Introducing…Disney's Frankenweenie

First trailer for Disney's stop motion animation feature Frankenweenie- only at the movies October 25


 “When you lose someone you love they never really leave you, they just move into a special place in your heart” –Mum

“I don’t want him in my heart. I want him here, with me.” –Victor

“I know. If we could bring him back we would…” –Mum

Frankenweenie is an upcoming 3D black-and-white stop motion-animated film, directed by Tim Burton, and it is a remake of Burton's 1984 short film of the same name. Like the 1984 version, it is a parody of and a homage to the 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley's book of the same name. In the film, a boy named Victor loses his dog and uses the power of science to bring it back to life. The film is scheduled for release on October 5, 2012. It will be the first black and white feature and first stop-motion film to be released in IMAX 3D.

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AUSTRALIAN FANS HUNGRY FOR RELEASE

HAVING READ THE BOOKS I CANT WAIT EITHER

          Tickets for the highly anticipated THE HUNGER GAMES are selling strongly two weeks out from the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ first book in her dystopian trilogy hitting the big screen.

          Eager fans have snapped up tickets to midnight sessions at all major cinema chains across Australia, which will take place hours before the film is officially released on March 22.  With many sessions already sold out, exhibitors are continuing to add more sessions in response to customer demand.

          Gino Munari, Village Cinemas General Manager – Programming, said: “Early ticket sales across the Village circuit leaves me with no doubt that The Hunger Games is fast shaping-up as one of the hottest films of the year. In fact, at the same stage, sales are tracking ahead of the original Twilight.”

          Chris McGlinn, Director of Marketing at Event Cinemas added: “We are thrilled with the strong early ticket sales for the first sessions of The Hunger Games in all of our major locations.  We will have sell-out midnight and opening weekend sessions around the country, especially in Vmax and Gold Class.”

About The Hunger Games

          Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its 12 districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games.  A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

          Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) when she’s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives.  If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

          Directed by Gary Ross, The Hunger Games also stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Wes Bentley.

          The Hunger Games is yet to be rated and will release in Australian cinemas nationally on March 22.  We are attending the preview on the 21^st March. So look for our review. 

          Are you planning to see the HUNGER GAMES? 

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JOHN CARTER ★ ★ ★ ★1/2

A ONE HUNDRED YEAR OLD HERO, BORN AGAIN

So who is ‘John Carter’??? From the film trailer, he seemed to be a very handsome, shirtless guy, leaping around amongst four armed creatures on Mars. 

‘John Carter’ is Edgar Rice Burroughs—the Tarzan author’s—literary hero, who sprung from a serialised 1912 story entitled “Under the Moons of Mars”, which was later published in 1917 as the novel, “A Princess of Mars”

Over the decades, Burroughs continued to write many popular books and serials on the adventures of ‘John Carter’ on Barsoom—Mars’ fictional name.

Science fiction writers Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury have all credited ‘John Carter’ as inspiration for their own work.  James Cameron cited the ‘John Carter’ books as an influence on his epic science-fiction film, AVATAR, whilst George Lucas credits ‘Carter’ with inspiring the STAR WARS movies. The list of fans goes on, including Carl Sagan, Michael Crichton and more. 

So on ‘John Carter’s’ one hundredth anniversary, Disney Studios has decided to treat us, for the price of a movie ticket, with a trip to Mars to rediscover ‘John Carter’ in the technological age of green screen, CGI and 3D.

If you have seen the trailers, you could think that this film could go either way.  It could be truly amazing or a corny disappointment.  My verdict: “Amazing”.

You need to see it. You need to take your kids—over eight I’d say.  You need to take your other half and prepare yourself to see a movie that will become a favourite.  You will want to own the DVD.  You may even want to build a home theatre so you can watch it over and over again on a big screen, as it is meant to be seen. YES, I think it's that good.

JOHN CARTER is set in the civil war period and told in flashback via his own journal given to his nephew upon his death.  Our hero, John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is war and world weary.  Despite being a strong fighter, he wants no part of the war. He wants instead to find a rumoured cave of gold.  When he finds the cave he also finds a portal to another world—Barsoom (Mars).  And wouldn’t you know it; there is a ten thousand year old civil war on Barsoom too.  This guy just can’t catch a break

With the powers that John inherits, due to the difference in atmosphere, he becomes a much desired ally by all factions.  He is captured by the Tharks, four armed, tusked creatures, who are hoping the humanoid inhabitants of Barsoom will kill off each other and leave them alone.  Eventually he wins the respect of their leader, Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe). 

Meanwhile, the Zodangans, lead by Sab Than (Dominic West), battle with the Heliumites, whose beautiful Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins) strives to find a solution that will end the fighting and save her beloved planet.  This comes in the form of a planned marriage to Sab Than, the enemy.   But, like all good Warrior Princesses, Dejah Thoris will not go quietly.  Don't worry if you can't get your head around the unwieldy names. You have one hundred and thirty-two minutes in which to become familiarised.  The story is an action packed adventure, with a quest thrown in, as John Carter tries to find a way home to Earth.  Once Dejah Thoris meets John Carter, well let’s just say, planets collide. 

The one thing that sets JOHN CARTER apart from other fantasy adventures is that the story and the visuals are extremely believable. This is very much due to the vision of its Oscar Winning Director, Andrew Stanton, who also co-wrote the screenplay along with Michael Chabon, and Mark Andrews.  Stanton helped establish Pixar as one of the world's leading animation studios as the designer and writer on the TOY STORY films, A BUG’S LIFE, FINDING NEMO AND WALL-E.

Stanton says, “JOHN CARTER is a big, epic, sci-fi action-adventure with romance and action and political intrigue and because the subject matter was written so long ago, it became the origin of those kinds of stories in the last century

It was difficult to go back into this book and not look like you were being derivative of everything else because it’s been an inspiration for one hundred years.

So Stanton and his team approached the film with a clear mandate.   “I want you to believe that these really are the laws of nature and the rules of reality on another planet,” says Stanton.  “I want the audience to accept Barsoom in the same way you might visit a foreign land in our world and not know anything about its cultures or its flora and fauna and yet, for as fantastical as it can be, you accept it because you know the place really exists somewhere.''

And real it does feel.  JOHN CARTER is a movie like no other. It crosses almost every genre, combining them to take audiences on an exciting ride. The reasonably unknown leads are not only gorgeous to behold but hold their own amongst the technology and animation. 

But it’s the story and the characters that are the true stars here.  One hundred years later, these characters will capture your imagination as they did previous generations.  Don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking towards the night sky and wondering, did Edgar Rice Burroughs write fantasy or fact.

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WE LOVE ROOFTOP MOVIES—IT’S OFFICIAL

PERTH READERS, Click through to www.myshoppinglist.com.au to win in-season tickets to experience Rooftop Movies.

Perth cinema-lovers have lapped up the launch of Rooftop Movies, the latest instalment from the Artrage team.  The pilot programme kicked off with a VIP soirée, Wednesday 29 February, which saw Moi and husband and 250 special guests, among the first to be treated to the delights of Perth’s newest summer attraction.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Hubby and I were very impressed with the quality of the sound and picture.  It is certainly an amazing venue and we can’t wait to go again with friends.  Do bring along a small pillow to rest your head on the deckchairs and a jacket in case the temperature drops a little.  It was windy on launch night, which wasn’t perfect, but it couldn’t mar the fabulous experience of sitting amongst the beautifully lit Perth buildings as a backdrop, whilst laughing at ‘The Big Lebowski’.  In fact, I don’t think it matters what movie you see. It is all about the experience.

FANTASTIC PUBLIC RESPONSE

Artrage director, Marcus Canning, says, “We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to this pilot programme, selling close to 2000 tickets so far which is almost a third of the total seats in the first season”

“Our opening night screening of The Big Lebowski sold out in a matter of minutes, and our first Double Feature on March 2, Heathers and Suspiria, sold out earlier this week.

“Season Two will be announced mid-March and run until the end of April. If the programme is successful we will look to running the programme annually from December to April,” says Canning.

The film programme includes classic and cult movies, recent releases as well nightly pre and post screening entertainments, including ongoing weekly special events .

A partnership between Artrage and City of Perth Parking, Rooftop Movies is located on the roof of the Roe Street Car Park in Northbridge. The partnership allows patrons to combine the cost of parking and the cost of the movie into one ticket price.

SNAPSHOT OF THE PROGRAMME

Bulmer’s Comedy Wednesdays

Featuring live comedy pre and post feature film

·         March 7 – Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learnt to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

·         March 14 – Blazing Saddles

·         March 21 – Borat

·         March 28 – Revenge of the Nerds

Friday & Saturday Double Features

A specially programmed duo of films over the weekend nights

·         March 2 – Heathers & Suspiria SOLD OUT

·         March 3 – Alien & The Fly

·         March 9 Dazed and Confused & Fast Times at Ridgemont High

·         March 10 – Dawn of the Dead & Zombie Flesh Eaters

·         March 16 – Goodfellas & Natural Born Killers

·         March 17 – Blue Velvet & Wild at Heart

·         March 23 – Beetlejuice & Gremlins

·         March 24 – Control & 24 Hour Party People

·         March 30 – Blow & Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

·         March 31 – Carrie & Fight Club

Stella Artois Sunday Classics

Featuring live Jazz pre and post feature film to screening a cinema classic

·         March 4 – Casablanca

·         March 11 – Lolita

·         March 18 – La Dolce Vita

·         March 24 – North by Northwest

Pre-sale tickets are $10 plus $2 booking fee. Door sales $13.

Tickets for Friday & Saturday Double Features are $15 plus $2 booking fee.

Parking options include $5 for 2 hours or $8 all night. Parking can be pre-purchased online or with your ticket at the box office.

For more information on the programme head to www.rooftopmovies.com.au.

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Zac Efron to visit Australia for World Premiere

ZAC WILL BE BACK

Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks have all confirmed to visit Melbourne and Sydney in April in support of their new romantic drama THE LUCKY ONE.

Melbourne will host the World Premiere of the film which will be followed by a Sydney Premiere shortly after.

Based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestseller The Lucky One, Zac Efron (“17 Again,” “Charlie St. Cloud”) stars alongside Taylor Schilling (upcoming “Argo”) and Blythe Danner (“Meet the Parents” franchise) in this romantic drama directed by Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks (“Shine,” “No Reservations”).

U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive—a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Hicks directs from a screenplay by Will Fetters (“Remember Me”), adapted from the Nicholas Sparks novel The Lucky One. The producers are Denise Di Novi, who previously produced film adaptations of the Nicholas Sparks novels “A Walk To Remember,” “Nights In Rodanthe” and “Message in a Bottle,” and Kevin McCormick (“Arthur”). Ravi Mehta, Alison Greenspan and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers, and Kerry Heysen is co-producer.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Di Novi Pictures production, a Scott Hicks film, “The Lucky One.” The film will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

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Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close ★ ★ ★ ★1/2

HEARTACHE WORTH THE TEARS

Watch the trailer for EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE and it will tug at your heart.  Do I really need to put myself through this, you may think?  If I am already crying in the trailer, how will I handle 129 minutes of emotional rekindling of a tragedy that is burnt into all of our hearts?

Was it tough and do you really need to watch another film about the 9/11 tragedy?  Yes and absolutely yes.   And it wasn’t just me crying—you could hear the sniffs and nose-blowing across the theatre.  But at the end of this film, there is an uplifting, fulfilling pay-off which is worthy of the tears you will shed.

EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE follows Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), a very unusual, eccentric boy, possibly a mild Asperger sufferer, on a quest to find a lock for a key he has found in his Father’s cupboard.  His Father (Tom Hanks) died tragically a year before in one of the 9/11 Twin Towers.

Since then, his Mother (Sandra Bullock), enduring her own grief, appears to have distanced herself from him with his only remaining emotional attachment now being with his Grandmother, (Zoe Caldwell).  After 9/11, his grandmother has also taken in a “Renter” (Max Von Sydow), a mysterious man who doesn’t speak.

Oskar is no ordinary child—and neither is Thomas Horn who plays him; his performance is achingly brilliant.  In fact, he is no ordinary human being, as he sets out to discover the message he thinks his Father left him through the key. He desperately believes, that in pursuing the location of the lock, he will extend his time with his Father.  Through flashbacks, we see that his Father has always gently encouraged him to face his fears through games they called Reconnaissance Expeditions.  And Oskar is a child with many fears, including speaking to people.

For an eleven year old to find a random lock in New York City, with the only clue being the word “Black” written on the key’s envelope, would be a true miracle.  And we all want him to have his miracle.  On his journey he meets an eclectic assortment of people and befriends the speechless Renter, who also conceals secrets of his own.

The film is based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s acclaimed novel.  Academy Award® nominee Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot,” “The Reader,” “The Hours”) directed “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” from a screenplay by Academy Award® winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump,” “The Insider”), and was produced by Scott Rudin (“No Country for Old Men,” “The Social Network,” “True Grit”). So there is a pedigree of excellence attached, which shines clearly through in every scene.  The film also stars Viola Davis (“Doubt”), John Goodman, and Jeffrey Wright in small but very powerful roles.

Many will say of EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE, that they don’t need reminding of 9/11.  The beauty of this film is that even though the tragedy hovers over everything, the movie is firmly about Oskar and the overcoming of his fears.  In the end, you will be laughing and cheering and I promise you won’t leave the cinema devastated but instead uplifted. 

This core of the movie is not the 9/11 devastation but the wonderful things that came from it; the coming together of people, the winning against all odds, and the humanity that sprang from disaster.  Oskar’s journey is as much about the complex stages of grief and the journey it requires of us to survive, as it is about solving a mystery.
            A movie has done its job when the tendrils of emotion weave their magic around you whilst you are watching and then linger afterwards challenging you to analyse your feelings.  There is magic here and it is not Loud, but brings you masterfully Close to all things good about being human.

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Introducing Rooftop Movies

A pop-up Summer oasis in the heart of the Perth CBD

Perth cinema-lovers will soon have the opportunity to take movie viewing to new heights with the opening of Rooftop Movies in Northbridge on Wednesday 29 February.

With the inaugural Fringe World Festival drawn to a close on the weekend, organizers Artrage are perched to unleash this new project which will run until late April 2012.  A partnership between Artrage and City of Perth Parking sees Rooftop Movies located on the roof of the Roe Street Car Park in Northbridge.  Seven stories up, it will provide for panoramic views of the Perth city skyline and will comfortably seat 250 patrons screening films every night of the week.

“This is an exciting new cinema experience for Perth and, considering we have some of the best summer nights in Australia, it’s long overdue,” says Artrage director Marcus Canning.

“This rooftop is one of Perth’s best kept secrets. Artrage used this space ten years ago for a festival performance work and we’ve always wanted to set up the space for a cinema. We’ll be decking it out like a Summer oasis,” Canning says.

In keeping with the kitsch ambience of Fringe World’s Treasury Building on St George’s Terrace, the entire rooftop will be covered with faux lawn and scattered with palm trees. There will be a sea of black and white striped deck chairs and hundreds pink flamingos as well as a vintage caravan projection booth. The cinema screen itself will be attached to a double sea container.

“The Roe Street Car Park has pedestrian access straight off James Street at the Piazza and two elevators going straight up to the roof, one of which will be dedicated to Rooftop Movies audiences. It also has vehicle access straight off Roe Street so people can drive in, park their cars for the night, pop out for a bite to eat on James Street and take the elevator to the roof to catch a film,” Canning says.

The film program includes classic and cult movies, recent releases as well nightly pre and post screening entertainments, including ongoing weekly special events:

• Bulmers Belly Laugh Wednesdays

Featuring live comedy pre and post feature film

• Friday & Saturday Double Features

A specially programmed duo of films over the weekend nights

• Stella Summer Classics

Featuring live Jazz pre and post feature film to screening a cinema classic.  All films screen one night only and a taste of the first months program includes: Casablanca, Dr Strangelove, The Big Lebowski, Sin City, Spirited Away and Revenge of the Nerds.

The partnership with City of Perth Parking allows patrons to combine the cost of parking and the cost of the movie into one ticket price.

Tickets are $10 (film only) or $18 including parking within the Roe Street complex.

Tickets for Friday & Saturday Double Features are $15 (film only) or $23 inclusive of parking.

Booking fees apply.

The pilot program kicks off with a special VIP Opening Night on Wednesday 29 February.

For more information on the program head to http://www.rooftopmovies.com.au.

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