News

‘The Personal History of David Copperfield.’

The floodgates opened last weekend with more than a dozen new releases led by The Personal History of David Copperfield, plus several re-issues as more cinemas turned the lights back on.

However the grosses per title reflect the “new normal,” with limited seating capacity and reduced sessions.

The safe distancing rules mean there is a cap of 20 people per session in Victoria, between 20 per cent and 45 per cent in New South Wales and 50 per cent in South Australia.

The top 20 titles racked up nearly $2.5 million, up 251 per cent on the previous frame, according to Numero.

Released by Roadshow, Armando Ianucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield, a re-imagination of the Charles Dickens novel starring Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi and Ben Whishaw, rang up $330,000 on 203 screens and $376,000 including previews.

“Cinemas in some states only just reopened and it takes time...

Mild, mellow and as life-affirming as a soft fall of springtime New Zealand rain, Hamish Bennett’s charming if overfamiliar debut feature “Bellbird” — so named after a species of avian indigenous to the region, which Captain Cook reportedly described as having a song “like small bells, exquisitely tuned” — is a fondly bittersweet tribute to the rural Northland of the director’s childhood.

A portrait of a taciturn farmer father and his dutiful but indecisive son as they try to find a means of communication in the aftermath of bereavement, the film skirts dangerously close to indie dramedy cliché at times. But some astute, understated writing and warm, witty supporting turns rescue the story from tweeness, while the fresh-faced camerawork of Dp Grant McKinnon, and the deep wellspring of affection that Bennett clearly has for every one of his flawed but fiercely decent characters make it.

Long-married couple Beth (Annie Whittle...

"That might be a little much for everyone..." Hulu has released a brand new Us red band trailer for Abe Forsythe's Little Monsters, the wacky fun zombie comedy horror film that first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. This wild and crazy zombie comedy is about a teacher and an aimless guy who end up on a field trip to a petting zoo when a zombie outbreak takes over. It also played at the SXSW Film Festival this year, and will be debuting on Hulu starting in October. Lupita Nyong'o stars as the enigmatic teacher who fights back to keep her kids safe, along with Alexander England as the tag along Dave, and Josh Gad as an asshole TV personality who freaks out when the zombies show up. Also starring Stephen Peacocke, Kat Stewart, Nadia Townsend, Marshall Napier, Henry Nixon, and Rahel Romahn. This is an extra gory,...

"My job is to keep them safe!" Altitude Films has released an official UK trailer for the indie zombie horror comedy Little Monsters, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight category earlier this year. This wild and crazy zombie comedy is about a teacher and an aimless guy who end up on a field trip to a petting zoo when a zombie outbreak arrives. It also played at the SXSW Film Festival in spring and the Fantasia Film Festival this summer. Lupita Nyong'o stars as the engimatic teacher who fights back to keep her kids safe, along with Alexander England as the tag along Dave, and Josh Gad as an asshole TV personality who freaks out when the zombies arrive. Also with Stephen Peacocke, Kat Stewart, Nadia Townsend, Marshall Napier, Henry Nixon, and Rahel Romahn. I really, really enjoyed this film at Sundance, it's hilarious and dark...

Scandinavian sales outfit LevelK has acquired world sales rights to New Zealand comedy-drama “Bellbird,” the feature debut of Hamish Bennett.

Produced by Orlando Stewart for Stella Maris Productions and Catherine Fitzgerald for Blueskin Films, Bellbird tells the story of a dairy farmer struggling to cope with the sudden death of his beloved wife, and the gradual bond he builds with his gentle only son and the local community. The movie, written by Bennett, is set over four seasons in a modest Northland dairy farm.

“The characters of ‘Bellbird’ were inspired by my childhood neighbours in the small rural Northland community of Tauraroa…” said Bennett whose last short, “Rose & Beth,” won prizes in New Zealand.

“You don’t see many outward displays of affection or emotion, (but) the love, the loyalty, the reliance – it can all be found in the little moments, buried under the layers of cheeky banter and cow shit,...

Top: Fayssal Bazzi as D-mac, Rahel Romahn as Nick, Michael Denkha as Ibrahim and Lincoln Younes as Hassim

Bottom: Damon Herriman as Jason, Justin Rosniak as Ditch, Alexander England as Shit-stick and Chris Bunton as Evan

Photographer credit: David Dare Parker

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Abe Forsythe's black comedy Down Under is set to hit Australian cinemas on August 4.

Distributed by StudioCanal, the film is a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots.

As Forsythe's second feature, it is the story of two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight destined to collide..

Sincere, though misguided, intent gives way to farcical ineptitude as this hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings unfolds, and what was meant to be a retaliation mission turns into something neither side could have imagined.

During the shoot, Forsythe told If the narrative mined comedy through the heavy drama.

.The humour turns...

Director Abe Forsythe and Studiocanal have given us the first look at the new Australian feature film set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots.

Down Under is a black comedy about two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight who are destined to collide..

Sincere, though misguided, intent gives way to farcical ineptitude as this hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings unfolds.

What was meant to be a retaliation mission turns into something neither side could have imagined.

Director Abe Forsythe, who is also responsible for writing the film.s screenplay, has .taken a balanced look at the ridiculous side of a serious subject..

.There is nothing more satisfying than getting people to laugh at something they feel like they shouldn.t be laughing at. Comedy is the best way to say something meaningful,. he said.

This first-look image introduces characters from both sides of the story.

The ugly Cronulla race riots in southern Sydney in 2005 may seem an unlikely source of humour but that.s the backdrop of writer-director Abe Forsythe.s latest film.

Set during the aftermath of the riots, the black comedy looks at two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight who are destined to collide.

.The narrative mines comedy through the heavy drama,. Forsythe told If on Thursday on the last day of a six-week shoot. .The humour turns on how absurd the situations were and how they spiralled out of control. It doesn.t let the audience off lightly..

Forsythe began writing the screenplay five years ago and the project finally came together with producer Jodi Matterson and Greg Mclean as executive producer. Mclean had admired Ned, Abe.s directing debut in 2003, and the two had long wanted to work together.

The financiers are Screen Australia, Fulcrum Media, the...

Actor Ryan Kwanten talks Griff the Invisible, shooting in his hometown of Sydney, Australia, Knights of Badassdom, 7500, and more.

Australian actor Ryan Kwanten is best known for portraying Jason Stackhouse in the hit HBO vampire series True Blood. The actor got to step outside the vampire world and into the superhero genre with Griff the Invisible, which arrives on Blu-ray and DVD November 15. Ryan Kwanten stars as Griff, a meek office worker who is hassled by his co-workers, but at night, he is Griff the Invisible, who hits the streets in search of crimes to stop. I recently had to chance to speak with Ryan Kwanten over the phone about Griff the Invisible and much more. Here's what he had to say.

Could you talk about first cracking open the script and your initial reaction to it?

Ryan Kwanten: Yeah. Reading the script was very much like going to the movies.

Back in August, I told you about Griff the Invisible, a small indie film about a would-be super-hero feature the terrific Ryan Kwanten. The movie opened and closed in the blink of an eye, probably while you were on line to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and you missed out.

Vivendi Entertainment is releasing the film on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15 so you get a second chance at catching this charming film.

Better, we have been given three DVDs to give away. Here’s what you need to do in order to win:

By 11:59 p.m., Saturday November 12, tell us what super-power you most desire and how you would use it to fight for truth and justice. The final decision of the ComicMix judges will be final.

In case you missed it, here’s the trailer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis

Griff...

Griff the Invisible

Director: Leon Ford

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody, Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Toby Schmitz, Patrick Brammall, Anthony Phelan

Indomina Releasing

Release Date: August 19, 2011 (limited)

Most of us recognize Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse from the hit guilty pleasure–fest that is HBO's True Blood. Some fans may know his voice from Zack Snyder's Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole or smaller, more obscure fare like the forgettable Flicka and Dead Silence, or even more obscure TV titles like Summerland, or Home and Away and Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord in his native Australia. But again, most of us point to Mr. Stackhouse.

But Kwanten has also dabbled in the realms of indie films over the past couple of years, and his work there is not to be ignored. After seeing the 2010 western thriller, Red Hill, I was more than excited to take a peek at his other 2010 effort,...

Leon Ford offers new insight into his romantic superhero adventure starring True Blood's Ryan Kwanten

Arriving in select theaters this Friday, August 19th, is the romantic superhero comedy Griff the Invisible from writer/director Leon Ford.

Ryan Kwanten (True Blood; Knights of Badassdom) stars as an office worker by day, heroic vigilante by night, whose life is changed when he meets a beautiful young scientist (Maeve Dermody) with a passion for the impossible.

We caught up with director Leon Ford from his home in Sydney, Australia to chat about this latest movie in an increasingly long list of "everyday Joe turned heroic savoir" adventure comedies. This is our conversation.

In your own eyes, what makes Griff the Invisible different from all of the other superhero movies this summer?

Leon Ford: To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of the indie superhero films, because I wanted to keep my head in this one.

Griff the Invisible starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody gets a new movie clip. The Indomina Releasing action drama/comedy looks quite intriguing and opens in limited areas on August 19th. Also in the cast of the Leon Ford-directed and written film are Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall, David Webb, Kate MUlvany, Felly Paterniti and Chan Griffin. In Griff the Invisible, Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”) stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Griff the Invisible starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody gets a new movie clip. The Indomina Releasing action drama/comedy looks quite intriguing and opens in limited areas on August 19th. Also in the cast of the Leon Ford-directed and written film are Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall, David Webb, Kate MUlvany, Felly Paterniti and Chan Griffin. In Griff the Invisible, Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”) stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Griff the Invisible starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody gets a new movie clip. The Indomina Releasing action drama/comedy looks quite intriguing and opens in limited areas on August 19th. Also in the cast of the Leon Ford-directed and written film are Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall, David Webb, Kate MUlvany, Felly Paterniti and Chan Griffin. In Griff the Invisible, Ryan Kwanten (“True Blood”) stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Check out a new movie clip from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. Catch Griff (Kwanten) thwarting a back-alley attack on a terrified lady. Intriguing gear and not a shabby fight scene for an indie flick, right? Almost Watchmen-like. Indomina Releasing sends out action dramedy Griff the Invisible to theaters on August 19th this year and looks worthy of a visit. Leon Ford writes and helms, making his feature-length directorial debut on Griff. Also in the cast are Marshall Napier, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape...

Check out a new movie clip from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. Catch Griff (Kwanten) thwarting a back-alley attack on a terrified lady. Intriguing gear and not a shabby fight scene for an indie flick, right? Almost Watchmen-like. Indomina Releasing sends out action dramedy Griff the Invisible to theaters on August 19th this year and looks worthy of a visit. Leon Ford writes and helms, making his feature-length directorial debut on Griff. Also in the cast are Marshall Napier, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape...

Check out a new movie clip from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. Catch Griff (Kwanten) thwarting a back-alley attack on a terrified lady. Intriguing gear and not a shabby fight scene for an indie flick, right? Almost Watchmen-like. Indomina Releasing sends out action dramedy Griff the Invisible to theaters on August 19th this year and looks worthy of a visit. Leon Ford writes and helms, making his feature-length directorial debut on Griff. Also in the cast are Marshall Napier, Toby Schmitz, Anthony Phelan, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape...

Griff the Invisible

Directed by: Leon Ford

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody, Marshall Napier

Rating: Not Yet Rated

Release Date: August 19, 2011

Trailer Score: 4/10

Thoughts by Tsr: Nope, this is not a Michael Rapaport documentary about Public Enemy‘s inconspicuous Professor Griff, this is Leon Ford’s Griff the Invisible, or as I’d like to call it: Kick Ass meets Charlie Bartlett.

Yeah, based solely on this trailer, I think that’s about as accurate a descriptor as possible, though it looks much less sleek than Kick Ass and Kwanten looks much less likable than the lovable Anton Yelchin.

Too many trailer cliches bounced off the screen here. From the nerdy guy getting the pretty girl, to the cheesy over-the-top emotey music, to the “and then he did this outrageousness to his obnoxious co-worker,” only to find that he was just fantasizing. Seriously, how many times have we seen that mechanism employed?...

Images from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. New pics join the poster and trailer for the Indomnia Releasing film which also stars Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Chan Griffin, Toby Schmitz, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Leon Ford directs Griff the Invisible from his own script for producer Nicole O'Donohue. Ryan Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy drama about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Images from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. New pics join the poster and trailer for the Indomnia Releasing film which also stars Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Chan Griffin, Toby Schmitz, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Leon Ford directs Griff the Invisible from his own script for producer Nicole O'Donohue. Ryan Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy drama about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Images from Griff the Invisible, starring Ryan Kwanten and Maeve Dermody. New pics join the poster and trailer for the Indomnia Releasing film which also stars Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, Chan Griffin, Toby Schmitz, Patrick Brammall and David Webb. Leon Ford directs Griff the Invisible from his own script for producer Nicole O'Donohue. Ryan Kwanten of TV’s “True Blood” stars in this charming, quirky and totally unpredictable romantic comedy drama about the superhero in all of us. Griff (Kwanten), a shy and awkward office worker by day, finds escape from his ordinary life by assuming the identity of a fantastic superhero each night. Griff’s secret is jeopardized...

Griff, is a socially awkward and bullied office worker (just like Clark Kent) and at night, he turns vigilante his alter-ego to protect his neighborhood in Melbourne. He juggles this double life quite well until he meets a girl named Melody (Maeve Dermody) and has his world turned upside down. Melody, a beautiful young scientist who is just as socially awkward as Griff is and shares his passion for the impossible. Starring Ryan Kwanten as Griff Maeve Dermody as Melody Kelly Paterniti as Gina Heather Mitchell as Bronwyn Marshall Napier as Benson Toby Schmitz as Tony David Webb as Gary Kate Mulvany as Cecilia Patrick Brammall as Tim Chan Griffin as Top Hat Anthony Phelan as Detective Stone LEEE777 - Looking excellent, one to watch for a bit of superhero fun! Coming to select theaters August 19 and already released in Australia.

The Griff the Invisible Trailer has premiered. Leon Ford‘s Griff the Invisible (2010) movie trailer stars Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody, Marshall Napier, Heather Mitchell, and Toby Schmitz. Griff the Invisible‘s plot synopsis: “By day Griff (Ryan Kwanten – True Blood, Red Hill) is an everyday office worker, in an everyday town. He lives a secluded life, bullied by co-workers (Toby Schmitz) – his protective brother his only friend. By night Griff assumes his other identity, roaming the dark streets protecting the innocent and the vulnerable from the dangers that lurk in the shadows – he is the hero, Griff The Invisible.

Increasingly concerned by Griff’s eccentric behaviour, his brother (Patrick Brammall) attempts to draw him back into the ‘real world’. In doing so he introduces Griff to Melody (Maeve Dermody) an equally eccentric and charming girl.

Fascinated by Griff’s idiosyncrasies, which are equal only to her own, Melody begins to fall for Griff.

Is this another quirky superhero outing, you ask? Yes, dear readers, this is yet another quirky superhero outing. However, I’ll give Leon Ford some credit, as his upcoming feature “Griff the Invisible” actually looks pretty good. Judging from the trailer you’ve probably already skipped to, Ford knows how to make an engaging movie, especially when this sort of ground has already been covered by such like-minded endeavors as “Defendor” and the grossly underrated Michael Rapaport flick “Special”. Similarities aside, there are enough original ideas contained within to help the picture avoid being unfairly compared to those aforementioned titles. You’ll see what I mean in a second. But first, a quick synopsis: Griff, office worker by day, superhero by night, has his world turned upside down when he meets Melody, a beautiful young scientist who shares his passion for the impossible. “Griff the Invisible”, which stars Ryan Kwanten,...

Griff, is a socially awkward and bullied office worker (just like Clark Kent) and at night, he turns vigilante his alter-ego to protect his neighborhood in Melbourne. He juggles this double life quite well until he meets a girl named Melody (Maeve Dermody) and has his world turned upside down. Melody, a beautiful young scientist who is just as socially awkward as Griff is and shares his passion for the impossible. Griff The Invisible is released March 2011. Stars: Ryan Kwanten as Griff Maeve Dermody as Melody Kelly Paterniti as Gina Heather Mitchell as Bronwyn Marshall Napier as Benson Toby Schmitz as Tony David Webb as Gary Kate Mulvany as Cecilia Patrick Brammall as Tim Chan Griffin as Top Hat Anthony Phelan as Detective Stone LEEE777 - Oh man, oh man, this is one for the diary. Looks a great couple of hours of fun!

The Factory

Opens: 2011

Cast: John Cusack, Jennifer Carpenter, Ksenia Solo, Mae Whitman, Sonya Walger

Director: Morgan O'Neill

Summary: An obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, New York. When his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any pretension and professional restraint he might have to get the killer.

Analysis: Shot almost three years ago now, Dark Castle had originally planned to release this thriller back in late 2009. However for reasons unspecified, it has been sitting on a shelf for some time and keeps getting delayed. In cases like these, the most obvious reason is usually the correct one - it stinks (eg. "Case 39"). The company certainly has had its fair share of box-office duds lately including "Whiteout," "Ninja Assassin," "The Losers," "Orphan" and "Splice".

Yet Cusack generally has good taste in projects, his last venture into horror was the surprisingly effective Stephen King...

The Factory

Opens: 2011

Cast: John Cusack, Jennifer Carpenter, Ksenia Solo, Mae Whitman, Sonya Walger

Director: Morgan O'Neill

Summary: An obsessed cop is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, New York. When his teenage daughter disappears, he drops any pretension and professional restraint he might have to get the killer.

Analysis: Shot almost three years ago now, Dark Castle had originally planned to release this thriller back in late 2009. However for reasons unspecified, it has been sitting on a shelf for some time and keeps getting delayed. In cases like these, the most obvious reason is usually the correct one - it stinks (eg. "Case 39"). The company certainly has had its fair share of box-office duds lately including "Whiteout," "Ninja Assassin," "The Losers," "Orphan" and "Splice".

Yet Cusack generally has good taste in projects, his last venture into horror was the surprisingly effective Stephen King...

It's all been a bit quiet from Griff the Invisible since the Aussie boutique superhero film had its world premiere at Toronto in September, with the filmmakers biding their time before its homeland release early next year.

Now they've come out full guns blazing, brimming with news that the Ryan Kwanten starrer will also play the Berlin International Film Festival, and simultaneously launching a website, teaser trailer, and first glimpse of a tie-in comic.

Starring Ryan Kwanten as Griff, Maeve Dermody as Melody and co-starring Patrick Brammall, Toby Schmitz, Marshall Napier and Heather Mitchell, Griff the Invisible is the feature debut of writer/director/actor/renaissance man Leon Ford.

Here's the lowdown...

Griff - office worker by day, superhero by night - has his world turned upside down when he meets Melody, a beautiful young scientist who shares his passion for the impossible.

By day Griff (Ryan Kwanten) is an everyday office worker,...