In “Amphetamine”, Scud's most visually polished drama about a toxic and intoxicated love between a young Australian financial executive Daniel (Thomas Price) and a straight Hong Kong jack of all trades Kafka (Byron Pang), hope is the only thing permanently absent.
Amphetamine is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The melancholic Kafka is caught between working three jobs to help provide for his sick mother and a not so functional relationship with his girlfriend, who is struggling to understand his broken psyche. When she decides to break off in broad daylight in a posh bar, the boy with the sword has already caught Daniel's eye. Just to make sure we'll understand this instant crush, Scud shows us Kafka's beauty from all sides. Right at the beginning of the film, we observe him giving swimming lessons and being pestered by an elderly man who tells him “he has a body like Michelangelo's”. Soon after,...
Amphetamine is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The melancholic Kafka is caught between working three jobs to help provide for his sick mother and a not so functional relationship with his girlfriend, who is struggling to understand his broken psyche. When she decides to break off in broad daylight in a posh bar, the boy with the sword has already caught Daniel's eye. Just to make sure we'll understand this instant crush, Scud shows us Kafka's beauty from all sides. Right at the beginning of the film, we observe him giving swimming lessons and being pestered by an elderly man who tells him “he has a body like Michelangelo's”. Soon after,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
When Legendary Pictures had a deal with Warner Bros, the two companies were working on numerous projects, including a big screen adaptation of the classic 1972 "Kung Fu" TV series. Since then, Warner Bros ended its deal with Legendary, which then moved into a partnership with Universal Pictures. Part of that new deal is to get "Kung Fu" off the ground. According to Tracking Board, Cory Goodman (Priest) and Rich Wilkes have been hired to write the script. The plan is to bring the story into modern times and to hire a director before the script is finished. Back in the day, Allen and Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli), Max Makowski (One Last Dance) and Bill Paxton (Frailty) were all once attached to direct. No word if they will be re-approached.
- 4/6/2014
- WorstPreviews.com
It's been five years since Allen and Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli) signed on to direct a big screen adaptation of the classic 1972 "Kung Fu" TV series that starred David Carradine. The brothers were then replaced by Max Makowski (One Last Dance). And now comes word that Makowski is out as well and Bill Paxton is in talks to direct the film. Paxton is mostly known for his acting, but he has also directed two solid films, "Frailty" and "The Greatest Game Ever Played." If the deal is signed, Paxton will helm from a script by John McLaughlin (Black Swan). The plan is to begin shooting in China next summer. The original series followed the adventures of a Shaolin monk as he wanders the American West. The monk wants peace but usually winds up using his spectacular martial arts skills to battle the bad guys, in between flashbacks of...
- 11/1/2011
- WorstPreviews.com
Bill Paxton, he of the James Cameron movies and the guy most people mistaken for Bill Pullman and vice versa, is in talks to direct the big-screen adaptation of the TV show “Kung Fu” for Legendary Entertainment. Paxton, who is no stranger to feature film directing (he directed the surprisingly good “Frailty” in 2001 and the golfing movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played” in 2005), would helm the big screen version of the 1970s TV show from a script by John McLaughlin (“Black Swan”). Paxton is the third director attached to the movie. Max Makowski surfaced as a candidate back in 2007, and a few months before that, the Hughes Brothers were supposed to direct. Said to have originally been conceived by Bruce Lee before it was absconded by Warner Bros., “Kung Fu” the TV show ran for three seasons and starred David Carradine as a slow-moving, slow-talking Shaolin monk hiding out in...
- 11/1/2011
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
The concept of a "Voltron" live action movie has been floating around Hollywood for years. First 20th Century Fox owned the project, then Relativity scooped it up with Max Makowski at the helm. That version went nowhere, and Atlas Entertainment scooped up another version, which also went nowhere. Then "Conan" scribes Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer started while some epic concept art was released, and a huge bidding war went on over the property earlier this year, but so far nothing has come of a "Voltron" film for the big screen.
That's why "The Totally Rad Show" podcast creator Alex Albrecht has taken matters into his own hands. Why wait for Hollywood to make a "Voltron" movie when he can do it himself, and probably do it better. Enter "Voltron: The End," the three-minute-long "Voltron" short film that proves that a blockbuster adaptation about the Voltron Force definitely should be done.
That's why "The Totally Rad Show" podcast creator Alex Albrecht has taken matters into his own hands. Why wait for Hollywood to make a "Voltron" movie when he can do it himself, and probably do it better. Enter "Voltron: The End," the three-minute-long "Voltron" short film that proves that a blockbuster adaptation about the Voltron Force definitely should be done.
- 10/14/2011
- by Terri Schwartz
- ifc.com
Bad news for fans of the Lion Force... looks like Voltron: Defender of the Universe will not be coming to the big screen anytime soon. Back before Michael Bay's Transformers even hit theatres, Voltron was one of the first '80s properties to be acquired and positioned to follow suit. After getting a script from Justin Marks and a director in the form of Max Makowski [1], the project never took flight, until last year when the big screen rights changed hands [2] and things appeared to be moving again. Unfortunately, this week we have learned that the live action Voltron movie has now been scrapped in favour of relaunching the brand through a new TV series and toy line. According to Variety [3], a new 26-episode series called Voltron Force will air on Nicktoons starting next year, accompanied by new toys from Mattel that will "revolve around an edgier, modernized robot.
- 6/9/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Voltron has been unplugged. The hopes for a live-action (and heavily CGI) movie based on the popular anime series won't be happening, according to Screen Rant. In its place, World Events Productions and Classic Media, which hold the rights to the property, are preparing to launch a new animated TV show and a line of toys, which probably would have happened had the movie gone through, anyway.
The Voltron flick had been stewing for a while and most recently, it was announced that a new director (Max Makowski, who is not ringing any bells) would handle the reboot, with Justin Marks writing the script. Since Marks recently worked on Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, how could it miss, I ask you?...
The Voltron flick had been stewing for a while and most recently, it was announced that a new director (Max Makowski, who is not ringing any bells) would handle the reboot, with Justin Marks writing the script. Since Marks recently worked on Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, how could it miss, I ask you?...
- 6/9/2010
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
We've reported over the past couple years that Transformers had seemingly created enough giant robot movie momentum that Voltron, the Americanized edit of a 1981 Japanese animated series in which robot lions form a giant super-robot, would get a movie of its own. That's no longer the case which, given the quality of the Transformers films, might not be a bad thing at all. Justin Marks once wrote a screenplay for Voltron, back when Fox was working on the film with New Regency. The studio and New Regency put it into turnaround, in 2008, and producer Mark Gordon took the Marks screenplay to Relativity. For that version, Max Makowski was reportedly set to direct. That incarnation went nowhere and, in July 2009, Atlas Entertainment was developing a new film. There was reason to suspect that this version might end up at Warner Bros., but like Robotech, also in development around the same ...
- 6/8/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Corona Coming Attractions had the chance to visit the offices of World Event Productions, the production company behind "Voltron." According to the site, everything that has been development for the "Voltron" movie will be thrown out. The script written by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) and John Davis has been scrapped, mostly because it takes place on Earth. And director Max Makowski has been let go. The plan right now is to start from scratch. "Voltron" centers on a post-apocalyptic adventure in which five survivors of an alien attack gather to pilot the five robot lions that combine and form the powerful Voltron. Click here to read more about "Voltron."...
- 4/6/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
I'm telling you right now, this should be El Mayimbe writing this. It's not that I'm not down with multi-colored lion robots, it's just that the man has done some fantastic reporting on the project. Fantastic reporting that is now basically all flushed down the tubes.Such is the Hollywood system.Remember the script review we brought you of the draft written by Justin Marks? The one that starts with Mayimbe in Caps Lock: "Believe The Hype! Justin Marks Absolutely Fucking Delivers!"Yeah, they tossed that script completely.Remember when the film went into turnaround, the Relativity picked it up and attached a guy named Max Makowski? A choice Mayimbe explained: "Voltron fanboyness aside, sources tell me he's actually a great choice. I honestly hope so and I at least give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I’m told he's on every studio's hot list these days because of...
- 4/5/2010
- LRMonline.com
The boys at Coming Attractions got the chance to visit World Event Productions, the home office of the “Voltron” movie, and came away with some news about the upcoming film. In short, it’s still in development, but there have been some major changes since last we heard. Most important of all is the news that the script by writer Justin Marks, which is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, is no longer in play, and the movie is officially in “reboot” mode in terms of development. Also, director Max Makowski, who was recently attached to direct, is no longer onboard. Along with those news, there are still no cast attached, which is not surprising given that, well, they’re back to square one. So what does all this mean? Mainly that a “Voltron” movie probably won’t be set on a post-apocalyptic Earth as originally thought, and it’s going...
- 4/5/2010
- by Nix
- SciFiCool.com
[Coming Attractions' reporter Thurston McQ had the exclusive opportunity to visit the offices of World Event Productions where the next Voltron animated TV series and live-action movie are being developed. This is his report. -- Patrick@CA]
The Visit
If you are one of the growing number of visitors to Voltron.com, you will have seen the website’s recent announcement: a new Lion Force animated series is coming to NickToons.
This announcement comes at a time when fans are both hopeful and fearful. Like fans of any genre offering, it is not enough for them to see the world and characters they have grown to love revived. They also want to see it done right. Voltron’s fans have seen other franchises revived, and they have borne witness to—and in many cases, have shared in—the disappointment of those franchises’ fans.
I count myself among these Voltron fans. I was a charter member of the post-Star Wars action figure boom, and as such I had dedicated the majority of my toy box’s space to the headquartering of my personal mix of begged-for and traded-for G.
The Visit
If you are one of the growing number of visitors to Voltron.com, you will have seen the website’s recent announcement: a new Lion Force animated series is coming to NickToons.
This announcement comes at a time when fans are both hopeful and fearful. Like fans of any genre offering, it is not enough for them to see the world and characters they have grown to love revived. They also want to see it done right. Voltron’s fans have seen other franchises revived, and they have borne witness to—and in many cases, have shared in—the disappointment of those franchises’ fans.
I count myself among these Voltron fans. I was a charter member of the post-Star Wars action figure boom, and as such I had dedicated the majority of my toy box’s space to the headquartering of my personal mix of begged-for and traded-for G.
- 4/5/2010
- by Thurston McQ
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Just when you thought those giant cat-bots of Voltron were dead in the cinematic waters, someone swoops in and starts talking again. The last update we made here on Fsr was a rumor about Max Makowski, director of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," being tapped to direct. Since then, mostly crickets. In July, THR's Risky Business reported that The Dark Knight producer Charles Roven and his partners at Atlas Entertainment had acquired the rights and were pushing things forward, but nothing official has come out since. Until now. The Hollywood Reporter published word today that UTA has signed on to represent U.S. rights-holder World Events Prods. This will include representation on several platforms, including television, video game and toy deals. Also as part of the deal, UTA is going to assist Atlas Entertainment and Jason Netter's Kickstart Prods. with the development of a movie. They are said to be leading the search for a...
- 10/6/2009
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Atlas Entertainment has acquired the rights to Voltron and is planning a live-action adaptation of the property. Producing are Charles Roven (The Dark Knight), Richard Suckle (The International), and Steve Alexander. The partners purchased the rights for the Japanese anime after it rested at World Events Productions for over 20 years.
The 1980’s hit series features five robot lions that formed a massive robot called Voltron. The pilots were constantly tasked with defending planets against the forces of Zarkon, including cyborgs known as “Robeasts.” The popularity of Transformers brought the anime to the United States and will likely help the project become a feature film.
According to the Risky Business Blog, Atlas picked up the pieces after producer Mark Gordon brought Voltron to New Regency (an arm of 20th Century Fox) and then to Relativity Media. The latter even attached a director (Max Makowski) and launched plans for a “cost-effective” approach,...
The 1980’s hit series features five robot lions that formed a massive robot called Voltron. The pilots were constantly tasked with defending planets against the forces of Zarkon, including cyborgs known as “Robeasts.” The popularity of Transformers brought the anime to the United States and will likely help the project become a feature film.
According to the Risky Business Blog, Atlas picked up the pieces after producer Mark Gordon brought Voltron to New Regency (an arm of 20th Century Fox) and then to Relativity Media. The latter even attached a director (Max Makowski) and launched plans for a “cost-effective” approach,...
- 7/21/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
It's been a while since we've heard anything about the live action Voltron feature film, which was originally being set up over at New Line in the months leading up to the release of Michael Bay's Transformers. Last summer [1] there was speculation that Queer Eye for the Straight Guy director Max Makowski had been chosen to direct from a script by the "legendary" Justin Marks, but it was never officially confirmed as far as I know. Now this week it looks like the rights have changed hands and things are moving forward once again. The Risky Biz Blog [2] reports that producers Charles Roven (The Dark Knight, Get Smart), Richard Suckle (The International, Scooby Doo) and Steve Alexander have acquired the rights to Voltron from Mark Gordon Productions and may be looking to set it up at Warner Brothers. It seems inevitable that a Voltron movie will happen, it's just...
- 7/20/2009
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Thanks to the worldwide success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen producers Charles Roven, Richard Suckle and Steve Alexander of Atlas Entertainment have once again resurrected Voltron based on the 1980s cartoon series. When we last heard of the proposed feature Max Makowski ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy") was in negotiations to direct the film with a script from Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) telling a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth's invaders. However, the new report from Steven Zeitchik at The Risky Bix Blog doesn't mention Makowski and it sounds like the Marks draft is out. The film is no longer set up at a studio, but Atlas does have an overall deal with Warner Bros.
- 7/20/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Right now, as I type this Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is nearing one kagillion dollars at the worldwide box office, a total so large it has gone into made up numbers. At this point it’s fairly well documented that I wasn’t a fan of the sequel, so I won’t reiterate how there was no story and most of the critics got it right.
But Transformers got me thinking about how I used to take Soundwave in the tub with me and, while surrounded by bubbles, dive bomb the rubber ducky. Then, after I finished reminiscing about last weekend, I reflected further back to my childhood. Those were the good times before I had responsibilities and other things I procrastinate. However, now that 80’s adaptations are successful in theaters, Hollywood will milk that cash cow dry until we’re all sick of hearing about the toys we...
But Transformers got me thinking about how I used to take Soundwave in the tub with me and, while surrounded by bubbles, dive bomb the rubber ducky. Then, after I finished reminiscing about last weekend, I reflected further back to my childhood. Those were the good times before I had responsibilities and other things I procrastinate. However, now that 80’s adaptations are successful in theaters, Hollywood will milk that cash cow dry until we’re all sick of hearing about the toys we...
- 7/1/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Whitaker, Zellweger find 'Love': Forest Whitaker and Renee Zellweger are set to star in writer/director Olivier Dahan's My Own Love Song, which marks Dahan's follow-up to her Oscar winning film La Vie en rose. Story centers on a roadtrip to Memphis undertaken by a wheelchair-bound former singer and her friend. Both have faced tragedy in their lives, and each becomes the other's chief support. [Variety] Ashley Judd joins Fox's 'Tooth Fairy': Ashley Judd is set to star with Dwayne Johnson in 20th Century Fox comedy Tooth Fairy. Johnson plays a minor league hockey player nicknamed the Tooth Fairy. Judd plays his girlfriend, a single mother of two kids. [Variety] Max Makowski in talks for 'Voltron': Variety confirms LatinoReview's story that Max Makowski may direct Relativity Media's Voltron: Defender of the Universe. [Variety]...
- 9/4/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
It has been previously reported that New Regency had put Voltron: Defender of the Universe into turnaround with Relativity Media now backing the property with a more moderate budget and plans of utilizing the type of cost-effective technology employed in “300.” Latino Review now reports that Max Makowski will direct the film, which was written by Justin Marks. Makowski directed 2005’s One Last Dance, rewrote the screenplay for the Hawaii Five-o feature, and is attached to the direct the big screen adaptation of 1970s TV series Kung Fu and the Shinobi remake. Voltron: Defender of the Universe is described as a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth’s invaders. It is based on the popular 1980s Japanese animated TV series,...
- 9/1/2008
- UGO Movies
Just one week after news surfaced that the big-screen Voltron was going into turnaround with Fox's Relativity Media, Latino Review is now reporting that Max Makowski has been signed to direct the live-action update. Now I know what you are thinking: 'Who the heck is Max Makowski?' Well, he might not be a household name, but according to Latino's sources "he's actually a great choice." Well, I guess we will have to take their word for it, because Makowski has a pretty scant list of credits to his name. The Brazilian born writer-director has been hired to direct an update of the 70's TV series Kung-Fu, along with penning the update to Hawaii Five-o.
Voltron has been languishing over at Fox since 2005, and other than a few rumblings about Justin Marks' script, the project seemed to have stalled. Marks' take is described as "a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico.
Voltron has been languishing over at Fox since 2005, and other than a few rumblings about Justin Marks' script, the project seemed to have stalled. Marks' take is described as "a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico.
- 8/30/2008
- by Jessica Barnes
- Cinematical
There's more news out of Camp Voltron. You remember Voltron, right? Kind of lumped in there with Transformers in the 1980s, and for the sake of convenience, let's just say they're pretty much the same thing, as far as someone unfamiliar with it is concerned. (After all, Transformers did eventually absorb the Voltron brand...)
The movie, unfortunately, was being conceived years before Transformers, so it's going to take a back seat again since the Michael Bay movie franchise is going to get even bigger next summer. But Latino Review reports that we now have a director for Voltron, and at least on paper, it's an unexpected choice that could pan out.
The new guy's name is Max Makowski, and while you may have seen the episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that he directed, chances are you have no idea who he is. But look at the stuff...
The movie, unfortunately, was being conceived years before Transformers, so it's going to take a back seat again since the Michael Bay movie franchise is going to get even bigger next summer. But Latino Review reports that we now have a director for Voltron, and at least on paper, it's an unexpected choice that could pan out.
The new guy's name is Max Makowski, and while you may have seen the episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that he directed, chances are you have no idea who he is. But look at the stuff...
- 8/29/2008
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Max Makowski, a director of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy and One Last Dance, will be directing a film version of the Japanese animated series, Voltron, according to Latino Review. Makowski’s selection is said to be the equivalent of Zack Snyder directing 300, and that turned out pretty well so something special could happen here. Voltron…...
- 8/29/2008
- by Liam
- Filmonic.com
Only a great director could pull off a film version of the Japanese animated series, Voltron, and Relativity Media is bringing it with... Max Makowski, director of "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy." Wtf? Latino Review tells us that the little known but highly regarded director has been given the challenge ...
- 8/29/2008
- by Adam Sweeney
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Just weeks after we announced that the Voltron movie was dumped by Fox, our friends at Latino Review have discovered who will be directing the latest iteration. Max Makowski, who directed a 2005 Sundance film called One Last Dance and is currently working on the Kung Fu redux for Warner Brothers, will be helming Voltron. An odd choice? Maybe so, but Latino Review says that Max "is supposed to have a great visual style that's very specific and all his own," which should be a good thing. Other than that, not much is known about him, besides that he's got some potential and had a Sundance movie that caused some buzz. As much as we wish that Makowski will be the next Jon Favreau who is going to take Voltron and turn it into the movie that we dreamt of as a kid, I just can't see it happening. The whole...
- 8/29/2008
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Like many of you, my initial opinion of the Voltron project was that it was just a quick and easy cash in on the financial success and resounding fanboy acceptance of Transformers. But then I heard about writer Justin Marks' plan to turn the flick into a post-apocalyptic actioner and I was all turned around on the matter. Now I can't wait for this robotic beast to crash into cinemas, and based upon the speed at which the project is now moving, I'm thinking neither can Relativity (who bought the property from 20th Century Fox). The latest, from Latino Review, is that Max Makowski, director of the up and coming Shinobi and Hawaii 5-0 (I kid you not) has been hired on to direct the giant robot flick. Even though Max Makowski is a reletive unknown whose genre licks haven't truly been tested yet, I hear rumblings that some...
- 8/29/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Last week we brought you the Voltron news that Fox-based New Regency had put the movie in turnaround only to have it picked up by Relativity Media (where it would be made on the cheap, a la 300). Now Latino Review has the scoop on who has signed on to direct the film, proof that Relativity isn't screwing around. Max Makowski, who sounds more like a character in a Wes Anderson film, has signed on to direct based on a script by Justin Marks. Makowski previously wrote and directed the 2005...
- 8/29/2008
- by Mike Sampson
- JoBlo.com
"Voltron" has started to take its shape with it finding the man behind the lens. According to Latino Review, following the turnaround report earlier, the Japanese television series adaptation movie has finally had director Max Makowski attached to the project.
Explaining more on the hiring of Makowski, the site noted that their source has claimed that putting him on the project is "like having Zack Snyder do 300". The helmer of "The Agency" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" TV episodes is said to have "a great visual style that's very specific and all his own".
To be produced by Relativity Media, "Voltron" story is being developed by scribe Justin Marks. Allegedly, it will tell a post-apocalyptic tale about five people surviving an alien attack in New York City and Mexico. Those five end up to be pilots of lion-like vehicles which can be combined to form a massive sword-wielding...
Explaining more on the hiring of Makowski, the site noted that their source has claimed that putting him on the project is "like having Zack Snyder do 300". The helmer of "The Agency" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" TV episodes is said to have "a great visual style that's very specific and all his own".
To be produced by Relativity Media, "Voltron" story is being developed by scribe Justin Marks. Allegedly, it will tell a post-apocalyptic tale about five people surviving an alien attack in New York City and Mexico. Those five end up to be pilots of lion-like vehicles which can be combined to form a massive sword-wielding...
- 8/29/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Last week we reported that Relativity Media was in talks to develop the big-screen adaptation of “Voltron,” and believe it or not, the film now has a director.
LatinoReview announced earlier that Max Makowski is the man directing the action flick, which is based on the famous Japanese animated TV series that kicked off in the early 1980s.
Don’t know who Max Makowski is? Well I don’t blame you, because he’s not exactly the kind of director you hear about in the news every week (at least not yet).
If you head over to IMDb, you’ll see that Makowski directed 2005’s “One Last Dance.” For more on his career, head over to LatinoReview.
As far as the plot is concerned, “Voltron” centers on a post-apocalyptic adventure in which five survivors of an alien attack gather to pilot the five robot lions that combine and form the powerful Voltron.
LatinoReview announced earlier that Max Makowski is the man directing the action flick, which is based on the famous Japanese animated TV series that kicked off in the early 1980s.
Don’t know who Max Makowski is? Well I don’t blame you, because he’s not exactly the kind of director you hear about in the news every week (at least not yet).
If you head over to IMDb, you’ll see that Makowski directed 2005’s “One Last Dance.” For more on his career, head over to LatinoReview.
As far as the plot is concerned, “Voltron” centers on a post-apocalyptic adventure in which five survivors of an alien attack gather to pilot the five robot lions that combine and form the powerful Voltron.
- 8/29/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Latino Review found out Max Makowski is going to direct Voltron, which is based on an animated television series in which five Galaxy Alliance pilots control vehicles shaped like lions that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron robot in order to battle an evil menace. Latino Review also reviewed the Justin Marks script over a year ago and gave it an A+ calling it a "Complete Miracle". Variety says the story is a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico, where five survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth's invaders. The film is currently at Relativity Media after picking up out of turnaround. Most recently Relativity was behind 3:10 to Yuma and Mr. Brooks and the obvious appeal Voltron is based on the giant robot angle following the success of Transformers.
- 8/29/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Talk of a Voltron movie has been going on for quite some time and not long ago it was stated that the film had been officially put into turnaround. Well it appears that after that nasty bit the movie is back on track with a director. Latino Review has learned that director Max Makowski will now helm Voltron: Defender of the Universe. Honestly I had never heard of the director before but after doing a little digging it looks like he is also attached to direct the Shinobi remake and the film adaptation of the TV show Kung Fu. Since I've never heard of him before I'm not sure what to expect out ...
- 8/29/2008
- MoviesOnline.ca
BEIJING -- Universal Pictures has signed Max Makowski to remake the 2005 action hit "Shinobi", bought from Shochiku in Japan, as a modern day "Romeo and Juliet" set in Hong Kong, the writer-director confirmed in an interview Wednesday.
"Of all the projects that have led me in the direction of Hollywood, this project with Universal is the one that clicked," Makowski said of the deal signed last week with Universal's Jeffrey Kirshenbaum.
Makowski, a Brazilian who has lived in Hong Kong since 1985, has worked for local film heavyweights Golden Harvest and Salon Films, and his Harvey Keitel starrer "One Last Dance" unspooled at Sundance in 2006.
"Of all the studios talking about making fiscally responsible pictures, Universal has the corporate structure and the lexicography to make films in an independent style, a la Hong Kong filmmaking," with a budget that produces a film that looks like it cost twice as much, Makowski said.
The son of a banker, whose travel saw him grow up as an expatriate, Makowski said his version of the story of star-crossed lovers from rival clans will impart a sense of the history of Hong Kong -- a British colony until 1997 and longtime banking center.
"Of all the projects that have led me in the direction of Hollywood, this project with Universal is the one that clicked," Makowski said of the deal signed last week with Universal's Jeffrey Kirshenbaum.
Makowski, a Brazilian who has lived in Hong Kong since 1985, has worked for local film heavyweights Golden Harvest and Salon Films, and his Harvey Keitel starrer "One Last Dance" unspooled at Sundance in 2006.
"Of all the studios talking about making fiscally responsible pictures, Universal has the corporate structure and the lexicography to make films in an independent style, a la Hong Kong filmmaking," with a budget that produces a film that looks like it cost twice as much, Makowski said.
The son of a banker, whose travel saw him grow up as an expatriate, Makowski said his version of the story of star-crossed lovers from rival clans will impart a sense of the history of Hong Kong -- a British colony until 1997 and longtime banking center.
SINGAPORE -- Singapore's media regulatory and development agency, the Media Development Authority, has unveiled a strategy designed to boost the country's presence on the international media market. The new positioning, dubbed Singapore Media Fusion, will be officially launched in October at MIPCOM, the MDA said. "MDA believes it is timely to develop a strategic positioning that will allow the industry to communicate its strengths in a coherent and compelling manner," MDA chairman Dr. Tan Chin Nam said. Among those participating in the marketing campaign are such international helmers as Brazil's Max Makowski, director of One Last Dance, produced by Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and China's Ming Prods., and Marco Serafini of Germany.
- 9/26/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- This year Ioncinema.com is covering the 2006 edition of the Sundance Film Festival Live from Park City, Utah. Weâ.ll be on hand to cover the festival, and while we wonâ.t be able to cover everything from A to Z: here is a comprehensive beforehand look at the selections in each of the festivalâ.s sections. (Note: To access individual preview pages, simply click on the links below) January 19th to the 28th, 2006Counting Down: updateCountdownClock('January 19, 2006'); World Cinema - Dramatic Competition "13 (Tzameti)" (France), writer-director Gela Babluani's intense drama about the dire consequences suffered by a man who follows instructions left for someone else. "Allegro,"(Denmark), directed by Christoffer Boe and written by Boe and Mikael Wulff, a look at an amnesiac pianist who reconnects with his forgotten past upon returning to Copenhagen. "The Aura," (Argentina), writer-director Fabian Bielinsky's twisty drama about a taxidermist's dream of pulling off the perfect robbery.
- 1/16/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
Pirandello, Beckett, Ionesco -- all these oh-so-modern literary figures come to mind when describing "The Pigeon Egg Strategy", but one big-book figure sums it up best -- Onan. In this post-graduatese-like abstraction, overflowing with absurdist constructs and cutesy philosophical references, one can't help but recall the biblical figure Onan, who spilled his seed all over the dry, parched earth to no avail -- such is the infertile travail of this scattered opus.
While catering to the pretensions of recent college grads who have dallied away in modern lit courses, this cinematic construct is likely to annoy more viewers than it will enlighten, edify or certainly entertain. It has won some not entirely surprising acclaim on the festival circuit, where philosophical pretensions are easily mined. In academic jargon -- and that is the correct frame for this black-and-white low-budgeter -- "Pigeon Egg"'s prospective audience will be a marginalized lot of festies and eggheads.
Narratively, writer-director Max Makowski's scenario perambulates around a seemingly incongruous string of unconnected snippets -- a Brazilian lawyer calls Hong Kong to get an opinion on whether Chianti and orange juice is a good mix -- and similar trifling twaddle. Undeniably, Makowski can wax brainily: The dialogue is a smear of elliptical word games peppered with oddball juxtapositions and flavored with some pithy punctuations.
Lo, the novelty wears thin fast -- even an assistant professor of philosophy at B.U. would notice the repetitive tedium. Mainstreamers might find the assaultive East Coast cadence a nuisance as well. The mix here is pop philosophy with canned orange juice -- actually, it does go together in a diluted sort of way -- but, thematically, "Pigeon" could use a chaser.
Despite the film's verbal onanism and showy babble, the visuals are much more expressive. As a filmmaker, Makowski's compositions are often witty. Special praise to cinematographer Gavin Liew, whose gradations of lighting are far more eloquent than the film's post-collegiate-ish writing.
The players themselves are an interesting, distinctive-looking mix -- credit casting director Susanna Jolly for some aptly funny selections. Indeed, the players' often uniquely comic physicality makes them much more distinctive than the writing.
Alas, mouthing staccato, derivative dialogue does not bring any player to the fore. They are mere pawns in this cinematic/academic exercise.
THE PIGEON EGG STRATEGY
Film Bund
In cooperation with Salon Films HK
Screenwriter-director:Max Makowski
Casting director:Susanna Jolly
Director of photography:Gavin Liew
Sound:Anthony Kwok
Black and white/stereo
Cast:
Jam Kitchen:Anthony DiMaria
Fenniak:Bruce Walker
Sichems:Anthony Grasso
Eni Vatapa:Rachel Jacobs
Janko:Daniel Milder
Rutledge:Anthony Michael Jones
Other:Kevin Colbert
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
While catering to the pretensions of recent college grads who have dallied away in modern lit courses, this cinematic construct is likely to annoy more viewers than it will enlighten, edify or certainly entertain. It has won some not entirely surprising acclaim on the festival circuit, where philosophical pretensions are easily mined. In academic jargon -- and that is the correct frame for this black-and-white low-budgeter -- "Pigeon Egg"'s prospective audience will be a marginalized lot of festies and eggheads.
Narratively, writer-director Max Makowski's scenario perambulates around a seemingly incongruous string of unconnected snippets -- a Brazilian lawyer calls Hong Kong to get an opinion on whether Chianti and orange juice is a good mix -- and similar trifling twaddle. Undeniably, Makowski can wax brainily: The dialogue is a smear of elliptical word games peppered with oddball juxtapositions and flavored with some pithy punctuations.
Lo, the novelty wears thin fast -- even an assistant professor of philosophy at B.U. would notice the repetitive tedium. Mainstreamers might find the assaultive East Coast cadence a nuisance as well. The mix here is pop philosophy with canned orange juice -- actually, it does go together in a diluted sort of way -- but, thematically, "Pigeon" could use a chaser.
Despite the film's verbal onanism and showy babble, the visuals are much more expressive. As a filmmaker, Makowski's compositions are often witty. Special praise to cinematographer Gavin Liew, whose gradations of lighting are far more eloquent than the film's post-collegiate-ish writing.
The players themselves are an interesting, distinctive-looking mix -- credit casting director Susanna Jolly for some aptly funny selections. Indeed, the players' often uniquely comic physicality makes them much more distinctive than the writing.
Alas, mouthing staccato, derivative dialogue does not bring any player to the fore. They are mere pawns in this cinematic/academic exercise.
THE PIGEON EGG STRATEGY
Film Bund
In cooperation with Salon Films HK
Screenwriter-director:Max Makowski
Casting director:Susanna Jolly
Director of photography:Gavin Liew
Sound:Anthony Kwok
Black and white/stereo
Cast:
Jam Kitchen:Anthony DiMaria
Fenniak:Bruce Walker
Sichems:Anthony Grasso
Eni Vatapa:Rachel Jacobs
Janko:Daniel Milder
Rutledge:Anthony Michael Jones
Other:Kevin Colbert
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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