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The hilarious family animated film Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank, from Paramount Pictures, is available now to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The exciting action-adventure stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais and Samuel L. Jackson.

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.

A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank is directed by Rob Minkoff,...

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank Review — Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Chris Bailey, Mark Koetsier and Rob Minkoff, written by Ed Stone, Nate Hopper, Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor and Alan Uger and starring Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Samuel [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022): Michael Cera Voices a Samurai Warrior Dog in an Energetic Animated Tale...

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Richard Pryor would no doubt have been amused, or possibly chagrined, to see his name on the writing credits for Paramount’s new animated kiddie film. In case you’re wondering how someone who’s long dead is still managing to crank out screenplays, it’s because Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, whose original title was Blazing Samurai, is an extremely loose reimagining of Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic comedy Blazing Saddles, for which Pryor received a writing credit. Not that any of this will matter to the extremely young target audience, except to prove that vulgar humor will score laughs regardless of whether it’s the R or PG-rated variety.

And this movie certainly doesn’t shy away from vulgarity, taking the idea of “toilet humor” all too literally with its far too many gags regarding a giant jade toilet and numerous...

It’s not every day that you get to see Richard Pryor listed as one of the screenwriters of a new movie. That’s because Pryor died in 2005. But when I saw his name credited among the seven writers of “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” it gave me an unreasonable jolt of optimism. If you’re wondering what Pryor’s name is doing on a computer-animated comedy about a samurai canine, it’s because the script is credited to Ed Stone and Nate Hopper — and also to Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Alan Uger, and Pryor, who were the five screenwriters of “Blazing Saddles,” the landmark Mel Brooks Western comedy that came out in 1974.

“Paws of Fury” was originally entitled “Blazing Samurai,” because it recycles (sort of) the premise of “Blazing Saddles,” a movie Brooks originally wanted to make with Pryor as its star. He was set...

The amusing “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” capably makes the case that more animated kids’ movies should be based on classic comedies.

Formerly titled “Blazing Samurai,” “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper, directed by Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”), Mark Koetsier, and Chris Bailey, borrows a title structure from the Bruce Lee movie “Fist of Fury” and riffs on the classic Mel Brooks Western comedy “Blazing Saddles” (Brooks also offers a delightful vocal performance).

It’s a breezy, funny, highly self-referential flick steeped in movie history.

Stone and Hopper swap the Old West setting for a Japanese village inhabited entirely by cats, and the intrepid Sheriff Bart played by Cleavon Little in “Blazing Saddles” for a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), who dreams of being a samurai. “Paws of Fury” stylistically inhabits the aesthetic of the Western and the classic martial arts movie,...

A new featurette with Michael Cera and Samuel L. Jackson for the forthcoming animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released, and you can check it out right here on CinemaNerdz.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!

About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi,...

Check out the new character posters from the new animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, starring Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, and Michelle Yeoh.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank tells the story of a hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!

About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language Cast: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh,...

The new trailer for Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released along with the official poster for the film. You can check it out right here on CinemaNerdz!

A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.

About The Film Genre: Animation, Action., Comedy MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...

The trailer for the forthcoming animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has been released. The film stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, Cathy Shim, and Samuel L. Jackson. It is directed by Mark Koetsier and Rob Minkoff; and will be in theaters on July 15, 2022.

A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem…cats hate dogs!

About The Film Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family MPAA Rating: PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor,...

It’s Quieter In the Twilight Review — It’s Quieter in the Twilight (2022) Film Review from the 29th Annual South by Southwest Film Festival, a movie directed by Billy Miossi, starring Suzanne Dodd, Jefferson Hall, Enrique Medina, Sun Matsumoto, Todd Barber, Fernando Peralta, Andrea Angrum, Lu Yang, Ed Stone, and Chris Jones. This remarkably lucid documentary centers on [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: It’S Quieter In The Twilight: Touching Tribute to a Fading Outbound Mission [SXSW 2022]...

The first images have been released for upcoming animated martial arts adventure Blazing Samurai. The animated comedy is a family-oriented "remake" of Mel Brooks' classic 1974 movie Blazing Saddles and has enlisted an all-star cast including Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson (Avengers: Endgame), Ricky Gervais (After Life), George Takei (Star Trek), Michelle Yeoh (Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2), Djimon Hounsou (Aquaman) and even Blazing Saddles director Mel Brooks himself. STXfilms' Blazing Samurai will take the set-up of Brooks' classic and transplant it into the Samurai era. Oh yeah, and instead of humans the story will center on dogs and cats.

First Look: Animated Comedy ‘Blazing Samurai,’ Starring Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais (Exclusive) https://t.co/rDSMxcld7u

— Variety (@Variety) February 25, 2021

The first image shows the pooch protagonist, Hank, being put through his samurai paces in what is sure to be one of many training sequences, with the...

HBO Max has added a disclaimer in front of Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles. The new disclaimer is similar to the one that the streaming platform put in front of Gone With the Wind, which was briefly pulled. It's unclear when HBO Max decided to throw the new introduction on to the comedy classic, though it must have been recently since the movie just started streaming in July. "The intro was added to ensure that the film was put into the proper social context," a spokesperson for HBO Max said.

TCM host Jacqueline Stewart puts Blazing Saddles in context in the new disclaimer. Stewart spends three minutes talking about the movie and even talks about Richard Pryor being up for the leading role. She says, "as the storyline implies the issue of race is front and center in Blazing Saddles. And racist language and attitudes pervade the film. But those attitudes...

Ex-Sony Animation czar Yair Landau ("Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs"), who is now President and Founder of Mass Animation, is serving up another animated action-adventure throwback with help from "The Lion King" director Rob Minkoff and "Blazing Saddles" creator Mel Brooks. Read More: Open Road Films Acquires Animated Saga 'Blazing Samurai' Minkoff is producing "Blazing Samurai" and assisting co-directors Chris Bailey ("Alvin And The Chipmunks") and Mark Koetsier ("Kung Fu Panda," "How To Train Your Dragon") as they navigate a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. "Samurai" borrows heavily from Brooks' seminal fish-out-of-water western, but instead of a wisecracking African American sheriff, the film's new protagonist will take the shape of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), who dreams of becoming a samurai warrior.  Ricky Gervais is voicing villain...

The British comedian will star in the Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films animation that Gfm is touting at the Afm.

Gervais, who recently signed a deal to host his fourth Golden Globes ceremony in January, will voice the villainous Ika Chu, a cat who plans to rid the town of Kakamucho of its feline inhabitants.

Previously announced Michael Cera will voice Hank, a dog who dreams of becoming a heroic warrior and must save his community.

Other cast members on board include Samuel L Jackson, Mel Brooks, George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins. 

Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell produce. Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier are directing from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper. Mel Brooks serves as executive producer alongside Reginald Hudlin and Pietro Ventani. 

Open Road Films will release in the Us...

Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks are set to provide the voices for the animated family comedy "Blazing Samurai" at Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films.

Inspired by Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," the story involves a scrappy dreamer of a dog who longs to become a true samurai and who fights to save the town of Kakamucho from the grips of a nefarious feline warlord.

Chris Bailey ("Alvin And The Chipmunks") and Mark Koetsier ("Kung Fu Panda," "How To Train Your Dragon") helms from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.

George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and Heavenly Joy Jerkins also star in the film with Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell are producing.

Source: Variety...

Blazing Samurai, the animated family comedy from Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment, and Gfm Films has cast Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks along with George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and introducing Heavenly Joy Jerkins.

The film is being produced by the director of The Lion King and Stuart Little, Rob Minkoff, along with long-time animation industry executive and President and Founder of Mass Animation Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) and producer Susan Purcell (Mother Up!).

Executive producers include Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein), Reginald Hudlin (Academy Award nominated producer of Django Unchained) and Pietro Ventani.

Blazing Samurai is directed by Chris Bailey (Alvin And The Chipmunks) and Mark Koetsier (Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon) from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.

Blazing Samurai is...

Samuel L Jackson, Michael Cera and Mel Brooks have joined Mass Animation, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Flying Tigers Entertainment and Gfm Films’ animation.

Gfm Films has invited collaborators including Mel Brooks to show early footage from Blazing Samurai to market buyers on Wednesday.

Sony Pictures International Releasing acquired several major territories, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation distributes in Greater China and Open Road Films will release the film in the Us on August 4, 2017.

Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier direct from a screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper about a dog who dreams of becoming a samurai and must save his community from a feline warlord.

George Takei, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B and Heavenly Joy Jerkins have also come on board.

Rob Minkoff, who directed The Lion King and Stuart Little, will produce with Mass Animation founder Yair Landau and Susan Purcell. Brooks [link=nm...

Exclusive: Rob Minkoff, Yair Landau produce family animation.

Gfm has boarded sales on family animation Blazing Samurai, which is being produced by former vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Yair Landau (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs) and The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.

Ed Stone and Nate Hopper’s script, partly inspired by Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, tells the story of Hank, a scrappy, wide-eyed pooch that dreams of becoming a Samurai. In order to fulfil his dream, he travels to a small town in the middle of ancient Japan, which turns out to be inhabited exclusively by cats.

Although beset by prejudice, Hank perseveres, befriends a once great Samurai cat and fastest blade in the East, Jimbo, and learns not only how to be a great warrior, but how to be an even better dog.

Landau said: “Blazing Samurai is a broadly appealing family film that marries a classic western narrative with brilliant Japanese visuals...

The Paramount Classics overhaul continues as Amy Israel has been tapped to fill the executive vp production and acquisitions post, the specialty film label said Thursday. Paramount Classics, a division of Paramount Pictures, recently laid off four executives, and Israel had been considered a front-runner to become president John Lesher's No. 2 (HR 12/20). The former acquisitions executive at Miramax Films joins Paramount Classics from visual effects and animation house the Orphanage, where she was head of production and a producer since 2003. She recently produced Griffin and Phoenix, directed by Ed Stone and starring Amanda Peet and Dermot Mulroney, which is in postproduction.

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Gold Circle are joining forces to produce the love story Griffin and Phoenix, set to star Amanda Peet and Dermot Mulroney. Ed Stone, one of the writers and producers of 1999's Happy, Texas, in which he also appeared as an actor, will make his directorial debut, working from his own screenplay. The film will be produced by Gold Circle's Paul Brooks and SKE's Sidney Kimmel, who will both co-finance the project, set to begin shooting this fall. Mulroney and Peet will portray the title characters, two lovers who are unaware of the tragic secret each possesses...

PARK CITY, Utah -- Pull off your earmuffs and snap on your cellular: There's a very funny comedy playing in competition at Sundance, which is not renown for its light, cheery competitive fare. "Happy, Texas" will bring smiles and belly laughs in "Everytown, USA" and could cash in with some nifty mainstream change for a wily distributor.

A down-home farce, "Happy, Texas" plotwise is smack dab in the middle of genreville. It's the snappy yarn of a couple of outsiders, two escaped convicts who happen into a small burg and are mistaken for pageant producers who are due to help the locals with a beauty/dance show. Schoolgirl beauty pageants are one of those important Texas things, and evidently the townsfolk take it as seriously as they do their high school football.

What makes this thing a hoot is that the cons, Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. (Steve Zahn) are not exactly the kind of chaps in touch with their feminine side, and the Happy people are expecting a couple of gay pageant producers. Pulling a reverse "Birdcage", Harry and Wayne take to acting fey as well as trying to muster the wherewithal for the pageant.

Fortunately, the tale involves a lot more than this slapstickish, sexual-misidentity situation, and the two not only get involved with the townsfolk but actually come to be embraced by them. Amid the silliness and farce, there's a lot of heart, a credit to the screenwriting triumvirate of Ed Stone, director-producer Mark Illsley and Phil Reeves, who not only hit the right generic marks but spruce up the narrative with tenderness.

Zahn is downright show-stealing as the dumb-cluck con. His antic mannerisms and blank stares are stoked high with the frustrations of a guy who doesn't catch on real fast. As the smarter, straight con Harry, Northam shows the inner conflicts of an inherently decent man who has always taken the easy road. Many of their exchanges are of the Butch/Sundance variety in their easy give-and-take.

The townsfolk are a well-selected lot. William H. Macy is especially engaging and sympathetic as a decent, lonely lawman, while Illeana Douglas is winningly full of beans as a lively, frustrated school teacher.

Under Illsley's tangy-sweet direction, the technical contributions are a perfect fitting for this off-road lark. Cinematographer Bruce Douglas Johnson's brightly lumed lensings and zingy compositions and Peter Harris' jaunty, homespun music are just the right saucy ingredients.

HAPPY, TEXAS

MARKed Entertainment presents

An Illsley/Stone production

A film by Mark Illsley

Producers: Mark Illsley, Rick Montgomery, Ed Stone

Director: Mark Illsley

Screenwriters: Ed Stone, Mark Illsley, Phil Reeves

Co-producer: Glenn S. Gainor

Executive producer: Jason Clark

Director of photography: Bruce Douglas Johnson

Editor: Norman Buckley

Production designer: Maurin Scarlata

Music: Peter Harris

Music supervisors: Emily Kaye, Alex Patsavas

Costume designer: Julia Schklair

Casting: Joe Garcia

Choreographer: Kelly Devine

Sound mixer: Ed White

Color/stereo

Cast:

Harry Sawyer: Jeremy Northam

Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. : Steve Zahn

Sheriff Chappy Dent: William H. Macy

Josephine McClintock: Ally Walker

Ms. Schaefer: Illeana Douglas

Bob: M.C. Gainey

Nalhober: Ron Perlman

Mrs. Bromley: Mo Gaffney

Running time -- 104 minutes

No MPAA rating...