Film Buff Friday: Robocop

I caught this again recently on HBO, still hold up, still a great film.

PART MAN, PART MACHINE, ALL COP. RoboCop, from Orion Pictures, marked director Paul Verhoeven's (Flesh + Blood) Hollywood debut and instantly became an enduring sci-fi/action classic when it landed in theaters in the summer of 1987. Verhoeven's peerlessly exciting and kinetic visuals were matched by a sharp script, iconic cast and exceptional special effects by Rob Bottin (The Thing) and Phil Tippett (The Empire Strikes Back). The film takes place in Detroit in the not-too-distant future. Heroic cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai) is gunned down in the line of duty, only to be resurrected as RoboCop - a cybernetic mix of spare human parts and Motor City steel, and the latest defense against crime designed by the all-powerful OCP Corporation. As RoboCop's memories of his former life as Murphy resurface, only his ex-partner (Nancy Allen, Dressed To Kill) stands beside him to fight against the vicious thugs responsible for his death, as well as a nefarious top-level OCP executive orchestrating the chaos from above. Unsurpassably thrilling, unexpectedly moving and unforgettably hilarious in equal measure, the future of law enforcement is back in a definitive Blu-ray™ presentation packed with hours of brand new bonus features.

Bonus Materials

• 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by MGM, transferred in 2013 and approved by director Paul Verhoeven
• Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film on two High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ discs
• Original lossless stereo and four-channel mixes plus DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound option on both cuts
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
• Limited edition collectors' booklet featuring new writing on the film by Omar Ahmed, Christopher Griffiths and Henry Blyth
• Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for the Theatrical Cut and re-edited in 2014 for the Director’s Cut)
• New commentary by film historian Paul M. Sammon
• New commentary by fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart and Eastwood Allen
• The Future of Law Enforcement: Creating RoboCop, a newly filmed interview with co-writer Michael Miner
• RoboTalk, a newly filmed conversation between co-writer Ed Neumeier and filmmakers David Birke (writer of Elle) and Nick McCarthy (director of Orion Pictures’ The Prodigy)
• Truth of Character, a newly filmed interview with star Nancy Allen on her role as Lewis
• Casting Old Detroit, a newly filmed interview with casting director Julie Selzer on how the film’s ensemble cast was assembled
• Connecting the Shots, a newly filmed interview with second unit director and frequent Verhoeven collaborator Mark Goldblatt
• Composing RoboCop, a new tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Daniel Schweiger and Robert Townson
• RoboProps, a newly filmed tour of super-fan Julien Dumont’s collection of original props and memorabilia
• 2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers, a panel discussion featuring Verhoeven, Davison, Neumeier, Miner, Allen, star Peter Weller and animator Phil Tippett
• RoboCop: Creating a Legend, Villains of Old Detroit and Special Effects: Then & Now, three archive featurettes from 2007 featuring interviews with cast and crew
• Paul Verhoeven Easter Egg
• Four deleted scenes
• The Boardroom: Storyboard with Commentary by Phil Tippett
• Director’s Cut Production Footage, raw dailies from the filming of the unrated gore scenes
• Two theatrical trailers and three TV spots
• Extensive image galleries
• Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for Theatrical version of the film)
• Two Isolated Score tracks (Composer’s Original Mix and Final Theatrical Mix) in lossless stereo
• Edited-for-television version of the film, featuring alternate dubs, takes and edits of several scenes (95 mins, SD only)
• Split screen comparison of Theatrical and Director’s Cuts
• Robocop: Edited For Television, a compilation of alternate scenes from two edited-for-television versions, newly transferred in HD from recently-unearthed 35mm elements

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV218

It's Apocalyptic & Psychological, Oh My: Forever's End

Field Of Dreams, Or Forever's End?

Devolver Digital Films to Release

Forever’s End

A Compelling Feature-Length
Apocalyptic Psychological Drama

Written & Directed By J.C. Schroder

• Digital VOD/DVD/Blu-ray Releases: November 25, 2014

Check this out, quite compelling, I must say, and I just did.

 Devolver Digital Films is proud to announce the cable and digital VOD releases of the compelling award-winning psychological drama, Forever’s End. Written and directed byJ.C. Schroder, the atmospheric feature-length film follows a young woman, living in seclusion years after an apocalyptic event that killed her family and seemingly everyone else on Earth. Her world is turned upside down when unexpected visitors show up. A cable VOD (Video on Demand) release date is set for October 14, 2014 (check local listings). The digital VOD release is scheduled for November 25, 2014. The film will be available via iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, PlayStation, Xbox, VUDU, Vimeo on Demand, VHX, Gumroad, Google Play, and others. Forever's End: Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD are also both scheduled to release on Novem ber 25th, exclusively on Amazon.com via Star Com Entertainment. Blu-ray edition will include behind the scenes featurette, outtakes, and conversation with the cast. For additional information, please visit http://www.foreversendmovie.com.

Forever’s End follows Sarah White, played by Charity Farrell, who has spent six years in solitude after an apocalyptic event that killed her family and seemingly everyone else on Earth. She lives alone on a bucolic rural homestead, filling her days with chores, playing the piano, and writing in her journal. Until visitors start to show up. First, her hostile sister Lily, played by Lili Reinhart (Law & Order: SVU, Surviving Jack, Kings of Summer), returns without an explanation. Next on her doorstep is the handsome Ryan, played by Warren Bryson (Finale). He claims that he met Sarah, years prior, but she has no recollection of him. Not sure who to believe and on the verge of insanity, Sarah starts to question everything she knows to be true. 

One of the film’s producers is industry veteran Michael Katchman, the former MGM, LionsGate, and Orion executive who was responsible, in part , for the releases of legendary films Dances With Wolves and Silence of the Lambs.Awards –

• Special Jury Award – International Film Awards, Berlin 2013
• Best Actress (Charity Farrell) – Fancine Film Festival 2013 
• Score: Jury Choice Award – Park City Film Music Festival 2014

Links –
• Film’s Devolver Page – http://www.devolverdigital.com/films/view/forevers-end
• Official Site – http://www.foreversendmovie.com
• Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7FmTaIqQJU 
• IMDb – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2014225 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/foreversendmovie 
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/jcschroder

• Star Com – http://www.starcomentertainment.com

My Bump, My Lovely Baby Bump: Christina Aguilera

She's Pregnant & Proud! Christina Aguilera

Look! She has a baby bump, she's pregnant and proud of it, check it out, don't be shy.

Christina Aguilera flaunts her pregnancy in V Magazine, and why not? I remember when Demi Moore did it on the cover of Vanity Fair and what a buzz it caused.

I also remember being in an elevator with studio executives at the now defunct Orion Pictures, performing my first industry job in the mail room, and them making fun of her.

Typical money men, not one ounce of artistic expression or creativity in them. 

What I felt was a beautiful and bold move at the time is now the norm for female artists.

There is something amazing about a lovely portrait of a pregnant woman. 

Thank you Ms. Aguilera for this stunning image that never gets boring. It reminds everyone of the wonder & miracle of life.

Get With Christina at: http://www.christinaaguilera.com/us/home

The Day I Met Jodie Foster

Yes, it's true...I have met Jodie Foster. Her speech tonight at the Golden Globes (except for that weird sound glitch) was heartfelt and honest, and from my perspective I agree with the content of it 100%..!!

Cut to my second job upon arriving in Los Angeles, CA. I worked for the now defunct Orion Pictures in the mail room. Jodie had her production company there at the time Egg Pictures.

Well she had just directed and starred in her first film via the truly independent movie making machine "Little Man Tate" about a child prodigy. The whole company got invited to the premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

It was a great afternoon! Jodie graciously introduced the film and the supporting cast members and the party in the lot adjacent was truly amazing.

Cut to a few days later...while delivering the mail, I saw Ms. Foster speaking with her assistant at the desk outside her office.

Although the film was formulaic (Hey, what isn't?!) It still was a lovely valentine to humanity with Jodie's personal experience blended in as a child prodigy in her own right.

Me (to Jodie): "I really liked "Little Man Tate".

Jodie: "Please, tell me what you liked about it"

Me: "It was a film of honest moments and humanity"

Jodie: "Thank you for taking the time to tell me that".

Jodie you are the best, I have always loved your honesty, your truth and your class.

Here is a clip from my favorite Foster Academy Award Winner (for her as well) "The Silence of the Lambs"