READING WITH A FLIGHT RING
  • About
  • reviews
  • Contact
  • Cosplay of the Day 2
  • Company News
  • Entertainment Section
  • Convention News/Updates
  • original artwork
  • My Best Books of the Week
  • Cosplay of the day!
  • FCBD
  • Interviews
  • Webcomics

Spotlight Brings WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME to Screens Worldwide

3/25/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Film Starring Willie Nelson and Charlotte Rampling to Release 
April 29, Nelson’s 86th Birthday

March 25, 2019, Los Angeles, CA - Spotlight Pictures is set to release Lian Lunson’s much awaited film, WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME, to international markets. Starring Willie Nelson, Charlotte Rampling, and Sophie Lowe, WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME is a gorgeous, evocative, and meditative film about faith, love, and fulfillment in spite of loss. 

Set in a magical and timeless world reminiscent of an old photograph, WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME is the story of how Adeline Winter (Lowe), a trapeze artist grieving the death of her father embarks on a journey to find “the Beautiful Place” in Ransom, California. The Beautiful Place Museum, owned and run by Dixie and Jimmy Riggs (Rampling and Nelson). The Riggs have waited for decades at The Beautiful Place, hoping that the daughter they gave up for adoption would come looking for them. Both Nelson and Rampling capture the heartache of loss and the daring of hope while Lowe’s quietly powerful performance pulls viewers along on her pilgrimage. 

WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME was written by Lian Lunson, especially for Willie Nelson. Her long time mentor, Filmmaker Wim Wenders, is an executive producer on the film. 

“WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME is about connections—what they mean, what they feel like,” Lunson says. “It is styled in otherworldliness to bring the supernatural element closer.” Audiences will find themselves transported into this dreamlike world, discovering “gold” in hidden places throughout. 
​

The film features an original song performed by Willie Nelson and written by Bono, who is also an executive producer. WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME is available for purchase on DVD and digital platforms internationally through Spotlight Pictures. 
https://www.waitingforthemiracletocome.com/

0 Comments

BOOK OF MONSTERS WILL CHEW YOU UP AND SPIT YOU OUT!

3/17/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
BOOK OF MONSTERS (2018)
Directed by: Stewart Sparke
Produced by: Paul Butler & Stewart Sparke
Screenplay: Paul Butler
Editor: Stewart Sparke
Cinematographer: Hamish Saks

“D.O.A.”
I had high hopes for Book of Monsters after seeing what looked like a fun, gory,
tongue-in-cheek movie trailer. Unfortunately, the trailer for the film is better than the actual movie. It’s a shame, because despite some nifty makeup effects and a game cast, Book of Monsters is ultimately a wasted opportunity.



Book of Monsters arrives with an interesting backstory. It began life as a Kickstarter film campaign in 2017, and it started with a unique twist – financial backers had the chance to vote on six key elements of the script, including what form the various monsters would take and how they killed their victims. Backers also decided which surprise guest would show up at a birthday party, as well as what unique weapon would be utilized at some point in the film. It's akin to a Choose Your Own Adventure movie, though this one includes a mysterious, leather bound book that’s all too similar to the one used in Evil Dead. Sadly, the story on how the film ultimately got made is far more interesting than Book of Monsters itself.
Director Stewart Sparke made a terrific speech on his film, saying, "The love and support we have received from the horror community to get this film made was absolutely inspiring since it premiered at FrightFest last year. We've been incredibly lucky to see the film play at horror festivals around the world. I've got to extend a huge thank you to all of our amazing Kickstarter backers for making the film possible in the first place."

The premise of Book of Monsters is as simple as it gets: Sophie, a troubled young woman, is celebrating her 18th birthday party, which quickly becomes a bloodbath when six terrifying monsters descend upon her house, intent on devouring the party guests and killing anyone who tries to leave. Sophie comes with a back story: her mother was murdered by one of these creatures, with Sophie witnessing it all. (Sophie is also a lesbian, which no one makes a big deal of…a refreshing change).

Picture
Book of Monsters has tons of blood, gore and entrails. And it’s nice that the monsters are old school; they’ve been created with practical effects rather than CGI. But the movie is never as fun (or funny) as it tries to be. The cast tries, but everyone in this film is standard; you have the promiscuous girl, the introvert, the bitch, the party guy, the nice guy, etc. It doesn’t matter much who’s who because none of the actors make an impression (though there is an enjoyable running gag where no one can remember the name of Gary, the nice guy, who blurs in everyone’s mind; he keeps getting called by the wrong name). The actors are there just to give us a bloody body count. The only bit of inspiration involves a few garden gnomes; I won’t spoil this scene, because it’s the one moment when the blend of humor and horror genuinely works.
​

Book of Monsters is patched together from too many far superior films, most notably Evil Dead (I was also reminded of Gremlins, The Exorcist and Invasion of the Body Snatchers). Though I enjoyed some of the monsters, and chuckled at a few moments here and there, Book of Monsters falls flat. It’s trying to be another Evil…but it’s simply Dead on arrival.



From the Back Row, Left of Center…
Darren McCullah
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

BATMAN VS.TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

3/14/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
HEROES UNITE TO COMBAT
MOUNTING VILLAINOUS PLANS AS
WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT, DC
AND NICKELODEON PRESENT


BATMAN VS.
TEENAGE MUTANT
NINJA TURTLES


COMING TO
4K Ultra HD™,
BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK AND DIGITAL


OWN IT EARLY ON DIGITAL ON MAY 14;
4K ULTRA HD & BLU-RAY DEBUT ON JUNE 4



BURBANK, CA (March 14, 2019) – It’ll take the unlikely unification of the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-shell to overcome combined villainous forces afoot in Gotham City in the all-new, feature-length animated thriller, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon and DC, the film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting May 14, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack on June 4, 2019.


Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack ($39.99 SRP) and Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP), as well as on Digital ($19.99 HD, $14.99 SD). The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the film.


Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles finds Gotham City reaching new levels of danger when Shredder joins forces with Ra's al Ghul to enact a nefarious plan – leading to the team-up of the Dark Knight and the Turtles to combat the combined might of the Foot Clan and League of Assassins!


The Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all-star cast is led by Troy Baker (Batman: Arkham Origins, The Last of Us) as the voice of both Batman and the Joker – making Baker the first actor to ever play both roles in the same film. Opposite Baker are the Ninja Turtles themselves – Emmy Award/Golden Globe Award/SAG Award winner Darren Criss (American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Glee) as Raphael, Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live) as Michelangelo, Baron Vaughn (Grace and Frankie) as Donatello, and Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons, The Woody Woodpecker Show) as Leonardo.


Other key members of the voice cast include Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as Batgirl, John DiMaggio (Adventure Time, Futurama) as Mr. Freeze, Tara Strong (Batman: The Animated Series, Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!) as Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Penguin, Carlos Alazraqui (Reno 911!) as Bane, Cas Anvar (The Expanse) as Ra’s al Ghul, Keith Ferguson (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) as Baxter Stockman & Two-Face, Brian George (Seinfeld) as Alfred, Ben Giroux (Hart of Dixie) as Robin, Andrew Kishino (The Lion Guard) as Shredder, and Jim Meskimen (Parks and Recreation) as Commissioner Gordon & Scarecrow.


Jake Castorena (The Death of Superman) directs Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a script by Marly Halpern-Graser (Mad, Batman Unlimited, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo). The film is inspired by the comic book series “Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II (published by DC Comics and IDW Publishing) and is based on characters from DC and Nickelodeon. Ben Jones (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is producer. Executive producers are Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan. Sam Register and Chris Viscardi are executive producers.

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Enhanced Content
Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital
  
Cowabunga, Batman! When Comic Worlds Collide (Featurette)– Super hero crossovers have inspired some of the most unique comics of all time. Explore the concept of the crossover, and see the creativity that ensues when the worlds of Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meet.


Fight Night in Gotham (Featurette) – DC animated movies have continued to push the realism of hand-to-hand combat on-screen. Take an exciting look at both Batman’s and the Ninja Turtles’ fighting styles, and how the creators make it feel like you’re in the fight!
  

A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Batman: Hush – An advance look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection. 


The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
 
Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
Fans can also own Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles via purchase from digital retailers beginning May 14, 2019.

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

On May 14, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, FandangoNow, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On June 4, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.


ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE


Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.


ABOUT DIGITAL 


Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.




BASICS


PRODUCT SRP
4K UHD Combo Pack $39.99
Blu-ray Combo Pack $24.98


4K and Blu-ray Street Date: May 14, 2019
EST Street Date: June 4, 2019
Blu-ray Languages: English, French, Spanish, German
Blu-ray Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian
Running Time: 90 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence.

Picture
Picture
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.: 
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.


About Nickelodeon 
Nickelodeon, now in its 39th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.


About DC
Home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), DC Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, DC is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia. DC works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.


BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. © 2019 Viacom International Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.


About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. Theatrically, WBA’s full-length film, Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, released on July 27, 2018. WBA’s TV series include  Teen Titans Go!, Unikitty! and the upcoming DC Super Hero Girls and ThunderCats Roar for Cartoon Network; Be Cool Scooby-Doo!, Bunnicula, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, The Tom and Jerry Show, New Looney Tunes, Wacky Races and the upcoming Scooby-Doo! and Guess Who? and Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs for Boomerang; Mike Tyson Mysteries for Adult Swim; Green Eggs and Ham for Netflix; Harley Quinn and Young Justice: Outsiders for DC Universe; Animaniacs for Hulu; and the upcoming Looney Tunes Cartoons content initiative. As home to the iconic animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD, Blu-ray® and digital media. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation). ​
0 Comments

DREAD PICKS UP THE 80’s INSPIRED, JOHN CARPENTER-ESQUE BLACK SITE! BLACK SITE WILL BE ON DEMAND APRIL 9, 2019!

3/14/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

 Los Angeles, CA, March 14, 2019 – Epic Pictures and DREAD are thrilled to represent the action horror, BLACK SITE, releasing April 9, 2019! It is best described as a mixture of “John Carpenter Meets H.P. Lovecraft Meets The Raid.” Jonathan Barkan at Dread Central could barely contain his excitement!
 
“When I first heard about BLACK SITE, my imagination went wild at the description. Then, after seeing it, I knew that this was a film that would be perfect for horror audiences and DREAD! Tom Paton is an amazing director who has an incredibly bright future ahead of him and it’s a pleasure and an honor to be a part of that.” – Jonathan Barkan, Dread Central
 
Synopsis: 
An elite military unit encounters a supernatural entity, known as The Elder Gods, that forces them into battle against an army from another dimension. They must fight together to defend the Black Site and save the world from ultimate destruction.

BLACK SITE is directed by Tom Paton (Redwood). The film stars Sophia Del Pizzo (Into the Dark), Lauren Ashley Carter (Imitation Girl), and Jessica-Jane Stafford (Dead Ringer).
 
“Myself and the team at Airpick & Goldfinch couldn’t be more excited that BLACK SITE has found its home as part of the DREAD label. It’s an honour to be included alongside the existing titles and we can’t wait for everyone to see the start of what we hope will be a long running franchise.” – Tom Paton, Director
Picture
Picture
Picture
PRE-ORDER BLU-RAY

About Epic Pictures
Established in 2007, Epic Pictures Group has grown to become one of the most creative and dynamic independent studios. Focusing on filmmaker-driven projects. Epic often helps shape them from script to launch via its domestic distribution division, Epic Pictures Releasing. Epic Pictures Group seeks out relationships with exceptional producers and talent in order to secure A-level, high-quality projects. Epic Pictures Group actively develops a full range of new relationships and strategic alliances with financers, independent production companies, producers and studios both domestically and in Europe and Asia. Epic Pictures recently acquired Dreadcentral.com and now features horror titles through DREAD.
0 Comments

CAN YOU BREAK THE CODE? SEE TANGENT ROOM AND FIND OUT!

3/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
TANGENT ROOM WILL BE ON ITUNES, XBOX, GOOGLE PLAY & AMAZON
MARCH 5, 2019! 
Synopsis: Trapped in a mysterious room with no escape, four brilliant minds race against time to prevent a cosmic collapse of the universe. They must learn to work together and solve the puzzle before it’s too late. 

TANGENT ROOM is written and directed by Björn Engström, and starring Vee Vimolmal, Lisa Bearpark, Håkan Julander, Jennifer Lila, and Daniel Epstein.
Picture
Picture
Picture
About Epic Pictures
Established in 2007, Epic Pictures Group has grown to become one of the most creative and dynamic independent studios. Focusing on filmmaker-driven projects. Epic often helps shape them from script to launch via its domestic distribution division, Epic Pictures Releasing. Epic Pictures Group seeks out relationships with exceptional producers and talent in order to secure A-level, high-quality projects. Epic Pictures Group actively develops a full range of new relationships and strategic alliances with financers, independent production companies, producers and studios both domestically and in Europe and Asia. Epic Pictures recently acquired Dreadcentral.com and now features horror titles through Dread Central Presents.
0 Comments

On 3/15, an Epic Neolithic Thriller, the World's Oldest Cold Case 5000 Years in the Making Opens with ICEMAN, in Top Markets + VOD

3/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
ICEMAN (2018)
Directed by: Felix Randau
Produced by: Jan Kruger
Screenplay: Felix Randau
Editors: Vessela Martschewski
Cinematographer: Jakub Bejnaworicz



“Man Found, Story Lost”
Iceman, a new film by Felix Randau, unfolds in the Ötztal Alps, more than 5300 years ago. A Neolithic clan has settled nearby a creek. Their leader Kelab (played by Jurgen Vogel) has the responsibility to be the keeper of the group’s holy shrine, Tineka. One day as Kelab is out hunting, the settlement is attacked, and the members of the tribe are brutally murdered, amongst them Kelab’s wife and son; only one newborn survives, and Tineka is in ruins. Overcome by pain and anger, Kelab is driven by his thirst for revenge. The remainder of Iceman focuses on the pursuit of the murderers (as well as Kelab’s own personal odyssey). He must fight not only for the remaining infant’s survival but also the unforgiving forces of nature. He will also change from the hunter to the hunted. When Kaleb finally faces the murderers of his clan, his greatest challenge will be not to become a victimizer himself.


On its surface Iceman reminds me of several previous films, most notably Conan the Barbarian (prehistoric revenge story) and Rob Roy (man pursues vengeance for the rape of his wife). Mostly I am reminded of the recent man vs. nature drama The Revenant. It has the same wilderness grandeur of that film, though it’s far more predictable. And therein lies the main problem with Iceman; we’ve seen all this before. The “rape and revenge” theme is far too familiar. And though the scenery is beautifully stark and at times breathtaking (cinematographer Jakub Bejnaworicz has certainly captured the sparse terrain handsomely), at times it feels as though the visuals are all that amount to anything.

That being said, the central performance of Jurgen Vogel is strong; with little dialogue he communicates everything through his eyes. The idea to use the Rhaetic language is a smart choice by director Randau; it adds to the overall authenticity of time and place. Vogel must carry the film on his shoulders and, for the most part, he succeeds.
What I admired most about Iceman was the way it captured normal, everyday sound. There are long stretches of quiet in the film, and whether it be the sound of birds, gentle rain or rolling river the audible soundtrack is top-notch. Much credit is to be given to the large ensemble of the sound department.
​
Iceman is a well-made visceral revenge film. The technical qualities are first-rate. I only hoped the movie would stray from its all-too-familiar territory. As a fictionalized account of the man whose body was discovered in 1991 beneath a melting ice glacier it’s a noble attempt. I wish it had taken a few more chances with the material; I’d have been more receptive to the thaw.



From the Back Row, Left of Center…



Darren McCullah
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.