Mike Gencarelli, Author at MediaMikes

Ancient Aliens: 10th Anniversary Edition Gift Set arrives on DVD 6/12

Fans of the acclaimed HISTORY^® series can finally take the first ten seasons home in this incredible 36-disc collection when Ancient Aliens^®: 10th Anniversary Edition Gift Set arrives on DVD June 12 from Lionsgate. Just in time for the show’s 10th anniversary comes this massive gift set featuring all 135 episodes and over 100 hours of Ancient Aliens^® content. The Ancient Aliens^®: 10th Anniversary Edition Gift Set will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $99.98, a savings of almost 50% over buying each season individually.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Since its premiere on HISTORY^® a decade ago, Ancient Aliens^® has enthralled millions of fans as it endeavors to seek out and evaluate evidence of extraterrestrial contact with humans. The epic series explores the ancient and unexplained — all in search of humankind’s origins and even the secrets of the universe. From the age of dinosaurs to the mysteries of ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to present-day sightings and cover-ups, Ancient Aliens^® takes viewers on a provocative, thought-provoking journey around the world and across the universe, beyond our wildest imagination. This comprehensive set includes all 135 episodes from the first 10 seasons of the landmark series.

Year of Production: 2010–2017
Title Copyright: Ancient Aliens © 2010–2017, Cover Art and Design © 2018 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Ancient Aliens, HISTORY, the “H” logo and A+E Networks are trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. Distributed by LIONSGATE® under license from A+E Networks.
Type: TV-on-DVD
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Sci-fi
Closed-Captioned: Yes (varies per season)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, English SDH (varies per season)
Feature Run Time: 120 Hrs., 6 Mins.
DVD Format: Full Screen & Widescreen Presentation
DVD Audio: English Dolby Digital Audio

A Sound of Thunder Announces Details of New Album “It Was Metal”

A SOUND OF THUNDER will release its seventh studio album and companion graphic novel entitled It Was Metal on June 15, 2018. Recorded at Assembly Line Studios with producer Kevin ‘131’ Gutierrez (Shinedown, Believer, Raven), the album features eleven new songs and features guest appearances by Mark Tornillo (Accept) and Tony Carey (Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Planet P Project). The stunning triple-gatefold album cover featuring band mascot Udoroth is provided by artist Dusan Markovic (Powerwolf, Death Dealer).

Opening track “Phantom Flight” features a duet between ASoT vocalist Nina Osegueda and Accept vocalist Mark Tornillo.

“Atlacatl” recants the legend of the titular Salvadorian folk hero and was recorded as a tribute to Osegueda’s father who hails from El Salvador.

“Obsidian & Gold (Desdinova Returns)” features a guest appearance by keyboard player Tony Carey, who in addition to a lenghty and succesful career as a solo artist and with Planet P Project, is best known among metal fans for playing on the seminal Rainbowalbums Rising and On Stage.

“Els Segadors (The Reapers)” is a reimagining of the Catalonian national anthem. It became a viral hit for the band in the aftermath of the fall 2017 Catalonian independence referendum, leading to ASoT’s first European tour.

“Tomyris” tells the true historical tale of the near Eastern warrior queen who defeated and killed Cyrus the Great of Persia in 530 BC.

“Fortress of the Future Race” is a sequel of sorts to the title track of the band’s third album Time’s Arrow.

The band launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for It Was Metal on Friday, September 22nd with a funding goal of $30,000. The campaign raised over $22,000 in the first 24 hours alone. The campaign ultimately raised $66,246, making it the most successful campaign by a metal band ever on Kickstarter. A SOUND OF THUNDER has become well known as a pioneer of crowd-funding, with over $166,000 raised by its fans to date across several campaigns, making it the most funded metal band ever on the Kickstarter platform.

After a successful collaboration with comics publisher Valiant Entertainment on the dark concept album Tales from the Deadside (based on Valiant’s Shadowman comics) in 2015, and the fan-club exclusive covers album Who Do You Think We Are? in 2016, A SOUND OF THUNDER returns to a faster, traditional metal style with It Was Metal.

Guitarist Josh Schwartz shares his thoughts on the album: “This album is fast, powerful, and catchy as hell. In short, it’s heavy metal rocket fuel! We are confident it’s going to be a fan favorite. We delved into a darker, more atmospheric sound on the last couple of albums. We set out to do something different this time. The mission statement was to write fast, heavy, catchy songs that are fun to play and fun to listen to. I think we’ve accomplished that goal and then some. This is an album meant to be blasted in your car while you speed down the highway at 100mph singing along at the top of your lungs.”

According to vocalist Nina Osegueda, the album includes “some of the most fun, inspired, adrenaline inducing music we’ve ever written and I can’t wait to play it live.”

The It Was Metal graphic novel features original comic stories by top comic talent from Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Valiant Entertainment. Original stories based on each song from the album take fans on an audio-visual journey that is greater than the sum of its parts. Tales of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and history combine with A SOUND OF THUNDER‘s unique brand of metal music for an unforgettable experience.

It Was Metal is available for pre-order now at all digital music outlets. CD, vinyl, and paperback book formats are available for exclusive pre-order at the band’s website, www.asoundofthunderband.com.

Tracklist:
1. Phantom Flight (featuring Mark Tornillo)
2. Lifebringer
3. Atlacatl
4. The Crossroads Deal
5. It Was Metal
6. Obsidian & Gold (Desdinova Returns) (featuring Tony Carey)
7. Second Lives
8. Els Segadors (The Reapers)
9. Tomyris
10. Charles II
11. Fortress of the Future Race

Total running time: 59 minutes

Vocals: Nina Osegueda
Guitars & Keyboards: Josh Schwartz
Bass & Keyboards: Jesse Keen
Drums & Percussion: Chris Haren

Produced by Kevin ‘131’ Gutierrez
Recorded at Assembly Line Studios

Website: www.asoundofthunderband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/asoundofthunder
Twitter: @asotband
Instagram: @asotband

S’ Wonderful News! Iconic Musical AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Comes to Movie Theaters September 2018

Tickets on sale across the U.S. from July 12, 2018

May 2018: Trafalgar Releasing has announced the North American theatrical release of the highly acclaimed musical, An American in Paris, coming to movie theaters across the USA on Thursday, September 20 and Sunday, September 23.This new rendition of An American in Paris premiered in 2014 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to ecstatic reviews before transferring to the Palace Theatre on Broadway, where it became the most awarded musical of the 2015/16 season, including four Tony® Awards. While the U.S touring production continues to see great success with performances booking until July 2018, theater enthusiasts across North America can now experience the magic of the hit Broadway Musical performance from London’s West End in their local movie theater this fall.

With the gorgeous music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin (including the classic hits ‘S Wonderful and I Got Rhythm), book by Craig Lucas and direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, this breathtakingly beautiful new musical is inspired by the Oscar® winning MGM film and tells the impassioned story of discovering love in the ‘City of Light’ in 1945.

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI striving to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war…

The film stars Tony Award nominees, New York City Ballet principle dancer Robert Fairchild as Jerry Mulligan and British Royal Ballet dancer Leanne Cope as Lise Dassin, reprising their roles from the original Broadway production and a company of over 50 actors, dancers and musicians including Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Jane Asher as Madame Baurel.

The company also features Julian Forsyth and Ashley Andrews, Sophie Apollonia, Zoe Arshamian, Sarah Bakker, James Barton, Alicia Beck, Chrissy Brooke, James Butcher, Jonathan Caguioa, Jennifer Davison, Katie Deacon, Rebecca Fennelly, Sebastian Goffin, Alyn Hawke, Nicky Henshall, Genevieve Heron, Amy Hollins, Frankie Jenna, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Kristen McGarrity, Julia J. Nagle, Daniela Norman, Aaron Smyth, Todd Talbot, Max Westwell, Jack Wilcox, Carrie Willis, Stuart Winter and Liam Wrate.

“An old-fashioned, big-hearted, spare-no-expense Broadway romance”
~ THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

.
An American in Paris is directed and choreographed by the internationally renowned, British-born Christopher Wheeldon, recipient of the Tony® Award 2015: Best Choreographer for this production. An Artistic Associate of the Royal Ballet, Wheeldon received an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours ‘for services to promoting the interests and reputation of British classical and theatrical dance worldwide’. The set and costumes are designed by the celebrated West End and Broadway designer Bob Crowley (The Audience; Mary Poppins) with projections by the prominent British designers 59 Productions (War Horse; London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony), lighting by Natasha Katz and sound by Jon Weston.The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher with orchestrations by Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott; dance arrangements by Sam Davis; musical supervision by Todd Ellison; and musical direction by John Rigby.

Tickets for An America in Paris will be on sale starting Thursday, July 12 and can be purchased at AnAmericanInParisCinema.com.

For information regarding the National Tour please visit AnAmericanInParisBroadway.com.

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Filed Under: Film Headlines, Theatre Reviews Tagged With: 2018, american, iconic, movie, musical, news, ...

Movie-themed Spin-off Industry Take Over

The majority of us enjoy a good movie and there is nothing quite like settling down to enjoy the latest block-buster whether we are viewing it on the big screen or enjoying it in the comfort of our own home with family or friends.

Our love of the movies has led to a great many spin-off industries that range from clothing and toys to memorabilia and collectibles.

One of the more lucrative spin-off industry’s that have benefited from the movies is the, movie-themed slots offering players all the excitement of the slots game as well as providing them with a taste of their favorite movie.

Licencing agreements with the movie producers enable the games developers to produce those movie-themed slots games that include authentic images as well as a good selection of music and video clips from any one particular movie. Not only are these games great for the films enthusiast they also contain some of the most original slots features too, a plus point for the avid slots player.

For instance. Gladiator the movie that helped to make Russell Crowe a household name picked up 5 Oscars, and the slots (by Playtech) allows you to step once more into the arena and relieve some of the most exciting parts.

Featuring authentic sound effects and clips from the original film, characters include Commodus, Gracchus, Juba and Proximo this great action slot features 5 reels and 25 pay lines with the added bonus of a brilliant progressive jackpot prize.

But it’s not only action movies that make it through to the slots sites too as you can grab your thunder buddy and build up to a great entertaining and enjoyable experience playing Ted. This fun slot is a 5 reel and 20 pay line game created by Blueprint Gaming, and of course, it based on the foul-mouthed teddy bear himself! Over flowing with special features this highly entertaining slots from the movie also has a big money bonus besides free spins to win.

In fact, there are a whole host of movie related slots including Man of Steel, Terminator 2, Planet of the Apes (which is licensed by 20th Century Fox) and Top Gun to name just a few, and accessing these great games can be done from bingo sites for UK players. These sites are fully licensed and regulated and have to adhere to strict laws laid out by the Gambling Commission which means that you can enjoy your favorite movie themed game in total safety and security.

What is for sure is that no matter what your favorite movie happens to be whether Marvel or DC, or one of Steven Spielberg’s famous films like Jurassic Park then there is sure to be something to suit the majority of tastes out there, and as there is no shortage of great films being produced we can look forward to many more spin-offs to enjoy.

Nintendo Switch Video Game Review “Batman: The Telltale Series”

“Batman: The Telltale Series”
Telltale Games
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DC Entertainment
Release Date: November 14, 2017
Rating: Mature
Platform: Nintendo Switch

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I have played a few Telltale games to date including “Game of Thrones” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”. I was super excited to see that “Batman: The Telltale Series” came out back in August of 2016 but I never played it. When I saw it was came out on the Nintendo Switch, I was thrilled. The teaming up of Telltale Games, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and DC Entertainment is a match made in heaven for comic book nerds! This game plays so well on the Switch and really adds some great physical features using the joysticks that is not available on the other platforms. Having playing a few Telltale games before on systems like PS3 & PS4, this was my favorite experience and having it be Batman only makes it cooler! Must own!

I know people may trash Nintendo Switch saying it is not up to par like XBOX One X, which is not but it is also special in it’s own right that those systems don’t offer. I love the ability of having this game essentially on the go and in such high quality video and sound. this game also features an award-winning cast of talent, including Troy Baker in the role of Bruce Wayne, Travis Willingham as Harvey Dent, Erin Yvette as Vicki Vale, Enn Reitel as Alfred Pennyworth, Murphy Guyer as Lieutenant James Gordon, Richard McGonagle as Carmine Falcone, Jason Spisak as Oswald Cobblepot, Dave Fennoy as Lucius Fox, Anthony Ingruber as John Doe, and Laura Bailey as Selina Kyle. No shortage of voice over talent here.

There are five episodes includes in this complete season collection:
Episode 1: Realm of Shadows / Episode 2: Children of Arkham / Episode 3: New World Order / Episode 4: Guardian of Gotham / Episode 5: City of Light

Please note for all parents, all episodes have been rated ‘Mature’ and make sure you know that this is NOT for kids. It is rated M for a reason. So no kiddie hanging around, this is mommy/daddy’s game. I am trying to rate each chapter and I am having a really hard time figuring out which I enjoyed more. I can honestly say that each chapter is better than the next. The first takes a little to get started but picks up speed quick! My favorite is probably City of Light if I had to choose right now. I really enjoyed Lady Arkham. She was a great villain in this season. Cool to see Batman going up against someone new and bad-ass to boot.

If you are looking to find out more information, VGR is the place to go to get all the trending video game news. Since the Nintendo Switch was a little late to this game only getting it in November of 2017, there is already a second season released called, “Batman: The Enemy Within” and is currently available on most platforms, except the Switch 🙁 So hopefully they have that in the plans coming up soon! I would love to see how they can even advance the technology with the Switch for future installments. Hopefully we won’t have to wait to long.

Fozzy Announces the Next Leg of the “Judas Rising Tour”

Photo by Adrienne Beacco

ATLANTA, Ga. (May 8, 2018) – Armed with two top 10 Active Rock hits, Fozzy is continuing the headlining “Judas Rising Tour” this summer/fall with Adelitas Way, Stone Broken and The Stir. The run kicks off in Atlanta on August 24, hitting major markets like Minneapolis, Cincinnati and St. Louis along the way. Tickets for this leg of the “Judas Rising Tour” will be available to the general public on Friday, May 11 at 10 a.m. local time. Citi® Cardmembers can access pre-sale tickets today at 2 p.m. local time. Click here for tickets.

The announcement comes after Fozzy’s latest single, “Painless,” broke into the Top 10 on Active Rock radio, currently sitting at #8 on the Mediabase chart. “Painless” is the second focus track off the band’s seventh studio album, Judas, released via Century Media Records in October 2017. Since its release, the track accumulated nearly 2 million streams on Spotify and more than 2 million views on YouTube.

Fozzy’s headlining tour kicked off in May 2017 with sold-out shows across North America and Europe. The five-piece band is also slated to perform at various festivals, including Rock USA, Rockfest, Rock of Ages and Wacken this summer before returning to the United States for the next leg of the “Judas Rising Tour.” Complete tour routing is below:

JUDAS RISING TOUR w/ Adelitas Way, Stone Broken and The Stir

Aug 24 – Atlanta, GA @ Smith’s Olde Bar *

Aug 26 – Huntsville, AL @ Sidetracks Music Hall

Aug 29 – Clarksville, TN @ O’Connor’s

Aug 31 – Little Rock, AR @ The Revolution Music Room

Sep 6 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

Sep 7 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom

Sep 8 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

Sep 9 – Fargo, ND @ Sanctuary

Sep 12 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall

Sep 13 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vouge

Sep 14 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s

Sep 15 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall

Sep 16 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s

Sep 18 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom **

Sep 19 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

Sep 20 – Jacksonville, NC @ Tarheel Concert Lounge

Sep 21 – Huntington, WV @ Planetfest at Riverfront Park

Sep 22 – Greenville, SC @ The Firmament

Sep 25 – Savannah, GA @ The Stage on Bar

Sep 27 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues

Sep 28 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum **

Sep 29 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ The Culture Room **

* Adelitas Way and Stone Broken do not appear

** Stone Broken does not appear

ABOUT FOZZY

Since the beginning, Fozzy has been about hard work, dedication and delivering great rock ‘n’ roll to their devoted fans worldwide; reminding them that music is all about invoking dirty, sweaty jubilation and doing it loudly! Comprised of Chris Jericho (vocals), Rich Ward (guitars, vocals), Frank Fontsere (drums), Billy Grey (guitar) and Paul DiLeo (bass), the band formed in 2000 to release their self-titled debut album. Throughout the years, Fozzy released six progressively popular records, including 2012’s Sin & Bones, which featured the hit single “Sandpaper” (more than 3 million views on YouTube) that found the band reaching a level of legitimacy that drew a mass audience to drink in their trademark heavy melodic groove. More recently, the hard rockers released their seventh studio album, Judas, which includes their explosive title track. “Judas” catapulted up the Active Rock radio chart, eventually sitting at #1 for five consecutive weeks, and the music video amassed over 18 million views. With that giant hit song in their arsenal and a similar trajectory being set for the band’s follow-up single “Painless” (#8 on Active Rock radio), Fozzy is taking its live experience back on the road for their wildly successful “Judas Rising Tour.”

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Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: fozzyannounces, judas, leg, rising, tour

Win Advance Screening Passes in Florida for “Book Club”

Media Mikes is proud to be hosting advance screenings of the new film “Book Club” starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburger in all Florida markets! Click below to get tickets, first come first serve! Good luck and like always leave a comment here after you’ve seen the film!

Tampa – 5/15 AMC WESTSHORE 7:30PM- http://www.gofobo.com/BCMMTAM

West Palm Beach- 5/15 CINEMARK BOYNTON BEACH 7:30PM – http://www.gofobo.com/BCMMWPB

Ft. Myers – 5/15 REGAL GULF COAST 7:30PM- http://www.gofobo.com/BCMMFTM

Orlando- 5/16 AMC ALTAMONTE 7:30PM- http://www.gofobo.com/BCMMORL

Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men with no strings attached. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through a decades-old divorce. Carol’s (Mary Steenburgen) marriage is in a slump after 35 years. Four lifelong friends have their lives turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey. From discovering new romance to rekindling old flames, they inspire each other to make their next chapter the best chapter.

CD Review: A Perfect Circle “Eat The Elephant”

A Perfect Circle
Eat The Elephant
Producer: Dave Sardy, Billy Howerdel, Maynard James Keenan
Original Release Date: April 20, 2018
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 57:07
Label: BMG

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

As a fan of lifetime fan of “A Perfect Circle”, I have been waiting for the band’s fourth album to be released for the last fourteen years. The band started as a side project for Tool front man Maynard James Keenan but has always seems to stay relevant over the years. I think that it is because their music is very real and the lyrics brings up some major social, political and religious issues that it resonates with fans. I will go into it more below but this is an album that has built up for years. It is not going to win you over in one quick distracted listen. If you give this album a chance and really listen to it without distractions it is pretty freaking amazing and I can’t get enough of it! You can tell this was a real labor of love from the band and hardcore fans should dig it!

I spend a lot of time on the computer and listening to music with my Amazon Echo, so one day last Fall, I asked to listen to Tool to my surprise I found no Tool music is available streaming anywhere at the time, so A Perfect Circle quickly came into my head. Once I started listening, I came across a new song called “The Doomed”, I believe this was in October/November of 2017 and I was immediately taken back to old school A Perfect Circle. I loved this track and I listened to it A LOT over the last few months. Then in January, another single dropped called “Disillusioned” and it was even better than the first followed by next month with “TalkTalk” that was released in February 2018. We are talking three hit singles here before the album was even released. So I feel like I have been in love with these new tracks for months now and I only have been enjoying the album more and more with easy listen.

I feel like “Eat the Elephant” works best when played through in one sitting. I feel like the songs wind and connect together in a way that makes the who listening experience very exciting. I can’t explain in words just how much I love the song “Disillusioned”. It is honestly one of my favorite songs currently. The lyrics “Time to put the silicon obsession down…Take a look around, find a way in the silence”. I just have to stop everything and listen when this song comes on. “The Contrarian” is also a real shocker. What a surprise following up track! I also need to give props to the fourth single that was released before the album was released “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”, it is such a hot track. I love the way it doesn’t let you take a breathe in. It just is perfect and really different from the rest.

Like I mentioned above, even though this is their first album release in fourteen years, the band feels like they haven’t missed a beat. When I shuffle all tracks from this band the new ones fit perfect in with the old. “Eat the Elephant” dates back to as early as 2008. You can tell it was a slow working progress but if you are a longtime fan of Maynard James Keenan, (me personally since 1995), we are trained to expect to have to wait for great things. I can say that I have never been disappointed with a Tool or A Perfect Circle album. This time around unlike with 2004’s “Emotive”, where Billy Howerdel had step into lead vocals for most of the album, this time Keenan performed all vocal parts and also wrote all lyrics.

Since we are a little late to reviewing this album, it has since debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, which is the band’s fourth album to debut in the top 4. A Perfect Circle may not be for everyone but I feel like it’s music stands out from everyone else and is not afraid to be different or to try something new. If you are lucky the band might be coming to a city near you with their accompanying tour throughout 2018, including North American dates in May, October, and November, and European dates in June and December. I have seen them live in the early 2000’s and it was definitely an experience. I can’t wait to see how these new tracks work live. Very excited for this album and for this upcoming tour. “Eat the Elephant” is a must have for A Perfect Circle fans! Definitely worth the wait! Now Maynard, get your ass in gear please on the new Tool album 😉

Track Listing:
1. Eat The Elephant
2. Disillusioned
3. The Contrarian
4. The Doomed
5. So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish
6. TalkTalk
7. By And Down The River
8. Delicious
9. DLB
10. Hourglass
11. Feathers
12. Get The Lead Out

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: cd, circle, eat, elephant, perfect, review, ...

Dean Devlin talks about directing David Tennant in “Bad Samaritan”

Dean Devlin went from starting out chauffeuring for Al Pacino in the early 80’s to writing/producing some one of the biggest films including “Stargate”, “Independence Day” and “Godzilla (1998)”. Dean stepped into the director’s chair for the first time last year with the big-budget “Geostorm”. He is back again directing and producing a new film starring David Tennant and Robert Sheehan called “Bad Samaritan”. We had a chance to chat with Dean about this new movie and how was it shifting in scale from big studio to independent.

Mike Gencarelli: “Bad Samaritan” has been in development since at least 2013, can you tell us how about you became involved with it?

Dean Devlin: What happened is, back then I got a call from writer Brandon Boyce, who I have been a fan of since “Apt Pupil” and “Wicker Park”, and he said he just finished a new script but before he sent it out to the world he asked if I would make some notes. I read the script and I only had one note for him…and that was not to show it to anyone else because I was going to make this movie. I was in love with it and bought it immediately. Right after, I went on did two other projects, so I had to wait till I was done with those to get back to it, but I was desperate to make the picture from the moment I read the script.

MG: You directed, produced and wrote “Geostorm” and with “Bad Samaritan”, you produced and directed; how was your experience differ between the two?

DD: Well, the experiences were night and day. The difference is doing a movie in a studio or independently. All of my best work has been from projects where it was independent or we had the creative freedom we needed. This was night and day, the best experience that I have ever had making a picture.

MG: Yeah I would agree, the scale is very different; what was your biggest challenge on this film?

DD: It is so out of what I have ever done before. I have never done this dark tone before. For me it was top to bottom, I had to rethink everything I would do like framing a shot for example or approach music. It was a terrifying task to take on but at the same time, it was thrilling. I have an amazing team of people. We spent a lot of time doing our homework and making sure the thrill and tone were set effectively. It was so exciting to do.

MG: How did David Tennant and Robert Sheehan come on board?

DD: Again, because this was an independent movie I didn’t need anybody’s permission to cast the film. If you do a studio film, that the process can be ridiculous. This was the case were I could just cast simply best actors we could get. My dream cast was to get Robert Sheehan and David Tennant in these roles. I felt like so blessed when they both said “yes”, because I really didn’t have a second choice for either part [laughs]. You get somebody in your head and it’s really hard to rethink it. When I did “Independence Day”, we wrote that part for Jeff Goldblum. If he had said “no”, we would have had to rethink the entire part.

MG: Tell me one film that is your “go-to” film to watch? …for me it’s “The Shining”.

DD: It really depends. I would have to say there are three and if they are on television I can’t turn them off. It doesn’t matter if I catch one scene…the first is “Enter the Dragon”. Another is “Tombstone”. I have to at least stay on until he says “I’m your Huckleberry” [laughs]. The last one has to be “E.T”. Those films are the ones that I can’t get enough of.

MG: What would be a dream project for you to direct?

DD: Listen, I have been so blessed in my life that once I have a dream project in mind, it becomes my next film. I approach this whole business like a fan. I never try and figure out what is going to be a success, I think that is a mistake. For me, it is like a fan boy, what do I want to see? And if no one else is making it then I try and go make it. I have been blessed from being able to make “Independence Day” and that I got the script of “Bad Samaritan” from Brandon Boyce. Each time out has been a dream come true.

MG: I am impressed to see that an independent film like this is getting a decent theatrical release.

DD: Well you know, the new Avengers saw that we were on their date…and they knew…they knew they needed to get out of our way. Run Avengers! [laughs]. I am going to throw this out for your readers: What is the thing that is in both in the new “Avengers” and “Bad Samaritan”? Let us see if readers can figure this out. (Leave comment below!)

All Photo Credit: Courtesy of Electric Entertainment

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: bad, david, dean, devlin, directing, samaritan, ...

RLJE Films Acquires “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich”

RLJE Films to Release the Reimagining of the Franchise Classic in August 2018 Following its World Premiere at The Overlook Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2018 – RLJE Films, a brand of RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE), has acquired all North American rights to highly anticipated horror movie Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich. The reimagining of the Full Moon Features cult classic stars Thomas Lennon (TV’s “Reno 911!”), Jenny Pellicer (TV’s “Cocaine Godmother”), Nelson Franklin (TV’s “Veep”), Charlyne Yi (This is 40), Michael Pare (Eddie and the Cruisers), and Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator). The iconic Udo Kier (Brawl in Cell Block 99) stars as the titular character. Written by S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk) and directed by Sonny Laguna (We Are Monsters) and Tommy Wiklund (Wither), RLJE Films plans to release the movie in theaters in August 2018.

Dallas Sonnier and Amanda Presmyk produced Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich for Cinestate, the Texas-based entertainment company that recently acquired Fangoria magazine. This shall be the first feature released under the resurrected Fangoria label. Sonnier and Zahler courted original franchise creator Charles Band for the right to produce an all new take on the idea, with Band serving as Executive Producer.

“We are incredibly excited to be able to bring the first film under the new Fangoria brand to audiences this summer,” said RLJE Films’ Chief Acquisitions Officer Mark Ward. “With an amazing script from S. Craig Zahler and performances from horror legends Barbara Crampton and Udo Kier, we know Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich will thrill fans of the original films and new audiences alike.”

In Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, recently divorced and reeling, Edgar (Lennon) returns to his childhood home to regroup his life. When Edgar finds a nefarious looking puppet in his deceased brother’s room, he decides to sell the doll for some quick cash at a small-town convention celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the infamous Toulon Murders. Girl-next-door Ashley (Pellicer) and his comic book shop boss, Markowitz (Franklin), join Edgar for the doomed road trip. All hell breaks loose when a strange force animates the puppets at the convention, setting them on a bloody killing spree that’s motivated by an evil as old as time.

In addition to the talented cast and filmmakers involved in Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, the legendary Fabio Frizzi (Zombi 2, The Beyond) composed the score for the movie and two-time finalist of Syfy’s FACE-OFF, Tate Steinsiek, served as puppet creator/SFX artist.

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich maintains all of the brutally inventive puppet kills infused with the comedic tendencies that made the original franchise so popular with fans, while expanding upon Toulon’s backstory and developing richer dialogue, characters, and narratives.

The original Puppet Master is an American horror movie franchise that focuses on a group of anthropomorphic puppets, each equipped with their own unique and dangerous device. Produced by Band and his Full Moon Features label, the series was established in 1989 with the eponymous first installment, which has since been followed by numerous sequels, comic books, collector’s items and toys.

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich was also produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura (1492) and Mark Vahradian (Transformers). It was executive produced by Adam Donaghey (A Ghost Story), Johnathan Brownlee (The Incident at Sparrow Creek Lumber), Wayne Marc Godfrey (The Foreigner), Robert Jones (The Usual Suspects), Rick Prince (Enuattii) and Red Sanders (A Bad Idea Gone Wrong). Frequent Laguna & Wiklund partner David Liljeblad also produced.

Ward and Jess De Leo from RLJE negotiated the deal with Sonnier on behalf of Cinestate.

# # #

ABOUT RLJ ENTERTAINMENT

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premium digital channel company serving distinct audiences primarily through its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), which have rapidly grown through development, acquisition, and distribution of its exclusive rights to a large library of international and British dramas, independent feature films and urban content. RLJE’s titles are also distributed in multiple formats including broadcast and pay television, theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-ray, and a variety of digital distribution models (including EST, VOD, SVOD and AVOD) in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Additionally, through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE co-produces and develops new programs and owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited.

For more information, please visit RLJEntertainment.com, Acorn.tv, and UMC.tv.

RLJE Films’ new and upcoming features include Brawl in Cell Block 99 starring Vince Vaughn and written & directed by S. Craig Zahler, I Kill Giants with Zoe Saldana and Madison Wolfe, and Terminal starring Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg and Mike Myers. www.us.rljentertainment.com.

Blu-ray Review “Insidious: The Last Key”

Directed by Adam Robitel
Starring: Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell, Spencer Locke, Caitlin Gerard, Bruce Davison
Distributed by: Universal Pictures (Theatrical)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Home Video)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 103 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

The “Insidious” franchise has never really blown me away after the first film. Oddly enough the first “Insidious” is in my top 5 horror all time, so it’s a shame these sequels never really lived up to the first film. Taking the directorial reigns this time is Adam Robitel, he is the writer/director of “The Taking of Deborah Logan” (which is an amazing film), so I was psyched to see what he could do here. Unfortunately, I just feel like this was another unnecessary sequel. The film just doesn’t deliver anything new at all. I would love a deeper look into The Further and more subtle score led jumps like the first film had and was terrifying. This film, like the previous sequels, just lacks the terror.

Official Premise: Brilliant parapsychologist Elise Rainier receives a disturbing phone call from a man who claims that his house is haunted. Even more disturbing is the address — 413 Apple Tree Lane in Five Keys, N.M. — the home where Elise grew up as a child. Accompanied by her two investigative partners, Rainier travels to Five Keys to confront and destroy her greatest fear — the demon that she accidentally set free years earlier.

The star of the film is hands down, the amazing Lin Shaye. I have to say in this film she definitely gave her performance. She was bad-ass! God bless her, she is 74 years old and the lead of a hugely successful horror franchise. She is one of a kind. But I feel the franchise might need to take a new direction and get back to its roots in future films, which I am sure will follow. I want to see the demon/entity sitting in the corner of the room without knowing that I see it and having it terrify me know that I can’t look over to the corner with the fear that it will know I see it. That is the terror I want from the “Insidious” franchise.

“Insidious: The Last Key” comes stocked as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + Digital copy. It is also solid in the A/V department. The 1080p transfer is crisp matched with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The special features include an alternate ending and more than 20 minutes of additional scenes. It is worth checking out if you want to see a little more from the film. There is a franchise recap includes as well as three all-new featurettes. The first one “Becoming Elise” dives into the mythology of Elise’s origin story. The next one “Going into the Further” features everyone from the cast and crew talking about the production design and how it differs from the previous films. Lastly “Unlocking Keyface” showcases the new demon in the franchise.

Film Review “Aardvark”

Directed by: Brian Shoaf
Starring: Zachary Quinto and Jenny Slate, Jon Hamm, Sheila Vand
Production company: Great Point Media
Rated PG-13

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Aardvark” is not a film that I would normally watch. I was draw to the film simply from it’s cast including Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”), Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek”) and Jenny Slate (SNL, “Obvious Child”). The acting in the film is really superb. I really only know Jenny Slate from her voice work including the new “Muppet Babies”, “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “The Secret Live Of Pets”, so this was a very different film for her. It is a straight blown drama. The whole cast was fantastic and I really dug the film for the first half and then it took a nice dive in the second act and closed out disappointing for me.

Here is the film’s official premise: “Aardvark” follows Josh Norman, a troubled man who has lived in the shadow of his brother Craig for so long he starts seeing that shadow everywhere. After experiencing a series of hallucinations involving Craig – an actor, and the star of a popular TV drama – Josh places himself in the care of Emily, a young therapist. Emily is forced to wade deeper and deeper into Josh’s imaginary world, and along the way forms her own obsession with his famous brother. While Emily and Craig explore a potentially disastrous attraction, Josh begins a relationship with a young woman, Hannah, who might be his soul mate – if only he could be sure she exists.

During the film there are these really interesting hallucination sequences that Quinto’s character experiences. I found myself mesmerized to see what was going to happen next. I don’t want to spoil anything for those who really want to see this but I appreciate where the film went. It was hopefully but I didn’t like the ending and I wanted more fleshed out with Quinto’s character. This is a little art house film that will play very well in those markets I am sure. It has the trendy cast and that art festival feeling to it. I didn’t hate it but I don’t see myself watching it ever again.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: aardvark, film, review

Film Review “Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare”

Directed by: Jeff Wadlow
Starring: Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, Hayden Szeto. Landon Liboiron
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 100 minutes

Our Score: 1 out of 5 stars

Blumhouse Productions has been busting out some really solid horror films recently including last year’s “Get Out” and “Split”. “Truth or Dare” is not one of them. I was just telling my wife that I feel like horror is taking the turn again like it did back in 1996 when “Scream” came out and horror became popular mainstream again. I feel like that is happening with the enormous success of films like “IT” and “A Quiet Place”. “Truth or Dare” is bland, boring and not scary at all.

The film stars Lucy Hale from “Pretty Little Liars” and Tyler Posey from “Teen Wolf’. The premise is exactly what you would expect from the film’s title. It features a group of idiotic kids that decide to place “a harmless game” of Truth or Dare only to find out that it is much more deadly! Insert evil laugh here!! Wahhhhaaaa. The friends quickly realize that they can’t tell a lie or refuse the dare as they find themselves deeper in the game than expected. Bored? I am.

As I am writing this I am starting to think that I may be getting too old for these teen slashers. For teens and young adults, this might be your jam because it carries the cheapest scares and packs a “pretty” young cast of kids from various TV shows. Listen, I don’t blame Blumhouse for releasing this movie. It is a smart strategic move. It cost $3.5 million dollars and will easily make 3x that in North American box office alone. Go see “A Quiet Place” instead, it is a movie that requires you to be quiet, patient and wait for a real scare.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: blumhouses, film, review, truth

Win Advance Screening Passes in Florida for “Super Troopers 2”

Media Mikes is proud to be hosting advance screenings of the new film “Super Troopers 2″ staring Broken Lizard in all Florida markets! Click below to get tickets, first come first serve! Good luck and like always leave a comment here after you’ve seen the film!

MONDAY, APRIL 16th @7:30PM
.
AMC AVENTURA (MIAMI)
CINEMARK BOYNTON BEACH 14 (WEST PALM BEACH)
AMC THE REGENCY 20 (TAMPA)
AMC DISNEY SPRINGS 24 (ORLANDO)

Cast: Kevin Heffernan, Tyler Labine, Hayes Macarthur, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rob Lowe, Lynda Carter, Marisa Coughlan, Brian Cox, Jay Chandrasekhar, Fred Savage, Will Sasso
Writers: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Producer: Richard Perello

Everyone’s favorite law enforcement team is back by popular demand with the long anticipated follow up to the cult comedy classic…SUPER TROOPERS. When an international border dispute arises between the U.S. and Canada, the Super Troopers- Mac, Thorny, Foster, Rabbit and Farva, are called in to set up a new Highway Patrol station in the disputed area. Unconventional police work follows, and the result is…SUPER TROOPERS 2.

Enter to Win a Blu-ray Comb Pack of “Den of Thieves”

To celebrate the Blu-ray Comb Pack of “Den of Thieves”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway a combo pack to one of our fans! If you want to win this great prize, please leave a comment below your favorite movie with Gerald Butler. This giveaway will remain open until April 24th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to our readers in US only. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

Den of Thieves is a gritty Los Angeles crime saga which follows the intersecting and often personally connected lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Department and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as they plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank of Downtown Los Angeles. Filled with gripping, explosive action and an ending that left audiences stunned, Den of Thieves is an electrifying game of cat-and-mouse.

In addition to both the action-packed theatrical version and the extended unrated version with footage not seen in theaters, Den of Thieves on Blu-ray^™, DVD, and Digital also features never-before seen bonus content including an alternate ending, outtakes and deleted scenes, and insightful commentary from the filmmakers.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAY^TM, DVD AND DIGITAL

Alternate Ending
Alpha Males – The cast describes how the tough characters in the film blur the lines between the good guys and the bad guys.
Into the Den – Director Christian Gudegast and the cast describe the two brotherhoods within the film, the renegades and the outlaws, and their unique sets of skills.
Alameda Corridor – The cast and director discuss filming the intense scene that take place on the streets of L.A. and the extensive weapons training it took to film it.
Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
Commentary with Director Christian Gudegast and Producer Tucker Tooley
Den of Thieves Theatrical Cut

Author: Mike Gencarelli

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