A rush job of a film, the slasher mystery thriller Schizoid (1980) came about when writer and director David Paulsen bumped into the film’s producer, Menahem Golan, asking him if he’s got any good ideas. Coming up with something for the next day, he was given a measly two weeks to polish off a script, and a few more weeks before it went into production... the only other stipulation, there’s got to be a starring part for Klaus Kinski. Not usually a recipe for success, it is immediately evident that this is guerilla film making at its most rushed. But, at the same time, something rather interesting happened – a cast came together that makes this murder mystery a bit more complex... more on that a little bit later.
As a change of pace, I thought that it would be fun to take a look at Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, not from a review perspective, but rather, to connect some of the dots to the Harry Potter franchise (be it novels or movies). Right off the bat, we hear John Williams’ iconic score from the first Potter feature (when the Warner Bros. logo appears), which then transitions into an original composition from James Newton Howard. Written for the screen by J.K. Rowling (her first time writing a script, there is no one better to build upon the imaginative world she created more than 20 years ago) and set in the Roaring 20s, specifically 1926, the story follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) on his many adventures – the name may mean something to true Potter afficionados, as he is the author of one of the Hogwarts required textbooks, which just happens to have the same title as the film. The tale takes place just prior to said book’s publication, with the Brit taking a trip to New York City. As he explores the metropolis, many of you may chuckle when an anti-witch group leader asks, "are you a seeker?", to which he slyly replies, "I’m more of a chaser, really" – a quidditch joke for those in the know.
This past weekend saw costumes, comic books and celebrities, as the third iteration of CAPE – Cornwall and Area Pop Expo, came to town. There was something for all, as crowds surfed through a plethora of booths, looking for their favourite vintage video games, that elusive comic book, kooky new board games, or a certain desirable trading card. Likewise, cosplayers, both new and old, littered the floor. The always entertaining Dr. Stevil was even making his way around the venue on roller-skates – perhaps with a new maniacal plan to take over the world.
Predicted winners, who should win, and my favourites from this year's Oscars (the 89th Academy Awards). Catch up on all of the buzz before the big event.
Here’s hoping that everyone has been enjoying the beginning of 2017. The end of last year was certainly a difficult one for us film fans, as we lost both Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher and her mother, icon Debbie Reynolds just one day apart. This followed the loss of so many other iconic actors, ranging from Alan Rickman (one of the best voices in the business) to Robert Vaughn (the last living member of The Magnificent Seven), and many, many more. Thankfully, we have their work to remind us of their amazing talents. Yet, it was not all doom and gloom – it was exciting to be able to witness two milestone birthdays, as two members of Hollywood royalty, Kirk Douglas and Olivia de Havilland, both turned one hundred this past year.
Last weekend, on Saturday the 3rd of September to be exact, the St. Lawrence International Film Festival held an upscale special screening/gala in the beautiful Performing Arts Centre at SUNY Potsdam in historic Potsdam, NY. Bringing an audience together from both the United States and Canada, the event was hosted by Ogdensburg native Mark Valley. The star television actor charted the course for the evening, mixing equal parts class and humour as he lightened the mood prior to the screening of the Tribeca Audience Award Winning horror suspense thriller Here Alone.
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, the cleverly named Trekonderoga is a highly unique comic convention. Located in Ticonderoga, New York, the event not only boasts celebrities, vendors, reminiscences, discussions and a perfect reincarnation of Star Trek’s USS Enterprise (built using the original blueprints from the series – which is celebrating its 50th year), but also features the rich history and striking natural surroundings at the heart of the small locale. Misty mountains, lush green forests, a rapidly flowing miniature waterfall, the impressive structure that is Fort Ticonderoga, historic buildings and other forms of beautiful nature are all found in the location that straddles both Lake George and Lake Champlain.