Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
By Michael Knox
Mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Sid Haig, known for his role as “Captain Spaulding” in Rob Zombie’s “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects,“ will join “A Clockwork Orange” star Malcolm McDowell in the zombie comedy “First Platoon,” according to a press release.
Director Chris Gabriel will be shooting his original screenplay for the project. Filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico this spring and summer, “First Platoon” is slated for release in December 2010, according to a news release.
Las Vegas, NV production companies, First Earth Films and Laughing Jack Entertainment will produce the film.
“First Platoon” is an homage to a genre virtually created by George Romero, and stays true to the classic zombie lore that diehard fans revere, according to the press release. A post apolyptic zombie comedy, “First Platoon,” will also feature Aaron Shiver (“3:10 to Yuma,” “The Book of Eli” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”
Shiver is joined by John Kassir (“Reefer Madness – The Musical” and “Race to Witch Mountain.”
Gabriel has previously teamed up with First Earth Films on “S4,” an ultra low budget 1950’s style sci-fi comedy, and will also direct “Raggedy Anne,” an action/comedy, in late 2010.
Danny Trejo (“From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and “Con Air”) is rumored to play the character of a gun shop owner in “Raggedy Anne,” according to the Internet Movie Database.
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
With the relaunch of ModernFilmZine, we look to change the format of the film orientated Web site. With interviews from celebrities and directors as before, we look to add trailers and short films from MFZ readers.
As filmmakers we want to see work from other filmmakers. MFZ is designed to talk about the big movies, such as “Terminator: Salvation,” and “Star Trek,” but also focus on the side of cinema that often gets overlooked.
We also look to promote the mircobudget movies, since that is what we at MFZ are involved in as filmmakers ourselves.
If you are interested in having your short film or trailer posted on MFZ please e-mail mknox@modernfilmzine.com with a link to the footage as well as contact information and a write up of the project and creative team.
Friday, March 26th, 2010
By Michael Knox
Mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Fans of Gregory Itzen’s evil President Charles Logan character on “24” will get a chance to see to actor take on a lighter role in the comedy-drama“Float,” which is set to be released on April 6.
The movie will also have other familiar faces from “24” and feature actors from “Heroes” and “Supernatural,“ featured in the Seminal Films picture.
Ray Fulton (Gregory Itzen of TV’s “24”), the work-aholic owner of a Glendale ice cream parlor, is abandoned by his neglected wife (Cristine Rose of TV’s “Heroes”). Itzen appeared in 44 episodes of “24” as the traitorous President Charles Logan, according to the Internet Movie Database. Rose has appeared in 53 episodes of “Heroes” as the character Angela Petrelli, according to the Internet Movie Database
The story of “Float” has Ray face a mid-life crisis forcing him to move into the bachelor pad of his two twenty-something employees (Hrach Titizian of TV’s “24” and one of the kidnappers in “The Men Who Stare at Goats“) and Johnny Asuncion, who also directs the film. As Ray tries to adjust to single life, he receives a surprise visit from his estranged daughter (Lauren Cohan of TV’s “Supernatural”).
The Armenian Weekly state that the movie is “on the list of best Indie comedies your friends have never heard of but need to be shown.”
The film won the Audience Award at the Dances With Films Festival, Best Screenplay at the ARPA International Fest, and Best Film at the Fil-Am Fest.
“Float” is produced by Zenith Films and Hrach Titizian, of “24.”
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
Monday, May 18th, 2009
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.
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
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
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
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.”
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."
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
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
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”
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
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”
