Led by Mad Max: Fury Road, Australian films collectively have raked in $34.6 million at cinemas this year, eclipsing the paltry 2014 calendar year total of $26.1 million.
With $12.6 million in the till after its second weekend (a modest drop of 33%), George Miller.s high-octane action-adventure is the top earning local release.
Some Aussie exhibs expect Miller's film to reach $20 million so the 2015 total will soon overtake 2013's $38.5 million... .
Given the upcoming line-up, which includes Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Michael Petroni.s Backtrack and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball, there is plenty of upside for the industry.
If there are at least one or two break-out hits and a couple of solid performers, it may not be a stretch to beat 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
The Water Diviner and Paper Planes...
With $12.6 million in the till after its second weekend (a modest drop of 33%), George Miller.s high-octane action-adventure is the top earning local release.
Some Aussie exhibs expect Miller's film to reach $20 million so the 2015 total will soon overtake 2013's $38.5 million... .
Given the upcoming line-up, which includes Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Michael Petroni.s Backtrack and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball, there is plenty of upside for the industry.
If there are at least one or two break-out hits and a couple of solid performers, it may not be a stretch to beat 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
The Water Diviner and Paper Planes...
- 5/26/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian films are experiencing a resurgence in cinemas this year, raking in $21.7 million through April 20.
That.s way up on the $13.7 million collected in the first four months last year, when The Railway Man, Wolf Creek 2 and Tracks were the only significant contributors.
Given the upcoming release line-up including George Miller.s Mad Max: Fury Road, Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell's Ruben Guthrie,. Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter and Michael Petroni.s Backtrack, the industry is on course to far surpass the 2014. total of $26.1 million from 39 films and feature documentaries plus holdovers.
Almost certainly 2015 will be a far bigger year for Oz cinema than 2013.s $38.5 million, and probably 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
This year local films are benefitting from an exceptionally buoyant trading period at the nation.s cinemas. Through the end...
That.s way up on the $13.7 million collected in the first four months last year, when The Railway Man, Wolf Creek 2 and Tracks were the only significant contributors.
Given the upcoming release line-up including George Miller.s Mad Max: Fury Road, Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell's Ruben Guthrie,. Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter and Michael Petroni.s Backtrack, the industry is on course to far surpass the 2014. total of $26.1 million from 39 films and feature documentaries plus holdovers.
Almost certainly 2015 will be a far bigger year for Oz cinema than 2013.s $38.5 million, and probably 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
This year local films are benefitting from an exceptionally buoyant trading period at the nation.s cinemas. Through the end...
- 4/23/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Long-time Hopscotch Features/eOne executive Rachel Okine is joining Studiocanal.
Okine has been appointed Vice President, International Production and Acquisitions, at the French-owned studio/distributor. She will be based in Paris.
Studiocanal is releasing brothers Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner's Zombie horror/comedy Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead this month after also acquiring the UK rights.
Among other local acquisitions are Manny Lewis, comedian Carl Barron.s debut feature directed and co-written by Anthony Mir; and Deane Taylor.s animated family film The Blinky Bill Movie.
Okine was a founding member of Hopscotch in 2002, working across technical delivery, publicity and marketing and serving as acquisitions manager from 2002 . 2006.
She departed last October, initially intending to try her luck in Los Angeles. She had the dual roles of head of development for Hopscotch Features, where she developed The Water Diviner, and production and acquisitions executive at eOne.
Last week the company announced...
Okine has been appointed Vice President, International Production and Acquisitions, at the French-owned studio/distributor. She will be based in Paris.
Studiocanal is releasing brothers Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner's Zombie horror/comedy Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead this month after also acquiring the UK rights.
Among other local acquisitions are Manny Lewis, comedian Carl Barron.s debut feature directed and co-written by Anthony Mir; and Deane Taylor.s animated family film The Blinky Bill Movie.
Okine was a founding member of Hopscotch in 2002, working across technical delivery, publicity and marketing and serving as acquisitions manager from 2002 . 2006.
She departed last October, initially intending to try her luck in Los Angeles. She had the dual roles of head of development for Hopscotch Features, where she developed The Water Diviner, and production and acquisitions executive at eOne.
Last week the company announced...
- 2/8/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Jack Of The Red Hearts
Famke Janssen ("X-Men") and AnnaSophia Robb ("The Carrie Diaries") have joined the cast of the indie drama "Jack Of The Red Hearts" which just began filming in New York.
Janet Grillo ("Fly Away") helms the story of a teenage con artist who tricks a desperate mother into hiring her as a live-in companion for her autistic daughter. [Source: Deadline]
Welcome to Happiness
Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") has joined the cast of Oliver Thompson's metaphysical drama "Welcome to Happiness" at Minutehand Pictures. Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles.
Kyle Gallner plays a children's book author with a secret door in his closet. Offerman will play the character's father-figure and landlord. Olivia Thirlby, Molly C. Quinn, Frances Conroy, Paget Brewster, Josh Brener and Brendan Sexton III also star. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Bateman Comedy
"Bad Words" actor/director Jason Bateman will star in and direct a currently untitled FBI-themed comedy.
Famke Janssen ("X-Men") and AnnaSophia Robb ("The Carrie Diaries") have joined the cast of the indie drama "Jack Of The Red Hearts" which just began filming in New York.
Janet Grillo ("Fly Away") helms the story of a teenage con artist who tricks a desperate mother into hiring her as a live-in companion for her autistic daughter. [Source: Deadline]
Welcome to Happiness
Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") has joined the cast of Oliver Thompson's metaphysical drama "Welcome to Happiness" at Minutehand Pictures. Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles.
Kyle Gallner plays a children's book author with a secret door in his closet. Offerman will play the character's father-figure and landlord. Olivia Thirlby, Molly C. Quinn, Frances Conroy, Paget Brewster, Josh Brener and Brendan Sexton III also star. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Bateman Comedy
"Bad Words" actor/director Jason Bateman will star in and direct a currently untitled FBI-themed comedy.
- 6/30/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Film marks debut feature for Australian comedian Carl Barron [pictured].
Shooting has commenced on Manny Lewis.
Anthony Mir’s film marks the debut feature for Australian comedian Carl Barron, who co-wrote with Mir and stars in the film which follows a fictional stand-up comedian who finds it hard to connect to one person.
The film also stars Leanna Walsman, Roy Billing and Damien Garvey, and will feature new stand-up material from Barron whose last tour was seen by over 300,000 people in Australia and New Zealand.
Financed by Seven Productions, A-List Entertainment and Beyond Films, Manny Lewis is produced by Martin Fabinyi for Beyond Screen Production and will be released theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by StudioCanal in 2015.
Barron commented: “People ask me and I say: it’s a movie about my life as a comic on the road for the last 20 years. I got a bit worn out from touring, so I decided...
Shooting has commenced on Manny Lewis.
Anthony Mir’s film marks the debut feature for Australian comedian Carl Barron, who co-wrote with Mir and stars in the film which follows a fictional stand-up comedian who finds it hard to connect to one person.
The film also stars Leanna Walsman, Roy Billing and Damien Garvey, and will feature new stand-up material from Barron whose last tour was seen by over 300,000 people in Australia and New Zealand.
Financed by Seven Productions, A-List Entertainment and Beyond Films, Manny Lewis is produced by Martin Fabinyi for Beyond Screen Production and will be released theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by StudioCanal in 2015.
Barron commented: “People ask me and I say: it’s a movie about my life as a comic on the road for the last 20 years. I got a bit worn out from touring, so I decided...
- 6/30/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
opened
Thursday, March 13 (Australia)
SYDNEY -- For Miramax Films' opening gambit in Australian film production, the company has banked on three little-known comedians in their debut film, "You Can't Stop the Murders". Although the cheap, underdeveloped feel of the film indicates that huge sums of money weren't thrown at the project, this low-wattage gamble may ultimately prove a minor embarrassment for Miramax in Australia.
Gary (Gary Eck) is a small-town cop burdened with a dopey sidekick (Akmal Saleh) and a complete lack of criminal action to actually police. That soon changes. The first victim is a biker, then a construction worker, then a sailor ... and soon the film's title starts to make sense. Enter city cop Tony Charles Anthony Mir), whose use of extreme violence in the urban jungle sees him sent to help the small-town cops with the case.
"Murders" fires off in all directions without ever finding a consistent tone. The drive of the plot suggests a pitch-black comedy, but the film peddles a relaxed, good-natured feel that undercuts all of the elements that initially make it compelling. Despite boasting a very funny premise that could have worked on a number of levels, there is nothing fresh or interesting about what is on offer here.
While the script by stars Eck, Saleh and Mir is peppered with stinging one-liners, Mir directs n a sluggish manner. The obviously low budget makes the number of "crowd scenes" awkwardly thin, while the washed-out locations fail to create the feel of small-town life that the film needed to make the whole premise work.
Saleh is a scene-stealing delight. Mir is a dervish of comic energy. Eck does his best with the straight-man role, but most of the set-ups see the comics spinning their wheels.
YOU CAN'T STOP THE MURDERS
Miramax Films and Showtime Australia present A Big Mo Film in association with SBS Independent, the New South Wales Film and Television Office and the Australian Film Commission
Credits:
Director: Anthony Mir
Screenwriters: Gary Eck, Anthony Mir, Akmal Saleh
Producer: Anastasia Sideris
Director of photography: Justin Brickle
Production designer: Sam Hobbs
Costume designer: Justine Seymour
Music: Jamie Fonti
Editor: Rochelle Oshlack
Cast:
Constable Gary: Gary Eck
Constable Akmal: Akmal Saleh
Detective Tony Charles: Anthony Mir
Chief Carter: Richard Carter
Julia Broadmeadows: Kirsty Hutton
Running time -- 99 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Thursday, March 13 (Australia)
SYDNEY -- For Miramax Films' opening gambit in Australian film production, the company has banked on three little-known comedians in their debut film, "You Can't Stop the Murders". Although the cheap, underdeveloped feel of the film indicates that huge sums of money weren't thrown at the project, this low-wattage gamble may ultimately prove a minor embarrassment for Miramax in Australia.
Gary (Gary Eck) is a small-town cop burdened with a dopey sidekick (Akmal Saleh) and a complete lack of criminal action to actually police. That soon changes. The first victim is a biker, then a construction worker, then a sailor ... and soon the film's title starts to make sense. Enter city cop Tony Charles Anthony Mir), whose use of extreme violence in the urban jungle sees him sent to help the small-town cops with the case.
"Murders" fires off in all directions without ever finding a consistent tone. The drive of the plot suggests a pitch-black comedy, but the film peddles a relaxed, good-natured feel that undercuts all of the elements that initially make it compelling. Despite boasting a very funny premise that could have worked on a number of levels, there is nothing fresh or interesting about what is on offer here.
While the script by stars Eck, Saleh and Mir is peppered with stinging one-liners, Mir directs n a sluggish manner. The obviously low budget makes the number of "crowd scenes" awkwardly thin, while the washed-out locations fail to create the feel of small-town life that the film needed to make the whole premise work.
Saleh is a scene-stealing delight. Mir is a dervish of comic energy. Eck does his best with the straight-man role, but most of the set-ups see the comics spinning their wheels.
YOU CAN'T STOP THE MURDERS
Miramax Films and Showtime Australia present A Big Mo Film in association with SBS Independent, the New South Wales Film and Television Office and the Australian Film Commission
Credits:
Director: Anthony Mir
Screenwriters: Gary Eck, Anthony Mir, Akmal Saleh
Producer: Anastasia Sideris
Director of photography: Justin Brickle
Production designer: Sam Hobbs
Costume designer: Justine Seymour
Music: Jamie Fonti
Editor: Rochelle Oshlack
Cast:
Constable Gary: Gary Eck
Constable Akmal: Akmal Saleh
Detective Tony Charles: Anthony Mir
Chief Carter: Richard Carter
Julia Broadmeadows: Kirsty Hutton
Running time -- 99 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 3/25/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Myriad Pictures has acquired international rights, excluding Australia and New Zealand, to the Australian comedy-thriller You Can't Stop the Murders. The film -- the directorial debut of well-known Aussie comedian Anthony Mir -- centers on a peaceful village that is turned upside down by a sudden murder spree, with victims including a biker, a construction worker, a sailor, a cowboy and an Indian. The local lawmen quickly figure out that the killer is plotting a twisted "reunion" of the characters portrayed by '70s disco act Village People and that the next victim is going to be a cop. Mir co-wrote the screenplay with comedians Gary Eck and Akmal Saleh, both of whom also star in the film. Murders is set to open March 13 in Australia via Miramax Films' new local distribution partnership with Buena Vista International. Myriad will present the project to international buyers at Cannes in May. "This is a wild, fun and really offbeat movie starring top-notch comedians," Myriad topper Kirk D'Amico said. "We think it's the kind of comedy that can play well in any market." Murders is a production of Big Mo Films and was produced by Anastasia Sideris. Marion Pilowsky, head of international production at Myriad, negotiated the deal with Sideris.
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