“Stomping Ground” – a backwoods horror story that’s off the beaten track

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Denise

stomping-ground-dvd

Nutshell: tired of the same-ol’, same-ol’ when it comes to spooky stories set in the deep woods?  Stomping Ground is a film that digs into mythology and interpersonal dynamics to amp up the suspense, rather than the ol’ run-run-slash.  Big bonus points for avoiding usual cliches and going with a straight-on spookfest.  Atmospheric, ominous, and downright creepy.  Bon appetit, monster fans.

“Bigfoot hunting. That’s fucking ridiculous.”

Chicago hipster Ben spends Thanksgiving in his girlfriend Annie’s small North Carolina town. One night out with Annie’s old friends, and “Big City” finds himself out for a camping trip…and finding Bigfoot is on the agenda.  Is he being played, or are they really being stalked?  Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: Sing!

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Denise

sing onesheetDid you check out the Grammys last night?  Pretty cool — especially the Hamilton win for Best Musical Theater Album.  (And how about that kickass acceptance speech by Lin-Manuel Miranda?)

You may have seen the trailer for Sing in-between all the awards show awesomeness…but in case you didn’t (or if you want to see it again), here it is.  What’s it all about?  Synopsis!

A koala named Buster recruits his best friend to help him drum up business for his theater by hosting a singing competition.

The trailer looks absolutely adorable, and hints at an all-ages type of comedy that should keep the kiddies entertained (singing animals!) while giving grownups a chuckle or two (I’m loving the cover of Crazy Town’s “Butterfly”…)  As this is American Idol’s final season, it’s a pretty timely story.  And getting actors with great chops – like Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon, John C. Reilly, Seth MacFarlane and Nick Offerman – ain’t too shabby either.  Bonus: seeing Nick Kroll, Leslie Jones, and AbFab‘s Jennifer Saunders on the cast list means there’s sure to be some high-quality laughs.

Check out the trailer below, and read on after the jump for the full press release! Sing hits theaters December 21st, 2016.

Continue reading →

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Star Wars VIII begins production. Fans, start your theories!

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Denise
Here we go…how could I put this better than the official 411?  I can only hope there’s more R2D2/BB8 back-n-forth this time… Read on!
Star Wars: Episode VIII Begins Production   
Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is written and directed by Rian Johnson and continues the storylines introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, welcomes back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.  New cast members will include Academy Award® winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award® nominee Laura Dern, and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin and Tom Karnowski. Joining the production crew will be some of the industry’s top talent, including Steve Yedlin (Director of Photography), Bob Ducsay (Editor), Rick Heinrichs (Production Designer), Peter Swords King (Hair and Make-Up Designer), and Mary Vernieu (US Casting Director). They will be joining returning crew members Pippa Anderson (Co-Producer, VP Post Production), Neal Scanlan (Creature & Droid FX Creative Supervisor), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Jamie Wilkinson (Prop Master), Chris Corbould (SFX Supervisor), Rob Inch (Stunt Coordinator), Ben Morris (VFX Supervisor), and Nina Gold (UK Casting Director).
Star Wars: Episode VIII is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.
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Deadpool: sleazy, savage, and super

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Denise

deadpool vd

Nutshell:  Want a great family-friendly superhero film to watch with your loved ones to this Valentine’s Day?  Stay at home and re-watch Avengers.  Want an over-the-top gorefest that is full of crass, inappropriate humor, nekkidness, ultraviolence, and a cast that’s game for whatever crazy stuff comes next? Line the hell up.  Wade Wilson may not take himself seriously, but this film is serious fun.  THIS is how to do an origin story.  Pass the chimichangas.  Grade: A+

“From the studio that inexplicably sewed his fucking mouth shut the first time, comes… me!”

Yes, the marketing for this film has been off the chain.  Absolutely top-notch.  In fact, I’m betting marketing execs have been fired for not coming up with stuff this sweet for other super-movies.  Or at least been moved to that office with the copier and microwave. But how does Deadpool stack up as a movie and not a marketing juggernaut?  Damn fine, thanks for asking. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Stomping Ground”

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Denise

stomping-ground-dvd“Little lady, these woods is dangerous.  You don’t come out here with a pack’a guys you can’t trust.”

Living in a suburb that backed to woods, my sisters and I always figured something was going on back there.  But we didn’t think about Bigfoot.  (We were too busy dreading the day when vampires from ‘Salem’s Lot would learn about Amtrak late-night scheduling.)  But for you Bigfoot fans and phobics, Stomping Ground has your guy…or does it?

This indie-fest darling has a nice buildup of creepiness and Teh Spooky in the trailer, along with some low-key humor.  Check it out:

Stomping Ground hits VoD March 8th.  I wish it’d been available during last year’s Spooky Movie Fest; this looks like it’d be a really good time in a dark theater.  Read on for the full deets after the jump!
Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch — The Purge: Election Year

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Denise

the purge election yearOkay, honesty time. I wasn’t a big fan of The Purge…then again, I’m not that into claustrophobic horror.  But The Purge: Anarchy was fantastic. The issues of governmental overreach, class conflict, and economic disparity were done well, and had me wanting more.  Well, we’re getting more.  And I’m glad to see not only the return of hero Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo), but an extension of the Purge mythology.  Here’s the official deets:

Expanding the universe introduced in the hit franchise that electrified the culture and earned $200 million at the worldwide box office, Universal Pictures’ The Purge: Election Year reveals the next terrifying chapter that occurs over 12 hours of annual lawlessness sanctioned by the New Founders of America to keep this country great.

It’s been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night. Now serving as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), his mission is to protect her in a run for president and survive the annual ritual that targets the poor and innocent. But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive until dawn…or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state.

Once again returning to collaborate with franchise creator James DeMonaco on The Purge: Election Year are the series’ producers: Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum (Insidious and Ouija series, The Visit), Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ouija series, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and writer/director DeMonaco’s longtime production partner, Sébastien K. Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13, Four Lovers).
http://www.thepurgeelectionyear.com

Check out the trailer below. The Purge: Election Year tries to break down your steel door on July 1st, 2016.

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ConNews: Andrea Libman comes back to #BronyCon!

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Denise

BronyCon 2016 logoFluttershy is back!  She’s back!  Er, I mean Andrea Libman, the award-winning actress who voices Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and other ponies in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, is coming back to BronyCon!  She was funny, sweet and super down-to-earth when I was lucky enough to attend her Q&A last year.***  So carve out some time in your BronyCon schedule to see her!

Okay, read all about it after the jump, everybody — straight from the horse’s mouth (or BronyCon press release.  Either or.)

*** BTW, for folks wanting MOAR PONE during this year’s BronyCon?  I’ll be updating you on-the-fly (on-the-hoof, for you Earth Ponies), with posts after each panel and Q&A I attend.  So get ready to strap in and do this, AFan-style!

Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Triple 9!

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Denise

triple 9 posterLooks like a group of Deadpool cosplayers are takin’ over y’all.  Oh wait.  This is actually a cops/mob/revenge flick with some heavy hitters headlining.  (Say that five times fast.)  Synopsis!

In TRIPLE 9, a crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down”. Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.

IMDb has the lineup as Kate Winslet, Gal Gadot, Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Michael Kenneth Williams…and on and on. So you know you wanna see this.  Well, c’mon then!

Continue reading →

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First Second — celebrating 10 years with a cool February reading list!

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Denise

Print

First Second, the publishing house that has given readers the graphic novels American Born Chinese, Andre the Giant, Friends With Boys, Above the Dreamless Dead, The Divine, just to name a few, is celebrating its tenth anniversary!  Happy anniversary, cool publishing house that gives me stuff I like to read!

To celebrate, they’ve sent out some info on where they’ve been, and where they’re going.  Here’s a taste:

In the past decade, the graphic novel industry has changed drastically — going from an often overlooked corner of the literary universe to an acclaimed, essential part of bookstores, libraries, classrooms, and homes.  First Second has made that possible — with books from authors like Scott McCloud, Faith Erin Hicks, Ben Hatke, Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, and Gene Luen Yang that have broken new ground, and won hearts and minds for the whole medium.  In 2016, we’re looking out at a graphic novel industry poised for widespread acceptance of comics in every home across the country.

Yeah, that Scott McCloud, and his new book The Sculptor looks very, very cool. (And if you haven’t read Understanding Comics, you really need to get on that.)  So, ready to dig in to some graphic novels for February?  First Second has come up with a reading list to help you do just that.  Dig in!

February 2016 Reading List

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: How To Be Single!

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Denise

HOW TO BE SINGLE teaser one sheetReady for Valentine’s Day?  Or maybe “Single Awareness Day”?  I’ve always kinda hated that second one, as if when you’re single you can’t like hearts and flowers and stuff.  I always like that stuff, single or not.  Though to be fair, I’m a bigger fan of February 15th, Half Price Candy Day…

If you’re newly single, or still single, or wannabe single, or just up for a laugh, I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of How To Be Single!  Yep.  What better way to kick off Hearts And Candy Week than with a free movie?  Synopsis!

There’s a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then… there’s Alice.  And Robin.  Lucy.  Meg.  Tom.  David.  New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle.  And somewhere between the teasing texts and one-night stands, what these unmarrieds all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love.  Sleeping around in the city that never sleeps was never so much fun.

How To Be Single stars Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Damon Wayans Jr., Anders Holm, Alison Brie, Nicholas Braun, Jake Lacy, with Jason Mantzoukas and Leslie Mann, and that sounds like a fun ensemble cast.  Right this way to how to grab yourself a pass… Continue reading →

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