Warner Brothers has always been one of the most successful and cool studios in Hollywood. In the past decade, at the movies alone, they released the Harry Potter films, The Dark Knight, Inception, The Hangover, The Matrix, Watchmen and Where the Wild Things Are just to name a few of their geeky successes. They also have an slew of Best Picture winners from Casablanca to The Departed and they’re well known for developing relationships with auteurs like Stanley Kubrick, Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese. Then there’s all their animation, television production and much more.
So, it’s no surprise to say that their VIP Studio Tour, a two hour plus, small group tram ride all over their Burbank, CA backlot, is a must for film and television fans visiting the Los Angeles area. You’ll see everything from where Gremlins and The Lost Boys were shot to sets from Gilmore Girls that were repurposed for Pretty Little Liars and more. Plus you get to stop into two of the most awesome museums imaginable, check out some working sound stages (for us they were Chuck and Two and a Half Men) and maybe even run into a celeb or two. Read more after the break. Read More »
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Imagine you are a TRON fan, desperately killing time until the December 17 release of TRON: Legacy. You’ve downloaded all the posters, listened to all the soundtrack samples, watched the clips, pre-ordered the comic books, bought your IMAX 3D tickets but still, you need more. Well, Disney is more than happy to oblige. They are opening the TRON: Legacy Pop Up Shop on November 19 in Culver City, CA for six weeks. Yes, a TRON store is opening. It’ll have all kind of unique TRON merchandise, a TRON cafe, art exhibit and much more. No original Blu-ray though. It’s open though December 23. Hit the jump for a ton of additional information including a release schedule, gallery of merchandise samples, the address and more. Read More »
Unless there’s a Spider-Man or Evil Dead musical to write about, Broadway really doesn’t come up too much here at /Film. Well, another big time film is getting the song and dance treatment as Catch Me If You Can is now officially coming to Broadway on April 10, 2011 with previews starting March 7, 2011.
Most people know the story of famous con man Frank Abagnale Jr., one of the most successful check forgers in history who also posed as a doctor, lawyer and Pan Am pilot all before his 19th birthday, because it was adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. That movie, not the original book by Abagnale Jr., will be the source material for the show with a book by Terrence McNally (Ragtime) and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who worked together on Hairspray.
Hit the jump for some possible info on casting and videos from the show. Read More »
In June, Los Angeles police launched an effort to clear Hollywood Boulevard of unlicensed Hollywood character impersonators, making dozens of arrests. These costumed superheroes were one of my favorite parts of the touristy part of Hollywood Boulevard. I loved watching the ridiculous costumed superheroes pose for photos with tourists near the Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Jimmy Kimmel regularly featured these performers on his show, and a documentary was even made about the characters called Confessions of a Superhero (watch it on Hulu for free). Apparently, in recent years some tourists and shop-owners have complained that the costumed characters had become more aggressive and pestered some of the tourists for money/tips. I’ve been around the area a couple times over the Summer, and aside from one lightpole climbing Spider-man, the superheroes were no where to be seen.
The superheroes are fighting back, in court — launching a lawsuit against the city. A half dozen costumed characters showed up in front of City Hall on Tuesday to protest recent arrests by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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New Zealand’s Wellington Airport have announced plans to pay for the construction of a Wellywood sign above Miramar Wharf to celebrate the heart of New Zealand’s film industry. Peter Jackson’s WETA Workshop, the special effects / production facility behind the Lord of the Rings films, District 9 and Avatar, is located within a mile of the Wharf and proposed sign.
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Last week I told you about the Christmas Story fan convention which is being held in Cleveland, in and around the original house which was used in the movie which has now been converted to a tourist attraction. This week I have something possibly even cooler. As many times as I’ve watched A Christmas Story over the years, it doesn’t come close to my love and admiration of the Harold Ramis comedy Groundhog Day. It’s one of my very favorite comedies of all time.
Remember the Bed and Breakfast that Bill Murray‘s character stays at in the film? Well its not actually a bed and breakfast, but instead a 114-year-old Queen Anne-Victorian house in Woodstock, IL (The interiors were actually shot on a soundstage).
In fact, most of the film’s exteriors took place in Woodstock, and not Punxsutawney. There is an actual plaque commemorating the puddle that Bill Murray steps in during the movie (photo thanks to 1heckofaguy). And there is a plaque on a wall declaring it “Ned Ryerson Corner”.
As it turns out, a couple from Milwauke bought the house on 344 Fremont St for $435,000 in March, and are planning on doing a $500,000 renovation to transform the house into a five bedroom bed and breakfast inn.
If all goes well, the Martins hope to open the house as the Royal Victorian Manor this summer. Although I wish they would have taken the movie name of The Cherry Street Inn. The owners hope to make the new Inn “an upscale place with a select clientele” but I honestly think they could make a lot more money marketing it as the Groundhogs Day Bed and Breakfast.
Have maps of movie locations around the town for tourists who come and stay at the Inn. Possibly even have a yearly fan convention, and a screening of Groundhog in the town’s square. Hey, if Christmas Story can do it, Groundhogs Day can do it.
source: UPI, Flickr
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