News

Movie Legend: George Lucas once claimed that Jar-Jar Binks was on Alderaan when the planet was destroyed by the Death Star.

Few characters in the history of the Star Wars franchise have gotten quite as much negative attention as Ahmed Best's Jar-Jar Binks, a major supporting character introduced in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, who was intended by writer/director George Lucas to be the comic relief character in the film. Things got so bad that Best later revealed that he considered dying by suicide at the time, posting on social media in 2018 at the bridge he considered jumping from with his young son, noting, "20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival.

Poster for the 2024 Beyond Fest

82 feature films will screen during the 2024 Beyond Fest, taking place September 25 through October 9 in Los Angeles. Among the offerings will be the West Coast premieres of Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Sean Baker’s Anora, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch, and Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3.

The 12th edition of the festival kicks off with the world premiere of Salem’s Lot, directed by Gary Dauberman and based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud is this year’s closing night film. Plus, the genre festival hosts a reunion of Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and director Jan de Bont in honor of the 30th anniversary of Speed.

“Combining a celebration of cinema whilst firmly focusing our gaze on the next generation of filmmakers has always been at the heart of the Beyond Fest,” stated Head of Programming Evrim Ersoy. “And...

Beyond Fest 2024 announced today its complete, insanely packed slate of programming comprising 82 features, including 16 World Premieres, 4 International Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 3 US Premieres, and 25 West Coast Premieres. Buckle up for 15 days of cinematic mayhem.

The fest returns to Los Angeles for its 12th edition spanning September 25 – October 9. Beyond Fest opens with the World Premiere of Gary Dauberman’s chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s seminal novel Salem’s Lot whilst closing night honors are bestowed upon Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud with the legendary Japanese auteur joining in-person to launch a 7-film retrospective.

Genre spotlight events include the World Premiere of the brand new, never-before-seen ‘Shush Cut’ of Hush with Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel in person, who also hosts the International Premiere of the 4K Restoration of Lake Mungo, Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell join to debut the restored and unrated cut of their seminal shocker, Saw, and

the...

Very sad news as Larry Carroll, the artist who created several of thrash metal band Slayer‘s most iconic album covers, has passed away at 65, per Blabbermouth. Talking with Revolver in 2010, Carroll stated, “I was always told my work was too dark for most folks. So Slayer was a good fit for me.” Carroll created the […] The post Rest in Peace: Slayer Album Artist Larry Carroll Has Passed Away appeared first on Dread Central.

Todd Graff also plans to switch teams in the musical revamp, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jim Carrey.

By Larry Carroll

Jane Krakowski and Sean Hayes Perform in "Damn Yankees" on Broadway

Photo: Bruce Glikas/ FilmMagic

Back in the 1950s, it was an entertaining notion to imagine Major League Baseball as a world where record-breaking sluggers could appear overnight, selling their souls for the ability to crush a baseball in a world where those damn Yankees win every year. Now, Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal are attached to a remake of one of the all-time classic movie musicals — and although the filmmaker has big plans for an update, he's quick to point out that the plot of "Damn Yankees" is actually more plausible in today's world.

"If a character like Joe Hardy — who's the character in 'Damn Yankees' — sprung out of nowhere and was hitting 70 home runs in a season, who would not think immediately 'steroids'?...

Haim had a full slate of upcoming projects that included romantic comedies, thrillers and 3-D slasher films.

By Larry Carroll

Corey Haim

Photo: Michael Bezjian/ Wireimage

As fans, family and the Hollywood community continue to comprehend the news of Corey Haim's sudden death on Wednesday, details are emerging about some of the many projects the '80s icon had been working on. A peek at Haim's upcoming slate reveals plans for a big comeback, a desire to direct and an affinity for everything from slasher to political films.

Here's the latest information on Haim's rumored, finished and never-filmed projects, straight from the mouths of those who were working with him in his final days.

"The Throwaways"

Arguably the most formidable of Haim's upcoming projects, the actor was scheduled to direct and star in the political thriller about homeless people gone missing. Writer/producer Eric Goren said he had been...

Walmart's March 20 DVD release will feature seven minutes of behind-the-scenes footage and a clip from 'Eclipse.'

By Larry Carroll

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Eclipse"

Photo: Summit Entertainment

Most of the biggest films between now and the summer have already given fans extensive trailers, from "The A-Team" to "Kick-Ass" to "Toy Story 3." Yet, the film that might become the biggest blockbuster of all — one that involves a clumsy girl, a pale vampire and an ab-tastic werewolf — remains suspiciously silent only four months before its release. But if you're one of the Twilighters asking when you can finally witness an "Eclipse," your answer has finally arrived.

According to a press release issued on Walmart's Web site, seven minutes of footage from "Eclipse" will be revealed on the upcoming "New Moon" DVD — as long as you purchase it at the retailer and make sure it's the slightly more-expensive "The...

The guy responsible for crafting the reboot of the beloved TV show loves it when a plan comes together.

By Larry Carroll

Joe Carnahan

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Los Angeles — Now that the calendar page has turned, it's time to put away those old "Avatar" ticket stubs and "Hangover" Blu-Rays and look forward to the new year. And to help get you started, MTV presents our 10 to Watch in 2010, highlighting the names that you need to know.

First up is a gritty, cool Hollywood filmmaker who has impressed moviegoers for a while, and now finally has the keys to his very own franchise. He is "Narc" and "Smokin' Aces" director Joe Carnahan, and he loves it when a plan comes together.

"Boy, that's a tough question. The first question had to be the tough question," grinned the filmmaker when we asked him why he's a person worth watching in...

While 'Watchmen' and 'Fear and Loathing' made it to the big screen, 'On the Road' and others are still Hollywood headaches.

By Larry Carroll

"Where the Wild Things Are"

Photo: Warner Bros.

This weekend, "Where the Wild Things Are" finally comes to the big screen after being considered "unfilmable" for decades. But what, exactly, does that word even mean? And with this year's adaptations of "Wild Things" and "Watchmen," does it even still apply?

Below is a list of the books that have given Hollywood headaches for decades. Some have been filmed, some currently linger in development hell, and others will never be touched by any sensible filmmaker. Read on, and ask yourself the two questions that always seem to come up with such projects: "Why not?" or "Why bother?"

"Where the Wild Things Are" (2009)

It's a 20-page book with nine sentences in it. Massive parts of the "plot" are...

Before you check out Quentin Tarantino's latest, read about the long journey to make this film a reality.

By Larry Carroll

Eli Roth and Brad Pitt in "Inglourious Basterds"

Photo: Universal

For movie fans, a new Quentin Tarantino film is like waking up on Christmas morning — if the holiday only came every half-decade.

Now, the one-of-a-kind writer/director's longest-gestating film project this side of "The Vega Brothers" is finally in theaters. But before you go downstairs in your jammies and unwrap Uncle Quentin's latest masterpiece, be sure to prepare yourself by perusing our "Inglourious Basterds" cheat sheet.

Once Upon a Time, The Film Was Properly Titled

For nearly a decade, Tarantino has been writing, rewriting and flirting with the notion of stars like Sylvester Stallone or Adam Sandler in his "men on a mission" movie. Eventually, "Inglorious Bastards" became "Inglourious Basterds" as a quasi-tribute to the 1978 Italian flick that inspired it.

Today over on MTV.com, Larry Carroll has a report filed from the red carpet of the "Inglourious Basterds" premiere. He got to chat with the various cast members as they strolled by, and the one question he made sure to hit them all with was "which Quentin Tarantino character is your favorite?" The answers are all over the place, from Eli Roth's half-dozen or so choices to -- including Brad Pitt's "True Romance" stoner Floyd! -- to Brad Pitt's humble nod to his "Basterds" co-star Christopher Waltz, who plays "the Jew Hunter."

It's hard to narrow down a single favorite, but I have to go with Robert Forster's bail bondsman Max Cherry, from "Jackie Brown." By far Qt's most underrated effort, Forster's top-notch role is just one among many in the movie. Still, it's his character who sticks with me the most. As all of...

John Travolta's 'Pulp Fiction' badass, Kurt Russell's 'Grindhouse' stuntman and more make the grade.

By Larry Carroll

Brad Pitt in "Inglourious Basterds"

Photo: Universal Pictures

Beverly Hills, California — In the eyes of many film fans, Quentin Tarantino's characters are as real as their friends and family — only way cooler. In colleges around the world, people still have the character posters from "Reservoir Dogs" on their walls. At the most recent Comic-Con, girls were walking around dressed as the Bride from "Kill Bill."

Now, the "Pulp Fiction" mastermind has a new movie with this week's "Inglourious Basterds — so, as the writer/director got ready to unleash a new group of instantly classic characters, we asked his stars to name their favorite all-time Qt creation.

" 'Pulp Fiction' flat-out changed my life. I remember sitting in the movie theater, I was like 14, and it...

'My heart belongs to 'Twilight,' always,' one Twilighter says before seeing Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and more introduce the film.

By Larry Carroll

Robert Pattinson at San Diego Comic-Con

Photo: Michael Tran/ FilmMagic

San Diego — At this year's Comic-Con, the "Twilight" saga stars rode into town like Sherman's army, overtaking downtown San Diego while being flanked by black-t-shirt wearing, eardrum-shattering, Burger King-crowned fans. And although some geeks found it difficult to lay down their Cylon helmets and surrender, the Twilighters were peaceful during their Thursday occupation, as tens of thousands of them partied like they were at the Forks High prom.

"My heart belongs to 'Twilight,' always," insisted Alison Grenda, 14, as she waited for hours outside the Gaslamp Theater, where the stars showed up after a hard day of interviews, presentations and hug-receiving to introduce the biggest surprise hit of last year.

"We're going to see 'Twilight,...