Freestyle Digital Media Enters VOD Deal With Feature Films For Families

Freestyle Digital Media LLC (FDM) announces today that they have entered into a partnership with Feature Films for Families to distribute their library on VOD. The agreement was brokered by Susan Jackson, CEO of Freestyle Digital Media, and Cyndi Menegaz, Director of Acquisitions and Corporate Development of Feature Films for Families.

Established in 1988, Feature Films for Families produces and distributes uplifting and entertaining movies that are suitable for all ages and strengthen positive values while containing no profanity, vulgarity, sexual content or graphic violence. Recent productions include THE VELVETEEN RABBIT with Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt and Ellen Burstyn and SLOW MOE with Scotty Leavenworth and Amanda Michalka. 

“We are delighted to be handling Feature Films for Families’ library which has an impressive DVD sales history and contains some classic gems of quality, wholesome family entertainment,” said Jackson. “They will be a great fit for our distribution pipeline."

Freestyle Digital Media’s recent slate of releases includes DEADHEADS, the acclaimed horror-comedy from directors Brett and Drew Pierce, SWINGING WITH THE FINKELS starring Mandy Moore and directed by Jonathan Newman, and TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN directed by Stuart Beattie, which also marked the first feature film debut on Facebook back in February and the first of many planned Freestyle Digital Media and Freestyle Releasing theatrical/VOD day and date releases.
 

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In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question – Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as “Superman,” not only to shine as the world’s last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves.

"Bel Ami" Trailer Starting Robert Pattinson & Uma Thurman

BEL AMI is the story of Georges Duroy, who travels through 1890s Paris, from cockroach ridden garrets to opulent salons, using his wits and powers of seduction to rise from poverty to wealth, from a prostitute’s embrace to passionate trysts with wealthy beauties, in a world where politics and media jostle for influence, where sex is power and celebrity an obsession

New "Take This Waltz" Trailer Starring Michelle Williams & Seth Rogen

When Margot (Michelle Williams), 28, meets Daniel (Luke Kirby), their chemistry is intense and immediate. But Margot suppresses her sudden attraction; she is happily married to Lou (Seth Rogen), a cookbook writer. When she learns that Daniel lives across the street from them, the certainty about her domestic life shatters. She and Daniel steal moments throughout the steaming Toronto summer, their eroticism heightened by their restraint. Swelteringly hot, bright and colorful like a bowl of fruit, TAKE THIS WALTZ leads us, laughing, through the familiar, but uncharted question of what long-term relationships do to love, sex, and our images of ourselves.

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"Marley" Poster

Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

From Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) comes the story of a towering figure of musical history, whose music and message has transcended different cultures, languages and creeds to resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive.

"Bernie" Character Posters

In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents.  He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs, and the townspeople went months without seeing Marjorie. The people of Carthage were shocked when it was reported that Marjorie Nugent had been dead for some time, and Bernie Tiede was being charged with the murder.

In this dark comedy, director Richard Linklater captures all the hilarity, friendliness, eccentricity and absolute strangeness of small-town Texas life.  Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, Shirley MacLaine plays Mrs. Nugent, and Matthew McConaughey plays the town’s blustery real-life District Attorney, Danny Buck Davidson, who was determined to get to the bottom of the crime.  Co-written by Linklater and Skip Hollandsworth, BERNIE is a Mandalay Vision and Wind Dancer Films production.

Facebook Fans To Be Rewarded With Early Screenings Of "The Avengers"

Marvel Studios announced today that “Marvel’s The Avengers” will reward its fans on Facebook for their continued support of the film’s campaign with advance screenings in cities around the world on a first-come-first-served basis. In the U.S. fans will be able to experience the film in stunning IMAX® 3D.

This unprecedented screening event will enable Facebook fans of “Marvel’s The Avengers” in cities that have assembled the most fans on Facebook to win the first access to screenings of the film, weeks before the May 4th release in theatres.   This event will kick off on April 14th at 10 a.m PDT with the top five cities in the U.S. with the most fans on Facebook: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston and Miami.  The next five cities to garner the most Facebook “Marvel’s The Avengers” fans will be awarded an early screening as well – to be announced shortly on Facebook. Fans can rally for their city to be the chosen location for this special opportunity by going to https://www.facebook.com/avengers for details. International fans should visit their local “Marvel’s The Avengers” Facebook page for more details on how to win a screening in their city.

Participating fans are encouraged to celebrate this movie event by coming to their local screenings dressed in their finest Super Hero costumes inspired by “Marvel’s The Avengers” --  the winners of the Best Costume contest will be awarded reserved seats.

“Marvel’s The Avengers”—the Super Hero team up of a lifetime— is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

In “Marvel’s The Avengers” the world’s greatest Super Heroes assemble when Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) join S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to protect the world from the dangerous and powerful villain, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

An exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is from Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures, produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Joss Whedon from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” will be released in the U.S. in 3D and IMAX 3D on May 4, 2012.

Official "Bel Ami" U.S. Poster

"Belami" is the story of Georges Duroy, who travels through 1890s Paris, from cockroach ridden garrets to opulent salons, using his wits and powers of seduction to rise from poverty to wealth, from a prostitute’s embrace to passionate trysts with wealthy beauties, in a world where politics and media jostle for influence, where sex is power and celebrity an obsession

"Mirror Mirror" Review

Mirror Mirror attempts to revamp and refresh the classic tale of Snow White for a new generation and although it hits some high notes the overall experience isn't going to shatter any box office records. The jokes will be a hit with kids and they'll be able to sit through the film and fantasize about being Snow White for a couple hours, but parents will be searching for ways to surf the web on their smart phones without getting the boot from the theater.

Julia Roberts seems as though she is trying to make the most of her role as the Evil Queen embracing the sarcastic side of the insecure character. You just don't find her believable in the role and her performance spins out of control into a monotony of one liners and flippant remarks. The character's obsession with money and possible wrinkles on her strikingly perfect face makes for a one dimensional villain that not even Julia Roberts can recover from. To think that the striking Roberts is so concerned about her age to be jealous of Snow White will instigate a bevy of eye rolls from the audience.

Lily Collins delivers a loveable performance as the soft but edgy Snow White. She handles the action like a grizzled veteran yet remains graceful while wearing an outrageous costume at the ball. Collins understands her role and seems to be enjoying her place in the classic fairytale. There certainly is a high level of chemistry between Collins and Armie Hammer who plays Prince Alcott of Valencia with a twinkle in his eye. It's good to see Hammer having fun on screen and not being afraid to embarrass himself for some laughs after his serious turns in The Social Network and J. Edgar. Good move by him.

Nathan Lane would have been likeable with less screen time as the Queen's doormat assistant Brighton. His powdered wig alone is enough to annoy you but when he is magically turned into a cockroach for disobeying the Queen you want to step on him to put him out of his misery. Besides Lilly Collins as Snow, the seven dwarves are the best part of this film. Rugged thieves with names that veer far away from the original fairytale, the dwarves were banished from the town and labeled as "uglies" by the Queen before taking in Snow White after she proves her loyalty. The relationship between the Princess and the dwarves provides for the best on screen moments as the Octet connects on multiple levels.

This doesn't look that much like  Tarsem Singh film, more like a Tim Burton movie that went through a plethora of budget cuts. The colors are bold and bright but the set pieces scream "I was filmed on a soundstage!". Outrageous costumes like something out of Max Shreks party in Batman Returns will either make you laugh or raise an eyebrow. One of the amazing instances of action involves the dwarves rapidly scurrying through the woods on acordian like stilts. The fighting sequences and coach robbery while on the stilts feel like they were done using practical effects. Impressive if so.

Mirror Mirror is a film that young kids will enjoy and parents will be at least be able take solace in the fact that their kids enjoyed the experience.

"Wrath Of The Titans" Review: The Gods Must Be Crazy With Action

The action heavy Summer movie season doesn't "officially" kick off until May according to a rule of thumb of unknown origin, but somebody forgot to inform the inhabitants of Mount Olympus and the surrounding areas. Wrath Of The Titans is a pleasing onslaught of visuals featuring the dominance of the gods and the ferocity of the titans as they battle for supremacy alongside their human audience in well constructed 3D. The "powers that be" must have taken notes of the post-conversion inspired complaints from the 2010's Clash Of The Titans because the sequel is head and shoulders above the original in the 3D department and the CGI is surprisingly crisp, and dare I say near flawless.

Wrath takes place some years after Clash in a world that has stopped praying to the gods which has in turn slowly started depleting their powers. Without their powers Zeus (Liam Neeson), Hades (Ralph Fiennes), and Poseidon (Danny Huston), are struggling to keep their father Kronos subdued in the underworld. Perseus (Sam Worthington) is once again thrust into the role of savior as he attempts to balance his life as a hero with fatherhood. His brother Ares (Edgar Ramirez) provides a full dose of sibling rivalry but with the help of Andromeda (Rosamund Pike) and Agenor (Toby Kebbel), Perseus takes to air, land, and see to save humanity.

Director Jonathan Liebesman jolts the audience in and out of action sequences using fiery explosions and mythical creatures that you can almost reach out and touch if not for the uneasy feeling you might not get your hand back. The action is so bold and personal that you find yourself imagining that you're on the journey with Perseus and company. The heroes encounter everything from a booby trapped forest inhabited by a family of giant Cyclops to a sweeping battlefield. While the film embraces it's action and latches onto it for dear life, the story gets lost somewhere in Minotaur's maze.

At a certain point the plot becomes forgettable in a sea of swords and fire breathing monstrosities. The eerie calm deliveries of Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes don't balance well with the subdued performance of Sam Worthington. Worthington certainly has solidified himself as an able bodied actioner although the general public still haven't allowed him to be a household name despite his solid resume of well known films. Edgar Ramirez is a hurricane of intensity on screen as Ares and Rosamund Pike steals a couple of the few scenes she is in. The humor is injected into the film by Toby Kebbell who seems to be channeling a less annoying version of Russell Brand.

Although I wish that writers Dan Mazeau & David Johnson put more focus on the mythology it's refreshing that the film doesn't take itself too seriously as evidenced when Hephaestus upon seeing Perseus remarks that he is of "Release The Kraken" fame. Wrath Of The Titans doesn't try to be any more than advertised, an action fueled spectacle satisfying all of your important senses. The film shouldn't need to apologize for it's faults, but if it did, it would do so with action.  One of the few films I would recommend as a must see on the big screen due to the vast improvement in 3D over the first one which will become a distant memory after seeing this installment.