Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
ModernFilmZine will be posting several interviews over the next few weeks, including Tommy Chong, Unknown Hinson, and Chris Browning, who is featured in the new “Terminator: Salvation” movie.
Tommy Chong interview to publish, Friday, April 10: In the interview Chong discusses his new animated feature film, “Cheech and Chong’s Smokin’ Animated Movie,” as well as the first time he got high, his love of Lenny Bruce and why he dislikes Disney so much. 
Unknown Hinson interview to publish, Friday, April 17: Music performer and animated voice actor, Unknown Hinson, provides one of the characters for the Adult Swim show “Squidbillies.” During his interview he talks about how he is not a vampire, and how he was framed for murder when he worked as a singer at a carnival.
Chris Browning/”Terminator: Salvation” interview series to publish, April 24, 25, and 26: Browning was featured in “3:10 to Yuma”and will be acting in the Denzel Washington/Gary Oldman film, “Book of Eli.” He discusses his time on those movies as well as working on the highly anticipated “Terminator.” His stories will be included in a three part series.
Monday, March 30th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
The director of the popular animated “Hellboy: Blood & Iron” is slated to helm an animated version of the epic poem, “Dante’s Inferno,” about the nine levels of Hell.
Victor Cook, who is also a producer on “The Spectacular Spider-Man” will be working off of a script by Brandon Auman, a writer for “Iron Man: Armored Adventures.”
…continue reading Animated “Hellboy” director to helm “Dante’s Inferno” feature
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Anyone planning to take their 5-year-old child to see the animated 3D movie, “Coraline” should go ahead and trash that idea unless they want to return home with a screaming, crying child.
Don’t get me wrong, this movie is great, but it is not something I think many children will enjoy. To quote one friend of mine who watched the movie with me, “Man, if I was a child I think that movie would creep me the Hell out.” And indeed it does.
…continue reading Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” movie good, creepy fun
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
The studio that developed “Cowboy Bebop” and “Full Metal Alchemist“will bring the Japanese samurai anime movie, “Sword of the Stranger,” to theaters for a one-night screening on Thursday, Feb. 5.
The movie will be dubbed in English and will feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the “Sword of the Stranger” at studio BONES as well as interviews with the English voice actors, director Masahiro Ando, and producer Mashiko Minami.
Acclaimed Japanese anime studio BONES (“Cowboy Bebop,” “Full Metal Alchemist,” “Soul Eater”) developed “Sword of the Stranger.” …continue reading “Sword of the Stranger” anime movie playing 1 night only
Saturday, January 24th, 2009
“Sita Sings the Blues” director Nina Paley interview Part 2
For part 1 of this interview go to “Sita Sings the Blues” director turns pain into passion project
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Nina Paley’s “Sita Sings the Blues” has been an Internet hit, playing at film festivals around the world. But the film, somehow has not found major theatrical distribute. And ever since Paley has gone on the film festival circuit she’s learned a few reasons why.
“At first distributors were simply scared of it because it was hard to describe and it was just weird,” Paley said. “And big distributors won’t touch something this weird. Small distributors became interested over time.” …continue reading “Sita Sings the Blues” uses Internet to be a smash hit
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“Sita Sings the Blues” director Nina Paley interview part 1
When Nina Paley set out to create her animated feature film, “Sita Sings the Blues,” it was a lesson in commitment. The feature film is based on the Indian story of Ramayana, telling the tale of Rama and Sita and their break up. Paley, originally born in Urbana, IL, learned about the story of Ramayana when she moved to Trivandrum, India, in 2002 after her husband took a job offer there.
“Sita Sings the Blues” also tells the story of Paley’s relationship with her husband, who dumped her by e-mail, when she was on a quick trip to New York. …continue reading “Sita Sings the Blues” director turns pain into passion project
Saturday, January 17th, 2009
On Jan. 22, ModernFilmZine will post an interview with Nina Paley, the director of the animated feature film, “Sita Sings the Blues.” The movie is an Internet smash hit and a personal film for Paley. She came up with the story after being dumped by her husband by e-mail, weaving her personal struggle with the Indian story of Ramayana, with the break up of Sita and Rama. The interview is the first of two parts.
On Jan. 24, ModernFilmZine will post the second part of a two piece interview featuring Nina Paley. The article will discuss Paley’s struggle to find a distributor for her film, “Sita Sings the Blues.” The piece will discuss how new computer technology and the Internet has helped her film an audience and how some people in India see her film as to flippant.
Monday, January 5th, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
The other day a friend called me up and blurted out, “Hey there’s this great concert playing tonight with Unknown Hinson.” To which I immediately responded, “What the heck is an unknown hinson?!”
My friend then informed me that Unknown Hinson was in fact a vampiric cowboy country singer. A description that left me scratching my head, I must admit. I don’t know if I would classify Unknown Hinson the way my friend did, but one thing is for sure, he sounds great. And the added bonus is, he also portrays the voice of Early Cuyler on the Adult Swim cartoon “Squidbillies.”
The added bonus of the connection to “Squidbillies,” a great show with very offbeat animation, convinced me to see the show. And I’m glad I went, because I didn’t know a thing about this guy and discovered that he has an awesome presence.
…continue reading “Squidbillies” actor rocks out on stage
Thursday, January 1st, 2009
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
There’s still no news on who will be playing “Judge Dredd” in the new DNA Films production, but that’s not stopping fans from speculating on who the role should go to.
The Internet Movie Database is listing that the new “Judge Dredd” movie should be out in 2012.
Surfing the net I found that many people were pulling for Jason Statham (of the “Transporter” series and “Bank Job”) as well as Ray Stevenson, who just came out as another tough guy in “Punisher : War Zone.”
The comic book adventures of Judge Dredd feature the ultra intense law enforcement character working in the futuristic confines of Mega-City One. A guy that makes Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” look like a pacifist. So it’s going to have to be somebody that can break heads.
…continue reading Casting chatter: Who should be “Judge Dredd”?
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“G.I. Joe,” had some of the coolest characters and toys when I was a kid. And of the coolest, I think my favorite was the Cobra H.I.S.S. tank.
That elusive piece of weaponry in the world of childhood torment was always just outside of my reach. As a kid when I’d see it I’d be broke. And when I had money, before giving it up and spending in on something else, I could never find that blasted H.I.S.S. tank.
Just before Christmas though I lit up like I was 10 years old again, because I saw the elusive toy of my childhood in a store and grabbed it immediately. And I was broke. Just like childhood.
…continue reading It’s a “G.I.Joe” Christmas 20 years later
