SoundWorks Collection has released a great new featurette for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It focuses on the sound design and mixing behind the incredible film. I enjoy watching these kinds of things as I learn more and more about how certain things in film are created.

In this exclusive SoundWorks Collection sound profile we visit Park Road Post Studios in Wellington, New Zealand to talk with the sound team of Director Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Featured interviews include Re-recording Mixer Michael Hedges, Re-recording Mixer Chris Boyes, Re-recording Mixer Michael Semanick, Re-recording Mixer Gary Summers, Composer Howard Shore, and Producer & Co-Screenplay Writer Philippa Boyens.

Enjoy the video!

Via: Deadline

A month ago it was reported that Hugh Jackman was in talks to play Blackbeard in director Joe Wright's feature film adaptation of Peter Pan. It has now been confirmed that Jackman will indeed be taking on the villainous role. The film has been known as Pan, but apparently there's no official title yet. It was also just announced recently that Garrett Hedlund was cast as a young Captain Hook.

The movie is an origin story that "revolves around an orphan who is taken to the magical world of Neverland where he becomes a hero to the natives and leads a revolt against the evil pirates."

It was previously reported that "The idea is that Blackbeard is the film’s main antagonist while Hook would serve as Pan’s close ally before turning bad." Who doesn't enjoy seeing Jackman in movies? He's going to be awesome in this, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play this character. He's currently shooting Neill Blomkamp's Chappie.

Kraven the hunter, a wonderful Spider-Man rogue who was relegated to the sidelines shortly after the (quite good) Grim Hunt storyline,  appears to take center stage in Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game. Oddly enough though its not as a villain, at least not in the beginning. Kraven takes an interest in seeing Peter develop into the unstoppable force he should be and aims to help him reach that goal. Kraven has always had a code of honor if you will. While he stalks his prey he always gives his target a chance to fight back. What better way to learn about your prey than offering to train them? Its an interesting premise, and while Electro does make his rather brief appearance by the trailer's end, I'm actually excited that the game will focus on different villains. Beenox nailed the feel of web-swinging in the first game, now let's hope the combat follows suit, as it had all the trappings of an Arkham game but lacked the fluidity. Peep the trailer below and let us know what you think.

I’m not usually a fan of stunt-casting roles with celebrities for animated features. I think there are plenty of hard working voice actors out there who could honestly do a better job most of the time — there are of course exceptions. However, it’s always interesting to learn about actors who voiced cartoons before they were famous, or when it wasn’t widely known that they voiced that character. 

The ScreenJunkies gang have put together this video revealing some “Shocking Celebrity Cartoon Voices” that will hopefully do just that, shock you. I knew some of these, but I was surprised by many of them. I know there are plenty more examples of surprising celebrity voices. Leave the most “shocking”/obscure one you can think of in the comment section below.

Via: Variety

I just walked out of a screening of the Sundance documentary Battered Bastards of Baseball to find that Fast Five director Justin Lin has acquired the rights to turn the story into a feature film. He will produce the film, and they are looking to hire Todd Field to write and direct the movie. 

While I was watching the doc I was thinking to myself how awesome of a movie this would make, and I have to say that I'm so happy that a movie is coming. This is such a great story, and the documentary was amazing. I'm not even a fan of baseball, but this doc gave me more of an appreciation for the sport. 

The story follows Bing Russell (Kurt Russell's dad) who in 1973 created the only independent baseball team in America at the time, the Portland Mavericks. The team brought in all of the rejects that the major leagues didn't want, and they crated a very successful, wild, and fun team that the city of Portland loved. 

Field is the perfect guy to direct the film. He not only directed films such as In the Bedroom and Little Children, but he was actually the batboy for the Mavericks baseball team when he was a kid. So he has first hand experience with what that team was really like.

I loved the doc, and now I can't wait to see the movie. It would be so cool if they ended up casting Kurt Russell to play his dad in the film. It would really be an amazing role for the actor. 

Here's the synopsis for the documentary with a few more details:

Chapman and Maclain Way’s energetic telling of one of baseball’s great, unheralded stories is as much about independent spirit as it is about the game. When Portland, Oregon, lost its longtime minor-league affiliate, Bing Russell—who briefly played ball professionally before enjoying a successful Hollywood acting career—bought the territory and formed a single-A team to operate outside the confines of major-league baseball. When they took the field in 1973, the Mavericks—the only independent team in America—started with two strikes against them. What did Deputy Clem from Bonanza know about baseball? Or Portland, for that matter? The only thing uniting his players, recruited at open tryouts, was that no other team wanted them. Skeptics agreed that it could never work.

But Bing understood a ballplayer’s dreams, and he understood an audience. His quirky, unkempt castoffs won games, and they won fans, shattering minor-league attendance records. Their spirit was contagious, and during their short reign, the Mavericks—a restaurant owner turned manager, left-handed catcher, and blackballed pitcher among them—brought independence back to baseball and embodied what it was all about: the love of the game. 

Cosplay by LEWOGRAPH

Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders is set to direct the live-action big screen adaptation of the classic anime Ghost in the Shell. Sanders is a talented visual director so he's got that going for him, but the guy seems terrible with actors. I don't know if you saw Snow White and the Huntsman or not, but the acting and script were terrible. Charlize Theron was the best part of that movie.

The film is set up at DreamWorks, and is being produced by Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Steven Paul. Then of course Steven Spielberg is also a part of the team bringing the movie to life. The plan is to shoot it in 3D.

The script comes from William Wheeler, who hasn't really done anything I've heard of. The story follows the exploits of a member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specializes in fighting technology-related crime.

Created by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell was first published in 1989. It went on to generate two more manga editions, three anime film adaptations and an anime TV series. The second anime film, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, was released in the U.S. by DreamWorks in 2004.

I'm really hoping that this turns out to be a decent adaptation, but I'm not sold on Sanders' directing ability, and hopefully Arad doesn't screw things up too bad. 

Via: Deadline

We've got a new trailer and poster for the upcoming Jason Bateman comedy Bad Words, which he both stars in and directs. It looks like he's done a solid job with it. The movie looks incredibly funny, and I'm looking forward to watching it. The movie was shown at the Toronto Film Festival, and it came out with some really positive buzz.

In the story Bateman plays Guy Trilby, "a 40-year-old who finds a loophole in the rules of The Golden Quill national spelling bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for Guy, as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame. As a reporter (Kathryn Hahn of We’re the Millers) attempts to discover his true motivation, Guy finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: awkward 10-year-old Chaitanya (Rohan Chand of Homeland), who is completely unfazed by Guy’s take-no-prisoners approach to life."

The movie is set to be released on March 28th, 2014.

We've got a great new red-band trailer for Jean-Claude Van Damme's upcoming action comedy Welcome To The Jungle! The movie was directed by Rob Meltzer and also stars Adam Brody, Rob Huebel, Kristen Schaal, and Dennis Haysbert. The movie looks like it will be very entertaining, and I think it will be worth checking out. 

The story "follows a group of unsuspecting office workers who find themselves stranded on a desert island when a corporate retreat led by unhinged former Marine Storm Rothchild (Van Damme) goes horribly wrong. Now Chris (Brody) and his co-workers must battle nature -- and each other -- to survive!"

Welcome to the Jungle hits limited theaters on February 7th, 2014.

John Boyega, the star of the awesome sci-fi horror film Attack The Block, has just landed the role of legendary Olympic athlete Jesse Owens. The biopic is called Race, and it will be directed by Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers) from a script by Anna Waterhouse and Joe Shrapnel. 

Just so you know, this is not the same film that Disney is developing with director Antoine Fuqua. This one is being developed by Forecast Pictures.

According to Variety, the story will "focus on how Owens, the son of an Alabama sharecropper, shattered Adolf Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by winning a record four gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump and the 400-meter relay."

I love Owens' story, and I think that Boyega is a solid choice to play the man who put Hitler's superiority theories to shame when he kicked everyone's ass on the track. 

Here's a wonderfully illustrated piece of Star Wars fan art created by Samantha Royle featuring Slave Leia. It seems like it's been awhile since we have posted any Sleve Leia art, so here ya go!

The one movie I can compare Life After Beth to would have to be Warm Bodies, only it's much, much darker. It's a horror zombie comedy with a romance plot thrown in to make things interesting. I should clarify that Life After Beth doesn't have the same plot as Warm Bodies, in fact, it's a very different kind of film. It's definitely a lot more gory and R-rated. If you were to ask me which one I liked more, I'd have to say I liked them equally as they both have a certain charm to them that I enjoyed.

The story follows a character named Zack, played by Dane DeHaan, whose girlfriend Beth dies from a snake bite while hiking. Beth is played by Aubrey Plaza. He goes to the funeral and during his mourning process he discovers that she has been miraculously brought back to life. Zack uses the opportunity to show her how much he loves and wants her. She seems fine at first, but slowly she starts get worse and everyday she gets closer to becoming a zombie. While this is all happening, Zack is trying to get things working and together.

The film boasts a great cast that also includes John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, and Paul Reiser. Everyone in the film is awesome, but DeHaan and Plaza really shine with their performances. This must have been an incredibly fun movie for them to make. 

The film is loaded with entertaining comedic situations involving the slow transformation of Plaza turning into a zombie. There's also a lot of fun blood and gore that horror fans are sure to appreciate. There are some pretty crazy moments that will make audiences cringe with delight. 

The movie has been getting mixed reviews up at Sundance, but I loved it! It was just a really fun movie that I think could do extremely well with audiences. 

Official Synopsis:

Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she miraculously comes back to life, Zach takes full advantage of the opportunity to experience all the things he regretted not doing when she was alive. However, the newly returned Beth isn’t quite the way he remembered her, and before long, Zach’s world takes a turn for the worse.

Imitating what Dr. Frankenstein did with his monster, writer/director Jeff Baena assembles disparate parts of his film into a new whole and jolts fresh life into it. By fusing elements of a young love story and a zombie movie, he concocts a wickedly funny and shockingly poignant film. With its killer soundtrack and all-star cast, including Aubrey Plaza, whose distinctive delivery has never been used to greater effect, and Dane DeHaan, who perfectly embodies the suffering of a young man with a broken heart and a rotting girlfriend, Life After Beth will leave you dying to see it again.

I'm a huge fan of horror anthologies, especially when they are good, but even when they are so bad they're good. Kevin Smith has revealed on his blog that he's created a holiday horror anthology film project called Comes the Krampus. He co-wrote the script with Andy McElfresh, and Smith will direct a segment, as will Jason Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach, and others. The film will shoot over the summer, after Smith finishes Clerks 3. Here's the full announcement from Smith, with all of the details he was willing to reveal,

If you listen to the EDUMACATION podcast, you’ll remember that episode 20 (Part 2 of the Christmas eps) consisted of another dopey conversation that resulted in a screenplay – a’la SModcast and TUSK. I was goofing around with Mr. Edumacation himself, Professor Andy McElfresh, when we accidentally brainstormed a Christmas horror anthology that would eschew the gruesome spin on Santa Claus, and instead embrace the Scandinavian/German Kid-Eating Christmas creature known as the The Krampus. That podcast was released 12/23/13.

It took us less than a month, but Andy and I have finished the screenplay for a flick we’re calling COMES THE KRAMPUS! It’s 99 pulse-pounding pages of what’s essentially SModCo’s CREEPSHOW, with four terrifying tales stitched together by a freaky framing device. It was a blast to write and totally new to me, as I never actually wrote a screenplay WITH someone else before.

And now, to extend the spirit of collaboration even further, I’M GONNA CO-DIRECT THE FLICK WITH THE SMODCO FAMILY! Andy McElfresh will direct the “The Krampus vs. The 3rd Grade” episode (SO fucked up), Jason Mewes (yes – THAT Jason Mewes) will direct the “Hitler’s Krampus” episode (twisted period piece), I will direct the “Mask Maker” episode (the Gothic horror piece), Carol Banker will direct the “The Proposal” episode (which is fucking nuts), and Jennifer Schwalbach will direct “The Bad Babysitter” – which is the framing device that holds the whole mess together. Jordan Monsanto will produce for SModcast Pictures and the twin SModCo cherries on the top of this scary sundae? I’m gonna force my Bro Scotty Mo(sier) to act in it and Babble-Meister RALPH GARMAN will feature in every episode!

The script reads like it’s maybe a $2 million movie. We’ll start doing a schedule and a budget next week, but the idea is to shoot it right on the heels of CLERKS III (which I’m hoping to start on April 7th). It’s gonna be fun and a true SModcast Picture! There’s something to be said for the power of podcasting…

I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Do you think Smith will make a really cool anthology horror film?

The only thing that would be more surreal than this Adventure Time and Twin Peaks mash up is if Pendleton Ward and David Lynch actually made a series together! Credit for this art belongs to two different artists. Kate Willaert deserves credit for the top picture and Mentalguy did the bottom two. Excuse me while I go cut my face shaving and laugh insanely in the mirror for the next hour and a half.

Check out this awesome series of custom made Atari video game character action figures. They were created by Dan Polydaris, and they are awesome! We've got Pitfall, H.E.R.O., Frostbite, Keystone Kapers, and Pressure Cooker. Actually, I'm kind of sad these action figures never really existed. Thanks to Geek Art for the heads up!

Ryan Reynolds plays a likable psychopath in his latest film project, The Voices. I knew this movie was going to be a dark comedy going in, but I didn't know just how dark it would be. It goes into some very black places, but at the same time you can't help laughing because it's seriously funny as hell. There's definitely a lot of uncomfortable laughter. Reynolds plays such a great character in this movie. He has to show a lot of range and be funny, dramatic, and psycho, and he pulls it off seamlessly. This could very well be one of Reynolds' best performances to date.

Reynolds plays a man named Jerry who is shaped into an extremely crazy individual due to some very traumatic experiences growing up. He lives a quiet life and works at a bathtub factory in a small town called Milton. From the outside he looks like your typical young bachelor, but he's far from typical. He owns a dog named Bosco and a cat named Mr. Whiskers that he talks to constantly about life, and even takes advice from them. Mr. Whiskers is kind of the hilarious comic relief In the movie and is trying to make Jerry do bad things. Bosco, on the other hand, is Jerry's voice of reason.

Things start to get out of control in Jerry's life when he takes steps up to try to go out on a date with his office crush Fiona, an attractive English girl from England. During a series of unfortunate events, a side comes out in Jerry that he starts to embrace, and it doesn't help that his cat is egging him on. This is just the of a very bizarre and twisted tale. 

The film also stars Gemma Arterton and Anna Kendrick, who end up getting pulled into the madness of Jerry. The Voices isn't for everyone, as it's extremely bloody and very disturbing, but in the best possible way, especially if you kind of have a demented mind. While I was watching the movie, I couldn't help but think of Reynolds' character being a funnier, more twisted version of Norman Bates from Psycho. 

The movie is extremely entertaining, but it is also so wrong on so many levels. If you think you can enjoy watching an insanely black comedy full of bloody scenes that a normal person might not want to see, them I'm sure you'll like the movie!

Official Synopsis:

The Voices deviously disorients the viewer by severely shifting tones throughout the film. Ryan Reynolds deftly handles the quirky role of Jerry and proves that, whether it be "buried" in a box (as he was in the Park City at Midnight film of the same name in 2010) or speaking with animals, he doesn’t shy away from unconventional roles. Director Marjane Satrapi, who burst onto the international film scene with Persepolis, makes her Sundance Film Festival debut with an intoxicating trip into a deranged world that is sure to shock and delight.

Hellion is an intense drama about a father trying to raise two young boys by himself after his wife passes away. It's not easy for him, because one of them is a hellion and loves to get into trouble. The dad is having a hard time trying to keep himself together, as he drinks a lot and works, leaving his kids home alone a lot to take care of themselves. This doesn't go over very well when social services shows up to take a look at the situation. This sets in motion some really rough events that the family will have to face.

This really was a great movie, it's not for everyone, but the story, script, direction, and action were all fantastic. It's just deals with some very heavy subject matter. Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul plays the father, and he gives an awesome performance. The guy is so talented, and if Need For Speed doesn't kill his career, he's going to be an incredibly successful actor. It was strange seeing him in an older father-type role like this, but it obviously worked. The movie also starred Juliette Lewis and Josh Wiggins, who gave a hell of a performance as as the lead kid character, Jacob.

The movie was wonderfully written and directed by Kat Candler, and she has a very good way of creating some hard and intense family drama. The movie really has a good way of allowing the audience feel the hurt and pain that the characters go through. It's actually based on a short film she made back in 2012.

I'd recommend seeing the movie, especially if you're a fan of Paul's work. This movie really shows his range as an actor. I'm pretty sure it will at least get a limited release in theaters and on VOD.

The Synopsis:

Thirteen-year-old Jacob is spiraling out of control. The motocross-obsessed teenager’s delinquent behavior pushes his family to the brink of collapse. All hell breaks loose when Jacob enlists his younger brother, Wes, as a partner in crime. Still reeling from his wife’s death, Jacob’s dad, Hollis, has all but abandoned his sons. When Child Protective Services removes Wes to live with his Aunt Pam, Hollis and Jacob are forced to face their culpability as they strive to bring Wes home. Hellion is set in southeastern Texas where the flames and lights of refineries frame the skyline and create a haunting backdrop for this fractured family of motherless men. 

Check out this fantastic Baby Hulk CG fan illustration based on the young superhero art of Skottie Young. The piece was created by Carlos S Antoranz, and I'd love to see more of these baby-style superheroes done like this. 

Photo by DVROSA

It was another great year at the Sundance Film Festival! There were so many fantastic movies that were shown,  and I still have a couple more to go. I'm really happy to say that Miles Teller and J.K. Simmon's film Whiplash took home the top two prizes winning the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award. This was my number one favorite film from the festival, and it seems like everyone else at the festival loved it too, so it doesn't surprise me that it won. 

Here's the full list of winners:

Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at www.sundance.org/live.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Tracy Chapman to: 

Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Leonard Maltin to:

Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Andrea Nix Fine to:

Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime's security forces.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Nansun Shi to:

To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernández Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who's barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge's son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge's son nearly dies, Kalule's sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna.

The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:

Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.

The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:

Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.

The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Felicity Huffman to:

The Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries.

The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Felicity Huffman to:

Difret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government's radar helping women and children until one young girl's legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival. Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere.

The Audience Award: Best of NEXT <=> was presented by Nick Offerman to:

Imperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De'aundre Bonds.

The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Morgan Neville to:

Ben Cotner & Ryan White for The Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Lone Scherfig to:

Cutter Hodierne for Fishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:

Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:

Sophie Hyde for 52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen.

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:

Craig Johnson & Mark Heyman for The Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — When estranged twins Maggie and Milo feel that they’re at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.

The Screenwriting Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:

Eskil Vogt for Blind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid's real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt.

The Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Jonathan Oppenheim to:

Jenny Golden, Karen Sim for Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.

The Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:

Jonathan Amos for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.

The Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Kahane Cooperman to:

Rachel Beth Anderson, Ross Kauffman for E-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field.

The Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:

Christopher Blauvelt for Low Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy-Jo Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy-Jo Albany's memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.

The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:

Thomas Balmès & Nina Bernfeld for Happiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki's eyes.

The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:

Ula Pontikos for Lilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn't speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Use of Animation was presented by Charlotte Cook to:

Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking was presented by Charlotte Cook to:

The Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor's decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Musical Score was presented by Dana Stevens to:

The Octopus Project for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter / U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent was presented by Dana Stevens to:

Justin Simien for Dear White People / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one's unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.

A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for the Delightful Ensemble Performance, and How the Director Brought His Own Unique Universe into Cinema was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:

God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett.

A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Bravery was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:

We Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends is a modern odyssey, a science fiction–like journey in a tiny homemade flying machine into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, Africa's biggest country, is being divided into two nations, a "civilizing" pathology transcends the headlines—colonialism, imperialism, and yet-another holy war over resources.

The Short Film Audience Award, Presented by YouTube, based on web traffic for 15 short films that screened at the Festival and were concurrently featured on www.youtube.com/sff, was presented to:

Chapel Perilous / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Lessner) — Levi Gold is paid an unexpected visit by Robin, a door-to-door salesman with nothing to sell. The ensuing encounter forces Levi to confront his true mystical calling, and the nature of reality itself. A metaphysical comedy trip-out with Sun Araw.

Killers turned out to be the darkest most brutal movie that I saw at Sundance. It is a really well made film, but damn... It's one of those movies that are kind of uncomfortable to watch, and you see things that cannot be unseen. It was was insanely violent and bloody, but that wasn't really what made it so brutal. It was the nature in which the violence was inflicted.

The story focuses on a serial killer named Mr. Nomura, who films himself killing the women that he lures to his home. He then posts them on a website were people can watch these live killings. There is another character in the film named Bayu that watches this killer's work. He is going through some hard times of his own with his job and family. He finds himself the victim of a robbery, but in the process, he kills the two men that tried to rob him, and then is prompted to film the aftermath of it and posts it on the website for others to watch. Nomura sees this and reaches out to Bayu to guide him in the right direction. He wants the Bayu to realize his full potential as a serial killer. The deeper it goes, though, the more he starts to feel uncomfortable and realize that maybe this isn't the life for him. Some of his past mistakes catch up with him, and from there things get very out of control. 

There are bad things happening all around in this movie! I don't think there are any redeeming values to this film. It's just a dark nightmarish real-life set horror film. It deals with a world I hope I never cross paths with in real life. There's nothing I can really say about this film that will give you any idea of how jacked up it really is. It's just one of those movies you would have to see for yourself, if you think you can handle it.

Even after the audience was warned how brutal the movie was during its introduction, people still got up and walked out of the theater. One guy as he walked out yelled how much of an horribly awful it was, and then sarcastically thanked Sundance for such a piece of crap.

That being said, the story, the acting, the script were all fantastic. It was just the content and subject matter of the film that was incredibly disturbing. I don't know many people that I would recommend a movie like this to, but there is an audience. As I was walking out of the theater, there was a group of teenagers in front of me discussing the movie. One told his friends, "I actually loved the movie. It was so good, but maybe that's because I want to be a serial killer when I grow up." Yikes! 

The movie was directed by The Mo Brothers and stars Kazuki Kitamura, Oka Antara, Rin Takanashi, Luna Maya, and Ray Sahetapy.

Official Synopsis:

Mr. Nomura is an eerily handsome, sharply dressed, sociopathic serial killer who preys on the women of Tokyo. In Jakarta, a world-weary journalist named Bayu finds himself unexpectedly falling into vigilantism after brutally killing two sadistic robbers. When each posts videos of his violent sprees online, the pair find one another on the Internet and begin a toxic and competitive duel. While Bayu clings to the hope that he can resume a normal life, Nomura continues to spill blood without remorse. Killing, advises Nomura, is something everyone ought to consider.

AMC has released two new photos from The Walking Dead season 4.5. It looks like Michonne went out and got herself a couple of new zombie escorts, and it's looking like Carl is going to have some more really rough times ahead of him. 

The Walking Dead returns February 9th with the episode "After," and here's a brief synopsis. 

"As Rick deals with old wounds, members of the prison have to come to terms with their new environment and ask themselves if survival alone is enough."