First-Ever AFI Conservatory EXPO Will Showcase 30 Thesis Films

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 28, 2018, Los Angeles, CA — The American Film Institute (AFI) announces the first-ever AFI Conservatory EXPO, a one-day festival showcasing 30 thesis films from the Class of 2017. Taking place Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. on the AFI Campus in Los Angeles, the event introduces the AFI Conservatory's most recent MFA graduates to leaders of the film and television community. The filmmaking teams behind each thesis film will be present at the EXPO along with additional AFI Conservatory alumni, faculty, Fellows and staff. The EXPO is sponsored by VIZIO — the official home theater sponsor of AFI.

"The AFI Conservatory EXPO is designed to build community — bringing the industry to our campus to meet our filmmakers and see their films," said Richard Gladstein, Dean, AFI Conservatory. "The EXPO also celebrates collaboration, shining a light on the collective achievements of AFI Conservatory filmmakers across the disciplines of Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting."

All of the shorts will screen twice throughout the day. To learn more about the films and RSVP to attend, visit the EXPO website.

AFI Conservatory Fellows make up to 10 films during their two-year training, which culminates in the production of a thesis film. Thirteen AFI Conservatory thesis films have been nominated for Academy Awards^®.

The AFI Class of 2017 joins an elite group of 5,115 alumni who have received a total of 149 Academy Award^® nominations and 30 wins. Throughout the 2017-2018 awards season, AFI alumni have been nominated for 174 awards by major guilds, academies and other professional associations — with 42 award wins. 

Recently, AFI Conservatory alumni have had global impact including Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever nominated for a Best Cinematography Academy Award^®; Patty Jenkins, director of the world-wide phenomenon WONDER WOMAN; Liz Hannah, who wrote the Best Picture Academy Award^® nominee THE POST; and Scott Frank, the Academy Award^®-nominated writer of LOGAN — the first superhero film ever to receive a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Check Out The Trailer For The Horror Thriller Cargo, Starring Ron Thompson.

Click On The Link Below To View The Trailer.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/221692047

The Soultangler from AGFA and Bleeding Skull! coming in March

Alamo Drafthouse's American Genre Film Archive, the largest non-profit genre film archive in the world, and Bleeding Skull!, the site and series of books dedicated to celebrating ultra-obscure genre movies, are excited to announce a March 13, 2018 release date for THE SOULTANGLER on DVD. After a successful run of limited edition releases with Mondo, the art boutique of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Bleeding Skull! has teamed up with AGFA to share wild horror and exploitation movies from the 1980s and 1990s with the world. THE SOULTANGLER is the first release in this ongoing partnership.

 

If RE-ANIMATOR was shot on Long Island for the price of a used car, THE SOULTANGLER would be the result. Insane genius Dr. Anton Lupesky has developed a drug that allows users to inhabit corpses and transform into rabid maniacs! Can reporter Kim Castle stop the carnage and save our species from annihilation?! This epic of outsider filmmaking is a dream-like wasteland that's punctuated with severed heads, evil beasties, and hooded slashers. Filmed in basements and garages, director Pat Bishow's earnest devotion to storytelling in the spirit of H.P. Lovecraft elevates THE SOULTANGLER beyond kitsch and into heavenly territory.

 

"Before now, THE SOULTANGLER was only ever released on VHS," said AGFA director Joe Ziemba. "We're so excited to bring this mind-bending movie to a wider audience, and it's a perfect title to kick off the new collaboration between AGFA and Bleeding Skull."

 

Special features include: 

- Transferred from the original 1" master tapes!

- Unseen 62 minute alternate director's cut!

- Commentary track with director Pat Bishow!

- Behind the scenes footage!

- Trailers for THE SOULTANGLER and DEAD OF NIGHT TOWN!

- Music video for "Wow" by Hypnolovewheel!

- Liner notes by Bleeding Skull's Zack Carlson!

- Reversible cover art!

 

Pre-order THE SOULTANGLER here.

 

Incredible David Bowie Photography Exhibit Opens At Morrison Hotel Gallery in NYC/LA/Maui and Online

Morrison Hotel Gallery Presents 

A Photographic Exhibit & Sale Celebrating The Life and Career of David Bowie 

David Bowie "Ki" © Masayoshi Sukita

"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." This quote, delivered by David Bowie at Madison Square Garden on his 50th birthday, is an apt description of the twists and turns of his influential career. A true chameleon of the stage, Bowie blazed his way across the universe of rock, continually reinventing himself and shifting into new looks and personas. A renaissance singer, songwriter, and performer, he shattered all norms and boundaries, forever changing the music and film scene before his untimely passing in 2016. 

 

Although Bowie left this terrestrial world all too soon, his spirit lives on in the music and the imagery he spent decades creating. Morrison Hotel Gallery is proud to celebrate David Bowie's life with BOWIE, an exhibition and sale of the mostly highly prized photographs chronicling his stellar career. BOWIE will open to the public February 23rd and runs through March 23rd, 2018. 

 

"After almost two decades of expertise in curating the shows of great artists, Morrison Hotel Gallery is very excited about this exhibit," says Casey Fannin, director of Morrison Hotel Gallery's Los Angeles location. "BOWIE will feature photographs from some of his most iconic personas. From his start as Davy Jones to his gender-bending turn as Ziggy Stardust. His performance as The Man Who Fell to Earth, and his transformation into the Thin White Duke. David Bowie, and the photographers that captured him on film, deserve to be celebrated. This is the perfect way to start off the exhibits and sales we're going to have this year."

 

The exclusive exhibit and sale will feature the photographs of Duffy, Gerald Fearnley, Lynn Goldsmith, Bob Gruen, Guido Harari, Markus Klinko, Geoff MacCormack, Terry O'Neill, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Masayoshi Sukita, Barry Schultz, and Barrie Wentzell. Morrison Hotel Gallery is honored to have the opportunity to showcase the exceptional work of these photographers while chronicling the career of a groundbreaking artist who forever changed the music scene.

 

Bowie's energy and bold style drew the lenses of the talented photographers who worked with him both on and off stage. They captured electric performances, candid, behind-the-scenes photos of him casually hanging out with fellow icons Iggy Pop, Trent Reznor, and Tina Turner, as well as crafting highly stylized shots that were to become legendary album covers.

 

The staff at Morrison Hotel Gallery in Maui - located at Mick Fleetwood's beautiful restaurant and entertainment venue on Front Street, Fleetwood's General Store - is equally excited about the exhibition and sale. "We are thrilled to bring the BOWIEexhibit and sale to Maui," gallery manager Ario Pardee said. "Both island locals and guests visiting from all over the world will come together to share in this fantastic experience." 

 

"An enigma and masterpiece of his own creation, it's no secret that the multitudes of David Bowie have redefined the very essence of rock & roll," said Marcelle Murdock, director of Morrison Hotel Gallery in NY. "From the Aladdin Sane album cover shot by Duffy to the intimate portraits of Geoff MacCormack, this exhibition explores the late artist in his countless angles and identities. As much a tribute to the man, the myth and the iconic moments that forever changed the music world as a celebration of the photographers that have immortalized the legend in glitter and glory, BOWIE is bound to be this spring's most talked about show."

 

BOWIE will open one week before the Brooklyn Museum debuts its exclusive David Bowie is exhibit featuring costumes, art, and other items from the David Bowie Archive, including a collection of photographs by the exceptional photographers whose work is available for sale at all Morrison Hotel Gallery locations.

About Morrison Hotel® Gallery

Morrison Hotel® Gallery was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Peter Blachley, music retail industry professional Richard Horowitz, and legendary music photographer Henry Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. In 2016, the gallery launched its third location at Mick Fleetwood's General Store in Maui, Hawaii. 

 

Morrison Hotel Gallery is the world's leading brand in fine art music photography representing over 125 of the world's finest music photographers and their archives. Their vast catalog of photography encompasses jazz, blues, and rock imagery spanning several generations through to today's contemporary music artists and now includes iconic photographs in the world of Hollywood celebrity and sports as well. Morrison Hotel Gallery has a robust online presence, featuring over 100,000 images searchable by photographer, music artist, band or concert. www.morrisonhotelgallery.com 

 

Morrison Hotel Gallery

116 Prince Street || New York, NY 10012

212.941.8770  

 

Morrison Hotel Gallery

Sunset Marquis

1200 Alta Loma Road || West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.881.6025

 

Morrison Hotel Gallery

Fleetwood's General Store

744 Front Street || Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

808-573-(6425) MICK

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UP IN SMOKE- 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack available April 10th

Celebrate 40 Years of Feeling Very Funny 

 

UP IN SMOKE

 

40^th Anniversary Edition Lights Up April 10, 2018 on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack with Brand New Short-Form Documentary “How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smokeat 40” and More  

 

Deluxe Collector’s Edition Pairs Blu-ray with Original Soundtrack on CD and VINYL LP,

Along with Newly Recorded “2018 Version” of “Up In Smoke”

              HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Fire up the home entertainment system and call your buds because the ultimate stoner comedy is celebrating its 40^th anniversary.  The high-larious cannabis cultural epic  breakthrough UP IN SMOKE will “… grab you by the poo poo” all over again when it arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD April 10, 2018 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  A special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, pairing the Blu-ray with the original soundtrack on CD and VINYL LP in deluxe packaging, will arrive the following week on 4/20 from Rhino, featuring a newly recorded “2018 version” of the title song “Up In Smoke.”

In 1978, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong made their feature film debut in UP IN SMOKE, the outrageously funny classic inspired by their now legendary comedy routines of the early ‘70s.  Following massive success with over 10 million comedy albums sold, four Grammy nominations and a win for Best Comedy Recording for “Los Cochinos,” Cheech and Chong took Hollywood by storm when UP IN SMOKE became a smash hit, establishing the pair as the reigning comedy duo of a new generation.  Today, the film still has viewers rolling in the aisles and maintains surprising cultural relevance four decades after its original release. 

“The greatest thrill is making your first movie and this one has been seen and been influential all over the world for over forty years,” said Richard “Cheech” Marin.   “Up in Smoke started stoner movies and is still going strong so smoke it up one more time.”

“Where did the time go? 40 years ago we made low budget movies that grossed over 100 million and are still being watched all over the world! And it also helped legalize an important medicine,” said Thomas Chong.  “I am so proud that a movie bearing a title of a simple song I wrote would be so influential for so many years.”

In UP IN SMOKE Cheech and Chong play wannabe musicians and stoners who unwittingly smuggle a van made of marijuana from Mexico to L.A.  Their drug-laced humor keeps their spirits high as they unknowingly elude the police and meander their way to an outrageous finale at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood where Cheech performs in a pink tutu and Chong plays drums in a red body suit with a Quaalude logo. 

The UP IN SMOKE Blu-ray Combo Pack features a brand new short-form documentary entitled “How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40,” which chronicles the duo’s comedy history, as well as the origins and impact of the film itself. Capturing a complex and fascinating pop culture odyssey, the documentary incorporates new interviews with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong and producer/director Lou Adler along with archival footage.  The Combo Pack is also loaded with previously released bonus material including deleted scenes, commentary, a music video and more.

The UP IN SMOKE Deluxe Collector’s Edition is presented in a 12x12 package, limited to 5,000 copies. The set pairs the Blu-ray with the original soundtrack on CD and VINYL LP, as well as a 7-inch picture disc, oversized “Up In Smoke” rolling papers, a film poster, and booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, along with rare and unseen photos. In addition to the new version of “Up In Smoke,” the CD also features another previously unreleased version of the song from 1978 with an additional Spanish verse by Cheech.

 

              

UP IN SMOKE 40^th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack

              The UP IN SMOKE Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital, Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The DVD in the Combo Pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles.The Combo Pack includes access to a Digital copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray

• Feature film in high definition
• Commentary by Cheech Marin and director Lou Adler
• How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40—NEW!
• Roach Clips with Optional Commentary (deleted scenes)
• Lighting It Up: A Look Back atUp In Smoke
• “Earache My Eye” featuring Alice Bowie: Animated Music Video
• Cheech & Chong’s “The Man Song”
• Vintage Radio Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

DVD

• Feature film in standard definition
• Commentary by Cheech Marin and director Lou Adler
• How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40—NEW!
• Roach Clips with Optional Commentary (deleted scenes)
• Lighting It Up: A Look Back atUp In Smoke
• “Earache My Eye” featuring Alice Bowie: Animated Music Video
• Cheech & Chong’s “The Man Song”
• Vintage Radio Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

 

UP IN SMOKE 40^th Anniversary Deluxe Collector’s Edition (Blu-Ray/CD/VINYL LP)

              The UP IN SMOKE Deluxe Collector’s Edition comes housed in a 12x12 six-panel gatefold package and is limited to 5,000 copies.  The set features the Blu-ray detailed above as well as the following:

CD

• Original soundtrack album featuring classic Cheech & Chong songs like “Up In Smoke” and “Earache My Eye,” other music from the film, and audio clips from the film
• Previously unreleased version of the song “Up In Smoke” with an additional Spanish verse by Cheech
• “2018 version” of “Up In Smoke”

VINYL LP

• Original soundtrack album on vinyl. Back in print for the first time since its initial release in 1978

Picture Disc

• 7-inch picture disc of “Earache My Eye” b/w “Lost Due To Incompetence (Theme From A Big Green Van)” with an image of Cheech from the film on the A-side and the classic “YESCA” license plate image on the B-side 

Extras

• Oversized “Up In Smoke” usable rolling papers
• 11x17 film poster with original, tagline “Don’t Go Straight To See This Movie”
• Booklet with new essays by both Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong along with rare and unseen photos

 

UP IN SMOKE 40^th Anniversary DVD

              The UP IN SMOKE single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The DVD includes the following:

• Feature film in standard definition
• Commentary by Cheech Marin and director Lou Adler
• How Pedro Met the Man: Up In Smoke at 40—NEW!
• Roach Clips with Optional Commentary (deleted scenes)
• Lighting It Up: A Look Back atUp In Smoke
• “Earache My Eye” featuring Alice Bowie: Animated Music Video
• Cheech & Chong’s “The Man Song”
• Vintage Radio Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

Michele Soavi's 'The Church' arrives on Blu-ray March 20

Dario Argento presents The Church

A GOTHIC CATHEDRAL BECOMES A BLOOD-CURDLING HOME FOR THE ULTIMATE EVIL IN MICHELE SOAVI’S OCCULT CHILLER    Coming to Blu-ray on March 20, 2018   Chicago, IL (February 12, 2018) – The third installment in Doppelgänger Releasing and Scorpion Releasing’s ongoing series of restored films from Italian horror auteur Dario Argento, THE CHURCH is a 1989 Gothic chiller about a group of visitors trapped in a medieval cathedral who are plagued by the evil demons that have been released from the crypt beneath it.  Co-produced and co-written by Dario Argento and directed by Argento protégé Michele Soavi, THE CHURCH makes its U.S. Blu-ray debut remastered with a high definition transfer and containing a new interview with co-star Asia Argento.    THE CHURCH is set in present-day Germany in an elaborate medieval cathedral that was once the site of a massacre of a village of supposed devil-worshippers by a band of crusading knights. When the church’s new librarian (Tomas Arana, The Sect) breaks the seal of the building’s crypt, he releases a cabal of evil spirits that are contained beneath it.  At the same time, the church's automated mechanisms are triggered, causing its doors to close and trapping everyone inside. The laws of reality soon collapse as a nightmare takes hold and claims the lives of those within one by one, threatening to unleash a supernatural pestilence upon the world!    THE CHURCH is Michele  second directorial effort, following the 1987 slasher Stage Fright, his directorial debut. Prior to directing his first feature,  worked on Dario Argento’s films Tenebre , Phenomena and Opera, and on such noteworthy projects as Lamberto Bava’s A Blade in the Dark and Demons and Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. With THE CHURCH (which was originally intended to be the third entry in Bava’s Demons series), Soavi was given an opportunity to fully explore his dreamy, stream-of-consciousness approach to the genre, complete with rich visuals, strong set pieces, and an overall creepy atmosphere. Soavi very quickly came to be considered a horror stylist in his own right.    THE CHURCH is also notable for its evocative soundtrack, composed by the late, great progressive rock musician Keith Emerson, minimalist virtuoso Philip Glass, and the Italian prog-rock band Goblin, who previously collaborated with  Argento on his films Suspiria and Tenebre.     Doppelgänger Releasing and Scorpion Releasing will release THE CHURCH on Blu-ray for the first time in the United States on March 20, 2018 (prebook February 13, 2018). The Blu-ray, which includes a new interview with actor Asia Argento and original theatrical trailers, carries the suggested retail price of $24.95.    More information on THE CHURCH can be found on the DOPPELGÄNGER RELEASING website