Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: The Visit!

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Denise

the visit onesheetI’m feeling a bit chilly.  No, the weather’s still hot & humid.  But I feel the need for chills.  So I’m giving away passes for the Baltimore screening of The Visit!  Synopsis?  Why certainly:

Writer/director/producer M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable) and producer Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity, The Purge and Insidious series) welcome you to Universal Pictures’ THE VISIT. Shyamalan returns to his roots with the terrifying story of a brother and sister who are sent to their grandparents’ remote Pennsylvania farm for a weeklong trip. Once the children discover that the elderly couple is involved in something deeply disturbing, they see their chances of getting back home are growing smaller every day.

Shyamalan produces THE VISIT through his Blinding Edge Pictures, while Blum produces through his Blumhouse Productions alongside Mark Bienstock (Quarantine 2: Terminal). Steven Schneider (Insidious) and Ashwin Rajan (Devil) executive produce the thriller. http://www.stayinyourroom.com

Y’all know I’ve taken M. Night to task before.  But it’s also true that I love me some Devil and The Village.  (Not to mention Unbreakable, which is a must-see for any superhero film fan, or lover of a fantastic hero’s journey story.)  So I’ll be walking into this film with a 50/50 viewpoint.  Okay, maybe 60/40, as advanced buzz from folks who have already seen the film have been positive.  Yay?  YAY!

Okay, this time the giveaway is in PDF form.  So you know what that means… Continue reading →

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Thank you, Wes Craven (1939-2015)

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Denise

Wes Craven collage 1It’s a sad thing indeed when the first thing you see when you wake up is the obituary for someone you respect and admire.  So the news that Wes Craven has died at age 76 felt like a bad dream.  Guess it’s fitting, as Craven was a master of crafting bad dreams.  My formative horror years were spent poring over his films, my start of what can laughingly be called adulthood digging into his brief but fun stint in TV, and even now anytime I see something with his name on it, I’ve gotta check it out.

A lot of movie fans and professionals have much to be thankful for when it comes to Wes Craven.  Like “real world” horror?  His Last House on the Left is the battle cry of that subgenre.  Love meta-movies?  Scream kicked off the modern meta.  And, of course, his Nightmare on Elm Street helped kick-start the slasher genre, and added its own spin with dream imagery that many other moviemakers have run with since then.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.  So instead of listing his incredible films, or talking about him personally — others have done that far better and with more insight than I — my tribute will be a simple Thank You for his work.  And a look at some of my absolute favorites outside the usual hits.

Thank you, Wes Craven.

Continue reading →

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“I’m in Love With a Monster” – Fifth Harmony lays down an awesome track for Hotel Transylvania 2!

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Denise

halloween transylvania 2A friend is a huge Fifth Harmony fan, and I’m a huge Hotel Transylvania fan.  So naturally I had to check out Fifth Harmony’s “I’m in Love With a Monster” music vid for Hotel Transylvania 2.  Not disappointed.  In fact, I’m blown away.

Fun, right?  I’m loving Mavis’ cobweb veil.  Big. Time. Can’t wait to see the full HT2 prelude!  Meanwhile, I’m gonna make “I’m in Love with a Monster” a part of my 2015 Halloween jam.

Hotel Transylvania 2 opens for business September 25th, 2015. Read on for the full deets on this new track!

Continue reading →

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“Everest” – new images, synopsis

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Denise

everest onesheetRead Into Thin Air?  Get on that.  Seriously.  It’s absolutely amazing.  Not a book reader?  Read it anyway.  It’s that gripping.  I’ve given away so many copies of this book…I probably need to buy another one for my bookshelf now that Everest is coming next month.  True story:

Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival. The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Everest is directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes and Kormákur.

Universal Pictures and Cross Creek Pictures’ presentation of Everest—in association with Walden Media—is adapted for the screen by William Nicholson (Gladiator) and Oscar® winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).

The film shot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the U.K. Universal will distribute the film worldwide. http://www.everestmovie.com

The book was an amazing achievement in long-form journalism, detailing the tragedy in a way that was heartbreaking and page-turning.  I’m hoping that Everest taps into that.  Only one way to find out: Everest hits theaters September 25th, 2015.  I’ll be the gal front-n-center with the huge box o’ tissues.  ‘Til then, check out these first images…

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“Back of the Bus Funny” comedy special from Kevin Hart’s mentor Keith Robinson

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Denise
Official Poster Art (PRNewsFoto/Comedy Dynamics)

(PRNewsFoto/Comedy Dynamics)

Kevin Hart’s funny. That’s a given. But did you know about the man he calls his mentor, Keith Robinson? Obviously, Robinson is funny too. In fact, he’s in Trainwreck; check out the going-to-the-movies scene. The couple Amy and Aaron argue with? Keith Robinson and Marina Franklin. Told you this film was full of funny folks.  BTW, Robinson was a writer for The Wanda Sykes Show & Chappelle’s Show.  ‘Nuff said people.

Robinson has a new comedy special from Comedy Central called Kevin Hart Presents: Keith Robinson – Back of the Bus Funny.  And the trailer hints at some riffs on childhood, levels of stardom, politics, and social media popularity.  Back of the Bus Funny hits Comedy Dynamics Friday, August 28th, 2015.  This cable-cutter is looking forward to getting into this special this weekend.  Thank you Roku.

Read on for the full press release! Continue reading →

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Captain America: Civil War – new images! What side are you on?

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Denise

civil war whose side are you on
Looks like things are gearing up for Captain America: Civil War.  Marvel has released images that show which characters are on what side of the Superhero Registration Act.  And though it doesn’t have everyone — Spidey, Scarlet Witch and Crossbones are noticeably absent, so I’m guessing those will be big reveals in the film — it’s still pretty cool.  Here’s the breakdown:

  • Red Side (for the Act): War Machine, Black Widow, Iron Man, Black Panther and Vision
  • Blue Side (against the Act): Hawkeye, Ant Man (on Hawk’s shoulder), Agenty 13, Cap, Falcon and Winter Soldier — note Falcon’s Redwing flying in the background.  Looks like the rumors are right, and Redwing will be a drone in the MCU.

Though I love wading through all of the Batman v Superman stuff I’ve seen this summer, it’s nice to finally get a taste of Civil War. This Marvel arc threw down some serious ideas, and came to a climax that rocked the MCBU.  I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the MCU.

(ComicBookMovie.com)

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“Suffragette” celebrates Women’s Equality Day, 8/26

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Denise

suffragetteI’ve been looking forward to Suffragette — a film about the early days of the women’s equality movement — ever since I heard about the cast.  Carey Mulligan.  Helena Bonham Carter, LA STREEP. I got extra pumped when I heard that costuming for the film would be almost entirely real period clothes from the 1900s.

Now the makers of Suffragette tip their hat to Women’s Equality Day with this video.  It’s brief, but it’s moving.  They’ve also chosen today to unveil the official poster.

Suffragette hits theaters October 23rd, 2015.

Suffragette synopsis: Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: A Walk in the Woods!

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Denise

a walkTo those of you who will nab tickets; I won’t be at this screening.  But I will be hella jealous of you.  Why?  Because this looks like a whole lot of fun.  Dig the trailer:

Synopsis? Here ’tis:

In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson (Academy Award winner Robert Redford), instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife (Academy Award winner Emma Thompson), and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine.

The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz (Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte), a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law – sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, “adventure”. Now they’re about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.

So, passes?  Right this way…

Continue reading →

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Macabre Mansion brings Poe, Irving and Dickens to your earparts!

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Denise

MMpresentsLG LogoI’ve seen Halloween stuff on the shelves, people.  Ready for Fall?  Well, if it’s something spooky to listen to, how about some old-school scary?  Macabre Mansion has three haunting titles they’re just dying to get you to listen to. Bwahahaha!

They’ve got CD’s and audio downloads, depending on your preference.  Me?  I’m a digital download girl.  (That, and my car’s CD player is busted.)  What better way to while away the hours on a dark evening’s road trip than listening to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (with Daniel Roebuck from Grimm and Lost)?  Or maybe getting ready for visiting the fam by cranking up The Fall of the House of Usher (with Kevin Sorbo!) (Just me?)  They’ve even got my favorite ghost story here; A Christmas Carol (with John de Lancie!)

Read on for the full 411!
Continue reading →

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Fear the Walking Dead: “Pilot” episode dodges sophomore slump

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Denise

fear the walking deadGotta love The Walking Dead.  And though I was amped to see that Fear the Walking Dead would deal with the start of the walker pandemic, I feared sophomore slump.

I needn’t have worried.  Fear the Walking Dead starts off with a creepy stew of disbelief, dread, and self-doubt.  The characters here don’t know what’s going on, and all except for two don’t believe it’s anything to be seriously worried about.

That’s mostly because in Fear, things get creepy when a heroin addict (Frank Dillane, Sens8) sees some horrifying zombie stuff go down in his “shooting gallery”…and gets hit by a car when he runs out into the street.  So naturally, nobody believes him because they figure he’s tweaking.

Meanwhile, you’re introduced to the leads, Madison (Kim Dickens), a guidance counselor who’s also Frank’s mom;
Madison’s boyfriend Travis (Cliff Curtis), who works with Madison;
Madison’s daughter Alicia (Alycia Debman-Carey), the “good kid” of the family, who loves her brother but has all but given up on him.  Add to that a bunch of other characters that are really good people. The heartbreak to come will be seeing some – or all – of these redshirts die horribly, possibly joining the shufflers. (Okay, there’s one huge jerk, but it’s The Walking Dead.  You know not everyone will be kumbaya-ing their way into the apocalypse.)

Yes, there are themes here.  Fear of losing your sanity, the slavish belief in being protected by the powers-that-be, the generation gap – adults saying “the authorities would tell us” vs kids knowing what’s all over the Internet. Meanwhile, children aren’t showing up to school… Continue reading →

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