On the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, we will be posting one full movie every other day throughout the week, giving viewers the chance to watch them entirely free of charge. The Free Movie of the Day we have for you today is the thriller The Good Shepherd, which stars Christian Slater and is also known by the title The Confessor. You can watch it over on the YouTube channel linked above, or you can just watch it in the embed at the top of this article.
Directed by Lewin Webb from a screenplay by Brad Mirman, The Good Shepherd sees Slater taking on the role of a worldly and urbane priest who is forced to challenge his comfortable existence as an ecclesiastical spin-doctor when he comes to believe in the innocence of a young priest accused of murder. His only ally, a journalist, is also his former sweetheart…
Slater is...
Directed by Lewin Webb from a screenplay by Brad Mirman, The Good Shepherd sees Slater taking on the role of a worldly and urbane priest who is forced to challenge his comfortable existence as an ecclesiastical spin-doctor when he comes to believe in the innocence of a young priest accused of murder. His only ally, a journalist, is also his former sweetheart…
Slater is...
- 3/10/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Even more cinematic insanity has been announced for this year's Boston Underground Film Festival, scheduled this year for March 27 through 31. Among the new titles announced are Big Ass Spider and Guilty of Romance. Read on for all the details!
From the Press Release
The 15th Annual Boston Underground Film Festival continues their barrage of insanity at the Brattle Theatre, from March 27th through the 31st, delivering a second wave of wild programming guaranteed to shake the pillars of Heaven. This year's fest wraps up with a closing night film unlike any other – Mike Mendez's knowingly tongue-in-cheek sci-fi/horror romp, Big Ass Spider!–fresh from its World Premiere at SXSW 2013! With the celebrated director (best-known for 2006’s The Gravedancers) in Cambridge and producer and magical conjurer Travis Stevens, who's Cheap Thrills also plays Buff 2013!
Joining our oversized arachnid pal in Boston Underground's second wave of killer programming is Sion Sono...
From the Press Release
The 15th Annual Boston Underground Film Festival continues their barrage of insanity at the Brattle Theatre, from March 27th through the 31st, delivering a second wave of wild programming guaranteed to shake the pillars of Heaven. This year's fest wraps up with a closing night film unlike any other – Mike Mendez's knowingly tongue-in-cheek sci-fi/horror romp, Big Ass Spider!–fresh from its World Premiere at SXSW 2013! With the celebrated director (best-known for 2006’s The Gravedancers) in Cambridge and producer and magical conjurer Travis Stevens, who's Cheap Thrills also plays Buff 2013!
Joining our oversized arachnid pal in Boston Underground's second wave of killer programming is Sion Sono...
- 3/6/2013
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Taking place at Cambridge, Ma’s Brattle Theatre Wednesday-Sunday, March 27-31, the festival will host the East Coast premieres of a number of features, including E.L. Katz’s Cheap Thrills (pictured above), starring Pat Healy from Compliance and The Innkeepers as a down-on-his-luck new father who’s offered a way out of his dire financial straits by a wealthy couple (David Koechner and Innkeepers’ Sara Paxton)—with some unpleasant strings attached. Katz and producer Travis Stevens will be on hand for the screening. Also East Coast-premiering is Jason Lapeyre’s I Declare War (trailer below), about a group of kids whose combat games in the woods get shockingly out of hand; co-director Robert Wilson and producer Lewin Webb will attend.
Making their New England premieres are Kristina Buozyte’s Vanishing Waves (trailer below, with some Nsfw imagery), about mad-science experiments conducted on a comatose girl, and Kim Ki-duk’s gruesome crime/family melodrama Pieta.
Making their New England premieres are Kristina Buozyte’s Vanishing Waves (trailer below, with some Nsfw imagery), about mad-science experiments conducted on a comatose girl, and Kim Ki-duk’s gruesome crime/family melodrama Pieta.
- 2/25/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Taking place at Cambridge, Ma’s Brattle Theatre Wednesday-Sunday, March 27-31, the festival will host the East Coast premieres of a number of features, including E.L. Katz’s Cheap Thrills (pictured above), starring Pat Healy from Compliance and The Innkeepers as a down-on-his-luck new father who’s offered a way out of his dire financial straits by a wealthy couple (David Koechner and Innkeepers’ Sara Paxton)—with some unpleasant strings attached. Katz and producer Travis Stevens will be on hand for the screening. Also East Coast-premiering is Jason Lapeyre’s I Declare War (trailer below), about a group of kids whose combat games in the woods get shockingly out of hand; co-director Robert Wilson and producer Lewin Webb will attend.
Making their New England premieres are Kristina Buozyte’s Vanishing Waves (trailer below, with some Nsfw imagery), about mad-science experiments conducted on a comatose girl, and Kim Ki-duk’s gruesome crime/family melodrama Pieta.
Making their New England premieres are Kristina Buozyte’s Vanishing Waves (trailer below, with some Nsfw imagery), about mad-science experiments conducted on a comatose girl, and Kim Ki-duk’s gruesome crime/family melodrama Pieta.
- 2/25/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
If Battle Royale taught us anything, it’s that kids battling to the death totally plays. I Declare War is a different take on that theme. This time the weapons are imagined, but the consequences are brutally realistic.
Drafthouse Films announced they will be distributing the Tiff and Fantastic Fest favorite, and it’s scheduled to hit theaters and VOD in the second half of 2013.
Here’s an excerpt from the press release via our friends at Twitch:
Directors Lapeyre and Wilson set out to construct an action film from the darker side of a 13-year-old's mindset, while also examining sincere conflicts of enduring friendship. Using the kids' overactive imaginations, a neighborhood forest setting becomes a full-fledged woodland battlefield: sticks transform into guns, water balloons into grenades and eyeballs can shoot lasers. Charles Webb of MTV Geekhas praised the film for "vividly capturing a point in time as a kid where everything was important,...
Drafthouse Films announced they will be distributing the Tiff and Fantastic Fest favorite, and it’s scheduled to hit theaters and VOD in the second half of 2013.
Here’s an excerpt from the press release via our friends at Twitch:
Directors Lapeyre and Wilson set out to construct an action film from the darker side of a 13-year-old's mindset, while also examining sincere conflicts of enduring friendship. Using the kids' overactive imaginations, a neighborhood forest setting becomes a full-fledged woodland battlefield: sticks transform into guns, water balloons into grenades and eyeballs can shoot lasers. Charles Webb of MTV Geekhas praised the film for "vividly capturing a point in time as a kid where everything was important,...
- 1/31/2013
- by Sara Castillo
- FEARnet
Drafthouse Films has acquired U.S. rights to Jason Lapeyre and Robert Wilson’s “I Declare War,” which screened at the Toronto film festival and Fantastic Fest in the fall. The company plans theatrical and VOD releases in the second half of 2013. “War” depicts an epic game of capture-the-flag during which a group of adolescents pushes the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Samaritan Entertainment’s Lewin Webb, Robert Wilson and Patrick Cameron produced. “Not since ‘Stand By Me’ have we experienced such a poignant and sincere film about kids for adults,” said Drafthouse Films CEO and founder Tim League. “Armed with an arsenal of extremely talented child actors and combining shades of ‘Full Metal Jacket’ and ‘Lord Of The Flies,’ Jason and Rob have created a one-of-a-kind action film that we couldn’t be more excited to handle in the U.S.” Drafthouse Films COO...
- 1/30/2013
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
The Oscar-nominated director Bruce Beresford is attached to direct The Inquisition, a 10-part mini-series set in 15th century Spain and structured as an international co-production.
The lush mini-series about the 15th century Spanish Inquisition is the first project from film and TV producer Lewin Webb (Casino Jack) after he launched a new division at Tricon, a Canadian factual TV producer and distributor.
The Inquisition was created and written by Mark Schwartz (Voyage of the Heart), and developed by Webb in partnership with Media Packer’s Victor Rodriguez, a veteran Canadian distribution executive, and Spanish producing partner Secundino Velasco of Toac.
Beresford, who is also attached to direct the upcoming Sony Pictures TV film Bonnie & Clyde, is best known for his Oscar-winning film Driving Miss Daisy and the HBO TV Movie And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself, which starred Antonio Banderas as the Mexican revolutionary.
“I took a flyer, and I...
The lush mini-series about the 15th century Spanish Inquisition is the first project from film and TV producer Lewin Webb (Casino Jack) after he launched a new division at Tricon, a Canadian factual TV producer and distributor.
The Inquisition was created and written by Mark Schwartz (Voyage of the Heart), and developed by Webb in partnership with Media Packer’s Victor Rodriguez, a veteran Canadian distribution executive, and Spanish producing partner Secundino Velasco of Toac.
Beresford, who is also attached to direct the upcoming Sony Pictures TV film Bonnie & Clyde, is best known for his Oscar-winning film Driving Miss Daisy and the HBO TV Movie And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself, which starred Antonio Banderas as the Mexican revolutionary.
“I took a flyer, and I...
- 1/19/2013
- by Vesna Sunrider
- Filmofilia
While it doesn't sound very Dread Central oriented, we've been assured by the powers that be that the latest film from Raw Feed creator Tony Krantz is home to lots of things close to the hearts of you wondrous sickos out there. Hence the coverage!
From the Press Release
Screen legend Antonio Banderas (Desperado, the Zorro and Spy Kids franchises, Woody Allen’s You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger) leads an all-star cast in the sexy, slick and action-packed detective thriller The Big Bang, out on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 24th. Bending the laws of the film noir genre, The Big Bang dazzles with sharp dialogue, colorful characters, hidden agendas, and shocking twists that will leave audiences guessing until the very last frame.
In addition, the film will have exclusive New York and Los Angeles theatrical engagements starting Friday, May 13th. Srp is $26.98 for the DVD and $34.99 for the...
From the Press Release
Screen legend Antonio Banderas (Desperado, the Zorro and Spy Kids franchises, Woody Allen’s You Will Meet a Tall, Dark Stranger) leads an all-star cast in the sexy, slick and action-packed detective thriller The Big Bang, out on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 24th. Bending the laws of the film noir genre, The Big Bang dazzles with sharp dialogue, colorful characters, hidden agendas, and shocking twists that will leave audiences guessing until the very last frame.
In addition, the film will have exclusive New York and Los Angeles theatrical engagements starting Friday, May 13th. Srp is $26.98 for the DVD and $34.99 for the...
- 4/27/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Kevin Spacey has been nominated twice for an Oscar for American Beauty in 1999 and before that for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects. Oh, and he also won the Oscar both of those times. However, it's now been over ten years since Spacey was nominated for an Oscar and as far as 2010 goes he's only got one opportunity, his role as Jack Abramoff in the recently deceased George Hickenlooper's Casino Jack, which finally hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles this coming Friday. Does he stand a chance at earning one of those precious five Best Actor slots? Today I've got an exclusive red band clip to help you decide.
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
- 12/13/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
We have the full-length trailer, a "show me the money" clip as well as fresh pics from Ato Pictures' comedy "Casino Jack." George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl," "The Man from Elusian Fields") directs the comedy focusing on the wild excesses and escapades of Jack Abramoff. Starring are Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Rachelle Lefevre, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. The film is produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino.
- 10/22/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Ato Pictures has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the Kevin Spacey-starrer "Casino Jack" ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
- 9/9/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- In what is shaping up as one of the best acquisition title fields at the Toronto International Film Festival in years, CAA will be shopping George Hickenlooper's "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey, in two weeks' time.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
- 8/31/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the feature film “Casino Jack” by Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The film is slated to hit theaters sometime in fall 2010. The project is based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff eventually found guilty of bribery and corruption charges. “Casino Jack” was directed by George Hickenlooper (”Factory Girl”) based on the screenplay by Norman Snider. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino are executive producers, and Rick Chad is an associate producer. Kevin Spacey, [...]...
- 3/30/2010
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Political biopic "Casino Jack" has been acquired for domestic distribution by Metropolitan. The film will apparently open this fall, Variety reports. Metropolitan, led by James Schramm, made the announcement Monday. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Barry Pepper, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. Kevin Spacey plays Jack Abramoff, a disgraced Washington power broker who was once a high-powered lobbyist. However, his bribery schemes as well as fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos eventually found him serving a prison sentence. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino served as executive producers.
- 3/30/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
James Schramm's Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired U.S. theatrical distribution rights to the feature film "Casino Jack" from Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The company plans a fall release.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
- 3/29/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Spacey will play disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff in the true story-based thriller Casino Jack , directed by George Hickenlooper from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Variety says the film, formerly titled "Bagman," stars Spacey as the once high-powered lobbyist whose bribery schemes and fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos ultimately landed him in prison. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitezakis are producing the film, which will begin shooting in Toronto this month. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Patricia Eberle and Lewin Webb are executive producing alongside Dana Brunetti for Spacey's Trigger Street Productions.
- 5/13/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Los Angeles Film Festival
Rowan Woods' "Winged Creatures" is earnest as all get-out, but the underlying artistic purpose of the dirge-like melodrama is terribly muddled. A nut job shoots up a Los Angeles-area coffee shop, killing himself once he feels he has accomplished his purpose, and the survivors are left to cope with their feelings of fear, bereavement and guilt. It's not a new theme, nor does writer Roy Freirich bring anything new to the table. The 94-minute film has the look and feel of a television drama but without the heat and intelligence the best TV movies possess.
Lots of luck to Sony in trying to figure out how to market a film that has no easily identifiable audience. Sony Worldwide Releasing has domestic rights to the film, though the company has not yet determined which of its units will release the film, nor when it will be released. The best thing to do with the film, which was a surprise premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival, is to let it ride the festival circuit, then get it quickly into home entertainment, where an unusually high quotient of name actors will attract viewers.
As with all ensemble pieces, the film jumps episodically among the various story lines. However, few of these subplots by themselves make much sense. That shellshocked characters act irrationally is understandable. But the story lines shouldn't lack rationality. Plus, many characters seem to have what insurance companies like to call pre-existing conditions.
Forest Whitaker's character, apparently recovered from a gambling addiction, reverts to form following his near brush with death. Oh, by the way, the filmmakers give him cancer, too, which presumably underscores his turn into self-destructiveness.
Guy Pearce's doctor, who left the cafe moments before the slaughter, starts slipping his unsuspecting wife increasingly dangerous drugs to counter her chronic headaches. Dakota Fanning's little girl turns into a born-again Christian, who extols the bravery of her dad, who died at the scene.
Kate Beckinsale's single-mom waitress suddenly hungers after male companionship, eyeing virtually every man she sees, including the married doctor. Meanwhile, she obsesses about the fact her cell phone failed her during the rampage.
None of these subplots really adds up to much. Nor do the continual flashbacks to the crime scene -- as characters fixate on and recall the event -- shed any revelatory light on the incident or the characters' reactions.
The characters remain remote, out of touch, not only from family and friends but from viewers. You never see why the killings provoke these particular oddball quirks. The problem is that the film has little if any backstory for its people: You can't imagine what any of these people were like before the tragic incident.
The movie thoroughly wastes those playing family members and friends, including Jennifer Hudson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Embeth Davidtz. Tech credits are satisfactory, though unexceptional, because visual artistry is certainly not Woods' strong suit.
Production: Artina Production in association with Peace Arch Entertainment and RGM Entertainment. Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Forest Whitaker, Embeth Davidtz, Troy Garity, Jackie Earle Haley, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Hutcherson, Jeanne Tripplehorn. Director: Rowan Woods. Screenwriter: Roy Freirich. Producers: John J. Kelly, Robert Salerno. Executive Producers: Naomi Despres, Devesh Chetty, Robyn Gardiner, John Flock, Lewin Webb, Gilbert Alloul. Director of Photography: Eric Alan Edwards. Production designer: Max Biscoe. Music: Marcelo Zarvos. Costume Designer: Mary Claire Hannan. Editor: Meg Reticker. Rated R, 94 minutes.
Rowan Woods' "Winged Creatures" is earnest as all get-out, but the underlying artistic purpose of the dirge-like melodrama is terribly muddled. A nut job shoots up a Los Angeles-area coffee shop, killing himself once he feels he has accomplished his purpose, and the survivors are left to cope with their feelings of fear, bereavement and guilt. It's not a new theme, nor does writer Roy Freirich bring anything new to the table. The 94-minute film has the look and feel of a television drama but without the heat and intelligence the best TV movies possess.
Lots of luck to Sony in trying to figure out how to market a film that has no easily identifiable audience. Sony Worldwide Releasing has domestic rights to the film, though the company has not yet determined which of its units will release the film, nor when it will be released. The best thing to do with the film, which was a surprise premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival, is to let it ride the festival circuit, then get it quickly into home entertainment, where an unusually high quotient of name actors will attract viewers.
As with all ensemble pieces, the film jumps episodically among the various story lines. However, few of these subplots by themselves make much sense. That shellshocked characters act irrationally is understandable. But the story lines shouldn't lack rationality. Plus, many characters seem to have what insurance companies like to call pre-existing conditions.
Forest Whitaker's character, apparently recovered from a gambling addiction, reverts to form following his near brush with death. Oh, by the way, the filmmakers give him cancer, too, which presumably underscores his turn into self-destructiveness.
Guy Pearce's doctor, who left the cafe moments before the slaughter, starts slipping his unsuspecting wife increasingly dangerous drugs to counter her chronic headaches. Dakota Fanning's little girl turns into a born-again Christian, who extols the bravery of her dad, who died at the scene.
Kate Beckinsale's single-mom waitress suddenly hungers after male companionship, eyeing virtually every man she sees, including the married doctor. Meanwhile, she obsesses about the fact her cell phone failed her during the rampage.
None of these subplots really adds up to much. Nor do the continual flashbacks to the crime scene -- as characters fixate on and recall the event -- shed any revelatory light on the incident or the characters' reactions.
The characters remain remote, out of touch, not only from family and friends but from viewers. You never see why the killings provoke these particular oddball quirks. The problem is that the film has little if any backstory for its people: You can't imagine what any of these people were like before the tragic incident.
The movie thoroughly wastes those playing family members and friends, including Jennifer Hudson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Embeth Davidtz. Tech credits are satisfactory, though unexceptional, because visual artistry is certainly not Woods' strong suit.
Production: Artina Production in association with Peace Arch Entertainment and RGM Entertainment. Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Forest Whitaker, Embeth Davidtz, Troy Garity, Jackie Earle Haley, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Hutcherson, Jeanne Tripplehorn. Director: Rowan Woods. Screenwriter: Roy Freirich. Producers: John J. Kelly, Robert Salerno. Executive Producers: Naomi Despres, Devesh Chetty, Robyn Gardiner, John Flock, Lewin Webb, Gilbert Alloul. Director of Photography: Eric Alan Edwards. Production designer: Max Biscoe. Music: Marcelo Zarvos. Costume Designer: Mary Claire Hannan. Editor: Meg Reticker. Rated R, 94 minutes.
- 6/26/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY -- Hollywood satires are always an iffy proposition. They can often seem too insular and inbred to capture a general audience. Yet there are classics in the genre, going back to "Singin' in the Rain." And the HBO hit series "Entourage" offers a lot of wickedly funny insider insights. But "The Deal", which had its world premiere here, is a wacky Hollywood satire that never catches fire.
The film began with a novel by Peter Lefcourt, who once toiled in Hollywood himself and has recently become better known as a novelist. But this is one of those outrageous comic tales that probably worked better on the page. When something is translated to the more literal medium of film, it needs a minimal grounding in reality, which this film lacks.
Here's the premise: Charlie Berns (William H. Macy) is a has-been producer on the verge of suicide when his nephew (Jason Ritter) comes knocking on his door with a new script based on the life of Benjamin Disraeli, the long-ago British prime minister. Sounds like a hard sell, but it turns out that Hollywood's top black action star, Bobby Mason (LL Cool J), has recently converted to Judaism and is seeking movies with Jewish themes.
The story of Disraeli might not seem like the easiest fit for Bobby, but Charlie has the idea of revamping and modernizing it. So it turns into "Ben Disraeli, Freedom Fighter", which allows for plenty of mayhem along with Hebrew blessings for the star to deliver while he kicks butt.
On paper, the story might sound amusing, but it is so far-fetched that we never buy into a minute of it. This might have been a lesser problem if the script were wittier, but the laughs are very intermittent, to put it kindly, and so we are left to contemplate the unlikeliness of all the plot developments. The film bears some resemblance to Steve Martin's "Bowfinger", another film about a failed producer trying to get into business with a successful black movie star. But that film, while equally far-fetched, was sidesplittingly funny thanks to splendid writing and acting.
Nothing seems even remotely plausible in "The Deal", which has been adapted by Macy and director Steven Schachter, long-term pals who worked together on several acclaimed television movies. The script's implausibility carries over to the central relationship between Charlie and a savvy studio executive, Deidre Hearn (Meg Ryan).
At first, Deidre is understandably skeptical of Charlie, but when she learns that her studio has been sold to a Canadian company, she gets drunk and jumps into bed with Charlie, a leap that is almost impossible to accept. But even small plot points defy credibility. When a studio suit arrives to shut down the production, Charlie decides to distract him with a hooker. We can accept that she might delay his visit to the set for three hours, but three days?
Macy does bring a lot of energy to his role, and Ryan also gives a shrewd performance when the script doesn't ask her to behave improbably. Most of the supporting players are rather flat, but Elliott Gould has an amusing cameo as Bobby's rabbi, hired as an associate producer on the film.
Much of the film was shot in South Africa, where the film-within-the-film goes to save money. No doubt that was the same reason for the location work on "The Deal". Technical credits are strong. Boxoffice prospects are dim.
THE DEAL
Peace Arch Entertainment
Muse Entertainment
Credits:
Director: Steven Schachter
Screenwriters: William H. Macy, Steven Schachter
Based on the novel by: Peter Lefcourt
Producers: Michael Prupas, Irene Litinsky, Keri Nakamoto
Executive producers: Gary Howsam, Lewin Webb, Jason Bark, Matt Lane
Director of photography: Paul Sarossy
Production designer: Guy Lalande
Music: Jeff Beal
Editors: Matthew Friedman, Susan Maggi
Cast:
Charlie Berns: William H. Macy
Deidre Hearn: Meg Ryan
Bobby Mason: LL Cool J
Lionel Travitz: Jason Ritter
Rabbi Seth Gutterman: Elliott Gould
Fiona Hicks: Fiona Glascott
Levi Rosenwald: Sharon Reginiano
Nigel Bland: John Carson
Grier Clark: David Hunt
Ian Chadwick: Jeremy Crutchley
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
PARK CITY -- Hollywood satires are always an iffy proposition. They can often seem too insular and inbred to capture a general audience. Yet there are classics in the genre, going back to "Singin' in the Rain." And the HBO hit series "Entourage" offers a lot of wickedly funny insider insights. But "The Deal", which had its world premiere here, is a wacky Hollywood satire that never catches fire.
The film began with a novel by Peter Lefcourt, who once toiled in Hollywood himself and has recently become better known as a novelist. But this is one of those outrageous comic tales that probably worked better on the page. When something is translated to the more literal medium of film, it needs a minimal grounding in reality, which this film lacks.
Here's the premise: Charlie Berns (William H. Macy) is a has-been producer on the verge of suicide when his nephew (Jason Ritter) comes knocking on his door with a new script based on the life of Benjamin Disraeli, the long-ago British prime minister. Sounds like a hard sell, but it turns out that Hollywood's top black action star, Bobby Mason (LL Cool J), has recently converted to Judaism and is seeking movies with Jewish themes.
The story of Disraeli might not seem like the easiest fit for Bobby, but Charlie has the idea of revamping and modernizing it. So it turns into "Ben Disraeli, Freedom Fighter", which allows for plenty of mayhem along with Hebrew blessings for the star to deliver while he kicks butt.
On paper, the story might sound amusing, but it is so far-fetched that we never buy into a minute of it. This might have been a lesser problem if the script were wittier, but the laughs are very intermittent, to put it kindly, and so we are left to contemplate the unlikeliness of all the plot developments. The film bears some resemblance to Steve Martin's "Bowfinger", another film about a failed producer trying to get into business with a successful black movie star. But that film, while equally far-fetched, was sidesplittingly funny thanks to splendid writing and acting.
Nothing seems even remotely plausible in "The Deal", which has been adapted by Macy and director Steven Schachter, long-term pals who worked together on several acclaimed television movies. The script's implausibility carries over to the central relationship between Charlie and a savvy studio executive, Deidre Hearn (Meg Ryan).
At first, Deidre is understandably skeptical of Charlie, but when she learns that her studio has been sold to a Canadian company, she gets drunk and jumps into bed with Charlie, a leap that is almost impossible to accept. But even small plot points defy credibility. When a studio suit arrives to shut down the production, Charlie decides to distract him with a hooker. We can accept that she might delay his visit to the set for three hours, but three days?
Macy does bring a lot of energy to his role, and Ryan also gives a shrewd performance when the script doesn't ask her to behave improbably. Most of the supporting players are rather flat, but Elliott Gould has an amusing cameo as Bobby's rabbi, hired as an associate producer on the film.
Much of the film was shot in South Africa, where the film-within-the-film goes to save money. No doubt that was the same reason for the location work on "The Deal". Technical credits are strong. Boxoffice prospects are dim.
THE DEAL
Peace Arch Entertainment
Muse Entertainment
Credits:
Director: Steven Schachter
Screenwriters: William H. Macy, Steven Schachter
Based on the novel by: Peter Lefcourt
Producers: Michael Prupas, Irene Litinsky, Keri Nakamoto
Executive producers: Gary Howsam, Lewin Webb, Jason Bark, Matt Lane
Director of photography: Paul Sarossy
Production designer: Guy Lalande
Music: Jeff Beal
Editors: Matthew Friedman, Susan Maggi
Cast:
Charlie Berns: William H. Macy
Deidre Hearn: Meg Ryan
Bobby Mason: LL Cool J
Lionel Travitz: Jason Ritter
Rabbi Seth Gutterman: Elliott Gould
Fiona Hicks: Fiona Glascott
Levi Rosenwald: Sharon Reginiano
Nigel Bland: John Carson
Grier Clark: David Hunt
Ian Chadwick: Jeremy Crutchley
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/25/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- Canadian director Jerry Ciccoritti received two mentions Thursday as the Directors Guild of Canada unveiled nominations for its film and TV awards. Toronto-based Ciccoritti picked up a film direction nom for Blood, a story about power games between siblings, and a nomination for best TV movie direction for his work on the Sophia Loren-starring drama Lives of the Saints. Ciccoritti will compete in the feature direction category with Jim Donovan (Pure), Michael McGowan (Saint Ralph) and Lewin Webb (The Good Shepherd).
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