Ah, Paranormal Activity the little horror film that (hopefully) could. At this point, with cover stories on MSNBC, AOL, NPR, etc. many of you know about it, but have not seen it due to it's very limited release. As of today, it is on six screens with ten more added this weekend.
There is a more afoot at www.Eventful.com/ParanormalActivity where YOU can demand that it comes to your hometown and if they get one million requests (currently at 400,000) the movie will open nationwide.
I have seen it, making the trip to State College last weekend with questionable characters and I'm NOT going to spoil anything. This is one of those films every horror movie fan should see. There are comparisons to be made to the Blair Witch Project and other "found footage " movies, but this one is very well done.
All of this got me thinking, though. Paramount/Dreamworks, the distributors of Paranormal Activity, have been sitting on this film for over two years. Many studios fail miserably in releasing horror films either at the wrong time (August), the wrong way (PG-13) or against established properties (the Saw films).
The Saw movies have dominated Halloween weekend for the last five years with films of varying quality. Usually passable to not so good. Other studios have tried to compete directly or counter program against Saw, but all attempts have failed.
So far.
If Paranormal Activity was released cold against Saw VI, it would probably be dead on arrival. However, by doing this slow roll out, building the hype machine and THEN coincidentally getting just enough requests to release it nationwide the same weekend as Saw VI, it might just stand a chance. I for one am hoping it does.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Three Guys from Nowhere - Episode Ten
Ten already? This week, DJ, Todd and I discuss the December Previews (most of which I cover below). Also, in books that came out this week, we cover Blackest Night: Titans #2, Superman #692 and Green Lantern #46. Also, last week's contest is still looking for a winner! And an in-store promotion? Listen and check it out!
To get the show, you can go to the site, Three Guys From Nowhere, or our Facebook page, or download the show right here, or get it from iTunes. The choice is yours. Also, email us at ThreeGuysFromNowhere@gmail.com with thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Best of the Best - Previews for December 2009
A rather light month, at least for me. We'll touch on all this on the podcast this weekend, but here's my jump start:
Empowered one shot (page 26): previously only collected as black and white digest sized dealies, angled towards the Manga crowd, I guess. Very excited to see Adam Warren's awesome art in full color and can only hope this is the begining of an ongoing series.
Green Lantern Corps #43 (page 61): Spoilers away! It's on the cover but should be no surprise the Guy Garnder is going to be a Red Lantern. That cover rules...
Blackest Night: the Flash #1 (page 62): ..but not as much as this one! Geoff Johns and Scott Kollins return to the Flash, spinning out of Rebirth, crossing into Blackest Night right into the new Flash ongoing in April!
JSA All-Stars #1 (page 86): Not sure why people are in a tizzy about this. Both Bill Willingham and Matt Sturgis all but hinted at this in their initial interview when they took over the book.
Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield (page M6): I like that cute rhyming thing with the title. This obviously means that Captain America: Reborn doesn't answer this question. Kinda like War of Kings:Who will Rule.
Thunderbolts #139 (page M50): With Jeff Parker taking over this book (I think his first issue comes out this week) I'm happy to see the Agents of Atlas showing up here.
Mini Marvels Ultimate Collection GN-TPB (page M100): Surprised to see this getting a reprint like this, with Super Hero Squad or whatever taking over this spot on the Marvel shevles. If I didn't already have all the digests, I'd be getting this.
Brian Michael Bendis: 10 Years at Marvel TPB (page M115): We end with a very odd collection. It could be argued that Bendis really turned things around for Marvel, starting with Ultimate Spider-Man. I've kinda fallen off from his super-hero stuff but could read things like Alias or Torso over and over again. Fourtune & Glory (which is great) is getting the hardcover treatment this month as well.
Empowered one shot (page 26): previously only collected as black and white digest sized dealies, angled towards the Manga crowd, I guess. Very excited to see Adam Warren's awesome art in full color and can only hope this is the begining of an ongoing series.
Green Lantern Corps #43 (page 61): Spoilers away! It's on the cover but should be no surprise the Guy Garnder is going to be a Red Lantern. That cover rules...
Blackest Night: the Flash #1 (page 62): ..but not as much as this one! Geoff Johns and Scott Kollins return to the Flash, spinning out of Rebirth, crossing into Blackest Night right into the new Flash ongoing in April!
JSA All-Stars #1 (page 86): Not sure why people are in a tizzy about this. Both Bill Willingham and Matt Sturgis all but hinted at this in their initial interview when they took over the book.
Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield (page M6): I like that cute rhyming thing with the title. This obviously means that Captain America: Reborn doesn't answer this question. Kinda like War of Kings:Who will Rule.
Thunderbolts #139 (page M50): With Jeff Parker taking over this book (I think his first issue comes out this week) I'm happy to see the Agents of Atlas showing up here.
Mini Marvels Ultimate Collection GN-TPB (page M100): Surprised to see this getting a reprint like this, with Super Hero Squad or whatever taking over this spot on the Marvel shevles. If I didn't already have all the digests, I'd be getting this.
Brian Michael Bendis: 10 Years at Marvel TPB (page M115): We end with a very odd collection. It could be argued that Bendis really turned things around for Marvel, starting with Ultimate Spider-Man. I've kinda fallen off from his super-hero stuff but could read things like Alias or Torso over and over again. Fourtune & Glory (which is great) is getting the hardcover treatment this month as well.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Remakes - When is Enough Enough?
So today I just watched the trailer for the latest Hollywood horror remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street and am at a loss. This would be the fifth remake from Michael Bay's production company (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Amityville Horror, the Hitcher and Friday the 13th before it) and enough is enough. The previous attempts have been "reimaginings" (at best) but from the trailer, the new Nightmare films looks to be going the "shot for shot" remake approach.
I understand why these get made: Hollywood is bankrupt and retreads have a name value at the box office. But who in their right mind prefers any of these remakes to the "classics" (at least in the horror community)?
Bay is not the only one to be blamed. Other studios crank out remakes of everything from top shelf properties (Halloween), mid-card talent (My Bloody Valentine) to jobbers (the Stepfather) with minimal to moderate success. Tons of movies from the last 40 plus years are being remade and many of them don't upset me as much as these, but that's because I love horror movies so much.
I can safely say I will be skipping this retread when it's released next year and hope that others do as well to finally get Hollywood in line to make some original films once and a while.
I understand why these get made: Hollywood is bankrupt and retreads have a name value at the box office. But who in their right mind prefers any of these remakes to the "classics" (at least in the horror community)?
Bay is not the only one to be blamed. Other studios crank out remakes of everything from top shelf properties (Halloween), mid-card talent (My Bloody Valentine) to jobbers (the Stepfather) with minimal to moderate success. Tons of movies from the last 40 plus years are being remade and many of them don't upset me as much as these, but that's because I love horror movies so much.
I can safely say I will be skipping this retread when it's released next year and hope that others do as well to finally get Hollywood in line to make some original films once and a while.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Three Guys from Nowhere - Episode Nine
This week, DJ, Todd and I discuss the Jack Kirby/Marvel snafu, lil' Gotham Babies, and Rob Liefeld: Hollywood Insider! Also, in books that came out this week, we cover Blackest Night: Superman #2, Guardians of the Galaxy #18 and Superman: Secret Origins #1. Also, another new contest with fabulous prizes! All this and more!
To get the show, you can go to the site, Three Guys From Nowhere, or our Facebook page, or download the show right here, or get it from iTunes. The choice is yours. Also, email us at ThreeGuysFromNowhere@gmail.com with thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Three Guys from Nowhere - Episode Eight
This week, DJ, Todd and I talk about some DC news regarding Wonder Woman, Superman and the future weekly serieses. We also discuss Blackest Night #3, Batman: Streets of Gotham #4 and Captain American: Reborn #3 Don't worry, we keep it spoiler free! Also, some time gets devoted to the current goings on in Amazing Spider-Man and the future of the Justice League. Also, there's still that contest! Check it out!
To get the show, you can go to the site, Three Guys From Nowhere, or our Facebook page, or download the show right here, or get it from iTunes. The choice is yours. Also, email us at ThreeGuysFromNowhere@gmail.com with thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc.
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