Chicago – The 2009 Best of the Midwest Awards, at Rockit Bar and Grill in Chicago on December 1st, had many notable attendees. Actors Armand Assante and Lori Petty, along with film critic Richard Roeper, were among them.
The 2009 BMAs celebrate the best of the Midwest Independent Film Festival, and stars, directors and the film press mingled at the awards event. HollywoodChicago was there, and scored interviews with Emmy Winner Armand Assante, Lori Petty, Best Director at the BMAs and featured in “A League of Their Own” and local celebrity critic Richard Roeper. Also lending some perspective was the producer of the Best Feature, Steven A. Jones of “The Merry Gentleman.”
Armand Assante, Actor, Emmy Winner for the Miniseries “Gotti”
The veteran character actor, who first made a big splash in 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” continues to smolder the screen with his distinctive style and look. He just wrapped up another Chicago-based film,...
The 2009 BMAs celebrate the best of the Midwest Independent Film Festival, and stars, directors and the film press mingled at the awards event. HollywoodChicago was there, and scored interviews with Emmy Winner Armand Assante, Lori Petty, Best Director at the BMAs and featured in “A League of Their Own” and local celebrity critic Richard Roeper. Also lending some perspective was the producer of the Best Feature, Steven A. Jones of “The Merry Gentleman.”
Armand Assante, Actor, Emmy Winner for the Miniseries “Gotti”
The veteran character actor, who first made a big splash in 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” continues to smolder the screen with his distinctive style and look. He just wrapped up another Chicago-based film,...
- 12/3/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Michael Keaton has opened up about his decision to curb his once-prolific Hollywood career - he stepped away from the spotlight because he wasn't happy with his previous films.
The Batman star was once one of Hollywood's top leading men, but Keaton lost his enthusiasm for cinema because he was repeatedly offered roles similar to parts he'd played before.
The actor admits he is his harshest critic, and constantly judging his past movies has kept him from taking on new projects.
He says, "I'm kind of not as interested (in acting) as I was in the past. Certain projects I thought I was either repeating myself or I didn't like what I did previously."
And he nearly turned down a part in film that would eventually become his directorial debut, The Merry Gentleman - until scriptwriter Ron Lazzeretti fell ill and Keaton was given the chance to take over.
He adds, "The writer was talking about directing it and frankly I wasn't sold on doing it that way, to be honest with you, and probably wouldn't have (starred in it). But then when he got sick and somebody said, 'You know they're going to go make that movie with another director,' I thought, 'I think I know how to make this movie.'"...
The Batman star was once one of Hollywood's top leading men, but Keaton lost his enthusiasm for cinema because he was repeatedly offered roles similar to parts he'd played before.
The actor admits he is his harshest critic, and constantly judging his past movies has kept him from taking on new projects.
He says, "I'm kind of not as interested (in acting) as I was in the past. Certain projects I thought I was either repeating myself or I didn't like what I did previously."
And he nearly turned down a part in film that would eventually become his directorial debut, The Merry Gentleman - until scriptwriter Ron Lazzeretti fell ill and Keaton was given the chance to take over.
He adds, "The writer was talking about directing it and frankly I wasn't sold on doing it that way, to be honest with you, and probably wouldn't have (starred in it). But then when he got sick and somebody said, 'You know they're going to go make that movie with another director,' I thought, 'I think I know how to make this movie.'"...
- 12/3/2009
- WENN
Chicago – The 2009 Best of the Midwest Awards were given out on Tuesday night, part of a huge celebratory event at the Rockit Bar and Grill in downtown Chicago, capping another successful year at the Midwest Independent Film Festival.
Festival Director Mike McNamara was the Master of Ceremonies, giving out nine awards for the best of the 2009 season. The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area.
Best Feature Winner ‘The Merry Gentleman.’ Left to Right – Producers Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan, Exec Producer Tom Bastounes, Midwest Indie Festival Director Mike McNamara at the BMAs in Chicago, December 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Local Chicago legends Richard Roeper and Erich “Mancow” Muller hilariously roasted each other as part of the presentations, special guests included Armand Assante, John McNaughton (director of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer...
Festival Director Mike McNamara was the Master of Ceremonies, giving out nine awards for the best of the 2009 season. The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area.
Best Feature Winner ‘The Merry Gentleman.’ Left to Right – Producers Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan, Exec Producer Tom Bastounes, Midwest Indie Festival Director Mike McNamara at the BMAs in Chicago, December 1st, 2009.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Local Chicago legends Richard Roeper and Erich “Mancow” Muller hilariously roasted each other as part of the presentations, special guests included Armand Assante, John McNaughton (director of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer...
- 12/3/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Michael Keaton thrilled a young Batman fan with a visit to the set of his new film after spotting the kid sporting a homemade superhero costume.
Keaton took over directorial duties on the set of The Merry Gentleman when filmmaker Ron Lazzeretti's appendix burst and had to give up the project.
The actor thrilled cast and crew with his personable nature - and showed it extended to fans too.
Co-star Tom Bastounes explains, "One day we were filming in a park and there was little boy there and he had a makeshift Batman outfit on. It wasn't like a store-bought one. He made it at home.
"He had the pointy ears and the mask and he had a Batman symbol on his chest. Michael noticed him from across the street and walked over.
"Of course the mum noticed him right away and made a big fuss. The kid was about four or five. Michael signed the kid's cape and signed something for the mum. Then he brought them both to the set and they watched some of the shoot. He's very sweet that way.
"He's very generous with his time but you still have these pinch me moments, where you suddenly realise, 'Hey, I'm working with Batman.'"
Keaton played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns films.
Keaton took over directorial duties on the set of The Merry Gentleman when filmmaker Ron Lazzeretti's appendix burst and had to give up the project.
The actor thrilled cast and crew with his personable nature - and showed it extended to fans too.
Co-star Tom Bastounes explains, "One day we were filming in a park and there was little boy there and he had a makeshift Batman outfit on. It wasn't like a store-bought one. He made it at home.
"He had the pointy ears and the mask and he had a Batman symbol on his chest. Michael noticed him from across the street and walked over.
"Of course the mum noticed him right away and made a big fuss. The kid was about four or five. Michael signed the kid's cape and signed something for the mum. Then he brought them both to the set and they watched some of the shoot. He's very sweet that way.
"He's very generous with his time but you still have these pinch me moments, where you suddenly realise, 'Hey, I'm working with Batman.'"
Keaton played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns films.
- 5/31/2009
- WENN
We're all for getting out in the summertime, but there might not be anything more refreshing than cooling off in a movie theater... or seeing a movie in the comfort of your air-conditioned home on demand, on DVD, or online... or better yet catching a classic on the big screen at a nearby repertory theater. With literally hundreds of films to choose from this summer, we humbly present this guide to the season's most exciting offerings.
May 1
"Eldorado"
The Cast: Bouli Lanners, Fabrice Adde, Philippe Nahon, Didier Toupy, Franise Chichy
Director: Bouli Lanners
Fest Cred: Cannes, Warsaw, Glasgow, Palm Springs,
The Gist: When Elie (Adde), a hapless young thief attempts to rob Yvan (Lanners), a 40-year-old car dealer, the two form a unlikely friendship that leads to a road trip across Belgium in this slight comedy that won the Best European Film at the Director's Fortnight at Cannes last year.
May 1
"Eldorado"
The Cast: Bouli Lanners, Fabrice Adde, Philippe Nahon, Didier Toupy, Franise Chichy
Director: Bouli Lanners
Fest Cred: Cannes, Warsaw, Glasgow, Palm Springs,
The Gist: When Elie (Adde), a hapless young thief attempts to rob Yvan (Lanners), a 40-year-old car dealer, the two form a unlikely friendship that leads to a road trip across Belgium in this slight comedy that won the Best European Film at the Director's Fortnight at Cannes last year.
- 5/6/2009
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
Chicago – “The Merry Gentleman” is enhanced by an unusual police detective character. Tom Bastounes plays Dave Murcheson: a vulnerable protector of society who’s caught in his own self delusion. The film is Michael Keaton’s directorial debut.
Rating: 4.0/5.0 Keaton also stars as Frank Logan, a professional hit man whose dark thoughts after an assassination job lead him to the brink of suicide. When a delicate office worker, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), witnesses Keaton’s near death attempt, an unlikely coalition forms between the two fellow travelers (Kate has run away to the city from an abusive husband).
Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films Bastounes, as the cop assigned to find Logan, awkwardly attempts to woo the emotionally upset Kate, and the three desperate souls meander through the early winter urban landscape searching for redemption.
HollywoodChicago.com got the privilege of interviewing Bastounes recently,...
Rating: 4.0/5.0 Keaton also stars as Frank Logan, a professional hit man whose dark thoughts after an assassination job lead him to the brink of suicide. When a delicate office worker, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), witnesses Keaton’s near death attempt, an unlikely coalition forms between the two fellow travelers (Kate has run away to the city from an abusive husband).
Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films Bastounes, as the cop assigned to find Logan, awkwardly attempts to woo the emotionally upset Kate, and the three desperate souls meander through the early winter urban landscape searching for redemption.
HollywoodChicago.com got the privilege of interviewing Bastounes recently,...
- 5/1/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The nature of making an independent film versus a mainstream Hollywood production is evident through the efforts of two Chicago-based producers – Steven A. Jones and Paul Duggan of “The Merry Gentleman”.
Jones, who also produced last year’s “The Promotion”, works more as a creative producer within the filmmaking process. Duggan, a first time executive producer, handled more of the financial details of the production. Together they helped deliver – for first time director and star Michael Keaton – a stellar morality tale that has echoes of film noir.
First Time Director Michael Keaton with the Crew of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films HollywoodChicago.com sat down with both producers, for a fascinating conversation about the parameters and challenges of independent filmmaking.
HollywoodChicago.com: What drew you into this project? Was it the pitch or the script?
Steven A. Jones: It was the script. Ron Lazzeretti...
Jones, who also produced last year’s “The Promotion”, works more as a creative producer within the filmmaking process. Duggan, a first time executive producer, handled more of the financial details of the production. Together they helped deliver – for first time director and star Michael Keaton – a stellar morality tale that has echoes of film noir.
First Time Director Michael Keaton with the Crew of ‘The Merry Gentleman’
Photo credit: Matt Dinerstein, Samuel Goldwyn Films HollywoodChicago.com sat down with both producers, for a fascinating conversation about the parameters and challenges of independent filmmaking.
HollywoodChicago.com: What drew you into this project? Was it the pitch or the script?
Steven A. Jones: It was the script. Ron Lazzeretti...
- 4/30/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Every month, on the first Tuesday, one of the most unique ongoing film festivals in the country takes place right here in Chicago. The Midwest Independent Film Festival, now in its fifth year, showcases feature films and shorts with an angle exclusively celebrating the Midwestern filmmaker.
Mike McNamara, co-founder and Executive Director of the festival, is the energetic leader of the proceedings, creating a full plate experience for each of the first Tuesdays. Audience members not only get the Midwest-oriented feature presentation, but also can participate in the film panel discussions before the show. Filmmakers – often associated with the evening’s film – share their experiences in producing, financing and even distributing their independent works.
Mike McNamara, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Midwest Independent Film Festival.
Photo credit: Midwest Independent Film Festival
Tuesday, February 3rd, the 2009 Midwest Independent Film Festival kicks off with the a special advance screening of “The Poker House,...
Mike McNamara, co-founder and Executive Director of the festival, is the energetic leader of the proceedings, creating a full plate experience for each of the first Tuesdays. Audience members not only get the Midwest-oriented feature presentation, but also can participate in the film panel discussions before the show. Filmmakers – often associated with the evening’s film – share their experiences in producing, financing and even distributing their independent works.
Mike McNamara, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Midwest Independent Film Festival.
Photo credit: Midwest Independent Film Festival
Tuesday, February 3rd, the 2009 Midwest Independent Film Festival kicks off with the a special advance screening of “The Poker House,...
- 2/2/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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