The feds released info today that FBI and IRS agents this week arrested and charged 18 people who now face fraud and money laundering charges relating to a telemarketing "boiler room" scam that solicited $25 million in so-called investments in indie films with false promises of up to 1,000% returns. The scam was run in Southern California and Florida. While some of the movies were actually produced, the indictments allege that the defendants lied, gave half-truths and concealed material facts from investors around the nation. A former CIA agent who ran a Burbank movie company called Q Media Assets has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud, and tax charges in relation to the fraudulent boiler rooms. Also fingered are the activities of Cinamour Entertainment LLC, which allegedly bilked investors who put money into independent motion pictures called From Mexico With Love and Red Water: 2012. The charged defendants and other telemarketers cold-called...
- 6/17/2011
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
Chicago – HollywoodChicago.com’s regular Round-Up column returns this week with another collection of recently released DVDs that may have slid just a bit below your radar while you were busy buying Valentine’s Day cards and candy. We’re not necessarily recommending these titles, merely presenting their details for your awareness. You’re welcome.
“Blood Creek” was released on January 19th, 2010
“Wolverine and The X-Men: Fate of the Future” was released on February 2nd, 2010.
“From Mexico With Love” and “Good Hair” were released on February 16th, 2010.
“Wrong Side of Town” will be released on February 23rd, 2010.
“Blood Creek”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video
Synopsis: “In 1936, the Wollners, a German family living in Town Creek, West Virginia, are contacted by the Third Reich to host a visiting scholar. In need of money, they accept Professor Ricard Wirth into their home, unaware of the Third Reich’s practices in the...
“Blood Creek” was released on January 19th, 2010
“Wolverine and The X-Men: Fate of the Future” was released on February 2nd, 2010.
“From Mexico With Love” and “Good Hair” were released on February 16th, 2010.
“Wrong Side of Town” will be released on February 23rd, 2010.
“Blood Creek”
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video
Synopsis: “In 1936, the Wollners, a German family living in Town Creek, West Virginia, are contacted by the Third Reich to host a visiting scholar. In need of money, they accept Professor Ricard Wirth into their home, unaware of the Third Reich’s practices in the...
- 2/18/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
This film takes the time-tested genre of the boxing film and combines it with the hot-button issue of Mexican immigration. The result is a rather touching, albeit lightweight drama. The story is about the different battles immigrants fight to survive, with boxing becoming a metaphor for the need to strike back against the seemingly unbeatable challenges of life.
Hector Villa (Kuno Becker) is one of many Mexicans who have made it to the United States and live a difficult life. He’s a farm worker, called a “picker”, dreaming of a better life. Hector’s late father had been a small-time boxer and Hector carries on the tradition by boxing at local clubs for extra money. He needs the cash because his mother his ill. The local boxing champion is Robert Stevens (Alex Nesic) who Hector would love to fight but, unfortunately, Robert’s cruel, racist father ‘Big Al’ Stevens...
Hector Villa (Kuno Becker) is one of many Mexicans who have made it to the United States and live a difficult life. He’s a farm worker, called a “picker”, dreaming of a better life. Hector’s late father had been a small-time boxer and Hector carries on the tradition by boxing at local clubs for extra money. He needs the cash because his mother his ill. The local boxing champion is Robert Stevens (Alex Nesic) who Hector would love to fight but, unfortunately, Robert’s cruel, racist father ‘Big Al’ Stevens...
- 2/18/2010
- by Rob Young
- JustPressPlay.net
Law Abiding Citizen
Gerard Butler isn't all smiles and sappy romance. In Law Abiding Citizen, he plays a vigilante determined to exact revenge upon the men who murdered his family and the law that failed to deal with them properly (like assistant Da Jamie Foxx). In his review, Jeffrey M. Anderson discussed the lack of chemistry between the leads and wrote: "Foxx and Butler have nothing even remotely close to their charisma or chemistry; when they're in the room together, it feels like they can't wait to get away from each other. And the feeling from the audience is mutual." Make your own verdict and Rent it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Coco Before Chanel
Amelie star Audrey Tautou jumps into the shoes of an icon to play woman behind Chanel. Eugene Novikov reviewed the film during Telluride and wrote: "I've been sitting here...
Gerard Butler isn't all smiles and sappy romance. In Law Abiding Citizen, he plays a vigilante determined to exact revenge upon the men who murdered his family and the law that failed to deal with them properly (like assistant Da Jamie Foxx). In his review, Jeffrey M. Anderson discussed the lack of chemistry between the leads and wrote: "Foxx and Butler have nothing even remotely close to their charisma or chemistry; when they're in the room together, it feels like they can't wait to get away from each other. And the feeling from the audience is mutual." Make your own verdict and Rent it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Coco Before Chanel
Amelie star Audrey Tautou jumps into the shoes of an icon to play woman behind Chanel. Eugene Novikov reviewed the film during Telluride and wrote: "I've been sitting here...
- 2/16/2010
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
We've got a fairly short list of DVD releases for you this week, but the good news is that some of them are pretty worthwhile! The only major mainstream release is the thriller Law Abiding Citizen starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, but also hitting stores today is the long-awaited blaxploitation spoof Black Dynamite, the Coco Before Chanel biopic starring Audrey Tautou, and the enjoyable Chris Rock documentary Good Hair. On the direct to DVD front there is Ti West's Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, and on the box set front, there is the massive Clint Eastwood: 35 Years, 35 Movies collection from Warner Brothers. All this, plus a handful of Criterion and StudioCanal releases, and the 20th Anniversary edition of Goodfellas on Blu-ray. Are you picking up anything this week? Law Abiding Citizen [1] (+ Blu-ray [2]) Black Dynamite [3] (+ Blu-ray [4]) Good Hair [5] Coco Before Chanel [6] (+ Blu-ray [7]) Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever [8] Immigrants...
- 2/16/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
On the From Mexico with Love DVD box cover, E Latino Weekly describes the film as "a modern-day Rocky." The comparison is probably inevitable, as both films are about scrappy underdog boxers. Sadly, From Mexico with Love has as much in common with Sylvester Stallone's poignant masterpiece as Dear John has with From Here to Eternity; both films involve beach-related wartime romance, but that's where the similarity ends.
To be fair, the creators of From Mexico with Love probably had good intentions. The film -- released today on DVD -- attempts to meld a crowd-pleasing sports story with serious commentary about the plight of migrant farm workers living on the U.S.-Mexico border. (Think Rocky meets Lone Star.) Unfortunately, the film delivers its political messages with jackhammer subtlety, and any sincere attempt at social relevance is no match for a thoroughly clichéd plot and dialogue apparently lifted from...
To be fair, the creators of From Mexico with Love probably had good intentions. The film -- released today on DVD -- attempts to meld a crowd-pleasing sports story with serious commentary about the plight of migrant farm workers living on the U.S.-Mexico border. (Think Rocky meets Lone Star.) Unfortunately, the film delivers its political messages with jackhammer subtlety, and any sincere attempt at social relevance is no match for a thoroughly clichéd plot and dialogue apparently lifted from...
- 2/16/2010
- by Don Clinchy
- Slackerwood
DVD Playhouse—February 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Hunger (Criterion) Harrowing true story of imprisoned Ira member Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) and his 1981 hunger strike protesting the British government’s refusal to recognize him, and other Ira members as political prisoners. Director Steve McQueen delivers the story with true filmmaking panache, mixing startling imagery that blends both stunning beauty and stomach-churning horror. Fassbender is absolutely brilliant in the lead. Not for the faint-of-heart, but not to be missed or, particularly, ignored. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interviews with McQueen and Fassbender; Short documentary; 1981 episode of BBC series “Panorama” that covers the Ira hunger strike; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS-hd audio on Blu-ray.
Adam (20th Century Fox) Quirky romantic comedy about an eccentric, borderline Asperger’s Syndrome, astronomy buff (Hugh Dancy) who is drawn out of his self-imposed shell by a beautiful and sympathetic neighbor (Rose Byrne). Charming film with engaging performances by the two leads,...
By
Allen Gardner
Hunger (Criterion) Harrowing true story of imprisoned Ira member Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) and his 1981 hunger strike protesting the British government’s refusal to recognize him, and other Ira members as political prisoners. Director Steve McQueen delivers the story with true filmmaking panache, mixing startling imagery that blends both stunning beauty and stomach-churning horror. Fassbender is absolutely brilliant in the lead. Not for the faint-of-heart, but not to be missed or, particularly, ignored. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interviews with McQueen and Fassbender; Short documentary; 1981 episode of BBC series “Panorama” that covers the Ira hunger strike; Trailer. Widescreen. DTS-hd audio on Blu-ray.
Adam (20th Century Fox) Quirky romantic comedy about an eccentric, borderline Asperger’s Syndrome, astronomy buff (Hugh Dancy) who is drawn out of his self-imposed shell by a beautiful and sympathetic neighbor (Rose Byrne). Charming film with engaging performances by the two leads,...
- 2/15/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Roadside Attractions is releasing both Good Hair and From Mexico with Love today. We all know about Good Hair, the Toronto premiering doc by Chris Rock inspired by his daughter’s hair styling concerns. Check out Roadside Attraction’s Facebook Page and you’ll see more on this hands-down, well-loved film.
It’s From Mexico with Love which offers the challenge and possible new insights into distribution to the niche Mexican audience. Starring Kuno Becker a big star in Mexico and known here for the Goal Films and costarring Danay Garcia, a well loved Mexican telenovela star who also has a regular role in Fox's upcoming series Prison Break, it will be released on 281 screens in California, New Mexico and Arizona. (Good Hair will go out on 185 screens.)
The film is a Rocky-esque inspirational story in which a washed-up trainer takes a self-destructive young boxer under his wing. It is...
It’s From Mexico with Love which offers the challenge and possible new insights into distribution to the niche Mexican audience. Starring Kuno Becker a big star in Mexico and known here for the Goal Films and costarring Danay Garcia, a well loved Mexican telenovela star who also has a regular role in Fox's upcoming series Prison Break, it will be released on 281 screens in California, New Mexico and Arizona. (Good Hair will go out on 185 screens.)
The film is a Rocky-esque inspirational story in which a washed-up trainer takes a self-destructive young boxer under his wing. It is...
- 11/29/2009
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
Garcia makes 'Prison Break'
Danay Garcia has landed a regular role on the Fox's Prison Break next season when the drama will be set in a Panama prison.
She will play Sofia, a beautiful Latin woman living in Panama whose boyfriend Whistler (Chris Vance) is incarcerated with Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller). Garcia and Vance are two of four major new additions to the cast of Prison Break next season along with Robert Wisdom, who wil play Luchero, an incarcerated Panamanian drug kingpin, and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, who woll play Betty Crocker, an operative for the Company, a shadowy government conspiracy organization.
Garcia will be seen next in the feature From Mexico with Love opposite Bruce McGill and Steven Bauer. She is repped by Stone Manners Agency and manager Travis Clark.
She will play Sofia, a beautiful Latin woman living in Panama whose boyfriend Whistler (Chris Vance) is incarcerated with Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller). Garcia and Vance are two of four major new additions to the cast of Prison Break next season along with Robert Wisdom, who wil play Luchero, an incarcerated Panamanian drug kingpin, and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, who woll play Betty Crocker, an operative for the Company, a shadowy government conspiracy organization.
Garcia will be seen next in the feature From Mexico with Love opposite Bruce McGill and Steven Bauer. She is repped by Stone Manners Agency and manager Travis Clark.
- 6/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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