Avengers: Infinity War - Movie Review

Two years after the Avengers were torn apart during the events of Captain America: Civil War,[1] Thanos arrives on Earth to collect the Infinity Stones for a gauntlet that will allow him to bend reality to his will. The Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop him before his onslaught of destruction puts an end to half the universe.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Scarlett Johansson, Pom Klementieff, Sebastian Stan, Zoe Saldana, Tom Hiddleston, Chadwick Boseman, Idris Elba, Paul Bettany, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle. Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo.

Chris Stuckmann reviews Avengers: Infinity War

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.chrisstuckmann.com

First Image of Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger from Disney's Christopher Robin

Christopher Robin is an upcoming live-action American film based off the Winnie the Pooh animated features, which are, in turn, based on the novels by A.A. Milne.

In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney's Christopher Robin, the young boy who loved embarking on adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with a band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

Interview with Tracey Birdsall - Star of "Who's Jenna"

The new comedy Who’s Jenna…? (out this week on DVD and VOD) tells of a woman who is mistaken for an adult entertainer. Which adult entertainer? Well, as actress Tracey Birdsall explains, the threat of legal action has seen that we never get that answer.

Okay, we want the dirt. Who is Jenna?

The title is really tongue in cheek, as it refers not only to the main character in the movie (my character) but also the confusion as to Andy’s (Joseph D’Onofrio) curiosity as to who she might possibly be. Not to give away a spoiler, but Jenna in the film (my character) is a woman who is a lawyer who is a doppelganger for someone else named Jenna in the adult film industry.

Originally, mistake me if I’m wrong, the ‘Jenna’ of the movie was originally going to be a certain adult film star – but then the script changed?

Yes, any good Googl’ing of the title will unveil that story; however, the producers (who thought of the clever title in the first place) were threatened with legal action unnecessarily. Since they felt it wasn’t pinnacle that the last name be used, they abbreviated it. It really doesn’t change anything, as it’s a comedy!

How much has the script changed, or even the tone of the movie, since you initially got involved?

Besides the above question, the film remained the same right through my involvement. Several months later when they went to film the scenes I wasn’t in, the film took some side turns having to do with the chemistry of the “boys network” as I like to call it. The ending specifics also changed due to the above question, but the interweaving thread of the love story and mistaken identity remained the same.

What films would you compare it to?

Some parts of the film (the love story) have a very Sleepless in Seattle feel, some of the crazier moments have a very Hangover feel, and some of the “boys network” scenes are a bit of a cross of the lighter moments in the television series The Soprano’s.

You’ve worked on bigger budget stuff. What’s the difference working on Who’s Jenna..? to something on a larger scale. Does it all come down to craft service?

I do very little craft services during filming because then I constantly have to brush my teeth! Some of the larger films I’ve worked on are very much like a machine where everyone has a job and it all gets done more seamlessly – to the actors perspective. A film like Who’s Jenna…? is more of a committee or a conglomerate effort… Both extremes are quite enjoyable to me.

Were you a fan of “The Sopranos”- there’s a couple of guys in this movie that fans of the show will recognize. Was it fun working with them?

I was a fan of The Sopranos, and Goodfellas, etc. I loved working with these guys and their Italian American elements. Particularly Bill Sorvino, Joseph D’Onofrio, and Garry Pastore were an absolute blast both on screen and off! Super amazing guys and actors…

Having done a few sci-fi movies now, is this the new route – comedies? Shaking it up a bit?

I try not to get stuck in a genre, but I also try to mix it up within the genre. Who’s Jenna…? although a comedy, has many dramatic moments. The sci-fi that I do also has many action and drama moments, along with some comedy. You see, being an actor is about living a life, and the elements of developing a character has to do with feeling all that they feel. I don’t usually choose projects within any genre that doesn’t allow for the character to have an arc, have a journey, laugh a little, and/or cry a little (even if it’s masked). It’s experiencing being a human being no matter what the genre.

Interviews:: DEAD LIST directors Holden Andrews, Ivan Asen and Victor Mathieu

This May, pray you’re not on the… DEAD LIST.

A struggling actor conjures a dark force in order to win a movie role in a terrifying new movie experience from filmmakers Holden Andrews, Ivan Asen and Victor Mathieu.

High Octane Pictures unveils the DEAD LIST on VOD this May.

Calvin is competing with five other actors -- Zander, Scott, Kush, Jason and Bob -- for a major movie role. Stopping at nothing to win the role of a lifetime, he uses a demonic book to curse his fellow actors, with each actor being killed off in their own separate unique and terrifying chapter.

What inspired this rather unique – and very fun - particular story, guys?

The three of us are true fans of horror and have favorite films that span the genre. Between us we love films like The Blob, The Exorcist, V/H/S, IT, Goosebumps, Creep show, Evil Dead, and the television show The Twilight Zone. We partnered together to make Dead List, a new take on the horror anthology genre. Instead of having multiple chapters that tell different stories we made an anthology film where each chapter continues to tell a singular narrative of the film.

The inspiration for the film comes from us all living in LA and working in the film industry. We wanted to tell a story about the seedy underbelly of Hollywood, framing Dead List around a group of actors who are interested only in excelling their own careers by any means possible.


Did you sit down and watch similar movies before shooting? If so, which ones?

Since we’re fans of horror we’re always watching and re-watching films. Although, before starting principle photography on Dead List we were too busy with pre-production. I don’t think any of us could have mentally watched a movie if we sat down and turned one on. If we could have, we would have revisited films like V/H/S, Creepshow, Death Note, and Evil Dead.


In terms of directing choices, anyone you emulated here?

We crafted Dead List to be original and brought our own directing styles to each of the chapters. We made sure that our visions were woven into the fabric of Dead List. That said, as fans of horror we had to pay homage to certain directors and films, so if you’re a fan of Chuck Russell’s The Blob, Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead, and The Twilight Zone series then you will no doubt pick up on nods we gave to those directors and films.


Do you write with certain actors in mind?

We wrote Dead List with the story being our most important focus. We knew that with a strong story it would be the foundation that any actor would be able to use to bring the words to life.


Do you consider the film a success only when it hits a certain monetary figure?

No, the success of Dead List is if the viewers enjoy it as much as we did while making it. It’s a really fun film filled with monsters, thrills, and scares. That said, we wouldn’t complain if it’s financial success. If it is, we’ll be able to make the sequel.


Has the movie opened doors for you?

With Dead List in the can and releasing on May 1st, we’re able to expand our range for pitching and taking meetings. Having Dead List under our belt has allowed us to enter into the next level of our careers as filmmakers.


DEAD LIST available 5/1/18 on VOD, DVD 7/3/18 on DVD, and SVOD 9/4/18.

High Octane Pictures other genre releases of late include CLOWNTERGIEST and CURSE OF THE WITCH’S DOLL.

Revenge - Trailer and Poster

Jen (Matilda Lutz) arrives at a remote desert villa with her millionaire playboy boyfriend (Kevin Jannsens) for a weekend of romantic frivolity. Things quickly go south when her lover's hunting pals show up and make inappropriate advances that escalate into an outright assault. The men quickly try to sweep their attack under the rug. Jen, however, proves harder to get rid of than anticipated, she’s after a dish best served extra cold. With a wry sense of humour and striking visuals it careens towards a climax of retribution.

Reframing the revenge thriller in a strikingly hypnotic style, writer-director Coralie Fargeat's feature debut flips the genre on its head, applying a female gaze to the action.

REVENGE is unleashed in UK & Irish cinemas on May 11th

American Animals - Trailer - In Cinemas September 7

American Animals is the extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends who brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in U.S. history.

Centring on unpredictable wild child Warren (Evan Peters) and aspiring artist Spencer (Barry Keoghan), two friends from the middle-class suburbs of Lexington, Kentucky, the film follows the duo through college life at separate universities, as adult pressures begin to weigh heavily on their futures. Realising their lives may never be important; they organise the brazen theft of some valuable books from the special collections library of Spencer's college, including Audubon's Birds of America, valued at $10 million.

Enlisting two more friends, budding accountant Eric (Jared Abrahamson) and fitness fanatic Chas (Barry Jenner), the gang meticulously plots the theft and subsequent fence of the stolen volumes, taking cues from popular heist movies. But the thieves' plans go awry, placing their bright futures in limbo. Unfolding from multiple perspectives, writer-directed Bart Layton (The Imposter) elevates the heist movie to bold and thrilling new heights.

Every Day - "An A By Any Other Name" & "Book to Film" Features

We are delighted to share with you two insightful behind the scenes featurettes for the heartfelt story of acceptance, Every Day based on David Levithan's acclaimed New York Times bestseller. Starring Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys) alongside Debby Ryan (Jessie - Disney Channel), Justice Smith (Paper Towns) and Owen Teague (IT), this heartwarming story tells the tale of love and acceptance - in cinemas April 20th.

SYNOPSIS:
Based on David Levithan’s acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Every Day tells the story of Rhiannon, a 16-year old girl who falls in love with a mysterious soul named “A” who inhabits a different body every
day. Feeling an unmatched connection, Rhiannon and A work each day to find each other, not knowing what or who the next day will bring. The more the two fall in love, the more the realities of loving someone who is a different person every 24 hours takes a toll, leaving Rhiannon and A to face the hardest decision either has ever had to make.

Starring: Angourie Rice (These Final Hours) alongside Debby Ryan (Jessie - Disney Channel), Justice Smith (Paper Towns) and Owen Teague (IT)
Director: Michael Sucsy (The Vow)

The Secret of Marrowbone - Poster and Trailer

After their mother's death, Jack (20) and his siblings, struggle to survive on their own, hiding from the world and with no other place to go, when a threatening presence begins to haunt the old house.

CAST
George Mackay
Anya Taylor-Joy
Charlie Heaton
Mia Goth
Matthew Stagg

Isle of Dogs - New Artwork by Katshuhiro Otomo Revealed

ISLE OF DOGS tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash island, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly found mongrel friends, he begins and epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Kunichi Numura, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Balaban, Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig, frances McDormand, Courtney B. Vance, F. Murray, Harvey Keitel, Akira Ito, Yoko Ono, Akira Takayama, Ken Watanabe, Fisher Stevens, MAri Natsuki, Tilda Swinton, Nijiro Murakami, Yojiro Noda, Frank Wood.

ISLE OF DOGS now in cinemas

A Quiet Place - Movie Review

In the modern horror thriller A QUIET PLACE, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. If they hear you, they hunt you.

Chris Stuckmann reviews A Quiet Place, starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe. Directed by John Krasinski.

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.chrisstuckmann.com

Interview with Thomas Baldinger

Who’s Jenna…? The writer/director of the April release of the same name, Thomas Baldinger, clues us in.

You only need to do a quick google search to see just how much a monster Who’s Jenna has become. What do you attribute to that to?

 A great cast, a great crew and of course excellent marketing reps!  And that is the God’s honest truth.  Without this cast, this crew and our marketing team we wouldn’t be having this type of interview.  This film is different than your generic romantic comedies.  Sure we got the “Love falls in love with girl” thing going on, but then we take a few different turns with it.  We take a very touchy subject…the adult film industry…and we have fun with it.  I am very happy with the fact that we were able to make a movie like this without any nudity or sex.  Sure we talk about it in a comedic manner…for instance there is great scene between Bill Sorvino’s character, Joseph D’Onofrio’s character, Tracey Birdsall’s character and Jen Jacob’s character where they debate as to why one gender is paid more than the other.  The film deals with a lot of issues like falling in love, friendship, blackmail and discrimination in a comedic manner.


Was there ever a time when the film wasn’t going to be done independently, with fresh faces, and a gun-for-hire directing? Can you imagine that version?  

Hmm.  Good question….No.  I can honestly say that I am 100% pleased with the final product we created.  Every actor, every crew member brought something to the table when we were in production and even in post-production.  I couldn’t imagine this film being performed by anyone else.


Are there other benefits to doing a film independently, without studio involvement, other than getting to captain the ship?

I think with an independent film there is a lot of room for creativity.  Not only for the actor, but for everyone.  I wanted there to be a sense of ownership for the actors as well as freedom to bring what they felt at that moment.  Sure I wrote it, but they are the ones who are living and breathing these characters day in and day out.  You have to be careful that it doesn’t get out of control though too.  You don’t want improvisation turning into a moment when people are just talking over each other or stepping on each other’s tongue just to be funny.  It’s a fine line and I think we were able to toe that line in each take.


What films or filmmakers inspired Who’s Jenna..? 

I am huge fan of classic comedies like CADDY SHACK, ANIMAL HOUSE, BLAZING SADDLES and TRADING PLACES.  I wouldn’t say those movies inspired this film, but they sure as heck were in the back of my head to be sure what we were doing was funny and believable.


Did you frame or shoot certain scenes as a homage to those films or filmmakers?

No.  Not really.  But I will confess this…a few days before we shot a scene with Bill and Tracey I was home one night binge watching my all-time favorite TV show, “NYPD Blue”.    There was a scene between Jimmy Smits and Kim Delaney lying in bed together and I absolutely loved the shot.  It was overhead just looking down at the two characters in bed.  So much was being said with them just looking straight past the camera.  So when we got to set to shoot, I spoke with my DP, Jeff Sessellberg, Bill and Tracey and told them exactly how I wanted the shot.


The film features an amazing performance by Bill Sorvino, who has sort of this Steve Guttenberg meets Sam Shepard quality. Do you think he’ll really break out after this?

Bill is an excellent actor!  He was a true professional on and off set.  He made my job so much easier on set.  He always came prepared and yes, I really do believe he’ll break out after this.  He did an amazing job carrying this film as our lead and I wouldn’t change it.  I look forward to working with him in the future!


How hard was it to find the actress to play ‘Jenna’?

God’s honest truth….I was incredibly lucky to find Tracey.  We were both at the Action On Film Festival (AOF) Awards show.  She was being honoured that night for all of her work in the independent market and my first short film “Two Sides of Love” was nominated for best short screenplay and best art direction.  When Del Weston, host and founder of AOF, announced Tracey to come up to the stage I turned to my wife and said, “I think I found my Jenna!”.  I then reached out to her via Facebook, sent her the script and we clicked right away.  She is another excellent actor and very professional.


This is a comedy but it’s also one with messages. What do you believe the biggest one is?

Prejudice and Discrimination.  I don’t want to give anything away but we hit that message a lot throughout this whole film.   No one should be discriminated against or pre-judged just because of their ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual preference or even the type of job they have.  At the end of the day we are all human.