Alan Jones joins us once again for a guest review, this time for Jonah Hex. Alan is president of the University of Toronto Cinema Studies Students Union (Cinssu). This review and many others can be read on the official Cinssu blog.
The American Western has fallen in stature considerably since its days as a staple of the Hollywood studio system. The last time a major studio decided to count on a Western as a blockbuster, we got the awful Wild Wild West, a sci-fi influenced Western that stands out as a large blemish on the otherwise impressive career of Will Smith. It appears that Hollywood has learned nothing since then in developing big-budget Westerns, as Jonah Hex, which opens today, is another sci-fi influenced Western which offers nothing to the discerning viewer but blandly photographed explosions and an eccentric, but misused cast.
Of course, unlike Wild Wild West, this film...
The American Western has fallen in stature considerably since its days as a staple of the Hollywood studio system. The last time a major studio decided to count on a Western as a blockbuster, we got the awful Wild Wild West, a sci-fi influenced Western that stands out as a large blemish on the otherwise impressive career of Will Smith. It appears that Hollywood has learned nothing since then in developing big-budget Westerns, as Jonah Hex, which opens today, is another sci-fi influenced Western which offers nothing to the discerning viewer but blandly photographed explosions and an eccentric, but misused cast.
Of course, unlike Wild Wild West, this film...
- 6/18/2010
- by Alan
- DorkShelf.com
It probably won't sell many tickets, but this pulpy medieval thriller could well remind the world about Sean Bean's talent, make its director a star and do well on DVD to boot
The basics
Described variously as a supernatural horror or medieval thriller, this latest genre effort from Christopher Smith, the director of Creep, is the grim, grizzled tale of a 14th-century knight and a young monk who set out with a motley band of mercenaries to investigate a village that has apparently been spared the ravages of the Black Death by some sort of dark witchcraft. It's a pleasingly horrid, gory, slightly trashy pulp offering that has been reasonably well-reviewed by the critics.
The stakes
Sean Bean, who plays the zealous man-at-arms Ulrich, is the biggest name. Although a man with the Yorkshireman's likable combination of gruff northern charm and vital screen presence is hardly likely to be out of work for long,...
The basics
Described variously as a supernatural horror or medieval thriller, this latest genre effort from Christopher Smith, the director of Creep, is the grim, grizzled tale of a 14th-century knight and a young monk who set out with a motley band of mercenaries to investigate a village that has apparently been spared the ravages of the Black Death by some sort of dark witchcraft. It's a pleasingly horrid, gory, slightly trashy pulp offering that has been reasonably well-reviewed by the critics.
The stakes
Sean Bean, who plays the zealous man-at-arms Ulrich, is the biggest name. Although a man with the Yorkshireman's likable combination of gruff northern charm and vital screen presence is hardly likely to be out of work for long,...
- 6/14/2010
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Some startling news out of Cannes. While milling about the event, one of the DC faithful managed to snap a picture of some really, really early sales art for what will be Dario Argento's stamp on the most famous vampire of them all. In 3D of course. Below you'll find the sales art for Dario Argento's "Dracula" in Stereoscopic 3D. According to FrightFest's Alan Jones on Twitter "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting"....
- 5/17/2010
- www.ohmygore.com/
Like the bloodsucker himself, the idea of adapting Bram Stoker’s Dracula just won’t die. The latest director deciding that what we really, really need is another take on the titular vampire is horror legend Dario Argento.FrightFest guru Alan Jones Tweeted about the new version being promoted at Cannes, with Argento apparently planning a period setting, a shoot kicking off in Italy next January and, yup, filming in 3D.It’s not the first time that he’s taken on an iconic movie monster- his version of Phantom Of The Opera haunted cinemas back in 1998. And, according to a follow-up query from Shock ‘Till You Drop, Jones reports that Argento will stay faithful to Stoker’s novel.The big question, of course, is one of quality. While Argento rightly stands as one of the best horror talents of his time, his more recent efforts like Mother Of Tears...
- 5/14/2010
- EmpireOnline
The Argento family is having a busy week. From the Cannes marketplace, there is news that Dario Argento will make a new, 'faithful' take on Dracula, in 3D. And then his daughter Asia Argento, who had sworn off screenwriting after The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, is back with a new film called A Hunting Gun, which she is writing with husband Michele Civetta and Japanese author Yasushi Inoue. Dracula first up, but we don't have a lot of details. Styd's Alan Jones said via Twitter earlier today, "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy in January, period setting." Argento is writing as well as directing. Further info from Styd says the sales material for the film describes it as "a faithful translation of the Bram Stoker novel." Well, it can't help but be more faithful than Bram Stoker's Dracula, right? Shock's report also has...
- 5/13/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Frightfest’s Alan Jones is currently scouting the Cannes Film Festival for hot horror prospects, so imagine the surprise when he sent out this little tweet:
“Just announced, Dario Argento’s Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting.”
Shock Till You Drop have managed to round out the details on Argento’s Dracula, saying that:
FilmExport Group is handling the sales at Cannes right now and Jones tells us the synopsis for the film paints it as “a faithful translation of the Bram Stoker novel.” Roberto Girolamo and Gianni Paolucci will produce.
The also have the promo poster for the film that is doing the rounds at Cannes:
Whether Argento can recover from the debacle that was Giallo remains to be seen, however given that his last attempt at a classic movie monster – Phantom of the Opera – is one of his worst, I don’t hold out much hope…...
“Just announced, Dario Argento’s Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting.”
Shock Till You Drop have managed to round out the details on Argento’s Dracula, saying that:
FilmExport Group is handling the sales at Cannes right now and Jones tells us the synopsis for the film paints it as “a faithful translation of the Bram Stoker novel.” Roberto Girolamo and Gianni Paolucci will produce.
The also have the promo poster for the film that is doing the rounds at Cannes:
Whether Argento can recover from the debacle that was Giallo remains to be seen, however given that his last attempt at a classic movie monster – Phantom of the Opera – is one of his worst, I don’t hold out much hope…...
- 5/13/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Some startling news out of Cannes today. While milling about the event, one of the DC faithful managed to snap a picture of some really, really early sales art for what will be Dario Argento's stamp on the most famous vampire of them all. In 3D of course.
Below you'll find the sales art for Dario Argento's Dracula in Stereoscopic 3D. According to FrightFest's Alan Jones on Twitter "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting".
Not sure how we feel about this one just yet, but we remain open-minded. Let's just hope Argento gives old Drac better treatment than he did The Phantom of the Opera as that flick was nothing short of painful to sit through. Let us know what you think below.
Thanks to Marc Walkow one of the creators of the NY Asian Film Festival and Subway Cinema for the snapshot.
Below you'll find the sales art for Dario Argento's Dracula in Stereoscopic 3D. According to FrightFest's Alan Jones on Twitter "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting".
Not sure how we feel about this one just yet, but we remain open-minded. Let's just hope Argento gives old Drac better treatment than he did The Phantom of the Opera as that flick was nothing short of painful to sit through. Let us know what you think below.
Thanks to Marc Walkow one of the creators of the NY Asian Film Festival and Subway Cinema for the snapshot.
- 5/13/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Quick bit of Cannes news for you this morning with Shock Till You Drop contributor Alan Jones confirming from Cannes that Dario Argento's next film (after still unreleased Giallo) will be Dracula 3D. Hit the jump for the full story. Shock Till You Drop confirms Alan's tweet, "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting." and scored some preview art. Catch a teaser of the art above with the full art available at Shock here.
- 5/13/2010
- FEARnet
Straight from the Cannes Film Festival, Shock contributor Alan Jones just posted this via his Twitter account: "Just announced, Dario Argento's Dracula in 3D, filming in Italy January, period setting." Argento will write and direct, putting his stamp on the legend. This is the second time horror's maestro has tackled one of the classic movie monsters (after Phantom of the Opera ). FilmExport Group is handling the sales at Cannes right now and Jones tells us the synopsis for the film paints it as "a faithful translation of the Bram Stoker novel." Roberto Girolamo and Gianni Paolucci will produce. We're still awaiting word as to when we'll be seeing Argento's last effort Giallo here in the States. This is the latest Dracula film to go into...
- 5/13/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Shock Till You Drop had the pleasure of having writer Alan Jones on the London set of John Landis' Burke and Hare . While there, Jones sat down to talk with Christopher Lee on our behalf; the horror legend stars in Landis' comedic thriller with Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. A full set report is coming soon, but for now, here's Lee talking a bit about his turn in Robin Hardy's The Wicker Tree , the director's companion piece to The Wicker Man . Christopher Lee: Never go to see myself in movies, unless at a premiere, I don't enjoy watching myself on the screen. I never have and I don't know many actors who do. You get a complex after a while, why did I turn my head that way, why did I have cigar on left side, you tend to think abut the things you should have done and you.
- 5/10/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Alan Jones joins us for a guest spot review of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Alan is president of the University of Toronto Cinema Studies Students Union (Cinssu). This review and many others can be read on the official Cinssu blog.
Walking into the new Platinum Dunes horror remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street is a bit like walking into a cheap brothel; you don’t know what you’re gonna get, but it’s probably gonna suck. But that’s not to say there won’t be any little pleasures. Take, for example, last year’s reboot of the Friday the 13th franchise. The majority of the movie consisted of a bunch of boring teenage characters getting killed by Jason Voorhees in various not-all-that-thrilling manners. But it was buoyed by a 25-minute opening sequence that acted like a typical horror movie, but without all the boring, unnecessary scenes.
Walking into the new Platinum Dunes horror remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street is a bit like walking into a cheap brothel; you don’t know what you’re gonna get, but it’s probably gonna suck. But that’s not to say there won’t be any little pleasures. Take, for example, last year’s reboot of the Friday the 13th franchise. The majority of the movie consisted of a bunch of boring teenage characters getting killed by Jason Voorhees in various not-all-that-thrilling manners. But it was buoyed by a 25-minute opening sequence that acted like a typical horror movie, but without all the boring, unnecessary scenes.
- 4/30/2010
- by Alan
- DorkShelf.com
Viking war movie Valhalla Rising comes to DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on May 17, following its theatrical release in March by Vertigo Films.
From the producers of The Football Factory and the director of the Pusher trilogy and biopic Bronson, Nicolas Winding Refn's film depicts the unflinching violence and brutality of the Viking Age.
Countering this are deeper themes that offer what the director calls "science fiction for the mind". Valhalla Rising, in the vein of historical battle epics such as 300, Outlander and Last Legion, is described as having an atmosphere that echoes Wrath of God and Apocalypse Now.
Here's the official synopsis:
One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen - Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans) is driven by hate. It is how he survives, why he never loses.
For years, this mute warrior of supernatural strength has been held prisoner by the chieftain Barde (Alexander Morton -...
From the producers of The Football Factory and the director of the Pusher trilogy and biopic Bronson, Nicolas Winding Refn's film depicts the unflinching violence and brutality of the Viking Age.
Countering this are deeper themes that offer what the director calls "science fiction for the mind". Valhalla Rising, in the vein of historical battle epics such as 300, Outlander and Last Legion, is described as having an atmosphere that echoes Wrath of God and Apocalypse Now.
Here's the official synopsis:
One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen - Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans) is driven by hate. It is how he survives, why he never loses.
For years, this mute warrior of supernatural strength has been held prisoner by the chieftain Barde (Alexander Morton -...
- 4/30/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
The horror film Salvage is coming to DVD July 6th and we have the details from the studio. Described by the media as “thrilling” (Bizarre), “scary and believable” (Sci-Fi London), and “a seriously shocking chiller for our times” (Alan Jones, Frightfest), Salvage, the stunning debut feature from director Lawrence Gough, is a brand new British horror film that redefines the genre with a strong female heroine and a topical plot that positions the terror right on our doorstep.
Written by Colin O’Donnell (Hollyoaks) and starring Neve McIntosh (Dr. Who; Gormenghast), Shaun Dooley (Married Single Other; Eden Lake), Linzey Cocker (Wild Child), Trevor Hancock (Behind Closed Doors), Dean Andrews (Life on Mars), Kevin Harvey (Everyone Loves Sunshine), Paul Opacic (Bad Girls) and Shahid Ahmed (28 Weeks Later), the film has already thrilled audiences at the London Frightfest, the Edinburgh Film Festival and at Texas’s prestigious Fantastic Fest where the film...
Written by Colin O’Donnell (Hollyoaks) and starring Neve McIntosh (Dr. Who; Gormenghast), Shaun Dooley (Married Single Other; Eden Lake), Linzey Cocker (Wild Child), Trevor Hancock (Behind Closed Doors), Dean Andrews (Life on Mars), Kevin Harvey (Everyone Loves Sunshine), Paul Opacic (Bad Girls) and Shahid Ahmed (28 Weeks Later), the film has already thrilled audiences at the London Frightfest, the Edinburgh Film Festival and at Texas’s prestigious Fantastic Fest where the film...
- 3/17/2010
- MoviesOnline.ca
Alan Jones is an internationally renowned reporter on the fantasy, horror and science fiction genres in all media and extensively travels all over the world to cover the making of movies in production. He has written for magazines such as ‘Empire’, ‘Fangoria’, ‘Total Film’, ‘The Dark Side’, ‘GQ’, ‘Vogue’, ‘Shivers’, ‘Femme Fatales’, ‘DVD Review’, ‘The Independent’, ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Premiere’.
Along with Paul McEvoy, Ian Rattray and Greg Day, Jones also organises the world renowned FrightFest horror film festival that takes place in London and Glasgow every year, and it was at this years Glasgow FrightFest where I managed to track down Mr. Jones for a chat:
This years Glasgow FrightFest has seen many screenings sell out, how and why do you think people keep coming back?
Because we give them what they want. It’s a strong line up this year I think, last year’s was a bit dodgy…...
Along with Paul McEvoy, Ian Rattray and Greg Day, Jones also organises the world renowned FrightFest horror film festival that takes place in London and Glasgow every year, and it was at this years Glasgow FrightFest where I managed to track down Mr. Jones for a chat:
This years Glasgow FrightFest has seen many screenings sell out, how and why do you think people keep coming back?
Because we give them what they want. It’s a strong line up this year I think, last year’s was a bit dodgy…...
- 3/10/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Alan Jones is an internationally renowned reporter on the fantasy, horror and science fiction genres in all media and extensively travels all over the world to cover the making of movies in production. He was the sole London correspondent for the seminal American magazine ‘Cinefantastique/Cfq’ from 1977 (when he interviewed the entire Star Wars cast and crew) to its final issue in 2005.
During the past 30 years he reviewed every genre release for Great Britain’s ‘Starburst’ and he is currently a film critic for ‘Film Review’ and the ‘Radio Times’. Other magazines and newspapers he has written for include ‘Empire’, ‘Fangoria’, ‘Total Film’, ‘Wonderland’, ‘The Dark Side’, ‘Heat’, ‘GQ’, ‘Vogue’, ‘FHM’, ‘Preview’, ‘Shivers’, ‘Femme Fatales’, ‘DVD Review’, ‘The Independent’, ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Premiere’.
He, along with Paul McEvoy, Ian Rattray and Greg Day, also organises the world renowned FrightFest horror film festival that takes place in London and Glasgow every year,...
During the past 30 years he reviewed every genre release for Great Britain’s ‘Starburst’ and he is currently a film critic for ‘Film Review’ and the ‘Radio Times’. Other magazines and newspapers he has written for include ‘Empire’, ‘Fangoria’, ‘Total Film’, ‘Wonderland’, ‘The Dark Side’, ‘Heat’, ‘GQ’, ‘Vogue’, ‘FHM’, ‘Preview’, ‘Shivers’, ‘Femme Fatales’, ‘DVD Review’, ‘The Independent’, ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Premiere’.
He, along with Paul McEvoy, Ian Rattray and Greg Day, also organises the world renowned FrightFest horror film festival that takes place in London and Glasgow every year,...
- 3/5/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
By internationally renowned horror writer Alan Jones
Lionsgate came to my FrightFest colleagues and I last year with a great idea. Would we be prepared to show all five Saw movies in a row, following that epic marathon with the world premiere of Saw VI timed for midnight, at Thorpe Park where the new Saw ride had just opened. Chills and thrills to be had by all, and then a screamingly exciting vertical drop rollercoaster trip in the dark! What was not to like about the plan? Naturally we gave them the massive thumbs up.
Lionsgate came to my FrightFest colleagues and I last year with a great idea. Would we be prepared to show all five Saw movies in a row, following that epic marathon with the world premiere of Saw VI timed for midnight, at Thorpe Park where the new Saw ride had just opened. Chills and thrills to be had by all, and then a screamingly exciting vertical drop rollercoaster trip in the dark! What was not to like about the plan? Naturally we gave them the massive thumbs up.
- 3/4/2010
- by Alan Jones
- Pure Movies
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