Monday, October 24, 2005
Category 7: The End of the World
Emmy Award nominee Randy Quaid ("Elvis"), Gina Gershon ("Bound"), Shannen Doherty ("Charmed"), Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt ("Picket Fences"), Emmy Award winner Swoosie Kurtz ("Sisters"), Emmy Award nominee James Brolin ("The Reagans"), Golden Globe nominee Robert Wagner ("Hart to Hart") and Adam Rodriguez ("CSI: Miami) star in CATEGORY 7: THE END OF THE WORLD, a new four-hour event mini-series by the same team behind the successful "Category 6: Day of Destruction" mini-series. As previously announced, the movie will be broadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie" on Sunday, Nov. 6 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and Sunday, Nov. 13 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Robert Wagner plays a U.S. Congressman and Judith's father.
Robert Wagner plays a U.S. Congressman and Judith's father.
Friday, October 21, 2005
TV on DVD By R.D. Heldenfels
I was not a fan of Hart to Hart when the romantic adventure ran on ABC from 1979 to 1984. But I enjoyed the audio commentary on the new DVD of Hart to Hart: The Complete First Season (Sony, premiere movie and 22 episodes, six discs, $49.95).
Executive producer Tom Mankiewicz and stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers offer a relaxed and conversational look at the show during commentary on the premiere. They joke about the plots and dialogue, offer up trivia (Sugar Ray Robinson was Wagner's first choice to play servant Max) and have such a good time, it makes the show seem better.
The DVD also includes a short feature on the making of the show.
Executive producer Tom Mankiewicz and stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers offer a relaxed and conversational look at the show during commentary on the premiere. They joke about the plots and dialogue, offer up trivia (Sugar Ray Robinson was Wagner's first choice to play servant Max) and have such a good time, it makes the show seem better.
The DVD also includes a short feature on the making of the show.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Hart to Hart - More Details and Artwork for Season 1
This is my boss: Jonathan Hart (Robert Wagner); a self-made millionaire. He's quite a guy. This is Mrs. H. (Stefanie Powers) She's gorgeous. She's one lady who knows how to take care of herself. By the way, my name is Max (Lionel Stander). I take care of both of them - which ain't easy. 'Cause when they met, it was murder.
Created by bestselling novelist Sidney Sheldon, HART TO HART: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a fabulously rich couple who always seems to become entangled in an exotic blend of mystery, intrigue and adventure. Accompanied by their loyal servant Max (Lionel Sander), the smart and sexy twosome jet set around the world, where they solve cases ranging from espionage to murder, in 22 breezy episodes that mix excitement and danger with just a dash of romance.
Sony announced last month, that Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season will be available for DVD on October 25th, 2005. Sony has now sent me more artwork for Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season. The back cover shows the below extras will be featured on the DVD:
* Commentary for Hart to Hart Pilot Episode
* Featurette: The Hart of Season One - Includes Interviews with Sidney Sheldon - Creator; Leonard Goldberg - Executive Producer; Tom Mankiewicz - Write/Director; Robert Wagner - "Jonathan Hart"; Stefanie Powers - "Jennifer Hart"
Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season is available for pre-order at Amazon, for only $34.96.
Created by bestselling novelist Sidney Sheldon, HART TO HART: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a fabulously rich couple who always seems to become entangled in an exotic blend of mystery, intrigue and adventure. Accompanied by their loyal servant Max (Lionel Sander), the smart and sexy twosome jet set around the world, where they solve cases ranging from espionage to murder, in 22 breezy episodes that mix excitement and danger with just a dash of romance.
Sony announced last month, that Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season will be available for DVD on October 25th, 2005. Sony has now sent me more artwork for Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season. The back cover shows the below extras will be featured on the DVD:
* Commentary for Hart to Hart Pilot Episode
* Featurette: The Hart of Season One - Includes Interviews with Sidney Sheldon - Creator; Leonard Goldberg - Executive Producer; Tom Mankiewicz - Write/Director; Robert Wagner - "Jonathan Hart"; Stefanie Powers - "Jennifer Hart"
Hart to Hart - The Complete First Season is available for pre-order at Amazon, for only $34.96.
Hart to Hart on DVD
Hart To Hart: The Complete First Season: The six-disc set has 23 episodes of Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as a crusading couple who defy danger and spark romance. Fullscreen with extras including a featurette.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Production Wraps on TAG Entertainment's ''The Wild Stallion''
TAG Entertainment Corp., a full service entertainment company specializing in the production and distribution of family oriented motion pictures, announced that it has completed production of the feature film "The Wild Stallion." It's slated to be released worldwide in February 2006 and will be distributed internationally by Myriad Pictures, an independent producer and distributor of major motion pictures and television programming and with whom TAG has a letter of intent to acquire.
"The Wild Stallion" was shot entirely in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the story told from the perspective of an emotionally connected young girl determined to protect the area's endangered wild mustangs. Hannah, a 10-year-old city girl, is sent reluctantly to stay with family friends on a Utah ranch. There, she befriends 9-year old C.J., who takes Hannah into the mountains for a rare glimpse of the area's wild mustangs, including a fabled "Black Stallion" which is rumored to be an escaped racehorse. When Hannah learns that the magnificent wild mustangs are mysteriously disappearing, she and her new friend decide to investigate. Hannah and C.J. team up to use their pluck, amateur detective skills and sheer guileless determination to expose this scam and help protect the wild horses forever.
The film stars, Robert Wagner ("Austin Powers in Goldmember", "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me", "Hart to Hart"), Paul Sorvino ("Goodfellas", "Nixon", "Mr. 3000", "Bulworth"), Connie Selleca ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", "Hotel", "A Life of Laughter: Remembering John Ritter"), Fred Ward ("Henry & June", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Tremors", "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult"), Miranda Cosgrove ("The School of Rock", "Grounded For Life", "Drake & Josh") and Danielle Churchran ("The Cat In The Hat", "Little House On The Prairie", "Crossing Jordan").
"The Wild Stallion" was shot entirely in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the story told from the perspective of an emotionally connected young girl determined to protect the area's endangered wild mustangs. Hannah, a 10-year-old city girl, is sent reluctantly to stay with family friends on a Utah ranch. There, she befriends 9-year old C.J., who takes Hannah into the mountains for a rare glimpse of the area's wild mustangs, including a fabled "Black Stallion" which is rumored to be an escaped racehorse. When Hannah learns that the magnificent wild mustangs are mysteriously disappearing, she and her new friend decide to investigate. Hannah and C.J. team up to use their pluck, amateur detective skills and sheer guileless determination to expose this scam and help protect the wild horses forever.
The film stars, Robert Wagner ("Austin Powers in Goldmember", "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me", "Hart to Hart"), Paul Sorvino ("Goodfellas", "Nixon", "Mr. 3000", "Bulworth"), Connie Selleca ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", "Hotel", "A Life of Laughter: Remembering John Ritter"), Fred Ward ("Henry & June", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Tremors", "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult"), Miranda Cosgrove ("The School of Rock", "Grounded For Life", "Drake & Josh") and Danielle Churchran ("The Cat In The Hat", "Little House On The Prairie", "Crossing Jordan").
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Anchor Bay set to release The Fallen Ones on DVD
Promising primeval chills with blood-racing CGI special effects, Anchor Bay Entertainment plans to release The Fallen Ones on DVD, loaded with special features, on Sept. 20th with a suggested retail price of 19.98.
First aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in May 2005, The Fallen Ones has an all-star cast featuring Casper Van Dien, Robert Wagner, Kristen Miller, and Tom Bosley. The film was written, edited and directed by special effects master Kevin Van Hook.
The film follows Matt Fletcher (played by Van Dien) an archaeologist who uncovers a hidden tomb containing the mummified remains of a long dead warrior – who just happens to be about 42-foot tall.
The giant has been buried since the time of the great flood, as described in the Bible, and soon evidence is uncovered that reveals the creature to be Ammon The Destroyer – the unholy offspring of a human woman and a fallen angel.
The DVD will come loaded with special features including “Giants In The Earth” – the making of The Fallen Ones; “Creating Aramis the Mummy;” “Animatics: Pre-Visualization by Forum Visual Effects;” and audio commentary from Van Hook and others from the film’s crew.
The Fallen Ones special features will also include a storyboard gallery; theatrical trailer; still gallery; and the screenplay for DVD-ROM.
The Fallen Ones is available for pre-order at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the film’s database for more information.
First aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in May 2005, The Fallen Ones has an all-star cast featuring Casper Van Dien, Robert Wagner, Kristen Miller, and Tom Bosley. The film was written, edited and directed by special effects master Kevin Van Hook.
The film follows Matt Fletcher (played by Van Dien) an archaeologist who uncovers a hidden tomb containing the mummified remains of a long dead warrior – who just happens to be about 42-foot tall.
The giant has been buried since the time of the great flood, as described in the Bible, and soon evidence is uncovered that reveals the creature to be Ammon The Destroyer – the unholy offspring of a human woman and a fallen angel.
The DVD will come loaded with special features including “Giants In The Earth” – the making of The Fallen Ones; “Creating Aramis the Mummy;” “Animatics: Pre-Visualization by Forum Visual Effects;” and audio commentary from Van Hook and others from the film’s crew.
The Fallen Ones special features will also include a storyboard gallery; theatrical trailer; still gallery; and the screenplay for DVD-ROM.
The Fallen Ones is available for pre-order at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the film’s database for more information.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Yankee Irving
"Yankee Irving," a computer-animated feature Christopher Reeve was directing from his home at the time of his death in October, has added a deep bench of voice talent to the cast.
Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Brian Dennehy, William H. Macy, Mandy Patinkin, Dana Reeve, Robert Wagner, Richard Kind, Raven Symone and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre have joined the lineup. Jake Syzmanski, star of the upcoming Nick Jr. series "Go, Diego Go," voices the title character.
"Yankee Irving" is about a boy who travels across the country on a mission to return Babe Ruth's bat before the deciding game of the 1932 World Series. It is in production at producer IDT Entertainment Animation's studio in Toronto with an anticipated summer 2006 release via Twentieth Century Fox. Dan St. Pierre and Colin Brady are co-directing.
Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Brian Dennehy, William H. Macy, Mandy Patinkin, Dana Reeve, Robert Wagner, Richard Kind, Raven Symone and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre have joined the lineup. Jake Syzmanski, star of the upcoming Nick Jr. series "Go, Diego Go," voices the title character.
"Yankee Irving" is about a boy who travels across the country on a mission to return Babe Ruth's bat before the deciding game of the 1932 World Series. It is in production at producer IDT Entertainment Animation's studio in Toronto with an anticipated summer 2006 release via Twentieth Century Fox. Dan St. Pierre and Colin Brady are co-directing.
It's a Hoot
Robert Wagner will star in New Line's "Hoot," now lensing in Florida.
He joins Logan Lerman, Brie Larson and Luke WilsonLuke Wilson in the Wil Shriner-directed family film, adapted from Carl Hiaasen's novel.
He joins Logan Lerman, Brie Larson and Luke WilsonLuke Wilson in the Wil Shriner-directed family film, adapted from Carl Hiaasen's novel.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
'Thin Man' movies released on DVD
I can't imagine a better life than the one lived on "Hart to Hart," a television series from 1979.
I mean, who wouldn't want to be Jonathan Hart (played by Robert Wagner)? You've got a dish of a wife played by Stefanie Powers, and you’ve got a gruff, stogie-chomping manservant played by Lionel Stander. In your free time, between fabulous parties and ski trips to the French Alps, you solve murders.
The only couple that ever had it better than Mr. and Mrs. Hart was Nick and Nora Charles in the "Thin Man" movies.
Nick and Nora, played by William Powell and Myrna Loy, were the prototypes for the Harts -- and they also would have drunk them under the table.
Powell and Loy made six "Thin Man" movies from 1934-1947, and now they're all together in a DVD box set full of gin-and-vermouth benders and rakish, screwball one-liners.
In the 1934 original, "The Thin Man," we learn that Powell’s character used to be a private detective. He gave it up to live the good life with his rich and sassy wife.
But when he bumps into a woman at the bar, she convinces him to look for her missing father -- an eccentric scientist/inventor.
Detective work follows, but it takes a back seat to Nick and Nora’s lightning-quick repartee. Even with their characters’ dueling hangovers, Powell and Loy still outpace the screwball banter of duos like Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. They might be the best on-screen couple in Hollywood history.
While the 1934 original is the clear standout of the collection, the others have their charms. "After the Thin Man" (1936) stars a young Jimmy Stewart as a nice guy who isn't is as nice as he seems.
Brothers banking on 8-minute film
The scenario reads like the opening to a joke you would tell friends at a house party.
But Brian and Dean Ronalds aren't looking for cheap chuckles over cocktails or material for the water cooler on Monday.
They're gunning for a spot in the movie industry.
The Ronalds brothers are no strangers to Arizona's growing independent film tapestry, having shot eight films in the last four years.
They hope their latest offering, an eight-minute dark comedy called Little Victim, gets them noticed.
Shot in May, Little Victim matched the brothers with screen veterans Robert Wagner and Lori Singer, along with Phoenix actress Laura Durant.
Here's the setup: Two men meet in a parking garage. One has good news, the other not-so-good news.
We could go on, but, hey, the movie's eight minutes long.
"Making a short film is just like a feature film, just on a smaller scale," said Brian Ronalds, 32, who acts in the film and also produced it. "You put a lot of care and effort into both."
Little Victim will be screened at 7:15 and 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Harkins Valley Art Theatre in Tempe, and Aug. 27 in Los Angeles. Ronalds' younger brother, Dean, directs.
The brothers have been building their resumé on the indy scene since moving to Gilbert from Los Angeles in 2001. This year, the Phoenix Film Festival named the Ronalds brothers Arizona Filmmakers of the Year.
The pair, however, are looking for more than just eight minutes of fame.
They recently gave up jobs at Qwest to take the plunge as feature-length movie artists. They are working on a feature-length version of The Netherbeast of Berm-Tech Industries Inc., a 2004 horror-comedy short film written by Bruce Dellis.
The original Netherbeast was six minutes long. Scottsdale cardiologist Kevin Berman agreed to be the executive producer of the full-length installment, which is scheduled to begin shooting in October or November.
"We're calculated risk takers," said Dean Ronalds, 29.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Hart to Hart - When This Show Came to DVD, It Was Murder! (Season 1 Announcement)
When people think of Sidney Sheldon, they think mainly of his thrilling novels (his 18th novel is due to hit the market next month). What surprises people is the number of film scripts and television epsiodes he's written...more than 200 of the latter. He also was the creator of two of the most popular sitcoms of all time: The Patty Duke Show and I Dream of Jeannie. Those were from the '60s. In 1979, Sheldon turned his talents toward creating a TV show that was as full of thrills as his novels were. The result was a show originally called "Double Twist", but which came to broadcast as Hart to Hart.
Starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, it was a show in the murder mystery genre that had the very wealthy husband-and-wife team looking for clues and killers among the well-to-do. But that summary, while on-target, doesn't begin to describe the charm brought to the show by the wonderful relationship that Wagner and Powers had with each other. He was a self-made millionaire, with the strength and determination to see anything through. She was a former journalist, with a nose for finding clues. Always on hand to help was Lionel Stander as Max, their friend and servant with the gruff voice but could be trusted to be there in a pinch. First season guest stars include Dee Wallace, Markie Post, Rene Auberjonois, Tommy Lasorda, Noble Willingham, Juliet Mills, and John Hillerman.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will bring out Hart to Hart - The Complete 1st Season on October 25th, on a 6-DVD set that runs 1139 minutes. List price is $49.95 SRP. Extras have not been announced by the studio yet, but Video Business reports that the set "contains all 23 episodes of the debut season, plus commentary and a featurette with cast and crew interviews." Here's the box art for you:
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hart DVD Announcement Imminent
I just read that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is expected to release details of the DVD set "Hart to Hart: The Complete First Season" on Monday, August 15, 2005, with a likely release date of October 25, 2005.
Details at present: It's a 6 disc box set, with a suggested price of $49.95.
Obviously, this is subject to change until the official announcement comes, but this sounds about right. Most on-line retailers sell below the suggested price, so don't be scared by that price tag if you don't want to spend that much on DVDs. I'm sure a lot of you would pay more than that, as Hart on DVD has been long awaited. No mention of extras - wait for the official announcement.
Details at present: It's a 6 disc box set, with a suggested price of $49.95.
Obviously, this is subject to change until the official announcement comes, but this sounds about right. Most on-line retailers sell below the suggested price, so don't be scared by that price tag if you don't want to spend that much on DVDs. I'm sure a lot of you would pay more than that, as Hart on DVD has been long awaited. No mention of extras - wait for the official announcement.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Can't golf? This is the tourney for you
It's time to get trashed.
The 13th-annual Trashmasters golf tourney comes down in Snowmass on Friday. It's Realtor Boone Schweitzer's charity game, which rewards players for making really bad shots. And he has names for them - like the the "Billie," in honor of Bill Clinton for a lie so bad it's unplayable. (The joke's getting old, but it's a classic.) And there's the "Willie," named for Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again." A bad backswing is a CEO. "It's for a little jerk at the top," says Schweitzer.
Over the years many bold names have played the game, including Dan Quayle, Michael Douglas, Chip Beck ("Mr. 59") and Wayne Rogers. This year Robert Wagner will play. And Woody Paige's ESPN show "Cold Pizza" is coming to Snowmass to cover the tourney and interview the more colorful Trashmasters live. FORE!
The 13th-annual Trashmasters golf tourney comes down in Snowmass on Friday. It's Realtor Boone Schweitzer's charity game, which rewards players for making really bad shots. And he has names for them - like the the "Billie," in honor of Bill Clinton for a lie so bad it's unplayable. (The joke's getting old, but it's a classic.) And there's the "Willie," named for Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again." A bad backswing is a CEO. "It's for a little jerk at the top," says Schweitzer.
Over the years many bold names have played the game, including Dan Quayle, Michael Douglas, Chip Beck ("Mr. 59") and Wayne Rogers. This year Robert Wagner will play. And Woody Paige's ESPN show "Cold Pizza" is coming to Snowmass to cover the tourney and interview the more colorful Trashmasters live. FORE!
Friday, July 29, 2005
Actor Wagner will attend film premiere
SCOTTSDALE - Best known by some for his It Takes a Thief television show and by others for his recent appearances in the Austin Powers movies, actor Robert Wagner will appear Friday in Scottsdale to help celebrate a new local film.
Wagner will be at the premiere of the short film Little Victim, a dark comedy about what lies at the end of the rainbow and the diminutive measure of a man.
The event starts at 7:30 p.m., with showings of the film at 9 and 10 p.m. at Farrelli's Cinema Supper Club, 14202 N. Scottsdale Road.
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The film was produced by JuSpan Productions/Ronalds Bros. Films. The Ronalds brothers were selected 2005 Filmmakers of the Year by the Phoenix Film Festival.
'Working with Robert was like working with a friend,' said Brian Ronalds of Gilbert, co-producer of the film. 'The tone on the set was very comfortable, like family. The cast and crew had a lot of fun together, and I think it shows in the film.'
Little Victim also stars Lori Singer, who appeared in the TV series Fame, and local actress Laura Durant. Another producer was Gilbert resident Dean Ronalds.
Wagner has nearly 200 acting credits during his nearly 50-year career, including several Pink Panther movies, the 1974 disaster blockbuster The Towering Inferno and the 1979-1984 TV series Hart to Hart.
Premiere tickets are $5.
Wagner will be at the premiere of the short film Little Victim, a dark comedy about what lies at the end of the rainbow and the diminutive measure of a man.
The event starts at 7:30 p.m., with showings of the film at 9 and 10 p.m. at Farrelli's Cinema Supper Club, 14202 N. Scottsdale Road.
advertisement
The film was produced by JuSpan Productions/Ronalds Bros. Films. The Ronalds brothers were selected 2005 Filmmakers of the Year by the Phoenix Film Festival.
'Working with Robert was like working with a friend,' said Brian Ronalds of Gilbert, co-producer of the film. 'The tone on the set was very comfortable, like family. The cast and crew had a lot of fun together, and I think it shows in the film.'
Little Victim also stars Lori Singer, who appeared in the TV series Fame, and local actress Laura Durant. Another producer was Gilbert resident Dean Ronalds.
Wagner has nearly 200 acting credits during his nearly 50-year career, including several Pink Panther movies, the 1974 disaster blockbuster The Towering Inferno and the 1979-1984 TV series Hart to Hart.
Premiere tickets are $5.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
New Ronalds Brothers' Short Film, LITTLE VICTIM, to Premiere July 29
Scottsdale, AZ -- Film icons Robert Wagner and Lori Singer are starring in the new JuSpan Productions / Ronalds Brothers film LITTLE VICTIM (www.littlevictim.com), which premieres July 29 at Farrelli's Cinema Supper Club , 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd. in north Scottsdale. Tickets for the LITTLE VICTIM premiere are $5 at the door with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Phoenix Film Project.
Farrelli's gets the evening underway starting at 7:30 offering a no host bar and appetizer / dinner menu. Screening will open with the award winning short film THE NETHERBEAST OF BERM-TECH INDUSTRIES, INC. and will then follow with LITTLE VICTIM and the MAKING OF LITTLE VICTIM. The premiere celebration continues with conversations with Actors Robert Wagner, Lori Singer, and Laura Durant, Producer/Co-Star Brian Ronalds, Producer Andy Putman-Nelson, Executive Producer Kevin Berman and Director/Producer Dean Ronalds. The cast and crew are scheduled to attend but not guaranteed. The evening will wrap up with a post-show mixer in Farrelli's theater lounge.
Robert Wagner, whose legendary Hollywood career lists nearly 200 credits over the past five decades, portrayed the dapper Howard. Baby Boomers remember Wagner fondly the handsome heartthrob from films like THE PINK PANTHER and as the suave millionaire detective Jonathan Hart in the television series HART TO HART, and today's audiences know him as Dr. Evil's eye-patched "Number Two" in the Austin Powers film trilogy.
Lori Singer, who played Howard's trophy girlfriend Tracy, made her breakout performance in the NBC television series FAME as the willowy cellist Julie Miller. This lead to her the celebrated role as wild child Ariel Moore in the film FOOTLOOSE. Lori also played opposite of Tom Hanks in THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE. Most recently Lori starred in the FOX sci-fi television drama VR.5.
Laura Durant is the nagging and finagling mother Irene. Laura has been performing Valley stages for the past 18 years in such productions as Equus for N2T, Romeo & Juliet for Southwest Shakespeare and Six Degrees of Separation for Phoenix Theater. Among her film credits include two JuSpan projects, PORTRAIT and A.W.O.L.. She is currently co-host of the television show SCREEN WARS, highlighting local Independent Filmmakers.
Brian Ronalds pulled double-duty as the film's producer and the role of the frantic Duane. Brian said that the film really makes a commentary on what people find important in life. "We focus on something that doesn't really matter while something that is important is ignored outright. It's a very absurd look at life; I think it's more of a reflection of ourselves: all around, really, we are little victims of circumstance."
LITTLE VICTIM signals yet another high point for the Ronalds Brothers' as their star continues to rise in the independent film festival circuit. Director / Producer Dean Ronalds knows their continuing success as filmmakers is one borne of perseverance. "We are calculated risk takers," he said. "We've learned to the importance of being deliberate in our decisions rather than rush into a project that might then have taken us down some very rough roads. The result is a group of films that we are very passionate about and that we enjoy making."
LITTLE VICTIM (www.littlevictim.com), the eighth film by Brian and Dean Ronalds, signals yet another high point for the Ronalds Brothers' as their star continues to rise in the independent film festival circuit. With Brian as actor / producer and Dean as director / producer, the brothers have become an integral part in the rebirth of Phoenix independent filmmaking.
This year the Phoenix Film Festival recognized the Ronald Brothers' contributions to Valley cinema by naming them Arizona Filmmakers of the Year. During his acceptance speech, Brian summed up the potential of the burgeoning Valley film scene. "Phoenix is pregnant with potential," he said.
Farrelli's gets the evening underway starting at 7:30 offering a no host bar and appetizer / dinner menu. Screening will open with the award winning short film THE NETHERBEAST OF BERM-TECH INDUSTRIES, INC. and will then follow with LITTLE VICTIM and the MAKING OF LITTLE VICTIM. The premiere celebration continues with conversations with Actors Robert Wagner, Lori Singer, and Laura Durant, Producer/Co-Star Brian Ronalds, Producer Andy Putman-Nelson, Executive Producer Kevin Berman and Director/Producer Dean Ronalds. The cast and crew are scheduled to attend but not guaranteed. The evening will wrap up with a post-show mixer in Farrelli's theater lounge.
Robert Wagner, whose legendary Hollywood career lists nearly 200 credits over the past five decades, portrayed the dapper Howard. Baby Boomers remember Wagner fondly the handsome heartthrob from films like THE PINK PANTHER and as the suave millionaire detective Jonathan Hart in the television series HART TO HART, and today's audiences know him as Dr. Evil's eye-patched "Number Two" in the Austin Powers film trilogy.
Lori Singer, who played Howard's trophy girlfriend Tracy, made her breakout performance in the NBC television series FAME as the willowy cellist Julie Miller. This lead to her the celebrated role as wild child Ariel Moore in the film FOOTLOOSE. Lori also played opposite of Tom Hanks in THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE. Most recently Lori starred in the FOX sci-fi television drama VR.5.
Laura Durant is the nagging and finagling mother Irene. Laura has been performing Valley stages for the past 18 years in such productions as Equus for N2T, Romeo & Juliet for Southwest Shakespeare and Six Degrees of Separation for Phoenix Theater. Among her film credits include two JuSpan projects, PORTRAIT and A.W.O.L.. She is currently co-host of the television show SCREEN WARS, highlighting local Independent Filmmakers.
Brian Ronalds pulled double-duty as the film's producer and the role of the frantic Duane. Brian said that the film really makes a commentary on what people find important in life. "We focus on something that doesn't really matter while something that is important is ignored outright. It's a very absurd look at life; I think it's more of a reflection of ourselves: all around, really, we are little victims of circumstance."
LITTLE VICTIM signals yet another high point for the Ronalds Brothers' as their star continues to rise in the independent film festival circuit. Director / Producer Dean Ronalds knows their continuing success as filmmakers is one borne of perseverance. "We are calculated risk takers," he said. "We've learned to the importance of being deliberate in our decisions rather than rush into a project that might then have taken us down some very rough roads. The result is a group of films that we are very passionate about and that we enjoy making."
LITTLE VICTIM (www.littlevictim.com), the eighth film by Brian and Dean Ronalds, signals yet another high point for the Ronalds Brothers' as their star continues to rise in the independent film festival circuit. With Brian as actor / producer and Dean as director / producer, the brothers have become an integral part in the rebirth of Phoenix independent filmmaking.
This year the Phoenix Film Festival recognized the Ronald Brothers' contributions to Valley cinema by naming them Arizona Filmmakers of the Year. During his acceptance speech, Brian summed up the potential of the burgeoning Valley film scene. "Phoenix is pregnant with potential," he said.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Beyond the Slimy Wall: The Fallen Ones
We here at BOP are an eclectic group, and our tastes in movies run from the serious cinephiles to the foreign-film aficionados to niche film lovers. Thus was born the idea for this weekly column, devoted to horror films of all shapes and sizes, but concentrating on those B- and C-grade films that mainstream reviewers disdain, but are the bread-and-butter of every spook movie lover's viewing. So come with me as we venture beyond the slimy wall, uncovering the treasures - and burying the time-wasting bombs - that await those who dare to love the scare.
The Fallen Ones
Horror films, just like any film genre, seem to go through periods of topic convergence. Recently we've seen a resurgence of the zombie film, as well as animals-eating-people movies; a couple of years ago there was a slew of demonic possession and substantiation flicks; before that there was a slasher renaissance; and right around the millennium there were a number of supernaturally-caused apocalypse movies.
Another popular subject of late has been fallen angels, either with or without an accompanying war amongst the heavenly host. Some of these have focused, wholly or in part, on nephilim, which are the offspring of angels and human women and were, according to some of the apocrypha, giants. The Fallen Ones, another from the Sci-Fi Originals stable, follows the giant theory of nephilim, and also throws in an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it gambit for good measure.
The film begins by helpfully providing the uninititated viewer with a definition of nephilim, and continues to be instructive by showing us its version. It also provides us with details on the apocalyptic prophecy and the more manifest titular fallen one, an angel named Ammon. Ammon is the one who fills the viewer in on the dealio: His child must be put to sleep, but when he is awakened, the world of Man will come to an end and the fallen angels and nephilim will again rule the Earth. Oh, yeah; they'll apparently also keep some human women around as brood mares of sorts, but everybody else goes bye-bye.
As the opening takes place in ancient times - a specific era isn't mentioned - we of course have to fast-forward to the present, and an archeological dig that is ensuring there aren't any artifacts in the path of a planned oil-drilling project. Of course, the archeologist comes upon an artifact - there wouldn't be a movie otherwise - that just happens to be our nephilim, mistakenly classified as a statue. So the drilling project is stopped whilst the find is explored. This set-up also introduces us to the main characters on the side of Humanity, Yea!: the head of the oil company and long-time friend of the archeologist; the new geologist, who will soon be both the romantic interest and damsel-in-distress; the geek who knows tons about nothing of interest to anyone less than 200,000 years old; and a rabbi whose specialty is translating hieroglyphics and ancient languages. We also get the requisite Major Psychological Trauma What Our Hero Must Overcome, this time courtesy of the Demons of Major Guilt, which we know will be exorcised in the process of preserving life as we know it. Add a goodly number of Red-Shirts, a sprinkling of semi-mystical beings who seem intent on appearing and disappearing in the most unnerving manner, the better to whup ass and vanish folk, our aforementioned fallen-from-grace seraphim in his present guise, the old resurrected-true-love ploy and more details on that end-of-days prophecy, then add water and presto! Instant plot!
Actually, I'm making a bit more fun of The Fallen Ones than is warranted, for although the story arc does hew to the time-honored traditions of the wakening-an-ancient being/curse flick - yet another horror sub-genre - it blends together the requisite elements in an appealing fashion that isn't in lock-step with the genre's conventions. The tight plotting, character development - accomplished to a surprising level with an economy of screen time - and smart dialogue lifts The Fallen Ones a notch or six above the formulaic. The script also takes a veiled jab or two at religious fanaticism of all makes and models. The switching of heroic roles that takes place during the climax between the two obvious - and a quite unexpected - champions is a nice touch, as is the twist on one of the hallowed end-scenes of this genre that sends a frisson of chill up the spine of even the most grizzled of spook-movie watchers.
The film is further bolstered by a cast that is almost uniformly excellent, starting with Casper Van Dien as our tortured archeologist, giving a bit of thespic heft to a role that could easily have devolved into little more than a collection of dimpled smiles, chiseled features and convincing evidence of testosterone poisoning. Then there's the redoubtable Robert Wagner - slumming a bit and having a grand time - as the oil company chief who's like a father to Van Dien's character and is a father to our damsel; and a surprisingly effective Tom Bosley as the rabbi and ancient linguistics professor who is the first to discover just what has been unearthed and what will come to pass unless our hero can put a stop to it. I am moved to give special praise here to the method the script selects to provide Our Hero with said crucial info; it's a nice example of utilizing a character quirk that seems at first blush a simple throwaway meant to establish a bit of eccentricity, but is later recalled oh-so-ingeniously to impart that vital save-the-world info. And I've no idea of Bosley's heritage, but his Jewish accent sounded quite authentic and was never dropped, so if it was adopted for this role, my hat's off to Mr C for displaying a hitherto unknown talent. And while the damsel-in-distress could have been picked up from Central Casting, the gentleman who plays the not-very-angelic Ammon, Navid Negahban, combines dark good looks and Continental charm with just the slightest hint of malice, truly a celestial being to be feared.
And since the special F/X budget on most Sci-Fi Originals seems permanently fixed at $1.98, I feel compelled to call out the times when somebody on the production realizes that it's not such a bad idea to spend a shilling or two on your CGI. Not only are the nephilim effects quite good, but the rendering of Ammon as the fallen angel is stunning. Think of the skeletal crew of the Black Pearl decked out with the wispy cloth of your standard-issue wraith and then ratchet up the menace by a factor of ten. Chills-
down-the-spine time on this one.
Plus, stuff blows up real good during the climax. Can't go wrong with a really good explosion, I always say. And while I usually can do without the almost-requisite "It's over now. Or is it?" ending - not to be confused with the false ending of the slasher and AEP flicks, which is not only de rigeur but can be quite cleverly employed - I will give The Fallen Ones extra points for putting a nice coat of shiny paint on the old chestnut, and actually raising a few hackles at the thought.
All in all, The Fallen Ones is one of the better entries in the Sci-Fi Originals stable, and more than worth the two-hour-less-commercials time investment. And while the good-to-horrendous ratio still needs a deal of work, if the production arm of the Sci-Fi Channel keeps putting out quality work like this and the recently-reviewed DinoCroc, I might have to change my stock tone when preparing to review one of their offerings.
Then again, with Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy! on the horizon, I don't think I'll be worrying about that any time soon.
I see by the shadows falling from my bust of Pallas that our time is up. Until next time, then, when we will once again venture Beyond the Slimy Wall.
The Fallen Ones
Horror films, just like any film genre, seem to go through periods of topic convergence. Recently we've seen a resurgence of the zombie film, as well as animals-eating-people movies; a couple of years ago there was a slew of demonic possession and substantiation flicks; before that there was a slasher renaissance; and right around the millennium there were a number of supernaturally-caused apocalypse movies.
Another popular subject of late has been fallen angels, either with or without an accompanying war amongst the heavenly host. Some of these have focused, wholly or in part, on nephilim, which are the offspring of angels and human women and were, according to some of the apocrypha, giants. The Fallen Ones, another from the Sci-Fi Originals stable, follows the giant theory of nephilim, and also throws in an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it gambit for good measure.
The film begins by helpfully providing the uninititated viewer with a definition of nephilim, and continues to be instructive by showing us its version. It also provides us with details on the apocalyptic prophecy and the more manifest titular fallen one, an angel named Ammon. Ammon is the one who fills the viewer in on the dealio: His child must be put to sleep, but when he is awakened, the world of Man will come to an end and the fallen angels and nephilim will again rule the Earth. Oh, yeah; they'll apparently also keep some human women around as brood mares of sorts, but everybody else goes bye-bye.
As the opening takes place in ancient times - a specific era isn't mentioned - we of course have to fast-forward to the present, and an archeological dig that is ensuring there aren't any artifacts in the path of a planned oil-drilling project. Of course, the archeologist comes upon an artifact - there wouldn't be a movie otherwise - that just happens to be our nephilim, mistakenly classified as a statue. So the drilling project is stopped whilst the find is explored. This set-up also introduces us to the main characters on the side of Humanity, Yea!: the head of the oil company and long-time friend of the archeologist; the new geologist, who will soon be both the romantic interest and damsel-in-distress; the geek who knows tons about nothing of interest to anyone less than 200,000 years old; and a rabbi whose specialty is translating hieroglyphics and ancient languages. We also get the requisite Major Psychological Trauma What Our Hero Must Overcome, this time courtesy of the Demons of Major Guilt, which we know will be exorcised in the process of preserving life as we know it. Add a goodly number of Red-Shirts, a sprinkling of semi-mystical beings who seem intent on appearing and disappearing in the most unnerving manner, the better to whup ass and vanish folk, our aforementioned fallen-from-grace seraphim in his present guise, the old resurrected-true-love ploy and more details on that end-of-days prophecy, then add water and presto! Instant plot!
Actually, I'm making a bit more fun of The Fallen Ones than is warranted, for although the story arc does hew to the time-honored traditions of the wakening-an-ancient being/curse flick - yet another horror sub-genre - it blends together the requisite elements in an appealing fashion that isn't in lock-step with the genre's conventions. The tight plotting, character development - accomplished to a surprising level with an economy of screen time - and smart dialogue lifts The Fallen Ones a notch or six above the formulaic. The script also takes a veiled jab or two at religious fanaticism of all makes and models. The switching of heroic roles that takes place during the climax between the two obvious - and a quite unexpected - champions is a nice touch, as is the twist on one of the hallowed end-scenes of this genre that sends a frisson of chill up the spine of even the most grizzled of spook-movie watchers.
The film is further bolstered by a cast that is almost uniformly excellent, starting with Casper Van Dien as our tortured archeologist, giving a bit of thespic heft to a role that could easily have devolved into little more than a collection of dimpled smiles, chiseled features and convincing evidence of testosterone poisoning. Then there's the redoubtable Robert Wagner - slumming a bit and having a grand time - as the oil company chief who's like a father to Van Dien's character and is a father to our damsel; and a surprisingly effective Tom Bosley as the rabbi and ancient linguistics professor who is the first to discover just what has been unearthed and what will come to pass unless our hero can put a stop to it. I am moved to give special praise here to the method the script selects to provide Our Hero with said crucial info; it's a nice example of utilizing a character quirk that seems at first blush a simple throwaway meant to establish a bit of eccentricity, but is later recalled oh-so-ingeniously to impart that vital save-the-world info. And I've no idea of Bosley's heritage, but his Jewish accent sounded quite authentic and was never dropped, so if it was adopted for this role, my hat's off to Mr C for displaying a hitherto unknown talent. And while the damsel-in-distress could have been picked up from Central Casting, the gentleman who plays the not-very-angelic Ammon, Navid Negahban, combines dark good looks and Continental charm with just the slightest hint of malice, truly a celestial being to be feared.
And since the special F/X budget on most Sci-Fi Originals seems permanently fixed at $1.98, I feel compelled to call out the times when somebody on the production realizes that it's not such a bad idea to spend a shilling or two on your CGI. Not only are the nephilim effects quite good, but the rendering of Ammon as the fallen angel is stunning. Think of the skeletal crew of the Black Pearl decked out with the wispy cloth of your standard-issue wraith and then ratchet up the menace by a factor of ten. Chills-
down-the-spine time on this one.
Plus, stuff blows up real good during the climax. Can't go wrong with a really good explosion, I always say. And while I usually can do without the almost-requisite "It's over now. Or is it?" ending - not to be confused with the false ending of the slasher and AEP flicks, which is not only de rigeur but can be quite cleverly employed - I will give The Fallen Ones extra points for putting a nice coat of shiny paint on the old chestnut, and actually raising a few hackles at the thought.
All in all, The Fallen Ones is one of the better entries in the Sci-Fi Originals stable, and more than worth the two-hour-less-commercials time investment. And while the good-to-horrendous ratio still needs a deal of work, if the production arm of the Sci-Fi Channel keeps putting out quality work like this and the recently-reviewed DinoCroc, I might have to change my stock tone when preparing to review one of their offerings.
Then again, with Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy! on the horizon, I don't think I'll be worrying about that any time soon.
I see by the shadows falling from my bust of Pallas that our time is up. Until next time, then, when we will once again venture Beyond the Slimy Wall.
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