Where were you 35 years ago, fellow movie geeks ( if you even existed ) ? Well, it turns out that today, May 25, 2012, is the 35th anniversary of the day the original STAR WARS ( it wouldn’t be given the episode IV subtitle for several years ) exploded on USA movie screens. This was the big one. Steven Spielberg had established the Summer as a prime time for escapist Hollywood blockbusters with JAWS in 1975 , but George Lucas solidified ” school’s out ” as the ” get out of the heat and lose yourself in a fantasy world ” season. It’s difficult to convey to you younger film fans what a game changer this was. Most sci-fi fantasy films were ultra-low budget saucers on the loose with guys in ill-fitting rubber suits B movies. We had the occasional big, stompin’ monster epics from Japan along with the James Bond series ( by then in the very tongue-in-cheek Roger Moore era ). The Planet of the Apes series had run its course, but the major studios would dip their toes in sci-fi with LOGAN’S RUN and THE OMEGA MAN. And there were re-issues of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. But these films didn’t have a sense of adventure that connected with 70′s movie audiences ( along with a great sense of humor ). This may be an amazing example of being in the right place at the right time. The public craved heroes and Lucas stepped up and delivered.

Here’s my personal SW story. I first became aware of the film in the early issues of Starlog  ( this full color newstand magazine devoted to sci-fi and fantasy films started in 1976. Talk about your right place/ right time ). In the upcoming films column they mentioned a movie from AMERICAN GRAFFITI director Lucas called STAR WARS about the adventures of ” Luke Starkiller ”.  Hmmmm. I really enjoyed Graffiti, so I’ll have to check this out. Soon Starlog was teasing us with samples of Ralph McQuarrie’s pre-production art ( like the image up above ). When I began college in Chicago, I hit the used bookstores and found this recent paperback from Ballentine Books’ SF line:

As you see, the cover also featured McQuarrie’s art. In November of 76 I decided to treat myself after a long week of school and go to one of the premiere downtown Chicago movie houses, the McClurg Court, and see this boxing flick called ROCKY. Well before meeting Mr. Balboa on those mean streets of Philly, several previews were shown, one of which was this teaser from 20th Century Fox:

<iframe width=”560″ height=”420″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/rxwGGZ1BXC0?rel=0” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

We in the theatre audience were a bit dumbfounded. I Imagined thought bubbles coming from everyone’s heads that proclaimed ” Huh? ” and ” Wha-?”. The fellow behind the sweet 60′s nostalgia flick is slumming with rockets and weird ” thingies “.  Fox is gonna’ take a bath with this!  Items would appear in movie columns over the next few months. In the Spring of 77 Marvel Comics published a monthly comic book tie-in/adaptation of the May release. It featured terrific Howard Chakyn art with a taut script from Conan scribe Roy Thomas. Marvel had done some licenced properties before, but could this find an audience?

Soon I was in the last days of my freshman year of college. On my way to class, the current issue of Time magazine caught my eye poking out of a newsstand. There across the top, above the logo was the banner: ” Inside the year’s best movie”. Past the Middle East conflict cover story was a rave review of STAR WARS. And I found out that it was opening in the Chicago area that Friday. I hatched a plan. After Dinner at the dorm that night, my new pals Dave and Chad ( names changed ) and I would walk the twelve blocks to the single screen Esquire theatre, just off Michigan Avenue, and catch the 8 PM show. We got there a half hour or so early and joined the growing line on the street. When the previous showing let out a very odd thing happened. Complete strangers were coming up to people in line and proclaiming, ” You’re gonna’ love it!’. Wow, this may be something!

We settled into our seats in the middle of the auditorium. The Fox logo appeared with the fanfare extending with the extra horns that used to signal a Cinemascope film. I was hooked already. This night was one of my best movie going experiences ever. Everyone gasped when the first ships passed over the camera. They booed and hissed at the arrival of Darth Vader. Several special effects shots were greeted with enthusiastic applause ( particularly the Millenium Falcon’s first jump to light speed ). Chad, who’s a huge John Wayne fan, whispered to me during the cantina scene, ” This is a Western!’. After staying to see all of the long list of end credits, we walked energized out on to the street. We came across a still open record store ( ah, remember them? ) and David bought the 2 disc soundtrack set. Back at the dorm we listened to John Williams’s stirring score into the wee hours while telling our dorm pals that they absolutely had to see this movie. The next day I was to have a Saturday afternoon date with a woman from my school. First lunch, then back to the Esquire for a matinee! There I heard a man telling his son, ” This is like Flash Gordon! “.

Returning to Southern Illinois for Summer break, I awaited the film’s opening in Carbondale. This was before the 3000 screen same day releases, so the film slowly made its way to smaller markets over the next months. But the trailer was playing. A reviewer for the SIU-Carbondale student paper wrote that the only good thing about the EXORCIST sequel was the STAR WARS Trailer playing with it. When it finally opened at the old Fox theatre, I made sure that my student movie-making pal Todd was with me at its Carbondale premiere. I had to rescue him from the concession stand so he wouldn’t miss the first scene! Later the Summer I also picked up the 2 LP set, more Marvel Comics ( they reprinted those first six issues countless times, perhaps saving the comics industry from collapse ), several movie magazines featuring the cast and characters and an eight  minute scene released on Super 8 color sound ( those pricey Betamax video recorders didn’t have current films and the home video explosion was still 4 or 5 years away ) which was looped on to my old hot projector whenever I got the chance. And this was before the merchandise really exploded with the Kenner toy line. Back in Chicago for my sophomore year, the film was still playing at several theatres ( that next May a suburban theatre still playing the film placed a full-page newspaper ad featuring a one year cake adorned with the Kenner action figures ). At the dorm we listened to the Williams score and the Meco disco mix, I drew up a SW themed Christmas card and dressed up as Obi Wan for the big Halloween party ( always grew the beard when I went back to school ). I probably ended up seeing the film 25 times over that first year of release.

The legacy lives on! We certainly wouldn’t have this weekend’s MEN IN BLACK 3 and the box office juggernaut MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS without that odd little epic that seemed to come out of nowhere. No amount of dismal prequels or endless directorial tweeking will erase my memories of that magical May night. So, what are your special remembrances? Drop a comment here or at our Facebook page. Obi-Wan’s last bit of dialogue from the film can certainly be applied to the legacy of STAR WARS : ” The force will be with you…always”

On Wednesday, Katy Perry (center) showed her stars and stripes as she performed for the troops during Fleet Week in New York City. Check out the video below.

Katy Perry with serviceman at the “Katy Perry: Part of Me” performance for Pepsi’s Fleet Week in New York on Wednesday.

Paramount Pictures has released this first clip from the film.

A 3D motion picture event movie, KATY PERRY: PART OF ME is a backstage pass, front row seat and intimate look at the fun, glamorous, heartbreaking, inspiring, crazy, magical, passionate, and honest mad diary of Katy. To be released on July 5, 2012, KATY PERRY: PART OF ME will be a first-ever big-screen look at the international superstar’s life both on- and off-stage.

Directed by the Magical Elves team of Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth (JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER), KATY PERRY: PART OF ME is produced by Katy, along with Martin Kirkup, Bradford Cobb, and Steven Jensen of Direct Management; and Academy Award®-winner Brian Grazer (8 MILE, A BEAUTIFUL MIND) of Imagine Entertainment. The film’s executive producers include Craig Brewer (FOOTLOOSE, HUSTLE & FLOW), Randy Phillips of AEG, Erica Huggins and Michael Rosenberg of Imagine Entertainment; and Ed Lovelace and James Hall of Pulse Films. Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald and Max Martin, who co-wrote the title song with Perry, will serve as co-producers, along with Nanette Bernstein (AMERICAN TEEN), Thomas Benski and Dan Bowen of Pulse Films, Anna Culp of Imagine Entertainment, and Archie Gips of Magical Elves.

For more information, go to:

www.KatyPerryPartOfMe.com, www.KatyPerry.com

Pinterest: HTTP://PINTEREST.COM/KATYPERRY/ 

Follow Katy Perry on Twitter at  www.Twitter.com/KatyPerry  #KP3D

On Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/katyperry 

Photos Courtesy: Amanda Schwab / Starpix for Paramount Pictures.

Blood is splattered and heads roll in the new red band trailer for ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER. The film explores the secret life of our 16^th president and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of “Wanted”) bring a fresh voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER presents the Great Emancipator as the country’s first superhero.  Notes producer Tim Burton:  “Lincoln’s entire life mirrors the classic comic book superhero mythology.  It’s a duality:  during the day he’s the president of the United States; at night, a vampire hunter.”

That dichotomy is at the core of the Lincoln we meet in the film.  “He was ordinary and extraordinary at the same time,” says director Timur Bekmambetov.  Adds screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith, who adapted his best-selling novel of the same name:  “Lincoln’s life story is an archetypal superhero origin story.  He’s as close to an actual superhero as this country’s ever seen.  Forget about vampires.  Lincoln had neither family name nor money.  His mother died when he was a youngster.  In fact, everybody he loved had died. With no education, and armed with just his mind, he became president and saved the nation.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER stars Benjamin Walker as the titular hero; Dominic Cooper as Henry Sturges, Lincoln’s mentor in vampire hunting; Anthony Mackie as William Johnson, Lincoln’s valet and friend; and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd Lincoln, Abe’s wife. The screenplay is by Seth Grahame-Smith and Simon Kinberg, based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith. The producers are Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, and Jim Lemley.

Adapted from Seth Grahame-Smith’s book, 20th Century Fox’s ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER will be in theaters June 22.

“Like”ť on Facebook: http://facebook.com/vampirehunter

Follow on Twitter: @AbeTheHunter

In his directorial debut, Paul McCartney has created an artistic, black and white short film to his song “My Valentine” that audiences will get to enjoy before all showings of THE INTOUCHABLES for the duration of its theatrical run. The Weinstein Company (TWC) will release THE INTOUCHABLES in theaters on May 25. The three minute short film, which came to fruition following an original idea by Stella McCartney, stars Academy Award© winner Natalie Portman (BLACK SWAN, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS) and Golden Globe© winner Johnny Depp (FINDING NEVERLAND, CHOCOLAT). Portman, who was exclusively dressed by Stella McCartney for the film, and Depp translate the lyrics of the song through sign language throughout the film each with their own distinct interpretations, and Depp adds soul midway through the film with a guitar solo, which was recorded live:

Said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein, “What an honor it is to have Paul’s short film directorial debut on the head of THE INTOUCHABLES showings. Paul and Stella are great old friends. He was the first musician to say yes to perform at the 9/11 concert for New York, which I produced along with our friendsJohn Sykes and Jim Dolan. Stella had a wonderful idea when she thought this song would translate well into a film, and I can’t wait to share it with our audiences when THE INTOUCHABLES comes out on May 25.”

On April 14 at an exclusive gala premiere at the Stella McCartney store in Los Angeles attended by Dave Grohl, Orlando Bloom, Lykke Li, Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon among others, McCartney premiered the short film. The track is one of two original compositions on his new studio album ‘Kisses on the Bottom’, which was released in February and went to Number One on the Billboard Jazz Chart as well as going Top Five across the world.

Produced by Susanne Preissler, the film’s cinematographer was Academy Award© winner Wally Pfister (INCEPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT), and it was edited by Paul Martinez. The film was shot on 35 mm film.

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, THE INTOUCHABLES has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe.  Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), THE INTOUCHABLES depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.  Directed Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the film was nominated for a total of nine 2012 Cesar Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including Best Picture, and winning Best Actor for breakout star Omar Sy, and won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Tokyo International Film Festival. The film has won multiple awards at film festivals around the country including: the ColCoa Film Festival’s Audience Award and Critics Special Prize; theFlorida Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best International Feature; the Wisconsin Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Film; and the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

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OPTIMUS PRIME and BUMBLEBEE were on hand as Transfomers: The Ride – 3D had its red carpet grand opening today at Universal Studios Hollywood. You can follow today’s red carpet event on Twitter:  @UniStudios 

“Transformers: The Ride—3D” opens Friday, May 25, 2012, with early park entrance for Memorial Day Weekend beginning Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28. Gates will open at 7:30am for early access to “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and the world-famous Studio Tour. Visit Universal Studios Hollywood for additional information.

“Transformers: The Ride—3D” is based on the iconic brand from Hasbro and electrifying film franchise, directed by Michael Bay, and celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and amazing special effects. The most recent movie, TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon has become the fourth largest grossing movie of all time at the global box office.

The thrill ride will tell a new “TRANSFORMERS” story using original, photo-realistic 3D-HD media, sophisticated special effects masterminded by Industrial Light & Magic, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator ride systems ever created.

Fusing high-tech elements with an epic new “TRANSFORMERS” tale, “Transformers: The Ride–3D” will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s most ambitious ride ever created and will set a new standard in the world of theme park attractions, stretching the medium’s potential as an immersive and powerful storytelling vehicle.

In the “TRANSFORMERS” movies, Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between alien robots, the heroic AUTOBOTS and the evil DECEPTICONS, that physically convert from common mechanical devices, such as cars, trucks and planes to robotic warriors.

“Transformers: The Ride–3D” is being created under a license between Universal Parks & Resorts and Hasbro, Inc.

The ride’s pioneering photo realistic 3D media is being created by multiple Oscar® -winning Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilms, Ltd., the ground-breaking visionary special effects company behind such acclaimed films as “TRANSFORMERS,” “Avatar,” “Iron Man” and “Star Wars.”

“TRANSFORMERS,” the first in the film’s trilogy, debuted in 2007 and garnered three Academy Award® nominations.  The sequel, “TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN,” opened in 2009 and earned an Academy Award® nomination.  The third film in the franchise, “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” premiered in 2011.  The three “TRANSFORMERS” films were directed by Michael Bay, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and released by Paramount Pictures.

In PROMETHEUS, two brilliant young scientists, Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) lead an expedition on a journey to meet their “makers” – beings who may have created life on our planet. In their work as archeologists, they have discovered clues in cave pictograms from ancient civilizations across the world, all of which point to the same location in distant space, and have persuaded a corporation, Weyland Industries, to fund the mission. Shaw is a believer: she wants to meet the “gods” (beings who may have created life on our planet ) as a way of getting closer to her more traditional religious views, while Holloway is looking to debunk these kinds of spiritual notions.

Logan Marshall-Green takes on the role of Holloway, who is Shaw’s partner, both personally and professionally, in a quest for answers to some of humanity’s most important questions. Like Shaw, Holloway has a thirst for answers, but he thinks the end of their search will yield very different results from those Shaw expects.

“Shaw is the heart of the search; Holloway is the guts,” adds Marshall-Green. “I think Holloway is searching for answers to these huge questions because he’s always pushing the envelope. He goes to the extreme in everything he does, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse of the team. I think what drives him is the thrill of the search.”

Director Ridley Scott has created a new mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey, aboard the spaceship Prometheus, to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race from an indigenous race of bio-mechanoid killers. The movie stars Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, and Charlize Theron.

PROMETHEUS will be in theaters June 8.

Visit the official site:  http://www.projectprometheus.com/

“Like”ť it on Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/prometheus

Follow the film on Twitter:  @PrometheusMovie

YouTube:  www.youtube.com/Prometheus6812

From 20th Century Fox comes a new featurette for PROMETHEUS. Director Ridley Scott has created a new mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey, aboard the spaceship Prometheus, to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race from an indigenous race of bio-mechanoid killers. “After you’ve seen Prometheus,” Scott says, “you will have experienced something completely unexpected.”

Next Thursday (May 31) you can watch the live stream of the PROMETHEUS Red Carpet Premiere from London. Verizon will host the stream in the US on its Verizion FiOS Facebook page, while fans across the globe can access the stream here -  http://www.live.prometheusmovie.com/.

PROMETHEUS arrives in theaters June 8.

Visit the official site:  http://www.projectprometheus.com/

“Like”ť it on Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/prometheus

Follow the film on Twitter:  @PrometheusMovie

YouTube:  www.youtube.com/Prometheus6812

Two new TV spots have been released for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. The film hits theaters in a little less than two months.

Opening on July 20, 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises” is the much-anticipated epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. The film’s international all-star cast is led by Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) in the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Reprising their roles from both “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) plays Lucius Fox.

The film is directed by Nolan from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull are the executive producers, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. “The Dark Knight Rises” is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman created by Bob Kane.

A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, “The Dark Knight Rises” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.

http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/
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Cinemark Holdings, Inc., the world’s highest attended motion picture exhibitor, is pleased to announce that the “Summer Classics Series,” featuring eight legendary Hollywood movies, will take place in over 100 Cinemark theatres across the country. All of these digitally restored movies, from the Warner Bros. film catalogue, will be scheduled to play each Wednesday, during the months of June and July, at two separate show times, 2 pm and 7pm.

“Cinemark’s Classic Film Series presents a great opportunity for movie-lovers to revisit some of the greatest Hollywood films of all time,” states James Meredith, VP of Marketing & Communications for Cinemark. “Our customers can experience all of these celebrated movies as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen, with crystal clear digital projection and incredible surround sound.”

Cinemark has worked with Warner Bros. to select eight titles that were visionary films at their time of release, and still stand as true “classics” in every sense of the word. The list of films and dates of their presentation are:

Cinemark takes pride in creating the best entertainment experience in the industry. In order to make movie-going as easy and enjoyable as possible, Cinemark focuses on offering more choices to their customers. For example, “Print at Home” ticketing, available at www.cinemark.com, makes it easy for patrons to purchase tickets in advance from the comfort of their home or office. Customers can bypass lines at the box office and go directly to a kiosk in the theatre lobby. Also, guests can download and purchase tickets through Cinemark’s mobile applications that are available for iPhone and Android phones. Finally, to stay connected, customers can sign up online to receive free, weekly showtime e-mailers that contain online coupons for discounts at the concession stand and other weekly special offers.

A full list of participating Cinemark locations, advance ticket purchases and show time information can be found at www.cinemark.com.

Ashley Greene, Sebastian Stan, and Tom Felton will have you believing that ”Once you believe it’s real, you die” in Dark Castle Entertainment’s and Warner Bros Pictures’ trailer for THE APPARITION. From writer and director Todd Lincoln, the supernatural thriller will be in theaters on August 24.

When frightening events start to occur in their home, young couple Kelly (Ashley Greene) and Ben (Sebastian Stan) discover they are being haunted by a presence that was accidentally conjured during a university parapsychology experiment. The horrifying apparition feeds on their fear and torments them no matter where they try to run. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural (Tom Felton), but even with his help they may already be too late to save themselves from this terrifying force…

THE APPARITION is from producers Joel Silver, Andrew Rona, and Alex Heineman & Executive Producers Steve Richards, Sue Baden-Powell, and Daniel Alter.

Visit the official site: http://theapparition.warnerbros.com/

“Like” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theapparition

This film has been rated PG-13 for terror/frightening images and some sensuality.

It’s ‪Gwensday‬! To honor the day, here’s a new pic of Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and the international trailer for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.

Six minutes of the highly anticipated film THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN™ will be shown in IMAX® 3D and other select theatres with MEN IN BLACK™ 3 beginning Friday, May 25.

One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN™. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves from a story by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Swing by the official site here: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

“Like” it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theamazingspiderman

Follow on Twitter: @SpiderManMovie  #AmazingSpiderMan

Check out the new trailer for 20th Century Fox’s THE WATCH. In theaters July 27. Vince Vaughn dropped by Conan last night to give fans a look at his new comedy.

And the NSFW, Red Band trailer from earlier this month.

Starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill & Richard Ayoade, THE WATCH is the story of four everyday suburban guys who come together as an excuse to escape their humdrum lives one night a week. But when they accidentally discover that their town has become overrun with aliens posing as ordinary suburbanites, they have no choice but to save their neighborhood — and the world — from total extermination.

Visit the official site: http://jointhewatch.com

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thewatchmovie

“Like” it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewatchmovie

WAMG has some last minutes passes to see CHERNOBYL DIARIES - an original story from Oren Peli (@Oren_Peli), who first terrified audiences with his groundbreaking thriller, “Paranormal Activity.”

Click on the link to see the screening of the film in St. Louis THURSDAY: http://www.quarantineyourcity.com/#MO/St.+Louis

or enter your name below and email address to receive a gofobo code!

The film follows a group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an “extreme” tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago.

After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone…

Brad Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with CHERNOBYL DIARIES.

Alcon Entertainment, FilmNation Entertainment and Oren Peli/Brian Witten Pictures present, an Oren Peli/Brian Witten Pictures production, “Chernobyl Diaries.” The film opens on May 25, 2012 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film has been rated R for violence, some bloody images and pervasive language.

The screenplay was written by Oren Peli and Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke, based on a story by Peli. Peli also produces, with Brian Witten. Richard Sharkey, Rob Cowan, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Allison Silver, Milan Popelka and Alison Cohen serve as executive producers.

The film’s cast includes Devin Kelley, Jonathan Sadowski, Ingrid Bolsř Berdal, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jesse McCartney, Nathan Phillips and Dimitri Diatchenko.

Parker’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Morten Sřborg, production designer Aleksandar Denic, editor Stan Salfas, visual effects supervisor Mark Forker and costume designer Momirka Bailovic. The music is by Diego Stocco.

Visit the official site: http://chernobyldiaries.warnerbros.com/

“Like” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chernobyldiaries

Follow on Twitter: @SeeChernobyl  #ChernobylDiaries

Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games juggernaut will arrive on home entertainment at 12:01 A.M. on Saturday, August 18, as the first film in Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) The Hunger Games franchise, which has already grossed nearly $400 million at the North American box office and is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office, debuts on 2-disc DVD (plus digital copy), 2-disc Blu-Ray (plus digital copy), VOD and digital download with three hours of previously unavailable bonus materials in the biggest home entertainment launch in Lionsgate’s history, the Company announced today.

The film, based on the New York Times best-selling novel from writer Suzanne Collins, achieved a remarkable four-week run as the #1 film at the North American theatrical box office where it has already grossed $392 million, ranking as the 14^th highest-grossing film of all time, and it is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office with an early June opening slated in China.

The 2-disc Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD arrive loaded with over three hours of extensive bonus materials including the comprehensive eight-part documentary, “The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games.” Other special features include a sit-down conversation with director Gary Ross as well as numerous featurettes that examine the global success of the books, the creation of the control room in the film and the filmmakers’ motivation behind creating new scenes that were not in the book plus much more.  The Blu-ray Disc set contains an additional exclusive feature, “Preparing for the Games: A Director’s Process,” which looks at the progression of taking three key scenes from the book to the screen. The Hunger Games Blu-ray Disc and DVD is a must-have film that is hailed as “exciting and thought-provoking in a way few adventure dramas ever are” (New York Daily News).  Fans will be able to pre-order the Blu-ray Disc and DVD, starting on Friday, May 25^th, for $39.99 and $30.98, respectively.

“The motion picture event of the year is poised to become the home entertainment event of the year and, with a midnight launch and midnight retail events scheduled at stores around the country, we expect to replicate the same level of consumer excitement generated by the film’s theatrical debut,” said Ron Schwartz, Lionsgate Executive Vice President & General Manager, Home Entertainment.  “This is far and away the biggest home entertainment launch in Lionsgate’s history and, true to a theatrical marketing campaign that incorporated an unprecedented reliance on digital and traditional media alike, our home entertainment launch will involve a similarly innovative and integrated digital and packaged media rollout that we will unveil in the weeks ahead.”

Directed by Academy Award^® nominee Gary Ross (Seabiscuit), The Hunger Games, starring Academy Award^® nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), features an ensemble cast that includes Golden Globe^® winner Donald Sutherland (Citizen X), Academy Award^® nominee Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Academy Award^® nominee Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt), Lenny Kravitz (Precious) and Emmy^® nominee Elizabeth Banks (TV’s “30 Rock”). The film also stars some of the industry’s brightest up and coming actors such as Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right) and Liam Hemsworth (The Expendables 2).

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of books published by Scholastic that has already become a literary phenomenon with over 36.5 million copies in circulation.  Set in the future, one male and one female from each of the twelve districts of the nation is forced to participate in the annual competition called The Hunger Games, which is broadcast live throughout the country for the entertainment of the Capitol’s wealthy residents. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister’s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she’s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives.  If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

BLU-RAY & DVD SPECIAL FEATURES^*

• “The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games” – an eight-part documentary covering the “making of” the film in all aspects from the pre-production process all the way through the theatrical release and fan reactions
• “Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenon” featurette
•  “Letters from the Rose Garden” featurette – insights from Donald Sutherland on the development of his role as President Snow
• “Controlling the Games” featurette – stories and concepts behind creating the control center
• “A Conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell”
• Propaganda Film (in its entirety)
• Marketing Archive
• “Preparing for The Games: A Director’s Process” (Blu-ray Exclusive)

* Subject to change

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2012
Title Copyright: © 2012 Lionsgate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images- all involving teens
Genre: Action/Adventure
Blu-ray Closed Captioned: English SDH
DVD Closed Captioned: English
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Blu-ray Format: 1080P High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
DVD Format: 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
Feature Running Time: 142 minutes
Blu-ray Audio Status: English 7.1 DTS HD-MA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late Night Listening and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
DVD Audio Status: English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late Night Listening and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

To experience The Hunger Games online, please visit:

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Twitter Page: @TheHungerGames  #HungerGamesDVD

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of primetime cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 16 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning “Mad Men,” “Weeds” and “Nurse Jackie,” along with the powerful drama “Boss,” the new network series “Nashville” and “Next Caller,” the syndication successes “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” its spinoff “Meet the Browns,” “The Wendy Williams Show” and “Are We There Yet?” and the upcoming “Anger Management,” starring Charlie Sheen, and “Orange Is The New Black,” an original series for Netflix.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first installment of “The Hunger Games” franchise, which  has already grossed nearly $650 million at the worldwide box office, “The Expendables,” “The Lincoln Lawyer,”  ”Cabin In The Woods,” “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family” and “Margin Call.” With the January 2012 acquisition of Summit Entertainment, the Company now has the two leading young adult franchises – the blockbuster “Twilight Saga,” which has grossed more than $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office, and “The Hunger Games.” Recent Summit hits include “Red,” “Letters to Juliet,” “Knowing,” the “Step Up” franchise and the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, “The Hurt Locker.”

Lionsgate’s home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

The Zoosters need YOUR help! Find the penguins, navigate your way through Europe, and escape the clutches of Capitaine DuBois in Madagascar 3: Furry vs. The Fuzz Video Adventure!

Don’t forget to see MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED, in theaters June 8 in 3D!

It’s time to “WIG” out!

DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mad-wig-out/id525137708?mt=8

In the third installment of the billion-dollar “Madagascar” franchise, Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer) are determined to make their way back to The Central Park Zoo in New York City. Leaving Africa behind, they’ve taken a detour and surfaced, quite literally, in Europe — on a hunt for the penguins and chimps who have managed to break the bank of a Monte Carlo casino. Soon the animals are discovered by dogged French animal control officer Capitaine Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand) who does not appreciate zoo animals running wild in her city and is thrilled by the idea of hunting her first lion! The Zoosters find the perfect cover in a down-and-out traveling circus where they hatch a plan to reinvent the circus, discover a few new talents and make it home to New York alive.

For the first time in 3D, the Zoosters of Madagascar are on the run, hiding out with the circus, doing death defying tricks and making new friends.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Presents MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED, a PDI/DreamWorks Production featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston and Martin Short. The film is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, helmers of the franchise’s the first two installments, which earned more than $1 billion at the boxoffice, and are joined this go-round by director Conrad Vernon (“Shrek 2,” “Monsters vs. Aliens”). The screenplay is written by Eric Darnell and Noah Baumbach (“Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Greenberg”). It is produced by Mireille Soria (“Madagascar 2”) and Mark Swift (“Madagascar 2”). The music is by Hans Zimmer.

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED has been rated ‘PG’ for some mild action and rude humor by the MPAA.

Visit the film’s official site:  http://www.madagascarmovie.com/

“Like” it on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MadagascarMovie

Follow on Twitter:  @DWAnimation 

Jennifer Garner and Alfred Molina star in SERENA, a short film written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia, a co-founder of WIGS along with Jon Avnet and Jake Avnet.  Garner plays Serena, a woman who makes a series of shocking confessions to her Priest (Molina).

“Serena,” the first WIGS short film, is premiering now on youtube.com/wigs.

“Jennifer and Alfred were perfect,” remarked Rodrigo Garcia. “They elevated the script and found feeling and laughter where I had not seen it. I wish everything was this easy and fun.”

“Serena” is the first of 10 short films planned for WIGS, and comes on the heels of the channel’s first series, “Jan.” The first six episodes of “Jan,” which stars Caitlin Gerard, Virginia Madsen, and Stephen Moyer, are available on youtube.com/wigs.

Over the coming weeks and months, WIGS will continue to release content produced with a renowned group of writers and filmmakers, all starring female leads. Upcoming programming showcases actors including: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Beals, Maura Tierney, Michael C. Hall, America Ferrera, Jason Isaacs, Allison Janney, Jane Kaczmarek, Jena Malone, Rosanna Arquette, Walton Goggins, Jimmy Wolk, Gary Cole, Tim DeKay, Jason O’Mara, and Catherine O’Hara.

News Corp. Digital Media Group (NDM), a division of News Corporation, is the marketing partner for WIGS.

Jon Avnet has directed, written, and produced almost seventy films, television movies, and Broadway plays over the last 30 years, winning most of the major awards: Oscar’s, Emmy’s, Tony’s, Peabody’s, and the Humanitas. In 2010, Mr. Avnet executive produced “Black Swan,” starring Natalie Portman (Academy Award Winner) and directed by Darren Aronofsky.

Mr. Avnet co-wrote, directed, and/or produced: “Fried Green Tomatoes” (Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates,Mary-Louise Parker), “Up Close and Personal” (Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer), and most recently, “Righteous Kill” (Robert De Niro and Al Pacino). He produced Paul Brickman’s “Risky Business” as well.

For television, Mr. Avnet executive produced “The Burning Bed” (Farrah Fawcett); co-wrote with Paul Brickman, directed, and executive produced “Uprising”; directed and executive produced “Boomtown” (with Graham Yost), and “The Starter Wife” six-hour mini-series. Currently, Mr. Avnet directs “Justified” with Timothy Olyphant, adapted by Graham Yost from Elmore Leonard’s, “Fire in the Hole.”

On Broadway, he has produced “History Boys,” “Spamalot,” “Pillowman,” “The Seafarer,” and “Inherit the Wind,” winning 12 Tony Awards.

Rodrigo Garcia’s first film as writer and director, “Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her,” opened “Un Certain Regard” at the Cannes Film Festival 2000 and won the award for best film in that category.

Mr. Garcia’s other credits as writer/director include: “Ten Tiny Love Stories,” “Nine Lives” (Winner Best Film Locarno Film Festival 2005), and “Mother and Child” (Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, Samuel Jackson). Mr. Garcia’s credits also include the pilots for HBO series “Carnivale” and “Big Love.” Additionally, he shot the pilot for, and was the executive producer and showrunner of, the first season of “In Treatment.”

Most recently, he directed “Albert Nobbs” (Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Janet McTeer, Brendan Gleeson), which was nominated for three Academy Awards.

WIGS is a new digital channel, launched in May 2012 by Jon Avnet, Rodrigo Garcia, and Jake Avnet, featuring world-class talent in original series, short films, documentaries and other content exploring female characters. Dozens of scripted episodes will be premiering in the coming months. The channel can be found at www.youtube.com/wigs, www.youtube.com/wigsespanol, and www.watchwigs.com.

“Like” on Facebook:  http://facebook.com/WIGS
Follow on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/WIGS
Check it out on Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/WatchWigs

He was listed in critical condition when this story broke last night but he’s been upgraded to stable according to his rep. The accident happened in Manhattan yesterday around 3pm when when Michael McKean was on his way to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre for his scheduled performance in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man. The 65-year old comic actor was hit by a car while crossing the street and suffered a broken leg in addition to other injuries including cuts and bruises. His wife, actress Annette O’Toole flew in from L.A. to be at his side. McKean began his career playing Lenny on the Laverne and Shirley TV show in the ’70s and is best know to movie audiences form his costarring roles in THIS IS SPINAL TAP where he played band frontman David St. Hubbins, and the Christopher Guest comedies WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW, and A MIGHTY WIND. We Are Movie Geeks wishes Mr. McKean a speedy recovery.

Lionsgate and STUDIOCANAL have extended and expanded their partnership with a longterm renewal of the agreement under which Lionsgate distributes the STUDIOCANAL library of more than 2,000 titles as well as a new agreement for STUDIOCANAL to distribute the next installment of THE HUNGER GAMES franchise, CATCHING FIRE, in the German speaking territories, the two companies announced today at the Cannes Film Festival.

The first film in the franchise, the global blockbuster THE HUNGER GAMES, has grossed nearly $400 million at the North American box office and is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office, including more than $24 million at the box office in the German speaking territories.

“STUDIOCANAL exemplifies the global reach, market leadership and innovative thinking of the media companies with whom we are partnered around the world,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Motion Picture Group President Steve Beeks.  “We’re delighted to expand our longstanding STUDIOCANAL relationship with a renewal of our filmed entertainment library distribution agreement as well as an agreement for STUDIOCANAL to distribute CATCHING FIRE in the German speaking territories. Our STUDIOCANAL partnership has been an important part of our growth around the world, and we believe that they will become an even more important part of our future.”

Olivier Courson, Chairman of STUDIOCANAL : “Lionsgate has always been a great partner to STUDIOCANAL. In the US they have distributed our library, from GRAND ILLUSION to TERMINATOR 2. They had a great success with LAST EXORCISM, opening it to over $20 million. In the UK we are partners in the leading independents home entertainment operation Elevation.  And in Germany, we have a long term relationship on current films and are very happy to have THE HUNGER GAMES. Strengthening our partnership with an even stronger Lionsgate on a long term basis is a great opportunity for STUDIOCANAL.”

“Lionsgate has been very successful in monetizing our library titles over the years, and we’re pleased to extend that arrangement for many years to come,” said STUDIOCANAL Germany CEO Rodolphe Buet. “Lionsgate’s pipeline includes some of the most commercially exciting films in the world and we’re delighted to follow up our successful relationship on THE HUNGER GAMES with distribution of the next exciting film in the franchise, CATCHING FIRE, throughout the German speaking territories.  We believe that THE HUNGER GAMES phenomenon will continue to build worldwide and will resonate with our audiences for years to come.”

The STUDIOCANAL library includes DVD, television, on demand and digital rights to some of the top titles from the former Carolco and DEG libraries, including TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, TOTAL RECALL, BASIC INSTINCT and RAMBO as well as classics such as TENDER MERCIES, CRIMES OF THE HEART, FRANCES and EVIL DEAD II and French masterpieces including Jean Renoir’s GRAND ILLUSION and RULES OF THE GAME and Luis Bunuel’s THAT OBSCURE OBJECT OF DESIRE and THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE.

In addition to Lionsgate’s distribution of the STUDIOCANAL library and STUDIOCANAL’s distribution of THE HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE in the German-speaking territories, Lionsgate UK and STUDIOCANAL are partnered in the UK in Elevation Sales, a home entertainment sales and distribution joint venture.

Today at 1:30pm, St. Louis fans who have been eagerly awaiting the July 20 release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” will have an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the Tumbler and the Bat-Pod, which are rolling out on a coast-to-coast tour, sponsored by Mountain Dew®. and IMAX®

1:30 PM – 7 PM

BUSCH STADIUM

700 CLARK ST
ST. LOUIS, MO

Both the Tumbler and the Bat-Pod have served as high-powered modes of transportation for Batman in Christopher Nolan’s earlier blockbusters—with the Tumbler first appearing in “Batman Begins,” and the Bat-Pod being introduced in “The Dark Knight.” They will both be featured in different ways in the hugely anticipated finale to the director’s Batman trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The full schedule details have been posted. Visit www.tumblertour.com to see if the Tumbler and the Bat-Pod are pulling into a city near you! They’re still adding stops, so be sure to check back often for updates.

Be sure to tweet your pics using the hashtag #TumblerTour or email them to wbtumblertour@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the gallery.

More information on the tour can be found at:
www.tumblertour.com
www.facebook.com/tumblertour
 @tumblertour  #TumblerTour

About “The Dark Knight Rises“:

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Film by Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight Rises.” The film stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Morgan Freeman.

Christopher Nolan directed the film from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven are the producers, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers, and Jordan Goldberg co-producing. “The Dark Knight Rises” is based upon Batman characters created by Bob Kane and published by DC Comics.

Opening in theatres and IMAX on July 20, 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.

http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/
http://www.facebook.com/thedarkknightrises

The story of Men In Black 3 takes the filmmakers back – back to the characters’ origins, back to the key moments of their relationship, to focus on the key elements that have kept them at arms’ length from each other for 15 years – and looked for ways to resolve the conflict. The answer came in sending Agent J back – back in time.

“We wanted the movie to be both familiar and different,” says director Barry Sonnenfeld, who has taken the helm of all three Men In Black films. “What’s familiar is the characters and premise of the Men in Black and who they are. We wanted to bring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones back together again. But we also wanted something new and inventive, and that came in the time travel element.”

SPOILERS AHEAD

“At the beginning of the movie, J and K are still partners – but they haven’t learned much about each other in all their time together,” says producer Walter F. Parkes.  “In fact, at the very beginning of the story, the character of Zed has recently died and K gives a eulogy that provides no information whatsoever about him. This despite the fact that Zed was supposedly his best friend for 45 years. It makes J think, after all these years, what do I really know about the guy sitting next to me? That is the foundation for our story, and it coincides with the escape of an alien, Boris the Animal, that K put away 40 years earlier, in 1969 – and he’s coming back for some kind of payback on K.”

Of course, even as the movie explores the characters’ relationships, it isn’t a heavy drama. It’s Men In Black, and that meant it would deliver trippy Rick Baker aliens, cool gadgets, and big laughs. All of that adds up to an irresistible tone that isn’t quite like any other film.

The team behind the scenes includes seven-time Oscar®-winner (including one for his work on Men In Black) Rick Baker designing the aliens; five-time Oscar®-winner Ken Ralston and Jay Redd supervising the visual effects; Director of Photography Bill Pope, who shot the Matrix movies and Spider-Man™ 2 and 3;  and production designer Bo Welch, who creates not only the futuristic world of the Men in Black in 2012 but also the retro-futuristic world of 1969.

According to Parkes, it was Baker’s idea to have a little fun in his alien designs. “He came in one day and said, ‘What if the aliens in 1969 were 1960s aliens, retro-futuristic aliens that reflected our collective memory of that time and a more innocent approach to sci-fi?’  It was just such a charming idea, and everyone went for it.”

“The aliens capture a texture, a wonderful sense of humor, and a clever inventiveness that lends itself to this world,” says actor Will Smith.

The demands of the film required close coordination between Baker and Ralston – each legends in their respective fields of make-up and visual effects who have known each other since their teenage years. “I was excited to be working with Ken,” says Baker. “I thought, ‘Now we can really do a nice marriage of our techniques.’” Knowing each other as well as they do, Baker and Ralston could work out whether make-up, animatronics, or CG provided the best solution to each design challenge on a case-by-case basis.

“Barry Sonenfeld has a very, very good visual sense – I think because he used to be a DP,” says Rick Baker. “But maybe his greatest skill as a director is to be open to the ideas of the people around him. He hires people that he believes in and knows are good, talented people – and he genuinely wants their opinions about the work they are doing.”

Rick Baker’s inventive (and Oscar®-winning) aliens are a vital part of Men In Black, so it’s no surprise that the legendary artist returns for Men In Black 3. For Baker, working on the Men In Black movies is especially fulfilling because the films inevitably require him to design in so many different ways: “Some films are straight makeup – say, we’ll do age makeup. Others will call for fake bodies or heads. Others, we’ll make animatronic characters and puppets. The Men In Black movies involve all of those things – and I got to design for the computer-generated stuff as well. We ended up making about a hundred aliens for this movie, and you could have made a whole story about any one of them.”

Sonnenfeld says that Baker’s sensibilities mesh perfectly with the “play it straight” tone he brings to the rest of the movie. “You don’t want to design weird, wacky aliens,” he says. “If the aliens are funny, you want it to come out of observational humor, or their attitude, or the audience thinking, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’”

Production designer Bo Welch says that before finalizing his set designs, he first looks to Baker’s creations to make sure everything will mesh. “He designs fabulous aliens and I design an environment that highlights them,” he says. “We use a very tightly controlled palette, so the textures, shapes, and colors of the aliens can breathe and be seen and enjoyed in their full glory and splendor.”

For the 1969 sequence, Baker came up with the idea that the aliens would be “retro” – that is, inspired by the aliens seen in 60s-era sci-fi. “The challenge on the first Men In Black movie, and it’s stayed our challenge since then, is to do aliens that look unlike any aliens that we’ve seen before,” says Baker. This time around, Baker pitched the filmmakers on a unique solution: “Let’s intentionally do aliens that look like something we’ve seen before, only a better version of them. Let’s imagine that the guys who made monster movies back in the 50s and 60s really happened to see a real alien and based their monster design on that. And they liked that idea. That was where I really had fun on this movie – to do my version of those classic science fiction aliens as a lot of fun.”

How does one design a retro alien? “Lots of brains and veins, stuff like that,” he says. “We have an alien based on a fish, definitely from an aquatic world. I have a cameo in the film, where I’m an alien with an exposed brain. By comparison, our 2012 aliens are much more sleek and polished.”

Baker also designed the lead alien: the bad guy, Boris the Animal, played by Jemaine Clement. Baker designed a very badass biker costume, complete with goggles that seem to be embedded deep in Boris’s eye sockets. “I got the chance to make Jemaine into something he really isn’t,” says Baker. “He’s really a very gentle man, but in the costume, he is much more menacing – and, the women on set have told me, sexy.”

“When I first came in, Rick Baker sat me down and asked, ‘Are you claustrophobic?’” Clement recalls, laughing. “He asked me all of these questions – I’m not sure if they were intended to scare me, and they did scare me a little. He also mentioned that a lot of people who do a makeup-effects character only do it once in their careers.” And with good reason: on his first day on set, Clement spent eight hours in the makeup chair (a total that was soon streamlined to three-to-four hours once they established a rhythm).

Of course, it’s not all aliens and monsters. Make-up artist Christian Tinsley was tasked with making Josh Brolin look just a little more like Tommy Lee Jones: the actor was fitted with a mold of Tommy Lee Jones’s nose that was found in the studio archives from 20 years ago.

In addition, Baker transformed Bill Hader into Andy Warhol. “I really enjoyed the couple of days I spent with Bill, doing his makeup, because we love the same kinds of movies.  We had a lot of fun talking while we were doing the makeup,” says Baker. “And, it turns out, he’s a fan of my work, so he knew what to expect – he was good in the chair.”

“The Men In Black cars have always been cool,” says Sonnenfeld, meaning they would have to find a car suited to the MIB from 1969. Their answer: the Ford Galaxy. “Not only does it have an iconographic look, but anything called the Galaxy seems like it belongs in our movie,” Sonnenfeld explains.

Welch says that the car stands out for its oversized beauty. “We went with the two-door version, which I think is so much better looking than the four-door.  It’s got a great tail – everything about it evokes space travel to me.”

Of course, that’s not J and K’s only way of getting around 1969 New York: they also have monocycles, single-wheeled vehicles with a gyroscopic center seat.

The monocycle is the only way to keep up with Boris, who has his own menacing ride. “We wanted a bike that blends in with 1969 biker culture, but also fit Boris’s design, meaning it should incorporate organic and hardware in beautiful harmony,” says Welch.

The 9˝-foot-long bike weighed 800 pounds and reached 100 mph. “It’s half-creature, half-jet engine,” says Harlocker. “It’s an amalgamation of all sorts of technologies.”

Another integral element to the MIB universe are the myriad gadgets and weapons used by the agents – only now, we get to see some of the earlier, prototype versions during the 1969 scenes.

For example, the memory-erasing neuralyzer is, by 2012, sleek. By contrast, in 1969, the neuralyzer takes up an entire room at headquarters.  “In 1969, it’s the same shape, but a hundred times larger and powered by tubes,” says Welch. “As our technology always does, it got smaller and cleaner by 2012.  Back in 1969 it was still large and clunky – and yet gorgeous.”

“The inspiration was MRIs,” says Welch. “You get loaded into the machine and spit out the other side. It’s loud and violent and horribly dangerous because it’s new technology that hasn’t been refined yet.”

Harlocker’s team constructed a vessel weighing 6,000 pounds, 18 feet long and 14 feet high, in which only one person could be neuralyzed at a time.  “One of the things we tried to do with the 1969 scenes was make things big and cumbersome.  I think that’s funny,” he says.

Perhaps the most lethal weapons in the movie belong to Boris. Clement explains: “Inside Boris’s hands lives his henchman, which we called his ‘weasel.’  It is a horrible, vicious creature that fires porcupine-like, deadly sharp quills, usually into people’s foreheads.” The weasel was a collaboration between Ralston and Baker, and the quills were carried out from Baker’s design and realized by Harlocker’s team, as they manufactured, painted, and added hair to 125 quills based on Baker’s design.

In the end, it seems that when Baker is working on the Men In Black films, he’s like a kid with his hands on a really great practical joke. “Emma Thompson said to me that one of the things she liked about the first two Men In Black films was that the aliens aren’t necessarily in your face all the time, but they’re there. You know, an alien might appear for only a few frames past somebody in the Men in Black headquarters, but it’s fun to do that.  I think it’s cool to put in aliens that people won’t even see until their fourth or fifth time around. For example, in this movie, in the Coney Island sequence, there’s a crazy alien in the back playing pinball. You have to look for it.”

Columbia Pictures presents in association with Hemisphere Media Capital an Amblin Entertainment production in association with Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, a Barry Sonnenfeld film, Men In Black™ 3. The film stars Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Emma Thompson. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.  Produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. Written by Etan Cohen. Based on the Malibu Comic by Lowell Cunningham. Executive Producers are Steven Spielberg and G. Mac Brown. Director of Photography is Bill Pope, ASC.  Production Designer is Bo Welch. Editor is Don Zimmerman, A.C.E.  Music by Danny Elfman. Costume Designer is Mary Vogt. Alien Make-up Effects by Rick Baker. Visual Effects Supervisors are Ken Ralston and Jay Redd.  Special Visual Effects by Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. Featuring the new single “Back In Time” performed by Pitbull.

MEN IN BLACK 3will be in theaters May 25, 2012.

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