Dredd | Geekscape

Geekscape Interviews: Adi Shankar, Producer of ‘The Voices’ on Trying to Be Different

by Eric FranciscoApril 8, 2015

Adi Shankar broke the internet this year.

Last February, the hotshot Hollywood producer Adi Shankar released the Joseph Kahn-directed POWER/RANGERS, a short film that satirized Hollywood reboot culture and modern geek cinema. As if to validate our childhood mythologies in adulthood, today’s gritty hero zeitgeist demands our karate-kicking space ninjas to strap on gun-metal armor and shoot up a room of North Korean gangsters. What Transformers and The Dark Knight did for robots and a guy running around in a bat costume, POWER/RANGERS did and it did it with a smirk and porn stars in the back ground.

But does that mean Adi, who grew up a nerd and loved Power Rangers as a kid, isn’t excited for the upcoming 2016 movie? You’d be surprised.

“Yeah! Yeah! I’m a fan, man.”

Just a few words can say so much.

Even before POWER/RANGERS, Adi built his name as a producer for films like Main Street and Machine Gun Preacher before reaching to prominence with The Grey (starring Liam Neeson) and the neo cult-classic Dredd. In between, Adi channels his childhood lore into “bootleg” online films that crank up the subjects’ darker aspects up to eleven. These films, featuring comic book characters like Punisher (Punisher: Dirty Laundry) and Venom (Truth in Journalism) are frequently shared amongst nerd blogs the morning they’re uploaded.

But POWER/RANGERS is now in the past, and today comes The Voices. Directed by Persepolis author Marjane Satrapi, it is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD. The extremely — and I mean extremely — dark comedy revolves around Jerry (Ryan Reynolds, whom Adi expresses excitement that he’s got Deadpool in his movie), a totally nice, unassuming guy that suffers from severe hallucinations that lead to deadly consequences.

The Voices is a slight departure from your previous productions, like The Grey and Dredd. What was it like to tread new territory?

Adi: It wasn’t really different, because we didn’t think we were making a comedy. I always looked at it as a genre-bender, and I actually don’t even look at it as a comedy. I look at it as kind of amalgamation of several genres. You’ve got moments where it feels like a psychological thriller, moments where it feels like a horror movie … and even in horror, it feels like it’s skirting the edge between psychological and slasher.

There are moments where it feels like a pure drama, and there are moments that are certainly comedic. So, it really wasn’t any different. I think everything else I’ve done has been heavily macho, heavy heavy macho. Marjane [the director] brought a feminine sensibility to it, and that was different.

What would you describe as the most difficult thing in bringing this particular project to life?

Adi: It’s just not a down-the-middle movie. It’s a lot easier to make a movie where it’s like, “Okay, the movie is about X. And it’s a dude and he needs to get a hundred-thousand dollars in five minutes,” and, you know, the more simple the movie is the easier it [can get] made. [The Voices] is a headier concept, it’s a marketing challenge, it was a challenge on every level. This was probably the most difficult exercises in assembling a film. And I’m an actor in it, that was kind of terrifying.

So it’s 2015 and I can use the term “break the internet.” You broke the internet earlier this year with POWER/RANGERS. Did you expect it to generate the buzz that it did?

Adi: No.

Not at all?

Adi: No, I didn’t. I can’t tell. I can never tell. I didn’t realize The Grey would be a mainstream success, and I didn’t realize Dredd would be a cult success. It’s kind of like, when you’re putting things together and thinking about it in your head, and you’re coming up with… I had this concept where I wanted to do The Crow, do a “bootleg” The Crow as a kind of gothic neo-noir, but filmed with a European sensibility, think Nicolas Refn’s Only God Forgives, right?

I’d love to see that. Holy shit.

Adi: I have no idea how that’s going to be received or how it’s going to do, right? But at the end of the day, I don’t give a fuck. I just don’t. The moment you do that, you’re not making art anymore. You’re just pandering. But [with] The Voices, I always looked at it like a bootleg film.

How so?

Adi: It’s bootleg Garfield.

I had that in my notes. “Garfield from hell.”

Adi: Yeah! That’s literally how I envisioned it. I envisioned it like a Garfield bootleg. With Ryan Reynolds playing [his] Deadpool.

What was Saban’s reaction to POWER/RANGERS? Again, as a huge Power Rangers fan, Saban is like this mythical figure no one can really reach out to.

Adi: I’m probably not supposed to talk about that. [laughs]

https://vimeo.com/120401488
Your productions have had a punk rock edge, you just described it as “macho.” What did people think when you wanted to do your take on Power Rangers?

Adi: Not a whole lot of people knew about that [beforehand]. I didn’t really talk to anyone about it. [But] I was so passionate when I did talk about it. I was describing it to a friend in India, and he was laughing about it when I was talking about it. And then he sent me an email after he saw it, months later. “I didn’t really get it, but I thought it was awesome.” I was like, what do you mean you didn’t get it? I described it to you. He was like, “Yeah I didn’t really know what you were talking about it then either but you were so passionate.”

So it was a case of having to see it to believe it?

Adi: It’s weird coming out of my mouth because I just turned 30, but just seven years ago, anything I said was just weird. I’m at a point now where people are like, “I don’t know if this thing might become a thing. So, uh, we’re just gonna agree and nod and say yeah.” I had the same reaction when I was like, “I wanna do Dredd again.”

There’s actually been a lot of talk about whether or not Dredd 2 could happen. A lot of signs are pointing no. Do you think we’ll ever see Dredd 2?

Adi: No comment. But watch Superfiend. Everybody watch Superfiend.

You’ve assembled quite the talent for The Voices, with Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, and Anna Kendrick. Were they onboard immediately to the project?

Adi: Everyone was pretty much onboard kind of immediately. I think it’s more for Marjane Satrapi.

Did your vision clash at all with Marjane’s?

Adi: No, we were on the same page the whole time. We openly talked about that. This kind of deviates from my mantra thing [about mach], but it wasn’t a clash at all. There’s a lot of pink in the movie! I’ve always wanted to do a movie with a lot of pink in it! No joke! Pink is one of my favorite colors. I know I wear a black all the time and with my facepaint, but pink is one of my favorite colors.

So that’s why the Pink Ranger was such a central figure in POWER/RANGERS?

Adi: Yeah! Yeah! I’m sad I couldn’t get Orlando to be it, but yeah.

I have to ask again since I am Geekscape’s resident Power Rangers guy, but are you excited for the movie?

Adi: Yeah! Yeah, I’m a fan man.

What do you hope audiences take away from The Voices? Not necessarily any moral messages, but what do you hope is embraced about the film?

Adi: In an era where movies have become homogenous and movies have basically become Happy Meals, I hope in time people realize that dared to be different. If you look through my filmography both online and not online, I just tried to be different and [The Voices] is that. And Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool now, so if you like Deadpool, watch it.

The Voices is out now on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IaPaB4Pzqk

36 Great Halloween Marathon-Worthy Movies (That Aren’t Horror)

by Eric FranciscoOctober 6, 2014

I don’t even need to describe how popular it is to watch horror movies during this time of year, do I? You do it. Your friends do it. You probably do it with your friends. You might even do it with your parents if they’re cool. I need to work on phrasing, but especially in the Age of the Binge-Watch, Halloween movie marathons are a popular modern ritual.

Although it makes all the sense in the world to indulge in horror movies during the one month you’re pretty much obligated to, there’s no reason you can’t change things up a little bit. There exists countless horror-ish films that would be perfect for a Halloween binge-watch to throw in between A Nightmare on Elm Street and pretty much any Stanley Kubrick movie. From dark genre movies, visceral documentaries, to grim comedies, here’s a fun list of movies to select from if you don’t feel like watching the later Friday the 13th movies for the bazillionth time.

Also, I chose not to include some of the more obvious choices. The idea is to change things up a bit more. So no matter how much you love them, I have not included Van Helsing, nor American Psycho, or Ghostbusters, Shaun of the Dead, Freddy vs. Jason, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Zombieland, or even Hocus Pocus. You probably already watch Hocus Pocus anyway.

You don’t need to watch everything here. Take one or two to spruce up your Halloween marathon. You might be pleasantly surprised.

This is also by all means not a complete list. These are just suggestions.

The Crow (1994, dir. Alex Proyas)

An amazing film was created for almost $15 million in 1994. $8 million was added for tragic reasons. On Devil’s Night in Detroit, rock star Eric Draven and his fiance Shelly are murdered. One year later, Eric rises from the grave for revenge.

Although kind of an obvious choice given its grim aesthetic, this film is largely undiscussed during Halloween, and that baffles me. It came at the right time: smack dab in the grungy 90’s, when comic books started overcompensating for their campy roots. The Crow is rightfully celebrated for being a weird, stylish gothic action film. Eric Draven is such a cool character, I mean just fucking look at him. It’s no wonder Sting modeled a look right after him in WCW (and has kept that look ever since). Have you ever listened to the soundtrack? Listen to it. It’s a great collection of grunge-gothic rock from the only decade that kind of music could ever exist.

Sadly, the film’s production was troubled; the death of its star, Brandon Lee, was killed under freaky circumstances during filming. It’s far more haunting when you consider his father, the legendary Bruce Lee, also passed away during production of The Game of Death. Although incredibly unfortunate, it has made this awesome, kick-ass movie otherworldly.

Gojira (1954, dir. Ishiro Honda)

Casual filmgoers scoff at Godzilla movies. It’s the bad special effects and awful dubbing which relegate the films to the schlock B-movie category. Well if they ever do that to Gojira, those people are idiots and they can go fuck themselves. Gojira is superbly grim, and nothing like the silliness (and, let’s be honest, total awesomeness) that followed. Coming almost ten years after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended World War II, Gojira remains a visual poem to the dangers of nuclear war. The attraction might be a gigantic lizard terrorizing Japan, but at its heart Gojira is very human, as the people who can stop the monster struggle with their own inner demons and ask questions no one is willing to answer. The black and white cinematography add to Godzilla’s mystique and his grotesque form is made stranger with the less you see. You can pick a later Godzilla movie and laugh and cheer at the G-man. You watch this one, however, and you’re terrified but awe-struck by his destructive elegance.

13 Assassins (2010, dir. Takashi Miike)

One of the most thrilling samurai epics in recent film history, horror master Takashi Miike explores other genre territory but brings along the tools he knows best in 13 Assassins. A lord with unlimited power wreaks havoc at will, and so a gang of samurai band together to put an end to his madness. Although very much a samurai film, Miike’s signature gore and macabre visuals are in full display; vivid red blood pours out of a man’s belly from ritual suicide, a woman in ghostly white geisha make-up is left without limbs, a monster of a ruler target practices his archery against children. It may not be a horror film, but it can be pretty damn close. Watch for the climactic showdown. It’s a whopping 50 minutes.

The Animatrix (2003, dir. various)

I love The Matrix. Even if Reloaded and Revolutions aren’t well-favored by most, its ambition and imagination still exceeds even some of the more revered films out there. I could put the entire trilogy on this list, but you’ve already seen them and you’re probably one of the many who hate the sequels. But I also don’t need to, because The Animatrix exists and believe it or not, it’s pretty fucking terrifying. This anthology brings together some of the biggest names in anime, and serves as a wonderful exercise on the auteur theory. Each short is wildly different from the next, and its scope is boundless despite being no more than maybe ten minutes each. My personal favorite is “A Detective Story” (pictured) but you absolutely need to watch “The Second Renaissance.” In fact, I’ll allow you to skip most of the film if you must (although you shouldn’t), but “The Second Renaissance” is mandatory viewing.

Dredd (2012, dir. Pete Travis)

I liked Dredd but I didn’t love it. Still, as a throwback to super violent 80s/90s action movies (and a dash of sci-fi), with modern special effects, grungy locales, and an antagonist straight out of a prog-rock album, it’s worth watching. Especially on Halloween, if you find yourself tired of helpless teenagers, it will be refreshing to watch someone totally capable of kicking ass. I’m hoping for a sequel that far exceeds the quality of its predecessor, but until then, Dredd isn’t a bad choice.

Room 237 (2012, dir. Rodney Ascher)

If The Shining isn’t a part of your Halloween marathon, you’re a complete failure. It truly is one of the best films, period, we’re not even talking horror. However, a fantastic companion piece is the documentary Room 237 that delves into some of the most bizarre critical theories about this wonderful, weird movie. Turn off the lights and turn up the volume. Some of the revelations — whether you agree or not — can be just as terrifying.

Bunraku (2010, dir. Guy Mosche)

No one watched Bunraku. No one. Which is why you should at least check it out, especially this time of year. Costumes and intricate sets galore in this weird, all substance and no style, wacky mish-mosh of jidaigeki and westerns all made by a guy who played a lot of Nintendo growing up. The setting is a total novelty, a vaudeville romp with costumes you’d love to wear to a party. I don’t think it’s particularly good, but I love it. Woody Harrelson plays a mentor figure of sorts, and Ron Perlman plays the villain. You should be sold now.

The Act of Killing (2013, dir. Joshua Oppenheimer)

Nothing is more terrifying than real people doing evil things. No amount of Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krugers can match up to war criminals, corrupt dictators, serial killers, sex criminals, and racists. Enter The Act of Killing, the Oscar-nominated documentary on the 1965-1966 mass killings of suspected communists in Indonesia. 500,000 people were horrifically murdered for even remotely being associated with communism, and these acts and the people who committed them are celebrated in Indonesia today as something of a folk tale. Tons of people who worked on this movie withheld their identities for fear that they will be killed by these monsters who are still alive today. A powerful examination on the human condition and a surreal peek inside the mind of a mass murderer, it is an audacious work of filmmaking and far more paralyzing than any horror movie. Make this movie the last to watch for the day. If you’re still human, you don’t want to go on.

Man of Tai Chi (2013, dir. Keanu Reeves)

Probably the least qualified to be on this list, Man of Tai Chi makes it because Keanu Reeves as a kung-fu villain is too good to pass up. Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut is one hell of a action film with excellent choreography and enough of a creepy, sterile setting that feels like it came from a totally different movie. Dramatic lighting, bad ass fights, and exotic locales makes this worth watching if you’re tired of cabins in woods.

Detention (2010, dir. Joseph Kahn)

I’m kind of breaking my own rules here because Detention is technically a horror movie, but way, way, way more people need to see this kintetic teen rollick. A true groundbreaker in genre filmmaking, Detention‘s plot is kind of hard to sum up, but it involves a horror slasher come to life, high school, time travel, a bear, UFOs, and a super meta examination of modern teen movies. Joseph Kahn’s ADD-filled tribute to 90s culture is like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World for the click-bait crowd, but that crowd is a little too stupid to appreciate this awesome, kick-ass flick. And you’re not stupid, so watch Detention.

If there is ONLY one movie to take from this list, make it Detention.

Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013, dir. Isaac Florentine)

Ninjas are a popular costume for people like that asshole Jake who is going out with your ex-girlfriend. So cleanse your palette and watch real ninjas like Scott Adkins and Kane Kosugi kick total ass that douchebags like Jake can’t because he’s a douchebag. Ninja: Shadow of a Tear gets bonus points because Scott gets his ninja costume FROM A GRAVE. So that’s kinda Halloween.

Super (2010, dir. James Gunn)

James Gunn went from indie rock filmmaker to Super Bowl halftime after this year’s Guardians of the Galaxy, so if you’re unfamiliar with his work the time to check him out was six months ago. He has a more Halloween-appropriate comedy/horror flick in Slither but since the goal of this list is to branch out, Super is appropriate. It is strictly a superhero movie, but it contains such dark humor you’re left laughing uncomfortably. “You can’t walk anymore!” yells Ellen Page in a superhero costume to a criminal she crippled. When it’s not making you laugh, it can be just as dark as a Stanley Kubrick movie.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993, dir. Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm)

Heads up: There are three Batman films on this list, but don’t worry: none of them are helmed by Christopher Nolan, or even Tim Burton (and Joel Schumacher). Originally planned as a direct-to-video release, it strangely got a total theatrical release and consequently bombed due to short notice. But who cares, because this is arguably one of the best Batman movies period. A strange vigilante has shown up taking out criminals and the police mistake him for Batman. Batman then tries to clear his name while finding out who is the strange new crime fighter. Dark, smart, and beautifully animated, it’s appropriate being the film coming from the best cartoons ever made.

Batman (1966, dir. Leslie H. Martinson)

Because there really are some days you can’t get rid of a bomb. Here’s a tip: Don’t be a loser and watch The Dark Knight for the umpteenth time. The pro-Men’s Rights guy that you argue with on Facebook sometimes is watching The Dark Knight. Don’t be that guy. Indulge on the utter nonsense that was the 1966 Batman, arguably the best Batman we’ve ever had.

Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010, dir. Brandon Vietti)

Batman: Under the Red Hood just might be one of my favorite Batman movies. This tight, emotionally-wrenching animated film about Batman crossing paths with the Red Hood is super fitting for Halloween. While legendary Kevin Conroy does not voice the Dark Knight, Bruce Greenwood does an excellent job, as does the rest of the cast of this great piece of animation. John DiMaggio exceeds as the Joker, which is shocking because I never thought his deep, scruffy voice would ever fit the clown prince. Just look at that image above. You can tell you’re not in for your usual after-school cartoon.

Dogma (1999, dir. Kevin Smith)

I’ll try to defend Kevin Smith as much as possible, but even I can only go so long. While Tusk and Red State may be actual horror movies, Dogma is the one with actual devils and supernatural beings. Two exiled angels attempt to re-enter heaven thanks to a holy loophole, and doing so can unmake the very fabric of reality. It’s got demonic shit monsters, evil hockey players, the thirteenth apostle, and a truckload of dick, weed, and fart jokes. Watch Dogma and indulge on irreverent comedy back when Smith made sense.

Drive (2011, dir. Nicholas Winding Refln)

Drive was a festival darling when it first came out, and since then it has kind of lopsided in its relevancy. People just kind of stopped talking about it. It’s become something of a new Donnie Darko: a dark, gritty movie that seemed cool but is now almost something of a joke. I say almost because once in awhile, when the stars align right, you can still see the kick-ass B-movie, pseudo-horror action noir that everyone else saw that summer in 2011, and not the movie your jerk roommate won’t shut up about. The amazing 80s-centric techno soundtrack is a standout. “Nightcall” by Kavinsky could have opened an 80s horror movie.

Masked Rider The First (2005, dir. Takao Nagaishi)

Even some hardcore genre film fans barely watch tokusatsu, so introduce yourself with this kind of bad, kind of awesome package of B-movie sci-fi/superhero with a touch of horror. Kamen Rider has been a staple of Japanese sci-fi for almost forty years, and this film reboots the jump-kicking grasshopper into a darker hero. There are much better Kamen Rider movies and shows to watch — Ryuki, Kabuto, W, Gaim — but I suspect there’s a chance most of you don’t even know what I’m talking about. So start with, appropriately titled, The First.

Lo (2009, dir. Travis Betz)

Just look at that motherfucker. I’m once again breaking my rules because Lo is still considered kind of a horror movie, but it’s less that and more of an experimental film examining love and loss. Justin has lost his girlfriend, so he summons a demon and tasks him to find her in Hell. Lo is a total dick and a riot, and solid reason why you should watch this, at least if you’re stoned. It might be a little too out there for some people, and it can be eye-rollingly arthouse — some of it takes place on a stage — but there’s enough weirdness to make it a refreshing piece to any Halloween binge-watch.

Following (1998, dir. Christopher Nolan)

When I think Christopher Nolan, I want to think the guy who made Inception and Memento. I hate thinking about the guy that made The Dark Knight Rises. I’m so stoked for Interstellar because Nolan is a masterful, visual storyteller who belongs in cinema, I just hate he had to waste a solid nine years doing Batman. Check out Following to see the sensei when he was a journeyman, and you’ll see he had talent all along. His first film is an claustrophobic noir thriller excellent for this time of year.

Hellboy and Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, or pretty much anything from Guillermo Del Toro (2004 and 2008, dir. Guillermo del Toro)

Ron Perlman plays the candy-bar eating, TV-watching demon who fights and investigates paranormal threats in service to a dedicated government agency. The film adaptations are smart, funny, imaginative, utterly strange, and everything you would want in a dark fantasy blockbuster. The creatures and set designs are signature del Toro, and while you could also watch his other work — The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth — it’s the Hellboy movies where you’ll have the most fun.

Knights of Badassdom, (2013, dir. Joe Lynch)

Wikipedia classifies Knights of Badassdom as a comedy-horror, and while it’s not entirely wrong it’s definitely far more comedic than horror. In fact, I’d call it comedic dark fantasy. Best friends participate in a LARP (live-action role play, aka something I’m dying to do) and accidentally summon a succubus and it terrorizes the whole park. The production of the film had some trouble; filming started in 2010 but wasn’t officially released until 2013. It stars, among others, the now A-list Peter Dinklage, who has become a household name in Game of Thrones. But before that, the dude was drunkenly swinging rubber swords in what I think is a rather fun, pretty dumb little movie.

Men in Black (1997, dir. Barry Sonnenfeld)

A lot of Will Smith movies are actually watchable on Halloween. I Am Legend stands out, and if I wanted to I’d say Independence Day but we all know when to watch that. But I often forget how good Men in Black is. The sequels have diminished the series, but the first film stands as a tight, fun, wacky sci-fi movie that totally gives the middle finger to paranoid conspiracy theorists who have always feared nameless government agents. The cockroach monster is remarkably terrifying in design.

Mortal Kombat (1995, dir. Kevin Droney)

You’ve just heard the gong and now the music is playing in your head. Based on the video games that have freaking zombie ninjas, Mortal Kombat is probably one of the best film adaptations of a video game, period. While still reeking of B-movie mediocrity, its top-notch fight choreography, practical dark fantasy sets, and 90s camp make Mortal Kombat a total winner for Halloween marathons. It even includes a totally awesome fight scene with Reptile, who has nothing but a coding joke in the first game.

Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue (2009, dir. Andrew Monument)

This gripping documentary traces the history and evolution of the American horror film as a genre and reflection of the cultural psyche. Tightly edited and chillingly narrated by Lance Henriksen (Admiral Hackett in Mass Effect), it’s an educating and entertaining college course condensed into ninety minutes.

Oldboy (2003, dir. Park Chan-wook)

I don’t even know where to begin. Easily in my personal top five, this psychological thriller is a testament to what is possible in cinema. Five-star acting, expert directing and storytelling, haunting cinematography, and a hypnotic soundtrack, Oldboy is a great movie to watch any day of the week all-year long. If you haven’t seen this movie, you’re a failure, but you can redeem yourself if you watch it the one month where you’re allowed to see something fucked up. You won’t see the ending coming.

Pacific Rim (2013, dir. Guillermo del Toro)

I already listed “anything by Guillermo del Toro,” but I need to single out Pacific Rim. I cannot talk about this movie enough. Legitimately one of the best and most imaginative sci-fi movies ever, the film acts as both a loving tribute to kaiju movies, tokusatsu, and anime, and as a flag-planter embarking on its own legacy. Featuring one the most beautiful, haunting, and utterly elegiac sequences in cinema — a child runs alone from the gigantic monster chasing her — is a poignant, truly scary picture of destruction and innocence. Also it’s wonderfully light and funny, a welcome feeling from the summer that brought us the stupidly dark Man of Steel. Pacific Rim is everything you want in a big blockbuster and why you should still go to the theaters. Gigantic kaiju monsters and robots are perfect on Halloween, and this is kaiju at its best. Anyone that looked at this movie, saw giant robots fighting, and scoffed at the notion can rightfully go fuck themselves. Those people lack imagination and should not be bothered with.

Road to Perdition (2002, dir. Sam Mendes)

Breathtaking cinematography, top-notch directing, cool characters, and a gritty aesthetic make Road to Perdition far different than anything you can watch on Halloween. Tom Hanks plays an ex-mobster and father who seeks vengeance for the death of his family. The creepy assassin played by Jude Law is a woefully underrated movie villain.

Soylent Green (1973, dir. Richard Fleischer)

The ending line to this dystopian sci-fi movie is one of the most iconic lines in movie history. And while it’s pretty much a spoiler, it’s still worth watching. You knew Darth Vader was Luke’s father anyway, and you still watched Star Wars. So check out Charlton Heston get freaked the fuck out over what soylent green actually is. It’s a horrific revelation — so, great for Halloween.

Super 8 (2011, dir. J.J. Abrams)

I envy J.J. Abrams. That dude grew up watching Steven Spielberg and Star Wars and what is he doing now? Having movies produced by Steven f’n Spielberg and doing Star Wars 7. Super 8 has been appropriately described as Cloverfield meets Stand By Me. A group of kids making a movie in a small-town in 1979 America witness a dangerous entity unleashed from a train accident. It’s both sci-fi and coming-of-age, so check it out when you’re gorging on candy corns.

Princess (2006, dir. Anders Morgenthaler)

A missionary comes home after his sister, a prominent adult films star, dies of drug abuse. With her 5-year-old daughter left behind, he adopts her and sets out on a vengeful quest to destroy all remaining pornographic materials of his departed sister. The animation — which given the premise, makes the juxtaposition that much stronger — is slightly low-quality, but the storytelling is gripping. Feel free to categorize this under “totally fucked up movies” to watch with bros. It truly is a totally fucked up movie, and on a subversive level not even The Human Centipede can match. Trust me.

Throne of Blood (1957, dir. Akira Kurosawa)

Almost any film adaptation of Macbeth is fitting for Halloween. Witches and demons are everywhere, and on a meta-level the superstition of even naming the play has existed for centuries. Kurosawa’s adaptation of the Scottish play and morphing it into feudal Japan is a haunting, terrifying ride of using evil to rise to power. Toshiro Mifune is always a treat to watch — the man was almost Obi-Wan — and to watch him totally get fucked up is a cinematic thrill. Lady Asaji Washizu — aka Lady Macbeth, portrayed by Isuzu Yamada — has one of the eeriest scenes ever filmed.

V For Vendetta (2006, dir. James McTeigue)

The use of the Guy Fawkes mask as a symbol of millennial, post-9/11 rebellion never ceases to amaze me. I’m excited to read the eventual, inevitable book about the phenomenon. But regardless of your feelings of Anonymous, V For Vendetta remains a powerful piece of dark dystopia with one of the most enigmatic characters ever in fiction. I actually liked the changes made to V in the film, seeing him goof off and cook eggs makes an excellent, fun character. Still rather smart after all these years, its grim and stylish swagger makes V For Vendetta a refreshing Halloween marathon movie. Be honest: If you see V show up in your home, you’d shit your pants.

Watchmen (2009, dir. Zack Snyder)

One day I’ll live in a world where Watchmen is a far more appreciated film than it is right now. But today is not that day. It is still the best film adaptation we could have ever gotten, and it’s an achievement it even exists. The origin of Doctor Manhattan remains one of the most beautifully-shot and chilling sequences in modern filmmaking today. If you can, watch the Ultimate Cut; it is combined with the animated horror short, Tales of the Black Freighter, which solidifies Watchmen a worthy entry into any Halloween binge. Just make it the last one, the Ultimate Cut is almost four hours long.

Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown (2009, dir. Frank H. Woodward)

H.P. Lovecraft is horror. His influences knows no bounds. From Guillermo del Toro to Neil Gaiman to even freaking Pirates of the Caribbean, the man established so much of what we know as horror today. This appropriately eerie documentary on the man himself is chilling, haunting, and incredibly informative.

Rear Window (1954, dir. Alfred Hitchcock)

Alfred Hitchcock rightfully holds the championship title of the “Master of Suspense.” Plenty of his movies set the bar for what we consider horror today, even if the majority of his films more correctly can be considered suspense thrillers. Yet movies like Psycho and The Birds have influenced generations of horror filmmakers, and no one could teach this kung-fu better than ol’ Al. For this year’s Halloween, if you haven’t already, check out one suspense thriller that is just two steps away from being proper horror: the classic Rear Window. The showdown with the film’s antagonist — a true son of a bitch that could have been a horror movie slasher in a parallel universe — is shot and edited wonderfully that is as terrifying as any top-tier slasher. Any horror fan can watch Psycho. True horror fans will see the terror in Rear Window.

Know of any other non-horror horror movies to watch? Comment below! I’m sure I left out a couple dozen.

‘Dredd’ Getting A Sequel… In Comic Form

by Derek KraneveldtApril 11, 2013

Dredd was easily one of last year’s best action films. The movie was artistically violent, incredibly fluid, relentlessly jaw-dropping, and it also had some of the best 3D effects that I’ve ever seen. Sadly, the movie bombed, returning just 36-million of its estimated 45-million dollar budget.

Dredd deserves to be seen, and Dredd absolutely deserves a sequel. Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby made an incredible team, and it’s terribly sad that we won’t be seeing a Dredd sequel any time soon… at least on screen.

2000AD released a teaser image today with the tagline ‘Did someone mention a sequel?’, and a date of September 2013. It looks like that sequel we’re all so desperate for is going to happen after all, just not in the format we’d hoped.

Check out the teaser image below, and let us know what you think!

Source: IGN

Director Pete Travis Talks About The Possibility Of A Sequel To ‘Dredd’

by Shawn MaddenJanuary 12, 2013

One of Geekscape’s favorite movies this year was definitely Dredd. However, the general movie going audience didn’t seem to feel the same way and it underperformed at the box office. While promoting the Blu-Ray release of Dredd 3D, director Pete Travis commented on the possibility of a sequel to the film. Despite Dredd not making back its $50 million budget, Travis believes that a sequel will happen. However, he doesn’t think that he’ll be around to direct and also comments on Alex Garland’s idea for a trilogy:

“I don’t think so. I really hope there is a second one. I just feel very lucky to have been involved in the first one. It has been a great experience for me. I read Alex Garland’s script two years ago, and I fell in love with it then. I have enjoyed the whole process of working on that with him, and bringing it to the screen. It was extraordinary. I hope they get the chance to make another one. I think Dredd is an extraordinary character. I think Karl Urban captured him so perfectly. I think there is a real beautiful future there.”

“I think Alex Garland has a trilogy in his mind. I think there is a whole exciting journey in front of Dredd if Alex and Karl Urban get to take him on that journey. The future is really exciting for him. Especially in terms of going with some of the other characters from the comic book. Finding out more about where Dredd comes from. I also think its exciting, the possibilities. The first film does go all out as a visual feast. Whoever gets a chance to do the others willl take that, and make it even more exciting. I can’t wait to see it. I don’t really know how the sequel thing works, really. I hope they get another chance to make a second film. I think Karl Urban…He is Dredd. It would be really exciting for them to make another, and go further with that character. I sincerely hope so…”

Travis also revealed that he’s got another comic book script on his table at the moment:

“I wasn’t looking for a comic book movie when I found Dredd. Like I say, it was all about the script. There is another comic book script that I have been sent, that I quite like. I hope it might get made this year. I think comic books and graphic novels are exciting. I think there are tons of ways to make them more real. It’s an area I am really excited about.”

But of course, he couldn’t reveal what the project was just yet. If you haven’t picked up your copy of Dredd yet, go out and do it. Negotiations are over. Let’s all help get this film the sequel that it deserves.

Source: MovieWeb

Geekscape Comics: First Look At IDW’s ‘Judge Dredd #1’!

by Shawn MaddenNovember 17, 2012

In the 22nd century, crime runs rampant in Mega-City One, home to over 400 million citizens, robots, criminals and lunatics. The only line of defense between anarchy and chaos are… the Judges. And Judge Dredd is the toughest of them all. In this, Judge Dredd’s 35th anniversary year, IDW is proud to re-introduce Judge Dredd to America in this all-new ongoing series.

JUDGE DREDD #1
Written by Duane Swierczynski
Pencils by Nelson Daniel
Cover by Zach Howard

Source: CBR

Check Out A New Featurette For ‘Dredd’!

by Shawn MaddenSeptember 5, 2012

Need some new footage to hold you over until Dredd hits theaters? Well, then check out this new featurette featuring Karl Urban discussing a role that’s a real change of pace for him as Judge Dredd. Find out what the character’s creator thinks about the movie and Urban’s performance as well.

Dredd is the law on September 21st.

Check Out The ‘Dredd’ Motion Comic Prequel!

by Shawn MaddenSeptember 5, 2012

Before seeing Dredd, you may want to check out this motion comic which provides a bit of backstory to the character Ma-Ma played by Lena Headey.

The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge – a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of “Slo-Mo” experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.

During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture- a 200 story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan’s inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound’s control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival.

Dredd is the law on September 21st.

Source: IGN

MaMa Wants The Judges Dead In This New Clip From ‘Dredd’

by Shawn MaddenAugust 20, 2012

We’ve got about a month to go until the release of Dredd into theaters and I honestly can’t wait for this one. The more footage that gets out for it the better it looks. Check out the latest clip below!

The future America is an irradiated wasteland. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge – a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of “Slo-Mo” experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.

During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture- a 200 story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan’s inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound’s control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival.

Dredd is the law September 21st.

SDCC 2012: One Geek’s Journey Through The Madness Of Comic-Con (Part I)

by Scott AlminianaJuly 18, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 is now over and I’ve been trying to get back to some semblance of a life, which has proved to be mildly difficult to do. See, this was only my second time ever going to SDCC. My first time was back in 2010 when I went for a single day. This time I was able to get my geek on for the entirety of SDCC thanks to Geekscape. Let me just say that going from one day to every day is a giant leap. To say that my ass was beat by Sunday would be an understatement. Regardless, it was still one hell of a ride. I’ve decided to just break down my experience into one article as opposed to doing multiple articles. It’s mainly due to the fact that some of the panels I went to were more entertaining than others and therefore

Preview Night: Myself and Shawn Madden arrived into the heart of Whale’s Vagina at around 2 pm. We made our way over to the Hyatt where Shawn was staying with Mr. London and Geekscape’s own Rarity cosplaying brony, Shane O’hare. Once the luggage was dropped off I headed over to the convention center to pick up my badge. Seeing as it was only 3 pm and the floor didn’t open until 6 pm, Shawn and I decided to head into the Gaslamp District and grab some lunch and check things out. Lionsgate was going to show a free screening of Dredd later that night so we went by the theater to see if there was a line forming yet. There wasn’t so we went to TGIFriday’s for happy hour. After some much needed 1/2 priced appetizers and a long island iced tea (I was on vacation, don’t judge me) we headed back by the theater and found that there was a line forming but it was still early so we weren’t too worried. We killed some time until 6 pm rolled around, at which point I headed back to the convention center to check out Preview night while Shawn decided he would go grab us a prime spot in the line for the movie.

Upon setting foot on the convention floor my first thought was “where the hell is the Geekscape booth?” I knew it was booth #3919 but I had no idea where that was. Luckily, SDCC has giant banners hanging above the aisles letting you know what aisle number you’re on. Unlucky for me though was the fact that the floor was packed with people trying to get their hands on all the exclusives available. It was mass chaos on the floor with people pushing and shoving trying to get around, it was a nightmare. After what seemed like an eternity I finally found my way to Geekscape’s home for the duration of SDCC met some of the other writers for the site. It was good to finally put faces to names for the first time and after pleasantries had been made I decided to leave the madness of Preview Night behind me and head back to the theater to meet up with Shawn. It was 7:30 pm by the time I got there and a small but decent sized line had started to form. We had a good place in line for the movie…or so I thought.

Lionsgate had been advertising this free screening of Dredd all over twitter for at least a week but what they failed to advertise was the fact that it was press screening of the movie and that seating was super limited. This was a fact no one in line knew until about 9:30 that night when a second line started forming next to the one we were waiting in. To say that the whole thing was a giant clusterfuck and was horrible organized would be a huge understatement. Needless to say, after they let in every member of the press only about 20 people from our line were let in. Yeah, we waited for about 3 and a half hours only to not get into the movie. Sucks to be us. After we let our geek rage subside we decided to call it a night and get some rest for day one of SDCC.

Day One: First stop was booth 1515 to pick up a 50 Shades of Grey button for a friend back east. Why they were giving out 50 Shades buttons at SDCC I have no idea but picked one up I did *Yoda voice*. After that I did some wandering around the floor and took buku photos of everything. Then I made my way to the Geekscape booth to say my hellos and meet up with Eric Diaz and our friend Noah. While waiting in the booth I did manage to snap a pic of Katniss Everdeen as she attempted to assassinate Jonathan. Luckily for Jonathan’s sake, brony extraordinaire Shane O’Hare was close by and able to use his magical pony powers to defeat Katniss and save Jonathan’s life. True story.

Most of my day was spent wandering around the convention floor and taking a shit load of pictures like a Japanese tourist at Disneyland. I even made an impulse buy that I am in no way shape or form ashamed of despite the fact that perhaps I should be. What was that impulse buy you ask? It was a Wampa hat of course! You know, because every person really needs their own Wampa hat. All I’ve got to say about this is that I think I look absolutely fabulous in it and that it will keep my noggin warm the next time I find myself on the frozen tundra of Hoth.

There was a press conference for Disney that afternoon that I was fortunate enough to attend. It consisted of 3 seperate Q&A press conferences for Frankenweenie, Oz: The Great and Powerful, and Wreck-It Ralph. First up was Frankenweenie with Tim Burton there to answer questions about his latest stop-motion movie. Burton said that this movie was something that was very near and dear to his heart and he was very glad to be able to return to it and expand on his original idea. When asked what it was like to walk out onto the stage at Hall H and feel the love from the huge crowd, “It’s amazing you know, I wish my family treated me that way. I walk in the door and no one says anything, so it’s nice for a change to get that sorta thing (laughs). I remember coming here back in the late 70’s when it was at the Holiday Inn. It’s amazing what it’s turned into.”

Next up was the press conference for Oz: The Great and Powerful. It featured director Sam Raimi and stars Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams. Let me just say that I’m usually not one to get star-struck but when I saw these two beautiful women walk on stage I instantly fell in love twice. My jaw damn near hit the floor but being as I was about 10 feet from them I had to forcibly keep my jaw closed and make sure I didn’t start drooling. Yeah, they are that gorgeous in the real world. This was a good press conference in which some good questions were asked. When asked what it was like to step into the world of a beloved classic Rami had one of the single greatest responses I’ve heard. “We all love The Wizard of Oz movie but we were careful to respect it. But really ours is a different story, it’s a story that leads up to The Wizard of Oz. It’s a story about how the wizard came from Kansas to the land of Oz and how a slightly selfish became a slightly more selfless man. And its the story of how he became the Wizard. It’s a fantastic story that answers that question… It’s not really a remaking The Wizard of Oz, so it’s not really something we had a problem we had to deal with.”

The final panel of the day was for Wreck-It Ralph and was just a lot of fun. John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman were in attendance and both of them just hilarious. Naturally video games were a hot topic through out this press conference. When asked what their favourite games were growing up Reilly’s answer was “I am dating myself by saying this but I was the test audience for Space Invaders. I spent a lot of money on Space Invaders.” Silverman loved Pitfall, Joust, and was big on Centipede. Everyone was eager to know how hard it was to get video game companies to license out their characters and as it turns out most of them were all too eager to let their characters be used in the movie. Wreck-It Ralph just reminds me so much of my youth and I can’t wait for this one to come out.

My first day at SDCC may have been over but the was just beginning. Thursday night was the Geekscape party that we co-hosted along with Stan Lee’s Comikaze, I’d tell you all about it but then Jonathan would have to kill me. All I can say is that I saw a Predator crumping, Dark Helmet win the costume contest, and that I saw Geekscape’s own Shawn Madden get in a break-dance battle with the red Power Ranger. I’m not making that up, that really happened!

Come back tomorrow for part II and find out where my journey through SDCC lead me next.

First Red Band Clip From ‘Dredd’!

by Shawn MaddenJuly 12, 2012

While I am currently anti-Lionsgate due to their horrible treatment of fans this clip does look good. I am going to see this movie and I hear it’s great and we all should. But at the same time…suck it Lionsgate. You should really treat your fans better versus the press people because the fans are going to be the ones who are going to see this movie more than once in theaters and actually pay for it. Don’t advertise free screenings to your fans when you’re going to just let in a bunch of press only. End rant. Start clip.

Brian Gilmore Will Crush You! The “Geekscapepod” For June 24th, 2012!

by JonathanJune 24, 2012

Geekscape mainstay Brian Gilmore visits the Geekscape couch to talk some serious news and reviews! We discuss spammy Russian sex dealers, rural Chinese sex toys and reminisce about the growth of Geekscape! “Taken 2” and “Dredd” get trailers but which is worth watching? Jonathan talks “Safety Not Guaranteed” while Gilmore tears up at “Brave”! Are Firefly fans the most pathetic fans in Geekdom? The Nintendo 3DS XL sounds lame while a Castle Greyskull card holder sounds awesome! PLUS! How 60s TV Batman saved Batman, Marvel Mania Hollywood menus revealed and a Pixar artist draws R Rated movie scenes!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:53 — 26.1MB)

UPDATE: He Is The Law! See The First Trailer For ‘Dredd’ In HD

by Shawn MaddenJune 21, 2012

Previously seen in lower resolution…the official HD version has made its way online thanks to Machinima. Check out the first trailer for the Pete Travis-directed ‘Dredd’, starring Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby

The story of Dredd takes place on a fictional Earth created as a result of the Atomic Wars. Survivors of this period are living in megacities, which protects its citizens from the Cursed Earth, a radioactive desert environment populated by mutants. The main story takes place in Mega-City One, where the police who are now called judges have the power to use police brutality to some extent to fight extreme murders. One man, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), a senior law enforcement officer, teams up with a cadet called Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) to track down a terrorist organization lead by Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), who is responsible for selling a reality-altering drug called Slo-Mo.

He is the law on September 21st.

Updated Plot Outline And New Image From ‘DREDD’

by Shawn MaddenJune 3, 2012

With an upcoming release date (yet still no trailer?) The Official Dredd Facebook Page has released an updated plot outline for the film:

“The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge – a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of “Slo-Mo” experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.

During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture- a 200 story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan’s inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound’s control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival.

The endlessly inventive mind of writer Alex Garland and director Pete Travis bring DREDD to life as a futuristic neo-noir action film. Filmed in 3D with stunning slow motion photography sequences, the film returns the celebrated character to the dark, visceral incarnation from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s revered comic strip.”

We also have a new image courtesy of IM GLOBAL!

‘Dredd’ is the law in theaters September 21, 2012.