Check out the newly released video for “Muppet Show Theme Song” by OK Go and The Muppets from Muppets: The Green Album below:
A full track listing for Muppets: The Green Album is available for preview & purchase here:http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/muppets-the-green-album/id452905746
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Muppets: The Green Album – Available now
THE MUPPETS – In Theaters November 23, 2011
Directed by: Brian Pimental
Starring, Alexander Gould, Patrick Stewart, Brendon Baerg, Nicky Jones, Andrea Bowen, Anthony Ghannam & Cree Summer
Distributed by: Buena Vista
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 72 minutes
Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Do not even try to compare “Bambi II” to “Bambi”, it is just not possible. This film is considered a midquel since it takes place in between in the middle of the original. Disney went through a phase a while ago when it would produce these midquel follow-ups to its classic films. Some of the films that were explored were “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas”, “The Lion King 1½”, “Tarzan II”. and “The Fox and the Hound 2”. They are all sub-par for Disney and do not rank even close to their original films. “Bambi II” is a cute kids film that will introduce a new audience to “Bambi” who maybe weren’t aware of the original. Even though it enjoyable let’s just say I am happy that Disney cut it out making these direct to video films.
The film begins after Bambi’s mother is killed by hunters and he has to follow in the footsteps of his father, the Great Prince of the Forest. This story features Bambi’s best friends Thumper, Flower and Faline. Bambi has to prove to his father that he can become the leader of the forest. In the quest to find and rescue his dad, he has to lead and also protect his friends. It includes some life-learning for kids and overall they will enjoy it. This Blu-ray release includes a beautiful colorful video which really shines and also includes an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio track. This worth the purchase alone if you are a fan of Disney animation films
The extras on this are ok but not spectacular, especially not for Disney. The first feature is called “The Legacy Continues” it runs less than 10 minutes and features the cast and crew discussing the original film’s legacy, the development of the story and characters and the film’s production. There is a deleted song called “Sing the Day”. There are four interactive games and activities including “Friend Owl’s Forest Fun”, new to Blu-ray and “Thumper’s Hurry and Scurry”, which was included on the DVD. There is a feature called “Disney Sketch Pad”, which showcases animator Andreas Deja giving tips about getting started in animation. Lastly there is a pop-up trivia track, called “Bambi’s Trivia Tracks” aimed for kids.
Directors: Andre Ovredal
Starring: Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Knut Naerum, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Johanna Maerck
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 103 minutes
Film: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you haven’t heard about this movie buy now just trust me and purchase this Blu-ray. It is available for only 14.99 on Amazon.com, you will not disappointed. “Trollhunter” is very unique film and takes a well used format and puts a new spin on it. I have seen this film a few times now and it seems to get better each time. It follows in the path films like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity” and is filmed as found footage. It is packed with comedy, a few good scares and also great special effects. The Blu-ray comes with an English dub but I would steer clear and go with the original audio track. Overall this is a must for genre fans.
The film follows a group of students so are making a film about trolls. They meet what they believe is a troll hunter and follow him around. While they are not expecting to find anything, they are shocked with what they encounter on this trip. The film is obvious low budget but they do not make the trolls look that way. I would say this looks like a multi-million dollar project. I have watched numerous (and I mean numerous) SyFy original movies and I know low-budget SFX. The Blu-ray presentation of this film only adds to the beauty of this film. Now understand the film is meant to be shot on handheld video so it is not “Avatar” but it looks really clear. Any imperfections were purposefully done during the filming process. The sound is definitely notable especially when the trolls start…well…trolling around.
The special features are jam packed. The deleted scenes include five scenes which run about 4 minutes and include one called “Troll Hairball”, can only imagine. Since the film is cast with Norwegian comedies you could expect improv and bloopers. There are two short improv scenes and also a quick blooper reel, definitely funny stuff. The extended scenes are about 8 minutes long and focus on three longer scenes from the film. There is a feature called on the visual effects of the film, which drew me immediately and it featured a breakdowns of several of the CGI shots and also focused on the different kinds of trolls. The behind the scenes, which ran almost 25 minutes, is a collection of clips from the shoot showing the cast and crew goofing off, prepping shots. This must have been a fun film to work on. Photo Galleries includes troll sketches and of troll habitats. Lastly HDNet: A Look at The Troll Hunter is promo featuring some clips, and a some sound-bite interviews. Jam-packed like I said huh?
Scott Schiaffo is known best for his role as the The Chewlies Gum Guy in Kevin Smith’s first film “Clerks”. Since then Scott has worked on various films including “Vulgar” and also besides acting also works as a composer and editor. Scott can be seen upcoming the following projects “Shoe String Serenade”, Tom Zanca’s “Echoes & Voices” and Michael P. Russin’s new short, “Don’t Shoot”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Scott about his career to date and also what he currently has in the works.
Mike Gencarelli: How did you originally get involved with working on “Clerks”?
Scott Schiaffo: I auditioned after seeing a casting call in a New Jersey newspaper. Usually I’d get audition notices in papers like Backstage but this was in with the classifieds and it struck me. The wording was something like, “View Askew projects a new cinema topic “Clerks” etc…I am paraphrasing, of course, but it was a very interesting ad. I had saved the original audition notice clipping. I scanned it recently and posted it up on my Facebook.
MG: Tell us about the shoot for your scene?
SS: The Chewlies Gum Guy stuff was shot all in one day from what I remember. The second half of the Gum Guy’s diatribe was shot in one long shot from start to finish. No edits. I believe we had at least three full takes of that second rant. It was great filming that scene in that way because it’s like a little piece of theater. We’d film straight through that entire second rant and really get the momentum going. We did that at least three times and by the end of it I was really drained from all the yelling and histrionics! In the original Miramax theatrical release, a good chunk of the Gum Guy’s rant was edited down, but in the director’s cut and the uncut original the scene is intact in its entirety. I remember getting light-headed after the last take because of the way the scene was written and executed you had to get it up to a fever pitch.
MG: Did/Do you smoke cigarettes after watching that movie [laughs]?
SS: That’s funny I’ve been asked this a lot and the truth is I really do loathe cigarettes. I’ve been addicted to anything and everything out there in my lifetime but I never smoked cigarettes and have always hated them. So it really wasn’t a big stretch for me to rant about the evils of smoking! I think Kevin himself wasn’t a smoker before he played Silent Bob. He started to smoke to give that character more on screen “business” to do. It was basically like a prop for him, but he actually became a cigarette smoker for years after that. He may no longer smoke cigarettes for all I know; I hope for his sake he has quit. It is a nasty, expensive and deadly habit.
MG: How can you reflect on how the film and your character are still popular and highly quoted over 15 years later?
SS: That speaks volumes for the power of film. Clerks has gone from a cult status thing to an iconic film for a generation. I have always been a fan of indie and cult films and, as an actor, it was a dream of mine to appear in the cast of a film that would have that kind of cult-like following. So when I say being cast in Clerks was a dream come true scenario for me I’m not just being “dramatic”. And that’s the thing, too, you can never know when a film is going to generate that kind of success and following. It’s all a crazy twist of fate I believe. It never ceases to amaze me how deep and vast the Clerks fan base has become over the years. And what really blows my mind is how memorable the Chewlies Gum Guy is as a character. I always say that an actor would have had to have been in a coma not to shine and stand out in that role. It was written as a show piece and a bombastic scene. That scene sets the tone for the whole movie. Kevin and I had talked about this back when we were filming. He knew he had to have something big and a little over the top in the first five minutes of the film to set the audience up for the type of ride that they are going to be taking. As a character actor you cut your teeth on these types of roles. You may not be in the entire story, but your scenes are designed to be pivotal and memorable.
MG: You worked with the “Clerks” group again in “Vulgar”, tell us about working on that disturbing little film?
SS: I really love that film; it’s a personal fave of mine. I had been sent the script pretty early on. Bryan Johnson said we’re thinking of you for the Travis Lee role, check it out and see what you think. I knew I didn’t have to read it to say “Hell yeah, I’m in” because it was coming from the View Askew camp. For me it was a familial thing; of course I am down! When I read it I saw some parallels to the Gum Guy character. Two high-energy scenes and both opposite Brian O’Halloran to boot! Again I get to break Brian’s balls on film! Yeah a “man on man” clown rape movie is pretty twisted, but I felt if anyone could pull off a clown rape film it was Kevin and the View Askew clan! LOL. I say this all the time but that film has much more merit than it ever received. It has a wonderfully edgy and bold performance by Brian O’Halloran as Flappy the Clown/Will Carlson. And Kevin’s first post-Silent Bob role, I believe anyway, is flat out awesome. I remember thinking that he’s going to have a career as a character actor if he chose to entertain that route, and sure enough eventually he’d blow us all away with his performance in “Catch & Release” and then later in the last “Die Hard” sequel.
MG: Tell us about your work not only acting in films but also as Composer and Editor?
SS: Yes, music has been in my life from the time I was four or five years old. Music is everything to me, honestly. I have been playing guitar and keyboards since I was a child. I have had a recording studio for the last 15 to 20 years.
I have been very fortunate to have been hired to score and edit many of the films I’ve appeared in over the years! I can do this all in my digital project studio. I am actually working on putting a CD out on Amazon. It’s a collection of music from the past 10 years of film scores and music I’ve done. And I am trying something new with this release. It’s going to be a collection of music that is royalty free. So if another artist, film or TV director, film or TV producer wants to use a piece of this music in their production, they can and are free to do so. All I ask for is credit and the knowledge of what their project is and which track is to be used. So it’s a little different spin on releasing music. The CD is called “Shoe String Serenade.” Being in the cast in many of the films that I have also edited was very challenging. Sometimes it can be just brutal to watch yourself up there, but to hash through all of the takes and edit it all together, that’s really insane when you’re in the cast. I was able to be very objective about the process and I did eventually get used to it. I have a tendency to cut away from myself to give the other actors more face time.
MG: You recently worked on a few indie films recently, tell us about those and where/when can we find them?
SS: Yes, along with “Shoe String Serenade” — which should be up on Amazon by the fall — I have two new DVDs just released through Amazon. Tom Zanca’s “Echoes & Voices” and Michael P. Russin’s new short, “Don’t Shoot”. Both projects are very different in style and nature and I am very fortunate to have been involved in these productions.
Win a trip for 4 to the opening of Cars Land and a private Jungle Cruise tour skippered by John Lasseter!
From late 1977 through spring 1978, John Lasseter, before becoming chief creative officer at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principal creative advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering, worked at Disneyland, and was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise attraction. Recently, a search for a photo of John skippering the Jungle Cruise came up empty. Surely there must be a photo of Skipper John somewhere? To find one, we have created a contest: the first person to submit a verifiable photo of John as the skipper of the Jungle Cruise from 1977 will win a trip for 4 to the grand opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in summer 2012, and a ride on the Jungle Cruise skippered by none other than John himself! What better way to turn a Disney memory of old into a Disney memory of today?
For details on how to submit, visit Johnofthejungle.com or the official Disney•Pixar Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/disneypixar
John of the Jungle: The Search for John Lasseter:
Below please find poster and details on A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY, a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. The film is rated R and opens September 2.
The film has an all-star cast including Lake Bell, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Borth, Rhys Coiro, Will Forte, Don Johnson, David Koechner, Nick Kroll, Tyler Labine, Lucy Punch, Angela Sarafyan, Lin Shaye, Lindsay Sloane, Martin Starr and Jason Sudeikis. The film is directed by Alex Gregory & Peter Huyck.
The Emmy nominated writing team of Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck (“The Larry Sanders” Show,” “King of the Hill”) make their directorial debut with “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy.” The story, also penned by the pair, is the hilarious account of a group of early 30 something Manhattan-ites who decide to do the unthinkable to celebrate the end of their summer weekend jaunts in the Hamptons.
When Eric Keppler’s (JASON SUDEIKIS) father Jerry (DON JOHNSON) informs the group that he plans to sell their beloved Hamptons getaway, the gang finds it hard to face the reality that the summers they have known since their teenage years are coming to an end. Memories of infamous themed house parties date back to their high school days and this news is devastating to the long time friends.
In an effort to go out with a bang, Eric wants to throw one last epic party to trump all others and decides to orchestrate an orgy among him and his friends. At first, no one except the always inappropriate Mike McCrudden (TYLER LABINE) is on board but slowly, one by one the others agree to participate. Each thinking that by joining, it might help him/her resolve some personal issue. Sue Plummer (MICHELLE BORTH) sees it as a chance to be with Eric after a missed opportunity years ago. Laura LaCarubba (LINDSAY SLOANE) thinks it might help her get past her body image issues. Alison Lobel (LAKE BELL) is coming off a bad break up and thinks it will be a nice change from the restrictions of a relationship. Doug Duquez (MARTIN STARR) and Willow Talbot (ANGELA SARAFYAN) think it might help their on again off again romance. Adam Richman (NICK KROLL) has just been fired from a job that controlled the entirety of his 20s so he vows to make his 30s memorable and decides an orgy is just the thing to kick it off.
Intentionally not included are Glenn (WILL FORTE) and Kate (LUCY PUNCH) who already have a child and are about to get married. Unfortunately, the couple learns of the orgy on their wedding day and become furious that their best friends excluded them from this monumental event. They still believe that despite being parents and newlyweds, they are still hip and cool.
With the threat of a pending sale, Eric tries as hard as he can to ensure that the house does not get sold until after the Labor Day weekend orgy party. To do this, Eric begins dating one of his realtors, Kelly (LESLIE BIBB), in an effort to convince her to hold off. When he unexpectedly begins to develop serious feelings for her, he starts to second guess his participation in the orgy and threatens to dismantle the entire plan.
No one could have anticipated how the evening would change their lives and the lessons that would be learned from one night of debauchery. Also starring David Koechner (VIC) and Lyn Shaye (DODY HENDERSON), “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy” is a raunchy yet hilarious tale of friendship, growing up and moving on with a little bit of sex thrown in for good measure.
SundanceNOW.com is a place for anyone interested in independent films both American and worldwide – from the die-hard fans, who we hope will become active members of our community, to those interested in browsing our extensive list of different genres and sampling something new.
Kittie
“I’ve Failed You”
Entertainment One
Producer: Siegfried Meier
Tracks: 11
Our Score: 4 out of 5
“I’ve Failed You” is Canadian based Kittie’s 6th full length studio album.The all female band enlisted producer Siegfried Meier and his Beach Road Studios located in Goderich, Ontario to record the album which features 11 new tracks . The album’s first single “We Are The Lamb” features Morgan Lander’s signature scratchy growling vocals combined with sister Mercedes’s rhythmic double bass drum patterns, the thunderous bass lines of Ivy Vujic and a flashy guitar solo provided by lead guitarist Tara McLeod for a single that is nothing but in your face metal.
Being a fan of Kittie since 2001, I was really looking forward to hearing what the girls had recorded for the new album “I’ve Failed You”. Needless to say upon my first listen the album blew me away just with its sheer energy and straight forward drive. Tracks such as “What I have Done”, “Never Come Home” and “Time Never Heals” real showcase what the band is capable of musically. While the track “Empires (Part 1)” break new ground for the band.
“I’ve Failed You” is a must have for Kittie and metal fans alike! This album has everything you could ever ask for in a metal album and then some!
Track Listing:
1.) I’ve Failed You
2.) We Are The Lamb
3.) Whisper of Death
4.) What Have I Done
5.) Empires (Part 1)
6.) Empires (Part 2)
7.) Come Undone
8.) Already Dead
9.) Never Come Home
10.) Ugly
11.) Time Never Heals
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BE LIVING NEXT DOOR
GOOD NEIGHBORS
A Terrifying Adventure That Will Chill Viewers To The Bone Arrives On DVD And Blu-ray Debut September 27 From Magnolia Home Entertainment
“What a deliciously dark surprise!” Fangoria.com
“If you have the chance to see this film, do so.” TwitchFilm.com
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Following its critically acclaimed debut at the 2010Toronto Film Festival, the haunting thriller Good Neighbors will terrify on Blu-ray Disc and DVD September 27 from Magnolia Home Entertainment. From writer/director Jacob Tierney (This Is My Father) this “gem that’s well-worth checking out” (Bloody Disgusting.com) stars Scott Speedman (Underworld: Evolution, Barney’s Version, “Felicity”), Emily Hampshire (The Trotsky) and Jay Baruchel (She’s Out Of My League, Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder).
Set in Quebec, Good Neighbors follows three neighbors as they bond over a recent string of murders taking place in their community. As the trio learns more about each other and the horror of what lies outside escalates, dark secrets unfold and they soon learn that nowhere is safe. Combing smart dialogue, strong performances and jarring thrills, this riveting mystery is loaded with unique bonus features including the making of Good Neighbors and HDNet: A Look at Good Neighbors. The Good Neighbors Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail prices of $29.98 and $26.98 respectively.
Synopsis
When a recent string of murders terrorize their community, neighbors Spencer (Scott Speedman) and Louise (Emily Hampshire) quickly bond over their shared fascination with the tragic events. When a new tenant named Victor (Jay Baruchel) arrives in the building, all three quickly hit it off, but they soon discover that each of them has their own dark secret. As the violence outside mounts, the city retreats indoors for safety. The more time these three spend together in their apartment building, the clearer it becomes that what they once thought of as a safe haven is as dangerous as any outside horror they could imagine.
Greg Sestero is known for his role of Mark in the cult film “The Room”. Greg is currently writing a book about his experience working on the film and working with Tommy Wiseau. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Greg about the film and the upcoming book.
Mike Gencarelli: How did you originally meet Tommy Wiseau and get involved with the film?
Greg Sestero: Ironically, I met Tommy in an acting class. I watched him attempt a Shakespearean sonnet and thought, I have to do a scene with him.
MG: Did you originally take this as a serious film because of it’s content or more comedy
due to its major plot holes?
GS: I think it’s obvious that there was only one way to have taken it. Out of nowhere, playing football in tuxedos three feet apart kinffd of says it all.
MG: What is your favorite part of attending the midnight screenings with fans?
GS: The fans are the best part of the whole thing; always so gracious and enthusiastic. They come up with the most clever riffs for the film.
MG: You were recently in Prague; did you think you would be touring internationally with this film?
GS: Not a chance. Like many, I truly didn’t think the film would see the light of day.
MG: Tell us about why you’re writing the book now?
GS: It’s been almost a decade of questions about “The Room”. Why, and how, on earth was it made? Where did the $6 million dollar budget come from? Who is Tommy Wiseau? I think the story behind the film is replete with just as much hilarity, entertainment and mind boggling insanity as the film itself. Its an unbelievable story I feel fans and non fans can thoroughly enjoy.
MG: How does Tommy Wiseau feel about your writing this book?
GS: Probably that I should leave my stupid comments in my pocket.
MG: What other projects are you currently working on or have upcoming?
GS: I recently shot a video with Patton Oswalt for the comedy website 5secondfilms. Which you can view here.
THANK YOU FOR ENTERING, THE CONTEST HAS ENDED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!
Just when you thought Phineas and Ferb had done it all (including winning an Emmy(R) Award), they take their adventures to a whole new dimension in their first full-length movie — PHINEAS AND FERB THE MOVIE: ACROSS THE 2ND DIMENSION — featuring exclusive deleted scenes and all-new bonus only on Disney DVD! When Phineas, Ferb and Perry follow Dr. Doofenshmirtz through his “Otherdimensionator,” they find themselves in an alternate universe where a second, truly evil Dr. Doof rules over his Tristate Area with an army of iron-fisted robots. To save his friends from certain doom, Perry makes the ultimate sacrifice by revealing his secret identity as Agent P. Phineas and Ferb escape, meet their 2nd dimension selves, and begin their own mission to rescue Perry. So begins an epic battle as our heroes try to save their home from the clutches of Evil Dr. Doof…and his sidekick Platyborg! Will Evil Doof succeed and achieve dual world domination? Will Candace finally bust her brothers? Find out in this action-packed, epic adventure — so huge that it crosses over time and space!
To celebrate the Disney release of “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway 10 copies of the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray™ + DVD). If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite character from the show. This giveaway will be open until Tuesday August 30th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Movie Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.
Bonus Features:
1. DVD Feature Film + Bonus
2. Digital Copy Of Feature Film + Digital Music Tracks
3. 8 Exclusive Deleted Scenes
4. Bonus Episode: “Attack Of The 50 Foot Sister” With Character Commentary And Creator Commentary
5. Animatin’ Music Video
6. Perry-Oke
7. Dr. D’s Jukebox-Inator
8. And More!
Label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Genre: Animation
Running Time: 77
MPAA Rating: TV-G
Language: English, Spanish, French
Actors/Actresses: Vincent Martella; Ashley Tisdale; Thomas Sangster; Caroline Rhea; Richard O’Brien; Dan Povenmire; Jeff “Swampy” Marsh; Alyson Stoner; Maulik Pancholy; Bobby Gaylor; Mitchel Musso; Tyler Mann; Dee Bradley Baker; Kelly Hu; Olivia Olson; John Viener; Jack McBrayer
Directors: Dan Povenmire; Robert F. Hughes
Writers: Jon Colton Barry; Dan Povenmire; Jeff “Swampy” Marsh
Sound:
English (Dolby 5.1 Digital Surround Sound), French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Directed by: Elliott Lester
Starring: Jason Statham, Paddy Considine, Aidan Gillen, David Morrissey, Zawe Ashton
Distributed by: Millennium Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 97 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
Jason Statham knows how to kick some ass. He has proved that time and time again since “The Transporter”. This film is no different, he kicks some major ass and looks mad cool when he is doing it. I am surprised that this film did not get more of a theatrical push in North America because it is quite better than Statham’s recent films. The story is great, it is action packed, ultra-violent and definitely keeps you entertained the whole time.
The story follows Detective Sergeant Tom Brant (Jason Statham) who does not follow anyone’s rules but his own. He is known for his brutality against his victims and has been warned by his department. Tom is put on a case where a crazy killer named Blitz is going around killing cops, just for the fun of it. Tom needs to find out who Blitz is before it is too late. He also finds out that he is more connected to the case than he knows.
This film is smart, sleek and packs a hell of a punch. Jason Statham is especially great in this film as the kick ass copy avenger. I wasn’t too thrilled with him since his role in “The Expendables” but this redeemed his ass kicking status. Another notable performance was Aidan Gillen who plays the killer Blitz. His performance was haunting, yet funny and also very intense.
The Blu-ray presentation is very crisp and the sound is bone-breaking clear. The extras on the disc are decent including a UK theatrical trailer, cast and crew interviews, behind the scenes and additional previews. The interviews are interesting to watch, brief but definitely worth a watch. The behind the scenes is also great because a film like this has a lot of stunt coordination and it is great to see how it all comes together. This film is definitely worth a watch if not a purchase.
Rena Riffel is known best for her role of Penny in 1995’s erotic cult classic “Showgirls”. Rena is returning for “Showgirls 2: Penny ‘s from Heaven” but not only starring, she is directing, writing and producing it! Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Rena about “Showgirls”, its sequel and her other series “Trasharella”.
Mike Gencarelli: What did you like most about the role of Penny when you co-starred in “Showgirls”?
Rena Riffel: What I loved the most was being able to work with Paul Verhoeven. He has always been my hero, he is a genius filmmaker and such a nice person. And “Basic Instinct” was my favorite movie at that time (and still is), it was the same Director and Writer team for Showgirls… I was in heaven! I loved playing the role because I got to play my signature “ditzy” character, which I had been developing. And it was incredible to be able to dance in the movie, since I am a dancer. Elizabeth Berkeley(Nomi) and I had such a great time dancing together. We had rehearsed the dancing for about five months, actually. Glenn Plummer and I rehearsed our dance a lot and I loved every minute of it. I was originally auditioning for the lead role of Crystal Connors, I think the casting director may have seen me starring in a movie called “Art Deco, Detective” (Directed by Philippe Mora) where I had played a similar “Crystal-type” character. I had four call-backs for the role, both acting and dance auditions, and was then put on “hold” for weeks just waiting to get confirmed. When I finally heard back, they had changed my part to Penny because they said I wasn’t old enough to play an aging Showgirl, I was in my early-twenties. But I was thrilled to get the role of Penny.
MG: Tell us about how you got your song “Deep Kiss” into the film “Showgirls”?
RR: I simply went through the proper channels, giving my “cassette tape” to the Music Supervisor. They only wanted good songs, so she made it clear to me she wasn’t going to do me a favor if it sucked. She played it for her assistant without telling him it was “Penny”, to make sure it didn’t suck. The entire production office said they loved it (this is what she told me).. then she played it for Mr. Verhoeven, after he also loved it and said it would be perfect for the lap dance scene, then she said ‘guess who it is, it’s “Penny” singing!’ When they told me they would use the song in the movie, I was so happy. To be included in a film score with Prince, David Bowie, and Dave Stewart was such an honor.
MG: With “Showgirls 2: Penny’s From Heaven”, you are not only acting but writing, editing and directing, what can you tell us about this film?
RR: To be reunited with Glenn Plummer, Dewey Weber, and Greg Travis from the Showgirls’ cast, working together once again on “Showgirls 2: Penny’s From Heaven” was the most amazing experience. I am so proud of this movie. It qualifies for the Academy Awards, so it will be “In Consideration” for the Oscars. So, if any Academy Members are reading this, please watch this film and I hope that it will win your votes! We all took this film very seriously and I worked very very hard on it. It’s been one of those movies in which the filmmakers sacrificed everything to get this film made. Like the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”, we had such incredible challenges in the making of “SG2:PFH”. But the good thing is, I always came in “on budget” and “on time” despite the obstacles. I think I must have a Showgirl Angel watching over me.
MG: How do you feel it will stand up with the original film by means of erotic and edgy?
RR: The story revolves around a sapphic erotic romance. It is very erotic and edgy. It has very controversial themes and subjects. I do have an NC-17 or possibly X rated version which is similar to Showgirls’ nudity but includes not only full frontal female nudity but also full frontal male nudity, but I decided not to release it. I was getting feedback telling me that if I include it, it will make the movie too shocking to see genitalia all over the place. And the full frontal male nudity seemed to dominate the scene, which I enjoyed, but.. I figure my job is to make a movie for the audience to enjoy, so I sadly cut it. But, I will eventually release the full frontal version someday. For now, this version has some violence, nudity, erotic dance numbers, sexual content, and some adult language, so I think it would be considered an R rating.
MG: When can we see expect to see this film released?
RR: I am planning to do “Sneak Peek” screenings in the Fall 2011 in Los Angeles. And possibly in select cities, like in the N.Y. area, Portland, OR., San Francisco, CA., and the U.K. I expect the movie to be released world wide in 2012. I will have more info and updates on the website, www.Showgirls2Movie.com.
MG: What do you like most about directing and do you find it difficult to juggle roles?
RR: What I love most about directing and being a filmmaker is bringing my vision to reality, it’s a great feeling to see what I had in my mind unfold before my eyes. It’s not difficult at all to juggle the roles of acting and directing. I found it easy to snap back and forth into my character, then back into dealing with the technical aspects and running the show. I am inspired by Barbra Streisand, and as she said so eloquently, it actually makes it easier to both act and direct at the same time, because there is one less actor you need to worry about. I find the same with screenplay writing, it feels the same to me as acting, drawing from that same creative place, and using the impulse of timing and revealing. And editing feels the same as writing. It is all intertwined from that same creative place and instinct I use as an actress.
MG: How did you come up with the idea for the film “Trasharella Ultra-Vixen”?
RR: I was basically improvising and writing as we were filming. But I was going for a grind-house type of Russ Meyer influence, then threw a Vampire in the mix. I loved what Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez did with “Grindhouse”, and with my equipment I had at that time, it gave me hope that I could make a grind-house retro B-Movie. A lot of the story is from a script I wrote called “Butterfly Lane”. “Butterfly Lane” deals with vampires, witches, ghosts, and being possessed.
MG: Do you have plans to follow-up with “Trasharella in Space”?
RR: Yes, I have the script ready to go. I just need to build the spaceship for the Scream Queens, they are the drag queen astronauts who Trasharella will be traveling to cyberspace with while killing off vampire-zombies, the vampires have mutated. It is a musical, like “Trasharella Ultra-Vixen”. This one should be a blast!
Glenn Ciano is the director of two upcoming films “Inkubus” and “Infected”. Both films have fantastic genre casts: “Inkubus” stars Robert Englund, William Forsythe, Joey Fatone and Jonathan Silverman and “Infected” stars Michael Madsen, William Forsythe and Christy Carlson Romano. Glenn really knows the business and he really loves what he does. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Glenn about his upcoming films and his love for directing.
Mike Gencarelli: “Inkubus” was your directorial debut. How were you able to attract such talent as Robert Englund, William Forsythe and Joey Fatone to the project.
Glenn Ciano: You never know what to expect. When Robert Englund became a possibility things went completely wild. I had to rewrite the script…polish it up. And then to know that he was reading it. And on the other side I was asked what I thought about working with Robert because he is a horror icon. I mean having him comes with its own baggage. It’s great but it’s also so easy to mishandle someone that is basically a legend in the genre. I told them I wouldn’t be scared at all. I’d run right after it, tackle it to the ground and pull out something new. I mean, that’s why you want to make movies…to work with guys like that. Robert liked that answer too! And when we were casting the role of Diamante I looked at a list of actors and I had always wanted to work with William Forsythe. I had been a P.A. (production assistant) on a movie he did called “Palookaville” when I was just starting out in the movie business. So to be able to come full circle and work with him in a completely different way, that opportunity was …he left such an impression on me as a young man as an actor and just watching him work. Joey has become probably my best friend in the business. We met in 2005 when I sold a script called “Homie Spumoni,” which he was in and I worked on. I was very involved with the film right up to the end and he and I struck up a real easy relationship. It feels like he grew up just down the street. And it remains that way. So when this came up I told him I had a horror movie about to jump off and I asked him what he thought. He said, “Are you kidding me…I LOVE horror!” I told him I had rewritten the role…that the character would be in way over his head, just like Joey would be (laughs). And then through Joey…we were going over a list of names and he spit out Jonathan Silverman and I said, “oh my God, I HAVE to work with Jonathan Silverman.” I love movies and I love making them, so to have such an eclectic pairing of all of these personalities and actors is incredible. And if you read some of the reviews, they’re like “what the hell is Joey Fatone doing in this movie…what the hell is Jonathan Silverman doing in this movie?” But when you see the movie it makes sense because it takes all types. I like to create worlds and atmospheres and each guy and each girl has a different thing to do. I like the fact that you read the cast list and you might think this is just a horror movie but it’s not. I pay homage to the genre because I love it, but at the same time making movies is like telling a joke. Not the joke that you and your five friends get off on but the joke that goes in front of the biggest audience possible. That’s cool. That’s really saying something. Hopefully the audience will make something of these movies and get them out there. I’ve had test screenings where 60 year old women come up to me afterwards and say, “wow, that was really an intense mind fuck.” And I think that’s great because that’s what I wanted. I expect to hit my mark and do my job for the “right” age demographics but if I can get other people to say, “wow…I didn’t expect that. I got pulled in,” that’s what’s cool. I mean that’s what Robert Englund…Freddy Krueger…did. They weren’t just horror movies. He was the boogie man. I mean whether they like horror movies or not, everyone knows who Freddy Krueger is. That says a lot.
MG: What was your most challenging aspect of getting this film made?
GC: I only had 15 days to shoot it. The effects had to be more practical. We weren’t dealing with the biggest budget in the world…it was amazing to get all of these people on board. Being a first time director I had to make good decisions and stick to them. I had a kid piss his pants in the movie. And you know, I had other stuff like someone getting their spine ripped out. That was easier then getting this kid to piss his pants. There’s this rig they use…and he’s wearing shorts made out of the same material they make scuba suits out of. So we couldn’t get the shorts to look like they were wet. And I had to yank the shot…hopefully come back to it if we have time on another day. I only have these actors for a certain amount of time and I have to get the most out of them. And if I don’t use the time properly I get screwed because I won’t have what I need on screen. So if I can isolate the effects shots to where I don’t need an actor I just need a section of a body…I kept sliding down my days to shoot my inserts. I tried to be really smart about the time I had. I had to schedule everything the right way because if something went wrong I wouldn’t have enough screen time with the people I needed to have screen time with. Also, telling the story in smaller moments. You have to get those big shots done. If I have a small crew I can deal with that, but if I don’t get the shots I need for the movie then I don’t have a movie at all.
MG: You worked with Michael Madsen and Christy Carlson Romano on both “Infected” & “Loosies” Tell us about those two films?
GC: The experiences were fantastic. I got to work with Mike and I got to work a second time with William Forsythe. I met Christy Carlson Romano when she auditioned for “Loosies.” And through William I was able to get Vincent Gallo in, who I had also worked with on “Palookaville.” Michael Madsen was someone I had always wanted to work with. As a producer on “Loosies” it was great to be involved in assembling a great cast. And to be involved in the system of filmmaking that was designed on “Inkubus.” We used the 5D cameras, which isn’t a popular thing to do. But we were saving money. We were buying stuff…we owned our cameras, we owned our lenses. So when we needed to do reshoots it wasn’t a big deal to go out and find the equipment because we already had it. I mean we did three movies back to back. So it was great to have the editing machines and the other equipment available any time at our disposable. We were making stuff that was HD quality and doing stuff that other people hadn’t done before. It was great on “Loosies” to see my system at work for another director. And then being back in the director’s chair for “Infected,” we took it a step further. I wanted to do a slow boil, Sam Peckinpah-style western that happened to have some zombies in it. (laughs). But I really wanted to cook it. The whole thing with the zombie genre, which I’m a big fan of as well, is that someone is always waking up in a hospital and the world has already turned to shit! I wanted to know what it had turned to shit. I wanted to put a little more science into the fiction. So my version is an evolution of Lyme disease, which effects your mind and body in certain ways and knocks you down to your primal state. A lot of fever induced stuff…stuff that scared me. I actually found a deer tick on me. I plucked him off, put it in a baggie and took it to a Lyme clinic and the doctor scared the bejesus out of me…telling me it’s an epidemic…it will affect everyone you know…in the next year or five years…different strands. I asked him if it could be fatal and he said if a dog gets enough different strands and they mix together it could be fatal. They would just walk around in a circle, sit down and die. And I was like, “what the hell?” I asked him about humans and he said doctors didn’t know yet. Like I said, it scared the bejesus out of me so I went home and wrote the screenplay! Michael Madsen was really great to work with. He really epitomized my cowboy. He wasn’t looking to be a hero…he wasn’t a good dad…but life just kind of intervened and gave him a second chance under the worse circumstances to kind of step up.
MG: How do you feel that directing “Infected” has differed from “Inkubus”?
GC: Like I said, we did three movies in a row. I learned a lot on “Inkubus,” most how to manage that 15 days. How to make sure we not only had the scenes…the building blocks… but that we had the work inside the scenes. To add time…to add the little moments. To let it breathe whenever it was supposed to. And I had different kinds of special effect challenges shooting “Infected” versus “Inkubus.” “Inkubus” was a demon…he could do almost anything. I was able to do some digital effects but for the most part they were practical. With “Infected” I really wanted to go old school violence. We were shooting off blank loads. I was getting my camera in as close as I could. I actually got my DP shot in the face (laughs) by Michael Madsen, which was wild but well worth it. We built our own 35 foot crane. We built lights that put off a blue sodium vapor for moonlight because we weren’t able to have huge generators. We got to the point where if we needed to do something we figured out a way to do it. And we weren’t going to let anybody stop us. This movie was on our own backs and it was a great feeling. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make a movie like that again. It was a very unique experience to where everybody just rallied around the movie itself and got it done. We were out in the middle of the woods…in the middle of nowhere…making this crazy film. And I think it shows. I was able to accomplish similar things with both films. I believe that in “Inkubus” films will see a Robert Englund that they haven’t seen since “A Nightmare On Elm Street.” He is the man in this movie…he leads the charge and he owns it. In “Infected” no one has seen this kind of Michael Madsen in very long time. This film proves that he can deliver…he can carry a movie. He is a movie star. Maybe people forgot that a little bit. Maybe he forgot that a little bit. But this movie is a kick in the pants because he’s back. And I’m glad to be a part of that. It’s something that I’ve always wanted. I’ve wanted to see Michael Madsen back in the forefront. I want to see Robert Englund back in the forefront. I want to see Wiliam Forsythe in a tour-de-force. He tears it up in both of these movies. He holds the emotional center of each film on different levels just giving the ballsiest character performance. To be a part of that…to capture that as a young filmmaker…no matter what happens I feel good about that. That’s the kind of career I’m heading towards. I told Michael Madsen I was going to punch a hole in his stomach and tear out his guts! I didn’t hire his head shot. And he responded. Just like my brazen attitude towards Robert Englund, “ I’m not hiring you because I want you to make a cameo…to make an appearance in my movie…you ARE the movie!”
MG: When can we see “Inkubus” and “Infected”?
GC: It looks like “Inkubus” will be coming out in October. The producers are putting together a small release themselves. I applaud them for that. “Infected” is still in post production. I think it will be out shortly after “Inkubus.” We also have some great conventions coming up where we’ll start making some noise. Robert and I are going to “Rock and Shock” and were going to make a little noise. It’s going to be the fans that make these movies. There won’t be a heavy marketing campaign behind them. No one is going to be force feeding them to you. But I’m glad they’re going to give these movies a shot theatrically. They’re a no brainer as far as DVD and television go. But I’m where I want to be. I like being in the hands of the fans.
Director: Richard Gabai
Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Natalie Zea, Adam Baldwin, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas Ian Nicolas, Veronica Cartwright, Juliette Landau, Max Perlich, Angeline-Rose Troy
Check Entertainment Distribution
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 92 minutes
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The most important question for this film is “Who Killed Allison Parkes?”. This film is a non-stop thrill ride that keeps you guessing the whole movie. It is well-paced and the surprises are perfectly executed. I am pretty good at guessing the twists but this film had me stumped. The film also has an all-star cast and their performances are well done.
“InSight” follows Kaitlyn (Natalie Zea), a nurse that is somehow linked to one of her patients. When she is caring for the stabbing victim, Allison Parkes, she is accidentally electrocuted by the defibrillator and immediately she starts seeing the victim’s own memories. It is up to Kaitlyn with to use this to help solve the crime along with detective Peter Rafferty (Sean Patrick Flanery).
Sean Patrick Flanery is great in this role and plays the cop well. Natalie Zea gives an intense performance, as the troubled nurse turned victim. Great supporting cast also includes appearances from Adam Baldwin, Christopher Lloyd and Thomas Ian Nicolas. The film feels low budget for sure but tries its best to deliver higher quality production. The editing is well done in the film piecing it together slowly for the big reveal. Overall a small film with some big surprises, definitely worth a watch.
