Michael Pantazi's Blog
Posted by Michael Pantazi
For anyone interested, I thought the following link from Sean Hood’s blog would be a valuable guide to not just anyone interested in developing their own film scripts, but to the critic in all of us as well. As Sean notes:
This is an inspiring article written by my friend and mentor, Jacques Thelemaque, about the importance of plumbing the depths of personal vision, even on seemingly commercial or "genre" projects.
Posted by Michael Pantazi
Mentioned in my article on I’m a Cyborg, but that’s Okay, Thirst is Park Chan-wook’s latest film, co-written by Chan-wook and Jeong Seo-gyeong (I’m a Cyborg, Lady Vengeance).
Thirst will star the award-winning Song Kang-ho (The Good, the Bad, the Weird) as a priest who turns vamp after contracting a disease while in Africa. In terms of concept we can expect this to be more in the vein of a Cronos than an Interview with a Vampire or, god forbid, Underworld.
It’s obvious by now that, as far as I’m concerned, Chan-wook is just about the greatest film-maker alive today. His success and growing popularity will inevitably lead some critics into a baa-baa-backlash (that’s supposed to be a sheep sound if you're wondering), but I’d stick my neck out on a Chan-wook film every time and say that Thirst should be – if nothing else – original. I’ll probably hate it now.
A trailer can be found on Youtube and across the web, but aintitcool.com also provides a translation of what’s being said (the trailer has no subtitles).
According to sources on IMDB, a release is currently expected on April 30th this year, and will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival. While an international release is largely in the dark, it shouldn’t be too long before we know what sort of a theatre distribution it'll get and when to expect the DVD.
Posted by Michael Pantazi
Sean Hood is an American horror screenwriter who has been writing for tv and film since 1998, having contributed in the art department of many films before that, stretching back to 1990. His IMDB profile also credits him as director, cinematographer, editor and producer for various projects.
While some of his writing projects (such as Halloween: Resurrection & The Crow: Wicked Prayer) were far from well received, it’s important to remember that a) these kinds of films are virtually pre-destined to fail on several fronts and b) that the vast majority of writers in the American film industry are hands-for-hire, bid to write-up someone’s terrible ideas and endlessly tweak them according to the whim of studio financiers – most of whom wouldn’t know a strong script if they were beaten half to death with it. Of course, the same level of “compromise” is often required of directors and actors alike.
Most recently, Sean has worked on the acclaimed tv series Masters of Horror (Season 1 – Episode 10, Sick Girl) and Fear Itself (1 episode – Echoes).
The reason for highlighting these points is that I’ve recently received a mail from Mr. Hood, drawing attention to his own article on meeting with Friday the 13th director Marcus Nispel to discuss his next outing. Hit the link below to read that article on Sean’s blog, which gives a great insight into how quirky the initial process of selecting crewmen into a film production can be.
"My Dinner With Marcus" article.
So, congratulations to Sean and good luck to both him and Nispel in developing what will be the director’s own film concept in the upcoming Subterranean (a.k.a Pod). Also, check out Nispel’s linked response at the end of the article – the man seems to enjoy a very strange diet indeed.
Of course, I couldn’t let the chance pass me by of asking Sean for an interview when production on Subterranean is further along. He very kindly obliged, noting that “the next step for Beacon Pictures is to assemble a cast and partner with a studio”.
Now I’ve yet to see the new Friday the 13th movie, but it’s been doing extremely well at the box-office. What that should mean – irrespective of the film itself - is that Nispel can now carry some real clout to the next studio, which will hopefully keep any creative interference to a minimum.
Check back for updates on these developments, which should provide Suite readers with valuable feedback on the film-production process and some pretty exclusive insights to what we can expect from Subterranean.
Posted by Michael Pantazi
Looking ahead to the coming year, I’ve recently come across two subject-related projects that couldn’t help but get my full attention.
The subject of these two projects is none other than esteemed 19th century writer and all-round – if slightly unhinged – genius, Edgar Allan Poe. The timing of these, of course, coincides with the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birthday on January 19th in 1809.
Firstly, there’s Edgar Allan Poe’s Ligeia, brought to us by Jeff Most Productions with virtual unknown director Michael Staininger. Screenwriter John Shirley has a more substantial resumé behind him, but with few productions of high quality. His best known script is probably that of 1994’s The Crow with Brandon Lee.
At this stage, however, it seems likely that there’ll be more than a fair degree of ‘artistic license’ with the source tale of Ligeia to fill out a movie, seeing as Poe’s work does not lend itself to feature-length adaptations. As has always been the case when any film has used his nomenclature, it feels somewhat more like a gimmick than a real tribute. We’ll just have to wait and see on that front.
The cast is promising: American Beauty’s Wes Bentley stars alongside Kaitlin Doubleday, Eric Roberts, Michael Madsen, Sofya Skya and Christa Campbell, but we all know a good cast can be easily undermined by fundamental factors in the script, direction, editing, etc.
If you want to learn more about this – and see a trailer – then head on over to the movie’s official website Here.
* * * * *
The second Poe-related project is more intriguing and potentially more rewarding, being based not on any of Poe’s written works, but rather on the man himself. If, like me, you have a real interest in this development, then prepare yourself for a few shocking facts, recently reported in Variety magazine.
Firstly, the film is to be financed and produced (at this time) by none other than Nu Image/Millennium films – yes, the very company that gave us Shark in Venice!
As if that wasn’t strange enough, you’ll never guess who has written the script and is likely to be director – Sly Stallone! Who’d have thunk it? Stallone? Poe? The mind boggles. Apparently, Stallone has a lasting fascination with the cult American poet and short story writer and has been working on a script for quite some time.
However, the entire project seems to come to a glorious peak when we hear who exactly has made Stallone’s first choice for the role (though it remains to be seen if he takes the part) – Robert Downey Jr! Personally, I couldn’t imagine a better choice and if it happens then there has to be serious potential for this film (simply called, by the way, Edgar Allan Poe).
I shouldn’t write stuff like this, because of the near-invariable disappointment, but curiosity alone has got the better of me. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. There’ll be updates on this one for sure and here’s to hoping that my future review of the film doesn’t have to be a mad rant about how there’s nothing in it to suggest the slightest understanding of one of history’s finest minds – the odds of which, let’s face it, are pretty good. Please prove me wrong, Mr. Stallone.
Both films are awaiting official confirmation for release dates, but a close eye will be kept open.
Posted by Michael Pantazi
Recently released, The Coffin is a Thai supernatural horror film based on the true-life ritual of lying in a coffin to exorcise bad luck and to prolong life. It follows a young man and a young woman who each have their reasons for going through the ritual, only to be plagued afterward by terrifying events.
This English-language film has broken the record for Best Opening Day for any Thai horror film and went straight to No. 1 in Singapore.
For a fuller insight into the film's plot and trailer, visit Shocktillyoudrop.com Here.
Or, visit The Coffin's official website.
This looks very promising and will hopefully avoid all the ridiculous behavioural patterns that our western writers and directors seem to think are so necessary in horror films. As yet, there is no definite release date in the west - sometime next year seems to be the case - but look out for updates and coming reviews.
