This Friday just got a little bit freakier for millennial Disney fans: “Freaky Friday 2” has a director attached, which means, yes, it’s happening. “Late Night” director Nisha Ganatra (“Welcome to Chippendales”) is ready to get to work behind the camera, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, with Og stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in talks to return in front.
The “Freaky Friday” sequel has been one the Hollywood’s worst-kept secrets, but still, nothing is official until it is.
“Freaky Friday 2” is very much on trend. The film will join a whole slew of sequels set 20-plus years after their initial (respective) releases. There was already the new (musical) “Mean Girls,” and sequels to “John Tucker Must Die” and “The Princess Diaries” are in the works. (It’d be the third “Princess Diaries” film.)
IndieWire reached out to reps for Disney, Ganatra, Curtis, and Lohan for comment on the THR story,...
The “Freaky Friday” sequel has been one the Hollywood’s worst-kept secrets, but still, nothing is official until it is.
“Freaky Friday 2” is very much on trend. The film will join a whole slew of sequels set 20-plus years after their initial (respective) releases. There was already the new (musical) “Mean Girls,” and sequels to “John Tucker Must Die” and “The Princess Diaries” are in the works. (It’d be the third “Princess Diaries” film.)
IndieWire reached out to reps for Disney, Ganatra, Curtis, and Lohan for comment on the THR story,...
- 3/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
One of Hollywood’s most anticipated reunions is finally happening as Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan activate their Wonder Twin powers for Freaky Friday 2. The long-awaited sequel to the duo’s 2003 body swap comedy is gaining steam with a new director and production window, and today, we have our first image of Curtis and Lohan reunited. The pic shows the mature yet ageless actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, thrilled to be together and making good on a promise to continue the story that started so many years ago.
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A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
Freaky Friday 2 is happening with Welcome to Chippendales director Nisha Ganatra at the helm. Freaky Friday 2 production is hoping to kick up in the summer. Andrew Gunn, who produced the 2003 movie, is producing along with former Disney exec Kristin Burr. There is no word whether Freaky...
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A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
Freaky Friday 2 is happening with Welcome to Chippendales director Nisha Ganatra at the helm. Freaky Friday 2 production is hoping to kick up in the summer. Andrew Gunn, who produced the 2003 movie, is producing along with former Disney exec Kristin Burr. There is no word whether Freaky...
- 3/29/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Disney’s Freaky Friday sequel, teased for a number of years, is finally a go movie, Deadline has confirmed, as the project has found its director in Nisha Ganatra (Late Night), with stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in talks to return.
No word yet on the plot of the new film, but it’s said to be targeting a summer shoot in Los Angeles. Jordan Weiss wrote the script, with the original’s Andrew Gunn to produce alongside Kristin Burr. Whether the film will be for theaters or streaming isn’t yet clear.
Released in 2003, Freaky Friday revolves around Tess Coleman (Curtis), a single mother and uptight psychiatrist, and her rebellious teenage daughter, Anna (Lohan). Constantly at odds with each other due to their differing perspectives on life, they find themselves magically swapping bodies after a mysterious fortune cookie incident at a Chinese restaurant. As Tess wakes up...
No word yet on the plot of the new film, but it’s said to be targeting a summer shoot in Los Angeles. Jordan Weiss wrote the script, with the original’s Andrew Gunn to produce alongside Kristin Burr. Whether the film will be for theaters or streaming isn’t yet clear.
Released in 2003, Freaky Friday revolves around Tess Coleman (Curtis), a single mother and uptight psychiatrist, and her rebellious teenage daughter, Anna (Lohan). Constantly at odds with each other due to their differing perspectives on life, they find themselves magically swapping bodies after a mysterious fortune cookie incident at a Chinese restaurant. As Tess wakes up...
- 3/29/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Freaky Friday 2” is officially happening at Disney, with Nisha Ganatra tapped to direct. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are in talks to reprise their roles from the 2003 comedy.
Ganatra most recently directed episodes of Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendale’s.” Her other credits include the 2020 film “The High Note” with Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross, along with 2019’s “Late Night,” starring Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson.
Rumors of a “Freaky Friday” sequel first began to swirl in October 2022, when Curtis told “The View” co-hosts that she had “already written to Disney” regarding a sequel. Since then, both Curtis and Lohan have been vocal about their desire to reunite for another body-swapping comedy.
On Friday, Curtis shared a photo with Lohan on Instagram, tagging Disney and captioning the snap, “Duh! Ffdeux!”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
Disney released “Freaky Friday” in...
Ganatra most recently directed episodes of Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendale’s.” Her other credits include the 2020 film “The High Note” with Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross, along with 2019’s “Late Night,” starring Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson.
Rumors of a “Freaky Friday” sequel first began to swirl in October 2022, when Curtis told “The View” co-hosts that she had “already written to Disney” regarding a sequel. Since then, both Curtis and Lohan have been vocal about their desire to reunite for another body-swapping comedy.
On Friday, Curtis shared a photo with Lohan on Instagram, tagging Disney and captioning the snap, “Duh! Ffdeux!”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
Disney released “Freaky Friday” in...
- 3/29/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Today’s film is the 1998 short Insomnia. The film is written and directed by Andrew Gunn, and stars Steven O’Donnell, Anne Orwin, Susan Vidler, and Andy Serkis. Serkis’ career, which has spanned 25 years, began in television before moving to feature films, where he garnered acclaim for his motion-capture work as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings series. His newest feature, titled Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, where he reprises his motion capture role as Caesar, opens in wide release in American theatres this weekend.
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The post Saturday Shorts: ‘Insomnia’, starring Andy Serkis appeared first on Sound On Sight.
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The post Saturday Shorts: ‘Insomnia’, starring Andy Serkis appeared first on Sound On Sight.
- 7/12/2014
- by Deepayan Sengupta
- SoundOnSight
President Obama scolds Congress over shutdown, more fan made Wonder Woman, Robert Downey, Jr.’s six foot tall flying Iron Man
Four time Olympian skier Bode Miller isn’t happy with Russia’s anti-gay laws. “My main emotion when I hear and deal with situations like that is embarrassment. As a human being, I think it is embarrassing.” He also thinks it’s unfair that athletes are told they can’t have opinions and views on the subject. “There are politics in sport and athletics. They always are intertwined, even though people try to keep them separate. Asking an athlete to go somewhere and compete and be a representative of that philosophy and all the different crap that kind of goes along with it and then telling them they can’t tell them they express their views or they can’t say what they believe is pretty hypocritical and unfair.
Four time Olympian skier Bode Miller isn’t happy with Russia’s anti-gay laws. “My main emotion when I hear and deal with situations like that is embarrassment. As a human being, I think it is embarrassing.” He also thinks it’s unfair that athletes are told they can’t have opinions and views on the subject. “There are politics in sport and athletics. They always are intertwined, even though people try to keep them separate. Asking an athlete to go somewhere and compete and be a representative of that philosophy and all the different crap that kind of goes along with it and then telling them they can’t tell them they express their views or they can’t say what they believe is pretty hypocritical and unfair.
- 10/1/2013
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
THR are reporting that Walt Disney Pictures are now looking to another of their famous animated characters to give the live action treatment to (following on from live action versions of Cinderlla and Sleeping Beauty). This time, with one of their villains, in the form of fashion loving dog catcher, Cruella de Vil. Information regarding the film's plot is being kept close to the chest of Disney, but the film has been given a title ("Cruella) and a writer. Aline Brosh McKenna, writer of "The Devil Wears Prada," "27 Dresses" and the forthcoming "Cinderella" will pen the script for "Cruella." Andrew Gunn will produce the film, whilst actress Glenn Close who played Cruella de Vil in the 1996 movie...
- 10/1/2013
- by Anthony Pearson
- Monsters and Critics
John McAfee Biopic
"Ed Wood" and "Man on the Moon" scribes Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are being brought onboard the John McAfee biopic in development at Warner Bros. Pictures.
McAfee made his fortune from the anti-virus software that bears his name, but was wanted for questioning in connection with murder charges in Belize last year. [Source: ]
War Correspondents
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes is set to pen the feature drama "War Correspondents" for Sony Pictures.
The story follows a number of female war correspondents. Betsy Beers and Mark Gordon will executive produce. [Source: The Live Feed]
Screw Everyone
Zucker Productions has acquired film rights to NPR host Ophira Eisenberg's comic memoir "Screw Everyone: How I Slept My Way to Monogamy".
The book recounts more than a decade and a half of relationships she indulged in where her attitude was saying 'yes' to nearly everything before getting married. [Source: Variety]
South China Sea
Millennium Films...
"Ed Wood" and "Man on the Moon" scribes Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are being brought onboard the John McAfee biopic in development at Warner Bros. Pictures.
McAfee made his fortune from the anti-virus software that bears his name, but was wanted for questioning in connection with murder charges in Belize last year. [Source: ]
War Correspondents
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes is set to pen the feature drama "War Correspondents" for Sony Pictures.
The story follows a number of female war correspondents. Betsy Beers and Mark Gordon will executive produce. [Source: The Live Feed]
Screw Everyone
Zucker Productions has acquired film rights to NPR host Ophira Eisenberg's comic memoir "Screw Everyone: How I Slept My Way to Monogamy".
The book recounts more than a decade and a half of relationships she indulged in where her attitude was saying 'yes' to nearly everything before getting married. [Source: Variety]
South China Sea
Millennium Films...
- 7/30/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Millennium Films has picked up the action script South China Sea by Kerry Williamson, with Andrew Gunn on board to produce. The script was previously set up at Disney, but Millennium, which has had great success with action films such as its Expendables franchise and Olympus Has Fallen, sparked to the project, which has been described as a water-themed Fast and Furious. Photos: 26 of Summer's Most Anticipated Movies The script is based on the operations of the pirates in Asia’s South China Sea, where freighters are boarded, repainted, renamed and reflagged by buccaneers, who then pull into ports
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read more...
- 7/29/2013
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Things are not looking good for Order of the Seven. THR reports that the Disney has put the long planned Asia-set adventure movie on hold indefinitely. Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) was set to star and Michael Gracey was to make his directorial debut on the project, with production planned as soon as this summer in London. The film has been in the works for a decade at Disney. It began as a Snow White retelling, and was in the midst of finding an international cast to play a band of warriors tasked with protecting a young woman. Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Iron Man) had even been hired last week to polish the script. As of now, all development on the film has stopped.
The box office disaster of John Carter is partly to blame, according to sources. Ever since the failure Disney has been scrutinizing budgets on all of its tentpole movies.
The box office disaster of John Carter is partly to blame, according to sources. Ever since the failure Disney has been scrutinizing budgets on all of its tentpole movies.
- 5/23/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Cuthbert Cringeworthy from The Bash Street Kids. Zilly from Dastardly And Muttley. Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Some of the biggest wimps known to humankind. Quaking, weedy scaredycats who would run a mile even when faced with the prospect of visiting the zoo. But never in this Petrified Parade would we include...
The Daleks???!!??
The evil pepperpots are forces for fear and terror throughout the galaxy. They rewrote the Intergalactic Guide To Fiendish Deeds. They're so racist that even Alf Garnett would blush. They'd shoot you even if you gave them a fancy birthday present in a colourful box and bow. In short, they're the perfect baddies for Doctor Who, since they stand for every force of evil in the universe.
Now take those two problems, multiply them by 50 billion and you have the real issue with Victory Of The Daleks.
For a Dalek story, Victory Of The Daleks hasn't had...
The Daleks???!!??
The evil pepperpots are forces for fear and terror throughout the galaxy. They rewrote the Intergalactic Guide To Fiendish Deeds. They're so racist that even Alf Garnett would blush. They'd shoot you even if you gave them a fancy birthday present in a colourful box and bow. In short, they're the perfect baddies for Doctor Who, since they stand for every force of evil in the universe.
Now take those two problems, multiply them by 50 billion and you have the real issue with Victory Of The Daleks.
For a Dalek story, Victory Of The Daleks hasn't had...
- 10/28/2011
- Shadowlocked
There's something fairground-like about The Beast Below. Looking at the story again after my initial first reactions in April 2010, the first thing that strikes me is that the setting reminds me a bit of a trip to the fair. A down-and-out fair on a rainy day, I'll grant you, but then we have... The Doctor and Amy dodging what looks like a non-stop line of hoopla stalls and market stands of cheap bling that fell off the back of a lorry. The Demon Headmaster skulking in a doomy ticket vestibule. The Doctor and Amy taking the unorthodox slide of a lifetime. And of course, too many kids. That should give you a clue as to the writer...
Yes, who else but the current main man, Steven Moffat? Seems he can't get through writing a Doctor Who story without including some pasty-faced young scamp. Think of young Reinette or young Amy.
Yes, who else but the current main man, Steven Moffat? Seems he can't get through writing a Doctor Who story without including some pasty-faced young scamp. Think of young Reinette or young Amy.
- 10/26/2011
- Shadowlocked
Could it possibly be that we are headed for a fairy tale smackdown with three Snow White live-action adaptations? Both Universal has Snow White and the Huntsman and Relativity has an untitled Snow White project on the way but Disney seeks to join the fray.
THR reported that Disney is developing their take on a live-action Snow White, entitled The Order of the Seven. Former Animal Logic visual effects artist and commercials director Michael Gracey is attached to direct the project with a script from Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt and Andrew Gunn producing.
Disney has been working on The Order of the Seven since 2002 and will, as the title suggests, be more centered on the Snow White’s seven dwarves who are a “19th century-set disparate band of international warriors belonging to a centuries-old order who have lost their way. Their meeting with an Englishwoman being chased by an...
THR reported that Disney is developing their take on a live-action Snow White, entitled The Order of the Seven. Former Animal Logic visual effects artist and commercials director Michael Gracey is attached to direct the project with a script from Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt and Andrew Gunn producing.
Disney has been working on The Order of the Seven since 2002 and will, as the title suggests, be more centered on the Snow White’s seven dwarves who are a “19th century-set disparate band of international warriors belonging to a centuries-old order who have lost their way. Their meeting with an Englishwoman being chased by an...
- 8/5/2011
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
Our good friends over at BBC America were kind enough to give us a great prize pack to give away to one of our lucky readers. The prize pack includes Being Human: Season 2 on DVD, Doctor Who: Series 5 on DVD, Top Gear 13 on DVD and for some added British spirit, a resin switch plate emblazoned with the Union Jack.
Remember… if you didn’t win, stick around for our next giveaway. We do our best to get the coolest stuff to giveaway to our readers as often as we can, so you’ll definitely have another chance!
Check out all the details on the prizes, and see who our lucky winner is below!
SciFiMafia.com & BBC America Holiday Prize Pack
Being Human: Season 2
Starring: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner
Directed by: Colin Teague
Produced by: Matthew Bouch
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Format: DVD Widescreen
Region: 1
Run...
Remember… if you didn’t win, stick around for our next giveaway. We do our best to get the coolest stuff to giveaway to our readers as often as we can, so you’ll definitely have another chance!
Check out all the details on the prizes, and see who our lucky winner is below!
SciFiMafia.com & BBC America Holiday Prize Pack
Being Human: Season 2
Starring: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner
Directed by: Colin Teague
Produced by: Matthew Bouch
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Format: DVD Widescreen
Region: 1
Run...
- 12/12/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Our good friends over at BBC America have given us a really cool prize pack to give away to one of our lucky readers. This prize pack includes Being Human: Season 2 on DVD, Doctor Who: Series 5 on DVD, Top Gear 13 on DVD and to keep you in the British spirit, a resin switch plate emblazoned with the Union Jack.
Check out all the details on the prizes, and learn how to enter for your chance to win below, and good luck!
SciFiMafia.com & BBC America Holiday Prize Pack
Being Human: Season 2
Starring: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner
Directed by: Colin Teague
Produced by: Matthew Bouch
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Format: DVD Widescreen
Region: 1
Run time: About 7 2/3 Hours
Number of Discs: 3
Special Features:
English Subtitled for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Easter Eggs:
• The CenSSA Story
• Tour of the Facility
Behind the Scenes Featurettes:
• Blood Bursting
• The...
Check out all the details on the prizes, and learn how to enter for your chance to win below, and good luck!
SciFiMafia.com & BBC America Holiday Prize Pack
Being Human: Season 2
Starring: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner
Directed by: Colin Teague
Produced by: Matthew Bouch
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Format: DVD Widescreen
Region: 1
Run time: About 7 2/3 Hours
Number of Discs: 3
Special Features:
English Subtitled for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Easter Eggs:
• The CenSSA Story
• Tour of the Facility
Behind the Scenes Featurettes:
• Blood Bursting
• The...
- 11/26/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
"You took it upon yourself to save me from that. That was wrong. You don't ever decide what I need to know." - The Doctor Despite his kindness and benevolence, The Doctor has always been a figure of immense pride that borders on hubris. As a 900-year-old Time Lord, he might risk life and limb to save Earth time and time again but it's his belief that he knows better than the planet's inhabitants, that he's better equipped to make the monumental decisions than the mere mortals whose continued existence is in his hands. The Doctor, to put it bluntly, has a bit of a God complex. This week's episode of Doctor Who ("The Beast Below"), written by Steven Moffat and directed by Andrew Gunn, found the Doctor and Amy together on their first adventure in the Tardis and encountering the numerous secrets of Starship UK, the future of Great Britain,...
- 4/26/2010
- by Jace
- Televisionary
The second episode of the latest Doctor Who series, The Beast Below, sees the Doctor (Matt Smith) take Amy to a distant future, where she finds Britain in space, and ‘Starship UK’ houses the future of the British people, as they search the stars for a new home. But as Amy (Karen Gillan) explores, she encounters the terrifying Smilers and learns a deadly truth inside the voting booth…
The BBC have released a handful of new images from the episode to accompany the clips we brought you on Wednesday, featuring the Doctor, Amy Pond, LizTen, and the Smilers!
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm...
The BBC have released a handful of new images from the episode to accompany the clips we brought you on Wednesday, featuring the Doctor, Amy Pond, LizTen, and the Smilers!
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm...
- 4/8/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Matt Smith’s second outing as Doctor Who airs this Saturday on BBC One, but as a little sneak peek, the official BBC site have revealed three new clips from the episode, which is entitled The Beast Below.
The episode sees the Doctor take Amy to a distant future, where she finds Britain in space, and ‘Starship UK’ houses the future of the British people, as they search the stars for a new home. But as Amy explores, she encounters the terrifying Smilers and learns a deadly truth inside the voting booth…
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm
(Source: Blogtor Who)...
The episode sees the Doctor take Amy to a distant future, where she finds Britain in space, and ‘Starship UK’ houses the future of the British people, as they search the stars for a new home. But as Amy explores, she encounters the terrifying Smilers and learns a deadly truth inside the voting booth…
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm
(Source: Blogtor Who)...
- 4/7/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The Beast Below is the second adventure for Matt Smith’s Doctor Who, and sees the Doctor takes Amy to the distant future, where she finds Britain in space, where Starship UK houses the future of the British people, as they search the stars for a new home. But as Amy explores, she encounters the terrifying Smilers and learns a deadly truth inside the voting booth…
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm...
Doctor Who: The Beast Below is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Andrew Gunn and guest stars Sophie Okonedo. It airs on BBC One on Saturday April 10th at 6.15pm...
- 4/5/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Approaching the end of the season and running out of time to tie up its various strands, Survivors takes a turn for the better in episode six, a tightly-plotted instalment in which some of the series' familiar flaws only seem to have been included for consistency's sake.
Hurtling into a complex plot back at the government lab in a manner quite alien to those of us used to Survivors' usual aimless approach, episode six rushes out a story it could have done with unravelling slowly over previous episodes, but is all the more exciting for it. A little too much talky exposition is used to explain the vaccine the lab has developed (a convincing sounding cure that attacks the 'flu virus's basic, unchanging M2 protein rather than the more mutatable...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Approaching the end of the season and running out of time to tie up its various strands, Survivors takes a turn for the better in episode six, a tightly-plotted instalment in which some of the series' familiar flaws only seem to have been included for consistency's sake.
Hurtling into a complex plot back at the government lab in a manner quite alien to those of us used to Survivors' usual aimless approach, episode six rushes out a story it could have done with unravelling slowly over previous episodes, but is all the more exciting for it. A little too much talky exposition is used to explain the vaccine the lab has developed (a convincing sounding cure that attacks the 'flu virus's basic, unchanging M2 protein rather than the more mutatable...
- 2/24/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
A couple of promising stories, some interesting new characters and a handful of inspired ideas have raised hopes considerably for the rest of this series of Survivors. Unfortunate then that these should be followed by such a dull and poorly-written episode.
A promising start sees the family foil a roadside ambush, rescuing a young couple who take them to the Valley, an idyllic commune that so reflects the self-sufficient desires of the conscious middle classes it could be satirical if that wasn't too much to expect from such a humourless program. The smugness of this wholefood fantasy, with its bowls of fresh vegetables and acoustic barn dancing sessions, is punctured by the discovery that an outpost of the commune has suffered a further outbreak of the virus, one that has mutated...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
A couple of promising stories, some interesting new characters and a handful of inspired ideas have raised hopes considerably for the rest of this series of Survivors. Unfortunate then that these should be followed by such a dull and poorly-written episode.
A promising start sees the family foil a roadside ambush, rescuing a young couple who take them to the Valley, an idyllic commune that so reflects the self-sufficient desires of the conscious middle classes it could be satirical if that wasn't too much to expect from such a humourless program. The smugness of this wholefood fantasy, with its bowls of fresh vegetables and acoustic barn dancing sessions, is punctured by the discovery that an outpost of the commune has suffered a further outbreak of the virus, one that has mutated...
- 2/17/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
An unusually dark episode of Survivors takes us into the previously unexplored areas of slave labour and mob violence and leaves us with a surprisingly high body count. Whether this sets the tone for the rest of the series or is a lucky one-off remains to be seen.
After the show trial of the previous episode, Tom and Greg are taken to dig coal in a slave labour camp run by one of Survivors' best characters yet, classically trained Oxford graduate Mr Smithson. Played with a subtle mix of scholastic dorkiness, eccentric self-belief and disarming intellectual charm by Christopher Fulford, Mr Smithson is an unusual and well-realised bad guy whose apparent death at the end of the episode may thankfully not be all it seems, as according to IMDb he...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
An unusually dark episode of Survivors takes us into the previously unexplored areas of slave labour and mob violence and leaves us with a surprisingly high body count. Whether this sets the tone for the rest of the series or is a lucky one-off remains to be seen.
After the show trial of the previous episode, Tom and Greg are taken to dig coal in a slave labour camp run by one of Survivors' best characters yet, classically trained Oxford graduate Mr Smithson. Played with a subtle mix of scholastic dorkiness, eccentric self-belief and disarming intellectual charm by Christopher Fulford, Mr Smithson is an unusual and well-realised bad guy whose apparent death at the end of the episode may thankfully not be all it seems, as according to IMDb he...
- 2/10/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Doctor Who's fifth series doesn't have a confirmed premiere date, but it's already well into filming, enough so that the first three episode titles of the series have been revealed to the general public. They look fairly interesting, especially the third one, which is exceptionally interesting.
The first episode of the new era of Who is titled "The Eleventh Hour." Penned by Stephen Moffat, the episode will probably be Doctor-lite, since the episode takes place immediately after the regeneration. "The Christmas Invasion," which took place after Christopher Eccleston's regeneration into David Tennant, consisted mostly of Rose and her family battling the villainous threat mostly singlehandedly while the Doctor slept and recovered from his regeneration. He only was able to pop out of his stupor by the smell of hot tea. Will the Eleventh Doctor remember the tea trick, or will new companion Karen Gillan have the first episode to herself?...
The first episode of the new era of Who is titled "The Eleventh Hour." Penned by Stephen Moffat, the episode will probably be Doctor-lite, since the episode takes place immediately after the regeneration. "The Christmas Invasion," which took place after Christopher Eccleston's regeneration into David Tennant, consisted mostly of Rose and her family battling the villainous threat mostly singlehandedly while the Doctor slept and recovered from his regeneration. He only was able to pop out of his stupor by the smell of hot tea. Will the Eleventh Doctor remember the tea trick, or will new companion Karen Gillan have the first episode to herself?...
- 2/7/2010
- by SpoilerGuy
- TVovermind.com
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben austwick
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
The background details of Survivors, its empty cityscapes, minor characters and incidental storylines, are its most interesting aspect. They add colour to the post-apocalyptic landscape the often uninspiring central storyline takes place in. It's because of this that episode three of the second series, which takes a look at the way broader post-virus society is reorganizing itself, is probably the most successful yet.
The episode kicks off with Tom being kidnapped by the henchmen of Samantha Lewis, the only surviving member of the British government, who as we saw in series one has set up a heavily defended self-sufficient community (filmed, interestingly, at the disused Doncaster Earth Centre, a failed millennium project designed to promote environmental awareness). Tom shot dead one of Samantha's guards in series one, and is to be...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben austwick
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
The background details of Survivors, its empty cityscapes, minor characters and incidental storylines, are its most interesting aspect. They add colour to the post-apocalyptic landscape the often uninspiring central storyline takes place in. It's because of this that episode three of the second series, which takes a look at the way broader post-virus society is reorganizing itself, is probably the most successful yet.
The episode kicks off with Tom being kidnapped by the henchmen of Samantha Lewis, the only surviving member of the British government, who as we saw in series one has set up a heavily defended self-sufficient community (filmed, interestingly, at the disused Doncaster Earth Centre, a failed millennium project designed to promote environmental awareness). Tom shot dead one of Samantha's guards in series one, and is to be...
- 2/3/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6 out of 10
Fast paced, coherent and focused, episode two of the second series of Survivors should have been the great program it has always hinted it can be. With Tom gone feral and stalking the abandoned streets robbing anyone he can find, and Abby's ordeal in the government lab bringing to light its secrets, there was none of the filler that has dogged previous episodes. Unfortunately though, exorcising Survivor's cosmetic flaws has revealed some previously unnoticed, more problematic ones hiding underneath.
Foremost in these is a lack of viewer compassion for the central characters. Previously, bad acting and dialogue has distracted from what's exposed as a rather plain and interchangeable cast. Bad boy Tom and deep, brooding Abby are the exceptions, showing a little nuance can go a long way, while the rest flutter between petulance,...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6 out of 10
Fast paced, coherent and focused, episode two of the second series of Survivors should have been the great program it has always hinted it can be. With Tom gone feral and stalking the abandoned streets robbing anyone he can find, and Abby's ordeal in the government lab bringing to light its secrets, there was none of the filler that has dogged previous episodes. Unfortunately though, exorcising Survivor's cosmetic flaws has revealed some previously unnoticed, more problematic ones hiding underneath.
Foremost in these is a lack of viewer compassion for the central characters. Previously, bad acting and dialogue has distracted from what's exposed as a rather plain and interchangeable cast. Bad boy Tom and deep, brooding Abby are the exceptions, showing a little nuance can go a long way, while the rest flutter between petulance,...
- 1/27/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
The first series of Survivors was a ratings success for the BBC but badly received by critics, and for good reason. Despite some engaging and imaginative set pieces, bad acting, worse writing, cheesy direction and a tendency to pad out episodes with irrelevant filler dragged Survivors down considerably. The hope was that the BBC would take these criticisms on board and come back with an improved second series. Thankfully early impressions are positive, although old problems still persist.
In case you missed series one, Survivors is the story of a group of people brought together by circumstance after a devastating 'flu epidemic wipes out most of the world's population. It's an adaptation of an original 1970s BBC series by Terry Nation which was a much slower paced affair, often concentrating on...
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
The first series of Survivors was a ratings success for the BBC but badly received by critics, and for good reason. Despite some engaging and imaginative set pieces, bad acting, worse writing, cheesy direction and a tendency to pad out episodes with irrelevant filler dragged Survivors down considerably. The hope was that the BBC would take these criticisms on board and come back with an improved second series. Thankfully early impressions are positive, although old problems still persist.
In case you missed series one, Survivors is the story of a group of people brought together by circumstance after a devastating 'flu epidemic wipes out most of the world's population. It's an adaptation of an original 1970s BBC series by Terry Nation which was a much slower paced affair, often concentrating on...
- 1/13/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 8 out of 10
In an action-packed final episode of "Survivors" Samantha's ad-hoc government begins to flex its muscles with the dubious help of armed thug Dexter from episode two, driving the gang from their country base and onto the dangerous streets of Manchester. Meanwhile, the desperate search for a virus vaccine at the government bio lab brings the series to a proper cliffhanger ending.
With a story like this, who cares about the hammy soap opera acting, clumsy editing and cheesy dialogue? Genre film has always had a fraught relationship with artful writing and the craft of acting, but as long as the ideas and entertainment are present these things matter not a jot. In previous episodes "Survivors" has been guilty of failing to deliver either, but that isn't...
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 8 out of 10
In an action-packed final episode of "Survivors" Samantha's ad-hoc government begins to flex its muscles with the dubious help of armed thug Dexter from episode two, driving the gang from their country base and onto the dangerous streets of Manchester. Meanwhile, the desperate search for a virus vaccine at the government bio lab brings the series to a proper cliffhanger ending.
With a story like this, who cares about the hammy soap opera acting, clumsy editing and cheesy dialogue? Genre film has always had a fraught relationship with artful writing and the craft of acting, but as long as the ideas and entertainment are present these things matter not a jot. In previous episodes "Survivors" has been guilty of failing to deliver either, but that isn't...
- 12/26/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
In the fifth episode of “Survivors”, Naj goes on a foraging expedition for the group and comes across a friendly camp of young hippies, led by a charismatic young man with a positive but rather overbearing line in religion. One of his followers is pregnant and the camp sets up in the grounds of the house so she can give birth in comfort. Unfortunately, Al's libido, Tom's increasingly violent nature and the hippie leader's fraught relationship with God conspire to bring the arrangements to a head.
This was by far the best episode of Survivors yet. The strong story with its multiple themes didn't leave any time for the embarrassing speeches and boring character exposition that has plagued previous instalments. Every line of dialogue was integral to the plot,...
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
In the fifth episode of “Survivors”, Naj goes on a foraging expedition for the group and comes across a friendly camp of young hippies, led by a charismatic young man with a positive but rather overbearing line in religion. One of his followers is pregnant and the camp sets up in the grounds of the house so she can give birth in comfort. Unfortunately, Al's libido, Tom's increasingly violent nature and the hippie leader's fraught relationship with God conspire to bring the arrangements to a head.
This was by far the best episode of Survivors yet. The strong story with its multiple themes didn't leave any time for the embarrassing speeches and boring character exposition that has plagued previous instalments. Every line of dialogue was integral to the plot,...
- 12/16/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6 out of 10
Episode four and "Survivors" continues to explore its post-apocalyptic vision through short, self-contained storylines, the main strands examining a group of teenage boys running amok in an abandoned country mansion while its former owner stalks the grounds; and a return to the eco commune of the previous episode, where Nikki Amuka-Bird puts in a good turn as increasingly despotic Health Minister Samantha, and Tom's criminal background begins to cause him problems.
The storylines are well written and interesting (taken as they are from the original script), exploring unique dilemmas and situations posed by an ungoverned, chaotic world that nevertheless contains ample resources and minimal risks. Danger is posed by other people, and though no doubt such a threat would exist, you do wonder how realistic a...
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6 out of 10
Episode four and "Survivors" continues to explore its post-apocalyptic vision through short, self-contained storylines, the main strands examining a group of teenage boys running amok in an abandoned country mansion while its former owner stalks the grounds; and a return to the eco commune of the previous episode, where Nikki Amuka-Bird puts in a good turn as increasingly despotic Health Minister Samantha, and Tom's criminal background begins to cause him problems.
The storylines are well written and interesting (taken as they are from the original script), exploring unique dilemmas and situations posed by an ungoverned, chaotic world that nevertheless contains ample resources and minimal risks. Danger is posed by other people, and though no doubt such a threat would exist, you do wonder how realistic a...
- 12/10/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
With the scene set in the previous two episodes, the latest installment of “Survivors” moves away from the virus outbreak and its aftermath and explores different ways of preparing for the uncertain future. Abby discovers a self-sufficient community in an eco park struggling with the difficulties of communal governance, while Tom and Greg come across a family who have isolated themselves from the outbreak and intend to avoid all human contact in hope of escaping the virus.
With a theme of suspicion between strangers hindering attempts to build a new society, this is a more thoughtful and mature episode than we have seen so far. The story lines are coherent and rounded, and look at the situations the characters find themselves in in original, imaginative ways.
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10
With the scene set in the previous two episodes, the latest installment of “Survivors” moves away from the virus outbreak and its aftermath and explores different ways of preparing for the uncertain future. Abby discovers a self-sufficient community in an eco park struggling with the difficulties of communal governance, while Tom and Greg come across a family who have isolated themselves from the outbreak and intend to avoid all human contact in hope of escaping the virus.
With a theme of suspicion between strangers hindering attempts to build a new society, this is a more thoughtful and mature episode than we have seen so far. The story lines are coherent and rounded, and look at the situations the characters find themselves in in original, imaginative ways.
- 12/3/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 5 out of 10
Part two of Survivors sees the characters of the opening episode step out into the newly depopulated streets of Manchester to forage for food. Tensions rise as they come across a violent rival group, armed with shotguns and drunk on looted alcohol, who want to keep the easy pickings of the local supermarket and shopping center to themselves. Meanwhile, a nearby warehouse piled high with produce is presided over by a young ex-employee who uses sex as currency to protect the building which, she hopes, will make her rich as she sells the goods in the new, post-virus world.
While spoiled by a gaping plot hole (why don't our group of survivors just drive to another part of the city and loot there?), the first plot strand is tense,...
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 5 out of 10
Part two of Survivors sees the characters of the opening episode step out into the newly depopulated streets of Manchester to forage for food. Tensions rise as they come across a violent rival group, armed with shotguns and drunk on looted alcohol, who want to keep the easy pickings of the local supermarket and shopping center to themselves. Meanwhile, a nearby warehouse piled high with produce is presided over by a young ex-employee who uses sex as currency to protect the building which, she hopes, will make her rich as she sells the goods in the new, post-virus world.
While spoiled by a gaping plot hole (why don't our group of survivors just drive to another part of the city and loot there?), the first plot strand is tense,...
- 11/26/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
The remake of Terry Nation's cult 1970s science fiction drama “Survivors” arrived with little fanfare but was nevertheless a lavish production aired in a prime time slot on BBC1. The first episode sets up the rest of the series by following a devastating and rapid flu epidemic that wipes out ninety percent of the world population, from the perspective of ordinary people on the ground in the Northern English city of Manchester, and a collapsing government unable to cope in London.
Some of the early scenes are truly frightening as loved ones die, hospitals fill with bodies, services collapse and panic sets in. However the pace of the disease's onslaught changes dramatically part-way through to make sure everyone has died by daybreak, a sloppy bit...
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
The remake of Terry Nation's cult 1970s science fiction drama “Survivors” arrived with little fanfare but was nevertheless a lavish production aired in a prime time slot on BBC1. The first episode sets up the rest of the series by following a devastating and rapid flu epidemic that wipes out ninety percent of the world population, from the perspective of ordinary people on the ground in the Northern English city of Manchester, and a collapsing government unable to cope in London.
Some of the early scenes are truly frightening as loved ones die, hospitals fill with bodies, services collapse and panic sets in. However the pace of the disease's onslaught changes dramatically part-way through to make sure everyone has died by daybreak, a sloppy bit...
- 11/24/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Andrew Gunn will be directing Devil's Playground based on a script by Bart Ruspoli (an actor in Band of Brothers and Rome) and the film will be produced by Jonathan Sothcott who clearly has the most experience out of the three. Even as such, some big names are attached: Did I say Vinnie Jones? This'll be the second post apocalyptic film he's in by my count, the first being Tooth & Nail. Here's what producer Sothcott had to say about the film:
”Starring Vinnie (Midnight Meat Train) Jones, Danny (Severance) Dyer, Tamer (The Ferryman) Hassan, Martin (Embrace Of The Vampire) Kemp, Jemima Rooper, Billy Murray and Lisa (Pumpkinhead: Ashes To Ashes) McAllister, Devil’S Playground details the plight of the last remnants of a civilization destroyed by an all-out zombie armageddon, following the misguided experiments of a presumed-dead Nobel Prize-winning virologist. In a bid for survival, a group of survivors seek...
”Starring Vinnie (Midnight Meat Train) Jones, Danny (Severance) Dyer, Tamer (The Ferryman) Hassan, Martin (Embrace Of The Vampire) Kemp, Jemima Rooper, Billy Murray and Lisa (Pumpkinhead: Ashes To Ashes) McAllister, Devil’S Playground details the plight of the last remnants of a civilization destroyed by an all-out zombie armageddon, following the misguided experiments of a presumed-dead Nobel Prize-winning virologist. In a bid for survival, a group of survivors seek...
- 11/11/2008
- QuietEarth.us
British producer Jonathan Sothcott got in touch with Fango to tip us off to a couple of genre projects he’s attached to. The first is Devil’S Playground, which is slated to begin production in London in late January with Andrew Gunn on board as director.
“The script is by Band Of Brothers and Rome actor Bart Ruspoli, and is something pretty special,” Sothcott tells us. “It takes everything you want in a balls-to-the-wall zombie film and structures it into a high-concept thriller.
”Starring Vinnie (Midnight Meat Train) Jones, Danny (Severance) Dyer, Tamer (The Ferryman) Hassan, Martin (Embrace Of The Vampire) Kemp, Jemima Rooper, Billy Murray and Lisa (Pumpkinhead: Ashes To Ashes) McAllister, Devil’S Playground details the plight of the last remnants of a civilization destroyed by an all-out zombie armageddon, following the misguided experiments of a presumed-dead Nobel Prize-winning virologist. In a bid for survival, a group...
“The script is by Band Of Brothers and Rome actor Bart Ruspoli, and is something pretty special,” Sothcott tells us. “It takes everything you want in a balls-to-the-wall zombie film and structures it into a high-concept thriller.
”Starring Vinnie (Midnight Meat Train) Jones, Danny (Severance) Dyer, Tamer (The Ferryman) Hassan, Martin (Embrace Of The Vampire) Kemp, Jemima Rooper, Billy Murray and Lisa (Pumpkinhead: Ashes To Ashes) McAllister, Devil’S Playground details the plight of the last remnants of a civilization destroyed by an all-out zombie armageddon, following the misguided experiments of a presumed-dead Nobel Prize-winning virologist. In a bid for survival, a group...
- 11/10/2008
- Fangoria
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