H.P. Lovecraft influencing a new generation of movie makers, capturing new fans

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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

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

ModernFilmZine organizing film festival in Kannapolis, N.C.

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Monday, May 18th, 2009
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ModernFilmZine is organizing a film festival in Kannapolis, N.C., coordinating the event at the Gem Theatre with the Independent Tribune newspaper as a sponsor.
ModernFilmFest is scheduled for Sept. 25-27, 2009.

Three movies are already set to screen including the circus documentary, “Tearing Down the Tent,” with the popular film festival movies “Sita Sings the Blues” and “Official Rejection.”

Tickets look to cost $4 each, with the Independent Tribune newspaper as a sponsor working with the Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce. We also look to approach the N.C. Research Campus for help.

We look to collect 12 or more movies to play at the theatre over the three day period.

To follow the progress of the fesival go to ModernFilmFest’s Facebook site.
For more information e-mail Michael Knox at mknox@modernfilmzine.com

How Kirk and Spock Got Their Groove Back

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Saturday, May 16th, 2009

By Ben McNeely, bmcneely@modernfilmzine.com

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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

Movie adaptation of “The Secret” slated for filming

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Saturday, May 16th, 2009

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

thesecret
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.”

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

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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Staff Reports

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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

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

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Monday, May 11th, 2009

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."

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

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

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Saturday, May 9th, 2009

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

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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”

Finally, “Star Trek” is worth watching again

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Thursday, May 7th, 2009

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

startrek

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

“Midgets vs. Mascots” described as “Borat” meets “Jackass”

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Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com

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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”

RiverRun coverage to feature interview with Oscar nominated screenwriter

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Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

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.

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* 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