Olive Films to Release Roger Corman's Controversial and Censored Drug Film The Trip (1967)

Olive Films to Release Roger Corman's Controversial and Censored Drug Film The Trip (1967) Olive Films, a small company dedicated to bringing independent, foreign, and classic films to life, is excited to announce the titles that are slated for a Blu-ray/DVD release on March 22, 2016. These titles include 1967's controversial drug film The Trip, which is surrounded by fascinating stories of filmmaking and censorship. "The Trip functions today as an importnat relic of countercultural thought and the rise of The New American Cinema," said MArketing Director Bradley Powell. "Its themes surrounding drug use, free love, and spirituality, while existing in new iterations, most certainly linger on today. Seeing as the film debuted the same year as Jimi Hendrix's first LP, a fitting question to ask yourself when discussing this cult classic is: Are You Experienced?"

In The Trip, director Roger Corman brings us on a psychedelic, acid-fueled odyssey, written by Jack Nicholson and starring Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Dennis Hopper, and Susan Strasberg. To prepare for the film, the entire cast and crew (excluding Bruce Dern) drove to Big Sur and took LSD together. The film brilliantly shows us the characters' hallucinations through in-camera techniques rather than in post-production. Some of these techniques include strobe lights altered to synchronize with the cameras' frame rates, lights shone through dishes of dye and watch-crystals, and leftover props reused from Corman's earlier films. Studio censorship inflicted significant anti-drug changes upon The Trip, a film that the artists intended to be a non-judgemtnal tale of drug exploration. At the film's beginning, American International Pictures added scrolling text that branded the film as a warning about the dangers of experimental drug use. In an additional change, they added a black crack over Fonda's face in the final image, leaving the impression of LSD "shattering" his psyche. With these alterations, they hijacked the film's theme of a tolerant exploration and turned it into a judgmental warning. Still, its depiction of drugs proved so sensational that it received further trouble from the censors, especially in the UK, where it was banned until 2003. The Olive Films Blu-ray and DVD will not feature the beginning advisory text nor the cracked screen. In that way, it will be closer to the artists' original intentions.

Frankenstein Takes the Wheel with Malcolm McDowell in ROGER CORMAN’S DEATH RACE 2050

LEGENDARY FILMMAKING ICON, ROGER CORMAN RETURNS
TO PRODUCE THE MOST EPIC DEATH RACE EVER
AS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS IN PERU

ROGER CORMAN’S
DEATH RACE 2050
 
MALCOLM MCDOWELL STARS IN THE SENSATIONAL ACTION-PACKED FILM 
DEBUTING ON BLU-RAY^™, DVD AND DIGITAL HD
IN 2016 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

An outrageous action-packed film and reboot of the original Death Race 2000, Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 began filming February 8 in Peru. Filled with the full-throttle mayhem and black-hearted humor, this all-new film drops the flag on a phalanx of automotive gladiators who earn points for killing pedestrians — and their fellow drivers.Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 is an original release from Universal 1440 Entertainment, a production entity of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The film will be available exclusively on Blu-ray^™, DVD and Digital HD in 2016.

In the decades since well-known independent film pioneer and Academy Award^® winner Roger Corman first put the iconic anti-hero Frankenstein into the driver’s seat in Death Race 2000, this over-the-top cult classic has hurtled headlong toward cinematic immortality. Among the most enduring of the prolific producer’s legion of memorable films, Death Race 2000 has inspired a growing fan base that continues to propel the popular franchise as it marks the 40th anniversary of its original release.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me and millions of Death Race 2000 fans to experience the intensity, thrills and dark humor of the original, fueled by a terrific young cast, spectacular vehicles and side-splitting action, literally” said Corman, the trailblazing writer, director and producer. “Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 puts the pedal to the metal to bring this enduring franchise to a whole new level.”

Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 stars Manu Bennett (The Hobbit franchise) as Frankenstein, as well as Malcolm
McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) as the Chairman, Burt Grinstead (“NCIS”), Marci Miller (Viper), Folake Olowofoyeku (The Beaver), Anessa Ramsey (Footloose), Yancy Butler (Hard Target) and Charlie Farrell (Cantar).

The film is directed by G.J. Echternkamp (Hard Candy) directs from a script by Matt Yamashita (Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda) and G.J. Echternkamp, and produced by Roger Corman (Death Race 2000) and Luis Llosa (Anaconda).

SYNOPSIS
In the not-too-distant future, America is controlled by an all-powerful corporate government that keeps the masses placated with violent virtual-reality entertainment. The event of the year is the Death Race, where a motley assortment of drivers compete in a cross-country road race, scoring points for running down pedestrians and killing each other. The reigning champion and popular favorite is half-man, half-machine Frankenstein — but little does he know he’s taken on a rebel spy as his co-pilot.

DAVID BOWIE COMIC BOOK PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE ICONIC SINGER

After his untimely death earlier this month, David Bowie left behind more than a legacy of memorable songs, but bequeathed an indelible imprint on popular culture as well. Storm Entertainment captures this spirit in a new tribute comic book biography released this week.

Tribute: David Bowie, available in both print and digital, follows the enigmatic artist's innovative career from his through early days as David Jones through his ever-changing metamorphoses into a rock god, tortured artist, thin white duke and blinded prophet. 

Written by Mike Lynch and Michael L. Frizell with art by George Amaru and Vincenzo Sansone, the book pays homage to  one of the most influential artists any generation, constantly reinventing himself while defying convention. The one-shot features three collectable covers by Sansone, David Frizell, and Graham Hill.  

The book builds on the previously published Fame: David Bowie and completes his life story. Fans of Bowie will recognize his transformation from the iconic Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane to pre-punk Berliner to the The Thin White Duke and even in his star turn as the Goblin King in the 1986 movie "Labyrinth."

"Bowie should not be remembered for his multiple personas, but rather for his desire to push musical and artistic boundaries," said writer Michael Frizell. "He was on the forefront of so many musical movements; psychedelic, glam, Krautrock, funk, grunge, and his latest post modern masterpiece and farewell gift Black-Star. 

Storm Entertainment president Darren G. Davis added, "I hope readers come away with not simply a sense of the richness of his life, but how he influenced practically every artist that came after; regardless of genre."

The “Tribute” series serves as a pop culture companion to Storm Entertainment’s successful “Female Force,” “Political Power,” “Orbit,” and “Fame” series. The biography comic form allows Storm’s talented writers to delve into the history of certain newsworthy figures and explore what shaped them. Storm Entertainment’s biographical comic books have been featured on CNN, Politico, Roll Call, The Today Show, FOX News, and in People Magazine among thousands of others.

“Tribute: David Bowie” is available on your e-reader from iTunes, Kindle, Nook, Wowio, ComiXology, DriveThru Comics, Google Play, My Digital Comics, Overdrive, Iverse, Biblioboard, Flipkart, ComicBin,Axis360,  Blio, Entitle, Comicblender, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold. Print copies can be ordered exclusively at ComicFleaMarket.com. 

Print copies of Tribute: David Bowie can be ordered starting at $3.99 at Comic Flea Market by going towww.comicfleamarket.com

Storm has published well-received tribute biographies of other musicians, John Lennon, George Harrison, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobian, Jerry Garcia and more. 

You can download this title on ComiXology, DriveThru Comics, Google Play, My Digital Comics, Overdrive, Iverse, iTunes, Kindle, Biblioboard, ComicBin, Nook, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold.

A Glimpse Into The New Horror Flick The Vessel

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VESSEL TRAILER

Hanan Townshend, the New Zealand-born film composer finishes director Terrence Malick's mind-bending film and dives into Horror with, The Vessel.

The film written and directed by Julio Quintana stars Lucas Quintana, Martin Sheen, and Jacqueline Duprey. Townshend scores the latest in the horror genre due this spring. 

The thrilling and bone chilling tale recalls how ten years back a tidal wave destroyed a small-town elementary school with all the children inside. Suddenly a young man builds a mysterious structure out of the school's remains, setting the town aflame with passions long forgotten.

He recently also finished work on Knight of Cups which starred Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Antonio Banderas, Wes Bentley, Teresa Palmer, Joe Manganiello, Haley Bennett, Imogen Poots, Joel Kinnaman, Jason Clarke, Nick Offerman, and Ben Kingsley.

Townshend has a penchant for approaching film music from a less conventional perspective and producing clever, memorable pieces that support just as much the picturesque as they do the auditory experience.

He has scored over a dozen large commercials for brands such as Apple, American Express, Nike and Google. He has also collaborated with producers such as Mike McCarthy and the legendary Daniel Lanois.

An Interview with Nick Minnow

JEFFREY LEWIS y LOS BOLTS "SAD SCREAMING OLD MAN"

Today marks the debut of the amazingly awesome video for Jeffrey Lewis y Los Bolts' "Sad Screaming Old Man" on NPR's All Songs TV! While this is super exciting in itself, it is extra exciting for us here at Mooster because it shows off the talent of our good friend, Nick.

THE VIDEO CAN ALSO NOW BE SEEN ON MOOSTERTV IF YOU HAVE A ROKU. ADD OUR CHANNEL WITH THE CODE "mooster"!

 I've been friends with Nick since about 2006 when I'm sure we ran into each other at some random party in Bowling Green, Kentucky where we both went to college. He eventually became a roommate, bandmate, groomsman in my wedding, collaborator and all around awesome guy and a great friend. We have been on tours together and gotten kicked out of bars together. I affectionately refer to Nick as "The Octopus" because I once saw a guy pick him up for some reason and Nick just started swingin', so it looked like he had 8 arms! It was GREAT! Anyway..I got derailed. 

Nick has been honing the craft of claymation for the last few years and has been slaving away in his studio and home that he calls MINNOWLAND. In addition to the Jeff Lewis video he has also done videos for The Turbofruits and Steve Lewis(no relation to Jeff Lewis) I am super proud to call this dude my friend and very excited to share his newest work with my readers and the interview below. ENJOY!





MOOSTERBLOG: First off, tell us a little about you and what you do for peeps that dont know. 
NICK: Well, my name is Nicholas Clark, I am an artist/musician living in Nashville, TN. I've played in dozens of bands over the years, and record my own music under the pseudonym 'Nick Minnow'. I also make claymation and stop motion movies, mostly music videos. I am also a screen printer, and have made band merch for 100's of artists over the years.

M: How did you get started with art making? videos? stop motion?

N:  I've pretty much always made art, I got my bachelor's degree in visual design in 2008 from Western Kentucky University. My first jobs out of college were in the screen printing industry. Ive been making claymation videos for about a year and a half. I got started doing that just by chance, I was playing with a video app, and made a few objects 'move,' shortly before buying some clay and letting it take over my life. 

 M: Who are your influences and what did you learn from them?

N: Considering that I am spread all over the place, as far as different mediums go, I always liked Frank Zappa's idea of 'Conceptual Continuity,' meaning that everything he did was all a part of a single larger piece of art. I like that if someone sees a video, or hears a piece of music, they can still tell its me. I approach all mediums with the same mindset and philosophy, whether its visual or audio, it all has the same basic elements as far as I'm concerned. Other influences include Bruce Bickford, Art Clokey, Lee Harcastle, anybody who's cool doing weird stuff. 

M: Tell us a little about your bands, and where we can find music and stuff.

N: I currently play drums in a band called 'Freebase Masons.' We are in the middle of recording our second album now, and our first record is available here: https://freebasemasons.bandcamp.com/album/volume-5-mother-of-nothing , and we're on facebook and stuff. I also record my own stuff under the name 'Nick Minnow.' My last solo record " Nick Minnow Presents: Plant Music (an untested hypothesis)" was released by Mooster Records in 2012. I am almost done with my latest EP, titled 'Tongue Tied.' and it should be out in 2016. It sounds very different than my first 2 solo releases, especially the production value. It was recorded at Reel Love studio here in Nashville, and I'm planning a claymation project to coincide with the record. I've played on dozens of studio recordings for various artists, and I've been in more bands than I can remember. Most of them can be found on my website, www.minnowland.net. 

M: How would you describe your style?

N: Modern imperfect psychedelia for a modern imperfect world. 

M: Do you make art outside of the stop motion stuff? I like a lot of the creatures you make and stuff but was wondering if you made comics or art with them or anything just for yourself. 

N: Since Ive been making claymation videos, that's taken up most of my time, as far as visual art goes. I still do screen printing, so occasionally Ill make a T-shirt or poster, but claymation is my primary focus, as far as visual art goes. It can be very time-consuming. In the future it may be fun to do a comic, nothing is out of the question really. I have these bear characters I made, Rodney and Roosevelt, that would work great in a story format.

M: Can you briefly list some of the amazing bands and clients you have done art for?

 N: Ive made videos for Turbo Fruits, who are one of the hardest working bands in Nashville. Those guys gave me my first real paying stop motion gig, and they're really cool guys. I also did a video for Steve Lewis, who just put out a great record. My first claymation music video was for the band Tipper Whore, but Ive learned so much since then that I really dislike that particular video. Currently, I am finishing up a claymation video for Jeffrey Lewis, who Ive been a huge fan of for years, and I still can't believe that he agreed to work with me. And one time, I screen printed a t shirt for Eminem.

M: What plans for future art or projects do you have? 
N: After I finish up my current project, I plan on doing more claymation shorts of my own. I'm learning new things about the process everyday. Since I've started doing claymation, Ive been mostly working on other people's projects, so I'm going to focus on doing a few things of my own, probably with a 'darker' vibe. I am also planning another instrumental album, as a companion to my 2012 release, Plant Music. But this could all change tomorrow, there are always projects out there that I would love to work on. 

 M: List your top 5 fave bands and top 5 fave movies, so we can judge you. 

 N: This is by far the hardest question. I like all sorts of different music (except ska). I do have a soft spot for 80's metal, stuff like Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Anthrax, but I also like a lot of weirder stuff, like Ween, Zappa, Phish, Can, Butthole Surfers. Talking Heads, The Beatles, King Crimson, some old punk stuff. I could talk about music all day. Its really all over the place. As far as movies, Im not as opinionated about at all. I like the Star Wars movies, The Naked Gun movies. I am not a movie buff at all, but I know what I like, I suppose. 

M: Use this space for plugs, web address, how to get in touch with you.

N: More or less, everything is on my website, www.minnowland.net. There are links to my youtube and social media pages there, as well as music links and claymation videos. I've made a conscious effort to consolidate everything there, since in the past I feel like I've been spread over all sorts different media. If you are interested in working on a music video, or music production, my contact info is there as well. I'm always happy to talk to others about creative projects, and help where I can. 

ESTRANGED debuts on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD February 12

Blood is Thicker than Water, and Some Stains Never Come Out

ESTRANGED

The Terrifying Debut Feature Film from Director Adam Levins

Arrives on Blu-ray^™, DVD & Digital HD February 12

From the producers of Insidious and The Devil Inside comes ESTRANGED, the modern Gothic tale of dark secrets and shocking motives debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD February 12 from Well Go USA Entertainment. A young woman is forced to return home after a near-fatal accident has left her temporarily wheelchair bound and depleted of her long-term memory. Not only has she forgotten her family, but her childhood as well. Was there a dark reason why she left them in the first place? ESTRANGED stars Amy Manson (”Once Upon a Time”), James Cosmo (“Game of Thrones”), Craig Conway (The Descent), James Lance (Marie Antoinette) and Eileen Nicholas (Trainspotting) under the guidance of first-time feature film director Adam Levins. 

After years of partying abroad, a terrible accident has January (Amy Manson) confined to a wheelchair, with no memory of her past, her family, or the stately manor that was once her home. But something isn’t right. They say she ran away, but won’t tell her why. Her sister wishes she’d never come home. They’re locking her in at night. And the way her brother looks at her ...

Music Frozen Dancing, February 27 outside of the Empty Bottle, Chicago

Goose Island Beer Co. & the Empty Bottle Present Music Frozen Dancing 2016 featuring BLACK LIPS, THE SPITS, MEAT WAVE & MUUY BIIEN! Live DJ entertainment provided inside the Bottle, where it'll be warm and toasty all day. A real island escape from the tundra outside our walls.

The past two years of Music Frozen Dancing have been such a mind-blowing success that we're partnering with Goose Island Beer Co. to host it again. If you're not familiar, this annual event is a block party and mini-festival held outside our doors in the dead of winter. Naturally we're taking it to the streets once again, hearty humans of Chicago, for one afternoon and one afternoon only. We're inviting some kick-ass bands for this snow down throw down and there's always the comfort of good booze to warm that chilly heiny.

Goose Island will be serving beers to keep you warm throughout the day, there will be piping hot coffee from the fine folks at Dark Matter, as well as some Hot Apple Cider and, of course, four of our favorite rock bands to set ol Western & Cortez ablaze.

Gates will open at 1pm and it costs you ZERO DOLLAR$ to get in. The event is all ages, so bring the kids and scar them for life. Stick around or come back after for the Unofficial After Party at 9pm with local rock bands THE LIFE AND TIMES, RLYR (feat. members of PELICAN, LOCRIAN, BLOODIEST) and SEQUOIA. The following night, Feb 28th, will be the Official After Party featuring a headlining set from THE BLACK LIPS for ONLY $10! 

 Turbo Kid (Chronicles Of The Wasteland) 2XLP

By Le Matos $35.00

Death Waltz Recording Company is proud to present another contemporary classic from the depths of genre cinema with Quebec-duo Le Matos’ score to acclaimed science fiction picture TURBO KID. A stirring tale of a boy, a girl, and a BMX amidst a post-apocalyptic landscape, the film is a delightful throwback to the teen wish-fulfilment fantasy films of the 1980’s through the prism of modern splatter, complete with a deliciously villainous performance by legendary genre character actor Michael Ironside (SCANNERS, TOTAL RECALL).

Propelling this insanity is an incredible score that cherry picks its influences from the best of electronic film music from the past thirty five years, running the gamut from the inevitable John Carpenter bleedthrough – with some beautifully malevolent atmospheric pieces – to riffing off of the classics of Van Halen all the way through to Modern French electronic music from the like of Daft Punk & Ed Banger Records. TURBO KID is diverse but not disparate; it plays fast and loose but not at the expense of cohesion, so there are moments where you can just lie back and relax to the mesmerising ambience and dream of authentic alien landscapes, or freak out to the best of the 80’s hedonistic synthpop, or let yourself be inhabited by an eerie chill from the evocative electro-goth vocals. TURBO KID – A place beyond your dreams, a record beyond your imagination.
Deluxe 425gsm gatefold sleeve, with insert and obi strip, housing 2x 180 gram vinyl LPs. Available on limited edition Green, Red, and Black tri-color vinyl records. Also available on Black Vinyl.

Disc 1
Side A

Intro
Wasteland
The Good Plan
No Tomorrow 9feat Pawws)
Kid’s Dream
Our Last Hope

Side B
The Dual
Kid’s Nightmare Pt.1
Highway 64
Like Faith Or Some Shit

Disc 2 
Side C
Eyes Throat Genitals
Playtime Is Over
Skeleton’s Last Stand

Side D
Last Breath
Tequila Sunrise
The Kid

 

Coming April 2016: Experiencing the Rolling Stones - A Listener's Companion

 

Experiencing the Rolling Stones

A Listener’s Companion

David Malvinni’s Experiencing the Rolling Stones: A Listener’s Companion looks at the Stones’ music from the inside out. Throughout Malvinni places individual songs and entire albums within the transformative era of the ‘60s, focusing on how The Rolling Stones integrated African-American R &B, blues, and rock and roll into a uniquely British style. Vignettes attempt to describe what it was like to hear the Stones’ music at the time of its release thread their way through as Malvinni goes beyond the usual stories around their significant songs. Tracing the distinctive sound that run through their catalogue, from chord progressions and open guitar tunings, to polyrhythmic Afro-Caribbean beats, to their timbral innovations using non-traditional instruments, he shows how the Stones retain their identity through the decades.

Experiencing The Rolling Stones also draws together a broad swath of post-war Atlantic history as it covers their origins in Swinging London, their interest in the Beat generation of artists, the powerful attraction of Morocco on their lives and music, the infamous drug busts that nearly destroyed the band, the female muses who inspired them, the disaster Altamont and its aftermath, their flight from England as tax exiles, and the recording sessions outside of England.

Highlights

•   Closely examines Keith Richards’ guitar work – from his use of an open-G tuning to 5-string guitars.

•   Chronicles the band’s long history and change in personal, such as the addition of guitarists Mick Taylor and Ron Wood.

•   Focuses on the band’s greatest records, including Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street, while also discussing their early work and the output in the decades since their peak.
•  
•  
  

  Pre-order here: www.rowman.com
  April 2016 v 286 pages v 978-0-8108-8919-4v $38.00 Cloth
  April 2016 v 286 pages v 978-0-8108-8920-0v $37.99 eBook
  
  

About the Author:

David Malvinni, musicologist and classical guitarist, is adjunct professor of music and African American studies at Santa Barbara City College and author of The Gypsy Caravan: From Real Roma to Imaginary Gypsies in Western Music and Film, and Grateful Dead and the Art of Rock Improvisation.

MÖTLEY CRÜE COMIC BOOK: “Orbit: Mötley Crüe: Livin’ the Fast Life”

A band known as much for their talent onstage as their antics offstage, Mötley Crüe epitomized the drug-fueled, sex-riddled excess of 1980’s metal acts. In the process, they forged a rock dynasty few other bands have been able to achieve. Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil became household names, the scourge of the Christian right, and the darlings of the Billboard charts. Out this week is the newest illustrated biography called  “Orbit: Mötley Crüe”.

Illustrated by Jayfri Hashim and written by 

Hashim with assistance from Michael Frizell, “Orbit: Mötley Crüe: Livin’ the Fast Life” chronicles the band from their formation to present while highlighting some of the more fanciful aspects of their mythology.
Hashim, a native of Singapore, and Frizell, an educator at Missouri State University, have collaborated on several projects. “Jayfri has an enthusiasm for American rock bands unlike anyone I’ve ever met,” said Frizell of his collaborator. “He’s a walking encyclopedia of song lyrics and facts.”Heavy Metal Magazine artist Stefano Cardoselli as well as covers by Jayfri Hashim and Vincenzo Sansone offers three different covers for print.
Hashim’s love the American music compelled him to visit the United States this year as he was drawing the book, visiting the famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Though Hashim is a lifelong Jon Bon Jovi fan, he recognizes the influence Mötley Crüe had on popular music in the 1980’s.
“Their story is fascinating and powerful,” said Hashim. “I’m honored to chronicle their story for Storm Entertainment.”
Storm Entertainment is a multifaceted multimedia production company with the mission of delivering dynamic storytelling in a variety of forms by developing graphic and literary fiction and nonfiction, audio, film, and more, and biography comics are important to President and Publisher Darren G. Davis continued. “Comics can promote literacy,” said Davis. “Once, I was a reluctant reader, but comic books fired my imagination, the combination of striking visuals and succinct narration compelled me to learn to read. However, this particular comic book is aimed at adults.” About “Orbit: Mötley Crüe: Livin’ the Fast Life,” Davis, states, “Storm has published well-received biographies of other musicians, such as Bono, Prince, Metallica, and even Miley Cyrus, so why not the iconic bad boys who make up  Mötley Crüe?”





The “Orbit” series was launched in 2010 and serves as a pop culture companion to Storm Entertainment’s successful “Female Force,” “Political Power,” and “Fame” series.“Orbit: Mötley Crüe: Livin’ the Fast Life” is available for $3.99 on your e-reader from iTunes, Kindle, Nook, ComiXology, DriveThru Comics, Google Play, My Digital Comics, Overdrive, Iverse, Biblioboard, ComicBin,Axis360,  Blio, Entitle, Comicblender, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold.
Print copies can be ordered exclusively at ComicFleaMarket.com