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A true grindhouse maverick who hates happy endings, Jim VanBebber has made a name for himself in the world of low-budget, independent exploitation cinema as a writer/director and sometimes actor.

Since his first feature, Deadbeat at Dawn (1988), his gritty, outlaw style of filmmaking has generated films that are unapologetic in their realism and singular in their vision.

In 2004 VanBebber took on Charlie Manson. Shot over four years, The Manson Family is a documentary-style (though semi-fictional) look at the Manson cult filled with lurid sex, shocking violence and murderous flower power. For its 10th anniversary The Manson Family is being unleashed nationwide complete with VanBebber's Kickstarter-fueled short Gator Green (get theater listings here). A special edition Blu-ray release will follow on May 7th by Severin Films, which will include the short and a documentary on the making of The Manson Family, entitled The VanBebber Family.

Jim recently took time to...

From Anchor Bay Entertainment comes a new DVD release of director Charles Robert Carner's 1997 TV Movie "Vanishing Point", starring Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern Promises") :

"...'Jimmy Kowalski' (Mortensen) is a 'Desert Storm' veteran with racing in his blood, dark secrets in his past, a pregnant wife at home, and a vintage 1970 'Dodge Hemi Challenger' to deliver. But when his wife is suddenly hospitalized, a desperate Kowalski speeds cross-country chased by police from four states, with a vengeful trooper [Steve Railsback) and the FBI in pursuit.

"Now with the help of an outspoken radio 'DJ' (Jason Priestley), the man a nation hails as 'the last American hero' and the Feds label a 'possible terrorist' rockets toward a final roadblock where the speed limit is the floorboard, and life, death and freedom all come together at the 'vanishing point'..."

Co-starring Christine Elise, Keith David and Peta Wilson.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Vanishing Point"...

You won't find an actor more respectful of the craft and his colleagues than Viggo Mortensen. The gifted actor, poet, painter, musician and photographer made his acting debut in 1985's Witness and has made an impression in films of wildly varying budgets and scopes, including Carlito's Way, G.I. Jane, The Reflecting Skin, Vanishing Point and, of course, as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. After that role made him a familiar face well beyond Middle Earth, Mortensen has had acclaimed roles in two David Cronenberg fims—A History of Violence and Eastern Promises—and most recently starred in the film adaptation of the post-apocalyptic drama The Road. We caught up with Mortensen during his one night off a week starring in the play Purgatorio in Madrid, Spain and chatted...

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You won't find an actor more respectful of the craft and his colleagues than Viggo Mortensen. The gifted actor, poet, painter, musician and photographer made his acting debut in 1985's Witness and has made an impression in films of wildly varying budgets and scopes, including Carlito's Way, G.I. Jane, The Reflecting Skin, Vanishing Point and, of course, as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. After that role made him a familiar face well beyond Middle Earth, Mortensen has had acclaimed roles in two David Cronenberg fims—A History of Violence and Eastern Promises—and most recently starred in the film adaptation of the post-apocalyptic drama The Road. We caught up with Mortensen during his one night off a week starring in the play Purgatorio in Madrid...

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Chicago – Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen posed for a HollywoodChicago.com red-carpet portrait on Oct. 29, 2008 prior to receiving a career achievement award at the U.S. premiere of “Good” on the closing night of the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival.

Mortensen has appeared in “Appaloosa,” “Eastern Promises,” “A History of Violence,” “Hidalgo,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “28 Days,” “Psycho,” “A Perfect Murder,” “G.I. Jane,” “Vanishing Point” and “Crimson Tide”. Our exclusive portrait of Mortensen is below.

Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortensen on Oct. 29, 2008 prior to receiving a career achievement award

at the U.S. premiere of his new film “Good” on the closing night of the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival.

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

7:01 p.m. update on Oct. 30, 2008: Joe...