9th Annual VaRaces Awards

9th Annual VaRaces Awards The Annual VaRaces Awards returns
again tocelebratethe best car chase and
racingachievementsfor 2010. As the new decade rolled
in, car chase and racing fans witnessed a bumper crop of vehicular
action on the screen. Unlike in other years where a particular car
chase film stood head and shoulders above the rest of the field,
2010 yielded a number of quality car chases to make it the most
closely contested awards in the past few years. Once again it is
necessary to thank those who have made these awards possible.
Special thanks goes to theSpecial Guest Presenters for their
nominations and contributions. In composing the Awards, there was
little point trying to express something that had already been
compellingly stated. And one cannot fail to mention Derrick Hopkins
ourVaRaces website founder. Special thanks goes out to him
for his continued dedication to maintaining the website and for his
unfailing enthusiasm for all things automotive.

Live For Speed - Collateral Collision

After the anticipation created by theLive For Speed -
Collateral Collision trailer, it is with much pleasure that Varaces
announces the release of the full twelve and half minute version of
the film. A homage to the car chase classics of the past, with a
knowing wink to more recent car chase features, Collateral
Collision was meticulously directed by Martin Bigg (aka Star wars
Fanatic) with the collaborative help from the Live For Speed
community. Collateral Collision is at the same time a tribute to
live action cinema and an indication of the potential of machinima
film. WatchPart IandPart 2. You can post your comments on the film
in this forum thread.

2010 Car Chase/Racing Films

If 2009 was not a particularly strong year for car
chase/racing films, 2010 seems that it will be much more promising.
Here's what we can look forward to:

Fast Five Trailer

Take a look at the trailer for the fifth movie in the Fast
and Furious chase franchise.

Salt (2010)

Angelina Jolie returns to theatres in the spy action flick,
Salt. Jolie plays an agent accused of being a russian spy and she
must flee the authorities while trying to prove her innocence. The
trailers showcase a ton of action, not the least of which is
Angelina on a Triumph motorcycle, being chased through traffic. The
stunt coordinator on the film is Simon Crane, who's worked with
Angelina Jolie on most of her action flicks, includeing Mr. and
Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft:Tomb Raider, and Lara Croft and the Cradle
of Life. The film is slated to be released in the US on July
23rd.

8th Annual VaRaces Awards

8th Annual VaRaces Awards This year's Varaces Awards
celebrates the outstanding car chase and car race achievements in
film for 2009. While there were fewer releases of films with
notable automotive action in them, those that did more than made up
for that fact. Thanks goes out once again to theSpecial Guest
Presenters for their nominations and contributions. And special
thanks goes out to the VaRaces website founder Derrick Hopkins for
his dedication of maintaining the website, without which these
Awards would not be possible.

The Wraith: Limited Edition DVD

The cult classic car chase film, The Wraith will be getting a
special edition DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Set to be
released on March 2, 2010, the dvd will include an audio
commentary, interviews , and a featurette detailing the Dodge M4S
that starred in the film. The Wraith is about a teen thats
terrorized by a street gang that races and steals cars. A
mysterious, invincible black car appears to help the teen get his
revenge. The film contains some nice race scenes against a desert
background along with some spectacular stunts.

Drive Angry 3D (2011)

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<embed height="376" width="598"
src="http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/flv-embed/flvplayer.swf"
flashvars="width=598height=376file=http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/driveangryfirstteaser-CCIshort.flvimage=http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/driveangryfirstteaser-CCIshort.jpglogo=http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/img/FSnet-Video-Logo.pnglink=http://www.firstshowing.netstretching=exactfitquality=falsebufferlength=6volume=90"
allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"
wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" />
</object> Here's the trailer for Drive Angry, a 3D revenge film
starring Nicolas Cage. Its set to be released in 2011.

2011 Car Chase/Racing Films

As 2010 comes to a close, what better way to spend the early
new year than reading up on the major car chase/racing releases to
come in 2011.While it does not appear that 2011 will yield a
similar bumper crop of chase and racing films as did2010,
there are some notable releases that look distinctively promising.
Here's what we can look forward to in 2011:
<hr />Red Dirt Rising (2010): Technically a 2010 film, it will have
its direct to dvd release in January 2011. Red Dirt Rising traces
the 1940s pre-history of American stock car racing from its
moonshine origins. More info is available at the film's website.
Release date: 11th January. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/NZLjqWjRDqE"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> The Green
Hornet (2011): Michel Gondry directs this feature film adaptation
of the 1960s television series that sees Seth Rogen star as the
Green Hornet and Jay Chou as Kato. It's unlikely that the film will
be anything like the original series, but who cares if the Green
Hornet's vehicle - a modified 1960s Chrysler Imperial - gets an
appearance in a car chase. Release date: 14th January (in 3D).
Website. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/PMA-taGtfXs"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> The Mechanic
(2011): Always a good bet that a Jason Statham film will more than
likely feature a car chase. And given that it is a remake of the
1972film, starring CharlesBronson, even more
reason to be hopeful. Not much go on via its trailer, but this clip
shows that the film will have a fairly destructive pursuit
sequence. Release date: 28th January. Website. Drive Angry (2011):
Arguably, Drive Angry will be first major car chase film to be
presented in 3D. Time will tell whether 3D technology will add
anything new to the 2D automotive experience, but there is no doubt
that this film is a major event on the car chase calendar. Trailer:

<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/4scfLJeDHHk"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 25th
February (in 3D).Website. Paul (2011): Simon Pegg and Nick
Frost reunite in this sci-fi comedy featuring a less than adorable
alien named Paul. Expect some car chase action in the shape of a RV
being pursued by federal agents, as can be witnessed in
itstrailer. US Release date: 18th March.Car chase fans
in the United Kingdom will have the rare pleasure of having the
opportunity to watch this before its release in the States as it
opens on the 18th February. Website. Fast Five (2011): Fifth
instalment in the Fast and Furious franchise with Justin Lin
returning to the directorial helm for the third time. The story
picks up from where the Fast Furious left off, with the action now
taking place in Rio de Janeiro. Good chance thatFast Five
will prove to be the car chase highlight of the year. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/uSDNZeRX_1Y"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 29th
April.Website. Cars 2 (2011): The much anticipated sequel to
Cars will be amongst the big summer releases with the film being a
cross between a James Bond spoof and a Grand Prix racing movie.
Let's hope that Pixar delivers and that the sequel is as good as
the original. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/oFTfAdauCOofeature"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 24th
June. Website. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Another
Marvel comic book adaption with Chris Evans playing the titular
role with the film set during the 1940s bringing to life the comic
books original setting. No trailers out yet, but the word is that
the film will feature car chase shot in Manchester, England to
capture the appropriate historical look. Release date: 22nd July.
Website. Horrible Bosses (2011): Jennifer Aniston stars in this
comedy involving three friends murdering their boss. Apparently the
film features a Volkswagen Jetta in a car chase. No trailer or
poster art yet. Release date: 29th July. 30 Minutes or Less (2011):
Another crime comedy that follows the story of two small time
criminals who kidnap a pizza delivery driver and force him to rob a
bank. Jesse Eisenberg, of The Social Network fame, stars but more
important to our concerns is that there are rumours that the film
features a car chase and car stunts.No trailer or poster art
yet. Release date: 12th August. Drive (2011): This could be the
surprise car chase film of the year. For a start, the plot sounds
extremely promising: a Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) moonlights
as a as a getaway driver. And then there is the serious talent
involved in this production: Christina Hendricks (in presumably a
femme fatale role), Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Nicolas
Winding Refn who directs. Hopefully the trailer will shed more
light on what's to come. Release date: 16th September. Mission
Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011): The fourth installment in the
Mission Impossible series with Tom Cruise returning in his Ethan
Hunt role. Not much yet to go on in terms of story and action, but
this blog reports that a car chase sequence was shot in Dubai.
Release date: 16th December. Don 2 (2011): Sequel to Don (2006),
which itself was a remake of the original Don released in 1978.
Sharhrukh Khan returns in the lead role who was involved in an
accident while filming a car chase scene for the film, as noted in
this report. At any rate, always good to see a Bollywood film
amongst the car chase calendar of releases. Release date: 23rd
December. Up the Aisle (2011): Also due to hit the screens in 2011
is this Australian comedy that centers around a wedding that
involves a host of odd ball characters, with a couple of car chases
thrown into the mix, according to the film's IMDB plot summary.
Release date: T.B.A. Website.

Faster (2010)

<object height="385" width="640"
codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,32,18"
classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000">
<embed height="385" width="640"
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H-HFT31SKVMhl=en_USfs=1"
allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" />
</object> Here's the teaser trailer for Dwane 'The Rock' Johnson's
upcoming action movie, Faster. Its scheduled to be released in the
US in November 2010.

2011 Car Chase/Racing Films

As 2010 comes to a close, what better way to spend the early
new year than reading up on the major car chase/racing releases to
come in 2011.While it does not appear that 2011 will yield a
similar bumper crop of chase and racing films as did2010,
there are some notable releases that look distinctively promising.
Here's what we can look forward to in 2011:
<hr />Red Dirt Rising (2010): Technically a 2010 film, it will have
its direct to dvd release in January 2011. Red Dirt Rising traces
the 1940s pre-history of American stock car racing from its
moonshine origins. More info is available at the film's website.
Release date: 11th January. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/NZLjqWjRDqE"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> The Green
Hornet (2011): Michel Gondry directs this feature film adaptation
of the 1960s television series that sees Seth Rogen star as the
Green Hornet and Jay Chou as Kato. It's unlikely that the film will
be anything like the original series, but who cares if the Green
Hornet's vehicle - a modified 1960s Chrysler Imperial - gets an
appearance in a car chase. Release date: 14th January (in 3D).
Website. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/PMA-taGtfXs"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> The Mechanic
(2011): Always a good bet that a Jason Statham film will more than
likely feature a car chase. And given that it is a remake of the
1972film, starring CharlesBronson, even more
reason to be hopeful. Not much go on via its trailer, but this clip
shows that the film will have a fairly destructive pursuit
sequence. Release date: 28th January. Website. Drive Angry (2011):
Arguably, Drive Angry will be first major car chase film to be
presented in 3D. Time will tell whether 3D technology will add
anything new to the 2D automotive experience, but there is no doubt
that this film is a major event on the car chase calendar. Trailer:

<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/4scfLJeDHHk"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 25th
February (in 3D).Website. Paul (2011): Simon Pegg and Nick
Frost reunite in this sci-fi comedy featuring a less than adorable
alien named Paul. Expect some car chase action in the shape of a RV
being pursued by federal agents, as can be witnessed in
itstrailer. US Release date: 18th March.Car chase fans
in the United Kingdom will have the rare pleasure of having the
opportunity to watch this before its release in the States as it
opens on the 18th February. Website. Fast Five (2011): Fifth
instalment in the Fast and Furious franchise with Justin Lin
returning to the directorial helm for the third time. The story
picks up from where the Fast Furious left off, with the action now
taking place in Rio de Janeiro. Good chance thatFast Five
will prove to be the car chase highlight of the year. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/uSDNZeRX_1Y"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 29th
April.Website. Cars 2 (2011): The much anticipated sequel to
Cars will be amongst the big summer releases with the film being a
cross between a James Bond spoof and a Grand Prix racing movie.
Let's hope that Pixar delivers and that the sequel is as good as
the original. Trailer:
<object width="425" height="350"
data="http://www.youtube.com/v/oFTfAdauCOofeature"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></object> Release date: 24th
June. Website. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Another
Marvel comic book adaption with Chris Evans playing the titular
role with the film set during the 1940s bringing to life the comic
books original setting. No trailers out yet, but the word is that
the film will feature car chase shot in Manchester, England to
capture the appropriate historical look. Release date: 22nd July.
Website. Horrible Bosses (2011): Jennifer Aniston stars in this
comedy involving three friends murdering their boss. Apparently the
film features a Volkswagen Jetta in a car chase. No trailer or
poster art yet. Release date: 29th July. 30 Minutes or Less (2011):
Another crime comedy that follows the story of two small time
criminals who kidnap a pizza delivery driver and force him to rob a
bank. Jesse Eisenberg, of The Social Network fame, stars but more
important to our concerns is that there are rumours that the film
features a car chase and car stunts.No trailer or poster art
yet. Release date: 12th August. Drive (2011): This could be the
surprise car chase film of the year. For a start, the plot sounds
extremely promising: a Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) moonlights
as a as a getaway driver. And then there is the serious talent
involved in this production: Christina Hendricks (in presumably a
femme fatale role), Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Nicolas
Winding Refn who directs. Hopefully the trailer will shed more
light on what's to come. Release date: 16th September. Mission
Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011): The fourth installment in the
Mission Impossible series with Tom Cruise returning in his Ethan
Hunt role. Not much yet to go on in terms of story and action, but
this blog reports that a car chase sequence was shot in Dubai.
Release date: 16th December. Don 2 (2011): Sequel to Don (2006),
which itself was a remake of the original Don released in 1978.
Sharhrukh Khan returns in the lead role who was involved in an
accident while filming a car chase scene for the film, as noted in
this report. At any rate, always good to see a Bollywood film
amongst the car chase calendar of releases. Release date: 23rd
December. Up the Aisle (2011): Also due to hit the screens in 2011
is this Australian comedy that centers around a wedding that
involves a host of odd ball characters, with a couple of car chases
thrown into the mix, according to the film's IMDB plot summary.
Release date: T.B.A. Website.

The Wraith: Limited Edition DVD

The cult classic car chase film, The Wraith will be getting a
special edition DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Set to be
released on March 2, 2010, the dvd will include an audio
commentary, interviews , and a featurette detailing the Dodge M4S
that starred in the film. The Wraith is about a teen thats
terrorized by a street gang that races and steals cars. A
mysterious, invincible black car appears to help the teen get his
revenge. The film contains some nice race scenes against a desert
background along with some spectacular stunts.