Exclusive: The principal at Andrew Lloyd Webber-supported drama school ArtsEd branded students “snakes” and appeared to threaten them with legal action after being accused of favoritism, according to a leaked recording.
Julie Spencer has been at the eye of a bullying storm after a Deadline investigation revealed concerns over student and staff safety at the prestigious London drama school, which counts Lloyd Webber as president and donor.
ArtsEd said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the audio obtained by Deadline (listen to an edited version below) and on Monday formally launched an independent inquiry into the misconduct allegations. Spencer has not commented. She is on medical leave and will not return to work while the investigation is ongoing.
This is an edited version of the full audio. Click Cc icon for subtitles.
The leaked recording reveals how Spencer scolded a group of students for more than 30 minutes during a...
Julie Spencer has been at the eye of a bullying storm after a Deadline investigation revealed concerns over student and staff safety at the prestigious London drama school, which counts Lloyd Webber as president and donor.
ArtsEd said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the audio obtained by Deadline (listen to an edited version below) and on Monday formally launched an independent inquiry into the misconduct allegations. Spencer has not commented. She is on medical leave and will not return to work while the investigation is ongoing.
This is an edited version of the full audio. Click Cc icon for subtitles.
The leaked recording reveals how Spencer scolded a group of students for more than 30 minutes during a...
- 12/12/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The name "Godkiller" should ring a bell as we've been talking about the transmedia series of graphic novels, illustrated films, and novels for about five years, and now it's entering yet another phase as an indie weekly comic.
From the Press Release:
Black Mask Studios, the creator-supporting comics publisher founded by Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, Anti- Records), Matt Pizzolo (founder Occupy Comics, Halo-8), and Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night), is launching its first weekly comic book series as Pizzolo brings his beloved modern classic sci-horror franchise Godkiller to comic book stores for the first time.
"I think we've all gotten used to a binge diet for episodic stories. Personally, I can barely handle waiting a week between episodes of 'Boardwalk Empire'; a month or more between comics sometimes feels like the decade-long wait for another Game of Thrones book," explained Pizzolo, "so I'm hopeful a weekly schedule might...
From the Press Release:
Black Mask Studios, the creator-supporting comics publisher founded by Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, Anti- Records), Matt Pizzolo (founder Occupy Comics, Halo-8), and Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night), is launching its first weekly comic book series as Pizzolo brings his beloved modern classic sci-horror franchise Godkiller to comic book stores for the first time.
"I think we've all gotten used to a binge diet for episodic stories. Personally, I can barely handle waiting a week between episodes of 'Boardwalk Empire'; a month or more between comics sometimes feels like the decade-long wait for another Game of Thrones book," explained Pizzolo, "so I'm hopeful a weekly schedule might...
- 12/23/2013
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Thousands of music fans trekked to New York's Madison Square Garden on Friday night, faces turned down against the snow and biting winds of a still-emerging storm that someone decided to call Nemo. They had come to see Passion Pit, an indie rock outfit from Boston, and many expressed surprise that the arena was nearly full. Either New Yorkers are too cynical to take the advice of Mayor Mike Bloomberg or too arrogant to let some flurries get in the way of seeing a show at The Garden.
Singer Michael Angelakos led the five-piece band through an engaging and, at times, emotional show -- which was more suited to the venue than the show Passion Pit put on at last year's Governors Ball. Passion Pit's songs generally focus on the same themes: Angelakos has spoken frankly about his battles with depression and bipolar disorder, and a sense of disillusionment...
Singer Michael Angelakos led the five-piece band through an engaging and, at times, emotional show -- which was more suited to the venue than the show Passion Pit put on at last year's Governors Ball. Passion Pit's songs generally focus on the same themes: Angelakos has spoken frankly about his battles with depression and bipolar disorder, and a sense of disillusionment...
- 2/9/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Motion City Soundtrack is a band that’s hard to pin down. From the beginning with I Am The Movie to the last record, My Dinosaur Life, their sound hasn’t changed much. Except, at the same time, it has. It seems like an odd thing to say, but anyone who has listened to Motion City Soundtrack can tell you that it’s true. Because of this, fan rankings of their albums are all over the place, and there is no one “must have” album for the band that’s universally agreed-upon to start with for newcomers. All of the albums have something unique about them that either endears them to one portion of the fanbase or turns off another part of it.
Go (the Japanese equivalent of “five”) is their fifth full-length album, and again, their sound has changed. In fact, this may be their most “experimental” album since Even If It Kills Me.
Go (the Japanese equivalent of “five”) is their fifth full-length album, and again, their sound has changed. In fact, this may be their most “experimental” album since Even If It Kills Me.
- 6/13/2012
- by Kyle Taylor
- We Got This Covered
Motion City Soundtrack's new song "Timelines" may be one of their most personal songs, according to Justin Pierre. Its refrain "It's not a matter of time, it's just a matter of timing" came from the frontman's father, a concept he then filled in with some very intimate experiences, from growing up stuttering to discovering sex and flunking college classes. It's a little dark at times, thematically, but thankfully there's that soaring chorus and harmonies, upbeat keyboards, and a fast beat. "Timelines" is the second track to debut from Motion City Soundtrack's fifth full-length album, "Go," out on June 12 via Epitaph....
- 5/21/2012
- Hitfix
Fans of Halo-8 Entertainment's popular and critically acclaimed Godkiller franchise will be thrilled to hear the newest offering from the storyline, Godkiller: Tomorrow's Ashes (a digital comics mini-series), is set to debut... and pre-sales have just begun. And as can be expected from Halo-8, a unique release model has been developed for the project.
Godkiller creator Matt Pizzolo returns to the title as writer with illustrator Anna Muckcracker Wieszczyk (who recently drew Archaia's Lucid and the Occupy Comics promo image) also returning.
As with the original story from the series, Godkiller: Walk Among Us, an animated film version of the story is in the works. Read on for all the info on the Godkiller: Tomorrow's Ashes pre-order options that will keep you up-to-date through the digital version of the story until the physical trade paperbacks are released.
From the Press Release
Halo-8 Entertainment has opened up pre-orders for the...
Godkiller creator Matt Pizzolo returns to the title as writer with illustrator Anna Muckcracker Wieszczyk (who recently drew Archaia's Lucid and the Occupy Comics promo image) also returning.
As with the original story from the series, Godkiller: Walk Among Us, an animated film version of the story is in the works. Read on for all the info on the Godkiller: Tomorrow's Ashes pre-order options that will keep you up-to-date through the digital version of the story until the physical trade paperbacks are released.
From the Press Release
Halo-8 Entertainment has opened up pre-orders for the...
- 1/18/2012
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
McS gets silly in part 2 of interview, which finds Hoppus playing MTV News reporter.
By James Montgomery
Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre
Photo: MTV News
Last week, when MTV News was in Las Vegas for the kickoff of the Blink-182 reunion tour, Mark Hoppus volunteered to do our job for us: interviewing his friends in Motion City Soundtrack about their new record (which, conveniently, he produced).
Naturally, we said yes, and we were shocked when Hoppus donned the reporter's fedora (figuratively speaking) and got the guys in McS to reveal the top-secret title of said record: My Dinosaur Life.
And since part one of Hoppus' interview went so well, we decided to roll out part two today: In it, McS talk at length about how great it was working with the Blink bassist on not one, but two of their albums, his great (yet unorthodox) production techniques, and, really,...
By James Montgomery
Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre
Photo: MTV News
Last week, when MTV News was in Las Vegas for the kickoff of the Blink-182 reunion tour, Mark Hoppus volunteered to do our job for us: interviewing his friends in Motion City Soundtrack about their new record (which, conveniently, he produced).
Naturally, we said yes, and we were shocked when Hoppus donned the reporter's fedora (figuratively speaking) and got the guys in McS to reveal the top-secret title of said record: My Dinosaur Life.
And since part one of Hoppus' interview went so well, we decided to roll out part two today: In it, McS talk at length about how great it was working with the Blink bassist on not one, but two of their albums, his great (yet unorthodox) production techniques, and, really,...
- 7/31/2009
- MTV Music News
Hoppus, who produced album, even got band to reveal its top-secret title.
By James Montgomery
Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre and Mark Hoppus
Photo: MTV News
To put it mildly, Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus is on a roll. He's taken part in the reunion of one of the hugest acts of the past decade; created a line of ultra-limited, mollusk-related hard-drives; launched a sure-to-be successful tour; and worked with a couple of the brightest up-and-coming acts in the business (All Time Low and Motion City Soundtrack).
Seriously, the guy can multitask.
So it came as no surprise that last week, when MTV News was in Las Vegas for the kickoff of Blink's reunion tour, he decided that he should interview Motion City Soundtrack — the night's opening act, and a band he's worked with in the past — because, you know, he can!
Of course, we let him do it — and...
By James Montgomery
Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre and Mark Hoppus
Photo: MTV News
To put it mildly, Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus is on a roll. He's taken part in the reunion of one of the hugest acts of the past decade; created a line of ultra-limited, mollusk-related hard-drives; launched a sure-to-be successful tour; and worked with a couple of the brightest up-and-coming acts in the business (All Time Low and Motion City Soundtrack).
Seriously, the guy can multitask.
So it came as no surprise that last week, when MTV News was in Las Vegas for the kickoff of Blink's reunion tour, he decided that he should interview Motion City Soundtrack — the night's opening act, and a band he's worked with in the past — because, you know, he can!
Of course, we let him do it — and...
- 7/30/2009
- MTV Music News
Genre heroines Danielle Harris ("Halloween 4 & 5," Rob Zombie's "Halloween 1 & 2"), Katie Nisa ("Threat"), and Nicki Clyne ("Battlestar Galactica") have joined Lance Henriksen ("Avp: Alien Vs Predator"), Bill Moseley ("The Devil's Rejects"), Tiffany Shepis ("Night Of The Demons" remake), Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern's "Hardcore Collection"), and Davey Havok (singer of A.F.I.) in the cast of the 'illustrated film' adaptation Godkiller, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Matt Pizzolo ("Threat") based on the comic book he created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker. "The ladies of Godkiller are ferocious mixes of strength, sexuality, and survivalism... it's a pretty tough world Anna & I created and these characters need brave, powerful voices. I couldn't be happier with the casting of Danielle, Katie, and Nicki, each one has a bold and unique personality that channels a rich depth and humanity into the film," said Pizzolo.
- 3/26/2009
- bloody-disgusting.com
Halo-8 Entertainment just gave Fango the scoop that three more actresses have joined the cast of Godkiller, the “illustrated film” by Matt Pizzolo that we previously reported on here. The project is based on the comic Pizzolo created with artist Anna Muckcracker.
New to the movie are Danielle Harris (pictured), from Halloween 4 and 5, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and his currently lensing Halloween 2, as well as the upcoming indie slashers Blood Night: The Legend Of Mary Hatchet and Left For Dead, along with Katie Nisa (from Pizzolo’s previous movie Threat, which she also co-wrote) and Battlestar Galactica’s Nicki Clyne. They’re part of a genre-star-studded ensemble also including Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis, underground film queen Lydia Lunch and singers Justin Pierre and Davey Havok. “The ladies of Godkiller are ferocious mixes of strength, sexuality and survivalism,” Pizzolo says. “It’s a pretty tough world Anna...
New to the movie are Danielle Harris (pictured), from Halloween 4 and 5, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and his currently lensing Halloween 2, as well as the upcoming indie slashers Blood Night: The Legend Of Mary Hatchet and Left For Dead, along with Katie Nisa (from Pizzolo’s previous movie Threat, which she also co-wrote) and Battlestar Galactica’s Nicki Clyne. They’re part of a genre-star-studded ensemble also including Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis, underground film queen Lydia Lunch and singers Justin Pierre and Davey Havok. “The ladies of Godkiller are ferocious mixes of strength, sexuality and survivalism,” Pizzolo says. “It’s a pretty tough world Anna...
- 3/26/2009
- Fangoria
Danielle Harris (known for her turns in the Halloween franchise), Katie Nisa ( Threat ), and Nicki Clyne ( Battlestar Galactica ) have joined previously announced cast members Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis, Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern's "Hardcore Collection"), and Davey Havok (A.F.I.) in the cast of the "illustrated film" adaptation Godkiller , written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Matt Pizzolo ( Threat ) based on the comic book he created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker. Producer Halo-8 Entertainment is planning to unveil a new and exclusive preview clip at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Los Angeles April 17-19th. Godkiller takes place in a dark-future after economic collapse,...
- 3/26/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Here's your dose of film news for Feb. 26, 2009:
• Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Justin Pierre and Davey Havok have joined the voice cast of Matt Pizzolo's big-screen version of his comic book "Godkiller." The story is set in the future and follows an orphan who searches for a new heart for his ill sister. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Amanda Hutchinson is set to rewrite "Oh Brother," a comedy about a woman who grew up as an orphan and hires actors to play her relatives to she can impress people at her wedding. Cathy McCarthy wrote the original script, which Gold Circle Films recently purchased. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Cannes Film Festival chiefs Gilles Jacob and Thierry Fremaux handed Clint Eastwood an honorary Palme d’Or Wednesday in Paris, according to Variety. “France remains one of the rare countries that approaches cinema as an art form," Eastwood said at the ceremony.
• Peter Baynham will rewrite Warner Bros.
• Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Justin Pierre and Davey Havok have joined the voice cast of Matt Pizzolo's big-screen version of his comic book "Godkiller." The story is set in the future and follows an orphan who searches for a new heart for his ill sister. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Amanda Hutchinson is set to rewrite "Oh Brother," a comedy about a woman who grew up as an orphan and hires actors to play her relatives to she can impress people at her wedding. Cathy McCarthy wrote the original script, which Gold Circle Films recently purchased. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Cannes Film Festival chiefs Gilles Jacob and Thierry Fremaux handed Clint Eastwood an honorary Palme d’Or Wednesday in Paris, according to Variety. “France remains one of the rare countries that approaches cinema as an art form," Eastwood said at the ceremony.
• Peter Baynham will rewrite Warner Bros.
- 2/26/2009
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Production/distribution company Halo-8 Entertainment announced that a trio of horror veterans are part of the voice cast of Godkiller, an “illustrated film” adaptation of Matt Pizzolo’s comic. Pizzolo will write and direct the project, which mixes elements of anime, motion comics, video games and radio drama.
Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley and Tiffany Shepis are the genre stalwarts lending their vocal talents to the project; also on board in that capacity are underground cinema queen Lydia Lunch and singers Justin Pierre (of Motion City Soundtrack) and Davey Havok (of A.F.I.). “I’m astonished and excited by the incredible talents who’ll be joining us to bring these characters to life,” Pizzolo says. “We want to create something really cool and unique and different from everything else out there…it’s truly humbling to have such accomplished collaborators on the team.”
Illustrated by Anna Muckcracker, Godkiller is set...
Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley and Tiffany Shepis are the genre stalwarts lending their vocal talents to the project; also on board in that capacity are underground cinema queen Lydia Lunch and singers Justin Pierre (of Motion City Soundtrack) and Davey Havok (of A.F.I.). “I’m astonished and excited by the incredible talents who’ll be joining us to bring these characters to life,” Pizzolo says. “We want to create something really cool and unique and different from everything else out there…it’s truly humbling to have such accomplished collaborators on the team.”
Illustrated by Anna Muckcracker, Godkiller is set...
- 2/25/2009
- Fangoria
Today is all about horror icon news! Genre legends Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, and Tiffany Shepis, along with Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack) and Davey Havok (singer of A.F.I.), have signed on for the "illustrated film" adaptation of Godkiller, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Matt Pizzolo based on the comic book of the same name he created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker.
"I'm astonished and excited by the incredible talents who'll be joining us to bring these characters to life. We want to create something really cool and unique and different from everything else out there... it's truly humbling to have such accomplished collaborators on the team," said Pizzolo. That's all well and good of course, but what the heck is an "illustrated film" anyway?
According to producers Halo-8 Entertainment, the adaptation mixes elements of anime, radio drama, video games, and motion comics. Utilizing the original artwork from the comic book,...
"I'm astonished and excited by the incredible talents who'll be joining us to bring these characters to life. We want to create something really cool and unique and different from everything else out there... it's truly humbling to have such accomplished collaborators on the team," said Pizzolo. That's all well and good of course, but what the heck is an "illustrated film" anyway?
According to producers Halo-8 Entertainment, the adaptation mixes elements of anime, radio drama, video games, and motion comics. Utilizing the original artwork from the comic book,...
- 2/25/2009
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Cult icons Lance Henriksen ("Avp: Alien Vs Predator"), Bill Moseley ("The Devil's Rejects"), Tiffany Shepis ("Night Of The Demons" remake), Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern's "Hardcore Collection"), and Davey Havok (singer of A.F.I.) have signed on for the 'illustrated film' adaptation "Godkiller," written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Matt Pizzolo ("Threat") based on the comic book he created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker. Producer Halo-8 Entertainment will unveil a preview clip at Comic-Con International's Wondercon in San Francisco during the "Indie Film and Comics" panel on Saturday February 28, 2009 "I'm astonished and excited by the incredible talents who'll be joining us to bring these characters to life. We want to create something really cool and unique and different from everything else out there... it's truly humbling to have such accomplished collaborators on the team," said Pizzolo.
- 2/24/2009
- bloody-disgusting.com
We here at FEARnet love a good experimental film, especially one that sounds downright funky! That's why Godkiller has us intrigued. It's Matt Pizzolo's "illustrated film" adaptation of the comic book of the same name that he created with artist Anna Muckcracker. Godkiller tells the tale of Tommy, a young man fighting his way through a post-apocalyptic, alien-populated Earth -- hellbent on getting a new heart for his ailing sister Lucy. The adaptation is set to star genre faves Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley and Tiffany Shepis -- as well as Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern's Hardcore Collection), and Davey...
- 2/24/2009
- FEARnet
Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis, Justin Pierre (singer of Motion City Soundtrack), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern's "Hardcore Collection"), and Davey Havok (singer of A.F.I.) have signed on for the "illustrated film" adaptation "Godkiller," written and directed by filmmaker Matt Pizzolo based on the comic book he created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker. Producer Halo-8 Entertainment will unveil a preview clip at Comic-Con International's Wondercon in San Francisco during the "Indie Film and Comics" panel on Saturday February 28, 2009. The "illustrated film" Pizzolo is creating for the adaption mixes elements of anime, radio drama, video games, and motion comics. Utilizing the original artwork from the comic book, the...
- 2/24/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Lance Henriksen, Bill Moseley, Justin Pierre and Davey Havok are lending their voices to writer-director Matt Pizzolo's film version of "Godkiller" for producer Halo-8 Entertainment.
Based on a comic book Pizzolo created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker, the adaptation is described as an "illustrated film" mixing elements of anime, radio drama, video games and comics.
Halo-8 will unveil a preview clip Saturday during the "Indie Films and Comics" panel at Comic-Con International's Wondercon in San Francisco.
Halo-8 intends to release limited-edition, serialized, shortform DVDs to comic book stores through the spring and summer before releasing the full-length feature theatrically in the fall.
Set in the future after an economic collapse, a nuclear holy war and an alien invasion, Godkiller follows orphan Tommy as he searches for a new heart for his ill sister, Lucy.
"When we decided to make an anime adaptation of the comic book, I couldn't see how...
Based on a comic book Pizzolo created with illustrator Anna Muckcracker, the adaptation is described as an "illustrated film" mixing elements of anime, radio drama, video games and comics.
Halo-8 will unveil a preview clip Saturday during the "Indie Films and Comics" panel at Comic-Con International's Wondercon in San Francisco.
Halo-8 intends to release limited-edition, serialized, shortform DVDs to comic book stores through the spring and summer before releasing the full-length feature theatrically in the fall.
Set in the future after an economic collapse, a nuclear holy war and an alien invasion, Godkiller follows orphan Tommy as he searches for a new heart for his ill sister, Lucy.
"When we decided to make an anime adaptation of the comic book, I couldn't see how...
- 2/24/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Every time the Preacher hits a rocky patch in his sermon, the Preacher's wife cranks up the choir to uplift his ramblings. So too does the rousing gospel singing of Whitney Houston lift up "The Preacher's Wife" when it hits some story flat notes and dull patches. Starring Houston and Denzel Washington, this holiday-time fantasy will surely warm viewers' hearts and fill up boxoffice stockings despite its patchy narrative.
Based on the 1947 film "The Bishop's Wife", this Buena Vista release of a Samuel Goldwyn Jr. production is an old-style, family fantasy chilled over with the hard realities of contemporary urban life. In this '90s rendition, Houston stars as a choir-singing preacher's wife, Julia, whose marriage to her husband, Henry (Courtney B. Vance) has become stale. The sparks that once kindled between them have now been doused by Henry's workaholic tendencies. The Preacher is a good man, to a fault. By taking on all the woes of his parish, he has not only unwittingly neglected his wife and son Justin Pierre Edmund), but in the process, has become less effective as a minister. In a moment of desperate candor, the Preacher prays for help and, lo and behold, it arrives in the form of an angel, a dapper, gray-coated gent named Dudley (Washington). Although appreciating that God works in mysterious ways, the Preacher is skeptical about the viability of so charismatic and smooth-talking an angel.
What Dudley brings that is most valuable to the Preacher's household is his luminous smile and good-hearted intentions. He soon becomes a hit with the kid, and Mom, of course, notices. Verily, she sparks to his good works. The movie is at its most fun and most magical in the scenes between Washington and Houston as the effervescent Angel brings the good wife out of her day-to-day doldrums.
It's hard not to root for them to get together and somehow lose the stuffy hubby. Houston and Washington are a radiant screen couple and when paired on the screen, the story sizzles.
Screenwriters Nat Mauldin and Allan Scott's updating of Robert E. Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici's "The Bishop's Wife" script is episodically structured as Dudley assists the Preacher and his wife in their personal and parishional woes, sometimes pulling a few angelic tricks out of his overcoat's sleeve. Eventually, the story kicks into a solid dramatic gear in a battle between the Preacher and a slick developer (Gregory Hines) over saving the church. The film's narrative here is similar to that of a musical, serving mainly as a line to string together Houston's glorious gospel singing.
Although the pacing sometimes drags, director Penny Marshall has nicely colored the production with a number of offbeat human moments. Marshall's direction is particularly strong in her work with the supporting players. As the minister of drudge, Vance is well-cast.
The supporting cast -- credit to casting director Paula Herold -- brings life and energy to the production. Particularly entertaining are Jenifer Lewis as the preacher's sassy mother-in-law and Loretta Devine as his lively secretary.
THE PREACHER'S WIFE
Buena Vista Releasing
Buena Vista, Touchstone Pictures
and the Samuel Goldwyn Co. present
A Samuel Goldwyn Jr. production
In association with Parkway Prods.
and Mundy Lane Entertainment
A Penny Marshall film
Producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
Director Penny Marshall
Screenwriters Nat Mauldin, Allan Scott
Based on "The Bishop's Wife" screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood, Leonardo Bercovici
Executive producers Robert Greenhut,
Elliot Abbott
Co-producers Debra Martin Chase,
Amy Lemisch, Timothy M. Bourne
Director of photography Miroslav Ondricek
Production designer Bill Groom
Editor Stephen A. Rotter, George Bowers
Costume designer Cynthia Flynt
Music Hans Zimmer
Casting Paula Herold
Gospel music producers Mervyn Warren,
Whitney Houston
Associate producer Bonnie Hlinomaz
Sound mixer Les Lazarowitz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Dudley Denzel Washington
Julia Biggs Whitney Houston
Henry Biggs Courtney B. Vance
Joe Hamilton Gregory Hines
Marguerite Coleman Jenifer Lewis
Beverly Loretta Devine
Jeremiah Biggs Justin Pierre Edmund
Britsloe Lionel Richie
Saul Jeffreys Paul Bates
Osbert Lex Monson
Running time -- 125 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Based on the 1947 film "The Bishop's Wife", this Buena Vista release of a Samuel Goldwyn Jr. production is an old-style, family fantasy chilled over with the hard realities of contemporary urban life. In this '90s rendition, Houston stars as a choir-singing preacher's wife, Julia, whose marriage to her husband, Henry (Courtney B. Vance) has become stale. The sparks that once kindled between them have now been doused by Henry's workaholic tendencies. The Preacher is a good man, to a fault. By taking on all the woes of his parish, he has not only unwittingly neglected his wife and son Justin Pierre Edmund), but in the process, has become less effective as a minister. In a moment of desperate candor, the Preacher prays for help and, lo and behold, it arrives in the form of an angel, a dapper, gray-coated gent named Dudley (Washington). Although appreciating that God works in mysterious ways, the Preacher is skeptical about the viability of so charismatic and smooth-talking an angel.
What Dudley brings that is most valuable to the Preacher's household is his luminous smile and good-hearted intentions. He soon becomes a hit with the kid, and Mom, of course, notices. Verily, she sparks to his good works. The movie is at its most fun and most magical in the scenes between Washington and Houston as the effervescent Angel brings the good wife out of her day-to-day doldrums.
It's hard not to root for them to get together and somehow lose the stuffy hubby. Houston and Washington are a radiant screen couple and when paired on the screen, the story sizzles.
Screenwriters Nat Mauldin and Allan Scott's updating of Robert E. Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici's "The Bishop's Wife" script is episodically structured as Dudley assists the Preacher and his wife in their personal and parishional woes, sometimes pulling a few angelic tricks out of his overcoat's sleeve. Eventually, the story kicks into a solid dramatic gear in a battle between the Preacher and a slick developer (Gregory Hines) over saving the church. The film's narrative here is similar to that of a musical, serving mainly as a line to string together Houston's glorious gospel singing.
Although the pacing sometimes drags, director Penny Marshall has nicely colored the production with a number of offbeat human moments. Marshall's direction is particularly strong in her work with the supporting players. As the minister of drudge, Vance is well-cast.
The supporting cast -- credit to casting director Paula Herold -- brings life and energy to the production. Particularly entertaining are Jenifer Lewis as the preacher's sassy mother-in-law and Loretta Devine as his lively secretary.
THE PREACHER'S WIFE
Buena Vista Releasing
Buena Vista, Touchstone Pictures
and the Samuel Goldwyn Co. present
A Samuel Goldwyn Jr. production
In association with Parkway Prods.
and Mundy Lane Entertainment
A Penny Marshall film
Producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
Director Penny Marshall
Screenwriters Nat Mauldin, Allan Scott
Based on "The Bishop's Wife" screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood, Leonardo Bercovici
Executive producers Robert Greenhut,
Elliot Abbott
Co-producers Debra Martin Chase,
Amy Lemisch, Timothy M. Bourne
Director of photography Miroslav Ondricek
Production designer Bill Groom
Editor Stephen A. Rotter, George Bowers
Costume designer Cynthia Flynt
Music Hans Zimmer
Casting Paula Herold
Gospel music producers Mervyn Warren,
Whitney Houston
Associate producer Bonnie Hlinomaz
Sound mixer Les Lazarowitz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Dudley Denzel Washington
Julia Biggs Whitney Houston
Henry Biggs Courtney B. Vance
Joe Hamilton Gregory Hines
Marguerite Coleman Jenifer Lewis
Beverly Loretta Devine
Jeremiah Biggs Justin Pierre Edmund
Britsloe Lionel Richie
Saul Jeffreys Paul Bates
Osbert Lex Monson
Running time -- 125 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 12/9/1996
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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