Movies
Full ‘Hypothermia’ Cast, Start of Principal Photography
Dark Sky Films is pleased to announce this week marks the first week of principal photography and production on James Felix McKenney’s feature Hypothermia, while also confirming our scoop from last week that Michael Rooker (SLiTHER, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer) will be topling. Beyond the break you’ll find the official release with new info and cast.
HYPOTHERMIA, written and directed by McKenney, stars Michael Rooker, who has had a long career in film that launched with his chilling performance as the titular character in HENRY: THE PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. HYPOTHERMIA co-stars Blanche Baker who starred in SIXTEEN CANDLES, HBO’s TAKING CHANCE and the horror indie THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. Also in the cast are Greg Finley (THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER), and McKenney regulars Don Wood (THE OFF SEASON, AUTOMATONS, SATAN HATES YOU), Ben Forster and Amy Chang. The film will be produced in partnership with Larry Fessenden’s Glass Eye Pix.
The story takes place in Maine in the dead of winter. Ray Pelletier and his wife Helen have been ice fishing the frozen expanse of Lake Noyade for over two decades but this year something is different: no fish bite. Is it their new neighbors on the ice — Stevie Jr. and his overbearing Dad — with their high-tech gear and over-sized rig that is driving the fish away? Or is it something else? The answer comes in an onslaught of ferocious attacks that unites the two families against a mysterious creature from under the ice.
Producers on the film are 2010 Spirit Award nominee and horror director Larry Fessenden and his partners Peter Phok and Brent Kunkle, along with Dark Sky Films producer Derek Curl (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, HATCHET 2). The Co-Producer is Jacob Jaffke (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, Bafta nominated short OFF SEASON).
The film is produced in association with Offhollywood Pictures, which brings up-to-the minute technical innovation to the production. HYPOTHERMIA is one of the first feature films to be lensed in 4K on RED ONE digital cinema cameras updated with the new, high-dynamic range Mysterium-X sensor alongside David Fincher ‘s SOCIAL NETWORK and Steven Soderbergh’s KNOCKOUT.
Says Fessenden: “It is very gratifying to have the support of such a cool company as Dark Sky so we can keep making these auteur-driven genre films we call Scareflix. Having Michael Rooker headline the cast in a role like this is especially exciting because it is a different side of Rooker we’ll be exploring. I know the fans will be gratified to spend some real screen time with him in this rugged and sympathetic role.”
The monster has been created by effects veteran Chris Bridges who has lent his talents to such films as DIARY OF THE DEAD, 300, SILENT HILL, SAW III and MAX PAYNE. since his on-set debut on MIMIC. Stunt and movement artist Asa Liebmann will be inside the suit. Gore effects will be handled by Brian Spears (PLAGUETOWN, I SELL THE DEAD, BITTER FEAST, STAKE LAND).
Movies
‘Boorman and the Devil’ Documentary Trailer Chronicles Complicated Relationship with ‘Exorcist II’
Critically acclaimed documentary Boorman and the Devil chronicles how one of the world’s greatest filmmakers made one of the most hated movies ever: Exorcist II: The Heretic. A new trailer highlighting some of the troubled production woes has arrived.
Boorman and the Devil opens at The Quad in NYC on August 28 before opening wider in various cities on September 4, including: Los Angeles, Columbus, Houston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle and more.
After the success of Point Blank and Deliverance, Warner Brothers offered John Boorman the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to direct a sequel to their smash hit, The Exorcist. The result was one of the biggest disasters in movie history. A critical and financial failure that not only changed how Hollywood did business, but nearly ended Boorman’s filmmaking career… but to be an artist is to be a risk-taker.
Now, John Boorman, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Karyn Kusama, Joe Dante, Mike Flanagan, and more reflect back on the ambition of the film, the artistry and craft, and the value of big creative swings.
“I am beyond thrilled that Yellow Veil has come on board to help us share this story with a larger audience,” said director David Kittredge. “Like myself and the rest of our team, they’re huge cinema-lovers. It’s so exciting that a film which is not only a love letter to John Boorman, but also to ambitious filmmaking, will be handled by people who share the same passions that our team shares.”
“I first saw the film at an early festival screening and the post-screening buzz was just electric. Everyone was loving Boorman and the Devil,” added Yellow Veil co-founder Justin Timms. “To be able to team up with David and the filmmaking team on this release is incredibly exciting, and we can’t wait to spread that post-screening electricity with audiences across the country.”
Boorman and the Devil is produced by Kittredge’s Triple Fire Productions, Travis Stevens (Jodorowsky’s Dune, Starry Eyes) of Snowfort Pictures, and Jim Fall (The Lizzie McGuire Movie), with Alan Koenigsberg of Milton Ventures Media serving as co-producer.
Daniel Kurland wrote in his review, “Boorman and the Devil goes above and beyond to be the definitive text on Exorcist II. This documentary will delight horror and Exorcist fans alike, but it also provides incredible insight for anyone who is just marginally interested in film production.”