Tuesday, November 29, 2016

"SECRET SANTA" -- Wild Eye Sends a Killer Down the Chimney on December 13th



Wild Eye Releasing Decks the Halls with Blood and Bodies
Mike McMurran's Retro Slasher "Secret Santa" Comes to DVD
Available Nationwide December 13th

"As a tribute to B-grade slasher movies, the killer and the gore fit perfectly."
-- Toronto Film Scene

   
New York, NY - Wild Eye Releasing has announced the December 13th DVD and Digital HD release for Mike McMurran's debut feature, Secret Santa.  Coming ho-ho-home in time for the holidays, Secret Santa is a bloodsoaked love letter to classic holiday horror and slasher films from the 1970s and 80s. 

Secret Santa tells the story of a group of eccentric college kids, struggling to get through the hectic exam period. A liquor-filled Christmas party is planned to ease the stress. They plan to toast the end of the semester with a Secret Santa exchange. Little do they know, a killer is in town and has a special present for all the girls and boys.  Will they dare to open their presents?

               Secret Santa (Official Trailer)


Order it at Amazon.com

The DVD release of Secret Santa will include a feature-length commentary with writer-director Mike McMurran and a behind the scenes documentary.         
   
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook




Need Ideas For Last-Minute Holiday Gifts? Olive Films Can Help



Gift Guide from Olive Films

Streaming platforms may dominate the conversation for most of the year, but is it too impersonal to give a streaming service subscription as a gift? This holiday season, physical media reigns -- DVDs and Blu-rays of old and new favorite films make the perfect gifts.  Some of this year's most thoughtful presents are special DVDs and Blu-rays, and Olive Films has put together this ultimate gift guide to help you.

OLIVE SIGNATURE: JOHNNY GUITAR


Widely panned at its 1954 release, this bizarre Nicholas Ray-directed Western starring Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and Sterling Hayden has been gaining popularity recently, soon to cement its status as a cinephile cult favorite. In September, Johnny Guitar came to Olive Signature on DVD and Blu-ray, mastered from a new 4K restoration and featuring loads of entertaining and informative bonus materials.  The Olive Signature edition of Johnny Guitar is sure to thrill (and likely impress) any cinephile.

    Introduction by Martin Scorsese
    Audio commentary with historian and critic Geoff Andrew
    "Tell Us She Was One of You: The Hollywood Blacklist and Johnny Guitar” - with historian Larry Ceplair and blacklisted screenwriter Walter Bernstein
    “Johnny Guitar: A Feminist Western?” - with critics Miriam Bale, Kent Jones, Joe McElhaney and B. Ruby Rich
    “Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures” - with archivist Marc Wanamaker
    “Johnny Guitar: A Western Like No Other” - with critics Miriam Bale, Kent Jones, Joe McElhaney and B. Ruby Rich
    “My Friend, the American Friend” - Nicholas Ray biographical piece with Tom Farrell and Chris Sievernich
    "Johnny Guitar: The First Existential Western" - an original essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Theatrical trailer

J'ACCUSE (1938)

Perhaps best known for his silent works, Abel Gance is remembered as one of the major figures of early cinema.  Haunted by the suffering he witnessed during World War I, he created the silent J’accuse (1919) to serve as the ultimate indictment of war. He eventually remade J’accuse in 1938, utilizing the newly available technology of sound.  If his original film is a lamentation of World War I, his remake is a plea for peace under the looming threat of World War II. For the film’s final act, Gance, always a technological innovator, used special effects that were ahead of their time to create a climax that walks the line between surrealism and horror. Despite the film's great importance, the DVD and Blu-ray of J'accuse  (1938) have only just debuted on November 15th, so this will give the cinephile on any gift list the opportunity to catch up with a long-neglected piece of film history.

OLIVE SIGNATURE: MACBETH

With Macbeth, the prolific Orson Welles would use a potent mix of highly stylized visuals and theatrical performances to create an altogether unique vision for his interpretation of the Shakespeare tragedy. This special Olive Signature edition includes both the original 1948 107-minute cut, replete with affected highland accents, and the 1950 pared-down 85-minute re-release that removed most of the accented dialogue, making it one of the year's ultimate gifts for cinephiles.

    New High-Definition digital restoration
    Includes 1948 and 1950 versions
    Audio Commentary with Welles biographer Joseph McBride
    "Welles and Shakespeare" - an interview with Welles expert, Professor Michael Anderegg
    "Adapting Shakespeare on Film" - a conversation with directors Carlo Carlei (Romeo & Juliet) and Billy Morrissette (Scotland, PA)
    Excerpt from We Work Again, a 1937 WPA documentary containing scenes from Welles' Federal Theatre Project production of Macbeth
    "That Was Orson Welles" - an interview with Welles' close friend and co-author, Peter Bogdanovich
    "Restoring Macbeth" - an interview with former UCLA Film & Television Archive Preservation Officer Bob Gitt
    "Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures"
    “The Two Macbeths” - an essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum


FOR THE IN-LAWS...

OLIVE SIGNATURE: HIGH NOON


Many people find parents-in-law to be the most difficult family members to shop for. They want to impress with a sleek and elegant gift, but they also want something that strikes an emotional chord.  High Noon is considered one of the greatest Westerns of all time, and with a new 4K restoration used for this DVD and Blu-ray, people can give their in-laws the priceless gift of reliving a classic in the best presentation since its theatrical run.

    “A Ticking Clock” - Academy Award nominee Mark Goldblatt on the editing of High Noon
    "A Stanley Kramer Production" - Michael Schlesinger on the eminent producer of High Noon
    “Imitation of Life: The Hollywood Blacklist and High Noon” - with historian Larry Ceplair and blacklisted screenwriter Walter Bernstein
    “Oscars and Ulcers: The Production History of High Noon” - a visual essay with rarely seen archival elements, narrated by Anton Yelchin
    “Uncitizened Kane" - an original essay by Sight & Sound editor Nick James
    Theatrical trailer

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND

Directed by the great Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, June Allyson, and Frank Lovejoy, Strategic Air Command is one of the absolute classics of aviation film. Its greatest claim to fame is its stunning aerial photography, which was filmed in breathtaking Vistavision. Also having the distinction of being the only movie to ever highlight the B-36 Peacemaker, this newly debuted DVD and Blu-ray will thrill any fans of Jimmy Stewart, classic film, or aviation.

FOR THE 80's KIDS...

AMERICAN NINJA 1-4


Remember this gem from the days of the video store? 80's kids surely will.  Full of cheesy moments and goofs that endeared them to kids everywhere, Cannon Films’ American Ninja series packed enough ninja action to launch a wave of martial arts obsession amongst young people across the US. American Ninja, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt, and American Ninja 4: The Annihilation are each on DVD and Blu-ray from Olive Films with bonus features that appeal to the 80's kid in all of us. All four films together would make an awesome and thoughtful gift.

ZAPPED!

Here's another offering from Olive Films sure to conjure up some nostalgia. When a lab accident leaves a high school student with telekinetic powers, it’s a comic free-for-all in this raunchy comedy starring Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Heather Thomas, and Felice Schachter.  Encouraged by his hormonally minded friend to put his powers to good use, he exacts revenge on school bullies, cheats a little at sports and improves his luck with the girls, culminating in a prom scene reminiscent of Carrie … with laughs.



FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO SHARE

OLIVE SIGNATURE: THE QUIET MAN


Countless people across the country grew up watching The Quiet Man with their parents or their grandparents. Now, they can revisit this classic with their own children. The Quiet Man is now available from the newly launched Olive Signature on DVD and Blu-ray. With pristine video quality, bonus features that will enchant the whole family, and sleek packaging, anyone can be proud to give this Olive Signature DVD or Blu-ray to a loved one.

    Mastered from 4K scan of original camera negative
    Audio commentary with John Ford biographer Joseph McBride
    “A Tribute to Maureen O'Hara: with Hayley Mills, Juliet Mills, and Ally Sheedy”
    “Don’t You Remember It, Seánín?: John Ford’s The Quiet Man” - a visual essay by historian and John Ford expert Tag Gallagher
    "Free Republic: The Story of Herbert J. Yates and Republic Pictures"
    "The Old Man: Peter Bogdanovich Remembers John Ford”
    “The Making of The Quiet Man” – written and hosted by Leonard Maltin

OLIVE SIGNATURE: THE NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY

A film can turn any night into a wonderful shared experience between generations, and The Night of the Grizzly exemplifies this. It's a simple but exciting Western about a family, a town, and a killer bear. This is the type of film that simply doesn't get made anymore. 

    New High-Definition digital restoration
    Audio Commentary by film historian Toby Roan
    “Blood on the Claw: How Cheyenne Bodie Became a Movie Star” - an essay by C. Courtney Joyner
    “The Legend of Big Jim Cole” –  interview with Clint Walker
    The Night of the Grizzly World Premiere archival footage
    “At Home with Clint Walker and His Home Gymnasium” – archival interview

FOR THE SCI-FI LOVERS

THE MONSTER OF PIEDRAS BLANCAS


The Monster of Piedras Blancas, only having recently debuted on DVD and Blu-ray, had become a sort of Holy Grail of monster b-movies. Shot over the course of two weeks, the film was produced with a final budget of $29,000. This micro-budget necessitated a resourceful craftsmanship from the filmmakers that resulted in the endearingly campy monster flick that fans know and love. Its shocking (for the time, at least) gore also earned it a place in the hearts of many young horror fans.

COMMANDO CODY: SKY MARSHAL OF THE UNIVERSE

One of the reasons we at Olive Films love classic Sci-Fi so much is because of its zany, innocent fun. If that's what someone is looking for in a gift to a Sci-Fi fan, they should look no further than the complete serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe. This set contains all twelve pulse-pounding episodes of the beloved tv series-turned-theatrical serial.


Monday, November 28, 2016

Martin Scorsese's "SILENCE" -- Watch the Trailer Now



PARAMOUNT PICTURES SHARPSWORD FILMS and AI FILM Present In Association with CATCHPLAY IM GLOBAL and VERDI PRODUCTIONS A YLK SIKELIA FÁBRICA DE CINE Production 

A Martin Scorsese Picture

"SILENCE"


Martin Scorsese's SILENCE tells the story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) - at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden. 

The celebrated director's 28-year journey to bring  Shusaku Endo's 1966 acclaimed novel to life will be in theaters this Christmas.

                            Watch the Trailer


Cast:
Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano,Ciarán Hinds and Liam Neeson

Screenplay by:
 Jay Cocks & Martin Scorsese

Directed by:
Martin Scorsese

Produced by:
Martin Scorsese, p.g.a. Emma Tillinger Koskoff, p.g.a. Randall Emmett, p.g.a. Barbara De Fina Gastón Pavlovich Irwin Winkler, p.g.a. Vittorio Cecchi Gori

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

"THE SEARCH FOR WENG WENG" Sheds Light On a 2'9" B-Movie Bond



The Search For Weng Weng Now Available on DVD
Doc Chronicles the Shortest Adult Actor in a Leading Role
2'9" Filipino Answer to James Bond Dominated in the 1970s

"A Must-See for Any Film Lover" --Unseen Films

   
New York, NY - Wild Eye Releasing is honored to announce the Collector's Edition DVD, Cable VOD and Digital HD release of The Search for Weng Weng.  The documentary charts the sometimes bizarre history of Filipino B-films, as told through filmmaker Andrew Leavold's personal quest to find the truth behind its dwarf James Bond superstar Weng Weng (For Y'ur Height Only, The Impossible Kid).  Weng Weng took the movie world by storm in the 1970s, and who has since become a viral internet sensation.

Almost a decade ago, Australian trash cinema aficionado Andrew Leavold set off to the Philippines to uncover the true story behind his cinema obsession: the enigmatic Weng Weng, a 2'9" Filipino James Bond.  Over several visits to the Philippines, Leavold manages to piece together Weng Weng's incredible story - packed with pathos, humor and tragedy.

The Search for Weng Weng lifts the lid on one of the most extraordinary and bizarre national cinemas on the planet, an unforgettable expose of all that is great and wrong about the movie business.  With a cast fill of eccentric characters, from directors to stuntmen to the outrageous Imelda Marcos, this is a remarkable journey deep into the eye of Asia's B-cinema tiger.

      The Search for Weng Weng (Official Trailer)


Order The Search for Weng Weng on Amazon

The Collector's Edition DVD release of The Search for Weng Weng (SRP $14.95) exclusively includes a feature-length commentary with director Andrew Leavold, extended and deleted scenes, an "I Love Weng Weng" music video, trailers and more.




Tuesday, November 22, 2016

"NEVER OPEN THE DOOR" When They Arrive on Blu-Ray & DVD December 6th



Never Open the Door Debuts on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD
Vito Trabucco's Homage to "The Twilight Zone" and "Outer Limits"
Available Nationwide December 6th

   
Los Angeles, CA - Maltauro Entertainment in association with Baumant Entertainment has announced the December 6th Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD release of Never Open the Door.

Writer-director Vito Trabucco (Bloody Bloody Bible Camp) and writer-producer Christopher Maltauro have created a chilling homage to the twisted and otherworldly tales of the original "Twilight Zone", "Outer Limits" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" series.  Never Open the Door will be available to rent or own starting December 6th on Amazon Instant Video and Google Play.

Never Open the Door stars Jessica Sonneborn (Dog Eat Dog, House Across The Street), Kristina Page (The Haunting of Alice D), George Troester ("Face Off") and Deborah Venegas (Bloody Bloody Bible Camp).



Three happy couples retreat to a cozy secluded cabin in the woods to enjoy Thanksgiving. A badly wounded stranger appears at the door, and when they let him in, he throws up blood and collapses on the floor. As he dies, he points towards the lovers and croaks his final words: "Never open the door".

The dumbfounded group of friends start to panic as one of their own inexplicably disappears. Doubt rises by the minute and mistrust soaks through the cabin.  As strange men surround the cabin, escape becomes paramount.  Who will open the door?

          Never Open the Door (Official Trailer)


The Blu-ray (SRP $24.95) and DVD (SRP $19.95) release of Never Open the Door will exclusively include interviews with the cast and crew, behind the scenes footage and more.


"PINOCCHIO" Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital HD Jan 10 and Blu-ray Jan 31



Disney’s Timeless Tale Joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection

Debuting on Digital HD Jan. 10 and Arriving on Blu-ray™ Jan. 31

D23 members received the exclusive news and first look at the new “Pinocchio” trailer!


BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 21, 2016 — This weekend at D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures event at Walt Disney World Resort, Tyler Slater and Nicole Nalty announced the addition of Disney’s triumphant animated classic “Pinocchio” to the celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection and gave members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club the first look at the film’s all-new trailer. “Pinocchio,” which inspired the world to wish upon a star, arrives for the first time on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on Jan. 10, and on Blu-ray™ and DVD on Jan. 31 with hours of new and classic bonus features.

“Pinocchio” is considered one of the greatest animated films ever made, with two Academy Awards® -- for best original score and best original song "When You Wish Upon a Star" – and a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, it will delight a whole new generation of dreamers with its masterful animation, unforgettable characters and award-winning music.


The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes hours of classic bonus material and exclusive features including a reinvented rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” created and performed by music influencers from Disney’s Maker Studios; never-before-seen artwork from the film’s Pleasure Island sequence; archival recordings of Walt himself during “Pinocchio” production; and a recently restored and scored 1927 short featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

“Pinocchio” tells the tale of wood-carver Geppetto's beloved puppet who embarks on a thrilling quest – with faithful friend Jiminy Cricket – that tests his bravery, loyalty and honesty, all virtues he must learn to fulfill his heart’s desire: to become a real boy.

D23 is the official Disney fan club named in honor of the year 1923, when Walt left Kansas City, headed for Hollywood and founded what would become the Disney Studios. D23 celebrates Disney’s stories, characters, songs, and experiences that have captured imaginations the world over, offering members behind-the-scenes exclusives, member events, discounts and special offers.


Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

⦁    Walt’s Story Meetings: Pleasure Island – The Pleasure Island scene in “Pinocchio” had much more development than what is seen in the film. Join Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman as they explore artwork recently discovered in Disney’s animation research library revealing some of the attractions, gags and games, which Disney animators created for this iconic location of the film, that never made it on screen.

⦁    In Walt’s Words – “Pinocchio” – Hear Walt himself discuss the making of “Pinocchio” through archival recordings and interviews.

⦁    The Pinocchio Project: “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Music influencers Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino from Disney’s Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form videos, gather in a creative workspace to create their rendition of the film’s signature song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and produce a fresh new music video.

⦁    Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in “Poor Papa” – This recently restored and scored 1927 short features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who gets multiple visits from the stork and is forced to attempt various methods to help stop the onslaught of baby deliveries.

⦁    Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as the making of “Pinocchio,” deleted scenes, sing-alongs, storyboards and theatrical trailers.

*Bonus features may vary by retailer

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
Product SKUs:    Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, Digital HD/SD, Disney Movies Anywhere
Feature Run Time:            Approximately 88 minutes
Rating:                        G in U.S. and Canada
Aspect Ratio:                Blu-ray Feature Film = 1080p High Definition / 1.33:1
                            DVD Feature Film = 1.33:1
Audio:                                Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
DVD = English, Spanish, and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
Subtitles:                    English ESL, English SDH, French & Spanish

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook:                  Facebook.com/DisneyPinocchio
Website:                     Movies.Disney.com/Pinocchio



ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY SIGNATURE COLLECTION:
The Walt Disney Signature Collection includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. Each release will offer special features for every member of your family.

ABOUT DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE (DMA):
Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) is an engaging and family-friendly cloud-based digital movie service that makes it easy to buy Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies once and watch them anywhere. Viewers can enjoy their digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple mobile platforms by simply adding the free DMA app or channel to their devices, such as iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android mobile phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon’s Fire tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku, and Xbox 360, and connecting to their DMA account with participating providers including iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and Fios by Verizon. DMA users can explore Disney’s library of over 450 digital movies, discover hours of new and exclusive short-form content, redeem Digital Movie codes found in eligible Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars product, and earn Disney Movie Rewards points with every digital purchase.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

©2016 Disney

Monday, November 21, 2016

"IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE" John Travolta and Ethan Hawke in a Gritty Action Western



JOHN TRAVOLTA AND ETHAN HAWKE STAR IN THE GRITTY ACTION WESTERN
"IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE"

AVAILABLE NOW ON DIGITAL HD

ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD ON DECEMBER 27, 2016 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT


Universal City, California, October 26, 2016 – A mysterious drifter enters a forgotten town in the edgy action film, In a Valley of Violence, available now on Digital HD and on Blu-ray™ and DVD on December 27, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From acclaimed director, Ti West (The Sacrament, The Innkeepers), and famed producer Jason Blum (Insidious, The Visit), the film stars Academy Award® nominees; John Travolta (The People v. O.J. Simpson, Criminal Activities) and Ethan Hawke (Sinister 2, Maggie’s Plan). The In a Valley of Violence Blu-ray™ and DVD include bonus content that takes viewers on a wild ride behind the scenes with an exciting inside look at the making of the film. 

Ethan Hawke stars as Paul, a lone drifter who wanders into the forgotten town of Denton, Texas – dubbed by locals as the “valley of violence”. There, he picks a fight with the wrong man, Gilly (James Ransone), the troublemaking son of the town’s unforgiving Marshal (John Travolta).  As tensions arise between Paul and Gilly, an inevitable act of violence starts a disastrous chain reaction that quickly drags the whole town into the bloody crosshairs of revenge.  Only the world-weary Marshal struggles to stop the violent hysteria, but after a gruesome discovery about Paul’s past…there’s no stopping the escalation.

The film will be available on Blu-ray™ and Digital HD with UltraViolet™ and DVD.

--BLU-RAY™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6x the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
--DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
--DIGITAL HD with UltraViolet™ lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray™ players, game consoles and more.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL HD
--Behind the Scene of In a Valley of Violence: Star Ethan Hawke explains how In a Valley of Violence is not your typical Western movie.

Website: http://uni.pictures/IAVOV
Trailer: http://uni.pictures/IAVOVTrailer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FocusWorldFilms
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Focus_World_
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/focus_world
Hashtag: #ValleyofViolence

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransone, Karen Gillan, John Travolta
Casting By: Terri Taylor
Directed By: Ti West                          
Written By: Ti West
Executive Producers: Alix Taylor, Ti West, David Schiff, Jeanette Volturno-Brill
Co-Executive Producers: Linda Favila, Anson Downes
Produced By: Jason Blum, p.g.a., Jacob Jaffke, p.g.a., Peter Phok , p.g.a.
Line Producer: John N. Ward
Casting By: Terri Taylor, CSA
Director of Photography: Eric Robbins
Production Designer: Jade Healy
Edited By: Ti West
Sound Designer: Graham Reznick
Music By: Jeff Grace
Costume Designer: Malgosia Turzanska

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™:
Street Date: December 27, 2016
Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 62182325 (US)/ 62180115 (CND)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.4:1
Rating: R for Violence and Language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French, German, Spanish
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0
Run Time: 1 hour and 44 minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:

Street Date: December 27, 2016
Copyright: 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 61165804 (US)/ 62180113 (CDN)
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: R for Violence and Language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Brazilian, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 1 hour and 44 minutes

About Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE – www.uphe.com ) is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Buy it at Amazon.com:
Blu-ray
DVD



Film Roman and Boxel Studios Team Up in Film Roman Baja



FILM ROMAN AND BOXEL STUDIOS TEAM UP IN FILM ROMAN BAJA, A FULL-SERVICE ANIMATION STUDIO RIGHT ACROSS THE BORDER

The Baja-located studio will service all of Film Roman's productions and will be available for hire on other productions


(Los Angeles, CA November 21, 2016) – Film Roman announced today that it has entered into a joint venture with Boxel Studios, a leading Baja California based animation facility, to create Film Roman Baja J.V. “The venture’s driving purpose is to execute high-quality, cost-effective animated properties across a broad spectrum of platforms; including features, television and new media productions,” said Film Roman CEO Steve Waterman.

Film Roman Baja is strategically located just south of San Diego in Tijuana, Mexico, providing easy daily access from Los Angeles. This next door neighbor location enables top U.S. based creatives to stay involved “on premises” in the day-to-day production, interacting with the Mexico-based creative team. Moreover, Film Roman Baja provides a streamlined facility with exceptionally well-qualified creative and technical staff.

Film Roman Baja is fully operational and is a full service animation and visual effects studio that specializes in both traditional and 3D animation. Major current client productions include Mattel, Inc’s popular animated television show “MAX STEEL.”

Boxel co-founder and creative director Uriel Reyes Botello and co-founder and director Andres Reyes Botello are overseeing day-to-day operations with Film Roman CEO Steve Waterman and founder Phil Roman providing senior management and oversight to the Baja studio.

“Having worked with Boxel on the feature El Americano, I saw firsthand the quality and energy of their animation. It is their passion and love of animation that our Baja animators bring to our projects that will help us compete in the world market,” said Mr. Roman.

“Film Roman Baja is part of a renaissance of international companies that are investing in and bringing business to this region and utilizing the experienced talent we have down here. Our animators and technical personnel are some of the best in the entire country and have come here from all over Mexico and other countries in the region as well,” said Botello.

About Film Roman
Film Roman is the legendary animation studio responsible for producing The Simpsons, King of The Hill, Family Guy, Tom & Jerry - The Movie and Ultimate Spider-Man. The company was recently acquired by Waterman Entertainment, Inc., the producing force behind the Stuart Little and Alvin & The Chipmunks franchises along with other memorable children’s motion pictures and family entertainment television. The combined entity is reinvigorating and expanding the venerable Film Roman brand, focused on owning intellectual property and moving the Company into features, emerging markets, media and technologies by building a truly international family media company for the 21st century.

About Boxel Studios
A professional and experienced Mexican animation studio, specializing in high-end solutions for the visual content creation industry. Boxel dates back to the late 90’s and today the team has doubled in size. With that experience, Boxel understand the importance of production values behind every project; therefore, we focus our creative energies on visual and technical quality in each product, with a clear understanding of the industry under highly efficient production process.


Sunday, November 20, 2016

NESTOR -- DVD Review by Porfle



Being alone for a long time messes with your mind.  So I guess a movie about a guy who's alone for a long time should mess with your mind too, the way this one does. 

If there was ever a cinematic one-man band, NESTOR (Candy Factory Films, 2014) is it.  The credit crawl is one line long: "Everything by Daniel Robinson."  It doesn't really say that, but it might as well, because he literally did the whole thing by himself. Direction, camera, sound, editing, writing, music, catering, and playing the lone character.  

We're never really sure what's going on, and neither is Daniel (we might as well call him that) who, for reasons beyond his grasp, wakes up one snowy day on a frozen lake bloodied and clad only in his orange swim trunks.  A nearby house is unoccupied, so he finds his way in just to keep from freezing to death.



As we watch Daniel rummage through the house for necessary items (such as ill-fitting clothes) and use his ingenuity to get the utilities running again, the film levels out into a slow, thoughtful, almost palpably introspective tone poem on the nature of being alone.  In other words, it wouldn't fit quite that well on a double bill with MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.

It's the visual equivalent of New Age music but with an increasingly puzzling element--there's another Daniel, and he seems to be following the first one around, and he seems to know what's going on. This becomes apparent when Daniel #1 visits the nearby town and finds it empty of people, and Daniel #2 is seen traversing the same locations.

It reminds me of the end part of 2001 when Kier Dullea's astronaut character keeps catching glimpses of himself in various states and times.  While the story of Daniel #1 coping with solitude continues to hold our interest, we see scenes of the other guy actually making the movie that we're watching, scenes which are also part of the movie that we're watching.  Like I said, it messes with your mind.


Meanwhile, this is a nice, relaxing, and often very pretty movie (Robinson has an artist's eye for beautiful shots) to relax and settle into if you don't have anything pressing to do for awhile.  The lake and its environs are scenic, and Robinson fills the movie with what's known in Japanese cinema as "pillow shots", or cutaways to seemingly unrelated visual elements to establish mood.

And establishing mood is pretty much what NESTOR is all about. The "Twilight Zone" element is there to hold our attention, scintillate us a bit, and get us to thinking deep thoughts long enough to keep us watching a movie in which very little of conventional interest actually happens. 

With NESTOR--the name comes from the nearby Canadian town of Nestor Falls--Daniel Robinson the filmmaker-philosopher is of a mind to meditate (some might call it navel-gazing), and he wants to share it with us.  The result, in addition to being a lovely film, is fiercely contemplative.  It's mega-meta.  It's as though Daniel Defoe had written himself into "Robinson Crusoe."  (Hmm...Daniel?  Robinson?  I wonder...)

Buy it at Amazon.com
Official website
Facebook 

Street Date: November 22, 2016
Type:  DVD
Running Time: 62 mins.
Rating:  N/A
Genre:  Drama
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio:  5.1 Surround Sound




Saturday, November 19, 2016

Film Movement Classics Releases "THE QUIET EARTH" December 6th




FILM MOVEMENT CLASSICS RELEASES GEOFF MURPHY’S THE QUIET EARTH ON BLU-RAY AND DVD, FEATURING COMMENTARY BY NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON, IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, ON DECEMBER 6TH

A thoughtful, suspenseful film…full of impact” – Ed Kaufman, The Hollywood Reporter


November 17, 2016 (New York, NY) – Film Movement, the New York-based distributor of arthouse and independent films, is pleased to announce the home video release of Geoffrey Murphy’s New Zealand sci-fi cult classic THE QUIET EARTH (1985, 91 minutes), which will be available for the first time on Blu-ray, as well as DVD, in the U.S. on December 6th. Film Movement Classics will release this Blu-ray and DVD with a unique bonus feature: a commentary by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Director of the Hayden Planetarium of the Natural History Museum in New York, together with rogerebert.com film critic Odie Henderson. THE QUIET EARTH is one of deGrasse Tyson’s favorite science fiction films.

In THE QUIET EARTH, Bruno Lawrence stars as scientist Zac Hobson and proved an “electrifying screen force,” observed Sheila Benson of The Los Angeles Times at the time of its release. Zac is a mid-level scientist working on a global energy project who wakes up to a nightmare. After his project malfunctions, he discovers that he may be the last man on Earth. As he searches empty cities for other survivors, Zac’s mental state begins to deteriorate - culminating in the film’s iconic and hotly debated ending. Alison Routledge and Peter Smith also star.

TheQuietEarth_coverCalled “the best science fiction film of the ‘80s” by Kirk Honeycutt of the Los Angeles Daily News, THE QUIET EARTH is loosely based on Craig Harrison’s novel of the same name. With this award-winning film, Geoff Murphy, who also directed GOODBYE PORK PIE and UTU, ushered in a renaissance of classic New Zealand films in the 1980s. In his review, Honeycutt goes on to say, “the movie churns up more thought-provoking ideas about life on planet Earth than a month’s worth of STAR WARS-styled films.” THE QUIET EARTH, which was originally screenwriter and producer Sam Pillsbury’s project, was sold to 80 countries, gained a cult following, and won Murphy attention in the United States. During the 1990s Murphy directed a string of Hollywood features, before returning to New Zealand as second-unit director on THE LORD OF THE RINGS film trilogy.

On December 6th, THE QUIET EARTH will be available to own from FilmMovement.com, Amazon.com and other retailers on Blu-ray and DVD under the Film Movement Classics imprint. In addition to the commentary by Neil deGrasse Tyson and film critic Odie Henderson, the release will include a collector’s booklet with stills and credit details, as well as a newly-commissioned essay by Teresa Heffernan, Professor of English at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, whose books include “Post-Apocalyptic Culture: Modernism, Postmodernism, and the Twentieth-Century Novel.”

In addition to THE QUIET EARTH, other Film Movement Classics available for purchase in time for the holiday gift-giving season include “Beat” Takeshi Kitano’s first two films, VIOLENT COP and BOILING POINT, and Wolf Gremm’s KAMIKAZE ’89, starring Rainer Werner Fassbinder. To see and purchase all Film Movement Classics on Blu-ray and DVD, please go to FilmMovement.com.

THE QUIET EARTH (1985, 91 minutes) A film by Geoff Murphy. Starring Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Peter Smith. New Zealand. Rated R. A Film Movement Classics Release. Trailer, stills, and synopsis available here.

About Film Movement Classics
Launched in 2002, Film Movement is a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City.  Film Movement has released more than 250 feature films and shorts culled from prestigious film festivals worldwide, and this year it had its first Academy Award-nominated film, THEEB. Film Movement’s theatrical distribution strategy has evolved to include promising American independent films, documentaries, and an even stronger slate of foreign art house titles. In 2015, Film Movement launched its reissue label Film Movement Classics, featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on Blu-ray and DVD, including films by such noted directors as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway, Bille August, Marleen Gorris, Takeshi Kitano and Ettore Scola. For more information, please visit www.filmmovement.com.


Friday, November 18, 2016

"KONG: SKULL ISLAND" New Trailer Now Available



From Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures, "Kong: Skull Island" reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

In the film, a diverse team is brought together to explore an uncharted island in the Pacific, which is as beautiful as it is treacherous.  But as they venture deeper into the unknown, they are unaware that they're crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong.

"Kong: Skull Island" stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, with Terry Notary
and John C. Reilly.

The screenplay is by Dan Gilroy and Max Borenstein, story by John Gatins and Dan Gilroy.  "Kong: Skull Island" is produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia, with Eric McLeod and Edward Cheng, serving as executive producers.

Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, a Jordan Vogt-Roberts Film, "Kong: Skull Island."  The film will be released worldwide in 2D, 3D in select theatres, and IMAX beginning March 10, 2017, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros.
Entertainment Company.

                                 Latest Trailer


                                  Trailer #1



Thursday, November 17, 2016

"One Piece Film: Gold" English Dub -- First Look Movie Clip from Funimation



Funimation Films has released a first-look clip from the upcoming English Dub of the theatrical film One Piece Film: Gold, scheduled to hit North American theaters this coming January 10-17, 2017.

Based on the wildly popular hit anime manga and television series, One Piece Film: Gold follows the Straw Hat pirates to the big screen in an all-new high-flying adventure. The popular anime series that has captivated fans around the globe unfolds a new saga in this highly anticipated theatrical event.

Originally a Japanese manga series, One Piece was adapted into a television series by Toei Animation (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon) that has since aired over 760 episodes. As of August 2016, the original manga series has more than 380 million copies printed worldwide – the best-selling manga series in history.

The new film One Piece Film: Gold is part one of a new film series based on this manga series and is a standalone film that does not require new audiences to be familiar with previous content to enjoy the thrill of this new adventure.

                      Watch the YouTube clip:


SYNOPSIS: The glittering Gran Tesoro, a city of entertainment beyond the laws of the government, is a sanctuary for the world’s most infamous pirates, Marines, and filthy rich millionaires. Drawn by dreams of hitting the jackpot, Captain Luffy and his crew sail straight for the gold. But behind the gilded curtains lies a powerful king whose deep pockets and deeper ambitions spell disaster for the Straw Hats and the New World alike.

Official website



Monday, November 14, 2016

"Ghost In The Shell" Trailer, Tokyo Event With Scarlet Johansson



SCARLETT JOHANSSON ELECTRIFIES FANS IN TOKYO AT “GHOST IN THE SHELL” GLOBAL TRAILER LAUNCH EVENT!

In celebration of the upcoming film “GHOST IN THE SHELL”, stars Scarlett Johansson, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, and director Rupert Sanders joined fans and influencers from across the globe in Tokyo on Sunday for the film’s global launch party.

Opening with Taiko drummers, including the legendary anime film composer Kenji Kawai, the event held at TABLOID began with a screening of never-before-seen footage from the film. 

Attendees were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the costumes and props from the film, as well as an opportunity to capture their experience in a film-centric experiential photo booth – “Becoming the Major.”

The exciting show concluded with Johansson, Kitano, and Sanders debuting the film’s global trailer, triggering its worldwide launch.

                              Watch the Trailer


WHEN:    SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2016
     6:00PM   
    
WHERE:    TABLIOD
105-0022, 2 CHOME-6-24 KAIGAN, MINATO
TOKYO, JAPAN

WHO:    Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, Rupert Sanders

ABOUT “GHOST IN THE SHELL”
Based on the internationally-acclaimed Japanese Anime property, GHOST IN THE SHELL follows Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9 devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists. Directed by Rupert Sanders.  The film stars Scarlett Johansson, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbæk, and Kaori Momoi.

“GHOST IN THE SHELL” opens in theaters Spring 2017.

#GITSTokyo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostInTheShellMovie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GhostInShell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostintheshellmovie/
Tumblr: http://ghostintheshell.tumblr.com/

Friday, November 11, 2016

Michael Keaton's Directorial Debut "The Merry Gentleman" Arrives on VOD from Breaking Glass Pictures



BREAKING GLASS BRINGS MICHAEL KEATON’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT TO VOD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

“'The Merry Gentleman' is original, absorbing and curiously moving in ways that are far from expected." - Roger Ebert


Breaking Glass Pictures will release Michael Keaton’s dramatic directorial debut THE MERRY GENTLEMAN on VOD December 6, 2016. THE MERRY GENTLEMAN follows an abused woman seeking a new life, and finding herself entangled with a suicidal hitman.

A “perverse but embracing tale” and "edgy entertainment” (The Hollywood Reporter), THE MERRY GENTLEMAN stars Michael Keaton (“Spiderman: Homecoming”, “Birdman”) and Kelly Macdonald (“No Country for Old Man”), and Bobby Cannavale (“Ant-Man”, Vinyl).

                             Watch the trailer:


Official Synopsis:
Running away from a troubled marriage, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) hopes to find anonymity with a new home and a new job in Chicago. What Kate finds instead is Frank Logan (Michael Keaton), a veteran hit man who intends to kill her when he learns she may be a witness to his latest hit. But when he realizes she is like him, a troubled soul haunted by the past, their relationship deepens, and his plans change. Now, Logan must decide if he should walk away from his old life or use it as a way to secure his future.

Starting December 6, THE MERRY GENTLEMAN will be available on the following platforms: iTunes, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Google Play, and On Demand through local Cable/Satellite Providers.


Thursday, November 10, 2016

"UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS" Blood Trailer -- See It Now!



UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS
        January 6, 2017
        Action/Horror


The next installment in the blockbuster franchise, UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS follows Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) as she fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her.  With her only allies, David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance), she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Directed by                Anna Foerster

Screenplay by            Cory Goodman

Story by                Kyle Ward and Cory Goodman

Based on characters created by   Kevin Grevioux and Len Wiseman & Danny McBride

Produced by               
                    Tom Rosenberg
                    Gary Lucchesi
                    Len Wiseman
                    Richard Wright
                    David Kern

Executive Producers       
                    Eric Reid
                    James McQuaide
                    Skip Williamson
                    Henry Winterstern
                    Ben Waisbren
                                   
Cast             Kate Beckinsale
                    Theo James
                    Lara Pulver
                    Tobias Menzies
                    Bradley James
                    James Faulkner
                    and Charles Dance
               
This film is not yet rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.  For future rating information, please visit www.filmratings.com
Credits not final


Tom Hanks to Receive Icon Award at 28th Annual PSIFF Film Awards Gala



TOM HANKS TO RECEIVE THE ICON AWARD AT 28th ANNUALPALM  SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS GALA

Palm Springs, CA (November 10, 2016) – The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Tom Hanks with the Icon Award at its annual Film Awards Gala for his performance in Sully. The Film Awards Gala will be held Monday, January 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and hosted by Mary Hart. The Festival runs January 2-16.

“Tom Hanks delivers yet another career-defining performance bringing to life the heroism of airline pilot Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner.  “This is sure to be remembered in his long list of iconic character roles, including those in Forrest Gump, Captain Phillips, Castaway, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan, the Toy Story films and so many others.  The Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present this year’s Icon Award to Tom Hanks.”

Past recipients of the Icon Award include Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall and Meryl Streep. In 2014, Hanks received the Festival’s Chairman’s Award.

The film Sully is from Oscar®-winning director Clint Eastwood, starring Oscar® winner Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.  On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard.  However, even as he was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. The film also stars Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney.

Tom Hanks is an award-winning actor, producer and director.  He won back-to-back Best Actor Academy Awards® for his work in Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia and the title role in Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump.  He also won Golden Globe Awards for both films, as well as a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for the latter. His other feature credits include Bridge of Spies, A Hologram for the King, Captain Phillips, Saving Mr. Banks, Cloud Atlas, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Larry Crowne, The Ladykillers, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can, Saving Private Ryan, Road to Perdition, That Thing You Do, The Green Mile, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, A League of Their Own, Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Inferno, Splash and the animated Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Cars and The Polar Express.  His next film will be James Ponsoldt’s The Circle.

About The Palm Springs International Film Festival
The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming 135,000 attendees last year for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual Film Awards Gala, an upscale black-tie event attended by 2,500, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents who, in recent years, have included Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey, Julianne Moore, Brad Pitt, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Roberts, David O. Russell, Meryl Streep, and Reese Witherspoon.

For more information, call 760-778-8979 or 800-898-7256 or visit www.psfilmfest.org.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

"HOWARDS END" The Merchant Ivory Masterpiece Comes to Bluray + DVD on December 6th



Merchant Ivory's Undisputed Masterpiece Comes To Blu-ray
and DVD from Cohen Film Collection

HOWARDS END
Available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 6, 2016

"For everyone who's yearned for movies of passion, taste and sensitivity that honestly touch every emotion, this is the one you've been waiting for."
- Kenneth Turan, LA Times

"The film's lush rural cinematography and memorable classical score shine in the new 4K restoration."
- Film Comment

"Incisively witty, provocative and acted to perfection.  A career peak for Merchant Ivory."
- Rolling Stone

"Merchant Ivory triumphs again with their entertaining, rich, textured film ... Elegant, funny and romantic."
 -The New York Times


Cohen Film Collection proudly presents one of Merchant Ivory's undisputed masterpieces, HOWARDS END, in a gorgeous new 4k restoration on Blu-ray and DVD. This adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic novel won multiple prizes including three Academy Awards®, with Emma Thompson picking up Best Actress. Overseen and approved by director James Ivory and cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts, HOWARDS END will be available beginning December 6th.

A saga of class relations and changing times in an Edwardian England on the brink of modernity, the film centers on liberal Margaret Schlegel (Thompson), who, along with her sister Helen (Helena Bonham Carter), becomes involved with two couples: wealthy, conservative industrialist Henry Wilcox (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife Ruth (Vanessa Redgrave), and the downwardly mobile working-class Leonard Bast (Samuel West) and his mistress Jackie (Nicolla Duffett).

The interwoven fates and misfortunes of these three families and the diverging trajectories of the two sisters' lives are connected to the ownership of Howards End, the dying Ruth's beloved country home. A compelling, brilliantly acted study of one woman's struggle to maintain her ideals and integrity in the face of Edwardian society's moribund conformist values. 

About Cohen Media Group
Formed in 2008 by Charles S. Cohen, an executive producer of multiple Academy Award nominee Frozen River, the COHEN MEDIA GROUP, LLC (CMG) produces and distributes select films throughout North America. Current and upcoming CMG releases include Lorraine Levy's The Other Son (winner of the Grand Prize and Best Director prize at the 2012 Tokyo International Film Festival); French director Francois Ozon's thriller In The House (San Sebastian Film Festival's winner of the Golden Shell and Best Screenplay award; Spain's official entry to the Academy awards, Blancanieves; Fernando Trueba's The Artist and the Model, starring Jean Rochefort and Claudia Cardinale; and Lebanese director Ziad Doueiri's The Attack, based on the international best-selling book by Yasmina Khadra. CMG's Cohen Film Collection (formerly the Rohauer Collection) includes some 700 cinema landmarks, including films by D.W. Griffith, Buster Keaton and Douglas Fairbanks, as well as foreign classics like Luis Bunuel's Tristana. (www.cohenmedia.net)

HOWARD'S END
Genre: Romance, Drama
Run Time: 142 min
Language: English
Rated: PG


Saturday, November 5, 2016

Qube Cinema Unveils Groundbreaking ‘QUBE WIRE’ System at AFM



Qube Cinema Unveils Groundbreaking ‘QUBE WIRE’ System at AFM

Web-based Key Management and Content Delivery System Aims to Simplify the Distribution of Movies


AMERICAN FILM MARKET: LOS ANGELES, (November 5, 2016) – Qube Cinema, the leading manufacturer and provider of end-to-end digital cinema technology, has today announced the international roll-out of ‘Qube Wire’; an online digital cinema distribution service that aims to eliminate the outdated process of physical Digital Cinema Package (DCP) transportation. Targeted at the international filmmaking community, Qube Wire offers users a highly-secure, patent-pending service to issue KDMs and digitally transport DCPs to theatres globally, having completed a highly successful beta-testing phase in India this year. Now in its initial launch, the service offers a simple and secure online way of issuing KDMs to cinemas worldwide. This will be followed by a commercial launch in Q1 2017 that will enable the global distribution of DCPs with a unique approach to last mile delivery.

Qube Wire aims to revolutionize the relationship between producers and distributors, offering filmmakers online access to over 120,000 screens around the world that are reachable via the platform, built through partnerships with key international digital cinema companies. The database and KDM assignment functionality is now available to industry as part of its international launch plans.

Through a highly secure web interface with an award-winning security design using Thales Hardware Security Modules [HSMs], the new platform offers unmatched protection, and allows filmmakers to quickly generate as many Key Delivery Messages (KDMs) as required for their encrypted Digital Cinema Package (DCPs). Other patent-pending features already rolled-out include the ability to assign movie rights to specific territories and enforce multi-level approvals for KDM requests.

Now debuting to an international market, Qube Wire previously underwent a local testing phase in India, having successfully issued a trial on the record-breaking Indian film, Kabali earlier this year. Using Qube Wire software, the film issued over 18,000 KDMs worldwide in over 3,500 screens across 2,400 sites.

Senthil Kumar and Jayendra Panchapakesan, Co-Founders of Qube Cinema said of the new offering: “Following the success of the Qube Wire testing phase in India, we are thrilled that we’re finally able to unveil our offering on an international scale. Our comprehensive database and highly-secure web offering will be invaluable for global content owners, independent filmmakers, distributors and people involved in post-production, who will no longer have to search for server certificates or physically transport DCP’s globally – giving them the power to navigate their own distribution methods with ease."

To sign-up for the Qube Wire service, visit: www.qubewire.com

About Qube Cinema:

Qube Cinema is a leading international manufacturer and provider of end-to-end digital cinema technology and mastering solutions. Qube Cinema draws on decades of experience in cinema and provides a seamless digital environment for exhibitors, filmmakers and post-production companies with DCI-compliant products that are flexible, reliable and highly cost-effective.

For further information, visit: www.qubecinema.com

About Qube Wire:

Qube Wire is a path-breaking online digital cinema key management and distribution service from Qube Cinema, Inc. – a pioneer of end-to-end digital cinema and mastering solutions.

Revolutionizing relationships between producers and distributors and aiming to eliminate the outdated process of physically transporting DCP’s globally, Qube Wire offers filmmakers access to over 120,000 screens around the world, built through partnerships with key digital cinema companies. Efficiently allowing users to manage content through a secure web interface, the patent-pending technology centrally manages data flow to ensure quick, cost-effective delivery of content; removes pain points of KDM management and DCP duplication; assigns movie rights to territories globally; and enforces multi-level approvals for KDM requests.

For further information, visit: www.qubewire.com


Thursday, November 3, 2016

Experience "NESTOR", the First Feature Film Made Entirely by One Person, on DVD from Candy Factory Films On 11/22



"Among the most daring, original films on the festival circuit this year...
A striking solo performance
."
-- Next Projection

"I've been dazzled by it.  I want to share it with all the movie lovers I know."
-- Marina Antunes, Quiet Earth

"A living monument to the DIY ethic and the undervalued nobility of being alone"
-- The A.V. Club

THIS NOVEMBER, CANDY FACTORY FILMS INVITES
CINEMA LOVERS TO EXPERIENCE THE FIRST FEATURE FILM MADE ENTIRELY BY ONE PERSON

NESTOR


Street Date: November 22, 2016
DVD SRP: $19.99

Explore Loneliness and Solitude With This Captivating, Acclaimed  Festival Favorite from Solo Filmmaker Daniel Robinson

                                 Official Trailer


PROGRAM SYNOPSES:

Disoriented and alone, a man (Daniel Robinson) awakes in the snow, clad only in yellow swim trunks, and finds himself in a place long abandoned.  With only vague memories of his surroundings, he's forced to rely on his instincts to discover his purpose and survive the raw elements and crippling isolation.  As time passes, however, he learns that he possesses a unique skill that helps him deal with the boredom of his solitary existence, but it can only take him so far in this captivating film The A.V. Club calls an "opening salvo from a fresh directorial talent".

Written, filmed and edited in the wilds of Northern Ontario by filmmaker Robinson, NESTOR was shot using a standard-issue DSLR camera (a Canon T3i).  He also recorded ambient noise on his iPhone and hid a small shotgun mic wherever he could to capture sound.  There were no costumes, no special effects and a budget that crept into the low four figures.

Ultimately, NESTOR, a blend of fiction, metafiction and documentary, is a film about one man, made entirely by one man, that uniquely explores the themes of loneliness, creativity, and the drive to keep moving forward.

READ ABOUT THE MAKING OF NESTOR HERE


 PROGRAM INFORMATION

Type:  DVD
Running Time: 62 mins.
Rating:  N/A
Genre:  Drama
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio:  5.1 Surround Sound

About Candy Factory Films

Candy Factory Films is a forward-thinking, filmmaker-friendly multimedia company dedicated to producing and distributing high impact, unique and compelling films.  Embracing emerging distribution trends to successfully promote releases, Candy Factory is at the forefront of a new vanguard of independent distributors maximizing profit by reaching distinct audiences in numerous ways.  With a catalog stocked with award-winning and acclaimed films across every genre, they're committed to creating and fostering communities around independent and progressive cinema.  Avenues for distribution include all leading digital platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, iTunes and the national Video on Demand platform on cable television.

"FROM DUSK TILL DAWN" On Screen For Two Days Only -- With Exclusive Filmmaker Q&A



Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Miramax’s Cult Classic Film From Dusk Till Dawn with a Screening Featuring an Exclusive Q&A with Director Robert Rodriguez, Writer/Actor Quentin Tarantino, and Moderated by Elvis Mitchell

The Movie Is On Screen for Two Days Only, November 6 and 9, Along with an Exclusive Filmmaker Q&A


DENVER, SANTA MONICA – October 11, 2016 – From Dusk Till Dawn, the genre-busting cult classic that launched an epic filmmaking partnership spanning two decades, will return to movie theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Fans won’t want to miss this once-in-a-cinematic-lifetime event commencing with a brand-new, exclusive Q&A with director Robert Rodriguez and writer Quentin Tarantino.

This 20th anniversary celebration of From Dusk Till Dawn takes place in cinemas for two days only on Sunday, November 6, at 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, November 9, at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. (all local times)

Presented by Fathom Events and Miramax, the 20th anniversary celebration of From Dusk Till Dawn is the only place fans can see a brand-new, exclusive Q&A with Rodriguez and Tarantino discussing the blockbuster hit. The conversation is moderated by renowned film critic and host of The Treatment, Elvis Mitchell. 

Tickets for “From Dusk Till Dawn 20th Anniversary” are available online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants subject to change).

From Dusk Till Dawn thrilled moviegoers on its initial release in 1996, stunned audiences with Salma Hayek’s now iconic snake dance scene, and launched the film career of George Clooney. It’s since gained a rabid cult following and spawned two film sequels as well as “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” now in its third season on El Rey Network (www.elreynetwork.com), a 24-hour English language network founded by Robert Rodriguez.
 
“From Dusk Till Dawn is unpredictable, creative and breathtakingly original, a movie that almost defies description,” Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas said. “Fathom is excited to help bring this collaboration of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, two of the unique voices in modern American cinema, back to the big screen for four special showings to commemorate its 20th anniversary.”

It’s nonstop thrills when George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino star as the Gecko brothers - two dangerous outlaws on a wild crime spree. After kidnapping a father (Harvey Keitel) and his two kids (including Juliette Lewis), the Geckos head south to a seedy Mexican bar to hide out in safety. But when they face the bar’s truly notorious clientele, they’re forced to team up with their hostages in order to make it out alive. From Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, the creators of Grindhouse, From Dusk Till Dawn is explosive action entertainment.


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions such as the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, sporting events like FS1 Presents USA v Mexico, concerts with Roger Waters and One Direction, the TCM Presents classic film series and faith-based events such as The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 887 locations and 1,354 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

About MIRAMAX®
Acquired by beIN Media Group (beinmediagroup.com) in March 2016, MIRAMAX® is a global film and television studio best known for its award-winning and original content. New projects include both film and television, among them Bad Santa 2 starring Billy Bob Thornton, who reprises his Golden Globe nominated role as Willie Soke, and Oscar®, Golden Globe and Emmy winner Kathy Bates, with Broad Green Pictures co-producing/co-financing and handling U.S. theatrical; Bridget Jones’s Baby from Working Title for Universal Pictures, MIRAMAX® and StudioCanal, with Oscar® winners Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth reprising their roles in the third installment of the Bridget Jones film series; the recent acquisition Southside With You, inspired by the first date of Barack and Michelle Obama, starring Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter, with MIRAMAX® and Roadside Attractions partnering on the U.S. release, Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, heading into its third season in the U.S. on El Rey Network; as well as the recently announced Whitney, the forthcoming documentary feature from Oscar®-winning director Kevin Madonald on pop icon Whitney Houston, and the Johnny Depp film Labyrinth which MIRAMAX® will be co-financing with Open Road Films.

In 2015, MIRAMAX® together with Roadside Attractions, released the critically acclaimed Mr. Holmes, one of the year’s most successful independent hits, directed by Academy Award® winner Bill Condon and starring Academy Award® nominees Sir Ian McKellen and Laura Linney; as well as the Kevin Hart hit comedy The Wedding Ringer with Sony-Screen Gems.

Collectively, MIRAMAX’s unrivaled library of more than 700 titles has received 278 Academy Award® nominations and 68 Oscars®, earning most notably four Best Picture awards for The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, Chicago and No Country for Old Men. More iconic titles from the library include critically acclaimed and commercial hits alike, such as Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, Bridget Jones’s Diary, the Scream film franchise, Kill Bill Vol. 1&2, and The Aviator.

MIRAMAX® Online
Website: Miramax.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Miramax
Twitter: twitter.com/Miramax
Instagram: instagram.com/Miramax

“Oscar®” and “Academy Award®” are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

“MIRAMAX®” and the “MIRAMAX” Logo are the registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of Miramax, LLC.

About El Rey Network
El Rey Network is a 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.  Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites "the new mainstream" through badass content that awakens the renegade in everyone.  El Rey's action-packed slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series", the one-on-one interview program, "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" and "Lucha Underground," a Lucha Libre wrestling series from Mark Burnett. El Rey Network's lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and TV series including genre, cult classics, action, and horror/sci-fi.  El Rey Network LLC  is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.