HK AND CULT FILM NEWS: November 2019

Saturday, November 30, 2019

POWERBOMB -- Movie Review by Porfle

Just for the record, I don't care for wrestling and never have. Therefore, for a wrestling movie to be one of the most fun and impressive low-budget indy flicks I've seen in a long time, it would have to be a pretty darn kickass wrestling movie. Which is exactly what horror-thriller POWERBOMB is.

Directors R. Zachary Shildwachter and B.J. Colangelo got some actual wrestlers to act in this, including star Matt Cross as himself. He and the other wrestlers do a surprisingly good job of acting, not just in the wrestling scenes but later when they're reminiscing about old times and chiding Matt for playing the small venues and not going for the big time because he's got a wife and kid to take care of.

The opening wrestling scenes are the real thing too, setting the film's realistic tone which carries over into Matt's personal life and that of his wife, ex-wrestling star Amy (Roni Jonah) who also gave up the big time for momdom and is constantly nagged about it by her friend Kelsi Roxx (Britt Baker), also a former ring star who quit only because of a disabling injury.

It's these conversations between the real wrestlers about real wrestling issues and how the profession affects their personal lives in profound ways that give the movie an added dimension of authenticity to go along with the more fanciful events later on.

Speaking of which, what sets the plot into high gear is when Matt is kidnapped by his rotund and very fanatical #1 fan Paul (Wes Allen), who shackles Matt in the basement of his house where he tends his invalid mother and stews in his overwhelming lifelong obsession with wrestling in general and Matt in particular.

Paul, while serving his chained-up captive pizza and showing off his custom-made Matt Cross action figure, speaks at length about how he's going to prepare Matt for a return to stardom by forcing him to get his mind and body back on track. Like everyone else in this film, Wes Allen's performance as Paul just goes full-tilt and never slacks up.

Meanwhile, Josh Miller goes beyond the slime barrier as Matt's super-shady S.O.B. of a manager, Simon, a crooked cokehead who doesn't care how much he cheats and connives to get ahead (while secretly socking away most of Matt's moolah).

This includes sliming his way over to Matt's house and trying to intimidate Amy herself after Matt fails to show up for a match, which places him in an awkward position with some local underworld creeps.

For most of POWERBOMB, we see Matt and Amy pushed to the limit of their endurance and patience, placed into untenable situations and dealing with idiots who are beyond empathy or rational thought either due to inherent evil or a severe disconnect with reality.

So when at last the fickle foot of fate stomps right down on their last good nerve, we get to see what happens when two fed-up professional wrestling superstars go medieval on some well-deserving asses and push things into horror territory.

At about 77 minutes, POWERBOMB is short and sweet, drawing us in quick and getting the job done with no muss or fuss and giving both wrestling and horror fans an exceedingly entertaining time along the way. The finale is bloody and cathartic, and even if you don't love wrestling it's liable to have you cheering.

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "Moe Gets The Point!" (video)

While the Stooges are digging...

...Moe keeps getting hit in the head...

...by the other two Stooges' digging tools.

CASH AND CARRY (1937)
YES, WE HAVE NO BONANZA (1939)
CACTUS MAKES PERFECT (1942)
HAVE ROCKET -- WILL TRAVEL (1959)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Friday, November 29, 2019

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #18: "STAR WARS Cantina Scene" (1977) (video)

How much do you remember about this classic scene from the original "Star Wars"?

Question: Obi-Wan's first contact in the cantina is with...

A. Han Solo
B. Chewbacca
C. Greedo
D. Jar Jar Binks
E. Boba Fett

Question: When a thug threatens Luke, Obi-Wan does what?

A. Runs him through
B. Cuts off his arm
C. Beheads him
D. Talks him out of it
E. Pays him off

Question: The Millennium Falcon made the Kessel Run in less than ____ parsecs.

A. 14
B. 13
C. 12
D. 11
E. 10

Question: Who originally shot first...Han or Greedo?

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

LORE -- Movie Review by Porfle

Way up in the craggy mountains of the vast Northwest, surrounded by deep dark forests through which skulk creepy, crawly things that howl in the night, estranged couple Ann and Rich are desperately searching for their missing son Eric in the supernatural horror-thriller LORE (2018).

The basic plot is just that simple, but it manages to generate a lot of suspense and eerie atmosphere, along with a few genuine scares. I kept expecting Bigfoot to lumber out from behind a tree, although what the local indigenous population claim may be lurking there makes even the big guy seem not quite as threatening.

Ann and Rich's Native American guide John (Sean Wei Mah, IT WAITS) doesn't believe in all that mystical mumbo-jumbo...much. But when weird things start to happen to them in and around their campsite, and what appear to be dark phantom figures flit around in their periphery, he begins to doubt his own doubts.

The grieving parents must push onward, however, obsessed with the hope that their missing son might still be alive. And with our nerves on edge, we're swept along with their (possibly) doomed quest, watching as these wilderness neophytes survive only through the tenuous presence of their forest-saavy guide and hope nothing happens to him, which, of course, it does.

Eventually the worst happens at every turn as LORE begins to resemble THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT without the "found footage" angle (the direction and photography, in fact, are quite good) and things get more and more hopeless.

They get scarier, too, as bad things continue to happen to our intrepid trio until the mysterious presence in the woods--if it indeed exists--seems to draw them ever deeper into its sinister clutches.

As all this goes on, the human side of the story comes to the fore when Ann and Rich's shared fear and desperation to find their son bring them to the verge of a reconciliation.

This adds to our empathy for them and raises the stakes ever higher as their search gradually becomes a struggle for survival and, ultimately, a confrontation with their worst fears.

Lyndsey Lantz (CICADA SONG) and Max Lesser (CYRUS) are totally convincing as Ann and Rich, while Sean Wei Mah (IT WAITS) plays John as a reliable, no-nonsense guide constantly warning against wandering blindly into the unknown. (The great Eric Roberts shows up for a single scene as a sheriff early on.)

Is there really some supernatural evil lurking through the miles of dark, dense forest, luring them all to a horrible fate? That's the question that keeps us on the edge of our seats in LORE, a nifty chiller-thriller in which survival may mean more than just staying alive.

John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #51: Fiddle Concert, "THE FIGHTING KENTUCKIAN" (1949)

Duke (along with special friend Oliver Hardy)...

...finds himself on the concert stage with a fiddle.

Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to play it.

Still, he manages to strike the right note.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

THE FARE -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

A checkered cab glides slowly over a long stretch of dark desert road, but it's going to be one bumpy ride for this harried hack before the night's over in the riveting new supernatural mystery thriller THE FARE (2019).

Make that about a hundred bumpy rides, because for Harry, the same night seems to be happening over and over again although he doesn't know it at first. He only has brief flashes of deja vu in which things seem familiar--the talk radio chatter, an exchange with a gruff dispatcher, a jarring bump in the road...

...and the lovely passenger Penny (producer and scripter Brinna Kelly, THE MIDNIGHT MAN), who gets into Harry's cab in the middle of nowhere and strikes up a friendly conversation with him until suddenly, without warning, she disappears into thin air.

This keeps happening with only minor differences each time, as Harry slowly realizes he's caught up in some kind of temporal loop and Penny, who seems to already be aware of this, encourages him to join her in that knowledge so that they can work out their shared existential crisis together and find a way out of the trap they seem to be stuck in.

That's all of the plot that I'm going to give away regarding THE FARE (not to be confused with the similarly-titled cab thriller FARE, which we covered HERE), because much of my enjoyment of this wonderfully intriguing tale was due to the fact that I knew nothing about it going in.

I will say, though, that this is one strange story, full of surprises and revelatory moments upon which we hang with keen anticipation.

Gino Anthony Pesi (LOVELESS IN LOS ANGELES, 42) is instantly likable as the strong, easygoing Harry, a guy who chuckles along with the silly radio chatter about time-traveling aliens until gradually he begins to think he may have just come into contact with some.

Brinna Kelly, whose screenplay is just brimming with creativity and snappy dialogue, is effortlessly appealing as the mysterious Penny.

Much of the film resembles one of those single-setting, two-character plays, yet director D.C. Hamilton (THE MIDNIGHT MAN) keeps finding ways of making this cinematic and visually pleasing. The dark desert setting is deeply eerie and atmospheric, with some great drone-camera shots of the cab making its way down that endless desert road.

Inside the cab, things grow warmly intimate between Harry and Penny (the film switches from black-and-white to color to reflect their moods) whose dialogue is sparked by humor and even some nerdy comic book talk (Penny loves Jack Kirby).

Then things get strange and scary when Harry suddenly finds himself alone in what resembles a scene out of "The Fog" or a Romero zombie flick. One thing's for sure--I didn't see the final revelation coming at all.

The Blu-ray from Epic Pictures is in 2.35:1 widescreen with English subtitles. Bonus features consist of an engaging commentary by Brinna Kelly, gag reel, alternate, deleted, and extended scenes, and the making-of featurettes "Secrets of The Fare" and "The Look of The Fare."

I was reminded a lot of "The X-Files" while watching this scintillating, absorbing tale of romance, the supernatural, and other creepy things. But most of all, THE FARE is true-blue "Twilight Zone" stuff.

Saban Films Adopts "TWIST" Starring Michael Caine, Lena Headey & Rita Ora from Arclight Films

SABAN FILMS ADOPTS “TWIST” STARRING MICHAEL CAINE, LENA HEADEY & RITA ORA

From Arclight Films

LOS ANGELES (November 25, 2019) – Saban Films announced today that they have acquired North American rights to Martin Owen’s (Killers Anonymous, L.A. Slasher) Twist. From a script penned by John Wrathall (Good, The Liability), the modern take on Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist stars Academy Award® Winner Michael Caine (The Quiet American, The Dark Knight series), Golden Globe® Award nominee Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones,” Fighting with My Family), Rita Ora (Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Fifty Shades of Grey franchise), Raff Law (Repo Men) and Sophie Simnett (“The Lodge,” “Daybreak”). Twist is produced by Noel Clarke and Jason Maza for Unstoppable along with Pure Grass Films’ Ben Grass and Knuckle Sandwich’s Matt Williams. The film is co-produced by Sky. Saban Films will release the film theatrically Q1 of 2021.

Set in contemporary London, Twist follows a gifted graffiti artist who is lured into a street gang headed by a father figure, Fagin, who plans a series of audacious art thefts.

Arclight Films’ Chairman Gary Hamilton states, “Twist boasts a really fantastic cast that crosses all generations so we are thrilled for new audiences young and old to enjoy this wonderful interpretation on Oliver Twist’s classic story. We are overjoyed to be working with our friends at Saban again – they are the perfect partner to bring this film to US audiences.”

Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley commented, “Martin Owens seamlessly transports Charles Dickens’ timeless characters into the present with this ensemble cast, who injects a new energy into the classic tale.”

Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated the deal for Saban Films along with John Fremes from Arclight Films. Arclight Films is handling worldwide rights. Financiers include MEP Capital, Blue Rider, Arclight and Lipsync Productions.

This marks Saban Films’ fourth acquisition during the American Film Market with previous titles including: Nicol Paone’s Friendsgiving with Malin Akerman, Kat Dennings, Chelsea Peretti, Jane Seymour and Aisha Tyler; Jason Lei Howden’s Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe; and John Suits’ Breach starring Bruce Willis.

Saban Films continues to grow its presence in the industry, remaining active in the acquisition, production and distribution space. The company’s successes have run the gamut from critically acclaimed theatrical films such as The Homesman starring Hilary Swank, to two of the biggest Fathom events with horror icon and heavy metal mastermind Rob Zombie’s 31 in 2016 and 3 From Hell earlier this month, as well as Kevin Smith’s highly successful Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, the sequel to the 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back which the company partnered on after coming onboard at script stage. Its upcoming slate includes: Steven C. Miller’s Line of Duty; Will Forbes’ John Henry starring Terry Crews and Ludacris and executive produced by Matthew Antoun; and Darren Lynn Bousman’s Death of Me starring Maggie Q and Luke Hemsworth.

About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America. Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as President, Shanan Becker, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Vice President of Business Development.

ABOUT ARCLIGHT FILMS
Arclight Films is one of the world's leading international sales companies for theatrical, television and home entertainment. Arclight Films has sold over 300 motion pictures including the Best Picture Oscar® winner Crash, Golden Globe® Best Picture Nominee Bobby and Lord of War starring Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke and the recent Oscar® nominated feature First Reformed (for Best Original Screenplay).

Arclight Films’ slate includes the Australian the action thriller Long Gone Heroes starring Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, and Maggie Q, Twist currently in production and starring Michael Caine and Here are the Young Men starring Travis Fimmel, Dean Charles Chapman, Finn Cole and Anya Taylor-Joy, the true-life prison break story, Escape From Pretoria, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber, the sci-fi thriller Possessor starring Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Sean Bean, Jennifer Jason Leigh, directed by Brandon Cronenberg, the 2019 Berlin Film Festival official selection Öndög from Berlin Golden Bear winning director Wang Quan'an, and the big budget Chinese co-production Killer 10 to be directed by Phillip Noyce.

The company’s recent films include the highly anticipated Hotel Mumbai starring Armie Hammer, Dev Patel, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, and Jason Isaacs, directed by Anthony Maras released in the US by Bleecker Street on March 22nd, the powerhouse actioner Triple Threat starring Chinese stars Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen, and the Vietnamese action thriller Furie both films released by Well Go USA in March 2019, and the successful biopic Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe released by eOne.

Arclight's past films include 2016 Official Cannes Directors' Fortnight selection Dog Eat Dog starring Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe, The Confirmation starring Clive Owen and Maria Bello, directed by Academy Award-winner Bob Nelson (Nebraska), 2016 Sundance Official Selection Frank & Lola starring Imogen Poots and Michael Shannon, Predestination starring Ethan Hawke released through Sony Pictures, Last Knights starring Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman, Paper Planes starring Sam Worthington, and Shangri-La Suite starring Emily Browning and Luke Grimes.

Arclight Films additionally encompasses subsidiary labels Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven division of the company whose films include the worldwide horror hits Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek 2 and action thriller Bait 3D (the highest grossing Australian film in the history of Chinese cinema), and Easternlight, a specialty arm showcasing Asian cinema with the largest film library of any non-Asian-based indie film label. Films sold under the Easternlight banner include the worldwide blockbuster Forbidden Kingdom starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, 14 Blades starring Donnie Yen, and legendary auteur Chen Kaige's Sacrifice.

The latest additions to Easternlight includes Guardians Of The Tomb starring Kellen Lutz and Bingbing Li, Snow Girl And The Dark Crystal starring Bingbing Li, Wolf Warrior starring Wu Jing (which opened #1 at the Chinese Box Office, earning more than $32.5M in one weekend) Outcast starring Nicolas Cage, Special Id Starring Donnie Yen, and Badges Of Fury.

Arclight Films maintains a presence at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets with offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Toronto.

About Sky
With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 31,000 employees help connect our customers with the very best of Sports, News, the arts and to our own local, original content. Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, Patrick Melrose, Das Boot and Gomorrah we launched Sky Studios and now plan to more than double our investment in original drama and comedy over the next five years.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, it is our responsibility to do it safely – that’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. Our Sky Ocean Rescue campaign has reached millions across Europe, we’re on track to be free of single-use plastic by 2020, we’re investing £25million over five years in ocean-saving tech and we’re a proud employer – recognized by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "Dressed For Bed" (video)

After the Stooges wake up in the morning...

...they take off their pajamas and reveal...

...that they already have their clothes on under them.

(threestooges.net)

DIZZY DOCTORS (1937)
ROCKIN' THRU THE ROCKIES (1940)
CACTUS MAKES PERFECT (1942)
MONKEY BUSINESSMEN (1946)
UP IN DAISY'S PENTHOUSE (1953)
GOOF ON THE ROOF (1953)
RUMPUS IN THE HAREM (1956)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Stunt Horsemen Pretend They Can't Ride In John Ford's "Fort Apache" (1948) (video)

It takes a good horseman to play a bad one!

Victor McLaglen
Pedro Armendáriz
Dick Foran
Hank Worden

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Monday, November 25, 2019

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "Socks Appeal" (video)

A Stooge mentions that he cleaned his socks...

...or changed them...

...and he's very proud of himself.

(threestooges.net)

3 DUMB CLUCKS (1937)
THREE LITTLE SEW AND SEWS (1939)
LOCO BOY MAKES GOOD (1942)
CACTUS MAKES PERFECT (1942)
THREE DARK HORSES (1952)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #17: "BONNIE AND CLYDE" (1967) (video)

"Bonnie and Clyde" is one of the best films of the 60s.

Directed by Arthur Penn, it was acclaimed as a new and exciting kind of filmmaking...

...which is still just as fresh today as it was then.

Question: What Is Bonnie's occupation when she meets Clyde?

A. Secretary
B. Waitress
C. Librarian
D. Grocery clerk
E. Unemployed

Question: What auto trouble does C.W. Moss (Michael J. Pollard) fix?

A. Busted water pump
B. Sugar in the gas tank
C. Dirt in the fuel line
D. Battery corrosion
E. Leaky radiator

Question: What is the occupation of Eugene Grizzard (Gene Wilder)?

A. Butcher
B. Policeman
C. Undertaker
D. Lawyer
E. Prison guard

Question: What are Bonnie and Clyde eating in the last scene?

A. Pear
B. Apple
C. Peanuts
D. Grapes
E. Mango

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #16: "TRUE GRIT" (1969) (video)

TRUE GRIT is the classic story of Marshall Rooster Cogburn. John Wayne won his only Best Actor Oscar in the role.

Question: Who does Rooster say that Mattie reminds him of?

A. His ex-wife
B. His mother
C. Himself
D. His father
E. Betsy Ross

Question: Rooster once shot Ned Pepper in his lower lip. What was he actually aiming at?

A. His nose
B. His Adam's apple
C. His hat
D. His upper lip
E. His horse

Question: Before their big shootout, Ned Pepper calls Rooster a -- ?

A. Squint-eyed law dog
B. Potbellied old geezer
C. One-eyed fat man
D. Pig-eyed boozer
E. Half-blind halfwit

Question: Rooster tells Mattie to "Come see a ___ sometime." A what?

A. Fat old man
B. Lonely old cuss
C. Blustery old blowhard
D. Fat old fool
E. Big old baby

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Friday, November 22, 2019

John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #50: Gauntlet, "FORT APACHE" (1948) (video)

Henry Fonda's glory-seeking commander is about to risk getting his entire regiment killed.

John Wayne's conscientious captain is trying to avert a senseless massacre...

...and honor a previous truce he has made with Cochise.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Adult Swim's Hit Anime Series Is Coming To Blu-ray Combo Pack - "FLCL: PROGRESSIVE & ALTERNATIVE" - Hits Shelves 2/4/20

Join Haruko To Fight Medical Mechanica And Fraternity With The Cult Anime Series

FLCL: PROGRESSIVE & ALTERNATIVE COMBO PACK

Available on Blu-ray February 4th
FLCL: Alternative Also Hits Shelves on DVD The Same Day!

BURBANK, CA (November 21, 2019) – The wait is over! Adult Swim’s popular anime series FLCL: Progressive and FLCL: Alternative, both release for the first time ever as a Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on February 4th. Based on the original anime series written by Yōji Enokido and from director Kazuya Tsurumaki, the collection propels Haruko and her yellow Vespa back into action with 12 episodes from FLCL: Progressive and FLCL: Alternative. The Blu-ray Combo Pack is priced to own at $44.98 SRP ($52.99 in Canada). FLCL: Alternative will also be available on DVD on February 4th for the low price of $19.99 SRP ($24.99 in Canada).

From the legendary anime studio Production I.G and Adult Swim, FLCL: Progressive & Alternative Combo Pack will include a 15-minute never-before-seen documentary that dives into the making of both seasons featuring interviews with voice talent and crew. Additional special features include a “Meet the Creators” piece focused on the new era of show creators, a segment about “The Pillows” relationship with the series, a glimpse at the English voice actors behind FLCL together, and a look into the production of FLCL: Alternative.

The highly anticipated sequel to the 2001 original FLCL, FLCL: Progressive tells the story of 14-year-old Hidomi and her classmate, Ide, as the war between Medical Mechanica and Fraternity continues. Now in the form of their teacher, Haruko Haruhara returns alongside another otherworldly being, Jinyu, a gorgeous Chrysler Bel Aire and her yellow Vespa to unleash their hidden potential.

FLCL: Alternative, the third and final season centers on the misadventures of 17-year-old Kana and her friends, Mossan, Hijiri and Pets. Living a seemingly normal life, the group’s lives are flipped upside down when Mecha falls from the sky and arrives with the guitar-wielding Haruko Haruhara. Once again determined to take out Medical Mechanica, Haruko works to awaken Kana's N.O. channel before the relentless iron takes over the world.

“During its twelve-week run on Adult Swim’s Toonami, FLCL was #1 in its timeslot, and garnered a huge fan following,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE, Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family. “We think both the fans and newcomers are going to love the Combo Pack with it exciting behind the scenes extra content, in addition to the final 12 highly anticipated episodes from the fanatical series."

BLU-RAY COMBO PACK SPECIAL FEATURES

    The Making of FLCL: Progressive & Alternative: An in depth look behind the scenes featuring interviews with the cast and crew.
    Meet the Creators
    The Pillows
    English Voice Actors
    Production: Behind-the-Scenes

FLCL: ALTERNATIVE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

    English Voice Actors
    Production: Behind-the-Scenes

COMBO PACK INCLUDES ALL 12 EPISODES

    RE: Start
    Freebie Honey
    Stone Skipping
    LooPQR
    Fool On the Planet
    Our Running
    Flying Memory
    Grown-Up Wannabe
    Freestyle Collection
    Pit-a-Pat
    Shake it Off
    Full Flat

DIGITAL
FLCL: Progressive & Alternative Combo Pack is available to own on Digital. Digital purchase allows consumers to instantly stream and download all episodes to watch anywhere and anytime on their favorite devices. Digital movies and TV shows are available from various digital retailers including Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu and others. A Digital Copy is also included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs for redemption and cloud storage.

BASICS
Blu-ray/DVD Release Dates: February 4, 2020
Blu-ray and DVD Presented in 16x9 widescreen format

BLU-RAY COMBO PACK
Price: $44.98 SRP ($52.99 in Canada)
Running Time: Feature: Approx. 264 min
Enhanced Content: Approx. 35 min
2 BD 50s
Audio – English (5.1)
Subtitles – English
UPC# 883929707584
Catalog#1000757643

FLCL: ALTERNATIVE DVD
Price: $19.99 SRP ($24.99 in Canada)
Running Time: Feature: Approx. 132 min
Enhanced Content: Approx. 10 min
2 DVD-9s
Audio – English (5.1)
Subtitles – English
UPC# 883929707577
Catalog# 1000757642

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

About Adult Swim
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is a WarnerMedia network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49 and is seen in 94 million U.S. Homes.

Just Announced - "SNATCHERS" Horror Comedy Coming to Digital Jan. 7, Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD Feb. 18 -- See Trailer HERE!

“…giddily entertaining horror comedy” – Variety

SNATCHERS

Available on Digital January 7
On Blu-rayTM Combo Pack, and DVD February 18

BURBANK, CA (November 20, 2019) – Chosen as one of Variety’s “11 Best Movies of the 2019 SXSW Film Festival,” Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings you Snatchers - an original horror comedy feature film on Digital January 7, and Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD on February 18, 2020. Described as a cross between ALIENS meets MEAN GIRLS - the full-length film was initially released in new media as a successful short-form series that follows a status-obsessed high school teenager who loses her virginity and finds herself pregnant the next day…with an alien! The movie is priced to own at $19.99 SRP for Digital, $24.98 SRP for Blu-ray Combo Pack ($34.97 in Canada), $19.98 SRP for the DVD ($24.99 in Canada). Both disc sets have an order due date of January 14, 2020.

WATCH THE TRAILER:

Senior year is going to rule! Thanks to her relationship with clueless hunk Skyler, Sara is totally in with the cool girls. But Skyler contracted an extraterrestrial bug during his summer vacation. After just one night together, Sara discovers she’s Nine. Months. Pregnant. Desperate to keep her condition on the DL, she turns to the only person she can trust: her nerdy ex-bestie, Hayley. The girls soon realize this alien problem is only just the beginning. Aliens had best beware in this hilarious comedy filled with action and tongue-in-cheek teen spirit.

“Snatchers is a tale of friendship, self-worth and…aliens,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family. “The film brings the spirit of horror combined with gut-busting comedy with its edgy humor and bloody alien creatures. Snatchers is sure to keep you glued to your screen until the very end.”

Snatchers stars Mary Nepi (Not Cool) as Sara, Gabrielle Elyse (Nickelodeon’s “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn,” “The Thundermans”) as Hayley, J.J Nolan (“The Mindy Project,” “Silicon Valley”) as Kate, Austin Fryberger (“Huge In France”) as Skyler, Nick Gomez (“Longmire,” “Dexter”) as Oscar, and Rich Fulcher (“Those Who Can’t”) as Dave. Written by Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman, & Scott Yacyshyn, and directed by Cedars & Kleiman, the film is a Stage 13 presentation with award-winning producer Paul Young for Make Good Content production in association with The Olde Money Boyz. The Snatchers new media series was an official selection at Sundance 2017, and won the 2018 Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival, as well as a Bronze Telly Award. The Snatchers movie was an official selection at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival and the 2019 Sitges Film Festival.

SPECIAL FEATURES

    The Birth of Snatchers: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
    Unexpected: The Snatchers Blooper Reel
    Commentary featuring Directors and Writers Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman and Writer Scott Yacyshyn

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS
On January 7, 2020, Snatchers will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, the Apple TV app, FandangoNOW, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On February 18, 2020, Snatchers will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE
Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, the Apple TV app, FandangoNOW, Google Play, and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Chromecast; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.

ABOUT DIGITAL
Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.

BASICS
Blu-ray/DVD Release: February 18, 2020
Order Due Date: January 14, 2020
Blu-ray and DVD Presented in 16x9 widescreen format
Run Time: Approx. 96 min
Enhanced Content Run Time: Approx. 117 min

DVD
Price: $19.98 SRP ($24.99 SRP in Canada)
1 DVD-9s
Audio – English (5.1), French, Spanish
UPC# 883929697977
Catalog# 1000749305

BLU-RAY
Price: $24.98 SRP ($34.97 SRP in Canada)
1 Blu-ray + 1 DVD + Digital Copy
BD Audio –DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 – English, French, Spanish
UPC# 883929697984
Catalog# 1000749306

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

About Stage 13
Stage 13 is an award-winning, fearless, original content studio showcasing a new generation of inspired talent and voices in scripted and unscripted storytelling. The brand’s series are available on the Stage 13 platform, Facebook, YouTube, as well as its distribution partners including Netflix, CW/CW Seed and HBO. Creating dynamic series for a multidimensional audience, Stage 13 is part of Warner Bros. Digital Networks.

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "How Many Shirts?" (video)

A Stooge pulls one shirt off...

...only to reveal another shirt under it.

This keeps going on and on...

...until he finally gets to the last shirt.

(threestooges.net)

FROM NURSE TO WORSE (1940)
THREE PESTS IN A MESS (1945)
CORNY CASANOVAS (1952)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

John Wayne's Coolest Scenes #49: Traitor, "Rio Lobo" (1970) (video)

Former Union officer Cord McNally (John Wayne) has been searching...

...for the lowdown traitor Ketcham (Victor French)...

...who caused the deaths of several of his men during the Civil War.

And when he finds him, it's a really bad day for Ketcham!

John Wayne
Victor French
Jack Elam
Jorge Rivero

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Family, Friends, and Fans of Hollywood Blvd. "Superman" Christopher Dennis Raising Funds For His Funeral

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS OF HOLLYWOOD BLVD. "SUPERMAN" CHRISTOPHER DENNIS RAISING FUNDS FOR HIS FUNERAL

HOLLYWOOD, CA (November 19, 2019) – Christopher Dennis, AKA Hollywood Boulevard Superman, tragically passed away November 2 at the age of 52. Chris had been homeless, off and on, for three years prior to his passing, sometimes sleeping in shelters. Family, friends, and fans who had helped him find lodgings over the years, hope to raise funds to give him a final resting place where he can be at peace for eternity.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise funds for a funeral service, cremation, grave/niche plot, and a memorial plaque at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-service-for-hollywood-superman

The GoFundMe page was created on behalf of Christopher’s widow, Bonnie Finkenthal Dennis, by Vladislav Kozlov, his long-time friend and director, who produced of a short film starring Christopher, as himself, and film legend Franco Nero, called “The Kid,” and has been filming with Christopher for the hybrid documentary feature about Christopher’s life, called "American Superman" since 2013.

The news coverage of Chris’s untimely passing and reporting on his life and the mark he made in Hollywood have been a beautiful tribute to Christopher Dennis and his memory. The crowdfunding campaign strives to help Hollywood Superman find his final rest in the Hollywood land to which he truly belongs.

June 10, 1991 was the date Chris first stepped foot on the boulevard as Hollywood Superman, according to his Instagram profile. Chris gave smiles to the millions of tourists from all over the world for over 25 years of his Hollywood Boulevard residency and there are thousands and thousands of photographs of Chris with visitors to Hollywood Boulevard online and in photo albums around the world.

Hollywood Superman, along with the world-famous Hollywood sign, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, have been part of the Hollywood experience for millions of U.S. and international tourists in Hollywood for decades. Sadly, Hollywood Superman has taken his last bow on the boulevard.

People are invited to post their photos and videos and share good memories of Christopher on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodsuperman/

https://www.facebook.com/Hollywood-Superman-290026524352180/

For more information about the crowdfunding campaign, please visit:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-service-for-hollywood-superman

Christopher Lloyd Dennis
Christopher Lloyd Dennis AKA Hollywood Boulevard Superman was born on June 16, 1967. When he was 6, he was put into orphanage by his father. Chris spent his childhood in shelters and group homes. At the age of 18, Chris came to Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. When he was waiting tables, numerous people told him that he resembled Christopher Reeve who famously portrayed Superman. Chris decided to dress as Superman and go out on the Hollywood Boulevard in the hopes of being noticed by studio producers. Eventually, Chris started coming to the strip every day since he found out that he was a huge hit with the tourists who wanted to take a picture with him as Hollywood Superman.

This is how he became the first costume character on Hollywood Boulevard. Chris went on giving smiles to the millions of tourists from all over the world for over 25 years. He appeared on numerous episodes of Jimmy Kimmel show, was featured in a documentary "Confessions of a Superhero" and appeared in Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds to Mars music video “City of Angeles.”

Christopher married Bonnie, a fellow Superman fan, in 2006. They separated on 2011. In 2013 Chris began collaborating with a Los Angeles based director Vlad Kozlov on different indie projects and Chris starred as himself in Kozlov's short motion picture "The Kid" also starring the famous star Franco Nero.

Chris and Vlad became close friends and they decided to make a movie about his life adventures. Vlad started documenting the story of the real-life Hollywood Superman, trying to discover his past and his inner self, for the film which they decided to call “American Superman.”

In 2016 Chris became homeless due to a chain of unfortunate events and was fighting to get off the streets. In 2017 two fundraisers were started to help Chris get out of the streets, but by that time he was beyond accepting help due to substance abuse. Chris spent another two years in different shelters trying to eventually get into subsidized housing.

Sadly, on November 2nd, 2019 Christopher Dennis tragically passed away in Van Nuys, just 10 miles away from Hollywood Blvd. He will be remembered by those who loved him, and the countless people he met on Hollywood Blvd.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #15: "CARRIE" Prom Scene (1976) (video)

SPOILER ALERT!

Don't even read the questions if you haven't seen the movie!

Question #1: Who dumps the pig's blood on Carrie?

A. Norma
B. Sue Snell
C. Tommy Ross
D. Billy Nolan
E. Chris Hargensen

Question #2: Principal Morton (Stefan Gierasch) gets Carrie's name wrong when he says, "We're all sorry, ____."

A. Cammie
B. Kelly
C. Cassie
D. Correy
E. Kimmy

Question #3: How does Miss Collins (Betty Buckley) die?

A. Fire
B. Electrocution
C. Trampling
D. Crushing
E. She doesn't

Question #4: Who besides Carrie survives the prom?

A. Billy Nolan, Sue Snell, Tommy Ross
B. Sue Snell, Chris Hargensen, Billy Nolan
C. Chris Hargensen, Norma, Tommy Ross
D. Billy Nolan, Tommy Ross, Norma

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Monday, November 18, 2019

Award-Winning Documentary "CODE & RESPONSE" Available Nov. 19 On iTunes, Amazon Prime and Vimeo

"CODE & RESPONSE"

Award-Winning Documentary Available Nov. 19
2018 was one of the worst years on record for natural disasters-taxing governments, straining relief organizations and overwhelming communities as they attempt to rebuild. In the wake of these global catastrophes, a new type of responder emerges: the coder.

CODE & RESPONSE follows coders around the world (Japan, Puerto Rico, California and Mexico) as they develop groundbreaking technologies to help first responders and communities become more resilient against the growing threat of natural disasters.The film not only explores the technology they are building, but also their motivation and inspiration for what they are creating.

When Pedro Cruz couldn’t communicate with his Grandmother during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, he used his drone to see how she was doing. As he flew the drone to her house, he saw SOS messages painted on the street, which is what inspired his AI-driven technology, DroneAid.

Growing up in the mountains of Washington State, Kenji Kato had first-hand experience with the threat of wildfires. His app, Wildfire Report, is designed to help both first responders and communities more accurately track the progress of fires and help find the safest routes to evacuate.

CODE & RESPONSE is directed by Austin Peck and produced by George Hammer. Peck’s credits include director of Gardeners of Eden, about Kenya’s David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the critically-acclaimed feature Tough Bond and “Big Picture,” the 11-episode investigative news series in VR.

CODE & RESPONSE has won several awards in 2019, including Best Documentary—International New York Film Festival, Best Documentary Short Film Award - MINT Film Festival, The Gold Award Best Feature—Southeast Regional Film Festival, The Founders Award—North Beach American Film Festival, Official Selection—Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Selection - Napa Valley Film Festival and Official Selection—New Haven International Film Festival.

The film will be available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and Vimeo on November 19, 2019.

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "The Taller They Come..." (video)

The Stooges disguise as one tall man...

...by standing on each other's shoulders inside of a big jacket...

...with one Stooge on top with his head sticking out the of top the jacket.

(threestooges.net)

HEALTHY, WEALTHY, AND DUMB (1938)
DUTIFUL BUT DUMB (1941)
MALICE IN THE PALACE (1949)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

DEADLINE -- DVD Review by Porfle

One thing 50s and 60s television did so well, and which seems to have been lost these days, was the powerful half-hour drama. This is especially true of the better written and produced anthology shows of the time, including the hardboiled, often riveting journalism drama "Deadline."

Film Chest's new 3-disc, 39-episode DVD collection DEADLINE ("When Reporters Were Heroes") contains the entire run of the show (which aired sporadically from 1959 to 1961), with each episode covering various true-life news stories and the dogged reporters who unearthed them, often putting their lives in jeopardy to do so.

Paul Stewart (CITIZEN KANE) lends the show a distinguished air as the gravel-voiced host who, while sitting in a busy newsroom amidst diligent reporters and other workers, introduces each front-page story and the journalist who broke it.

Most of the stories are crime-related, as the reporters often work alongside police detectives on cases involving murder, robbery, arson, kidnapping, extortion, prison riots, mad bombers, juvenile delinquency, shoplifting, and political corruption.

The reporters track down leads and confront bad guys like hardnosed cops, sometimes giving the show the feel of a "Dragnet" episode. The low budget and abundance of location shooting in the heart of the city also give it a gritty, realistic look. (Listen for some familiar "Plan 9 From Outer Space" library music within the show's score.)

Some stories are particularly powerful, as when a man (actor/director Mark Rydell) is accused of planting a bomb in his mother's suitcase and killing an entire planeload of people for her insurance money. In another, a college student's thesis on how to commit the perfect murder is tested with the cold-blooded killings of two innocent men.

In addition to these subjects are the ones more related to human interest and social justice, with the reporters often being portrayed as crusading angels and pillars of moral virtue. Indeed, the series goes to great lengths to dispel any popular notions regarding the profession which are anything but positive.

Here we witness stories of amateur spelunkers being rescued from a cave (a very young Christopher Walken is billed as "Ronnie"), a pair of Burmese nurses being saved from deportation by a reporter (Frank Sutton, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.") whose life they once saved in a makeshift army hospital, and another reporter going undercover to expose the exploitation of illegal immigrants on the U.S.-Mexico border. There's even a heart-tugging Christmas episode.

The stories are lean, terse, and to the point. They're also somewhat addictive, making them good binge-watching material for those so inclined. Like many anthology shows of the time, "Deadline" was a place for writers and actors to hone their talents, often doing work that is inspired.

The film quality of these black and white episodes is generally pristine save for occasional rough spots, which I think only add to their character. According to the promo information, these films were lost and forgotten in a garage in New Jersey for over 50 years before rediscovery.

Stewart himself plays the lead in many of the episodes. Other familiar faces include Telly Savalas, Peter Falk, Simon Oakland, Malachi ("Mal") Throne, Diane Ladd, Joanne Linville, Robert Lansing, George Maharis, Sydney ("Sidney") Pollack, Bibi Osterwald, Frank Overton, Lee Bergere, Jan Miner, Bob Hastings, Walter Brooke, Dana Elcar, Lonny Chapman, Jason ("Herb") Evers, Micheal Conrad, and Alfred Ryder.

As mentioned, the show glorifies the reporter's role as a crusader for justice and defender of all that is good, vowing (also quoting the promo info) to "uphold everything that our civil society stands for."

The text material found in the enclosed episode-guide booklet stresses how tarnished the reporter's image has become in recent years, blaming this not on any failing on the part of today's mainstream media but on its being undermined by alleged "fake news" being spread by the internet and other independent sources.

I find this either willfully naive or intentionally misleading, considering the fact that, in recent years, major print and television news sources seem to have relinquished a great deal of their former integrity while much of the actual truth one is able to glean these days does, in fact, come from the internet.

Not only that, but the booklet's text as well as a DVD interview with a noted broadcast journalism professor seem to be just as politically biased as is much of today's mainstream media.

Putting such gripes aside, however, DEADLINE is a rich source of entertainment for vintage TV lovers, and Film Chest has done a fine job of preserving and presenting these exciting episodes that are such a valuable part of television history.

BONUS FEATURES
Episode Synopses • Photo Gallery • Trailer •
Trivia • Extended Synopsis: Journalism Past and
Present Overview • Interview with Broadcast
Journalism Professor Joe Alicastro

SKU: FC-647
UPC: 874757064796
SRP: $19.98
Street Date: 11/19/2019
Pre-Book: 11/5/2019
Discs: 3
Box Lot: 30
Production: Arnold Perl
Run Time: 1,006 Mins
Format: DVD
Color/B&W: B&W
Aspect ratio: 4x3
Year Prod: 1959 - 1961
Sound: Mono
Studio: Film Chest
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Television, Crime, Drama
Actor(s): Paul Stewart (narrator), Peter Falk,
Diane Ladd, George Maharis, Robert Lansing
and many more.
Director(s): Various

All The Giant Behemoth Scenes From "THE GIANT BEHEMOTH" (1959) (video)

THE GIANT BEHEMOTH is a radioactive monster from the depths of the sea.

The film was known in England as BEHEMOTH, THE SEA MONSTER.

The director, Eugène Lourié, also directed THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS...
...as well as GORGO and THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK.

The stop-motion animation was done in Los Angeles...
...by SPFX pioneer Willis O'Brien of KING KONG fame.

These effects were then integrated into footage filmed in Great Britain.
O'Brien made the most of a relatively low budget.

Audiences noticed the film's similiarities to BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS.

Distributors insisted on such a dinosaur-like creature...
...instead of the script's original radioactive blob.

British film censors originally gave the film an "X" certificate.
This was changed to an "A" after two minutes were removed.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #14: "KING KONG" (1933) (video)

KING KONG (1933) is arguably the greatest giant monster movie of all time.

Question #1: What does Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) call the ship's monkey?

A. Ziggy
B. Iggy
C. Wiggy
D. Biggy
E. Izzy

Question #2: What does Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) say is "scarce" on the island?

A. Booze
B. Dames
C. Jazz
D. Blondes
E. Crooners

Question #3: What does Kong do with the first woman he grabs in New York?

A. Eats her
B. Steps on her
C. Puts her down
D. Drops her
E. Carries her away

Question #4: What does Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) say "killed the Beast"?

A. Desire
B. Bullets
C. Beauty
D. Heartbreak
E. Greed

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Friday, November 15, 2019

Valparaiso Pictures Unveils "THE TOXIC PIGS OF FUKUSHIMA" From BAFTA Award Nominated Director Otto Bell

VALPARAISO PICTURES UNVEILS “THE TOXIC PIGS OF FUKUSHIMA” FROM BAFTA AWARD NOMINATED DIRECTOR OTTO BELL

Los Angeles, CA (November 15, 2019) – Valparaiso Pictures announced today their upcoming documentary short The Toxic Pigs of Fukushima, directed by BAFTA® Award nominated Otto Bell (The Eagle Huntress) with Emmy® Award winner Joe Bini (You Were Never Really Here, American Honey) on board to edit. Valparaiso Pictures fully financed with David Carrico and Adam Paulsen for Valparaiso and Bell’s Kissiki producing. CAA Media Finance is handling sales.

As all eyes turn to Japan for the 2020 Olympics, The Toxic Pigs of Fukushima takes a cinematic look at the destruction wrought by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 that triggered a tsunami, nuclear meltdown and mass evacuations. Through the central metaphor of radiated wild boars that now roam the region, Bell and long-time collaborator, Cinematographer Simon Niblett, take an unflinching look at the everyday lives of a handful of citizens still struggling to make a life in this changed landscape. The film was in-part inspired by the photographs of Toru Hanai and Yuki Iwanami who are co-producers. Music is provided by renowned Japanese ambient artist Midori Takada.

Bell’s first documentary, The Eagle Huntress, garnered him a BAFTA® Award nomination for Best Documentary. After premiering at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics to critical and box office acclaim. The film was a New York Times and Los Angeles Times Critics Pick and currently holds a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh.

Bini won the Sundance Award for best editing on the HBO documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired and an Emmy® Award for his writing on the same documentary. Other editing credits include Amazon’s You Were Never Really Here, which won numerous awards including a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Editing, as well as American Honey which starred Shia LaBeouf and Sasha Lane and won the Judge’s Award at Cannes, and Lionsgate’s critically acclaimed documentary Grizzly Man by Werner Herzog, one of 27 films Bini collaborated on with the renowned director.

Bell is represented by CAA. Bini is repped by WME.

Valparaiso Pictures recently announced they are partnering with Mattel Films and Academy Award®-nominee Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% to develop a live-action motion picture based on Barney, Mattel’s iconic loveable, purple dinosaur.

About Valparaiso Pictures
With an eye towards projects that have the potential to shift culture and reach wide audiences, Valparaiso Pictures is quickly ramping up their production and development slate. They’re currently in development on the Kumail Nanjiani led political action comedy No Glory being written by Sam Bain, which they’re producing with Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and Chris Henchy. They also produced The Sound of Silence starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones that was acquired in competition at Sundance 2019. Currently, they’re in post-production on Pig starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage and Hereditary‘s Alex Wolff.

Great 3 Stooges Running Gag: "Wake Up and Go To Sleep!" (video)

A Stooge wakes up another Stooge...

...who's sleeping very soundly...

...and says "Wake up and go to sleep!"

(threestooges.net)

A PAIN IN THE PULLMAN (1936)
THREE MISSING LINKS (1938)
IF A BODY MEETS A BODY (1945)
HOLD THAT LION! (1947)
I'M A MONKEY'S UNCLE (1948)

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Thursday, November 14, 2019

All The "Junior" Scenes From "THE UNSEEN"! (Stephen Furst, Barbara Bach, 1980)

Stephen Furst's "Junior" from the 1980 horror film "The Unseen" is one of the greatest fictional characters of all time!

Furst (best known as "Flounder" in ANIMAL HOUSE) should have been nominated for an Academy Award for his perfomance.

Here is Junior in all his glory. Just Junior, nothing else. It's all Junior, all the time. Junior, Junior, Junior!

Oh, and some other people.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Keeley Hawes Joins Hugh Bonneville in Untitled Patricia Neal/Roald Dahl Picture Which Commences Shooting 11/14

KEELEY HAWES JOINS HUGH BONNEVILLE IN UNTITLED PATRICA NEAL/ROALD DAHL PICTURE WHICH COMMENCES SHOOTING 11/14

New York, NY, November 14, 2019 – Align and Goldcrest Features announced today that the as currently untitled (f.k.a An Unquiet Life) feature starring Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), and Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Misbehaviour), will begin filming on November 14th.

The story of the world’s most beloved children’s author, Roald Dahl (Bonneville) and his film star wife, Patricia Neal (Hawes) will be directed by John Hay (Lost Christmas, There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble). Hay also wrote the film alongside David Logan. The picture is being produced by Donall McCusker (The Hurt Locker), Adrian Politowski (The Artist), Martin Metz (Mandy) and Nick Quested (Danger Close ).

The film is an Align/Goldcrest presentation, produced by Atticus Films and financed by Align, LipSync Productions LLP and Goldcrest Features Inc. Principal photography commences on November 14th in Surrey, England.

Goldcrest represents the worldwide rights, and has already closed deals with Icon Film Distribution PTY LTD in Australia and New Zealand, Empire International in the Middle East, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment in Benelux, Red Apollo Group in China, and MVP Entertainment in India.

In 1962 Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal retreated to the English countryside to bring up their joyful and expanding young family. The unlikely pairing of an Academy Award-winning actress and a burgeoning children’s author, Dahl and Neal put their relationship to the test, revealing a love more painful than anything Roald Dahl ever wrote about in his books. However, for this remarkable pair, redemption and strength sees them changed forever.

“Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal seemingly had it all until an unimaginable event threatened to tear their family apart. I am so pleased we have attracted two award-winning talents in Hugh and Keeley to play these iconic roles,” Director John Hay said.

“I can’t wait to start work on this film,” said Keeley Hawes. “The story of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl is extraordinary, and I’m so excited to be part of it and so looking forward to working with the brilliant Hugh Bonneville and the hugely talented John Hay who has provided us with such a beautiful script.”

Donall McCusker, Producer, adds, “Award winning writers John Hay and Dave Logan have written a warm, funny and powerful script that we know is going to resonate with audiences throughout the world”.

Adrian Politowski, CEO of Align notes, “With a love as electric as Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal’s it’s no surprise a project as special as this one has attracted the likes of Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes.”

Align - Los Angeles, CA
Align is a film production and financing company launched by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi in 2019. The company is backed by a greenlight fund with the ability to $250M from 2019 until 2022. With an ability to fully finance features and television, the team focuses on 4 to 5 projects a year ranging from $5M to $30M in budget. Recent projects include BLITHE SPIRIT by Ed Hall and LOVE, WEDDINGS AND OTHER DISASTERS by Dennis Dugan. With headquarters in LA, Align maintains an international presence with staff in London, Brussels and Luxemburg.

LIPSYNC Post is an internationally recognised post-house, providing post-production services to the film and television industry for over 30 years. Since 2008, LIPSYNC Productions has invested over £80 million in over 180 feature film and TV projects. Such recent projects include ‘Minimata’, ‘Fisherman’s Friends’, ‘Colette’ ‘Out of Blue’ ‘Peterloo’ and ‘Harlots’. With regular festival appearances and over 200 major award nominations and wins, LIPSYNC has become one of the UK’s leading production partners.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Endemol Shine Boomdog Signs Overall Development & Production Deal With Acclaimed Producer Gaston Pavlovich

ENDEMOL SHINE BOOMDOG SIGNS OVERALL DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION DEAL WITH ACCLAIMED PRODUCER GASTON PAVLOVICH

Producer Behind The Irishman to Develop and Produce Scripted TV Series With Endemol Shine North America’s Mexico City-Based Studio

Los Angeles, CA—Endemol Shine Boomdog, a division of Endemol Shine North America, has signed an overall development and production deal with acclaimed producer Gaston Pavlovich and his Mexico City-based production company Fabrica de Cine, it was announced today by Alejandro Rincon, CEO, Endemol Shine Boomdog.

Pavlovich, under his production company, Fábrica de Cine recently produced Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, will develop and produce scripted TV drama series for both Spanish and English-language audiences with Endemol Shine Boomdog. The first project the two sides are developing together will focus on the complete story of Antonieta Rivas Mercardo and the fascinating and turbulent times of early century Mexico.

“Gaston is one of the leading film producers in the world today and we are thrilled that he’s bringing his cinematic vision to join us in producing dramatic television series,” says Endemol Shine Boomdog’s Rincon. “Together I believe we can create some very special offerings to both the Spanish and English-language markets in the coming years.”

“I´ve longed admired the position Endemol Shine Boomdog has earned in the world stage,” states Pavlovich. “Their passion in reaching the international viewer is remarkable, and one that coincides with my vision of taking the most powerful stories to as wide a global audience as possible. It is an honor to feel their confidence in me.”

Pavlovich and Scorsese first collaborated on Silence starring Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver. The film was released by Paramount in 2016 and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Pavlovich´s most recent production before The Irishman was the powerful historical drama The Professor and the Madman, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, and he’s presently in development with Netflix on a remake of Harvey, the Jimmy Stewart 1950 classic film.

Endemol Shine Boomdog produces such hit series as Chumel Con Chumel (HBO), MasterChef Latino (Telemundo), MasterChef Mexico (Azteca), Mira Quien Baila (Televisa/Univision), Nicky Jam: El Ganador (Netflix), LOL (Amazon) and Me Caigo de Risa (Televisa). The studio’s initial drama series El Vato (Netflix/Universo) was honored last year with an International Emmy Award.

Endemol Shine Boomdog recently announced an unprecedented production and development deal with Televisa and the two sides teamed up for the record-breaking Mexican launch of the hit MBC series The Masked Singer this season. Earlier this year, Amazon Prime announced it has licensed the studio’s upcoming drama series Súbete a mi Moto, which is being produced alongside Somos Productions and Piñolywood Studios.

Latin superstar actress Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur) also recently signed an overall deal with Endemol Shine Boomdog to develop, produce and star in original scripted and unscripted series with the studio. And the studio just signed award-winning producer Marie Leguizamo (La Voz Kids) to an overall deal to produce unscripted series for both English and Spanish-language audiences.

Endemol Shine Boomdog and Endemol Shine North America are part of Endemol Shine Group, the world’s largest independent producer with 120 production labels across global markets. Endemol Shine is behind such scripted fare such as “Black Mirror,” “Peaky Blinders” and upcoming dramas “Almost Family” (FOX), "Ripley" (Showtime) and "Utopia" (Amazon Prime).

About Endemol Shine Boomdog
Endemol Shine Boomdog was formed in November 2017, when Endemol Shine North America merged its Spanish language division Endemol Shine Latino with Mexico City-based production company Boomdog. The newly combined studio, which has offices and production facilities in Mexico City, Miami and Los Angeles, is focused on developing and producing scripted and unscripted content for the U.S. Hispanic and Mexican TV markets. Endemol Shine Boomdog currently has numerous hit shows and projects in development across myriad networks/platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Televisa, Univision, Telemundo, Azteca, HBO, MTV, Comedy Central and more.

About Fábrica de Cine
In addition to The Irishman and Silence, recent Fábrica de Cine projects include: The Professor and the Madman starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn; Milagro en Praga starring Mexican superstars Aislinn Derbez and Dolores Heredia; Jennifer Morrison’s Sun Dogs, starring Michael Angarano, and Allison Janney; Waiting for the Miracle to Come alongside music legends Willie Nelson and U2’s Bono and Charlotte Rampling; A Hologram for the King starring Tom Hanks; Prometo no enamorarme, starring Spanish star Natalia Varela and Mexican star Alfonso Dosal; and Gaston´s first American production, Max Rose, starring the late Jerry Lewis in his final film.

In 2019, Pavlovich launched a distribution office within Fábrica de Cine with Academy-nominated film, Loving Vincent, becoming the company’s first film to be successfully distributed in México. Fábrica de Cine will release The Irishman in Mexico on Nov. 15 following the premiere at the Cabo Film Festival on Nov. 13th.

Porfle's Trivia Quiz #13: "THE LONE RANGER" (video)

The Lone Ranger has long been a star of movies, television, and radio.

When his band of Texas Rangers is ambushed by outlaws, he is the lone survivor.

Question #1: The real name of Clayton Moore's Lone Ranger is John ___?

A. Britt
B. Ross
C. Parker
D. Reid
E. Lane

Question #2: Tonto (Jay Silverheels) calls the Lone Ranger "Kemo Sabe." What does it mean?

A. Faithful Friend
B. Fearless Warrior
C. Wise Leader
D. Ancient Soul
E. Trusty Scout

Question #3: What is the name of Tonto's horse?

A. Brave
B. Cloud
C. Scout
D. Chief
E. Takaa

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

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