Merrick here...
...with a quick reminder about two forthcoming screenings that'll go down soon at The Alamo Ritz here in Austin.
The first screening...director Albert Pyun's Director's Cut of his 1990 CAPTAIN AMERICA movie (starring REVENGE OF THE NERDS' Matt Salinger (J.D. Salinger's son), Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty, Darren McGavin, Bill Mumy, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS' Melinda Dillion, Scott Paulin, and Michael Nouri (the guy from FLASHDANCE).
The version of this picture that was was released back in the day was not what Pyun had in mind - a much closer approximation of his intent has been newly reconstructed from a workprint Pyun was given when he exited project.
The film's page at Alamo's site explains more...
we will take a look back at the 1990 Albert Pyun version of the story. Hamstrung by a loss of financing and periodic reshoots, the film has only now emerged in a version true to Stephen Tolkein's original script conception. Director Albert Pyun has reconstructed the film from his original workprint and other salvaged elements to bring a surprising vision of Cap to the screen. This is a subversive variant of Captain America. Pyun and Tolkein set out to debunk the classical notions of American heroism as Captain America (played by J.D. Salinger's son, Matt Salinger) struggles with his place in contemporary America, measuring his own heroism against the likes of King and the Kennedys. Interestingly, Pyun at first wanted to include John Lennon's song "Imagine" in the film. That should give you some idea about what a radically different conception of the great American hero myth this is.
Note that Albert Pyun will be in attendance for this screening to regale us with tales of the battles and adventures he undertook to bring this movie to life. Pyun's CAPTAIN AMERICA screening goes down Sunday July 17 at 10:15pm. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE!
This same Director's Cut screened in Vegas a few weeks back - and word is it was was warmly received and heavily attended. Here's some pics of the crowd...
...as well as a video diary Pyun shot of the happening...
Screening the next day at the Alamo Ritz (on Monday July 18 at 4:15pm) is Pyun's TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE. This is the pseudo-sequel to 1982's THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER that we've already heard a bit about here at AICN.
The project stars Kevin Sorbo, Michael Pare (STREETS OF FIRE and EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS), Scott Paulin, Ralf Moeller, Melissa Ordway, Whitney Able, and features a return appearance by Lee Horsley (Talon in the first installment).
Albert will be present to tell us about the making of this film as well - tickets for the event are now available at the Alamo's site, HERE.
I've got the Director's Cut of Pyun's CAPTAIN AMERICA sitting next to me, but it's available HERE and look for my write-up about it sometime next week.
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