editorial
Try as we might to deny it, we are now in the thick of the summer
blockbuster season. This is the time of year when the big studios
unleash their franchise pictures on the public.
“The most important
In the strict dictionary sense, a blockbuster is simply a movie
that makes a lot of money. The term originally came from a kind of
huge bomb in WWII with enough firepower to devastate an entire
ThIS ISSuE’S CoNTRIbuToRS
city block. Gradually, it came to apply to anything that has a big film related book of 2007.. You can’t think
impact—it now applies to the movies that have the biggest impact
[Page 6, 10] ATHOS KYRUS is currently the head storywriter for one
at the box office.
of South Africa’s most popular soaps, Scandal. He has worked for such
Photo: Diana Sommer
esteemed companies as October Films, BBC Scotland, Film Four and
The 2008 summer sees the release of numerous franchise sequels
The British Film Council as a script editor. He also contributes to Aint-
about funding without it” “Excellent”
and what better excuse could there be for us to talk to the
it-cool News, The Star, Mail & Guardian and Total Film. [Page 8] LIZ C h r i s J o n e s , G u e r i l l a F I l m m a k e r s H a n d b o o k
N i k P o w e l l
filmmakers of these highly anticipated blockbusters.
HOBBS has been responsible for increasing the filmmaking public’s
Just a few days ago The Dark Knight opened at the US box office
awareness of movieScope Magazine since 2006. A passionate film
with the highest grossing (4 days) opening in movie history. We enthusiast, she also writes novels, screenplays and film reviews. [Page
met up with director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale in 14] MICK SOUTHWORTH is an experienced UK film distributor. He is
LA to talk about Heath Ledger, Gotham and shooting what looks to
currently the Managing Director of The Works UK Distribution.
“Indispensable”
be one of the best blockbusters of the year.
Previously he was CEO of Winchester UK Film Distribution, Content UK
I n d e p e n d e n t o n S u n d a y
Is the truth still out there? We sat down with The X-Files: I Want to Believe co-writer and
Film Distribution and was also Managing Director of Film Four
Distribution. [Page 14] MARTIN McCABE is one of the UK’s most
producer Frank Spotnitz for a chat about the whys and wherefores of the long-awaited next film from
experienced independent film distributors with 20 years in the film, “Brilliant concept.. invaluable”
the house of X. Surrounded by more secrecy than King Tut’s treasury, this latest addition to The X-Files
video and production industry. Credits include CINEMA PARADISO,
brand promises a return to that scare factor that made the hit TV series (1993-2002) a pop culture
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, and SUMMER OF SAM. [Page 18] ADAM
phenomenon.
THURSBY is an assistant editor of movieScope and (wannabe)
Rob Cohen has been battling mummies and dragon emperors from the director’s chair as of late! scriptwriter based in London, who secretly dreams of flying planes for “You guys have done it again..
M a r g a r e t C o o p e r , S u n d a y T i m e s
Personally, I was not too excited when I first heard that he was to helm the next chapter in the a living but can’t afford the landing fees. [Page 22] RON OLIVER is an
blockbuster global Mummy franchise. But after having seen the first trailers and his online
Emmy® Award-nominated director and a two-time Directors Guild of
Production Blog, I was as excited as a kid in a candy store! Many people are unaware that Cohen is
America Award nominee. His most recent movies, the noir homage ICE
actually an anthropology graduate and a Buddhist, and he brings his love of history and Chinese
BLUES and the thriller ON THE OTHER HAND, DEATH, lensed back-to-
back in 2007, will be released later this year. [Page 26] WILL
Magnificent!”“Brilliant
culture into this latest sequel, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
LAWRENCE is a freelance film journalist, a former editor of British M i c h a e l W i e s e , d i r e c t o r &