vacancy Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I kinda liked the straightforward and no-nonsense approach to Nimrod Antal's thriller Vacancy (and it does hold up to repeat viewings), so consider me sufficiently intrigued regarding the news of another a follow-up. But recent word indicates that the next Vacancy will be A) direct-to-video (of course), and B) a prequel instead of a sequel. Although they're sticking with screenwriter Mark L. Smith, the new director will be Eric Bross, a named recognizable to only the most serious fans of rotten cinema. (Bross directed that Joey Fatone movie a few years back.)

According to Shock, the prequel will involve "a couple, Jessica and Caleb, and their pal Tanner who check into the Meadow View Inn where the employees are making snuff films." OK, that's a workable concept, but if you've seen the first movie, you kinda know what happened to those kids. (Sounds a lot like the main problem in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.) Our source also gives us a bunch of new cast members, namely Agnes Bruckner, Lola Davidson, Angel Oquendo, David Moscow, Nelson Lee, Brian Klugman and Gwendoline Yeo.

No word yet on if we'll get to see (slightly) younger versions of Ethan Embry and Frank Whaley.

Since his Academy Award-nominated turn as a racist cop in Crash, the ever-reliable Matt Dillon has starred as Charles Bukowski's alter-ego in the drama Factotum and played a hapless husband in the disappointing You, Me and Dupree. He also appeared recently in supporting roles in Kevin Bacon's drama Loverboy and opposite Lindsay Lohan in the family comedy Herbie: Fully Loaded. That selection of parts has been typical throughout Dillon's career, as he's moved easily between the independent and studio worlds and is equally at home in both comedies and dramas.

Now The Hollywood Reporter says that he's in final negotiations for two more roles, both crime-related. Dillon will play a detective who intercepts the plans of a group of bank robbers in Bone Deep. The article doesn't say whether Dillon is working for the police or on his own, only that the robbers are trying to pull off a $20 million heist. John Luessenhop is set to direct; he previously made the prison drama Lockdown. I'm hoping Bone Deep will give Dillon a chance to play a sleazy detective, possibly related to his sleazy high school teacher in Wild Things. Few people combine sleaze and charm like Dillon.

Armored features another gang of thieves, this time "armored car guards who plan to empty their truck of $10 million," according to THR. Hmm, does that mean they're more modest than the thieves in Bone Deep? Will the two gangs run into each other while they're trying to get away? No word on what part Dillon would play, but Columbus Short, who just turned down The Green Lantern, will co-star. Nimród Antal (the excellent Kontroll and the surprising Vacancy) will direct. Before those films come out, we can anticipate Dillon in Old Dogs, Nothing But the Truth and Cadillac Records.

Sony Pictures has just launched Stage 6 Films, "a label that will acquire and produce films for theatrical and straight-to-DVD release." The Variety announcement reports that Stage 6 will focus mostly on the DVD market, and on films budgeted at $1 to $10 million dollars. They've got a lot of movies on the horizon, with some pretty big stars involved. Conspiracy is an action flick starring Val "Iceman" Kilmer, Gary "Lumbergh" Cole, and Jennifer "Hot" Esposito. Thomas Jane is acting in and directing Dark Country (hope it's not a punisher!). The Stone House is a horror film starring Shane West and JK "Schillinger" Simmons. The Lodger stars Alfred Molina, whom I always picture in his underwear singing "Sister Christian." And Felon brings us even more Kilmer thrills, with Stephen Dorff and Harold Perrineau in tow.

And you know when you're talking direct-to-DVD, you're talking about some really random sequels. Stage 6 has announced a prequel (a prequel?) to this year's pretty cool horror flick Vacancy. There will also be a second Starship Troopers sequel -- Starship Troopers: Marauder, with Casper "Van Dien" Van Dien, Boris Kodjoe, and Jolene Blalock. Wesley Snipes will star in a sequel to the absolutely terrible action movie The Art of War, which I will refer to as The Art of War 2: Seriously? And Center Stage 2 will capitalize on the public's love of melodramatic teen dance dramas. I must confess a special place in my heart for the original Stage, because it led to a memorable high school back seat rendezvous. Put that quote on your poster, Sony! "Stage 6 will also continue to leverage our vast library of studio films, as we have done with Daddy Day Camp and the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise," threatens a Stage 6 executive.

Horror fans are already well aware of a little horror flick called The Hole. Despite it debuting in the States as a direct-to-video title, The Hole offered not only Keira Knightley in sexy mode, but the adorable Thora Birch too. (OK, fine. And Desmond Harrington.) Plus I happened to really enjoy the Nick Hamm flick -- which happens pretty seldom where DTV titles are concerned. (Whatever happened to Mr. Hamm? He got one shot at Hollywood product -- the seriously lame Godsend -- and then vanished!)

This story is not about that movie. It's about another project called The Hole, one that screenwriter Mark L. Smith (of the rather underrated Vacancy) just sold to the production companies known as Bold and Benderspink. According to Variety, the plot is about two brothers who discover a mysterious hole in their basement -- only to realize that the hole leads somewhere decidedly horrific. Cool.

No word yet on who'll be starring, directing or even distributing -- but given how much I dug the old-school vibe of Vacancy (arriving on DVD August 14), I'll be keeping an eye out for The Hole. (Although I bet you the title changes before the movie hits the streets.)

The DVD specs for Vacancy were just announced, and if the info over at DVDactive is correct (and I see no reason why it's not), then it looks like the DVD will include an alternate opening sequence. What's up with that? I'm not even sure I've ever seen such a thing on a DVD before (although, knowing me, I'm probably wrong and will wait to hear you readers spew out all sorts of titles in which this sort of thing has been done), but even so I can't imagine what an "alternate opening sequence" would look like for Vacancy. Does it include Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale checking into a Marriott, only they realize they don't have enough points for a room so they opt to go the snuff motel route instead? And should something like an alternate opening sequence make us want to buy the DVD even more? "Oohh, maybe they used a different font for the opening credits -- please let it be Times New Roman; that would be wicked sweet!"

The DVD will hit streets on August 14, and comes with a suggested retail price of $28.95 (with a Blu-ray version being offered for $38.96). Some of the other extras included are: Checking In: The Cast & Crew of Vacancy behind the scenes featurette, deleted scenes (which include the aforementioned alternate opening sequence) and "some extended snuff films." I absolutely love that last part, don't you? I'm actually curious to see if, on the back of the DVD, it actually says, "Extended snuff films!!!" And then I want to watch some guy tell his girlfriend (following a date night viewing of Vacancy) to sit tight because the DVD includes extended snuff films. And then I want to take a picture of the look on her face, as well as record the subsequent phone conversation between said girlfriend and her mother. "Yes, he really wanted to watch the snuff films. Should I be worried?" DVDactive has a bigger picture of the DVD artwork in case you're interested, and for those who watched Vacancy in the theater, do chime in and let us know what you make of the whole alternate opening sequence thing.

I swear, after this summer I don't think I'll ever want to stay in another hotel room again. First, they gave us Vacancy (here's your key to the "snuff film" room), then this weekend we get Bug (here's your key to the bug-filled room) and now a final poster has been released for 1408 (here's your key to the room where 56 people have died). "Thanks! Can I use my points for this stay?" Based on a a Stephen King short story, 1408 stars John Cusack as Mike Enslin; an author who loves to run around town discrediting a number of paranormal hot spots. While penning his latest book, Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms, Mike receives a mysterious tip to visit the notorious Dolphin Hotel for a stay in room 1408.

Once there, Mike ignores the hotel manager's (Samuel L. Jackson) warning regarding the spooky room (apparently, no one has managed to stay there longer than an hour) and heads upstairs ready to experience something, anything. And based on the pretty sweet trailer, it seems our hero is in store for a lot more than he bargained for. You can check out the poster to the right (click here for a larger version courtesy of JoBlo). Directed by Mikael Håfström (who last gave us the Clive Owen pic Derailed), and adapted by Matt Greenberg (Reign of Fire) and Scott Alexander (Ed Wood, Cell), 1408 marks Cusack's second trip to a hotel full of lunatics (the first being the somewhat decent Identity); is it just me, or does he need to start doing some better research when searching for a place to crash? Make your reservation now folks; 1408 arrives in theaters on June 22.

Though there aren't any plans yet for a direct-to-DVD sequel to Vacancy, this new flick The Strangers might have to go that route if it has any chance of survival. With a weaker cast and a not-so-tantalizing plot, The Strangers is supposed to hit theaters on July 13. But, as Bloody Disgusting points out, that date might be pushed back due to Vacancy's poor box office turn-out. That said, a still from the pic featuring Liv Tyler trying to escape from some chick in a mask has just hit the net. And, from the look of it, she ain't getting very far. (That can happen when, instead of running, you attempt to crawl your way to freedom.)

In the pic, Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star as a couple who, in an attempt to spend some quiet time at their vacation home, find themselves terrorized by three masked strangers. And no, unfortunately these aren't a group of kids enjoying a game of ring-and-run. We're not exactly sure why they're after this poor couple (for all we know they could be members of a band looking to open up for Aerosmith), but I've come to realize that when the bad guys wear spooky masks, they don't need an agenda. Those masks alone are enough to tell us they mean business. Bryan Bertino makes his directorial debut (off his own script), with Rogue Pictures currently trying to come up with a way to market this thing so that people don't immediately think Vacancy rip-off. Personally, I'm always down for a gut-wrenching, "who's that stranger in the window"-type flick, and so while everyone and their mother is off watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on July 13, I'll gladly throw my gal Liv some love.

My favorite film critic is unquestionably Roger Ebert. When I was a kid, I used to get his "Yearbooks" for Christmas every year, and I've watched every incarnation of his television show. I loved Siskel and Ebert, I like Ebert and Roeper, and the show currently exists in a sort of limbo state I call Not Siskel and Not Ebert. Since Ebert's unfortunate illness, the show has tried a variety of "guest critics." Usually these are film journalists -- A.O. Scott of the New York Times does an excellent job and is the closest the show has to a regular. But they've made some very interesting non-critic choices too. Jay Leno, Fred Willard, and Harold Ramis (Egon!) are just a few of the less traditional names they've brought in for the gig. Kevin Smith did a particularly nice job of co-hosting, and has been invited back. But none of these guests could have prepared me for tonight. The show comes on at 1AM here in Los Angeles, and when I saw who was sitting in I actually jolted up in bed, horror-movie style. None other than John Mellencamp was filling in for Roger Ebert! That's right, the "Cougar!" And it hurt so good!

Mellencamp did the worst job I've seen yet on the show, but it's hard to make fun. The guy's clearly not trying to be a serious critic, he's got a pretty decent day job going. He and Roeper reviewed Vacancy, Lonely Hearts, In the Land of Women, and Fracture. Of that list, Roeper only gave a positive review to Women, but Mellencamp loved each and every one, using the word "fantastic" to describe just about everything. He picked the classic documentary Grey Gardens as his video pick of the week. I don't know how they booked him or how it happened, but Mellencamp did seem to be pretty clueless in the film department. Now I suppose I could get on my high horse and say "What business does a musician have criticizing movies? Does Gene Shalit play "guest guitar" for Green Day?" But I actually think it's kind of fun to hear from these unlikely sources. And hey, Mellencamp did direct and star in a movie called Falling From Grace. I haven't seen it, but before you mock, Grace is highly respected by Ebert, who gave it a four-star review back in 1992, and Roeper, who wrote a column then offering money back to anyone who didn't like it. Apparently the staff of NBC's The Office aren't as keen on his film work. On the episode two weeks ago, Kevin said "If someone gives you 10,000-to-1 odds on anything, you take it. If John Mellencamp ever wins an Oscar, I am going to be a very rich dude."

To watch the Mellencamp show in full, keep checking the Ebert and Roeper website. Get well soon, Roger! And hurry back! Please!

Last week, evilone1414 and isaac showed the power of being eeeevil by scoring a perfect 16 points in our weekly prediction game. (Sorry to lump you in there, isaac, but your name doesn't have anything I can make fun of.) Will Master of Evil Anthony Hopkins show similar devilish luck -- sorry, skill -- this weekend?

Fracture
What It's About: Wiley coyote Anthony Hopkins shoots his wife and then cops to it -- so why can't hotshot prosecutor Ryan Gosling slam this case shut?
Why It Might Do Well: You've got an Oscar winner (Hopkins) and an Oscar nominee (Gosling) going mano-a-mano in a psychological thriller that's getting largely positive reviews. And while the movie's targeting serious adult moviegoers, Gosling's got plenty of female fans, too. (Oh, Sir Tony, you know the ladies love you.)
Why It Might Not Do Well: Remember what I just said about the movie targeting "serious adult moviegoers"? With rare exceptions, these types of movies don't tend to finish first at the box office. And neither actor is a guaranteed box office draw.
Prediction: $12 million

Vacancy
What It's About: A squabbling husband and wife (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) undergo an extreme version of couples therapy when they check into a dirtbag motel, only to find they've been cast as the leads in the staff's next home-movie snuff film. Umm, congrats?
Why It Might Do Well: Horror sells, and this one's got an interesting and original premise. Also, Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale? Pretty.
Why It Might Not Do Well: It's rated R, so it'll lose some of its intended audience to the more teen-friendly Disturbia. And unlike the rest of the Frat Pack, Wilson has proved curiously incapable of building on his Old School success.
Prediction: $14 million

Here's how I stand on Vacancy: Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale are the last two people I'd imagine paired up in a psychological thriller, seeing as I'm used to watching her fight vampires and his poor attempts at "average joe"-type comedy. However, I keep finding myself drawn to this film ... and I don't know why. No, it's not because of my warped fascination with the words 'Kate Beckinsale" and 'snuff film' (although you have to admit the combination is rather intriguing). I tend to think it has to do with wanting to see Luke Wilson try on something different for a change ... even if I do find him to be amongst the most boring actors working today.

With the film set to arrive in theaters on April 20, Movies Online now has an assortment of "crap, what did we get ourselves into" stills for you to rummage through. In the pic, Wilson and Beckinsale play a married couple with communication issues who, when their car breaks down, are forced to check into a seedy-looking motel. Upon settling down in their room, the two discover a bunch of unmarked tapes which turn out to be real-life snuff films. Even worse, they soon learn the people behind those tapes intend on making our troubled couple the stars of their next masterpiece. Oooh, creepy -- it's like 8MM meets Hostel, but with Luke Wilson as the hero. Extra creepy! (Totally off-topic, but did you notice that tomorrow is Friday, April 13th and there's not one gory horror flick being released? What's up with that?)

Sidenote: Sarah Jessica Parker was originally tapped to play Beckinsale's role, but dropped out after hubby Matthew Broderick wanted to use her in his own snuff film. Okay, that's not the real reason, but she did ditch the project.