In the summer of 1968, months after the releases of We’re Only in It for the Money and Lumpy Gravy and a few months ahead of the release of Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention found time for a five-hour concert on the Sunset Strip. A new box set, Whisky a Go Go, 1968 — due out June 21 — chronicles the unique evening, which the band recorded for release but, in Zappa’s signature fashion, divvied up for spare parts on other recordings. (Notably, Uncle Meat’s...
- 4/19/2024
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
It’s been nearly 50 years since Frank Zappa’s celebrated album, Over-Nite Sensation, first debuted. Now, the record is receiving box set treatment: the “super deluxe” Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition will drop on November 3rd via Zappa Records and UMe.
Released in September 1973, the original Over-Nite Sensation was produced by Zappa and features a group of virtuosic musicians, including Tina Turner and a then-newly-reformed iteration of Zappa’s backing band called The Mothers, which had grown to include a number of jazz greats like Jean-Luc Ponty and George Duke. It came to be one of Zappa’s most commercially-successful releases, bringing his avant-garde sound to a wider audience.
Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition was produced and compiled by Zappa’s son, Ahmet Zappa, as well as “Zappa Vaultmeister” Joe Travers. It boasts a whopping 57 previously unreleased tracks, including masters, mix outtakes, two live concerts, and more. It’s all packaged as a five-disc set,...
Released in September 1973, the original Over-Nite Sensation was produced by Zappa and features a group of virtuosic musicians, including Tina Turner and a then-newly-reformed iteration of Zappa’s backing band called The Mothers, which had grown to include a number of jazz greats like Jean-Luc Ponty and George Duke. It came to be one of Zappa’s most commercially-successful releases, bringing his avant-garde sound to a wider audience.
Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition was produced and compiled by Zappa’s son, Ahmet Zappa, as well as “Zappa Vaultmeister” Joe Travers. It boasts a whopping 57 previously unreleased tracks, including masters, mix outtakes, two live concerts, and more. It’s all packaged as a five-disc set,...
- 8/24/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
Over three hours worth of newly-unearthed Frank Zappa receives an official release as a compilation called Funky Nothingness. Available as of today, the music is believed to have been intended for a sequel to Hot Rats, the avant-garde rocker’s 1969 solo debut.
Freshly dug out from the Zappa vault, Funky Nothingness will include 25 unreleased and rare tracks, as well as compositions, covers, and miscellaneous jams from 1970 studio sessions with Zappa’s core group: Aynsley Dunbar, Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Ian Underwood, and Max Bennett.
“Funky Nothingness delivers on all fronts, showcasing Zappa’s love for rhythm and blues, picking up where Hot Rats left off with extended instrumental workouts fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements into music that can only be described as Zappa,” reads a statement from “Zappa vaultmeister” Joe Travers, who also compiled the collection along with Zappa’s son Ahmet Zappa.
Funky Nothingness arrives just shy of a...
Freshly dug out from the Zappa vault, Funky Nothingness will include 25 unreleased and rare tracks, as well as compositions, covers, and miscellaneous jams from 1970 studio sessions with Zappa’s core group: Aynsley Dunbar, Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Ian Underwood, and Max Bennett.
“Funky Nothingness delivers on all fronts, showcasing Zappa’s love for rhythm and blues, picking up where Hot Rats left off with extended instrumental workouts fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements into music that can only be described as Zappa,” reads a statement from “Zappa vaultmeister” Joe Travers, who also compiled the collection along with Zappa’s son Ahmet Zappa.
Funky Nothingness arrives just shy of a...
- 6/30/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
16 December 2022 – In 1972, following the aftermath of being pushed off stage at the Rainbow Theatre in London by a crazed attendee, Frank Zappa found himself recuperating for months in his home in the hills of Los Angeles. Although he was confined to a wheelchair and in immense pain, his work ethic could not be tamed, and he would end up having one of the most prolific years of his hugely prolific career. During this time, he managed, among other things, to assemble an ensemble that quenched his thirst and desire to work with a large “Electric Orchestra.” Ultimately, he contracted a 20-piece group for recording sessions and an eight-city tour. Shortly thereafter, a scaled down 10-piece configuration, now popularly known as the “Petite Wazoo” toured for almost two months. After all was said and done, Zappa finished the experiment with two albums in the can – Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo...
- 12/16/2022
- by Music Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Music
Music memorabilia collectors finally have a TV show to justify their obsession, or at least reassure them they’re hardly alone in their mania. Axs TV will premiere “Rock My Collection,” a new series co-hosted by Ahmet Zappa and appraiser Stephen Braitman, on August 15 at 8 p.m. Et/5 Pt.
Zappa and Braitman will be joined by guest showing off their most prized artifacts, which include everything from a zombie costume from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video to Tom Petty’s scooter to love letters written by Axl Rose to an exceptionally rare Charley Patton record.
Celebrity guests as well as collector civilians will appear on the series, with Alice Cooper, Todd Rundgren, Linda Perry, Gavin Rossdale, Nancy Wilson and Korn guitarist James “Munkey” Shaffer set to share some of their own collectible stories and sign items on the air that will be put up for bidding.
Other items featured, along with their owners,...
Zappa and Braitman will be joined by guest showing off their most prized artifacts, which include everything from a zombie costume from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video to Tom Petty’s scooter to love letters written by Axl Rose to an exceptionally rare Charley Patton record.
Celebrity guests as well as collector civilians will appear on the series, with Alice Cooper, Todd Rundgren, Linda Perry, Gavin Rossdale, Nancy Wilson and Korn guitarist James “Munkey” Shaffer set to share some of their own collectible stories and sign items on the air that will be put up for bidding.
Other items featured, along with their owners,...
- 7/21/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
One of Ahmet Zappa’s favorite memories of Captain Beefheart is the time he called the Zappa household to relate a particularly memorable dream.
“The fucking greatest [call] that ever happened to me was when he called and said, ‘Hell-ooooo, is your mo-other there?'” Zappa tells Rolling Stone, imitating Don Van Vliet’s signature warble. “‘Because I had a dream I wanted to tell her about.'”
Gail Zappa wasn’t home, but Ahmet couldn’t fight his curiosity; he asked the Magic Band leader what he’d dreamed of.
“The fucking greatest [call] that ever happened to me was when he called and said, ‘Hell-ooooo, is your mo-other there?'” Zappa tells Rolling Stone, imitating Don Van Vliet’s signature warble. “‘Because I had a dream I wanted to tell her about.'”
Gail Zappa wasn’t home, but Ahmet couldn’t fight his curiosity; he asked the Magic Band leader what he’d dreamed of.
- 7/9/2021
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Frank Zappa, who died in 1993, is one of the least understood artists of the 20th Century, which is ironic because he was also the most prolific. Introduced to the world as a bicycle-playing artiste concrète sitting naked on a toilet, he was a harmonic genius who experimented with sonic assault weapons and visual subversions. Frank Zappa was the Nikola Tesla of music. Alex Winter’s documentary Zappa, which is now available to watch in the UK and Ireland on Altitude.film, clarifies many of the contradictions by highlighting Zappa’s primary focus. The Mothers of Invention bandleader was a composer.
As such, Frank was also a cultural ambassador, a hero of free expression, a hysterical satirist, and a guitar virtuoso. He was celebrated in the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution, and castigated by parental control mongers in America. But even Frank knew his rep enough to drop an album...
As such, Frank was also a cultural ambassador, a hero of free expression, a hysterical satirist, and a guitar virtuoso. He was celebrated in the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution, and castigated by parental control mongers in America. But even Frank knew his rep enough to drop an album...
- 2/23/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Frank Zappa documentary to receive a theatrical release in 2021.
Piece of Magic Entertainment has acquired European distribution rights to Alex Winter’s music documentary Zappa from Great Point Media.
The film about the life of late maverick musician Frank Zappa will receive a theatrical release across Europe from March 2021, excluding the UK, Ireland, German-speaking territories and Poland, where deals have yet to be closed.
The documentary includes access to the Zappa family and archival footage, exploring the private life of the musician who died in 1993, and includes appearances by his widow Gail Zappa and several musical collaborators.
Winter is best...
Piece of Magic Entertainment has acquired European distribution rights to Alex Winter’s music documentary Zappa from Great Point Media.
The film about the life of late maverick musician Frank Zappa will receive a theatrical release across Europe from March 2021, excluding the UK, Ireland, German-speaking territories and Poland, where deals have yet to be closed.
The documentary includes access to the Zappa family and archival footage, exploring the private life of the musician who died in 1993, and includes appearances by his widow Gail Zappa and several musical collaborators.
Winter is best...
- 12/17/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Remember the classic Weird-Ohs monster hot rod model kits from the ’60s? Well, they are coming back thanks to Ahmet Zappa. His company Monsterfoot Productions have acquired the rights to develop and create new shows and media based on Weird-Ohs.
Weird-Ohs is the brainchild of William “Bill” Campbell, who in the early ‘60s set out to design a wild cast of monsters in hot rods along the lines of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s designs. The Hawk Model Company released the first line of Weird-Ohs based on Campbell’s designs in 1963 spawning a hit model toy line with licenses extending from board games, masks, trading cards, records, puzzles, lunch boxes and action figures to a short-lived animated series which aired on Fox Family in 2000.
Toronto-based toy and entertainment licensing agency Mlgpc brokered the deal between Zappa and current owner of Weird-Ohs, J. Lloyd International.
“This is a dream come true for me,...
Weird-Ohs is the brainchild of William “Bill” Campbell, who in the early ‘60s set out to design a wild cast of monsters in hot rods along the lines of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s designs. The Hawk Model Company released the first line of Weird-Ohs based on Campbell’s designs in 1963 spawning a hit model toy line with licenses extending from board games, masks, trading cards, records, puzzles, lunch boxes and action figures to a short-lived animated series which aired on Fox Family in 2000.
Toronto-based toy and entertainment licensing agency Mlgpc brokered the deal between Zappa and current owner of Weird-Ohs, J. Lloyd International.
“This is a dream come true for me,...
- 11/24/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Alex Winter is best known for his role as Bill in the “Bill & Ted” movies opposite Keanu Reeves as Ted. The pair reprised these roles earlier this year in the hit comedy “Bill & Ted Face the Music.” Winter is also a documentary filmmaker and is an Oscar contender this year with “Zappa.” This documentary feature chronicles the career of rock musician Frank Zappa. It’s produced by Zappa’s son, Ahmet Zappa, distributed by Magnolia Pictures and premiers in theaters and on-demand on Friday, November 27th.
The film examines Zappa’s life through the use of archival footage and unrestricted access to the Zappa family trust, as well as interviews with those closest to him. It starts by looking at Zappa’s initial interest in film editing and then his burgeoning interest in modern classical music coming into focus with his discovery of the works of Edgard Varèse.
We...
The film examines Zappa’s life through the use of archival footage and unrestricted access to the Zappa family trust, as well as interviews with those closest to him. It starts by looking at Zappa’s initial interest in film editing and then his burgeoning interest in modern classical music coming into focus with his discovery of the works of Edgard Varèse.
We...
- 11/13/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Ahead of the November 27th release of Zappa — a documentary about the unclassifiable rocker, composer and guitar god Frank Zappa — Rolling Stone is premiering the latest trailer for director Alex Winter’s long-in-the-works film.
The documentary — the first made with the approval and cooperation of the Zappa estate — features tons of never-before-seen home movies, interviews and live footage excavated from Zappa’s enormous vault.
“We were loud, we were coarse, and we were strange,” Zappa says in voiceover of the initial reaction to his music.
Zappa charts the late icon...
The documentary — the first made with the approval and cooperation of the Zappa estate — features tons of never-before-seen home movies, interviews and live footage excavated from Zappa’s enormous vault.
“We were loud, we were coarse, and we were strange,” Zappa says in voiceover of the initial reaction to his music.
Zappa charts the late icon...
- 10/28/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Axs TV’s “Top Ten Revealed” will resume its third season with 12 new music-themed episodes in October, TheWrap has learned exclusively.
Hosted by Katie Daryl, the first new episode premieres Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt. The first half of Season 3 aired between April 19 to Aug. 9.
Each episode of “Top Ten Revealed” explores a new theme, featuring a rotating roster of icons and experts from across the entertainment industry will share their thoughts on groundbreaking artists, albums and songs that have left their mark on music.
Also Read: Frank Tanki Named General Manager of Axs TV and HDNet Movies
The Oct. 4 episode will explore “Destination Songs” like The Clash’s “London Calling,” the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and Kiss’ “Detroit Rock City.”
Other episodes include “Canadian Recording Artists” on Oct. 11; “90s One-Hit Wonders” on Oct. 18; “Top Ten Devilish Songs” on Oct. 25; “Iconic Political Songs” on Nov.
Hosted by Katie Daryl, the first new episode premieres Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt. The first half of Season 3 aired between April 19 to Aug. 9.
Each episode of “Top Ten Revealed” explores a new theme, featuring a rotating roster of icons and experts from across the entertainment industry will share their thoughts on groundbreaking artists, albums and songs that have left their mark on music.
Also Read: Frank Tanki Named General Manager of Axs TV and HDNet Movies
The Oct. 4 episode will explore “Destination Songs” like The Clash’s “London Calling,” the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and Kiss’ “Detroit Rock City.”
Other episodes include “Canadian Recording Artists” on Oct. 11; “90s One-Hit Wonders” on Oct. 18; “Top Ten Devilish Songs” on Oct. 25; “Iconic Political Songs” on Nov.
- 8/27/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights to “Zappa,” a documentary about the art-rock master Frank Zappa directed by “Bill & Ted Face the Music” star Alex Winter, the distributor announced Thursday.
“Zappa” looks at the life of the innovative artist and musician through access to the Zappa family trust and other archival footage, and Magnolia will release the documentary in theaters and on-demand Nov. 27.
Winter sits down with many of Zappa’s musical collaborators such as Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others. And the documentary also includes appearances by Zappa’s widow Gail.
Also Read: 'The Go-Go's' Film Review: Transcendent Rock Doc Examines 1980s Glass-Ceiling Shatterers
“Alex Winter has created an amazing documentary,” Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles said in a statement. “‘Zappa’ is an incredibly nuanced and compelling look at the visionary iconoclast...
“Zappa” looks at the life of the innovative artist and musician through access to the Zappa family trust and other archival footage, and Magnolia will release the documentary in theaters and on-demand Nov. 27.
Winter sits down with many of Zappa’s musical collaborators such as Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others. And the documentary also includes appearances by Zappa’s widow Gail.
Also Read: 'The Go-Go's' Film Review: Transcendent Rock Doc Examines 1980s Glass-Ceiling Shatterers
“Alex Winter has created an amazing documentary,” Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles said in a statement. “‘Zappa’ is an incredibly nuanced and compelling look at the visionary iconoclast...
- 8/6/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: It won’t be absolutely free, but a new Frank Zappa movie is coming to North America. Magnolia Pictures has acquired rights to Zappa, a documentary directed by Bill & Ted’s Alex Winter that will hit theaters and VOD on Thanksgiving weekend.
Billed as an intimate and expansive look into the innovative life of the iconic — and iconoclastic — musician and artist, the pic was made with unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage. It explores the private life behind the musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.
Zappa features appearances by the musician’s widow Gail Zappa and several of his musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.
“Alex Winter has created an amazing documentary,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Zappa is...
Billed as an intimate and expansive look into the innovative life of the iconic — and iconoclastic — musician and artist, the pic was made with unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage. It explores the private life behind the musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.
Zappa features appearances by the musician’s widow Gail Zappa and several of his musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.
“Alex Winter has created an amazing documentary,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Zappa is...
- 8/6/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Unheard recordings from Frank Zappa’s short-lived but beloved 1970 lineup of the Mothers feature in the upcoming box set The Mothers 1970, a four-disc set featuring 70 unreleased studio and live tracks out of the legendary guitarist’s Vault.
The Zappa Trust announced the June 26th-bound release with the newly unearthed “Portuguese Fenders,” a searing live instrumental boasting a fiery Zappa solo; the track was discovered among other live performances Zappa recorded himself on his personal tape recorder.
The release celebrates the 50th anniversary of that Mothers (formerly “of Invention”) iteration, which...
The Zappa Trust announced the June 26th-bound release with the newly unearthed “Portuguese Fenders,” a searing live instrumental boasting a fiery Zappa solo; the track was discovered among other live performances Zappa recorded himself on his personal tape recorder.
The release celebrates the 50th anniversary of that Mothers (formerly “of Invention”) iteration, which...
- 5/8/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Devon Schiff is returning to the agency world, joining Verve as a television agent. She will start at the Los Angeles-based firm in January.
Verve is one of handful of lit agencies allowed to represent writers after signing a franchise agreement with the WGA in May.
Schiff comes to Verve from Monsterfoot Productions, where she had served as producing partner to Ahmet Zappa. During her tenure, the company had a deals with Disney, ABC and CBS and produced such films as the Peter Hedges-directed The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.
Schiff began her career at Wma followed by stints at 3 Arts and Endeavor. She then spent several years as an executive at Intermedia, where she worked on films including Adaptation and Terminator 3. She then segued to production, working as an executive at Panther Films, which had a first-look deal at Disney, producing films such as Dan In Real Life.
Verve is one of handful of lit agencies allowed to represent writers after signing a franchise agreement with the WGA in May.
Schiff comes to Verve from Monsterfoot Productions, where she had served as producing partner to Ahmet Zappa. During her tenure, the company had a deals with Disney, ABC and CBS and produced such films as the Peter Hedges-directed The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.
Schiff began her career at Wma followed by stints at 3 Arts and Endeavor. She then spent several years as an executive at Intermedia, where she worked on films including Adaptation and Terminator 3. She then segued to production, working as an executive at Panther Films, which had a first-look deal at Disney, producing films such as Dan In Real Life.
- 12/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Frank Zappa’s seminal live double album Zappa in New York will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an extensive reissue that includes over three hours of previously unreleased performances. The five-disc set will arrive March 29th via Zappa Records and Universal Music.
The original set was recorded during Zappa’s four-night run at the Palladium in New York between Christmas and New Year’s 1976. Zappa in New York compiled the best performances from that run, while additional overdubs were added later in the studio. While the album was supposed to...
The original set was recorded during Zappa’s four-night run at the Palladium in New York between Christmas and New Year’s 1976. Zappa in New York compiled the best performances from that run, while additional overdubs were added later in the studio. While the album was supposed to...
- 1/24/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Ever since Daily Dead Managing Editor Heather Wixson gave it a five-star review, we've been excited for Daily Dead readers to unwrap the holiday horrors of the zombie Christmas musical Anna and the Apocalypse, and while we'll have to wait until late November and early December for the film to deck the halls of cinemas in the Us, you can now read the book version of the movie, just in time for Halloween!
Press Release: – Anna and the Apocalypse, Orion Pictures’ feature film musical winning over audiences at film festivals worldwide with its humor, horror and musical dance numbers, is heading to select theaters November 30 with a national rollout to follow. Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, Anna and the Apocalypse is set to arrive in bookstores as an all-new horror comedy novel from co-authors Katherine Turner and Barry Waldo.
Anna and the Apocalypse promises an extended look at...
Press Release: – Anna and the Apocalypse, Orion Pictures’ feature film musical winning over audiences at film festivals worldwide with its humor, horror and musical dance numbers, is heading to select theaters November 30 with a national rollout to follow. Ahead of the film’s theatrical release, Anna and the Apocalypse is set to arrive in bookstores as an all-new horror comedy novel from co-authors Katherine Turner and Barry Waldo.
Anna and the Apocalypse promises an extended look at...
- 10/29/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Ahmet Zappa on Growing up with Frank Zappa by Uinterview Frank Zappa was an independent American musician and filmmaker. He was known for his experimental non-conformist use of orchestral arrangements, jazz and rock. Frank Zappa Bio: Early Life Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to an Italian-American household on December 21, 1940. His father, Francis […]
Source: uInterview
The post Frank Zappa Bio: In His Son Ahmet Zappa’s Words [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Frank Zappa Bio: In His Son Ahmet Zappa’s Words [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
- 7/28/2017
- by Catherine Valdez
- Uinterview
Horror seems to be making a comeback with a new wave of films now receiving both critical acclaim, as well as financial success at the box office. Just by attaching the names of writer/director James Wan or Production Company Blumhouse, seems to have enough momentum to make it a box office hit. So with the public now paying to get scared again, here are the top five horror films worth looking out for in 2017.
Death House (Release Date: Tbc)
x
With jump scare film franchises like The Conjuring (2013-2016) and Insidious (2010 -2018) dominating at the box office, it will take something special to change the trend, but that is something Death House is looking to initiate.
Based on an original concept by Gunnar Hansen to bring the icons of horror together the cast reflects his vision perfectly; and for any icons not featured in the original, 5 sequels are already planned for the franchise.
Death House (Release Date: Tbc)
x
With jump scare film franchises like The Conjuring (2013-2016) and Insidious (2010 -2018) dominating at the box office, it will take something special to change the trend, but that is something Death House is looking to initiate.
Based on an original concept by Gunnar Hansen to bring the icons of horror together the cast reflects his vision perfectly; and for any icons not featured in the original, 5 sequels are already planned for the franchise.
- 5/17/2017
- by Philip Rogers
- The Cultural Post
Ahmet Zappa, musician Frank Zappa’s youngest son, recently made documentary Eat That Question about his late father with his mother Gail Zappa. Ahmet Zappa On Frank Zappa Eat That Question started as a project that Gail took on with director Thorston Schutte, who wanted to make an unconventional documentary about Frank Zappa. Instead of making […]
The post Ahmet Zappa On ‘Eat That Question’ & His Father, Musician Frank Zappa [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
The post Ahmet Zappa On ‘Eat That Question’ & His Father, Musician Frank Zappa [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
- 7/20/2016
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
During more than two decades in the spotlight, Selma Blair has seen her share of ups and downs. On Monday, the actress was removed from an international flight as it landed in Los Angeles following her return from Cancun, Mexico, after taking what appeared to be "a combination of prescription medication with alcohol," a source told People. This latest incident is just one of many triumphs and setbacks Blair, 43, has experienced both in her multifaceted career and her complicated personal life. Finding StardomBlair's on-screen credits go back to 1995, but her career really started to take off thanks to a breakthrough role in 1998's Cruel Intentions.
- 6/22/2016
- by Brittany King, @brrriitttnnii
- PEOPLE.com
During more than two decades in the spotlight, Selma Blair has seen her share of ups and downs.
On Monday, the actress was removed from an international flight as it landed in Los Angeles following her return from Cancun, Mexico, after taking what appeared to be "a combination of prescription medication with alcohol," a source told People.
This latest incident is just one of many triumphs and setbacks Blair, 43, has experienced both in her multifaceted career and her complicated personal life.
Finding StardomBlair's on-screen credits go back to 1995, but her career really started to take off thanks to a breakthrough role in 1998's Cruel Intentions.
On Monday, the actress was removed from an international flight as it landed in Los Angeles following her return from Cancun, Mexico, after taking what appeared to be "a combination of prescription medication with alcohol," a source told People.
This latest incident is just one of many triumphs and setbacks Blair, 43, has experienced both in her multifaceted career and her complicated personal life.
Finding StardomBlair's on-screen credits go back to 1995, but her career really started to take off thanks to a breakthrough role in 1998's Cruel Intentions.
- 6/22/2016
- by Brittany King, @brrriitttnnii
- People.com - TV Watch
Before his death at age 52, Frank Zappa produced one of the most massive discographies in recorded music. The Mothers of Invention leader's music spanned rock & roll, doo-wop, jazz, classical and everything in between, usually accompanied with a lighthearted smirk, over the course of 100 albums released so far. No matter how well you know his music, though, you can't help but feel like you have a perspective somewhat akin to a flea's eye view of an elephant. The only thing more overwhelming than attempting to make sense of Zappa's life's...
- 8/21/2015
- Rollingstone.com
The star of Bill And Ted turned director is preparing to make a film about one of rock’s most iconoclastic figures with the full cooperation of the late musician’s family.
Winter will write and direct the film and produce alongside Glen Zipper, with whom he worked on Deep Web. The filmmaker has targetted a 2017 delivery date.
The director said he envisaged “an epic saga of a great American artist and thinker; a major event worthy of the scope of Zappa’s prodigious and varied creative output, and the breadth of his personal and political life.”
Winter added: “There has yet to be a definitive, authorized documentary on the extraordinary life and work of Frank Zappa. I am beyond thrilled to be embarking on this journey.”
The Zappa Family Trust has granted the filmmakers exclusive access to the Zappa Vault, containing unseen visual and audio recordings, interviews and concert recordings.
“We couldn...
Winter will write and direct the film and produce alongside Glen Zipper, with whom he worked on Deep Web. The filmmaker has targetted a 2017 delivery date.
The director said he envisaged “an epic saga of a great American artist and thinker; a major event worthy of the scope of Zappa’s prodigious and varied creative output, and the breadth of his personal and political life.”
Winter added: “There has yet to be a definitive, authorized documentary on the extraordinary life and work of Frank Zappa. I am beyond thrilled to be embarking on this journey.”
The Zappa Family Trust has granted the filmmakers exclusive access to the Zappa Vault, containing unseen visual and audio recordings, interviews and concert recordings.
“We couldn...
- 7/24/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Hi! And welcome to “sentences we never expected to write in a news story in 2015”. Today’s instance: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is attached to produce and star in the Fraggle Rock movie. It’s as if two pop-cultural titans suddenly formed an alliance. Three, if you chuck in tiny teamsters, the Doozers.This provides an unexpected boost to a project that has been struggling through development since its original announcement back in 2006. We’ve had word since then about new writers and scripts, with the likes of Ahmet Zappa originally involved in bringing the idea to life. Gordon-Levitt’s involvement appears to sweep the board clean and start fresh with new scriptwriters.Fans of the ‘80s Jim Henson show will know that Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Red and Mokey live in the titular underground caves, situated beneath a lighthouse captained by former Porridge star Fulton Mackay and his Muppet dog Sprocket.* Each week,...
- 3/20/2015
- EmpireOnline
First time I wrote about the possibility of a "Fraggle Rock" movie was back in 2006 when The Jim Henson Company officially announced a full length feature based on the stars of the 1980s HBO television show was in development with Ahmet Zappa working on the screenplay. Nothing happened ended up happening with that project, though two years later The Weinstein Co. picked up the rights to the live-action musical feature and brought on Hoodwinked director Cory Edwards to write and direct. Once again, nothing came of it. Now, here we are, seven years later and we are talking about the Fraggles yet again as it seems they just won't go away. This time around it's Joseph Gordon-Levitt on board to produce and star in the live-action "Fraggle Rock" movie for New Regency, The Henson Co. and Lisa Henson. The attachment of an actual star certainly gives the project far more...
- 3/19/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
With my background in blogging taking me pretty close to the world of comic books, I’ve known about Tony Lee and his witty little novel Dodge & Twist for some time. Lee’s big idea was to cook up a sequel to Oliver Twist that saw the Oliver and The Artful Dodger growing up apart and then reuniting for some action-adventure fun.
This basic notion is exactly the same for the film Dodge & Twist. Is this just a coincidence? Lee says not. He posted to his website about how he met Ahmet Zappa, one of the movie’s producers, back in 2007.
But I can say, definitively, that the story similarities are actually pretty slim. I can say this because I’ve read both. They start from the same place – which comes from Dickens in any case, so neither can lay claim to it – and then go off in very different directions.
This basic notion is exactly the same for the film Dodge & Twist. Is this just a coincidence? Lee says not. He posted to his website about how he met Ahmet Zappa, one of the movie’s producers, back in 2007.
But I can say, definitively, that the story similarities are actually pretty slim. I can say this because I’ve read both. They start from the same place – which comes from Dickens in any case, so neither can lay claim to it – and then go off in very different directions.
- 2/3/2015
- by Brendon Connelly
- Obsessed with Film
Edgar Wright has reportedly performed a re-write on "Dodge and Twist," an action-centric, steampunk-style sequel to the Charles Dickens classic "Oliver Twist" says FilmDivider.
Sounding like it takes the Dickens story and gives it a Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes"-style twist, the action picks up two decades after the novel's events. Oliver is now a cop, and the Artful Dodger is still a thief.
The two face off as Oliver tries to stop the Dodger from stealing the Crown Jewels. Characters from the original tale, other Dickens novels and history will feature in the film including a young Queen Victoria.
Wright takes over from Cole Haddon and Simon Beaufoy who penned previous drafts. Despite the title, the film is Not based on Tony Lee's novel of the same name. Ahmet Zappa and Matt Tolmach will reportedly produce.
Sounding like it takes the Dickens story and gives it a Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes"-style twist, the action picks up two decades after the novel's events. Oliver is now a cop, and the Artful Dodger is still a thief.
The two face off as Oliver tries to stop the Dodger from stealing the Crown Jewels. Characters from the original tale, other Dickens novels and history will feature in the film including a young Queen Victoria.
Wright takes over from Cole Haddon and Simon Beaufoy who penned previous drafts. Despite the title, the film is Not based on Tony Lee's novel of the same name. Ahmet Zappa and Matt Tolmach will reportedly produce.
- 1/26/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The folks over at Film Divider (via Coming Soon) have revealed the specifics of what British filmmaker Edgar Wright has been up to since he bowed out of Marvel’s Ant-Man last year. In a surprising – and utterly exciting – turn of events, it transpires that Wright has recently submitted a script revision for Sony’s Dodge And Twist. If the name hasn’t rung a bell, then perhaps you weren’t paying attention during English.
The project originated back in 2013 when the studio jumped on The Odd Life Of Timothy Green scribe Ahmet Zappa’s original spinoff idea. Described as a steampunk sequel to Charles Dickens’ classic work of literature, Oliver Twist, Zappa’s take would pick up 20 years after the events of that novel. Two decades on, Oliver is now a police officer who is still at loggerheads with the Artful Dodger, who now attempts to steal the crown jewels.
The project originated back in 2013 when the studio jumped on The Odd Life Of Timothy Green scribe Ahmet Zappa’s original spinoff idea. Described as a steampunk sequel to Charles Dickens’ classic work of literature, Oliver Twist, Zappa’s take would pick up 20 years after the events of that novel. Two decades on, Oliver is now a police officer who is still at loggerheads with the Artful Dodger, who now attempts to steal the crown jewels.
- 1/26/2015
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
You might think a sequel to "Oliver Twist" is unnecessary, and you'd probably be correct. But what if we told you it was written by Edgar Wright? And it was going to take the Dickensian era and throw a little steampunk sauce on it? Yeah, we figured you might be warming up to the idea now. Film Divider reports the Wright has done a full-blown rewrite of "Dodge And Twist" for Sony. Conceived by Ahmet Zappa ("The Odd Life Of Timothy Green"), with Cole Haddon (NBC series "Dracula") working out the story, and Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire," "127 Hours") writing an initial draft, Wright's tale brings a new dimension to the long-brewing project that centers on Twist and the Artful Dodger, 20 years after the events in the Dickens novel, and plunks them into a Victorian-era heist film. But if you think Wright will direct, guess again. He's got "Baby Driver" coming up,...
- 1/26/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
"Riddick" and "A Perfect Getaway" helmer David Twohy has signed on to direct "Replay" for Relativity Media.
Joe Gazzam penned the script which follows Tyler Vaughn, a test subject in a quantum experiment who is sent four days into the future. There he learns that his son has been killed and he is the prime suspect in the murder.
As each day ends, he's pulled back to the previous day, so he tries to solve his son's murder before he gets back to the present.
Ahmet Zappa, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen and Ryan Kavanaugh are producing with filming aiming to begin in early 2015.
Source: Deadline...
Joe Gazzam penned the script which follows Tyler Vaughn, a test subject in a quantum experiment who is sent four days into the future. There he learns that his son has been killed and he is the prime suspect in the murder.
As each day ends, he's pulled back to the previous day, so he tries to solve his son's murder before he gets back to the present.
Ahmet Zappa, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen and Ryan Kavanaugh are producing with filming aiming to begin in early 2015.
Source: Deadline...
- 11/1/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Riddick helmer David Twohy has been tapped to direct time-travel pic Replay at Relativity, I’m hearing. This is the previously untitled sci-fi script that the studio snapped up in July from screenwriter Joe Gazzam, who sold action-thriller Shadow Run to Sony and is scripting the Cliffhanger remake for Neal Moritz and StudioCanal. Story tracks Tyler Vaughn, a test subject in a quantum experiment who’s sent four days into the future, only to discover his son has been killed and he’s been fingered for the murder. When the day ends, he’s pulled back one day prior and realizes he must solve the mystery of his son’s death as he jumps backward, one day at a time, to stop it from happening on the day of the initial experiment.
Twohy’s at home playing in the sci-fi sandbox and is coming off of 2013’s Riddick, the...
Twohy’s at home playing in the sci-fi sandbox and is coming off of 2013’s Riddick, the...
- 10/31/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Exclusive: Relativity has optioned an untitled sci-fi-tinged spec for development from screenwriter Joe Gazzam. It’s the latest score for Gazzam, who sold action-thriller Shadow Run to Sony in February and won the coveted gig writing Cliffhanger for Neal Moritz and StudioCanal in May. I’m hearing the sale came out of a competitive situation and closed this week. The log line is being kept under wraps but project is described as a Man On Fire-type story of a father and son, with a science fiction element. Producers are Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen, and Ahmet Zappa along with Devon Schiff. Gazzam is […]...
- 7/11/2014
- Deadline
Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim (Joel Edgerton) are desperate to be parents. However, when they’re told by their doctor that this won’t happen naturally, they decide to indulge their dreams one final time by burying a box in their back garden filled with all the personality traits their ideal child would bear – kind, honest to a fault and musical, to name a few. Overnight, a magical storm occurs and Timothy (Cj Adams), a young boy with leaves on his ankles, is thrust into Cindy and Jim’s life.
Dreamt up by actor Ahmet Zappa and written and directed by Peter Hedges, The Odd Life of Timothy Green immediately asks you to suspend your deepest beliefs and simply accept its desire to be a warm-hearted family-orientated fable. This would be possible if everything about its mere concept, let alone its scorched execution, wasn’t so downright disturbing. It’s...
Dreamt up by actor Ahmet Zappa and written and directed by Peter Hedges, The Odd Life of Timothy Green immediately asks you to suspend your deepest beliefs and simply accept its desire to be a warm-hearted family-orientated fable. This would be possible if everything about its mere concept, let alone its scorched execution, wasn’t so downright disturbing. It’s...
- 4/5/2013
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Cj Adams, Odeya Rush, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Rosemarie DeWitt, David Morse, M. Emmet Walsh | Written by Peter Hedges, Ahmet Zappa | Directed by Peter Hedges
As Ben Affleck has resurrected his career post-Bennifer implosion with a series of increasingly impressive directorial efforts, it’s easy to speculate that the Gigli star has learned a thing or two about the perils of working alongside romantic partners. So whilst Jennifer Garner’s husband wows critics with his latest release, Argo, the former “Alias” leading lady is left to take on a seemingly endless stream of lacklustre big screen projects. With a résumé that already includes the maligned Arthur remake, an odious Valentine’s Day and the *ahem* unforgettable Elektra, Garner can now add Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green to her growing list of movie mistakes.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green focuses on a couple (Garner...
As Ben Affleck has resurrected his career post-Bennifer implosion with a series of increasingly impressive directorial efforts, it’s easy to speculate that the Gigli star has learned a thing or two about the perils of working alongside romantic partners. So whilst Jennifer Garner’s husband wows critics with his latest release, Argo, the former “Alias” leading lady is left to take on a seemingly endless stream of lacklustre big screen projects. With a résumé that already includes the maligned Arthur remake, an odious Valentine’s Day and the *ahem* unforgettable Elektra, Garner can now add Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green to her growing list of movie mistakes.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green focuses on a couple (Garner...
- 4/1/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ahmet Zappa – son of music legend Frank Zappa and the writer-producer of the quirky Disney fantasy The Odd Life of Timothy Green – has teamed up with the producers of The Incredible Burt Wonderstone to develop a script for the horror/superhero mashup Monster X. Zappa's story involves a team of ten classic screen monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Jekyll & Hyde and many more, who team up to defend humanity as Avengers-style superheroes. Producers Chris Bender, J.S. Spink and Jake Weiner (aka Benderspink Productions) optioned the script from Zappa's company Monsterfoot Productions, and at this stage they are now working on expanding Zappa's original script. Other projects in development from Monsterfoot include Monster Witness Relocation Program and The Monstrous Memoirs of Mighty McFearless... we're detecting a certain theme here, and we kinda like it.
- 3/11/2013
- by Gregory Burkart
- FEARnet
Even as Showtime pulls together its own League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen-style monster ensemble piece, a big-screen spin on a very similar same premise is currently in the works from Ahmet Zappa. Easily the most commercial thing Frank Zappa ever produced, Ahmet has become a go-to guy for franchising over the years, having worked on a Fraggle Rock movie, a film based on Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Oliver Twist buddy-cop reimagining Dodge & Twist. His latest idea based on slightly reshaping the ideas of others in the most cynically obvious ways possible is what The Hollywood Reporter describes ...
- 3/11/2013
- avclub.com
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone producers Chris Bender, J.S. Spink and Jake Weiner are moving in an entirely different direction with their latest project – teaming up with Ahmet Zappa to make a feature being billed as “The Avengers of monster movies.” The idea, tentatively titled Monster X, was the brainchild of Zappa and will revolve around a dream team of classic movie monsters uniting to save humanity from an even greater menace. Haven’t we already seen this movie? Sounds a bit like Monster Squad to us… The X in the title refers to the number of monsters teaming up – so Zappa’s script has 10 horror icons joining forces. Who are the ten? We’re not sure, since the script is being fleshed out before being offered to buyers...
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- 3/11/2013
- by Mike Bracken
- Movies.com
Movie monsters have been costarring in films for around seventy years now, whether in horror movies (House of Frankenstein), comedies (Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein) or CGI spectacles (Stephen Sommers. Val Helsing). It.s been nine years since the latter graced cinemas, so it was only a matter of time before the gang got back together. The Hollywood Reporter reports Benderspink, the production company behind the upcoming The Amazing Burt Wonderstone, has optioned a screenplay for Monster X, based on an original idea by Monsterfoot Productions. Ahmet Zappa, who wrote the story for 2012.s The Odd Life of Timothy Green. The .X. in Monster X isn.t the letter but the Roman numeral, which signifies the ten classic monsters that will appear as the film.s central characters. THR.s story calls the film a .sort of Avengers-style take. on the scary baddies of yesteryear, such as Dracula, the Frankenstein...
- 3/11/2013
- cinemablend.com
Even with superheroes and fairy tales dominating the box office, the interest in classic monsters such as Dracula and Mr Hyde has never been stronger. Half the studios in Hollywood seem to be working up spins on the horror hall of fame and production companies Benderspink and Monsterfoot Productions are no different, nabbing Ahmet Zappa’s script Monster X. Zappa, who germinated the seed story for Disney’s strange family fable The Odd Life Of Timothy Green (due to finally arrive here April 5), is behind the new script.Little has been released about the story save for the basic concept: Monster X will see a gathering of 10 (hence the Roman numeral) well-known creatures, including Frankenstein’s monster, to defend humanity against an even great threat. It’s being described as an Avengers-style take on the characters. Because, after all, why wouldn’t want to find some connection with the most successful film of last year?...
- 3/10/2013
- EmpireOnline
Evil Dead 2
The remake of "Evil Dead" isn't in cinemas yet, but director Fede Alvarez has confirmed that work has begun on the script for a sequel to said remake.
The film premiered last night at SXSW to a rousing reception, with Sony obviously confident enough to proceed. [Source: Styd]
Clerks III
Filmmaker Kevin Smith has revealed that he has begun work on the script for his final film - "Clerks III".
The date has significance, exactly 20 years ago was the day he started production on the original "Clerks". [Source: Facebook]
So Cold the River
"The Place Beyond the Pines" scribe Ben Coccio has been hired to pen the adaptation of Michael Koryta's 2010 novel "So Cold the River" at New Regency. Kevin Misher and Scott Silver will produce.
The story follows a documentary filmmaker hired by a woman for a project about her elderly billionaire father-in-law. Once the director arrives in the small Indiana town,...
The remake of "Evil Dead" isn't in cinemas yet, but director Fede Alvarez has confirmed that work has begun on the script for a sequel to said remake.
The film premiered last night at SXSW to a rousing reception, with Sony obviously confident enough to proceed. [Source: Styd]
Clerks III
Filmmaker Kevin Smith has revealed that he has begun work on the script for his final film - "Clerks III".
The date has significance, exactly 20 years ago was the day he started production on the original "Clerks". [Source: Facebook]
So Cold the River
"The Place Beyond the Pines" scribe Ben Coccio has been hired to pen the adaptation of Michael Koryta's 2010 novel "So Cold the River" at New Regency. Kevin Misher and Scott Silver will produce.
The story follows a documentary filmmaker hired by a woman for a project about her elderly billionaire father-in-law. Once the director arrives in the small Indiana town,...
- 3/9/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
No, we're not talking about giant space monster Guilala joining forces with other Kaiju, but damn it, that would be cool. Instead, the crew behind the upcoming The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and a Zappa are looking to unleash a new beast!
According to THR, Chris Bender, J.S. Spink, and Jake Weiner are teaming up with Ahmet Zappa for Monster X. Benderspink has optioned the script from Monsterfoot Productions, with the project based on an original idea by Monsterfoot principal Ahmet Zappa.
The idea is a sort of Avengers-style take on the classic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s creature, Mr. Hyde, and others. (There are 10 in total, and the X in the title is actually the Roman numeral 10.) The who’s who of monsters are assembled to defend humanity against an even greater threat to them all.
Zappa co-wrote the initial script. The plan is to further develop the...
According to THR, Chris Bender, J.S. Spink, and Jake Weiner are teaming up with Ahmet Zappa for Monster X. Benderspink has optioned the script from Monsterfoot Productions, with the project based on an original idea by Monsterfoot principal Ahmet Zappa.
The idea is a sort of Avengers-style take on the classic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s creature, Mr. Hyde, and others. (There are 10 in total, and the X in the title is actually the Roman numeral 10.) The who’s who of monsters are assembled to defend humanity against an even greater threat to them all.
Zappa co-wrote the initial script. The plan is to further develop the...
- 3/8/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Benderspink has optioned the script Monster X from Monsterfoot Productions, with the project based on an original idea by Monsterfoot principal Ahmet Zappa. The idea is a sort of Avengers-style take on the classic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s creature, Mr. Hyde and others. (There are 10 in total; the “X” in the title is the Roman numeral.) The who’s who of monsters are assembled to defend humanity against an even greater threat to them all. Zappa co-wrote the initial script. The plan is to further develop the screenplay before taking it out to buyers. Story:
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- 3/8/2013
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A big screen ensemble of monstrous proportions is on the way as The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Benderspink and Monsterfoot Productions are teaming for Monster X , based on an original story by Ahmet Zappa. The film finds humanity assembling of team of ten of ten of the world's most famous monsters (Dracula, Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein's monster are all mentioned) to defend the Earth from an even bigger threat. Monster X marks the latest original idea from Zappa. He has, in various stages of development, the Charles Dickens-inspired Dodge & Twist , the Hawaiian family adventure Tiki , and the similarly monster-themed Monster Relocation Program . Zappa will produce alongside Chris Bender, J.S. Spink and Jake Weiner. (Photo Credit: FayesVision / WENN.com)...
- 3/8/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Sony Pictures has hired Cole Haddon, the writer of NBC's upcoming "Dracula" show, to put together the script for "Dodge and Twist," an adventure based on the characters from Charles Dickens' classic "Oliver Twist" novel. The new movie takes pickpocketing rivals Oliver Twist and Artful Dodger and re-imagines them twenty years later. The two are on opposite sides of the law and get embroiled in an affair to steal the Crown Jewels. The story is based on an idea by Ahmet Zappa (The Odd Life of Timothy Green) and is meant to be similar to Robert Downey Jr's "Sherlock Holmes" movies. It's a high priority for the studio.
- 2/13/2013
- WorstPreviews.com
Sony Pictures is developing a new film inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist. The movie will be called Dodge & Twist, and it will have the same kind of feel and vibe as Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. The movie will feature the characters from the book, but it will be more of an action-adventure film.
The story follows pickpocketing rivals Oliver Twist and Artful Dodger and the new film "re-imagines them 20 years down the road. The two are on opposite sides of the law and get embroiled in an affair to steal the Crown Jewels."
This sounds like it could be a really cool movie. I've always loved the book, and the characters, and I think it will be really cool to see a film based on what happened to them 20 years down the road. The concept for the film came from producer Ahmet Zappa, and the script...
The story follows pickpocketing rivals Oliver Twist and Artful Dodger and the new film "re-imagines them 20 years down the road. The two are on opposite sides of the law and get embroiled in an affair to steal the Crown Jewels."
This sounds like it could be a really cool movie. I've always loved the book, and the characters, and I think it will be really cool to see a film based on what happened to them 20 years down the road. The concept for the film came from producer Ahmet Zappa, and the script...
- 2/12/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
While there have been other, admirable attempts to update Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist recently—as the gender-flipped Olivia Twist, in which Ashley Greene joins a gang, and as a “3-D parkour” film in which Dickens’ novel is doused in Red Bull and tossed at various obstacles—none of these have reimagined Dickens’ orphan protagonist as a cop, and thus the story remains as inscrutable as Sanskrit to modern audiences. Fortunately, Ahmet Zappa has devised Dodge & Twist, a Sony film that revisits Oliver and his former pickpocketing rival The Artful Dodger, some 20 years after the point where Dickens bafflingly stopped ...
- 2/12/2013
- avclub.com
Re-imaginings and literary adaptations have become Hollywood’s bread and butter, and it doesn’t appear that trend will be slowing down anytime soon as Sony is updating the classic Charles Dickens’ tale Oliver Twist into a more adventurous story titled Dodge and Twist.
Dodge and Twist will feature characters from the original story, but will likely look very different from any adaptation of the novel we’ve seen before. The story takes place 20 years after the events of Oliver Twist, and features Oliver and Artful Dodger on opposite sides of the law, embroiled in an affair to steal the Crown Jewels.
The project is based on an idea by Ahmet Zappa and not on the book of the same name by Tony Lee. Lee’s graphic novel is set 12 years after Oliver Twist as opposed to 20 and revolves around Oliver being forced to assist the Artful Dodger in stealing...
Dodge and Twist will feature characters from the original story, but will likely look very different from any adaptation of the novel we’ve seen before. The story takes place 20 years after the events of Oliver Twist, and features Oliver and Artful Dodger on opposite sides of the law, embroiled in an affair to steal the Crown Jewels.
The project is based on an idea by Ahmet Zappa and not on the book of the same name by Tony Lee. Lee’s graphic novel is set 12 years after Oliver Twist as opposed to 20 and revolves around Oliver being forced to assist the Artful Dodger in stealing...
- 2/12/2013
- by Alex Lowe
- We Got This Covered
Keeping up the trend of updating classic tales by turning their protagonists into more hip heroes for adults, like Sherlock Holmes and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Sony has a new take on Oliver Twist. The new project is called Dodge & Twist, but rather than being an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, this version is based on an idea by Ahmet Zappa, who produced The Odd Life of Timothy Green and has Museum of the Weird and Enchanted Tiki Room projects in development at Disney. This tale sees Twist 20 years older and encountering Artful Dodger, his pickpocketing rival now on the right side of the law. Twist gets caught up in a plan to steal the Crown Jewels, and it sounds like Dodger is in hot pursuit. Likely they have a teasing game of cat and mouse throughout the film. Heat Vision says the script comes from Cole Haddon,...
- 2/12/2013
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
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