Living legend Ray Harryhausen signing at Forbidden Planet London

RAY HARRYHAUSEN and TONY DALTON will be signing An Animated Life at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Saturday 24th October 1 – 2pm.

The last great animator before the introduction of CGI, Ray’s book takes us through sixty years of bringing dreams to life. From harpies and skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts to the six-armed Kali in Sinbad, Ray explains the films' journeys, from original concept through to the critics' reviews, as well as the basics of special effects and stop-motion animation. Now re-issued in softcover, An Animated Life is a wonderland guide through a golden age of SFX magic.

Mr Harryhausen is responsible for the barrier breaking animation in much loved classic films such as; Clash of the Titans, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, One Million Years B.C., First Men in the Moon, Jason and the Argonauts, Mysterious Island, The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and many more.

Where
Forbidden Planet London Megastore
179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

When
1-2pm Sat 24 Oct, 2009

Clive Barker Signing 'Midnight Meat Train' in London today

The most terrifying ride you'll ever take

CLIVE BARKER will be signing his new DVD, 'Midnight Meat Train' at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Thursday 15th October 6:30 - 7:30 pm.

Featuring Vinnie Jones and based on the short story by Clive Barker, Midnight Meat Train is the horrific tale of Leon, a New York photographer who saves a woman from being attacked. The woman then disappears and the police show no interest in Leon's story, forcing him to track down the killer on the subway system himself.

Please note that Clive Barker will only sign copies of 'Midnight Meat Train' and one other item per customer on the day. Due to time constraints, limits may change and Forbidden Planet cannot guarantee that every customer will be seen.

Where:
London Megastore
179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

When:
6:30 - 7:30 pm, 15 Oct, 2009

Hitchcon'09 - Celebrating 30 Years of The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Get yourself a ticket for the biggest party the unfashionable end of the galaxy has ever seen and join best-selling author Eoin Colfer – creator of criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl – and actor Simon Jones, the original Arthur Dent, in a celebration of 30 years of the late, great Douglas Adams’ classic British comedy. This’ll be your first chance to see, hear and buy the sixth instalment, And Another Thing... by Eoin Colfer.

With other out-of-this-world entertainment throughout the day – including special free screenings of the Hitchhiker’s series in The Clore Ballroom – this is one event no self-respecting lover of classic British comedy will want to miss.

One of the best dystopian sci-fi movies to come out of the 70s, Rollerball focuses on an ultra-violent sport used to keep an overpopulated planet under control and probes its links to politics, the media and big conglomerates. When a star player refuses to obey the owners of his team, the stage is set for a Gladiator-like confrontation between a rebellious individual and the corporate power that seeks to crush him.

Events include:
Photo Call
Start the day at a photocall of the largest number of Hitchhiker's fans ever.

Session 1: The Douglas Adams Chat Show
A full panel of Hitchhiker’s experts and friends of Douglas Adams discusses the great man and his work.

Booksigning: Mega-signing of the fantastic new edition of the first five Hitchhiker's novels.

Sessions 2 & 3 (And Another Thing... & Hitchhikers Live On Stage!)
The sixth book in the series, special guests and a live gig – Sessions 2 & 3 of our day-long celebration of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Booksigning: Eoin Colfer
Buy the new sixth book in the series a day before everyone else and get it signed by Eoin Colfer.



Where
The Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

When
Sunday 11 October, 2009

Film Networking : FILM NETWORKING PARTY @ The Kingly Club

You are cordially invited to THE KINGLY CLUB'S FILM NETWORKING PARTY on Tuesaday 15 September, 2009. 9PM till late.

An event exclusiverly for film creatives who want to hobnob & mingle. Come network & make exciting connections in film.


Staged at the chic and illustrious Kingly Club, the event is designed exclusively for film creatives who want to hobnob and mingle. It will be attended by some of the leading aficionados of the movie industry from directors to writers, producers to investors, actors and many others. This will be your chance to come network and make exciting connections that could lead to new and inspiring projects. Or just meet like minded individuals and have a laugh over a cocktail or 2. Or 3.Whilst listening to Fabulous superstar DJ Kris Di Angelis who will be spinning some movie themed tunes.

If you are passionate about the film industry, then this event is not to be missed.

NB: These networking events work via recommendation and word of mouth so do forward this email to anyone else you think might be interested.

Where
The Kingly Club
4 Kingly Court Soho London W1B 5PW

When
Tuesday 15 September from from 9pm

Dan Brown's New Thriller! The Lost Symbol released today

Dan Brown’s new novel, the eagerly awaited follow-up to his #1 international phenomenon, The Da Vinci Code, which was the bestselling hardcover adult novel of all time, will be available today (September 15, 2009).

The Lost Symbol will once again feature Dan Brown’s unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon.

“The Lost Symbol is a brilliant and compelling thriller. Dan Brown’s prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this new book. This is one of the most anticipated publications in recent history, and it was well worth the wait,” said Sonny Mehta, Chairman and Editor in Chief of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

The Lost Symbol Website and game: http://www.thelostsymbol.com/
The Lost Symbol on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LostSymbolBook
Download a PDF of the book cover now to see all the artwork details: http://www.danbrown.com/pdf/TLS_cover.pdf


Where
Anywhere books are sold or Amazon

When
September 15, 2009

Film Networking : Raindance Boozin' N' Schmoozin" this Monday

Raindance hold an informal networking drinks on the 2nd Monday of each month called Boozin' n' Schmoozin'.

Talk is cheap!


As always, our popular and informal networking event featuring film related chit chat, an opportunity to catch up with old buddies from past RD courses and a damn fine way of connecting with like minded filmmakers.

And much beer drinking... (cash bar!)

Who should attend:
Anyone interested in filmmaking!!

Where
Downstairs at the Royal George
Goslett Yard, 133 Charing Cross Rd, London, W2CH 0EA
Nearest tube Tottenham Court Road.

When
Monday 14 September from 6:30pm

Trailer for Solomon Kane: There are many paths to redemption. Not all of them Peaceful.

Finally a trailer for Solomon Kane! Written by Robert E Howard the creator of a huge host of characters including; Conan, Red Sonja, and Kull the Conqueror. Solomon Kane was a puritan that wondered the face of the Earth with no destination and a zero tolerance for evil. Think a middle ages Clint Eastwood that encounters supernatural beings. Apparently this is the first in a trilogy and if the trailer is anything to go by it looks kick ass. Hopefully it won't be another big budget fantasy film that disappoints in the same way Van Helsing and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen does.

At one point Christoper Lambert (Highlander) was going to be Solomon Kane, which would have been interesting. However after watching "The Philanthropist" (first couple of episodes are mediocre, but Purefoy shines) I was keen to see James Purefoy as the stoic Solomon Kane. Looking at the trailer it seems the film is an adaptation of " The Castle of The Devil" and "The Sword of Solomon Kane". Both of which were released in comic format recently.



Jason Flemyng one of the stars of Solomon Kane recently hosted a Q&A for Kick Ass. I was kicking myself afterwards as I did not know he was in Kane. A missed opportunity to gain some insight into the treasure chest of Solomon Kane.

Michael J Basset writer & director of Solomon Kane can be found here on Twitter @michaeljbassett and his blog is http://michaeljbassett.wordpress.com/!

Paul Berrow Producer of Solomon Kane can be found on Twitter here @paulberrow

Expected release date:
France 18 May 2009 (Cannes Film Market)
Canada 16 September 2009 (Toronto Film Festival)
Russia 31 December 2009
Netherlands 14 January 2010

Preview: The Soloist

LA Times columnist Steve Lopez is in desperate need of a story when he encounters Nathaniel Ayres, a homeless schizophrenic possessing a violin with just two strings. Ayres, Lopez discovers, possesses a remarkable talent for music and was once a precocious classical cellist. Documenting Ayres' story in his column, Lopez, with a little help from his readers, endeavours to help Ayres realise his potential, and finds his own life transformed in the process.



Where
BFI, NFT1

When
Wed 16 Sep 18:20

Special Preview: The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus and Q&A with Terry Gilliam

Curzon Mayfair proudly welcomes director Terry Gilliam to the stage in a post screening discussion to answer
all audience questions.

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR PARNASSUS
Dir: Terry Gilliam Starring: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Tom Waits.

A director seemingly affiliated with bad luck, that Terry Gilliam got to complete this at all is a minor miracle. A fantastical morality tale set in present-day London (for the most part at least), the alternate realities Gilliam spins will be more than familiar to fans of TIME BANDITS and BRAZIL. With more than a hint of Doctor Faustus, the film’s kernel is an ambitious travelling magician whose ambition has caused him to
enter a number of deals with the devil, the most personally damaging of which has seen Parnassus (played
impeccably by Plummer, THE NEW WORLD) trade immortality for his daughter (Lily Cole) on the occasion of her 16th birthday. A characteristic feast for the senses, the film is a fitting epitaph to Ledger, whose character is also ably portrayed in its transformative states by Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp.

Extremely entertaining, the film also has at its heart a larger than life turn from Tom Waits as the devil.

Tickets go on general sale on the Curzon website on Friday 4 September.
Wednesday 7 September, 6:10pm
Curzon Mayfair
38 Curzon St London W1J 7TY

Preview: Dorian Gray and Q&A with director Oliver Parker and screenwriter Toby Finlay

Oliver Parker directs a strong cast in this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic novel of youth, excess and vanity. Adored for his beauty, Dorian Gray can seemingly have anything or anyone his heart desires. When this power is captured in a painting, Dorian wonders what he wouldn't do to stay as beautiful. As the painting begins to show the excesses of an indulgent lifestyle and Dorian himself stays ageless, it seems his wish come true...

The BFI are pleased to announce that this preview will be followed by a Q&A with director Oliver Parker and screenwriter Toby Finlay.

Preview: Dorian Gray and Q&A with director Oliver Parker and screenwriter Toby Finlay
Wednesday September 9, 2009 at 6:20pm
BFI Southbank NFT1
Belvedere Road
London, England SE1 8XT

FRIGHTFEST: UK PREMIERE of Millennium: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Join us at FRIGHTFEST the UK's Leading fantasy & horror film festival. For The premiere event of the year for horror fans - Time Out

UK PREMIERE MILLENNIUM: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (18)

Directed by Niels Arden Oplev

Cases rarely come colder than the inexplicable 1960s disappearance of a teen heiress from her family’s remote island retreat. Nor do fiction debuts come any hotter than the European best seller ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ by Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson on which this gripping nail-biter is based. Director Niels Arden Oplev’s atmospheric and strikingly original thriller introduces the provocative odd couple of a disgraced financial journalist and a multi-pierced hacker with severe social behaviour problems. Together they uncover an undetected chain of serial killings when investigating the decades-old mystery in a startling and near-the-knuckle giallo Swedish style. With very disturbing and intense scenes, and an international superstar-making performance from Noomi Rapace as the tattooed Lisbeth, MILLENNIUM is the Euro sensation of the moment. The other two parts of the MILLENNIUM movie trilogy, based on ‘The Girl Who Played With Fire’ and ‘The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest’, are released soon.

FRIGHTFEST: UK PREMIERE of Millennium: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Saturday August 29, 2009 at 3:45pm
Empire Cinema, Leicester Square
5-6 Leicester Square London
London, England WC2H 7NA

This Is Who I Am with Orange : Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam has an idea, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

On Wednesday 23rd September, Terry Gilliam will be talking, at an exclusive event at the Soho Hotel in London, about the people, relationships and film moments that made him the eccentric genius he is today.

This Is Who I Am with Orange : Terry Gilliam

Wednesday September 23, 2009 at 6:00pm

The Soho Hotel
4 Richmond Mews
London, England W1D 3DH

Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes is coming

Now that the initial hype is passed I watched the trailer for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes again. I must say it's even better after a second viewing. Hope the film lives up to the promise of the trailer.

Hamlet

The King of Denmark is dead.

Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet determines to avenge his father’s apparent murder, with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom.

Kenneth Branagh directs Jude Law as Hamlet in Shakespeare’s iconic revenge tragedy.

Jude Law is to tackle the most challenging stage role for a young male actor: Hamlet.

Law will pit himself against some of the great interpreters of the part, including Daniel Day-Lewis and David Warner, under the direction of Kenneth Branagh in a production by the Donmar Warehouse.

The production will not be staged at the pocket-size Donmar, which has a capacity of 250. Instead, Hamlet will be part of a season of plays that the Donmar will present at the much larger Wyndham's Theatre, a few streets away in London's West End.

Hamlet

Saturday July 11, 2009 at 2:30pm

Wyndhams Theatre
Charing Cross Road
London, England WC2H 0DA

Alan Moore's Michael Moorcock and London

Michael Moorcock is one of the most popular and prolific writers in the English language, bringing vast literary invention to a host of genres. Best known for his fantasy and science fiction, he edited New Worlds from 1964 to 1980, making it into one of the truly important and experimental magazines of it time. Among his most acclaimed novels is Mother London, a triumph of the imagination delving deep into the multiplicity of London life. On a rare visit to the capital, the city and his relationship with its forms will comprise the core of the evening’s conversation with Alan Moore, the greatest graphic novelist of our times (From Hell, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). The event will be introduced by Iain Sinclair.


This event is part of The Story of London, a month long festival celebrating London’s past, present and future.

Sir Roger Moore in Conversation

To close the BFI's tribute season to Cubby Broccoli, they are delighted to welcome to the BFI Southbank stage the man who, in taking on the role no less than seven times, helped establish James Bond as the archetypal British hero – Sir Roger Moore. First coming to prominence as Simon Templar in the hugely successful spy-thriller TV series The Saint, he claimed his most famous role as 007 with 1973's Live and Let Die. Bringing a more relaxed and suave tone to Bond Sir Roger was instrumental in extending the life of the charming but deadly secret agent. Now an ambassador for UNICEF and highly commended for his charitable work, he will discuss the exhilarating world of 007, his memories of Broccoli and his career so far.

Sir Roger Moore in Conversation
Thursday May 28, 2009 at 6:20pm
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
London, England SE1 8XT

Watchmen: Deluxe costume: The Comedian (M)

From www.forbiddenplanet.com:

Begin your vigilante career with the help of this great Comedian costume from Rubies!

Edwards Blake's outfit comes with jumpsuit, moulded armour, boot tops and an eye mask.

Size Adult Medium: chest 42", waist 30"-34", inseam 33"

For more info or to buy click here!

Special Screening: The Damned United & Q&A with Director Tom Hooper

Director Tom Hooper will be at The Phoenix for the opening night of the film on Friday 3 April for a Q&A following the 6.30 screening.



Adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland, Frost/Nixon) from best-selling and critically acclaimed novel by David Peace, the film tells the story of Brian Clough’s doomed 44 day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football, Leeds United. But aside from being a legendary sports story, the film is grounded by the story of intense friendship between Clough and his right hand man, Peter Taylor – a friendship that is tested by Clough’s compulsive rivalry with former Leeds manager Don Revie.

Tom grew up in East Finchley and has directed some of the best work on television in recent years including HBO’s John Adams, which won a record 13 Emmy’s, the BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning Longford, and Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren for which he won an Emmy for Best Director. This is his much-anticipated feature film debut.

Ticket sales from this event will benefit the Centenary Restoration Project. More information about the project is available here. Tickets are £10 / £8 concessions.

Book here!

The Damned United & Q&A with Director Tom Hooper
Friday April 3, 2009 at 6:30pm
Phoenix Cinema
East Finchley
London, England N2 9PJ

Raindance - Scene By Scene Breakdown: Slumdog Millionaire

Scene By Scene Breakdown of Slumdog Millionaire

On behalf Raindance David Freeman will offer an analysis of the BIFA and Oscar winning movie. Slumdog Millionaire will be discussed and broken down scene by scene.

Working as a writer and producer, David Freeman has written and developed scripts and other properties which have been bought or optioned by Columbia Pictures, MGM, Paramount, Castle Rock, Buena Vista Television, Atlas Entertainment, Hearst Entertainment, and many other major film and television production companies. He's a long-standing member of the Writers Guild of America.

The workshop has been taken by Writers, Directors, Producers, Stars, and Key Creative Executives behind: Minority Report, Good Will Hunting, The Fugitive, E.R., Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Simpsons, The X-Files, Total Recall, Face/Off, 12 Monkeys, King of the Hill

Ticket Info: £10
To book, call Raindance on 0207 287 3833 or click here.

UK Blogger Screening of THE WATCHMEN

From http://watchmen-screening.pbwiki.com/

The good news? THIS IS HAPPENING. The bad news? IT'S HAPPENING IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS TIME.

It's going to take place at the Paramount International Screening Room in Building 5, Chiswick Park TOMORROW (that's TUESDAY 3RD MARCH) at 10.30am (nearest station is Gunnersbury Tube, on the District Line).



I realise that's less than ideal timing, not nearly enough notice, and a bit out of the way, but we've got 50 (extremely comfortable) seats to fill, so if you're on the list below (or coming to this cold, and interested in attending) please drop the contacts listed on the original blogger invite page ASAP.
Obviously we'll be treating anyone listed below as priority, after which any extra names we receive will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis.
We'll be starting promptly at 10.30am, so best to arrive in plenty of time to go through security, sign NDAs, etc.
(FYI there's a pretty decent bar-restuarant-type-thing on the ground floor of the building in question, which would be a perfectly good place to grab a drink and have a chat afterwards, circa 1pm.)

UK Blogger Screening of THE WATCHMEN
Tuesday March 3, 2009 at 10:30am
Paramount Pictures International Screening Room
Building 5, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road,
London, England W4 5YF