Suddenly all the children in the world fall into a catatonic state. 10 years later they awaken and begin killing all the adults in a small town.

Directed by – Hal Masonberg

Written by – Hal Masonberg, Teal Minton

Starring – James Van Der Beek, Ivana Milicevic, Brad Hunt, Joshua Close, John P. Connolly, Dee Wallace, Brittany Scobie, Bradley Sawatzky, Jon Ted Wynne, Arne MacPherson, Gene Pyrz, Genevieve Pelletier, Chad Panting, David Stuart Evans, Jan Skene

This one has taken me way, way too long to get to. Quite a time ago I reviewed this movie and received a comment from the director, Hal Masonberg, pointing me to this website – Spreading the Plague. He had been working on getting a new version of the film released. The studio, as I’m sure the often do, had recut and released the film and it was much different from the director’s original vision. Hal had been trying to spread the word about the movie and how he was attempting to get a writers and director’s cut released. I contacted him and expressed my interest in helping to spread the word and he gratefully sent me a copy of his cut of the film.

Honestly, the first version that I saw wasn’t that bad really. I just felt that it had some unexplored ideas that I would have liked to have seen more of. Now with this version I didn’t really notice too many changes but the ones that I did catch do make the movie much more fulfilling than the studio version. There’s more to the characters and I actually found a better understanding for some of them. It also made me more sympathetic towards them as well. It’s not a masterpiece but it’s still a really good movie.

The ideas that are peppered throughout the film are really intriguing and I still would like to see them explored more. This global crisis of every child falling into a coma and the fact that any child born within the last 10 years suffering the same fate is a very cool idea. This version has some subtle references to the effect that it’s had on the global economy which I don’t believe were in the first version. Either way, I give these guys credit for taking what was a good horror film and injecting some character development, thereby making it not only a good horror flick, but adding a level of suspense that wasn’t there before.

Now, I also agreed to give my two cents on the entire DVD, as it’s a 2 disc version, and the entire package itself. The packaging looks great and the DVD’s themselves, while obviously made at a lower budget, look well done and would only look better if made more professionally. What really blew me away was the amount of extras here. While we’re typically treated to overblown interviews with stars and some made-for-tv documentaries on the making of, this DVD had some impressive behind the scenes looks at the film. For a film buff like me who really takes an interest in how a movie is made it was amazing. There’s some really in depth stuff here with storyboard to film comparisons, a director’s diary, and a documentary (which is also available for viewing at the above mentioned site) giving more insight into how and why everyone would like to see this cut brought out for the audience.

The one thing I didn’t get to was the commentary. I started to listen but then wanted to just watch the movie to better get the differences in the two versions. I’m glad I did as what is missing from the studio cut is alot of character development. I can only imagine that the commentary is equally as entertaining and informative as all the other features on the disc. It’s a shame that both versions weren’t released together since that’s usually the case nowadays. It goes to show how just a few minor changes can affect a movie so drastically.

You can find my original review here. And I still recommend checking out the Spreading the Plague website and signing the petition to help get this movie released. I don’t know how many of you guys enjoy movies the way I do but this type of stuff has always been interesting to me and it’s a great way to show support for a filmmaker.

Under the marquee – Will

Within minutes every child under the age of 9 falls into a coma. Ten years later they all wake up and begin killing everyone in sight.

Directed by – Hal Masonberg

Written by – Hal Masonberg, Teal Minton

Starring – James Van Der Beek, Ivana Milicevic, Brad Hunt, Joshua Close, John P. Connolly, Dee Wallace, Brittany Scobie, Bradley Sawatzky, Jon Ted Wynne, Arne MacPherson, Gene Pyrz

Just the sight of James Van Der Beek’s name sent chills up my spine and I had a sudden sense of dread that this movie would slowly kill me. Maybe it was my low expectation but this movie was actually really good. Sure it’s full of horror cliches and I’m still not sold on James Van Der Beek but the concept was so cool that I couldn’t care.

The problem with such a great concept is that it just wasn’t explored enough in the movie. You’ve got every child under 9, the entire world over, fall into a coma for 10 years. During those 10 years any child that is born is in a coma. It becomes such a problem that pregnancy is on the verge of being banned. We learn all this through some random news reports that are heard in passing. There’s alot in there that I’d like to hear more about in a movie. The banning of pregnancy altogether and peoples reactions to it alone would make for an interesting flick. Sadly they’re just passing notes of background here.

The conclusion of the flick has it’s very religious undertones while at the same time it doesn’t. A good balance for those that may be turned off by a ‘Christian’ horror flick. We’re never treated to the explanation of what happened to the kids or what the future may hold for everyone but I didn’t feel it was a problem. Something about this one really grabbed me but I’m not sure it’s everyone’s cup of tea. I can already picture some of my pals groaning in disgust at the end of the movie and complaining that I made them watch it. The concept is alot more interesting than the movie itself but it was for that reason alone that I was so into it. If you really can’t find anything else to watch than I’d suggest this one.

Under the marquee – Will

En expansion till Red Alert 3 är ju på g och EAs pr-maskin kör vidare med en mängd klipp. Här en lite försenad Alla hjärtans dag-hälsning ifrån Ivana Milicevic som spelar Dasha i C&C3.

Gillar speciellt tummen upp på slutet :-)

/Bengan

EA Announces All-Star Celebrity Cast for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3:  Uprising

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced the members of the live action movie cast for Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 3: Uprising, the upcoming campaign expansion to last fall’s award-winning Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 3. Picking up in the aftermath of the events in the original, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising features an eclectic cast starring in the all new, live-action movie sequences the Command & Conquer franchise is known for. From sci- fi legends to rising starlets and masters of the squared-circle, the cast of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising includes (in alphabetical order): Jamie Chung, (Dragonball Evolution), Ric Flair (16-time world heavyweight wrestling champion), Malcolm McDowell (Heroes, Clockwork Orange, Wing Commander), Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (Prison Break), Holly Valance (Neighbours) along with returning fan-favorites Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic.

“Quality live-action movies and storytelling have always been a unique component to the Command & Conquer DNA and we wanted to make sure we did things right with Uprising,” said Amer Ajami, Senior Producer at EA Los Angeles. “We are really pleased we were able to assemble another large and talented ensemble for Uprising, and we think our fans are going to be pleased by everyone’s performances not only in the cutscenes, but also in Commander’s Challenge, where you’ll actually be battling some of our stars.”

“When I found out that EA wanted me to be part of Command & Conquer, all I could say was ‘Woooooooooooo!’” said 16-time world heavyweight champion, Ric Flair, who stars as Commander Hill, a commander players will have to take on in the new Commander’s Challenge mode. “I had a great time on set and while I may have retired from the ring, I think my fans are going to love seeing the ‘Nature Boy’ style and profile his way to victory. I know my kids are going to have a great time trying to take it to me on the battlefield.”

Malcolm McDowell, who plays Rupert Thornley, the president of the European Union, and had previously starred in the live-action movies for the Wing Commander franchise, added, “It’s great to be working with good actors and the more good actors you can get to do games, the better. In the past people might have thought you could get away with anything in games and that isn’t a good attitude. Kids are spending a lot of money and time on these games and they deserve first rate performers and I’m glad to say that this is what Uprising is.”

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising will take players deeper into the Red Alert™ universe with four new mini-campaigns set in the aftermath of the events of Red Alert 3. The game also features the new Commander’s Challenge mode, a series of 50 challenging, over-the-top scenarios where players will need to battle through a gauntlet of commanders and obstacles in order to unlock the game’s powerful new units.

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising will be available for digital download this March for $19.99 and has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For more information about the game, please visit www.commandandconquer.com, home of Command & Conquer TV, EA’s dedicated online Command & Conquer network that goes beyond the game and brings players all the latest news, tips and strategies straight from the developers. This Friday, fans can go to the website to catch the first episode of BattleCast^TM PrimeTime, the channel’s flagship program, which will have all the latest Command & Conquer news including an interview with Ric Flair.

And for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising’s live-action movies and the debut of the game’s first trailer, tune in this weekend to “GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley” on SpikeTV (check local listings) and GameTrailers.com.

About Command & Conquer

The groundbreaking Command & Conquer franchise was one of the first to introduce players to the modern RTS genre, has spawned over a dozen PC titles, and ranks in the top 5 best-selling PC franchises of all-time according to the NPD Group. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars^TM was the number #1 selling PC RTS of 2007 and won numerous awards, including the “Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year” award from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Additionally, Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 2 and Command & Conquer™ Generals were the number one best-selling* PC RTS titles in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Collectively, the series has sold over 26 million units worldwide to date. The franchise boasts one of the largest and most active fan communities in the world. For more information on Command & Conquer series, please visit www.CommandAndConquer.com.

* According to NPD Group

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA^TM, EA SPORTS^TM, EA SPORTS Freestyle ^TM and POGO^TM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle, POGO, Command & Conquer, Red Alert and Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

BATTLE IN SEATTLE (Estados Unidos – Canadá 2.008, 98 Minutos, Drama)
Dirección: Stuart Townsend.
Guión: Stuart Townsend.
Reparto: Isaach De Bankolé, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta, Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Andre Benjamin, Connie Nielsen, Joshua Jackson, Jennifer Carpenter, Rade Sherbedzija, Isaach de Bankole, Channing Tatum, Ivana Milicevic, Tzi Ma.
Música: Robert Del Naja, Neil Davidge.

Valoración: 6/10

Sinopsis: En 1.999 la ciudad norteamericana de Seattle acogió la reunión de la Organización Mundial del Comercio. La llegada de la entidad a la urbe hacía presagiar las protestas de millares de manifestantes pacíficos en contra de la política económica global. Sin embargo los destrozos provocados por radicales y los abusivos métodos llevados a cabo por la policía, hicieron que la marcha desembocara en una auténtica batalla urbana.

Crítica: Que la historia la escriben los vencedores, es una de esas frases a las que en contadas ocasiones rebate una excepción. Batalla en Seattle sería una de esas contadas salvedades en las que los derrotados pueden dar su propia visión de los hechos. Ya desde su misma concepción, la película del actor y ahora director debutante Stuart Townsend, escapa por completo a la imparcialidad. El filme toma partido evidente por un bando, lo cual es de alabar en una época en la que la habilidad no reside en escoger bien un lado, sino en jugar en ambos a la vez. Sin embargo esta decisión radicaliza el discurso del filme y a pesar de lo justo y loable de su propuesta, su mensaje pierde legitimidad a favor de una visión un tanto sesgada del asunto. Batalla en Seattle es una historia maniquea que alterará un tanto las entrañas de los espectadores ideológicamente más conservadores sí, pero para un apasionado Townsend es la única versión posible cuando uno se posiciona en el lado de los inocentes. El director y guionista intenta incluso humanizar a los “malos” dotándoles de una subtrama propia, pero el desarrollo de la misma no hace sino alimentar el retrato incompleto que recrea esta guerra urbana. Townsend ha tirado bien de agenda colocando a cada uno de su larga lista de familiares, amigos y colegas en uno de esos personajes principales, pero son sin embargo los menos relevantes, aquellos que son simples bajas circunstanciales de los hechos (impactante el discurso de Rade Sherbedzija), los que más ganan precisamente gracias a su sutilidad. Batalla en Seattle es una llamada de atención sobre las injusticias sociales que vive nuestro mundo, sobre la ilimitada codicia de las multinacionales y sobre la pérdida de derechos a los que se expone una sociedad regida por el dinero. Es la visión de un bando sobre un problema global al que el filme, a pesar de su dureza, decide dar un “final feliz”. Aunque como bien se ocupa en recordarnos en sus créditos, por desgracia no es un final. Todo estamos condenados a vivir en este mundo y a lidiar con sus injusticias incluso, después de que aparezca en pantalla el rótulo “The End”.

Fall in love with the sexy comedy The Oakland Tribune says has “more chuckles than The Wedding Planner.” It’s a wild blend of big laughs, high fashion and foul play. Ordinary single girl Amanda Pierce (Monica Potter) unexpectedly finds herself sharing an awesome Manhattan apartment with four sexy supermodels. Determined to bring Amanda into their world, the models give her the ultimate makeover. The plan works fabulously as Amanda connects with next door charmer Jim Winston (Freddie Prinze, Jr.). That is, until one night while spying on him, Amanda thinks she sees the man of her dreams committing a cold blooded crime. Life then unravels as Amanda and her four loopy roomies must take to the streets to try and solve this mystery with style!

Head over Heels is available at Amazon for $5.98. To Order click here
Amazon Product Pages contain a lot of other details on this product as Customer Reviews, Sales Ranking, Special Offers, Alternate products that customers are going for and much more.Want to read these details? click here

Want to get some other Format / Binding / Version? You can search for them from here

Other Products of Interest

• Down to You
• She’s All That
• Simply Irresistible
• Whatever It Takes
• 10 Things I Hate About You

Fall in love with the sexy comedy The Oakland Tribune says has “more chuckles than The Wedding Planner.” It’s a wild blend of big laughs, high fashion and foul play. Ordinary single girl Amanda Pierce (Monica Potter) unexpectedly finds herself sharing an awesome Manhattan apartment with four sexy supermodels. Determined to bring Amanda into their world, the models give her the ultimate makeover. The plan works fabulously as Amanda connects with next door charmer Jim Winston (Freddie Prinze, Jr.). That is, until one night while spying on him, Amanda thinks she sees the man of her dreams committing a cold blooded crime. Life then unravels as Amanda and her four loopy roomies must take to the streets to try and solve this mystery with style!

Head over Heels is available at Amazon for $5.98. To Order click here
Amazon Product Pages contain a lot of other details on this product as Customer Reviews, Sales Ranking, Special Offers, Alternate products that customers are going for and much more.Want to read these details? click here

Want to get some other Format / Binding / Version? You can search for them from here

Other Products of Interest

• Down to You
• She’s All That
• Simply Irresistible
• Whatever It Takes
• 10 Things I Hate About You

Hollywood and video games have been trying to hook up for years, but the relationship rarely works out. The latest attempt can be seen in a series of official viral videos for Red Alert 3, the most recent installment in Electronic Arts’ venerable Command & Conquer game franchise (or, as fans call it, “C&C”).

Set in an alternate history where World War II never happened and the Soviet Union never collapsed, the games turn the Cold War into a sci-fi slugfest, albeit one with a wacky strain of humor. The story is advanced by cut-scene videos that feature a cast of mid-level stars, some silly (Jenny McCarthy, Gemma Atkinson), some respectable (Jonathan Pryce, Coen Brothers regular Peter Stormare), some beloved (George Takei, Tim Curry).

The online videos attempt to give you quick tastes of the storyline, as well as the game’s comic appeal. They also seem to be inspired by last year’s great World of Warcraft ad campaign featuring William Shatner, Mr. T, and other camp stars. In comparison to those, most of the Red Alert videos are just shrug-worthy. On the plus side, there’s Freudian psychosexual sass from Kelly Hu and John McCain-esque ranting from J.K. Simmons; gamers will giggle most at the in-joke reference to Grand Theft Auto and sandbox games. (And I can’t believe EA let the developers get away with this one, a reference to Sporn.)

Besides being a quick office diversion, however, what’s the point of trying to make these videos go viral? While countless celebrities have appeared in video games, there’s little evidence they improve sales, especially when the actual game has little in common with the cut scenes in between. C&C is a real time strategy title, a genre that turns obsessive compulsive micromanagement into a game — in other words, the polar opposite of all this hijinks. Worse still, none of the videos depict Red Alert’s actual gameplay, the core selling point to any title. The C&C dance remix is way better all around — kickass in-game footage and Sulu uttering the immortal words, “All your base are belong to us.” How can you go wrong with that?

PR-avdelningen för Red Alert 3 jobbar för fullt och den ena videon efter den andra pumpas ut! Senast i raden är en musikvideo-remix, ja jösses! Men svenska Peter Stormare är naturligtvis bäst med skönt överspel som det bör vara i RA-land!

Har även kommit en liten video där Jenny McCarthy presenterar sig och sin rollfigur Tanya:

Det diskuteras för fullt om hur lämplig eller olämplig Jenny är att spela Tanya bland fansen… Jag tycker nog hon passar perfekt!

/Danne

The cast of Red Alert 3 has been revealed:

Courtesy of CNCNZ.com

Red Alert 3 is the latest game from the popular Command & Conquer franchise, a series known for its cheesy live action movies shown between missions to tell the story. In this installment:

…the desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia. The time travel mission goes awry, creating an alternate timeline where technology has followed an entirely different evolution, a new superpower has been thrust on to the world stage, and World War III is raging. The Empire of the Rising Sun has risen in the East, making World War III a three-way struggle between the Soviets, the Allies, and the Empire with armies fielding wacky and wonderful weapons and technologies like Tesla coils, heavily armed War Blimps, teleportation, armored bears, intelligent dolphins, floating island fortresses, and transforming tanks.

From the trailer you can see:

• Evil Communist Russian with cheesy accent – played by Peter Stormare (Prison Break, Armageddon), Andrew Divoff (Patchy from LOST) and TIM CURRY!!
• The clueless US president – played by JK Simmons of Spiderman fame
• The old humble Allied General (Jonathan Pryce)
• Hot Communication Officers – Gemma Atkinson Ivana Milicevic (the bad guy’s gf in Casino Royale) and Kelly Hu (X-men2)
• Tanya (now blonde and played by…Jenny McCarthy )

With all the stuff mentioned above, you can be rest assured that the spirit of the old Red Alert games will be intact.

***

But nothing can beat this legendary cutscene from RED ALERT 2

I don’t give a wooden nickel about your legacy!!

Un film del 2008, regia di Charles Robert Carner, con Ivana Milicevic / Peter Stormare / Eric Roberts / Joe Mantegna. Prodotto da ()

Comico / Commedia

Lo sceriffo di una piccola cittadina diventa testimone del presunto rapimento di una donna. In realtà i sequestratori sono agenti dell’FBI incaricati di proteggere la ragazza e accompagnarla a Chicago, dove si svolge un processo per corruzione…

El actor Stuart Townsend se pasa a la dirección con Battle in Seattle, drama de cuyo guión también es responsable. La película relata a pie de calle los altercados de la ciudad de Seattle cuando grupos de activistas se enfrentaron con la policía de la ciudad americana durante la celebración de una reunión de la Asociación Mundial del Comercio. Townsend narra los sucesos desde el punto de vista de varios personajes a los que dan vida Martin Henderson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson, Ivana Milicevic, Michelle Rodríguez, Ray Liotta, Andre Benjamin y Charlize Theron.

Uma idéia que leva a outra e mais outra...

Creio que alguns roteiros começam assim. Nesse, um roteiro nada original, parecendo recortes de vários filmes. Muito embora é baseado no Livro “If Only It Were True” (Se apenas isso fosse verdade…), de Marc Levy. E nem me refiro aos explicitamente lembrados no início. Como também temas como mediunidade, em alguém ver espíritos eles exploram bem. A ponto até de plagiar histórias de autores brasileiros; vide “Dona Flor e seus dois Maridos”, de Jorge Amado.

Esse mostra um espírito de alguém que ainda não morreu. Me adiantei. Melhor contar um pouco da história do filme:

A jovem Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon) prestes a sair da condição de estagiária do Hospital, onde trabalha, sofre um acidente, entrando num coma profundo. É, lembra a história da “A Bela Adormecida” (Sleeping Beauty). E onde entraria o príncipe que iria acordá-la? Ele é David Abott (Mark Ruffalo), um jovem arquiteto que aluga o apartamento dela. Os dois acabam se encontrando. Mas…

Após se darem conta de que ela é um espírito, meio desmoriado, ele tenta ajudá-la a ir embora de vez. Até que ela recupera a memória bem próximo de desligarem de vez os aparelhos onde seu corpo está. Então eles terão que impedir. E a única pessoa que legalmente pode fazer isso é a irmã. Sendo que essa não acredita nem pouco no que David lhe conta.

Enfim, tem um início bonzinho, mas depois entedia um pouco. E que a cada virada de cena, parece que irá aparecer a cena original de onde veio a “idéia”. Para mim, um sessão-da-tarde. Bom mesmo foi ouvir The Cure cantando “Just like Heavem”. Nota: 06.

Por: Valéria Miguez (LELLA).

E Se Fosse Verdade (Just Like Heaven). 2005. EUA. Direção: Mark Waters. Elenco: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Rosalind Chao, Donal Logue, Dina Spybey, Ben Shenkman, Jon Heder, Ivana Milicevic. Gênero: Comédia, Romance. Duração: 95 minutos.

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2005

It is becoming difficult to find anything new and refreshing in films about time travel. SLIPSTREAM, 2005 science fiction film directed by Peter van Eyssen, initially gives impression of being such rare find. Narration by film’s protagonist Stuart Conway (played by Sean Astin) tries to explain the concept and its practical applications. Conway, a quiet, mild-mannered and nerdish physicist employed in government’s top secret laboratory, has invented and constructed miniature time travel device. The device allows him to go back ten minutes in time and he goes to bank in order to puts it to best possible use by making repeated cash withdrawals and discovering the best ways to seduce beautiful bank teller. Little does he know that he is being watched by Sarah Tanner (played by Ivana Milicevic) and Jake Hallman (played by Kevin Otto) – two FBI agents assigned to follow him as part of routine security clearance. He, as well as the agents, are surprised when the bank gets robbed by a gang led by volatile Briggs (played by Vinnie Jones). Chaos ensues, shots are fired, people get killed and Conway has to use his device in order to prevent situation from becoming even more catastrophic.

At first, it looks like the unconventional, nerdish protagonist and equally unconventional use of time travel device would result in unconventional film and that a scientific idea won’t be abused as a cheap gimmick for uninspired action film. But such hopes disappear soon after the plot moves to a bank, where the predictable heist is followed by predictable shootout. By the film’s end the audience will have opportunity to watch spectacular road crash, hostage crisis and passenger jet crashing into mountain. Van Eyssen directs those scenes with great skill, although at times he succumbs to the desire towards MTV-style “coolness”, which doesn’t work well, especially when accompanied by often irritating musical score. With Ivana Milicevic miscast as tough federal agent and Vinnie Jones typecast as psychopathic gangster, it is Astin that keeps film bearable for the audience. Shot in South Africa with relatively small budget, SLIPSTREAM had potential to become something more than combination of poor man’s MATRIX and GROUNDHOG DAY.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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