Chicago – The 2009 Best of the Midwest Awards, at Rockit Bar and Grill in Chicago on December 1st, had many notable attendees. Actors Armand Assante and Lori Petty, along with film critic Richard Roeper, were among them.
The 2009 BMAs celebrate the best of the Midwest Independent Film Festival, and stars, directors and the film press mingled at the awards event. HollywoodChicago was there, and scored interviews with Emmy Winner Armand Assante, Lori Petty, Best Director at the BMAs and featured in “A League of Their Own” and local celebrity critic Richard Roeper. Also lending some perspective was the producer of the Best Feature, Steven A. Jones of “The Merry Gentleman.”
Armand Assante, Actor, Emmy Winner for the Miniseries “Gotti”
The veteran character actor, who first made a big splash in 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” continues to smolder the screen with his distinctive style and look. He just wrapped up another Chicago-based film,...
The 2009 BMAs celebrate the best of the Midwest Independent Film Festival, and stars, directors and the film press mingled at the awards event. HollywoodChicago was there, and scored interviews with Emmy Winner Armand Assante, Lori Petty, Best Director at the BMAs and featured in “A League of Their Own” and local celebrity critic Richard Roeper. Also lending some perspective was the producer of the Best Feature, Steven A. Jones of “The Merry Gentleman.”
Armand Assante, Actor, Emmy Winner for the Miniseries “Gotti”
The veteran character actor, who first made a big splash in 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” continues to smolder the screen with his distinctive style and look. He just wrapped up another Chicago-based film,...
- 12/3/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 2009 Best of the Midwest Awards were given out on Tuesday night, part of a huge celebratory event at the Rockit Bar and Grill in downtown Chicago, capping another successful year at the Midwest Independent Film Festival.
Festival Director Mike McNamara was the Master of Ceremonies, giving out nine awards for the best of the 2009 season. The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area.
Best Feature Winner ‘The Merry Gentleman.’ Left to Right – Producers Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan, Exec Producer Tom Bastounes, Midwest Indie Festival Director Mike McNamara at the BMAs in Chicago, December 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Local Chicago legends Richard Roeper and Erich “Mancow” Muller hilariously roasted each other as part of the presentations, special guests included Armand Assante, John McNaughton (director of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer...
Festival Director Mike McNamara was the Master of Ceremonies, giving out nine awards for the best of the 2009 season. The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area.
Best Feature Winner ‘The Merry Gentleman.’ Left to Right – Producers Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan, Exec Producer Tom Bastounes, Midwest Indie Festival Director Mike McNamara at the BMAs in Chicago, December 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Local Chicago legends Richard Roeper and Erich “Mancow” Muller hilariously roasted each other as part of the presentations, special guests included Armand Assante, John McNaughton (director of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer...
- 12/3/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Life as a hitman must be tough. It is a solitary profession fraught with danger. Of course there is the added burden of morality in killing people. Many films about hitmen seem to concentrate on the jobs the hitmen carry out. “The Merry Gentleman” focuses on the toll that this profession has taken on a hitman and the people he comes in contact with. It is a rewarding film that shies mostly away from gunplay. Hitman Frank Logan (Michael Keaton) is far from merry and bordering on suicidal. After a successful hit, he seems poised to jump off a building. He is stopped by a scream from down below from receptionist Kate Frazier (Kelly MacDonald). She happened to look up after snow started to fall. It may have been fate or destiny that this occurred, but it startled Frank enough to make him fall backwards. Kate is new in town.
- 6/12/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Michael Keaton thrilled a young Batman fan with a visit to the set of his new film after spotting the kid sporting a homemade superhero costume.
Keaton took over directorial duties on the set of The Merry Gentleman when filmmaker Ron Lazzeretti's appendix burst and had to give up the project.
The actor thrilled cast and crew with his personable nature - and showed it extended to fans too.
Co-star Tom Bastounes explains, "One day we were filming in a park and there was little boy there and he had a makeshift Batman outfit on. It wasn't like a store-bought one. He made it at home.
"He had the pointy ears and the mask and he had a Batman symbol on his chest. Michael noticed him from across the street and walked over.
"Of course the mum noticed him right away and made a big fuss. The kid was about four or five. Michael signed the kid's cape and signed something for the mum. Then he brought them both to the set and they watched some of the shoot. He's very sweet that way.
"He's very generous with his time but you still have these pinch me moments, where you suddenly realise, 'Hey, I'm working with Batman.'"
Keaton played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns films.
Keaton took over directorial duties on the set of The Merry Gentleman when filmmaker Ron Lazzeretti's appendix burst and had to give up the project.
The actor thrilled cast and crew with his personable nature - and showed it extended to fans too.
Co-star Tom Bastounes explains, "One day we were filming in a park and there was little boy there and he had a makeshift Batman outfit on. It wasn't like a store-bought one. He made it at home.
"He had the pointy ears and the mask and he had a Batman symbol on his chest. Michael noticed him from across the street and walked over.
"Of course the mum noticed him right away and made a big fuss. The kid was about four or five. Michael signed the kid's cape and signed something for the mum. Then he brought them both to the set and they watched some of the shoot. He's very sweet that way.
"He's very generous with his time but you still have these pinch me moments, where you suddenly realise, 'Hey, I'm working with Batman.'"
Keaton played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns films.
- 5/31/2009
- WENN
Chicago – “The Merry Gentleman” is enhanced by an unusual police detective character. Tom Bastounes plays Dave Murcheson: a vulnerable protector of society who’s caught in his own self delusion. The film is Michael Keaton’s directorial debut.
Rating: 4.0/5.0 Keaton also stars as Frank Logan, a professional hit man whose dark thoughts after an assassination job lead him to the brink of suicide. When a delicate office worker, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), witnesses Keaton’s near death attempt, an unlikely coalition forms between the two fellow travelers (Kate has run away to the city from an abusive husband).
Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films Bastounes, as the cop assigned to find Logan, awkwardly attempts to woo the emotionally upset Kate, and the three desperate souls meander through the early winter urban landscape searching for redemption.
HollywoodChicago.com got the privilege of interviewing Bastounes recently,...
Rating: 4.0/5.0 Keaton also stars as Frank Logan, a professional hit man whose dark thoughts after an assassination job lead him to the brink of suicide. When a delicate office worker, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), witnesses Keaton’s near death attempt, an unlikely coalition forms between the two fellow travelers (Kate has run away to the city from an abusive husband).
Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films Bastounes, as the cop assigned to find Logan, awkwardly attempts to woo the emotionally upset Kate, and the three desperate souls meander through the early winter urban landscape searching for redemption.
HollywoodChicago.com got the privilege of interviewing Bastounes recently,...
- 5/1/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The nature of making an independent film versus a mainstream Hollywood production is evident through the efforts of two Chicago-based producers – Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan of “The Merry Gentleman”.
Jones, who also produced last year’s “The Promotion”, works more as a creative producer within the filmmaking process. Duggan, a first time executive producer, handled more of the financial details of the production. Together they helped deliver – for first time director and star Michael Keaton – a stellar morality tale that has echoes of film noir.
First Time Director Michael Keaton with the Crew of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films HollywoodChicago.com sat down with both producers, for a fascinating conversation about the parameters and challenges of independent filmmaking.
HollywoodChicago.com: What drew you into this project? Was it the pitch or the script?
Steven A. Jones: It was the script. Ron Lazzeretti...
Jones, who also produced last year’s “The Promotion”, works more as a creative producer within the filmmaking process. Duggan, a first time executive producer, handled more of the financial details of the production. Together they helped deliver – for first time director and star Michael Keaton – a stellar morality tale that has echoes of film noir.
First Time Director Michael Keaton with the Crew of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films HollywoodChicago.com sat down with both producers, for a fascinating conversation about the parameters and challenges of independent filmmaking.
HollywoodChicago.com: What drew you into this project? Was it the pitch or the script?
Steven A. Jones: It was the script. Ron Lazzeretti...
- 4/30/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Here is the trailer and poster for Samuel Goldwyn Films “ The Merry Gentleman”. The drama film is set to open in theathers Friday May 1, 2009. The film marks the directorial debut of Michael Keaton and stars Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom Bastounes, and Bobby Canavale. The Merry Gentleman tells the story of Kate Frazier, a young woman running away from a troubled marriage in the hopes to find anonymity with a new home and a new job in Chicago . When Kate meets Frank Logan, the two discover unexpected satisfaction in their mutual shared silence. [...]...
- 3/18/2009
- by The Critic
- SmartCine.com
Michael Keaton, a veteran actor, makes his directorial debut on Samuel Goldwyn Films' "The Merry Gentleman." Keaton helms from the writing by Ron Lazzaretti ("The Opera Lover") as well as starring in the film along with Kelly Macdonald and Tom Bastounes. Additionally, Bastounes starred in Lazzaretti's "Opera Lover" back in 1999. Keaton was last in 2006's "The Last Time" and can be seen in "The Post Grad Survival Guide" with Alexisx Bledel, Zach Gilford, Bobby Coleman and Carol Burnett. See the images here. Catch the trailer below: The Merry Gentleman is a heady mix of suspense, gentle romance and quiet humor blending a hopeful spirit with a surprisingly dark heart. The Merry Gentleman tells the story of Kate Frazier, a young woman running away from a troubled marriage in the hopes to find anonymity with a new home and a new job in Chicago. When Kate meets Frank Logan, the two...
- 3/17/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Michael Keaton, a veteran actor, makes his directorial debut on Samuel Goldwyn Films' "The Merry Gentleman." Keaton helms from the writing by Ron Lazzaretti ("The Opera Lover") as well as starring in the film along with Kelly Macdonald and Tom Bastounes. Additionally, Bastounes starred in Lazzaretti's "Opera Lover" back in 1999. Keaton was last in 2006's "The Last Time" and can be seen in "The Post Grad Survival Guide" with Alexisx Bledel, Zach Gilford, Bobby Coleman and Carol Burnett. The Merry Gentleman is a heady mix of suspense, gentle romance and quiet humor blending a hopeful spirit with a surprisingly dark heart...
- 3/17/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Michael Keaton, a veteran actor, makes his directorial debut on Samuel Goldwyn Films' "The Merry Gentleman." Keaton helms from the writing by Ron Lazzaretti ("The Opera Lover") as well as starring in the film along with Kelly Macdonald and Tom Bastounes. Additionally, Bastounes starred in Lazzaretti's "Opera Lover" back in 1999. Keaton was last in 2006's "The Last Time" and can be seen in "The Post Grad Survival Guide" with Alexisx Bledel, Zach Gilford, Bobby Coleman and Carol Burnett. The Merry Gentleman is a heady mix of suspense, gentle romance and quiet humor blending a hopeful spirit with a surprisingly dark heart...
- 3/17/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY -- God grants The Merry Gentleman's characters no rest in this complex psychological menage a trois. An impressive directorial debut by Michael Keaton, the film enthralled a Sundance audience and should stir others.
An edgy entertainment, the movie also remarkably has the feel-good warmth of an old-time Irish film.
Three lonely people make up the unlikely threesome. In this decidedly offbeat scenario, they are brought together by murder. All three are emotionally wounded -- a recovering alcoholic cop, an abused wife, a suicidal hit-man.
The yarn unspools with deliberate pace as Kate (Kelly Macdonald) catches a glimpse of the hitman, Frank (Keaton), as he poises to jump off a building, moments after sniping an innocent victim. Kelly's shriek knocks him backward to safety and, not surprisingly, he soon seeks her out. But they meet cute instead of deadly, and a most unlikely relationship blossoms. As the police investigation unfolds, one of the officers (Tom Bastounes) falls for Kelly.
Infusing the scenario with dollops of dark Hitchcockean humor, screenwriter Ron Lazzaretti weaves a perverse but embracing tale. With a flair for off-center dialogue and idiosyncratic moments, Lazzaretti has crafted a gripping scenario. Keaton confidently unspools the film's rich undercurrents with a deliberate hand and keen sense of psychological pacing.
The lead players are splendid, especially Macdonald as the kind-hearted lass whose goodness attracts relentless evil. As an investigator, Bastounes conveys the desperate fumblings of a man with no self-esteem but large decencies. As the suicidal murderer, Keaton's spare performance bespeaks an anguished man.
Under Keaton's inspired hand, the technical contributions are exemplary. Director of photography Chris Seager's telling framing is perfectly punctuated by the sure-handed pacing of editors Howard E. Smith and Grant Myers.
THE MERRY GENTLEMAN
Southwater PicturesCredits:
Director: Michael Keaton
Screenwriter: Ron Lazzeretti
Producers: Tom Bastounes, Ron Lazzaeretti, Steven A. Jones
Co-producer: Christina Varotsis
Executive producer: Paul Duggan; Director of photography: Chris Seager; Production designer: Jennifer Dehghan; Editors: Howard E. Smith, Grant Myers; Music: Jonathan Sadoff, Sean Douglas; Costume designer: Susan Kaufmann.Cast:
Frank Logan: Michael Keaton; Kate Frazier: Kelly Macdonald; Michael: Bobby Cannavale: Victim 1: Kareem Bandealy; Diane: Darlene Hunt; Mr. Haag: Philip Earl Johnson.
No MPAA rating; running time 98 minutes.
PARK CITY -- God grants The Merry Gentleman's characters no rest in this complex psychological menage a trois. An impressive directorial debut by Michael Keaton, the film enthralled a Sundance audience and should stir others.
An edgy entertainment, the movie also remarkably has the feel-good warmth of an old-time Irish film.
Three lonely people make up the unlikely threesome. In this decidedly offbeat scenario, they are brought together by murder. All three are emotionally wounded -- a recovering alcoholic cop, an abused wife, a suicidal hit-man.
The yarn unspools with deliberate pace as Kate (Kelly Macdonald) catches a glimpse of the hitman, Frank (Keaton), as he poises to jump off a building, moments after sniping an innocent victim. Kelly's shriek knocks him backward to safety and, not surprisingly, he soon seeks her out. But they meet cute instead of deadly, and a most unlikely relationship blossoms. As the police investigation unfolds, one of the officers (Tom Bastounes) falls for Kelly.
Infusing the scenario with dollops of dark Hitchcockean humor, screenwriter Ron Lazzaretti weaves a perverse but embracing tale. With a flair for off-center dialogue and idiosyncratic moments, Lazzaretti has crafted a gripping scenario. Keaton confidently unspools the film's rich undercurrents with a deliberate hand and keen sense of psychological pacing.
The lead players are splendid, especially Macdonald as the kind-hearted lass whose goodness attracts relentless evil. As an investigator, Bastounes conveys the desperate fumblings of a man with no self-esteem but large decencies. As the suicidal murderer, Keaton's spare performance bespeaks an anguished man.
Under Keaton's inspired hand, the technical contributions are exemplary. Director of photography Chris Seager's telling framing is perfectly punctuated by the sure-handed pacing of editors Howard E. Smith and Grant Myers.
THE MERRY GENTLEMAN
Southwater PicturesCredits:
Director: Michael Keaton
Screenwriter: Ron Lazzeretti
Producers: Tom Bastounes, Ron Lazzaeretti, Steven A. Jones
Co-producer: Christina Varotsis
Executive producer: Paul Duggan; Director of photography: Chris Seager; Production designer: Jennifer Dehghan; Editors: Howard E. Smith, Grant Myers; Music: Jonathan Sadoff, Sean Douglas; Costume designer: Susan Kaufmann.Cast:
Frank Logan: Michael Keaton; Kate Frazier: Kelly Macdonald; Michael: Bobby Cannavale: Victim 1: Kareem Bandealy; Diane: Darlene Hunt; Mr. Haag: Philip Earl Johnson.
No MPAA rating; running time 98 minutes.
- 1/20/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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