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

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

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

First Look: Robin Hood in battle

Finally a battle scene from Robin Hood has emerged! The true test of how good this film is going to be. What do you think?

Russell Crowe plays Sir Robin Longstride / Robin Hood; it is his fifth collaboration with Scott. Having loved the character since childhood, Crowe joined the project despite being initially displeased with the script. He spent 10 months reading books about the character and his historical basis, noting "This has got to be the best [Robin Hood depiction] ever done, otherwise I should be doing something else."

Crowe put on weight for 2008's Body of Lies, so Universal considered sending an NBA trainer to Australia to coach him back into fitness. Crowe trained with a bow and arrow for four months and was able to hit a target from 45 meters.

Robin Hood stars; Russell Crowe, Kevin Durand, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Vanessa Redgrave, William Hurt, Scott Grimes, Bronson Webb, Oscar Isaac, Léa Seydoux, Alan Doyle, and is directed by Ridley Scott.

First Look: Robin Hood in battle

New Robin Hood Images

Ridley Scott's Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self—preservation, from his service in King Richard’s army against the French.

Upon Richard’s death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Oscar winner Cate Blanchett), a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff.







Russell Crowe plays Sir Robin Longstride / Robin Hood; it is his fifth collaboration with Scott. Having loved the character since childhood, Crowe joined the project despite being initially displeased with the script. He spent 10 months reading books about the character and his historical basis, noting "This has got to be the best [Robin Hood depiction] ever done, otherwise I should be doing something else."

Crowe put on weight for 2008's Body of Lies, so Universal considered sending an NBA trainer to Australia to coach him back into fitness. Crowe trained with a bow and arrow for four months and was able to hit a target from 45 meters.


Robin Hood stars; Russell Crowe, Kevin Durand, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Vanessa Redgrave, William Hurt, Scott Grimes, Bronson Webb, Oscar Isaac, Léa Seydoux, Alan Doyle, and is directed by Ridley Scott.

New Robin Hood Images

Ridley Scott producing Pompeii

Sir Ridley Scott has signed up to produce a mini series based on Robert Harris's bestselling novel Pompeii. The four hour mini series is set in the ancient city of Pompeii around the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius a "dormant" volcano.

If you haven't read Pompeii - here author Robert Harris giving a really quick synopsis of his book.

Engineer Marcus Attilius is placed in charge of the massive aqueduct that services the teeming masses living in and around the Bay of Naples. Despite the pride he takes in his job, Marcus has pressing concerns: his predecessor in the job has mysteriously vanished, and another task is handed to Marcus: he is to undertake crucial repairs to the aqueduct near Pompeii, the city in the shadow of the restless Mount Vesuvius. And as Marcus faces several problems - all life threatening - an event approaches that will make all his concerns seem petty.

Roman Polanski who just made The Ghost Writer based on a Robert Harris book was earmarked to direct Pompeii put pulled out in 2009.

Ridley Scott will be producing Pompeii for Sony Pictures Television and Germany's Tandem Communications.

11 New Clash of theTitans clips

The mortal son of the god Zeus embarks on a perilous journey to stop the underworld and its minions from spreading their evil to Earth as well as the heavens.



Who Was That?


Scorpioch Battle


Release the Kraken


Calibos Battle


Medusa



For the other 6 clips head over to Movieweb

Director: Louis Leterrier
Writers: Travis Beacham and Phil Hay

Sam Worthington ... Perseus
Ralph Fiennes ... Hades
Liam Neeson ... Zeus
Gemma Arterton ... Io
Nicholas Hoult ... Eusabios
Alexa Davalos ... Andromeda
Danny Huston ... Poseidon
Izabella Miko ... Athena
Jason Flemyng ... Acrisius
Polly Walker ... Cassiopeia
Kaya Scodelario ... Peshet
Mads Mikkelsen ... Draco
Nathalie Cox ... Artemis
Pete Postlethwaite ... Spyros
Tamer Hassan ... Ares

11 New Clash of theTitans clips

John Carter of Mars needs you! Warriors wanted to fight 12ft barbarians!

After a couple of false starts Disney's John Carter of Mars is set for a 2012 release and urgently looking for extras.

John Carter of Mars is a a stunning adventure epic set on the wounded planet of Mars, a world inhabited by warrior tribes and exotic desert beings. Based on the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom Series,” the film chronicles the journey of Civil-War veteran John Carter, who finds himself battling a new and mysterious war amidst a host of strange Martian inhabitants. he film is based on the first serial to feature John Carter, 1912's A Princess of Mars. Carter is an American Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars, here called Barsoom. Formerly an Earthlike world, it became less hospitable to life due to its advanced age: as the oceans evaporated, and the atmosphere thinned, the planet devolved into partial barbarism with the inhabitants hardened and warlike, fighting one another to survive. Barsoomians distribute scarce water supplies via a worldwide system of canals, controlled by quarreling city-states. The Martian atmosphere is maintained by a power plant. Carter rescues a humanoid Martian princess Dejah Thoris from the belligerent four-armed Green Martians, whose respect he gains for his superior strength and fighting ability. He enlists the Green Martians' assistance in winning a civil war, and saves Mars from destruction when its atmosphere plant malfunctions.

It's being directed by Andrew Stanton (who can be found on Twitter here> @6mman) and stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins. Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Polly Walker, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West and James Purefoy.
Back in the 1940's, animation director Bob Clampett (director of Bugs Bunny and creator of Beany and Cecil) proposed a series of animated theatrical shorts adapting the John Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan). This footage was the test reel for the studios. Apparently one major Hollywood studio was interested in producing these shorts, but changed their mind when they thought the concept might be to weird for some people.

Photography is currently underway in the UK before heading over to the Mojave Desert. This week an urgent casting call went out for muscular extras for scenes to be shot in Surrey.

Casting Collective are looking for:

Men under 45, with muscular gym fit bodies.
Height between 5’8 and 6’3. Chest 38 to 46 Inches, with very good muscle definition.
No tattoos. Skin tone has to be Caucasian, Olive, Asian or Mixed race.

Women under 45, with muscular gym fit bodies.
Height between 5’4 & 5’9. Dress size 10-14
Very good muscle definition.No tattoos.
Skin tone has to be Caucasian, Olive, Asian or Mixed race.

For more info and to apply visit

http://www.castingcollective.co.uk/new-artistes/urgent-castings/

Below is a pic tweeted by Jon Favreau (@jon_Favreau). It is a concept model of Woola from his earlier attempt to get John Carter to the screen. Previously he was lined up to direct John Carter.

For an explanation of what Woola is: Below is an excerpt from an early part of Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars

"SOLA: His name is Woola. The men of our tribe use them in hunting and war. He has been told to guard and protect you. He has also been told to prevent your escape. There is no faster creature in our world. And in a fight they can kill very quickly. Do not try to escape, John Carter. Woola will tear you to small pieces.

JOHN CARTER: I continued to watch the creature named Woola. I had already seen how the green Martians treated other animals. They were very cruel.

I thought, perhaps this beast can be taught to be my friend…much like a dog on Earth. I walked close to the creature and began speaking in much the same way I would speak to a dog or other animal on Earth.

I sat down next to him while I talked softly. At first he seemed confused. I believe the creature Woola had never heard a kind word.

For the next several days I gained the trust and friendship of Woola. In a few short days Woola was my friend and fierce protector. He would remain my loyal friend as long as I was on Mars."

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Trailer

Set in medieval Persia, the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Which is why after the prince was tricked by a dying Vizier to unleash the Sands of Time that turns out to destroy a kingdom and transforms its populace into ferocious demons. In his effort to save his own kingdom and redeem his fatal mistake, it's up to the prince and the princess to return the sands to the hourglass by using the Dagger of Time, which also gives him a limited control over the flow of time.

Expected release date
28 May 2010

Ridley Scott's Robin Hood

The story of how an archer in the service of King Richard the Lionheart became to be known as Robin Hood, the famous archer and outlaw of English Folklore.

Beginning after the Death of King Richard at the Siege of Chalus Chabrol, the film follows Robin on his rise to infamy among the English Barons and the newly crowned King John.

Featuring historically accurate characters such as Sir William Marshall and grounded in reality (in a similar way to Gladiator), this is not Robin Hood as you have seen him before, rather the making of the legend we have come to know him as now.

Expected release date: May 2010

Clash of the Titans Trailer 2

The mortal son of the god Zeus embarks on a perilous journey to stop the underworld and its minions from spreading their evil to Earth as well as the heavens.

Clash of the Titans Trailer 2
Expected release date: 2 April 2010

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

The Last Airbender Trailer

Water. Earth. Fire. Air. In the old days, there was peace between the four nations of the world. The Avatar -- Master of all four elements -- kept peace between the the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. Only the Avatar has the ability to Bend (manipulate) all four elements, but one day, he Vanished. Then the Fire Nation attacked, forcing a war on the other three nations for one hundred years. Now, for the good of the world, it's up to 12-year-old Aang (Noah Ringer), the new Avatar, and the last of the Air Nomads (Airbenders), to return peace and balance by putting an end to the war and mastering all four elements. Aang must accept his destiny by stopping the Fire Nation's war and defeating the Fire Lord for good.

Expected release date
13 August 2010

A Night With Bruce Campbell in London (Q&A and preview of My name is Bruce)

A Night With Bruce Campbell in London
(Q&A and preview of My name is Bruce)

The Curzon are tearing their guts out in excitement that living legend Bruce Campbell star of The Evil Dead trilogy and Bubba Ho-tep will be in conversation before an exclusive preview of his new film My Name Is Bruce.

The sole survivor of a deadly encounter with the Chinese God of War takes it upon himself to kidnap his idol, Bruce Campbell, star of countless B-movie horror films, and recruit him to be their local saviour.

Friday February 6, 2009 at 11:30pm
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue
London, England W1D 5DY

Red Sonja poster

Thief, Gladiator, Warrior, King

Athlete, Actor, Pot-Head, President

This clip is from a Documentary called "Pumping Iron" released in '77. It follows the main contenders in the run up and finale of the Mr. Olympia & Mr. Universe '75 contests. The film exposes Arnold's Machiavellian personality and its particularly interesting to watch the underlying tension between Swarzenneger and Lou Ferrigno (who went on to become the Hulk). This scene takes place on Lou's birthday after Arnold has won the contest and announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding. Forever denying Lou the possibility of ever competitely beating him.

This is an Arnold quote about Franco Columbu one of his close friends and fellow competitor (different weight group). "Franco is pretty smart, but Franco's a child, and when it comes to the day of the contest, I am his father. He comes to me for advices. So it's not that hard for me to give him the wrong advices."

I was interested to note that California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Dr. Francesco Columbu to the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners last month.

The following is an exchange between a contestant Serge Nubret and Arnold.

Serge: Looks like I can take you.
Arnold: Heh heh, yeah, keep looking.

Classic Arnoldt.