By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
The cackling screams of agony and carnage that ripple across the speakers
when the “H.P. Lovecraft Radio Hour” plays is a highlight for the show's narrator, Ryan Haggerty.
…continue reading H.P. Lovecraft influencing a new generation of movie makers, capturing new fans
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.
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 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
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“Midgets vs Mascots,” a shockumentary shot in a style similar to “Borat” pits five little people against five mascots to battle for $1 million apiece in outrageous competitions. The film finished third in voting in the Heineken Audience Award at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, according to a news release.
…continue reading “Midgets vs. Mascots” described as “Borat” meets “Jackass”
Here is a run down of stories that ModernFilmZine reporter Michael Knox gathered during his trip to Winston-Salem, N.C. for the RiverRun International Film Festival. Knox will be working on writing up the interviews over the course of the next few weeks so keep checking in to see what interviews are posted.
* An interview with Oscar nominated script writer Guillermo Arriaga who penned, “21 Grams,” “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” and “Babel.” Arriaga discusses his directorial debut with his new movie, “The Burning Plain,” featuring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.
…continue reading RiverRun coverage to feature interview with Oscar nominated screenwriter
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Ash Baron Cohen, cosin of "Borat" star
Sacha Baron Cohen has made a name for himself with the hit film, “Borat” and his latest movie, “Bruno” is about to hit screens, but Baron Cohen isn’t the only one from the family in the film business.
Ash Baron Cohen, a cousin to the “Bruno” star, is currently casting “RadioActive,” a contemporary gangster love story set in Los Angeles against a backdrop of multicultural Americana. The $15 million project is scheduled to go into production in July.
…continue reading “Borat” cousin set to film Lenny Kravitz movie
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Val Kilmer and Kris Kristofferson have begun filming in Wilmington, N.C. on the film, “Provinces of Night,” based on a Southern gothic novel by William Gay.
Principal photography began in mid-April, according to a news release. The film’s cast also includes Hilary Duff, Dwight Yoakam and Faye Dunaway.
The novel by Gay (“The Long Home,”"I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down”) is directed by award-winning filmmaker Shane Dax Taylor (“The Grey”).
…continue reading Val Kilmer shooting Southern gothic film in Wilmington, N.C.
