BEYOND THE MARQUEE

A Life-Size GOLLUM Statue Can Be Yours!

November 11th, 2013

Sterling Spencer-Hayden

NEW! Gollum Life Size Statue

You may need to steal some gold from under Smaug’s nose in order to afford this, but boy does it look worth every cent! As most fans of the Lord of the Rings and know, the most iconic creature from that movie trilogy, Gollum was also a technological breakthrough. Sculpted by Weta Workshop, Gollum was superbly acted by Andy Serkis whose motions were captured and then masterfully rendered for the cinema by Weta Digital.

Tortured and wrought wretched by the lure of the One Ring, Gollum is a withered, piteous creature. Driven mad and twisted by his loss of the One Ring decades ago, he is compelled to haunt Middle-earth, searching everywhere for the only thing in the world he ever cared for, his “Precious”. Now you can own a Life Size Weta fibreglass statue of Gollum, sculpted by Weta Workshop sculptors Ben Hawker and Bill Hunt and created by the same artists at Weta Workshop who worked on The Lord of the Rings. Gollum makes a magnificent focal piece, for your company foyer, a gallery or conservatory. Or just about anywhere in your home. Life size for a Hobbit – which is what Gollum was before the ring possessed him – is about 3 ft 6 in. Crouching on the rock, the statue reaches a height of approx 150 cm.

If ever there was a conglomeration of circumstances that spelled out “must-have piece of art”, this is it. Click ahead for more details about this amazing collector’s piece, sure to be a MUST HAVE this holiday for the Middle Earth fan in your life!

12 Years a Slave, a Gripping Story of Inhumanity (Film Review)

November 10th, 2013

John Delia

Gripping, absorbing and thought provoking 12 Years a Slave spools out a story based on a book by enslaved Solomon Northup who tells all with a fine performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film delivers an indelible view of slavery much like the narratives “Roots” and Amistad. It’s very unsettling and sometimes brutal, underling a time when man’s inhumanity to man was prevalent in the American South.

Stan Lee’s 2013 Comikaze Expo in Pictures

November 10th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Here’s a look at Stan Lee’s recently held annual Comikaze Expo — a convergence of celebrity guests, artists, cosplay, collectibles, comics, gaming, screenings, and film used props and vehicles. Held in Downtown Los Angeles November 1 – 3 — this marked the third outing for the convention — with over 50,000 in attendance. Click below for more!

THOR: THE DARK WORLD (Film Review — Test Audience Feedback Style)

November 8th, 2013

Steven D'Arcangelo

By the hammer of Thor!

Ever been to a test screening for a new movie? They give you a rare opportunity to see a major motion picture, way ahead of its release date, as a work-in-progress. Temp music, incomplete special effects, no credits — once you get used to the abnormalities, you can focus on the story.

Afterward, you fill out a questionnaire with questions such as, “Were any scenes boring?”, “Did you like the villain?”, “Would you recommend this film to others?” Sometimes you’re asked by a moderator. Sometimes by the filmmakers themselves. The goal is to collect constructive criticism that can help shape and improve the movie through editing and reshoots.

Marvel Studios did this several months ago with Thor: The Dark World. I had a chance to attend but couldn’t due to a scheduling conflict with an industry mixer. I chose the mixer. (Free booze.) Now after having seen the film, I realize I didn’t listen to the Grail knight from The Last Crusade — I chose poorly.

I’m not saying that Thor 2 is bad. I’m just saying I wish I were at the test screening, so let’s pretend I was. Read on, but be warned — MAJOR SPOILERS lay ahead.

FREE STUFF FRIDAY: Win a Copy of the Movie Soundtrack for THOR: THE DARK WORLD!

November 8th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

THOR: The Dark World Movie Soundtrack

It’s FREE STUFF FRIDAY and in celebration of this weekend’s EPIC release of Marvel’s THOR 2: The Dark World, we have not just one, but TWO soundtracks to the film to giveaway! The action packed sequel is scored by composer Brian Tyler and was released this week by Hollywood Records.

Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Click ahead for contest details and for a complete track listing! And may the great contest Gods of Asgard grant your best wishes!

ALL IS LOST, a Compelling Sea Saga (Film Review)

November 8th, 2013

John Delia

It’s the kind of film that makes you feel compelled to watch and when it’s over you’re as washed out as the man in the boat. The movie All Is Lost has only one person, a boat, a lot of ocean and two lines of dialogue read from a note. Yet it tells a gripping story through the actions and expressions of this stranded boatsman.

It’s Official!!! Star Wars: Episode VII gets a Theatrical Release Date of December 18th 2015

November 7th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Dec. 18th 2015 – the Force returns!

Our rebel alliance insiders over at StarWars.com just shared some exciting information with us here at Beyond the Marquee … Star Wars: Episode VII is set to open in 2015!

With pre-production currently in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Disney/Lucasfilm’s highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII. “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season, but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J. J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII. Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios in England.

Check Beyond the Marquee daily for exciting Star Wars and studio updates as they develop. For your daily dose of the Star Wars universe, go to StarWars.com, for all Star Wars, all the time.