Category: Films

VIZ MEDIA BECOMES THE NORTH AMERICAN MASTER MERCHANDISE LICENSEE FOR THE ACTION ADVENTURE SERIES JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE

 

A Wide Range Of Products Based On The Acclaimed Multi-Generational Fantasy Action Anime Property To Be Developed For The North American Market

 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has been named the North American master merchandise licensee for JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE.

VIZ Media will oversee the licensing and development of a comprehensive range of products based on the celebrated supernatural/action/adventure anime property across several key consumer categories. The first of these new products are scheduled to be released later this year.

The JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE manga (graphic novel) series was created by Hirohiko Araki. In his long-running multi-generational adventure, there was once a mighty bloodline of heroes: the Joestars. In the 1880s, Englishman Jonathan Joestar gave his life to defeat Dio, a megalomaniacal vampire. Now, 100 years later, Dio is back, and Jonathan’s descendants seek to finally destroy their ancestral enemy once and for all.

In the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE anime series, the Aztecs – the people of the sun — once prospered in ancient Mexico. They had a bizarre stone mask that brought eternal life and the power of a domineering ruler to he who wore it, but at some point, the mask disappeared without a trace. Years later, in the late 19th Century, when men’s lifestyles and outlooks on life were quickly changing, Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando meet, and the stone mask binds them to a rather curious fate…

“We are extremely pleased to enhance the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE legacy with the licensing and development of a range of new products that will be a highlight of fans’ collections,” says Daisuke Aoki, VIZ Media’s Vice President of Licensing. “In Japan, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is one of the country’s longest running and popular properties. The dynamic adventure also enjoys substantial popularity in North America and similarly spans multiple generations of fans. We look forward to supporting the brand with a notable array of officially licensed products from a variety of manufacturing partners beginning this summer.”

VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP imprint recently announced the print and digital launch of the property’s original first manga story arc, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD, and plans to release JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY in March. VIZ Media originally published the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE STARDUST CRUSADERS manga story arc, the third in the overall manga series, in print in 2005.

For more information on JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE or other licensed properties available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

The Official Trailer for “Strange Magic” Makes its Debut!

The official trailer for “Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Touchstone Pictures, made it’s official debut today via an exclusive with Yahoo!

LINK:
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/strange-magic-trailer-george-lucass-new-animated-103199541212.html

“Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., will be released by Touchstone Pictures on January 23, 2015. “Strange Magic” is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic, which created the CGI animation for 2011’s Academy Award®-winning film “Rango,” bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects.

With a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic is directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”), produced by Mark S. Miller (associate producer “Mars Attacks!”) and executive produced by George Lucas, with a screenplay by David Berenbaum (“Elf”), Irene Mecchi (“Brave,” “The Lion King”) and Rydstrom. An extraordinary roster of film, television and Broadway stars lend their voices to “Strange Magic,” including Alan Cumming (CBS’ “The Good Wife,” Broadway’s “Cabaret”), Evan Rachel Wood (“The Ides of March”), Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway’s “Wicked”), Maya Rudolph (“Big Hero 6,” “Bridesmaids”), Sam Palladio (ABC’s “Nashville”), newcomer Meredith Anne Bull, Alfred Molina (“Chocolat”), Elijah Kelley (“Hairspray,” “The Butler”), Bob Einstein (HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Peter Stormare (“Fargo”). Well-known music producer Marius de Vries (“Moulin Rouge”) serves as both the musical director and composer.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/StrangeMagicMovie for more exciting news on #StrangeMagic!

Charlotte’s Song – Her story begins when the fairy tale ends…

Some of you BC film buffs and fellow geeks may remember a great short film from a few years ago featuring The Little Mermaid with a creepy Dust Bowl twist to it. The award winning short created by Jessica Clark Bojin and Lindsey Mann, directed by Nicholas Humphries, is getting a feature length makeover as Charlotte’s Song. Take a look at the trailer below and then head over to the official FACEBOOK page for some BTS photos and more info to whet your appetite. 

 

A young girl with a special gift comes of age during one of the most desolate periods in American history in this dark Dust Bowl fantasy, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and starring Iwan Rheon.

Charlotte’s Song is the first in a slate of dark fantasy properties in development with Done Four Productions www.donefour.com

Death Do Us Part Set for April 15 DVD Release

On April 15, orange blossoms will be replaced by bloody roses when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases a story of shattered trust and broken vows: DEATH DO US PART, available on DVD for an MSRP of $19.98.

From writer/producers Julia Benson, Peter Benson, and Ryan Copple, the film was nominated for three Leo Awards and directed by award-winner Nicholas Humphries (SCREAMFEST, Best Short Film: The Little Mermaid). DEATH DO US PART tells of two people on the threshold of beginning a new life together: a threshold that turns into a precipice of death!

Kennedy Jamieson (Julia Benson, “STARGATE UNIVERSE,” THAT BURNING FEELING) has waited her whole life for her perfect wedding. Engaged to the charming Ryan Harris (Peter Benson, “THE KILLING,” “ARROW”), it looks like her dream is about to come true. Except for one thing – the young couple hasn’t had a chance to celebrate their respective bachelor/bachelorette parties. Ryan’s best man, Chet (Kyle Cassie, “TRUE JUSTICE,” LOST BOYS 2: THE TRIBE), books a remote cabin in the woods to throw them a “Jack and Jill” party that they’ll never forget. It doesn’t take long before things take a horrifying turn as members of the group are brutally picked off one by one. Kennedy and Ryan had planned for the celebration of a lifetime – but how long will that lifetime last?

So prepare for a deadly reception from where there is no escape; not until ‘Death Do Us Part’!

[fgallery id=1 w=500 h=287 t=0 title=”Death Do Us Part”]

Staring Julia Benson (Stargate Universe, The Ex-Convict’s Guide, ), Peter Benson (District 9, jPod, The Killing), Emilie Ullerup (Arctic Air, Sanctuary, jPod), Christine Chatelain (Riese, Sanctuary, The Collector), Kyle Cassie (True Justice. jPod), Benjamin Ayres (Saving Hope, Less Than Kind, Smallville, jPod), Dave Collette (Fringe), Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica, Smallville, The Bridge), Viv Leacock (White Collar Poets, Psych); Written by Julia Benson, Peter Benson and Ryan Copple (Riese); Directd by Nicholas Humphries (Riese, The Little Mermaid).

Find links to interviews, articles, behind the scenes and other goodies at the Death Do Us Part Facebook page and go pre-order your copy today!

Epic Fantasy Web Series Launches Kickstarter Campaign

“The Rangers,” a new fantasy web series from the award-winning producers of “The Rise of the Fellowship” and one of the major creative forces behind the award-winning documentary “Darkon,” launches a Kickstarter campaign on March 8. They’re calling all fantasy fans to join their team of successful filmmakers, creative minds and talented craftsmen and actors to make this quality, fan-supported fantasy entertainment possible. The campaign rewards are enviable; the resulting series will be epic.

The series will follow an elite band of borderland protectors known as Rangers and their efforts to save their kingdom Olaran—and their entire world—from its greatest challenge. Even while they fight a mythic evil, they must overcome their own personal demons. Can the Rangers save their world without losing themselves?

“We’re developing a fantasy world of broad scope and depth that will be an immersive fan experience,” says Ron Newcomb, project creator and executive producer. “We’ve put together an incredible, successful team to bring fans the best fantasy content possible.”

Ranger Creed

We are the watchers in the woods,
The protectors of the realm.
We are the heralds of warning,

The beacon lighters of hope,
Violence prowls the land,
And hard men must meet it.

We are the judges…
We are the executioners…
Never will we fail,
Never will we give in.
The first to stand,
And if need be, the first to die.

We are the guardians.
We are the iron hand of the King.
The Body that fights,
The Mind that guards,
The Soul that endures.

We are the Rangers.
“The Rangers” team asks fantasy fans to:

  • Check out the campaign and learn more about the series at www.therangersfilm.com
  • Make a donation to put their name in the series and earn rewards
  • Encourage others to donate
  • Spread the word about the series to friends, bloggers, forums and social media influencers
  • Follow them on Twitter  (#TheRangersFilm) and Facebook

 

If the creators surpass their goal, they’re even considered making “The Rangers” into a feature-length film.  “We want fantasy fans to join their blades with ours and become part of this adventure,” Newcomb adds.

PROJECT LONDON: THE MOST AMBITIOUS ALMOST-NO-BUDGET EFFECTS MOVIE EVER IS NOW AVAILBLE ONLINE

Poster_ProjectLondon_2-3-Ratio

DVD and Blu-ray Disks, On-Demand Viewing, Digital Downloads and Soundtrack CDs are Now Available to Purchase on www.ProjectLondonMovie.com

Thanks to the support of 590 Kickstarter Backers, the independent, feature-length effects marvel Project London is now available to the world on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as through digital download and streaming on-demand, all through the Project London website. In addition, prospective Project London fans around the world can watch for free the first 90 seconds of the movie.

“The entire concept of Project London is enough to make anyone excited, from science-fiction fans to software engineers, from movie buffs to post-production artists, and it has,” said Phil McCoy, Project London Executive Producer and founder of Spiral Productions LLC. “An undertaking like this film wouldn’t be possible without a storyteller like Writer/Director Ian Hubert, the support of many talented Blender artists, the more than 250 worldwide volunteer artists, the craft people who joined our team, and, most notably, the fans who backed our fundraiser campaigns.”

The virtually no-budget, live-action science-fiction film features 774 vivid, intense visual effects and animations that help drive a compelling story about a boy battling with a moral dilemma in a present day sci-fi epic. Unique to the film’s production is the use of the open-source software, Blender, for the core of all animated visual effects in the film. As Jawbone.tv called it, Project London is likely one of the “most ambitious no-budget effects movie ever.”

Along with the recent and successful Kickstarter campaign, which made it possible for Project London to be released on disk and through download, other items from the Project London Universe are available on www.projectlondonmovie.com that include a soundtrack album, prequel novella and graphic novel.

PROJECT LONDON SYNOPSIS

This is a story about Nebraska Higgins plunging into a world of intrigue and struggle when the Joint Command kills his father, a hero known by his exosuit, Arizona. Seeing a prime opportunity, the London Underground, a rugged band of revolutionaries, recruits Nebraska to join the resistance against the Joint Command. Will Nebraska, who is dealing with the loss of his father, help the government and rat out his father’s associates or join their cause and work to put an end to a secret initiative sponsored by the military wing of the government? Earth’s fate depends on the potential in this young man’s heart.

Overview – Planetary Collective

At the end of 2011, we filmed a short documentary called OVERVIEW about astronauts’ experiences in space, due for release in the last quarter of 2012. The film is both a stand-alone short film and a prelude to CONTINUUM, introducing many of the key ideas expanded upon in the feature documentary.

SYNOPSIS

Astronauts who have seen the Earth from space have often described the ‘overview effect’ as an experience that has transformed their perspective of the planet and mankind’s place upon it, and enabled them to perceive it as our shared home, without boundaries between nations or species.

OVERVIEW is a short film that will explore this perspective through interviews with astronauts who have experienced the overview effect. The film also features insights from commentators and thinkers on the wider implications and importance of this understanding for humanity as a whole, and especially its relevance to how we meet the tremendous challenges facing our planet at this time.

FEATURING

  • • EDGAR MITCHELL – Apollo 14 astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences
  • • RON GARAN – ISS astronaut and founder of humanitarian organisation Fragile Oasis
  • • NICOLE STOTT – Shuttle and ISS astronaut and member of Fragile Oasis
  • • JEFF HOFFMAN – Shuttle astronaut and senior lecturer at MIT
  • • SHANE KIMBROUGH – Shuttle/ISS astronaut and Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army
  • • FRANK WHITE – space theorist and author of the book ‘The Overview Effect’
  • • DAVID LOY- philosopher and author
  • • DAVID BEAVER – philosopher and co-founder of The Overview Institute

 

Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City

The official trailer for the new fan-made web series dropping February 28th, 2013. Experience the horror again as you did when “Resident Evil” first launched for the original Playstation platform! Live action and full of zombie carnage! Watch as three different story lines unfold before you! Better yet…you get to choose who to follow! Iconic characters Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon S. Kennedy fight to withstand the evil operations being conducted by Umbrella! Evil is coming!

Facebook Like A Boss TV

YouTube Like A Boss TV Now

Twitter @likeabosstv #eviliscoming

 

Paperman – Full Animated Short Film from Disney Animation

Introducing a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with the Oscar®-nominated short, “Paperman.” Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Paperman” pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction.

J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII

From Lucasfilm:

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

Past Star Wars veterans, dating back to the classic trilogy, offered words of praise from their direct experience with Abrams:

Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Muren, ASC, whose credits include the original Star Wars trilogy as well as landmark films such as E.T. and Jurassic Park, also worked with Abrams on Super 8. “He puts everything he has into his work,” said Muren. “He totally immerses himself. He’s got such a visual eye, which is so important to the Star Wars films. It seems that a lot of the same things that were in George when he made the first Star Wars films are also in J.J. I think he’s going to fit into the other movies perfectly, with the energy that J.J. has. We’re kick-starting Star Wars again with dynamite. It will knock people out, including the people who get to work on it. I think it’s a great choice.”

Ben Burtt, responsible for such iconic Star Wars sounds as Darth Vader’s breathing, R2-D2’s beeps and the classic lightsaber, has worked with Abrams as sound designer and sound editor on Star Trek and Super 8. “J.J represents the next generation of filmmakers from those that were making Star Wars when I started,” said Ben Burtt. “When he was a teen, he was a fan of Star Wars, and a great deal of his love for movies came out of his reaction of that first Star Wars film. You feel that he’s already invested so many years in it, and he’s going to propel it forward in a new way. In other words, you’re having a fan who has grown up and developed tremendous directorial skills finding himself at the steering wheel to take the franchise into the next stage. I feel like I’m there watching history turn over from one era to another.”

Matthew Wood, who served as supervising sound editor on Super 8, similarly grew up as a Star Wars fan before working on the films through the prequels. “Working with him, it was so obvious to me that J.J. and I have the same nostalgic love of that era. Now we have someone from that generation who is going to be at the helm of the Star Wars franchise that I’ve known and worked on, so it’s a great circle. Just seeing what he did with Super 8 and capturing those moments, and knowing what was so special about that era, it’s going to speak to a new generation of audience as well.”

For information about Star Wars: Episode VII as it develops, keep checking StarWars.com.

STAR WARS: The Clone Wars “Shades of Reason” Preview

With the backing of the Hutts and an army of the galaxy’s most vicious criminals –
including the Death Watch, Black Sun and the Pykes – Pre Vizsla and Maul lead an
attack on the planet of Mandalore. Conquest of Mandalore strains the tenuous
alliance between the Sith and Death Watch in “Shades of Reason,” airing this
Saturday, January 26th at 9:30am ET/PT on Cartoon Network.

Star Wars Celebration Europe Coming to GERMANY in 2013

Tickets now available

Star Wars Celebration Europe, the official Lucasfilm event for all things Star Wars, is coming to Messe Essen, Germany July 26-28, 2013. Tickets are now available at http://www.starwarscelebration.eu

The event, which is expected to draw between 25,000 and 30,000 Star Wars enthusiasts to Essen, marks only the second time Lucasfilm has presented an official Celebration in Europe, the first time being in 2007 in London.

“Essen is a perfect location for Celebration Europe,” says Mary Franklin, Sr. Events Lead at Lucasfilm. “The passion and enthusiasm for Star Wars and The Clone Wars is tremendous in Germany. Messe Essen offers an ideal meeting place for the fan community from all over Europe and a good setting for all the special Star Wars programming we are planning.”

Star Wars Celebrations feature live entertainment, celebrity appearances, and interactive events for adults and families, in addition to an exhibit floor with dealers and exclusive Celebration merchandise. Lucasfilm has been producing Star Wars Celebrations since 1999, with six being held in the United States, as well as one in Japan, and the first Celebration Europe in London. The most recent, Celebration VI, attracted more than 30,000 attendees to Orlando, Florida this past August.

Star Wars Celebration Europe will showcase milestones and personalities from the more than 35 years of Star Wars history as well as a glimpse into the future of the Saga. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Supervising Director Dave Filoni will be the first guest making the journey to Germany! Filoni’s panels at Celebrations in the US have been standing room only, and we can’t wait to see him and his trademark fedora in Europe. For more on the convention and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.starwarscelebration.eu.