Wizards are usually casting spells and creating magic in their respective kingdoms, yet sometimes they may feel the need for speed. The 3D game Wizzard Race, which send players racing against fellow spellcasters in a magical land called Certamen, is slated for release on iOS, Android and Windows phone in August.
There’s gold, a bit of glory, as well as the chance to possess the spirit of Eneth in the offing, as wizards will mount their respective broomsticks and race ’til the cows come home. Developed with the Unity 3D engine (always a good sign), the app is the first release from game development company Pluxon Inc. The dev team cite the Harry Potter franchise and Crash Team Racing as influences for this mobile racing game.
A slew of creatures serve as impediments to your journey, which features runner, time trial, and racing battle style gamplay (they are aptly named Circuit, Time Stamp, and Massacre modes).
Pluxon, Inc. claims over 10,000 hours were spent developing the title, and so far app enthusiasts have been treated to a launch trailer and a collection of gamplay photos. Since I’m a runner/racer fan, Wizzard Race is definitely on my to-play list, and I’ll report more on this title when it hits the app store.
In the upcoming Horns, Daniel Radcliffe is Ig Perrish, the prime suspect in the murder of his girlfriend Merrin (Killer Joe’s Juno Temple). After a night of drinking, Ig also discovers horns that are growing from his head, and although he’s probably not the devil, Ig now has the power to drive people to indulge in their deepest impulses.
With the horns, Ig may also have the ability to find his girlfriend’s killer and exact his own form of revenge on the culprit. Of course, if the actual murderer is Ig, that would certainly put a twist to the proceedings.
The supernatural thriller/black comedy is based on Joe Hill’s novel, and it comes out October 23rd nationwide and On Demand. Check out the trailer and pics below!
Spoon’s album They Want My Soul debuts August 5 via Loma Vista, but fans of the band can stream the entire album through iTunes Radio. The group’s passion for albums can currently be witnessed by their Vinyl Gratification program, which gives fans who preorder They Want My Soul a white vinyl pressing of the album. The singles “Do You,” “Rent I Pay” and “Inside Out” were also featured in a 10-inch limited edition vinyl which sold out in participating record stores, and a new shipment is set for a Wednesday, July 30 release in participating record stores.
With the release of their first studio album since 2010’s Transference, the band are in full promotion and touring mode. Their trek, which starts August 1 in Chicago (Metro), will also included stops in Los Angeles (The Fairbanks Lawn of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, August 5), San Francisco (Outside Lands, August 10), Portland (Musicfest NW, August 17), NYC (Central Park,, September 10), Montreal (as special guests of Arcade Fire, Parc Jean Drapeau, August 30), and Austin (Austin City Limits Music Festival, October 5 & 12).
They Want My Soul is an excellent addition to Spoon’s impressive body of work, and although it’s really hard to single out my favorites from their new album, I am absolutely hooked on the tranquil yet seductive “Inside Out.” If you haven’t checked out the track, watch the Spoon video below:
It’s hard to imagine it’s been almost 30 years since Mel Gibson (and Tina Turner) graced the screen in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Director George Miller is back to revisit his fatalistic desert wasteland, this time with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road.
Mad Max: Fury Road is slated for a May 15, 2015 release, and the trailer officially debuted at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Check out the video and images below, and if you have any thoughts on Hardy taking over Mad Max or the return of the franchise (the first installment, Mad Max, came out in 1979), feel free to comment! I haven’t checked out Miller’s trilogy in years, but maybe it’s time to take one more ride with Mel Gibson’s Max before I see Hardy take over the reigns in May.
As one grows and matures into the world, many facets of one’s life is expected to improve. For actors and filmmakers, learning and honing their craft, mixed in with a genuine curiosity, should only deepen their work. During the Boyhood interviews, Ethan Hawke was asked if he’s become a better actor over the years, and his humble response gave an insightful look into the process.
Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke, and Ellar Coltrane in Boyhood (IFC Films, Matt Lankes)
“I would like to think I’m a better actor now,” said Hawke who referenced his work in Joe Dante’s feature Explorers in his response. “But I’m just dealing with the hand that I have now. I’m not a better actor now – I wish I was. It’s a nice idea.”
Check out the audio clip below as Ethan Hawke talks about the difference between acting in film and on stage – and he also explains why he really doesn’t feel that he’s a “better actor” at this moment. Boyhood co-star Patricia Arquette also chimes in on the answer, as she explains the joy and challenge of working with young actors Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater.
Boyhood is now playing in select theaters, and if you’re a fan of Richard Linklater’s previous work (Before Midnight, Slacker, Waking Life), then this film should be up your alley.
Shows like Hemlock Grove, House of Cards, and Orange is the New Black is proof that Netflix is a creative powerhouse in the television medium. Streaming is gradually taking dominance over the tried and true remote control, as tablet users can touch, tap and binge watch their way through some of their favorite programs.
“Netflix is such a hot network,” says Roth, whose next film The Green Inferno comes out September 14. “They have been so wonderful. They are the place to be right now…it’s amazing how a year ago people didn’t really understand the concept of a show on Netflix but now everybody wants to get a show on there because it’s the place where you can have the most creative freedom and you can make the most cinematic television series.”
Click on the audio below to hear Roth and Famke Janssen offer up their thoughts on Netflix.
Bill Skarsgard in “Hemlock Grove” Season 2 – (Netflix, CR: Steve Wilkie)
One of the strongest aspects of Eli Roth’s storytelling (Hostel, Cabin Fever) is his ability to mix humor amidst the horror, gore, and suspense that dominate his films (and Hemlock Grove). I asked him if there was a secret to balancing these different tones in his work, and he referenced filmmakers David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Eraserhead) and Stanley Kubrick in his answer.
Click on the media bar below to hear Eli Roth explain why humor, whether it’s found in Twin Peaks or Hemlock Grove, is an important aspect to a strong narrative.
Season 2 of Hemlock Grove, which co-stars Dougray Scott, Bill Skarsgard and Landon Liboiron,is now available for streaming on Netflix.
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Being firmly ensconced in the suburban confines of the San Fernando Valley, a nighttime Hollywood trip is, at my middle-aged slumber, an inconvenience. But Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment was holding a screening of Dom Hemingway in celebration of its recent Blu-ray and DVD release, and watching Jude Law go balls out as a vulgar and hot tempered safecracker was too tempting to pass out.
The event took place at Hemingway’s Lounge, an impressive oasis with books and typewriters adorning the surroundings. With A Moveable Feast and the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place serving as constant inspirations, partaking in any festivity inspired by Ernest Hemingway was also a no-brainer, especially since a huge part of me misses Century City’s Harry’s Bar.
Nostalgia aside, the Dom Hemingway enabled bloggers, journalists, and other guests to munch on a few snacks and libations before the proceedings, and since I’m a glutton for photo opportunities with movie branding slathered next to my unimpressive visage, having Dom Hemingway partake in my photographic history was a distinct pleasure.
The film, directed by first rate filmmaker Richard Shepard (The Matador, The Hunting Party) continues Shepard’s love of unpredictable storytelling. One never knows where Dom Hemingway (Jude Law, doing inspired work) is headed, and even with his loyal best friend in tow (Richard E. Grant), Dom is a force of nature that can’t be controlled.
If you’re ever in Hollywood, Hemingway’s Lounge is worth a look, especially if you’re the literary sort who loves rooms filled with books. I didn’t try the Death in the Afternoon cocktail, but maybe I’ll give it a shot when fatalism enters my picture. As for Dom Hemingway, the Blu-ray comes includes audio commentary from Shepard, several featurettes, the theatrical trailer. I’ll be writing up a Blu-ray review of Dom Hemingway over the weekend, but the movie itself is definitely worth checking out (Dom’s opening monologue, in which he extols the virtue of his penis, is worth the price of admission).
If you’ve already seen Dom Hemingway or even checked out Hemingway’s Lounge, I’d love to read your opinions. Feel free to comment on my blog and we’ll also be having a Dom Hemingway giveaway next week. There’s going to be a ton of Dom on the blog in the coming days, so please stay tuned!
The Guardians of the Galaxy press tour blitz continued last night in London, as actors Vin Diesel, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and director James Gunn were on hand to celebrate its European premiere at the Empire Leicester Square.
Vin Diesel + Chris Pratt at Guardians of the Galaxy Europen premiere at the Empire Leicester Square (James Gillham/StingMedia.co.uk)
Vin Diesel is no stranger to successful franchise flicks, thanks to his work on the Pitch Black and Fast and Furious films. He has an inevitable hit on his hands with Guardians of the Galaxy, and this time out he explains why playing the mighty tree Groot was a therapeutic and gratifying experience.
Part of his inspiration for playing Groot came from his kids, who wanted him to play the role. Diesel may be known for his physical prowess, but Guardians of the Galaxy required him to flex his voice acting muscles. It’s a craft he developed while playing the lead voice in Brad Bird’s evocative animated feature The Iron Giant.
Click on the media bar below to hear Vin Diesel talk about the beauty of sharing his Guardians of the Galaxy experience with his children:
Directed by James Gunn (Super, Slither), Guardians of the Galaxy opens August 1.
Beneath is a claustrophobic film that initially comes off as a horror film but, in essence, is a psychological thriller that should leave an impression soon after the credits roll.
The storyline centers on Samantha (Kelly Noonan), an environmental lawyer who hangs with her miner father (Jeff Fahey) on his final day of work. Her decision to accompany him and a former boyfriend (Joey Kern) during a mining excursion leads to a tragic cave-in. Trapped with seemingly no way out, the fellow miners and Samantha find a destructive presence in their midst.
Whether he’s working on a Western (Silverado, Wyatt Earp), TV series (Lost, The Marshal), or even holding his own with such cinematic stalwarts as Clint Eastwood (White Hunter Black Heart), Jeff Fahey always seems to be in his element. I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Fahey, whose life extends beyond Hollywood, as he discussed his work on Beneath and his continuing efforts to hone his craft.
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BENEATH (IFC FILMS)
Even though ‘Beneath’ is shot on a soundstage, viewers still get the suffocating feel of being trapped inside a mine.
You certainly felt it because it has such a high quality production design. And the dust and the dirt is real – they covered us with dust and dirt and stick us in a little cave. It was easy for several reasons: the quality of the sets and how intricate it was. The vision that Ben (director BenKetai)had and the way he was able to convey it.
And thirdly, the relationship the actors had with each other. It was so easy to work with that group and get the energy and anxiety up within the scenes. We could feel that we had something of quality in the way it was lit and the way it was shot and the pace that Ben worked at.
It’s also a psychological thriller and a multi-layered film.
That was what attracted me to it. I wasn’t interested, in that point and time, in doing a genre horror film. When my manager said ‘you might want to give this a read, it’s different.’ He was right. It read like a short story, where you could feel the psychological pressure and intensity as opposed to other types of horror films with gore and bloods and guts and all that. They stand alone on their own and have a strong audience for that, but I’m more attracted to this kind of psychological horror.
As you say, it’s multi-layered. One could say it’s a psychological drama with a horror element. I was much more drawn to that. And meeting with Ben and the producers; you can feel when you’re going into a good situation and that lends itself to the best possibilities.
How was it working with Kelly Noonan? She does a great job as the lead.
She was great. She has a strong sense of her craft and the way she prepares for her scenes. If she didn’t pull it off, you would have a couple of nice scenes here and there but she really had to carry that psychological unwinding through the film. My hats are off to her and it was wondering working with Kelly. I hope she has a much bigger career and this is a good springboard for her.
Aside from that, she’s easy to work with, which is a wonderful gift when you’ve got someone as beautiful and talented as her. She also has a great sense of humor and is quite intelligent.
Does acting get easier for you as you gain experience over the years. Do you keep your craft simple, or is there much more complexity to the process?
As we go along in any craft and arena that one works over the years in, you hone the technique and the style and you develop more styles and adding other things to it. One is able to keep it simple, if you will, but keep the volcano under there and keep the layers inside of you that can come out with any given story.
But it’s the environment. The longer you’re on the horse or on the bicycle, the easier it is, at times, to pull on certain things and deliver. But it’s all in the story and the director and the people you’re working with. I just move forward and I’m learning from each films from all these younger actors and the older ones (as well). You’re always honing your craft and adding more to the style and the rhythms to the music of the instrument.
Is traveling important for your life? Some actors express that travel is a way to enhance their craft.
 I wish everyone could travel. To see and live and experience new cultures, and all that brings, it adds to someone’s character and development in how we see everything., And acting and the music we hear, it’s part of the process. We bring everything to it. There’s some people who haven’t traveled as much but they have a window in their heart and their soul. Isn’t it how we see things and it’s how we develop as an individual and how we read into the story we’re being part of. But yes, I’ve been fortunate to travel my whole life and it’s been a gift.
Do you see your acting as separate from your humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, or do you view both these facets as your life as one entity?
It’s all inclusive. One feeds the other and obviously this puts coal in the oven so I can live. But the other work, I guess that puts the coal in my soul. One feeds the other and I don’t see them as separate. It’s all part of one big adventure and we do things along the way and we learn as we move.
I don’t know if any of these answers are answering your question (laughs). I’m not trying to be esoteric or vague, but in a nutshell, everything is completely involved.
I’m a huge fan of Wyatt Earp. What were your thoughts on working on that film?
When I was doing Wyatt Earp in Santa Fe, he was in Tucson filming Tombstone with Kurt Russell and the guys. Here we are now in a period piece in Texas in the 1830s and we were just on horseback the other day doing a scene. Between (takes), we were talking about those two films. So it was wonderful to work on Wyatt Earp and Silverado with Larry Kasdan and Kevin Costner. But it’s always great to be in those epic pieces.
Beneath is now available on iTunes and it also hits New York theaters on July 25th (it extends to Los Angeles on August 1st).
Chris Pratt and company may receive their share of accolades for Guardians of the Galaxy, but he understands filmmaking is a collaborative process. And while it’s filled with such A-listers as Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel, a huge part of the movie’s creative success centers on James Gunn’s direction, Ben Davis’ cinematography, and the pinpoint editing from Fred Raskin, Hughes Winborne, and Craig Wood.
During the Guardians of the Galaxy press conference, Pratt was asked how he developed Peter Quill’s (aka Star-Lord) cocksure personality. “Kind of the whole process with me on this one was just trusting James (Gunn), really, and taking big swings and sometimes falling flat on my face,” said the actor, whose previous credits include Zero Dark Thirty and Moneyball. “The big challenge for me was just trying to ignore the embarrassment of being an actor.”
Pratt obviously doesn’t believe acting is an embarrassing profession, but in the audio clip below he explains why his craft can, in context, be a humbling experience:
Guardians of the Galaxy hopes to get audience “hooked on a feeling” when it opens nationwide August 1st.
Chris Pratt – Guardians of the Galaxy World Premiere (CR: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
There’s gold, a bit of glory, as well as the chance to possess the spirit of Eneth in the offing, as wizards will mount their respective broomsticks and race ’til the cows come home. Developed with the Unity 3D engine (always a good sign), the app is the first release from game development company Pluxon Inc. The dev team cite the Harry Potter franchise and Crash Team Racing as influences for this mobile racing game.
