Hurty Elbow

Joe Avella's Wheelchair Werewolf

The trailer for the as yet, un-produced horror flick Wheelchair Werewolf is brought to you by Chicago comedy creator Joe Avella*.  "Joe Avella is an independent filmmaker, actor, writer, improviser, and sketch comedian."

"Action City Bathroom is a nonstop-action-crime-thriller that takes place completely in a bathroom."

View More Videos

Joe frequently performs with Tim Racine as the comedy duo Teenager of the Year whose short film Scatterbrained was screened at SXSW.  Avella's other work includes, Le Arthouse Theatre (classic films re-imagined with way more blood) and guest-starring work with seasoned improv performer Neil Arsenty on the MWTSS (Midwest Teen Sex Show).

Joe Avella on:

• Youtube
• Facebook
• Twitter

Tim Racine on:

• Tumblr
• Twitter

Neil Arsenty on:

• Youtube
• Twitter

*Mr. Avella declined to be interviewed by fax machine.

Hedge Fund Productions

A hedge fund blesses souls with obscene wealth.  It spoils them with lavish cheese spreads, underwater yachts, and replacement hair made of pure silk.  The Brooklyn apartment based Claude S. Dutchy, LLC hedge fund is something entirely different.  Their unique approach to hedge funding is chronicled by a mysterious documentary crew (one that's not afraid to follow them into the bathroom).  Each 5 min. episode of Hedge Fund chronicles the scrappy upstart firm's rocket rise to the top of the hedge fund stratosphere.  Check it out.

• Watch Full Episodes
• Hedge Fund Productions
• Credits

"There's nothing more healthy than laughing at being so damn broke in our current state of affairs!" - Tyler Evans (Producer/Actor)

Paul Rudd: 1987 Improvisational Duet Acting Master

Paul Rudd is an accomplished comedic actor.  Sean Tevis is an information architect in Kansas campaigning for State Representative.  To raise money he created comics in the style of xkcd.  Did his old friend Paul Rudd donate?

This is Paul Rudd and Sean Tevis performing in the final round of a Forensics Tournament in Olathe, Kansas in 1987. They were Improvisational Duet Acting state champions the previous year.

Does the mullet enhance or harm his act?

• Paul Rudd and Sean Tevis in Improvisational Duet Acting in 1987 [Vid]
• Sean Tevis and Paul Rudd in 1987
• Running for Office: It's Like A Flamewar with a Forum Troll, but with an Eventual Winner

1st Interview w/ Ashley Alexandra Dupre

Fancy escort Ashley Alexandra Dupré finally speaks.

Mostly just whoring her music.  No word on Eliot Spitzer or Charlie Sheen.

Tank Boys & The Kid From The Great Outdoors

Whatever happened to The Great Outdoors actor, and teen heartthrob Chris Young?  He pretty much disappeared after PCU.  Did he turn to drugs?  How many times has he used a pool cue inappropriately on fans?  We don't have answers to those last two, but we do know he's alive, and thanks to the internet we've learned more.  A great deal more; more than you probably ever wanted to know (see Tank Boys below).

According to IMDB, Chris Young, 36, is the CEO of Animobile Inc., which creates mobile entertainment.  We haven't seen their work, but we presume it's small.  He also married actress Lea Moreno in 2000 and extended her name by one, to Lea Moreno Young.

Of course Chris Young has a blog (complete with AdSense), but it's actually interesting.  You can learn all about his recent 3d work in Maya, his insatiable love for bacon, and his amusement at finding old commercials of himself on youtube.

"Youtube is a giant waste of time...but it's great for locating long lost commercials that you did when you were a kid. I found this twenty year old "Captain Power" spot..."

He's like a mini Wil Wheaton.

Perhaps Chris Young's greatest accomplishment post-acting career (besides producing 12 videos for Kelly Clarkson's 2006 tour) is his creation of the live-action/animated pilot Tank Boys!  "TOO AWESOME NOT TO RULE!"

Young triumphantly tackled all aspects of production including shooting, editing, scoring and visual effects.  Which means he's responsible for the pink tanks.  And the explosions.  Not sure about the pink camouflage.

Don't be surprised to see this on Adult Swim soon.  It's that awesome.

• Watch Tank Boys!
• Chris Young's Official Site & Blog
  

The Thir13n Tackiest TV & Film Titles

If the title of your latest entertainment project has a random number thrown in the title, chances are it sucks.  It may also be a horror movie.  Here's a look at the Thir13n Tackiest TV & Film Titles.

13) Se7en
Police drama about two cops, one new and one about to retire, after a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his MO.

Note: The best movie on the list.

• watch the trailer (It's hilarious!)

12) 7eventy 5ive

Finals at the prestigious University of Dreyskill are finally over and it's time to party.

Note: Did someone say party?

• watch the trailer (Why would you bring an axe to a party?  Oh.  Right.)

11) Thir13en Ghosts

When Cyrus Kriticos, a very rich collector of unique things dies, he leaves it all to his nephew and his family. All including his house, his fortune, and his malicious collection of ghosts!

Note: I'm unable to verify if this quote I made up, is in the film.  "How bad do you want a ghost Cyrus?"  "I'd give my life!"

• watch the trailer (It helps you count to 13.  Like Sesame Street.)

10) 5ive Girls
5 girls vs. 2000 demons.  You do the math.  Five wayward teenage girls are sent to a reformatory and discover they possess unique powers to battle the ancient demon, Legion, which holds thrall over the sinister institution.

Note: They must have replaced the ÷ sign with vs. while I was busy not caring about math. The clip below reaffirms the notion that this movie has 5ive girls in it.  Also, they wear underwear.

• watch a clip 18+

9) Sk8 Life

A group of skaters are assembled to make a video at a legendary spot. They soon discover its days are numbered and band together to save it.

Note: A user on IMDB comments, "This movie desperately needs a plot… and characters… and a script... and direction… and editing."

• watch the trailer (Will they be able to keep their shirts on the full 1:15 min?)

8) 2wo THIR13N (working title)
A police profiler has just returned from psychiatric leave only to find that he is caught up in a serial killer's rampage...

Note: Contrary to what the plot implies, this isn't a family comedy, which becomes surprisingly apparent with the introduction of wearable flesh masks.

• watch a clip (Can you spot Teri Polo at the 45 sec. mark?  Did I make that too easy?)

7) 2 Fast 2 Furious
Set in Miami, Officer O'Conner, stripped of his badge, is recruited to infiltrate the Miami street racing circuit in an effort to redeem himself.

Note: Ads for this film showcased the tags, "2Cool, 2Bold, 2Sexy, and 2Tuff."  Pretty slick.

• watch the trailer (Please don't.)

6) 5ive Days to Midnight
When college professor J.T. Neumeyer discovers a police file that outlines the details of his murder - which is to take place five days in the future - he wastes no time trying to save his own life.

Note: Luckily the outline doesn't detail his murder five days in the past, because he'd be SOL.  And dead.

• watch a clip (If you're a fan of 1,500 quick cuts and seizures, you're in luck.)

5) Numb3rs
Working for the FBI, a mathematician uses equations to help solve various crimes.

Note: Numb3rs star Rob Morrow named his child Tu Morrow.  The tackiness has spilled over into real life.

• watch a gag reel (I can't stop laughing at people laughing!!!)
   

4) S1m0ne

A producer's film is endangered when his star walks off, so he decides to digitally create an actress to substitute for the star, becoming an overnight sensation that everyone thinks is a real person.

Note:  Is she a real person?  I haven't seen her since.

3) Sl8n8 (Slaughter Night)
A ghost who will find no rest until the characters find a way to stop the ghost from killing.

Note: It's a dutch horror movie.  Wait, another horror movie?

• watch the trailer (Apparently Ouija boards are still scary in the Netherlands.)

2) Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
A continuation of the story told in the Daft Punk music videos "One More Time," "Aerodynamic," "Digital Love," and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."

Note: If you like Daft Punk, you'll love their music; this Animated House Musical?  I'm not so sure.

1) S2pid Luv

No plot provided.

Note: S2pid Luv is inspired by a rap song from the Phillipines.  I find it fitting there's no plot provided.

• watch a S2pid Luv music video

Titles that fell short of the list: DV8 | Cradle 2 the Grave | Jungle 2 Jungle | 5ive! | 6ix | Thr3e

For More: IMDB Keyword: Digits in the Title

Michael J. Fox Replaced Eric Stoltz in Back to the Future

Eric Stoltz shot 3-5 weeks of footage for Back to the Future before Michael J. Fox replaced him.  So, if Eric Stoltz's Marty McFly met Michael J. Fox's Marty McFly would there be a time paradox that might destroy the universe?

Update: After a recent viewing, Billy Zane is in BTTF I and II.

I'm not sure why Eric Stoltz's face looks like it's melting.  Though if you witnessed time-travel, your face might start melting too.  It happened with the Ark of the Covenant you know.

Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly-42 Photos from BTTF.COM

Michael J. Fox was the second Marty McFly in Back to the Future; the first time-traveling teenager with an Oedipus complex was Eric Stoltz.  Michael J. Fox originally had scheduling conflicts with Family Ties.  Co-star Meredith Baxter Birney (The Mom) was pregnant and producer Gary David Goldberg wanted Michael J. Fox to carry the show.

Casting for BTTF came down to Eric Stoltz and C. Thomas Howell.  Supervising executive, Sid Sheinberg pushed for Eric Stoltz to land the role, because he liked him in the movie Mask.  If you can't recall, Mask was the story of teenager Rocky Dennis whose craniodiaphyseal dysplasia caused extreme cranial enlargement and led to his death at 16, which is exactly the same tone, style and plot of BTTF!

The movie filmed for 3-5 weeks with Eric Stoltz as the star.  According to screenwriter Bob Gale, "There was about 40 minutes worth of cut footage."  Unfortunately, Eric Stoltz was simply miscast.  "And he is intense, and he’s more of the method school of acting, and he’s a very internal actor, as opposed to a guy who has a lot of physicality to him." said, Bob Gale.

In an interview with BoxOfficeMojo Bob Gale explains, "Gale: Bob [Zemeckis] was cutting the movie as he shot it, and he said to [producer] Neil Canton and me, after he screened forty minutes of cut footage [with Stoltz as Marty]: "I think we've got a problem—I want you guys to look at it and tell me what you think." So we looked at it and said, yeah. Then he screened it for [producers] Frank Marshall and Kathy Kennedy and later Steven Spielberg and everybody agreed it just wasn't working. We had wanted Michael J. Fox to begin with but [Fox was committed to playing Alex P. Keaton on NBC's Family Ties]

BOM: Who made the call to Eric Stoltz?

Gale: Bob Z. He just sat Eric down in the trailer and gave him the bad news."

Which probably isn't the worst news you could hear in a trailer, but still.  What's the worst you've heard?

Ms. Baxter Birney (The Mom) was back to work at Family Ties, and the more animated Michael J. Fox was brought in to replace Eric Stoltz.  The Robert Zemeckis production went back in time and the 22-year old shot around Family Ties' schedule.  The bold move paid off for all involved and Stoltz has no regrets (publicly).  Though I bet he's a bit wary of trailers.

The major visual differences between the two Marty McFlys involve wardrobe.  Stoltz's McFly tried to get by wearing two layers (T-Shirt & Jacket), which was obviously not enough, because Michael J. Fox's McFly stacks on four layers (T-Shirt, Long Sleeve Shirt, Jeans Jacket, Vest).  The more layers you wear, the warmer your performance.  Also, Michael J. Fox looks infinitely more confused than Eric Stoltz.  Perhaps some day we'll get to see and hear Eric Stoltz's 40 min. serious interpretation of Back to the Future.

• "I think it was like three or four weeks. I would be curious to see it."
  Eric Stoltz on being Marty McFly
• "There was a certain type of people they were bringing in and Eric Stoltz came in and the scenes were playing better when he was playing it, but it wasn't quite as light or comic. But he was a better actor than the other people that were coming in."
  Crispin Glover Was Replaced by Prosthetics and an Impressionist for BTTF II, III

Flickr Photos from Janey Moffat

• Michael J. Fox Candid in the dirty McFly kitchen
• Call Sheet 1: 2 Horses, 2 Cows, 12 Moviewise Chickens (No amateur chickens please.)
• Call Sheet 2: Continue Stunt Skateboard Chase (Due to Extreme Fire Hazard, Please Be Careful Smoking.)

How Various Michael J. Fox Roles Would Be Different Had Rush Limbaugh Instead Been Cast

Huck Finn Anime

In 1976 an animated series of Huckleberry Finn was produced.  I believe these are the opening titles in two different languages (I prefer the catchy tune of the first) complete with rainbows and a flying Huck Finn.

"le avventure di Huckleberry Finn"

"Les aventures de Huckleberry Finn"

Mark Twain would be so proud.

Prison Break Plays Make-Believe

Prison Break's fall finale was packed with awesome!  Bad acting,  dumb dialogue, and terrible stunts!  The force of Wentworth Miller's punch can deck you from a foot away!

This is how Wentworth Miller is able to perform his own stunts.

Muvico Theater's Magical Unicorn

This September, Muvico opened an 18 screen luxury movie theater in Rosemont, IL.  According to the Chicago Sun Times, "A new $50 million movie palace in Rosemont officially opens later this month offering valet parking, wide-body seats, baby-sitting, upscale food and high-tech projectors." [link]

I went to the Muvico 18 and discovered something peculiar.  Perched atop the $50 million dollar theater is a magical unicorn.  Right there at the top, a unicorn preening at the heavens.  It was supposed to be a Pegasus, but lightning rods attached to the tallest point of the structure have everything coming up unicorn.  You'll never feel alone at the movies again under the watchful eye of the Mystical Muvico Unicorn.

Isn't it glorious and majestic?

The Muvico 18 marquee is stunning at night, especially if you're sensitive to light.  We walked past valet parking and saw a Toyota Rav4, a Corolla, and what might have been a Geo Tracker.  We were greeted at the box office by two very friendly employees.  One verified our parking, while the other got our tickets, which were made of real gold.  This is a lie.  They were brass.  Actually, they were paper, but it was really nice paper with their logo.

This is the Muvico logo.  It's peculiar like the unicorn.  A rollerblading film reel boy violating a naughty, naughty star.

Inside the building you're greeted by a substantial concession stand with standard fare like, mini-cheeseburgers, chicken strips, and popcorn shrimp.  We settled on popcorn.  It cost money.

Two wings branch off to the left and right of the main concession stand.  Each wing has 9 theaters and 2 bathrooms.  The bathroom itself, makes you feel like absolute royalty.  I even used it twice!  Your waste products are whisked away like magic (thanks unicorn!) and urinals flush themselves.  You don't even have to TOUCH the faucets to make them work. Such luxury. The tiled walls could use some work though. They're kind of drab.

The theater was huge with plenty of headroom.  Elegant design touches are everywhere.  The seats were wide and reclined comfortably without a springy feel.  An upper deck offers wider and more comfortable looking seating as well as other useful amenities such as food, alcohol and lady touching (Joke!!!!!!).  I should mention we didn't partake in Muvico Premier which offers a separate entrance and entry to those exclusive and more refined upper levels of the building, which include a restaurant and bar.  I'll have to check it out next time.  Probably more unicorns up there too.  Maybe you can eat one!

I love the new Rosemont Muvico 18, but I really love the unicorn.