Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four Comes to DVD & VOD

doomed-130558

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The filmmakers and performers involved in Roger Corman’s ill-fated Fantastic Four can laugh now, but back when it was being made, movie-making was serious business. Their look back at what this film meant to them gives more than an insightful look at Doomed! The Untold Story. This product is going to let it all out, plastic wrap included, about what went on before, during and after the making of the ill-fated project. This documentary is set for release on VOD October 10th and put to DVD for Dec 20th release.

This movie was shelved, never to be seen, and the negative was transferred to some other rights holder – to which Corman let go without too much dispute. If anyone can watch it, only work prints and teases of this cheesy production could be found before the age of the Internet. Anyone enterprising enough can attempt an exhaustive search for a digital bootleg or simply go to a convention to snap up a DVD, but does anyone want to?

Now that comic book movies are in demand, explanations are offered as to why it never got the theatrical treatment. Allusions are made to say the producers were simply holding on to the paperwork required to bank a bigger paycheck.

Continue reading “Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four Comes to DVD & VOD”

Getting Tromatized with Lloyd Kaufman, An Interview

Lloyd Kaufman and his studio are here for making art. He said, “We want to make a film that people will really be impressed with.”

Lloyd Kaufman PosterGetting to talk to Lloyd Kaufman, the cheerleader for Troma Entertainment, is a treat for this journalist. He’s very knowledgeable about the industry and he has more than 40 years of experience in entertaining the masses. One of his long-standing philosophies in life is to share what he knows and not play with the evil conglomerates. His work in the independent B-movie scene is well-respected, and perhaps the best way to summarize his thoughts is in what he said, “We’re all friends of the underground and it’s very important to help develop each other’s well-being.”

That not only in reference to lifestyle changes needed to emotionally succeed but also in how he conducts business at Tromaville, or rather, Troma central. When considering all that he’s experienced in his road to recognition and the fact the Toxic Avenger franchise put Troma Entertainment on the map, people are asking what’s next? The big question is in what’s happening about the big screen treatment that’s been limping along in development. Sadly, Kaufman is not in the loop with every detail. He notes that Steve Pink is a fervent supporter of Troma products and that a script exists. Kaufman knows that the product is in very capable hands and when it does go into production, he will have a cameo in it much like how he appeared in Guardians of Galaxy, directed by James Gunn (also a supporter since Troma was where he got his start).

Kaufman is very happy that a handful of films his company produced do have moguls in Hollywood interested. Just when it will arrive will depend on the ultimate thing that even plagues this business: where’s the money? Until that comes, Troma Movies has a YouTube Channel offering 250 of their films for free and lessons in how to get into the film industry.

Continue reading “Getting Tromatized with Lloyd Kaufman, An Interview”

Last Chance Productions Gets Toxic with Evil Dead in the Pacific Northwest!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

81qMvxhWjhL._SL1425_Evil Dead the Musical
Oct 30-31, 2015

Toxic Avenger the Musical
Renton Civic Theatre
Renton, Washington
December 26, 2015

Alberta Rose Theatre
Portland, Oregon
January 2, 2016

Waterfront Theatre
on Granville Island

Vancouver, BC
Feb 5 and 6, 2016

Returning to Vancouver, BC this Halloween is Evil Dead the Musical, and hot on their tail is The Toxic Avenger the Musical. Both shows, if it was back to back, would have been duking it out at the Waterfront Theatre instead of Studio 1338!  A change in plan will have Toxie appear next year and with a bigger venue, the team of Last Chance Productions promises more fun to pop up. This crew performed Young Frankenstein and Cannibal! the Musical in the past. For the holidays, they are giving fans new content as they tour the Pacific Northwest during the holidays.

Fans of Troma who have not seen this production can see what’s changed. The plot of this stage version does not entirely follow the film. It takes the best moments from it and has fun with the tropes.

“The movie has its own cult following, and people should be aware that the musical changed things around,” revealed Chance Newman, director and producer. “There’s two performers who play 20 parts each, and it’s going to be manic.”

Continue reading “Last Chance Productions Gets Toxic with Evil Dead in the Pacific Northwest!”

It’s Morphin’ Time! Two Power Rangers Scheduled To Appear at IF Con 2015!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

IFCon2015The list of guests for The Island Fantasy Convention continues to grow and with their latest announcement, I squealed like a nerd.

Our fair city of Victoria, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, will see in 2015 not one but two Power Rangers! Wether they are here as special guests of the con or they are expecting the Empress Hotel to be smashed by a giant creature is anyone’s guess. I’m just happy they’ll be here — destruction or no.

Continue reading “It’s Morphin’ Time! Two Power Rangers Scheduled To Appear at IF Con 2015!”

%d bloggers like this: