...that there will be no new post tomorrow because I'm out of town, but drop by Saturday evening after 8:30 Pacific Standard Time for my live blog event covering the SyFy premiere of Battle of Los Angeles. See you then!
Creature Feature: god
That's right, I'm doing a creature feature on god, or God, however you choose to spell it. Makes sense, after all, as he (or she, I suppose) has been the force to reckon with in no less than six Asylum films: Countdown: Jerusalem, The Apocalypse, Meteor Apocalypse, 2012 Doomsday, 2012 Supernova and Sunday School Musical. Now, obviously, one of these films is not like the others, and to call god the "villain" in Sunday School Musical would be a gross exaggeration and a scoch blasphemous, but there's no doubt that in the other five, he's chock-full of that Old Testament piss and vinegar than made humanity bow at his feet and call him Daddy.
In all of these films the pitch is pretty much the same: g(G)od is pissed at/fed-up with/testing the faith of humanity and so sends a plague of natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, droughts, crazy storms and even barrages of meteors. This, as I alluded to above, is that old-school god of wrath and vengeance, all my-way-or-the-highway, the kind of guy who would wipe out an entire universe just to prove a point, the kind of dude who told Abraham to kill his son as a gesture of faith and then stopped him just before he did, that kind of shit. Sure, he's still cool to his faithful - in Countdown: Jerusalem in particular, he does the whole Rapture thing where he plucks the souls of the righteous before unleashing Hell upon the rest of us wicked - but for those who have forgotten, forsaken or insulted him, there will be no mercy. Perhaps I'm painting too dour a picture of the presence of god in these films. After all, these films are meant to be faith-affirming, and sure, they use a scare tactic or two to get you there, but that is absolutely nothing new in religion. But in the end, in each of these films, the same god who is seen as angered and thus responsible for global cataclysm is always somehow appeased or satisfied and sees or re-sees the good in humanity and gives us one more chance to make a go of this crazy gift called Life.Thus is the dichotomy of god, and the element that makes him such an interesting character (in Asylum films, I mean, not in, you know, The Bible): he loves us enough to destroy us. That's some heavy shit, y'all.
No doubt we haven't seen the last of god. With 2012 right around the corner, he's sure to catch some flack in a disaster flick here or there, and if not, he can always extend a helping hand in a demon-plagued horror film or two, or even lend a benevolent ear in a faith-based family drama. That's the nice thing - or rather, one of the nice things, I guess - about being god: you're good at everything.
inmate profile: Nia Peeples
In anticipation of this weekend's big premiere (Battle of Los Angeles on SyFy, Saturday night), I've been devoting some Inmate Profiles lately to the creative forces behind the film. Early last week I re-profiled writer/director Mark Atkins, and last Friday I threw the spotlight on actor Kel Mitchell. Coming down to the wire now, it's time to feature the film's other lead actor, the lovely and talented Nia Peeples.
A born and raised California girl, Ms. Peeples first came to the attention of our cultural consciousness as "Nicole" in the performing arts film Fame, a role she recreated in 27 episodes of the subsequent television show. From there it was a slew of work in film and television including the cult surf favorite North Shore, the underwater sci-fi thriller DeepStar Six, a 47-episode run on "Walker, Texas Ranger" opposite the great Chuck Norris, 130 episodes of "The Young and the Restless," and, oh yeah, a #1 Single on the Dance Charts in 1988, "Trouble." Currently she can be seen on the ABC Family drama "Pretty Little Liars."
On a personal note, as a kid I must have seen North Shore two dozen times; seems like TBS had it playing every Saturday of my childhood. Nia Peeples was the cutest girl I had ever seen (until The Wizard came out). I've always been a big fan, and while I must admit I haven't seen a lot of her recent work, I think the idea of her as some sort of alien-whooping badass (as I assume from the picture below) is a perfect fit for an actress who's equal parts beauty, passion, sass and sincerity.
Tune in this Saturday at 9pm on SyFy for Nia Peeples starring in the latest from The Asylum, Battle of Los Angeles.
outisde the walls: March DVD Releases
I recognize that not all great films are made exclusively by The Asylum and that, in fact, there's a whole world of film outside these walls, some of which might actually interest Asylum fans, when they're not watching or re-watching Asylum films, of course. And, being as I'm only looking out for your viewing well-being, here's a peek at some other DVD releases this month which might satiate you between Asylum releases. But remember, as always. Sweet n' Low ain't sugar.
3.1.2011
Anneliese: The Exorcist Tapes
Asylum Film
Central State Asylum for the Insane
Faster
S.W.A.T. : Firefight
3.8.2011
The Abducted
Half Moon
Jackass 3D
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection XX
Pelt
The Shriven
The Walking Dead: Complete First Season
The Zombie Farm
3.15.2011
Interplanetary
Shadow
Sharktopus
Urgency
3.22.2011
Alien 2 on Earth
Battle of Los Angeles
Asylum Film
written and directed by mark Atkins
starring Kel Mitchell and Nia Peeples
Dark Fields
Devolved
Frankenstein
Siren
Skyline
Vanquisher
Check Out This Interview (not mine) w/ David Michael Latt
Attention Japanese Asylum Fans: Film Fest Coming Your Way
I know I have a fair amount of Japanese readers,so y'all gotta get up and out to this thing so the rest of us can live vicariously through you.
And send me jpegs of Japanese Asylum Posters! Those things look awesome!
Announcing Another Live Blogfest!!!
That's right, my fellow faithfully-committed, I had so much fun with the Mega Marathon Blogfest back in January, that I've decided to do it again, this time for the World Premiere of The Asylum's latest Sci-Fi/SyFy epic, Battle of Los Angeles.The film - written and directed by Mark Atkins and starring Kel Mitchell and Nia Peeples - airs on SyFy this Saturday night, March 12th, at 9pm in every time zone, and starting at 8:30pm - Pacific Standard Time, of course - I'll be going live right here with background info on the story and the stars, live observation notes (spoiler free), taking your comments and jeers, and, as usual, posting embarrassing photographs of myself totally and utterly geeking out to a SyFy Saturday night.
On the menu I've got planned some Good Burgers (I know, I know, and if you think this is bad...) as well as a surprise Fruity Peeples Treat (...I warned you.) to snack on, and while I'll most likely be sticking to my usual libation (vodka tonic with lime), I will be sampling a few shots throughout the evening with "Alien" in the title, including (possibly, some of this shit sounds gross, but perhaps that's the point) the "Alien Nipple," the "Alien Secretion," the "Alien Suicide," and the "Alien Piss Sample." So, good times there.Either way I'm getting what I think is gonna be a great movie out of the deal, so if you're watching this Saturday night at 9pm - which you and everyone you know should totally be doing - dial me up on the old interweb and enjoy my shenanigans as I step one millimeter closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming SyFy Saturday Nights' Robert Osborne.*
*I keep meaning to get a Facebook page up to this effect, a la Betty White and SNL, but all my energies in that department of late are focused on getting Billy Crystal back as the Oscars host.
Mega Python Gets a DVD Date!
It's the most asked question of the year (at least in certain circles): when will Mega Python vs Gatoroid be released on DVD?
The answer is now upon us: June 21st, 2011.
So mark your calenders now for the DVD event of the summer: the release of a truly spectacular creature feature from the fine folks at The Asylum.
inmate profile: Kel Mitchell
Kenan flirted with major movie stardom with his role in the Ben Stiller-vehicle Mystery Men, and from there has worked steadily in television - especially voiceover work - and in movies here and there, mostly comedies. 2007 saw him turn in another tour de force performance in John Sayles' Honeydripper opposite Danny Glover and Charles S. Dutton, and, of course, he has stayed active as a musician/performer.
For my money, Kel was always the more obviously talented of his peers, funnier and an all-around stronger actor, so it has always surprised and disappointed me that I haven't seen more of him. But now, all grown up and, as the pictures above hint, packing some muscle, there could be a whole new world developing for Mr. Mitchell. Battle of Los Angeles will be the first action film I've seen him in, but I have a feeling it's going to open a lot of doors in terms of the sort of work we see him do from now on. Mr. Mitchell has a strong on-screen presence, is a very natural actor, funny, yes, but with a real depth of emotional range that could have him pulling off, I truly believe, any role that's put before him. The guy's just good, then and now, and it would be great to see him in a wider range of projects.
Hell, let's get The Asylum to capitalize on this and the similar career transition I hoped for a few months ago upon the release of Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus, starring Jaleel White: a buddy cop movie, The Asylum's first, starring Jaleel and Kel as wise-crackin', authority-snubbin', own-rule-playin' detectives in some major metropolitan area. It could be their Bad Boys. Both of these guys, I feel, have had the same raw deal: we loved them as younger actors, heralded them for skills seemingly beyond their years, and then as soon as they transitioned into adulthood, we pigeon-holed them, type-cast them, and consequently under-appreciated them. Well, now's our chance to make amends. Tune in Saturday, March 12th at 9pm on SyFy to watch Kel Mitchell in Battle of Los Angeles. You never know, you could be watching a rebirth of epic proportions.
Observation Notes Catch-Up: EVERYTHING
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
30-Second Spot for Battle of Los Angeles Hits SyFy Site!
Though there's still no trailer, The Asylum has released the first 30-second commercial spot for Battle of Los Angeles, set to debut on SyFy March 12th at 9pm. Jump over to the site for the clip, then jump back here and let me know what you think. Personally, I think this looks to be the most explosive, destructive film we've seen from The Asylum since perhaps Meteor Apocalypse. Disaster flicks are a big theme in this year's Asylum's releases, at least as scheduled, so it'll be interesting to see how they've raised the bar, FX-wise.
Battle of Los Angeles was written and directed by Mark Atkins, and stars Kel Mitchell and Nia Peeples.
#1 Cheerleader Camp Brings Home an Anatomy Award
So it seems the website Mr. Skin - the preeminent movie-nudity online archive - has at last announced the winners of their annual Anatomy Awards..."a celebration of Hollywood at its breast." Yeah. With categories like "Nudecomer of the Year," "Best Nude Parasailing," "Most Niptastic Nips," and "Best Glowing Boobs," you just know this is a good, albeit NSFW, scan.
The big news here, of course, and the reason I'm posting about it (thanks to a heads up from The Asylum site) is that one of The Asylum's comedies from last year, the very funny #1 Cheerleader Camp, was named the winner of perhaps the most prestigious award of all: "Best B-Movie Nudity."
As I mentioned in my congratulatory comment over at The Asylum site, there couldn't have been too many nominees in the "Best Nude Parasailing" or "Best Glowing Boobs" categories, but "Best B-Movie Nudity?" Come on. Part of the point of B-movies is nudity, they're crawling with them, so the sheer number of entrants in this category must have been through the roof. To have a claim on the "best nudity" is the direct-to-DVD sex comedy equivalent, in my book at least, to sweeping the Oscars.
So a hearty congratulations to everyone who bared some flesh in this truly funny movie. Get ready to watch the numbers on this one climb through the Netflix queue roof!
The big news here, of course, and the reason I'm posting about it (thanks to a heads up from The Asylum site) is that one of The Asylum's comedies from last year, the very funny #1 Cheerleader Camp, was named the winner of perhaps the most prestigious award of all: "Best B-Movie Nudity."
As I mentioned in my congratulatory comment over at The Asylum site, there couldn't have been too many nominees in the "Best Nude Parasailing" or "Best Glowing Boobs" categories, but "Best B-Movie Nudity?" Come on. Part of the point of B-movies is nudity, they're crawling with them, so the sheer number of entrants in this category must have been through the roof. To have a claim on the "best nudity" is the direct-to-DVD sex comedy equivalent, in my book at least, to sweeping the Oscars.
So a hearty congratulations to everyone who bared some flesh in this truly funny movie. Get ready to watch the numbers on this one climb through the Netflix queue roof!
inmate RE-profile: Mark Atkins
In honor of the impending SyFy Premiere of the latest Asylum production, Battle of Los Angeles, Saturday, March 12th at 9pm, I thought I'd update and re-post the inmate profile I did on the versatile Mark Atkins, BoLA's writer/director/cinematographer.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder working dude in The Asylum's stable than Mark Atkins. Director, editor, writer and cinematographer, Atkins has had a hand in a plethora of Asylum productions. Check out these stats:
- cinematographer of 23 films (too numerous to list here, but check out his IMDB for deets)
- director of 8 (Halloween Night, Allan Quatermain..., Merlin and the War of Dragons, Dragonquest, Haunting of Winchester House, Princess of Mars and BoLA)
- editor of 7
- writer of 3 (Haunting of Winchester House, Princess of Mars, BoLA)
- visual effects for 3
- second unit director for 2
A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Atkins' first film, Night Orchid, won the Best First Feature Film award at the New Orleans Film Festival in 1997. Since then he has worked - as far as films are concerned - almost exclusively with The Asylum, which makes him not only an Original Inmate, but a true American hero. However, recently he has plied his many talents away from Asylum walls, though not devoid of Asylum faces: he worked as a cinematographer on Anthony Fankhauser's upcoming Shadow People and he's directed a film I'm stoked to see just based on the title, Sand Sharks, let alone the talent he's amassed for the film: Corin Nemic, Vanessa Lee Evigan (Journey to the Center of the Earth), and Brooke Hogan, among others.
Seems you just can't keep Mark Atkins still.
If you still remember how to use MySpace, check him out here. Or if that's too antiquated for you, hit up his production website for more info on this champion behind the scenes.
And don't forget to check out his latest effort, Battle of Los Angeles, starring Kel Mitchell and Nia Peeples, Saturday, March 12th at 9pm.
Mark Atkins, consider yourself saluted. Again.
Almighty Thor Poster is Here!
Almighty Thor, which was written by Eric Mega Piranha Forsberg and directed by Christopher Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus Ray, and co-stars the great Richard Grieco and the formidable Kevin Nash, debuts on DVD Tuesday, May 10th, 2011.
Lovely Ladies of the Asylum vol. 3
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)