Latest Round of Arizona-Made Films Debut

Phoenix, AZ Three productions filmed in Arizona in the last year will premiere on the small and silver screens beginning this weekend. Most recently, The Kingdom, filmed almost entirely in the East Valley in 2006 to mimic Saudi Arabia, hit movie theatres last September. The latest movie, S.I.S, centers on a police officer who joins an elite investigative team in Los Angeles whose methods come into question. Filmed mostly in central Phoenix to replicate L.A., S.I.S. premieres Sunday, August 24 on Spike TV at 10:00 p.m. The two-hour film was shot in the Valley earlier this year. Jakes Corner is a family-friendly independent film about a former football star who moves as far away from the spotlight as possible: To a small and sleepy desert town known as Jakes Corner (a real place in Gila County). The town is a mere stopover for tourists and travelers, with its own cast of quirky residents. The main character, Johnny Dunn (played by Richard Tyson; Black Hawk Down, Theres Something About Mary), finds his life dramatically changed when hes left to care for his nephew and ends up discovering the true meaning of family in his new community. The film also stars Diane Ladd, Danny Trejo, B.J. Thomas, as well as many Arizona-based actors and actresses. Jakes Corner premieres on outdoor screens in Payson, and debuts nationwide on September 5th. The film was produced by Jeff Santo, son of Chicago Cubs baseball player, Ron Santo, as well as Phoenix-area business owner and former basketball star Dan Majerle and others. A new twist on vampires in modern-day, corporate America, Netherbeast, Inc. is expected to begin showing in limited release on September 12th. Already featured at film festivals nationwide, Netherbeast, Inc. will open at theatres in the Phoenix area next month. The movie stars Robert Wagner of the Austin Powers series fame, Saturday Night Live alum Darrell Hammond, Judd Nelson (best known for The Breakfast Club), as well as Arizona actors. The film was directed by Dean Matthew Ronalds, also of Arizona. Its great to see filmmakers finding value in casting and shooting productions in Arizona, said Department of Commerce Director Jan Lesher. We are proud of the fact that our state is visually unique and able to stand in as any one of the 50 states. Arizona is also the only state in the country that has elements of all four North American deserts: Sonoran, Chihuahua, Great Basin and Mohave. Portions of many classic and modern movies were shot in Arizona, starring a variety of actors and movie stars, past and present.