Sunday, November 29, 2015

'Star Leaf' Teams Up With NASA to Promote a Space Launch!

New sci-fi film STAR LEAF teams with NASA to promote a space launch!

The creators of the sci-fi horror film “STAR LEAF” are having a contest to promote a space launch by aerospace company RocketStar at NASA’s Cape Canaveral 39c Launch Pad in the coming weeks. The launch will be filmed by Discovery Channel Canada.

According to a recent article in Popular Mechanics, New York-based RocketStar technologies has designed a single-stage rocket capable of reaching orbital altitudes using its Aerospike engine technology. RocketStar hopes to lead the way in the new space economy, allowing anyone to put a small CubeSat Satellite into space for around $6,000.

The first launch will be a test to reach 10,000 feet in altitude. Star Leaf Enterprises is having a contest to decide what exactly should be put in the rocket as part of the test flight. Winners will receive “Star Leaf” autographed DVDs and merchandise. NASA will not allow any actual cannabis on the flight – but any item (cannabis-inspired only) under two ounces is allowed. Contest submissions can be tweeted to @starleafmovie on Twitter.

Founder and CEO of RocketStar Christopher Craddock says the technology can eventually offer cannabis entrepreneurs future “space delivery” of their products to orbiting space stations, or orbital drops anywhere in the world in 20 minutes (where legal).

Whether the ability to launch “space weed” chalks up to anything more than a publicity stunt for cannabis companies and entrepreneurs or not, it still offers the public the opportunity to reach out to the cosmos as part of a booming new space industry being led by civilian and private contractors.

The film “Star Leaf” is about an extra-terrestrial strain of marijuana that lands on earth in the distant past. The film’s producers are excited to be a part of RocketStar’s early launch testing and realize the opportunity to have “ET Weed” in real life simply can’t be missed.

“It might sound silly to some, but the idea of being able to connect a concept in the film to something tangible in real life is amazing,” says the film’s director, Richard Cranor. “Why not launch weed into space? It might prevent an invasion from an aggressive alien species. You never know.”

Submit Your Contest Ideas by December 3, 2015, to: https://twitter.com/starleafmovie
@starleafmovie (All possible launch items must weigh under 2 ounces. CANNOT BE ACTUAL CANNABIS.)

RocketStar Space Program: rocketstar.nyc
RocketStar Overview Video: https://vimeo.com/122190298
Star Leaf now available on Amazon, Google Play and iTunes

All entries must be received by December 3, 2015. In the event of multiple same ideas being selected, the first entry received will receive the prize for that idea. Winners will receive a free autographed DVD, rolling papers, and poster – as well as a thank you video from one of the film’s stars, Ranger Dave. Actual launch date subject to NASA inspections and timetable.

Director Richard Cranor's "indie horror treat" (KVEW-TV)Star Leaf premieres on DVD November 24 from MVD.

Richard Cranor (The Man in the High Castle) and Russell Hodgkinson(The Z Nation) star in what horror and sci-fi fans are calling "satisfying" (Ravenous Monster) with "Great character dynamics" (Bloody Disgusting)

Star Leaf is released November 24 and you can read our review of the film.

Synopsis: A group of friends set off to find a secret forest of marijuana hidden deep in the Olympic Mountains. Legend has it the plants are of extra-terrestrial origin, and two ex-Marines among the group hope it will cure their PTSD born from hard combat in Afghanistan.

Four Clips Released for Sci-fi Horror Film 'Star Leaf' Coming to DVD on November 24th

Some highs are out of this world

Titan Sky Entertainment have released four new video clips for the indie sci-fi horror film "Star Leaf" which we reviewed here.

Director Richard Cranor's Star Leaf premieres on DVD November 24 from MVD Entertainment Group.

Richard Cranor (The Man in the High Castle) and Russell Hodgkinson(The Z Nation) star.

Synopsis:

A group of friends set off to find a secret forest of marijuana hidden deep in the Olympic Mountains. Legend has it the plants are of extra-terrestrial origin, and two ex-Marines among the group hope it will cure their PTSD born from hard combat in Afghanistan.

Star Leaf - Film Review - MVD Entertainment Group

Some Highs Are Out of This World

Director: Richard Cranor

Cast: Richard Cranor, Julian Gavilanes, Russell Hodgkinson, Kevin Jolly, Shelby Traux.

The stoner film has almost become its own subgenre over the years. Films such as True Romance, with Brad Pitts consistently stoned character Floyd, have demonstrated the comedic value of a stoner character, however films such as Soul Plane (2004) or Friday (1995) have taken this a step further and produced entire films around getting high. The cult classic Cheech and Chong trilogy from the 80’s do this with irritating perfection with The Big Lebowski (1998) being the quintessential stoner film. Director Richard Cranor brings a new blunt to the family with Star Leaf. But this is not your usual stoner film, or your usual film at all.

Star Leaf follows veteran James Hunter (Julian Gavilanes) and his ex-services buddy Tim Weaver (Tyler Trerise) and his Twihard girlfriend Martha (Shelby Traux) as they travel to La Push for the surf (and a Twilight tour for Martha) in an attempt to give James some R and R after his recent tour. As they drive it becomes apparent that Tim has other ideas as he requests a teensy weensy quick little stop off to visit a weed farm up in the forest that is said to be home to some legendary leaf called Star Leaf. Whilst James suspects that Tim wants to visit purely to get loaded, there are undercurrents of PTSD and medicinal elements that Tim state will benefit James. However, when the group find the marijuana Mecca they flaunt the rules and discover that the powers that protect the crop are not best pleased. The three must now fight for their lives in the marijuana haze of the forest.

Star Leaf is an intriguing and overall entertaining indie film, though classing it as a horror film may be a step too far. A sci-fi thriller/drama is a bit closer to the mark. The film is not your usual foray into baked hallucinations and kaleidoscopic randomness set out purely to raise some laughs. Star Leaf may have its prominent topic wrapped tightly, then loosely, around weed, however there are deeper drags in this film. The film looks at the topic of veteran PTSD and how this can manifest itself, as well as the use of medicinal marijuana to treat it. Aside from James’ PTSD, there are also hints at Tim suffering some sort of trauma too. It becomes apparent that his adoration of all things green bears no real difference to James’ dependence on prescribed medication.

Star Leaf provides wafts of deeper meanings in its plot, whilst promoting the science fiction pot smoking aliens at its centre. There is a definite indie feel to the film, which is in no way a criticism. The stylings are reminiscent of 90’s Saturday afternoon adventure shows such as Andromeda, but with a sharper script and more doobies'. The writing of the film, whilst not going to receive any Academy Awards any time soon, has its comedy parts as well as its poignant moments. Whilst the poignant moments may lack slightly in emotion, the humorous elements of the script are much more impressive. The film does slip into the usual territory of stoner films such as utterly nonsensical visions however it manages to just about cling onto the plot running throughout it without going too wildly off course.

The lush scenery is used to great effect with the 90’s throwback effects adding in a blurred ethereal haze. Whilst the acting is not completely up to par, the performances are solid in the most part with director Richard Cranor taking on the part of Ranger Dave. The film flows well, with trippy feral beasts moving to psychology and time travel. Cranor himself has described the film as a mash-up of genres which is probably the best way to describe Star Leaf. It is a unique concept that comes in a unique package, including sexy Asian fairy porn and bear-humping moose.

Star Leaf is an acquired taste. There will be a student, weed loving group of viewers that will enjoy the film, but if those others amongst persevere, you may be pleasantly surprised. Get some friends, buy in the beers and the pizzas and let yourself get taken on this mind bending head mess of a film that actually ends up making some form of sense in some bizarre roundabout way.