The Ghastly Love Of Johnny X Featured On CBS News Sunday Morning

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Imagine my surprise this morning when I turned on CBS News Sunday Morning and I saw a little feature about a film I first wrote about five years ago called 'The Ghastly Love of Johnny X'. The piece featured the film and it's creator, film maker Paul Bunnell, illustrating the vast contrast in how big-budget films and independent films are promoted and released into theaters. Here is Bunnell standing outside a movie house in Kansas handing out fliers and asking passers by to come in to see his movie. How is the small time film maker able to compete with the likes of Warner Bros and Universal with their endless supply of cash and publicity outlets? Sadly they can't. Films like 'Johnny X' have to rely on independent film websites (like this one), film festivals, and word of mouth to get noticed by a public that is being constantly bombarded by ads for Hollywood mainstream productions.

How has 'Johnny X' fared so far against Hollywood? Well according to the box office receipts the film took in a puny $117, a number that is not even in the same universe as say 'The Avengers' $1.5 billion worldwide. Unfairly box office numbers don't reflect the money taken in by a film shown at film festivals, where ironically 'Johnny X' has done quite well. Even so, I believe it's safe to say that collectively a film like this didn't overtake 'Avengers' even if the festival dollars were added.

What is 'The Ghastly Love of Johnny X' about exactly? Ever wonder what "Grease" would have been like if Danny and Sandy were both aliens? Well that is the kind of thing you find yourself thinking about after viewing the trailer for Paul Bunnell's musical homage to 1950's sci fi entitled "The Ghastly Love of Johnny X." "Johnny X" features an all-star cast that includes Will Keenan, (Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer and Good Machine's Love God) De Anna Joy Brooks, (The Strand, Neighborhood Watch and Studio House) B movie and Sci Fi icons Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Bubba Ho-Tep) and Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Twilight Zone) plus the multi-talented, award winning, actor and composer Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, and Smokey and the Bandit). With the type of cast and crew Bunnell has been able to assemble, this one will no doubt end up a hands-down fan favorite.

THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X is a mad concoction, blending 1950s juvenile delinquents, sci-fi melodrama, song-and-dance, and a touch of horror, everything in just the right combination to create an engaging big screen spectacle! Jonathan Xavier and his misfit gang have been exiled to earth from outer space, and his former girlfriend Bliss has stolen his Resurrection Suit, a cosmic, mind-bending uniform that gives the owner power over others. The film's cast includes sexy new stars Will Keenan, De Anna Joy Brooks, Les Williams, and Jed Rowen, as well as seasoned professionals Creed Bratton, Reggie Bannister, Kate Maberly, Paul Williams and the late Kevin McCarthy, in his final role. Along the way, there will be several highly stylized musical numbers, lots of genuinely humorous dialogue, and a wacky plot-twist or two, all expertly filmed in glorious black and white. A truly bizarre and entertaining motion picture!

(More After The Break)



Here is the trailer for 'The Ghastly Love of Johnny X':

THE BLUES BROTHERS - Do You Know?

Trivia Compiled By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: IMDB / Wikipedia

Did You Know?

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical comedy film directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a musical sketch on the NBC variety series Saturday Night Live. It features musical numbers by R&B and soul singers James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and John Lee Hooker. The film is set in and around Chicago, Illinois, and also features non-musical supporting performances by John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson.

The story is a tale of redemption for paroled convict Jake (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd), who take on "a mission from God" to save from foreclosure the Catholic orphanage in which they grew up. To do so they must reunite their rhythm and blues band, The Blues Brothers, and organize a performance to earn $5,000 to pay the tax assessor. Along the way they are targeted by a destructive "mystery woman", Neo-Nazis, and a country and western band—all while being relentlessly pursued by the police.

The scene in which the band appears in a sauna, clad only in towels, is an allusion to the cover photo on the 1973 Blood Sweat & Tears music album "No Sweat", in which the BST band appears in a sauna in identical pose. Lou Marini and Tom Malone, two of the Blues Brothers Band members, were also in BST and appear in both sauna scenes.

Elwood removes his hat three times in the film: when going to sleep in his room, to break the window to get into the Palace Hotel, and towards the end of the movie when the Bluesmobile falls apart. His sunglasses are removed once in the scene where he quits his job at the Cheez Whiz factory "to become a priest." Jake removes his sunglasses once, when he is talking to Carrie Fisher, but never removes his hat. In the DVD and cable versions, Elwood doesn't wear sunglasses when he quits his job.

At the end, after the Universal Studios logo is shown, there is an ad for Universal Studios in Hollywood. Below "When in Hollywood, visit Universal Studios", it says "Ask For Babs". The same appeared in Animal House (Babs is the Animal House character Babs Jensen), and it reappeared in Blues Brothers 2000 underneath a new Universal Studios Hollywood logo at the end of that movie.

103 cars were wrecked during filming. At time of release, this was a world record, not beaten until 104 cars were wrecked in filming 'Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)'.

The infamous "Bluesmobile" is a 1974 Dodge Monaco. The vehicles used in the film were used police cars purchased from the California Highway Patrol (mocked up to look like Mt. Prospect, Illinois patrol cars), and featured the "cop tires, cop suspension and cop motor - a 440 cubic-inch plant" mentioned by Elwood in the film. A total of 12 Bluesmobiles were used in the movie, including one that was built just so it could fall apart. Several replicas have been built by collectors, but one original is known to exist, and is owned by the brother-in-law of Dan Aykroyd.

The receipt that is stamped by the tax assessor clerk (played by 'Stephen Spielberg'), is #6829, dated August 9, 1979, and correctly reflects that $5000 cash for St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage was received from "Jake & Elwood Blues" with an address of 1060 West Addison, Chicago. The receipt is signed "R. J. Daley" - a reference to Mayor Richard J. Daley for which the plaza they drove through (with the Picasso sculpture) was named.

Producers rented the Dixie Square Mall in south suburban Harvey, Illinois for the mall chase scenes. The mall had been closed for over a year. (False) rumors began in the community that the mall was being refurbished and would be reopened after filming was complete. Universal was later sued for over $87,500 for failure to make good on a deal to "return the mall to its original condition" which was never agreed upon. After years of political wrangling, most of the mall remains; only the Montgomery Ward anchor store and mall power plant have been demolished.

During filming one of the night scenes, John Belushi disappeared and could not be located. Dan Aykroyd looked around and saw a single house with its lights on. He went to the house and was prepared to identify himself, the movie and that they were looking for John Belushi. But before he could, the homeowner looked at him, smiled and said, "You're here for John Belushi, aren't you?" The homeowner then told them Belushi had entered their house, asked if he could have a glass of milk and a sandwich and then crashed on their couch. Situations like this prompted Aykroyd to affectionately dub Belushi "America's Guest".

The car was really going 118 mph under the elevated train line in Chicago.

The characters, Jake and Elwood Blues, were created by Belushi and Aykroyd in performances on Saturday Night Live. The name "The Blues Brothers" was the idea of Howard Shore. The fictional back story and character sketches of blood brothers Jake and Elwood were developed by Aykroyd in collaboration with Ron Gwynne, who is credited as a story consultant for the film. As related in the liner notes of the band's debut album, Briefcase Full of Blues, the brothers grew up in an orphanage, learned the blues from a janitor named Curtis and sealed their brotherhood by cutting their middle fingers with a steel string said to have come from the guitar of Elmore James.

When it was decided the act could be made into a film by Universal Studios, Aykroyd set about writing the script. He had never written a screenplay before, he said in the 1998 documentary, Stories Behind the Making of The Blues Brothers, and he put together a very descriptive volume that explained the characters' origins and how the band members were recruited. It was 324 pages, which was three times longer than a standard screenplay. To soften the impact, Aykroyd made a joke of the thick script and had it bound with the cover of the Los Angeles Yellow Pages directory for when he turned it in to producer Robert K. Weiss. John Landis was given the task of editing the script into a usable screenplay.

The premise of the underlying plot, that a church-owned orphanage would have to pay a property tax bill, has been questioned—in Illinois, and generally elsewhere in the world, religious property is exempt from taxes. However, at the time of writing of the film, a legislative proposal to tax such property was under consideration. The proposal was never enacted into law.

And Now You Know!

King Kong Musical To Give Regards To Broadway?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Huff Post

Generally when you mix monsters with musicals you get a rather mixed bag. On one side you have Andrew Lloyd Webber's monster hit "Phantom of the Opera" and on the other you have Universal's mind-numbingly dumb "Creature from the Black Lagoon." Now producer Carmen Pavlovic has adapted "King Kong" for the stage with the assistance of Tony award nominated writer Craig Lucas and composer Marius de Vries.

Though "Kong" will feature over 40 actors and singers the true star will be a 40-foot-tall animatronic gorilla that is being designed by Global Creatures the same company that produced the dinosaurs for "Walking With Dinosaurs."

If all goes well for "Kong" in its initial run in Melbourne, Australia later this year than Pavlovic will move the production to Broadway in 2012 before returning in 2013.

As the producer describes it the musical version of the "beauty and the beast" tale will be a story about a "a woman and a giant ape fall in love in Depression-era New York, as the ape proceeds to wreak havoc upon the city."

Now that's good theater!

However, if you want to see how bad a "King Kong" musical "could" be check out this little video from the fine film making country of Bangladesh:

Get Ready To Rock Your Ash Off With EVIL DEAD The Musical

Source: Darkstone Entertainment

John Johnson of Darkstone Entertainment (http://www.darkstone-ent.com) has just wrapped production on Plan 9, the PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE remake (http://www.plan9movie.com) and while the film moves into post production, he has set his eyes on a new project:Evil Dead The Musical!

When Johnson was first approached with the idea of Darkstone taking on Sam Raimi’s classic film turned stage, he was terrified and intrigued. “I like many have loved Sam Raimi’s work for a very long time, and had seen the play off Broadway a few years back. I grew up with a very large musical background and am kinda a sucker for a good play. I felt that Evil Dead: The Musical paid homage to what I loved in the Deadseries and gave us a really nifty and new style in their adaptation. I am honored to throw my hat into the ring as a director of the play.” – John Johnson

The musical is set to open in October 2011 at Play On! Theatre (http://www.playontheatre.org/) in Charlottesville, VA for 14 shows, including a special Halloween showing. Auditions will be held July 10^th-11^t. Please visit the Play On! website or emailtheevildeadmusical@gmail.com for more information regarding auditions.

“Sam and his crew have had a huge impact on me and why I want to adapt their play for new audiences. When I was a young buck of the ripe age of 15 I started making my first feature film and was lucky enough to speak with the Heads of the Evil Dead trilogy such as Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Joseph LoDuca for hours on end at times. They took a glance or two at my film and nudged me in a few different ways. I can never thank them enough for their taking the time to give a little hack like me a shot. So I hope not to let them down or their fans!” – John Johnson

Darkstone Entertainment and Johnson want to reach out to the fans of the Evil Dead series! Things like homemade props, set pieces, collector items from the films, and any other creations inspired from the series we would like to incorporate into the production in some way. So, if you have an item, or ideas for a creation, or any other concept concerning the play, please contact the production team attheevildeadmusical@gmail.com or on their FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evil-Dead-The-Musical/172599736132612) right away! “This isn’t just our production. We are fans just like everybody else. So why not work together with the fans to make the best run of the play as we can!” – John Johnson

We will announce show dates and cast announcements in approximately two months.

On a final note… Other future projects for Johnson is a trilogy of films based on the original Dark Tower mythology that Stephen King based his series off of. We hope to have a web site and teaser trailer up by the end of the year!

Darkstone Entertainment
www.plan9movie.com

www.darkstone-ent.com

India Is Preparing To Do The ROBOT

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Undead Backbrain

It looks like Bollywood has caught a bit of the sci fi/horror bug as of late with an amazing, and sometimes gonzo, collection of new films. As most of you already know, Jennifer Lynch's "Hisss", which stars the very sexy Mallika Sherawat as a serpent-woman (that's half-snake-half-hottie) bent on revenge, is just one of a few of these new fantasy films to be produced in India that has sparked some international interest. The film features some good CGI effects, a gruesome story line, and of course, the exotic Sherawat, so why not? Some of the other films, made actually in Bangladesh, namely, "Banglar King Kong" (yes, its a King Kong clone with lots of singing and dancing) and "HALKa" (...a Hulk rip-off with .... um ......lots of singing and dancing) are on the other end of the spectrum with bad effects and nonsensical plots.

One film that has flown under the radar here in the western world is a pretty impressive looking, effects heavy, effort called "Endhiran" (translated as "Robot") which reportedly is the most expensive film ever produced in India to date.

Along with all the impressive CGI work, is of course, a lot of singing and dancing, which is to be expected in a Bollywood film. From the film's trailer, "Endhiran" kinda looks like an Indian version of "The Matrix" and "I Robot" combined with the dance numbers from "Captain Eo".

Hmmmm ........ maybe a Daft Punk video?

Hey, at least that's what the gold robots remind me of.

The film stars a couple of the biggest names in the Indian entertainment biz, Rajnikanth and Miss World Aishwarya Rai, who like Sherawat is very, very, easy on the eyes.

To date, "Endhiran" has boasted some very impressive pre-release ticket sales, second only to Sam Raimi’s "Spiderman", on 2,000 screens throughout Asia, a pretty good sign that the film will be a huge success.

Plot:

Scientist Dr Vasigaran (Rajni) creates a robot named Chitthi (also Rajni) who has great intelligence and super-strength, can memorise the phonebook at a glance, sing, dance, fight, run on walls — and, after modification, experience human emotions. This he does, falling in love with Sana (Aishwarya Rai). The bad guys, who are aware of the power of this robot, acquire it for their own nefarious purposes. Fearful of the consequences, Vasigaran sets out to rescue the robot.

Check out the trailer for "Robot" along with the promo posters and stills:

Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical Opens At Universal Studios Hollywood

Source: Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood introduces "Creature from The Black Lagoon—A Raging Rockin’ Show," featuring an all-original score and dazzling Broadway-level production values in a hip, musical stage adaptation of the Universal horror classic, opening exclusively at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. on July 1.

The new musical attraction has an approximate 25-minute running time and a storyline that has been updated from the original screenplay to infuse romance and comic relief with extravagant stagecraft, acrobatic choreography and a hilarious and contemporary musical score certain to keep the production moving at a sizzling pace.

Audiences will be immersed within a menacing Amazon environment, completely enveloped by the exotic sounds of the jungle as they watch the twisted love story between beauty and beast unfold. From the production’s first moments, guests will be thrust into an unexpectedly outrageous, bizarrely romantic, melodic and often outlandishly comic adventure as this monster classic is re-imagined for the 21st Century.

"Creature from the Black Lagoon—A Raging Rockin’ Show" is being realized for the stage by Universal Creative and an award-winning theatrical production team drawing from the best of Broadway that includes, Director Gerard Alessandrini, best known for creating, writing and directing all editions of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD; Tony Award®-nominated Choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett, whose credits include Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon and Bewitched, starring Nicole Kidman; Scenic Designer James Youmans, whose credits include Broadway’s WEST SIDE STORY and GYPSY, starring Patti LuPone as well as Barry Manilow’s Showstoppers International Tour; Creature & Puppet Designer Michael Curry, one of the world’s leading production designers and whose credits boast THE LION KING the 1996 and 2002 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and Cirque du Soleil®; Fly Sequence Designer Paul Rubin, whose accomplishments include elaborate aerial stunts for WICKED, PETER PAN, and the Tony Awards®; and Producer Marc Routh, whose Broadway credits include, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, GYPSY, starring Patti LuPone, Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and THE PRODUCERS.Universal Studios Hollywood (www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com)

See Also: Gort And The Creature From The Black Lagoon Go To High School in "Go Mutants!" / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical / King Kong, Godzilla And The Creature From The Black Lagoon At The Rose Parade / The Most Talked About Stories Of 2008 / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2008 / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon - Update! / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Witch's Dungeon 40 Years Of Chills An Amazing Tribute To The Golden Age Of Horror / Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Creature No Longer Walks Among Us - Ben Chapman (1928 - 2008) / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Polystone Diorama / Universal Monsters Creature From The Black Lagoon Head Knocker / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Film Cell / 1:4 Scale Creature From The Black Lagoon Statue

Tannant Would Like To See The Doctor Sing And Dance

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

David Tennant has received rave reviews for his portrayal of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" during the recent London production and has received numerous accolades for his "Doctor Who" role on television. Now the British actor would like to put all his eggs in one basket. Recently Tennant made it very clear that believed that the long running sci fi series could easily be made into a musical.

Before you start lining up for "Doctor Who" on Broadway, Tennant was quick to point out that such a production would be better suited for the small screen than a large scale stage show. Well, at least if they wanted Tennant to star in the lead, it would have to be produced for television. The actors schedule wouldn't allow for a long running "Doctor Who" production at this time.

Tennant explains, "'Doctor Who: The Musical', has been mentioned. I would be up for it. I love a song and a dance. The thing about a musical is you have to commit for a year and a half and it's eight times a week."

Tennant recently had to pull out of the London production of "Hamlet" to have back surgery. Sources close to the actor have noted that he will be ready to go when "Doctor Who" begins filming later next year.It is not known whether The Doctor will be doing any singing or dancing in any of the four episodes that are set to be produced during 2009.

See Also: Doctor Who - The Next Doctor / Robert Carlyle Has A Date With A Stargate Not A Tardis / Robert Pattinson Has Possessed All The Teen Girls And Now He Wants To Be The Doctor / Freema Agyeman Talks About Doctor Who, Torchwood And Her Latest Series Survivors / 400 Fans Go Behind The Scenes Of Doctor Who And Torchwood / Beautiful New Artwork For A Proposed Doctor Who Comic Series / David Tennant Not Ruling Out Any Future Who Appearances / David Tennant Officially Announces That He Is Leaving Doctor Who / Actor Profile - David Tennant / A Special Preview Of The Doctor Who Christmas Special For Children In Need / Prince Charles Snubbed The Doctor / Fans Are Given A Rare Chance To Visit The Sets Of Doctor Who, Torchwood, And Sarah Jane / Russell T Davies Chimes In On Who Should Be Doctor Who / Billie Piper Still Undecided About Return To Doctor Who /Torchwood: Children Of Earth Begins Filming / Doctor Who - Turn Left / The Odds Of James Nesbitt Being The Next Doctor...Don't Put Your Money On It! /Is Robert Carlyle Going To Be The Next Doctor? / Doctor Who Star Billie Piper Worried About Nude Scenes / Doctor Who - The Unicorn And The Wasp / Doctor Who - The Doctor's Daughter? /The BBC Announces Some Changes For Doctor Who's 5th Season /

Is Repo The Genetic Opera Going To Change How People Feel About Paris Hilton?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

Many fans have been sceptical of the casting of Paris Hilton in Darren Lynn Bousman's latest film "Repo! The Genetic Opera." When the news of the young socialites appearance in the film became public just about everyone from fans to Bousman's own mother thought that the director was making a huge mistake.

Even Bousman himself thought that he may have been committing cinematic suicide, "I was adamantly opposed to casting Paris because the first thing people said to me was, 'Think of the press you'll get if you put Paris in it.' I thought, 'Whatever horror cred I have is about to go down the toilet."

The most outspoken criticism, however, didn't come from the horror movie fans, it came from Bousman's own mother. "My mother calls me crying from Kansas City - 'Why did you cast her, that charlatan?' She was very upset."

Despite the hesitations that Bousman had originally, he went ahead with the casting of Hilton and was presently surprised by the young actresses charm. "She stayed at the exact same hotel and ate at the same restaurants, and went to the same s**tty bar as all of us. I'm a dive bar kind of guy and she didn't come with an entourage or a single dog. She had just gotten out of her legal trouble so it was important for her to show that she wasn't this person. She really won me over."

Paris has apparently fallen in love with her character, Amy Sweet, and has aspirations playing the part on Broadway someday. Recently she told WENN, "If they did Repo on stage I'd do it because I really believe in it and I love it, but I wouldn't do anything else."

Is it possible that we have gotten Paris Hilton all wrong? Is that whole rich and snobby persona just a wall that she puts up to protect herself from the cruelties of Hollywood? Is Paris just like any other girl-next-door?

Naaaaaa........I doubt it.

See Also: Saw Director Bousman Explores His Musical Side For Repo! The Genetic Opera / Sarah Brightman - The Angel Of Music / Someone Needs To Be Checking Stan Lee's Medicine / Stan Lee Turns Paris Hilton Into A Superhero?

Saw Director Bousman Explores His Musical Side For Repo! The Genetic Opera

Written By: Ken Hulsey

As a fan of both film and music I have rarely found a situation were both types of media have come together in such perfect harmony. Can you imagine my joy when I learned that my favorite vocalist, Sarah Brightman, had been cast in a Sci Fi/Horror film? It sounded to good to be true.

I held back my anticipation and put aside my fears that somehow "Repo! The Genetic Opera" my have turned out to be another of Darren Lynn Bousman's horrible, "Saw" gore fests. I held on to hope that this would be something different.

Then I found the clip for "Chase the Morning". Wow! I was blown away by the image of Sarah as Blind Mag, with her hypnotic hologram producing eyes and the haunting music that accompanies her interaction with Shilo Wallace. I became a believer. Now I can't wait to see the film.

Screeeech.......hold it! This film also stars Paris Hilton doesn't it? Oh Crap! Now this presents a problem. I promised myself that I would never pay to see a movie with her in it. Heck, I even passed on free tickets to see "House of Wax". What am I to do. I'm torn......okay....I'll endure the mess that is Paris, to see Sarah Brightman.

The kinds of things a die-hard fan will do to see someone he idolizes!

Here's the info on "Repo! The Genetic Opera."

An epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Panic erupts and scientists feverishly make plans for a massive organ harvest. Out of the tragedy, GeneCo, a multi-billion dollar biotech company, emerges. GeneCo provides organ transplantation for a profit. In addition to financing options, GeneCo reserves the right to implement default remedies, including repossession. For those who can't keep up with their organ payments, collection is the responsibility of "organ repo men", skilled assassins contracted by GeneCo, ordered to recover GeneCo's property by any means necessary.

At the heart of the story is Shilo Wallace (Alexa Vega), a 17 year-old girl with a rare blood disease. She has been kept locked up and protected in her house, where she is guarded from the outside world by her father, Nathan Wallace (Anthony Head). While Shilo struggles with her wish to leave the house and experience the outside world, Nathan struggles with his secret job as the Repo Man, and more specifically, his next target, a woman named Blind Mag (Sarah Brightman). Blind Mag, an opera singer, was a friend of Nathan's now-deceased wife, and is Shilo's godmother.



The Largo family, consisting of GeneCo president Rotti (Paul Sorvino), his daughter Amber (Paris Hilton), and his two sons Luigi and Pavi (Bill Moseley and Nivek Ogre, respectively), have their own plans. Rotti is dying, and the three siblings bicker and fight about who is to take the role as head of GeneCo. But, disappointed with his own children, Rotti takes an interest in Shilo.

The stories intertwine and merge at the GeneCo opera.

"Repo! The Genetic Opera" is a rock opera film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. Originally planned for an April 25 release date, it has since been reported that it will open with a limited release in 4 U.S. cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Las Vegas) on November 7, 2008 followed by Toronto, Canada on November 21, 2008, and a subsequent DVD release in January 2009. A 22-track soundtrack was released online on September 30, 2008, and another will be released in CD-format to coincide with the release of the DVD. The film is based on a play written and composed by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich. It received an R rating by the MPAA for strong bloody violence and gore, language, some drug and sexual content.

See Also: Sarah Brightman - The Angel Of Music / Someone Needs To Be Checking Stan Lee's Medicine / Stan Lee Turns Paris Hilton Into A Superhero?

Soderbergh Wants Zeta Jones For A Modern Cleo

Source: BBC News

Catherine Zeta Jones is reportedly to star in a musical film about Cleopatra and her relationship with Anthony and Caesar, that takes place in the 1920s. It is unknown why directer Steven Soderbergh has chosen to take the infamous "love-triagle" and move it to America rather than ancient Egypt.

X-Men star Hugh Jackman is also said to be in talks to also take a lead role, presumably Mark Anthony.

Zeta Jones is no stranger to musical film, having won an Oscar for her role as Velma in 2002's Chicago.

Cleo, as the film project is currently entitled, would be Soderbergh's first attempt at directing a musical. He is best known for dramas such as Erin Brockovich and Traffic, for which he won an Oscar.

Sometimes directors do strange things with classic stories. I find it funny that Soderbergh resisted the temptation to make a "modern" version of "Cleopatra", but why choose the 1920s?

Sneak Preview - The Ghastly Love Of Johnny X

Sources: Avery Guerra / Paul Bunnell

Ever wonder what "Grease" would have been like if Danny and Sandy were both aliens? Well that is the kind of thing you find yourself thinking about after viewing the trailer for Paul Bunnell's musical homage to 1950's sci fi entitled "The Ghastly Love of Johnny X." "Johnny X" features an all-star cast that includes Will Keenan, (Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer and Good Machine's Love God) De Anna Joy Brooks, (The Strand, Neighborhood Watch and Studio House) B movie and Sci Fi icons Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Bubba Ho-Tep) and Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Twilight Zone) plus the multi-talented, award winning, actor and composer Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, and Smokey and the Bandit). With the type of cast and crew Bunnell has been able to assemble, this one will no doubt end up a hands-down fan favorite.

Filming for "The Ghastly Love of Johnny is set to wrap up this September, and yours truly has been invited to pay the set a little visit, so look for some exclusive photos and interviews later this year.

They Sing! They Dance! They're Teenagers from OuterSpace! Take a rebellious gang of juvenile delinquentsfrom outer space, a mysterious femme fatale namedBliss, a shifty show promoter, a dead rock star, and astrange suit with magical powers, and what do youhave? That’s right! It’s a new sci-fi comedy musicalstarring Will Keenan, Reggie Bannister, KevinMcCarthy, De Anna Joy Brooks, Terin Alba, and PaulWilliams! Currently in production, this tribute to50’s b-movies looks like a ton of fun.

WILL KEENAN as Johnny X (Photo Above)

Will Keenan is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed actor who became a cult superstar with his lead performances in Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer and Good Machine's Love God. He then went on to become an "indie film posterboy" after racking up over 20 independent films which have played hundreds of festivals worldwide. His acting and stuntwork in Operation Midnight Climax have garnered him attention by more than one critic as "this century's Buster Keaton."


REGGIE BANNISTER as King Clayton

In The Ghastly Love of Johnny X, Reggie Bannister reunites with director Paul Bunnell after previously working together on That Little Monster. Known to horror fans far and wide, Reggie is best known for his work in Don Coscarelli's Phantasm horror franchise, as well as Bubba Ho-Tep and other cult movie favorites.

LES WILLIAMS as Chip / Introducing DE ANNA JOY BROOKS as Bliss

Originally from a theatre background in Baltimore and Los Angeles, Les is a key member of the legendary Sanford Meisner Theatre Group and continues to work in film and television. His film credits include Kiss the Bride with Tori Spelling, the popular TV show Days of Our Lives, TV movies Sketch Artist II and Enemy Within, as well as the independent film, Training Wheels, where at its Los Angeles premiere, he was approached by director Paul Bunnell to join the cast of Johnny X.

De Anna Joy Brooks won the coveted role of "Bliss" from among three hundred competing actresses. Her other film projects include The Strand with Katherine Helmond, as well as featured roles in Neighborhood Watch and Studio House, alongside such notables as Ruta Lee and Debra Wilson. Recently De Anna has written and starred in a hilarious one-woman-show to rave reviews. The versatile young actress can also be seen on StimTV interviewing rockers Ted Leo and members of The Grateful Dead. Director Paul Bunnell believes Johnny X will be De Anna's breakthrough role.

KEVIN McCARTHY as The Judge

Kevin McCarthy is most remembered for starring as Dr. Bennell in the sci-fi thriller classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. With over 90 film and television projects to his name, he is also well-known for his starring role in the original Twilight Zone series episode Long Live Walter Jameson. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. McCarthy is also an Academy Award Nominee for his portrayal as Biff in Death of a Salesman (1951).

For more info on The Ghastly Love of Johnny X visit:

The official website at http://www.johnnyxmovie.com/

The official MySpace Film Page athttp://www.myspace.com/johnnyxmovie

All photos used are © 2008 Ghastly Johnny X, LLC