William H. Macy returns to the big screen for the third time as director with comedic drama Krystal, in which he appears with stars Rosario Dawson, Nick Robinson, Kathy Bates and Felicity Huffman. The feature, being released via Great Point Media/Paladin Friday, first caught the attention of producer Rachel Winter in 2002. Krystal is one of two Great Point Media titles hitting theaters this weekend, the other being Brian Shoaf’s Aardvark with Zachary Quinto, Jenny Slate, Sheila Vand and Jon Hamm, which the U.K. based company is releasing with partner Paladin. Sony Pictures Classics picked up writer-director Chloé Zhao’s festival favorite The Rider out of last year’s Cannes Film Festival in a late-night deal following its first screening. The critically lauded feature heads to New York and L.A. in a planned slow roll out starting this weekend. And Samuel Goldwyn Films is opening Wim Wenders...
- 4/13/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
A new trailer for the independent film Krystal, starring Nick Robinson and Rosario Dawson, has been released.
The story centres on a young man (played by Robinson) who has never had a drink in his life and upon meeting the woman of his dreams — an ex-hooker-stripper-junkie-alcoholic — pretends to be in Alcoholics Anonymous to try and woo her.
Also in trailers – Chiwetel Ejiofor puts in a powerful performance in trailer for Netflix feature, Come Sunday
Written by Will Aldis and directed by William H. Macy the film stars, Grant Gustin (“The Flash”), Nick Robinson (“Jurassic World”), William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, T.I., Kathy Bates and John Leguizamo.
Krystal is Macy’s third feature film. It is produced by Dan Keston and Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club)
The film had its world premiere at the Virginia Film Festival on November 10, 2017. It is scheduled to be released on April 13.
The post Nick Robinson...
The story centres on a young man (played by Robinson) who has never had a drink in his life and upon meeting the woman of his dreams — an ex-hooker-stripper-junkie-alcoholic — pretends to be in Alcoholics Anonymous to try and woo her.
Also in trailers – Chiwetel Ejiofor puts in a powerful performance in trailer for Netflix feature, Come Sunday
Written by Will Aldis and directed by William H. Macy the film stars, Grant Gustin (“The Flash”), Nick Robinson (“Jurassic World”), William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, T.I., Kathy Bates and John Leguizamo.
Krystal is Macy’s third feature film. It is produced by Dan Keston and Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club)
The film had its world premiere at the Virginia Film Festival on November 10, 2017. It is scheduled to be released on April 13.
The post Nick Robinson...
- 3/26/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: In his first feature role since his breakout turn as the title character in the hit CW series The Flash, Grant Gustin has agreed to star in Krystal, the indie film that is being directed by William H. Macy. Gustin will star alongside Rosario Dawson, who plays the title character, Nick Robinson, Macy, Felicity Huffman and Kathy Bates. Will Aldis wrote the script and shooting begins next month in Atlanta. Rachel Winter and Dan Keston are producing. Gustin’s show…...
- 3/29/2016
- Deadline
"The Flash" star Grant Gustin and "Jurassic World" actor Nick Robinson will join Felicity Huffman, Kathy Bates, John Leguizamo and T.I. in William H. Macy's independent dramedy "Krystal" for Great Point Media.
Written by Will Aldis, the story follows a young man who has never had a drink in his life and upon meeting the woman of his dreams - an ex-hooker-stripper-junkie-alcoholic - pretends to be in Alcoholics Anonymous to try and woo her.
Rachel Winter and Dan Keston are producing and filming begins in April in Atlanta.
Source: Variety...
Written by Will Aldis, the story follows a young man who has never had a drink in his life and upon meeting the woman of his dreams - an ex-hooker-stripper-junkie-alcoholic - pretends to be in Alcoholics Anonymous to try and woo her.
Rachel Winter and Dan Keston are producing and filming begins in April in Atlanta.
Source: Variety...
- 3/29/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Prison drama is from the producer of Dallas Buyers Club and exec producer Mark Wahlberg.
La-based sales company Fabrication Films has acquired foreign distribution rights to Stealing Cars and will be selling the prison drama at the Cannes Marche.
The film is from the producer of Dallas Buyers Club and executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson.
Directed by Bradley Jay Kaplan and written by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall the film stars Emory Cohen, John Leguizamo, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Heather Lind, Mike Epps and Paul Sparks.
The story centres on a troubled teen (Cohen) whose criminal activities, including stealing cars, lands him in a ruthless prison for youth offenders. Consumed by a death wish, the youngster inspires his fellow inmates and rallies them to bring down the corrupt institution and it’s manipulative warden (Leguizamo).
Miriam Elchanan, Svp negotiated the deal on behalf of Fabrication with Tristen Tuckfield and Laura Lewis at CAA and Producers...
La-based sales company Fabrication Films has acquired foreign distribution rights to Stealing Cars and will be selling the prison drama at the Cannes Marche.
The film is from the producer of Dallas Buyers Club and executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson.
Directed by Bradley Jay Kaplan and written by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall the film stars Emory Cohen, John Leguizamo, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Heather Lind, Mike Epps and Paul Sparks.
The story centres on a troubled teen (Cohen) whose criminal activities, including stealing cars, lands him in a ruthless prison for youth offenders. Consumed by a death wish, the youngster inspires his fellow inmates and rallies them to bring down the corrupt institution and it’s manipulative warden (Leguizamo).
Miriam Elchanan, Svp negotiated the deal on behalf of Fabrication with Tristen Tuckfield and Laura Lewis at CAA and Producers...
- 5/11/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Dallas Buyers Club producer Rachel Winter has lined up the cast on her long-gestating next project, Stealing Cars.
Emory Cohen, Mike Epps, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo, William H Macy and Paul Sparks are among the ensemble on the drama, currently shooting in New York.
Stealing Cars tells of a rebellious teenager who is sent to juvenile prison and learns to forgive himself in the wake of a tragic car accident.
Winter (pictured) first read the Stealing Cars screenplay 14 years ago and it has been set up at several studios with different cast and film-maker attachments.
She produces the story with Dan Keston while Steve Levinson and Mark Wahlberg serve as executive producers with Erika Hampson.
Production entities are Winter’s Tangerine Films, alongside Benefit Street Films, Truth Entertainment and Two Ton Films. Financing comes from private equity and New York tax credits.
Bradley Kaplan makes his narrative directorial debut from a screenplay by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall...
Emory Cohen, Mike Epps, Felicity Huffman, John Leguizamo, William H Macy and Paul Sparks are among the ensemble on the drama, currently shooting in New York.
Stealing Cars tells of a rebellious teenager who is sent to juvenile prison and learns to forgive himself in the wake of a tragic car accident.
Winter (pictured) first read the Stealing Cars screenplay 14 years ago and it has been set up at several studios with different cast and film-maker attachments.
She produces the story with Dan Keston while Steve Levinson and Mark Wahlberg serve as executive producers with Erika Hampson.
Production entities are Winter’s Tangerine Films, alongside Benefit Street Films, Truth Entertainment and Two Ton Films. Financing comes from private equity and New York tax credits.
Bradley Kaplan makes his narrative directorial debut from a screenplay by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall...
- 11/19/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Back in March, Universal Pictures released The Adjustment Bureau, written and directed by George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum), which is based on a short story (Adjustment Team), and next August, most of us will be heading to the theater to see director Len Wiseman‘s forthcoming remake of Total Recall, starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy and John Cho, which is based on a novelette called, “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale“.
What do these projects, along with Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly and a handful of others all have in common? Philip K. Dick.
In addition to the Michel Gondry (Green Hornet) directed big-screen adaptation of Philip K. Dick‘s 1969 book, Ubik that we told you was in the pipeline back in February, now Variety reports that Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions are joining forces to bring Philip K. Dick‘s 1966 sci-fi novel Now...
What do these projects, along with Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly and a handful of others all have in common? Philip K. Dick.
In addition to the Michel Gondry (Green Hornet) directed big-screen adaptation of Philip K. Dick‘s 1969 book, Ubik that we told you was in the pipeline back in February, now Variety reports that Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions are joining forces to bring Philip K. Dick‘s 1966 sci-fi novel Now...
- 12/14/2011
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Some of the greatest sci-fi movies have come from novels orginally written by Philip K. Dick. So far films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Adjustment Bureau have been adapted and one more is being added to the list. Variety has word that Now Wait for Last Year is being optined with Ted Kupper tapped to write the screenplay.
The trade adds Barrie M. Osborne (The Lord of the Rings), Cameron Lamb, and Dick’s daughter Isa Dick Hackett will produce the movie, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will executive produce. Currently the film is looking for a director and no actors are attached. But there are plans to start production for the movie in Spring 2012.
Here is the synopsis for Now Wait for Last Year (via amazon.com):
Dr. Eric Sweetscent has problems. His planet is enmeshed in an unwinnable war.
The trade adds Barrie M. Osborne (The Lord of the Rings), Cameron Lamb, and Dick’s daughter Isa Dick Hackett will produce the movie, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will executive produce. Currently the film is looking for a director and no actors are attached. But there are plans to start production for the movie in Spring 2012.
Here is the synopsis for Now Wait for Last Year (via amazon.com):
Dr. Eric Sweetscent has problems. His planet is enmeshed in an unwinnable war.
- 12/7/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
[1] It's been nearly thirty years since the passing of iconic sci-fi novelist Philip K. Dick, but his popularity in Hollywood apparently hasn't waned at all. Big-screen projects based on his books and short stories include Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Adjustment Bureau, and now Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions have optioned the rights to Now Wait for Last Year, with Ted Kupper tapped to write the screenplay. More details after the jump. Variety [2] reports that Barrie M. Osborne (The Lord of the Rings), Cameron Lamb, and Dick's daughter Isa Dick Hackett will produce, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will executive produce. The production is currently seeking a director, with plans to start production in the third quarter of 2012. No actors are attached at this time. Published in 1966, Dick's novel unfolds in a future in which Earth has teamed up with the 'Starmen,...
- 12/7/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Now Wait for Last Year to be produced by Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings) Ted Kupper is set to adapt the adaptation of Philip K. Dick's work, for Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions, reports Variety. The story takes place in a distant future and tells of a war between "starmen" and earth, and an focuses on an organ transplant doctor caught up in the politics between the two. Barrie M. Osborne will produce alongside Dick's daughter Isa Dick Hackett, as well as Cameron Lamb, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will serve as executive producers. This latest adaptation, joins other Philip K. Dick works bought to screen including Total Recall (being remade now with Colin Farrell in the lead), Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise...
- 12/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Now Wait for Last Year to be produced by Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings) Ted Kupper is set to adapt the adaptation of Philip K. Dick's work, for Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions, reports Variety. The story takes place in a distant future and tells of a war between "starmen" and earth, and an focuses on an organ transplant doctor caught up in the politics between the two. Barrie M. Osborne will produce alongside Dick's daughter Isa Dick Hackett, as well as Cameron Lamb, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will serve as executive producers. This latest adaptation, joins other Philip K. Dick works bought to screen including Total Recall (being remade now with Colin Farrell in the lead), Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise...
- 12/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Now Wait for Last Year to be produced by Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings) Ted Kupper is set to adapt the adaptation of Philip K. Dick's work, for Lila 9th and Electric Shepherd Productions, reports Variety. The story takes place in a distant future and tells of a war between "starmen" and earth, and an focuses on an organ transplant doctor caught up in the politics between the two. Barrie M. Osborne will produce alongside Dick's daughter Isa Dick Hackett, as well as Cameron Lamb, while Dan Keston, Laura Leslie, Christopher Tricarico and Kathy Morgan will serve as executive producers. This latest adaptation, joins other Philip K. Dick works bought to screen including Total Recall (being remade now with Colin Farrell in the lead), Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise...
- 12/5/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
News of yet another comic-to-film adaptation has broken during the San Diego Comic-Con and we have all the details on the who whats and whens! Dig it!
According to Variety Mandalay Vision has picked up the film rights to Zenescope Entertainment's graphic novel The Piper, and has tapped Adam Alleca (Last House on the Left) to pen the script adaptation of the horror thriller.
Matthew Rhodes, prexy of Mandalay Vision, previously was developing the book as a film when he ran Persistent Entertainment (the horror pic Passengers) in 2009.
"Matt Rhodes has a wonderful vision for the film, and is an incredibly collaborative producer," adds Zenescope's Ralph Tedesco. "We're thrilled that Mandalay Vision is spearheading the project, and we're confident that this team will bring the true essence of "The Piper" to the big screen."
Joining Rhodes in producing The Piper pic will be Aaron Cruze, Dan Keston, AI's president Dave Brown,...
According to Variety Mandalay Vision has picked up the film rights to Zenescope Entertainment's graphic novel The Piper, and has tapped Adam Alleca (Last House on the Left) to pen the script adaptation of the horror thriller.
Matthew Rhodes, prexy of Mandalay Vision, previously was developing the book as a film when he ran Persistent Entertainment (the horror pic Passengers) in 2009.
"Matt Rhodes has a wonderful vision for the film, and is an incredibly collaborative producer," adds Zenescope's Ralph Tedesco. "We're thrilled that Mandalay Vision is spearheading the project, and we're confident that this team will bring the true essence of "The Piper" to the big screen."
Joining Rhodes in producing The Piper pic will be Aaron Cruze, Dan Keston, AI's president Dave Brown,...
- 7/21/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Persistent Entertainment and Pantry Films have picked up the film rights for Zenescope Entertainment’s “The Piper”
First published in 2008, “The Piper” is a four issue miniseries by Mike Kalvoda and Axel Machain that updates the Pied Piper of Hamelin legend as a horror story. The miniseries follows a bullied high school student who discovers a way to use magic to get revenge on his classmates but gradually loses control to the spirit of the original Piper. The concept was created by Kalvoda along with Ralph Tedesco & Joe Brusha.
Tedesco & Brusha are also onboard the adaptation as executive producers, along with Persistent Entertainment’s Aaron Cruze and Pantry Films’ Dan Keston. Cruze is also attached to produce the upcoming adaptation of Image Comics’ “Ring of Roses.”
Back in 2008, Zenescope’s “Straw Men” was optioned by Benderspink — the production company behind “A History of Violence.” Zenescope’s “1001 Arabian Nights” and “The...
First published in 2008, “The Piper” is a four issue miniseries by Mike Kalvoda and Axel Machain that updates the Pied Piper of Hamelin legend as a horror story. The miniseries follows a bullied high school student who discovers a way to use magic to get revenge on his classmates but gradually loses control to the spirit of the original Piper. The concept was created by Kalvoda along with Ralph Tedesco & Joe Brusha.
Tedesco & Brusha are also onboard the adaptation as executive producers, along with Persistent Entertainment’s Aaron Cruze and Pantry Films’ Dan Keston. Cruze is also attached to produce the upcoming adaptation of Image Comics’ “Ring of Roses.”
Back in 2008, Zenescope’s “Straw Men” was optioned by Benderspink — the production company behind “A History of Violence.” Zenescope’s “1001 Arabian Nights” and “The...
- 12/3/2009
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
The comic series known as The Piper is all set to get the big-screen treatment courtesy of Persistent Entertainment, Pantry Films and Zenescope Entertainment. Published by Zenescope, The Piper is about a bullied high school student who suddenly begins to channel the Pied Piper with dire results. Matthew Rhodes and Dan Keston, from Persistant and Pantry respectively, are set to produce. According to the official press release, "The cinematic version of the Pied Piper of Hamelin will introduce a darker version of the fabled tale to a new generation of modern day horror fans." A horror movie about the Pied Piper? Permit me to be skeptical. Source: The Hollywood Reporter...
- 12/3/2009
- LRMonline.com
Persistent Entertainment, Pantry Films and Zenescope Entertainment are teaming up to produce an adaptation of Zenescope's comic "The Piper."
"Piper" aims to take a dark look at the Pied Piper of Hamelin fable. The story will center on a much-bullied high school band student who unintentionally channels the spirit of the mysterious Pied Piper and triggers terrifying consequences of his actions beyond his control.
The project -- brought to Persistent by exec Aaron Cruze, who will shepherd its development -- is out to writers.
Headed by Matthew Rhodes, Persisent has produced more than 20 films in its 10 years. Those include Richard Kelly's "Southland Tales" and the upcoming Nailed," starring Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Pantry Films and its principal Dan Keston produced "Felon," a drama starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff. The company recently wrapped "Pete Smalls Is Dead" starring Peter Dinklage, Tim Roth, and Steve Buscemi.
Rhodes and Keston...
"Piper" aims to take a dark look at the Pied Piper of Hamelin fable. The story will center on a much-bullied high school band student who unintentionally channels the spirit of the mysterious Pied Piper and triggers terrifying consequences of his actions beyond his control.
The project -- brought to Persistent by exec Aaron Cruze, who will shepherd its development -- is out to writers.
Headed by Matthew Rhodes, Persisent has produced more than 20 films in its 10 years. Those include Richard Kelly's "Southland Tales" and the upcoming Nailed," starring Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Pantry Films and its principal Dan Keston produced "Felon," a drama starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff. The company recently wrapped "Pete Smalls Is Dead" starring Peter Dinklage, Tim Roth, and Steve Buscemi.
Rhodes and Keston...
- 12/2/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Milla Jovovich will start as an alcoholic former stripper in “Keep Coming Back,” a coming of age comedy that marks the directorial debut of veteran actor William H. Macy.
The film revolves around a young man with a sheltered upbringing join an Alcoholics Anonymous group in order to seduce the woman of his dreams. Macy and Steve Buscemi also star in the film.
The will be produced by Rachel Rothman, Tucker Tooley and Dan Keston from a screenplay by Will Aldis. It will lense in Georgia early next year. International rights are handled by Blighty’s content film.
Related Headlines Fargo...
The film revolves around a young man with a sheltered upbringing join an Alcoholics Anonymous group in order to seduce the woman of his dreams. Macy and Steve Buscemi also star in the film.
The will be produced by Rachel Rothman, Tucker Tooley and Dan Keston from a screenplay by Will Aldis. It will lense in Georgia early next year. International rights are handled by Blighty’s content film.
Related Headlines Fargo...
- 11/7/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
Milla Jovovich is out to prove she can do more than just kill thousands of Zombies in a post-apolctiicc world. The actress has signed on to star in Keep Coming Back, a coming-of-age comedy that marks the directorial debut of William H. Macy. The story sees a young man with a sheltered upbringing join an Alcoholics Anonymous group in order to seduce the woman of his dreams (Jovovich). Steve Buscemi and Macy will also star in the film. Will Aldis wrote the flick and Rachel Rothman (Brooklyn Rules), Tucker Tooley (A Man Apart) and Dan Keston (Felon) will produce. Aldis previously penned the Randy Quaid horror-thriller Black Cadillac and Avenging Angelo, which starred Sylvester Stallone and Madeleine Stowe Jovovich last starred in Resident Evil: Extinction and just finished production on The 4th Kind and A Perfect Getaway, which are both due out next year. Keep Coming Back will begin filming in Georgia early next year.
- 11/7/2008
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
Milla Jovovich is set to star in "Keep Coming Back" apparently as an alcoholic former stripper. This is a coming-of-age comedy that William H. Macy, a talented actor in many genres, will be turning into his directorial debut. The screenplay by Will Aldis follows a young man with a sheltered upbringing who aims to seduce the girl of his dreams by joining an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Steve Buscemi and Macy will also star. This will be produced by Tucker Tooley, Rachel Rothman and Dan Keston . Filming starts in Georgia next year.
- 11/7/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Milla Jovovich is set to star in "Keep Coming Back" apparently as an alcoholic former stripper. This is a coming-of-age comedy that William H. Macy, a talented actor in many genres, will be turning into his directorial debut. The screenplay by Will Aldis follows a young man with a sheltered upbringing who aims to seduce the girl of his dreams by joining an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Steve Buscemi and Macy will also star. This will be produced by Tucker Tooley, Rachel Rothman and Dan Keston . Filming starts in Georgia next year.
- 11/7/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Milla Jovovich is set to star in "Keep Coming Back" apparently as an alcoholic former stripper. This is a coming-of-age comedy that William H. Macy, a talented actor in many genres, will be turning into his directorial debut. The screenplay by Will Aldis follows a young man with a sheltered upbringing who aims to seduce the girl of his dreams by joining an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Steve Buscemi and Macy will also star. This will be produced by Tucker Tooley, Rachel Rothman and Dan Keston. Filming starts in Georgia next year. Jovovich was last seen in "Resident Evil: Extinction" under the direction of Russell Mulcahy. She's in post production for "The 4th Kind" where she stars alongside Elias Koteas. She's also with Timothy Olyphant ("Hitman") in David Twohy's "A Perfect Getaway" thriller.
- 11/7/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Milla Jovovich is set to star in "Keep Coming Back" apparently as an alcoholic former stripper. This is a coming-of-age comedy that William H. Macy, a talented actor in many genres, will be turning into his directorial debut. The screenplay by Will Aldis follows a young man with a sheltered upbringing who aims to seduce the girl of his dreams by joining an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Steve Buscemi and Macy will also star. This will be produced by Tucker Tooley, Rachel Rothman and Dan Keston . Filming starts in Georgia next year.
- 11/7/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Emily VanCamp, Dan Byrd and Adam Goldberg are starring in the indie coming-of-age drama Norman.
Byrd plays the title character, a darkly comic teen who deals with his problems by pretending to be dying of cancer. The lie complicates relationships between him and his new high school girlfriend (VanCamp) and between him and his teacher (Goldberg).
Jonathan Segal is directing the feature, which is shooting in Spokane, Wash. Dan Keston and Segal are producing.
VanCamp (ABC's Brothers and Sisters) will star opposite Chris Pine in the upcoming thriller Carriers. She is repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment. Byrd, star of the CW's Aliens in America, is repped by Innovative and Artistry Entertainment. Goldberg, soon to be seen in the ABC series The Unusuals, is repped by ICM and Luber/Roklin Management.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Borys Kit reported from Los Angeles....
Byrd plays the title character, a darkly comic teen who deals with his problems by pretending to be dying of cancer. The lie complicates relationships between him and his new high school girlfriend (VanCamp) and between him and his teacher (Goldberg).
Jonathan Segal is directing the feature, which is shooting in Spokane, Wash. Dan Keston and Segal are producing.
VanCamp (ABC's Brothers and Sisters) will star opposite Chris Pine in the upcoming thriller Carriers. She is repped by ICM and Thruline Entertainment. Byrd, star of the CW's Aliens in America, is repped by Innovative and Artistry Entertainment. Goldberg, soon to be seen in the ABC series The Unusuals, is repped by ICM and Luber/Roklin Management.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Borys Kit reported from Los Angeles....
- 6/23/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY -- Weapons brings the perennial problems of teenagers into the twenty-first century with a decidedly downbeat treatment. The film's stylish and innovative look, influenced by the slowed-down rhythms of Southern hip-hop, doesn't quite carry the elemental story of love and revenge. Its heart and soul may appeal to the new lost generation, but not the standard indie crowd.
Shot in the suburban nowhere of Southern California, the film could really take place wherever kids are restless, bored and disaffected. That's always been a recipe for violence, and director Adam Bhala Lough does not disappoint on that count. Film opens with a particularly gruesome shooting in which a kid's head is blown off in a hamburger joint. The story bobs and weaves backwards in time to eventually reveal how this came about.
Weapons centers on two groups of friends, one white and one black, who, in a nice touch, seem to more or less peacefully coexist until the explosion. On the white side is Jason (Riley Smith), a one-time high school basketball star who has fallen into a life of drugs and easy sex. His best buddy Sean Mark Webber) has, somewhat unbelievably, just returned to the neighborhood from his first year in college. Rounding out the trio is the Loose Cannon Chris (Paul Dano), a classic misfit who goes around sticking a video camera in everyone's face.
The story ignites when Reggie (Nick Cannon) discovers his kid sister Sabrina (Regine Nehy) with a black eye. She says Jason did it and in a rage Reggie sets out for revenge accompanied by his best friend Mikey (Jade Yorker) and Mikey's younger brother James (Brandon Mychal Smith). Although he's probably no more than sixteen Reggie is intent on getting a gun from Mikey's crazy uncle (Arliss Howard), who seems to be channeling the stoned-out Dennis Hooper from Apocalypse Now. After Reggie bludgeons him with a fire extinguisher all bets are off.
In between constantly getting high and stumbling around in a daze, the aggrieved parties are gradually drawn together with tragic results. But despite the buildup, the killings don't carry much weight when they finally happen. These are not characters most people can sympathy with. One tends to watch dispassionately as the inevitable plays out.
Constructed around the music of the southern hip hopper DJ Screw, which aims to simulate the laconic sound of a codeine high, the film relies on endless handheld shots and slow motion sequence in cars and at parties. There is a lot of super-saturated color meant to suggest the drug-induced state.
For their part, the kids are so high most of the time they have become matter-of-fact about the violence around them. Performances by the ensemble cast feel authentic, especially Dano as the loser Chris and Smith as the burnt out Jason. Amy Ferguson, as one of the neighborhood girls who has been around the block at sixteen, captures the dead-end feeling of a life evaporating before it starts.
With a keener eye for detail than story, Lough has definitely tapped a vein in the underbelly of America's youth. But for all its snappy editing (by Jay Rabinowitz) and visual bravado (by cinematographer Manuel Albert Claro), Weapons is not a pretty picture.
Weapons
Fried Films/Pantry Films
Credits: Director: Adam Bhala Lough; Writer: Lough; Producers: Rob Fried, Dan Keston, Bill Straus; Executive Producers: Jason Lust, Sol Tryon; Director of Photography: Manual Albert Claro; Production Designer: Alan E. Muraoka; Music: DJ Screw; Costume Designer: Tere Duncan; Editor: Jay Rabinowitz.
Cast:
Reggie: Nick Cannon; Chris: Paul Dano; Sean: Mark Webber; Jason: Riley Smith; Sabrina: Regine Nehy; Nikki: Amy Ferguson; Mikey: Jade Yorker; Mikeyis uncle: Arliss Howard; James: Brandon Mychal Smith
No MPAA rating, running time: 85 minutes...
Shot in the suburban nowhere of Southern California, the film could really take place wherever kids are restless, bored and disaffected. That's always been a recipe for violence, and director Adam Bhala Lough does not disappoint on that count. Film opens with a particularly gruesome shooting in which a kid's head is blown off in a hamburger joint. The story bobs and weaves backwards in time to eventually reveal how this came about.
Weapons centers on two groups of friends, one white and one black, who, in a nice touch, seem to more or less peacefully coexist until the explosion. On the white side is Jason (Riley Smith), a one-time high school basketball star who has fallen into a life of drugs and easy sex. His best buddy Sean Mark Webber) has, somewhat unbelievably, just returned to the neighborhood from his first year in college. Rounding out the trio is the Loose Cannon Chris (Paul Dano), a classic misfit who goes around sticking a video camera in everyone's face.
The story ignites when Reggie (Nick Cannon) discovers his kid sister Sabrina (Regine Nehy) with a black eye. She says Jason did it and in a rage Reggie sets out for revenge accompanied by his best friend Mikey (Jade Yorker) and Mikey's younger brother James (Brandon Mychal Smith). Although he's probably no more than sixteen Reggie is intent on getting a gun from Mikey's crazy uncle (Arliss Howard), who seems to be channeling the stoned-out Dennis Hooper from Apocalypse Now. After Reggie bludgeons him with a fire extinguisher all bets are off.
In between constantly getting high and stumbling around in a daze, the aggrieved parties are gradually drawn together with tragic results. But despite the buildup, the killings don't carry much weight when they finally happen. These are not characters most people can sympathy with. One tends to watch dispassionately as the inevitable plays out.
Constructed around the music of the southern hip hopper DJ Screw, which aims to simulate the laconic sound of a codeine high, the film relies on endless handheld shots and slow motion sequence in cars and at parties. There is a lot of super-saturated color meant to suggest the drug-induced state.
For their part, the kids are so high most of the time they have become matter-of-fact about the violence around them. Performances by the ensemble cast feel authentic, especially Dano as the loser Chris and Smith as the burnt out Jason. Amy Ferguson, as one of the neighborhood girls who has been around the block at sixteen, captures the dead-end feeling of a life evaporating before it starts.
With a keener eye for detail than story, Lough has definitely tapped a vein in the underbelly of America's youth. But for all its snappy editing (by Jay Rabinowitz) and visual bravado (by cinematographer Manuel Albert Claro), Weapons is not a pretty picture.
Weapons
Fried Films/Pantry Films
Credits: Director: Adam Bhala Lough; Writer: Lough; Producers: Rob Fried, Dan Keston, Bill Straus; Executive Producers: Jason Lust, Sol Tryon; Director of Photography: Manual Albert Claro; Production Designer: Alan E. Muraoka; Music: DJ Screw; Costume Designer: Tere Duncan; Editor: Jay Rabinowitz.
Cast:
Reggie: Nick Cannon; Chris: Paul Dano; Sean: Mark Webber; Jason: Riley Smith; Sabrina: Regine Nehy; Nikki: Amy Ferguson; Mikey: Jade Yorker; Mikeyis uncle: Arliss Howard; James: Brandon Mychal Smith
No MPAA rating, running time: 85 minutes...
- 1/21/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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