Actor Luke Evans has recently gained attention worldwide for his work in a string of period films including Clash of the Titans, Robin Hood, The Three Musketeers and director Tarsem Singh’s Immortals. Not to mention that he will soon be seen playing Bard the Bowman in director Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. But first, Evans will be starring in another period movie entitled The Raven, which opens in theaters on April 27^th and features a fictional account of the final days of acclaimed author Edgar Allan Poe’s life.

In the film, Evans plays Detective Emmett Fields, a 19^th century Baltimore policeman who makes a shocking discovery: the crime he is investigating resembles a fictional murder described in detail as part of a collection of stories penned by struggling writer and social pariah Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). Realizing a serial killer is on the loose using Poe’s writings as inspiration for his bloody rampage, Fields enlists the author’s help in stopping the attacks. However, when it appears as if the murderer’s next victim is someone Poe cares about, the stakes become even higher and now the inventor of modern detective stories must call on his own powers of deduction to try to solve the case before its too late. The Raven was directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta), and in addition to Cusack and Evans, also stars Alice Eve (ATM), Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), and Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides).

I recently had a chance to speak with actor Luke Evans about his work on The Raven, as well as the upcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Evans discussed his new film, the work of Edgar Allan Poe, his initial reaction to the script and its fictional story, what he learned from working with John Cusack, the film’s locations, his character, director James McTiegue’s vision for the project, shooting The Hobbit films, living in New Zealand, Peter Jackson’s infectious passion, and being a part of the incredible cinematic Lord of the Rings universe.

Gods and Goddesses alike gathered at the world famous Playboy Mansion on Tuesday evening, March 6th to celebrate the Blu-ray and DVD release of Immortals, which went on sale earlier that day. In attendance from the movie was Immortals producer Craig J. Flores, as well as actor Corey Sevire who played Apollo in the film. Also making an appearance at the mansion Tuesday night was actors Bruce Boxleitner (Tron: Legacy), Johnny Whitworth (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), Stephen Bishop (Safe House), Chris Bauer (HBO’s True Blood), Theo Rossi and Dayton Callie (Sons of Anarchy), and Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire), as well as comedians Orlando Jones (Mad TV) and Tommy Davidson (In Living Color). Unfortunately our host, the great Hugh Hefner, did not make an appearance at the party or on the red carpet that evening.

IAR attended the red carpet gala and I had a chance to speak with Flores about producing the film. I began by asking him about his experience collaborating with visionary director Tarsem Singh. “I think Tarsem established within our first meeting that he had the movie inside his head and that he wanted to make it look Caravaggio paintings. He had it all down in his head and that is what you look for in a director to really just execute that vision seamlessly and he did.”

So you've got a forty-seven inch flatscreen television, complete with Blu-ray player and a surround sound system that truly does surround you with sound.  With all that, you're not looking for a staid costume drama, quietly observant character piece, or quirk-filled comedy.  You're looking for a movie with visuals that will scorch your retinas and a sound mix that will break windows while scaring every pet in your neighborhood.  Next week, that movie arrives, as the blockbuster action epic Immortals is set to bring the thunder on Tuesday, March 6th.

Two months ago, the first Mirror Mirror domestic trailer provided the most substantial look at Relativity Media's fantastical reimagining of the classic Snow White fairy tale.  Today, a newly-released international trailer showcases even more of the sumptuous visuals that have become the signature of any film from director Tarsem Singh, who last helmed the hit 3D action epic Immortals. 

The sight of dwarf bandits gracefully bandying about in elaborately designed stilt costumes – as well as an any number of other visual flourishes, including a lavish costume party and a magnificently designed palace – certainly makes an undeniable impression.  Just as importantly, though, this international trailer also features a better sense of the film's tone, which combines whimsical humor and spirited, swashbuckling adventure in a manner reminiscent of The Princess Bride.

Over the next few weeks, we'll treated to an onslaught of big event movies in time for Christmas, while the prestige pictures currently in limited release will expand and be joined by more.  It'll be a veritable moviegoing cornucopia, with all manner of variety to suit anyone's holiday tastes.  For now, though, the number one movie in America is New Year's Eve, a film that is basically the cinematic equivalent of KFC's Famous Bowl: a calculated yet sloppy mash of starch and heart disease.*  The mega-ensemble debuted in first place, followed by The Sitter, and, in third place, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, which sat atop the box office heap for three consecutive weeks.

Traditionally, the weekend following Thanksgiving's extended vacation is one of unremarkable box office performances, as the nation is content to unbutton its collective top button and sit back to the let the turkey settle in its system, while also lamenting the loss of delicious leftovers.  This year is no different, with no major wide releases in multiplexes to truly shake up the dynamics of last weekend.  With no new competition and generally tame showings from existing competitors, then, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 continued its dominance of the domestic box office, accomplishing a couple of franchise feats in the process.  The Muppets, meanwhile, slowed down considerably, and Hugo hopped up to the third place after rolling out in more theaters.

When we're not mercilessly trampling helpless employees or pepper-spraying our fellow citizens in order to ensure that we get the cheapest possible consumer goods, the citizens of this great land are wont to see movies during their Thanksgiving holiday away from work. This is doubtlessly owed, in large part, to the fact that Thanksgiving is a holiday that necessitates much familial contact, and going to the movies is an efficient means of spending two hours in the dark without actually having to talk to your family.  A preponderance of new family-oriented releases over the holiday couldn't derail The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, with the sequel dominating the American box office in its second weekend, outgrossing The Muppets, Hugo, and Arthur Christmas.

Relativity Media has released the first official trailer for Mirror Mirror, the imaginative new take on the Snow White fairy tale from director Tarsem Singh.  With Singh's Immortals currently standing as the number one movie in America, the Mirror Mirror trailer shows the visionary director moving from epic action based around Greek mythology to a very different look at a familiar fantasy story.  The film has long been described as a comedic adventure very much in the vein of The Princess Bride, and the trailer gives a sense of just how the film will balance its lighthearted humor and swashbuckling action, as well as its stunning costumes and set design.  The three major characters, Snow White, the Evil Queen, and Prince Andrew Alcott, played by Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, and Armie Hammer, all get their moments to shine, with Roberts delivering many a comedic line and Collins portraying a stronger, more active Snow White.

Variety, as has been said innumerable times since some guy or girl first saw fit to utter the phrase, is the spice of life.  From sea to shining sea, Americans had no shortage of variety amongst the three major new releases in theaters on Friday.  There was a little something for everyone, from the visual buffet of a Greek mythological action epic to the sight of a comedy superstar in a wig to one of the biggest movie stars in the world portraying an oh-so controversial 20th Century law enforcement official.  Of those three new releases, two were anchored by familiar actors working very much within their respective wheelhouses, yet it was Immortals, a film that did not have the comforting presence of Adam Sandler in drag or Leonardo DiCaprio in old age makeup, that indisputably dominated the US box office over the last several days.

Opening in theaters on November 11th is the new 3D fantasy adventure film from visionary director Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall), called Immortals. The movie features an impressive cast of young and veteran actors that includes Henry Cavill (Man of Steel), Freida Pinto (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2), Kellan Lutz (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1), Luke Evans (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), Isabel Lucas (Red Dawn), Stephen Dorff (Blade), and John Hurt (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull).

IAR's managing editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down and talk with director Tarsem Singh about his latest film Immortals, as well as his upcoming project Mirror Mirror (formally known as Untitled Snow White Project). The director spoke openly about Immortals, its compelling story, why 3D fits his directing style, and Mickey Rourke's intensity, as well as Mirror Mirror, why its not in 3D, and working with Oscar-winner Julia Roberts.