Cinefantastique’s Black Hole Ultra-Lounge Podcast returns from the grave, offering a colorful cornucopia of horror, fantasy, and science fiction news and reviews. Correspondents Dan Persons, Lawrence French, and Steve Biodrowski size up the new GODZILLA teaser trailer, examine the Oscar Academy’s finalists for Best Special Effects, and bid farewell to actor Peter O’Toole (most known for his great dramatic roles, though he did a handful of genre movies, too).
Next, Steve reviews THE DAY OF THE DOCTOR on DVD. Larry recounts the extended cut of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY. Dan enthuses over the animated television show WANDER OVER YONDER. And we wrap up with a trip to the Borderland: reviewing the non-genre SAVING MR. BANKS, because it recounts the behind-the-scenes story of the making of PETER PAN, the animated fantasy classic from Walt Disney Pictures.
Jennifer Lawrence (right) and Josh Hutcherson can't help making Elizabeth Banks verrrrry nervous in THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE.
So it’s back to the arena, where life is cheap but the production values sure as hell are not. In THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, defiant champions Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) discover how costly their rebellion actually is, both in terms of human toll as the government moves to crush any signs of rebellion inspired by their victory, and personally, as the ruling elite — represented by the likes of Donald Sutherland and Philip Seymour Hoffman — conspire to force them into a new, even more deadly competition. beabetterbooktalker.com‘s Andrea Lipinski is back once again to share her knowledge of the original book series with Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons. We’ll look into whether there’s story enough to support two-and-a-half hours of screen time, whether the return to the bloody Hunger Games competition is worth the trip, and whether all the characters have a preternaturally intimate understanding of human nature or are just damn lucky. Then, Dan and Andrea quickly discuss the celebratory DOCTOR WHO 50th anniversary episode, “Day of the Doctor.” Plus: What’s coming to theaters next week.
Special guest Judith Furnari joins Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French and Dan Persons in an exploration of the cinematic vampire past, present, and future (during which all take a bold, controversial stand against moody, glittery teen vampires). Also, Larry delivers a pithy but definitive verdict on CONAN THE BARBARIAN and his mighty thews.
Road Rage Bites: Anton Yelchin (left) courts the wrath of Colin Farrell in FRIGHT NIGHT.
There goes the neighborhood. Charismatically feral vampire Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves into a struggling Las Vegas suburb, and it’s up to teen lovers Charley (Anton Yelchin) and Amy (Imogen Poots) to keep property values from seriously bottoming out by curtailing his ongoing recruitment campaign. Enter indifferent magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant) and screenwriter Marti Noxon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) and you’ve got FRIGHT NIGHT, a retelling of the 1985 tongue-in-cheek mini-classic, modernized with CG effects and goosed with 3D gimmicks. Special guest Judith Furnari joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons (yes, the band is back together!) as they explore whether the outer reaches of Las Vegas carry more than a little whiff of Sunnydale, and if this remake is worth the literal and figurative blood that was spilled in its making.
Also: A discussion of Ridley Scott’s announced return to the BLADE RUNNER universe, and what’s coming in theaters and on home video.
The Official BBC Doctor Who site is featuring an interview with series producer Steven Moffat.
Asked how season six of the revived DOCTOR WHO will differ from last year, they recieved an intriguing reply.
“Well, we’ve moved through the funfair a bit— we’ve done the rollercoaster, now we’re on the ghost train. Last year, in a way, was all about saying, don’t worry, it’s still him, it’s still the same show, nothing’s really been lost. Losing a leading man like David Tennant is seismic —unless you gain a leading man like Matt Smith.
It’s been the biggest joy to see him stride in and just claim that TARDIS for his own. But now he’s really here, and the part is his, and the bow tie is cool, he’s ready to lead us places we didn’t know existed. Last year we reassured you – this year, to hell with that, we’re going to worry the hell out of you. How well do we really know that man, or what he’s capable of? We’re putting the Who? back in the Doctor.
Oh, there’s a big story being told this year, and major mysteries from the very off. As ever, in this show, the stories all stand alone, and every episode is a perfect jumping-on point for a new viewer. But at the same time the over-arching plot will be a bigger player this year. More than hints and whispers— we’re barely ten minutes into episode one before our heroes face a dilemma that they’ll be staring at months from now. And there will be no easy answers.”
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Questioned whether there will be new monsters, the writer/producer responded that there will be, indeed.
“They’re … scary. Very scary. And, ohh, I don’t want to say more —there’s the Silence in 1 & 2, the Siren, in episode 3, the Gangers in 5 & 6, all these are more than just freaky costumes and masks; there are SCARY ideas here. And just wait till you meet Idris in episode 4.
… But it’s not JUST scary – it’s funny and moving and revelling in its own insanity too. “
Asked how the characters have evolved, Steven Moffat replied:
“The big difference, I suppose, is how long the Doctor is hanging around in the lives of his Companions. His normal MO is get them while they’re young, and leave them while they’re young too. He’s careful to put them back where he found them, before he screws up their lives. But here he is, married couple on board—and much as he loves them both, he does wonder if it isn’t time he got out of the way. Before something really BAD happens.
Regarding the mid-season break, which will end in a cliff-hanger, the producer emphasized a difference.
“Normally our cliff-hangers are lives being threatened. With this one, three lives are changed FOREVER.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter
David Tennant (DOCTOR WHO) has been cast in the role of Peter Vincent in Dreamworks’ FRIGHT NIGHT remake.
The former TV Time Lored will be teaming up with movie STAR TREK alumni Anton Yelchin, who is playing the role of Charlie (William Ragsdale in the `85 version).
In the original, Roddy McDowall’s Vincent was a has-been monster movie star, now hosting a late night TV horror movie show. The name was a play on Peter Cushing and Vincent Price.
Tennant’s version will be a Las Vegas Las Vegas magician whose act is inspired by horror movies. He claims to be an expert on vampires, which lead Charlie to enlist his aid against the suspected vampire who has moved in next door.
Chris Sarandon was the blood-thirsty neighbor in the original, Colin Farell will fill that role in the update. Also announced as cast for the film is Christopher Mintz-Plasse (KICK-ASS) as “Evil Ed”, Charlie’s oddball friend, who is very attracted to the darker side of horror movies.
Toni Collette is signed to play Charlie’s endangered mother.
Craig Gillespie (LARS AND THE REAL GIRL) was previously reported as onboard to direct.
