Simon and the Oaks starring Bill Skarsgard (Alexander’s brother), Helen Sjoholm and Jan Josef Liefers earned $4 million at the Swedish box office. It also picked up a recording-breaking 13 nominations at the 2012 Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.
“Lisa Ohlin has crafted a poignant coming-of-age story about hope and survival during the darkest hours of the 20th century. We believe U.S. audiences will respond with the same incredible enthusiasm as international ones have and we are thrilled to bring this critically acclaimed film to theaters across the country,” said principles of Film Arcade.
“I am very excited that Film Arcade has decided to release Simon and the Oaks in the U.S., and I look forward to having U.S. audiences discover this film,” said Lisa Ohlin.
The Plot:
Simon and the Oaks is the gripping story of Simon, an intellectually gifted boy who feels out of place in his own family. The film offers a unique depiction of fate, destiny and free will and vividly portrays the situation for Jews in Sweden during World War II.
Source: The Film Arcade
Film Arcade Picks Up Simon and the Oaks
Jesse Eisenberg Helps Save Exotic Birds
“If an animal’s natural home is in the wild, then chances are, that’s where it belongs,” states Eisenberg. “Unfortunately, the demand for these intelligent, complex creatures – whether captive-bred or wild caught – is decimating the wild parrot species.”
130 parrots and other birds were recently rescued from an Ohio facility. The birds were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, mental distress and zoonotic diseases, and cruelty charges have been filed against the people involved.
“We are grateful to Jesse Eisenberg for helping us to raise awareness of the growing problem of unwanted captive birds in this country,” said Adam Parascandola, director of animal cruelty investigations for The HSUS. “Parrots are highly intelligent, social, and long-lived animals whose complex needs cannot be met by most owners, which is why so many are abandoned.”
Watch the Jesse Eisenberg video:
For more info, visit humanesociety.org/helpparrots.
Source: Humane Society of the United States
Filming Begins on a Wiener Dog Movie – Seriously
There really is going to be a movie featuring dachshunds racing. Camelot Entertainment Group announced that filming has started on Wiener Dog Nationals, a family friendly live-action film from writer/director Kevan Peterson.
Wiener Dog Nationals is about a family that unites to cheer on their newly adopted wiener dog as she races for the championship title. And yes, I couldn’t keep from laughing as I typed that last sentence.
Jason London stars as dad ‘Phil Jack’, Alicia Witt plays race coordinator/love interest ‘Melanie’, Bryan Batt is ‘Judge Brown’, and Morgan Fairchild is the wicked ‘Miss Merryweather’. Austin Anderson, Julian Feder, and Caitlin Carmichael co-star, with Anderson also performing a song for the soundtrack.
“It’s an amazing experience to be able to finally direct this movie,” stated writer/director Peterson. “There is such a great group of talented people that have banded together to make this film a reality – everyone from our amazing cast to our wonderful production team. I am in awe everyday at what we are achieving with this film. I’ve been asked to say, on behalf of our star dogs as well, ‘bark, bark, woof, woof,’ which loosely translates to ‘I’m ready for my close up.'”
Wienerschnitzel’s Wiener Nationals wiener dog races provided the inspiration for the film, and the fast food chain will be promoting the movie when it’s released. Camelot Entertainment is also working with Special Olympics on the project and has cast two Special Olympians in roles in the film.
The Plot:
Wiener Dog National is a film about the Jack family adopting an abandoned dachshund, Shelly, from the shelter and the remarkable story that follows her arrival. When Shelly is entered into the nation’s greatest wiener dog race, she is forced into fierce competition where challenges arise for the Jack family as well as the runt, Shelly. However, with love and strength, this united family can overcome anything.
Source: Camelot Entertainment Group, Inc.
Blues Traveler New Album and Tour Date Info
Suzie Cracks the Whip marks Blues Traveler’s highest charting album of their 25 year career. Released this week, the group’s 11th album earned the 91st spot on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, marking the band’s best sales in 10+ years.
Grammy Award-winning Blues Traveler – John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Tad Kinchla, Ben Wilson and Brendan Hill – worked with producers Sam Hollander and Dave “Sluggo” Katz on their latest album and collaborated with Spin Doctor’s Chris Barron and Crystal Bowersox on select tracks. The album’s first single, “You Don’t Have To Love Me,” is currently in the Top 20 at Mediabase.
Suzie Cracks the Whip Track Listing:
1. You Don’t Have To Love Me
2. Recognize My Friend
3. Devil In The Details
4. All Things Are Possible
5. Things Are Looking Up
6. Love Is Everything (That I Describe)
7. Don’t Wanna Go (featuring Crystal Bowersox)
8. Nobody Fall In Love With Me
9. Cover Me
10. Saving Grace
11. Big City Girls
12. Cara Let The Moon
Confirmed Blues Traveler Tour Dates:
07/12 Raleigh, NC / Raleigh Amphitheatre
07/13 Charlotte NC / Uptown Amphitheatre
07/14 Charleston, SC / FCM Stadium
07/16 Alpharetta, GA /Verizon Amphitheatre
07/17 Tampa FL / Ask Gary Amphitheatre
07/18 West Palm Beach, FL /Cruzan Amphitheatre
07/20 Houston TX / Cynthia Woods Amp
07/21 Austin, TX / ACL at Moody Theatre
07/22 Dallas, TX / Gexa Amphitheatre
07/24 Albuquerque, NM / Sandia Casino
07/25 Phoenix, AZ / Comerica Theatre
07/27 Los Angeles, CA / Gibson Amp
07/28 Las Vegas, NV / The Joint
07/29 Valley Center, CA / Harrah’s Rincon
07/31 Saratoga, CA / Mountain Winery
08/02 Boise, ID / Botanical Gardens
08/03 Redmond, WA / Marymoor
08/07 Apple Valley, MN /Weesner Amphitheatre
08/09 Council Bluffs, IA / Harrah’s
08/10 West Allis, WI / State Fair
08/11 Detroit, MI /DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/12 Indianapolis IN /The Lawn at White River
08/14 Wantagh, NY / Jones Beach Amp
08/15 Philadelphia, PA / Penn’s Landing
08/17 Bethlehem, PA / Sands Bethlehem
08/18 Boston, MA / BOA Pavilion
08/19 Bangor, ME / Bangor Waterfront
08/22 Plymouth, NH / Flying Monkey PAC
08/23 Peekskill, NY /Paramount Center for the Arts
08/24 Bridgeport, CT /Klein Memorial Auditorium
09/12 Salt Lake City, UT /Utah State Fairgrounds
09/14 Spokane, WA /Spokane Interstate Fair
09/20 Riverside , CA /Fox Performing Arts Center
09/21 Napa, CA / Uptown Theatre
09/22 Ventura, CA / Arroyo Verde Park
09/27 Chicago, IL /Navy Pier Skyline Stage
9/29-30 Kansas City, MO / The Crossroads
10/11-12 Brooklyn, NY / Brooklyn Bowl
10/13 Ocean City, NJ /Ocean City Music Pier
Source: 429 Records
Until June Sets the Release Date for Their Second Album
Alternative rock band Until June will be releasing Young & Foolish on August 21st. The band, made up of brothers Josh & Dan Ballard (keyboards/vocals and guitar, respectively) and Daniel Dempsey (drums), just released the first single, “What Went Wrong,” from their second album, with samples from Young & Foolish now available on their official website.
Commenting on the band’s approach to their second album, Josh said, “We decided that the most artistic way to present the songs on Young & Foolish was not just about how the melodies or chord progressions were constructed – but also the way my vocals came across. We didn’t want to have them right in your face like typical pop tracks, but rather tucked underneath.”
The band first scored success and gained worldwide attention five years ago with the release of “Sleepless.” Since the emergence of that critically acclaimed single, Until June’s songs have been featured on TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, MTV’s Real World, Jersey Shore and Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
The group will be touring later this year.
Source: Madison Line Records
The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack Arrives on July 17th
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer reunites with writer/director Christopher Nolan for the fourth time on The Dark Knight Rises: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack hitting stores on July 17th. The final episode of Nolan’s Batman trilogy hits theaters a few days later on July 20th.
According to WaterTower Music, the CD will contain a link to unlock three bonus tracks. A deluxe version of the soundtrack available digitally will include three additional tracks. And on September 4th, WaterTower Music will release a limited edition vinyl version.
And coming soon, Zimmer will be unveiling a new iPhone app for The Dark Knight Rises that will, per the press release, “provide fans with a more immersive musical and sonic experience into the world of Gotham City.”
“I thought after we finished the last one [The Dark Knight], that was it,” stated Zimmer. “There was nothing else we could possibly do. At the same time, when I started reading this script, I instantly knew that there was a whole world out there that I hadn’t even touched yet.”
“I have never worked with someone so dedicated to the idea that the real risk is in playing it safe,” said Nolan. “Hans taught me that you sometimes have to go in what appears to be the wrong direction to discover all the possibilities, and that without exploring those possibilities you can never do anything truly exceptional. He sets creative goals for every film that are higher than you ever thought practical…or even reachable.”
Zimmer added, “We’re comrades in arms, the way we try to cheer each other on and try to really do the best work we possibly can. And part of that is you have to be prepared to not hold back. You have to put everything into the movie.”
Source: WaterTower Music
Iron Man 3 Kids Costume Event at Comic Con
Production is currently underway on Iron Man 3, with Marvel setting a May 3, 2013 release date for the superhero film.
Shane Black co-wrote Iron Man 3 with Drew Pearce and is directing. Robert Downey Jr will be back as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Also reprising their roles are Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes with Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan.
Source: Marvel Studios
iHeartRadio Music Festival Line-Up
The line-up’s been set for the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival with Ryan Seacrest set to kick off the festival taking place September 21 and 22nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. And without further ado, here’s the list of artists participating in the largest live concert festival in radio history, as just announced by Clear Channel:
Taylor Swift
Aerosmith
Rihanna
Usher
Bon Jovi
Lil Wayne
Green Day
Swedish House Mafia
No Doubt
Brad Paisley
Pitbull
deadmau5
Miranda Lambert
Enrique Iglesias
Linkin Park
Jason Aldean
P!nk
Mary J. Blige
Calvin Harris
Shakira
“Music is the lifeblood of so much of what we do at Clear Channel, and our listeners are the reason for everything we do. We’re focused on making the iHeartRadio Music Festival an experience that excites and electrifies music fans nationwide — and with a line-up like this, we believe we’ll exceed all of their expectations,” stated Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel. “The iHeartRadio Music Festival is an indication of Clear Channel’s ongoing commitment to music and artist development — maximizing artists’ exposure to fans and audiences nationwide. With our broadcast brands, live events and the iHeartRadio digital platform, in combination with our relationships with artists, labels and most importantly our listeners, we continue to reinvent the music experience in a way that no other company can.”
In addition to announcing the artists signed up to appear, Clear Channel also announced the “Radio to Vegas” contest running now on the 850 Clear Channel radio stations and their websites. Listeners will have the chance to win dream trips to Vegas that include tickets to the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
For more details, visit iHeartRadio.com/vegas.
The Walking Dead New Video Game Details
Ready to take on gross-looking zombies? If so, you may want to check out Activision’s all new The Walking Dead video game for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3, and Windows PC based on the popular zombie TV series coming out next year. According to the official announcement, the “do-whatever-you-need-to-survive first-person action game will allow players to assume the role of the mysterious, crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, alongside his overbearing brother Merle, on a haunting, unforgiving quest to make their way to the supposed safety of Atlanta.”
Commenting on the new game, Drew Haworth, Creative Director at Terminal Reality stated, “The work AMC has done with the TV series has been amazing and we’re ecstatic at the opportunity to be brought into the fold. The studio is made up of fans of the show, and we think other fans will see that the situations and walkers featured in our game are every bit as gruesome and shocking as they are in the TV series – they look, move and react as expected with full authenticity – and they will surprise you. The player’s fight-or-flight survival instinct is constantly engaged. ‘Flight’ is usually a good bet.”
Added AMC President Charlie Collier: “Activision and Terminal Reality are working to deliver a powerful combination of a deep, engrossing story with intense action. Daryl is such a unique and complex character and we’re excited to offer fans the opportunity to experience this new video game.”
The Scoop on The Walking Dead Game:
Terminal Reality’s The Walking Dead video game takes the undead and brings them out of the TV show and into console gaming systems in a new, terrifying way. The iconic walkers will relentlessly hunt down players like their television counterparts, using a combination of sight, sound and smell. As Daryl, players will need to tread carefully throughout each new area they explore. Once discovered, it doesn’t take much to attract an unstoppable horde of undead walkers, so every threat needs to be assessed, and every situation analyzed. Players will have to choose between whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. No place is truly safe for Daryl as he makes his way through the Georgia countryside in this new, post-apocalyptic world.
Resources are scarce and scattered in The Walking Dead video game, and gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill. In order to endure this constant state of danger, players will have to do all they can to silence the noises they make and avoid detection. Throughout his journey, Daryl will encounter a slew of other characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways, and whether or not they accompany him is completely up to player choice and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made while fighting to survive.
Source: Activision Publishing, Inc.
Supernatural, Vampire Diaries Comic Con Bags Revealed
Warner Bros Entertainment is once again supplying Comic Con attendees with the official bags to keep all their goodies in during the sold-out event. When ticket-holders check in at the Con, running July 11-15th in downtown San Diego, they’ll pick up one of eight WB bags designed just for the annual geekfest.
The TV shows represented on the bags are Arrow, The Big Bang Theory, DC Nation, Fringe, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries. Or, Con attendees could receive a Man of Steel or Pacific Rim-themed bag. Each bag is 24″x29″ and features double-sided artwork as well as a poster-protecting pocket. More than 130,000 bags will be distributed at the Con.
Check out the TV-themed bags:
Source: Warner Bros Entertainment
Trending
