Source: Universal Pictures | Posted By: Dan Geer

Universal Pictures has finally released the full details regarding the release of eight classic Universal Monster movies in one Blu-ray set in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the company. Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection marks the first time each of these films have been “digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound,” according to the press release. The Blu-ray set will be released on October 2nd.

The films included in the set are Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), and Phantom of the Opera (1943). Bonus features include previously released documentaries and commentaries from The Legacy DVD Collections, plus all-new features never before released. Not only that, but the original 3D version of Creature from the Black Lagoon will be included, marking the first time this particular version has been made available to the public. Read on for the full press release for all the fang-tastic details!

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Source: Deadline | Posted By: Dan Geer

Now we’re talking! Jurassic Park IV has been talked about for over a decade, but nothing has really been done about it until more recently. Last year, Steven Spielberg was toying around ideas for a fourth film, and claimed that we might see it in a few years time. Now, Deadline is reporting that Universal has hired Rise of the Planet of the Apes scribes Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver to pen the script for a fourth film.

This is the biggest step toward another Jurassic Park sequel that we have seen, and a smart one, since Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a very well-written film that went on to become quite successful. Spielberg will reportedly not direct, but will be on board as producer, along with long-time producing partners Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy. Rumors have been floating around for a while that the movie will reboot the franchise in a sense, essentially setting up for more potential sequels, but no plot details have been confirmed. More as we hear it!

Source: Batman-News.com | Posted By: Dan Geer

Well, this is unexpected. When the third trailer for The Dark Knight Rises hit the web last month, most assumed that it would be the last full trailer before the film’s debut next month. As it turns out, Nokia has debuted an exclusive trailer online today, which, of course, contains new footage that will most likely blow away fans of the franchise. Not sure if I would say it is a better trailer than the third, but I’ll leave that up to the reader to decide. Let’s not discuss this any further, and just watch, shall we?

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Source: Tumbler Tour | Posted By: Dan Geer

For those of you not in the know, a life-size, drivable replica of “The Tumbler” Batmobile is on the road touring America right now, along with a replica of the Batpod (which apparently does not drive). Being a huge Batman fan, this is one of those things that I just can’t stop smiling about.

The Batmobile. Right in front of me. Just awesome.

Today, the Tumbler and Batpod arrived in Michigan, my home state. It has already made its way to a Walmart in Lansing, and should now be in Detroit somewhere in front of The Tigers’ Comerica Park as I type this. Hit the jump to check out pictures and video I shot (the video actually shows the Tumbler driving back into the moving truck!). [Update: All videos are now online]

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Source: Shock ’till You Drop | Posted By: Dan Geer

Last February, Hammer Pictures released The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, which ended up being quite a great addition to the Gothic horror genre. It also did fairly well at the box office, both domestically and overseas.

Needless to say, Hammer saw fit to green-light a sequel last April, but nothing was revealed about the picture except that Jon Croker (story editor for The Woman in Black) would be writing the sequel, titled The Woman in Black: Angels of Death. Today, Shock ’till You Drop got a hold of a plot synopsis for the film, which you can read below.

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Source: Entertainment Weekly | Posted By: Dan Geer

Last month saw the debut of a teaser trailer for season five of Cartoon Network’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which teased more of Darth Maul, his brother Savage Opress, and the Mandalorian splinter group Death Watch. The new full-length trailer – which debuted recently at Disney Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars Weekends and just yesterday online over at Entertainment Weekly – starts off showing us exactly what was in the teaser, but then gives us a whole lot more.

Not only does this trailer feature more of Maul and the Death Watch, but also reveals that planet Onderon from the Old Republic mythology will be featured as part of a major battle during the war. We also get to see more of the space pirate Hondo Ohnaka (who seems to have taken up a career in arms dealing), and, most of all, the trailer hints that The Clone Wars series will really be getting more into just how the Empire from the original Star Wars trilogy came to be – more than what was revealed in Revenge of the Sith. This is definitely the best trailer for the series as of yet. Hit the jump to watch!

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Posted By: Dan Geer

One of the most iconic and well-renowned films in cinematic history is director F.W. Murnau’s classic 1922 German Expressionist film, Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens. While most people today probably haven’t even seen the film, images of actor Max Schreck’s portrayal of the vampire are still engrained in pop culture today. Many people I have talked to still think he is the scariest looking vampire ever put on film.

Since my wife is from Germany, she and I often make it over there to visit family and friends. So, as a fan of Nosferatu, I decided that our next trip should include a visit to Lübeck, Germany, where the film’s fictional town of “Wisborg” was brought to life. More specifically, I wanted to visit the “Salzspeicher” (salt storehouses), which are the buildings that were used to portray the vampire’s home in the film. They are still in existence today, although they are no longer used to store salt. Rather, they have since been converted to a clothing boutique, primarily consisting of women’s apparel (believe it or not). Hit the jump for more on this historic filming location for the film, as well as some of the photos I took while we were there.

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Source: TheForce.net | Posted By: Dan Geer

If you’re like me, any behind-the-scenes footage from the Star Wars films is irresistible, particularly when it comes to never-before-seen footage from the original trilogy. It’s always like crossing paths with an old friend, but from a different angle or perspective.

Well today, a 7 1/2 minute documentary, simply titled A Documentary By Jeff Broz, has surfaced on YouTube that features 8mm footage of the scenes on Jabba’s sail barge. Allegedly, this particular set from Return of the Jedi wasn’t all that difficult to approach for the general public, and Broz managed to shoot some some great footage of the action, including Mark Hamill lightsaber fighting, Boba Fett flying, and other interesting moments of the cast and crew making the film. Since this is essentially raw, 8mm footage, there is no sound, so you might want to cue up a track or two from the Star Wars films while you watch. Check out the video below!

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Source: Peter Jackson Facebook | Posted By: Dan Geer

Yet another production video for Peter Jackson’s epic two-part film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit has hit the web, and this time Jackson takes us on a tour of Stone Street Studios in Wellington, New Zealand. In this particular behind-the-scenes video, we get to take a stroll around the various sets of the two Hobbit films, share some laughs with the dwarves, and meet various crew members of both Stone Street and Weta Workshop. There is even a great cameo appearance at the end of the video blog by a former cast member of The Lord of the Rings trilogy that you do not want to miss out on, so make sure you watch it until the very end. Hit the jump to check it out!

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Source: Amazon | Posted By: Dan Geer

PopcornMonster.com’s “Monster Bargain” posts feature current Amazon.com deals relating to movies and television, usually for Blu-ray and DVD releases (although occasionally you might see other items, such as movie-related books). A small percentage of the sale goes toward PopcornMonster.com by clicking on the link(s) and purchasing the feature item(s).

Starting today, Amazon is offering Rambo: The Complete Collector’s Set [Blu-ray] for 49% off the list price, as well as Apocalypse Now [Blu-ray] (which includes Apocalypse Now, Apocalypse Now Redux, and the Hearts of Darkness documentary) for 48% off the list price. The offer is only valid until June 9th. Click on the links to buy today!

Rambo: The Complete Collector’s Set [Blu-ray] $23.14

Apocalypse Now [Blu-ray] $20.99