NZ Says "Hobbit" Deal 'A Day Of Shame'

Despite several set-backs to Warner Bros, trying to set up production of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand, with labour unrest triggered by local actors unions, demonstrations by workers across the country, and a mysterious fire that destroyed a part of director Peter Jackson's Weta Digital Studios in Wellington, the studio has agreed to stay the course, cutting a tax deal with the NZ government.

According to new reports, following the NZ parliament passing 'emergency' legislation, bypassing usual parliamentary committees, to ensure that 2 back-to-back "Hobbit" films would be lensed in the country, almost half of New Zealand's Members of Parliament, have now called the studio/government deal a 'day of shame', with one holding up a redesigned national flag with the Warner Bros logo in one corner.

"What is the government going to do next -- give in to any multinational that asks for a labor standard to be diluted in return for some form of investment?", said NZ opposition MP Charles Chauvel.

Meanwhile, if you've never read author J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit", check out the 1991 graphic novel adaptation by David Wenzel, illustrating the story of 'Bilbo Baggins', a quiet 'hobbit' whose life is turned upside down when he joins the wizard 'Gandalf' and thirteen dwarves on a quest to reclaim their stolen treasure.

"The Hobbit" is scheduled to start filming February 2011...

Carpenter Mounting "Darkchylde"

According to reports, John Carpenter will direct the feature "Darkchylde", based on the Maximum Press/Image/Homage/Wowio comic book series by Randy Queen, about a teenager cursed to embody monstrous creatures that she first dreams about in recurring nightmares.

Carpenter and Sandy King's Storm King Productions will team with Randy and Sarah Queen's Darkchylde Entertainment to produce the film.

"Randy Queen's hijacked angel, 'Ariel Chylde', is the best young female character since 'Laurie Strode' in 'Halloween," said Carpenter. "Bringing Ariel and her dark mysteries to life should be quite an adventure for us all."

"I'm beyond thrilled that John Carpenter, one of our most important, and legendary genre directors, and the man responsible for such landmark films as 'The Thing' and 'Halloween' has come on board with Weta Workshop to help bring the nightmarish tale of 'Ariel Chylde' to the silver screen," said "Darkchylde" creator Randy Queen.

"As a horror fan, the thought of Carpenter and Weta together, beautiful dreamscapes, and multiple transformations, makes me incredibly excited. There is a reason nearly his entire catalogue has, or is being remade, and it's because Carpenter is a genius."

The "Darkchylde" comic books debuted in 1996, eventually outselling "Spider-Man", "Superman" and "Batman" in both domestic and foreign audiences, with ancillary merchandising spinning-off into toys, trading cards, apparel, lunch boxes and statues.

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“London Boulevard"

"London Boulevard" is a new feature based on the novel "London Boulevard", by author Ken Bruen. The crime romance is written and directed by William Monahan.

"...A reclusive movie star, who hides out from the world in a 'Holland Park' mansion, hires a London criminal recently released from prison to be her bodyguard and handyman."

Cast includes Colin Farrell as 'Mitchell', a South London criminal, Keira Knightley as 'Charlotte', a reclusive young actress, Ray Winstone as a crime boss, David Thewlis as Charlotte's business manager and Anna Friel as Mitchell's sister.

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Chad Peter's "Apocalypse, Ca"

The indie feature "Apocalypse, Ca", is a new fantasy comedy, directed/produced by Chad Peter, starring Nick Mathis, Erin Bodine and Anne McDaniels.
Visual effects are by Emmy Award winner Ryan Wieber ("Ryan vs. Dorkman") and Teague Chrystie ("The Pacific").
"...Mysterious radio personality and part-time 'genie', 'Sassy Boots' (Elizabeth Sandy) takes it upon herself to grant 'John Parsons' (Mathis) a few wishes, five days before the world is to be destroyed by an asteroid.

"Only problem is John's wishes aren't exactly calculated, or even planned - the end result of which is a situation far worse than before.

"Accompanied by his brother 'Hank' (Alexander Cardinale), Hank's friend 'Renee' (McDaniels) and John's childhood crush 'Jacklyn' (Bodine), John and friends take the high road to Palm Springs - otherwise known as the 'epicenter' where the asteroid will first strike Earth.

"With a 'bite the bullet' approach, John and his friends learn a little more about life and each other, all leading up to a wild climax of booze, fantasy, and guns-a-blazin' desert adventure..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Apocalypse, Ca"...

Hard Cover For "Superman: Earth One"

Sneak Peek DC Comics "Superman: Earth One", an original hard cover graphic novel series written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by Shane Davis, reintroducing DC's 'Superman' comic book character "...for a new generation".

In the new book, Straczynski shows the 'early years' of 'Clark Kent' coming out as 'Superman', with thoughts of him becoming something other than a 'superhero'.

"We always knew that we wanted to do a real, contemporary interpretation of Superman," said Dan DiDio, senior vice-president, executive editor, DC Comics.

DiDio explained that DC is 'retelling' the adventures of the stalwart comic book star as a way to reach out to buyers and fans of books like "Twilight".

"What we wanted to do was to create an original graphic novel featuring our most prominent character that we felt captured a contemporary tone and really was built with the bookstore market in mind.

"We needed to make him hip, moody and sexy in order to really appeal to who are really wanting to read novels with our characters."

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Newmarket Finds "The Way Back"

Sneak Peek the upcoming dramatic feature "The Way Back", based on a true story about a group of prisoners who engineer a grueling escape from a Siberian gulag during World War II.

"The Way Back" was co-written/directed by Peter Weir ("Witness"), based on the memoir by author Sławomir Rawicz.

Cast includes Jim Sturgess as 'Janusz', a young Polish inmate, Colin Farrell as 'Valka', a tough, tattooed Russian inmate, Ed Harris as 'Mr. Smith', an American inmate, Saoirse Ronan as 'Irena', an orphaned Polish girl, Mark Strong as 'Khabarov', Dragoş Bucur as 'Zoran' and Gustaf Skarsgård as 'Voss'.

The film will be distributed by Newmarket Films in a limited release December 29, 2010 followed by a wide release January 21, 2011.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Way Back"...