Almanac
Plot details are under wraps other than the film would have a mockumentary angle centered around time travel.
The Butcherhouse Chronicles
THE BUTCHERHOUSE CHRONICLES penned by Michael Hidalgo, is a darkly comic horror stage show about four high school students out to discover the truth behind a mysterious old (haunted) property known as the Butcherhouse.
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[Interview] Max Burkholder On Surviving ‘The Purge’
The Purge, which comes from director James DeMonaco, looks to be a fairly intense piece of work. While I have yet to see the film (something I’m fixing soon), I took the opportunity last week to hop on the phone with Max Burkholder (“Parenthood”), who plays young Charlie Sandin in the film.
In theaters June 7th, the film also stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller, and Rhys Wakefield.
“In an America wracked by crime, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—is legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It is one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking.”
Check out the interview below! READ MORE
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[Interview] Director James DeMonaco Talks ‘The Purge’ At The Stanley Film Festival
By Erik Myers:
Universal and Blumhouse’s horror flick The Purge hits theaters on June 7. The film is an interesting twist on the home invasion trope. It takes place in a future America where one night a year, all crime is legal, and one well-to-do family led by Ethan Hawke become the unwitting targets of a merry band of masked murderers.
Such a concept can’t be rolled out without plenty of thought, but writer and director James DeMonaco is not in short supply of either. A self-described fanatic of crime lore and horror movies, this is the first major studio film DeMonaco has directed, but his long list of screenwriting credits includes the remake of Assault on Precinct 13 and Skinwalkers. The morning after the film’s premiere at the Stanley Film Festival, he sat down with Bloody Disgusting to discuss the film, America’s peculiar relationship with violence and the frightening performance of lead antagonist Rhys Wakefield. READ MORE
First TV Spot For ‘The Purge’ Reminds You That Nothing Will Be Okay Again
Writer/Director James DeMonaco’s Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes-produced The Purge (formerly Vigilandia), starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller and Rhys Wakefield, hits theaters on June 7th. That’s way closer than you think and the TV campaign for the film has already begun. Can’t wait to see this one!
“In an America wracked by crime, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—is legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It is one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking.”
Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes’ partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13). READ MORE
Can You Handle Waiting A Bit Longer To See ‘The Purge’?
Don’t worry it’s only an extra week! Writer/Director James DeMonaco’s Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes-produced The Purge (formerly Vigilandia) has been moved from May 31st to June 7th. Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller and Rhys Wakefield star in the film.
“In an America wracked by crime, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—is legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It is one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking.”
Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes’ partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13). READ MORE
Paramount Opens ‘Almanac’ For Platinum Dunes
Some cool news for original, found footage, horror this evening as Paramount has given the greenlight to Platinum Dunes‘ Almanac. Michael Bay will produce through his Platinum Dunes banner along with his partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. Newcomer Dean Israelite will direct, per Variety.
Plot details are under wraps other than the film would have a mockumentary angle centered around time travel. The script is by Andrew Stark and Jason Pagan penned the script.
The film is currently casting, expect it to be mainly new faces.
New Trailer For ‘The Purge’ Is Super Intense!! The Poster Isn’t Half Bad Either!
Writer/Director James DeMonaco’s Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes-produced The Purge (formerly Vigilandia) – came out swinging today with a new trailer, poster, some cool stills and a new synopsis! Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller and Rhys Wakefield star in the film. I definitely like the intensity and the “what if The Strangers were legal” vibe!
“In an America wracked by crime, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—is legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It is one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking.”
Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes’ partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13).
The Purge hits May 31st, 2013. Head inside for the trailer, poster and image gallery! READ MORE
Platinum Dunes Ethan Hawke Starring Sci-Fi Slasher ‘The Purge’ Gets An Official Synopsis
Director James DeMonaco’s Platinum Dunes-produced The Purge (formerly Vigilandia) – a political/sci-fi slasher starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Tony Oller and Rhys Wakefield – now has an expanded official synopsis, though it doesn’t differ too much from what we’ve already reported on the film.
It reads, “If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home. In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—becomes legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It’s one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin’s (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide.”
The film is being released by Universal from its deal with producer Jason Blum, who partners with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes. Blum, Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form are producing with Sébastien Kurt Lemercier.
I actually kind of like this premise and hope they execute it well. The film will be purged onto screens May 31st, 2013.
[Good Scenes In Bad Movies] The ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)’ Edition!
I thought the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was serviceable. Neither as fun as Friday The 13th 2009 (sue me, I love that one) or as abysmal as A Nightmare On Elm Street 2010. The Wolfman sort of feels the same way. He doesn’t exactly like it, but he can’t outright hate it (even if it’s of course nowhere near as good as the original). Sometimes finding a saving grace in a film comes down to finding just one scene that really hits it out of the park. And that’s precisely the point The Wolfman (@TheWolfmanCometh – on the boards) aims to illustrate here in his column!
We’re going to, on occasion, start examining good scenes that outpace the general quality of the film that contains them. And we hope you’ll come along for the ride! Head inside for his take on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003! READ MORE
TV: Michael Bay’s “Occult” Not To Be Confused With Jennifer Carpenter ‘The Occult’
Pending an approved cast, Michael Bay (pictured above; Transformers), along with his Platinum Dunes gang Brad Fuller & Andrew Form, have a pilot order for their new TV show, “Occult” via A&E.
According to Deadline the project, written by James Wong (“The X-Files”), “draws parallels to X-Files and Fringe, centers on a FBI agent who returns from administrative leave after going off the deep end while investigating his wife’s disappearance. Eager to be back on the job, he is paired with an agent with her own complicated backstory who specializes in the occult. Together, they will solve cases for the newly formed occult crimes task force.”
There is no studio attached yet but, with a pilot order from a network in place, one shouldn’t be too hard to come by. With “Fringe” winding down this could be pretty cool if they do it right!
Ranking All 12 ‘Friday The 13th’ Movies!! What’s Your Order?
I actually had the urge to put up this list immediately after my rankings of the Nightmare On Elm Street series a few weeks ago but then decided to hold off until today. After all, it’s an actual Friday The 13th and thus a far more appropriate date to commemorate the series.
What’s interesting about the Friday The 13th franchise – as opposed to A Nightmare On Elm Street – is that my personal rankings of it usually vary depending on what day you catch me. The overall shape of it remains fairly constant, but here and there certain entries have the ability to slide up or down a notch or two depending on my mood. I also don’t feel that there’s one perfect entry in the franchise. As much as I love most of these films, many of them are incredibly flawed – which is part of the charm for me and is also why I would completely understand the reasoning behind a list that was the exact opposite of mine.
With one huge exception, I tend to favor the days of pre-zombie Jason even though I have no particular stake in him being alive or undead. Maybe it’s the nostalgia factor but I find that there’s something innocent and comforting about those early days at Camp Crystal Lake. I could almost watch those movies without the kills. It also may have something to do with the fact that the characters in those latter films are coarse and even more thinly drawn than the earlier installments, which is saying something.
Anyway, head inside to see where I stand on the series! And – as always – let me know your own rankings in the comments! READ MORE
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No Joke, Platinum Dunes Getting Behind ‘Halloween’ Franchise
While some of you may think this is an April Fool’s joke, it’s not. Bloody Disgusting can exclusively report that Platinum Dunes is in talks to take the producing reigns on Dimension Films’ forthcoming Halloween sequel.
Word has it that Michael Myers’ return will not be in 3-D, nor will it instill the popular found footage model, which was originally being explored for the potential Friday the 13th sequel.
We’re hearing that Platinum Dunes is out to writers and directors, which could mean that – and as much as we personally love them – My Bloody Valentine and Drive Angry duo Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier are no longer involved.
Platinum Dunes’ Brad Fuller and Andrew Form are responsible for remakes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Amityville Horror, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare On Elm Street, as well as originals like The Unborn and Horsemen. They’re in post on the futuristic horror Vigilandia, as well as developing the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adaptation.
What would you guys like to see Platinum Dunes do with the franchise? Continue Rob Zombie’s story, do a fresh reboot, or what? READ MORE
[Special Feature] What A Nightmare! Ranking The 9 ‘Elm Street’ Movies!
![Nightmarerankingland32412 [Special Feature] What A Nightmare! Ranking The 9 Elm Street Movies!](http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/photosizer/upload/Nightmarerankingland32412.jpg "[Special Feature] What A Nightmare! Ranking The 9 Elm Street Movies!")
After last week’s Dream Warriors Script To Scream I found that I had a lot of leftover thoughts racing in my head regarding the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise in general. Was Part 3 better than Part 1? How did they fail so badly with the remake? Is scary Freddy better than funny Freddy? Why does Freddy’s Dead even exist?
Of course, some of these answers are self evident. Nevertheless, with all of these thoughts about the series cluttering my brain, I decided to embark on my own personal ranking of the films in the franchise (including Freddy Vs. Jason). So here they are, ranked in the simple order of which ones I’d prefer to watch over the others.
Hit the jump to check it out. I expect plenty of you guys to disagree, so feel free to include your own ranking in the comments! READ MORE
Sony Pictures Locks Down ‘Dance Of The Dead’ Team For ‘Lockdown At Franklin High’
First of all, if you’ve never seen Dance Of the Dead that’s a situation you should remedy quickly. Director Gregg Bishop and Screenwriter Joe Ballarini fashioned a great, fun gory and touching John Hughes influenced yarn out of a meager budget. I recommend it highly.
Not they’re back with Lockdown At Franklin High, “about a straight edge teen girl and her rebellious, socially outcast brother as they try to escape from their prison-like high school which has been locked down and plunged into anarchy and pandemonium due to the attacks of a ravenous, supernatural monster. The inspiration is real high school lockdowns and tragedies and the intention is to use that for a dark and visceral roller coaster of intense fear and emotion.”
Platinum Dunes’ Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form are also in the mix. Per Deadline, “Sony Pictures ended the week by closing preemptive deal for Lockdown At Franklin High, a spec script by ‘Dance of the Dead’ team of Greg Bishop and Joe Ballarini. The bidding was competitive and Sony’s plan is to move quickly to get a director and put the film into production. Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form also in conversations to produce.”
It’s interesting that they’re looking for a director, since Bishop directed Dance with Ballarini getting sole writing credit. I assumed he would be directing this project as well. Looks like they collaborated on the script and are looking for someone else to helm. We’ll see how this plays out. Either way? It’s good news. READ MORE
Lena Headey Joins Ethan Hawke In Platinum Dunes ‘Vigilandia’!
Lena Headey (300, “Game Of Thrones”, “The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) will join previously announced lead Ethan Hawke in Universal/Platinum Dunes’ Vigilandia.
It’ll be interesting to see how Fuller and Form handle smaller budgets and original material. I wasn’t always a fan of their remake stuff (hated Nightmare On Elm Street but absolutely loved Friday The 13th) but they kind of make for interesting old-school producers in the sense that they really actively call the shots on their sets.
Per Variety, ““Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey as landed the female lead in Universal’s “Vigilandia,” starring Ethan Hawke. James DeMonaco will direct from a script he penned. Plot details of the sci-fi thriller are being kept under wraps.
Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form will produce through Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes along with Why Not Prods. Sebastien Lemercier exec produces. Universal recently came on producer of the pic, the first film under its first-look deal with Blumhouse. While Platinum Dunes has been known for making films at a price, the pic reps its first foray into really low-budgeted fare. Sources say the budget would be similar to that of FilmDistrict’s “Insidious” or the upcoming “Sinister.” READ MORE
UPDATE: NECA Jason Collectibles And A Few New Stills Hit Two Days After ‘Friday The 13th’
Yeah, I know it’s Sunday the 15th. But still! Below you’ll find a sneak peak at the head for NECA’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter Voorhees toy. I can only assume it comes with a machete to lay into that gushing wound. In all seriousness, how cool would it be if the figure came with Tommy Jarvis (Corey Feldman), the only person to truly stop Jason before he was resurrected as a zombie in Part 6?
Furthermore, how cool would it be if NECA eventually released a box set containing all 13 Jason’s (including baby Jason and the two incarnations from Jason X)?
In addition, Derek Mears has made two, previously unreleased, images available of him as Jason in Friday The 13th (2009). Unlike some other horror sites/writers – I actually dug the Platinum Dunes F13 remake. It’s one of the top four Friday movies in my book – and it’s the best Dunes movie by a country mile.
Hit the jump to check out the pics! READ MORE
‘Pooh’s Heffalump Movie’ Scribe Retooling ‘Ouija’ Screenplay
After McG was announced as the director of Platinum Dunes’ Ouija, I’d wager just about everyone on the face of the planet let out a collective groan – Universal replaced Brett Ratner on The Wolfman after a huge online outcry, maybe we can pull it off again?
Word now comes that Evan Spiliotopoulos has been brought in to work on the script, which was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Tron: Legacy, Lost).
The curious thing about this is that aside from some trashy looking DTV and Made-For-TV films, Spiliotopoulos is known for working on high-profile DTV animated flicks, such as The Lion King 1 1/2, The Jungle Book 2, and Pooh’s Heffalump Movie. In his defense, he worked on scripts for Wanted 2 and Agnes Quill, though it remains to be seen how good those ended up being. Regardless, we’ll all see how it turns out next November.
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Amber Heard’s Fanny on Display in First ‘Drive Angry’ TV Spot
The first TV Spot has been released for Patrick Lussier’s Drive Angry 3D (set report), which follows a vengeful father (Nicolas Cage) who hunts down the people who brutally killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby. As the chase gets bloodier by the mile, his rescue spins out of control, leaving bodies strewn along the highway. Amber Heard (Pineapple Express), Billy Burke (The Twilight Saga), William Fichtner (The Dark Knight) and David Morse (Disturbia) also star. Patrick Lussier directs from the original screenplay he co-wrote with Todd Farmer who previously collaborated with him on My Bloody Valentine 3D.
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Release Dates: ‘Drive Angry,’ ‘The Dark Tower,’ ‘Ouija’ and ‘Abraham Lincoln’
Update: Fox will release Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in theaters on June 22, 2012. We have a couple of new boxoffice adjustments before the weekend. Summit Entertainment will release Patrick Lussier and Todd Farmer’s Drive Angry 3D in theaters on February 25, 2011, two weeks later than previously scheded. Universal Pictures has locked the Hasbro board game adaptation of Ouija, which is being produced by Platinum Dunes, for release on November 9, 2012. Lastly, Ron Howard’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower kicks off the summer of 2013 on May 17. You can get details on all three released by clicking any title above.
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[Remember This?] What Movies Are You Afraid Suck Now?