Freestyle Releasing Acquires U.S. Theatrical Rights To "Jinn"

Freestyle Releasing has acquired the domestic theatrical rights to JINN, a tension filled supernatural thriller from Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad and Benjamin Dresser, and stars Ray Park ("Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace"), Faran Tahir ("Iron Man", "Star Trek"), William Atherton ("Die Hard", "Ghostbusters"), Serinda Swan (A & E's "Breakout Kings"), and Dominic Rains ("Flight 93"). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus. A release date for the film will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.
 
The amazing story of JINN involves ancient mythological creatures who have never been seen in U.S. cinemas before. The premise of the jinn concept, known to over 1 billion people around the world, involves supernatural entities and revolves around creation mythology: In the beginning, three were created; man made of clay; angels made of light; and a third...made of fire. They are powerful due to their existence in a parallel world, and also because they have free will and can be both good and evil.
 
The film has already generated a lot of early attention online, as the teaser trailer and links to other related material have generated over 2.5 million combined hits. JINN is also unique in that the hero vehicle used in the film, known as the "Firebreather," was designed by the director and is the first vehicle in motion picture history available to the public for purchase. The "Firebreather" is a V8, 618 horsepower super exotic American muscle car with 50 limited editions being produced as the exact replica of the vehicle in the film. The car, several of which have already been sold, was designed by Exxodus Pictures to honor the Detroit automotive industry by creating a modern vehicle with the soul of classic American muscle.
 
The distribution deal was negotiated by Freestyle's Co-President Mark Borde, Head of Acquisitions Chris Charalambous and Richard Mandell and Najam Syed from Exxodus Pictures.

 "The Exxodus team and I are very excited to be working with Freestyle Releasing on the film, especially with their experience and delivery model.  They understand the originality of the jinn concept and its franchise potential, and will definitely market the concept to North American movie going audiences while retaining its authenticity to people already familiar with the idea," said Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad.
 
"We are happy to be distributing a film that will introduce North American audiences to an entirely new, entirely different supernatural concept, and I know that our team is excited to get this movie out to the public," said Freestyle's Borde. 

Freestyle Releasing is responsible for distributing some of the most successful independent films, including THE ILLUSIONIST, THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY and AN AMERICAN HAUNTING.  Freestyle's recent slate of releases includes the critically-acclaimed Filipino horror-thriller THE ROAD from director Yam Laranas, along with TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN directed by Stuart Beattie, which also marked the first feature film to debut digitally on Facebook.  Upcoming theatrical titles for Freestyle include YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE starring Katharine McPhee and Rob Schneider.

3D Gimmick Claims Latest Victim - Pacific Rim

Guillermo del Toro doesn't want Pacific Rim in post-conversion 3D. As he reasonably explained to Collider, the format changed the scale of what was intended to be giant buildings, robots and monsters. Even if his stance boiled down to a "Fuck 3D!" train-of-thought, his reasoning on display was perfectly sound.

Between those statements in July and today however, Warner Brothers is forcing the Mexican filmmaker's hand. Variety reports Pacific Rim is the latest in a long-line of pricey pictures slapping on 3D purely as an afterthought. Truth is del Toro doesn't have the clout to say "No," like Christopher Nolan.

So much is riding on Rim. The studio needs every affordable option to ensure profitability. Loud as the Comic-Con praise heard, that's playing to a predisposed crowd. They're going to see it anyway. Until we see theatrical trailers, there’s no indication the thought of giant robots fighting giant monsters in a futuristic background results in "SOLD OUT" signs in front of box-offices nationwide.

New Wreck-It Ralph Trailer Retains 8-Bit Charm

Not the same "Wow!" factor as the first trailer if I'm being totally honest and a sense we've just seen the finish film compressed in two minutes. But those minor quibbles aside; Disney's Wreck-It Ralph still looks like a winner.

Here's the new trailer, via Yahoo! Movies:

"Thor: The Dark World" Set Photos

I've never been a huge fan of Thor as a character, but I was pleasantly surprised with the the first film. Chris Hemsworth really did well with the hammer and cape and certainly elevated his likeability himself in The Avengers.

It still amazes me how fast Marvel is churning these films out under their own name with a little help from Disney. Combine that with what other studios are doing with Marvel properties and DC seems to be stuck on their first lap with only Batman as their go-to hero.

I know our very own Jamie Williams is hoping that there is a topless scene involving one Kat Dennings in the sequel. Maybe the director's cut Jamie. Until then he'll have to enjoy three of the large amount of Thor: The Dark World set photos courtesy of SuperHeroHype

New Clip From The Dark Knight Returns

The release of The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is closing in. This is one of the most respected Batman tales ever written by the legendary Frank Miller who also did another classic bat-tale, Year One. His take on the characters beginning was recently adapted into an animated feature as well. The animation looks top notch from all the clips so far and the one below may be my favorite yet. It's always great to see a demonized Batman through the eyes of some crook who's feeling fear.

Along with the clip and images WB released an official statement announcing that Peter Weller will be attending the premiere on the 24th of this month. What's the significance of Robocop himself being at a Batman animated movie release? He will be voicing Mr.Wayne in the film which I'm still trying to get used to, but should end up just fine in the full film.

You can view all the other new images over at Batman-News.com

RoboCop star Peter Weller, the voice of the title character for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, will be present for Warner Home Video’s West Coast Premiere of the film on September 24 at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.

Weller will take part in the red carpet pre-screening media interviews as well as the post-screening panel discussion. Weller joins previously confirmed actors David Selby (The Social Network/Dark Shadows) and Ariel Winter (Modern Family), executive producer Bruce Timm, director Jay Oliva, writer Bob Goodman and dialogue/casting director Andrea Romano.

The event is completely sold out. Fans who have already submitted ticket requests will be notified this week if they are one of the lucky few to receive seats for the New York and Los Angeles events. Additionally, fans should stay tuned to http://darkknightreturnsdvd.com and DC.com for additional opportunities to procure tickets for the bi-coastal events.

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 will be distributed by Warner Home Video on September 25, 2012.

"Everybody Has A Plan" Trailer Featuring Viggo Mortensen

The film tells the story of Agustín (Mortensen), a man desperate to abandon what for him has become, after years of living in Buenos Aires, a very frustrating existence. After the death of his twin brother, Pedro, Agustín decides to start a new life, adopting the identity of his brother and returning to the mysterious region of the Delta, in the Tigre, where they lived when they were boys. However, shortly after his return, Agustín will find himself unwillingly involved in the dangerous criminal world that was a part of his brother's life.

TFC International via Coming Soon

"Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning" Poster

Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski and Dolph Lundgren, the action sequel finds John (Adkins) waking up from a coma to discover his wife and daughter were slaughtered in a brutal home invasion. Haunted by images of the attack, he vows to kill the man responsible, Luc Deveraux (Van Damme). While John tries to piece his reality back together, things get more complicated when he is pursued by a relentless UniSol (Arlovski). As John gets closer to Deveraux and the rouge army of genetically enhanced warriors led by back-from-the-dead leader Andrew Scott (Lundgren), John discovers more about himself and begins to call into question everything he believed to be true.

Trailer and Poster for 'Smashed'

'Jesse?  Whatcha you doing in there?'

Nah, I'm only kidding, that's not Jesse Pinkman.  Though it is ironic the character he plays in this film is struggling with drug and alcohol like his Breaking Bad counterpart.

Anyway, the trailer and poster are listed below for the indie drama, Smashed, starring the aforementioned Aaron Paul and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

This actually looks like a pretty good comedic drama, similar to Half Nelson and Juno, both which went on to earn Oscar noms.  We'll see how this one plays out.

Smashed hits theaters October 12th.

Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter... and getting smashed. When Kate's partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something's got to give. But change isn't exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she's been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie.

"ET" Flies Back Into Theaters on October 3

As if it wasn't cool enough to have Raiders of the Lost Ark back in theaters this week, we'll be getting another Steven Spielberg classic back on the big screen when Fathom Events presents E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, playing in select theaters on October 3. 

Like Raiders, which gets a box-set blu-ray release on September 18, E.T. will be coming out on blu-ray on October 9, so the re-release is to coincide with that.  But Fathom does have some extra goodies planned for their screenings, which will include an introduction by Turner Classic Movies' Ben Mankiewicz with behind-the-scenes extra features and an interview with Drew Barrymore, who played little sister Gertie in the film. 

This is a one-night only event, although there will be some matinee showings too, so the kids can see E.T. on the big screen for the first time (but on a school day? whose idea was that?!).  I've seen E.T. in theaters five times - three in 1982 and twice during the 2002 re-release - and it's well worth it.

You can order tickets here, and don't forget to pick up the blu-ray edition on October 9:

Eddie Redmayne Shows Off the 'Les Mis' Barricade

"On the tomb of Lamarque shall a barricade rise!"

Last week, the official Twitter page for Les Miserables promised a behind-the-scenes sneak peak as a thank you for helping them reach 24,601 followers.  24601, of course, is best known as protagonist Jean Valjean's prison number...and somehow I'm guessing Victor Hugo never envisioned that number being used for stuff like this when he wrote the original novel in 1862.  But hey, we got a video out of it, so it's all good. 

In the clip, a bloodied Eddie Redmayne, who plays student revolutionary Marius, explains some of the carnage about to happen on the barricade between his fellow students and the French army during their rebellion in the streets of Paris.  If you're unsure how that turns out, check out Hugh Jackman (in his Jean Valjean costume) showing one of the students how to properly take bullet in the lower part of the screen.  Yikes!

Keep in mind that amidst all of this talk of gunfire and swordfights, this is a musical.  And a really good one, too.  In the stage version, the barricade is basically two giant setpieces that mechanically come together, so it's pretty cool to see the barricade in an actual street setting like it was in the original novel.

Les Miserables opens in theaters on December 14.