Aliens From Outer Space - 2012

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:51:00 +0000

Battle Los Angeles: Box Office $ Once Again for Alien Genre

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Take me to your leader. Battle Los Angeles is expected to have the best box office showing thus far in 2011 with estimates at $38 million for the weekend, proving once again that movies pertaining to an alien invasion of earth can make the cash register ring.

It is an intriguing genre considering sub-par effects, acting or storylines don’t seem to deter the forgiving nature of alien invasion moviegoers. In fact, alien invasion movies that fumble in these normally crucial areas only seem to endear themselves more to the alien invasion audience.

With a price tag of $70 million, Battle Los Angeles is not a low budget film. But it comes on the heals of Skyline, a surprise hit in 2010. That movie also depicts an alien invasion of Los Angeles. Although Skyline cost a mere $10 million, it brought in a healthy $65 million worldwide despite being roundly panned by critics and receiving little marketing support. This undoubtedly gave comfort to execs at Sony/Columbia who were in production of Battle LA at the time.

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“Chicago Overcoat” starring Frank Vincent to premier on Showtime

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:13:00 +0000

It’s a film that has garnered an array of awards, starting in 2009 for “Best of the Fest” at the Chicago International film festival. Now Chicago Overcoat, starring Frank Vincent who is known for his role as Phil Leotardo in The Sopranos, will premier on the Showtime cable network December 6th, and will also play on December 7th, 9th, 11th, 19th, 23rd, 28th and 29th.

Chicago Overcoat finds its roots in gangster movies of old made famous by James Cagney (Public Enemy, White Heat) more so than Italian mafia movies. Director Brian Caunter states, “I was more influenced for this film by the older French neo-noir gangster films like Le samourai (1967). It’s pretty much a re-make of Le samourai … a loose re-make of Le samourai. Even down to the set design for Lou’s apartment in the film.”

Showtime has contracted with production company Beverly Ridge Pictures to reserve an eighteen month period for pay TV. Further cable airing of Chicago Overcoat beyond December is at the discretion of Showtime. Producer Chris Charles also recognizes the power of foreign markets and the perception of Chicago overseas. “Europe in particular, a lot of people, the minute they hear “Chicago”, they think Al Capone.”

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Skyline: The good bad movie – Critics hate it but audiences love it

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Critics hate it, yes HATE it. Yet audiences love it, and Skyline recovered its $10 million budget in one weekend. Studios, producers and directors take note, this B-movie send up of Cloverfield is doing great guns at the box office with no help from people “in the know.”

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Flying Dog Dream

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 04:07:00 +0000

Shakey movie casts veteran actors in 3D dog adventure

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:26:00 +0000

Producers of the movie Shakey have scored a cast of veteran actors in addition to newcomers for a film being shot this month in Chicago. Steve Lemme plays J.T., a widower who arrives in Chicago with his dog Shakey and young daughter played by Rylie Behr. Lemme is a veteran of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe best known for the movies Beerfest and Super Troopers while ten year old Rylie Behr hails from Iowa with film experience already under her belt. Executive Producer DeAnna Cooper assures, “She is a pro, a natural pro.”

Beverly D’Angelo has wide ranging experience that began with a mini-series in 1976 and has been working in movies and television ever since. She gained national attention as Chevy Chase’ ever patient wife in National Lampoon’s Vacation movies. Beverly will play the owner of “Chateau Bow Wow” in Shakey.

Steve Guttenberg plays Sergeant Stubs in Shakey and became a household name for his roles in Cocoon and Three Men and a Baby. Alfonso Arau starred in Romancing the Stone as well as The Three Amigos and was director of the critically acclaimed Like Water for Chocolate. He will play Lemme’s foil as Chef Raoul.

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Director Kevin Cooper to begin Chicago filming of Shakey in August

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:41:00 +0000

A long awaited project by Producer and now Director Kevin Cooper is scheduled to begin shooting in Chicago starting in August. Cooper’s career was launched in Hollywood, having been a producer on the films Second Hand Lions, Men of Honor and The Fight Club. It was there that he became head of James Cameron’s Digital Domain, a digital production facility in Los Angeles. He is currently a faculty member at Columbia College, a media school in downtown Chicago.

Kevin Cooper’s latest project, Shakey, is a movie about a faithful pup who inadvertently shaped the philosophy on which Kevin ultimately would base his career. “When I moved to L.A. … I was young and I had this dog, this mutt. I was so passionate about pursuing a career in film. After moving into this small apartment, I was told I can’t keep my dog … It represented so much about, ‘OK. What am I going to value?’”, Kevin states, still moved by the experience.

It was Cooper’s dog that reminded him what his priorities should be. “It was the right call at that time for me to keep that dog. Also, as a young man, it was an important lesson about loyalty, about family … (or) selling out, which is really what this whole film is about.”

Loyalty is a theme that has been with Kevin since his childhood days in Toledo. “Our family vacations were in Michigan, and we went up to the U.P. and we stumbled across a wolf sanctuary up there. I wound up meeting this guy … and he was Inuit. I remember thinking … so much of what he has to say about wolf packs is true. In particular, this sense of loyalty, and how they stick together and they’ll mate for life.”

Actor Steve Lemme, best known for his roles in Beerfest and Super Troopers is a long time friend of Cooper’s. The two met while Kevin was a student at NYU film school. It is Steve who will play the lead role in Shakey, a character shaped after Kevin and his earlier experiences with his dog.

However, Kevin makes it clear that Steve was not chosen just out of a sense of loyalty, but that he is right for this role. “I’m very close to [him] as far as friends, but … he studied acting … He wasn’t a comedian who turned into an actor. I could show you some audition tapes and you can just see, with Steve as an actor … you want the camera to be on him.”

Alongside Steve Lemme will be Rylie Behr, a young actress from Iowa who will play Steve’s daughter and according to Producer Paul B. Payne, is guaranteed to tug on heart strings. On the other hand, Second City veteran Andy St. Claire will play “Jersky”, a character that is somewhat of a creep. While he is looking forward to the role, he jokingly sounds a note of caution. “What do they say? You’re not supposed to work with animals or kids? We’re doing both.”

Currently, Kevin’s company, Amarok Productions, is an apex of activity. They are making final casting decisions and working with the City of Chicago on location shoots at Buckingham Fountain, Michigan Avenue Bridge and The Field Museum. The budget is expected to stay under $500,000 and Cooper and Payne are keenly aware that movies have to make money or they don’t get made. They are working with studios in Los Angeles for distribution and emphasize that Shakey is not an independent project.

But with all the mayhem that producing a movie will bring, Kevin Cooper still has his priorities straight. “The Inuit word for wolf”, Kevin reveals, “is Amarok.”

Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" by The Neverly Brothers

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:38:00 +0000

When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues - Kimberly Wolff

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:32:00 +0000

Rita Moreno to celebrate West Side Story at the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:56:00 +0000

Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 classic West Side Story, will be in Naperville on April 10th along with cast members George Chakiris (Bernardo) and Russ Tamblyn (Riff). Moreno and Chakiris both won Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actress and Actor) for the film adaptation of Leonard Bernstein’s famed Broadway play.

Full Story on Examiner.com

Doris Day - Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:28:00 +0000

Dakota Fanning plays Cherie Currie in The Runaways

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:13:00 +0000

The tumultuous beginning of Cherie Currie’s career is chronicled in the movie The Runaways, based on a 1970’s all-girl teenage band from Los Angeles by the same name. The Runaways opens on March 19th in limited release.

The band The Runaways was formed by Joan Jett and Sandy West in 1975 and gained notoriety in the Los Angeles club circuit with songs such as the rock anthem Cherry Bomb. Cherie Currie had a short tenure with the band from 1975 to 1977 as the lead singer.

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2009 Oscar for Best Picture - Indie versus studio (or Avatar versus everyone else)

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:01:00 +0000

With all due respect to the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. The morning after an evening at the Oscar’s, water cooler scuttlebutt invariably focuses on the Academy’s penchant for obscure, brooding and lackluster films, or blatant commercialism when it comes to the Oscar of Oscar’s – Best Picture.

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Ashley Hull on the Fiddle - Black Mountain Rag

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:14:00 +0000

Show Me the Bridge - Inside a Town Council Fiefdom

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:18:00 +0000

The fatal word was "routine'. That was the word chosen by my boss and it was stuck in a synapse as I walked briskly toward the gate. If you put aside my affinity for finding the weak link in any plan, there was no reason to doubt my success as I boarded the plane. Our firm was the winning bidder for a project that was barely a challenge for our level of expertise. The project entailed construction of a relatively modest bridge that would span a river and marsh area. It posed a few difficulties too complex for local contractors. But for us, it was, well, routine.

As the man in the field, my forte is bringing disparate parts together and showing all parties involved the wisdom of our plan. I am a structural engineer, first and foremost. But along the way, it became apparent that I had other talents much needed in the completion of a public works project. In addition to engineer, I am part salesman, public relations specialist, psychologist and all around good guy who puts a happy face on our firm, Brinkley & Fouts.

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Anette Louisan - Das Grosse Erwachen

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:42:00 +0000

Orianthi from Australia

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Clint Eastwood - Two Mules for Sister Sara - Blowing up the Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:07:00 +0000

REO Speedwagon - Flying Turkey Trot - Gary Richrath

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Click here for Flying Turkey Trot

Hollywood Producer Kevin Cooper to film “Shakey” in Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Not all roads in the movie making world end in Hollywood. Sometimes they pass through, perhaps to return another day. For Kevin Cooper, film production has taken him from Munich to New York to Los Angeles to Chicago. And the journey probably isn’t over yet, it may just be the beginning.

Kevin Cooper’s company, Amarok Productions, is in the beginning stages of a new film titled, “Shakey”, the semi-autobiographical tale of a dog that in Kevin’s words, “was so dog gone loyal … it hurts me to even say this to this day.” It is the story of a faithful pooch that tugged on Kevin’s heart strings at the outset of his career. “Shakey” is a family film to be shot in Dupage County, located west of Chicago. “It’s a tale of loyalty,” Kevin explains, “and what family means and staying true to your friends.”

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Script - Screenplay for Ghostbusters 3 III lll

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:31:00 +0000

"Ghostbusters III - Revenge of the Green Meanies"
Written by John Villec

Registered WGA East 8/23/09

Registered WGA West 9/22/09

King of Queens - Mean Streak - NFL Roundup Song

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Bullock’s Blind Side beats Moon, Oscar Buzz begins

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:37:00 +0000

It is the kind of build up you can’t market or manufacture. Ironically, The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock seemed destined to be trounced by the latest in the Twilight series, New Moon. But after holding tough on the first weekend, The Blind Side pulled close to even with Twilight in its second week out and now has taken a clear lead in its third week coming in at $6.8 million on Friday over Twilight’s $5.2 million gross.

It is a rare accomplishment. The Blind Side is entirely story driven and has gone from second place in the box office sweepstakes to number one in its third week, beating out two big budget blockbusters in the process (New Moon and 2012). It is true that Blind Side benefited from weak new entries on week two (Old Dogs and Ninja Assassin) and better but still tepid performances in week three (Brothers and Armored). Nevertheless, The Blind Side would not be able to stay on top of the movie going heap if not for its compelling story about destitute Michael Oher, who surmounted the worst possible odds to become a professional football player with the help of Leigh Anne Touhy played by Sandra Bullock.

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The Strip (2009) - Filmed in Chicago - Directed by Jameel Khan

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:02:00 +0000

When you think of independent films, you envision ominous avant garde posters evoking dark images, people dressed in black who have unkempt hair and talk in hushed tones before and after the movie, sipping cappuccino and breaking down the thematic elements of their favorite film with serious intent.

It is true that many independent films are off the beaten path, but not all. In the middle of this stereotypical depiction is “The Strip”, an independent film that offers comic relief from more brooding offerings. It will open on December 4th in eight metropolitan areas including the Landmark Theater in Chicago. It is the creation of first time director Jameel Khan and he acknowledges that his film (gasp) may have commercial appeal.

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Blind Side pulls up to Twilight. Old Dogs suffers identity crisis.

noreply@blogger.com (John Villec) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:09:00 +0000

What a difference a week makes. Last week, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” broke a one day box office record by bringing in $73 million. But a week later, "The Blind Side" has become the little film that could and has pulled even in daily box office receipts. The Sandra Bullock water works special takes you down the path of Michael Oher and his improbable journey from poverty to professional football player. It is this type of box office gyration that sends studio execs running for Grecian Formula (or Clairol for the ladies).

But Sandra Bullock’s tear jerker benefited from weak new releases aimed at narrow target audiences. The two new entries with wide release were “Old Dogs” and “Ninja Assassin”. It’s easy to identify the target audience for Ninja Assassin (Midwestern grandmothers), but Old Dogs appears to be suffering from a misdirection of sorts.

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