BEYOND THE MARQUEE

Check out the Gorgeous Great and Powerful OZ Character Posters and a SNEAK PEEK at this Weekend’s OZ Super Bowl Spot!!!

January 28th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Mila Kunis as Theodora

We can’t wait for March 8th at the Disney film OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, and these fantastic new character posters released this weekend are only adding fuel to the fire. Darker than the earlier campaign pieces we’ve seen, these give a promise to a edgier and more sinister world than the technicolor saturated one engrained in our imagination from the days of Dorothy and Toto. Click ahead to see all the others and click on any to enlarge! Plus scroll down to the end for a sneak peek at Walt Disney Studios’ OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL commercial set to air during this Sunday’s game.

It’s Official: J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Ep.VII

January 26th, 2013

David Chase

J.J. Abrams to direct Star Wars: Episode VII

Well after a couple days of speculation and unconfirmed rumors, Walt Disney Studios confirmed late last night in an official Press Release, that indeed, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay. “It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.” George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.” Read ahead to find out what J.J. had to say about taking on this most anticipated project!

LOST in Space – J.J. Abrams Slated To Direct New STAR WARS Film

January 25th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

J.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars reboot

J.J. Abrams, the director and producer best known for the television series “Alias” and “LOST” and mega-blockbuster films, Mission Impossible III and the 2009 Star Trek reboot has been tapped to helm the next Star Wars film. The franchise, acquired by Disney last year from George Lucas for $4 Billion dollars, is on a fast-track for a new chapter in the series in 2015.

Since Disney acquired the franchise, much speculation has gone forth as to who would take over the directing mantle now that Lucas has retired. Abrams name topped the list of potential candidates including such other popular directors as Steven Spielberg, Joss Whedon and even Ben Affleck, coming off his high marks for Argo. In November, J.J. Abrams very quickly put the rumors to rest saying that he was interested in focusing on his own original projects and that while a huge fan of the original Star Wars films, would not be taking over directing duties. More after the jump.

Beyond the Marquee: The Web Series (Ep.38) EXCLUSIVE! Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters Set Visit

January 24th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

While in Berlin, Germany in late 2011 for the production of Cloud Atlas, Beyond the Marquee host, Jon Donahue dropped by the set used in the upcoming film, Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters (starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton). While the location, which takes place within an early 19th century European village, had been deserted months before, the extremely detailed facades were still standing and looked breathtaking. Though at the time of this segment’s taping there honestly were very little details about the film and not much to report on, since then we’ve seen the marketing campaign of one-sheets and a couple trailers. In anticipation of the upcoming release, we invite you to take a light-hearted look at our exclusive behind-the-scenes set visit which will surely give you great appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the creation of the town of Augsburg, Germany which plays a pivotal role in the movie due out Jan 25th, 2013 in 3-D and IMAX 3-D. Click ahead to also match frames from the film itself with our international on-set visit…

Holy Megabucks, Batman! Original Batmobile Sells For $4.62 Million

January 19th, 2013

Kevin Stern

The original 1966 George Barris “Batmobile” sells for $4.62 Million!

Holy Megabucks, Batman! The original 1966 Batmobile created by George Barris for the iconic 60’s TV show, Batman, has sold for a staggering $4.62 Million dollars at the famed Barrett-Jackson Auction held on Saturday, January 19 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The winning bidder was Rick Champagne, a logistics company owner based in Phoenix, Arizona, who knew throughout the day that he would be going home with the 1st and most sought-after star-car ever created. The bidding quickly jumped over the $1 million mark less than a minute into the auction and stalled out just after meeting the reserve around $2.4 million. Shortly after some additional words from George Barris at the Barrett-Jackson podium (he even threw in the coat off his back), the bidding reached a fever-pitch culminating in a coin toss between the two high bidders. Rick Champagne made the winning and final bid at $4.2 million dollars. Estimates for the selling value of the car had been bandied about by fans and critics several days before the auction with amounts ranging from a very low $200,000 to $5 million. The final sale value of the car topped out at $4.62 million tying it with the James Bond Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 for the highest amount ever paid for a movie car at auction.

The Last Stand, Arnold is Back (Film Review)

January 18th, 2013

John Delia

ARNOLD IS BACK! A little loss for wear, yet he’s still a winner in my book with his new film The Last Stand. Action lovers and fans of Schwarzenegger are in for a real treat with this rock em’ sock em’ explosive film that brings back memories of the Arnold of yesteryear’s Terminator series. The well written script, kick-butt direction by KIM Jee-woon and an amazing film crew make The Last Stand a contender for this weekend’s top box-office champ.

High profile drug cartel mastermind Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega) needs to be moved by FBI Agent Bannister (Forest Whitaker) from the courthouse to a secure jail in Las Vegas. In a daring escape the brazen Mexican drug lord heads for his homeland in a special racing Corvette that can reach speeds of over 250 miles per hour. In a high speed chase the FBI has positioned S.W.A.T teams in his path, but there’s a hostage in the car with Cortez, so stopping him will be very tricky.

Broken City, Fractured Fairy Tale (Film Review)

January 18th, 2013

John Delia

Tough cop, cagy police chief, bad mayor the film Broken City comes to theaters this weekend telling a wicked tale of graft and corruption in New York City. The well acted and interesting story gives a good show, but gets quite predictable and familiar. If you like raw crime thrillers with a political backdrop, Broken City has both.

The movie involves Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) a tough cop who gets accused of murder. Taggart faces a judge with the city attorney arguing the case. Meanwhile, Mayor Hostetler (Russell Crowe) gets approached by police chief Fairbanks (Jeffery Wright) in his chambers during the hearing with possible evidence that Taggart may be guilty. Hostetler wants the case closed so he asks Fairbanks to discredit the evidence. Taggart beats the rap because there’s little evidence to put him on trial, but Hostetler fires him anyway letting him know that they have found suspicious evidence they will not pursue at this time.