The newest movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ will be available for streaming on HBO Max. Photo: google
Roald Dahl was a Welsh novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter and wartime fighter pilot. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. He has been referred to as one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century. He is best known for “James and the Giant Peach,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda,” “The Witches,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The BFG.” “The Witches” features the experiences of a young British boy and his Norwegian grandmother in a world where child-hating societies of witches secretly exist in every country. The second feature-length adaptation of the novel stars Ann Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci and is directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis, Kenya Barris and Guillermo del Toro. It will be available for streaming on HBO Max on October 22 with a theatrical release in selected theaters on October 28.
“The Witches” is set in Norway and in the United Kingdom where the witches are ruled by the extremely vicious and powerful Grand High Witch. An unnamed seven-year-old English boy goes to live with his Norwegian grandmother after his parents are killed in a tragic car accident. The boy loves to listen to his grandmother’s stories, especially the ones about real witches. According to her, witches are horrific creatures who are out to kill human children and tells the boy how to recognize them. The Grand High Witch has just arrived in England to organize her worst plot ever but when the grandmother, a self-professed former witch hunter, and her young grandson find out about her evil plan, they must work together to defeat the witches.
The Antenna opens in Virtual Cinemas on October 2. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Antenna is a horror film with political elements that serves as a metaphor for the lack of freedom of speech in today’s Turkey. It stars Ihsan Önal, Gül Arici, Levent Ünsal, Isil Zeynep, Murat Saglam, Elif Çakman, Mert Toprak Yadigar and Eda Öze and was an official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival and many more. (Dark Star Pictures, 2020)
Release Date/ Theaters:
Virtual Theaters (October 2)-Including: Los Angeles (Laemmle), New York and major cities (Museum Of The Moving Image (MOMI), Alamo On Demand) and Philadelphia (Film Society).
Video on Demand (US & Canada) (October 20): Including: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Vudu, Dish Network and all major cable providers.
Synopsis – In a dystopian Turkey, the Government installs new networks throughout the country to monitor information. The installation goes wrong in a crumbling apartment complex and Mehmet (Ihsan Önal), the building intendant, will have to confront the evil entity behind the inexplicable transmissions that threaten the residents.
Running time: 115 minutes; Color; Language: Turkish with English subtitles; Rating: Not Rated (Horror)
Written and directed by Orçun Behram. Born in 1987, filmmaker Orçun Behram graduated from Columbia College, Chicago majoring in film in 2011. Establishing himself in Istanbul, he has worked on variety of projects from music videos and short films to documentaries. The Antenna (2019) is the director’s first feature.
Distributed in North America by Dark Star Pictures – a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. The company is committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Dark Star’s goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema. The company also services distribution companies and producers in the theatrical, digital, and festival space.
This year’s Hola Mexico Film Festival will be a virtual event and will feature “At’ Anii,” the first film in the Teenek language. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The 12th annual Mexican film festival, Hola México Film Festival, will make its virtual debut September 11 – 20 exclusively through the spanish premium broadcast service PANTAYA, a partnership between Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. The festival is offering the public the opportunity to enjoy the best of Mexican cinema and serves as a reminder of how much Mexican cinema has evolved over the past two decades. As usual, the festival will feature 20 films, starting with “Chicuarotes” from renowned Mexican actor, director and producer Gael García Bernal. (Hola México Film Festival, 2020)
Due to the COVID-19 situation, organizers of Hola México Film Festival, have decided to practice social distancing by offering the festival, for the first time, in virtual format. The festival will also include Q&A sessions with filmmakers and virtual red carpets.
The opening film “Chicuarotes” focuses on the story of “the cagalera” and “the Molotheque,” two youngsters struggling to get out of poverty that plagues their community. To achieve that, they start working as public transport clowns but soon realize that they do not earn enough even for their basic needs. The story takes a radical turn when they decide to assault the passengers. The 2019 Mexican drama film was screened in the “Contemporary World Cinema” section in “Toronto International Film Fesitval,” “Cannes Film Festival” in 2019 and was selected to compete in “Shanghai International Film Festival.” The festival will feature an awards ceremony. The awards will include best director, best short film and best film selected by the audience.
To enjoy the festival using PANTAYA for only $1.00, use code HMFF2020. With this economic incentive, festival organizers hope to create more access to the films this year while hoping to inspire new generations of filmmakers.
Hello Mexico Film Festival consists of the following categories: México Ahora, Documental, Hola Niños, El Otro México and Nocturno. México Ahora presents the best of Mexican cinema released in recent years, covering all genres. Documental includes the best documentary films made by Mexican filmmakers. Hola Niños presents Mexican animated films for children. Otro México highlights the experiences of Mexicans who are almost never portrayed on screen, presenting perceptual narratives that challenge the status quo. The Nocturno category features Mexican films that are purely horror or strange.
México Ahora: “Asfixia,” “Amores Modernos,” “Classes De Historia,” “Chicuarotes,” “Los Paisajes,” “Blanco De Verano” and “El Deseo De Ana.”
Documental: “Retiro,” “Disparo,” “El Guardián De La Memoria,” “Radio Silencio,” “Erase Una Vez,” “Yermo,” “Vaquero De Mediodía” and “Obblatos, El Vuelo Que Curco La Noche.”
Nocturno: “Club Internacional Aguerridos” and “Desde Tu Infierno.”
El Otro México: “At’ Anii” and Tio Yim.”
Hola Niños: “Un Disfraz Para Nicolás”
“At’ Anii” is the first film in the Teenek language. Lucio and Enedina are a happily married, young Teenek couple that lives in the Huasteca Potosina’s jungle with their three children. They love each other and share everything; nevertheless, everything crumbles when the construction of a highway, that their community has been requesting for so long, finally arrives. As part of this development, workers from other towns also arrive, among them there’s Juancho, a machinist that accidentally comes across beautiful Erendida and begins seducing her. Soon, rumors spread in their community until they reached Lucio’s ears, unleashing consequences they wouldn’t be able to survive.
Founded in 2008, Hola México Film Festival, the largest Mexican film festival, attempts to highlight the best of Mexican cinema and film talent. Covering comedies, dramas, horror and documentaries, the festival features high-quality cinema in a festive atmosphere in conjunction with exclusive celebrations and outdoor concerts. Celebrating its 12th edition, Hola México Film Festival will be presented virtually in September 2020, offering film enthusiasts the opportunity to see a variety of Mexican films.
The EVO Drive-In experience. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.
After four sold-out weekends, Anthony Michael Hall’s Summer Drive-In Film Festival concludes this weekend courtesy of EVO Entertainment Group at the Schertz and Kyle locations. Anthony Michael Hall, known for films like The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, 16 Candles and more has been hosting the film festival. Each evening consists of a double-feature presentation shown outdoors at the EVO® Drive-In experience. On Saturday’s event in Schertz, there will be a virtual appearance by Robert Downey, Jr. who will live stream into the drive-in, as part of that evening’s “Iconic Duo” double feature, to participate in the festival’s Q&A. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2020)
Before he became known as Iron Man, he starred alongside Hall. From performing on the set of Saturday Night Live to co-starring in a number of films, Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr. were known as one the iconic duos of the ’80s and ’90s and remain close friends to this day.
Weekend 5 – August 14 & August 15
Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr.: The Iconic Duo – Hail Caesar / Johnny Be Good
Location:
Friday, August 14 at EVO Kyle
Saturday, August 15 at EVO Schertz
Throughout the screenings, guests will have the ability to purchase food and beverage, merchandise, autographs and more via EVO’s mobile app. During the intermission between the two films, guests will also enjoy a 45-minute interactive Q&A with Anthony Michael Hall and guests plus the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with the celebrities. In order to promote a safe environment, questions for the Q&A will be submitted via EVO’s mobile app or in writing. Guests who partake in the photo opportunity will be asked to wear a mask up until the photo is taken and photos will be available for download through EVO’s website. The use of personal phones for photos will not be permitted in an effort to limit the number of surfaces being touched during the photo opportunity.
All tickets are priced at $25.00 per vehicle and can be purchased online. Tickets are valid only for the weekend and location chosen and shown on the tickets. Guests must purchase a separate ticket for each event they wish to attend, there are no all-inclusive ticket options. Tickets are non-refundable.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic EVO Entertainment has taken extra precautions to better ensure the safety of its staff and guests. To learn more about EVO’s safety procedures visit EVO Cinemas online.
Dreamgirls is the next movie showing at the Woodlawn Theatre as part of their Summer Movie Nights series. Photo: google
This year, the Woodlawn Theatre is celebrating 75 years of entertaining San Antonio and are turning back the clock with Summer Movie Nights. For five Fridays, the Woodlawn is revisiting the days as a grand movie theater and showcasing some of their favorite musical feature films on their indoor big screen. Proceeds will benefit Woodlawn Theatre and Woodlawn Theatre Academy. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased in advance, online, prior to each film. There will be no in-person ticket sales at the box office leading up to or at any time prior to showtime. Seating begins at 6p.m. and the movie starts at 7p.m. (Woodlawn Theatre 2020)
To comply with the state’s COVID-19 measures, Woodlawn Theatre will not exceed 50% capacity for each Summer Movie night. All tickets are general admission and guests must print ticket at home in advance and bring it with them or have it ready for viewing via a smartphone upon entering. Everyone over the age of two must wear a mask. More COVID-19 protocols are available online.
The series started last Friday with Chicago and continues with:
The movie adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘Doctor Sleep’ is in theaters this weekend. Photo: Google
Stephen King is the “King of Horror” and the American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense and fantasy novels. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, many of which have been adapted into feature films, miniseries, television series and comic books. He has published 61 novels, six non-fiction books and approximately 200 short stories, most in book collections. In 2015, King was awarded with a National Medal of Arts from the United States National Endowment for the Arts for his contributions to literature. Some of his best known novels include ‘Carrie,’ ‘Pet Sematary,’ ‘The Shining’ and ‘Doctor Sleep,’ the best-selling sequel to ‘The Shining.’ The movie adaptation of ‘Doctor Sleep,’ starring Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and Kyliegh Curran is in theaters this weekend.
In ‘Doctor Sleep,’ a now adult Danny Torrance (Dan) carries on his father’s legacy of anger and alcoholism. After years of aimless drifting across the United States, he settles down in the small town of Frazier, New Hampshire working at a hospice and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Meanwhile, Abra Stone is born in 2001 and has amazing psychic abilities. Slowly and unintentionally, she establishes a telepathic bond with Dan and as her powers develop, she psychically witnesses the torture and murder, by a cult known as True Knot, of a young boy. The True Knot wanders across the United States feeding on people’s “steam,” a psychic essence produced when the people who have the shining die in pain. Their leader, Rose the Hat, becomes aware of Abra and her abilities and soon plots to kidnap her and keep her alive as an endless supply of steam. With Dan’s help, as well as ghosts from his past, Abra confronts the cult and kills them to stop their destructive patterns of terror and violence.
The movie adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning ‘The Goldfinch’ is now in theaters. Photo: google
Donna Tartt is an American author best known for the novels “The Secret History,” “The Little Friend” and “The Goldfinch.” She won the WH Smith Literary Award for “The Little Friend” in 2003 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for “The Goldfinch” in 2014. The latter is the coming-of-age story of 13 year-old Theodore Decker, who survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum where his mother dies. The movie adaptation is now in theaters and stars Ansel Elgort as Theodore. It is directed by John Crowley and written by Peter Straughan.
“The Goldfinch” is told is retrospective first person narration by Theodore “Theo” Decker. His life is turned upside down during a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with his mother and she is tragically killed when a bomb explodes in the museum. They were there to see an exhibition of Dutch masterpieces, including a favorite painting of hers, Carel Fabritius’ The Goldfinch, which Theo takes with him during his panicked escape. Abandoned by his father, he goes to live with the family of a wealthy friend but he feels out of place and is constantly tormented by memories of his mother. Through it all, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her, the painting. Throughout the years, it becomes a source of hope for him as he descends into a world of crime.
The movie adaptation of Maria Semple’s best selling novel opens in theaters this Friday August 16. Photo: google
Maria Semple is an American novelist and screenwriter best known for the novels “This One Is Mine,” “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and “Today Will Be Different.” Her television credits include Beverly Hills, 90210, Mad About You, Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Suddenly Susan and Ellen. “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” spent a year on The New York Times’ bestseller list, won the American Library Association’s Alex Award and was shortlisted for Women’s Prize for Fiction. It centers around an agoraphobic architect, mother and wife who is struggling to adjust to life in Seattle and goes missing just before a family trip to Antarctica. The movie adaptation starring Cate Blanchette will be in theaters starting this Friday August 16.
In “Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” everyone has their thoughts about Bernadette Fox. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she is a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she is a disgrace; to design mavens, she is a revolutionary architect; and to 15-year-old Bee, she is her best friend and, simply, Mom. Then Bernadette vanishes. It all began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette is so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents and secret correspondence.
The Prey will have an October theatrical release followed by VOD and DVD release. Photo: EG-PR, used with permission.
Dark Star Pictures has announced today that it has acquired North American rights to action thriller The Prey. The company is planning an October theatrical release followed by VOD and DVD release. The film has excited audiences and critics at festivals including Busan International Film Festival 2018, BFI London Film Festival 2018, Hawaii Film Festival 2018, Night Visions and most recently Fantasia Film Festival 2019. (Dark Star Pictures, 2019)
Loosely based on Richard Connell’s story of survival and adventure “The Most Dangerous Game,” The Prey comes from writer/director Jimmy Henderson and the team behind genre festival hit Jailbreak. Undercover Chinese cop Xin (newcomer Gu Shangwei), is on a secret international mission when a surprise raid puts him in a remote Cambodian jungle prison that plays by its own rules. Ruthless warden (Vithaya Pansringarm of Only God Forgives) sells prisoners as human prey for rich hunters looking for thrills in the jungle. After years of hunting down ruthless criminals, Xin suddenly finds himself running for his life. If Xin manages to survive this sadistic game, he will walk out of the jungle the same way he came in: as a free man. If Xin fails, he is just another hunting trophy.
Theatrical openings will include Los Angeles, New York, and more to be announced. The deal was negotiated by Dark Star President Michael Repsch and Pip Ngo of XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
DIRECTOR: Jimmy Henderson (Jailbreak)
WRITTEN BY: Jimmy Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Kai Miller
CAST: Byron Bishop, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Nophand Boonyai, Vithaya Panringarm (Only God Forgives), Gu Shang Wei
Distributed by LA-based Dark Star Pictures.
RT: 93 minutes; Color; Language: Cambodian and Chinese with English subtitles; Rating: Not Rated
“The Prey is an exceptionally fun, high strung action film that is exhilarating from start to finish. But what really drew us to the film was the societal context – specifically the look at how class systems can be taken to the extreme, which could not be more relevant in our society today.”– Michael Repsch
Tilman Singer’s LUZ opens this Friday July 19 in New York and Los Angeles. National release to follow. Photo: EG-PR, used with permission.
LUZ is a new German horror movie opening theatrically in New York (IFC Center, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema City Point, Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Monica, Laemmle Playhouse 7) on Friday July 19 with a national release to follow. (EG-PR, 2019)
LUZ begins as a young female cabdriver (Luana Velis, in the title role) drags herself into a run-down police station. However, a demonic entity follows her there, determined to finally be close to the woman it loves.
Dazed and numb, Luz, a young cabdriver, drags herself into the brightly lit entrance of a run-down police station. In a nightspot, Nora seductively engages police psychiatrist Dr. Rossini in a conversation. She tells the Doctor about her old schoolmate Luz’ rebellious past at a Chilean school for girls. Nora is possessed by a demonic entity, longing for the woman it loves – Luz. Increasingly drunk on both alcohol and Nora’s story, Rossini turns into easy prey. When called to the police station, the now demonically revived doctor puts Luz in a state of hypnosis, supervised by his colleagues, commissioner Bertillon and her translator Olarte. Luz recalls the events predating her arrival at the police station. But the entity that has taken control of the doctor wants something more. Bit by bit it slips into Luz’ reenactment and makes old memories come to light. (IMDb)
Shooting entirely on 16mm, first time feature film director Tilman Singer pays homage to horror masters David Cronenberg, Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci, while infusing the genre with a fresh take of his own.
Written and directed by Tilman Singer
Produced by Dario Mendez Acosta and Tilman Singer
Starring Luana Velis and Jan Bluthardt
Official selection: Fantasia Film Festival, Fantastic Fest (US Premiere) Berlin International Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival and many more.
SA Examiner 