So far we have 14 movies that have committed to participate at the Modern Film Fest. We look to have a total of 3 to 4 venues,w ith Gem Theatre handling ticket sales for all movies, no matter what venue. Here is a rundown of the movies that look to be at Modern Film Fest from Sept. 25 to Sept. 27.

For regular updates on the festival go to http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=86462300746

or visit http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=77664634286

…continue reading Modern Film Fest collects 14 films for September show

By Ben McNeely | bmcneely@modernfilmzine.com

At some point, we’re going to have to get over this religion vs. science thing. It just keeps creeping into our entertainment.

And really, folks, who needs all this existential dilemmas in our movie theaters right at the beginning of summertime?

We’re in an economic crisis as it is, isn’t that enough?

Well OK, guess not, because Ron Howard brings us the next installment of the Robert Langdon series, ‘Angels & Demons’ by the irascible pop author Dan Brown.

Brown, who makes a killing off weaving suspense thrillers from ancient conspiracy theories and mumbo-jumbo, sends his agnostic professor off to Rome on another quest to bring down the Catholic Church … in order to save it.

…continue reading Singing with the ‘Angels’, Hangin’ with the ‘Demons’

By Ben McNeely, bmcneely@modernfilmzine.com

The problem with “Star Trek” is that it jumped the shark 15 years ago when producers Ron Moore and Brannon Braga created “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

It stopped being an allegory about the human condition and start getting into hardcore canon mythology storytelling.

…continue reading How Kirk and Spock Got Their Groove Back

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Dark Horse Entertainment is developing a movie adaptation of the graphic novel, “The Secret,” which tells the story of a group of high-school seniors who play a prank that backfires when one of their friends vanishes without a trace.

Dark Horse Entertainment announced the project developed from a production pact with Universal Pictures.

Scott Milam, who wrote the remake of the horror classic  “Mother’s Day,” has been signed to write the adaptation of the 2007 critically acclaimed graphic novel and comic series.

Milam’s other projects currently in development include “Bedlam” for RKO/Twisted Pictures, “Ab Tak Chhappan” for Paramount Vantage with Jinks/Cohen producing, and “Karnival” at Rogue with Michael Zoumas producing.

Mike Richardson, president and founder of Dark Horse, and writer of  the comic on which the film is based, will produce for Dark Horse Entertainment alongside Scott Stuber, who will produce for Stuber  Productions.

Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production, Scott Bernstein, and  Creative Executive Dave Targan will oversee the project for the studio.

“Scott [Milan] is a terrific writer and we’re excited to be working with him on this project,” said Richardson. “The story is full of scares and surprises and goes places no one will expect.”

Staff Reports

J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” ticket sales were substantially higher than initial estimates, with the movie grossing $79.2 million over the three day period, earning almost an extra $3 million.

Initially, the well-reviewed adventure was expected to bring in $18.3 million on Sunday, but ended up grossing $21 million. Better than expected family attendance was credited with the upsurge.

…continue reading “Star Trek” rakes in $3 million more than anticipated

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (far left) works with Zooey Deschanel and director Marc Webb on the set of "500 Days of Summer."

When director Marc Webb helmed “500 Days of Summer” he saw a genuine chemistry between the stars Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt that translated onto the big screen for the quirky “romantic” comedy.

The two had worked on a movie, 2003’s “Manic,” prior to filming “500 Days of Summer,” making Webb’s work easier.

…continue reading “500 Days of Summer” director talks about Zooey Deschanel romantic comedy

By Ryan Haggerty rhaggerty@modernfilmzine.com

George Romero – Film School and Beyond

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This is an excerpt of Q & A with George Romero following a viewing of Night of the Living Dead at the American Zombie Fest in Charlotte.  The event was hosted by The Light Factory.  Audio courtesy of Changing Elevations, Inc.  Romero courtesy of George.

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Guillermo Arriaga still remembers the blazing image of his neighbor’s home that sent him and others from his neighborhood racing down the street.

The home was fully engulfed in flames when a fireman told Arriaga that there was still someone inside the home, burning.

The scene was one that Arriaga would later build on for his directorial debut on the movie, “The Burning Plain.”

…continue reading “21 Grams” and “Babel” writer haunted by “The Burning Plain”

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Finally, “Star Trek” is worth watching again.

J.J. Abrams‘ re-imagining of the franchise is not a perfect movie by any means, with a cliched meeting of old Spock and young Kirk that takes, “suspension of disbelief” to whole new heights. But other than that I really enjoyed this film.

…continue reading Finally, “Star Trek” is worth watching again