Production Begins On "Final Destination 5"

Production is under way on New Line Cinema’s fifth installment of the gripping Final Destination franchise, which began back in 2000 with the original film quickly becoming a cult hit. The new victims of Death’s plan are part of a cast led by Emma Bell (Frozen, TV's "The Walking Dead") and Nick D’Agosto (Fired Up!, TV's "Heroes"). The film is being shot on location in Vancouver, Canada.

The second of the Final Destination films to be shot in 3D, Final Destination 5 is being directed by Steve Quale, marking his major feature film directorial debut. Producer Craig Perry (American Pie) returns for the fifth time, working with executive producers Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Erik Holmberg, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada and David Neustadter. The screenplay was written by Eric Heisserer with revisions by Gary Dauberman; Heisserer is no stranger to the horror genre, having penned New Line’s recent hit A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Final Destination 5 brings together an ensemble cast that includes Bell and D’Agosto, along with Miles Fisher (TV’s "Mad Men" and "Gossip Girl"), Arlen Escarpeta (Friday the 13th), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (TV’s "The Bold and the Beautiful"), P.J. Byrne (Dinner for Schmucks) and Ellen Wroe (TV’s "Huge"). Rounding out the rest of the cast are Courtney B. Vance (TV’s "Flash Forward," "ER"), David Koechner ("The Office," Anchorman) and Final Destination franchise icon Tony Todd (Hatchet II).

In this fifth installment Death is just as omnipresent as ever and is unleashed after one man’s premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But these unsuspecting souls were never supposed to survive, and in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

Collaborating with Steve Quale behind the scenes are director of photography Brian Pearson (Drive Angry 3D, My Bloody Valentine 3D); production designer David Sandefur (Repo Men, Journey to the Center of the Earth); editor Eric Sears (Shooter) and costume designer Jori Woodman (Eight Below).

The film is a production of New Line Cinema and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

"Howl", Starring James Franco & Jon Hamm In Theaters Sept. 24th

HOWL, starring James Franco & Jon Hamm, opens in theaters and premieres on VOD starting next Friday, September 24!

Berkeley, CA - Rialto Elmwood
New York, NY - Angelika
New York, NY - Clearview Chelsea
New York, NY - Lincoln Plaza
San Francisco, CA - Sundance Kabuki
San Rafael, CA - San Rafael Film Center

The film will expand throughout October.

Directed by: Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman
Starring: James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola,
Treat Williams, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels

Starring James Franco in a career-defining performance as Allen Ginsberg, HOWL is the story of how the young poet’s seminal work broke down societal barriers in the face of an infamous public obscenity trial. In his famously confessional style, Ginsberg – poet, counter-culture icon, and chronicler of the Beat Generation – recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to HOWL, the most timeless work of his career.

HOWL interweaves three stories: the unfolding of the landmark 1957 obscenity trial; an imaginative animated ride through the prophetic masterpiece; and a unique portrait of a man who found new ways to express himself, and in doing so, changed his own life and galvanized a generation.

HOWL is written and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and stars James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, with Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels. The film is produced by Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker for Werc Werk Works and executive produced by Gus Van Sant and Jawal Nga.  The animation design is by Eric Drooker, with cinematography by Edward Lachman, production designer by Therese DePrez, costume design by Kurt and Bart and a score by Carter Burwell. 

Official Trailer For "Red Hill"

You can now watch the official trailer for RED HILL exclusively on Apple Trailers!

Young police officer Shane Cooper relocates to the small country town of Red Hill with his pregnant wife Alice to start a family. But when news of a prison break sends the local law enforcement officers - led by the town’s ruling presence, Old Bill - into a panic, Shane’s first day on duty rapidly turns into a nightmare.

Enter Jimmy Conway, a convicted murderer serving life behind bars, who has returned to the isolated outpost seeking revenge. Now caught in the middle of what will become a terrifying and bloody confrontation, Shane will be forced to take the law into his own hands if he is to survive.

A taut thriller which unfolds over the course of a single day and night, and told with explosive action and chilling violence, RED HILL is a modern-day western played out against the extraordinary landscapes of high-country Australia.

RED HILL will play Chicago International Film Festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, and the Philadelphia Film Festival before its November 5^th release.

Magnet Releasing Takes Takashi Miike's "13 Assassins"

The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures announced today that it has acquired US rights to Takashi Miike’s samurai masterpiece, 13 ASSASSINS.  13 ASSASSINS, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, recently had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and has just been named as the Closing Night film at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin. A gorgeously realized, bravura samurai action film in the tradition of Seven Samurai, 13 ASSASSINS is being hailed as one of the best films of Miike’s prolific career.

Set in 1844 Japan, and based on a 1963 film of the same name, 13 ASSASSINS stars Koji Yakusho (Tokyo Sonata and Babel), and brings together the cream of Japan’s acting talent. Yakusho plays a brave samurai who assembles an elite team of thirteen killers to assassinate the brother of the Shogun, a sadistic and well protected young lord who’s above the law, raping and killing innocents with impunity. The film culminates in a mind-blowing, forty-five minute battle sequence that rivals anything seen before in the genre.

The US deal was negotiated by Magnet SVP Tom Quinn and Hanway Films CEO Tim Haslam. 13 ASSASSINS will be released theatrically by Magnet in the first quarter of 2011.

“Miike returns with a vengeance in this mother-of-all Samurai films,” said Tom Quinn, Magnet SVP.  “We could not be more honored to welcome one of the world’s greatest genre masters and this instant classic into the Magnet family.”

HanWay sold over 20 territories in Toronto including Canada (Alliance), Australia/NZ (Icon), and Italy (BIM). A deal for the UK will be announced shortly.

13 ASSASSINS will soon screen at the upcoming London Film Festival. It was executive-produced by RPC’s Jeremy Thomas, who has long held a reputation for breaking Asian titles into the international market, most notably Bernardo Bertolucci's nine-time Oscar winner The Last Emperor, Nagisa Ôshima's Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and Takeshi Kitano's Brother. Thomas partnered with Sedic International head Toshiaki Nakazawa (producer of the Oscar-winning Departures and Miike’s Sukiyaki Western Django), and TV Asahi’s Takashi Hirajo. Toho Co., Ltd will release the film in Japan on September 25^th.

Snookie To Appear On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" On 9/23

TMT knows that "Snookie" has a love/hate relationshp with the general public, but that is what makes it all so fascinating. We wanted to let you know that everyone favorite guidette, Nicole Polizzi aka ‘Snookie,’ will be gracing the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” stage on September 23^rd. She will sit down with Jimmy to talk about her insta-classic show, “Jersey Shore.” Other guests that night include actor Zach Galifianakis (“It’s Kind of a Funny Story”) and musical guest Trombone Shorty.

Listen To TMT's Jamie Williams On Moviehole Podcast

Not that Jamie's head needed to get any bigger than it already is, but when our friend Clint over at Moviehole asked him to be on his podcast, how could Jamie's ego refuse? Check out the description below and click the link to hear Jamie's quick witted take on the entertainment world on The Hole Cast. Also, don't forget to listen to the newest edition of Movie Moan where Jamie is joined as always by Phil, Lou, and Ed. I'm sure comedy and awesomeness ensues.

A weekly podcast in which the Moviehole staff, headed by Clint Morris, talk up the latest in cinema releases, chat about what's happening in Hollywood, interview celebrities, and take a look back at the films of yesteryear. Regular segments include Flashback, Mailbag and Caffeinated Clint.

This Week : Jamie Williams (TMT) comes on to talk about productions shooting in his native Louisiana, Hollywood's obsession with remakes and comic book movies, Whether a show can remain successful if the star is replaced, and remembering Patrick Swayze - who passed away a year ago. Ep 5 : Special Guest - Jamie Williams DOWNLOAD or LISTEN 

TBS Debuts "Conan" Teaser Poster

Conan O'Brien. I can't wait to see that lanky manchild misfit back on the airways again. His quirky jokes and mannerisms always leave me in stitches. I may not be part of "Team Coco", or team anything for that matter, but the guy is funny. Let's just leave it at that. It's not like we are debating the death penalty or abortion. Check out the poster featuring Conan and his owl friend below. Good thing George Lopez OKed the move. Nope.

Dru Struzan & Jefferey Weissman: "We're Going Back"

We’re going back ... spanning november 5th 2010 to november 12th 2010, you can join fellow back to the future fans re-create marty mcflys week in 1955 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of back to the future! the biggest back to the future event ... IN HISTORY! By the fans, for the fans, with all proceeds going to team fox for Parkinson's research.

"Voltron" Concept Art Surfaces

I have to say when I first heard about a "Voltron" flick being in development, all I could think of is "Transformers". We've already see this guys, you were beaten to the punch...a day to late and all that. After seeing the below concept art sent to the good guys over at JoBlo along with the mediocrity that was "Transformers 2", I'm game for "Voltron". He can defend my universe any day.

"Pinocchio" To Come Alive For Warner Bros.

The Brothers Warner along with Dan Jinks Co. are set to puppeteer a live action version of "Pinocchio" according to The Trades. Dan Jinks will produce the feature through his company and Bryan Fuller has been given the opportunity to write the script. Fuller worked on ABC's weirdo tv show "Pushing Daises" and has sort of a cult following due to "Wonderfalls" and "Dead Like Me".

Jinks was reportedly inspired by Burton's live action take on "Alice In Wonderland, "I think we've found a fresh approach that's going to be very entertaining." I have to say I really like this idea. I can see a film which features a nice balance of darkness, wonder, and comedy. I'm assuming the studio is going to do this one in 3D and find themselves crushed by giant wads of cash. I don't know about you, but I am really liking Tom Wilkinson as Gepetto right now.