Interview with Catherine Bell

Catherine Bell is the star of TNT’s “Good Morning Killer,” which premieres Tuesday, December 13. Catherine is also known for her role in TV series like “Jag” and “Army Wives”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Catherine about her new movie and what we can expect.

Mike Smith: Did you enjoy the experience of playing the character, Ana Grey?
Catherine Bell: Yes, I really did. I’d never played an FBI agent and found it fascinating just trying to get into the mind of a kidnapper, a rapist and track this guy. It sounds very fascinating. Obviously it was based on a wonderful novel, so we had a lot of things to draw from. It has been a very rich, rewarding experience actually.

MS: There are several other novels featuring your character. Is this something you’d like to continue doing later again revisiting this?
CB: I would love to. It’s actually something we talked about from the beginning. It ended up being such a wonderful filming experience. I think for all of us involved that we were instantly hoping to do more. So hopefully it goes in that direction.

MS: Is there an aspect of this character that you connect with or you really just didn’t like?
CB: I actually found her fascinating. She’s not a perfect woman by any means. She’s very smart, very good at her job, very much in control there. But very much not in control in her personal life, picks very bad relationships.  She definitely has some issues, which I found as an actress really fun to play.

MG: If IMDB is to be believed, William Devane started working the year you were born. What was it like working with such a veteran actor?
CB: It was fantastic. He plays my grandfather in the script as a great character, kind of just a crotchety old cop who thinks he knows better then me. He thinks the FBI are a bunch of whooses, so we have this sort of love-hate relationship. We had a blast. He’s definitely been around and knows how to fill a character’s shoes. It was really fun.

MS: What were some of your favorite moments that you had from filming on, “Good Morning Killer?”
CB: Oh, let’s see. So many. It was really, really one of the best experiences I’ve had filming, both the story and everyone involved in making it. All the actors were really wonderful from Cole Hauser and Titus Welliver and some great, great talent. But I don’t know. I loved doing the scenes that involved the killer, the bad guy. Those were – without giving anything away or what kind of scenes they were, very intense and very emotional and, yes, kind of very challenging to shoot a well. But yes, those are probably my favorite I would have to say.

MS: Why do you think people will want to take the time to watch, “Good Morning Killer”?
CB: Well, if they’re anything like me, they like to be entertained and so many people – myself included – like mysteries and thrillers and I know I’ve always been fascinated with serial killers. And to me it’s fascinating. So to have something that’s based on such a wonderful novel with such a great story I think makes for some good, fun popcorn-eating, soda-drinking movie watching.

MG: What’s your workout routine like to stay in shape for these roles?
CB: You know, most of the workout is done before we start filming. Once we start filming, honestly, especially something like this where I’m in every single scene, every day. I don’t think I had a day off on this one. So it becomes harder and harder to work out. You’re getting more and more tired and you just do a few pushups here and there, sit ups, you know, in the morning. But before I start filming, it’s pretty rigorous. I definitely do, like, an hour, hour and a half, sometimes up to two hours a day just getting in shape, lean and strong. Also doing some martial arts and whatever else I can depending on the role.

MS: What other projects are working on?
CB: Well, let’s see, we’ve got – I’m doing Army Wives right now. We just got picked up for ten more episodes in this season. I’ll be busy for a little while and we’ll do 23 episodes now. Also hoping to for maybe another “Good Morning Killer” movie or series after “Army Wives”. I have also some other projects that I’m working on as well as the producer and developing. I’m always busy…always working on something.

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: bell, catherine, interview

Interview with Andy Sipes & Dana Snyder

Andy Sipes & Dana Snyder are the guys behind the AdultSwim.com’s latest web series “Songs for Helping”. It is about angels that give bad advise to people through songs. Andy is known for his work on Adult Swim with “Minoriteam” and “Saul of the Mole Men”. Dana is known for voicing various character on Adult Swim like Master Shake in “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” and “Granny” from “Squidbillies”. Media Mikes had a blast chatting with the guys about this web series and what we can expect from the episodes.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your new web series “Songs for Helping”?
Andy Sipes: We wanted to come up with something like a “Dear Abby” column. We thought that was a funny place to start and we are big fans of musical parodies. So we figured we can a really jerky little angels that sing and give terrible advice.
Dana Snyder: Whatever he said…I say that. But it was probably just me since I thought of it.
Andy Sipes: [laughs]

MG: This is your third/fourth project now, what keeps you guys working together?
DS: An unfortunately string of bad decisions…mostly on Andy’s part. He usually says “This is the last time Dana and never again”. Then somehow I find a way to finagle him in [laughs].

MG: How many episodes can we expect from the series?
DS: Right now we are going to have nine. There will be a new one every week at http://adultswim.com/songs every Monday…unless AdultSwim.com is on a vacation day then it would be Tuesday. So it probably means every single week it will be up on a Tuesdays [laughs].

MG: How long does each take to complete to develop?
AS: The first season was a little bit of trial and error. We really only had a rough idea of what the series would be. We tried a number of different things.
DS: We tried everything from live action on green screen. We tried every possibility on what we thought we could do [laughs].
AS: We decided we have these character designs that Dana did and we decided just to do a straight animated show. We know a lot of really good people that helped us. It was really a fun process overall.

MG: What it always planned as a web series?
DS: Yes.
AS: Yeah we have talked about developing it further. We love it as a little one and half to two minute song that you can pass on to your friends.

MG: How do you come up with the lyrics to the songs?
DS: We really didn’t come up with all the lyrics. I did write all the lyrics though on one of them.
AS: …Umm, all the lyrics were only three words…but…[laughs]
DS: We had a great writing team of Mike Geier and Shannon Newton. We, sort of, gave them more of a premise…since we didn’t want to limit them. Once Shannon wrote the lyrics then we would re-write the lyrics.
AS: There were two or three that we did the first pass on. We would write and then give to her or she would write and give to us. It was a great collaborative effort between Shannon Newton, Mike Geier, Dana and I.

MG: Who is doing the actual singing in the songs? Why didn’t you sing the songs yourself?
AS: That is all Mike Geier. He did all the music and does all the singing.
DS: No reason why. Mike is great, I have done a lot of live shows with him. He is an incredible musician and singer. We though it would be funny to have the other angel, whose name is Bert, would do all the singing but never actually speak [laughs].

MG: Tell us about what we expect from future songs?
AS: Get ready though because the songs get more increasing bizarre as we go.
DS: The two songs that are up now are the first ones we ever thought of.
AS: When picking which order they would air…I think we figured that these two wouldn’t scare people off [laughs].
DS: [laughs] You don’t wanna dive in first with the songs about someone who has a permanent erection. Better to save that for a little later.

MG: Dana, you also worked on the character design; tell us about that process?
DS: Well, that is a very good question. Mostly I was sitting across from Andy in our office and then giggling because I tried to draw it better but not having anyone to draw it for us. [laughs]. I thought “Ha, how hard can it possibly be”…it was pretty hard. I am not going to lie…it took a lot of time.
AS: I think that was always the plan for you to sketch something out real quick and then we will get a real artist to draw. Then we said “Wait a second, these are really good… let’s just use these”.
DS: Yeah we keep looking at them thinking that these guys looked like such little jerks [laughs]. The finishing touch was putting them in gold high heels. I don’t know why but I think it does finish it off quite nicely.

MG: What do you each of you like most about working on this project?
DS: Well I think for this one especially is it was very exciting because we would have these concepts and ideas but then all of sudden getting it back from Mike (Geier) and it is this whole complete song. It sounds like a real song…not like something we could have done. That was super exciting. Then on top of that were sending the song to our animators for the second thrill. It was great seeing what the animators did with it. They said “Yeah we threw it come crazy rainbows” and we were totally digging it.
AS: I think with Dana and I and our experience with what we have done, it was really great to see something start to finish like this that we wrote and created. That is the best thing in working in the entertainment business. We were 100% happy with it.
DS: I also think we didn’t have a lot of people involved with this. But everyone we did have involved added to this a lot. While passing through everyone’s hands, it just got better and better for us as well as more interesting and funny.

MG: Dana, When do you start-up on season 9 of “Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1”?
DS: I actually just recorded two episodes earlier this week. They were really good. Then I also got a new “Squidbillies” upcoming. I do believe that they are almost starting new “The Venture Brothers”. I think it is coming really soon also.

MG: Andy, after this web series, what do you have planned next?
AS: I am writing a script right now with my writing partner, Matt Mariska, for Comedy Central. It is a half-hour sitcom. Then I am just pitching around town to whomever would take a meeting with me.
DS: Literally throwing baseballs at them. You actually have to go to the local park to see his pitching.

 

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: andy, dana, interview, sipes, snyder

Chickenfoot Earns Grammy Nomination for 3D Packaging of Critically Acclaimed “Chickenfoot III”

CHICKENFOOT EARNS GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR 3D PACKAGING OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED CHICKENFOOT III ALBUM FROM eONE MUSIC and earMUSIC/Edel

Chickenfoot Scheduled to Play The Mark & Brian Christmas Show at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre on December 15th Before  January 2012 European Tour

LOS ANGELES, CA—December 9, 2011—Chickenfoot –the supergroup featuring guitarist Joe Satriani, drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and frontman Sammy Hagar – have earned a GRAMMY nomination for the “Best Recording Package,” for the creative 3D design of their recent Chickenfoot III (eOne Music/earMUSIC/Edel) album. The GRAMMY-nominated band plans to return to Los Angeles with touring drummer Kenny Aronoff to perform at the Mark & Brian Christmas Show on December 15th at the Nokia Theatre and will embark on a European tour in January 2012.

Designed by art director Todd Gallopo, Chickenfoot III, features an elaborately designed 3D package with optical illusions and special codes giving fans a fully immersed creative Chickenfoot experience, creating a spectacle with spectacles.  With special “3D optical enhancers,” otherwise known as old-skool 3D glasses that come with each package, the cover and inside photos feature artwork that trick the eye by looking through the two different red and blue lenses of the glasses.  Having used a special state-of-the-art 3D camera rig to create the designs, Chickenfoot gives fans a truly multi-dimensional experience throughout the packaging that also offers a 3D photo of each band member with stats and Q&As, QR codes for behind the scenes 3D video content from the photo shoot on smartphones and much more.  A look through the red lens even reveals a very special message on the CD itself.

The band recently wrapped a sold out 2011 Road Test Tour that took them through San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago and New York with a stop for a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.  In each city along the tour, Hagar made a donation to a local food bank in a special partnership with Feeding America to encourage fans to do the same to help fight hunger, an important message that he also intended to convey through the music video for “Three And A Half Letters (I Need A Job).”

The first single from Chickenfoot III, “Big Foot,” debuted at #1 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Chart holding the position for 11 weeks, earning over 1.85 million listeners, and the album received critical acclaim.  Chickenfoot III features 10 tracks with so many moments of epiphany that one can barely take them all in on first listen.  Colossal, stadium-shaking riffs abound on earth-movers such as “Alright, Alright,” “Last Temptation” and “Lighten Up.” Tradition meets innovation on the Nashville pop-tinged “Different Devil,” the Delta-blues flavored “Something Going Wrong” and the aching rock ballad “Come Closer.”  Chickenfoot III debuted at #9 on the Billboard Top 100 and follows the band’s 2009 debut album, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 100 and was certified gold for sales over 500,000 units by the Recording Industry Association of America.

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Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: 3d, acclaimed, chickenfoot, critically, earns, grammy, ...

New Trailer & Poster for “Battleship”


This summer, the battle for Earth begins at sea.

On behalf of Universal Pictures, we are excited to announce that iTunes Trailers has just premiered the epic *NEW* trailer, one-sheet and images for the highly anticipated action-adventure film BATTLESHIP! Watch the new trailer and embed on your site via the new iTunes embed code below!

Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, the epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game and starring Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Asano Tadanobu, and Liam Neeson, Battleship hits theaters on May 18, 2012.

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“What To Expect When You’re Expecting” Official Image & Trailer

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING, inspired by New York Times bestselling “bible of American pregnancy,” tells the hilarious and heartwarming stories of five couples who face the many challenges adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood.  The film features a star studded cast including Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, and Chace Crawford!

Also starring Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING opens in theaters everywhere on May 11, 2012 – just in time for Mother’s Day.

Cameron Diaz stars as ‘Jules’ in WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING.
Photo credit: Melissa Moseley

 

SYNOPSIS:

Inspired by the perennial New York Times bestseller of the same name, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING is a hilarious and heartfelt big screen comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood.

Over the moon about starting a family, TV fitness guru Jules and dance show star Evan find that their high-octane celebrity lives don’t stand a chance against the surprise demands of pregnancy. Baby-crazy author and advocate Wendy gets a taste of her own militant mommy advice when pregnancy hormones ravage her body; while Wendy’s husband, Gary, struggles not to be outdone by his competitive alpha-Dad, who’s expecting twins with his much younger trophy wife, Skyler.  Photographer Holly is prepared to travel the globe to adopt a child, but her husband Alex isn’t so sure, and tries to quiet his panic by attending a “dudes” support group, where new fathers get to tell it like it really is.  And rival food truck chefs Rosie and Marco’s surprise hook-up results in an unexpected quandary: what to do when your first child comes before your first date?

A kaleidoscopic comedy as universal as it is unpredictable, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING finds humor and uplift in all the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world.  The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello.

Twitter Hashtag: #WhatToExpect

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: expect, expecting, image, official, trailer

Film Review “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Starring: Gary Oldman, John Hurt and Colin Firth
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Focus Features

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

1973. During the height of the Cold War, an attempt to capture a Russian mole inside Britain’s MI6 organization. When the operation goes horribly wrong, the head of MI6, known as “C” (Hurt) announces his retirement. “What about Smiley,” he’s asked. “Smiley is leaving with me,” is the reply.

Based on the best selling novel by John le Carre’, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is a very faithful adaptation of the story. Filmed previously as a seven part mini-series that starred the great Alec Guiness as Smiley, the new version gives Oldman, one of film’s greatest chameleons, a rare starring role. And he certainly makes the most of it. Oldman has played a variety of characters from a rasta-style pimp to Lee Harvey Oswald and he has always managed to get inside the character and make them believable. The same here with George Smiley. His face almost hidden by oversized glasses, Smiley is the anti-James Bond. He is quiet and intellectual in his pursuits. The action here is spare. This is a thriller that you have to pay attention to. You will be rewarded for your efforts.

Director Alfredson, who created the original horror hit “Let the Right One In” proves that he doesn’t need vampires and blood to keep the audience on the edge of its seats. He keeps the story flowing smoothly, aided in part by an incredible supporting cast. Hurt. Firth. Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds. Every actor down to the smallest part has been properly cast. Special mention is due Mark Strong, who resembles a cross between fellow actors Stanley Tucci and Elias Koteas .

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: film, review, soldier, spy, tailor, tinker, ...

Interview with Fred Willard

Fred Willard recently appeared in the 100th episode of “The Closer”, which aired on December 5th on TNT.  He is known best for his roles with Christopher Guest’s mockumentary films like “This is Spinal Tap”, “Waiting for Guffman”, “Best in Show”, “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration”.  He also has voiced characters in Disney’s “Chicken Little” and Disney/Pixar’s “Wall-E”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Fred about his appearance on “The Closer”.

Mike Smith: What was it about this particular role that drew you work on “The Closer”.
Fred Willard: Well it was being able to play Santa Claus. I always thought for years that I would make a good a Santa Claus. You always hear about Santa’s being angry and impatient and I said, I would be a good Santa. I don’t know in actuality how long I would last in a mall or department store, but I always wanted to give it a try. But anyway, I also love everything about Christmas and doing a show about Christmas in September kind of stretches the season out. So one problem with Christmas it comes, you know there’s so much work involved and it comes and suddenly Christmas is over. So, it kind of expands the season.

MS: Was there anything in particular you found challenging about playing a Santa besides being in a suit so long?
FW: I was going to say, yes, well I had to play, several scenes I was pretty drunk. I’d you know relax with some alcohol along the way. I mean, as the character, so that was the tough thing because a lot of times it’s shot out of sequence. So I had to be very drunk before I was mildly drunk and then sober, just recovering from a hangover before the drinking scene. I think in all, we had a very good, the director seemed to be on top of it. So I think it flows very nicely.

MS: What was it like working with Kyra Sedgwick?
FW: Kyra was wonderful. She’s just very sweet. I had just a couple of scenes with her, but the nice thing about the show like that; you don’t really feel like an outsider. Everyone in the cast just treated me very friendly like, we’re so glad you’re here and just none of them were standoffish or the only one who told me what to do of course was the director.

MS: I know you’ve done a lot of guest appearances on television shows. When you appear on a show that is established, as “The Closer” is, when you approach the role do you try to get more of a feel of the show, of the cast before you take it on?
FW: Oh yes, definitely. You want to get it because every show has a little different tone to it. So you don’t want to go in you know, over the top, you don’t want to go in too subtly. Plus you rely on lot on, you’re on the set and you see how the other actors are acting and it’s a very realistic show. My character was a bit over the top, but the other performers were playing it very much like a procedure, you know, there had been a murder committed and they were really trying to get to the bottom of who did it. You go in with that, I was a fan of the show anyway. So, it kind threw me a little to be on the set suddenly with all these people some of, a couple of whom I’d known personally before doing the show. But suddenly, you go from reality into a fictional world where these people actually exist and you adopt very quickly.

MS: As someone that is a fan of the show, when you take a role on the show, do you have to kind of lose your knowledge of the show, know who the characters are when you’re approaching character that theoretically is new to them?
FW: Well, yes, my character in the episode comes from a whole different world. I believe I’m Santa Claus and I run a Santa village. And I’ve had a little bit of alcohol over the couple of days during the investigation. I’m kind of acting through that, coming in kind of questioning the authority and being kind of a indignant and sometimes angry and sometimes very silly. So, it wasn’t like the usual where I’m someone who is being investigated and is trying to be cunning or trying to outwit them. So it was a whole kind of a whole different role.

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: fred, interview, willard

Book Review “The Art of Terminator Salvation”

Author: Tara Bennett
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: April 28, 2009

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

In 2009, McG directed the much anticipated fourth installment of the “Terminator” series, “Terminator Salvation”, starring Christian Bale who was red hot off of “Batman Begins”.  The film was overall disappointing.  This book features hundreds of color illustrations, storyboards and production art. The stills used from the film itself are not that exciting and in fact are blurry.  Overall it is not that exciting of a book…just like the movie.

The book is pretty much a visual companion to the film following it from the beginning to the end.  What I was looking for in this book honestly is a bunch of designs for the Terminators.   There is definitely no shortage of that in this book including T-1, T-600, Aerostats, Hunter-Killers, Hydrobots, Transports, Harvesters, Moto-Terminators and even the T-70 ,which is only seen in the video game. Also includes is a bunch of vechiles both resistance and Skynet.  There is some weapons but not a lot and also lacking in character designs.  Like I mentioned earlier, due to the low-res of the production still, if you want to see clearer production photos, go pick up the book “Terminator Salvation: The Movie Companion”.

Overall I call this book a one-timer, flip through it once and that is it.  The only chapter that stands out for me is “Terminator Factory”, since it covers a lot of well…terminators and it also has the best and clearest photos.  Don’t get me wrong though I love staring in the eyes of the terminator robots, but overall this book just doesn’t jump off the page like  other “The Art of” books usually do.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: art, book, review, salvation, terminator

Book Review “Crazy 4 Cult: Cult Movie Art”

Author: Gallery 1988
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: June 21, 2011

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I am going to start this review, very simply, if you’re a film nerd…this is required for you to purchase. If you are unaware of the annual LA, Crazy 4 Cult art show, you are probably not a good film nerd. This event caters to thousands of visitors, including high profile buyers like Kevin Smith and Edgar Wright. This is jam backed with various of our favorite pop culture films and character re-imagined in various forms are art. Honestly this book contains some of the coolest movie based artwork I have ever seen.

This beautiful hardcover coffee table book showcases the best of the first four years of the show. It features art inspired by movies like “Jaws”, “The Big Lebowski”, “Edward Scissorhands”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Shining”, “Tron”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, “Office Space” and “The Evil Dead” series. Those are just some of my favorites, but honestly if I would list every single one of my favorites this review would be ten pages long. Plus I really enjoyed just flipped through this book and discovering all these great images. I encourage

What I really like most about this book is that the images are not limited to just paintings, there are dolls and even matches dressed and turned into crazy cult art. I really want to commend each and every artist who contributed to these pieces of art because they are so creative and imaginative. It honestly gives a new and fresh perspective on our favorite cult films. I really look forward to the next release of art from Gallery 1988, in fact they have a yearly calender that is also released if you need more cult movie art.

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Interview with Steve Niles

Steve Niles is a the man behind the comic book/graphic novel series “30 Days of Night” and “Criminal Macabre”. Steve is a huge horror fan and has recently worked with genre greats like John Carpenter and Lance Henriksen. He is also creating a new series called ““Frankenstein Alive, Alive”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about his comic work and his love for horror.

Mike Gencarelli: Out of the two “30 Days of Nights” movies do you feel one is closer to the graphic novel?
Steve Niles: For me it’s not even a question of which one was closer to the graphic novel. It was really about whether or not if the film was going to be a good vampire/horror movie. David Slade in the first film delivered exactly what I wanted. Even with the differences from the novel the film really achieved being just a good scary movie. I owe all that to David Slade and Sam Raimi.

MG: Do you have plans to do any more cross over projects?
SN: We were originally offered the characters from “Friday the 13th” and “Nightmare on Elm St.” I loved all those characters but I couldn’t see how we could marry those characters into the world of “30 Days of Night”. When the idea of “X-Files” was brought up it was kind of perfect. It sort of effortlessly all went together. By the end I was really enjoying writing Mulder and Scully. I don’t know if they want to do anymore in the future but if they are I am definitely interested.

MG: Have you ever thought about doing a crossover with one of your other properties?
 SN: I try not to get too caught up with all the cross over stuff but, there is always the possibility. I just did one with “Criminal Macabre” for Dark Horse which was really fun.

MG: What can you tell us about “Remains” being made into a film?
SN: I am a producer on that. It’s kind of an experiment in a way as we really have no budget. I know there is a way to do TV movies that can be really entertaining and, I think we have a way to do it. Chiller has been amazing. I am waiting right now to see an edit. The whole thing from deal to screen was done in under a year. Everyone is really enthusiastic and doing what they can to get this out.

MG: Do you have any status on “Wake to Dead”?
SN: Jay Russell and I have the screen play. We are trying to find a reliable production company to get the movie made. The biggest problem in Hollywood is getting something made.

MG: Do you think we will ever see a “Criminal Macabre” film adaptation?
SN: It all comes down to a studio decision. I can put in my votes and I think there are a lot of people out there that could play Cal McDonald. You can never predict with studios. We still don’t have a screen play. Money keeps getting thrown out the window and I have yet to be given the chance to try writing one. It’s kind of sad. Until something happens nothing is happening.

MG: How did you come to work with Lance Henriksen?
SN: It was a strange series of coincidences. I had done a small guest spot on a friend’s TV show and he told me that he was friends with Lance. He told me that Lance had written a book and was looking for a publisher. Before I knew it I was publishing Lance’s biography. It’s a great book about working in Hollywood. I am really appreciative that I was given the chance to something like this.

MG: How was it working with John Carpenter?
SN: That was really great. I had met Jon on another project. He and I hit it off really well. I was offered the chance to do a video game and asked if I could bring along a friend. I knew Jon knows and plays a lot of video games. They said yes and I had a lot of fun. The game seems to be a pretty good representation of the story. It was a total nerd moment!

MG: What are you currently reading and do you have any favorite artists?
SN: I don’t get to read a lot of current comics. What I am reading right now is a bunch of pros. I am also reading a really cool book about Frankenstein. I am reading everything I can about Frankenstein right now. Artist wise I am working with my favorite artist. I am doing a “30 Days of Nights” series with Sam Keith, I am working with Bernie Wrightson and Chris Mitton. I am really lucky guy. There are bunch of other guys out there that I would love to work with but they are contracted to Marvel and DC. Someday I will get them.

MG: What can you tell us about “Frankenstein Alive, Alive”?
SN: I am currently putting the first episode together. It picks up right where Mary Shelley’s novel leaves off. It is 13 issues of the creature on his own going through history trying to understand who he is. This is a childhood dream come true.

MG: Can you give us any information on your upcoming series “Transfusion”?
SN: I can tell you that it started as a joke. I had thrown out the idea of doing robots vs. vampires and I ended up really thinking about it. The idea came for this post-apocalyptic story where these robots were made to run on blood. I just wrote the first issue and I am working with an amazing artist named Menton. He and I are just blasting away on this project. It was an unexpected thing and it is really only about a month in the works. I am having a lot of fun doing it.

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Filed Under: Art/Theatre, Interviews Tagged With: interview, niles, steve

XBOX 360 Game Review “The Sims 3: Pets”

Platform: Xbox 360
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Category: Simulation

Our Score: 3 out 5 stars

Who doesn’t love pets…and games about pets? Ever since Nintendo releases their “Nintendogs + Cats” series, it changed the way people look at these types of games. Combine that with the insane popularity of “The Sims” and should have a winning combination.  This game definitely has it fun and cute moments but lacks the want to come back continuously.  This latest edition of “The Sims” is also not a major improvement from past editions.  It still though has good graphics but also  a some lag in a few spots but nothing major.  Hardcore fans of “The Sims” should appreciate the expansion of the world and your ability to control new situations, but casual fans like myself might want to spend their time playing games with a little more draw.

This game is the first time in franchise history that you will be able to take full control of your pet’s in the game. Since this is called “Pets”, it should also be no shock that you will have the ability to create the perfect pet and control all aspect including personality and look etc.  While playing you are able to scroll through the “Live Mode”, “Town Map”, “Buy & Build”, “Landsculpting”, “Mystery Journal”, “Karma Points” and “Challenge”, which typical for your average Sims game.  You can to get to chase, dig, tackle and more. You also have the ability to be friendly or mean to your Sims and the other animals.  I was pretty impressed, I have to admit, with the features that were included and the aspects that were controllable. This game is quite a bit more than just petting or playing fetch with your pets.  You can learn skills like hunting, locating collectibles and also are given career opportunities.  I think that the ability to run around the town and are able to go on adventures throughout.

If you have the Kinect for Xbox 360, you will even get more of an added bonus (I wish I did), you can command your Sims and their pets using voice commands. Could be a cool feature.  Also exclusive for Xbox 360, is the Limited Edition of the game which comes with exclusive content, including 10 rare and exclusive breeds.  These are really cool addition to the game.  You can also activate your online pass and connect to the “The Sims 3: Pets Exchange” where you can download other players content and share your own.  Overall I wouldn’t call this the best game of the year but it is hardly the worst. Lastly I am a little confused about the rating of the game though, which is  “T for Teen: Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence”.  I know that “The Sims” is known for its free ability to pretty much whatever but I would think of this game aiming more towards a younger audience.  I honestly do not see a 40 year old man playing this all night.  If your are thinking about this for a kid, the game play will definitely keep them interested and involved.

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Filed Under: Game Reviews Tagged With: 3, 360, game, pets, review, sims, ...

Book Review “Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie”

Authors: Mark Millar, John Romita Jr, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: February 23, 2010

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The movie “Kick-Ass” is easily one of the best comic book adaptions in the last few years. It is an originally idea with the recent remake Hollywood craze. The film is based on the bestselling comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
The book plays like a giant comic book and really gives great details into the characters and the making of the film. It is very colorful and is a real page turner. My only major complaint is that is not hardcover, this would have made an awesome coffee table book.

The book starts with a great introduction from its creator Mark Millar.  It is split into three main parts: “The Beginning”, “The Movie” and The Future”.  “The Beginning” focuses on the film’s fast track from the comic page to the theater screen.  “The Movie” focuses on each of the character from the film individually including Dave Lizewksi, Marty & Todd, Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl, Big Daddy, Marcus, Frank D’Amico and Red Mist.  Also included in this section is focus on the production, the origin of Big Daddy & Hit Girl, and the films big ‘kick-ass’ finale.  The content in the book is so detailed and jam-packed that you almost need to go back and re-read it multiple times to make sure that you get everything.  Also there are so many pictures I found myself flipped through the book just to scroll through the art work.  Of course “The Future” section, talks about the second film as well as the follow comic to “Kick-Ass”.  I know the comic already was released following the book but I have a feeling we will be holding our breaths for a long time for a second film…(insert sad face).

“Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie” goes into major details of this comic book superhero phenomenon went from the page to huge Hollywood movie.  The book showcases Mark Millar’s early comic book script pages.  Amazing artwork from John Romita Jr. are included throughout the book and even new pages drawn especially for the movie.  There are also a bunch of exclusive contributions from the cast and crew and that is what makes this book definitely than the normal making of/art book.  This feels really hands on and personal from the cast/crew.  Lastly there are also hundreds of movie photos, sketches, storyboards and pieces of production art.  If you are fan of this series it is a MUST to piece of this book.  If you no familiar, it is a great introduction to “Kick-Ass” and is guaranteed to turn you into an instant fan.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, comic, creating, kickass, making, movie, ...

3D Blu-ray Review “Fright Night”

Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, David Tennant, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Distributed by Touchstone Pictures
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 106 minutes

Overall Score: 4 out of 5 stars

This remake of the classic 80’s film was very under appreciated at the box office. I feel that this film is going to be a real cult classic down the line just like the first film. The 3D in the film was really well used and in fact the 3D Blu-ray experience actually improved from the theatrical. The film was shot in 3D unlike most recent converts…and it shows in quality. The video on the disc is just extremely clear and sharp, or else the 3D wouldn’t look as good as it does. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is great, especially in the action scenes…which there are quite a few. If you are willing to give this film a chance, it is easily one of the better films released this year.

The acting in the film is great in fact and Colin Farrell really nails the role of Jerry the Vampire. He is funny, cool and yet still scary. David Tennant is really a gem in this film. He is extremely funny and a highlight to the film. Anton Yelchin plays the role of the kick-ass savior pretty well along with Imogen Poots who can definitely stand up on her own. Christopher Mintz-Plasse role is limited like in the first film but he definitely has our attention, especially after his great role in “Kick-Ass”.

The special features are found all on the 2D disc as the 3D only is bare. The overall the features are ok but not stunning…also they are missing any cast/crew commentaries. The first feature is called “The Official “How to Make a Funny Vampire Movie” Guide” and it is a short but fun feature about the making of the film. Next there are five deleted/extended sequences, honestly nothing special except the one about Ed being missing which could have been added into the film. “Peter Vincent: Come Swim in my Blood” is the next feature, also short but I loved Tennant in character. “Squid Man: Extended & Uncut” is pretty intense and totally worth watching. There is a bunch of unrated bloopers in the gag reel and really is some great clips. Lastly, there is an uncensored music video of the song “No One Believes Me” by Kid Cudi.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 3d, bluray, fright, night, review

DVD Review “Switched at Birth: Volume One”

Starring: Katie Leclerc, Vanessa Marano, Constance Marie, D. W. Moffett, Lea Thompson
Number of discs: 2
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ABC Studios
Episodes: 1-10
Run Time: 430 minutes

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I have seen the promos for this show and overall I am of fan of ABC Family’s TV programming. The show is enjoyable with some funny and dramatic elements but overall seems lacking a major purpose. This set consists of the first ten episodes from the show’s freshman season. Overall the show might cater more to the female gender or teenagers but not to me personally. There are also no special features on this releases as well, which is a little disappointing.

The series doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to revealing the whole switching at birth, as it happens in the first episode. Once they get it out the way the series really takes form having the two girls meet each others family and even moving in together. The show features the girls struggle with their own identities and prejudices against one another and while also facing everyday teenage drama like dating, friendships, and family.

I really had a problem with actress Vanessa Marano, it wasn’t so much her character but I just thought that she was really annoying. On the complete opposite, I really enjoyed watching Katie Leclerc and thought that she was really sweet. Watching great actresses like Lea Thompson and Constance Marie were highlights of the show. Lucas Grabeel known for his “High School Musical” fame sadly is only secondary character and really could have shined more.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: birth, dvd, review, switched, volume

iPhone Game Review “Tetris”

Developer: Electronic Arts
Platform: iPhone
Genre: Puzzle

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Tetris” has always been one of my favorite games. Incredibly challenging but very intriguing. When there was an iPhone version it would have a big shoes to fill definitely with limited controls. I feel that the iPhone delivers with its “One-Touch” controls.  I also have been really enjoying the “Marathon” mode, which plays like a classic version of “Tetris”. The new feature called “Galaxy” in which you must place Tetriminos into the planet surface below and clear it out. As you progress in the process you receive power-ups and the ability to earn coins.

If this game looks familiar on the iPhone it should because it has been there before. It was originally released on July 9th, 2008 but on November 30, 2011 it was replaced with this new version. It included the new mode called “Galaxy” but removed the mode “Magic”. The biggest new feature of the game is the addition of the “T-Club,” which is either $2.99 a month or $29.99 for a year membership. The memberships will earn you more coins and lines in your games. I personally would never pay for something like this but who knows maybe people will.

Despite the addition of “T-Club”, I really enjoyed this new update and for those do not own this game it is recommended to pick it up and give it a chance. The new feature “Galaxy” is a lot of fun and challenging as well.  I wish they included “Magic” mode from the previous release but maybe it will be put back in future updates.  In conclusion for $.99 cents, how can you go wrong!

You can purchase the game here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id479943969

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Filed Under: Game Reviews Tagged With: game, iphone, review, tetris
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