"They're here."
With those two words, the nebulous world of the supernatural, the ominous ambiguity of the paranormal, and the deep-seated terror that is inherent in the concept of ghosts were perfectly summed up by 1982's "Poltergeist." Despite the film being over 40 years old, it still holds up as one of the most modern movies about the paranormal ever made. Sure, there had been films about ghosts and hauntings before, but many of these tended to be set in remote, antiquated locations such as spooky old mansions and abandoned homes on a hill. More than even the well-regarded visual effects, the biggest innovation of "Poltergeist" is its quintessentially American suburban setting, the inherent message being that ghosts aren't merely sequestered in places that average people would never dare go; instead, they exist right next to us.
Released during the busy summer of '82, "Poltergeist" more than held its own, making $121.7 million over a $10.7 million budget.
With those two words, the nebulous world of the supernatural, the ominous ambiguity of the paranormal, and the deep-seated terror that is inherent in the concept of ghosts were perfectly summed up by 1982's "Poltergeist." Despite the film being over 40 years old, it still holds up as one of the most modern movies about the paranormal ever made. Sure, there had been films about ghosts and hauntings before, but many of these tended to be set in remote, antiquated locations such as spooky old mansions and abandoned homes on a hill. More than even the well-regarded visual effects, the biggest innovation of "Poltergeist" is its quintessentially American suburban setting, the inherent message being that ghosts aren't merely sequestered in places that average people would never dare go; instead, they exist right next to us.
Released during the busy summer of '82, "Poltergeist" more than held its own, making $121.7 million over a $10.7 million budget.
- 12/31/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Last year, Amazon closed an $8.5 billion acquisition of the film studio MGM, giving them ownership of the studio’s thousands of films and TV shows. Earlier this year, we heard that Poltergeist was one of the six MGM properties Amazon was most interested in doing something with… and now Variety has discovered that a Poltergeist TV series is in early development at Amazon MGM Studios! There are no plot details to share at this time, but Variety has been told “the show will be set within the world of the film”.
Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are set to executive produce the series for Amblin Television.
Tobe Hooper, who had previously made The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Eaten Alive, Salem’s Lot, and The Funhouse, directed Poltergeist from a screenplay Steven Spielberg wrote with Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Spielberg also crafted the initial story. The film has the following synopsis: Strange...
Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are set to executive produce the series for Amblin Television.
Tobe Hooper, who had previously made The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Eaten Alive, Salem’s Lot, and The Funhouse, directed Poltergeist from a screenplay Steven Spielberg wrote with Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Spielberg also crafted the initial story. The film has the following synopsis: Strange...
- 10/30/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Brad Pitt Wants to Fuck a Cartoon in “Cool World”
If Robert Zemeckis’ “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” is one of the wonders of the cinematic world, then Ralph Bakshi’s “Cool World” is its under-trafficked, overly adult gift shop. The 1992 flop is worth walking through at least once — though I wouldn’t pick up anything from its metaphorical floor.
Embraced by lovers of animated baddies and so-wrong-it’s-right gems everywhere, this dark medium-blending fantasy film was intended to be Bakshi’s big comeback after a ten-year movie hiatus, arriving...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Brad Pitt Wants to Fuck a Cartoon in “Cool World”
If Robert Zemeckis’ “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” is one of the wonders of the cinematic world, then Ralph Bakshi’s “Cool World” is its under-trafficked, overly adult gift shop. The 1992 flop is worth walking through at least once — though I wouldn’t pick up anything from its metaphorical floor.
Embraced by lovers of animated baddies and so-wrong-it’s-right gems everywhere, this dark medium-blending fantasy film was intended to be Bakshi’s big comeback after a ten-year movie hiatus, arriving...
- 6/24/2023
- by Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
A new episode of The Arrow in the Head Show has just been released, and in this one hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance Vlcek are talking about Poltergeist – but not the Tobe Hooper / Steven Spielberg classic from 1982. The Poltergeist movie they’re focusing on in this episode is the 1986 sequel Poltergeist II: The Other Side (watch it Here), the one with the creepy reverend and the tequila worm. To find out what they had to say about it, check out the video embedded above!
Directed by Brian Gibson from a screenplay written by Michael Grais and Mark Victor, Poltergeist II has the following synopsis: The Freelings have escaped their haunted house, which is now being studied by paranormal investigators, including shaman Taylor. When Taylor realizes that the Beast, masquerading as the Reverend Kane, knows where young Carol Anne Freeling now lives, he goes to warn the family that...
Directed by Brian Gibson from a screenplay written by Michael Grais and Mark Victor, Poltergeist II has the following synopsis: The Freelings have escaped their haunted house, which is now being studied by paranormal investigators, including shaman Taylor. When Taylor realizes that the Beast, masquerading as the Reverend Kane, knows where young Carol Anne Freeling now lives, he goes to warn the family that...
- 5/19/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Throughout his long career, Steven Spielberg has received a total of 19 Oscar nominations (and three wins) in the categories of Best Picture and Best Director. This year it looks like he’ll be recognized for the very first time as a writer in the category of Best Original Screenplay for “The Fabelmans.”
Spielberg’s latest film is loosely based on his childhood growing up in a post-World War II era Arizona. Shown from age 7 to 18, Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel Labelle) discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of movies help us see the truth about each other and ourselves.
SEEJamie Lee Curtis (‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’): 5 reasons why she could (and should) earn her first Oscar nomination
Writing screenplays is something Spielberg himself rarely does. He previously received story credit on 1973’s “Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies” as well as 1985’s “The Goonies.” He...
Spielberg’s latest film is loosely based on his childhood growing up in a post-World War II era Arizona. Shown from age 7 to 18, Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel Labelle) discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of movies help us see the truth about each other and ourselves.
SEEJamie Lee Curtis (‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’): 5 reasons why she could (and should) earn her first Oscar nomination
Writing screenplays is something Spielberg himself rarely does. He previously received story credit on 1973’s “Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies” as well as 1985’s “The Goonies.” He...
- 10/27/2022
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Burbank, Calif., August 11, 2022 – Poltergeist, the 1982 classic horror film written by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on September 20, it was announced today by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Directed by Spielberg and directed by Hooper, Poltergeist stars JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Zelda Rubinstein, Beatrice Straight and Heather O’Rourke.
The screenplay for Poltergeist was written by Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, from a story by Spielberg. The film was produced by Frank Marshall and Spielberg.
Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.
Poltergeist will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for 24.99 Erp and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with Hdr and a Digital download of the film.
Directed by Spielberg and directed by Hooper, Poltergeist stars JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Zelda Rubinstein, Beatrice Straight and Heather O’Rourke.
The screenplay for Poltergeist was written by Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, from a story by Spielberg. The film was produced by Frank Marshall and Spielberg.
Ultra HD* showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.
Poltergeist will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for 24.99 Erp and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with Hdr and a Digital download of the film.
- 8/12/2022
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Exclusive: HBO Max has acquired streaming rights to the family film Brie‘s Bake Off Challenge, from writer-director Emily Aguilar, for release today.
The story follows Brie Hayes (Devyn Leah), an aspiring 12-year-old baker who does everything she can to win first place in her school’s annual Spring Bake Off Challenge. Brie and her Bffl Millie (Mallory Vertman) must practice and motivate each other in order to win. On top of the actual baking challenges, Brie faces her “archnemesis” and bully, Vanessa Weiler (Delaney Disque), who also wants to win first place. Pressures and tensions rise as the stakes get higher and Vanessa’s crush, Jody (Camden Zapf), is also competing to win. The winner of the Spring Bake Off Challenge will win a whopping 5,000 and tickets to Cosmo Land.
Emily’s Bake Off Challenge also stars Stefannie Smith, Pry’ce Jaymes, Isaiah Givens, Sandy Lisiewski, Tony Amante, Adam Cooley,...
The story follows Brie Hayes (Devyn Leah), an aspiring 12-year-old baker who does everything she can to win first place in her school’s annual Spring Bake Off Challenge. Brie and her Bffl Millie (Mallory Vertman) must practice and motivate each other in order to win. On top of the actual baking challenges, Brie faces her “archnemesis” and bully, Vanessa Weiler (Delaney Disque), who also wants to win first place. Pressures and tensions rise as the stakes get higher and Vanessa’s crush, Jody (Camden Zapf), is also competing to win. The winner of the Spring Bake Off Challenge will win a whopping 5,000 and tickets to Cosmo Land.
Emily’s Bake Off Challenge also stars Stefannie Smith, Pry’ce Jaymes, Isaiah Givens, Sandy Lisiewski, Tony Amante, Adam Cooley,...
- 4/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Poltergeist
Written by Michael Grais, Steven Spielberg, and Mark Victor
Directed by Tobe Hooper
The original 1982 Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hooper, opens with an apt image: an extreme close-up of a television set. Not only does the object prove pivotal to the film’s narrative, but the close proximity of the camera to the screen imbues the television with a strange, almost alien quality. Though it simply plays the national anthem over patriotic imagery, the signature sign-off for most TV stations in the 1980s, the close-up distorts the pictures and renders them wholly indeterminable. For a film that explores the dark unknowns that lie beneath the seemingly innocent and ordinary, Poltergeist certainly knows how to prime its audience for what’s to come.
As the channel transitions to the familiar static blizzard, five-year-old Carol Anne Freeling (Heather O’Rourke) awakens to the sound of voices emanating from the set. As...
Written by Michael Grais, Steven Spielberg, and Mark Victor
Directed by Tobe Hooper
The original 1982 Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hooper, opens with an apt image: an extreme close-up of a television set. Not only does the object prove pivotal to the film’s narrative, but the close proximity of the camera to the screen imbues the television with a strange, almost alien quality. Though it simply plays the national anthem over patriotic imagery, the signature sign-off for most TV stations in the 1980s, the close-up distorts the pictures and renders them wholly indeterminable. For a film that explores the dark unknowns that lie beneath the seemingly innocent and ordinary, Poltergeist certainly knows how to prime its audience for what’s to come.
As the channel transitions to the familiar static blizzard, five-year-old Carol Anne Freeling (Heather O’Rourke) awakens to the sound of voices emanating from the set. As...
- 5/24/2015
- by Jacob Carter
- SoundOnSight
The writers behind Sinister sign up to pen the big screen take on The Outer Limits...
News
The classic TV series The Outer Limits has been mooted for a big screen outing for a little while now, but there are now tangible signs that it's actually going ahead.
MGM has been pursuing the film, with Mark Victor set to produce it. And now we learn, via The Hollywood Reporter, that C Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson have been hired to pen the screenplay for the film.
The pair previously wrote Sinister, which Derrickson directed. And it adds more work to an increasingly full slate for Scott Derrickson, who revealed just a few weeks back that he's the man directing Marvel's Doctor Strange movie.
The focus of the film will apparently be the episode Demon With A Glass Hand. That tells the story of a man with a computerised hand who...
News
The classic TV series The Outer Limits has been mooted for a big screen outing for a little while now, but there are now tangible signs that it's actually going ahead.
MGM has been pursuing the film, with Mark Victor set to produce it. And now we learn, via The Hollywood Reporter, that C Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson have been hired to pen the screenplay for the film.
The pair previously wrote Sinister, which Derrickson directed. And it adds more work to an increasingly full slate for Scott Derrickson, who revealed just a few weeks back that he's the man directing Marvel's Doctor Strange movie.
The focus of the film will apparently be the episode Demon With A Glass Hand. That tells the story of a man with a computerised hand who...
- 6/20/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Though he was just recently hired to direct Marvel's "Doctor Strange," filmmaker Scott Derrickson is also hopping onboard another project.
Derrickson will reunite with his "Sinister" co-scribe C. Robert Cargill to write a new film adaptation of the classic 1960s sci-fi and horror anthology TV series "The Outer Limits" for MGM. Derrickson and Cargill will focus on a new take on the classic episode "Demon With a Glass Hand" which Harlan Ellison wrote.
That story follows a man with no memory beyond the last ten days. His left hand has been replaced by an advanced computer shaped like a hand but missing three fingers - fingers that must be reattached before the truth can be revealed.
At the same time the man is being hunted by an alien race who seem him as key to their survival and who have the missing fingers. So begins a deadly hide-and-seek game within...
Derrickson will reunite with his "Sinister" co-scribe C. Robert Cargill to write a new film adaptation of the classic 1960s sci-fi and horror anthology TV series "The Outer Limits" for MGM. Derrickson and Cargill will focus on a new take on the classic episode "Demon With a Glass Hand" which Harlan Ellison wrote.
That story follows a man with no memory beyond the last ten days. His left hand has been replaced by an advanced computer shaped like a hand but missing three fingers - fingers that must be reattached before the truth can be revealed.
At the same time the man is being hunted by an alien race who seem him as key to their survival and who have the missing fingers. So begins a deadly hide-and-seek game within...
- 6/20/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Scott Derrickson, the writer-director who just signed on to helm Doctor Strange, is tackling another storied genre property. Derrickson is reuniting with his Sinister co-scribe, C. Robert Cargill, to write the big-screen take on the cult classic 1960s sci-fi TV series The Outer Limits for MGM. Mark Victor is producing via his Mark Victor Production. Photos Movies That Became TV Shows: 'About a Boy,' 'Fargo,' 'Bad Teacher' and More Outer Limits was an influential anthology sci-fi and horror show that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965. Like The Twilight Zone, the
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- 6/19/2014
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Abandoned Mine starts its VOD and limited theatrical release today, and we caught up with writer/director Jeff Chamberlain for our latest Q&A feature. He talks about taking on Abandoned Mine as his first feature film, creating the legend and characters from the movie, and the challenges of filming in an actual mine:
I’ve read that the story for Abandoned Mine came from Scott Woldman. How did you two get together for this project and why was this a story you wanted to direct?
Jeff Chamberlain: One day I was sitting in the office of my producing partner Mark Victor (Poltergeist). We were discussing the kind of project I was looking for to direct. He pulled a script off the shelf called The Mine by Scott Woldman. I loved the title and the concept – the way Mark described it. After reading it, I still loved the concept.
I’ve read that the story for Abandoned Mine came from Scott Woldman. How did you two get together for this project and why was this a story you wanted to direct?
Jeff Chamberlain: One day I was sitting in the office of my producing partner Mark Victor (Poltergeist). We were discussing the kind of project I was looking for to direct. He pulled a script off the shelf called The Mine by Scott Woldman. I loved the title and the concept – the way Mark described it. After reading it, I still loved the concept.
- 8/15/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
It had been known for a while that MGM was looking to reboot the 1982 classic fright-fest Poltergeist,and had gone through a cadre of writers, including Scott Derrickson, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White and Paul Harris Boardman -all screenwriters of recent horror films such as Sinister, The Possession, Boogeyman and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, respectively.
But when MGM went into bankruptcy in 2009, the plans stalled. When it finally emerged from that nightmare in February of 2011, they announced a list of five films that were high priority to make. One of those five films they felt they should do was the long-gestating remake of the Tobe Hooper classic.
Then quietness fell, as the studio ramped up other films, including The Hobbit (which they had the distribution rights to) and a remake of Robocop –which seems to have many issues during production.
So 14 long months would go by before MGM announced that,...
But when MGM went into bankruptcy in 2009, the plans stalled. When it finally emerged from that nightmare in February of 2011, they announced a list of five films that were high priority to make. One of those five films they felt they should do was the long-gestating remake of the Tobe Hooper classic.
Then quietness fell, as the studio ramped up other films, including The Hobbit (which they had the distribution rights to) and a remake of Robocop –which seems to have many issues during production.
So 14 long months would go by before MGM announced that,...
- 3/7/2013
- by spaced-odyssey
- doorQ.com
Cool World
Written by Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Directed by Ralph Bakshi
USA, 1992
Cool World is a fabulously fascinating failure of a feature film. Say that three times fast. There’s no beating around the bush, Cool World was a mature, perhaps even perverted, attempt at capitalizing on the eroticism of the character Jessica Rabbit from the underrated masterpiece Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. It’s truly amazing what Robert Zemeckis pulled off back in 1988. Aside from getting Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck and Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck together in the same film and aside from seamlessly blending live-action and animation together, he also managed to introduce the concept of sex into a film with Dumbo and Yosemite Sam with zero people freaking out about it. Imagine if this film were released today! The eighties were an awesome time to be alive.
Jessica Rabbit is a flawless example of dancing a fine line.
Written by Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Directed by Ralph Bakshi
USA, 1992
Cool World is a fabulously fascinating failure of a feature film. Say that three times fast. There’s no beating around the bush, Cool World was a mature, perhaps even perverted, attempt at capitalizing on the eroticism of the character Jessica Rabbit from the underrated masterpiece Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. It’s truly amazing what Robert Zemeckis pulled off back in 1988. Aside from getting Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck and Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck together in the same film and aside from seamlessly blending live-action and animation together, he also managed to introduce the concept of sex into a film with Dumbo and Yosemite Sam with zero people freaking out about it. Imagine if this film were released today! The eighties were an awesome time to be alive.
Jessica Rabbit is a flawless example of dancing a fine line.
- 2/25/2013
- by Matthew Younker
- SoundOnSight
Imagine it's June 1982, and you're faced with a decision at the multiplex between two new movies, "Poltergeist" (released on June 4) and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (released a week later, on June 11). Which film about a suburban family whose lives are overturned by a supernatural alien presence do you want to see? At the time of their release, the horror/satirical approach of "Poltergeist" and the mythical/sentimental approach of "E.T." seemed to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Yet, three decades later, the two movies have more in common than near-simultaneous release dates, suburban settings, and otherworldly fantasy/horror/sci-fi elements: they also sprang from the mind of Steven Spielberg and explored many of his signature themes. Spielberg himself noted the similarity in a June 1982 interview: "I think people lead lives where their deepest wish is that something would interrupt the mundane everyday routine," he told Michael Verona. "And...
- 6/5/2012
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
The Perfect Host ArtMore entertaining goodies are leaking out of the 2010 American Film Market, with The Perfect Host the latest. This is a "psychological thriller" (American) where looks can be deceiving and even deceptively threatening. Two men live two very different lives in this film. One is a career criminal, while the other is the host of "a dinner party" (American). Except this distinguished dinner host has a hidden, darker side in store, for his latest visitor. The Perfect Host is a film from Cinema Group Entertainment and the film will be shown at the Afm beginning November 4th. Have a watch of the trailer below, until more details become available.
The synopsis for the film:
"Warwick Wilson is the consummate host. He carefully prepares for a dinner party, the table impeccably set and the duck perfectly timed for 8:30 p.m. John Taylor is a career criminal. He's just...
The synopsis for the film:
"Warwick Wilson is the consummate host. He carefully prepares for a dinner party, the table impeccably set and the duck perfectly timed for 8:30 p.m. John Taylor is a career criminal. He's just...
- 10/25/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
With the seventh entry in Lionsgate’s Saw film franchise poised for release this October 22, 2010, Dread caught up with the film’s co-writer Patrick Melton to chat about his other projects, namely the currently-in-development The Collector 2 (the sequel to his co-writer Marcus Dunstan’s 2009 directorial debut and Liddell Entertainment release), as well as the status of the pair’s re-animating of the classic series The Outer Limits for MGM.
“The script is done, and we're barreling towards formal pre-production in terms of doing the budget and figuring out where we're going to shoot,” states Melton regarding The Collector 2. “It very well may be Detroit, which works perfectly with where the story goes, but we're not totally sure just yet. The script is very ambitious, and thankfully the budget is going to be bigger than on the original. It should be pretty wild.”
No word yet on the premise although a horror-crime thriller hybrid approach,...
“The script is done, and we're barreling towards formal pre-production in terms of doing the budget and figuring out where we're going to shoot,” states Melton regarding The Collector 2. “It very well may be Detroit, which works perfectly with where the story goes, but we're not totally sure just yet. The script is very ambitious, and thankfully the budget is going to be bigger than on the original. It should be pretty wild.”
No word yet on the premise although a horror-crime thriller hybrid approach,...
- 8/18/2010
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
MGM’s recent public financial woes have put the futures of potential cash cow franchises like “James Bond” and “The Hobbit” in question.
But instead of pushing through one or both of those projects to earn some almost guaranteed cash, Variety is reporting that the struggling studio has decided to produce a bigscreen adaptation of “The Outer Limits,” a sci-fi television series that aired on ABC from 1963-65.
MGM has apparently been quietly but rapidly moving forward on the project with writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan (writers of four of the seven “Saw” movies) already on board.
The news that MGM would greenlight an adaptation of a relatively obscure 60s TV show is shocking considering the studio is barely alive after six extensions on debt payments from its 140 creditors. The fact that development on the highly anticipated “The Hobbit” and a new “James Bond” film have been halted adds...
But instead of pushing through one or both of those projects to earn some almost guaranteed cash, Variety is reporting that the struggling studio has decided to produce a bigscreen adaptation of “The Outer Limits,” a sci-fi television series that aired on ABC from 1963-65.
MGM has apparently been quietly but rapidly moving forward on the project with writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan (writers of four of the seven “Saw” movies) already on board.
The news that MGM would greenlight an adaptation of a relatively obscure 60s TV show is shocking considering the studio is barely alive after six extensions on debt payments from its 140 creditors. The fact that development on the highly anticipated “The Hobbit” and a new “James Bond” film have been halted adds...
- 8/4/2010
- by Eric M. Armstrong
- The Moving Arts Journal
Although MGM's future is in doubt, the studio has hired "Saw" franchise writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan to pen a feature take on "The Outer Limits," the sci-fi series that aired on ABC from 1963-65. A spokesperson for MGM tells Variety that the duo was hired well before the studio's current financial troubles began. Cale Boyter is overseeing for MGM. Jon Shestack ( Ghosts of Girlfriends Past ) and Jeremy Stein are producing alongside original series producer Mark Victor.
- 8/3/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Although MGM's future is in doubt, the studio has hired "Saw" franchise writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan to pen a feature take on "The Outer Limits," the sci-fi series that aired on ABC from 1963-65. A spokesperson for MGM tells Variety that the duo was hired well before the studio's current financial troubles began. Cale Boyter is overseeing for MGM. Jon Shestack ( Ghosts of Girlfriends Past ) and Jeremy Stein are producing alongside original series producer Mark Victor.
- 8/3/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Despite its future looking as bleak as the contents of European arthouse cinema, MGM is developing a film adaptation of classic 60's sci-fi anthology series "The Outer Limits" says Variety.
Scribes Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan ("Feast," "Saw" series) began work on the script last month with their draft due in October. An MGM spokesman claims the pair were hired well before the studio's current financial woes.
It's unsure what format the project will take. Much like "The Twilight Zone", the series was an anthology of discrete story episodes usually a plot twist at the end.
The show was revived in 1995 on Showtime and later the Sci-Fi Channel. Mark Victor, Jon Shestack and Jeremy Stein are producing the film adaptation.
Scribes Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan ("Feast," "Saw" series) began work on the script last month with their draft due in October. An MGM spokesman claims the pair were hired well before the studio's current financial woes.
It's unsure what format the project will take. Much like "The Twilight Zone", the series was an anthology of discrete story episodes usually a plot twist at the end.
The show was revived in 1995 on Showtime and later the Sci-Fi Channel. Mark Victor, Jon Shestack and Jeremy Stein are producing the film adaptation.
- 8/3/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
It's an entertainment news story that seems more science fiction than reality -- and that's counting the business side of it.
Beleagured movie studio MGM -- which is in such deep financial trouble that it caused the shutdown on the next James Bond movie and for one director to leave The Hobbit -- is developing a feature film based on the 1960s sci-fi series The Outer Limits. Apparently MGM had enough money coming in from its library of titles that it could write a check to screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the duo behind the last four Saw movies and the creators of Dimension Films' Feast monster movie series. Trade magazine Variety reports that MGM paid the writers somewhere around $500K to come up with a way to turn the classic one-hour anthology series into a three act movie structure.
It sounds like this new Outer Limits movie...
Beleagured movie studio MGM -- which is in such deep financial trouble that it caused the shutdown on the next James Bond movie and for one director to leave The Hobbit -- is developing a feature film based on the 1960s sci-fi series The Outer Limits. Apparently MGM had enough money coming in from its library of titles that it could write a check to screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the duo behind the last four Saw movies and the creators of Dimension Films' Feast monster movie series. Trade magazine Variety reports that MGM paid the writers somewhere around $500K to come up with a way to turn the classic one-hour anthology series into a three act movie structure.
It sounds like this new Outer Limits movie...
- 8/3/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
MGM has hired screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan to pen a big-screen adaptation of '60s sci-fi-horror series The Outer Limits. The duo is responsible for four of the seven Saw films, as well as last year's The Collector. According to Variety, MGM has been having debt problems but received a forebearance that will expire on September 15. But the studio insists they hired the screenwriters before their latest money problems grew serious. Jon Shestack and Jeremy Stein are producing the upcoming film, along with original series producer Mark Victor. MGM has been up for sale since last November.
- 8/3/2010
- FEARnet
The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe presents the world premier of Cornelia, by Mark Victor Olsen (Big Love), directed by Ethan McSweeny (In This Corner), to run in the Old Globe Theatre May 16 ? June 21. Melinda Page Hamilton, who will play ?Cornelia,? was in the Globe?s critically acclaimed productions of Bell, Book and Candle and All My Sons. Robert Foxworth is a television veteran but is perhaps best known for his role as ?Bernard Chenowith? on HBO?s Six Feet Under. Tickets are available by calling (619) 23-globe, online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, or by visiting the Globe Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.
- 5/21/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe presents the world premier of Cornelia, by Mark Victor Olsen (Big Love), directed by Ethan McSweeny (In This Corner), to run in the Old Globe Theatre May 16 ? June 21 (press opening: Thursday, May 21 at 8pm). Melinda Page Hamilton, who will play ?Cornelia,? was in the Globe?s critically acclaimed productions of Bell, Book and Candle and All My Sons. Robert Foxworth is a television veteran but is perhaps best known for his role as ?Bernard Chenowith? on HBO?s Six Feet Under. Tickets are available by calling (619) 23-globe, online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, or by visiting the Globe Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.
- 5/8/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
New York -- First Line Entertainment and producer Edward Bass are partnering to launch three features, including the thriller "As Good as Dead," starring Andie MacDowell, Cary Elwes and Brian Cox.
The other projects are Nick Stagliano's modern-day Western "Good Day for It" and "The Shadow of the Shah," a biopic about the Shah of Iran's twin sister.
"Dead" stars Elwes as Ethan, a left-wing extremist who goes on the run after killing the reverend (Cox) behind a white supremacist group. MacDowell plays the widow who hunts him down with two redneck accomplices (Frank Whaley, Matt Dallas). Jess Wexler plays Ethan's estranged wife, and Laura Harring plays his neighbor.
Jonathan Mossek is directing the feature, which he wrote with Erez Mossek and Eve Pomerance. Hubert Gibbs and Bass are producing, and Jonathan Pillot and Heidi Jo Markel are exec producing. Principal photography is under way in New York.
"Dead...
The other projects are Nick Stagliano's modern-day Western "Good Day for It" and "The Shadow of the Shah," a biopic about the Shah of Iran's twin sister.
"Dead" stars Elwes as Ethan, a left-wing extremist who goes on the run after killing the reverend (Cox) behind a white supremacist group. MacDowell plays the widow who hunts him down with two redneck accomplices (Frank Whaley, Matt Dallas). Jess Wexler plays Ethan's estranged wife, and Laura Harring plays his neighbor.
Jonathan Mossek is directing the feature, which he wrote with Erez Mossek and Eve Pomerance. Hubert Gibbs and Bass are producing, and Jonathan Pillot and Heidi Jo Markel are exec producing. Principal photography is under way in New York.
"Dead...
- 9/16/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Variety brings us the scariest news of all: MGM has scared up the scripting team of Stiles White and Juliet Snowden ("Boogeyman") to pen its remake of “Poltergeist.”Studio’s seeking a director for the project. The 1982 horror pic, based on a script by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais and Mark Victor, was directed by Tobe Hooper and starred JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson. It spawned two sequels, released in 1986 and 1988. White and Snowden are specialists in horror projects. They co-wrote “Knowing,” starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Alex Proyas, for Summit, and “The Birds” remake for Universal. They recently completed “A Good and Happy Child” for Paramount Vantage.
- 8/21/2008
- UGO Movies
MGM has enlisted horror specialists Stiles White and Juliet Snowden ("Boogeyman") to script the "Poltergeist" remake. The studio is hunting for helmer of the reincarnation...possibilities? Gore Verbinski? Mikael Hafstrom? Who knows... The eerie original film of 1982 starred Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams. Spielberg wrote the story and adapted alongside Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Tobe Hooper directed. Hooper is currently in production for "From a Buick 8" based on the Stephen King novel which Richard Chizmar is adapting for Amicus Entertainment and Nice Guy Productions.
- 8/20/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
MGM has enlisted horror specialists Stiles White and Juliet Snowden ("Boogeyman") to script the "Poltergeist" remake. The studio is hunting for helmer of the reincarnation...possibilities? Gore Verbinski? Mikael Hafstrom? Who knows... The eerie original film of 1982 starred Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams. Spielberg wrote the story and adapted alongside Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Tobe Hooper directed. Hooper is currently in production for "From a Buick 8" based on the Stephen King novel which Richard Chizmar is adapting for Amicus Entertainment and Nice Guy Productions.
- 8/20/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
MGM has enlisted horror specialists Stiles White and Juliet Snowden ("Boogeyman") to script the "Poltergeist" remake. The studio is hunting for helmer of the reincarnation...possibilities? Gore Verbinski? Mikael Hafstrom? Who knows... The eerie original film of 1982 starred Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams. Spielberg wrote the story and adapted alongside Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Tobe Hooper directed. Hooper is currently in production for "From a Buick 8" based on the Stephen King novel which Richard Chizmar is adapting for Amicus Entertainment and Nice Guy Productions. Snowden and White collaborated on Summit Entertainment's Alex Proyas' directed "Knowing" (Read the Alex Proyas Interview here) starring Nicolas Cage and Rose Byrn. They also wrote a remake of "The Birds" for Universal Pictures.
- 8/20/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
MGM has enlisted horror specialists Stiles White and Juliet Snowden ("Boogeyman") to script the "Poltergeist" remake. The studio is hunting for helmer of the reincarnation...possibilities? Gore Verbinski? Mikael Hafstrom? Who knows... The eerie original film of 1982 starred Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams. Spielberg wrote the story and adapted alongside Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Tobe Hooper directed. Hooper is currently in production for "From a Buick 8" based on the Stephen King novel which Richard Chizmar is adapting for Amicus Entertainment and Nice Guy Productions.
- 8/20/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
These ''Sleepwalkers'' aren't the standard kind that go bump in the night and then toddle back to bed. They're feline-reptilian-human creatures who feast on the life force of young virgins. Columbia should wake up today with some lively opening weekend numbers from the latest from Stephen King's imagination.
His first work written directly for the screen is a weird and brainy genre transmutation that will have appeal beyond the usual bloodsuckers who require their periodic fill of gore and guts, namely among those who relish countercultural send-ups of Middle America.
In this skillfully executed horror piece, King slices weird and deep into the fabric of Smalltown USA and the Norman Rockwell lifestyle. He plays with popular taboos (sexual, mainly) and carves up civic practices.
For those well-versed in vampire iconography, sleepwalkers were the legendary inspirations for werewolves and vampires. Able to subsist only on the life force of virtuous young women, they have, as you might expect, a hard time finding sustenance in this day and age. As such, like the practitioners of certain religions, they're now few in number; as this story proclaims, they're down to two sleepwalker survivors, Charles Brady (Brian Krause) and his mother, Mary (Alice Krige).
Voraciously hungry, teen Charles and Mother Mary hightail it from Southern California to the land of plenty -- namely, the Midwest, where virginity does exist. The blond, angelic-looking Charles has little trouble in attracting female attention. He methodically woos Tanya (Madchen Amick), a comely National Merit finalist.
Like most young men, Charles receives mixed signals from Mom in carrying out his romantic game plan: In this case, these signals are particularly mixed since Charles and Mom sleep together and since Mom is real, real hungry. Mom wants to keeep Charles to herself, but if she doesn't share, she doesn't eat.
Which is stronger, jealousy or hunger? Admittedly, this storyline goes beyond even the daily dabbles into weirdo psychopathology that Phil, Oprah and Geraldo heave up. Better yet, it provides some real answers and establishes some real heroes, namely a hundred or so stray cats who do ultimate battle with the evil Sleepwalkers.
Throughout, King's macabre humor is nicely juiced by director Mick Garris' smooth and stylish direction. Garris adroitly blends the standard genre parts with the witty peculiarities of this storyline. Under his deft handling, the film's top-flight technical contributions, mainly Apogee Prods.' sizzling visual effects and Tony Gardner's seamless, scary makeup, conjure up the maximum in thrills and chills.
The players are similarly outstanding, particularly Krause and Krige for their eerily endearing and frightening performances as the sleepwalking Bradys. Top marks for Amick for her winning performance as the young damsel in distress, not willing to be just another morsel of this Bradys' brunch.
STEPHEN KING'S SLEEPWALKERS
Columbia Pictures
An ION Pictures/Victor & Grais Production
A Film by Mick Garris
Producers Mark Victor, Michael Grais, Nabeel Zahid
Director Mick Garris
Screenwriter Stephen King
Co-producer Richard Stenta
Director of photography Rodney Charters
Production designer John DeCuir Jr.
Editor O. Nicholas Brown
Executive producers Dimitri Logothetis, Joseph Medawar
Music Nicholas Pike
Casting Wendy Kurtzman, Lisa Mionie
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Charles Brady Brian Krause
Tanya Robertson Madchen Amick
Mary Brady Alice Krige
Ira Jim Haynie
Mrs. Robertson Cindy Pickett
Captain Soames Ron Perlman
Mr. Robertson Lyman Ward
Andy Simpson Dan Martin
Running time -- 91 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
His first work written directly for the screen is a weird and brainy genre transmutation that will have appeal beyond the usual bloodsuckers who require their periodic fill of gore and guts, namely among those who relish countercultural send-ups of Middle America.
In this skillfully executed horror piece, King slices weird and deep into the fabric of Smalltown USA and the Norman Rockwell lifestyle. He plays with popular taboos (sexual, mainly) and carves up civic practices.
For those well-versed in vampire iconography, sleepwalkers were the legendary inspirations for werewolves and vampires. Able to subsist only on the life force of virtuous young women, they have, as you might expect, a hard time finding sustenance in this day and age. As such, like the practitioners of certain religions, they're now few in number; as this story proclaims, they're down to two sleepwalker survivors, Charles Brady (Brian Krause) and his mother, Mary (Alice Krige).
Voraciously hungry, teen Charles and Mother Mary hightail it from Southern California to the land of plenty -- namely, the Midwest, where virginity does exist. The blond, angelic-looking Charles has little trouble in attracting female attention. He methodically woos Tanya (Madchen Amick), a comely National Merit finalist.
Like most young men, Charles receives mixed signals from Mom in carrying out his romantic game plan: In this case, these signals are particularly mixed since Charles and Mom sleep together and since Mom is real, real hungry. Mom wants to keeep Charles to herself, but if she doesn't share, she doesn't eat.
Which is stronger, jealousy or hunger? Admittedly, this storyline goes beyond even the daily dabbles into weirdo psychopathology that Phil, Oprah and Geraldo heave up. Better yet, it provides some real answers and establishes some real heroes, namely a hundred or so stray cats who do ultimate battle with the evil Sleepwalkers.
Throughout, King's macabre humor is nicely juiced by director Mick Garris' smooth and stylish direction. Garris adroitly blends the standard genre parts with the witty peculiarities of this storyline. Under his deft handling, the film's top-flight technical contributions, mainly Apogee Prods.' sizzling visual effects and Tony Gardner's seamless, scary makeup, conjure up the maximum in thrills and chills.
The players are similarly outstanding, particularly Krause and Krige for their eerily endearing and frightening performances as the sleepwalking Bradys. Top marks for Amick for her winning performance as the young damsel in distress, not willing to be just another morsel of this Bradys' brunch.
STEPHEN KING'S SLEEPWALKERS
Columbia Pictures
An ION Pictures/Victor & Grais Production
A Film by Mick Garris
Producers Mark Victor, Michael Grais, Nabeel Zahid
Director Mick Garris
Screenwriter Stephen King
Co-producer Richard Stenta
Director of photography Rodney Charters
Production designer John DeCuir Jr.
Editor O. Nicholas Brown
Executive producers Dimitri Logothetis, Joseph Medawar
Music Nicholas Pike
Casting Wendy Kurtzman, Lisa Mionie
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Charles Brady Brian Krause
Tanya Robertson Madchen Amick
Mary Brady Alice Krige
Ira Jim Haynie
Mrs. Robertson Cindy Pickett
Captain Soames Ron Perlman
Mr. Robertson Lyman Ward
Andy Simpson Dan Martin
Running time -- 91 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 4/13/1992
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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