Sanaa Hamri has joined Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time for Season 2 as executive producer and director of half of the season. The news comes ahead of the series premiere on Nov. 19.
The Amazon adaptation of Robert Jordan’s books is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. The trailer also gives first glimpses as Rosamund Pike’s Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, who arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.
Hamri previously was executive producer/director of the blockbuster series Empire on Fox Broadcasting from 2015-20, overseeing all aesthetic aspects of the show including episodic directors, production design,...
The Amazon adaptation of Robert Jordan’s books is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. The trailer also gives first glimpses as Rosamund Pike’s Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, who arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.
Hamri previously was executive producer/director of the blockbuster series Empire on Fox Broadcasting from 2015-20, overseeing all aesthetic aspects of the show including episodic directors, production design,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Less than a week after Empire co-creator Danny Strong and longtime director and executive producer Sanaa Hamri reunited on a Taraji P. Henson-led spinoff of the hip hop drama, the duo is back together again for a dramedy on being young, Arab and female in today’s America.
Penned by Dina Shihabi and Rolla Selbak and in development at the Disney-owned Freeform, Ya Bint focuses on a trio of pals who have moved from the Middle East to Los Angeles. The series will follow friends Maya, Jumana, and Lara through their navigation and experiences across cultures and expectations in the often anything-goes City of Angels, and will be executive produced by Strong and Hamri under their respective overall deals with 20th Century Fox TV.
Tangier, Morocco-born Hamri will helm Ya Bint, whose title is based on an Arabic term intended to get a girl’s interest, with Strong...
Penned by Dina Shihabi and Rolla Selbak and in development at the Disney-owned Freeform, Ya Bint focuses on a trio of pals who have moved from the Middle East to Los Angeles. The series will follow friends Maya, Jumana, and Lara through their navigation and experiences across cultures and expectations in the often anything-goes City of Angels, and will be executive produced by Strong and Hamri under their respective overall deals with 20th Century Fox TV.
Tangier, Morocco-born Hamri will helm Ya Bint, whose title is based on an Arabic term intended to get a girl’s interest, with Strong...
- 7/30/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has ordered two more drama pilots. They are Deputy, an hourlong police procedural from Bright helmer David Ayer, Aquaman writer Will Beall and eOne; and an untitled hourlong dramedy (fka Let’s Spend the Night Together), inspired by the French series Quadras, from Californication creator Tom Kapinos, Empire director and executive producer Sanaa Hamri, Endemol Shine North America and 20th Century Fox TV. Deputy had received a script commitment with penalty, and Untitled Tom Kapinos had gotten a put pilot commitment.
Written by Beall with Ayer set to direct, Deputy centers on Deputy Bill Hollister, a career lawman who’s very comfortable kicking down doors and utterly lost in a staff meeting. But when the La County Sheriff drops dead, Bill becomes acting sheriff of Los Angeles County, in charge of 10,000 sworn deputies policing a modern Wild West.
Related2019 Fox Pilots & Series Orders
Beall executive produces with Ayer and Long via their Cedar Park.
Written by Beall with Ayer set to direct, Deputy centers on Deputy Bill Hollister, a career lawman who’s very comfortable kicking down doors and utterly lost in a staff meeting. But when the La County Sheriff drops dead, Bill becomes acting sheriff of Los Angeles County, in charge of 10,000 sworn deputies policing a modern Wild West.
Related2019 Fox Pilots & Series Orders
Beall executive produces with Ayer and Long via their Cedar Park.
- 2/5/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has given a put pilot commitment to Let’s Spend the Night Together, a one-hour dramedy inspired by the French series Quadras, from Californication creator Tom Kapinos, Empire director and executive producer Sanaa Hamri, Endemol Shine North America and 20th Century Fox TV, where Hamri is under an overall deal.
Written by Kapinos, inspired by the French series Quadras from Endemol Shine France, Let’s Spend the Night Together is described as a structurally inventive dramedy, in which the entire first season takes place over the course of single night at a wedding. As we get to know the wedding party, we’ll learn surprising reveals about both their present and past. We’ll see that things aren’t always what they seem and explore the complicated bonds of love, friendship and family at different stages of life.
Kapinos executive produces with Hamri, who also directs. Sharon Levy and...
Written by Kapinos, inspired by the French series Quadras from Endemol Shine France, Let’s Spend the Night Together is described as a structurally inventive dramedy, in which the entire first season takes place over the course of single night at a wedding. As we get to know the wedding party, we’ll learn surprising reveals about both their present and past. We’ll see that things aren’t always what they seem and explore the complicated bonds of love, friendship and family at different stages of life.
Kapinos executive produces with Hamri, who also directs. Sharon Levy and...
- 10/31/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Darryl Stephens finds himself in bed with Sean Wing in A Family Thing.
Darryl Stephens isn't resting on his laurels as we collectively wait to see if his series Dtla returns to Logo. Instead, he dove headfirst into a juicy part on the Los Angeles stage in the new play A Family Thing.
Presented by the Echo Theater Company, the play, by out playwright Gary Lennon (who also has extensive credits in film and TV) looks at a family of three estranged brothers – one a felon, one an addict and the other a writer (who happens to be gay) and what happens when they come back together. With much humor to balance out some of the play’s heavier moments, the focus is on the idea that family is the thing that brings us together as well as what tears us apart. Hopefully the production will also convince people that...
Darryl Stephens isn't resting on his laurels as we collectively wait to see if his series Dtla returns to Logo. Instead, he dove headfirst into a juicy part on the Los Angeles stage in the new play A Family Thing.
Presented by the Echo Theater Company, the play, by out playwright Gary Lennon (who also has extensive credits in film and TV) looks at a family of three estranged brothers – one a felon, one an addict and the other a writer (who happens to be gay) and what happens when they come back together. With much humor to balance out some of the play’s heavier moments, the focus is on the idea that family is the thing that brings us together as well as what tears us apart. Hopefully the production will also convince people that...
- 2/15/2013
- by nyjimmy67
- The Backlot
Tags: Erin DanielsDTLAThe Bling RingEmma WatsonIMDbMarin
It is a truth universally acknowledged that lesbians have an eternal affection for fictional characters and the actors who play them. So when Logo announced that Erin Daniels would guest star in their new original series Dtla — a drama that revolves around the lives of two gay men, Lenny and Bryan, who have reached the breaking point in their long term relationship — we jumped at the chance to catch up with her.
Daniels, of course, played lovable goofball Dana Fairbanks for three seasons on The L Word, before her character met an untimely demise that still makes lesbians shake their fists and scowl. Since Tlw, Daniels has guest starred on numerous TV shows, filmed a couple of pilots, and she recently completed work on Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring. But when she called me up to chat, she told me her pride and joy was Dana Fairbanks.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that lesbians have an eternal affection for fictional characters and the actors who play them. So when Logo announced that Erin Daniels would guest star in their new original series Dtla — a drama that revolves around the lives of two gay men, Lenny and Bryan, who have reached the breaking point in their long term relationship — we jumped at the chance to catch up with her.
Daniels, of course, played lovable goofball Dana Fairbanks for three seasons on The L Word, before her character met an untimely demise that still makes lesbians shake their fists and scowl. Since Tlw, Daniels has guest starred on numerous TV shows, filmed a couple of pilots, and she recently completed work on Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring. But when she called me up to chat, she told me her pride and joy was Dana Fairbanks.
- 10/31/2012
- by stuntdouble
- AfterEllen.com
Last night, the scripted ensemble drama series Dtla made its U.S. television premiere on Logo. The series comes from the executive producer Larry Kennar (The L Word) and the cast is led by Darryl Stephens (Noah of Noah’s Arc).
Dtla follows the lives and loves of eight friends with varied ethnic, cultural, and sexual orientations and living in Downtown Los Angeles. "It’s a story of love, friendship, loyalty, and being true to oneself – no matter what the cost."
The eight episode series features appearances by the likes of Melanie Griffith, Sandra Bernhard, Leslie Jordan and Danny Roberts (The Real World: New Orleans), but this first episode introduces audiences to the eight central cast members.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
[logo_video_player|video_playlist_id=1696106|width=540|height=305]
New episodes of Dtla air on Logo Wednesdays at 11:00pm. We'll be posting them on AfterElton the following day.
Also, be sure...
Dtla follows the lives and loves of eight friends with varied ethnic, cultural, and sexual orientations and living in Downtown Los Angeles. "It’s a story of love, friendship, loyalty, and being true to oneself – no matter what the cost."
The eight episode series features appearances by the likes of Melanie Griffith, Sandra Bernhard, Leslie Jordan and Danny Roberts (The Real World: New Orleans), but this first episode introduces audiences to the eight central cast members.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
[logo_video_player|video_playlist_id=1696106|width=540|height=305]
New episodes of Dtla air on Logo Wednesdays at 11:00pm. We'll be posting them on AfterElton the following day.
Also, be sure...
- 10/25/2012
- by AfterElton.com Staff
- The Backlot
A group of friends dealing with life and love…blending elements of both comedy and drama…set in Los Angeles…airing on Logo…and starring Darryl Stephens.
Based on that description, you might think the show we’re talking about is Noah’s Arc, the series that aired on Logo from 2005-2006 and then wrapped up in a big screen movie in 2008. However, this is 2012 and we’re talking about the new series, Dtla. Created by Larry Kennar (The L Word), the show premieres this week on Logo. Compared to Noah's Arc, it's arguably a more mature take on relationships, family, love and careers as seen through the eyes of a group of twenty-to-thirty-something friends.
And, yes, Darryl Stephens leads the cast as Dtla’s Lenny but, as he told AfterElton last week during a sit-down in West Hollywood, this isn’t a continuation of the role that made him famous.
Based on that description, you might think the show we’re talking about is Noah’s Arc, the series that aired on Logo from 2005-2006 and then wrapped up in a big screen movie in 2008. However, this is 2012 and we’re talking about the new series, Dtla. Created by Larry Kennar (The L Word), the show premieres this week on Logo. Compared to Noah's Arc, it's arguably a more mature take on relationships, family, love and careers as seen through the eyes of a group of twenty-to-thirty-something friends.
And, yes, Darryl Stephens leads the cast as Dtla’s Lenny but, as he told AfterElton last week during a sit-down in West Hollywood, this isn’t a continuation of the role that made him famous.
- 10/23/2012
- by nyjimmy67
- The Backlot
Exclusive: The scripted series Dtla – which was created, directed and executive produced by The L Word‘s Larry Kennar — has landed at Logo. The network will premiere the ensemble drama Wednesday, October 24 at 11 Pm and will follow it with seven 30-minute episodes. Dtla revolves around the relationships and sex lives of eight friends with varied ethnic, cultural, and sexual orientations who work and live in downtown Los Angeles. Darryl Stephens (Noah’s Arc) stars with a supporting cast that includes Melanie Griffith, Sandra Bernhard and Jeremy Jackson. Stephens, Michael Andres Palmieri and Helene Shaw also executive produce. The series will also have its international premiere on Out TV Canada, marking the first time a Kickstarter-funded TV series has landed domestic and foreign distribution. (Check out the trailer below.) The deal marks the latest scripted acquisition for the network, which include Misfits and Bewitched (currently on the air). It also will premiere Will & Grace next year.
- 9/27/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Jeremy Jackson's exclusive interview continues as he answers questions about his plastic surgery, addictions and more.
Photo Courtesy: Jeremy Jackson: VH1 Shoot
Alexandra Holzer: In 2006, Vanity Fair's Hollywood March issue featured you. What a wonderful moment that must have been. However, it hasn't always been that way. Talk to me about your past drug addiction and methamphetamine in Hollywood. How did you turn it all around, and what advice would you give others?
Jeremy Jackson: Vanity Fair caught me at a very exciting time in my life filled with night clubs, international fashion shows, celebrities and lots of cash to go around. Sometimes things just fall into place. Vanity fair was one of those things. As far as my former drug use... I was a young, famous, rich kid with a love for the "wild side." Oddly enough, I got sober before I was even at the legal drinking age.
Photo Courtesy: Jeremy Jackson: VH1 Shoot
Alexandra Holzer: In 2006, Vanity Fair's Hollywood March issue featured you. What a wonderful moment that must have been. However, it hasn't always been that way. Talk to me about your past drug addiction and methamphetamine in Hollywood. How did you turn it all around, and what advice would you give others?
Jeremy Jackson: Vanity Fair caught me at a very exciting time in my life filled with night clubs, international fashion shows, celebrities and lots of cash to go around. Sometimes things just fall into place. Vanity fair was one of those things. As far as my former drug use... I was a young, famous, rich kid with a love for the "wild side." Oddly enough, I got sober before I was even at the legal drinking age.
- 5/9/2012
- by Alexandra Holzer
- Aol TV.
Larry Kennar is producer and manager of Lke Entertainment, and Sunday, Jan. 29 was the day of his roundtable discussion about growing independently-run projects in the entertainment industry. His newest project, Dtla, is out this spring, and as Kennar says, it's best described as "a cross between Queer As Folk and Swingers." He tells me it is the first gay drama to come out in seven years. His producing credits include 50 First Dates, Barbershop, Spring Breakdown, The L Word, and Queens of Drag: NYC, to name a few. His enormous passion for the topic of homosexuality today is heartfelt and approached with respectful storytelling and understanding toward those who face many adversities in today's times. Although coming out today is much more accepting than in the past, it is nonetheless still an up-and-down discussion, with much opposition. (I know first-hand, as my mother came out to me when I was 13. I...
- 1/30/2012
- by Alexandra Holzer
- Aol TV.
Jason Katims says a Friday Night Lights movie would start with a considerable time jump. Damon Lindelof does not appreciate Doug Hutchison being referred to as a Lost actor. Breaking Bad is likely to stay put on AMC. Tom Wlaschiha joins the cast of Game Of Thrones. Y&R's Jeff Branson excited to be back and working with Tricia Cast. Esta TerBlanche's return to All My Children confirmed by ABC. TV for women is at a crossroads. Women still watch considerably more television than men -- by almost 16 hours per month.
Friday Night Nights exec producer Jason Katims talks plans for a(nother) big-screen movie
Nothing is set in stone, cautions Katims, but the movie would probably “start with a time jump from when we ended the series, and quite possibly a considerable time jump.”
“Even though the series just finished its run on NBC, it was close to...
Friday Night Nights exec producer Jason Katims talks plans for a(nother) big-screen movie
Nothing is set in stone, cautions Katims, but the movie would probably “start with a time jump from when we ended the series, and quite possibly a considerable time jump.”
“Even though the series just finished its run on NBC, it was close to...
- 8/3/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
A look at what's new on DVD today:
"Cronos" (1993)
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
Released by Criterion Collection
After years of being out of print, Guillermo del Toro's feature debut is getting the Criterion treatment and del Toro has gone all out to make it one of the best discs ever with new interviews, his 1987 short "Geometria," two audio commentaries, a video tour of his home office, and more.
"300 Killers" (2010)
Directed by Matt Jaissle
Released by Midnight Releasing
A police chief (Johnny Andrews) who sees his city falling under the thumb of a ruthless drug dealer and sends out his best detective (Anthony Tomei) to put a stop to it in Matt Jaissle's action film.
"Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright" (2010)
Directed by R. Ellis Frazier
Released by Maya Home Entertainment
Aidan Quinn stars as a billionaire who flees to Tijuana after he's on the run...
"Cronos" (1993)
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
Released by Criterion Collection
After years of being out of print, Guillermo del Toro's feature debut is getting the Criterion treatment and del Toro has gone all out to make it one of the best discs ever with new interviews, his 1987 short "Geometria," two audio commentaries, a video tour of his home office, and more.
"300 Killers" (2010)
Directed by Matt Jaissle
Released by Midnight Releasing
A police chief (Johnny Andrews) who sees his city falling under the thumb of a ruthless drug dealer and sends out his best detective (Anthony Tomei) to put a stop to it in Matt Jaissle's action film.
"Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright" (2010)
Directed by R. Ellis Frazier
Released by Maya Home Entertainment
Aidan Quinn stars as a billionaire who flees to Tijuana after he's on the run...
- 12/5/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
Check out these images from "Spring Breakdown" which played in the Non-Competition Films, Park City at Midnight category at this year's Sundance. Ryan Shiraki ("Home of Phobia") helms his second film as well as writes alongside star Rachel Dratch. Forming the rest of the cast are Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, Will Arnett and Rachel Hamilton. Producing are Code Entertainment, Larry Kennar and Rick Berg. See the whole gallery! Warner Bros. distributes this one. We have a review of the film at the fest, turning a score of 2/5. Our writer Steve Ramos says "Perfect casting featuring former Saturday Night Live comics Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and indie film veteran Parker Posey as well as the popular backdrop of spring break on Texas South Padre Island make filmmaker Ryan Shiraki's girls-trying-to-go-wild comedy "Spring Breakdown" a likable farce with strong appeal for female audiences..." read the whole review here. ...
- 2/9/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Spring Breakdown Review" by Steve Ramos Stellar cast battle small laugh count in "Spring Breakdown" Perfect casting featuring former Saturday Night Live comics Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and indie film veteran Parker Posey as well as the popular backdrop of spring break on Texas South Padre Island make filmmaker Ryan Shiraki's girls-trying-to-go-wild comedy "Spring Breakdown" a likable farce with strong appeal for female audiences. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in the Park City at Midnight section prior to its planned direct-to-dvd release by Warner Bros. this spring, "Spring Breakdown" is a girly version of an 80s teen sex comedy co-written by Shiraki and Dratch. Its a great idea for a movie, although one that fails to meet laughter expectations. With so much talent in front of the camera, "Spring Breakdown" should be ten times funnier. Becky (Posey) is a dedicated office assistant to her Texas senator boss (Jane...
- 2/9/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out these images from "Spring Breakdown" which played in the Non-Competition Films, Park City at Midnight category at this year's Sundance. Ryan Shiraki ("Home of Phobia") helms his second film as well as writes alongside star Rachel Dratch. Forming the rest of the cast are Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, Will Arnett and Rachel Hamilton. Producing are Code Entertainment, Larry Kennar and Rick Berg. Warner Bros. distributes this one. We have a review of the film at the fest, turning a score of 2/5. Our writer Steve Ramos says "Perfect casting featuring former Saturday Night Live comics Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and indie film veteran Parker Posey as well as the popular backdrop of spring break on Texas South Padre Island...
- 2/9/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out these images from "Spring Breakdown" which played in the Non-Competition Films, Park City at Midnight category at this year's Sundance. Ryan Shiraki ("Home of Phobia") helms his second film as well as writes alongside star Rachel Dratch. Forming the rest of the cast are Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, Will Arnett and Rachel Hamilton. Producing are Code Entertainment, Larry Kennar and Rick Berg. Warner Bros. distributes this one. We have a review of the film at the fest, turning a score of 2/5. Our writer Steve Ramos says "Perfect casting featuring former Saturday Night Live comics Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and indie film veteran Parker Posey as well as the popular backdrop of spring break on Texas South Padre Island...
- 2/9/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Veteran lit agent Rich Freeman has joined Code Entertainment's management division, coming aboard as a partner alongside Rick Berg and Larry Kennar.
Freeman, who exited Paradigm late last year, is bringing with him clients David Auburn, David Hubbard and Jay Wolpert.
Freeman has 12 years of agenting under his belt, starting his career at Writers and Artists Agency in 1996. He was head of the literary department when Paradigm acquired the company in August 2004.
Code is a production and management company, with such clients as Jose Rivera ("The Motorcycle Diaries") and Ken Kwapis ("He's Just Not That Into You"). With a $40 million revolving equity fund, it also finances and produces movies including last year's John Dahl comedy "You Kill Me," with Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni.
Freeman, who exited Paradigm late last year, is bringing with him clients David Auburn, David Hubbard and Jay Wolpert.
Freeman has 12 years of agenting under his belt, starting his career at Writers and Artists Agency in 1996. He was head of the literary department when Paradigm acquired the company in August 2004.
Code is a production and management company, with such clients as Jose Rivera ("The Motorcycle Diaries") and Ken Kwapis ("He's Just Not That Into You"). With a $40 million revolving equity fund, it also finances and produces movies including last year's John Dahl comedy "You Kill Me," with Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni.
- 1/7/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Betty Thomas is in negotiations with Paramount Pictures to direct Pay the Girl, a feature about Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. Fleiss hit the headlines in 1993 when she was caught running a stable of high-priced call girls. She subsequently went to prison for tax evasion, money laundering and attempted pandering and was paroled in 1999. Anonymous Content's Steven Golin and Larry Kennar are producing from a script by Lisa Schrager (Original Gangsta Bitches). Thomas' recent credits include I Spy, Doctor Dolittle and Private Parts. She is repped by CAA.
- 7/29/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens
Friday, Feb. 13
"50 First Dates" reunites Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, whose winning chemistry in "The Wedding Singer" struck theatrical gold in 1998. Although its goofy high-concept premise won't bear much scrutiny, it offers a less predictable ride than their first pairing, and lush Hawaiian locations to boot. Pooling their boxoffice savvy and considerable onscreen charm, the duo look destined for another romantic comedy happy ending.
Sandler, who reteams here with "Anger Management" director Peter Segal, plays Henry Roth (if the name is a nod to the novelist, there's no indication). An aquarium vet on Oahu, he's made something of a cottage industry of satisfying vacationing women's desires for holiday flings. The love-'em-and-leave-'em approach suits him fine because he's planning a yearlong boat trip to Alaska to study an unspoiled walrus habitat.
Before he can head north, though, true love strikes. While cooling his heels in a coffee shop after a sailing mishap, Henry spots Lucy (Barrymore) in a booth, building a tepee out of waffles. Although local girls are anathema to his game plan, Henry chats her up, sparks fly, and they're both smitten. But the next time they meet, Lucy doesn't know who he is.
Cafe owner Sue (Amy Hill) fills him in: A head injury in a car accident has left Lucy with no short-term memory. She remembers everything up until the crash, but each day's experiences evaporate overnight. In the year since the crackup, Lucy's protective father (Blake Clark, terrifically gruff and kind) and brother (Sean Astin) have worked assiduously to shield her from the trauma. With a weary resignation, they repeatedly re-create the same day, until reality intrudes on the elaborate ruse and Lucy has to face the truth -- one day at a time.
Because any relationship for Lucy is essentially a one-night stand, Henry's friend Ula (Rob Schneider) points out that she's the perfect match for Henry. With his ever-present gaggle of giggling kids, the unhappily married Ula gets vicarious thrills from Henry's exploits, but he just as readily supports his attempts to win over this most challenging of conquests.
Although Henry's conversion from cad to earnest lover proceeds at an improbable velocity, simpatico audiences won't look far beyond the frothy surface. George Wing's script proffers the idea that making your partner fall in love with you anew every day is the ultimate romantic notion. Lurking in this murky mix are all sorts of nagging questions. What kind of relationship can be built and sustained on first impressions? Is Brain Damage the surest route to domestic bliss?
But helmer Segal keeps things moving, capitalizing on the down-to-earth ease between his two leads. They're surrounded by idiosyncratic supporting characters, not to mention a joker of a walrus. As Ula, who's in a perpetual fog from partaking of one of Hawaii's natural resources, Schneider gets the island vibe right. Hill and Nephi Pomaikai Brown, who plays the cafe's short-order cook, deliver local color and lingo.
Astin trades in his hobbit persona for fishnet shirts and a lisp, providing the strongest comic support as Lucy's iron-pumping, steroid-popping brother. Dan Aykroyd shows up briefly, and Lusia Strus gives it her all as Henry's assistant of indeterminate gender, but the over-the-top character should have been scrapped before shooting began.
Cinematographer Jack Green ("Unforgiven", "The Bridges of Madison County") emphasizes the natural beauty of the Hawaiian island rather than its tourist-attraction opulence, and production designer Alan Au brings whimsy to the interiors. The film is dedicated to Sandler's late father.
50 FIRST DATES
Columbia Pictures
A Happy Madison/Anonymous Content/Flower Films prod.
Credits:
Director: Peter Segal
Screenwriter: George Wing
Producers: Jack Giarraputo, Steve Golin, Nancy Juvonen
Executive producers: Daniel Lupi, Michael Ewing, M. Jay Roach
Director of photography: Jack Green
Production designer: Alan Au
Music: Teddy Castellucci
Co-producers: Larry Kennar, Scott Bankston
Costume designer: Ellen Lutter
Editor: Jeff Gourson
Cast:
Henry Roth: Adam Sandler
Lucy Whitmore: Drew Barrymore
Ula: Rob Schneider
Doug Whitmore: Sean Astin
Alexa: Lusia Strus
Marlin Whitmore: Blake Clark
Dr. Keats: Dan Aykroyd
Sue: Amy Hill
Ten Second Tom: Allen Covert
Nick: Nephi Pomaikai Brown
Running time -- 99 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Friday, Feb. 13
"50 First Dates" reunites Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, whose winning chemistry in "The Wedding Singer" struck theatrical gold in 1998. Although its goofy high-concept premise won't bear much scrutiny, it offers a less predictable ride than their first pairing, and lush Hawaiian locations to boot. Pooling their boxoffice savvy and considerable onscreen charm, the duo look destined for another romantic comedy happy ending.
Sandler, who reteams here with "Anger Management" director Peter Segal, plays Henry Roth (if the name is a nod to the novelist, there's no indication). An aquarium vet on Oahu, he's made something of a cottage industry of satisfying vacationing women's desires for holiday flings. The love-'em-and-leave-'em approach suits him fine because he's planning a yearlong boat trip to Alaska to study an unspoiled walrus habitat.
Before he can head north, though, true love strikes. While cooling his heels in a coffee shop after a sailing mishap, Henry spots Lucy (Barrymore) in a booth, building a tepee out of waffles. Although local girls are anathema to his game plan, Henry chats her up, sparks fly, and they're both smitten. But the next time they meet, Lucy doesn't know who he is.
Cafe owner Sue (Amy Hill) fills him in: A head injury in a car accident has left Lucy with no short-term memory. She remembers everything up until the crash, but each day's experiences evaporate overnight. In the year since the crackup, Lucy's protective father (Blake Clark, terrifically gruff and kind) and brother (Sean Astin) have worked assiduously to shield her from the trauma. With a weary resignation, they repeatedly re-create the same day, until reality intrudes on the elaborate ruse and Lucy has to face the truth -- one day at a time.
Because any relationship for Lucy is essentially a one-night stand, Henry's friend Ula (Rob Schneider) points out that she's the perfect match for Henry. With his ever-present gaggle of giggling kids, the unhappily married Ula gets vicarious thrills from Henry's exploits, but he just as readily supports his attempts to win over this most challenging of conquests.
Although Henry's conversion from cad to earnest lover proceeds at an improbable velocity, simpatico audiences won't look far beyond the frothy surface. George Wing's script proffers the idea that making your partner fall in love with you anew every day is the ultimate romantic notion. Lurking in this murky mix are all sorts of nagging questions. What kind of relationship can be built and sustained on first impressions? Is Brain Damage the surest route to domestic bliss?
But helmer Segal keeps things moving, capitalizing on the down-to-earth ease between his two leads. They're surrounded by idiosyncratic supporting characters, not to mention a joker of a walrus. As Ula, who's in a perpetual fog from partaking of one of Hawaii's natural resources, Schneider gets the island vibe right. Hill and Nephi Pomaikai Brown, who plays the cafe's short-order cook, deliver local color and lingo.
Astin trades in his hobbit persona for fishnet shirts and a lisp, providing the strongest comic support as Lucy's iron-pumping, steroid-popping brother. Dan Aykroyd shows up briefly, and Lusia Strus gives it her all as Henry's assistant of indeterminate gender, but the over-the-top character should have been scrapped before shooting began.
Cinematographer Jack Green ("Unforgiven", "The Bridges of Madison County") emphasizes the natural beauty of the Hawaiian island rather than its tourist-attraction opulence, and production designer Alan Au brings whimsy to the interiors. The film is dedicated to Sandler's late father.
50 FIRST DATES
Columbia Pictures
A Happy Madison/Anonymous Content/Flower Films prod.
Credits:
Director: Peter Segal
Screenwriter: George Wing
Producers: Jack Giarraputo, Steve Golin, Nancy Juvonen
Executive producers: Daniel Lupi, Michael Ewing, M. Jay Roach
Director of photography: Jack Green
Production designer: Alan Au
Music: Teddy Castellucci
Co-producers: Larry Kennar, Scott Bankston
Costume designer: Ellen Lutter
Editor: Jeff Gourson
Cast:
Henry Roth: Adam Sandler
Lucy Whitmore: Drew Barrymore
Ula: Rob Schneider
Doug Whitmore: Sean Astin
Alexa: Lusia Strus
Marlin Whitmore: Blake Clark
Dr. Keats: Dan Aykroyd
Sue: Amy Hill
Ten Second Tom: Allen Covert
Nick: Nephi Pomaikai Brown
Running time -- 99 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 2/26/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Though it premiered only 12 days ago, lesbian drama The L Word has already received a renewal from Showtime for a second season. The fastest pickup in the premium channel's history, Word wowed Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt by quadrupling the network's primetime average rating in its first two episodes. "With its provocative storytelling, rich character development, amazing cast and universal appeal, the decision to renew 'Word' was a no-brainer," Greenblatt said in a statement. Production will begin on the next 13 episodes in June. The first season also contained 13 episodes, including a two-hour pilot episode. Word is executive produced by Ilene Chaiken, through her production company Posse Productions Inc., Steve Golin and Larry Kennar, and is distributed internationally by MGM Television Entertainment.
- 1/30/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A total of 86 short films from 3,389 submissions have been selected to screen at next month's Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Some of those films -- 53 of which are American -- will compete for a new jury prize in international short filmmaking introduced for the 2004 fest. International short films less than 30 minutes are eligible for the prize. American short films of less than 30 minutes are eligible for a jury prize in American Short Filmmaking. Notable entries in the short categories include Andrew Jarecki's Just a Clown, David LaChappelle's Krumped, Guinevere Turner's Hummer, Hank Azaria's Nobody's Perfect, Bryan Buckley's Krug, Chris Hinton's Nibbles, Larry Kennar's Spokane, Ilya Chaiken's 100 Lovers of Jesus Reynolds and Sherman Alexie's 49? Narrative and documentary short films will be presented before a feature-length film, while others will be seen as part of a Short Film Program (in the Frontier category) and in the Native Forum. "As a whole, the festival's commitment to international films is continuing to evolve and expand, and we're thrilled to introduce the Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking for the first time," Sundance senior programmer Trevor Groth said. "This year, a staggering number of short films from all over the world were submitted -- indicating that the short form is gaining recognition and momentum." The festival runs Jan. 15-25. A complete list of the 2004 Sundance entries can be found at www.sundance.org.
- 12/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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