The Popcorn Taxi Blog
John Cleese: Interview With A Living Legend
He did mention the war, but also a few other things, in a very special Popcorn Taxi Q&A at the Cremorne Orpheum earlier this April. Whilst on his ‘Alimony Tour’ of Australia, John Cleese took time to chat to us about the film ‘Spud’, which releases in Australia on April 19.
Sin City 2 Gets The Green Light
Dimension have announced ‘Sin City: A Dame To Kill For’.
The much requested follow-up to the 2005 film will begin casting next week with original Robert Rodriguez directing his Sin City follow up at his Troublemaker Studios. Frank Miller, creator of the graphic novel, co-writer and co-director of ‘Sin City’, is also on board.
Cockatoo Island Film Festival: Call For Entries Now Open
The Cockatoo Island Film Festival, which launches this year in October, from the 24th – 28th, is now calling for entries. It will be held at over 20 venues, all on Sydney’s biggest island, and CIFF is estimating 45,000 festival-goers at this point. If you’re a film-maker, it’s a golden opportunity to get your work seen in front of a giant crowd.
A Dangerous Method – Jeremy Thomas’ Cronenberg Connection
Jeremy Thomas is the Oscar-winning producer of Bernardo Bertolucci’s ‘The Last Emperor’. He was our very special guest and spoke about working with David Cronenberg on ‘A Dangerous Method’, amongst a host of other things. Watch our interview with a living legend – THE independent movie producer, Mr Jeremy Thomas
More Tunnels, And Aliens, From Enzo Tedeschi and Co
Fans of ‘The Tunnel ‘are in for another chapter, with the “The Tunnel: Dead-End” receiving funding from Screen Australia this month, and there are other projects on the way.
Woody Allen’s First Acting Role in A Decade? A Pimp
After more than 10 years, Woody Allen is set to return to act in a film that he didn’t direct – John Turturro’s ‘Fading Gigolo’.
Great Cast Makes ‘Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho’ A Must-See
Scarlett Johansson is the latest star to be announced for the upcoming film depicting the rocky story behind the making of Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal classic, ‘Psycho’.
Prometheus TED 2023 Talk: Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland Shows How It’s Done
Now, with a viral video featuring Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland, the ‘Weyland’ in Weyland-Yutani, the company that ran the Nostromo and subsequent ill-fated ventures in the Alien universe, Prometheus has jumped to the top of our ‘must watch’ films for 2012, Sci Fi or otherwise.
Found In La Mancha: Terry Gilliam’s Lost Epic May Return
‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’ may rise from the dead. Terry Gilliam’s legendary lost film, the subject of the doco ‘Lost in La Mancha’ is stirring in its grave.
Unbelievable Lineup of Directors to Shoot ‘Sydney Unplugged’
‘Sydney Unplugged’, which will commence production in late 2012, will be a compendium of 12 stories, showcasing the city of Sydney. One expects the results to be something akin to ‘Paris, J’Taime’ and ‘New York, I Love You’.
‘Sunday’, NZ Earthquake Movie, Begins Production
The co-production between Fighting Chance Films (Australia) and Brothers Young Pictures (New Zealand), ‘Sunday’ began principal photography today in Christchurch.
Ryan Kwanten Is Not Suitable For Children
Ryan Kwanten’s latest project – is Australian. He’ll be starring in Peter Templeman’s ‘Not Suitable For Children’, the upcoming Icon production that will hit Australian cinemas in the second half of 2012.
Nicolas Cage – Actor to Internet Meme
Nicolas Cage is no longer human. He’s now something more than a mere mortal, made up of the superhuman cloud of his own pop culture references.
Joss Whedon On The Rights and Wrongs of Horror Movies
Joss Whedon know horror, having changed the face of TV with Buffy, Angel et al. His new film, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’, has taken three years to come to cinemas, but looks to be the goods, releasing April this year.
Fishburne Set To Go Sci Fi With ‘The Colony’
Laurence Fishburne is going low budget and indie and Sci Fi in his next film, teaming up with ex-’Anvil! The Story of Anvil!’ editor Joe Renfro. Futuristic cannibals? Yes!
Vince Vaughn Gets Serious
Vince Vaughn looks to be teaming up with Tony Scott, for the upcoming ‘Lucky Strike’, his first dramatic role in years.
Jeremy Thomas – A One Man Indie Film Industry
Jeremy Thomas is the Oscar-winning producer of Bernardo Bertolucci’s ‘The Last Emperor’. Producing over 40 films, his credits include Nicolas Roeg’s ‘Insignificance’, Julien Temple’s ‘The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle’, Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Sexy Beast’, Takeshi Kitano’s ‘Brother’, Phillip Noyce’s ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’, Takashi Miike’s ’13 Assassins’ and David Cronenberg’s ‘Naked Lunch’, ‘Crash’ and ‘A Dangerous Method’.
A Sneak Peak at Josh Trank’s Upcoming ‘Chronicle’
Chronicle looks like it’s more than meets the eye. We met director Josh Trank and he gave us a sneak at what’s to come on Feb 2.
David Cronenberg: Movie Posters From The Early Years
David Cronenberg has been exploring the links between flesh and mind throughout his career – and now hits the jackpot with ‘A Dangerous Method’. We explore his history through some amazing alternative film posters.
What is it Like To Be Directed By Steven Spielberg? Simon Pegg Knows
Is it all steepling fingers? Not quite!
Hear Simon Pegg tells us what it’s like, specifically, to be directed by Steven Spielberg. Find out the process of arguably the world’s most famous living director, and get a peek behind the scenes of the upcoming Tintin, which is out on Boxing Day in Australia.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Simon Pegg Interview
Simon Pegg is a writer, actor and director who is as comfortable chatting about megastardom as all things geeky. A human being and an entertainer of the highest order, we always have time for the man behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Paul. Luckily, he still has time for us.
Ryan Gosling’s ‘Driver’ from Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Drive’: Actual Psych Profile (SPOILER ALERT)
Highly intelligent? Bullied at school until he got taller and stronger than the others? All is revealed as Popcorn engages the professional opinion of a Clinical Psychologist to decipher the complexities of ‘Driver’ or ‘The Kid’ from Nicolas Winding Refn’s DRIVE.
So You Want To Be A Director? ‘X’s Jon Hewitt Tells You How It REALLY Is
Jon Hewitt is one of Australia’s most interesting independent directors. With a unique vision and a style that both celebrates and elaborates classic ‘genre’ pictures, he has created a devoted following of fans who enjoy his gritty, no-nonsense approach to story telling.
HOW TO EDIT: Burning Man Editor Martin Connor Explains The Art Of Editing
Burning Man’s editing is something special, so we thought an in-depth interview with the editor of the film would give you some idea of the process that went into creating a unique cinematic experience.
Burning Man: A Fractured Masterpiece
After promising much with Better Than Sex (2000) and delivering wide appeal with the blockbuster crime comedy Getting’ Square (2003), director Jonathan Teplitzky has gone one better with Burning Man, a deeply personal journey that has created a unique experience; one of the most intriguing films of 2011. The film stars Matthew Goode, Rachel Griffiths, [...]
Lars Von Trier, in ‘motion’!
Yes, the man who feels ‘wonderful’ when manipulating Popcorn Taxi audience members and potentially incurring the wrath of greater Hollywood for unfortunate utterings at Cannes press conferences, gives us his ‘motion poster’ for Melancholia. That is all. Oh, and here’s a “making of” featurette…
Nicolas Winding Refn talks ‘Drive’ – Another Popcorn Taxi exclusive!
Last Monday, Oct 24, Popcorn Taxi screened ‘Drive’ to a packed audience at the Ritz Cinemas in Sydney and then crossed to Bangkok for a live Q&A with director Nicolas Winding Refn. Technical perseverance aside; Nicolas was in fine form, talking on all aspects of the creation and delivery of ‘Drive’; his telepathic relationship with [...]
ERIC BANA IS ELVIS!?
A film about ‘The King’ meeting ‘The Idiot’ (Richard Nixon) is in the works… but it’s not the first time.
Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje: How To Act
The Thing’s Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje talks about his acting process in specific detail.
Refn’s Winding Road to Success
There IS a film that lives up to the hype, and it’s a Hollywood debut from a maverick with no indications of conforming.
FLOGGING FELT – Breaking the Trailer Tradition.
‘The Muppets’ remind us that there’s more than one way to sell a movie – specifically, there’s more than one way to make a movie trailer!
THE GOON NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Eric Powell and David Fincher’s ‘The Goon’ still goes begging as Hollywood funds more crap…
Andy Whitfield: July 1972 – September 2011.
Vale Andy Whitfield It was a sad shock to hear that Andy Whitfield, the leading man of ‘Gabriel’ and ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’ has died at the age of 39. Andy joined us as a guest with writer-director Shane Abbess and a phalanx of cast and crew at the then Greater Union Cinemas in Bondi, [...]
The Lone(lier) Ranger
Disney halts production on The Lone Ranger – the first casualty of the Xmas 2012 box office race.
And Justice for Spector….. Pacino Dons the Wig
Shooting commences on HBO’s Phil Spector biopic. Yep – that’s Al Pacino!
Aussie Nazi Sci-fi flick? 10 directors adapting Tim Winton? All is revealled by our man at MIFF!
Oscar Hillerstrom discovers some local projects in the works that are worth getting exited about!
Our man at MIFF…
Popcorn Taxi’s Oscar Hillerstrom delivers an exhaustively entertaining insight into the opening of The Melbourne International Film Festival (he’s a judge, you know!)
Coppola’s new ‘Twixt’ on cinema…
Coppola lets the audience decide how his new Gothic horror will unfold…
Costner is super-bad!
A career resurrection for the double Oscar winner via landing a role in Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’!
The Evil Dead Shall Rise Again…
Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell are re-booting The Evil Dead. Teaming with original producer Rob Tapert under Raimi’s Ghost House company. Co-written (and directed) by Fede Alvarez and… wait for it, Diablo Cody who’ll be running her eyes over the final draft. Campbell alluded to the announcement via tweeting, “Believe in the remake, dawg!” The [...]
Spike Lee is an Oldboy!
Controversial and outspoken director Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Summer of Sam) has officially signed-on to remake the South Korean cult-classic, Oldboy. Variety reports that the 54-year-old director who’s been theatrically dormant since 2008’s Miracle at St Anna is helming the Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend) adaptation. Many directors have been muted to present [...]
John Ford to Spielberg: “Get the F#@k Outta Here!”
A bizarre encounter that may have shaped modern cinema as we know it?
Slumdog joins the Network – “More As This Story Develops…”
Award-winning scribe Aaron Sorkin announced in January that he will make a return to television with the fly-on-the-wall, show within a show, More As This Story Develops. Following from his success with last years The Social Network , it seems Sorkin has another network within his sights – America’s cable news outlets. MATSD (get used [...]
Boyle’s Olympic Interruption
Just before he steps into his role as artistic director for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle will helm the psychological heist film Trance for a brief, end-of-year shoot. Originally rumoured to be reuniting X-Men: First Class leads James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, scheduling conflicts have forced Fassbender out prompting Boyle [...]
Four Score and 465 Days to Go!
Daniel Day-Lewis is back, in another hat… less deadly, still angry… read on!
Affleck to direct Argo… Vis à Vis!
Affleck to direct and star using a top-ten Blacklist screenplay from 2010!
Heaven Can Wait: Beatty is Back!
The ever-smiling Hollywood Casanova returns… but what’s he really up to?
Sell Sell Sell!
Currently running in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the Licensing International Expo – which sees marketers, brand owners, manufacturers and retailers all converge to view the latest trends, initiate deals and outline their inventory for the next year. This relates enormously to the world of film as studios display upcoming promotional art for films looking to [...]
He’s Back!
The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.
Next Xmas, feast on Masked Hobbit Pi!
Forget the US Summer Blockbuster season, Christmas 2012 promises to be a formidable fist fight with three studio horses primed to win the all important Yuletide race.
Who wants to direct Wolverine, anyone!?
Those of you who saw X-Men: First Class on the weekend were no doubt titillated with the Hugh Jackman cameo that saw Wolverine kindly tell Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr to self-copulate. Such sights also set our radars to ‘sigh’ as we remembered the shambles that was the original prequel in the series; X-Men Origins: [...]
Fincher + Reznor + Zeppelin = Awesome!
Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, motorbikes, hot chicks, danger, Daniel Craig chucking in his mouth a little, David Fincher, a bit of horror/thriller nastiness, Christopher Plummer, creepy dudes in windows, rusty bridges and grungy stuff… did we mention the motorbikes?
DiCaprio Unchained?
Casting rumors swell today from the world of Twitter. Former editor of Creative Screenwriting Magazine, Jeff Goldsmith (the man responsible for the amazingly addictive US Popcorn Taxi-esque Q&A sessions – available on podcast) tweets today that Leonardo DiCaprio has nabbed the role of Calvin Candie in Tarantino’s upcoming ‘Southern’, slave trade, gun-blazing, 2013 epic-to-be Django [...]
Oldman: Master Spy!
Past Popcorn Taxi guest, director Tomas Alfredson, best known for his feature-film debut of the Swedish bestseller Let the Right One In, continues his foray of adaptations with his upcoming take on John le Carrés’, Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy . With a powerhouse British cast that would make a Harry Potter flick hide at the [...]
Walken, Rourke, Farrell and Rockwell; The Psychos!
Oscar-winning Irish playwright, screenwriter and director Martin McDonagh is in pre-production on his follow up to the much lauded In Bruges. McDonagh has been teasing the film community with plans to direct his script, ‘Seven Psychopaths‘ for years now but has focused his talents primarily on Broadway hit ‘A Behanding in Spokane’. Now it has [...]
A surreal dimension: Dali 3D is coming!
“I wish to take you on a trip into surrealism with spectacle, parody, and by the conceit of imagining this is the film Dali would have wanted you to see,” Philippe Mora
Rising Dark!
With what little we know of the upcoming final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, it doesn’t take much of a leak to get our excitement levels racing. The casting news: Nolan, being a huge Stanley Kubrick fan, announced last week that Matthew Modine has nabbed a role. Modine, famous for his portrayal of Joker [...]
A Clockwork’s 40!
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s anarchic masterpiece A Clockwork Orange . That’s not a typo – it has been four decades since Alex DeLarge and his pack of Droogs drank at the Korova milk bar and engaged in an evening of ”the old ultra-violence”. Today sees the anniversary edition of its [...]
Jazz City
For some reason, Sydney has become the ‘one-stop-shop’ for Jazz age, period productions of the roaring ’20s. The latest in the Underbelly series; Underbelly: Razor (utilising real ex-cons in key roles) is set in the period and will air later in 2011, maybe as early as August – leaving enough time for extras to keep [...]
The Kingpins of Comedy
Art Linson, known for producing such films as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Casualties of War, Fight Club and The Untouchables has completed a script entitled The Comedian, following the antics of an insult comic. Making news today is his wish list for director and star of the project. Linson isn’t thinking small, he’s thrown [...]
Selling The Tree Of Life
Despite initial reports of boos and jeers from disconnected audience members at its apparent ‘disastrous’ press screening, The Tree of Life – Terence Malick’s decade-in-the-making philosophical epic was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival yesterday. With a Jury headed by Robert De Niro and consisting of unorthodox thesps Jude Law and Uma [...]
Lars Von What!?
By now you’ve probably heard the news that controversial Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier has managed to stir the Mel Gibson pot…
Gettin’ off your arse!
“Oh, it’s so hard making a film in Australia…”
“There’s no industry here, it’s just not worth it… You’re better off going to the States and making something there…”
Bullshit.
The Wild One
“What’re you rebelling against, Johnny?” “Whaddya’ got?” THE WILD ONE When it comes to actors that carve a trench into the imagination of the general public, affect popular culture and consequently redefine the craft itself – nothing compares to Marlon Brando. From his career defining turns in The Men, The Wild One, A Streetcar Named [...]
I walked with a Zombie…
“If you ever say another derogatory word about Elvis Aron Presley in my presence again, I will kick the living shit out of you!” Sheriff John Wydell ‘The Devil’s Rejects’ The above is a line of dialogue written by Rob Zombie, delivered by William Forsythe and witnessed by a hungry Popcorn Taxi audience eagerly awaiting [...]
Chatting to a man called Mickey…
Born Philip Andre Rourke Jr, Mickey Rourke himself is an epic tale of desire, talent, woe, heartbreak and inner survival second to none. His life couldn’t be a film – it would have to be a mini series. From winning his first boxing match at the age of 12, Rourke would continue his pugilist aspirations [...]
2010 – You Can’t Take It With You…
Oscar ™ rolls around again this Feb and it’s with macabre excitement I await the new montage of death, ‘In memoriam’.
It’s been a long time coming
Okay – it’s been a long time coming, but here’s why after much debate and inner turmoil Popcorn taxi has decided to do a regular blog: my business partner is just such a pushy bastard I had to do it.
