Brian's music returns to the stage with...THE MONK

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The Monk (Exit Theatre, San Francisco, 2008) From one of the most influential horror novels of all time … Lust. Power. Deception. And lots of labyrinthine plot twists. Brian's music returns to the stage this month for the stage play THE MONK at the Exit Theatre in San Francisco presented by NO NUDE MEN PRODUCTIONS. Brian last worked in theatre in 2003 on the staged musical SnEauX! - The SINsational Gothic Figure Skating Musical at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles where Brian served as the orchestrator and arranger for that musical.

For THE MONK, Brian was approached by longtime friend and collaborator Lisa Fowle (www.dragonflysound.com) about working with her on the music for the show. Lisa was already on board for the show's sound design and music. Brian's music is dark, classical and gothic inspired with a little inspiration from Enya and other celtic like qualities. (See the music page for show excerpts).

The play revolves around a Spanish monk, Ambrosio (Ryan Hayes), whose life is crossed by a pair of young women: the tragic nun Agnes (Lisa Swanson) and the impoverished aristocrat Antonia (Margery Fairchild), both of whom will be key in the arrogant cleric's fall from grace. As Ambrosio is guided down a path of dissolution by a mysterious beauty named Matilda (Cassie Powell), the story weaves in and out of the quest for Antonia's hand by the handsome cavalier Lorenzo (James Tinsley) and the desperate search by Don Raymond (Cordell Wesselink) for the missing mother of his child. Along the way, ghosts and demons intervene, bandits attempt murder on hapless travelers, and nothing short of the Spanish Inquisition turns up for the finale.

THE MONK will play at the Exit Theatre in downtown San Francisco Thursday Oct. 9th (preview) then Friday and Saturday nights thru NOV 22. Tickets: $10 first weekend, $15 - $20 subsequent performances. For reservations email ambrosioandmatilda@gmail.com or call 415-994-1367.

THE MONK, Exit Theatre, San Francisco, 2008

9/Tenths released in Belgium/Denmark/Netherlands

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9/Tenths Denmark/Belgium DVD

9/Tenths was released on August 28, 2008 on DVD in the Benelux territories including The Netherlands and Belgium. The title has been changed for those regions to "The Survivors". Most likely due to the fact that the phrase "possession is nine tenths of the law"...where the film's original USA title comes from...does not have the same meaning in other languages as it does in U.S. english.

Of Brian's score, Dutch Filmworks says "The sizzling soundtrack by Brian Ralston makes 'The Survivors' an unusually nerve-racking film experience."

GRADUATION HD television premiere this week!

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HD Net Movies GRADUATION will have its hi-definition television premiere this week on the HDNet Movies channel. HDNet Movies is usually a part of a high definition package on the various affiliates. So, you have to be subscribed with your cable or satellite provider to receive HD programming to receive the channel. (Note: "HDNet Movies" is a different channel than its sister channel "HD Net"). HDNet Movies is available in the US on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV (ch. 78) , DISH Network (ch. 9423), Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable (ch. 1858), Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. The networks are available in Canada via Bell Express VU, Cogego, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and more. For more information visit www.hd.net.

The film will be broadcast twice in glorious 1080i HD with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround on the evening of Wednesday, May 28th, 2008. GRADUATION (2008) - Chris Lowell as Jackson and Shannon Lucio as Polly. Air Dates: Wed, May 28th - 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT Wed, May 28th - 11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT

So, mark your calendars and reserve a spot on the couch this wednesday night, as it is a chance to see GRADUATION presented looking better than the standard definition DVD and for the bargain price of free.

GRADUATION Premiere Pics

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The GRADUATION Premiere went off without a hitch on Thursday May 1, 2008 at the Landmark Embarcadero Theater in San Francisco. Brian attended along with director Mike Mayer, cinematographer Matt Urhy, actors Aimee Garcia, Riley Smith and Brandon Hanson, Producer Scott Hanson and Executive Producer Jason Blum. Below are a couple pics from the event and from the theatre. Note to anyone attending any 'red carpet' event. Don't ever not smile and/or smirk at all the camera flashes. Because inevitably, the one picture chosen to be immortalized forever on WireImage will be the one with the goofy smirk...and not the dozen other photos where you had a nice smile. Mike Mayer & Brian Ralston at GRAD Premiere GRADUATION Theatre Posters Graduation Posters at the Premiere Theatre. Brian at theatre poster Brian Standing next to one of the GRADUATION posters at the Shattuck Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Actress Aimee Garcia at GRADUATION Premiere

Actress Aimee Garcia at the GRADUATION Premiere. Photo by WireImage. Actor Riley Smith at the GRADUATION premiere. Actor Riley Smith at the GRADUATION Premiere. Photo by WireImage. Shattuck Theatre, Berkeley, CA. The Landmark Shattuck Theatre Marquee across the Bay in Berkeley, CA. This was the other bay area location where GRADUATION was playing. Entrance to the theatre

GRADUATION trailer on HDNet channel!

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GRADUATIONHDNet Logo
The GRADUATION trailer began showing this week on the HDNet channel. You will find the trailer on the show 'Nothing But Trailers' that plays on the channel periodically throughout the week. The next showing of 'Nothing But Trailers' is Saturday April 26th at 7AM PST and should continue throughout the next month. On DirecTV, HDNet is channel 79 for Hi-Definition subscribers.
Nothing But Trailers

GRADUATION Theatrical Release and DVD by Magnolia Pictures

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GRADUATION DVD cover artSo...this info is a long time in the making, as the fine details have been constantly changing. But...without further adieu (because the 'go ahead' to post the info has been passed along)... Magnolia Pictures

GRADUATION is being released theatrically in limited/selected U.S. cities by Magnolia Pictures in association with Redwood Palm Pictures this May 2, 2008. The only theatres that will be showing the film are select Landmark Theatres. (Landmark's website only lists one theater now if you go there to look...but that will change as the release date gets closer). The film will screen in digital DLP projection and 5.1 surround at the theaters chosen.

Cities:

San Francisco, CA Berkley, CA Seattle, WA Austin, TX Minneapolis, MN

There will be a premiere screening at a location TBD in San Francisco on Thursday May 1, 2008.

Whether the film plays longer than 1 week or expands to other cities for a second weekend or not is entirely up to you the audience and the ticket sales at the initial theaters chosen, etc...

In a quick turnaround effort to still hit the graduation time frame this year...Magnolia Home Entertainment will release the DVD of GRADUATION on May 13th, 2008.

It is a full featured DVD with a commentary track, deleted scenes, alternate opening to the film, storyboard segment, blooper reel, etc...As well as Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and a direct digital transfer from the HD-SR film master. It looks and sounds amazing. Brian's friend Lisa Fowle did a wonderful job on the sound design and special sound mix for the home theater version of the film.

GRADUATION DVD cover artThe DVD has been sold through to Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Blockbuster Video, Hollywood Video, Netflix, Amazon.com, DVD Empire.com, and more retailers. So...one should be able to buy it pretty much anywhere on May 13th, 2008.

There will be a new trailer soon which will be up at Apple's iTunes/QuickTime website. And, there also some new websites you might want to check out (with more to go online soon).

GRADUATION MYSPACE PAGE GRADUATION YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Go out and see the film folks! Or at least buy it. It is a great, fun indie film. You won't be sorry.