"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.

Celluloid Nightmares Launches Upcoming Production & Sales Slate

Celluloid Nightmares, the foreign sales partnership between LA-based XYZ Films and Paris-based Celluloid Dreams, has acquired world sales rights to a slate of film projects that are starting production over the next few months.  The company’s projects span a number of genres hailing from multiple territories around the world. XYZ Films and Celluloid Nightmares will be introducing these projects, along with the company's current slate, during the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
 
STAGE FRIGHT from Serendipity Point Films (EASTERN PROMISES, BARNEY’S VERSION) marks the feature film debut from director Jerome Sable.  Sable is best known as the director of the short film THE LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM which was a recent TIFF Midnight Madness selection as well as a Sundance selection.  The musical/horror film has Meat Loaf and Minnie Driver confirmed for the cast and has a scheduled September production start.  
 
THESE FINAL HOURS is a sci-fi thriller from first-time Australian director, Zak Hilditch.  The film follows a self-obsessed young man who makes his way to the party-to end-all-parties on the last day on Earth, but ends up saving the life of a little girl searching for her father. Their relationship ultimately leads him on the path to redemption. The film will begin production in Perth, Australia in October with the support of Screen Australia.  
 
CREEPING ZERO is a European co-production from director Billy O’Brien (ISOLATION, a TIFF Midnight Madness title from 2005).  The sci-fi film is scheduled to start shooting October 29th in Budapest and will star John Boyega (ATTACK THE BLOCK), Ashley Hinshaw (CHRONICLE), Eddie Marsan (SHERLOCK HOLMES) and Adam Deacon (ANUVAHOOD). CREEPING ZERO is budgeted at 7 million Euro. 
 
KILLERS is a Japanese/Indonesian co-production between Guerrilla Merah Productions and Gareth Evans’ Pt. Merantau Films (THE RAID) out of Indonesia and Nikkatsu (COLD FISH) out of Japan.  This serial-killer thriller from directors The Mo Brothers (MACABRE), follows two contrasting serial killers inadvertently discover each other’s existence, as the world around them falls apart, their paths will cross in a violent collision. Starring an international cast, the film is has just commenced production. 
 
Rounding out the slate is ON THE JOB TRAINING, a Filipino action thriller being directed by Erik Matti (TIK TIK: THE ASWANG CHRONICLES) which is scheduled to start production on October 1st. The film is inspired by actual political scandal in the Philippines in which politicians, gangsters and prison official cooperated to use prison inmates as assassins to commit hits outside the prison walls. 
 
XYZ Films is next producing BERANDAL (aka THE RAID 2) which starts production in January and is currently in pre-production in Jakarta, Indonesia. They are alsoproducing THE RAID, an English-language remake which is currently in development at Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems.  The company is in post-production on THE RAMBLER, directed by Calvin Reeder and starring Dermot Mulroney; and FRANKENSTEIN'S ARMY, directed by Richard Raaphorst. They are also handling world sales on the film RAZE, which is currently in post-production and starring Zoe Bell and Rachel Nichols.
 
"We're excited to be working with and supporting these talented filmmakers from around the world,” said XYZ Films’ and Celluloid Nightmares’ partner Nate Bolotin.  “With filmmakers from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, the UK and Ireland honing their unique craft to smart genre and story, the marketplace and eventual audiences should keep their eyes peeled."
 

Freestyle Releasing Takes U.S. Rights To "Funeral Kings"

Freestyle Releasing announced today that they have acquired all U.S. rights to FUNERAL KINGS, the charming, critically acclaimed comedy that was written, produced and directed by brothers Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus. The film was executive produced by Andrew  van den Houten (‘’The Woman,” “In the Family”) and stars Dylan Hartigan (“The Black Donnellys”), Alex Maizus, Jordan Puzzo, and Charles Odei (“The Good Wife”).  Michaela McManus (“The Vampire Diaries”), Michael Delaney (“The Other Guys”), and Kevin Corrigan (“Superbad”) round out the cast. FUNERAL KINGS debuted as an official selection at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and is slated for a fall release.
 
It's always a good day for a funeral at St. Mark's Middle School in Rhode Island. Andy and Charlie, two altar boys, don't just get to miss class anytime a parishioner kicks the bucket, they cut out early and play hooky as soon as the service is over. Eventually their irreverent personalities will put them in a situation that is too big for them to handle.
 
The deal for the U.S. rights was negotiated by Freestyle Releasing’s Co-President Susan Jackson and Andrew van den Houten, President of Modernciné.   
 
“Kevin and Matthew McManus are talented new filmmakers who bring a fresh humor to the adventures of these ne’er-do-well New England Altar boys. We absolutely love the film and can’t wait to bring it to audiences,” said Jackson.

“Funeral Kings was an audience and critics hit at SXSW and Fantasia and we are delighted to secure U.S. distribution with Freestyle for this very funny film,” said Andrew van den Houten.

Isabel Lucas To Star in "Careful What You Wish For"

Hyde Park-Image Nation, Troika Pictures and Merced Media Partners have announced that they will finance and produce the thriller CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. The film, to be directed by Elizabeth Allen (“Ramona and Beezus,” “Aquamarine”), was written by Chris Frisina and will star Isabel Lucas (“Transformer 2,” “Immortals”). Producing are Hyde Park’s Ashok Amritraj along with Troika’s Robert Stein, Michael A. Helfant and Bradley Gallo, and Myriad Pictures’ Kirk D'Amico. Executive Producers are William Gallo, Chris Frisina and Merced Media Partners’ Raj Singh, Stuart Brown and Kevin Frakes.  Philip Cohen is Co-Executive Producer. Hyde Park International will represent worldwide rights at the Toronto International Film Festival.
 
Self-conscious high school student Doug Martin gets more than he bargained for when he starts a torrid affair with Lena—the young, lonely wife of a wealthy businessman renting the lake house next door.  But when a serious crime rocks their sleepy vacation town, Doug is let in on a devastating secret and suddenly finds himself a suspect in this sexy thriller reminiscent of “Basic Instinct” and “Body Heat.”
 
Lucas is in high demand after completing roles that include the upcoming Terrence Malick film KNIGHT OF CUPS, as well as starring in the new RED DAWN and THE LOFT.  In addition to Lucas, two other A-list stars will be cast in other roles. 
 
The film will commence principal photography in the first quarter of 2013. 
 
"I look forward to bringing the fascinating characters to life in this provocative and sexy coming of age thriller.  The lead character of Lena is a uniquely complex femme fatale -- a compelling archetype that hasn't been brought to the screen in some time and is due a revival.  I am thrilled to be collaborating with the talented Isabel Lucas on this project and am excited by the depth and mystery she will infuse into the film," said Allen. 
 
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR has a lot of heat coming into Toronto with the film having already been sold to Square One for Germany, Swen for Latin America, Grandview for Eastern Europe, Phars for the Middle East, Aqua Pinema for Turkey, Lusomundo for Portugal, Ster Kinekor for South Africa and PT Amero for Indonesia.

"You May Not Kiss The Bride" Trailer

YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE is a charming tale of adventurous high jinx and budding romance involving an unassuming pet photographer (Annable) who is thrown head first into a series of unforeseeable events when he's forced to marry a Croatian mobster’s daughter (McPhee) and spend his honeymoon at a secluded Tahitian resort where the bride is kidnapped.

New "Wake In Fright" Poster From Drafthouse Films

Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2009 – Cannes Classics
Cannes Film Festival 1971 – Official Competition
TIFF 2009 – Official Selection

 “Wake In Fright is a deeply – and I mean deeply – unsettling and disturbing movie. I saw it when it premiered at Cannes in 1971, and it left me speechless. Visually, dramatically, atmospherically and psychologically, its beautifully calibrated and it gets under your skin one encounter at a time, right along with the protagonist played by Gary Bond. I’m excited that Wake In Fright has been preserved and restored and that it is finally getting the exposure it deserves.” –Martin Scorsese, 2012 

“Powerful, Genuinely Shocking & Rather Amazing!”-Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times 

“The Best & Most Terrifying Film About Australia In Existence.”-Nick Cave

The film made its world premiere at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival where it was nominated for a Palme D'Or and its US distribution rights were sold. Retitled Outback and hurried into a few theaters across the country, the film barely played for more than a week before it was yanked from circulation due to poor attendance and lack of advertising. Wake In Fright vanished into obscurity, barely reviewed by American critics and not ever appearing on domestic VHS or DVD.

For over three decades the film materials were thought to be lost until the film's persistent cinematographer unearthed the original negative elements in Philadelphia in canisters marked for destruction just one week away from its impending incineration. The materials were painstakingly restored frame-by-frame at Sydney's AtLab Deluxe with the support of the National Film And Sound Archive of Australia. The new restoration was invited back to Cannes by guest curator Martin Scorsese, where it held the honor of being one of two films to ever screen twice at the festival (the other being Antonioni's L'Avventura).

Virtually unseen in the US and renowned in its home country after years of neglect for its daring criticism, Wake In Fright is ripe for rediscovery, and returns after 40 years to reclaim its title as one of the most awe-inspiring, brutal and stunning films of all time.

Wake in Fright is the story of John Grant (Gary Bond), a bonded teacher who arrives in the rough Australian outback mining town of Bundanyabba, planning to stay overnight before catching the plane to Sydney. But, as his one night stretches to five, he plunges headlong toward his own destruction. When the alcohol-induced mist lifts, the educated John Grant is no more. Instead there is a self-loathing man in a desolate wasteland, dirty, red-eyed, sitting against a tree and looking at a rifle with one bullet left.

Indican Pictures Picks Up Rights To "A Green Story"

Indican Pictures announced today that it has acquired exclusive North American rights to the Van Vlahakis biopic, A Green Story. Indican plans to release the film theatrically in April, 2013 . Through the deal, Indican also holds all video, television, ancillary and VOD rights in North America.

From Paramyth Films, A Green Story stars Ed O’Ross, Shannon Elizabeth, Annabella Sciorra, George Finn, Malcolm McDowell, Billy Zane and chronicles the life of Van Vlahakis, a Greek immigrant who arrived in America with only $22 in his pocket and eventually founded the multi-million dollar Green company, Earth Friendly Products. 

The movie was written and directed by Paramyth’s Nika Agiashvili and filmed in Los Angeles, Chicago and on location in Greece. Agiashvili produced alongside John Edward Lee, Dimitri Birbilis, Deanna Plascencia and Chadwick Struck. Paramyth’s David Agiashvili served as executive producer.

Nika Agiashvili said, “We are very pleased to be working with Indican on A Green Story. They understand the message of the movie and have a great vision for releasing the film and showcasing it to audiences.”

VP of Indican Pictures, Randolph Kent said, “Indican Pictures is proud to release ‘A Green Story’. A timely film in a decade when corporate greed runs rampant and the concerns of consumers are cast aside. It’s fascinating to see Van Vlahakis stand up for what he believes, take on the powers that be and create safer products for consumers – all the while showing the ‘rags to riches’ tale can be done with honor and dignity.”

The deal was brokered by Glen Reynolds and Zac Reeder from Circus Road Films.

Located in Beverly Hills, Paramyth Films is a fully financed development and production company that produces story driven content for theatrical release and straight-to-DVD markets with budgets of $2M to $3M.

Indican Pictures acquires and distributes feature films to a broad range of entertainment outlet by providing a diverse selection of independent films (action, comedy, documentary, drama, family, foreign, horror, sci-fi, thriller and urban) across theatrical, home video, TV, VOD, PPV and streaming platforms.  Additionally, Indican has expanded into foreign market and territories, licensing their content worldwide. Indican features are represented and sold AFM, Berlin, Cannes, DISCOP, HKFilmart, MIPCOM, MIPTV, NAPTE and Toronto.

Kevin Costner Strutting His Stuff In "Jack Ryan"

Yesterday our very own Jamie Williams wasn't all that thrilled with the first picture from the upcoming Jack Ryan featuring Chris Pine as Ryan. The character, created by Tom Clancy, has been played previousy by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford , and Ben Affleck.

Now Collider has the first look at Kevin Costner whose definitely keeping busy in the movie world and by the looks of it bringng the swagger. Costner joins Pine as well as Kera Knightley in the Christmas Day 2013 reboot.

I know Jamie is really looking forward to this flick but I'm struggling to care to be honest. I'm hoping the first trailer allows for that.

First Clip From "Hotel Transylvania"

The film is set at Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free from meddling from the human world. But here's a little known fact about Dracula: he is not only the Prince of Darkness; he is also a dad. Over-protective of his teenage daughter, Mavis, Dracula fabricates tales of elaborate dangers to dissuade her adventurous spirit. As a haven for Mavis, he opens the Hotel Transylvania, where his daughter and some of the world's most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – can kick back in safety and peace. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

Hotel Transylvania - Clip No. 1

Moviefone Via ComingSoon.Net

"The Iceman" Trailer

The true story of Richard Kuklinski, loving husband, devoted father, ruthless killer. He is believed to have killed 100 people between 1964 and 1986. Directed by Ariel Vromen, the film stars Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, James Franco, Ray Liotta and Chris Evans.

iTunes Movie Trailers Via Coming Soon