ELI ROTH, SCOTT BECK, AND BRYAN WOODS 'HAUNT' THE EGYPTIAN WITH NEW HORROR FILM, by Judith Resell

“It’s more about the silence than the in-your-face effects,” commented Bryan Woods about writing and directing horror films. No one can say that with more authority than Woods and his long-time writing partner Scott Beck - they wrote the script for A Quiet Place (2018). “Sound design is as important as anything,” Woods concluded.

Woods and Beck appeared in-person for a Q&A following an advance screening of Haunt (2019) on September 7, 2019 at the Egyptian Theatre. Woods and Beck teamed as directors as well as screenwriters on Haunt. Eli Roth, one of the film’s producers, moderated the discussion. A screening of A Quiet Place capped the evening.

JOHN TRAVOLTA PLAYS A 'FANATIC' IN NEW FILM FROM LIMP BIZKIT'S FRED DURST, by Judith Resell

“You are not going to believe what you’re about to see,” said director Fred Durst to introduce the L.A. premiere of his film The Fanatic at the Egyptian Theater on Aug. 22, 2019. “It wouldn’t have happened without John Travolta. He is the superstar,” Durst continued, with Travolta at his side.

“It all started years ago with Fred’s idea,” Travolta said during the Q&A following the screening, adding that he contacted a few friends to finance the film for a small budget. “It can happen. We got it done,” Travolta said.

'SATANIC PANIC' ROCKS THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE IN L.A. PREMIERE, by Brian Carmody

The stage was set for the Los Angeles premiere of Chelsea Stardust's Satanic Panic, presented by BeyondFest and Fangoria, and red was the theme. Not simply of the carpet, though the parade of guests certainly did get some attention there. The whole theater was set, with an eager audience and a special Satanic photobooth courtesy of Flipbook Frenzy, complete with costumes and props for the audience to imitate dark ceremonies of their own. Temporary tattoos with the film's title and logo were distributed and subsequently displayed on fresh flesh. Cinematic Void was present with an ample selection of horror films on sale. A ritual night all around.

Photo by Robert Enger

That audience certainly appreciated the film, responding to its unique tone and splatstick with glee. Stardust appeared pleased, as did the cast and crew who joined her on stage, including actors Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O'Connell, Hayley Griffin, Ruby Modine, Arden Myrin, Hannah Stocking, AJ Bowen, Clarke Wolfe, and Jeff Daniel Phillips, as well as producers Amanda Presmyk and Adam Goldworm. Chelsea took us into what her process was before, during, and after making this film. She cited such influences as Jennifer's Body, Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, Deathgasm, and, of course, "motherf---ing SOCIETY."

ROSANNA ARQUETTE AND JULIE CARMEN CELEBRATE SCORSESE AND CASSAVETES AT THE EGYPTIAN, by Judith Resell

On May 23, 2019, Rosanna Arquette appeared at the Egyptian Theatre to talk about her role in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours (1985) along with Julie Carmen, who discussed her role in John Cassavetes’ Gloria (1980), as part of the "Scorsese/Cassavetes" series. Both actresses noted that their daughters were in the audience to enjoy the screenings of their mothers’ performances.

Photo by Bob Enger

ART DIRECTORS GUILD BRINGS JOE ALVES AND CLOSE ENCOUNTERS TO THE EGYPTIAN, by Judith Resell

“I sort of lucked out. The little shark movie became a bit hit,” said legendary production designer Joe Alves, the man who made the shark for Jaws (1975). Alves appeared for a Q&A hosted by the Art Directors Guild after a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), the second film he worked on with Steven Spielberg, at the Egyptian Theatre on June 23, 2019. 

Alves is the recipient of the 2020 Art Directors’ Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to screening Alves’ BAFTA-award-winning work in Close Encounters, the Egyptian showed a short film about his career in production design. 

THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE HONORS AMC THEATRES CHIEF EXECUTIVE ADAM ARON WITH THE 2019 SID GRAUMAN AWARD PRESENTED BY HILL VALLEY

Photo by frankieleon

The American Cinematheque announced today that AMC Chief Executive Officer and President Adam Aron will receive the 2019 Sid Grauman Award on behalf of AMC Theatres. The American Cinematheque Sid Grauman Award is Presented by Hill Valley. AMC Theatres will be honored for its achievements in the motion picture industry at the top of the American Cinematheque’s annual benefit award show where, this year, the non-profit organization will present its 33rd annual career achievement award, known as the American Cinematheque Award. The 2019 American Cinematheque Award recipient is Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron. The presentation of both the Sid Grauman and American Cinematheque awards will take place Friday, November 8, 2019 at The Beverly Hilton (9876 Wilshire Blvd.).