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Every comedian, at one point or another, tries their hand at drama. As much as everyone enjoys a good laugh, no one wants to be typecast in the same kinds of roles throughout their career. Sometimes, it works brilliantly. Take Robin Williams, for example -- he used his incredible gift for comedy to become a hugely popular star on both the big and small screens. Then he seamlessly transitioned to drama, appearing in films like "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Dead Poets Society," "Awakenings," and "The Fisher King," and later went above and beyond behind the scenes to win a well-deserved Oscar for "Good Will Hunting." While audiences always recognized him for his energetic stand-up routines and comedic performances in blockbusters like "Mrs. Doubtfire" and Disney's animated "Aladdin," he still managed to carve out a solid niche as a bankable dramatic star.

Vipco and BayView Entertainment, LLC have released the latest documentary on the hot topic of UFOs to Digital Platforms worldwide.

God vs. UFOs will arrive on AVOD Digital Platforms worldwide from 27th August 2024.

The documentary God vs. UFOs explores the origins and nature of UFOs. Are they a natural phenomenon? A scientific construct? A spiritual apparition? God vs. UFOs takes a deep dive into the possibilities.

In this fascinating exposé Director Mark Christopher gets viewers to have the opportunity to delve into which of these potential explanations for UFOs may possibly provide the answers:

· A centuries-old mode of interdimensional transport for fairies, angels, ghosts, and demons.

· British and US government officials’ claims that UFOs are demonic or Satanic in origin.

· The “Project Blue Beam” theory of the Deep State or Illuminati using holographic technology to pull off a false alien invasion or 2nd coming of Christ to usher in a One World Government.

BayView Entertainment LLC in conjunction with director Mark Christopher continues to explore the origins and nature of UFOs in its latest documentary release, God vs. UFOs. Are they a natural phenomenon? A scientific construct? A spiritual apparition? God vs. UFOs takes a deep dive into the possibilities.

In this fascinating exposé, viewers will have the opportunity to delve into which of these potential explanations for UFOs may possibly provide the answers:

· A centuries-old mode of interdimensional transport for fairies, angels, ghosts, and demons.

· British and US government officials’ claims that UFOs are demonic or Satanic in origin.

· The “Project Blue Beam” theory of the Deep State or Illuminati using holographic technology to pull off a false alien invasion or 2nd coming of Christ to usher in a One World Government.

· Human manifestation of UFOs through brain power and meditation, aka “Close Encounters of the 5th Kind.”

· …and more!

A host...

Throughout his decades-long career, writer, actor, comedian, and director Mike Myers has been part of not one, not two, but three mammoth movie hits. Google his name, and you'll find stories alternating between the mullet hero of "Wayne's World," a psychedelic spy, or a grumpy green ogre -- such is the versatility of this Canadian-born comedy machine.

As if his franchise chops weren't impressive enough, he's also responsible for creating two out of these three blockbuster movie tentpoles. Myers' talent places a focus on character creation and sculpting unique worlds. Audiences have been quick to jump onto whatever bandwagon Myers dreams up. He's one of the most successful and well-known comedians working today.

Funnybones aside, he's also someone who isn't afraid to shake things up and appear where you'd least expect. He recently collaborated on David O. Russell's "Amsterdam," continuing a supporting role trend that saw him appear in...

Having a conversation with drag stars Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova (real names Brian Firkus and Brian McCook, respectively) is kind of like being on an extended episode of their YouTube webseries, UNHhhh. You may start talking with them about one topic, but the next thing you know, they’re off on a tangent about why Bart Simpson says “Eat my shorts.”

It’s that brand of strange, out-of-left-field comedy that landed the two their very own talk show, The Trixie & Katya Show on Viceland, after becoming breakout stars on season seven ofRuPaul’s Drag Race. The show follows a similar format to their YouTube series; they take one topic every week and examine it through personal stories, games, man-on-the-street segments and more.

In a conversation with Et, Trixie and Katya discuss going from YouTube to Viceland, their experience competing on VH1’s reality series, why they want to talk about serious issues like suicide and much, much...

Independent film veteran Ira Deutchman has received the first annual Spotlight Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the distribution and exhibition of independent films. The award was created by advertising company Spotlight Cinema Networks in partnership with the Art House Convergence.

Read More: Why Indie Producing Veteran Ira Deutchman Is Moving From Films to Broadway

Deutchman has been distributing, marketing and making independent films for more than 40 years, working on some of the most successful and acclaimed indie titles of our time. He received the award Tuesday night at a dinner following Art House Convergence’s annual conference.

“Ira Deutchman is a legendary figure in the world of independent film distribution, marketing and production,” Spotlight Cinema Networks chief executive officer Jerry Rakfeldt said in a statement. “His creativity, passion and business acumen have helped shape, nurture and expand the independent film industry.”

Deutchman has worked on more than 150 films,...

All hail Frank Tashlin! America's subversive secret weapon of the 1950s made incredible adult live-action cartoon movies that satirized all the sex and vulgarity denied by the mainstream. In Technicolor! Political incorrectness meets lollypop-sweet sentimentality in a farce that transcends good taste. Susan Slept Here Blu-ray Warner Archive Collection 1954 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 98 min. / Street Date April 19, 2016 / available through the WBshop / 21.99 Starring Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis, Alvy Moore, Glenda Farrell, Horace McMahon, Herb Vigran, Les Tremayne, Mara Lane, Maidie Norman, Rita Johnson, Ellen Corby, Red Skelton. Cinematography Nicholas Musuraca Film Editor Harry Marker Original Music Leigh Harline Choreographer Robert Sidney Written by Alex Gottlieb from a play by Gottlieb and Steve Fisher Produced by Harriet Parsons Directed by Frank Tashlin

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Director Frank Tashlin has finally found an appreciative audience with adventurous film fans, but the charms of his glorious style of filmmaking are unknown to...

What happened to "54"? Director Mark Christopher's glitter bomb of sex, drugs and debauchery in New York's 1970 party scene vanished almost as quickly as it dropped in 1998. It turned out that Christopher had directed two films: his version, and Miramax's version. Now, we get to see his version, which premiered in Berlin this year. "54: The Director's Cut" is indeed a new gay cult classic, a glorious, hedonistic revelry that transports us to an underground utopia of sexually liberated freak flyers, only to plunge us into its inevitable ruination. We follow gorgeous-bodied Shane (Ryan Phillippe) out of his dingy New Jersey life and into the titular Studio 54, where he hustles and parties with aspiring 54 singer Anita (Salma Hayek) and her busboy husband (Breckin Meyer) while selling his body and soul for the club's desperately pathetic owner (Mike Myers). Shane, who's almost exclusively in his undies, works his way up to being a bartender,...

San Francisco's Frameline39, "the granddaddy of the world’s Lgbtq festivals," opens tonight, "and by the time it finishes June 28, about 60,000 people will have bought tickets to 180 films from 33 countries," announces David Lewis at SFGate. We're sampling recommendations from around the Bay Area, which include Christian Braad Thomsen's documentary Fassbinder: To Love Without Demands, Joseph Graham's Beautiful Something, Natalia Leite's Bare, Justin Kelly's I Am Michael, Alante Kavaite's The Summer of Sangaile, Stu Maddox's Reel in the Closet and Mark Christopher's director's cut of 54 (1998). » - David Hudson...

San Francisco's Frameline39, "the granddaddy of the world’s Lgbtq festivals," opens tonight, "and by the time it finishes June 28, about 60,000 people will have bought tickets to 180 films from 33 countries," announces David Lewis at SFGate. We're sampling recommendations from around the Bay Area, which include Christian Braad Thomsen's documentary Fassbinder: To Love Without Demands, Joseph Graham's Beautiful Something, Natalia Leite's Bare, Justin Kelly's I Am Michael, Alante Kavaite's The Summer of Sangaile, Stu Maddox's Reel in the Closet and Mark Christopher's director's cut of 54 (1998). » - David Hudson...

Hark, gays! The cult classic 54 starring Ryan Phillippe in a love triangle with Salma Hayek and Breckin Meyer is coming to VOD. Made in 1998, the original version by Mark Christopher bore little resemblance to the finished product, as Harvey Weinstein sanitized the film beyond recognition, namely excising the relationship between Phillippe and Meyer. (Read our history of the movie here.) What resulted was a slapdash, critically panned version — dubbed 55 by detractors — that no one saw. But after the original started circulating underground and made the rounds on the festival circuit, the director's cut will be available for the masses on June 2. It just took 17 years. For now, here's a look at the opening scene:...

London Lgbt film festival records biggest box office to date.

BFI Flare: London Lgbt Film Festival concluded on Sunday (March 29) with the European premiere of Malcolm Ingram’s new documentary, Out To Win, celebrating the battle for equality by Lgbt sports people. Special guests included director Malcolm Ingram and basketball star John Amaechi.

The closing night screening broke all box office records in the festival’s 29 years, with audiences of more than 23,500 recorded over the 11-day festival - up by 6.8% on the previous year.

This year’s festival also saw a step-change in industry attendance with a substantial increase in delegate accreditation, including 120 film-makers and more than 200 other industry attendees.

An expanded industry offering included a series of daily workshops on all aspects of film-making, fund-raising, marketing and the creative process.

Mentorship

The inaugural BFI Flare Mentorship programme in association with Creative Skillset was launched with five film-makers.

A partnership between BFI Flare and the British Council...

Taking place April 4-19, the festival will feature over 200 films, including recent world premieres from Sundance and Berlin.

Istanbul Film Festival has unveiled the lineup to its upcoming edition, taking place from April 4-19.

This year will feature over 200 films from 62 countries, as well as free talks and workshops by film-makers and masterclasses. New sections at this year’s festival include a special focus on cinema of the Balkans and a focus on German animation.

The festival’s international competition includes the likes of Cédric Kahn’s Wild Life, Quentin Dupieux’s Reality, Francesco Munzi’s Black Souls and Thomas Vinterberg’s Far from the Madding Crowd, while the national competition will screen Ali Atay’s Lemonade, Selim Evci’s Secret and Mehmet Eryılmaz’s The Visitor, among others.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, Jc Chandor’s A Most Violent Year, Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years and Matthew Warchus’ Pride are among this year’s Akbank Gala screenings...

Lgbt festival to close with documentary Out To Win; Rocky Horror to screen at BFI Imax.

The full line-up of this year’s BFI Flare (March 19-29) has been unveiled in London this evening.

As previously announced, the 29th edition of the Lgbt film festival will open with Justin Kelly’s I Am Michael, starring James Franco and Zachary Quinto.

It was revealed this evening that the festival will close with the European premiere of documentary Out To Win on March 29.

Malcolm Ingram’s film examines of the lives and careers of aspiring and professional gay and lesbian athletes from all over the world, featuring contributions from Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, David Kopay and John Amaechi, among others.

It marks Ingram’s return to the festival having previously screened documentaries Small Town Gay Bar and Continental. Out To Win will world premiere at SXSW on March 15.

Gala screenings

The Accenture Gala will be the European Premiere...

It.s been almost two decades since Mark Christopher.s 54 debuted to a wretched bag of reviews. But thanks to the magic of director.s cuts, it's actually returning to theaters as it was originally intended. The production process for this Studio 54 film was a tumultuous timeline of events. The then Disney-owned Miramax cut down its explicit gay and drug themes until the film looked nothing like the original, which ultimately led to its poor reception. As Christopher and his star Ryan Phillippe look back on this film, as the director.s cut screened at the Berlin Film Festival, it seems that the final nail in the 54 coffin came after one fatal test screening. Vulture recently published an in-depth look at the history behind this film and its unprecedented move to return with a director.s cut. Among the details, a test screening of the film at a Long Island...

Last week, discussing Lana and Andy Wachowski’s upcoming Netflix series Sense8, Ted Sarandos let slip that he had seen a four-hour cut of the directors’ 2012 film Cloud Atlas “that will blow your mind.” Sarandos was naturally trying to do some damage control in the wake of the failure of the Wachowskis’ recent release Jupiter Ascending; Netflix has invested a lot of money in their new show. But it’s also understandable that the Wachowskis, with their imaginations always working in overdrive, might have a better, more effective cut of the troubled, divisive Cloud Atlas somewhere. This news also came right as the Berlin Film Festival was preparing to screen a director’s cut of 54, the clubland opus starring Salma Hayek, Ryan Philippe, and Mike Myers, that came and went back in 1998; it turns out director Mark Christopher had been forced to remove about 37 minutes, much of it having to...

In the summer of 1998, writer-director Mark Christopher’s 54, a clumsy cinematic paean to New York's legendary disco club Studio 54, was released to dismal reviews, a lukewarm box office, and then promptly forgotten — at least by most of us. But just last week a director's cut of the film, which starred Ryan Phillippe, Mike Myers, Salma Hayek, Breckin Meyer, and Neve Campbell, was shown at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival. That's the sort of honor usually afforded classics like Apocalypse Now or Once Upon a Time in America, not a film with a 13 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. So how did this movie wind up getting that honor?When it was released 17 years ago, 54 died quickly, but not exactly of natural causes. The film Christopher originally wrote and shot was a gritty, queer exploration of pre-aids hedonism. However, the studio that released the film, Miramax, then run by...

Let's jump back in time to a little over 16 years ago. It's the summer of 1998 and if you hit a gay bar or club in the continental United States, you could not miss Stars on 54's dance remake of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind." It was simply everywhere. The track was the promotional single for "54," a movie that promised a sexy look at the infamous New York City nightclub Studio 54 but couldn't ultimately live up to the marketing hype surrounding its release. The Miramax production was generating a ton of publicity because of its subject matter (one of the most legendary clubs of all-time), young up-and-coming stars such as Ryan Phillippe and Salma Hayek, the participation of Neve Campbell, who was coming off four straight hits (the first two "Screams," "The Craft" and "Wild Things"). Most buzzworthy of all, it was the first dramatic role for...

Well, it's hard to top yesterday's double whammy of the Berlin Film Festival's announcement that Terrence Malick's "Knight Of Cups" would premiere at the festival, followed by the trailer for that film. So it's not quite a shock that today's unveiling of Berlin's Panorama lineup is a bit less thrilling. The highlight additions to the fest are "I Am Michael," the Gus Van Sant-produced drama starring James Franco, Zachary Quinto, and Emma Roberts that tells the true story of a gay activist who finds God and is "saved" from his homosexuality. The movie will have its World Premiere first at Sundance in January. The other film of major note is Hal Hartley's "Ned Rifle," the final chapter in his "Henry Fool" trilogy, which premiered this fall at Tiff. And even more interesting, Mark Christopher is bringing the director's cut of his disco-era drama "54" to the fest. No word yet on the length,...

New films from Hal Hartley, James Franco, Gus Van Sant among lineup.

Eighteen features - including seven documentaries - have been selected for the Berlinale’s Panorama programme.

Among the selection are new films from Hal Hartley, Doze Niu Chen-Zer, Jk Youn and The Yes Men.

Hartley concludes his filmic trilogy with Ned Rifle while Justin Kelly’s Gus Van Sant-produced debut I Am Michael stars James Franco as a gay activist in the 1980s.

54: The Director’s Cut

USA

By Mark Christopher

With Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Sela Ward, Mark Ruffalo

World premiere

Chorus

Canada

By François Delisle

With Sébastien Ricard, Fanny Mallette, Pierre Curzi, Geneviève Bujold

European premiere

Der letzte Sommer der Reichen (The Last Summer of the Rich)

Austria

By Peter Kern

With Amira Casar, Nicole Gerdon, Winfried Glatzeder

World premiere

Dora oder Die sexuellen Neurosen unserer Eltern (Dora or The Sexual Neuroses of Our Parents)

Switzerland / Germany

By Stina Werenfels...

Following yesterday's announcement of the first seven films lined up for the Competition, the Berlinale rolls out eleven narrative and eight documentary films slated for its 36th Panorama program. Among the eleven narrative and eight documentary films are Hal Hartley's Ned Rifle with Liam Aiken, Martin Donovan, Aubrey Plaza, Parkey Posey and Thomas Jay Ryan; Christian Braad Thomsen's documentary on Rainer Werner Fassbinder; Mark Christopher's 54: The Director's Cut with Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Sela Ward and Mark Ruffalo; new films by Raoul Peck, Peter Kern and more. » - David Hudson...

Following yesterday's announcement of the first seven films lined up for the Competition, the Berlinale rolls out eleven narrative and eight documentary films slated for its 36th Panorama program. Among the eleven narrative and eight documentary films are Hal Hartley's Ned Rifle with Liam Aiken, Martin Donovan, Aubrey Plaza, Parkey Posey and Thomas Jay Ryan; Christian Braad Thomsen's documentary on Rainer Werner Fassbinder; Mark Christopher's 54: The Director's Cut with Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Sela Ward and Mark Ruffalo; new films by Raoul Peck, Peter Kern and more. » - David Hudson...

Chicago – Blu-ray allows for an interesting reassessment of perceived failures as titles that haven’t been available on the next-gen format hit HD for the first time and one can see if perhaps history has been kinder to a near-miss than critics were upon its release. When I heard that “54” and the director’s cut of “Reindeer Games” were hitting Blu-ray (one can only assume the latter is tied to the collector’s edition of Ben Affleck’s “The Town” that hit last week), I wondered if their reputations as disasters were unearned and looked forward to reappreciations. They’re both still a mess.

On paper, “54” seemed like Such a good idea. Take hot stars — Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell, Ryan Phillippe — and put them in a story about one of the hottest places at the hottest times in club history. Then why is “54” so cold? It’s just not sexy...

Blu-ray Release Date: March 6, 2012

Price: DVD $19.99

Studio: Lionsgate

Mike Myers is Steve Rubbell in 54.

Mike Myers (Shrek Forever), Neve Campbell (Scream), Ryan Phillippe (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Salma Hayek (Grown Ups) star in the 1998 music-and-dance-filled drama 54, the over-hyped and decidedly tepid film about New York City’s legendary Studio 54 nightclub.

The story is seen through the eyes of young Shane (Phillippe), who’s plucked from a sea of faces clamoring to get inside the club and then lands a coveted job behind the bar. The plucker who does the plucking is 54’s owner Steve Rubbell (Myers, in a great performance), who essentially hands Shane a front-row ticket to the Seventies’ most sizzling disco party.

Directed by Mark Christopher, 54 was one of the higher-profile films produced by Miramax that studio honcho Harvey Weinstein took his editorial scissors to and sliced-and-diced prior to its release to theaters. Whatever he did didn’t...

Sock Babies! Is a hilarious horror comedy short which is a fun watch if you don't mind a little bit of adult humor. The short was written and directed by Travis Kurtz and starts Mark Christopher who plays "Big MIke" in NBC’s "Chuck" and Naim Omari. The idea for Sock Babies came during a reunion with friends and Travis friend Doug who was in the Navy told him a story about sock babies that had him laughing all weekend long. Sock Babies! Was filmed in the apartment where Travis lived and has professional production value. It’s a fun short and worth the 4 minutes to watch during a quick break.

General Hospital head writer Bob Guza is out according to ABC Soaps In Depth and other tweets on Twitter Thursday afternoon.

Ingo Rademacher tweeted: "Bob Guza is done as head writer of Gh. Thanks for a great 15 yrs Bob. Good luck to u in the future."

Jason Thompson added: "Well its official. Bob Guza is no longer our Gh head writer. Welcome Garin Wolf! Pretty crazy."

Garin Wolf will take over as head writer of the show. He previously worked at As The World Turns and wrote for Night Shift before joining Gh and winning three Emmys as part of the show's writing team.

In 2008, the WGA published a list of writers who resigned from the guild during the strike by filing for financial core status. Wolk was on the list, as were Maria Arena, Marlene Poulter Clark, John F. Cosgrove, Cwikly, Esensten, Jeanne M. Grunwell, Dena Higley, Mark Christopher Higley,...

By Greg Hernandez

I was so happy to read Brent Hartinger’s AfterElton.com article today on the original director’s cut of the 1998 film 54.

Brent recently viewed the original cut by writer-director Mark Christopher which included a scene of Ryan Phillippe’s character briefly kissing co-star Breckin Meyer.

Brett writes: It was yet another in a long line of Hollywood “de-gayings,” where gay content is removed from a movie’s source material or edited out of a film before its theatrical release, and it’s still one of the most notorious examples.

**********

And it’s not just the kiss between Shane and Meyer’s character (who doesn’t reciprocate) that was cut from the theatrical release: the heart of the original version is a touching love triangle between Shane and the characters played by Hayek and Meyer — three more-or-less doomed souls.

**********

In 1999, a DVD was released, which included some...

1998 saw the release of 54, a movie starring Ryan Phillippe and Salma Hayek that dramatized the fast times at the infamous 1970s New York nightclub Studio 54. But the real drama was going on behind-the-scenes of the film's production.

The original cut by writer-director Mark Christopher included a scene of Phillippe's character briefly kissing co-star Breckin Meyer. But test-audiences reportedly reacted negatively to this scene, and to the movie's generally unsympathetic characters.

Fearing a bomb, the studio, Disney/Miramax, insisted on quick reshoots and reedits. In the end, 45 minutes were cut from the film, new scenes were shot and 25 minutes of new footage were added, along with additional voice-over to streamline the narrative.

The movie bombed anyway, with both audiences and critics.

It was yet another in a long line of Hollywood "de-gayings," where gay content is removed from a movie's source material or edited out of a film before its theatrical release,...

Whatever you think of Milk, there’s no denying that the Oscar-nominated biopic is putting a long-overdue spotlight on the life of Harvey Milk, allowing much of the mainstream audience to learn about his singular achievements for the very first time.

But why stop there? Now that Milk has proven that stirring gay life stories can appeal to more than just a gay audience, Hollywood should think about making movies about the following legends. We’ll even help them decide which to make first by throwing in a rating of 1-5 Harveys for each story’s eventual Oscar bait-ability. That should help land some big name stars.

Montgomery Clift

Who he was: Gorgeous leading man of the 1950s (From Here to Eternity [1953], A Place in the Sun [1951]) who led a torturously closeted existence in Hollywood. Survived a somewhat disfiguring car accident during the filming of Raintree County (1957) opposite Elizabeth Taylor,...

NEW YORK -- Judah Friedlander, who co-stars in HBO Films and Fine Line Features' American Splendor as "genuine nerd" Toby Radloff, and Julie Hagerty have joined the cast of InDigEnt and writer-helmer Mark Christopher's indie feature Pizza. Ethan Embry and newcomer Kylie Sparks also star in the offbeat comedy about the unexpected relationship that develops between a thirtysomething pizza deliveryman (Embry) and a teenage high school girl (Sparks). IFC's InDigEnt shingle is headed by John Sloss and Gary Winick, who is producing with Jake Abraham and Process' Tim Perell and Howard Gertler. Executive producers are Sloss and IFC execs Jonathan Sehring and Caroline Kaplan. Pizza goes before the cameras this month in Pennsylvania. Repped by Innovative Artists and Framework Entertainment, Hagerty's credits include the comedy classics Airplane! Lost in America and A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy. Her credits also include indie auteur Todd Solondz's Storytelling. Friedlander's credits include Meet the Parents, Wet Hot American Summer, Zoolander and Showtime.