Robert Rodriguez

Promo Poster for Robert Rodriguez’ MACHETE KILLS Starring Danny Trejo

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 8:44 am

A promo poster for Robert Rodriguez‘ Machete sequel, Machete Kills, has popped up online.  Unfortunately, Machete was a massive disappointment and I’m wary of a sequel, which is part two in a planned trilogy; the finale will be Machete Kills Again.  Machete misunderstood what a gritty B-movie was supposed to be, gussied it up with movie stars, used a bloated storyline to accommodate all of them, and its biggest crime was making Machete (Danny Trejo) a supporting character in his own movie.  Hopefully, Machete Kills will be leaner and trust Trejo to carry the flick.  The plot has Machete tasked to “take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space.”  So…space weapons and global war…that’s leaner, right?

Hit the jump to check out the promo poster.  Filming on Machete Kills is set to begin filming in April.

Robert Rodriguez Eyeing April Start Date for MACHETE KILLS; Danny Trejo in Talks to Return

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 6th, 2012 at 6:31 pm

While director Robert Rodriguez has been touting 2010’s Machete as the first in a planned trilogy for quite some time now, I wasn’t exactly holding my breath for the franchise to come to fruition. This past August, Rodriguez said he was waiting on scripts for both Sin City 2 and Machete 2, and now it looks like the latter is geared up and ready to go. Rodriguez is readying Machete Kills with producer Alexander Rodnyansky, and star Danny Trejo is currently in talks to wield his machete once again. Hit the jump for more, including the storyline for Machete Kills.

First Trailer for Film vs. Digital Doc SIDE BY SIDE Featuring Interviews with Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

A little over a week ago, a curious little documentary was announced called Side by Side. The project, spearheaded by Keanu Reeves, features interviews with a number of master filmmakers regarding the film vs. digital debate. Now the first trailer for the film has popped up and Side by Side is officially one of my most anticipated movies of 2012. The trailer showcases Reeves having candid conversations about the death of film (and the advent of 3D) with people like George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Steven Soderbergh. It looks incredibly intriguing, and I can’t wait to hear today’s foremost filmmakers weigh in on the future of moviemaking.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Side by Side will be released sometime this year.

Keanu Reeves Documentary SIDE BY SIDE Tackles Film vs. Digital Debate; Includes Interviews with Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and David Fincher

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 11:10 am

A curious little website has popped up announcing a new documentary produced by Keanu Reeves that tackles one of the foremost issues facing filmmakers today: the advent of digital filmmaking. Entitled Side by Side, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the issue of film vs. digital, and “examines all aspects of filmmaking – from capture, to edit, to visual effects, to color correction, to distribution to archive.” Through interviews with numerous well-respected masters of the medium, Side by Side “explores what has been gained, what is lost and what the future might bring.” Take this sample quote from Christopher Nolan:

“No credible source really has been claiming to have invented something that is aesthetically superior to film at this point.”

The documentary will feature Reeves interviewing filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Lana and Andy Wachowski, George Lucas, James Cameron, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. Hit the jump for more details.

BAMBI, FORREST GUMP, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and More Added to National Film Registry

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 27th, 2011 at 7:59 pm

The Library of Congress has added 25 more films to the National Film Registry. Each year the library chooses films they deem are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically” significant to add to the registry. This year’s additions include Forrest Gump, Bambi (long overdue, I’d say), and The Silence of the Lambs, as well as the sci-fi classic The War of the Worlds (1953), Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend, and Charlie Chaplin’s first feature The Kid. In addition, the Library of Congress chose to add student works from Pixar Animation co-founder Ed Catmull and director Robert Rodriguez‘s El Mariachi. Hit the jump to check out the full list of this year’s films, which also includes a short blurb about each film.

Adaptation of Vampire Comic IN THE DUST Picked up by Solipsist Films; Update on SIN CITY 2: A DAME TO KILL FOR

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm

It seems as if there’s no shortage of supernatural or undead properties for Hollywood to farm these days. The recent acquisition of Top Cow comic In the Dust suggests that the public still hungers for more vampiric fare. George Mahaffey, who co-created the graphic novel with Christian Duce, is slated to pen the adaptation.

In the Dust sends a government agent out to investigate the reported disappearances of small-town Midwest families during the “black blizzard” storms in the 1930s Dust Bowl. When an army of vampires are found to be the culprits, the agent forges a partnership with Al Capone’s gang to protect the vampires’ next target: Chicago. The 165-page graphic novel will hit shelves next year. Hit the jump for more on In the Dust and Sin City 2.

William Monahan to Work on Frank Miller’s Script for SIN CITY 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 29th, 2011 at 7:20 am

Sin City 2, which has lived in development hell for the past six years, may finally be coming to life.  Director Robert Rodriguez says he now has financing for the flick and he would shoot the film before the year was out as long as he had a quality script.  However, he also hit upon a unique problem with the original Sin City in that the movie was not so much written as it simply used Frank Miller’s comics as a storyboard while bringing hardly anything new to the table.  It remains the strongest case for why a 100% faithful adaptation is pointless.

But I have some hope that Sin City 2 may be better because Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed) is coming on board to work on the script.  Hit the jump for more.

Director Robert Rodriguez Talks SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD and SIN CITY 2

by Christina Radish    Posted: August 18th, 2011 at 10:19 am

In 2001, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez launched the Spy Kids film franchise, a live-action, gadget-filled comedy adventure where kids became spies and families were the heroes. Now 10 years later, with new spies and cool new gadgets, the latest installment in the film franchise takes things to a whole new level with 4D Aromascope, making the moviegoing experience that much more interactive for audiences. This time around, the film focuses on former secret agent Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba), the younger sister of Gregorio Cortez (Antonio Banderas), whose spy-hunting television reporter husband (Joel McHale) knows nothing about her past. When the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the planet, Marissa is called back into action and her stepkids, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), are forced to put their bickering aside and join together, as a family, to help their stepmom save the world.

At the press day for Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez talked about being able to relate to the notion of wanting to stop time to be with your family, how Jessica Alba being a new mom inspired both her character and the story itself, why he wanted to add a fourth dimension to the experience of seeing the film, and that he didn’t tell any of the actors about his idea for the Aromascope. He also talked about why he feels the need to direct the sequels to his films, and how they’re trying to finish the Sin City 2 script so that they can get the cast attached and start filming. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Robert Rodriguez Updates SIN CITY 2 and MACHETE 2; Says He Is Waiting on Scripts for Both

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 9th, 2011 at 2:57 pm

During his Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, director Robert Rodriguez provided some brief updates on his Machete sequels and Sin City 2. At that time, he stated that the Machete sequels had been greenlit and that they would be titled Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again respectively. In regards to Sin City 2, Rodriguez claimed that the sequel would, like the first entry, center on three separate stories, two of which would be new and one that would adapt Frank Miller’s A Dame to Kill For. While doing press for his upcoming children’s film Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D, the director updated the status of each of the above properties a little more. Hit the jump for what he had to say.

Concept Art for Robert Rodriguez’s FIRE AND ICE Shows Heavy Frank Frazetta Influence

by Jason Barr    Posted: July 27th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

Last week, writer/director/producer Robert Rodriguez announced at Comic-Con that he had acquired the rights to turn legendary artist Frank Frazetta’s “Fire and Ice” into a live-action film. For those unfamiliar with Frazetta’s work, the late artist currently holds spots in the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame and Jack Kirby Hall of Fame respectively and is known for painting movie posters (such as Clint Eastwood’s The Gauntlet), paperback editions of adventure texts (Conan, Tarzan, and John Carter of Mars come to mind), and album covers (including three for Molly Hatchet).

Fire and Ice was originally adapted into an animated film in 1983 by Frazetta and director Ralph Bakshi (1978′s The Lord of the Rings).  Check out the new concept art, which Rodriguez developed with his team at Quick Draw Entertainment, and a quick synopsis after the jump. Briefly, Fire and Ice is a fantasy tale which features plenty of sword-wielding and saving of kidnapped princesses from evil sorcerers.

Comic-Con 2011: Robert Rodriguez Updates on MACHETE Sequels and SIN CITY 2; Announces HEAVY METAL Remake

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 21st, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Director Robert Rodriguez was back in full-force at Comic-Con this week for a Hall H panel regarding all of his upcoming projects, as well as his new production company QuickDraw Studios. The director gave updates on Machete sequels, Sin City 2, Heavy Metal, a new Frank Frazetta museum in Austin, TX, and more. Hit the jump for my recap of the panel.

Comic-Con 2011: Schedules Announced for Preview Night and Thursday, July 21st; Includes BREAKING DAWN, DRIVE, and GAME OF THRONES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 7th, 2011 at 11:01 am

Comic-Con has announced the schedule for Preview Night (Wednesday, July 20th) and the Thursday that officially opens the Con.  While Preview Night is usually a chance for attendees to roam the floor of the exhibitors and trample each other for swag, this year’s preview night will be hosting world premiere pilot screenings of Alcatraz, Person of Interest, The Secret Circle, and Supernatural: The Anime Series.  I don’t care about the last two, but since Alcatraz and Person of Interest both come form J.J. Abrams, I imagine they’ll be packed.

As for Thursday, Hall H belongs to (in chronological order): The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Arthur Christmas, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Drive, an unannounced line-up from 20th Century Fox (expect Rise of the Planet of the Apes), a sneak peek at Robert Rodriguez’ upcoming films (yawn), and a discussion between Guillermo del Toro and Jon Favreau.  I would stand in line all day just for Drive and the conversation between del Toro and Favreau.  Hit the jump for the full schedule.  Expect the schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday over the next several days.

Smell the New Trailer for SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 30th, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Robert Rodriguez’ Spy Kids: All the Time in the World may be so stupid that it’s brilliant.  There’s a talking dog voiced by Ricky Gervais.  Jeremy Piven’s hair is inexplicable.  The jokes are lame.  The kids don’t seem like they can act.  I don’t think there’s a single set that isn’t CG.  But the masterstroke is “Aroma-Scope” which makes the 3D film “4D”.  We’ve already explained how “Aroma-Scope” works but seeing it in this trailer makes it look even dumber than previously imagined.  I wonder if you’ll use it when the kid’s bag of vomit hits a bad guy in the face.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Jessica Alba, Alex Vega, Daryl Sabara, and Joel McHale.  Spy Kids: All the Time in the World opens August 19th.

SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD To Be Released in 4D “Aromascope”

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: June 25th, 2011 at 9:37 am

When Spy Kids 3D: Game Over came out in 2003, series director Robert Rodriguez was on the leading edge of the current 3D movement. With this summer’s release of the fourth movie in the franchise, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World will add a fourth dimension of experience…smell. In what Dimension Films is calling “Aromascope,” moviegoers will be provided a card with 8 different scents that can be sniffed at corresponding times throughout the film. Rodriguez gives his full endorsement to the technology in the official press release, saying:

“Families are going to love the interactivity of this new addition to the movie going experience. And best of all, you won’t have to pay extra for 4D Aromascope, which will be provided to every theater whether it be 2D or 3D.”

Since the spy kids from the first three movies (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are all grown up now, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World will introduce two newcomers, Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook as Rebecca and Cecil Wilson. Spy Kids also stars Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Jeremy Piven and Ricky Gervais as the voice of Argonaut, a robotic dog. For more on the pic and another example of filmic “smell tactics,” hit the jump. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World hits theaters on August 19th.

First Look at Jeremy Piven in SPY KIDS 4: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 11th, 2011 at 1:21 pm

Dimension Films has released the first image of Jeremy Piven as the villainous Timekeeper in Robert Rodriguez’ Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.  Apparently, when the Timekeeper isn’t busy trying to rule the world, he working at his local theater company’s production of Guys and Dolls.

Hit the jump to check out the image along with the film’s synopsis.  The film also stars Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Rowan Blanchard, Mason Cook, Antonio Banderas, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, and Danny Trejo.  Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World opens in 3D on August 19th.

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