BREAKING MOVIE/TV NEWS

Sunday, January 22, 2012

"Beavis and Butt-Head" Go Live

Sneak Peek some hideously realistic model images of the MTV cartoon characters "Beavis and Butt-Head".

The models were created by SFX artist Kevin Kirkpatrick ("Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides").

Kirkpatrick is an avid fan of the cartoon duo,
that returned last year to MTV's new "Beavis and Butt-head"series.

Creator Mike Judge ("King Of The Hill") continues as the voice of both title characters.

Judge's short film "Frog Baseball" was the first appearance of "Beavis and Butt-Head" with MTV signing Judge to turn the concept into a series airing March 1993 to November 1997.

With its 'underground comix' sensibility, the show focused on two socially inept rock/metal-loving teenagers 'Beavis' and 'Butt-Head', who live in the town of 'Highland', Texas. They have no adult supervision at home, are woefully undereducated and arguably dim-witted.

They attend high school, where their teachers are often at a loss as to how to deal with them, although in many episodes the two skip school altogether. They also work part-time at 'Burger World' and sometimes work other side-jobs, with people mistaking their odd behavior as outgoing and assertive.

"...The comedic value is partly based on the pair's lack of conventional values: they are highly obnoxious, perverted and rude to almost every other character in the show, including each other.

"However, they do not realize this and seem to function on an instinctual level. They survive their often hazardous misadventures without serious consequences, though others around them do not fare as well..."

Mixed into each episode were segments in which Beavis and Butt-Head watched music videos and provided stoned-out commentary improvised by Judge.

In 1996, the series was adapted into the animated feature "Beavis and Butt-head Do America", followed by a Marvel Comics series.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Beavis and Butt-Head"...

CBS Films Has The Last "Words"

"The Words", a new thriller starring Bradley Cooper, that debuted @ The Sundance Film Festival January 21, has sold to CBS Films after a 'bidding war'.

Written and directed by Brian Klugman & Lee Sternthal, the film also stars Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Ben Barnes and Jeremy Irons :

"...'Rory Jansen', a struggling writer, aspires to be the next great literary voice. When he discovers a lost manuscript in a weathered attaché case, he realizes he possesses something extraordinary that he desperately wishes he had created. Rory decides to pass the work off as his own and finally receives the recognition he desperately craves. However, he soon learns that living with his choice will not be as easy as he thought as he faces a moral dilemma that will make him take a hard look at the man he has become..."

CBS Films reportedly guaranteed the producers $2 million, along with a $1.5 million print/advertising commitment.

Click the images to enlarge...

"Underworld" Awakens" To $25.4 Million


The Vancouver-lensed, 'vampires' vs 'werewolves', fantasy action horror feature, "Underworld: Awakening", the fourth movie in the "Underworld" series, earned $25.4 million at the North America box office this weekend, marking the return of Kate Beckinsale to the franchise, as the vampire warrior 'Selene'.


"Underworld Awakening" is the first of the "Underworld" films to be exhibited in 3D and IMAX.

Beckinsale reprises her role from "Underworld" and "Underworld Evolution", with new cast including Sandrine Holt, Michael Ealy and India Eisley.


"...Since the events of Underworld: Evolution, 'Selene' (Beckinsale) was captured by Humans and held captive in cryogenic suspension for the past 12 years..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Underworld Awakening 3D"...

Hammer Resurrecting "Dracula Prince Of Darkness"

Hammer Films, who re-defined horror films in the 1950's and early 1960's, confirm they have teamed up with international distribution and production partners to restore its classic library, for release on Blu-ray and other 'future media formats'.

The first title to be restored is the 1966 feature, "Dracula Prince of Darkness", starring Christopher Lee, to be released in conjunction with Studiocanal, March 2012.

Other titles to be restored and released this year include, "The Reptile", "The Plague of The Zombies", "The Devil Rides Out', "Rasputin the Mad Monk" and "The Mummy’s Shroud".

Hammer said it will also be releasing 'definitive versions' of "The Curse of Frankenstein" and "Horror of Dracula".

"Our decision to restore some of Hammer’s most famous titles not only allows existing fans to experience the films again in high definition, but also encourages a new global audience to discover Hammer for the first time", said Hammer CEO Simon Oakes.

"We have a busy year ahead but confident our Blu-ray plans will ensure Hammer’s legacy will live on for generations to come..."


As well as featuring a fully-restored HD picture and restored sound, the remastered films will also include 'extras' produced by Hammer expert/historian Marcus Hearn.

Pinewood Studios UK carried out the restoration of the first three Studiocanal titles after housing the original negatives for the films, including restoring the original UK title sequence to "The Plague of The Zombies" as well as UK title cards to "Dracula Prince of Darkness".

Recently-discovered footage that was originally cut from the British version of "Dracula Prince Of Darkness" has also been restored, with Hammer now keen to locate further lost scenes and on-set footage, for all of their films.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Dracula Prince Of Darkness"...


"Apocalypse, Ca" Available On iTunes

Filmmaker Chad Peters' first feature "Apocalypse, CA" is now live on iTunes and available in HD for download :

"...when radio personality/part-time 'genie', 'Sassy Boots' (Elizabeth Sandy) takes it upon herself to grant 'John Parsons' (Nick Mathis) a few wishes five days before the world is to be destroyed by an asteroid, the only problem is John’s wishes aren’t exactly calculated, or even planned.

"...accompanied by his brother 'Hank' (Alexander Cardinale), Hank’s friend 'Renee' (Anne McDaniels) and John’s childhood crush 'Jacklyn' (Erin Bodine), the group take the high road to Palm Springs.


"In Palm Springs, otherwise known as the 'epicenter' where the asteroid will first strike Earth, John & friends learn a little more about life and each other.

"Events eventually lead towards a wild climax of booze, fantasy, and guns-a-blazin’ desert adventure...."

Visual effects include work from Teague Chrystie ("The Pacific").

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

There's Something About "Buffy" - April 2012

Dark Horse Comics' "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" Season 9 #8, available April 11, 2012, is written by Andrew Chambliss and illustrated by Cliff Richards/Andy Owens, with a cover by Phil Noto and variant cover by Georges Jeanty :

"...there is something seriously wrong with 'Buffy', as she and 'Spike' discover that the one person who can help her is actually 'Andrew'. Then her situation becomes even more dire as she discovers that 'Simone' has been targeting her..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"...



"Alice" Led Into The World Of "Wonderland"

Zenescope Entertainment's "Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice In Wonderland" #1, available January 25, 2012, is written by Raven Gregory and illustrated by Robert Gill, with covers by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, Eric Basaldua and Nei Ruffino :

"...decades ago, a girl named 'Alice' was led into the realm of 'Wonderland' but her awe-inspiring experiences there have been shrouded in mystery. The one thing known is that her time spent in a world full of insanity left her a broken adult.

"However, her courageous will to survive is what ultimately saved humanity. Now the story of Alice's visit into Wonderland is fully revealed..."


Click the images to enlarge...

'Kirk' and 'Spock' Stop A Renegade 'Vulcan' Plot

IDW Publishing's "Star Trek" #8, available April 2012, is written by Mike Johnson and illustrated by Joe Phillips, with a cover by Tim Bradstreet, in an original story overseen by "Star Trek" movie writer/producer Roberto Orci, set between the events of the 2009 feature and the currently shooting sequel :

"...'Captain Kirk' and the crew of the 'Enterprise' race against time to stop a renegade 'Vulcan' plot to destroy 'Romulus', guest-starring 'Sarek', the father of 'Mr. Spock' ..."

Click the images to enlarge...