Wednesday, September 30, 2009 12:07 AM | From Fangoria
AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi today announced films scheduled for Halloween, all of which celebrate the horror genre. Joe Dantes THE HOLE, Sean Byrnes THE LOVED ONES, Ted Kotcheffs WAKE IN FRIGHT and Michael Stephensons BEST WORST MOVIE will screen on Saturday, October 31 at the Mann Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.
Presented in 3-D, Joe Dantes family friendly thriller THE HOLE marks an auspicious return to the big screen by the celebrated genre director after 11 years. In the film, two young brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement that houses an evil force that can create a physical manifestation of their deep-seated fears. After unwittingly unleashing the force, the brothers must team with the teenage girl next door to find a way to defend themselves against the darkness. The film stars Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett, Nathan Gamble, Bruce Dern and Teri Polo.
THE HOLE will mark the first time a feature film has been presented in 3-D at AFI FEST or its precursor, Filmex since Paul Morrisseys FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN screened in 1977. Michael Medaglias short film THE RATSNITCH ANGEL was presented in 3-D in 2006.
The Midnight Madness Audience Award winner of this years Toronto Film Festival, Sean Byrnes THE LOVED ONES is an Australian thriller about a troubled high school senior who finds himself trapped in a bizarre prom and fighting for his life after he is abducted by a psychotic father-and-daughter pair. The film stars Xavier Samuel (who will star in ECLIPSE, the third installment of the TWILIGHT film saga), Robin McLeavy, John Brumpton and Victoria Thaine. THE LOVED ONES screening will be sponsored by Fangoria Entertainment.
Also hailing from Australia is Ted Kotcheffs underground classic WAKE IN FRIGHT. Originally released in 1971, the film was nominated for the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival and has developed a reputation as one of Australias great, lost films. Recently recovered and restored, the film is a brutal and uncompromising thriller about a young teacher who arrives in a rough outback mining town planning to stay overnight before catching a plane to Sydney. However, his dealings with the hard-drinking, violent locals and a harrowing kangaroo hunt plunge the man headlong toward his own destruction. The film stars Donald Pleasence and Gary Bond.
Michael Stephensons documentary BEST WORST MOVIE looks at both the behind-the-scenes origins of TROLL 2 and the films journey to become a cult classic years after its initial release. Two decades later, Stephenson, the legendarily inept film's child star, unravels the improbable, heartfelt story of an Alabama dentist turned cult movie icon and an Italian filmmaker as they try to come to terms with this genuine, internationally revered cinematic failure.
Also screening on Halloween will be the previously announced South Korean Academy Award pick, Bong Joon-hos MOTHER and the acclaimed RED RIDING TRILOGY of films.
These are films that are targeted specifically to AFI FEST audiences looking for excitement on Halloween, said AFI FEST Director of Programming Robert Koehler. They run the gamut from the family friendly scares of THE HOLE, to the incredible Australian duo of THE LOVED ONES and WAKE IN FRIGHT, to the intense crime dramas of the RED RIDING TRILOGY.
Rollicking cult movie worship and Ozploitation lead the way in our celebration of Halloween at AFI FEST this year, added AFI FEST Senior Programmer Lane Kneedler. We are thrilled to be embracing fringe filmmaking and alternative cinema once again as core components of our festival. When audiences come to Hollywood and Highland on Saturday night, we will deliver an unforgettable Halloween experience.
Complimentary tickets are available beginning on October 16 to all Festival screenings in advance at AFI.com/AFI FEST at the Mann Chinese 6 Theatres (6925 Hollywood Blvd.) beginning October 26, or on the day of scheduled screenings via Rush Lines. Priority seating to all screenings can be secured by becoming a patron of the Festival and purchasing an AFI FEST Patron Pass. For more details, visit AFI.com.
About AFI FEST AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Celebrating its 23rd year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi will take place October 30-November 7. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world.
AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi is sponsored in part by American Airlines; Absolut Vodka; Little Black Dress Wines; Stella Artois; Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; Mann Theatres; RR Donnelly; the Los Angeles Times; American Film Market (AFM); the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs; and the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. AFI FEST is made possible in part by a grant from the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is proud to continue its collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center. Entertainment Weekly is the Presenting Media Sponsor.
About Audi of America, Inc. Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line-up is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year AUDI AG recorded its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
Exclusive: Down in THE HOLE - An Interview with Joe Dante
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:49 AM | From Fangoria
In Joe Dantes latest film, THE HOLE (to be released in 2010, see our review here), two brothers (Chris Massoglia and Nathan Gamble) discover a bottomless hole in their basement. After opening it, they awaken an evil force that preys upon their deepest fears: clowns, the chilling return of lost, loved ones and other surprises. So what would director Joe Dante (pictured left on the cover of FANGORIA #38) see reaching out for him if he were to peer down into the abyss?
My fears related to giant insects and the bomb dropping, he reveals. In the era that I grew up, we pretty much lived under the idea that at any minute the world could end. I remember in grade school, we would walk in and kids would say that the bomb could drop right now and wed all be dead. And so, its just something you carry around with you as an innate fear. Actually, I did a whole movie about it, MATINEE.
Having directed youngsters numerous times in the past facing off against both evil and occasionally benevolent forces (GREMLINS, EXPLORERS, GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH, SMALL SOLDIERS and the TV series EERIE, INDIANA to name but a few examples), Dante would seem to have an innate understanding of the thoughts and fears of youngsters. Kids do have a lot of fears, because the world is a scary place. But kids are pretty tough, he continues. I think these (childhood) fears are a big part of everyone. And I think, traditionally, thats why horror movies have been so appealing over the years.
The idea of doing a film about the fears of a new set of kids is not that difficult, because even though the environment changes, kids pretty much stay the same, Dante notes. When you listen to them talking off camera about their gripes, dislikes and worries, theyre very similar to the ones that I had. Ive found that to be true through all these years of making pictures with kids.
THE HOLEs new generation of capable young stars includes not only Massoglia and Gamble, but also Haley Bennett as their neighbour. Dante suggests that choosing these performers made the shoot considerably easier. If you hire the right cast, you dont have to do a lot of directing, he explains. I remember when Ethan Hawk walked in on Explorers. He wasnt even an actor. He was just a kid who came in with a friend who was auditioning. He ended up getting the part in the movie and now hes been acting for years. Haley Bennett is a very good actress, gorgeous and easy to work with. Chris Missolea had worked before (and will be seen in the upcoming CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT). He lives in the Midwest and is not a Hollywood type-person. Nathan Gamble, the youngest kid, is a natural born actor. He reminds me of Ethan. I think if he decides to pursue it, he could go far. I think all three of them are going to have good careers.
The primary phobia of Gambles character is a terrifying clown puppet. It isnt long before the doll begins mounting violent physical assaults. The characters anxiousness and eventual terror must be communicated to audiences through not just the dialogue, but physical gestures and expressions, particularly in close-ups of the actor that dont involve the object as a frame of reference. One would assume that this would be difficult for a child actor to pull off. Yet, Dante says it never was an issue. The funny thing about Nathan was that he was such a good actor, that he could get right into the scene immediately. Then you call cut, and hes just a happy kid again. Its really a temperament thing.
THE HOLE also boasts performances from Joe Dante regulars Bruce Dern (as Crazy Carl) and Dick Miller, although the director admits he was lucky to get them. This movie was largely made in Canada, so you cant bring many people in (due to union regulations). Bruce was really the only one. Dick did his part in L.A. I used to make a lot of movies in Hollywood and I had a lot of people that I used to use, but it has all changed, because most movies arent made in Hollywood any more. So, the whole idea of the supporting actor that you can recognize has kind of gone by the wayside.
While many elements of the new film are familiar, one that comes as completely original to audiences will be the use of Digital 3-D to tell the story. So just how different was it from planning and executing a 2-D film?
You approach the movie the way you would a normal film, except you are conscious of the fact that you are actually shooting it in depth. Its not just mise-en-scene where you have something in the foreground to make a nice composition. In 3-D, if you have something in the foreground, people are going to look at it. So you cant do the kind of set ups you would do in a 2-D film. You have to constantly be aware of where the audiences attention is. Where it might be nice to have out of focus flowers in the foreground of a normal shot, in 3-D, the out of focus flowers are going to be incredibly distracting. You cant put them there. So you do have to think in those terms, Dante explains.
You basically stage the scenes in depth. You set them up so that they are inviting the audience into the picture, as opposed to isolating them from it. There are three places in a 3-D image. There is behind the screen, at the screen and in front of the screen. And you have to decide where those objects are going to be positioned, he observes.
According to the director, todays new digital technology has made it even easier for audiences to interpret the 3-D information without disorientation and headaches. You have to make little adjustments to make sure that when you cut to the next scene, that the viewers ocular convergence doesnt give them a headache. Sometimes, youll mute the 3-D a little bit at the beginning of a shot and make it stronger during a shot. So when youre cutting, its not a big, jarring edit.
The digital processing and editing has other benefits as well. On the set you have a 3-D monitor and you can stage scenes in 3-D and see what it looks like, but youre not completely married to it. You can adjust it in post-production, although it is a fairly time consuming process.
Thankfully the actual filming on location with 3-D technology only added one minor complication. The only thing that takes longer is the lighting. You have to light it brighter than a normal film. Its going to lose light when its projected through the polarizer and its going to lose more light through the glasses. You have to time the 2-D version and 3D version differently. The 3-D version is much brighter. But it doesnt add more than twenty percent to a not very big budget. So I think youll find that a lot more smaller films will be using 3-D, Dante predicts.
Knowing which dimensional effects would work well with audiences was also a key to making the illusion perfect. Its very tricky figuring out what you can get away with, and thats why in THE HOLE, we do it very occasionally and with big objects that are easy
THE HOLE in 3D (Film Review)
Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:14 AM | From Fangoria
First things first: it could be as long as a year before Joe Dantes newest feature, THE HOLE, is released theatrically in North America. Those who are disappointed to hear this news should take solace in the following statement: it will be well worth the wait.
Produced independently by Bold Films and screened for potential distributors in Toronto and Venice (where it won the first ever prize for Best 3D film, beating out such prestigious competitors as Disney/Pixars UP), director Dante even expressed some apprehension about interviews and promoting the movie this early. His concern was that by the time The Hole would be finally unleashed on audiences, some might believe that the movie was old and had already been released (hope he doesnt mind this review). However, with proper marketing, this title should prove more than successful and, like many of the directors previous titles, appeal to horror fans both young and old.
Buoyed by an effective script by Mark L. Smith (who also penned the hit VACANCY), the tale centers around two brothers (Chris Massoglia and Nathan Gamble) arriving in a new town. After a few scenes of obligatory set up, the boys, along with the help of a neighbour (Haley Bennett) and her yappy Pomeranian, find a chained up hatch in the basement. Naturally, the door leads to an eerie, seemingly bottomless pit. Increasingly bizarre and horrifying events begin occurring as both the kids and audience attempt to determine what is happening and more importantly, how to stop it (at least the Pomeranian doesnt seem to be directly affected).
As with the directors other films, the young cast are capable and win the audience over easily as their deepest fears and anxieties are revealed. Despite Dante working with a smaller budget than usual, viewers will find the lighting and visual flourishes impressive. The dazzling but unobtrusive 3D photography is deserving of its accolades and does, in conjunction with the engaging story, seem to place viewers in the middle of the action.
Highlights include a disturbing encounter with a figure behind a bathroom stall and numerous scenes involving a grinning, yet malicious puppet that are sure to establish a clown phobia among a new generation of kids. There are no confusing or eye-strain inducing set-ups, and the camera movement is smooth. For those who still cant get enough of objects flying out of the foreground and into their faces, a few large items still make their way off of the screen, or are lowered via fishing line through the hole and at viewers heads.
Strangely enough, regardless of large doses of black humor, a story featuring young protagonists and little in the way of graphic shocks (although there are a couple of disturbing make-up effects), The Hole is far more effective and flat out creepy than many of its more graphic, visceral contemporaries. At its most suspenseful, the dangers that threaten to consume the leads stealthily stalk their prey and are partially obscured in shadow or off screen, hiding in the darkness and being revealed only at the very height of tension. The much grander than expected score (composed by Javier Navarrete and performed by The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra), adds to the films jolt factor during its spine-tingling moments.
On a purely nostalgic level, there are numerous touches and elements certain to remind fans of previous Dante films, like Gremlins and Small Soldiers, without leaving viewers with an unfavorable comparison. There is also an impressively expressionistic terror sequence, lit and shot in a manner visually reminiscent of the directors segment from TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE. Sharp eyed will also note the presence of Dante regulars Bruce Dern as Crazy Carl and a wordless, yet hilarious cameo from Dick Miller (who came out of retirement for an evening to shoot it). And, of course, those willing to sit through the credits will also be rewarded.
To be honest, its not surprising that Dante has made a very good film. What is surprising is just how frightening it is. The 2009 Toronto International Film Festival horror selections have been effectively gruesome and graphic works of entertainment. Yet, this title ranks among the best of the group. A perfect scare film for both kids and adults, THE HOLE is certainly worth discovering.
The Hole One-Sheet Offers No Thrills
Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:42 PM | From Dread Central
Color us disappointed. The one-sheet for Joe Dante's The Hole broke out yesterday, and for all the wonder and imagination weaved into this project, the poster is about as bland and direct-to-video-ish as they come. See for yourself.
The film, directed by Dante in 3D and starring Teri Polo, Haley Bennett, Bruce Dern, Chris Massoglia, and Nathan Gamble, tells the tale of a pair of brothers who stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement that leads to the darkest corridors of their fears and nightmares.
Check out the goods below, and look for the film in theatres in 2010.
Comic-Con is upon us and Latinoreview will be there covering everything movies for all of you die hard freaks who can't get enough of us. We'll have interviews, previews, reviews, panel wrap ups and more. Kellvin, Mayimbe, Edgar, Stuart (our video techie) and I will be running around Comic-Con like a bunch of retards on meth trying to cover everything for you. Make sure you check with us daily Wednesday - Sunday for everything. I'll also be posting Guapo Cam stuff and pictures of the dumb shit I see while at the convention. And I'll be on the Masters of the Web panel on Thursday.What are some of the movie highlights? You can check out the schedule HERE for all four days, but I wanted to mention some of the big stuff happening, including how to get tickets to the biggest party of the year, The Wrath of Con, brought to you by Robert Sanchez of IESB. See the first panel listed for info on that.Of course, Comic-Con has its down side. Click HERE to check out 5 reasons why Comic-Con sucks!
THURSDAY JULY 23RD
Ok, let's get this shit going. The first big event is on Thursday morning. The Masters of the Web Panel:10:00-11:00 Masters of the Web For the third year in a row the most popular genre and movie websites are coming together to discuss how new media have affected moviemaking, what it takes to run a popular site, and much more in a panel discussion and Q&A session. Participants include Robert Sanchez (IESB.net), Ryan Rotten (Shocktilyoudrop.com), Mike Sampson (Joblo.com), Jeremy Smith (Aintitcoolnews.com), Brad Miska (Bloody-Disgusting.com), Drew McWeeny (Hitfix.com), Devin Faraci (CHUD.com), Paul Christensen (Movieweb.com), Wilson Morales (Blackfilm.com/AOL Black Voices), Vic Holtreman (Screenrant.com), and George Roush (Latinoreview.com). Director Kevin Munroe (TMNT, Dead of Night) moderates, with Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington on hand to preview an exclusive sneak peek of their new film Dead of Night, based on the Dylan Dog comic books. Room 32AB Here's your chance to say hello to your favorite web guys (meaning me) and also WIN TICKETS to the hottest party of Comic-Con the Wrath of Con. Not only will there be a shitload of celebrities and TNA wrestlers including Kurt Angle, but you'll also get to see yours truly wrestle Ed Douglas from Coming Soon in the ring!10:15-11:15 Summit Entertainment: Astro Boy A superhero origin story set in a futuristic world, Astro Boy is an all-new CG-animated feature film based on the classic manga about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny. Director David Bowers, producer Maryanne Grager, and stars Freddie Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) debut footage exclusive to Comic-Con 2009 and answer your questions about bringing this beloved hero to the big screen. Room 6BCF 11:00-12:30 Disney: 3D Panel Walt Disney Pictures presents key filmmakers, select cast members and previously unseen footage from its upcoming slate, including Disneys A Christmas Carol, Alice In Wonderland and Tron. Special guests include Robert Zemeckis, Tim Burton, Sean Bailey, Steve Lisberger, and moderator Patton Oswalt. Hall H 12:45-1:30 3D Showcase: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, The Hole, The Final Destination Get a first look at 3 brand new films in stunning 3D! First up, it's Columbia Pictures and Sony Animation's Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, inspired by the classic children's book, the film focuses on a town where food begins to fall from the sky like rain. See an extended 3D clip from this eagerly awaited animated film!
Next up, legendary director Joe Dante (Gremlins 1 & 2, Innerspace, Explorers, The Howling) makes his return to the genre he knows best with the 3D thriller The Hole. Three kids come face to face with their darkest fears after they unlock a bottomless hole in the basement that makes their nightmares come to life. Join Dantealong with actress Haley Bennett (The Haunting of Molly Hartley)as he discusses his return to thrillers, working in 3D, and The Hole.
Catch a sneak peek at New Line Cinema's 3D visceral thrill-ride horror film The Final Destination. Producer Craig Perry introduces a clip from the film. Hall H
1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Kevin Eastman TMNJ co-creator Kevin Eastman not only reflects on his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle years (with a preview his Comic-Con exclusive 25th Anniversary hardcover collection of favorite TMNT stories!), but also shares sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes teasers or trailers for his upcoming animated film projectsWar of The Worlds: Goliath! and Underwhereand introduces the new Tor Books Novel line Heavy Metal Pulp and the in-development Biz and Buzz animated series. Last but not least, Kevin will give you an update on the new David Fincher/James Cameronproduced Heavy Metal film! Room 5AB
1:45-2:45 Summit Entertainment Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek of exclusive footage of some of its upcoming major film releases!
Astro boyA classic superhero origin story set in a futuristic world, Astro Boy is an all-new CG-animated feature film about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny. Join Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell as they premiere the final trailer for Astro Boy before it's in theaters. Sorority RowWhen five sorority girls inadvertently cause the murder of one of their sisters in a prank gone wrong, they agree to keep the matter to themselves and never speak of it again, so they can get on with their lives. This proves easier said than done, when after graduation a mysterious killer goes after the five of them and anyone who knows their secret. Join the cast of Sorority Row as they debut footage from the film exclusive to Comic-Con 2009. The Twilight Saga: New MoonSummit Entertainment is proud to present the panel for The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the highly anticipated sequel to last year's box office smash Twilight. Surprise members of the cast will answer your questions about the second film in the series and debut never-before-seen footage from the new film. Hall H
2:00-3:00 Sony Pictures Animation: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs In 2009, Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will be the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the classic children's book, the film focuses on a town where food begins to fall from the sky like rain. Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian) is the voice of Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone's life. Anna Faris (The House Bunny) takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint's technophobic father. SNL's Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint's invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map, and Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop, Earl Devereaux. Bobb'e J. Thompson (Role Models) is Carl Devereaux, Earl's son. Appearing in person: Anna Faris, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Bobb'e J. Thompson, and directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord. Room 6BCF
3:00-4:00 Robot Chicken with Titan Maximum Seth Green (co-creator, Robot Chicken and Titan Maximum), Matthew Senreich (co-creator, Robot Chicken and Titan Maximum), Tom Root (head writer, Robot Chicken/co-creator, Titan Maximum) and Doug Goldstein (head writer, Robot Chicken) with Chris McKay, Breckin Meyer, Kevin Shinick, Mike Fasolo, and Dan Milano discuss the popular Adult Swim series Robot Chicken. They will also discuss the upcoming new stop-motion animated series Titan Maximum, slated to premiere on Adult Swim this fall. Join this meet-up of show creators, writers and voice actors for a Q&A, moderated by Keith Crofford, vice president of Adult Swim production. Room 6A
3:00-4:15 20th Century Fox and James Cameron present Avatar In this first public screenin
While speaking on last weeks edition of FANGORIA RADIO, fave director Joe Dante (pictured) discussed THE HOLE, the 3-D feature that marks his return to big-screen fright fare after his well-received pair of MASTERS OF HORROR episodes. I had a great time doing MASTERS with Mick [Garris], he said, because the whole idea was, if we did them on a low budget really quickly, we could do whatever we wanted.
After doing LOONEY TUNES, a big-studio movie that took a year and a half and was fairly contentious through its entire making, and then opened to a world that had given up on Bugs Bunny because the cartoons had been off television for like 2 years, I thought, Maybe I should try and do something more independent, he continued, noting that on MASTERS, The content was not an issue. There were no focus groups and no teenagers writing on cards; it was just right from my head to the screen, and it was a great experience. Features, unfortunately, are not like that. But I figured, at least let me go with an independent company and Ill make something smaller and have less interference.
THE HOLE, scripted by VACANCYs Mark L. Smith, is described by Dante as a displaced-family movie in which a mother (Teri Polo) and her two sons (Chris Massoglia from the upcoming THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT and THE MISTs Nathan Gamble) move into a new house. In the basement, the brothers discover a door with multiple locks, and anytime kids find a door with locks on it, they obviously want to see whats in there, Dante explained. They manage to get it open and with the aid of the girl next door [THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEYs Haley Bennett], they investigate the mystery of whats behind it, whats in this hole in the bottom of their house, and obviously its something supernatural and creepy and scary. The script appealed to me because it was kind of like an 80s movie, [such as his own GREMLINS, EXPLORERSthe science project period when movies were sort of aimed at tweens.
I went to the producers, Bold Films, he continued, and said, I like it; its a character-driven story and its kind of small, but it wouldnt be quite as small if we made it in 3-D. I thought they would go, Yeah, right; I mean, I didnt even have the job; I just was suggesting 3-D, which adds more money. And then they thought about it and said, Maybe youre right, maybe this would be a good 3-D movie, and they did the diligence and decided to make it that way. Its really interesting, because the technology is brand new. Its not the old film technology, where you have the weave in the gate when you shoot it and in the projector when you project it, and your eyes have to kind of compensate for it. Its digital, its rock-solid and you actually think in depth as youre directing. Your compositions are not just foreground and background; there are special relationships between the characters, and that can be very dramatic. I really enjoyed doing it in 3-D.
THE HOLE has yet to land distribution, but Dante noted that it will be showcased at this months San Diego Comic-Con, as part of a series of previews of upcoming dimensional flicks next Thursday, July 23. Jim Cameron is running some of his picture AVATAR, and we have to come on after Jim with our little $12-million movie, the director said. But Comic-Con is filled with people who love this stuff and its a big deal, its quite an event and its fun to be a part of it. See our first report from the HOLE set here and look for more coverage on this site and in the pages of FANGORIA magazine as it gets closer to release.
San Diego Comic Con 2009 - Horrifying Wednesday and Thursday Schedules
Undoubtedly, the best is yet to come from this year's San Diego Comic Con, but we've got the scoop on all the horrific delights you can look forward to during the first two days.
Wednesday July 22
The Vampire Diaries
Writer/producer Kevin Williamson (the Scream movies) is back with The Vampire Diaries, an edgy and romantic new drama in which two vampire brothersone good, one evilare at war for the soul of one girl. Based on the best-selling book series of the same name by L.J. Smith, the show stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Everwood), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Steven R. McQueen (Everwood), Katerina Graham (17 Again), Sara Canning (Smallville), Candice Accola (Supernatural), Zach Roerig (Friday Night Lights), Kayla Ewell (Entourage), and Michael Trevino (The Riches). Williamson, Leslie Morgenstein (Gossip Girl), and Bob Levy (Gossip Girl) are the executive producers for Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment, and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. The Vampire Diaries will air Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET/PT this fall on The CW, premiering September 10. Ballroom 20
Thursday July 23
12:30-1:30 - Crime: Usual and Unusual The heart of crime fiction is a crime committed against people or institutionsbut the range of subgenres is diverse and fascinating. Panelists: Max Allan Collins (The Goliath Bone), Jeffrey J. Mariotte (Cold Black Hearts), Alexander Irvine (Buyout), Gregg Hurwitz (Trust No One), Thomas Greanias (The Atlantis Revelation), and Kat Richardson (Vanished) cover traditional mysteries, espionage, paranormal mystery, and more. Moderator: Maryelizabeth Hart, Mysterious Galaxy. Room 3
2:00-3:00 - A Darker Shade of Ink: Crime and Noir in Comics Crime comics are back with a bang! Darwyn Cooke (Parker: The Hunter), Greg Rucka (Gotham Central), and Steve Lieber (Whiteout) join moderator/noted mystery and comics writer Max Allan Collins (The Road to Perdition) to talk about the new incarnations of crime and noir in comics. Room 5AB
2:15-3:15 - Summit Entertainment Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek of exclusive footage of some of its upcoming major film releases! Hall H:
Sorority Row When five sorority girls inadvertently cause the murder of one of their sisters in a prank gone wrong, they agree to keep the matter to themselves and never speak of it again, so they can get on with their lives. This proves easier said than done, when after graduation a mysterious killer goes after the five of them and anyone who knows their secret. Join the cast of Sorority Row as they debut footage from the film exclusive to Comic-Con 2009.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Summit Entertainment is proud to present the panel for The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the highly anticipated sequel to last year's box office smash Twilight. Surprise members of the cast will answer your questions about the second film in the series and debut never-before-seen footage from the new film.
3:30-4:30 - Joe Dante: The Hole Legendary director Joe Dante (Gremlins 1 & 2, Innerspace, Explorers, The Howling) makes his return to the genre he knows best with the 3D thriller The Hole. Three kids come face to face with their darkest fears after they unlock a bottomless hole in the basement that makes their nightmares come to life. Join Dantealong with actress Haley Bennett (The Haunting of Molly Hartley)as he discusses his return to thrillers, working in 3D, and The Hole. Hall H
5:00-6:00 - Showtime: Dexter Calling all Dexter fans! If you're a Dexter fanatic and can't wait for the new season, you don't want to miss this killer panel! Moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ Entertainment Reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of Dexter. Plus, get an exclusive first look at clips from the new season! Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Julie Benz (Rita), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), and executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Clyde Phillips, and Melissa Rosenberg. The new season premieres September 27 at 9:00 PM EST/PST only on Showtime! Ballroom 20
5:15-5:45 - Overture Films: Pandorum Don't fear the end of the world. Fear what happens next. From the producers of the Resident Evil film franchise comes a terrifying thriller in which two crewmembers wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are, how long they've been asleep, or what their mission is. The two soon discover they're actually not aloneand the reality of their situation is more horrifying than they could have imagined. Appearing in person to give you a taste of Pandorum are stars Ben Foster (X-Men: The Last Stand, 3:10 to Yuma, 30 Days of Night), Cung Le (The Ultimate Fighter), and Antje Traue. Pandorum is in theaters September 18. Hall H
6:00-7:00 - Vertigo New Ongoing Series/Crime Line It's a new beginning for Vertigo with the launch of such ongoing titles as The Unwritten, Greek Street, and Sweet Tooth. In addition to these titles DC will be launching the highly anticipated Vertigo Crime Line with some of the top talents in the industry. Moderated by senior VP/executive editor, Vertigo, Karen Berger and senior editor Will Dennis, this panel is not to be missed, especially considering the talent present: Peter Gross (Unwritten), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, The Nobody), Jason Starr, Chris Gage, Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon, and others! Room 5AB
6:30-7:00 - Focus Features: Thirst Focus Features and Comic-Con present a rare U.S. appearance by acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, whose "scandalous vampire melodrama" Thirst just won the Prix du Jury (Jury Prize) at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival. Sang-hyun (played by top Korean star Song Kang-ho, of The Host) is a priest who cherishes life; so much so, that he selflessly volunteers for a secret vaccine development project meant to eradicate a deadly virus. But the virus takes the priest, and a blood transfusion is urgently ordered for him. The blood he receives is infected, so he livesbut now exists as a vampire. Sang-hyun soon plunges into a world of sensual pleasures, finding himself on intimate terms with the Seven Deadly Sins. Park will show clips from the movie which opens in select cities on July 31and discuss his career. Hall H
9:30-12:00 - Halloween Comes Early: Trick 'r Treat Screening Be among the first to see writer/director Michael Dougherty's (Superman Returns, X2) creepy, darkly comic celebration of the scariest night of the year. Trick 'r Treat takes the Creepshow/Tales from the Crypt approach to nefarious new depths with four interwoven tales set on Halloween night: a high school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer; a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn; a group of teens who carry out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences; and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon. Prior to the screening, Ain't It Cool News mogul Harry Knowles will moderate a panel featuring Michael Dougherty and members of the cast, including Anna Paquin (True Blood, X-Men), Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse), and Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, X2). A collection of creepy stories that mixes fun with fear, candy with poison, and laughter with screams, the critically acclaimed Trick 'r Treat will be released on Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD and On Demand by Warner Home Video in October. Ballroom 20
Be sure to check back for the rest of the schedule, we'll bring it as soon as it's available.
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The "College" Survival Pack Revealed!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 7:00 PM | From MovieJungle
Everything I need to survive my "College" experience was sent to me today from my pal Fletcher - some colored condoms, a towel (for my jacuzziing with the babes I gather) and two shirts (see below).
Naturally, to rub some salt in the wound, the dude had to include a letter about the best weekend EVER. The dude loves calling me "my ninja Peter Rabbit"...as my name is Peter Dimako, it fits and my housebunnies Mia and Tia love it.
Damn you Fletcher, I'll keep the swag, but the envy's driving me insane...
So What's College About? (The Plot)
After Kevin (Drake Bell), a high school senior, gets dumped by his girlfriend for being too boring, he doesnt want to go to the freshman orientation weekend at Fairmont University, where they had planned to go together. But his best friends Cater (Andrew Caldwell) and Morris (Kevin Covais) convince him that the weekend away will help get his mind off her. Once there, one of the rowdiest fraternities on campus decides to recruit them as pledges in return for granting them access to the college party scene.
Though forced to put up with the disgusting antics of fraternity brothers Teague (Nick Zano), Bearcat (Gary Owen), and Cooper (Zach Cregger), the guys meet sorority girls Kendall (Haley Bennett), Heather (Camille Mana), and Amy (Nathalie Walker), and sparks fly all around. But once Teague feels threatened by Kevins new relationship with Kendall, he takes the pre-frosh humiliation to a greater level, and the guys decides to fight back, pulling a huge prank that lands them on top.
A new outrageous comedy, COLLEGE is the story of three high school seniors (Drake Bell, Andrew Caldwell and Kevin Covais) who visit a local college campus as prospective freshman anticipating the best weekend of their lives. Once there, the rowdiest fraternity on campus (featuring Nick Zano, Gary Owen and Zach Cregger) decides to recruit the boys as pledges, subjecting them to endless humiliations, in return for granting them access to the no-holds-barred college party scene. But once the boys catch the eye of some of the older sorority girls (Haley Bennett, Camille Mana and Natalie Walker), the threatened Frat-boys increase the pre-frosh humiliation and blackmail them by threatening to expose their age. The boys decide to fight back, retaliating with a major revenge scheme that lands them on top.
Should the Obama family have a pooch from Marley & Me?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 6:59 PM | From MovieJungle
Sooooo President Barack Obama stated during his victory speech in Grant Park on Tuesday night when he became the President of the United States that his daughters had earned the new puppy thats coming with us to the White House.
Now media outlets, blogs, websites and people from all over the country are chatting about what kind of dog the family would pick.
Opinions must be varied I'm sure, but come on, there's absolutely nothing sweeter than the dog from "Marley & Me." Can you imagine the endless hours of fun at the White House?
The film stars and hits theatres on Christmas Day! A Christmas poochie! What better dog than that? Check out that adorable face below people!
What's "Marley & Me" all about?
Twentieth Century Foxs new Dramatic Comedy, MARLEY & ME tells the heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. Starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, and Alan Arkin and based on the best selling book of the same title by Josh Grogan.
AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi today announced films scheduled for Halloween, all of which celebrate the horror genre. Joe Dantes THE HOLE, Sean Byrnes THE LOVED ONES, Ted Kotcheffs WAKE IN FRIGHT and Michael Stephensons BEST WORST MOVIE will screen on Saturday, October 31 at the Mann Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. 
In Joe Dantes latest film, THE HOLE (to be released in 2010, see our review here), two brothers (Chris Massoglia and Nathan Gamble) discover a bottomless hole in their basement. After opening it, they awaken an evil force that preys upon their deepest fears: clowns, the chilling return of lost, loved ones and other surprises. So what would director Joe Dante (pictured left on the cover of FANGORIA #38) see reaching out for him if he were to peer down into the abyss?
Having directed youngsters numerous times in the past facing off against both evil and occasionally benevolent forces (GREMLINS, EXPLORERS, GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH, SMALL SOLDIERS and the TV series EERIE, INDIANA to name but a few examples), Dante would seem to have an innate understanding of the thoughts and fears of youngsters. Kids do have a lot of fears, because the world is a scary place. But kids are pretty tough, he continues. I think these (childhood) fears are a big part of everyone. And I think, traditionally, thats why horror movies have been so appealing over the years. 
The primary phobia of Gambles character is a terrifying clown puppet. It isnt long before the doll begins mounting violent physical assaults. The characters anxiousness and eventual terror must be communicated to audiences through not just the dialogue, but physical gestures and expressions, particularly in close-ups of the actor that dont involve the object as a frame of reference. One would assume that this would be difficult for a child actor to pull off. Yet, Dante says it never was an issue. The funny thing about Nathan was that he was such a good actor, that he could get right into the scene immediately. Then you call cut, and hes just a happy kid again. Its really a temperament thing.
You approach the movie the way you would a normal film, except you are conscious of the fact that you are actually shooting it in depth. Its not just mise-en-scene where you have something in the foreground to make a nice composition. In 3-D, if you have something in the foreground, people are going to look at it. So you cant do the kind of set ups you would do in a 2-D film. You have to constantly be aware of where the audiences attention is. Where it might be nice to have out of focus flowers in the foreground of a normal shot, in 3-D, the out of focus flowers are going to be incredibly distracting. You cant put them there. So you do have to think in those terms, Dante explains. 
Knowing which dimensional effects would work well with audiences was also a key to making the illusion perfect. Its very tricky figuring out what you can get away with, and thats why in THE HOLE, we do it very occasionally and with big objects that are easy
First things first: it could be as long as a year before Joe Dantes newest feature, THE HOLE, is released theatrically in North America. Those who are disappointed to hear this news should take solace in the following statement: it will be well worth the wait.
Buoyed by an effective script by Mark L. Smith (who also penned the hit VACANCY), the tale centers around two brothers (Chris Massoglia and Nathan Gamble) arriving in a new town. After a few scenes of obligatory set up, the boys, along with the help of a neighbour (Haley Bennett) and her yappy Pomeranian, find a chained up hatch in the basement. Naturally, the door leads to an eerie, seemingly bottomless pit. Increasingly bizarre and horrifying events begin occurring as both the kids and audience attempt to determine what is happening and more importantly, how to stop it (at least the Pomeranian doesnt seem to be directly affected).
While speaking on last weeks edition of FANGORIA RADIO, fave director Joe Dante (pictured) discussed THE HOLE, the 3-D feature that marks his return to big-screen fright fare after his well-received pair of MASTERS OF HORROR episodes. I had a great time doing MASTERS with Mick [Garris], he said, because the whole idea was, if we did them on a low budget really quickly, we could do whatever we wanted.
THE HOLE, scripted by VACANCYs Mark L. Smith, is described by Dante as a displaced-family movie in which a mother (Teri Polo) and her two sons (Chris Massoglia from the upcoming THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT and THE MISTs Nathan Gamble) move into a new house. In the basement, the brothers discover a door with multiple locks, and anytime kids find a door with locks on it, they obviously want to see whats in there, Dante explained. They manage to get it open and with the aid of the girl next door [THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEYs Haley Bennett], they investigate the mystery of whats behind it, whats in this hole in the bottom of their house, and obviously its something supernatural and creepy and scary. The script appealed to me because it was kind of like an 80s movie, [such as his own GREMLINS, EXPLORERSthe science project period when movies were sort of aimed at tweens.
Undoubtedly, the best is yet to come from this year's San Diego Comic Con, but we've got the scoop on all the horrific delights you can look forward to during the first two days.
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