After twenty-five years, the wait is almost over. You can finally be part of one of the most sought-after lost films in horror history All American Massacre, starring Miquel Nunez (Return of the Living Dead) & Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) NOW crowdfunding on Cinebacker.com

In the wake of the groundbreaking success of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its cult-classic sequel, director Tobe Hooper, his son William Tony Hooper, and horror icon Bill Moseley came together to explore a new nightmare rooted in the Texas mythos. The result was All American Massacre, a micro-budget fan-driven project conceived as an experimental extension of the world established by the original films.

All American Massacre was never intended for commercial release. It was created as an early fan film one of the first of its kind developed outside the traditional studio system and made primarily as a creative exercise rather than a market-driven production.

That was twenty-five years ago.

The resulting footage was believed lost, spoken of only in whispers among horror fans and collectors, with repeated promises of release that never materialized.

Until now.

When DRagon Studios lawfully acquired the raw All American Massacre footage from a private seller, our first priority was the professional restoration of the material and a full assessment of how it could be completed and presented to modern audiences within a documentary.

During this process, the project evolved beyond a standalone film. All American Massacre is now being developed as a central component of a feature-length documentary that explores its troubled production history, cultural significance, and long-standing place within The Texas Chainsaw Massacre mythology.

The documentary will also incorporate carefully staged reconstruction scenes inspired by key moments from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986). These reconstructions are designed to visually connect the original films with All American Massacre widely regarded by fans as the unofficial third chapter framing the project as a “trilogy of nightmares” that begins with the first two films and is followed by the long-lost spin-off.

Our objective is to assemble All American Massacre in the most complete and respectful form possible, finally allowing audiences to see this footage for the first time, presented alongside a documentary that fully contextualises its creation, legacy, and relationship to the wider franchise.

The result will be:

A feature-length documentary examining the film’s history, legacy, and cultural impact

Reconstruction sequences linking The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1 & 2) with a recreated version of All American Massacre, designed specifically as a companion experience for fans.

All American Massacre presented as a companion film, forming part of an expanded Texas Chainsaw Massacre mythology.

Mediamikes has teamed with their friends at Amazon/MGM to give (25) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film, “Crime 101” in Kansas City.

The film will be screened on Tuesday, February 10th at the Screenland Armor Theatre in North Kansas City, Missouri.  The screening will start at 7:00 p.m.

To receive your pass, click HERE.  The first (25) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come-first serve giveaway.  Once the allotted passes have been claimed, the giveaway is ended.

“Crime 101” opens nationally on Friday, February 13th.

Good Luck!!

Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s supernatural period drama about twin bootlegging brothers, set a new record when the nominations for the 98^th Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning, earning an impressive (16) nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay and Actor.  This breaks the previous nomination record of (14) set by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land.  One of the nominations came in the newly created category recognizing the film’s casting.  Other films with multiple nominations, including Best Picture, were One Battle after Another (13) with Frankenstein and Marty Supreme both getting (9) nominations.  Other Best Picture nominees:  Bugonia, F1, Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value and Train Dreams.   Oddly enough, one year after the film Wicked earned (10) nominations, Wicked for Good received no recognition, not even in the technical categories (Visual Effects, Sound, etc) where it placed the year before.

First time acting nominees include Michaeel B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo from Sinners, Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) and Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value).  They were nominated alongside previous Oscar winners including a trifecta – Leonardo Di Caprio, Benecio del Toro and Sean Penn, all nominated for their work in One Battle after Another and two-time Best Actress winner Emma Stone (Bugonia).

The 98^th Annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 15^th, on ABC television.

Here is a complete list of nominees:

Actor in a Leading Role

Timothée Chalamet

Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio

One Battle after Another

Ethan Hawke

Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan

Sinners

Wagner Moura

The Secret Agent

Actor in a Supporting Role

Benicio Del Toro

One Battle after Another

Jacob Elordi

Frankenstein

Delroy Lindo

Sinners

Sean Penn

One Battle after Another

Stellan Skarsgård

Sentimental Value

Actress in a Leading Role

Jessie Buckley

Hamnet

Rose Byrne

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Kate Hudson

Song Sung Blue

Renate Reinsve

Sentimental Value

Emma Stone

Bugonia

Actress in a Supporting Role

Elle Fanning

Sentimental Value

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas

Sentimental Value

Amy Madigan

Weapons

Wunmi Mosaku

Sinners

Teyana Taylor

One Battle after Another

Animated Feature Film

Arco

Elio

KPop Demon Hunters

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Zootopia 2

Animated Short Film

Butterfly

Forevergreen

The Girl Who Cried Pearls

Retirement Plan

The Three Sisters

Casting

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle after Another

The Secret Agent

Sinners

Cinematography

Frankenstein

Marty Supreme

One Battle after Another

Sinners

Train Dreams

Costume Design

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

Sinners

Directing

Hamnet

Chloé Zhao

Marty Supreme

Josh Safdie

One Battle after Another

Paul Thomas Anderson

Sentimental Value

Joachim Trier

Sinners

Ryan Coogler

Documentary Feature Film

The Alabama Solution

Come See Me in the Good Light

Cutting through Rocks

Mr. Nobody against Putin

The Perfect Neighbor

Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms

Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”

The Devil Is Busy

Perfectly a Strangeness

Film Editing

F1

Marty Supreme

One Battle after Another

Sentimental Value

Sinners

International Feature Film

Brazil

The Secret Agent

France

It Was Just an Accident

Norway

Sentimental Value

Spain

Sirāt

Tunisia

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Live Action Short Film

Butcher’s Stain

A Friend of Dorothy

Jane Austen’s Period Drama

The Singers

Two People Exchanging Saliva

Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein

Kokuho

Sinners

The Smashing Machine

The Ugly Stepsister

Music (Original Score)

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

One Battle after Another

Sinners

Music (Original Song)

“Dear Me”

from Diane Warren: Relentless; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

“Golden”

from KPop Demon Hunters; Music and Lyric by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon and Teddy Park

“I Lied To You”

from Sinners; Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson

“Sweet Dreams Of Joy”

from Viva Verdi!; Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike

“Train Dreams”

from Train Dreams; Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyric by Nick Cave

Best Picture

Bugonia

F1

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle after Another

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

Production Design

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle after Another

Sinners

Sound

F1

Frankenstein

One Battle after Another

Sinners

Sirāt

Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash

F1

Jurassic World Rebirth

The Lost Bus

Sinners

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

One Battle after Another

Train Dreams

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Blue Moon

It Was Just an Accident

Marty Supreme

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” nominated in eight categories, received five awards at the 60th Annual James Loutzenhiser Awards, voted on by the members of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC). These included Best Film, the Robert Altman Award for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. Director Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” received three awards, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Two awards went to “Weapons,” including Best Supporting Actress for Amy Madigan.

The KCFCC, the second oldest professional film critic organization in the United States, was founded in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser (1931-2001), who served as the group’s president for over 30 years. Other awards of note included “Sinners” winning the Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and “Hedda” winning the Tom Poe Award for Best LGBTQ Film. Below is a complete list of the winners from the 60th Annual James Loutzenhiser Awards:

BEST FILM: “One Battle After Another”

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”

BEST ACTRESS: Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Madigan, “Weapons”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: “Weapons”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “One Battle After Another”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: “One Battle After Another”

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: “Sinners”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: “KPop Demon Hunters”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “It Was Just an Accident”

BEST DOCUMENTARY: “Secret Mall Apartment”

VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY/HORROR FILM: “Sinners”

TOM POE AWARD FOR THE BEST LGBTQ FILM: “Hedda”

Voting members of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) have selected nominees in 16 different categories recognizing the best in what cinema had to offer during 2025. Four films dominated the nominations with “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” having nine nominations each, “Frankenstein” with seven, and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” with five. A final vote to select award winners will take place on December 21 st as part of the 60th  Annual James Loutzenhiser Awards. The KCFCC, the second oldest professional film critic organization in the United States, was founded in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser (1931-2001), who served as the group’s president for over 30 years.

Below is a complete list of the nominees for the 60th Annual James Loutzenhiser Awards Ceremony:

BEST FILM

“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“It Was Just an Accident”
“Marty Supreme”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
“Weapons”

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR

Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another”
Ari Aster – “Eddington”
Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”
Rian Johnson – “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
Guillermo del Toro – “Frankenstein”
Joachim Trier – “Sentimental Value”

BEST ACTOR

Timothée Chalamet – “Marty Supreme”
Leonardo DiCaprio – “One Battle After Another”
Michael B. Jordan – “Sinners”
Joel Edgerton – “Train Dreams”
Ethan Hawke – “Blue Moon”

BEST ACTRESS

Rose Byrne – “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Jessie Buckley – “Hamnet”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Die My Love”
Renate Reinsve – “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone – “Bugonia”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio Del Toro – “One Battle After Another”
Jacob Elordi – “Frankenstein”
Delroy Lindo – “Sinners”
Josh O’Connor – “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
Sean Penn – “One Battle After Another”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Glenn Close – “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – “Sentimental Values”
Amy Madigan – “Weapons”
Wunmi Mosaku – “Sinners”
Teyana Taylor – “One Battle After Another”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“Marty Supreme”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”
“Sorry Baby”
“Weapons”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“Life of Chuck”
“One Battle After Another”
“Train Dreams”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

“F1: The Movie”
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sinners”

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
“Frankenstein”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sinners”
“Tron: Ares”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

“Arco”
“The Bad Guys 2”
“KPop Demon Hunters”
“Predator: Killer of Killers”
“Zootopia 2”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

“Arco”
“It Was Just an Accident”
“No Other Choice”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sentimental Value”

BEST DOCUMENTARY

“My Mom Jayne”
“Orwell: 2+2=5”
“The Perfect Neighbor”
“Secret Mall Apartment”
“We Best the Dream Team”

VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY/HORROR

“28 Years Later”
“Frankenstein”
“Sinners”
“Superman”
“Weapons”

TOM POE AWARD FOR BEST LGBTQ FILM

“Hedda”
“The History of Sound”
“Twinless”
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
“The Wedding Banquet”

BUSTER KEATON AWARD FOR THE BEST STUNT ENSEMBLE FILM

“F1: The Movie”
“Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning”
“Nobody 2”
“The Running Man”
“Warfare”

The “Jaws: The Revenge” documentary which previously titled “Jaws Goes to the Bahamas” was recently retitled to “The Shark That Roared”. The film celebrates the upcoming 40th anniversary of “Jaws: The Revenge” from box office flop to cult classic. It also received a new poster, see above, and also a new Executive Producer, Kevin Smith.

Kevin Smith’s career started with low-budget comedy film “Clerks” in 1994, which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in as the character Silent Bob of stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob. Smith’s later films include “Mallrats”, “Chasing Amy”, “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”. 

The film also recently launched a campaign on Kickstarter trying to raise finishing funds in order to complete the film. Click here if you would like to check out the new rewards available and help this film cross the finish line and raise funds.

THE RUN— a brand-new Interactive Full-Motion Video (FMV) horror-thriller from Benacus Entertainment in association with RNF Productions, written and directed by Paul Raschid (The Complex, Five Dates, Ten Dates, The Gallery, Hello Stranger).

Launching tomorrow Tuesday, October 28 on iOS and Android ($9.99), THE RUN fuses cinematic storytelling with immersive gameplay, making it equally compelling for film lovers and interactive entertainment fans.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Lake Garda, Italy, THE RUN stars Roxanne McKee (Game of Thrones), George Blagden (Vikings), and features cameos from Dario Argento and Franco Nero. The viewer guides the story through branching paths, with multiple endings and 3+ hours of footage, turning every decision into a fight for survival.

THE RUN was an official selection at Raindance (London), Motelx (Lisbon), Dinard (Brittany), and Imagine (Amsterdam).

Jackie Earle Haley Hosts the Most Twisted Game Show You’ll Ever Survive “YOUR HOST”

AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL/PURCHASE ON VOD PLATFORMS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH

Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions’ new horror-thriller YOUR HOST, a twisted, high-concept psychological nightmare that’s already receiving acclaim, will be available Worldwide on VOD for rental or purchase this Tuesday, October 14th.

Directed by DW Medoff and starring Academy Award Nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen, Shutter Island), Ella-Rae Smith (Sweetheart, “Into the Badlands”), and Jamie Flatters (Black Dog, Avatar: The Way of the Water), Haley commands the screen with unsettling charisma, blending game-show charm and pure menace in a role that feels tailor-made for him. It’s dark, intense, and impossible to look away from!!

Watch the Trailer: HERE

YOUR HOST is clever, claustrophobic, and made for Halloween audiences and is the kind of sharp, unsettling horror that film critics and genre fans will be talking about.

Starring JACKIE EARLE HALEY, ELLA-RAE SMITH, and JAMIE FLATTERS

Directed by DW MEDOFF
Written by JOEY MILLER
Produced by SARA SOMETTI MICHAELS and SETH MICHAELS
Associate Produced by REECE FOSTER

Line Producer MATTEO LEURINI
Cinematography by PAOLO CARNERA CCS
Edited by JAN KOVÁC

SYNOPSIS
Four friends become unwilling contestants in a sadistic game show, forced to outwit a twisted serial killer as the clock ticks down. Each decision brings them closer to escape—or a gruesome fate.

Horror-Thriller | 95 Minutes | Not Rated | English | USA | 2025

PHOTOS BY VALENTINO CAPONE

It has been one heck of a summer.  With the return of Jaws to the big screen this weekend, I felt the need to take a look back at the 50^th Anniversary Celebration, which took place on Martha’s Vineyard from June 19-22.  I was not only there as a fan.  I had the amazing honor of taking part in many of the festivities.

Richard Dreyfuss answers questions at LET’S TALK JAWS LIVE@

The official Amity Homecoming Weekend kicked off on Thursday, June 19^th, when the Martha’s Vineyard Museum allowed myself and my co-hosts, Nate Jones and Jane Jones Clark, to record our long running YouTube show, “Let’s Talk JAWS Live!” in front of a sold-out audience, most importantly because it was a fundraising event for the Museum.  We were joined by such JAWS celebrities as Production Designer Joe Alves, actors Jeffrey Kramer, Tom Dunlop and Gary Springer, author Dennis Prince and special effects creator Kasey Erokhin.  Also joining the show via the Internet was actress Gigi Vorgan.  For 90 minutes, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions in an up-close and intimate setting.  What those in attendance didn’t know was that a very special guest had decided to join the show.  The crowd rose as one and burst into applause when Matt Hooper himself, Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss, entered the room.  Taking his place in front of the room, Dreyfuss answered questions and shared stories with Alves and Kramer.  As I write this, the video of Dreyfuss’ surprise entrance has received over two million views on Tik Tok.

Friday, June 20^th, the film’s official 50^th Birthday, saw myself and Joe Alves, along with Dennis Prince, at Edgartown Books, which sponsored a book signing for Joe’s new biography as well as my own “FINATICS – 50 Years of JAWS.”  The crowd was steady for the two hours we were there, often stretching down the street in front of the bookstore.  Other authors, including Ryan Dacko (“The Book of Quint”) and Ira Marcks (“Shark Summer”) also graced the porch of the bookstore that week. 

The ORCA returns

Friday also saw two major panels at the Museum.  The first, “JAWS: A Deep Dive” was presented by Historian and JAWS expert Bow Van Riper.  Later in the day, director Guy Masterson took fans behind the scenes of the Broadway show “The Shark is Broken,” which was scheduled to make its Vineyard debut in July. 

Friday also saw the return of two classic modes of transportation to the Island.  Michael Sterling, who had created his own replica of the famed ORCA, docked it along the water in Oak Bluffs, allowing fans the opportunity to take photos of the classic ship.  On the land, fans were treated to Gabe DiSaverio’s replica of Chief Brody’s Amity PD 1974 Chevy Blazer. 

Finally, Friday also saw the beginning of the largest non-official event of the weekend:  a cast and crew meet and greet held at the Wharf Restaurant.  The event, which took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, was hosted by the Wharf’s longtime manager, Jeffrey Voorhees, who is better known as shark victim Alex Kintner.  As I did not attend the event I reached out to fans that had for their thoughts.  While some enjoyed the experience of having the opportunity to see so many famous Jaws celebrities in the same room, others complained about ticketing issues, the confined space – one attendee wrote “packed like sardines in a hot tin can does come to mind” – while others lamented the fact that guests promoted as appearing via the internet, most notably actor and co-screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, were “inexplicably absent.”  Still, many enjoyed the opportunity to meet a who’s who of Jaws alumni.

Saturday featured two more packed panels.  “Growing Up with Uncle Quint,” featured author Christopher Shaw Myers, the nephew of Jaws co-star Robert Shaw.  Mr. Myer’s mother, Joanna – Robert Shaw’s sister – had appeared at the 2012 JawsFest.  Also speaking that day, Wendy Benchley, the wife of Jaws author Peter Benchley.  Ms. Benchley not only shared stories from the set of the film but also highlighted her work highlighting global ocean conservation efforts.

Later that evening, fans gathered at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort for an outdoor screening of the film, accompanied by the Cape Symphony.  The show began with an appearance by Richard Dreyfuss, who addressed the crowd prior to the screening.

Sunday was the last day and the promoters of the event saved the best for last.  Panels with Joe Alves, with Dennis Prince, Hollywood makeup master Greg Nicotero, and Deputy Hendricks himself, Jeffrey Kramer, were presented to sold out audiences.  The lawn of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum took on a carnival vibe as “Reunion Day,” a joint effort between the Museum and the Vineyard Gazette Media Group, welcomed fans from literally all over the world to mingle with special guests, participate in Jaws trivia games, and get autographs from the special guests in attendance.  One such guest was Molly Scheider, the daughter of Chief Brody himself, the late Roy Scheider.  As a young man, with Roy’s permission, I had started and ran his official fan club.  It was truly an honor to meet Molly.  As we said hello I surprised her with a gift – a scrapbook of photos and articles featuring her father that I had begun collecting 50 years earlier.  Just the expression on her face told me I had given her something special, something I hope she passes on to her children.

As the sun set at the end of a perfect weekend I said goodbye to old friends, some I’d known for years and some I’d just met.  It was that kind of weekend!     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2025 – Voight-Kampff Productions is thrilled to announce the release of the teaser trailer for the upcoming documentary “Jaws Goes to the Bahamas.” Slated for a Summer 2027 release, this documentary dives into the fascinating and often whimsical story behind “Jaws: The Revenge” and its transformation from box-office flop to beloved cult classic.

The teaser trailer features exclusive interviews with Lance Guest (Michael Brody), Pete Romano (Underwater Camera Operator), Mike Gencarelli (Director/Producer), Anthony C. Ferrante (Sharknado franchise), Ian Petrella (A Christmas Story), and many more who share their personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights.

The film is crowdfunding on Indiegogo (jawstherevengedoc.com), currently InDemand, and still looking for backers. They have recently added a slew of new and exciting perks including a SIGNED poster from Cast/Crew, 15 Minute Zoom Calls with Producers, SIGNED Blu-ray’s and more.

If the campaign can hit $10,000, the crew will be taking the documentary on the road to Martha’s Vineyard, where the film’s opening scene was filmed. The main stretch goal is to get to $20,000 so they can set out to explore the Bahamas, where most of the film was shot. Also rumor has it some props like the plane and shark are still lurking at the bottom of the ocean and they would be looking to find them in the wild.

Join us in celebrating this nostalgic journey as we explore the enduring charm of a film that found its second wave of fans in the beautiful waters of the Bahamas. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to Summer 2027!

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Mike Gencarelli 
mikeg@voightkampffproductions.com

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.

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