Psychosis Premiere & QA

In 1992 a group of young Anarchists braved the snow covered wilderness to set up camp against the construction of a motorway by-pass. A terrible fate awaited them. 15 years later Susan, a successful horror novelist and sensitive soul relocates from her native California to the rural English countryside in search of peace. The newly-wed finds it in an idyllic, remote Hamlet. It is here that Susan's living nightmare unfolds.

Join the Prince Charles Cinema on Tues 13th July for the Theatrical Premiere and Cast & Crew screening of Reg Traviss's horror flick Psychosis. Starring Charisma Carpenter and lead singer of the newly re-formed The Darkness, Justin Hawkins!

Director: Reg Traviss
Starring: Charisma Carpenter, Paul Sculfor, Ricci Harnett, Justin Hawkins, Axelle Carolyn

UK, 2010, 89 mins, English

Psychosis Premiere & QA

Where:
The Prince Charles Cinema7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BY

When:
8:30pm, Tues 13 Jul, 2010

More info:
Over at the Prince Charles website

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

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

Black Death Review & Premiere

I love seeing films in advance of the general public as limited exposure to marketing hype and word of mouth allows me to experience the film first hand and with no expectations. Such was the case with Black Death.

Plague-ridden medieval England: Bodies lie scattered in their hundreds, the country is in turmoil. One hope remains, rumours of a village that is unaffected by the deadly disease. As Gods ambassador, young monk Osmund (Eddie Redmayne) is tasked in leading the fearsome knight Ulrich (Sean Bean) and his group of mercenaries to the remote village. Their quest is to hunt down a necromancer - someone able to bring the dead back to life.

Their journey is treacherous and filled with danger; encountering deadly bandits and vicious witch-burnings that will put their faith to the ultimate test. Though its upon entering the village that their true horror begins...

From Christopher Smith, director of cult hits Creep, Severance and Triangle, comes a brutal and terrifying epic that guarantees to chill the blood and stir the soul.

Black Death is the film you wanted to see when you first heard about Inglourious Basterds (before Tarantino wryly pulled the carpet out from under us) - with the exception that it is set in the much darker and dangerous bubonic Plague ridden Middle Ages. This men on an intense mission doesn't let you forget the complex fundamental religious issues at its core whilst by no means being a "message movie".

Much bigger and broader than Creep and Triangle live wire Christopher Smith's direction is top notch and really allows the cast to flourish. Black Death is the return to form of the Great British Darkness.

The UK Premiere of Black Death was hosted by FrightFest at The Coronet Cinema in Notting Hill. Director Chris Smith and cast members; Andy Nyman, Kimberley Nixon, Johnny Harris & Jamie Ballard were in attendance and did a short QA after the screening. Also spotted at the Premiere were Actress & Author Axelle Carolyn & Director Neil Marshall.

Queue gathering outside the Coronet Cinema for the Black Death Premiere.
It went all the way around the block - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

FrightFest organisers Alan Jones, Paul McEvoy & Greg Day with
Actress & Author Axelle Carolyn & Director Neil Marshall

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

FrightFest organiser Alan Jones introducing Black Death Director Christopher Smith

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Black Death Director Christopher Smith hanging with FrightFest organisers
Paul McEvoy & Ian Rattray during the introduction

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

FrightFest organiser Alan Jones introducing Black Death Director Christopher Smith

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Black Death Director Christopher Smith introducing Black Death and cast members;
Andy Nyman, Kimberley Nixon, Johnny Harris & Jamie Ballard

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Black Death Director Christopher Smith introducing Black Death and cast members; Andy Nyman, Kimberley Nixon, Johnny Harris & Jamie Ballard

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Catching up with Black Death Director Christopher Smith after the Premiere.
Sorry the pics so blurry but I prefer the moment captured in this one over the the non blurry pics.
Super talented Christopher Smith is one of those dynamos that kinetic energy seeps from

Black Death Premiere - Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Director: Christopher Smith
Starring: Sean Bean, Carice van Houten, Eddie Redmayne, David Warner, Kimberley Nixon, Andy Nyman, John Lynch, Tim McInnerny, Johnny Harris

UK / Germany, 2010, 101 mins, French with English subtitles

Black Death Review & Premiere

More info:
Over at the Black Death website

QA Catherine Corsini & Kristin Scott Thomas & Leaving Preview

Curzon is proud to be one of the hosts of 2010’s Rendez-Vous With French Cinema showcasing a selection of the best new French films yet to be released in the UK. All screenings will be introduced and followed by a post-screening discussion with filmmakers and talent.

Leaving - Suzanne is a well to do married woman and mother in the south of France. Her idle bourgeois lifestyle gets her down and she decides to go back to work as a physiotherapist. Her husband agrees to fix up a consulting room for her in their backyard. When Suzanne and the man hired to do the building meet, the mutual attraction is sudden and violent. Suzanne decides to give up everything and live this all engulfing passion to the fullest.

As the frustrated wife prepared to risk everything for passion, Scott Thomas gives a rich, captivating performance while Corsini's skilful direction captures the subtleties of emotion and character as the story propels itself toward a shocking end.

Director:
Catherine Corsini

Starring:
Yvan Attal, Sergi Lopez, Kristin Scott Thomas

France 2009, 86 mins, French with English subtitles

QA Catherine Corsini & Kristin Scott Thomas & Leaving Preview

Where:
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

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

More info:
Over at the Curzon website

QA Joann Sfar & Laetitia Casta & Preview of Gainsbourg

Curzon is proud to be one of the hosts of 2010’s Rendez-Vous With French Cinema showcasing a selection of the best new French films yet to be released in the UK. All screenings will be introduced and followed by a post-screening discussion with filmmakers and talent.

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

QA Joann Sfar & Laetitia Casta & Preview of Gainsbourg

Where:
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

When:
6:15pm, Tues 8 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the Curzon website

R.I.P. Easy Rider Dennis Hopper 1936 -2010

I met Mr. Dennis Hopper briefly at a screening of his 2nd directorial effort "The Last Movie" at the London Institute of Contemporary Arts. I was lucky enough to capture the moment in the photo below.

This is how I'll remember him, his seemingly shy vulnerableness belying a clarity and insight that could cut through steel, all with a drawl.

Dennis Hopper at the The Institute of Contemporary Arts, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

The African Queen Premiere & QA with Anjelica Huston and Angela Allen

The BFI are delighted to welcome Anjelica Huston and Angela Allen (Script supervisor/Continuity on The African Queen) to the BFI Southbank stage for the London premiere of the new restoration of John Huston's classic Oscar-winning adventure The African Queen.

The saga of filming CS Forrester's tale of an unlikely couple who join forces on an African riverboat to sink a German warship looms almost larger than Huston's film, with everyone involved – including Cardiff – recalling the illness and dangers that beset them in Congo and Uganda. But much ingenuity was also needed to link material shot in Turkey, London and LA for this classic adventure that brought Bogart his only Oscar.

London Premiere: The African Queen + Q&A with Anjelica Huston and Angela Allenci

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

When:
6:20pm, Sat 27 May, 2010

More info:
Over at the BFI website

Chris Rock QA & Screening of Good Hair

Good Hair is a comedy-documentary starring funnyman Chris Rock (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS) that brings African-American hairstyles to the fore.

When Chris’s daughter, Lola, came up to him crying and asked, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” the dazed comic committed himself to finding out who had put that question into his little girl's head.

He began searching high and low through black culture to explore the multi-billion-dollar styling industry surrounding African-American hairstyles.

Discussing black celebrities’ personal experiences with their hair and the significant role that hair plays within the black community, GOOD HAIR is both an entertaining and eye-opening documentary that extracts cultural heritage from the most obvious if unlikely of roots.

The Ritzy Picturehouse are very excited to welcome Chris Rock to The Ritzy for an exclusive Q&A following a preview of his new film GOOD HAIR


Chris Rock QA & Screening of Good Hair

Where:
The Ritzy Picturehouse
Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW2 1JG

When:
6:45pm, Mon 24 May, 2010

More info:
Over at the Ritzy Picturehouse website

An Audience With Britt Ekland

Icon and movie star, as famous for her love life as her films... but who is she really?

In a candid show, the legendary beauty tells about her childhood in Sweden, her big breaks and her doomed marriage to Peter Sellers. She also reveals all about her relationships with Rod Stewart, George Hamilton, Lou Adler, and Slim Jim Phantom.

Find out how she feels about motherhood and why she became patron of the Alzheimer's Society. This is one star that just keeps shining!

An Audience With Britt Ekland

Where:
Arts Depot
5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA

When:
8:00pm, Sat 22 May, 2010

More info:
Over at Arts Depot website

Leslie Nielsen in Conversation at the BFI

The BFI welcome the king of the parody film to the BFI Southbank stage.

He's been referred to as the 'Laurence Olivier of spoofs', with his deadpan delivery and seeming obliviousness to situations rife with slapstick potential.

After a long and rich career in film and TV (taking in Harlow, The Poseidon Adventure and Forbidden Planet), Leslie Nielsen is arguably best known for his later comedy roles, which also include his monumentally inept Lt Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun series. The BFI are very pleased to welcome the king of the parody film to the BFI Southbank stage.

Leslie Nielsen in Conversation at the BFI

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

When
8:20pm, Mon 10 May , 2010

More info & tickets over at the BFI