By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

The Oscar committee screwed up big time as far as I’m concerned when it came to who won the best make-up design. There is no way in Hell that “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” should have beaten “Hellboy 2.”

I personally have not seen all of “Benjamin Button,” but I did see enough to realize that it only really had the aging making up for Brad Pitt. Which I must admit was done with an amazing style. But it’s just one make-up effect. I can’t even begin to tell you how many different make-up effects are in “Hellboy 2.”

…continue reading “Benjamin Button” beats “Hellboy 2″ in the make-up department?!?

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

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

STAFF REPORTS

The Southeastern Film Critics Association named “Milk” as the Best Picture of 2008 in the 17th annual voting. Directed by Gus Van Sant, “Milk” stars Sean Penn as slain activist Harvey Milk who fought for gay rights and was the first openly gay man who served in public office.

SEFCA is made up of reporters from nine Southeastern states. This year 38 members participated in voting.

SEFCA’s top 10 films of 2008 include …continue reading SEFCA Awards for 2008 films

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

Nicktoons Network is launching a new “X-Men” cartoon featuring Wolverine. The show, “Wolverine and the X-Men,” will premiere on Jan. 23 on the Nicktoons Network.

The cartoon will be a prime tie-in to the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” movie featuring Hugh Jackman, which will be released on May 1. The new cartoon will likely allow a younger fan-base to be built up for the new film. The movie already has a huge fan-base with many people looking to see the film.

A survey taken in December by more than 2,000 Fandango fans showed “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” was ranked fifth in the list of movies women wanted to see in 2009. The movie was ranked number four on the list by men surveyed by Fandango. …continue reading New “X-Men” cartoon to feature Wolverine

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

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”?

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

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

A one-hour interview with the producer of  “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is  available on the Internet radio show, TV Time Machine (http://www.tvtimemachine.com), hosted by TV historian Jim Benson.

Lee Mendelson, producer of  “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” talks about the 1965 animated holiday special on the show.

Mendelson’s interview includes how “A Charlie Brown Christmas” came about, discussing the casting  of the children who supply the “Peanuts” gang voices. Mendelson  also discusses working with “Peanuts” and “Charlie Brown” creator Charles M. Schulz and how Schulz’s Christmas special continues to be viewed by families today.

…continue reading Interview with “Charlie Brown Christmas” producer