QA Chris Morri & screening of Four Lions

Chris Morris (the master satirist behind The Day Today and Brass Eye) turns his piercing critique to the subject of terrorism with Four Lions, the story of a group of British jihadists who push their abstract dreams of glory to the breaking point. In a storm of razor-sharp, verbal jousting and large-scale set pieces, Four Lions is a comic tour de force. Based on three years of research, surveillance materials from major trials and meetings with everyone from imams to ex-mujahedeen, Morris and his co-writers move beyond seeing these young men as unfathomably alien or evil, and instead portray them as human beings, who, as we all know, are innately ridiculous.

Curzon Cinemas is proud to welcome back master satirist Chris Morris to join them for a post-screening discussion after the screening of his feature film Four Lions at Curzon Soho, Thursday 1st July, 6.30pm.


Director:Catherine Corsini
Starring:Yvan Attal, Sergi Lopez, Kristin Scott Thomas

France 2009, 86 mins, French with English subtitles

QA Chris Morri & screening of Four Lions

Where:
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

When:
6:30pm, Thurs 1 July, 2010

More info:
Over at the Curzon website

Directing with Corneliu Porumboui at the LFS

Screening of 12:08 East of Bucharest, followed by Q&A with Corneliu Porumboui Winner of the Cannes Camera d'Or (for best first film)


12:08 East of Bucharest
It's the 22nd of December. Sixteen years have passed since the revolution, and in a small town Christmas is about to come. Piscoci, an old retired man is preparing for another Christmas alone. Manescu, the history teacher, tries to keep up with his debts. Jderescu, the owner of a local television post, seems not to be so interested in the upcoming holidays. For him, the time to face history has come. Along with Manescu and Piscoci, he is trying to answer for himself a question which for 16 years has not had an answer: "Was it or wasn't it a revolution in their town?" Written by Alex from IMDB

Directing with Corneliu Porumboui at the LFS
Corneliu's current film: Police, Adjective is screening on the 2nd July at Curzon Mayfair as part of the Romanian Film Festival 2-4 July.

Where:
The London Film School
24 Shelton Street, WC2H 9UB

When:
6:00pm, Thurs 1 Jul, 2010

QA Romain Duris & Heartbreaker / L'arnacoeur Screening & Review

Alex is charming, funny, effortlessly cool, and most importantly, irresistible to women. He offers a professional service – to break up relationships.

With his resourceful sister Mélanie and her eccentric husband Marc, Alex offers a professional service – to break up relationships. In just a few weeks, for a fee equivalent to his reputation, he promises to transform any husband, fiancé or boyfriend into an ex. Hideouts, phone-tapping, fake identities, a devastating smile, anything goes when it comes to fulfilling his contract.

Juliette is a young, beautiful, free-spirited and independent heiress. In ten days she’s due to marry the man of her dreams, much to her father’s disapproval.

When Alex is hired to break up this seemingly perfect couple he is thrown into a action-filled race against time, taking him through the sun-drenched streets of Paris to the fast cars and high fashion of Monaco, in his own hilarious seduction “mission impossible” that risks him being caught by his ruthless personal creditors, an army of angry exes, and Juliette herself.

But worst of all, will he discover to his own cost that when it comes to love, the perfect plan doesn’t exist?

Already a record-breaking hit in Europe, Heartbreaker is a wildly funny and passionate tale that is set to be the romantic comedy event of the year.

The Everyman is delighted to welcome Mr. Heartbreaker himself to Hampstead for this special screening! Star of the movie, Romain Duris, will be in attendance for a live Q&A alongside a preview screening of the film. The event will be hosted by Electric Sheep's Virginié Selavy, who will also provide an introduction to the film.

We have seen Heartbreaker / L'arnacoeur and it may be the perfect way for the ladies to escape the heat this Summer. But here are four things that should be noted to give some context to my thoughts on Heartbreaker:

1 - I think the lead Romain Duris is an immense talent. He was absolutely astounding in De battre mon coeur s'est arrêté (The Beat That My Heart Skipped) an earlier masterpiece from Jacques Audiard (Director of A Prophet / Un prophète) so my expectations are very high for his performance. There is actually sweet nod to My Heart Skipped in Hearbreaker.

2 - Even though I have been known to be a hopeless romantic I do lean heavily towards psychological, action and crime films.

3 - I thought Dirty Dancing was lame the first time I saw it.

4 - I represented half the male audience for the screening I - it was date night OK!. Come to think of it this was a very similar scenario to when I saw Dirty Dancing.

If you cannot relate to any of the points above you'll probably love Heartbreaker.

As far as sweet romantic chick flicks go I thought it was OK. I do prefer my films slightly darker and deeper but once I let go - Duris's charisma carries most of the film. There are many laugh out loud moments in the film. The audience were laughing and generally happy & buzzing the whole way through the film.

My biggest issue with the film may actually be put down to cultural nuances or subtleties being lost in translation, as I struggled to gain emotional traction in the shift in Duris's character from the start to the finish. I saw what what was happening I just didn't feel it.

To be fair I'll probably watch it again on DVD at some point so that like Dirty Dancing I'll see it as a good girl film. I do think there is a gap for light European romances and hope that Heartbreaker fills that gap because I would like to see more from both Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis.

Director: Pascal Chaumeil
Starring: Romain Duris, Vanessa Paradis, Andrew Lincoln, Julie Ferrier, François Damiens

France 2010, 105 mins, French with English subtitles

QA Romain Duris & Heartbreaker / L'arnacoeur Screening & Review

Where:
Everyman Hamstead, 5 Hollybush Vale, NW3 6TX

When:
6:30pm, Mon 28 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the Everyman website

Teen Wolf v The Lost Boys Curzon Midnight Movies

Yo Midnight Movie Fans! Exciting news awaits with an update on the next Curzon Midnight Movies night, a summer announcement.

Forget that Twilight nonsense - on Friday 9 July, Midnight Movies presents the ULTIMATE battle between Vampires and Werewolves as our classic 80’s night returns!

Raid your wardrobe and join us for a face-off between preppy werewolves and leather-clad vamps at Curzon Soho when we present a choice of two cult 80s films: TEEN WOLF or THE LOST BOYS.

Plus karaoke before the films and a late bar with the best retro cocktails and live music from Reel Music DJs.

Teen Wolf
Puberty comes with a few surprises as Scott discovers werewolf powers that make him a hot basketball player and a hit with the ladies.

The Lost Boys
Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire…

Teen Wolf v The Lost Boys Curzon Midnight Movies

Where:
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

When:
10.00pm. Films start at 11:45pm, followed by a late bar until 2.00am, 2010

Dress code: will it be fur or fangs? There’s a very cool prize package for the best, including Last Exit to Nowhere t-shirts!

Age restriction:
Ticket holders must be at least 18 or older.

More info:
Over at the Curzon website

Scorsese & Baldwin's Lymelife gets a UK release

I haven't seen Martin Scorsese and Alec Baldwin's Lymelife as yet. I am however very aware of it and have been awaiting for it since the 2009 Sundance Festival.

It's has high powered backing, it's from the Sundance stable (the script developed in a Raindance Lab), solid reviews, a top notch cast and great performances, however one of the main reason's I am keen on seeing it - is Alec Baldwin. I'm by no means a huge fan of his work but in the 1999 "Outside Providence" I thought his understated performance as flawed blue collar Old Man Dunphy was pure brilliance and the highlight of the film. In fact off the cuff I can't think of a role of his his that I've enjoyed more. Last year when I saw the trailer for Lymelife immediately thought Baldwin's going to shine again. See further below for an excerpt from an interview with Baldwin about Lymelife.

Lymelife is the semi-autobiographical tale of the American dream gone wrong, it's quirky with a cracking script plus excellent performances from a stellar cast. Lymelife was also produced by Alec Baldwin.

Produced by Derick and Steven Martini and directed by Derick Martini, the film is set in the late 1970s in Long Island, New York, chronicling the disintegration of two families (The Bartletts and Braggs) when tangled relationships, real estate problems and an outbreak of Lyme’s disease hit a small suburban community.

Told from the perspective of Scott Bartlett (Kieran Culkin) a timid boy radically different from his philandering father played by Alec Baldwin, matters really heat up when Jimmy (Rory Culkin) returns home on leave from the army and Scott Bartlett’s affair with Melissa Bragg (Cynthia Nixon) becomes all too obvious to Baldwin’s long suffering wife played by Jill Hennessy. Tension mounts as Scott harbours secret feelings for Melissa’s daughter Adrianna (played by Emma Roberts).

Alec Baldwin on what Lymelife may be about.

Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and starring Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Alec Baldwin, Oscar winner Tim Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, Rory and Kieran Culkin, Jill Hennessy and Emma Roberts, the film won the International Critics Awards at the Toronto Film Festival. Lymelife will open at UK cinemas on 2nd July 2010.

Scorsese & Baldwin's Lymelife gets a UK release

When:
Lymelife will be on general release in the UK from 2nd July 2010.

See: Batman: City of Scars

Back in April we brought you the trailer for Batman: City of Scars Finally fan Aaron Schoenke's 30 minute short film is ready for viewing.

When the Joker escapes from Arkham and murders the parents of a young boy, Batman recalls the pain of losing his own parents as a child. He is pushed past his limits to the point where his focus becomes revenge on all who stand in his way, including many of Gotham’s underworld. Finally, Batman is forced to look at the psychological profile of his own mind and accept the consequences of his life to find resolve.

More info:
Over at the Daily Motion page

From Méliès to Harryhausen: An Illustrated Talk by Tony Dalton

An insightful look into the classic age of stop-motion model animation.

This illustrated talk will focus on the golden years of stop-motion model animation with the emphasis on the art of integrating models with live-action film. Beginning in 1895, gaining huge prominence and stature with Willis O'Brien and reaching its peak with the work of the great Ray Harryhausen, whose birthday we celebrate this month, this promises to give an insightful look into this classic age of animation from Dimentional Stop Motion historian Tony Dalton.

From Méliès to Harryhausen: An Illustrated Talk by Tony Dalton

Where:
BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London, England SE1 8XT

When:
6:20pm, Weds 23 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the BFI website

Breathless: 50th Anniversary release

Breathless (A Bout De Souffle), has been digitally restored and is being re-released in cinemas by Optimum Releasing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of it's original release.

The film debut of Jean Luc Godard started the French new wave of filmmaking -recognised as one of the most stylish and influential movements in film history.

Cigarettes, hats, sunglasses and determined unconformity make Michel Poiccard (Belmondo) a true cinematic icon. Playing against the stunning Jean Seberg he smokes his way through a series of sexy gallic exchanges in the ultra cool Paris of the 1960's.

Celebrating 50 years of cool, Jean-Luc Godard’s BREATHLESS premiered at Berlin before receiving a digital re-release in UK cinemas June 25th. With Godard still going strong and about to release a new film: Socialisme, we celebrate where it all began, with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg effortlessly stylish and in love in Paris: he a petty criminal on the run from the police, she a wide-eyed American student selling the New York Tribune on the Champs-Elysées.

BREATHLESS: 50th Anniversary will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on 13th September 2010.

Director: Jean Luc Godard
Starring: Jean Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg

France 1960, 87 mins, French with English subtitles

Breathless: 50th Anniversary release

When:
In cinemas June 25th 2010

Jason and the Argonauts Introduced by Ray Harryhausen

The mythological themes of many of Harryhausen’s films reappear as Jason sets sail with a band of Greek heroes, his argonauts. If succesful in their quest to find the Golden Fleece, Jason will secure his rightful place as the king of Thessaly. First they face many dangers, including an army of skeletons that grow from the teeth of the dreaded seven- headed hydra. The skeleton sequence remains one of the most memorable of all of Harryhausen’s creations with its complex technique to ensure the free flowing, stop-motion movement of the different body parts.

Director: Don Chaffey
Starring: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond,Laurence Naismith

USA 1963, 86 mins, English

Jason and the Argonauts Introduced by Ray Harryhausen

Where:
BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London, England SE1 8XT

When:
2:00pm, Sun 20 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the BFI website

Seven Samurai: Masterclass with Mamoun Hassan

Explore Seven Samurai, Kurosawa’s most famous, enduring and internationally acclaimed film in a collaborative workshop with Mamoun Hassan, former Head of BFI Production.

Hassan, who will lead a scene-by-scene exploration of what we see and hear and facilitate discussion about the wider significance of what occurs on screen, was responsible for devising and producing the acclaimed C4 series Movie Masterclass and his particular approach to the work of the director has been widely praised by audiences for its ability to alter the way in which they experience cinema. This participatory seminar will require prior viewing of Seven Samurai and tickets are available as stand-alone or in conjunction with any screening of the film, playing as part of the season devoted to Kurosawa and His Influence.

Seven Samurai: Masterclass with Mamoun Hassan

Director:Catherine CorsiniStarring:Yvan Attal, Sergi Lopez, Kristin Scott ThomasFrance 2009, 86 mins, French with English subtitles

Where:
BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London, England SE1 8XT

When:
6:20pm, Weds 23 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the BFI website

See: Decent Star Wars videos. Shock!

Hot from E3 2010 here are 2 rather awesome Star Wars clips offering evidence that George Lucas may make good on his intention to make some seriously kick ass Star Wars. However they also irrefutably prove that George Lucas could have made Star Wars 1-3 really decent films, but opted to sell out instead.

Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 - Betrayal
The first clip is a teaser for LucasArts's Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II game, called Betrayal. If you are aware of the The Force Unleashed game you'll know what's happening and it's been a long time coming. If not - Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 continues the galaxy-altering journey of Starkiller Darth Vader's secret apprentice, that shapes the key events between Star Wars: Episode III and Episode IV.

In the sequel, Starkiller returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader—but instead of training his protégée as a ruthless assassin, the dark lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on – Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller.

With all-new devastating Force powers and the ability to dual-wield lightsabers, Starkiller cuts a swath through deadly new enemies across exciting worlds from the Star Wars films - all in his desperate search for answers to his past.

Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 has an expected release date of 29 October, 2010


Star Wars: The Old Republic - Hope
The second trailer: Hope is for Star Wars: The Old Republic a massive online multiplayer role-playing game expected to be released sometime in Spring 2011.

The Battle of Alderaan. The Republic's gravest hour. Recently promoted to Darth, Malgus launches the first of many surprise attacks that would become his trademark during the Great War, perfectly timing the assault with a feint that pulls the Republic fleet light-years away. Thousands of assault droids and hundreds of Sith set the heart of the Republic ablaze, and Alderaan's few defenders are swept away with ease.

Unknown to Darth Malgus, small groups of Republic Troopers are stationed on Alderaan, some recovering from wounds, others are awaiting orders. As these brave soldiers take to the forests and mountains to fight a guerilla campaign against Malgus's forces, the Republic fleet rushes back to repel the invasion. With time running out and Alderaan's capitol threatened, it falls to Havoc Squad, the elite Republic Special Forces unit, to coordinate one last desperate stand against Malgus' vastly superior numbers.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is expected to go live during Spring 2011.

More info:
Over at the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 or Star Wars: The Old Republic websites

Red Bull is looking for Filmmakers!

Red Bull are calling all young filmmakers! Make a video mash-up for Red Bull X-Fighters and win a trip to Rome!

Red Bull and Dave TV are calling on the UK’s aspiring editors and filmmakers to take Red Bull’s archive of X-Fighters footage, images and sounds to create a high-energy mash-up that gets the adrenaline pumping for the Red Bull X-Fighters event in London.

The winner will be Red Bull’s VIP guests at the two remaining stops of the X-Fighters World Tour at London’s Battersea Power Station and the season’s finale in Rome! They’ll also have their film played on joinDave.co.uk, in cinemas across the UK and at the London leg of the X-Fighters World Tour.

The theme selected is “Red Bull X-Fighters is coming to London”, the winning film will need to sum up in just 30 seconds the high intensity, extreme nature of the X-Fighters World Tour. Entrants should head to www.joindave.co.uk to download the X-Fighters collection of footage, pics and sounds. Once they’ve created their mash up, they should upload it to Youtube or Vimeo and send it to the Red Bull team by Monday 19th July.

Deadline:
Monday 19th July, 2010

More info:
to sign up head over to http://xfightersmashup.co.uk/

London Film & Comic Con 2010

Katee Sackhoff, who played Starbuck in the 'Re-Imagined' version of Battlestar Gallactica will be appearing at this years London Film & Comic Con.

LFCC takes place every summer at Earls Court 2 in London. Celebrating the best of film, television, comics and sport, London Film and Comic Con is a day out unlike any other, giving you the chance to meet your idols, ask them questions and have your photograph taken with them as well as grabbing the latest film/tv/comic merchandise on the market.

This year for an event that is promising some big names, with William Shatner already announced, as well as a 30th Anniversary celebration of 'Empire Strikes Back'. You can join in the fun of Cosplay and dress up as your film, tv or comic book idol - don't be shy, or you can simply marvel at the many costumes that will be on display in the Cosplay Zone. There will be some of the top artists demonstrating their skills in Artists Ally, and there might even be some cool props from the latest films on display - don't forget your camera!

If you love Films, TV or Comics, or all three, then you can't afford to miss The London Film & Comic Con.

Other confirmed guests include:

Film:
Gary Kurtz - Star Wars Producer
Bill Shatner - Star Trek
Stephen Lang - Avatar
Sean Young - Blade Runner
Kristanna Loken - Terminator 3
Tom Noonan - Robocop 2
Edi Gathegi - Twilight
Tyson Houseman - Twilight
Julian Glover - Indiana Jones
Harry Fielder - Indiana Jones
Kenny Baker - Star Wars
Jeremy Bulloch - Star Wars
Daniel Logan - Star Wars
Terence Mustoo - Star Wars
Colin Skeaping - Star Wars
Marolyn Turk - Star Wars
Tony Smart - Star Wars
Norman Chancer - Star Wars
Tony Guilding - Star Wars
Doug Robinson - Star Wars
Bob Anderson - Star Wars
Ken Colley - Star Wars
Chris Parsons - Star Wars
Stephen Fitzalan - Star Wars

Michael Culver - Empire Strikes Back
Kit Hillier - Empire Strikes Back
Stephanie English - Empire Strikes Back
Jack McKenzie - Empire Strikes Back
Milton Johns - Empire Strikes Back
Tony Allen - Empire Strikes Back
Alan Swaden - Empire Strikes Back
Quentin Pierre - Empire Strikes Back
Alan Flyng - Return of the Jedi
David Bailie - Pirates of the Caribbean
Leslie Hoffman - A Nightmare on Elm Street
Dennis Dun - Big Trouble in Little China
James Pax - Big Trouble in Little China
Tom Morga - Friday 13th
Dante Basco - Hook

TV:
Katee Sackhoff - Battlestar Gallactica
William B Davis - The X-Files
Ben Browder - Farscape
Virginia Hey - Farscape
Ian Gelder - Torchwood
Andrew Robinson - Star Trek: DS9
David Nykl - Stargate Atlantis
Elisabeth Sladen - Doctor Who
Matthew Waterhouse - Doctor Who
Tracie Simpson - Doctor Who
Paul Kasey - Doctor Who
Gabriela Montaraz - Doctor Who
Simon Dutton - Doctor Who
Hannah Steele - Doctor Who
Dean Mitchell - Doctor Who
Nick Courtney - Doctor Who
Andrew Clover - Ashes to Ashes

FX:
Terry Ackland-Snow - Art Director
Mark Bryan Wilson - Ghostbusters

Books
Robert Rankin - Author

Comics
Bill Sienkiewicz - Comic Artist
Lee Townsend - Comic Artist
Greg Rucka - Comic Writer

Anime
Johnny Bosch - Akira

London Film & Comic Con 2010

Where:
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

When:
9:00pm, Tues 8 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the London Film and Comic Con website

Killers Premiere & Review

Spencer Aimes (Kutcher) is just your average, undercover, government-hired super-assassin accustomed to a life of exotic European locales, flashy sports cars and even flashier women.

But when he meets Jen Kornfeldt (Heigl), a beautiful, fun-loving computer tech recovering from a bad break-up, he finds true love...and happily trades international intrigue for domestic bliss. Three years later, Spencer and Jen are still enjoying a picture-perfect marriage - that is, until the morning after Spencer's 30th birthday.

That's when Spencer and Jen learn he's the target of a multi-million dollar hit. Even worse, the hired killers have been stalking the happy couple for years, and could be anyone: friends, neighbors, the grocery store clerk, even that crabby old guy shuffling across the street. Now Spencer and Jen are on the run for their lives. As their suburban paradise turns into a paranoid game of dodge-the-bullet, they must find out who wants Spencer dead and why, all the while trying to save their marriage, manage his in-laws, keep up neighborly appearances ... and just plain survive.

Lionsgate
is delighted to invite you to
the European premiere of
Killers

Wednesday 9th June
The Odeon West End
Leicester Square, WC2H 7JY

Dress Code: Killer Style

Arriving at the European Premiere of Killers

Killers European Premiere - Arriving at the Killers Premiere, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Director Robert Luketic on the Red Pink Carpet for the European Premiere of Killers

Killers European Premiere - Director Robert Luketic on the Pink Carpet, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Director Robert Luketic arrives for the the European Premiere of Killers

Killers European Premiere - Chantelle Houghton arrives, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Killers European Premiere - Walking the Pink Carpet

Killers European Premiere - Walking the Pink Carpet, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl on the Pink Carpet

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl on the Pink Carpet, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic on the carpet

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Lionsgate U.K. CEO Zygi Kamasa introduces Robert Luketic, Katherine Heigl & Killers

Killers European Premiere - Lionsgate U.K. CEO Zygi Kamasa introduces Robert Luketic, Katherine Heigl & Killers, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Director Robert Luketic introduces Katherine Heigl & Killers

Killers European Premiere - Director Robert Luketic introduces Katherine Heigl & Killers, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic introduce Killers

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl & Director Robert Luketic introduce Killers, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl introduces Killers

Killers European Premiere - Katherine Heigl introduces Killers, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

I'll start by saying - as yet, I haven't enjoyed a "I'm a spy my wife/husband doesn't know" rom com; True Lies, Mr & Mr Smith, etc. Also I'm probably not the target audience for Killers. So my expectations were pretty low - but I love film, so off I went.

I thought Ashton Kutcher was pretty good in Killers, he continues to build on the credibility garnered with Spread and I hope to see him in a full on action film soon. Killers is an amiable and light film, a pastiche of 50s rom coms & spy films mixed with Mission Impossible 3 and Mr & Mrs Smith with a small nod to Die Hard.

The Premiere audience were laughing the whole way through and there was a good buzz. Cast were all good, particularly the hilarious Rob Riggle. Keep an eye out for the hillarious facial hair gag it had me in stitches. However I thought the ending really let it down though, a different ending may have lifted it to a really good film status.

Director:
Robert Luketic

Starring:
Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck, Catherine O'Hara, Katheryn Winnick, Kevin Sussman, Lisa Ann Walter, Casey Wilson, Rob Riggle

USA 2010, 93mins, English

Killers Premiere & Review

More info:
Over at the Killers website

Actor/Filmmaker Collaboration with Mike Leigh and Imelda Staunton at the LFS

Screening of Vera Drake, followed by case study with Director Mike Leigh and Actor Imelda Staunton.

Vera Drake has won numerous awards, including the Golden Lion at Venice and an Academy Award nomination for Mike Leigh, with Imelda Staunton garnering numerous Best Actress prizes, including BAFTA, Venice and European Film Awards and also Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Vera Drake
Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel. Written by Sujit R. Varma from IMDB

Actor/Filmmaker Collaboration with Mike Leigh and Imelda Staunton at the LFS

Where:
The London Film School
24 Shelton Street, WC2H 9UB

When:
7:00pm, Fri 18 June, 2010

Stellar Network Social Night

Next Wednesday 16th June the Stellar Network will be taking over The Book Club, the coolest bar in Old Street.

Stellar Network is a not-for-profit membership organisation for creative professionals working within London’s theatre, film, TV and digital media industries. Created for emerging and mid-level professionals, Stellar brings together talent to strengthen and invigorate the creative industries by sharing resources, contacts and knowledge.

Join them for a glass of Pimms (or two!) and meet some Happy Shiny People like yourselves.

Any questions, concerns or general comments email Hannah on uk@stellarnetwork.com



Stellar Network Social Night

Where:
The Book Club, 100 Leonard Street,

When:
7:00pm, Weds 16 June,2010

No booking necessary- just turn up!

Yes! Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) English trailer here! Now!

From a child in Nazi-occupied Paris to the sultry crooner who bedded Brigitte Bardot and married Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg's is one of France's greatest mavericks. This imaginative and visually flamboyant debut feature from one of France's greatest cartoonists brings back to life one of the world's most influential popular musicians – an artistic icon and a provocateur.

Director:
Joann Sfar

Starring:
Laetitia Casta, Eric Elmosnino

France 2010, 135 mins, French with English subtitles

Yes! Gainsbourg (Vie héroïque) English trailer here! Now!

2010 Film4 FrightFest Opening & Closing films announced: Hatchet II & The Last Exorcism

The 2010 Film4 FrightFest will kick off with the world Premiere of Adam Green’s Hatchet II. The highly anticipated sequel to his instant stalk-and-slash classic relating the murderous antics of the bayou butcher Victor Crowley.

Green has promised more of everything – fun, laughs, nastiness, splatter - in the new adventure that picks up from the moment Hatchet ended and follows Marybeth as she escapes from the clutches of Victor Crowley, learns the truth about his curse, and heads back into the haunted New Orleans swamp to seek revenge for her family and kill Victor Crowley once and for all.

It's probably worth noting that 55 gallons of blood were used in the making of the first Hatchet, Hatchet 2 reportedly used over 120 gallons of fake blood in principal photography alone.

It's rumoured that a number of the cast will be attending the Premiere.

Director: Adam Green
Starring: Danielle Harris, Tony Todd (Yes, Candyman), Kane Hodder (Yes, Jason Voorhees), Tom Holland, R.A. Mihailoff, Parry Shen, AJ Bowen

USA 2010, English

The closing night's film is..... the European premiere of Daniel Stamm’s The Last Exorcism.

A terrifying look at possible demonic possession as seen through the documentary lens of a camera crew following the career of repentant preacher Cotton Marcus. Attending the glittering European premiere will be director Stamm and producers Eli Roth and Eric Newman.


Director: Daniel Stamm
Starring: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Louis Herthum, Iris Bahr, Caleb Landry Jones, Tony Bentley

USA, 86 mins, English

The rest of the programme will be announced on July 2, the day before weekend passes go on sale.

2010 Film4 FrightFest Opening & Closing films announced: Hatchet II & The Last Exorcism

Where:
The Empire Cinema, 5-6 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA

When:
Thurs 26 to Mon 30th Aug, 2010

More info:
Over at the Film4 FrightFest website

See: Mortal Kombat Short

The 7 min short below was made by director Kevin Tancharoen as a way to sell his vision to Warner Bros for their expected Mortal Kombat rebirth to be released in 2013.

It features characters from the Mortal Kombat universe with decent production values. It's rumoured that the film is in production hell whilst legal issues are sorted out. Albeit a big nod to The Watchmen - if this is the quality that is to be expected count me in for the Kumite.

It stars Ian Anthony Dale as Scorpion, Michael Jai-White as Jax (Jackson Briggs) and Jeri Ryan as Sonya Blade

See: Mortal Kombat Short