Trudie Styler has been named Capri, Hollywood’s person of the year for her work as a human rights and environmental activist. Style will be presented with the award Nov. 1 at an event in Rome to launch her directorial debut, Freak Show.
Styler is also slated to serve as chair of the jury for Rome Film Fest’s Alice Nella Citta sidebar, which is geared toward younger audiences. Freak Show, based on the novel by James St. James about a bullied teenager, will screen as a special event during the festivities.
“We are pleased to honor Trudie Styler with this prestigious award,”...
Styler is also slated to serve as chair of the jury for Rome Film Fest’s Alice Nella Citta sidebar, which is geared toward younger audiences. Freak Show, based on the novel by James St. James about a bullied teenager, will screen as a special event during the festivities.
“We are pleased to honor Trudie Styler with this prestigious award,”...
- 10/10/2017
- by Ariston Anderson
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Freak Show, Trudie Styler’s feature directorial debut, has been acquired by IFC Films for U.S. distribution. The film, based on the James St. James novel of the same name about a cross-dressing teen, first debuted in a sold out screening at the Berlin Film Festival and stars Alex Lawther (Imitation Game), Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), Bette Midler, and Abigail Breslin. The Works is handling foreign sales at Cannes. The film, which also co-stars Anna Sophia Robb (T…...
- 5/19/2017
- Deadline
If sensitive intentions were all that counted, the debut directorial narrative feature from Trudie Styler, prolific producer, occasional actress and Sting‘s wife, might be a masterpiece — or at least an amiable John Hughes-esque teen fable about overcoming bullying and Being True To Yourself. But despite being based on the novel of the same name by James St. James, and undoubtedly driven by the best of motives, “Freak Show” is haphazardly thrown together, full of unexplained contrivances and characters so pliably bendy to the whims of the contorted yet formulaic narrative that they might as well be made of pipe cleaners.
Continue reading ‘Freak Show’ With Alex Lawther, Abigail Breslin & Bette Midler Is A Well-Intentioned Mess [Berlin Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Freak Show’ With Alex Lawther, Abigail Breslin & Bette Midler Is A Well-Intentioned Mess [Berlin Review] at The Playlist.
- 2/21/2017
- by Jessica Kiang
- The Playlist
There’s no denying that Billy Bloom is the most flamboyantly fabulous character in the history of high school movies — it’s not even close. A “trans-visionary gender obliviator” who’s been forcibly relocated from the liberal enclave of Darien, Ct (“hometown of Chloë Sevigny!”) to an anonymous red state somewhere in flyover country, Billy struts into the heartland like Boy George showing up for a round of golf at Mar-a-Lago.
In fact, he even dresses like Boy George on the first day of class, riling up the cartoonishly conservative student body in the process. The local teens, insufferable archetypes who range from a Trump-quoting mean girl to an All-American football star with half a brain and a heart of gold, have no idea what to make of the colorful new kid, and they don’t have the slightest prayer of keeping up with his restless creativity or the fearlessness...
In fact, he even dresses like Boy George on the first day of class, riling up the cartoonishly conservative student body in the process. The local teens, insufferable archetypes who range from a Trump-quoting mean girl to an All-American football star with half a brain and a heart of gold, have no idea what to make of the colorful new kid, and they don’t have the slightest prayer of keeping up with his restless creativity or the fearlessness...
- 2/16/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
An heir to the John Hughes teen-outsider fantasy legacy, dressed up in glitter drag with a big fat inclusiveness message, Freak Show is your basic Mike Pence nightmare. Directed in her feature debut by actress, producer, eco-activist and rock star consort Trudie Styler, who has enlisted an impressive roster of contacts both in front of and behind the camera, this formulaic feel-good comedy about the empowerment of a bullying victim was adapted from the popular 2007 Ya novel by former club kid James St. James. That it unfolds with a near-complete absence of finesse or subtlety probably won't matter a...
- 2/14/2017
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Abigail Breslin, one of the stars on Fox's Scream Queens, has been tapped to star in Freak Show, the film adaptation of James St. James’ bestselling cult novel that Trudie Styler is directing in her feature debut. Freak Show tells the story of Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther), a boldly confident teenager who faces intolerance and persecution at his ultra-conservative high school and decides to fight back on behalf of all of the misunderstood freaks of the world by…...
- 11/24/2015
- Deadline
Exclusive: Alex Lawther (The Imitation Game) is set to play the lead role of Billy in Trudie Styler’s adaptation of James St. James' bestseller Freak Show. Lawther joins a starry cast that, as Deadline exclusively revealed, already includes Bette Midler as Muv, Billy's mother; AnnaSophia Robb and Ian Nelson as Billy’s friends Blah Blah Blah and Flip; and Lorraine Toussaint as Billy’s nanny, Flossie. Freak Show tells the story of Billy Bloom, a funny, good-hearted…...
- 10/20/2015
- Deadline
You have the right to remain current; Fox is pulling straight from the headlines for its new series “Indictment.” The project follows the shooting of a white teenager by a black police officer in a small Southern town and the racially charged aftermath. Imagine Television is on board for the drama that already includes Sanaa Lathan. Aisha Coley Casting will head up the predicted March 2016 shoot. Sorry, Barbara Hershey, it’s time to shut down that “Beaches 2” Kickstarter. Bette Midler is soaring on with Lorraine Toussaint (“Rosewood,” “Orange Is the New Black”) in the Lgbt-positive film “Freak Show.” Flower Films Inc., Drew Barrymore’s production company, will produce the feature, based on the book by James St. James, about a cross-dressing teen running for homecoming queen at his ultra-conservative high school. Avy Kaufman will pick the remaining cast, which also includes AnnaSophia Robb and Ian Nelson, when production begins in New York later this month.
- 10/14/2015
- backstage.com
Bette Midler, AnnaSophia Robb, Ian Nelson and Lorraine Toussaint are set to star in the film adaptation of James St. James best-selling novel "Freak Show" at Maven Pictures.
The story follows Billy Bloom, a funny, good-hearted, cross-dressing teen who becomes the new student at an ultra-conservative high school. He decides to run for Homecoming Queen for outcasts and underdogs everywhere.
Midler will play his mother, Robb and Nelson his friends and Toussaint his nanny. Trudie Styler will produce and direct the project which is aiming to go into production before month's end. Celine Rattray and Charlotte Ubben are also producing.
Source: Deadline...
The story follows Billy Bloom, a funny, good-hearted, cross-dressing teen who becomes the new student at an ultra-conservative high school. He decides to run for Homecoming Queen for outcasts and underdogs everywhere.
Midler will play his mother, Robb and Nelson his friends and Toussaint his nanny. Trudie Styler will produce and direct the project which is aiming to go into production before month's end. Celine Rattray and Charlotte Ubben are also producing.
Source: Deadline...
- 10/3/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Trudie Styler will produce and direct the film adaptation of James St. James best-seller Freak Show which already has Bette Midler, AnnaSophia Robb, Ian Nelson and Lorraine Toussaint on board. The film is in pre-production and is expected to roll before the cameras at month’s end. The lead role has not yet been set … wish we were a fly on the wall for that casting session. Would be fun. The book was nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for Lgbt…...
- 10/2/2015
- Deadline
In the latest installment of James St. James' "Transformations" series, reigning "RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars" champion Chad Michaels turns St. James into his drag specialty: Cher.
With the art of creating Cher's face down to a science (including painting the inside of St. James' nostrils) the charismatic Chad Michaels opens up about a number of things from his past, including regretting his decision to get injectables in the 1990s and his old drag name from decades ago (you'll never believe it).
The reigning all-star queen also discusses performing for Cher just last weekend! Be sure to check out his catchy new single and video "Tragic Girl" and watch St. James' transformation above!
With the art of creating Cher's face down to a science (including painting the inside of St. James' nostrils) the charismatic Chad Michaels opens up about a number of things from his past, including regretting his decision to get injectables in the 1990s and his old drag name from decades ago (you'll never believe it).
The reigning all-star queen also discusses performing for Cher just last weekend! Be sure to check out his catchy new single and video "Tragic Girl" and watch St. James' transformation above!
- 8/28/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
The legendary James St. James is back on the scene in a whole new way: with a stunning new YouTube series that you literally can not miss out on.
Over the past few months, everyone's favorite club kid and celebutante has released weekly videos in his "Transformations" project, each featuring a prominent makeup artist, performance artist or, more recently, your favorite queens from "RuPaul's Drag Race!" St. James gives up all agency over his appearance in every episode and allows his guest to completely transform him through the lens of their own individualized aesthetic.
Having undergone 17 transformations throughout this project, St. James started the series featuring a range of artists, from Billy B and Squeaky Blonde to Rainblo and Fade-Dra Phey. However, as the series progresses, many more recognizable faces from the "RuPaul's Drag Race" franchise begin holding court, including Raja, Mathu Anderson and Manila Luzon.
Check out this innovative...
Over the past few months, everyone's favorite club kid and celebutante has released weekly videos in his "Transformations" project, each featuring a prominent makeup artist, performance artist or, more recently, your favorite queens from "RuPaul's Drag Race!" St. James gives up all agency over his appearance in every episode and allows his guest to completely transform him through the lens of their own individualized aesthetic.
Having undergone 17 transformations throughout this project, St. James started the series featuring a range of artists, from Billy B and Squeaky Blonde to Rainblo and Fade-Dra Phey. However, as the series progresses, many more recognizable faces from the "RuPaul's Drag Race" franchise begin holding court, including Raja, Mathu Anderson and Manila Luzon.
Check out this innovative...
- 7/30/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
In between recording tracks for his new album and transforming James St. James into a dragged-up Jessica Rabbit, "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Manila Luzon somehow found time to serve up early-90's Madonna realness in breakout artist Jnathen's new video "Love Killer."
The video, which heavily echoes Madonna's 1990 clip for "Justify My Love," follows a recent announcement that Luzon will team up with "Drag Race" Season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon for a collaborative track.
What do you think about Manila starring Jnathen's breakout track? Check out the video above!
(h/t NewNowNext)...
The video, which heavily echoes Madonna's 1990 clip for "Justify My Love," follows a recent announcement that Luzon will team up with "Drag Race" Season 5 winner Jinkx Monsoon for a collaborative track.
What do you think about Manila starring Jnathen's breakout track? Check out the video above!
(h/t NewNowNext)...
- 7/25/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Is Fdr: American Badass an insipid vacuum of filth, or is it high art of the most outlandish kind? Audiences will be divided, based on their tolerance for raunch, indignity and alternate history.
Like the film, Poolboy: Drowning out the Fury, Fdr is the creation of writer Ross Patterson and director Garrett Brawith, who both revel in working outside mainstream Hollywood, with its rigid concepts of what you "can" and "can't" do in a film. Fdr is part of a movement of independent features that break those "rules."
“They'll tell you over and over what you can and can't do,” says Brawith, “so I've stopped listening.”
“It's just a load of industry bullshit,” insists Patterson. "In Ted, they had a hooker shit on the floor, but Seth MacFarlane is massively successful so he can get away with it. If my name was as huge as his, I would be allowed...
Like the film, Poolboy: Drowning out the Fury, Fdr is the creation of writer Ross Patterson and director Garrett Brawith, who both revel in working outside mainstream Hollywood, with its rigid concepts of what you "can" and "can't" do in a film. Fdr is part of a movement of independent features that break those "rules."
“They'll tell you over and over what you can and can't do,” says Brawith, “so I've stopped listening.”
“It's just a load of industry bullshit,” insists Patterson. "In Ted, they had a hooker shit on the floor, but Seth MacFarlane is massively successful so he can get away with it. If my name was as huge as his, I would be allowed...
- 7/31/2012
- by Superheidi
- Planet Fury
When Saint James St. James tells you that something is going to change your life, you’d better believe him. Below you’ll find the trailer for writer Ross Patterson and director Garrett Brawith’s upcoming action farce “Fdr: American Badass!”, a motion picture crafted specifically for those individuals who always dreamed of watching Franklin Delano Roosevelt fight Nazi werewolves. Hey, if Abraham Lincoln can fight werewolves and zombies, Fdr should be able to fight lycans from his wheelchair. Personally, I’d love to see George Washington battle ravenous, blood-thirsty chupacabras during the brutal winter of 1777. We all have dreams. Before we get to the trailer, let’s insert this synopsis into our brains: In this throwback to the original 1966 Batman movie, Fdr rides a “wheelchair of death” to stop the world from werewolves who carry the polio virus, including werewolf versions of Hitler, Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito. How’s...
- 5/17/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Who is Ross Patterson, you ask? That’s what I wanted to know. So when I was given the opportunity to pick apart the genius of writer Ross Patterson — also known in certain circles as Saint James St. James — I felt it was my duty to the world to explore the inner workings of his mind. And if you haven’t seen “Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury”, then you should stop what you’re doing and immediately atone for your sins. I know for a fact that it’s available on Netflix streaming here in the States. If you have a subscription, it would seem you have no reason to pass this one by. Plus: Kevin Sorbo and Mark Curry. That’s too fly. I’ve gotta know: What came first, Saint James St. James or Poolboy? That’s a lot like asking if David Hasselhoff or Dolph Lundgren came first.
- 5/16/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Happy birthday, Taylor Lautner. I got you a movie to star in. What? You already have enough of those? And while I've been writing this they've given you another movie by splitting Breaking Dawn in two? It's okay, you can take it back. Here's the receipt from Generic Action Movies R Us. Or you can regift it to any number of young stars Hollywood has forgotten about while they devote all their attention on you...and that Avatar guy that nobody in the real world really gives a damn about.
Anyway, while you're wondering what to do with the present -- or more likely what strip club to attend now that you're 18 -- here are some bloggers who think you might want to slow down:
Vince Mancini at FilmDrunk:
In case you haven't noticed, studio execs are really afraid to have their own opinion, so when one of them does something,...
Anyway, while you're wondering what to do with the present -- or more likely what strip club to attend now that you're 18 -- here are some bloggers who think you might want to slow down:
Vince Mancini at FilmDrunk:
In case you haven't noticed, studio execs are really afraid to have their own opinion, so when one of them does something,...
- 2/11/2010
- by Christopher Campbell
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