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Gordon and the Whale has teamed up with Universal Pictures to give our readers the chance to win COWBOYS & ALIENS swag bag. Included in the bag is: an official COWBOYS & ALIENS t-shirt, metal wrist blaster (like Daniel Craig wears in the film), and a playing cards deck. For your chance to win, all you have to do is fill out the form after the break. Deadline ends at 11:59 PM on Thursday, July 28th. On Friday, July 29th, we will announce three winners via random drawing and notify them by email. Good luck, movie lovers! COWBOYS & ALIENS rides into theaters on July 29th.

ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. CONTESTANTS MUST LIVE INSIDE THE U.S. ITEMS CANNOT BE SHIPPED TO P.O. BOX. (more...)

Lloyd Kaufman is a name known to many lovers of film all over the world, mostly those with a penchant for the more fun and eccentric. You can like him or not, I’m sure many people don’t, but he’s here and I don’t really think he’s going anywhere. Since the mid-'70s he has been one of the faces behind Troma Entertainment, a film production and distribution company that takes the ideals of real independent filmmaking to heart. Not the “indie” films you see with a budget of a couple million dollars but those with a budget of $5000 - sometimes more, sometimes less. Over the past few years Lloyd has released a few books (like Make Your Own Damn Movie! or Direct Your Own Damn Movie!) in a series to help aspiring filmmakers to realize their dreams and make the best of a financially challenged situation. This low budget film school continues with his latest, Sell Your Own Damn Movie!, which tells you what to do with your masterpiece once everything is shot and edited. (more...)

Kubrick. Spielberg. Renoir. Godard. Coppola. These are the names that people often come up with off the top of their heads when asked what directors have had the most impact on their lives, and they consider to be “the best,” whatever the hell that means.

However, there’s one name that, after seeing this shockingly beautiful film known as THE MUSIC ROOM, that this writer doesn’t think gets the love that he truly deserves. Known as one of the greatest Bengali filmmakers to ever walk this planet, Satyajit Ray, for some reason or another, is also one of the least known auteurs that that very planet has to offer. Well, at least until now.

Thankfully, The Criterion Collection has just released one of the director’s most beloved films (along with his iconic Apu Trilogy), entitled THE MUSIC ROOM. Featuring one of the most contagiously moving soundtracks within not only the entirety of the collection, but within the film world as a whole, THE MUSIC ROOM is as introspective as the music is meditative. It also happens to be one of Criterion’s greatest releases this year so far. (more...)

In the '80s, horror was in its heyday. Filmmakers all over the world cashed in on the boom and none more so than the Italians. Crazy scenarios and gore were at the top of the list along with a certain fantastic style that would influence and mesmerize audiences to this day. Fresh off the great success had with SUSPIRIA and INFERNO, Dario Argento quickly got to work on another giallo that was partially autobiographical and quickly became a fan favorite.

TENEBRAE is about a successful author named Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) on a book publicity tour for his new tome, with the same name as the film, and the latest stop is Rome. While there, he is harassed by a mysterious madman who is killing people in ways corresponding with those in the novel. This maniac perverts moments from the novel to fit his agenda of eliminating people he considers to be impure. Neal is contacted by the killer and tries to help local police with his analytical mind, but many die in the way. As the killings progress things get more and more twisted, suspenseful, complicated and, of course, bloody. (more...)

With the list of possible directors down to two, WB has finally made up their mind as to who will be helming their much talked about prequel/spin-off/whatever you want to call it, 300: BATTLE OF ARTEMISIA.

One half of that pair, Jaume Collet-Serra, has accepted the gig to direct the upcoming AKIRA film, so that leaves Noam Murro to helm the project, and according to THR, that’s exactly who will take it. The outlet reveals that Murro will direct the Frank Miller adaptation that will be based off of the author’s upcoming graphic novel.

The film will follow Xerxes, “the Persian leader who is an antagonist in 300, and turns him into more of a pivotal figure. He's a man in search of godhood after the death of his father, battling an Athenian warlord named Themistocles. The story takes place over the course of several years, but the focal point is the battle of Artemisium, which occured in 480 BC.” (more...)

The release of the final film in the HARRY POTTER franchise truly marks the end of an era and the end of an incredible film achievement. Although we hate to see it go, getting a conclusion to the series we've been following for almost ten years now will be a gratifying experience for all.

In honor of the end of the series, we discuss some of our favorite movie adaptations of books. You can check out the episode after the break!

And for listeners, e-mail [email protected] with your favorite film based off of a book for a chance to win one of two prize packs courtesy of Redbox.  Packs include one copy of BARNEY'S VERSION on DVD, as well as the bestselling novel from which it is based.  And remember, if you don't win, BARNEY'S VERSION is available to rent from Redbox for only $1 a night! E-mail your name and address by Wednesday, July 27th to win!

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Variety is exclusively reporting that Sean Bean is "in final negotiations" for the role of the King in Tarsem Singh's SNOW WHITE film (once called SNOW WHITE: THE BROTHERS GRIMM and now untitled). This is the Snow White film starring Lily Collins as Snow White, Armie Hammer as the Prince, and Julia Roberts as the wicked Queen, not to be confused with Rupert Sanders' SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (that's the one with Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron).

Bean's role as King would see his kingdom "destroyed" by the evil Queen, which is an interesting take on the classic tale. Variety's article on this casting mentions that Singh's film will be "family-friendly," though its IMDb page still calls it a "dark twist on the classic fairy tale." But some recent news from our pals at ComingSoon reveals that the film's first promo art calls it "a comedic adventure." Alrighty then. (more...)

The classic world of WINNIE THE POOH is brought to life not only by the animation and distinct voices (and personalities) of the characters that populate the Hundred Acre Woods, but also through the film’s music. For this adventure, composer Henry Jackman’s score adds a underlying layer of magic to the story along with songs to engage the audience directly such as “It’s Gonna Be Great” and “The Backson Song.” There has always been a distinct sound to WINNIE THE POOH and that sound has been retained here, along with the addition of some new tracks to keep things fresh and fun. (more...)

Sure, most of the buzz surrounding Lars von Trier’s masterpiece MELANCHOLIA coming out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival surrounded the director and his controversial press conference comments, but the film itself speaks volumes itself.

A darkly poetic and intensely personal work, MELANCHOLIA may in fact stand to be the director’s best film (you can read our glowing review of the film here), and now you all can now set your calendar as the film has now gotten a release date.

Indiewire is reporting that the film has been set for a November 11 limited release, thanks to Magnolia. The film stars Kirsten Dunst, and is best described as von Trier’s take on the end of the world. And yes, it’s as happy as one would expect based on that description. (more...)

Gordon and the Whale has teamed up with Screen Gems to give our DALLAS readers the chance to see ATTACK THE BLOCK before it opens...and for free! The screening will take place on July 25th at 7:30PM. To redeem passes, follow the link below and enter the code provided. But you better act fast - the link is only good for so many passes so once they're gone, they're gone. Good luck, movie lovers!

These passes are first-come, first-serve and do not guarantee you seats. Due to the high demand of this film please arrive no later than one hour prior to showtime or there may not be any more seats available. (more...)