'New Year’s Eve' Shockya.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello
Director: Garry Marshall
Starring: Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigel, Seth Meyers and Michelle Pfeiffer
People often think their lives are going in one direction, and don’t realize the impact someone they don’t know, or haven’t recently connected with in a long time, can have on them. But once they do make that connection with a stranger, they start to question their choices and what they can do to improve themselves. The new ensemble comedy ‘New Year’s Eve’ is an amusing reminder of the potential everyone has when they start to reflect on their choices.
The multiple story-lines featured in ‘New Year’s Eve’ include a single mother, Kim (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), who’s struggling to reconnect with her teen daughter Hailey (portrayed by Abigail Breslin), who’s determined to have fun with her friends. There’s also the race between Tess and Griffin Byrnes (played by Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers) to deliver their son before Grace and James Schwabs (portrayed by Sarah Paulson and Til Schweiger) have their daughter, in order to win the hospital money for the first born child of the new year.
Meanwhile, bike messenger and Kim’s brother, Paul (portrayed by Zac Efron), helps an unappreciated music secretary, Ingrid (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), fulfill her new year’s resolutions, in exchange for tickets to the hottest gala in New York. The party is catered by Laura (portrayed by Katherine Heigel), who’s torn over whether she should reconcile with her ex-boyfriend, famed singer Jensen (played by Jon Bon Jovi). The gala is hosted by Sam (portrayed by Josh Duhamel), who’s realizing that as he grows older, he needs to mature and find real love.
Director Garry Marshall included some intriguing plot stories and ideas in ‘New Year’s Eve,’ but ultimately failed to develop any true back-stories or developments for the characters. Like many large ensemble films, the comedy-drama featured quick, unsatisfied resolutions to the main conflicts that the characters experience, just to be able to wrap up the main story arcs.
To continue reading this review, please visit: New Year's Eve Movie Review | Shockya.com
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Interview: Titus Makin, Jr. Talks A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song | Shockya.com
Read Shockya.com's exclusive interview with Titus Makin, Jr., who recently appeared as Mickey O’Malley in the second direct-to-video sequel in the ‘Cinderella Story’ series, ‘Once Upon a Song.’ The actor and musician also landed his first leading role, as Zach Taylor, in the latest NBC Walmart/P&G family film ‘Game of Your Life.’ Makin, Jr. is also playing the recurring part of David, a friend of Darren Criss’ character Blaine and a Warbler member of the Dalton Acad, on ‘Glee,’ for the second concurrent season. He discusses with us, among other things, what attracted him to the roles, and how working in films differs than working on television.
Written by: Karen Benardello
ShockYa (SY): You play Mickey O’Malley in the new comedy ‘A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song.’ What was it about Mickey that convinced you to take the role?
Titus Makin, Jr. (TM): So many things, actually. I’ve never actually been able to play a role so close to myself, and this definitely was that role. Like the personality, Mickey’s so outgoing, and he likes to dance. There are just so many things about Mickey O’Malley that are like me and my personal comfort zone, which was great to switch it up. In the past, I’ve played a nerd, a gang member, there’s been so many different things, and he definitely fit right in with me, which was cool. Plus, it’s about music, which I love. I love doing things involved with music.
SY: As you said, ‘Once Upon a Song’ features a musical aspect; it follows the vocally gifted Katie, who’s played by Lucy Hale, as she’s forced to sing tracks so her untalented stepsister, Bev Van Ravensway, played by Megan Park, can win a recording contract. Having played David on ‘Glee’ for the past two seasons, did the film’s musical element appeal to you?
TM: Oh yes, absolutely. Plus, Lucy is phenomenally talented. I was hoping the director (Damon Santostefano) would write something in it so that I could sing with her, but it wasn’t appropriate for my character. Yeah, it definitely attracted me to the role, knowing that it was about dancing and singing, and it was at a performing arts high school. It’s definitely something I’ve been comfortable with for the past year.
SY: ‘Once Upon a Song’ is the third movie in the ‘Cinderella Story’ series. Were you familiar with the previous two installments, 2004’s ‘A Cinderella Story,’ starring Hilary Duff, and 2008’s ‘Another Cinderella Story,’ featuring Selena Gomez, before you began shooting?
TM: Yeah. It was actually cool how that worked out. I had happened to watch the one with Hilary Duff, the original one, a long time ago, and I liked it a lot. I thought, that was cool, that was a nice little twist to the Cinderella story. Then upon booking this one, I went back and watched the Selena Gomez one, and I just wanted to catch myself up. They’ve all been very good, and I’m happy to be a part of this one.
To continue reading this interview, please visit: Interview: Titus Makin, Jr. Talks A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song | Shockya.com
Written by: Karen Benardello
ShockYa (SY): You play Mickey O’Malley in the new comedy ‘A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song.’ What was it about Mickey that convinced you to take the role?
Titus Makin, Jr. (TM): So many things, actually. I’ve never actually been able to play a role so close to myself, and this definitely was that role. Like the personality, Mickey’s so outgoing, and he likes to dance. There are just so many things about Mickey O’Malley that are like me and my personal comfort zone, which was great to switch it up. In the past, I’ve played a nerd, a gang member, there’s been so many different things, and he definitely fit right in with me, which was cool. Plus, it’s about music, which I love. I love doing things involved with music.
SY: As you said, ‘Once Upon a Song’ features a musical aspect; it follows the vocally gifted Katie, who’s played by Lucy Hale, as she’s forced to sing tracks so her untalented stepsister, Bev Van Ravensway, played by Megan Park, can win a recording contract. Having played David on ‘Glee’ for the past two seasons, did the film’s musical element appeal to you?
TM: Oh yes, absolutely. Plus, Lucy is phenomenally talented. I was hoping the director (Damon Santostefano) would write something in it so that I could sing with her, but it wasn’t appropriate for my character. Yeah, it definitely attracted me to the role, knowing that it was about dancing and singing, and it was at a performing arts high school. It’s definitely something I’ve been comfortable with for the past year.
SY: ‘Once Upon a Song’ is the third movie in the ‘Cinderella Story’ series. Were you familiar with the previous two installments, 2004’s ‘A Cinderella Story,’ starring Hilary Duff, and 2008’s ‘Another Cinderella Story,’ featuring Selena Gomez, before you began shooting?
TM: Yeah. It was actually cool how that worked out. I had happened to watch the one with Hilary Duff, the original one, a long time ago, and I liked it a lot. I thought, that was cool, that was a nice little twist to the Cinderella story. Then upon booking this one, I went back and watched the Selena Gomez one, and I just wanted to catch myself up. They’ve all been very good, and I’m happy to be a part of this one.
To continue reading this interview, please visit: Interview: Titus Makin, Jr. Talks A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song | Shockya.com
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Interview: David Spaltro Talks Things I Don't Understand
Yahoo! Voices Interview: David Spaltro Talks Things I Don't Understand
New York screenwriter-director David Spaltro is once again showing his intimate relationship with the City that Never Sleeps in his second drama, Things I Don't Understand. A follow-up to his 2010 film ...Around, the film-maker once again touches on personal issues, this time being the questioning of faith and whether the after-life truly exists.Things I Don't Understand follows Violet Kubelick, played by Molly Ryman, a graduate student who's studying near-death experiences, as she's obsessed with dying and the possibility of an after-life.
While promoting Things I Don't Understand, Spaltro was generous enough to discuss the process of filming the movie, including what kind of research he did into the subject of near-death experiences. He also talks about reuniting with Ryman, whom he directed in ...Around. He also touches on why he returned to the project after first starting the script when he was in college, and deciding that he didn't have enough experience at the time to move forward with such a serious topic.
How much knowledge did you have of near-death experiences, and what kind of research did you do into the subject, before you began writing and shooting Things I Don't Understand?
To me, the film always was more about life and living then death and dying. Like most people, I was fascinated by the process of dying, the unknown of what follows and all the different ideas, scientific concepts and religious answers to what happens when you die.
I'd read a bit about near-death-experiences and studies on patients that showed an odd similarity in certain details despite difference in age, gender, race or geographical landscape that intrigued me a bit. Most of the film is a hodgepodge of my own feelings and thoughts from what I've read, experienced and learned. I'd worked in hospice care and have seen people pass on, so it was a chance to work out different feelings and ideas I had on life, death and more important, faith.
Like Violet, viewers are left questioning what happens to our spirits after we die. Was it your intention to leave your audiences questioning their mortality and spirituality, or would you prefer to have them interpret the film's message their own way?
The film is about faith to me, and it was always more important not to try and point the audience in any one direction. Beliefs and spirituality are something that is very personal and private to each individual, and I try to honor and respect all of them in this film.
My own personal take is a little less spiritual and a lot more atheist and humanist that we are given one life to live for whatever reason we make of it. While we come in this world and leave it alone, we're alive now and can share that and good with those around us.
At the end of it, I try to present that there is no right or solid answer and it would be irrelevant anyway. You go with what feels right to you based on your own experiences and knowledge and live your life the best you can, regardless of what happens next. That to me represents faith, not knowing and being okay with it, and finding peace.
To continue reading this interview, please click here.
New York screenwriter-director David Spaltro is once again showing his intimate relationship with the City that Never Sleeps in his second drama, Things I Don't Understand. A follow-up to his 2010 film ...Around, the film-maker once again touches on personal issues, this time being the questioning of faith and whether the after-life truly exists.Things I Don't Understand follows Violet Kubelick, played by Molly Ryman, a graduate student who's studying near-death experiences, as she's obsessed with dying and the possibility of an after-life.
While promoting Things I Don't Understand, Spaltro was generous enough to discuss the process of filming the movie, including what kind of research he did into the subject of near-death experiences. He also talks about reuniting with Ryman, whom he directed in ...Around. He also touches on why he returned to the project after first starting the script when he was in college, and deciding that he didn't have enough experience at the time to move forward with such a serious topic.
How much knowledge did you have of near-death experiences, and what kind of research did you do into the subject, before you began writing and shooting Things I Don't Understand?
To me, the film always was more about life and living then death and dying. Like most people, I was fascinated by the process of dying, the unknown of what follows and all the different ideas, scientific concepts and religious answers to what happens when you die.
I'd read a bit about near-death-experiences and studies on patients that showed an odd similarity in certain details despite difference in age, gender, race or geographical landscape that intrigued me a bit. Most of the film is a hodgepodge of my own feelings and thoughts from what I've read, experienced and learned. I'd worked in hospice care and have seen people pass on, so it was a chance to work out different feelings and ideas I had on life, death and more important, faith.
Like Violet, viewers are left questioning what happens to our spirits after we die. Was it your intention to leave your audiences questioning their mortality and spirituality, or would you prefer to have them interpret the film's message their own way?
The film is about faith to me, and it was always more important not to try and point the audience in any one direction. Beliefs and spirituality are something that is very personal and private to each individual, and I try to honor and respect all of them in this film.
My own personal take is a little less spiritual and a lot more atheist and humanist that we are given one life to live for whatever reason we make of it. While we come in this world and leave it alone, we're alive now and can share that and good with those around us.
At the end of it, I try to present that there is no right or solid answer and it would be irrelevant anyway. You go with what feels right to you based on your own experiences and knowledge and live your life the best you can, regardless of what happens next. That to me represents faith, not knowing and being okay with it, and finding peace.
To continue reading this interview, please click here.
Interview: Michael and Barbara Foster Discuss a Dangerous Woman Book
Yahoo! Voices Interview: Michael and Barbara Foster Discuss a Dangerous Woman Book
Long before the world began admiring Marilyn Monroe, whose legacy is currently being chronicled in the new critically acclaimed drama My Week with Marilyn, America produced the first international celebrity, Adah Menken. The pin-up girl, who had a flair for scandal and supporting unpopular causes, is reportedly the first actress to embrace theatrical and film nudity. During her reign as the most famous, highly paid actress in the world throughout the mid-nineteenth century, Menken also became the darling of American Civil War soldiers.
Historian, novelist and biographer Michael Foster has professionally reunited with his wife, Barbara, an associate professor of women's studies at the City University of New York, for their third book together, chronicling Menken's life. Since many Americans are fascinated by the celebrity lifestyle, but few know of the first true celebrity, Michael and Barbara kindly took the time to discuss Menke and their work, A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menke.
Not only did the Fosters talk about what inspiration they had for writing the book, they also spoke about how Menke drew attention for her personal and professional scandals.Many may question how Menke became an international superstar without the countless tabloids and television entertainment shows and websites that many people routinely look at today. The biographers answer that question, and spread their knowledge of Menke's life, detailing how she performed in plays and became friends with numerous poets to garner fame.
Your new biography, A Dangerous Woman, chronicles the life of the first controversial actress and pin-up girl, Adah Menken. What was your inspiration in writing the book?
Michael Foster (MF): Well, we had decided, the two of us, that we wanted to do some biographies of heroic women. But really heroic, in the sense that they risked their lives. The first one we did was of Alexandra David-Neel, who made an incredible journey over in Tibet and the Himalayas. It's on the Huffington Post right now. So that book came out. David-Neel lived to be 100 years old, and then we wanted someone who didn't live quite as long (laughs), because it took a long time to do the book.
Then we found out about Adah Menken, who literally risked her life every single time she performed. That impressed us. Then her popularity was immense at the time.
Barbara Foster (BF): She was also the first superstar, which is amazing. It interested us, because there's so much fuss these days about superstars. When you come to think about it, she was the first one to use the media, she used photography to put herself front and center. That's a very exciting thing.
MF: She was also very involved with the Civil War. Not only that, but also with the invention of what we now call media. It simply didn't exist before then. The reason Menken could become popular across the United States, across the Atlantic, was the new media that came in and was revolutionary, the telegraph; the cheap, popular newspaper; and the photography. All of this came in at once, in an age that is similar to ours, where the media has had a tremendous revolution
Speaking of the Civil War, Adah reached out to both sides during the war, as she entertained wounded Union troops and admired the Confederate generals by posting photos of them on her dressing room walls. Do you feel this added to her controversy?
MF: Yeah, sure. I don't think she did it as a publicity stunt, though she did a lot of publicity stunts. She had some people behind her, some of the men, who were the first PR types. They didn't exist, press agents, until then, because they didn't have the press and photography until then.
But she herself was torn. She was born in New Orleans, part Jewish, part black, part Irish, and who knows what else. If you read about the Civil War, you begin to understand that not only was it families who were torn apart in the south, but also individuals were torn apart. It just wasn't that untypical at the time.
To continue reading this interview, please click here.
Long before the world began admiring Marilyn Monroe, whose legacy is currently being chronicled in the new critically acclaimed drama My Week with Marilyn, America produced the first international celebrity, Adah Menken. The pin-up girl, who had a flair for scandal and supporting unpopular causes, is reportedly the first actress to embrace theatrical and film nudity. During her reign as the most famous, highly paid actress in the world throughout the mid-nineteenth century, Menken also became the darling of American Civil War soldiers.
Historian, novelist and biographer Michael Foster has professionally reunited with his wife, Barbara, an associate professor of women's studies at the City University of New York, for their third book together, chronicling Menken's life. Since many Americans are fascinated by the celebrity lifestyle, but few know of the first true celebrity, Michael and Barbara kindly took the time to discuss Menke and their work, A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menke.
Not only did the Fosters talk about what inspiration they had for writing the book, they also spoke about how Menke drew attention for her personal and professional scandals.Many may question how Menke became an international superstar without the countless tabloids and television entertainment shows and websites that many people routinely look at today. The biographers answer that question, and spread their knowledge of Menke's life, detailing how she performed in plays and became friends with numerous poets to garner fame.
Your new biography, A Dangerous Woman, chronicles the life of the first controversial actress and pin-up girl, Adah Menken. What was your inspiration in writing the book?
Michael Foster (MF): Well, we had decided, the two of us, that we wanted to do some biographies of heroic women. But really heroic, in the sense that they risked their lives. The first one we did was of Alexandra David-Neel, who made an incredible journey over in Tibet and the Himalayas. It's on the Huffington Post right now. So that book came out. David-Neel lived to be 100 years old, and then we wanted someone who didn't live quite as long (laughs), because it took a long time to do the book.
Then we found out about Adah Menken, who literally risked her life every single time she performed. That impressed us. Then her popularity was immense at the time.
Barbara Foster (BF): She was also the first superstar, which is amazing. It interested us, because there's so much fuss these days about superstars. When you come to think about it, she was the first one to use the media, she used photography to put herself front and center. That's a very exciting thing.
MF: She was also very involved with the Civil War. Not only that, but also with the invention of what we now call media. It simply didn't exist before then. The reason Menken could become popular across the United States, across the Atlantic, was the new media that came in and was revolutionary, the telegraph; the cheap, popular newspaper; and the photography. All of this came in at once, in an age that is similar to ours, where the media has had a tremendous revolution
Speaking of the Civil War, Adah reached out to both sides during the war, as she entertained wounded Union troops and admired the Confederate generals by posting photos of them on her dressing room walls. Do you feel this added to her controversy?
MF: Yeah, sure. I don't think she did it as a publicity stunt, though she did a lot of publicity stunts. She had some people behind her, some of the men, who were the first PR types. They didn't exist, press agents, until then, because they didn't have the press and photography until then.
But she herself was torn. She was born in New Orleans, part Jewish, part black, part Irish, and who knows what else. If you read about the Civil War, you begin to understand that not only was it families who were torn apart in the south, but also individuals were torn apart. It just wasn't that untypical at the time.
To continue reading this interview, please click here.
Abarat: Absolute Midnight Book Review | Shockya.com
'Abarat: Absolute Midnight' Shockya.com Book Review, Written by: Karen Benardello
Author: Clive Barker
It’s not often that an acclaimed director, screenwriter and producer can captivate audiences with highly detailed, intriguing imagery in an anticipated sequel in a book series. But that’s exactly what horror-fantasy mastermind Clive Barker did with his latest novel, ‘Abarat: Absolute Midnight’ the follow-up to 2002′s ‘Abarat’ and 2004′s ‘Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War.’ The book once again details the admirable actions taken by heroine Candy Quakenbush, who feels destined to protect and guard the innocent.
‘Abarat: Absolute Midnight’ follows the 16-year-old Candy as she leaves her home and ordinary live in Chickentown, Minnesota, to travel to, and protect, the mythical, title archipelago. Every island represents a different hour of the day, and the Old Mother of darkness, Mater Motley, is once again scheming to conquer the archipelago. Abarat is in danger of being destroyed forever, as Mater Motley is determined to unleash her war, tyranny and evil on the residents. She threatens to obliterate the sky over the islands as absolute darkness.
Candy proves what a loyal, brave protagonist she is by willingly becoming like a martyr to save the Abarat from total destruction. She is an inspiration for young readers, showing that even with the possibility of uniting with her first love, she instead chooses to sacrifice her life to save the people of the Abarat. While Candy deals with contemporary issues, including protecting the innocent, sacrificing her own happiness and safety and coping with an abusive, drunken father, Barker still effortlessly brings her into a highly detailed, imaginative world.
The outlandish residents and locations of the Abarat are visually characterized in detailed, creative oil paintings that fill the pages of the fantasy-adventure novel, next to the text. Such characters as Nyritta Maku, one of Candy’s accusers at the Abarat Council Chambers, are greatly described in the story’s text. But seeing the characters, including the councilwoman’s blue-skinned skull that’s bound to soft-boned sub-skulls, will surely make readers feels as though they’re experiencing Candy’s plight and struggle to overcome her enemies.
To continue reading this review, please visit: Abarat: Absolute Midnight Book Review | Shockya.com
Author: Clive Barker
It’s not often that an acclaimed director, screenwriter and producer can captivate audiences with highly detailed, intriguing imagery in an anticipated sequel in a book series. But that’s exactly what horror-fantasy mastermind Clive Barker did with his latest novel, ‘Abarat: Absolute Midnight’ the follow-up to 2002′s ‘Abarat’ and 2004′s ‘Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War.’ The book once again details the admirable actions taken by heroine Candy Quakenbush, who feels destined to protect and guard the innocent.
‘Abarat: Absolute Midnight’ follows the 16-year-old Candy as she leaves her home and ordinary live in Chickentown, Minnesota, to travel to, and protect, the mythical, title archipelago. Every island represents a different hour of the day, and the Old Mother of darkness, Mater Motley, is once again scheming to conquer the archipelago. Abarat is in danger of being destroyed forever, as Mater Motley is determined to unleash her war, tyranny and evil on the residents. She threatens to obliterate the sky over the islands as absolute darkness.
Candy proves what a loyal, brave protagonist she is by willingly becoming like a martyr to save the Abarat from total destruction. She is an inspiration for young readers, showing that even with the possibility of uniting with her first love, she instead chooses to sacrifice her life to save the people of the Abarat. While Candy deals with contemporary issues, including protecting the innocent, sacrificing her own happiness and safety and coping with an abusive, drunken father, Barker still effortlessly brings her into a highly detailed, imaginative world.
The outlandish residents and locations of the Abarat are visually characterized in detailed, creative oil paintings that fill the pages of the fantasy-adventure novel, next to the text. Such characters as Nyritta Maku, one of Candy’s accusers at the Abarat Council Chambers, are greatly described in the story’s text. But seeing the characters, including the councilwoman’s blue-skinned skull that’s bound to soft-boned sub-skulls, will surely make readers feels as though they’re experiencing Candy’s plight and struggle to overcome her enemies.
To continue reading this review, please visit: Abarat: Absolute Midnight Book Review | Shockya.com
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Knuckle Movie Review | Shockya.com
'Knuckle' Shockya.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello
Director: Ian Palmer
Starring: James Quinn-McDonagh, Michael Quinn-McDonagh and Ian Palmer
The violent world of bare-knuckle boxing has long been a secret one, as the community who largely embarks in the sport, the nomadic Travellers, remain silent about certain aspects of their lifestyle. But two rival Irish Traveller families, the Quinn-McDonaghs and the Joyces, allow filmmaker Ian Palmer into their elusive world, to show their long-standing hatred of each other. The first-time director surprisingly shows the families’ pressure to fight for the honor of their name and the need for revenge.
‘Knuckle’ chronicles the fight between the Quinn-McDonagh and Joyce families, who are distant relatives but are separated by a feud that has lasted generations. The heads of the rivaling families, James and Paddy, train their traveling clans in the long-standing Irish tradition, bare-knuckle boxing. Palmer takes on double duty by narrating the film, which explores the Quinn-McDonagh and Joyces’ feelings of loyalty and their pressure to fight each other.
Palmer took an interesting filming approach while shooting ‘Knuckle,’ as he didn’t initially develop a clear slant and direction of what exactly he wanted to document. When he was asked by James and his brothers, Michael and Paddy, to showcase the life of the Quinn-McDonaghs, Palmer knew little of the hidden lifestyle of Travelling families. After occasionally shooting fights between the two families, between 1997 and 2009, the director captured the true bond between the close-knit Quinn-McDonaghs, and their desire to defend one another.
One of the more astonishing aspects of ‘Knuckle’ and the Travelling lifestyle is the fact that they believe in Fair Fights, despite their competitiveness and rivalries amongst each other. For each fight, both sides choose a neutral referee from a non-dueling family, in an effort to fairly choose the winner and protect the fighters. The families also aren’t allowed to attend the actual fight, in an effort to keep the fighters focused. With the Travellers’ sense of loyalty and pride, it’s surprising the families don’t want to watch the fights to support each other.
To continue reading this review, please visit: Knuckle Movie Review | Shockya.com
Director: Ian Palmer
Starring: James Quinn-McDonagh, Michael Quinn-McDonagh and Ian Palmer
The violent world of bare-knuckle boxing has long been a secret one, as the community who largely embarks in the sport, the nomadic Travellers, remain silent about certain aspects of their lifestyle. But two rival Irish Traveller families, the Quinn-McDonaghs and the Joyces, allow filmmaker Ian Palmer into their elusive world, to show their long-standing hatred of each other. The first-time director surprisingly shows the families’ pressure to fight for the honor of their name and the need for revenge.
‘Knuckle’ chronicles the fight between the Quinn-McDonagh and Joyce families, who are distant relatives but are separated by a feud that has lasted generations. The heads of the rivaling families, James and Paddy, train their traveling clans in the long-standing Irish tradition, bare-knuckle boxing. Palmer takes on double duty by narrating the film, which explores the Quinn-McDonagh and Joyces’ feelings of loyalty and their pressure to fight each other.
Palmer took an interesting filming approach while shooting ‘Knuckle,’ as he didn’t initially develop a clear slant and direction of what exactly he wanted to document. When he was asked by James and his brothers, Michael and Paddy, to showcase the life of the Quinn-McDonaghs, Palmer knew little of the hidden lifestyle of Travelling families. After occasionally shooting fights between the two families, between 1997 and 2009, the director captured the true bond between the close-knit Quinn-McDonaghs, and their desire to defend one another.
One of the more astonishing aspects of ‘Knuckle’ and the Travelling lifestyle is the fact that they believe in Fair Fights, despite their competitiveness and rivalries amongst each other. For each fight, both sides choose a neutral referee from a non-dueling family, in an effort to fairly choose the winner and protect the fighters. The families also aren’t allowed to attend the actual fight, in an effort to keep the fighters focused. With the Travellers’ sense of loyalty and pride, it’s surprising the families don’t want to watch the fights to support each other.
To continue reading this review, please visit: Knuckle Movie Review | Shockya.com
Friday, December 2, 2011
Comic Book Writer Sues Cowboys and Aliens Producers | Shockya.com
While one person can’t legally own the exclusive rights to produce a cowboy or alien film, comic book writer Steven Busti is claiming he owns the rights to the combination of the two, TMZ is reporting. As a result, the ‘Bizarre Fantasy’ comic writer is suing the producers of ‘Cowboys & Aliens,’ saying he created the concept in 1994, 17 years before the sci-fi western film was released last summer.
Busti alleges the producers stole many elements from his comic, including the fact that aliens land on Earth and invade the Old West, for ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ and the graphic novel they published in 2006.
To continue reading this article, please visit: Comic Book Writer Sues Cowboys and Aliens Producers | Shockya.com
Busti alleges the producers stole many elements from his comic, including the fact that aliens land on Earth and invade the Old West, for ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ and the graphic novel they published in 2006.
To continue reading this article, please visit: Comic Book Writer Sues Cowboys and Aliens Producers | Shockya.com
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