History

New Apocalypto Trailer

As Apocalypto approaches it’s December 8, 2006 release date (It was pushed back from August because of torrential rains in Mexico), one wonders if Mel Gibson, in true Don Quixote fashion, may have bitten off more than he could chew again. Apocalypto has no major Hollywood stars, Gibson has been pummeled recently in the press, over his anti-semetic, drunken rage, and he’s telling ….

Zhang Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower Trailer

The first teaser trailer for Zhang Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower is up, and it looks sweet. Judging by Yimou’s previous efforts, which include House of Flying Daggers, Jet Li’s Hero and Raise the Red Lantern, I’d say he’s well qualified to bring a beautifully directed piece of action-art to the screen again. Curse of the Golden Flower focuses on the ….

New Marie Antoinette Trailer

Sony Picture’s upcoming Marie Antoinette is a stylized account of a naive Viennese girl who, in 1774, became the queen of France at the age 19. Sofia Coppola directs the period drama, which stars Kirsten Dunst in the title role, Jason Schwartzman, Rip Torn, Judy Davis, Asia Argento, Marianne Faithfull, Aurore Clément and Steve Coogan. Marie Antoinette hits theaters on October 20, 2006. Choose your ….

New Helmer for New Conan

Variety reports that Warner Brothers has attached director Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans) to write and possibly direct the Conan the Barbarian film, a new take on the Robert E. Howard character. The trade reports that Yakin’s concept is more faithful to the original Howard story than were the two Dino De Laurentiis-produced films that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as the sword-wielding conqueror/king. Warners has ….

The Painted Veil Update

The Painted Veil is a drama set in London in 1922 about a restless wife named Kitty Fane (Naomi Watts) who, after cheating on her conservative bacteriologist husband Walter (Edward Norton) with a local playboy (played by Watt’s real life bo Liev Schreiber), embarks on a journey to the Far East to battle cholera. The journey becomes an odyssey of sadness and ….

Jet Li’s Fearless Trailer

Another film about ethnic identity… only Jet Li in Fearless (Huo Yuan Jia) wears his cultural heritage with great pride. In Fearless, Jet Li plays a Martial Artist who dreams of continuing the legacy his father established as a world-class fighter in China. After reaching his goal, personal tragedy causes him to disappear for several years. He’s not heard from until ….

Beowulf and Grendel Come to Life

It is an ancient blood-soaked tale of heroes and monsters that speaks to our deepest, most primal emotions. A legend where vengeance, loyalty and mercy powerfully entwine. It is the saga of Beowulf & Grendel. Union Station Media will release director Sturla Gunnarsson’s eagerly anticipated Beowulf & Grendel in U.S. cities around the country starting on June 16th in Seattle, ….

Seven Swords Arms The Weinstein Company

The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired all theatrical and video rights in the U.S. to the martial arts epic Seven Swords directed by the master of kung-fu action films, Tsui Hark (Zu Warriors, Once Upon A Time In China). Cheung Chi–Sing and Chun Tin–Nam adapted the screenplay based on the original novel, Seven Swordsmen From Mt Tian, and it was produced by Lee Joo–Ick, ….

Updates on City of Golden Armor and Battle of Red Cliff

Zhang Yimou’s next epic film, The City of Golden Armor, which recently sold to more than 13 European countries, will soon complete filming in China. I have posted links to some set shots and video clips, in the Film Library. View the pics and footage in the Film Library RIGHT HERE John Woo gets back to basics with The Battle of Red Cliff ….

New Frank Miller’s 300 Video Journal

Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, 300 is a retelling of the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae. The official blog has posted a new video interview with one of the crew of the film, discussing costume design. The film is being directed by Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead). Snyder is also directing Watchmen, based on the comic about a group of super-heroes ….