Focus Features’ new digital distribution subsidiary Focus World has recently picked up Cuban zombie comedy Juan of the Dead for a North American digital release. The film gained Focus’ attention when it played at last year’s Toronto film festival and whilst I won’t be in America anytime soon I’ve got to say that this all sounds very promising.

It’s not often that you get a good horror comedy and as someone who doesn’t quite get Shaun of the Dead maybe I just don’t get horror comedy at all. Whenever I doubt myself though I just stick on Peter Jackson’s Braindead and as Derek destroys heads my piece of mind is restored. You see when I’m not being scared by horror films or at least intrigued by them it’s always fun for them to jump the shark and go nuts, that or funny. Ideally both. When it also has a wry eye for the political as all great zombie films do then more’s the better.

Two friends from Cuba hatch a plan to launch a zombie extermination service after their picturesque island is overrun by the living dead in this satirical horror film from director Alejandro Brugués (Personal Belongings). It’s the anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, and as the hungry undead make an unwelcomed appearance, best friends Juan (Alexis Días de Villegas) and Lázardo (Jorge Molina) decide to parlay their skills for dispatching zombies into a professional career. As the government attempts to maintain public order by blaming the fracas on Americans who they claim are attempting to topple the current regime, Juan and Lazardo rally the troops, gather their weapons, and prepare to make a killing by ridding Cuba of zombies one shambling, flesh-eating corpse at a time.

It’s basically like the Buena Vista Social Club just without much music and everything gets decapitated and guitars are used for liquidising faces as well as for technically proficient salsa.

Whilst many critics apparently like to see the film as a political allegory director Alejandro Brugues says that it’s actually a commentary on how Cuba’s citizens find a way to deal with poverty. Either way Focus World plans to digitally distribute the film after its scheduled theatrical run in April, a run that it appears will be conducted by a separate distributor.

I’m just hoping it gets a look in over here in Blighty.

Source: Collider

MSN ave released a brand new trailer for Laika Entertainment’s ParaNorman and it’s just wonderful.

Sam Fell and Chris Butler are directing and the film stars Kodi Smit-McPhee​, Casey Affleck​, Anna Kendrick​, John Goodman​, Leslie Mann​, Jodelle Ferland​, Christopher Mintz-Plasse​, Bernard Hill​ and Jeff Garlin​.

There’s a small synopsis before the trailer below,

A misunderstood boy (Smit-McPhee) who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and moronic grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

Here’s your trailer,

It may still be Hallowe’en in some dark corner of the world but if you’re already missing the spooky season here’s a trailer that will get those bones chilled good and proper.

You can see the lineage of co-director and writer Chris Butler here, with art department work on Coraline and Corpse Bride seemingly inspiring his first feature, co-directed with Sam Fell whose previous work includes The Tales of Despereaux and Flushed Away.

ParaNorman stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Anna Kendrick, John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Jodelle Ferland, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bernard Hill and Jeff Garlin and this new trailer delivers just the right amount of tease.

A misunderstood boy (Smit-McPhee) who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and moronic grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

ParaNorman will be released in the US on August 17, 2012.

Yahoo debuted the trailer and if I’m honest, they had me at ‘Coraline’. There’s some excellent character designs here as well as some hints at the nastiness to come. With a solid voice cast and an intriguing visual style this looks like one to watch.

Trailer time,

Focus Features have released a brand new teaser poster for Laika Entertainment’s ParaNorman.

Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, ParaNorman stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Anna Kendrick, John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Jodelle Ferland, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bernard Hill and Jeff Garlin.

A misunderstood boy (Smit-McPhee) who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and moronic grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

ParaNorman will be released in the US on August 17, 2012.

Check out the poster below:

Source: Yahoo!

To celebrate the September 9th release of Jane Eyre in cinemas nationwide, we have an exclusive Jane Eyre writing set to giveaway to a lucky reader, and 4 copies of the book to competition runners-up.

In a bold new feature version of Jane Eyre, director Cary Joji Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) and screenwriter Moira Buffini (Tamara Drewe) infuse a contemporary immediacy into Charlotte Brontë’s timeless, classic story. Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) star in the iconic lead roles of the romantic drama, the heroine of which continues to inspire new generations of devoted readers and viewers.

For over 160 years, Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre has been one of the world’s most popular books. A mainstay of school reading lists, it has been translated into virtually every language. A story with a protagonist whom Brontë saw as “a heroine as plain and small as myself,” it continues to inspire generations and to influence storytellers.

A Focus Features presentation in association with BBC Films of a Ruby Films production. Jane Eyre stars Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, and Judi Dench and is released in cinemas across the UK September 9th.

To find out more about the film visit the Jane Eyre UK Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/janeeyreuk

To be in with a chance of winning the limited edition writing set and a copy of the book answer the following question.

Who is the author of Jane Eyre?
•    Charlotte Brontë
•    Emily Brontë
•    Anne Brontë

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 22nd September at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received
• No cash alternative is available

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

To celebrate the hotly anticipated release of One Day, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, in cinemas AUGUST 24, we have 10 x One Day books to give away!

Directed by Lone Scherfig (director of An Education, Academy Award-nominated for Best Picture), the motion picture One Day is adapted for the screen by David Nicholls from his beloved bestselling novel One Day.

After one day together – July 15^th, 1988, their university graduation – Emma Morley (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess of Across the Universe) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground.

For the next two decades, key moments of their relationship are experienced over several July 15^ths in their lives. Together and apart, we see Dex and Em through their friendship and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along. As the true meaning of that one day back in 1988 is revealed, they come to terms with the nature of love and life itself.

One Day is released in UK cinemas AUGUST 24

For more information on One Day visit www.facebook.com/onedaymovieuk

For your chance of winning this amazing prize, answer this simple question using the form below:

Name the Academy Award nominated actress who plays Emma Morley in One Day

1. Anne Hathaway
2. Anna Faris
3. Julia Roberts

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 29th August at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received
• No cash alternative is available

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

© 2011 Universal Studios / Focus Features LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Focus Features International have just sent over this new clip from their new movie Jane Eyre where the awesome Michael Fassbender has to ask the question ‘Do you find me handsome!’ Unfortunately he doesn’t get the answer that he’s looking for although.

Directed by Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre), Jane Eyre is based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Charlotte Brontë, and stars Mia Wasikowska , Michael Fassbender , Judi Dench , Sally Hawkins , Jamie Bell, Imogen Poots, Sophie Ward and Craig Roberts.

After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre (Wasikowska) goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meets the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Mr. Rochester (Fassbender). Jane and her employer grow close in friendship and she soon finds herself falling in love with him. Happiness seems to have found Jane at last, but could Mr. Rochester’s terrible secret be about to destroy it forever?

Jane Eyre is scheduled to hit UK cinemas on September 9.

Universal Studios have sent over this brand featurette which takes us behind the scenes of their new movie based on David Nicholls’ best selling novel novel One Day. It’s conducted by the fabulous Anne Hathaway. The movie bears the same name, is directed by Lone Scherfigand stars Jim Sturgess & Hathaway.

Synopsis: After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter (Sturgess) and Em (Hathaway) are revisited each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.

It’s set to hit UK cinemas 24th August. Check out the new featurette below and be sure to let us know what you think of it. We’re rather loving Anne Hathaway’s English accent!

Universal Studios have released another new trailer for their new movie, One Day which is based on David Nicholls’ best selling novel novel  with the same title. The movie is directed by Lone Scherfig and stars Jim Sturgess & Anne Hathaway.

Twenty years…two people. Directed by Lone Scherfig (director of “An Education,” Academy Award-nominated for Best Picture), the motion picture “One Day” is adapted for the screen by David Nicholls from his beloved bestselling novel One Day. After one day together — July 15th, 1988, their college graduation — Emma Morley (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess of “Across the Universe”) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground. For the next two decades, key moments of their relationship are experienced over several July 15ths in their lives. Together and apart, we see Dex and Em through their friendship and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along. As the true meaning of that one day back in 1988 is revealed, they come to terms with the nature of love and life itself.

It’s set to hit UK cinemas 26th August. Check out the new trailer below and be sure to let us know what you think of it. We’re rather loving Anne Hathaway’s English accent!

Universal Studios have released the brand new UK trailer for their new movie based on David Nicholls’ best selling novel novel One Day. The movie bears the same name, is directed by Lone Scherfig and stars Jim Sturgess & Anne Hathaway.

Synopsis: After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter (Sturgess) and Em (Hathaway) are revisited each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.

It’s set to hit UK cinemas 26th August. Check out the new trailer below and be sure to let us know what you think of it. We’re rather loving Anne Hathaway’s English accent!

Award-winning director Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) has signed on to write and direct civil war heist film No Blood, No Guts, No Glory.

Fukunaga will co-write the script alongside Chase Palmer (Number 13), whose original draft found itself on the 2009 Black List.

No Blood, No Guts, No Glory follows a spy and twenty Union soldiers in disguise who board a train in Georgia in order to pull off a heist that could bring a quick end to the Civil War.

The project is set up at Focus Features, and will shoot later this year.

Fukunaga’s latest directorial effort, Jane Eyre, will be released in the UK on September 9th.

Source: Variety

Focus Features has acquired the North American distribution rights to romance-drama Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

Writer/director Lorene Scafaria (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) is attached to direct, with a cast that includes Steve Carell (Date Night), Keira Knightley (Never Let Me Go), Adam Brody (Scream 4) and Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine).

As an asteroid nears Earth, a man (Carell) finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart (Knightley). Accompanying him is a neighbour who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.

Production on Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is scheduled to start later this month in Los Angeles, with a release date penciled in for 2012.

Source: Deadline

Laura Linney (The Savages) has signed on to star in Focus Features’ Hyde Park on the Hudson.

Linney has landed the role of Daisy and will star opposite Bill Murray (Lost in Translation), who was cast as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in March.

Hyde Part on the Hudson follows the taboo love affair between FDR (Murray) and his distant cousin (Linney). The setting is June 1939 in upstate New York, when the British King and Queen come to visit FDR at his cottage.

Roger Michell (Morning Glory) will direct from a screenplay penned by Richard Nelson.

Source: Deadline

Focus Features have released a trailer and six new images for One Day.

Directed by Lone Scherfig (An Education), One Day stars Anne Hathaway (Love and Other Drugs), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe), Patricia Clarkson (Easy A), Romola Garai (Atonement), Jodie Whittaker (Attack the Block) and Georgia King (Tanner Hall).

After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter (Sturgess) and Em (Hathaway) are revisited each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.

One Day will be released in the UK on September 30.

Check out the trailer and new images below:

Images Courtesy of Jim Sturgess Online which you can click to enlarge.

Two decades is roughly seven thousand, three hundred and four days which is not as good a title as the one we’re going with here for the next romantic drama to charm us in the face until we laugh and/or cry.

I like Anna Hathaway and I like Jim Sturgess, I was a fan of An Education which was director Lone Sherfig’s film before choosing to adapt David Nicholl’s novel so odds are that I’ll be up for One Day’s double decade of love, laughter, tears, etc but just in case I’m not caught in its trap there’s a new poster out today.

Looking like an obssessive Memento fan has taken the US poster and ‘updated’ it I quite like the idea and it fits the conceit so hell, why don’t I get down to a cinema when the film opens on the 30th of September? If you’re not convinced, take a peek.

Emma and Dexter meet on the night of their college graduation – July 15th, 1988. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground.For the next two decades, every July 15th reveals to us how “Em” and “Dex” are faring, as their friendship ebbs and flows with the passing of the years. Through laughter and romance, heartbreak and exhilaration, they experience the grandeur of life.

Empire had the chance to show these to the world and by crikey they did so in style.

Film4 and Focus Features are set to reteam with BAFTA award-winning writer Abi Morgan (Brick Lane) on ensemble drama Suffragettes.

Suffragettes will center on a group of militant British women who fight for the right to vote, and be in the vein of Nigel Cole’s comedy-drama Made in Dagenham.

Sarah Gavron is attached to direct, with production set to commence once she’s done with documentary The Edge of the World.

Morgan currently has two screenplays in different stages of production: Steve McQueen’s Shame, starring Carey Mulligan and Michael Fassbender; and Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady, starring Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent. Both of which are due to be unveiled later this year.

Source: Variety

Here’s a second new poster Saoirse Ronan’s new movie, Hanna. If you missed the action packed trailer for the movie, you can check it out here.  Hanna also stars Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Saoirse Ronan, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Barden.

Synopsis: Hanna (Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a solider; these come from being raised by her father (Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Ms. Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Hanna directed by Joe Wright and is scheduled for release 8th April in the UK.

This poster comes from IMPA

Focus Features via Yahoo have given the world the first poster for One Day which is the movie based on the book by David Nicholls book. The movie stars British actor, Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway. One Day is directed by Lone Scherfig’s who previously directed the amazing piece that is, An Education.

One Day also stars Romola Garai, Rafe Spall, Ken Stott, Jodie Whittaker, Jamie Sives and Georgia King.

Synopsis: Emma and Dexter meet on the night of their college graduation – July 15th, 1988. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground.

For the next two decades, every July 15th reveals to us how “Em” and “Dex” are faring, as their friendship ebbs and flows with the passing of the years. Through laughter and romance, heartbreak and exhilaration, they experience the grandeur of life. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they

One Day is released in the UK 30th September.

MSN have released this brand new international trailer for Hanna which stars Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Saoirse Ronan, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Barden

Synopsis: Hanna (Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a solider; these come from being raised by her father (Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Ms. Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Joe Wright has previously brought us movies such as Atonement with that memorable Dunkkirk scene passing across the beach so wonderfully. Let’s hope for some more shots just like that one.

Hanna directed by Joe Wright and is scheduled for release 8th April in the UK.

Focus Features have released the first official poster for Hanna via the films own Facebook page.

Hanna is directed by Joe Wright (Atonement) and stars Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Dee Bradley Baker and Tom Hollander.

A 16-year-old (Ronan) who was raised by her father (Bana) to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent (Blanchett) and her operatives.

Hanna will be released in the UK on April 8, 2011.