Hollywood Comes to Olde Towne Portsmouth Oct 1

Coming soon to a theater near you, it’s the premiere of a major motion picture.  That’s right, a World Premiere in Portsmouth. 

The Commodore Theatre will host the opening of the movie Atlantis Down on Friday, October 1, 2010.  The star-studded event includes a red carpet gala welcome for the cast, director, producer, VIP celebrities and International crew.  It all takes place in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

The stars will arrive for the gala red carpet event beginning at 6 p.m. and the World Premiere of the movie is scheduled for 7 p.m.

This will be a great night for Virginia, Hampton Roads  and, in particular, Portsmouth.  Expect to see lots of people in Olde Towne because the event happens on 'First Friday'.

 

So what is the movie 'Atlantis Down' all about?  Here’s what we know about the plot:

It's the year 2025.  The space shuttle program has been privatized and Atlantis has been relegated to nothing more than a glorified taxi between space stations.  Its crew is on a routine mission.  They think they are conducting experiments.  What they don't realize is that they are the experiment.

On a routine mission shuttle Atlantis encounters bursts of light shutting down its instrumentation leaving it adrift in space with Rookie Astronaut Travis Black at the command.  The Atlantis encounters an anomaly in space that transports most of her crew to a planet that looks like Earth - but isn't.  The remaining crew find themselves in the middle of a barren, desert wasteland.

Crew members begin dying in bizarre ways.  The Rookie Astronaut Travis comes to realize that he has been chosen to compete in some sort of galactic chess game with a superior intelligence - where losing means death.

 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and meet with Hampton Roads native Producer/Executive Producer Ethan Marten, Italian Director/Producer Max Bartoli to discuss the movie 'Atlantis Down' and upcoming World Premiere.  They also showed me some of the unedited cuts from the movie which were amazing - even on a laptop.  I actually thought they were fantastic 'as is'.  But, I am not in the movie business.  I learned quickly, these two individuals are pros in their business.

Marten and Bartoli spent most of December, shooting scenes for the feature film, "Atlantis Down," at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.  Some of the scenes were shot in Kitty Hawk, NC.  In Portsmouth, a replica of the space shuttle came to life in a converted sound stage above Brutti's, affectionately called Studio 463.  Sixty-percent of the filming for the movie was done in Portsmouth at Studio 463.

Although the producer and director brought many cast and crew members from Rome and Los Angeles, they also employed several local residents on the almost - $1 million production of the movie.

 

Here's a look at a some of the stars that will appear in the movie:

Michael Rooker (Father/Alien) of JFK, Cliff Hanger, Days of Thunder; Dean Haglund (Jack Spanos) of X-Files, The Lone Gunmen; Greg Travis (Pete Hendricks) of Starship Troopers, Showgirls; Kera O’Bryon (Sara Jenkins).  All have solid film and television credits.

Shown right at a recent 'Atlantis Down' Family Reunion are: Pamela Good (Mother/Alien), Michael Rooker, Producer/Executive Producer Ethan Marten, Director/Producer Max Bartoli, Travis Quinton Young (Travis Black).

There are a number of Virginia actors that will appear.  These include Darla Grese, an actress, writer, producer and director who will play the role of Astronaut Mary Bishop.  Playing the role of Captain Richard Castle is actor Anthony Ware.  Actress Mae Flores plays the role of Rachel Lee.  She continues to receive overwhelming support from the Filippino community of Hampton Roads, the second largest Filippino Comunity of the country after Los Angeles.

Local restaurateur Charles Greenhood of Brutti's fame can add the title of ‘actor’ to his resume.  Greenhood plays the role of the priest in the movie.

Click here, for a complete listing of the cast  members in 'Atlantis Down'.

 

Tickets Selling Quickly, World Premiere SOLD OUT

Although the World Premiere on October 1st is sold out, there are nine (9) more screenings available to the public between October 2 to 7, 2010.  The cast, crew, director and producer will be at each of these screenings.  Tickets are $8.00.

From October 2 to 7, 2010, you can see the movie beginning at 7 p.m.  There will also be three matinees - Saturday October 2, Sunday October 3 and Wednesday October 6.  The matinees begin at 2 p.m.

On October 5 and 6, 2010, the producers will be doing a 'SALUTE TO THE TROOPS DAY' with a percentage of the daily ticket sales will be be donated to a non-profit organization supporting our troops and their families.

There are two ways you can purchase tickets for 'Atlantis Down':

1.) Buy Tickets Online.  You can go to www.atlantisdown.com. 

Click here, to purchase your tickets in advance using PayPal.  This is the best way to ensure you get tickets.  An email will be sent to you with your receipt.  Bring both of these to the Commodore Theatre Box Office that  day/night to receive your tickets. The Commodore Theatre Box Office will open at 5:30 p.m.

2.) Buy Tickets In-Person.  Same day ticket sales are available, in person, at the box office.  The Commodore Theatre Box Office is open Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 1 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday & Thursday at 6 p.m. & Friday at 3 p.m.  The Commodore Theater Box Office closes daily at 7:05 p.m.  Sorry no phone reservations can be taken.

 

About the Commodore Theatre

Every film at the Commodore Theatre is presented as it is meant to be seen, in a luxurious, state-of-the-art theatre.  The Commodore features a 41-foot screen and THX and DOLBY DIGITAL sound.  This luxuriously restored 1945 Art Deco-style motion picture theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.

The Commodore serves light American fare daily.  The menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, light fare and desserts.  Beer and wine are available.  Their unique ordering system allows you to pick up the phone on your table and place your order directly to their kitchen (your or der must be placed before show starts).

Show times are daily at 7 p.m.; matinees Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.

During busy periods, they reserve the right to open as much as 30 minutes early. 

Admission (with credit or debit card): Adults $8.00.

Cash, Credit or Debit Cards and Commodore Theatre gift certificates are accepted as form of payment for tickets.  Credit & debit cards are also accepted in the dining area.  Show information is available 24-hours: 757.393.6962. or visit, www.commodoretheatre.com.  The Commodore Theatre is located at 421 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia  23704.

 

Helpful Information & Links

If you need overnight accommodations, the  Governor Dinwiddie Hotel is the host hotel for this event.  The Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel is also within walking distance of the Commodore Theatre.  There are a number of restaurants in Olde Towne to enjoy dinner or drinks before or after the movie - within walking distance.  Click here, for a list of local restaurants. 

For more information on Portsmouth, you can go to:  www.visitportsva.com.

Want more information on 'Atltanis Down,' The Movie?  Click here, to be part of their International group of fans on Facebook.  Click here, to follow 'Atlantis Down' on Twitter.

 

Editor's Note: This is the First of a Three Part Series on 'Atlantis Down,' The Movie.

COMING NEXT: The Men Behind 'Atlantis Down,' the Movie.  Hampton Roads native Ethan Marten and Italian Max Bartoli put together the motion picture 'Atlantis Down' in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth.  This project could have taken place anywhere - Italy, Spain, Los Angeles.  And, I mean anywhere.  But Marten believed that Virginia, and in particular Hampton Roads, had everything they needed to produce the film.  Originally scheduled to be shot in Los Angeles, Marten suggested Bartoli to come to Virginia Beach to shoot.  Bartoli decided to move the production here, after he was pleased with what Marten had showed him.

Marten moved forward to bring the project to Hampton Roads.  After visiting Hampton Roads, Bartoli saw what Marten’s had in mind – they could produce the movie right here in Hampton Roads for a lot less money with the same production quality. 

Learn how the vision and passion of these two men made the 'impossible become possible' in the next article of 'A New Day in Olde Towne'.

The reality is Portsmouth, and not Hollywood, will play host to a World Premiere movie.  Coming soon, to a theatre near you - only at the Commodore Theatre.

 

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Thanks for reading and sharing...'A New Day in Olde Towne'.

Have a great day!

David Cartier

Atlantis Down photos courtesy of MaXaM Productions Ltd.

The Men Behind Atlantis Down The Movie

Exclusive Interview with Hollywood Actor Michael Rooker

Stars to Collide as Shuttle Lands in Portsmouth Oct. 1

Behind the Screen with Actress Darla Grese

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