by Tami Katzoff
Do an amazon.com search for books with the words “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in the title, and you get more than 1,500 results. Aside from novels and comics, there are official and unofficial show guides, books on “Buffy” and philosophy, “Buffy” and psychology, “Buffy” and religion, and at least one “Buffy” songbook.
There are old books and new books. One of the newest is called “The Gentleviewer’s Obsessive Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” by Kathleen Mattson. As the title suggests, the author, who owns a technical marketing company in Portland, Oregon, is an obsessive viewer of the show. She is, in fact, “a little obsessive about everything.”
Mattson came to “Buffy” a bit late, after first being a fan of “Firefly.” Once she was hooked, she started to diligently gather data. “I’d be watching an episode and I’d keep careful note of which...
Do an amazon.com search for books with the words “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in the title, and you get more than 1,500 results. Aside from novels and comics, there are official and unofficial show guides, books on “Buffy” and philosophy, “Buffy” and psychology, “Buffy” and religion, and at least one “Buffy” songbook.
There are old books and new books. One of the newest is called “The Gentleviewer’s Obsessive Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” by Kathleen Mattson. As the title suggests, the author, who owns a technical marketing company in Portland, Oregon, is an obsessive viewer of the show. She is, in fact, “a little obsessive about everything.”
Mattson came to “Buffy” a bit late, after first being a fan of “Firefly.” Once she was hooked, she started to diligently gather data. “I’d be watching an episode and I’d keep careful note of which...
- 5/25/2012
- by Splash Page Team
- MTV Splash Page
Movies were destroyed and awards given to the destructors at the 12th annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival, which was held back on Aug. 19-28.
The Best Film of the fest, as chosen by jury head Jimmy the Exploder in in consultation with The Muff team, was the controversial A Serbian Film by Srdjan Spasojevic, which has been banned in some parts of the country, but now available on DVD in others.
Other big winners are: Larry Wessel who took home Best Director and Best Documentary for his epic 4-hour profile of cult figure Boyd Rice, Iconoclast (Watch the trailer.); Viva Bianca and Hanna Mangan Lawrence appropriately shared the Best Actress award for their starring roles in Jon Hewitt‘s X (Watch the trailer); and John V. Soto”s Needle took home numerous awards such as Best Actor (Michael Dorman), Best Cinematography (D.P. Stephen F. Windon), Best Poster (Horror Version) and the Special Jury Prize.
The Best Film of the fest, as chosen by jury head Jimmy the Exploder in in consultation with The Muff team, was the controversial A Serbian Film by Srdjan Spasojevic, which has been banned in some parts of the country, but now available on DVD in others.
Other big winners are: Larry Wessel who took home Best Director and Best Documentary for his epic 4-hour profile of cult figure Boyd Rice, Iconoclast (Watch the trailer.); Viva Bianca and Hanna Mangan Lawrence appropriately shared the Best Actress award for their starring roles in Jon Hewitt‘s X (Watch the trailer); and John V. Soto”s Needle took home numerous awards such as Best Actor (Michael Dorman), Best Cinematography (D.P. Stephen F. Windon), Best Poster (Horror Version) and the Special Jury Prize.
- 8/31/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Unfortunately, Smells Like Screen Spirit could not find affordable enough airfare to get us to Oxford, Mississippi for the eighth annual Oxford Film Festival on February 10 - 13, 2011. Off 2011 is scheduled to host 13 world premieres, three national premieres, 33 regional premieres, and ten Mississippi premieres...as well as other notable “spotlight films" -- it will just have to go on without us. The festival's special guest will be Les Blank, who will screen his 1980 short film Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe, on opening night. Michael Adams, author of the recently released book Showgirls, Teen Wolves and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made, will also be in attendance. Several people told me last year to keep an eye on the up and coming Oxford Film Festival, and after seeing their 2011 program I understand why. Here is a breakdown of some of the films screening at...
- 2/7/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
I knew there had to be a reason I never filed for a restraining order against eReleases Newsbureau, which clogs my inbox with unsolicited emails on a daily basis. It’s because, deep down, I knew they would someday send me this video for “Don’t Touch My Junk,” the timely new T.S.A.-bashing single by a person named Michael Adams (a.k.a. “Heath Ranger”). This text will be replaced by the playervar so=new SWFObject('http://naturalnews.tv/player-licensed.swf','mpl','460','345','9');so.addParam('allowscriptaccess','always');so.addParam('allowfullscreen','true');so.addParam('flashvars','config=http://naturalnews.tv/v-flashvars.asp?v=2728901EDF2CEAE4C0445F00DA3C3F43');so.write('player2728901EDF2CEAE4C0445F00DA3C3F43'); P.S. Don’t blame me; blame Jay Rosen!
- 11/19/2010
- Vanity Fair
Movieline alumnus alert! What's erstwhile Bad Movies We Love guru Michael Adams been up to? Oh, not much -- just hosting a reviews show in Australia and launching the new Web magazine WordyMofo. Way to multitask! Of the latter, Issue #0 (gotta start somewhere) features an interview with the auteur behind Titanic II and the greatest article ever written about spending the Fourth of July randomly flipping through cable channels five minutes at a time for 24 hours straight. Cheers to Mr. Adams and his mates, and happy reading to you. [WordyMofo]...
- 9/7/2010
- Movieline - TVline
What makes a film so appalling that it transitions from ordinary ineptitude into the sublime; beyond cult status (and all reason) and into that surreal place where you really can't believe what you're watching? Rt's regular contributor Michael Adams has a pretty good idea: as part of his new book 'Showgirls, Teen Wolves and Astro Zombies', he spent an entire year seeking out the greatest atrocities cinema has ever unleashed, watching more than 400 bad movies in a quest to to find the worst film ever made. Along the way, he spoke with such bad movie aficionados as John Landis,...
- 1/30/2010
- Rotten Tomatoes
This week marks the publication of Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made, a rollicking new tome by Movieline's "Bad Movies We Love" guru Michael Adams. Part comic memoir, part grueling critical experiment, Adams's book chronicles his journey through more than 350 of the most obscure, confounding, surprising, and yes, appalling cinema known to man. In this Movieline exclusive excerpt, Adams unearths not only one of the very worst films, but one of the worst genres as well.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, whenever we'd go to visit my grandfather in his leafy suburban abode, my younger brother David would race out into the old man's garden to capture little lizards basking in the morning sun. Once we'd tired of our catch-and-release program, we'd spend the afternoon luxuriating in the spare room that contained decadence beyond compare in...
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, whenever we'd go to visit my grandfather in his leafy suburban abode, my younger brother David would race out into the old man's garden to capture little lizards basking in the morning sun. Once we'd tired of our catch-and-release program, we'd spend the afternoon luxuriating in the spare room that contained decadence beyond compare in...
- 1/20/2010
- Movieline
By Michael Adams
Very Minor Spoilers
1. Even in the Future, It's All About Paper Money
Despite all the hi-tech gizmos on display, from the cryosleep pods and exo-skeletal warrior suits to the amazing Avatar-transplant technology, mankind still hasn’t evolved past folding paper money. Jake Sully’s brother -- who has an enormous amount of R&D dollars invested in his PhD-achieving ass -- dies because he’s robbed for the cash in his wallet. So it’s the decision to not move to an all-electronic funds transfer system by 2154 -- hardly credible - that re...
Very Minor Spoilers
1. Even in the Future, It's All About Paper Money
Despite all the hi-tech gizmos on display, from the cryosleep pods and exo-skeletal warrior suits to the amazing Avatar-transplant technology, mankind still hasn’t evolved past folding paper money. Jake Sully’s brother -- who has an enormous amount of R&D dollars invested in his PhD-achieving ass -- dies because he’s robbed for the cash in his wallet. So it’s the decision to not move to an all-electronic funds transfer system by 2154 -- hardly credible - that re...
- 12/14/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Watch Out for David Michôd
Australia has long fought above its cinematic weight, delivering to the world a wealth of film talent disproportionate to its small population. The “World Cinema” section of next year’s Sundance will unveil “Animal Kingdom,” the debut feature of the latest Aussie A-list director in the making: David Michôd. I visited the Melbourne set earlier this year was mightily impressed by Michôd’s vision for his crime drama, which stars Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and newcomer James Frecheville. Confirming Michô...
1. Watch Out for David Michôd
Australia has long fought above its cinematic weight, delivering to the world a wealth of film talent disproportionate to its small population. The “World Cinema” section of next year’s Sundance will unveil “Animal Kingdom,” the debut feature of the latest Aussie A-list director in the making: David Michôd. I visited the Melbourne set earlier this year was mightily impressed by Michôd’s vision for his crime drama, which stars Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and newcomer James Frecheville. Confirming Michô...
- 12/4/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Wasteland Warriors … for a Weekend
Everyone knows an oil-shortage-and-nuclear-war apocalypse is for keeps, not just three days, but that didn’t stop a bunch of rabid “Mad Max” fans from donning the leather and chains and revving up their motley machines over three days in the Californian desert recently. The La Weekly story and photos are fantastic, although I’m a little disappointed these faux-barbarians from Down Unde...
1. Wasteland Warriors … for a Weekend
Everyone knows an oil-shortage-and-nuclear-war apocalypse is for keeps, not just three days, but that didn’t stop a bunch of rabid “Mad Max” fans from donning the leather and chains and revving up their motley machines over three days in the Californian desert recently. The La Weekly story and photos are fantastic, although I’m a little disappointed these faux-barbarians from Down Unde...
- 11/27/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
Is there a remake of The Blair Witch Project currently in the works? According to a strange casting call that recently went out across the web, there most certainly is. However, all signs would seem to indicate that this project is not connected to Artisan Entertainment, the production company that owns the rights to the Blair Witch franchise. A director named Stacy Hopkins is setting up shop in Glasgow, Scotland, and the casting call looks something like this: Dennis Hither, Michael Adams and Donald Walker, experienced filmmakers, set out to shoot a documentary about a local legend, the Blair Witch. We seek amateur/semi professional actors/actresses to play the roles of three experienced film makers, and females to play Michael’s girl friend. There are 4 roles available, with Dennis Hither being the lead role. We require mostly Canadian and U.S actors/actresses, all others should also apply. The...
- 11/24/2009
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Given the success of Paranormal Activity, it was only a matter of time before someone went back to the well, or in this case the woods, to try to capture that ever so special lightning in a bottle that all indie filmmakers pursue.
While it's far from officially announced, Bloody Disgusting caught wind of a sort of Blair Witch Project remake from director Stacy Hopkins that's getting set to start filming in Glasgow, Scotland, tentatively being referred to as The Blair Witch Remake -- a film about three inexperienced filmmakers who set out to shoot a documentary about a local legend.
Online casting resources such as Backstage put out a call to have the following roles filled:
Dennis Hither: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker, Lead; Michael Adams: 22-44, supporting; Donald Walker: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker; Allison James: 21-35, Michael's girlfriend.
Look for further clarification of what this project actually is soon.
While it's far from officially announced, Bloody Disgusting caught wind of a sort of Blair Witch Project remake from director Stacy Hopkins that's getting set to start filming in Glasgow, Scotland, tentatively being referred to as The Blair Witch Remake -- a film about three inexperienced filmmakers who set out to shoot a documentary about a local legend.
Online casting resources such as Backstage put out a call to have the following roles filled:
Dennis Hither: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker, Lead; Michael Adams: 22-44, supporting; Donald Walker: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker; Allison James: 21-35, Michael's girlfriend.
Look for further clarification of what this project actually is soon.
- 11/24/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
A casting notice for a film called The Blair Witch Remake would seem to suggest, obviously enough, that The Blair Witch Project is being remade, but a close look at the circumstances raises a few questions. The characters listed are Dennis Hither, Michael Adams, Donald Walker and Allison James as opposed to Heather Donahue, Josh Leonard and Mike Williams. What's more, the female role is apparently not one of the filmmakers this time around, with Dennis listed as the main role. I'll put the full casting notices after the break. Another question mark hovers over the use of the Blair Witch name. I'd be very surprised if Lionsgate, who hold the rights to any sequels, would allow another film to pitch up on their turf like that. We know that Myrick and Sanchez have recently been talking about a third Blair Witch film... could this possibly be it? I'm pretty...
- 11/23/2009
- by Brendon Connelly
- Slash Film
Producer Bob Greensworth is spearheading what some casting sites are calling The Blair Witch Remake . Shooting begins in December in Glasgow, Scotland and Stacy Hopkins is in line to direct. Principal roles looking to be filled are: Dennis Hither: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker, Lead; Michael Adams: 22-44, supporting; Donald Walker: 22-38, an experienced filmmaker; Allison James: 21-35, Michael's girlfriend. Our attempts to find a background on Greensworth and Hopkins have yielded nothing. This sounds very much like a spoof or a meta film in which we follow a group of filmmakers out to remake the '99 flick.
- 11/23/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
By Michael Adams
1. Sam's Boots Were Made for Walking
With just a month to go until “Avatar” makes him one of the biggest -- and bluest -- stars in the movie world, Sam Worthington's having himself a fun victory tour of his native Australia. This week he was named “Man of the Year” by the Down Under version of GQ magazine and lauded at the Inside Film Awards. Showing he's keeping it real, Sam wore his “lucky” old workboots -- the ones he kept o...
1. Sam's Boots Were Made for Walking
With just a month to go until “Avatar” makes him one of the biggest -- and bluest -- stars in the movie world, Sam Worthington's having himself a fun victory tour of his native Australia. This week he was named “Man of the Year” by the Down Under version of GQ magazine and lauded at the Inside Film Awards. Showing he's keeping it real, Sam wore his “lucky” old workboots -- the ones he kept o...
- 11/21/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. The Master of Disaster Still Has It
“2012” is a massive -- the most massive -- eruption of molten B-movie cheese in history -- not that that’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s hard to think of many better pure-popcorn experiences this year. What genocidal levels of destruction played for fun says about us and our civilization, I’m not too sure. But I know we’ve been doing it on screen for over 100 years now. Will audiences stampede to this one? I’m betting it exceeds expectations and hauls in $70m+.
2."...
1. The Master of Disaster Still Has It
“2012” is a massive -- the most massive -- eruption of molten B-movie cheese in history -- not that that’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s hard to think of many better pure-popcorn experiences this year. What genocidal levels of destruction played for fun says about us and our civilization, I’m not too sure. But I know we’ve been doing it on screen for over 100 years now. Will audiences stampede to this one? I’m betting it exceeds expectations and hauls in $70m+.
2."...
- 11/13/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. 2012 = Bang For Your Buck
Roland Emmerich’s mega disaster mash-up does exactly what it says on the tin. His puree job of every end-of-the-world movie ever made – with big dollops of “Airport," “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Titanic” thrown in for good measure – is spectacular and a terrific popcorn entertainment. It’s also one of the best comedies of 2009, although it’s open to debate how intentional the laughs are.
http://www.empireonline.com.au/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?Fid=135843
Not sure about a TV ...
1. 2012 = Bang For Your Buck
Roland Emmerich’s mega disaster mash-up does exactly what it says on the tin. His puree job of every end-of-the-world movie ever made – with big dollops of “Airport," “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Titanic” thrown in for good measure – is spectacular and a terrific popcorn entertainment. It’s also one of the best comedies of 2009, although it’s open to debate how intentional the laughs are.
http://www.empireonline.com.au/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?Fid=135843
Not sure about a TV ...
- 11/7/2009
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Halloween Now Creepier Than Ever
This week saw the DVD and Blu-ray release – after a long, long wait – of a neglected mid-1980s horror-comedy classic, Fred Dekker’s “Night Of The Creeps”. Dekker told me that the new disc version of his schlocker about zombie-making parasites from outer space comes complete with his original, darker ending.
An ending that calls for a sequel. Once you’re done a-trickin’ and a-treatin’, you could do worse than get some friends together and put this one on for a rollickin’ good time.
...
1. Halloween Now Creepier Than Ever
This week saw the DVD and Blu-ray release – after a long, long wait – of a neglected mid-1980s horror-comedy classic, Fred Dekker’s “Night Of The Creeps”. Dekker told me that the new disc version of his schlocker about zombie-making parasites from outer space comes complete with his original, darker ending.
An ending that calls for a sequel. Once you’re done a-trickin’ and a-treatin’, you could do worse than get some friends together and put this one on for a rollickin’ good time.
...
- 10/31/2009
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Rockwell for Oscar
If you’ve seen “Moon,” you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, you should and then you will. Rockwell’s lunar performance is stellar in one of the best-reviewed films of the year. Writer-director Duncan Jones, the man behind this sci-fi masterpiece -- which is all the more welcome for having emerged in a year of giant effin’ robots and salivating terminal cases -- has thrown his weight behind a g...
1. Rockwell for Oscar
If you’ve seen “Moon,” you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, you should and then you will. Rockwell’s lunar performance is stellar in one of the best-reviewed films of the year. Writer-director Duncan Jones, the man behind this sci-fi masterpiece -- which is all the more welcome for having emerged in a year of giant effin’ robots and salivating terminal cases -- has thrown his weight behind a g...
- 10/23/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Forget Balloon Boy! Here’s Paraglider Girl!
Balloon Boy – yawn – so, like, yesterday. Paragliders are the new balloons. Girls are the new boys. Ten years old is totally the new six.
2. The Green Lantern Up From Down Under
No, say it isn’t so! The weakening Us dollar and the strengthening Aussie drongo (only kidding, we also use dollars, just prettier ones) has meant that the crusader caper won’t be shooting in Sydney anymore. Boo! Well, let’s just see how Hollywood likes it whe...
1. Forget Balloon Boy! Here’s Paraglider Girl!
Balloon Boy – yawn – so, like, yesterday. Paragliders are the new balloons. Girls are the new boys. Ten years old is totally the new six.
2. The Green Lantern Up From Down Under
No, say it isn’t so! The weakening Us dollar and the strengthening Aussie drongo (only kidding, we also use dollars, just prettier ones) has meant that the crusader caper won’t be shooting in Sydney anymore. Boo! Well, let’s just see how Hollywood likes it whe...
- 10/16/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. The Last Passport … to Hilarity!
Here’s the YouTube tag: “’The Last Passport’ is about a 70-year-old gentleman who spends a mysterious day in the passport office …” Sounds dull, right? But check the trailer! It’s funnier than, well, anything else I’ve seen this week. “Life is like a record, spinning!” Tommy Wiseau, you have some competition!
2. A Plush Toy That Hugs You Wrong
<img src="/files/Facehuggerplushtoy.jpg" style="margin: 15px; height: 169px; width: 100px;...
1. The Last Passport … to Hilarity!
Here’s the YouTube tag: “’The Last Passport’ is about a 70-year-old gentleman who spends a mysterious day in the passport office …” Sounds dull, right? But check the trailer! It’s funnier than, well, anything else I’ve seen this week. “Life is like a record, spinning!” Tommy Wiseau, you have some competition!
2. A Plush Toy That Hugs You Wrong
<img src="/files/Facehuggerplushtoy.jpg" style="margin: 15px; height: 169px; width: 100px;...
- 10/9/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. The History of Roller Movies Goes Way Beyond “Whip It”
From James Caan skating for his life in “Rollerball” to Raquel Welch doing similar knock ‘em down duties in “Kansas City Bomber,” movies about people on eight wheels have a rich and varied history. Charlie Chaplin got his skates on not only in “Modern Times” but also 20 years earlier in “The Rink” while Missy Piggy took out a mugger on borrowed wheels in “Muppets Take Manhattan.” And there are many, many more. Referring to one’s own...
1. The History of Roller Movies Goes Way Beyond “Whip It”
From James Caan skating for his life in “Rollerball” to Raquel Welch doing similar knock ‘em down duties in “Kansas City Bomber,” movies about people on eight wheels have a rich and varied history. Charlie Chaplin got his skates on not only in “Modern Times” but also 20 years earlier in “The Rink” while Missy Piggy took out a mugger on borrowed wheels in “Muppets Take Manhattan.” And there are many, many more. Referring to one’s own...
- 10/2/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By MIchael Adams
1. Warhol Did It, Why Not Cronenberg?
David Cronenberg is going to remake his remake of “The Fly." He’s done it as an opera, so why not? Andy Warhol’s pop art was often based around replication, so it might make sense. Rather than release the new version of “The Fly” to cinemas though, why not screen it at art galleries alongside the other two screen treatments? And leave a space blank where people upload their own versions...
1. Warhol Did It, Why Not Cronenberg?
David Cronenberg is going to remake his remake of “The Fly." He’s done it as an opera, so why not? Andy Warhol’s pop art was often based around replication, so it might make sense. Rather than release the new version of “The Fly” to cinemas though, why not screen it at art galleries alongside the other two screen treatments? And leave a space blank where people upload their own versions...
- 9/25/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. "Plan 9.1" May Be Worth a Look
The “Plan 9” remake trailer wasn’t anything like anyone expected. While the radio playing Criswell’s legenday “future” speech was a throwback to the 1959 anti-classic, this week’s clip looked more like Zack Snyder than anything Ed Wood did.
2. "Plan 9.0" Still Going Strong After 50 Years
Meanwhile, the original is still packing them in at cinemas across the ...
1. "Plan 9.1" May Be Worth a Look
The “Plan 9” remake trailer wasn’t anything like anyone expected. While the radio playing Criswell’s legenday “future” speech was a throwback to the 1959 anti-classic, this week’s clip looked more like Zack Snyder than anything Ed Wood did.
2. "Plan 9.0" Still Going Strong After 50 Years
Meanwhile, the original is still packing them in at cinemas across the ...
- 9/11/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
Michael Adams who is one of the editors of Empire, said to be the largest selling film magazines of America, has singled out a Bollywood film for the first time for mention.
Writing on the Blue trailer in his column called Schlock and Awe, Adams says, “Its Bollywood. It’s Fast and Furious, It’s Deep Blue Sea, and It’s Chicago. It’s explode-y, bite-y, and dance-y and rather brilliant…”
Director Tony D’Souza who will head to Hollywood later this month to the Warner Brothers studios for the mixing of Blue is over the moon. “Michael Adams is like the last word in Hollywood opinion..
Writing on the Blue trailer in his column called Schlock and Awe, Adams says, “Its Bollywood. It’s Fast and Furious, It’s Deep Blue Sea, and It’s Chicago. It’s explode-y, bite-y, and dance-y and rather brilliant…”
Director Tony D’Souza who will head to Hollywood later this month to the Warner Brothers studios for the mixing of Blue is over the moon. “Michael Adams is like the last word in Hollywood opinion..
- 9/10/2009
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Click above for movie stills Michael Adams, who is one of the editors of Empire, said to be the largest selling film magazines of America, has singled out a Bollywood film for the first time. Writing on the Blue trailer in his column called Schlock & Awe, Adams says, "It's Bollywood. It's Fast & Furious, It's Deep Blue Sea, It's Chicago. It's explode-y, bite-y, and dance-y and rather brilliant..." Director Anthony D'Souza, who will head to Hollywood's Warner Brothers Studios later this month for the mixing of Blue, is over the moon. "Michael Adams is like the last word on Hollywood opinion. Blue is the first Bollywood film to be mentioned in his column." And now the one-stop showbiz media mecca Empire has invited Blue to be featured in their magazine. "Yes, Empire magazine will be featuring Blue. It's a singular honour. And I'm thrilled," says Anthony.
- 9/10/2009
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
Click above for movie stills Michael Adams, who is one of the editors of Empire, said to be the largest selling film magazines of America, has singled out a Bollywood film for the first time. Writing on the Blue trailer in his column called Schlock & Awe, Adams says, "It's Bollywood. It's Fast & Furious meets Deep Blue Sea meets Chicago. It's explode-y, bite-y, and dance-y and rather brilliant..." Director Anthony D'Souza, who will head to Hollywood's Warner Brothers Studios later this month for the mixing of Blue, is over the moon. "Michael Adams is like the last word on Hollywood opinion. Blue is the first Bollywood film to be mentioned in his column." And now the one-stop showbiz media mecca Empire has invited Blue to be featured in their magazine. "Yes, Empire magazine will be featuring Blue. It's a singular honour. And I'm thrilled," says Anthony.
- 9/10/2009
- by Subhash K. Jha
- BollywoodHungama
By Michael Adams
1. Russell Can Make a Journalist Eat Crow
It’s not often that a story about an A-list Oscar winner taking on a gossip columnist makes you smile and think better of both parties when the dust has settled. But that’s exactly what happened this week when Russell Crowe, having endured a day’s worth of being stalked by Sydney’s tabloid The Daily Telegraph, who were intent on belittling his exercise-and-ciggies routine, called up the journalist in question and laid the smack down. It’s an amusing read -- there’s video too. Cred...
1. Russell Can Make a Journalist Eat Crow
It’s not often that a story about an A-list Oscar winner taking on a gossip columnist makes you smile and think better of both parties when the dust has settled. But that’s exactly what happened this week when Russell Crowe, having endured a day’s worth of being stalked by Sydney’s tabloid The Daily Telegraph, who were intent on belittling his exercise-and-ciggies routine, called up the journalist in question and laid the smack down. It’s an amusing read -- there’s video too. Cred...
- 9/4/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
For the second class in our EW University course on TV Auteurs, Prof. Adam B. Vary offers this overview of the TV career of Joss Whedon, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Dollhouse. Also, check out this photo gallery of our favorite shows by four legendary showrunners. What Stephen Bochco (Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue), Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons), and Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone) were in the 20th century television, Joss Whedon has become today: Nothing less than a television brand. His name alongside the "Created by" credit during the opening titles guarantees you are about to watch a show that swings for the fences; a show as keenly attuned to its female characters as its male ones; a show that tackles Big Ideas and Big Themes without skimping on Great Entertainment; a show that is unafraid to Go There, from allowing the...
- 9/2/2009
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
You know, Marvel wasn't always such a coveted, multi-billion-dollar Hollywood property. It wasn't so long ago that getting a live-action Fantastic Four adaptation -- let alone a whole franchise reboot -- made by a studio was like pulling teeth, and the pre-Fox rights-holders had to resort to the most desperate of measures to ensure their opportunity did not go to waste. After the jump, relive the D-grade agony and ecstasy of the as-yet-unreleased 1994 adaptation spearheaded by schlockmeister Roger Corman, along with a bit of historical background from Movieline's resident Cold Case expert Michael Adams.
- 9/1/2009
- Movieline
By Michael Adams
1. Google Found the Loch Ness Monster
Check out the amazing and utterly convincing photographic evidence -- taken by satellite! True, Nessie is in the Loch … just on a yacht … piloted by Bigfoot … with Ted Danson serving drinks. Come to think of it, why hasn’t there been a $200M Loch Ness Monster movie yet? Those proud Scots McBay and McG should team up -- and get McLovin’ in the lead. Reminds me of the time they found Atlantis off the coast of Spain. <stron...
1. Google Found the Loch Ness Monster
Check out the amazing and utterly convincing photographic evidence -- taken by satellite! True, Nessie is in the Loch … just on a yacht … piloted by Bigfoot … with Ted Danson serving drinks. Come to think of it, why hasn’t there been a $200M Loch Ness Monster movie yet? Those proud Scots McBay and McG should team up -- and get McLovin’ in the lead. Reminds me of the time they found Atlantis off the coast of Spain. <stron...
- 8/28/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. “Avatar” Trailer Ain’t All That
I skipped the 15-minute 3D preview because I’d rather get my “Avatar” fix in one sitting in December. My compromise was watching the teaser trailer. On first view, it’s impressive. But second-time around, the irreverent mind turns ever so slightly to, well, jokes. -- Where does Sam Worthington’s breathing tube go? Is that giant blue guy in the medical room based on Quentin Tarantino (Ava...
1. “Avatar” Trailer Ain’t All That
I skipped the 15-minute 3D preview because I’d rather get my “Avatar” fix in one sitting in December. My compromise was watching the teaser trailer. On first view, it’s impressive. But second-time around, the irreverent mind turns ever so slightly to, well, jokes. -- Where does Sam Worthington’s breathing tube go? Is that giant blue guy in the medical room based on Quentin Tarantino (Ava...
- 8/21/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
We’ve had the time of our life – and now we’re going to have it again, with Lionsgate announcing a “Dirty Dancing” remake.
Also, just this week, a remake of “Outland” was announced, Jaime King and Alex Vega joined the “Mother’s Day” reboot, Chace Crawford started training for the new “Footloose," shooting began on the revamped “Straw Dogs” … I’m not gonna do my usual railing against the remake. It itself feels like a remake. Suffice it to say that it was also announced this week...
We’ve had the time of our life – and now we’re going to have it again, with Lionsgate announcing a “Dirty Dancing” remake.
Also, just this week, a remake of “Outland” was announced, Jaime King and Alex Vega joined the “Mother’s Day” reboot, Chace Crawford started training for the new “Footloose," shooting began on the revamped “Straw Dogs” … I’m not gonna do my usual railing against the remake. It itself feels like a remake. Suffice it to say that it was also announced this week...
- 8/19/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Want to live in “Uncle Monty’s” house “Crow Crag,” as made famous by cult flick “Withnail & I”? Well, me neither, but you can if you’ve got half-a-mill. Bonus dinner party anecdote: “You know, Kate Moss almost bought this place!” A negative? Your address will be “Sleddale Hall, near Shap." Also a bummer is that an 1802 report on the property spake of it consisting “partly of poorish meadow ground, and ...
1. Want to live in “Uncle Monty’s” house “Crow Crag,” as made famous by cult flick “Withnail & I”? Well, me neither, but you can if you’ve got half-a-mill. Bonus dinner party anecdote: “You know, Kate Moss almost bought this place!” A negative? Your address will be “Sleddale Hall, near Shap." Also a bummer is that an 1802 report on the property spake of it consisting “partly of poorish meadow ground, and ...
- 8/14/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
So, in a world of Monopoly and Candyland movies, it’s hard to be surprised by anything any more.
But still -- as the old-time columnists used to say -- color me shocked by the Warner Bros. announcement that it’s building a movie out of Lego.
Dan Lin, who produced the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes” flick and Richard Kelly’s “The Box,"will be assembling the pieces. Newbie scriptwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman are to write the instruction manual -- er, screenplay. Lin noted that the Lego movie will have “a fun factor, creativity and imag...
So, in a world of Monopoly and Candyland movies, it’s hard to be surprised by anything any more.
But still -- as the old-time columnists used to say -- color me shocked by the Warner Bros. announcement that it’s building a movie out of Lego.
Dan Lin, who produced the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes” flick and Richard Kelly’s “The Box,"will be assembling the pieces. Newbie scriptwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman are to write the instruction manual -- er, screenplay. Lin noted that the Lego movie will have “a fun factor, creativity and imag...
- 8/12/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1 -- Invoking the name of a major celebrity in a movie title is sure to make your indie project stand out.
Certainly worked for Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jones with “Being John Malkovich."
But “Avoiding Christian Bale” takes tenuous linkage to new heights.
The Welsh comedy trades on the “fact” that rhyming slang for “fail” is “Christian Bale.”
Perhaps in Wales, from whence the volatile thespian came, but anywhere else it’s a bit Wtf.
&nb...
1 -- Invoking the name of a major celebrity in a movie title is sure to make your indie project stand out.
Certainly worked for Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jones with “Being John Malkovich."
But “Avoiding Christian Bale” takes tenuous linkage to new heights.
The Welsh comedy trades on the “fact” that rhyming slang for “fail” is “Christian Bale.”
Perhaps in Wales, from whence the volatile thespian came, but anywhere else it’s a bit Wtf.
&nb...
- 8/8/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
You could hear the collective groan rising from the Universal HQ a few weeks back when Fox and James Cameron declared Aug. 21 “Avatar Day," offering one-and-all the chance to sample 15 minutes of the film free at IMAX theaters worldwide.
That’s because Aug. 21 is also the date Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” bows in cinemas.
After the disappointing figures for “Grindhouse” in 2007, and with Universal embattled after a year of underperformers and outright duds, the last thing Tarantino and the studio need is half the Ea...
You could hear the collective groan rising from the Universal HQ a few weeks back when Fox and James Cameron declared Aug. 21 “Avatar Day," offering one-and-all the chance to sample 15 minutes of the film free at IMAX theaters worldwide.
That’s because Aug. 21 is also the date Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” bows in cinemas.
After the disappointing figures for “Grindhouse” in 2007, and with Universal embattled after a year of underperformers and outright duds, the last thing Tarantino and the studio need is half the Ea...
- 8/5/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Ridley Scott is to direct the “Alien” prequel, and that can only mean one thing: Russell Crowe is going to be kicking Giger-styled xenomorph-ass in outer space. Think about it: R&R have been a tag team for the better part of the decade and they need a hit. Their take on Robin Hood might do it, but “Alien Vs Gladiator”? Now that’d be awesome!
2. According to Slashfilm, you can predict the moves of the Mouse House by the domain names...
1. Ridley Scott is to direct the “Alien” prequel, and that can only mean one thing: Russell Crowe is going to be kicking Giger-styled xenomorph-ass in outer space. Think about it: R&R have been a tag team for the better part of the decade and they need a hit. Their take on Robin Hood might do it, but “Alien Vs Gladiator”? Now that’d be awesome!
2. According to Slashfilm, you can predict the moves of the Mouse House by the domain names...
- 7/31/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
Variety reports that Spirit Pictures is looking to revive King Kong, having acquired the rights to “Kong: King of Skull Island," the big-ape book by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland that was published in 2004.
Given that even Peter Jackson’s glittering, CGI-fuelled 2005 version of the story wasn’t a patch on the 1933 original, there’s reason to sniff at news of a prequel/sequel that explores the origins of Skull Island’s big gorillas, its dinosaurs and natives.
Two more reasons for skepticism?
Dino De Laurentiis’s misbegotten 19...
Variety reports that Spirit Pictures is looking to revive King Kong, having acquired the rights to “Kong: King of Skull Island," the big-ape book by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland that was published in 2004.
Given that even Peter Jackson’s glittering, CGI-fuelled 2005 version of the story wasn’t a patch on the 1933 original, there’s reason to sniff at news of a prequel/sequel that explores the origins of Skull Island’s big gorillas, its dinosaurs and natives.
Two more reasons for skepticism?
Dino De Laurentiis’s misbegotten 19...
- 7/28/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
We are entering a dimension of both familiarity and surprise, of exhaustion and excitement, of vague hopes and managed expectation.
We’ve just crossed over into news that “The Twilight Zone” is to again be a movie: Leonardo DiCaprio and Warner Bros. are bringing Rod Serling’s classic TV series to the silver screen.
My immediate thought on hearing this was that Leo is trying to win a new generation of tween fans by attaching himself to something with “Twilight” in the title.
Surely it must go d...
We are entering a dimension of both familiarity and surprise, of exhaustion and excitement, of vague hopes and managed expectation.
We’ve just crossed over into news that “The Twilight Zone” is to again be a movie: Leonardo DiCaprio and Warner Bros. are bringing Rod Serling’s classic TV series to the silver screen.
My immediate thought on hearing this was that Leo is trying to win a new generation of tween fans by attaching himself to something with “Twilight” in the title.
Surely it must go d...
- 7/21/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
Next week the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Rightly so, because it was a feat made possible by political vision, scientific and industrial genius and, most importantly, truly awesome levels of human endurance, determination, creativity and courage.
Whatever else our failings as a species -- war, famine, the films of Joe Piscopo -- putting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Alrdin on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, is something of which we can be forever proud.
Just see if you don’t still get the chills watching the footage that 500 mil...
Next week the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Rightly so, because it was a feat made possible by political vision, scientific and industrial genius and, most importantly, truly awesome levels of human endurance, determination, creativity and courage.
Whatever else our failings as a species -- war, famine, the films of Joe Piscopo -- putting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Alrdin on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, is something of which we can be forever proud.
Just see if you don’t still get the chills watching the footage that 500 mil...
- 7/15/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. A couple weeks ago I mocked the idea of a David Fincher Facebook movie. I stand corrected with the revelations that Ben Mezrich’s book “The Accidental Billionaires”, on which the script is based, is a wall-to-wall chronicle of New Media/New Money vulgarian excess and bitter betrayal. But there’s one Caligula-style outrage that, as an Australian, leaves an incredibly sour taste in my mouth -- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg went aboard the yacht of a Sun Microsystems executive to dine on koala!
You heard me.
<img width="250" heig...
1. A couple weeks ago I mocked the idea of a David Fincher Facebook movie. I stand corrected with the revelations that Ben Mezrich’s book “The Accidental Billionaires”, on which the script is based, is a wall-to-wall chronicle of New Media/New Money vulgarian excess and bitter betrayal. But there’s one Caligula-style outrage that, as an Australian, leaves an incredibly sour taste in my mouth -- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg went aboard the yacht of a Sun Microsystems executive to dine on koala!
You heard me.
<img width="250" heig...
- 7/10/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
Hollywood’s going through a new Golden Age of comedy. But as funny as they are, we don’t owe thanks for this period of soda-out-the-nostrils mirth to the likes of Judd Apatow or Sacha Baron Cohen.
Rather, it’s an army of studio suits, corporate executives, jobbing screenwriters, vulgarian producers and wily agents who have me reliably Lol.
The most recent absolute crack-up -- and one they really should’ve announced on April 1 -- is that DreamWorks and Hasbro are circling each other for a movie based on View-Master.
Yep...
Hollywood’s going through a new Golden Age of comedy. But as funny as they are, we don’t owe thanks for this period of soda-out-the-nostrils mirth to the likes of Judd Apatow or Sacha Baron Cohen.
Rather, it’s an army of studio suits, corporate executives, jobbing screenwriters, vulgarian producers and wily agents who have me reliably Lol.
The most recent absolute crack-up -- and one they really should’ve announced on April 1 -- is that DreamWorks and Hasbro are circling each other for a movie based on View-Master.
Yep...
- 7/8/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
The announcement that there would be 10 Best Picture nominees in 2009 ricocheted around the movie world late last week, only to be pretty much snuffed out as a conversation topic by the news of Michael Jackson’s death.
I’ve had it on the mental backburner this past week and am still have mixed feelings about it.
Primarily, it seems aimed at elasticizing the category in order to get more populist films in there and boosting the ratings.
With 10 slots, the argument goes, “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-e” would’ve been in there and th...
The announcement that there would be 10 Best Picture nominees in 2009 ricocheted around the movie world late last week, only to be pretty much snuffed out as a conversation topic by the news of Michael Jackson’s death.
I’ve had it on the mental backburner this past week and am still have mixed feelings about it.
Primarily, it seems aimed at elasticizing the category in order to get more populist films in there and boosting the ratings.
With 10 slots, the argument goes, “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-e” would’ve been in there and th...
- 7/1/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. If DreamWorks is looking for its next animated comedy hit, it could do worse than an “Over the Hedge- style romp called “Off Their Heads," focused on totally baked Aussie animals getting up to ke-razy UFO-contact mischief. Sound far fetched? Check out this story about wacked-out wallabies making drug-crop circles. And you just know that Seth Rogen would voice the lead ... But there’s something in the mix this week too for Disney,...
1. If DreamWorks is looking for its next animated comedy hit, it could do worse than an “Over the Hedge- style romp called “Off Their Heads," focused on totally baked Aussie animals getting up to ke-razy UFO-contact mischief. Sound far fetched? Check out this story about wacked-out wallabies making drug-crop circles. And you just know that Seth Rogen would voice the lead ... But there’s something in the mix this week too for Disney,...
- 6/26/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
From The Desk Of Michael Bay
To: Viacom, Paramount, General Haters, Philistines, McG
Date: 23 June 2009
Re: Where’s the love?
Dear Non-believers, Under-miners and Facilitators of Negative Public Zeitgeist,
So, what’s the deal? Do you think "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is like, say, "The Hurt Locker" or "Surveillance"? A little movie that people have to discover by themselves?
With our exposure limited to less than 25,000 billboards worldwide and a sadly limited release of 7,500 screens g...
From The Desk Of Michael Bay
To: Viacom, Paramount, General Haters, Philistines, McG
Date: 23 June 2009
Re: Where’s the love?
Dear Non-believers, Under-miners and Facilitators of Negative Public Zeitgeist,
So, what’s the deal? Do you think "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is like, say, "The Hurt Locker" or "Surveillance"? A little movie that people have to discover by themselves?
With our exposure limited to less than 25,000 billboards worldwide and a sadly limited release of 7,500 screens g...
- 6/23/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. The funniest quote of the week has to go to Michael Bay. “After the three and a half years I’ve spent making these movies, I feel like I’ve had enough of the ‘Transformer’s' world,” the filmmaker told WENN. “I need to do something totally divergent, something without any explosions.”
Indicating he wanted to do something smaller and more intimate, he added: "It's easy to go shoot an art movie in a winery in the South of France. But people have no idea how hard it is to create something like 'Transformers.' They (the critics) rev...
1. The funniest quote of the week has to go to Michael Bay. “After the three and a half years I’ve spent making these movies, I feel like I’ve had enough of the ‘Transformer’s' world,” the filmmaker told WENN. “I need to do something totally divergent, something without any explosions.”
Indicating he wanted to do something smaller and more intimate, he added: "It's easy to go shoot an art movie in a winery in the South of France. But people have no idea how hard it is to create something like 'Transformers.' They (the critics) rev...
- 6/19/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
In his breakout role, an Aussie hunk hurtles down a post-apocalyptic highway in a banged-up truck, with merciless motorbikes in hot pursuit …
* One of the most anticipated films of the year is an adaptation of a classic, visionary piece of sci-fi literature, largely because it’s the third film from an acclaimed, visionary director. But it struggles at the box office …
* After years as a tired TV and movie franchise, “Star Trek” gets a reboot an...
In his breakout role, an Aussie hunk hurtles down a post-apocalyptic highway in a banged-up truck, with merciless motorbikes in hot pursuit …
* One of the most anticipated films of the year is an adaptation of a classic, visionary piece of sci-fi literature, largely because it’s the third film from an acclaimed, visionary director. But it struggles at the box office …
* After years as a tired TV and movie franchise, “Star Trek” gets a reboot an...
- 6/16/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
1. Why is it that filmmakers so love Boston accents? They’re going to dominate Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island.” Apart from that, the trailer looks like the most expensive B movie you’ve ever seen -- not that there’s anything wrong with that. Check it out and then discuss: “Is the whole thing just the hallucination of Howard Hughes?”
2. Genre-inspired knick-knacks just keep getting more creative. Thanks to the power of merchandising, deat...
1. Why is it that filmmakers so love Boston accents? They’re going to dominate Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island.” Apart from that, the trailer looks like the most expensive B movie you’ve ever seen -- not that there’s anything wrong with that. Check it out and then discuss: “Is the whole thing just the hallucination of Howard Hughes?”
2. Genre-inspired knick-knacks just keep getting more creative. Thanks to the power of merchandising, deat...
- 6/12/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
By Michael Adams
One of the most watched YouTube mash-ups of recent times is “Transforminators,” which -- precisely no prizes for guessing -- edits together bits of the two killer-robot franchises.
It’s one of those clever pieces of Diy new-media repurposing that makes you hope the person behind it (a) gets some sunlight occasionally and (b) one day lands a paying gig as an editor.
What it didn’t do, though, was actually make me laugh, as have other such motion-picture purees that recast “The Shining” as a romantic comedy or “Sleepless In Seattle”...
One of the most watched YouTube mash-ups of recent times is “Transforminators,” which -- precisely no prizes for guessing -- edits together bits of the two killer-robot franchises.
It’s one of those clever pieces of Diy new-media repurposing that makes you hope the person behind it (a) gets some sunlight occasionally and (b) one day lands a paying gig as an editor.
What it didn’t do, though, was actually make me laugh, as have other such motion-picture purees that recast “The Shining” as a romantic comedy or “Sleepless In Seattle”...
- 6/9/2009
- by Lew Harris
- The Wrap
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