"Kick-Ass" Facebook Poster Winners

Sneak Peek two posters submitted by fans to Facebook for a "Kick-Ass" poster contest.

In other "Kick-Ass" news, actress Chloë Grace Moretz, who was 11 when she tucked into a purple wig for director Matthew Vaughn's "Kick-Ass" comic book adaptation, is undoubtedly the star of the tough, action comedy feature that is NOT a 'kiddie superhero' movie.

Dimpled Moretz sneers her way through the film as 'Mindy Macready', who becomes masked vigilante "Hit-Girl', alongside Nicolas Cage's feverishly 'camp' portrayal of Mindy's father 'Damon', aka 'Big Daddy'.

As for the 'controversy' raging around her character's use of the word 'cunts' (also used in "Snatch", and "Sexy Beast" as part of English 'underworld' vernacular), to describe a gaggle of soon-to-be-dead criminals, the young actress insists there is no big deal.

"It's for your entertainment," she said.

"If you see it in context it's not that shocking. "

"I am an actress and I was playing somebody who was raised to do what she does," said Moretz, who shot "Kick-Ass" in Hamilton and Toronto Ontario, as well as New York and London.

Moretz credits Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill", Kirsten Dunst in "Interview With The Vampire" and Angelina Jolie as "Lara Croft" for bringing inspiration to her character, also using her previous experience in ballet to help define the role.

"Gigantic football players do ballet," she said. "It's something that makes you nimble and makes you flexible. It gives you balance and amazing posture and that's what you need."

Moretz trained in martial arts for six months, working with some of UCLA's top gymnasts, the "300" stunt crew and a 4-week session at the Toronto School of Circus Arts.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek 'Hit-Girl'...

Warners Releasing IMAX "Dark Shadows", "Batman 3" and "Superman"

Toronto-based IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc. report they have completed an agreement to release up to 20 Warner Bros. films in IMAX's format from 2010 through 2013.

The agreement strategically aligns Warners 'tent-pole' business with the increasing popularity of The IMAX Experience(R) in both 2D and IMAX(R) 3D, providing the studio with an added distribution platform.

Under the agreement, Warner Bros. movies that will be released in IMAX are "Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 3D" (September 24, 2010); "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (3D)" (November 19, 2010); "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (3D)" (July 15, 2011); "Happy Feet 2 (3D)" (November 18, 2011); and "The Hobbit" (December 2013).

Warners and IMAX also plan to release an additional 15 films over the course of 2011, 2012 and 2013, including "Gravity", "Dark Shadows", "(Mad Max) Fury Road", "Batman 3" and "Superman".

"Our track record with IMAX has been incredible, and incorporating 3D into this collaborative effort will serve as the ultimate experience for our audiences," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"We're thrilled to join with IMAX in bringing global audiences new and exciting experiences through the 3D IMAX format," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"Warner Bros. is and has been an important strategic partner for IMAX. The success of our partnership to date is a result of our integrated approach to marketing and release strategies, and we believe this formula will lead to more box office success in the future," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX.

"IMAX has a deep appreciation for Warner Bros.' approach to the film business; they consistently work with the industry's most talented filmmakers, produce and release blockbuster films that captivate global audiences and make going to the movies a fun, powerful and inspiring experience," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

Since June 2003, Warners has released 25 titles in IMAX's format, 10 of which featured IMAX 3D, including several live action pictures that were partially converted into 3D with IMAX's proprietary 2D-to-3D conversion technology.

Warner Bros. films have generated approximately $565 million in box office revenues at IMAX theatres around the world, with each Hollywood title digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of 'The IMAX Experience' using IMAX's proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technology. Also included in the tally are the studio's four original IMAX 3D co-productions, "NASCAR 3D" (2003), "Deep Sea 3D" (2008), "Under the Sea 3D" (2009) and "Hubble 3D," in select IMAX theatres now...

Canadian Government Body Approves "Vanessa"

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canada's TV watchdog, said as long as industry codes on violence are followed and "equitable portrayals" of the sexes are maintained , an application by "Sex-Shop Television" will be approved by the government body, allowing Sex-Shop to offer its adult pay TV service "Vanessa" in HD.

"Vanessa", founded by French TV host/producer Anne-Marie Losique, will make its initial thrust into the market, October 2010.

According to the CRTC:

"...The Commission approves the application by 'Sex-Shop Television Inc.' to amend the broadcasting licence for the national, Category 2 pay television programming undertaking known as 'Vanessa' in order to allow the service to be available for distribution in high definition (HD) format until the end of its current licence term. The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

"Consistent with the Commission’s approach to HD specialty services set out in Broadcasting Public Notice 2006-74, as well as with the changes to this approach announced in Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, the licensee shall be subject to the following condition of licence until the end of its current licence term:

"The licensee is authorized to make available for distribution a version of its service in high definition (HD) format, provided that not less than 95% of the video and audio components of the upgraded and standard definition versions of the service are the same, exclusive of commercial messages and of any part of the service carried on a subsidiary signal. Further, all of the programming making up the 5% allowance shall be provided in HD..."

The service, billed as "Canada's Playboy Channel," must air at least 20 percent homegrown content, leaving lots of room on the dial for U.S.-originated content.

The Vanessa channel promises a range of French-language, erotic-themed dramas, with the CRTC overcoming earlier objections from religious groups that argued Canadian-content obligations for Vanessa meant young Canadians will be hired to work in the porn industry, and that Ottawa was in effect sustaining a homegrown adult entertainment industry.

Canadian actors union ACTRA, who are usually vocal in their protection of performers from 'non-signatory', ie 'non-union' producers, have yet to make any statements about attempts to unionize the increasingly profitable Canadian porn movie industry, before the English-language counterpart for Vanessa becomes available to the rest of Canada by 2011...

"Iron Man 2" In IMAX

Sneak Peek the new IMAX posters supporting the release of Marvel Entertainment/Paramount Pictures big screen comic book adaptation "Iron Man 2", directed by Jon Favreau, starring actors Robert Downey, Jr. and Mickey Rourke.

The film's limited IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with IMAX DMR(R) technology.

"The success of the first Iron Man movie catapulted the franchise from the comic books to theatre screens, and we're excited that the IMAX format will offer fans an even more immersive way to experience the sequel," said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios.

"Iron Man 2 is a fantastic addition to our growing film slate for 2010, which is filling out faster than any previous year," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO Of Toronto-based IMAX. "The rollout of our digital projection system has enabled us to add more films to the slate, and we're very excited to partner with Marvel and Paramount on this next installment of the incredible Iron Man franchise."

"We're thrilled to once again be working with Paramount and our long time friends at Marvel Entertainment as we help to bring their characters to life in IMAX," said Greg Foster, Chairman, President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "The combination of Marvel's iconic Iron Man story, Jon Favreau's brilliant vision and Paramount Pictures' talented team coupled with IMAX will make for a wild cinematic experience."

"...Based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero, Iron Man 2 continues the story of the 2008 summer box office blockbuster Iron Man, the first feature film to be produced independently by Marvel Studios. The first film in the franchise has grossed over a half billion dollars worldwide at the box office. The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Iron Man 2"...

OK You Cunts: Millar Bends Over For "Kick-Ass"

"Kick-Ass" comic book creator Mark Millar, in an 'official statement', commented on the opening of director Matthew Vaughn's Toronto/UK/New York-lensed big screen comic book adaptation:

"...I'm just back from a weekend's break to find messages from Lionsgate, Matthew Vaughn and various actors on the movie buzzing that we were #1 in America this weekend. We were top Friday, Saturday and Sunday — which is amazing, considering we're in the middle of a holiday season and up against 3-D competition with an R-rated superhero movie.

"It's also worth remembering that we only cost $28 million after the U.K. tax breaks, and our U.K. and U.S. gross alone is already at $38 million as of last night.

"We're looking at a very nice profit here and word of mouth is spectacular — the reviews being among the best I've ever seen — and so we're all very proud to find ourselves in this position. Positive advance reviews had some people hoping for a $25 million domestic opening. I wanted 'Avatar' numbers myself, but as Matthew sensibly pointed out, we were made on a Tarantino budget and should be more than happy with Tarantino numbers.

"This is a great place to build on, and I'm very excited to see if we stay in the #1 position next weekend. 'Sherlock Holmes' benefited by having 'Avatar' getting people into cinemas again, and I'm hoping we can do the same when 'Iron Man 2' is launched the week after next. #1 is brilliant news for all concerned, and it's amazing to see a movie at the top of the charts that was rejected by every studio when we pitched it.

"The whole gang are feeling very pleased and, since most of us took deferred payments, pretty relieved, too.

"Mark Millar..."

Meanwhile, the new "Hit-Girl" 12-inch action figure will be released September 2010, based on the 11-year old costumed vigilante character, starring in "Kick-Ass", the movie.

"...She may be cute, but she's got a filthy mouth! 'Hit-Girl', a.k.a. 'Mindy McCready' is an 11-year-old, pigtail-wearing waif with the fighting skills of a ninja. And the little superhero has proven that she has some real kick-ass skills! This highly detailed Hit Girl Action Figure stands approximately 12-inches tall, features multiple points of articulation, and includes her signature plaid cloth skirt, purple wig, and cape. Armed with a pair of butterfly knives and her double Gitano-bladed Mindy Stick, Hit-Girl is ready for action!

"Kick-Ass" the movie is based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. following teenager 'Dave Lizewski', who decides to become a real-life superhero after being inspired by the heroes of comic books. Under the name of 'Kick-Ass', he encounters a mysterious vigilante called 'Big Daddy' and his daughter 'Hit-Girl', who are working to bring down local crime boss 'Frank D'Amico'..."

Click the image to order...

Canada's "Rocket Robin Hood" - May 18

Written by Ralph Bakshi ("Fritz The Cat") and produced by Krantz Films 1966-1969, for Toronto's Grantray-Lawrence Animation, "Rocket Robin Hood" features a gaggle of Canadian voice actors, including Chris Wiggins, Bernard "Bunny" Cowan, Len Birman, Paul Kligman and Gillie Fenwick.

"...'Rocket Robin Hood' leads his 'Merry Men', including 'Little John', 'Friar Tuck', 'Will Scarlet', 'Maid Marian' and other characters from the classic story of 'Robin Hood'. They live in the year 3000 on 'New Sherwood Forest Asteroid' and are determined to foil the despotic plans of 'Prince John', the 'Sheriff of N.O.T.T.' ('National Outer-space Terrestrial Territories') and other villains including 'Dr. Medulla', 'Manta', 'Nocturne' and the 'Warlord of Saturn'..."

"Rocket Robin Hood" will be release May 18.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Rocket Robin Hood"...

Maddin's "Night Mayor" Goes Online

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB.ca) reports that director Guy Maddin’s "Night Mayor", presented in HD, has been added to the NFB's official free online collection.

"I thought 'Night Mayor' could unspool luminously and infinitely in its own enchanted, and frequently visited, corner of cyberspace," said Maddin. "Now, if only I could get my films on radio and Telex I'd really be set!"

"...'Night Mayor' tells the story of 'Nihad Ademi', a Bosnian immigrant who serves as Winnipeg’s 'night mayor', somehow harnessing the multi-coloured waves of the Aurora Borealis, using its power to broadcast images of his adoptive country to identity-starved citizens from coast to coast..."

Iggy Brings "Raw Power" To Toronto

Detroit rockers Iggy Pop and the Stooges will headline this year’s NXNE fest with a FREE OUTDOOR concert @ Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square, June 19.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, the first incarnation of The Stooges was 1967 to 1974, founded by 'Iggy Pop' (James Newell Osterberg), looking to create 'a new form' of blues music. Brothers Ron (guitar) and Scott Asheton (drums) and their friend Dave Alexander (bass guitar) rounded out the rest of the band, with Osterberg on vocals.

The Stooges, widely regarded as instrumental in the rise of punk rock, alternative rock and heavy metal were inducted into the US "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" as part of the 'Class of 2010'.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Iggy Pop And The Stooges"...

European/Canadian Producers Meeting @ TIFF

According to TorontoFilm.Net, "The Producers Lab Toronto", will be held Sept. 10-12, as a Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) initiative to connect European with Canadian film producers, leading towards international co-productions.

The three-day event will involve pitching sessions, round-table meetings and case studies, allowing European and Canadian producers to meet and discuss mutual opportunities.

Created by European Film Promotion in association with the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and the Toronto Film Festival, as well as backing by the European Union’s MEDIA International Programme, the Lab will host 24 selected producers from Europe and Canada.

Organizers will be looking at participants with established track records in project development, as well as experience in international co-production.

This year's Toronto Film Festival runs Sept. 9-19...

Canwest Finds Prodigy's "Lost Girl"

Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting reports that principal photography has started on 13 one-hour episodes of the Canadian 'fantasy-noir' TV series "Lost Girl", filming throughout Toronto and Hamilton until June 25, 2010, for a debut on Canada's Showcase network this fall.

"'Lost Girl' follows supernatural seductress 'Bo' (Anna Silk), a 'Succubus' who feeds on the sexual energy of mortals. Growing up with human parents, Bo had no reason to believe she was anything other than the girl next door – until she drained her boyfriend to death in their first sexual encounter. Now she has hit the road alone and afraid. She discovers she is one of the Fae, creatures of legend and folklore, who pass as humans while feeding off them in secret, as they have for millennia. Relieved yet horrified to find out that she is not alone, Bo decides to take the middle path between the humans and the Fae while embarking on a personal mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.

"Bo's succubus nature tangles her in a sexy, romantic love-triangle with 'Dyson' (Kris Holden-Reid), a shape-shifting homicide detective, and 'Lauren' (Zoie Palmer), a human doctor who has found a way through science to help give Bo the sexual self-control she's been aching for. Navigating this complicated life with Bo is her human confidante and street-smart survivor, 'Kenzi' (Ksenia Solo)."

Episodic directors on the series include Érik Canuel, John Fawcett and Rob Lieberman, from teleplays by Michelle Lovretta, Jeremy Boxen, Peter Mohan, Emily Andras and Pamela Pinch.

A companion website for the series is being produced and will launch with the show to give viewers "an unprecedented, interactive experience".

"Lost Girl" was developed by Jay Firestone's Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting and Showcase for producer Wanda Chaffey.

“Our intention with this project is to create a new generation of female action hero," said Firestone. "One which fuses strength with sexuality and passion with intelligence..."

Anchor Bay Looks Into "Alternate Realities"- April 6

"Alternate Realities" from Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada, is a new, classic science fiction film collection, to be released on several DVDs, beginning April 6.

In director Aaron Lipstadt's 1982 feature "Android", starring Klaus Kinski, Bree Howard and Norbert Weisser:

"...Somewhere on the outskirts of deep space, orbits 'ULZ-53', a forgotten research station manned only by intense scientist 'Dr. Daniel' (Kinski) and his lonely android assistant 'Max 404' (Don Keith Opper). When three escaped convicts-including a beautiful woman- arrive aboard, Dr. Daniel finds the missing element to his outlawed experiments while Max discovers his own forbidden urges. Can a turned-on robot turn off his human insticnts and still get down to earth?..."

In "Astro Boy Greatest Astro Adventures", directed by creator Osamu Tezuka :

"...In the first ever 'Astro Boy' series created in full color, brilliant robot engineer 'Doctor Boynton' loses his son 'Toby' in an accident. The dedicated. heartbroken scientist then uses his technical skills to construct a robot in the boy's image. But hope was lost when he realized the robot could never fill the void left in his heart..."

In "Black Moon Rising", the 1986 action feature starring Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton and Robert Vaughn :

"...Master thief 'Sam Quint' (Jones) is hired by the government to steal top-secret data from a criminal organization, then hides the stolen information in an experimental supercar, called 'The Black Moon'. But when the car is stolen by high-tech auto thief 'Nina' (Hamilton), Quint must pull off the most daring heist of all: break into an impenetrable skyscraper and steal it back..."

In the 2009 feature "Chrysalis", directed by Julien Leclercq :

"...In Paris, circa 2025, a tough cop is haunted by a murder he could not stop and a young woman is scarred by a dark secret from her past, in a city where sleek technology meets a conspiracy of violence and corruption..."

In producer Roger Corman's 2009 period feature "Cyclops" starring Eric Roberts, Frida Farrell and Craig Archibald :

"...As a terrifying 'Cyclops' terrorizes the Roman countryside, the corrupt emperor 'Tiberius' sends in 'Marcus', his strongest general. Soon the monster is captured and brought to the great city to fight as a gladiator, but the tables quickly turn on Marcus who must fight as well..."

In "Dead Space: Downfall", the 2007 animated prequel to the 2008 EA "Dead Space" video game :

"...When a deep space mining operation discovers a mysterious alien 'Marker', they believe they have found evidence of man's creation. But the removal of the Marker unleashes a horrific alien species, which had been entombed within a remote planet and a desperate fight for survival ensues..."

In "Lightspeed", the 2007 feature from "Spider-Man" creator Stan Lee, starring Jason Connnery, Lee Majors and Nicole Eggert :

"...the covert world of government 'Ghost Squad' agent 'Daniel Leight' (Connery) comes crashing down when he is critically injured in a building collapse triggered by the genetically mutated terrorist 'Python' (Daniel Goddard). When Leight's subsequent radiation treatments are sabotaged, he discovers he has the ability to move at 'hyper speeds', risking potentially fatal metabolic damage..."

In the 2007 feature "The Man From Earth", based on the works of author Jerome Bixby, starring David Lee Smith, John Billingsley, William Katt, Ellen Crawford and Tony Todd :

"...On a cold night in a remote cabin, 'Professor John Oldman (Smith) gathers his most trusted colleagues for an extraordinary announcement. He is an immortal who has migrated through 140 centuries of evolution and must now move on. Is Oldman truly 'Cro-Magnon' or simply insane? Now one man will force these scientists and scholars to confront their own notions of history, religion and humanity, all leading to a final revelation that may shatter their world forever..."

"The Masters Of Science Fiction", the 2007 science fiction anthology TV series, lensed in Vancouver, includes all six episodes from the series, including the 'lost' episodes "Little Brother" and "Watchbird" :

"...Join host Professor Stephen Hawking for six expeditions into the outer realms of scientific imagination, starring Sam Waterston, Judy Davis, Anne Heche, Malcolm McDowell, John Hurt, Brian Dennehy and James Cromwell..."

"The Philadelphia Experiment" the 1984 time-travel feature from producer John Carpenter, directed by Stewart Raffil, stars Nancy Allen:

" In 1943, a top secret experiment is underway to make US Navy ships invisible to enemy radar...but something goes horribly wrong and the 'Battleship Eldridge' disappears..."

In "Recon 2020", the 2004 film directed by Christian Viel:

"...'The Caprini Massacre' follows the squad on a recon mission to a remote planet, investigating recent reports that defy rational explanation. Once deployed on the planet surface, they begin to experience bizarre nightmares, from vampires to threee-headed 'Hydras'. But these are no ordinary bad dreams...these nightmares can kill.."

In "Recon 2022", directed by Viel in 2007:

"...The 'Mezzo Incident' chronicles a mission to an ice planet whose perils are more dangerous than just blinding snow and constant cold. The squad encounters a city of 'cyborgs' while contending with giant 'snow worms' and other blood-thirsty alien entities. 'Galactic Marines' are well-drilled warriors, but on the planet Mezzo, they can also be prey..."

In "Sands Of Oblivion", a 2008 film, directed by David Flores, starring Adam Baldwin and George Kennedy:

"...In 1923, director Cecil B. DeMille constructed a replica of ancient Egypt in the California desert for his epic movie 'The Ten Commandments'. When filming was completed, he mysteriously ordered the entire set buried...until the set is uncovered unleashing an ancient horror..."