Mike Tyrkus

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

Annie Adopts Turnaround Arts to Support Struggling Schools

In advance of the release of the highly anticipated motion picture Annie, in theaters on December 19, 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment is helping to support Turnaround Arts, a signature program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Turnaround Arts works with local program partners to provide intensive arts education resources to clusters of high-poverty schools across the c...[Read More]

Honest Trailer Skewers Godzilla (2014)

The folks over at Honest Trailer and Screen Junkies have turned their attention to the most recent incarnation of Godzilla (2014). America’s first decent Godzilla movie stomped into theaters this summer. Now, you can relive the Godzilla action movie that delivered everything except Godzilla action. Enjoy!

Paramount Pictures to Distribute Chris Rock’s Top Five

Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, announced on September 10, 2014 that it will distribute writer/director Chris Rock’s Top Five worldwide. The news comes as the film from producer Scott Rudin, and his IACF partner Barry Diller, earned rave reviews at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, such as Scott Foundas’ comments in Variety: “Rock has finally found a big-scr...[Read More]

Production Begins on The Finest Hours, Starring Chris Pine

Production is set to begin in September on the new Walt Disney Studios film The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Star Trek), Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Ocean’s Thirteen), and Holliday Grainger (Cinderella, Bonnie & Clyde). The thriller, which will be directed by Craig Gillespie (...[Read More]

New Trailer Released for Jennifer Lopez Thriller The Boy Next Door

“Obsession has never been so close” reads the tagline of the upcoming thriller The Boy Next Door. Earlier today, the film’s star, Jennifer Lopez, gave fans a first look at the film (check out the trailer above), which hits theaters on January 23, 2015! Lopez leads the cast in The Boy Next Door, a psychological thriller that explores a forbidden attraction that goes much too far. Directed by Rob Co...[Read More]

New Character Posters from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Released

To promote The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, Lionsgate has released the Katniss Rebel Warrior Teaser Poster (see below) via the official mobile application – “Our Leader the Mockingjay.” The new poster joins the six previously released posters featuring the fearless rebels of District 13: Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Boggs (Mahershala Ali), Messala (Evan Ross), Castor (Wes Chatham), Cressida (Natal...[Read More]

Interview with Matthew Weiner, writer/director of Are You Here

The new film Are You Here follows Steve Dallas (Owen Wilson), a womanizing weatherman, and his slightly off best friend, Ben Baker (Zach Galifianakis), as they return to Ben’s childhood home after his estranged father passes away. Upon learning that Ben has inherited a majority of the family fortune, the two friends must deal not only with the strain these events are having on their friendship, bu...[Read More]

Remembering Robin Williams: A Movie Trailer Retrospective

The remarkably talented Robin Williams was found dead in his home on Monday, August 12, 2014. His cause of death is believed to be an apparent suicide. According to reports, the actor had recently been battling depression and drug abuse. Of his passing, his wife Susan Schneider released the following statement: “It is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of...[Read More]

Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens Shines in New Trailer for The Guest

The official US trailer for the new thriller The Guest from director Adam Wingard was released exclusively on Yahoo! Movies. But you can see it right here on CinemaNerdz. From the director of You’re Next and featuring a standout, badass performance from Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), comes The Guest: a tense, action-packed and unpredictable film like everything and nothing you’ve ever se...[Read More]

Official SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water Trailer Released!

The official trailer for SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water has been released. To say that it’s trippy doesn’t do it justice. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the still below that showcases Patrick Star (as Mr. Superawesomeness), SpongeBob SquarePants (as The Invincibubble), Squidward Tentacles (as Sour Note), and Mr. Krabs (as Sir Pinch-A-Lot). SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water brings ...[Read More]

Intriguing New Trailer for The Maze Runner Released

The new trailer for the sci-fi action film The Maze Runner was just released, and it gives me hope that the movie might be more than just a retread of Divergent following in the considerable wake of The Hunger Games. It looks like there’s plenty of action and mystery at work here and that could make for a pretty entertaining film. Then again, we’ve all been burned by trailers before haven...[Read More]

Kevin Smith’s Tusk Will Premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

Writer/director Kevin Smith’s new horror film, Tusk will enjoy its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Smith and Tusk join a long list of established and emerging directors that fill this year’s TIFF slate, which showcases new documentary films by Nick Broomfield, Ethan Hawke, The Yes Men, Joshua Oppenheimer, Frederick Wiseman, Jonathan Nossiter, and first-time...[Read More]

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