Grindhouse is one of the most influential box office failures of the 21st century. Despite grossing a paltry $25.4 million at the box office on a budget of around $60 million, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s 2007 love letter to exploitation cinema has managed to spawn four spin-off movies — Machete, Machete Kills, Hobo with a Shotgun, and now Thanksgiving— in addition to reintroducing a vintage aesthetic that has been mimicked by countless other throwback movies.
Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof each have their merits — the former plays like a satirical pastiche of nonstop action, while the latter is more indicative of genuine exploitation fare — but Grindhouse is more than just a double feature. It’s an experience, complete with faux aging to recreate the look of beat-up film prints along with vintage interstitials and retro-inspired trailers for nonexistent movies.
Planet Terror is the first part of the double bill,...
Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof each have their merits — the former plays like a satirical pastiche of nonstop action, while the latter is more indicative of genuine exploitation fare — but Grindhouse is more than just a double feature. It’s an experience, complete with faux aging to recreate the look of beat-up film prints along with vintage interstitials and retro-inspired trailers for nonexistent movies.
Planet Terror is the first part of the double bill,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Robert Rodriguez made his feature directorial debut with El Mariachi, an ultra low-budget action movie that launched his career. He followed it up with two sequels, Desperado in 1995 and Once Upon a Time in Mexico in 2003, but the director told The Wrap that he’d love to revisit the series with a new sequel.
“I would love to revisit the ‘Desperado’ series,” Robert Rodriguez said. “I thought it was way ahead of its time.” However, the amount of gun violence featured in the movies gives him pause nowadays. “It’s really hard to do today, for me, anything with guns,” Rodriguez explained. “Gun violence has gotten out of control. Even those are those are very tongue-in-cheek and kind of fun. It’s just hard to do. There’s always some terrible shooting and you just go, ‘I don’t know if I can responsibly do anything with guns.’ I really love those films,...
“I would love to revisit the ‘Desperado’ series,” Robert Rodriguez said. “I thought it was way ahead of its time.” However, the amount of gun violence featured in the movies gives him pause nowadays. “It’s really hard to do today, for me, anything with guns,” Rodriguez explained. “Gun violence has gotten out of control. Even those are those are very tongue-in-cheek and kind of fun. It’s just hard to do. There’s always some terrible shooting and you just go, ‘I don’t know if I can responsibly do anything with guns.’ I really love those films,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
There are low-budget movies like last year's "Barbarian," which became a sizable hit against a $4.5 million budget, and the kind of success story that often makes headlines. There are micro-budget movies, such as Sean Baker's "Tangerine," which was shot on iPhones and produced for a mere $100,000. And then there's "El Mariachi," the feature directorial debut of Robert Rodriguez, which was made for a hair over $7,000 and ultimately scored him a two-picture deal at Columbia Pictures. To date, his films have earned more than $1.5 billion at the global box office, and he even ran the El Rey TV network for nearly a decade.
The success Rodriguez managed to string together from pretty close to nothing is the stuff of legend in Hollywood,...
There are low-budget movies like last year's "Barbarian," which became a sizable hit against a $4.5 million budget, and the kind of success story that often makes headlines. There are micro-budget movies, such as Sean Baker's "Tangerine," which was shot on iPhones and produced for a mere $100,000. And then there's "El Mariachi," the feature directorial debut of Robert Rodriguez, which was made for a hair over $7,000 and ultimately scored him a two-picture deal at Columbia Pictures. To date, his films have earned more than $1.5 billion at the global box office, and he even ran the El Rey TV network for nearly a decade.
The success Rodriguez managed to string together from pretty close to nothing is the stuff of legend in Hollywood,...
- 2/25/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Many a Robert Rodriguez flick has featured Antonio Banderas or some such actor walking away from an explosion without looking back. Banderas first teamed with Rodriguez on the 1995 Western actioner "Desperado," which also introduced the world to Salma Hayek and formed the second installment in Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy" after his feature-length directorial debut, "El Mariachi." The title role in "El Mariachi" was played by Carlos Gallardo, but Banderas took over in "Desperado," the year after he appeared in "Interview with the Vampire" with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.
Though he may have brought a movie star quality to the new and improved El Mariachi character, Banderas still found himself in a position where he was doing dangerous stunts. In one "Desperado" scene, El Mariachi dangles off the edge of a building, then falls backward while shooting his guns, landing on the next building. He retrieves some grenades from his guitar...
Though he may have brought a movie star quality to the new and improved El Mariachi character, Banderas still found himself in a position where he was doing dangerous stunts. In one "Desperado" scene, El Mariachi dangles off the edge of a building, then falls backward while shooting his guns, landing on the next building. He retrieves some grenades from his guitar...
- 9/18/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Stars: Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Mark Strange, Joshua Dickinson, Michael Sheehan, Katarina Leigh Waters, Martyn Ford, Akira Koieyama | Written by Chee Keong Cheung, Steve Horvath | Directed by Chee Keong Cheung
It’s safe to say that zombie movies became all the more scary with the introduction of the free running zombies from movies like 28 Days Later, World War Z and I Am Legend but something I was not really prepared to see was a Doomsday-esque plot with free thinking militarised highly combative “pack mentality” zombies like they have in Redcon-1... That my friends is how you freshen a zombie genre that has been watered down an made pretty laughable by shows like The Walking Dead!
I have been a tad lethargic when it comes to the “zombie survival thriller” moniker as of late but when you take a look at quotes like “The Raid meets 28 Days Later” and “A fast-paced,...
It’s safe to say that zombie movies became all the more scary with the introduction of the free running zombies from movies like 28 Days Later, World War Z and I Am Legend but something I was not really prepared to see was a Doomsday-esque plot with free thinking militarised highly combative “pack mentality” zombies like they have in Redcon-1... That my friends is how you freshen a zombie genre that has been watered down an made pretty laughable by shows like The Walking Dead!
I have been a tad lethargic when it comes to the “zombie survival thriller” moniker as of late but when you take a look at quotes like “The Raid meets 28 Days Later” and “A fast-paced,...
- 7/2/2020
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
Director: Chee Keong Cheung. Writers: Chee Keong Cheung, Steve Horvath and Mark Strange. Cast: Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Mark Strange, Katarina Leigh Waters, Martyn Ford and Joshua Dickinson. Redcon-1 is the latest zombie thriller, to emerge from the United Kingdom. Shot in Glasgow and London, this is a martial arts actioner, from director and producer Chee Keong Cheung (Underground). The film was developed by a team of writers. But, you might not notice this in the story, which is paper thin. Borrowing from a few other movies like Escape from New York (1981), 28 Days Later (2002) and a few others, Redcon-1 forgets about some of its characters and their dialogue. Still, there is a lot of dazzle on the screen as the film's crew focuses on the many action elements. In the end, Redcon-1 is a an interesting zombie action tale, which is built on a thin layer of plot. You may...
- 5/20/2019
- by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Shockingly high concept for its astonishingly low budget, Robert Rodriguez’s “Red 11” was never meant to see the light of day, but turned out so well that the director opted to share it with the public as a kind of empowerment tool. Make no mistake: The thriller — which takes place in a medical research lab where young people sell their bodies to science, at a price — is a clunky, badly acted, and frequently embarrassing by-the-numbers picture at best, held together with shoestring and paper clips, but that’s almost beside the point.
Debuting at SXSW just weeks after Rodriguez’s most expensive production yet, “Alita: Battle Angel” (and shot over 14 days during post-production of that project), “Red 11” was inspired by the unorthodox way Rodriguez made his Sundance audience award-winning debut, “El Mariachi,” and designed to prove that resources are irrelevant when it comes to teaching oneself how to make movies,...
Debuting at SXSW just weeks after Rodriguez’s most expensive production yet, “Alita: Battle Angel” (and shot over 14 days during post-production of that project), “Red 11” was inspired by the unorthodox way Rodriguez made his Sundance audience award-winning debut, “El Mariachi,” and designed to prove that resources are irrelevant when it comes to teaching oneself how to make movies,...
- 3/13/2019
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
To celebrate the release of the British horror thriller Redcon-1, available on Blu-ray & DVD 25th February 2019, we are giving away a limited edition Blu-ray bundle!
Gain exclusive insight behind the scenes of one of the UK’s most ambitious Zombie films with a limited edition glossy 48-page booklet, featuring never before seen photos, cast & crew biographies, director’s notes and photos of the film’s amazing extras. Also included is a set of 6 art cards featuring the Special Forces team and a horde of attacking Zombies, a large glossy film poster and an exclusive ‘Redcon-1’ t-shirt.
From rising director Chee Keong Cheung, and starring Oris Erhuero (Highlander: Endgame), Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi) Mark Strange (Batman Begins), Katarina Waters (Former WWE wrestler) and Martyn Ford (Final Score), comes Redcon-1 – a horror thriller driven through with genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware, as a crack team of soldiers...
Gain exclusive insight behind the scenes of one of the UK’s most ambitious Zombie films with a limited edition glossy 48-page booklet, featuring never before seen photos, cast & crew biographies, director’s notes and photos of the film’s amazing extras. Also included is a set of 6 art cards featuring the Special Forces team and a horde of attacking Zombies, a large glossy film poster and an exclusive ‘Redcon-1’ t-shirt.
From rising director Chee Keong Cheung, and starring Oris Erhuero (Highlander: Endgame), Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi) Mark Strange (Batman Begins), Katarina Waters (Former WWE wrestler) and Martyn Ford (Final Score), comes Redcon-1 – a horror thriller driven through with genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware, as a crack team of soldiers...
- 2/26/2019
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
To celebrate the release of the British horror thriller Redcon-1, available on Blu-ray & DVD 25th February 2019, we are giving away a copy on Blu-ray.
From rising director Chee Keong Cheung, and starring Oris Erhuero (Highlander: Endgame), Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi) Mark Strange (Batman Begins), Katarina Waters (Former WWE wrestler) and Martyn Ford (Final Score), comes Redcon-1 – a horror thriller driven through with genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware, as a crack team of soldiers must battle through a zombie filled Britain in a race against time to find a cure.
“The Raid meets 28 Days Later” ★★★★ Box Office Buz
“A gore-drenched punch to the stomach” ★★★★ Horror Channel
“A fast-paced, action packed zombie epic unlike any other” ★★★★ Loaded
Order today: po.st/Redcon1-uk
To win Redcon-1 on Blu-ray, just answer the following question:
Redcon-1 director Chee Keong Cheung also directed which of the following? Was it:
a...
From rising director Chee Keong Cheung, and starring Oris Erhuero (Highlander: Endgame), Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi) Mark Strange (Batman Begins), Katarina Waters (Former WWE wrestler) and Martyn Ford (Final Score), comes Redcon-1 – a horror thriller driven through with genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware, as a crack team of soldiers must battle through a zombie filled Britain in a race against time to find a cure.
“The Raid meets 28 Days Later” ★★★★ Box Office Buz
“A gore-drenched punch to the stomach” ★★★★ Horror Channel
“A fast-paced, action packed zombie epic unlike any other” ★★★★ Loaded
Order today: po.st/Redcon1-uk
To win Redcon-1 on Blu-ray, just answer the following question:
Redcon-1 director Chee Keong Cheung also directed which of the following? Was it:
a...
- 2/21/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Dread Central Presents and Epic Pictures are about to take you into post-apocalyptic England with the announcement that we will be releasing Redcon-1! The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo (Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico), Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and publisher of Heavy Metal. …
The post Dread Central Presents: Zombies, Martial Arts, and Post-apocalyptic Action in Redcon-1! appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
The post Dread Central Presents: Zombies, Martial Arts, and Post-apocalyptic Action in Redcon-1! appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
- 1/31/2019
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
From some of the minds behind Desperado and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For comes the zombie thriller Redcon-1. Set in post-apocalyptic England, a virus released by the government has turned humanity into a stronger and more deadly beast, and we have a look at the trailer for Redcon-1 ahead of its release this May.
"Dread Central Presents and Epic Pictures are about to take you into post-apocalyptic England with the announcement that we will be releasing Redcon-1! The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo, Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and publisher of Heavy Metal.
“A government experiment is unleashed, releasing a mutated genetic virus which amplifies and enhances human abilities. Amidst pandemic chaos, humanity is reborn as a stronger, faster, far more deadly...
"Dread Central Presents and Epic Pictures are about to take you into post-apocalyptic England with the announcement that we will be releasing Redcon-1! The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo, Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and publisher of Heavy Metal.
“A government experiment is unleashed, releasing a mutated genetic virus which amplifies and enhances human abilities. Amidst pandemic chaos, humanity is reborn as a stronger, faster, far more deadly...
- 1/30/2019
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
From rising director Chee Keong Cheung comes Redcon-1, a post-apocalyptic, horror action/thriller punctuated by relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware.
The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo, Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and publisher of "Heavy Metal".
Synopsis:
After a zombie apocalypse spreads from a London prison, the UK is...
The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo, Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and publisher of "Heavy Metal".
Synopsis:
After a zombie apocalypse spreads from a London prison, the UK is...
- 1/29/2019
- QuietEarth.us
Dread Central Presents is about to take you into post-apocalyptic England with the announcement that we will be releasing Redcon-1! The film comes from the mind of writer/director Chee Keong Cheung and is produced by Carlos Gallardo, Stephen L’Heureux (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Kevin […] The post Dread Central Presents: Zombies, Martial Arts, and Post-Apocalyptic Action Abound in Redcon-1! appeared first on Dread Central.
- 1/25/2019
- by Jonathan Barkan
- DreadCentral.com
The zombie-infused film Redcon-1 is moving to home entertainment formats, in February. This title was previously on a film festival run, this past September. A trailer was also released with the film's initial release (found below). Now, Redcon-1 will be available on several formats, in the United Kingdom, through 101 Films. Shot by Chee Keong Cheung (Underground), Redcon-1 stars: Martyn Ford, Katarina Leigh Waters and Carlos Gallardo. Offering lots of martial-arts action, a preview of the film's upcoming, wide release is hosted here. As well, a longer synopsis has been revealed. The longer version mentions a zombie apocalypse, spreading through a London prison. The entire south-east of England is quarantined. But, a scientist may have a cure to the spread of this infection. A team of eight Special Forces soldiers are sent into the quarantined zone to rescue the scientist. Director Cheung was recently interviewed on the film. He says of...
- 1/10/2019
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Stars: Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Mark Strange, Joshua Dickinson, Michael Sheehan, Katarina Leigh Waters, Martyn Ford, Akira Koieyama | Written by Chee Keong Cheung, Steve Horvath | Directed by Chee Keong Cheung
Its safe to say that zombie movies became all the more scary with the introduction of the free running zombies from movies like 28 Days Later, World War Z and I Am Legend but something I was not really prepared to see was a Doomsday-esque plot with free thinking militarised highly combative “pack mentality” zombies like they have in Redcon-1... That my friends is how you freshen a zombie genre that has been watered down an made pretty laughable by shows like The Walking Dead!
I have been a tad lethargic when it comes to the z”ombie survival thriller” moniker as of late but when you take a look at quotes like “The Raid meets 28 Days Later” and “A fast-paced,...
Its safe to say that zombie movies became all the more scary with the introduction of the free running zombies from movies like 28 Days Later, World War Z and I Am Legend but something I was not really prepared to see was a Doomsday-esque plot with free thinking militarised highly combative “pack mentality” zombies like they have in Redcon-1... That my friends is how you freshen a zombie genre that has been watered down an made pretty laughable by shows like The Walking Dead!
I have been a tad lethargic when it comes to the z”ombie survival thriller” moniker as of late but when you take a look at quotes like “The Raid meets 28 Days Later” and “A fast-paced,...
- 10/5/2018
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
I've got a fun trailer for an action-packed zombie film for you to check out called Redcon-1. Don't write this movie off just because it's another Zombie film, it actually looks like it could be a good and entertaining movie! Especially with zombies that have enhanced combat and fighting skills!
The story follows a squad of eight Special Forces soldiers who embark on a suicide mission to rescue an important scientist from a city that is overrun with zombies. The film is also said to include "genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware."
After a zombie apocalypse spreads from a London prison, the UK is brought to its knees. The spread of the virus is temporarily contained but, without a cure, it’s only a matter of time before it breaks its boundaries and the biggest problem of all… any zombies with combat skills are now enhanced.
The story follows a squad of eight Special Forces soldiers who embark on a suicide mission to rescue an important scientist from a city that is overrun with zombies. The film is also said to include "genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware."
After a zombie apocalypse spreads from a London prison, the UK is brought to its knees. The spread of the virus is temporarily contained but, without a cure, it’s only a matter of time before it breaks its boundaries and the biggest problem of all… any zombies with combat skills are now enhanced.
- 8/15/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The film will receive a theatrical tour around the UK as a series of event screenings.
UK distributor 101 Films has picked up Chee Keong Cheung’s zombie horror Redcon-1.
The company will distribute the film in collaboration with Intense Distribution, an arm of Chee’s production company Intense Productions.
Redcon-1, which stars Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Akira Koieyama and Mark Strange. will be released as a series of event screenings around the UK, at both Vue theatres and indie sites, from September 28. Some 70 screenings in 28 cities are confirmed with more planned.
The screenings will include various director and cast Q&As,...
UK distributor 101 Films has picked up Chee Keong Cheung’s zombie horror Redcon-1.
The company will distribute the film in collaboration with Intense Distribution, an arm of Chee’s production company Intense Productions.
Redcon-1, which stars Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Akira Koieyama and Mark Strange. will be released as a series of event screenings around the UK, at both Vue theatres and indie sites, from September 28. Some 70 screenings in 28 cities are confirmed with more planned.
The screenings will include various director and cast Q&As,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
"War Has Just Evolved." Eagle Films has released an official trailer for a British zombie action horror film titled Redcon-1, opening in cinemas in the UK this September (though unfortunately no word on any Us release yet). Another new take on the zombie genre, this one introduces zombies with "enhanced" combat skills. The plot follows a squad of eight Special Forces soldiers who are assigned a suicide mission to rescue a scientist from a city ruled by the undead. Starring Oris Erhuero, Carlos Gallardo, Mark Strange, Katarina Leigh Waters, Martyn Ford, Joshua Dickinson, Michael Sheehan, Akira Koieyama, Euan Macnaughton, Marc Baylis, and Madeleine Kelly. This supposedly features "genuine relentless fight action and bristling with real military hardware." Surprisingly this looks better than it sounds, but still doesn't seem to add much new or different to the zombie genre. At least it doesn't look like a total disaster. Here's the first...
- 8/14/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Tagline: "Millions Infected, A Nation Divided, An Enemy With No Soul." Redcon-1 is an upcoming zombie, horror film. Shot in England, director Chee Keong Cheung (Bodyguard: A New Beginning) will bring some martial arts to this picture. Currently in post-production, a few stills, for the film, were released in 2016. Now, a concept poster is available, while a trailer is coming soon. Martyn Ford, Katarina Leigh Waters, Carlos Gallardo and Marc Baylis star in this feature. And, fans can expect something different, in this tale. The synopsis talks of eight special force soldiers. They are tasked with rescuing a scientist, from a zombie strewn city. All entrances and exits lead to more of the undead. Distribution details are still in the works. Epic Pictures Group is the sales agent for the film. And, it is expected that Redcon-1 will be completed soon. So, zombie film fans should expect a release date and a trailer,...
- 5/16/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
When you’ve got a film that’s produced by Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico) and Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, editor/publisher of “Heavy Metal” magazine), it’s a film that you pay attention… Continue Reading →
The post Exclusive: Carlos Gallardo, Kevin Eastman, and Chee Keong Cheung on the Zombie Action Martial Arts Film Redcon-1 appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Exclusive: Carlos Gallardo, Kevin Eastman, and Chee Keong Cheung on the Zombie Action Martial Arts Film Redcon-1 appeared first on Dread Central.
- 5/16/2017
- by Jonathan Barkan
- DreadCentral.com
“A lot of this was done at the very last minute.”
2007’s Grindhouse experiment between Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino was viewed as something of a misfire upon its initial release, but in the years since it’s enjoyed something of a reappraisal. Most viewers seem to have a strong opinion as to which of the two films is best, but regardless of where you land on that point there’s no denying that Rodriguez’s Planet Terror is far more attuned to the “grindhouse” aesthetic.
Where Death Proof feels like a slickly produced Tarantino film, Planet Terror is a gloriously intentional mess of jarring cuts, cheap tropes, B-movie dialogue, and crowd-pleasing beats. It’s not great cinema, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun and one of Rodriguez’s most consistently entertaining movies.
Keep reading to see what I heard on the Planet Terror commentary!
Planet Terror (2007)
Commentator: Robert Rodriguez (writer/director)
https:...
2007’s Grindhouse experiment between Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino was viewed as something of a misfire upon its initial release, but in the years since it’s enjoyed something of a reappraisal. Most viewers seem to have a strong opinion as to which of the two films is best, but regardless of where you land on that point there’s no denying that Rodriguez’s Planet Terror is far more attuned to the “grindhouse” aesthetic.
Where Death Proof feels like a slickly produced Tarantino film, Planet Terror is a gloriously intentional mess of jarring cuts, cheap tropes, B-movie dialogue, and crowd-pleasing beats. It’s not great cinema, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun and one of Rodriguez’s most consistently entertaining movies.
Keep reading to see what I heard on the Planet Terror commentary!
Planet Terror (2007)
Commentator: Robert Rodriguez (writer/director)
https:...
- 5/5/2016
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It's fitting that Clint Eastwood and John Wayne both have the same birthday week. (Wayne, who died in 1979, was born May 26, 1907, while Eastwood turns 85 on May 31). After all, these two all-American actors' careers span the history of that most American of movie genres, the western.
Both iconic actors were top box office draws for decades, both seldom stretched from their familiar personas, and both played macho, conservative cowboy heroes who let their firearms do most of the talking. Each represented one of two very different strains of western, the traditional and the revisionist.
As a birthday present to Hollywood's biggest heroes of the Wild West, here are the top 57 westerns you need to see.
57. 'Meek's Cutoff' (2010)
Indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt and her frequent leading lady, Michelle Williams, are the talents behind this sparse, docudrama about an 1845 wagon train whose Oregon Trail journey goes horribly awry. It's an intense...
Both iconic actors were top box office draws for decades, both seldom stretched from their familiar personas, and both played macho, conservative cowboy heroes who let their firearms do most of the talking. Each represented one of two very different strains of western, the traditional and the revisionist.
As a birthday present to Hollywood's biggest heroes of the Wild West, here are the top 57 westerns you need to see.
57. 'Meek's Cutoff' (2010)
Indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt and her frequent leading lady, Michelle Williams, are the talents behind this sparse, docudrama about an 1845 wagon train whose Oregon Trail journey goes horribly awry. It's an intense...
- 5/26/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Between the 28 April and 5 May, El Mariachi himself Carlos Gallardo will be running a series of one day masterclasses across the UK to “inspire the young filmmakers.” To coincide with these events HeyUGuys had the privilege to speak with the iconic actor and producer. Talking with Gallardo, his voice beats with a passionate rhythm, of someone whose passion for cinema and filmmaking has only matured with age.
When we caught up with him he spoke about discovering his cinematic and creative inspiration, his collaborative relationship with Robert Rodriguez, the challenges faced and conquered, and offered us an insight into what he hopes to share with the aspiring filmmakers attending his masterclasses.
Why a creative career? Was there that one inspirational moment?
It all started when I was six years old in Acapulco, Mexico. We were a couple of kids who were left with a nanny when our parents went out.
When we caught up with him he spoke about discovering his cinematic and creative inspiration, his collaborative relationship with Robert Rodriguez, the challenges faced and conquered, and offered us an insight into what he hopes to share with the aspiring filmmakers attending his masterclasses.
Why a creative career? Was there that one inspirational moment?
It all started when I was six years old in Acapulco, Mexico. We were a couple of kids who were left with a nanny when our parents went out.
- 4/28/2014
- by Paul Risker
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
El Mariachi poster
Glasgow, Lancaster, Newcastle, London and Manchester are all on the agenda as Carlos Gallardo, producer of El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, prepares to tour the UK. The Mexican filmmaker, who made his first feature on just over £4,000, will be giving a series of masterclasses on low budget filmmaking in association with UK Trade & Investment North West and Ukti North East.
Besides production, Gallardo has worked as a writer, director and actor, making a memorable appearance as an out-of-his-depth police officer in close friend Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror. He also has experience working in the art ans special effects departments. The masterclasses are designed to cover everything from writing and financing to sales and distribution, and will include panel discussions and opportunities for attendees to ask questions. The aim is to provide the inspiration and practical advice needed to help new filmmakers succeed,...
Glasgow, Lancaster, Newcastle, London and Manchester are all on the agenda as Carlos Gallardo, producer of El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, prepares to tour the UK. The Mexican filmmaker, who made his first feature on just over £4,000, will be giving a series of masterclasses on low budget filmmaking in association with UK Trade & Investment North West and Ukti North East.
Besides production, Gallardo has worked as a writer, director and actor, making a memorable appearance as an out-of-his-depth police officer in close friend Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror. He also has experience working in the art ans special effects departments. The masterclasses are designed to cover everything from writing and financing to sales and distribution, and will include panel discussions and opportunities for attendees to ask questions. The aim is to provide the inspiration and practical advice needed to help new filmmakers succeed,...
- 4/12/2014
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Producer to take part in series of film masterclasses ran by Intense Productions in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw.
Carlos Gallardo will take part in a series of exclusive one day film masterclasses in the UK.
Run by Intense Productions, in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw, the masterclasses will focus on how to make a micro budget film and sell it, covering topics including screenwriting and raising finance.
Gallardo co-wrote, starred in and produced Robert Rodriguez’s feature debut El Mariachi. He then went on to produce follow-ups Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Speaking alongside Gallardo will be Chee Keong Cheung, MD of Intense Productions and Intense Distribution, and Displaced producer Mark Strange.
Cheung commented: “It’s an incredible honour for us to be able to bring Carlos over to the UK. I’m very excited filmmakers both established and up and coming will have the chance to hear and...
Carlos Gallardo will take part in a series of exclusive one day film masterclasses in the UK.
Run by Intense Productions, in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw, the masterclasses will focus on how to make a micro budget film and sell it, covering topics including screenwriting and raising finance.
Gallardo co-wrote, starred in and produced Robert Rodriguez’s feature debut El Mariachi. He then went on to produce follow-ups Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Speaking alongside Gallardo will be Chee Keong Cheung, MD of Intense Productions and Intense Distribution, and Displaced producer Mark Strange.
Cheung commented: “It’s an incredible honour for us to be able to bring Carlos over to the UK. I’m very excited filmmakers both established and up and coming will have the chance to hear and...
- 3/10/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Producer to take part in series of film masterclasses ran by Intense Productions in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw.
Carlos Gallardo [pictured] will take part in a series of exclusive one day film masterclasses in the UK.
Ran by Intense Productions, in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw, the masterclasses will focus on how to make a micro budget film and sell it, covering topics including screenwriting and raising finance.
Gallardo co-wrote, starred in and produced Robert Rodriguez’s feature debut El Mariachi. He then went on to produce follow-ups Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Speaking alongside Gallardo will be Chee Keong Cheung, MD of Intense Productions and Intense Distribution, and Displaced producer Mark Strange.
Cheung commented: “It’s an incredible honour for us to be able to bring Carlos over to the UK. I’m very excited filmmakers both established and up and coming will have the chance to hear and...
Carlos Gallardo [pictured] will take part in a series of exclusive one day film masterclasses in the UK.
Ran by Intense Productions, in association with UK Trade and Investment Nw, the masterclasses will focus on how to make a micro budget film and sell it, covering topics including screenwriting and raising finance.
Gallardo co-wrote, starred in and produced Robert Rodriguez’s feature debut El Mariachi. He then went on to produce follow-ups Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Speaking alongside Gallardo will be Chee Keong Cheung, MD of Intense Productions and Intense Distribution, and Displaced producer Mark Strange.
Cheung commented: “It’s an incredible honour for us to be able to bring Carlos over to the UK. I’m very excited filmmakers both established and up and coming will have the chance to hear and...
- 3/10/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Word has rolled into our offices that The Banshee Chapter (review) has scored itself some distro across the pond, and with it have come some new images.
From the Press Release
Newly formed Intense Distribution and 101 Films are pleased to announce they have acquired the UK rights to the acclaimed horror/thriller Banshee Chapter, written and directed by Blair Erickson and starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (‘Dexter’, ‘Sleepy Hollow’) and Michael McMillian (‘True Blood’).
The film focuses on Anne Roland (Katia Winter), a young journalist with an appetite for controversy, as she follows the trail of a strange government research chemical that might have caused the death of her close friend (Michael McMillian). After tracing the substance to the desert ranch of an infamous retired novelist (Ted Levine), she’s drawn into an experience of terror and frightening entities that she cannot escape. The events...
From the Press Release
Newly formed Intense Distribution and 101 Films are pleased to announce they have acquired the UK rights to the acclaimed horror/thriller Banshee Chapter, written and directed by Blair Erickson and starring Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Katia Winter (‘Dexter’, ‘Sleepy Hollow’) and Michael McMillian (‘True Blood’).
The film focuses on Anne Roland (Katia Winter), a young journalist with an appetite for controversy, as she follows the trail of a strange government research chemical that might have caused the death of her close friend (Michael McMillian). After tracing the substance to the desert ranch of an infamous retired novelist (Ted Levine), she’s drawn into an experience of terror and frightening entities that she cannot escape. The events...
- 10/23/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Robert Rodriguez's movie El Mariachi is to be adapted for TV.
Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, El Mariachi will tell the story of a young mariachi musician, Martín Aguirre, who is mistaken as a legendary fugitive and becomes embroiled in a war with the cartels.
The same character was previously portrayed by Antonio Banderas in Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, while actor Carlos Gallardo played the role of Martín Aguirre in Rodriguez's film.
A press release has stated that the plot will see Aguirre "seek revenge against those who wronged him, regain his honour and fight for the woman he loves" after he is wrongly imprisoned.
Sony Pictures announced today (August 20) that the new drama will be filmed in Mexico and air in Latin America, and that 70 episodes - each an hour long - will be produced.
The drama will star Iván Arana as Martín Aguirre,...
Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, El Mariachi will tell the story of a young mariachi musician, Martín Aguirre, who is mistaken as a legendary fugitive and becomes embroiled in a war with the cartels.
The same character was previously portrayed by Antonio Banderas in Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, while actor Carlos Gallardo played the role of Martín Aguirre in Rodriguez's film.
A press release has stated that the plot will see Aguirre "seek revenge against those who wronged him, regain his honour and fight for the woman he loves" after he is wrongly imprisoned.
Sony Pictures announced today (August 20) that the new drama will be filmed in Mexico and air in Latin America, and that 70 episodes - each an hour long - will be produced.
The drama will star Iván Arana as Martín Aguirre,...
- 8/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Back in 2005, Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete) wrote a script for a supernatural thriller, called "Curandero: Dawn of the Demon." The film was produced by Rodriguez as well as Dimension Films (Miramax), and premiered at the Screamfest Film Festival. Since the festival, "Curandero" wasn't released in theaters and wasn't released on DVD. It was simply shelved. But now comes word Miramax and Lionsgate will release the movie on DVD and VOD on March 12th. And to promote the release, the studio unveiled a restricted trailer, which you can watch below. Plot: The story takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld. When beautiful federal agent Magdalena calls upon the local Curandero (Carlos Gallardo) for his services to purify a police station, the two suddenly find themselves immersed in a satanic cult's blood-thirsty battleground. Trailer:...
- 3/30/2013
- WorstPreviews.com
In case you missed that the long awaited Curandero: Dawn of the Demon from Robert Rodriguez finally hit DVD earlier this month, Lionsgate has released a red band trailer from the flick to remind you.
From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Planet Terror) comes Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, a supernatural thriller with an action twist. Written and co-produced by Rodriguez, starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), and executive produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Inglourious Basterds, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon debuted on DVD (with Ultraviolet Digital Copy) and Video On Demand on March 12, 2013, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax.
Synopsis:
Curandero: Dawn of the Demon is an action-packed horror flick that takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld. When beautiful federal agent...
From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Planet Terror) comes Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, a supernatural thriller with an action twist. Written and co-produced by Rodriguez, starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), and executive produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Inglourious Basterds, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon debuted on DVD (with Ultraviolet Digital Copy) and Video On Demand on March 12, 2013, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax.
Synopsis:
Curandero: Dawn of the Demon is an action-packed horror flick that takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld. When beautiful federal agent...
- 3/29/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Starring the original Mariachi himself, Carlos Gallardo, Curandero is from a story by Robert Rodriguez, a filmmaker I used to admire greatly but haven't had much use for in recent years. A very grindhouse-y flick, there's tons of gore, very little tension and not much in the way of character development. A curandero, for those interested, is like a healer or witch doctor.
Director Eduardo Rodriguez, rumored to be attached to the sequel to the remake of Fright Night, directed this movie back in 2005. But it's only now getting a stateside release? That doesn't bode well for the confidence of the Weinsteins in the flick, huh? Eduardo Rodriguez' sensibilities seem to lie more in tune with Rob Zombie's than Robert Rodriguez's. Not a bad thing, just, when it comes to slower-paced horror, the breakneck silliness of Zombie's direction doesn't make much sense.
Read more...
Director Eduardo Rodriguez, rumored to be attached to the sequel to the remake of Fright Night, directed this movie back in 2005. But it's only now getting a stateside release? That doesn't bode well for the confidence of the Weinsteins in the flick, huh? Eduardo Rodriguez' sensibilities seem to lie more in tune with Rob Zombie's than Robert Rodriguez's. Not a bad thing, just, when it comes to slower-paced horror, the breakneck silliness of Zombie's direction doesn't make much sense.
Read more...
- 3/20/2013
- by Robert Ottone
- JustPressPlay.net
By David Harkness, MoreHorror.com
The upcoming film Curandero: Dawn of the Demon from acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will be releasing on DVD with Ultraviolet™ Digital Copy© and Video On Demand March 12 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax.
Check out the full details below.
From The Press Release:
From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Planet Terror) comes Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, a supernatural thriller with an action twist.
Written and co-produced by Rodriguez and executive produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Inglourious Basterds, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon is an action-packed horror flick that takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld.
Also starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), the Curandero: Dawn of the Demon DVD will include audio commentary with the directors.
The upcoming film Curandero: Dawn of the Demon from acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will be releasing on DVD with Ultraviolet™ Digital Copy© and Video On Demand March 12 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax.
Check out the full details below.
From The Press Release:
From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Planet Terror) comes Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, a supernatural thriller with an action twist.
Written and co-produced by Rodriguez and executive produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Inglourious Basterds, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon is an action-packed horror flick that takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld.
Also starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), the Curandero: Dawn of the Demon DVD will include audio commentary with the directors.
- 2/13/2013
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Look at that, Curandero is finally making its way to the U.S.
Robert Rodriguez penned and co-produced the film which was directed by Eduardo Rodriguez back in 2005, the film is hitting DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment on March 12th.
Starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld. When beautiful federal agent Magdalena calls upon the local curandero (Gallardo) for his services to purify a police station, the two of suddenly find themselves immersed in a satanic cult's blood-thirsty battleground.
Read more...
Robert Rodriguez penned and co-produced the film which was directed by Eduardo Rodriguez back in 2005, the film is hitting DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment on March 12th.
Starring longtime Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Desperado), Curandero: Dawn of the Demon takes a couple on a horrifying journey through the deepest bowels of the Mexican underworld. When beautiful federal agent Magdalena calls upon the local curandero (Gallardo) for his services to purify a police station, the two of suddenly find themselves immersed in a satanic cult's blood-thirsty battleground.
Read more...
- 2/8/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Lionsgate has announced two new horror flicks are making their way to DVD soon: the UK take on Night of the Living Dead entitled Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection and the long awaited release of Curandero: Dawn of the Demon.
When the sun goes down, the terror begins as Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection arrives on DVD, Digital Download and Video on Demand April 30 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Directed by James Plumb (Silent Night, Bloody Night: The Homecoming), this post-apocalyptic sci-fi/horror film is a whole new take on the original classic Night of the Living Dead.
Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection is set in 2012, when the deceased have risen from their graves once again with the instinct to feed on the living. As academics speculate on the scientific cause of this phenomenon, theologians point to the Armageddon foretold in the Book of Revelation. As the...
When the sun goes down, the terror begins as Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection arrives on DVD, Digital Download and Video on Demand April 30 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Directed by James Plumb (Silent Night, Bloody Night: The Homecoming), this post-apocalyptic sci-fi/horror film is a whole new take on the original classic Night of the Living Dead.
Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection is set in 2012, when the deceased have risen from their graves once again with the instinct to feed on the living. As academics speculate on the scientific cause of this phenomenon, theologians point to the Armageddon foretold in the Book of Revelation. As the...
- 2/7/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Fango got the exclusive word that Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax will release Curandero: Dawn Of The Demon on DVD (with Ultraviolet digital copy) and video-on-demand March 12. Written by Robert Rodriguez, who also served as an executive producer with Elizabeth Avellan, the film was directed by Eduardo Rodriguez (no relation, and currently set to helm Sony Pictures’ direct-to-video Fright Night 2) and stars El Mariachi’s Carlos Gallardo in the title role. He’s a Mexican faith healer who is called upon to purify a police station, and winds up in conflict with a ruthless killer named Casteneda (Gabriel Pingarron). Originally completed way back in 2005 and screened at Screamfest that year, the film was orphaned when Miramax founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein split from then-parent company Disney. The DVD will present Curandero in 16x9-enhanced 1.78:1 widescreen, with English and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 audio; no special features are announced.
- 2/7/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Fango got the exclusive word that Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax will release Curandero: Dawn Of The Demon on DVD (with Ultraviolet digital copy) and video-on-demand March 12. Written by Robert Rodriguez, who also served as an executive producer with Elizabeth Avellan, the film was directed by Eduardo Rodriguez (no relation, and currently set to helm Sony Pictures’ direct-to-video Fright Night 2) and stars El Mariachi’s Carlos Gallardo in the title role. He’s a Mexican faith healer who is called upon to purify a police station, and winds up in conflict with a ruthless killer named Casteneda (Gabriel Pingarron). Originally completed way back in 2005 and screened at Screamfest that year, the film was orphaned when Miramax founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein split from then-parent company Disney. The DVD will present Curandero in 16x9-enhanced 1.78:1 widescreen, with English and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 audio; no special features are announced.
- 2/7/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Last week the Austin Film Society hosted a special screening of cult favorite El Mariachi as a benefit for the Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (Tfpf), with special guests including a live performance by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez's band Chingon. Antoinette Alfonso Zel, CEO of Rodriguez's general entertainment cable channel El Rey Network -- seen above on the red carpet with Rodriguez -- was in attendance, as well as El Mariachi stars Carlos Gallardo (Desperado, Bandido) and Peter Marquardt.
The event took place the day after the 2012 Tfpf recipients were announced, with over $89,000 in cash grants bestowed to 16 projects from emerging Texas filmmakers. I spoke to Afs Executive Director Rebecca Campbell about the significance of the screening as a Tfpf fundraiser, and she stated: "Here we are giving out grants to help the next generation of emerging talented Texans, and maybe some of them will go on to have a successful...
The event took place the day after the 2012 Tfpf recipients were announced, with over $89,000 in cash grants bestowed to 16 projects from emerging Texas filmmakers. I spoke to Afs Executive Director Rebecca Campbell about the significance of the screening as a Tfpf fundraiser, and she stated: "Here we are giving out grants to help the next generation of emerging talented Texans, and maybe some of them will go on to have a successful...
- 9/5/2012
- by Debbie Cerda
- Slackerwood
This just in from the "It's About Time" desk:
Dead Hooker in a Trunk, the Soska sisters' Canadian grindhouse spectacular, is getting a first-class Region 1 DVD release — nearly three years after its completion.
It's been a long haul for Jen and Sylvia Soska's Dead Hooker. What began as a film school project morphed into an exploitation classic that attained near-mythic status on the festival circuit and transformed the Soskas into indie darlings along the way.
Sadly, though you've likely read about this flick, you probably haven't seen it. But, thanks to the beneficence of the folks at IFC Midnight, on January 31 you’ll finally get the opportunity to enjoy the Twisted Twins' debut feature.
I'm pretty jazzed about this development. I've been singing the praises of the Soskas and their warped little film for a while now, so it's nice to know that the rest of world's genre fans will,...
Dead Hooker in a Trunk, the Soska sisters' Canadian grindhouse spectacular, is getting a first-class Region 1 DVD release — nearly three years after its completion.
It's been a long haul for Jen and Sylvia Soska's Dead Hooker. What began as a film school project morphed into an exploitation classic that attained near-mythic status on the festival circuit and transformed the Soskas into indie darlings along the way.
Sadly, though you've likely read about this flick, you probably haven't seen it. But, thanks to the beneficence of the folks at IFC Midnight, on January 31 you’ll finally get the opportunity to enjoy the Twisted Twins' debut feature.
I'm pretty jazzed about this development. I've been singing the praises of the Soskas and their warped little film for a while now, so it's nice to know that the rest of world's genre fans will,...
- 1/4/2012
- by Theron
- Planet Fury
In 1991 two films changed the landscape of indie cinema by making the frugality of the budget a selling point. Where are the microbudget film directors now?
Hollywood has always operated on the principle that more is more: each time the most expensive film ever made arrives in cinemas, budgetary extravagance becomes a major selling point. But 20 years ago, the Us independent sector stumbled upon its own marketing equivalent: the microbudget. Suddenly it became apparent that a film's financial shortcomings could be exploited to its advantage.
In 1991, two films changed the landscape of indie cinema and the way in which it was sold. Richard Linklater's Slacker, which drops in on around 100 misfits and eccentrics during 24 hours in Austin, Texas, and Matty Rich's Straight Out of Brooklyn, a tale of young no-hopers in New York's housing projects, marked the start of a phenomenon – frugality as a marketing hook
Neither were the...
Hollywood has always operated on the principle that more is more: each time the most expensive film ever made arrives in cinemas, budgetary extravagance becomes a major selling point. But 20 years ago, the Us independent sector stumbled upon its own marketing equivalent: the microbudget. Suddenly it became apparent that a film's financial shortcomings could be exploited to its advantage.
In 1991, two films changed the landscape of indie cinema and the way in which it was sold. Richard Linklater's Slacker, which drops in on around 100 misfits and eccentrics during 24 hours in Austin, Texas, and Matty Rich's Straight Out of Brooklyn, a tale of young no-hopers in New York's housing projects, marked the start of a phenomenon – frugality as a marketing hook
Neither were the...
- 9/23/2011
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
More details have leaked out regarding IFC Midnight's DVD release of Jen and Sylvia Soska's Dead Hooker in a Trunk, and along with a list of the disc's special features, we have a new trailer to share!
The film is currently available on Video On Demand and is playing in limited theaters across the USA. It is already available on DVD in both Australia and the UK. Dead Hooker in a Trunk will be out, worldwide, early next year on DVD from IFC Midnight with a ton of extra features including deleted scenes, outtakes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, director commentary, technical commentary, and an interview with independent filmmaking legend and El Mariachi star Carlos Gallardo.
Dead Hooker in a Trunk (official site here), set in beautiful Vancouver, tells the story of four friends who set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when...
The film is currently available on Video On Demand and is playing in limited theaters across the USA. It is already available on DVD in both Australia and the UK. Dead Hooker in a Trunk will be out, worldwide, early next year on DVD from IFC Midnight with a ton of extra features including deleted scenes, outtakes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, director commentary, technical commentary, and an interview with independent filmmaking legend and El Mariachi star Carlos Gallardo.
Dead Hooker in a Trunk (official site here), set in beautiful Vancouver, tells the story of four friends who set out on an everyday errand and end up in a fight for their lives when...
- 9/9/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Here’s some news coming out of Comic Con about Zombie Apocalypse, which is the first movie in a planned trilogy, and is set to be directed by newcomer Chee Keong Cheung. Production is set to start this year with a planned release in 2012. In the meantime you can check out the accompanying artwork
Carlos Gallardo And Kevin Eastman Announce A Unique Zombie Franchise From A Breakthrough New Writer Director
July, 22 2011, San Diego, Comic Con International
Carlos Gallardo, producer of the acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico trilogy, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the owner of Heavy Metal Publishing, are proud to announce their involvement as executive producers on Zombie Apocalypse [working title], a forthcoming movie to be directed by hot new writer/director discovery, Chee Keong Cheung.
Zombie Apocalypse is a unique combination of the action, zombie horror and war genres...
Carlos Gallardo And Kevin Eastman Announce A Unique Zombie Franchise From A Breakthrough New Writer Director
July, 22 2011, San Diego, Comic Con International
Carlos Gallardo, producer of the acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico trilogy, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the owner of Heavy Metal Publishing, are proud to announce their involvement as executive producers on Zombie Apocalypse [working title], a forthcoming movie to be directed by hot new writer/director discovery, Chee Keong Cheung.
Zombie Apocalypse is a unique combination of the action, zombie horror and war genres...
- 7/23/2011
- by Jude
- The Liberal Dead
Yesterday we brought you the first word about the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse (oh, how we love writing shit like that), and today we have the final details for you along with three bits of artwork. Dig it!
From the Press Release
Carlos Gallardo, producer of the acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico trilogy, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the owner of Heavy Metal Publishing, are proud to announce their involvement as executive producers on Zombie Apocalypse [working title], a forthcoming movie to be directed by hot new writer/director discovery, Chee Keong Cheung.
Zombie Apocalypse is a unique combination of the action, zombie horror and war genres with the added element of mixed martial arts and will be produced by UK based Intense Productions. The first ever Zombie film to feature mixed martial arts, based on an original screenplay written by Chee Keong Cheung,...
From the Press Release
Carlos Gallardo, producer of the acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico trilogy, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the owner of Heavy Metal Publishing, are proud to announce their involvement as executive producers on Zombie Apocalypse [working title], a forthcoming movie to be directed by hot new writer/director discovery, Chee Keong Cheung.
Zombie Apocalypse is a unique combination of the action, zombie horror and war genres with the added element of mixed martial arts and will be produced by UK based Intense Productions. The first ever Zombie film to feature mixed martial arts, based on an original screenplay written by Chee Keong Cheung,...
- 7/22/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Carlos Gallardo, producer of the acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico trilogy, and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the owner of Heavy Metal Publishing, have announce their involvement as executive producers on Zombie Apocalypse (working title), a forthcoming movie to be directed by hot new writer/director discovery, Chee Keong Cheung from a script co-written by Mark Strange and Steve Horvath.
Based on an original screenplay written by Chee Keong Cheung, and lined up as the first in a new trilogy, Zombie Apocalypse is the first ever zombie film to feature mixed martial arts, and is set to be a unique combination of action, zombie horror and war genres.
In Zombie Apocalypse, when zombies start to take control of the world they turn into malevolent versions of their former selves with any previous physical combat skills enhanced to almost superhuman level,...
Based on an original screenplay written by Chee Keong Cheung, and lined up as the first in a new trilogy, Zombie Apocalypse is the first ever zombie film to feature mixed martial arts, and is set to be a unique combination of action, zombie horror and war genres.
In Zombie Apocalypse, when zombies start to take control of the world they turn into malevolent versions of their former selves with any previous physical combat skills enhanced to almost superhuman level,...
- 7/22/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Who isn't looking forward to a good old fashioned zombie apocalypse? Carnage! Free stuff! Hot lead! The only drawback is you need to stay off of their friggin' menu!
According to Variety longtime Robert Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have paired up to executive produce Zombie Apocalypse, from tyro scribe and helmer Chee Keong Cheung.
UK-based Intense Prods will produce the pic, which will add mixed martial arts to differentiate the film from the traditional zombie tale. Intense is developing pic as a trilogy that will also launch a graphic novel and merchandise tie ins, including a videogame. Heavy Metal Publishing, headed by Eastman, will publish the graphic novel and oversee the property's other merchandise deals.
"I'm a big action and zombie fan and I'm really excited Chee asked me to be part of the film," Eastman said. "When Chee showed me...
According to Variety longtime Robert Rodriguez collaborator Carlos Gallardo and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have paired up to executive produce Zombie Apocalypse, from tyro scribe and helmer Chee Keong Cheung.
UK-based Intense Prods will produce the pic, which will add mixed martial arts to differentiate the film from the traditional zombie tale. Intense is developing pic as a trilogy that will also launch a graphic novel and merchandise tie ins, including a videogame. Heavy Metal Publishing, headed by Eastman, will publish the graphic novel and oversee the property's other merchandise deals.
"I'm a big action and zombie fan and I'm really excited Chee asked me to be part of the film," Eastman said. "When Chee showed me...
- 7/21/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Carlos Gallardo ( El Mariachi , Desperado , Grindhouse ) and Kevin Eastman are executive producing a new graphic novel, the tentatively titled "Zombie Apocalypse , for Heavy Metal. Naturally, if you've got a comic book property, you've got to have the movie set up, so the duo have announced Chee Keong Cheung ( Bodyguard: A New Beginning ) will direct the film. According to a press release that went out, "Zombie Apocalypse" is a unique combination of the action, zombie horror and war genres with the added element of mixed martial arts. The UK-based Intense Productions is producing. Chee Keong Cheung penned the script with a trilogy in mind. In "Zombie Apocalypse," the undead roam the earth, wielding enhanced physical combat skills, which makes them...
- 7/20/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Jen and Sylvia Soska are twins who enjoy the darker side of cinema and their first movie, the succinctly titled Dead Hooker In A Trunk is getting its UK TV premiere on the Horror Channel on Fri July 29th @ 10.55pm. Greg Day was nice enough to send us over this interview to post.
-
Here they chat about spiders, grindhouse and their new movie, American Mary.
So it’s true Poltergeist was the first horror movie you saw?
S: Yes and it was awesome. After that, my mom had a very particular rule about horror. It was Ok to see the movie if we read the book first. She was an avid Stephen King fan and let us borrow her books. My first book, then movie in Mr. King’s horror land was Cujo. Any word or scenario or what not that I had questions about while reading, my mom...
-
Here they chat about spiders, grindhouse and their new movie, American Mary.
So it’s true Poltergeist was the first horror movie you saw?
S: Yes and it was awesome. After that, my mom had a very particular rule about horror. It was Ok to see the movie if we read the book first. She was an avid Stephen King fan and let us borrow her books. My first book, then movie in Mr. King’s horror land was Cujo. Any word or scenario or what not that I had questions about while reading, my mom...
- 7/12/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Horror Channel viewers here in the UK are in for a treat next month as the UK premiere of 'Dead Hooker In A Trunk' hits the airwaves. It's the debut feature from Canadian hot twin sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska which contains plenty of gunfights, guts, gore and yes(!) goats...The sexy sisters (below) star in the flick alongside Rikki Gagne, C.J. Wallis, Loyd Bateman, Tasha Moth, Carlos Gallardo and John J. Gulayets. The movie will air on 29 Friday July at 10.55pm....
- 6/21/2011
- Horror Asylum
Do directors know when they’re creating the film that will propel them into the spotlight? Could Robert Rodriquez ever have imagined that his 85-minute film about a mariachi mistaken for a professional hitman and then forced to take on that mantle could have ever become the cult classic that it is? Sure, but considering the fickle tastes of the film-consuming community, it could just have easily faded into obscurity and never built up the momentum that would make Rodriguez one of the more popular voices in action filmmaking. Instead, El Mariachi spawned two sequels, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and now the film that started it all and its first sequel are finally available on Blu-ray in a double feature.
With a much grittier and simpler appearance than its higher-budgeted, studio sanctioned sequels, El Mariachi also tells a much more basic story. The otherwise unnamed man,...
With a much grittier and simpler appearance than its higher-budgeted, studio sanctioned sequels, El Mariachi also tells a much more basic story. The otherwise unnamed man,...
- 1/8/2011
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Starring: Carlos Gallardo, Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek
Director: Robert Rodriguez
The Scoop: (1992 / 1995) “El Mariachi” landed like an H-bomb — or should that be an M-bomb, as it introduced the world to Rodriguez and his aggressively Mexican aesthetic. Made for just $7,000, the story of a mariachi singer who has to kill or be killed due to a really bad case of mistaken identity ended up earning more than $2 million at the box office. The sequel, “Desperado,” did even better, thanks in part to Banderas and Hayek. Two classics of low budget Mexploitation cinema.
Special Features: Commentary, deleted scenes, music videos, featurettes
Rated R, 81 min. and 104 min. | Watch the trailer...
Director: Robert Rodriguez
The Scoop: (1992 / 1995) “El Mariachi” landed like an H-bomb — or should that be an M-bomb, as it introduced the world to Rodriguez and his aggressively Mexican aesthetic. Made for just $7,000, the story of a mariachi singer who has to kill or be killed due to a really bad case of mistaken identity ended up earning more than $2 million at the box office. The sequel, “Desperado,” did even better, thanks in part to Banderas and Hayek. Two classics of low budget Mexploitation cinema.
Special Features: Commentary, deleted scenes, music videos, featurettes
Rated R, 81 min. and 104 min. | Watch the trailer...
- 1/8/2011
- by NextMovie Staff
- NextMovie
Don't mess with The Twisted Twins aka Jen and Sylvia Soska! These two beautiful twin neighbors from up north have an underground hit on their hands simply called 'Dead Hooker in a Trunk'. The two co-wrote and co-directed this first offereing and have succeeded on so many levels. I have watched this film now a number of times and love it more everytime I watch it.
Dead Hooker in a Trunk is a bloody thrill ride that warns you bad guys out there, don't put your dead hookers body in the wrong persons trunk! Jen Soska plays the good girl simply known as Geek all the while Sylvia Soska is the ass-kicking Badass and the one who is kicking you in the balls and taking names later! Add their friends Junkie (Rikki Gagne) and Goody Two-Shoes (C.J. Wallis) and we have a car full of bad luck, puking,...
Dead Hooker in a Trunk is a bloody thrill ride that warns you bad guys out there, don't put your dead hookers body in the wrong persons trunk! Jen Soska plays the good girl simply known as Geek all the while Sylvia Soska is the ass-kicking Badass and the one who is kicking you in the balls and taking names later! Add their friends Junkie (Rikki Gagne) and Goody Two-Shoes (C.J. Wallis) and we have a car full of bad luck, puking,...
- 8/14/2010
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
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