Alice Cooper has always been a bit of a cartoon character. Hell, without him there would be no Kiss, Marylin Manson, Rob Zombie, visual kei, or any number of crazy media characters inspired by Cooper’s shock-rock aesthetic. Now, new indie comics group Dark Matter Publishing has decided that Alice Cooper deserves “Masterpiece Theatre”-type company—the likes of Uncle Creepy, Cousin Eerie, and the Crypt Keeper—as his own host of supernatural stories in the proposed anthology series Uncle Alice Presents.
Dark Matter Publisher Tom Sheppard (Pinky And The Brain, The Annoying Orange) and former Dark Horse president Todd Moyer are in charge of the project, which they hope to make into a television series as well as a twelve-issue comic. “Look, we all love anthology series like Tales From The Crypt, The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but wouldn’t we love them a lot more if...
Dark Matter Publisher Tom Sheppard (Pinky And The Brain, The Annoying Orange) and former Dark Horse president Todd Moyer are in charge of the project, which they hope to make into a television series as well as a twelve-issue comic. “Look, we all love anthology series like Tales From The Crypt, The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but wouldn’t we love them a lot more if...
- 4/2/2013
- by Holly I.
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Brendan Fraser is being sued after he allegedly unleashed two physical attacks on a movie producer. Todd Moyer is working on 'The Legend of William Tell' with the actor - a film that has been in the works since 2011. In his lawsuit, Todd claims that the first incident took place at the Hilton Hotel in Indianapolis on July 27 2011, when an ''intoxicated'' Brendan began to ''physically push, verbally threaten and poke [Moyer] in the chest repeatedly.'' The prosecutor does not specify what led to the alleged attack however it continues to explain that a second incident took place six...
- 7/13/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Brendan Fraser is being sued after he allegedly unleashed two physical attacks on a movie producer. Todd Moyer is working on 'The Legend of William Tell' with the actor - a film that has been in the works since 2011. In his lawsuit, Todd claims that the first incident took place at the Hilton Hotel in Indianapolis on July 27 2011, when an 'intoxicated' Brendan began to 'physically push, verbally threaten and poke [Moyer] in the chest repeatedly.' The prosecutor does not specify what led to the alleged attack however it continues to explain that a second incident took place six months later. Brendan is said to have struck his colleague again, this time during a meeting about...
- 7/13/2012
- Monsters and Critics
We’ve got two words for you: Aluminum. Gondola. How did we go our entire lives until now without reading that phrase? Thanks to a new lawsuit filed against Justin Bieber by an Oregon mom named Stacey Wilson Betts, we get to learn about the “heart-shaped aluminum/steel gondola” the “Boyfriend” singer rides over his audience in his concerts. Unfortunately for Bieber/Betts’ eardrums/your daughters, the structure acted as a “sound conductor creating a sound blast that permanently damaged both of my ears.” Hoo boy! According to the lawsuit, which asks for $9.23 million in damages, Justin “created a wave like effect of screaming by pointing into various sections of the arena. Then enticed the crowd into a frenzy of screams by continuously waving his arms in a quick and upward motion.” We aren’t lawyers, but couldn’t they easily prove this theory by checking to see if everyone...
- 7/12/2012
- by Halle Kiefer
- TheFabLife - Movies
5:55 Pm Pt: Fraser's lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ, "This is a ridiculous and absurd claim by Mr. Moyer. He's desperately trying to avoid the monies that he guaranteed to pay to Brendan -- more than $2 million -- and has concocted this claim. He recently just put his company into bankruptcy. This is just another desperate attempt by him to avoid paying his debt."Brendan Fraser unleashed Two physical attacks on one of the producers...
- 7/12/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Brendan Fraser is suing producers of William Tell...The Legend, alleging they violated a written agreement to star in a proposed film about the Swiss folk hero known for his expert bow-and-arrow marksmanship. Photos: Crazy Cases! 18 of Hollywood's Outrageous Entertainment Lawsuits In a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last Friday, Fraser says he was approached in early 2011 by Arclight Studios to star in the film. The project was acquired by producer Todd Moyer, who allegedly ran into trouble financing the project. Fraser says he forgoed other jobs, incurred out-of-pocket travel expenses to
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- 5/11/2012
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brendan Fraser is suing the producers of the film ‘The Legend of William Tell: 3D,’ as he’s claiming they failed to pay him his $2 million acting fees, TMZ is reporting. The actor filed the lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court, saying producer Todd Moyer hired him in early 2011 to appear in the film. He added that he was promised shooting would begin in October of that year. Fraser added that he was fully committed to the shooting schedule, and even passed up several other lucrative acting jobs to remain available for ‘The Legend of William Tell: 3D.’ In his lawsuit, he added that Moyer could stay on schedule [ Read More ]...
- 5/10/2012
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Brendan Fraser has filed a $3 million (£1.8 million) lawsuit against the makers of a new movie about William Tell, amid allegations the planned project has failed to materialise.
The Mummy actor claims producer Todd Moyer hired him to star in The Legend of William Tell: 3D early last year, with the shoot scheduled to begin in October.
Fraser alleges he passed up on several lucrative jobs to commit to the project - which is reportedly still in pre-production due to financing issues.
The actor has now taken legal action and filed papers at Los Angeles County Superior Court, demanding a $2.25 million (£1.4 million) payout he insists he's entitled to whether the film shoots or not. He's also asking for additional damages, taking the amount to $3 million, reports TMZ.com.
However, Moyer is stunned by the legal action because he's adamant the project is still on, telling the website, "This is the first I have heard of this lawsuit. As we told Mr. Fraser's reps, we are ready, willing and able to make the movie for the September 3rd start date. (Producer) Julius Nasso and I have the movie fully financed.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Fraser does not seem to be interested in making the movie as a 2D film as the producers intend to do. This is not a contractual decision Mr. Fraser has the ability to make."...
The Mummy actor claims producer Todd Moyer hired him to star in The Legend of William Tell: 3D early last year, with the shoot scheduled to begin in October.
Fraser alleges he passed up on several lucrative jobs to commit to the project - which is reportedly still in pre-production due to financing issues.
The actor has now taken legal action and filed papers at Los Angeles County Superior Court, demanding a $2.25 million (£1.4 million) payout he insists he's entitled to whether the film shoots or not. He's also asking for additional damages, taking the amount to $3 million, reports TMZ.com.
However, Moyer is stunned by the legal action because he's adamant the project is still on, telling the website, "This is the first I have heard of this lawsuit. As we told Mr. Fraser's reps, we are ready, willing and able to make the movie for the September 3rd start date. (Producer) Julius Nasso and I have the movie fully financed.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Fraser does not seem to be interested in making the movie as a 2D film as the producers intend to do. This is not a contractual decision Mr. Fraser has the ability to make."...
- 5/10/2012
- WENN
Brendan Fraser claims the producers behind a new 3D movie about William Tell have screwed him out of more than $2 million in acting fees -- and now, he's suing for every penny ... plus more.Brendan filed the lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court -- claiming producer Todd Moyer hired him to act in "The Legend of William Tell: 3D" in early 2011, promising to begin shooting in October of that year.Brendan claims he fully...
- 5/9/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Safady Entertainment (Machine Gun Preacher) is launching development of supernatural thriller Dreamt with Martin Weisz attached to direct, says Variety. Weisz is the German director behind the underrated Grimm and The Hills Have Eyes II, which he allegedly made a complete mess of (there were rumors of a second unit shooting simultaneously to fix his mistakes). With a script by Andrew Alexander, " 'Dreamt' i set in modern day and centers on two people dreaming in each other's lives. Conflict ensues after the men discover each other's existence, leading one man to try to take over the other's life and stopping at nothing to get it." Partners Gary Safady and Craig Chapmans are producing along with Todd Moyer of the Flagship Management Group, who is currently producing the Brendan Fraser film "William Tell 3D." Shooting is set to begin in April.
- 11/9/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
Andrew Alexander-scripted Dreamt to be helmed by Martin Weisz The supernatural thriller from Machine Gun Preacher production company Safady Entertainment has landed Martin Weisz (The Hill Have Eyes II, Grimm Love) as director, helming from the script by Andrew Alexander. Pic, which is set in modern day, tells of two men dreaming in each other's lives. After they learn of each other's existence, one man tries to take over the other's life at any cost. Gary Safady and Craig Chapmans produce alongside Flagship Management Group's Todd Moyer. Flagship are producing William Tell 3D starring Brendan Fraser,...
- 11/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Andrew Alexander-scripted Dreamt to be helmed by Martin Weisz The supernatural thriller from Machine Gun Preacher production company Safady Entertainment has landed Martin Weisz (The Hill Have Eyes II, Grimm Love) as director, helming from the script by Andrew Alexander. Pic, which is set in modern day, tells of two men dreaming in each other's lives. After they learn of each other's existence, one man tries to take over the other's life at any cost. Gary Safady and Craig Chapmans produce alongside Flagship Management Group's Todd Moyer. Flagship are producing William Tell 3D starring Brendan Fraser,...
- 11/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Andrew Alexander-scripted Dreamt to be helmed by Martin Weisz The supernatural thriller from Machine Gun Preacher production company Safady Entertainment has landed Martin Weisz (The Hill Have Eyes II, Grimm Love) as director, helming from the script by Andrew Alexander. Pic, which is set in modern day, tells of two men dreaming in each other's lives. After they learn of each other's existence, one man tries to take over the other's life at any cost. Gary Safady and Craig Chapmans produce alongside Flagship Management Group's Todd Moyer. Flagship are producing William Tell 3D starring Brendan Fraser,...
- 11/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Exclusive: Eric Brevig has been set to direct Brendan Fraser in William Tell: 3D, the historical family action adventure that will be shot next spring in Romania. Brevig replaces Nick Hurran. Brevig previously directed Fraser in the 3D hit Journey to the Center of the Earth, and also helmed Yogi Bear. Brevig is more than capable of shooting the splitting of an apple in 3D; he graduated to director from the position of visual effects supervisor on such films as Total Recall, Pearl Harbor, Men in Black and The Day After Tomorrow. Producer Todd Moyer said that he sparked to the idea of reteaming Fraser and Brevig. “Family action adventure is exactly what Brendan and Eric do best,” he said. “Eric’s skills and experience will make this film compete with any studio film.” Because Hurran dropped out, the film is now eyeing a mid-March 2012 start in Castel Studios...
- 9/8/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
True Blood Anna Paquin may co star in new 3D William Tell drama movie. According to A&E, True Blood,Sookie starlet Anna Paquin is currently in talks to play the wife role in a new 3D drama flick called, "William Tell" with actor Brendan Fraser. The film is being directed by Nick Hurran,and produced by Todd Moyer. The script was written by Scott Reynolds,and the movie is scheduled to start filming in Switzerland and Castel Studios in Romania on October 1st. That should give Anna a little window of time to film the flick. However, she wouldn't see much of a break from work if she takes on the role as True Blood starts filming around January.
True Blood Anna Paquin May Co Star In New 3D William Tell Drama Movie is a post from: ontheflix.com...
True Blood Anna Paquin May Co Star In New 3D William Tell Drama Movie is a post from: ontheflix.com...
- 5/12/2011
- by Chris
- OnTheFlix
Brendan Fraser has been cast as the lead in a new film about the life of European folk hero William Tell. Producer Todd Moyer confirmed that Fraser will take on the role of the infamous archer in William Tell 3D when it begins production later this year. "There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell," Moyer said of the casting news. "Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D. He's a witty, charming, and very likeable action hero, and he really anchors the ensemble cast." The film will recount the Swiss legend of Tell being (more)...
- 5/7/2011
- by By Tom Ayres
- Digital Spy
Brendan Fraser will play the titular star of the family action adventure William Tell: 3D. Producer Todd Moyer announced the casting from Cannes, saying “There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell.” Nick Hurran (The Prisoner, Doctor Who) is slated to direct, with production kicking off later this fall in Romania and Switzerland. In the meantime, Moyer hopes to lock in Anna Paquin to play Zora, Tell’s wife.
- 5/7/2011
- by Karen Valby
- EW - Inside Movies
Brendan Fraser is in negotiations to star in "William Tell: 3D" says The Hollywood Reporter.
The classic tale has an archer forced to shoot an apple off the top of his son's head after not wanting to bow in front of the king's statue.
When the monarch inquires why Tell had two arrows in his quiver, the archer replied the other arrow was for the king in case he missed the apple. The ensuing events led to an uprising, eventually causing the formation of the state of Switzerland.
Anna Paquin is in negotiations to play Tell's wife while Til Schweiger will play Habsburg king Hermann Gessler. Scott Reynolds wrote the script.
Nick Hurran (TV's "The Prisoner" remake) is attached to helm while Todd Moyer and Gary Hamilton will produce. Shooting kicks off this Fall in Romania and Switzerland.
The classic tale has an archer forced to shoot an apple off the top of his son's head after not wanting to bow in front of the king's statue.
When the monarch inquires why Tell had two arrows in his quiver, the archer replied the other arrow was for the king in case he missed the apple. The ensuing events led to an uprising, eventually causing the formation of the state of Switzerland.
Anna Paquin is in negotiations to play Tell's wife while Til Schweiger will play Habsburg king Hermann Gessler. Scott Reynolds wrote the script.
Nick Hurran (TV's "The Prisoner" remake) is attached to helm while Todd Moyer and Gary Hamilton will produce. Shooting kicks off this Fall in Romania and Switzerland.
- 5/7/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
While I'm fairly certain that everybody knows about William Tell shooting an apple off of his son's head, I sometimes wonder if people are aware of the full story. Actually fairly dark, the full tale is filled with political oppression, rebellion, vengeance and murder. It's actually fairly compelling, but don't tell Brendan Fraser that. That would mean he just signed up for a project with potential and lord knows that he can't have that. A press released issued by Arclight Films (via Coming Soon) has announced that Fraser has been cast as the lead in William Tell: 3D, a new "historical family action adventure." Scheduled to shoot this fall in Europe, the film's script was written by Scott Reynolds and will be directed by Nick Hurran (The Prisoner, Doctor Who). Anna Paquin is also in talks for an unspecified role. Said producer Todd Moyer of Fraser's casting, "There is no...
- 5/7/2011
- cinemablend.com
Arclight Films announced actor Brendan Fraser will star in a historical family action adventure film “William Tell: 3D.” “There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell. Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D,” said producer Todd Moyer. “He’s a witty, charming and very likeable action hero, and he really anchors the ensemble cast.” Here is the official synopsis: William Tell is a legend in North America for shooting an apple from the top of his son’s head with a bow and arrow (it was really a crossbow). What Americans don’t know is that he’s a revered historical figure in Europe. In the legend, Tell just can’t leave well enough alone. The local potentate of the Hapsburg monarch, Hermann Gessler forces Tell to shoot the apple because he...
- 5/7/2011
- LRMonline.com
Brendan Fraser is currently in talks to play the titular role in William Tell: 3D. The film is being directed by Nick Hurran from a script by Scott Reynolds. Hurran recently directed remake of TV's The Prisoner. Anna Paquin is in talks to play Tell's wife, and Til Schweiger (Inglorious Basterds) is set to play Habsburg king Hermann Gessler. The project is being produced by Todd Moyer along with Arclight's Gary Hamilton. International rights are being sold at Cannes next week. Production is expected to begin this fall in Romania and Switzerland.
For those of you not familiar with the iconic character here is a description of the legend:
"Tell is an archer who is forced to shoot an apple on the top of his son's head after not wanting to bow (no pun intended) in front of the king's statue. When the monarch inquires why Tell had two arrows in his quiver,...
For those of you not familiar with the iconic character here is a description of the legend:
"Tell is an archer who is forced to shoot an apple on the top of his son's head after not wanting to bow (no pun intended) in front of the king's statue. When the monarch inquires why Tell had two arrows in his quiver,...
- 5/7/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Wiliam Tell: 3D Casts Brendan Fraser in Nick Hurran film. Anna Paquin negotiates. Til Schweiger also in Brendan Fraser will star in in the historical family action adventure William Tell: 3D which Hurran directs from the script by Scott Reynolds. Piuc starts filming this fall in Europe. Gary Hamilton's Arclight Films produces with Todd Moyer and principal photography is expted to start on October 1st at Castel Studios in Romania as well as on location in Switzerland. “There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell. Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D," said Moyer. H"e’sa witty, charming and very likeable action hero, and he really anchors the ensemble cast.”...
- 5/6/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Wiliam Tell: 3D Casts Brendan Fraser in Nick Hurran film. Anna Paquin negotiates. Til Schweiger also in Brendan Fraser will star in in the historical family action adventure William Tell: 3D which Hurran directs from the script by Scott Reynolds. Piuc starts filming this fall in Europe. Gary Hamilton's Arclight Films produces with Todd Moyer and principal photography is expted to start on October 1st at Castel Studios in Romania as well as on location in Switzerland. “There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell. Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D," said Moyer. H"e’sa witty, charming and very likeable action hero, and he really anchors the ensemble cast.”...
- 5/6/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Wiliam Tell: 3D Casts Brendan Fraser in Nick Hurran film. Anna Paquin negotiates. Til Schweiger also in Brendan Fraser will star in in the historical family action adventure William Tell: 3D which Hurran directs from the script by Scott Reynolds. Piuc starts filming this fall in Europe. Gary Hamilton's Arclight Films produces with Todd Moyer and principal photography is expted to start on October 1st at Castel Studios in Romania as well as on location in Switzerland. “There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell. Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D," said Moyer. H"e’sa witty, charming and very likeable action hero, and he really anchors the ensemble cast.”...
- 5/6/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Producer Todd Moyer has announced that Brendan Fraser will take on the title role in the historical family action adventure William Tell: 3D , to be shot this fall in Europe. Nick Hurran ("The Prisoner," "Doctor Who," Undertaking Betty , Little Black Book ) is slated to direct from a script by Scott Reynolds. Moyer expects principal photography to begin October 1st at Castel Studios in Romania and on location in Switzerland. Gary Hamilton will also produce under his Arclight banner, with Arclight handling international distribution of the film at Cannes. Moyer says, "There is no other actor who is more perfectly suited to be the patriot and family man that is William Tell. Brendan was the driving force behind the movie being shot in 3D. He's a witty,...
- 5/6/2011
- Comingsoon.net
Exclusive: You remember Brendan Fraser, right? Whose movie career has been in the witness protection program since CBS Films' Extraordinary Measures and hasn't had a major hit since 2008's Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D and The Mummy 3. But whose roles remain as eclectic as anyone's in Hollywood? Well, he hasn't changed his ways even though he's been absent from the box office recently. Fraser will star in what's being billed to me as a "sweeping epic historical drama" that starts production in Toronto in August. Four Kings is set against the French and Indian War that essentially divided North America. Executive produced by Todd Moyer and James Holt, the film is produced by Jeff Sackman (American Psycho) from a project developed by Telefilm Canada. Fraser, himself a Canadian-American, stars as Colonel Lord Francis Nicholson, a vastly wealthy Brit who self-finances the war in the hope...
- 5/4/2011
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
Despite recently acting as a producer to help other Mexican filmmakers rise to prominence, it has been a long wait for a new film by Children of Men helmer Alfonso Cuaron. The wait will not last much longer. His next effort, Gravity, has attracted some big names along the way – Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. Now, perhaps the biggest name of all, George Clooney, will join Sandra Bullock in the expensive sci-fi thriller and finally allow the film to enter production. Clooney will replace Downey Jr., who, despite being attached to Gravity since March was forced to back out due to scheduling issues after signing on to produce and possibly star in How To Talk To Girls. Cuaron, who co-wrote the script with his son Jonas and Rodrigo Garcia, struggled to find his female lead after the above starlets all declined – each time pushing production back.
- 12/17/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
The Jean-Claude Van Damme-Vinnie Jones starrer Weapon will be the first film produced by Flagship Films, a new production company run by producers Alison Semenza and Todd Moyer, reports Variety . Weapon , to be directed by Highlander helmer Russell Mulcahy, will star Van Damme and Jones as Derek Chase and Jack Conway, the world's most talented assassins. The story follows the two as they join forces to take down the head of a DEA-backed drug cartel. Former agent Moyer worked with Dark Horse Comics for seven years, where he brokered comics property deals that resulted in movies like The Mask , Timecop , Virus and Mystery Men .
- 5/13/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Jean Claude Van Damme and Vinnie Jones (X-Men: The Last Stand, Snatch) have signed on to star in the action flick Weapon, the first film from the new production company Flagship Films run by producers Alison Semenza and Todd Moyer. Russell Mulcahy is attached to direct. Van Damme and Jones will star as Derek Chase and Jack Conway, rivals and the world's most talented assassins who form an uneasy alliance in order to take down the head of a DEA-backed drug cartel. Jones’ character is a master sharpshooter while Van Damme's character is skilled with a knife. Moyer spent a seven-year stint at Dark Horse Comics and served as co-producer on Virus and Time Cop as a producer on Barb Wire. Under his own shingle, No Prisoners Productions, he produced Wing Commander and George and the Dragon. Mulcahy, whose credits include the first two Highlander movies and Resident Evil: Extinction,...
- 5/13/2009
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
I have a hard time believing that Jean-Claude Van Damme and Vinnie Jones are the world’s best assassins who just happens to be rivals. As movie-o-matic plots are wont to go, they of course are forced to form an unlikely alliance in order to accomplish the same goal: in this case, kill some guy who is working with the DEA. Stupid DEA, always going around working with bad people. When will they learn? Anyhoo. The movie will be called “Weapon”, and will be directed by Russell Mulcahy of “Highlander” fame. THR says Jones’ character (Variety has him listed as Derek Chase) will be a master sharpshooter, while Van Damme’s Jack Conway will be skilled with a knife. What, no elaborate kicking M.O. for Van Damme? Blasphemy! Alison Semenza and Todd Moyer will produce the film for their Flagship Films. Van Damme is currently working on a string of projects,...
- 5/13/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Jamie Lee Curtis may have thought she was having a tough time with Michael Myers, but little did she know that she'd soon be battling a whole shipload of alien life forms in this latest sci-fi/horror extravaganza courtesy of that specialty producer in the field, Gale Anne Hurd ("Aliens", "Terminator", "Armageddon", etc.). The long-delayed "Virus", which opened Friday without press screenings, does not represent a first-class addition to Hurd's resume. The film might score decent opening numbers with the teenage horror crowd whose girlfriends aren't dragging them to "At First Sight".
The thriller -- which more closely resembles "Deep Rising", last year's misbegotten entry in the burgeoning horror-at-sea genre -- takes place aboard a Soviet science vessel that has been taken over by an alien life form. The being transmitted its way onto the ship via the Mir space station (and they thought they already had problems). Coming aboard the seemingly deserted ship are the crew of the Sea Star, a small-scale salvage tug whose captain (Donald Sutherland) has dreams of a huge financial score, since maritime law dictates that abandoned ships can be redeemed for 10% of their value. (Fortunately, one can learn interesting facts even from bad movies).
Problem is, the alien has taken over the ship's computer and electrical systems in a bid to, well, conquer mankind, which it considers a virus. It only needs a few human spare parts to complete its deadly task and soon starts liberally helping itself to the hapless crew members. Curtis plays the spunky navigator who ultimately starts to kick ass, aided by, among others, a hunky engineer (William Baldwin) and the sole Russian survivor (Joanna Pacula).
As with most of these genre pics, "Virus", after an ominous beginning, eventually settles into a series of brief scenes featuring lots of loud noises, running through dark corridors and violent encounters between the humans and the various incarnations of the alien, who starts out by inhabiting various mechanical instruments and eventually harvests enough body parts to resemble the half-robot, half-human Terminator. Before it's all over, the less intrepid crew members have become alien fodder and the ship has been rocked by enough explosions to keep the Dolby, SDDS and DTS people working overtime.
In one of the more predictable plot developments, the scheming captain, who has apparently never been to the movies, attempts to strike a bargain with the creature -- with less than felicitous results. The formulaic screenplay, based on Chuck Pfarrer's comic book, features dialogue mainly on the order of "You're all going to die!" and "There's some really weird shit going on around here."
Director John Bruno, a special effects whiz (and Oscar winner for "The Abyss") who has plenty of experience in the field, keeps things moving briskly and handles the obviously hellish technical demands with absolute skill. With the exception of some obvious miniature shots -- for all their progress, the experts still can't render water convincingly -- "Virus" is first rate in the technical department and should satisfy the demands of the genre's fussy fans.
None of the performers is given very much in the way of character development to work with, although Sutherland manages to have some obvious fun as the crafty captain. Curtis and Baldwin go through their energetic paces with conviction, and Pacula is as lovely a presence as ever.
VIRUS
Universal Pictures
Credits: Director: John Bruno; Producer: Gale Anne Hurd; Screenplay: Chuck Pfarrer, Dennis Feldman; Executive producers: Mike Richardson, Chuck Pfarrar, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Gordon; Director of photography: David Eggby; Production designer: Mayling Cheng; Editor: Scott Smith; Co-producers: Todd Moyer, Dennis E. Jones, Bud Smith; Music: Joel McNeely. Cast: Kit Foster: Jamie Lee Curtis; Steve Baker: William Baldwin; Captain Everton: Donald Sutherland; Nadia: Joanna Pacula; J.W. Woods Jr.: Marshall Bell; Squeaky: Julio Oscar; Mechoso Richie: Sherman Augustus; Hiko: Cliff Curtis. MPAA rating: R. Color/stereo. Running time -- 95 minutes.
The thriller -- which more closely resembles "Deep Rising", last year's misbegotten entry in the burgeoning horror-at-sea genre -- takes place aboard a Soviet science vessel that has been taken over by an alien life form. The being transmitted its way onto the ship via the Mir space station (and they thought they already had problems). Coming aboard the seemingly deserted ship are the crew of the Sea Star, a small-scale salvage tug whose captain (Donald Sutherland) has dreams of a huge financial score, since maritime law dictates that abandoned ships can be redeemed for 10% of their value. (Fortunately, one can learn interesting facts even from bad movies).
Problem is, the alien has taken over the ship's computer and electrical systems in a bid to, well, conquer mankind, which it considers a virus. It only needs a few human spare parts to complete its deadly task and soon starts liberally helping itself to the hapless crew members. Curtis plays the spunky navigator who ultimately starts to kick ass, aided by, among others, a hunky engineer (William Baldwin) and the sole Russian survivor (Joanna Pacula).
As with most of these genre pics, "Virus", after an ominous beginning, eventually settles into a series of brief scenes featuring lots of loud noises, running through dark corridors and violent encounters between the humans and the various incarnations of the alien, who starts out by inhabiting various mechanical instruments and eventually harvests enough body parts to resemble the half-robot, half-human Terminator. Before it's all over, the less intrepid crew members have become alien fodder and the ship has been rocked by enough explosions to keep the Dolby, SDDS and DTS people working overtime.
In one of the more predictable plot developments, the scheming captain, who has apparently never been to the movies, attempts to strike a bargain with the creature -- with less than felicitous results. The formulaic screenplay, based on Chuck Pfarrer's comic book, features dialogue mainly on the order of "You're all going to die!" and "There's some really weird shit going on around here."
Director John Bruno, a special effects whiz (and Oscar winner for "The Abyss") who has plenty of experience in the field, keeps things moving briskly and handles the obviously hellish technical demands with absolute skill. With the exception of some obvious miniature shots -- for all their progress, the experts still can't render water convincingly -- "Virus" is first rate in the technical department and should satisfy the demands of the genre's fussy fans.
None of the performers is given very much in the way of character development to work with, although Sutherland manages to have some obvious fun as the crafty captain. Curtis and Baldwin go through their energetic paces with conviction, and Pacula is as lovely a presence as ever.
VIRUS
Universal Pictures
Credits: Director: John Bruno; Producer: Gale Anne Hurd; Screenplay: Chuck Pfarrer, Dennis Feldman; Executive producers: Mike Richardson, Chuck Pfarrar, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Gordon; Director of photography: David Eggby; Production designer: Mayling Cheng; Editor: Scott Smith; Co-producers: Todd Moyer, Dennis E. Jones, Bud Smith; Music: Joel McNeely. Cast: Kit Foster: Jamie Lee Curtis; Steve Baker: William Baldwin; Captain Everton: Donald Sutherland; Nadia: Joanna Pacula; J.W. Woods Jr.: Marshall Bell; Squeaky: Julio Oscar; Mechoso Richie: Sherman Augustus; Hiko: Cliff Curtis. MPAA rating: R. Color/stereo. Running time -- 95 minutes.
- 1/19/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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