Earlier this year, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown was released in a pretty bad state. People complained about bugs, broken servers, and other serious issues across console and PC. Things have improved a bit since then, but the game is still in a rough place. As an apology for all this, players are being given a…
Earlier this year, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown was released in a pretty bad state. People complained about bugs, broken servers, and other serious issues across console and PC. Things have improved a bit since then, but the game is still in a rough place. As an apology for all this, players are being given a…
Back in 2006, writer/director Jonathan King brought us the “nature run amok” horror comedy Black Sheep, about killer, genetically altered sheep. That movie surpassed Peter Jackson‘s early works to become New Zealand’s most successful horror movie ever. Now, Deadline reports that the killer sheep are coming back for Black Sheep 2! King is returning to the helm for the sequel, working from a script he crafted with Matthew Grainger and Rosie Howells.
Black Sheep had the following synopsis: Sheep-fearing Henry (Nathan Meister) returns to his brother’s (Peter Feeney) New Zealand farm, hoping his sibling will buy out his share of the property. However, what he finds are genetically altered sheep that prey on humans and turn their victims into undead, woolly killers. Shear madness ensues as Henry, an animal-rights activist (Danielle Mason) and a farmhand (Tammy Davis) set out to stop the rampaging animals. Meister will be reprising the role of Henry for the new film, which will follow a young scientist who is convinced that a dangerous new pathogen threatens the population and tracks it back to her hometown – which is located in the shadow of the remote sheep station where the macabre events of the original Black Sheep unfolded. The Deadline article notes that more Black Sheep cast members will be showing up in the new movie, but their names haven’t been revealed just yet.
Wētā Workshop created the killer sheep for the first movie and will be doing the same for Black Sheep 2. King and Grainger are producing the sequel with James Partridge and Samantha Braun of Terror-Fi Films. Executive producers include Richard Fletcher of Libertine Pictures, Philippa Campbell, and Ari Harrison and Jasmin McSweeney from Umbrella Entertainment. Umbrella Entertainment will be distributing Black Sheep 2 in Australia and New Zealand, and they’re also planning a 4K re-release of Black Sheep.
Filming on Black Sheep 2 is expected to start in March or April of next year.
Are you a fan of Black Sheep, and are you glad to hear we’re getting a Black Sheep 2? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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Billy Zane has displayed an uncanny resemblance to Marlon Brando, going all the way back to Dead Calm, where he looked like him in his On the Waterfront days. Zane is now able to capitalize on doppleganging the star of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now in Waltzing with Brando. Zane was first cast as Marlon Brando all the way back in 2019 – and things have been pretty much silent for the bulk of the five years that followed. The movie hit the Cannes market and now, VMI Worldwide has released the first trailer.
Billy Zane’s Marlon Brando is from a pivotal era in the legendary actor’s career, with Waltzing with Brando taking place in the late ‘60s into the early ‘70s, when his work shifted dramatically and he reinvented himself. Appropriately, Zane has entirely reinvented his look to portray Brando. Photos made available courtesy of Deadline fresh out of Cannes show Zane on the island of Tetiaroa, which Brando purchased in the 1960s when he had that “private island money.” Brando took to the region while filming 1962’s Mutiny on the Bounty; other key movies that will also be covered are The Godfather and Last Tango in Paris. One image shows Zane as Brando during this time, complete with longer hair, turtleneck and blazer.
There wasn’t a specific tone conveyed with the descriptions and leaked set photos, but the recreations looked to be second to none. It could easily be assumed that it would be a biopic of some sort, but the trailer would surprisingly have a lighter comedic tone than expected. Waltzing with Brando stars Billy Zane, Jon Heder, Richard Dreyfuss and Tia Carrere. Bill Fishman helms the film as the director.
Billy Zane may seem like an oddball choice to play Marlon Brando but he does have a fascination with the two-time Oscar winner, telling Entertainment Weekly, “The man was a recluse who moved to an island, yet is up all night on shortwave radio [and] can’t sleep alone. He had many children. It’s like, what led to that? He’s full of contradictions. That was touching to me.”
The post Waltzing with Brando trailer stars Billy Zane as the iconic actor wanting to live on a secluded island appeared first on JoBlo.
PLOT: On a deep undercover assignment in Taipei, DEA agent John Lawlor was doing everything right… until he fell in love with his informant, beautiful Josephine “Joey” Kwang, one of the Asian underworld’s best transport drivers. Compromised and cover blown, John was forced to flee. Now, years later, John is back in Taipei for the weekend. But is he here to finish the job? Or to win back Joey’s love?
REVIEW: Luke Evans is one of those actors who I always thought deserved to star in an action franchise. His James Bond-esque good looks and debonair stature made him a natural in The Hobbit franchise and The Fast Saga. Having appeared in supporting roles over the last few years, his last significant lead being 2017’s Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, Evans makes a case for headlining more action vehicles with Weekend in Taipei. Co-written by The Transporter and Taken creator Luc Besson, Weekend in Taipei is a propulsive action flick that harkens back to the pulpy 90s-era films of Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. With some creative action sequences and a sense of humor, Weekend in Taipei is a fun little diversion that may not tread new ground but has some fun revisiting familiar territory.
Weekend in Taipei opens with the trial for Korean cartel leader Kwang (Sung Kang) whose legitimate business is threatened by legal action. The wealthy executive lives in Taipei with his wife, Joey (Gwei Lun-mei), and her son, Raymond (Wyatt Yang). Wyatt does not trust Kwang, and Joey longs for her former lover and Wyatt’s biological father, DEA agent John Lawlor (Luke Evans). When Lawlor takes it upon himself to head to Taipei to collect evidence on Kwang from an anonymous informant, he is thrown together with Joey after fifteen years apart. John, Joey, and Raymond must escape from Kwang and his henchmen with the evidence to take the villain down while also trying to figure out their complex familial situation.
Filmed on location in Taiwan, Weekend in Taipei boasts some pretty exciting action sequences, including an early one set in a kitchen that gives Luke Evans a solidly choreographed scene straight out of a Jackie Chan movie. Evans holds his own in the action department and even reunites with his Fast and Furious co-star Sung Kang, this time with the two actors playing inverse hero and villain roles. Evans dons a convincing American accent as he partners with Gwei Lun-mei as the two former lovers are now reunited. The entirety of Weekend in Taipei is performed in English despite being filmed with an entirely Taiwanese cast. It works to make the film more accessible for Western audiences while feeling a bit inauthentic, especially during the blatantly dubbed over profanity moments used to get Weekend in Taipei a PG-13 rating.
The film is fairly violent, with some creative gun fights that echo the European style of Luc Besson’s directorial efforts, namely The Professional. There is a blend of Asian influence beyond the geographic setting, and the cast and crew as the balletic action reminded me of John Woo’s early output. The stuntwork is impressive, including some of the car chase sequences through the streets of urban and rural Taipei, showcasing a view of the scenic island of Taiwan. Filming on location also affords the film an authentic feel, which is accented by some pretty jaw-dropping locales, especially Kwang’s penthouse, which boasts an elevator specifically for cars. There is no doubt in watching this movie that the Taiwan production efforts helped make the budget look loftier than it actually is.
Weekend in Taipei is George Huang’s first feature directorial outing since 2001’s How to Make a Monster. Huang’s resume boasts the masterpiece black comedy Swimming with Sharks and the underrated teen sexy comedy Trojan War starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Since then, Huang has honed his skills working as a producer and consultant for Robert Rodriguez, which shows in his ability to stretch a budget for maximum benefit. Partnering with Luc Besson, Huang wrote the screenplay for Weekend in Taipei alongside the man responsible for The Fifth Element and La Femme Nikita. Besson has shepherded numerous filmmakers over the years, and his mentorship jives with George Huang’s visual sensibility. Even though Huang has not directed an action movie like this before, he definitely shows an aptitude that should afford him more opportunities like this in the future.
While it mines the action formula of countless movies that came before it, Weekend in Taipei works thanks to having a solid antagonist from Sung Kang, a great lead in Luke Evans, and a talented leading lady in Gwei Lun-mei. As an introduction to these characters, Weekend in Taipei checks the requisite boxes for a fun action romp, even if it is a little light on the originality. This movie is good enough that I would not be opposed to seeing this turn into an ongoing series with Evans, Gwei, and Wyatt Yang traversing the globe for future weekend excursions that find them fighting like a family of ass-kicking transporters. Don’t expect Weekend in Taipei to be on par with movies like John Wick, but it is not far behind.
Weekend in Taipei opens on November 8th.
The post Weekend in Taipei Review: Luke Evans and Sung Kang reunite in this action thriller appeared first on JoBlo.
PLOT: On a deep undercover assignment in Taipei, DEA agent John Lawlor was doing everything right… until he fell in love with his informant, beautiful Josephine “Joey” Kwang, one of the Asian underworld’s best transport drivers. Compromised and cover blown, John was forced to flee. Now, years later, John is back in Taipei for the weekend. But is he here to finish the job? Or to win back Joey’s love?
REVIEW: Luke Evans is one of those actors who I always thought deserved to star in an action franchise. His James Bond-esque good looks and debonair stature made him a natural in The Hobbit franchise and The Fast Saga. Having appeared in supporting roles over the last few years, his last significant lead being 2017’s Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, Evans makes a case for headlining more action vehicles with Weekend in Taipei. Co-written by The Transporter and Taken creator Luc Besson, Weekend in Taipei is a propulsive action flick that harkens back to the pulpy 90s-era films of Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. With some creative action sequences and a sense of humor, Weekend in Taipei is a fun little diversion that may not tread new ground but has some fun revisiting familiar territory.
Weekend in Taipei opens with the trial for Korean cartel leader Kwang (Sung Kang) whose legitimate business is threatened by legal action. The wealthy executive lives in Taipei with his wife, Joey (Gwei Lun-mei), and her son, Raymond (Wyatt Yang). Wyatt does not trust Kwang, and Joey longs for her former lover and Wyatt’s biological father, DEA agent John Lawlor (Luke Evans). When Lawlor takes it upon himself to head to Taipei to collect evidence on Kwang from an anonymous informant, he is thrown together with Joey after fifteen years apart. John, Joey, and Raymond must escape from Kwang and his henchmen with the evidence to take the villain down while also trying to figure out their complex familial situation.
Filmed on location in Taiwan, Weekend in Taipei boasts some pretty exciting action sequences, including an early one set in a kitchen that gives Luke Evans a solidly choreographed scene straight out of a Jackie Chan movie. Evans holds his own in the action department and even reunites with his Fast and Furious co-star Sung Kang, this time with the two actors playing inverse hero and villain roles. Evans dons a convincing American accent as he partners with Gwei Lun-mei as the two former lovers are now reunited. The entirety of Weekend in Taipei is performed in English despite being filmed with an entirely Taiwanese cast. It works to make the film more accessible for Western audiences while feeling a bit inauthentic, especially during the blatantly dubbed over profanity moments used to get Weekend in Taipei a PG-13 rating.
The film is fairly violent, with some creative gun fights that echo the European style of Luc Besson’s directorial efforts, namely The Professional. There is a blend of Asian influence beyond the geographic setting, and the cast and crew as the balletic action reminded me of John Woo’s early output. The stuntwork is impressive, including some of the car chase sequences through the streets of urban and rural Taipei, showcasing a view of the scenic island of Taiwan. Filming on location also affords the film an authentic feel, which is accented by some pretty jaw-dropping locales, especially Kwang’s penthouse, which boasts an elevator specifically for cars. There is no doubt in watching this movie that the Taiwan production efforts helped make the budget look loftier than it actually is.
Weekend in Taipei is George Huang’s first feature directorial outing since 2001’s How to Make a Monster. Huang’s resume boasts the masterpiece black comedy Swimming with Sharks and the underrated teen sexy comedy Trojan War starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Since then, Huang has honed his skills working as a producer and consultant for Robert Rodriguez, which shows in his ability to stretch a budget for maximum benefit. Partnering with Luc Besson, Huang wrote the screenplay for Weekend in Taipei alongside the man responsible for The Fifth Element and La Femme Nikita. Besson has shepherded numerous filmmakers over the years, and his mentorship jives with George Huang’s visual sensibility. Even though Huang has not directed an action movie like this before, he definitely shows an aptitude that should afford him more opportunities like this in the future.
While it mines the action formula of countless movies that came before it, Weekend in Taipei works thanks to having a solid antagonist from Sung Kang, a great lead in Luke Evans, and a talented leading lady in Gwei Lun-mei. As an introduction to these characters, Weekend in Taipei checks the requisite boxes for a fun action romp, even if it is a little light on the originality. This movie is good enough that I would not be opposed to seeing this turn into an ongoing series with Evans, Gwei, and Wyatt Yang traversing the globe for future weekend excursions that find them fighting like a family of ass-kicking transporters. Don’t expect Weekend in Taipei to be on par with movies like John Wick, but it is not far behind.
Weekend in Taipei opens on November 8th.
The post Weekend in Taipei Review: Luke Evans and Sung Kang reunite in this action thriller appeared first on JoBlo.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is getting its first patch this week, and friends, this is about to fix one of the worst things about the latest entry in BioWare’s fantasy RPG series. The studio hasn’t released full patch notes, but it has confirmed the update will address a bug that broke my heart as a long-time fan of the…
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is getting its first patch this week, and friends, this is about to fix one of the worst things about the latest entry in BioWare’s fantasy RPG series. The studio hasn’t released full patch notes, but it has confirmed the update will address a bug that broke my heart as a long-time fan of the…
Writer/director Parker Finn’s sequel to his 2022 horror film Smile (read our review HERE, watch the movie HERE) reached theatres last month, with JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray praising the film as “one of the year’s best horror movies” in his 9/10 review. The movie has been doing well at the box office, pulling in $110 million worldwide so far, and now Paramount has decided to pull a new marketing stunt: as reported by Deadline, Paramount will let you watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2 on this website – but to do so, you’ll have to smile into your webcam for the duration. As Deadline notes, “anywhere between a light smile to a full-out Cheshire Cat leer” will do. “If you’re thinking that you can somehow outsmart the tech, think again: The webpage, which flashes your image green upon smiling, expeditiously changes to flash a red outline at the drop of the smile. The screen then goes black, prompting a message that says — rather ominously — Keep Smiling.”
Smile was based on Finn’s short film Laura Hasn’t Slept (watch it HERE), which won the Special Jury Recognition Prize in SXSW’s Midnight Short category. Caitlin Stasey (Neighbours) played the title character in that short, and reprises the role in Smile, making it a follow-up of sorts. Smile has the following synopsis: After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.
Here’s the Smile 2 synopsis: About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
Naomi Scott of Aladdin and Charlie’s Angels takes on the role of Skye Riley and is joined in the cast by Lukas Gage of The White Lotus and You, Rosemarie DeWitt of La La Land and the Poltergeist remake, Dylan Gelula of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Dream Scenario, Raúl Castillo of Army of the Dead and Knives Out, Miles Gutierrez-Riley of The Wilds and On The Come Up, and Kyle Gallner (Red State), reprising the role he played in the first movie. A featurette revealed that Drew Barrymore (Scream) also makes an appearance, playing herself and interviewing Skye Riley on her talk show.
Smile was produced by Temple Hill, and they produced Smile 2 as well.
Will you be smiling into your webcam to watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
The post You can watch the first 7 minutes of Smile 2 online – but only if you smile into your webcam the entire time appeared first on JoBlo.
As Fortnite turns seven years old, Epic’s cash cow has grown in scale and scope in ways that can make approaching the game feel daunting. Isn’t it just for kids? Aren’t you supposed to be playing PUGB instead? No! Because as nauseating as the infinite merch and all-pervading presence of the game may seem, it’s…