Kill your darlings” is a phrase attributed to William Faulkner, advising writers to resist overuse of their favorite expressions, tropes, characters, etc. This is true for any writing, wherein emotional proximity to the work might manifest into myopic creations in the grander scheme of things. However canonized this belief is, the hypothesis falls apart for Nicolas Winding Refn.
Armed with a style that has only grown more distinctive with every new film, Refn explores fundamental themes and deploys the camera to shift between fluidity and limbo. With sensibilities similar to a master architect, Refn uses frames to create moments that let the viewer internalize, and experience on a physio-psychological level, a creation that does not confine itself to a two-dimensional rectangle, but reminds you of what was felt while watching it. This is the moment the Nicolas Winding Refn effect kicks in, and this is when cinema affects one on a deeply personal level.
Armed with a style that has only grown more distinctive with every new film, Refn explores fundamental themes and deploys the camera to shift between fluidity and limbo. With sensibilities similar to a master architect, Refn uses frames to create moments that let the viewer internalize, and experience on a physio-psychological level, a creation that does not confine itself to a two-dimensional rectangle, but reminds you of what was felt while watching it. This is the moment the Nicolas Winding Refn effect kicks in, and this is when cinema affects one on a deeply personal level.
- 12/27/2024
- by Abhijit Bhalachandra
- High on Films
Mubi has unveiled their first streaming lineup of the new year and they are kicking things off in a major way with the streaming debut of Víctor Erice’s masterpiece Close Your Eyes. Additional highlights include the first digital release of Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias’ Berlinale and NYFF selection Pepe, with the debuts of Luca Guadagnino and James Gray also in the lineup. After releasing the biggest album of 2024, one can get a deeper glimpse into the life and work of Charli Xcx with the documentary Charli Xcx: Alone Together.
Recently naming Close Your Eyes one of the best films of 2024, Z.W. Lewis said, “Eríce’s latest is the ultimate cinephile catnip: the triumphant return of a director known to only make masterpieces, a film filled with in-group references and nods to cinema history (including a lengthy performance of a song from a Howard Hawks film), and...
Recently naming Close Your Eyes one of the best films of 2024, Z.W. Lewis said, “Eríce’s latest is the ultimate cinephile catnip: the triumphant return of a director known to only make masterpieces, a film filled with in-group references and nods to cinema history (including a lengthy performance of a song from a Howard Hawks film), and...
- 12/18/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
While he’s been making a strong impression in films from the likes of John Woo and Nicolas Winding Refn for the last three decades, 2024 marks a major year for Alessandro Nivola. Earlier this year saw the release of Ethan Hawke’s Wildcat and, this Friday, Nivola can be seen in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist and Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door.
In The Brutalist, Nivola gives a formidable performance as Attila, immigrant cousin to Adrien Brody’s László Tóth and his sole connection to America. The backbone of the epic film’s first act, Attila provides an entry point into assimilation and the sacrifices and consolations one must shed in pursuit of the American Dream.
Ahead of the film’s release, Conor O’Donnell and I spoke with Nivola, who returned to The B-Side to discuss working with auteurs, conveying the process of assimilation, and the “total...
In The Brutalist, Nivola gives a formidable performance as Attila, immigrant cousin to Adrien Brody’s László Tóth and his sole connection to America. The backbone of the epic film’s first act, Attila provides an entry point into assimilation and the sacrifices and consolations one must shed in pursuit of the American Dream.
Ahead of the film’s release, Conor O’Donnell and I spoke with Nivola, who returned to The B-Side to discuss working with auteurs, conveying the process of assimilation, and the “total...
- 12/17/2024
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Development continues on a live action, supernatural crime TV series, based on the feature "Maniac Cop" (1988), to be produced and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and John Hyams, for HBO in North America and Canal+ in France:
The first "Maniac Cop" feature, directed by William Lustig, starred Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Richard Roundtree, William Smith, Robert Z'Dar, and Sheree North, following an ex-police officer, who returns from the dead, seeking revenge on criminals, corrupt politicians and co-workers who wronged him.
"Maniac Cop" was followed by the feature sequels, "Maniac Cop 2" (1990) and "Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence".
"We've been talking about a re-imagining of the 'Maniac Cop' films for a number of years," said Refn, "but as we continued to work on the material, we found ourselves wanting to explore the world we were creating in greater depth.
"Turning 'Maniac Cop' into a...
The first "Maniac Cop" feature, directed by William Lustig, starred Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Richard Roundtree, William Smith, Robert Z'Dar, and Sheree North, following an ex-police officer, who returns from the dead, seeking revenge on criminals, corrupt politicians and co-workers who wronged him.
"Maniac Cop" was followed by the feature sequels, "Maniac Cop 2" (1990) and "Maniac Cop III: Badge of Silence".
"We've been talking about a re-imagining of the 'Maniac Cop' films for a number of years," said Refn, "but as we continued to work on the material, we found ourselves wanting to explore the world we were creating in greater depth.
"Turning 'Maniac Cop' into a...
- 12/3/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Film Noir would become the ubiquitous term for critics in the mid-50s and 60s to describe the stylish crime dramas and capers of the 40s and 50s. The visual stylization of noir collides with post-war uncertainty and anxiety which would be reflected within the convolution of the storytelling itself. Post the 1950s, filmmakers worldwide would construct narratives that would homage to the essence of film noir and become more integrated within the umbrella of other genres. Those would be termed as neo-noirs.
The essence of noirs would essentially “corrupt” and push the essence of genres like sci-fi towards far cynical territory. These neo-noirs would become prevalent in the early 2000s, especially post 9/11, where homage to a style would be transmuted into an expression of the human condition. The topics range from trauma, loss, and identity struggles to a disconnection from the world they inhabit. At times, there is also an inclination to shirk responsibility,...
The essence of noirs would essentially “corrupt” and push the essence of genres like sci-fi towards far cynical territory. These neo-noirs would become prevalent in the early 2000s, especially post 9/11, where homage to a style would be transmuted into an expression of the human condition. The topics range from trauma, loss, and identity struggles to a disconnection from the world they inhabit. At times, there is also an inclination to shirk responsibility,...
- 12/2/2024
- by Amartya Acharya
- High on Films
Denmark has approved the launch of a tax incentive to lure international TV and films, joining the ranks of all other Nordic countries which each have a rebate program.
Denmark has been lagging behind other European countries such as France, Germany and Czech Republic due to its lack of tax incentive. In spite of its vibrant creative community and home to many critically acclaimed directors such as Susanne Bier, Lars van Trier, Nicolas Winding Refn and Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark is currently the only country in Europe, along with Luxembourg, to not have a rebate program in place.
The Danish incentive, which will kick off in 2026, will tap into an annual envelop of Dkk 125 million ($17.5 million) — twice the amount allocated to foreign productions in Sweden and significantly larger than in Norway. The rebate on eligible expenses is expected to be 25%.
The new head of the Danish Producers Association, Anna Porse Nielsen,...
Denmark has been lagging behind other European countries such as France, Germany and Czech Republic due to its lack of tax incentive. In spite of its vibrant creative community and home to many critically acclaimed directors such as Susanne Bier, Lars van Trier, Nicolas Winding Refn and Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark is currently the only country in Europe, along with Luxembourg, to not have a rebate program in place.
The Danish incentive, which will kick off in 2026, will tap into an annual envelop of Dkk 125 million ($17.5 million) — twice the amount allocated to foreign productions in Sweden and significantly larger than in Norway. The rebate on eligible expenses is expected to be 25%.
The new head of the Danish Producers Association, Anna Porse Nielsen,...
- 11/25/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Pip Fitz-Amobi is returning for more amateur sleuthing.
The BBC, Netflix and co-producer ZDFneo have given the go-ahead to a second season of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, one of the breakout hits of 2024, which stars Wednesday’s Emma Myers as the precocious lead.
The six-part Season 2 will be based on Holly Jackson’s second novel, Good Girl, Bad Blood, and Jackson will write alongside Poppy Cogan, who penned the first series. Cameras will roll next year.
In Good Girl, Bad Blood, Pip is initially determined to stay away from more investigations after solving the Andie Bell case. But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him. Myers, who broke out playing Enid Sinclair in Wednesday, returns as Pip while Zain Iqbal will continue playing Ravi Singh.
Related: ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Book Vs.
The BBC, Netflix and co-producer ZDFneo have given the go-ahead to a second season of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, one of the breakout hits of 2024, which stars Wednesday’s Emma Myers as the precocious lead.
The six-part Season 2 will be based on Holly Jackson’s second novel, Good Girl, Bad Blood, and Jackson will write alongside Poppy Cogan, who penned the first series. Cameras will roll next year.
In Good Girl, Bad Blood, Pip is initially determined to stay away from more investigations after solving the Andie Bell case. But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him. Myers, who broke out playing Enid Sinclair in Wednesday, returns as Pip while Zain Iqbal will continue playing Ravi Singh.
Related: ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Book Vs.
- 11/20/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Half a century after the groundbreaking release of the first issue of Metal Hurlant in France, the endlessly influential comic book anthology will return to print in English in early 2025 as a quarterly publication from Humanoids, and with a Kickstarter campaign now underway as part of Humanoids' 50th anniversary celebrations, we've been provided with an exclusive excerpt that invites readers to check into Elene Usdin's “Nightmare Motel,” one of the many unique stories that will be featured in the first year of the new Metal Hurlant.
Below, you can check out our exclusive preview pages from Elene Usdin's “Nightmare Motel,” as well as cover art and the official press release with additional details. To learn more about the return of Metal Hurlant, visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/humanoidsinc/metal-hurlant?ref=ch8qc6
Press Release: Los Angeles, November 13, 2024 – In 1974, filmmaker, writer, mime, and poet Alejandro Jodorowsky was working in...
Below, you can check out our exclusive preview pages from Elene Usdin's “Nightmare Motel,” as well as cover art and the official press release with additional details. To learn more about the return of Metal Hurlant, visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/humanoidsinc/metal-hurlant?ref=ch8qc6
Press Release: Los Angeles, November 13, 2024 – In 1974, filmmaker, writer, mime, and poet Alejandro Jodorowsky was working in...
- 11/14/2024
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Substance is a satirical body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The 2024 film follows the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, a popular star renowned for an aerobics show but on her 50th birthday, she gets fired from her boss for being old. She soon finds a laboratory that offers her a drug that promises to transform her into a better and younger version of herself. The Substance stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in the lead roles with Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Oscar Lesage, Tiffany Hofstetter, and Alexandra Papoulias Barton starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the body horror, biting commentary, and compelling characters in The Substance here are some similar movies you should check out next.
The Neon Demon (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Studios
The Neon Demon is a psychological horror film...
The Substance is a satirical body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The 2024 film follows the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, a popular star renowned for an aerobics show but on her 50th birthday, she gets fired from her boss for being old. She soon finds a laboratory that offers her a drug that promises to transform her into a better and younger version of herself. The Substance stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in the lead roles with Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Oscar Lesage, Tiffany Hofstetter, and Alexandra Papoulias Barton starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the body horror, biting commentary, and compelling characters in The Substance here are some similar movies you should check out next.
The Neon Demon (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Studios
The Neon Demon is a psychological horror film...
- 11/6/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Well, at least Hideo Kojima agrees with Quentin Tarantino: “Joker: Folie à Deux” just might be considered the film of the year…in a decade or two.
The “Death Stranding” video game creator Kojima praised Todd Phillips’ critically panned box-office disaster sequel on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that in the next 10 to 20 years, “Joker: Folie à Deux” could be considered a classic film.
“Over the next 10 or 20 years, this film’s reputation will likely change along with the permeation of hero movies to come. It may take some time for it to become a true ‘folie à deux,’” Kojima wrote. “But there is no doubt that everyone in the audience loved Joaquin and Gaga in this film.”
Kojima’s full statement is as follows:
“I watched ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ The beginning of the film is an animation sequence, reminiscent of the nostalgic ‘Looney Tunes,’ depicting a...
The “Death Stranding” video game creator Kojima praised Todd Phillips’ critically panned box-office disaster sequel on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that in the next 10 to 20 years, “Joker: Folie à Deux” could be considered a classic film.
“Over the next 10 or 20 years, this film’s reputation will likely change along with the permeation of hero movies to come. It may take some time for it to become a true ‘folie à deux,’” Kojima wrote. “But there is no doubt that everyone in the audience loved Joaquin and Gaga in this film.”
Kojima’s full statement is as follows:
“I watched ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ The beginning of the film is an animation sequence, reminiscent of the nostalgic ‘Looney Tunes,’ depicting a...
- 11/4/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy are fitting dance partners for Eddie Brock and Venom’s final go-round in Venom: The Last Dance. The longtime screenwriter turned director has been friends with Hardy since the early 2000s, as they both worked across the street from one another in Southwest London. Marcel was employed at a video rental store, and after hitting it off one day, she soon started writing scenes for Hardy’s theater company that was run out of the first floor of Battersea’s The Latchmere pub. Eventually, Hardy brought Marcel in to do uncredited rewrites on Nicolas Winding Refn’s Bronson (2008), something she’d again do years later on George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
In the intervening years, she launched her career by selling Terra Nova to Amblin and Fox. It would go on to become TV’s most expensive series at the time, and despite creating the concept,...
In the intervening years, she launched her career by selling Terra Nova to Amblin and Fox. It would go on to become TV’s most expensive series at the time, and despite creating the concept,...
- 10/23/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While there aren’t any movies quite like Coralie Fergeat’s “The Substance,” there are plenty of over-the-top horror films about transformation, incredibly weird science, shared identities and losing your damn mind, like the 1981 cult movie “Possession,” pretty much every David Cronenberg movie, as well as offerings from Ken Russell, Peter Strickland, Julia Ducournau and Ari Aster.
Expect screaming, exploding heads, lots of blood and some of the most insane endings ever.
Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill in “Possession” (Credit: Gaumont) Possession (1981)
Isabelle Adjani has the mother of all freakouts in a subway in this role that earned her a César for Best Actress (the French equivalent of the Oscars) and Best Actress at the Cannes Film Fest that year, but that’s not even the most mind-blowing part of the movie form Polish director Andrzej Żuławski. She’s also cheating on her husband (Sam Neill) with something that isn’t really human.
Expect screaming, exploding heads, lots of blood and some of the most insane endings ever.
Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill in “Possession” (Credit: Gaumont) Possession (1981)
Isabelle Adjani has the mother of all freakouts in a subway in this role that earned her a César for Best Actress (the French equivalent of the Oscars) and Best Actress at the Cannes Film Fest that year, but that’s not even the most mind-blowing part of the movie form Polish director Andrzej Żuławski. She’s also cheating on her husband (Sam Neill) with something that isn’t really human.
- 10/22/2024
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Laura Fernández Espeso, who took over as CEO of The Mediapro Studio (Tms), in 2020, has taken the Iberian powerhouse global. The group now has 52 offices across 31 countries, and this summer launched operations across the U.S. and Canada. “We’ve opened offices in Los Angeles after operating in Miami and New York over the last few years,” she says, Tms US & Canada fulfills our goal to create, produce, and distribute content in English, intended for audiences all over the world.”
Tms’ English-language credits to date include the Paolo Sorrentino-directed limited series The Young Pope and The New Pope, for HBO/Max, and Nicolas Winding Refn’s family adventure series The Famous Five for the BBC, as well as such features as A Perfect Day, Hunting Ava Bravo, and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths.
Indie film is where Fernández Espeso got her start in the industry, more than 20 years ago.
Tms’ English-language credits to date include the Paolo Sorrentino-directed limited series The Young Pope and The New Pope, for HBO/Max, and Nicolas Winding Refn’s family adventure series The Famous Five for the BBC, as well as such features as A Perfect Day, Hunting Ava Bravo, and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths.
Indie film is where Fernández Espeso got her start in the industry, more than 20 years ago.
- 10/22/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
French director and screenwriter Coralie Fargeat is back with a bang after her 2017 debut feature film “Revenge.” A powerful voice in reiterating gender issues, her works challenge societal norms and gender stereotypes, often exploring themes of rebirth, female empowerment, and the complexities of human nature. In her sophomore feature “The Substance” (2024), she continues her winning streak with her characteristic “blunt, bloody, and stylish” films, which are a fusion of exploitation and feminism.
It is a mind-blowing and gasp-inducing farcical film belonging to the genre of body horror/splatter film that challenges stereotypical conceptions of body image, beauty standards, and aging. In “The Substance,” Coralie Fargeat refashions the Jekyll and Hyde trope to develop a story in which a fading celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle uses a cell-replicating injectable substance to swap bodies with a younger, hotter, better version of herself. In the subsequent feud with the manifestation of her enhanced self, she...
It is a mind-blowing and gasp-inducing farcical film belonging to the genre of body horror/splatter film that challenges stereotypical conceptions of body image, beauty standards, and aging. In “The Substance,” Coralie Fargeat refashions the Jekyll and Hyde trope to develop a story in which a fading celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle uses a cell-replicating injectable substance to swap bodies with a younger, hotter, better version of herself. In the subsequent feud with the manifestation of her enhanced self, she...
- 10/16/2024
- by Anju Devadas
- High on Films
M88 has signed actor, producer and photographer Lance Gross for representation.
Gross starred in the Fox TV series “Our Kind of People,” produced by Lee Daniels, opposite Yaya DaCosta, Morris Chestnut and Joe Morton. He also won four NAACP Image Awards for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role on Tyler Perry’s long-running sitcom “House of Payne.” His TV credits include CBS’ “Hawaii 5-0” and “MacGyver”; Fox’s “Star”; USA Network’s “Royal Pains” and the Amazon limited series “Too Old To Die Young” from director Nicolas Winding Refn.
On film, Gross starred opposite Jurnee Smollett, Brandy and Vanessa Williams in Tyler Perry’s “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” He also appeared in the remake of “Steel Magnolias” for Lifetime, opposite Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott; and alongside America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia in Fox Searchlight’s “Our Family Wedding.
Gross starred in the Fox TV series “Our Kind of People,” produced by Lee Daniels, opposite Yaya DaCosta, Morris Chestnut and Joe Morton. He also won four NAACP Image Awards for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role on Tyler Perry’s long-running sitcom “House of Payne.” His TV credits include CBS’ “Hawaii 5-0” and “MacGyver”; Fox’s “Star”; USA Network’s “Royal Pains” and the Amazon limited series “Too Old To Die Young” from director Nicolas Winding Refn.
On film, Gross starred opposite Jurnee Smollett, Brandy and Vanessa Williams in Tyler Perry’s “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” He also appeared in the remake of “Steel Magnolias” for Lifetime, opposite Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott; and alongside America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia in Fox Searchlight’s “Our Family Wedding.
- 10/14/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The 16th edition of the Lumière Film Festival kicked off in high style, with a glittering lineup of stars including Benicio del Toro, Tim Burton, Monica Bellucci and Vanessa Paradis plus high-profile directors Costa-Gavras and Giuseppe Tornatore gracing the red carpet in Lyon.
Bellucci, who’s in town to present a new documentary about the stage play in which she portrays Maria Callas, was among the last to take to the red carpet. After taking a few steps, she turned back with a playful gesture as if she had forgotten something, reached through the curtain, and drew out Tim Burton, to the delight of the 5,000-strong crowd: Burton’s unannounced appearance drew massive applause.
The pair famously met and fell in love in Lyon in 2022, when Burton was the recipient of the festival’s lifetime achievement Lumière Award, which was handed to him by Bellucci. The Italian actress has since...
Bellucci, who’s in town to present a new documentary about the stage play in which she portrays Maria Callas, was among the last to take to the red carpet. After taking a few steps, she turned back with a playful gesture as if she had forgotten something, reached through the curtain, and drew out Tim Burton, to the delight of the 5,000-strong crowd: Burton’s unannounced appearance drew massive applause.
The pair famously met and fell in love in Lyon in 2022, when Burton was the recipient of the festival’s lifetime achievement Lumière Award, which was handed to him by Bellucci. The Italian actress has since...
- 10/13/2024
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
When we hear about “superhero flicks”, our minds usually go straight to movies like The Avengers or Justice League – action-packed and special-effects-laden films that give us an extraordinary glimpse of the fictional worlds within those superpowered universes. It’s rare to think of superhero movies being made on such an intimate scale as Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling’s Drive – […]
Ryan Gosling’s Drive Is The Greatest Superhero Movie Of All Time Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude...
Ryan Gosling’s Drive Is The Greatest Superhero Movie Of All Time Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude...
- 9/19/2024
- by Tito Pernalete
- Fortress of Solitude - Movie News
Desire, audacity, and revulsion dominate Coralie Fargeat's The Substance. No fuss, it's a primetime body-horror banger. Shades of Paul Verhoeven, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Frank Henenlotter blend into a monstrously chic showbusiness roast session. Fargeat's weaponization of the male gaze becomes a biting commentary that sizzles, smolders, and shimmers with magnificent ickiness. The Substance punches exponentially harder than you're ready for, as Fargeat charges guns-blazing into territories contemporary horror seems hesitant to embrace (or return to).
Demi Moore throws herself into the agonizing existential demise of Elisabeth Sparkle, a celebrity aerobics icon aging out of the spotlight on her 50th birthday. Station bigwig Harvey (Dennis Quaid) demands a younger, hotter host — he fires Elisabeth on her birthday. Distraught, the discarded pop-culture figure finds herself watching a promotional video advertising an underground serum called "The Substance." If Elisabeth enrolls in the confidential program and injects herself with the "Re-Animator Green" concoction,...
Demi Moore throws herself into the agonizing existential demise of Elisabeth Sparkle, a celebrity aerobics icon aging out of the spotlight on her 50th birthday. Station bigwig Harvey (Dennis Quaid) demands a younger, hotter host — he fires Elisabeth on her birthday. Distraught, the discarded pop-culture figure finds herself watching a promotional video advertising an underground serum called "The Substance." If Elisabeth enrolls in the confidential program and injects herself with the "Re-Animator Green" concoction,...
- 9/18/2024
- by Matt Donato
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Another round of layoffs has hit the BBC Children’s & Education department after a revamp to production of the Cbbc Studio.
A consultation in Salford’s Media City has started and 11 roles are set to be closed after a decision was made to outsource the presentation links between shows on the popular kids channel, we are told. These presentation links used to take place in the iconic Broom Cupboard but are now done in the Cbbc Studio, as channel favorites like Hacker T Dog announce shows and take part in mini skits. Production on the CBeebies presentation links, including the famous Bedtime Stories, will remain the same.
The move is the second phase of a set of changes brought in last year following an 18-month structural review into BBC Children’s, the first of which saw around 25 leave the department and was revealed by Deadline in February 2023.
The presentation links...
A consultation in Salford’s Media City has started and 11 roles are set to be closed after a decision was made to outsource the presentation links between shows on the popular kids channel, we are told. These presentation links used to take place in the iconic Broom Cupboard but are now done in the Cbbc Studio, as channel favorites like Hacker T Dog announce shows and take part in mini skits. Production on the CBeebies presentation links, including the famous Bedtime Stories, will remain the same.
The move is the second phase of a set of changes brought in last year following an 18-month structural review into BBC Children’s, the first of which saw around 25 leave the department and was revealed by Deadline in February 2023.
The presentation links...
- 9/18/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC, Moonage Pictures (The Gentlemen), and Nicolas Winding Refn have started filming a new series of The Famous Five for the BBC in the UK, co-produced with The Mediapro Studio. The 2 x 90-minute series follows the successful first series, with The Curse of Kirrin Island being Cbbc’s top-rated episode in 2023. Diaana Babnicova returns […]
BBC Begin Filming New Series of The Famous Five...
BBC Begin Filming New Series of The Famous Five...
- 9/17/2024
- by Noah Masire
- MemorableTV
Five Find Fresh Footing
The BBC, Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn have begun production on a second season of “The Famous Five.” The 2 x 90′ instalment, created for television and executive produced by Refn and Matthew Read of Moonage, follows the success of the first series, which saw its premiere become Cbbc’s top-rated episode in 2023. The series, based on Enid Blyton‘s books, continues to follow the young protagonists’ adventures, now set against the backdrop of wartime.
The new season comprises two episodes: “Mystery at the Prospect Hotel,” directed by Asim Abbasi, and “Big Trouble on Billycock Hill,” helmed by Tom Vaughn. Both directors also serve as executive producers alongside Refn and Read.
Core cast members Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen and Flora Jacoby Richardson reprise their roles, joined by Maria Pedraza, Amir Wilson and Jemima Rooper, who played George in the 1990s adaptation.
BBC Studios will handle international distribution,...
The BBC, Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn have begun production on a second season of “The Famous Five.” The 2 x 90′ instalment, created for television and executive produced by Refn and Matthew Read of Moonage, follows the success of the first series, which saw its premiere become Cbbc’s top-rated episode in 2023. The series, based on Enid Blyton‘s books, continues to follow the young protagonists’ adventures, now set against the backdrop of wartime.
The new season comprises two episodes: “Mystery at the Prospect Hotel,” directed by Asim Abbasi, and “Big Trouble on Billycock Hill,” helmed by Tom Vaughn. Both directors also serve as executive producers alongside Refn and Read.
Core cast members Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen and Flora Jacoby Richardson reprise their roles, joined by Maria Pedraza, Amir Wilson and Jemima Rooper, who played George in the 1990s adaptation.
BBC Studios will handle international distribution,...
- 9/16/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC Heading On More ‘Famous Five’ Adventures
The BBC is heading on a second set of The Famous Five adventures. Nicolas Winding Refn’s version, which is made by The Gentleman co-producer Moonage and byNWR with Mediapro Studio, will roll cameras on two more 90-minute eps, which follows the three that launched earlier this year. The show is a modern adaptation of the Enid Blyton classics. Series two takes the heroes into strange and challenging waters as they face life during wartime – and the hazards of growing up. The new series includes a guest role for Jemima Rooper, who starred as George in the 1990s Famous Five TV series and now takes on the role of Angela Clutterbuck, a guest staying at a mysterious hotel. Winding Refn said: “The excitement I feel for the return of The Famous Five fills my inner child with pure content. It is an adventure...
The BBC is heading on a second set of The Famous Five adventures. Nicolas Winding Refn’s version, which is made by The Gentleman co-producer Moonage and byNWR with Mediapro Studio, will roll cameras on two more 90-minute eps, which follows the three that launched earlier this year. The show is a modern adaptation of the Enid Blyton classics. Series two takes the heroes into strange and challenging waters as they face life during wartime – and the hazards of growing up. The new series includes a guest role for Jemima Rooper, who starred as George in the 1990s Famous Five TV series and now takes on the role of Angela Clutterbuck, a guest staying at a mysterious hotel. Winding Refn said: “The excitement I feel for the return of The Famous Five fills my inner child with pure content. It is an adventure...
- 9/16/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
TrustNordisk has closed several distribution deals for a 4K remastered version of Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Pusher” trilogy, including “Pusher,” “Pusher II – With Blood on My Hands” and “Pusher III – I Am the Angel of Death.”
Distribution deals have been closed in Benelux with September Film Rights, Switzerland with Praesens Film, Germany with Plaion and Japan with Synca Creations. Movies Inspired in Italy and Blue Finch Film in the U.K. are also attached to distribute the film in those territories.
All three films, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn between 1996 and 2005, have undergone a thorough restoration process, and the first, “Pusher,” recently debuted at the Venice Film Festival, competing in the Venice Classics section. Not only does the trilogy stand out as a launchpad for the now-world-famous director, but the first two films were also vital in launching the career of actor Mads Mikkelsen, a longtime and frequent collaborator of Refn’s.
Distribution deals have been closed in Benelux with September Film Rights, Switzerland with Praesens Film, Germany with Plaion and Japan with Synca Creations. Movies Inspired in Italy and Blue Finch Film in the U.K. are also attached to distribute the film in those territories.
All three films, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn between 1996 and 2005, have undergone a thorough restoration process, and the first, “Pusher,” recently debuted at the Venice Film Festival, competing in the Venice Classics section. Not only does the trilogy stand out as a launchpad for the now-world-famous director, but the first two films were also vital in launching the career of actor Mads Mikkelsen, a longtime and frequent collaborator of Refn’s.
- 9/6/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn is hoping to shoot a new film in Tokyo next year – and it seems it won’t be quite as family-friendly as his Famous Five adaptation.
Venice Film Festival is in full swing, and it seems that the entirety of Hollywood has landed in Italy.
Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is at the Lido too with his short film Beauty Is Not A Sin, but the filmmaker also told Variety that he’s planning his return to feature filmmaking, something we reported on back in February. Winding Refn swore off Hollywood years ago and hasn’t made a feature since 2016’s The Neon Demon.
Variety details that Winding Refn is planning to shoot his new, still-untitled film in Tokyo, which will be in both English and Japanese. Winding Refn also described his return to feature filmmaking as an act of “defiance”.
“It’s a really...
Venice Film Festival is in full swing, and it seems that the entirety of Hollywood has landed in Italy.
Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is at the Lido too with his short film Beauty Is Not A Sin, but the filmmaker also told Variety that he’s planning his return to feature filmmaking, something we reported on back in February. Winding Refn swore off Hollywood years ago and hasn’t made a feature since 2016’s The Neon Demon.
Variety details that Winding Refn is planning to shoot his new, still-untitled film in Tokyo, which will be in both English and Japanese. Winding Refn also described his return to feature filmmaking as an act of “defiance”.
“It’s a really...
- 9/2/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Renowned Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn premiered both an early film and new commercial short at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Refn is well known for directing films like 1996’s “Pusher,” which launched his career. At the festival, he screened “Pusher” alongside a recently created short film commissioned by Italian motorcycle company Agusta.
The short, titled “Beauty Is Not A Sin,” tells the story of a priest and a woman in confession. It explores themes of desire, morality, and the nature of attractiveness through religious imagery. “Beauty Is Not A Sin” makes history as the first commercial ever selected for Venice’s official selection. Refn worked with Agusta to craft the piece, which was filmed on the island of Sicily.
In an interview, Refn discussed the creative process. He chose a confessional setting to represent Italian culture while addressing complex topics. “The objectification, sexualization, visualization of mechanics… it was a good idea,...
The short, titled “Beauty Is Not A Sin,” tells the story of a priest and a woman in confession. It explores themes of desire, morality, and the nature of attractiveness through religious imagery. “Beauty Is Not A Sin” makes history as the first commercial ever selected for Venice’s official selection. Refn worked with Agusta to craft the piece, which was filmed on the island of Sicily.
In an interview, Refn discussed the creative process. He chose a confessional setting to represent Italian culture while addressing complex topics. “The objectification, sexualization, visualization of mechanics… it was a good idea,...
- 9/1/2024
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
Nicolas Winding Refn is back in Venice for a double bill screening today of 1996 breakthrough feature Pusher and Beauty Is Not A Sin, a short commissioned by Italian motorcycle brand Agusta, which is the first ever commercial to play in the festival’s official selection.
The Sicily-set latter work stars Stefano Gaeta as a priest opposite Laura Grassi as woman who comes to his church to confess a long list of sinful acts spanning gluttony, lust and envy, as he battles with his own inner demons.
It will play alongside Pusher which has been invited to Venice Classics close to 30 years after it signaled Refn and its lead Mads Mikkelsen – in the role of a Copenhagen drug dealer – as talents to watch.
Deadline sat down with Refn on the eve of the screening.
Deadline: Beauty Is Not A Sin is set within the framework of an act of confession. What drew you to this imagery?...
The Sicily-set latter work stars Stefano Gaeta as a priest opposite Laura Grassi as woman who comes to his church to confess a long list of sinful acts spanning gluttony, lust and envy, as he battles with his own inner demons.
It will play alongside Pusher which has been invited to Venice Classics close to 30 years after it signaled Refn and its lead Mads Mikkelsen – in the role of a Copenhagen drug dealer – as talents to watch.
Deadline sat down with Refn on the eve of the screening.
Deadline: Beauty Is Not A Sin is set within the framework of an act of confession. What drew you to this imagery?...
- 9/1/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is at the 20224 Venice Film Festival for two purposes: he’s promoting A restored version of his 1996 drug/crime drama debut “Pusher “is screening, and so his “Beauty Is Not a Sin,” a seven-minute commercial for Italian motorcycle company Mv Agusta. The film’s tagline is “Who said a movie can’t be seven minutes long?”
While in Venice, Refn spoke to the trades and gave several updates.
Continue reading Nicolas Winding Refn’s Tokyo-Set ‘Avenging Silence’ Will Shoot Next Year, Explains Why ‘Barbarella’ Is Dead at The Playlist.
While in Venice, Refn spoke to the trades and gave several updates.
Continue reading Nicolas Winding Refn’s Tokyo-Set ‘Avenging Silence’ Will Shoot Next Year, Explains Why ‘Barbarella’ Is Dead at The Playlist.
- 8/31/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
The Venice Film Festival kicked off this weekend, bringing with it not just a host of new movies getting their premieres, but also interesting conversations with the kinds of directors and creators who gravitate to one of Europe's more out-there film fests. We previously reported on Harmony Korine talking about...
- 8/31/2024
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
In recent years, controversial Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn has kept his work on the small screen, helming three limited series for streamers, including “Too Old to Die Young” starring Miles Teller and “Copenhagen Cowboy.” His last feature directorial effort came in 2016 with “The Neon Demon,” but Variety is now reporting that Refn is set to make his return to the big screen with an original project that is financed and set to shoot in Tokyo next year.
The news was revealed at the Venice Film Festival, where Refn is currently set to premiere his latest short, “Beauty Is Not a Sin, produced by Art + Vibes for Italian motorcycle brand Mv Agusta. While there, he’ll also be screening his 1996 debut movie, “Pusher,” for Venice Classics.
“It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” Refn said to Variety of planning his Tokyo feature.
The news was revealed at the Venice Film Festival, where Refn is currently set to premiere his latest short, “Beauty Is Not a Sin, produced by Art + Vibes for Italian motorcycle brand Mv Agusta. While there, he’ll also be screening his 1996 debut movie, “Pusher,” for Venice Classics.
“It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” Refn said to Variety of planning his Tokyo feature.
- 8/31/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Nicolas Winding Refn, is one of the few directors who deserves the enfant terrible label. The Danish filmmaker, best-known for his neon-drenched tales of sex, violence and revenge — Drive, Only God Forgives, The Neon Demon — is at the Venice Film Festival this year with two works that, he says, represents both his “classic past and the future”: A restored version of his 1996 debut Pusher and Beauty Is Not a Sin, a seven-minute commercial for Italian motorcycle company Mv Agusta. “Whoever said a movie can’t be seven minutes long?” is its irreverent, Refn-esque tagline.
In recent years, Refn has pivoted from cinema towards streaming, bringing his acid Day-Glo aesthetic and digressive narrative style — he typically shoots in sequence, not knowing how his stories will end — to series like Too Old to Die Young for Amazon and Copenhagen Cowboy for Netflix. He also, surprisingly, reimagined Enid Blyton’s beloved kids...
In recent years, Refn has pivoted from cinema towards streaming, bringing his acid Day-Glo aesthetic and digressive narrative style — he typically shoots in sequence, not knowing how his stories will end — to series like Too Old to Die Young for Amazon and Copenhagen Cowboy for Netflix. He also, surprisingly, reimagined Enid Blyton’s beloved kids...
- 8/31/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicolas Winding Refn’s produced so much material these last ten years––Copenhagen Cowboy‘s five hours are slim compared with Too Old to Die Young, which I suspect is still playing somewhere––that it’s easy to forget he hasn’t made a strictly defined film since 2016’s The Neon Demon. As one who considers all the above mentioned (especially Die Young) arguments for the defense, it’s a relief to read he’ll be returning to cinema soon: as Winding Refn told Variety at the Venice Film Festival (where he’s premiering the short / motorcycle ad “Beauty Is Not a Sin”), plans are set to shoot a new feature in Tokyo next year.
Featuring both Japanese and English, it’s said to be in the key of Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon––naturally boasting “a lot of glitter and lot of sex and violence.” There’s...
Featuring both Japanese and English, it’s said to be in the key of Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon––naturally boasting “a lot of glitter and lot of sex and violence.” There’s...
- 8/31/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn hasn’t directed a movie since The Neon Demon was released eight years ago, but that’s all about to change. Variety reports that Refn is preparing to shoot his next movie in Tokyo next year, which will be in English and Japanese.
Despite once claiming that “cinema is dead,” Refn believes it’s the right time to return. “It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” he said. “So going back and making a theatrical feature film again is almost like — not starting over — but with all the changes in our societies in the last five years and technology changes, it almost seems like the right thing to do for me.“
There aren’t many details about Refn’s new movie, but he did promise that it “will have a lot of glitter and [a] lot of sex and violence.
Despite once claiming that “cinema is dead,” Refn believes it’s the right time to return. “It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” he said. “So going back and making a theatrical feature film again is almost like — not starting over — but with all the changes in our societies in the last five years and technology changes, it almost seems like the right thing to do for me.“
There aren’t many details about Refn’s new movie, but he did promise that it “will have a lot of glitter and [a] lot of sex and violence.
- 8/30/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
After delivering a pair of limited series for streamers, Nicolas Winding Refn is preparing his return to feature filmmaking. Refn told Variety that he’s getting ready to shoot his next movie in Tokyo. The project will be in English and Japanese, and will mark his first feature film since 2016’s ”The Neon Demon.”
The New York-raised Danish filmmaker is attending the Venice Film Festival with the world premiere of his short “Beauty Is not a Sin,” produced by Art + Vibes for Italian motorcycle brand Mv Agusta, as well as the screening of his 1996 debut movie, “Pusher,” in Venice Classics.
While he claimed “cinema is dead” several years ago, Refn now finds that returning to moviemaking in the current context is an act of “defiance.”
“It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” he said. “So going back and making a...
The New York-raised Danish filmmaker is attending the Venice Film Festival with the world premiere of his short “Beauty Is not a Sin,” produced by Art + Vibes for Italian motorcycle brand Mv Agusta, as well as the screening of his 1996 debut movie, “Pusher,” in Venice Classics.
While he claimed “cinema is dead” several years ago, Refn now finds that returning to moviemaking in the current context is an act of “defiance.”
“It’s a really interesting time to make movies because it’s such a chaotic situation,” he said. “So going back and making a...
- 8/30/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Sometime during one of his private movie star lessons, Tom Cruise must have told Glen Powell to reject even the notion of competition with any other leading man. In a post this afternoon on Twitter/X, the Twisters star swiftly responded to a story from TheWrap that championed his growing...
- 8/27/2024
- by Emma Keates
- avclub.com
Fargo is one of the most brilliant and weird series that has probably ever been made. While the series is brilliant and gets better with each season, the wait between each season is very long because the creator Noah Hawley is attached to many projects, and he doesn’t have much time to create new seasons every year. So, if you love the surreal humor, psychological thriller, and crime drama aspects of Fargo here are some similar shows you should check out next.
Twin Peaks (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – ABC
Twin Peaks is a surreal psychological mystery drama series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. The ABC series follows the story of Dale Cooper, an eccentric FBI agent as he visits a quaint little town, Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a 17-year-old girl, the homecoming queen with the help of local Sheriff Harry S. Truman.
Twin Peaks (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – ABC
Twin Peaks is a surreal psychological mystery drama series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. The ABC series follows the story of Dale Cooper, an eccentric FBI agent as he visits a quaint little town, Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a 17-year-old girl, the homecoming queen with the help of local Sheriff Harry S. Truman.
- 8/27/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
The Ryan Gosling neo-noir action drama Drive is getting a limited edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD release on Tuesday, August 27th (pre-order here).
Presenting the 2011 film in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, the two-disc set includes a new “Back in the Driver’s Seat” featurette containing interviews with writer Hossein Amini, editor Mat Newman, composer Cliff Martinez, and actors Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman.
The new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook comes from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. UK boutique distributor Second Sight Films previously brought Drive to 4K, but it was not widely available.
Based on James Sallis’ 2005 novel of the same name, Drive was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. It stars Gosling as an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman for criminals and gets in over his head with the wrong people.
The cast also features Carey Mulligan as his neighbor Irene and Oscar Isaac as her ex-convict husband,...
Presenting the 2011 film in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, the two-disc set includes a new “Back in the Driver’s Seat” featurette containing interviews with writer Hossein Amini, editor Mat Newman, composer Cliff Martinez, and actors Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman.
The new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook comes from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. UK boutique distributor Second Sight Films previously brought Drive to 4K, but it was not widely available.
Based on James Sallis’ 2005 novel of the same name, Drive was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. It stars Gosling as an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman for criminals and gets in over his head with the wrong people.
The cast also features Carey Mulligan as his neighbor Irene and Oscar Isaac as her ex-convict husband,...
- 8/26/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Sony skipped the Gamescom 2024 being held in Cologne, Germany, and fans were left wondering what the company was trying to do. It has now been announced that it will be present at the Tokyo Game Show (Tgs 2024).
The Japanese gaming expo is set to take place next month, between September 26 and September 29. As far as the lineups for a show go, nothing announced is surprising but will be totally worth the time for PlayStation fans.
PlayStation Confirms It Will Be at Tgs 2024 Astro Bot will be playable at the event. Image via PlayStation
The Tokyo Game Show (Tgs 2024) will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, and PlayStation announced via a blog post that it will be at the event, saying that “Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sie) will be exhibiting a PlayStation booth” at the event.
It was also said that the PlayStation booth will have two games on display...
The Japanese gaming expo is set to take place next month, between September 26 and September 29. As far as the lineups for a show go, nothing announced is surprising but will be totally worth the time for PlayStation fans.
PlayStation Confirms It Will Be at Tgs 2024 Astro Bot will be playable at the event. Image via PlayStation
The Tokyo Game Show (Tgs 2024) will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, and PlayStation announced via a blog post that it will be at the event, saying that “Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sie) will be exhibiting a PlayStation booth” at the event.
It was also said that the PlayStation booth will have two games on display...
- 8/24/2024
- by Rohit Tiwari
- FandomWire
"We look forward to seeing you fight." Republic Pictures via Paramount has unveiled the official trailer for Art of Eight Limbs - the title is just another term for Muay Thai Boxing. The martial arts action movie is playing in select theaters now before it's on VOD later this month. A small release that we've barely heard about. Four canisters of deadly Vx nerve gas have fallen into the hands of an arms dealer in Myanmar. A CIA data analyst goes undercover to infiltrate a martial arts tournament that masks an auction of the deadly nerve gas, where he finds himself as the last hope against a time-ticking global threat. Can he pull off a win and save the world? Chinese-Canadian actor Ludi Lin (who played Liu Kang in the recent 2021 Mortal Kombat movie) stars as the CIA analyst. The cast includes Thai actors Sahajak Boonthanakit & Vithaya Pansringarm, both were...
- 8/18/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder producer Moonage Pictures is on the sales block, Deadline has learned.
We understand that BBC Studios will retain a minority interest in the company it took a stake in in 2018 for the time being, although this could change depending on who comes in for Moonage. There is understood to be plenty of interest in Moonage and the sale has generated chatter in UK TV M&a and production circles. Moonage and BBC Studios declined comment.
Run by the former Peaky Blinders producing trio of Frith Tiplady, Matthew Read and Will Gould, Moonage has delivered a number of shows of late. The London-based prodco was behind the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder adaptation for the BBC and Netflix starring Emma Myers, which is currently sitting pretty at the top of the streamer’s global top-10 most-watched list.
Meanwhile, with Miramax and STX Television, Moonage co-produced another big Netflix hit,...
We understand that BBC Studios will retain a minority interest in the company it took a stake in in 2018 for the time being, although this could change depending on who comes in for Moonage. There is understood to be plenty of interest in Moonage and the sale has generated chatter in UK TV M&a and production circles. Moonage and BBC Studios declined comment.
Run by the former Peaky Blinders producing trio of Frith Tiplady, Matthew Read and Will Gould, Moonage has delivered a number of shows of late. The London-based prodco was behind the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder adaptation for the BBC and Netflix starring Emma Myers, which is currently sitting pretty at the top of the streamer’s global top-10 most-watched list.
Meanwhile, with Miramax and STX Television, Moonage co-produced another big Netflix hit,...
- 8/15/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Grindhouse Releasing has announced the U.S. home video debut of Hollywood 90028, a rediscovered 1970s shocker from writer-director Christina Hornisher!
Hollywood 90028 stars Christopher Augustine as Mark, an alienated porno film cameraman turned serial murderer. The film co-stars Jeannette Dilger, Gayle Davis, and Dick Glass.
Also known as The Hollywood Hillside Strangler and Twisted Throats, Hollywood 90028 has now been rescued from obscurity, lovingly restored in 4K from the original camera negative, and revived to international acclaim at film festivals including Sitges, Night Visions, Fantasia, and the upcoming Mayhem Film Festival.
Following a sold-out Los Angeles premiere at the American Cinematheque and screenings at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, Hollywood 90028 drew shocked and amazed raves from critics and contemporary filmmakers including Arkasha Stevenson (The First Omen), Ti West (MaXXXine), Anna Biller (The Love Witch), Sean Baker (Anora) and Nicolas Winding-Refn (The Neon Demon).
The new Blu-ray edition exclusive to GrindhouseReleasing.
Hollywood 90028 stars Christopher Augustine as Mark, an alienated porno film cameraman turned serial murderer. The film co-stars Jeannette Dilger, Gayle Davis, and Dick Glass.
Also known as The Hollywood Hillside Strangler and Twisted Throats, Hollywood 90028 has now been rescued from obscurity, lovingly restored in 4K from the original camera negative, and revived to international acclaim at film festivals including Sitges, Night Visions, Fantasia, and the upcoming Mayhem Film Festival.
Following a sold-out Los Angeles premiere at the American Cinematheque and screenings at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, Hollywood 90028 drew shocked and amazed raves from critics and contemporary filmmakers including Arkasha Stevenson (The First Omen), Ti West (MaXXXine), Anna Biller (The Love Witch), Sean Baker (Anora) and Nicolas Winding-Refn (The Neon Demon).
The new Blu-ray edition exclusive to GrindhouseReleasing.
- 8/14/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
In a world… in which movies are just as much products as they are art, studios need to sell the latest releases to the broadest possible audiences. That means that they not only need to craft trailers promoting the films, but they need to misrepresent what films are really about.
On a certain level, that tendency toward misrepresentation makes sense. Trailers only have a couple of minutes to get people interested in the film, and complex works of art don’t lend themselves to such simplicities.
That said, it’s hard to see a masterpiece reduced to just a few sizzle moments, trying their best to ensure that the audience won’t be surprised or challenged by what they’re about to see. Here are some of the worst offenders in cinema history, movies that ended up to be so much more than what these teasers promised.
10. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Although...
On a certain level, that tendency toward misrepresentation makes sense. Trailers only have a couple of minutes to get people interested in the film, and complex works of art don’t lend themselves to such simplicities.
That said, it’s hard to see a masterpiece reduced to just a few sizzle moments, trying their best to ensure that the audience won’t be surprised or challenged by what they’re about to see. Here are some of the worst offenders in cinema history, movies that ended up to be so much more than what these teasers promised.
10. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Although...
- 8/14/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars, who performed at Sunday’s concert at the Stade de France for the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, said that he worried for athletes’ safety during the show.
French indie rock band Phoenix delivered a rousing rendition of their hit “Lisztomania” surrounded by hundreds of athletes.
While Mars is accustomed to live performances, the Olympics’ closing ceremony was a different kind of gig, he told French radio France Inter on Monday morning, due to the overjoyed crowd of athletes who were out of control during the musical act.
“We were told that generally at closing ceremonies, the athletes are very happy with the pressure from the Olympics coming down so they let loose,” said Mars. “But there, they got up on screens, they broke the screens,” he said. “In fact, we were afraid for them because we had been told for the last two weeks of rehearsal ‘Above all,...
French indie rock band Phoenix delivered a rousing rendition of their hit “Lisztomania” surrounded by hundreds of athletes.
While Mars is accustomed to live performances, the Olympics’ closing ceremony was a different kind of gig, he told French radio France Inter on Monday morning, due to the overjoyed crowd of athletes who were out of control during the musical act.
“We were told that generally at closing ceremonies, the athletes are very happy with the pressure from the Olympics coming down so they let loose,” said Mars. “But there, they got up on screens, they broke the screens,” he said. “In fact, we were afraid for them because we had been told for the last two weeks of rehearsal ‘Above all,...
- 8/12/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster: "Everyone’s favorite (and only?!) zombie paradise action game, Dead Rising™ Deluxe Remaster, hits store shelves in malls and more around the world with a physical release starting on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, for PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X! Additionally, the game’s developers showcased an array of content from the remaster like quality-of-life improvements, new features to spruce up in-game photos, and deeper introductions to some of the characters.
Brought back to life with Capcom’s Re Engine, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is the definitive remaster of the classic Dead Rising™ game from 2006, with improved 4K resolution graphics and a 60 Fps frame rate. Zombie slayers can experience a fresh take on the zombie genre with incredible action, over-the-top combat, hordes of weapon choices, eccentric costumes, and a comedic yet compelling storyline. Digital versions of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster launch on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 across Xbox Series X|S,...
Brought back to life with Capcom’s Re Engine, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is the definitive remaster of the classic Dead Rising™ game from 2006, with improved 4K resolution graphics and a 60 Fps frame rate. Zombie slayers can experience a fresh take on the zombie genre with incredible action, over-the-top combat, hordes of weapon choices, eccentric costumes, and a comedic yet compelling storyline. Digital versions of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster launch on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 across Xbox Series X|S,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
There’s some undeniable wisdom in that Mark Twain quote about writing what you know, and that’s likely the reason why some of the best films of all time are about filmmaking itself. This also applies to the horror genre, as we can see from beloved classics like Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and even The Blair Witch Project.
And in honor of recent meta horror flicks like MaXXXine and The Exorcism (not to be confused with The Pope’s Exorcist), we’ve decided to come up with a list celebrating 6 underrated Hollywood Horror Films that explore the dark side of show business.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining ‘Hollywood Horror’ as scary movies where filmmaking itself is a source of scares. That being said, we’ll be avoiding Found Footage movies since most of them are already exercises in meta storytelling.
With that out of the way,...
And in honor of recent meta horror flicks like MaXXXine and The Exorcism (not to be confused with The Pope’s Exorcist), we’ve decided to come up with a list celebrating 6 underrated Hollywood Horror Films that explore the dark side of show business.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining ‘Hollywood Horror’ as scary movies where filmmaking itself is a source of scares. That being said, we’ll be avoiding Found Footage movies since most of them are already exercises in meta storytelling.
With that out of the way,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Luiz H. C.
- bloody-disgusting.com
What a difference a year makes.
After being the first major film festival to navigate the choppy waters of programming huge world premieres at a time when most actors were on strike last year, the Venice Film Festival is back for its 81st edition with a lineup of showy projects. This time, stars like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and Lady Gaga can actually come out to the Lido to support them.
Focusing on the 21 competition titles (down two from last year), the most expected entrants were Luca Guadanigno’s “Queer,” Pablo Larrain’s “Maria,” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” (his first English-language feature). Led by Daniel Craig, Jolie, and Tilda Swinton, respectively, each film arrives with awards hopes baked in already — especially considering the filmmakers’ track records with directing Oscar-nominated performances. While “The Room Next Door” furthers Almodóvar’s long-running relationship with distributor Sony Pictures Classics,...
After being the first major film festival to navigate the choppy waters of programming huge world premieres at a time when most actors were on strike last year, the Venice Film Festival is back for its 81st edition with a lineup of showy projects. This time, stars like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and Lady Gaga can actually come out to the Lido to support them.
Focusing on the 21 competition titles (down two from last year), the most expected entrants were Luca Guadanigno’s “Queer,” Pablo Larrain’s “Maria,” and Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” (his first English-language feature). Led by Daniel Craig, Jolie, and Tilda Swinton, respectively, each film arrives with awards hopes baked in already — especially considering the filmmakers’ track records with directing Oscar-nominated performances. While “The Room Next Door” furthers Almodóvar’s long-running relationship with distributor Sony Pictures Classics,...
- 7/23/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Just a day after New York Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival made major announcements, Venice Film Festival is here with their full lineup ahead of the festival taking place August 28 through September 7.
Highlights include Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud, Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements, Harmony Korine’s Baby Invasion, Pablo Larraín’s Maria, Takeshi Kitano’s Broken Rage, Errol Morris’ Separated, Lav Diaz’s Phantosmia, Thomas Vinterberg’s Families Like Ours, Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April, and more.
Check out the lineup below with a hat tip to Cineuropa.
Competition
The Room Next Door – Pedro Almodóvar
Campo di battaglia – Gianni Amelio
Leurs enfants après eux – Ludovic & Zoran Boukherma
The Brutalist – Brady Corbet
Jouer avec le feu – Delphine & Muriel Coulin
Vermiglio – Maura Delpero
Iddu (Sicilian Letters) – Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza
Queer – Luca Guadagnino
Love – Dag Johan Haugerud...
Highlights include Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud, Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements, Harmony Korine’s Baby Invasion, Pablo Larraín’s Maria, Takeshi Kitano’s Broken Rage, Errol Morris’ Separated, Lav Diaz’s Phantosmia, Thomas Vinterberg’s Families Like Ours, Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April, and more.
Check out the lineup below with a hat tip to Cineuropa.
Competition
The Room Next Door – Pedro Almodóvar
Campo di battaglia – Gianni Amelio
Leurs enfants après eux – Ludovic & Zoran Boukherma
The Brutalist – Brady Corbet
Jouer avec le feu – Delphine & Muriel Coulin
Vermiglio – Maura Delpero
Iddu (Sicilian Letters) – Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza
Queer – Luca Guadagnino
Love – Dag Johan Haugerud...
- 7/23/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Viggo Mortensen is slamming Amazon for the “shameful” release of 2022 film “Thirteen Lives.”
Directed by Ron Howard and based on the true story of a Thai cave rescue, “Thirteen Lives” received a limited theatrical release plus a Prime Video debut less than a week later. Mortensen is now revealing that prior to the MGM-Amazon buyout, the film was set to have a full, wide theatrical release. According to the actor, that deal was not honored by Amazon.
“They were going to put it out worldwide in many, many, many thousands of theaters,” Mortensen told Vanity Fair. “Then Amazon bought MGM, initially promised to respect the deal that MGM had made with Ron Howard, and then they went back on that. Basically you saw that movie for a week in Chicago, New York and L.A., London, and that was that. Then you had the streaming, which I thought was really sad.
Directed by Ron Howard and based on the true story of a Thai cave rescue, “Thirteen Lives” received a limited theatrical release plus a Prime Video debut less than a week later. Mortensen is now revealing that prior to the MGM-Amazon buyout, the film was set to have a full, wide theatrical release. According to the actor, that deal was not honored by Amazon.
“They were going to put it out worldwide in many, many, many thousands of theaters,” Mortensen told Vanity Fair. “Then Amazon bought MGM, initially promised to respect the deal that MGM had made with Ron Howard, and then they went back on that. Basically you saw that movie for a week in Chicago, New York and L.A., London, and that was that. Then you had the streaming, which I thought was really sad.
- 7/18/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
After eight years working in TV, Nicolas Winding Refn may be about to return to the big screen. World Of Reel reports that the Danish auteur and general enfant terrible plans to start shooting his first film since 2016’s “The Neon Demon” in Korea this September. And yes, Refn heads, the Korea setting means that Nwr’s next feature is what you suspect it is: his long-in-the-works spy movie “The Avenging Silence.”
Read More: Nicolas Winding Refn On WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes: “I’m All For It.
Continue reading ‘The Avenging Silence’: Nicolas Winding Refn Will Reportedly Start Shooting His Long-Gestating Spy Flick In Korea This September at The Playlist.
Read More: Nicolas Winding Refn On WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes: “I’m All For It.
Continue reading ‘The Avenging Silence’: Nicolas Winding Refn Will Reportedly Start Shooting His Long-Gestating Spy Flick In Korea This September at The Playlist.
- 7/11/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Tom Hardy — the actor without a single flawed performance in his career (with the humble exception of Capone) — brings something new to the table every time he steps into a frame. Be it film or television, the individuality of Tom Hardy is captivating, inevitable, and wholly exceptional.
Tom Hardy at the 2018 Sdcc [Photo: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons]
The physicality that the actor brings to his roles coupled with his trademark voice modulations make him an undefeated champion of modern cinema. Hardy’s legacy will live on in every character he brought alive on the screen, unlike that of actors who will always be remembered by one franchise or one role.
Tom Hardy’s Path Success Began With Warrior
The 2008 film, Bronson, stapled Tom Hardy as a name to look out for in Hollywood. But before the Nicolas Winding Refn classic made him one of the best and most fearsome talents in the industry,...
Tom Hardy at the 2018 Sdcc [Photo: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons]
The physicality that the actor brings to his roles coupled with his trademark voice modulations make him an undefeated champion of modern cinema. Hardy’s legacy will live on in every character he brought alive on the screen, unlike that of actors who will always be remembered by one franchise or one role.
Tom Hardy’s Path Success Began With Warrior
The 2008 film, Bronson, stapled Tom Hardy as a name to look out for in Hollywood. But before the Nicolas Winding Refn classic made him one of the best and most fearsome talents in the industry,...
- 7/10/2024
- by Diya Majumdar
- FandomWire
With Ti West’s Maxxxine heating up screens and stirring up scares, it’s the perfect time to revisit the sinister side of Hollywood through some classic and contemporary horror and thriller flicks. You might know L.A. as the land of sunshine and stars, but trust us, it has a sinister side that’ll make you think twice about walking down those palm-lined streets after dark.
From the neon lights of Sunset Boulevard to the creepy canyons of the Hollywood Hills, these films expose the city’s eerie underbelly. Buckle up for a cinematic tour that takes you from chilling cults to murderous models, proving that in Los Angeles, even dreams can turn into nightmares. Ready to dive into the top 10 L.A. horror movies inspired by the sexy, thrilling vibes of Maxxxine? Let’s get started!
10. Witchboard (1986)
Kicking off our list is the supernatural gem Witchboard. This 80s...
From the neon lights of Sunset Boulevard to the creepy canyons of the Hollywood Hills, these films expose the city’s eerie underbelly. Buckle up for a cinematic tour that takes you from chilling cults to murderous models, proving that in Los Angeles, even dreams can turn into nightmares. Ready to dive into the top 10 L.A. horror movies inspired by the sexy, thrilling vibes of Maxxxine? Let’s get started!
10. Witchboard (1986)
Kicking off our list is the supernatural gem Witchboard. This 80s...
- 7/8/2024
- by Kimberley Elizabeth
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.