GIBSON
LAUNCHES GLOBAL SEARCH FOR MISSING GUITAR FROM THE ICONIC UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT FILM
‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’

HUNT UNDERWAY FOR THE CHERRY RED GIBSON ES-345 GUITAR PLAYED BY MICHAEL J. FOX
THAT DISAPPEARED FROM THE FILM 40 YEARS AGO

‘LOST TO THE FUTURE’
NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM BEGINS PRODUCTION

Gibson, the iconic and leading instrument brand, has launched a global search for the world-renowned Cherry Red Gibson ES-345™ guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the 1985 hit film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, BACK TO THE FUTURE, which became the biggest film of 1985 in the U.S. and the second highest-grossing worldwide.

The stunning guitar was showcased during the beloved film’s unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” school dance scene, a pop culture moment that has inspired many musicians to pick up guitars for the very first time after witnessing the character of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) play the legendary song “Johnny B. Goode.” During the making of the 1989 sequel to the film, the filmmakers went to look for the guitar, and it was nowhere to be found. Now, music fans worldwide have the chance to help Gibson find the most important guitar in cinema history.

Fans who have any tips as to the whereabouts of the missing original Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the film BACK TO THE FUTURE can contact Gibson via www.LostToTheFuture.com or call/text 1-855-345-1955.

Watch/share the call-to-action video for the global guitar search featuring Emmy winner Michael J. Fox and his fellow stars of BACK TO THE FUTURE, including Lea Thompson, Emmy® winner Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., GRAMMY® winner and Academy® Award nominee Huey Lewis, and more https://youtu.be/m6RdBMtAgSA.

Released on July 3, 1985, BACK THE FUTURE scored an Academy Award® and three additional nominations and launched a franchise that would go on to earn almost $1 billion globally.

Directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Oscar® nominee Bob Gale, BACK THE FUTURE was executive produced by three-time Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, eight-time Best Picture nominee Kathleen Kennedy and five-time Best Picture nominee Frank Marshall. The film was produced by Neil Canton and Bob Gale.

From the innovative storytelling and characters to the unforgettable guitar performance of the song “Johnny B. Goode,” the film has left an enduring impact on pop culture and remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant films of all time. The film continues to influence and inspire new generations of fans everywhere with its dynamic special effects, beloved characters, and innovative storytelling.

The discovery of what happened to the film’s Gibson ES-345 would add a critical chapter to the film’s cinematic history.

“Guitar has always been a big part of my life,” says Michael J. Fox. “When we talked about the ‘Enchantment Under The Sea’ scene in Back to the Future, I sat down with the cinematographer and choreographer and said I want to riff through all of my favorite guitarists, like doing Jimi Hendrix behind the head, Pete Townshend doing a windmill, and the Eddie (Van Halen) hammer thing, it was so cool that they were open to that, and we laid it all out there. I’m really happy with the scene because it was an expression of my love for guitar and all the great players. I didn’t realize the influence the scene had on people, John Mayer said, ‘I play guitar because of you,’ and Chris Martin said the same thing, and I am glad they took it further than I did, they went to the trouble of being really good players. I just love the guitar, and I love the movie.”

“Years ago, I was astonished to learn this beloved cinematic artifact had apparently disappeared into the space-time continuum,” says Bob Gale, co-creator/screenwriter/producer of BACK TO THE FUTURE. “Since we don’t have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.”

“This is one of the most exciting moments at Gibson for me,” says Cesar Gueikian, President & CEO of Gibson. “Back To The Future is one of the most important and significant movies of my life, and the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ school dance scene marked me musically in a profound way. Working with Michael J. Fox, Bob Gale and the rest of the Back To The Future team is a dream come true. I hope we find Marty’s Gibson ES-345! To everyone out there who is as passionate as I am about this iconic film, please help us find it!”

“I started searching for this guitar back in 2009 on my first day on the job at Norman’s Rare Guitars,” says Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson. “After 16 years of searching, I’m so excited to get the entire guitar community together to help find the guitar that made me, and so many other guitarists of my generation, want to learn to play.”

“Watching Michael J. Fox’s iconic performance of ‘Johnny B. Goode’ during the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance was a moment that struck a chord with an entire generation of kids, inspiring them to pick up a guitar for the very first time,” adds Todd Harapiak, Gibson Media Director. “Few moments in film have had such a lasting impact on musicians as this scene in Back to the Future, and we’re thrilled to embark on a journey to find this guitar that’s carried the legacy of film and rock history for nearly four decades.”

“This is the movie that made me want to be a filmmaker, and the scene that made me pick up a guitar for the first time,” says Doc Crotzer, Director of the upcoming documentary film LOST TO THE FUTURE. “As children of the ’80s, it is our duty to take fans of music, fans of the movie, and fans of true crime documentaries with us on this too-crazy-to-believe quest to find our generation’s Excalibur.”

In tandem with the worldwide hunt for the missing Gibson ES-345 and to further celebrate the 40th anniversary of BACK TO THE FUTURE this year, Gibson Films has now started production on a new documentary film titled LOST TO THE FUTURE.

The forthcoming documentary LOST TO THE FUTURE from Gibson Films will feature in-depth interviews with BACK TO THE FUTURE cast members Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and Harry Waters Jr., musician Huey Lewis (“The Power of Love”), and the film’s co-creator/screenwriter/producer Bob Gale, as well as the world-renowned music superstars that have been inspired by the film over the decades. In the quest to find the elusive original Gibson ES-345 guitar, documentary Director Doc Crotzer (Roadhouse, Glee), alongside Mark Agnesi (Director of Brand Experience at Gibson), will guide viewers in the global hunt for this legendary instrument from long-forgotten film prop warehouses, fascinating vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and shadowy back alleys. The LOST TO THE FUTURE documentary will transport viewers back to 1985 to celebrate the music, culture, and defining moments of the era through a rich collection of archival photos, stories, film clips, and iconic songs.

LOST TO THE FUTURE is produced by Gibson Films and directed by Doc Crotzer.

Above: A close-up view of Michael J. Fox playing the iconic Gibson ES-345 during the “Enchantment Under the Sea” scene of the film BACK TO THE FUTURE. Today, Gibson and the filmmakers launched a worldwide hunt for the original Gibson ES-345 used in the film and announced the forthcoming documentary Lost To The Future.

2025 brings the 50^th Anniversary of the film Jaws, which was released on June 20, 1975.  The celebration will be felt from Hollywood to Martha’s Vineyard, where the film was shot.  In honor of the film’s milestone event, two new books will be released next month.

 

“FINATICS:  50 Years of Jaws,” will celebrate the iconic film’s influence on Pop Culture with in-depth looks at the films, television programs, books and magazines the film has inspired, as well as the recent attempts to bring the story of the film to the Broadway stage.

 Written by Media Mikes co-creator Michael A. Smith, and featuring a foreword by Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss, the book also highlights (50) fans (the “Finatics”) of the film from all over the world, including the United States, Great Britain, Serbia and Ukraine.

 

Packed with nearly 300 full color photographs, the book is a salute to the film as well as to the fans that have made Jaws the beloved classic it is. 

Also being released in June is the 50^th Anniversary Edition of Edith Blake’s 1975 book “On Location – On Martha’s Vineyard:  The Making of the Movie Jaws.”  The new edition will not only includes the original book but expanded and updated material written by Smith.  Also included are dozens of new photographs taken on the set of Jaws by Ms. Blake, a photographer for the local newspaper, in 1974 that have never previously been published.  Both books are being published by BearManor Media and will be available on Amazon.com and other book outlets.   

NEW DOCUMENTARY ‘THE BALLAD OF JUDAS PRIEST’ IN PRODUCTION FROM SONY MUSIC VISION

Film Co-Directed by Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello

Produced by Emmy and Peabody-Winning Banger Films

Photo Credit: Andy ‘Elvis’ McGovern

Sony Music Vision, in association with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, today announced the production of The Ballad of Judas Priest, a new documentary about legendary GRAMMY-winning English heavy metal band Judas Priest and their epic journey to the top of rock and roll.

Co-directed by documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in his directorial debut, the documentary will celebrate the legendary band’s lasting impact on music and culture with their influence reaching far beyond metal. Featuring unforgettable anthems and pop culture staples like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” The Ballad of Judas Priest will capture the passion, resilience and enduring legacy of a band whose music and story continue to inspire generations.

Rising from humble, working-class roots in Birmingham, UK, to become global rock legends, Judas Priest didn’t just help shape heavy metal culture – they forged it. Widely credited as being one of the pioneers of the Heavy Metal genre in the 1970s, Judas Priest has sold more than 50 million records and released 19 studio albums for their legion of dedicated fans around the world. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With their 2024 album “Invincible Shield,” the band became the first heavy metal band to release studio albums 50 years apart. The album drew widespread acclaim, receiving a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance. This fall, they will be joined by Alice Cooper for a co-headlining tour across 22 North American cities.

Judas Priest said, “We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”

“While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story,” co-directors Morello and Dunn said. “Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”

The documentary is a production of Banger Films and directed by Sam Dunn and Tom Morello. Producers include Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. It is executive produced by Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, and Jayne Andrews. Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener and Abby Davis serve as executive producers for Sony Music Vision. Sylvia Rhone is executive producer for Epic Records. The film is presented and distributed by Sony Music Vision.

A documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the cult classic “Jaws: The Revenge” 

ORLANDO, FL – May 8, 2025 — MediaMikes.com founder and film producer Mike Gencarelli is making waves with his latest project: a new film titled “Jaws Goes to the Bahamas – A Documentary”. The film will dive deep into the making, legacy, and cult following of the infamous 1987 sequel Jaws: The Revenge — one of the most talked-about entries in the iconic Jaws franchise.   

The documentary will explore the tropical shoot, behind-the-scenes experiences, and the surprising fanbase that has developed around the film over the years. Gencarelli, media entrepreneur and owner of production company, Voight-Kampff Productions, will direct and produce the project. 

“Jaws: The Revenge may not have redefined the blockbuster, but it’s a fascinating chapter in movie history,” said Gencarelli. “It’s bold, bizarre, and strangely beloved—and this time its personal (…again). Fans deserve it and what better time than its 40th anniversary”.  

“Jaws Goes to the Bahamas – A Documentary” will feature exclusive interviews with cast and crew, production stories from the Caribbean set, and commentary from film historians, fans, and critics. The project aims to celebrate the film’s unintended charm while exploring the challenges that shaped its troubled production and cult status.  

Production is currently underway, and the film is currently crowdfunding on Indiegogo, with a Summer 2027 release planned, timed to meet the 40^th anniversary of Jaws: The Revenge. 

For updates, follow them on Facebook and to support the project, visit JawsTheRevengeDoc.com. 

 

 

LET’S TALK JAWS LIVE!, co-hosted by our own Mike Smith, will be traveling to Amity as the first official event of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s Amity Homecoming Weekend, held in partnership with the Vineyard Gazette, June 19-22, 2025 on Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the motion picture JAWS.

LET’S TALK JAWS LIVE!...LIVE! will record their popular Youtube show in front of a live audience on Thursday, June 19^th beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Besides hosts Jane Jones Clark, Nate Jones and Michael Smith, scheduled special guests will include Jeffrey Kramer, Joe Alves and Dennis Prince.  The performance is a benefit for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.  Tickets are $65.00, which includes live audience seating, a ticket to the Museum’s “Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive” exhibit and a special MV Museum commemorative item.

For tickets and more information, please click HERE.

 

 #LetsTalkJawsLive

 #Jaws50MV

#AmityHomecoming

#MarthasVineyard #MVM

 

 

 

Anora, a low budget independent film from one of my favorite film companies, NEON, took home the Best Picture Oscar at the 97^th Academy Awards, held this past Sunday night.

 

 

 

 

Nominated for six awards, the film won five.  Besides Best Picture, Anora won for Best Actress (Mikey Madison) and Best Direction, Screenplay and Film Editing. What’s even more remarkable is that the last four awards were won by one person, Sean Baker.  In doing so, Mr. Baker ties Walt Disney for most Oscar wins by one person in one ceremony.

 

 

 

Adrien Brody was named Best Actor for the second time in his career for his work in The Brutalist while the Latvian film Flow took home the prize for Best Animated Feature.   Emilia Perez, which led all films with (13) nominations, only won two awards – Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana and Best Song for “El Mal.”   Kieran Culkin was named Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film A Real Pain.

 

 

1^st time host Conan O’Brien was funny and comfortable throughout the evening, though I found the fact that he felt the need to highlight the 20^th Anniversary of Kill Bill and ignore the 50^th Anniversary of JAWS unconscionable.  Maybe the Academy will remember ROCKY next year!

 

 

 

 

Here is a complete list of winners:

 

Best picture

• “Anora”

Best actress

• Mikey Madison, “Anora”

Best actor

• Adrian Brody, “The Brutalist”

Best supporting actor

• Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

Best supporting actress

• Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”

Best director

• Sean Baker, “Anora”

Best cinematography

• “The Brutalist,” Lol Crawley

Best animated feature

• “Flow”

 Best animated short

• “In the Shadow of the Cypress”

Best costume design

• “Wicked,” Paul Tazewell

Best original screenplay

• “Anora,” Sean Baker

Best adapted screenplay

• “Conclave,” Peter Straughan

Best makeup and hairstyling

• “The Substance”

Best film editing

• “Anora,” Sean Baker

Best production design

• “Wicked,” Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales

Best original song

• “El Mal,” “Emilia Pérez” (Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard)

Best documentary short

• “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”

Best documentary feature

• “No Other Land,” Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor

Best sound

• “Dune: Part Two”

Best visual effects

• “Dune: Part Two”

Best live-action short

• “I’m Not a Robot”

Best international feature\

• “I’m Still Here,” Walter Salles (Brazil)

Best original score

• “The Brutalist,” Daniel Blumberg

As the 40th anniversary of Return of the Living Dead approaches in 2025, DRagonSTUDIOS, the official copyright holders, proudly announce a brand-new cinematic universe! Kicking it off with the highly anticipated feature film: TRASH’s REVENGE part of The Return of the Living Dead Universe.

Legendary actress Linnea Quigley, who brought the iconic character Trash to life in the original film, has joined forces with DRagonSTUDIOS to return to the world of the undead in this thrilling new chapter.

And here’s the best part, you can be a part of this epic adventure! Join us in making horror history by supporting our crowdfunding campaign and becoming a key player in the next evolution of the Return of the Living Dead universe!

Click here to support the film: https://cinebacker.com/product/trashs-revenge-rotld-universe/

What is TRASH’s REVENGE all about

As the saga continues decades after the horrific events of the 1985 cult classic, Trash the notorious punk rocker, played by Linnea Quigley, finds herself trapped in a past where fame has faded. Once a rebellious icon, Trash now embraces the persona of a grotesque Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard, attending conventions to sign autographs while her co-stars rise to greater heights.

For Linnea, her legacy as a star of Return of the Living Dead becomes both a curse and a twisted ticket to notoriety in an industry obsessed with horror and scandal. But when a young filmmaker approaches her to make a documentary with staged re-enactments from the original film to celebrate the film’s 40th Anniversary, Linnea sees an opportunity to reclaim her place in the spotlight no matter the cost.

As the documentary delves into her past, a shocking truth emerges: Return of the Living Dead wasn’t just fiction, part of it was real. Linnea confesses that she still possesses three original cannisters from the film, hidden away in her basement. Cannisters that were never revealed to the public… until now.

 

The French film Emilia Pérez led the pack when nominations for the 97^th Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning, earing 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best International Feature.  It was followed by the historical epic The Brutalist and the mega-hit musical Wicked, which each earned 10 nominations.  Other films gaining several nominations include both A Complete Unknown and Conclave, which received 8 nominations each.

 

As in recent years, there were quite a few first-time acting nominations including both Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice, Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain and Guy Pearce in The Brutalist.  Other first timers: Demi Moore (The Substance), Monica Barbaro (A Compete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) and Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez).  On a personal note, I was pleased that Strong was nominated, as I championed his performance in my review of the film.

 

Below is a complete list of nominees.

 

Best Picture

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

I’m Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance

Wicked

 

Best Directing

Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez

Sean Baker, Anora

Brady Corbet, The Brutalist

Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

James Mangold, A Complete Unknown

Best Actor In A Leading Role

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

 

Best Actress In A Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked

Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez

Mikey Madison, Anora

Demi Moore, The Substance

Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here

 

Best Actor In A Supporting Role

Yura Borisov, Anora

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce, The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Best Actress In A Supporting Role

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown

Ariana Grande, Wicked

Felicity Jones, The Brutalist

Isabella Rossellini, Conclave

Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

 

Best Adapted Screenplay

A Complete Unknown, James Mangold and Jay Cocks

Conclave, Peter Straughan

Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard in collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi

Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes

Sing Sing, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin and John “Divine G” Whitfield

 

Best Original Screenplay

Anora, Sean Baker

The Brutalist, Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg

September 5, Moritz Binder and Tim Fehlbaum and co-written by Alex David

The Substance, Coralie Fargeat

Best Costume Design

A Complete Unknown, Arianne Phillips

Conclave, Lisy Christl

Gladiator II, Janty Yates and Dave Crossman

Nosferatu, Linda Muir

Wicked, Paul Tazewell

 

Best Makeup And Hairstyling

A Different Man, Mike Marino, David Presto and Crystal Jurado

Emilia Pérez, Julia Floch Carbonel, Emmanuel Janvier and Jean-Christophe Spadaccini

Nosferatu, David White, Traci Loader and Suzanne Stokes-Munton

The Substance, Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli

Wicked, Frances Hannon, Laura Blount and Sarah Nuth

 

Best Original Score

The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg

Conclave, Volker Bertelmann

Emilia Pérez, Clément Ducol and Camille

Wicked, John Powell and Stephen Schwartz

The Wild Robot, Kris Bowers

 

Best Live-Action Short Film

A Lien

Anuja

I’m Not a Robot

The Last Ranger

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

 

Best Animated Short Film

Beautiful Men

In the Shadow of the Cypress

Magic Candies

Wander to Wonder

Yuck!

Best Production Design

The Brutalist, Production Design: Judy Becker; Set Decoration: Patricia Cuccia

Conclave, Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Cynthia Sleiter

Dune: Part Two, Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Nosferatu, Production Design: Craig Lathrop; Set Decoration: Beatrice Brentnerová

Wicked, Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Best Cinematography

The Brutalist, Lol Crawley

Dune: Part Two, Greig Fraser

Emilia Pérez, Paul Guilhaume

Maria, Ed Lachman

Nosferatu, Jarin Blaschke

 

Best Film Editing

Anora, Sean Baker

The Brutalist, David Jancso

Conclave, Nick Emerson

Emilia Pérez, Juliette Welfling

Wicked, Myron Kerstein

 

Best Original Song

“Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late. Music and Lyrics by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin

“El Mal” from Emilia Pérez. Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; Lyric by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard

“Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez. Music and Lyric by Camille and Clément Ducol

“Like A Bird” from Sing Sing. Music and Lyric by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada

“The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight. Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren

 

Best Documentary Feature Film

Black Box Diaries

No Other Land

Porcelain War

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat

Sugarcane

 

Best Documentary Short Film

Death by Numbers

I Am Ready, Warden

Incident

Instruments of a Beating Heart

The Only Girl in the Orchestra

 

Best International Feature Film

Brazil, I’m Still Here

Denmark, The Girl With the Needle

France, Emilia Pérez

Germany, The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Latvia, Flow

 

Best Animated Feature Film

Flow

Inside Out 2

Memoir of a Snail

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

 

Best Sound

A Complete Unknown, Tod A. Maitland, Donald Sylvester, Ted Caplan, Paul Massey and David Giammarco

Dune: Part Two, Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett and Doug Hemphill

Emilia Pérez, Erwan Kerzanet, Aymeric Devoldère, Maxence Dussère, Cyril Holtz and Niels Barletta

Wicked, Simon Hayes, Nancy Nugent Title, Jack Dolman, Andy Nelson and John Marquis

The Wild Robot, Randy Thom, Brian Chumney, Gary A. Rizzo and Leff Lefferts

Best Visual Effects

Alien: Romulus, Eric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin and Shane Mahan

Better Man, Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft and Peter Stubbs

Dune: Part Two, Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story and Rodney Burke

Wicked, Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul Corbould

 

The winners for the 97th Oscars will be announced on Sunday, March 2, Conan O’Brien will host the live broadcast, which will air on ABC-TV and stream on Hulu.

8 years in the making, RIP (Recovery in Progress) is an experimental short film collection. To date, the shorts have screened at selected genre film festivals around the world and have picked up numerous awards. With the exception of Fried Barry, none of these have been released online as the intention was always to release them as an impactful collection.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE (Ryan Kruger) I had found myself at a point in my career, where I was frustrated with purely investing my time and energy in music videos alone. I had full creative control with each video’s narrative and how they were shot. However, I was still restricted by music genre and content. I felt that I couldn’t push the boundaries or my visual style. This was of course all before Fried Barry. These creative restrictions built up feelings of depression and deep frustration at the lack of artistic expression that I was confined to. So I decided, I would work towards completing a number of experimental films that allowed me to truly express myself and fulfill my creative needs. This led to a 8 year project that I am proud to present to the world and looking back I am grateful for the hard times, as this collection of short films was the creative seed that led to the birth of my feature film, Fried Barry.

EXPERIMENTAL FILMMAKING Personally, experimental filmmaking is a unique and powerful art form that allows us to be artists in the truest sense. The word “experimental” is all about trying something new and different…so different that, at first, it can cause confusion, or make the viewer feel uncomfortable. Some films revel in disorder or chaos, ideas colliding without enforced structure, others are milder and convey surreal imagery and/or visual metaphors. Many of these films are intended to be shocking and horrific, but all are open to a multitude of interpretations. Experimental filmmaking is a world of its own, and it’s one that is often overlooked by the majority of filmmakers these days.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Regular Show: The Complete Series

Enjoy The Hit Series on DVD February 4

BURBANK, CA (December 19, 2024) Cartoon Network’s Emmy® Award-winning animated comedy series is coming to DVD for the first time ever, with the release of Regular Show: The Complete Series on DVD February 4, 2025. Get ready to binge on all 245 episodes of the hit series starring Mordecai, Rigby and their collection of pals, along with a bodacious assortment of special features, and a movie!!!, which add up to more than 50 HOURS of content!

ABOUT THE REGULAR SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES:

Regular Show follows the lives of best friends Mordecai and Rigby, whose lazy afternoon adventures always seem to be interrupted by zombies and misadventures with their gang of friends Benson, Pops, Muscle Man, Hi-Five Ghost, Skips, Thomas, Margaret and Eileen or sometimes even dealing with Death himself.

Created by JG Quintel and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the series originally premiered in September 2010 and remains to be a massive hit with new and old fans alike. The show has inspired consumer products ranging from collectibles, apparel, accessories, and games available at major retailers nationwide.

A new Regular Show project is currently in production at Cartoon Network Studios.

Regular Show: The Complete Series

Includes all 245 episodes created over the years, including specials, and a movie.

PRODUCT                       

DVD                                 

Audio: English

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 50 Hours

Rated: TV-PG

About Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels. WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

GHOST
RITE HERE RITE NOW
4K, Blu-Ray, DVD, VHS Available for Pre-Order
Now Streaming at VEEPS, Available to Pre-Order for Purchase or Rental via iTunes and Amazon

By Popular Demand the #1 Hard Rock Cinema Event in US History Comes to Home Video December 6

Following a rapturously received global streaming premiere, RITE HERE RITE NOW is now available for pre-order on DVD, BluRay, 4K and VHS — to stream at VEEPS, and to pre-order for purchase or rental in advance of its October 28 digital release via iTunes and Amazon. The film captures all songs played during GHOST’s now-legendary sold out two-night stand at L.A.’s Kia Forum — including tracks not on its #1-charting soundtrack album — while proving to be much more than a mere concert film: Stunning performance footage is interwoven with a narrative that develops and advances plot threads from the band’s long-running Chapters webisode series, featuring familiar faces interacting behind the scenes with GHOST’s Papa IV, as his future and fate rest with the Ministry.

For more information, go to https://ghost-official.com/

THE DEADPOOL CORPS INVADED THE BIG APPLE
ON A “BIG A** BUS TOUR” TO CELEBRATE THE
HIGHEST-GROSSING R-RATED FILM OF ALL TIME

LESLIE UGGAMS (AKA BLIND AL, AKA BESTIE FOR LIFE) JOINED
THE DEADPOOL VARIANTS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE IS NOW ON DIGITAL AND ARRIVES ON
4K UHD, BLU-RAY AND DVD THIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22

Photo Credit: offbrandproject

LFG!!! To celebrate the summer blockbuster hit, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, the Deadpool Corps rolled through the Big Apple for the first time on a wild bus tour that had fans losing their chimichangas in excitement! The tour gave superfans the chance to take iconic selfies and grab exclusive prizes from the Deadpool variants.

The adventure, in true Merc-with-a-Mouth style, broke the fourth wall at every turn, with stops at some of Manhattan’s most famous landmarks, including Times Square, Grand Central Station and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The action-packed day ended at New York Comic Con, where fans were joined by none other than Leslie Uggams (aka “Blind Al”) and an army of Deadpool and Wolverine cosplayers, capping off an epic celebration of the iconic duo.

The #1 R-Rated movie of all time is now available at digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home), and arrives on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 22.

Film Synopsis
Marvel Studios presents their most significant mistake to date – Deadpool & Wolverine. A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life. His days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. When his home world faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit up again with an even more reluctantlier… reluctanter? Reluctantest? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to… oh hell, just watch the movie. Synopses are stupid.

SHUDDER GOES BIG AT NEW YORK COMIC CON WITH
MULTI-PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2025

Poster And Release Date Revealed For Wrestling Horror Film
DARK MATCH Starring Chris Jericho

V/H/S Franchise To Continue With Eighth Installment
Following Success of V/H/S/BEYOND

Teaser Trailer Premiere For Flying Lotus’ ASH
Starring Eiza González And Aaron Paul

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, previewed its highly anticipated 2025 film lineup during a special panel at New York Comic Con 2024. The event, titled “Shudder is here to Scare the S*** Out of You,” was led by Shudder’s VP of Programming, Samuel Zimmerman, and featured a distinguished group of horror industry talents including actors David Dastmalchian and Devon Sawa, musician and director Flying Lotus, actor and director Kate Siegel, and director Tina Romero. During the panel, Shudder revealed several key updates: the upcoming release of DARK MATCH, a wrestling-themed horror film debuting on January 31, 2025, and a first-look teaser for the sci-fi horror feature ASH, set for theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025. Additionally, Shudder confirmed the greenlight for the highly anticipated eighth installment of the V/H/S franchise.

“At New York Comic Con we are not only celebrating an exciting 2024 at Shudder, showcasing the fearless and provocative voices of our filmmakers, but looking ahead,” commented Samuel Zimmerman. “As 2025 and our 10th anniversary draws near, DARK MATCH, V/H/S/8, and ASH are just the beginning of our boldest, most frightening year yet.”

Shudder has acquired the US, UKI, and ANZ rights to DARK MATCH, written and directed by Lowell Dean and starring wrestling superstar Chris Jericho (TERRIFIER 2), Ayisha Issa (TRANSPLANT), Steven Ogg (THE WALKING DEAD, WESTWORLD), Sara Canning (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Michael Eklund (THE CALL) and Jonathan Cherry (GOON).

In DARK MATCH, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. The film will debut on Shudder on January 31, 2025.

The found footage franchise V/H/S will continue with an eighth film, set to debut on Shudder in 2025. The news comes on the heels of a record-breaking opening for the latest installment V/H/S/BEYOND, which debuted on Friday, October 4 and became the #2 most streamed film of all time across Shudder and AMC+ and the most streamed movie in the V/H/S franchise.

RLJE Films and Shudder have acquired the US rights to Grammy Award Winner Flying Lotus’ second feature ASH. The film stars Eiza González (BABY DRIVER, 3 BODY PROBLEM), Aaron Paul (BREAKING BAD, WESTWORLD), Iko Uwais (THE RAID, THE NIGHT COMES FOR US), Beulah Koale (NEXT GOAL WINS), and Kate Elliott (WENTWORTH), and will feature an original score composed by Flying Lotus, whose previous films include the Shudder Original KUSO and a segment in V/H/S/99. ASH will have a wide theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025.

On the mysterious planet of Ash, Riya (González) awakens to find her crew slaughtered. When a man named Brion (Paul) arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues while Riya and Brion must decide if they can trust one another to survive.

KEVIN SMITH ENLISTS BEAR McCREARY FOR THE SOUNDTRACK TO NEW FILM
THE 4:30 MOVIE

FILM AND ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK OUT TODAY – LISTEN

This week, writer-director Kevin Smith’s new film, The 4:30 Movie, premieres with an original soundtrack by award-winning composer Bear McCreary. The two-time GRAMMY®-nominated, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning composer’s original soundtrack is available now on all DSPs via Sparks & Shadows Records.

Set in the pre-cell phone, social media-free era of the ’80s, The 4:30 Movie is a coming-of-age story about three sixteen-year-old friends (played by Austin Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo, and Reed Northrup) who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local multiplex. But when one of the guys also invites the girl of his dreams (Siena Agudong) to see the latest comedy, each teen will learn something serious about life and love before the credits roll.

Smith shot the film at his Smodcastle Cinemas in New Jersey—the same movie theater he haunted every weekend when he was a teenager. The trailer and more info about the film are available here.

The film marks the third collaboration between Smith and McCreary, who teamed up previously on Smith’s star-studded animated series for Netflix and Mattel, Masters of the Universe: Revelation and Masters of the Universe: Revolution.

“Bear McCreary made magic with The 4:30 Movie, composing a sonic salute to the ’80s era that’s as much a time tunnel to 1986 as it is a joyful movie score,” says Smith. “The closing banger he and his brother, Brendan, wrote and recorded for the end credits, “24 Karat Case of Love,” is the greatest ’80s radio hit that never happened!”

Adds McCreary, “I was thrilled to join Kevin Smith to score The 4:30 Movie, his nostalgic odyssey back to the 1980s. Inspired by his sweet-natured story, I had a blast writing a synth-soaked score oozing with arpeggios, drum machines, and hair-metal riffs, backed with classic symphonic orchestration. A highlight was collaborating with my brother, Brendan McCreary, on the film’s two original songs, “Astroblaster and the Beaver Men,” which evokes that ’80s futuristic-rock aesthetic, and the film’s end title song, “24 Karat Case of Love,” which feels like a lost synth-pop gem from the neon-tinged, balmy summer of 1986.”

Listen to Bear McCreary’s The 4:30 Movie soundtrack

Bear McCreary – The 4:30 Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Tracklist

1. 24 Karat Case of Love (feat. Brendan McCreary)
2. Astroblaster and the Beaver Men (feat. Brendan McCreary)
3. A Very Unassuming Day
4. In the Pool
5. Major Murder
6. Manager Mike
7. Trailers
8. Banned for Life
9. Friends Don’t Fight
10. Death to the Moviemobile
11. Melody’s Melody

Written and Directed by Benjamin Barfoot Streaming on Shudder Friday, October 11th

Fantastic Fest Screenings
World Premiere
Sunday, September 22nd
11:25pm

Screening #2
Monday, September 23rd
5:15pm

Synopsis
In the wake of his father’s untimely death, a young boy is left in the eerie solitude of a sprawling country estate with his newly widowed stepmother. Struggling to navigate the overwhelming task of parenthood, his stepmother grows distant, leaving their fragile bond at risk of collapse. Amidst the growing tension, the boy begins to hear unsettling sounds echoing through the corridors, and is soon haunted by the presence of a grotesque creature bearing a disturbingly familiar resemblance to his late father. As the boy’s warnings are dismissed as the imagination of a grieving child, the sinister entity tightens its grip on their crumbling lives.

About the Director
Benjamin Barfoot is a self-taught filmmaker from Torbay, Devon. Beginning with animation films as a child, he quickly moved onto video where he taught himself an array of skills from cameras and editing to animation, visual effects and sound design. Moving to London with a short animated film he had made at home, he was nominated for a Broadcast Young Talent Award and began cutting his teeth in London with everything from film trailers, motion graphic promos to documentaries for BBC. Whilst between these jobs, he continued to create his own work, experimenting with dark animated shorts to fully improvised comedies that he shot and edited.

It was these comedy films, created with his friend and collaborator Danny Morgan, that eventually lead to his directorial debut, Double Date. Released in 2017 to cinemas nationwide, the film saw him shortlisted for a BIFA for best debut director, whilst winning best international feature at Strasbourg that year. Benjamin also worked with the band Goat on the soundtrack. The success of this musical collaboration inspired him further to experiment with music production whilst developing his own original screenplays. Daddy’s Head is Barfoot’s second feature; He wrote, directed and edited the film, as well as composed the soundtrack.

Director: Benjamin Barfoot
Screenwriter: Benjamin Barfoot
Cast: Julia Brown, Rupert Turnbull, Charles Aitken, Nathaniel Martello-White
Producers: Matthew James Wilkinson, Patrick Tolan
Cinematographer: Miles Ridgway
Editor: Benjamin Barfoot
Composer: Benjamin Barfoot
Language: English
Country of Origin: UK
Running Time: 97 minutes