“I killed Liz. I killed the teen dream. “Deal with it.”
Every high school has them: the beautiful ones. Glamorous, popular, happy, and thriving, these teenage dream girls rise to the top of any social environment and effortlessly achieve anything they put their minds to. Serving as both role models and fashion plates, they’re worshiped and revered by the rest of the school who grasp for scraps of their exorbitant power. While there have always been mean girls who also happen to be popular, this cinematic archetype arguably dates back to the weaponized girlie pop perfection of Darren Stein‘s Jawbreaker . Closing out the 20th century, this high camp film originated the now iconic hot girl walk while exploring the hell of teenage girlhood.
The social scene of Reagan High School bows to a foursome of gorgeous queen bees. While Courtney (Rose McGowan) rules the school with a patented brand of kink-tinged high-fashion cruelty,...
Every high school has them: the beautiful ones. Glamorous, popular, happy, and thriving, these teenage dream girls rise to the top of any social environment and effortlessly achieve anything they put their minds to. Serving as both role models and fashion plates, they’re worshiped and revered by the rest of the school who grasp for scraps of their exorbitant power. While there have always been mean girls who also happen to be popular, this cinematic archetype arguably dates back to the weaponized girlie pop perfection of Darren Stein‘s Jawbreaker . Closing out the 20th century, this high camp film originated the now iconic hot girl walk while exploring the hell of teenage girlhood.
The social scene of Reagan High School bows to a foursome of gorgeous queen bees. While Courtney (Rose McGowan) rules the school with a patented brand of kink-tinged high-fashion cruelty,...
- 9/24/2024
- by Jenn Adams
- bloody-disgusting.com
“The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” has quickly become a Halloween season staple on horror streaming service Shudder, and that continues with season six’s premiere this October. Today brings the annoucement of the new cast ahead of the upcoming season’s arrival.
The series and its hosts return for a supersized, hour and a half-long season six premiere episode on Tuesday, October 1 on Shudder and AMC+. Following the premiere, all-new hour-long episodes will debut weekly on Tuesdays.
Dubbed “Season 666,” the next chapter of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is the most ambitious and terrifying yet, with world-renowned actors and directors joining the judges’ panel, raising the stakes to hellish new heights. Every episode promises spine-chilling, extreme physical feats that will push the cast of drag superstars to confront their darkest fears. This 10-episode season is bigger, bloodier, and more brutal than anything that’s come before, featuring expanded “on location” challenges, twisted new themes for the floorshows,...
The series and its hosts return for a supersized, hour and a half-long season six premiere episode on Tuesday, October 1 on Shudder and AMC+. Following the premiere, all-new hour-long episodes will debut weekly on Tuesdays.
Dubbed “Season 666,” the next chapter of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is the most ambitious and terrifying yet, with world-renowned actors and directors joining the judges’ panel, raising the stakes to hellish new heights. Every episode promises spine-chilling, extreme physical feats that will push the cast of drag superstars to confront their darkest fears. This 10-episode season is bigger, bloodier, and more brutal than anything that’s come before, featuring expanded “on location” challenges, twisted new themes for the floorshows,...
- 9/10/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Boulet Brothers‘ Dragula is returning for a sixth season this fall!
Just in time for Halloween, the new season will debut on Shudder and AMC+ in October, featuring a new batch of drag performers competing throughout ten episodes.
“This season, we’re pushing the boundaries of what horror and drag can be. Expect the unexpected, because we’re dragging our monsters deeper into the darkness than ever before,” Dracmorda Boulet shared in a statement.
“Each season we strive to unearth the most terrifying and innovative talent, and this year, the competition is deadlier, the challenges are more brutal, the artistry is unmatched, and the fear is real,” Swanthula Boulet adds.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s a season six synopsis: Dubbed “Season 666,” the next chapter of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is the most ambitious and terrifying yet, with world-renowned actors and directors joining the judges’ panel, raising...
Just in time for Halloween, the new season will debut on Shudder and AMC+ in October, featuring a new batch of drag performers competing throughout ten episodes.
“This season, we’re pushing the boundaries of what horror and drag can be. Expect the unexpected, because we’re dragging our monsters deeper into the darkness than ever before,” Dracmorda Boulet shared in a statement.
“Each season we strive to unearth the most terrifying and innovative talent, and this year, the competition is deadlier, the challenges are more brutal, the artistry is unmatched, and the fear is real,” Swanthula Boulet adds.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s a season six synopsis: Dubbed “Season 666,” the next chapter of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is the most ambitious and terrifying yet, with world-renowned actors and directors joining the judges’ panel, raising...
- 9/6/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
A quarter of a century later, the high camp fashion of 1999’s Jawbreaker still has a chokehold on fans of the cult classic.
While reuniting for the Darren Stein-helmed teen movie’s 25th anniversary, Jawbreaker stars Judy Greer and Julie Benz looked back on their wardrobe from the set of the film and what they took home.
“I had some clothes for a little while, but I don’t remember what happened to them,” Greer told People after playing Fern Mayo, an awkward nerd who gets made over into the popular Vylette. “I had one of my ‘Vylette’ posters and I think it’s in a big tub of work mementos.”
Benz, who played mean girl minion Marcie “Foxy” Fox, recalled she “got to keep one outfit and it was the red, lacy, yellowy-orange top and skirt, and I think I wore that like 80 times until it fell apart.
While reuniting for the Darren Stein-helmed teen movie’s 25th anniversary, Jawbreaker stars Judy Greer and Julie Benz looked back on their wardrobe from the set of the film and what they took home.
“I had some clothes for a little while, but I don’t remember what happened to them,” Greer told People after playing Fern Mayo, an awkward nerd who gets made over into the popular Vylette. “I had one of my ‘Vylette’ posters and I think it’s in a big tub of work mementos.”
Benz, who played mean girl minion Marcie “Foxy” Fox, recalled she “got to keep one outfit and it was the red, lacy, yellowy-orange top and skirt, and I think I wore that like 80 times until it fell apart.
- 7/16/2024
- by Glenn Garner
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Marketing executive and entrepreneur Akbar Hamid in collaboration with indie film distribution executive Evan Schwartz are set to launch F.L.U.I.D., a production company, film fund and community resource dedicated to centering Lgbtqia+ filmmakers, storytellers and artists.
F.L.U.I.D. will formally launch Friday with an event following the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ 25th anniversary screening and cast reunion of the 1999 cult classic Jawbreaker, written and directed by Darren Stein. F.L.U.I.D. is a community partner for the event, part of its mission is to showcase the growing demand for compelling queer narratives to the underserved Lgbtqia+ audience.
F.L.U.I.D. — the acronym stands for “Fierce, Liberating, Unique Intersection of Diversity” — is envisioned as a collective of exclusively Lgbtqia+ creators, producers, talent and community advocates who share a commitment to authentic representation for marginalized voices. The company plans to fundraise this year with efforts to invest...
F.L.U.I.D. will formally launch Friday with an event following the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ 25th anniversary screening and cast reunion of the 1999 cult classic Jawbreaker, written and directed by Darren Stein. F.L.U.I.D. is a community partner for the event, part of its mission is to showcase the growing demand for compelling queer narratives to the underserved Lgbtqia+ audience.
F.L.U.I.D. — the acronym stands for “Fierce, Liberating, Unique Intersection of Diversity” — is envisioned as a collective of exclusively Lgbtqia+ creators, producers, talent and community advocates who share a commitment to authentic representation for marginalized voices. The company plans to fundraise this year with efforts to invest...
- 7/11/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Meaner Than “Mean Girls.” Hotter Than “Heathers.” Better Than Barbenheimer.
I feel like kind of a basic bitch recommending “Jawbreaker” for After Dark. Don’t get me wrong: Darren Stein’s fiendishly messed-up mean girl movie from 1999 is absolutely worth canonizing as one of the all-time great midnight movies, and generally speaking, I’ll find — and use — any excuse to rewatch this camp masterpiece faster than Carol Kane can say, “Be nice, girls.”
But it feels borderline obvious to suggest this bonafide cult classic and ode to candy-coated cruelty, widely...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Meaner Than “Mean Girls.” Hotter Than “Heathers.” Better Than Barbenheimer.
I feel like kind of a basic bitch recommending “Jawbreaker” for After Dark. Don’t get me wrong: Darren Stein’s fiendishly messed-up mean girl movie from 1999 is absolutely worth canonizing as one of the all-time great midnight movies, and generally speaking, I’ll find — and use — any excuse to rewatch this camp masterpiece faster than Carol Kane can say, “Be nice, girls.”
But it feels borderline obvious to suggest this bonafide cult classic and ode to candy-coated cruelty, widely...
- 8/5/2023
- by Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Stealth Survival Horror is headed your way with Vincent Lade’s Jawbreaker. Not to be confused with the Darren Stein film, the game is inspired by the likes of Outlast, Alien Isolation and Resident Evil. Jawbreaker already has a demo available on Steam and itch.io, with a release date of Q4 2023.
Jawbreaker takes place in the alternate future of 2028, where after an economic collapse in the United States results in the “Awakening”, where the average person is driven to join any armed group that will have them in order to fight for supplies and territory. You play as one such member of a gang in New Citadel City. Supplies are running low in your bunker, and you’ve volunteered to venture out into the concrete ruins of the city to loot for anything to bring back. During your expedition, an untouched police station catches your eye. Breaking into the station,...
Jawbreaker takes place in the alternate future of 2028, where after an economic collapse in the United States results in the “Awakening”, where the average person is driven to join any armed group that will have them in order to fight for supplies and territory. You play as one such member of a gang in New Citadel City. Supplies are running low in your bunker, and you’ve volunteered to venture out into the concrete ruins of the city to loot for anything to bring back. During your expedition, an untouched police station catches your eye. Breaking into the station,...
- 3/26/2023
- by Mike Wilson
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: CBS Studios is developing The Mysterious Mortons, a detective drama series for CBS from Amy Rardin (Charmed), George Northy (Charmed), and Laurie Zaks (Castle), Deadline has learned.
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
The show follows a homicide detective who enlists his quirky family of mystery writers to assist him in cracking the cases that perplex the authorities.
Rardin and Northy will serve as writers and executive producers; Zaks executive produces under her banner Rosewood TV.
Rardin is currently an executive producer/writer on Amazon/Temple Hill’s Teton. She previously served as head writer and co-executive producer on Marvel/Disney+’s Echo, and co-creator/executive producer on the reboot of Charmed for the CW. She also served as co-executive producer and writer for four seasons of Jane The Virgin for the CW and began her staffing career on ABC Family’s Greek. Rardin is repped by Verve and Sugar23.
Northy sold Ozma to Netflix,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
After an exhausting day, sometimes the antidote is turning on Ti West's "X," so we can bask in Maxine's unshakable and b**** courage -- channeling any of that power and strength for ourselves. Other times, we crave a kinder touch and assurances that we're precious too: This is what the goddess Melba May (Park Overall) provides viewers in Darren Stein's directorial feature debut, 1997's "Sparkler." Ok, she's not actually a goddess in the film, but she might as well be! If you've never heard of the low-budget comedy road trip film from the creative mind of "Jawbreaker," it's because it was virtually impossible to find until it hit streaming this month.
Not only does it cast Freddie Prinze Jr. against type as an antagonist heel (which we love to see), but it also stars Jamie Kennedy ("Scream"), Steven Petrarca, and horror legend Veronica Cartwright. What opens up as...
Not only does it cast Freddie Prinze Jr. against type as an antagonist heel (which we love to see), but it also stars Jamie Kennedy ("Scream"), Steven Petrarca, and horror legend Veronica Cartwright. What opens up as...
- 1/27/2023
- by Cass Clarke
- Slash Film
"Let's party!" Strand Releasing has debuted a 2K re-release trailer for a 90s indie dramedy titled Sparkler, made by filmmaker Darren Stein just before he would go on to direct Jawbreaker. It debuted at the 1997 Hamptons Film Festival, only getting a video release later in 1999, but not many people have heard of this. Melba is a Californian trailer-park girl who is said to look for three kings by a phone psychic, and when she meets three guys – Trent, Brad and Joel traveling to Las Vegas, she decides they are those kings and joins them on a trip. In Vegas she meets up with her old high school pal Dottie. The film stars Park Overall as Melba, with Freddie Prinze Jr., Jamie Kennedy, Steven Petrarca, Veronica Cartwright, Grace Zabriskie, Octavia Spencer, Frances Bay, Glenn Shadix, and Sandy Martin. This does not seem as fun as the other 90s classic Vegas comedy Swingers,...
- 12/12/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Happy Thursday, everyone! We’re going to spend today highlighting all the great horror—both new and old—that has come out on home media throughout the year. And to make things easier for everyone, I’ve broken down everything into categories that should hopefully be helpful as you do your holiday shopping this year.
Cheers!
Recent Horror Hits
Pearl
Filmmaker Ti West returns with another chapter from the twisted world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year’s most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X’s iconic villain.
X
At a secluded farmhouse in Texas, a film crew...
Cheers!
Recent Horror Hits
Pearl
Filmmaker Ti West returns with another chapter from the twisted world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year’s most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X’s iconic villain.
X
At a secluded farmhouse in Texas, a film crew...
- 12/1/2022
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
by Nathaniel R
Just give us dark beauty, right?
Challenges on competition reality shows are planned out in advance but sometimes it's fun to imagine they aren't but instead, forced by the previous episode. Last week, when Dragula Titan's competitors were asked to reinterpret a classic horror type for a Halloween party, nobody chose a witch, surely the most common costume of all. So for episode two, witches are the whole theme. Revenge!
For those of you who need a little cinematic referencing in your TV the guest judges were the "Demon Nun" herself Bonnie Aarons and director Darren Stein...
Just give us dark beauty, right?
Challenges on competition reality shows are planned out in advance but sometimes it's fun to imagine they aren't but instead, forced by the previous episode. Last week, when Dragula Titan's competitors were asked to reinterpret a classic horror type for a Halloween party, nobody chose a witch, surely the most common costume of all. So for episode two, witches are the whole theme. Revenge!
For those of you who need a little cinematic referencing in your TV the guest judges were the "Demon Nun" herself Bonnie Aarons and director Darren Stein...
- 11/3/2022
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Hello, everyone! We’re back with the final round of horror and sci-fi home media releases for the month of August, and we’ve got quite a few killer titles headed home today. Scream Factory is giving Paul Schrader’s Cat People remake a 4K overhaul in a brand-new Collector’s Edition release, and Severin Films is keeping busy with several titles today as well, including All About Evil and Fearless, and if you haven’t had a chance to check it out for yourself yet, Jane Schoenbrun’s extremely unsettling We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is headed to Blu-ray this week as well.
Other titles being released on August 30th include Arrow Video’s Giallo Essentials: 3-Disc Limited Edition Collection, Lux Aeterna, Satan’s Children, Jack Be Nimble featuring Alexis Arquette, The Oregonian, Raw Nerve, and Shriek of the Mutilated.
All About Evil: 2-Disc Special Edition
It's...
Other titles being released on August 30th include Arrow Video’s Giallo Essentials: 3-Disc Limited Edition Collection, Lux Aeterna, Satan’s Children, Jack Be Nimble featuring Alexis Arquette, The Oregonian, Raw Nerve, and Shriek of the Mutilated.
All About Evil: 2-Disc Special Edition
It's...
- 8/30/2022
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
For The Sinners, actress Courtney Paige takes the directorial reins on her first feature film to tell the story of a clique of high school girls, known as “The Sins,” who find themselves caught up in the middle of a deadly murder mystery where someone is looking to eliminate the group, one member at a time. Co-written and directed by Paige, The Sinners stars Kaitlyn Bernard, Brenna Coates, Brenna Llewellyn, Lochlyn Munro, Michael Eklund, and Tahmoh Pinikett.
During the recent press day for The Sinners, Daily Dead spoke with Paige about the project, and she discussed the inspiration behind the story, her love for ’90s teen-centric genre movies, the challenges of taking on such an ambitious story for her feature film debut, and more.
The Sinners will be released this Friday, February 19th, courtesy of Brainstorm Media.
Great to speak with you today, Courtney. I really love this idea of...
During the recent press day for The Sinners, Daily Dead spoke with Paige about the project, and she discussed the inspiration behind the story, her love for ’90s teen-centric genre movies, the challenges of taking on such an ambitious story for her feature film debut, and more.
The Sinners will be released this Friday, February 19th, courtesy of Brainstorm Media.
Great to speak with you today, Courtney. I really love this idea of...
- 2/17/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: The CW has put in development Infamous, an action-drama from writers George Northy (Charmed) and Darren Stein (Jawbreaker), and Mike Tollin and his Tollin Productions.
Written by Northy and Stein, Infamous is a take on the thrilling spy drama with a modern, satirical celebrity twist. It is inspired by the true stories of world-famous actors, models and musicians who also happened to moonlight as spies for the Allied Forces in WWII, such as Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr and Josephine Baker just to name a few. In Infamous, celebrities who’ve experienced a devastating fall from grace are recruited by a top-secret arm of the CIA, with the promise to rehab their careers in exchange for using their global access (and eccentric reputations) to perform high-risk missions across the globe.
Tollin Productions’ VP Scripted Programming Maia Glikman is executive producing the project along with Mike Tollin.
Northy and Stein first...
Written by Northy and Stein, Infamous is a take on the thrilling spy drama with a modern, satirical celebrity twist. It is inspired by the true stories of world-famous actors, models and musicians who also happened to moonlight as spies for the Allied Forces in WWII, such as Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr and Josephine Baker just to name a few. In Infamous, celebrities who’ve experienced a devastating fall from grace are recruited by a top-secret arm of the CIA, with the promise to rehab their careers in exchange for using their global access (and eccentric reputations) to perform high-risk missions across the globe.
Tollin Productions’ VP Scripted Programming Maia Glikman is executive producing the project along with Mike Tollin.
Northy and Stein first...
- 12/18/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Scream Queen Caroline Williams joined the Dead for Filth podcast as a special guest for their latest episode. In it, the panel discusses Williams' many accomplishments and more. Also in today's Horror Highlights: Hellbound Hearts: The Dark Art of Clive Barker event at The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies - London and Don't Click production details.
Dead for Filth Podcast Welcomes Caroline Williams: "Scream Queen Caroline Williams is a featured guest on the latest edition of the “Dead For Filth” podcast hosted by the extremely accomplished screenwriter/producer Michael Varrati.
Iconic Scream Queen Caroline Williams began her career in Texas, co-starring for revered cinema master Louis Malle is his Corpus Christi-based film, Alamo Bay. She worked opposite stars Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in what was her first feature film, after only six months of training at the Studio For Actors, under the tutelage of Chris Wilson. She had...
Dead for Filth Podcast Welcomes Caroline Williams: "Scream Queen Caroline Williams is a featured guest on the latest edition of the “Dead For Filth” podcast hosted by the extremely accomplished screenwriter/producer Michael Varrati.
Iconic Scream Queen Caroline Williams began her career in Texas, co-starring for revered cinema master Louis Malle is his Corpus Christi-based film, Alamo Bay. She worked opposite stars Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in what was her first feature film, after only six months of training at the Studio For Actors, under the tutelage of Chris Wilson. She had...
- 4/29/2019
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
” I killed Liz. I killed the teen dream. Deal with it.”
Jawbreaker (1999) screens Wednesday, February 7th at 8pm at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) as part of Webster University’s Award-Winning Strange Brew Film Series. Admission is $5.
What happens when you take the movie Heathers, sprinkle on some Clueless, add a pinch of Carrie, and throw in Pam Grier for good measure? Well, you get the movie Jawbreaker, a forgotten movie from 1999 ripe for rediscovery.
Courtney(Rose Mcgowan), Julie (Rebecca Gayheart),Marcie(Julie Benz) and Liz(Charlotte Ayanna) were the most popular girls at school. But on Liz’s 17th birthday, her friends want to surprise her and kidnap her. But that plan goes wrong, when accidently, Liz chokes on the jawbreaker that her friends stuffed in her mouth to keep her from screaming. Everyone is totally shocked, except cold-hearted Courtney, who just...
Jawbreaker (1999) screens Wednesday, February 7th at 8pm at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) as part of Webster University’s Award-Winning Strange Brew Film Series. Admission is $5.
What happens when you take the movie Heathers, sprinkle on some Clueless, add a pinch of Carrie, and throw in Pam Grier for good measure? Well, you get the movie Jawbreaker, a forgotten movie from 1999 ripe for rediscovery.
Courtney(Rose Mcgowan), Julie (Rebecca Gayheart),Marcie(Julie Benz) and Liz(Charlotte Ayanna) were the most popular girls at school. But on Liz’s 17th birthday, her friends want to surprise her and kidnap her. But that plan goes wrong, when accidently, Liz chokes on the jawbreaker that her friends stuffed in her mouth to keep her from screaming. Everyone is totally shocked, except cold-hearted Courtney, who just...
- 3/1/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Jawbreaker is coming to the small screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, E! is developing a new TV series based on the 1999 film.From writer and director Darren Stein, the dark comedy follows a clique of popular high school girls who accidentally kill their friend during a birthday prank. The film's cast includes Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Rebecca Gayheart, Judy Greer, and Charlotte Ayanna.Read More…...
- 2/18/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Although it never reached the satirical heights of Heathers, or the mainstream popularity of Mean Girls, Darren Stein’s high school black comedy Jawbreaker has earned cult status in recent years, courtesy of some delightfully over-the-top queen bee performances from Rose McGowan and Judy Greer. Now, E! has announced that it’s making a TV version of the 1999 film, with Stein set to co-write and executive produce.
The original movie starred McGowan as an icy high school mastermind fighting to hide her accidental murder of her loved and hated best frenemy. The new series will apparently update that premise, centering on “a new clique whose world is rocked by an accidental killing at a bachelorette party.” We can presumably still expect the same escalating series of blackmailings, threats, and withering high school put-downs, though.
Stein’s recent projects include the gay film festival hit G.B.F.; he’s ...
The original movie starred McGowan as an icy high school mastermind fighting to hide her accidental murder of her loved and hated best frenemy. The new series will apparently update that premise, centering on “a new clique whose world is rocked by an accidental killing at a bachelorette party.” We can presumably still expect the same escalating series of blackmailings, threats, and withering high school put-downs, though.
Stein’s recent projects include the gay film festival hit G.B.F.; he’s ...
- 2/16/2017
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
E! is going back to (’90s high) school: The network is developing a series reboot of the 1999 teen film Jawbreaker.
The new project is an hour-long scripted series, our sister site Deadline reports, based on the pitch-black cult hit that starred Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz as status-obsessed teens whose prank turns deadly. The E! reboot will feature a clique of Beverly Hills friends who are forced to keep a terrible secret after a bachelorette party gone wrong.
RelatedCharmed, The Lost Boys Reboots Delayed Until 2018 at The CW
Darren Stein, who wrote and directed the original film,...
The new project is an hour-long scripted series, our sister site Deadline reports, based on the pitch-black cult hit that starred Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz as status-obsessed teens whose prank turns deadly. The E! reboot will feature a clique of Beverly Hills friends who are forced to keep a terrible secret after a bachelorette party gone wrong.
RelatedCharmed, The Lost Boys Reboots Delayed Until 2018 at The CW
Darren Stein, who wrote and directed the original film,...
- 2/16/2017
- TVLine.com
E! has put in development Jawbreaker, a reimagining of the teen cult classic film, as an hourlong scripted series, from Sony TV. The film’s writer-director Darren Stein and George Northy (G.B.F.) are set to co-write the TV adaptation and executive produce. The Jawbreaker series is a wild reimagining of the 1999 film set in the fame-obsessed world of Beverly Hills. The adaptation follows a new clique whose world is rocked by an accidental killing at a bachelorette party…...
- 2/16/2017
- Deadline TV
In arecent interview with Out, filmmaker Darren Stein revealed that he is hard at work on a musical version of his 1999 cult-classic Jawbreaker. He told Out 'There's just so much love for that movie... We're working on the musical version of it and so it's taking on a new iteration for the stage. And there's another film I'm developing from a Ya novel that's very much inspired by Jawbreaker that involves a kidnapping a member of a boyband. Hopefully, I'll be making another dark comedy with crazy fangirls.'...
- 5/19/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
After recently watching Marjane Satrapi’s The Voices –a darkly comedic tale about a nice guy who accidentally stumbles into the life of a serial killer- it got me to thinking about some of my other favorite ‘accidental’ killers from cinema over the years. From Veronica Sawyer to Seymour Krelborn to the lovable hillbillies by the name of Tucker and Dale or even the “Flawless Four” from Jawbreaker, here’s a look at some of my other favorite coincidental murderers.
Be forewarned though, some of this may end up being a bit in the spoiler territory so if you haven’t seen any of these films in particular, you may want to skip ahead just in case.
Veronica Sawyer- Heathers: When your best friends are the bitchiest and most powerful group in your high school, that may be enough to drive anyone to murder. For Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) though,...
Be forewarned though, some of this may end up being a bit in the spoiler territory so if you haven’t seen any of these films in particular, you may want to skip ahead just in case.
Veronica Sawyer- Heathers: When your best friends are the bitchiest and most powerful group in your high school, that may be enough to drive anyone to murder. For Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) though,...
- 2/6/2015
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Lifetime has officially greenlit "Seeds of Yesterday," the fourth and final telemovie in the "Flowers in the Attic" series based on the V.C. Andrews novels. The project is expected to air next year following the third one "If There Be Thorns" in early 2015.
Jason Lewis and Rachael Carpani will reprise their roles as Christopher and Cathy Dollangager from 'Thorns' in the fourth film. The pair take over from Mason Dye and Kiernan Shipka in the first film and Wyatt Nash and Rose McIver in the second.
In 'Seeds', the Dollangager family's deeply troubled relationships, dark secrets and tragedy come to a head in a way that will haunt them forever. James Maslow ("Big Time Rush") will join the cast as Bart Dollanganger.
Shawn Ku will direct from a screenplay written by Darren Stein. Lifetime confirms this will be the final work in the series adapted for the screen despite the...
Jason Lewis and Rachael Carpani will reprise their roles as Christopher and Cathy Dollangager from 'Thorns' in the fourth film. The pair take over from Mason Dye and Kiernan Shipka in the first film and Wyatt Nash and Rose McIver in the second.
In 'Seeds', the Dollangager family's deeply troubled relationships, dark secrets and tragedy come to a head in a way that will haunt them forever. James Maslow ("Big Time Rush") will join the cast as Bart Dollanganger.
Shawn Ku will direct from a screenplay written by Darren Stein. Lifetime confirms this will be the final work in the series adapted for the screen despite the...
- 10/9/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Lifetime cannot get enough of Flowers in the Attic. After the success of the first film and its sequel, Petals on the Wind, Lifetime has greenlit Seeds of Yesterday, which, as fans of the books know, is the fourth installment in the series of novels from V.C. Andrews. Lifetime had previously set the premiere of the third chapter, If There Be Thorns. Here's the official description for Seeds of Yesterday: "The saga of the tormented Dollanganger family comes to an end in Seeds of Yesterday, based on the fourth and final book in V.C. Andrews’ series of novels that began with Flowers in the Attic.
- 10/8/2014
- by Samantha Highfill
- EW - Inside TV
'It's an obnoxiously camp DayGlo assault of a movie, every second of its runtime deep-fried in double entendre'
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view
Studios are often criticised for intentionally misrepresenting their films in an attempt to reach a wider audience than they might do otherwise. It's a fair complaint: millions of people might have been spared Marley & Me had its poster not shied away from depicting the onslaught of postnatal depression and canine euthanasia that made up the film's final act. But ever so often, a film comes along for which misrepresentation is a crucial part of the package. Jawbreaker director Darren Stein goes back to school in Gbf, the story of a newly outed high school senior who finds himself stalked by a trio of would-be prom queens, each of them desperate to secure their own socially appropriate "gay best friend". From the off, it's an...
Reading this on mobile? Click here to view
Studios are often criticised for intentionally misrepresenting their films in an attempt to reach a wider audience than they might do otherwise. It's a fair complaint: millions of people might have been spared Marley & Me had its poster not shied away from depicting the onslaught of postnatal depression and canine euthanasia that made up the film's final act. But ever so often, a film comes along for which misrepresentation is a crucial part of the package. Jawbreaker director Darren Stein goes back to school in Gbf, the story of a newly outed high school senior who finds himself stalked by a trio of would-be prom queens, each of them desperate to secure their own socially appropriate "gay best friend". From the off, it's an...
- 4/19/2014
- by Charlie Lyne
- The Guardian - Film News
Following on from a triumphant showing at the recent BFI Flare festival in London, Darren Stein’s (Jawbreaker) high-school comedy G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend) now makes its way to Blu-ray and DVD, and we had the pleasure of sitting down with the filmmaker, alongside the lead star himself, Michael J. Willet, to discuss the project.
The pair discuss the difficulties in getting a film with a gay protagonist financed in Hollywood, finding an intimacy in such grandiose surroundings, the striking visual experience of the picture – and how being an outsider in real life has helped them both when creating this piece of cinema.
Darren it’s been 14 years since your last feature film. What was it about this particular story that lured you back in?
Darren Stein: It was the script. I’m not interested in making specifically teen films, but this one was so smart and relevant and...
The pair discuss the difficulties in getting a film with a gay protagonist financed in Hollywood, finding an intimacy in such grandiose surroundings, the striking visual experience of the picture – and how being an outsider in real life has helped them both when creating this piece of cinema.
Darren it’s been 14 years since your last feature film. What was it about this particular story that lured you back in?
Darren Stein: It was the script. I’m not interested in making specifically teen films, but this one was so smart and relevant and...
- 4/11/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Chicago – In November of 2013, the 31st annual Chicago Lgbt International Film Festival, also known as “Reeling31,” provided a week long showcase for gay filmmakers. There were many new voices in the mix, and they were on the Red Carpet on opening night of the Fest.
HollywoodChicago.com was on the scene, which took place at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. The stars of the opening night feature film. “G.B.F,” were there for interviews and photos, plus filmmakers and actors from the films “Burning Blue,” “The Happy Sad’ and “Truth” – which were shown throughout the week – also walked the fabled Red Carpet.
The “Reeling” Festival is currently sponsoring a free film series in Chicago, the fourth annual “Cinema Q.” The last week of the series will present “De-Lovely” (2004) – starring Kevin Kline as Cole Porter – on March 26th, 6:30pm, at Chicago’s Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street.
HollywoodChicago.com was on the scene, which took place at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. The stars of the opening night feature film. “G.B.F,” were there for interviews and photos, plus filmmakers and actors from the films “Burning Blue,” “The Happy Sad’ and “Truth” – which were shown throughout the week – also walked the fabled Red Carpet.
The “Reeling” Festival is currently sponsoring a free film series in Chicago, the fourth annual “Cinema Q.” The last week of the series will present “De-Lovely” (2004) – starring Kevin Kline as Cole Porter – on March 26th, 6:30pm, at Chicago’s Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street.
- 3/24/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
In with the in crowd.
The story of a teenager for whom being outed as gay means becoming a must-have fashion accessory, G.B.F. was selected as part of this year’s BFI Flare festival (formerly the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival). I caught up with director Darren Stein and star Michael J Willett whilst they were visiting London for the festival, and asked how they felt about being a part of it.
“I’m so excited!” Michael exclaimed. I love London. I love the history, I love the culture. I haven’t been here since I was in high school so to be back here now with my first movie, that feels really good.”
Darren showed similar enthusiasm, praising the festival and the team behind it. I asked him if he’s a longstanding fan of the high school movie genre.
Even popular girls get lonely.
“I am, I really am!
The story of a teenager for whom being outed as gay means becoming a must-have fashion accessory, G.B.F. was selected as part of this year’s BFI Flare festival (formerly the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival). I caught up with director Darren Stein and star Michael J Willett whilst they were visiting London for the festival, and asked how they felt about being a part of it.
“I’m so excited!” Michael exclaimed. I love London. I love the history, I love the culture. I haven’t been here since I was in high school so to be back here now with my first movie, that feels really good.”
Darren showed similar enthusiasm, praising the festival and the team behind it. I asked him if he’s a longstanding fan of the high school movie genre.
Even popular girls get lonely.
“I am, I really am!
- 3/23/2014
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Starred Up | Labor Day | Yves Saint Laurent | Gbf | The Robber | The Machine | Salvo | The Unknown Known | A Long Way Down
Starred Up (18)
(David Mackenzie, 2013, UK) Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend. 106 mins
We've seen enough prison movies to know the drill, but this is closer to A Prophet than The Great Escape – a bracing mix of brutal thriller, institutional critique and complex character drama. Conviction is key, both in the day-to-day details and the natural performances, particularly O'Connell – a young offender violent enough to be housed with the grown-ups, including his own father. It feels like things could kick off with every scene.
Labor Day (12A)
(Jason Reitman, 2013, Us) Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith. 111 mins
The Juno director tries nuanced domestic drama – and it doesn't really suit him. Erotic tremors are a given when Brolin's escaped convict shacks up with Winslet's lonely single mum, but you'll need to park your disbelief.
Starred Up (18)
(David Mackenzie, 2013, UK) Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend. 106 mins
We've seen enough prison movies to know the drill, but this is closer to A Prophet than The Great Escape – a bracing mix of brutal thriller, institutional critique and complex character drama. Conviction is key, both in the day-to-day details and the natural performances, particularly O'Connell – a young offender violent enough to be housed with the grown-ups, including his own father. It feels like things could kick off with every scene.
Labor Day (12A)
(Jason Reitman, 2013, Us) Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith. 111 mins
The Juno director tries nuanced domestic drama – and it doesn't really suit him. Erotic tremors are a given when Brolin's escaped convict shacks up with Winslet's lonely single mum, but you'll need to park your disbelief.
- 3/22/2014
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Darren Stein’s sparkling comedy G.B.F. is one of those typical American high-school set productions where every character looks like they’re more likely to be picking up their own children from school, rather than actually study there. Nonetheless, this merely sets the precedence for a picture that requires a suspension of disbelief in order to enjoy, in what is a glitzy and ultimately superficial affair – though that’s not to say it’s not rather good fun.
Michael J. Willet plays Tanner, a young, gay student reluctant to come out of the closet, in spite of his best friend Brent’s (Paul Iacono) best efforts to persuade him otherwise. In a rare lapse of concentration, Tanner is accidentally outed, and though expecting a backlash of sorts, instead he becomes one of the most popular guys in school, as the coolest girls, consisting of the likes of Caprice (Xosha Roquemore...
Michael J. Willet plays Tanner, a young, gay student reluctant to come out of the closet, in spite of his best friend Brent’s (Paul Iacono) best efforts to persuade him otherwise. In a rare lapse of concentration, Tanner is accidentally outed, and though expecting a backlash of sorts, instead he becomes one of the most popular guys in school, as the coolest girls, consisting of the likes of Caprice (Xosha Roquemore...
- 3/21/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
London Lgbt film festival reveals full programme; Sundance/Berlin winner 52 Tuesdays booked as closing film; VoD plans.Scroll down for programme highlights
The long-running London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Llgff) is to be renamed BFI Flare: London Lgbt Film Festival in a bid to “reflect the increasing diversity of the programme”.
The British Film Institute (BFI) will also launch a BFI Flare collection on its VoD platform, BFI Player, as well as a monthly screening programme at its BFI Southbank base in London.
The announcements were made last night (Feb 19) at the launch of the 28th edition of the festival, where the full programme was also unveiled. This year’s festival runs March 20-30.
Speaking to ScreenDaily about the name change, BFI deputy head of festivals Tricia Tuttle said: “The festival had outgrown the name. Following an audience consultation last year, 70% came back saying it was time for a change.
“Options considered...
The long-running London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Llgff) is to be renamed BFI Flare: London Lgbt Film Festival in a bid to “reflect the increasing diversity of the programme”.
The British Film Institute (BFI) will also launch a BFI Flare collection on its VoD platform, BFI Player, as well as a monthly screening programme at its BFI Southbank base in London.
The announcements were made last night (Feb 19) at the launch of the 28th edition of the festival, where the full programme was also unveiled. This year’s festival runs March 20-30.
Speaking to ScreenDaily about the name change, BFI deputy head of festivals Tricia Tuttle said: “The festival had outgrown the name. Following an audience consultation last year, 70% came back saying it was time for a change.
“Options considered...
- 2/20/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
"Rated R for sexual references" is the typically tone-deaf ruling from the MPAA flywheels on Darren Stein's comedy G.B.F., a film that has far fewer sexual references than the similarly themed Easy A.
But while the PG-13 Easy A was about a straight teenage girl whose social status drops when she's falsely accused of losing her virginity, G.B.F.'s protagonist, Tanner (Michael J. Willett), is a closeted teenage boy whose social status rises when he's accurately outed as gay, reluctantly becoming arm candy for the popular girls to avoid getting bullied by the jocks.
For an R-rated movie, there's no sex, nudity, or violence, and the only F-bomb is the contextually appropriate "faggot," so here's to hoping lax multiplex security allows teenagers ...
But while the PG-13 Easy A was about a straight teenage girl whose social status drops when she's falsely accused of losing her virginity, G.B.F.'s protagonist, Tanner (Michael J. Willett), is a closeted teenage boy whose social status rises when he's accurately outed as gay, reluctantly becoming arm candy for the popular girls to avoid getting bullied by the jocks.
For an R-rated movie, there's no sex, nudity, or violence, and the only F-bomb is the contextually appropriate "faggot," so here's to hoping lax multiplex security allows teenagers ...
- 1/22/2014
- Village Voice
Editor’s Note: Ed Kennedy is taking a much needed vacation, so we’re asking for help crowdsourcing today’s edition! Got a link, hot news item, Instagram pic etc. you think other readers would enjoy? As long as it’s P.G. rated and safe for work, please share in the comments. Here’s a few items to get the ball rolling…
Sweet indie gay film G.B.F. (read our review here) was given an R rating by the MPAA, and director Darren Stein is not happy about that: “I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie, but we were given an R “For Sexual References” while not having a single F-bomb, hint of nudity or violence in the film. Perhaps the ratings box should more accurately read ‘For Homosexual References’ or ‘Too Many Scenes of Gay Teens Kissing.’ I look forward to a world where queer teens can...
Sweet indie gay film G.B.F. (read our review here) was given an R rating by the MPAA, and director Darren Stein is not happy about that: “I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie, but we were given an R “For Sexual References” while not having a single F-bomb, hint of nudity or violence in the film. Perhaps the ratings box should more accurately read ‘For Homosexual References’ or ‘Too Many Scenes of Gay Teens Kissing.’ I look forward to a world where queer teens can...
- 1/21/2014
- by Dennis Ayers
- The Backlot
Sharp satire cutting through the sweet silliness makes this a refreshing change of pace for teen comedies. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a school where the three reigning popular girls — each hoping to become prom queen — are like “warlords” operating under an uneasy truce, the latest, hippest weapon for dominance is the G.B.F.: the gay best friend. Problem is, in North Gate High doesn’t have any “’mo’s”… or does it? When geeky Tanner (Michael J. Willett), who’s not very fabulous (he’s into comic books) is accidentally outed, he becomes a pawn in the games of Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), ’Shley (Andrea Bowen), and Caprice (Xosha Roquemore: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). (Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch, aka Luna Lovegood, appears here too.) Will he...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a school where the three reigning popular girls — each hoping to become prom queen — are like “warlords” operating under an uneasy truce, the latest, hippest weapon for dominance is the G.B.F.: the gay best friend. Problem is, in North Gate High doesn’t have any “’mo’s”… or does it? When geeky Tanner (Michael J. Willett), who’s not very fabulous (he’s into comic books) is accidentally outed, he becomes a pawn in the games of Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), ’Shley (Andrea Bowen), and Caprice (Xosha Roquemore: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). (Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch, aka Luna Lovegood, appears here too.) Will he...
- 1/17/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Tom Clancy's badass CIA superhero Jack Ryan is back on the big screen this weekend in "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," the new film from director Kenneth Branagh, whose career has taken an odd turn from magisterial Shakespeare adaptations to big-budget action thrillers. In limited release arrive Hirokazu Kore-eda's trenchant family drama "Like Father, Like Son," Darren Stein's warm teen comedy "G.B.F." and Israeli grindhouse "Big Bad Wolves," Quentin Tarantino's favorite film of 2013. Also premiering on Netflix is the Oscar-nominated doc "The Square," with week-long runs kicking off in select cities, and maritime docu "Maidentrip" hits theaters. Trailers below. Though marred by plot holes galore, "Shadow Recruit" benefits from smart casting and the charisma of stars Chris Pine --successor to Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck before him -- and Keira Knightley and Kevin Costner. It's a perfectly fine mid-January release sure to please thrill-seekers as...
- 1/17/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Easy Peasy: Stein Returns to High School Hallways for Sweet Hearted Message Movie
Five years before Mean Girls brought the monstrous high heeled bitch posse back to the forefront of PG-13 blockbuster entertainment, director Darren Stein’s 1999 film Jawbreaker explored the morbid universe of a trio of black hearted murderous maidens in the delightful R tradition of Heathers. In his first feature since then, Stein goes back to the hallways of high school with G.B.F., once again revisiting the formula of the popular female triumvirate, only this time aligning himself with the spirit of John Hughes. Many aspects of high school life may seemingly never change, but Stein’s latest rendering, while extolling a message that seems deliriously obvious to the adult world, cheerfully proposes that even this rigid, socially conditioned environment has had opportunity to grapple with progressive notions of equality.
The three most popular girls in high-school, ‘Shley...
Five years before Mean Girls brought the monstrous high heeled bitch posse back to the forefront of PG-13 blockbuster entertainment, director Darren Stein’s 1999 film Jawbreaker explored the morbid universe of a trio of black hearted murderous maidens in the delightful R tradition of Heathers. In his first feature since then, Stein goes back to the hallways of high school with G.B.F., once again revisiting the formula of the popular female triumvirate, only this time aligning himself with the spirit of John Hughes. Many aspects of high school life may seemingly never change, but Stein’s latest rendering, while extolling a message that seems deliriously obvious to the adult world, cheerfully proposes that even this rigid, socially conditioned environment has had opportunity to grapple with progressive notions of equality.
The three most popular girls in high-school, ‘Shley...
- 1/14/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Ahead of its theatrical release, G.B.F. has shared an exclusive clip with VH1. The movie tells the story of two closeted best friends Tanner, (Michael J. Willett, United States Of Tara) and Brent (Paul Iacono,The Hard Times Of R.J. Berger). While Brent longs for popularity, it’s Tanner who catches the school’s attention when he is accidentally outed. Soon the three most popular girls in school fight to land Tanner as their gay best friend. In the clip above, Tanner unites the queen bees (Sasha Pieterse, Pretty Little Liars; Xosha Roquemore, Precious; and Andrea Bowen, Desperate Housewives) in a “reveal” that recalls the iconic entrance from Jawbreaker.
Because both movies share the same director (Darren Stein) it comes as no surprise there’s a reference to the scene, which turns 15 years old this month. In fact, when asked about the scene made famous by Rose McGowan and...
Because both movies share the same director (Darren Stein) it comes as no surprise there’s a reference to the scene, which turns 15 years old this month. In fact, when asked about the scene made famous by Rose McGowan and...
- 1/14/2014
- by Stacy Lambe
- TheFabLife - Movies
With its impending release just around the corner, director Darren Stein and writer George Northy's "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend) has given Indiewire an exclusive new clip, one that features none other than the hilarious Megan Mullally as the awkward mother of a gay teen (Paul Iacono). "G.B.F." follows the comedic escapades of a group of high school girls determined to make Tanner, the recently-outed boy in school, their new gay best friend. In an attempt to climb the lengthy social ladder, Tanner's new makeover at the hands of the clique queens leads him to his popularity, but forces him to re-evaluate his priorities, his friendships and ultimately his identity. Currently on DirecTV, "G.B.F." gets its theatrical release on January 17, 2014. Check out the clip below:...
- 1/10/2014
- by Ziyad Saadi
- Indiewire
G.B.F., a cunning new comedy from Jawbreaker director Darren Stein, is a minor high-school flick, but also an inherently modern one. It is bolstered by a refreshing premise and a sharp cast who overcome some of the absurdity and clutter in George Northy’s debut script. The acronym of the title stands for “gay best friend,” which leads the viewer to expect a depiction of contemporary high-school drama that could be too hip or condescending. As it turns out though, G.B.F. is neither, instead, it’s merely happy to embrace its gay-positive values and is just smart enough to make us laugh at some of the stereotypes it skewers.
The film’s plot, if anything, depends on the trendsetters. As gay protagonist Tanner (Michael J. Willett) tells the audience, there is something about being first in high school. It turns out that Tanner’s first is, to him, an embarrassing...
The film’s plot, if anything, depends on the trendsetters. As gay protagonist Tanner (Michael J. Willett) tells the audience, there is something about being first in high school. It turns out that Tanner’s first is, to him, an embarrassing...
- 1/10/2014
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
Utah flails around for stay of marriage equality as hundreds marry, gay life in Sochi, Matt Bomer Christmas cards
Charlie Sheen unleashed a rant on Phil Robertson via Twitter that is pretty epic. For a medium that specializes in 140 characters, Sheen went on for quite a while, but the beginning starts out with “Hey Mallard brained Phil Robertso! you have offended and hurt so many dear friends of mine, who Do Not have the voice or the outreach that I do. I will speak loudly and clearly for All of them, adding, “So, just when your desperately sub evolved a** thought the pressure was off, you are now in the crosshairs of a MaSheen style media beat down.”
Darren Stein, the director for beloved teen movie G.B.F. is fairly upset that the MPAA recently rated his film “R.” “I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie. Unfortunately we were...
Charlie Sheen unleashed a rant on Phil Robertson via Twitter that is pretty epic. For a medium that specializes in 140 characters, Sheen went on for quite a while, but the beginning starts out with “Hey Mallard brained Phil Robertso! you have offended and hurt so many dear friends of mine, who Do Not have the voice or the outreach that I do. I will speak loudly and clearly for All of them, adding, “So, just when your desperately sub evolved a** thought the pressure was off, you are now in the crosshairs of a MaSheen style media beat down.”
Darren Stein, the director for beloved teen movie G.B.F. is fairly upset that the MPAA recently rated his film “R.” “I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie. Unfortunately we were...
- 12/22/2013
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
It’s an old accusation, but one that shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon: the Motion Picture Association of America is disproportionately stricter about profanity and sex than it is about violence. Relatively gruesome studio films like The Hunger Games or The Dark Knight Rises frequently win PG-13 ratings; relatively gentle films like Philomena, by contrast, are slammed with a much more restrictive R rating — initially, at least — simply for dropping one too many F-bombs.
And then there’s the MPAA’s historically fraught relationship with gay and lesbian content, which often seems to be treated more harshly than heterosexual relations.
And then there’s the MPAA’s historically fraught relationship with gay and lesbian content, which often seems to be treated more harshly than heterosexual relations.
- 12/20/2013
- by Hillary Busis
- EW - Inside Movies
Gay high school fantasia G.B.F. starts the way every teen movie should: with the image of a panda puking up a rainbow.
Sure, it’s a snappy, meme-y graphic that speaks directly to the film’s target audience (hip, animal-video-obsessed, neon-emblazed Top Shop addicts) but it also stands as a great metaphor for the film’s message: sometimes being a mascot – for a cause, a school, or a line of breakfast cereals – can be enough to make you vomit Roy G. Biv. Darren Stein‘s G.B.F. is a comedy for everyone who has ever felt that the Pride flag they’ve been waving happily in the wind has just wrapped itself around their throat and is starting to cut off the air supply.
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono) are two gay best friends living comfortably under the Radar at a high school we’re familiar seeing in...
Sure, it’s a snappy, meme-y graphic that speaks directly to the film’s target audience (hip, animal-video-obsessed, neon-emblazed Top Shop addicts) but it also stands as a great metaphor for the film’s message: sometimes being a mascot – for a cause, a school, or a line of breakfast cereals – can be enough to make you vomit Roy G. Biv. Darren Stein‘s G.B.F. is a comedy for everyone who has ever felt that the Pride flag they’ve been waving happily in the wind has just wrapped itself around their throat and is starting to cut off the air supply.
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) and Brent (Paul Iacono) are two gay best friends living comfortably under the Radar at a high school we’re familiar seeing in...
- 11/22/2013
- by Brian Juergens
- The Backlot
In light of the upcoming November 22 DirecTV release of Vertical Entertainment's "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend), Indiewire has been given an exclusive first look at the latest stills and movie poster for director Darren Stein and writer George Northy's comedy. "G.B.F." tells the social warfare story of what happens when "three high school clique queens battle for supremacy: drama diva Caprice (Xosha Roquemore), Mormon princess ‘Shley (Andrea Bowen) and blonde fashionista Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse). When unassuming Tanner (Michael J. Willet) is outted, he finds himself cast as the hottest new teen-girl accessory: The Gay Best Friend. The clique queens immediately pounce and makeover Tanner into their ideal arm candy, forcing him to choose between popularity and the true friends — including his own B.F.F. Brent (Paul Iacono) — that he's leaving behind." In addition to its November 22 DirecTV release, "G.B.F" is set for a January 17 2014 theatrical release. Checkout the movie poster and.
- 11/12/2013
- by Ramzi De Coster
- Indiewire
Chicago – The second oldest Lgbt Film Festival is right here is Chicago, loud and proud, as “Reeling 31” has its opening night on November 7th at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. And what better film to open the festivities than “G.B.F.” – which of course stands for “Gay Best Friend” – directed by Darren Stein (“Jawbreaker”) and featuring Megan Mullally, Horatio Sanz and Natasha Lyonne.
’Reeling 31’ Opens November 7th with Director Darren Stein’s ‘G.B.F.’
Photo credit: ReelingFilmFestival.org
The Reeling film festival is in its 31st year, and has an incredible line-up of films, events and parties from November 7th-14th. Theater venues include the historic Music Box Theater and Logan Theatre, plus Chicago Filmmakers, Block Cinema in Evanston (Illinois) and the south side’s DuSable Museum. Click the link below to check out the entire line-up of happenings.
“Reeling 31,” Chicago’s Lbgt International Film Festival, runs from November 7th-14th. For film,...
’Reeling 31’ Opens November 7th with Director Darren Stein’s ‘G.B.F.’
Photo credit: ReelingFilmFestival.org
The Reeling film festival is in its 31st year, and has an incredible line-up of films, events and parties from November 7th-14th. Theater venues include the historic Music Box Theater and Logan Theatre, plus Chicago Filmmakers, Block Cinema in Evanston (Illinois) and the south side’s DuSable Museum. Click the link below to check out the entire line-up of happenings.
“Reeling 31,” Chicago’s Lbgt International Film Festival, runs from November 7th-14th. For film,...
- 11/7/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
MadBromance Productions announced today that they will be hosting a 29-hour reading of Jawbreaker The Musical on September 26th and 27that 3p.m. With a book by Darren Stein who wrote and directed the 1999 film, Jawbreaker has music and lyrics by Jeff Thomson and Jordan MannTrails, choreography by Shea Sullivan The Big Gay Musical, musical direction by James Sampliner Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer and is directed by Gabriel Barre The Wild Party.
- 8/16/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to G.B.F, or Gay Best Friend, which closed Outfest 2013 in Los Angeles on Sunday night [21].
Darren Stein directed the high school comedy from a debut screenplay by George Northy.
Sasha Pieterse, Evanna Lynch, Natasha Lyone, Joanna Levesque, Michael J Willett, Paul Iacono, Megan Mullally and Rebecca Gayheart star.
Richard Bever, Stephen Israel, Stein and Northy produced G.B.F. and Jennifer Levine, David Skinner and Tom Gorai served as executive producers.
Peter Jarowey of Vertical Entertainment and Zac Bright of Preferred Content negotiated the deal.
“We look forward to working with [Vertical Horizon] and sharing this film with audiences everywhere,” said Stein.
G.B.F. is expected to open in early 2014.
Darren Stein directed the high school comedy from a debut screenplay by George Northy.
Sasha Pieterse, Evanna Lynch, Natasha Lyone, Joanna Levesque, Michael J Willett, Paul Iacono, Megan Mullally and Rebecca Gayheart star.
Richard Bever, Stephen Israel, Stein and Northy produced G.B.F. and Jennifer Levine, David Skinner and Tom Gorai served as executive producers.
Peter Jarowey of Vertical Entertainment and Zac Bright of Preferred Content negotiated the deal.
“We look forward to working with [Vertical Horizon] and sharing this film with audiences everywhere,” said Stein.
G.B.F. is expected to open in early 2014.
- 7/22/2013
- ScreenDaily
Vertical Entertainment Acquires 'G.B.F,' a Tale of Gay Best Friends and Their Role in Clique Warfare
Vertical Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to the high school comedy film "G.B.F." (Gay Best Friend). Directed by Darren Stein ("Jawbreaker") with screenplay by George Northy, the film has a cast of young up-and-comers including Sasha Pieterse ("Pretty Little Liars"), Evanna Lynch (The Harry Potter Franchise), Natasha Lyonne ("Orange is the New Black"), Joanna "JoJo" Levesque ("Rv," "Aquamarine"), Paul Iacono ("The Hard Times of Rj Berger"), Michael J. Willett ("United States of Tara"), Molly Tarlov ("Awkward"), and Rebecca Gayheart ("Jawbreaker") and features Megan Mullally ("Parks and Recreation," "The Kings of Summer"). "G.B.F" plays with the concept of a G.B.F. (a Gay Best Friend) and how they have become a trendy and invaluable accessory for straight girls to have in their cliques. The film is being touted as a modern twist on the high school movie genre. The film premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and was recently shown at Outfest.
- 7/22/2013
- by Madeline Raynor
- Indiewire
Outfest has announced the award winners of its 31st Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival. Chris Mason Johnson's "Test" and Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullman's "Born This Way" led the juried prizes, taking the awards for best narrative and documentary feature, respectively. Bruno Barreto's "Reaching For The Moon" and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason's "Bridegroom," meanwhile, took those prizes in the audience award categories. Read More: It Happened To Him: 'Bridegroom' Subject Shane Bitney Crone On Bringing His Tragic Story To The Screen The oldest continuously running film festival in Los Angeles ran from July 11th to July 21st, and closed last night with Darren Stein’s “G.B.F." Complete list of winners. Special Programming Awards Special Programming Award for Freedom Deepsouth, Directed by Lisa Biagiotti Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement Animals, Directed by Marçal Forés Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent Diego Ruiz,...
- 7/22/2013
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Tanner (Michael J. Willett) is the Gbf everyone wants (including Sasha Pieterse)
In the fine tradition of teen comedies like Clueless, Pretty In Pink, Mean Girls and even darker films like the original Carrie, comes the new film, G.B.F., which fabulously dives into the world of the Gay Best Friend. Directed by Darren Stein (Jawbreaker) from a script by George Northy, the film follows high schooler Tanner (Michael J. Willett) as he navigates the treacherous waters of high school after coming out.
In the world of G.B.F., there’s less opposition to Tanner being gay than the comedy found in how people want to be close to the cute gay guy. The popular girls compete for Tanner’s friendship, even helping him with a makeover; at least one closeted guy (the Bf of one of the girls) makes a pass at him and, at the end of the day, he...
In the fine tradition of teen comedies like Clueless, Pretty In Pink, Mean Girls and even darker films like the original Carrie, comes the new film, G.B.F., which fabulously dives into the world of the Gay Best Friend. Directed by Darren Stein (Jawbreaker) from a script by George Northy, the film follows high schooler Tanner (Michael J. Willett) as he navigates the treacherous waters of high school after coming out.
In the world of G.B.F., there’s less opposition to Tanner being gay than the comedy found in how people want to be close to the cute gay guy. The popular girls compete for Tanner’s friendship, even helping him with a makeover; at least one closeted guy (the Bf of one of the girls) makes a pass at him and, at the end of the day, he...
- 7/18/2013
- by Jim Halterman
- The Backlot
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