Making a film in under 25 days is a monumental feat for a filmmaker. However, with clever budgeting, creativity, and resourcefulness from a talented cast and crew, films can be made in a few days and even in a few hours.
Victoria (2015) and Russian Ark (2002) were filmed in a single continuous shot, pushing the boundaries of a well-thought-out planned production.
Many of these come from first-time independent filmmakers, including The Blair Witch Project (1998); Paranormal Activity ( 2007), Clerks (1994); Mind, Body & Soul (2024); El Mariachi (1992); Get Out (2017); Napoleon Dynamite (2004) and Fruitvale Station (2013). These movies stand as testaments to the power of resourceful directing, proving that films can be made quickly and effectively on any budget.
Take a look back at movies that were made in under 23 days that were released at the box office.
Victoria (2015) and Russian Ark (2002) were filmed in a single continuous shot, pushing the boundaries of a well-thought-out planned production.
Many of these come from first-time independent filmmakers, including The Blair Witch Project (1998); Paranormal Activity ( 2007), Clerks (1994); Mind, Body & Soul (2024); El Mariachi (1992); Get Out (2017); Napoleon Dynamite (2004) and Fruitvale Station (2013). These movies stand as testaments to the power of resourceful directing, proving that films can be made quickly and effectively on any budget.
Take a look back at movies that were made in under 23 days that were released at the box office.
- 4/22/2024
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the most iconic science fiction action franchises is "Predator," which began with the eponymous movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. While "Predator" is regarded as an action classic, attempts to follow-up on its success have since had considerably more mixed results. The series has seen a number of sequels, revivals, and crossovers with the "Alien" franchise, with varying levels of critical and commercial reception. However, for every "Predator" movie that has seen the light of day, there are plenty of projects that were canceled or altered significantly.
From failed attempts to bring Schwarzenegger back in the fold to star in additional installments or sequel plans shelved by disappointing box office, there are lots of discarded "Predator" movies. This includes the studio shuffling pitches and filmmakers in their hopes to keep the franchise relevant and recapture the 1987 movie's magic. Here's a roster of "Predator" movies that were once in development but ultimately never made,...
From failed attempts to bring Schwarzenegger back in the fold to star in additional installments or sequel plans shelved by disappointing box office, there are lots of discarded "Predator" movies. This includes the studio shuffling pitches and filmmakers in their hopes to keep the franchise relevant and recapture the 1987 movie's magic. Here's a roster of "Predator" movies that were once in development but ultimately never made,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Samuel Stone
- Slash Film
Toro Loco is a re-run to the classic adventure films like ‘Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia’ & ‘El Mariachi’, and is directed by Patricio Valladares. The Toro Loco Blu-ray is available now from MegaCity Media. The son of a notorious mob lord hires the most ruthless hitman to kill his own wife and …
The post The cult-classic Toro Loco, a film by Patricio Valladares, returns in an all new exclusive release from Megacity Media! appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post The cult-classic Toro Loco, a film by Patricio Valladares, returns in an all new exclusive release from Megacity Media! appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 3/6/2024
- by Mike Joy
- Horror News
Toro Loco is a re-run to the classic adventure films like ‘Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia’ & ‘El Mariachi’, and is directed by Patricio Valladares. The Toro Loco Blu-ray is available now from MegaCity Media.
The son of a notorious mob lord hires the most ruthless hitman to kill his own wife and son. He hires Toro Loco. A cold, eccentric assassin, who brings Hell, always under his own twisted rules.
Patricio Valladares is a Chilean director, screenwriter, editor and producer. Known for his work in genre cinema Valladares has directed numerous features throughout the years.
Purchase Toro Loco:
https://www.megacityfilms.com/product-page/toro-loco-a-film-by-patricio-valladares-bd-r
The post The cult-classic Toro Loco, a film by Patricio Valladares, returns in an all new exclusive release from Megacity Media! appeared first on Horror Asylum.
The son of a notorious mob lord hires the most ruthless hitman to kill his own wife and son. He hires Toro Loco. A cold, eccentric assassin, who brings Hell, always under his own twisted rules.
Patricio Valladares is a Chilean director, screenwriter, editor and producer. Known for his work in genre cinema Valladares has directed numerous features throughout the years.
Purchase Toro Loco:
https://www.megacityfilms.com/product-page/toro-loco-a-film-by-patricio-valladares-bd-r
The post The cult-classic Toro Loco, a film by Patricio Valladares, returns in an all new exclusive release from Megacity Media! appeared first on Horror Asylum.
- 3/6/2024
- by Michael Joy
- Horror Asylum
Eugene Hernandez has reached the top of the mountain.
The journalist turned nonprofit executive has spent decades rising through the ranks of the American independent film scene. This January he assumes his seat at its apex: as the director of the Sundance Film Festival.
Hernandez, the co-founder of IndieWire and longtime leader of Film at Lincoln Center, got the coveted job in late 2022. But his official duties begin with this year’s festival, the 40th edition of the annual celebration of film that kicks off Jan. 18. He still remembers his first time in the luxury ski town of Park City, Utah, watching Robert Rodriguez’s “El Mariachi” in 1993.
“It all feels full circle,” Hernandez tells Variety, adding that he shed tears when Sundance CEO Joana Vicente called to offer the job.
Sundance remains the preeminent film festival for spotlighting new talent. This year, the group received 17,000 submissions, many of them...
The journalist turned nonprofit executive has spent decades rising through the ranks of the American independent film scene. This January he assumes his seat at its apex: as the director of the Sundance Film Festival.
Hernandez, the co-founder of IndieWire and longtime leader of Film at Lincoln Center, got the coveted job in late 2022. But his official duties begin with this year’s festival, the 40th edition of the annual celebration of film that kicks off Jan. 18. He still remembers his first time in the luxury ski town of Park City, Utah, watching Robert Rodriguez’s “El Mariachi” in 1993.
“It all feels full circle,” Hernandez tells Variety, adding that he shed tears when Sundance CEO Joana Vicente called to offer the job.
Sundance remains the preeminent film festival for spotlighting new talent. This year, the group received 17,000 submissions, many of them...
- 1/15/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Two days ago, I mentioned to the loved ones I was spending Christmas with that I knew exactly where I was 25 years earlier. On the evening of December 25, 1998, I was sitting in a movie theatre, taking in an opening day screening of director Robert Rodriguez‘s alien invasion horror film The Faculty (watch it Here). Now, two days after the film’s 25th anniversary, scooper Daniel Richtman has revealed on his Patreon page that Rodriguez is producing a remake of The Faculty!
That’s all of the information that’s available at this time. The Faculty is getting a remake and Robert Rodriguez is on board as producer.
Rodriguez directed the original The Faculty from a screenplay by Scream writer Kevin Williamson (working from a story by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel). The film has the following synopsis: To the students at Harrington High, the principal and her posse of...
That’s all of the information that’s available at this time. The Faculty is getting a remake and Robert Rodriguez is on board as producer.
Rodriguez directed the original The Faculty from a screenplay by Scream writer Kevin Williamson (working from a story by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel). The film has the following synopsis: To the students at Harrington High, the principal and her posse of...
- 12/27/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
He's back.
John Woo, one of the true maestros of action cinema, has returned to U.S. shores after 20 years to make another Hollywood movie. He left to make movies in Asia after the 2003 dud "Paycheck," but two decades later, he's at the helm of the Christmas-set thriller "Silent Night," starring "For All Mankind" actor Joel Kinnaman. "Those who have been missing Woo's masterful touch on action will likely find plenty to embrace here," /Film's review states, and even if the film never reaches the highs of his previous work, it's exciting to have him back in this mode again at 77 years old.
After all, we're talking about one of the most influential directors of the 20th century, here.
Starting with 1986's "A Better Tomorrow," which catapulted Chow Yun-fat to international superstardom, Woo established himself as one of the most exciting voices in action cinema by blending his unique style...
John Woo, one of the true maestros of action cinema, has returned to U.S. shores after 20 years to make another Hollywood movie. He left to make movies in Asia after the 2003 dud "Paycheck," but two decades later, he's at the helm of the Christmas-set thriller "Silent Night," starring "For All Mankind" actor Joel Kinnaman. "Those who have been missing Woo's masterful touch on action will likely find plenty to embrace here," /Film's review states, and even if the film never reaches the highs of his previous work, it's exciting to have him back in this mode again at 77 years old.
After all, we're talking about one of the most influential directors of the 20th century, here.
Starting with 1986's "A Better Tomorrow," which catapulted Chow Yun-fat to international superstardom, Woo established himself as one of the most exciting voices in action cinema by blending his unique style...
- 11/30/2023
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
November has arrived, and with it a bevy of exciting, engaging and fresh new movies to stream on your friendly neighborhood streaming service. As fall is in full swing, the tone and tenor of new movies is starting to shift in a more dramatic direction while studios begin to trot out their awards contenders. A few of those arrive this month, including true stories “Nyad” and “Rustin,” but it’s not all serious business — the Awkwafina/Sandra Oh comedy “Quiz Lady” and David Fincher’s take on a B-movie “The Killer” both arrive this month as well.
And that’s not to mention the cornucopia of library titles that are newly streaming this month, including a host of Christmas classics. Whether it’s Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+ or Disney+, we’ve got you covered with our curated selection of the best new movies streaming in November 2023 below.
And that’s not to mention the cornucopia of library titles that are newly streaming this month, including a host of Christmas classics. Whether it’s Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+ or Disney+, we’ve got you covered with our curated selection of the best new movies streaming in November 2023 below.
- 11/10/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Robert Rodriguez made his feature directorial debut with El Mariachi, an ultra low-budget action movie that launched his career. He followed it up with two sequels, Desperado in 1995 and Once Upon a Time in Mexico in 2003, but the director told The Wrap that he’d love to revisit the series with a new sequel.
“I would love to revisit the ‘Desperado’ series,” Robert Rodriguez said. “I thought it was way ahead of its time.” However, the amount of gun violence featured in the movies gives him pause nowadays. “It’s really hard to do today, for me, anything with guns,” Rodriguez explained. “Gun violence has gotten out of control. Even those are those are very tongue-in-cheek and kind of fun. It’s just hard to do. There’s always some terrible shooting and you just go, ‘I don’t know if I can responsibly do anything with guns.’ I really love those films,...
“I would love to revisit the ‘Desperado’ series,” Robert Rodriguez said. “I thought it was way ahead of its time.” However, the amount of gun violence featured in the movies gives him pause nowadays. “It’s really hard to do today, for me, anything with guns,” Rodriguez explained. “Gun violence has gotten out of control. Even those are those are very tongue-in-cheek and kind of fun. It’s just hard to do. There’s always some terrible shooting and you just go, ‘I don’t know if I can responsibly do anything with guns.’ I really love those films,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
“Monster,” Hirokazu Kore-eda, Japan
Described by Variety critic Peter Debruge as a “convoluted portrait of a pre-teen in turmoil,” Kore-eda ‘s Palme d’Or best script and Queer Palm winner stars Sakura Andō as a mother who confronts a teacher after noticing odd changes in her son’s demeanor. Written by Yuji Sakamoto, it’s scored by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto.
“Peafowl,” Byun Sungbin, South Korea
Myung, a transgender, is estranged from her family because of who she is. She competes in a dance to earn some money for her sex-change surgery but it does not go well. One day, she is told that her father has died and that his will stipulates she could inherit his estate if she performed the Drum Dance during his memorial. Left with no other options, she returns to her hometown to do her father’s bidding.
“Waiting for Dali,” David Pujol, Spain
Fernando,...
Described by Variety critic Peter Debruge as a “convoluted portrait of a pre-teen in turmoil,” Kore-eda ‘s Palme d’Or best script and Queer Palm winner stars Sakura Andō as a mother who confronts a teacher after noticing odd changes in her son’s demeanor. Written by Yuji Sakamoto, it’s scored by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto.
“Peafowl,” Byun Sungbin, South Korea
Myung, a transgender, is estranged from her family because of who she is. She competes in a dance to earn some money for her sex-change surgery but it does not go well. One day, she is told that her father has died and that his will stipulates she could inherit his estate if she performed the Drum Dance during his memorial. Left with no other options, she returns to her hometown to do her father’s bidding.
“Waiting for Dali,” David Pujol, Spain
Fernando,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
There are movies for children, and then there are childish movies. The latest directorial venture of American director Robert Rodriguez titled Spy Kids: Armageddon seems to be way more tilted towards the latter type. Rodriguez has his own niche in filmmaking. He started with the Mexican milieu that he knew so well and made films such as El Mariachi and Desperado, and later went on to direct cult classics such as From Dusk Till Dawn and his masterpiece Sin City. His films are so different from one another that one look at his IMDb page will tell us that he isn’t interested in telling similar stories. Yet he seems to have a strong affinity with the Spy Kids universe. He directed the first one in 2001 and then made three more sequels in the coming years, with the last one being released in 2011. He has now returned with the fifth installment,...
- 9/22/2023
- by Ayush Awasthi
- Film Fugitives
Clockwise from top left: El Mariachi (Columbia Pictures), Desperado (Sony), Spy Kids (Lionsgate), Alita: Battle Angel (Fox), Planet Terror (Scream Factory), Sin City (Paramount)Graphic: AVClub
Hit or miss seems like the best way to describe Robert Rodriguez’s films. The indie darling-turned-hot shot action director famously raised a few...
Hit or miss seems like the best way to describe Robert Rodriguez’s films. The indie darling-turned-hot shot action director famously raised a few...
- 9/20/2023
- by Phil Pirrello
- avclub.com
One thing you can’t fault Robert Rodriguez for — he makes the movies he wants to make. The notorious do-it-yourself director found his way into the studio system by way of cutting down production costs by working a number of positions himself and creatively shooting around normally complicated set-ups. His bets usually paid off when his films would hit and make a profit, thanks to his ingenuity. Ever since, he’s existed with one foot inside as well as one foot outside of Hollywood. After The Book of Boba Fett and the recent thriller Hypnotic, Rodriguez has returned to his unlikely family franchise hit with Spy Kids: Armageddon.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
- 7/31/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The From Dusk Till Dawn episode of Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? was Written by Eric Walkuski, Narrated and Edited by Tyler Nichols, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Okay ramblers, let’s get rambling… In the mid-90s, there were few directors more exciting than Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Guys who clawed their ways into the movie business by sheer determination and talent, they wore their love for cinema on their sleeves and made no bones about it. They helped kickstart a wave of movie nerds who’d be calling their own shots and making millions for the studio system; suddenly it seemed like being able to endlessly quote Martin Scorsese or John Carpenter movies meant you might get a shot at sitting in the director’s chair. Naturally, the two gravitated toward each other, and to this day their...
Okay ramblers, let’s get rambling… In the mid-90s, there were few directors more exciting than Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Guys who clawed their ways into the movie business by sheer determination and talent, they wore their love for cinema on their sleeves and made no bones about it. They helped kickstart a wave of movie nerds who’d be calling their own shots and making millions for the studio system; suddenly it seemed like being able to endlessly quote Martin Scorsese or John Carpenter movies meant you might get a shot at sitting in the director’s chair. Naturally, the two gravitated toward each other, and to this day their...
- 7/14/2023
- by Eric Walkuski
- JoBlo.com
Maverick, visionary, eccentric. All these words will fit with Robert Rodriguez given the path he has chosen as a filmmaker. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Rodriguez started experimenting with filmmaking as a 10-year-old kid shooting 8-millimeter movies in the backyard. Through the years, he has honed his craft, developing a distinct style and approach to filmmaking. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has produced, written, and directed some iconic films including the critically acclaimed El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Sin City, and Alita: Battle Angel. A huge proponent of independent films, Rodrigreuz’s career has been one...
- 5/19/2023
- by Uwa Echebiri
- TVovermind.com
Comic book movies are everywhere. At the beginning of the millennium, comic and graphic novel adaptations were uncommon, with the critical failure of "Batman and Robin" putting the breaks on many studios' plans for future superhero fare. Nowadays, we are spoiled by the veritable bounty of comic book re-imaginings, from the indomitable machine of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the many spin-offs of "The Walking Dead" to the Oscar-winning success of "Joker." We live in a time where even "Madame Web" is getting a big-budget film. Truly, our cup runneth over.
Of course, the trend is currently for superheroes and hasn't expanded much beyond that limited subgenre. Comic books are like any other artistic medium: they encompass seemingly limitless potential across styles, themes, genres, and intents. There are exceptions, from the mundane realism of "Ghost World" and "American Splendor" to the rip-roaring golden age adventuring of "The Adventures of Tintin.
Of course, the trend is currently for superheroes and hasn't expanded much beyond that limited subgenre. Comic books are like any other artistic medium: they encompass seemingly limitless potential across styles, themes, genres, and intents. There are exceptions, from the mundane realism of "Ghost World" and "American Splendor" to the rip-roaring golden age adventuring of "The Adventures of Tintin.
- 5/12/2023
- by Kayleigh Donaldson
- Slash Film
When it comes to the films we associate him with, a lot has changed since the ‘90s when Robert Rodriguez was among the most exciting indie names in cinema with the inventive likes of “El Mariachi,” “From Dusk Till Dawn” and the best segment of the “Four Rooms” anthology. He now has several “Spy Kids” movies, high-profile music videos and middling efforts like “Alita: Battle Angel” under his belt, though this critic can’t help but think of him as the same scrappy independent auteur of decades past in search of a meaty, inventive story.
Which is why the Ben Affleck-starring “Hypnotic” looked and sounded exciting, at least on paper, signaling a brainy yet accessible neo-noir detective tale with an original Rodriguez spin. Sadly, the film is a tedious and erratically cut caper, whose shape-shifting story feels like an uneven and over-plotted rehash of various recognizable films that we’ve seen before.
Which is why the Ben Affleck-starring “Hypnotic” looked and sounded exciting, at least on paper, signaling a brainy yet accessible neo-noir detective tale with an original Rodriguez spin. Sadly, the film is a tedious and erratically cut caper, whose shape-shifting story feels like an uneven and over-plotted rehash of various recognizable films that we’ve seen before.
- 5/10/2023
- by Tomris Laffly
- The Wrap
It’s crazy to think that it’s been more than 30 years since the release of “El Mariachi,” the film by Robert Rodriguez that put him on the scene. And it was a quick ascension for the filmmaker, as he’d go on to direct “Desperado,” “From Dusk till Dawn,” and “The Faculty” in quick succession shortly after.
Continue reading Robert Rodriguez Explains Why He Passed On ‘X-Men,’ ‘Superman’ & ‘John Carter’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading Robert Rodriguez Explains Why He Passed On ‘X-Men,’ ‘Superman’ & ‘John Carter’ at The Playlist.
- 5/9/2023
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Despite erratic nationwide weather pattern, May Day 2023 has nevertheless brought with it a palpable sense of Spring reverie and renewal—not least of all in movie theaters and on streaming platforms. The freshly-launched Writers Strike (necessary and overdue) will no doubt result in some crinkling of the garden hose of fresh content, but that’s for future content consumers to worry about. In the meantime, enjoy this month’s Don’t-Miss Indies!
A Small Light
When You Can Watch: Now
Where You Can Watch: Disney+, Hulu, NatGeo, ABC
Creators: Joan Rater, Tony Phelan
Cast: Bel Powley, Liev Schreiber, Joe Cole, Amira Casar, Billie Boullet, Ashley Brooke
Why We’re Excited: Shot in Prague and Amsterdam in the summer of 2022, this eight-part National Geographic limited series brings us the true story that transpired during the Nazi occupation of both nations in WWII. Austrian-born Dutch woman Miep Gies works for Otto Frank at a spice company.
A Small Light
When You Can Watch: Now
Where You Can Watch: Disney+, Hulu, NatGeo, ABC
Creators: Joan Rater, Tony Phelan
Cast: Bel Powley, Liev Schreiber, Joe Cole, Amira Casar, Billie Boullet, Ashley Brooke
Why We’re Excited: Shot in Prague and Amsterdam in the summer of 2022, this eight-part National Geographic limited series brings us the true story that transpired during the Nazi occupation of both nations in WWII. Austrian-born Dutch woman Miep Gies works for Otto Frank at a spice company.
- 5/2/2023
- by Su Fang Tham
- Film Independent News & More
According to legend, the chupacabra is a fearsome, blood-sucking beast — a lean and intimidating animal you wouldn’t want to come across feasting on your livestock at night. Not so the cub three kids nickname “Chupa” in Mexican director Jonás Cuarón’s family-friendly Netflix movie. This one looks like a fuzzy-wuzzy baby lynx, with inquisitive amber eyes and a pair of awkward azure wings it still hasn’t learned how to use. A single glimpse of this oversized kitten and you’ll want one for your own, if not the plush version to snuggle up with at night.
That’s a pretty radical reimagining of a mythical monster usually discussed in horror terms, but an inspired way to bring a sense of Amblin-esque wonder south of the border, attempting to do for a legendary Latin American creature what films like “E.T.” did for extra-terrestrials — which is to say, turn...
That’s a pretty radical reimagining of a mythical monster usually discussed in horror terms, but an inspired way to bring a sense of Amblin-esque wonder south of the border, attempting to do for a legendary Latin American creature what films like “E.T.” did for extra-terrestrials — which is to say, turn...
- 4/6/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
There are certain success stories in the history of cinema that serve to inspire filmmakers for generations to come. Existing right alongside Kevin Smith's low-budget comedy "Clerks" and Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi," there is Sam Raimi's all-time horror classic "The Evil Dead," which was made on a shoestring budget with his pals, producer Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell, in the early '80s. It ultimately found success despite its lack of resources, having earned more than $29 million in ticket sales to date. Not bad for a movie that was made for a mere $375,000.
Be that as it may, even today, the 1981 film is probably closer to a cult classic than it is a bonafide mainstream hit. Yes, horror...
There are certain success stories in the history of cinema that serve to inspire filmmakers for generations to come. Existing right alongside Kevin Smith's low-budget comedy "Clerks" and Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi," there is Sam Raimi's all-time horror classic "The Evil Dead," which was made on a shoestring budget with his pals, producer Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell, in the early '80s. It ultimately found success despite its lack of resources, having earned more than $29 million in ticket sales to date. Not bad for a movie that was made for a mere $375,000.
Be that as it may, even today, the 1981 film is probably closer to a cult classic than it is a bonafide mainstream hit. Yes, horror...
- 4/1/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Fresh off a surprise “work in progress” screening at SXSW, Robert Rodriguez’s action-thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck, has been set for a May 12 U.S. release.
As we revealed last month, Ketchup Entertainment will be launching the movie on more than 2,000 screens.
The looming release for a movie that remains unfinished is yet another talking point in the project’s tumultuous journey to screen.
Little has been straight-forward for Hypnotic but the warm reception it received on Sunday night was a welcome respite for its creatives and financiers. It’s unusual for a big budget film to get a public “work in progress” screening at a festival but Austin was a smart choice given the home crowd’s reverence for Texas-native Rodriguez.
The director said today: “I’ve been working on this film for many years now, and to see the reaction from my home town audience at SXSW was humbling and validating.
As we revealed last month, Ketchup Entertainment will be launching the movie on more than 2,000 screens.
The looming release for a movie that remains unfinished is yet another talking point in the project’s tumultuous journey to screen.
Little has been straight-forward for Hypnotic but the warm reception it received on Sunday night was a welcome respite for its creatives and financiers. It’s unusual for a big budget film to get a public “work in progress” screening at a festival but Austin was a smart choice given the home crowd’s reverence for Texas-native Rodriguez.
The director said today: “I’ve been working on this film for many years now, and to see the reaction from my home town audience at SXSW was humbling and validating.
- 3/17/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert Rodriguez didn’t want to screen his new movie for the first time on the same night as the Oscars. It just worked out that way.
It all started when, in mid-February, the 54-year-old filmmaker realized he was rapidly approaching the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of his first feature film, the neo-Western “El Mariachi.”
“It fucking snuck up on me,” Rodriguez tells Variety on Sunday afternoon, sitting on a hotel rooftop bar overlooking the ever-changing Austin skyline. Rodriguez famously shot “El Mariachi” on a $7,000 budget, and its success helped to catalyze the independent film revolution of the 1990s and reinforce Rodriguez’s conviction to continue his DIY, homegrown approach to filmmaking. Almost all of Rodriguez’s films have been made at least in part out of his Austin-based Troublemaker Studios, from his R-rated action films like 1998’s “The Faculty,” 2005’s “Sin City” and 2010’s “Machete” to his...
It all started when, in mid-February, the 54-year-old filmmaker realized he was rapidly approaching the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of his first feature film, the neo-Western “El Mariachi.”
“It fucking snuck up on me,” Rodriguez tells Variety on Sunday afternoon, sitting on a hotel rooftop bar overlooking the ever-changing Austin skyline. Rodriguez famously shot “El Mariachi” on a $7,000 budget, and its success helped to catalyze the independent film revolution of the 1990s and reinforce Rodriguez’s conviction to continue his DIY, homegrown approach to filmmaking. Almost all of Rodriguez’s films have been made at least in part out of his Austin-based Troublemaker Studios, from his R-rated action films like 1998’s “The Faculty,” 2005’s “Sin City” and 2010’s “Machete” to his...
- 3/13/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
As a fan greeted Robert Rodriguez during the Q&a of his latest film “Hypnotic” at the SXSW Film & TV festival, the fan recalled a story that after seeing Rodriguez’s breakthrough “El Mariachi” in 1992, he then immigrated to America and watched the TV movie “Roadracers” from 1994. And seeing Rodriguez’s name in the credits again made him perk up.
“I’m glad that guy got to make another movie,” the fan recalled thinking.
“I say that to myself too,” Rodriguez responded.
Because, though he’s directed three “Spy Kids” movies and most recently an expensive cult sci-fi like “Alita: Battle Angel,” there was a time when Rodriguez was a scrappy indie filmmaker unsure if he would get a second chance. And while his latest film “Hypnotic” may star Ben Affleck and other major stars, he told the crowd of largely fans at the Paramount Theater that the experience of...
“I’m glad that guy got to make another movie,” the fan recalled thinking.
“I say that to myself too,” Rodriguez responded.
Because, though he’s directed three “Spy Kids” movies and most recently an expensive cult sci-fi like “Alita: Battle Angel,” there was a time when Rodriguez was a scrappy indie filmmaker unsure if he would get a second chance. And while his latest film “Hypnotic” may star Ben Affleck and other major stars, he told the crowd of largely fans at the Paramount Theater that the experience of...
- 3/13/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Director Robert Rodriguez is an absolute legend in Austin, Texas, famous as the man who helped make the town a haven for filmmakers three decades ago. After all, this is the guy who shot his first movie, "El Mariachi," for around $7,000. Now, 30 years later, Rodriguez decided to bring his latest film to the SXSW Film Festival to treat his hometown crowd to something new. That something new is "Hypnotic, a detective thriller starring Ben Affleck that is not quite finished yet, but it was finished enough for Rodriguez to bring a work-in-progress cut to the festival. I saw the cut and, safe to say, it warrants conversation. So let's talk about it.
Now, let's be very clear: this is not a review of "Hypnotic," as this film is certainly going to change in the editing room between now and its eventual release, so it wouldn't be quite fair to give it an official review.
Now, let's be very clear: this is not a review of "Hypnotic," as this film is certainly going to change in the editing room between now and its eventual release, so it wouldn't be quite fair to give it an official review.
- 3/13/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
There are low-budget movies like last year's "Barbarian," which became a sizable hit against a $4.5 million budget, and the kind of success story that often makes headlines. There are micro-budget movies, such as Sean Baker's "Tangerine," which was shot on iPhones and produced for a mere $100,000. And then there's "El Mariachi," the feature directorial debut of Robert Rodriguez, which was made for a hair over $7,000 and ultimately scored him a two-picture deal at Columbia Pictures. To date, his films have earned more than $1.5 billion at the global box office, and he even ran the El Rey TV network for nearly a decade.
The success Rodriguez managed to string together from pretty close to nothing is the stuff of legend in Hollywood,...
There are low-budget movies like last year's "Barbarian," which became a sizable hit against a $4.5 million budget, and the kind of success story that often makes headlines. There are micro-budget movies, such as Sean Baker's "Tangerine," which was shot on iPhones and produced for a mere $100,000. And then there's "El Mariachi," the feature directorial debut of Robert Rodriguez, which was made for a hair over $7,000 and ultimately scored him a two-picture deal at Columbia Pictures. To date, his films have earned more than $1.5 billion at the global box office, and he even ran the El Rey TV network for nearly a decade.
The success Rodriguez managed to string together from pretty close to nothing is the stuff of legend in Hollywood,...
- 2/25/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino met in 1992 when both filmmakers exploded onto the scene with their respective films, "El Mariachi" and "Reservoir Dogs." Filmmaker panels don't happen quite as often as they used to at major film festivals, but back then, Rodriguez and Tarantino were on a panel addressing violence in the movies (naturally). That was always a hot button topic and both directors, especially Tarantino, have had to address the graphic content in their films multiple times over the years.
Coming off the success of "Kill Bill" and "Sin City" over a decade later, the idea to do "Grindhouse" was born out of curated movie nights that Tarantino would cull together out of old 35mm prints of drive-in movies and obscure trailers from the 1970's. "Grindhouse" was really a way to craft a passion project out of their love for some of the under seen gems that they revered growing up that,...
Coming off the success of "Kill Bill" and "Sin City" over a decade later, the idea to do "Grindhouse" was born out of curated movie nights that Tarantino would cull together out of old 35mm prints of drive-in movies and obscure trailers from the 1970's. "Grindhouse" was really a way to craft a passion project out of their love for some of the under seen gems that they revered growing up that,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Here’re the charts and segmentations of the cameras that shot the Sundance 2023’s documentary films. It proves once again that documentary filmmakers use different tools as compared to their narrative colleagues. Not surprisingly, Canon leads the way as the most trusted camera company among documentary filmmakers. Gladly, we see here Blackmagic, Sony mirrorless, and even iPhone. Furthermore, high-end cinema cameras are located at the bottom of the chart.
Sundance 2023’s Documentaries – Camera manufacturers Chart. Credit: Y.M.Cinema Magazine Sundance Film Festival 2023: The cameras that shot the docus
Thankfully, IndieWire reached out to the documentary filmmakers that were super lucky for their docus to be screened at the prestige film festival and asked about the cameras they used. Based on that data, Y.M. Cinema Magazine has built the camera charts in order to explore tendency — an inclination toward particular cameras. That may help us understand, what is...
Sundance 2023’s Documentaries – Camera manufacturers Chart. Credit: Y.M.Cinema Magazine Sundance Film Festival 2023: The cameras that shot the docus
Thankfully, IndieWire reached out to the documentary filmmakers that were super lucky for their docus to be screened at the prestige film festival and asked about the cameras they used. Based on that data, Y.M. Cinema Magazine has built the camera charts in order to explore tendency — an inclination toward particular cameras. That may help us understand, what is...
- 2/14/2023
- by Yossy Mendelovich
- YMCinema
Though "Reservoir Dogs" took the Sundance Film Festival by storm in January 1992, the Quentin Tarantino brand didn't explode until 1993. The internet was available in college dorm rooms during the early '90s, but the online world belonged to nerds who got lost in multi-user dungeons (MUDs) or conversed collegially on Usenet newsgroups like rec.arts.movies about all things cinematic.
Tarantino's most vocal adherents might've been on Usenet, but his rise was largely analog, and, given the filmmaker's old-school eschewal of digital technology (at least as far as his own work is concerned), I doubt he would've had it any other way. All I know is that in the fall of 1992 when I began my freshman year at Ohio University, no one had heard of Tarantino. And in the fall of 1993, there were oversized "Reservoir Dogs" posters adorning bedroom walls all over campus.
Warner Bros. stood to benefit from...
Tarantino's most vocal adherents might've been on Usenet, but his rise was largely analog, and, given the filmmaker's old-school eschewal of digital technology (at least as far as his own work is concerned), I doubt he would've had it any other way. All I know is that in the fall of 1992 when I began my freshman year at Ohio University, no one had heard of Tarantino. And in the fall of 1993, there were oversized "Reservoir Dogs" posters adorning bedroom walls all over campus.
Warner Bros. stood to benefit from...
- 2/14/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Competitive scholastic mariachi in South Texas is the subject of Going Varsity in Mariachi, the documentary from filmmakers Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn. Specifically, the focus is on Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro team, featuring passionate coach coach Abel Acuña, driven team captains Abby, Marlena, and Bella as well as the vibrant music produced by the entire team. Dp Michael Crommett discusses lensing the project, including how his past documentary work aided him on this shoot. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your […]
The post “Our Cinematography Hopefully Emphasizes the Elegance of Mariachi”: Dp Michael Crommett on Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Our Cinematography Hopefully Emphasizes the Elegance of Mariachi”: Dp Michael Crommett on Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Competitive scholastic mariachi in South Texas is the subject of Going Varsity in Mariachi, the documentary from filmmakers Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn. Specifically, the focus is on Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro team, featuring passionate coach coach Abel Acuña, driven team captains Abby, Marlena, and Bella as well as the vibrant music produced by the entire team. Dp Michael Crommett discusses lensing the project, including how his past documentary work aided him on this shoot. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your […]
The post “Our Cinematography Hopefully Emphasizes the Elegance of Mariachi”: Dp Michael Crommett on Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Our Cinematography Hopefully Emphasizes the Elegance of Mariachi”: Dp Michael Crommett on Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Every production faces unexpected obstructions that require creative solutions and conceptual rethinking. What was an unforeseen obstacle, crisis, or simply unpredictable event you had to respond to, and how did this event impact or cause you to rethink your film? The varsity mariachi team that we had chosen to focus on had historically been one of the best in the state. We’d filmed with the team two years earlier and had immense respect for the coach and his program. And although he’d warned us that the team was heading into a “rebuilding year,” we weren’t prepared for the impact that […]
The post “It Wasn’t Clear That They Would Even Qualify for the State Competition” | Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Wasn’t Clear That They Would Even Qualify for the State Competition” | Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Every production faces unexpected obstructions that require creative solutions and conceptual rethinking. What was an unforeseen obstacle, crisis, or simply unpredictable event you had to respond to, and how did this event impact or cause you to rethink your film? The varsity mariachi team that we had chosen to focus on had historically been one of the best in the state. We’d filmed with the team two years earlier and had immense respect for the coach and his program. And although he’d warned us that the team was heading into a “rebuilding year,” we weren’t prepared for the impact that […]
The post “It Wasn’t Clear That They Would Even Qualify for the State Competition” | Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It Wasn’t Clear That They Would Even Qualify for the State Competition” | Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, Going Varsity in Mariachi first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
The Sundance Film Festival roared back to life this year with the first in-person version of the event since 2020, and TheWrap was there with bells on to talk to some of the performers and filmmakers involved in this year’s pre-eminent films. With any luck, these films will go on to join the ranks of previous Sundance debut features like “Coda” or “Whiplash” or “Boyhood” once they hit audiences at large (and possibly even the Oscar stage).
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our interviews for you to watch along with links to every interview conducted at TheWrap’s Portrait and Video Studio at The Music Lodge during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, sponsored by Nfp along with support from Sylvania and HigherDOSE.
Actor Jonathan Majors and the team behind the challenging drama “Magazine Dreams” spoke about how the story of an obsessed bodybuilder is a “time capsule” for modern day America.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our interviews for you to watch along with links to every interview conducted at TheWrap’s Portrait and Video Studio at The Music Lodge during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, sponsored by Nfp along with support from Sylvania and HigherDOSE.
Actor Jonathan Majors and the team behind the challenging drama “Magazine Dreams” spoke about how the story of an obsessed bodybuilder is a “time capsule” for modern day America.
- 1/28/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
In the opening sequence of “Going Varsity in Mariachi,” a high school mariachi band takes the stage of a dramatically lit an auditorium. Just as the violinist raises her bow, the camera cuts away. We don’t hear what she’s going to play until about an hour and a half later. It’s a frustrating tease that serves as a good example of some of the shortcomings of Sam Osborn and Alejandra Vasquez’s otherwise .
Osborn and Vasquez’s feature plays like a mashup of Netflix’s “Cheer” and Fox’s “Glee” but set in the Rio Grande Valley, where the primary competitive endeavor is mariachi music. Centering on the underdogs of Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro, “Going Varsity in Mariachi” is a thoroughly enjoyable if formulaic narrative that also fails to closely examine the subculture its proclaims to introduce. That is to say: I wish “Going...
Osborn and Vasquez’s feature plays like a mashup of Netflix’s “Cheer” and Fox’s “Glee” but set in the Rio Grande Valley, where the primary competitive endeavor is mariachi music. Centering on the underdogs of Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro, “Going Varsity in Mariachi” is a thoroughly enjoyable if formulaic narrative that also fails to closely examine the subculture its proclaims to introduce. That is to say: I wish “Going...
- 1/22/2023
- by Esther Zuckerman
- Indiewire
First-time directors have to start somewhere when making their first project and have to cut their teeth in film on a no-budget or micro-budget production. They take on multiple roles of producer, writer, costume designer, production and craft services to save money as there is no budget to hire professionals.
This can spark creative outcomes as the crew and their director have to focus on how to spend the budget, creating a standout indie film that can go on to rake it in at the box office and become a cult classic.
Director Robert Rodriguez’s breakthrough 1993 feature film, El Mariachi, was created on a shoestring budget of only $7,000, launching his career. It still holds the Guinness World Record for the lowest-budget film to gross $1 million at the box office.
Other first-time directors include Kevin Smith, who made Clerks on a $27,000 budget in 1994; David Lynch who created the cult classic...
This can spark creative outcomes as the crew and their director have to focus on how to spend the budget, creating a standout indie film that can go on to rake it in at the box office and become a cult classic.
Director Robert Rodriguez’s breakthrough 1993 feature film, El Mariachi, was created on a shoestring budget of only $7,000, launching his career. It still holds the Guinness World Record for the lowest-budget film to gross $1 million at the box office.
Other first-time directors include Kevin Smith, who made Clerks on a $27,000 budget in 1994; David Lynch who created the cult classic...
- 11/7/2022
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
When it comes to charting out meticulous plans for a movie concept, James Cameron is always one step ahead of the game. Cameron is the kind of director who would rather wait for the right circumstances than jump in on an opportunity with unfavorable odds. This led to projects being shelved until the right kind of technology came along, as it was important for Cameron to actualize his vision exactly the way he intended. As a result, when Cameron decided to adapt the Japanese cyberpunk manga "Gunnm" (also known as "Alita: Battle Angel"), he had to wait for 20-odd years for the right kind of technology to evolve.
Although Cameron was supposed to direct this immensely ambitious project, he got caught up in making "Avatar," which ushered in a fresh wave of filmmaking that pioneered computer animation using real actors. However, Cameron turned to long-time friend Robert Rodriguez to spearhead this massive,...
Although Cameron was supposed to direct this immensely ambitious project, he got caught up in making "Avatar," which ushered in a fresh wave of filmmaking that pioneered computer animation using real actors. However, Cameron turned to long-time friend Robert Rodriguez to spearhead this massive,...
- 9/19/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Many a Robert Rodriguez flick has featured Antonio Banderas or some such actor walking away from an explosion without looking back. Banderas first teamed with Rodriguez on the 1995 Western actioner "Desperado," which also introduced the world to Salma Hayek and formed the second installment in Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy" after his feature-length directorial debut, "El Mariachi." The title role in "El Mariachi" was played by Carlos Gallardo, but Banderas took over in "Desperado," the year after he appeared in "Interview with the Vampire" with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.
Though he may have brought a movie star quality to the new and improved El Mariachi character, Banderas still found himself in a position where he was doing dangerous stunts. In one "Desperado" scene, El Mariachi dangles off the edge of a building, then falls backward while shooting his guns, landing on the next building. He retrieves some grenades from his guitar...
Though he may have brought a movie star quality to the new and improved El Mariachi character, Banderas still found himself in a position where he was doing dangerous stunts. In one "Desperado" scene, El Mariachi dangles off the edge of a building, then falls backward while shooting his guns, landing on the next building. He retrieves some grenades from his guitar...
- 9/18/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Netflix has closed a deal with Skydance to produce a reimagining of the Spy Kids franchise, alongside Spyglass Media, LLC and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who created the film series and directed all past installments.
The next film in the franchise, introducing the world to a new family of spies, will also be written and directed by Rodriguez. It will mark his second family film for Netflix, on the heels of the 2020 actioner We Can Be Heroes. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce for Skydance, which is overseeing development and production, with Elizabeth Avellan and Racer Max also producing. Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce for Spyglass, which owns the Spy Kids franchise.
Rodriguez’s original Spy Kids film, centered on kids saving their spy parents from an evil, high-tech enemy, was released 21 years ago today, with sequels Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams...
The next film in the franchise, introducing the world to a new family of spies, will also be written and directed by Rodriguez. It will mark his second family film for Netflix, on the heels of the 2020 actioner We Can Be Heroes. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce for Skydance, which is overseeing development and production, with Elizabeth Avellan and Racer Max also producing. Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce for Spyglass, which owns the Spy Kids franchise.
Rodriguez’s original Spy Kids film, centered on kids saving their spy parents from an evil, high-tech enemy, was released 21 years ago today, with sequels Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams...
- 3/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has closed a deal with Skydance to produce a reimagining of the successful 2001 “Spy Kids” franchise alongside Spyglass Media and creator and director Robert Rodriguez, the companies announced on Wednesday.
Rodriguez will write and direct the new film, and like the original series, the new “Spy Kids” movie will focus on a multicultural family of international spies.
The film will mark Rodriguez’s second family film with Netflix, following the 2020 family action film “We Can Be Heroes.” The original “Spy Kids” was released 21 years ago Wednesday, to the day.
Spyglass owns the “Spy Kids” franchise. Skydance will serve as the lead studio and oversee development and production. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce for Skydance. Elizabeth Avellan and Racer Max will also produce. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.
The original film from 2001 was a critical and box office success, grossing $147.9 million worldwide...
Rodriguez will write and direct the new film, and like the original series, the new “Spy Kids” movie will focus on a multicultural family of international spies.
The film will mark Rodriguez’s second family film with Netflix, following the 2020 family action film “We Can Be Heroes.” The original “Spy Kids” was released 21 years ago Wednesday, to the day.
Spyglass owns the “Spy Kids” franchise. Skydance will serve as the lead studio and oversee development and production. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce for Skydance. Elizabeth Avellan and Racer Max will also produce. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.
The original film from 2001 was a critical and box office success, grossing $147.9 million worldwide...
- 3/30/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Proceed with caution as this article contains Spoilers for the first episode of "The Book of Boba Fett."
Following his reintroduction of the iconic bounty hunter in "The Mandalorian" season two, Robert Rodriguez signed on to executive produce "The Book of Boba Fett" starring Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen. Following Fett and Fennec Shard as they take over the crime syndicate formerly run by Jabba the Hutt on the treacherous planet of Tatooine, this series is set up to fill in some major blanks for the mysterious fan-favorite character.
As if producing and directing the highly anticipated Disney+ "Star Wars" show weren't enough, the "El Mariachi" trilogy,...
The post The Book of Boba Fett Premiere Features a Robert Rodriguez Cameo appeared first on /Film.
Following his reintroduction of the iconic bounty hunter in "The Mandalorian" season two, Robert Rodriguez signed on to executive produce "The Book of Boba Fett" starring Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen. Following Fett and Fennec Shard as they take over the crime syndicate formerly run by Jabba the Hutt on the treacherous planet of Tatooine, this series is set up to fill in some major blanks for the mysterious fan-favorite character.
As if producing and directing the highly anticipated Disney+ "Star Wars" show weren't enough, the "El Mariachi" trilogy,...
The post The Book of Boba Fett Premiere Features a Robert Rodriguez Cameo appeared first on /Film.
- 12/30/2021
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
In Fogtown, the mysterious Lumpia Man (Mark Muñoz ) has perfected the ultimate lumpia — and he’s not afraid to use it. Patricio Ginelsa follows up on his Filipino American cult classic “Lumpia” with “Lumpia With a Vengeance,” showing the iconic eggroll in the limelight once again. This time, the stakes are much higher – and more delicious – than ever before. On the occasion of the film’s NYC premiere through the Asian American International Film Festival, we take the time to talk to Ginelsa about the power of lumpia.
Let’s start with the obvious. Why lumpia?
For Filipinos, lumpia is the defining food. For [my brother and I], it all started when we were fans of this movie “El Mariachi” (1992) by Robert Rodriguez, done before “Desperado” (1995). It’s this low-budget, Mexican action film that uses a guitar as a weapon. My brother said, “What would be the Filipino version of ‘El Mariachi’?” The best...
Let’s start with the obvious. Why lumpia?
For Filipinos, lumpia is the defining food. For [my brother and I], it all started when we were fans of this movie “El Mariachi” (1992) by Robert Rodriguez, done before “Desperado” (1995). It’s this low-budget, Mexican action film that uses a guitar as a weapon. My brother said, “What would be the Filipino version of ‘El Mariachi’?” The best...
- 8/20/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Robert Rodríguez and his Troublemaker Studios have signed a first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max.
Under the deal, Rodríguez will bring projects to HBO Max and HBO for potential development as original series. Racer Rodríguez, Rodríguez’s son, will serve as lead development executive under the pact. Productions could also potentially be completed at the Troublemaker production facilities based in Austin, TX.
“It’s intriguing to be able to tap into the wealth of iconic IP available across the WarnerMedia portfolio and explore new stories to tell,” said Rodríguez. “I’m looking forward to a meaningful collaboration with the high caliber creative talent at HBO and HBO Max who have proven they’re willing to take risks, challenge norms and tell inclusive stories while producing a wide breadth of quality content.”
Rodríguez is currently executive producing the “Mandalorian” spinoff series “The Book of Boba Fett” for Disney Plus, with...
Under the deal, Rodríguez will bring projects to HBO Max and HBO for potential development as original series. Racer Rodríguez, Rodríguez’s son, will serve as lead development executive under the pact. Productions could also potentially be completed at the Troublemaker production facilities based in Austin, TX.
“It’s intriguing to be able to tap into the wealth of iconic IP available across the WarnerMedia portfolio and explore new stories to tell,” said Rodríguez. “I’m looking forward to a meaningful collaboration with the high caliber creative talent at HBO and HBO Max who have proven they’re willing to take risks, challenge norms and tell inclusive stories while producing a wide breadth of quality content.”
Rodríguez is currently executive producing the “Mandalorian” spinoff series “The Book of Boba Fett” for Disney Plus, with...
- 8/12/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly a decade after fronting the launch of cable TV network El Rey, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is taking its operations into the streaming realm.
In a deal with Cinedigm, which operates a portfolio of targeted streaming offerings like the Bob Ross Channel, Fandor and the Dove Channel, El Rey will continue to have a 24-7 live presence. Distribution partners have not been announced, but targets will include smart-tv and connected-tv platforms and streaming outlets like Pluto and others offering bundles of free channels.
At the beginning of its new phase, the streaming outlet will be less widely available than when it was at its cable peak, when it reached 40 million U.S. households. Even so, backers say its rebooted future is brighter given the overall shift toward streaming. Many of El Rey’s advertising relationships and resources will carry over to the new setup, and Rodriguez is an established figure...
In a deal with Cinedigm, which operates a portfolio of targeted streaming offerings like the Bob Ross Channel, Fandor and the Dove Channel, El Rey will continue to have a 24-7 live presence. Distribution partners have not been announced, but targets will include smart-tv and connected-tv platforms and streaming outlets like Pluto and others offering bundles of free channels.
At the beginning of its new phase, the streaming outlet will be less widely available than when it was at its cable peak, when it reached 40 million U.S. households. Even so, backers say its rebooted future is brighter given the overall shift toward streaming. Many of El Rey’s advertising relationships and resources will carry over to the new setup, and Rodriguez is an established figure...
- 8/6/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has taken El Rey Network — once a linear cable TV channel — and revived the Latino-focused brand for the streaming era in partnership with Cinedigm.
Launched in 2013, El Rey Network at its peak reached over 40 million pay-tv households. The cable channel, stocked with a range of English-language scripted and unscripted programming catering to Latino audiences and beyond, shut down at the end of 2020.
In partnership with Cinedigm, El Rey Network will relaunch as a free-to-watch over-the-top streaming service available on platforms including connected TVs, digital set-top boxes, media-streaming devices and the web. In addition, Cinedigm will work with El Rey to ink deals with advertisers for custom content. Cinedigm also will exclusively distribute Rodriguez’s feature film “Red 11” and a companion docuseries, “Rebel Without A Crew: The Robert Rodriguez Film School,” to Ott platforms.
The date of the El Rey Network streaming channel launch has yet to be determined.
Launched in 2013, El Rey Network at its peak reached over 40 million pay-tv households. The cable channel, stocked with a range of English-language scripted and unscripted programming catering to Latino audiences and beyond, shut down at the end of 2020.
In partnership with Cinedigm, El Rey Network will relaunch as a free-to-watch over-the-top streaming service available on platforms including connected TVs, digital set-top boxes, media-streaming devices and the web. In addition, Cinedigm will work with El Rey to ink deals with advertisers for custom content. Cinedigm also will exclusively distribute Rodriguez’s feature film “Red 11” and a companion docuseries, “Rebel Without A Crew: The Robert Rodriguez Film School,” to Ott platforms.
The date of the El Rey Network streaming channel launch has yet to be determined.
- 8/6/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
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Any seasoned filmmaker will likely admit that you’re never fully prepared to make your first film, but that’s part of the excitement. Getting started can be a huge part of the battle and those fears aren’t always technical. Sometimes that one thing stopping you from shooting your first film has nothing to do with the technical side and more with your confidence. That’s why we rounded up a list of the best books for first-time filmmakers that cover a range of topics including cinematography, how to get the right shot, the inner workings of the film industry, inspirational quotes from famed directors, and more.
Whether you’re a director,...
Any seasoned filmmaker will likely admit that you’re never fully prepared to make your first film, but that’s part of the excitement. Getting started can be a huge part of the battle and those fears aren’t always technical. Sometimes that one thing stopping you from shooting your first film has nothing to do with the technical side and more with your confidence. That’s why we rounded up a list of the best books for first-time filmmakers that cover a range of topics including cinematography, how to get the right shot, the inner workings of the film industry, inspirational quotes from famed directors, and more.
Whether you’re a director,...
- 4/8/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Robert Rodriguez will look to re-imagine the “Spy Kids” franchise of family films, teaming with Skydance Media, which optioned the rights to the trilogy of films, and Spyglass Media Group, which owns the franchise.
Rodriguez will write and direct the new film, and like the original series, the new “Spy Kids” movie will focus on a multi-cultural family of international spies.
The original film from 2001 was a critical and box office success, grossing $147.9 million worldwide and starred Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino alongside its young stars, Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara. The franchise became so popular, it spawned three more sequels, all of them directed by Rodriguez. The films grossed over $550 million at the worldwide box office.
Spyglass owns the “Spy Kids” franchise. Skydance will serve as the lead studio and oversee development and production. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.
Rodriguez recently had big success on...
Rodriguez will write and direct the new film, and like the original series, the new “Spy Kids” movie will focus on a multi-cultural family of international spies.
The original film from 2001 was a critical and box office success, grossing $147.9 million worldwide and starred Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino alongside its young stars, Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara. The franchise became so popular, it spawned three more sequels, all of them directed by Rodriguez. The films grossed over $550 million at the worldwide box office.
Spyglass owns the “Spy Kids” franchise. Skydance will serve as the lead studio and oversee development and production. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.
Rodriguez recently had big success on...
- 1/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
For Anthony and Joe Russo, choosing their next project after making the all-time highest-grossing film “Avengers: Endgame,” was not easy. But after reading the novel “Cherry” by Nico Walker, the filmmaking duo saw a personal connection to the opioid epidemic that they witnessed first-hand within their community and their own family.
From a script by their younger sister Angela Russo-Otstot, which she co-wrote with Jessica Goldberg, it’s a dramatic departure from their other work. The same goes for Tom Holland’s performance, after his portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In an interview with Variety, the brothers discuss their origins and the personal connection to the story of “Cherry.” They also open up about some of their cinematic influences, such as Steven Soderbergh and the Coen brothers, and if solo projects could be in their future.
Growing up with so much brotherly love, who had the idea to get into filmmaking?...
From a script by their younger sister Angela Russo-Otstot, which she co-wrote with Jessica Goldberg, it’s a dramatic departure from their other work. The same goes for Tom Holland’s performance, after his portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In an interview with Variety, the brothers discuss their origins and the personal connection to the story of “Cherry.” They also open up about some of their cinematic influences, such as Steven Soderbergh and the Coen brothers, and if solo projects could be in their future.
Growing up with so much brotherly love, who had the idea to get into filmmaking?...
- 1/15/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Stephanie Allain, the veteran producer who championed John Singleton’s “Boyz N the Hood” and produced “Hustle & Flow,” has signed a first look producing deal with Endeavor Content.
Allain produced last year’s Oscars ceremony and recently served as an executive producer on the TV adaptation of “Dear White People.” She’s won multiple Independent Spirit Awards and NAACP and Image Awards, and is also Emmy-nominated for her work on the Oscars.
“I am beyond excited to work with Graham, Chris and everyone at Endeavor Content to produce movies that entertain and impact audiences around the world,” Allain said in a statement.
“Stephanie’s fierce advocacy for diverse filmmakers is matched only by her exceptional eye and discerning taste, and we are honored to be working with her to produce content that best reflects the world we live in,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-presidents of Endeavor Content.
Allain produced last year’s Oscars ceremony and recently served as an executive producer on the TV adaptation of “Dear White People.” She’s won multiple Independent Spirit Awards and NAACP and Image Awards, and is also Emmy-nominated for her work on the Oscars.
“I am beyond excited to work with Graham, Chris and everyone at Endeavor Content to produce movies that entertain and impact audiences around the world,” Allain said in a statement.
“Stephanie’s fierce advocacy for diverse filmmakers is matched only by her exceptional eye and discerning taste, and we are honored to be working with her to produce content that best reflects the world we live in,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-presidents of Endeavor Content.
- 1/7/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Endeavor Content has set a first-look producing deal with Stephanie Allain for feature films.
Allain is the producer who has won Independent Spirit Awards, NAACP and Image Awards, and who became the first woman of color to produce the Academy Awards when she teamed with Lynette Howell Taylor. They were Emmy nominated for their work producing last year’s 92nd Academy Awards. Her TV deal remains at Warner Bros.
“I am beyond excited to work with Graham, Chris and everyone at Endeavor Content to produce movies that entertain and impact audiences around the world,” Allain said.
“Stephanie’s fierce advocacy for diverse filmmakers is matched only by her exceptional eye and discerning taste, and we are honored to be working with her to produce content that best reflects the world we live in,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Co-Presidents of Endeavor Content.
The movie deal that started Allain...
Allain is the producer who has won Independent Spirit Awards, NAACP and Image Awards, and who became the first woman of color to produce the Academy Awards when she teamed with Lynette Howell Taylor. They were Emmy nominated for their work producing last year’s 92nd Academy Awards. Her TV deal remains at Warner Bros.
“I am beyond excited to work with Graham, Chris and everyone at Endeavor Content to produce movies that entertain and impact audiences around the world,” Allain said.
“Stephanie’s fierce advocacy for diverse filmmakers is matched only by her exceptional eye and discerning taste, and we are honored to be working with her to produce content that best reflects the world we live in,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Co-Presidents of Endeavor Content.
The movie deal that started Allain...
- 1/7/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
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