Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
by Ryan Haggerty, rhaggerty@modernfilmzine.com
A press pass is a glorious thing. Without one you are just some weirdo with a camera, with one you suddenly have credentials. We met our liason, Elvin Bale, the following day and were made official.
The first friend we made was Greg Connors. He was performing safety inspections, and was gracious enough to let our friend Jamie Reel participate. After learning how to and how not to tie up the emergency lights and exit signs, he gave us an in depth interview.
…continue reading Tearing Down the Tent Production Log: Turning of the Tide
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
When Jack Baxter was producing a documentary about a popular international blues bar by the beach in Tel Aviv, called Mike’s Place, he never expected the tone of his film to shift suddenly after a violent explosion.
Baxter was seriously injured in a suicide attack on the bar in Israel in April 2003, during the filming of “Blues By the Beach.” His wife, Fran Strauss-Baxter, said she knew her crew had to continue filming.
“When I saw my husband in the hospital, I knew that no matter what, the film must go on – just like Mike’s Place,” Strauss-Baxter said in a news release “I know from firsthand experience that ‘Blues’ can change someone’s perception of modern-day Israel.”
…continue reading Documentary chronicles Israel blues music bar attacked in suicide bombing
Monday, March 16th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Bonnie Aarons, who portrays the Gypsy Mother in Sam Raimi’s upcoming, “Drag Me to Hell” will be featured in a new horror/comedy that pits serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer against John Wayne Gacy. And yeah. You read that right.
Ethan Phillips, who portrayed “Neelix” on “Star Trek: Voyager,” is also featured in the movie.
The feature film “Dahmer vs. Gacy” is now in post production and also features Guns N’ Roses drummer Steve Adler being turned into a zombie by Dahmer. Jerry Maren, who played one of the Munchkins in the Lollipop Guild in the original, “Wizard of Oz,” is featured as a character being pulverized by killer clown John Wayne Gacy.
…continue reading “Dahmer Vs. Gacy” features “Drag Me to Hell” and “Star Trek: Voyager” actors
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“Death Warrior,” a movie that features warriors fighting to the death, will feature five stars from the Mixed Martial Arts championships, from around the world.
Georges St-Pierre, Quinton ‘Rampage Jackson,’ Keith Jardine, Rashad Evans and Hector Echavarria are all featured in the movie, which is currently in production in Toronto, Canada, according to a news release.
The film is scheduled to be distributed by Grindstone Entertainment Group and Lions Gate Entertainment toward the end of 2009.
…continue reading “Death Warrior” to feature 5 real Mixed Martial Arts masters
Friday, March 13th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Just about the only good thing I can say about this movie is that at least it looks more professional than the 1972 original in which the movie is based.
I can’t attest to that personally, but my friend who watched the movie said the original “The Last House on the Left” had a much more amateurish look.
Which prompted me to ask, “So what you are telling me is we are about the watch a remake of a movie that was bad in the first place?” My friend responded, “Pretty much.”
…continue reading “Last House on the Left” a bad remake of a bad movie
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
EDITOR’S NOTE: “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” was one of the documentaries featured at the 2008 Asheville Film Festival, for which writer Michael Knox serves as a film recruiter.
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” a rock’n'roll documentary that premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival has landed a deal with VH1 as well as received a scheduled theatrical release. The film will be released on April 10 in New York and Los Angeles followed by a national release.
The film follows Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner and their band, Anvil, which released their album, 1982’s “Metal on Metal.” The album influenced an entire musical generation of rock bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, who all went on to sell millions of records, according to a news release. Anvil, on the other hand, took a different path — straight to obscurity. The film follows their last-ditch quest for the fame and fortune that has been so elusive to them.
…continue reading “Anvil!” rock documentary gets theatrical release and VH1 screening
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
STAFF REPORTS
Durham, N.C., – March 5, 2009 – The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, April 2-5, has announced the 2009 film selections for the NEW DOCS program. After considering over 1,200 submissions, the festival has released 55 NEW DOCS titles, included below.
In the coming weeks, Full Frame will announce additions to the NEW DOCS program, along with film listings for the festival’s other sections; the 2009 Career Award honoring St. Clair Bourne, the 2009 Thematic Program “This Sporting Life,” and Special Programming.
…continue reading Major documentary festival, Full Frame, announces 55 films selected
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
STAFF REPORTS
A scene from the movie, "Goodbye Solo," which was shot in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The 11th annual RiverRun International Film Festival has announced three films – all with ties to the Piedmont Triad – that will be shown at this year’s festival, held in Winston-Salem, N.C. from April 22 to April 29.
The films include, “Goodbye Solo,” “With These Hands” and “Herb and Dorthy.”
…continue reading Riverrun Film Festival announces 3 films selected
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
The success of Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail,” has lead to Lionsgate films securing the rights to two more Tyler Perry plays set to be adapted into feature films.
Writer/director/actor/producer Tyler Perry, will be working on “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and “Why Did I Get Married Too.”
…continue reading Two more Tyler Perry movies slated for filming
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Vinnie Jones, who played the Juggernaut in “X-Men 3: The Last Stand” and the killer in “The Midnight Meat Train,” is set to play in the comedy movie, “You May Not Kiss the Bride.”
Principal photography began this month on the Hawaii Film Partners’ motion picture, according to a news release. The movie is being billed as a romantic adventure comedy set in Chicago and Tahiti and filmed in Hawaii.
…continue reading Vinnie Jones to appear in romantic comedy
