RINGS (2/4): Samara is back!

In the horror franchise, RING series has made its name. It's almost a surprise that it took 12 years for next one to arrive since The Ring Two in 2005. But the wait was not for nothing, since this movie directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez is not too short of what you would expect. This film is written by the Hollywood legends David Loucka, Jacob Aaron Estes and Akiva Goldsman; and starring  Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Vincent D'Onofrio, Aimee Teegarden and Bonnie Morgan. 

***SPOILERS***

The idea is still the same; one watches the film and dies with in 7 days, unless they pass the "tail" to someone else. And it sen starts with VHS video tape, but moves to digital and email etc pretty soon (UPGRADE!). And the terror starts in a plane, which is quite an interesting scene. We also get to see Samara climbing out of a upside down TV, and even a cell phone (more upgrade!). Most of Samara stuff is not as horrifying and scary as original movie. But its difficult to recreate same horror. But the movie does a good job of creating its own moments.

We also get to meet Samara's real mother and father (played wonderfully by Vincent D'Onofrio), and find out their story. It's interesting to see how the writers are able to continuously explore and expand the story. Johnny Galecki is also there, as a biology professor, and does good justice to his role. Unfortunately, he dies in the movie, so we own't see him in next. Why next? Well, the movie ends with Samara surviving through our lead Julia (played by the beautiful and very talented Matilda Lutz). So yeah, a sequel!

**** SPOILERS END**** 

The casting is good, and so is the performances by the actors. The ones stated above stand out. The film is shot well, and it's not 3D. It's not as visually stunning as the first film, but again, its a difficult mark to cross. If you are a fan of RING or horror movies, you should watch it. Otherwise, a skip is okay. Although I would recommend to watch the first RING.

Official "Rings" Movie Trailer 2017 | Subscribe ➤ http://abo.yt/kc | Johnny Galecki Movie #Trailer | Release: 3 Feb 2017 | https://KinoCheck.de/film/1cl/rings-2016 The film revolves around the events that took place before The Ring. It tells the story of the years before the video tape came to be and the beginning of how Samara's terror began.

As part of promotions for the film, we also get to experience "KOMNATA QUEST: ESCAPE ROOM", in NYC. It was pretty cool. You basically get stuck in a maze and you have to escape by solving the mystery, unlocking doors and "fighting" demons. Pretty interesting concept, like your own movie. In homage to Japanese origin of RING, we explored a Japanese maze. I won't spoil it for you here, cuz you need to do it yourself, but here are some video and pics from the exploration. It sure was LOT OF FUN!

Instructions before you go in!

EXCLUSIVE: Talk w/ Luke Davies, Oscar nominated screenwriter of LION

Luke Davies may have been an unknown name to American audience, until recently, but now he's becoming a household name. It's not just success of his wonderful film LION, but also the Oscar nomination for best screenwriter. He has been quite a successful poet and writer in Australia already. But in spite of all that, he's still a very kind and wonderful person. He was kind of surprised with the success of the film. Although, we are bot. He's a great screenwriter to talk to and learn from. Art Shrian had a chance to talk to him in NYC, and here it goes:

Luke Davies, Oscar Nominated (results pending) screenwriter of LION, talks to Art Shrian about this script, research, writing, India, adoption and more!

LION screenwriter Luke Davies is the author of three novels (most recently God of Speed), four volumes of poetry (the latest, Interferon Psalms, won the inaugural Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Poetry, Australia’s largest and most prestigious literary prize) and is a co-writer, with Neil Armfield, of the feature film Candy, an adaptation of his own novel. Davies’ novels are the cult best-seller Candy, Isabelle the Navigator and God of Speed. Candy was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Awards and has been published in France, Spain, Germany, Israel, Greece, the UK and USA. God of Speed was published in the US by Rare Bird Books in 2014.

Davies is currently writing the screenplay adaptation of the memoirs Beautiful Boy: My Journey Through My Son’s Addiction by David Sheff and Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff (two books adapted as one film) for Brad Pitt’s company Plan B. The film is to be directed by Oscar-nominated director Felix von Groeningen (Broken Circle Breakdown) and produced by Oscar-winner Jeremy Kleiner (12 Years a Slave, Selma). Davies is additionally writing a TV adaptation of the Joseph Heller novel Catch-22, for True Detective producers Anonymous Content and Paramount TV

Get Tickets - http://www.fandango.com/lion_192142/movieoverview?cmp=MCYT_YouTube_Desc Starring: Rooney Mara, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel Lion Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Dev Patel Movie A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

SYNOPSIS: Five year old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home.

Celebrate 'Black History Month' with "CHAPTER & VERSE", Feb 3-9 at MIST HARLEM

We hear a lot in entertainment world, that when you go specific with a story, you go global. "Chapter & Verse) is a clear example of that. This wonderful film a specific story about the "3rd man" in Harlem. But a story that' truly global and touching. Beautifully written and shot, this film is filled with an amazing cast and amazing performances. The gritty story is the first film to come from Harlem Film Company a new film and media company based in Harlem co-founded by Hollywood legend Cheryl Hill. “Chapter and Verse” is directed by Jamal Joseph who shares a co-written by credit with Daniel Beaty and executive produced by Antoine Fuqua, and Sid, John and Bill Sheinberg. The film stars Daniel Beaty, Omari Hardwick (POWER), Selenis Leyva (Orange Is the New Black), and Loretta Devine (Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy). 

Harlem turned up and let loose at the red carpet premiere of “Chapter and Verse” at Mist Harlem. Here's the post-screening discussion with the movie panel:

Harlem Film Company presents CHAPTER & VERSE at Harlem Mist. Post-screening panel with Omari Hardwick, Daniel Beauty, Cheryl Hill, Jamal Joseph and others.

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: After serving eight years in prison, reformed gang leader S. Lance Ingram (DANIEL BEATY) re-enters society and struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem. Living under the tough supervision of a parole officer in a halfway house, he is unable to find a job that will let him use the technological skills he gained in prison. Lance is forced to take a job delivering for a food pantry where he befriends Ms. Maddy (LORETTA DEVINE), a strong and spirited grandmother, and assumes responsibility for her 15-year- old grandson Ty, a promising student who is pulled into a dangerous street gang. When gang members decide to punish Ty for disobeying the “law of the streets,” Lance risks sacrificing his “second chance” at freedom so that Ty can have a “first chance” at a better life.

Director Jamal Joseph, is a filmmaker, acclaimed author, film professor, community leader, activist and a Black Panther who spent time in prison as a result of his involvement in the organization.  One of the key factors to basing the Harlem Film Company (HFC) in Harlem itself was to be a part of the vitality and history of a people who understand the importance of creative resilience and how to make the sweetest lemonade from the rankest lemons. 

“Chapter and Verse” opens Feb. 3rd at MIST HARLEM (located 46 W. 116th Street) for a one-week run and then goes to Midtown AMC. 

http://chapterandversethefilm.com/

*Official Selection of the 2015 Urbanworld Film Festival*
*Official Selection of the 2016 Human Rights Watch Film Festival*
*Official Selection of the 2016 Pan African Film Festival*

Allen Maldonado, is launching digital app for short films, EVERYBODY DIGITAL. #Sundance

Allen Maldonado is one of young Hollywood’s busiest stars on the rise. The multi-talented actor, writer and entrepreneur, not only co-stars on the award-winning sitcom, BLACK-ISH  (ABC), he is also in his third season as a full time writer on the hit Starz series, SURVIVOR'S REMORSE, has recurred for three seasons on YOU’RE THE WORST (FXX), is booked for a major film shooting over the next two months in Detroit, and has developed the industry's first digital app for short films, Everybody Digital, launching early spring. We had a chance to talk to him at Sundance 2017. Here it is:

Allen Maldonado actor-writer-entrepreneur (Black-ish & Survivor's Remorse), at Sundance 2017, talks w/ Art Shrian. He is launching short film platform 'Everybody Digital'. And talk about Diversity & Inclusion in Hollywood.

In the past couple of years, Allen has appeared in several blockbuster films including the Sony Pictures action thriller, THE EQUALIZER. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN), Maldonado stars as ‘Marcus’ opposite Academy Award winner Denzel Washington. The film is adapted from the television series of the same name and follows ‘Robert McCall’ (Washington), a solitary, monastic figure with a mysterious past who despises injustice and devotes himself to helping victims. The film was released and opened at #1 in the box office.

Maldonado was also seen in the feature CAKE alongside Jennifer Aniston, Sam Worthington, Anna Kendrick and William H. Macy. CAKE won a Golden Globe and several other awards. After CAKE, Allen joined the cast of Universal’s NWA biopic STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, produced by Ice Cube and helmed by F. Gary Gray, which opened at #1 in the box office and stayed there for four weeks straight.

Last September, TV One aired the TV movie, RINGSIDE, in which Maldonado starred as Spencer Collier, the egotistical welterweight boxing champion of the world. In addition, he has 4 films in post-production slated to be released in 2017; FIRST MATCH, SMARTASS, QUEST, and WHERE’S THE MONEY?

His dexterity in sitcom is demonstrated by his character in BLACK-ISH, in which Allen co-stars as ‘Curtis’ the super cool millennial assistant to Anthony Anderson in the offices of Stevens & Lido.  On YOU’RE THE WORST, which centers on two toxic, self-destructive people who fall in love and attempt a relationship; he portrays ‘Honey Nutz’ in this sitcom which puts a dark twist on the romantic comedy genre. In addition,Maldonado has impressed with memorable appearances on MAJOR CRIMES and ROSEWOOD. 

Lastly, SURVIVOR’S REMORSE is a hit comedy on Starz that follows Cam Calloway and his family as they deal with his recent rise in fame and money as a professional basketball player.Maldonado stars as ‘DeShauwn May,’ a wild and spontaneous ex-drug dealer turned sports manager. For season 3 of SURVIVOR’S REMORSE he was brought on as a writer and quickly earned a "story by" credit, showing he's just as talented behind the camera as he is in front of it. He is currently still writing for season 4. 

Of African American and Puerto Rican descent, Maldonado is a native of Rialto, CA, a city just outside of Los Angeles. Allen was raised by his single mother, having lost his father to cancer at a very young age. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, he was inspired by his mother’s passion and determination. This platform of support has proven invaluable for him to achieve his goals. At the age of 21, Maldonado landed a year-long role in the daytime series THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS until his career was briefly interrupted when he was involved in a near-fatal car accident with a drunk driver. After a brief, yet arduous recovery, Maldonado began to build his resume landing roles in the Emmy® nominated CBS drama JUDGING AMY and FX's THE SHIELD," DETROIT 187, CHASE and RIZZOLI & ISLES to name a few. Additionally, his film credits include LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, THE UGLY TRUTH, THE NEXT THREE DAYS, and the Marvel Studios short film ALL HAIL THE KING.

Outside of his acting career, Maldonado is a successful entrepreneur. He runs a record company- Get It Done Records; a production company- Only Son Productions; and a T-shirt line- Vineyards Phinest, where a portion of the proceeds go to his foundation. As a staunch advocate for higher education, community service, and encouraging youth to pursue the arts,Maldonado is the founder of Demo Nerds, a foundation that provides free acting classes, tools, and services for at-risk youth and foster children in the inner cities of Los Angeles. Additionally, the organization frequently collaborates with other city programs such as “The Boys & Girls Club,” “The Dream Center," and the “New Village Girls Academy”. 

During his rare free time, Maldonado enjoys working out, boxing, playing basketball, and spending time with his family.