Drag Me to Hell

Blu-Ray Review: Sam Raimi’s ‘Drag Me to Hell’ a Great Halloween Choice

BrianTT — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:33:11 -0600

CHICAGO – There are a number of choices for your Halloween movie dollar this season including “Saw VI” and “Paranormal Activity” in theaters and new Blu-Ray editions of “Audition” and this year’s “Orphan” and Sam Raimi’s great “Drag Me to Hell”. Universal has packaged Raimi’s glorious return to the genre that made him a star with a gorgeous video and audio treatment but lackluster special features. The movie deserves a bit better.

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

It deserved better at the box office as well. With so many awful horror films out there, how did one that was so critically acclaimed barely make a dent at the box office? It makes no sense. All I can assume is that hardcore genre junkies stayed away because of the PG-13 rating, assuming that this gleefully gory flick had been toned down for the masses. That was a mistake. Seeing “Drag” with a full, squirming, screaming audience is a highlight of the year when it comes to actual theater experiences.

Drag Me to Hell was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on October 13th, 2009.
Photo credit: Universal Home Video

I expect “Drag Me to Hell” to find a loyal, devoted audience on Blu-Ray and DVD. Horror always does well at home and the “Unrated” tag on the release is likely to draw in fans turned off by what they thought was a neutered version in theaters. People who finally catch up with it will see one of the best horror movies of the year, a movie that delivered on expectations (without quite exceeding them) of people raised on Raimi classics like “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn” and “Darkman”.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is about to learn that life often has more than a glass ceiling. Sometimes it has a blazing floor. Playing off the themes of misogyny so rampant in all horror, “Drag Me To Hell” presents a heroine just trying to get ahead at work, put her dark past behind her, and impress her new boyfriend’s parents.

With a promotion looming, Christine is instructed by her boss (David Paymer) that she needs to prove that she can make the tough decisions required of management. An elderly woman named Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) comes to her looking for one more loan extension on her mortgage and Christine sees the opportunity to impress her boss. She refuses the wrong client and ends up on the wrong end of a Lamia curse.

After a trip to a seer named Rham Jas (Dileep Rao), Christine learns that she has three days to reverse the curse or be literally dragged to Hell. During that period, Christine is what you could call “prepped” for her upcoming journey. She hears sounds that her boyfriend Clay (Justin Long) does not, blood gushes from her nose, and she sees dangerous shadows that like to toss her around the apartment. The question becomes whether or not Christine can do anything to stop her trip to Hell. Can any of us? How far is Christine willing to go to stop her damnation? Is there any length you would not go to if it meant your soul’s redemption?

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is attacked while in the wet grave of her enemy.
Photo credit: Universal/Melissa Moseley

Writers Ivan & Sam Raimi gleefully set up each twist and turn and I have to admit that the film plays even better the second time through, without as much baggage surrounding Sam’s return to the genre and the associations with it. “Drag Me to Hell” is simply a good time, more fun than you’re going to have with any other horror movie in this crowded month.

The elements that hold “Drag” back from “Evil Dead”-level greatness don’t feel as prominent on second viewing. There’s not quite enough to it to warrant its running time and the film feels long at nearly 100 minutes. Something called “Drag Me To Hell” with this simple a plot should run closer to 80 minutes. Another twist or tighter editing would have made for a stronger film.

I’m also still not convinced that Lohman can lead a film, although she plays better on the small screen than the big one. She’s not awful by any stretch of the imagination, but someone with a stronger screen presence might have made for more effective scares. And Justin Long continues to bore me.

These are minor complaints that are easily dissipated by Universal’s spectacular 1080P treatment and stellar audio mixes. “Drag Me to Hell” looks and sounds amazing. You may put the film on casually as you get your popcorn from the kitchen and settle in but the Master Audio 5.1 DTS-HD track will get your attention quickly. The video and audio on “Drag Me to Hell” are as good as these elements can be with perfectly balanced picture and wonderfully mixed sound.

Sadly, the special features on “Drag Me to Hell” are more than a bit disappointing. They’re borderline unacceptable. As for differences between the unrated and PG-13 version, they’re negligible and largely undistinguishable. Nothing major here. As for actual bonus material, the release features no commentary and no deleted scenes with all material being lumped into the roughly 35-minute “Production Video Diaries”. Universal typically uses a great function called “U-Control” and I was looking forward to its usage on “Drag Me to Hell”. Maybe next time.

And if anyone knows Raimi’s work, “next time” is likely. There are a half-dozen version of “Evil Dead 2” and “Army of Darkness” floating around out there and I wouldn’t be surprised if “Drag Me to Hell” follows the same pattern after more viewers catch up with the film for the first time.

‘Drag Me to Hell’ is released by Universal Home Video and stars Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Dileep Rao, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, and Adriana Barraza. It was written by Sam & Ivan Raimi and directed by Sam Raimi. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 13th, 2009. It is not rated and rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Sam Raimi Returns to Horror Genre With Thrilling ‘Drag Me to Hell’

BrianTT — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:53:08 -0600

Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – The gleefully gory Sam Raimi who made “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn” and “Darkman” is back in close to prime form with this week’s thoroughly enjoyable “Drag Me To Hell,” a horror thrill ride almost certain to satisfy any audience member willing to choose a movie with “Hell” in the title over the latest Pixar offering.

“Drag Me To Hell” delivers on expectations even if it doesn’t quiet exceed them to become a true horror classic. With tighter editing, a stronger lead, and a few more surprising twists in the screenplay, “Drag Me To Hell” could have been something truly remarkable, although with the state of the horror genre, just being as good as it is will be more than enough for most fans.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Drag Me To Hell” in our reviews section.

With a promotion looming, Christine is instructed by her boss (David Paymer) that she needs to prove that she can make the tough decisions required of management. An eldlery woman named Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) comes to her looking for one more loan extension on her mortgage and Christine sees the opportunity to impress her boss. She refuses the wrong client and ends up on the wrong end of a Lamia curse.

‘Drag Me To Hell’ stars Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Dileep Rao, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, and Adriana Barraza. It was written by Sam & Ivan Raimi and directed by Sam Raimi. It opens on May 29th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Drag Me To Hell” review.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is attacked while in the wet grave of her enemy.
Photo credit: Universal/Melissa Moseley

Slideshow: 25-Image Gallery For ‘Drag Me to Hell’ With Alison Lohman

BrianTT — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:14:57 -0600

CHICAGO – This 25-image slideshow contains the official press images for “Drag Me to Hell” starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, and Adriana Barraza. The film, written by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi and directed by Sam Raimi, opens on May 29th, 2009.

Synopsis:

“Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead, A Simple Plan) returns to the horror genre with Drag Me to Hell, an original tale of a young woman’s desperate quest to escape an evil curse.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton (Justin Long). Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks (David Paymer), and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine chooses the later, dispossessing Mrs. Ganush of her home.

In retaliation, the old woman places the curse of the Lamia upon Christine, transforming her life into a living nightmare. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao) to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered Christine, the psychic sets her on a frantic course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must face the unthinkable: How far will she go to break free of the curse?”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Melissa Moseley and Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Drag_01: Writer/director Sam Raimi on the set.
Drag_02: Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) begs Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) for a loan extension.
Drag_03: Writer/director Sam Raimi on the set.
Drag_04: Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) exacts her revenge.
Drag_05: Justin Long as sympathetic boyfriend Clay Dalton.
Drag_06: Alison Lohman as loan officer Christine Brown.
Drag_07: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) tells boyfriend Clay Dalton (Justin Long) about her predicament.
Drag_08: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is read her dark future by seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao).
Drag_09: (L to R) Seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao), Shaun San Dena (Adriana Barraza) and Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) discuss her dark future.
Drag_10: (Clockwise, from top) Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao), Milos (Kevin Foster) and Shaun San Dena (Adriana Barraza) conduct a séance.
Drag_11: Writer/director Sam Raimi on the set.
Drag_12: Dileep Rao as seer Rham Jas.
Drag_13: Shaun San Dena (Adriana Barraza) is possessed during a séance.
Drag_14: Shaun San Dena (Adriana Barraza) conducts a séance.
Drag_15: (L to R) Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), Milos (Kevin Foster) seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao) and Shaun San Dena (Adriana Barraza) in a séance gone wrong.
Drag_16: Writer/director Sam Raimi on the set.
Drag_17: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) visits a seer with boyfriend Clay Dalton (Justin Long).
Drag_18: Justin Long as sympathetic boyfriend Clay Dalton.
Drag_19: Alison Lohman as loan officer Christine Brown.
Drag_20: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) climbs into the wet grave of her enemy.
Drag_21: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is attacked while in the wet grave of her enemy.
Drag_22: Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) exacts her revenge.
Drag_23: Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) exacts her revenge.
Drag_24: Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) climbs into the wet grave of her enemy.
Drag_25: Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) attacks Christine Brown (Alison Lohman).

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

2009 Universal Pictures Preview: ‘Public Enemies,’ ‘State of Play,’ ‘Fast & Furious,’ ‘Land of the Lost,’ More

BrianTT — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:29:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Universal has released a slate of new images from their 2009 schedule of films. We brought you information and the first available images last year, but we’re back with 23 more exciting images.

This 23-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the announced slate of films to be released by Universal Pictures in 2009 including new movies starring Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe, Matt Damon, Benicio Del Toro, Vince Vaughn, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Johnny Depp, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

These 2009 Universal Pictures include, in release order, “Fast & Furious,” “State of Play,” “Fighting,” “Wild Child,” “Drag Me to Hell,” “Land of the Lost,” “Public Enemies,” “Funny People,” “The Wolfman,” “The Green Zone,” “The Boat That Rocked,” “The Last House on the Left,” “Couples Retreat,” and “25/8”. All films have images in the slideshow below.

The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Universal Pictures films can be found below in release date order, followed by a slideshow of available images.

“Fast & Furious”
Release Date: April 3, 2009
Genre: Action-Thriller
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso
Directed by: Justin Lin
Written by: Chris Morgan

“Fighting”
Release date: April 24, 2009
Genre: Action
Cast: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White,Luis Guzmán, Zulay Henao
Directed by: Dito Montiel
Writers: Dito Montiel, Robert Munich

“Wild Child”
Release date: May 8, 2009
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Alex Pettyfer and Aidan Quinn
Directed by: Nick Moore
Writers: Lucy Dahl

“Drag Me to Hell”
Release date: Friday, May 29, 2009
Genre: Horror
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi

“Land of the Lost”
Release date: June 5, 2009
Genre: Comedy Adventure
Cast: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone
Directed by: Brad Silberling
Screenplay by: Chris Henchy & Dennis McNicholas

“Public Enemies”
Release date: July 1, 2009
Genre: Action
Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, Leelee Sobieski, Emilie de Ravin, Giovanni Ribisi
Directed by: Michael Mann
Screenplay by: Credits TBA

“The Wolfman”
Release date: November 6, 2009
Genre: Action-Horror
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Screenplay by: Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self

“The Green Zone”
Release date: TBD
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Khalid Abdalla
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Brian Helgeland

“The Boat That Rocked”
Release date: TBD
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Bill Nighy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Gemma Arterton, January Jones, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Rhys Darby
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Written by: Richard Curtis

“The Last House on the Left”
Release date: TBD
Genre: Suspense thriller
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Martha MacIssac, Riki Lindhome
Directed by: Dennis Iliadis
Screenplay by: Carl Ellsworth

“Couples Retreat”
Release Date: TBD
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Malin Ackerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell, Faizon Love, Kali Hawk and Jean Reno
Writers: Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Dana Fox
Story by: Vince Vaughn
Directed by: Peter Billingsley

“25/8”
Release date: TBD
Genre: Suspense thriller
Cast: Max Thieriot, John Magaro, Emily Meade, Nick Lashaway, Denzel Whitaker, Shareeka Epps, Paulina Olszyinski, Raúl Esparza
Written and Directed by: Wes Craven

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to ©Universal Pictures. All rights reserved. Specific photographer credits where noted.

FastAndFurious_1: Paul Walker and Vin Diesel reteam as agent Brian O Conner and fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed. Photo Credit: Jaimie Trueblood
FastAndFurious_2: Vin Diesel as fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto in the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed. Photo Credut: Jaimie Trueblood
StateOfPlay_1: Newspaper editor Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) demands answers from reporters Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) and Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) in a blistering political thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson
StateOfPlay_2: D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) questions U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) in a blistering political thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson
Fighting_1: Manager Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) gives hard advice to star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) in the action film Fighting. Photo Credit: Philip V. Caruso
Fighting_2: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) faces off with nemesis Evan Hailey (Brian J. White) in Shawns latest bout in the action film Fighting. Photo Credit: Philip V. Caruso
WildChild_1: Pampered American princess Poppy (Emma Roberts) arrives at boarding school in a comedy about a 16-year-old who meets her match in a school of British girls who will not tolerate her spoiled ways. Photo Credit: Bill Kaye
WildChild_2: Josie (Linzey Cocker), pampered American princess Poppy (Emma Roberts) and Kate (Kimberly Nixon) in a comedy about a 16-year-old who meets her match in a school of British girls who will not tolerate her spoiled ways. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte
DragMeToHell: Loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) unearths a fresh grave in director Sam Raimi?s return to the horror genre, an original tale of a young woman?s desperate quest to break an evil curse. Photo Credit: Melissa Moseley
LandOfTheLost: Redneck survivalist Will (Danny Mcbride), has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) and research assistant Holly (Anna Friel) are surrounded by painfully slow Sleestaks in a place of spectacular sights and super-scaled comedy known as the Land of the Lost. Photo Credit: Ralph Nelson
PublicEnemies: Johnny Depp stars as legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger, the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of the fledgling FBI, in the new action-thriller from filmmaker Michael Mann, Public Enemies. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain
Funny_People: Leslie Mann, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Eric Bana star in writer/director Judd Apatow?s third film behind the camera, Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience. Photo Credit: Tracy Bennett
Wolfman_1: Mr. Conliffe (Robert East), Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro), Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt) and Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins) in the action-horror inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror, The Wolfman. Photo Credit: Frank Connor
Wolfman_2: Inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror, The Wolfman brings the myth of a cursed man back to its iconic origins. Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels
GreenZone: Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass re-team for their latest electrifying thriller in Green Zone, a thriller set in the chaotic early days of the Iraqi War when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences. Photo Credit: Jason Boland
BoatThatRocked: Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as big, brash American DJ The Count in The Boat That Rocked, the new comedy from writer/director Richard Curtis that is inspired by the British pirate radio revolution of the ’60s. Photo Credit: Alex Bailey
BoatThatRocked_2: Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as big, brash American DJ The Count in The Boat That Rocked, the new comedy from writer/director Richard Curtis that is inspired by the British pirate radio revolution of the 60s. Photo Credit: Alex Bailey
LastHouseOnTheLeft_1: Krugs (Garret Dillahunt) vicious family in the suspense thriller that explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child. Photo Credit: Lacey Terrell
LastHouseOnTheLeft_2: Krug (Garret Dillahunt) taunts his captive, Mari (Sara Paxton), in the suspense thriller that explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child. Photo Credit: Lacey Terrell
LastHouseOnTheLeft_3: Dr. John (Tony Goldwyn) and Emma Collingwood (Monica Potter) hunt killers in the suspense thriller that explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child. Photo Credit: Lacey Terrell
CouplesRetreat: Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis, Faizon Love, Kali Hawk, Malin Ackerman, Vince Vaughn, and Jason Bateman in the upcoming comedy Couples Retreat, directed by Peter Billingsley and written by Jon Favreau. Photo Credit: John Johnson
25_8_1: Friends Alex (John Magaro), Bug (Max Thieriot) and Jerome (Denzel Whitaker) sense a killer is near in the latest suspense thriller from writer/director Wes Craven. Photo Credit: Nicole Rivelli
25_8_2: Bug (Max Thieriot) can feel an evil presence in the latest suspense thriller from writer/director Wes Craven. Photo Credit: Nicole Rivelli

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

2009 Universal Pictures Preview: ‘Duplicity,’ ‘The Wolfman,’ ‘State of Play,’ ‘Drag Me to Hell,’ ‘Land of the Lost,’ More

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:48:02 -0700

CHICAGO – This new HollywoodChicago.com slideshow features production stills for films in the recently released 2009 Universal Pictures film slate.

These 2009 Universal Pictures films include “Duplicity,” “The Wolfman,” “State of Play,” “Wild Child,” “Drag Me to Hell,” “Land of the Lost,” “Fast and Furious,” “Funny People” and “Cirque du Freak”. The release dates, cast lists and filmmaker information for these Universal films can be found below.

“Duplicity”
Release date: March 20, 2009
Genre: Caper
Cast: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti
Written and directed by: Tony Gilroy
Produced by: Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent and Laura Bickford
Executive producer: Ryan Kavanaugh

“The Wolfman”
Release date: April 3, 2009
Genre: Action/Horror
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Art Malik
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Screenplay by: Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self
Based on the motion picture screenplay by: Curt Siodmak
Produced by: Scott Stuber, Benicio Del Toro, Rick Yorn and Sean Daniel
Executive producers: Bill Carraro, Andrew Z. Davis

“State of Play”
Release date: April 17, 2009
Genre: Political thriller
Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels and Helen Mirren
Directed by: Kevin Macdonald
Screenplay by: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy and Billy Ray
Based on the BBC TV series created by: Paul Abbott
Producers: Andrew Hauptman, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Paul Abbott, E. Bennett Walsh, Liza Chasin and Debra Hayward
Note: No images are currently available for this film

“Wild Child”
Release date: May 8, 2009
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Alex Pettyfer and Aidan Quinn
Directed by: Nick Moore
Written by: Lucy Dahl
Produced by: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Diana Phillips
Executive producers: Liza Chasin, Debra Hayward

“Drag Me to Hell”
Release date: May 29, 2009
Genre: Horror
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Jessica Lucas, David Paymer and Dileep Rao
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi
Produced by: Rob Tapert and Grant Curtis
Executive producers: Nathan Kahane and Joseph Drake

“Land of the Lost”
Release date: June 5, 2009
Genre: Comedy/Adventure
Cast: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel and Jorma Taccone
Directed by: Brad Silberling
Screenplay by: Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas
Based on the series “Land of the Lost” by: Sid Krofft and Marty Krofft
Producers: Jimmy Miller, Sid Krofft and Marty Krofft
Executive producers: Julie Wixson-Darmody, Daniel Lupi, Adam McKay and Brad Silberling

“Fast and Furious”
Release date: June 12, 2009
Genre: Action/Thriller
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz and Laz Alonso
Directed by: Justin Lin
Written by: Chris Morgan
Based on characters created by: Gary Scott Thompson
Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Michael Fottrell
Executive producer: Amanda Lewis

“Funny People”
Release date: July 31, 2009
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow and Iris Apatow
Written and directed by: Judd Apatow
Produced by: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel and Clayton Townsend
Executive producers: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo

“Cirque du Freak”
Release date: TBD
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Cast: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Chris Massoglia, Josh Hutcherson, Patrick Fugit, Ray Stevenson, Michael Cerveris, Frankie Faison, Jane Krakowski, Orlando Jones, Kristen Schaal and Salma Hayek
Directed by: Paul Weitz
Writers: Brian Helgeland and Paul Weitz
Based on the book series by: Darren Shan
Producers: Lauren Shuler Donner, Paul Weitz and Ewan Leslie
Executive producers: Dan Kolsrud, Andrew Miano, Kerry Kohansky, Sarah Radyclyffe and Courtney Pledger

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. Unless otherwise noted, all image credits for this 2009 Universal Pictures preview go to Universal Pictures.

duplicity: “Duplicity” with Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti.
thewolfman: “The Wolfman” with Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Art Malik.
wildchild: “Wild Child” with Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Alex Pettyfer and Aidan Quinn.
dragmetohell: “Drag Me to Hell” with Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Jessica Lucas, David Paymer and Dileep Rao.
landofthelost: “Land of the Lost” with Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel and Jorma Taccone.
fastandfurious: “Fast and Furious” with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz and Laz Alonso.
funnypeople: “Funny People” with Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow and Iris Apatow.
cirquedufreak: “Cirque du Freak” with John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Chris Massoglia, Josh Hutcherson, Patrick Fugit, Ray Stevenson, Michael Cerveris, Frankie Faison, Jane Krakowski, Orlando Jones, Kristen Schaal and Salma Hayek. Image credit: Empire

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Ellen Page’s ‘Smart People’ Only as Scholarly as Zealous Senior in High School

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:30:45 -0600

CHICAGO – I’m flummoxed. I know “Smart People” was supposed to be comedic drama with a splash of romance. Instead, I have been misled. It’s not a comedy. It’s not a tragedy. It’s not even a tragicomedy.

“Smart People” is a blandly scripted “poor me” with an attempt at a plot and some glitzy Hollywood names thrown in for good box-office measure.

While I know this was no “Juno,” I couldn’t help cursing first-time writer Mark Poirier for not taking a much-needed page – or a full-fledged course of mentoring – from Oscar-winning “Juno” inker Diablo Cody.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Smart People” in our reviews section.

View our full “Smart People” image gallery.

“Smart People” is also a product of another newbie: first-time director Noam Murro.

Since her “Juno” stardom in 2007 – and actually her big-screen break out even before that in 2005’s “Hard Candy” – 21-year-old Ellen Page has righteously warranted her way on Hollywood’s “A” list.

My draw to “Smart People” was Page and Page alone. While she’s always a professional who crafts the best she can from the material she’s handed, an actor ultimately is a slave to his or her script. “Smart People” offensively held Page back whereas “Juno” unleashed her.

Ellen Page in “Smart People”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Thomas Haden Church and Ellen Page in “Smart People”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Read the full review…

In the Forums: ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ ‘The Dark Knight,’ ‘10,000 B.C.,’ ‘Drag Me to Hell,’ Pixar’s ‘Up’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:23:15 -0600

CHICAGO – While our discussion forums are an unfettered venting ground for all of our readers, we also originate a wide array of must-read news there from other trusted, high-quality entertainment publications.

For those of you who don’t frequent our forums and for those of you who typically read us via RSS or our daily mailing, the purpose of this In the Forums package is to bring the news we’re publishing in our forums front and center into our news section, RSS feed and daily mailing.

As you can see from our first In the Forums below, the package consists of a compilation of links to the most interesting and important local and national news items originating from our forums.

A preview of “The Incredible Hulk” trailer is now online.
Watch it now here!

The New York Times has visited the set of “The Dark Knight” and has released new production stills.
See them now here!

Despite atrocious reviews from critics everywhere, “10,000 B.C.” has brought in $35.7 million in first weekend.
Read more here!

Justin Long will now star in Sam Raimi’s “Drag Me to Hell”.
Read more here!

Filming on Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is back under way in Vancouver.
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Disney says Pixar’s 2009 film “Up” will be released in digital Disney 3D.
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The Neo-Futurists conclude their last Chicago theater series with “Picked Up,” which is a series of six never-before-seen television pilots performed live on stage.
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By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com