Ariel Kavoussi, whose acting credits include Netflix’s “Maniac,” Prime Video’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and film “Catfight,” has wrapped her feature directorial debut “The Next Big One: A Comedy with Three Potential Problems.”
In this dystopian sci-fi black comedy, a high-ranking employee at an omnipotent tech firm must help her depressed, activist brother move into their aunt’s house while a hurricane threatens New York city. Principal photography wrapped in Brooklyn, New York. Kavoussi previously directed shorts and some TV.
The lead cast includes Molly Bernard (“Younger”), David H. Holmes (“The Penguin”), Deborah Rush (“Strangers with Candy”) and Kevin Corrigan (“The Get Down”).
The ensemble supporting cast includes Maria Dizzia (“Orange is the New Black”), Josh Pais (“The Dropout”), Paul Lazar (“Silence of the Lambs”), Max Casella (“Tulsa King”), Craig Bierko (“UnREAL”), Catherine Curtin (“Stranger Things”), Matt Walton (“No Hard Feelings”) and emerging stars Victoria Villier (2021 Fantasia Film...
In this dystopian sci-fi black comedy, a high-ranking employee at an omnipotent tech firm must help her depressed, activist brother move into their aunt’s house while a hurricane threatens New York city. Principal photography wrapped in Brooklyn, New York. Kavoussi previously directed shorts and some TV.
The lead cast includes Molly Bernard (“Younger”), David H. Holmes (“The Penguin”), Deborah Rush (“Strangers with Candy”) and Kevin Corrigan (“The Get Down”).
The ensemble supporting cast includes Maria Dizzia (“Orange is the New Black”), Josh Pais (“The Dropout”), Paul Lazar (“Silence of the Lambs”), Max Casella (“Tulsa King”), Craig Bierko (“UnREAL”), Catherine Curtin (“Stranger Things”), Matt Walton (“No Hard Feelings”) and emerging stars Victoria Villier (2021 Fantasia Film...
- 7/18/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A woman’s dangerous inclinations, a sadistic child killer, and a panic surrounding an online murder challenge reveal the insidious violence of a small New England town in Sweet Relief.
The Barrens Hideout Podcast is hosting an advance screening of the indie horror film at Cinema Salem in Salem, Ma on Thursday, June 8. After the movie, writer-director Nick Verdi will participate in a live podcast interview.
Bloody Disgusting is giving away five pairs of tickets to the event.
To enter, simply email alexjdivincenzo@gmail.com with Sweet Relief in the subject line. Five winners will be randomly drawn in two weeks.
The feature presentation will be preceded by Reverberance, an Asmr-style horror short co-directed by yours truly and Tj Frizzi.
Sweet Relief is the sophomore feature from Verdi, whose previous film Cockazoid premiered at Salem Horror Fest. Alisa Leigh, Br Yeager, Adam Michael Kozak, Lucie Rosenfeld, Jocelyn Lopez, Catie DuPont,...
The Barrens Hideout Podcast is hosting an advance screening of the indie horror film at Cinema Salem in Salem, Ma on Thursday, June 8. After the movie, writer-director Nick Verdi will participate in a live podcast interview.
Bloody Disgusting is giving away five pairs of tickets to the event.
To enter, simply email alexjdivincenzo@gmail.com with Sweet Relief in the subject line. Five winners will be randomly drawn in two weeks.
The feature presentation will be preceded by Reverberance, an Asmr-style horror short co-directed by yours truly and Tj Frizzi.
Sweet Relief is the sophomore feature from Verdi, whose previous film Cockazoid premiered at Salem Horror Fest. Alisa Leigh, Br Yeager, Adam Michael Kozak, Lucie Rosenfeld, Jocelyn Lopez, Catie DuPont,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Many gangland parodies fall flat, but not Jonathan Demme’s marvelous combo of high spirits and murder. Mafia spouse Angela de Marco’s story is goofy comedy with an edge of economic reality: how does one newly-impoverished New Yawk dame make a living for her orphaned son, while avoiding the adulterous attentions of the Big Boss who had her husband iced? Michelle Pfeiffer came into her own, Dean Stockwell has his best adult role and Matthew Modine is uniquely charming as an amorous FBI agent. The tonal balance is abetted by a supporting performances that go every which way: Mercedes Ruehl, Alec Baldwin, Oliver Platt and a slew of Demme regulars. Plus a music score by David Byrne. The disc features three new video interviews.
Married to the Mob
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 / Available from Vinegar Syndrome / 39.98
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell,...
Married to the Mob
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 / Available from Vinegar Syndrome / 39.98
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
A very busy Broadway season comes to a close with its final production, and Sam Gold’s staging of Macbeth starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga is nothing if not a dynamic attempt to cap an unusual and often extraordinary theater season. Uneven – if not so much as Gold’s 2019 King Lear with Glenda Jackson – and peppered with choices both curious and captivating (a brief prologue that’s as funny as it is timely), this iteration of The Scottish Play, which opened last night at the Longacre Theatre, nearly holds up to the unavoidable hype of its starry cast.
Craig, 007-strong if forcefully one-note in the title role, and Negga – whose transformation from murderously ambitious soldier’s wife to haunted, spot-damning wreck is one of the production’s delights – lead a large cast that includes stand-outs Amber Gray (in the gender-switched role of...
Craig, 007-strong if forcefully one-note in the title role, and Negga – whose transformation from murderously ambitious soldier’s wife to haunted, spot-damning wreck is one of the production’s delights – lead a large cast that includes stand-outs Amber Gray (in the gender-switched role of...
- 4/29/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The best horror film of the 1990s and perhaps the only serial killer picture post- Psycho that can stand on equal terms with Hitchcock’s classic, Jonathan Demme and Ted Tally’s adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel is a standout experience in every way. Not all 4K Ultra HD encodings are worth crowing about but this one is — the added visual detail and especially the contrast range really make a difference. Kino offers a good selection of extras as well, including a teaser trailer I haven’t seen for years and a fine Tim Lucas commentary.
The Silence of the Lambs
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1991 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / available through Kino Lorber / Street Date October 19, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Tracey Walter, Kenneth Utt, Paul Lazar, Adelle Lutz, Obba Babatundé, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ron Vawter, Charles Napier,...
The Silence of the Lambs
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1991 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / available through Kino Lorber / Street Date October 19, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Tracey Walter, Kenneth Utt, Paul Lazar, Adelle Lutz, Obba Babatundé, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ron Vawter, Charles Napier,...
- 10/2/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
What are we going to do with ourselves until the series returns?
They teased a must-see fall finale we wouldn't want to miss, and Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 10 delivered.
Malcolm is at the mercy of the Junkyard Killer, and given that he's the only one who seems capable of profiling him with success, will he be forced to save himself if the team can't get to him in time?
One of the most satisfying parts of the hour was considering Malcolm's profile and all we knew about the Junkyard Killer, the pieces clicked before the grand reveal.
Paul Lazar, the Junkyard killer, and John Watkins were the same.
Matilda and her husband taught John to loathe addicts like his mother. They were highly religious and hyperfocused on sinning and avoiding it, which coincided with John/Paul's mission-oriented killing that consisted of "cleaning up" the neighborhood.
Even John/Paul's penchant for...
They teased a must-see fall finale we wouldn't want to miss, and Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 10 delivered.
Malcolm is at the mercy of the Junkyard Killer, and given that he's the only one who seems capable of profiling him with success, will he be forced to save himself if the team can't get to him in time?
One of the most satisfying parts of the hour was considering Malcolm's profile and all we knew about the Junkyard Killer, the pieces clicked before the grand reveal.
Paul Lazar, the Junkyard killer, and John Watkins were the same.
Matilda and her husband taught John to loathe addicts like his mother. They were highly religious and hyperfocused on sinning and avoiding it, which coincided with John/Paul's mission-oriented killing that consisted of "cleaning up" the neighborhood.
Even John/Paul's penchant for...
- 12/3/2019
- by Jasmine Blu
- TVfanatic
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for Monday’s fall finale of “Prodigal Son,” titled “Silent Night.”)
“Prodigal Son” ended the first half of its first season Monday with Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) finally coming face to face with the Junkyard Killer a.k.a. Paul Lazar a.k.a. John Watkins (Michael Raymond-James) before being knocked out and dragged off to what we can only assume is a horrifying experience. And we know that because we spoke with showrunners Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver about where things are headed when the show returns next year.
“When we come back from hiatus, we’ll come back with one of the craziest, most intense episodes with Bright being taken by the Junkyard Killer,” Fedak told us. “As insane as that was, Episode 11 is one of our most insane episodes we’ve done and it’s an incredible panic attack of an episode.
“Prodigal Son” ended the first half of its first season Monday with Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) finally coming face to face with the Junkyard Killer a.k.a. Paul Lazar a.k.a. John Watkins (Michael Raymond-James) before being knocked out and dragged off to what we can only assume is a horrifying experience. And we know that because we spoke with showrunners Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver about where things are headed when the show returns next year.
“When we come back from hiatus, we’ll come back with one of the craziest, most intense episodes with Bright being taken by the Junkyard Killer,” Fedak told us. “As insane as that was, Episode 11 is one of our most insane episodes we’ve done and it’s an incredible panic attack of an episode.
- 12/3/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Wowza!
Is there another word to describe Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 7 other than thrilling? It was the most suspenseful hour of the series to date.
As in, there's not a hint of hyperbole in saying it probably left you breathless and on the edge of your seat leaning into the screen and distraught when the hour came to a close.
The installment left us with so many questions. Where do you begin with them?
Will Ainsley be an asset or a liability in getting the upper hand on Martin? Did she give Martin the flattering exclusive he craved?
Related: Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 6 Review: All Souls & Sadists
What exactly happened on the infamous camping trip? Did Malcolm take part in a murder or something else nefarious with his father and his father's mentee?
Is Malcolm a killer too? Are those flashes repressed memories or his brain playing tricks on him?...
Is there another word to describe Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 7 other than thrilling? It was the most suspenseful hour of the series to date.
As in, there's not a hint of hyperbole in saying it probably left you breathless and on the edge of your seat leaning into the screen and distraught when the hour came to a close.
The installment left us with so many questions. Where do you begin with them?
Will Ainsley be an asset or a liability in getting the upper hand on Martin? Did she give Martin the flattering exclusive he craved?
Related: Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 6 Review: All Souls & Sadists
What exactly happened on the infamous camping trip? Did Malcolm take part in a murder or something else nefarious with his father and his father's mentee?
Is Malcolm a killer too? Are those flashes repressed memories or his brain playing tricks on him?...
- 11/5/2019
- by Jasmine Blu
- TVfanatic
Prodigal Son‘s Malcolm Bright is about to get a blast from his father’s past. Michael Raymond-James (Once Upon a Time, Tell Me a Story) has booked a recurring role on the freshman Fox drama, EW.com reports.
Raymond-James will appear as Paul Lazar, an old friend of Michael Sheen’s Martin Whitly. Described as a “Buffalo Bill type,” the murderous Paul kills people because he believes in a “God-given mission to clean up the streets.”
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Big Supernatural Returns, Life Unexpected Reunion and MoreFall TV Ratings: Which New Shows Are Enjoying the Beefiest DVR Gains?...
Raymond-James will appear as Paul Lazar, an old friend of Michael Sheen’s Martin Whitly. Described as a “Buffalo Bill type,” the murderous Paul kills people because he believes in a “God-given mission to clean up the streets.”
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Big Supernatural Returns, Life Unexpected Reunion and MoreFall TV Ratings: Which New Shows Are Enjoying the Beefiest DVR Gains?...
- 10/9/2019
- TVLine.com
The New Group celebrated Opening Night of Lily Thorne's Peace for Mary Frances last night, with Heather Burns, Johanna Day, Natalie Gold, Mia Katigbak, Paul Lazar, Brian Miskell, Melle Powers, Lois Smith and J. Smith-Cameron, in a world premiere production directed by Lila Neugebauer. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through June 17 at The Pershing Square Signature Center The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street.
- 5/24/2018
- by Jennifer Broski
- BroadwayWorld.com
Talk about staying power — Jonathan Demme’s riveting, ultimately humanistic horror thriller raked in a full house of Oscars and is still scaring new viewers. Even those that chose to avoid it know what it’s all about. My review bows to the film’s superiority and remarks on some of its finer points of cinematic splendor.
The Silence of the Lambs
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 13
1991 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date February 13, 2018 / 39.95
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Tracey Walter, Kenneth Utt, Paul Lazar, Adelle Lutz, Obba Babatundé Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ron Vawter, Charles Napier, Chris Isaak, George Romero, Kasi Lemmons, Lauren Roselli.
Cinematography: Tak Fujimoto
Film Editor: Craig McKay
Original Music: Howard Shore
Written by Ted Tally from the novel by Thomas Harris
Produced by Edward Saxon, Kenneth Utt
Directed by Jonathan Demme
“I’ve...
The Silence of the Lambs
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 13
1991 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date February 13, 2018 / 39.95
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Tracey Walter, Kenneth Utt, Paul Lazar, Adelle Lutz, Obba Babatundé Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ron Vawter, Charles Napier, Chris Isaak, George Romero, Kasi Lemmons, Lauren Roselli.
Cinematography: Tak Fujimoto
Film Editor: Craig McKay
Original Music: Howard Shore
Written by Ted Tally from the novel by Thomas Harris
Produced by Edward Saxon, Kenneth Utt
Directed by Jonathan Demme
“I’ve...
- 2/17/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
PS122's Spring Gala 2016 celebrates three contemporary luminaries whose influence ripples across borders and through generations by honoring Annie-b Parson and Paul Lazar, the visionary team behind Big Dance Theater. In addition, Nicole Birmann Bloom, of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, will receive the Shining Star Award for her unwavering dedication to New York City arts and French-American cultural exchange.
- 4/15/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Red Bull Theater today announced that their Twelfth Season will continue withPhilip Massinger'sThe Roman Actor,directed byLouisa Proske, onMonday February 15th at 730 Pm, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre 121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson.Featured in the cast will beOberon Adjepong, Mamoudou Athie, Tina Benko, Clifton Duncan, Ben Horner, Jennifer Ikeda, Patrick Page, Paul Lazar, Carolyn Smith, Sam Underwood, Adina Verson, and more, with live music performed by percussionist Satoshi Takeishi. Tickets may be purchased online atwww.redbulltheater.com or by phone at 212 352-3101.
- 2/8/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Celia Rowlson-Hall loves Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Roy Andersson Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
At MoMA PS1 inside the Vw Dome, in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival on April 15, 2015, Celia Rowlson-Hall presented an advance preview of Ma, followed by a conversation with Shirin Neshat. In 2013, I spoke with Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer at Michelangelo Frammartino's breathtaking cinematic installation Alberi at PS1.
10 Crosby Fragrance & Film at the Angelika Film Center Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
During Derek Lam's 10 Crosby Fragrance & Film cocktail party, hosted by #Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman of Supermarché, I talked with Celia Rowlson-Hall, director of Silent St (Paul Lazar, Hailey Gates, Anthony Ramos, Jennifer Westfeldt, Aya Cash), Afloat (Jason Kittleberger, Xavier) and Looking Glass (Rowlson-Hall, Kittleberger) and actor in Andrew Zuchero's Something Wild, about working with Rightor Doyle, rose petals, surroundings and location.
Silent St is a doorman's (Paul Lazar also seen in Bong Joon-ho's science fiction...
At MoMA PS1 inside the Vw Dome, in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival on April 15, 2015, Celia Rowlson-Hall presented an advance preview of Ma, followed by a conversation with Shirin Neshat. In 2013, I spoke with Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer at Michelangelo Frammartino's breathtaking cinematic installation Alberi at PS1.
10 Crosby Fragrance & Film at the Angelika Film Center Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
During Derek Lam's 10 Crosby Fragrance & Film cocktail party, hosted by #Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman of Supermarché, I talked with Celia Rowlson-Hall, director of Silent St (Paul Lazar, Hailey Gates, Anthony Ramos, Jennifer Westfeldt, Aya Cash), Afloat (Jason Kittleberger, Xavier) and Looking Glass (Rowlson-Hall, Kittleberger) and actor in Andrew Zuchero's Something Wild, about working with Rightor Doyle, rose petals, surroundings and location.
Silent St is a doorman's (Paul Lazar also seen in Bong Joon-ho's science fiction...
- 2/8/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Derek Lam with Ava Raiin: "I would say, all the Robert Altman movies." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Catfish and the upcoming Nerve (starring Emma Roberts, Juliette Lewis and Dave Franco) co-directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman of Supermarché, hosted a cocktail party and special screening at the Angelika Film Center of 10 short films, written by Rightor Doyle, that were inspired by Derek Lam’s upcoming fragrance line 10 Crosby.
Derek Lam 10 Crosby fragrances Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Benjamin Dickinson's Rain Day (Jennifer Westfeldt, Greta Lee), Ellipsis (Langston Kerman, Alia Shawkat), 2am Kiss (Aya Cash, Josh Safdie, Eva Tolkin, Kelsey Lu, Sam Jacober, Jen Kim, Lee, Kerman); Celia Rowlson-Hall's Silent St (Paul Lazar, Hailey Gates, Anthony Ramos, Westfeldt, Cash), Afloat (Jason Kittleberger, Xavier) and Looking Glass (Rowlson-Hall, Kittleberger); Andrew Zuchero's Drunk on Youth (Sofia Black-d'Elia, Christopher Trinidade), Blackout (Devhynes, Lindsay Burdge, Kate Lyn Sheil, Kevin Barnett, Kim, Jacober) Something Wild (Celia Rowlson-Hall...
Catfish and the upcoming Nerve (starring Emma Roberts, Juliette Lewis and Dave Franco) co-directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman of Supermarché, hosted a cocktail party and special screening at the Angelika Film Center of 10 short films, written by Rightor Doyle, that were inspired by Derek Lam’s upcoming fragrance line 10 Crosby.
Derek Lam 10 Crosby fragrances Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Benjamin Dickinson's Rain Day (Jennifer Westfeldt, Greta Lee), Ellipsis (Langston Kerman, Alia Shawkat), 2am Kiss (Aya Cash, Josh Safdie, Eva Tolkin, Kelsey Lu, Sam Jacober, Jen Kim, Lee, Kerman); Celia Rowlson-Hall's Silent St (Paul Lazar, Hailey Gates, Anthony Ramos, Westfeldt, Cash), Afloat (Jason Kittleberger, Xavier) and Looking Glass (Rowlson-Hall, Kittleberger); Andrew Zuchero's Drunk on Youth (Sofia Black-d'Elia, Christopher Trinidade), Blackout (Devhynes, Lindsay Burdge, Kate Lyn Sheil, Kevin Barnett, Kim, Jacober) Something Wild (Celia Rowlson-Hall...
- 2/5/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Read More: Review: Was 'Snowpiercer' Worth the Battle For the Director's Cut? Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho closed out his residency at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY with a lively screening and discussion centered around his latest film, last year's indie smash and critic darling "Snowpiercer." Joining the visionary 45-year-old director was producer and translator Dooho Choi, actor Paul Lazar and moderator Eric Kohn, Deputy Editor and Chief Film Critic here at Indiewire. The four took part in an informative post-screening discussion where Bong spoke freely on topics ranging from the film's themes and special effects to mega-producer Harvey Weinstein. Check out videos from the event below: On the international components of "Snowpiercer":On the complexities of working on the "Snowpiercer" set:Paul Lazar on entering Bong Joon-Ho's crazy universe:On the relationship between "Snowpiercer" and special...
- 4/6/2015
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
This fall LCT3 will present a four performance only special event when it brings award-winning performer, playwright and director Young Jean Lee uptown to Lincoln Center to perform her Obie Award-winning piece Were Gonna Die. Were Gonna Die, which is written and performed by Young Jean Lee, with music by Future Wife, choreography by Faye Driscoll and direction by Paul Lazar, will be performed Wednesday, September 12 through Saturday, September 15, all evenings at 9pm on Lincoln Center Theaters newest stage - the Claire Tow Theater 150 West 65 Street.
- 7/23/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Hero Theatre announced today that the cast of the King Lear benefit staged reading starring Olympia Dukakis and directed by Austin Pendleton will include Louis Cancelmi Sarah Kanes Blasted at Soho Rep, Lynn Cohen Sex and the City, Tina Howes Chasing Manet, Dashiell Eaves Becky Shaw, A Behanding In Spokane, Paul Lazar Classic Stage Companys Three Sisters, Silence of the Lambs and George Morfogen Freuds Last Session, CSCs Three Sisters, and HBOs Oz. The cast also includes Elisa Bocanegra, Seth Duerr, Korey Jackson, Albert Jones, Thomas Kopache, James Martinez, Desire Matthews, Anya Migdal, Liam Mitchell and Bobby Plasencia.
- 5/4/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Continuing out 2010 Sundance Film Festival coverage, we are pleased to present you with the poster, images and trailer for "Bass Ackwards." The comedy will have a nationwide digital release on February 1st. Linas Phillips directs and stars alongside fellow writers David-Blue and Jim Fletcher. Also starring are Alex Karpovsky, Andrew Liam Pringle and Christian Palmer. Bass Ackwards is a captivating and consummately human film that reminds us that whatever we think the road is about; the trip is probably about something else. Alternating between scripted action, improvisation, and the unpredictable spontaneity of vérité encounters, the film is the semi-autobiographical story of Linas Phillips, who stars as well as directs. Born of the imagination of Linas and his easy collaboration with old friends, costars, and co-conspirators Davie-Blue, Jim Fletcher, Paul Lazar, and Sean Porter, the film effortlessly and organically crosses the line between reality and fiction, incorporating the people and characters...
- 1/26/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
What are film festivals doing in increase distribution possibilities for their filmmakers and how are they using digital technology to do this and enhance their own position at the same time?
1) Sundance Film Festival is debuting films through VOD under a label called "Sundance Selects". Three films that premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival will debut simultaneously into 40 million Us households, via cable systems and satellite TV. The films will then be available for viewing for 30 days. The films include Michael Winterbottom's and Mat Whitecross's sociopolitical documentary The Shock Doctrine, Benny and Josh Safdie's comedy Daddy Longlegs, and Daniel Grou's drama 7 Days (Les 7 Jours du Talion).
"Moving the storytelling of the Sundance Film Festival beyond 10 days in Utah remains a top priority for us," said actor Robert Redford, founder of the Sundance Institute, about bringing the event to a wider audience, including selected screenings of Sundance films in other Us cities.
1) Sundance Film Festival is debuting films through VOD under a label called "Sundance Selects". Three films that premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival will debut simultaneously into 40 million Us households, via cable systems and satellite TV. The films will then be available for viewing for 30 days. The films include Michael Winterbottom's and Mat Whitecross's sociopolitical documentary The Shock Doctrine, Benny and Josh Safdie's comedy Daddy Longlegs, and Daniel Grou's drama 7 Days (Les 7 Jours du Talion).
"Moving the storytelling of the Sundance Film Festival beyond 10 days in Utah remains a top priority for us," said actor Robert Redford, founder of the Sundance Institute, about bringing the event to a wider audience, including selected screenings of Sundance films in other Us cities.
- 1/22/2010
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
The lucky inaugural eight include: Habib Azar's Armless, Linas Philips's Bass Ackwards, Sultan Sharrief's Bilal’s Stand, Katie Aselton's The Freebie, Barnes Bros' Homewrecker, Adam Bowers's New Low, Michael Mohan's One Too Many Mornings and Eyad Zahra's The Taqwacores - which has nothing to do with the docu film Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam: (same subject, different film). - If you see or hear me calling this the Miranda July's (you'll have to have seen Me and You and Everyone We Know) section it's because of its no greater or lesser than emblem ( < = > ). John Cooper officially had a stroke of genius with the announcement of the section earlier in the year, and the batch of eight shows the festival is certainly getting back into the "indie" spirit of things again or, it will be seen as Sundance stealing some of the...
- 12/22/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
On Wednesday the Sundance Film Festival unveiled the films competing in late January 2010. Yesterday they announced the rest of the line-up of independent films vying for attention for industry types and the curious public.
The entire list of 53 films is below, but here are a few that stood out to me from the premieres alone:
Mumblecore directors the Duplass Brothers, have a new, untitled movie starring an unusually high-profile cast compared to their usual improvisational crew. John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, and Catherine Keener. Reilly and Keener are actually in two films at the 2010 festival.
The Company Men, starring Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Rosemarie DeWitt about corporate downsizing.
Rodrigo Cortes’ Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds as a man buried alive in a coffin. I’ve read the script and its great. More on that as soon as I can.
The Runaways, the...
The entire list of 53 films is below, but here are a few that stood out to me from the premieres alone:
Mumblecore directors the Duplass Brothers, have a new, untitled movie starring an unusually high-profile cast compared to their usual improvisational crew. John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, and Catherine Keener. Reilly and Keener are actually in two films at the 2010 festival.
The Company Men, starring Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Rosemarie DeWitt about corporate downsizing.
Rodrigo Cortes’ Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds as a man buried alive in a coffin. I’ve read the script and its great. More on that as soon as I can.
The Runaways, the...
- 12/5/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Sundance 2010: Next (<=>) One Too Many Mornings by Michael Mohan Film info from the Sundance press release. Armless (Director: Habib Azar; Screenwriter: Kyle Jarrow) — In this off-kilter comedy, a woman comes to terms with her husband’s strange secret. Cast: Daniel London, Janel Moloney, Matt Walton, Zoe Lister-Jones, Laurie Kennedy, Keith Powell. World Premiere Bass Ackwards (Director and screenwriter: Linas Phillips) — After ending a disastrous affair with a married woman, a man embarks on a lyrical, strange and comedic cross-country journey in a modified Vw bus. Cast: Linas Philips, Davie-Blue, Jim Fletcher, Paul Lazar. World Premiere Bilal’s Stand (Director and screenwriter: Sultan Sharrief) — Bilal, a Muslim high school senior in Detroit juggles his [...]...
- 12/4/2009
- by Michele Colbert
- Alt Film Guide
We are 49 days out and counting down to Sundance 2010. Yesterday, we unveiled the list of competition films for the upcoming festival. Today, we have your list of out-of-competition films which include Premieres, Spotlight, New Frontier, and, my personal favorite, Park City at Midnight, which has featured past entries like Black Dynamite, The Descent, and Saw.
Check out next year’s lineup for the out-of-competition films:
Premieres
To showcase the diversity to contemporary independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival Premieres section offers the latest work from American and international directors as well as world premieres of highly anticipated films. Presented by Entertainment Weekly.
Abel / Mexico, USA (Director: Diego Luna; Screenwriters: Diego Luna and Agusto Mendoza)–A peculiar young boy, blurring reality and fantasy, assumes the responsibilities of a family man in his father’s absence. Cast: Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi, Carlos Aragon, Christopher Ruiz-Esparza, Gerardo Ruiz-Esparza. World Premiere
Cane Toads:...
Check out next year’s lineup for the out-of-competition films:
Premieres
To showcase the diversity to contemporary independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival Premieres section offers the latest work from American and international directors as well as world premieres of highly anticipated films. Presented by Entertainment Weekly.
Abel / Mexico, USA (Director: Diego Luna; Screenwriters: Diego Luna and Agusto Mendoza)–A peculiar young boy, blurring reality and fantasy, assumes the responsibilities of a family man in his father’s absence. Cast: Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi, Carlos Aragon, Christopher Ruiz-Esparza, Gerardo Ruiz-Esparza. World Premiere
Cane Toads:...
- 12/4/2009
- by Kirk
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yesterday we got the list for the films playing in competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and today we get the rest of the films that will be featured and there are quite a few that make 2010 look much stronger based on pedigree alone than I have seen in quite some time. Variety has a big write-up detailing the categories and more on the festival right here, but I am just going to offer up the titles and let you sort it all out.
The titles already in the RopeofSilicon database are linked.
Premieres
All films are from the United States unless otherwise noted Abel (Mexico-u.S.), the directorial debut of actor Diego Luna, written by Luna and Agusto Mendoza, about a peculiar young boy who, as he blurs reality and fantasy, takes over the responsibilities of a family man in his father's absence. With Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi,...
The titles already in the RopeofSilicon database are linked.
Premieres
All films are from the United States unless otherwise noted Abel (Mexico-u.S.), the directorial debut of actor Diego Luna, written by Luna and Agusto Mendoza, about a peculiar young boy who, as he blurs reality and fantasy, takes over the responsibilities of a family man in his father's absence. With Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi,...
- 12/3/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
In addition to the competition titles which were announced yesterday, Sundance has announced the remainder of their line-up and it includes some titles we’re already familiar with along with a huge number of premieres.
Also on the docket are two new series: Next which showcases low/no budget films and Spotlight which highlights films which festival programmers deem worthy of extra love including Enter the Void (review) and Lourdes (the trailer for which I really liked).
I’m particularly excited to see some of the titles in the New Frontier program but overall, the line-up is an impressive one but the Kristen Stewart fan in me is excited to see her turn as Joan Jett in The Runaways and I think it’s fair to say we’re all dying to see Vincenzo Natali’s hotly anticipated Splice (trailer).
In the Midnight section, Adam Green's Frozen is sounding mighty find,...
Also on the docket are two new series: Next which showcases low/no budget films and Spotlight which highlights films which festival programmers deem worthy of extra love including Enter the Void (review) and Lourdes (the trailer for which I really liked).
I’m particularly excited to see some of the titles in the New Frontier program but overall, the line-up is an impressive one but the Kristen Stewart fan in me is excited to see her turn as Joan Jett in The Runaways and I think it’s fair to say we’re all dying to see Vincenzo Natali’s hotly anticipated Splice (trailer).
In the Midnight section, Adam Green's Frozen is sounding mighty find,...
- 12/3/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Sundance released their slate for 2010. It includes:43 documentaries on the Middle East12 films about friends who 'discover' something33 movies about people you've never heard about1 comedyHopefully the lineup this year is strong but it doesn't look that way compared to last year. Last year we had Push (Precious), that Lil Wayne documentary that never went anywhere, Mystery Team which might make my top ten, Moon, Mike Tyson documentary, Cold Souls. Just so much last January that was excellent. I hope I don't go out therer and freeze my tail off just to see...I don't know, a documentary about a former Pakistani prime minister or something silly like that.Here's the lineup so far: Premieres To showcase the diversity to contemporary independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival Premieres section offers the latest work from American and international directors as well as world premieres of highly anticipated films. Presented by Entertainment Weekly.
- 12/3/2009
- LRMonline.com
The Sundance Film Festival's competition lineup for 2010, announced Wednesday, might demand that audiences wear their serious caps. But the out-of-competition selections allow programmers and viewers to cut loose a little.
The 53 films that populate this year's Premieres, Next, Spotlight, Park City at Midnight and New Frontier sections run the gamut from the cosmically experimental to the star-studded and silly. There is indeed something for everyone at this year's event, which runs Jan. 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
As usual, Premieres collects work involving the industry's higher-profile talent, none more so than John Wells' feature directorial debut, "The Company Men," which stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper. Mexican actor Diego Luna's directorial debut, "Abel," will screen, as will Philip Seymour Hoffman's "Jack Goes Boating."
Michael Winterbottom has the rare distinction of having two films in...
The 53 films that populate this year's Premieres, Next, Spotlight, Park City at Midnight and New Frontier sections run the gamut from the cosmically experimental to the star-studded and silly. There is indeed something for everyone at this year's event, which runs Jan. 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
As usual, Premieres collects work involving the industry's higher-profile talent, none more so than John Wells' feature directorial debut, "The Company Men," which stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper. Mexican actor Diego Luna's directorial debut, "Abel," will screen, as will Philip Seymour Hoffman's "Jack Goes Boating."
Michael Winterbottom has the rare distinction of having two films in...
- 12/3/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This has certainly been the year for a new approach to mafia stories, with "Analyze This" and HBO's "The Sopranos" scoring well with audiences and critics alike. Now comes comedy "Mickey Blue Eyes", a routine Hugh Grant vehicle that fails to measure up to its two predecessors. This Warner Bros. release from Castle Rock should prove a good test of Grant's boxoffice appeal, since at the end of the day that is what's going to pull in audiences for this film.
There are, to be sure, fine performances from veterans James Caan and Burt Young to give backbone to a limp screenplay. But the laughs dry up early, and the script's structural shortcomings prove a drag on the fun that should have accompanied this fish-out-of-water tale.
When Grant, an Englishman who runs a New York auction house, proposes to Jeanne Tripplehorn, his girlfriend of three months, he discovers he's marrying into the mob. Early on, the film gets comic mileage out of the introductions of various family members, all straight out of "The Godfather".
Indeed "Godfather" star Caan plays Tripplehorn's father, all charm to mask his malignant side. Young, outfitted with huge, Coke-bottle glasses, is an underworld boss who seizes upon the auction-house business as a unique way to launder mob money.
Others come up to shake Grant's already shaking hand: Paul Lazar, his fiancee's odd brother; John Ventimiglia, Young's hot-tempered son; Joe Viterelli, who has built a career playing mafia henchmen; and other back-pounding family members and humorless FBI agents.
But it becomes swiftly apparent that these characters, drawn from other movies, will never find a home in this film. "Mickey Blue Eyes" never enters into their lives to learn what a 1999 gangster is like. Adam Scheinman and Robert Kuhn's screenplay is content to leave the characters as mere parodies of people encountered in 25-year-old movies.
Once the introductions are over, Scheinman and Kuhn search desperately for a story to tell. But the one they come up with relies so heavily on contrivance and coincidence that even the most forgiving audience member is going to notice those gaping plot holes.
And while murder, torture and vengeance can and have been a source of comedy in many films, young Canadian director Kelly Makin ("Brain Candy") is unable to find the right tone to convey much humor in this movie's ruthless malevolence. Instead, he depends on a soundtrack lifted virtually intact from wonderful Italian-American comedy "Big Night" to convince us that this mafia family is whimsically grotesque.
Further compromising the film is Grant's unwillingness to explore the central character beyond the superficial acting techniques he brings to all his recent comedy parts. If there is any difference between his approach to this role and his work in "Notting Hill" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral", it is undetectable to the naked eye.
Tripplehorn is left out of the picture for long stretches, so she has little impact. James Fox, as the auction-house owner, is often amusing but is also underutilized. Caan comes off best, investing a shallowly written character with a vulnerability and caring spirit despite his tough-guy exterior.
MICKEY BLUE EYES
Warner Bros.
Castle Rock Entertainment
Presents a Simian Films Prod.
Producers: Elizabeth Hurley, Charles Mulvehill
Director: Kelly Makin
Writers: Adam Scheinman, Robert Kuhn
Director of Photography: Donald E. Thorin
Production Design: Gregory P. Keen
Music: Basil Poledouris
Costume design: Ellen Mirojnick
Editor: David Freeman
Color/stereo
Cast:
Michael Felgate: Hugh Grant
Frank Vitale: James Caan
Gina Vitale: Jeanne Tripplehorn
Vito Graziosi: Burt Young
Philip Cromwell: James Fox
Vinnie: Joe Viterelli
Agent Connell: Gerry Becker
Carol: Maddie Corman
Running time -- 103 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
There are, to be sure, fine performances from veterans James Caan and Burt Young to give backbone to a limp screenplay. But the laughs dry up early, and the script's structural shortcomings prove a drag on the fun that should have accompanied this fish-out-of-water tale.
When Grant, an Englishman who runs a New York auction house, proposes to Jeanne Tripplehorn, his girlfriend of three months, he discovers he's marrying into the mob. Early on, the film gets comic mileage out of the introductions of various family members, all straight out of "The Godfather".
Indeed "Godfather" star Caan plays Tripplehorn's father, all charm to mask his malignant side. Young, outfitted with huge, Coke-bottle glasses, is an underworld boss who seizes upon the auction-house business as a unique way to launder mob money.
Others come up to shake Grant's already shaking hand: Paul Lazar, his fiancee's odd brother; John Ventimiglia, Young's hot-tempered son; Joe Viterelli, who has built a career playing mafia henchmen; and other back-pounding family members and humorless FBI agents.
But it becomes swiftly apparent that these characters, drawn from other movies, will never find a home in this film. "Mickey Blue Eyes" never enters into their lives to learn what a 1999 gangster is like. Adam Scheinman and Robert Kuhn's screenplay is content to leave the characters as mere parodies of people encountered in 25-year-old movies.
Once the introductions are over, Scheinman and Kuhn search desperately for a story to tell. But the one they come up with relies so heavily on contrivance and coincidence that even the most forgiving audience member is going to notice those gaping plot holes.
And while murder, torture and vengeance can and have been a source of comedy in many films, young Canadian director Kelly Makin ("Brain Candy") is unable to find the right tone to convey much humor in this movie's ruthless malevolence. Instead, he depends on a soundtrack lifted virtually intact from wonderful Italian-American comedy "Big Night" to convince us that this mafia family is whimsically grotesque.
Further compromising the film is Grant's unwillingness to explore the central character beyond the superficial acting techniques he brings to all his recent comedy parts. If there is any difference between his approach to this role and his work in "Notting Hill" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral", it is undetectable to the naked eye.
Tripplehorn is left out of the picture for long stretches, so she has little impact. James Fox, as the auction-house owner, is often amusing but is also underutilized. Caan comes off best, investing a shallowly written character with a vulnerability and caring spirit despite his tough-guy exterior.
MICKEY BLUE EYES
Warner Bros.
Castle Rock Entertainment
Presents a Simian Films Prod.
Producers: Elizabeth Hurley, Charles Mulvehill
Director: Kelly Makin
Writers: Adam Scheinman, Robert Kuhn
Director of Photography: Donald E. Thorin
Production Design: Gregory P. Keen
Music: Basil Poledouris
Costume design: Ellen Mirojnick
Editor: David Freeman
Color/stereo
Cast:
Michael Felgate: Hugh Grant
Frank Vitale: James Caan
Gina Vitale: Jeanne Tripplehorn
Vito Graziosi: Burt Young
Philip Cromwell: James Fox
Vinnie: Joe Viterelli
Agent Connell: Gerry Becker
Carol: Maddie Corman
Running time -- 103 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 8/13/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Creatives vs. managers. That's a battle the entertainment industry can certainly identify with and, happily, this brainy comedy at the Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival extends its comic outlook to just about every profession.
A devilishly funny send-up of advertising, big-agency style, "Suits" could pocket some significant change for a distributor willing to take a chance on a low-budget, anti-establishment satire whose appeal could certainly be milked in college towns. Any upper-level English, journalism or liberal arts major contemplating a job in the big, bad, entry-level world (possibly in advertising or media) could get a kick out of this cheeky comedy.
Indeed, "Suits" is the saga of one Ken Tuttle (Randy Pearlstein), a recent literature grad toiling away at a big-time ad agency in Manhattan. He's writing copy for the sale of such staples as batteries, deodorants and now, female hygiene articles, and he fears he's turned into a hack.
Like most successful business organizations, the agency is middle-managed by suits, power-mongers who look good in meetings. The actual work is done by the creatives, the motley gaggle of writers and goof-offs who come up with the actual product, in this case the ad campaigns. Essentially, the conflict in "Suits" is the war between the MBA-ish suits and the countercultural creatives. Sound familiar?
Fortunately, filmmaker Eric Weber, who toiled long in the ad game himself, has doled out a generally even-handed comedy, seeing humor on both sides and poking crazy fun at the stiffness of the suits and the immaturity of the creatives. It's often deliriously funny, more than a little bawdy and, in general, a consistently entertaining work.
It's the talented, well-chosen cast that fleshes out "Suits" to credible, comedic dimension, including Pearlstein's subtle portrayal of the conflicted copywriter. Special praise also to Robert Klein for his convincing turn as the agency head whose smarts and instincts keep the agency on course. Tony Hendra is wonderful as a talented creative director whose inner demons do daily battle with his writing talents; Paul Lazar is amusing as an untalented dweeb who kowtows to management; Ingrid Rogers is winning as a somewhat insecure and defensive "creative"; Mark Lake is so credible in his three pieces as a kiss-ass suit that you'd think he just got his MBA from Stanford last spring; and Eben More is hilarious as a prissy back-stabber.
"Suits" is Savile Row in its cut and look, owing to cinematographer Peter Nelson's comic compositions and costume designer Ivan Ingermann's daffy fits.
SUITS
Tenafly Films
Producer: Chris Giordano
Screenwriter-director: Eric Weber
Executive producer: Eric Weber
Director of photography: Peter Nelson
Editor: Nancy Novack
Art director: Pam Shamshiri
Costume designer: Ivan Ingermann
Music supervisors: Lisa Gottheil, Naomi Puterman
Music: Pat Irwin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tom Cranston: Robert Klein
George Parkyn: Tony Hendra
Peter Haverford: Larry Pine
Mitchell Mitnick: Paul Lazar
Ken Tuttle: Randy Pearlstein
Anita Tanner: Ingrid Rogers
Doug Humphrey: James Villemaire
Harson Covington: Mark Lake
Heidi Wilson: Joelle Carter
Rodney De Mole: Eben More
Robert Naylor Sr.: Frank Minucci
Rober Naylor Jr.: Cary Prusa
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
A devilishly funny send-up of advertising, big-agency style, "Suits" could pocket some significant change for a distributor willing to take a chance on a low-budget, anti-establishment satire whose appeal could certainly be milked in college towns. Any upper-level English, journalism or liberal arts major contemplating a job in the big, bad, entry-level world (possibly in advertising or media) could get a kick out of this cheeky comedy.
Indeed, "Suits" is the saga of one Ken Tuttle (Randy Pearlstein), a recent literature grad toiling away at a big-time ad agency in Manhattan. He's writing copy for the sale of such staples as batteries, deodorants and now, female hygiene articles, and he fears he's turned into a hack.
Like most successful business organizations, the agency is middle-managed by suits, power-mongers who look good in meetings. The actual work is done by the creatives, the motley gaggle of writers and goof-offs who come up with the actual product, in this case the ad campaigns. Essentially, the conflict in "Suits" is the war between the MBA-ish suits and the countercultural creatives. Sound familiar?
Fortunately, filmmaker Eric Weber, who toiled long in the ad game himself, has doled out a generally even-handed comedy, seeing humor on both sides and poking crazy fun at the stiffness of the suits and the immaturity of the creatives. It's often deliriously funny, more than a little bawdy and, in general, a consistently entertaining work.
It's the talented, well-chosen cast that fleshes out "Suits" to credible, comedic dimension, including Pearlstein's subtle portrayal of the conflicted copywriter. Special praise also to Robert Klein for his convincing turn as the agency head whose smarts and instincts keep the agency on course. Tony Hendra is wonderful as a talented creative director whose inner demons do daily battle with his writing talents; Paul Lazar is amusing as an untalented dweeb who kowtows to management; Ingrid Rogers is winning as a somewhat insecure and defensive "creative"; Mark Lake is so credible in his three pieces as a kiss-ass suit that you'd think he just got his MBA from Stanford last spring; and Eben More is hilarious as a prissy back-stabber.
"Suits" is Savile Row in its cut and look, owing to cinematographer Peter Nelson's comic compositions and costume designer Ivan Ingermann's daffy fits.
SUITS
Tenafly Films
Producer: Chris Giordano
Screenwriter-director: Eric Weber
Executive producer: Eric Weber
Director of photography: Peter Nelson
Editor: Nancy Novack
Art director: Pam Shamshiri
Costume designer: Ivan Ingermann
Music supervisors: Lisa Gottheil, Naomi Puterman
Music: Pat Irwin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tom Cranston: Robert Klein
George Parkyn: Tony Hendra
Peter Haverford: Larry Pine
Mitchell Mitnick: Paul Lazar
Ken Tuttle: Randy Pearlstein
Anita Tanner: Ingrid Rogers
Doug Humphrey: James Villemaire
Harson Covington: Mark Lake
Heidi Wilson: Joelle Carter
Rodney De Mole: Eben More
Robert Naylor Sr.: Frank Minucci
Rober Naylor Jr.: Cary Prusa
Running time -- 88 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/13/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cross "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with "The Magnificent Seven", and you get some idea of this truly bizarre western, which received its world premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival. Set for commercial release in April, this Mario Van Peebles starrer, which he also scripted, will prove a significant challenge to market. Cable seems a safer bet.
"Los Locos" was directed by French-Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee, who a couple of years ago scored a success at the festival (and a commercial hit in Canada) with his contemporary thriller "Liste Noir". He handles the reins of this western with surprising ease and manages to make the film look much more expensive than its $2.4 million budget. It should not be long before Hollywood beckons.
Van Peebles plays Chance, a disgraced scout who, when we first see him, is recovering from the effects of a tar and feathering, inflicted when he misled his military platoon during battle. He's nursed back to health by the loincloth-wearing Buck (Paul Lazar), one of six "locos" who reside in a mission led by the dictatorial Sister Drexel (Rusty Schwimmer).
When he recovers, Chance is recruited to lead the sister and her mentally challenged flock to their new home across the desert. During the treacherous journey, Chance and the locos encounter a series of adventures and violent confrontations, capped by a brutal battle with a group of nasty bandits. Along the way, Chance finds time for a romantic bath with the beautiful Allison (Melora Walters), who is eager to be impregnated. Through Chance's positive influence, the locos eventually emerge from their shell and fight like warriors.
The film is mostly a routine western, made distinctive only by its bizarre cast of characters. Unfortunately, the filmmakers were unable to resist infusing the movie with a severe case of the cutes, resulting in what often resembles a hyperviolent version of the 1966 hit "King of Hearts".
Van Peebles, though he brings his usual charisma and likability to his role, is mainly reduced to playing straight man to the rambunctious cast, which includes Rene Auberjonois as a mild-mannered autistic who late in the game realizes he has the heart (and skills) of a gunslinger. The film would seem to have pretensions to examine the need for tolerance of the mentally ill, but its serious aspirations are lost amid the gunplay.
LOS LOCOS
Gramercy Pictures
A Propaganda Films/
Van Peebles Films production
Producers Mario Van Peebles, John Vohlers
Executive producer Allan Poul
Director Jean-Marc Vallec
Screenplay Mario Van Peebles
Director of photography Pierre Gill
Editor Jean-Marc Vallee
Music Leslie Barber
Sound Bruce Nazarian
Art direction Greta Grigorian
Casting Christine Sheaks
Color/stereo
Cast:
Chance Mario Van Peebles
Allison Melora Walters
The president Rene Auberjonois
Buck Paul Lazar
Batista Danny Trejo
Baby Brother Tom Dorfmeister
Spackman Eric Winzenreid
Sister Drexel Rusty Schwimmer
Running time -- 100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Los Locos" was directed by French-Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee, who a couple of years ago scored a success at the festival (and a commercial hit in Canada) with his contemporary thriller "Liste Noir". He handles the reins of this western with surprising ease and manages to make the film look much more expensive than its $2.4 million budget. It should not be long before Hollywood beckons.
Van Peebles plays Chance, a disgraced scout who, when we first see him, is recovering from the effects of a tar and feathering, inflicted when he misled his military platoon during battle. He's nursed back to health by the loincloth-wearing Buck (Paul Lazar), one of six "locos" who reside in a mission led by the dictatorial Sister Drexel (Rusty Schwimmer).
When he recovers, Chance is recruited to lead the sister and her mentally challenged flock to their new home across the desert. During the treacherous journey, Chance and the locos encounter a series of adventures and violent confrontations, capped by a brutal battle with a group of nasty bandits. Along the way, Chance finds time for a romantic bath with the beautiful Allison (Melora Walters), who is eager to be impregnated. Through Chance's positive influence, the locos eventually emerge from their shell and fight like warriors.
The film is mostly a routine western, made distinctive only by its bizarre cast of characters. Unfortunately, the filmmakers were unable to resist infusing the movie with a severe case of the cutes, resulting in what often resembles a hyperviolent version of the 1966 hit "King of Hearts".
Van Peebles, though he brings his usual charisma and likability to his role, is mainly reduced to playing straight man to the rambunctious cast, which includes Rene Auberjonois as a mild-mannered autistic who late in the game realizes he has the heart (and skills) of a gunslinger. The film would seem to have pretensions to examine the need for tolerance of the mentally ill, but its serious aspirations are lost amid the gunplay.
LOS LOCOS
Gramercy Pictures
A Propaganda Films/
Van Peebles Films production
Producers Mario Van Peebles, John Vohlers
Executive producer Allan Poul
Director Jean-Marc Vallec
Screenplay Mario Van Peebles
Director of photography Pierre Gill
Editor Jean-Marc Vallee
Music Leslie Barber
Sound Bruce Nazarian
Art direction Greta Grigorian
Casting Christine Sheaks
Color/stereo
Cast:
Chance Mario Van Peebles
Allison Melora Walters
The president Rene Auberjonois
Buck Paul Lazar
Batista Danny Trejo
Baby Brother Tom Dorfmeister
Spackman Eric Winzenreid
Sister Drexel Rusty Schwimmer
Running time -- 100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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