"Frankenweenie" to Open London Film Festival

Frankenweenie will be the opening film for the 56th annual BFI London Film Festival.

"The European premiere of the stop-motion animation film will take place October 10th at the Odeon Leicester Square and will unspool simultaneously at the BFI London Imax and 30 screens across the U.K. in a first for the fest," says the Chicago Tribune.

Tim Burton, producer Allison Abbate, executive producer Don Hahn, and voice cast Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara and Martin Landau are all expected to attend.

Clare Stewart, BFI Head of Exhibition comments on her first Opening Night choice as Festival Director:

“Funny, dark and whimsical, this gloriously crafted stop-motion 3D animation from Tim Burton – the reigning prince of outsiders – playfully turns the Frankenstein story on its bolted-on head. Frankenweenie is a perfect choice of opener – it’s a film that revels in the magic of movies from one of cinema’s great visionaries. Tim Burton has chosen London as his home city and hundreds of talented British craftspeople have contributed to this production. To host the European premiere, to present The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition and to take our Opening Night out to 30 screens means we are making the festival even more accessible for film fans across the UK.”

Producer Allison Abbate adds:

“I am delighted that Frankenweenie, which was produced here in London at 3 Mills Studios, will be opening the 56th BFI London Film Festival. Living and working in the UK, I’ve been able to collaborate with some of the most talented artists in the industry including the puppet designers and fabricators from Manchester-based Mackinnon & Saunders. In the last nine years, I’ve attended the festival as both a filmmaker and guest, and I know how passionate and enthusiastic the audiences are, so I am thrilled to share the film’s European premiere with them.”

Colin Walsh, Managing Director, American Express UK adds:

“We’re thrilled to be further strengthening our partnership with the BFI and the Festival through our support for this year’s Opening Night Gala. In addition to Frankenweenie being a much anticipated film, what makes this year’s Opening Night so special is the opportunity for audiences across the country to experience the excitement of a West End premiere. That, coupled with the interactive exhibition giving people an insight behind the scenes of the film, is sure to make this a fantastic start to this year’s festival.”

New Poll: Are You Excited for Karen O's song for "Frankenweenie"?

Here is our new poll: "Are You Excited for Karen O's song for Frankenweenie?" Answer from the following on the right-side of the screen:

-Yes! I'm a fan of Karen O and I'm excited for this song.

-Yes. It's nice to have some songs during the end credits instead of film score.

-Yes. I've changed my mind since hearing the song.

-No. I've changed my mind since hearing the song.

-No. I prefer hearing more of Danny Elfman's music during the end credits.

-No. I am not a fan of Karen O's music.

-I have no opinion on the matter.


You can listen to Karen O's song for the film, "Strange Love," at this link.


Also, feel free to discuss in the comments section below!


And here are the results from our previous poll, asking "Did You See Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?":

-Yes, I saw it opening weekend in 3D. -- 17 (10%)

-Yes, I saw it opening weekend in 2D. -- 12 (7%)

-Yes, I saw it in theaters in 3D. -- 10 (5%)

-Yes, I saw it in theaters in 2D. -- 15 (8%)

-No, but I will see it in theaters in 3D. -- 7 (4%)

-No, but I will see it in theaters in 2D. -- 13 (7%)

-No, I'll watch it when it comes out on DVD/Blu-ray. -- 42 (24%)

-No, I'm not interested in seeing it. -- 53 (31%)


A total of 169 votes were cast.

Listen to Karen O's "Frankenweenie" Song, "Strange Love"

Karen O's original song for Frankenweenie, "Strange Love," has made its debut online. You can hear the song in its entirety at this link.

"Strange Love" will be one of several songs featured on the album, Frankenweenie Unleashed! The song can also be heard during the end credits of the film.

Video: Proper Cinema Conduct with "Frankenweenie"

Learn how NOT to behave in movie theaters with this video from Frankenweenie:

"Frankenweenie Unleashed!" Album Tracks

ComingSoon.net has posted the tracklist for the forthcoming album, Frankenweenie Unleashed!, which will be available for purchase on September 25th. The album will include songs by Kimbra, Robert Smith, Plain White T's, an original song by Karen O., and a song from Winona Ryder, which will likely be sung by her character in the film, among many other musicians.

“Strange Love” – Karen O
“Electric Heart (Stay Forever)” – Neon Trees
“Polartropic (You Don’t Understand Me)” – Mark Foster
“Almost There” – Passion Pit
“Pet Sematary” – Plain White T’s
“With My Hands – Kimbra
“Everybody’s Got a Secret” – AWOLNATION
“Immortal” – Kerli
“My Mechanical Friend” – Grace Potter featuring The Flaming Lips
“Lost Cause” – Imagine Dragons
“Underground” – Grouplove
“Building a Monster” – Skylar Grey
“Witchcraft” – Robert Smith
“Praise Be New Holland” – Winona Ryder

"Frankenweenie Unleashed!" Soundtrack Art, Karen O. Song

Rolling Stone reports that we can expect two soundtracks for the new film, Frankenweenie: Frankenweenie Unleashed!, which will feature music and songs from and inspired by the motion picture, and which will bear this glow-in-the-dark album artwork on the cover, and Frankenweenie: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which will feature Danny Elfman's score. Both will be released on September 25th.

We don't have many details regarding Frankenweenie Unleashed! yet, but Rolling Stone states that it will at least feature a song by Yeah Yeah Yeah singer Karen O., "Strange Love." Her song will also play during the end credits of the film.

"There's a magic and nostalgia in this film that reminded me of being raised on Tim Burton's catalog," said Karen O. "I was thinking, 'Oh yeah, this man shaped my artistic sensibility over the past 20 years alongside thousands of other impressionable offbeat youths.' Tim wanted an unconventional unconditional love song."

"My music inspiration came out of the same era of B-movie fright film references sprinkled throughout the film," she continued. "I went in the direction of exotica and calypso stylistically because it's quirky, good vibes music of that era, and when you throw in a Theremin solo, it's a marriage made in heaven. I remember Beetlejuice introducing me to the genius of Harry Belafonte's calypso record, so I wanted to give a nod to that, too."

Video: Watch "The Batmobile" Documentary

You can watch the entire documentary, The Batmobile, on YouTube for at least a little while. The film surveys the history, evolution, and significance of the iconic vehicle, and features insights with Tim Burton (who, as you know quite well, directed Batman and Batman Returns, and produced Batman Forever), Adam West, Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and many more.

This documentary will eventually be released on Blu-ray and digital download this holiday season.

New "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" International Poster

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter still has yet to open theatrically in a few foreign territories. Here's a new international poster for the film, courtesy of ComicBookMovie.com. Click the poster below to see a larger version of it:

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" Concept Art

Here are over a dozen pieces of concept art from the making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Click the images below to enlarge them.

Images courtesy of Jeff Julian:

Images courtesy of Aaron-Sims.com:

"Dark Shadows" DVD, Blu-Ray Release Date Announced

Dark Shadows will be made available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download formats on October 2nd, 2012, reports IGN.com. Dark Shadows will come to Blu-ray presented in 1080p (1.78:1 aspect ratio), mixed in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The DVD will feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

Extras on the Blu-ray will include the following:

-Maximum Movie Mode
-The Collinses: Every Family Has Its Demons
-Becoming Barnabas
-Welcome To Collinsport!
-Reliving a Decade
-Angelique: A Witch Scorned
-Alice Cooper Rocks Collinsport!
-Dark Shadowy Secrets
-A Melee of Monstrous Proportions
-Dark Shadows: The Legend Bites Back
-Six Deleted Scenes
-DVD Copy
-UltraViolet Cloud Streaming Digital Copy

The DVD will include an UltraViolet copy of the film as "The Collinses: Every Family Has Its Demons" Focus Point featurette.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. Amazon has this format available for pre-order for $25.19. SRP for the DVD is $28.98.