Given their close-knit relationship as global entertainment industries, gaming and the movies have long had a symbiotic connection. Movie tie-in games, for instance, have been a popular feature in gaming for decades, with numerous short-form releases over the years attempting to distil linear, cinematic storylines into interactive ones — albeit with varying success.
A Brief History of Gaming and the Movies
Of course, it’s not been uncommon over the years for studios to churn out poor quality movie-tie in titles that barely represent the characters and narratives we’ve fallen for on the big screen. However, there have been some outright successes and unexpected releases in alternative gaming genres.
In addition to being video game franchises, movies have even inspired online casino games and plenty of other activities throughout the iGaming sector. IP such as King Kong, Jurassic Park and even The Lord of The Rings have all been transformed...
A Brief History of Gaming and the Movies
Of course, it’s not been uncommon over the years for studios to churn out poor quality movie-tie in titles that barely represent the characters and narratives we’ve fallen for on the big screen. However, there have been some outright successes and unexpected releases in alternative gaming genres.
In addition to being video game franchises, movies have even inspired online casino games and plenty of other activities throughout the iGaming sector. IP such as King Kong, Jurassic Park and even The Lord of The Rings have all been transformed...
- 4/19/2024
- by Michael Walsh
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Andrzej Bartkowiak got his start in the entertainment industry working as a cinematographer, working on such films as Terms of Endearment, Prizzi’s Honor, Twins, Falling Down, Speed, Species, Dante’s Peak, The Devil’s Advocate, U.S. Marshals, Lethal Weapon 4, Thirteen Days, and Trespass. But back at the turn of the century he also got into directing, working mainly in the action genre: Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, Maximum Impact, Dead Reckoning. His most well-known movie, for better or worse, may be the action horror video game adaptation Doom. Now Deadline has announced that Bartkowiak is treading back into horror territory, as he has signed on to direct the supernatural thriller The Dire Wolf.
Coming our way from Steelyard Pictures, The Dire Wolf has a screenplay written by Ry Cook and is expected to start filming in New Mexico soon, aiming for a 2024 release.
Coming our way from Steelyard Pictures, The Dire Wolf has a screenplay written by Ry Cook and is expected to start filming in New Mexico soon, aiming for a 2024 release.
- 10/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The director of films including Doom and Romeo Must Die, Andrzej Bartkowiak will next be directing a supernatural horror movie titled The Dire Wolf, Deadline reports today.
Steelyard Pictures is the company behind The Dire Wolf, releasing sometime next year.
Deadline details, “The film tells the story of Hank Whitmore, a sharp and stubborn New Mexican sheriff who aligns with the Navajo Nation when a series of supernatural events threatens his family, his town, and his way of life.”
Ry Cook wrote the screenplay for The Dire Wolf.
Leone Marucci will produce. Marucci tells Deadline, “American cinema has long wrestled with our native culture’s spiritual connection to the natural world. The extinct Dire Wolf was [once] indigenous to North America. Today the wolf spirit symbolizes trust of intuition, guardianship, and the courage to walk one’s own path.
“We’re thrilled to enlist such a renowned filmmaker to bring The Dire Wolf to the screen.
Steelyard Pictures is the company behind The Dire Wolf, releasing sometime next year.
Deadline details, “The film tells the story of Hank Whitmore, a sharp and stubborn New Mexican sheriff who aligns with the Navajo Nation when a series of supernatural events threatens his family, his town, and his way of life.”
Ry Cook wrote the screenplay for The Dire Wolf.
Leone Marucci will produce. Marucci tells Deadline, “American cinema has long wrestled with our native culture’s spiritual connection to the natural world. The extinct Dire Wolf was [once] indigenous to North America. Today the wolf spirit symbolizes trust of intuition, guardianship, and the courage to walk one’s own path.
“We’re thrilled to enlist such a renowned filmmaker to bring The Dire Wolf to the screen.
- 10/6/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Steelyard Pictures, the production company behind 2022 horror thriller The Inhabitant, has attached Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die) to direct The Dire Wolf, a supernatural thriller to shoot in New Mexico, for release next year.
No word yet on the casting front. But the film tells the story of Hank Whitmore, a sharp and stubborn New Mexican sheriff who aligns with the Navajo Nation when a series of supernatural events threatens his family, his town, and his way of life.
Ry Cook penned the script and Leone Marucci will produce alongside Tetrad Studios’ Roy Scott Macfarland, Legacy Media Ventures’ Jeffrey Katz (Buffaloed), and Randy Mendelsohn. Matthew Coates and Kenneth Heilfron will serve as EPs.
“American cinema has long wrestled with our native culture’s spiritual connection to the natural world,” observed Marucci, explaining that “the extinct Dire Wolf was [once] indigenous to North America.
No word yet on the casting front. But the film tells the story of Hank Whitmore, a sharp and stubborn New Mexican sheriff who aligns with the Navajo Nation when a series of supernatural events threatens his family, his town, and his way of life.
Ry Cook penned the script and Leone Marucci will produce alongside Tetrad Studios’ Roy Scott Macfarland, Legacy Media Ventures’ Jeffrey Katz (Buffaloed), and Randy Mendelsohn. Matthew Coates and Kenneth Heilfron will serve as EPs.
“American cinema has long wrestled with our native culture’s spiritual connection to the natural world,” observed Marucci, explaining that “the extinct Dire Wolf was [once] indigenous to North America.
- 10/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
It was the gore as much as the gameplay that made the original “Mortal Kombat” such a success at the arcade, and while the 1995 New Line movie broke the curse on video game adaptations — following such bombs as “Street Fighter” and “Super Mario Bros.” earlier that decade — the film version did so by turning the koncept into a slick but kitschy action spectacular. While heavily indebted to Hong Kong cinema, the fluke hit (which made a whopping $122 million) hasn’t aged well, considering how much “The Matrix” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” transformed Hollywood fight scenes.
Now, “Mortal Kombat” gets the R-rated reboot its fans feel the property deserves, which entails being as graphic as the game was when it comes time for the pugilists to eliminate their opponents, whether that means ripping out their hearts or buzz-sawing them in twain with a razor-sharp hat. Such ruthless finishing moves may be the selling point here,...
Now, “Mortal Kombat” gets the R-rated reboot its fans feel the property deserves, which entails being as graphic as the game was when it comes time for the pugilists to eliminate their opponents, whether that means ripping out their hearts or buzz-sawing them in twain with a razor-sharp hat. Such ruthless finishing moves may be the selling point here,...
- 4/22/2021
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: K.J. Apa, Scott Adkins, James Remar, India Eisley, Ellie Cornell, Sydney Park, Devon Diep, Leah Procito, Patrick M. Walsh, James Michael Cummings | Written by Kristin Alexandre, A. Wayne Carter | Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Sometimes, well more than sometimes if I’m honest, I’ll sit down to watch a film purely on the names in the cast and crew – as this film, Dead Reckoning, would attest.
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, who helmed the superb action trifecta of Romeo Must Die, Cradle to the Grave and Exit Wounds in the early 2000s; and with a cast featuring Scott Adkins and James Remar, and to a lesser extent K.J. Apa – who plays Archie on TV”s Riverdale (a show I gave up watching after the death of Luke Perry); Dead Reckoning looks – on paper – like its right up my action-movie loving street…
Based, loosely, Very loosely, on the Boston marathon...
Sometimes, well more than sometimes if I’m honest, I’ll sit down to watch a film purely on the names in the cast and crew – as this film, Dead Reckoning, would attest.
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, who helmed the superb action trifecta of Romeo Must Die, Cradle to the Grave and Exit Wounds in the early 2000s; and with a cast featuring Scott Adkins and James Remar, and to a lesser extent K.J. Apa – who plays Archie on TV”s Riverdale (a show I gave up watching after the death of Luke Perry); Dead Reckoning looks – on paper – like its right up my action-movie loving street…
Based, loosely, Very loosely, on the Boston marathon...
- 11/17/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Exclusive: The Shout! Studios thriller Dead Reckoning starring Riverdale and Songbird actor Kj Apa is set to hit digital and on-demand on November 13.
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and written by Kristin Alexandre & Alfred Wayne Carter, Dead Reckoning takes place on the island of Nantucket and tells the story of Tillie (India Eisley) whose summer romance with Niko (Apa) comes on the heels of her parents’ sudden and mysterious death in an airplane crash.
The movie also stars Scott Adkins, James Remar, Ellie Cornell, Devon Diep and Sydney Park.
“Dead Reckoning had a lengthy journey to the screen,” said Alexandre.
Carter adds” “We now know how hard it is to shepherd an indie feature from concept to distribution. Our focus on future projects is entirely on characters that uplift the human (or innocent animal) condition and are worthy of such time-consuming projects.”
The movie has had a long journey.
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and written by Kristin Alexandre & Alfred Wayne Carter, Dead Reckoning takes place on the island of Nantucket and tells the story of Tillie (India Eisley) whose summer romance with Niko (Apa) comes on the heels of her parents’ sudden and mysterious death in an airplane crash.
The movie also stars Scott Adkins, James Remar, Ellie Cornell, Devon Diep and Sydney Park.
“Dead Reckoning had a lengthy journey to the screen,” said Alexandre.
Carter adds” “We now know how hard it is to shepherd an indie feature from concept to distribution. Our focus on future projects is entirely on characters that uplift the human (or innocent animal) condition and are worthy of such time-consuming projects.”
The movie has had a long journey.
- 11/4/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Dead Reckoning A Film by Andrzej Bartkowiak Starring India Eisley, K.J. APA, James Remar, And Scott Adkins New Indie Thriller Premieres At Home November 13, 2020 On-demand And Digital On November 13, 2020, Shout! Studios will unleash the highly anticipated suspense action thriller Dead RECKONINGon VOD and Digital for watch-at-home. Directed by the legendary cinematographer …
The post Writer and producer Kristin Alexandre / New suspense thriller Dead Reckoning Launches November 13 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post Writer and producer Kristin Alexandre / New suspense thriller Dead Reckoning Launches November 13 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 11/2/2020
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
The list of candidates for the 2020 Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors election is now out, with the winner in each branch being chosen directly from these entries rather than whittling it down to four finalists in each, as has been done previously. The list of candidates is made up of qualified AMPAS members who actually submit themselves.
Also new this year in the streamlined timetable, as Deadline exclusively reported May 16. The winners for the 17 open slots on the 54-member board will be chosen by preferential balloting, just like Best Picture race at the Oscars. Voting begins Monday and ballots are due back June 5.
The actors branch is the largest in the Academy and it also has drawn the biggest field of contenders for the one spot that is up. Incumbent governor Whoopi Goldberg is running for re-election against past governor Ed Begley Jr. vying to return to the board.
Also new this year in the streamlined timetable, as Deadline exclusively reported May 16. The winners for the 17 open slots on the 54-member board will be chosen by preferential balloting, just like Best Picture race at the Oscars. Voting begins Monday and ballots are due back June 5.
The actors branch is the largest in the Academy and it also has drawn the biggest field of contenders for the one spot that is up. Incumbent governor Whoopi Goldberg is running for re-election against past governor Ed Begley Jr. vying to return to the board.
- 5/29/2020
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Whoopi Goldberg will be facing 18 other actors who want her seat on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors, the Academy revealed to its members on Friday.
The Academy posted the list of candidates for the board from all 17 of its branches, with incumbent Actors Branch governor Goldberg going up against a slate of challengers that includes past governor Ed Begley Jr., as well as Richard Dreyfuss, James and Stacy Keach, Tim Matheson, Joe Pantoliano, Lou Diamond Phillips and Rita Wilson, whose husband, Tom Hanks, served on the board for many years.
Other branches whose contenders hit double digits included Cinematographers (12), Directors (13), Executives (12), Producers (16), Sound (10) and Visual Effects (10).
But the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, in which incumbent Kathryn Blondell was ineligible to run again, has only a single candidate, Linda Flowers.
Also Read: Oscars Board Election Has New Rules - But Expect the Same Old Results
Blondell,...
The Academy posted the list of candidates for the board from all 17 of its branches, with incumbent Actors Branch governor Goldberg going up against a slate of challengers that includes past governor Ed Begley Jr., as well as Richard Dreyfuss, James and Stacy Keach, Tim Matheson, Joe Pantoliano, Lou Diamond Phillips and Rita Wilson, whose husband, Tom Hanks, served on the board for many years.
Other branches whose contenders hit double digits included Cinematographers (12), Directors (13), Executives (12), Producers (16), Sound (10) and Visual Effects (10).
But the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, in which incumbent Kathryn Blondell was ineligible to run again, has only a single candidate, Linda Flowers.
Also Read: Oscars Board Election Has New Rules - But Expect the Same Old Results
Blondell,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The list of candidates for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2020-2021 Board of Governors has been unveiled to members.
Voting begins on June 1 and ends on June 5.
Candidates run for three-year terms with a maximum of three terms. Each branch has three seats on the board. Only one of those seats is open each year because terms are staggered.
The candidates were posted on the Academy members’ portal on Friday afternoon. Below is the complete list (divided by branch) of those running for spots on the board.
Actors
Michael Lee Aday
Ed Begley, Jr.
Robert Carradine
Nicolas Coster
Colman Domingo
Richard Dreyfuss
Spencer Garrett
Bruce Glover
Whoopi Goldberg (incumbent)
James Keach
Stacy Keach
Peter Wong
Jodi Long
Tim Matheson
Joe Pantoliano
Lou Diamond Phillips
Andrea Riseborough
Andrew Stevens
Rita Wilson
Casting Directors
Kerry Barden
Richard Hicks
Margery Simkin
Debra Zane
Cinematographers
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Richard P. Crudo
Svetlana Cvetko...
Voting begins on June 1 and ends on June 5.
Candidates run for three-year terms with a maximum of three terms. Each branch has three seats on the board. Only one of those seats is open each year because terms are staggered.
The candidates were posted on the Academy members’ portal on Friday afternoon. Below is the complete list (divided by branch) of those running for spots on the board.
Actors
Michael Lee Aday
Ed Begley, Jr.
Robert Carradine
Nicolas Coster
Colman Domingo
Richard Dreyfuss
Spencer Garrett
Bruce Glover
Whoopi Goldberg (incumbent)
James Keach
Stacy Keach
Peter Wong
Jodi Long
Tim Matheson
Joe Pantoliano
Lou Diamond Phillips
Andrea Riseborough
Andrew Stevens
Rita Wilson
Casting Directors
Kerry Barden
Richard Hicks
Margery Simkin
Debra Zane
Cinematographers
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Richard P. Crudo
Svetlana Cvetko...
- 5/29/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
“Yeah”
By Raymond Benson
It’s the most-heard response from Jack Nicholson’s character, Charley Partanna: “Yeah.” Does he swear a blood oath to Don Corrado Prizzi (William Hickey) for life? “Yeah.” Does he want to “do it” on the Oriental [rug] with Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston)? “Yeah.” Does he want to get married to Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), an assassin who may or may not be working against his own family? “Yeah.”
Is Prizzi’s Honor an amazing, acerbic black comedy that surprises you at every turn? “Yeah!”
It was director John Huston’s swan song, his last film to be released while he was alive. Prizzi picked up Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor (Nicholson), Supporting Actor (Hickey), Adapted Screenplay, Costumes, and Editing. The picture won none of those, but Anjelica Huston snatched the award for Supporting Actress for her role. Allegedly she had to fight to get the part,...
By Raymond Benson
It’s the most-heard response from Jack Nicholson’s character, Charley Partanna: “Yeah.” Does he swear a blood oath to Don Corrado Prizzi (William Hickey) for life? “Yeah.” Does he want to “do it” on the Oriental [rug] with Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston)? “Yeah.” Does he want to get married to Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), an assassin who may or may not be working against his own family? “Yeah.”
Is Prizzi’s Honor an amazing, acerbic black comedy that surprises you at every turn? “Yeah!”
It was director John Huston’s swan song, his last film to be released while he was alive. Prizzi picked up Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor (Nicholson), Supporting Actor (Hickey), Adapted Screenplay, Costumes, and Editing. The picture won none of those, but Anjelica Huston snatched the award for Supporting Actress for her role. Allegedly she had to fight to get the part,...
- 4/20/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Do not be deceived by the title of Doom: Annihilation, or the fact that IMDb claims it “follows” Andrzej Bartkowiak’s mostly-awful Doom. The new film from writer/director Tony Giglio (S.W.A.T. Under Siege) is a remake, not a sequel, and despite its low budget it’s bound to satisfy more fans of the historic video game than […]...
- 10/4/2019
- by William Bibbiani
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: One of the later packages to be announced for the Cannes market is also one of the hottest dramas on offer. Glenn Close and Mila Kunis are set to star in Rodrigo Garcia’s (Albert Nobbs) hard-hitting substance abuse story Four Good Days, we can reveal.
Capstone is launching international sales on the Croisette. CAA Media Finance arranged financing and will co-rep domestic with Endeavor Content.
Seven-time Oscar nominee Close will play Deb, a mother helping her daughter Molly (Kunis) work through four crucial days on Molly’s road to recovery from substance abuse. Their time together after a long estrangement revives both the painful wounds they have inflicted on each other, but also offers the opportunity to rekindle their fundamental, complicated, love for one another.
Garcia will direct from his script, co-written by Eli Saslow, the Washington Post journalist and 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner. The story is based on Saslow’s WaPo article.
Capstone is launching international sales on the Croisette. CAA Media Finance arranged financing and will co-rep domestic with Endeavor Content.
Seven-time Oscar nominee Close will play Deb, a mother helping her daughter Molly (Kunis) work through four crucial days on Molly’s road to recovery from substance abuse. Their time together after a long estrangement revives both the painful wounds they have inflicted on each other, but also offers the opportunity to rekindle their fundamental, complicated, love for one another.
Garcia will direct from his script, co-written by Eli Saslow, the Washington Post journalist and 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner. The story is based on Saslow’s WaPo article.
- 5/16/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Oakhurst Entertainment, the company founded by Brillstein Entertainment executive Jai Khanna, has made a pact with Productivity Media Inc for $2M annual development funding, which will help Oakhurst secure IPs, hire writers, and spend on progress-to-production logistics. The first project under the deal is Hack Pack, based on a Miami New Times story written by journalist Tim Elfrink.
It’s a true story of four kids from South Florida who led the world’s biggest online identity heist. Led by Albert Gonzalez, a computer hacker and criminal, masterminded the combined credit card theft and subsequent reselling of more than 170 million card and Atm numbers: the biggest such fraud in history. Gonzalez and his accomplices used sophisticated technology to hack into numerous major U.S. retailers. With an insatiable appetite for money, sex, and drugs, the multi-million-dollar scam had deadly consequences. The project is currently out to writers.
Productivity Media...
It’s a true story of four kids from South Florida who led the world’s biggest online identity heist. Led by Albert Gonzalez, a computer hacker and criminal, masterminded the combined credit card theft and subsequent reselling of more than 170 million card and Atm numbers: the biggest such fraud in history. Gonzalez and his accomplices used sophisticated technology to hack into numerous major U.S. retailers. With an insatiable appetite for money, sex, and drugs, the multi-million-dollar scam had deadly consequences. The project is currently out to writers.
Productivity Media...
- 4/29/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Unified Pictures has acquired North American rights to the action/comedy film “Maximum Impact”, starring international action star Alexander Nevsky (“Showdown in Manila”). Written by Ross Lamanna (“Rush Hour”) and directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak (“Romeo Must Die”), the cast includes Kelly Hu (“The Scorpion King”), William Baldwin (“The Purge: TV series”), Tom Arnold (“True Lies”), Mark Dacascos (“John Wick 3: Parabellum”) and Danny Trejo (“Machete”).
“Maximum Impact” will be released in theaters on September 28, 2018, and On Demand, DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Video on October 2, 2018.
Sinopsys
When the granddaughter of the Us Secretary of the State is kidnapped in Moscow, an agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia (Alexander Nevsky) and the Us Secret Service are forced to pull aside their differences and work together to prevent a full-scale international crisis.
“Maximum Impact” is produced by Nevsky through his production company Hollywood Storm.
Nevsky is a former Mr. Universe and...
“Maximum Impact” will be released in theaters on September 28, 2018, and On Demand, DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Video on October 2, 2018.
Sinopsys
When the granddaughter of the Us Secretary of the State is kidnapped in Moscow, an agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia (Alexander Nevsky) and the Us Secret Service are forced to pull aside their differences and work together to prevent a full-scale international crisis.
“Maximum Impact” is produced by Nevsky through his production company Hollywood Storm.
Nevsky is a former Mr. Universe and...
- 8/6/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Los Angeles-based Unified Pictures has obtained the North American rights to the action/comedy Maximum Impact, directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die) from a script by Ross Lamanna (Rush Hour). Starring Alexander Nevsky (Showdown in Manila), Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King), William Baldwin (The Purge: TV series), Tom Arnold (True Lies), Mark Dacascos (John Wick 3: Parabellum) and Danny Trejo (Machete), the pic will get a theatrical release September 28 before rolling out on digital and DVD platforms October 2. The plot: When the granddaughter of the Us Secretary of the State is kidnapped in Moscow, an agent of the Federal Security Service of Russia (Nevsky) and the Us Secret Service are forced to pull aside their differences and work together to prevent a full-scale international crisis. Nevsky produced the pic via his company Hollywood Storm. Steve Break negotiated the deal on behalf of Unified Pictures along with Nevsky on behalf of the filmmakers.
- 8/1/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Doom, the unholy, time-honored franchise that has its roots in the video game industry, is poised for a second coming at Universal, if a new Tweet from Nina Bergman is to be believed.
As reported by the folks over at Dread Central, Bergman, best known for her performances across Assassin X and the Sharknado series, posted a series of Tweets earlier this week revealing that, yes, there’s a new Doom movie simmering in development over at Universal, though it’s unclear as yet whether this is a reboot, a reimagining, or some form of spiritual successor to the 2005 flop starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Chances are Universal is gunning for a full-fledged reboot, one that’ll no doubt be buoyed by the runaway success of Bethesda’s own video game reboot, which stripped away all of the superfluous story and game mechanics that defined recent installments – not to mention...
As reported by the folks over at Dread Central, Bergman, best known for her performances across Assassin X and the Sharknado series, posted a series of Tweets earlier this week revealing that, yes, there’s a new Doom movie simmering in development over at Universal, though it’s unclear as yet whether this is a reboot, a reimagining, or some form of spiritual successor to the 2005 flop starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Chances are Universal is gunning for a full-fledged reboot, one that’ll no doubt be buoyed by the runaway success of Bethesda’s own video game reboot, which stripped away all of the superfluous story and game mechanics that defined recent installments – not to mention...
- 4/20/2018
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Richard Condon and John Huston’s show is like a gangland version of Moonstruck, bouncing effortlessly between earnest romanticism and cynical satire. Hit man Jack Nicholson is a brass-knuckle Romeo, and Kathleen Turner’s mysterious bicoastal Juliet has nothing but surprises for him. Near the end of his career, Huston’s direction is as assured as can be.
Prizzi’s Honor
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 130 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Street Date September 16, 2003 / 14.95
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, John Randolph, William Hickey, Lee Richardson, Anjelica Huston.
Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Production Designer: Dennis Washington
Film Editors: Kaja Fehr, Rudi Fehr
Original Music: Alex North
Written by Janet Roach, Richard Condon from his novel
Produced by John Foreman
Directed by John Huston
Who said that John Huston slacked off in his later years? True, his Annie could be fairly re-titled as Gambling Debts Paid,...
Prizzi’s Honor
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 130 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Street Date September 16, 2003 / 14.95
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia, John Randolph, William Hickey, Lee Richardson, Anjelica Huston.
Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Production Designer: Dennis Washington
Film Editors: Kaja Fehr, Rudi Fehr
Original Music: Alex North
Written by Janet Roach, Richard Condon from his novel
Produced by John Foreman
Directed by John Huston
Who said that John Huston slacked off in his later years? True, his Annie could be fairly re-titled as Gambling Debts Paid,...
- 8/22/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Her looks can be lethal for those unlucky enough to fall for them in Species, and Scream Factory will spotlight the alien hybrid like never before with a new Collector's Edition Blu-ray release of Roger Donaldson's 1995 sci-fi horror film. In addition to a new 4K scan of the film's inter-positive, the Collector's Edition Blu-ray comes packed with plenty of special features that have just been revealed by Scream Factory.
Press Release: Beauty can be deceiving. Loyal fans of the popular sci-fi terror classicSPECIES know well that evil lurks beneath the beauty go unnoticed, especially in the form of a seductive alien-human hybrid. Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job, The Recruit) and produced by Frank Mancuso, Jr. (Stigmata, Friday the 13th Part II), Species stars Ben Kingsley (Shutter Island), Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight), Alfred Molina (Feud), Forest Whitaker (Arrival), Marg Helgenberger (CSI) and introducing Natasha Henstridge (The Whole Nine Yards...
Press Release: Beauty can be deceiving. Loyal fans of the popular sci-fi terror classicSPECIES know well that evil lurks beneath the beauty go unnoticed, especially in the form of a seductive alien-human hybrid. Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job, The Recruit) and produced by Frank Mancuso, Jr. (Stigmata, Friday the 13th Part II), Species stars Ben Kingsley (Shutter Island), Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight), Alfred Molina (Feud), Forest Whitaker (Arrival), Marg Helgenberger (CSI) and introducing Natasha Henstridge (The Whole Nine Yards...
- 5/25/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Right around the time that the defunct video game publisher began to slide toward bankruptcy, it’s been revealed that Thq had mapped out early plans for a live-action Saints Row movie that almost featured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a starring role.
Word comes by way of a Fandom post by Nick Nunziata and Peter Aperlo – producer and screenwriter, respectively – who shed new light on the canned project that was officially shelved circa 2012. Boasting all of the irreverent sensibilities that the series is celebrated for, Thq’s doomed Saints Row film was billed as “a modern-day Escape from New York, only bigger and with that Saints Row attitude.” That’s quite the elevator pitch, and Johnson was likely high on the calling card following his appearance in Andrzej Bartkowiak’s middling Doom movie.
Indeed, out of the franchise’s zany legacy, Nunziata and Aperlo pointed to Saints Row 2 as...
Word comes by way of a Fandom post by Nick Nunziata and Peter Aperlo – producer and screenwriter, respectively – who shed new light on the canned project that was officially shelved circa 2012. Boasting all of the irreverent sensibilities that the series is celebrated for, Thq’s doomed Saints Row film was billed as “a modern-day Escape from New York, only bigger and with that Saints Row attitude.” That’s quite the elevator pitch, and Johnson was likely high on the calling card following his appearance in Andrzej Bartkowiak’s middling Doom movie.
Indeed, out of the franchise’s zany legacy, Nunziata and Aperlo pointed to Saints Row 2 as...
- 9/6/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: India Eisley will star alongside Kj Apa in the indie thriller Altar Rock, the millennial romantic thriller from director Andrzej Bartkowiak. Eisley and Apa will play star-crossed lovers on the island of Nantucket whose romance is threatened by family loyalty. Sydney Park and Scott Adkins also have joined the film in unspecified leading roles. Production is set to begin this month on the film written by Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter. Alexandre, Jeff…...
- 7/13/2016
- Deadline
In true Hollywood fashion, the tragic Boston marathon bombing of 2013 has gone on to inspire a string of real-life dramas, with both Stronger and the Mark Wahlberg-fronted Patriots’ Day at varying stages of development.
There’s another feature film to emerge from the disaster, though. It’s called Altar Rock, a lesser-known indie thriller helmed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, and Deadline brings word today that it’s secured its first leading star in Kj Apa.
Exactly who Apa will be playing remains up for question, but we understand that Bartkowiak will be directing from a script penned by Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter, with a production start penciled in for summer.
As for the New Zealand newcomer, the up-and-comer recently clinched the part of Archie in the CW’s midseason drama series, Riverdale. Beyond that, Apa will also star in A Dog’s Purpose, the big-screen take on W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved novel.
There’s another feature film to emerge from the disaster, though. It’s called Altar Rock, a lesser-known indie thriller helmed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, and Deadline brings word today that it’s secured its first leading star in Kj Apa.
Exactly who Apa will be playing remains up for question, but we understand that Bartkowiak will be directing from a script penned by Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter, with a production start penciled in for summer.
As for the New Zealand newcomer, the up-and-comer recently clinched the part of Archie in the CW’s midseason drama series, Riverdale. Beyond that, Apa will also star in A Dog’s Purpose, the big-screen take on W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved novel.
- 7/1/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
The cast of Sony and Marvel's "Spider-Man: Homecoming" just keeps on growing with three more names joining the roster - Garcelle Beauvais ("White House Down"), Tiffany Espensen ("Kirby Buckets") and the legendary Tyne Daly ("Cagney and Lacey").
As usual, all three roles are being kept under wraps. Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton, Abraham Attah, Zendaya, Michael Barbieri, Kenneth Choi, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Donald Glover, Martin Starr and Logan Marshall-Green also star in the film which is currently in production.
That isn't the only casting announcement made today. Another is that Santiago Cabrera ("Heroes," "Merlin") is set to star in the currently shooting "Transformers: The Last Knight". Specifics of his role in the Michael Bay-directed effort have not been disclosed.
New Zealand actor Kj Apa, who plays Archie in The CW's upcoming "Riverdale" series, has joined the cast of Andrzej Bartkowiak's indie thriller "Altar Rock" which...
As usual, all three roles are being kept under wraps. Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton, Abraham Attah, Zendaya, Michael Barbieri, Kenneth Choi, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Donald Glover, Martin Starr and Logan Marshall-Green also star in the film which is currently in production.
That isn't the only casting announcement made today. Another is that Santiago Cabrera ("Heroes," "Merlin") is set to star in the currently shooting "Transformers: The Last Knight". Specifics of his role in the Michael Bay-directed effort have not been disclosed.
New Zealand actor Kj Apa, who plays Archie in The CW's upcoming "Riverdale" series, has joined the cast of Andrzej Bartkowiak's indie thriller "Altar Rock" which...
- 7/1/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Kj Apa has landed a lead role in Altar Rock, an indie thriller from director Andrzej Bartkowiak. No word on his role in the film, which will shoot in Boston this summer. Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter wrote the script. The film is described as a millennial romantic thriller where family loyalty threatens the new love between an American girl and a young immigrant boy on the island of Nantucket. Apa’s profile will get a boost when he stars as Archie in…...
- 7/1/2016
- Deadline
How does one make a movie about a hot-button political topic that's divided the nation for sixty years? And if the facts of the case aren't fully known, how can one be sure that some news revelation won't reach back and make your well-meaning film play like a stack of lies? E. L. Doctorow and Sidney Lumet found a way. Daniel Olive Films Savant Blu-ray Review
1983 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 130 min. / Street Date August 25, 2015 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.95 Starring Timothy Hutton, Mandy Patinkin, Lindsay Crouse, Edward Asner, Ellen Barkin, Julie Bovasso, Tovah Feldshuh, Joseph Leon, Carmen Mathews, Amanda Plummer, John Rubinstein, Maria Tucci, Daniel Stern. Cinematography Andrzej Bartkowiak Film Editor Peter C. Frank Written by E.L. Doctorow from his novel The Book of Daniel. Produced by E. Lk. Doctorow, Burtt Harris Directed by Sidney Lumet
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In his book Making Movies, director Sidney Lumet says that...
1983 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 130 min. / Street Date August 25, 2015 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.95 Starring Timothy Hutton, Mandy Patinkin, Lindsay Crouse, Edward Asner, Ellen Barkin, Julie Bovasso, Tovah Feldshuh, Joseph Leon, Carmen Mathews, Amanda Plummer, John Rubinstein, Maria Tucci, Daniel Stern. Cinematography Andrzej Bartkowiak Film Editor Peter C. Frank Written by E.L. Doctorow from his novel The Book of Daniel. Produced by E. Lk. Doctorow, Burtt Harris Directed by Sidney Lumet
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In his book Making Movies, director Sidney Lumet says that...
- 9/1/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Simon Brew May 17, 2019
The 2000s were a decade when medium and small-budgeted movies could do big business before being forgotten. We look back as to why.
By the end of the 2000s, getting number one at the American box office was a valuable marketing commodity. As such, studios pumped more and more money into making sure they at least had a great opening weekend for their product.
The consequence of this was that it was harder and harder for smaller, quirkier films to take a brief spot in the sun. Certainly toward the second half of the decade, it seems that the number one movie each week was pre-ordained in a marketing meeting somewhere.
Still, there were some films that have since fallen out of public view that clawed their way to number one. How many of these do you remember?
Eye of the Beholder
January 2000, One Week
Based on...
The 2000s were a decade when medium and small-budgeted movies could do big business before being forgotten. We look back as to why.
By the end of the 2000s, getting number one at the American box office was a valuable marketing commodity. As such, studios pumped more and more money into making sure they at least had a great opening weekend for their product.
The consequence of this was that it was harder and harder for smaller, quirkier films to take a brief spot in the sun. Certainly toward the second half of the decade, it seems that the number one movie each week was pre-ordained in a marketing meeting somewhere.
Still, there were some films that have since fallen out of public view that clawed their way to number one. How many of these do you remember?
Eye of the Beholder
January 2000, One Week
Based on...
- 5/15/2015
- Den of Geek
Kevin Spacey, Steven Seagal and, erm, Kangaroo Jack: they all nabbed the box office top spot last decade...
By the end of the 2000s, getting number one at the American box office was a valuable marketing commodity. As such, studios pumped more and more money into making sure they at least had a great opening weekend for their product.
The consequence of this was that it was harder and harder for smaller and quirkier films to take a brief spot in the sun. Certainly towards the second half of the decade, it seems that the number one movie each week was pre-ordinained in a marketing meeting somewhere.
Still, there were some films that have since fallen out of public view that clawed their way to number one. How many of these do you remember?
Eye Of The Beholder
January 2000, one week
Based on Marc Behm's book of the same name,...
By the end of the 2000s, getting number one at the American box office was a valuable marketing commodity. As such, studios pumped more and more money into making sure they at least had a great opening weekend for their product.
The consequence of this was that it was harder and harder for smaller and quirkier films to take a brief spot in the sun. Certainly towards the second half of the decade, it seems that the number one movie each week was pre-ordinained in a marketing meeting somewhere.
Still, there were some films that have since fallen out of public view that clawed their way to number one. How many of these do you remember?
Eye Of The Beholder
January 2000, one week
Based on Marc Behm's book of the same name,...
- 5/13/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Doom
Written by David Callaham and Wesley Strick
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Czech Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, 2005
In 2013, The Rock was named the highest grossing actor of the year with his films pulling in a combined $1.3 billion. Things were not always this great for The Rock though. When he first started out his initial run of action movies in search of action stardom, he didn’t have much luck. The Rundown and Walking Tall, while perfectly fine action films on their own, both underperformed at the box office. Then came Doom, which was either going to be his third strike or his home run. It ended up being the former, causing two things to happen – The Rock’s action career disintegrated for 6 more years, and the belief that video game adaptations are unsuccessful was bolstered.
The film follows a group of marines led by Sarge (The Rock) who go...
Written by David Callaham and Wesley Strick
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Czech Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, 2005
In 2013, The Rock was named the highest grossing actor of the year with his films pulling in a combined $1.3 billion. Things were not always this great for The Rock though. When he first started out his initial run of action movies in search of action stardom, he didn’t have much luck. The Rundown and Walking Tall, while perfectly fine action films on their own, both underperformed at the box office. Then came Doom, which was either going to be his third strike or his home run. It ended up being the former, causing two things to happen – The Rock’s action career disintegrated for 6 more years, and the belief that video game adaptations are unsuccessful was bolstered.
The film follows a group of marines led by Sarge (The Rock) who go...
- 1/11/2015
- by Dylan Griffin
- SoundOnSight
Z for Zachariah
The first photo has been released from Craig Zobel's film adaptation of Robert C. O'Brien post-apocalyptic 1974 novel "Z for Zachariah" starring Chris Pine, Margot Robbie and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The thriller follows a small-town girl (Robbie) who lives alone on a farm in the only valley with breathable air in the wake of nuclear war. Her world is turned upside down when two strangers wander in from the forest. [Source: Variety]
Release Dates
Disney Animation Studios ("Frozen," "Big Hero 6") has announced the titles and dates for its next two animated films. "Zootopia" will open first on March 4th 2016, whilst later in the year comes "Moana" on November 11th 2016.
Meanwhile, Focus Features has pushed back the release date of "Insidious: Chapter Three" by one week with the film now slated to open June 5th next year. Leigh Whannell takes over the directing reigns on the film which also stars Dermot Mulroney,...
The first photo has been released from Craig Zobel's film adaptation of Robert C. O'Brien post-apocalyptic 1974 novel "Z for Zachariah" starring Chris Pine, Margot Robbie and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The thriller follows a small-town girl (Robbie) who lives alone on a farm in the only valley with breathable air in the wake of nuclear war. Her world is turned upside down when two strangers wander in from the forest. [Source: Variety]
Release Dates
Disney Animation Studios ("Frozen," "Big Hero 6") has announced the titles and dates for its next two animated films. "Zootopia" will open first on March 4th 2016, whilst later in the year comes "Moana" on November 11th 2016.
Meanwhile, Focus Features has pushed back the release date of "Insidious: Chapter Three" by one week with the film now slated to open June 5th next year. Leigh Whannell takes over the directing reigns on the film which also stars Dermot Mulroney,...
- 11/11/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Along with watching Kids last week, I also watched Sidney Lumet's near-three-hour epic Prince of the City starring Treat Williams as a New York undercover cop who agrees to work with a special commission investigating police corruption just as long as his partners are not implicated. The film is based on the book and true story of NYPD Narcotics Detective Robert Leuci and while it has a meticulous way of unfolding over the course of its 167 minute running time, it comes to a very satisfying conclusion. However, instead of detailing the film (as I did with Kids yesterday), I was more taken by some of the long, wide-angled shots Lumet and his Dp Andrzej Bartkowiak (The Verdict, The Devil's Advocate) used for the film, the most impressive being the shot above as Williams ascends the courthouse steps, dwarfed by the massive columns running along the right hand side of the image.
- 6/4/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The world is 70% water. Think about that. There is absolutely no way to know exactly what kinds of creatures have yet to be discovered. Then again... sometimes it's the things that we do know exist that can be the most deadly.
In pre-production now from director Andrzej Bartkowiak and writer Armand Speca comes Beneath the Deep. Check out a lengthy synopsis and the first artwork below.
Synopsis
The Jack Knife is a ninety-nine-foot long floating resort whose Captain, Jack Cooley, prides himself on knowing all the best secret spots for diving. His crew consists of his brother Billy, his first mate Tom, and the beautiful Gina, a talented cook who is putting herself through medical school.
Their latest group of adventurers includes a thrill-seeker named Jonah, twin sisters Chris and Wynn, newlyweds Sara and Sean, and a middle-aged bickering couple named Emmet and Jill. The Jack Knife hits the high...
In pre-production now from director Andrzej Bartkowiak and writer Armand Speca comes Beneath the Deep. Check out a lengthy synopsis and the first artwork below.
Synopsis
The Jack Knife is a ninety-nine-foot long floating resort whose Captain, Jack Cooley, prides himself on knowing all the best secret spots for diving. His crew consists of his brother Billy, his first mate Tom, and the beautiful Gina, a talented cook who is putting herself through medical school.
Their latest group of adventurers includes a thrill-seeker named Jonah, twin sisters Chris and Wynn, newlyweds Sara and Sean, and a middle-aged bickering couple named Emmet and Jill. The Jack Knife hits the high...
- 4/15/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
They say it can’t be done. That a great movie can’t be made from a popular video game. Andrzej Bartkowiak’s Doom proved disastrous. Mike Newell’s Prince of Persia was an expensive misfire. Peter Jackson’s Halo never got off the ground. But now the world’s biggest MMORPG (that’s massively multi-player online role-playing game for you n00bs) is getting an adaptation.
Legendary Pictures announced yesterday that Duncan Jones would direct a live-action World of Warcraft film, based on Blizzard Entertainment’s unbelievably successful gaming universe, which was launched in 2004 (ten years after the 1994 release...
Legendary Pictures announced yesterday that Duncan Jones would direct a live-action World of Warcraft film, based on Blizzard Entertainment’s unbelievably successful gaming universe, which was launched in 2004 (ten years after the 1994 release...
- 1/31/2013
- by Grady Smith
- EW - Inside Movies
Full disclosure: I own director Andrzej Bartkowiak’s goofy 2009 action flick Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li on DVD. It’s not that I think the movie is good by any stretch of the imagination, though I do think it holds some entertainment value. While I do appreciate what Bartkowiak and company were attempting to craft — a realistic Street Fighter movie sounds like a splendid idea — something definitely got lost in translation. The characters are too dark for their own good, the subplots are beyond pointless, and Chris Klein single-handedly redefines the art of scene-chewing. In fact, were I to come into an enormous some of money, I’d gladly produce an entire trilogy centered around his character. You know, something along the lines of Tom Selleck and his Jesse Stone franchise. But, I digress. The Legend of Chun-Li is an extremely poor representation of the Street Fighter video game series.
- 12/9/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
On paper, 2005's "Doom" didn't seem like it needed to be the completely ridiculous mess that it ended up becoming. It starred one of this generation's most charismatic action stars, The Rock from a screenplay by one of the guys responsible for "Arachnophobia," directed by the noted cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak who made the otherwise bad "Devil's Advocate" look good, based on a beloved franchise.
Oh, it was a video game franchise? Oh, jeez. Well, then let's tool around with the origins of the monsters a bit (moviegoers might be think demons from hell might be weird, but they'd be alright with mutants, or something, right?) and toss in a first person sequence because the games are first-person. The Rock? He'll play a bland hardass and the villain because the last thing we want this movie to be is fun. "Doom" is a terrible movie, but I can't wholly blame the...
Oh, it was a video game franchise? Oh, jeez. Well, then let's tool around with the origins of the monsters a bit (moviegoers might be think demons from hell might be weird, but they'd be alright with mutants, or something, right?) and toss in a first person sequence because the games are first-person. The Rock? He'll play a bland hardass and the villain because the last thing we want this movie to be is fun. "Doom" is a terrible movie, but I can't wholly blame the...
- 11/16/2012
- by Charles Webb
- MTV Multiplayer
Still hard to believe Michael Clarke Duncan is no longer with us. Let's honor the man's memory by revisiting his Awfully Goodest movie. Street Fighter: Legend of Chun Li (2009) Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak Stars: Kristen Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Michael Clarke Duncan A concert pianist gets an old map in the mail, abandons her wealthy life and heads to Thailand to beat up the evil real estate tycoon who kidnapped her father. No matter how the new Street...
- 9/5/2012
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Apparently it's not a bad thing for your professional career to be attached at the hip to Christopher Nolan. After getting his start as a cinematographer on a handful of Roger Corman films, Wally Pfister's big break came after meeting Christopher Nolan at Sundance and working with him on Memento. From there, he has served as Dp on every single one of Nolan's films, gathering more and more acclaim until he finally won an Oscar for his work on Inception just last year. Now it looks like the Pfister is finally about to take the next logical step and make the jump to director, as he has finalized a deal to helm an as-of-yet untitled movie for Alcon Entertainment. Alcon co-founders Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove had this to say about the project: "We have been talking to Wally about making his directorial debut with Alcon for over a...
- 3/7/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Andrzej Bartkowiak ("Doom," "Romeo Must Die," "Exit Wounds") is set to direct the $16 million Carribean-set action adventure "Beneath the Deep" for Hannibal Productions says Variety.
The story follows a group of tourists in search of an underwater adventure in the Caribbean. When natural forces strand them in a vacation spot from hell, they must contend with unexpected visitors that view them as intruders and a threat to their own survival.
Armand Speca penned the script and will produce with Richard Rionda Del Castro. Shooting kicks off in March in Puerto Rico.
The story follows a group of tourists in search of an underwater adventure in the Caribbean. When natural forces strand them in a vacation spot from hell, they must contend with unexpected visitors that view them as intruders and a threat to their own survival.
Armand Speca penned the script and will produce with Richard Rionda Del Castro. Shooting kicks off in March in Puerto Rico.
- 12/22/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Andrzej Bartkowiak ("Doom," "Romeo Must Die," "Exit Wounds") is set to direct the $16 million Carribean-set action adventure "Beneath the Deep" for Hannibal Productions says Variety.
The story follows a group of tourists in search of an underwater adventure in the Caribbean. When natural forces strand them in a vacation spot from hell, they must contend with unexpected visitors that view them as intruders and a threat to their own survival.
Armand Speca penned the script and will produce with Richard Rionda Del Castro. Shooting kicks off in March in Puerto Rico.
The story follows a group of tourists in search of an underwater adventure in the Caribbean. When natural forces strand them in a vacation spot from hell, they must contend with unexpected visitors that view them as intruders and a threat to their own survival.
Armand Speca penned the script and will produce with Richard Rionda Del Castro. Shooting kicks off in March in Puerto Rico.
- 12/22/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
After creating the cult comedy (er, action movie) Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li director Andrzej Bartkowiak is gearing up to helm yet another entry in the genre. According to Deadline, the Polish director has been hired to helm Hannibal Production’s upcoming indie action film Beneath the Deep.
Written by Armand Speca, the film follows a “group of Caribbean tourists who become stranded due to natural forces and face unexpected visitors who view them as intruders, and a battle to survive begins.” Speca will also serve as the film’s executive producer.
This isn’t Bartkowiak‘s first experience with the action genre as he got his start behind the camera back in 2000 with Romeo Must Die, starring Jet Li, Aaliyah and Isaiah Washington. Since then, every film he’s directed has been an action film of some kind — other credits include Exit Wounds, Doom, and Cradle 2 the Grave.
Written by Armand Speca, the film follows a “group of Caribbean tourists who become stranded due to natural forces and face unexpected visitors who view them as intruders, and a battle to survive begins.” Speca will also serve as the film’s executive producer.
This isn’t Bartkowiak‘s first experience with the action genre as he got his start behind the camera back in 2000 with Romeo Must Die, starring Jet Li, Aaliyah and Isaiah Washington. Since then, every film he’s directed has been an action film of some kind — other credits include Exit Wounds, Doom, and Cradle 2 the Grave.
- 12/21/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Hannibal Production.s upcoming indie action film Beneath the Deep now has a director. Set to helm the movie is Poland-born director Andrzej Bartkowiak. Based on Bartkowiak.s list of credits, most of which are action films, he sounds like the right man for this project. Deadline posted the news, stating that Bartkowiak is set to helm Beneath the Deep. Written by Armand Speca, the action movie is set to begin filming in March in Puerto Rico. The story follows .a group of Caribbean tourists who become stranded due to natural forces and face unexpected visitors who view them as intruders, and a battle to survive begins.. Most of Bartkowiak.s credits are as a Cinematographer/Director of Photography. He.s worked on Lethal Weapon 4, Dante.s Peak, Speed and Falling Down. However, his more recent credits are as a director, which includes work on Street Fighter: The...
- 12/21/2011
- cinemablend.com
Andrzej Bartkowiak is attached to direct the thriller Beneath the Deep for Hannibal Pictures. Armand Speca is co-producing and wrote the script. The film will follow a team of divers and other survivors of a capsized boat who are trapped in a cove where a saltwater crocodile will stop at nothing to protect its young. Bartkowiak, cinematographer of such films like Prizzi's Honor , Speed and the recently released Trespass , directed the 2005 horror-actioner Doom and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li .
- 10/17/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
I’ve heard it said many times: “Why can’t Hollywood come up with an original idea?”
In his 2004 article The Art of Adaptation, film pundit Toby Osborne put forward that ‘85 per cent of movies are adaptations’. And of course, for many successful blockbusters there’s a sequel and a video game, then a prequel and then a straight to DVD bargain feature. Before you know it you’re shaking your head through the credits of BloodRayne: The Vampening and wondering just how the hell it came to this.
Adapting a movie from another source is an appealing concept to Hollywood money men for a number of reasons. Paramount though is the prospect of a ready-made audience. Great literature, comic books or video games tend to garner fervent fan bases; die-hard groups of devotees, who have usually been deeply moved by the source material. These are the groups that the...
In his 2004 article The Art of Adaptation, film pundit Toby Osborne put forward that ‘85 per cent of movies are adaptations’. And of course, for many successful blockbusters there’s a sequel and a video game, then a prequel and then a straight to DVD bargain feature. Before you know it you’re shaking your head through the credits of BloodRayne: The Vampening and wondering just how the hell it came to this.
Adapting a movie from another source is an appealing concept to Hollywood money men for a number of reasons. Paramount though is the prospect of a ready-made audience. Great literature, comic books or video games tend to garner fervent fan bases; die-hard groups of devotees, who have usually been deeply moved by the source material. These are the groups that the...
- 9/7/2011
- by Stuart Bedford
- Obsessed with Film
Buried in a lot of nonsense at What's Playing , there's a rumor that might appeal...to someone. According to the site's sources, Universal is interested in revisiting Doom . Yes, the video game franchise and the 2005 film of the same name starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. How solid is this intel? I wouldn't be surprised. Hell, they're rebooting Tomb Raider . Then again, I don't know why they would take another shot at Doom . It made a paltry $55 million worldwide. Then again, if the studio decides to move forward, here's a tip: Watch Rec 2 and take a cue from this film which is about the closest thing you can get to emulating a first-person shooter.
- 3/9/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Staying the course with the continuing trend of turning every board and video game into a feature film property, a recent report states that Universal Pictures hopes to remake the poorly received Doom film which starred Dwayne Johnson. According to the online news site What's Playing: "Universal own the rights to the film and though they’ve always been keen on doing another Doom movie sometime, the success of Paramount’s G.I Joe : Rise of Cobra piqued their interest even more. [Universal] is said to be script scouting for a Doom movie that’ll make full advantage of contemporary cinema’s richest weapon - 3D." In 2005, Andrzej Bartkowiak directed a live-action Doom adaptation which stared Karl Urban, Dwayne Johnson & Deobia Oparei. Similarly to the video games it was based off of, the...
- 3/9/2011
- by Pietro Filipponi
- The Daily BLAM!
Craig here. It's Sunday. It's Take Three time.
Today: Rosamund Pike
Take One: An(ti) Education?
Earlier this year two great 1960s booze-soaked lushes missed out on Supporting Actress Oscar nods: Julianne Moore's Charley in A Single Man and Pike's Helen in An Education (2009). I'd personally have slotted both in the running had I sole ownership of the voting ballots. Similarly with her performance in The Libertine (see below) Pike sneaks in and very nearly scoops the film out of the hands of her co-stars. But, as with Moore, maybe her screen time wasn't quite enough to grab the Academy's full attention. No matter - Pike was the freshest and most lively presence in the film, Oscar nom or no.
Helen comes on like a Bright Young Thing - albeit dimly lit - full of the joys of life. But she wasn't all just boozy bewilderment though. She had...
Today: Rosamund Pike
Take One: An(ti) Education?
Earlier this year two great 1960s booze-soaked lushes missed out on Supporting Actress Oscar nods: Julianne Moore's Charley in A Single Man and Pike's Helen in An Education (2009). I'd personally have slotted both in the running had I sole ownership of the voting ballots. Similarly with her performance in The Libertine (see below) Pike sneaks in and very nearly scoops the film out of the hands of her co-stars. But, as with Moore, maybe her screen time wasn't quite enough to grab the Academy's full attention. No matter - Pike was the freshest and most lively presence in the film, Oscar nom or no.
Helen comes on like a Bright Young Thing - albeit dimly lit - full of the joys of life. But she wasn't all just boozy bewilderment though. She had...
- 8/8/2010
- by Craig Bloomfield
- FilmExperience
Whenever a new cast member is announced for Wes Craven's new Scream sequel, we kind of assume they're due a knife in the ribs from Ghostface. If that's the case then the bodycount's going to be sizeable, since Anthony Anderson and Marielle Jaffe are now reportedly joining Scream 4's Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Lake Bell and Nico Tortorella.It's a high-profile gig for the early-career Jaffe, who so-far only has a role as one of the eight 'Aphrodite Girls' in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief under her belt. She'll also shortly be seen in Doug Campbell's kidnap-drama Locked Away.Anderson is a more familiar face, from Transformers, The Departed, and Andrzej Bartkowiak's action 'trilogy' (Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave). Most intriguingly (and amusingly) though, he's also a veteran of the Scream-ripping Scary Movie franchise,...
- 6/21/2010
- EmpireOnline
It was a few weeks ago when Todd broke the bad news (or good) that the Turkish actioner Dark Deal was suddenly put to death. What killed the production? Your guess is as good as mine but if I were to take a guess, I would imagine the execs realizes they made a grave mistake of hiring director Andrzej Bartkowiak after watching his critically shunned Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and so they decided to pull the plugged immediately before filming can begin. Incase your wondering what we are missing out on, the good folks at Scott Adkins Fanz has alerted us on a training video with Scott Adkins and Cyril Raffaelli, the fight choreographer, along with other cast members preparing for the film. It features some of the physical stuntwork including martial arts, gymnastics and parkour. Atleast Scott and Cyril had a chance to meet each other and...
- 5/17/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Chun Li this ain't. Fed up with the shabby video game movies Hollywood has turned out in the past few years -- okay, in pretty much forever -- British actor and martial artist Joey Ansah (Desh from The Bourne Ultimatum) conceived, choreographed, co-wrote, and co-directed a faithful live-action adaptation of the Capcom fighting game Street Fighter featuring top-notch fight action, crisp production values, and yes, those ridiculous Street Fighter eyebrows. Hit Down, Down + Click to watch! (By which I mean scroll down for more.)
Filmed in HD, Street Fighter: Legacy stars Jon Foo as Ryu and Christian Howard as Ken, who meet in a wooded clearing as Ryu is shaking off memories of a recent run in with Akuma (portrayed in a cameo by Ansah). Fans of the Street Fighter games will recognize a ton of signature moves, positions, grunts, and details, including Ryu's hadouken and hurricane kick and Ken's fire-fisted shoryuken.
Filmed in HD, Street Fighter: Legacy stars Jon Foo as Ryu and Christian Howard as Ken, who meet in a wooded clearing as Ryu is shaking off memories of a recent run in with Akuma (portrayed in a cameo by Ansah). Fans of the Street Fighter games will recognize a ton of signature moves, positions, grunts, and details, including Ryu's hadouken and hurricane kick and Ken's fire-fisted shoryuken.
- 5/7/2010
- by Jen Yamato
- Cinematical
[Update: Our very own Todd has just receive word that the plug has been pulled on Dark Deal. On one hand, I feel bad for those involve in the production to lose out on work but on the other, I think they might have dodge a bullet from cinematic embarrassment.]
Ok action fans, I have good news and bad news...
First off, the good news. According to several Turkish sites, Scott Adkins (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ninja, Undisputed 3) and Cyril Raffaelli (Banlieue 13, The Incredible Hulk, Tekken), both martial arts extraordinaire, will take a role in Dark Deal (Karanlık Hesaplaşma'nın) with Raffaelli also serving as the fight choreographer/stunt coordinator. The film is allegedly hailed as the most expensive production ever in Turkey and its expected to blow the minds of action buff everywhere. On what capacity their acting role and the plot entails is unclear as of yet but its been confirmed that Turkish actors Ali Surmeli, Kenan Isik and Tamer Karadagli will be among the cast.
So whats the bad news? The Turkish actioner will be helm by none other than the notorious director Andrzej Bartkowiak who brought us such disastrous trainwrecks as Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,...
Ok action fans, I have good news and bad news...
First off, the good news. According to several Turkish sites, Scott Adkins (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ninja, Undisputed 3) and Cyril Raffaelli (Banlieue 13, The Incredible Hulk, Tekken), both martial arts extraordinaire, will take a role in Dark Deal (Karanlık Hesaplaşma'nın) with Raffaelli also serving as the fight choreographer/stunt coordinator. The film is allegedly hailed as the most expensive production ever in Turkey and its expected to blow the minds of action buff everywhere. On what capacity their acting role and the plot entails is unclear as of yet but its been confirmed that Turkish actors Ali Surmeli, Kenan Isik and Tamer Karadagli will be among the cast.
So whats the bad news? The Turkish actioner will be helm by none other than the notorious director Andrzej Bartkowiak who brought us such disastrous trainwrecks as Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,...
- 4/28/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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