For the last two years in a row, one of the major premieres at the Cannes Film Festival has been a mainstream film that works with the trappings and tropes of the Western genre. But there’s not much connection between Martin Scorsese’s Oklahoma-set 1920s period piece “Killers of the Flower Moon,” one of the hits of last year’s festival, and Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” which had its premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere on Sunday evening.
For Scorsese, approaching that location and time period meant thinking hard about what he could bring to a genre that he felt had peaked with directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks in the 1940s and ’50s, and essentially been ended by Sam Peckinpah’s revisionist Western “The Wild Bunch” in the late 1968s.
Costner, though, has little interest in revisionist thinking about the genre; “Horizon” is proudly,...
For Scorsese, approaching that location and time period meant thinking hard about what he could bring to a genre that he felt had peaked with directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks in the 1940s and ’50s, and essentially been ended by Sam Peckinpah’s revisionist Western “The Wild Bunch” in the late 1968s.
Costner, though, has little interest in revisionist thinking about the genre; “Horizon” is proudly,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Ah, the Wild, Wild West. Nothing smells of freedom and gunpowder like the American frontier. The vast prairies, devoted camaraderies and treacherous betrayals, honest cowboys, greedy gold prospectors, filthy outlaws, and rugged bounty hunters — this is the Western, a genre we all honor and love. So put on your hats and spurs, stock up on powder, and get ready for some epic showdowns, partners, because today we present ten great Western movies and shows that are available on Netflix this May.
10. News of the World
9. The Harder They Fall
8. The Power of the Dog
7. The Hateful Eight
6. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
5. 3:10 to Yuma
4. High Plains Drifter
3. Unforgiven
2. Old Henry
1. Godless
Netflix is a veritable treasure trove of great movies and shows. So it comes as no surprise that the streaming service is no less committed to the Western genre, regularly filling its library with projects old and new.
10. News of the World
9. The Harder They Fall
8. The Power of the Dog
7. The Hateful Eight
6. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
5. 3:10 to Yuma
4. High Plains Drifter
3. Unforgiven
2. Old Henry
1. Godless
Netflix is a veritable treasure trove of great movies and shows. So it comes as no surprise that the streaming service is no less committed to the Western genre, regularly filling its library with projects old and new.
- 5/14/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster and Pablo Schreiber will join the previously announced Alan Ritchson in the action thriller “Motor City.”
Potsy Ponciroli will direct the picture. Production begins July 10 in New Jersey and AlUla, Saudi Arabia as part of Stampede Ventures’ 10-picture slate deal with Film AlUla.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Rohini Singh, Paramdeep Singh and Manmeet Singh of Astro Lion Pictures, and Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Mike Tadross Jr. and Eric Hedayat will executive produce.
Black Bear represents international rights with WME Independent co-representing domestic rights with Stampede, and Sacker Entertainment Law overseeing production legal.
“Motor City” follows John Miller (Ritchson), a Detroit auto-worker whose life and girlfriend (Woodley) are taken away from him when he’s framed by a local gangster (Foster) and sent to prison. On his release, Miller unleashes a maelstrom of...
Potsy Ponciroli will direct the picture. Production begins July 10 in New Jersey and AlUla, Saudi Arabia as part of Stampede Ventures’ 10-picture slate deal with Film AlUla.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Rohini Singh, Paramdeep Singh and Manmeet Singh of Astro Lion Pictures, and Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Mike Tadross Jr. and Eric Hedayat will executive produce.
Black Bear represents international rights with WME Independent co-representing domestic rights with Stampede, and Sacker Entertainment Law overseeing production legal.
“Motor City” follows John Miller (Ritchson), a Detroit auto-worker whose life and girlfriend (Woodley) are taken away from him when he’s framed by a local gangster (Foster) and sent to prison. On his release, Miller unleashes a maelstrom of...
- 5/10/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Film finance and sales company Concourse Media and production outfit CinemaWays have greenlighted action-horror pic Graveyard Smash, which will roll cameras this year.
Aussie filmmaker Greg McLean, best known for Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe as well as the Wolf Creek series, is set to direct from a script penned by Gus Krieger.
The film’s synopsis reads: Desperate to find her missing sister, a young woman and her three best friends find themselves trapped inside a virtual-reality game where every level forces its players to survive a different genre of a horror movie. When they learn that dying in the game means dying in real life, the friends are forced to hack, slash and battle their way to the toxic mastermind behind it all.
“As a lifelong horror fan, Graveyard Smash is our love letter to the genre that’s given us so much joy,...
Aussie filmmaker Greg McLean, best known for Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe as well as the Wolf Creek series, is set to direct from a script penned by Gus Krieger.
The film’s synopsis reads: Desperate to find her missing sister, a young woman and her three best friends find themselves trapped inside a virtual-reality game where every level forces its players to survive a different genre of a horror movie. When they learn that dying in the game means dying in real life, the friends are forced to hack, slash and battle their way to the toxic mastermind behind it all.
“As a lifelong horror fan, Graveyard Smash is our love letter to the genre that’s given us so much joy,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Signature Entertainment has picked up dark comedy Greedy People for UK-Ireland release, starring Lily James and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, from UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment.
The feature explores what happens when the eccentric residents of a small, picturesque island town are faced with a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars next to the body, leading to a series of increasingly bad decisions that hilariously upend the once-peaceful community.
Himesh Patel, Uzo Aduba, Tim Blake Nelson, Jim Gaffigan and Simon Rex also star.
Zack Schiller, Dylan Sellers, Shannon Houchins, Chris Parker and David Boies produce, with US Old Henry filmmaker Potsy Ponciroli directing,...
The feature explores what happens when the eccentric residents of a small, picturesque island town are faced with a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars next to the body, leading to a series of increasingly bad decisions that hilariously upend the once-peaceful community.
Himesh Patel, Uzo Aduba, Tim Blake Nelson, Jim Gaffigan and Simon Rex also star.
Zack Schiller, Dylan Sellers, Shannon Houchins, Chris Parker and David Boies produce, with US Old Henry filmmaker Potsy Ponciroli directing,...
- 2/17/2024
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate has acquired domestic rights to the Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James and Himesh Patel comedy “Greedy People.”
The film explores what happens when the eccentric residents of a small, picturesque island town are faced with a sensational murder and the discovery of $1 million next to the body. This sparks a series of increasingly bad decisions that do a number on the peace and tranquility of the community.
“’Greedy People’ is a hugely entertaining crime thriller in every way,” said Allison Lynch, Lionsgate’s director of acquisitions and co-productions. “Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, and Himesh Patel lead an incredible cast through twists and turns that range from the hilarious to the horrific – and the movie always keeps you guessing.”
The film’s starry ensemble also features Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”), Tim Blake Nelson (“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”), Jim Gaffigan (“Chappaquiddick”) and Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”).
Gordon-Levitt’s credits include “Flora and Son,...
The film explores what happens when the eccentric residents of a small, picturesque island town are faced with a sensational murder and the discovery of $1 million next to the body. This sparks a series of increasingly bad decisions that do a number on the peace and tranquility of the community.
“’Greedy People’ is a hugely entertaining crime thriller in every way,” said Allison Lynch, Lionsgate’s director of acquisitions and co-productions. “Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily James, and Himesh Patel lead an incredible cast through twists and turns that range from the hilarious to the horrific – and the movie always keeps you guessing.”
The film’s starry ensemble also features Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”), Tim Blake Nelson (“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”), Jim Gaffigan (“Chappaquiddick”) and Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”).
Gordon-Levitt’s credits include “Flora and Son,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Clifton Collins Jr., Nina Dobrev, Ilfenesh Hadera, Tim Blake Nelson, Oliver Trevena | Written by Hanna Weg, Pete Travis | Directed by Renny Harlin
We’ve had The Gardener, The Baker, The Painter, and now The Bricklayer joins the list of men of violence who’ve taken up peaceful professions only to find out that in some jobs you can never truly leave your past behind.
Steve Vail was one of the C.I.A. ‘s most dependable agents, even if his lack of respect for procedure made him less than popular with his superiors. Disillusioned, he now finds solace in masonry, “When I hold a brick in my hand I know exactly what it is and what it will do every single time. It’s form is its function”
Radek was a C.I.A. asset working under Vail until he was compromised and his family murdered. He went rogue...
We’ve had The Gardener, The Baker, The Painter, and now The Bricklayer joins the list of men of violence who’ve taken up peaceful professions only to find out that in some jobs you can never truly leave your past behind.
Steve Vail was one of the C.I.A. ‘s most dependable agents, even if his lack of respect for procedure made him less than popular with his superiors. Disillusioned, he now finds solace in masonry, “When I hold a brick in my hand I know exactly what it is and what it will do every single time. It’s form is its function”
Radek was a C.I.A. asset working under Vail until he was compromised and his family murdered. He went rogue...
- 1/10/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Production has wrapped on the wartime coming-of-age feature film “The Collaborator,” based on the international bestseller by Kashmiri novelist Mirza Waheed.
The story is set in the 1990s on the Indian side of the Line of Control that separates Indian Kashmir from Pakistani Kashmir. The 17-year old protagonist known only as the “Boy” is forced by an Indian army captain to go into the valley that separates the two countries to count the army’s kills by collecting IDs off the dead. Most of these are teenage boys who have disappeared from his small village, and any one could be among his missing friends.
The novel was named as one of the 2011 books of the year in The Telegraph U.K., New Statesman, Business Standard and Telegraph India. It was also a 2011 Guardian first book award finalist.
The U.K.’s Rudi Dharmalingam stars in the role of Captain Kadian alongside newcomer Nikhil Singh Rai,...
The story is set in the 1990s on the Indian side of the Line of Control that separates Indian Kashmir from Pakistani Kashmir. The 17-year old protagonist known only as the “Boy” is forced by an Indian army captain to go into the valley that separates the two countries to count the army’s kills by collecting IDs off the dead. Most of these are teenage boys who have disappeared from his small village, and any one could be among his missing friends.
The novel was named as one of the 2011 books of the year in The Telegraph U.K., New Statesman, Business Standard and Telegraph India. It was also a 2011 Guardian first book award finalist.
The U.K.’s Rudi Dharmalingam stars in the role of Captain Kadian alongside newcomer Nikhil Singh Rai,...
- 12/14/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul) has been set for a role in Please Don’t Feed the Children, the thriller marking the feature directorial debut of Destry Allyn Spielberg. He joins an ensemble that also includes Michelle Dockery and former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, as well as Joshuah Melnick, Emma Meisel, Dean Scott Vazquez, Zoe Colletti, Regan Aliyah, and Andrew Liner.
Written by Paul Bertino, the film follows a group of orphans who head south in search of a new life after a viral outbreak ravages the country’s adult population, only to find themselves in danger. Jason Dubin (Who Invited Charlie?) is producing for Perry Street Films alongside Josh Kesselman (The Great) and Michael Hagerty (Old Henry). Altitude Films is repping international sales for the indie.
On Esposito’s hiring, Spielberg said, “What an honor it is to be working with such a respected and talented artist -Huzzah!
Written by Paul Bertino, the film follows a group of orphans who head south in search of a new life after a viral outbreak ravages the country’s adult population, only to find themselves in danger. Jason Dubin (Who Invited Charlie?) is producing for Perry Street Films alongside Josh Kesselman (The Great) and Michael Hagerty (Old Henry). Altitude Films is repping international sales for the indie.
On Esposito’s hiring, Spielberg said, “What an honor it is to be working with such a respected and talented artist -Huzzah!
- 11/22/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Following the showcase for his sophomore film Old Henry (2021) at the Venice Film Festival, Potsy Ponciroli next landed on Greedy People (formerly titled The Problem with Providence) back in May of this year. Shot in North Carolina, Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel topline what is being coined as a American comedy mystery film. Traci Lords, Joey Lauren Adams, Uzo Aduba, Jim Gaffigan, Simon Rex, Nina Arianda, Neva Howell, José María Yazpik and a return appearance of Tim Blake Nelson make up the rest of the shot in North Carolina ensemble. Ponciroli has a long rap sheet with several shorts, music videos and commercials under his belt.…...
- 11/12/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Mister Smith Entertainment has clinched first key international sales on Weston Razooli’s “Riddle of Fire.”
Among major territories, Mister Smith has closed Japan (Klockworx), France (ASC Distribution) and Spain (Flamingo Films). Deals build on a co-u.S acquisition by Yellow Veil Pictures and Vinegar Syndrome, which plan a domestic theatrical bow in early 2024, releasing the film on 35mm.
“Riddle of Fire” has also been sold to Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Greece (Odeon) and Femeway/The Film Group and Front Row Filmed Entertainment for the Middle East, Singapore (the Shaw Organization), ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film) and worldwide airlines and ships (Anuvu).
Razooli’s first feature made its debut in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight and its North American premiere as the Toronto Festival’s Midnight Madness closing-night film.
A highlight on Mister Smith’s AFM slate, “Riddle of Fire” has additional territories in negotiations, which Mse will attempt to close in Santa Monica.
Shot...
Among major territories, Mister Smith has closed Japan (Klockworx), France (ASC Distribution) and Spain (Flamingo Films). Deals build on a co-u.S acquisition by Yellow Veil Pictures and Vinegar Syndrome, which plan a domestic theatrical bow in early 2024, releasing the film on 35mm.
“Riddle of Fire” has also been sold to Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Greece (Odeon) and Femeway/The Film Group and Front Row Filmed Entertainment for the Middle East, Singapore (the Shaw Organization), ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film) and worldwide airlines and ships (Anuvu).
Razooli’s first feature made its debut in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight and its North American premiere as the Toronto Festival’s Midnight Madness closing-night film.
A highlight on Mister Smith’s AFM slate, “Riddle of Fire” has additional territories in negotiations, which Mse will attempt to close in Santa Monica.
Shot...
- 11/1/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
To fully grasp the dire state of theatrical distribution of independent films, consider the words of John Sloss, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media, who recently told Variety:
“It’s imperative for all of us to get behind reigniting the theatrical experience because I don’t think the streamers are ever going to be behind the new voices and independent films. The only way to really get them out in the world is to put them in a theater where they can be reviewed and where they can sit long enough for word of mouth to really support them. That’s really the dangerous moment we are in, in terms of getting people back in the theaters.”
Suppose there’s a way out of the “dangerous moment” for independent cinema that Sloss describes. In that case, it will probably come about because of talented indie filmmakers like director Potsy Ponciroli and his experienced,...
“It’s imperative for all of us to get behind reigniting the theatrical experience because I don’t think the streamers are ever going to be behind the new voices and independent films. The only way to really get them out in the world is to put them in a theater where they can be reviewed and where they can sit long enough for word of mouth to really support them. That’s really the dangerous moment we are in, in terms of getting people back in the theaters.”
Suppose there’s a way out of the “dangerous moment” for independent cinema that Sloss describes. In that case, it will probably come about because of talented indie filmmakers like director Potsy Ponciroli and his experienced,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Steven Gaydos
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Shout Studios! on Tuesday announced the promotion of its longtime publicity chief Tom Chen to the role of Senior Vice President of Publicity.
In this elevated position, which has him continuing to lead the publicity team, Chen takes on a broader role in shaping the Shout! Studios brand and enhancing PR efforts. He reports to EVP, Kids & Family Entertainment Melissa Boag and in addition to Boag, will work closely with the senior management team in guiding publicity strategy to promote Shout! Studios’ growth amidst the ever-changing demands of the market.
Chen has been at Shout! since 2007, most recently serving as VP of Publicity. His 16 years at the multi-platform media company have had him overseeing corporate trade communications, media relations and publicity efforts for Shout! Studios and its broad spectrum of entertainment releases and new production ventures.
“Tom’s commitment to excellence and his outstanding ability to manage multifaceted projects...
In this elevated position, which has him continuing to lead the publicity team, Chen takes on a broader role in shaping the Shout! Studios brand and enhancing PR efforts. He reports to EVP, Kids & Family Entertainment Melissa Boag and in addition to Boag, will work closely with the senior management team in guiding publicity strategy to promote Shout! Studios’ growth amidst the ever-changing demands of the market.
Chen has been at Shout! since 2007, most recently serving as VP of Publicity. His 16 years at the multi-platform media company have had him overseeing corporate trade communications, media relations and publicity efforts for Shout! Studios and its broad spectrum of entertainment releases and new production ventures.
“Tom’s commitment to excellence and his outstanding ability to manage multifaceted projects...
- 8/29/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Witcher Season 3 is still holding strong on Netflix’s English-language TV list.
In its second week on the streamer, the first half of the new season drew 13.8M views (66.5M view hours divided by 4.82 runtime hours) for the week of July 3 to 9. That’s down slightly from the 15.2M views the episodes managed in their first few days on the platform following its June 29 debut.
Season 3 has managed 29M views since launch. It’s still quite a ways away from making the most popular TV list, as it would need to crack 79M views. But it’s only been two weeks, and there is still plenty of time in Netflix’s new 91-day measurement window for the season to make it — especially with the second half of the season yet to be released.
The excitement surrounding the new season prompted audiences to revisit The Witcher Seasons 1 and 2, which were...
In its second week on the streamer, the first half of the new season drew 13.8M views (66.5M view hours divided by 4.82 runtime hours) for the week of July 3 to 9. That’s down slightly from the 15.2M views the episodes managed in their first few days on the platform following its June 29 debut.
Season 3 has managed 29M views since launch. It’s still quite a ways away from making the most popular TV list, as it would need to crack 79M views. But it’s only been two weeks, and there is still plenty of time in Netflix’s new 91-day measurement window for the season to make it — especially with the second half of the season yet to be released.
The excitement surrounding the new season prompted audiences to revisit The Witcher Seasons 1 and 2, which were...
- 7/11/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Destry Allyn Spielberg’s directorial feature debut “Don’t Feed the Children,” which stars “Downton Abbey’s” Michelle Dockery, has added three new, young actors to its central cast.
Joshuah Melnick, Emma Meisel and Dean Scott Vazquez are set to join Dockery in the upcoming film, which was written by Paul Bertino, about a viral outbreak that affects only adults.
Following the pandemic, “a group of orphans head south in search of a new life, only to find themselves at the mercy of a deranged woman harboring a dangerous secret,” reads the logline.
The film is set to start shooting next month in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Melnick has appeared in “Saint X” and “Tesla” while Meisel has had roles in “Doogie Kamealohla, M.D.” and “American Horror Story: 1984.”
Dean Scott Vazquez is an alum of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and will soon be seen in Adam Sandler...
Joshuah Melnick, Emma Meisel and Dean Scott Vazquez are set to join Dockery in the upcoming film, which was written by Paul Bertino, about a viral outbreak that affects only adults.
Following the pandemic, “a group of orphans head south in search of a new life, only to find themselves at the mercy of a deranged woman harboring a dangerous secret,” reads the logline.
The film is set to start shooting next month in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Melnick has appeared in “Saint X” and “Tesla” while Meisel has had roles in “Doogie Kamealohla, M.D.” and “American Horror Story: 1984.”
Dean Scott Vazquez is an alum of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and will soon be seen in Adam Sandler...
- 6/9/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Zoe Colletti (Only Murders in the Building, Boo), Regan Aliyah (Marvel’s Ironheart, Xo Kitty) and Andrew Liner have joined Michelle Dockery in Destry Allyn Spielberg’s feature directorial debut Please Don’t Feed the Children, as Altitude launches the genre film at the Cannes Market.
In Please Don’t Feed the Children, after a viral outbreak ravages the country’s adult population, a group of orphans heads south in search of a new life, only to find themselves at the mercy of a deranged woman harboring a dangerous secret.
Jason Dubin is producing through his Perry Street Films imprint, along with Josh Kesselman and Michael Hagerty (Old Henry). Principal photography begins in Santa Fe, Nm, next month on a script from Paul Bertino.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Full Coverage
In March, we brought you news of Dockery’s casting as the lead,...
In Please Don’t Feed the Children, after a viral outbreak ravages the country’s adult population, a group of orphans heads south in search of a new life, only to find themselves at the mercy of a deranged woman harboring a dangerous secret.
Jason Dubin is producing through his Perry Street Films imprint, along with Josh Kesselman and Michael Hagerty (Old Henry). Principal photography begins in Santa Fe, Nm, next month on a script from Paul Bertino.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Full Coverage
In March, we brought you news of Dockery’s casting as the lead,...
- 5/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
In a late addition to the roll call, Tim Blake Nelson has joined the high-flying cast of Dune: Part 2, Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling adaptation of the Frank Herbert sci-fi classic being made by Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
The actor, who becomes a first-time author when his debut novel, City of Blows, hits in February, joins Dune newcomers Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken on the project that officially wrapped shooting in mid-December.
The newcomers join returning actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem.
Character details for Nelson’s role are being kept deep in the sand. The sequel takes on the second half of Herbert’s 1965 novel, with Paul Atreides (Chalamet) teaming with the desert-dwelling Fremen to liberate the planet of Arrakis from the vicious House Harkonnen.
Dune: Part 2 will be released Nov. 3,. The first movie, Dune, opened simultaneously in domestic theaters and HBO Max Oct.
The actor, who becomes a first-time author when his debut novel, City of Blows, hits in February, joins Dune newcomers Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken on the project that officially wrapped shooting in mid-December.
The newcomers join returning actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem.
Character details for Nelson’s role are being kept deep in the sand. The sequel takes on the second half of Herbert’s 1965 novel, with Paul Atreides (Chalamet) teaming with the desert-dwelling Fremen to liberate the planet of Arrakis from the vicious House Harkonnen.
Dune: Part 2 will be released Nov. 3,. The first movie, Dune, opened simultaneously in domestic theaters and HBO Max Oct.
- 1/6/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Of all the Best Of lists that come out at the end of the year, few are anticipated with more eagerness than that of former President Barack Obama. The annual list is always an eclectic collection of cinema that reveals a wide-ranging taste that rivals that of professional film critics.
“I always look forward to sharing my lists of favorite books, movies, and music with all of you,” Obama tweeted, before beginning his rollout of his picks from the culture he consumed.
For his films, he tweeted December 23, “I saw some great movies this year — here are some of my favorites.” His list put Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” at the top, followed by Park Chan-wook’s murder-mystery “Decision to Leave” and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King.”
Obama’s list also included “Aftersun,” “Emily the Criminal,” “Petite Maman,” “Happening,” “Till,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Good Boss,...
“I always look forward to sharing my lists of favorite books, movies, and music with all of you,” Obama tweeted, before beginning his rollout of his picks from the culture he consumed.
For his films, he tweeted December 23, “I saw some great movies this year — here are some of my favorites.” His list put Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” at the top, followed by Park Chan-wook’s murder-mystery “Decision to Leave” and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King.”
Obama’s list also included “Aftersun,” “Emily the Criminal,” “Petite Maman,” “Happening,” “Till,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Good Boss,...
- 12/24/2022
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Lionsgate’s Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired North American rights to Dead Man’s Hand — a Western starring Stephen Dorff (True Detective), Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys) and Cole Hauser (Yellowstone), which just recently wrapped production in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In the film from Milestone Studios, the retired gunslinger Reno (Kilmer) joins forces with a new marshal (Hauser) to take on the cruel cattle baron, Mayor Clarence Bishop (Dorff).
Reno, a newly married gunfighter, hangs up his six-shooters when he says “I do” to his bride, Vegas. But when Reno kills a bandit in self-defense, he finds himself pulled back into his old ways. The bandit’s brother, the ruthless Mayor Bishop, will not let his brother’s death go unpunished. As revenge, Bishop and his private army ambush Reno and Vegas, leaving the gunfighter near death and taking Reno’s wife prisoner. Reno then teams up with...
In the film from Milestone Studios, the retired gunslinger Reno (Kilmer) joins forces with a new marshal (Hauser) to take on the cruel cattle baron, Mayor Clarence Bishop (Dorff).
Reno, a newly married gunfighter, hangs up his six-shooters when he says “I do” to his bride, Vegas. But when Reno kills a bandit in self-defense, he finds himself pulled back into his old ways. The bandit’s brother, the ruthless Mayor Bishop, will not let his brother’s death go unpunished. As revenge, Bishop and his private army ambush Reno and Vegas, leaving the gunfighter near death and taking Reno’s wife prisoner. Reno then teams up with...
- 12/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: LA-Based production, financing, and sales company Premiere Entertainment today announced that Shout! Studios has picked up North American rights to the action western Gunfight at Rio Bravo, starring Alexander Nevsky (Showdown in Manila).
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release next year on January 13, followed by a digital and national home entertainment release on January 17.
In the pic, Nevsky plays a mysterious Russian gunslinger who aids a marshal and a sheriff as they stand up to a bloodthirsty outlaw gang known as The Hellhounds who have invaded their small East Texas town.
Joe Cornet, Matthias Hues, Olivier Gruner, and Natalie Denise Sperl round out the key cast.
Joe Cornet directed the western from a screenplay by Craig Hamann. The film was produced by Nevsky for Hollywood Storm. Eric Brenner of Eta Films and Joe Cornet of San Rafael Productions served as executive producers.
“I’m really happy...
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release next year on January 13, followed by a digital and national home entertainment release on January 17.
In the pic, Nevsky plays a mysterious Russian gunslinger who aids a marshal and a sheriff as they stand up to a bloodthirsty outlaw gang known as The Hellhounds who have invaded their small East Texas town.
Joe Cornet, Matthias Hues, Olivier Gruner, and Natalie Denise Sperl round out the key cast.
Joe Cornet directed the western from a screenplay by Craig Hamann. The film was produced by Nevsky for Hollywood Storm. Eric Brenner of Eta Films and Joe Cornet of San Rafael Productions served as executive producers.
“I’m really happy...
- 11/2/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kevin Costner’s civil war western at New Line, Horizon, continues to expand with a huge roster of actors including Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Wasé Chief, Tim Guinee, Michael Angarano, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Angus Macfadyen, Douglas Smith and Jon Beavers rounding out the ensemble.
They all join previously announced cast Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jamie Campbell Bower, Luke Wilson, Thomas Haden Church, Jena Malone, Alejandro Edda, Tatanka Means, Michael Rooker, Isabelle Fuhrman and Ella Hunt.
Horizon chronicles a multi-faceted 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west. Experienced through the eyes of many, the epic journey is fraught with peril and intrigue from the constant onslaught of natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it. It reps multi-Oscar winner Costner’s return...
They all join previously announced cast Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jamie Campbell Bower, Luke Wilson, Thomas Haden Church, Jena Malone, Alejandro Edda, Tatanka Means, Michael Rooker, Isabelle Fuhrman and Ella Hunt.
Horizon chronicles a multi-faceted 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west. Experienced through the eyes of many, the epic journey is fraught with peril and intrigue from the constant onslaught of natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it. It reps multi-Oscar winner Costner’s return...
- 9/29/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Leo Milano directed high school coming-of-age story.
Vmi Worldwide has come on board worldwide sales rights for TIFF to coming-of-age story The Crusades starring Rudy Pankow from Netflix’s Outer Banks.
Leo Milano directed the film about three friends at an all-boys private high school about to merge with a rival institution who plan one final hurrah while dodging authority, love affairs and violent foes in the longest weekend of their lives.
At the heart of it is Leo Grecco, a delusional romantic caught up in a teenage love triangle. Ashley Nicole Williams, Khalil Everage, Indiana Massara, Ryan Ashton, Blaine Maye...
Vmi Worldwide has come on board worldwide sales rights for TIFF to coming-of-age story The Crusades starring Rudy Pankow from Netflix’s Outer Banks.
Leo Milano directed the film about three friends at an all-boys private high school about to merge with a rival institution who plan one final hurrah while dodging authority, love affairs and violent foes in the longest weekend of their lives.
At the heart of it is Leo Grecco, a delusional romantic caught up in a teenage love triangle. Ashley Nicole Williams, Khalil Everage, Indiana Massara, Ryan Ashton, Blaine Maye...
- 9/10/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Shout! Studios has acquired all North American distribution rights to the neo-Western thriller Head Count, from Continuance Pictures and Method Media. Filmmakers Jacob and Ben Burghart — together known as The Burghart Brothers — are directing in their feature debut, from their script written with Josh Doke, with Aaron Jakubenko (Tidelands), Melanie Zanetti (Raven’s Hollow) and Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) set to star. Shout! Studios and the filmmakers are planning a strategic launch of the movie next year, beginning with major film festivals and film markets in 2023.
Based on the Burgharts’ 2014 short of the same name, the film billed as Blood Simple meets Memento follows Kat (Jakubenko), who, after escaping prison, finds his own revolver pointed to his head by an unknown assailant. As the empty rounds click away, Kat tries to remember what happened to each bullet, as impulsive officer Sawyer (Kwanten) is hot on his tail, and his ex-lover...
Based on the Burgharts’ 2014 short of the same name, the film billed as Blood Simple meets Memento follows Kat (Jakubenko), who, after escaping prison, finds his own revolver pointed to his head by an unknown assailant. As the empty rounds click away, Kat tries to remember what happened to each bullet, as impulsive officer Sawyer (Kwanten) is hot on his tail, and his ex-lover...
- 8/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Saban Films has taken global rights to the John Travolta and Stephen Dorff feature, American Metal.
Writer and first-time feature director Nicholas Maggio’s film tells the story of a desperate and struggling family man who robs a pill mill. However, when the theft turns violent, he finds himself hunted by both the police and the Dixieland mafia. Filming just wrapped in Georgia with Saban Films looking at a 2023 release.
Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead) Ashley Benson (Spring Breakers) and Kevin Dillon also star.
The pic was produced by 308 Entertainment’s Corey Large and Bernie Gewissler in association with Bondit Media Capital.
The feature reps the second film with Travolta and Dorff for 308 Entertainment’s Large, following the upcoming Saban release Paradise City.
Travolta received two Best Actor Oscar nominations for 1977’s Saturday Night Fever and 1994’s Pulp Fiction.
Writer and first-time feature director Nicholas Maggio’s film tells the story of a desperate and struggling family man who robs a pill mill. However, when the theft turns violent, he finds himself hunted by both the police and the Dixieland mafia. Filming just wrapped in Georgia with Saban Films looking at a 2023 release.
Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead) Ashley Benson (Spring Breakers) and Kevin Dillon also star.
The pic was produced by 308 Entertainment’s Corey Large and Bernie Gewissler in association with Bondit Media Capital.
The feature reps the second film with Travolta and Dorff for 308 Entertainment’s Large, following the upcoming Saban release Paradise City.
Travolta received two Best Actor Oscar nominations for 1977’s Saturday Night Fever and 1994’s Pulp Fiction.
- 5/21/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Spooky season is still six months away but the folks behind the “Spirit Halloween” movie – yes, the one based on the ubiquitous October pop-up store, which Variety exclusively revealed last month – have given Variety an exclusive sneak peek at the first images of Christopher Lloyd and Rachael Leigh Cook on set as well as more plot details.
In “Spirit Halloween,” Lloyd (best known as Doc Brown in “Back to the Future”) plays wealthy land developer Alec Windsor. Decades ago, one Halloween night, Windsor disappeared without a trace and ever since his cursed spirit is said to haunt the town each year on October 31 for one hour.
Meanwhile Cook (“He’s All That”) plays Sue, who has recently remarried after her husband passed away. When a Spirit Halloween store pops up in an abandoned strip mall, Sue’s teenage son Jake and his friends decide to spend the night there for a dare.
In “Spirit Halloween,” Lloyd (best known as Doc Brown in “Back to the Future”) plays wealthy land developer Alec Windsor. Decades ago, one Halloween night, Windsor disappeared without a trace and ever since his cursed spirit is said to haunt the town each year on October 31 for one hour.
Meanwhile Cook (“He’s All That”) plays Sue, who has recently remarried after her husband passed away. When a Spirit Halloween store pops up in an abandoned strip mall, Sue’s teenage son Jake and his friends decide to spend the night there for a dare.
- 5/20/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Tim Blake Nelson, Uzo Aduba, Simon Rex, Nina Arianda, Jim Gaffigan, José María Yazpik and Joey Lauren Adams have rounded out the cast of, Providence, a comedy from Dylan Sellers and Chris Parker’s Limelight and David Boies and Zack Schiller’s Boies Schiller Entertainment. Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel are set to star with Potsy Ponciroli directing. Michael Vukadinovich penned the script. Limelight and Bse will fully finance and produce, along with Shannon Houchins’ Hideout Pictures.
Between the previous three stars already announced and this new round, Limelight and Bse look have put together quite the cast for this comedy.
The story follows the eclectic residents of a small, picturesque island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars as a series of increasingly bad decisions upends the once-peaceful community. Principal photography begins this week in North Carolina.
Sellers, Parker, Houchins,...
Between the previous three stars already announced and this new round, Limelight and Bse look have put together quite the cast for this comedy.
The story follows the eclectic residents of a small, picturesque island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars as a series of increasingly bad decisions upends the once-peaceful community. Principal photography begins this week in North Carolina.
Sellers, Parker, Houchins,...
- 5/13/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stephen Root (Barry) and Tim Blake Nelson (Old Henry) have signed on to star alongside Oscar and Emmy winner Kathy Bates, two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner John Malkovich and Lewis Pullman in Thelma, an upcoming indie to be directed by two-time Emmy nominee Ken Kwapis. The Exchange will be introducing the title to international buyers at the 2022 Cannes Film Market, with ICM Partners and UTA Independent Film Group handling domestic.
Thelma recounts the true story of the mother of John Kennedy Toole (Pullman), the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces. Toole died by suicide before finding a home for his masterpiece, and his mother Thelma (Bates) made it her life’s mission, through outrageous gamesmanship, to see the book published. She eventually succeeded in getting the manuscript into the hands of writer Walker Percy (Malkovich), who became the novel’s champion. It...
Thelma recounts the true story of the mother of John Kennedy Toole (Pullman), the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces. Toole died by suicide before finding a home for his masterpiece, and his mother Thelma (Bates) made it her life’s mission, through outrageous gamesmanship, to see the book published. She eventually succeeded in getting the manuscript into the hands of writer Walker Percy (Malkovich), who became the novel’s champion. It...
- 5/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel are set to star in Providence, a comedy from Dylan Sellers and Chris Parker’s Limelight and David Boies and Zack Schiller’s Boies Schiller Entertainment. Limelight and Bse will fully finance and produce, along with Shannon Houchins’ Hideout Pictures with Potsy Ponciroli directing. Michael Vukadinovich penned the script.
The story follows the eclectic residents of a small, picturesque island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars as a series of increasingly bad decisions upends the once-peaceful community. Principal photography begins this week in North Carolina.
Sellers, Parker, Hutchins, Schiller and Boies will produce, with Vukadinovich, Tyler Zacharia, Sam Slater, Phil Keefe and Dane Eckerle executive producing. Cj Barbato will co-produce. Ponciroli recent collaboration with Hideout include Old Henry, which has been a critic’s darling since its premiere at Venice. Verve Ventures and UTA...
The story follows the eclectic residents of a small, picturesque island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars as a series of increasingly bad decisions upends the once-peaceful community. Principal photography begins this week in North Carolina.
Sellers, Parker, Hutchins, Schiller and Boies will produce, with Vukadinovich, Tyler Zacharia, Sam Slater, Phil Keefe and Dane Eckerle executive producing. Cj Barbato will co-produce. Ponciroli recent collaboration with Hideout include Old Henry, which has been a critic’s darling since its premiere at Venice. Verve Ventures and UTA...
- 5/10/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Scott Haze (Jurassic World Dominion) has signed on to star alongside Orlando Bloom and Andie MacDowell in the action-thriller Red Right Hand, from directors Ian and Eshom Nelms (Fatman).
The film penned by Jonathan Easley follows Cash (Bloom), who is trying to live an honest and quiet life, taking care of his niece Savannah in the Appalachian hills of Odim County. When the sadistic Queenpin Big Cat (MacDowell), who runs the town, forces him back into her services, Cash learns he’s capable of anything—even killing—to protect the town and the only family he has left. As the journey gets harder, Cash is drawn into a nightmare that blurs the lines between good and evil.
Haze will play Cash’s brother-in-law Finney, who spurs the change in him when he gets into debt to MacDowell’s Queenpin. Asbury Park Pictures is the project’s financier, and is producing alongside Traction.
The film penned by Jonathan Easley follows Cash (Bloom), who is trying to live an honest and quiet life, taking care of his niece Savannah in the Appalachian hills of Odim County. When the sadistic Queenpin Big Cat (MacDowell), who runs the town, forces him back into her services, Cash learns he’s capable of anything—even killing—to protect the town and the only family he has left. As the journey gets harder, Cash is drawn into a nightmare that blurs the lines between good and evil.
Haze will play Cash’s brother-in-law Finney, who spurs the change in him when he gets into debt to MacDowell’s Queenpin. Asbury Park Pictures is the project’s financier, and is producing alongside Traction.
- 4/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
If, like me, one of your favorite things to do each fall is to find and visit your local Spirit Halloween store, then you also might be excited to hear that Strike Back Studios and Hideout Pictures have finished principal photography on a Spirit Halloween movie written by Billie Bates, directed by David Poag, and featuring a cast that includes Christopher Lloyd and Rachael Leigh Cook.
The Spirit Halloween film is slated for an October release, and we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further details. In the meantime, we have the official press release, including the film's synopsis:
Press Release: Strike Back Studios and Hideout Pictures continue their busy production schedule in 2022 having wrapped principal photography of “Spirit Halloween.” When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle school friends who think they’ve outgrown trick or treating make a dare to spend the...
The Spirit Halloween film is slated for an October release, and we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on further details. In the meantime, we have the official press release, including the film's synopsis:
Press Release: Strike Back Studios and Hideout Pictures continue their busy production schedule in 2022 having wrapped principal photography of “Spirit Halloween.” When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle school friends who think they’ve outgrown trick or treating make a dare to spend the...
- 4/12/2022
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
With toy-related films all the rage, Halloween fans have been left under-served — until now.
Spirit Halloween, the iconic costume and prop store with 1,425 locations across North America, has teamed with Strike Back Studios, Hideout Pictures and Particular Crowd for a feature-length family movie called, you guessed it, “Spirit Halloween.”
Billed as a family/kids adventure movie, the project stars “Back to the Future’s” Christopher Lloyd and “She’s All That” star Rachael Leigh Cook, as well as some new faces.
“When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle-school friends who think they’ve outgrown trick-or-treating make a dare to spend the night locked inside the store Halloween night,” reads the logline. “But they soon find out that the store is haunted by an angry evil spirit who has possessed the creepy animatronic characters. The kids embark on a thrilling and spooky adventure in order...
Spirit Halloween, the iconic costume and prop store with 1,425 locations across North America, has teamed with Strike Back Studios, Hideout Pictures and Particular Crowd for a feature-length family movie called, you guessed it, “Spirit Halloween.”
Billed as a family/kids adventure movie, the project stars “Back to the Future’s” Christopher Lloyd and “She’s All That” star Rachael Leigh Cook, as well as some new faces.
“When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle-school friends who think they’ve outgrown trick-or-treating make a dare to spend the night locked inside the store Halloween night,” reads the logline. “But they soon find out that the store is haunted by an angry evil spirit who has possessed the creepy animatronic characters. The kids embark on a thrilling and spooky adventure in order...
- 4/11/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Writer, director and actor Michael Showalter joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss his favorite movies.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
The Baxter (2005)
Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
Runaway Daughters (1994)
Clueless (1995)
Bagdad Cafe (1987)
Coda (2021)
The Long Goodbye (1973) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Jaws (1975) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Sugarbaby (1985)
City Slickers (1991)
Attack! (1956) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Paris, Texas (1984) – Karyn Kusama’s trailer commentary
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Escape From New York (1981) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986)
The Warriors (1979)
The Thing (1982) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Christine (1983)
Crossing Delancey (1988)
Annie Hall (1977) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
The Fugitive (1993)
The Big Sick (2017) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Between The Lines...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
The Baxter (2005)
Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
Runaway Daughters (1994)
Clueless (1995)
Bagdad Cafe (1987)
Coda (2021)
The Long Goodbye (1973) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Jaws (1975) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Sugarbaby (1985)
City Slickers (1991)
Attack! (1956) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Paris, Texas (1984) – Karyn Kusama’s trailer commentary
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Escape From New York (1981) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986)
The Warriors (1979)
The Thing (1982) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Christine (1983)
Crossing Delancey (1988)
Annie Hall (1977) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
The Fugitive (1993)
The Big Sick (2017) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Between The Lines...
- 4/5/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Accomplished screenwriter and avid movie watcher, Daniel Waters breaks down his ‘Best of the Best of 2021’ list with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Drive My Car (2021)
A History of Violence (2005)
Larry Crowne (2011)
The Vanishing (1988)
Don’t Look Up (2021)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Gerry (2002)
Swept Away (1974)
Swept Away (2002)
The Tender Bar (2021)
Riders Of Justice (2021)
Another Round (2020)
The Worst Person In The World (2021)
Pig (2021)
Dune (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dune (2021)
Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
Den of Thieves (2018)
Copshop (2021)
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Magnum Force (1973) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Driver (1978)
Memoria (2021)
Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Old Henry (2021)
The Village (2004)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Annette (2021)
Titane (2021)
Zola (2021)
The Killing of Two Lovers (2021)
Who You Think I Am (2021)
Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Drive My Car (2021)
A History of Violence (2005)
Larry Crowne (2011)
The Vanishing (1988)
Don’t Look Up (2021)
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Gerry (2002)
Swept Away (1974)
Swept Away (2002)
The Tender Bar (2021)
Riders Of Justice (2021)
Another Round (2020)
The Worst Person In The World (2021)
Pig (2021)
Dune (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dune (2021)
Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
Den of Thieves (2018)
Copshop (2021)
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Magnum Force (1973) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Driver (1978)
Memoria (2021)
Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Old Henry (2021)
The Village (2004)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Annette (2021)
Titane (2021)
Zola (2021)
The Killing of Two Lovers (2021)
Who You Think I Am (2021)
Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy...
- 3/29/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Exclusive: The Apple and Skydance film Ghosted is putting together quite the ensemble, as Deadline is hearing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood breakout Mike Moh, Amy Sedaris, Tim Blake Nelson and Tate Donovan have joined the cast. Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody are set to star, with Dexter Fletcher directing.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing along with Jules Daly. Evans will serve as producer and de Armas an executive producer. The film’s writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, also will be producers. They developed the project based on an original idea of theirs and pre-emptively sold it to Skydance.
The project is described as a high-concept romantic action-adventure film, and Apple acquired the high-profile project during the summer.
Moh has been a star on the rise since his scene-stealing role as Bruce Lee in Quentin Tarantino’s...
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing along with Jules Daly. Evans will serve as producer and de Armas an executive producer. The film’s writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, also will be producers. They developed the project based on an original idea of theirs and pre-emptively sold it to Skydance.
The project is described as a high-concept romantic action-adventure film, and Apple acquired the high-profile project during the summer.
Moh has been a star on the rise since his scene-stealing role as Bruce Lee in Quentin Tarantino’s...
- 3/9/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (Sony/$5.99) leads all VOD charts for the third straight week since its price reduction. That’s two weeks longer than its hold on the top spot when it initially was released at $19.99 in early January.
Sony as a studio continues on a roll. This weekend “Uncharted” took in a stronger than expected $44 million in U.S./Canada theaters. Impressive as that was, it also is critical as the highest opening gross for a non-franchise or sequel release in over two years and it comes, like “Afterlife,” from a studio that has no direct streaming platform.
That makes its reliance on traditional strategies – first in theaters, then PVOD at a reduced but still sufficient six week period, later reduced price – before streaming critical. And they seem to be succeeding is the most important recent event in the evolving theater rebound story that is still unsettled.
“Afterlife” held off the...
Sony as a studio continues on a roll. This weekend “Uncharted” took in a stronger than expected $44 million in U.S./Canada theaters. Impressive as that was, it also is critical as the highest opening gross for a non-franchise or sequel release in over two years and it comes, like “Afterlife,” from a studio that has no direct streaming platform.
That makes its reliance on traditional strategies – first in theaters, then PVOD at a reduced but still sufficient six week period, later reduced price – before streaming critical. And they seem to be succeeding is the most important recent event in the evolving theater rebound story that is still unsettled.
“Afterlife” held off the...
- 2/21/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
We are in the midst of Hollywood’s two big film events. One is the Oscar race, in which film artists salute great work.
The other is the surrounding mini-industry that involves campaigners, contenders, agents, journalists and Oscar pundits.
There is always confusion because the latter event is also called the Oscar race — but in fact, the two are very different species.
Oscar Race #1 features major names, newcomer/vets plus top-of-the-line artisans. Peer recognition by Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences voters is the whole point of Race #1.
Many look upon Race #2 with confusion or contempt, because it involves money, marketing and the elusive factor of buzz.
Oscar’s parallel races generally follow a decades-old system. But this year, the balance has been thrown off.
It’s been a year of uncertainty. The top factor of course is Covid, but we’ve also seen the absence of the Golden Globes...
The other is the surrounding mini-industry that involves campaigners, contenders, agents, journalists and Oscar pundits.
There is always confusion because the latter event is also called the Oscar race — but in fact, the two are very different species.
Oscar Race #1 features major names, newcomer/vets plus top-of-the-line artisans. Peer recognition by Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences voters is the whole point of Race #1.
Many look upon Race #2 with confusion or contempt, because it involves money, marketing and the elusive factor of buzz.
Oscar’s parallel races generally follow a decades-old system. But this year, the balance has been thrown off.
It’s been a year of uncertainty. The top factor of course is Covid, but we’ve also seen the absence of the Golden Globes...
- 2/18/2022
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Horror fans are well catered to in this month’s slimmed-down selection of film premieres on Sky Cinema, with serial killer body-swap comedy Freaky, The Forever Purge, and Ben Wheatley’s pandemic weird-fest In the Earth. Joining those is the latest from Steven Soderbergh, whose Contagion enjoyed a surge of interest early on in the pandemic. His new feature is Kimi, a thriller starring Zoe Kravitz set during the time of Covid-19.
For half-term viewing with the kids off school, there’s Space Jam: A New Legacy and Dream Horse, as well as the many archive titles already available. Speaking of which, save Book of Love, there doesn’t seem to be a big Valentine’s night-in premiere this year, so perhaps look out one of our picks.
And here’s what else is coming to Sky Cinema in the UK this February.
Movie Premieres and Sky Originals
Freaky – 4th...
For half-term viewing with the kids off school, there’s Space Jam: A New Legacy and Dream Horse, as well as the many archive titles already available. Speaking of which, save Book of Love, there doesn’t seem to be a big Valentine’s night-in premiere this year, so perhaps look out one of our picks.
And here’s what else is coming to Sky Cinema in the UK this February.
Movie Premieres and Sky Originals
Freaky – 4th...
- 1/31/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday revealed the 276 feature films that are eligible for consideration at the 94rd Oscars, which are set to air live March 27 on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The number is 90 fewer than last year’s 366, but this year’s eligibility period was only 10 months.
To be eligible for Best Picture consideration, films must have submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry as part of the submission requirements. Nominations voting begins January 27 and concludes on February 1. The Oscar nominations will be revealed on Tuesday, February 8.
Today’s news comes about a month after the Academy released its shortlists in the International Film, Documentary Feature, Original Score, Original Song, Makeup & Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Sound and the Live-Action, Documentary and Animated Shorts categories.
Here is the full list of films eligible for Best Picture at the 94rd annual Academy Awards,...
The number is 90 fewer than last year’s 366, but this year’s eligibility period was only 10 months.
To be eligible for Best Picture consideration, films must have submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry as part of the submission requirements. Nominations voting begins January 27 and concludes on February 1. The Oscar nominations will be revealed on Tuesday, February 8.
Today’s news comes about a month after the Academy released its shortlists in the International Film, Documentary Feature, Original Score, Original Song, Makeup & Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Sound and the Live-Action, Documentary and Animated Shorts categories.
Here is the full list of films eligible for Best Picture at the 94rd annual Academy Awards,...
- 1/20/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker-actor Tim Blake Nelson commands the screen in the Western thriller “Old Henry,” written and directed by Potsy Ponciroli. Nelson’s intense performance as a man driven to extremes in order to protect his son in early 1900s Oklahoma drives the narrative.
What appealed to you most about the script?
I’ve always loved Westerns. It was a true meat-and-potatoes take on the genre, but my main connection to the material was as a dad, as I’ve got three ornery kids in New York City, two of whom are in college. Raising kids is tough because you always want to shield them from the challenges of the world, and I loved how Potsy’s script examined the real tension that comes with parenthood, and how parents always have to decide how much of the real world they should be exposing their children to.
Who is Potsy Ponciroli?
I didn...
What appealed to you most about the script?
I’ve always loved Westerns. It was a true meat-and-potatoes take on the genre, but my main connection to the material was as a dad, as I’ve got three ornery kids in New York City, two of whom are in college. Raising kids is tough because you always want to shield them from the challenges of the world, and I loved how Potsy’s script examined the real tension that comes with parenthood, and how parents always have to decide how much of the real world they should be exposing their children to.
Who is Potsy Ponciroli?
I didn...
- 1/15/2022
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
At the 2020 Oscars, Neon’s “Parasite” grossed $55 million, won four awards, and became the first-ever Best Picture win for a non-English language film. Three weeks later, theaters shut down.
“Parasite” looked like the green shoot in the transition of a specialized ecosystem. By breaking out of the declining base of older, upscale viewers for foreign language releases, it offered hope that younger viewers would support acclaimed and cinematically inventive films in theaters.
That’s not what happened. In 2021, overall domestic grosses dropped 61 percent compared to 2019; specialized dropped more 70 percent with a 5.3 percent share of overall ticket sales. The raw box office is even uglier: Specialized distributors grossed $700 million in 2019 and $253 million in 2021.
Perhaps even more discomfiting is how specialized distribution began to look like its studio-driven brethren. In 2019, 12 films from specialized units grossed $20 million or more. In 2021, there was one. FUNimation’s “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” took in $36 million — 14 percent of the annual total,...
“Parasite” looked like the green shoot in the transition of a specialized ecosystem. By breaking out of the declining base of older, upscale viewers for foreign language releases, it offered hope that younger viewers would support acclaimed and cinematically inventive films in theaters.
That’s not what happened. In 2021, overall domestic grosses dropped 61 percent compared to 2019; specialized dropped more 70 percent with a 5.3 percent share of overall ticket sales. The raw box office is even uglier: Specialized distributors grossed $700 million in 2019 and $253 million in 2021.
Perhaps even more discomfiting is how specialized distribution began to look like its studio-driven brethren. In 2019, 12 films from specialized units grossed $20 million or more. In 2021, there was one. FUNimation’s “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” took in $36 million — 14 percent of the annual total,...
- 1/10/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Another year, another bountiful crop of action filmmaking. The following article covers some of the best. Like with last year’s installment, the focus will be on action scenes—compact, heightened expressions of action filmmaking craft—rather than films as a whole, which means that some otherwise strong, action-adjacent pictures may be missing and a couple included films look fairly lackluster beyond their set pieces. For the sake of variety, I have limited myself to one scene per film, and all featured films made their official, non-festival, U.S. theatrical and/or streaming debut in 2021. The criterion of “official” excludes the Chinese direct-to-YouTube actioner One More Shot, which was removed after just a few days online. Whenever the film receives a more “legitimate” stateside debut, it will almost certainly be included in that year’s roundup. And now, to the action. The scenes have been organized into loose thematic...
- 1/6/2022
- MUBI
Tim Blake Nelson had a humorous response when he received an email one night while cooking dinner asking him if he wanted to play the title character in the atmospheric western, “Old Henry.” “So I said to my wife, ‘Well, it happened,” recalled Nelson during a recent Film Independent Zoom conversation. “’Now I’m playing old people!”’ But once he read director Potsy Ponciroli’s lean script, the actor was in.
He admired the tautness of “the storytelling and most of all how it explored what parenting is because I think that’s really at the heart of the story, the relationship between the father and the son. So much of what Henry does is motivated by his love for his kid. As the father of three boys, that’s something that spoke to me. I thought Potsy had really centered a great Western with a wonderfully intimate and in certain ways,...
He admired the tautness of “the storytelling and most of all how it explored what parenting is because I think that’s really at the heart of the story, the relationship between the father and the son. So much of what Henry does is motivated by his love for his kid. As the father of three boys, that’s something that spoke to me. I thought Potsy had really centered a great Western with a wonderfully intimate and in certain ways,...
- 12/30/2021
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Critics, directors, even the former President of the United States have shared their favorite films of the year. But director Paul Schrader might have one of the more unique lists we’ve seen this year.
The “American Gigolo” director submitted a top 10 list of his favorite features of 2021 to Screen Slate, a site devoted to film and repertory cinema that included the likes of Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” and Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story.” But in the number one position was Schrader’s own directorial offering, “The Card Counter.” Yes, a director considered his own feature the best of the year.
Paul Schrader did not submit a list of first-time viewings, but he did send us his top 10 films of 2021. pic.twitter.com/UpMCq7t07B
— Screen Slate (@ScreenSlate) December 16, 2021
Many of the comments below are finding the humor in Schrader’s decision.
The “American Gigolo” director submitted a top 10 list of his favorite features of 2021 to Screen Slate, a site devoted to film and repertory cinema that included the likes of Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” and Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story.” But in the number one position was Schrader’s own directorial offering, “The Card Counter.” Yes, a director considered his own feature the best of the year.
Paul Schrader did not submit a list of first-time viewings, but he did send us his top 10 films of 2021. pic.twitter.com/UpMCq7t07B
— Screen Slate (@ScreenSlate) December 16, 2021
Many of the comments below are finding the humor in Schrader’s decision.
- 12/18/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Barack Obama is an unapologetic cinephile who loves foreign films, documentaries and musicals. The former president, as has been his wont in recent years, shared his list of favorite movies from 2021 on social media — he’s already listed the books he enjoyed and will shortly reveal some musical highlights.
The film list includes Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of MacBeth” and Mike Mills’ “C’mon, C’mon,” all of which are expected to be major Oscars contenders. It also includes “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which won an Oscar for best supporting actor and best song this spring, but technically hit theaters in February (the deadline for eligibility was extended as a Covid concession).
Obama also ventured further afield. “Pig,” an off-beat revenge fable with a career-best performance from Nicolas Cage, made the cut,...
The film list includes Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of MacBeth” and Mike Mills’ “C’mon, C’mon,” all of which are expected to be major Oscars contenders. It also includes “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which won an Oscar for best supporting actor and best song this spring, but technically hit theaters in February (the deadline for eligibility was extended as a Covid concession).
Obama also ventured further afield. “Pig,” an off-beat revenge fable with a career-best performance from Nicolas Cage, made the cut,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Every year, former President Barack Obama reminds us just how good we had it by flexing his impeccable taste in film and TV. As December gets halfway through, it’s that time of year again for Obama to name his favorite films of 2021.
“Over the next few days, I’ll share my annual list of favorite books, music, and movies. Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year,” Obama wrote on Twitter before beginning the rollout of the best art he consumed in the past year. His list of top films includes critics’ favorite “Drive My Car” (which is Japan’s entry for the International Feature Oscar), Questlove’s Oscar-hopeful documentary “Summer of Soul,” “West Side Story,” and “The Power of the Dog.”
Obama also made room for films including “Pig,” “Passing,” “The Card Counter,” Oscar winner “Judas and the Black Messiah,...
“Over the next few days, I’ll share my annual list of favorite books, music, and movies. Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year,” Obama wrote on Twitter before beginning the rollout of the best art he consumed in the past year. His list of top films includes critics’ favorite “Drive My Car” (which is Japan’s entry for the International Feature Oscar), Questlove’s Oscar-hopeful documentary “Summer of Soul,” “West Side Story,” and “The Power of the Dog.”
Obama also made room for films including “Pig,” “Passing,” “The Card Counter,” Oscar winner “Judas and the Black Messiah,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
In Old Henry, Tim Blake Nelson is the titular frontiersman, living a hermetic life, with only his son for company. His most central role since the Coen brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Blake portrays a man deeply bound by repression—that is, until a chance run-in with an injured stranger forces the emergence of Henry’s true self. Old Henry is part of the increasingly popular “elevated Western” genre, but Nelson actually coined the term “micro Western” to explain the film’s subtlety and its zooming in on personality and relationship dynamics. He describes his heartfelt decision to immerse himself in writer-director Potsy Ponciroli’s vision, and in Henry himself.
Deadline: How did it feel to be handed the lead protagonist role in this film?
Tim Blake Nelson: I think who and what I am, is a self-selective phenomenon, in terms of the roles I get offered.
And...
Deadline: How did it feel to be handed the lead protagonist role in this film?
Tim Blake Nelson: I think who and what I am, is a self-selective phenomenon, in terms of the roles I get offered.
And...
- 12/14/2021
- by Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
Big news for Paul Thomas Anderson’s awards campaign as his film “Licorice Pizza” was named the best picture of the year by the National Board of Review. The MGM and United Artists Releasing movie also picked up prizes for directing, and shared the breakthrough performance award for newcomers Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman.
Another newcomer having a great day is Latina Rachel Zegler, who won best actress for her turn in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” She is just the second Latina to ever win the category since Fernanda Montenegro in “Central Station” (1998).
Will Smith has kicked off his awards race in a big way by being named best actor for “King Richard,” while his co-star Aunjanue Ellis nabbed supporting actress.
Veteran actor Ciaran Hinds picked up what’s sure to be the first of many prizes of the season for his performance in Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast.
Another newcomer having a great day is Latina Rachel Zegler, who won best actress for her turn in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” She is just the second Latina to ever win the category since Fernanda Montenegro in “Central Station” (1998).
Will Smith has kicked off his awards race in a big way by being named best actor for “King Richard,” while his co-star Aunjanue Ellis nabbed supporting actress.
Veteran actor Ciaran Hinds picked up what’s sure to be the first of many prizes of the season for his performance in Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast.
- 12/2/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Instant hits: Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” and Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel,” both midweek additions for home viewing, have already hit number one on their first day in release, care of the two charts that most quickly gauge audience response. Though the films — one a Netflix heavy-hitter hot off a limited theatrical run, the other a Disney holdover that fared poorly in its theatrical-only release — are totally separate cases, each is significant. And they also share a surprising element that suggests why they had instant success.
Netflix has produced a steady supply of awards-pursuing titles for several years now. But only a handful — Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” is the rare case — have ever reached the #1 spot on the streamer’s own daily movie chart. Most of them have minimal appearances. Last year, David Fincher’s “Mank,” despite its later multiple Oscar nominations, showed up...
Netflix has produced a steady supply of awards-pursuing titles for several years now. But only a handful — Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” is the rare case — have ever reached the #1 spot on the streamer’s own daily movie chart. Most of them have minimal appearances. Last year, David Fincher’s “Mank,” despite its later multiple Oscar nominations, showed up...
- 12/2/2021
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Just three weeks after hitting theaters, the Kristen Stewart-starring “Spencer” is finding success beyond the multiplex, thanks to a rapid theatrical-to-vod release strategy. The awards contender hit PVOD the day before “House of Gucci” arrived in theaters, and right before major groups start awarding their annual prizes.
The potential for more awards attention could help its overall revenue in the coming weeks, but even in its first week on PVOD, Pablo Larrain’s portrait of a sliver of Princess Diana’s life enjoyed a strong initial showing. The film is already #4 on Apple TV/iTunes and #8 on Vudu, and #12 on the usually lagging Google Play list. Distributor Neon receives the same box office and VOD take on its films as the top studios, but with a vastly smaller investment. “Spencer” — which has grossed under $7 million — could prove very profitable.
Elsewhere, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (Sony/$19.99) began what will...
The potential for more awards attention could help its overall revenue in the coming weeks, but even in its first week on PVOD, Pablo Larrain’s portrait of a sliver of Princess Diana’s life enjoyed a strong initial showing. The film is already #4 on Apple TV/iTunes and #8 on Vudu, and #12 on the usually lagging Google Play list. Distributor Neon receives the same box office and VOD take on its films as the top studios, but with a vastly smaller investment. “Spencer” — which has grossed under $7 million — could prove very profitable.
Elsewhere, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (Sony/$19.99) began what will...
- 11/29/2021
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Actor Corey Hawkins is incredibly grateful to know Denzel Washington, his legendary co-star in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” “I love that I get to walk in his footsteps, but I know I can never fill that man’s shoes,” Hawkins tells Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. “To share space to sit down in his dressing room, and talk, pray, listen, talk sports, talk whatever – they say never to meet your heroes but to finally dispel that rumor because he is the greatest of all time.”
Listen to the full interview with actor Corey Hawkins in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below!
After breakout performances over the years in films such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “BlacKkKlansman,” Hawkins takes on the classic role as Macduff, the foil to the titular character in writer and director Joel Coen’s new, monochrome adaptation of the William Shakespeare play. Even more poetic,...
Listen to the full interview with actor Corey Hawkins in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below!
After breakout performances over the years in films such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “BlacKkKlansman,” Hawkins takes on the classic role as Macduff, the foil to the titular character in writer and director Joel Coen’s new, monochrome adaptation of the William Shakespeare play. Even more poetic,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
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