,'" McKellen is quoted as saying.
"'Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.'"
"I am glad to read that it is looking more and more likely," the 68-year-old continued.
"I would be disappointed if they didn't want to have the original Gandalf."
The Hobbit, which Tolkien wrote before the Rings books, tells how Bilbo Baggins finds a supernatural ring - which is passed on to his nephew, Frodo, in Lord of the Rings.
Jackson has been ruled out of directing the film adaptation due to a dispute about income from the first Rings film, The Fellowship of the Ring.
It is not yet known who will take his place or when filming will commence.
Sir Ian is currently in Los Angeles playing the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear.
The veteran actor said playing the part was extremely taxing "spiritually and emotionally and mentally".
The Sarah Jane Adventures: Eye Of The Gorgon (Part 2)
The Sarah Jane Adventures –Eye Of The Gorgon
Ep 4/10
Monday 15 October
5.00-5.25pm BBC ONE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/
As Luke and Clyde are held hostage at St Agnes Abbey, the monstrous Gorgon and her sinister group of nuns manage to get hold of the alien talisman from Sarah Jane and Maria, as the drama continues. This brings them one step closer to their evil plan to open a portal and unleash more Gorgons on Earth.
With her dad, Alan, turned to stone by the Gorgon's deadly gaze, Maria sets out to get him back to normal before it is too late. Back at the Abbey, Sarah Jane and the gang try to stop the nuns from opening the door to the Gorgons' alien world. But will they be able to avoid the Gorgon's stony eyes for long enough to save the day?
Sarah Jane Smith is played by Elisabeth Sladen, Maria Jackson by Yasmin Paige, Luke Smith by Thomas Knight and Clyde by Daniel Anthony.
Eye Of The Gorgon is written by Phil Ford.
Bigfoot Sightings In The Minnesota Wild
Lee Bloomquist - Duluth News Tribune
Robert Olson said he and others have discovered plenty of large footprints in Northeastern Minnesota’s forests.
Footprints of Bigfoot.
“For every sighting we have heard about, there’s probably 10 more that we don’t hear about,” said Olson, who will speak Monday about Northeastern Minnesota Bigfoot sightings at Lady Ocalat’s Emporium in downtown Duluth, a shop that sells “eclectic and magical” items.
“One of the ideas is that these creatures are moving east away from what could be a cataclysmic disaster,” Olson said.
Olson is one of a handful of Northeastern Minnesota Bigfoot researchers who say they’ve seen signs — or received reports — of Bigfoot “beings,” also known as Sasquatch, across Northeastern Minnesota.
Within the last two years, there have been about 20 documented sightings across Northeastern Minnesota, Olson said.
The creatures have been described as having human-like faces with cone-shaped heads, hairy, stooped, with long arms and palms that face backward.
“And they can run,” said Olson. “There’s probably no animal in Minnesota that could catch them.”
Many of the reported sightings have been in rural areas surrounding Leech Lake, some in the day and some at night. However, sightings also have been reported in other areas.
“We’ve had actual sightings near Bovey, Nett Lake and around here,” said Donald Sherman, a facilities manager at Cass Lake Hospital and a member of the Leech Lake Ojibwe band. He documents Bigfoot sightings and stories in the region. “They have like a human footprint, but the prints are extremely large. We have photographs where they have made shelters, where there’s animal bones lying around the shelters.”
Stories of Bigfoot — a large brown, hairy human-like being that roams forests — go back hundreds of years in Indian beliefs, Sherman said.
In Ojibwe, the word for a Bigfoot-like creature is “bugwayjinini,” meaning “wild man,” said Sherman.
Indians believe that Bigfoot beings were sent by the creator long ago to guide and care for Indian people and give warnings, particularly of impending sickness, said Sherman.
“It’s how we learn medicine,” Sherman said. “Bigfoot teaches us medicine through our medicine man.”
Sherman believes 300 to 400 — perhaps even 500 — Bigfoot exist in Minnesota.
“A man was hunting during the day in Nett Lake [about 20 years ago] and thought he saw a bear,” said Sherman. “He put his 30.06 scope on it, but then it stood up on two legs. It looked like a human and he couldn’t shoot it. Then, it just took off.”
In 2005, a woman reported seeing a Bigfoot near Bena, Sherman said.
“She was driving her car and saw it walking near some railroad tracks,” Sherman said. “She said it looked right at her and she started crying. She said it looked into her soul.”
In 2006, a woman driving at night reported a sighting near Ball Club.
“She had come from the Deer River Casino and a small one came out, saw her and went back into the swamp,” Sherman said. “Nobody knows if they’re human or animal. Some Native Americans say they can change themselves and go into a different dimension and disappear right in front of you. … There’s a lot more people seeing them in the last two years, or else more people are starting to come out of the woods who are willing to talk about what they’ve seen.”
There’s never been any evidence to support believers’ claims, said Keith Matson of Deer River, a retired U.S. Forest Service inventory technician who worked in Northeastern Minnesota forests for 28 years and knows Olson.
“I have had contact with a lot of professionals who work in the forest and they have never seen signs,” Matson said. “Unfortunately, [Bigfoot] tracks are easy to fake. I’m not doubting their sincerity, but did they really see Bigfoot or did they see a bear or a moose, or is it a repressed dream?”
Jody Hansen of Keewatin said he’s been researching the existence of Bigfoot in Northeastern Minnesota since June.
This summer, Hansen said he found a footprint 17 inches long, 5 inches across the heel and 8 inches across the toes in an anthill near Carey Lake east of Hibbing. He said he also has found piles of branches and stick figures created by Bigfoot for communication. Hansen and Olsen said Bigfoot also communicate by knocking on trees.
Sherman says he and other Bigfoot researchers know there will always be doubters.
“There’s always skeptics,” Sherman said. “But it’s like bears — there are a lot of them around but not too many people have seen them. It’s like people who don’t believe in God.”
Friday, October 12, 2007
Mad Monster Party
Mad Monster Party (1969)
Rankin/Bass Productions
Directed by: Jules Bass
Produced by:Joseph E. Levine / Arthur Rankin Jr. / Larry Roemer
Written by: Len Korobkin / Harvey Kurtzman / Arthur Rankin Jr.
Cast:
Phyllis Diller, the Monster's Wife
Ethel Ennis
Gale Garnett
Boris Karloff, Baron Boris von Frankenstein
Allen Swift
Ann-Margaret
Dr Frankenstein decides to retire, leaving the monster business to his nephew, Felix. Frankenstein plans to announce his decision at a convention of monsters that includes his monster, Dracula, the Werewolf, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and many more. However when Felix proves to be an incompetent (and unsuitably kind-hearted) human, the monsters plot to eliminate him and gain control of Frankenstein's latest discovery: the secret of total destruction!
The film was created using Rankin/Bass' "Animagic" stop motion animation process. The process involved photographing figurines in still shots and re-positioning them after each shot, the same approach used in Art Clokey's Davey and Goliath and to create the giant ape in the original King Kong. Kong, in fact, makes a featured appearance in this film (sporting some rather colorful finger and toenails), although due to rights issues he is known only as "It".Classic monster movies were enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the late 1960's, and humorous monsters like The Addams Family and The Munsters were enormously popular. This campy film is a spoof of horror themes, complete with musical numbers and inside jokes.
Mad Magazine creator Harvey Kurtzman penned the script, and Mad artist Jack Davis designed many of the characters. Davis was a natural for the job, being famous both for his humor work and his monster stories in the pages of EC Comics. It has long been rumored that Forrest J. Ackerman had a hand in the script, but while the script is rife with Famous Monsters of Filmland -like puns, Ackerman's involvement has never been confirmed. Although mostly intended as a kid's picture, the film does feature some of Kurtzman's typically dark humor and a few mildly risque jokes (in one scene, Francesca falls over, and when Felix struggles to lift her, she says, "I wanted you to know I'm no easy pick-up.") In another scene, a character briefly has his head replaced with a cooked pig's... and this is surely the only "kid's picture" to end with a mushroom cloud!
The cute/ghastly look of the creatures in this film was very influential on The Nightmare Before Christmas and other Tim Burton monster designs; in particular, the little monsters seen in the Stay One Step Ahead number strongly resemble Burton creations.
In addition to the famous monsters seen in the film, Mad Monster Party? also features several celebrity likenesses. Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller's characters are both designed to look like the actors portraying them, while the hunchbacked lackey named Yetch is a physical and vocal caricature of Peter Lorre. Felix, on the other hand, strongly resembles Jimmy Stewart vocally but not physically.
In 1972, Rankin/Bass produced a sequel of sorts, with the TV special Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters. This special featured many of the same monster characters, including an imitation of Karloff as the doctor ( he died in 1969), although it presumably was not intended as a direct sequel since many of these characters perished at the end of Mad Monster Party?. Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters was created using cel animation, rather than stop-motion. While Mad Monster Party? still enjoys an ardent cult following, Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters has fallen into comparative obscurity.
Order The DVD From Amazon:
London After Midnight Silver Screen Edition
Price: US $225.00- Order Now!
Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present horror fans with the ultra-limited Silver Screen Edition of the Premium Format London After Midnight figure. The figure is presented in full monochromatic grayscale, including all paint detail and fabric clothing. The 1:4 scale figure has a polystone body clothed in an authentic reproduction of the original costume. The arms are constructed of heavy-gauge wire sewn into plush fabric, allowing you to adjust the pose and gesture of the figure's arms. The figure is completed with realistic hair, a non-removable 'beaver' hat, and his lantern. Each figure is hand painted and hand finished, and includes the cobble-stone display base. Limited to only 250 pieces worldwide.
London After Midnight is perhaps the most famous of Hollywood's lost films, and was perhaps the first American vampire movie. The last known copy burned in the late 1950's, and since then, film historians and horror aficionados have sought to reconstruct or resurrect this horror great. Sadly all that remains of the 1927 Chaney classic are film stills and memories. Playing a dual role, Lon Chaney Sr. donned perhaps his most frightening face to play 'The Man in the Beaver Hat,' a Scotland Yard inspector with a talent for hypnosis and disguise. Chaney's inspector disguises himself with a heavy black coat, immense top hat, sallow make-up and eerily symmetrical pointed teeth set in a fixed grin, perhaps hoping to hypnotize and frighten his prey into revealing the secrets of the murder that he is investigating. Chaney's portrayal of the character was so memorable, and so disturbing, that the character will forever be regarded as one of the great horror icons.
Alien Maquette 1:4 Scale Maquette
Price: US $899.99 - Order Now!
Sideshow and ADI are proud to bring you the 1:4 scale Dog Alien Maquette. The maquette was created using castings from original molds from the original film sculptural and paint studies, reposed to create the most dynamic and display-friendly collectible possible. The creature is captured in a crouching pose, with his whip-like tail held aloft and prepared to strike. The Dog Alien is cast in high-quality polystone, hand finished and hand painted to exacting standards, and promises to be the highest quality and most authentic Dog Alien Maquette ever produced!
Effects Studio ADI and Sideshow Collectibles have once again joined forces to transform one of Hollywood's most memorable monsters into a high-quality collectible. Amalgamated Dynamics, INC. (ADI) was formed by Tom Woodruff and Alec Gillis, who first worked together on Aliens at Stan Winton Studios. One of ADI's first projects was Alien_, in which Ripley crash-lands on Fury 161, a remote maximum-security prison planet. In the script, a facehugger has stowed aboard, and quickly finds a nice warm host for the incubation of a full Alien Warrior, a pet dog. ADI was given the difficult task of giving the xenomorphic Alien a fresh look, re-imagining the beast as combining alien and canine DNA, while remaining as faithful as possible to the classic Giger alien design. The Dog Alien, as it has come to be known, is able to run on all fours, possesses the smooth clear cranial dome, similar to the original design in Alien, and sports a more complex brown-hued appearance, just slightly more organic than the darker designs of the previous films. Tom Woodruff stepped into the Dog Alien costume, ensuring that ADI's concept and design was fully executed on screen, breathing life into the character inside and out.
Simon Pegg Cast As Scotty In Star Trek XI
From BBC News
Hot Fuzz star Simon Pegg is poised to play Scotty in the new Star Trek movie.
The British comic has been offered the role of the chief engineer, played by James Doohan in the classic TV series, his manager has told BBC News.
The film, directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams, focuses on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock.
Star Trek's 11th big screen outing also stars Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy, and filming is due to start next month.
Pegg's manager Dawn Sedgewick said he had been offered the part, which was now subject to "the usual paperwork".
US actor Chris Pine is in talks to play the young Captain Kirk, trade publication Variety has reported. Bana will play Nero, and original Spock Nimoy has a cameo role.
The film will show the crew meeting at the Starfleet Academy and embarking on their first mission.
Pegg, 37, found fame in TV comedy Spaced and went on to find big screen success by writing and starring in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
His other films include Run Fat Boy Run and the forthcoming How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
Abrams and Pegg previously worked together on Mission: Impossible III, starring Tom Cruise.
Futurama Returns With Bender's Big Score
The future is back! The first new “Futurama” programming since 2003, Futurama: Bender’s Big Score features out-of-this-world hilarity on DVD November 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
As Xmas 3007 approaches, the “Futurama” crew must fight to save Earth in an epic battle against nudist alien Internet scammers. When the evil naked aliens launch a cyber-attack on Planet Express, they make a shocking discovery: the secret of time travel, mysteriously tattooed on Fry's buttocks. Using their devious nudist software to control Bender, they repeatedly send the beer-fueled robot back in time to loot Earth of its greatest treasures. Bender's rampage through history has shocking repercussions when he encounters Al Gore (guest-starring as himself) during the 2000 Presidential recount. Meanwhile, Leela finds true love, a beloved crew member suffers an embarrassing decapitation, and Fry learns deep secrets about his destiny and his buttocks.
Al Gore, Coolio and Sarah Silverman guest star.
Futurama: Bender’s Big Score will be the first full-length “Futurama” adventure, with the universe expanding when three more films are released individually through 2008. More information on the next feature films will be forthcoming.
Watch The Trailer:
Order The DVD From Amazon:
Capcom Girls Collection: Morrigan Heavy Gauge Statue
Capcom Girls Collection - Morrigan Heavy Gauge Statue Description:
Capcom Girls Collection - Morrigan Statue. 3... 2... 1... FIGHT! Yamato continues its impressive tribute to the leading ladies of Capcom, the Capcom Girls Collection, with this meticulously detailed 1:7 scale Statues from Japan's renowned Garage Kit studio, HEAVY GAUGE. Perfectly capturing the character's distinctive pose, this statue measures approximately 9.5-inches tall and come packaged with a display base in a collector's style window box.
Futurama Series 1 Action Figure Set
Futurama Series 1 Action Figure Set Description:
Good riddance to them! Better yet, give them away as gifts or collect them yourself! This giggle-generating set includes 2 individually packaged 6-inch Futurama Action Figures: 1x Philip J. Fry and 1x Dr. Zoidberg. Both poseable characters feature multiple points of articulation, include character-specific accessories, and arrive in blister-card packaging. As an added bonus, each figure in the first three Futurama series comes with an extra component for use in assembling the Robot Devil!
Doctor Who Regeneration Action Figure 2-Pack
Doctor Who Regeneration Action Figure 2-Pack Description:
Double your Doctor fun! This Doctor Who Regeneration 2-Pack includes the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). Both of these awesome 5 1/2-inch characters are dressed in identical black jeans and leather jacket and include a tiny sonic screwdriver. This set features the only Tenth Doctor figure clad in the Ninth Doctor's clothes!
Doctor Who is a long-running British science-fiction television program (and a 1996 television movie) produced by the BBC. The program presents the adventures of a mysterious time traveler known as "the Doctor." Along with his companions, he explores time and space in his TARDIS time ship, solving problems and righting wrongs.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
AMC's Monsterfest Lineup Is Disappointing
It is that time of year once again. The time when AMC showcases the greatest horror and monster movies during a two week stretch around Halloween that the network has labeled "Monsterfest." Normally this is the two weeks of cable television that myself, and my family, have come to covet. Well, that is until recent years. Let me explain. Back in the day, Monsterfest used to be a true showcase of classic monster films and modern horror staples. It was always a great opportunity to catch films like, Them!, The Wolfman, Frankenstein and the occasional rarity like, The Black Scorpion. Alas those days are gone it seems. In recent years AMC has changed the format of Monsterfest and slasher films began to rule the two week programing block. Not that I feel these films don't belong mind you, I just long to see an oldie but goodie thrown in the mix.
This year I had high hopes. Last night I saw an advertisement for Monsterfest that featured graphics of Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and even Godzilla. Had the folks over at AMC seen the light? Was Monsterfest returning to the old days? I quickly logged on the the networks website and checked the schedule. Thud. It seems this years schedule is the same old mix that I saw last year. In fact It seems the lineup has taken a unexpected plunge. The list of movies I encountered is a strange brew to say the least. Not only are the classics I mentioned above missing, but they seem to have been replaced by a bunch of second rate sequels like Creepshow 2 and Poltergeist2. Not the upper level of horror films there.
Another problem I have with this batch of films is that they keep showing the same movies over and over. For example, The Fog aires at least a dozen times during the two weeks. Other films seem to be recycled the same amount of times. Couldn't we just show a movie one time and add some other movies to the mix?
There are some real odd choices included in the schedule. Two that came to my attention are the highly predictable Gothika, and the Alien sequel Alien Resurrection. First off, I wouldn't even count Gothika as one of the top 500 horror films ever produced and why choose Resurrection over any of the other Alien films? I can see Alien or even better yet Aliens, being included, but why choose Resurrection, after the network just aired it a month or so ago?
I would seem that the people in charge of programing at AMC just don't get it. Even after the classic monsters like Godzilla and Frankenstein blew away the modern horror icons in an online poll sponsored by the network earlier this year, they were still left out of the line-up. Maybe one day AMC will let me work out the schedule. Wouldn't that be a gas? Hey, I couldn't do any worse!
Check out the schedule for Monsterfest at: http://www.amctv.com/monsterfest/
Don't let the graphics of Frankenstein, Godzilla and King Kong fool you, they aren't showing their movies.
The Parade Of Captain Kirk Candidates Continues
First we heard it was going to be Matt Damon, then the rumor surfaced that Mike Vogel was the choice, now we have this guy:
From StarTrek.com
Hot on the heels of yesterday's announcement here on STARTREK.COM of Eric Bana playing the villain "Nero" in the new "Star Trek" movie, comes news that director J.J. Abrams and his team may be closer to getting their Kirk than ever before. The actor of choice for the highly coveted role is Chris Pine, according to today's Hollywood Reporter.
The 27-year-old Pine, whose career has veered from the Lindsay Lohan vehicle "Just My Luck," to the more street cred-worthy "Smokin' Aces," is currently in high demand in Hollywood. The actor, according to the story, can play the Kirk role should he choose. The problem, however, is that he is currently in negotiations to co-star opposite George Clooney in the film "White Jazz." If Pine is unable to do the "Star Trek" movie due to scheduling conflicts, the studio will have to look at other options.
Pine already has a connection to Star Trek through his father. Robert Pine played a Delta Quadrant politico named "Liria" in Voyager's "The Chute," and the emotional Vulcan leader "Tavin" in Enterprise's "Fusion." The elder Pine also co-starred in CHiPs alongside Michael Dorn.
Over the past year plus, several actors have been rumored to play Kirk, as well as the other key parts. So far, none of the rumors have materialized. Actor Mike Vogel, who is starring in the highly guarded and untitled J.J. Abrams project "Cloverfield" (working title) has also been rumored to play Kirk. And in the past several weeks, the New Zealand-born Russell Crowe was rumored to play the "Nero" part now filled by the Australian Bana. Clearly, the Antipodes provide fertile ground for Hollywood villains these days!
See Also: Eric Bana To Play Nero In Star Trek XI / The Menagerie On The Big Screen November 13th / Cloverfield Star To Play Kirk? / Zoe Saldana To Play Uhura In Star Trek XI / James McAvoy To Beam Up As Scotty / Star Trek (1966-1969) / Anton Yelchin To Be Cast As Pavel Chekov / Will Fans Embrace New Effects For The Original Star Trek? / Paramount Panel - Comic-Con 2007 - Star Trek XI / The Search For Spock Leads To Zachary Quinto /Did Doohan Boldly Go?......Well Sadly No / Shatner Confronts Latest 'Trek' Rumors / ShatnerVision looks at Nimoy, Spader and Space Seed! / A New Years Video Message From William Shatner / Robert Beltran Is A Man Of The Cloth On Medium / Star Trek XI Gets A Christmas 2008 Release / Radio / ShatnerVision looks at Nimoy, Spader and Space Seed! / 'Star Trek' Actor Bergere Dies / Abrams: Trek XI Aims At '08 / Damon: I'd Play Kirk In Trek XI /
Sarah Lancashire Is One Of Many Guest Stars On Doctor Who
Sarah Lancashire, best known for roles in Coronation Street, Clocking Off and Rose & Maloney, is set to guest star in series four of the BAFTA award-winning Doctor Who, due to be seen on BBC One inext year.
Sarah will guest star as Miss Foster, an enigmatic and powerful businesswoman, in episode one which reintroduces Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
Sarah Lancashire says: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be in Doctor Who. It's a brilliant episode and I'm looking forward to taking the Time Lord on."
Award-winning actress Catherine Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride who featured in last year's Doctor Who Christmas special.
The start of the new series will see Donna tracking down The Doctor during an alien emergency in modern-day London.
The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the new series including meeting one of Doctor Who's most popular aliens, The Ood, in a brand new episode, Planet Of The Ood.
Donna and The Doctor will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie, and taking a trip to Pompeii.
Guest stars in the new series include Felicity Kendal, Fenella Woolgar, Tim McInnerny, Peter Capaldi, Phil Davis and Tracey Childs.
Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, The Doctor's companion throughout the critically-acclaimed third series, will return to the show to join The Doctor and Donna mid-series.
David Tennant will play The Doctor and Catherine Tate will play his new companion, Donna.
The fourth series of Doctor Who is now in production and will hit BBC One in Spring 2008.
The producer is Phil Collinson; Executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner, and Russell T Davies.
See Also: When In Rome Do As The Doctor Does / Doctor Who Returns For Season Five / David Tennant Switches It On In Blackpool / David Bowie To Play An Alien On Doctor Who / Doctor Who Takes Top Prize At The Edinburgh TV Festival / Season Four Of Doctor Who Begins Filming/Guest Stars Announced / Kylie Minogue Mistaken For A Real Waitress While Filming The Doctor Who Christmas Special / Kylie Minogue As A Titanic Waitress On Doctor Who / Catherine Tate Is The Doctor's New Traveling Buddy /Doctor Who Christmas Special – The Runaway Bride /Kylie Minogue Set For A Tardis Trip / Freema Agyeman Returning To 'Doctor Who'/Joining 'Torchwood' / Actor Profile - David Tennant / 'Doctor Who' - Get Ready For Seasons 3 & 4!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Universal To Pump $100 Million Into The Land Of The Lost
Diane Garrett - Variety
Universal is pushing the button on "Land of the Lost" for a March start.
Decision to greenlight the Will Ferrell project surprised observers, who are aware that U had a rough ride with its $160 million comedy "Evan Almighty." Studio sources suggest the budget of "Land of the Lost," described as an event comedy, was recalibrated from $125 million to $100 million in order to earn its start date.
Brad Silberling will helm the bigscreen adaptation of Sid & Marty Krofft's children's skein of the same name. Jimmy Miller is producing along with the Kroffts; Julie Wixson-Darmody and Daniel Lupi exec produce.
Decision to move ahead effectively removes Ferrell from availability for other pre-strike projects on the cusp, such as "Himelfarb" for Warner Bros. The comedian has been attached to "Land of the Lost" for several years. Miller reps Ferrell and the Kroffts, who have long tried to get a bigscreen adaptation of their show made.
Adaptation by Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas revolves around a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide who find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.
Donna Langley spearheaded the effort to obtain rights from the Kroffts, who also produced and created smallscreen skeins such as "H.R. Pufnstuf," "Lidsville" and "Donny and Marie."
See Also: Land of the Lost (TV 1974-1977)
Eric Bana To Play Nero In Star Trek XI
Tatiana Siegel - Variety
Eric Bana has signed on to play "Star Trek" villain Nero in Paramount Pictures' bigscreen adaptation of the sci-fi series.
Plot details and even character descriptions of the J.J. Abrams-helmed project are being kept under wraps.
Anton Yelchin, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Leonard Nimoy have already boarded the USS Enterprise. Casting is under way in New York and London, and Abrams had been expected to pursue bigger-name actors for the roles of the villain and the Federation captain, the latter of which remains unfilled.
Par still needs to cast several other major parts before the November start date, including a young James T. Kirk and Scotty.
Abrams is producing the film through his Paramount-based Bad Robot shingle alongside Stratton Leopold. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci wrote the screenplay and will exec produce along with Bryan Burk and Damon Lindelof.
"Star Trek" will bow on Christmas Day 2008.
Bana, who is filming "The Time Traveler's Wife" for New Line, next appears in Sony's "The Other Boleyn Girl" alongside Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson.
CG Thundercats Gets A Director
Marc Graser - Variety
Warner Bros. has tapped its top Thundercat.
Vidgame vet Jerry O'Flaherty will helm the studio's CG-animated "Thundercats" feature, based on the popular '80s cartoon series, comicbook and toy line.
The project marks the first feature directing gig for O'Flaherty, who served as an art director on such bestselling games as "Gears of War" and "Unreal Tournament 3" for Epic Games and the "Command and Conquer" series from Westwood Studios.
O'Flaherty had been looking to make the leap into movies and was considering several projects, even live action.
But the "Thundercats" story appealed to him, as well as the fact that vidgames are increasingly incorporating lavish animated sequences that mimic pics, making a toon a much easier transition.
"It feels like a natural thing for me to step into," he said. "Games have come so far now. The last four years of my life have been about bringing the energy of filmmaking into the videogame experience."
O'Flaherty will now work with scribe Paul Sopocy on the script.
Warner-based Paula Weinstein will produce through her Spring Creek Prods. banner, along with Dick Robertson and Lew Korman.
WB optioned a "Thundercats" script from Sopocy this summer (Daily Variety, June 5). The origin story expands on the major heroes and villains from the animated series, with the plot focusing on Lion-O coming of age as the leader of the Thundercats.
The property revolves around a group of humanoid cats who must flee the planet of Thundera, which is destroyed. Once crash-landing on another planet, Third Earth, they must thwart Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer bent on killing them off.
O'Flaherty plans to remain faithful to the "Thundercats" franchise, which began in 1983 and spawned several animated series, the most recent of which aired on Cartoon Network; a toy line produced by LJN; and comicbooks published by Marvel and DC imprints. Warner Bros. has owned the rights to the animated series since acquiring Telepictures in 1989.
G-Fan #81
G-FAN #81 Summary
by Armand Vaquer
G-FAN #81 is now arriving at comic & specialty stores and subscribers' mailboxes around the world. Here is what the Fall issue contains for your reading enjoyment:
The issue begins with news in the world of kaiju including Godzilla in 3-D, Titanosaurus news, a new pulp e-zine and news on the passing of actor Jerry Ito.
Daisuke Ishizuka reports on Koichi Kawakita's new G-project, Pachislot, a blend of pachinko and and slot machines.
G-Mail returns with more readers' comments.
Brett Homenick strikes again with several interviews including Adryan Russ (who co-wrote and sang "Save The Earth" for "Godzilla vs. Hedorah"); actor Don Frye; actor George Touliatos; visual effects designer/supervisor Michael Lennick; actor Jonathan Legg; and actress Luciana Paluzzi.
Ken Brockelmann will not endear himself to Godzilla as he points out the Big G's "Most Embarassing Moments."
Project manager Keewhan Her for "Godzilla Unleashed" has granted a G-FAN interview on the new game and supplied some visuals for your enjoyment.
Don Jolly recounts "Growing Up With G-FAN."
Corrine Orr has a convention experience that she penned in "Anime North Report."
Mark Justice has an article on "Shinto Symbolism in Toho's Daikaiju Eiga."
A lesson in some Japanese is presented by Mike Field in "What is the meaning of "Kaiju"?"
22 friends sent pictorial greetings to G-FAN and they are presented as a centerfold layout for you to see.
"Up From The Depths: Terrifying Tales of Real Life Kaiju" is presented to terrify you by John LeMay.
Mike Bogue recounts "The Alternative Monsterverse of a Sixties Kaiju Kid."
I jumped into the interview game as I interviewed Japanese science-fiction historian August Ragone about his new book, "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters." Also, a review by yours truly on the book is included.
"Ozora No Samurai" ("Samurai Of The Sky") has been released on DVD and a promotional event was covered by Daisuke Ishizuka.
Jerry Ito is gone, but he is not forgotten by August Ragone, who has written a two-page tribute to the villain of "Mothra."
David McRobie's "The Globe Meter" returns with some reflections on different subjects.
J.D. Lees and I teamed up for a report on this year's G-FEST XIV.
Don Glut is honored with the "Mangled Skyscraper" award and an article on Don is presented.
Paul Gavins presents an article on the ever-growing G-FEST costume parade.
Steve Agin again presents what's new in the world of kaiju toys in "All Monster Toys Attack."
John Rozum reviews the monster movie, "The Host."
All the above and more are in G-FAN #81. So if you aren't a subscriber, go out and snag yourself a copy at your favorite shop. To subscribe, go to http://www.g-fan.com/. That's it until the Winter issue (#82).
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Menagerie On The Big Screen November 13th
Boldly go where no man has gone before to see two of the most famous “Star Trek: The Original Series” episodes – your local movie theatre! “Star Trek: The Original Series” will be beamed onto the big screen for only one night in select movie theatres nationwide on Tuesday, Nov. 13th at 7:30PM (local). This event features the original Season 1 episodes “The Menagerie” Part 1 and 2, digitally re-mastered in High-Definition and Cinema Surround Sound. Also included is greeting from creator Gene Roddenberry’s son, Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry and an exclusive 30-minute behind-the-scenes look at how the episodes were digitally re-mastered.
Event Synopsis:
“The Menagerie” features footage from the original “Star Trek” pilot episode titled “The Cage.” Leonard Nimoy as Spock is the only character that made it from the pilot to the “Star Trek” series – as well as Jeffrey Hunter in the role of the original commander of the starship Enterprise, Captain Christopher Pike.
The two-part episode features Spock and the familiar crew of the Enterprise including William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, James Doohan as Scott, and Nichelle Nichols as Uhura. In this episode, Spock is on trial for hijacking the Enterprise, telling a strange tale of former Enterprise Captain Pike's imprisonment on Talos IV 13 years earlier and the past crew's attempts to rescue him – shown in “flashback” footage taken from the original pilot episode.
An in-theatre exclusive greeting from creator Gene Roddenberry’s son, Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry is included, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how the episodes were digitally re-mastered from the original negatives – including the reinvention of the old TV show special effects using new CGI animation, and the orchestral re-recording of the show’s theme music.
Please note: The event content will be shown in its original (TV) format, 4x3.
Special Note: The fine folks over at WilliamShatner.com sent us this little tid-bit about the casting of a senior Captain Kirk in Star Trek XI:
In an interview posted on TrekMovie.com, writer Roberto Orsi tells TrekMovie about Shatner being in the movie. He tells TrekMovie.com; "What J.J. said at Comic-Con is still true. We are actively perusing looking for a way to make a part that is worthy of him and that is not pandering to either his role in Star Trek or to the fans." Is it the company line to keep fans at bay or will Kirk finally be back?
You don't think that Shatner's official website would be posting that, unless he was truly interested in the part do you?
Creature From The Black Lagoon Remake Plot Revealed
Yes, in case you hadn't heard, there is a remake of the classic Universal monster movie, Creature From The Black Lagoon, presently in production. A copy of the script has begun to make the rounds, and here is the low-down:
SPOILERS BELOW!
Here is an excerpt from an article on ISEB that I found.
CARRIE, a ex-research fellow specializing in rain forest medical exploration suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome (aka, the most un-cinematic illness ever!) JOHN is her over-protective shrink-turn-fiancé who is humoring her with one last trip into the Amazonian wilds before they hunker down and play house.
After boarding a run down rust-bucket heading down river, and having said rust-bucket break down in the middle of the jungle, the two are left for dead by it's captain and crew. After waiting out a night on the Amazon scared and alone, they chance upon the Deadelus, a high-tech exploratory vessel that is on a secret expedition into uncharted Amazonian territory.
Once aboard, they meet MORGAN, the conniving, yet charming team leader of the corporate sponsored half of the expedition. Likewise they meet the charismatic ANDREW, the de facto head honcho of the academic, research institute sponsored half of the expedition.
As you might have guessed, their destination aboard this high tech bait-skiff is a lagoon that supposedly is home to a valuable black algae which lines its bed floor. Evidently, the dark colored kelp possess amazing regenerative powers (hence the name ‘black lagoon’ folks! Get it!)
Once they wander into this nearly prehistoric corner of the jungle, it becomes apparent that everything within the lagoons surrounding area has the same amazing regenerative capabilities.
Soon, it isn't long before the ship itself has been overcome by the jungle, which grows at an accelerated rate when cut to clear a path in the lagoon, leaving the crew trapped and at odds.
But when Andrew finds a type of tree leaf that grows back its branches after having been plucked within a matter of hours, Morgan makes moves to claim it for himself first.
As all this unfolds, a love triangle between Carrie, Andrew and John ensues, seeing as how Andrew is definitely Carrie's perfect match, and John is well . . . a dip-shit for lack of a better term. Remember David from "Shaun of the Dead"? Well that's him, more or less.
The article goes on to mention that the Creature doesn't make an appearance until about an hour into the film. There are also several references to scenes from the original, like the famous tandem swimming scene between Julie Adams and the monster.I'm still praying that this one doesn't go off base and ruin the legacy of a great monster movie.
The Wolfman Plot Revealed
From ShockTilYaDrop
MTV recently snared a wolf, well, future Wolfman Benicio Del Toro to talk to him further about his upcoming turn in Universal's remake.Del Toro seems psyched for the project to be directed by Mark Romanek. "We're trying to go back to the original. There's something very nostalgic about it for me. I loved all those monsters when I was a kid," he said.
Asked if, as rumored, Anthony Hopkins is on board as well Del Toro said, "I think so," before adding that the final deals haven't been closed nor has a starting date been determined. Excitedly Del Toro said, "I have never done a horror film." He quickly added with a laugh, "maybe a lot of my films already are horror films."
That being said, here is the real meat and potatoes of the film. It seems the script has begun to circulate around and here is what has leaked out so far:
SPOILERS BELOW!
Excepts From An Article By Stephanie Sanchez For IESB
Following a bloody flashback, THE WOLF MAN begins in LONDON 1888 where 30-something thespian LAWRENCE TALBOT is chewing the gas-lit scenery as Shakespeare’s Great Dane HAMLET, doing the famous “To Be Or Something Something Something“ speech. Anyway, it’s real famous. You’ll know it when you hear it.
Backstage after the play, LAWRENCE is making his own play for TAWDRY COCKNEY LADY (boy, I don’t know about you but I can smell her from here) when he is nearly Cockney-blocked by the lovely and recently bathed GWEN CONLIFFE- his brother BENJAMIN’s fiancé. LAWRENCE hasn’t seen BENJAMIN in a heck of a lot of years, and GWEN reports, that, Heavens to Murgatroyd, BENJAMIN has disappeared.
GWEN has come from his family estate and she implores LAWRENCE to come home to his father. It’s been twenty years since he left for The Big Smoke (that’s what they used to call London), sure and there’s bad blood between them-what with his mother committing suicide in the flashback that I didn’t mention-sorry, my bad.
LAWRENCE, after serious consideration and bedding the TAWDRY COCKNEY LADY, goes home through BLACKMOOR VILLAGE, passing dark misty MOORS, ancient STONE MONOLITHS and further on, a GYPSY ENCAMPMENT of TENTS, WAGONS and a STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOP (okay, I’m kidding here-it’s really more of a kiosk than an actual shop)!
LAWRENCE arrives home to the once great now decrepit TALBOT HALL and has an awkward reunion with his father, the once great now decrepit SIR JOHN TALBOT. It’s awkward because it’s been twenty years since the last time they spoke, and because SIR JOHN keeps asking him about the time he played DUKE THE DOG-FACED BOY in BIG TOP PEE-WEE.
The plot kicking in interrupts their strained conversation and LAWRENCE, SIR JOHN and GWEN mount up and ride to BLACKMOOR VILLAGE, where CARMILLA-A PREGNANT GYPSY has been imprisoned since before the beginning of the movie. Her crime? Apparently she did the wild thing with someone other than her husband and he hauled her off to jail for it. The main suspect is the missing BENJAMIN TALBOT, but she’s not talking.
Following all of this Nineteenth century version of The Jerry Springer Show there’s a fair amount of political intrigue as various members of the town talk about what is to be done about the pregnant woman. These scenes introduce several characters like MAGISTRATE STRICKLAND (who tells LAWRENCE he’s “ a real slacker “), PASTOR FISK, CONSTABLE NYE. These moments do double duty, illustrating the politics of BLACKMOOR VILLAGE and showing the audience what’s going to be on the menu later on- if you know what I mean and I think you do.
The townsfolk decide they’re sick and tired of being puppy chow every full moon and decide to do something about it.
Meanwhile, GWEN and LAWRENCE become closer (oh keep your clothes on-they certainly do) and have a weird run in with the Gypsy OLD MALEVA. Later, In the Jailhouse, CARMILLA the pregnant Gypsy has poisoned herself dead and that night, THE WEREWOLF strikes. I’m happy to report the Werewolf in this movie is a standing erect biped. Not only does it make more physiological sense to me, but also, from a design standpoint two-legged Werewolves are much cooler. (See Joe Dante’s 1981 classic THE HOWLING for some awesome Werewolves, stop-motion animated by Dave Allen to see what I mean.)
Additionally, in my opinion, make-up god Rick Baker who is doing the fur and fangs for this WOLF MAN, has never been able to successfully been able to pull off the four-legged critters that follow his groundbreaking transformation scenes (see 1981’s AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON and 1994’s WOLF for further details).
The TOWNIES vs. the WEREWOLF adventures go on for a number of pages and the WEREWOLF’s HUMAN FORM is revealed. I ain’t saying who it is, but LAWRENCE is nearly fatally attacked and sent to LONDON to recuperate.
Unfortunately, he is shipped to a LONDON SANITARIUM where he’s put under observation. After all, he has some serious issues: His mother killed herself, is brother is missing, his father is nuts and now that he’s been bitten by a bitten by a “Werewolf”, he claims he’s going to turn into one himself.
Oh yes. Thank goodness he’s safe and sound and all that Lycanthropy nonsense is all in his head.
Of course, he does turn into a raving WOLF MAN in a really magnificent transformation scene that I really want to see and begins an eleven-page assault on the city of LONDON. The killings began as mostly shown off-screen but became more and more bloody as I turned the pages. There is a bit of nonsense involving a guy the script calls JACK that lightens things up, but by the time WOLF LAWRENCE quits his nocturnal rampage of carnage, I “ felt oddly full”. It seemed as though the producer was looking over the writer’s shoulder and was screaming- “c’mon, more violence-we need more CGI here.” Despite my misgivings, here’s the opportunity to see a fully realized version of Victorian LONDON, like Peter Jackson New York City in KING KONG. Let’s hope the director thinks so too.
The next morning, LAWRENCE seeks out GWEN after he finds some clothing. (I would’ve done it the other way around, but that’s just me.) He informs her he must return home and end the LUNAR LEGACY OF LYCANTHROPY that is a plague on TALBOT HALL and once again rides, rides like the wind, to be free again.
An EPIC BATTLE of THE WOLFMEN ensues back home and GWEN, following from a distance, sees the ending of the horrible curse.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Indiana Jones Catches A Thief
From BBC News
A man has been charged following the theft of computers and photographs from the set of the next Indiana Jones film.
Roderick Davis, 37, denied receiving stolen goods - a charge which carries a minimum jail term of four years - when appearing in court in Los Angeles.
Detectives posed as potential buyers for the items and set up a meeting with Mr Davis, according to prosecutors.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, again starring Harrison Ford, is due for release next May.
A court clerk said Mr Davis, who has previous convictions for theft, pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of $100,000 (£49,000).
Mr Davis was not available for comment.
Earlier this week, the film's producers settled a legal case against an actor who was accused of revealing the plot in a newspaper interview.
A court order claimed Tyler Nelson had knowingly broken the confidentiality agreement he signed after being cast.
See Also: Indiana Jones Set Gets Plundered / Spielberg Ready To Ruin Oklahoma Extra / Oklahoma Newspaper Leaks Major Spoilers About Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Sarah Jane Adventures: Eye Of The Gorgon
The Sarah Jane Adventures – Eye Of The Gorgon
Ep 3/10
Monday 8 October
5.00-5.25pm BBC ONE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/
Sarah Jane Smith and her young friends investigate some ghostly goings on at the local Lavender Lawns rest home, in the second two-part story of the adventure filled series.
With several residents claiming to have seen the ghostly figure of a nun, Sarah Jane, Luke and Clyde pay the home a visit to find out what's going on. They soon discover that there is more to the story when Luke is entrusted with a mysterious alien talisman by Mrs Bea Nelson-Stanley, a resident at the home who knows a thing or two about aliens.
As the mystery unravels, the gang learn that the ghostly nun is, in fact, part of an order protecting the Gorgon – a scary alien creature who can turn her victims to stone with just one look. With the talisman an important part of the Gorgon's plans for Earth, can Sarah Jane and the gang stop her, and avoid her deadly gaze?
Sarah Jane Smith is played by Elisabeth Sladen, Luke Smith by Thomas Knight, Clyde by Daniel Anthony, Mrs Bea Nelson-Stanley by Phyllida Law and Maria Jackson by Yasmin Paige.
Eye Of The Gorgon is written by Phil Ford.
Vampirella Takes On Chaos
Jumbo Halloween Special, featuring 30 pages of all-new story!
This is it! The battle over thirty years in the making: CHAOS vs. VAMPIRELLA! Is there any way Vampi can stop the mad god from ending the world? Whose shocking return may make all the difference? Will the Blood Red Queen have the last laugh? What is the final fate of Adam Van Helsing? It's the shocking conclusion to one of the landmark tales in Vampirella's history.
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Harvey nominated writer of Elk's Run, with spectacular art by rising star Stephen Segovia (Witchblade: Shades of Gray). PLUS: Archie Goodwin's and Jose Gonzalez's classic Vampi tale “Lurker in the Deep” is newly recolored and remastered by Glass House Graphics. Read one of the greatest Vampirella tales of all time as you've never seen it! Covers by rising superstar Nicola Scott (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey) and comics legend Joe Jusko! Deluxe Black and White Edition of the Scott cover and Deluxe Virgin Edition of the Jusko cover are also available. Each is limited to just 500 copies! Signed and Numbered version of the Jusko Virgin Edition, limited to just 100, is also available!
For More Info Go To: Vampirella.com
Kalogridis To Rework Darksiders
Diane Gerrett - Variety
New Line has hired Laeta Kalogridis ("Bionic Woman") to sink her teeth into a major overhaul of its "Darksiders" vampire tale.
Story revolves around an FBI agent who teams up with a bunch of bloodsuckers to catch an arms trader with biochemical weapons. Alison Rosenzweig is producing along with Media Talent Group's Geyer Kosinski. Tracie Graham exec produces.
Once Kalogridis finishes her rewrite, the project will go back out to directors. Several helmers have been attached to the project over the past few years, including Jonathan Hensleigh and David Goyer.
New Line acquired the spec by Tom S. Parker and Jim Jennewein in 2001.
Kalogridis is writer-exec producer on NBC's "Bionic Woman." She has two projects in the works for James Cameron at Fox: "The Dive" and the adaptation of the "Battle Angel" graphic novel. She also penned "Alexander" and "Pathfinder" and has rewrite credits including "Wonder Woman" and "The Lone Ranger."
Rosenzweig ("Windtalkers") is also producing "Transit" and "Sanctuary."
Trash Film Orgy Halloween Spectacular
TRASH FILM ORGY HALLOWEEN 2007
Celebrate this Halloween with the folks who bring you the finest in Exploitation Cinema-featuring LIVE Bloody Stage Shows, Audience Participation, Games, Costume Contests, Prizes and much, much MORE…the TRASH FILM ORGY!
DO you Dare Enter The CRYPT OF TRASH?!
The Dead Walk as Sacramento’s Most Infamous Film FestivalReturns with a Night of Total Terror!
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Doors Open at 9pm for the Ultimate Undead Cinema Experience!
Come dressed in your best UNDEAD attire and visit the CEMETERY of TERROR, Find Out What’s Inside DEAD Grandma,Test Your Wits against the UNDERTAKER of DOOM, Do the Funky ZOMBIEwith the Amazin’ DeeJay Junior and Toast the Spirits in the RETRO-TRASH Lounge!And Much, Much More!!SEE on the Big CREST Screen…The 13 Spookiest UNDEAD Movie Moments EVER!And a Secret Classic ZOMBIE Film-Too SHOCKING to Reveal!SEE Live Onstage…DEAD-SIDE STORY-The UNDEAD Musical Extravaganza Performed LIVE by the TFO Players!It all happens WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31st at the Historic and Haunted CREST THEATRE located at 1013 K Street in Downtown Sacramento. 916-44-CRESTZOMBIES receive $1.00 off the regular admission price of $9.50The TRASH FILM ORGY is adult fun for trash fans 18 and Over ONLY (21 and Over ONLY in the Retro-Trash Lounge)ANDSee sneak previews of Trash Film Orgy’s AWESOME new movie MONSTER FROM BIKINI BEACH which will premiere at the CREST Friday December 14th!
Additional info at http://trashfilmorgy.com/
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Cinema Insomnia Gives Fans Another Reason To Stay Up Late In The Bay Area
From Mr. Lobo
Attention, Cinema Insomnia and Creature Features fans!
If you live in the Bay Area, set your tricoder for 1AM "Satuday Night"* on KTEH, it's gonna be a doozey! You got to watch to the very end...well, I won't spoil it, but I will say you'll never look at John Stanley the same way again! It's a Creature Features tribute show...I hope we made Bob proud and I hope you guys love it...there were many sacrifices made to make it possible and everybody gave it 110%! Watch "Nightmare In Blood" on Cinema Insomnia and Keep America Strong!
Your horror host,
Mr. Lobo
*Technically Sunday
For More Info Go To: Cinema Insomnia (Official Website) or read Monster Island News review of Cinema Insomnia
See Also: Watch The Sixth Season Of Cinema Insomnia Online For Free! / B Movies Invade Indiana / Cinema Insomnia /Star Wars - Reflections / Interview: Sara Dunn (Queen of Trash) / Lobo & Queenie Set To Rock The Sacramento Horror Film Festival / Bob Wilkins Tribute Shows / Mr. Lobo to referee King Kong vs Godzilla / Mr. Lobo's Birthday Bash
Original Frankenstein 1931 Movie Poster
Price $325.00 - Order Now!
No, this is not a missprint! This item is an original movie poster for the movie Frankenstein from 1931. This poster was used to promote the movie and was probably hung outside an actual movie theater. The poster is in very good condition and should be considered a rare find. Poster of this vintage are considered highly collectible and may prove to be a wise investment due to the fact that original movie posters like this become more valuable as years pass.
More Information:
When Universal released “Frankenstein” in 1931 the film was a very unique piece to watch. The film has always been regarded as a black and white classic when it was nothing of the sort. When audiences originally saw the film in theatres the daylight scenes were in amber, the night in pale blue, the eerie scenes in green and the fiery climax in red. Universal also thought it was necessary to hype the film up a bit. As if the film wasn’t scary enough on its own the studio found it in their best interest to park an ambulance out in front of many theatres and to keep two nurses on hand in the lobby to raise the chill factor. They even went as far as to place an actress in the audience during every showing who would, at the scariest moment in the film, scream, jump out of her seat, and run up the aisle and out of the theatre. Too bad we don’t see theatrics like that anymore. READ MORE
Torchwood: Small Worlds
Torchwood: Small Worlds
BBC America - 10/06/07 9:00 PM EST
Writer: Peter J. Hammond
Director: Alice Troughton
Script Editor: Brian Minchin
Producer: Richard Stokes / Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
Executive producer(s): Russell T Davies / Julie Gardner
Director: Alice Troughton
Script Editor: Brian Minchin
Producer: Richard Stokes / Chris Chibnall (co-producer)
Executive producer(s): Russell T Davies / Julie Gardner
Cast:
Captain Jack Harkness — John Barrowman
Gwen Cooper — Eve Myles
Owen Harper — Burn Gorman
Toshiko Sato — Naoko Mori
Ianto Jones — Gareth David-Lloyd
Rhys Williams — Kai Owen
Estelle — Eve Pearce
Jasmine — Lara Phillipart
Lynn — Adrienne O'Sullivan
Roy — William Travis
Goodson — Rodger Barclay
Kate — Heledd Baskerville
Gwen Cooper — Eve Myles
Owen Harper — Burn Gorman
Toshiko Sato — Naoko Mori
Ianto Jones — Gareth David-Lloyd
Rhys Williams — Kai Owen
Estelle — Eve Pearce
Jasmine — Lara Phillipart
Lynn — Adrienne O'Sullivan
Roy — William Travis
Goodson — Rodger Barclay
Kate — Heledd Baskerville
An elderly woman, Estelle Cole, walks through Roundstone Woods, heading for a circle of standing stones. There, to her delight, she finds what she was searching for: brightly glowing fairies laughing and fluttering around the stones. She takes a few photographs and turns away, not seeing the tiny fairies transform into larger, more monstrous forms…At the Torchwood Hub, Jack wakes from a nightmare of dead soldiers in a train carriage, rose petals spilling out of their mouths. He enters his office where he finds a single red petal sitting on his desk. Ianto is working late, and reports spotting odd weather patterns. Jack looks even more disturbed when he hears this.
A young girl, Jasmine Pierce, waits for her stepfather Roy to pick her up from school. However, Roy is running late, and Jasmine decides to walk home alone. She is followed by a man, Goodson, who drives up alongside her, trying to persuade her to get in his car. When she refuses, Goodson grabs her, but suddenly a wind kicks up, knocking him away. Jasmine watches, amused, as Goodson seeks refuge inside his car amid giggling and unearthly, ethereal voices. She skips away happily.
Jack takes Gwen to see an old friend who is giving a talk on fairies. It turns out to be Estelle, who shows first the famous Cottingley Fairies photographs, and then the out-of-focus photographs she took the previous night. Gwen scoffs, but Jack watches intently. After the talk, Jack greets Estelle warmly, and asks her about the photographs. The two disagree about the nature of fairies — Estelle believes there are good ones, while Jack thinks they are all evil. Gwen ventures that someone's good might be some else's evil and Estelle remarks that Jack's "father" used to say the same thing. The three go back to Estelle's house to see the rest of her photographs.
Meanwhile, Goodson wanders into Cardiff Market, haunted by laughter and the fluttering of wings. Something invisible attacks him, and he finds himself choking on rose petals. He runs to a nearby police officer, seeking help, and when he tries to force his way into her vehicle, she arrests him.
At Estelle's, Jack examines her photographs while Estelle puts her cat, Moses, out. Gwen spots a faded black and white picture of Jack, in uniform, on the mantle. Jack dismisses it as a picture of his father, who was involved with Estelle during the war before they lost touch. Gwen appears sceptical, however, and asks Estelle about Jack and his father, finding out that she has never met Jack and his father together, and that Jack contacted her just a few years before. Estelle remarks that Jack looks and acts exactly like his father. Jack comes out and asks Estelle to contact them immediately the next time she sees the creatures. He hugs her and gives her a kiss before he and Gwen leave.
Jack tells Gwen that the "fairies" do not really have a proper name. They are creatures from the dawn of time, not alien, but part of their world. Mankind has ascribed positive attributes to them, but they are dangerous, part myth, part spirit, part real all jumbled together, unbound by linear time.
Jasmine is back at home, and although Lynn, her mother, scolds her about walking home alone, Jasmine says that nothing can harm her. She goes to the bottom of the garden, among the trees, where she plays with her fairy friends.
At the hub, the team discuss fairies and the Cottingley Fairies pictures. Gwen is still sceptical, and points out that the Cottingley pictures were admitted hoaxes. Owen notes that Roundstone Woods has been considered bad luck for centuries, and Toshiko says she has had no reports of any sightings. Jack points out, however, that no technology of theirs can detect the creatures, but they play tricks with the weather. He asks Tosh to set up a programme to look for anomalous weather patterns.Goodson is brought to the police station, ranting about something trying to kill him, and confesses to being a paedophile and demands to be locked up. He is placed in a cell. That evening, a monstrous fairy attacks him in his cell. He convulses and falls dead. When Tosh, Jack and Gwen arrive, they discover that Goodson died from asphyxiation, and Gwen pulls out rose petals from his throat.
Jack explains that the petals are the creatures' idea of fun, a warning to others that they protect their own: the Chosen Ones. They have to figure out who the fairies want, and he further adds they have control of the elements. At her house, Estelle hears a fluttering sound, and when she goes and checks, something stares at her from the bushes and her kitchen window shatters. She calls Jack on the telephone, but when she goes to find Moses, she finds herself locked out of her house. A sudden rainstorm occurs, pouring down at her exact position and nowhere else. By the time the Torchwood team arrive, Estelle has drowned, although the area around her is dry.
Seeing Jack's reaction to Estelle's death, Gwen deduces that it was not his father, but Jack himself who had a relationship with the old woman. Back at the Hub, Jack tells Gwen the story of how they met during the war. He also tells Gwen that he has seen the petals before, in Lahore in 1909. He had been in charge of a squad of men on a troop train. When they entered a tunnel, there was a fluttering of wings and everything went silent. When they emerged, only Jack was left alive, the others having choked on flower petals. A week before, some of the men had drunkenly run down a child in a village — a Chosen One.
Gwen returns home to find her flat ransacked, the floor strewn with branches, small stones arranged in a circle, and flower petals. Frightened, she calls Jack and demands to know what the Chosen Ones are. He tells her that the fairies were children once, taken from different points in time over millennia. They are now here to take their next Chosen One.
Jasmine goes to school, and is bullied by two girls. A sudden gale picks up, and sends the children running in a panic. In the background faeire voices can be heard chanting parts of Lord of the Dance The odd weather ends as quickly as it began, but is detected by Torchwood, and when they arrive, the children have been sent home. However, a teacher identifies Jasmine as the only girl who was unaffected by the wind.
Roy and Lynn are having their fifth anniversary party when Jasmine finds that Roy has erected a fence to keep her out of the back garden. When Jasmine protests, Roy tries to restrain her and gets bitten. He slaps her in response, and walks back to the party and Lynn. Roy is announcing their plans to have children of their own to the guests when there is a rumble in the heavens. This time, when the wind blows, the fairies show themselves in their monstrous forms, crashing through the fence and leaping down to attack Roy as Jasmine watches, smiling. The team arrives and rushes everyone else out. One fairy leaps on Roy, shoving its arm down his throat, drawing out his breath; another one attacks Jack, but Gwen shoves him aside and the fairy relents. The fairies return to the back garden, Jasmine following, as Roy lies dead, his mouth stuffed with petals.
Gwen and Jack follow Jasmine into the back garden. They try to persuade her to stay, and Jack tells the fairies to find someone else. The fairies reply that it is too late: the child belongs with them. If the humans force her to stay, many more people, potentially every living thing, will die. Jack realises that they mean to carry out this threat, and to Gwen's horror, seeks assurance that Jasmine will not be harmed. The fairies confirm this and Jack agrees to let the fairies take Jasmine to save the world. Speaking with a fairy's voice, Jasmine thanks them and hops away, vanishing in the glow of her fairy friends. Lynn cries out as she sees her daughter leave and falls on Jack, weeping and beating his chest. Jack does not defend himself, but holds on to her and sorrowfully apologises. As the team leaves, they look at Jack accusingly. He yells, asking them what else he could have done, but they all silently enter the car. Jack follows suit and they drive off.
Back at the Hub, Gwen is sorting through the pictures in the case when a Cottingley Fairy photograph from 1917 appears on the board room monitor. Spotting something, she zooms in on the photograph until the face on one of the fairies becomes clearly visible. It is Jasmine, smiling out of the picture, frozen in mid-dance. As Gwen leaves, a fairy voice whispers:
"Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand."
(excerpt from "The Stolen Child", a poem by W. B. Yeats)
See Also: Torchwood - Ghost Machine / Torchwood - Day One / Torchwood - Everything Changes
Search Monster Island News For Articles About: Torchwood
Things You Need To Know:
The Cottingley Fairies refers to a series of five photographs taken by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, two young cousins living in Cottingley, near Bradford in England, depicting the two in various activities with supposed fairies. In 1917, when the first two photos were taken, Elsie was 16 years old and Frances was 10.
The photographs sparked a decades-long debate about their authenticity, and earned the cousins widespread noteriety. Although four of the five were ultimately admitted to be fake, the two cousins disagree about the authenticity of the last.
The first picture to be taken by the girls at Cottingley Beck and shows Frances gazing innocently into the camera as a troop of fairies dances on the branches in the foreground. The leading photography experts of the day examined the photo and declared them to be genuine and void of trickery but Kodak laboratories were more cautious with their findings.
The photo had been received in its original form in a letter to Edward L Gardner along with the second photo in the series. However, as the images were much faded and ill defined, Gardner tasked Harold Snelling to produce some fine reprints which were made in numbers and sold in the tide of public interest.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had been commissioned by the Strand Magazine to write an article on fairies for their Christmas issue, to be published at the end of November 1920. He was preparing this in June when he heard of the two fairy prints in circulation and eventually made contact with Gardner and borrowed copies.
He showed the prints to Sir Oliver Lodge, a pioneer psychical researcher, who thought them to be fakes, perhaps involving a troupe of dancers masquerading as fairies. One fairy authority told him that the hairstyles of the sprites were too 'Parisienne' for his liking. Lodge also passed them on to a clairvoyant for psychometric impressions.
Conan Doyle dispatched Gardner to Cottingley in July. Gardner reported that the whole Wright family seemed honest and totally respectable. Conan Doyle and Gardner decided that if further fairy photographs were taken then the matter would be put firmly beyond question. Gardner journeyed north in August with cameras and 20 photographic plates to leave with Elsie and Frances hoping to persuade them to take more photographs. Only in this way, he felt, could it be proved that the fairies were genuine.
The fifth and last fairy photograph is often believed to be the most striking. Nobody has ever been able to give a satisfactory explanation as to what seems to be happening in the picture, however Conan Doyle in his The Coming of the Fairies advances a detailed, if somewhat over elaborate, view of the pictured proceedings:
"Seated on the upper left hand edge with wing well displayed is an undraped fairy apparently considering whether it is time to get up. An earlier riser of more mature age is seen on the right possessing abundant hair and wonderful wings. Her slightly denser body can be glimpsed within her fairy dress."
In late 1981 and mid 1982 respectively, Frances Way and Elsie Hill, who took the photographs admitted that the first four pictures were fakes. Speaking of the first photograph in particular, Frances has told the present author on more than one occasion, "My heart always sinks when I look at it. When I think of how it's gone all round the world. I don't see how people could believe they're real fairies. I could see the backs of them and the hatpins when the photo was being taken."
Friday, October 5, 2007
Travel Channel’s 'Most Haunted Live' at Winchester Mystery House
After their successful investigation at Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary, the 'Most Haunted Live' team returns to the United States to investigate the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, Calif. on Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel.
Join head investigator Yvette Fielding, spiritual medium David Wells, and the rest of the 'Most Haunted Live' team conduct their 7-hour investigation. Armed with night-vision cameras, thermal-imaging devices and other paranormal investigation tools, the team will perform a thorough investigation of the mansion and attempt to communicate with the paranormal.
Their investigation will lead them into the basement, through secret passageways, and to the mysterious séance room where Sarah Winchester sought help from spirits to guide her vision to build what is now a 161-room estate. The architecture of the house - doors that lead to steep drop-offs; stairs that lead to ceilings; and a skylight built inside the house – will add an element of surprise.
TV viewers and users will get the full 'Most Haunted Live' experience with multiple Web cams streaming live images from selected areas within the mansion. Users will actively participate in the broadcast by posting paranormal sightings, well wishes for the team, and suggestions on rooms to investigate, predictions and premonitions via message boards, text messaging, and Faxing psychic art. Selected user-submitted content will be presented during the interactive segments of the event, as well as scrolled across the bottom of the screen during the live investigation.
Join the 'Most Haunted Live' team on Friday, Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel as they seek out paranormal activity and communicate with the spirits that still roam the halls of Winchester Mystery House - the house that fear built.The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D
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The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D (2007)(Disney)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Godzilla vs The Thing 1964 Press Book
Here is a chance for Godzilla fans to own an actual piece of history. This is an actual press book from the 1964 release of Godzilla vs The Thing(Mothra vs Godzilla), this is not a repoduction. Inside is a cast list, photos, film synopsis, and advertising art for the films release. Magazines, newspapers, and theater owners used to receive these press books to help them promote movies. These items were never sold to the general public, so finding them is sometimes rare.
The fourth installment in the Godzilla movie series would feature the first clash between two of the studios most famous properties, Godzilla and Mothra. Once again the creative team of Shinichi Sekizawa (screenplay), Ishirô Honda (director), and Eiji Tsuburaya (special effects) would combine their efforts to create one of the better films in the series.
The films producers hoped to capitalize on the success of both 'King Kong vs Godzilla' and 'Mothra' and the storyline followed in line with events from both films. Mothra vs Godzilla proved to be very popular movie, both in its native Japan, and in the United States where it was released under the title 'Godzilla vs The Thing'. At the time of the films release, in September of 1964, American International Pictures had decided tha a giant moth just wasn't scary enough, so they changed the title and removed all images of Mothra from their promotional material. The distributer even went as far as to leak information the 'The Thing' was a giant tenticaled creature. This of course is not too surprising when you take into account all the publicity stunts that studios had gained a reputation for in the past.
Rodriguez Has A Thing For Fragile Zombies
Variety - Diane Garrett
Eduardo Rodriguez has signed on to direct zombie pic "Fragile" for Rogue Pictures.
Based on the graphic novel by Stephano Raffaele, story kicks off after an airborne virus has reduced much of the Earth's population to feral zombies. A recently undead soldier then teams with a female zombie and a human teenager, racing against time to find a cure before being hunted down by the soldier's former
Jeff Dixon adapted the screenplay of the Humanoids-published graphic novel as a spec.
John Baldecchi, Justin Connolly, Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger are producing. Keith Dinielli is co-producer.
"'Fragile' gives me the opportunity to explore the horror we're used to in the genre but set in a unique post-apocalyptic world where zombies aren't the monsters anymore," said Rodriguez, who helmed Dimension's "Curandero," which was written and produced by Robert Rodriguez.
Eduardo Rodriguez is attached to direct "Open Grave" for NALA Films, with Jonathan Shestack producing.
Dixon is writing the graphic novel "Run Like Hell" for Viper Comics as well as the screenplay for "Buried,"
Four New Pages Of The Godzilla 94 Graphic Novel
Artist and Godzilla superfan Todd Tennant has been cranking out the pages for his online Godzilla 94 graphic novel as of late.
Pages 42 to 45 of Todd's American Godzilla '94 graphic novel are now available. Check it out from page 42 at the 'American Godzilla '94' section of the American Kaiju website. In this one the Three Stooges are all at sea!
Go To The Godzilla 94 Site
Note: Todd and I are still trying to pursuade Dark Horse to publish this Graphic Novel. If you like it, and think it is worthy of the Dark Horse logo, then drop the powers that be a line HERE.
Photo Of Yeti Footprint Sells For Big Money
The Luxist - Rigel Gregg
Do believe in the yeti? The infamous "Abominable Snowman?" I'm more than a little skeptical, but I can still get on board with this photo that sold at Christie's in London last week for £3,500 because it looks like a fun conversation piece.
The Abominable Snowman is in the same league as Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster, but art and photography don't always have to be about truth or some kind of deep meaning -- sometimes pure entertainment is reason enough to value something.
But I have to say, doesn't this look the footprint of a large teddy bear? Big round toes, no claws or anything...maybe it was just that friendly "Bumble" from Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer?
Dracula Bela Lugosi Film Cell
Price: $54.99 - Order Now!
Dracula Bela Lugosi Film Cell Description:
Dracula Bela Lugosi Film Cell. Bela Lugosi vants to be on your wall! This is an 8-inch by 10-inch print of Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula alongside a series of 35mm film clips. This item comes in a beautiful black ash effect frame with a stunning sublimated plaque and certificate stating authenticity.
After a harrowing ride through the Carpathian mountains in eastern Europe Renfield enters castle Dracula to finalize the transferral of Carfax Abbey in London to Count Dracula who is in actuality a vampire. Renfield is drugged by the eerily hypnotic count and turned into one of his thralls protecting him during his sea voyage to London. After sucking the blood and turning the young Lucy Weston into a vampire Dracula turns his attention to her friend Mina Seward daughter of Dr. Seward who then calls in a specialist Dr. Van Helsing to diagnose the sudden deterioration of Mina's health. Van Helsing realizing that Dracula is indeed a vampire tries to prepare Mina's fiance John Harker and Dr. Seward for what is to come and the measures that will have to be taken to prevent Mina from becoming one of the undead.
Son of Frankenstein 1:6 Scale Resin Bust
Price: $59.99
Son of Frankenstein 1:6 Scale Resin Bust Description:
Cold Cast Resin Bust of The Monster as portrayed by Boris Karloff in the 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein. X-Plus and SOTA Toys joined forces to create a series of classic horror icons from Universal Monsters. These 8-inch Busts are packaged in window boxes for safe shipping.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Indiana Jones Set Gets Plundered
Tatiana Siegel - Variety
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" endured another hit this week when computers, photographs and proprietary information were stolen from the production.
A spokesman for director Steven Spielberg confirmed the theft but could not comment on when or where the alleged crime occurred because "a law enforcement investigation is ongoing."
The security breach comes on the heels of last week's confidentiality breach when "Indy" extra Tyler Nelson revealed plot details during an interview with his hometown newspaper, Oklahoma's Edmond Sun. That story was removed from the Sun's website.
Three New Photos From The Mummy 3
Director Rob Cohen has been busily blogging about his new movie The Mummy 3 over on his official site for months now. At least we’ll assume its really him and not some marketing rep using his name since there’s no way to prove otherwise. Whatever the site really is, it’s been a great resource for new information from The Mummy 3 set, and now it’s also host to the first pictures released from the film.
What makes these particularly interesting is that they give us our first look ever at Maria Bello in full Rachel Weisz replacement garb. Weisz refused to participate in the production because, well according to our sources, she though the script sucked (and it does). Maria Bello was brought in to take over her character, O’Connell wife Evelyn.
George Takei Gets Asteroid Named After Him
The Associated Press
A piece of outer space named for George Takei is in kind of a rough neighborhood for somebody who steers a starship: an asteroid belt.
An asteroid between Mars and Jupiter has been renamed 7307 Takei in honor of the actor, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series and movies.
"I am now a heavenly body," Takei, 70, said Tuesday, laughing. "I found out about it yesterday. ... I was blown away. It came out of the clear, blue sky — just like an asteroid."
The celestial rock, discovered by two Japanese astronomers in 1994, was formerly known as 1994 GT9. It joins the 4659 Roddenberry (named for the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry) and the 68410 Nichols (for co-star Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura). Other main-belt asteroids have been named for science fiction luminaries Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov.
The renaming of 7307 Takei was approved by the International Astronomical Union's Committee on Small Body Nomenclature. About 14,000 asteroid names have been approved by the panel, while about 165,000 asteroids have been identified and numbered, union spokesman Lars Lindberg Christensen said.
Unlike the myriad Web sites that offer to sell naming rights to stars, the IAU committee-approved names are actually used by astronomers, said Tom Burbine, the Mount Holyoke College astronomy professor who proposed the name swap.
"This is the name that will be used for all eternity," he said.
Burbine said he suggested Takei's name in part out of appreciation for his work with the Japanese American Citizens League and with the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. Takei, a spokesman for HRC's Coming Out Project, was cultural affairs chairman of the JACL, and he was appointed to the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission by former President Clinton.
Takei has appeared on NBC's "Heroes" and appears regularly on Howard Stern's satellite radio show.
Under the committee's policies, whoever discovers an asteroid has 10 years in which to propose a name. After that, the panel considers other suggestions, although it warns would-be namers to avoid anything "in questionable taste" and any names honoring political or military figures sooner than 100 years after their deaths.
UFO Scares The Crap Out Of Hatfield Couple
The Welwyn & Hatfield Times
MYSTERIOUS bright yellow lights were seen plummeting towards a couple's house at "an abnormal speed", writes Simon Wesson.
The Bernasconis, who live in Homestead Road, Hatfield, were "scared to death" when they saw two gleaming lights which they believed were "about to crash just behind their house".
Rachel, 33, told the WHT that she had "never been so scared in her life".
"I'm 39 weeks pregnant and I thought I was going to go into labour, I was that scared.
She added: "My husband, Mark, saw two lights hovering above the houses opposite."At first he presumed it was an aircraft, because it looked like two wing tip lights; but after a while it was still there, so he opened the window to check it wasn't a reflection and it was at this point that he shouted for me to come over.
"I jumped out of bed and watched it hover from the open window, then suddenly the lights started to get closer and closer, within seconds we ran down the stairs and out of the door; at this point we were running for our lives!"
"We got outside and it just disappeared, no noise or sight of the object, it was a complete mystery."
Rachel said that she had never believed in UFOs but this had really made her "wonder what is out there".
"The lights were too far apart to be a helicopter and they were too low and going too fast to be an airplane," she said.
"If it was a plane, we would have heard some kind of engine noise, but there was absolutely nothing."
"I just cannot explain it. I'm a bit of sceptic about these things, but those lights were irregularly bright!"
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Did More Than One UFO Crash In New Mexico?
Gene Ramsey - The Round Up
Three Unidentified Flying Objects carrying three human-like bodies were recovered in New Mexico in 1950, according to a UFO researcher who spoke to New Mexico State University students in the Corbett Center Auditorium Wednesday night.
Sponsored by the Union Program Council, Robert Hastings gave a presentation entitled, "UFOs: The Secret Story," in which Hastings used documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests and interviews with former Air Force, CIA and FBI personnel as evidence the UFOs and bodies were recovered. Hastings said UFO sightings began to occur in Los Alamos after initial testing of the atomic bomb.
Hastings also said he was personally involved in a UFO sighting in 1967 and believes they are extraterrestrial objects.
"I was present at the Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana air traffic control tower when five unidentified aerial targets, as they are called, suddenly began to be tracked on multiple radar scopes," Hastings said.
Corina Ramirez, a biology major, said "yes" when asked whether UFOs and aliens exist.
"Robert Hastings presented reliable information about UFO sightings," Ramirez said.
"Now I am more convinced about extraterrestrial existence than before."
However, Heather Anderson, an education major, said she was on the border line of believing the information presented by Hastings.
The first massive waves of UFO sightings began in 1947 in every state except Georgia and West Virginia, according to Hastings. Most documented sightings have occurred in the air space above nuclear weapons facilities and power plants.
There is a UFO-nuclear weapons connection, Hastings said.
Hastings displayed one document that described UFOs as "round shaped objects or phenomena moving at a fast velocity and emitting a brilliant white or reflective light."
Government documents also show the sightings in New Mexico were reported to former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Hastings wants more documents held by the U.S. government to be released to the American public."I do believe the public is entitled to facts," Hastings said. Hastings also said the government does not want to inform and has misinformed Americans on this issue for fear of creating a panic like the one caused by the 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast.
Hastings referred to the Orson Welles play in which a radio broadcast of ballroom music was interrupted by reports of UFO sightings and attacks. In reaction to the play, some people went to church, packed their belongings and sought safety. According to Hastings, the U.S. government sighted the reaction to the play as reason to withhold information from its citizens.
Hastings also said a producer in Spain broadcasted a play similar to that of Wells to coincide with the 1996 release of "Independence Day" and caused hysteria. Americans will be less hysterical on the arrival of extraterrestrials if the government releases such information, Hastings said.
Martin Rivero, a criminal justice major, said if the government is hiding information on this topic, they should release it and make it public.
Hastings said the government acknowledged the existence of Area 51 in 1996.
No one has all the answers concerning UFOs, Hastings said. However, he assured listeners what they heard Wednesday night is more valid than what the government has told them.
Bigfoot Caught On Tape Off I-40 In New Mexico
Chattanoogan.com
Two Chattanoogans say they may have bagged the mythical "Bigfoot".
Lindsay Lemmon and Austin McGee said after returning from a trip out west, they found that video shot out the window along I-40 in New Mexico has a glimpse of what appears to be a hulking furry figure walking.
Mr. Lemmon, a local contractor who specializes in historic homes, said, "I'm still skeptical, but it does look like a figure to me. If it was a prank, then it was awfully hot and it was out in the middle of nowhere."
Mr. McGee, who shot the footage, is much more positive. He said, "I believe it whole-heartedly.
Every time I look at it on the VCR I see a figure with real long arms hanging below the knees. He is walking and swinging those arms."
He said a close examination of the figure reveals "a tan round face."
Mr. Lemmon, who went to Las Vegas for filming of a Discovery Channel show on drag racing, has contacted his CPA and is in the process of getting all rights to the video.
Mr. Austin said he contacted two groups that specialize in Bigfoot lore - one from Atlanta and another from Texas. He said, "They were ready to come to my house right then. They were freaking out. They were trying all sorts of ways to get to see it."
Mr. Lemmon said they plan to release the video after the copyright is in place.
He said they do not want to release the exact location in New Mexico, though they believe they can pinpoint it from a town sign that is earlier in the video. Also, an old abandoned shack is seen near "Bigfoot".
Both men said they did not see the figure while they were passing by that spot in remote New Mexico. Mr. Lemmon was driving and Mr. McGee had the camcorder dangling out the window.
Mr. McGee said his sister noticed the figure when she was looking at what he had shot. She said, "Whoa, what's that?"
Mr. Lemmon said afterwards that Mr. McGee, who works restoring old houses for him, called and exclaimed, "We caught Bigfoot."
A local technician who transferred the video to a DVD said the figure "could be a horse. But when you see it you think immediately of the famous Patterson video of Bigfoot."
Blob Spotted Off Nova Scotia
Fort Frances Times
What’s pinkish-orange, jiggles like Jell-O, and lives in a deep submarine canyon?
That’s one of the many questions researchers at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth are pondering as a result of the science mission they conducted earlier this month in the Sable Gully, about 200 km off the coast of Nova Scotia.
The two-week mission is part of an ongoing effort to pin down the intricacies of the food chain that supports the 200 bottleneck whales that inhabit the marine protected area.“We want to understand the system in order that we can protect it,” said Trevor Kenchington, a research associate working with the institute.
At a depth of more than two km, the Sable Gully is deeper than the Grand Canyon. For the past two decades, its richly-populated waters have remained largely uncharted.
Not surprisingly, the 70 mid-water trawling nets the crew sunk to a depth of about 1,700 metres recovered many uncommon and mysterious species of fish, squid, and crustaceans.
When the pinkish-orange creature surfaced, not one among the 12-person crew of scientists had a clue what it was.
The mysterious life-form is one of many “weird and wonderful” creatures the team has flagged as possible new discoveries in Canada and worldwide.
“I have never known a single trip to sea to get as much new knowledge as this trip has,” said Kenchington, who has been conducting science missions for 30 years.
The Simpsons Bust-Ups Series 1 Set
The Simpsons Bust-Ups Series 1 Set Description:Bust-Ups Series 1 - Monster Mash! Gentle Giant Studios created mini bust model kits based on the award-winning and critically-acclaimed animated television series, The Simpsons. This set includes 4 individually packaged bust-ups inspired by the popular Treehouse of Horror episodes: 1x Bart the Raven, 1x Count Burns, 1x Devil Flanders, and 1x Kang with Alien Maggie. (Subject to change.) Each bust-up comes in its own coffin and in just seconds, you can recreate a 2 to 3-inch tall plastic collectible!
Welcome to Springfield, USA - the town that put the "fun" in dysfunctional! Whether enjoying the shotgun sociability of Moe's Tavern, a creamed corn-sicle at the Springfield Retirement Castle, the gene-altering radiance of the Springfield Nuclear Plant, or the warm perspiration of a Kwik-E-Mart heat-lamp dog, you'll always feel special in Springfield - the town America calls "SHABBY"! So please visit us here in Springfield, where - compared to us - you are royalty!
Bettie Page Cleopatra Figure
Bettie Page Cleopatra Figure Description:
The Queen of Pinups as the Queen of the Nile. Bettie takes her rightful place among the revered beauties of the world, dressed in stately Cleopatra garb. Accompanying Her Highness are a bevy of Egyptian accessories: an asp, staff, dagger, and more. One of our favorite sculptors, Derek Handy, has based this figure of Bettie on some of her more playful photos -- simultaneously smiling and sexy. This is the first in a new series of Bettie Page 7-inch tall Action Figures. (Subject to change.)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Godzilla : Art Works Monsters - King Kong vs Godzilla
Our Price: $329.99
Did you say you wanted a big Godzilla figure? Here is the biggest of the biggest! This ultra detailed vinyl figure measures a whopping 18 inches tall. Megahouse of Japan has produced what must be the greatest figure of Godzilla, from King Kong vs Godzilla, ever created. This baby is a Japanese import and a limited edition so don't hesitate to order yours now before they are all gone.
This Godzilla figure hits the shelves in Japan in late November!
Toho Machines (Godzilla) Trading Figures Part 2
Toho Machines Trading Figure Series. Version 2.0. 5 different vehicle figures in the set, including jets and tanks. Each include miniture display stands! Set of 5.
5 different vehicle figures in the set, including jets and tanks.
Each include miniture display stands!
Trading Figures individually packaged in full-color boxes!
Imported Japanese Figures packaged with japanese text.
Each include miniture display stands!
Trading Figures individually packaged in full-color boxes!
Imported Japanese Figures packaged with japanese text.
The Sarah Jane Adventures – Revenge Of The Slitheen (Part 2)
The Sarah Jane Adventures – Revenge Of The Slitheen Ep 2/10
Monday 1 October
5.00-5.25pm BBC ONE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/
Trapped in school with the monstrous child of the Slitheen, Maria, Luke and Clyde make a timely escape thanks to some deodorant and the help of Sarah Jane and her sonic lipstick, as the drama continues.
With the Slitheen's deadly plans to destroy the Earth well under way, the gang race back to Sarah Jane's attic to work out how to stop them. Helped by Mr Smith, Sarah Jane's super-computer, they soon discover that the Slitheen are going to drain all the energy from Earth using a worldwide network of giant supercapacitors.
But as a power black-out starts to spread across the world, taking Mr Smith out of action, time is running out and the gang have to rely on their wits alone. Will they be able to save the Earth before the Slitheen switch off the Sun for ever?
Sarah Jane Smith is played by Elisabeth Sladen, Maria Jackson by Yasmin Paige, Luke Smith by Thomas Knight and Clyde by Daniel Anthony.
Tyrese In, Biel Out Of The JLA
Movies.com - Kimberly Potts
Seems casting rumors about the fast-tracked Justice League of America movie have replaced Star Trek this week at the must-spread chatter. The latest: that Transformers co-star Tyrese Gibson will play the Green Lantern in the George Miller's comic-book flick. Mania.com reports that Gibson, who is also believed to be attached to the movie adaptation of another comic book, Luke Cage, joins Jessica Biel as a potential Wonder Woman and Ryan Reynolds as a potential Flash as the frontrunners for the 2010 JLA. Gibson, meanwhile, is back in theaters later this year in The Take, in which he plays a bad guy who shoots an armored truck driver played by John Leguizamo.
EW - Nicole Sperling
EW has learned that actress Jessica Biel has decided to pass on playing Wonder Woman in Warner Bros. live-action adaptation of Justice League of America. The former 7th Heaven star had been in early talks to play the Amazonian princess. She's currently shooting the drama Powder Blue with Forest Whitaker.
Cloverfield Star To Play Kirk?
IESB -Robert Sanchez
After months of speculation, industry chatter is indicating that JJ Abrams has found a front runner for his new James T. Kirk.
We have been hearing his name for weeks but in the last couple of days the rumor has picked up steam with tips from several inside sources. The IESB has been told that 28-year-old Pennsylvania native Mike Vogel (Poseidon, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) is the front runner to play James T. Kirk in the 11th Star Trek film.
We spent most of the day calling his agency (Gersh) and also Paramount Studios for comment and we finally got one late this afternoon.
Paramount Studios had no comment (of course) and Gersh Agency gave us the “can’t officially comment at this time” comment but that was after asking me nervously where we heard the news.
We have been able to talk with two other studio insiders who have also confirmed that he is indeed the fore runner for the coveted role.
Mike Vogel will be seen in, coincidentally, in the JJ Abrams produced Untitled Monster Project AKA Cloverfield/1-18-08.
Casting thus far for the 11th Star Trek film has Zachary Quinto as young Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy reprising the role that he made famous as the older Mr. Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura originally played by Nichelle Nichols and Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov originally played by Walter Koenig.
Mike Vogel, if indeed cast, will play James T. Kirk who was originally played by legendary actor William Shatner. There are still no indications that William Shatner has been asked to reprise Kirk.
No official synopsis has been revealed for Star Trek but the film is set to release December 25, 2008.
Spielberg Ready To Ruin Oklahoma Extra
From WENN
Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg is threatening to axe scenes starring actor Tyler Nelson in the upcoming Indiana Jones movie after he leaked the plot line to an Oklahoma newspaper. Upcoming star Nelson, 24, was so excited about landing a role alongside Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett in Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, he revealed the plot and every major scene to local paper, the Edmond Sun. And now Spielberg is considering cutting all scenes featuring Nelson from the film following his betrayal. A spokesman for Spielberg says, "Who knows if he's ever going to work in town again?" The new Indiana Jones movie has been shrouded in secrecy since filming began earlier this year. The title of the sequel was only made public by actor Shia LaBeouf at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas on September 9.
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