Action-Packed "Ben-Hur" Also a Timely Story of Forgiveness

Paramount Pictures’ and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ “Ben-Hur” is a spectacular, action-adventure in epic scale in the tradition of “Gladiator.” But more than that, it is a timely story of forgiveness, the very core of the original novel from which the film is based, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace.

In fact, although “Ben-Hur” has all the makings of a classic revenge epic, the aspect that endeared the project to the creative team was its redemptive themes.

"Wanted" Director Puts a New Twist on the Epic Adventure "Ben-Hur"‏

From Timur Bekmambetov, the director of “Wanted” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” comes the epic action-adventure “Ben-Hur,” based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

(Watch the new “Ben-Hur” clip titled at http://youtu.be/SzaLuqLcH9g.)

“Ben-Hur” is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title and separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption

Russian Filmakers' Irreverent Viral Video Expands To Immersive Video Film “HARDORE HENRY”

Ilya Naishuller is a Russian-born filmmaker and front man for the Moscow punk band Biting Elbows. His band’s groundbreaking, irreverent video “Bad Motherfucker” became a viral sensation, catching the attention of fans around the world, attracting over 120 million views. Producer/director Timur Bekmabetov was one of those fans and he encouraged Naishuller to expand his vision into a feature length film and the result was “Hardcore Henry,” an action-packed, immersive experience told completely from the point-of-view of a cyborg named Henry who’s been brought back from the dead by his wife Estelle (Haley Bennett) and soon finds himself surrounded with an army of mercenaries out to kill him and his wife. 

A Fallen Hero Rises in First Trailer of "Ben-Hur"‏

Paramount Pictures has just unveiled the first trailer of its new epic, action-adventure “Ben-Hur” from director Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”). The trailer may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLJdzky63BA.

Written by Keith Clarke and John Ridley, “Ben-Hur” stars Jack Huston (HBO's “Boardwalk Empire”), Toby Kebbell (“The Prince of Persia”), Morgan Freeman, and also starring Rodrigo Santoro (“300”), Nazanin Boniadi (TV's “Homeland”), Ayelet Zurer (“Angels and Demons”), and Sofia Black D’Elia (“Project Almanac”).

“Ben-Hur” is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption.

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Dominic Cooper SPOTLIGHT

On July 4, the secret part of Lincoln’s life and the secret part of the battle he fought will be revealed in cinemas nationwide in the blood-curling, non-stop action thriller “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” starring Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rufus Sewell. 

Every good vampire slayer needs a mentor (even Buffy).  For Lincoln, that turns out to be Henry Sturgess, a 500-year-old vampire who has tired of his peers’ bloodlust and attitude towards humanity. For that role, the filmmakers chose Dominic Cooper, who saw his career enjoy a boost with the likes of “Mamma Mia” and and “An Education” and won plenty of acclaim for “The Devil’s Double.” But Cooper wasn’t quite sold on the idea when he was first handed the script. 

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter REVIEW

As I thought that vampire movies would be boring because  of the same plot every time, but rule out this new flick by Timur Bekmambetov (The Darkest Hour) from the novel made by Seth Grahame-Smith, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is something that brings the best elements with no sparkling vampires.

Although this not what history is, but incorporates American history with emphasis not only on vampires but also the historical events that shaped the union. Honest Abe is not just a smart layer and to-be-president. It also have the simple yet fun love story on how he met his wife (of course he is married according to the history books!). But the best thing about this is how Abe becomes a ass-kicking badass vampire-killing President of the United States. 

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Ruffus Sewel SPOTLIGHT

RUFUS SEWELL PLAYS ÜBER-NASTY VAMPIRE IN “ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER”

Seth Grahame-Smith’s historical and mythical fruition “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” adapted into film by acclaimed filmmakers Timur Bekmambetov and Tim Burton introduces Honest Abe (played by Benjamin Walker), America’s 16th president as a vampire slayer who is pitted against Rufus Sewell’s Adam, the movie’s main vampire antagonist.

Adam’s character didn’t appear in the original book but, in the writing of the screenplay, evolved out of a need to create a key focus for Lincoln’s fight. Adam, played by Rufus Sewell, is a creature of almost limitless power.  “I see him as a kind of president of the vampires, “adds Sewell. 

Author-screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith, who created the character especially for the film, as its central villain, was attracted to the idea of someone who has existed for untold millennia. “I wondered what it would be like to live for hundreds of thousands of years – to have been around since the building of the pyramids,” says Grahame-Smith.  “What kind of personality would emerge from that eternal existence?”

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter RED CARPET PREMIERE

THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTED WALK DOWN THE RED CARPET IN NEW YORK FOR ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

Get ready for this year’s badass vampire movie when “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” opens on July 4 in Philippine cinemas (in 2D and 3D format).  The movie stars Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Jimmi Simpson and Erin Wasson.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER explores the secret life of America’s 16th president, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of “Wanted”) bring a fresh voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history's greatest hunter of the undead.

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Linkin Park Soundtrack

LINKIN’ PARK IN “ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER” MUSIC TRAILER

In anticipation of the upcoming theatrical release of Twentieth Century Fox’s 3D action adventure “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” director Timur Bekmambetov has created a special music trailer featuring multi-platinum alternative rock band Linkin Park. The music trailer can now be seen online at www.youtube.com/user/linkinparktv and at 20th Century Fox’s (Phils.) YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVGeTN9T4_s&list=UU-JrjBL_iZAn5wjEsw9nRYA&index=1&feature=plcp.

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smith SPOTLIGHT

MASHUP AUTHOR SETH GRAHAME-SMITH’S “ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER”

The untold story that shaped America’s nation based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” literary fusion of history and fiction will soon be seen onscreen come July 4 in 3D and 2D cinemas nationwide.

A non-stop mad search for both the hunted and the hunter, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” stars Benjamin Walker who plays the titular role of Abe Lincoln resurrected onscreen as a vampire hunting politico who later became one of the world’s most influential president.

Adapted for movie by highly-regarded genre-bending filmmakers Timur Bekmambetov (directing) and Tim  Burton (producing) , the birth of Smith’s pulsating book came about in 2009  Seth Grahame-Smith was on a US book tour to promote a new “mash-up” fiction book, “Pride And Prejudice And Zombies.”  As he travelled the nation's bookstores, from state to state, he noticed two things. In the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, every store had a promotional table set up with biographies of the iconic president. And at the height of the popularity of TWILIGHT, every store would stock a range of Young Adult vampire fiction right next to it. He remembers thinking, “if you could combine the two, surely you'd be onto a winner.”

REEL DEAL: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter SPOTLIGHT

HISTORY REIMAGINED IN “ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER”

               

Based on the bestselling vein-thumping mashup novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, Timur Bekmambetov directs while Tim Burton and Jim Lemley produce “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”

Dubbed as a revisionist tale of the 16th US President’s life as a politician by day and a vampire hunter by night, it  stars Benjamin Walker as the iconic commander-in-chief and Dominic Cooper as his mentor. The film also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd Lincoln, Jimmi Simpson as Josh Speed and Anthony Mackie as Will. Alan Tudyk takes on the role of Stephen A. Douglas, while Rufus Sewell is the film’s chief antagonist vampire Adam.

 “It was an adventure, like I'm entering a new world I had never been before and I wanted to explore it,” Bekmambetov says of his attraction to the project. “I wanted to meet these unbelievable characters, Abraham Lincoln, his friend, Will, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, his enemies and his friends.  And I wanted to go with him through his journey.” 

REEL DEAL: The Darkest Hour SPOTLIGHT

GLOBE TROTTING YOUTH IN APOCALYPTIC 3D “THE DARKEST HOUR”

“The Darkest Hour” 3D traps five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow , fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack.  The 3D thriller highlights the classic beauty of Moscow alongside mind-blowing special effects from the minds of visionary filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted,” “Night Watch”) who produces the film and director Chris Gorak (“Right At Your Door”).

“The 3D helps to create these epic stages for an intimate story.  The core is the relationship between people, that’s a dramatic spine of the movie, what makes the movie emotional,” says Bekmambetov.  This is very unique because the 3D makes the experience about being there. I hope this movie will give audience a chance to literally feel what’s happening when a huge disaster happens.  It’s the first movie when you see the world destroyed in 3D.”

REEL DEEL: Darkest Hour - Timur Bekmambetov SPOTLIGHT

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV DELIVERS THE LATEST SPECIAL EFFECTS IN “DARKEST HOUR” 3D

Visionary filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov who gave us the highly-stylized action packed “Wanted” and “Night Watch” produces the latest in mind-blowing special effects in the 3D thriller “Darkest Hour” starring Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby and Rachael Taylor.

Director Chris Gorak pits young internet entrepreneurs Sean (Hirsch) and Ben (Minghella) who arrive in Moscow amidst a mysterious lightening storm.  Upon landing in the vibrant Russian capital to pursue their business dreams in the international economic center yet full of unscrupulous business practices, they met up with travelers Natalie (Thirlby) and Anne (Taylor) who are stranded in Moscow en route to Nepal.  

The two pairs of best friends meet amid the glitz and glamour of the Zvezda Nightclub, the hot spot for the international and the beautiful in Moscow, including the young turk Skylar (Joel Kinnaman), the Swedish businessman who duped Sean and Ben. A mecca for the globe trotting youth, supermodels, and business elite congregating in Moscow, the club is quickly transformed to a scene of terror when the aliens invade and everything goes dark.