NEWS FIEND: GARETH EDWARDS NAMED GODZILLA DIRECTOR

From his first movie to Godzilla! That's a pretty nice sized jump for Monsters director Gareth Edwards, and for a guy who obviously digs giant monsters this must be a dream gig. Heck, I know it would be for me! While I have yet to see the director's debut, I'm cautiously excited. Of course we were all rather excited to see Roland Emmerich's take back in '98 and that didn't pan out so well, did it? Still, you can't help but find this choice interesting. As a huge Godzilla fiend, I'll be sure to get my hands on Monsters sooner than later now.

NEWS FIEND: DARKCHYLDE MOVIE

News came this week that John Carpenter's Storm King Productions has teamed with Darkchylde Entertainment and Weta Workshop to bring Randy Queen's Darkchylde comic to the big screen. The Horror Master himself will direct the film adapation, which should be interesting as his latest flick, The Ward, has yet to be released. Weta and Queen have put together some test footage that looks really good, though! Check it out below, but be warned this is ADULT MATERIAL.



Also released was this rather cool teaser poster. Everyone aboard this project seems to be amped up about it, and I have to hand to Queen, this is his baby and he's stuck with it, so to have Carpenter and Weta attached must be a dream come true. Cheers to a fellow comic book brother!

NEWS FIEND: THE HOBBIT AND SUPERMAN INK DIRECTORS

Well it was no surprise that The Hobbit will have a familiar face behind the camera. Yep, the man who was set to just sit back and produce has decided to once again step into Middle Earth and bring it to life. Peter Jackson is back at the helm, which I guess is a good thing and rounds out his take on the subject material. Will he be super true to the material, as he mostly was to the Lord of the Rings? Probably, but I, for one, hopes he reigns it in and streamlines it into the movie it should be. The Hobbit was always a favorite of mine, and it just worked on a simple story level. Jackson can do this, but will he?

While that one was a no-brainer, the Superman announcement was a more pleasant shock for me. Chris Nolan, who is producing, has chosen Zach Snyder to direct the latest chapter in film life of The Man of Steel! This one excites and pleases me to no end. I've loved every one of Snyder's films, including his latest animated project, The Legend of the Guardians, so this might the perfect choice. His Watchmen adaptation was fantastic, and since both DC and Nolan have talked about a more Dark Knight approach to the material, Snyder has proven he can bring that while providing huge spectacles.

FLIX PICS: THE THING PREQUEL!

Wow, seeing pics from this movie makes me tingle. Everyone here at the Fiend Loves John Carpenter's The Thing, the filmmaker's take on Howard Hawks' classic sci-fi thriller The Thing from Another World (both of which are inspired by John Campbell Jr's short story Who Goes There?). Carpenter's version may be even more classic at this point, though. It is cinema that is crisp and relevant to this day with effects that are next to none. It is as bleak as its setting and will creep you out and unnerve you for days. So now that this prequel is in production pics have come out, and while they don't reveal much, the vibe is there. Maybe I'm just imagining this, who knows, but just the fact that this isn't yet another reboot and an actual prequel to Carpenter's film makes me dizzy with excitement. And anyone who has seen the 1982 movie knows exactly what is the outcome of this movie. That makes this venture even more fascinating. It's directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., who has previously directed music videos, and is a sort of protege of Zach Snyder. While that connection is at least a slight reason to breathe easier, it's tough to imagine this material in the hands of a first time guy. This interview with Collider, though, alleviates me a bit. He seems to understand the material and how to approach it. So here's the pics, and lets hope for a teaser for the April film soon.

FIENDISH THOUGHTS: REMEMBERING SATOSHI KON

I realize that in my time here I have somehow managed to not discuss animation at all. This may have been because so few of the new animated films out there have been appealing to me lately. The one feature I was truly looking forward to was the Dreaming Machine by writer/director Satoshi Kon. Sadly Kon passed away this week from pancreatic cancer while still in production on the film.

Kon left a legacy of some of the greatest animated films ever made. He was always exploring genres and storytelling techniques and left a group of films that most American audiences would find unusual to the animated form. He always trusted his audience's intelligence and created challenging work.

I can honestly say that I never felt cheated by a Kon film and that I thoroughly enjoyed all of his work. Only 46 years old at the time of his death, he did not leave a large body of work behind, but what he did leave are truly spectacular examples of all that animation can and should be.

Here then is a brief look at the work of Satoshi Kon:

Memories (1995) - Kon wrote the short film Magnetic Rose (directed by Koji Morimoto) that opens this showcase of three science fiction short stories. The story is the strongest of the three, featuring astronauts who encounter a world created by a woman's memories aboard an abandoned spaceship.

Perfect Blue (1998) - A psychological thriller set in the world of Japanese pop-stars, this is the film that began Kon's career as a director. it plays with the nature of delusions and reality.

Millennium Actress (2001) - This is a film that would get my vote for one of the best films ever made. It is a poignant look back at the career of an actress whose career spanned the Golden Age of the Japanese film industry.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003) - This is probably the most fun to watch of all of Kon's films. Three homeless people find a baby and attempt to find the baby's parents. It's an action-adventure, buddy comedy that explores the nature of friendship and what it means to be homeless.

Paranoia Agent (2004) - This was a 13-episode series done for Japanese television. It is an exploration of crime and the human psyche which takes the viewer on a journey through the lives of diverse characters.

Paprika (2006) - A science fiction film about the nature of dreams. When scientists build a machine that lets people watch their dreams, someone steals the device and uses it to enter people's minds.

All of the above films are available on DVD and receive my highest recommendation. While Satoshi Kon is no longer with us his films will endure the test of time.

FIENDISH THOUGHTS: THE WARD OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHES

For all of you old school John Carpenter fans out there you'll be happy to know that The Ward is getting closer! The official site has launched and it's pretty darn nifty. You can watch cool videos, check out pics, and read up on what is potentially going to be a return to form for Carpenter.

FIENDISH THOUGHTS: THE OSCARS

I grew up watching the Oscars, but kind of stopped caring about ten years ago. I still check them out now and again, and will usually try to put on the last hour or so, like I have on now, but I should care more now that Flix Fiend is around. That said, I think FF is still an infant and not quite ready to fully tackle an awards show in a way that would make sense for this site. Maybe next year.

That's not important, because obviously I'm still posting something Oscar related. So what I think is fascinating about this year's Oscars is the expansion of the Best Picture category. I'm not one of those folks that has to see every nominated movie, but there's a few this year that I've loved, and a couple I want to see. So, that makes it more interesting for me. Even more interesting is that two of my favorite directors, James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino, are nominated for Best Director. Also, I've dug Jason Reitman's first two flicks, and I've loved all of Kathryn Bigelow's movies prior to The Hurt Locker, which I've yet to see. What I'm getting at is that the expansion appears to be good for the awards. I say that because movies that I've loved are getting recognized! Wow, how novel!

So who would I want to win? I loved both Avatar and Inglorious Basterds, but I also thought District 9 was fantastic, still have to review that actually, and what can be said about Pixar's Up? (needs to be reviewed, too, I'm behind!) That was one of the best movies I had ever seen, and the fact that it has been nominated is so utterly overdue for this studio that they should just get it on merit.

Anyways, I like this ten movie idea, and I hope the Academy keeps expanding their views of what makes a Best Picture and a movie like The Hangover can get nominated next time, because that certainly deserved it. But, hey, we got a two sci-fi, an animated one, and a crazy Tarantino revisionist history flick, so the Oscars are heading in the right direction! Congrats to all the winners! (hopefully, two among the ones I mentioned! ;))

TRAILER FIEND: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010)

Now of course, there is only one Freddy Krueger. I spent a large portion of my

childhood and teen years in total adoration of this character. Robert Englund

seemed born to play this guy. If you're going to be typecast, it may as well be as

someone demented and sick (and funny) like old Mr. Krueger right? Though I

must say, after Freddy vs Jason, thats it! It's gotta stop! Freddy is a horror movie

icon. Not some cheesy cartoon character. Seeing Freddy appear on screen again

and again as an aging, pizza faced comedian started to become sad. Maybe it's

time to start fresh. The last real Elm Street flik was "New Nightmare" in 1994.

Over 15 years ago, and you know how Hollywood is now. "Let's remake everything

that was ever near and dear to us". So, since it's going to happen anyway, let's just

cross our bladed fingers and hope for the best.

Though I'm not in love with the the current trailer, it doesn't look too bad

either. I think Jackie Earl Haley will make a fine Freddy. No more night club

act this time. Just the tormenting and (hopefully gruesome) death of some

way too pretty teenagers with little or no acting skills. The character of Freddy

can be entertaining of course, but I think over the years a lot of writers forgot

that Freddy is supposed to be scary first. Funny second. This trailer here looks

like it's going back to basics. Let's hope thats a good thing.

FIENDISH THOUGHTS: A TRIP TO TROMAVILLE

Hello FLIX FIENDS (insert fiendish giggle here), lets take A Trip To Tromaville!

Troma Entertainment has been one of the oldest fully independent movie studios in the world. They've been in business since 1974--that's over 30 years--and they've got quite a catalog to show for it. Being that Troma has been around for so long you'd think that more people would have heard of it, but I still find people who have no idea what it is or what movies they have a hand in. So I thinks it high-time we take a trip to tromaville, one of my favorite movie studios, because quite frankly the shit they come up with cannot be found anywhere else.

Here's a list of five movies for Troma newbies to check out...

1) The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is a classic and one of Troma's most notable films.

2) Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D
An insane and completely ludicrous movie, lots of fun. I wish Kabukiman was in more movies.

3) Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead
One of Troma's newer entries, but it feels and looks like one of the classics, a lot of singing but hysterical, some folks have actually been offended by this movie.

4) Terror Firmer
Perhaps one of the zaniest plots ever. Lots of good low-budget gore effects. This movie is infamous for having a naked man running around Times Square, and how they got away with it I don't know.

5) Class of Nuke 'em High
Crazy characters abound in this 80's romp. A true 80's gem that can only be appreciated by those who've experienced the 80's. Can I say 80's one more time? Yes.

And that should be a good start for anyone looking to get into to Troma.

TRAILER FIEND: REPO MEN

I know what you are going to say, RIP OFF of Repo! The Genetic Opera, but this one hits closer to home for me. While this movie is based on a book that has its origins in a 1997 short story, I can't help to think of my pals Rick Spears and Rob G's REPO mini-series from Image Comics. That's the first I saw of the premise, so while both of the films are based on material that predates the comic, I can't help but think that Rick and Rob renewed interest in it. So, I hope that they get their just do as well.

That said, this trailer looks good with an interesting cast whose acting chops are known more than their action ones. Jude Law dipping into the action pool with Repo Men and Sherlock Holmes is pretty cool to me. Enjoy this trailer.

WARNING: RED BAND TRAILER!

FIENDISH THOUGHTS: AVATAR

Just a few short words about "Avatar", the upcoming James Cameron special effects event due out for next year. The man has made too many really great movies without fail.. He has to crash sooner or later. I could be wrong, but I think this might be the one. Yes, it certainly looks pretty amazing. No doubt about it, but come on! How long can he keep it up?! He has to make at least one bad movie. I think that with all the hype and excitement leading up to this flick, it will (like "Revenge of the Fallen") be just terrible. I'm not saying it will do poorly at the box-office, it will without a doubt, make a crap load. I just have a feeling that it just might suck for being way, way, way too… much.

Like I said, it's just a feeling I have, and I could be wrong, and I hope I'm wrong. But seriously, it's just ridiculous! He makes one incredible flick after another. Where does it stop? He must have a tremendous ego, and deservedly so. Every great director, actor, or whatever, must fall at some point, or at least stumble for Christ sake. I don't want it to happen, but it's gotta happen sooner or later… right?

Well, here's the trailer anyway because I know you can't get enough of it. I'll see you at the theater.