News

Before they were TV stars and vanity restaurant moguls, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone made Cannibal! The Musical, a low-budget retelling of the story of Alfred Packer, the old-timey prospector who was convicted of cannibalism. Although really, it was a thinly-veiled allegory for Parker’s failed relationship, as evidenced by the fact that he named Packer’s horse after his ex-fiancée.

Random celebrity cameos weren’t uncommon in the early days of South Park (although Jerry Seinfeld refused the opportunity to voice a Thanksgiving turkey), and Cannibal! The Musical also featured a surprise appearance from a notable figure.

The opening credits list a cast beginning with star “Juan Schwartz.” Of course, Schwartz was really writer-director Parker, who was sick of seeing his own name in the credits and opted to use a stage name instead. The very last credit reads, “And introducing Stan Brakhage as Mr. Noon.

The humble beginnings of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's "South Park" are nothing short of inspiring, with two friends crafting a stop-motion short film that would evolve into one of the most popular and longest-running shows in television history. "The Spirit of Christmas" was first released in 1992 (colloquially referred to as "Jesus vs. Frosty") and again in 1994 as a Christmas card (colloquially known as "Jesus vs. Santa" to differentiate) Fox executive Brian Graden had commissioned to send to his friends. Parker and Stone then developed the characters and the mountain town setting into what would become "South Park," and the rest is history.

This timeline certainly makes "South Park" sound like one of those dreamy Hollywood Cinderella stories in which two unknown comedy animators were plucked from obscurity to become billionaires and one award shy of earning Egot status. However, this narrative ignores the countless other projects -- both...

Nashville is recognizing the iconic Shania Twain.

On Sunday night, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame held its annual induction gala, welcoming the Canadian country legend into its storied halls.

Read More: Shania Twain Announces New Album ‘Queen Of Me’ And Massive Global Tour

Twain was inducted alongside fellow country luminaries Hillary Lindsey, Gary Nicholson, David Malloy, Steve Wariner and the late Chips Moman.

Unfortunately, Twain was unable to attend the event in-person, but sent a video greeting in which she called songwriters her “saving grace,” according to Billboard.

Throughout her career, the singer-songwriter has generated plenty of huge hits, including “You’re Still the One,” “Come On Over,” “No One Needs to Know,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “From This Moment On”.

Read More: Shania Twain Reveals Why A Dinner Date She Once Had With Oprah Winfrey ‘Went Sour’

The night also saw performances from Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban,...

Shania Twain and Hillary Lindsey are among the newest musicians elected to the Nashvillle Songwriters Hall of Fame. The incoming members will be formally inducted at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Oct. 30 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

The Canadian-born Twain dominated the second half of the Nineties, not just in country music but in global pop as well. Many of her biggest hits, including “You’re Still the One,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” and “Any Man of Mine,” often writing with then-husband Mutt Lange. Her...

Ringo Starr announced his forthcoming album, Give More Love, on his 77th birthday yesterday. Give More Love will be released by Universal Music Enterprises on CD and digital formats on Sept. 15. The album will feature diverse contributions from musicians like Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter, Peter Frampton, Benmont Tench, Nathan East, Dave Stewart, Don Was, Gary Nicholson and […]

Source: uInterview

The post Ringo Starr Celebrates 77th Birthday And Reveals New Album appeared first on uInterview.

I'll warn you right now; this film trailer lacks the quality of a big budget movie. That being said it does feature a crazy puppet, former WCW star Diamond Dallas Page, pro football player Josh Cribbs, Scrubs' little janitor Martin Klebba, and friend of South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, Dian Bachar. The film looks to be serious, and in some portions it does succeed in looking very creepy. I'm sure this one will at least get a Netflix release so watch the trailer and be on the lookout for it sometime next year.

Indie Horror Month may be winding down, but that doesn't mean our love for and support of indie filmmakers is going anywhere, and one such project we're keeping an eye on is Dave Reda's new short film Love Potion #8. Read on for a casting update and the first bit of artwork.

As Reda told us previously, "[It's] the story of a guy who is of course a total flop with chicks so he goes to see a gypsy who tires to give him love potion #9, but it's a bit too expensive for him. So while she is in the back looking for something cheaper, he decides to steal love potion #8. Horrible things ensue..."

Dave co-wrote the script with Jon Rosenberg and will direct. Cast members signed on so far include Brooke Lewis (Ms. Vampy, Slime City Massacre), Jessica Cameron (who will also appear in Reda's upcoming feature Shadow), Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet,...

One of the most promising indie filmmakers we've come across here at Dread Central is Dave Reda, and he just dropped us a line with an update on two new projects he has in the works at Elftwin Films: a short film entitled Love Potion #8 and his second feature, Shadow.

Regarding Love Potion #8, Reda tells us, "[It's] the story of a guy who is of course a total flop with chicks so he goes to see a gypsy who tires to give him love potion #9, but it's a bit too expensive for him. So while she is in the back looking for something cheaper, he decides to steal love potion #8. Horrible things ensue..."

Dave continues, "It's very much my style - horror, comedy, romance - all mixed into one. I really feel it could be my best work to date! With the help of writer Jon Rosenberg, who helped me really flesh it out,...

Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to worthwhile titles currently streaming on Netflix Instant Watch. This week we offer alternatives to Wanderlust, Gone and The Forgiveness of Blood.

Coming to theaters tomorrow, a big-eyed blonde will face down the man who once tried to kill her, while a pack of hippies welcome two uptight New Yorkers and a teen boy is forced to face the claustrophobic consequences of a old-school blood feud. But if these features won’t satisfy your cravings for havoc, slapstick and drama, we’ve got you covered with the best of titles Now Streaming.

A Manhattan couple leaves the rat race begin when they embrace the life of a commune in this wacky comedy from The State’s David Wain and Ken Marino.

Looking for more from Marino and Wain?

Wet Hot American Summer (2001) This cult classic not...

We weren’t really sure if last week’s Commentary Commentary was gross enough for the lot of you. So a poll was taken – it pretty much consisted of Brian Salisbury and myself – and it was decided the ante needed to be upped this week. Especially in honor of Fantastic Fest, we felt it was time to really turn on the gore and mindlessly fun commentary tracks. So we’re heading back with the South Park boys to Cannibal! The Musical, Trey Parker‘s first feature film which was subsequently picked up by Lloyd Kaufman and the fine (?) people at Troma Entertainment. What we got shocked and amazed even our gore-filled hearts and minds. A grotesque but absolutely hilarious look at the real-life trial of Alferd Packer, a 19th Century prospector who was accused of cannibalism in Colorado. The film isn’t the most accurate depiction of the events, but I’ll be damned if it isn...

Making and distributing web series back in 2001 wasn't anywhere nearly as simple as today's creators have it—this was 4 years before YouTube popped up and streaming video over the internet was neither easy or cheap. But that didn't stop young actor-writers Sam Maccarone and Dian Bachar from showing off their skills to anyone who would watch it—online. By 2001, the pair had launched their second original web series Roommates: The Series after a successful start with their 1999 comedy series Captain Jackson, which netted them a healthy dose of press coverage and paid gigs. Now nine years later, after moving on to film and TV projects, the duo are returning to the internet and bringing back both series with new episodes starting February 15th. Check out one of the 2001 episodes (above)—"Sam's New Friend." We caught up with Maccarone to ask him about what is most likely the web's longest ever...

This weekend will see the Golden Globe Awards hit Hollywood, as the 2010 award season gets underway and honors the stars for their onscreen magic. This year, a special post-show celebration will be held for charity at the Green Door/Cabana Club in La.

The party will benefit Britticares International, an organization that helps children with cancer. Celebrities expected to make an appearance include Lita Ford [The Runaways], Eric Roberts [The Dark Knight], Eeri Von [Danzig], Kevin Sorbo [Hercules], Tony Todd [Candyman], Reb Brown [Captain America], Audra Lynn [Playboy], Erica Hubbard [Lincoln Heights], Kellan Lutz [Twilight], Dian Bachar [South Park], Virginia Hey [Farscape], Tarah Paige [Alice In Wonderland] and many others.

The party starts at 8pm. To find out more about Britticares International, visit their official website.

Read more...

The bad boys at Troma passed on a bunch of info on its new DVD series, the Tromasterpiece Collection, an assortment of reissues of the company’s past favorites. These editions will be the most comprehensive versions possible, with fresh transfers and special features and new cover paintings by Michael Gaughan.

First up on November 18 is the 13th-anniversary two-disc Shpadoinkle Edition of Cannibal! The Musical, the singing/flesheating comedy, based on the true story of Colorado legend Alferd Packer, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone before they hit the big time with South Park. The special features include:

• New hour-long interviews with Parker, Stone and producer Jason McHugh

• All-new audio commentary by the cast

• The legendary inebriated audio commentary by Parker, Stone, McHugh, Dian Bachar and Andy Kemler

• Never-before-seen deleted scenes

• Behind-the-scenes footage

• Production still gallery

• Homegrown Cannibal! stage productions footage

• New introduction by Troma topper Lloyd Kaufman

The...