Holmes and Watson interrogate a witness to an unusual event.
With the big budget Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes about to erupt upon the world stage, the Asylum has released the first clips from their own take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous consulting detective. In this film, giant monsters attack London, controlled by a mysterious evil genius. But what kind of monsters are they? The clips are only brief but offer a clue it doesn’t require Holmes to decipher.
Sherlock Holmes (US-2010; dir. Rachel Goldenberg)
Synopsis:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective faces the ultimate challenge when enormous monsters attack London.
In the past few days, the remake of the Ray Harryhausen SFX film Clash of the Titans (US-1981; dir. Desmond Davis) has jumped up quite a few notches on my attention scale thanks to the release of an extended trailer that takes what was looking pretty good and makes it look spectacularly interesting — to me at least.
It’s not just the cool giant scorpions:
or the Gorgon with the extra-long serpentine body (a nicely traditional approach to a Naga-like creature):
or the Del Toroesque soothsayers:
or Pegasus or the harpies or even the über-titanic Orga*-like Kraken (though that has rather a lot to do with it):
There is something about this trailer that excites me in a way that the images and trailers of the critically acclaimed and reputedly excellent James Cameron scifi extravaganza Avatar haven’t managed to do, as interested as I am to see the film. What that something is I’m not sure — and I know it’s a mistake to assume too much from a trailer. But I simply get the impression that Clash of the Titans may be a remake that is totally justified and that director Louis Leterrier [hey, I thought his Incredible Hulk was spot-on] might have done a good job with it. The Harryhausen original has some of the stopmotion master’s best work, yet for me it never held together very well as a film, with a spectacular cast that pretty well does nothing except stand around and talk, and an overly static feel.
This remake is looking as though it might be not only visually excellent, with effectively created and well utilised CGI monsters, but also that it might have a coherent script — an addition that generally (by all indications) had a low priority in the production schedules of many of the blockbuster FX films of recent times. There’s even hint in the trailer of a theme. Of course, I could be wrong — but I can’t wait to find out!
Trailer 2:
If nothing else it gives hope that if rumours regarding a sequel to (or rather a re-boot of) the 1998 US version of Godzilla under the auspices of Legendary Pictures are true, the result may be better than Emmerich’s reasonably effective but Not-At-All-Like-Godzilla effort.
Gallery:
* Note: Orga is the name of the alien monster that Godzilla fights in Gojira ni-sen mireniamu [trans. Godzilla 2000 Millennium; aka Godzilla 2000 (US, 1999), Godzilla vs Orga] (1999; dir. Takao Okawara). Forget the tentacles; compare his head to that of the Kraken:
I can’t say that I’m able to provide more information about Demekingu [aka Demeking; Space Monster Demeking] (Japan-2009; dir. Kôtarô Terauchi) than was in the previous Backbrain article, but Kaiju Search-Robot Avery has been busy collecting images related to it: film books, manga, posters and shots from the film, such as this one of the main protagonist Hachiya (Takeshi Nadagi) on his motorbike.
None of the pictures are of the monster, unfortunately, though the image of a life-size “map” of the monster’s footprint apparently plays a crucial role in the plot:
There is also a shot of Kameoka (Kohei Kiyasu) and the gang of boys that are at the center of events:
And images of various books and other paraphenalia that relate to the film:
Below is a picture of the director, Kôtarô Terauchi (on left), with star Takeshi Nadagi, who is apparently a well-known comedian in Japan:
And here’s the pop group Pe’zmoku that plays a prominent part on the soundtrack and associated music videos:
You’ll find more images in the Gallery at the end of this article.
Meanwhile for tonight I’ll leave you with the intriguing news that there was a previous film version of Demeking – Chikan densha: Benten no oshiri, made in 1998 and directed by Shinji Imaoka. This one seems to be considered a less accurate version of Takashi Imashiro’s popular 1991 manga. From the meagre imagery available, the monsters are somewhat different from each other:
2009 Version (as it appears on a tee-shirt):
1998 Version (as seen on the Japanese DVD cover) and in a [very small] still that Avery found a site named coyote note:
And here’s the director, Shinji Imaoka:
Though Google translations of various websites that talk about it make little sense, one thing that seems to come through is that this version of the film is considered an “adult” film, with explicit sexual content ( a “pink” film) — how explicit, I have no idea. Specifically it seems that the major character, who dreams of the apocalyptic visitation by the monster Demeking, is in a mental institution, having been the victim of sexual harassment. I can’t decipher much more than that from the various websites where the film is discussed — specifically this one — due to the incomprehensible garble produced by the translation software. If any reader of Undead Backbrain can accurately translate this page and the synopsis that appears here, please do so and send it along. I’ll make sure you are rewarded.
Gallery:
Source: Kaiju Search-Robot Avery from a multitude of obscure places
With the success of the ultra-low-budget ghost flick, Paranormal Activity (US-2007; dir. Oren Peli), it’s perhaps only to be expected that others would attempt to leap on the bandwagon. Infamous bandwagon leapers, The Asylum — known for producing cheap “spin-offs” of blockbuster films, so how could they possibly resist a cheap spin-off of an already cheap blockbuster — have announced the imminent 22 December release of Paranormal Entity on DVD.
Looking like a cross between Paranormal Activity and the Spanish found-footage zombiesque flick [Rec] (France-2007; dir. Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza), Paranormal Entity is being presented as genuine footage of a murder — a murder that was, in “reality”, the result of a supernatural incursion:
Actual footage of the events leading to the 2008 “murder” of Samantha Finley. This DVD, released against the wishes of the authorities, proves that nothing human caused Samantha’s death.
On The Asylum’s blog, the pseudo-reality backstory is being maintained — on the off-chance that there are those out there who never realised that The Blair Witch Project was a fake. They’ve even gone so far as to avoid listing credits for director, writer and actors on the website. That’s okay. The whole [for me, largely unwatchable] found-footage schtick has become a subgenre unto itself and in many ways whether we believe it or not is irrelevant. To pretend that it’s all real is just part of the subgenre’s aesthetic — and sometimes this results in the creation of advertising collateral that is more interesting than the film itself. Will that happen here? Who knows?
There’s been some comment on the internet about our release called Paranormal Entity and why is hasn’t been posted on our website until now.
This has been a sensitive issue for all of us:
A few weeks ago we were approached by surviving members of the Finley family who asked us to release never-before-seen home video footage shot by Thomas Finley, who was accused of murdering his sister, Samantha in 2008, and who later took his own life in prison.
The family has always maintained that Thom was innocent of the crime and that Samantha’s tragic death was not caused by anything human. (Asylum blog)
Without commenting on the actual product this trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II game is advertising (because I have no familiarity with it or any previous SW games), I must say that the Really Big Monster unleashed against the Force in it — a critter than preys on Rancors — is a pleasure to look at! (Click to enlarge.)
With the BBC’s new updating of John Wyndham’s classic 1951 scifi novel, The Day of the Triffids — one of my favourites, I might add — about to be aired in the UK on 28 and 29 December, we have some stills and an extended synopsis. Unfortunately the images lack triffids, but there are lots of scenes of the main characters in post-apocalyptic mode.
The Day of the Triffids (UK-2009; dir. Nick Copus)
Synopsis:
Scientist Bill Masen (DOUGRAY SCOTT), has dedicated his life’s work to the study of the complex plant species called Triffids, Genetically modified, they are mass-produced for their ‘Triffoil’, a vital source of renewable fuel. Bill has noticed an unnerving change in their behavioural patterns. The Triffids are starting to communicate. Meanwhile, crowds gather across the globe to witness a much-anticipated solar storm. But the spectacle blinds all those who watch it and the world goes into free fall. In London, fear and panic rage as the blind desperately depend for survival on the few remaining sighted. An even greater nightmare awaits. The Triffids are hungry and moving toward the cities for the most abundant source of their prey — mankind.
Having narrowly escaped blindness, Bill forms an instant attraction with a fellow sighted survivor – the outspoken journalist, Jo Playton (JOELY RICHARDSON). They meet Torrence (EDDIE IZZARD), a flagrantly amoral opportunist, who delights in his new appointment: presiding over the weak and the blind – laying down the foundations for his autocratic government. The Triffid invasion is the perfect crisis for Torrence to work to his own spurious agenda. Despite his feelings for Jo, Bill knows he must leave London. Their one chance of survival lies in reaching the only man who knows more about the Triffids than he does – his estranged father, Dennis (BRIAN COX).
On his perilous mission, Bill breaks free of Torrence and his henchmen, is offered as a sacrifice to the Triffids by the maniacal, messianic community leader Durrant (VANESSA REDGRAVE) and rescues two sisters, Imogen and Susan. These children have lost everything and seek his protection in the final leg of an extraordinary journey. Jo finally finds her way to Bill and the children but their happy reunion is short lived. The desperate efforts of Bill and Dennis to stop the Triffids’ pollination are interrupted by Torrence and his army who surround their house. Caught in the crossfire between the bullets of Torrence’s subordinates and a fast approaching horde of Triffids, Bill’s hopes of saving his newfound family seem doomed to fail. With insurmountable odds against them — how will they make it out alive? (24fps)
Where there are zombies, there are zombie hunters — fearless (or just as often gormless) heroes who aren’t there merely to survive, but to kick living-dead arse. From Timothy Balme in Peter Jackson’s Brain Dead (see image below) to Simon Pegg in Shaun of the Dead to Woody Harrelson in Zombieland to Eri Otoguro in Onechanbara [aka Chanbara Beauty] they have invaded the box office, wielding lawnmowers, cricket bats, 1980s vinyl LPs, lead piping, shotguns, katana and anything else that comes to hand.
For your delectation this weekend, here is a collection of short zombie films featuring Zombie Hunters.
1.
Zombiehunter (Austria-2006; short [5:24 min.]; dir. Stefan Müller)
Synopsis:
After his wife had been killed by zombies, he is now hunting those beasts around the world. A new shelter has been found and now the Zombiehunter is going to do his bloody business.
Details:
Production Company: LOOM
Shooting Time: 2 days
Total Duration of Production: ca. 1/2 year
Team: 3 main crew, 4 crew, 15 extras
Locations: Austria / Styria (Graz) Crew:
Directed by: Stefan Müller
Script & Story by: Stefan Müller, Martin Schneider
DoP: Robert Niessner, Stefan Müller
Producer: Robert Niessner
First Assistant Director: Leopold F.J. Keber
Visual Effects: Robert Niessner
Makeup Artist: Leopold F.J. Keber
Music: Christian Scheucher, Stefan Müller
SFX & mastering: Stefan Müller, Christian Scheucher (ProTone) Cast:
Martin Schneider
Leopold Keber, Sandra Derler, Susanne Kirchner, Peter Hierländer, Stefan Müller, Vincent Seidl, Nils Kaltschmidt u.v.a.
Thanks to the DoP, Robert Niessner, for contacting us about this film.
2.
Zombie Hunter (US-2005; short [11 min.]; dir. Geoff Hamby)
Synopsis:
In a world overrun by the walking dead, an ex-gardener eeks out a living as a zombie killer for hire… “Mad Max meets Dawn of the Dead with a Spaghetti Western flavor”.
Due to technical problems, if you want to see this one you’ll have to do so on the film’s official website. Go to www.zombiehuntermovie.com and click on “Emergency Broadcast” top left on the menu. It’s worth it!
3.
Skyler Phalanges: Zombie Hunter (US-2007; short [6:38 min.]; dir. Mike Lombardo)
Synopsis:
When East Petersburg is overrun by the dead, it’s up to one man to stop them.
4.
Zombie Hunter (US-2007; short [2:00 min.]; dir. Paul Braun)
Very home-made, but… well, kinda cute.
5.
Zombie Hunter (US-2006; short [7:48] ;dir. Brian Haykin)
Synopsis:
“In April of 2005, a group of amateur filmmakers disappeared while shooting a documentary about a zombie hunter.”
6.
Trailer forThe Zombie Hunters (US-2007; dir. Peter Maris)
7.
Zombie Hunters: City of the Dead (US-2007; web series; created by Patrick Devaney)
As a zombie infestation begins to take hold in New York City, citizens are urged to stay calm…
Flying saucers may be the latest scifi staple to get a digital revamp into a cinematic meme.
Planzet — an alien invasion tale of beautifully rendered destruction — is coming from independent Japanese animator Jun Awazu, whose Wakusei daikaiju Negadon [aka Negadon: The Monster From Mars] (Japan-2005; dir. Jun Awazu) did great things for giant monsters from Mars.
Here’s one that slipped past my radar — amazingly, as it appears to be everywhere suddenly.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (US-2010; dir. Jon Turteltaub)
No, it’s not this:
… though it is obviously inspired by it. The famous scene from the 1940 animated classic Fantasia remains one of Disney’s most iconic moments, so is it really surprising in this age of digital cannibalism that the studio would sooner-or-later extrapolate it into a live-action Good-vs-Evil epic?
At any rate, the sorcerer has been replaced by Nicolas Cage in unshaved, bad-hair mode and Mickey has been become a youthful, key-demographic ticking Jay Baruchel, with the ever-villainous Alfred Molina along for the ride.
Trailer:
So did you notice the broom scene?
Synopsis:
Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the “National Treasure” franchise, present THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE — an innovative and epic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil. Balthazar Blake (NICOLAS CAGE) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (ALFRED MOLINA). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (JAY BARUCHEL), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE. The screenplay is by Matt Lopez and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard from a screen story by Matt Lopez and Larry Konner & Mark Rosenthal. (Official website)
The whole thing may or may not turn out to be yet another overblown example of “nothing’s interesting when anything is possible”, but it does have some giant monsters — and the dragon looks like it gets to do some city-trashing in good ol’ New York! (Click on the images to get the full effect.)
We’re used to catching sight of weird daikaiju monstrosities around here, but I thought this one was a beautie — a monstrous piano!
It’s US singer Lady GaGa performing for the Queen last night at the Royal Variety Show in Blackpool. She was wearing a red leather dress with a Elizabeth 1 ambiance:
